cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic Diversity in the Endangered Tropical Tree, Guaiacum sanctum (Zygophyllaceae)

Fragmentation of tropical forests has changed continuous tropical landscapes into a network of poorly connected fragments, reducing population sizes and potentially increasing genetic isolation. This study quantifies genetic diversity within and among the 7 extant populations of the endangered tropical tree Guaiacum sanctum in Costa Rica. We describe how genetic diversity differs between populations representing continuous and fragmented habitats. Allozyme analyses were conducted on adult samples from populations representing 2 geographic regions in northwestern Costa Rica. We found high levels of genetic diversity within the species (H(es) = 0.329) and significant but relatively small differences in allele frequencies among populations (G(ST) = 0.101) and between regions (G(ST) = 0.053). We found no differences in genetic diversity between fragmented and continuous populations. Evidence for significant isolation-by-distance (IBD) was seen only when all populations were analyzed. If populations within the 2 regions were analyzed separately, IBD ceased to be significant. Our results suggest that the patterns of genetic diversity observed for G. sanctum may be caused by the ancient separation of populations into 2 disjunct geographic regions with extensive historical rates of gene flow among populations within each region. Recent forest fragmentation has not yet affected patterns of genetic diversity in this species.
Blended Learning as Transformational Institutional Learning.

This chapter reviews institutional approaches to blended learning and the ways in which institutions support faculty in the intentional redesign of courses to produce optimal learning. The chapter positions blended learning as a strategic opportunity to engage in organizational learning.
The membrane protein alkaline phosphatase is delivered to the vacuole by a route that is distinct from the VPS-dependent pathway

Membrane trafficking intermediates involved in the transport of proteins between the TGN and the lysosome-like vacuole in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be accumulated in various vps mutants. Loss of function of Vps45p, an Sec1p-like protein required for the fusion of Golgi-derived transport vesicles with the prevacuolar/endosomal compartment (PVC), results in an accumulation of post-Golgi transport vesicles. Similarly, loss of VPS27 function results in an accumulation of the PVC since this gene is required for traffic out of this compartment. The vacuolar ATPase subunit Vph1p transits to the vacuole in the Golgi-derived transport vesicles, as defined by mutations in VPS45, and through the PVC, as defined by mutations in VPS27. In this study we demonstrate that, whereas VPS45 and VPS27 are required for the vacuolar delivery of several membrane proteins, the vacuolar membrane protein alkaline phosphatase (ALP) reaches its final destination without the function of these two genes. Using a series of ALP derivatives, we find that the information to specify the entry of ALP into this alternative pathway to the vacuole is contained within its cytosolic tail, in the 13 residues adjacent to the transmembrane domain, and loss of this sorting determinant results in a protein that follows the VPS-dependent pathway to the vacuole. Using a combination of immunofluorescence localization and pulse/chase immunoprecipitation analysis, we demonstrate that, in addition to ALP, the vacuolar syntaxin Vam3p also follows this VPS45/27-independent pathway to the vacuole. In addition, the function of Vam3p is required for membrane traffic along the VPS-independent pathway.
Effect of shot number on the calculated apparent diffusion coefficient in phantoms and in human liver in diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging.

Purpose To show the signal intensity varies with shot number in diffusion-weighted (DW) echo-planar imaging (EPI) and affects apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) calculation. Materials and methods This prospective study was performed on 35 adult patients and 20 volunteers. Measurements were made on a 3T scanner using a breathhold DW spin-echo EPI (SE EPI) sequence. Three protocols were used: A) eight consecutive shots at a fixed b-value of 0 seconds/mm(2) with TR = 1000 and 3000 msec; B) seven consecutive shots at b-values = 0, 1000, 750, 500, 250, 100, 0 seconds/mm(2) (in that order) with TR = 3500 msec; and C) seven consecutive shots (as in B) with TR = 1000, 1750, and 7000 msec. Results For protocol A, signal intensity decreased significantly from the first to second shot (P Conclusion The signal intensity can vary with shot number in SE EPI. For TR > or = 3000 msec, steady-state is attained after one shot. Using data acquired prior to steady-state confounds the calculation of ADC values.
Conformal vacua and entropy in de Sitter space

The de Sitter/conformal field theory (dS/CFT) correspondence is illuminated through an analysis of massive scalar field theory in d-dimensional de Sitter space. We consider a one-parameter family of dS-invariant vacua related by Bogolyubov transformations and compute the corresponding Green functions. It is shown that none of these Green functions correspond to the one obtained by analytic continuation from AdS. Among this family of vacua are in (out) vacua which have no incoming (outgoing) particles on ${\mathcal{I}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ $({\mathcal{I}}^{+}).$ Surprisingly, it is shown that in odd spacetime dimensions the in and out vacua are the same, implying the absence of particle production for this state. The correlators of the boundary CFT, as defined by the dS/CFT correspondence, are shown to depend on the choice of vacuum state---the correlators with all points on ${\mathcal{I}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ vanish in the in vacuum. For ${\mathrm{dS}}_{3}$ we argue that this bulk vacuum dependence of the correlators is dual to a deformation of the boundary ${\mathrm{CFT}}_{2}$ by a specific marginal operator. It is also shown that Witten's nonstandard de Sitter inner product (slightly modified) reduces to the standard inner product of the boundary field theory. Next we consider a scalar field in the Kerr-${\mathrm{dS}}_{3}$ Euclidean vacuum. A density matrix is constructed by tracing out over modes which are causally inaccessible to a single geodesic observer. This is shown to be a thermal state at the Kerr-${\mathrm{dS}}_{3}$ temperature and angular potential. It is further shown that, assuming Cardy's formula, the microscopic entropy of such a thermal state in the boundary CFT precisely equals the Bekenstein-Hawking value of one-quarter the area of the Kerr-${\mathrm{dS}}_{3}$ horizon.
Helping other CEOs avoid bad press: Social exchange and impression management support among CEOs in communications with journalists

In this study, we examine the determinants and consequences of impression management (IM) support in communications between CEOs and journalists, whereby CEOs of other firms provide positive statements about a focal CEO’s leadership and strategy and/or external attributions for low performance at the focal CEO’s firm. Drawing from social exchange theory, our theoretical perspective suggests how IM support may result from norms of reciprocity among corporate leaders. We consider the potential for direct and generalized reciprocity in the provision of IM support, including generalized reciprocity in which CEOs who received IM support previously pay the support forward to another third-party CEO, and a second form of generalized reciprocity in which CEOs reciprocate IM support to fellow CEOs whom they believe have given similar support to other CEOs in the past. We also draw from the social psychological literature on persuasion to suggest why IM support for another CEO may have a more positive influence on the tenor of journalists’ coverage about the firm’s leadership than impression management by the CEO about his or her own leadership and strategy. We test our hypotheses with data from large and mid-sized public U.S. companies from 1999 to 2007, including original survey data from a large sample of CEOs and journalists. The results supported our hypotheses, and additional findings suggested that the apparent effects of impression management by leaders and staff about their own firms following a negative earnings surprise may be partially attributable to the effects of IM support.
Texture of Cheddar Cheese as Influenced by Fat Reduction

Cheddar cheeses with five different fat levels (34, 32, 27, 21, and 13 %) were manufactured in a randomized block design experiment and replicated four times. Cheeses were ripened for 4 months at 7°C. Microstructure was studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Texture characteristics (adhesiveness, cohesiveness, hardness, and springiness) were determined by Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) using the Instron Universal Testing Machine and a trained sensory panel. Scanning electron micrographs showed that the open-intricate microstructure of the cheeses was lost with a decrease in fat content. Hardness and springiness increased while adhesiveness and cohesiveness of the cheeses decreased with decreasing fat content. Texture attributes were influenced by the nature of the protein matrix that resulted due to fat removal.
Nondestructive Evaluation of Surface Defects Using Scanning Infrared Thermography

Non-destructive evaluation techniques are important for the aircraft industry and infrared scanning systems have the potential to analyze materials and parts, quickly, accurately, and at a reduced cost compared to other systems. This technique has been developed to create an interface utilizing commercial software packages. New hardware components have been designed to work in concert with specially developed analytical models to treat surfaces with changing emissivity and uniformly finished surfaces like those used in traditional infrared scanning systems. The current scanning system has been tested using crack defects in thin metal sheets with a variety of surface finishes and defect geometries. The system has been successful at detecting defects on coated surfaces where cracks were oriented parallel to the heating element and at sub-optimal angles. However, the system has only been marginally successful at removing artifacts of reflected radiation from the thermographic images, making temperature correction and crack detection difficult.
Enhanced pulse propagation in nonlinear arrays of oscillators

The propagation of a pulse in a nonlinear array of oscillators is influenced by the nature of the array and by its coupling to a thermal environment. For example, in some arrays a pulse can be speeded up while in others a pulse can be slowed down by raising the temperature. We begin by showing that an energy pulse (one dimension) or energy front (two dimensions) travels more rapidly and remains more localized over greater distances in an isolated array (microcanonical) of hard springs than in a harmonic array or in a soft-springed array. Increasing the pulse amplitude causes it to speed up in a hard chain, leaves the pulse speed unchanged in a harmonic system, and slows down the pulse in a soft chain. Connection of each site to a thermal environment (canonical) affects these results very differently in each type of array. In a hard chain the dissipative forces slow down the pulse while raising the temperature speeds it up. In a soft chain the opposite occurs: the dissipative forces actually speed up the pulse, while raising the temperature slows it down. In a harmonic chain neither dissipation nor temperature changes affect the pulse speed. These and other results are explained on the basis of the frequency vs energy relations in the various arrays.
Cross-field plasma transport and main-chamber recycling in diverted plasmas on Alcator C-Mod

Cross-field particle transport increases sharply with distance into the SOL and plays a dominant role in the `main-chamber recycling' regime in Alcator C-Mod, a regime in which most of the plasma particle efflux recycles on the main-chamber walls rather than flows into the divertor volume. This observation has potentially important implications for a reactor: contrary to the ideal picture of divertor operation, a tightly baffled divertor may not offer control of the neutral density in the main-chamber such that charge exchange heat losses and sputtering of the main-chamber walls can be reduced. The conditions that give rise to the main-chamber recycling regime can be understood by considering the plasma-neutral particle balance: when the flux surface averaged neutral density exceeds a critical value, flows to the divertor can no longer compete with the ionization source and particle fluxes must increase with distance into the SOL. This critical neutral density condition can be recast into a critical cross-field plasma flux condition: particle fluxes must increase with distance into the SOL when the plasma flux crossing a given flux surface exceeds a critical value. Thus, the existence of the main-chamber recycling regime is intrinsically tied to the level of anomalous cross-field particle transport. Direct measurement of the effective cross-field particle diffusivities Deff in a number of ohmic L mode discharges indicates that Deff near the separatrix strongly increases as plasma collisionality increases. Convected heat fluxes correspondingly increase, implying that there exists a critical plasma density (or perhaps collisionality) beyond which no steady state plasma can be maintained, even in the absence of radiation.
Villous Adenoma With High Grade Dysplasia of Ampulla of Vater Sonographic Appearance and CT Correlation

A 43-year-old South Korean male presented to urgent care with pain free jaundice and weight loss. An abdominal ultrasound was ordered and demonstrated a 2.5 cm irregularly contoured ampullary mass ...
Pareto on Population, I

I. Economic movements and population movements: personal capital, 572; emigration and migration, 576; non-economic factors, 577; the time factor, 578; primitive cultures and the ancient world, 579. — II. Wealth per capita and population: time and space, 582; secular increase, 583; class rates of mortality and natality, 583; social and political institutions, 583. — III. Determinants of population growth: the genesic forces, 585; the non-genesic forces, 587; residues, 592. — IV. Malthus' theories, 593. — V. Demographic trends: long-run influences, 598; the future, 600.
Design of a wireless telemetric backpack device for real-time in vivo measurement of pressure-volume loops in conscious ambulatory rats

Pressure - Volume (PV) analysis is the de facto standard for assessing myocardial function. Conductance based methods have been used for the past 27 years to generate instantaneous left ventricular (LV) volume signal. Our research group has developed the instrumentation and the algorithm for obtaining PV loops based on the measurement of real - time admittance magnitude and phase from the LV of anaesthetized mice and rats. In this study, the instrumentation will be integrated into an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and a backpack device will be designed along with this ASIC. This will enable measurement of real-time in vivo P-V loops from conscious and ambulatory rats, useful for both acute and chronic studies.
Variation in the Protective Effect of Higher Education against Depression

Numerous studies document that higher education is associated with a reduced likelihood of depression. The protective effects of higher education, however, are known to vary across population subgroups. This study tests competing theories for who is likely to obtain a greater protective benefit from a college degree against depression through an analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and recently developed methods for analyzing heterogeneous treatment effects involving the use of propensity scores. The analysis examines how the effects of two "treatments" (at least some college education and attaining at least a four-year college degree) on latent depressive symptomology vary by background disadvantage, as indicated by having a low propensity for completing some college or attaining a four-year college degree. Results indicate that people from disadvantaged backgrounds realize a greater protective effect of higher education, either completing some college or attaining a four-year degree, against depressive symptomology than people from advantaged backgrounds. This pattern is more pronounced for people who attain at least a four-year degree than for people who complete at least some college education.
Ion implantation in semiconductors&#8212;Part I: Range distribution theory and experiments

Ion implantation in semiconductors provides a doping technique with several potential advantages over more conventional doping methods. Among the most important of these are: 1) the ability to introduce into a variety of substrates precise amounts of nearly any impurity element desired; 2) the ability to control doping profiles in three dimensions by modulating the energy, current, and position of the ion beam; and 3) the possibility of avoiding certain undesirable effects that accompany the high-temperature diffusion process. Ion implantation can also be used in conjunction with other fabrication techniques to produce device structures that no one process can produce simply by itself. Current research in the field is directed toward several problems that must be solved before the full impact of ion implantation on semiconductor technology can be soundly predicted. In particular, it is necessary to be able to predict the distribution profiles of the implanted ions accurately, to know which crystalline sites the implanted ions occupy, to know the nature of the damage centers that are introduced by the implantation process, and to determine the extent to which these defects can he removed by appropriate annealing procedures. Theoretical and experimental work pertinent to the problem of predicting impurity distribution profiles in ion-implanted material are reviewed here. A review of current research on the other problems listed will be given in Part II, together with the characteristics of a number of interesting semiconductor devices that have already been fabricated by ion implantation.
Detecting coverage holes in wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor network coverage completeness is an important Quality of Service measure. It is frequently assumed that events occurring in the sensor field will always be detected. However, this is not necessary the case, particularly if there are holes in the sensor network coverage. This paper introduces a novel method for detection and relative localization of sensor network coverage holes in coordinate-free networks assuming availability of a network communication graph. We identify sensor nodes that bound coverage holes, called “hole boundary nodes”, by processing information embedded in a communication graph, which is non-planar in general. We create a hole-equivalent planar graph preserving a number and position of holes. Finally, we build a planar simplicial complex, called maximal simplicial complex, which contains the information regarding coverage holes. The proposed method is applicable for both coordinate-available and coordinate-free networks. Two implementation strategies for hole detection are provided, and they are each analyzed to compare runtime and accuracy. Simulation results show effectiveness of the hole detection algorithms.
Convergence of sequences of iterated triangular line graphs

Abstract The triangular line graph T ( G ) of a graph G is the graph with vertex set E ( G ), with two distinct vertices e and f of T ( G ) adjacent if and only if the edges e and f belong to a common copy of K 3 in G . For n ⩾ 1, the nth iterated triangular line graph T n ( G ) of a graph G is defined as T ( T n −1 ( G )), where T °( G ) = G . In [4] it is shown that the sequence of iterated triangular line graphs of a graph G converges to r disjoint copies of K 3 , for some r ⩾ 0. Here we determine how many iterations are required for convergence, and how many disjoint copies of K 3 are obtained.
The role of internal standards and their interaction with soils impact accuracy of volatile organics determinations

Both US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SW-846 Methods 8260C/5035 and 8261A include mixing soil with water and addition of internal standards prior to analyses but the equilibration of internal standards with the soil is not required. With increasing organic carbon content and no effort to equilibrate internal standards with the matrix, results are less likely to be accurate. Adding internal standards to soils prior to diluting the sample with water gives more accurate determinations but less reliable quality control (QC). Extending times for equilibration of internal standards improves accuracy but is conducive to analyte degradation not normally observed during analyses. Soil-matrix effects on a given analyte can be greatly understated using a single internal standard as described in Method 8260C while the use of multiple internal standards as described in Method 8261A is more accurate. Method 8261A's reporting error when spiking soils before adding water provides confidence intervals with accurac...
Student-constructed concept maps for active learning in a foundational undergraduate engineering course

As a graphical pedagogical tool for knowledge organization, representation, and elicitation, concept mapping has been widely employed to improve student conceptual knowledge and understanding in a variety of academic disciplines. In the traditional approach to concept mapping, the instructor develops concept maps and then shows them in lectures. This work-in-progress study takes a non-traditional, active learning approach, in which students (rather than the instructor) construct their own concept maps in engineering dynamics, a foundational sophomore-year undergraduate engineering course. This paper provides representative examples of student-constructed concept maps. These maps were collected from a total of 165 engineering undergraduates who took an engineering dynamics course in one of two recent semesters: Semester A (94 students) and Semester B (71 students). Questionnaire surveys including both Likert-type and open-ended questions were administrated at the end of each semester. The results show that 37% of the students rated their experience with developing their own concept maps “positive” or “highly positive,” and that 44% of the students “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that developing their own concept maps improved their conceptual understanding. Representative student comments are also provided in this paper.
JOURNAL DESELECTION IN AN ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT

Given a selected group of journals in the Library of California State University at Dominguez Hills and an amount by which the subscriptions budget for these journnls was to be cut, a comparison was made of the titles chosen by faculty and by a generalized deselection model representative of a group of librarians. Although little similarity existed between the two sets of choices, the deselection model was nevertheless felt to be of value since it provided a systematic, multifaceted approach to determining the worth of a journal and, as such, could help to minimize the degree of subjective input to cancellation decisions.
An Analysis and Comparison of Medication Therapy Management Cost-Avoidance vs. Fee-for-Service Financial Models.

Objective To describe, compare, and contrast cost-avoidance and fee-for-service medication therapy management (MTM) financial models of practice to allow clinicians to better choose the type of MTM practice that best fits their particular practice environment. Data sources Literature regarding pharmacist practices providing MTM services and capstone projects of proposed and currently operating MTM pharmacist practices presented in the University of Florida Master of Science MTM program. Study and source selection Understanding the two major payment methods of sustaining a financially viable MTM pharmacist practice is critical to practice success. Survey was broad with regard to clinical models to compare differences because funding to support these services can be difficult to obtain. Data synthesis Despite differences in approach, various methods exist to financially sustain a pharmacist with an MTM practice. Each method or model has advantages and disadvantages in differing practice environments. Conclusion With enough cost avoidance or revenue generation, financially dissimilar MTM financial models can be sustainable.
Quantum Plasmonics: Optical Monitoring of DNA‐Mediated Charge Transfer in Plasmon Rulers

Plasmon coupling between DNA-tethered gold nanoparticles is investigated by correlated single-particle spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy for interparticle separations between 0.5 and 41 nm. Spectral characterization reveals a weakening of the plasmon coupling due to DNA-mediated charge transfer for separations up to 2.8 nm. Electromagnetic simulations indicate a coherent charge transfer across the DNA.
Support-Free Bimodal Distribution of Plasmonically Active Ag/AgOx Nanoparticle Catalysts: Attributes and Plasmon Enhanced Surface Chemistry

A self-regenerative metal/metal oxide nanostructure comprised of a bimodal distribution (e.g., 6 and 160 nm average diameters) of silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) with a AgOx surrounding is introduced as a new type of plasmonic catalyst through a physical method used in this work. The support-free catalyst shows plentiful surface adsorbed oxygen species along with excellent localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and appreciable photoluminescence (PL). These properties plus the structural features enable highly active catalysis toward reactions of H2, O2, CO, and hydrocarbons at ambient to elevated operating temperatures without any deactivation observed over ∼150 h thermal cycles (at 350 °C) of catalytic reaction tests. Over this highly active catalyst, plasmon induced preferential growth of surface oxygen species and surface reactions are demonstrated via in situ Raman spectroscopy. These studies suggest that the enhanced surface species growth and catalytic process result from surface transfer of hot...
Are Biodegradable Third Generation Drug Eluting Stents the Answer to Instent Restenosis

The third generation biodegradable Drug Eluting Stent (DES) are being evaluated and being introduced in clinical practice. They have been DESigned to overcome limitations associated with durable polymer and a persistent metallic stent scaffold which could be related to late target lesion revascularization (TLR) and very late stent thrombosis (VLST). Although a recent pooled data analysis found that biodegradable polymer stents were superior for TLR and VLST compared with first generation Sirolimus Eluting Stent (SES), superiority has not been demonstrated against second generation Everolimus eluting stents (EES) and is yet to be conclusively proven in randomized trials. This paper reviews the key features, recent trial data, and future directions of the third generation of DES technology including stents with fully biodegradable scaffolds, stents with biodegradable polymer, and polymer free stents.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome Presenting with Perioral Numbness Followed by Diffuse T-Wave Inversion (P06.146)

Objective: To describe a case of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) presenting with perioral numbness and T-wave inversion on electrocardiogram (EKG). Background This is the first case report of a patient with GBS presenting with cranial nerve involvement followed by EKG abnormalities. It emphasizes the importance of close monitoring of these patients with rapidly progressing autonomic dysfunction and potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias. Design/Methods: Case report. Results: A 59 year-old male with a recent diagnosis of sarcoidosis, presented with perioral numbness followed two days later by progressive lower extremity weakness for which he presented to the emergency room. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed albumino-cytological dissociation with protein of 94 mg/dl. Telemetry showed diffuse T-wave inversion. He denied cardiac symptoms and prior EKG9s were normal. He didn9t have any past medical or family history of coronary artery disease. Physical examination: he was hypertensive (160/80-90), HR 40-50. Cardiovascular exam was normal. Neurological exam revealed mild dysarthria, weakness 4/5 in both proximal and distal muscles bilaterally. Reflexes were absent throughout. EKG showed sinus bradycardia, prolong QT interval and T-wave inversions in the inferior and anterolateral leads. An echocardiogram showed normal left ventricular systolic function. Cardiac enzymes were normal. Nerve conduction studies showed prolonged distal latencies, partial conduction block, temporal dispersion, absent F-waves and reduced recruitment on needle electromyography all consistent with an acquired demyelinating polyneuropathy i.e. GBS. He was treated with IVIG for 5 days. Neurosarcoidosis was ruled out after extensive evaluation including MRIs of brain, T-spine and L-spine; which were all unremarkable. He was discharge to acute rehab. At one month follow-up his dysarthria and extremity weakness had resolved. Conclusions: Cardiovascular abnormalities in GBS are attributed to autonomic neuropathy and can be seen in up to 2/3 of affected patients. Early recognition, close monitoring and immediate treatment may prevent these potentially fatal complications. Disclosure: Dr. Rivera-Lara has nothing to disclose. Dr. Salameh has nothing to disclose.
Aerodynamic performance of an electrodynamic suspension MagLev vehicle

An experimental and computational investigation was conducted to better understand the aerodynamics of magnetically levitated (MagLev) high speed vehicles of the Electrodynamic Suspension (EDS) type operating in ground effect. A high speed moving track system, developed to be used in the Virginia Tech Stability wind tunnel, was modified to form a shallow trough track for EDS applications. Aerodynamic tests were conducted on a vehicle geometry representing a generic EDS vehicle with a bottom surface curved to match the curvature of the track system. The main data were force and moment measurements at a Reynolds number based on model width of 3.5 x 10. Boundary layer trips were used to cause transition at the proper location. Complementary tests were run with the curved-bottom model over a flat track and a flat-bottom model over a flat track for comparison. This data can be used to judge the necessity of curving the moving track for future wind tunnel testing. A supporting analysis to answer the same question was undertaken using the PMARC potential flow code. The main results of this part of the work were that drag is insensitive to the model/track arrangement but that lift and pitching moment are quite sensitive to the arrangement. The force and moment data obtained for the model with the curved bottom over a curved track simulating a real EDS arrangement can be compared with that obtained for an Electromagnetic Suspension (EMS) vehicle model in an earlier study at Virginia Tech. The drag coefficient was found to be quite comparable for the two designs at CD ~ 0.2. The CL for the EDS design was lower in magnitude and opposite in sign compared to the EMS design. The Cm for the EDS vehicle was bracketed between the values found for the two EMS vehicles studied. *Graduate Student, Student Member AIAA **J. Byron Maupin Professor, Fellow AIAA ***Professor, Associate Fellow AIAA Nomenclature CD Drag coefficient CL Lift coefficient Cm Moment coefficient c Maximum model width D Drag L Lift M Pitching moment S Maximum model cross-sectional area
Risk factors in acute pancreatitis.

In this first of a new series of articles on acute and chronic pancreatitis, a rational approach to the management of acute disease is outlined. Because it is often difficult to judge its severity from the initial symptoms, the ability to identify patients who are at risk of major complications and death is critical. Five risk factors can be identified at the time of admission.
Microbial Community Transplant Results in Increased and Long-Term Oxalate Degradation

Gut microbes are essential for the degradation of dietary oxalate, and this function may play a role in decreasing the incidence of kidney stones. However, many oxalate-degrading bacteria are susceptible to antibiotics and the use of oxalate-degrading probiotics has only led to an ephemeral reduction in urinary oxalate. The objective of the current study was to determine the efficacy of using whole-community microbial transplants from a wild mammalian herbivore, Neotoma albigula, to increase oxalate degradation over the long term in the laboratory rat, Rattus norvegicus. We quantified the change in total oxalate degradation in lab rats immediately after microbial transplants and at 2- and 9-month intervals following microbial transplants. Additionally, we tracked the fecal microbiota of the lab rats, with and without microbial transplants, using high-throughput Illumina sequencing of a hyper-variable region of the 16S rRNA gene. Microbial transplants resulted in a significant increase in oxalate degradation, an effect that persisted 9 months after the initial transplants. Functional persistence was corroborated by the transfer, and persistence of a group of bacteria previously correlated with oxalate consumption in N. albigula, including an anaerobic bacterium from the genus Oxalobacter known for its ability to use oxalate as a sole carbon source. The results of this study indicate that whole-community microbial transplants are an effective means for the persistent colonization of oxalate-degrading bacteria in the mammalian gut.
TRIM-ing Ligand Dependence in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is lethal when tumors evolve to activate androgen receptor signaling, which circumvents ligand-deprivation therapy. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Groner et al. show that histone reader and transcription co-regulator TRIM24 occupies a central role in this evolution, nominating inhibitors of TRIM24's bromodomain as a new therapeutic avenue.
Mitigation of thermally induced crosstalk noise by dynamically adjusting driver strength

Space between interconnects is shrinking and its increasing aspect ratio is causing modern VLSI circuit to be more prone to crosstalk noise. Moreover, modern high-performance CMOS circuits are more power consuming, resulting in the chip experiencing higher temperature. As a consequence of this high temperature, CMOS driver strength reduces which introduces a new reliability concern, thermally induced crosstalk noise, which is addressed in this research work for the very first time in literature. This superimposing with the normal crosstalk can cause the VLSI circuit to fail by toggling the logic or bit flipping. In this paper, our goal is to provide a solution to mitigate the thermally induced crosstalk noise by dynamically adjusting gate voltage to keep driver strength the same despite changing temperature. We propose a temperature sensor that generates the necessary voltage to the gate to keep driver strength constant. Using 10-p modelling for interconnect in 45nm technology, we explore the effect of on-chip temperature gradient on crosstalk noise. Our simulation result demonstrates that the proposed method successfully mitigates thermally induced crosstalk noise up to 85% in the worst case temperature scenario.
VCQ&A: The visual art of political cartoons: An interview with Jim Morin

Combining visual arts with politics and social commentary has a long history in both European and American culture. Simple early definitions of political cartoons describe them as caricature in a p...
Impulsivity and risk-taking as predictors of alcohol use patterns and alcohol related-problems

AbstractThis study examined the predictive utility of self-report measures of impulsivity and risk-taking in alcohol use outcomes (i.e. quantity, frequency, binge frequency, and alcohol-related problems). Participants were 370 (265 women) college student drinkers between ages 18 and 25 years from a mid-size east coast university. Participants completed measures of impulsivity, risk-taking, alcohol use, and alcohol-related problems. Impulsivity and risk-taking contributed uniquely to approximately 12% in quantity, 4% in frequency, 12% in binge frequency, and 7% in alcohol-related problems, after controlling for age and gender. When controlling for risk-taking, impulsivity accounted for more incremental variance in alcohol use outcomes (9% in quantity, 4% in frequency, 6% in binge frequency, and 5% in problems). Regarding specific impulsivity subscales, motor impulsiveness was more predictive of alcohol use variables whereas attentional and non-planning impulsiveness were predictive of alcohol-related probl...
Multifaceted Sexual Desire and Hormonal Associations: Accounting for Social Location, Relationship Status, and Desire Target

Sexual desire is typically measured as a unitary erotic phenomenon and is often assumed by biological and biomedical researchers, as well as the lay public, to be directly connected to physiological parameters like testosterone (T). In the present study, we empirically examined how conceptualizing sexual desire as multifaceted might clarify associations with T and contextual variables. To do so, we used the Sexual Desire Questionnaire (DESQ), which assesses multifaceted dyadic sexual desire, to explore how contextual variables such as social location, relationship status, and desire target (e.g., partner vs. stranger) might be meaningful for reports of sexual desire and associated hormonal correlations. We focused on women (N = 198), because sexual desire and testosterone are generally unlinked in healthy men. Participants imagined a partner or stranger while answering the 65 DESQ items and provided a saliva sample for hormone assay. Analyses showed that the DESQ factored differently for the current sample than in previous research, highlighting how sexual desire can be constructed differently across different populations. We also found that, for the Intimacy, Eroticism, and Partner Focus factors, mean scores were higher when the desire target was a partner relative to a stranger for participants in a relationship, but equally high between partner versus stranger target for single participants. DESQ items resolved into meaningful hormonal desire components, such that high endorsement of Fantasy Experience was linked to higher T, and higher cortisol was linked with lower endorsement of the Intimacy factor. We argue that conceptualizing desire as multifaceted and contextualized when assessing hormonal links-or questions in general about desire-can clarify some of its complexities and lead to new research avenues.
Toward Understanding “the Ways” of Allosteric Drugs

Understanding “the ways” of allosteric drugs continues to be a central challenge in drug design programs.
ER and Oxidative Stress: Implications in Disease

Publisher Summary The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a membranous network extending throughout the cytoplasm of the eukaryotic cell and is contiguous with the nuclear envelope. The ER is the site of synthesis of sterols, lipids, core-asparagine linked oligosaccharides, and membrane and secreted proteins biosynthesis. It has evolved as a protein folding machine and a major intracellular signaling organelle and provides a unique environment for protein folding, assembly, and disulfide bond formation prior to transit to the Golgi compartment. The unfolded protein response (UPR) evolved as a complex homeostatic mechanism to balance the load of newly synthesized proteins with the capacity for chaperone assisted protein folding in the lumen of the ER. UPR plays an important role in numerous disease states, including diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, neoplasia, and neurodegenerative diseases. The development of Type 2 diabetes is associated with a combination of insulin resistance in fat, muscle, and liver and a failure of pancreatic beta cells to adequately compensate by increased insulin production. There is also evidence that oxidative damage is associated with development of the diabetic state. Antioxidants have been reported to preserve glucose stimulated insulin secretion, prevent apoptosis, and expand beta cell mass, without significantly affecting cell proliferation. Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, represent a large class of conformational diseases associated with accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates in and around affected neurons. Oxidative stress and protein misfolding play critical roles in the pathogenesis of these neurodegenerative diseases.
A pilot study of neural correlates of loss of control eating in children with overweight/obesity: Probing intermittent access to food as a means of eliciting disinhibited eating

Objective Neural substrates of loss of control (LOC) eating are undercharacterized. We aimed to model intermittent access to food to elicit disinhibited eating in youth undergoing neuroimaging, given evidence that restricted food access may increase subsequent food intake via enhancing reward value of food and diminishing eating-related self-control. Methods Participants were 18 preadolescents (aged 9-12 years) who were overweight/obese with recent LOC eating (OW-LOC; n = 6); overweight/obese with no history of LOC eating (OW-CON; n = 5); or non-overweight with no history of LOC eating (NW-CON; n = 7). Participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging during a simulated food restriction paradigm in which they were alternately given restricted or unrestricted access to milkshake solutions. Results There were no significant main effects of restricted versus unrestricted access to milkshake flavors. Group main effects revealed increased activation for OW-LOC relative to OW-CON in areas related to attentional processes (right middle frontal gyrus), inhibitory control/attentional shifts (right and left cuneus), and emotion regulation (left cingulate gyrus); and for OW-LOC relative to NW-CON in areas related to response inhibition (right inferior frontal gyrus). Significant block type × group interaction effects were found for the right middle frontal gyrus, left cingulate gyrus, and left cuneus, but these appeared to be accounted for primarily by group. Discussion There were clear group differences in neural activity in brain regions related to self-regulation during a food restriction paradigm. Elevations in these regions among OW-LOC relative to OW-CON and NW-CON, respectively, may suggest that youth with LOC eating expended more cognitive effort to regulate ingestive behavior.
A High Performance Concurrency Control Protocol for Multi-Processor Transaction Processing Systems

In this paper we have proposed a new concurrency control algorithm that consists of two phases of execution for centralized multiprocessor-based transaction processing systems. The proposed algorithm integrates optimistic concurrency control with back-shifting with pre-claimed locking schemes into two phases. It guarantees transactions to commit in two executions if access invariance holds for the second run. It also can offer superior performance than the existing concurrency algorithms by reduce the probability of aborts in the first phase, minimize the probability of blocking due to validation and the possible second phase. Furthermore, it is deadlock-free.
Volume- vs. rate-based tube feeding in burn patients: A case-control study

Abstract Background Proper nutrition is critical in healing burn wounds. Tube feeding is routinely employed to help meet nutritional goals; however, the complexities of burn care frequently involve pausing feeds. Volume-based tube feeding delivers a 24-h goal volume compared to administering a fixed hourly rate. This study aims to assess whether volume-based tube feeding is superior to traditional rate-based tube feeding at meeting nutritional goals. Methods Starting in January 2016, a single burn center implemented a volume-based tube feeding protocol. All patients for the calendar year 2016 who required tube feeds for at least 5 continuous days were compared to all patients from the prior calendar year 2015. Demographics, burn characteristics, and tube feeding details were compared with univariable analysis. Daily tube feed goals were the primary outcome and length of stay was assessed as a secondary outcome; both were evaluated with multivariable analysis using linear modeling. Results Thirty patients met study criteria. The cohort was 30.0% female and 93.3% were flame burns, with a mean age of 44.2 years and mean total body surface area (TBSA) of 30.6%. All patients suffered 3rd degree burns. Pausing tube feeds for fasting before an operation was the most common reason feeds were held accounting for 33.7% of all held days. Volume-based tube feeding was the only independent predictor of increasing tube feed goals with an average goal met of 91.4% vs. 74.1%, (linear coefficient 10.05, 95% CI 4.49–15.61, p-value 0.001). Tube feed hours held was the only independent predictor of lower tube feed goals (linear coefficient −5.52, 95% CI −7.73–−3.31, p-value Conclusions Volume-based tube feeding was superior to rate-based tube feeding in maximizing daily nutritional goals. Perioperative care was the most common reason for holding tube feeding. Additional studies are needed to assess whether volume-based feeding is associated with improved clinical outcomes.
Outcomes of hospitalizations with atrial fibrillation-flutter on a weekday versus weekend: an analysis from a 2014 nationwide inpatient sample.

Background Patients with atrial fibrillation-flutter (AF) admitted on the weekends were initially reported to have poor outcomes. The primary purpose of this study is to re-evaluate the outcomes for weekend versus weekday AF hospitalization using the 2014 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). Methods Included hospitalizations were aged above 18 years. The hospitalizations with AF were identified using the international classification of diseases 9 (ICD-9) codes (427.31, 427.32). In-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), other co-morbidities, cardioversion procedures, and time to cardioversion were recorded. All analysis was performed using SAS 9.4 statistical software (Cary, North Carolina). Results A total of 453,505 hospitalizations with atrial fibrillation and flutter as primary discharge diagnosis were identified. Among the total hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of AF, 20.3% were admitted on the weekend. Among the weekend hospitalizations, 0.19% died in hospital compared to 0.74% among those admitted during the week. After adjusting for patient characteristics, hospital characteristics and disease severity, the adjusted odds for in-hospital mortality were not significantly different for weekend vs. weekday hospitalizations (OR = 0.91, 95% CI [0.77-1.11]; p = 0.33). The weekend admissions were associated with significantly lower odds of cardioversion procedures (OR = 0.72, 95% CI [0.69-0.76], P < 0.0001), lower cost of hospitalization (USD 8265.8 on weekends vs. USD 8966.5 on the weekdays, P < 0.001), slightly lower rate of anticoagulation (17.09% on the weekends vs. 18.73% on the weekdays. P < 0.0001), and slightly increased time to cardioversion (1.94 days on the weekend vs. 1.73 days on weekdays, P < 0.0005). The mean length of hospital stay (LOS) was statistically not different in both groups: (3.49 days ± 3.70 (SD) in the weekend group vs. 3.47 days ± 3.50 (SD) in the weekday group, P = 0.42). Discussion The weekend AF hospitalizations did not have a clinically significant difference in mortality and LOS compared to those admitted on a weekday. However, the use of cardioversion procedures and cost of hospitalization was significantly lower on the weekends.