cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Progressive loss of creatine maintains a near normal ΔG∼ATP in transgenic mouse hearts with cardiomyopathy caused by overexpressing Gsα

Myocardial [ATP] falls in the failing heart. One potential compensatory mechanism for maintaining a near normal free energy of ATP hydrolysis (ΔG∼ATP), despite a fall in [ATP], may be the reduction of myocardial creatine (Cr). To test this, we conducted a longitudinal study using transgenic mice overexpressing cardiac Gsα, which slowly developed cardiomyopathy. Myocardial energetics measured using 31P NMR spectroscopy and isovolumic contractile performance were determined in perfused hearts isolated from 5-, 10-, 17-month-old Gsα and age-matched littermate wild type (WT) mice. In young Gsα hearts, contractile performance was enhanced with near normal cardiac energetics. With age, as contractile performance progressively decreased in Gsα hearts, [ATP] and [PCr] progressively decreased while [Pi] increased only modestly; no changes were observed in WT hearts. Myocardial (but not skeletal) [Cr] in Gsα mice decreased, beginning at an early age (1.5-months). Consequently, cytosolic [ADP] and the free energy available from ATP hydrolysis were maintained at normal levels in Gsα hearts, despite decreased [ATP]. During increased cardiac work caused by supplying isoproterenol, the relationship between the rate pressure product (RPP) and ΔG∼ATP in Gsα mouse hearts demonstrated an increased cost of contraction in failing hearts. Thus, our results suggest that the decrease of myocardial [Cr] and net Pi efflux play compensatory roles by maintaining a nearly normal free energy of ATP hydrolysis in the dysfunctional heart; however, it also increased the cost of contraction, which may contribute to the lower contractile reserve in the failing heart.
CT colonography: colonic distention improved by dual positioning but not intravenous glucagon.

The aim of this study was to determine whether intravenous (IV) glucagon and dual positioning administered prior to CT colonography enhances colonic distention. We assessed the effect of dual positioning and IV glucagon on colonic distention in 96 patients who underwent CT colonography examinations. The CT colonography was performed in both supine and prone positions. Seventy-four patients received glucagon (1 mg i.v.) immediately prior to CT scanning and 22 patients did not. The bowel was divided into ten segments and colonic distention was scored by two radiologists in the supine, prone, and combined supine/prone positions using a five-point scale: 1=collapsed; 2=poorly visualized; ≥3=adequate distention; 4=entire segment visualized and well distended; 5=excellent distention). A combined segmental and overall supine/prone distention score was calculated based on the sum of the mean score for each position. There was no significant difference in the degree of colonic distention between patients who received glucagon and those who did not [supine/prone distention score (mean±SE): 3.63±0.2 vs 3.85±0.2; p=n.s.]. The degree of colonic distention was greater in the prone position in both the glucagon (3.87±0.2 vs 3.38±0.2; p<0.05) and non-glucagon groups (4.01±0.2 vs 3.69±0.2; p=N.S.) particularly in the proximal colon. There was almost perfect agreement between both radiologists in their scoring of colonic distention on a per-patient basis (k=0.9; p<0.001). Of 1480 bowel segments, 1261 (85.2%) were adequately distended in the glucagon group compared with 370 of 440 bowel segments (84%) in the non-glucagon group (p=n.s.) Colonic distention at CT colonography is improved by dual positioning but not by the administration of intravenous glucagon. While our results suggest that other smooth muscle relaxants, including butyl scopolamine, may only have a limited role in improving colonic distention in CT colonography, further studies are required.
Three-body mechanisms in plasma recombination of H3+ and D3+ Ions

The low-temperature plasma recombination of H3 + and D3 + ions with electrons partially occurs by three-body assisted (ternary) mechanisms that need to be better understood. Intermediate high Rydberg states are expected to play an important role, but it remains unclear which of their interactions with ambient neutrals and electrons enhance their decay into neutral products. This contribution discusses several proposed models, collisional radiative, collisional dissociative recombination, resonant electron capture, and angular momentum l -mixing. It appears that none of them provides a satisfactory explanation. There is one observation that points to a possibly efficient route to long-lived collision complexes that may play a role: Several of the so far unassigned peaks in storage ring data occur at energies where rotational resonances have long lifetimes. A tentative model, based on complex formation and collisional stabilization, leads to qualitative agreement with experiments.
Rupture of the urinary bladder following cystoscopic clot evacuation: Report of two cases diagnosed by CT

Two cases of rapture of the urinary bladder following cystoscopic clot evacuation are presented. Both patients had hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) secondary to cyclophosphamide therapy. The bladder injuries were not immediately recognized. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated the bladder rupture in both patients.
Three-dimensional simulation: Microgravity environments and applications

Most, if not all, three-dimensional and virtual reality (VR) software programs are designed for one-g gravity applications. For space environment simulations, where gravity is of the order of 10 - 6 g or for all practicalpurposes nonexistent, one must be able to generate simulations that replicate microgravity effects upon simulated astronauts. Unfortunately, the software programs utilized by NASA do not have the ability to readily neutralize the 1-g gravity effect. This preprogrammed situation causes the engineer or analysis difficulty during microgravity simulations. Therefore, microgravity simulations require special techniques or additional code in order to apply the power of three-dimensional graphic simulations to space-related applications. This paper discusses the problem and possible solutions to allow microgravity three-dimensional/VR simulations to be completed successfully without program code modifications.
The Exact Stimulus for the Strain Adaptation of Bone Tissue is Unknown

This work is a review of recent advances in the understanding of strain adaptive bone remodeling. The phenomenological theories of surface bone strain adaptation and internal bone strain adaptation are summarized as well as the possible cellular mechanisms for mechanotransduction that occurs in bone tissue adaptation. The phenomenological bone strain adaptation theories are based on the postulate that there exists a causal relationship between the rate of deposition or resorption of the bone matrix and a stimulus; the stimuli considered are generally measures of the mechanical loading (strain, strain rate, strain energy, stress, fatigue microdamage) applied to the bone matrix of a whole living bone. The exact measure of the mechanical loading history at a point that is the biological stimulus, although much discussed and written about, is not precisely known. The focus of this review is to highlight our ignorance concerning the nature of precise biological stimulus and to suggest ways to deal with this ignorance.
Gene expression profiling in the brains of human cocaine abusers

Chronic cocaine abuse induces long-term neurochemical, structural and behavioural changes thought to result from altered gene expression within the nucleus accumbens and other brain regions playing a critical role in addiction. Recent methodological advances now allow the profiling of gene expression in human postmortem brain. In this article, we review studies in which we have used Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarrays to identify transcripts that are differentially expressed in the nucleus accumbens of cocaine abusers in comparison to well-matched control subjects. Of the approximately 39 000 gene transcripts interrogated, the expression of only a fraction of 1% is significantly modified in cocaine abusers. Found within this list are equivalent incidences of increased and decreased transcript abundance, including known gene transcripts clustered into several functional categories. A striking exception is a group of myelin-related genes, consisting of multiple transcripts representing myelin basic protein (MBP), proteolipid protein (PLP) and myelin-associated oligodendrocyte basic protein (MOBP), which as a group are substantially decreased in cocaine abusers compared to controls. These data, suggesting a possible dysregulation of myelin in cocaine abusers, are discussed in the context of myelin-related changes in other human brain disorders. Finally, the effects of cocaine abuse on the profile of gene expression in some other brain regions critical for addiction (the prefrontal cortex and ventral midbrain) are briefly reviewed.
Optimum image fusion via sparse representation

The fusion of images captured from multi-modality sensors has been studied for many years. It is aiming at combining multiple sources together to maximize the meaningful information and reduce the redundancy. Meanwhile, sparse representation of images has been attracting more and more attentions. It has been effectively utilized on image reconstruction, image de-noising, super-resolution and others. In this paper, we propose an optimum function based on sparse representation model to accomplish image fusion tasks. For any pair of input source images, we first obtain their sparse vectors respectively on a pre-trained dictionary. Then we pursuit the sparse vector for the fused image by optimizing the Euclidean distances between fused image and each input, weighted by their own gradients. Optimization penalties are discussed to induce numerical or analytical solutions. And the experimental results have shown that the proposed method can effectively combine meaningful information and outperform traditional wavelet methods.
Populating the global software talent pool: An effective approach to computer science education in China

The software industry in China continues to expand at a rapid rate, both in terms of research and development as well as the ever-increasing need for outsourcing. Even with these great demands China is able to produce a vast, highly-qualified pool of computer science graduates. The education system in China has clearly adjusted to the trends of the industry while maintaining the traditional, rigorous approach developed over many years. In this paper we describe the major needs of the software industry, and focus on how the approach to computer science education is able to produce a workforce capable of meeting these needs, and contribute to helping China become a leading information technology nation.
Ultrahigh density optical recording technology

Summary form only given. Magneto-optical recording technology was first introduced to the marketplace in 1989, but did not increase in areal storage density until 1994 when the areal density was increased by a factor of two. Now, even higher density products are appearing, and it appears that the areal density of optical recording products will continue to increase at a rapid pace. Density increases to at least 32/spl times/ the density of the original products now appear likely and even higher densities are possible. Among the technologies expected to make these increases in storage density possible are shorter wavelength light sources, magnetic super resolution, higher numerical aperture objectives, land and groove recording with crosstalk cancellation, sector servo, pulse width modulation codes, improved signal processing, and multilayer recording.
PMU-based dynamic state estimation for electric power systems

This paper provides a methodology to extract the dynamic real time model of an electric power system using phasor measurement unit (PMU) data (GPS-synchronized) and other SCADA data that are available in substations. In addition to typical voltage and current measurements, PMU data include frequency and rate of change of frequency. Such data are available in raw form, as time-stamped instantaneous values, or, in the case of voltages and currents, as computed phasor data at the system fundamental frequency. A dynamic state estimator is conceptually presented that filters all available data to extract the transient swings of the system in real time. This means that the power system dynamic state estimator can be essentially used as a real time data processor, and its results can provide filtered input to many power system dynamic monitoring and control applications that are currently unavailable, such as monitoring transient stability.
Enteroendocrine cell expression of a cholecystokinin gene construct in transgenic mice and cultured cells.

CCK is predominantly expressed in subsets of endocrine cells in the intestine and neurons in the brain. We evaluated the expression of a CCK gene construct in transgenic mice and cultured cells to ...
A Metagenomic Framework for the Study of Airborne Microbial Communities

Understanding the microbial content of the air has important scientific, health, and economic implications. While studies have primarily characterized the taxonomic content of air samples by sequencing the 16S or 18S ribosomal RNA gene, direct analysis of the genomic content of airborne microorganisms has not been possible due to the extremely low density of biological material in airborne environments. We developed sampling and amplification methods to enable adequate DNA recovery to allow metagenomic profiling of air samples collected from indoor and outdoor environments. Air samples were collected from a large urban building, a medical center, a house, and a pier. Analyses of metagenomic data generated from these samples reveal airborne communities with a high degree of diversity and different genera abundance profiles. The identities of many of the taxonomic groups and protein families also allows for the identification of the likely sources of the sampled airborne bacteria.
Impacts of ethanol plants on highway networks

This paper describes the impacts of the ethanol industry on existing highway infrastructure in the vicinity of an ethanol production plant. To determine the impacts of plant location, the corn and soybean draw areas are estimated on the basis of crop prices. Crop production data are extracted from satellite imagery of the crop data layer produced by National Agricultural Statistics Service and the United States Department of Agriculture. The increase in truck traffic attributable to the ethanol plant is estimated for the changed flow of feedstock. A model is run for two scenarios: existing corn and soybean production; and increased corn and soybean production. Based on existing pavement condition and incremental traffic changes, the funds required to maintain the affected roads at their present service levels are quantified.
Clinical Utility of a Blood-Based BRAFV600E Mutation Assay in Melanoma

BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) have led to clinical benefit in patients with melanoma. The development of a blood-based assay to detect and quantify BRAF levels in these patients has diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive capabilities that could guide treatment decisions. Blood BRAFV600E detection and quantification was performed on samples from 128 patients with Stage II (19), III (67), and IV (42) melanoma. Tissue BRAF analysis was performed in all patients with Stage IV disease and in selected patients with Stage II and III disease. Clinical outcomes were correlated to initial BRAF levels as well as BRAF level dynamics. Serial analysis was performed on 17 Stage IV melanoma patients treated with BRAFi and compared to tumor measurements by RECIST. The assay was highly sensitive (96%) and specific (95%) in the Stage IV setting, using a blood level of 4.8 pg as "positive". BRAF levels typically decreased following BRAFi. A subset of these patients (5) had an increase in BRAF V600E values 42-112 days prior to clinical or radiographic disease progression (PD). From 86 patients with resected, stage II or III melanoma, 39 had evidence of disease relapse (45.3 %). Furthermore, BRAF mutation in the blood after surgical resection in these patients was not associated with a difference in relapse risk, though tissue BRAF status was only available for a subset of patients. In summary we have developed a highly sensitive and specific, blood-based assay to detect BRAFV600 mutation in patients with melanoma.
Avian influenza: a review

Purpose. A review of the avian influenza A/H5N1 virus, including human cases, viral transmission, clinical features, vaccines and antivirals, surveillance plans, infection control, and emergency response plans, is presented. Summary. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers the avian influenza A/H5N1 virus a public health risk with pandemic potential. The next human influenza pandemic, if caused by the avian influenza A/H5N1 virus, is estimated to have a potential mortality rate of more than a hundred million. Outbreaks in poultry have been associated with human transmission. WHO has documented 258 confirmed human infections with a mortality rate greater than 50%. Bird-to-human transmission of the avian influenza virus is likely by the oral–fecal route. The most effective defense against an influenza pandemic would be a directed vaccine to elicit a specific immune response toward the strain or strains of the influenza virus. However, until there is an influenza pandemic, there is no evidence that vaccines or antivirals used in the treatment or prevention of such an outbreak would decrease morbidity or mortality. Surveillance of the bird and human populations for the highly pathogenic H5N1 is being conducted. Infection-control measures and an emergency response plan are discussed. Conclusion. Avian influenza virus A/H5N1 is a public health threat that has the potential to cause serious illness and death in humans. Understanding its pathology, transmission, clinical features, and pharmacologic treatments and preparing for the prevention and management of its outbreak will help avoid its potentially devastating consequences.
Instrumental Role Expectations and Post-Hospital Performance of Female Mental Patients

The assumed relationship between role performance and expectations is tested for discharged female psychiatric patients. A positive relationship is found between both sets of expectations and all areas of posthospital performance. Even though the relationship between level of expectations and performance level is affected by psychiatric and sociological variables, the significant relationship between expectations and performance still remains when the intervening variables are controlled. A central issue of interpretation is raised in the form of a "corrosion" hypothesis: the role theory assumption that performance is a function of expectations may be only partially explanatory; the opposite possibility that expectations are adjusted to suit the performance level of the patient must also be taken into account.
Theoretical studies of multiple bonds in gallium–gallium and germanium–germanium compounds

A recent publication concerning the synthesis and structure of the compound Na2{GaC6H3-2,6-Trip2}2 (Trip = C6H2-2,4,6-iPr3), which has a trans-bent geometry, has generated considerable discussion owing to the description of its gallium–gallium bond as a triple one. To provide a theoretical perspective on this subject, we have studied a series of model compounds by the methods of molecular electronic structure theory. For the species trans-Li2MeGaGaMe we find a Ga–Ga bond order somewhat less than two, instead of a triple bond, owing to the antibonding character of one of the molecular orbitals. In the isoelectronic trans-MeGeGeMe we find an essentially GeGe double bonded structure. The neutral trans-MeGaGaMe molecule has a weak Ga–Ga single bond rather than a Ga–Ga double bond. Each of these molecules features a lone pair orbital of bu symmetry, with the main regions of electron density located on the gallium or germanium centers, formed by mixing a bonding π orbital and an antibonding σ* orbital in a second-order Jahn–Teller effect.
Finite-dimensional locally (-1,1) algebras

(1979). Finite-dimensional locally (-1,1) algebras. Communications in Algebra: Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 177-191.
Double C−H Activation Results in Ruthenium Complexes of a Neutral PCP Ligand with a Central Carbene Moiety

Ru complexes of a new neutral PCP pincer ligand containing a central carbene ligand have been prepared (referred to as (P2C) for emphasis). The ligand precursor P2CH2 can be prepared in good yield in two steps from pyrrole, formaldehyde, and chlorodiisopropylphosphine. The reaction between P2CH2 and [(p-cymene)RuCl2]2 in the presence of Et3N cleanly furnishes (P2C)RuHCl. The latter possesses a Y-shaped five-coordinate geometry about Ru, as determined in an X-ray diffraction study. Reactions of (P2C)RuHCl with a series of potential ligands have been examined. Addition of pyridine, MeCN, or ethylene leads to a simple adduct formation and addition of CO leads to coordination of two CO ligands to Ru with concomitant hydride-to-carbene migration, while addition of PMe3 gives rise to both types of products. (P2C)RuHCl is a moderately active precatalyst for transfer hydrogenation of ketones. Addition of phenylacetylene leads to the insertion of the triple bond into Ru−H to give (P2C)Ru(−CPhCH2)Cl. (P2C)RuHCl can...
RACIAL COMPOSITION OF NEIGHBORHOOD AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

Is living in a higher percentage same-race neighborhood beneficial for emotional well-being? This study explores this relationship for Blacks and Hispanics and examines whether social support explains this relationship using a random sample of Illinois residents. Living in a higher percentage same-race neighborhood improves the emotional well-being of Blacks and Hispanics; although, it is related to different aspects of emotional well-being. Social support explains part of this relationship for Blacks. The implication of this study is that neighborhoods confer not only economic resources to their residents, but social and emotional resources as well.
A Descriptive and Comparative Analysis of Self Perceptions and Attitudes of Heroin Addicted Women

In 1974, NIDA funded several demonstration programs to provide services for heroin addicted women and to gather information on the utility of special approaches to treatment for female substance abusers. A year later, the Women’s Drug Research Group was given a mandate to collect data on the psychosocial characteristics of women addicts. We went about this in several ways. The data I’m going to present here today comes from structured intensive interviews with 146 women in mixed sex treatment programs in Los Angeles, Miami, and Detroit, and from interviews with 202 men from similar programs. Additionally, we interviewed 175 non-addicted women from the inner city of Detroit for comparison purposes.
Improving Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia and Reported Penicillin Allergy

Background. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteremia is a morbid infection. First-line MSSA therapies (nafcillin, oxacillin, cefazolin) are generally avoided in the 10% of patients reporting penicillin (PCN) allergy, but most of these patients are not truly allergic. We used a decision tree with sensitivity analyses to determine the optimal evaluation and treatment for patients with MSSA bacteremia and reported PCN allergy. Methods. Our model simulates 3 strategies: (1) no allergy evaluation, give vancomycin (Vanc); (2) allergy history–guided treatment: if history excludes anaphylactic features, give cefazolin (Hx-Cefaz); and (3) complete allergy evaluation with history-appropriate PCN skin testing: if skin test negative, give cefazolin (ST-Cefaz). Model outcomes included 12-week MSSA cure, recurrence, and death; allergic reactions including major, minor, and potentially iatrogenic; and adverse drug reactions. Results. Vanc results in the fewest patients achieving MSSA cure and the highest rate of recurrence (67.3%/14.8% vs 83.4%/9.3% for Hx-Cefaz and 84.5%/8.9% for ST-Cefaz) as well as the greatest frequency of allergic reactions (3.0% vs 2.4% for Hx-Cefaz and 1.7% for ST-Cefaz) and highest rates of adverse drug reactions (5.2% vs 4.6% for Hx-Cefaz and 4.7% for ST-Cefaz). Even in a “best case for Vanc” scenario, Vanc yields the poorest outcomes. ST-Cefaz is preferred to Hx-Cefaz although sensitive to input variations. Conclusions. Patients with MSSA bacteremia and a reported PCN allergy should have the allergy addressed for optimal treatment. Full allergy evaluation with skin testing seems to be preferred, although more data are needed.
Toward a Single-Cell Account for Binocular Disparity Tuning: An Energy Model May Be Hiding in Your Dendrites

Hubel and Wiesel (1962) proposed that complex cells in visual cortex are driven by a pool of simple cells with the same preferred orientation but different spatial phases. However, a wide variety of experimental results over the past two decades have challenged the pure hierarchical model, primarily by demonstrating that many complex cells receive monosynaptic input from unoriented LGN cells, or do not depend on simple cell input. We recently showed using a detailed biophysical model that nonlinear interactions among synaptic inputs to an excitable dendritic tree could provide the nonlinear subunit computations that underlie complex cell responses (Mel, Ruderman, & Archie, 1997). This work extends the result to the case of complex cell binocular disparity tuning, by demonstrating in an isolated model pyramidal cell (1) disparity tuning at a resolution much finer than the the overall dimensions of the cell's receptive field, and (2) systematically shifted optimal disparity values for rivalrous pairs of light and dark bars--both in good agreement with published reports (Ohzawa, DeAngelis, & Freeman, 1997). Our results reemphasize the potential importance of intradendritic computation for binocular visual processing in particular, and for cortical neurophysiology in general.
Family Priorities for Activity and Participation of Children and Youth With Cerebral Palsy

Background Understanding family priorities for children and youth with cerebral palsy is essential for family-centered service. Objective The purposes of this study were: (1) to identify family priorities for activity and participation in children and youth with cerebral palsy and (2) to determine differences based on age and Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) level. Design Five hundred eighty-five children and youth with cerebral palsy and their caregivers participated at regional children's hospitals. The children and youth were 2 to 21 years of age; 56% were male, and 44% were female. Their caregivers, predominantly mothers (80%), had a mean age of 40.3 years (SD=9.3). The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure was administered to caregivers to identify their priorities for their children. The priorities were coded into 3 categories (daily activities, productivity, and leisure) and 13 subcategories. The GMFCS levels were determined by assessors who met the criterion for reliability. Friedman and Kruskal-Wallis one-way analyses of variance were used to examine differences in priorities. Results Parents of children in all age groups and GMFCS levels II to V identified more priorities for daily activities. Parents of school-aged children and youth had more priorities for productivity than parents of younger children. For parents of children in all age groups and motor function levels, self-care was the most frequent priority subcategory. Sixty-one percent of parents identified at least one priority related to mobility. Limitations The study did not include qualitative analysis of priorities of parents. Conclusions Parents' priorities for their children and youth with cerebral palsy differed depending on age and gross motor function level; however, the most frequent priority for all age groups was daily activities. Interviews with families are recommended for identifying outcomes for activity and participation and developing an intervention plan.
Should only live diatoms be used in the bioassessment of small mountain streams

It is unclear whether differentiating live and dead diatoms would enhance the accuracy and precision of diatom-based stream bioassessment. We collected benthic diatom samples from 25 stream sites in the Northern Oregon Coast ecoregion. We counted live diatoms (cells with visible chloroplasts) and then compared the counts with those generated using the conventional method (clean counts). Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) showed that the diatom assemblages generated from the two counts were overall similar. The relationships between the two diatom assemblages (summarized as NMDS ordination axes) and the environmental variables were also similar. Both assemblages correlated well with in-stream physical habitat conditions (e.g., channel dimensions, substrate types, and canopy cover). The conventional diatom method provides taxonomic confidence while the live diatom count offers ecological reliability. Both methods can be used in bioassessment based on specific assessment objectives.
Simulation based optimization

In this talk we consider a problem of optimizing an expected value function by Monte Carlo simulation methods. We discuss, somewhat in details, the stochastic counterpart (sample path) method where a relatively large sample is generated and the expected value function is approximated by the corresponding average function. Consequently the obtained approximation problem is solved by deterministic methods of nonlinear programming. One of advantages of this approach, compared with the classical stochastic approximation method, is that a statistical inference can be incorporated into optimization algorithms. This allows to develop a validation analysis, stopping rules and variance reduction techniques which in some cases considerably enhance numerical performance of the stochastic counterpart method.
Estimating the potato leafhopper Empoasca fabae (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) overwintering range and spring premigrant development by using geographic information system.

The potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), is a circular migratory pest of many crops in the United States that overwinters in the southern states. Northward migrant population arrival to the northern states occurs earlier in the north central states compared with northeastern states. Migrant leafhopper arrival to the north varies from year to year depending on factors influencing the development of spring migrants in the overwintering areas and on timing of weather systems capable of transporting the migrants northward. An estimate of the potato leafhopper minimum temperature survival, the geographic limits of the potato leafhopper overwintering range, leafhopper spring development in the overwintering areas, and the identification of the spring migration initiation northwards can help to predict the leafhopper arrival time in the northern states. In the current study, geographic information system (GIS) was used to estimate the potato leafhopper minimum temperature survival and premigrant development. The minimum winter temperature was estimated by overlaying minimum temperature isolines with potato leafhopper collection data taken during the winter. The geographic limits of the overwintering range were estimated using the minimum temperature survival to create a condition-based model by using ArcMap-GIS 8.2. The estimated overwintering range was larger and covered areas further north than previously estimated and included Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, Virginia, and Maryland. The use of degree-day accumulation to estimate days of first adult emergence in the overwintering areas resulted in earliest adult emergence in the south central region. First adult emergence in south central and southeastern areas occurred before the detection of potato leafhoppers in the north central United States. These data suggested that the difference in population arrival between the north central states and the northeastern states was more dependent on factors affecting the migration and weather conditions encountered along the migration pathway.
Fiber Stress Enhancement Due to Initial Matrix Cracking

The tendency for a bridged matrix crack to induce fiber breakage is studied theoretically. We contemplate a composite which has a single matrix crack bridged by all fibers, and which is subjected to tension parallel to the reinforcement. Of interest in judging whether the fibers will fail is the degree to which the fiber stress deviates from its mean value, and the dependence of this deviation on interface parameters. This issue is pursued here for an idealized two-dimensional composite with widely spaced fibers and with a fiber-matrix interface which is governed by Coulomb friction. It is shown that a stronger interface causes a higher stress concentration at the fiber surface thereby raising the likelihood of premature fiber failure.
The Contract with God: Patterns of Cultural Consensus across Two Brazilian Religious Communities

Understanding contested cultural boundaries continues to be a theoretical and empirical issue for anthropologists. For some time, cognitive and other likeminded anthropologists have used cultural consensus analysis (CCA), developed by Romney, Weller, and Batchelder (1986), to quantitatively estimate the level of cultural sharing around a particular domain. This method has limits and, as its critics (fairly or unfairly) have pointed out, can present a static, homogeneous image of culture. Residual agreement analysis (RAA) helps address this lacuna. This extension of CCA can identify subcultural variation and elicit the structural nature of such shared deviation. Utilizing data from Brazilian Pentecostals, CCA demonstrates that this community shares a model of lifestyle success known as A Vida Completa. Residual agreement analysis, however, shows systematic deviations from the overall cultural consensus across two congregations. This finding suggests that the distinction between how these two churches conce...
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Chiropractic Care and Cervical Artery Dissection: No Evidence for Causation

Background Case reports and case control studies have suggested an association between chiropractic neck manipulation and cervical artery dissection (CAD), but a causal relationship has not been established. We evaluated the evidence related to this topic by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis of published data on chiropractic manipulation and CAD. Methods Search terms were entered into standard search engines in a systematic fashion. The articles were reviewed by study authors, graded independently for class of evidence, and combined in a meta-analysis. The total body of evidence was evaluated according to GRADE criteria. Results Our search yielded 253 articles. We identified two class II and four class III studies. There were no discrepancies among article ratings (i.e., kappa=1). The meta-analysis revealed a small association between chiropractic care and dissection (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.26-2.41). The quality of the body of evidence according to GRADE criteria was "very low." Conclusions The quality of the published literature on the relationship between chiropractic manipulation and CAD is very low. Our analysis shows a small association between chiropractic neck manipulation and cervical artery dissection. This relationship may be explained by the high risk of bias and confounding in the available studies, and in particular by the known association of neck pain with CAD and with chiropractic manipulation. There is no convincing evidence to support a causal link between chiropractic manipulation and CAD. Belief in a causal link may have significant negative consequences such as numerous episodes of litigation.
A High Quantum Efficiency Preserving Approach to Ligand Exchange on Lead Sulfide Quantum Dots and Interdot Resonant Energy Transfer

We present a new approach to ligand exchange on lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots (QDs) in which the QDs are reacted with preformed Pb cation–ligand exchange units designed to promote reactions that replace surface Pb and oleate groups on the as-grown QDs. This process introduces negligible surface defects as the high quantum efficiency (∼55%) of the as-grown QDs is maintained. Infrared spectroscopy and electron microscopy are used to confirm the replacement of ligands and time-resolved photoluminescence to demonstrate the expected inverse sixth power dependence of the nonradiative resonant energy transfer rate on inter-QD spacing.
Soybean Lecithin as a Dispersant for Crude Oil Spills

The toxicity of oil spill dispersants to marine organisms has necessitated the search for alternative dispersant formulations that are environmentally benign. Soybean lecithin, a well-known surface active agent in the food industry, is effective at stabilizing oil-in-water emulsions. In addition to its excellent emulsification properties, it is biodegradable, less toxic than the traditional chemical dispersants, and ecologically acceptable. In this study, soybean lecithin was used to formulate dispersants for crude oil spill application. Soybean lecithin was fractionated into phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) enriched fractions using ethanol. The fractionated PI was deoiled and characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The crude soybean lecithin (CL) and the fractionated PI and PC were solubilized in water and their dispersion effectiveness determined using the U.S. EPA’s baffled flask test. The dispersion effectiveness of these solubilized dispersants was co...
Non-Newtonian effects in simulations of coronary arterial blood flow

Abstract We present a careful evaluation of non-Newtonian blood rheology effects in arterial flow simulations. We achieve that by comparing the converged solutions obtained a) from a Casson viscoplastic modeling of blood rheology using a recently developed parametrization [Apostolidis and Beris, J. Rheol., 58: 607–633 (2014)], and b) from a Newtonian model. We emphasize on the proper implementation of outlet boundary conditions (OBCs) in a way that ensures consistency with the pressure/flow predictions of the downstream network, which is modeled approximately using a 1D model [Johnson et al., Comp. Chem. Eng., 35: 1304–1316 (2011)]. We further improve and validate the iterative scheme proposed by [Johnson et al., Int. J. Num. Meth. Fluids, 66: 1383–1408 (2011)] for the implementation of the OBCs, by employing it in conjunction with a) Casson-derived simulation data, b) a more accurate geometrical model and c) an accelerated convergence iterative scheme through application of Shanks transformation. Finally, we performed a rigorous analysis to ensure appropriately converged solutions. Our investigation shows significant differences (up to 50%) between the simulation output of Newtonian and non-Newtonian models. The differences are attributed to the coupling that exists between low and high shear rate areas in the flow. They show the significance of non-Newtonian blood rheology and motivate further work towards an even more accurate modeling of the thixoropic and three-dimensional characteristics of the blood flow rheology that go beyond the Casson model utilized in the present work.
Effects of Temperature on the Reproductive Rate, Maturation, Longevity, and Survival of Lygus hesperus and L. elisus (Hemiptera: Miridae)

Reproductive potential, survival rate, maturation, and longevity of Lvgus hesperus Knight and L. clisus Van Duzee were studied at 26.7 and 20°C and 14- and 12.5-hr light regimes, respectively. There was no significant difference between preoviposition period or time required for nymphal development in either species at the same temperature and light regime. Oviposition periods at 26.7 and 20°C were 23 and 36 days, respectively, for L. hesperus and 15 and 25 days for L. elisus. L. hesperus females laid an average of 161.6 eggs at 26.7°C and 117.3 eggs at 20°C while L. elisus averaged only 47.7 and 38.2 eggs/female at 26.7 and 20°C. No significant difference in longevity was detected between females of the 2 species at 26.7°C and 14-hr light days. However, L. hesperus females lived significantly longer than L. elisus females at 20°C and 12.5-hr light days. Mated females of both species were allowed to oviposit in greenhouse-reared safflower plants. When buds and flowers were present, 33% of the L. hesperus and 21% of the L. elisus eggs were found in the fruiting areas of the plants. If fruiting parts were not available, the majority of eggs of both species were found on the lower ½ of the plants.
Glutamine synthetase activity in rat epididymis.

AbstractGlutamine synthetase (GS) activity was measured in the caput and cauda regions of rat epididymis. Specific GS activity in the caput was 27-fold higher than that in the cauda. To compare GS activity within the epididymis to that within other tissues, specific and total GS activities were measured in the brain, liver, testes, kidney, and striated muscle. Caput epididymal specific GS activity was from 4- to 38-fold higher than GS activity in any other tissue; caput total GS activity was equal to that in brain. Epididymal GS activity was rapidly and completely inhibited by preincubation with methionine sulfoximine, a known inhibitor of GS. These results suggest that the high concentrations of GS activity in the caput epididymis may have functional significance in maintaining an optimal microenvironment for sperm maturation, perhaps by restoring luminal acid-base balance, removing ammonium and/or glutamate from the lumen, or supplying glutamine for the production of nucleic acids.
Biomimetic High‐Valent Mononuclear Nonheme Iron‐Oxo Chemistry

Herein we summarize the current status of efforts to synthesize and characterize high-valent mononuclear nonheme iron-oxo complexes that serve as models for intermediates found in the catalytic cycles of dioxygen activating nonheme iron enzymes. The main focus is the description and comparison of over 70 nonheme FeIV(O) complexes synthesized thus far, and also included are few examples of FeIII(O), FeIII(OX), and FeV(O) complexes, which are often generated with related or identical ligand frameworks as the FeIV(O) complexes. Structural and spectroscopic parameters, as well as basic trends in oxygen- and hydrogen-atom transfer reactivity, are described for subsets of complexes where systematic comparisons can be made. Keywords: nonheme iron; oxygen activation; oxygenases; oxoiron(IV) complexes; Fe=O
MP6: HOMOCYSTEINE LEVEL IN PFO RELATED STROKE PATIENTS WITH RESPECT TO MEDICAL THERAPY VS PFO CLOSURE

Purpose of Study Homocysteine is an independent risk factor of ischemic stroke by promoting vascular endothelial dysfunction and thrombotic process through oxidative stress. We previously found that PFO closure may reduce total homocysteine level (tHcy) in plasma. Here, we compare the effect of PFO closure and medical treatment in reducing mild homocysteinemia in PFO-related stroke patients. Methods Used 28 PFO-related stroke patients with mildly elevated tHcy (>12 µmol/l) were prospectively recruited in accordance with IRB. 14 received PFO closure and 14 were treated by medical therapy (antiplatelet/anticoagulant) alone. None of the patients were on folate or vitamin B supplementation. Plasma was collected at baseline and 1 year follow-up after treatment. tHcy level was determined by selected reaction monitoring using mass spectrometry. Summary of Results Compared to medical therapy, PFO closure resulted in a lower tHcy level during follow-up (PFO closure: 11.13±3.94 µmol/L, medical therapy: 15.48±3.55 µmol/L, p=0.006), with no difference at baseline (PFO closure: 17.77±4.39 µmol/L, medical therapy: 16.47±7.50 µmol/L, p=0.575). Mild hyperhomocysteinemia patients post PFO closure had a significant reduction of tHcy by 37.34% (p=0.0005), with 71.43% of the patients (10 of 14) having tHcy levels back to normal ( 2 -test, adjusted p=0.002). Conclusions We found that compared with routine medical therapy, PFO closure reduced tHcy level in patients with mild hyperhomocysteinemia. Since PFO stroke patients tend to be younger, the life-time risk of even mildly elevated tHcy may be important for future thrombotic risk. Understanding the mechanism of PFO-related tHcy changes is important in optimizing medical treatment (e.g, folate replacement); studies are ongoing.
Examining the Successful Outcomes of Multidisciplinary Teamwork in a Code Situation using the Shared Mental Model Framework

In complex health care situations, teamwork becomes immensely integral to favorable patient outcomes. This study examines an unusual prolonged resuscitation case to understand elements that contributed to the successful outcome of this patient. Through use of the Shared Mental Model Framework (SMMF), we highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork during resuscitation efforts by analyzing team members’ perceptions through surveys. An 11-item open-ended questionnaire was administered to clinicians (N=9) involved in the resuscitation effort. A case analysis technique was used to identify four key themes that contributed to the success of this resuscitation effort: (1) clear goals are essential to the team’s functioning; (2) strong and effective communication solidified longitudinally among team members; (3) provider’s expertise was paramount to the case’s success; and (4) resources readily available helped manage the team’s cohesiveness. Identifying key teamwork elements in successful resuscitat...
Peer Mentor Characteristics That Predict Supportive Relationships With First-Year Students: Implications for Peer Mentor Programming and First-Year Student Retention:

Peer mentoring programs frequently are implemented on college campuses to enhance first-year college student retention; however, few studies have examined characteristics of peer mentors that are associated with more supportive mentor–mentee relationships, leaving college personnel with a limited understanding of how to improve these vital programs. Accordingly, in this prospective study, we examined whether mentors’ attachment style and self-efficacy to mentor predicted peer mentors’ (n = 76) or mentees’ (n = 999) ratings of mentor-provided support. Results showed that mentor self-efficacy mediated the relation between an avoidant attachment style and mentor-reported support; that is, peer mentors with a more avoidant attachment style reported lower self-efficacy to mentor and, in turn, endorsed providing lower levels of support for mentees. Mentor–mentee contact, however, was the only predictor of mentees’ ratings of mentor support. Future research should aim to extend these preliminary findings so as t...
Expression of auxin-responsive genes in soybean and transgenic tobacco.

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