cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of tolbutamide and exogenous insulin on the metabolic responses of rats.

SummaryThe effect of tolbutamide or exogenous insulin on the levels of certain enzymes, blood glucose, serum IRI, and lipids in the blood, liver, and carcass of Wistar rats was studied. The drugs, administered from weaning to 100 days of age, appeared to increase the activity of G6PD, ME, ICD, CE, and the level of liver cholesterol. Blood glucose, IRI, and the level of lipid in the liver and carcass were unaffected by the treatments. These findings show that slight changes in insulin status early in life may result in markedly different metabolic patterns at maturity.
The Development of Lycoperdon Acuminatum

Lycoperdon acuminatum develops similarly to other investigated species of Lycoperdaceae. The fruit bodies arise from a poorly developed rhizomorph whose branches penetrate for some distance between...
Planarization of GaN by the Etch-Back Method

The planarization of GaN has been mainly addressed by chemo-mechanical polishing methods in the literature. Such techniques were found to be successful in planarizing the nitrogen polar (000-1) surface of GaN. However, planarization of the gallium polar (0001) surface presents a challenge due to its higher degree of chemical inertness. Moreover, studies on the planarization of the remaining crystal orientations remain a topic with sparse representation in the literature. In this paper, we report our planarization studies of GaN films using an etch-back technique. Photoresist is employed as the sacrificial layer and a chlorine inductively coupled plasma (ICP) used for etching. We demonstrate the planarization of rough C-plane and A-plane GaN films grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE). Specifically, an rms roughness of approximately 2.1nm and 4.1nm was realized after iterative etch-back for a representative C-plane and A-plane sample with initial rms roughness of 134nm and 414nm respectively.
PHYTOPHTHORA MELONIS AND P. SINENSIS SYNONYMOUS WITH P. DRECHSLERI

Isolates from cucumber in Iran, Japan, Taiwan and the mainland of China were compared under similar cultural conditions. Although previously identified as Phytophthora drechsleri, P. melonis or P. sinensis, they were all similar in cultural, morphological and physiological characteristics. It is suggested that P. melonis and P. sinensis should be treated as synonyms of P. drechsleri, which has nomenclatural priority. Phytophthora melonis Katsura was described by Katsura (1968) as the causal agent of foot rot of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in Japan. Since then, a similar disease known as dieback, root rot, foot rot, crown rot or blight has been reported on various cucurbits in Egypt, Iran, Turkey and China. The pathogen was identified as P. drechsleri Tucker in the Middle East (Ershad and Mostowfipoor, 1969; El-Helaly et al., 1968; Maden and Karahan, 1980). Isolates from Taiwan and the mainland of China were recognized as P. melonis (Wong and Jiang, 1980; Chao et al., 1981; Lu and Gong, 1982; Hwang and Chi, 1982; Chang, 1983) although most of the researchers recognized that the sporangial papillation and proliferation were different from Katsura's original description. Yu and Zhuang (1982) considered some of these isolates distinct enough to warrant a new species name: P. sinensis Yu & Zhuang. Ho et al. (1984) re-examined Chinese isolates primarily from the Nanjing area and concluded that they should be identified as P. drechsleri. The present study was conducted to compare the isolates from cucumber in different countries to determine if they belonged to one or more than one species.
Masson’s Tumor of the Kidney: A New Renal Lesion

Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (Masson's tumor) is a rare benign reactive lesion usually found in thrombosed subcutaneous blood vessels. We report a case of Masson's tumor of the kidney, and discuss the relevant clinical, radiographical and pathological aspects.
Study of Serpentine Guard Traces to Reduce the Crosstalk for Non-parallel Transmission Line

It is very complicated and difficult to estimate coupling(crosstalk) of non-parallel transmission line,but the effect of the crosstalk must be analyzed at high speed circuits.In this paper,serpentine guard trace is introduced to reduce the crosstalk for the non-parallel transmission line in non-balanced transmission line problems.Also,according to the property of non-parallel structures,the serpentine lines are introduced into between of the non-parallel structures,also,the original structure of the line will be improved and replaced the irregular serpentine lines by a serial of smaller interval lines,but also the short-circuit vias can be added to get the minimum far-end crosstalk.
Improvement in metronidazole determination of Jiejunling solution

Objective:To improve the content determination of Jiejunling solution.Methods:According to the difference of the solubility in aether between metronidazole and ethyl hydroxybenzoate wether was used to extract ethyl hydroxybenzoate.Results:This method eliminated the interference of the imfluence of ethyl hydroxybenzoate,such as hypsochromic shift of wave and a bit higher of the results.The average recovery was 99.31%,RSD=0.68%(n=6).Conclusions:This method was simple,fast and accurate,and was suitable for improving the original criteria.
Method for studying arterial wave transmission effects on left ventricular function

A technique for studying the real-time effects of arterial wave reflections on the performance of the isolated left ventricle was investigated. Real-time arterial loading of an isolated ferret heart with an asymmetric T-tube wave transmission model was obtained with the use of a multiprocessor computer control system and a volume control linear motor pump. The multiprocessor computer system was programmed to compute the instantaneous aortic flow from the instantaneous ventricular pressure. The time integral of the flow was used as a command to the linear motor pump to control the instantaneous ventricular volume. This loading system allowed the imposition of a wide variety of vascular impedances on the ventricle by changing the parameters of the asymmetric T-tube model.
What Are We Missing

As a young committee chair and board member, I was struck by the number of times I heard someone ask, ‘‘What is in the best interest of our members?’’ That phrase is at the core of everything we do. As an organization, our mission is to ‘‘serve as an advocate for surgeons who seek excellence in the care of breast patients, by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas, and by promoting education, research and the development of advanced surgical techniques’’. But is there something that we are missing?
Role of the Cerebellum in Cognitive Function

Researchers in the Department of Psychology, University of Rome, Italy, retrospectively analyzed charts from patients in the Ataxia Lab of Santa Lucia Foundation between 1997 and 2007, focusing on the role of the cerebellum in cognition.
Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis is associated with elevated cell cycle arrest markers related to reduced renal blood flow and postcontrast hypoxia.

BACKGROUND Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) reduces renal blood flow (RBF), ultimately leading to kidney hypoxia and inflammation. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-7 (IGFBP-7) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) are biomarkers of cell cycle arrest, often increased in ischemic conditions and predictive of acute kidney injury (AKI). This study sought to examine the relationships between renal vein levels of IGFBP-7, TIMP-2, reductions in RBF and postcontrast hypoxia as measured by blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS Renal vein levels of IGFBP-7 and TIMP-2 were obtained in an ARAS cohort (n= 29) scheduled for renal artery stenting and essential hypertensive (EH) healthy controls (n = 32). Cortical and medullary RBFs were measured by multidetector computed tomography (CT) immediately before renal artery stenting and 3 months later. BOLD imaging was performed before and 3 months after stenting in all patients, and a subgroup (N = 12) underwent repeat BOLD imaging 24 h after CT/stenting to examine postcontrast/procedure levels of hypoxia. RESULTS Preintervention IGFBP-7 and TIMP-2 levels were elevated in ARAS compared with EH (18.5 ± 2.0 versus 15.7 ± 1.5 and 97.4 ± 23.1 versus 62.7 ± 9.2 ng/mL, respectively; P< 0.0001); baseline IGFBP-7 correlated inversely with hypoxia developing 24 h after contrast injection (r = -0.73, P< 0.0001) and with prestent cortical blood flow (r = -0.59, P= 0.004). CONCLUSION These data demonstrate elevated IGFBP-7 and TIMP-2 levels in ARAS as a function of the degree of reduced RBF. Elevated baseline IGFBP-7 levels were associated with protection against postimaging hypoxia, consistent with 'ischemic preconditioning'. Despite contrast injection and stenting, AKI in these high-risk ARAS subjects with elevated IGFBP-7/TIMP-2 was rare and did not affect long-term kidney function.
Observational study on the pavement performance effects of shoulder rumble strip on shoulders

Abstract Rumble strip implementation has shown a constant increase with its safety benefits. Rumble strips are milled into the roadway shoulder to produce noise and vibrations when driven on. With the milling process, the pavement performance is expected to be negatively impacted by the decreased depth, though not mathematically quantified. Using methods defined by the Long-Term Pavement Performance Program, the severity of the shoulder site’s distresses, with and without shoulder rumble strips, will be quantified. The quantification would permit the design to compensate for the impact. This design compensation allows the implementation of hard shoulder running, the use of shoulder as a travel lane during congestion, and retains the shoulder rumble strip safety instead of removing, as suggested by some proposed projects. While hard shoulder running would not impact specific time periods, the safety benefit of rumble strips could be needed at any time. This study aims to quantify the rumble strip impact to enable the full shoulder strength for hard shoulder running while retaining the safety benefits of rumble strips.
Formation and Scrolling Behavior of Metal Fluoride and Oxyfluoride Nanosheets

We report 1–2 unit-cell-thick CaF2 nanosheets, which can be converted topochemically into LaF3–2xOx nanosheets that scroll spontaneously. The formation of CaF2 nanosheets is achieved through interlayer confinement and templating within CaSi2 during reaction with aqueous HF. The structure and morphology of these nanosheets are characterized by HRTEM, AFM, and powder XRD. Solid-state MAS and solution 19F NMR spectroscopies provide further information about interstitial fluoride sites within CaF2 nanosheets as well as help identify side products of the CaSi2 + HF reaction. CaF2 nanosheets react with lanthanide salts at room temperature to yield nanostructured hexagonal LnF3 (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu), orthorhombic LnF3 (Ln = Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb), and cubic YbF3–x products. Furthermore, the reaction of CaF2 nanosheets with lanthanum salts is unique in producing LaF3–2xOx. The evidence for this composition includes powder XRD, EDS, XPS, and 19F NMR data. The structure of LaF3–2xOx differs from hexagonal LaF3 onl...
Agricultural and Municipal Use of Wastewater

Areas in relatively dry climates often have water shortages and there is competition between municipal and agricultural (irrigation) water use. The problem can be alleviated by using the water twice, first for the cities and then for agriculture after the municipal wastewater has been properly treated. There are now two sets of water quality standards for irrigation with wastewater: a stringent set for developed countries, and a less stringent set for developing countries. Also, more and more cities will have to use their wastewater internally for irrigation of parks, etc., and even for drinking. The latter requires advanced wastewater treatment. Part of this treatment can be supplied inexpensively by a groundwater recharge and recovery system, which also provides storage and enhances the aesthetics of direct potable reuse of wastewater by breaking the pipe-to-pipe connection. The renovated water from a recharge or “soil-aquifer treatment” system generally can be used as such for unrestricted irrigation, but potable use requires additional treatment.
The era of coherent optical frequency references

In the past four years have shown a dramatic improvement in the performance of optical frequency references and in the methods by which they are calibrated and utilized. These revolutionary changes result from better stabilized lasers that probe narrow-linewidth transitions in laser-cooled atoms and ions, and from the development of a convenient method for synthesizing, measuring and distributing optical frequencies based on mode-locked lasers.
Infrastructure Reporting and State Bond Ratings

Municipal governments are given the choice of two methods for reporting infrastructure assets, the depreciation approach and the modified approach. Using a model that simultaneously estimates a state's bond rating and a state's choice of the modified approach to reporting infrastructure, empirical tests suggest that bond rating agencies evaluate the government-wide accounting information differently for states that adopt the modified approach compared to states that use depreciation accounting. The use of the modified approach may lead to either a higher or lower bond rating, depending on the level of other accounting measures.
New Insights on Electro-Optical Response of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrenesulfonate) Film to Humidity.

Understanding the relative humidity (RH) response of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is critical for improving the stability of organic electronic devices and developing selective sensors. In this work, combined gravimetric sensing, nanoscale surface probing, and mesoscale optoelectronic characterization are used to directly compare the RH dependence of electrical and optical conductivities and unfold connections between the rate of water adsorption and changes in functional properties of PEDOT:PSS film. We report three distinct regimes where changes in electrical conductivity, optical conductivity, and optical bandgap are correlated with the mass of adsorbed water. At low (RH 60%) humidity levels, dramatic changes in electrical, optical, and structural properties occur, while changes are insignificant in mid-RH (25 < RH < 60%) conditions. We associate the three regimes with water adsorption at hydrophilic moieties at low RH, diffusion and swelling throughout the film at mid-RH, and saturation of the film by water at high RH. Optical film thickness increased by 150% as RH was increased from 9 to 80%. Low frequency (1 kHz) impedance increased by ∼100%, and film capacitance increased by ∼30% as RH increased from 9 to 80% due to an increase in the film dielectric constant. Changes in electrical and optical conductivities concomitantly decrease across the full range of RH tested.
Cutaneous DNA Immunization: Enhancing Penetration by Hair Follicle Modification or Microneedle Application

Vaccines are often administered by subcutaneous or intramuscular injections. However, there is evidence that the skin is an ideal site for vaccination. Delivery of antigens into the epidermis and dermis layers of skin, where there is a high density of LCs and DCs, can potentially induce a strong immune response. However, by nature, skin is not very permeable for antigens. The major hurdle in skin permeation is the outermost stratum corneum layer. Cutaneous DNA immunization was proven feasible in 1999. However, the immune response induced by cutaneous DNA immunization is generally weak, and various techniques have been explored to enhance it. In this chapter, we will discuss two of the techniques, cutaneous DNA immunization by modifying hair follicles or hair follicle cycle and microneedle-mediated cutaneous DNA immunization.
Parental Stress and Child Temperament

Parenting is often stressful, and stress makes effective parenting more difficult. Evidence shows that stress is associated with ineffective (e.g., harsh and inconsistent) parenting and poor child adjustment, but not for all parent–child pairs and not through clearly identified processes. This chapter considers mediating and moderating processes linking parental stress and child temperament to important qualities of parent–child interactions. We selectively review the substantial literature on parental stress and add a relatively novel focus on parental sleep deficits, which can be both causes and effects of parents’ experiences of stress. We also focus on child temperament, which can contribute to parental stress and can, to some extent, be shaped by parental stress through daily parent–child interactions. Parents of young children, especially children with difficult temperament, commonly experience sleep disruptions. Evidence also suggests that other chronic psychosocial stressors can similarly reduce the duration and quality of parents’ sleep. We suggest that parents’ poor sleep, especially in interaction with other risk factors and stressors, could set the stage for ineffectual and negative reactions to child misbehavior and hostility, which could then, in course, exacerbate parent stress.
Toward maximally dense 3D photonic integration and routing with three-plane amorphous silicon

We demonstrate a three-plane amorphous silicon photonic platform with < 3×10-4 dB loss per out-of-plane crossing, ~6x reduced crosstalk between planes via a phase velocity mapping strategy, and 36 µm long interplane couplers with 0.05 dB loss.
Discovery of 7-hydroxyaporphines as conformationally restricted ligands for beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors

A series of (-)-nornuciferidine derivatives was synthesized and the non-natural enantiomer of the aporphine alkaloid was discovered to be a potent β1- and β2-adrenergic receptor ligand that antagonized isoproterenol and procaterol induced cyclic AMP increases from adenylyl cyclase, respectively. Progressive deconstruction of the tetracyclic scaffold to less complex cyclic and acyclic analogues revealed that the conformationally restricted (6a-R,7-R)-7-hydroxyaporphine 2 (AK-2-202) was necessary for efficient receptor binding and antagonism.
A mm-Sized Wireless Implantable Device for Electrical Stimulation of Peripheral Nerves

A wireless electrical stimulation implant for peripheral nerves, achieving >10× improvement over state of the art in the depth/volume figure of merit, is presented. The fully integrated implant measures just 2 mm × 3 mm × 6.5 mm (39 mm 3 , 78 mg), and operates at a large depth of 10.5 cm in a tissue phantom. The implant is powered using ultrasound and includes a miniaturized piezoelectric receiver (piezo), an IC designed in 180 nm HV BCD process, an off-chip energy storage capacitor, and platinum stimulation electrodes. The package also includes an optional blue light-emitting diode for potential applications in optogenetic stimulation in the future. A system-level design strategy for complete operation of the implant during the charging transient of the storage capacitor, as well as a unique downlink command/data transfer protocol, is presented. The implant enables externally programmable current-controlled stimulation of peripheral nerves, with a wide range of stimulation parameters, both for electrical (22 to 5000 μA amplitude, ~14 to 470 μs pulse-width, 0 to 60 Hz repetition rate) and optical (up to 23 mW/mm 2 optical intensity) stimulation. Additionally, the implant achieves 15 V compliance voltage for chronic applications. Full integration of the implant components, end-to-end in vitro system characterizations, and results for the electrical stimulation of a sciatic nerve, demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of the proposed stimulator for peripheral nerves.
Aircraft selection modeling: a multi-step heuristic to enumerate airlift alternatives

We consider the use of the new C-130J-30 aircraft for long distance (strategic) cargo movement. Currently, only large aircraft, the C-5 and the C-17, are identified as strategic airlift assets by the United States Air Force. Our mathematical model identifies all logical airframe combinations to perform a cargo movement given a set of constraints. Using previously developed routing algorithms and fuel metrics, we evaluated the combinations and calculated the potential savings had the most fuel efficient combination been selected. Analyzing 1 month of historic data for four long distance routes, our proposed model suggests that savings could have been more than one million dollars.
Principles of reconstruction

Mitral valvular heart disease most often is a chronic illness. In these cases, patients are treated conservatively until the time when symptoms or incipient pulmonary hypertension or ventricular dysfunction indicate the need for surgical intervention. However, on some occasions, mitral valvular heart disease presents itself as an acute illness due to sudden changes in intrinsic valvular function. In these cases, therapeutic decisions must be accomplished rapidly, and the underling pathophysiological disorders always require prompt assessment.
Pretransplant Serum Citrulline Predicts Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease

Abstract Post-transplant biomarkers of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) and nonrelapse mortality (NRM) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) have been extensively studied. However, pretransplant biomarkers may provide a greater window of opportunity to intervene. We measured serum biomarkers of various aspects of gut barrier physiology before HCT (median, day –7) and 7 and 28 days post-HCT in 95 consecutive allo-HCT recipients enrolled in an open-label biorepository protocol. Biomarkers included citrulline for total functional enterocyte mass, Reg3a for antibacterial activity of the gut, and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) for enterocyte turnover. Compared to 16 healthy control subjects, we demonstrated that patients came to transplant with abnormal levels of all 3 biomarkers (P
The Interborough Rapid Transit System

The times surrounding the beginning of the 20th century were both turbulent and exploding with technological development. In 1892, Grover Cleveland was elected to the first and only nonconsecutive 2nd term as president; in 1902, William McKinley became the third president to be assassinated, making Theodore Roosevelt the youngest president to serve in the country’s history. In February 1898, the USS Maine was blown up in Havana harbor, precipitating the Spanish-American War.
Guest-Transparent Prevention of Kernel Rootkits with VMM-Based Memory Shadowing

Kernel rootkits pose a significant threat to computer systems as they run at the highest privilege level and have unrestricted access to the resources of their victims. Many current efforts in kernel rootkit defense focus on the detectionof kernel rootkits --- after a rootkit attack has taken place, while the smaller number of efforts in kernel rootkit preventionexhibit limitations in their capability or deployability. In this paper we present a kernel rootkit prevention system called NICKLE which addresses a common, fundamental characteristic of most kernel rootkits: the need for executing their own kernel code. NICKLE is a lightweight, virtual machine monitor (VMM) based system that transparently prevents unauthorized kernel code execution for unmodified commodity (guest) OSes. NICKLE is based on a new scheme called memory shadowing, wherein the trusted VMM maintains a shadow physical memory for a running VM and performs real-time kernel code authentication so that only authenticated kernel code will be stored in the shadow memory. Further, NICKLE transparently routes guest kernel instruction fetches to the shadow memory at runtime. By doing so, NICKLE guarantees that only the authenticated kernel code will be executed, foiling the kernel rootkit's attempt to strike in the first place. We have implemented NICKLE in three VMM platforms: QEMU+KQEMU, VirtualBox, and VMware Workstation. Our experiments with 23 real-world kernel rootkits targeting the Linux or Windows OSes demonstrate NICKLE's effectiveness. Furthermore, our performance evaluation shows that NICKLE introduces small overhead to the VMM platform.
Protection by dimethylthiourea against retinal light damage in rats

The protective effect of dimethylthiourea (DMTU) against retinal light damage was determined in albino rats reared in darkness or in weak cyclic light. Rats maintained under these conditions were treated with DMTU at different concentrations and dosing schedules and then exposed for various times to intense visible light, either intermittently (1 hr light and 2 hr dark) or continuously. The extent of retinal light damage was determined 2 weeks after light exposure by comparing rhodopsin levels in experimental rats with those in unexposed control animals. To determine the effect of DMTU on rod outer segment (ROS) membrane fatty acids, ROS were isolated immediately after intermittent light exposure, and fatty acid compositions were measured. The time course for DMTU uptake and its distribution in serum, retina, and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid complex was determined in other rats not exposed to intense light. After intraperitoneal injection of the drug (500 mg/kg body weight), DMTU appeared rapidly in the serum, retina, and the RPE and choroid. In the ocular tissues, it was distributed 70-80% in the retina and 20-30% in the RPE and choroid. This antioxidant appears to have a long half-life because it was present in these same tissues 72 hr after a second intraperitoneal injection. For rats reared in the weak cyclic light environment, DMTU (two injections) provided complete protection against rhodopsin loss after intense light exposures of up to 16 hr. Only 15% rhodopsin loss was found in cyclic-light DMTU-treated rats after 24 hr of intermittent or continuous light. For rats reared in darkness, DMTU treatment resulted in a rhodopsin loss of less than 20% after 8-16 hr of continuous light and approximately 40% after similar exposure to intermittent light. Irrespective of the type of light exposure, rhodopsin loss in the dark-reared DMTU-treated rats was nearly identical to that found in uninjected cyclic light-reared animals. In rats from both light-rearing environments, DMTU treatment prevented the light-induced loss of docosahexaenoic acid from ROS membranes. As measured by rhodopsin levels 2 weeks later, DMTU was most effective when given as two doses administered 24 hr before and just before intense light exposure. As a single dose given during continuous light exposure, DMTU protected cyclic light-reared rats for at least 4 hr after the start of exposure but was ineffective in dark-reared animals if injected 1 hr after the start of light. It was also ineffective in both types of rats when given after light exposure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Molecular cloning of neurotransmitter transporter genes: beyond coding region of cDNA.

Publisher Summary This chapter explains molecular cloning of neurotransmitter transporter. Molecular cloning of genes encoding the neurotransmitter transporters has opened up many new avenues of study into evolution, transcriptional regulation, and genetics of molecules that are important for neural function. These transporters exhibit specific patterns of expression on selected sets of neuronal and, in some cases, nonneuronal cells that are essential to their proper functioning. There are also characteristics of the transporters that make them candidates for a genetic basis for neuropsychiatric disorders when they do not function properly. Gene knockout, which depends on gene cloning, has begun to clarify the role of the dopamine transporter in amphetamine and cocaine response in the intact mouse. The relationship of a transporter gene to other genes nearby on the chromosome may provide insight into gene regulation and evolution.
Minding the mind.

For many centuries and in virtually every society, long before the appearance of evidence-based medicine, people with medical problems have turned to healers. It is striking to realize that only a handful of the drugs that were prescribed at the turn of the past century by western physicians are still in clinical use (opiates, digitalis, aspirin, and quinine). Presumably, most of the rest of what physicians were doing at that time, and what they did for millennia before that, relied upon the healing effects of endogenous physiological systems, activated by state of mind. The universal concepts of traditional healing practices, ranging from the prehistoric shamans to the practitioners of western Hippocratic, Chinese, Aryuvedic and Native American medicine include the following beliefs: (a) the belief in a universal life force (pneuma, chi, prana, animal magnetism, vis medicatrix naturae); (b) the belief in the unity between mind, body and universe; (c) the conceptualization of health as a state of harmony between mind and body, and between the organism and nature; and (d) the conceptualization of disease as a loss of such harmony. The role of the healer was seen as a catalyst, who uses subtle interventions to stimulate the body's own healing abilities, with the goal to re-establish harmony and the undisturbed flow of the universal life force.
Optimal Scheduling of Integrated Microgrids in Holonic Distribution Grids

This paper investigates holonic distribution grids and proposes an optimal scheduling model for integrated microgrids for such a grid. The objective of the proposed model is to determine the optimal network topology, i.e., connections among the integrated microgrids, to ensure minimum microgrid-specific and system-wide operation cost as well as maximum reliability. The impact of the proposed model on supporting renewable energy integration is further studied. The numerical simulations on a test holonic distribution grid with five integrated microgrids demonstrates the merits and the effectiveness of the proposed model.
A New Approach to Teaching Membrane Potentials

Many of the students in my beginning biology classes have limited or no previous biology background. Frequently, many of these students are nonscience majors, with the majority of them pursuing business-related majors. One of the most important challenges I face as a biology teacher is using real-world examples to explain a biological principle. Taking material from a biology textbook and presenting it in terms easily grasped by beginning students is difficult. The use of analogies frequently helps to simplify the explanation of difficult concepts. One principle that beginning students often find particularly vexing is the concept of transmembrane potentials, especially the conditions that contribute to the resting membrane potential and the action potential. These concepts of transmembrane potentials are the foundation upon which any subsequent discussion of neurophysiology and nervous system function will be based. I approach the transmembrane potential from the viewpoint of a checking account. This approach allows me to introduce this concept without intimidating the students. I use the same analogy, with different levels of complexity, in my freshmanlevel and junior-level courses. Nearly everyone has a checking account and is at least somewhat familiar with balancing it. Thus, to explain membrane potentials to nonscience majors, I build an analogy between maintaining a checking account and maintaining a cell's homeostasis. Since by convention the transmembrane potential is measured using the inside of the cell as the reference point, the inside of a cell is portrayed as a checking account. A semipermeable plasma
Accounting students’ learning processes in analytics: A sensemaking perspective

Abstract This paper takes a sensemaking perspective for purposes of better understanding the learning processes of students engaged in data analytics tasks and thus provide an enriched approach to teaching the subject. A sensemaking perspective addresses a gap in the accounting education literature by describing the learning processes associated with conducting data analytics tasks. A case study methodology was used by conducting an exploratory study of students’ sensemaking activities while engaging in an experiential data analytics project. Findings from the study suggest students engaged in data analytics tasks experience states of uncertainty and ambiguity. They also experience behaviors of wrestling to develop findings and insights, experimenting followed by failure, creating solutions, and regularly evaluating their work progress. The variety of these behaviors, which resemble deep-learning processes can pose challenges to teaching data analytics to accounting students.
Value Capture In Situ: Participation, Evaluation, and Signaling in Kansas City, MO:

This paper provides a qualitative examination of the implementation of a value capture–funded streetcar investment in Kansas City, MO. Using semi-structured interviews, I show that the local benefi...
Design of a Soft Robotic Gripper for Improved Grasping with Suction Cups

In this paper, a new design for a soft robotic gripper is proposed which combined humanoid fingers with bioinspired suction cups. The gripper is capable of reconfiguration of the fingers to allow multiple grasping strategies to be achieved. The grasping strategies implemented are cylindrical, spherical, and tip gripping of an object. Construction of the physical soft robotic gripper was implemented in hardware and software to allow for experimentation of the new design. Experiments of grasping objects of varied shape and weight were done ans results tabulated. The experiments gave a deeper understanding of the design choices impact on the ability of the gripper to perform pick and place tasks.
THE ROLE OF TESTICULAR SENSITIVITY TO GONADOTROPINS IN SEXUAL MATURATION OF THE MALE RAT

The possible etiologies of sexual maturation have been systematically analyzed in the male rat. The changing patterns of LH and FSH in blood during maturation appear to be explained by changing feedback sensitivity to gonadal steroids and changing response of the pituitary to gonadotropin releasing hormone. The changing responses to GnRH are in turn explained by testosterone modulation at a pituitary level. LH is high in the 10-day-old animal, falls at 20 days, and then steadily increases during maturation. FSH, in contrast, is high at 10 and 20 days and falls progressively as maturation proceeds. Testicular sensitivity or response to LH progressively increases during maturation and appears to be a major factor in increasing testosterone concentrations. Five days following hypophysectomy, the immature male rat shows little or no testosterone secretion in response to large doses of LH. Responsiveness may be restored by pretrcatment with FSH. The magnitude of the response appears to be related to the duration of exposure to, as well as the dose of, FSH. FSH appears to induce responsiveness to LH. The mechanism of this induction is uncertain. LH receptor populations do not appear to change during FSH exposure. Thus a major factor in sexual maturation in the male rat appears to be changing sensitivity of the testis to LH stimulation of testosterone secretion.
Targeted DNA Damage Repair CRISPR/Cas9 Knockout Screen Identifies Novel Classification of Poly-ADP Ribose Polymerase Inhibitors Based on Key Base Excision Repair Proteins

ABSTRACT DNA repair deficiencies have become an increasingly promising target for novel therapeutics within the realm of clinical oncology. Recently, a number of inhibitors of Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases (PARPs) have received approval for the treatment of ovarian cancers with and without deleterious mutations in the homologous recombination proteins BRCA1 and BRCA2. Unfortunately, as over a hundred clinical trials are actively underway testing the utility of PARP inhibition across dozens of unique cancers, the mechanism of action for such inhibitors remains unclear. While many believe PARP trapping to be the most important determinant driving the cytotoxicity found in such inhibitors, clinically effective inhibitors exist which possess both strong and weak PARP-trapping qualities. Such results indicate that characterization of inhibitors as strong and weak trappers does not properly capture the intra-class characteristics of such small molecule inhibitors. Using a novel, targeted DNA damage repair and response (DDR) CRISPR/Cas9 screening library, we describe a new classification scheme for PARP inhibitors that revolves around sensitivity to key modulators of the base excision repair (BER) pathway, unrelated to trapping ability or catalytic inhibition of PARP. These findings demonstrate that inhibition of PARylation and induction of PARP trapping are not the only factors responsible for the clinical response of DDR-deficient cancers to PARP inhibition, and provide insight into the optimal choice of PARP inhibitor to be used in the setting of additional DNA repair deficiencies.
High velocity impact response of hybridized pseudo-woven carbon fiber composite architectures

Abstract This paper presents the automated fiber placement (AFP) manufacturing and high velocity impact response of hybrid pseudo-woven IM7/8552 carbon/epoxy composite laminates. Three 24 ply laminate configurations are studied where pseudo-woven sub-laminates are combined with traditional layups on the inside and outside, along with a third quasi-isotropic control laminate [45/90/-45/0]3s. Pseudo-woven sub-laminates are manufactured using a specialized in situ AFP process implementing tow skips. The pseudo-woven architecture is macroscopically heterogeneous with spatially varying fiber orientations both in-plane and through thickness resulting in multiple interfaces and an expanded design space. The impact experiments are performed according to ASTM D8101 in the range of 250–400 ft/s (76.2–121.92 m/s) using a single stage gas gun while utilizing digital image correlation and high-speed video to assess the laminate's response. Experimental results show that the hybridized configurations have a 45% reduction in back face surface damage, 19.5% less back face deflection and an increase of 5.5% in V50 velocity when compared to traditional laminate.
Cultural aspect of informational and normative influences on purchasing intentions: An eye-tracking approach

Prior studies have examined into the importance of the effect of online reviews on product sales, the valence of online reviews on decision-making. However, few studies have focused on the informat...
Ovarian vein thrombosis: a potential clinical consequence of ruptured ectopic pregnancy.

A healthy 32-year-old G3P3 woman with an unknown last menstrual period presented to the emergency department with intense abdominal pain and pain in the right chest that radiated down the right arm. Further workup showed that she had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy with significant haemoperitoneum. After successful laparoscopic evacuation of the ectopic pregnancy and haemoperitoneum, the patient subsequently developed a right ovarian vein thrombosis 4 weeks after the procedure. She was treated with anticoagulation, and further haematological studies did not show any significant findings. Postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis is extremely rare and can be life- threatening if not accurately diagnosed and treated with anticoagulation or surgical management in a timely manner.
Caregivers' Experiences of Infant Feeding Problems: The Role of Self-Compassion and Stress Management

Introduction Infant feeding problems are strongly associated with caregiver stress, which in turn is linked to poorer outcomes for children. Self-compassion is a modifiable trait strongly associate...
How the European Union Lost Its Luster

While millions of people are willing to die for their nation, few are willing to die for the European Union, not to mention for less advanced supranational unions.
Completions of Cauchy Vector Spaces

T2 and T3 completions of Cauchy vector spaces are studied. Every T2 Cauchy vector space is shown to have a strict T2 Cauchy vector space completion. A Cauchy vector space has a T3 Cauchy vector space completion exactly when the underlying Cauchy space has a T3 Cauchy space completion.
Basic Principles of Lasers: Interactions Between Lasers and Tissue

Lasers have become extremely important treatment devices in the field of dermatology. They have a variety of applications, ranging from the treatment of vitiligo, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, hair removal, and skin resurfacing, among others. It is therefore fundamental for the clinician to have an understanding of laser-tissue interactions.
The Front End of Innovation in Large Established Firms

Innovation in large established firms may be broadly divided into three areas: the front end of innovation (also known as fuzzy front end or predevelopment), the new-product development process, and commercialization. Keywords: front end of innovation for exploitation projects; process and practices; project initiation and selection; front end of innovation for exploration projects aligned with the value network; process and practices; project initiation and selection; front end of innovation for exploration projects not aligned with the value network; process and practices; project initiation and selection
Studies of Nondefective Adenovirus 2-Simian Virus 40 Hybrid Viruses III. Base Composition, Molecular Weight, and Conformation of the Ad2+ND1 Genome

Abstract The nondefective adenovirus 2 (Ad2)-simian virus 40 (SV40) hybrid virus, Ad2+ND1, differs from the defective Ad-SV40 hybrid populations previously described, in that this hybrid virus can replicate without the aid of nonhybrid adenovirus helper. Consequently, the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from this virus, which can be obtained free of nonhybrid adenovirus DNA, is well suited for biophysical studies on Ad-SV40 hybrid DNA. Such studies have been performed and demonstrate Ad2+ND1 DNA to have a buoyant density (1.715 g/cm3) and thermal denaturation profile (Tm = 75.1 C) almost identical with nonhybrid Ad2 DNA. Furthermore, its molecular weight, as determined by analytical zone sedimentation and electron microscopy, was 22 × 106 to 25 × 106 daltons, which is also very similar to that determined for Ad2. Electron micrographs showed all of the hybrid molecules to be double-stranded and linear. By using this determination of the molecular weight of Ad2+ND1 DNA and assuming that 1% of this molecule consists of covalently linked SV40 DNA (see companion paper), we calculate that the hybrid DNA molecule contains 220 × 103 to 250 × 103 daltons of SV40 DNA, or the equivalent of one-tenth of the SV40 genome.
The enzymatic cleavage of 5'-triphosphate termini from ribonucleic acid polymerase products.

Abstract Enzyme activities which attack the triphosphate termini of RNA products formed in the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase reactions have been isolated. Three distinct enzyme preparations have been partially purified from extracts of Escherichia coli which catalyze the following reactions: A. pppApYpZ....... → ppApYpZ....... + Pi B. pppXpYpZ....... → ppXpYpZ....... + Pi C. pppXpYpZ....... → HOXpYpZ....... + 3Pi The enzyme catalyzing Reaction A cleaves 5'-ATP-terminated RNA chains and will not cleave 5'-GTP-terminated RNA chains. The enzyme will also cleave the terminal phosphate of ATP and dATP; other nucleoside triphosphates are inactive. The enzyme catalyzing Reaction B will cleave the 5'-terminal phosphate group of both ATP- and GTP-terminated RNA chains as well as of other ribonucleoside triphosphates. In each case, the products of the reaction are Pi and either 5'-diphosphate-terminated RNA chains or nucleoside diphosphate. The enzyme catalyzing Reaction C is nonspecific and appears to be an acid phosphatase capable of removing phosphate groups at the 5' position of all nucleotides examined. A ribosome-dependent cleavage of the terminal phosphate of [γ-32P]GTP-terminated RNA products (32pppGpXpY....) to 32Pi has also been examined. This reaction is catalyzed by the combined action of an RNase and the elongation factor G in the presence of ribosomes. At high levels of elongation factor G, a ribosome-dependent release of 32Pi was observed independent of RNase.
Multiplexing communication with chaos

Abstract A method for multiplexing information-bearing chaotic waveforms is demonstrated experimentally. This scheme increases the channel capacity of a chaotic communication system and provides some masking of the information content. In the transmitter, symbolic information is simultaneously encoded in two chaotic drive circuits using small perturbations. The waveforms are summed and transmitted as a single scalar signal. At the receiver, a pair of response oscillators synchronizes to the drive and de-multiplexes the signal. The transmitted information in each channel is extracted using a peak return threshold.
Microorganisms and Water Quality

Phytoplankton and bacteria have a greater effect on water quality than do other aquatic microorganisms. Phytoplankton are the main primary producers while bacteria are responsible for the majority of organic matter decomposition and nutrient recycling. An overview of microbial growth, photosynthesis, and respiration is provided, and methods for measuring primary production and respiration in water bodies are discussed. The combined physiological activities of producer and decomposer organisms in water bodies cause pH and dissolved oxygen concentration to increase and carbon dioxide concentration to decrease in daytime, while the opposite occurs during nighttime. In unstratified water bodies, aerobic conditions usually exist in the water column and at the sediment-water interface. Nevertheless, sediment typically is anaerobic at depths greater than a few centimeters in oligotrophic water bodies or greater than a few millimeters in eutrophic water bodies. In anaerobic sediment (or water), the metabolic activity of chemotrophic bacteria is important in decomposing organic compounds resulting from fermentation. Although chemotrophic bacteria are beneficial in assuring more complete decomposition of organic matter, toxic metabolic wastes—particularly nitrite and hydrogen sulfide—produced by these microorganisms can enter the water column. Blue-green algae—often called cyanobacteria—tend to dominate phytoplankton communities in eutrophic waters. Blue-green algae can cause surface scums and shallow thermal stratification, be toxic to other algae and aquatic animals, or produce taste and odor problems in public water supplies.
Economic Issues of US Agricultural Pesticide Use

The use of synthetic organic pesticides in US agriculture grew dramatically from the late 1940s until the early 1980s, stabilized in the 1980s, and increased at a much slower rate through the 1990s. The extent of pesticide use responded to market factors, such as price trends, which affected crop acreage and encouraged use of more cost-effective inputs, but also to farm programs. The development of genetically modified crops, if accepted by consumers and regulators, may influence future pesticide use trends, crop yields, and pest control costs. Increased pesticide use led to concerns about counterproductive effects on pest control, such as increased pest resistance. Scientists developed the concepts of integrated pest management (IPM) and economic thresholds to eliminate unnecessary pesticide applications and encourage nonpesticide practices where economically feasible. Increased pesticide use also led to controversies about food safety, water quality, worker safety, and wildlife mortality. These concerns, and changing societal attitudes emerging in the 1960s, resulted in a series of laws, including the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996, that changed the regulatory process to emphasize protection from pesticide hazards. The regulatory process affects pesticide use by influencing the development of pesticides, registering new materials, and removing others from the market. Keywords: agricultural pesticide use; insecticides; fungicides; herbicides; Integrated pest management (IPM); pesticide regulation; pesticide laws; food Quality Protection Act of 1996