cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurement of particulate and gaseous ammonia at a suburban area by means of diffusion tubes (denuders)

Abstract A diffusion method for determining both ammonia and ammonium containing particulate in atmospheric samples has been developed. The gas molecules are absorbed at the wall of a coated tube (denuder), while solid particles are passed through due to their lower diffusion velocity and collected downstream on a filter. Ammonia released by the filter is collected by a second denuder placed in series, and its contribution to the ammonium concentration taken into account. High performance diffusion tubes, allowing short term sampling, have also been used.
Optical imaging superresolution by a negative refraction anisotropic photonic crystal

Abstract Photonic crystals (PCs) have many potential applications because of their ability to control light-wave propagation. We have investigated the focusing of electromagnetic wave propagation inside an anisotropic PC slab by means of finite-difference time-domain simulations. The PC structure composed of air cylinders in the anisotropic–dielectric medium is studied by solving Maxwell's equations using the plane wave expansion method. Numerical simulations show that the optical imaging resolution can be improved greatly in the square lattices consisting of anisotropic–dielectric background. Such a mechanism of negative refraction PCs should open up a new application for designing components in optical imaging systems.
Knowledge Representation and Adaptation within Ontological Semantic Technology

The paper briefly discusses techniques of semi-automatic detection of outdated knowledge within the framework of Ontological Semantic Technology. Following an overview of the architecture and functionality of Ontological Semantic Technology, the paper illustrates, based on specific examples, how subsumption gaps are detected, and historical and evolving knowledge is incorporated into the ontology.
SPECTRALLY SELECTIVE PHOTODETECTORS FOR THE MIDDLE AND VACUUM ULTRAVIOLET

A number of “solar blind” photosurfaces have been developed in recent years. Measurements made on phototubes having photocathodes of rubidium telluride, cesium telluride, cesium iodide, and copper iodide are described. Cathode quantum efficiencies for semitransparent cathodes of rubidium or cesium telluride range from 10−1 to 10−2 electrons/quantum in the middle and vacuum ultraviolet, with long wavelength responses of less than 10−4 electrons/quantum beyond about 3500 A. By combining “solar blind” cathodes with windows of LiF, CaF2, or fused silica, detectors with relatively flat quantum yields can be produced, marked by high sensitivities in specific ultraviolet spectral regions and by very low sensitivities at all longer wavelengths.
MicroRNA Changes in Human Arterial Endothelial Cells with Senescence: Relation to Apoptosis, eNOS and Inflammation

A senescent phenotype in endothelial cells is associated with increased apoptosis, reduced endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and inflammation, which are implicated in arterial dysfunction and disease in humans. We tested the hypothesis that changes in microRNAs are associated with a senescent phenotype in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC). Compared with early-passage HAEC, late-passage HAEC had a reduced proliferation rate and increased staining for senescence-associated beta-galactosidase and the tumor suppressor p16(INK4a). Late-passage senescent HAEC had reduced expression of proliferation-stimulating/apoptosis-suppressing miR-21, miR-214 and miR-92 and increased expression of tumor suppressors and apoptotic markers. eNOS-suppressing miR-221 and miR-222 were increased and eNOS protein and eNOS activation (phosphorylation at serine1177) were lower in senescent HAEC. Caveolin-1 inhibiting miR-133a was reduced and caveolin-1, a negative regulator of eNOS activity, was elevated in senescent HAEC. Inflammation-repressing miR-126 was reduced and inflammation-stimulating miR-125b was increased, whereas inflammatory proteins were greater in senescent HAEC Development of a senescent arterial endothelial cell phenotype featuring reduced cell proliferation, enhanced apoptosis and inflammation and reduced eNOS is associated with changes in miRNAs linked to the regulation of these processes. Our results support the hypothesis that miRNAs could play a critical role in arterial endothelial cell senescence. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (Less)
Health literacy knowledge and experiences of associate degree nursing students: A pedagogical study

Health literacy is recognized as a major health problem in the United States. Preparing nurses to address the challenges of low health literacy in clinical settings is crucial because of their role in patient education. This study was a cross-sectional one designed to assess the health literacy knowledge and experiences of 391 associate-degree nursing students. Results indicate that participants had knowledge about health literacy; however, they could benefit from additional educational opportunities that would reinforce that knowledge and skills in health literacy.
Active set vs. interior point strategies for model predictive control

We consider a comparison of active set vs. interior point strategies for the solution of receding time horizon problems in nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC). For this study we consider a control algorithm where we form quadratic programs (QPs) in each time horizon by linearizing the model. We also ignore second order information on the model and constraints. This approach can be viewed as a direct nonlinear extension of MPC with linear models and is easily tailored to include stabilizing constraints. Using this framework we consider the application of three active set strategies as well as interior point methods applied to both the NMPC and the QP subproblem. The first two active set methods (QPOPT and and QKWIK) are general purpose solvers that have been incorporated into SQP algorithms previously, while the third is a Schur complement approach that can easily exploit the sparse structure of the KKT matrix in MPC.
Targeting Toxoplasma tubules: tubulin, microtubules, and associated proteins in a human pathogen.

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes serious opportunistic infections, birth defects, and blindness in humans. Microtubules are critically important components of diverse structures that are used throughout the Toxoplasma life cycle. As in other eukaryotes, spindle microtubules are required for chromosome segregation during replication. Additionally, a set of membrane-associated microtubules is essential for the elongated shape of invasive “zoites,” and motility follows a spiral trajectory that reflects the path of these microtubules. Toxoplasma zoites also construct an intricate, tubulin-based apical structure, termed the conoid, which is important for host cell invasion and associates with proteins typically found in the flagellar apparatus. Last, microgametes specifically construct a microtubule-containing flagellar axoneme in order to fertilize macrogametes, permitting genetic recombination. The specialized roles of these microtubule populations are mediated by distinct sets of associated proteins. This review summarizes our current understanding of the role of tubulin, microtubule populations, and associated proteins in Toxoplasma; these components are used for both novel and broadly conserved processes that are essential for parasite survival.
Third generation gold nanoplatform optimized for radiation therapy.

We report the design and fabrication of third generation ultrasmall PEGylated gold nanoparticles based platform (AuRad TM ) optimized for applications in radiation therapy. The AuRad TM nanoplatform has the following key features: (I) surface coating of hetero-bifunctional-PEG with amine, carboxyl, methoxy functional groups, which make this a versatile nanoplatform to conjugate various moieties like fluorophores, peptides, drugs, radiolabels; (II) size that is optimized for longer circulation, higher tumor uptake and modulated clearance; (III) high radiation enhancement. We have synthesized ultrasmall 2-3 nm gold nanoparticles, followed by attachment of hetero-bifunctional PEG and further conjugation of fluorophore AlexaFlour 647 for optical imaging, with a stability of more than 6 months. Confocal bioimaging with HeLa cells showed robust uptake of biocompatible nanoparticles in cells. Irradiation experiments X-rays showed greater than 2.8-fold cell kill enhancement as demonstrated by clonogenic survival assays. The results indicate that AuRad nanoplatform can act as potential theranostic agent in radiation therapy.
A mixing-length model for the prediction of convex curvature effects on turbulent boundary layers

A mixing-length model is developed for the prediction of turbulent boundary layers with convex streamwise curvature. For large layer thickness ratio, delta/R greater than 0.05, the model scales mixing length on the wall radius of curvature, R. For small delta/R, ordinary flat wall modeling is used for the mixing-length profile with curvature corrections, following the recommendations of Eide and Johnston (1976). Effects of streamwise change of curvature are considered; a strong lag from equilibrium is required when R increases downstream. Fifteen separate data sets were compared, including both hydrodynamic and heat transfer results. Six of these computations are presented and compared to experiment.
Bio-inspired cryo-ink preserves red blood cell phenotype and function during nanoliter vitrification.

Current red blood cell cryopreservation methods utilize bulk volumes, causing cryo-injury of cells, which results in irreversible disruption of cell morphology, mechanics, and function. An innovative approach to preserve human red blood cell morphology, mechanics, and function following vitrification in nanoliter volumes is developed using a novel cryo-ink integrated with a bio-printing approach.
Equations of State

The article contains sections titled: 1 Introduction 2 Fundamental Principles 2.1 Intermolecular Forces 2.2 Statistical Thermodynamics 3 Overview of the Phase Diagram 3.1 Critical Point 3.2 Law of Corresponding States 3.3 Melting of Solids 3.4 Superfluids 3.5 Plasmas—The Saha-Boltzmann Ionization Equation 4 Statistical Mechanics of Fluids 4.1 Virial Expansion for a One-Component Gas 4.2 Van der Waals Equation 4.3 Computer Simulations—Exact Results 4.4 Perturbation Theory 4.5 Integral-Equation Theories 5 the Theory of Solids 5.1 The Local-Density Approximation 5.2 The Mie-Gruneisen Equation of State 5.3 Thermal Electron Properties 5.4 Empirical Equations of State 6 Matter At Extreme Conditions 6.1 Static Experiments 6.2 Shock-Wave Experiments 6.3 Pressure-Induced Transitions 6.4 Metallic State at Ultrahigh Density 6.5 Statistical Atom Models 6.6 Shell-Structure Effects in Compressed Solids 7 Acknowledgment
Resistive Impedance Matching Circuit for Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting

A two-stage power conditioning circuit consisting of an AC-DC converter followed by a DC-DC converter is proposed for a vibration-based energy harvesting system. The power conditioning circuit intends to maximize the amount of power extracted from a piezoelectric energy harvester by matching the source impedance with the circuit by adaptively adjusting the duty cycle. An equivalent electrical circuit representation derived from a distributed-parameter piezoelectric energy harvester model is adapted to enable the impedance matching method proposed here. For a given piezoelectric energy harvester, there is a theoretical maximum power output that is determined by the mechanical damping, base acceleration, and the effective mass of the harvester structure under base excitation. Experimental results are given to validate the effectiveness of the proposed resistive impedance matching circuit around the first resonance frequency of a cantilevered piezoelectric energy harvester.
Manic symptoms: An indication for bilateral ECT☆

As a follow-up to pilot observations that six manic patients who failed to respond to unilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) recovered rapidly when switched to bilateral treatment, a retrospective study was conducted. Twenty-five patients who responded after switchover from unilateral to bilateral ECT, 25 age- and sex-matched controls, and 25 concurrent controls who responded to right unilateral ECT alone were evaluated. Demographic variables and DSM-III diagnosis did not discriminate between the groups, nor were they different in terms of electroencephalographic (EEG) findings, neuropsychological test results, numbers of ECT, and duration of seizure discharges. Standard assessments of psychopathology performed by independent psychiatrists showed no differences in ratings of psychosis or depressive phenomena. However, scales assessing manic symptoms showed highly significant differences with many more features of unrestrained behavior, elevated mood, hurried speech, and other typical features of mania in the patients who were switched from unilateral to bilateral ECT. Although there were no differences in prescribed drugs, the use of prn medications for sleep was greater in the experimental-switched patients than in controls. Patients who responded to unilateral ECT alone exhibited virtually no manic features, whereas those who demonstrated these characteristics failed to respond to unilateral ECT but benefited when switched to bilateral treatment.
Continuous modulation from a single-bit DSP output

The paper presents a. practical scheme for building high frequency direct digitizing transmitters. The transmitter uses a. simple lookup table approach to generate a binary stream which is then merely filtered to produce the radiated signal. Thus, there is no need for precise digital to analog converters. A new constrained list decoding algorithm operating over the real alphabet produces the data in the lookup table. The transmitter can be a modulator only or a combined encoder and modulator. The paper concludes with spectra and error vector magnitude measurements for GMSK with frequencies over 10 GHz.
Interpersonal development, stability, and change in early adulthood

The goal of this research was to explore the development of the interpersonal system mapped by the interpersonal circumplex in early adulthood (ages 18-22). This study uses the Longitudinal Study of Personality Disorders sample (N = 250; 53% female). Participants completed the Revised Interpersonal Adjective Scales (Wiggins, Trapnell, & Phillips, 1988) in their freshman, sophomore, and senior years of college. Estimates of structural, rank-order, mean, individual, and ipsative stability were calculated for the broad interpersonal dimensions of Dominance and Affiliation and also the lower order octant scales. Additionally, the interpersonal profile parameters of differentiation and prototypicality were calculated at each wave and explored longitudinally and also used as predictors of interpersonal stability. We found excellent structural and high rank-order and ipsative stability in the interpersonal scales over this time period. Mean increases on the Affiliation axis, but not on the Dominace axis, were found to mask differential rates of change among the octant scales, along with significant individual variation in the rates of change. Interpersonal differentiation and prototypicality were related to higher stability in overall interpersonal style. Results point to evidence of both stability and nuanced change, illuminating some of the features of the structural variables that can be derived from interpersonal circumplex profiles.
Hospitalization and Alzheimer's Disease: Results From a Community-Based Study

Background. Prior studies offer conflicting findings on whether Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization.Methods. We investigated AD and hospitalization in the Washington Heights-Inwood Columbia Aging Project (WHICAP), a community-based study of 2,334 elders in New York City. In 1996, an electronic medical records system was established that allows an e-mail alert to be sent to the research team whenever WHICAP subjects are admitted to Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center (CPMC), the site of hospital care for the majority of subjects.Results. Of the WHICAP cohort, 13.1% was admitted to CPMC in 21 months of follow-up; 17.5% of AD patients and 11.9% of unaffected subjects were admitted (p < .01). Multivariate logistic regression models showed that more advanced AD (Clinical Dementia Rating scale 3+) was a significant risk factor for hospitalization independently of age, gender, education, comorbid medical conditions, and death in the follow-up period (OR 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1,4.6); subjects with mild or moderate AD did not show a significantly elevated risk. The prevalence of psychiatric symptoms did not differ between AD subjects who were hospitalized in the reporting period and AD subjects who were not hospitalized. Infectious disease was a more common discharge diagnosis for subjects with AD (p < .05).Conclusions. In this community-based cohort, subjects with severe AD were more likely to be hospitalized than unaffected subjects. The increased use of hospital care by these AD patients appears to be specific to AD but is not a result of psychiatric morbidity or end-of-life care. Rather, a greater risk of medical complications that require hospital care, especially infections, appears to be characteristic of severe AD.
Fast and accurate self-calibration

We describe new techniques for self-calibration and for recovering the motion from a projective reconstruction when the calibration is known. We show that our approach deals with the ambiguities in self-calibration produced by special motions. We extend our techniques to deal with varying calibration parameters. In passing, we prove convergence for the iterative projective-reconstruction algorithm of (Sturm and Triggs, 1996) and (Berthilsson et al., 1997).
Sizing up size ratios.

The investigation of the causes of observed size differences between coexisting related animal species requires a knowledge of the statistical distributions of size ratios in randomly constructed guilds. Null models can be useful, but are often subject to constraints that severely limit their applicability. New work on the statistics of size distributions may lead to a better understanding of why animals are the sizes they are.
A Motion-Dependent Distortion of Retinotopy in Area V4

When one element in an apparent motion sequence differs in color from the others, it is perceived as shifted along the motion trajectory. We examined whether V4 neurons encode the physical or perceived location of this "flashed" element by recording neuronal responses while monkeys viewed these stimuli. The retinotopic locus of V4 activity evoked by the flashed element shifted along the motion trajectory. The magnitude of the shift is consistent with the perceptual shift in humans viewing identical stimuli. This retinotopic distortion depended on the presence of a flashed element but was observed for both color-selective and non-color-selective neurons. The distortion was undiminished when the flashed element terminated the sequence, a condition that reduced the perceptual shift in humans. These findings are consistent with a Bayesian model of localization in which perceived location is derived from position signals optimally integrated across visual areas.
Model for determining the effective thermal conductivity of particle beds with high solid-to-gas thermal conductivity ratio

A Be-packed bed between the high-temperature breeder and low-temperature coolant has been proposed for an ITER solid breeder base blanket. The design offers the possibility of adjusting the solid breeder temperature through active control of the packed-bed effective conductivity; such control can potentially be achieved by varying the pressure or flow rate of the helium purge flowing through the Be-packed bed. A modeling effort directed at estimating the effective thermal conductivity of pebble beds with high solid-to-gas conductivity ratios (such as Be and He) is described. The model can account for different particle sizes and surface contact characteristics which are particularly important in determining the extent to which the bed effective thermal conductivity can be controlled through pressure variation for high ratios of solid-to-gas conductivity. >
Antifibrinolytic therapy in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage increases the risk for deep venous thrombosis: A case-control study.

Abstract Objectives Aneurysm re-rupture is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). While antifibrinolytics reduce aneurysm re-rupture rates, they have been associated with hydrocephalus, delayed cerebral ischemia, and venous thrombosis. We performed a case–control study in patients enrolled in the Cerebral Aneurysm Renin Angiotensin System (CARAS) study to evaluate the impact of short course ( Patients and methods A case–control study design was utilized to evaluate the effect of EACA on DVT formation. All cases and controls were obtained from the CARAS study, a prospective, blinded study assessing the association of polymorphisms in the renin angiotensin system and aSAH. Results One hundred and twenty-eight eligible patients were enrolled in CARAS. Overall, 48 (37.5%) patients were screened for DVT, 57 (44.5%) patients were treated with short course ( Conclusion Short course (
Induction of hairy root cultures from Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium barbadense to produce gossypol and related compounds

Hairy root cultures were induced by inoculating cotyledonary leaves and hypocotyl segments from two cotton species, Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium barbadense, with Rhizobium rhizogenes 15834. For both species, more hairy roots formed on inoculation sites on cotyledonary leaves than on hypocotyls. The addition of sucrose to basal Murashige–Skoog media increased the frequency of hairy root formation, whereas the addition of naphthalene acetic acid (0.54 μM) did not. After transfer to a liquid culture, hairy root growth was very rapid. After 3 wk in liquid culture, both cotton species produced gossypol, a di-sesquiterpene secondary metabolite with known anticancer activity, and two related methylated derivatives. Most (60–95%) gossypol produced by cultures was retained within the hairy root tissues, but some was found in the media. The average gossypol level observed among 96 different cultures was 15 mg/g of dry culture mass; however, some cultures produced >40 mg/g of dry culture mass. Variation in gossypol levels was greater for cultures arising from different transformation events than for multiple subclones of a single transformant. The high level of gossypol production attained by most of these cultures suggests that they will be valuable for studying the biochemical and molecular aspects of gossypol biosynthesis, capable of producing large amounts of gossypol and related compounds, and useful for generating modified forms of gossypol (e.g., radio-labeled gossypol) for understanding bioactivity mechanisms.
Carbon availability and temperature control the post-snowmelt decline in alpine soil microbial biomass

Abstract In Colorado alpine dry meadow soils, microbial biomass has been observed to increase during fall and winter and to rapidly decline after snowmelt in the spring. It has been shown that these microbial population dynamics are linked to N availability to alpine plants, but the underlying mechanisms have not been explained. We hypothesized that: (1) freeze-thaw events in the spring cause reduction of the microbial biomass, (2) the winter microbial community is sensitive to prolonged temperatures above 0°C, and (3) the increase of biomass in fall and its decline in spring are due to changes in C availability. We performed laboratory experiments to test the effect of temperature regime on soil microbial biomass, respiration and C availability, and made seasonal measurements of C pools. Soil microbial biomass was unaffected by freeze-thaw events in which realistic rates of freezing and thawing were used. Some significant effects were observed at faster freezing rates. Despite this tolerance to temperature fluctuations, the winter microbial community showed sensitivity to prolonged temperatures above 0°C. This effect may have been caused indirectly by an effect of temperature on substrate availability. Two week incubations at increased temperatures caused a reduction in the quantity of extractable organic C in the soil. The soil concentrations of cellulose and hot water-soluble organic C were the lowest in the summer and the highest in spring and autumn, mirroring previously measured patterns of microbial biomass. This suggests that C from litter inputs could be a strong control over microbial biomass. Respiration rates in soils collected before snowmelt were high at 0°C, and did not respond immediately to addition of glutamate. At 22°C, or after a two week incubation at 0°C, respiration in these soils became substrate-limited. Respiration rates in soils collected during the summer were very low at 0°C, but responded immediately to glutamate addition at both 0 and 22°C. These results show that the C balance of the soil microbial biomass undergoes a critical shift between winter and summer due to an increase in temperature and a corresponding decrease in C availability. This shift could explain the decline in microbial biomass after snowmelt.
Variation of Superlattice Structure of the Bi2Sr2−xCuO6-y Superconductor with Composition and Thermal History

Single crystals of Bi2Sr2−xCuO6−y, (0.1 < x < 0.5, 0 < y < 0.5), were examined using x-ray diffraction techniques. Ditfractometer scans of θ-2θ taken normal to the cleavage planes displayed the even (00l) reflections from l = 2 to 26. Weak satellite peaks were observed on either side of each main (l) reflection, and their intensities relative to the main peak increased as 2θ was increased. With decreasing Sr content, the satellite peaks systematically moved away from the position of the main reflection. In contrast, the positions of the satellite peaks did not change with oxygen content which was varied by up to 0.5 oxygen atoms per formula unit. Since Tc in these crystals is sensitive to oxygen content while the superstructure modulation is not, it is unlikely that superconductivity and the structure modulation are directly related. As shown by a more detailed study of these peaks using a four-circle diffractometer and x-ray precession methods, the satellites that appear in θ-2θ scans are actually the mosaic tails of relatively intense superstructure peaks, positioned off from c* in the b* direction of reciprocal space. Depending on the Sr content of the crystals, generally incommensurate modulations were found with the superstructure periodicity ranging between ˜1/5b* + 0.29c* and ˜1/5b* + 0.65c*. The modulation in Bi2Sr2−xCuO6−y has two components. The component along the b* direction is similar to the superstructure observed in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O7 crystals and thus is probably due to the mismatch between the Bi2O2 layer and the CuO2 layer. The additional component along c* may be due to the ordering of Sr vacancies.
VHDL modeling of a multivariable fuzzy logic controller hardware system

A digital fuzzy controller with variable number of inputs and outputs is implemented using VHDL. A direct data stream (DDS) architecture, featuring highly parallel structure, is used for the controller. The classic digital, three stage, pipeline fuzzy logic controller is also implemented with VHDL. Both VHDL models are simulated and tested using the inverted pendulum example. Results of DDS model simulation are compared with those obtained from a classic controller showing unquestionable speedup (up to 33%) of the fuzzy logic inferencing using DDS architecture over the classic one. >
Central Place Theory and Housing Programs in Panama's Secondary CitiesA Case of Official Generative Planning

Normative Models from social science are often used to justify regulative plans by governments and other development agencies. In the case of international aid this often leads to a situation where local-level agencies must engage in generative planning in order to modify bilateral agreements and adapt them to the local context. This article demonstrates this process with data from a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) project in Panama. [Panama, housing, central place theory, secondary cities]
Hematologic and serum chemistry studies in rats exposed to 60‐Hz electric fields

Numerous hematologic and serum chemistry variables were examined in rats exposed to unperturbed 60-Hz electric fields at 100 kV/m for 15, 30, 60, or 120 days. Each study was replicated once. Rigorous statistical evaluations of these data did not detect any consistent effect of the electric field for exposures of up to 120 days. It was, however, not unusual in any individual study to detect certain variables that were significantly different between the exposed and sham-exposed animals. This emphasizes the need for replicate designs and appropriate statistical analyses when investigating chemical or physical insults that may have minimal influence on biologic function.
IL-11 inhibits Clostridium difficile toxin A enterotoxicity in rat ileum.

Interleukin-11 (IL-11) is a stromal cell-derived cytokine with several biological activities against hematopoietic cells. Recent results indicated that IL-11 reduced mucosal damage in animal models...
Digital Bridges for Global Awareness: Pre-Service Social Studies Teachers’ Experiences Using Technology to Learn from and Teach Students in Thailand

In order to ensure teachers are willing and ready to promote global perspectives in their classrooms, pre-service social studies teachers must know how to teach about the world, its people, and issues (Merryfield, 2002). This manuscript describes an empirical research study that undertook an eight month qualitative investigation at a large Midwestern university into secondary social studies methods students' perceptions of participating in a digitally mediated global learning project with secondary students in Thailand. Methods students participated in weekly correspondences and learning activities with Thai students that aimed to advance cross-cultural understandings and global learning. Findings reveal that methods students believed their participation in this project served as an authentic opportunity to learn and apply best practices in teaching and learning- in particular, in social studies and global education, and that their participation in this project was beneficial as it provided a necessary concrete example to build off of in planning and implementing their own digitally mediated global learning project. Finally, implications of these findings and future lines of inquiry are discussed.
1889 Hand Hygiene Adherence among health care Workers in Cairo, Egypt

The purpose of this process improvement project was to help guide a medical center in a low income country, Egypt, to reduce the incidence of healthcare associated infections by improving hand hygiene practice among its healthcare workers. The goal was to increase hand hygiene by utilizing a strategic educational plan for HCWs using the WHO’s guidelines of “5 Moments of Hand Hygiene” (WHO, 2009). The project was conducted to increase compliance in healthcare workers’ hand hygiene in an intensive care unit. The pre-observation audit identified that 42% of physicians and 71% of nurses performed hand hygiene - Moment 1 - before touching a patient. The post observation audit identified that 53% of physicians and 83% of nurses performed hand hygiene - Moment 1-before touching a patient. Nurses were observed performing 193 opportunities of hand hygiene during Moments 1–5. In all areas, nurses maintained or improved their hand hygiene practices following the World Health Organization’s “5 Moments of Hand Hygiene.” Subsequently, the one-on-one education, Moment 2 - before clean/aseptic procedure practice improved from 0% to 100% adherence. One-on-one education on hand hygiene using “5 Moments of Hand Hygiene” among healthcare workers in an intensive care unit proved to be a successful strategy for improving hand hygiene compliance.
THE ECONOMIC PAMPHLETEER: Limits to Economic Growth

First paragraphs: I am often asked why so few agricultural economists seem interested in sustainable agriculture or sustainable community development. Perhaps it's because unlimited growth is one of the foundational assumptions of neoclassical economics. If there are no limits to economic growth, questions of sustainability are needless or pointless. Ecological economists challenge this assumption and call for a steady-state economy, meaning one "that develops qualitatively without growing quantitatively... maintained at a level that is both sufficient for a good life and within the assimilative and regenerative capacities of the [natural] ecosystem" (Daly, 2013). However, most economists seem to believe that human imagination and creativity is capable of finding a substitute for any natural resource we may deplete and finding a technological solution for any problem we might create — given adequate economic incentives. One argument for unlimited economic growth is limitless dematerialization, meaning an infinite ability to extract more economic value from fewer natural and human resources. As ecological economists point out, this conflicts directly with the law of entropy, which is the second law of thermodynamics. Everything of any use to us, including everything of economic value, ultimately depends on the usefulness of energy. According to the law of entropy, whenever energy is used to do anything useful, some of its usefulness is lost. Accepting the law of entropy, there are physical limits to dematerialization and thus limits to economic growth. Unlimited economic growth would require ephemeralization, a term coined by Buckminster Fuller, meaning the ability of technological advancement to do "more and more with less and less until eventually you can do everything with nothing" (Ephemeralization, 2013, para. 1). It doesn't seem reasonable to bet the future of humanity on this possibility....
Pollen-Collecting Activities of Bees Among Peanut Flowers

Bees of 3 families of Hymenoptera: Apidae, Megachilidae, and Halictidae, have been indicated to be potential cross pollinators of the cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) (Hammons et al. 1963). These bees consist of 18 identified species associated with the peanut flower. The species differ in the way they visit and gather pollen. In this paper we describe the pollen-tripping mechanism in the peanut flower and present some observations of associated bee visits made in 1964 near Tifton, Ga.
Interactive Impact of Informational and Normative Influence on Donations

Two field experiments manipulating informational and normative influence demonstrate that they interact to yield substantial increases in donations. Informational influence involved a message about...
“You Can’t Rely on Somebody Else to Teach Them Something They Don’t Believe”: Impressions of Legitimation Crisis and Socialization Control in the Narratives of Christian Homeschooling Fathers

Homeschooling is a permanently established segment of the American education landscape encompassing nearly 2 million children. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 21 Christian homeschooling fathers in the upper Midwest, this study examines fathers’ perceptions of their place in the homeschooling movement and their rationalizations for homeschooling. The study’s findings suggest that homeschooling fathers have a keen sense of their duty of nurturing the home as a “protective cocoon” where concerted moral cultivation can take place. This forms the basis of a system of “total socialization” aimed at negating the influence of competing socialization agents. But underlying perceptions of the home as a protective cocoon is a legitimation crisis stemming from a loss of faith in American public education and its capacity to act as an agent of moral socialization for today’s youth.
Collaborative Tasking of UAV's Using a Genetic Fuzzy Approach

As a continuation of the previous work, under the title “Fuzzy Clustering based Genetic Algorithm for the Multi-Depot Polygon Visiting Dubins Multiple Traveling Salesman Problem”, the techniques described prior [1,2] have since been applied to more complex variants of the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP). In particular, this paper presents the results of exploring the min-max, or time optimal, variant of the MDPVDMTSP (henceforth referred to as the Min-Max Variant, or MMV), and the Multi-Objective Variant (MOV). Development and integration of genetic fuzzy systems has brought great progress to this research, enabling the algorithms to more closely simulate and solve problems that UAV swarms could encounter. The powerful heuristic methods utilized via multiple genetic algorithms (GA) an fuzzy logic systems (FLS) allow the code to have a very slow climb in computational cost with problem size, while still maintaining a high degree of accuracy.
Influenza-A virus specific Epstein-Barr virus lytic memory CD8 T cells in EBV sero-negative middle age adults (VIR5P.1147)

For unknown reasons 5-10% of middle-aged adults (>35 years) remain EBV-sero-negative when the virus infects the vast majority of people, and is actively shed at high titers during chronic infection. Here we show that EBV-sero-negative (EBV-SN) HLA-A2+ middle-aged adults possess a unique IAV-M1 58-66 (GIL) memory CD8 T cell response that cross-reacts with EBV lytic epitopes. The five tested HLA-A2+ EBV-SN middle-aged adults had a significantly increased IAV-M1 58-66 (GIL) tetramer+ CD8 frequency compared to adult EBV sero-positive donors. Upon exposure to EBV antigens in vitro both IAV- M1(GIL) /EBV-BMLF1 280-288 (GLC) and IAV- M1(GIL) /EBV-BRLF1 109-117 (YVL), functionally cross-reactive CD8+ responses could be detected in the peripheral blood of middle-aged EBV-SN donors, while only weakly IAV-(M1)/EBV-(YVL) cross-reactive responses were detected in 4 out of 6 teenage EBV-SN donors. These IAV-M1-GIL-specific CD8 T cells in middle-aged EBV-SN adults expanded dramatically to EBV lytic antigens and produced cytokines at high functional avidity. They lysed EBV-infected targets. Additionally, these cross-reactive cells had an oligo-clonal T cell receptor repertoire different than EBV sero-positive donors. Taken together these data suggest that an altered cross-reactive T cell repertoire could mediate protective immunity against viral infection. Our results imply that sero-negative adults might have the ability to resist viral infection via heterologous immunity.
Coexisting ureteropelvic junction obstruction and vesicoureteral reflux: diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

AbstractThe coexistence of ureteropelvic junction obstruction and vesicoureteral reflux was seen in 17 (14 per cent) of 147 consecutive patients undergoing pyeloplasty. These patients were analyzed to determine the therapeutic implications of this association. They fell into 3 clinical groups: group 1—primary ureteropelvic junction obstruction, group 2—ureteropelvic junction obstruction secondary to high grade reflux and group 3—pseudo-ureteropelvic junction obstruction.There were 11 patients in group 1. These patients had incidental low grade reflux. Pyeloplasty should be the initial procedure with use of a nephrostomy tube or Foley catheter postoperatively. Vesicoureteral reflux resolved spontaneously with linear growth in approximately half of the cases. There were 4 patients in group 2. The obstructive uropathy should be treated initially, since primary ureteral reimplantation may provoke acute ureteropelvic junction decompensation. There were 2 patients in group 3. Pseudo-ureteropelvic junction obstr...
Thromboxane-A(2)/prostaglandin-H(2) receptors Characterization and antagonism.

Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) is a potent vasoconstrictor and platelet aggregator whose synthesis is increased in a variety of cardiovascular diseases. TXA2 receptor antagonists have been used to (a) establish a pathophysiologic role for TXA2 in a variety of cardiovascular diseases, (b) subtype platelet and vascular receptors, (c) elucidate structural characteristics of the receptor, and (d) aid in its purification. However, much still remains to be learned about the structure and function of TXA2 receptors.
Egypt, Tripolis and Barqah Acquired

The strategic position of Egypt, lying so dangerously near to both Syria and al-Ḥijāz, the richness of its grain-producing soil, which made the land the granary of Constantinople, the fact that its capital Alexandria was the base of the Byzantine navy and that the country was the door to the rest of the North African corridor—all these considerations caused Arabian eyes to turn covetously towards the valley of the Nile quite early in the era of expansion.
Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells in drug therapy: New perspective

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC) have emerged as a class of cells suitable for cellular delivery of nanoparticles, drugs and micro-RNA cargo for targeted treatments such as tumor and other protective mechanisms. The special properties of MSC underscore the current use for various clinical applications. Examples of applications include but are not limited to regenerative medicine, immune disorders and anti-cancer therapies. In recent years, there has been intense research in modifying MSC to achieve targeted and efficient clinical outcomes. This review discusses effects of MSC in an inflammatory microenvironment and then explains how these properties could be important to the overall application of MSC in cell therapy. The article also advises caution in the application of these cells because of their role in tumorigenesis. The review stresses the use of MSC as vehicles for drug delivery and discusses the accompanying challenges, based on the influence of the microenvironment on MSC.
Aortic Root Size in Elite Athletes: When No Change Matters

It is known that sport-specific remodeling of the heart may occur with exercise. Although some overlap exists, exercise activity can be segregated into 2 forms: isotonic exercise (endurance training) and isometric exercise (strength training), with defining hemodynamic differences. Increased cardiac output leads to a volume challenge that occurs with isotonic exercise that affects all 4 heart chambers and may cause an increase in left ventricular (LV) mass, biventricular chamber dilation, biatrial enlargement, and enhanced diastolic function.1 Conversely, isometric exercise (strength training) will increase the peripheral vascular resistance and cause a pressure load on the heart. This results in concentric LV hypertrophy and reduction in LV diastolic function. Although an athlete may have expertise in one particular sport, usually elite athletes train with combined isotonic and isometric components (weight training, plyometrics, speed drills, running, etc.) and may not fit into one specific category of training. See Article by Boraita et al There is limited data on the effect of exercise training on the aorta and whether aortic dilation occurs because of the hemodynamic effects of chronic exercise training. One could hypothesize that with isometric exercise, there is a transient increase in peripheral vascular resistance and systolic hypertension that leads to increased aortic wall tension and chronically may result in aortic dilation. A meta-analysis performed by Iskandar and Thompson2 showed minor enlargement associated with training in elite athletes at the level of the aortic valve annulus and the sinus of Valsalva compared with controls. …
A Brief Measure of Language Skills at 3 Years of Age and Special Education Use in Middle Childhood.

Objective To test whether a language screener administered during early childhood predicts special education referrals and placement in middle childhood. Study design A series of logistic regressions was conducted in a longitudinal study of 731 children. Predictor variables included scores on the early language screener (Fluharty Preschool Speech and Language Screening Test-Second Edition [Fluharty-2]) at ages 3 and 4 years, a standardized measure of academic achievement at age 5 years, and parent report of special education services at ages 7.5, 8.5, and 9.5 years. Results Results showed that higher scores on the Fluharty-2 predicted a reduced likelihood of having an individualized education program (OR 0.48), being referred for special education (OR 0.55), and being held back a grade (OR 0.37). These findings did not vary by sex, race, or ethnicity, and remained significant after controlling for male sex, behavior problems, parental education, and family income. The Fluharty-2 remained predictive of special education outcomes even after controlling for children's academic skills at age 5 years. Conclusions Results suggest that structured, brief assessments of language in early childhood are robust predictors of children's future engagement in special education services and low academic achievement. Primary care physicians may use a multipronged developmental surveillance and monitoring protocol designed to identify children who may need comprehensive evaluation and intervention. Early intervention may reduce the need for costly special education services in the future and reduce comorbid conditions.
Analysis of Factors Associated With Rhytidectomy Malpractice Litigation Cases.

ImportanceThis study investigates the financial burden of medical malpractice litigation associated with rhytidectomies, as well as factors that contribute to litigation and poor defendant outcomes...
“What Route Would You Like Me To Take?” Paternalists Who Force Choices

It can be paternalistic to force people to choose. Although many people insist on drawing a bright line between active choosing and paternalism, that line is often illusory. Calling for active choosing is a form of libertarian paternalism if people are permitted to opt out of choosing in favor of a default (and in that sense not to choose). By contrast, calling for active choosing is a form of nonlibertarian paternalism insofar as people are actually required to choose. These points have implications for a range of issues in law and policy, suggesting that those who favor active choosing, and insist on it, may well be overriding people’s preferences and thus running afoul of John Stuart Mill’s Harm Principle (for better or for worse).
Blood Glucose and Insulin Concentrations after Octreotide Administration in Horses With Insulin Dysregulation.

Background Octreotide is a somatostatin analog that suppresses insulin secretion. Hypothesis We hypothesized that octreotide would suppress insulin concentrations in horses and that normal (N) horses and those with insulin dysregulation (ID) would differ significantly in their plasma glucose and insulin responses to administration of octreotide. Animals Twelve horses, N = 5, ID = 7. Methods Prospective study. An oral sugar test was performed to assign horses to N and ID groups. Octreotide (1.0 μg/kg IV) was then administered, and blood was collected at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 minute, and 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hour for measurement of glucose and insulin concentrations. Area under the curve (AUC) values were calculated. Results Mean AUC values for glucose and insulin did not differ between normal (n = 5) and ID (n = 7) groups after octreotide injection. Significant time (P < .001) effects were detected for glucose and insulin concentrations. A group × time interaction (P = .091) was detected for insulin concentrations after administration of octreotide, but the group (P = .33) effect was not significant. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Octreotide suppresses insulin secretion, resulting in hyperglycemia, and then concentrations increase above baseline as glycemic control is restored. Our hypothesis that octreotide causes insulin concentrations to decrease in horses was supported, but differences between N and ID groups did not reach statistical significance when blood glucose and insulin responses were compared. The utility of an octreotide response test remains to be determined.