cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Victim-Offender Relationship in the Criminal Victimization of the Elderly

Statistics on crime reveal that in the United States, as well as in many other countries, the amount of crime reported each year is declining. However, the amount of crime committed by older persons, 65 years and above, has been on a gradual increase. An analysis of trends in the criminality of older persons shows that, although the large majority of crimes committed by the older person are property crimes, older persons are arrested and convicted for almost every type of crime, including violent crime.
Cognition and Change

What are cognitions and cognitive processes? This is as difficult as asking, what is a thought or what is the process of thought? Cognition is a general term covering all the various modes of knowing-perceiving, remembering, imagining, conceiving, judging, and reasoning. Cognitive processes are described by verbs: to think, to imagine, to judge, etc. But we also talk about the content of “what’s on my mind” in terms of nouns: a belief, an attitude, a thought, an idea, a word, an image. We have cognitions, and “ways” of thinking about these cognitions. Cognitions and cognitive processes are intertwined, and what we believe affects how these beliefs are processed. In Chapter 1, Rick believed that if his girlfriend liked another man, that would prove just how worthless Rick was. This is a cognition that influenced his decision to call or not to call his girlfriend. He did not call her because he worried that his worst fears might be confirmed, and to him that would demonstrate how worthless he was. His decision not to call was the result of a cognitive process based on a cognition.
Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Both acute stress disorder (ASD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are conditions that can occur in people who have been exposed to a traumatic life event. Traumatic events are thought to occur in at least 50% of the population. This article compares and contrasts the neuropsychology, neuroendocrinology and neurobiology of ASD and PTSD.
Application of Hybrid Dynamical Theory to the Cardiovascular System

In hybrid dynamical systems, the state evolves in continuous time as well as in discrete modes activated by internal conditions or by external events. In the recent years, hybrid systems modeling has been used to represent the dynamics of biological systems. In such systems, discrete behaviors might originate from unexpected changes in normal performance, e.g., a transition from a healthy to an abnormal condition. Simplifications, model assumptions, and/or modeled (and ignored) nonlinearities can be represented by sudden changes in the state. Modeling cardiovascular system (CVS), one of the most fascinating but most complex human physiological systems, with a hybrid approach, is the focus of this chapter. The hybrid property appears naturally in the CVS thanks to the presence of valves which, depending on their state (closed or open), divide the cardiac cycle into four phases. This chapter shows how hybrid models can be used for modeling the CVS. In addition, it describes a preliminary study on the detection of some cardiac anomalies based on the hybrid model and using the standard observer-based approach.
Judicial Checks on Corruption

The judiciary performs a variety of functions in most systems of government. Generally, one of these functions is to ensure that the executive and legislative branches exercise their power in a manner sanctioned by law, that is, the judiciary checks executive and legislative power.1 Hayek (1960) identifies two ways in which the judiciary provide checks and balances: judicial independence and constitutional review. Judicial independence is important because judges may not decide cases on the merits if they are under the influence of the legislative or executive branches. Constitutional review is important because legislators may enact laws and the executive branch may implement policies that benefit themselves and/or their associates. The judiciary places limits on such behavior by reviewing whether it is constitutional.
Failing to Fail in Undergraduate Nursing: Understanding the Phenomenon.

Aim The aim of the study was to explore and understand the phenomenon of "failing to fail." Background Phase 1 of a mixed-methods study suggested faculty in clinical settings instructed students that should not have passed preceding placements; students in didactic settings also passed exams that merited a fail. Phase 2 explored this phenomenon. Method A multisite qualitative case study targeted baccalaureate and community college faculty to support analysis using replication logic. Data collection was conducted via semistructured interview. Results Eighteen demographically diverse cases were recruited (including age, experience, and full-/part-time status). Factors supporting failing to fail included being good enough, clinical/didactic dichotomy, team grading, and being the bad guy. Conclusion The consistency of enabling factors suggests a collective approach is required to address failing to fail, including pedagogical preparation and cross-school mechanisms for ensuring grading parity. Effort must address integrity and teaching excellence in all aspects of nursing education.
Another Article About E-Cigarettes: Why Should I Care?

Hardly a week goes by without publication of another new study discussing the harms and benefits of electronic cigarettes (e‐cigarettes). In fact, a quick search of the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA ) reveals over a half dozen articles published on the topic of e‐cigarettes in
In Vitro Modulation of Redox and Metabolism Interplay at the Brain Vascular Endothelium: Genomic and Proteomic Profiles of Sulforaphane Activity.

Sulforaphane (SFN) has been shown to protect the brain vascular system and effectively reduce ischemic injuries and cognitive deficits. Given the robust cerebrovascular protection afforded by SFN, the objective of this study was to profile these effects in vitro using primary mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells and focusing on cellular redox, metabolism and detoxification functions. We used a mouse MitoChip array developed and validated at the FDA National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) to profile a host of genes encoded by nuclear and mt-DNA following SFN treatment (0–5 µM). Corresponding protein expression levels were assessed (ad hoc) by qRT-PCR, immunoblots and immunocytochemistry (ICC). Gene ontology clustering revealed that SFN treatment (24 h) significantly up-regulated ~50 key genes (>1.5 fold, adjusted p < 0.0001) and repressed 20 genes (<0.7 fold, adjusted p < 0.0001) belonging to oxidative stress, phase 1 & 2 drug metabolism enzymes (glutathione system), iron transporters, glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis. Our results show that SFN stimulated the production of ATP by promoting the expression and activity of glucose transporter-1, and glycolysis. In addition, SFN upregulated anti-oxidative stress responses, redox signaling and phase 2 drug metabolism/detoxification functions, thus elucidating further the previously observed neurovascular protective effects of this compound.
Beware of babesiosis: A rare and severe case causing death.

Abstract Babesiosis is an infectious disease caused by protozoa of the genus Babesia which is primarily transmitted by tick vectors. Most cases are asymptomatic or only mild to moderate, but some cases may be severe causing death. A 57 year old male with no reported travel outside the country was escorted by Emergency Medical Services to our Pennsylvania hospital in July of 2018 presenting with hypoglycemia, jaundice, and hypotension. Initial assessment further revealed the patient to be severely hypothermic. Resuscitative efforts began immediately and the laboratory reported parasites observed on the patient's peripheral blood smear. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit with severe septic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The patient was ultimately transferred to a tertiary care center for exchange transfusion therapy and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, but expired 36 h after presentation. Current CDC data reflects a steady rise of tick borne disease in the United States, but as of 2016 there have been no reported cases of babesiosis in the state of Pennsylvania, let alone fatalities. Clinicians need to be aware of the risk of fulminant illness when practicing in known endemic regions.
Hypoxic Depression of Respiration

Hypoxia is one of the more common and serious stresses challenging homeostasis. Apart from its effects on specialized O2 sensing chemoreceptors, hypoxia has direct effects on all the tissues of the body. The tissues of the central nervous system (CNS) are probably the most vulnerable to the injurious actions of low levels of oxygen. Because of the importance of the CNS as an organizer of integrated responses, CNS reactions to subnormal oxygenation underlie the responses of the body as a whole to acute and chronic hypoxia. The response of the CNS to hypoxia is of obvious importance in unraveling the mechanisms that participate in altitude adaptation, diseases which produce global hypoxia (chronic lung disease of the adult and infant), and diseases which produce local cerebral hypoxia (cerebral ischemia and convulsive disorders).
Use of Monte Carlo procedures to estimate first and second collision sources for discrete ordinates transport codes

Ray effects, an inherent problem in the formulation of the discrete ordinates approximation to the transport equation, are studied. In particular, the effectiveness of using Monte Carlo procedures to generated a first or second collision source is investigated. Monte Carlo procedures provide a general methodology that can be applied to the discrete ordinates solution of complex problems in either two-dimensional or three-dimensional geometries for which ray effects are likely to occur. The Monte Carlo method, which is intrinsically free of ray effects, performs the transport of the source particle to the first collision sites, at which estimates for the uncollided fluxes are made. The uncollided fluxes are then used to compute the first collided fluxes. The uncollided, collided, or first collided fluxes are calculated as first or second collision scattering sources in a format suitable for input into the DORT two-dimensional and TORT three-dimensional discrete ordinates codes. The computational time and precision requirements of the Monte Carlo calculation are analyzed. The results show that significant improvements are achieved in the solution of test problems when using the estimated first collision source and that ray effects are virtually eliminated when using the estimated second collision source.
Network Packetization In Multi-Path Environments & Next-Gen Networks

Progress in modern communication technology is continuous and accelerated. Demand for higher bandwidth, lower latency, more reliable connectivity is ever-growing. With it, supporting a higher number of devices connected, deep network awareness, as well as a more accessible network is essential. The introduction of cloud/fog computing, cooperative communication architectures, and the Internet of Things (IoT) show that the capabilities of traditional network architectures and protocols are becoming obsolete. Therefore, new technologies, such as Software-Defined Networking, Network Function Virtualization, Content-Centric Networking, and Cooperative Networking are being introduced to sustain future demands. One primary limitation is the use of the conventional TCP/IP five-layer network model. More specifically, the redundant header overhead exiting in convention communication is an inefficient use of bandwidth increasing the overall communication latency. This paper proposes a new universal packetization standard that can be used to reduce the header overhead, and to prepare for next-gen communication, such as Cooperative Multipath Communication. Cooperative Multipath Communication provides an alternative communication standard to the TCP/IP five-layer model. The paper proposes shifting the responsibilities from the bottom layers to the application layer and end nodes to eliminate the dependency on conventional methods. The result section shows a significant improvement in latency, throughput, and packet reception.
Sirolimus and Tacrolimus as Graft-vs.-Host Disease Prophylaxis in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Experience.

Abstract Sirolimus is a novel immunosuppressant similar to tacrolimus, however, sirolimus inhibits T cell function uniquely via FKBP12/mTOR and can impair dendritic cell function. Sirolimus acts synergistically with tacrolimus and has a non-overlapping toxicity profile, making their use in combination attractive. We began employing sirolimus as GVHD prophylaxis in 2000, and herein describe our experience with this compound in the myeloablative transplant setting. Methods: Two clinical trials were performed using sirolimus (target serum level 3–12 ng/ml) and tacrolimus (target serum level 5–10 ng/ml) as primary GVHD prophylaxis. Cytoxan (1800 mg/m2/d x 2) and TBI (14 Gy, 7 fractions) was the conditioning regimen used in all patients. Trial 1 enrolled 76 patients who received HLA-matched, unrelated or 1-Ag mismatched related or unrelated bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells. Abbreviated methotrexate (20 mg/m2 total) was routinely given post-transplant. Trial 2 enrolled 53 patients who received HLA-matched, related peripheral blood stem cells. No methotrexate was given post-transplant. Results: The median times to neutrophil engraftment (>500/ml) after transplantation were 17 (range 11–32) and 14 (range 9–17) days for trials 1 and 2 respectively. The median times to platelet engraftment (>20,000/ml) after transplantation were 29 (range 11–98) and 12 (range 10–47) days for trials 1 and 2. Grade II–IV acute GVHD occurred in 35% and 19% of patients in the two trials. Grade III–IV acute GVHD occurred in 21% and 4% of patients in the two trials. The median time to first hospital discharge was 33 and 19 days from transplantation for trials 1 and 2. Seven patients in trial 1 (9%) and 3 patients in trial 2 (6%) did not survive to first hospital discharge. The non-actuarial incidence of chronic GVHD in the two trials was 49 and 44%, respectively. Treatment-related mortality at 100 days was 13% and 6% in the trials. At two years, the relapse-free and overall survival estimates for trial 1 are 46 and 48% (Median follow-up of survivors: 27 months). One year relapse-free and overall survival estimates for trial 2 are 71% and 75% (Median follow-up of survivors: 15 months). Overall survival at 2 years is 72%. Toxicity related to the addition of sirolimus was modest. Among all patients (n=129), VOD occurred in 16 patients (12%), idiopathic pneumonia syndrome occurred in 9 patients (7%) and thrombotic microangiopathy occurred in 13 patients (10%). Conclusions: Sirolimus, when added to tacrolimus after allogeneic stem cell transplantation is effective for GVHD prophylaxis. Engraftment is prompt, the incidence and severity of acute GVHD are reduced and transplant-related morbidity and mortality is reduced, regardless of stem cell source and methotrexate use. Early survival estimates are excellent due to reduced GVHD and transplant-related toxicity. Sirolimus is worthy of broader study in allogeneic transplantation.
Experimental Evidence for an Atomic-like Parameter Characterizing the Systematics of Superconductivity in the Transition Metals

In a recently published paper1 we have presented experimental data on the superconducting critical temperature T c of amorphous transition metals (elements and alloys of neighboring elements) for the 4d and 5d series. We suggested that the data are consistent with the presence of a parameter first introduced by Hopfield,2 which characterizes the systematics of superconductivity in the transition metal (TM) series.‡ An unexpected result, however, is that the data indicate that this parameter η has a sharp triangular peak in the center of the d series at five d electrons per atom. This occurs for the 4d TM series at an electron-to-atom ratio e/a of 6.4. This behavior is contrary to the predictions of Bennemann and Garland,3 in which η has a smooth maximum on the right side of the TM series. In this paper we discuss other evidence, using data in the literature for the crystalline TM, indicating that η has a peak in the center of the 4d series.
The Effects of Sclerostin on the Immune System

We reviewed recent progress on the role of sclerostin (SOST) and its effects on the immune system in order to summarize the current state of knowledge in osteoimmunology, in regard to hematopoiesis, lymphopoiesis, and inflammation. Changes in sclerostin levels affect distinct niches within the bone marrow that support hematopoietic stem cells and B cell development. Sclerostin’s regulation of adipogenesis could also be important for immune cell maintenance with age. Surprisingly, B cell development in the bone marrow is influenced by Sost produced by mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts, but not by osteocytes. Additionally, extramedullary hematopoiesis in the spleen and increased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the bone marrow are observed in global Sost−/− mice. In addition to changes in bone marrow density, sclerostin depletion affects B lymphopoiesis and myelopoiesis, as well as other changes within the bone marrow cavity that could affect hematopoiesis. It is therefore important to monitor for hematopoietic changes in patients receiving sclerostin-depleting therapies.
Treating hand and foot osteoarthritis using a patient's own blood: A systematic review and meta-analysis of platelet-rich plasma.

Abstract Background This study summarizes all literature investigating platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hands and feet. Materials & methods This is a PRISMA compliant systematic review of 7 databases and includes a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial (RCT) data on pain and function. Results Nine articles were included in the review. Meta-analysis of 4 RCTs shows PRP significantly improves pain and function versus control. More results are significant at longer duration follow-up. Conclusions PRP improves pain and function of osteoarthritis. Heterogeneity and risk-of-bias limit current data, requiring more RCTs to determine any regenerative potential of PRP. Prospero Systematic Review Registration Number 136582.
Consequences of Protected Areas for Household Forest Extraction, Time Use, and Consumption: Evidence from Nepal

Many forest protected areas (PAs) are located in developing countries, where forests are a major source of food and fuel. Thus, biodiversity conservation may have unintended consequences on welfare of people in local communities. To explore this issue, we examine the effects of the new PAs in Nepal established during 1995–2003. Using the Nepal Living Standard Survey collected in 1995/1996 and 2003/2004, we evaluate the effects of these new PAs on household consumption, wood collection, and time use. Our estimates suggest that the establishment of PAs reduce the average wood collection by 20–40% compared to the period prior to PA establishment, with greater impact when PAs are strictly managed. We find evidence that households adjust to the new PAs with at least modest shifts to fuel purchased in market but not by using fuel conserving stoves, and that PAs are ineffective when climate makes fuelwood for heating essential or if households are in regions with large dependence on wood as a fuel. Finally, while wood collection reductions could lower household welfare, we find no evidence that PAs trigger either large decreases or increases in total consumption or consumption of food.
Predictors of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine intent and subsequent initiation among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors

Purpose: Despite increased risk for HPV-related secondary malignancies among young cancer survivors, <25% of 13-26-year-old survivors report HPV vaccine initiation (J Clin Oncol 35: 3582-3590). The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of HPV vaccine intent and subsequent initiation among cancer survivors via self-reported survey and state-based immunization registry records. Methods: Survivors (or parent proxy for those <18 years) previously treated at a pediatric cancer center in Georgia who were currently 9-26 years of age and 1-5 years post-treatment were surveyed to assess HPV vaccination status, sociodemographic factors, intent to receive HPV …
Sparsity Promoting H ₂-Conic Control

A controller is designed through an alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) algorithm to maximize sparsity while providing similar closed-loop $\mathscr {H}_{2}$ performance to an optimal “target” controller and imposing conic bounds that ensure robust input-output stability for the nonlinear closed-loop system. The invoked sparsity improves implementation feasibility for large scale systems. The optimal target controller problem is reformulated and solved in terms of structured static output feedback. Feasibility and convergence are proved and the design is applied to a chain of mass-spring-dampers.
Prediction of Protein Complex Structure Using Surface-Induced Dissociation and Cryo-Electron Microscopy.

A variety of techniques involving the use of mass spectrometry (MS) have been developed to obtain structural information on proteins and protein complexes. One example of these techniques, surface-induced dissociation (SID), has been used to study the oligomeric state and connectivity of protein complexes. Recently, we demonstrated that appearance energies (AE) could be extracted from SID experiments and that they correlate with structural features of specific protein-protein interfaces. While SID AE provides some structural information, the AE data alone are not sufficient to determine the structures of the complexes. For this reason, we sought to supplement the data with computational modeling, through protein-protein docking. In a previous study, we demonstrated that the scoring of structures generated from protein-protein docking could be improved with the inclusion of SID data; however, this work relied on knowledge of the correct tertiary structure and only built full complexes for a few cases. Here, we performed docking using input structures that require less prior knowledge, using homology models, unbound crystal structures, and bound+perturbed crystal structures. Using flexible ensemble docking (to build primarily subcomplexes from an ensemble of backbone structures), the RMSD100 of all (15/15) predicted structures using the combined Rosetta, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and SID score was less than 4 A, compared to only 7/15 without SID and cryo-EM. Symmetric docking (which used symmetry to build full complexes) resulted in predicted structures with RMSD100 less than 4 A for 14/15 cases with experimental data, compared to only 5/15 without SID and cryo-EM. Finally, we also developed a confidence metric for which all (26/26) proteins flagged as high confidence were accurately predicted.
The Impact of Responsibility Delegation on Policy and Practice Implementation: A Contingency Approach

Policy and practice implementation is an issue of enduring importance to scholars, public managers, and citizens alike. The expansion and maturation of literature bring in a discussion on whether g...
Modulating Thyroid Hormone Levels in Adult Mice: Impact on Behavior and Compensatory Brain Changes.

Thyroid hormone (TH) perturbation is a common medical problem. Because of substantial public health impact, prior researchers have studied hyper- and hypothyroidism in animal models. Although most prior research focused on in utero and/or developmental effects, changes in circulating TH levels are commonly seen in elderly individuals: approximately 20% of persons older than 80 years have clinically impactful hypothyroidism and up to 5% have clinical hyperthyroidism, with women being more often affected than men. TH disease model methodology in mice have varied but usually focus on a single sex, and the impact(s) of TH perturbation on the adult brain are not well understood. We administered thyroxine to middle-aged (13 to 14 months) male and female mice to model hyperthyroidism and TH-lowering drugs propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole, to induce hypothyroidism. These pharmacological agents are used commonly in adult humans. Circulating TH-level changes were observed when thyroxine was dosed at 20 µg/mL in drinking water for two weeks. By contrast, PTU and methimazole did not elicit a consistent reproducible effect until two months of treatment. No substantial changes in TH levels were detected in brain tissues of treated animals; however, pronounced changes in gene expression, specifically for TH-processing transcripts, were observed following the treatment with thyroxine. Our study indicated a robust compensatory mechanism by which the brain tissue/cells minimize the TH fluctuation in CNS by altering gene expression. Neurobehavioral changes were related to the TH perturbation and suggested potential associations between cognitive status and hyper- and hypothyroidism.
Classification and clustering of RNA crosslink-ligation data reveal complex structures and homodimers

The recent development and application of methods based on the general principle of "crosslinking and proximity ligation" (crosslink-ligation) are revolutionizing RNA structure studies in living cells. However, extracting structure information from such data presents unique challenges. Here we introduce a set of computational tools for the systematic analysis of data from a wide variety of cross-link-ligation methods, specifically focusing on read mapping, alignment classification and clustering. We design a new strategy to map short reads with irregular gaps at high sensitivity and specificity. Analysis of previously published data reveals distinct properties and bias caused by the crosslinking reactions. We perform rigorous and exhaustive classification of alignments and discover 8 types of arrangements that provide distinct information on RNA structures and interactions. To deconvolve the dense and inter-twined gapped alignments, we develop a network/graph-based tool CRSSANT (Crosslinked RNA Secondary Structure Analysis using Network Techniques), which enables clustering of gapped alignments and discovery of new alternative and dynamic conformations. We discover that multiple crosslinking and ligation events can occur on the same RNA, generating multi-segment alignments to report complex high level RNA structures and multi-RNA interactions. We find that alignments with overlapped segments are produced from potential homodimers and develop a new method for their de novo identification. Analysis of overlapping alignments revealed potential new homodimers in cellular noncoding RNAs and RNA virus genomes in the Picornaviridae family. Together, this suite of computational tools enables rapid and efficient analysis of RNA structure and interaction data in living cells.
Spectral Optimization of Solid-State Light Sources for Cyanosis Observation Index, Circadian, and Color Metrics

Detecting skin color changes has medical diagnostic value. Spectral optimization of a 16-channel LED for cyanosis observation index, circadian, color, and efficacy metrics underline the benefits of using tunable lighting systems in healthcare facilities.
The 1/N Expansion in Atomic and Particle Physics

The 1/N expansion in atomic physics is explained in order to motivate consideration of the 1/N expansion in QCD. Some comments are made concerning possible future development of the 1/N expansion in QCD.
Contextual differences in student motivation and self-regulated learning in mathematics, English, and social studies classrooms

Recent research on self-regulated learning has stressed the importance of both motivational and cognitive components of classroom learning. Much of this research has examined these components without consideration of potential contextual differences. Using a within-subject correlational design, the present study assessed mean level differences in students' task value, self-efficacy, test anxiety, cognitive strategy use, regulatory strategy use, and classroom academic performance by gender and across the subject areas of mathematics, social studies, and English. In addition, the relations among the motivational, strategy use, and performance measures were assessed using multivariate regressions. The participants were 545 seventh and eighth grade students (51% females) who responded to a self-report questionnaire. Results revealed mean level differences by subject area and gender in the motivation and cognitive strategy use variables, but not in regulatory strategy use or academic performance. In contrast, results indicated that the relations among these constructs was very similar across the three subject areas examined. Findings are discussed in terms of their importance for understanding the contextual nature of students' self-regulated learning.
Test Generation Based on High-Level Assertion Specification for PowerPCTM Microprocessor Embedded Arrays

Test and validation of embedded array blocks remains a major challenge in today‘s microprocessor design environment. The difficulty comes from twofold, the sizes of the arrays and the complexity of their timing and control. This paper describes a novel test generation methodology for test and validation of microprocessor embedded arrays. Unlike traditional ATPG methods, our test generation method is based upon the high-level assertion specification which is originally used for the purpose of formal verification. The superiority of these assertion tests over the traditional ATPG tests will be discussed and shown through various experiments on recent PowerPC microprocessor designs.
Selective Inhibition of the Synthesis of Sindbis Virion Proteins by an Inhibitor of Chymotrypsin

Treatment of chick embryo fibroblasts infected with Sindbis virus with TPCK, the choloromethyl ketone derivative of tosyl-phenylalanine and an inhibitor of chymotrypsin, resulted in reduced synthesis of viral structural proteins and the accumulation of a high-molecular-weight polypeptide, thought to be a precursor. The analogous inhibitor of trypsin, TLCK, the chloromethyl ketone derivative of tosyllysine, had no such effect.
Interruption to cutaneous gas exchange is not a likely mechanism of WNS-associated death in bats

Pseudogymnoascus destructans is the causative fungal agent of white-nose syndrome (WNS), an emerging fungal-borne epizootic. WNS is responsible for a catastrophic decline of hibernating bats in North America, yet we have limited understanding of the physiological interactions between pathogen and host. Pseudogymnoascus destructans severely damages wings and tail membranes, by causing dryness that leads to whole sections crumbling off. Four possible mechanisms have been proposed by which infection could lead to dehydration; in this study, we tested one: P. destructans infection could cause disruption to passive gas-exchange pathways across the wing membranes, thereby causing a compensatory increase in water-intensive pulmonary respiration. We hypothesized that total evaporative water loss would be greater when passive gas exchange was inhibited. We found that bats did not lose more water when passive pathways were blocked. This study provides evidence against the proposed proximal mechanism that disruption to passive gas exchange causes dehydration and death to WNS-infected bats.
Analysis of various energy storage systems for variable speed wind turbines

Wind Energy is an intermittent and unpredictable resource. During the high penetration of wind power into the power grid, wind turbines can affect power quality substantially. Voltage fluctuations or flicker, Harmonics and Inter-harmonics, and Voltage drops are all present in this environment. Subsequent affects on active and reactive power, can lead to degrading of grid protection and increased reconnection time. Energy storage systems (ESS) with variable speed wind turbines (VSWT) such as a Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) or a Permanent Magnetic Synchronous Generator (PMSG) could be a solution to improving the power quality resulting from the “variability” of wind output power. This paper describes the performance analysis of different Hybrid ESS's (Battery ESS, Super Capacitor ESS and Electrical Dual Layer Capacitor ESS) connected to two different models of 2MW, 60Hz VSWT's to improve the power quality measured in terms of Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). From simulation results, a Proposed Hybrid System is shown to be a solution in overcoming the problems of high THD and hence the improvement of power quality. Simulation studies have been carried out on a Power System Computer Aided Design /Electromagnetic Transients Direct Current (PSCAD/EMTDC) to compare and verify the system performance under different scenarios.
Mechanism of activation of simian virus 40 DNA replication by protein phosphatase 2A.

Abstract The catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2Ac) stimulates the initiation of replication of simian virus 40 DNA in vitro by dephosphorylating T antigen at specific phosphoserine residues (K. H. Scheidtmann, D. M. Virshup, and T. J. Kelly, J. Virol. 65:2098-2101, 1991). To better define the biochemical mechanism responsible for this stimulation, we investigated the effect of PP2Ac on the interaction of T antigen with wild-type and mutant origins of replication. Analysis of the binding of T antigen to the wild-type origin as a function of protein concentration revealed that binding occurs in two relatively discrete steps: the assembly of a T-antigen hexamer on one half-site of the origin, followed by the assembly of the second hexamer on the other half-site. The major effect of PP2Ac was to stimulate binding of the second hexamer, so that the binding reaction became much more cooperative. This observation suggests that dephosphorylation of T antigen by PP2Ac primarily affects interactions between the two hexamers bound to the origin. Pretreatment with PP2Ac increased the ability of the bound T antigen to unwind the origin of replication but had no effect on the intrinsic helicase activity of the protein. Thus, dephosphorylation of PP2Ac appears to increase the efficiency of the initial opening of the origin by T antigen. An insertion mutation at the dyad axis in the simian virus 40 origin, which altered the structural relationship of the two halves of the origin, abolished the effect of the phosphatase on the cooperativity of binding and completely prevented origin unwinding. These findings suggest that the ability of T antigen to open the viral origin of DNA replication is critically dependent on the appropriate functional interactions between T-antigen hexamers and that these interactions are regulated by the phosphorylation state of the viral initiator protein.
Adsorption and analysis of the insecticides thiamethoxam and indoxacarb in hawaiian soils.

A method was developed for the simultaneous extraction and analysis of the insecticides indoxacarb and thiamethoxam from five Hawaiian soils. Using pressurized fluid extraction followed by liquid chromatography, optimized recoveries from the five soils were obtained ranging from 80% ± 5 to 101% ± 10 for thiamethoxam, and 83% ± 6 to 106% ± 7 for indoxacarb. Aging studies also showed strong binding of indoxacarb to all soils tested after 30 days, while thiamethoxam remained quite available for extraction during the length of the study (90 days). Freundlich constant (Kf) and empirical value (n) for thiamethoxam sorption on Lihue soil were 0.007391 mmol(1-1/n)·L1/n·g-1 and 1.1377, respectively; Kf and n were 0.007844 mmol(1-1/n)·L1/n·g-1 and 0.8473, respectively, on Wahiawa soil. The organic carbon adsorption constant (Koc) of thiamethoxam was 0.53 in Lihue soil and 0.23 in Wahiawa soil. Keywords: Insecticides; soils
The Impact of Fetal Echocardiography

Fetal echocardiography has impacted the fetus with congenital heart disease in many important ways. Advances in fetal echocardiography have allowed for more accurate and earlier detection of cardiac abnormalities. In turn, the prenatal diagnosis of cardiac abnormalities has improved the care and outcome of selected fetuses with severe cardiac malformations or arrhythmias. Fetal echocardiography has improved the understanding of the development and evolution of congenital heart disease in utero, and it may serve a role in identifying candidates for prenatal intervention. The prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease has allowed for better counseling and preparation of families regarding the anticipated prenatal development of the fetus as well as the expected postnatal management plans and prognosis. This article reviews the impact of fetal echocardiography in these and other areas.
Response of cat inferior colliculus neurons to binaural beat stimuli: possible mechanisms for sound localization

The interaural phase sensitivity of neurons was studied through the use of binaural beat stimuli. The response of most cells was phase-locked to the beat frequency, which provides a possible neural correlate to the human sensation of binaural beats. In addition, this stimulus allowed the direction and rate of interaural phase change to be varied. Some neurons in our sample responded selectively to manipulations of these two variables, which suggests a sensitivity to direction or speed of movement.
Psychotherapy with College Student Survivors of War and Political Trauma

The purpose of this article is to bring to the fore a topic that has received little mention in the college student literature: conducting psychotherapy with survivors of war and political trauma who seek treatment at college and university counseling centers. Following a discussion of political trauma in relation to typical developmental challenges of the college years, several case examples illustrate clinical issues for these students. In addition, personal and professional issues faced by the counselors who work with this population will be addressed. Psychotherapy with these clients has demonstrated the potential of resiliency in the aftermath of political trauma.
Implantation and Fetal Survival in the Rat as Affected by Intrauterine Injection of Normal Sterile Saline

The pregnant rat has been used as a model for the testing of drugs applied directly into the uterus to determine their effects on implantation and fetal viability. Because of current interest in developing new contraceptive agents, it appeared pertinent to define the experimental model more precisely. Timed pregnant rats were laparotomized under light ether anesthesia. A sterile 25 gauge needle attached to a 1 ml tuberculin syringe was inserted into the lumen of 1 uterine horn at the cervical end. Sterile saline (0.1 ml, 0.9%) was injected into the horn on 1 occasion between Days 3-9 of pregnancy (day sperm found in vagina = Day 1). Rats were autopsied on Day 15. Percent implantation (number of sites/number of corpora lutea) was decreased when 0.1 ml saline was injected on Day 4, but not affected by injection on any other day. Fetal viability (number of viable fetuses/number of sites) was decreased by the injection of 0.1 ml saline on Days 4, 5, 6 or 7; the greatest effect was observed with injection on Day 6. On this day complete resorption occurred in the injected horn of 26 of 28 rats. No effect was observed in untreated contralateral horns. Complete fetal resorption could be effected by injection on Day 6 of 0.1 ml saline into both horns. Decreasing the volume of saline injected on Day 6 resulted in a decrease in the number of resorbed sites. Day’6 sham controls (needle inserted but nothing injected) showed normal fetal viability. Uterine horns injected on Day 6, when observed histologically on Day 9, contained implanted blastocysts. However, undifferentiated cells were seen in the blastocyst cavity along with maternal blood cells, typical of a resorbing blastocyst. These data illustrate that intrauterine normal saline may greatly affect fetal viability depending on the volume and the day of injection; thus defining some limitations of the model as used for antifertility drug testing. The results also describe an animal model with which physiologic correlates of the resorption process can be studied,
Surface studies of barium and barium oxide on tungsten and its application to understanding the mechanism of operation of an impregnated tungsten cathode

Surface studies have been made of multilayer and monolayer films of barium and barium oxide on a tungsten substrate. The purpose of the investigation was to synthesize the surface conditions that exist on an activated impregnated tungsten cathode and obtain a better understanding of the mechanism of operation of such cathodes. The techniques employed in these measurements were Auger spectroscopy and work-function measurements. The results of this study show that the surface of an impregnated cathode is identical to that observed for a synthesized monolayer or partial monolayer of barium on oxidized tungsten by evaluating Auger spectra and work-function measurements. Data obtained from desorption studies of barium monolayers on a tungsten substrate in conjunction with Auger and work-function results have been interpreted to show that throughout most of its life an impreganated cathode has a partial monolayer, rather than a monolayer, of barium on its surface.
Effect of phosphor persistence on photometry with image intensifiers and integrating readout devices.

A proximity-focused image intensifier, fiber optically coupled to a charge-coupled device, forms a compact and adaptable detector system, an ICCD, that is useful over an extraordinarily wide range of input intensities. For critical photometric applications, persistence in the glowfrom the phosphor of the image intensifier must be taken into account. A model of persistence can help in understanding the capabilities and limitations of the detector and in designing experiments using it. The model can also be used to derive photometric correctionsfor persistence. The necessityfor photometric corrections for persistence can often be avoided by careful experimental design.
THE EFFECTS OF BENSULIDE ON THE GROWTH, MORPHOLOGY AND ANATOMY OF OAT ROOTS

Summary. Oat seedlings were grown by two different methods in various concentrations of bensulide. Root growth was inhibited, the roots were sometimes curved and root hairs were often present close to the root tip. Structural features of the treated roots included epidermal cells which were greatly elongated radially; short, pitied trachcary elements differentiated close to the root tip; and occasional lesions. One of the primary effects of bensulide appears to be inhibition of root growth, though it does not completely inhibit mitosis. Resume. Des plantules d'avoine ont ete cultivees selon deux methodes differentes en presence de bensulide a des concentrations variees. La croissance des racines fut inhibee et elles furent parfois deformees; des poils absorbants furent souvent observes pres de l'extremite des racines. Les racines traitees;- pre prepresentaient des structures caracteristiques avec des cellules epidermiques tres alongees dans le sens radial, des elements courts et creusis de galeries pres de l'extremite des racines et enfin des lesions accidentcUes. Un des principaux effets de la bensuHde semble etre [’ inhibition de la croissance des racines, bien qu'clle n'inbibe pas completement la mitose. Zusammenfassung. Haferkeimpfianzen wurden auf zwei verschiedene Weisen in versehiedenen Konzentrationen von Bensulid gezogen. Das Wurzelwachstum wurde gehemmt, die Wurzeln waren manchmal gekrummt und haufig waren Wurzelhaare nahe der Wurzelspitze zu finden. Besonderheiten in der Struktur der behandflten Wurzeln waren z.B. Epidermiszellen, die radial sehr stark vtrrlangert waren, kurze Tracheiden, die sich nahe der Wurzelspitze differenzierten und gekgentHche Lesionen. Einer der Priiiiareffekte von Bensulid scheint die Hemmung des Wurzclwachstums zu sein, obgleich die Mitose nicht vollstandig gehemmt wird.
Confessions of a Librarian or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Google

Have you ever stopped to think about life before Google? We will make the argument that Google is the first manifestation of Web 2.0, of the power and promise of social networking and the ubiquitous wiki. We will discuss the positive influence of Google and how Google and other social networking tools afford librarians leading-edge technologies and new opportunities to teach information literacy. Finally, we will include a top seven list of googlesque tools that no librarian should be without.
Electronic and magnetic properties of manganese impurities in aluminum.

We studied the electronic structure of manganese impurities in a fcc aluminum matrix by means of calculations for a free ${\mathrm{MnAl}}_{18}$ cluster. Our ab initio self-consistent computations employed the Rajagopal-Singhal-Kimball local-spin-density potential and a symmetrized Gaussian-orbital basis. The local and cluster magnetic moments are, respectively, 1.74${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$ and 1.0${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$. Substantial screening of the Mn moment by opposite polarization of the surrounding Al atoms was found.
Early Trends toward Class Stratification: Chaos, Common Property, and Flood Recession Agriculture

In societies based on flood recession agriculture in arid regions, economic stratification, institutionalized ways of sloughing off population, and common property are particularly valuable risk management options. Using ethnographic data from the Senegal River Basin and historical data from the Nile Valley, I argue that tendencies toward stratification were inherent in riverine societies practicing flood recession agriculture. Thus, early stratification occurred long before population pressure reached significant levels and well before regional trade, extensive storage capacity, or elaborate water-management infrastructure became economically significant. The article is intended to help explain why a number of civilizations developed in arid riverine contexts.
Overview of USEPA/CLEAR Lake Erie Sediment Oxygen Demand Investigations During 1979

Abstract In situ hypolimnetic oxygen depletion measurements were conducted during four summer cruises in 1979 at two central basin stations in Lake Erie to evaluate the relative contribution of the sediments to the oxygen demand. Sediment oxygen demand (SOD) rates were determined by measuring the rate of oxygen decrease within a triangular benthic chamber; water column oxygen demand (WOD) rates were determined using 24-hour light and dark bottles placed in situ . Results indicated that the SOD contribution to the hypolimnetic oxygen depletion rate decreased throughout the summer from about 81% to only 30% with an initially high rate due to spring algal biomass sedimentation and lower rates in late summer due to depressed oxygen levels. The WOD rate contribution increased from 19% to 70% throughout the stratified period due to the decomposition of settling algal cells. Comparing the overall volumetric summer in situ rates (0.126 mg O 2 /L/day) with cruise-interval depletion rates (0.365 mg O 2 /L/day), the in situ rates were about 300% higher. This is attributed to unaccounted oxygen sources to the hypolimnion and because the in situ rates measure the gross WOD and SOD rather than measuring the net effects they exert.