cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
End-of-day reports of daily hassles and stress in men and women with opioid-use disorder: Relationship to momentary reports of opioid and cocaine use and stress.

Abstract Background and aims Stress can be validly assessed “live” or by a summary evaluation of the very recent past. Using smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) combined with end-of-day (EOD) entries, we assessed the association between daily hassles, stressful events and use of opioids and cocaine, in opioid- and cocaine-using men and women. Methods For up to 16 weeks, 161 outpatients in opioid-agonist treatment who reported cigarette smoking carried smartphones on which they reported stressful events (SEs) and drug use (DU) and completed an EOD questionnaire to report hassles encountered throughout the day, current perceived stress, cigarettes/day, and current mood. We compared EOD responses on days with and without SE and DU reports and on days when thrice-weekly urine drug screens indicated opioid or cocaine use or abstinence. Results Participants (N = 161) made 11,544 EOD entries; EMA SEs were reported on 861 (7.5%) days, and DUs on 1685 (14.6%) days. The most frequently reported hassles in EOD entries were “not enough money” (31.4% of daily reports) and maintaining abstinence (18.7%). Total EOD hassles showed small but statistically significant associations [odds ratios (95% CIs)] with EMA SEs [1.09 (1.06–1.13)], DUs [1.08 (1.06–1.10)], and urine-positive opioid [1.06 (1.04–1.09)] and cocaine [1.03 (1.00–1.06)] results. Men and women had similar rates (mean/day (SD)) of hassles: men 2.25 (3.55); women 2.55 (3.76) (F1,159 = 0.53, p = 0.47). Conclusions Daily hassles, reported at the end of the day, are associated with both same-day stressful events and drug use. Monitoring hassles and devising specific coping strategies might be useful therapeutic targets.
Large incidental gastrointestinal stromal tumors in a patient presenting with acutely symptomatic nephrolithiasis: A case report

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms, representing approximately 1%-2% of all primary gastrointestinal malignancies. Incidental GISTs are often less than 1 cm when discovered and have been reported predominantly in obese patients undergoing surgery for other medical indications. We present the rare case of a large incidental GIST in a nonobese patient with acutely symptomatic nephrolithiasis. Large GISTs may be treated with neoadjuvant imatinib mesylate to reduce tumor size prior to surgery, though some tumors may experience little change in size despite effective treatment. Treatment response for GISTs can be monitored via imaging studies, such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, but computed tomography is generally preferred over magnetic resonance imaging.
ctDNA and copy-number variant quantification in mCRPC at the time of progression.

265Background: Tumor burden is a prognostic biomarker in cancer; however, in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), quantification of tumor burden markers is difficult. Circulatin...
The UK Gangs Thesis Debate: Towards a Critical Realism of Gangs

The chapter explores the UK Gangs Thesis debate between Pitts and Hallsworth in terms of ontology, epistemology and methodology in order to propose a more nuanced treatise in thinking about gangs, that of critical-realism. The chapter further analyses the use of Bordieu in analysing gangs (Pitts 2011; Harding 2014) and argues that this type of analysis can be likened to a prelude to a response to reduce gang related harms if Habermas’s normative theory of communicative action is considered. The chapter highlights Habermas’s ideas of the “moral sphere” which is orientated towards socially just out-comes and evaluates Pitts’ application of habitus as a framework for social change and harm reduction from gangs. The chapter concludes that the problem with current thinking about gangs is that it is partial. If we are to address the serious issue of gang related violence and its detrimental effects on relatively deprived communities we need to develop an approach, which analyses both the meaningful actions of young people who offend in groups as well as providing a critique to the reactions to them in order to develop harm reduction strategies and practices.
An Approximation Algorithm for training One-Node ReLU Neural Network

Training a one-node neural network with ReLU activation function (One-Node-ReLU) is a fundamental optimization problem in deep learning. In this paper, we begin with proving the NP-hardness of training One-Node-ReLU. We then present an approximation algorithm to solve One-Node-ReLU whose running time is $\mathcal{O}(n^k)$ where $n$ is the number of samples, $k$ is a predefined integral constant. Except $k$, this algorithm does not require pre-processing or tuning of parameters. We analyze the performance of this algorithm under various regimes. First, given any arbitrary set of training sample data set, we show that the algorithm guarantees a $\frac{n}{k}$-approximation for training One-Node-ReLU problem. As a consequence, in the realizable case (i.e. when the training error is zero), this approximation algorithm achieves the global optimal solution for the One-Node-ReLU problem. Second, we assume that the training sample data is obtained from an underlying one-node neural network with ReLU activation function, where the output is perturbed by a Gaussian noise. In this regime, we show that the same approximation algorithm guarantees a much better asymptotic approximation ratio which is independent of the number of samples $n$. Finally, we conduct extensive empirical studies and arrive at two conclusions. One, the approximation algorithm together with some heuristic performs better than gradient descent algorithm. Two, the solution of the approximation algorithm can be used as starting point for gradient descent -- a combination that works significantly better than gradient descent.
Network Traffic Anomaly Detection based on Viterbi Algorithm Using SNMP MIB Data

With the growing number of attacks and malicious threats on the Internet services and network infrastructures, the need for techniques to identify and detect attacks is increasing. One of the most critical attack for cyber security and serious security threat to Internet services in recent years is Denial of Service (DoS). Therefore, using machine learning techniques along traditional security mechanisms such as firewall and cryptography, can improve the performance of intrusion detection systems (IDSs). This research paper introduces an approach using Hidden Markov Model (HMM) based on Viterbi algorithm for detecting anomalies on SNMP MIB dataset, and compares it to two classification algorithms: Adaboost M1 and Naive Bayes algorithm. The obtained results show HMM based on Viterbi algorithm found effective and achieved great results in detecting the attacks with a high detection rate.
Atomically Thin Metal Sulfides.

We developed a method to colloidally synthesize atomically thin metal sulfides (ATMS). Unlike conventional 2D systems such as MoS2 and graphene, none of the systems developed here are inherently la...
Comparison and Cultural Review of Biosphere Modeling Using Foliar Uptake of Technetium-99 in Radishes

Biosphere models predict the transport of radionuclides in the environment with an end goal of assessing the possible risk to humans. Little data exists to support these mathematical biosphere models. The objectives of this work were to verify foliar uptake in biosphere models using experimental data, compare existing biosphere models based on cultural differences, and contributing new values to the literature. Radishes were grown and their leaves were contaminated by a single deposition of technetium-99 to assess the amount of radionuclides transferred to the roots. Liquid scintillation counting was used to determine the radioactivity of the samples at harvest. The radish roots had concentrations between 0 and 500 Bq/g which was on the same order of magnitude as the ANDRA and EPRI model predictions. The Studsvik model prediction was three orders of magnitude higher than the experimental values and was not confirmed. The EPRI, ANDRA, JGC and Studsvik models were compared and contrasted based on location, diet, and construction which led to differences in dose predictions of 0-70 Sv/y.
Cotton alpha-globulin promoter: isolation and functional characterization in transgenic cotton, Arabidopsis, and tobacco.

Globulins are the most abundant seed storage proteins in cotton and, therefore, their regulatory sequences could potentially provide a good source of seed-specific promoters. We isolated the putative promoter region of cotton α-globulin B gene by gene walking using the primers designed from a cotton staged embryo cDNA clone. PCR amplified fragment of 1108 bp upstream sequences was fused to gusA gene in the binary vector pBI101.3 to create the test construct. This was used to study the expression pattern of the putative promoter region in transgenic cotton, Arabidopsis, and tobacco. Histochemical GUS analysis revealed that the promoter began to express during the torpedo stage of seed development in tobacco and Arabidopsis, and during cotyledon expansion stage in cotton. The activity quickly increased until embryo maturation in all three species. Fluorometric GUS analysis showed that the promoter expression started at 12 and 15 dpa in tobacco and cotton, respectively, and increased through seed maturation. The strength of the promoter expression, as reflected by average GUS activity in the seeds from primary transgenic plants, was vastly different amongst the three species tested. In Arabidopsis, the activity was 16.7% and in tobacco it was less than 1% of the levels detected in cotton seeds. In germinating seedlings of tobacco and Arabidopsis, GUS activity diminished until it was completely absent 10 days post imbibition. In addition, absence of detectable level of GUS expression in stem, leaf, root, pollen, and floral bud of transgenic cotton confirmed that the promoter is highly seed-specific. Analysis of GUS activity at individual seed level in cotton showed a gene dose effect reflecting their homozygous or hemizygous status. Our results show that this promoter is highly tissue-specific and it can be used to control transgene expression in dicot seeds.
Estimating the Effect of State-Level Stay-at-Home Orders

As fear of COVID-19 spread in early 2020, individuals began reducing their activity outside the home and governments adopted policies to slow the spread. With this in mind, I estimate the average effect of state-level stay-at-home orders on Google Mobility data while controlling for changes in the perceived risk of the pandemic over time. In general, I find that state-level stay-at-home orders appear to account for little of the observed change in activity.
Pressure Sensor Embedded Inductive Coil Toward a Wireless Pressure Sensing Stent

This paper reports the development of a wireless pressure sensing coil system by embedding a capacitive micro sensor onto a wire. The coil system, consisting of an inductor (coil itself) and multiple capacitors (sensors), formed a passive LC telemetry configuration for wireless sensing. The capacitive sensor, utilizing the movements of a liquid in a sealed chamber for hydraulic amplification, enabled high capacitance changes and amplified signal outputs. The capacitive sensor also produced digitized signal outputs as the liquid movement crossed a finite number of the interdigitated electrodes. Such characteristics were modeled and confirmed by establishing an equivalent fluidic circuit. The capacitive sensor was fabricated by grafting and polishing a copper wire piece on a silicon wafer, then performing standard microfabrication on the polished wire surface and filling a liquid into a sensor chamber. The fabricated pressure sensing coil system demonstrated a pressure sensitivity of 11.8 kHz/mmHg under a clinical pressure range of 0~206.9 mmHg in an ex vivo test with a water flowing tube, meeting the requirements for wireless detection of vessel restenosis. The sensitivity corresponded to the capacitance changes of 0.052 fF/mmHg and liquid displacement of $0.39~\mu \text{m}$ /mmHg. The fabricated coil system held a dimension of 2.5 mm in diameter and 7.2 mm in length in the form of a wound wire (copper, $260~\mu \text{m}$ in diameter). The embedded capacitive sensor consisted of a hydraulic chamber of $400\times 100\times 1 2\,\,\mu \text{m}^{3}$ and a microchannel of $500\times 20\times 1 2\,\,\mu \text{m}^{3}$ . [2020-0364]
Using a clinical prediction rule to prioritize diagnostic testing leads to reduced transmission and hospital burden: A modeling example of early SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: Prompt identification of infections is critical for slowing the spread of infectious diseases. However, diagnostic testing shortages are common in emerging diseases, low resource settings, and during outbreaks. This forces difficult decisions regarding who receives a test, often without knowing the implications of those decisions on population-level transmission dynamics. Clinical prediction rules (CPRs) are commonly used tools to guide clinical decisions. METHODS: Using early SARS-CoV-2 as an example, we used data from electronic health records to develop a parsimonious 5-variable CPR to identify those who are most likely to test positive. To consider the implications of gains in daily case detection at the population level, we incorporated testing using the CPR into a compartmentalized model of SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: We found that applying this CPR (AUC: 0.69 (95% CI: 0.68 - 0.70)) to prioritize testing increased the proportion of those testing positive in settings of limited testing capacity. We found that prioritized testing led to a delayed and lowered infection peak (i.e., "flattens the curve"), with the greatest impact at lower values of the effective reproductive number (such as with concurrent community mitigation efforts), and when higher proportions of infectious persons seek testing. Additionally, prioritized testing resulted in reductions in overall infections as well as hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) burden. CONCLUSION: We highlight the population-level benefits of evidence-based allocation of limited diagnostic capacity.
Wildfire smoke impacts on indoor air quality assessed using crowdsourced data in California

Wildfires have become an important source of particulate matter (PM2.5 < 2.5-µm diameter), leading to unhealthy air quality index occurrences in the western United States. Since people mainly shelter indoors during wildfire smoke events, the infiltration of wildfire PM2.5 into indoor environments is a key determinant of human exposure and is potentially controllable with appropriate awareness, infrastructure investment, and public education. Using time-resolved observations outside and inside more than 1,400 buildings from the crowdsourced PurpleAir sensor network in California, we found that the geometric mean infiltration ratios (indoor PM2.5 of outdoor origin/outdoor PM2.5) were reduced from 0.4 during non-fire days to 0.2 during wildfire days. Even with reduced infiltration, the mean indoor concentration of PM2.5 nearly tripled during wildfire events, with a lower infiltration in newer buildings and those utilizing air conditioning or filtration.
The 'Individual Mandate' in Constitutional Law: A Legal Brief for the Citizen

This short essay provides an overview of the major legal and constitutional issues involved in the individual requirement to maintain health insurance coverage as provided in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. It is written for non-lawyers and non-academics.
Transvenous Onyx Embolization of a Type D Carotid-Cavernous-Fistula: Operative Video.

Carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs) are acquired pathologic shunts between the carotid circulation and the cavernous sinus that result in venous congestion.1 They often present with ocular symptoms, such as chemosis, proptosis, and blurry vision. Cranial nerve deficits and increased intraocular pressure are often seen on the neuro-ophthalmologic examination.2 If left untreated, they can lead to cortical venous reflux and intracranial hemorrhage. A cerebral angiogram is the gold standard to diagnose these lesions. The hallmark of dural CCF is opacification of venous structures in the arterial phase of the angiogram. Dependent on carotid branches contributing to the fistula, 4 types are classically defined by Barrow et al.3 When the fistula is indirect (types B-D), the goal of treatment is obliteration via the transvenous route.4 We present the case of a patient who had chemosis and proptosis of the left eye with imaging findings concerning for dural CCF (Video 1). An informed consent was obtained and the patient underwent a cerebral angiogram and treatment of the CCF. In the operative video, we showcase the treatment of a type D CCF using transvenous embolization with Onyx (Covidien, Irvine, CA) and achieve angiographic cure of the fistula. We were able to use Onyx for embolization since the superselective injection did not show cortical venous drainage. This is important as obliteration of cortical veins with liquid embolisate could cause venous infarcts. To our knowledge, this is the first video article that illustrates the endovascular embolization of a CCF and highlights the angiographic findings pre- and post-embolization.
Effects of cutting speed and milling method on cutting forces, tool wear, tool life, and surface roughness in high-speed shell milling of Inconel 718 with coated carbide insert under emulsion flood cooling strategy

Inconel 718 use in aerospace and nuclear industries has gained wide interest due to the need to improve its machinability. This paper presents the results of experimental investigation of the effec...
Edge-assisted Collaborative Image Recognition for Mobile Augmented Reality

Mobile Augmented Reality (AR), which overlays digital content on the real-world scenes surrounding a user, is bringing immersive interactive experiences where the real and virtual worlds are tightl...
C wizard's programming reference

Partial table of contents: C LANGUAGE OVERVIEW C Objects Functions Structures C OPERATORS Primary Expression Operators Unary Operators Binary Operators PREPROCESSOR AND STATEMENT REFERENCE C Processor Directives Evaluation Order of Expressions Statements (non)STANDARD LIBRARY FILE I/O (non)Standard Library File I/O Function Portability Buffered vs Unbuffered I/O Mixing Levels of I/O on a File Appendixes Bibliography Index.
Formation and Implications of Alpha-Synuclein Radical in Maneb- and Paraquat-Induced Models of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons and motor deficits. Alpha-synuclein-containing aggregates represent a feature of a variety of neurodegenerative disorders, including PD; however, the mechanism that initiates and promotes intraneuronal alpha-synuclein aggregation remains unknown. We hypothesized protein radical formation as an initiating mechanism for alpha-synuclein aggregation. Therefore, we used the highly sensitive immuno-spin trapping technique to investigate protein radical formation as a possible mechanism of alpha-synuclein aggregation as well as to investigate the source of protein radical formation in the midbrains of Maneb- and paraquat-coexposed mice. Coexposure to Maneb and paraquat for 6 weeks resulted in active microgliosis, NADPH oxidase activation, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induction, which culminated in protein radical formation in the midbrains of mice. Results obtained with immuno-spin trapping and immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed formation of alpha-synuclein radicals in dopaminergic neurons of exposed mice. Free radical formation requires NADPH oxidase and iNOS, as indicated by decreased protein radical formation in knockout mice (P47phox(-/-) and iNOS(-/-)) and in mice treated with inhibitors such as FeTPPS (a peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst), 1400 W (an iNOS inhibitor), or apocynin (a NADPH oxidase inhibitor). Concurrence of protein radical formation with dopaminergic neuronal death indicated a link between protein radicals and disease progression. Taken together, these results show for the first time the formation and detection of the alpha-synuclein radical and suggest that NADPH oxidase and iNOS play roles in peroxynitrite-mediated protein radical formation and subsequent neuronal death in the midbrains of Maneb- and paraquat-coexposed mice.
The Peripheral Action of Thyroxine

Publisher Summary The mechanism of action of the thyroid hormone, or hormones, has interested investigators since the turn of the century, when the properties of the thyroid secretions first began to be appreciated. The problem was approached initially as it related to the whole animal or to specific organs or tissues; more recently extensive investigation has been conducted at the level of the cell and its constituents, in particular the subcellular particles and certain enzymes. The physiological effects of the thyroid secretions in mammals appear to be well established. There is, however, no general agreement on the structure of the molecule responsible for hormonal activity in the peripheral tissues, nor on the exact mechanism of action at the subcellular level. This chapter concerns itself with the current status of these two problems as they apply to mammals.
Efficiency improvement in polycrystalline silicon solar cell with grooved surface

A surface grooving technique for realizing uniform low reflectance over polycrystalline silicon substrates has been developed. Lower surface reflectance is obtained by the adoption of a double-layer antireflection coating. The highest conversion efficiency has been achieved for a 10 cm-square polycrystalline silicon solar cell with a double-layer antireflection coating formed on the grooved surface. >
Treating problem behaviors maintained by negative reinforcement

The examination of controlling contingencies in an analysis of problem behavior has been an important clinical topic of discussion in the field of developmental disabilities for many years. We know that problem behavior may be maintained by positive reinforcement or by negative reinforcement. From a clinical perspective, we seem to know more about behavioral techniques that are used when the problem behavior is maintained by positive reinforcement that we understand about those techniques that may be applied when a problem behavior is maintained by negative reinforcement. In this paper, we identify four treatment techniques that may be applied when problem; behavior is maintained by negative reinforcement: (a) functional communication training; (b) behavioral momentum; (c) differential reinforcement or an alternative escape behavior; and (d) errorless learning. Each of the four techniques will be defined, applications and guidelines for use delineated.
Graphical representations of engineering design behavior

Engineering design is a necessary skill for all graduating engineers. As educators, we must develop ways to represent engineering design behavior that allow us to assess alternative methods of teaching design. Using verbal protocol analysis, we are able to document and analyze student design processes. When analyzed, design process data reveal differences in student approaches and allow researchers to make comparisons across students. Here, we present alternative methods of displaying design process data from verbal protocols and discuss the types of analyses that are possible from each representation.
Wireless Control with Bluetooth

This chapter introduces and summarizes the specifications of the Bluetooth wireless protocol and is intended for control engineers wanting to implement Bluetooth networking. It explains the basics of forming connections and networks in the context of a control application. The chapter also includes specific examples and a list of useful resources and methods of acquiring more information about Bluetooth.
Osteoid osteoma of the jaws. Report of a case.

Abstract It was worthy of note that many similarities existed between the osteoid osteomas of the jaws and those found in much more favored sites, such as the femur, tibia, etc. The jaw lesions attained the usual expected size of 1 cm. in diameter. If conclusions can be drawn from such a small number of cases, it appeared that it was not rare for a nidus to appear as an area of increased density or obvious radiopacity. There were no outward clinical signs of inflammation except swelling, although in none of the reported jaw cases were bacteriologic tests employed. As all of these lesions were treated surgically, no comments concerning spontaneous regression of the jaw lesions can be made at this time. Pain, usually dull and boring and accentuated by tenderness, was the most common clinical symptom motivating treatment. The ability of osteoid osteoma to refer pain to adjacent structures should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplainable pain in the maxilla and mandible. Adequate local surgical excision of the nidus was the preferred method of treatment. The use of radiation therapy was discouraged in several studies. We are in agreement with those who believe that radiation should not be used in the treatment of osteoid osteoma. We are not certain as to the exact nature of this lesion, but we will agree with its classification as an entity distinct from benign osteoblastoma, embryonal remnants, or a form of bone abscess or osteomyelitis. Certain fibro-osseous lesions, such as ossifying fibroma and fibrous dysplasia, should not be confused with osteoid osteoma, since they are asymptomatic, grow to a large size, cause displacement of teeth, and lack a nidus. Various stages of cementoma may mimic the roentgenographic appearance of osteoid osteoma; however, multiplicity of sites, association with the apices of teeth, and absence of pain or tenderness would distinguish the cementoma from the osteoid osteoma. It is obvious that the small number of reported cases of osteoid osteoma in the mandible and maxilla prohibits any lasting deductions concerning this lesion's behavior in the jaws. It is not unreasonable to assume that its occurrence in these areas is more common than the literature would indicate, and it is hoped that the dentist's awareness of it will result in additional cases being reported in the literature.
A closure hypothesis for the hierarchy of equations for turbulent probability distribution functions

The hierarchy of equations for turbulent probability distribution functions is closed by relating the three point distribution function to lower order distribution functions. The theory is applied to isotropic, homogeneous turbulence at large wave number giving a nonlinear integral equation for the correlation function at small separation. The Kolmogorov spectrum is found in the inertial range and the Kolmogorov constant is determined.
Machine Reading at the University of Washington

Machine reading is a long-standing goal of AI and NLP. In recent years, tremendous progress has been made in developing machine learning approaches for many of its subtasks such as parsing, information extraction, and question answering. However, existing end-to-end solutions typically require substantial amount of human efforts (e.g., labeled data and/or manual engineering), and are not well poised for Web-scale knowledge acquisition. In this paper, we propose a unifying approach for machine reading by bootstrapping from the easiest extractable knowledge and conquering the long tail via a self-supervised learning process. This self-supervision is powered by joint inference based on Markov logic, and is made scalable by leveraging hierarchical structures and coarse-to-fine inference. Researchers at the University of Washington have taken the first steps in this direction. Our existing work explores the wide spectrum of this vision and shows its promise.
Extraction of cadmium from industrial phosphoric acid with chelating agents

Abstract Six commercially available chelating agents were studied as candidates for extraction of cadmium ion in phosphoric acid. The most effective (Duraphos APO 153) was tried with industrial‐grade phosphoric acid, but without success. The failure is ascribed to the hypothesis that industrial‐grade acid contains humic substances and that these materials retain the cadmium and prevent interaction with chelating agents. The hypothesis is supported by the reported failure to remove iron in industrial‐grade acid using ion‐exchange resins.
DETECTING NOISY INSTANCES WITH THE ENSEMBLE FILTER: A STUDY IN SOFTWARE QUALITY ESTIMATION

The performance of a classification model is invariably affected by the characteristics of the measurement data it is built upon. If the quality of the data is generally poor, then the classification model will demonstrate poor performance. The detection and removal of noisy instances will improve quality of the data, and consequently, the performance of the classification model. We investigate a noise handling technique that attempts to improve the quality of datasets for classification purposes by eliminating instances that are likely to be noise. Our approach uses twenty five different classification techniques to create an ensemble filter for eliminating likely noise. The basic assumption is that if a given majority of classifiers in the ensemble misclassify an instance, then it is likely to be a noisy instance. Using a relatively large number of base-level classifiers in the ensemble filter facilitates in achieving the desired level of noise removal conservativeness with several possible levels of filtering. It also provides a higher degree of confidence in the noise elimination procedure as the results are less likely to get influenced by (possibly) inappropriate learning bias of a few algorithms with twenty five base-level classifiers than with relatively smaller number of base-level classifiers. Empirical case studies of two high assurance software projects demonstrates the effectiveness of our noise elimination approach by the significant improvement achieved in classification accuracies at various levels of noise filtering.
Factors affecting the cation requirement of a halophilic NADH dehydrogenase.

Cation concentration requirement of halophilic NADH dehydrogenase for stability and maximum activity
Functionalization of rho-ZMOF with photosensitizers for singlet oxygen generation

Abstract Here we report the functionalization of a zeolite-like-metal organic framework of RHO topology with two cationic photosensitizers, methylene blue (MB + ) and phenosafranine (PS + ). The spectroscopic properties of encapsulated MB + are strongly influenced by host–guest interactions. At low MB + loading levels, the photo-sensitizer remains monomeric and exhibits absorption and emission spectra that are red-shifted with respect to MB + spectra in aqueous solution. Strong interactions between MB + and the framework are clearly evident from the long fluorescence lifetime of the functionalized material, τ = 3.2 ns, that is nearly an order of magnitude longer relative to MB + in aqueous solutions. Unlike MB + , the larger diameter of PS + dye prevents its incorporation within the ZMOF framework and PS + molecules weakly bind to the external surface of the framework and exhibit absorption and emission properties similar to those measured for PS + in methanolic solution. The immobilized photosensitizers partially preserve their capacity to generate singlet oxygen as determined indirectly using diphenylanthracene as a chemical trap.
Estrogen- and temperature-induced medullary cord regression during gonadal differentiation in a turtle

Abstract Gonadal differentiation associated with estrogen-induced female sex determination was examined in a turtle with temperature-dependent sex determination, and was compared to ovarian differentiation at a femaleproducing temperature. Freshly laid eggs of the redeared slider. Trachemys scripta. were incubated at a male-producing temperature (26°C) and were experimentally manipulated at one of three embryonic stages: stage 15, 17, or 20 (i.e. early. midway, or late in the temperature-sensitive and estrogen-sensitive periods). At those developmental stages. groups of eggs were either (1) treated with a control solution (95% ethanol) and placed back at the male-producing temperature. (2) treated with 10 μg of estradiol-17β and placed back at the male-producing temperature. or (3) shifted to a female-producing temperature (31°C). Additionally. a control group of freshly laid eggs was continually incubated at 31°C throughout embryonic development. To examine morphological events occurring after the treatments, a subset of embryos from each group was examined at the time of the treatment and at 1–2 stage intervals following the treatments. The results indicate that estradiol-17β as well as female-producing temperature may ensure female sex determination by facilitating medullary cord regression. Further. the results reveal a chronology of differentiation in which medullary cord regression temporally precedes cortical proliferation.
Avian tick paralysis caused by Ixodes brunneus in the southeastern United States

Between 1988 and 1994, 16 definitive and 26 presumptive cases of tick paralysis were diagnosed in 10 species of birds from five southeastern states in the USA. All birds had engorged adult female Ixodes brunneus ticks on the head region and were partially paralyzed or dead. Cases occurred in the winter and early spring months, and most birds were passerines found in private yards or near feeders. All stages of I. brunneus feed exclusively on birds, and this species previously has been associated with avian tick paralysis. Little is known concerning the life cycle of this ixodid tick and its impact on wild bird populations.
From the ground up: assessing consumer preferences for multifunctional agriculture.

Farmland provides more than just food and fiber; it also provides environmental benefits, scenic amenities, a link to our shared cultural heritage, and other benefits. While there is a vibrant literature on the multifunctionality of European agricultural landscapes, few studies examine the multifunctionality of those in the United States. This research provides a detailed, ground-up assessment of the multiple benefits that farmland provides to four counties in western North Carolina. Results outline the numerous benefits provided by rural landscapes and point to the value of a portfolio approach for documenting, monitoring, and financing the benefits of agriculture. The study introduces a replicable method that can be used by communities across the nation to investigate the multiple functions of their agricultural landscapes. Widespread and regular use of the method will lead to an improved understanding of the multifunctionality of U.S. agriculture and provide opportunities for effective monitoring and assessment of policies designed to protect these benefits.
The High Jump Transition Issues of Learning Disabled Students and Their Parents

Issues to consider when helping L D students and their parents resolve problems of secondary to postsecondary transitions.
"Coming Home" among Northern Plains Vietnam Veterans: Psychological Transformations in Pragmatic Perspective

The friends and relatives of Northern Plains Vietnam combat veterans sometimes say that they can recognize veterans by the "lost and faraway look" in their eyes. They say that those veterans are still in Vietnam trying to finish the war; in local terms, many combat veterans have not yet "come home." Yet some veterans have. In this paper, I trace the experiences of veterans on a Northern Plains reservation, focusing on two types of war talk and the relation of those discursive practices to a psychological, social, and moral transformation known locally as "coming home." This material reveals the symbolic, discursive, and political underpinnings of positive psychological transformation among Northern Plains combat veterans, and speaks to the question of how we construct satisfactory accounts of psychological process in cultural context.
Effects of nidroxyzone on reproductive organs of mice.

Nidroxyzone was given to mice of both sexes by drug-diet administration. In adult females estrus was inhibited and significant decreases in the weights of sex organs obtained. PMS antagonized these effects. Immature and adolescent females were not affected by nidroxyzone. In male mice of all ages a testicular atrophy developed which was not prevented by PMS. Low to moderate doses were without effect on seminal vesicles. Gonadotropic content of the pituitary gland appeared to be unaltered.
Rapid and precise measurement method for adsorbed on sediments

Abstract A new method has been developed for the determination of adsorbed 224 Ra on sediments. The method utilizes sediments directly in a closed loop counting system and measures the daughter 220 Rn . Because the recoil path length of 220 Rn is small compared to the sediment particle size, adsorbed 224 Ra is released to the gases circulating in the closed loop 220 Rn counting system and 220 Rn produced internally within the sediment particles is effectively excluded. The method has been calibrated against (1) multi-step Na+ displacement of 224 Ra and (2) multi-step Zn2+ replacement of 224 Ra . It has been found to accurately quantify the adsorbed component with a significant savings in laboratory time and with greater precision. Combined with dissolved 224 Ra measurements of the porewater, distribution coefficients can be accurately calculated. This method has potential for direct application to water column 224 Ra balances in estuaries, coastal water and salt marshes. When used to extract the reactive transport dynamics of 224 Ra in the sediment, the method may have applications to trace metal transport in sediments.
Line-Scanning Proportional Counter Camera

A new method was developed for imaging spatial distributions of photons, charged particles, or neutrons over large areas by a line-scanning camera. This camera uses a linear position-sensitive proportional counter (PSPC) based on resistance-capacitance (RC) position encoding. 1-6 Applications of this camera include low-dose, medium-resolution radiography of large objects (>2 by 2 m); and, in nuclear medicine, low-dose, whole-body radionuclide imaging and radiography with low energy photons ( 60 by 60cm.
A single volar incision fasciotomy will decompress all three forearm compartments: a cadaver study.

Abstract Introduction Although there are three distinct compartments of the forearm, the typical approach for decompression of forearm compartment syndrome is a single incision fasciotomy of the volar compartment. This study had two purposes. The first purpose of this study was to investigate the compartment pressure changes within the forearm compartments following the creation of an acute compartment pressure using fresh-frozen cadaver forearm specimens. The second purpose was to compare the compartment pressure changes of the volar, dorsal, and mobile wad compartments at frequent intervals following a compartment fasciotomy of the forearm. Materials and methods An experimental study of a laboratory model of acute forearm compartment syndrome was performed at a level-one, university-based trauma centre. Eight non-embalmed human forearms from 5 male and 3 female donors with an average age of 71 years (range, 51–91) were used. Compartment pressures in the volar, dorsal, and mobile wad compartments were recorded both before fasciotomy and 1, 10, 20, and 30 min after fasciotomy. Results A single incision volar fasciotomy was sufficient to decrease the elevated compartment pressures in the volar, dorsal and mobile wad compartments to near-baseline levels after 10 min. The mean compartment pressures 30 min post-fasciotomy in the volar, dorsal, and wad compartments were 2, 4, and 3 mm Hg, respectively. Discussion In a laboratory model of an acute forearm compartment syndrome, a single compartment fasciotomy may be sufficient to decrease compartment pressures in the non-released compartments (dorsal and mobile wad). Further study is necessary before changes in clinical management can be recommended.
Bilingual Belonging and the Whiteness of (Standard) English(es)

In this article, the author examines from multiple perspectives a phenomenon she calls acoustic identity and demonstrates the inseparability of speech from race, ethnicity, culture, and nationality...
Robot Assisted Laparoscopic Repair of Sciatic Hernia (RASH): A Case Report

Sciatic hernia is a surgical rarity. One such hernia was incidentally diagnosed in a 79-year-old woman who underwent Robot assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy for locally invasive bladder cancer. Intra-operatively, a patent hernia sac was noted in the sciatic notch. The hernia was successfully repaired during the same operation by using robot assisted laparoscopic technique. This appears to be the first robot assisted sciatic hernia repair in the world literature although it was done incidentally during another procedure. The technical descriptions of the operation are also applicable when isolated sciatic hernia repair is intended. A robot assisted laparoscopic repair is safe, feasible and well suited to the repair of sciatic hernias in women. The surgeon needs to be aware of this uncommon surgical pathology that may occur in women presenting with persistent chronic pelvic discomfort.
A mutation in the 5′ untranslated region of the human α‐galactosidase A gene in high‐activity variants inhibits specific protein binding

Recently, normal individuals were identified who had high levels of plasma α-galactosidase A activity and a G to A transition in the 5′ untranslated (5′ UT) region of the α-galactosidase A gene. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that the wild-type sequence at the site of this mutation complexed with specific nuclear proteins. A standard NF-κB site competed with the 5′ UT site for formation of these DNA-protein complexes. Complex formation was inhibited by the transition mutation. Therefore, the wild-type site might down-modulate expression of the α-galactosidase A gene from this 5′ untranslated region, which includes a previously described protein-binding site for another family of sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins, methylated DNA-binding protein.
Determination of the ortho-para ratio in gaseous hydrogen mixtures

With the large volume uses of liquid hydrogen expected in the near future, specifically for the propulsion of space vehicles and other energy requirements, there is a need to monitor and accurately control the ortho/para ratio in gaseous samples of hydrogen. A ratiometer based on the difference in the thermal conductivity of the two molecular species of hydrogen has been constructed and tested to determine the ortho-to-para hydrogen ratio in gaseous samples. The design has sought to produce a fast, high accuracy measurement in a simple compact cell. The ratiometer and electronic readout package is described, and data demonstrating the sensitivity, stability, and speed of response of the device is also presented.
Atypical presentation of Lhermitte-Duclos disease: preoperative diagnosis with MRI.

In a 35-year-old man with clinical features mimicking acute subarachnoid hemorrhage, MRI demonstrated bilateral Lhermitte-Duclos disease.
The distribution of glucocerebroside in the liver of patients with Gaucher's disease

Abstract Two Gaucher livers obtained at autopsy were examined for uniformity of glucocerebroside content. Six needle biopsies were obtained from one liver and twenty from the other, Samples were analyzed for glucocerebroside content by thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography. One of the livers was partitioned into four sections with five biopsies taken at random from each section. This method supposes that if differences in glycolipid concentrations exist, then these differences will be exhibited among the liver sections. Our findings indicate that stored glucocerebroside is uniformly distributed throughout the liver since all the observed glycolipid levels were within ± 1.95 sample standard deviations of the sample mean.
Theory of two-frequency microwave ionization of hydrogen atoms

Abstract The effects of two-frequency microwave excitation of H atoms are investigated in the high scaled frequency regime by means of a classical one-dimensional Hamiltonian model. Enhanced diffusion is shown to result from the destruction of KAM curves by interspersed island chains corresponding to the two frequencies.
High-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) examination of dislocation core structure in B2 FeAl single crystals

Abstract Stoichiometric Fe-50at.%Al and iron-rich Fe-40at.%Al single crystals oriented near [001] have been deformed in compression at 873 K to approximately 5% plastic strain. Conventional diffraction contrast transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been used to characterize the dislocation structures in these materials. The observed dislocations are predominantly 〈001〉{001} prismatic edge dislocations, with a small number of 〈111〉 screw dislocations. The atomic level details of the core structures of these dislocations have been examined using phase contrast TEM and high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM). Dislocations with both glide and climb dissociated core structures have been observed. The implications of these structures on the mechanical behavior (at both low and elevated temperatures) are discussed.
Virus Recognition by Toll-7 Activates Antiviral Autophagy in Drosophila

Innate immunity is highly conserved and relies on pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as Toll-like receptors (identified through their homology to Drosophila Toll) for pathogen recognition. Although Drosophila Toll is vital for immune recognition and defense, roles for the other eight Drosophila Tolls in immunity have remained elusive. Here we have shown that Toll-7 is a PRR both in vitro and in adult flies; loss of Toll-7 led to increased vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) replication and mortality. Toll-7, along with additional uncharacterized Drosophila Tolls, was transcriptionally induced by VSV infection. Furthermore, Toll-7 interacted with VSV at the plasma membrane and induced antiviral autophagy independently of the canonical Toll signaling pathway. These data uncover an evolutionarily conserved role for a second Drosophila Toll receptor that links viral recognition to autophagy and defense and suggest that other Drosophila Tolls may restrict specific as yet untested pathogens, perhaps via noncanonical signaling pathways.
A single-center study examining the outcomes of percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration in the treatment of obstructive azoospermia.

Introduction: Obstructive azoospermia (OA) is characterized by normal spermatogenesis and the absence of sperm in the ejaculate. Variable success rates have been reported using in-vitro fertilization (IVF) combined with PESA in cases of men with OA. Aims: To determine fertilization and pregnancy outcomes from PESA-derived spermatozoa and to ascertain whether frozen spermatozoa yields similar outcomes compared to fresh specimens. Materials and Methods: The charts of 68 consecutive couples undergoing 68 cycles of sperm retrieval for OA over eight years (2002-2010) were retrospectively reviewed. Patients requiring testicular intervention were excluded ( n = 17). Results: Viable sperms were identified in 100% of men, and fresh spermatozoa were obtained in 40 patients (78.4%) simultaneously with female egg retrieval. The average fertilization rate was 77.7% with five embryos not surviving to transfer (12.5%). Pregnancies were confirmed in 48.6% (17/35). Twin gestations occurred in 11.8% (2/17) of cases. Frozen-thawed spermatozoa were used in 11 patients (21.6%). In this subgroup, the average fertilization rate was 73.6% with pregnancies confirmed in 54.5% (6/11). No multiple gestations were generated, and no complications occurred. The use of fresh spermatozoa for PESA provided no significant improvements in outcomes over frozen specimens. Summary: PESA is a very effective, simple, and safe method of obtaining spermatozoa for IVF. Outcomes obtained using fresh and frozen PESA-derived spermatozoa were similar and as such, either could be used during the IVF process.