cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Review of thin-layer chromatography in pesticide analysis: 2014–2016

ABSTRACTPublications reporting techniques and applications of thin-layer chromatography (planar chromatography) for the separation, detection, qualitative and quantitative determination, and preparative isolation of pesticides and their metabolites are reviewed for the period from November 1, 2014 to November 1, 2016. Analyses are described for a variety of sample types and pesticide classes. In addition to references on residue analysis, studies such as pesticide chromatographic retention, identification and characterization of natural pesticides, metabolism, bioactivity, degradation, soil mobility, and lipophilicity are covered. The unique advantages of thin-layer chromatography in presenting results as a stored image on an open stationary phase are addressed.
Collaborative Choices in Econometrics

For Manski, collaborations in economics grew as rapidly as those in mathematics. Technological progress, particularly the advent of word processing and the Internet, has enabled this growth, making it easy for collaborators to exchange and revise their inputs and work with increasingly large and complex data sets. Manski points out that norms have expanded to accept collaborations more readily and that the demographics of economists have undergone changes that make collaboration more enticing.
Provider Perspectives on Advance Care Planning Documentation in the Electronic Health Record: The Experience of Primary Care Providers and Specialists Using Advance Health-Care Directives and Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment.

Context:Advance care planning (ACP) is valued by patients and clinicians, yet documenting ACP in an accessible manner is problematic.Objectives:In order to understand how providers incorporate electronic health record (EHR) ACP documentation into clinical practice, we interviewed providers in primary care and specialty departments about ACP practices (n = 13) and analyzed EHR data on 358 primary care providers (PCPs) and 79 specialists at a large multispecialty group practice.Methods:Structured interviews were conducted with 13 providers with high and low rates of ACP documentation in primary care, oncology, pulmonology, and cardiology departments. The EHR problem list data on Advance Health Care Directives (AHCDs) and Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) were used to calculate ACP documentation rates.Results:Examining seriously ill patients ≥65 years with no preexisting ACP documentation seen by providers during 2013 to 2014, 88.6% (AHCD) and 91.1% (POLST) of 79 specialists had zero ACP...
Biochemical and aerosol characterization of ricin for use in non-clinical efficacy studies.

Ricin toxin may be used as a biological warfare agent and no medical countermeasures are currently available. Here, a well-characterized lot of ricin was aerosolized to determine the delivered dose for future pre-clinical efficacy studies. Mouse intraperitoneal (IP) median lethal dose (LD50 ) bioassay measured potency at 5.62 and 7.35 μg/kg on Days 0 and 365, respectively. Additional analyses included total protein, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, and rabbit reticulocyte lysate activity assay. The nebulizer aerosol produced consistent concentrations (2.5 × 103 , 5.0 × 103 , 1.0 × 104 , and 1.5 × 104 μg/mL) and spray factor values. The aerosol particle size distribution was of sufficient size to deposit in lung alveoli (1.12-1.43 μm). Ricinus communis Agglutinin II (RCA 60), prepared at 19 mg/mL in phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.8, and stored at -70°C, maintained attributes for toxicity following 1-year storage and aerosolized consistently.
Lecture two: The evolution of morality: The emergence of personhood

In a series of three articles, presented at the Goshen Annual Conference on Science and Religion in 2015, with the theme ‘Interdisciplinary Theology and the Archeology of Personhood’, J. Wentzel van Huyssteen considers the problem of human evolution – also referred to as ‘the archaeology of personhood’ – and its broader impact on theological anthropology. This trajectory of lectures tracks a select number of challenging contemporary proposals for the evolution of crucially important aspects of human personhood. Lecture Two argues that, on a postfoundationalist view, some of our religious beliefs are indeed more plausible and credible than others. This also goes for our tendency to moralise and for the strong moral convictions, we often hold. It demonstrates that, in spite of a powerful focus on the evolutionary origins of moral awareness, ethics emerge on a culturally autonomous level, which means that the epistemic standing of the particular moral judgements human beings make is independent of whatever the natural sciences can says about their genesis.
Farmers' Perspectives on the Adoption and Impacts of Nutrition Incentive and Farm to School Programs

Recent increases in consumer demand for local food have resulted in more opportunities for food to be purchased in close proximity to where it is produced. However, local markets can be challeng­ing retail outlets for farmers and not uniformly affordable and accessible to all consumers. Farmers market nutrition incentive (FMNI) and farm to school (F2S) programs are two community-based initiatives that support farmers while simultane­ously lessening the burden of local food access for lower income populations. In this study, we explore farmer perceptions, barriers to adoption, and impacts of FMNI and F2S programs. A survey was developed based on the Diffusion of Innova­tions theory to assess (1) the key factors that influ­ence adoption of FMNI and F2S programs; (2) farmer perceptions of the most significant barriers to program adoption; and (3) the influence of non-economic impacts on farmers’ motivation to participate in those programs. A total of 155 Mid-Atlantic fruit and vegetable farmers completed the survey. Participating farmers perceived FMNI and F2S as providing advantageous social impact and various economic opportunities. However, partici­pants and non-participants had differing perspec­tives on program complexity, compatibility with their business model, and the degree to which others have succeeded when participating. The most significant barriers relate to issues with prod­uct pricing, customer engagement, and logistics. Three-quarters of farmers ranked social/commu­nity impacts as most important to them. A deeper understanding of farmers’ involvement in FMNI and F2S programs will help address barriers and modify program components to increase econom­ic, social/community, and environmental impacts.
Immunohistochemical Analysis of P-Glycoprotein Expression in Normal and Tumor Tissues in Humans

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the term used to describe the phenomenon whereby tumor cells in culture, selected for resistance to a single natural-product cytotoxic agent, simultaneously develop broad cross-resistance to a variety of structurally and functionally unrelated compounds (Biedler and Riehm, 1970). Recently, the identification and characterization of a human multidrug resistance gene (MDR1) and its product (gpl70, or P-glycoprotein) have been associated with the MDR phenotype (Ling and Thompson, 1974; Bech-Hansen et al., 1976; Juliano and Ling, 1976; Kartner et al., 1983) (see Part II of this book). P-glycoprotein is a transmembrane protein, expressed on the plasma membrane of certain normal and tumor cells (Thiebaut et al., 1987, 1989; Fojo et al., 1987b; Sugawara et al., 1988a,b; Cordon-Cardo et al., 1989a). High homology of this protein with bacterial transport proteins has been established, consistent with a function for P-glycoprotein as an energy-dependent efflux pump responsible for decreased drug accumulation in MDR tumor cells (Chen et al., 1986; Gerlach et al., 1986; Gros et al., 1986; Ueda et al., 1986; Hamada and Tsuruo, 1986).
Dynamic Associative Memories

Publisher Summary Associative learning and retrieval of information in parallel neural-like systems is a powerful processing technique with a wide range of applications ranging from content addressable memories to robust pattern classification and control. Dynamic associative memories (DAMs) are a class of artificial neural networks that utilize a supervised recording/learning algorithm to store information as stable memory states, thus realizing mapping between a set of key/target memory pairs. The retrieval of the stored memories is accomplished by first initializing the DAM state with a noisy or partial input pattern and then allowing the memory to perform a collective relaxation search to find the closest associated stored memory. DAMs are characterized by a regular layered architecture of highly distributed and densely interconnected processing layers with feedback. Each processing layer consists of a set of non-interacting nodes; each node receives the same set of data, processes this data, and then broadcasts its single output to the next processing layer.
Noise increases listening effort in normal-hearing young adults, regardless of working memory capacity

As listening conditions worsen (e.g. background noise increases), additional cognitive effort is required to process speech. The existing literature is mixed on whether and how cognitive traits lik...
PythonSneks: An Open-Source, Instructionally-Designed Introductory Curriculum with Action-Design Research

Rising enrollments and limited instructor resources underscores the growing need for reusable, scalable curriculum. In this paper, we describe an open-source introductory Python course for non-Computer Science majors in STEM, designed following best practices of Instructional Design (a process similar to Software Engineering). The created resources include 234 learning objectives, 51 lesson videos, 45 lecture slides, 170 programming problems, 281 quiz questions, 6 unit tested projects, and 4 ethical prompts. A teaching field guide has also been produced as a result of this effort, documenting how to deploy this curriculum on a daily level. We describe our experiences deploying over two semesters. The course serviced over 500 students, with 100s in some sections. Along the way, two interventions were conducted in an Action Design Research style: one using Worked Examples, and another using Structured Small Groups. We report on the mixed results of these experiments, plus evaluations of the assignments from student surveys and statistical measures of item effectiveness. Finally, we describe lessons learned when following Instructional Design processes.
Morphological, Molecular, and Histopathological Data for Sebekia mississippiensis Overstreet, Self, and Vliet, 1985 (Pentastomida: Sebekidae) in the American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis Daudin, and the Spotted Gar, Lepisosteus oculatus Winchell.

ABSTRACT Novel molecular data from both mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) and ribosomal regions (18S, ITS1-5.8S, ITS2, and 28S) are provided for Sebekia mississippiensis Overstreet, Se...
Laryngeal histoplasmosis in a kidney transplant recipient.

Histoplasma capsulatum is an endemic fungus that most oftenly causes a self-limiting illness but can result in severe infections in immunocompromised patients including pulmonary or extra-pulmonary disease. Rarely it can also cause a chronic progressive infection of the larynx. Herein, we report a case of laryngeal histoplasmosis in a kidney transplant patient who presented with progressive symptoms of several weeks of hoarseness, dysphagia and odynophagia. Laryngoscopic examination revealed thick plaques in the oropharynx with surrounding hyper-erythema and histopathology showed numerous intracellular yeasts forms consistent with H capsulatum. Patient was initiated on treatment with itraconazole. Infection of the larynx due to H capsulatum is highly uncommon and therefore can result in an inappropriate or delayed diagnosis. A review of literature showed four previously reported cases of laryngeal histoplasmosis in patients with solid organ transplant. This is the first case series of laryngeal histoplasmosis in transplant recipients.
Interacting Damage Mechanisms in Laminated Composites Subjected to High Amplitude Fatigue

AbstractThis manuscript provides a combined computational-experimental investigation of the interaction of damage mechanisms in carbon fiber–reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminated composites subjected...
Roles of egos' and siblings' perceptions of maternal favoritism in adult children's depressive symptoms: A within-family network approach

It is well documented that intergenerational ties play important roles in adults’ well-being. However, most studies focus on the impact of individuals’ own perceptions of their ties without considering whether family members’ assessments of these ties affect well-being. We address this question using data from 296 adult children nested within 95 later-life families in which all offspring were interviewed. Applying a mixed-method within-family approach, we explored whether the effect of perceived maternal favoritism on depressive symptoms was increased when siblings shared ego’s perceptions. Multilevel regression analyses revealed that ego’s own perceptions predicted depressive symptoms, but only among daughters. Siblings’ perceptions that egos were most close to mothers did not affect the well-being of daughters or sons. Qualitative analyses suggested that differential effects of perceived favoritism by gender reflected differences in the meaning sons and daughters associated with being favored children. Favored daughters were more likely than favored sons to report that they were emotional caregivers to their mothers; this pattern was especially strong when siblings reinforced egos’ perceptions of being “best suited” for this role. These findings emphasize the salience of egos’ own perceptions, relative to those of family network members, in shaping role embracement and psychological well-being, especially among women.
Vanishing islands in the sky? A comparison of correlation‐ and mechanism‐based forecasts of range dynamics for montane salamanders under climate change

Forecasting the effects of climate change on species and populations is a fundamental goal of conservation biology, especially for montane endemics which seemingly are under the greatest threat of extinction given their association with cool, high elevation habitats. Species distribution models (also known as niche models) predict where on the landscape there is suitable habitat for a species of interest. Correlative niche modeling, the most commonly employed approach to predict species' distributions, relies on correlations between species' localities and current environmental data. This type of model could spuriously forecast less future suitable habitat because species' current distributions may not adequately represent their thermal tolerance, and future climate conditions may not be analogous to current conditions. We compared the predicted distributions for three montane species of Plethodon salamanders in the southern Appalachian Mountains of North America using a correlative modeling approach and a mechanistic model. The mechanistic model incorporates species‐specific physiology, morphology and behavior to predict an annual energy budget on the landscape. Both modeling approaches performed well at predicting the species' current distributions and predicted that all species could persist in habitats at higher elevation through 2085. The mechanistic model predicted more future suitable habitat than the correlative model. We attribute these differences to the mechanistic approach being able to model shifts in key range‐limiting biological processes (changes in surface activity time and energy costs) that the correlative approach cannot. Choice of global circulation model (GCM) contributed significantly to distribution predictions, with a tenfold difference in future suitability based on GCM, indicating that GCM variability should be either directly included in models of species distributions or, indirectly, through the use of multi‐model ensemble averages. Our results indicate that correlative models are over‐predicting habitat loss for montane species, suggesting a critical need to incorporate mechanisms into forecasts of species' range dynamics.
Discordance Between the American Thyroid Association and the American College of Radiology Guideline Systems for Thyroid Nodule Biopsy

Abstract Background Previously, fine-needle aspiration biopsy was recommended for any thyroid nodule >1.0 cm in size. In 2015, the American Thyroid Association (ATA) introduced a pattern-based approach for biopsy recommendations based on size and ultrasound (US) characteristics. In 2016, the American College of Radiology (ACR) published the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System, using a point-based system that assesses risk of US characteristics. Methods This study aims to compare recommendations for thyroid nodule biopsy between the ATA and ACR systems and identify outcomes of nodules with discordant recommendations (DRs). US characteristics, fine-needle aspiration biopsy, and surgical pathology results were evaluated for all patients with >1.0 cm thyroid nodules treated at a single tertiary-care institution from 2010 to 2018. Results Inclusion criteria were met by 1100 nodules from 687 patients; 42.8% (n = 471) had DR between the ATA and ACR guidelines. All (100%) DR nodules were not recommended for biopsy by ACR, though 53% were recommended to have follow-up. A majority (79%) of DR nodules were recommended for biopsy by ATA, with the remaining 21% recommended for follow-up. Among surgically excised DR nodules (n = 292), 10.3% (n = 30) nodules were found to be malignant, with the vast majority (90.3%) being well-differentiated carcinoma. Among malignant nodules, the ACR would not have recommended biopsy or follow-up for 26.7% (n = 8). Conclusions The ACR classification system is more restrictive compared with the ATA system for recommending thyroid nodule biopsy. This discrepancy could result in confusion for clinicians and delay in diagnosis or therapy for patients with thyroid cancer.
Hemorrhagic presentations of COVID-19: Risk factors for mortality.

Abstract Objective We aim to characterize the incidence, risk for mortality, and identify risk factors for mortality in patients presenting with hemorrhage and COVID-19. Methods This retrospective cohort study included a cohort of patients admitted to one of three major hospitals of our healthcare network including, an academic medical center and comprehensive stroke center, which accepts transfers for complex cases from eight community hospitals, during March 1 to May 1, 2020. All patients that received imaging of the neuroaxis and had positive PCR testing for COVID-19 were identified and reviewed by an attending neuroradiologist. Demographics and comorbidities were recorded. Biomarkers were recorded from the day of the hemorrhagic event. Vital signs from the day of the hemorrhagic event mechanical ventilation orders at admission were recorded. Imaging findings were divided into 5 subtypes; acute subdural hematoma (SDH), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), multi-compartmental hemorrhage (MCH), multi-focal intracerebral hemorrhage (MFH), and focal intracerebral hemorrhage (fICH). Outcomes were recorded as non-routine discharge and mortality. Results We found a total of 35 out of 5227 patients with COVID-19 that had hemorrhage of some kind. Mortality for the entire cohort was 45.7 % (n = 16). SDH patients had a mortality rate of 35.3 % (n = 6), SAH had a mortality of 50 % (n = 1), MCH patients had a mortality of 71.4 % (n = 5), MFH patients had a mortality of 50 % (n = 2), fICH patients had a mortality of 40 % (n = 2). Patients with severe pulmonary COVID requiring mechanical ventilation (OR 10.24 [.43−243.12] p = 0.015), with INR > 1.2 on the day of the hemorrhagic event (OR 14.36 [1.69−122.14] p = 0.015], and patients presenting with spontaneous vs. traumatic hemorrhage (OR 6.11 [.31−118.89] p = 0.023) had significantly higher risk for mortality. Conclusions Hemorrhagic presentations with COVID-19 are a rare but serious way in which the illness can manifest. It is important for neurosurgeons to realize that patients can present with these findings without primary pulmonary symptoms, and that severe pulmonary symptoms, elevated INR, and spontaneous hemorrhagic presentations is associated with increased risk for mortality.
Short- and Long-Term Stability of Methylphenidate and Its Metabolites in Blood.

Methylphenidate (MPH) is a medication used to combat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder by speeding up brain activity. MPH has two chiral centers; however, d-threo-MPH is responsible for its effects. Few studies have analyzed MPH and its metabolites, ritalinic acid (RA) and ethylphenidate (EPH), in blood. Stability studies are crucial in a forensic setting to provide insight on ideal storage conditions and analysis time. In this study, d,l-MPH, d,l-EPH and RA were analyzed at two concentrations (15 and 150 ng/mL) over 5 months at room temperature (∼25°C), refrigerated (4°C), frozen (-20°C) and elevated (35°C) temperatures. Analytes were analyzed using a validated liquid chromatography--mass spectrometry method. RA concentrations increased 53% at 25°C after 24 h, while d- and l-MPH concentrations dropped 18.1 and 20.6%, respectively. Additionally, d- and l-EPH concentrations decreased 22.3 and 28.8%, respectively. All analytes were stable at 4°C for 1 week (±17% change). At -20°C, all analytes were stable for 5 months. At 35°C, l-EPH remained stable for 24 h (14.4% loss) at the high concentration, while RA increased 244%. Losses of 64.1, 68.7 and 27.2% were observed for d- MPH, l-MPH and d-EPH, respectively. Due to this, a follow-up study was designed to assess the breakdown of MPH. The short-term experiment assessed d,l-MPH at two concentrations for 1 month in the same conditions. As MPH decreased, RA concentrations rose. At 25°C, it took 2 weeks for MPH to metabolize completely into RA. In refrigerated and frozen temperatures, MPH did not completely metabolize to RA. In elevated temperatures, MPH broke down to RA within 2 weeks. Due to this, it was concluded that d,l-MPH breaks down in the blood to its metabolite RA and may make data interpretation difficult if samples are not properly stored. The optimal storage for these analytes is recommended at -20°C.
Non-Inclusive Online Security: Older Adults' Experience with Two-Factor Authentication

Older adults access critical resources online, including bank, retirement, and health insurance accounts. Thus, it is necessary to protect their accounts so they can confidently use these services that are increasingly being moved online. Two-factor authentication (2FA) protects online assets through efficient and robust authentication, but adoption and usability remain a challenge. Our in-depth qualitative research focuses on ten older adults’ ( 60 years) sustained (non)usage of 2FA for thirty days. Participants’ limited adoption of the security keys stemmed from keys’ non-inclusive design, lack of tangible benefits, inconsistent instructions, and device dependencies. We propose appropriate assistance, risk communication, registration process changes, and alignment of security-focused requirements to encourage 2FA adoption among older adults and institutions entrusted with their data. We also introduce the concept of ‘Security Caregivers,’ who can ensure security and digital independence for the aging population.
Micro-nanostructured sensors integrated in a wearable platform to fight emerging infectious diseases

We are developing a wearable sensing platform that provides rapid and quantitative measurements of a panel of inflammatory biomarkers. The sensor detects interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, which are found to be associated with adverse clinical outcomes and death in critically ill SARS-CoV-2 patients. Although wearable technology has entered the fight against COVID-19, the devices are limited to monitoring physical attributes and rely on syndromic case finding. Hence, asymptomatic but contagious individuals with no early symptoms remain undetected and transmit the virus/bacteria. In this regard, our sensor would result in a powerful public health weapon that will monitor biochemical attributes in real-time and diagnose an infection before symptoms appear.
Readability analysis of Spanish language patient-reported outcome measures in pediatric otolaryngology

Abstract Background Pediatric otolaryngology encompasses interactions with a young patient, parent and/or guardian, and the provider. As healthcare transitions toward patient-centered care, clinicians are using direct tools of measurement such as patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) as a modality of communication between the patient and healthcare provider. Therefore, literacy levels of both the patient and their parent or guardian must be considered. Moreover, PROMs administered in pediatric audiology and otolaryngology in Spanish were found to be above the recommended reading level. Assessing the readability of Spanish translated PROMs is vital in providing safe, accurate, and quality care. The goal of this study is to analyze the readability of PROMs in pediatric otolaryngology and assess their compliance with readability recommendations. Methods Pediatric otolaryngology PROMs were identified from Powell's systematic review on pediatric otolaryngology PROMs. Spanish pediatric otolaryngology PROMs were selected from a literature search through PubMed ( pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ) and Google scholar databases ( scholar.google.com ). After completion of the literature search, seven PROMs were identified. Only four PROMs Spanish validations included the translation of the PROM in their publication. The authors of the remaining PROMs were contacted via email. Ultimately, eight pediatric otolaryngology PROMs were included in this study. The PROMs included were assessed by a Latin Spanish translator for grammar, syntax, and comprehension ease. Results Four out of eight PROMs (50%) included in our study had readabilities above the recommended sixth-grade level. The following PROMs were noted with readabilities above the recommended level: tonsil & adenoid health status instrument (TAHSI), the nasal quality of life survey (SN-5), Spanish pediatric voice handicap index (P–VHI), and velopharyngeal insufficiency effects on life outcome (VELO). Conclusions Currently, some Spanish translated pediatric PROMs are written at a reading level above the recommended range for patients and their families.
Programming Languages for Compressing Graphics

Images are programs. They are usually simple instructions to a very specialized interpreter that renders them on screen. Image formats therefore correspond to different programming languages, each with distinctive properties of program size and accuracy. Image-processing languages render large images from small pieces of code. We present Evolver, a language and toolkit that perform the reverse transformation.The toolkit accepts images in conventional graphics formats like JPEG and uses genetic algorithms to grow a program in the Evolver language that generates a similar image. Because the program it produces is often significantly smaller than the input image, Evolver can be used as a compression tool.The language balances the tradeoff between having many features, which improves compression, and fewer features, which improves searching. In addition, by being programmatic descriptions, the rendered images scale much better to multiple resolutions than fixed-size images. We have implemented this system and present examples of its use.
Influence of Four Retail Food Service Cooling Methods on the Behavior of Clostridium perfringens ATCC 10388 in Turkey Roasts following Heating to an Internal Temperature of 74°C

The influence of four food service cooling methods (CM) on growth of Clostridium perfringens ATCC 10388 in cooked turkey roasts was evaluated. Raw whole turkey roasts were inoculated with C. perfringens spores (∼4.23 log CFU per roast), vacuum packaged, and heated to an internal temperature of 74°C. The cooked roasts were cooled as follows: whole roast cut into four quarters and held at 4°C (CM1); whole roast held in a blast chiller (CM2); whole roast loosely wrapped and held at 4°C (CM3); and whole roasts (three per bag) held at 4°C (CM4). The roasts were analyzed for C. perfringens using Shahidi-Ferguson perfringens agar and anaerobic incubation (37°C, 24 h). None of the cooling methods met the amended 2001 U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Code guidelines for safe cooling of potentially hazardous foods. Times taken for roasts to cool from 57 to 21°C using CM1, CM2, CM3, and CM4 were 2.27, 3.11, 6.22, and 8.71 h, respectively. Times taken for roasts (21°C) to reach 5°C ranged from 6.33 (CM1) to 19....
BreakDancer: Identification of Genomic Structural Variation from Paired-End Read Mapping

The advent of the next-generation sequencing data has made it possible to cost-effectively detect and characterize genomic variation in human genomes. Structural variation, including deletion, duplication, insertion, inversion and translocation, is of great importance to human genetics due to its association with many genetic diseases. BreakDancer is a bioinformatics tool that relates paired-end read alignments from a test genome to the reference genome for the purpose of comprehensively and accurately detecting various types of structural variation.
A foldable multi-chip packaging technique with a polyimide platform and flexible PDMS assembly mold

A batch-scale low-profile assembly and packaging technique is developed and demonstrated using silicon chips representing ICs or micromachined transducers. Silicon and PDMS molds are prepared to contain and carry chips throughout the packaging process. A self-supported double polyimide layer is used as the main platform providing mechanical strength, electrical insulation, and flexibility. The packaged devices can be folded and twisted to make any desired shape and form required for various applications. In this paper, we will describe our initial efforts using the silicon mold followed by conversion to a PDMS mold having several advantages such as: 1) wider tolerance range for device placement and insertion, 2) easier release, and 3) lower manufacturing costs. A two-step polyimide curing process is developed to accommodate the low-temperature requirements of the PDMS mold. Initial polyimide curing at <140/spl deg/C is followed by the release of the packaged devices which are then hard-baked at higher temperatures to fully cure the polyimide. The polyimide-PDMS integration process can be beneficial to several other polyimide-based technologies such as flexible recording and stimulating electrodes.
Musical Evenings in the early Empire: new evidence from a Greek papyrus with musical notation

With disarmingly open conceit, the Younger Pliny tells Pontius Allifanus that ‘my hendecasyllables are read, are copied, are even sung, and Greeks (who have learned Latin out of love for my poetry book) make my verses resound to cithara and lyre’ (Epist. 7.4.9). By Pliny's time, Greek musicians (and actors) were widely distributed and organized in a worldwide guild centred at Rome, so it will not surprise us that Greeks are the ones setting the verses to music. But what sort of music? When Pliny went out to hear his beloved poems sung to cithara and lyre, what did it sound like? Or, more generally, what did Pliny, or Martial, or, in an earlier generation, Horace see and hear when out for an evening's musical entertainment at the hands of a Greek troupe? Until fairly recently, we have known precious little. Literary sources give the odd anecdote, such as the reports of Nero's performances, but in general tell us little specific about the content or style of musical entertainment in the Roman era. And sources speaking more technically about music itself lend the impression that nothing significant happened after the ‘New Music’ was introduced in the fourth century BC.
Racism and Ethnoviolence as Trauma: Enhancing Professional Training

In trauma theory, research, and practice, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a syndrome of psychobiological reactions to events perceived as cataclysmic or life threatening, often has been the focus of mental health interventions and research. Yet virtually missing from contemporary trauma literature is consideration of racism and ethnoviolence as catalysts for PTSD and related symptoms.The stress inducing effects of obviously life threatening racist or ethnoviolent events may be readily apparent to service providers and researchers although they have not been treated or investigated. However, observers seem not to view other types of racism and ethnoviolence as life-threatening (e.g., vicarious experiences, exposure to microaggressions) because the historical roots of the trauma are invisible. Such events may arouse immediate or delayed PTSD and related symptoms in the experiencing person if the experienced event(s) serves as a catalyst for recalling previous personal memories or identity-group histories of extreme threat. Current PTSD assessment schedules are critiqued for their inappropriateness for assessing stress reactions to racism and ethnoviolence specifically; quantitative scales are criticized because of developers’ thoughtless application of traditional psychometric principles of scale development, such as maximizing the magnitude of internal consistency reliability coefficients. We recommend that researchers and practitioners conduct culturally responsive and racially informed assessment and interventions with African Americans, Latina/Latino Americans, Asian/Pacific Islander Americans, Native Americans, and related immigrant groups when they present with symptoms of trauma, particularly when their trauma responses are atypical or the precipitating stressor is ambiguous.
Photocyclization of propenes to cyclopropanes novel phenyl and hydrogen migrations in π,π systems

Abstract : The photocyclization is reported of five phenyl-substituted propenes to cyclopropanes, demonstrating that the reaction is reasonably general. Cyclization is clearly associated with phenyl migration in three cases and with hydrogen migration in another.
Simultaneous Measurement of Salicylate Hydroxylation and Glutamate Release in the Penumbral Cortex following Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Rats

Using the microdialysis technique and laser-Doppler flowmetry, we performed simultaneous measurement of salicylate hydroxylation and glutamate release along with local CBF in the ischemic penumbral cortex of rat brain subjected to normothermic transient middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. Cortical CBF fell to 24 +/- 11% (mean +/- SD) during ischemia and recovered to 84 +/- 16% during reperfusion. Extracellular glutamate levels increased by 6.5-fold above baseline 10 min following MCA occlusion but subsequently returned to near baseline levels in spite of the persistent ischemia. Increase in 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) concentrations in the microdialysis perfusate was confirmed during both ischemia and reperfusion phase. Although the temporal profile and amount of salicylate hydroxylation were heterogeneous among individual animals, integrated 2,3-DHBA concentrations during reperfusion were correlated positively with integrated glutamate concentrations during ischemia and negatively with mean postischemic CBF. These relationships suggest a possible association of the enhanced production of 2,3-DHBA during reperfusion with larger amounts of intraischemic glutamate release and lower levels of post-ischemic CBF.
Two dimensional rate gyro bias estimation for precise pitch and roll attitude determination utilizing a dual arc accelerometer array

In this paper, an innovative method for two%dimensi onal attitude estimation is proposed utilizing a unique dual arc accelerometer array making use of inexpensive rate sensors and gyros to measure longitudinal and transverse rotational rates in real time. The device and method proposed is composed of a two%dimensi onal sensor array fused with rate gyros and an algorithm to estimate and eliminate gyro bias online during various static and dynamic maneuvers so as to obtain a precise and reliable two dimensional attitude estimate. The method implemented utilizes the local gravitational field vector. Upon determining the location of the local gravitational field vector relative to two consecutive sensors, the orientation of the device may then be estimated and the attitude determined. However, attitude estimates and measurements produced by instantaneous rate sensors and gyroscope integration tend to drift over time due to drift and bias inherent to the rate gyro sensor. The integration of the acquired instantaneous rate signals amplify measurement errors leading to an undependable and imprecise estimate of the vehicles true attitude and orientation. The end goal of this work is to produce a precise and reliable longitudinal and transverse attitude estimation array capable of measuring rate senor and gyro bias online to produce highly accurate and reliable pitch and roll angle tracking in real%time while under subjection to simu lated vehicle flight conditions and scenarios. For this study, simulation results of the proposed method and device are presented with the inclusion of characteristic, real%world se nsor noise and bias estimates produced from corrupted and biased sensors to analyze and asses the feasibility and validity of the proposed method and system for two%di mensional attitude estimation. �omenclature
Human astrocyte growth regulation: interleukin-4 sensitivity and receptor expression

Abstract We previously reported that interleukin-4 (IL-4) inhibited proliferation of a human astrocytic cell line derived from non-neoplastic adult cortex. To determine whether this effect was receptor-associated and/or limited to only non-neoplastic astrocytes, we examined IL-4 responsiveness and receptor expression in human astrocytic cell lines derived from three different sources: non-neoplastic cerebral cortex (lines P1N, P2N, W3N); neoplastic low grade astrocytoma (LGA) (lines FRLGA, RTLGA); and highly malignant glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) (lines STTG1, CRTG2, WITG3, RUTG4). All lines except RUTG4 GBM expressed IL-4 receptor mRNA. Proliferation and DNA synthesis were markedly suppressed by IL-4 in a dose-and time-dependent manner in all non-neoplastic astrocyte and LGA lines, but not ( 0 4 ) GBM. This negative growth-regulatory effect of IL-4 was blocked by specific antibody to human IL-4 receptor but not by irrelevant IgG. In contrast, IL-4 stimulated interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion in non-neoplastic astrocytes and LGA as well as in GBM cells expressing IL-4 receptor; secretion was undetectable in RUTG4 GBM which did not express receptor. These results indicate that: (i) responsiveness to IL-4 occurs in both non-neoplastic and neoplastic human astroglia; (ii) responsiveness is associated with IL-4 receptor expression; and (iii) sensitivity to negative growth signalling by IL-4 occurs selectively in astrocytes from non-neoplastic cortex or low grade neoplasia but not from highly malignant GBM.
recA-dependent DNA repair processes

UV-radiation-induced lesions in DNA result in the formation of: (1) excision gaps (i.e. a lesion is excised, leaving a gap), (2) daughter-strand gaps (i.e. a lesion can be skipped during replication, leaving a gap), and (3) double-strand breaks (i.e. the DNA strand opposite a gap can be cut). In Escherichia coli, the recA gene product is involved in repairs of all three types of lesions--repair of daughter-strand gaps (2) and double-strand breaks (3) constitutes post-replication repair. The evidence suggests, furthermore, that recA-dependent repair of excision gaps (1) produced in DNA replicated prior to UV irradiation (pre-replication repair) appears to occur by similar mechanisms.
Composite model of the complex permittivity of cereal grain

Analytical expressions are presented for the relative permittivity and the loss factor of cereal grains as functions of bulk density, moisture content and frequency. Although models were developed by statistical techniques, terms of the expressions were selected for their physical significance. Values calculated from the model for corn, rye, oats, wheat, and barley are, on average, within 5% for the permittivity or dielectric constant and about 10% for the loss factor, when compared with measured values in the frequency range from 5 to 5000 MHz at moisture contents between 8 and 26%, wet basis.
Structure of D-ribulose 5-phosphate 3-epimerase from Synechocystis to 1.6 A resolution.

The crystal structure of d-ribulose 5-phosphate 3-epimerase (RPE) from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis was determined by X-­ray crystallography to 1.6 A resolution. The enzyme, which catalyzes the epimerization of d-ribulose 5-phosphate and d-­xylulose 5-phosphate, assembles as a hexamer of (β/α)8-barrels in the crystallographic asymmetric unit. The active site is highly similar to those of two previously reported RPEs and provides further evidence for essential catalytic roles for several active-site residues.
Influence of Alley Crop Environment on Orchardgrass and Tall Fescue Herbage

The design of agroforestry systems requires a thorough understanding of biological interactions that might complement or constrain production. The objective of this study was to examine effects of alley crop environment on persistence, herbage yield, nutritive value, and gas exchange (CO 2 exchange rate, transpiration, and stomatal conductance) of two shade-tolerant herbage grasses. The experiment was conducted for 3 yr in orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and a 1:1 binary mixture (tall fescue and orchardgrass) in 4.9-m-wide alleys of 10-yr-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and shortleaf pine (P. echinata Mill.), and the unshaded control at Booneville, AR. Loblolly pine was 1.5 m taller and had twice the canopy cover as shortleaf pine (52 and 25% canopy cover, respectively). Averaged across harvests, orchardgrass persisted better in loblolly pine alleys (72% stand) than in the control (44% stand) while tall fescue persisted better in the control (30% stand) than in loblolly pine (13% stand). Persistence in shortleaf pine alleys was intermediate for both herbage treatments. Yields of orchardgrass and the binary mixture did not differ in pine alleys (1300 kg ha -1 ) and were usually greater than tall fescue yields (≤700 kg ha -1 ). Crude protein was higher in loblolly pine alleys (172 g kg -1 ) than in the control (141 g kg -1 ). Gas exchange parameters were similar for tall fescue and orchardgrass across a range of volumetric soil moisture (15-30%), indicating little difference in drought response. Producers should consider using orchardgrass monocultures or binary mixtures with tall fescue for pine alleys in the midsouth USA.
Delivery of ribosome-inactivating protein toxin into cancer cells with shock waves.

Abstract We report on the use of shock waves delivered by a shock-tube to permeabilize cancer cells and potentiate the cytotoxicity of the type-1 ribosome-inactivating protein, saporin. We studied human colorectal cancer HT29 and ovarian cancer OVCAR-5 cells, and used two different cytotoxicity assays, colony formation and loss of mitochondrial activity. A single shock wave and saporin (10 −9 M) produced significant toxicity not seen with either shock wave or drug alone. Increasing the number of shock waves up to five further increased cytotoxicity. Higher toxicity was seen with the clonogenic assay compared to MTT assay. Shock waves may have applications in promoting cytoplasmic delivery of toxins into cancer cells after intratumoral injection.
Management of holding patterns: A potential ADS-B application

Holding in the national airspace system (NAS) is a necessity in the management of air traffic into the major airports in the system. The necessity follows from the desire not to waste any landing slots at the airport in the face of system uncertainties. Holding patterns maintain a ready reservoir of aircraft nearby the airport to provide a steady flow of aircraft. At the same time that this strategy provides an effective mechanism for providing pressure on the airport, it is workload intensive and inefficient in flowing aircraft uniformly to the airport. This document provides evidence of the amount of holding that is experienced for the New York airports and introduces a concept of using automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B) information to reduce the controller workload and increase the uniformity of the flow of aircraft out of the holding patterns. Estimates of the expected benefits are also presented as well as the next steps to be taken.
AN ALGORITHM FOR LEAST SQUARES ANALYSIS OF SPECTROSCOPIC DATA

This paper describes a variant of the Gauss-Newton-Hartley algorithm for nonlinear least squares, in which aQR implementation is used to solve the linear least squares problem. We follow Grey's idea of updating variables at intermediate stages of the orthogonalization. This technique, applied in partitions identified with known or suspected spectral lines, appears to be especially suited to the analysis of spectroscopic data. We suggest that this algorithm is an attractive candidate for the optimization role in Ekenberg's interactive computer graphics curve fitting program.
Noninvasive optical quantification of absolute blood flow, blood oxygenation, and oxygen consumption rate in exercising skeletal muscle

This study investigates a method using novel hybrid diffuse optical spectroscopies (near-infrared spectros- copy (NIRS) and diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS)) to obtain continuous, noninvasive measurement of absolute blood flow (BF), blood oxygenation, and oxygen consumption rate ( _ VO2) in exercising skeletal muscle. Healthy subjects (n ¼ 9) performed a handgrip exercise to increase BF and _ VO2 in forearm flexor muscles, while a hybrid optical probe on the skin surface directly monitored oxy-, deoxy-, and total hemoglobin concentrations ((HbO2), (Hb), and THC), tissue oxygen saturation (StO2), relative BF (rBF), and relative oxygen consumption rate (r _ VO2). The rBF and r _ VO2 signals were calibrated with absolute baseline BF and _ VO2 obtained through venous and arterial occlusions, respectively. Known problems with muscle-fiber motion artifacts in optical measurements during exercise were mitigated using a novel gating algorithm that determined muscle contraction status based on control signals from a dynamometer. Results were consistent with previous findings in the literature. This study supports the application of NIRS/DCS technology to quantitatively evaluate hemodynamic and metabolic param- eters in exercising skeletal muscle and holds promise for improving diagnosis and treatment evaluation for patients suffering from diseases affecting skeletal muscle and advancing fundamental understanding of muscle and exercise physiology. © 2012 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). (DOI: 10.1117/1.JBO.17.7.075010)
Determination of submicrogram quantities of ruthenium by catalysis of the cerium(iv)-arsenic(iii) reaction

Abstract Ruthenium in amounts of 0 005–0 1 μg (and less if need be) can be determined by its catalysis of the slow reaction between cerium(IV) and arsenic(III) in sulfuric acid solution The rate of the catalyzed reaction is obtained by measuring the concentration of cerium(lV) spectrophotometrically as a function of the time Ruthenium is first separated by carbon tetrachloride extraction of the tetroxide, following argentic oxide oxidation Osmium tetroxide is removed by prior extraction with carbon tetrachloride after differential oxidation with nitric acid Osmium can also be removed by boiling an acid solution with hydrogen peroxide, ruthenium being left in solution