cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The two visual pigments of the gecko: The labile behavior

This report describes five selected experiments that describe the labile behavior of pigment-521 of the Tokay gecko and the relatively more stable properties of the second photopigment, pigment-467, of the same retina. Prepared in the chloride-deficient state, P521 is sensitive to mild temperature increases, is destroyed by NH2OH and NaBH4 in the dark, responds top-hydroxymercuribenzoate by a spectral shift to shorter wavelengths, exchanges some of its 11 -cis retinal for the 9 -cis isomer in the dark, and reacts to added chloride and nitrate by spectral shifts to longer and shorter wavelengths, respectively. Dissolved in Triton-X-100 it is irreversibly destroyed by only moderate increases in temperature. In all these responses, chloride ions act specifically to protect the pigment. Pigment-467, in contrast, is less sensitive to temperature, is not bleached by NH2OH and NaBH4 in the dark, does not exchange its prosthetic group and responds neither to chloride nor to nitrate by the typical P521 effects. With regard to molecular stability and access to the chromophoric structure there appears to be a dual system in the gecko retina with P521 showing similarities to the cone pigment iodopsin; P467 to rhodopsin. It is pointed out that this dual system may be associated with certain responses of the gecko retina that indicate physiological duality. This is the case even though there are no rods and cones, in the classical sense, in the gecko retina.
Self-observation in Teaching: what to Look for:

Instructors who want to improve their teaching often do not know how to identify the changes they need or want to make. This article offers practical suggestions on course planning and class prepar...
Specifying Kerberos 5 cross-realm authentication

Cross-realm authentication is a useful and interesting component of Kerberos aimed at enabling secure access to services astride organizational boundaries. We present a formalization of Kerberos 5 cross-realm authentication in MSR, a specification language based on multiset rewriting. We also adapt the Dolev-Yao intruder model to the cross-realm setting and prove an important property for a critical field in a cross-realm ticket. Finally, we document several failures of authentication and confidentiality in the presence of compromised intermediate realms. Although the current Kerberos specifications disclaim responsibility for these vulnerabilities, the associated security implications must be highlighted for system administrators to decide whether to adopt this technology and to aid designers with future development.
On a majorization inequality for sums of independent random vectors

An improvement of the basic result of Berger (1991) is given. The result obtained in this paper is the best possible of its kind.
Toxicity of Elapidae venoms and an observation in relation to geographical location

Acute ld50 values have been determined after i.v. administration of various Elapidae venoms. Naja haje and Naja nigricollis originating in Northern Africa produced more potent venom than the same kind of snakes from South Africa. The potency difference appears to be due to geographical location rather than other conditions.
Geeks and Geezers: How Era, Values, and Defining Moments Shape Leaders

The article presents a review of the book “Geeks and Geezers: How Era, Values, and Defining Moments Shape Leaders,” by Warren G. Bennis and Robert J. Thomas.
Configuration steering for a reconfigurable superscalar processor

An architecture for a reconfigurable superscalar processor is described in which some of its execution units are implemented in reconfigurable hardware. The overall configuration of the processor is defined according to how its reconfigurable execution units are configured. An efficient micro-architectural solution to configuration management is presented that effectively steers the current processor configuration toward a configuration that is well matched with the execution unit requirements of instructions being scheduled for execution. The approach first selects the best matched among four steering configurations based on the number and type of execution units required by the instructions. One of the steering configurations is dynamically defined as the current configuration; the other three are statically predefined. Once a steering configuration is selected, portions of it begin loading on corresponding reconfigurable execution units that are not busy. The active configuration of the processor is generally the overlap of two or more steering configurations.
Mysticism and Drugs

In recent years the issue of whether mysticism can be induced by drugs has been pursued by both scholars of mystical literature and psychological researchers. R. C. Zaehner is perhaps the best known among the scholars of religious literature who have addressed the issues of drug-induced mysticism. While on the side of empirical psychology investigators such as Walter N. Pahnke, R. E. L. Masters, and Jean Houston have pursued some of the same issues using the techniques of laboratory experimentation. Zaehner, who was familiar with both Eastern and Western mysticism, argued that drug-induced experiences are not the same as religious mystical experiences of the theistic variety. It was farcical, he argued, for Aldous Huxley to posit a connection between his preternatural feeling of oneness with his chair and the Beatific Vision. The issue between Zaehner and Huxley was not over the veridicality of Huxley's mystical experience. It was over the significance of Huxley's experience: Was it or was it not a drug-induced mystical experience of the sort attained by mystics after heroic struggles of self-discipline? This was the issue again when Zaehner came to address himself to the claims of Timothy Leary, a chief proponent of ‘the LSD experience’, and, in general terms, this has been the central issue pursued by the psychological researchers.
Early parental care is important for hippocampal maturation: Evidence from brain morphology in humans

The effects of early life experience on later brain structure and function have been studied extensively in animals, yet the relationship between childhood experience and normal brain development in humans remains largely unknown. Using a unique longitudinal data set including ecologically valid in-home measures of early experience during childhood (at age 4 and 8 years) and high-resolution structural brain imaging during adolescence (mean age 14 years), we examined the effects on later brain morphology of two dimensions of early experience: parental nurturance and environmental stimulation. Parental nurturance at age 4 predicts the volume of the left hippocampus in adolescence, with better nurturance associated with smaller hippocampal volume. In contrast, environmental stimulation did not correlate with hippocampal volume. Moreover, the association between hippocampal volume and parental nurturance disappears at age 8, supporting the existence of a sensitive developmental period for brain maturation. These findings indicate that variation in normal childhood experience is associated with differences in brain morphology, and hippocampal volume is specifically associated with early parental nurturance. Our results provide neuroimaging evidence supporting the important role of warm parental care during early childhood for brain maturation.
Transesophageal Echocardiographic Detection of Left Vertebral Artery Origin Stenosis

We discuss the case of a patient with stroke in whom severe stenosis at the origin of the left vertebral artery was identified by transesophageal echocardiography and subsequently confirmed with conventional angiography.
Near-infrared spectra of clinopyroxenes: Effects of calcium content and crystal structure

Pyroxenes are among the most common minerals in the solar system and are ideally suited for remote geochemical analysis because of the sensitivity of their distinctive spectra to mineral composition. Fe 2+ is responsible for the dominant pyroxene absorptions in the visible and near-infrared, but substitutions of other cations such as Ca 2+ change the crystal structure and site geometries and thus the crystal field splitting energies of the Fe cations. To define spectral systematics resulting from major pyroxene cations (Ca 2+ ,M g 2+ , and Fe 2+ ), we focus on a suite of pyroxenes synthesized with only Ca 2+ ,M g 2+ , and Fe 2+ in the two octahedral sites, specifically examining the effect of Ca 2+ on pyroxene absorption bands. The modified Gaussian model is used to deconvolve pyroxene spectra into component bands that can then be linked directly to crystal field absorptions. In orthopyroxenes and low-Ca clinopyroxenes, Ca 2+ -content has a strong and predictable effect on the positions of the absorption bands. At a threshold of Wo30, the crystal field environment stagnates and the M2 bands cease to change significantly as more Ca 2+ is added. At Wo50, when most of the M2 sites are filled by Ca 2+ , band positions do not change drastically, although the presence and strengths of the 1 and 2 lm bands are affected by even trace amounts of Fe 2+ in the M2 site. It is thus apparent that next-nearest neighbors and the distortions they impose on the pyroxene lattice affect the electronic states around the Fe 2+ cations and control absorption band properties.
Synthesis of magnetic spinel ferrite CoFe2O4 nanoparticles from ferric salt and characterization of the size-dependent superparamagnetic properties

The CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles have been synthesized by using a stable ferric salt of FeCl 3 with a micellar microemulsion method. The normal micelles are formed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (NaDS) in aqueous solutions. The mean size of the nanoparticles can be controlled from less than 4 nm to about 10 nm through controlling the concentrations of the reagents. The neutron diffraction in combination with the Rietveld refinement shows that these CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles have a high degree of inversion with 66% of the tetrahedral sublattice occupied by Fe3+. Magnetic measurements and neutron diffraction studies demonstrate the superparamagnetic nature of these CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles. The size-dependent superparamagnetic properties of CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles have also been systematically studied. The blocking temperature and coercive field of the nanoparticles increase with increasing size of the nanoparticles. The superparamagnetic behaviors of CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles are consistent with the Stoner-Wohlfarth theory of single domain particles.
Toxicity mechanism in fetal lung fibroblast cells for multi-walled carbon nanotubes defined by chemical impurities and dispersibility

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are beneficial in a wide range of applications in fields such as electronics, optics and nano-medicine, so knowledge concerning their effect on human health is important. Physiochemical properties of MWCNTs can greatly affect their toxicity, however, there are no reports discussing the effect of size and chemical composition of MWCNTs on the toxic response of human lung cells. In this study, MWCNTs of two different purity grades were characterized and their toxic effects were compared on normal fetal lung fibroblast MRC-5 cells. The toxic effect on MRC-5 cells following 1–3 days exposure to low concentrations of research grade (RG) and industrial grade (IG) MWCNTs were studied using multiple biological assays. MWCNTs uptake in MRC-5 cells was analyzed using TEM. After physical and chemical analysis, RG-MWCNTs revealed contamination with MoS2 and were readily suspended in distilled water while IG-MWCNTs had no MoS2 contamination and much lower dispersibility. For a wide range of concentrations and exposure times, cells treated with RG-MWCNTs had distinctly reduced cell viability as compared to cells treated with IG-MWCNTs. Treatment with RG-MWCNTs resulted in high reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) levels indicating an oxidative stress mechanism while IG-MWCNT treated cells had low ROS/RNS amounts and a distorted cell membrane pointing towards a non-oxidative stress mechanism. Both agglomerates and individual MWCNTs were internalized efficiently by MRC-5 cells, which resulted in cell damage and ultimately cell death. Altogether, this study shows that the MoS2 contamination and size of MWCNTs’ agglomerates affect the mechanism of toxicity in human fetal lung fibroblasts.
An experimental examination of emotional experience, expression, and disclosure in women reporting a history of childhood sexual abuse

Researchers have suggested that childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a distal risk factor for the development of emotion regulation difficulties in adulthood. The present study examined 20 females with and without a history of CSA on the dimensions of subjective emotional experience (positive and negative activation), facial expressivity, and disclosure (positive and negative emotion words) in response to positively and negatively valenced film stimuli. The CSA group reported experiencing reduced positive activation while no group differences were found for negative activation. The CSA group disclosed fewer negative emotion words to express their experience and exhibited a trend towards less facial expressivity. The results are interpreted within the context of CSA survivors' emotional responding difficulties, and their implications are discussed.
Premeiotic Instability of Repeated Sequences in Neurospora crassa

Maintenance of a steamlined genome is probably important to a free-living fungus. The period between fertilization and karyogamy in the life cycle of Neurospora and related fungi provides an ideal time for "genome-cleaning". Premeiotic intrachromosomal recombination deletes tandem repeats at high frequency in both homothallic and heterothallic filamentous ascomycetes. This eliminates excess copies of tandemly repeated genes and at the same time favors their homogenization. Heterothallic fungi such as Neurospora also take the bolder steps of mutating and modifying both copies of duplicated sequences, linked or unlinked, by RIP. Because these organisms are outbreeders, and because RIP operates immediately prior to meiosis in cells having nuclei from both parents, the process does not cause much lethality or loss of genetic information. RIP should effectively counter selfish and redundant DNA, and at the same time generate raw material for evolution. In addition, RIP should both prevent chromosomal rearrangements by causing divergence of dispersed repeated sequences and rid a population of duplication-generating rearrangements. Thus, this form of genetic instability potentially stabilizes the gross organization of the genome.
Assessing Historical Fish Community Composition Using Surveys, Historical Collection Data, and Species Distribution Models

Accurate establishment of baseline conditions is critical to successful management and habitat restoration. We demonstrate the ability to robustly estimate historical fish community composition and assess the current status of the urbanized Barton Creek watershed in central Texas, U.S.A. Fish species were surveyed in 2008 and the resulting data compared to three sources of fish occurrence information: (i) historical records from a museum specimen database and literature searches; (ii) a nearly identical survey conducted 15 years earlier; and (iii) a modeled historical community constructed with species distribution models (SDMs). This holistic approach, and especially the application of SDMs, allowed us to discover that the fish community in Barton Creek was more diverse than the historical data and survey methods alone indicated. Sixteen native species with high modeled probability of occurrence within the watershed were not found in the 2008 survey, seven of these were not found in either survey or in any of the historical collection records. Our approach allowed us to more rigorously establish the true baseline for the pre-development fish fauna and then to more accurately assess trends and develop hypotheses regarding factors driving current fish community composition to better inform management decisions and future restoration efforts. Smaller, urbanized freshwater systems, like Barton Creek, typically have a relatively poor historical biodiversity inventory coupled with long histories of alteration, and thus there is a propensity for land managers and researchers to apply inaccurate baseline standards. Our methods provide a way around that limitation by using SDMs derived from larger and richer biodiversity databases of a broader geographic scope. Broadly applied, we propose that this technique has potential to overcome limitations of popular bioassessment metrics (e.g., IBI) to become a versatile and robust management tool for determining status of freshwater biotic communities.
Infrainguinal bypass conduit: autogenous or synthetic--a national perspective.

Numerous studies have compared autogenous versus synthetic grafts for infrainguinal bypasses. Synthetic grafts are associated with shorter operating times, comparable reimbursement, and despite inferior patency rates, remain in frequent use. Therefore, this study was undertaken in an effort to characterize, from a national perspective, the practice patterns and the drivers of practice variation in the use of synthetic grafts for infrainguinal bypass. Two data sets were obtained: 1 ) Medicare billings of infrainguinal bypasses in 49 states, years 1995 through 1997 (number of procedures, 254,677). Procedures were defined by nine CPT billing codes. 2) Hospitals over 150 beds in six states (CA, CO, CT, IA, MN, MS) were asked for volume statistics on the same CPT codes. Data were received from 27 institutions, comprising 1,063 procedures. Variations in graft use were analyzed by hospital type (teaching versus non-teaching) and correlated with the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and smoking. Nationwide, 41% of infrainguinal bypasses in 1997 were performed using synthetic grafts. Interstate synthetic conduit use ranged from 27% to 80%. These differences were similar for bypasses to popliteal or infrapopliteal vessels. Admission to a teaching hospital was associated with a lower use of synthetic grafts (21% vs 51%, odds ratio 0.26, p<0.0001). No correlation was seen between the prevalence of diabetes mellitus or smoking, and synthetic graft use. Synthetic graft use was significantly lower at teaching hospitals, and there was substantial interstate and intrastate variations. These findings suggest that there is wide variation in practice patterns. Further studies appear warranted to define the role of patient demographics and physician preference in explaining these differences.
Mg-Ca-Zn bulk metallic glasses with high strength and significant ductility

The development of Mg–Ca–Zn metallic glasses with improved bulk glass forming ability, high strength, and significant ductility is reported. A typical size of at least 3–4 mm amorphous samples can be prepared using conventional casting techniques. By varying the composition, the mass density of these light metal based bulk amorphous alloys ranges from 2.0 to 3.0 g/cm3. The typical measured microhardness is 2.16 GPa, corresponding to a fracture strength of about 700 MPa and specific strength of around 250–300 MPa cm3/g. Unlike other Mg- or Ca-based metallic glasses, the present Mg–Ca–Zn amorphous alloys show significant ductility.
Writing Against the Image of the Monstrous Crack Mother

Anthropologist Lila Abu Lughod's idea of "writing against culture" is the point of departure for deconstructing the image of the monstrous mother dominating portrayals of African American women who use crack cocaine. Aiming to "unsettle" the cultural stereotypes, this article presents the narrative of an African American woman who has used crack, illustrating how elements of Twelve-Step recovery discourse and Afrocentric spirituality differentially frame her story. The case shows that recovery and spirituality are as much narrative resources as they are narrative imperatives. Rather than simply reproducing either of these resources in her story, she alternatively constructs herself as a recovering addict on one hand, and a spiritually strong woman on the other, exemplifying how narrative obviates stereotypic representations.
Energy-efficient skewed static logic with dual Vt: design and synthesis

In this paper, we describe skewed static logic (S/sup 2/L) with topology-dependent dual Vt which exhibits an energy-efficient operation. S/sup 2/L consumes less dynamic and static power compared to monotonic static (MS) CMOS. Speed degradation of S/sup 2/L, if any, can be offset by an accelerator circuit. We have designed NAND-NOR gate chains using 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS technology and verified that S/sup 2/L reduces energy-delay product over MS CMOS by 27%-50%. We have also designed 32-b carry-lookahead adders and verified that S/sup 2/L with dual Vt reduces delay by 43% and energy-delay product by 31% for 1-V power supply over conventional CMOS circuit. Synthesis algorithm for S/sup 2/L is developed and the experimental results show S/sup 2/L consumes 23% less power than MS CMOS with minor increase in delay.
OCCURRENCE, DISTRIBUTION, SITE FIDELITY, AND SCHOOL SIZE OF BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS) OFF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

The occurrence, distribution, site fidelity, and school size of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the coastal waters of north San Diego County, California were assessed during a six-year boat-based photoidentification study. A total of 146 photographic surveys were conducted between January 1984 and December 1989. Dolphin schools were encountered on 79% of all surveys, and 2, 869 individuals were observed in 145 separate schools. Three-hundred seventy-three dolphins were individually identified. All schools were sighted within 1 km of shore, and more than two thirds of the schools were encountered in the southern half of the 32-km long study area. School size (mean = 19.8, SD = 18.40) and the number of dolphins encountered per survey (mean = 26.8, SD = 22.30) were highly variable. Low resighting rates of known individuals provided little evidence for longterm site fidelity. When our six-year photoidentification database was combined with previous data, 404 dolphins were identified in the study area from September 1981 to December 1989. Jolly-Seber population estimates during the 1984-1989 study period varied between 234 and 285. The combination of regular dolphin occurrence, low site fidelity by known individuals, and the continuous increase in the rate at which new dolphins were identified indicates that numerous different individuals were visiting the study area across and within years. The open California coastline differs in habitat structure and prey distribution from more protected study areas where bottlenose dolphins display site fidelity. These habitat differences may help to explain the observed intraspecific behavioral variability of this species.
Treatment of vaginal Candida infections

Candida vaginitis is most commonly caused by Candida albicans (> 85%) with little evidence of an increase in vaginitis due to non-C. albicans species. Epidemiological studies are no longer possible in the US in the era of self-diagnosis and -treatment by women empowered by the availability of over-the-counter antimycotics. A new classification of vulvovaginal candidiasis into uncomplicated and complicated vaginitis has simplified choice and duration of antifungal therapy. Vaginitis due to C. albicans responds well to available therapy. In contrast, vaginitis due to Candida glabrata is associated with a high treatment failure rate. Candida vaginitis infection rates in HIV-positive women remain undetermined and reports of refractory fungal vaginitis have not been substantiated. In spite of the wide array of antifungal agents currently available, considerable limitations in available therapy exist in the effective management of complicated vaginitis.
The Effect of Size of Red Cells on the Kinetics of Their Oxygen Uptake

Using a double-beam stopped-flow apparatus estimations were made of the velocity constant for the initial uptake of oxygen by fully reduced erythrocytes (k'c). Mammalian cells were studied with volumes varying from 20 µ3 (goat) to 90 µ3 (man), as were bullfrog cells (680 µ3). Measurements were made under physiological conditions of pH, PCO2, and temperature. In man k'c was 80 mM-1 sec-1 and in other species smaller cells generally had a greater value for k'c than did the larger cells. In the goat it was 1.8 times as great as the human value; in the bullfrog it was only one-fifth as great. These differences could not be accounted for by interspecific differences in hemoglobin kinetics. The differences probably represent a true effect of size conferring some biological advantage on the species with the smaller cells. The cell membrane offered resistance to oxygen passage. Using the usual red cell model of an infinite sheet of reduced hemoglobin, membrane permeability appeared to differ among mammals. If, as is likely, the effective cell halfthickness differs among mammals, actual membrane permeability differences may be less. A method for measurement of oxygen saturation of dilute cell suspensions is also described.
Sonographically guided costotransverse joint injections: a computed tomographically controlled cadaveric feasibility study.

Objectives The primary purpose of this study was to describe and validate a novel sonographically guided costotransverse (CTRV) joint injection technique. Methods The bilateral T3-T10 CTRV joints of an unembalmed cadaveric specimen were localized using a 12-3-MHz linear array transducer. A 22-gauge, 2.5-in spinal needle was directed into the CTRV joint using an in-plane, lateral-to-medial approach under direct sonographic guidance. After needle placement, 3-dimensional computed tomographic (CT) images were obtained to assess the locations of the needle tips. This step was followed by injection of an iodinated contrast agent and repeated CT to assess the contrast flow pattern. An experienced musculoskeletal radiologist reviewed the CT images and assessed the accuracy of the injections (intra- or extra-articular). For intra-articular injections, a quantitative assessment of the percentage of injectate within the joint was performed. Results A total of 16 sonographically guided CTRV joint injections were completed on a single torso-pelvis specimen. Using our technique, 11 of 16 sonographically guided CTRV joint injections (68.8%) placed the contrast agent into the target joint. Quantitative analysis of the arthrograms showed 6 of 11 intra-articular injections (54.5%) with greater than 50% injectate within the joint capsule. Conclusions To our knowledge, this study is the first to determine the feasibility of sonographically guided CTRV joint injections. Overall, 68.8% of injection attempts produced acceptable CTRV joint arthrograms, which compares favorably to a previously reported 76% accuracy rate for fluoroscopically guided CTRV joint injections. Although these injections are technically challenging, the use of sonographic guidance to perform CTRV joint injections is feasible and warrants further investigation to establish its role in the management of patients presenting with thoracic pain syndromes.
Daily Mass Changes in Landbirds During Migration Stopover on the South Shore of Lake Ontario

Abstract Assigning conservation priorities to areas used by birds during migration requires information on the relative quality of areas and habitats. The rate at which migratory birds replenish energy reserves during stopover may be used as an indicator of stopover-site quality. We estimated the rate of mass gain of 34 landbird species during stopover at a near-shore terrestrial site on the south shore of Lake Ontario in New York during 12 migration seasons from 1999 to 2004. The average rate of mass gain was estimated by relating a measure of condition to time of capture (hour after sunrise) with linear regression. Data from 25,385 captures were analyzed. Significantly positive rates of mass change were detected for 20 of 30 species during spring migration and 19 of 21 species during autumn migration. No significantly negative trends were detected in either season. Daily rates of mass gain across all species averaged 9.84% of average lean body weight during spring migration and 9.77% during autumn migra...
Amygdala and dorsomedial hyperactivity to emotional faces in youth with remitted Major Depression

We present neuroimaging markers of the remitted state of major depressive disorder (rMDD) during facial emotion perception in 84 individuals during fMRI. Participants comprised 47 individuals (aged 18-23) diagnosed with rMDD and 37 healthy controls (HCs). Participants classified emotional faces or animals (control condition) in the Facial Emotion Perception Test (FEPT) during fMRI. Behavioural performance on the FEPT did not differ significantly between groups. During fMRI, both groups demonstrated significant blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) activity in bilateral inferior frontal gyri for the faces minus animals (F-A) contrast. The rMDD group additionally showed BOLD activity during F-A in numerous regions, including the bilateral paracingulate gyri, middle temporal gyri and right amygdala. The rMDD group exhibited significantly greater activity than the HC group in regions including the bilateral middle temporal gyri and left superior frontal gyrus. Although the rMDD group did not manifest the behavioural performance deficits on facial emotion recognition tasks that have been observed in actively depressed individuals, the rMDD group nevertheless showed increased BOLD activity compared with never-depressed controls during F-A in multiple posterior brain regions, suggesting that persistent effects of illness or possible trait vulnerabilities may distinguish individuals with rMDD from never-depressed controls.
Development and implementation of a pharmacist-managed outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy program

Purpose The development and implementation of a pharmacist-managed outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) program in a county teaching hospital are described. Summary A pharmacist-managed OPAT program was developed and implemented at a county teaching hospital to provide consistent evaluation, approval, and monitoring of patients requiring OPAT for the treatment of infection. The developmental and implementation stages of the OPAT program included (1) a needs assessment, (2) the identification of resources necessary for program operation, (3) delineation of general OPAT program operations and activities of individual OPAT clinicians, (4) the development of patient selection criteria, including a plan of care algorithm, and (5) acquisition of administrative support to approve the program. In this program, the OPAT pharmacist plays an integral role in the management and oversight of OPAT patients, working under a collaborative agreement with infectious diseases physicians. The OPAT pharmacist assists with appropriate patient and regimen selection, confirmation of orders on discharge, assuring that laboratory tests for safety surveillance are performed and evaluated, performing routine monitoring for adverse events and line complications, and assuring the removal of the vascular access device upon the completion of OPAT. Conclusion: The OPAT program provides structured monitoring, patient follow-up, and led to improvements in patient outcome with minimization of treatment and line-related adverse events.
Random field x y model in three dimensions

We study the random field $xy$ spin model at $T=0$ numerically on lattices of up to $1000\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1000\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1000$ spins with emphasis on the weak random field. Our numerical method is physically equivalent to slow cooling in which the system is gradually losing energy and relaxing to an energy minimum. The system shows glass properties, the resulting spin states depending strongly on the initial conditions. Random initial condition for the spins leads to a vortex glass (VG) state with short-range spin-spin correlations defined by the average distance between vortex lines. Collinear and some other vortex-free initial conditions result in vortex-free ferromagnetic (F) states that have a lower energy. The energy difference between the F and VG states correlates with the vorticity of the VG state. The correlation functions in the F states agree with the Larkin-Imry-Ma theory at short distances. The hysteresis curves for a weak random field are dominated by topologically stable spin walls ruptured by vortex loops. We find no relaxation paths from the F, VG, or any other states to the hypothetical vortex-free state with zero magnetization.
Monophasic Action Currents from the Uninjured Turtle Ventricle

Monophasic action currents obtained by derivation from 2 uninjured points on heart muscle have often been mentioned in the literature. Samojloff,1 for example, produced a block by transverse cutting or compression of the frog heart and recorded monophasic action currents by derivation from uninjured base and apex. In this experiment, however, the apical muscle constitutes an extension of the lead to the injured surface. DeBoer2 has recently stressed his observation that, employing base-apex leads in the frog, the weak beat in alternation may be associated with monophasic action currents. Although no injury was produced in these experiments by mechanical means, the blocking of the impulse must have been due to the presence of muscle in an abnormal physiological state. Gilson3 has recorded monophasic action currents following injury, but at a time when the demarcation current had shrunk practically to zero.In our observations, which are incidental to a study of the action currents of the turtle heart, monop...
Mathematical Modeling: Solving Equations to Measure Viral Diseases—Math Rules

Mathematical modeling of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), influenza A, and other viruses has provided numerous insights into the in vivo dynamics of viral infection and pathogenesis. In this chapter, the basic methodology and principles of viral dynamic modeling are reviewed. Applying these methods to data collected from HIV- and HCV-infected subjects has allowed us to discover the daily rates of HIV and HCV production and clearance, the life spans of infected cells, predict the impact of treatment, and the need for combination theory to prevent drug resistance. In the case of HIV, such analyses have also revealed the existence of multiple populations of infected cells, for example, long-lived productively infected cells and latently infected cells. In the case of HCV, such modeling has allowed determination of the in vivo effectiveness of new antivirals and has predicted the duration of treatment required to cure HCV infection.
Preliminary Study on Nitrogen Fertilizer Application of Ratoon Rice Cultivar Jiafuzhan

Different nitrogen application ratio in the second crop of ratoon rice for good quality cultivar Jiafuzhan were studied in order to increase grain yield at Jianyang City of Fujian Province.The results showed that grain yield in the second crop exhibited a parabolic curve relationship with nitrogen application ratio.In the experimental conditions,the suitable nitrogen application ratio was 138kg·hm-2,which significantly enhanced the rate of axillary bud germination.Therefore,panicle number in the second crop was 140% higher than that in the first crop,and its grain yield also nearly reached the level of the first crop.The economic benefit was the best among all treatments.
Influence of Photoperiod and Prolactin on Body Composition and Vitro Lipid Metabolism in Wether Lambs

An experiment was conducted to determine the possible effects of photoperiod and prolactin on the physical and chemical composition of body weight gain. Prolactin was manipulated by im injections of 2-Br-alpha-ergocryptine (CB154) or sc injections of ovine prolactin (oPRL) and by two light:dark regimens (16L:8D and 8L:16D). The four treatments employed were: 1) 16L:8D, placebo injections; 2) 16L:8D, CB154 injections; 3) 8L:16D, placebo injections and 4) 8L:16D, oPRL injections. After a 9-wk growth study, animals were slaughtered at similar body weights over the next 2-wk period. Weight of intestines was directly related and weight of pelt inversely related to circulating concentrations of prolactin. Content of N and lipid in the carcass was not influenced by treatment. However, N content of the noncarcass components was elevated (P less than .01) in animals receiving CB154. In vitro rates of acetate incorporation (nmol X 100 mg tissue-1 X 3 h-1) were higher in subcutaneous than in perirenal adipose tissue (1,920 vs 777; P less than .001). Rates for treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 1,770, 953, 1,350, respectively. The rate for treatment 1 was greater than that for treatments 2 (P less than .001) and 3 (P less than .05). There was no stimulation of lipogenesis in response to insulin added to the incubation medium. In vitro rates of glycerol release (nmol X 100 mg tissue-1 X 2 h-1) were higher in perirenal than in subcutaneous adipose (135 vs 81; P less than .001). The respective treatment rates were 120, 84, 104 and 124, with treatment 1 being greater (P less than .05) than treatment 2. Epinephrine addition elevated glycerol release (156 vs 60; P less than .001). Differences for in vitro lipid metabolism between the perirenal and subcutaneous depots were independent of differences in cell size. Overall, these data indicate that the increased body weight gain due to extended lighting was not accompanied by detrimental effects on carcass composition. Nor was there any clear relationship between circulating concentrations of prolactin and in vitro lipid metabolism.
The Geography of Black Political Behavior: Time, Movement, and Political Culture

Political science has often assumed that African Americans’ political opinions are quite homogenous, perhaps because of their overwhelming preference for the Democratic Party and its presidential candidates over the past half century. Recent work, however, has shown a great deal of variation in the policy preferences and ideological commitments of African Americans in this country. What explains this variation? I hypothesize that living under varying regional political subcultures creates variation in African American public opinion. I explore the impact of residing under differing regional political sub-cultures on the political attitudes of African American Americans living in the U.S South and Non-South. Initial analysis of the 2012 General Social Survey (GSS) indicates that residing in the South opposed to the Non-South has an effect on the political preferences of both Whites and Black Americans, all else equal. The results indicate that the South is cultured in such a way that makes Black Americans and White Americans in South more inclined to support government laisser-faire policies. This work highlights the need for the careful measurement and analysis of the region variable in survey analysis, the exploration of regional political cultures, and the measurement of sub-national political identities.
Prolonged QT During Epileptic Seizures

Researchers at Western General and Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, UK, measured the corrected QT interval before and during seizures in a prospective study of 39 children, 1 month-16 years of age, with various epilepsies.
Modified fermat transforms for reliable and efficient de-noising of speech signals

Recently the Modified Fermat Number Transform (MFNT) based on Right-angle circular convolution (RCC) was extended to form a quadratic MFNT (QMFNT) by introducing Left-angle circular convolution (LCC) and interpreting the result as a quadratic representation of the convolution output. A similar concept was then extended to create a Modified Discrete Fourier Transform (MDFT). Both the QMFNT and the MDFT enable efficient convolution (correlation) without zero padding, resulting in improved computational efficiency. This paper investigates the use of the QMFNT and MDFT to implement an efficient novel speech de-noising algorithm that has potential applications for speech enhancement and speech recognition.
Sonority-Driven Stress does not Exist

This paper presents new acoustic evidence against sonority-driven stress in Gujarati. Gujarati has been the subject of more stress descriptions than any other sonority-driven stress case, and is one of the very few where stress is reported to be sensitive to multiple sonority levels. However, all these impressionistic descriptions of Gujarati stress disagree with each other in significant ways. In contrast, this paper presents the results of a production experiment. Acoustic measurements show that [a] does not attract stress away from the default position; instead, stress consistently falls on the penultimate syllable. If such a well-described case as Gujarati does not have sonority-driven stress, it is possible that none of the other cases do either, challenging Kenstowicz (1997)'s and de Lacy (2002 et seq.)'s theories that metrical structure can be sensitive to sonority. If so, the lack of such stress systems presents a challenge to the phonological property of symmetric effect found in a number of theories.
Verification of the accuracy of the higher order of neutron anisotropic scattering in the AGENT neutronics code system

Abstract Neutron anisotropic scattering method of the AGENT (Arbitrary GEometry Neutron Transport) reactor neutronics modeling system is verified with a few representative benchmark examples in comparison to MCNP6. Benchmark examples include various unit cell types, and the University of Utah 100 kWth TRIGA MARK-I reactor (UUTR). The effect of neutron anisotropic scattering is analyzed and visually assessed in showing that the AGENT anisotropic scattering of up to P5 order of Legendre expansion provide the expected agreements with MCNP6 and with the gained computational times.
The ends of cutting in Ghana: Blood loss, scarcity, and slow harm after NGOs

Female genital cutting is waning in northeastern Ghana, even though NGO and state discourses suggest otherwise. Women who no longer perform the practice do not, as anthropologists often posit, resist anticutting advocacy. Rather, they critique what NGO and state interventions leave unaddressed. These women understand the ending of cutting as an index of food scarcity and governance that saps their blood and vitality. Cutting had to stop, they say, because they could no longer afford to lose more blood. Drawing on indigenous and biomedical understandings of health and popular notions of occult economies, they critique the contemporary governance that simultaneously invests in their lives and causes bodily attrition. “Slow harm” reveals how the invisible violence of neoliberal democracy produces ordinary crises and makes bodies vulnerable.
Internalizing and Externalizing Problem Behavior: a Test of a Latent Variable Interaction Predicting a Two-Part Growth Model of Adolescent Substance Use.

Externalizing symptoms robustly predict adolescent substance use (SU); however, findings regarding internalizing symptoms have been mixed, suggesting that there may be important moderators of the relationship between internalizing problems and SU. The present study used a longitudinal community sample (N = 387, 55% female, 83% White) to test whether externalizing symptoms moderated the relationship between internalizing symptoms and trajectories of alcohol and marijuana use from early (age 11–12 years old) to late (age 18–19 years old) adolescence. Two-part latent growth models were used to distinguish trajectories of probability of use from trajectories of amount of use among users. Results suggested that externalizing symptoms moderated the association between internalizing symptoms and probability of alcohol, but not marijuana use. The highest probability of alcohol use was observed at high levels of externalizing symptoms and low levels of internalizing symptoms. A negative protective effect of internalizing symptoms on probability of alcohol use was strongest in early adolescence for youth high on externalizing symptoms. Although moderation was not supported for amount of use among users, both domains of symptomology were associated with amount of alcohol and marijuana use as first-order effects. High levels of externalizing symptoms and low levels of internalizing symptoms were associated with high levels of amount of use among users. These findings suggest that developmental models of substance use that incorporate internalizing symptomology should consider the context of externalizing problems and distinguish probability and amount of use.
In vivo multiphoton microscopy beyond 1 mm in the brain

We perform high-resolution, non-invasive, in vivo deep-tissue imaging of the mouse neocortex using multiphoton microscopy with a high repetition rate optical parametric amplifier laser source tunable between λ=1,100 and 1,400 nm. We demonstrate an imaging depth of 1,200 μm in vasculature and 1,160 μm in neurons. We also demonstrate deep-tissue imaging using Indocyanine Green (ICG), which is FDA approved and a promising route to translate multiphoton microscopy to human applications.
Electronic Cigarette Use by Youth: Prevalence, Correlates, and Use Trajectories From Middle to High School

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to examine the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among adolescents over time, including correlates of lifetime use by eighth grade and trajectories of current use across ninth grade. Methods Participants (N = 1,091) from seven school districts in Oregon, United States, completed four self-report surveys on substance use, from the spring of eighth grade (M age = 14.4 years old; standard deviation = .50) through the spring of ninth grade. Results Overall, 27.7% of eighth graders had used e-cigarettes, and 16.8% were current e-cigarette users (used in the past 30 days); use did not significantly differ by gender or ethnicity. Correlates of e-cigarette lifetime use by eighth grade included lifetime and current use of marijuana, alcohol, cigarettes, and chewing tobacco. Five percent of students were “accelerators,” on average using e-cigarettes 14 of the last 30 days in eighth grade, increasing to daily use (30/30 days) by the end of ninth grade. Across all substances, those in the accelerator group were more likely to have reported lifetime substance use by eighth grade and current substance use in ninth grade, compared to the “infrequent/no use” group. Conclusions A sizeable proportion of young adolescents are using e-cigarettes, and e-cigarette use is highly correlated with use of other substances, including marijuana. Adolescents who progress to daily e-cigarette use in high school are more likely to use other substances compared to low or nonusers. E-cigarettes may be a relatively new addition to a constellation of substances being actively used by a segment of the youth population.