cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Etiology and Treatment of Urolithiasis

Nephrolithiasis is a heterogeneous disorder, with varying chemical composition and pathophysiologic background. Although kidney stones are generally composed of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate, they may also consist of uric acid, magnesium-ammonium phosphate, or cystine. Stones develop from a wide variety of metabolic or environmental disturbances, including varying forms of hypercalciuria, hypocitraturia, undue urinary acidity, hyperuricosuria, hyperoxaluria, infection with urease-producing organisms, and cystinuria. The cause of stone formation may be ascertained in most patients using the reliable diagnostic protocols that are available for the identification of these disturbances. Effective medical treatments, capable of correcting underlying derangements, have been formulated. They include sodium cellulose phosphate, thiazide, and orthophosphate for hypercalciuric nephrolithiasis; potassium citrate for hypocitraturic calcium nephrolithiasis; acetohydroxamic acid for infection stones; and D-penicillamine and alpha-mercaptopropionylglycine for cystinuria. Using these treatments, new stone formation can now be prevented in most patients.
Understanding variation in the quality of the surgical treatment of prostate cancer.

More than 80% of men with prostate cancer undergo active treatment, which can be associated with significant morbidity. Outcomes of surgical treatment vary widely depending on who treated the patie...
METASTATIC CARCINOMA OF PROBABLE TRANSITIONAL CELL ORIGIN IN 66 FREE-LIVING CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS (ZALOPHUS CALIFORNIANUS), 1979 TO 1994

Sixty-six (18%) cases of widely metastatic carcinoma of probable transitional cell origin were identified in 370 California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) stranded alive along the central California (USA) coast, between January 1979 and December 1994. Live animals were usually emaciated and anorectic, with perineal edema and occasionally hind-flipper paralysis or paresis. Large yellow caseous masses were observed in the sub-lumbar lymph nodes, often extending around the ureters resulting in hydroureter. Histologically, metastases were usually widespread, and the primary neoplastic focus undetectable. This is the highest reported prevalence among necropsied animals of neoplasia in a pinniped population to date.
Superposition approximations from a variation principle

A variation principle is introduced involving then-particle molecular distribution function (where 1 ⩽n ⩽N) for a fluid containingN molecules. An integral involving any approximaten-particle distribution function proves to define aleast upper bound to the true system free energy. This integral can, therefore, be minimized with respect to the form of a trial distribution function to provide a best estimate to the exact distribution function. When no other constraints, save the requirement of normalization, are applied to the trial function, the extremum corresponds to the exact function. Using this variation principle, it is possible to demonstrate that the optimum triplet superposition approximation is the Krikwood approximation, and that the optimum quadruplet approximation is the form suggested by Fisher and Kopeliovich. Furthermore, all higher-order optimum superposition approximations are specified.
Impaired Maternal Behavior in Mice Lacking Norepinephrine and Epinephrine

Abstract The roles of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine in behavior were investigated by targeted disruption of the dopamine β-hydroxylase ( Dbh ) gene, thereby eliminating these compounds in vivo. Most heterozygous pups born to Dbh −/− females died within several days of birth and were often found scattered within the bedding. Potential causes including deficits in olfaction and lactation were not apparent. A deficit in maternal behavior was confirmed by the lack of pup retrieval exhibited by Dbh −/− virgin females. Restoration of NE shortly before but not after birth induced females that previously abandoned their litters to act maternally. Our results suggest that NE is responsible for long-lasting changes that promote maternal behavior during both development and parturition in mice.
Long-term stability of the Tevatron by verified global optimization

The tools used to compute high-order transfer maps based on differential algebraic (DA) methods have recently been augmented by methods that also allow a rigorous computation of an interval bound for the remainder. In this paper we will show how such methods can also be used to determine rigorous bounds for the global extrema of functions in an efficient way. The method is used for the bounding of normal form defect functions, which allows rigorous stability estimates for repetitive particle accelerator. However, the method is also applicable to general lattice design problems and can enhance the commonly used local optimization with heuristic successive starting point modification. The global optimization approach studied rests on the ability of the method to suppress the so-called dependency problem common to validated computations, as well as effective polynomial bounding techniques. We review the linear dominated bounder (LDB) and the quadratic fast bounder (QFB) and study their performance for various example problems in global optimization. We observe that the method is superior to other global optimization approaches and can prove stability times similar to what is desired, without any need for expensive long-term tracking and in a fully rigorous way.
MR spectroscopy in HIV and stimulant dependence HNRC Group. HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center.

HIV infection and abuse of central nervous system (CNS) stimulants are both associated with brain damage and dysfunction. CNS stimulant overdose can lead to microinfarction, hemorrhagic lesions, and vasculitis (Bostwick, 1981; Cahill et al., 1981), and may impact frontostriatal systems. Investigations of HIV-infected (HIV+) individuals have demonstrated deficits in attention, speed of information processing, motor functioning, executive functioning, and learning efficiency. These deficits are consistent with frontostriatal involvement (Heaton et al., 1995; Martin, 1994). Given the rise in AIDS cases attributable to drug use at a time when the number of AIDS cases due to sexual transmission is stable or declining, it is critical to determine if drug use, especially CNS stimulants, potentiates HIV-related neuronal injury.
Processing and sensory properties of round pork bacon

Pork bellies were cured and assigned to five treatments (n = 10). Round bacon was prepared from tumbled (T), macerated and tumbled (MT), emulsion-coated and tumbled (ET), or macerated, emulsion-coated and tumbled (MET) bellies and compared to control slab bacon. Treated bellies were rolled longitudinally and stuffed into fibrous casings. Bacons were smoked and cooked to 55 degrees C. Few differences were observed between treatments for visual characteristics (binding, cured color, fat/lean ratio). Control slab bacon had greater (P less than 0.05) off-flavor intensity than all other treatments and MT had the highest (P less than 0.05) overall acceptability scores. Control slab bacon had lower slicing yield (P less than 0.05) than all other treatments.
Clinical testing for HIV-1 drug resistance

Abstract The progressive decline in HIV mortality in western countries over the past 5 to 10 years is due in large part to the clinical effectiveness of combination antiviral therapy using nucleoside and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors. Combination therapy failures are not uncommon, though, and are due to multiple factors, including poor compliance, sub-optimal drug pharmacokinetics, the evolution of resistant virus, or initial infection with a resistant virus. Laboratory assays have been developed to detect HIV-1 drug resistance and in several prospective randomized clinical trials have been shown to effectively assist in choosing optimal drug regimens for specific patients. In the setting of treatment failure, drug resistance testing for HIV-1-infected patients is now considered standard of care. Two basic types of assays are in use: (i) phenotype tests that determine quantitatively the susceptibilities of HIV-1 strains cultured from infected patients to a panel of drugs and (ii) genotype testing that involves sequence analysis of the viral reverse transcriptase and protease genes to identify mutations known to mediate resistance. The roles and relative advantages of these tests will be discussed.
Augmenting autophagy to treat acute kidney injury during endotoxemia in mice.

Objective: To determine that 1) an age-dependent loss of inducible autophagy underlies the failure to recover from AKI in older, adult animals during endotoxemia, and 2) pharmacologic induction of autophagy, even after established endotoxemia, is of therapeutic utility in facilitating renal recovery in aged mice. Design: Murine model of endotoxemia and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Setting: Academic research laboratory. Subjects: C57Bl/6 mice of 8 (young) and 45 (adult) weeks of age. Intervention: Lipopolysaccharide (1.5 mg/kg), Temsirolimus (5 mg/kg), AICAR (100 mg/kg). Measurements and main results: Herein we report that diminished autophagy underlies the failure to recover renal function in older adult mice utilizing a murine model of LPS-induced AKI. The administration of the mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus, even after established endotoxemia, induced autophagy and protected against the development of AKI. Conclusions: These novel results demonstrate a role for autophagy in the context of LPS-induced AKI and support further investigation into like interventions that have potential to alter the natural history of disease.
Psychological Empowerment Among Urban Youth: Measure Development and Relationship to Psychosocial Functioning

Although there are an increasing number of youth development programs that aim to empower young people, there is a dearth of psychometrically sound measures that can be used to assess flexible youth-led organizing and participatory research approaches that tackle a wide range of social and community problems. This study developed and tested measures of psychological empowerment (PE) and self-efficacy for research and action among a sample of 439 ethnically diverse adolescents primarily recruited from public high schools in an urban center. Items for the PE measure were generated through an iterative combination of conducting formative research with our target population while also drawing on existing theory and measures in the field. We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis of the PE measure, testing four factors: adolescents' motivation to influence their school and community settings; participatory behavior; sociopolitical skills; and perceived control. Psychometric analyses for the PE scales and their correlation with adolescents' report of self-esteem, academic achievement, caring relationships with adults at school, and social support from peers are reported; the implications of the present study for research and practice in the youth development and adolescent psychology field are considered.
Strategies for Operational Efficiency in a General Hospital Public Inpatient Unit

Operational strategies for maximizing efficient utilization of beds were carried out in a 12-bed psychiatric inpatient unit for public patients in a general hospital. Developed through a public-academic collaboration, the unit is part of a community-based system of care. The average length of stay is ten days. Medical staff are university faculty and residents. Treatment focuses on resolution of the symptoms or behavior that led to the patient's hospitalization and includes rapid stabilization using crisis management and somatic therapies and rapid mobilization of aftercare resources. Other strategies for promoting efficient provision of services include clearly defined staff roles and a structured format for discussing clinical information.
Heterodyne technique for the direct measurement of the amplitude and phase of photorefractive space-charge fields

A heterodyne technique is presented for the independent, direct measurement of the amplitude and phase of photorefractive space-charge fields during uninterrupted buildup and photoinduced decay. The technique is based on using a probe beam with a frequency slightly different from that of the two recording beams to continuously read photorefractive phase gratings during all stages of formation and decay. The probe beam is virtually collinear with one of the recording beams. The beat between the diffracted component of the frequency-shifted probe beam and the transmitted component of the recording beam produces a heterodyne beam component. This heterodyne component contains the photorefractive grating information and is monitored to yield the amplitude and phase of the photorefractive fields. This nondestructive characterization technique exhibits excellent sensitivity and permits photorefractive phase measurements to within 1.5°.
The Component Structure of Event-Related Potentials in the P300 Speller Paradigm

We investigated the componential structure of event-related potentials elicited while participants use the P300 BCI. Six healthy participants “typed” all characters in a 6 × 6 matrix twice in a random sequence. A principal component analysis indicated that in addition to the P300, target flashes elicited an earlier frontal positivity, possibly a Novelty P3. The amplitudes of both P300 and the Novelty P3 varied with the matrix row in which the target character was located. However, the P300 elicited by row flashes was largest for targets in the lower part of the matrix, whereas the Novelty P3 elicited by column flashes was largest in the top part. Classification accuracy using stepwise linear discriminant analysis mirrored the pattern in the Novelty P3 (an accuracy difference of 0.1 between rows 1 and 6). When separate classifiers were generated to rely solely on the P300 or solely on the Novelty P3, the latter function led to higher accuracy (a mean accuracy difference of about 0.2 between classifiers). A possible explanation is that some nontarget flashes elicit a P300, leading to lower selection accuracy of the respective classifier. In an additional set of data from six different participants we replicated the ERP structure of the initial analyses and characterized the spatial distributions more closely by using a dense electrode array. Overall, our findings provide new insights in the componential structure of ERPs elicited in the P300 speller paradigm and have important implications for optimizing the speller's selection accuracy.
Impact of tumor blood flow modulation on tumor sensitivity to the bioreductive drug banoxantrone.

We investigated the hypoxia-dependent cytotoxicity of AQ4N (banoxantrone) using a panel of 13 cancer cell lines and studied its relationship to the expression of the quinone reductase DT-diaphorase (NQO1), which is widely found in cancer cells. We also investigated pharmacologic treatments that increase tumor hypoxia in vivo and their impact on AQ4N chemosensitivity in a solid tumor xenograft model. AQ4N showed ≥8-fold higher cytotoxicity under hypoxia than normoxia in cultures of 9L rat gliosarcoma and H460 human non-small-cell lung carcinoma cells but not for 11 other human cancer cell lines. DT-diaphorase protein levels and AQ4N chemosensitivity were poorly correlated across the cancer cell line panel, and AQ4N chemosensitivity was not affected by DT-diaphorase inhibitors. The vasodilator hydralazine decreased tumor perfusion and increased tumor hypoxia in 9L tumor xenografts, and to a lesser extent in H460 tumor xenografts. However, hydralazine did not increase AQ4N-dependent antitumor activity. Combination of AQ4N with the angiogenesis inhibitor axitinib, which increases 9L tumor hypoxia, transiently increased antitumor activity but with an increase in host toxicity. These findings indicate that the capacity to bioactivate AQ4N is not dependent on DT-diaphorase and is not widespread in cultured cancer cell lines. Moreover, the activation of AQ4N cytotoxicity in vivo requires tumor hypoxia that is more extensive or prolonged than can readily be achieved by vasodilation or by antiangiogenic drug treatment.
Analysis of chirp transducers using a circuit model approach

The authors present a method of calculating the electrostatic charge distribution on in-line and slant chirp transducers with apodization by using a circuit model approach. The charge distribution is used to find the conductance of the transducer along with the frequency response of the device. The results are compared with experimental data. The circuit model approach requires the chirp transducer to be transformed into a large number of small periodic electrodes, each representing a node of the circuit. The model assumes that capacitors are connected between nodes. The values of these capacitors vary according to the distance between the small electrodes. The voltage distribution is then computed, and, as a result, the charge distribution is easily obtained. Apodization is accounted for by dividing the transducer into tracks. >
Thermal validation of a misaligned grease-lubricated journal bearing model

AbstractBearing temperatures predicted by a misaligned grease-lubricated journal bearing simulation were compared with experimental data. The numerical simulation combines a steady state mixed thermo-elastohydrodynamic lubrication model with a semiempirical soap-thickened grease rheology model. Circumferential temperature profiles were measured using a test fixture and journal test specimens of 5.1 cm diameter and 1.9cm wide over a range of bearing loads (3.8–30kN) and angular misalignments (from −0.08° to 0.05°) at 166r/min rotational speed. The results show that the maximum temperatures in the numerical and experimental profile agree within 5 per cent over the range of loads and misalignments studied.
The Role of Beliefs and Motivation in Asynchronous Online Learning in College-Level Classes:

Epistemic and learning beliefs were found to affect college students' cognitive engagement and study strategies, as well as motivation in classroom settings. However, the relationships between epistemic and learning beliefs, motivation, learning perception, and students' actual learning participation in asynchronous online settings have been under-studied and under-theorized. In this study, 132 students participated in collaborative learning activities through asynchronous online discussions in a college-level online course. The results from correlation analysis and structural equation modeling indicate that epistemic and learning beliefs have significant effects on students' learning participation and perceived learning, through the mediation of achievement goals. The findings provide theoretical and practical implications for the design of online learning.
Clinical predictors of Lyme disease among children with a peripheral facial palsy at an emergency department in a Lyme disease-endemic area.

INTRODUCTION. Although Lyme disease can cause peripheral facial palsy in Lyme disease- endemic areas, diagnostic predictors in children have not been described. OBJECTIVE. Our goal was to determine clinical predictors of Lyme disease as the etiology of peripheral facial palsy in children presenting to an emergency department in a Lyme disease- endemic area. METHODS. We reviewed all available electronic medical charts of children 20 years old with peripheral facial palsy who were evaluated in the emergency department of a tertiary care pediatric center from 1995 to 2007. We used the Centers for Disease Control Lyme disease definition: presence of erythema migrans lesion or serologic evidence of infection with Borrelia burgdorferi. We performed binary logistic regres- sion with bootstrapping validation to determine independent clinical predictors of Lyme disease. RESULTS. We identified 313 patients with peripheral facial palsy evaluated for Lyme disease. The mean age was 10.7 years, and 52% were male. Of these, 106 (34%) had Lyme disease facial palsy. After adjusting for year of study, the following were independently associated with Lyme disease facial palsy: onset of symptoms during peak Lyme disease season (June to October), absence of previous herpetic lesions, presence of fever, and history of headache. In the subset of patients without men- ingitis, both onset of symptoms during Lyme disease season and presence of headache remained significant independent predictors. CONCLUSIONS. Lyme disease is a frequent cause of facial palsy in children living in an endemic region. Serologic testing and empiric antibiotics should be strongly considered, especially when children present during peak Lyme disease season or with a headache. Pediatrics 2008;122:e1080-e1085
Capacitor bank switching transient analysis using frequency dependent network equivalents

Medium-Voltage capacitor banks are widely used in distribution network applications such as power-factor correction, reducing energy consumption and power losses. However, using a switched capacitor bank can generate excessive transients to the electrical system. In this paper, the transients following the energization and de-energization of a capacitor bank are obtained using frequency dependent models of the distribution network. Furthermore, a detailed breaker model is employed to enhance the accuracy of the results since the effects of restrikes or prestrikes can wear the contacts of breaker leading to failure. Finally, a recently proposed diode based transient limiter is modeled to study its effectiveness on limiting the switching transients and its ability in eliminating risk of failure in the bank and its associated circuit breaker.
Entrepreneurship In The Republic Of Uzbekistan: A Model For Other Emerging Nations

On August 31, 1991, the Republic of Uzbekistan proclaimed its independence as a free nation. As a part of the former U.S.S.R., the Uzbekistan people were required to adhere to the mandates of the Central Government in the production of manufactured goods, agricultural commodities and other goods and services. The Republic has consistently been one of the top five cotton producing countries in the world, and its economy is largely dependent on this commodity. On March 2, 1992, the Republic was admitted as a member of the United Nations and adopted its first constitution on December 8, 1992. As the Republic completes its conversion into a truly democratic nation, its leaders have taken a strong and determined stance toward fostering entrepreneurship and economic reform, privatizing business, efficiently utilizing the land base, and reversing environmental damage to the ecology of adversely affected regions. Simultaneously, government leaders took affirmative steps to maintain cotton production in order to stabilize land use policies and finance economic reform. A significant portion of governmental efforts over the last ten years have focused on encouraging free enterprise and entrepreneurship through directives which return business decision-making to entrepreneurs and business leaders. These business decisions were previously made by the Central Government which dictated production output based upon perceived needs of the former U.S.S.R. This paper will explore how the government of Uzbekistan has promoted and nurtured a spirit of entrepreneurship among its people through policies which foster free entrepreneurial thought, build viable business entities, equitably transfer public lands to private use, and reform the economy. The leaders of this emerging nation have carefully and wisely chosen the path of free enterprise which has created an ideal environment for entrepreneurship. Their efforts have succeeded in building a nation which grows more prosperous each year. The Republic of Uzbekistan is truly a nation which should serve as a model for other emerging nations of the world.
Biochemical Characteristics of Staphylococcus Species of Human and Bovine Origin

Thirty-three biochemical characteristics were compared for 855 staphylococci isolated from human (93) and bovine sources (762). Differences in the predominant Staphylococcus species present and biochemical characteristics of species were observed for isolates from bovine milk and human clinical sources as well as between milk isolates obtained during the 1960s and 1980s from the same herd. All isolates were bacitracin-resistant and 98% were lysostaphin-sensitive. Approximately 31% of S. hyicus strains were coagulase-positive. Thermonuclease activity was observed for strains other than S. aureus . Milk strains were more salt tolerant than human strains. Carbohydrates tended to be utilized by a greater percentage of milk strains than human strains within a given species. Many milk isolates failed to utilize glycerol in the presence of 0.4 μg erythromycin/mL. The results of this study indicate that the source of isolates may influence the predominant species present and species biochemical characteristics. These differences in species characteristics may affect results obtained for identification of nonhuman isolates with rapid identification systems where the data bases are generally based on human clinical isolates.
Mast Cell Deficiency Limits the Development of Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Mice.

Background:Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is one of the most common chronic diseases in adults in both developing and developed countries. The etiology and pathogenesis of CRS remain poorly understood, and the disease is refractory to therapy in many patients. Mast cell activation has been demonstrated in the sinonasal mucosa of patients with CRS; however, the specific contribution of mast cells to the development and pathogenesis of this disease has not been established.Objective:The objective of this study was to investigate the role of mast cells in the development of CRS.Methods:C57BL/6 wild-type and C57BL/6-KitW-sh/W-sh mast cell–deficient mice were immunized by intraperitoneal allergen injection and subsequent chronic low dose intranasal allergen challenges. The sinonasal phenotypes of these groups were then evaluated and compared to saline-treated controls using radiologic, histologic, and immunologic methods.Results:Wild-type mice exposed to chronic intranasal allergen developed many features seen i...
Training the "assertive practitioner of behavioral science": Advancing a behavioral medicine track in a family medicine residency

Objective:This article describes the development of a Behavioral Medicine track in a family medicine residency designed to train physicians to proactively and consistently apply advanced skills in ...
Transient Receptor Potential Channels in Metabolic Syndrome-Induced Coronary Artery Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the developed world. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is greatly exacerbated by underlying metabolic syndrome, which is defined as the presence of three or more of the following cardiovascular risk factors: obesity, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Alterations in the endothelial lining of the vascular wall and smooth muscle phenotype are key components in the underlying pathology. Both endothelial dysfunction and smooth muscle cell phenotype switching are mediated, at least in part, by altered intracellular Ca2+ handling. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have been implicated in CAD progression, both in endothelial dysfunction and smooth muscle phenotypic changes. Despite the widespread distribution of TRP channels in numerous cell types and the involvement in many diseases, there is a relative paucity of data on the role of TRP channels in CAD. TRP canonical (TRPC) channels are located on coronary smooth muscle (CSM) cell membranes and are involved in mediating Ca2+ entry. Increases in CSM TRPC expression and function are associated with CAD progression. In contrast, TRP vanilloid (TRPV) receptors are located primarily on the coronary endothelium, and function in normal physiology to increase intracellular Ca2+ in response to ligands or sheer stress, leading to endothelial-dependent vasodilation. Decreases in endothelial TRPV receptors function and expression are associated with progression of CAD. The loss of proper balance between CSM TRPC and endothelial TRPV contributes, at least in part, to CAD progression.
Root and Shoot Growth of Eucalyptus in Response to Container Configuration and Copper Carbonate

After 7 months Modifying container design by changing the height : width ratio of containers or coating the interior surface of containers with copper compounds are among the various strategies used to prevent potbound root systems. Root growth was stimulated when plants with a naturally deep root system were grown in containers with a 7.9 height : width ratio, while growth of plants with a shallow root system was severely restricted in those containers (Biran and Eliassaf, 1980). The growth of deep-rooted woody plants also increased when these plants were grown in deeper containers with a height : width ratio of 3.0 vs. shallow containers with a height : width ratio of 0.4 (Keever et al., 1985). Copper compounds applied to the inside of containers or flats inhibits root growth, resulting in a more fibrous root system with a better root distribution within the container (Arnold and Struve, 1989). Studies on various species found increased and decreased growth responses for plants in copper-treated vs. nontreated containers (Arnold and Struve, 1989; Beeson and Newton, 1992; Furuta et al., 1972). Our objectives were to determine whether shoot and root growth of a vigorously growing species, Eucalyptus citriodora Hook., would be better in tall vs. regular-shaped containers with the same volume and whether coating the inside of the container with CuCO3 would reduce root circling and improve root and shoot growth. Eucalyptus citriodora liners were transplanted on 15 Aug. into plastic 3.7-liter containers of regular (standard no. 1) or tall configuration. Regular containers were 16.0 cm in diameter and 17.5 cm tall; the dimensions of the tall ones were 10.0 and 40.0 cm, respectively. The height : width ratio of regular and tall containers were 1.1 and 3.8, respectively. All containers were filled with 3.0 liters of Univ. of California Mix no. 2 (Baker, 1985). Tall containers were manufactured from polyvinyl chloride pipe cut to the specified height. Nylon screen was fastened to the bottom of the pipe and taped around the outside of the pipe.
Modeling Protection Systems in Time-Domain Simulations: A New Method to Detect Mis-Operating Relays for Unstable Power Swings

Large power system disturbances can cause stable or unstable power swings. Unstable power swings result in generator pole slipping. A generator or group of generators may accelerate or decelerate, leading to voltage depression at the electrical center along with generator tripping. This voltage depression may cause protective relay mis-operation and unintentional separation of the system. In order to avoid unintentional islanding, the potentially mis-operating relays should be blocked from tripping. This paper proposes a novel method to determine the location of the mis-operating relays at the planning phase. Blocking these mis-operating relays, combined with an appropriate islanding scheme, help avoid a system-wide collapse. The proposed method is tested on data from the Western Electricity Coordinating Council. A triple line outage of the California-Oregon Intertie is studied. The electrical center is determined and appropriate out-of-step blocking schemes are identified. The results show that the correct design of out-of-step protective relays improves the dynamic performance of the power system and causes less fluctuations in voltage and frequency throughout the system.
Exploring Patient Engagement: A Qualitative Analysis of Low-Income Urban Participants in Asthma Research

Background Uncontrolled asthma is a common highly morbid condition with worse outcomes in low-income and minority patients in part due to barriers accessing and engaging with health care. We developed a patient advocate to educate about and assist with navigating access to care and provider-patient communication. Participants completed an End of Study Questionnaire (ESQ) that was analyzed to assess experience and engagement with the protocol. Objective This study uses qualitative analysis to evaluate participant experience with the patient advocate and control group interventions. Methods The ESQ aimed to prompt an open-ended discussion of study experience. Questions were developed from patient focus groups about the patient advocate intervention (PAI), and were revised based on early responses. The questionnaire was administered after 12 months of study participation: 6 months of control or PAI, followed by 6 months of follow-up. Answers were evaluated using qualitative coding and a grounded theory analytical approach. Results A total of 102 low-income and minority adults with moderate or severe asthma who had completed the study protocol at the time of publication (approximately one-third of total participants) found PAI and control group activities acceptable. Four themes emerged from both groups: (1) appreciation of interpersonal and educational interaction, (2) perception of improved health care adherence, (3) preparedness for physician appointments, (4) improved patient-provider communication. Attention from study personnel and review of asthma-related information was unanimously well received and empowered patients' active health care participation. Conclusions Patient engagement and empowerment were elicited by perceived education and personal attention. This study suggests a low-resource, feasible method to improve patient engagement.
Simulations of Ammonia Adsorption for the Characterization of Acid Sites in Metal-Doped Amorphous Silicates

The catalytic activity of metal-doped amorphous silicates is directly related to their acidity. However, the local structure of the active sites is not well-known as it is difficult to probe it experimentally, which inhibits the systematic improvement of these mesoporous materials toward better catalytic activity. We use quantum mechanical simulations based on density functional theory to characterize Zr-, W-, and Nb-doped amorphous silicates, for which experimental data of acidity are available. We study the adsorption of one or two ammonia molecules on the metal (M) and various MOH and SiOH sites to model measurements of NH3 temperature-programmed desorption (NH3-TPD), a technique commonly used to determine the amount of acid sites in these materials. Our calculations reproduce the experimental trends of acidity strength across metals: Zr > W > Nb, where Zr sites are predominantly Lewis acids, while Nb and W sites are both Bronsted and Lewis acids. Metal atoms that are more grafted into the silica (i.e....
Understanding CRY2 interactions for optical control of intracellular signaling.

Arabidopsis cryptochrome 2 (CRY2) can simultaneously undergo light-dependent CRY2–CRY2 homo-oligomerization and CRY2–CIB1 hetero-dimerization, both of which have been widely used to optically control intracellular processes. Applications using CRY2–CIB1 interaction desire minimal CRY2 homo-oligomerization to avoid unintended complications, while those utilizing CRY2–CRY2 interaction prefer robust homo-oligomerization. However, selecting the type of CRY2 interaction has not been possible as the molecular mechanisms underlying CRY2 interactions﻿ are unknown. Here we report CRY2–CIB1 and CRY2–CRY2 interactions are governed by well-separated protein interfaces at the two termini of CRY2. N-terminal charges are critical for CRY2–CIB1 interaction. Moreover, two C-terminal charges impact CRY2 homo-oligomerization, with positive charges facilitating oligomerization and negative charges inhibiting it. By engineering C-terminal charges, we develop CRY2high and CRY2low with elevated or suppressed oligomerization respectively, which we use to tune the levels of Raf/MEK/ERK signaling. These results contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying light-induced CRY2 interactions and enhance the controllability of CRY2-based optogenetic systems. Cryptochrome 2 (CRY2) can form light-regulated CRY2-CRY2 homo-oligomers or CRY2-CIB1 hetero-dimers, but modulating these interactions is difficult owing to the lack of interaction mechanism. Here the authors identify the interactions facilitating homo-oligomers and introduce mutations to create low and high oligomerization versions.
Engendering mutual respect, strengthening the bonds of unity, and underscoring inevitable interdependence among Nigerian peoples

Abstract Official visits deserve attention as important instruments of governance, national unification, and as a means of conducting external diplomacy. Following Nigeria's independence on October 1, 1960, the country saw a significant increase in official visits. Each visit, and the official publication documenting the event, is a vehicle through which the social, economic, and political development of the country can be viewed and understood. As bibliographic artifacts, official visits are extremely elusive. They comprise a subgenre within two larger genres, government publications and grey literature, with which they share common problems. The body of information they contain has remained untapped, and a vastly unidentified resource in the field of public administration, international relations, history, and political science. The purpose of this article is to identify, analyze, and describe published Nigerian government information on official visits. There are three major levels of analysis: international visits, interstate visits, and intrastate visits. A substantive guide to these materials, with locations, for use in collection development, reference, and for scholars likely to undertake future research on the topic, is appended.
The Resurrected Skeleton: From Zhuangzi to Lu Xun

Who knew that, in the mid-1920s, Lu Xun 魯迅 (1881–1936) had written a satirical take on the old tale in which the Warring States philosopher Zhuangzi encounters and discourses with a skull? Who kne...
Parametric analysis of design stage building energy performance simulation models

Abstract For many years, the practice of implementing a design stage building energy performance simulation (BEPS) model has been overshadowed by a perceived lack of accurate results, when predicted model figures are compared with actual usage, post-occupancy. With the worldwide push for more efficient buildings, this perception of lack of accuracy is becoming an important issue. Research has primarily focussed on the examination of post-occupancy calibrated models. In the construction industry, most BEPS models are built to show compliance with national standards and/or regulations, such as ASHRAE or the UK's Part L, or a voluntary code such as LEED™. This is done at the design stage, before construction has commenced, as compliance usually must be shown as part of the regulatory planning and early design process. Examining two very different buildings, a methodology has been devised to identify the groups of influential parameters within a design stage BEPS model and determine quantitatively, how influential these groups might be on the predicted energy usage. The study finds that many similar issues exist in both building's design models, even though the buildings are in different countries, of different operational characteristics and had design models built at differing levels of complexity. The process of developing the most accurate design stage BEPS model is broken down into nine possible model stages and each of the nine is quantitatively assessed. The study gives pertinent guidance to an energy modeller as to the likely accuracy of their model, depending on what data has been used in the model's creation.
Determination of Surface Bi-Axial Stresses Using Raman Spectroscopy

The forthcoming discussion presents a new method to estimatef Residual stresses using Raman spectroscopy. The method has been validated independently through an existing reliable surface strain measurement technique, known as Digital Image Correlation (DIC). Utilizing phonon deformation potentials for diamond and zinc blende crystal structures, a relationship was first introduced that provides a quantifiable estimate between the Raman peak-shift and residual stresses in confined Silicon Carbide particles. The proposed relationship was further validated independently using classical formulation for thick walled cylinders and DIC techniques. The results obtained show excellent agreement between the measured stresses and the derived relationship between Raman peak-shift and the applied stress.
Temporal relation between blood pressure and serum creatinine in young adults from a biracial community: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

It is well recognized that end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with accelerated and malignant hypertension. The association of renal disease and what is considered as normal blood pressure is still not clear. The present study examined the temporal relation between blood pressure and renal function reflected by serum creatinine in a biracial (black-white) community-based population enrolled in the Bogalusa Heart Study. The study included 662 young adults aged 19 to 32 years, (white men, n = 188; white women, n = 289; black men, n = 67; and black women, n = 118) who were followed for an average of 7.4 years. In black men, partial correlation adjusted for age, body mass index, serum glucose, uric acid, and cigarette smoking showed that baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressure are not significantly related to baseline serum creatinine, but significantly related to serum creatinine at follow-up (r = 0.38, P = .008 and r = 0.42, P = .003, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis further showed a significant prediction of serum creatinine at follow-up by baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressure (0.031 mg/dL and 0.037 mg/dL rise in follow-up serum creatinine for every 10 mm Hg increase in systolic (P = .000) and diastolic (P = .001) blood pressure at baseline, but not the other way around. Other race and sex groups did not show such significant temporal relations. We conclude that in young black men, higher blood pressure levels within normal range precede and explain part of the increase in serum creatinine, a measure of decline in renal function. Thus, our results underscore the beneficial effect of maintaining blood pressure levels lower than what is considered as the upper normal limit, particularly in black men.
Body Mass and Femur Length Are Inversely Related to Repetitions Performed in the Back Squat in Well-Trained Lifters

Cooke, DM, Haischer, MH, Carzoli, JP, Bazyler, CD, Johnson, TK, Varieur, R, Zoeller, RF, Whitehurst, M, and Zourdos, MC. Body mass and femur length are inversely related to repetitions performed in the back squat in well-trained lifters. J Strength Cond Res 33(3): 890-895, 2019-The purpose of this research note was to examine whether relationships existed between anthropometrics (body mass, body fat percentage [BF%], and femur length) and descriptive characteristics (age and sex) with repetitions performed to failure at 70% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) in the back squat. Fifty-eight subjects (males = 43, females = 15; age: 23 ± 3 years, training age: 5.5 ± 2.5 years, body mass: 80.65 ± 16.34 kg, BF%: 10.98 ± 3.53%, and femur length: 47.1 ± 2.6 cm) completed a 1RM squat followed by one set to failure at 70% of 1RM. Total repetitions performed at 70% of 1RM were 14 ± 4 (range: 6-26). Bivariate correlations showed significant inverse relationships between body mass (r = -0.352, p = 0.003), BF% (r = -0.278, p = 0.014), and femur length (r = -0.265, p = 0.019), with repetitions performed. No significant relationships existed between age and sex (p > 0.05), with repetitions performed. All these variables entered into a standard multivariate regression. The model R was 0.200, and body mass had the largest influence (p = 0.057) because relative importance analysis demonstrated body mass to contribute to 43.87% of the variance (of the R) in repetitions performed. No other variable was significant or approached significance (p > 0.05). Our results reveal that body mass, BF%, and femur length all are inversely related to repetitions performed at 70% of 1RM in the back squat.
Longitudinal studies of the natural history of caries. II. A life-table study of caries incidence in the permanent teeth.

Abstract Longitudinal rates and patterns of caries incidence were determined and compared for each of the permanent teeth of over 5000 children in non-fluoridated Kingston, New York. The modified “follow-up” life-table method used for computation is described. All teeth exhibited surprisingly similar patterns of annual attack curves which, in general, reached a peak from 2 to 4 years following eruption and declined thereafter, possibly reflecting the operation of a post-eruption “maturation-factor”. An exponential model was found to reasonably approximate cumulative survival (or attack) pattern in most tooth-types. Although differences in tooth eruption times were sufficient to explain most of the observed male-female differences in age-specific caries prevalence, females continued to show a distinctly higher risk of caries attack in first and second molars when the time of eruption was controlled.
Fluorescence modeling of in vivo optical detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide. New tools to study pathogenesis and monitor subjects in pre-clinical studies to develop treatment regimens are critical for progress. We developed an improved optical system for detecting bacteria in lungs of mice using internal illumination. We present a computational optical model of the full mouse torso to characterize the optical system. Simulated theoretical limits for the lowest detectable bacterial load support the experimental improvements with an internal illumination source, and suggest that protocol improvements could further lower the detection threshold.
Exercising Mathematical Authority: Three Cases of Preservice Teachers’ Algebraic Justifications

Students’ ability to reason for themselves is a crucial step in developing conceptual understandings of mathematics, especially if those students are preservice teachers. Even if classroom environments are structured to promote students’ reasoning and sense-making, students may rely on prior procedural knowledge to justify their mathematical arguments. In this study, we employed a multiple-case-study research design to investigate how groups of elementary preservice teachers exercised their mathematical authority on a growing visual patterns task. The results of this study emphasize that even when mathematics teacher educators create classroom environments that delegate mathematical authority to learners, they still need to attend to the strength of preservice teachers’ reliance on their prior knowledge.
A Continuum to Promote College Instructor Metacognition about Teaching

Metacognition is important for both teaching and learning. Effective teachers are metacognitive about teaching, reflecting on, and making adjustments to instructional approaches to support student ...
Fluoridation of HfO2

Fluoridation of HfO2 was carried out with three commonly used solid-state fluoridation agents: PVDF, PTFE, and NH4HF2. Clear and reproducible differences are observed in the reaction products of the fluoropolymer reagents and NH4HF2 with the latter more readily reacting in air. Strong evidence of distinct, previously unreported hafnium oxyfluoride phases is produced by both reactions, and efforts to isolate them were successful for the air-NH4HF2 reaction. Synchrotron XRD, 19F NMR, and elemental analysis were employed to characterize the phase-pure material which appears to be analogous to known Zr-O-F phases with anion-deficient α-UO3 structures such as Zr7O9F10. Comparison with the hydrolysis of β-HfF4 under identical conditions depicts that the NH4HF2 route produces the oxyfluoride with greater selectivity and at lower temperatures. Thermodynamic calculations were employed to explain this result. Potential reaction pathways for the NH4HF2 fluoridation of HfO2 are discussed.