cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Growth and nutrient uptake of sorghum cultivated with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza isolates at varying pH

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different pH regimes on root colonization with four vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) isolates, and VAM effects on host plant growth and nutrient uptake. Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] was grown at pH 4.0, 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0 (±0.1) in hydroponic sand culture with the VAM isolates Glomus etunicatum UT316 (isolate E), G. intraradices UT143 (isolate I), G. intraradices UT126 (isolate B), and an unknown Glomus isolate with no INVAM number (isolate A). Colonization of roots with the different VAM isolates varied differentially with pH. As pH increased, root colonization increased with isolates B and E, remained unchanged with isolate I, and was low at pH 4.0 and high at pH 5.0, 6.0, and 7.0 with isolate A. Isolates E and I were more effective than isolates A and B in promoting plant growth irrespective of pH. Root colonization with VAM appeared to be independent of dry matter yields or dry matter yield responsiveness (dry matter produced by VAM compared to nonmycorrhizal plants). Dry matter yield responsiveness values were higher in plants whose roots were colonized with isolates E and I than with isolates A and B. Shoot P concentrations were lower in plants colonized with isolates E and I than with isolates A and B or nonmycorrhizal plants. This was probably due to the dilution effect of the higher dry matter yields. Neither the VAM isolate nor pH had an effect on shoot Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, and Mn concentrations, while the VAM isolate affected not only P but also S, K, and Fe concentrations. The pH x VAM interaction was significant for shoot K, Mg, and Cu concentrations.
Compositionally tuned lasers: Practical lasers at designer wavelengths

A general need exists for practical solid state lasers at particular wavelengths. For NASA, these particular wavelengths are needed for remote sensing of atmospheric constituents such as water vapor and green house gasses. Transition metal solid state lasers can be widely tuned, however, they usually possess a relatively short upper laser level lifetime or a relatively small emission cross section. Either of these parameters can limit the practicality of transition metal lasers. On the other hand, lanthanide series solid state lasers have attractive upper laser level lifetimes and emission cross sections, however they have narrow tuning ranges. This problem is solved by utilizing the concept of compositional tuning of lanthanide series lasers. Compositional tuning effects, including the tuning range, are predicted using quantum mechanical calculations. They are also experimentally verified by means of spectroscopic measurements. Practical examples for two lanthanide series lasers that were compositionally tuned to a preselected water vapor absorption feature are presented. Both flash lamp pumped and diode pumped laser results are presented.
Myoglobin immunoassay utilizing directional surface plasmon-coupled emission.

We described an immunoassay for the cardiac marker myoglobin on a thin silver mirror surface using surface plasmon-coupled emission (SPCE). SPCE occurs for fluorophores in proximity (within ∼200 nm) of a thin metal film (in our case, silver) and results in a highly directional radiation through a glass substrate at a well-defined angle from the normal axis. We used the effect of SPCE to develop a myoglobin immunoassay on the silver mirror surface deposited on a glass substrate. Binding of the labeled anti-myoglobin antibodies led to the enhanced fluorescence emission at a specific angle of 72°. The directional and enhanced directional fluorescence emission enables detection of myoglobin over a wide range of concentrations from subnormal to the elevated level of this cardiac marker. Utilizing SPCE allowed us also to demonstrate significant background suppression (from serum or whole blood) in the myoglobin immunoassay. We expect SPCE to become a powerful technique for performing immunoassays for many bioma...
Relation of high harmonic spectra to electronic structure in N2

Abstract High harmonics of N 2 exhibit a number of features that are related to the electronic structure and sub-femtosecond dynamics of the molecule. Through measurements and simulations, we show how the harmonic spectral shape, spectral phase, alignment angle dependence, and intensity dependence can be related to the strong-field ionization and recombination dynamics of the HOMO and HOMO-1 electron orbitals. A field-free static model of the molecule is insufficient to explain the observations.
Focus Issue: Reactive Oxygen Species—Friend or Foe?

Science ’s STKE focuses on the signaling pathways activated in response to pathological accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as on mechanisms by which cells have harnessed these reactive molecules as active participants in signaling that leads to a desirable cellular response. ROS are chemically reactive because they contain unpaired electrons and, depending on the location of their production and the molecules with which they interact, they can cause cellular damage or trigger specific signaling events. Indeed, kinases and phosphatases are now recognized as key molecules that can be modified by interaction with ROS, and the Protocol by Wu and Terada describes a method for detecting oxidatively modified protein tyrosine phosphatases. In a Perspective, Michel et al . discuss how susceptibility to elevated ROS contributes to death of specific neurons and in a Review, Storz discusses the signaling pathways activated to detoxify ROS and how mitochondrial ROS may contribute to aging.
A Broad Phylogenetic Analysis of Boraginaceae: Implications for the Relationships of Mertensia

Abstract The phylogenetic relationships of Mertensia (Boraginaceae), which comprises approximately 45 species in both Asia and North America, have been uncertain, and taxonomists have placed the genus in various tribes of subfamily Boraginoideae, with the most recent placements in Trigonotideae and Cynoglosseae. Our study applies molecular phylogenetic methods to test the monophyly and relationships of Mertensia. We used DNA sequence data from the nuclear ribosomal nrITS region and four cpDNA regions (matK, ndhF, rbcL, trnL-trnF) to examine the placement of Mertensia among a sampling of accessions from approximately 70% of the genera of Boraginaceae s. l. Phylogeny reconstructions using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference were largely congruent with previous molecular phylogenetic analyses of Boraginaceae that had applied far fewer taxa. We recovered five deep clades that correspond to Boraginaceae subfamilies Boraginoideae, Cordioideae, Heliotropioideae, Hydrophylloideae, and Eh...
Is Nuclear Factor κB an Attractive Therapeutic Target for Treating Cardiac Hypertrophy

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. In most instances, heart failure is the final consequence of many underlying disease etiologies such as long-standing hypertension, coronary heart disease, valvular insufficiency, arrhythmia, viral myocarditis, and mutations in sarcomere-encoding genes. A compensatory enlargement of the myocardium, or hypertrophy, typically accompanies many of the predisposing insults discussed above and is a leading predictor for the development of more serious and life-threatening disease.1,2 Given the strong association between the presentation of pathological cardiac hypertrophy and a progressive deterioration in myocardial function, investigators have focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms that initiate the compensatory growth response or that precipitate the transition to heart failure. A number of signal transduction pathways are thought to play pivotal roles in mediating the hypertrophic growth of the myocardium in response to pathological stimuli.3 In this issue of Circulation , Cook et al4 focus their attention on the nuclear factor (NF)–κB signaling pathway as a potentially important intracellular mediator of cardiac hypertrophy. See p 664 NF-κB is a transcription factor that can directly regulate the expression of immediate-early genes and genes involved in the stress response following a variety of physiological or pathological stimuli. Traditionally, the NF-κB pathway has been implicated as a pivotal intracellular mediator of the inflammatory response associated with septic shock, ischemia-reperfusion injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, viral-induced cytotoxic effects, and cytokine-mediated chronic disease states.5 These disease associations have made NF-κB an attractive target for pharmacological inhibition with the goal of preserving end organ function following acute injury or resulting from chronic inflammatory disorders. Recent studies by several investigators have also implicated NF-κB activation as a causal event in the cardiac hypertrophic response, as modeled in cultured cardiac myocytes.6–9 This linkage between NF-κB and myocyte …
Plasmon-enhanced homogeneous and heterogeneous triplet-triplet annihilation by gold nanoparticles.

We report the investigation of surface plasmon induced enhancement of homogeneous and heterogeneous triplet–triplet annihilation (TTA) by gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Results show that AuNPs enhance the overall efficiency in both cases. Excitation rate and intersystem crossing efficiency of the sensitizer, and efficiency of energy transfer between sensitizer and acceptor are believed to be enhanced by the surface plasmon of AuNPs, leading to the enhancement of overall TTA efficiency.
Intravascular pressure and velocity fluctuations in pulmonic arterial stenosis.

Abstract Measurements of intravascular pressure fluctuations and blood flow turbulence were made in six calves in close vicinity of a surgically induced pulmonic stenosis. The experiments were carried out in three series: Series I measurements were made intraoperatively in open-chest calves with 40% and 60% stenosis and varying heart rates due to Isoproterenol infusions. Series II measurements were performed at three different times during 112 days after recovery. Series III experiments were performed 159.2 ± 5.8 days following the initial surgery; the chest was reopened. Spectral analysis of the simultaneously measured pressure and flow fluctuations showed a range of −5 3 power slope in the flow energy spectra which break into −10 3 power slope at approximately 100 Hz. The pressure energy in the same frequency range increased sharply. Based on the data, the transformation of energy flow fluctuations to pressure fluctuations is discussed. The variations of intravascular pressure energy in axial positions with respect to the stenosis are presented.
Adrenergic innervation of the choroid and iris in diabetic rats

We compared the distribution and density of ocular adrenergic nerves in rats after 3 to 13 months of streptozotocin diabetes and in age-matched control animals to learn whether diabetic sympathetic neuropathy is evident in the eye as it is in other organs. An aqueous aldehyde method for histochemical demonstration of catecholamines provided a clear and complete view of the adrenergic innervation in whole flat preparations of choroid and iris. In the choroid, a dense plexus of varicose nerve fibers invested all of the branching arterial blood vessels. A less dense network of nerves was present in the choroidal stroma between the arteries, but there was no obvious association of nerves with the venules draining choroidal capillaries. Using a stereological method to measure the density of the adrenergic plexus of choroidal arteries, we found the mean innervation density to be normal in diabetic animals sampled at 3, 9, and 13 months after onset of hyperglycemia. Microscopic examination also failed to reveal ...
Better Dead than R(ap)ed?: The Patriarchal Rhetoric Driving Capital Rape Statutes

Beginning with the passage of the death penalty for rapists of children in Louisiana in 1995, a series of similar statutes have been proposed and passed in state legislatures across the country. The Louisiana Supreme Court subsequently upheld the statute despite the United States Supreme Court holding in Coker v. Georgia that capital punishment was unconstitutional for rape. The supporters of the new statute have argued that Coker does not apply to the rape of children. As a result, the political forces in favor of increasing punishment of child molestors have pushed the death penalty as a solution. The United States has not been alone in pursuing this course. Even as the global trend has been away from using capital punishment, more countries are applying it the crime of rape. This is true even in countries where the death penalty is not allowed for murder. This article argues that the source of this movement in the United States and around the globe is a revival of Victorian notions that someone is better off dead than raped. The elevation of chastity and purity has led activists, governments, and media to increasingly believe rape is a crime worse than murder. The article cites a range of speakers and writers who have argued that rape is indeed a crime worse than death. Unfortunately, this trend serves to set back feminism in many ways. The emphasis on virginity and the invoking of Saint Maria Goretti has undermined efforts to help people recover from rape. After all, if it is better to be dead, then suicide is a logical option for many who have been raped. Further, the policy goals of these new statutes are often self-defeating. The end result of capital rape statutes is that criminals have an increased incentive to kill their victims so there will be no witnesses to their crime. Because of the rhetoric driving these statutes, it is important that the fight against this statues not be confined to the legislatures and courtrooms. The cultural norms underlying these efforts must be attacked and awareness must be raised. Otherwise, the attitudes of patriarchy supporting the capital rape statutes will continue to undermine the goals of feminism in America and around the world.
Pharmacokinetics of the acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol acyl transferase inhibitor CP-105,191 in dogs--the effect of food and sesame oil on systemic exposure following oral dosing.

Inhibition of acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol acyl transferase (ACAT) decreases total plasma cholesterol in animals and may be an effective therapy for atherosclerosis in man. The pharmacokinetics of CP‐105, 191, a potent inhibitor of ACAT, were explored in fed and fasted dogs. Following oral administration of drug, mean apparent plasma halffile ranged from 9 to 16 h. Systemic availability of CP‐105, 191, as determined by AUC(0–∞), was approximately 3–4‐fold higher in fed dogs than in fasted dogs when 50 mg doses were administered as aqueous suspensions. Tmax was achieved more rapidly and Cmax was lower in fasted dogs. When 50 mg doses, partially dissolved in 20 mL sesame oil, were administered to fed dogs, the availability of CP‐105, 191 increased by another factor of 2. A 12.5 mg dose of CP‐105, 191, completely dissolved in sesame oil, was administered to fed and fasted dogs. Plasma AUC's were similar for fed and fasted dogs following the 12.5 mg dose, indicating that the increased availability of drug when administered with food is related to the presence of lipid.
Leadership Challenges at Hewlett-Packard: Through the Looking Glass

The board of directors has a long list of responsibilities in all areas of governance. However, to many, the fundamental obligations of the board are simple and distill down to two: 1) evaluate and approve the corporate strategy and 2) hire and fire the CEO. The Hewlett-Packard Company has had four leadership changes over the last twelve years. It has also faced numerous strategic changes, as well as controversies and challenges at the senior management and board levels.We examine these issues and ask: Does the board of directors understand the skills and experiences needed to run the company? Have they settled on a corporate strategy? Why has the board repeatedly appointed an external, rather than internal, executive as CEO?Topics, Issues and Controversies in Corporate Governance and Leadership: The Closer Look series is a collection of short case studies through which we explore topics, issues, and controversies in corporate governance. In each study, we take a targeted look at a specific issue that is relevant to the current debate on governance and explain why it is so important. Larcker and Tayan are co-authors of the book Corporate Governance Matters, and A Real Look at Real World Corporate Governance.
Cerebrovascular hemodynamic changes associated with carotid endarterectomy

Abstract To evaluate the effect of carotid surgery on the cerebral circulation, transcranial Doppler sonography and ocular pneumoplethysmography were performed on 36 patients who underwent unilateral carotid endarterectomy. Ocular pneumoplethysmography and transcranial Doppler sonography tests were performed within a week before and after operation, and transcranial Doppler sonography was repeated ≥30 days after operation. Middle and anterior cerebral arteries were insonated bilaterally, and flow velocities ipsilateral (iMCAFV or iACAFV) and contralateral (cMCAFV or cACAFV) to the side of surgery were recorded. The iMCAFV and iACAFV increased significantly in the immediate postoperative period, and the iMCAFV remained elevated on the second follow-up study. Patients with ≥75% ipsilateral carotid stenosis ( N = 23) had increased iMCAFV, iACAFV, and decreased cACAFV after operation, whereas those with N = 13) had no significant transcranial Doppler sonography changes. Those with ≥75% contralateral carotid stenosis ( N = 17) had significant increases in iMCAFV, cMCAFV, and iACAFV after operation, whereas those with N = 13) did not increase iMCAFV after surgery. The ocular pneumoplethysmography changes were significantly different in both groups when preoperative and postoperative values were compared. We conclude that carotid endarterectomy can cause lasting cerebral hemodynamic changes, but that its effects are not uniform among all patients (J VASC SURG 1991;13:854-60.)
Measuring cis-acting regulatory variants genome-wide: new insights into expression genetics and disease susceptibility

Regulatory polymorphisms have emerged as a prevalent source of phenotypic variability, capable of driving rapid evolution. mRNA profiling combined with genome-wide genotyping of polymorphisms has revealed pervasive genetic influences on gene expression, acting both in cis and in trans. Measuring allelic ratios of RNA transcripts makes it possible to focus on cis-acting factors separately from trans-acting processes. Using large-scale allelic expression analysis, a recent study by Ge and colleagues demonstrates a high incidence of cis-acting regulatory variants, promising insights into the 'missing heritability' component of complex disorders. Here, I evaluate their results and discuss the limitations of the current approach and avenues for exploring disease risk, guiding successful therapy, early intervention, and prevention.
Laying a Foundation for Peace? Micro-Effects of Peacekeeping in Cote d'Ivoire

Multidimensional peacekeeping operations have been central to United Nations efforts to end protracted internal conflicts and consolidate postwar peace. Recent empirical studies have shown that these operations are associated with prolonged peace after civil war. However, there have been few quantitative efforts to evaluate peacebuilding components such as economic rehabilitation, political development assistance, or human rights promotion integrated within peacekeeping operations. We use original data from a survey of the local population in Cote dIvoire and conflict event data to identify micro-effects of the United Nations Operations in Cote dIvoire (UNOCI). We find little to support the idea that UNOCIs deployments significantly affected the security situation, which had already improved tremendously
A Comprehensive Probability Project for the Upper Division One-Semester Probability Course Using Yahtzee

This article describes a probability project used in an upper division, one-semester probability course with third-semester calculus and linear algebra prerequisites. The student learning outcome focused on developing the skills necessary for approaching projectsized math/stat application problems. These skills include appropriately defining terms, making necessary simplifying assumptions, budgeting time, determining when to search literature, and checking theoretical calculations with simulation. It was assumed students would learn the technical material in the process. The result exceeded expectations. This article is written to summarize the project, provide a complete solution
IL-21 Is Important for Induction of KLRG1+ Effector CD8 T Cells during Acute Intracellular Infection

Microsporidia, a latent opportunistic infection associated with mild inflammation, is characterized by a strong CD8 T cell response, which has been shown to be CD4 T cell dependent. In this manuscript, we demonstrate that CD4 help is provided via IL-21 production, a common γ-chain cytokine closely related to IL-2. The peak of IL-21 expression, observed during the acute infection, is associated with an elevated IL-21(+) CD4 T subset, and these cells bear a phenotypic resemblance to T follicular helper cells. We observed that, during per-oral microsporidial infection, IL-21 was critical for the generation of an optimal effector CD8 T cell immunity. Sharply decreased effector KLRG1(+) CD8 response was observed in IL-21R knockout mice, and although these cells exhibited reduced functional properties, they retained the ability to proliferate. The role of IL-21 in the generation of CD8 effectors was cell intrinsic, as stronger defects were observed in the IL-21-deficient compartment from the bone marrow chimeric mice (IL-21R knockout/wild-type). These findings are different from those reported for viral infections in which IL-21 has been primarily associated with the generation and maintenance of CD8 memory response. To the best of our knowledge, this report demonstrates a critical role for IL-21 in the generation of a primary effector CD8 T cell response to an infectious disease model.
Synergistic Effects of Crizotinib and Temozolomide in Experimental FIG-ROS1 Fusion-Positive Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common malignant brain tumor. Drug resistance frequently develops in these tumors during chemotherapy. Therefore, predicting drug response in these patients remains a major challenge in the clinic. Thus, to improve the clinical outcome, more effective and tolerable combination treatment strategies are needed. Robust experimental evidence has shown that the main reason for failure of treatments is signal redundancy due to coactivation of several functionally linked receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), including anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), c-Met (hepatocyte growth factor receptor), and oncogenic c-ros oncogene1 (ROS1: RTK class orphan) fusion kinase FIG (fused in GB)-ROS1. As such, these could be attractive targets for GB therapy. The study subjects consisted of 19 patients who underwent neurosurgical resection of GB tissues. Our in vitro and ex vivo models promisingly demonstrated that treatments with crizotinib (PF-02341066: dual ALK/c-Met inhibitor) and temozolomide in combination induced synergistic antitumor activity on FIG-ROS1-positive GB cells. Our results also showed that ex vivo FIG-ROS1+ slices (obtained from GB patients) when cultured were able to preserve tissue architecture, cell viability, and global gene-expression profiles for up to 14 days. Both in vitro and ex vivo studies indicated that combination blockade of FIG, p-ROS1, p-ALK, and p-Met augmented apoptosis, which mechanistically involves activation of Bim and inhibition of survivin, p-Akt, and Mcl-1 expression. However, it is important to note that we did not see any significant synergistic effect of crizotinib and temozolomide on FIG-ROS1-negative GB cells. Thus, these ex vivo culture results will have a significant impact on patient selection for clinical trials and in predicting response to crizotinib and temozolomide therapy. Further studies in different animal models of FIG-ROS1-positive GB cells are warranted to determine useful therapies for the management of human GBs.
Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome: A Clinicopathologic Survey of the "Harrisburg Family" With a 49-Year Follow-up

Of the original Peutz-Jeghers families reported by Jeghers, the "Harrisburg Family" has now been followed for 49 yr. Their 12 affected family members comprise the largest Peutz-Jeghers kindred reported. The course of this family illustrates that Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is not a benign disease. One family member developed a duodenal carcinoma in a hamartoma with adenomatous changes; this progression in the duodenum has not previously been reported. Ten patients underwent 75 polypectomies. One patient developed short bowel syndrome. Three patients died in young adulthood. The development of gastrointestinal malignancy in 2 of 12 affected patients suggests that Peutz-Jeghers syndrome may be a premalignant condition. Consequently, even asymptomatic gastric, duodenal, and colonic polyps should be removed endoscopically. If surgical intervention is necessary, intraoperative endoscopy with polypectomy may prevent the development of a short bowel syndrome. Colonoscopic screening of patients and their family members may be beneficial and surveillance for extraintestinal malignancy appears to be warranted.
Transcendental Philosophy, Plurality and Respect for the Real

Transcendental philosophy has always been humble before the Real. It has always bowed down before what showed itself as beyond human making. To expose, describe, or even account for the conditions for the possibility of X, where X might be anything at all, is first of all to accept X as X, to accept the thing as the thing that it is: this is so whether the thing is a thing, whether it is an idea, a way of life or a culture; it might even be, as in Kant, the world itself (not “in itself,” mind you, just “itself”).
Action-specific perception of speed is independent of attention

According to the action-specific account of perception, a perceiver's ability to act influences how the environment is perceived. For example, in a computer-based task, participants perceive fish as moving faster when they use a smaller net, and are thus less effective at catching the fish (Witt & Sugovic, 2013a). Here, we examined the degree to which attention may influence perceptual judgments by requiring participants to engage in a secondary task that directed their attention either toward (Exp. 1) or away from (Exp. 2) the to-be-caught fish. Though perceived fish speed was influenced by participants' catching performance-replicating previous results-attentional allocation did not impact this relationship between catching performance and perceived fish speed. The present results suggest that action directly influences spatial perception, rather than exerting indirect effects via attentional processes.
Reaction and Catalyst Families in the Modeling of Coal and Biomass Hydroprocessing Kinetics

The estimation of rate constants for detailed molecular-level kinetic models of coal and biomass hydroprocessing is addressed. The problem is framed as, given a working molecular-level kinetic model for an existing catalyst, how many measurements must be made to have values of the rate constants for a new catalyst? The present analysis is built on an observation in the literature that the slopes of linear free energy relationships (LFERs) for a given reaction family were approximately constant upon the change in catalyst. Two subcases are considered herein: in the first, a change in catalyst leads to the same change in y intercept or “catalyst gap” for all reaction families, and in the second, the change in catalyst gap is different for each reaction family. If the catalyst gap is independent of the reaction family, only one measurement is needed to approximate all rate constants for a new catalyst. If the catalyst gap is dependent upon the reaction family, then one measurement is needed per reaction fami...
Independent active contraction of extraocular muscle compartments.

Purpose. Intramuscular innervation of horizontal rectus extraocular muscle (EOMs) is segregated into superior and inferior (transverse) compartments, whereas all EOMs are also divided into global (GL) and orbital (OL) layers with scleral and pulley insertions, respectively. Mechanical independence between both types of compartments has been demonstrated during passive tensile loading. We examined coupling between EOM compartments during active, ex vivo contraction.
Compressing fluid subspaces

Subspace fluid simulations, also known as reduced-order simulations, can be extremely fast, but also require basis matrices that consume an enormous amount of memory. Motivated by the extreme sparsity of Laplacian eigenfunctions in the frequency domain, we design a frequency-space codec that is capable of compressing basis matrices by up to an order of magnitude. However, if computed naively, decompression can be highly inefficient and dominate the running time, effectively negating the advantage of the subspace approach. We show how to significantly accelerate the decompressor by performing the key matrix-vector product in the sparse frequency domain. Subsequently, our codec only adds a factor of three or four to the overall runtime. The compression preserves the overall quality of the simulation, which we show in a variety of examples.
Modern Neuro-Ophthalmology: Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Visual System by Sashank Prasad and Joseph E. Rizzo III.: Boston, Modern Neurology LLC (modern-neurology.com), 2016, list price $49.99 (e-book)

This is the first volume of the Modern Neuro-Ophthalmology series, which currently has five planned titles. The inaugural volume is available only in electronic format, and currently only as an iBo...
The Statistical Foundation of Population Balances

This chapter deals with the statistical foundation of the population balance equation. As a smooth function capable of differentiation with respect to time as well as particle state coordinates, the number density in the population balance equation is clearly an averaged quantity. Thus the population balance equation is to be considered as an “averaged” equation designed to predict average information. When dealing with stochastic problems, it is clear that one is frequently faced with lack of closure, especially in situations where interaction occurs between particles or between particles and their environment. Such lack of closure arises because of the development of correlations between particle states promoted by preferential behavior between particle pairs of specific states or between the particle and its environment. The population balance equation, which generally comes about by making the crudest closure approximation, does not make accurate predictions in such cases of the average behavior of the system.
New biomarkers and imaging approaches for the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis

Purpose of reviewSymptoms suggestive of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are extremely common in clinical practice, but unfortunately nonspecific. In both ambulatory and inpatient settings, clinicians are often tasked with evaluating these concerns. Here, we review the most recent advances in biomarkers a
Orthopaedic Resident Preparation and Confidence in Treating On-Field Injuries:

Background:Orthopaedic surgery residents may cover athletic events, although the training provided to prepare residents for this role and oversight from attending physicians during these activities...
Database Retrieval Enhancement Using the Boxes Methodology

Abstract The problem in temporal sequenced data has always been in identifying and defining a process that will describe anticipated changes in patterns of use in the application domain, and to then act on the projected changes prior to their need. This paper presents the concept and results from modeling a database as it learns to identify anticipated temporal sequenced data and accessing it using an adaptation of the BOXES paradigm as an intelligent agent. The database and data request streams are modeled, and the intelligent agent acts as a pre-processor to the internal data access caching mechanism. As the agent learns, improvements in access latency for the simulated application environment are clearly seen.
Vanadium Oxide Based RRAM Device

Forming-free bipolar resistive switching characteristics in a Vanadium oxide based sandwich structure is observed for the first time. The bottom conducting layer is the common ground electrode for all devices. The top conducting layer acts as an active element with an additional Cr/Al/Cr electrode patterned on its top for making contact. Different from the typical metal/transition metal oxide/metal sandwich structure based resistive memories, our device exhibits a low resistance state (LRS) in its virgin state, and can be switched to a high resistance state (HRS) when a positive bias of +2.5V is applied to the top electrode. Following this, the device can be reset to a LRS when a negative bias of approximately 2.5V is applied. A significant decrease of switching voltages is observed when the diameter of the top contact decreases, indicating an electric field enhanced switching mechanism. Simulation using TCAD confirms that electric field beneath the top metal contact increases due to fringing. The results suggest future applications in low power integrated non-volatile memories.
Electron Cryomicroscopy of Viruses at Near-Atomic Resolutions

Recently, dozens of virus structures have been solved to resolutions between 2.5 and 5.0 A by means of electron cryomicroscopy. With these structures we are now firmly within the “atomic age” of electron cryomicroscopy, as these studies can reveal atomic details of protein and nucleic acid topology and interactions between specific residues. This improvement in resolution has been the result of direct electron detectors and image processing advances. Although enforcing symmetry facilitates reaching near-atomic resolution with fewer particle images, it unfortunately obscures some biologically interesting components of a virus. New approaches on relaxing symmetry and exploring structure dynamics and heterogeneity of viral assemblies have revealed important insights into genome packaging, virion assembly, cell entry, and other stages of the viral life cycle. In the future, novel methods will be required to reveal yet-unknown structural conformations of viruses, relevant to their biological activities. Ultima...
NIRSA Championship Series Volunteerism: The Perceived Impact on Professional Development

The National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Championship Series (Series) has developed into the primary organization for governing extramural/sport club collegiate recreational ...
Newton’s Laws of Motion

In the short reading selection that follows, taken from Book I of the Principia, Newton enumerates his three laws of motion, which he describes as axioms. You might ask yourself at the outset what it means for something to be an axiom. Does an axiom need to be proven? What does this imply about how Newton is approaching the study of motion? After succinctly stating each law, Newton describes some of the implications which might be drawn from them. As you study this selection, be careful to distinguish the laws themselves from Newton’s explanations of the laws. Also, try to keep an eye out for how he uses terms which he previously defined—terms such as impressed force and (quantity of) motion. It may also help to recognize that Newton uses the terms action and impressed force interchangeably. Finally, you might ask yourself to what extent Newton’s laws draw upon the ideas of previous thinkers, such as Galileo and Pascal.
Secondary Options in Failed Tissue Transfers About the Hand

Soft-tissue transfers after previous failed soft-tissue coverage can be quite challenging. This is especially true if the preferred donor graft or flap was utilized, but was unsuccessful. In general, the dorsum of the hand can be covered by split thickness skin grafts, and the volar aspect of the hand covered with full thickness skin grafts, given the different thickness of skin in these locations. However, if there are exposed tendons, nerves, or vessels, these will require more complex options in order to provide soft-tissue coverage. This chapter outlines some of the creative fallback options when primary treatment has failed. The patient should be counseled that these procedures may require multiple stages and may require further surgery (such as tenolysis and contracture release) later in order to increase function once the viability of the coverage is proven.
Direct Brow Lift: An Aesthetic Approach

There are a number of surgical eyebrow lifting procedures to address the aging eyebrow. The techniques, which use hidden incision (bicoronal, endoscopic, pretrichial) to camouflage potential scars, are primarily used in cosmetic cases. While they can provide excellent results, they are time intensive, costly, have a steep learning curve, and do lead to troublesome complications such as prolonged sensory deficit, allopecia, and itching. In the current chapter, the authors discuss direct eyebrow lifting, an approach traditionally reserved for their correction of functional deficits. We believe, in the appropriate patient, these procedures also lead to reasonable aesthetic outcomes.
Gamma camera flood image count requirements to assign significant integral uniformity index values

1935 Objectives Integral uniformity (IU) has 2 components. One component depends on the actual non-uniformities in the flood field (IUc) while the other results from statistical fluctuations (IUn). Tenhunen et al.* have expressed this as IU = IUc + A x IUn, where A is a scalar that depends on the total area of the non-uniformity. The aim of this investigation was to find threshold IU values as a function of total counts, image samples, and defect size in the flood image. Methods Computer simulations of flood field images were used to determine IUn and scalar A by varying pixel counts, camera non-uniformity defect size, and flood image matrix sizes with appropriate Poisson noise. Actual flood non-uniformities of 0 to 5% from the mean and occupying an area of 121, 256 and 484 pixels were included. 5000 flood field images were simulated for each case and the IU for each image was calculated using the NEMA protocol. Results Simulations show IUn decreases with increasing pixel counts, but increases with flood image matrix size. For 3000 pixel floods, IUn was 1.3%, 2.3%, and 3.2% for the 30, 10, and 5 million count floods respectively. With no non-uniformities, A = 1. The value of A is a slowly varying function of defect size and pixel counts ranging from 0.64 to 0.82. Results from actual IU measurements on gamma camera flood image showed A to range from 0.35 to 0.96. Conclusions Although the IU noise component varies with count density, it can be accurately estimated and used to derive the component of IU that depends only on actual non-uniformities. These results provide a rational justification for setting IU action levels and should be considered when setting up routine quality control testing. * Tenhunen, et al.: Components of the flood-field uniformity index in a gamma camera. Phys Med Biol 41:1209, 1996
Naltrexone blocks RFR-induced DNA double strand breaks in rat brain cells

Previous research in our laboratory has shown that various effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RFR) exposure on the nervous system are mediated by endogenous opioids in the brain. We have also found that acute exposure to RFR induced DNA strand breaks in brain cells of the rat. The present experiment was carried out to investigate whether endogenous opioids are also involved in RFR-induced DNA strand breaks. Rats were treated with the opioid antagonist naltrexone (1 mg/kg, IP) immediately before and after exposure to 2450 MHz pulsed (2 us pulses, 500 pps) RFR at a power density of 2 mW/cm2 (average whole body specific absorption rate of 1.2 W/kg) for 2 hours. DNA double strand breaks were assayed in brain cells at 4 hours after exposure using a microgel electrophoresis assay. Results showed that the RFR exposure significantly increased DNA double strand breaks in brain cells of the rat, and the effect was partially blocked by treatment with naltrexone. Thus, these data indicate that endogenous opioids play a mediating role in RFR-induced DNA strand breaks in brain cells of the rat.
Intracranial Pressure Monitoring and Ventricular Drainage

Insertion of a ventricular drainage system can be a critical and lifesaving procedure in the setting of an acute brain injury. This system can provide continuous intracranial pressure monitoring and cerebrospinal fluid diversion. The following chapter describes insertion of an intracranial pressure monitoring or ventricular drainage system based on external craniometric landmarks. With careful preprocedural planning, this can be safely placed at the bedside in an emergent setting. After insertion, it is paramount to follow select steps to recalibrate and maintain the system. The chapter also provides basic principles to minimize complications and additional tips for troubleshooting.
Is One Hour Enough? Evaluating Utah’s Online Divorce Education Course Based on Course Length Satisfaction

ABSTRACTDivorce education programs for couples with children have become mandatory in many states. State-specific courses vary in terms of delivery method and program length. Using data from 1,690 ...
Emerging Regional Human Rights Systems in Asia

1. Introduction 2. Analytical framework: human rights systems in Asia 3. Human rights norms in Asia 4. Emerging human rights institutions in Asia 5. The implementation of human rights in Asia 6. Conclusion.
Electroencephalographic Patterns During Routine Polysomnography in Childhood and Association With Future Epilepsy Diagnosis

Study Objectives:Evaluate the frequency of abnormal electroencephalograph (EEG) records during pediatric polysomnography (PSG) at a tertiary referral center and determine frequency with which these...
240 ESOPHAGEAL TRANSIT BEFORE AND AFTER TREATMENT IN ACHALASIA PATIENTS.

Introduction Achalasia is a severe esophageal motility disorder involving a loss of peristalsis and nonrelaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), resulting in the primary symptom of dysphagia. Manometry combined with Multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII) demonstrates a severe impairment in esophageal bolus clearance in patients with achalasia. Our purpose is to elucidate if manometry/MII can potentially be used in the assessment of achalasia patients after both surgical and nonsurgical treatment in determining the level of improvement in esophageal bolus clearance. Methods We prospectively performed simultaneous manometry/MII testing on 60 patients referred to the University of Washington Swallowing Center with achalasia between January 2003 and January 2006. Manometric and clinical parameters were used in the diagnosis of achalasia. Esophageal peristalsis and bolus transit rates were compared between patients with primary untreated achalasia, those who had nonsurgical treatment (dilation or botulinum toxin), and a group of patients after Heller myotomy. Results Thirty-five patients were diagnosed with classic achalasia (group 1), not having had any prior treatment. Ten patients were treated with either balloon dilation or botulinum toxin prior to manometry/MII (group 2), and 15 patients were studied post-Heller myotomy (group 3), yielding a total of 60 patients. Peristalsis for group 1 is 0.88%, for group 2 is 17.91%, and for group 3 is 22.85%. Transit of both liquid and viscous boluses as measured by MII was significantly different between these three groups. The mean liquid bolus transit success rate was 5.43% for group 1, 16.2% for group 2, and 21.92% for group 3. Viscous bolus transit success rate was 2.97% for group 1, 10% for group 2, and 15.38% for group 3. As expected, no patients in any of the three groups were found to have normal bolus transit. Conclusions From these data we concluded that patients treated prior to manometry/MII readings show a slight restoration in peristalsis as well as improved bolus transit, although still far below normal values. This improvement may explain the relief in dysphagia felt in the majority of these patients. However, MII readings for these individuals still average far below normal values, indicating that bolus transit (as measured by MII) may not account entirely for the relief of dysphagia. Knowing this, MII may be a useful tool in assessing effectiveness of treatment in restoring bolus clearance from the esophagus; however, further evaluation should be done.
Review of History of Cryptography and Cryptanalysis by John Dooley

History of Cryptography and Cryptanalysis is a collection of 16 essays by John Dooley that span the history of cryptology. The essays are based on an upper-level survey course1 in cryptography and ...
3. DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE VACCINE HESITANCY CURRICULUM

Background Vaccine hesitancy may lead to delayed or incomplete vaccination, increased risk of vaccine-preventable disease and distrust between pediatricians and families. Studies have shown many pediatric providers are uncomfortable addressing parental concerns and educating hesitant parents on vaccine safety, necessity and misconceptions, yet few curricula to fill this need have been published. We developed and implemented a comprehensive longitudinal curriculum for pediatric residents on vaccine hesitancy and evaluated its efficacy via randomized controlled trial, hypothesizing that residents undergoing the curriculum would demonstrate improved knowledge, comfort and communication skills with vaccine hesitant families compared to a control group. Methods Using Kern's curriculum design framework, we designed and implemented didactic sessions for each pediatric vaccine and interactive role-playing sessions on communication skills. Half the pediatric residents were randomized to the intervention group (IG) and received the curriculum over 1 year; the control group (CG) received standard education only. Residents completed written pre and posttests and a standardized patient (SP) assessment at the end of the study period; group differences were evaluated using independent t-tests. Results 35 residents were randomized to IG and 35 to CG. Pre-test scores did not differ significantly between the 2 groups.The CG did not show a significant difference between pre and posttest scores for didactic knowledge or reported comfort level. The IG showed a significant increase in both knowledge and comfort level post curriculum. IG pretest knowledge score increased from 47% to 66%,p=0.00. IG pretest comfort level increased from 2.9/5 to 3.76/5,p=0.00. IG group SP score was significantly higher than the CG: 78% vs. 52%,p=0.00. Conclusion Implementation of a comprehensive curriculum on vaccine hesitancy resulted in improvements in vaccine knowledge base, communication skills and comfort level with vaccine hesitancy discussions in pediatric residents. Studies should be done to assess the impact of such a curriculum on patients and vaccination rates.