cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transformation of carbon tetrachloride and chloroform by trichloroethene respiring anaerobic mixed cultures and supernatant.

Abstract Carbon tetrachloride (CT) and chloroform (CF) were transformed in batch reactor experiments conducted with anaerobic dechlorinating cultures and supernatant (ADC + S) harvested from continuous flow reactors. The Evanite (EV) and Victoria/Stanford (VS) cultures, capable of respiring trichloroethene (TCE), 1,2-cis-dichloroethene (cDCE), and vinyl chloride (VC) to ethene (ETH), were grown in continuous flow reactors receiving an influent feed of saturated TCE (10 mM; 60 mEq) and formate (45 mM; 90 mEq) but no CT or CF. Cells and supernatant were harvested from the chemostats and inoculated into batch reactors at the onset of each experiment. CT transformation was complete following first order kinetics with CF, DCM and CS2 as the measurable transformation products, representing 20–40% of the original mass of CT, with CO2 likely the unknown transformation product. CF was transformed to DCM and likely CO2 at an order of magnitude rate lower than CT, while DCM was not further transformed. An analytical first order model including multiple key reactions effectively simulated CT transformation, product formation and transformation, and provided reasonable estimates of transformation rate coefficients. Biotic and abiotic treatments indicated that CT was mainly transformed via abiotic processes. However, the presence of live cells was associated with the transformation of CF to DCM. In biotic tests both TCE and CT were simultaneously transformed, with TCE transformed to ETH and approximately 15–53% less CF formed via CT transformation. A 14-day exposure to CF (CFmax = 1.4 μM) reduced all rates of chlorinated ethene respiration by a factor of 10 or greater.
Money Matters in Marriage: Financial Concerns, Warmth, and Hostility Among Military Couples

The effects of military couples’ (N = 219) financial management concerns on marital quality were investigated using an actor-partner interdependence model based on the family stress model. The influence of the mediating role of warm and hostile marital interactions was also investigated after accounting for multiple indicators of the military context, which are usually significant in the lives of military families. Individuals with higher levels of concern about financial management expressed less warmth and more hostility towards their partner. In turn, individuals exhibiting higher levels of warmth had spouses who reported greater marital quality.
Right versus left: Impact of primary location on survival and cure in patients undergoing hepatic resection for metastatic colon cancer.

664Background: Recent prospective studies in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) have demonstrated an association between left-sided primaries and improved overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Primary location (right vs left colon) has not been well studied in patients undergoing potentially curative hepatic resection. Methods: A single-institution database was queried for all initial hepatic resections for mCRC 1992-2004. Postoperative deaths and patients with no followup after 90 days were excluded. Primary location determined by chart review (Right = cecum to transverse; Left = splenic flexure to sigmoid). Rectal cancer (distal 16cm), multiple primaries, and unknown location were excluded. Kaplan Meier and Cox regression methods were used. Cure was defined as actual 10-year survival with no recurrence or resected recurrence with at least 3 years of disease-free followup. Results: 907 patients were included with a median followup of 11 years. 578 patients (64%) had left-sided and 329 (36%) ...
Implementation of postdischarge follow-up telephone calls at a comprehensive cancer center

Purpose The development and implementation of a pharmacy-driven, postdischarge follow-up telephone call program to assess medication adherence, provide education, and address medication-related concerns are discussed. Summary Many readmissions are avoidable through effective discharge planning and patient follow-up after hospitalization. However, there is limited information on how to effectuate this process. To address this barrier, a team consisting of a clinical pharmacy specialist, a clinical pharmacy manager, a postgraduate year 1 pharmacy resident, and an education specialist at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center collaborated to create a postdischarge telephone call program within a transitions-of-care (TOC) pilot program. Various education and training materials were created to ensure trainees were competent. As of February 2016, 23 outpatient pharmacists and students have completed training, earning a median pretest and posttest score of 6 and 9, respectively, out of 10. There have been 206 calls completed; 150 patients (73%) were successfully reached, and 20 patients (9%) declined the telephone call. Medication adherence assessed during the telephone follow-up identified that 134 patients (89%) received their new medications within 72 hours, and 87 patients (58%) were recognized as having one or more discrepancies. Conclusion Developing a TOC program similar to this pilot program requires several resources including time, collaboration, and support from the management team. Pharmacy is well positioned to complete an accurate medication review and conduct postdischarge telephone calls to address medication-related issues. By providing these services, patients will receive continuity of care and positively impact emergency room visitation rates and hospital readmission rates.
The role of lower-crustal hydration in the tectonic evolution of the Colorado Plateau

Abstract Geologists have long debated the timing and mechanism for uplift of the Colorado Plateau with numerous hypotheses proposed to explain each. We use surface wave tomography to examine the lithospheric structure of the Colorado Plateau and surrounding regions and combine these data with thermodynamic modeling to better constrain lower crustal composition, water content, and density. Our results show that about 15% (~ 290 m) of the modern plateau elevation can be supported isostatically by hydration of the lower crust, which reduces the overall density of the lithosphere. Hydration of the Colorado Plateau lithosphere likely occurred due to dewatering of the Farallon slab during flat-slab subduction. Subsequent warming and extension have likely further reduced the density of the crust along the plateau margins by as much as 110 kg/m 3 . This is likely a result of extension encroaching into the plateau and small-scale convection occurring within the mantle surrounding the plateau, and may help explain the high topography on the margins of the plateau.
Computational Study of Shock-Driven Multiphase Mixing in Scramjet Conditions

Using a multiphase 3D large-eddy simulation approach, simulations were conducted to study the fundamentals of multiphase turbulent mixing in a scramjet combustor. These simulations studied the effe...
Abstract 256: Loss-of-function Gln287 Variant in EPHX2 is Associated With Increased Insulin Sensitivity

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) induce vasodilation via activation of calcium-sensitive potassium channels and smooth muscle cell hyperpolarization. Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) hydrolyzes EETs to less biologically active metabolites. The variant Gln287 of EPHX2 encodes for a sEH enzyme with reduced hydrolase activity. In murine models of type 2 diabetes, inhibition of sEH or EPHX2 deletion results in improved insulin sensitivity. In humans, forearm blood flow is significantly increased in Gln287 variant allele carriers. Given that insulin sensitivity is influenced by vascular perfusion, we hypothesized that insulin sensitivity would be increased in Gln287-carriers compared with wild-type individuals. Insulin secretion and sensitivity were assessed in 63 volunteers (43 with metabolic syndrome, 34 females, 42.5 ± 13 years old, 15 black Americans) during hyperglycemic clamps. Statistical analyses were adjusted for BMI. Plasma total- (r=0.63, p=0.007), 14-15- (r=0.62, p=0.008), and 11-12- (r=0.57, p=0.02) EET concentrations correlated with insulin sensitivity. There was no effect of genotype on insulin secretion (not shown). In individuals without metabolic syndrome, insulin sensitivity was significantly increased in Gln287 variant carriers compared with wild-type individuals (Fig. A). Insulin sensitivity was decreased in individuals with the metabolic syndrome, but also trended higher in Gln287 variant carriers when compared with wild-type individuals (Fig. B). Taken together, these results suggest that the loss-of-function Gln287 variant of EPHX2 is associated with increased insulin sensitivity.
Understanding How Domestic Violence Shelter Rules May Influence Survivor Empowerment

Domestic violence shelters have historically gone beyond providing emergency residential space for survivors by assisting in obtaining future housing, employment, health care, child care, or legal services. Domestic violence shelters are expected to operate within an empowerment philosophy, with an understanding that survivors are self-determining, can identify their needs, and know what it takes to meet those needs. Recent research has indicated that, as many shelters have become more rigid in creating rules that survivors must follow to access and retain free temporary housing, the result has been survivors' feelings of disempowerment, the complete opposite of what was originally intended. This study builds on the small amount of research conducted regarding survivors' experiences of shelter rules by specifically examining how rules were perceived to affect empowerment. Seventy-three survivors from two domestic violence shelters were asked about their experiences around specific shelter rules relating to curfew, parenting, chores, time limits, food, alcohol, drugs, and medications. A transcendental phenomenological approach was used to analyze the qualitative data, seeking explanations of how survivors made meaning of the rules and how those rules influenced their empowerment. Among those survivors who found the rules problematic, three major themes emerged: (a) rules acted as barriers to carrying out their normal, day-to-day activities; (b) the shelter staff's flexibility with rules was based on contingencies; and (c) rules negatively affected their psychological well-being, and required them to engage in protective behaviors. Recommendations are made for the reexamination and restructuring of rules within domestic violence shelters.
Linear spectral unmixing using least squares error, orthogonal projection and simplex volume for hyperspectral images

Linear spectral unmixing (LSU) and Simplex Volume (SV) are closely related. The link between these two has been recognized recently by the fact that simplex can be realized by two physical abundance constraints, Abundance Sum-to-one Constraint (ASC) and Abundance Non-negativity Constraint (ANC). In other words, all data sample vectors are embraced by a simplex with vertices which are actually the set of signatures used to unmix data sample vectors where the data sample vectors outside the simplex are considered as unwanted sample vectors such as noisy samples, bad sample vectors. On the other hand, LSU is solved by Least Squares Error (LSE) which uses the principle of orthogonality to derive the solution. Therefore, LSU is also equivalent to being solved by Orthogonal Projection (OP). This paper explores applications of LSU using these criteria, simplex, LSE and OP in data unmixing.
Evaluación de la postura con los estudiantes del primer grado de la escuela primaria

During childhood, respectively in adolescence, the human physiological changes due to growth and development of physical and mental functions. There are many factors that affect the growth and development of the individual, and which are reflected in its physical structure. The aim of this study was to determine whether muscular imbalance were observed in the group of pupils in the first grade of elementary school. As methodology, we chose to examinate shortened and weakened muscles by Janda. Survey sample consisted of students of the first grade at two elementary schools in Ruzomberok. The survey was conducted in the years 2015 - 2016, with the consent of parents, children and school head teachers. Students were divided into 4 groups, and we evaluated the incidence of faulty posture in pupils of first, second, third and fourth grade.
Fight and air exposure times of caught and released salmonids from the South Fork Snake River

Abstract Catch-and-release regulations are among the most common types of fishing regulations. In recent years, concerns have arisen regarding the exposure of fish to air during catch-and-release angling. The purpose of our study was to quantify the length of time angled fish were exposed to air by anglers in a typical catch-and-release fishery and relate it to the lengths of time reported to produce negative effects. In total, 312 individual anglers were observed on the South Fork Snake River, Idaho, from May through August 2016. Fight time varied from 1.1 s to 230.0 s, and average fight time was 40.0 s (SD = 36.8). Total air exposure times varied from 0.0 s to 91.8 s and averaged 19.3 s (SD = 15.0). Though not statistically significant, a trend in reduced fight times was observed when anglers were guided and increased air exposure times when a net was used and a picture was taken. Results of the current study suggest that anglers expose fish to air for periods that are much less than those reported to cause mortality.
Dose-dependent enrichments and improved redox status in tissues of broiler chicks under heat stress by dietary supplemental microalgal astaxanthin.

Astaxanthin (AST) is a well-known carotenoid with a high antioxidant capacity. This study was designed to evaluate the nutritional and metabolic effects of microalgal AST added to the diets of broiler chicks under heat stress. A total of 240 Cornish male chicks (1 day old) were divided into six cages per treatment (eight chicks per cage) and fed a corn-soybean meal diet supplemented with AST from Haematococcus pluvialis at 0, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg for 6 weeks. Heat stress was employed during weeks 4-6. The supplementation led to dose-dependent enrichments ( P < 0.05) of AST and total carotenoids in the plasma, the liver, and the breast and thigh muscles. There were similar enhancements ( P < 0.05) of oxygen-radical-absorbance capacities, but there were decreases or mixed responses ( P < 0.05) of glutathione concentrations and glutathione peroxidase activities in the tissues. In conclusion, supplemental dietary microalgal AST was bioavailable to the chicks and enriched in their tissues independent of heat stress, leading to coordinated changes in their endogenous antioxidant defense and meat quality.
Disturbances of Sleep in the Intensive Care Unit

Sleep can be extremely difficult to achieve in ICUs. Sleep deprivation is a major problem in the ICU and physicians should be aware of the effects of sleep deprivation on physiologic and immune function. Sleep deprivation has been associated with the ICU syndrome. Multiple factors interfere with sleep in the ICU; the single most significant cause of sleep disruption in the ICU is noise. Effective means of controlling noise and sensory overload in ICU patients must be developed. Nonpharmacologic options to enhance sleep should be considered in all ICUs. Sleep should never be considered a luxury in the ICU; it is an essential physiologic need.
Sleep and Sleep Disturbances

The first 2 years of an infant’s life involve significant changes in sleep and waking state organization. Traditionally, sleep has been viewed as a characteristic of an individual. However, the infant’s biological sleep-wake system is regulated, in large part, by parent-infant interaction and is affected by the infant’s cognitive, emotional, and social experiences. How do the developing infant’s biological systems, such as the circadian, nutritional, and fatigue systems, interact with environmental experiences to produce nighttime “self-soothing” or “signaling” behavior in the first year of life? Does the process of infant sleep-wake state regulation in the first year predict infant sleep disturbance in the second year or sleep problems in later childhood? The study of sleep-wake state maturation in infancy provides an extraordinary opportunity to examine the complexity of influences that are associated with the processes of regulation and, in turn, the sleep-wake problems (outcomes) that may result.
Thermochemistry of Polyatomic Cations

The enthalpy of formation of a chemical species is defined as the difference between the enthalpy of the compound and the sum of the enthalpies of the elements of which it is composed. The definition of the enthalpy of formation of a cation must also include the energy required to remove an electron, an “ionization potential”; $$M \to M^ + + e^ - $$ (1) Adiabatic ionization potentials are rigorously equal to the difference in the energies or enthalpies of formation of the ion and the molecule or radical at zero degrees Kelvin. Therefore, in order to arrive at values for enthalpies or energies of formation of an ion at temperature T, account must be taken of the integrated heat capacities of all the species in reaction 1: $$\Delta H_f \left( {M^ + } \right)_T = IP_O + \Delta H_f \left( M \right)_T + \left[ {\int\limits_O^T {C_P \left( {M^ + } \right)dT - \int\limits_O^T {C_P } \left( M \right)dT + \int\limits_O^T {C_P \left( {e^ - } \right)dT} } } \right]$$ (2) (where IPO is the adiabatic ionization potential and the term in the brackets corrects the ionization potential to the enthalpy of ionization at temperature T). In practice, for most ions the assumption is made that: $$\int\limits_O^T {C_P } \left( {M^ + } \right)dT \sim \int\limits_O^T {C_P } \left( M \right)dT$$ (3)
Positive and negative affect in the daily life of world trade center responders with PTSD: An ecological momentary assessment study.

Objective The ability to experience positive affect (PA) has clinical and quality of life implications, particularly in vulnerable populations such as trauma-exposed disaster responders. Low PA is included in the diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), however evidence for PA reduction in PTSD has been mixed. In contrast, negative affect (NA) has consistently been found to be elevated among individuals with PTSD. Multiday, ecological momentary assessment (EMA) can provide more ecologically valid evidence about experiences of affect; however, no such studies have been conducted in traumatized individuals with PTSD to date. Method World Trade Center (WTC) responders (N = 202) oversampled for the presence of PTSD were recruited from the WTC Health Program. Participants were administrated the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 at baseline, then completed EMA surveys of affect four times a day over seven consecutive days. Results Participants with current PTSD (19.3% of the sample) showed significantly higher levels of daily NA compared with those without PTSD. However, there was no group difference in daily PA, nor was PA associated with a dimensional measure of PTSD. Conclusion Results suggest that for chronic PTSD among disaster responders, positive emotions are not inhibited across daily living. Such findings add to evidence suggesting that PA reduction may not be diagnostically relevant to PTSD, whereas NA remains an important target for therapeutic interventions. Moreover, results show that WTC responders can experience and benefit from positive emotion, even if they continue to have PTSD symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Using the Smarter Balanced grade 11 summative assessment in college writing placement

Abstract The Smarter Balanced grade 11 summative assessment is a career and college readiness assessment aligned with the Common Core State Standards. In addition to its use as a measure in the high school, over 200 colleges and universities in 10 states use the results of this assessment as part of a multiple measures approach for placement in writing and mathematics. Our focus in this review is on the assessment’s use in college and university writing placement. We discuss the writing constructs made evident in the assessment in addition to what is not measured in order to identify the possibilities and limitations of its use in college writing placement. We offer suggestions for future research into the consequential validity of the assessment.
Human mast cells derived from fetal liver cells cultured with stem cell factor express a functional CD51/CD61 (alpha v beta 3) integrin

Human fetal livers contain progenitor cells that become mast cells after 4 weeks of culture with recombinant human stem cell factor. Expression of cell surface CD29 (beta 1), CD18 (beta 2), CD61 (beta 3), and beta 5 integrins was investigated on such cells by flow cytometry and adhesion measurements. High surface expression of CD49e, CD51, and CD61 along with kit was apparent by 4 weeks of culture, whereas expression of each at day 0 was low to undetectable. CD29 and CD49d were detected on cells from day 0 to 4 weeks of culture; CD49b, CD49c, CD49f, CD18, and CD54 expression was negligible. The fetal liver-derived mast cells spontaneously adhered to vitronectin. No evidence for degranulation was found during vitronectin-dependent adhesion. Adhesion occurred in part through the CD61/CD51 receptor. No evidence for adhesion to vitronectin through CD29 and beta 5 integrins was obtained. Almost all of the vitronectin-adherent cells expressed CD51, CD61, kit, and tryptase, and exhibited metachromasia with toluidine blue. Thus, among the fetal liver-derived cells, developing mast cells were selectively adherent to vitronectin. These mast cells and the other cell types present also adhere spontaneously to fibronectin and to laminin, this adhesion being partially inhibited by antibodies against CD61 and CD29 integrins. In conclusion, human mast cells acquire functional vitronectin receptors as they develop from fetal liver progenitors under the influence of rhSCF. This may be important for the recruitment, localization, and retention of developing mast cells.
Characterization of the in vitro CYP450 mediated metabolism of the polymorphic CYP2D6 probe drug codeine in horses

Abstract Despite their widespread popularity as sport and companion animals and published and anecdotal reports of vast difference in drug disposition and pharmacokinetics between individuals, studies describing equine drug metabolism are limited. It has been theorized that similar to humans, members of the CYP2D family in horses may be polymorphic in nature leading to differences in metabolism of substrates. This study aims to build on the limited current knowledge regarding P450 mediated metabolism in horses by describing the metabolism of the polymorphic CYP2D6 probe drug codeine in vitro. Codeine, at varying substrate concentrations, was incubated with equine liver microsomes (±UDPGA) and a panel of baculovirus expressed recombinant equine P450s. Parent drug and metabolite concentrations were determined using LC-MS/MS. Incubation of codeine in equine liver microsomes generated norcodeine, morphine, codeine glucuronide and morphine 3- and 6- glucuronide. In recombinant P450 assays, the newly described CYP2D82 was responsible for catalyzing the biotransformation of codeine to morphine (Km of 247.4 μM and a Vmax of 1.6 pmol/min/pmol P450). CYP2D82 is 80% homologous to the highly polymorphic CYP2D6 enzyme, which is responsible for biotransformation of codeine to morphine in humans. CYP3A95, which shares 79% sequence homology with human CYP3A4 and CYP2D50 catalyzed the conversion of codeine to norcodeine (Km of 104.1 and 526.9 μM, Vmax of 2.8 and 2.6 pmol/min/pmol P450). In addition to describing the P450 mediated metabolism of codeine, the current study offers a candidate probe drug that could be used in vivo to study the functional implications of polymorphisms in the CYP2D gene in horses.
Learning to Model Aspects of Hearing Perception Using Neural Loss Functions

We present a framework to model the perceived quality of audio signals by combining convolutional architectures, with ideas from classical signal processing, and describe an approach to enhancing perceived acoustical quality. We demonstrate the approach by transforming the sound of an inexpensive musical with degraded sound quality to that of a high-quality musical instrument without the need for parallel data which is often hard to collect. We adapt the classical approach of a simple adaptive EQ filtering to the objective criterion learned by a neural architecture and optimize it to get the signal of our interest. Since we learn adaptive masks depending on the signal of interest as opposed to a fixed transformation for all the inputs, we show that shallow neural architectures can achieve the desired result. A simple constraint on the objective and the initialization helps us in avoiding adversarial examples, which otherwise would have produced noisy, unintelligible audio. We believe that the current framework proposed has enormous applications, in a variety of problems where one can learn a loss function depending on the problem, using a neural architecture and optimize it after it has been learned.
The challenge of heritability: genetic determinants of beliefs and their implications

Ethical and political attitudes are not randomly distributed in a population. Attitudes of family members, for example, tend to be more similar than those of a random sample of the same size. In th...
How equation of state selection impacts accuracy near the critical point: Forced convection supercritical CO2 flow over a cylinder

Abstract Increasing application of supercritical fluids leads to increased use of numerical simulations to guide designs. However, the impact of Equations of State (EoS) selection on computational cost and accuracy is not well understood. Laminar flow around a heated cylinder is used as a test case. A robust matrix of 99-simulations is used to analyze the flow of carbon dioxide just above the critical point at the isobaric condition of 8 MPa and temperatures between 305 and 390 K. Four EoS were studied: Ideal Gas Law, cubic EoS’s Peng-Robinson and Soave-Redlich-Kwong, and the Span-Wagner EoS. Results were identical for isothermal cases, but for heated or cooled cases, the high-fidelity Span-Wagner EoS simulations presented drastically different wake structures. Compared to the high-fidelity SW EoS, cEoS’s underestimated Nu values by up to 38% and cEoS’s underestimated CD values by 18–42%. The Span-Wagner EoS required only 17% more computation time then the cubic EoS simulations, making the Span-Wagner EoS recommended for engineering design.
Research on AC/DC hybrid system real-time simulation progress improvement

In order to improve the accuracy of real-time simulation of power electronic transformers, all models are based on FPGA modeling, and a mathematical model of power electronic transformers suitable for FPGA operations has been established. Aiming at the simulation error caused by multi-rate simulation, this paper analyzes the source of simulation error, proposes a step wave average communication algorithm, which improves the oscillation and jitter of simulation results. The simulation platform is connected to the real controller of power electronics and the real controller of new energy generation unit. The real-time simulation verification is carried out for the dynamic characteristics, control performance and stability of AC / DC system. The simulation results verify the reliability and practicability of the simulation platform.
Integration of a Lean Daily Management System into an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program.

Growing demands and limited guidance on efficient use of resources to advance stewardship initiatives challenge antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP). Methods The primary aim was to incorporate a Lean Readiness and Metrics Board (RMB) into ASP and assess team member accountability and satisfaction with weekly 15-minute huddle participation within 1 year of implementation. ASP team survey data were analyzed for comments regarding Lean integration, team communication, and productivity. The second aim was to develop 5 shared metrics associated with quality, people, delivery, safety, and stewardship and evaluate ASP team productivity by assessing the impact of projects targeted at each specific metric. Pharmacist-physician ASP scheduling conflicts were addressed through identified rounding times under the "People" metric. The "Quality" metric assessed ASP intervention disagreement rate and collaborations that occurred to reduce disagreement. ASP tracked the number of individuals educated by ASP monthly through the "Delivery" metric. Results Since August 2018, ASP replaced hour-long monthly meetings with weekly huddles at the RMB. On average, 14 members (88%) of the ASP participate weekly. Team members report improvement in communication and satisfaction with Lean integration. Metric utilization enhanced productivity. For the metrics under "People," "Quality," and "Delivery," reduced scheduling conflicts occurred, the ASP intervention disagreement rate decreased (37.0%-25.6%; P Conclusions Weekly huddles at the RMB enhanced communication and team accountability while visually displaying program needs, progress, and achievements. The RMB helps to ensure ongoing institutional commitment, and Lean methods show promise for evaluating and improving ASP productivity.
Abstract P729: Glp-1 Receptor Nitration Contributes to Brain Pericytes Dysfunction in Diabetes

Brain pericytes are unique, multi-functional mural cells located at the center of the NVU. Pericytes maintain the blood-brain barrier (BBB), promote vascular stability, and control the capillary bl...
The Hallmarks of Cancer as Ecologically Driven Phenotypes

Ecological fitness is the ability of individuals in a population to survive and reproduce. Individuals with increased fitness are better equipped to withstand the selective pressures of their environments. This paradigm pertains to all organismal life as we know it; however, it is also becoming increasingly clear that within multicellular organisms exist highly complex, competitive, and cooperative populations of cells under many of the same ecological and evolutionary constraints as populations of individuals in nature. In this review I discuss the parallels between populations of cancer cells and populations of individuals in the wild, highlighting how individuals in either context are constrained by their environments to converge on a small number of critical phenotypes to ensure survival and future reproductive success. I argue that the hallmarks of cancer can be distilled into key phenotypes necessary for cancer cell fitness: survival and reproduction. I posit that for therapeutic strategies to be maximally beneficial, they should seek to subvert these ecologically driven phenotypic responses.
Radiographic Findings in Flexion Instability after Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Flexion instability (FI) is one of the leading causes of knee pain and revision surgery. Generally, the biomechanical etiology is considered to be a larger flexion than extension gap. This may be due to mismatch of components sizes to the bone or malalignment. Other factors such as muscle weakness may also play a role, and the diagnosis of FI after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) relies on a combination of patient's complaints during stair descent or walking and physical examination findings. Our study examines the role of implant positioning and sizes in the diagnosis of FI. A retrospective review of 20 subjects without perceived FI and 13 patients diagnosed with FI after TKA was conducted. Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome scores (KOOS) were documented, and postoperative radiographs were examined. Measurements including included tibial slope, condylar offset, femoral joint line elevation along with surrogate soft-tissue measures for girth and were compared between groups. The FI group was found to have a significantly lower KOOS score compared with the non-FI group (55.6 vs. 73.5; p = 0.009) as well as smaller soft-tissue measurements over the pretubercle region (6.0 mm vs. 10.6 mm; p = 0.007). Tibial slope, condylar offset ratios, and femoral joint line elevation were not significantly different between the FI and non-FI groups. We noted a significant difference in tibial slope in posterior-stabilized implants in subjects with and without FI (6.4° vs. 1.5°; p = 0.003). Radiographic measurements consistent with malalignment were not indicative of FI. X-ray measurements alone are not sufficient to conclude FI as patient symptoms, and clinical examinations remain the key indicators for diagnosis. Radiographic findings may aid in surgeon determination of an underlying cause for an already identified FI situation and help in planning revision surgery.
Neuronal activity regulates the nuclear proteome to promote activity-dependent transcription

The formation and plasticity of neuronal circuits relies on dynamic activity-dependent gene expression. Although recent work has revealed the identity of important transcriptional regulators and of genes that are transcribed and translated in response to activity, relatively little is known about the cell biological mechanisms by which activity alters the nuclear proteome of neurons to link neuronal stimulation to transcription. Using nucleus-specific proteomic mapping in silenced and stimulated neurons, we uncovered an understudied mechanism of nuclear proteome regulation: activity-dependent proteasome-mediated degradation. We found that the tumor suppressor protein PDCD4 undergoes rapid stimulus-induced degradation in the nucleus of neurons. We demonstrate that degradation of PDCD4 is required for normal activity-dependent transcription and that PDCD4 target genes include those encoding proteins critical for synapse formation, remodeling, and transmission. Our findings highlight the importance of the nuclear proteasome in regulating the activity-dependent nuclear proteome and point to a specific role for PDCD4 as a regulator of activity-dependent transcription in neurons.
Psychophysical Methods for Investigations of Vision in Fishes

A great deal of information about fish visual systems has been obtained through physiological, anatomical, and biochemical studies; however, very few quantitative data have been obtained about the visual discriminating capacities of the same species on which these studies have been conducted. Historically, psychophysical investigations have pointed the way for a variety of physiological investigations. The input — output relations revealed by psychophysics have led to theoretical models which attempt quantitatively to account for these relations; these models in turn suggest the expected form of physiological functions. A notable example of this logic is the prediction by Hering of opponent-colour-coding many decades before it was demonstrated at the electrophysiological level. The ultimate task for investigators of any sensory system is to develop linking hypotheses among psychophysics, electrophy-siology, photochemistry, and anatomy.
Diverticulitis and Appendicitis in the Elderly

Elderly patients are often difficult to be correctly diagnosed due to nonroutine presentations. Once treated, they more frequently have complications with medical therapies aimed at cure. The following case presentation illustrates many of these problems found when treating older patients.
Visual recognition from spatial correspondence and perceptual organization

Depth reconstruction from the two-dimensional image plays an important role in certain visual tasks and has been a major focus of computer vision research. However, in this paper we argue that most instances of recognition in human and machine vision can best be performed without the preliminary reconstruction of depth. Three other mechanisms are described that can be used to bridge the gap between the two-dimensional image and knowledge of three-dimensional objects. First, a process of perceptual organization can be used to form groupings and structures in the image that are likely to be invariant over a wide range of viewpoints. Secondly, evidential reasoning can be used to combine evidence from these groupings and other sources of information to reduce the size of the search-space during model-based matching. Finally, a process of spatial correspondence can be used to bring the projections of three-dimensional models into direct correspondence with the image by solving for unknown viewpoint and model parameters. These methods have been combined in an experimental computer vision system named SCERPO. This system has demonstrated the use of these methods for the recognition of objects from unknown viewpoints in single gray-scale images.
The Interaction Of Source And Channel Coding In Wireless And Packet Video

Interaction between source coding algorithms and channel coding and transmission methods are discussed, in particular for time-varying channels as found in wireless and packet transmission, as well as in broadcast/multicast scenarios. The traditional separation between source and channel coding is not valid, and instead, a tighter coupling of the source coder with the transmission is used. Typically, this requires a layered source coder which interacts with a layered transmission system.
Feedback stabilization of nonlinear affine systems

A class of iterative methods have been proposed for the path planning of nonholonomic systems. These methods warp an initial path iteratively to an acceptable final path by using Newton-Raphson algorithms. In this paper we modify the iterative off-line method to render it a feedback controller. The main idea is to couple the iteration variable to the actual time, thus the control is executed during the path iteration, before convergence. We show that this scheme guarantees the closed loop asymptotic stability for systems with drift.
Effect of Environmental Enrichment during Nutritional Rehabilitation on Body Growth, Blood Parameters and Cerebral Cortical Development of Rats

Environmental enrichment has been reported to aid recovery from behavioral deficits associated with malnutrition in infants and young rats. This study investigated whether corresponding neuroanatomical changes could be detected. Rats were suckled either by well-fed dams or dams malnourished during lactation. At weaning, well-fed males were either housed in pairs (standard condition, SC) or 12 per large cage with toys (enriched condition, EC) and fed a 17% protein diet (SC control and EC control, respectively). Malnourished pups were fed either a 17% (rehabilitation; "rehab") or a 6% (low protein) protein diet and housed in the SC or EC environment (SC rehab, EC rehab, SC low protein, and EC low protein). After 30 d there were no differences in hematocrit, serum total protein and albumin levels between SC and EC animals. Rehab rats had significantly lower serum total protein and albumin levels than did controls. Cortical thickness and dendritic branching of occipital cortex pyramidal cells were evaluated. Early malnutrition did not permanently affect cortical thickness. EC rehab rats had thicker cortices than did SC rehab rats at almost all locations measured. SC rehab rats had fewer high order dendrites than did SC controls. The difference in dendritic branching between EC and SC rats was 44% among rehab rats, 21% among controls and 11% (not significant) among low protein-fed rats. Environmental enrichment during nutritional rehabilitation enhances dendritic branching and thickness of the occipital cortex.
Managing the Electronic Resources Lifecycle: Creating a Comprehensive Checklist Using Techniques for Electronic Resource Management (TERMS)

One of the core functions of the electronic resources librarian (ERL) consists of managing various stages of the electronic resource lifecycle. In order to do this effectively, it is extremely helpful to have a detailed guide on hand. An e-resources acquisition checklist can assist the librarian in covering all aspects of evaluation, acquisition, renewal, and cancellation of e-resources such as databases, e-books, e-journals, and more. Such a tool can be indispensable, especially for new ERLs attempting to get a grasp on the logistics of electronic resources management. Using the newly created Techniques for Electronic Resource Management, the author details the process by which librarians navigate the e-resources lifecycle.
Development of customer assistance software for alignment parameter optimization

Wafer alignment plays a significant role in the advancement of microlithography and has been constantly improved to meet various situations. As a result, its configuration is very dynamic and it sometimes requires considerable cost for process optimization. Software has been developed which evaluates the alignment performance in a variety of conditions from the minimal data set. It allows the user to perform off-line optimization, essentially reducing the amount of interruption toward production. This article illustrates the simulation method implemented in the software, OverLay EValuation program (OLEV).
Multisensor snow data assimilation at the continental scale: The value of Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment terrestrial water storage information

[1] This investigation establishes a multisensor snow data assimilation system over North America (from January 2002 to June 2007), toward the goal of better estimation of snowpack (in particular, snow water equivalent and snow depth) via incorporating both Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) terrestrial water storage (TWS) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) snow cover fraction (SCF) information into the Community Land Model. The different properties associated with the SCF and TWS observations are accommodated through a unified approach using the ensemble Kalman filter and smoother. Results show that this multisensor approach can provide significant improvements over a MODIS-only approach, for example, in the Saint Lawrence, Fraser, Mackenzie, Churchill & Nelson, and Yukon river basins and the southwestern rim of Hudson Bay. At middle latitudes, for example, the North Central and Missouri river basins, the inclusion of GRACE information preserves the advantages (compared with the open loop) shown in the MODIS-only run. However, in some high-latitude areas and given months the open loop run shows a comparable or even better performance, implying considerable room for refinements of the multisensor algorithm. In addition, ensemble-based metrics are calculated and interpreted domainwide. They indicate the potential importance of accurate representation of snow water equivalent autocovariance in assimilating TWS observations and the regional and/or seasonal dependence of GRACE’s capability to reduce ensemble variance. These analyses contribute to clarifying the effects of GRACE’s special features (e.g., a vertical integral of different land water changes, coarse spatial and temporal resolution) in the snow data assimilation system.
Characteristics of two-region saturation phenomena

Diffused base bipolar transistors, especially high-voltage types, often exhibit two pronounced saturation regions. This paper elucidates the qualitative and quantitative features of this behavior which is due to conductivity modulation of the lightly doped collector region. The transport equations for ambipolar conduction in the collector region are solved with a minimum of simplifying assumptions. It is shown how this portion of the solution explains the general features of the phenomenon. A complete solution for the collector V-I characteristics depends on an explicit knowledge of the recombination statistics in both the base and collector regions. A simple case is considered to demonstrate the detailed dependence of the phenomena on the physical structure. Design tradeoffs involved in the control of the V-I characteristics are discussed in the light of the results obtained from the analysis.
Mitral Valve Dysfunction Following Papillary Muscle Cryoablation

Cryoablation is recognized as a useful modality for diagnostic mapping, as well as for permanent obliteration of arrhythmogenic foci. This technique has been used to eradicate irritable foci at the base of papillary muscles. We report a case of mitral valve dysfunction requiring valve replacement following cryoablation of the posterior papillary muscle. Based on this experience, we caution against extensive cryoablation of papillary muscle tissue because of the possibility of disrupting mitral valve function.
IgG4-related Disease: 2013 Update

Having diagnosed a patient as having IgG4-related disease, I would have a low threshold for recommending immune-suppressive treatment, and would make that recommendation for any patient with vascular involvement. My initial approach would be prednisone at 40–60 mg/day with a plan to reduce the dose every two weeks, e.g., 40, 30, 20, 15, 10, 7.5, 5, and 2.5 mg for 2 weeks each. In the event of relapse, I would double the current prednisone dose, slow the taper, and add azathioprine, anticipating using that drug for one year if the patient were to remain in remission. In the event or subsequent relapse, I would stop azathioprine and use rituximab. In a patient with large artery involvement, I would consult a vascular surgeon soon after diagnosis, anticipating a need for surgical repair.
Laparoscopic appearance of fasciola hepatica infection.

Fasciola hepatica (FH) infection is endemic in South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. The population of southern Florida, with proximity to the Caribbean and South America, may be at risk. FH infection has acute and chronic stages. In the acute stage, the patient presents with fever, hepatomegaly, and abdominal pain. In the chronic stage, the trematode can invade the bile ducts resulting in biliary obstruction, hemobilia, and liver abscesses.1,2 A high index of suspicion must be maintained to make the diagnosis of FH infection. This is a case of FH infection in a patient from southern Florida who ingested watercress. The diagnosis was based on clinical suspicion, positive serology, laparoscopic appearance, and histologic features.
Stepwise Dynamics of Connecting Filaments Measured in Single Myofibrillar Sarcomeres

Single relaxed myofibrils of bumblebee flight muscle were subjected to motor-imposed ramp-length changes. The image of the striations was projected onto a linear photodiode array, and sarcomere length was computed as the spacing between centroids of contiguous A-bands. Centroid position was determined by integrating the respective A-band intensity peak and computing the location at which the area on one side was equal to the other. The resulting trace of centroid to centroid span versus time was stepwise, with periods of rapid shortening alternating with periods of pause. An alternative nondiscrete sensor gave similar steps. If thick filament length remains constant, stepwise sarcomere length changes imply that length changes in the connecting filament must be stepwise. Thus, shortening of the connecting filament occurs as a sequence of discrete events rather than as a continuous event.
Detection of molecular hydrogen in the atmosphere of Mars.

Four hydrogen (H2) lines have been detected in a spectrum of Mars observed with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer. Three of those lines are excited by the solar Lyman β photons. The line intensities correspond to a column H2 abundance of 1.17 (±0.13) × 1013 per square centimeter above 140 kilometers on Mars. A photochemical model for the upper atmosphere that simulates the observed H2abundance results in an H2 mixing ratio of 15 ± 5 parts per million in the lower atmosphere. The H2 and HD mixing ratios agree with photochemical fractionation of D (deuterium) between H2O and H2. Analysis of D fractionation among a few reservoirs of ice, water vapor, and molecular hydrogen on Mars implies that a global ocean more than 30 meters deep was lost since the end of hydrodynamic escape. Only 4% of the initially accreted water remained on the planet at the end of hydrodynamic escape, and initially Mars could have had even more water (as a proportion of mass) than Earth.