cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling FMLP-induced capillary filtration: potential role of oxidatively activated leukocytes

Microvascular arterioles and venules are typically found in a closely paired countercurrent arrangement that allows diffusional communication. Increases in capillary fluid filtration rate due to acute inflammation appear to utilize this structural arrangement, and are dependent on leukocytes accumulating at arteriovenular pairing sites (Microcirculation 7:259-268, 2000). We have preliminary evidence that following exposure of the rat mesentery to the leukcoyte chemoattractant formyl-met-leu-phe (FMLP), leukocytes that extravasate from postcapillary venules release a signal that is delivered by nearby arterioles to downstream branching capillaries. We hypothesize that such a mechanism can be described in a mathematical model that relates the diffusion distance from a tissue leukocyte to the nearest arteriole, and also the transit time in the bloodstream from the arteriole to capillary. We also hypothesize that leukocytes that are oxidatively activated are the most likely to participate in this mechanism. Following localized FMLP exposure at arteriovenular pairing sites, /spl sim/30-50% of tissue leukocytes were oxidativley activated, as defined by cellular fluorescence of the oxidant-sensitive dye dihydrorhodamine 123. However, when we measured diffusion distances from those cells to the nearby arteriole, we found no correlation between the estimated effect on capillary filtration (using our mathematical model) and the actual measured effect.
The External Rotation Recurvatum Test Revisited Reevaluation of the Sagittal Plane Tibiofemoral Relationship

Background:Posterolateral corner injuries can be difficult to diagnose. The external rotation recurvatum test was one of the first clinical tests described to diagnose these injuries. Since its earliest description, it has been reported that a positive test result occurred with posterior translation of the proximal tibia with respect to the distal femur as the knee went into recurvatum, external rotation, and varus angulation.Purpose:To document the sagittal plane relationship of the tibiofemoral joint in patients with posterolateral knee instability and a positive external rotation recurvatum test finding, and to determine possible injury patterns associated with this test.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Materials and Methods:In a series of 134 consecutive patients with posterolateral knee injuries, all patients demonstrating a Positive external rotation recurvatum test result were identified, and bilateral hyperextension lateral radiographs were subsequently obtained to assist with preope...
Arrows in Comprehending and Producing Mechanical Diagrams

Mechanical systems have structural organizations—parts, and their relations—and functional organizations—temporal, dynamic, and causal processes—which can be explained using text or diagrams. Two experiments illustrate the role of arrows in diagrams of mechanical systems. In Experiment 1, people described diagrams with or without arrows, interpreting diagrams without arrows as conveying structural information and diagrams with arrows as conveying functional information. In Experiment 2, people produced sketches of mechanical systems from structural or functional descriptions. People spontaneously used arrows to indicate functional processes in diagrams. Arrows can play a powerful role in augmenting structural diagrams to convey dynamic, causal, or functional information. Ketwords: Arrows; Diagrams; Diagrammatic reasoning; Mechanical knowledge
Summary of the urology section

At the recent annual meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics in Dallas, Texas, October 22-24, 1994, the Section of Urology conducted its scientific program. One hundred twenty-seven abstracts were presented. The meeting was presided over by Richard Ehrlich, MD, from Los Angeles, California, the chairperson of the Section of Urology. This article summarizes papers of interest to practicing pediatricians. CONGENITAL HYDRONEPHROSIS Clinical Papers The evaluation and management of antenatal hydronephrosis continue to be controversial for pediatric urologists. Wiener et al from Duke University, attempted to determine if prenatal ultrasounds have resulted in overdiagnosis of UPJ obstruction. They reviewed the incidence of pyeloplasties performed during a 20-year period. Although the age of presentation and treatment of UPJ obstruction has progressively decreased, the overall incidence of surgery performed has remained unchanged. This suggests that prenatal ultrasound does not lead to excessive diagnosis of UPJ obstruction. Along the same lines, Lakhoo et al, from Leeds UK, reported that infection- related morbidity secondary to congenital renal anomalies cannot be entirely prevented by the widespread application of prenatal ultrasound. Fifty children with renal abnormalities developed urinary tract infections. In more than 50% of cases, the anomaly was not detected on antenatal study. In an additional 30% of patients, the anomaly was detected on the ultrasound, but the patient developed urinary infection despite appropriate postnatal management. Less commonly, infection was related to inappropriate management of the antenatally detected anomaly. A few reports have attempted to correlate the degree of prenatal urinary tract dilation with postnatal outcome.1
Comparing common methods for assessing understory light availability in shaded-perennial agroforestry systems

Regulating the shade provided by overstory trees is important in the management of shaded-perennial agroforestry systems. In order to compare the merits of commonly used light-assessment techniques that could potentially be useful to farmers and extensionists and to quantify the extent of shading in multistrata agroforestry systems, understory photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was measured beneath 28 single-species and four mixed-species stands of trees in Costa Rica. Stand age varied from 1.5 to 20 years, with uniform age trees within stands. Canopy gap fraction was estimated by three methods in each stand: densiometer, visual index, and hemispherical photography. The gap fractions so derived were compared as estimators of mid-day PAR transmission. Canopy architectural parameters such as crown height, crown diameter, canopy coverage, and stand density were measured and compared in regression models for their ability to predict PAR transmission. As expected, stand characteristics alone did not accurately predict PAR transmission. Of the techniques, gap fractions using densiometers were the most predictive, except under conditions of low stand density (<500 trees per hectare) and open canopies, where estimates from hemispherical photograph were better. Shade assessment using densiometers may provide an adequate, dependable guide for overstory management in multistrata systems and could be useful to farmers willing to adjust their management techniques.
Real-time situational awareness for critical infrastructure protection

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) must provide mission assurance for critical infrastructures by providing real-time situational awareness of cyber attacks directed against energy systems. Operators need to understand the progress, extent and severity of a cyber intrusion as it unfolds. Only if utility operators are provided with a way to understand how their systems are being attacked and what is being affected can they have the ability to react quickly, correctly and in real-time. Our proposed approach addresses these goals through cyber sensors and policy agents that interpret low-level cyber events and translates them into higher-level and semantically richer ones through policies. The events and modeling can ultimately provide both an explanation of the attack and suggestions for remediation.
Action of penicillin on Staphylococcus; effect of size of inoculum on the test for sensitivity.

Conclusions1. The action of penicillin in vitro against most strains of Staphylococcus is related only in a minor degree to the number of bacteria present. 2. In a not inconsiderable group of strains, somewhat more resistant to penicillin than the majority, the outcome of tests for penicillin sensitivity is profoundly influenced by the number of cells present.
Nb 93 nuclear magnetic resonance and relaxation in Nb 3 Sn, Nb 3 Al, and Nb 3 Sb

The high-temperature superconductors ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Sn and ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Al and the low-temperature superconductor ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Sb have been investigated by $^{93}\mathrm{Nb}$ nuclear magnetic resonance and spin-lattice relaxation-time ${T}_{1}$ measurements. The relaxation-time results combined with electronic-heat-capacity results indicate that ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Sn and ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Al have similar densities of states at the Fermi level in the $\ensuremath{\delta}$ and $\ensuremath{\pi}$ subbands, whereas ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Sn has a much larger density of states at ${E}_{F}$ in the $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ subband. ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Sb is a low density-of-states material. Large enhancements of ${({T}_{1}T)}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ (\ensuremath{\sim}300%) are found for $T\ensuremath{\simeq}{T}_{c}$ in ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Al and ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Sn. The dependence of ${({T}_{1}T)}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ on $\frac{(T\ensuremath{-}{T}_{c})}{{T}_{c}}$ suggests that highly anisotropic pair fluctuations exist well above ${T}_{c}$.
Amino acids in blood plasma of young and aged adults.

SummaryPlasma free amino acid levels have been determined for 27 geriatric individuals. Sixteen of the patients showed senile brain damage. Thirteen young adults comprised the control group. Comparison has been made between the 3 groups, normal geriatric, brain damaged geriatric, and normal young adults. In the 2 geriatric groups, there was no significant differences between brain damaged and non-brain-damaged; therefore, the data were pooled and compared with the young adult group. It was found that the ornithine concentration was significantly higher in the geriatric group.
Adult Feeding and Oviposition of Phytomyza ilicicola (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in Response to Leaf and Tree Phenology

The influence of leaf phenology on host discrimination by Phytomyza ilicicola Loew was explored in the laboratory by examining the influences of leaf age-shoot position on adult feeding and oviposition and leaf age only (independent of relative leaf position on expanding shoots) on adult feeding. The relationship between adult feeding and shoot phenology among trees was also examined in 10 American hollies, Ilex opaca Aiton , growing under natural forested conditions. Three age-position classes of leaves were recognized on new growth in the spring: young folded leaves at shoot tips, expanding leaves at midshoot, and fuIly expanded hardening leaves at the base of shoots. For leaf age-position, feeding by adult P. ilicicola was similar on expanding leaves and fully expanded leaves and 3.6 times greater on shoot tip leaves than on expanding and fully expanded leaves. For leaf age independent of position, feeding by adult P. ilicicola was 9 times greater on expanding leaves than on fully expanded leaves and 20.7 and 2.2 times greater, respectively, on shoot tip leaves than on fully expanded leaves and expanding leaves. Oviposition was independent of leaf age and position on new shoots. There was no relationship between tree phenology and intensity of feeding under natural conditions.
The Role of the Immigration and Naturalization Service in the Administration of Current Immigration Law

This paper presents the part that the Immigration and Naturalization Service plays in the administration of the Act of October 3, 1965 (P.L. 89-236). From 1921, when the first quota act was passed, until July 1, 1968, when P.L. 89-236 became fully implemented, the volume of immigration was to some extent controlled by a system of quotas. To implement the 1924 act, a committee of six experts labored for 5 years to establish the national origin of white persons recorded in the 1920 Census. The quotas for each country were to bear the same ratio to 150,000 as the number of inhabitants having that national origin in the United States. Based on the final distribution, President Herbert Hoover issued the first proclamation establishing quotas on a national origins basis in March of 1929, and the quotas went into effect July 1, 1929, for all the countries of the world except the independent countries of the Western Hemisphere. These quotas became the control that limited immigration for some 40 years. In fact, for much of the general public, this was for all intents and purposes the sole factor in the admission of immigrants. The national origins quotas obviously favored nationals from countries whose ancestors first settled this country, i.e., Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Germany, and Ireland, and those countries were allocated 73 percent of the national origins quotas. The latecomers of southern and eastern Europe received only small quotas, and there were minimal quotas of 100 for dependencies and the small countries of the world, which had few nationals in the United States in 1920.
A stable Ediacaran Earth recorded by single silicate crystals of the ca. 565 Ma Sept-Îles intrusion

The archetypical example of inertial interchange true polar wander (IITPW), the rapid rotation of the entire solid Earth by 90°, is based on two nearly orthogonal directions seen in paleomagnetic studies of the Sept-Iles (ca. 565 Ma) intrusion (Quebec, Canada). This motion has also been proposed as the driving force for the early Cambrian explosion of life. Others have challenged these interpretations, linking the data instead to flips between an axial and equatorial dipole field configuration. We examine this enigma using single silicate crystal paleomagnetic analyses. We conclude that only one of the previously reported magnetic directions is carried by single domain magnetic grains and can be considered primary. Thus, the Ediacaran diversification occurred on a rotationally stable Earth driven by biotic and longer term abiotic forcing. Whether IITPW ever occurred in the past on Earth remains uncertain.
Estimating the spatial scales of landscape effects on abundance

Spatial variation in abundance is influenced by local- and landscape-level environmental variables, but modeling landscape effects is challenging because the spatial scales of the relationships are unknown. Current approaches involve buffering survey locations with polygons of various sizes and using model selection to identify the best scale. The buffering approach does not acknowledge that the influence of surrounding landscape features should diminish with distance, and it does not yield an estimate of the unknown scale parameters. The purpose of this paper is to present an approach that allows for statistical inference about the scales at which landscape variables affect abundance. Our method uses smoothing kernels to average landscape variables around focal sites and uses maximum likelihood to estimate the scale parameters of the kernels and the effects of the smoothed variables on abundance. We assessed model performance using a simulation study and an avian point count dataset. The simulation study demonstrated that estimators are unbiased and produce correct confidence interval coverage except in the rare case in which there is little spatial autocorrelation in the landscape variable. Canada warbler abundance was more highly correlated with site-level measures of NDVI than landscape-level NDVI, but the reverse was true for elevation. Canada warbler abundance was highest when elevation in the surrounding landscape, defined by an estimated Gaussian kernel, was between 1300 and 1400 m. Our method provides a rigorous way of formally estimating the scales at which landscape variables affect abundance, and it can be embedded within most classes of statistical models.
Students’ perceptions of the use of technology in cross-cultural communication

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore students’ perceptions of the use of technology in cross-cultural communication and to compare findings with current trends in business. Design/methodology/approach – Structured interviews with seven open-ended questions were used to explore students’ perceptions of the use of technology in cross-cultural communication. Findings – Students learn how to use new technology in cross-cultural communication faster than businesses implement those technologies. Students tend to emphasize the use of video conferencing tools rather than e-mail. Research limitations/implications – Although data saturation has been reached, the sample size was relatively small. Students studying business participated in the study. Practical implications – The findings of this study suggest considering changes to the curriculum and embedding work-based learning into academic programs. Originality/value – This paper compares students’ perceptions with business expectations, revealing th...
The Center Does Hold: The Sociological Literacy Framework.

This article provides a critique and an addition to observations raised by Ballantine et al. in this issue. After reviewing the strengths of Ballantine et al.’s article about the need for a core in...
Computational Intelligence in Multimedia Networking and Communications: Trends and Future Directions

This paper presents a review of the current literature on computational intelligence based approaches to various problems in multimedia networking and communications such as call admission control, management of resources and traffic, routing, multicasting, media composition, encoding, media streaming and synchronization, and on-demand servers and services. Challenges to be addressed and future directions of research are also presented.
Introductory Magnetic Resonance Imaging Physics

This chapter introduces the key conceptual underpinnings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with an intuitive description of the underlying physics. The behavior of proton magnetization within an externally applied magnetic field is described, as is the use of radiofrequency magnetic field pulses to manipulate magnetization and create detectable signal. Determinants of image contrast are explored by describing the growth and disappearance of longitudinal and transverse magnetization due to the effects of the inherent tissue T1 and T2 relaxation rates during the repetition time and echo time. Spatial localization by magnetic field gradients is explained, including a conceptual description of k-space and Fourier transformation. These elements of signal creation, image contrast creation, and spatial localization are brought together as building blocks of the basic MRI pulse sequence. Other commonly used techniques are introduced, including diffusion weighted and susceptbility weighted imaging, motion compensation methods, and parallel imaging.
Ultimate regulation of fecundity in species with precocial young: declining marginal value of offspring with increasing brood size does not explain maximal clutch size in Black Brent geese

Lack 18:125–128 (1967) proposed that clutch size in precocial species was regulated by nutrients available to females during breeding. Drent and Daan 68:225–252 (1980) proposed the individual optimization hypothesis, whereby individual state determines the optimal combination of breeding date and clutch size. Neither hypothesis accounts for variation in nutrients among females at the end of egg laying, strong right truncations in clutch size distributions, or the fact that many species with precocial young are determinate layers. One solution is that there is a maximum clutch size, above which the number of fledged young declines. We manipulated brood size in Black Brent geese to decouple brood size from maternal quality and produce broods larger than the natural maximum. We recaptured marked goslings to assess variation in prefledging survival as a function of brood size and we estimated relative prefledging survival of goslings using a Bayesian hierarchical approach. We considered effects of natural clutch size, brood size and their interaction on probability that we captured goslings at about 4 weeks of age. Prefledging survival declined with increasing brood size ( $$\hat{\beta }$$ = −0.53; 95% CI −0.91 to −0.16), while laid clutch size had little influence on prefledging survival ( $$\hat{\beta }$$ = −0.04; 95% CI −0.42 to 0.32). Despite declining per capita survival with increasing brood size, the most productive brood size was six goslings, which is greater than the typical maximum clutch size of five. Thus, reduced survival in large broods, by itself, is not the sole mechanism that limits maximum clutch size. We suggest elsewhere that incubation limitation and lower residual reproductive value for females tending larger broods may be other mechanisms limiting maximal clutch size in brent.
Control of Electron Transport Chain Flux by Cytochrome c Threonine 28 phosphorylation in Kidney: Implications for AMP Kinase

Mammalian cytochrome c (Cytc) transfers electrons in the electron transport chain (ETC) but also executes apoptosis and should thus be tightly regulated. We recently showed that heart and liver Cytc is tyrosine phosphorylated. Here we show that Cytc from kidney is phosphorylated on Thr28, likely mediated by AMP kinase, indicating tissue-specific adaptations in metabolic control. In vivo phosphorylated and Thr28Glu phosphomimetic Cytc cause partial inhibition in the reaction with Cytc oxidase, thus helping to control respiration. In Cytc knockout cells expressing Thr28Glu phosphomimetic Cytc we found reduction of intact cellular respiration, mitochondrial membrane potential (DYm), and ROS. High resolution crystal structure analyses and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the Thr28-containing epitope is the most flexible internal part of Cytc, which is in close proximity to key residues on Cytc oxidase and thus suggests a mechanism for the altered enzyme kinetics. We proposes that under healthy conditions Cytc is phosphorylated to partially inhibit ETC electron flux, preventing DYm hyperpolarization, a known cause of ROS production and trigger of apoptosis. Our data suggest, for the first time, that ETC flux can be controlled at the level of Cytc, making it an attractive target for therapeutic intervention in conditions of mitochondrial dysfunction.
Accurate measurement of micromachining forces through dynamic compensation of dynamometers

Abstract In this paper, we present a comprehensive approach for accurate measurement of high-bandwidth three-dimensional (3D) micromachining forces through dynamic compensation of dynamometers. Accurate measurement of micromachining forces is paramount to gaining fundamental understanding on process mechanics and dynamics of micromachining. Multi-axis dynamometers are used to measure 3D machining forces. However, specified bandwidth of these devices is below the frequencies arising during micromachining while using ultra-high-speed (UHS) spindles. This limitation arises from the effects of the dynamometer's structural dynamics on the measured forces. Therefore, accurate measurement of micromachining forces entails high frequency correction of the signals acquired by the dynamometer by removing the influence of those effects. The presented approach involves: (1) accurate identification of 3D force measurement characteristics of the dynamometer within a 25 kHz bandwidth to capture the effects of the dynamometer dynamics; (2) design of a pseudo-inverse filter-based compensation technique to remove the influence of the dynamic response in 3D; and (3) validation of the compensation technique through custom-devised experiments. Subsequently, the compensation method is applied to the micromilling process to obtain accurate broadband 3D micromachining forces using a miniature multi-axis dynamometer. It is concluded that the presented approach enables accurate determination of 3D micromachining forces. The presented compensation technique is also readily applicable for expanding the bandwidth of large dynamometers.
Possible CP Violation in K ± → π ± π 0 γ

A comparison of the decays ${K}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ may show relatively large $\mathrm{CP}$-violating effects. A complete phenomenological analysis of these decays is given, including precise specification of the implications of $T$, $\mathrm{CP}$, and $\mathrm{CPT}$. A simple but reasonable model is developed which allows both prediction and theoretical interpretation of $\mathrm{CP}$ violation in these decays.
‘I Looked for You in My Closet Tonight’: Staging the Violence of the Real through ‘Candy-Colored’ Suburban Dreamscapes

The friction between theatrical surfaces and a dark unconscious nightmarish world is ruled by sexual violence; uncertain, and therefore frightening, sexual desires; and the rupturing rage of primal fantasies that theatrically stage the Real in films such as Blue Velvet (1986) and American Beauty (1999). The artificiality that leaks into the theatricality of the lawns, flowers and robins in Blue Velvet and the dancing plastic bag of American Beauty disguise a surface that dissolves into violence, menace and hidden contours of sexual desire and fear. Both films have been written in relationship to suburbia and its dark hidden underbelly, much like ants weaving in and out of the severed ear found by Jeffrey, the protagonist and ideal boy next door of Blue Velvet. This chapter will argue that it is in the theatricality of the suburban and its opposite that the boundary between the two becomes fluid and momentarily made present in the other in violent ruptures that allow the insects below the manicured lawn to be seen in their full predatory glory. This encounter with the Lacanian Real occurs onscreen through both the theatrical utopian space of suburbs and the grotesqueries of staging the lurking violence of the Frank Booths of the world, who cannot be contained in the fantasy and the fantasy that cannot be contained in the world other than as a kind of a ‘candy-colored clown’ of a dream staged: a mystery uncovered and then re-hidden as the curtain closes.
Gas Gun Model and Comparison to Experimental Performance of Pipe Guns Operating with Light Propellant Gases and Large Cryogenic Pellets

AbstractInjection of multiple large (~10 to 30 mm diameter) shattered pellets into ITER plasmas is presently part of the scheme planned to mitigate the deleterious effects of disruptions on the vessel components. To help in the design and optimize performance of the pellet injectors for this application, a model referred to as “the gas gun simulator” has been developed and benchmarked against experimental data. The computer code simulator is a Java program that models the gas-dynamics characteristics of a single-stage gas gun. Following a stepwise approach, the code utilizes a variety of input parameters to incrementally simulate and analyze the dynamics of the gun as the projectile is launched down the barrel. Using input data, the model can calculate gun performance based on physical characteristics, such as propellant-gas and fast-valve properties, barrel geometry, and pellet mass. Although the model is fundamentally generic, the present version is configured to accommodate cryogenic pellets composed o...
Effect of Extended Aging on Asphalt Materials Containing Re-Refined Engine Oil Bottoms

The use of re-refined engine oil bottoms (REOBs) in asphalt pavements is a topic of much debate because the aging susceptibility and quantity of the additive in the binder may affect field performance. In this study, four mixtures with varying REOB contents (up to 15%) were long-term oven aged by using a high-temperature, short-duration method (135°C, 24 h) and compared with existing data on mixtures aged with more conventional short-term and long-term oven-aging procedures. The recovered binders underwent Superpave® grading, double-edge notched tension, and extended bending beam rheometer testing, and the binders were subjected to dynamic modulus, cyclic fatigue testing in the asphalt mixture performance tester, and thermal stress restrained specimen testing. Results showed a general insensitivity when short-term oven-aged (135°C, 4 h) materials were compared with long-term oven-aged (85°C, 5 days) materials, whereas the aging process at 135°C over 24 h resulted in substantial changes to the stiffness an...
Impact of cancer survivorship care plans (SCPs) on health outcomes and health care delivery: A systematic review.

2Background: In 2006, the Institute of Medicine recommended that patients at or near completion of active treatment be provided with a SCP (treatment summary, relevant health information, and follo...
Basic Quantum Mechanics

ACCORDING TO CLASSICAL MECHANICS, each infinitesimal part of a given system is localized at a point at any given time. As time progresses, this point travels along a definite curve at a determinable smoothly varying rate.
Chemotherapy-free induction in MCL: ready for prime time?

In this issue of Blood , Ruan et al report on the 5-year follow-up of a multicenter phase 2 study in patients with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who received the nonchemotherapy combination regimen of rituximab and lenalidomide as induction and maintenance therapy. 1
Liberty, bondage and liberation in the Late Bronze Age*

Free versus unfree was a fundamental axis of differentiation in ancient Near Eastern societies. Liberty was conceptualized as the power to govern oneself, free from another's domination, thus free ...
Geographic and Temporal Variation of Cardenolide-Based Chemical Defenses of Queen Butterfly ( Danaus gilippus ) in Northern Florida

The cardenolide-based chemical defenses of danaine butterflies vary macrogeographically. This study demonstrates that these defenses also vary both microgeographically and temporally. We sampled 280 queen butterflies (Danaus gilippus) at 11 sites in northern Florida during the summer of 1993 and determined their cardenolide concentrations and thin-layer chromatography profiles. Queens captured in coastal salt marshes and xeric inland sites were low in cardenolide concentration, while those from hydric inland sites had much higher concentrations. Concentrations also varied temporally, especially at the coastal sites. Thin-layer chromatography analyses of wild-captured queens and those reared on local milkweeds indicated that microgeographic and temporal variation in the cardenolide chemistry of the butterflies is mediated by their host plants. The large differences in cardenolide concentrations among queen populations must result in strong differences in palatability spectra to vertebrate predators. This finding has major implications both for interspecific mimicry and for automimicry.
Aortic Valve Repair Versus Replacement Associated With Durable Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Background Aortic valve (AV) repair (AVr) using a central coaptation stitch or bioprosthetic AV replacement (AVR) are most commonly performed at the time of durable left ventricular assist device implant to address AV insufficiency (AI). Methods Prospective data collection on 46 patients undergoing left ventricular assist device implant from 2007 through 2018 who received concomitant AVr (n = 40) or AVR (n = 6) was retrospectively analyzed to assess freedom from recurrent aortic insufficiency. Paired Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare echocardiographic findings. Mantel-Cox statistics were used to analyze survival. Results For AVr, central coaptation led to a mean decrease in AI severity by 2.1 ± 1.0 grades (P Conclusions Aortic valve repair for addressing AI has a recurrence rate of 7.5% at 3 years. Success in downgrading AI is more likely with a smaller aortic root. No difference in survival was observed between AVr and AVR.
Assessing the Role of Cannabis Use on Cortical Surface Structure in Adolescents and Young Adults: Exploring Gender and Aerobic Fitness as Potential Moderators

Cannabis use in adolescents and young adults is linked with aberrant brain structure, although findings to date are inconsistent. We examined whether aerobic fitness moderated the effects of cannabis on cortical surface structure and whether gender may play a moderating role. Seventy-four adolescents and young adults completed three-weeks of monitored abstinence, aerobic fitness testing, and structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI). Whole-sample linear regressions examined the effects of gender, VO2 max, cannabis use, and their interactions on the surface area (SA) and local gyrification index (LGI). Cannabis use was associated with greater cuneus SA. Gender-by-cannabis predicted precuneus and frontal SA, and precentral, supramarginal, and frontal LGI; female cannabis users demonstrated greater LGI, whereas male cannabis users demonstrated decreased LGI compared to non-users. Aerobic fitness was positively associated with various SA and LGI regions. Cannabis-by-aerobic fitness predicted cuneus SA and occipital LGI. These findings demonstrate that aerobic fitness moderates the impact of cannabis on cortical surface structure, and gender differences are evident. These moderating factors may help explain inconsistencies in the literature and warrant further investigation. Present findings and aerobic fitness literature jointly suggest aerobic intervention may be a low-cost avenue for improving cortical surface structure, although the impact may be gender-specific.
Transnasal humidified rapid insufflation ventilatory exchange during bronchoscopy in severe pulmonary hypertension due to Gerbode defect.

Transnasal humidified rapid insufflation ventilatory exchange (THRIVE) has been shown to prevent desaturation and prolong apnoeic time in the perioperative setting. Previously, pulmonary hypertension was not studied using this technique, due to concern for hypercapnia and resultant transient worsening of mean pulmonary artery pressure. We describe a patient with severe pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure of 82 mmHg) who underwent bronchoscopy using deep sedation with THRIVE. There were no recorded desaturation events and no post-operative signs of hypercapnia. This case report demonstrates a novel use of THRIVE in a patient with severe pulmonary hypertension.
Awareness of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury-Preventive Training Programs Among Female Collegiate Athletes.

Context Neuromuscular training programs can reduce the rate of noncontact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, particularly in female athletes. Objective To assess the awareness of, experienc...
Zoo visitors affect sleep, displacement activities, and affiliative and aggressive behaviors in captive ebony langurs (Trachypithecus auratus)

Previous studies have shown that the number, noise level, and activity level of zoo visitors can negatively influence the behavior of captive animals. This study combined these three factors into a single visitor impact score and assessed whether visitor impact predicted the frequency or occurrence of displacement activities, affiliative behaviors, and aggression in a group of six captive ebony langurs (Trachypithecus auratus). This study also examined whether the amount of time the ebony langurs spent sleeping each day was correlated to the mean visitor impact score for that day. We used negative binomial and binomial models to analyze data collected during 5-min focal follows. Higher visitor impact scores predicted greater expression of displacement activities, affiliative behaviors, and aggression, suggesting that zoo visitors were a source autonomic arousal for the langurs. Similarly, the langurs spent more time sleeping on days with higher mean visitor impact scores, which may indicate learned helplessness. This study suggests that zoo visitors may be a source of environmental stress for captive ebony langurs. Nevertheless, the positive relationship between high visitor impact score and the occurrence of affiliative behavior types may indicate that the langurs use certain activities to decrease visitor-induced stress.
Negative synergism of diabetes mellitus and obesity in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study

In patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity are important comorbidities as well as major risk factors. Their conjoint impact on the myocardium provides insight into the HFpEF aetiology. We sought to investigate the association between obesity, DM, and their combined effect on alterations in the myocardial tissue in HFpEF patients. One hundred and sixty-two HFpEF patients (55 ± 12 years, 95 men) and 45 healthy subjects (53 ± 12 years, 27 men) were included. Patients were classified according to comorbidity prevalence (36 obese patients without DM, 53 diabetic patients without obesity, and 73 patients with both). Myocardial remodeling, fibrosis, and longitudinal contractility were quantified with cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging using cine and myocardial native T1 images. Patients with DM and obesity had impaired global longitudinal strain (GLS) and increased myocardial native T1 compared to patients with only one comorbidity (DM + Obesity vs. DM and Obesity; GLS, − 15 ± 2.1 vs − 16.5 ± 2.4 and − 16.7 ± 2.2%; native T1, 1162 ± 37 vs 1129 ± 25 and 1069 ± 29 ms; P < 0.0001 for all). A negative synergistic effect of combined obesity and DM prevalence was observed for native T1 (np2 = 0.273, p = 0.002) and GLS (np2 = 0.288, p < 0.0001). Additionally, severity of insulin resistance was associated with GLS (R = 0.590, P < 0.0001), and native T1 (R = 0.349, P < 0.0001). The conjoint effect of obesity and DM in HFpEF patients is associated with diffuse myocardial fibrosis and deterioration in GLS. The negative synergistic effects observed on the myocardium may be related to severity of insulin resistance.
An Analysis of Otolaryngology Medical Malpractice Payments From the National Practitioner Data Bank

ObjectiveTo describe malpractice payments made on behalf of otolaryngologists, analyze trends over time, and test the association of payment amount with severity of alleged malpractice and patient ...
The relations among navigation, object analysis, and magnitude perception in children: Evidence for a network of Euclidean geometry

Abstract What is the relation between navigation and object analysis? Although researchers agree that such systems are, to some extent, dissociable, open questions remain about the potential interactions between them. Using an individual differences approach with young children (4-year-olds; N = 90), we examined the novel proposal that navigation and object analysis interact indirectly by way of magnitude perception. A system for magnitude perception may be ideally suited to support such interactions because it is present from early in development and is capable of discriminating geometric properties on the basis of spatial extent. Across two experiments, we tested for relations between children’s ability to reorient within an environment, analyze the geometric properties of object forms, and discriminate area. We found that area precision was correlated with both reorientation ability and geometric form analysis, though reorientation and form analysis did not correlate with one another. Importantly, we also found that the precision of children’s area discrimination supported an indirect link between their reorientation ability in a physical environment and visual analysis of object forms. Together, these results suggest a network for representing Euclidean geometry that includes both direct and indirect relations among navigation, object analysis, and magnitude perception. The potential role of magnitude perception within such a network is discussed.
(4-Amino­pyridine-κN1)(2,2′-bi­pyridine-κ2N,N′)(2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine-κ3N,N′,N′′)ruthenium(II) bis­(hexa­fluorido­phosphate) unknown solvate

The title compound, [Ru(C5H6N2)(C10H8N2)(C15H11N3)](PF6)2 solvent, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P\overline{1} with one dicationic Ru complex, two PF6− anions, and undefined solvent in the asymmetric unit. The cation and anions are linked via N—H⋯F hydrogen bonding. One PF6− anion is disordered over two positions, with occupancies 0.634 (8) and 0.366 (8). The solvent, which is located in channels in the crystal, is highly disordered. Reflection contributions from the solvent were added to the calculated structure factors using the SQUEEZE routine [Spek (2015) Acta Cryst. C71, 9–18] of the program PLATON, which determined there to be 59 electrons in 264 A3 treated this way per unit cell. Because the exact identity and amount of solvent were unknown, no solvent was included in the atom list or mol­ecular formula.
Commissioning of optical surface imaging systems for cranial frameless stereotactic radiosurgery

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate and compare different system calibration methods from a large cohort of systems to establish a commissioning procedure for surface-guided frameless cranial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with intrafractional motion monitoring and gating. Using optical surface imaging (OSI) to guide non-coplanar SRS treatments, the determination of OSI couch-angle dependency, baseline drift, and gated-delivered-dose equivalency are essential. Methods Eleven trained physicists evaluated 17 OSI systems at nine clinical centers within our institution. Three calibration methods were examined, including 1-level (2D), 2-level plate (3D) calibration for both surface image reconstruction and isocenter determination, and cube phantom calibration to assess OSI-megavoltage (MV) isocenter concordance. After each calibration, a couch-angle dependency error was measured as the maximum registration error within the couch rotation range. A head phantom was immobilized on the treatment couch and the isocenter was set in the middle of the brain, marked with the room lasers. An on-site reference image was acquired at couch zero, the facial region of interest (ROI) was defined, and static verification images were captured every 10° for 0°-90° and 360°-270°. The baseline drift was assessed with real-time monitoring of the motionless phantom over 20 min. The gated-delivered-dose equivalency was assessed using the electron portal imaging device and gamma test (1%/1mm) in reference to non-gated delivery. Results The maximum couch-angle dependency error occurs in longitudinal and lateral directions and is reduced significantly (P 98% gamma-test passing rate. Conclusion A commissioning method is recommended using the 3D plate calibration, which is verified by radiation isocenter and validated with couch-angle dependency, baseline drift, and gated-delivered-dose equivalency tests. This method characterizes OSI uncertainties, ensuring motion-monitoring accuracy for SRS treatments.
EFFECT OF MICROSTRUCTURE ON FRACTURE TOUGHNESS OF NEW TYPE HOT-ROLLED NANO-SCALE PRECIPITATION STRENGTHENING STEEL

The fracture toughness of new type hot-rolled nano-scale precipitation strengthening steels(tensile strength of 700 MPa grade and 780 MPa grade) were evaluated by crack tip opening displacement(CTOD) experiments,and the influence mechanisms of microstructure,high angle grain boundaries,dislocation density and nano-scale precipitation on fracture toughness were discussed. The results indicated,when experimental temperature were room temperature,-10 and-30 ℃,the δ_(q0.2BL) value of 700 MPa grade carriage strip were 0.468,0.333 and 0.248 mm,and the δ_(0.2) value of 700 MPa grade carriage strip were 0.298,0.234 and 0.215 mm,respectively.However,the δ_(Q0.2BL) value of 780 MPa grade crossbeam strip were 0.311,0.290 and 0.247 mm,and the 60.2 value of 780 MPa grade crossbeam strip were 0.212,0.212 and 0.198 mm,respectively.Therefore,the fracture toughness of 700 MPa grade steel was better than 780 MPa grade steel.The differences of microstructure between 700 MPa grade steel and 780 MPa grade steel mainly included four aspects:(1) the microstructure of 700 MPa grade steel was mainly ferrite,while the microstructure of 780 MPa grade steel was mainly bainitic ferrite;(2) the carbide shape of 700 MPa grade steel was granular or short rod,and 780 MPa grade steel was strip carbide;(3) the dislocation density of 780 MPa grade steel was significantly higher than 700 MPa grade steel;(4) the proportion of large-angle grain boundaries of 700 MPa grade steel and 780 MPa grade steel were 85.6%and 76.8%,respectively.Therefore,improving the volume fraction of ferrite and the proportion of high angle grain boundaries,refining carbide size and reducing dislocation density could effectively improve the fracture toughness of steels.Coarse precipitation(Nb, Ti)CN and grain boundary precipitation in microstructure deteriorated fracture toughness of steel,and semi-coherent precipitates nano-scale(Nb,Ti)C on ferrite or bainite matrix have less damaging effect on fracture toughness.
Canine hepatobiliary anatomy, physiology and congenital disorders.

The biliary system is an integral component of normal physiologic homeostasis and essential for survival. It acts as a conduit for the removal of detoxified and catabolised compounds as well as aids in fat digestion and absorption. Derangements in this system can have dangerous sequela that are associated with varying degrees of morbidity and mortality. Moreover, abnormalities in development of the biliary system can have varied and unpredictable changes on function and long-term outcome. The aims of this article were to review canine hepatobiliary anatomy, physiology and cholestasis as well as summarise congenital biliary disorders including human corollaries.
Surgical resection of leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava: A case series and literature review.

Objectives We review our institution's experience in treating leiomyosarcomas involving the inferior vena cava, and we offer guidance on the management. Methods A text-based search was performed to identify all patients who underwent surgical resection between January 2002 and October 2020. Clinicopathologic data, intraoperative variables, and outcomes were extracted from chart review. Results Twelve of 16 patients (75%) had localized disease; the remaining had limited metastatic disease. Seven of 16 patients (44%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiation; three patients had partial responses, and four patients had stable disease using RECIST 1.1 criteria. IVC reconstruction was performed in 14 of 16 patients (88%); IVC was ligated for the remaining two patients. Half of all patients had R0 resection on final pathology; the remaining had R1 resections. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were not statistically different between patients with R0 and R1 resection. Median PFS was 1.8 years (95% CI 0.89 - not reached); median OS was 6.5 years (1.8 - not reached). Only one patient (6%) experienced local disease recurrence; 4 of 16 patients (25%) experienced disease recurrence distally without local recurrence. Conclusions Resection of IVC leiomyosarcomas at a sarcoma referral center with experience in vascular reconstruction can lead to many years of recurrence-free survival. Surgical resection should be offered to patients with a low volume of metastatic disease to reduce local complications from the primary tumor, many of which exert significant mass effect on surrounding organs. For patients with metastatic disease or large, high-risk tumors, neoadjuvant chemotherapy can provide a biologic test of disease stability prior to resection.
Constructing Elliptic Curve Cryptosystems in Characteristic 2

Since the group of an elliptic curve defined over a finite field Fq, was proposed for Diffie-Hellman type cryptosystems in [7] and [15], some work on implementation has been done using special types of elliptic curves for which the order of the group is trivial to compute ([2], [13]). A consideration which discourages the use of an arbitrary elliptic curve is that one needs Schoof’s algorithm [16] to count the order of the corresponding group, and this algorithm, in addition to being rather complicated, has running time O(log9 q) for an elliptic curve defined over Fq. Thus, in applications of elliptic curves where one needs extremely large q — for example, the original version of the elliptic curve primality test ([4], [11]) — this algorithm is too time-consuming.