cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Controlling Electron Transfer in Donor-Bridge-Acceptor Molecules Using Cross-Conjugated Bridges

Photoinitiated charge separation (CS) and recombination (CR) in a series of donor-bridge-acceptor (D-B-A) molecules with cross-conjugated, linearly conjugated, and saturated bridges have been compared and contrasted using time-resolved spectroscopy. The photoexcited charge transfer state of 3,5-dimethyl-4-(9-anthracenyl)julolidine (DMJ-An) is the donor, and naphthalene-1,8:4,5-bis(dicarboximide) (NI) is the acceptor in all cases, along with 1,1-diphenylethene, trans-stilbene, diphenylmethane, and xanthone bridges. Photoinitiated CS through the cross-conjugated 1,1-diphenylethene bridge is about 30 times slower than through its linearly conjugated trans-stilbene counterpart and is comparable to that observed through the diphenylmethane bridge. This result implies that cross-conjugation strongly decreases the π orbital contribution to the donor-acceptor electronic coupling so that electron transfer most likely uses the bridge σ system as its primary CS pathway. In contrast, the CS rate through the cross-conjugated xanthone bridge is comparable to that observed through the linearly conjugated trans-stilbene bridge. Molecular conductance calculations on these bridges show that cross-conjugation results in quantum interference effects that greatly alter the through-bridge donor-acceptor electronic coupling as a function of charge injection energy. These calculations display trends that agree well with the observed trends in the electron transfer rates.
Mesolimbic Activity Associated with Psychosis in Schizophrenia: Symptom-specific PET Studies

Hallucinations and paranoid delusions are prominent among the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Such psychotic symptoms are notable for their aberrant representations of, and relation to, the external world and for the emotional/motivational valence associated with the representations. As mesolimbic structures, including the amygdala and ventral striatum, are thought to play a significant role in imparting emotional valence to external stimuli, we here examine the mesolimbic findings of H215O PET studies designed to probe the functional neuroanatomy of psychosis. Patients with schizophrenia (including those with active hallucinations, those with active paranoid delusions, and those without active positive symptoms at the time of scanning) and healthy control subjects were studied. An event-related PET paradigm was used to identify the neural correlates of hallucinations, and a modified emotional stroop paradigm (with threat versus neutral words) was used to test the hypothesis that paranoid patients would have increased mesolimbic activity in response to threat, and even in response to neutral stimuli. The findings suggest that the positive psychotic symptoms of hallucinations and delusions share similar functional neuroanatomical features of increased mesotemporal and ventral striatal activity in the setting of decreased prefrontal activity. The pattern is evident even in a neutral context, unlike the case for normal subjects, who show such features only in response to threat. The implications of these findings for a pathophysiology of psychosis will be discussed in the context of the behavioral neuroanatomical literature in animals and humans.
Sensitivity of polymer nanoindentation creep measurements to experimental variables

Abstract Spherical indentation creep experiments were used to characterize the viscoelastic response of three polymeric materials with different elastic and viscoelastic responses. A hereditary integral formulation for creep following ramp loading was used to analyze experimental indentation data. A wide range of conditions, including different load levels and ramp times, were employed to examine sensitivity of results to the selected experimental variables. Modulus values for materials exhibiting minimal time-dependent responses were found to agree well with known values and to be invariant of experimental conditions. However, a material with substantial time-dependent deformation in the experimental time frame was found to exhibit some effect of both load level and ramp time on modulus values. Time constants measured in the experiment varied with loading rate for two of three polymeric materials examined, but time constants did not vary with peak load. The examination of the shape of experimental load–displacement responses demonstrated no appreciable plasticity in two of three materials – the same two materials with both time- and level-independent creep responses.
A Review of Nanoindentation Continuous Stiffness Measurement Technique and Its Applications

Nanoindentation is now commonly used for the study of mechanical properties of materials on the nanoscale. One of the significant improvements in nanoindentation testing is the continuous stiffness measurement (CSM) technique. It offers a direct measure of dynamic contact stiffness during the loading portion of an indentation test and, being somewhat insensitive to thermal drift, allows an accurate observation of small volume deformation. Nanoscale damage caused by fatigue is of critical importance to the reliability of ultrathin protective overcoats and micro/nanostructures. The cyclic loading used in the CSM makes the technique useful for the evaluation of nanofatigue. Methodologies of the CSM technique used for the characterization of layered materials and nonhomogeneous composites are reviewed and discussed. Applications of the CSM technique to the measurement of contact stiffness, elastic modulus, hardness, creep resistance, and fatigue properties of the materials used in magnetic storage devices are presented. The nanoindentation CSM technique, in conjunction with nanoscratch and friction and wear tests, can be satisfactorily used for the materials characterization of magnetic storage and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices and should find more application.
Experimental testbed for cooperative robotic manipulators

The robotic testbed facility within Rensselaer's Center for Intelligent Robotic Systems for Space Exploration consists of two PUMA robot manipulators, each mounted on a moving platform. Each platform has a tilt and rotate capability and can move along a two rail linear track. One purpose of this system is to demonstrate the coordination of two arms in relative motion to each other. The system is also useful for investigating the integration problems that occur in an environment that is heavily dependent upon the acquisition, transmission, and processing of data in the form of information, knowledge, and control commands.
Measurement of plasminogen concentration and differentiation of plasmin and plasminogen using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy

Abstract Methods using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy in combination with multivariate statistical analysis were developed to determine the plasminogen concentration in various protein solutions and to differentiate between plasmin and plasminogen. FT-IR spectra of plasminogen and plasmin in water and solutions containing sodium caseinate, whey protein concentrate, and a mixture of β -lactoglobulin and sodium caseinate were obtained using attenuated total reflectance (ATR) FT-IR. Discriminant analysis and partial least-squares analysis were used to analyze data. Standard curves to determine plasminogen and plasmin concentrations in water and protein solutions were constructed successfully using PLS ( R 2 >0.9). FT-IR combined with discriminant analysis was also able to differentiate between plasminogen and plasmin. Developed methods will allow further study of the factors that influence plasminogen and plasmin in the presence of casein and whey proteins.
Inferring Genome-Scale Rearrangement Phylogeny and Ancestral Gene Order: A Drosophila Case Study

A simple, fast, and biologically inspired computational approach for inferring genome-scale rearrangement phylogeny and ancestral gene order has been developed. This has been applied to eight Drosophila genomes. Existing techniques are either limited to a few hundred markers or a small number of taxa. This analysis uses over 14,000 genomic loci and employs discrete elements consisting of pairs of homologous genetic elements. The results provide insight into evolutionary chromosomal dynamics and synteny analysis, and inform speciation studies.
Constraint analysis: a design process for specifying operations on objects

A design process for an object-oriented database design environment, known as constraint analysis, is presented. Given the increased level of semantics associated with an object-oriented database schema, constraint analysis makes use of semantics expressed as database constraints to support the flexible specification of propagation actions for operations on objects. Constraints are formally represented using Horn logic. The constraint analysis process then reasons about constraints at design time to help the designer understand the effects of constraints on object manipulation, identifying possible constraint violations as well as design alternatives for handling violations. An advantage of constraint analysis is that both inherent and explicit schema constraints are included in the analysis process. A formal representation is given that supports the analysis of constraints and the automatic identification of design alternatives for responding to constraint violations. >
Effects of continuous gastric infusion of food dyes on developing rat pups.

Abstract The consequences of chronic percutaneous gastric infusion of food dyes on the activity levels and shock avoidance performance of normal developing rats and those treated with 6-hydroxydo p-amine (6-OHDA) were investigated. All pups were artificially reared from four days of age and a liquid diet containing either food dyes (D) or no colorings (N) was infused into both 6-OHDA (T) and sham-treated pups (V). Pups receiving food dyes were significantly more active than comparable pups not receiving food dyes at all ages tested, an effect observed in both 6-OHDA and shamtreated pups. Pups treated with food dyes exhibited an impaired avoidance performance in a shuttle box at 28 days of age. VD and TN pups displayed an over 100% impairment in avoidance performance in comparison with VN pups. These results suggest that food dyes and/or their metabolites may exert deleterious effects on the behavioral repertoire of the developing rat pup.
Restoring Tallgrass Prairie and Grassland Bird Populations in Tall Fescue Pastures With Winter Grazing

Restoration of grasslands dominated by tall fescue (Schedonorus phoenix [Scop.] Holub) to native tallgrass prairie usually requires burning, herbicides, or reseeding. We tested seasonal grazing by livestock in winter, combined with cessation of fertilization, as a restoration tool for modifying the competitive dynamics among herbaceous plants to restore tallgrass prairie communities in southeastern Kansas. In 2004–2005, we compared responses of grassland plants and birds across a chronosequence of pastures that were winter-grazed from 1 yr to 5 yr. We compared winter-grazed pastures to pastures grazed year-round and to local native prairie remnants as starting and endpoints for restoration, respectively. Abundance of native warmseason grasses increased from 2% to 3% mean relative frequency in pastures grazed year-round to 18% to 30% in winter-grazed pastures, and increased with duration of winter-grazing. Native warm-season grasses accounted for 1–6% of total live aboveground biomass in pastures grazed year-round, 1–34% in winter-grazed pastures, and 31–34% in native prairie remnants. Tall fescue abundance and biomass were similar among grazing treatments, with a trend for tall fescue to be less dominant in winter-grazed pastures. Tall fescue made up 9–40% of total aboveground biomass in year-round grazed pastures and 10–25% in winter-grazed pastures. Grassland birds showed variable responses to winter-grazing. Dickcissels (Spiza americana) and Henslow’s sparrows (Ammodramus henslowii) were more abundant in winter-grazed pastures, whereas eastern meadowlarks (Sturnella magna) and grasshopper sparrows (A. savannarum) had similar abundance in pastures grazed year-round and during winter. Winter-grazing of pastures dominated by tall fescue combined with suspension of nitrogen fertilization could be an effective restoration technique that allows use of prairie rangeland while improving habitat for sensitive grassland birds.
Selection of an empirical detection method for determination of water-soluble carbohydrates in feedstuffs for application in ruminant nutrition

Abstract Water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) are commercially measured in feedstuffs for use in diet formulation for ruminants. However, we lack information as to which empirical detection assay most correctly measures WSC. The objective of this study was to determine which of two commonly used empirical assays was most appropriate for detection of WSC based on equivalency to results from high performance ion chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection plus soluble starch analysis (HPIC) of the water extract. Empirical analyses used were a reducing sugar assay (RSA) that uses p -hydroxybenzoic acid hydrazide-based reagent with 50:50 glucose:fructose standards, and the phenol-sulfuric acid assay (PSA) with sucrose standards. Twenty samples including cool season grasses (CSG), legume forages, non-forage feedstuffs, silages, or warm season grasses were used. Air dry samples (0.2g) were extracted in 35mL of deionized water for 1h at 40°C with continuous shaking. Water extracts for HPIC and RSA analyses were hydrolyzed with 0.037M H 2 SO 4 at 80°C for 70min. Theoretically, RSA should give essentially the same results as HPIC, excepting that RSA also detects reducing ends of unhydrolyzed molecules. PSA detects all solubilized or suspended carbohydrates. On average, RSA and PSA values were greater than those found for HPIC by 28.2g WSC/kg dry matter (DM). The two classes of feeds that showed differences between PSA and RSA were CSG and silages. For CSG, RSA and PSA were respectively 54.1 and 20.6g WSC/kg DM greater than HPIC; for silages differences were smaller at 8.8 and 15.9g WSC/kg DM. CSG contain fructans, for which RSA gives higher values than does PSA. However, the elevated RSA values for CSG were in excess of differences predicted based on inflated RSA recovery values for fructose measurement (106.5% of actual). Elevated RSA values obtained for CSG suggest that interference is affecting these grasses to a greater degree than other samples. Distillers grains showed an elevated value with PSA (69.1g WSC/kg DM greater than HPIC); this is partially explained by the inflated recovery values for glucose (128.2% of actual) noted for PSA. Neither PSA nor RSA perfectly reflected HPIC values, however PSA gave more similar values. Gross differences between RSA and HPIC for CSG are an issue, particularly without clear, resolvable basis for the discrepancy. Accordingly, PSA is preferred over RSA for detection of WSC. Selection of standards to more closely reflect WSC composition could further improve accuracy.
Multimodal coordination of facial action, head rotation, and eye motion during spontaneous smiles

Both the configuration of facial features and the timing of facial actions are important to emotion and communication. Previous literature has focused on the former. We developed an automatic facial expression analysis system that quantifies the timing of facial actions as well as head and eye motion during spontaneous facial expression. To assess coherence among these modalities, we recorded and analyzed spontaneous smiles in 62 young women of varied ethnicity ranging in age from 18 to 35 years. Spontaneous smiles occurred following directed facial action tasks, a situation likely to elicit spontaneous smiles of embarrassment. Smiles (AU 12) were manually FACS coded by certified FACS coders. The 3D head motion was recovered using a cylindrical head model. The motion vectors for lip-corner displacement were measured using feature-point tracking. The eye closure and the horizontal and vertical eye motion (from which to infer direction of gaze or visual regard) were measured by the generative model fitting approach. The mean correlation within subjects between lip-corner displacement, head motion, and eye motion ranged from +/0.36 to 0.50, which suggests moderate coherence among these features. Lip-corner displacement and head pitch were negatively correlated, as predicted for smiles of embarrassment. These findings are consistent with recent research in psychology suggesting that facial actions are embedded within coordinated motor structures. They suggest that the direction of correlation among features may discriminate between facial actions with similar morphology but different communicative meaning, inform automatic facial expression recognition, and provide normative data for animating computer avatars.
Spontaneous rupture of uterus

Spontaneous rupture of the uterus is a life-threatening obstetrical emergency. Diagnosis may be delayed because of the bizarre presentation or absence of significant pain and tenderness, which could have been masked by the analgesic medications used during labor. We present a case of spontaneous rupture in a multigravid female who was undergoing oxytocin-augmented labor while receiving epidural analgesia. She had had no previous cesarean deliveries or uterine surgery. Half an hour after an initial complaint of left inguinal pain, which was thought to be related to a patchy epidural block, she presented with changes in vital signs and significant fetal decelerations. At emergent cesarean section, a uterine rupture was noted. The uterine rupture extended down to the left vaginal angle, was not reparable and a hysterectomy was performed. The fetus survived.
Production of Chlorofluorocarbons in Anticipation of the Montreal Protocol

Anticipation of an International Environmental Agreement provides an incentive for countries to change their production behavior prior to negotiations in order to gain a favorable bargaining position. Increased historical production figures at the time of negotiations may influence the magnitude of the baseline from which cutbacks will be specified. In this paper we empirically measure the magnitude of
Chemical sputtering studies of lithiated ATJ graphite

Lithium evaporation treatments in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) have shown dramatic improvements in plasma performance increasing the viability of lithium as a Plasma Facing Component (PFC) material. In order to understand the complex system of lithiated ATJ graphite, chemical sputtering measurements of plain and lithiated ATJ graphite are conducted in our upgraded IIAX (Ion Surface Interaction Experiment) facility with a differentially pumped Magnetic Sector Residual Gas Analyzer (MSRGA). Chemical sputtering of graphite is dependent on the ion energy and substrate temperature, hence the effects of treating ATJ graphite with lithium in hydrogen plasma is investigated in terms of different target temperatures and bias voltages. For this purpose, lithium was evaporated in situ onto ATJ graphite and chemically sputtered species in hydrogen plasma were measured using MSRGA. The dominant chemical sputtering product was CH4. Initial experiments show that lithium treatments have suppressed the chemical sputtering of ATJ graphite.
Agonist and antagonist switch DNA motifs recognized by human androgen receptor in prostate cancer

Human transcription factors recognize specific DNA sequence motifs to regulate transcription. It is unknown whether a single transcription factor is able to bind to distinctly different motifs on chromatin, and if so, what determines the usage of specific motifs. By using a motif-resolution chromatin immunoprecipitation-exonuclease (ChIP-exo) approach, we find that agonist-liganded human androgen receptor (AR) and antagonist-liganded AR bind to two distinctly different motifs, leading to distinct transcriptional outcomes in prostate cancer cells. Further analysis on clinical prostate tissues reveals that the binding of AR to these two distinct motifs is involved in prostate carcinogenesis. Together, these results suggest that unique ligands may switch DNA motifs recognized by ligand-dependent transcription factors in vivo. Our findings also provide a broad mechanistic foundation for understanding ligand-specific induction of gene expression profiles.
Is It Time to Redesign Hospice? End-of-Life Care at the User Interface

Hospice is a system of end-of-life care that’s not used to its full potential. That is, hospice is not used in the way that would benefit patients and families as much as it could. My argument is that this is an issue of usability, or ergonomics - the science of design. I illustrate how to take what we have learned from the science of usability to make hospice more accessible and approachable, and to increase hospice use among those who would benefit from it. Underneath this discussion, though, there is a more fundamental question: Can we make hospice more usable or do we need to think about redesigning hospice entirely?
Color Properties of Liquid Crystals and Their Application to Visual Arts

Selective reflection properties of cholesteric liquid crystals are reviewed. It is then shown that the color of superimposed coatings of these substances is perceived as that of an additive mixture of colors of the coatings. This property permits one to synthesize many spectral reflectance distributions. A greater color gamut than is possible with other colorants can be realized. Applications to visual arts that take advantage of the additive color properties, the highly saturated colors, and the dependence of colors on temperature, angle of illumination, and angle of viewing are discussed.
Maximizing the accuracy of sound based tracking via a low-cost network of reconfigurable embedded nodes

This paper presents an approach for optimizing the accuracy of data models produced based on data sampled through a network of embedded sensors. The method considers three orthogonal facets defining model precision: minimizing the sampling error of the individual embedded nodes, sampling sufficient data from distributed areas to correctly represent the phenomenon of interest, and meeting the timing delays that guarantee the timeliness of data. The three objectives are achieved by dynamically reconfiguring the architecture of the embedded nodes, and dynamically selecting the data transfer paths to the decision making nodes. Sound based trajectory tracking is used as a case study for the proposed approach.
Salvaging Quality of Life in Ethnically Diverse Patients with Advanced HIV/AIDS

This article reports a grounded theory of Salvaging Quality of Life generated in Phase 1 of an instrument development study that aims to generate and then validate an ethnically sensitive quality-of-life (QoL) measure for patients with late-stage HIV/AIDS. A purposive sample of patient participants and family/significant-other caregivers was interviewed, and six focus groups with expert nurse clinicians were conducted yielding more than 2,000 pages of textual data. Analysis using the constant comparative method revealed that patients who are "living with dying" salvage QoL from remnants through three subprocesses: preserving, in which patients attempt to maintain QoL intact and unaltered; sustaining, in which patients suspend the demise of selected dimensions of their QoL; and redeeming, in which patients come to terms with quality of death and surrender QoL issues.
Next-generation science in the ocean basins: Expanding the oceanographer’s toolbox utilizing submarine electro-optical sensor networks

For decades, oceanographers have gone to sea to study limited portions of the ocean for short periods of time. In the 1950s, the reach and duration of research in the oceans was extended, utilizing limited bandwidth satellite systems for surficial imaging and communications.
ASSESSING ARMS CONTROL MEASURES: THE HISTORICAL SETTING

The U.S. has since World War II followed a defense policy and strategy that combined traditional national approaches with features especially typical of American attitudes toward war and peace as well as force and power. The deep dilemmas of nuclear deterrence confront the U.S. with an inescapable dilemma, which in turn motivates an increasingly serious arms control policy.
Arithmetic on Random Variables: Squeezing the Envelopes with New Joint Distribution Constraints

Uncertainty is a key issue in decision analysis and other kinds of applications. Researchers have developed a number of approaches to address computations on uncertain quantities. When doing arithmetic operations on random variables, an important question has to be considered: the dependency relationships among the variables. In practice, we often have partial information about the dependency relationship between two random variables. This information may result from experience or system requirements. We can use this information to improve bounds on the cumulative distributions of random variables derived from the marginals whose dependency is partially known.
A backbarrier overwash record of intense storms from Brigantine, New Jersey

Abstract Analysis of aerial photographs and historic charts indicates that the barrier beach at Brigantine, NJ has migrated landward 300 to 400 m since 1869, primarily as a result of overwash during hurricanes and winter storms. A series of vibracores from the backbarrier salt marsh reveals a millennial-scale stratigraphic record of overwash deposition. Carbon-14 (C-14) and Cesium-137 (Cs-137) radioisotopic methods were used to date overwash deposits (washovers). The ages of recent washovers are consistent with deposition during intense storms in 1938, 1944, 1950, and 1962. An additional overwash deposit recovered in five of the sediment cores was likely deposited by an intense hurricane strike in 1821 or possibly in 1788. Two prehistoric overwash fans were likely deposited by intense storms striking the New Jersey Coast in the 7th to 14th centuries and 6th to 7th centuries A.D. The landward barrier migration indicates that the older overwash sediments were likely transported a considerably greater distance than the more recent overwash fans. The greater distance of transport may indicate that the prehistoric storms that deposited overwash fans across the study site were more intense than the most intense storm to strike this coast in the historic period, the hurricane of 1821. The spatially variable occurrence of overwash deposition at this site points to a need for multisite stratigraphic surveys of extensive stretches of the coast in order to develop reliable records of past intense storm frequency from backbarrier environments.
BRAIN STRUCTURAL COVARIANCE IN MIDLIFE: THE FRAMINGHAM OFFSPRING STUDY

from a sample of 266 healthy adults, aged 30-89 from the Dallas Lifespan Brain Study who received PETwith florbetapir. Eight bilateral ROIs were normalized to cerebellar hemispheres to estimate the mean cortical standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR). Twenty eight subjects with elevated amyloid were isolated using an iterative outlier method. Using GLM, age, education, lifetime cognition, and APOE 4 carrier status were used to predict mean cortical SUVR in separate samples of non-elevated middle aged adults 30-59 (n1⁄481), non-elevated older adults aged 60-89 (n1⁄4157) and all older adults including those with elevated amyloid (n1⁄4 176). Results:We found that age, APOE 4 status and lifestyle variables had the strongest effects on non-elevated amyloid in middle age. Most notably, higher age (p<.001) and low lifetime cognition in 4 carriers (p1⁄4.001) predicted higher SUVR in the middle-aged group. In older adults without elevated SUVR, only trend significant effects of lifetime cognition (p1⁄4.06) and a lifetime cognition x Education interaction (p1⁄4.056) were detected. If elevated SUVR subjects were included, age, APOE, education and lifetime cognition all interactively predicted SUVR, most notably with increasing amyloid across age for older adults with low but not high lifetime cognition (p<.001). Conclusions: Meaningful amounts of amyloid begin to accrue in middle-aged adults and accumulation is modified by both genetics and experiences, despite no evidence for accumulation at "preclinical" amyloid levels. These results suggest that amyloid systematically increases in vulnerable individuals beginning in young adulthood and that early experiences could modify accumulation and play a key role in delaying dementia onset.
Bacterial Predators in Host Microbiomes: Halobacteriovorax bacteria are marine predators that drive the dynamics of their host microbiomes, in turn modulating the health of their animal hosts

In macroecology, predators play major roles in structuring ecosystem function and community diversity. Yet relatively little is understood about the roles of bacterial predators in the community ecology of microorganisms and host-associated microbiomes. Host-associated microbial community dynamics are affected by extrinsic environmental factors such as resource availability, temperature, and salinity, as well as host diet, genetic background, and health. Cooperative symbioses, antagonisms, competition, and predation also occur within a microbiome.
Practical and ethical implications of hospitalists as subspecialists.

Hospital medicine has developed into a recognized subspecialization area that will likely require board certification once the ethical issues surrounding clinical care within the hospital have been addressed. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Cooling Water Density Wedges in Streams

The length of warm water density wedges measured in streams receiving power plant discharges is adequately predicted by equations based on two-layer flow theory when proper evaluation of the variables involved is made. The formation of density wedges in the vicinity of power plant discharges is an important consideration in both the design of cooling water intakes and the possible thermal pollution of the receiving water body. Equations have been developed by other authors which may be solved for the length of a density wedge given the density of the wedge, the initial depth of the wedge, and the magnitude of the frictional forces involved. Wedge length data obtained from four power plant sites are compared to the prediction of the equations. The predicted wedge length is found to be least sensitive to the initial wedge depth chosen, more sensitive to the magnitude of the frictional forces chosen, and most sensitive to the density chosen. Densities based on plant discharge temperature are found to always be less than that actually measured in the wedge.
Enabling clean access into Subglacial Lake Whillans: development and use of the WISSARD hot water drill system.

Clean hot water drill systems (CHWDSs) are used with clean access protocols for the exploration of subglacial lakes and other subglacial aquatic environments (e.g. ice-shelf cavities) in Antarctica. A CHWDS developed for the Whillans Ice Stream Subglacial Access Research Drilling (WISSARD) project by the Science Management Office at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL-SMO), USA, was specifically designed for use in West Antarctica, where the US Antarctic Program's South Pole Traverse could assist with logistical support. The initial goal was to provide clean access holes through ice up to 1000 m thick following environmental stewardship guidelines; however, the existing design allows this CHWDS to be used for ice thicknesses up to 2000 m following modifications to accommodate longer hose lengths. In January 2013, the WISSARD CHWDS successfully provided for the first time a clean access borehole through 800 m of ice into Subglacial Lake Whillans beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet for the deployment of scientific instruments and sampling tools. The development and initial use of the WISSARD CHWDS required the project team to address a number of constraints while providing contingencies to meet the defined project scope, schedule and budget.
Explicit formulas for reaction probability in reaction-diffusion experiments

Abstract A computational procedure is developed for determining the conversion probability for reaction-diffusion systems in which a first-order catalytic reaction is performed over active particles. We apply this general method to systems on metric graphs, which may be viewed as 1-dimensional approximations of 3-dimensional systems, and obtain explicit formulas for conversion. We then study numerically a class of 3-dimensional systems and test how accurately they are described by model formulas obtained for metric graphs. The optimal arrangement of active particles in a 1-dimensional multiparticle system is found, which is shown to depend on the level of catalytic activity: conversion is maximized for low catalytic activity when all particles are bunched together close to the point of gas injection, and for high catalytic activity when the particles are evenly spaced.
Sister Cities, Sister Crises: A Discourse Analysis of the Good Neighbor Environmental Policy Board between the U.S. And Mexico Border

This paper will explore environmental policy along international borders, how these problems are constructed, and the power relations underlying these negotiations. I will examine the Good Neighbor Environmental Board (GNEB), an independent presidential advisory committee whose mission is, 'To protect environmental and public health in the U.S.-Mexico border region consistent with the principles of sustainable development' The GNEB, with political amnesty due to its 'expert and non-partisan' identity, is uniquely positioned to identify and address internationally shared environmental problems, the role of the governments, and the identity and role of stakeholders in a contentious geo-political space. I will conduct a critical and post-colonial discourse analysis of the document, 'A blueprint for action on the U.S.-Mexican border: The thirteenth report of the Good Neighbor Environmental Board to the President and Congress of the United States' published in June 2010. This discourse analysis can open critical dialogue about the impact of the way public administrators inhabit the role of the expert and architect of international environmental issues. These paper addresses the conference theme of what it means to attend to global justice, conservation, and survival issues in the perpetually unbalanced power relationships between the global North and global South.
Inhibiting Effect of Methionine, Choline and Betaine on Rabbit's Susceptibility to Infection with Vaccinia.∗

In the course of experiments to determine what factors in a rabbit's diet are essential to virus multiplication it was observed that the subcutaneous injection of methionine increased the rabbit's resistance to dermal infection with vaccinia. Six experiments have been performed with methionine. The results of a typical experiment are shown in Table I. In this experiment and others described below rabbits weighing approximately 2 kg were used. The experimental rabbits received 300 mg of methionine subcutaneously daily for 2 days preceding and 5 days following vaccination. In other experiments the conditions of the experiment were varied as to the amount of methionine and the times at which it was given. These experiments showed that if the methionine was given 48 hr before vaccination, the resistance was increased 14 fold; if given immediately following vaccination, the increase was 10 fold; if delayed until 48 hr after vaccination the increase was 5 fold. In addition to these quantitative changes in resis...
Cold Antibodies in Cardiovascular Surgery Is Preoperative Screening Necessary

Objectives: Cold antibodies (CAs) are rarely significant for transfusion, but they can cause complications under the hypothermic conditions of cardiovascular surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of such complications. Methods: Patients with CAs who underwent cardiovascular surgery were identified, and their records were reviewed for intraoperative complications attributable to CAs. Results: Over 14.5 years, of the 47,373 patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery, 99 had CAs before or within 30 days after surgery. Ninety-seven patients had hypothermic surgery, and intraoperative agglutination was noted in four; two of these cases were never reported to the transfusion service. Conclusions: The incidence of intraoperative complications among our patients with CAs was only 4%; therefore, the use of special testing protocols for the preoperative identification of CAs is neither necessary nor justified. Patient risk is best managed by preoperative clinical evaluation for potentially pathogenic CAs and intraoperative vigilance for agglutination.
A successful multimodality strategy for management of liver injuries.

The treatment of liver injuries involves many strategies ranging from observation to operative intervention and includes numerous options such as angiography, packing, and damage-control procedures. In July 1994 we instituted a protocol for the management of traumatic liver injuries. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the management of liver injuries occurring since the institution of the protocol. Two hundred three consecutive adult patients with liver injuries were evaluated at our Level I trauma center between July 1994 and May 1999. Eighty-eight per cent of the injuries were blunt with a mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 24.3 ± 0.8 and a survival probability (Ps) of 90.0 ± 1.5 per cent. The overall mortality was 6.4 per cent. A comparison between patients with minor liver injuries and patients with more severe injuries [Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS) 3] demonstrated no difference in mortality between the two groups despite a Ps of 93.8 ± 1.3 per cent in patients with an AIS 3. The most common complication in our patient population was posthemorrhagic anemia, which was seen in 10.8 per cent of cases. Severity of injury did not result in a significant difference in the complication rate. Patients who underwent laparotomy had a statistically higher ISS, a lower Ps, and a mortality rate of 11.5 per cent compared with 3.7 per cent (P = 0.03) in patients managed nonoperatively. However, a comparison of patients undergoing laparotomy with those who did not and who had equivalent ISS demonstrated no difference in mortality. Our results demonstrated that a preplanned management strategy was a successful way in which to treat patients with traumatic liver injuries. Although nonoperative management of liver injuries has been common practice a management plan that involves a multimodal surgical strategy is essential.
Evaluating the Accountable Health Communities Demonstration Project

Despite substantial evidence documenting the social patterning of disease, relatively little information is available on how the health care system can best intervene on social determinants to impact individual and population health. Announced in January 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation’s (CMMI) Accountable Health Communities (AHC) initiative provides an important opportunity to improve the evidence base around integrated social and medical care delivery. To maximize learning from this large-scale demonstration, comprehensive evaluation efforts should focus on effectiveness and implementation research by supporting local, regional, and national studies across a range of outcomes. Findings from this demonstration could transform how, when, and which patients’ health-related social needs are addressed within the health care delivery system. Such findings would strongly complement other initiatives to address social factors outside of health care.
144 EFFECT OF ANTRAL FOLLICLE COUNT IN BEEF HEIFERS ON IN VITRO FERTILIZATION/PRODUCTION

Our objective has been to compare the IVF and in vitro production (IVP) of embryos from low and high antral follicle count (AFC) heifers. This is the fourth year of the study with years 1 to 3 reported individually. For this report, we add data for the fourth year and present a combined analysis (years 1 to 4) for the first time. Each year, AFC was determined on ~120 Angus heifers using transrectal ultrasonography. Ten heifers with the lowest AFC and 10 heifers with the highest AFC and all with evidence of oestrous cyclicity were synchronized with two 5-mL injections of PGF2α 11 days apart. Half were harvested on Day 5 to 6 and half on Day 15 to 16 of the oestrous cycle. The IVF procedure was slightly modified each year. For year 4, the IVF procedure included protocols for semi-defined media and was as described (IVP Protocol, P. J. Hansen’s Laboratory, University of Florida). Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) from follicles less than 8 mm in diameter were cultured in maturation medium (5% CO2; 38.5°C) for 24 h. Matured COC were fertilized using thawed frozen semen from a bull that was purified using isolate. Motile spermatozoa were added to COC in fertilization medium at a final concentration of 1 × 106 spermatozoa per mL. About 24 h later, presumptive zygotes were placed in micro drops of development medium under oil, and cultured (5% CO2; 5% O2; balance N2; 38.5°C). On Day 3 and 8 after fertilization, cleavage and blastocyst development rates, respectively, were assessed. Data were analysed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) and the model included the effects of year (1 to 4), group (high or low AFC), and their interaction. The year × group interaction was not significant (P > 0.10). Low AFC heifers, compared with high AFC heifers, had fewer numbers of COC (P 0.19) the percentage of COC that cleaved (61.2 ± 2.83 v. 66.4 ± 2.83%, for low v. high AFC, respectively). Low AFC heifers had a lower (P < 0.002) percentage of COC that developed to blastocysts (10.3 ± 1.52%) than high AFC heifers (17.6 ± 1.52%). These results indicate that high AFC heifers, compared to low AFC heifers, have more COC recovered, more COC cleaved, and more COC developed to the blastocyst stage. The percentage of COC cleaved did not differ between AFC groups; however, the percentage of COC that developed to the blastocyst stage was greater for high than low AFC heifers. This suggests a potential advantage in maternal to embryonic transition for high compared with low AFC heifers.
Endoscopy is of low yield in the identification of gastrointestinal neoplasia in patients with dermatomyositis: A cross-sectional study

Endoscopy is of low yield in the identification of gastrointestinal neoplasia in patients with dermatomyositis: A cross-sectional study
Radiation dose reduction through combining positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and diagnostic CT in children and young adults with lymphoma.

Both [F-18]2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F–FDG PET/CT) and diagnostic CT are at times required for lymphoma staging. This means some body segments are exposed twice to X-rays for generation of CT data (diagnostic CT + localization CT). To describe a combined PET/diagnostic CT approach that modulates CT tube current along the z-axis, providing diagnostic CT of some body segments and localization CT of the remaining body segments, thereby reducing patient radiation dose. We retrospectively compared total patient radiation dose between combined PET/diagnostic CT and separately acquired PET/CT and diagnostic CT exams. When available, we calculated effective doses for both approaches in the same patient; otherwise, we used data from patients of similar size. To confirm image quality, we compared image noise (Hounsfield unit [HU] standard deviation) as measured in the liver on both combined and separately acquired diagnostic CT images. We used t-tests for dose comparisons and two one-sided tests for image-quality equivalence testing. Mean total effective dose for the CT component of the combined and separately acquired diagnostic CT exams were 6.20±2.69 and 8.17±2.61 mSv, respectively (P<0.0001). Average dose savings with the combined approach was 24.8±17.8% (2.60±2.51 mSv [range: 0.32–4.72 mSv]) of total CT effective dose. Image noise was not statistically significantly different between approaches (12.2±1.8 HU vs. 11.7±1.5 HU for the combined and separately acquired diagnostic CT images, respectively). A combined PET/diagnostic CT approach as described offers dose savings at similar image quality for children and young adults with lymphoma who have indications for both PET and diagnostic CT examinations.
Constrictive pericarditis: diagnosis, management and clinical outcomes

Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is a form of diastolic heart failure that arises because an inelastic pericardium inhibits cardiac filling. This disorder must be considered in the differential diagnosis for unexplained heart failure, particularly when the left ventricular ejection fraction is preserved. Risk factors for the development of CP include prior cardiac surgery and radiation therapy, but most cases are still deemed to be idiopathic. Making the diagnosis may be challenging and requires meticulous echocardiographic assessment, often supplemented by cross-sectional cardiac imaging and haemodynamic catheterisation. The key pathophysiological concepts, which serve as the basis for many of the diagnostic criteria, remain: (1) dissociation of intrathoracic and intracardiac pressures and (2) enhanced ventricular interaction. Complete surgical pericardiectomy is the only effective treatment for chronic CP. A subset of patients with subacute inflammatory CP, often identified by cardiac MRI, may respond to anti-inflammatory treatments.
CT-guided percutaneous biopsy of sclerotic bone lesions: diagnostic outcomes

To determine the diagnostic yield of CT-guided percutaneous biopsy of densely sclerotic bone lesions. We retrospectively analyzed CT-guided percutaneous bone biopsies performed at our institution from September 2008 through August 2011 (329 cases) and from September 2012 through August 2015 (324 cases) after adoption of a battery-powered drill system (OnControl). Bone lesions were included in the analysis if they were >70% sclerotic by visual inspection, had a density > 2 times that of adjacent trabecular bone, and had an attenuation of ≥250 HU. Pathological fractures, diskitis–osteomyelitis, and osteoid osteomas were excluded. Eligible cases were characterized by lesion location, maximum lesion diameter, mean density, biopsy needle type and gauge, reported complications, and histological diagnosis. Clinical and imaging follow-up was used to confirm histological diagnosis. Cases in which a benign histological diagnosis could not be confirmed by imaging over a minimum period of 1 year were excluded. A total of 37 biopsies of sclerotic bone lesions met the inclusion criteria, 17 of which were performed with a power drill needle and 20 of which were performed with a manually driven needle. The mean lesion density was 604.1 HU. The overall diagnostic yield was 78.4%; overall diagnostic accuracy was 94.6%, and the false-negative rate was 5.4%. Diagnostic yield and accuracy were 82.4% and 100% respectively, with a power drill and 75% and 90% respectively, with a manual device. Diagnostic yield for lesions ≥700 HU was 90% (9 out of 10). Densely sclerotic bone lesions are amenable to percutaneous needle biopsy.
Introduction to Special Issue of Review of Behavioral Economics Honoring Richard A. Easterlin

Introduction to Special Issue of Review of Behavioral Economics Honoring Richard A. Easterlin
Who Read Socially Responsible Apparel Labels

Socially responsible (SR) labeling has been developed to encourage consumers to make SR purchases based on ecological attributes of products and additional SR information listed on labels (D’Souza, 2004). Previous research studied the efficacy of SR labels and revealed that SR labels influenced consumers’ purchasing decisions (Dickson, 2001; D’Souza et al., 2007). Despite the fact that SR issues in the apparel industry are significant considerations, practicing conscientious apparel consumption can be challenging for fashion consumers when surrounded by fast fashion and the desire for the latest fashion styles.