cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proposal to Search for Magnetically Charged Particles with Magnetic Charge 1e

A model for composite elementary Standard Model (SM) particles based upon magnetically bound vorton pairs, we briefly introduce here, predicts the existence of a complete family of magnetically charged particles, as well as their neutral isotopic partners (all counterparts to the SM elementary particles), in which the lowest mass (charged) particle would be an electrically neutral stable lepton, but which carries a magnetic charge equivalent to 1e. This new particle, which we call a magneticon (a counterpart to the electron) would be pair produced at all e+e- colliders at an Ecm above twice its mass. In addition, PP and PPbar colliders should also be able to produce these new particles through the Drell-Yan process. To our knowledge, no monopole search experiment has been sensitive to such a low-charged magnetic monopole above a particle mass of about 5 GeV/c2. Hence, we propose that a search for such a stable particle of magnetic charge 1e should be undertaken. We have taken the ATLAS detector at the LHC as an example in which this search might be done. To this end, we modeled the magnetic fields and muon trigger chambers of this detector. We show results from a simple Monte Carlo simulation programmore » to indicate how these particles might look in the detector and describe how one might search for these new particles in the ATLAS data stream.« less
Self-assembly of ionic surfactants and formation of mesostructures

Self-assembly of ionic surfactants resulting in micelle formation is studied using off-lattice Monte Carlo simulation in two dimensions (2D). We find that in addition to the Lennard-Jones (LJ) interaction, which acts among all of the particles, a screened Coulomb interaction, acting only among the surfactant heads, makes the geometric arrangement of micelles very different compared to that for neutral surfactants at the same density. At low concentrations, ionic surfactants produce spherical micelles and exhibit intermicellar ordering arising out of the longer-range repulsion of the surfactant head groups. For larger concentrations, they tend to form bi-layers. Motivated by recent experiments on preparation of mesoporous sieves through surfactant-templating routes, we then extend these studies to micellization of ionic surfactants in the presence of other neutral host particles. The morphologies of the surfactant-host composites are studied as functions of host particle densities, sizes, and their interaction strengths. Assuming the presence of micelles as quenched disorder, we obtain a qualitative understanding of the local ordering of the host particles in terms of a dimensionless density parameter from the known liquid-vapour phase diagram in 2D of a LJ fluid.
Mössbauer Spectral Properties of Yttrium Iron Garnet, Y3Fe5O12, and Its Isovalent and Nonisovalent Yttrium-Substituted Solid Solutions

Several high-resolution Mossbauer spectra of yttrium iron garnet, Y3Fe5O12, have been fit as a function of temperature with a new model based on a detailed analysis of the spectral changes that result from a reduction from the cubic Ia3d space group to the trigonal R3 space group. These spectral fits indicate that the magnetic sextet arising from the 16a site in cubic symmetry is subdivided into three sextets arising from the 6f, the 3d, 3d, and the 1a, 1b, 2c sites in rhombohedral-axis trigonal symmetry. The 24d site in cubic Ia3d symmetry is subdivided into four sextets arising from four different 6f sites in R3 rhombohedral-axis trigonal symmetry, sites that differ only by the angles between the principal axis of the electric field gradient tensor and the magnetic hyperfine field assumed to be parallel with the magnetic easy axis. This analysis, when applied to the potential nuclear waste storage compounds Y(3-x)Ca(0.5x)Th(0.5x)Fe5O12 and Y(3-x)Ca(0.5x)Ce(0.5x)Fe5O12, indicates virtually no perturbation of the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties upon substitution of small amounts of calcium(II) and thorium(IV) or cerium(IV) onto the yttrium(III) 24c site as compared with Y3Fe5O12. The observed broadening of the four different 6f sites derived from the 24d site results from the substitution of yttrium(III) with calcium(II) and thorium(IV) or cerium(IV) cations on the next-nearest neighbor 24c site. In contrast, the same analysis applied to Y(2.8)Ce(0.2)Fe5O12 indicates a local perturbation of the magnetic exchange pathways as a result of the presence of cerium(IV) in the 24c next-nearest neighbor site of the iron(III) 24d site.
Anatomy of a Circle Map

Circle maps, or self-maps of the circle, were first used to model biological rhythms in the 1959 thesis research of the great Russian mathematician V. I. Arnold [1]. An excellent review of the subject and an account of why this research was not published in Arnold's thesis is given in [4]. (Briefly, Arnold's thesis advisor, Kolmogorov, felt "that is not one of the classical problems one ought to work on.") The general form of a circle map G is
Hormonal studies on adrenal-like tumor of the ovary--considerations on its histogenesis.

A case of adrenal-like tumor of the left ovary with peripheral and ovarian venous sex steroid levels is reported. High levels of androstenedione and testosterone together with normal levels of dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone–sulfate from the left ovarian vein infer a tumor derivation from transformation of the ovarian stromal cells.
Corrigendum: Integrating DNA Methylation and Gene Expression Data in the Development of the Soybean-Bradyrhizobium N2-Fixing Symbiosis.

Very little is known about the role of epigenetics in the differentiation of a bacterium from the free-living to the symbiotic state. Here genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation changes between these states is described using the model of symbiosis between soybean and its root nodule-forming, nitrogen-fixing symbiont, Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens. PacBio resequencing of the B. diazoefficiens genome from both states revealed 43,061 sites recognized by five motifs with the potential to be methylated genome-wide. Of those sites, 3276 changed methylation states in 2921 genes or 35.5% of all genes in the genome. Over 10% of the methylation changes occurred within the symbiosis island that comprises 7.4% of the genome. The CCTTGAG motif was methylated only during symbiosis with 1361 adenosines methylated among the 1700 possible sites. Another 89 genes within the symbiotic island and 768 genes throughout the genome were found to have methylation and significant expression changes during symbiotic development. Of those, nine known symbiosis genes involved in all phases of symbiotic development including early infection events, nodule development, and nitrogenase production. These associations between methylation and expression changes in many B. diazoefficiens genes suggest an important role of the epigenome in bacterial differentiation to the symbiotic state.
Snow White and the 700 Dwarves

Detailed scientific study of possible sites on Mars such as extinct hot springs may require robotic excavation of the sort generally associated with archaeological “digs” on Earth. This paper describes a system developed to explore the feasibility of building such a robotic network. A scaling analysis shows that, for a given landed mass, it is better to break the payload into as many small vehicles as possible, due to the surface-to-volume implications on the power-to-weight ratio for the system using solar power. Each small vehicle must be equipped with a shovel and hopper to move loose material, and a provision for a percussive hammer to break up hard soils and rocks. A central mast rising from the nearby lander supports stereo imaging and a computer providing central co-ordination of activities. Each vehicle has limited sensing (e.g. no vision) but is designed to follow simple commands (goto(x,y)) and rules (keep to the right of oncoming traffic). The outer surface of each vehicle is arranged to capture solar energy, and the lander mast can be configured with a foil reflector to bounce sunlight down into the excavation to keep the vehicles powered most of the day. Thus we have a system consisting of a single tall mast with a pair of stereo cameras at the top and a large, silver reflector hanging down, together with a large number of small robots, each having a pick and shovel. This system has been dubbed “Snow White and the 700 Dwarves”.
Na(+)-H+ exchanger subtypes: a predictive review

In recent years, many reports have appeared describing distinct heterogeneity of proteins that heretofore were considered to be a single species or type. The division of proteins into different classes or subtypes is aided by pharmacological tools such as selective ligands, functional measurements such as those examining kinetic or regulatory differences, and molecular biological approaches that have identified distinct genes coding for similar yet distinguishable gene products. Currently, much effort is directed toward understanding the significance of these sometimes subtle differences in terms of functional consequences for the cells in which they exist. Although most reports to date involve hormone and neurotransmitter receptor subtypes, it is also possible that other cell surface molecules such as ion transporters exist as multiple subtypes. In this paper we review the current evidence that Na(+)-H+ exchange activity is mediated by different Na(+)-H+ exchanger subtypes. Although subtypes have not been identified with certainty, we can predict certain distinguishing characteristics that these putative subtypes may have that may be of value in correlating predicted gene products obtained from cDNA cloning with previously characterized Na(+)-H+ exchangers.
Effects of ewe breed and management system on efficiency of lamb production: I. Ewe productivity.

Performance of 1/2-Suffolk, 1/2-Rambouillet (Western) and 1/2-Suffolk, 1/4-Rambouillet, 1/4-Finnsheep (1/4-Finn) ewes was compared in three different lamb production systems over 3 yr. System 1 (56 ewes) involved late fall lambing over 84 d. System 2 (51 ewes) involved January and February lambing for 60 d. System 3 (47 ewes) involved March and April lambing for 45 d. Pregnancy rates for yearling ewes were lower in System 1 in yr 1 (50.7% vs 87.4% for Systems 2 and 3) but differed little among systems for older ewes or in remaining years. Average pregnancy rates for 2-yr-old and older ewes were 89.5, 94.0 and 85.7% for Systems 1, 2 and 3, respectively. When the pregnancy rate was adjusted to a 45-d lambing season, means for older ewes were 78.6, 89.5 and 85.7% for System 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Ewe breeds did not differ in their pregnancy rates. Prolificacy (lambs born per ewe lambing) was higher for 1/4-Finn ewes (1.83 +/- .06 vs 1.55 +/- .07) and was higher in System 3 (1.86 +/- .06) than in Systems 1 (1.60 +/- .07) or 2 (1.63 +/- .05). Body weight at breeding in postyearling ewes was less in System 3 (64.3 kg); than in Systems 1 or 2 (average of 73.1 kg). Breeds did not differ in weight at 1 or 2 yr of age, but Western ewes were 2.1 +/- 1.1 kg heavier as 3-yr-olds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Potential for predator learning of artificial arboreal nest locations

We examined the potential for predators to learn the location of artificial arboreal (1.5 m above ground) nests in a managed forested landscape of central Pennsylvania from June-July 1995. We tested the hypothesis that predators do not learn the location of artificial arboreal nests placed repeatedly at the same sites (fixed nests) versus those placed at random sites in three habitats created by clearcutting (forested patches, forested corridors, contiguous forest). Sixty-nine (23%) of 299 total nests in five combined trials were disturbed by predators; 11 (16%) of these disturbances were attributed to corvids. Predation rates were greater on nests placed at random (28%) compared to fixed sites (18%, P < 0.05), indicating predators did not learn or return to the location of arboreal nests during our study. Predation rates varied significantly (P < 0.001) among habitats, with 49% of the nests disturbed in the forested-patch habitat versus only 7% and 13% in forested-corridor and contiguous-forest habitats, respectively. We propose that predation was higher in forested patches than in the other two habitats because the former had greater amounts of edge. Received 12 Nov. 1998, accepted 10 May 1999.
Prosumption and Value-in-Use: The Complementary Role of Transaction Cost in S-D Logic

The recent economic downturn is causing consumers to examine their personal budgets with a critical eye as they endeavor to become more efficient in their spending. One means of increasing the efficiency of expenditures is for consumers to participate in the creation of the products they consume. Popularly depicted as do-it-yourself, academics are using the term prosumption to describe this trend. Its popularity is evident in the highly rated HGTV and DIY (do-it-yourself) networks and shows such as Income Property, Renovation Realities, and I Hate My Kitchen. The movement to prosumption is not insignificant as the global do-it-yourself market is expected to reach $716.2 billion by 2015 (Global Industry Analysts 2012). Because SDL suggests that all value is co-created, research that investigates the effect of prosumption on value creation. Specifically, firms are relying on consumers to “do-it-themselves” rather than to co-create.
Robust Image and Video Dehazing with Visual Artifact Suppression via Gradient Residual Minimization

Most existing image dehazing methods tend to boost local image contrast for regions with heavy haze. Without special treatment, these methods may significantly amplify existing image artifacts such as noise, color aliasing and blocking, which are mostly invisible in the input images but are visually intruding in the results. This is especially the case for low quality cellphone shots or compressed video frames. The recent work of Li et al. (2014) addresses blocking artifacts for dehazing, but is insufficient to handle other artifacts. In this paper, we propose a new method for reliable suppression of different types of visual artifacts in image and video dehazing. Our method makes contributions in both the haze estimation step and the image recovery step. Firstly, an image-guided, depth-edge-aware smoothing algorithm is proposed to refine the initial atmosphere transmission map generated by local priors. In the image recovery process, we propose Gradient Residual Minimization (GRM) for jointly recovering the haze-free image while explicitly minimizing possible visual artifacts in it. Our evaluation suggests that the proposed method can generate results with much less visual artifacts than previous approaches for lower quality inputs such as compressed video clips.
Generalized Additive Modeling

This chapter formulates and demonstrates generalized additive models (GAMs) for means of continuous outcomes treated as independent and normally distributed with constant variances as in linear regression and for logits (log odds) of means of dichotomous discrete outcomes with unit dispersions as in logistic regression. GAMs provide an alternative to fractional polynomial models for modeling nonlinear relationships between univariate outcomes and predictors, and so GAMs for these two cases are also compared to adaptive fractional polynomial models. Poisson regression is not considered for brevity. Example analyses are provided of the univariate continuous outcome deathrate per 100,000 in terms of available predictors as also addressed in Chaps. 2, 3, 6 and 7 as well as the univariate dichotomous outcome a high mercury level in fish over 1.0 ppm versus a lower level in terms of available predictors as also addressed in Chaps. 8 and 9.
Nicolai Hartmann and recent realisms

Some contemporary philosophers have called for a “new realism” in philosophical ontology. Hartmann’s works provide some of the richest resources upon which recent realists might draw for both inspiration and argument. In this brief exploration I touch on some key concepts and arguments from a few of the players in this “ontological turn,” including Meillassoux, Brassier, and Ferraris, and show how many of them were already clearly articulated in Hartmann’s works. I’ll also describe and comment on Hartmann’s arguments concerning the “thing in itself,” which he considers a key “critical” concept of his new ontology. His treatment of this issue demonstrates the sophistication—and, perhaps, superiority—of Hartmann’s approach.
A Hoffman brain phantom lesion study with the transformable HOTPET camera

The High-resolution Oncologic Transformable PET (HOTPET) camera has intrinsic spatial resolution of better than 3 mm and can operate in different modes including the whole-body mode and brain mode. In the whole-body mode, HOTPET has a transverse field-of-view (FOV) of 60 cm and an axial FOV of 13 cm. In the brain mode it has a transverse FOV of 39 cm and an axial FOV of 21 cm. The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of the two modes of HOTPET for studying small brain lesions (< 10 mm) to measure the effective gain in lesion detection by using a dedicated brain PET with higher sensitivity. We compared the two modes of camera by scanning the Hoffman brain phantom with three small lesion inserts for several lesion activity contrasts. The inner diameters of the lesion were in the range of 3.95 mm to 7.86 mm. The ratio of the activity concentration in the lesions to the activity in the background (gray matter regions) ranged from 1 to 20. Lesions were compared visually and also by measuring the contrast recovery and by studying their profiles. Visual inspection of the images showed that the 7.86-mm lesion with lesion to background activity ratio of 2 or higher was observable in both modes of the HOTPET. The 4.95-mm lesion was observable with lesion to background activity ratio of 4 (5.5) or higher in HOTPET brain (whole-body) mode. The 3.95-mm lesion was observable with lesion to background activity ratio of 8 (11) or higher in the brain (whole-body) mode. This study demonstrated the advantage of the brain mode of the HOTPET camera for detection of small lesions (<5 mm) compared to its whole-body mode and also compared to a simulated whole-body camera with crystals twice the average size of HOTPET's crystals.
Direct and correlated responses to three S1-recurrent selection strategies for increasing protein yield in oat

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of S1-recurrent selection for increasing groat (caryopsis)-protein yield in oat (Avena sativa L.) and to compare the effects of three selection strategies on correlated responses in groat yield and groat-protein concentration. Three S1-recurrent selection programs were conducted for five cycles. Selection criteria in each program (line of descent) emphasized different components of protein yield; high grain yield in HG, both high grain yield and high groat-protein concentration in HP, and protein yield per se in HGP. Thirty to sixty random S0-derived lines from each cycle and ten check lines were evaluated in one year at two locations to estimate the response to selection. Groat-protein yield increased 4.4% cycle-1 in HG, 3.4% cycle-1 in HP, and 2.2% cycle-1 in HGP. Gains in groat yield were 7% cycle-1 in HG, 1% cycle-1 in HP, and 3% cycle-1 in HGP. Mean groat-protein yield and groat yield in the cycle 5 (C5) populations of all three lines of descent were equal to or slightly higher than those of high yielding cultivars. The HG line of descent showed a significant decrease from 193 to 175 g kg-1 groat protein, while the HP line of descent showed a significant increase from 202 to 218 g kg-1. The HGP line of descent showed a small but significant decline in groat protein from 200 to 192 g kg-1. In comparison, the high-protein commercial cultivars contained about 210 g kg-1 groat protein. The C5 population of the HP line of descent had a unique combination of high groat yield and high groat-protein concentration. Genotypic variances for groat-protein yield, groat yield, and groat-protein concentration were not always significant in the various cycles of the three lines of descent, but in no instance was there a consistent change from C0 to C5. S1-recurrent selection was effective for increasing groat-protein yield of oat, and with the proper germplasm and selection strategy both groat yield and groat-protein concentration can be improved simultaneously.
Co-Teaching Practices during Student Teaching.

Accrediting organizations and regulations have compelled teacher preparation programs to establish partnerships with PK-12 schools to produce quality educators by utilizing effective teaching approaches such as co-teaching. The study examined co-teaching survey completed in the middle of student teaching. Data was collected from cooperating teachers and student teachers at different grade levels. The survey assessed participants' use of co-teaching strategies and the number of planning hours in each week. Pearson Correlations measured the relationship among the co-teaching strategies and the relationship between the co-teaching strategies and planning time. Results suggest there were more correlations among the co-teaching strategies for elementary student teachers. Three relationships were found in the middle school cooperating teachers data. Additionally, no correlations were found between any co-teaching strategies from either high school cooperating teachers or student teachers. The amount of planning time was shown to have no significant differences between any of the co-teaching strategies.
Common disorders of dentition

*Paper read at a meeting of the Southern Transvaal Branch. At one time ""teething"" was a diagnostic rubbish-heap, and ailments such as convulsions, pneumonia and meningitis were ascribed to it. A small percentage of children's disordes are due to pathological dentition due to the inequality in the rate of gum-resorption and crown advance.
Construction of the Lindström valuation of an algebraic extension

Abstract Recently, Bollen, Draisma, and Pendavingh have introduced the Lindstrom valuation on the algebraic matroid of a field extension of characteristic p. Their construction passes through what they call a matroid flock and builds on some of the associated theory of matroid flocks which they develop. In this paper, we give a direct construction of the Lindstrom valuated matroid using the theory of inseparable field extensions. In particular, we give a description of the valuation, the valuated circuits, and the valuated cocircuits.
Managing Traumatic Brain Injury: Translating Military Guidelines to the Wilderness

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common injury on the battlefield. Much of what medics do to manage these injuries on the battlefield can be translated to other austere environments, such as wilderness or disaster settings. The recognition and diagnosis of TBI can be difficult even in the hospital, but basic understanding of how to define a TBI and prevent secondary injuries can be accomplished with relatively few resources and little training. This article outlines what a TBI is and how to manage it in the field.
The CONVERGENCE Security Infrastructure

This chapter describes the Convergence security infrastructure. The core component for Convergence Security (CoSec) has a distributed architecture. It encompasses subcomponents on different computing platforms such as client computers and smart cards, application servers and peers. An essential feature of Co-Sec is the use of smart cards as a secure token. This Convergence token provides sensitive security functions on a tamper-resistant device. The chapter first introduces the concepts and the architecture of the security infrastructure. Based on a description of the basic cryptographic primitives, as well as of the advanced cryptographic schemes applied by the project, we describe the high-level security functions provided for the Convergence middleware and network layer.
Perceived Treatment Status of Fluctuations in Parkinson Disease Impacts Suicidality

Objective On/off motor fluctuations in Parkinson disease (PD) can be associated with extreme mood fluctuations and severe dysphoria. The impact of these affective symptoms may be overlooked in the treatment of motor fluctuations. Our goal was to examine the relationship between motor fluctuations, their treatment status, and suicidality in PD participants. Methods We analyzed data from the Methods of Optimal Depression Detection in Parkinson's Disease (MOOD-PD) study of 223 individuals with PD. Suicidality was measured using items from four depression scales: Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-17); Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS); Inventory for Depressive Symptomatology (IDS-C); and the self-rated Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Multivariable Poisson regression analyses tested whether self-reported motor fluctuations and their treatment status were associated with suicidality while controlling for recognized risk factors. Results Thirty-seven participants (16.6%) self-reported suicidality and 89 (39.5%) self-reported motor fluctuations, of whom 21 (23.6%) perceived their fluctuations as untreated. Participants reporting untreated motor fluctuations more frequently had a current depressive disorder (p Conclusions PD patients with untreated motor fluctuations are at increased risk for suicidal thoughts and should be monitored for mood changes as treatment is adapted.
A teacher who knows me: The academic benefits of repeat student-teacher matches

Abstract We provide new empirical evidence that increased student-teacher familiarity improves academic achievement in elementary school. Drawing on rich statewide administrative data, we observe small but significant test score gains for students assigned to the same teacher for a second time in a higher grade. We control for selection into repeat student-teacher matches with teacher fixed effects and either student fixed effects or flexible controls for student past achievement. The effects are largest for minorities, and there is some evidence that gains are most evident for students with generally less effective teachers (as measured by value-added). We also provide suggestive evidence of spillover benefits: students assigned to classes in which a large share of classmates are in repeat student-teacher matches experience gains even if not previously assigned to that teacher themselves. This suggests that effects at least partly operate through improvements in the general classroom learning environment. Overall, our findings indicate that there may be potential low-cost gains from the policy of “looping” in which students and teachers progress through early school grades together, and may explain the recent experimental evidence that teacher specialization has negative effects on student achievement given that this likely decreases student-teacher familiarity.
Model-based interbed multiple attenuation: a case study of Najmah reservoir, North Kuwait Jurassic

The Late Jurassic Najmah Formation of Northeast Kuwait consists of a fractured tight carbonate reservoir and organic-rich kerogen layer (Figure 1). Development of the Najmah reservoir is contingent on recognizing naturally fractured areas. Prior to seismic reservoir characterization, it is essential to ensure that the data quality is reliable before extracting any information from the seismic data. Noise contamination can obscure the reflections of interest, leading to inaccurate interpretation and the need for further data analysis for reservoir delineation. Data acquired in the study area indicates that P-wave seismic data within the reservoir interval suffers from the interference of coherent noise related to the interbed multiple. The interbed multiple is a serious problem that is common in the land seismic datasets in the Middle East (Al-Khaled et al., 2008; Al-Nahhas et al., 2008; El-Emam et al., 2011, 2005; Lesnikov and Owusu, 2011; Ras et al., 2012; Sonika et al., 2012; Wu et al. 2011). This study utilized a 9 mile2 (23.3 km2) 3D full azimuth P-wave seismic data set provided by Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) to the Reservoir Characterization Project (RCP) at the Colorado School of Mines. The seismic data was a preliminary result of pre-stack time migration from continuing seismic data processing. Short and long period demultiple and interbed demultiples were applied during the original data processing. A synthetic seismogram of well B portrays the reservoir interval with greater amplitude than the seismic data (Figure 2). This anomaly is consistently observed for all seismic well ties of ten available wells within the 3D seismic data. Furthermore, inside-outside corridor stack analysis of zero-offset VSP (Vertical Seismic Profile) depicts similar amplitude difference that indicates the presence of noise interference from multipathing of seismic energy above the reservoir interval. Evidence of the presence of multiples can be observed from the raw stack of down-going wavefields of the zero-offset VSP. Interbed multiple effects on the seismic data can be seen as a periodic repetition of reflection events, either individual events or interference with primaries. In this case, the multiples seem to interfere with the primary reflection. This study reveals interbed multiples related to the first anhydrite layer within the Gotnia Formation above the reservoir layers are the primary cause of the interference. Applying model-based interbed multiple attenuation reduces the noise interference and improves the imaging of the reservoir section. The multiple-attenuated seismic data have a better correlation with synthetics derived from ten control wells used in this study, leading to better seismic inversion accuracy and reservoir characterization.
A theoretical model of oscillatory blood flow in arteries

Wave propagation within a thick-walled, compressible, viscoelastic tube containing a polar fluid is studied as a model of oscillatory blood flow in arteries. Describing blood rheology using polar fluid theory allows one to take into account dissipative effects arising from hydrodynamic interactions between red cells. The phase velocity ratio, transmission per wavelength and hydraulic fluid impedance are determined as a function of the frequency parameter for various specified values of fluid and tube parameters. Hydrodynamic interactions between red cells are found to reduce significantly the transmission per wavelength. Futher, it is found that the marked increase in fluid resistance with increasing frequency which is observed experimentally is due, in part, to the dissipative effects of cell-cell interactions.
Calcium, Calmodulin, and Synaptic Function: Modulation of Neurotransmitter Release, Nerve Terminal Protein Phosphorylation, and Synaptic Vesicle Morphology by Calcium and Calmodulin

An understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying calcium-dependent neurotransmitter release would greatly enhance our knowledge of synaptic transmission and the action of specific neuropharmacologic agents, and possibly provide new insights into human disease processes involving synaptic modulation. Although calcium’s role in neurotransmitter release from the presynaptic nerve terminal has been of great interest, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of Ca2+ in stimulating neurotransmitter release or its other physiological functions in the nerve terminal. Ca2+ was shown to stimulate the endogenous phosphorylation of whole brain (8–10,15) and synaptosomal proteins (10,16) and it was suggested from these results that the effects of calcium on protein phosphorylation might play a role in mediating some of the effects of this ion on neuronal tissue.
Withdrawal from Dialytic Therapy

An 84 year old blind, widowed housekeeper who is unable to walk or care for herself because of a series of increasingly severe strokes has been undergoing maintenance hemodialysis for two years. Progressive deafness — now profound — prevents the patient’s use of talking books or even the radio. Distressed over worsening urinary and bowel incontinence, the patient requests that dialysis treatments be discontinued. She states that her decision is the result of months of thought and a discussion with her minister. The patient’s only living relative, a married daughter, rejects the concept of not continuing dialytic therapy until “the last spark of life is gone.” She threatens a law suit against the hospital and attending physician if any action toward stopping dialysis is taken. The hospital director orders the responsible nephrologist to continue dialysis indefinitely.
Dispelling the Fog on Post-concussion Syndrome

Academic performance is an area that is often affected in students who have suffered a concussion. This is especially true of individuals whose symptoms persist for an extended period of time. Post...
When religion meets academia: Millennial Christians becoming cultural Others on a minority-serving campus in the United States

ABSTRACTGiven that religion is an understudied yet important topic, this exploratory research investigates how millennial Christians negotiate their intersecting cultural identities on college camp...
High branched-chain amino acid concentrations are found in preterm baboons receiving intravenous amino acid solutions and mimic alterations found in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND Parenteral amino acid (AA) nutrition administration after premature birth is necessary to ensure adequate growth and neurodevelopment. However, optimizing safety and efficacy remains a major challenge. This study investigated the effects of intravenous AA administration on plasma AA profiles in premature baboons and infants. METHODS Premature baboons were delivered by cesarean section at 125 days (67% gestation) and chronically ventilated. At 24 hours of life, a parenteral AA protocol comparable to the early and high AA regimens used in premature infants was initiated. Serial plasma AA concentrations were obtained on days of life (DOLs) 1, 3, and 7 and compared with concentrations at similar DOLs from preterm infants. Fetal baboon (165 ± 2 days; 89% gestation) and term baboon plasma AA concentrations were obtained for comparison. RESULTS Premature baboons receiving early and high parenteral AA supplementation exhibited significant differences in plasma AA concentrations compared with fetuses. In particular, concentrations of leucine, isoleucine, valine, and ornithine were elevated (fold increase: 2.14, 2.03, 1.95, and 16.5, respectively; P < 0.001) on DOL 3 vs fetuses. These alterations mimicked those found in preterm infants. CONCLUSION Early and high AA supplementation in extremely premature baboons significantly disrupted plasma AA concentrations. Elevated concentrations of branched-chain AAs and ornithine raise concerns for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. These results are consistent with those found in premature human infants and emphasize the need to optimize parenteral AA solutions for the unique metabolic requirements of premature infants. Improved technologies for rapid monitoring of AA concentrations during treatment are essential.
Survival benefit with extended lymphadenectomy for advanced renal malignancy: A population-based analysis.

Abstract Objective We used population-based data to examine the possible benefit of extended lymphadenectomy for patients with renal malignancy in the setting of more advanced disease. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was utilized to identify non-metastatic, T3-T4 renal cancer patients from 2004–2015 treated with removal of ≥1 lymph node at the time of nephrectomy. Non-parametric bivariate statistics were used to assess associations between covariates of interest and extended lymphadenectomy (≥10 lymph nodes removed). Cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) benefit was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier analysis. Results Of the 4397 patients identified, 816 (18.6%) underwent extended lymphadenectomy. For patients with T3a disease, 5-year CSS and OS benefit with extended lymphadenectomy did not reach statistical significance (CSS: hazard ratio [HR] 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77–1.24; OS: HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.77–1.20). Conversely, for those with T3b-T3c disease, extended lymphadenectomy led to statistically significant improvements in both 5-year CSS and OS compared to non-extended lymphadenectomy (CSS: HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.61–0.99; OS: HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.58–0.90). Finally, for those with T4 disease, use of extended lymphadenectomy had OS benefit after 5 years (OS: HR 0.51, HR 0.29–0.90, p = 0.02). Conclusion Based on population-level data, extended lymphadenectomy was associated with improved survival in select patients with advanced renal malignancy treated with surgical nephrectomy. Understanding the basis of these real-world findings in the face of conflicting randomized trial results will be key, moving forward.
Weldability testing to understand composition effects on eutectic backfilling in Ni-30Cr alloys

Using Ni-30 wt% Cr in nuclear power reactors requires compatible fillers to ensure reliable welded joints. The high chromium content provides resistance to stress corrosion cracking (SCC), and niobium (Nb) additions have been made to Ni-30Cr filler metals to provide resistance to ductility dip cracking (DDC). Previous work suggested that increasing Nb from 2–4 to 6–8 wt% reduces cracking susceptibility due to crack healing supported by eutectic backfilling. Additional reduction in solidification cracking is realized when Mo additions are made in conjunction with the higher Nb levels. Based on qualitative evidence that the composition of the eutectic liquid changes grain boundary wetting characteristics and promotes backfilling, the current study was designed to quantify this behavior using a Varestraint-M test (adaptation of the original Varestraint test). The results suggest that when the Nb-rich eutectic also contains Mo, the liquid is more effective in wetting grain boundaries and promoting backfilling. This change in backfilling behavior is attributed to grain boundary wetting variability based on eutectic composition. A better fundamental understanding of the effect of Mo on grain boundary wetting of the Nb-rich eutectic phase will potentially facilitate the development of filler metals that rely on eutectic healing (or backfilling) to provide resistance to solidification cracking.
The impact of internal control, external assurance, and integrated reports on market value

It is generally assumed that the credibility of a firm's disclosure is enhanced when there is an independent review. This is the basis for the requirement that an independent audit firm attest to the veracity of financial statements. With the passage of Sarbanes‐Oxley, publicly‐traded North American firms must include a statement about the quality of their internal control system in their financial statements. While the audit of the statements of financial position may be considered to pertain only to that information, the internal control system has a pervasive effect. Therefore, its audit may also impact systems not directly related to financial reporting. Integrated reports combine financial and non‐financial information to provide an overall view of firm's performance. Using data from Compustat North America and GRI, this study shows a positive impact of internal control systems and integrated reports on market value.
The American College of Rheumatology Fibromyalgia Criteria Are Useful in the Evaluation of Fibromyalgia Symptoms in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Fibromyalgia (FM) is common among patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and its coexistence is believed to interfere with the measurement of patient-reported outcomes of disease activity and function in AS because of overlapping symptoms between the 2 diseases. This can confound clinical assessment and treatment decisions. Aims The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the Fibromyalgia Symptom Scale (FSS) and its components, the Widespread Pain Index (WPI), and System Severity Scale with measures of disease activity, function, and patient-reported outcomes in AS. Methods We recruited 63 AS patients (aged ≥18 years) meeting the modified New York criteria, and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-C-Reactive Protein, Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3, and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index questionnaires were administered to them. The presence of FM was determined using validated 2010 American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria for FM. Results Twenty-eight of 63 patients (44.4%) with AS and FM had higher disease activity and greater impairment of functional ability compared with AS patients without FM. Using multiple linear regression estimates, there was no significant relationship of FSS scores with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (p = 0.36), Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (p = 0.50), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-C-Reactive Protein (p = 0.24), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (p = 0.42) scores, or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p = 0.82) and C-reactive protein (p = 0.75). Conclusions Despite a high prevalence of FM in our patients with the diagnosis of AS, there was no relationship between FSS and measures of disease activity or function in AS, suggesting that FSS and its components could be a useful tool to assess FM in AS patients. Also, FM impairs functional ability in patients with AS.
Older Driver Crash Involvement and Fatalities, by Age and Sex, 2000-2017.

Federal reporting of crash fatalities has limited age-by-sex stratification, but both age and sex are associated with driving reduction and cessation. We described older driver fatal crash involvem...
Aerodynamic Optimization over Frigate Helicopter Flight Deck by Hangar Shape Modifications

Helicopter operations on frigates imply complex maneuvers for pilots. During the aircraft approach to the frigate, the helicopter rotor is immersed in a changing aerodynamic flow, with high speed a...
Energy-Efficient Multivariate Privacy-Aware RF Spectrum Reservation in Wireless Virtualization for Wireless Internet of Things

Next generation communication systems are expected to be heterogeneous and to have varying Quality of Service (QoS) requirements for different Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Wireless virtualization is regarded as an emerging technology capable of handling the ever growing resource demands by those heterogeneous IoT applications and systems by enabling wireless resource sharing through slicing. Scarce wireless resources and expensive physical infrastructure are leased to business units. The business units do not own the infrastructure, but rather gain access through a subleasing process. However, due to the lack of efficient management of wireless resources, energy efficiency of the physical infrastructure cannot be guaranteed. A viable solution to this problem is to anticipate resource needs and proactively implement energy efficient measures to ensure QoS requirements of users are met using a reservation scheme. Previous spectrum reservation approaches do not consider energy efficiency in the reservation process. In this paper, we present an adaptive resource reservation scheme for wireless network virtualization. The proposed scheme relies on an informed estimate of resource needs by a combination of aggregated event data from multiple contributors, and prediction based on previous allocation data. We present a Privacy aware Aggregation Model (PrivAgg) that relies on the truthfulness of contributors by providing secure enrollment and communication. We also present a prediction algorithm, Volume and Bandwidth-conditioned Spectrum Selective Moving Average (VBSSMA), that enforces a multivariate filter for the allocation history in order to increase the accuracy of prediction. We evaluate the performance of the reservation scheme and algorithms using theoretical analysis and numerical results from extensive simulations. Numerical results over multiple configurations for the weight of the aggregator and predictor components shows that VBSSMA results in up to 27% less allocation cost and 4% less error than existing Volume-conditioned Spectrum Selective Moving Average reservation approach.
Influenza A virus defective viral genomes are inefficiently packaged into virions relative to wild-type genomic RNAs

Abstract Deletion-containing viral genomes (DelVGs) are commonly produced during influenza A virus infection and have been implicated in influencing clinical infection outcomes. Despite their ubiquity, the specific molecular mechanisms that govern DelVG formation and their packaging into defective interfering particles (DIPs) remain poorly understood. Here, we utilized next-generation sequencing to analyze DelVGs that form de novo early during infection, prior to packaging. Analysis of these early DelVGs revealed that deletion formation occurs in clearly defined hotspots and is significantly associated with both direct sequence repeats and enrichment of adenosine and uridine bases. By comparing intracellular DelVGs with those packaged into extracellular virions, we discovered that DelVGs face a significant bottleneck during genome packaging relative to wild type genomic RNAs. Surprisingly, packaged DelVGs exhibited no signs of enrichment for specific deletion characteristics suggesting that all DelVGs are equally limited in packaging efficiency. Our data provide the first unbiased, high-resolution portrait of the diversity of DelVGs that are generated by the IAV replication machinery and shed light on the mechanisms that underly DelVG formation. Importance Defective interfering particles (DIPs) are commonly produced by RNA viruses and have been implicated in modulating clinical infection outcomes, hence, there is increasing interest in the potential of DIPs as antiviral therapeutics. For influenza viruses, DIPs are formed by the packaging of genomic RNAs harboring internal deletions. Despite decades of study, the mechanisms that drive the formation of these deletion-containing viral genomes (DelVGs) remain elusive. Here, we used a specialized sequencing pipeline to characterize the first wave of DelVGs that form during influenza virus infection. This dataset provides an unbiased profile of the deletion-forming preferences of the influenza virus replicase. Additionally, by comparing the early intracellular DelVGs with those that get packaged into extracellular virions, we described a significant segment-specific bottleneck that limits DelVG packaging relative to wild type viral RNAs. Altogether, these findings reveal factors that govern the production of both DelVGs and DIPs during influenza virus infection.
Surgical Abortions in Cattle

Termination of early pregnancy in mismated, valuable heifers and cows are often requested by purebred breeders. In performing an abortion by any of several commonly recognized procedures (i.e., estrogen injections, expression of the corpus luteum, etc.) one must consider some of the disadvantages of altered hormone balances and its sequelae, trauma to the ovary, excessive hemorrhage, and others. Because of these unwanted effects, many purebred breeders hesitate to have abortions performed thus resulting in a loss of valuable breeding time and immature heifers suffering the sequelae associated with difficult parturition.
Can the Anesthesiologist Use the Radial Artery for Monitoring After Transradial Artery Catheterization

The use of transradial coronary angiography and intervention is growing because of its advantages over the femoral approach. However, the small size of the radial artery can contribute to complications. We present a case of an in situ access complication of transradial coronary artery catheterization. It is important for the anesthesiologist to know about the short-term and long-term consequences of this intervention, which could lead to narrowing of the artery even beyond the site of puncture. Understanding these changes could help anesthesiologists make better decisions about using the radial artery for monitoring after transradial coronary artery catheterization procedures.