cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A system for measuring biaxial creep strains over short gage lengths

This paper presents a new system for measuring biaxial strains over gage lengths of 150 micrometers at temperatures up to 300°C under constant loading for times as long as 1300 hours. This system has been used to measure axial and lateral strains at notch roots with a radius of 1 millimeter in zirconium specimens. A complete description of the techniques and procedures as well as an overview of the results is given in this paper.
Planned approach to the management of malignant invasion of the carotid artery

A planned approach to the evaluation and management of patients with tumor involvement of the cervical carotid artery is presented. Preoperative arteriography and determination of carotid back-pressure permitted a rational approach in these high risk patients. One patient found to have an extremely low carotid back-pressure was advised not to undergo carotid resection. Six patients with satisfactory carotid back-pressure tolerated carotid resection and reconstruction.
Perfil de rendimiento de Chile en la Subescala de Representación de Datos TIMSS 1999

Por primera vez Chile participo en la Repeticion del Tercer Estudio Internacional de Matematicas y Ciencias de IEA (TIMSS 1999), evaluando los conocimientos de una muestra representativa a nivel nacional de 5.907 alumnos de octavo basico, y recogiendo valiosa informacion de contexto sobre los alumnos, sus profesores y sus colegios. Este articulo analiza los resultados obtenidos en representacion de datos, la subescala de matematicas con los mejores resultados relativos para Chile. Aqui se analiza el efecto de cinco caracteristicas de las preguntas incluidas en la prueba: formato, habilidad cognitiva, contenido, intencion curricular e implementacion curricular. Las conclusiones apuntan a que el mejor rendimiento en representacion de datos puede explicarse por un fenomeno de aprendizaje informal de las matematicas combinado con un efecto de formato de las preguntas.
RECRUITING FEMALE FACULTY MEMBERS IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING: PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF ONE INTERVENTION MODEL

The repres4ntation offemale faculty members in science and engineeringjeldr lags behind that oftheir countparts in the social scienues and humanities and aho faih to keep pace with the production offemale science and engineering doctorates. Research hb shown that equity cannot be achieved by waiting for women to fill the applicantpooZ,- instead, institutions mwt intedene by changing hiring practices and retention policies. This article desm'bes and evaluates early results ofone interventidn at the University ofMichigan: the creation ofafaculty committee designed to improve the rermitment and hiring offepale faculp members through peer education. One hiring cycle ajer the committee's creation, the authors found (a) reports ofchangedpractices in some search committees and departments, (b) an increase in the number andproportion of new hit'es who were women, and (c) a substantial increase in the knowledge and motivation ofthe members ofthe remitmedt committee with respect to improving the climateforfemalefacul~y memben
Influence of dietary omega-3 fatty acids on transmembrane signalling in rat submandibular salivary gland.

Abstract We have previously shown the incorporation of dietary ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids from menhaden oil and corn oil, respectively, into membrane phospholipids of submandibular sllivary gland and (SMSG) of rat [Alam S. Q. and Alam B. S. (1988) Arch. Oral Biol.33, 295–299]. We now demonstrate the influence of such incorporation on the regulation of G proteins and adenylate cyclase activity. Cholera toxin ribosylated three protein peptides (Mr 42,000, 44,000 and 46,000) to different extents in the two groups. We found 4.9- and 2.6-fold higher and 0.4-fold lower ribosylation of Mr 42,000, 44,000 and 46,000 peptides, respectively, in SMSG membranes of rats fed a diet containing 10% menhaden oil (group II) compared to those fed 10% corn oil (group I). Functional distinctions between different forms of these peptides are not known. Cholera toxin also exhibited radiolabelling of three peptides in the SMSG membranes from normal or fasting rats. In these membranes inhibitory G proteins were not detected by pertussis toxin dependent ADP ribosylation or by a low concentration of guanylyl 5-imidodiphosphate (10−8 M), which selectively activates inhibitory G proteins which inhibit forskolin stimulated activity of adenylate cyclase. In group II membranes both basal and fluoride stimulated activities of adenylate cyclase were found to be significantly higher than the corresponding values in group I (P
Thermodynamics and phase equilibria of the iron—uranium system

Abstract Interest in metallic fuel for nuclear reactors has prompted studies of the thermodynamics and phase equilibria of several binary and ternary fuel alloys. Of particular interest are systems involving uranium-plutonium-zirconium alloy fuel and components of the stainless steel cladding. An experimental study and phase diagram calculation of the iron-uranium alloy system were performed. Thermodynamic functions for the existing phases were derived and a phase diagram was calculated that agrees reasonably with published diagrams.
High-temperature, highly accurate fiber optic liquid-level sensor

A novel intensity-based liquid level sensor which operates up to 300 degree(s)C is described in this paper. Liquid level measurements for different liquids with refractive index ranging from 1.33 to 1.635 have been obtained with extinction ratios between 20 dB and 39 dB. Measurement hysteresis for measurement of lubricate oil was 0.175 mm.
Cost–Benefit Analysis of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring in Hypertension Diagnosis and Treatment: An Insurer Perspective

Home blood pressure (BP) monitoring has been shown to be more effective than clinic BP monitoring for diagnosing and treating hypertension. However, reimbursement of home BP monitoring is uncommon ...
Collaborative pretend play: From theory to therapy:

Collaborative pretend play provides an important cognitive, linguistic, and social intervention context. In this paper, the nature of collaborative pretend play is discussed and a rationale is provided for its inclusion in an overall language intervention programme. The development of pretend play is reviewed, highlighting prerequisite skills necessary to succeed in this context. A protocol is presented for identifying specific strengths and needs in collaborative pretend, which leads to goal setting and intervention strategies. A child study is used to illustrate the assessment and intervention process.
Increasing biomass of winter wheat using sorghum biochars

Biochar is a black solid formed by pyrolysis of biomass such as crop residues. Biochar could be used for soil fertilization, carbon sequestration, and improvement of soil structure. Here, we tested the effect of sorghum biochars on winter wheat, with or without supplemental inorganic phosphorus, in a greenhouse. The application rate for sorghum residues and sorghum biochars based on a yield goal of 200 bushels ha−1 was 13 Mg ha−1. Inorganic phosphorus was added at the rate of 40 kg P ha−1. Results show that addition of sorghum biochars increased the total biomass of winter wheat grown by about 31 % over the control plants. Addition of supplemental inorganic phosphorus did not increase the total biomass. Our findings suggest that the pyrolitic transformation of sorghum residues into sorghum biochars is a better strategy for both environmental and crop productivity improvement in the Coastal Plains region.
RecD2 helicase limits replication fork stress in Bacillus subtilis

DNA helicases have important roles in genome maintenance. The RecD helicase has been well studied as a component of the heterotrimeric RecBCD helicase-nuclease enzyme important for double-strand break repair in Escherichia coli. Interestingly, many bacteria lack RecBC and instead contain a RecD2 helicase, which is not known to function as part of a larger complex. Depending on the organism studied, RecD2 has been shown to provide resistance to a broad range of DNA-damaging agents while also contributing to mismatch repair (MMR). Here we investigated the importance of Bacillus subtilis RecD2 helicase to genome integrity. We show that deletion of recD2 confers a modest increase in the spontaneous mutation rate and that the mutational signature in ΔrecD2 cells is not consistent with an MMR defect, indicating a new function for RecD2 in B. subtilis. To further characterize the role of RecD2, we tested the deletion strain for sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents. We found that loss of RecD2 in B. subtilis sensitized cells to several DNA-damaging agents that can block or impair replication fork movement. Measurement of replication fork progression in vivo showed that forks collapse more frequently in ΔrecD2 cells, supporting the hypothesis that RecD2 is important for normal replication fork progression. Biochemical characterization of B. subtilis RecD2 showed that it is a 5′-3′ helicase and that it directly binds single-stranded DNA binding protein. Together, our results highlight novel roles for RecD2 in DNA replication which help to maintain replication fork integrity during normal growth and when forks encounter DNA damage.
Panic Search Fear Produces Efficient Visual Search for Nonthreatening Objects

The ability to rapidly detect and respond to potentially threatening stimuli has survival value that has led researchers to posit that a threat detection system should have evolved within human cognitive architecture. LeDoux and his colleagues (Armony, Servan-Schreiber, Cohen, & LeDoux, 1997; LeDoux, 2000; Phelps & LeDoux, 2005) have proposed an early-warning system that is mediated by the amygdala. Under this view, the amygdala's rapid, preattentive evaluation of the emotional relevance of a threatening stimulus produces a rapid shift of attention toward the threat. Behavioral studies demonstrating efficient visual search for threatening targets (Eastwood, Smilek, & Merikle, 2001; Ohman, Flykt, & Esteves, 2001) and the capture of attention by threatening stimuli (Koster, Crombez, Van Damme, Verschuere, & De Houwer, 2004; Smith, Most, Newsome, & Zald, 2006) support the claim that attention rapidly shifts toward threatening stimuli. Importantly, the effect of this mechanism is selective: It increases processing for only the threat-relevant object. Ideally, the detection of threat would also produce a more generalized increase in processing efficiency, thereby allowing one to rapidly identify objects that would be beneficial to fleeing or fighting the threat, objects that themselves may not be threatening. Very little research has investigated how threatening stimuli influence the processing of non-threat-relevant stimuli. Recently, Phelps, Ling, and Carrasco (2006) ran such a study and found that contrast sensitivity increased when a fearful face preceded a contrast-discrimination task. They concluded that "people actually see better in the presence of emotional stimuli" (p. 298). How increased visual processing of contrast would be advantageous in an emotional situation was not directly addressed by their study. Here we posit that increased low-level visual
Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy of Individual Catalytic Nanoparticles

Electrochemistry at individual metal nanoparticles (NPs) can provide new insights into their electrocatalytic behavior. Herein, the electrochemical activity of single AuNPs attached to the catalytically inert carbon surface is mapped by using extremely small (≥3 nm radius) polished nanoelectrodes as tips in the scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM). The use of such small probes resulted in the spatial resolution significantly higher than in previously reported electrochemical images. The currents produced by either rapid electron transfer or the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction at a single 10 or 20 nm NP were measured and quantitatively analyzed. The developed methodology should be useful for studying the effects of nanoparticle size, geometry, and surface attachment on electrocatalytic activity in real-world application environment.
Mixed Methods Research Strategies With Deaf People: Linguistic and Cultural Challenges Addressed

Deaf people, members of a complex global language minority, have been excluded from positions of power in the field of humanitarian aid and development assistance, as well as from playing a significant role in the conduct of research that affects their lives. Deaf people rarely lead or participate as researchers in studies about their own communities or about the assistance they receive. Transformative mixed methods research strategies focus on the development of culturally respectful relationships to enhance collaboration between members of dominant and marginalized communities in order to improve the accuracy and usefulness of the findings. In this article, the application of transformative mixed methods in the deaf community provides examples of how research reveals complex realities and how researchers employ mixed methods strategies to appropriately engage members of marginalized communities in the context of development assistance to support human rights.
Lurasidone for schizophrenia: what’s different?

Lurasidone is one of several antipsychotics approved in the recent past by the US FDA for the treatment of schizophrenia. Several Phase II and III studies have established that lurasidone is more efficacious than placebo. There are no available adequately powered head-to-head comparisons of efficacy of lurasidone with other antipsychotics. However, in contrast to some other antipsychotics, lurasidone is associated with minimal weight gain and no clinically meaningful alterations in glucose, lipids, or the ECG QT interval. As per the product label, the recommended starting dose is 40 mg/day and the maximum recommended dose is 80 mg/day. Higher doses do not appear to be more efficacious, and may be associated with increases in adverse effects, such as somnolence and akathisia; however, this tolerability issue was not observed in one recently conducted 6-week study when lurasidone was administered at a dose of 160 mg/day. It is recommended that lurasidone be administered once daily with at least 350 calories of food. Additional studies are desirable to directly compare and contrast lurasidone with other antipsychotic agents.
Childhood maltreatment and the structure of common psychiatric disorders

Background Previous research suggests that various types of childhood maltreatment frequently co-occur and confer risk for multiple psychiatric diagnoses. This non-specific pattern of risk may mean that childhood maltreatment increases vulnerability to numerous specific psychiatric disorders through diverse, specific mechanisms or that childhood maltreatment engenders a generalised liability to dimensions of psychopathology. Although these competing explanations have different implications for intervention, they have never been evaluated empirically. Aims We used a latent variable approach to estimate the associations of childhood maltreatment with underlying dimensions of internalising and externalising psychopathology and with specific disorders after accounting for the latent dimensions. We also examined gender differences in these associations. Method Data were drawn from a nationally representative survey of 34 653 US adults. Lifetime DSM-IV psychiatric disorders were assessed using the AUDADIS-IV. Physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect were assessed using validated measures. Analyses controlled for other childhood adversities and sociodemographics. Results The effects were fully mediated through the latent liability dimensions, with an impact on underlying liability levels to internalising and externalising psychopathology rather than specific psychiatric disorders. Important gender differences emerged with physical abuse associated only with externalising liability in men, and only with internalising liability in women. Neglect was not significantly associated with latent liability levels. Conclusions The association between childhood maltreatment and common psychiatric disorders operates through latent liabilities to experience internalising and externalising psychopathology, indicating that the prevention of maltreatment may have a wide range of benefits in reducing the prevalence of many common mental disorders. Different forms of abuse have gender-specific consequences for the expression of internalising and externalising psychopathology, suggesting gender-specific aetiological pathways between maltreatment and psychopathology.
Delivering the Goods: Legislative Particularism in Different Electoral and Institutional Settings

We analyze a model of legislative particularism to understand how the provision of constituency service responds to variations in institutional and electoral environments. We show that increased partisan balance in the electorate, single-member districts, and independent executives all increase incentives for legislators to provide constituency service. The results of the model are consistent with existing comparative-institutional empirical observations. Moreover, the model addresses over time trends in the United States that are not explained by existing models and yields novel hypotheses that are amenable to empirical evaluation.
Impact of Flower Standing Crop and Pollinator Movement on Alfalfa Seed Yield

For agricultural crops that depend on pollination, the impact of flower abundance and pollinator movement on seed or fruit yield is of economic importance, and may have implications for crop and pollinator management. Using alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. (Leguminosae), I tested the hypothesis that seed set is lower when standing crop of open flowers is high than when standing crop is low. This could occur if pollinators move more among flowers on the same plant, causing self-pollination, when flowers are abundant. In a greenhouse experiment I compared seed set for 3 simulated pollinator movement patterns between flowers on the same versus different plants, under the 2 standing crop regimes generated by varying the number of flowers hand-pollinated each day. Treatments maximized, minimized, and were intermediate in movement between flowers on different plants. Significantly more seeds were produced per pod when flower standing crop was low than when standing crop was high. I hypothesized that movement pattern would have a greater effect when standing crop was high rather than low. Despite a trend in the expected direction, this interaction was not significant. Field observations of within versus between plant movement of the pollinator, Megachile rotundata (F.) (Megachilidae), indicated that the bees visit more flowers per raceme when standing crop is high than when standing crop is low. In a series of hand pollinations among flowers on the same plant, seeds per pollination decreased between the 1st flowers pollinated and later flowers pollinated in succession. Alfalfa may yield less seed when flowers are abundant, suggesting that early introduction of bees into alfalfa seed fields is desirable to maintain a low flower standing crop.
International Entrepreneurship Leveraging Internal and External Knowledge Sources

International knowledge is a key intangible resource for international entrepreneurship. Yet, given the liabilities of newness and foreignness, how do new ventures obtain international knowledge? In this study, we draw on the knowledge-based view to investigate both internal and external sources of international knowledge for 206 new ventures. The fi ndings suggest international knowledge may be sourced externally, including from alliance partners, venture capital fi rms, and fi rms in close proximity. Interestingly, and contrary to absorptive capacity arguments, new ventures with limited internationally experienced top management teams benefi ted most from external international knowledge sources. Copyright © 2009 Strategic Management Society.
Red cell changes during storage.

Red blood cells can be stored in liquid suspension in approved additive solutions for periods up to 6 weeks with 0.4% hemolysis, 84% 24-h in vivo recovery, and normal subsequent survival of the cells that persist in the circulation for at least 24 h. However, while they are stored, the red cells undergo changes including the loss of adenosine triphosphate, diphosphoglycerate, and potassium, oxidative injury to proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, loss of shape and membrane, increased adhesiveness, decreased flexibility, reduced capillary flow, and decreased oxygen delivery. Deaths have been reported related to the high potassium and lysophospholipids, but are rare.
Vitamin D deficiency and muscle strength: are they related?

There have been several studies over the years that showed an association between reduced muscle strength or physical performance and low vitamin D status, that is low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels. Generally, these studies show that subjects in the lower quartile of serum 25OHD levels performed less well on physical testing compared with those in the upper quartile. Most studies involved elderly subjects, and it is not clear whether physical performance declines because of age or due to a deficiency of vitamin D.
Benefit-Cost Analysis: Its Relevance to Public Investment Decisions

What is the problem? 208. â€” Have benefits been overestimated? 211. â€” How did we get to where we are? 212. â€” What changes in welfare economics theory are needed? 213. â€” What is the evidence that trade-offs can be determined? 218. â€”The lesson, 225.
Through thick and thin: Cryptic sympatric speciation in the submersed genus Najas (Hydrocharitaceae)

Cryptic sympatric species arise when reproductive isolation is established in sympatry, leading to genetically divergent lineages that are highly similar morphologically or virtually indistinguishable. Although cryptic sympatric species have been reported in various animals, fungi, and protists, there are few compelling examples for plants. This investigation presents a case for cryptic sympatric speciation in Najas flexilis, a widespread aquatic plant, which extends throughout northern North America and Eurasia. The taxon is noted for its variable seed morphology, which earlier research associated with cytotypes; i.e., diploids were characterized by thicker seeds and tetraploids by thinner seeds. However, cytotypes are not patterned geographically with diploid and tetraploid plants often found in close proximity within the same lake. Using digital image and DNA sequence analyses, we found that diploids and tetraploids are well-isolated and remain genetically distinct throughout their sympatric range, where sterile hybrids occur frequently. Incorporation of sequence data from the single-copy nuclear phytoene desaturase locus revealed further that the tetraploids are allopolyploid derivatives of N. flexilis and N. guadalupensis, the latter a closely related species with an overlapping distribution. We conclude that the taxon widely known as N. flexilis actually comprises two cryptic, sibling species, which diverged in sympatry by interspecific hybridization and subsequent chromosomal isolation. By comparing seed morphology of type specimens, we associated the names N. flexilis and N. canadensis to the diploids and tetraploids respectively. Additionally, the narrowly restricted taxon known formerly as N. muenscheri is shown via morphological and genetic evidence to be synonymous with N. canadensis.
Urinary diversion: the physiological rationale for non-refluxing colonic conduits.

Summary In order to make an accurate comparison between ileal and colonic conduits, an ileal conduit was created from one kidney and a non-refluxing colonic conduit from the other kidney in 16 adult mongrel dogs. Colonic loops do not reflux, have equal resting pressures and rate of emptying when contrasted with ileal conduits, and carry a lower incidence of stomal complications. Colonic conduits respond more favourably to acute occlusion and produce a significantly lower rate of pyelonephritis at 3 months. These factors suggest that colonic conduits offer a definite advantage for long-term urinary diversion.
Incidence of Thrips and Tomato Spotted Wilt Tospovirus in Flue-Cured Tobacco Protected from Early Season Insect Pest Infestations

The relative impacts of early season thrips exclusion (cages) and thrips suppression (pesticides) on tomato spotted wilt (family Bunyaviridae, genus Tospovirus, TSW) Tospovirus infection in flue-cured tobacco, Nicotiana tobaccum L., were examined in field trials in 2001-2004. There were fewer TSW symptomatic plants when plants were covered by exclusion cages for 6 wk than when they were uncaged or caged for 2 or 4 wk after transplanting. Plant height, leaves per plant, and total leaf weight per plant were lower in TSW symptomatic plants compared with nonsymptomatic plants for the uncaged plus 2- and 4-wk caged duration treatments but not different when caged 6 wk. Weekly acephate (Orthene) foliar sprays for 2 or 4 wk after transplanting reduced thrips populations for up to 5 wk after transplanting, whereas the 6-wk sprays had lower thrips populations for up to 8 wk. TSW was lower in both the 4- and 6-wk acephate treatments than in the untreated. A tray drench application of imidacloprid (Admire) reduced thrips populations in early season plus lowered the percentage of TSW compared with no tray drench treatment. The tobacco thrips, Frankliniella fusca (Hinds), was the predominate thrips species on tobacco foliage, and 1.9-4.9% tested positive for nonstructural TSW protein. The imidacloprid tray drench treatment and 6-wk acephate foliar sprays had lower densities of the tobacco-adapted form of Myzus persicae (Sulzer). Suppressing early season thrips populations with foliar acephate or imidacloprid tray drench are management option that can effectively reduce the incidence of TSW in flue-cured tobacco plus suppress aphids.
Predicting Corporate Bankruptcy

This note describes a study of the important predictors of corporate bankruptcy. Twenty-four financial ratios for a paired sample of fifty healthy and bankrupt firms are provided. Students are asked to develop a predictive model of corporate bankruptcy using these data. A hold-out sample is used to test their predictions.
VO2 on-kinetics in isolated canine muscle in situ during slowed convective O2 delivery

The purpose of this study was to examine O2 uptake (Vo2) on-kinetics when the spontaneous blood flow (and therefore O2 delivery) on-response was slowed by 25 and 50 s. The isolated gastrocnemius m...
Functional and genetic screening of acute myeloid leukemia associated with mediastinal germ cell tumor identifies MEK inhibitor as an active clinical agent

Background Hematologic malignancies arising in the setting of established germ cell tumors have been previously described and have a dismal prognosis. Identification of targetable mutations and pathway dysregulation through massively parallel sequencing and functional assays provides new approaches to disease management.
Stimulation of Eclosion of Adult Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Phycitidae) with Carbon Dioxide

Although carbon dioxide (CO2) is commonly used as an anesthetic for insects, its side effects are not completely understood. Behavioral or physiological alterations caused by exposure to CO2 have been reported in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) (Brooks 1957, 1965), and the house cricket, Acheta domesticus (L.) (Edwards and Patton 1965). In lepidopterous insects, CO2 has been shown to reduce: (1) mating frequency and oviposition in the female Mediterranean flour moth, Anagasta kuchniella (Zeller) (Janisch 1924); (2) mating frequency in the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner) (Shorey 1964); (3) male responsiveness to the female sex pheromone in the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (HA¼bner), (Whisenant and Brady 1967); (4) and egg production and hatchability in P. interpunctella (Lum and Flaherty 1972).
Advancements in Eco-friendly Lubricants for Tribological Applications: Past, Present, and Future

This chapter highlights the evolution of eco-friendly lubricants derived from natural oils and fats to green lamellar solid additives to a new class of “greener” functional fluids known as room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). The attraction to these bio-based lubricants began with vegetable oils due to their low friction and wear properties. These superior tribological characteristics are a result of their chemical composition of triacylglycerol molecules made up of esters derived from glycerol and long chains of polar fatty acids. It is these fatty acids within the natural oils that establish monolayers that enable high lubricity in boundary-lubricated regimes. Despite these accolades, vegetable oils suffer from thermal-oxidative instability, high pour points, and inconsistent chemical compositions. To improve upon the tribological properties, vegetable oils were subjected to additives such as lamellar solid powders to establish more resilient transfer layers to mitigate wear and surface damage. Currently, RTIL lubricants derived from bio-based feedstock represent a promising potential solution to many of the problems associated with previous eco-friendly lubricants. An investigation into RTILs begins with a discussion on the history of ionic liquids and an assessment on their tribological properties. The chapter also includes a case study on the use of RTILs as additives in vegetable oils and as neat lubricants as well as exploring the effects of cation-anion moiety exchange within ionic liquids themselves. Ultimately, the RTILs are compared to more traditional bio-based lubricants for their tribological performance as a new class of eco-friendly lubricants and their potential as a future lubrication technology.
The Frequency of Heterozygosity for S and C Hemoglobins in Western Pennsylvania

The frequency of AS and AC type hemoglobin was studied by hemoglobin electrophoresis in 26,882 residents of Western Pennsylvania. In the black population, the frequency of S trait was estimated at 7.4% and the frequency of C trait at 1.8%. Reasons for variation in frequency from one to another subpopulation are discussed. The frequency of S and C trait was independent of age, suggesting little or no mortality can be attributed to these traits. Sickle trait was no more common in outpatients than in the general population, suggesting little or no significant trait-associated morbidity.
Mapping the Mandibular Lingula in Pierre Robin Sequence: A Guide to the Inverted-L Osteotomy.

Background and purpose The inverted-L osteotomy for mandibular distraction in Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) is a useful technique for avoiding injury to the tooth root and inferior alveolar nerve. Identification of the lingula is understudied and may decrease iatrogenic complications. This study aims to map the position of the lingula in the micrognathic mandible and compare the location of the lingula in relative normal mandible. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of symptomatic PRS patients. Three-dimensional CT scans were reviewed and the relative lingula position described. Results The study includes 11 PRS patients and 4 controls. The average measurements were overjet 9.99 (PRS) versus 4.28 mm (control) (P = 0.001), vertical ramus height 16.05 versus 23.04 mm (P = 0.003), and width 15.16 versus 20.67 mm (P = 003); horizontal ramus length 26.58 versus 40.62 mm (P = 0.001), gonial angle 132.64° versus 123.5° (P = 0.018); horizontal lingula position 7.25 versus 10.75 mm (P = 0.001), vertical position 9.02 versus 11.34 mm (P = 0.026). The ratio along the x-axis in PRS was 0.44 versus 0.52 in controls (P = 0.138); along the y-axis, the ratio was 0.57 versus 0.49 (P = 0.078). Conclusions Compared to normal controls, overjet is greater, vertical ramus height and widths are lesser, horizontal ramus length is lesser, and the gonial angle is greater in PRS patients. When analyzed as proportions along the height and width of the vertical ramus, there is no statistical difference (P > 0.05) in the position of the lingula between PRS patients and normal controls.
Bedside percutaneous tracheostomy in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Tracheostomy tube insertion is periodically performed when patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) require prolonged mechanical ventilation. In this population, bedside percutaneous tracheostomy may be a better technique than conventional operating room tracheostomy because it reduces procedural cost, requires no patient transport, and requires few sharp instruments, thereby potentially decreasing risk to surgical staff. A retrospective review was conducted in the Department of Medical Records at St. Vincents Hospital and Medical Center of New York City. Nine consecutive patients diagnosed with AIDS and undergoing percutaneous tracheostomy from January 1, 1992, to December 31, 1996, were identified. All patients were males (mean age 32.1 +/- 4 years, CD4 count average 145) and were ventilator-dependent for mean of 24 +/- 3 days. The procedure was successful and without complications in all patients. Follow-up was 27 months (range 1-42 months) and in-hospital mortality was 77 per cent. The average length of survival for those patients who died in the hospital was 29 days (range, 3-120). Two patients survived the hospitalization after undergoing decannulation on postoperative days 29 and 52, respectively. Despite the poor prognosis after tracheostomy in patients with AIDS this procedure allows better oral care and may improve patient comfort. Bedside percutaneous tracheostomy can be performed with less risk to surgical personnel and patient when compared to conventional surgery. This minimally invasive procedure safely and efficiently provides prolonged tracheal access in patients with AIDS.
Degradable acetalated dextran microparticles for tunable release of an engineered hepatocyte growth factor fragment.

Injectable biomaterials are promising as new therapies to treat myocardial infarction (MI). One useful property of biomaterials is the ability to protect and sustain the release of therapeutic payloads. In order to create a platform for optimizing the release rate of cardioprotective molecules, we utilized the tunable degradation of acetalated dextran (AcDex). We created microparticles with three distinct degradation profiles and showed that the consequent protein release profiles could be modulated within the infarcted heart. This enabled us to determine how delivery rate impacted the efficacy of a model therapeutic, an engineered hepatocyte growth factor fragment (HGF-f). Our results showed that the cardioprotective efficacy of HGF-f was optimal when delivered over 3 days postintramyocardial injection, yielding the largest arterioles, fewest apoptotic cardiomyocytes bordering the infarct, and the smallest infarcts compared to that of empty particle treatment 4 weeks after injection. This work demonstrat...
Economics of tobacco consumption

Consumption of tobacco products underlies one of history’s largest and most profitable economic activities. As a consequence, debates about tobacco policy frequently focus on the economic implications of tobacco consumption. To defend its sale of tobacco products, the tobacco industry regularly publicizes its contributions to a country’s economy. The industry’s purpose is to convince governmental authorities that adopting policies designed to reduce tobacco product consumption will result in potentially disastrous economic dislocation. The health community responds by emphasizing the massive costs of medical treatment of tobacco-produced diseases and productivity losses associated with tobacco-related disease and death. Each side’s argument sounds compelling, yet each is, in effect, only a half-truth. In this paper, I examine the basis of each argument and considers its limitations. I also discuss how differences in the economic status and history of tobacco consumption in a country influence each argument.
Changing the Culture of Child Rights Through Education

Human rights education has the potential to change the way we think, behave, and treat one another. Thus, our pedagogy shifts to a more dignity-honoring, personally-empowered format when we incorporate a human rights perspective from top-down as well as a bottom-up approach. Educating young people about their rights is part of the mandate of the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). This chapter focuses on a case study in which a human rights approach is undertaken to change the culture of child rights in the state of Massachusetts. It shows how the intersection between: (a) teaching style; (b) learning approaches; and (c) community climate can lead to the creation of a human rights embracing culture. It also provides suggestions on strategies and techniques for implementing child rights education.
A mobile agent-based coalition formation system for multi-robot systems

This paper presents a bio-inspired mobile agent-based coalition formation system for recruiting modular robots into different teams. A mathematical model for the coalition formation problem is described in this article. A mobile agent-based system is presented to solve the problem described. The system aims at bridging the gap between theory and practice in robots coalition formation. With this system, it is able to recruit a large scale of robots into many different groups effectively and efficiently for a variety of applications, such as parallel performance of multiple tasks by multiple teams of robots. Unlike the centralized system, each robot will make its own decision based on the ant-colony algorithm to guarantee the global coalition formation efficiency. Also, due to the benefits of the mobile agent technology, the system has a high flexibility to integrate and adopt various algorithms to meet different requirements of robot recruitment. An overall system architecture and implementation details are presented in the article, as well as a coalition formation example to show the properties of the system.
Structure and Function of Ligaments, Tendons, and Joint Capsule

For vertebrates to achieve locomotion and to hurl objects efficiently, they must be able to develop muscular forces, store elastic energy in tendon, and then transfer this energy to the attached joints. After joint movement has been achieved, excess energy dissipates by reverse transmission from the joint to the muscle-tendon unit, where it is dissipated in the muscle. Locomotion and joint movement are the result of the coordinated development of muscle forces that are transmitted to bone using the tendon. However, although muscle can generate force, the tendon stores most of the muscular force as work (1). The tendon not only transmits the developed muscular force to the bone, but it also acts as an energy storage device (2,3). Elastic energy is stored in the tendon through reversible stretching of collagen molecules (3). Consequently, the muscle—tendon unit produces energy that is transferred to the joint. Energy stored in the joint is used for movement, and also leads to joint deformation. Ligaments and the capsule attached to the joint function to seal the joint space and to provide passive stability by limiting movement. Thus, energy generated by the muscle-tendon unit is used for movement, and it is stored during ligament and capsule deformation. The energy stored during ligament and capsule deformation is then transferred back to the muscle through the tendon, where it dissipates as heat.
Vitamin D Clinical Relevance in the Recovery From Traumatic Brain Injury Among the Military Population

This thesis has also been disseminated through the University of Central Florida STARS, https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses/97/. The author still retains copyright.
Participatory Critical Rhetoric: Theoretical and Methodological Foundations for Studying Rhetoric In Situ

As rhetoricians have increasingly begun to analyze rhetoric in situ—from “the field” rather than from an existing text—many scholars have been starting from scratch to identify how such work is rhe...
RNA Sequencing Identifies New RNase III Cleavage Sites in Escherichia coli and Reveals Increased Regulation of mRNA.

ABSTRACT Ribonucleases facilitate rapid turnover of RNA, providing cells with another mechanism to adjust transcript and protein levels in response to environmental conditions. While many examples have been documented, a comprehensive list of RNase targets is not available. To address this knowledge gap, we compared levels of RNA sequencing coverage of Escherichia coli and a corresponding RNase III mutant to expand the list of known RNase III targets. RNase III is a widespread endoribonuclease that binds and cleaves double-stranded RNA in many critical transcripts. RNase III cleavage at novel sites found in aceEF, proP, tnaC, dctA, pheM, sdhC, yhhQ, glpT, aceK, and gluQ accelerated RNA decay, consistent with previously described targets wherein RNase III cleavage initiates rapid degradation of secondary messages by other RNases. In contrast, cleavage at three novel sites in the ahpF, pflB, and yajQ transcripts led to stabilized secondary transcripts. Two other novel sites in hisL and pheM overlapped with transcriptional attenuators that likely serve to ensure turnover of these highly structured RNAs. Many of the new RNase III target sites are located on transcripts encoding metabolic enzymes. For instance, two novel RNase III sites are located within transcripts encoding enzymes near a key metabolic node connecting glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Pyruvate dehydrogenase activity was increased in an rnc deletion mutant compared to the wild-type (WT) strain in early stationary phase, confirming the novel link between RNA turnover and regulation of pathway activity. Identification of these novel sites suggests that mRNA turnover may be an underappreciated mode of regulating metabolism. IMPORTANCE The concerted action and overlapping functions of endoribonucleases, exoribonucleases, and RNA processing enzymes complicate the study of global RNA turnover and recycling of specific transcripts. More information about RNase specificity and activity is needed to make predictions of transcript half-life and to design synthetic transcripts with optimal stability. RNase III does not have a conserved target sequence but instead recognizes RNA secondary structure. Prior to this study, only a few RNase III target sites in E. coli were known, so we used RNA sequencing to provide a more comprehensive list of cleavage sites and to examine the impact of RNase III on transcript degradation. With this added information on how RNase III participates in transcript regulation and recycling, a more complete picture of RNA turnover can be developed for E. coli. Similar approaches could be used to augment our understanding of RNA turnover in other bacteria.
Progranulin regulates neurogenesis in the developing vertebrate retina

We evaluated the expression and function of the microglia-specific growth factor, Progranulin-a (Pgrn-a) during developmental neurogenesis in the embryonic retina of zebrafish. At 24 hpf pgrn-a is expressed throughout the forebrain, but by 48 hpf pgrn-a is exclusively expressed by microglia and/or microglial precursors within the brain and retina. Knockdown of Pgrn-a does not alter the onset of neurogenic programs or increase cell death, however, in its absence, neurogenesis is significantly delayed-retinal progenitors fail to exit the cell cycle at the appropriate developmental time and postmitotic cells do not acquire markers of terminal differentiation, and microglial precursors do not colonize the retina. Given the link between Progranulin and cell cycle regulation in peripheral tissues and transformed cells, we analyzed cell cycle kinetics among retinal progenitors following Pgrn-a knockdown. Depleting Pgrn-a results in a significant lengthening of the cell cycle. These data suggest that Pgrn-a plays a dual role during nervous system development by governing the rate at which progenitors progress through the cell cycle and attracting microglial progenitors into the embryonic brain and retina. Collectively, these data show that Pgrn-a governs neurogenesis by regulating cell cycle kinetics and the transition from proliferation to cell cycle exit and differentiation. © 2017 The Authors. Developmental Neurobiology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 1114-1129, 2017.
Respiratory Health Benefits and Risks of Living at Moderate Altitude.

Abstract Grissom, Colin K., Barbara E. Jones. Respiratory health benefits and risks of living at moderate altitude. High Alt Med Biol 00:000–000, 2017.—The respiratory system plays a critical role in the series of physiologic responses that occur at high altitude and allows individuals to adapt to and tolerate hypobaric hypoxia. Persons with underlying lung disease may have complications, but sometimes derive benefits, related to residence at high altitude. This review will focus on health benefits and risks of patients with underlying asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary hypertension, or obstructive sleep apnea, who live at altitudes of 1500 to 4500 m. We will also discuss maladaptive responses of the respiratory system at high altitude in previously healthy persons, including development of pulmonary hypertension and sleep-disordered breathing.
SFAB: Spectrum Fragment Agile Broadcast in Cognitive Radio Networks

To improve spectrum utilization, cognitive radio (CR) is introduced to detect and exploit available spectrum resources autonomously. The flexible spectrum use imposes special challenges on broadcast because different CR devices may have different available spectrum fragments at different locations. The transmitter and the receivers have to agree on spectrum fragments that will be used for broadcast. There may not exist a common spectrum fragment that is available to all receivers. Most existing work assumes that a device operates only in a single channel and thus the sender has to broadcast multiple times in different channels to reach all receivers. The broadcast problem is studied as a channel rendezvous and minimum latency scheduling problem. Recent spectrum-agile designs have enabled a device to utilize partially occupied spectrum. We thus view a wideband channel as an aggregation of multiple narrow channels that can be evaluated independently. A spectrum fragment agile broadcast (SFAB) scheme is introduced in this paper to support efficient broadcast on fragmented spectrum. It aims at achieving spectrum agreement between the transmitter and the receivers efficiently and maximizing the channel width used for broadcast regardless of the spectrum availability differences at receivers. We validate the effectiveness of SFAB through implementation on the GNU Radio/USRP platform and use ns-2 simulations to evaluate the performance in large deployments.
Punk and Revolution: 7 More Interpretations of Peruvian Reality by Shane Greene

Greene, Shane. Punk and Revolution: 7 More Interpretations of Peruvian Reality . Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2016. Review by Ana Torres.
Randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a dyadic yoga program for lung cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and their family caregivers.

125Background: Thoracic radiation (RT) is associated with respiratory toxicities, which may reduce patients’ physical performance and their overall quality of life (QOL). Yoga therapy may buffer against disease and treatment-related sequelae. The purpose of this RCT is to establish feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a yoga intervention. Because family caregivers also report symptom burden (e.g., distress, sleep disturbances) we included them as active participants in this trial. Methods: Non-small cell lung cancer patients undergoing RT and their caregivers were randomized to a 15-session yoga or a waitlist control (WLC) group. Prior to RT initiation and randomization, both groups completed measures of QOL (SF-36 domains). Patients also completed the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) to measure physical performance. Dyads were reassessed at the last day of RT and then 3 months later. Results: We approached 47 eligible dyads of which 32 (68%) consented and 26 (81%) completed all assessments. Patients (mean ag...