cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proton cyclotron echoes and a new resonance observed by the Radio Plasma Imager instrument on the IMAGE satellite

revealed in echo time delay versus frequency forms that arrive at multiples of the local proton cyclotron period tp. Lower-altitude (<4000 km) versions of two of these proton cyclotron (PC) forms were previously observed in the topside ionosphere. A new resonance, apparently confined to altitudes above � 7000 km, was observed at a frequency � 15% above the electron cyclotron frequency fce. We believe that PC echoes and the new resonance are driven by a variety of mechanisms, but only exceptionally strong echoes in the whistler-mode domain are discussed in detail. Those echoes indicate that peak excitation of the protons occurs as a transient event at the beginning of each rf pulse. We infer that there is spatial bunching of accelerated protons during the initial formation of an electron sheath around the positive-voltage antenna element. The gyrating protons then produce a series of electrostatic pulses at multiples of tp. The most efficient proton excitation is expected to occur at frequencies near and below the proton plasma frequency fpp. In contrast to these echoes, the discrete PC echoes above fce and near fZ show evidence of thermal-mode wave propagation at the rf frequency of the sounder pulses, while the new resonance above fce suggests the existence of a ringing phenomenon in the plasma that is unique to altitudes above � 7000 km.
Learning and inference algorithms for partially observed structured switching vector autoregressive models

We present learning and inference algorithms for a versatile class of partially observed vector autoregressive (VAR) models for multivariate time-series data. VAR models can capture wide variety of temporal dynamics in a continuous multidimensional signal. Given a sequence of observations to be modeled by a VAR model, it is possible to estimate its parameters in closed form by solving a least squares problem. For high dimensional observations, the state space representation of a linear system is often invoked. One advantage of doing so is that we model the dynamics of a low dimensional hidden state instead of the observations, which results in robust estimation of the dynamical system parameters. The commonly used approach is to project the high dimensional observation to the low dimensional state space using a KL transform. In this article, we propose a novel approach to automatically discover the low dimensional dynamics in a switching VAR model by imposing discriminative structure on the model parameters. We demonstrate its efficacy via significant improvements in gesture recognition accuracy over a standard hidden Markov model, which does not take the state-conditional dynamics of the observations into account, on a bench-top suturing task.
POPULATION BIOLOGY OF THE RARE FLORIDA SCRUB LIZARD IN FRAGMENTED HABITAT

We completed a 3-yr demographic study of the rare Florida scrub lizard, Sceloporus woodi Stejneger, in a small habitat fragment. Censuses were conducted at 2–7 d intervals, with all hatchlings marked and monitored for survival. Field and laboratory observations were used to estimate fecundity. Survival and fecundity data were combined to estimate population growth rate. Sensitivity of the population growth rate to changes in survival and fecundity was examined by both retrospective and prospective analyses. Survival rates of cohorts declined throughout the study. The decline in survival rates resulted principally from the low survival rates of reproductive females and resulted, in turn, in a negative population growth rate. Subsequent visits to the study site indicated that the population did not decline to extinction, but the factors that affected survival rates are not known. We present some evidence for the potential importance of predation by snakes.
Increases of cardiac troponin in conditions other than acute coronary syndrome and heart failure.

Background: Although cardiac troponin (cTn) is a cornerstone marker in the assessment and management of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and heart failure (HF), cTn is not diagnostically specific for any single myocardial disease process. This narrative review discusses increases in cTn that result from acute and chronic diseases, iatrogenic causes, and myocardial injury other than ACS and HF. Content: Increased cTn concentrations have been reported in cardiac, vascular, and respiratory disease and in association with infectious processes. In cases involving acute aortic dissection, cerebrovascular accident, treatment in an intensive care unit, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding, increased cTn predicts a longer time to diagnosis and treatment, increased length of hospital stay, and increased mortality. cTn increases are diagnostically and prognostically useful in patients with cardiac inflammatory diseases and in patients with respiratory disease; in respiratory disease cTn can help identify patients who would benefit from aggressive management. In chronic renal failure patients the diagnostic sensitivity of cTn for ACS is decreased, but cTn is prognostic for the development of cardiovascular disease. cTn also provides useful information when increases are attributable to various iatrogenic causes and blunt chest trauma. Summary: Information on the diagnostic and prognostic uses of cTn in conditions other than ACS and heart failure is accumulating. Although increased cTn in settings other than ACS or heart failure is frequently considered a clinical confounder, the astute physician must be able to interpret cTn as a dynamic marker of myocardial damage, using clinical acumen to determine the source and significance of any reported cTn increase.
Acid stress responses in enterobacteria

The enteric microorganisms Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri prefer to grow in neutral pH environments. They nevertheless experience dramatic pH fluctuations in nature and during pathogenesis. In response to environmental encounters with acid, these organisms have evolved complex, inducible acid survival strategies. Regulatory features include an alternative sigma factor (σS), 2-component signal transduction systems (PhoP/Q; MviA/?) and the major iron regulatory protein Fur. Specific survival mechanisms include emergency pH homeostasis by inducible amino acid decarboxylases and probable roles for DNA repair, chaparonins, membrane biogenesis as well as others that remain poorly defined. Continued study of acid survival in these organisms will provide general insights regarding stress management and will have a direct impact on our understanding of pathogenesis.
Background subtraction and accessibility analysis in evidence grids

Evidence grids are a popular representation for fused data from multiple sensors. Previous attempts at back-ground subtraction within evidence grids either do so prior to sensor fusion or do so naively, simply ignoring any cells with a high background occupancy probability. A key weakness of these approaches is that they cannot reason about interiors of objects or other unobserved regions. Recognizing and removing solid object interiors is important for any application that must be able to differentiate between occupied and unknown space after background subtraction. In this paper, we propose accessibility analysis as a method for the removal of interior regions. We then present and compare two approaches for performing background subtraction with accessibility analysis in evidence grids. Performance is measured using a 3D evidence grid in a test bed for a sensing system designed for use in safety monitoring of an automated assembly workcell. Within the parameters of the present study, both techniques allow for precise detection of foreground objects while fully removing background objects. Subtraction runs in near real-time, even for large grids.
Under Reduced Circumstances: Space and Place for the Aging

We only half-understand how meaning depends upon geography. We usually think of meaning in global terms, as having to do with the universals of truth, goodness, and beauty. But global meanings are anchored in the unselfconscious geography of everyday life, the “rhythmic functional patterns” by which we order time and space. Those patterns change over the lifetime of the individual, profoundly altering what life means to him.
Trust in leader and its effect on job satisfaction and intent to leave in a healthcare setting

This article examines trust in leader and its effect on job satisfaction and intent to leave among 294 nurses working in hospitals within two healthcare organizations. Nurses were asked to assess the level of trust in his/her own nurse manager as well as his/her own level of job satisfaction and intent to leave. Results suggest that trust in leader has a direct effect on job satisfaction. Interestingly results also suggest that trust in leader has a direct effect on intent to leave independent of job satisfaction. The findings of this research indicate that trust in leader is a more important variable of study than what may have been previously thought, especially in the job satisfaction and turnover literature.
Helical CT in Patients with Abdominal Trauma

Imaging of acute trauma has been influenced fundamentally by the advent of helical CT. The role of CT in the diagnostic work-up and management of trauma patients is currently being reassessed, and it is likely to increase in the future. The purpose of this chapter is to review the impact of helical CT on clinical imaging of the patient with acute abdominal trauma.
Post-Pump Chorea—Choreiform Movements Developing after Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy for Chronic Pulmonary Hypertension Presenting as “Functional” Movement Disorder

Movement disorders are a group of diseases which affect ability to produce and control bodily movement. The movement disorders get labeled as “functional” in nature if organic cause could not be found after extensive medical work-up and features from the history and examination are inconsistent with a known neurologic problem. There is tendency to miss an organic cause of a movement disorder if it is too rare to attract much attention. This usually results in referral for psychiatric evaluation. The implications are devastating. The potentially treatable neurologic cause and disability due to distressing symptoms can go untreated, and incorrect mental health diagnosis can cause demoralization and stigmatization. We report here such a case where the patient was initially diagnosed with functional movement disorder but further evaluation and literature search revealed a rare neurologic condition called “post-pump chorea” syndrome.
How to make Discretionary Access Control secure against trojan horses

Modern commercial of the shelf operating systems use Discretionary Access Control (DAC) to protect files and other operating system resources. According to the Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria (TCSEC) (often referred to as the Orange Book) [1], Discretionary Access Control is "a means of restricting access to objects based on the identity of subjects and/or groups to which they belong. The controls are discretionary in the sense that a subject with a certain access permission is capable of passing that permission (perhaps indirectly) on to any other subject (unless restrained by mandatory access control)."
Social support, cannabis misuse, and post-deployment depression in returning veterans

Aims: More than two million American soldiers have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and returning home from deployment has proven to be a difficult task (Hinojosa and Hinojosa, 2011). Although social support may be a healthy means of relieving postdeployment distress (Campbell et al., 2007), marijuana use has become a common mechanism for coping with reintegration difficulties (Boden et al., 2013; Golub and Bennett, 2014) and is prevalent in returning veterans (Bonn-Miller et al., 2012). This study examined the associations betweenmarijuana-related problems, DSM-IV cannabis dependence, and post-deployment social support and distress in OIF/OEF/OND veterans. Methods: Returning veterans (n=152, mean age (SD) =32.30 (9.09); 93%male)whodeployedpost9/11/01completed self-report measures of current depression (CES-D), marijuana use problems (MPS), and perceived social support (DRRI). Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM-IV were conducted to determine past year cannabis dependence diagnosis. Results: 41% of veterans reported marijuana use in the past year, and 28% reported use in the past month. Of past year marijuana users, 22% met criteria for DSM-IV cannabis dependence diagnosis. Post-deployment social support (B=−0.71, 95% CI [−0.84, −0.58], sr2 = 0.43, p< .001), marijuana-related problems (B=2.31, 95% CI [0.76, 3.86], sr2 = 0.03, p< .01), and number of current cannabis dependence symptoms (B=3.0, 95% CI [0.72, 5.28], sr2 = 0.02, p< .05) independently predicted CES-D depression. Marijuana problems and dependence symptoms did not moderate the relationship between social support and depression. Conclusions: Social support and marijuana-related problems and dependence were independently associated with depression. Findings suggest that veterans may benefit from increased social support as a way of coping with post-deployment distress. Engagement in interventions and treatments focused on reducing marijuana use may help improve post-deployment outcomes. Financial support: R01 DA033425 (Metrik, Borsari).
While We Stood By… The Limiting of Sexual Information to Our Youth

(1992). While We Stood By… The Limiting of Sexual Information to Our Youth. Journal of Health Education: Vol. 23, No. 6, pp. 326-335.
Two-photon interference in a standard Mach–Zehnder Interferometer

Two-photon interferometry (polarization correlation included) provides an efficient tool for studying the foundations of quantum mechanics and the fundamental properties of the electromagnetic field. It has been pointed out that the study of two-photon interferometry may bring new hope to the development of quantum-measurement theory. Several two-photon-interfercncc experiments by using Mach–Zehnder interferometers have been reported.1,2 In these experiments the light-quanta pairs generated from parametric downconversion are degenerate in frequency but nondegenerate in propagation direction. The photon pairs were directed to two input ports of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, Higher than 50% second-order interference visibility (second order in intensity, fourth order in field) was observed when the pairs take equal optical paths to reach the input beam splitter of the interferometer from the down con version crystal. This phenomenon was considered to be a quantum effect.
Elevated serum erythropoietin in a patient with polycythaemia vera presenting with Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Polycythaemia vera (PV) is a clonal disorder of bone marrow stem cells characterised by erythrocytosis. Diagnosis of PV requires exclusion of secondary causes of polycythaemia. It has been held that an elevated erythropoietin (Epo) level strongly indicates secondary erythrocytosis and excludes PV diagnosis, to the extent that the reduced serum Epo level is currently listed as a minor criterion in the WHO classification scheme for PV. However, patients with PV who co-present with Budd-Chiari syndrome have been documented with elevated serum Epo levels. For these patients, identification of the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) V617F point mutation along with the transient nature of the Epo elevation provides certainty of PV diagnosis, as illustrated by the proband. In this case report, the patient9s positive response to cytoreductive therapy (hydroxyurea 500 mg daily) and phlebotomy (750 mL over three phlebotomies) further supports validity of PV diagnosis with elevated Epo. The patient remains on rivaroxaban (Xarelto) for treatment of her portal vein thrombosis.
A clinical analysis of cause and strategy of 100 cases of short-term readmission of pediatric patients

Objective To investigate cause of short-term readmission of pediatric patients so as to find out preventive strategies.Methods The clinical data of 100 pediatric patients who readmitted to our hospital in a short interval in 2006 were retrospectively analyzed.Results Among 100 readmitted patients,46 patients had the same disease diagnosis and 33 patients had correlated disease as last hospitalization.The average interval was 2.58 days.The average hospital stay in the first admission was 8.26 days and that in the second admission was 8.77days.33 patients discharged without permission of the doctor in the first admission and 32 in the second admission.ConclusionMore attention should be paid to short-term readmission of the pediatric patients,and precautionary measures should be taken in many steps to reduce frequency of readmission.Meanwhile,it is necessary to study factors to be associated with hospital infection.
Analysis on Ezra Pound’s Chinese Poems Translation from the Perspective of Deconstructionism

Ezra Pound use misinterpretation and mistranslation to translate Chinese ancient poems.His anti-fidelity method can be explained by deconstructionist,and prove the rationality of his translation.
Development of a multiplex real-time fluorescence PCR assay for the identification of three diagrrheagenic Escherichia coli and Shigella spp.

Objective:To develop a multiplex real-time PCR assay for the simultaneous identification of three diagrrheagenic Escherichia coli and Shigella spp.Methods: The sequences of virulence genes stx1,stx2,eaeA and ipaH of three diagrrheagenic Escherichia coli and Shigella spp.were searched and blasted,the four sets of primers and probes were designed.A quadruple real-time fluorescence PCR assay was developed to detect EPEC,ETEC,EIEC and Shigella spp.The reaction system and conditions were modified.The specificity,sensitivity and repeatability were analyzed.Results: The results showed that this method possessed high sensitivity and specificity.The results were the same(100%) as those by strain cultures.Conclusion: This quadruple real-time fluorescence PCR assay can simultaneously,rapidly,sensitively and specifically identify EPEC,ETEC,EIEC and Shigella spp.It can be widely used in clinical,sanitary and food examinations.It is helpful for the rapid treatment,preventing food poisoning and protecting public health.
Social cognition: memory decay and adaptive information filtering for robust information maintenance

Two information decay methods are examined that help multi-agent systems cope with dynamic environments. The agents in this simulation have human-like memory and a mechanism to moderate their communications: they forget internally stored information via temporal decay, and they forget distributed information by filtering it as it passes through a communication network. The agents play a foraging game, in which performance depends on communicating facts and requests and on storing facts in internal memory. Parameters of the game and agent models are tuned to human data. Agent groups with moderated communication in small-world networks achieve optimal performance for typical human memory decay values, while non-adaptive agents benefit from stronger memory decay. The decay and filtering strategies interact with the properties of the network graph in ways suggestive of an evolutionary cooptimization between the human cognitive system and an external social structure.
Development and validation of a cost-effective, efficient, and robust liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of the acetyl and succinoyl content in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate polymer.

A reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for the determination of the content of free acetic acid, free succinic acid, acetyl substituents, and succinoyl substituents in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS; Chemical Abstracts Service Registry No. 71138-97-1) polymer. This single new method gave accurate and precise measurement of both acetyl and succinoyl substituents, which had previously required 3 Japanese Pharmaceutical Excipients (JPE) methods to accomplish. Consequently, analysis time and turnaround time are decreased significantly. Furthermore, this method can also separate and determine the free acetic and succinic acids in HPMCAS polymer, a task that the corresponding JPE method cannot achieve. The values for accuracy (average recovery from 12 standard samples) were 99.9% for acetic acid and 99.8% for succinic acid. The values for injection precision (relative standard deviation [RSD]) were 0.11 % for acetic acid and 0.28% for succinic acid. The values for intermediate precision (RSD) were 1.25% for determination of the acetyl content at the 8.78% (w/w) level and 1.33% for determination of the succinoyl content at the 10.9% (w/w) level. The values for intermediate precision (RSD) were 5.98% for determination of free acetic acid at the 0.12% (w/w) level and 5.13% for determination of free succinic acid at the 0.029% (w/w) level. The method was proven to be robust with respect to variation in the pH of the mobile phase, the concentration of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and the flow rate. The method is well suited for quality control in today's fast-paced pharmaceutical laboratories.
Bee Fauna and Floral Abundance Within Lawn-Dominated Suburban Yards in Springfield, MA

Private yards comprise a significant component of urban lands, with managed lawns representing the dominant land cover. Lawns blanket > 163,000 km2 of the United States, and 50% of urban and suburban areas. When not treated with herbicides, lawns have the capacity to support a diversity of spontaneous (e.g., not planted) flowers, with the potential to provide nectar and pollen resources for pollinators such as native bees. In order to determine the extent to which suburban lawns support these important species, we surveyed lawns in 17 suburban yards in Springfield, MA, between May and September 2013 and 2014. Householders participating in the study did not apply chemical pesticides or herbicides to lawns for the duration of the study. We collected 5,331 individual bees, representing 111 species, and 29% of bee species reported for the state. The majority of species were native to North America (94.6%), nested in soil (73%), and solitary (48.6%). Species richness was lower for oligolectic (specialists on a single plant; 9.9%) and parasitic species (12.6%). Abundance percentages for number of individuals were similar. We documented 63 plant species in the lawns, the majority of which were not intentionally planted. The most abundant lawn flowers were dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and clover (Trifolium sp.). Nearly 30% of the spontaneous plant species growing in the lawns were native to North America. Our study suggests that the spontaneous lawn flowers could be viewed as supplemental floral resources and support pollinators, thereby enhancing the value of urban green spaces.
Quantum wire and quantum dot semiconductor lasers

Direct write lithography technology is now capable of fabricating structures having nanometer scale feature sizes. If combined with epitaxially grown quantum well material in systems like GaAs(AIGaAs) or InGaAsP(lnP), structures exhibiting quantum size effects in two or three dimensions can be contemplated. Quantum wires and quantum boxes are examples of such structures.1–4
Integration of stereotactic techniques into radiotherapy practice: a review

Use of stereotactic frames to improve the accuracy of radiotherapy treatments has found wide acceptance in recent years. Early treatments were true neurosurgical procedures, relying on frame systems to accurately place radiation sources at predetermined locations within brain tumors. More recently, stereotactic technology has been used to improve the accuracy of radiotherapy treatments delivered by externally produced radiation beams. This paper reviews the development of stereotactically guided radiation treatments in its various forms and concludes that within the next ten years, almost all radiotherapy departments are likely to be using some form of stereotactic technique.
The Influence of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Warnings: A Randomized Trial of Adolescents' Choices and Beliefs.

Introduction California, New York, and the cities of San Francisco and Baltimore have introduced bills requiring health-related warning labels for sugar-sweetened beverages. This study measures the extent to which these warning labels influence adolescents' beliefs and hypothetical choices. Design Participants completed an online survey in which they chose a beverage in a hypothetical vending machine task, rated perceptions of different beverages, and indicated interest in coupons for beverages. Data were collected and analyzed in 2015. Setting/participants A total of 2,202 demographically diverse adolescents aged 12–18 years completed the online survey. Intervention Participants were randomly assigned to one of six conditions: (1) no warning label; (2) calorie label; (3–6) one of four text versions of a warning label (e.g., SAFETY WARNING: Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay ). Main outcome measures Hypothetical choices, perceptions of beverages, interest in coupons, and endorsement of warning label policies were assessed. Results Controlling for frequency of beverage purchases, significantly fewer adolescents chose a sugar-sweetened beverage in three of the four warning label conditions (65%, 63%, and 61%) than in the no label (77%) condition. Adolescents in the four warning label conditions chose fewer sugar-sweetened beverage coupons and believed that sugar-sweetened beverages were less likely to help them lead a healthy life and had more added sugar compared with the no label condition. Conclusions Health-related warning labels on sugar-sweetened beverages improved adolescents' recognition of the sugar content of such beverages and reduced hypothetical choices to buy sugar-sweetened beverages.
1/f noise QWIPs, superlattice, and nBn detectors

The low-frequency noise is a ubiquitous phenomenon and the spectral power density of this fluctuation process is inversely proportional to the frequency of the signal. We have measured the 1/f noise of a 640x512 pixel quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) focal plane array (FPA) with 6.2 μm peak wavelength. Our experimental observations show that this QWIP FPA’s 1/f noise corner frequency is about 0.1 mHz. With this kind of low frequency stability, QWIPs could unveil a new class of infrared applications that have never been imagined before. Furthermore, we present the results from a similar 1/f noise measurement of bulk InAsSb absorber (lattice matched to GaSb substrate) nBn detector array with 4.0 μm cutoff wavelength.
Data on the effect of pro-fibrotic cytokine TGF-β on hepatic stellate cell autophagy

Our data describe autophagic flux in primary rat hepatic stellate cells (rHSCs) treated with pro-fibrotic growth factor, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). An autophagy flux experiment determines the rate of synthesis and degradation of the autophagosome marker, LC3-II in the presence and absence of the lysosomal inhibitor bafilomcyin, which blocks LC3-II degradation in lysosomes. The effects of a test agent on LC3-II flux through the autophagic pathway is determined immunochemically by its relative amounts detected in lysates of cells treated with and without bafilomycin. This measurement helps to validate whether exposure to an agent affects the biogenesis or the degradation of autophagosomes during autophagy, a major macromolecular degrading mechanism in eukaryotic cells. ("Rev-erb Agonist and TGF-β Similarly Affect Autophagy but Differentially Regulate Hepatic Stellate Cell Fibrogenic Phenotype" (Thomes et al., in press) [1].
Analytical and Finite Element Buckling Solutions of Fixed–Fixed Anisotropic Laminated Composite Columns Under Axial Compression

A generalized analytical formula is developed to predict buckling of anisotropic laminated composite fixed–fixed thin columns by using the Rayleigh–Ritz displacement field approximation. Based on the generalized constitutive relationship, the effective extensional, coupling and flexural stiffness coefficients of the anisotropic layup are determined using dimensional reduction by static condensation of the 6×6 composite stiffness matrix. The resulting explicit formula is expressed in terms of the flexural stiffness since the coupling and extensional stiffness coefficients drop out of the formulation for this boundary condition when following the standard Rayleigh–Ritz formulation steps. This formula is similar to the Euler buckling formula in which the flexural rigidity is expressed in terms of the flexural stiffness coefficient of laminated composites. Motivated by reducing some of the discrepancy with the finite element results, the pre-buckling solution was substituted into the bifurcation expression to yield an updated formula that includes the coupling and extensional stiffness coefficients. The analytical results are verified against finite element Eigen value solutions for a wide range of anisotropic laminated layups yielding high accuracy. A parametric study is then conducted to examine the effect of ply orientation and material properties including hybrid carbon/glass fiber composites. Relevance of the numerical and analytical results is discussed for all these cases. In addition, comparisons with an earlier buckling solution for cross-ply laminated columns are made.
From Separation to Collaboration

The separation of editorial and business departments has long been regarded as central to the identity and integrity of journalism in the United States. Financial challenges confronting news organi...
Spirituality as a Framework for Confronting Life’s Existential Questions in Later Adulthood

Confronting the core existential questions of life (e.g., What is the meaning of life? Why do bad things happen to good people?) is an aspect of adulthood in which individuals’ spirituality plays a central role. This chapter adopts an approach to the development of spirituality across adulthood promulgated especially by Merton and Rohr, who describe it as the progression from the False Self to the True Self. Underlying this progression are cognitive, personality, and relational developmental processes that provide the necessary mechanisms. Thus, the various transitions reflected in postformal thought in adult cognitive development, the six-foci model in personality development, and the emergence of felt connection in relational development across adulthood provide an explanatory framework for understanding the False Self to True Self transition. Taken together, these underlying processes and transitions then provide an explanatory framework for how people confront and answer for themselves the core existential questions of life.
Impact of the MitraClip Procedure on Left Atrial Strain and Strain Rate

Background— Although reverse remodeling of the left atrium (LA) has been shown after MitraClip placement in degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR), changes in LA strain and strain rate have not been evaluated in these patients or compared with surgical mitral valve repair. Methods and Results— We included 87 subjects (mean age 59.7±12.3 years) with degenerative MR enrolled in the randomized EVEREST II trial (Endovascular Valve Edge-to-Edge Repair Study II). Baseline peak positive LA strain (e) and strain rates along with longitudinal left ventricular strain (LV e) were compared with 12-month follow-up measures. At 12 months, all 38 mitral valve repair subjects had ≤2+ MR, and 31 of the 49 MitraClip had ≤2+ MR. Baseline LA strain and strain rate values were similar in MitraClip and mitral valve repair groups. Of the strain rate measures, only peak early diastolic strain rate was consistently decreased in all treatment arms. In patients with reduced baseline LA e, no significant change in LA e occurred in either the MitraClip or mitral valve repair group despite significant MR and LA volume reduction. However, in patients with normal or high baseline e, successful MR reduction by either method resulted in return of LA e to normative values. There was a significant correlation between LA e, LV e values, and change in LA e and LV e over time. Conclusions— Changes seen in LA e seem to depend on baseline LA and LV function. Changes in LA e after MR reduction may reflect a decrease in LA expansion but may also be influenced by the degree of pre-existing LA dysfunction. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00209274.
Advection of Momentum and Buoyancy in a Coastal Frontal Zone

Abstract We report a study of a coastal frontal zone of the southeastern United States based on a field experiment and numerical modeling. The study was conducted in the spring of 1985 during weak to moderate wind stress and strong input of buoyancy from solar radiation and river discharge. The study confirms that the structure and slope of the frontal zone depends on a combination of wind stress and cross-shelf advection of buoyancy. A cross-shelf/depth two-dimensional (x, y), time-dependent numerical model illustrated the response of the frontal zone to the local wind stress regimes. A comparison of model results with field data showed that the model successfully predicted onsets of stratification and mixing. When alongshore wind stress was negative (southward), isopycnals in the frontal zone steepened due to a combination of horizontal advection and vertical convection. When stress was positive (northward), the offshore advection of low density water flattened the isopycnals and potential energy decrea...
Contemporary Factors Associated with the Use of Laparoscopy for Inguinal Hernia Repair Among Department of Defense Beneficiaries.

INTRODUCTION The factors that contribute to variation in utilization of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair are unknown. We sought to determine the current usage patterns of laparoscopic and open surgery in the elective repair of uncomplicated unilateral inguinal hernia in a large population with universal health care coverage comprised of Department of Defense (DoD) beneficiaries. MATERIALS AND METHODS The DoD Military Health System Data Repository (MDR) tracks health care delivered to a universally insured population of active/reserve/retired members of the U.S. Armed Services and their dependents. The MDR was queried for elective unilateral inguinal hernia repair among adult patients between 2008 and 2014. The primary outcome was laparoscopic (vs. open) approach to hernia repair. We conducted univariable and multivariable analyses of patient- and systems-level factors associated with approach to inguinal hernia repair. This research was approved by our institutional review board prior to commencement of the study and need for informed consent was waived given the design of this study. RESULTS Among 37,742 elective uncomplicated unilateral inguinal hernia repairs, 35% (n = 13,114) were performed laparoscopically. In 2014, 40% of inguinal hernia repairs were performed laparoscopically, compared with 27% of repairs in 2008 (P < 0.01). In multivariable analysis, laparoscopic hernia repair was more likely for male patients (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.23-1.54, P < 0.01), military (vs. civilian) institutions (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.28-1.41, P < 0.01), active-duty officers (vs. active-duty enlisted; OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.12-1.30, P < 0.01), and more recent year of surgery (P < 0.01). Laparoscopic repair was significantly less likely among patients with greater than one comorbidity (vs. none; OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.61-0.76, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION In a large, universally insured population of military service members and their dependents, laparoscopic inguinal repair is increasingly used and was preferred over open repair for younger, healthier, active-duty patients and those treated within the military (vs. non-military) care system.
Cell cycle regulation of human WEE1.

Abstract WEE1 kinase negatively regulates entry into mitosis by catalyzing the inhibitory tyrosine phosphorylation of CDC2/cyclin B kinase. We report here an investigation of human WEE1. Endogenous WEE1 migrates as an approximately 94 kDa protein in SDS-PAGE, substantially larger than the 49 kDa protein encoded by the original human WEE1 cDNA clone that was truncated at the 5'-end. Antibody depletion experiments demonstrate that WEE1 accounts for most of the activity that phosphorylates CDC2 on Tyr15 in an in vitro assay of HeLa cell lysates, hence it is likely to have an important role in the mitotic control of human cells. WEE1 activity was not found to be elevated in HeLa cells arrested in S phase, suggesting that unreplicated DNA does not delay M phase by hyperactivating WEE1. WEE1 activity is strongly suppressed during M phase, suggesting that negative regulation of WEE1 could be part of the mechanism by which activation of CDC2/cyclin B kinase is promoted during the G2/M transition. M phase WEE1 is re-activated in samples prepared in the absence of protein phosphatase inhibitors, demonstrating that WEE1 is inhibited by a mechanism that requires protein phosphorylation.
Exploring Environmental Education Through Ecofeminism: Narratives of Embodiment of Science

Care must be taken when teaching about the environment as to whether the underlying philosophical framework is one of sustainability, deep ecology, bioregionalism, or ecofeminism. Many environmental education projects, activities, and lessons tend to focus on the “problems” with or in nature, thereby reifying nature itself as problematic – a concept abhorrent to most ecofeminists. Inadvertently, educators of all kinds problematize nature as if nature is something separate from all of us. Problems-based learning as a pedagogical practice at first seems to be a logical way to learn about nature; however, there are problems with using this teaching strategy with environmental education topics. Furthermore, from an ecofeminist perspective, nature becomes reified as separate and problematic.
Autacoids for Immune Modulation: a Strategy

ABSTRACT Autacoids have been found to be both mediators and modulators of rather complex in vitro and in vivo models of inflammation and immunity. Their eventual use as therapeutic modulators of these processes depends on a precise definition of their role in the subsets of cells that participate in the diseases. Defining this in turn depends on production of higher potency congeners of autacoids that also might be tissue directed. This report summarizes the strategy that has led to high potency congeners of catecholamines; it shows some evidence of the congener's tissue selectivity and early evidence of enhancing the latter by making conjugates of the congeners. The conjugates with dipeptide carriers have unexpected properties and may be the precursors of conjugates whose carrier moieties are monoclonal antibodies and, thereby, become organ directed.
COMPUTER ASSISTED HUMAN AND PLANT CHROMOSOME KARYOTYPING

ABSTRACT The hereditary material of every living organism is carried by chromosomes. Abnormalities either inherited or acquired during life will be transmitted to the offspring. Karyotyping is a method of ordering and displaying magnified chromosome images for study. Manual karyotyping consists of cutting out each chromosome image from a highly enlarged photograph of a metaphase spread, ordering and pasting these to form a karyotype. This is a tedious and time consuming procedure. In the late sixties and early seventies much pioneering work was done on automatic and interactive (semi-automatic) karyotyping of human chromosomes. This resulted in various experimental systems being put together, for example in USA, England and Canada. The resultant systems were quite successful and required little computing experience to operate. The equipment, however, was rather expensive. Computers and related hardware have now become much more powerful and less costly. Such systems are still not generally available. The karyotyping of plant chromosomes is performed for research purposes only. The chromosome spreads are obtained from the synthesis of interspecific and intergeneric hybrids during experiments for selecting useful traits from both parental species. Due to the complexity of the images, the operator and the computer work interactively. The operator helps the computer to separate the chromosomes which are bent and tangled up. The computer “straightens” the chromosomes, calculates a set of measures (length, density, area, etc.) and displays the straightened chromosomes in karyotype format. This system is believed to be unique. A variety of results will be presented.
The Patch-Clamp Technique for Measurement of K+Channels in Xenopus Oocytes and Mammalian Expression Systems

Potassium channels are ubiquitous membrane proteins. They are expressed in most cells, both excitable and nonexcitable. In excitable cells, K+ channels preside over a wide range of cell functions such as excitability, propagation of excitation, and neurotransmitter release (Hille, 1992; Rudy, 1988). In nonexcitable cells, they are responsible for regulating cell volume and cell proliferation (Sobko et al., 1998; Hille, 1992). Therefore, most cells express different voltage-dependent K+ (Kv) channels to guarantee certain functions and to optimize the cellular response to different stimuli (Sobko et al., 1998; Conforti and Millhorn, 1997). The heteromultimeric nature of native Kv channels and the possibility that several related types of Kv channels of different compositions are expressed in the same cell complicate the study of an isolated channel in mammalian cells (Shamotienko et al., 1997; Sheng et al., 1993; Wang et al., 1993). Study of the behavior of a particular type of K+ channel in the native cell is further complicated by the limited selectivity of available K+ channel blockers and toxins (Hopkins, 1998; Grissmer et al., 1994). Kv channels of known composition can be expressed in heterologous expression systems, such as the Xenopus oocytes and mammalian cell lines. Structural and functional studies of Kv channels in expression systems provide important information for understanding, by extrapolation, the function of similar channels in native cells.
Molecular Genetics of Lipid Metabolism in the Model Green Alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Research focusing on microalgae is currently experiencing a renaissance due to the potential of microalgae for providing biofuels without competing with food crops. Despite this potential, our knowledge of neutral and membrane lipid metabolism in microalgae is very limited, and opportunities to explore lipid metabolism in microalgae and contrast it to plant lipid metabolism abound. The unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is currently the best genetic and genomic model for microalgal lipid research. This chapter summarizes the current knowledge of lipid metabolism in this alga. Chlamydomonas lipid metabolism differs in some aspects from that of seed plants. For example, Chlamydomonas lacks phosphatidylcholine and has in its place the betaine lipid diacylglyceryl-N,N,N-trimethylhomoserine. This has important implications for lipid trafficking and lipid modification. These distinct aspects of algal lipid metabolism combined with the lower number of genes involved in lipid metabolism in Chlamydomonas provide several opportunities for basic research aimed at a more in-depth understanding of lipid metabolism in eukaryotic photosynthetic organisms in general.
The Anomaly of Passenger 'Standing' to Suppress All Evidence Derived from Illegal Vehicle Seizures under the Exclusionary Rule: Why the Conventional Wisdom of the Lower Courts is Wrong

The current method of determining passenger “standing” broadens the Exclusionary Rule to include passengers whose own Fourth Amendment rights may not have been violated. Crime-committing passengers are currently afforded a “windfall” in the form of suppressed evidence, simply because courts assume that all evidence found in the illegal seizure of a vehicle is tainted. The conventional method of the lower courts to determine passenger “standing” to suppress all evidence derived from an illegal traffic stop breaks with the traditional analysis of “standing” used for every other violation of the Fourth Amendment. It affords vehicle passengers with a blanket right to suppress evidence that they would not have with a Fourth Amendment violation in a comparable setting, i.e. while walking down the street or as a short-term house guest. This comment proposes a different method of determining passenger “standing:” the Personal Rights approach. The Personal Rights approach divides a traffic stop into the stop of the driver, the stop of the passenger, and the stop of the vehicle, and engages in counterfactual analysis to determine whether the incriminating evidence is actually derived from the illegal seizure of the person asserting the claim. The Personal Rights approach comports with traditional Fourth Amendment analyses of “standing,” while still allowing vehicle passengers to challenge their own illegal seizure and argue for the suppression of evidence that flows therefrom. Thus, the courts should dispense with the current conventional method and adopt the Personal Rights Approach.
Stakeholder views regarding a planned primary care office-based interactive multimedia suicide prevention tool

Abstract Objectives Nearly half of all men who die by suicide visit a primary care clinician (PCC) in the month before death, yet few disclose suicide thoughts. We solicited stakeholders’ views to guide development of a tailored multimedia program to activate middle-aged men experiencing suicide thoughts to engage with PCCs. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with 44 adults self-identifying as: suicide attempt survivor; family member/loved one of person(s) who attempted or died by suicide; PCC; non-PCC office staff; health administrator; and/or prevention advocate. We coded recorded interview transcripts and identified relevant themes using grounded theory. Results Two thematic groupings emerged, informing program design: structure and delivery (including belief the program could be effective and desire for use of plain language and media over text); and informational and motivational content (including concerns about PCC preparedness; fear that disclosing suicide thoughts would necessitate hospitalization; and influence of male identity and masculinity, respectively, in care-seeking for and interpreting suicide thoughts). Conclusion Stakeholder input informed the design of a primary care tailored multimedia suicide prevention tool. Practice Implications In revealing a previously unreported barrier to disclosing suicide thoughts to PCCs (fear of hospitalization), and underscoring known barriers, the findings may suggest additional suicide prevention approaches.