cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Correlation of Regional Lung Ventilation and Gas Transfer to Red Blood Cells: Implications for Functional-Avoidance Radiation Therapy Planning

Purpose To investigate the degree to which lung ventilation and gas exchange are regionally correlated, using the emerging technology of hyperpolarized (HP)-129Xe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods and Materials Hyperpolarized-129Xe MRI studies were performed on 17 institutional review board–approved human subjects, including 13 healthy volunteers, 1 emphysema patient, and 3 non-small cell lung cancer patients imaged before and approximately 11 weeks after radiation therapy (RT). Subjects inhaled 1 L of HP-129Xe mixture, followed by the acquisition of interleaved ventilation and gas exchange images, from which maps were obtained of the relative HP-129Xe distribution in three states: (1) gaseous, in lung airspaces; (2) dissolved interstitially, in alveolar barrier tissue; and (3) transferred to red blood cells (RBCs), in the capillary vasculature. The relative spatial distributions of HP-129Xe in airspaces (regional ventilation) and RBCs (regional gas transfer) were compared. Further, we investigated the degree to which ventilation and RBC transfer images identified similar functional regions of interest (ROIs) suitable for functionally guided RT. For the RT patients, both ventilation and RBC functional images were used to calculate differences in the lung dose–function histogram and functional effective uniform dose. Results The correlation of ventilation and RBC transfer was ρ = 0.39 ± 0.15 in healthy volunteers. For the RT patients, this correlation was ρ = 0.53 ± 0.02 before treatment and ρ = 0.39 ± 0.07 after treatment; for the emphysema patient it was ρ = 0.24. Comparing functional ROIs, ventilation and RBC transfer demonstrated poor spatial agreement: Dice similarity coefficient = 0.50 ± 0.07 and 0.26 ± 0.12 for the highest-33%- and highest-10%-function ROIs in healthy volunteers, and in RT patients (before treatment) these were 0.58 ± 0.04 and 0.40 ± 0.04. The average magnitude of the differences between RBC- and ventilation-derived functional effective uniform dose, fV20Gy, fV10Gy, and fV5Gy were 1.5 ± 1.4 Gy, 4.1% ± 3.8%, 5.0% ± 3.8%, and 5.3% ± 3.9%, respectively. Conclusion Ventilation may not be an effective surrogate for true regional lung function for all patients.
Mucus T helper 2 biomarkers predict chronic rhinosinusitis disease severity and prior surgical intervention.

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a diverse clinical syndrome with a heterogeneous pathophysiology. Early attempts to identify CRS endotypes and biomarkers have largely relied on analysis of surgically obtained tissue, thus limiting their practical utility. This study examined the ability of mucus T helper 2 (Th2) biomarkers to predict CRS disease severity and clinical characteristics. Methods CRS (n = 90) and healthy control subjects (n = 17) were prospectively enrolled prior to surgical intervention and mucus levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 were determined using a multiplex cytometric bead assay. Data for relevant cytokines was then scaled, normalized, and later combined to develop standardized metrics indicative of Th2-associated inflammation. Th2-high and Th2-low subgroups were consequently identified and validated against factors associated with disease severity and clinical outcomes. Results Mucus levels of IL-5 and IL-13 were elevated in CRS subjects compared to controls, while no significant difference was noted for IL-4. IL-5 and IL-13 high CRS were associated with worse objective measures of disease severity and greater rates of revision surgery. Similar relationships were noted for both cytokines when CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) patients were analyzed separately. Th2-high CRS and Th2-low CRS were then categorized using a scaled IL-5/IL-13 metric. Th2-high CRS was characterized by an increased number of subjects with nasal polyps and comorbid asthma, and worse symptom and computed tomography (CT) scores. Conclusion The Th2-associated cytokines, IL-5 and IL-13, are detectable in sinonasal mucus and their levels can be used to define Th2-high and Th2-low CRS. Identification of Th2-high and Th2-low endotypes using mucus-based biomarkers could facilitate stratification of CRS subgroups and guide personalized therapies.
Nonprofits and Democratic Development: Lessons from the Czech Republic

This article argues that existing concepts of the civil society–democracy relationship are misleading guides for analyzing political development because they incorporate limited perspectives on the nature and activities of civil society, particularly the nonprofit sector. First, three contemporary conceptualizations of civil society are critiqued, and a contradiction is noted between the importance assigned to ideational functions and the inadequacy of reliance upon elections and party systems. Particular emphasis is placed on civil society's involvement in policy formation, for it is there that a weak state–society connection may be discovered, with significant ramifications for democratic development. Second, recent political instability in the Czech Republic is related to negative trends in political attitudes, indicating a weak connection. Third, the general nature of Czech policy-making processes is examined, and then a closer look is taken at the formation of nonprofit legislation and environmental policy. Finally, implications for the future development of Czech democracy are drawn.
Protein Extraction, Fractionation, and Purification From Cyanobacteria

This chapter deals with methods of protein extraction from cyanobacterial cells based on work in the circadian model organism Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942. Some of these techniques have already been used successfully for analysis of circadian rhythms in cyanobacteria, whereas others are heretofore unpublished, but may yield exciting results in the near future.
Infant Feeding Practices and Weight Gain in Toddlers Born Very Preterm: A Pilot Study

Abstract Purpose Long-term consequences of prematurity are a public health concern. A pattern of slow initial weight gain followed by a period of rapid weight gain has been associated with poor cardiometabolic health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between infant feeding practices and weight gain in a sample of 18-to-24-month olds corrected age born very preterm. Design and Methods A cross-sectional design was used to examine the relationships between infant feeding practices and weight gain. Estimates of effect sizes and model fit estimates were the primary parameters of interest. Results Most of the participants received human milk after birth, but most had transitioned to formula before three months. Slightly less than half received complementary foods prior to four months corrected age. Gains in weight and head circumference were rapid after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit, while gains in length lagged behind. Infant feeding practices did not have a clinically meaningful effect on weight gain. Conclusions While the initiation of human milk feedings was encouraging, the duration fell short of recommendations. Practices such as the early introduction of complementary feedings and the addition of rice cereal to the bottle are troubling. Additionally, the rapid increase in weight gain may have a negative impact on future cardiometabolic health. Practice Implications. Clinical recommendations include ensuring support for the use of human milk before and after hospital discharge, close monitoring of physical growth, and ensuring adherence to the guidelines for the introduction of complementary foods.
Deconvolution of pro- and antiviral genomic responses in Zika virus-infected and bystander macrophages

Genome-wide investigations of host-pathogen interactions are often limited by analyses of mixed populations of infected and uninfected cells, which lower sensitivity and accuracy. To overcome these obstacles and identify key mechanisms by which Zika virus (ZIKV) manipulates host responses, we developed a system that enables simultaneous characterization of genome-wide transcriptional and epigenetic changes in ZIKV-infected and neighboring uninfected primary human macrophages. We demonstrate that transcriptional responses in ZIKV-infected macrophages differed radically from those in uninfected neighbors and that studying the cell population as a whole produces misleading results. Notably, the uninfected population of macrophages exhibits the most rapid and extensive changes in gene expression, related to type I IFN signaling. In contrast, infected macrophages exhibit a delayed and attenuated transcriptional response distinguished by preferential expression of IFNB1 at late time points. Biochemical and genomic studies of infected macrophages indicate that ZIKV infection causes both a targeted defect in the type I IFN response due to degradation of STAT2 and reduces RNA polymerase II protein levels and DNA occupancy, particularly at genes required for macrophage identity. Simultaneous evaluation of transcriptomic and epigenetic features of infected and uninfected macrophages thereby reveals the coincident evolution of dominant proviral or antiviral mechanisms, respectively, that determine the outcome of ZIKV exposure.
Energy Flow and Feedback Control in Ecological and Economic Food Systems: Understanding Strengths in One System Helps Clarify a Weakness in the Other

Abstract Feedback loops stabilize energy and nutrient flow in ecological food webs and the ecosystems in which they are embedded. In these feedback loops, flow of energy propels nutrients from autotrophs through food chains to decomposers where the nutrients recycle back to autotrophs. An increase or decrease in ecosystem level flows caused by environmental variations triggers an increase or decrease of the populations that comprise the food webs. Conversely, changes in populations cause proportional changes in ecosystem level flows of energy and nutrients, resulting in stability at a different metastable state. In contrast to ecological systems, economic food systems are inherently unstable because they lack effective feedback control. There is inherent system instability caused by incompatibility between the economic system's need to increase farm yield, and the biophysical controls that limit such increase. Money supply that stimulates economic expansion does not generate feedback that could ensure stability of economic food systems and the farms on which they depend.
Characterization of aortic root geometry in transcatheter aortic valve replacement patients.

Purpose The study aimed to characterize the geometry of the aortic root pre- and post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and investigate differences in pre- and post-TAVR anatomy. Background A greater understanding of how aortic root geometry changes after TAVR is needed to facilitate further investigation into the hemodynamic profiles of the post-TAVR aortic root. Methods Anatomical measurements were conducted on de-identified, retrospective post-TAVR 4DCT scans of 109 patients with aortic stenosis obtained from the RESOLVE study. The diameter of the aortic root was measured at the level of the annulus, left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), sinus of Valsalva, sinotubular junction (STJ) and ascending aorta. The heights of the STJ and coronary arteries were also measured. Results All aortic root dimensions were normally distributed across the cohort and changed significantly between pre- and post-TAVR conditions (P 0.95, P Conclusions There are significant differences between pre- and post-TAVR as well as peak systolic and end diastolic aortic root anatomy. Appropriate anatomical dimensions should be selected for benchtop testing as the geometry varies greatly throughout the cardiac cycle.
Understanding how advanced practice registered nurses function as patient advocates.

Although patient advocacy experiences for registered nurses (RNs) have been researched over the past 40 years, very little is known about patient advocacy at the advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) level. The APRN role is distinct from the RN role, in that APRNs are focused on diagnosing, prescribing, and management of treatment of various medical conditions in the settings where APRNs are used. The purpose of this study was to explore the APRN's experience with patient advocacy using a phenomenology-based qualitative design. A total of seven Texas APRNs were randomly selected for participation in telephone interviews. Interview transcripts were analyzed by the research team for repetitive statements and four themes emerged from the data: (a) patients with APRN advocacy is providing resources, information, and protection; (b) outcomes of patient with APRN advocacy: positive and negative; (c) patient advocacy mostly experientially learned at APRN level; and (d) increased medical knowledge increases advocacy ability. This pilot study provides important preliminary exploratory results regarding APRN advocacy and differentiates it from RN level advocacy. In addition, this study provides significant insight into APRN educational preparation for the APRN advocate role, thus serving as a foundation for improving educational approaches to advocacy.
Does linking help? Effects and student perceptions of a learner-centered assessment implemented in introductory chemistry

This study developed and implemented a learner-centered assessment named Creative Exercises (CEs) in introductory chemistry courses at a four-year university and a two-year community college. CEs were developed and implemented as an intervention for treatment groups. The control groups only used traditional assessments such as multiple-choice and short-answer questions. A mixed-methods approach was employed for evaluating the effectiveness of CEs in improving student learning and performance. First, quantitative data included student exam scores, DFW rates, and percentages of letter grades were analyzed and compared between treatment and control groups. Second, student responses to CEs were coded as chemistry concepts and then organized into chemistry topics. A series of visual maps were plotted to show students’ linking of chemistry topics and progress made throughout the semester. Lastly, student perceptions of the use of CEs were investigated via a free-response survey. Quantitative results showed that CEs improved students’ academic performance and retention in introductory chemistry courses at both college settings. The implementation at the two settings indicated that the frequency and quality of the use of CEs might impact the effectiveness. The results from qualitative data analyses converged with the positive effects of CEs. Students were able to connect prior and newly-learned topics in response to CEs and made progress on linking more topics over time. Open coding of the free-response survey data identified four themes explaining why the use of CEs helped students: knowledge integration, conceptual understanding, flexibility, and more effective study habits. Best practices for implementation of learner-centered assessments learned in this study and future directions for research are discussed.
Analysis of Linked Human ɛ and γ Transgenes: Effect of Locus Control Region Hypersensitive Sites 2 and 3 or a Distal YY1 Mutation on Stage-Specific Expression Patterns

Stage-specific expression of the human β-like globin genes is controlled by interactions between regulatory elements near the individual genes and additional elements located upstream in the Locus Control Region (LCR). Elucidation of the mechanisms that govern these interactions could suggest strategies to reactivate fetal (γ) or embryonic (ɛ) genes in individuals with severe hemoglobinopathies. This study extends an earlier analysis of a transgenic construct, HS3ɛγ, testing: (A) the effect of substitution of HS2 for HS3 on stage-specific expression of the ɛ and γ genes and, (B) the role of an evolutionarily conserved YY1 binding site in transcriptional regulation of the γ gene. The data show that both HS3ɛγ and HS2ɛγ can individually support embryonic expression of ɛ and fetal expression of Aγ. Thus, the cis regulators of distinct expression patterns for ɛ and γ are likely to reside near the genes, rather than in specific hypersensitive sites of the LCR. Alterations in Aγ expression patterns observed in transgenic lines carrying a construct with a mutation in a conserved YY1 binding site at −1086 indicate that this site might function to facilitate active transcription of the γ gene in fetal life.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Current Status, Recent Advances, and Future Directions

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown very promising outcomes in the subset of metastatic colorectal cancers (CRCs) that are mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H). We reviewed the existing literature on immune checkpoint inhibitors in colorectal cancers to highlight the recent advances and future directions. The significance of immune check point inhibitors in dMMR/MSI-H metastatic CRCs has been validated by several studies employing anti-programmed death cell receptor (anti-PD1) and anti-PDL1 antibodies single agent or in combination with anti-CTLA4 antibodies (“KEYNOTE” and “CHECKMATE” studies). This has led to FDA approval of these drugs. At present, its approval is limited to those who have failed traditional chemotherapy (5-FU, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan). The trials for the dMMR/MSI-H CRCs are now being moved up in terms of first-line, neoadjuvant, and adjuvant settings. The results of various studies favor the excellent antitumor activity and safety profile of anti PD-1 monoclonal antibodies that include pembrolizumab and nivolumab in MSI-H colorectal cancer. Combination immunotherapy with nivolumab and ipilimumab has also shown significant clinical benefit in dMMR/MSI-H metastatic CRC patients. These have now been FDA-approved. Multiple ongoing studies assessing the safety and efficacy of other anti-PD/PD-L1 agents (e.g., durvalumab, atezolizumab) alone or in combination therapy with classes of drugs are in progress. The goal ideally would be to identify approaches to expand activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors beyond the dMMR/MSI-H subset of CRC, which represent 4–5% of metastatic CRC patients. These are also being moved up in terms of usage in earlier lines of therapy and neoadjuvant/adjuvant approaches.
The incident command system: a framework for rapid response to biological invasion

The incident command system (ICS) is a framework for organizing and directing on-site, tactical responses to a particular event or series of events. ICS provides a command structure for coordination, information flow, analysis, decision-making, communications, and implementation in an authoritative and standardized manner. The ICS framework has been used for emergency response in a variety of situations where the environment, human health, or other resources are at risk, including wildfires, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, oil and chemical spills, infectious disease outbreaks, and invasive species. This paper outlines the key components of ICS, as well as major elements for building ICS capacity. It concludes with a list of considerations for applying ICS in the invasive species context.
Early Adopters: Private School Leaders Respond to the Introduction of Targeted School Vouchers:

The North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship Program awarded private school vouchers to over 7,000 low-income students in 2017-18, yet only 61% of the state’s private schools registered to participat...
9 – The Science of Rubber Compounding

Publisher Summary The purpose of this chapter is to elaborate the science of rubber compounding. Compounding is the materials science of modifying a rubber or elastomer, or a blend of polymers and other materials to optimize properties to meet a given service application or set of performance parameters. Compounding is a complex multidisciplinary science necessitating knowledge of materials physics, organic and polymer chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and chemical reaction kinetics. The materials scientist, when designing a rubber formulation, has a range of objectives and restrictions within which to operate. Product-performance requirements dictate the initial selection of formula ingredients. These materials must be environmentally safe, meet occupational health and safety requirements, be processable in the product manufacturing facilities, and be cost effective. Compounded rubber has many unique characteristics not found in other materials, such as dampening properties, high elasticity, and abrasion resistance. Hence, rubber has found use in applications such as tires, conveyor belts, large dock fenders, building foundations, automotive engine components, and a wide range of domestic appliances.
Effect of Bio and Organic Fertilizers on Pumpkin's (Cucurbita pepo L.) Leave Content of N, P, and K

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of bacterial bio-fertilization A. chroococcum and P. putide and four levels of compost (0, 1, 2, 3) tons.h-1 on the leaves content of N.P.K elements. The experiment was carried out in one of the greenhouses of the College of Agriculture - University of Al-Qadisiyah during fall season 2018-2019. It designed in accordance with the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates in sandy loam soil. The means of treatments were compared with the least significant difference (LSD) at (5)% probability level. The results present that the treatments of A. chroococcum, P. putide and compost at (3) tons.kg-1 significantly increases the leaves content of K.P.K compared to all other treatments in the flowering stage (4.970, 0.5000, and 4.930) mg.kg-1, respectively. This treatment was followed by the effect of the treatment of A. chroococcum and compost at (3) tons.kg-1, which increases the values of all traits except the leaf content of (P). Bio-fertilizer with P. putide + A. chroococcum significantly increases the leaves' content of P.
Mucocutaneous disease and related clinical characteristics in hospitalized children and adolescents with COVID-19 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.

Background Little is known about mucocutaneous disease in acutely ill children and adolescents with COVID-19 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Objective To characterize mucocutaneous disease and its relation to clinical course among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and MIS-C. Methods Descriptive cohort study of prospectively and consecutively hospitalized eligible patients between May 11, 2020 and June 5, 2020. Results In COVID-19 patients, 4 of 12 (33%) had rash and/or mucositis, including erythema, morbilliform pattern, and lip mucositis. In MIS-C patients, 9 of 19 (47%) had rash and/or mucositis, including erythema, morbilliform, retiform purpura, targetoid and urticarial patterns, along with acral edema, lip mucositis, tongue papillitis, and conjunctivitis. COVID-19 patients with rash had less frequent respiratory symptoms, pediatric intensive care unit admission, invasive ventilation, and shorter stay versus COVID-19 patients without rash. MIS-C patients with rash had less frequent pediatric intensive care unit admission, shock, ventilation, as well as lower levels of C-reactive protein, ferritin, D-dimer, and troponin (vs MIS-C without rash). Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was similar for patients with and without rash in both groups. None of the MIS-C patients met criteria for Kawasaki disease. Limitations Small sample sizes. Conclusions Mucocutaneous disease is common among children and adolescents with COVID-19 and MIS-C. Laboratory trends observed in patients with rash may prognosticate a less severe course.
Interferon-gamma Induces Melanogenesis Via Post-Translational Modification of Tyrosinase

Melanogenesis (melanin pigment production) in melanocytes is canonically stimulated by the alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH), which activates the cyclic-AMP-mediated expression of the melanocyte inducing transcription factor (MITF) and its downstream melanogenic genes, including the principal rate-limiting melanogenic enzyme tyrosinase (Tyr). Here we report that interferon-gamma (IFNG; type II interferon), but not IFN-alpha (a type I interferon), induces a noncanonical melanogenic pathway. Inhibition of IFNG pathway by the JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib or knocking out Stat1 abrogated the IFNG-induced melanogenesis. Interestingly, IFNG-induced melanogenesis was independent of MITF. IFNG markedly increased the Tyr protein expression but did not affect the mRNA expression, suggesting a post-translational regulatory mechanism. In contrast, IFNG had no effect on the expression of other melanogenesis-related proteins, e.g. tyrosinase-related protein 1 (Tyrp1) and dopachrome tautomerase (Dct). Glycosidase digestion assays revealed that IFNG treatment increased the mature glycosylated form of Tyr, but not its de novo synthesis. Moreover, cycloheximide chase assay showed that degradation of Tyr was decreased in IFNG-treated cells. These results suggest that the IFNG-STAT1 pathway regulates melanogenesis via modulation of the post-translational processing and protein stability of Tyr. SIGNIFICANCEThe canonical pathway that controls melanogenesis in melanocytes is activated by the alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) via its receptor MC1R, which activates the cyclic-AMP-mediated expression of the melanocyte master regulator MITF and its downstream target genes involved in the melanogenic process. Here we report a novel non-canonical melanogenic pathway that is mediated via the Interferon-gamma cytokine signaling. We show that this non-canonical pathway is independent of MITF-mediated gene expression, but rather functions via post-translational modification of the principal melanogenic enzyme Tyrosinase.
The Ceremony of Punishment During the Sudanese Mahdiyya

The Ceremony of Punishment During the Sudanese Mahdiyya (1882-1885) / / / Following the capture of El Obeid by the Mahdist Forces in January 1883, the Mahdiyya began the transformation from an armed rebellion against the occupying Turco-Egyptian imperial force to that of a state. The Mahdi promulgated laws and their constituent punishments were meted out. For example, if a person were caught in the act of smoking or drinking [alcohol] he was obliged to walk through the market with the drinking bowl or tobacco on their heads, followed by an insulting and hooting crowd. It was sometimes the custom to break the bowl on the marissa (a local alcoholic drink) drinkers head and drench him with its contents; this was the signal for all the children to throw mud and dust at the culprit until he became almost unrecognizable; he was then dragged before the qadi (judge) in the market place, where he received eighty unusually heavy blows, the first of which generally drew blood. / Torture such as this as a public spectacle was rife during the Mahdiyya. This public punishment essentially served to buttress the legitimacy and authority of the Mahdi as the leader of the nascent theocratic state. Foucault notes that punishment does not solely involve the redress of a wrong; rather there is an element of sovereign vengeance that is implicit within the punishment. 2 The sovereigns power is first eclipsed by the crime and then restored by the public spectacle of the punishment. The Mahdi as Gods legatee on earth was essentially administering Divine vengeance against those who committed crimes against the Mahdist state. Throughout the Mahdiyya there were public beheadings, floggings and amputations of limbs. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to examine the ceremony of punishment during the Sudanese Mahdiyya in order to illustrate how it was used in order to articulate the Mahdis power, legitimacy and authority. /
Search for new physics with atomic clocks

We will discuss the physical ramifications, and describe an experiment with three high-precision clocks flying to within six solar radii of the sun for a test of a possible variation of the fine structure constant a. Measurement of the drift in ratios between the frequencies generated by each clock will probe for the variation of a. Since the response of each element to a change in a has a specific signature, this measurement will provide specific and unambiguous results. The sensitivity of this experiment to a changing a exceeds the sensitivity of recent tests based on observational astronomy, as well the geophysical bounds on a variations. Thus, the experiment will provide a compelling test of the standard model and the alternative theories.
A broadband infrastructure for ad hoc networks with optical wireless

Among the wide variety of wireless systems, ad hoc networks represent a remarkable and unique kind of wireless communications. The rapid deployment and self organization have turned ad hoc networks into a viable solution to a diverse domain of applications. Ad hoc networking is expected to play a major role in the ‘Any Where Any Time’ generation of future wireless communications. However, existing ad hoc networks are not yet ready for such a transition. In this context, the scalability and broadband capabilities represent major challenges that demand immediate but serious attention. We believe that the infrastructureless organization of ad hoc networks takes a big toll on the performance and related quality features. While current infrastructured ad hoc networks perform more efficiently than those without infrastructure, they still have major problems and cannot ensure a safe leap to the next generation of wireless communications. This leaves the future of ad hoc networks in doubt. In this dissertation, we study major challenges imposed by future ad hoc networks and propose a two-layer broadband infrastructure. The design of the proposed infrastructure is motivated by the role of ad hoc networks in the next generation of wireless systems and the expected demands on high capacity communications. Our objective is to present a novel solution to the scalability and broadband problems by providing two layers of virtual and backbone infrastructure support. The virtual layer addresses major problems with current infrastructured models and provides the network with the support needed for an efficient operation. Within this layer, we propose a novel clustering framework, which can generate customizable multi-measure clustering techniques that can seek specific network quality including stability and load balance. The backbone layer provides a broadband support through an optical wireless network. The optical wireless technology offers a great choice given the nature of ad hoc networks and the function of the backbone layer. However, the use of optical wireless is not straightforward; different challenges need attention, especially within the areas of network planning and operation optimization. We study and prove NP-hardness of major relevant problems and propose novel optimization heuristics.
Long-Term Tillage and Crop Rotation Effects on Soil Carbon and Soil Productivity in South Central Iowa

Tillage and crop rotation systems have significant long-term effects on soil health, productivity, and the soil quality components of soil carbon and other physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. Additionally, soil tillage and crop rotation control weed and soilborne diseases. There is need for a well-defined, long-term tillage and crop rotation study across the different soils and climate conditions in the state of Iowa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of different tillage and crop rotation systems on soil productivity and soil quality.
Bartonella spp. DNA in cardiac tissues from dogs in Colorado and Wyoming.

Background: Several Bartonella species (spp.) have been identified in dogs diagnosed with infectious endocarditis (IE) or myocarditis. Objective: To interrogate cardiac tissues of dogs with suspected IE for the presence of Bartonella spp. DNA of dogs in the Rocky Mountain states. Animals: Nine dogs with a clinical diagnosis of endocarditis from January 1990 to June 2008 were included. Methods: In this retrospective study, medical records at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital were searched. Animals were excluded if there was no diagnosis of IE in the original necropsy report. Paraffin embedded tissue blocks and medical records were available from 9 dogs. Total DNA was extracted from the cardiac tissues and assessed for Bartonella spp. DNA by 3 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. For positive samples, the Bartonella spp. were determined by genetic sequencing or fluorogenic real-time PCR. Results: Bartonella henselae DNA was amplified from the tissues of 7 dogs; Bartonella vinsonii subsp berkhoffii DNA was amplified concurrently from 3 dogs. Six dogs were from Colorado and 1 was from Wyoming. Flea or tick infestations were reported in 2 dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Bartonella spp. should be on the differential list for dogs in the Rocky Mountain states. The results emphasize the need for routine use of external parasite control products even in regions perceived to have low risk for flea and tick infestations.
Harnessing the Immune System for Treatment and Detection of Tau Pathology

The tau protein is an attractive target for therapy and diagnosis. We started a tau immunotherapy program about 13 years ago and have since demonstrated that active and passive immunotherapies diminish tau pathology and improve function, including cognition, in different mouse models. These findings have been confirmed and extended by several groups. We routinely detect neuronal, and to a lesser extent microglial, antibody uptake correlating with tau pathology. Antibodies bind tau aggregates in the endosomal/lysosomal system, enhancing clearance presumably by promoting their disassembly. Extracellular clearance has recently been shown by others, using antibodies that apparently are not internalized. As most pathological tau is neuronal, intracellular targeting may be more efficacious. However, extracellular tau may be more accessible to antibodies, with tau-antibody complexes a target for microglial phagocytosis. The extent of involvement of each pathway may depend on numerous factors including antibody properties, degree of pathology, and experimental model. On the imaging front, multiple tau ligands derived from β-sheet dyes have been developed by several groups, some with promising results in clinical PET tests. Postmortem analysis should clarify their tau specificity, as in theory and based on histological staining, those are likely to have some affinity for various amyloids. We are developing antibody-derived tau probes that should be more specific, and have in mouse models shown in vivo detection and binding to pathological tau after peripheral injection. These are exciting times for research on tau therapies and diagnostic agents that hopefully can be applied to humans in the near future.
Systeme mit einem Freiheitsgrad

Ein mechanisches System hat „einen Freiheitsgrad“, wenn seine geometrische Lage in jedem Augenblick durch eine einzige Zahl angegeben werden kann. Man betrachte beispielsweise einen sich in einem Zylinder bewegenden Kolben. Seine Lage kann in jedem Augenblick durch Angabe des Abstandes vom Zylinderende bestimmt werden, es handelt sich also um ein System mit einem Freiheitsgrad. Ein anderes Beispiel ist eine Kurbelwelle in festen Lagern. Hier ist die Stellung des Systems voll standig bestimmt durch den Winkel zwischen einer Kurbel und der senkrechten Ebene. Ein an einer Feder hangendes Gewicht, das sich in einer Fuhrung nur aufwarts und abwarts bewegen kann, ist das klassische Beispiel eines Schwingungssystems mit einem Freiheitsgrad (Abb. 24).
The De‐biasing Effect of Incidental Anger on Other‐provided Anchors

The current research investigates the effect of incidental anger on anchoring bias. We hypothesized that feeling angry will make people less influenced by other-provided anchors because of the moving against action tendency associated with anger. That is, individuals in an angry state will be likely to perceive a given anchor as a viable target for their desire to attack and actively seek out anchor-inconsistent information, thereby committing less anchoring bias. To examine our hypothesis, in Study 1, we manipulated emotions using film clips and administered a general knowledge task with other-provided anchors. As predicted, participants in the anger condition showed less anchoring bias to the other-provided anchors than those in the sad or neutral condition. Study 2 replicated the finding with a different emotion manipulation technique and different anchoring questions. More important, consistent with the moving against action tendency explanation, we also found that people in an angry state committed more anchoring bias for self-generated anchors, compared with people in a sad or neutral state. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effectiveness of palivizumab prophylaxis in infants and children in Florida.

Purpose Palivizumab effectiveness data on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are limited to trial settings and vary considerably between selected high-risk populations. This study aimed to evaluate effectiveness in a community-based sample. Methods We conducted a cohort study of children with ≥3months Florida Medicaid fee-for-service eligibility between 1998 and 2004 who also had matching birth certificates. Children entered the cohort at the beginning of the RSV season, after a minimum of 60days in ambulatory care, and were followed until the earliest of the following: season end, second birthday, loss of eligibility, hospitalization, or death. Study endpoint was the first RSV-related hospitalization. To evaluate the presence of confounding, a second endpoint, hospitalizations for pneumonia or bronchiolitis secondary to specified bacterial or viral pathogens other than RSV, was used. Palivizumab exposure defined as first use (day 1–30 of first dose), subsequent use (days 1–30 of each subsequent dose), and former use (days 31–60 after any dose if delays or no readministration occurred) was compared with non-use with a Cox regression model, adjusting for confounders. Results Hazard ratios (HRs) for RSV hospitalizations were 0.89 (95%CI, 0.71–1.12), 0.56 (95%CI, 0.46–0.69), and 0.71 (95%CI, 0.51–0.97) for first, subsequent, and former use, respectively. HRs for hospitalization because of non-RSV infections were 1.31 (95%CI, 1.04–1.65), 1.03 (95%CI, 0.86–1.23), and 1.05 (95%CI, 0.78–1.41), indicating residual confounding for first but not for subsequent and former use. Conclusion In this community-based study, palivizumab was associated with a reduction in severe RSV infections of a magnitude comparable to the lower clinical trial efficacy estimates. Protection appears to extend beyond the currently recommended monthly dosing schedule. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trust as a Mediator of the Relationships Between Poverty, Racial Composition, and Academic Achievement Evidence From Michigan's Public Elementary Schools

Purpose: Research shows that trust is significantly related to academic achievement. This study expands knowledge of this connection in two ways. First, because a stratified, random sample of elementary schools from an entire state was used, the results have considerable generalizability. Second, this study tested the relationship between trust and achievement and assessed whether links between academic achievement, socioeconomic status (SES), and racial composition are mediated by the levels of trust teachers report in students and parents. Data Collection and Analysis: Schools were systematically randomly selected and stratified by location, prior achievement, SES, and size to represent all traditional public elementary schools across Michigan. Teachers responded to surveys measuring the levels of trust in schools. A path analysis was conducted at the school level to model variation in trust and the proportion of students passing the state mathematics and reading assessments. Findings: Using path analysis and controlling for measures of school context, greater trust was associated with increased school achievement in mathematics and reading on state assessments used for accountability purposes. Also, school SES, racial composition, and size were indirectly related
Influence of Complexity and Coupling of Optic Flow on Visually Induced Motion Sickness

Postural stability is critical for our ability to engage in other behaviors and can be influenced by several factors, including changes in optic flow. In situations where postural stability is degraded for prolonged periods of time, motion sickness commonly results. The current research examined how the complexity of a motion stimulus and the coupling of a motion stimulus to the actions of the participant influenced postural sway and motion sickness. Differences in incidence of motion sickness and postural sway characteristics emerged across conditions. In particular, postural sway of participants who became motion sick was characterized by increases in magnitude and spatial complexity but by a decrease in temporal complexity compared with participants who remained well.
Experimental investigation of air flow around blunt aerosol samplers

Abstract To evaluate better the aerosol collection behavior of blunt samplers, the flow field around a two-dimensional cylindrical sampler and a spherical sampler is investigated experimentally. The velocity along the symmetric axis of the cylindrical sampler is measured with LDV. The measurements are in very good agreement with viscous numerical calculations. The stagnation distance and the location of the separation point on the spherical sampler is studied by flow visualization. Smoke is employed to illuminate the fluid flow around the sampler. When the sampler faces the wind and the ratio of suction velocity to free-stream velocity Us/U0 > 1, the experimental measurements are in excellent agreement with theoretical inviscid calculations. For Us/U0 ≤ 1, the theoretical predictions are higher than the measurements. When the sampler is oriented at an angle to the oncoming flow, the stagnation distance on a symmetric plane is consistent with the distance predicted by a theoretical inviscid calculation. Unfortunately, on an asymmetric plane, the experimental method breaks down and accurate results cannot be obtained. An appropriate experimental technique for this asymmetric study remains to be developed. The separation point on a spherical sampler at different orientations and different velocity ratios is also experimentally examined. With suction, the farther the sampler rotates, the stronger the influence of the suction on the location of the separation point. After rotating to angles greater than 90 °, the separation point reaches an asymptotic value. This asymptotic value depends on the velocity ratio. At different velocity ratios, higher suction rates push the separation point further back, and the location of the separation point and its asymptotic value moves backward with an increase of the velocity ratio. When the sampler opening locates past the separation point, the flow near the opening entrance becomes turbulent, and laminar or inviscid flow models are inadequate to calculate aspiration efficiency
VHF Wind-Profiler Data Quality and Comparison of Methods for Deducing Horizontal and Vertical Air Motions in a Mesoscale Convective Storm

Abstract Very high frequency (VHF) Doppler radar measurements of the horizontal and vertical winds are used to examine three procedures to extract mean profiles of horizontal and vertical winds. These are 1) time averaging of first-moment estimates of radial velocity from the high time resolution Doppler spectra; 2) time averaging of radial velocities estimated from a least-squares fitting of either one or two Gaussians to the spectra in order to account for the double peaks corresponding to turbulent and precipitation scattering that appear in the spectra during heavy rain; and 3) consensus averaging of the least-square-fitted radial velocities. Horizontal winds produced by these procedures were compared to each other and to those from two 5-cm radars operating nearby. Least-squares fitting yielded the best wind estimates, although a slight relaxation of the consensus criterion was sometimes found to be necessary in order to avoid the failure to find a consensus. The simple first-moment method produced c...
Escort Advertisements and Male Patronage of Prostitutes

Sociologists have devoted limited attention to investigating reasons for male patronage of female prostitutes. To date this research has largely been comprised of non-representative samples of clients. We expand sociological inquiry of this question through a content analysis of the advertisements of 237 female Internet escorts who advertise on a large, national-in-scope (U.S.A.) website. Our findings largely complement those of previous studies that have examined this topic via interviews with clients or prostitutes as well as those of studies that analyzed johns' postings on Internet websites. Offerings of “Girl Friend Experiences,” unrushed encounters, and escort-type services are more common than offerings of anal sex, S&M, B&D, and fetish services. We also discuss the impact of the Internet on the structure of one of society's oldest institutions.
Genomics: guilt by association.

In a tour-de-force demonstration of feasibility, a consortium of 50 research teams uses 500,000 genetic markers from each of 17,000 individuals to identify 24 genetic risk factors for 7 common human diseases.
Intact capillaries sensitive to rate, magnitude, and pattern of shear stress stimuli as assessed by hydraulic conductivity (lp)

Abstract Magnitude of abrupt changes in fluid shear stress (Δτ) correlates with capillary hydraulic conductivity (L p ). Cultured endothelial cells differentiate between rate of change in and pattern of fluid stimulation; however, neither rate nor pattern sensitivity has been evaluated in individual capillaries. We hypothesized that L p would be greater following abrupt compared to slow Δτ and that magnitude of Δτ would correlate with L p regardless of rate. Mesenteric venular capillaries (VC, n = 41) located in pithed North American leopard frogs ( Rana pipiens ) were cannulated either above or at in situ pressure to induce abrupt ( p was assessed always at the same pressure (30 cm H 2 O) using the modified Landis technique. Mean ± SE L p was sixfold higher ( P = 0.005) following abrupt (19.0 ± 3.9 × 10 −7 ) compared to slow (2.7 ± 0.9 × 10 −7 cm/s/cm H 2 O) Δτ after accounting for stimulus pattern variability. Linear relationships between L p and Δτ existed for both abrupt [L p = 0.026(Δτ)−1.6, R 2 = 0.90, P = 0.0001] and slow [L p = 0.005(Δτ)−0.3, R 2 = 0.82, P = 0.03] stimuli. These results suggest that frog mesenteric VC sense unique characteristics of Δτ and respond by altering L p .
A low-power, direct RF signal sampling receiver for short range wireless devices

A low-power sampling receiver dedicated to Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) frequency bands applications is described in this paper. The receiver is based on a 4 path passive mixer. The mixer sampling rate fixes the carrier frequency of the received signal. A simple RC low-pass filter at the mixer's output determines the receiver bandwidth. The structure used allows implementing flexible high-Q band-pass filters at the radio frequency side. The receiver has improved linearity and is robust to strong out-of-band blockers and adjacent channel interferences. A wideband 15 dB gain LNA permits to achieve a noise figure less than 4 dB between 400 MHz and 1.5 GHz. An integrated circuit was designed in a 0.13μm CMOS process. The receiver was tested. The power consumption is less than 11 mW at 1.2V power supply. The RF sensitivity is −102 dBm.