cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lactotransferrin in Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) seminal plasma correlates with semen quality.

Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) have highly variable ejaculate quality within individuals, greatly reducing the efficacy of artificial insemination and making it difficult to devise a sperm cryopreservation protocol for this endangered species. Because seminal plasma influences sperm function and physiology, including sperm motility, the objectives of this study were to characterize the chemistry and protein profiles of Asian elephant seminal plasma and to determine the relationships between seminal plasma components and semen quality. Ejaculates exhibiting good sperm motility (≥65%) expressed higher percentages of spermatozoa with normal morphology (80.3±13.0 vs. 44.9±30.8%) and positive Spermac staining (51.9±14.5 vs. 7.5±14.4%), in addition to higher total volume (135.1±89.6 vs. 88.8±73.1 ml) and lower sperm concentration (473.0±511.2 vs. 1313.8±764.7×106 cells ml−1) compared to ejaculates exhibiting poor sperm motility (≤10%; P<0.05). Comparison of seminal plasma from ejaculates with good versus poor sperm motility revealed significant differences in concentrations of creatine phosphokinase, alanine aminotransferase, phosphorus, sodium, chloride, magnesium, and glucose. These observations suggest seminal plasma influences semen quality in elephants. One- and two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis revealed largely similar compositional profiles of seminal plasma proteins between good and poor motility ejaculates. However, a protein of ~80 kDa was abundant in 85% of ejaculates with good motility, and was absent in 90% of poor motility ejaculates (P<0.05). We used mass spectrometry to identify this protein as lactotransferrin, and immunoblot analysis to confirm this identification. Together, these findings lay a functional foundation for understanding the contributions of seminal plasma in the regulation of Asian elephant sperm motility, and for improving semen collection and storage in this endangered species.
Der Einsatz von Nanoskiving zur Fertigung von Nanostrukturen für elektronische und optische Anwendungen

Dieser Aufsatz handelt von “Nanoskiving” (zu Deutsch etwa: Nano-Hartschalen oder Nano-Dunnschleifen) – einer einfachen und kostengunstigen Methode zur Nanofertigung, die die Notwendigkeit eines Zugangs zu Reinraumen und den dazugehorigen Einrichtungen minimiert, und die es zudem ermoglicht, Nanostrukturen aus Materialien und in Formen zu erstellen, fur die herkommlichere Methoden der Nanofertigung ungeeignet waren. Nanoskiving besteht aus drei Stufen: 1) Auftragung eines metallischen, halbleitenden, keramischen oder polymeren Dunnfilms auf eine Epoxidharz-Oberflache; 2) Einbetten dieses Films in Epoxidharz, sodass ein Epoxidharzblock entsteht, in dem der Film eingeschlossen ist; und 3) Aufteilen des Epoxidharzblocks in dunne Scheiben mithilfe eines Ultramikrotoms. Die Scheiben, die zwischen 30 nm und 10 μm dick sind, enthalten Nanostrukturen, deren laterale Abmessungen den Starken der eingebetteten Filme entsprechen. Elektronische Anwendungen der Strukturen, die uber diesen Prozess erhalten werden, finden sich in der Fertigung von Nanoelektroden fur die Elektrochemie, von chemoresistenten Nanodrahten und von Heterostrukturen organischer Halbleiter. Optische Anwendungen finden sich in den Bereichen der Resonatoren fur Oberflachenplasmonen, der plasmonischen Hohlleiter und den frequenzselektiven Oberflachen.
Design and fabrication of heterostructure varactor diodes for millimeter and submillimeter wave multiplier applications

A high frequency diode for use as a frequency multiplier element in the millimeter and submillimeter wavelength region is discussed. The diode, called a high electron mobility varactor (HEMVAR) diode, consists of a Schottky contact along the edge of a two-dimensional electron gas (2-DEG) structure, an ohmic contact to the 2-DEG, and appropriate isolation between the two contact pads. As a negative voltage is applied to the Schottky contact, then depletion layer between the Schottky contact and the 2-DEG expands and the junction capacitance decreases, resulting in a nonlinear capacitance-voltage characteristic. The theory, design and fabrication of the HEMVAR multiplier diode are outlined, and the low frequency results for several prototype devices are presented. >
Improving Retention of Information from Teaching Slides

The purpose of this study was to test a new slide design in a computer science course. Slides in the new design have a sentence headline supported by visual evidence, as opposed to the traditional design of a phrase headline supported by a bulleted list and sometimes an image. Identical content was presented to two sections of students. Each group viewed three presentations. For the first two topics, one section was taught with sentence/visual slides and the other with phrase/bullets slides. The last presentation was a control; both sections viewed traditional slides. To test how much information was transferred and retained by the two sets of students, identical closed-book quizzes were administered at the end of each teaching session. Students who viewed slides in the new design performed better on the quizzes than students who viewed traditional slides. Educators should consider adopting this new design for their slides.
Ranking with Partial Information: A Method and an Application

A method is presented for ranking multiattributed alternatives using a weighted-additive evaluation function with partial information about the weighting scaling constants, the method is applied to evaluate materials for use in nuclear waste containment. The paper derives conditions to determine whether a pair of alternatives can be ranked given the partial information about weighting constants, and presents an algorithm that partially rank-orders the complete set of alternatives based on the pairwise ranking information.
Hydrogen Embrittlement of Hardened Low-carbon Sheet Steel

Tensile specimens of 10B22 (22MnB5) sheet steels were austenitized, quenched to martensite, and tempered at temperatures between 150 and 520°C for various times. The heat treated specimens were charged with 1.7 ppm hydrogen and immediately tested. Fracture surfaces were examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy. As-quenched martensitic specimens exhibited the most severe embrittlement and failed by stress-controlled cleavage fracture at low stresses. The initiation of hydrogen-induced fracture in specimens tempered between 150 and 350°C was consistent with glide plane decohesion, and coarse inclusion particles served as sources of hydrogen for circular areas of hydrogen-induced cleavage. Specimens tempered at 460 and 520°C showed little sensitivity to hydrogen embrittlement. The progression of decreased sensitivity to hydrogen-induced fracture with increasing tempering temperature correlates with the reduction in dislocations, the principal hydrogen traps, and the formation of cementite particles, considered to be ineffectual traps, with increased tempering. Very small amounts of intergranular fracture were observed, only in as-quenched specimens, confirming that boron has little effect on hydrogen embrittlement of hardened low-carbon steels.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

The congenital adrenal hyperplasias comprise a family of autosomal recessive disorders that disrupt adrenal steroidogenesis. The most common form is due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency associated with mutations in the 21-hydroxylase gene, which is located at chromosome 6p21. The clinical features associated with each disorder of adrenal steroidogenesis represent a clinical spectrum that reflect the consequences of the specific mutations. Treatment goals include normal linear growth velocity and "on-time" puberty in affected children. For adolescent and adult women, treatment goals include regularization of menses, prevention of progression of hirsutism, and preservation of fertility. For adolescent and adult men, prevention and early treatment of testicular adrenal rest tumors is beneficial. In this article key aspects regarding pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia are reviewed.
International Finance and Income Convergence: Europe is Different

Recent studies conclude that the ongoing global financial integration may have had little or no value in advancing economic growth, especially in poor countries. Capital is often found to flow "uphill" from poor to rich countries. And, when it does flow into the less developed economies, it is negatively correlated with growth, calling into question the desirability of foreign capital. In this paper we report that Europe-including the new member states of the European Union-provides a counterexample to these global anomalies. With increasing financial integration, capital in Europe has traveled "downhill" from rich to poor countries, and has done so with gathering strength. These inflows have been associated with significant acceleration of income convergence.
We are furious (female) but we can shape our own development

“Society has not been meeting the self-development needs of women, and little has been done in the schools-one of the major socialization agents.
Predictors of treatment outcome in modular cognitive therapy for obsessive–compulsive disorder

Background The present study sought to identify predictors of outcome for a comprehensive cognitive therapy (CT) developed for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Optimizing pumping system for sustainable water distribution network by using genetic algorithm

Considerable portion of water distribution cost is related to energy usage. Pumps are often the greatest energy consumer in water distribution systems. Optimizing the working schedule of these pumps has the potential to significantly decrease operation costs of these systems. It is also possible to optimize for environmental concerns and arrive at the least polluting solution of pump operation that meets system-wide hydraulic demands. As with water usage, electrical usage varies over the course of the day. Electrical utilities must satisfy the daily power demand which, in turn, may result in using different types of electrical generators - some of which vary in their environmental impact. By scheduling energy consumption at times that correspond to the least polluting generators on-line, water distribution systems can become more environmentally sustainable. Optimizing energy consumption and working schedule of pumps is a multi-objective nonlinear problem that contains considerable amount of constraints. The solution space of this type of problem even for a small water network can be very large and finding the boundaries associated with the solution space is quite difficult. Evolutionary optimization methods, such as genetic algorithm (GA), are well suited for solving this kind of problem. In this paper, two methods for describing the pump optimization problem within a GA solution framework are considered. Each leads to different methods for conducting crossover and mutation steps of the GA. Advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed. In terms of sustainable computing, the effect of each method on computer storage and computing requirement is investigated. Novel GA coding methods which circumvent infeasible solutions that may arise with this specific type of problem are discussed as well as other associated issues.
Causes and Consequences of Aggressive Financial Reporting Policies

This paper investigates the motivations for managers' decisions to overstate earnings and examines the consequences of such decisions. We examine firms subject to enforcement actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission for having violated the financial reporting requirements of the securities laws. In addition to considering the traditional bonus and debt hypotheses as motivations for earnings management, we also investigate the hypothesis that earnings management is systematically related to firms' demands for external financing. We argue that by employing aggressive accounting policies, firms temporarily inflate their market values and temporarily reduce their costs of capital. Thus, managers of firms with high current demands for external financing have incentives to increase reported earnings. Further, we argue that aggressive reporting is more likely to occur in firms with poor governance structures. The empirical evidence supports our predictions. Relative to a matched control sample, aggressive reporters are in greater need of external financing and have poor governance structures. They have fewer outsiders on their boards of directors; are more likely to have their chief executive officers be chairmen of their boards; are less likely to have audit committees; and are less likely to have large outside blockholders. We also investigate the consequences of aggressive reporting. When management are identified as aggressive reporters, their firms' stock prices fall and they face less liquid markets for their securities and higher costs of capital.
Total elbow arthroplasty: a radiographic outcome study

Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is becoming a popular alternative to arthrodesis for patients with end-stage elbow arthrosis and comminuted distal humeral fractures. Prior outcome studies have primarily focused on surgical findings. Our purpose is to determine the radiographic outcome of TEA and to correlate with clinical symptoms such as pain. This is an IRB-approved retrospective review from 2005 to 2015 of all patients with semiconstrained TEA. All available elbow radiographs and clinical data were reviewed. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and Kaplan–Meier survival curves for radiographic and clinical survival. A total of 104 total elbow arthroplasties in 102 patients were reviewed; 75 % were in women and the mean patient age was 63.1 years. Mean radiographic follow-up was 826 days with average of four radiographs per patient. Seventy TEAs (67 %) developed radiographic complications, including heterotopic ossification (48 %), perihardware lucency (27 %), periprosthetic fracture (23 %), hardware subluxation/dislocation (7 %), polyethylene wear (3 %), and hardware fracture/dislodgement (3 %); 56 patients (55 %) developed symptoms of elbow pain or instability and 30 patients (30 %) underwent at least one reoperation. In patients with radiographic complications, 66 % developed elbow pain, compared to 19 % of patients with no radiologic complications (p = 0.001). Of the patients with radiographic complications, 39 % had at least one additional surgery compared to 0 % of patients without radiographic complications (p = 0.056). Radiographic complications are common in patients after total elbow arthroplasty. There is a strong positive association between post-operative radiographic findings and clinical outcome. Knowledge of common postoperative radiographic findings is important for the practicing radiologist.
TLR4-Dependent Secretion by Hepatic Stellate Cells of the Neutrophil-Chemoattractant CXCL1 Mediates Liver Response to Gut Microbiota

Background & Aims The gut microbiota significantly influences hepatic immunity. Little is known on the precise mechanism by which liver cells mediate recognition of gut microbes at steady state. Here we tested the hypothesis that a specific liver cell population was the sensor and we aimed at deciphering the mechanism by which the activation of TLR4 pathway would mediate liver response to gut microbiota.
Wrist and Shoulder Muscle Activity Changes Across Computer Tasks

The computer workstation is a ubiquitous tool in the office work environment; however, its use varies across many different tasks from surfing the Internet to typing. The question, therefore, is ho...
Characteristic analysis of HA gene of influenza A( H1N1) virus in 2009-2011 in Anhui province

Objective To characterize HA gene of Influenza A( H1N1) virus circulated in 2009 ~2011 in AnHui Province. Methods Viral RNA was extracted and amplified by RT-PCR and subsequently analysis of HA by gene sequencing.Results After alignment,homologies of HA gene was 99. 4% ~ 99. 6% in introduction phase,99. 4% ~ 99. 7% in Spread Phase,98. 8% ~ 99. 5% in Stationary Phase,98. 8% ~ 99. 1% in Reproduction Phase,compared with HA gene of California /07 /2009( H1N1). The results indicated that the HA gene homology was very high. Conclusion The HA gene of 2011 Influenza A( H1N1) strain compared with that of the 2009 pandemic strain showed a certain degree of evolution. But the HA gene was stable basically.
Arterial Embolization of Renal Allograft to Control Hemorrhage Secondary to Percutaneous Nephropyelostomy

AbstractPercutaneous nephropyelostomy is an accepted method for relieving obstruction of the upper urinary tract. We report a case of massive renal hemorrhage following removal of the percutaneous nephropyelostomy catheter. Treatment with angioinfarction of the bleeding branch of the renal artery was successful.
Brokering Compromise to Achieve Consensus

The current transformation of the health care system comes with the increased use of performance measures for various applications, including value-based payment. Although there may be different perspectives on the appropriate approaches to shift from payment for individual services to payment for
Uncertainty and the Properties of the Heckscher-Ohlin Model

While establishing the validity of the Heckscher-Ohlin (H.O.) proposition in the presence of risk-averse behaviour by producers, we introduced a number of assumptions in addition to those which are usually maintained for this type of analysis. It is high time that we justify these assumptions, which required α, its probability distribution, and the producers’ attitudes towards risk to be the same in both countries. Our defence, of course, is the fact that without these assumptions the H.O. theorem may not hold in our stochastic model.
Toward a More Dialogic Pedagogy: Changing Teachers' Beliefs and Practices through Professional Development in Language Arts Classrooms.

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we report findings from the second year of a three-year research and professional development program designed to help elementary school teachers engage in dialogic teaching to support the development of students’ argument literacy. We define argument literacy as the ability to comprehend and formulate arguments through speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The professional development program was focused on promoting teachers’ use of a specific type of talk called ‘inquiry dialogue’ to achieve the goal of developing students’ argument literacy. We used a single-group pretest-posttest design to assess the impact of the professional development on teachers’ epistemological beliefs and their enactment of inquiry dialogue in text-based discussions. Our analyses of videotaped discussions at the beginning and end of the year showed that there were substantial improvements in teachers’ facilitation of inquiry dialogue and in the quality of students’ argumentation during discussions. ...
Abel’s Integral Equation and Singular Integral Equations

Abel’s integral equation occurs in many branches of scientific fields [1], such as microscopy, seismology, radio astronomy, electron emission, atomic scattering, radar ranging, plasma diagnostics, X-ray radiography, and optical fiber evaluation. Abel’s integral equation is the earliest example of an integral equation [2]. In Chapter 2, Abel’s integral equation was defined as a singular integral equation. Volterra integral equations of the first kind $$f\left( x \right) = \lambda \int_{g\left( x \right)}^{h\left( x \right)} {K\left( {x,t} \right)u\left( t \right)dt,} $$ (7.1) or of the second kind $$u\left( x \right) = f\left( x \right) = \lambda \int_{g\left( x \right)}^{h\left( x \right)} {K\left( {x,t} \right)u\left( t \right)dt,} $$ (7.2) are called singular [3–4] if: 1. one of the limits of integration g(x), h(x) or both are infinite, or 2. if the kernel K(x, t) becomes infinite at one or more points at the range of integration.
State of stress in Texas: Implications for induced seismicity

Compilation of almost 200 new maximum horizontal stress (SHmax) orientations in Texas reveals a complex intraplate stress field. A large extensional stress province is associated with extensive growth faulting from northeastern Mexico to Louisiana. SHmax is subparallel to the coastline, following the strikes of the growth faults. In contrast, we observe a strike-slip/normal faulting regime with SHmax approximately E-W in much of west Texas and the Texas Panhandle, similar to the stress fields observed in northeast New Mexico and north-central Oklahoma. Within the Fort Worth Basin in northeast Texas, SHmax is NNE-SSW. The faulting regime transitions from strike-slip/normal faulting in the northern part of the basin to normal faulting with subequal horizontal principal stress magnitudes further south. Recent sites of apparently injection-related seismicity near Snyder/Cogdell (west Texas), Karnes City/Fashing (south Texas), the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, and Timpson (east Texas) involves fault slip compatible with local stress fields.
NAD+: The convergence of DNA repair and mitophagy.

ATM is a 350 kDa serine/threonine kinase best known for its role in DNA repair and multiple cellular homeostasis pathways. Mutation in ATM causes the disease ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) with clinical features including ataxia, severe cerebellar atrophy and Purkinje cell loss. In a cross-species study, using primary rat neurons, the roundworm C. elegans, and a mouse model of A-T, we showed that loss of ATM induces mitochondrial dysfunction and compromised mitophagy due to NAD+ insufficiency. Remarkably, NAD+ repletion mitigates both the DNA repair defect and mitochondrial dysfunction in ATM-deficient neurons. In C. elegans, NAD+ repletion can clear accumulated dysfunctional mitochondria through restoration of compromised mitophagy via upregulation of DCT-1. Thus, NAD+ ties together DNA repair and mitophagy in neuroprotection and intimates immediate translational applications for A-T and related neurodegenerative DNA repair-deficient diseases.
DDEL-13TARGETED INTERLEUKIN-13-LIPOSOMES-MAGNIVEST-DOXORUBICIN FOR DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF GLIOMA IN EARLY STAGE

Malignant glioma in central nervous system (CNS) is a challenge to detect/treat due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that prohibits most chemicals like anti-cancer agents to penetrate. Furthermore, to detect brain cancer, magnetic resonance image (MRI) contrast agent such as Magnevist (Gd/DTPA) is limited to the cases where the BBB is significantly compromised by the cancer because Gd-DTPA itself is not able to cross the BBB. As a result, the cancer boundary presented by Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI reflects only the extent where BBB is compromised instead of all the cancer-infiltrated regions. For the malignant glioma in early stage when it is smaller than 2 mm, which is even none detectable by Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI because the BBB is intact when tumor is less than 2 mm. It is critical to develop a delivery system that carries targeted MRI contrast agent with drug alongside, which could penetrate brain tissue, detect and treat glioma in early stage concomitantly. Previous work demonstrated: 1) IL-13Rα2 was over-expressed in glioma, 2) IL-13-liposomes-doxrubinsine inhibited an intracranial glioma growth and 3) IL-13-liposomes-Gd/DTPA as a MRI contrast agent enhanced and detected infiltrating glioma. Based on these findings we hypothesized that IL-13-liposome encapsulating Gd-DTPA and doxorubicin (Dox) will be a theranostic agent for detection and treatment of gliomas. To test our hypothesis, glioma U251 and glioma stem cells T3691 and athymic nude mice with intracranial glioma were selected as our in vitro and in vivo model. IL-13-liposomes-Gd/DTPA-Dox was developed and characterized. Its application in vitro and in vivo has been evaluated through targeted MRI guided drug delivery. Our results provided the evidence that corresponded with our hypothesis. We predicted that the development of IL-13-liposomes-Gd/Dox will not only lead a translation into clinical neuro-oncology, but also into treatment of other tumors like colon cancer metastasis and adrenocortical carcinoma, which overexpressed IL-13Rα2.
Urinary F2 -Isoprostanes in Cats with International Renal Interest Society Stage 1-4 Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background F2-isoprostanes, a biomarker of oxidant injury, increase with advancing chronic kidney disease (CKD) in humans. In cats, the relationship between CKD and oxidative stress is poorly understood. Objectives To determine whether cats with advancing CKD have increasing urinary F2-isoprostanes. Animals Control cats without evidence of CKD (≥6 years old; n = 11), and cats with IRIS stage 1 (n = 8), 2 (n = 38), 3 (n = 21), and 4 (n = 10) CKD. Methods This was a prospective observational study. Urinary F2-isoprostanes (specifically free 15-F2t-isoprostanes) normalized to urine creatinine (IsoPs) were compared among groups and tested for correlations with blood pressure, proteinuria, serum creatinine concentration, and urine specific gravity. The IsoPs also were compared between cats with and without hypertension or proteinuria, and in cats fed predominantly standard versus renal diets. Results Urinary IsoPs were increased, but not significantly, in cats with stage 1 CKD (median 263 pg/mg creatinine; range, 211–380) compared to controls (182 pg/mg; range, 80–348) and decreased significantly from stage 1 through advancing CKD (stage 2, 144 pg/mg; range, 49–608; stage 3, 102 pg/mg; range, 25–158; stage 4, 67 pg/mg; range, 26–117; P < .01). Urinary IsoPs were inversely correlated with serum creatinine (r = −0.66, P < .0001). Conclusion and Clinical Importance Urinary IsoPs are significantly higher in early CKD (stage 1) compared to cats with more advanced CKD. Additional studies are warranted to characterize oxidative stress in cats with stage 1 CKD and determine whether early antioxidant treatments have a protective effect on CKD progression.
Advanced Laparoscopic Insertion of Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters

The incidence of chronic kidney disease continues to rise while the utilization of peritoneal dialysis (PD) as a mode of renal replacement therapy continues to decline. In response to decreased enthusiasm in PD, best-demonstrated practices for peritoneal dialysis catheter placement was published in 2006. Since that time, the long-term durability of PD at our institution has increased significantly. In this chapter, we describe the indications for laparoscopic PD catheter placement, our surgical technique, common pitfalls with PD catheter function, and our outcomes with this surgical approach.
Five Mysteries Surrounding Low and Negative Interest Rates

The authors explore the consequences of zero and negative interest rates for the economy, the capital markets, and incentives facing producers and consumers. They characterize the current regime as monetary Keynesianism —using central bank policy to pursue traditionally Keynesian goals of economic stimulus. They argue that monetary stimulus during and after the Great Recession did not spark massive inflation because the nature of the money supply has changed; the increased money supply did not stimulate the economy very much because borrowers are satiated and cannot be induced by low interest rates to borrow more. Moreover, low interest rates mean that savers need to redouble their savings efforts, instead of spending. The authors conclude by recommending that investors wait for better conditions, which will come eventually. In the meantime, the authors recommend that investors ignore stories of impending Armageddon, discount the mythology of central bankers as the new masters of the universe, and be suspicious of new solutions that purport to perform financial alchemy in a low-growth world.
Quaker Constitutionalism and the Political Thought of John Dickinson by Jane E. Calvert

John Dickinson has been an enigma for most historians of the American Revolutionary period, who have had a hard time reconciling his role as the “penman” of the American Revolution with his refusal to sign the Declaration of Independence. Further complicating matters was his active participation on the battlefield during the war, after he refused to call for independence. Jane Calvert has finally solved the puzzle by focusing on the influence of Quakerism in Dickinson’s unique constitutional theory. In the process of explaining Dickinson, she has offered insight into the influence of the Society of Friends on U.S. constitutional history, as well as American reform from colonial times to the twentieth century.
Enabling co-simulation of tokamak plant models and plasma control systems

Abstract A system for connecting the Plasma Control System and a model of the tokamak Plant in closed loop co-simulation for plasma control development has been in routine use at DIII-D for more than 20 years and at other fusion labs that use variants of the DIII-D PCS for approximately the last decade. Here, co-simulation refers to simultaneous execution of two independent codes with the exchange of data between them during execution. Interest in this type of PCS-Plant simulation technology has also been growing recently at other fusion facilities. In fact, use of such closed loop control simulations is assumed to play an even larger role in the development of both the ITER Plasma Control System (PCS) and the experimental operation of the ITER device, where they will be used to support verification/validation of the PCS and also for ITER pulse schedule development and validation. We describe the key use cases that motivate the co-simulation capability and the features that must be provided by the Plasma Control System to support it. These features could be provided by the PCS itself or by a model of the PCS. If the PCS itself is chosen to provide them, there are requirements imposed on its architecture. If a PCS model is chosen, there are requirements imposed on the initial implementation of this simulation as well as long-term consequences for its continued development and maintenance. We describe these issues for each use case and discuss the relative merits of the two choices. Examples are given illustrating uses of co-simulation to address plasma control problems during operation of DIII-D and other devices that use the DIII-D PCS.
Crop Productivity and Quality: Chairman’s Introduction

If you ask a plant breeder about the major objectives of his/her program, the answer will likely include controlling pests, enhancing yield potential, reducing losses due to stress (such as salt and drought), and improving crop quality. This portion of the conference focuses on these four topics which are at the heart of plant breeding. They are pertinent topics from the standpoint of the plant breeder who is at times frustrated with slow progress, and uncertain about how to proceed in the breeding program. They are also pertinent to genetic engineers and others who desire to learn about plant breeding goals and new approaches in dealing with them. The four speakers consider selection strategies and genetic stocks that may have utility in improvement programs as well as important fundamental aspects of the traits. In considering selection strategies the authors do not limit themselves to molecular genetics, but rather emphasize a full range of possibilities which are emerging as an outgrowth of ongoing research in the four areas.
Agonist treatment for stimulant abuse and dependence

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses preclinical and clinical evidence for agonist-like pharmacotherapy for stimulant dependence. Four converging lines of evidence, one preclinical and three clinical, support an agonist approach to pharmacotherapy of stimulant dependence as one component of the armamentarium. Three distinctive lines of clinical activity provide evidence that stimulant dependence can be ameliorated with stimulant administration. A novel pharmacologic strategy being examined for cocaine dependence utilizes disulfiram, an agent long used for alcohol dependence treatment. Disulfiram (DA) decreases alcohol consumption through the inhibition of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase, resulting in accumulation of acetaldehyde and aversive consequences. It is found that data strongly indicate a role for enhanced DA transmission in the appetitive effects of psychostimulants and suggest targeting of the DA system in agonist substitution therapy. It is suggested that the ideal agonist substitution therapy, particularly to attenuate active drug use, should target the DA, 5-HT, and NE systems, as this broad-based strategy has several advantages. It is found that use of an oral cocaine preparation as an agonist substitution therapy is limited by many theoretical and practical difficulties.
Conscientious Objection in Health Care: Students, residents, and conscience-based exemptions

Just as practitioners can object to providing services that are against their conscience, students and residents can have conscience-based objections to participating in educational activities. Among medical, nursing, and pharmacy students, the former have been in the forefront of efforts to secure exemptions from activities that violate their ethical or religious beliefs. Accordingly, their experience can serve as a model for students of nursing and pharmacy. In 1996, the Medical Student Section of the American Medical Association (AMA) introduced a resolution calling on the AMA to adopt a policy in support of exemptions for students with ethical or religious objections. In that resolution, students identified abortion, sterilization, and procedures performed on animals as examples of activities that might prompt requests for conscience-based exemptions. In response to the student initiative, the Council on Medical Education (CME) recommended the adoption of seven “principles to guide exemption of medical students from activities based on conscience.” The House of Delegates adopted these principles in their entirety (AMA Policy H-295.896, “Conscience Clause: Final Report”). Among residency programs, it is likely that obstetrics and gynecology programs generally have the most experience related to conscience-based exemptions. Although some family medicine residency programs provide abortion training, historically obstetrics and gynecology residency programs have been the primary providers of graduate medical training pertaining to performing abortions. Since abortion has been a primary target of conscience-based refusals in health care, it is to be expected that some obstetrics and gynecology residents have ethical or religious objections to abortion training.
Association of major California freight railyards with asthma-related pediatric emergency department hospital visits.

Abstract Asthma is a major health threat and leading cause of chronic morbidity among children. Air pollutants have been linked to exacerbations and promotion of initial development of asthma. Extensive research already conducted assessing adverse health impacts associated with exposure to pollutants from vehicular traffic. However, little research conducted assessing exposure to pollutants stemming from goods movement industry, such as freight railyards. This study's purpose to assess potential association between residential proximity to major freight railyards and asthma-related emergency room (ER) visits in children. This study included children ≤14 yrs. old, living within 30-mile radius of one of 18 freight railyards in California, and having utilized emergency room services between 2007 and 2009, identified through California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) database. Logistic regression modeling with all 18 railyards, and models with top 5 polluting railyards, conducted to assess for potential association between asthma related ER visit (asthma vs. non-asthma visit) and railyard residential proximity. A total 109,645 asthma related ER visits identified, majority among low income, minority populations. Within 18 railyard model, children closest to railyard (0–5 miles) were at significant increased odds (OR = 1.15, 95%CI: 1.10–1.20) for asthma related ER visit and stronger odds observed for 5 top emitting railyards (OR = 1.40, 95%CI: 1.29–1.52). Our findings indicate a strong link between asthma ER visits for children and residential proximity to railyards, especially among low-income and minority communities. There's a critical need to better understand complex health risks for individuals residing in these communities and mitigation efforts for this vulnerable population.
Presence, Diversity, and Enrichment of Respiratory Reductive Dehalogenase and Non-respiratory Hydrolytic and Oxidative Dehalogenase Genes in Terrestrial Environments

Organohalide-respiring bacteria have been linked to the cycling and possible respiration of chlorinated natural organic matter (Cl-NOM) in uncontaminated soils and sediments. The importance of non-respiratory hydrolytic/oxidative dechlorination processes in the cycling of Cl-NOM in terrestrial soil and sediment, however, is still not understood. This research analyzes the dechlorination potential of terrestrial systems through analysis of the metagenomes of urban lake sediments and cultures enriched with Cl-NOM. Even with the variability in sample type and enrichment conditions, the potential to dechlorinate was universal, with reductive dehalogenase genes and hydrolytic or oxidative dehalogenase genes found in all samples analyzed. The reductive dehalogenase genes detected grouped taxonomically with those from organohalide-respiring bacteria with broad metabolic capabilities, as opposed to those that obligately respire organohalides. Furthermore, reductive dehalogenase genes and two haloacid dehalogenase genes increased in abundance when sediment was enriched with high concentrations of Cl-NOM. Our data suggests that both respiratory and non-respiratory dechlorination processes are important for Cl-NOM cycling, and that non-obligate organohalide-respiring bacteria are most likely involved in these processes.
Chemical and sensory effects of cofermentation and post‐malolactic fermentation blending of Syrah with selected Rhône white cultivars

Background and Aims Whereas cofermentation is a traditional practice in some Old‐World regions, its outcomes are largely unknown in New‐World wine regions. Herein we report the chemical and sensory effects of cofermentation of Syrah with selected Rhone white cultivars. Methods and Results A Control wine comprising 100% Syrah (SY), and five SY blends [consisting of addition by mass of 10% pressed solids of Viognier (VG), Marsanne (MR), Roussanne (RS), Picpoul (PC), and Grenache Blanc (GB)] were produced. In addition, juice from each white cultivar was fermented separately and blended with finished SY wine at a rate of 10% after malolactic fermentation (MLF). Cofermentation had no effect on wine composition, but blending post‐MLF increased ethanol concentration. Cofermentation resulted in lower concentration of most anthocyanin pigments, whereas blending post‐MLF had the opposite effect. Tannins were higher in SY‐VG, SY‐RS and SY‐MR blends, whereas polymeric pigments increased in SY‐RS post‐MLF and SY‐PC post‐MLF. This was attributed to enhanced copigmentation due to comparatively higher concentration of anthocyanins and flavonols in post‐MLF blended wines, which resulted in a hyperchromic shift at 520 nm. Addition of VG, either as a coferment or as a blend post‐MLF increased the aromatic complexity of the resulting wines. Conclusions Of the white cultivars studied, VG appeared to provide more aromatics both as a coferment or post‐MLF blending option. Post‐MLF blending gave increased aromatics and colour, while offering greater flexibility and fewer logistical issues than cofermentation. Significance of the Study The use of VG as the preferred coferment of SY, and the practice of post‐MLF blending of SY with a small amount of white wine, were validated through chemical and sensory analysis.
A view from the policy community: a new strategic narrative for Europe?

Reflecting on the results presented in articles in this special issue, European leaders should take greater account of external perceptions in crafting the European Union's strategic narrative and ...
Not in our community: Queer women challenge religious homophobia in rural Kentucky

“Not in my backyard” (NIMBY) movements emerge when a social or political event spurs opposition from local residents. Much research on NIMBY movements concentrates on local residents’ efforts to de...
Differential Cancer Risk in Latinos: The Role of Diet

There is accumulating evidence that dietary intake is a preventable risk factor for cancer incidence and mortality. However, little research has been conducted on diet and cancer in Latino groups, who have differing dietary patterns than non-Hispanic whites. Actual cancer risk statistics show differing patterns of incidence for different cancers, not only between Latinos and non-Hispanic whites, but also among Latino subgroups. Some of these differences are likely to be associated with differences in dietary patterns that exist by ethnic group, acculturation, and socioeconomic status, but more studies are needed. In particular, direct studies of diet and cancer incidence in Hispanics are lacking, and there are inadequate dietary assessment methods for these groups that measure usual intake in relation to long-term outcomes. It is estimated that about 20–42% of all cancers may be prevented by addressing preventable risk factors, including dietary intake behaviors. Although more ethnic-specific research is needed, there is sufficient evidence that improving dietary patterns in all groups will contribute to reducing cancer risk. Culturally tailored interventions and public health messages should be prioritized and implemented appropriately among Latino subgroups.
Adaptive Process Monitoring Using Covariate Information

Statistical process control (SPC) charts provide a powerful tool for monitoring production lines in manufacturing industries. They are also used widely in other applications, such as sequential mon...
Cavernous malformation of the intracranial optic nerve with operative video and review of the literature.

Optic pathway cavernous malformations represent less than 1% of all central nervous system cavernomas. They can lead to visual loss with indeterminate speed, and therefore, the timing of intervention is controversial. We present a patient with an optic nerve cavernoma, which was discovered incidentally 3 years before the onset of visual symptoms. The evolution of her symptoms, visual function and radiographic findings are reported in detail. The cavernoma was eventually removed via a transciliary orbitocranial keyhole approach with the goal to protect the optic chiasm from progressive involvement. The function in the affected optic nerve was not salvageable. This is the second reported case of a cavernoma selectively involving the intracranial portion of the optic nerve. The debate on the timing of intervention is highlighted with reference to the natural history of these rare lesions.
Nephrology in the United States of America

Nephrology in the United States of America (USA) has grown into a major medical specialty over the past 60 years. Although the specialty includes the management of patients with acute kidney injury, the deciphering of complex acid-base disorders, and the identification and management of patients with glomerular diseases, for many of the 10,883 US nephrologists, it centers around the diagnosis and treatment of patients who have various stages of kidney disease. In the USA, there were approximately 726,000 patients on dialysis or living with a kidney transplant. The management of dialysis patients is tightly regulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which also is a principal payer for the majority of dialysis and transplantation services in the USA. This chapter will examine the beginnings of the field and the history of how nephrology in the USA evolved. It will discuss how US physicians are approaching modalities of care as well as specific issues such as dialysis adequacy, arteriovenous access barriers, hospitalization rates, volume and cardiovascular disease, mineral and bone disorders, potassium management, and kidney transplantation. It will discuss various opportunities for young physicians and conclude with what lies in the future for nephrologists and more importantly for patients.
Hydrogen Bonding Strength Determines Water Diffusivity in Polymer Ionogels.

Polymeric ionogels, cross-linked gels swollen by ionic liquids (ILs), are useful vehicles for the release and storage of molecular solutes in separation, delivery, and other applications. Although rapid solute diffusion is often critical for performance, it remains challenging to predict diffusivities across multidimensional composition spaces. Recently, we showed that water (a neutral solute) diffuses through alkyl-methylimidazolium halide ILs by hopping between hydrogen bonding sites on relatively immobile cations. Here, we expand on this activated hopping mechanism in two significant ways. First, we demonstrate that water diffuses through poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate ionogels via the same mechanism at a reduced rate. Second, we hypothesize that the activation energy barrier can be determined from relatively simple 1H NMR chemical shift measurements of the proton responsible for H-bonding. This relationship enables water's diffusivity in ionogels of this class to be predicted quantitatively, requiring only (1) the composition-dependent diffusivity and Arrhenius behavior of a single IL and (2) 1H NMR spectra of the ionogels of interest. High-throughput microfluidic Fabry-Perot interferometry measurements verify prediction accuracy across a broad formulation space (four ILs, 0 ≤ xH2O ≤ 0.7, 0 ≤ ϕPEGDA ≤ 0.66). The predictive model may expedite IL-material screening; moreover, it intimates a powerful connection between solute mobility and hydrogen bonding and suggests targets for rational design.
Resetting the tumor microenvironment to favor anti-tumor immunity after local ablation.

2561Background: Percutaneous tumor ablation is a non-surgical method of tumor destruction that leaves necrotic tumor debris in situ. Tumor associated antigens released after ablation have the poten...
Ultraschallelastographie

Die nichtinvasiven ultraschallbasierten Methoden zur Darstellung und Messung der Gewebeelastizitat halten zunehmend Einzug in den klinischen Alltag. Bei der Scherwellenelastographie der Leber geben Grenzwerte Hinweise auf eine Fibrose (F ≥ 2, diagnostische Genauigkeit [„area under the reader operating characteristic“, AUROC 87 %]) oder auf eine Zirrhose (F = 4, AUROC 93 %). Normwerte schliesen eine Leberzirrhose nahezu aus (negativ pradiktiver Wert bis 97 %). Hohe Scherwellengeschwindigkeiten deuten auf einen komplikativen Verlauf einer primar sklerosierenden Cholangitis, Leberzirrhose oder chronischen Hepatitis B oder C hin. Leberlasionen lassen sich elastographisch hinsichtlich ihrer Dignitat nicht unterscheiden.
Temporoparietal Fascial Free Flap: A Systematic Review.

ABSTRACT The temporoparietal fascial flap (TPFF) is a versatile tool used in head and neck reconstructive surgeries as well as distal upper and lower extremity reconstructions. Depending on the anatomical location and characteristics of the recipient site soft tissue defects, harvesting techniques for TPFF retrieval may include elevation as a pedicle or a free flap, inclusion of the temporalis muscle and/or adjacent calvarial bone as a composite flap. The TPFF as a free flap is not only used for soft tissue coverage of various defects, and it can be used as a joint gliding surface with coverage of nerve and tendons after repair or trauma. This article includes a systematic search of the medical literature for indications, historical background, techniques, current perspective, and complications along with the pros and cons of the free TPFF compared with other potential reconstructive options.