cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Response of the invasive grass Imperata cylindrica to disturbance in the southeastern Forests, USA.

Imperata cylindrica is an invasive plant species that threatens diversity and forest productivity in southeastern ecosystems. We examined the effects of disturbance events, particularly fire and hurricane/salvage harvesting, to determine the effects on I. cylindrica abundance in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) forests in the Florida panhandle. Areas that were burned or had greater biomass removal following a hurricane had a greater number of I. cylindrica patches and larger patch size. These results highlight the importance of disturbance events on expanding invasive species populations in this region and are likely applicable for other invasive species as well. Monitoring and treatment should follow disturbance events to ensure that invasive species populations do not exceed unmanageable levels.
Hysteresis in Stability Conditions of Electron-Hole Plasma

The investigation of the hysteresis occurring in the threshold conditions for the helical instability oscillations in electron-hole plasma has been extended. The hysteresis in electric field strength $E$ can exceed 45 V/cm and 50% of the applied $E$ at threshold. By determining the stability-instability boundary in the $p$-type InSb as a function of the parallel (or antiparallel) electric and magnetic field strengths and also the plasma density, the magnetic field induced by the formation of the helical density perturbation is deduced. Resulting displaced loop $B\ensuremath{-}H$ curves are presented. The magnitude of the induction enhancement ${B}_{\mathrm{hys}}$ can be as large as 165 Oe and 55% of the applied $B$ at threshold. The extent of applied magnetic field (or electric field strength) over which the loops can occur is limited at the high magnetic field end (typically \ensuremath{\le}600 G) by vanishingly small plasma density and at the other end (\ensuremath{\ge}280 G) by the occurrence of magnetic pinching. The loops are largest at the low magnetic field end. The range of loop energy, defined as the product of ${E}_{\mathrm{hys}}$ and ${B}_{\mathrm{hys}}$, increases with decreasing plasma cross-sectional area until saturation occurs at a plasma radius of \ensuremath{\sim}3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ cm. The full range from largest to smallest loop in any one sample is achieved by a relatively small variation in the "input energies," i.e., the product of the magnetic and electric field strengths at threshold.
Antibiotics and perioperative infections

Surgical site infections remain a significant contributor to postoperative morbidity and mortality. It is estimated that 500,000 patients suffer from this complication annually. Among other interventions, appropriate administration of prophylactic antibiotics has been shown to decrease the risk of perioperative infections. The goal of prophylactic antibiotic administration is to decrease the risk of contamination of the wound from skin flora in the case of clean procedures, and to add coverage of organisms that are anticipated to contaminate the surgical field, as in open bowel procedures. The purpose of this review is to summarize the guiding principles of perioperative antibiotic administration including selection, timing, redosing, and discontinuation. In addition, special topics including likely organisms for classes of surgical procedures, endocarditis prophylaxis, and management strategies for patients with allergies will be reviewed.
Microplate capture, rotation of the western Transverse Ranges, and initiation of the San Andreas transform as a low-angle fault system

Tectonic rotation of the western Transverse Ranges block is explained by capture of the partially subducted Monterey microplate by the Pacific plate at about anomaly 6 time (ca. 20 Ma). As Pacific-Monterey spreading slowed and eventually ceased, the slip vector along the gently northeast dipping subduction interface beneath the California margin changed from slightly oblique subduction to transtensional dextral transform motion. This change in slip vector and a shift of Pacific plate motion eastward along the already subducted Monterey plate interface imply that the San Andreas transform began as a system of low-angle faults that locally subjected the overriding continental margin to distributed basal shear and crustal extension. This basal shear produced the rotated western Transverse Ranges. This model helps explain the timing of initial rotation and basin formation, the sudden appearance of widely distributed transform motion well inland of the margin in early Miocene time, why the western Transverse Ranges uniquely rotated as a large coherent crustal block, and several fundamental structural characteristics of central and southern California. The model also provides major constraints on the amount of Pacific-North America strike-slip motion, the position through time of offshore oceanic plates relative to onshore geology, and a general explanation for what may happen as a spreading ridge approaches a trench and the subduction zone evolves into a transform system.
A 4( n + 1)-dimensional model reference adaptive stabilizer for any relative degree one or two, minimum phase system of dimension n or less

Abstract A 4(n + 1)-dimensional model reference controller is developed which can adaptively stabilize any single-input, single-output process while forcing the process output to follow the output of a prespecified reference model, provided the process can be modelled by a finite-dimensional strictly proper, stabilizable, minimum phase, linear system with relative degree not exceeding two and dimension not exceeding n.
An energy-dependent step in aminoglycoside ototoxicity: Prevention of gentamicin ototoxicity during reduced endolymphatic potential

Guinea pigs received a bolus of gentamicin (10 mM for 5 min) by perilymphatic perfusion which normally led to an irreversible loss of the cochlear microphonic potential (CM). Various experimental conditions that reduced the endolymphatic potential (EP) were then superimposed on the gentamicin application. Reversible reductions in EP (and, concomitantly, in CM) were induced by asphyxia (3 min), intravenous furosemide (50 mg/kg), and perilymphatic perfusion of aminooxyacetic acid (10 mM). When the administration of gentamicin was initiated at the time of maximal EP reduction the usual irreversible gentamicin-induced decline of CM was prevented. The results indicate that a metabolic process is essential in the expression of gentamicin toxicity. The data are consistent with the inhibition of an energy-dependent transport of the aminoglycoside. Alternatively, the data are also compatible with the hypothesis that entry of gentamicin into hair cells is prevented by a reduction in their transmembrane electrical potential.
Conformational studies of human milk oligosaccharides using (1)H-(13)C one-bond NMR residual dipolar couplings.

1H−13C one-bond dipolar coupling values were measured for natural abundance samples of the human milk oligosaccharides “lacto-N-fucopentaose” (LNF-1 LNF-2, and LNF-3), “lacto-N-difucohexaose” (LND-1), “lacto-N-tetraose” (LNT), and “lacto-N-neo-tetraose” (LNnT), four of which have Lewis blood group epitopes. Each oligosaccharide was dissolved in a 7.5% solution of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/1,2-dihexanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC/DHPC) bicelle liquid crystals oriented in the NMR magnetic field. The dipolar coupling data and NOE were fitted to conformational models with calculations of an optimum orientation tensor which best represents the dipolar coupling values for a fragment hypothesized to adopt a single conformation. In the case of LNF-1, LNF-2, LNF-3, and LND-1, the models confirm previous conformational models for the Lewis epitopes based on NOE and molecular dynamics simulations. Extensions of the model provided new structural data for the remaining residues. In all cases,...
Mental Illness and Criminal Behavior

The tragic events in Aurora, CO and Newtown, CT have renewed public perception of mentally persons as ‘dangerous’ and ‘criminal.’ Unfortunately, this perception is based more on conjecture and fear than research. The following essay takes stock of the empirical research on mental illness and criminal behavior. Three noteworthy trends emerge from this literature. First, the prevalence of mental illness is substantially higher among individuals who have come in contact with the criminal justice system relative to the general population. Second, individuals with psychotic and externalizing behavioral disorders, particularly those who also abuse drugs and alcohol, tend to engage in higher levels of violence than individuals with other forms of mental illness. Third, mental illness does not determine whether someone will break the law; rather, it is but one of many criminogenic risk factors that interact in complex ways to influence individual behavior.
GaInAsP/InP unstable resonator lasers

Double-heterostructure GaInAsP/InP unstable resonator lasers have been fabricated for the first time. Both facets are made by a simple two-step chemical etching process. The required nearly vertical lateral curved cavity mirrors are achieved. The unstable resonator lasers exhibit an output power of 105 mW.
Production of subtidal tubular and surficial tempestites by Hurricane Kate, Caicos Platform, British West Indies

ABSTRACT Storm infilling of deep, open Callianassa burrows with molluscan to peloidal packstone was the dominant style of preservable sedimentation produced by the passage of Hurricane Kate across Caicos Platform, British West Indies, on 18 November 1985. This moderate hurricane was the first to affect an actively studied portion of the carbonate platform environments of the south Florida-Bahama region in 19 years, a time during which many of our concepts of storm sedimentation have evolved. Prior to Hurricane Kate, much of the shallow-platform interior peloidal packstone to grapestone grainstone had a sparse seagrass cover and a highly irregular bottom caused by abundant Callianassa mounds. Hurricane Kate flattened the mounded bottom of the platform interior and caused minor smothering and erosion of the seagrass beds. A thin, surficial tempestite, though deposited over much of the platform, was difficult to identify because it lacked a coarse base. Instead, much of the reworked surface sediment poured down the large Callianassa burrow entrances and filled the vast burrow networks with either a coarse molluscan packstone or peloidal-skeletal packstone. Storm-burrow filling (tubular tempestites) effectively removed the coarse fraction from contributing to a surficial storm layer. Ten percent of the upper 75 cm of platform interior sediment consists of tubular tempestites from Hurricane Kate.
Codeine and aspirin analgesia in postpartum uterine cramps: qualitative aspects of quantitative assessments.

The analgesic response to codeine of patients with postpartum uterine-cramp pain has recently met with controversy. To readdress this question, we conducted a new study comparing codeine sulfate, 60 mg (N = 32) and 120 mg (N = 31), with aspirin, 650 mg (N = 34), and placebo (N = 32) in hospitalized women with moderate or severe postpartum uterine cramps treated with single oral doses in a parallel, stratified, randomized, double-blind trial. Subjective reports were used as indices of response, and patients rated pain intensity, pain relief, and side effects at periodic, uniformly conducted interviews for 6 hr. Most measures of analgesia exhibited important differences among the treatments. In patients with undifferentiated pain (N = 129) and in a subset of patients with pure uterine cramps (N = 56; i.e., no concomitant episiotomy), aspirin showed the greatest response, whereas codeine responses were equivocal with no evidence of a positive dose response. In contrast, in a subset of patients with mixed episiotomy-uterine pain (N = 73), 120 mg codeine showed good separation from placebo and compared favorably with aspirin. Codeine, 60 mg, showed a similar trend, and there was a strong suggestion of dose-dependent analgesia. Side effects were not remarkable except for dizziness and drowsiness after 120 mg codeine in all sets and subsets of patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Functional redundancy within roX1, a noncoding RNA involved in dosage compensation in Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster males dosage compensate by twofold upregulation of the expression of genes on their single X chromosome. This process requires at least five proteins and two noncoding RNAs, roX1 and roX2, which paint the male X chromosome. We used a deletion analysis to search for functional RNA domains within roX1, assaying RNA stability, targeting of the MSL proteins to the X, and rescue of male viability in a roX1(-) roX2(-) mutant background. We found that deletion of 10% segments of the RNA did not dramatically reduce function in most cases, suggesting extensive internal redundancy. The 3' 600 nt of roX1 were most sensitive to mutations, affecting proper localization and 3' processing of the RNA. Disruption of an inverted repeat predicted to form a stem-loop structure was found partially responsible for the defects observed.
Obesity and Overweight

e w id r as e, se er t st al h r Overweight or obesity in adolescents has reache epidemic proportions in the USA and other industr alized countries. These conditions, although ofte lumped together in research and in commentarie reflect adolescents’ being toward the heavier point a continuum that would range from underweight morbidly obese. The terms may be used interchang ably, but there is no doubt that, in the US a considerable percentage of adolescents suffer fro too much body fat. The prevalence of obesity (bod mass index [BMI] >95th percentile) among adole cents aged 12–19 years is now one in six (17.6%); an one in three (34.9%) US adolescents are overweight obese (BMI>85th percentile) (Story et al. 2009). Oth industrialized countries, such as Canada, Japa Germany, and China also are beginning to experien increasing problems related to obesity (Cornette 2008 Being on the overweight side of the weight continuu means being afflicted with a serious, chronic disea that can cause substantial harm to adolescents’ curre and future health. Although terms may be used loosely, individua only are formally deemed obese by physicians. The are some rules of thumb and formulas that often a used, especially in social science studies, but physician diagnose whether adolescents are obese. Discussion measurements tends to focus on that diagnos A diagnosis of obesity typically involves using a bod mass index (BMI). BMI is a measure of weight propo tionate to height, which is deemed a useful measure the amount of body fat. Although there are other mo precise ways to measure excess fat, experts now recom mend using BMI because it is easily obtained, strong
Robust sparse estimation of multiresponse regression and inverse covariance matrix via the L2 distance

We propose a robust framework to jointly perform two key modeling tasks involving high dimensional data: (i) learning a sparse functional mapping from multiple predictors to multiple responses while taking advantage of the coupling among responses, and (ii) estimating the conditional dependency structure among responses while adjusting for their predictors. The traditional likelihood-based estimators lack resilience with respect to outliers and model misspecification. This issue is exacerbated when dealing with high dimensional noisy data. In this work, we propose instead to minimize a regularized distance criterion, which is motivated by the minimum distance functionals used in nonparametric methods for their excellent robustness properties. The proposed estimates can be obtained efficiently by leveraging a sequential quadratic programming algorithm. We provide theoretical justification such as estimation consistency for the proposed estimator. Additionally, we shed light on the robustness of our estimator through its linearization, which yields a combination of weighted lasso and graphical lasso with the sample weights providing an intuitive explanation of the robustness. We demonstrate the merits of our framework through simulation study and the analysis of real financial and genetics data.
Keratinocyte growth factor decreases pulmonary edema, transforming growth factor-beta and platelet-derived growth factor-BB expression, and alveolar type II cell loss in bleomycin-induced lung injury

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), a potent growth factor for type II pneumocytes and Clara cells, has been shown to prevent the end-stage pulmonary fibrosis and mortality in a rat model of bleomycin-induced lung injury. In this study, protective effects of KGF were explored during the earlier course of bleomycin-induced lung injury by studying protein exudation in alveolar edema fluids, pulmonary expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), and changes in type II pneumocytes and Clara cells after i.t. (intratracheal) bleomycin injection following KGF- or saline-pretreatment in rats. Total protein in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids after bleomycin injury from KGF-pretreated rats was significantly lower than the levels in saline-pretreated rats. TGFβ protein in BAL fluids which peaked at day 3 after i.t. bleomycin in saline-pretreated lungs was not significantly increased at any time points in KGF-pretreated rats. PDGF-BB protein in whole lung tissues of KGF-pretreated rats also remained near normal throughout the course after i.t. bleomycin, in contrast to the significant increase in saline-pretreated rats. Numbers of type II pneumocytes and Clara cells in KGF-pretreated lungs after a high dose of bleomycin were close to the normal in intact lungs. At the same dose of bleomycin injury, type II pneumocytes in saline-pretreated lungs were markedly decreased, while the number of Clara cells in these rats was relatively preserved as the pre-injury level. In conclusion, KGF prevents bleomycin-induced end-stage pulmonary injury and mortality probably at least partly by decreasing protein-rich pulmonary edema, protein expression of fibrogenic cytokines TGFβ and PDGF-BB, and type II cell loss during the course of lung injury.
Surficial talus fabric and particle gliding over snow on lassen peak, California

Fifty painted clasts were experimentally deposited on a snow-covered talus on Lassen Peak, California, in August 1986. Particles descended primarily by gliding, and developed a fabric with a girdle coincident with the local slope and a principal mode nearly parallel to the slope. A year later, after snow cover had shrunk, clasts had been let down onto the underlying slope; particle fabric then was nearly identical to that sampled on the snow, but individual clast orientations had shifted considerably, apparently reflecting post-depositional transport. A fabric comparison with in situ clasts on the talus revealed no statistical differences.
Advancing Knowledge Creation Modelling Through Improved Organizational Communications

The basis of competition in today’s marketplace is changing from one based on human labor, to one where the principle source of value creation is an organization’s knowledge, and the organization’s ability to rapidly acquire new knowledge through learning. The rise of the knowledge economy in today’s marketplace is an indicator these changes are occurring. Businesses, for example, collected more customer information in 2010, than in all prior years combined. The amount of corporate data being collected is said to be doubling every six months. Researchers are reporting that the huge increase in the amount and availability of information is causing an information overload condition. Organizations have to counter information overload by improving how they use information to learn, and also improving how they translate and manage the knowledge obtained from learning. A large part of organizational learning involves knowledge conversion modes or processes that transform knowledge states between an individual and group focus, and between tacit and explicit forms, as the organization’s core knowledge levels evolve iteratively to increasingly refined levels of accumulated base knowledge. Such knowledge conversion, and the organizational learning that accompanies it, rely on effective communications within the organization. Based on research data collected through personal interviews of industry representatives, this dissertation recommends steps that businesses can take to make their organizational learning more efficient through improved communication practices, and thereby achieve better firm performance. The recommendations are identified by comparing how a firm should communicate to learn (as guided by the elements proffered in Ikujiro Nonaka’s organizational learning model), and then assessing whether the firm has the communications and messaging capabilities in place to implement the model. Any gaps in capabilities required to implement the organizational learning model were made the basis of recommendations to fill the gaps by constructing a new enhanced learning model.
Professionalism and Ethics in Chemistry

This essay offers a preliminary philosophy ofchemistry as a profession focusing on professionalethics. First, I look at how well chemistry fits themodel of a liberal profession. I then explore therelationship between epistemology and ethics. Therelationship between chemistry and society isdiscussed in the context of the two-dimensionalclassification of research developed by Donald Stokesin his book Pasteur's Quadrant. Finally, Iraise the questions of an appropriate moral ideal forchemistry and the ethical conflicts that can occurwhen chemists simultaneously fulfill more than one role.
The Doping Dependence of the Drift Mobility in N-Type a-Si:H

A new technique to measure the electron drift mobility, µD, in n-type doped a-Si:H is described. µD is defined from the d. c. conductivity, σ, and the density of electrons in the band tail, nBT, by the expression σ = nBT e µD. The temperature dependence of the mobility was measured from 200K to 450K for both the thermal equilibrium and the frozen in states at different doping levels, using sweep out measurements to obtain nBT for the same thermal conditions. Doping up to 10-2 PH3/SiH4 suppresses µD by about an order of magnitude at room temperature, and increases its activation energy. Numerical modelling shows that a shift of the mobility edge into the conduction band by about 100 meV gives the best fit to the data, and is attributed to potential fluctuations induced by charged dopant and defect states.
Propagation of avirulent race of rice blast fungus on rice leaves previously infected with virulent race

Leaves of rice variety Sasanishiki were previously inoculated with virulent race N-1 of rice blast fungus. After development of susceptible lesions, the infected leaves of Sasanishiki were reinoculated with avirulent race C-3. Conidia produced on the lesions contained a few conidia of race C-3 pathogenic to variety Fukei 69 or Tachihonami.
Enrichment of Network Diagrams for Potential Surfaces

Traditional network diagrams connect nodes with simple lines. When one uses them to help interpret complex potential surfaces, that information, the links between minima, is not sufficient to give insights into the dynamics that can occur on those surfaces. Here, we introduce a simple means to introduce more information into the network diagram. Specifically, since each node represents a local potential minimum, the line that links two nodes can be considered a representation of the minimum-energy path between those minima. Then one can add a point along the link, for example, the midpoint, so the link then consists of two segments, one from each minimum to the saddle point of the lowest-energy path connecting them. That makes it possible to represent the energy, at least in terms of energy bands, by coloring each segment from minimum to saddle. We here show examples of such color-coded network diagrams for two illustrative atomic clusters.
Polyp detection in CT colonography based on imbalanced data sets

Polyp detection in CT Colongraphy suffers from imbalanced data sets where negative samples( nonpolyp) are dominant. In data level,SMOTE( Synthetic Minority Over-Sampling Technique) was applied to alleviate imbalanced degree by synthetic minority samples. In algorithm level, Boosting approach was employed in order to improve classification performance. Having combined Boosting with SMOTE( SMOTEBoost),the proposed classifier not only improved the prediction of the minority samples,but also guaranteed the accuracy over the entire data set. To satisfy real-time requirements for polyp detection,MRMR( Minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance) was provided to select low-cost simple features for training the first stage of cascade,resulting in refusing the great majority negative samples and speeding procession. The experimental results showed that the classifier could achieve an overall per-polyp sensitivity of 90%( corresponding to the polyp whose diameter is equal to or greater than 5 mm),with false positives of 6 per volume on average.
Analysis of health monitoring of additives from home-made food in catering units of Zhongshan

Objective:To investigate the health quality of additives from home-made food in catering units of Zhongshan to provide the data for regulatory authorities.Methods:The samples of Home-made food collected from catering units were detected content of food additives by the National Standard examination methods.Results:30 catering units were selected and 81 samples were detected with the passing rate of 77.8%,of which 65.1% for cake-rice products,89.3% for cooked meat and 100.0% for drinks.Conclusion:Some indicators of additives from home-made food in catering units exceeded,such as sulfur dioxide residue,residual aluminum,synthetic pigment,which should be attached great importance to by departments.The relevant functional departments should make concerted efforts,strengthening health monitoring and testing frequency,regulating the use of food additives in catering units,so as to ensure consumer health.
Carbohydrate digestion and absorption. Clinically significant abnormalities.

Although starch is our greatest source of carbohydrate, abnormalities of starch digestion are rare. More common are deficiencies of the enzymes that hydrolyze sugars and defects in the transport mechanisms of the products of digestion. The pathophysiology of carbohydrate malabsorption is discussed, together with several tests useful in diagnosis.
Unsafe at Any Speed? The Emergence of Variable Speed Federalism in the United States and the European Union

“Variable speed union,” “differentiated integration,” and other similar terms have been used to describe the uneven process of European integration over the past twenty years, as evidenced by monetary policy, social policy issues, passport and immigration controls, and certain European defense issues. In the United States, a comparable phenomenon, which we call variable speed federalism, appears to be emerging as well. This is suggested by a range of intergovernmental policy developments under President Obama, including the uneven pattern of state Medicaid expansion and health care exchanges under the Affordable Care Act and the allowance of state add-ons and opt-outs in regulatory programs like Dodd-Frank. Drawing on experience from the European Union, this paper will explore application of the concept of variable speed federalism in the United States, document its development, analyze the political, economic, and social factors that may be contributing to its emergence, and explore its potential significance for the institution of federalism.
The Complexity of the Non-invasive Cardiac Imaging Process

The noninvasive cardiac imaging clinical processes are complex secondary to the numerous providers and staff involved from initial patient evaluation through to test completion and communication of results. Factors which additionally impact the clinical processes include appropriate use criteria, utilization management, test selection, “cost” of the test, potential risk and communication of the results with implications for next diagnostic and/or therapeutic steps. The importance of guideline development and clinical implementation of decision support algorithms to simplify the process in the future will be necessary.
The Intersection of Epidemiology and Pathology

Pathology is at the cornerstone of cancer diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, and treatment as well as the molecular mechanisms of disease, while epidemiology provides insights into the burden of cancer, its causes and opportunities for prevention. Pathology and epidemiology often work together by incorporating pathological and tumor biomarker data for individuals in epidemiologic studies, or by enriching pathological studies with the principles of epidemiologic methods such as study design and population selection. These fields can also work more synergistically toward the common goal of elucidating disease etiology and progression, as we will highlight in this chapter. Within, we feature studies from the intersection of patho-epidemiology of cancer pathogenesis to illustrate our inspiration for this textbook. By integrating these two disciplines, we provide a unique and comprehensive overview that helps the reader to understand neoplastic disease processes.
Ultrasonic Guidance for Radiofrequency Ablation

Similar to transthoracic echocardiography, intracardiac echocardiography images cardiac structures with ultrasound waves. These sonic waves are emitted from an ultrasound crystal mounted onto the distal aspect of an intravascular catheter. The initial cardiac application was to evaluate intracoronary atherosclerotic lesions. Since tissue resolution varies inversely with the wavelength, and depth of penetration varies directly with wavelength, ideal imaging of the coronary endothelial surface requires high frequencies on the order of 30 mHz. For catheter ablation procedures, these ultrasound catheters were occasionally used to verify catheter tip-myocardial tissue contact.1 Modification of the intracoronary ultrasound catheters to deliver lower frequencies (9 mHz) provided greater depth of penetration and not only allowed verification of tissue contact, but also facilitated identification of specific cardiac structures important in the ablation of arrhythmias and ablation location.2–5 There are two commercially available ultrsound catheters. The first is a rotary driven transducer that images tangentially through a fluid filled catheter providing a 360° view around the catheter shaft that is angled at 15° consistent with the angle of the transducer (Figure 1). The second is a phased array system that mounts several transducers in an array on the shaft of a catheter, thus the image observed is pie shaped (Figure 2).
The Target of β-Expansin EXPB1 in Maize Cell Walls from Binding and Solid-State NMR Studies

The wall-loosening actions of β-expansins are known primarily from studies of EXPB1 extracted from maize (Zea mays) pollen. EXPB1 selectively loosens cell walls (CWs) of grasses, but its specific binding target is unknown. We characterized EXPB1 binding to sequentially extracted maize CWs, finding that the protein primarily binds glucuronoarabinoxylan (GAX), the major matrix polysaccharide in grass CWs. This binding is strongly reduced by salts, indicating that it is predominantly electrostatic in nature. For direct molecular evidence of EXPB1 binding, we conducted solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance experiments using paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE), which is sensitive to distances between unpaired electrons and nuclei. By mixing 13C-enriched maize CWs with EXPB1 functionalized with a Mn2+ tag, we measured Mn2+-induced PRE. Strong 1H and 13C PREs were observed for the carboxyls of GAX, followed by more moderate PREs for carboxyl groups in homogalacturonan and rhamnogalacturonan-I, indicating that EXPB1 preferentially binds GAX. In contrast, no PRE was observed for cellulose, indicating very weak interaction of EXPB1 with cellulose. Dynamics experiments show that EXPB1 changes GAX mobility in a complex manner: the rigid fraction of GAX became more rigid upon EXPB1 binding while the dynamic fraction became more mobile. Combining these data with previous results, we propose that EXPB1 loosens grass CWs by disrupting noncovalent junctions between highly substituted GAX and GAX of low substitution, which binds cellulose. This study provides molecular evidence of β-expansin’s target in grass CWs and demonstrates a new strategy for investigating ligand binding for proteins that are difficult to express heterologously.
Vacuum-sealed silicon micromachined incandescent light source

A silicon-filament vacuum-sealed incandescent light has been fabricated using technologies and materials derived from IC processes. The incandescent source consists of a heavily doped p/sup +/ polysilicon filament coated with silicon nitride and enclosed in a vacuum-sealed ( approximately=80 mT) cavity. The filament is electrically heated to reach a maximum temperature between 1500 and 1600 K, corresponding to a peak black body wavelength at approximately 2 mu m. The power required to achieve this temperature in a filament 350*3*1 mu m/sup 3/ is 3.5 mW. The cavity is sealed with a silicon-nitride window that is highly transmissive to the emitted radiation. The microlamp can be processed compatibly with circuits and has been operated in a liquid ambient. Without substrate cooling it requires several milliseconds for complete turn-off after being disconnected from power. >
RECENSIÓN DESCARCELACIÓN: PRINCIPIOS PARA UNA POLÍTICA PÚBLICA DE REDUCCIÓN DE LA CÁRCEL (DESDE UN GARANTISMO RADICAL)

La propagacion del panpenalismo y el consecuente crecimiento exponencial y prolongado de la poblacion penitenciaria a escala global; el sistematico incumplimiento y desprecio por las disposiciones de los tratados internacionales de derechos humanos en materia penitenciaria, al igual que la no adopcion de los protocolos de actuacion bajo un estricto respeto a la dignidad humana; el arraigo de la cultura politica de la emergencia y del excepcionalismo penal que han configurado un sistema punitivo como maquinaria de inocuizacion y neutralizacion de “indeseados”; el despliegue de velos sobre el sistema punitivo para evadir la veeduria de las organizaciones de la sociedad civil, y tras los cuales se reproducen cloacas punitivas en los mas viles escenarios de violencia y degradacion. Todo ello ha configurado un contexto de oscurantismo penitenciario -tal vez no nuevo- pero ante el cual es inaplazable la reflexion critica -y propositiva- con respecto a “la cuestion carcelaria”.
Prostaglandins as Regulators of Blood Pressure

Experimental evidence suggests that interplay between prostaglandins and both the renin-angiotensin and kallikrein-kinin systems may figure in normal blood pressure regulation. If, as seems reasona...
Cervical Cancer Screening: What's New? Updates for the Busy Clinician

Abstract In the United States, 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, even though the screening for this disease is safe and effective. There are 3 types of screening options available: cervical cytology (Papanicolaou or "Pap" test), Pap/HPV (human papillomavirus) co-test, and HPV-only test. With simplified options such as HPV-only screening, providers who have been reluctant to incorporate cervical cancer screening into their primary care practice may feel more comfortable with offering these services to women. In this article we review the different cervical cancer screening options that are now available and summarize the various changes in guidelines over the last decade.
Covalent functionalization of two-dimensional group 14 graphane analogues

The sp3-hybridized group 14 graphane analogues are a unique family of 2D materials in which every atom requires a terminal ligand for stability. Consequently, the optical, electronic, and thermal properties of these materials can be manipulated via covalent chemistry. Herein, we review the methodologies for preparing these materials, and compare their functionalization densities to Si/Ge(111) surfaces and other covalently terminated 2D materials. We discuss how the electronic structure, optical properties, and thermal stability of the 2D framework can be broadly tuned with the ligand identity and framework element. We highlight their recent application in electronics, optoelectronics, photocatalysis, and batteries. Overall, these materials are an intriguing regime in materials design in which both surface functionalization and solid-state chemistry can be uniquely exploited to systematically design properties and phenomena.
Traumatic Nail Disorders

Onychogryphosis, otherwise known as “ram’s horn nail,” is an extreme example of unbridled nail growth.9 It is a condition in which the nails become thickened and enlarged in response to trauma (e.g., wearing occlusive footwear), causing the nail to curve away from the source of pressure (Figure 42).9 This condition typically develops in middle-aged or elderly persons, many of whom have bunions or wear pointed-toe shoes. In children, onychogryphosis is often a sign of neglect or may be associated with congenital malalignment, trauma, or external pressure from a first pair of poorly fitting shoes.10 Onychogryphosis typically develops over the course of many years and may be associated with a dermatophyte infection.9 Such nail growth may make it difficult for an individual to walk normally or to wear shoes.9
Balloon Dilation of the Ureter for Ureteroscopy

AbstractBalloon dilation catheters have been used extensively for percutaneous transluminal dilation of vascular narrowings. A recent urological application has been the use of a balloon to dilate acutely the normal ureteral orifice and intramural ureter for the purpose of performing transurethral ureteroscopy. Complications of balloon dilation may result if over inflation and bursting of the balloon occur followed by ureteral injury. We report the pressure needed to dilate the ureter adequately in 122 patients during an 18-month period. Adequate dilation was achieved in 93 patients (78 per cent) at pressures of 8 atmospheres or less, while 27 (22 per cent) required more than 10 atmospheres of pressure. Balloon dilation was not satisfactory in 2 patients (2 per cent) but it was accomplished by metal bougies.Our results confirm the safety and efficiency of balloon dilation to facilitate ureteroscopy. Important safeguards when using this method include the use of balloons designed specifically for ureteral ...
Commercial food irradiation

Food irradiation is discussed. Irradiation exposes food to gamma rays from a cobalt-60 or a cesium-137 source, or to high-energy electrons emitted by an electron accelerator. A major advantage is that food can be packaged either before or after treatment. FDA regulations with regard to irradiation are discussed. Comments on an 'Advance Notice' on irradiation, published by the FDA in 1981 are summarized.
The effect of calorie restriction with and without curcumin supplementation on inflammatory and T cell-mediated immune responses of obese mice

Obesity is associated with low-grade inflammation and impaired T cell-mediated immune response. Caloric restriction (CR) is shown to reduce inflammatory response and enhance cell-mediated immune fu...
Application of aeroelastic constraints in structural optimization

The optimum synthesis of structures, under preassigned conditions of static loading and various simplified criteria of elastic or plastic stability, has now been carried to a high degree of refinement. Total mass is normally chosen as the merit function for such designs, although occasionally one might seek a minimum of mass moment of inertia or some other quantity. To ensure practicability and arrive at a well-defined problem for mathematical optimization, the general configuration of members is chosen in advance and constraints are placed on shape or volume. As evidenced by examples like those shown in a recent paper by Schmit, Morrow and Richer [1], the results are beginning to arouse keen interest wherever heavily-loaded structures must be built at the least penalty in weight. Not surprisingly, the aerospace industry is one of the strongest sources of stimulation for both research and applications of structural optimization.
Device implantation rates during inpatient surgery differ among payers at critical access versus other hospitals

Abstract Background United States critical access hospitals are paid by Medicare at 101% of reasonable costs, not based on Diagnosis Related Groups (i.e., not a preset payment and thus not an incentive to constrain costs). We hypothesized that critical access hospitals would perform disproportionately more surgical procedures involving implanted devices among patients with Medicare as the primary payer than would other hospitals. Methods This retrospective, observational cohort study examined all 272,553 major therapeutic procedures performed during inpatient surgery, October 1, 2015, to June 30, 2017, at Iowa's 82 critical access and 41 other non-federal hospitals. Results As hypothesized, among patients with Medicare as the primary payer, there were proportionately more procedures with implanted devices performed at critical access versus other hospitals (relative risk 1.14). Similarly, among patients with Medicare not being the primary payer, there were proportionately fewer procedures with devices performed at critical access versus other hospitals (relative risk 0.48). However, unexpectedly, many more of the procedures performed at critical access hospitals (73.2%) with an implantable device were lower limb joint replacement than at other hospitals (31.6%). The relative risks for lower joint replacement at critical access versus other hospitals were >1 both for patients with Medicare (2.46) and without Medicare (1.17) as primary payer. These 4 relative risks were all P Conclusions Critical access hospitals perform disproportionately more surgical procedures with implantation of devices among Medicare patients as compared with other hospitals. However, this is an indirect effect and caused mostly by the single class of procedure of hip or knee arthroplasty, not opportunistic decision-making.
Dynamic Modeling of an Integrated Flywheel Energy Storage System

To support human colonization and exploration of the lunar surface, the generation and storage for the electrical load demands for a lunar day need to be developed. For the operation of storage a Flywheel Energy Storage System could provide a reliable, efficient and low-maintenance method to help provide continuous electrical energy. The Flywheel Energy Storage System described is a low-speed flywheel that includes an external rotor and hubless electrical machine. Understanding the dynamics of the hubless machine is very important for control and described in this paper is the rotational dynamic modeling of the rotor of a low-speed Flywheel Energy Storage System.
The Misdiagnosis of Acral Lentiginous Melanoma: Three Case Presentations

Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a disease that is found on the palms, soles, and nail beds. Because these areas are not often examined during general medical examinations, the presence of ALM o...
Dissemination of quality improvement innovations by multisector health care alliances.

Purpose Multisector health care alliances (alliances) are increasingly viewed as playing an important role in improving the health and health care of local populations, in part by disseminating innovative practices, yet alliances face a number of challenges to disseminating these practices beyond a limited set of initial participants. The purpose of this paper is to examine how alliances attempt to disseminate innovative practices and the facilitating and inhibiting factors that alliances confront when trying to do so. Design/methodology/approach The authors adopted multiple holistic case study design of eight alliances with a maximum variation case selection strategy to reflect a range of structural and geographic characteristics. Semi-structured interviews with staff, leaders and board members were used. Findings The findings show that dissemination is a multidirectional process that is closely if not inextricably intertwined with capacity- and context-related factors (of the alliance, partnering organizations and target organizations). Thus, standardized approaches to dissemination are likely the exception and not the rule, and highlight the value of existing frameworks as a starting point for conceptualizing the important aspects of dissemination, but they are incomplete in their description of the “on-the-ground” dissemination processes that occur in the context of collaborative organizational forms such as alliances. Originality/value Despite a rapidly expanding evidence base to guide clinical and managerial decision making, this knowledge often fails to make its way into routine practice. Consequently, the search for effective strategies to reduce this gap has accelerated in the past decade. This study sheds light on those strategies and the challenges to implementing them.
Voice contrast and cumulative faithfulness in Luwanga Nouns

Luwanga has a seemingly allophonic surface distribution of voiced and voiceless obstruents. This commonplace distribution typically requires the proposition that segments are specified as either [±voice] underlyingly, with their counterparts derived via phonological rule. Drawing evidence from consonant alternations in Class 9/10 nouns and their derivatives, obstruents contrast for [voice], at least in stem-initial position. Elsewhere, voice is non-contrastive. The outcome of this alternation, although transparent, cannot be captured in a standard constraint-based optimality theoretic framework and instead requires machinery employed to address surface opacity. This paper illustrates that the result of competing pressures to remain faithful to the underlying segmental structure, as well as to a consonant’s specification for [voice], is the seemingly transparent but analytically opaque retention of marked structure. We illustrate that this type of cumulative faithfulness is best addressed via one of two evaluative mechanisms capable of capturing additive effects, namely Local Constraint Conjunction and Harmonic Grammar.