cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurement of Electron Mobility in ${\hbox{Alq}}_{3}$ From Optical Modulation Measurements in Multilayer Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

The dynamic characteristics of multilayer organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) determine the refresh rate in display applications, and are of great importance for practical organic displays. They also serve as an important tool in studying the transport mechanisms in organic conductors. Here, the modulation characteristics of several conventional small-molecule OLED structures [consisting of ITO/PEDOT:PSS(50 nm)/TPD(50 nm)/Alq3(various)/LiF(1 nm)/Al(90 nm)] are measured and analyzed in terms of mobility in and thickness of the Alq 3 layer. Their optical response was shown to be limited by electron transport across the Alq3. Extracted electron mobilities were about 2-4times10-6 cm2/Vmiddots (consistent with that reported in the literature) and near-identical values for mobility were obtained from devices of different thicknesses, suggesting that this method measures mobility independent of interface trap charging. This novel technique is a complement to large signal time of flight or delay time measurements (which can include interface and trap charging during the measurement) and can serve as a flexible method to study transport in actual devices
Distributed Delay: Improving Network Throughput by Reducing Temporal Saturation

We present the Distributed Delay (DD) extension to the Self-Balancing Supply/Demand (SBSD) routing protocols for mobile ad hoc networks. SBSD controls flooding depth to limit network congestion and provides redundant broadcasts at each hop for reliable end-to-end delivery. In DD, the delay between a node-s successive broadcasts increases with that node-s one-hop density, to reduce broadcast redundancy. Simulations consider road-based mobility with varying densities and network traffic levels. Our results show SBSD extended by DD reduces network congestion such that end-to-end delivery for total network traffic is improved without greatly slowing response time.
The Stylistic Effects of Human Rights Rhetoric: An Analysis of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's 2011 LGBT Human Rights Speech

Contemporary emphasis in the rhetorical community currently privileges invention and delivery as modes of analysis for public arguments, as they are the primary areas of the rhetorical canon involved in tracking meaning shifts between these public arguments and the policy initiatives they influence. As a result, stylistic analysis is largely ignored as a critical approach when the purpose of investigation into public arguments is to apprehend policy changes. Through the implementation of a rhetorical stylistic analysis of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s 2011 LGBT human rights speech, this paper seeks to call attention to style’s influence on policy by locating the stylistic choices of public arguments as frameworks for subsequent policy changes.
Effects of Dexamethasone on Excretion of Urinary Kallikrein and Urinary Protein in Dahl Salt-Sensitive and Salt-Resistant Rats

The effect of glucocorticoid treatment on urinary kallikrein excretion was assessed in Dahl salt-hypertension susceptible (S) and salt-hypertension resistant (R) rats. A single dose of dexamethasone (100 μg) caused a marked water diuresis and a slight decrease in urinary kallikrein excretion in both S and R rats. A single dose of dexamethasone also caused the S rat to excrete massive amounts of protein into the urine, almost 3-fold higher than S rats treated with oil; the effect on R rat urinary protein was similar, but less severe. Daily administration of dexamethasone (100 μg/day) for 7 days caused marked suppression of urinary kallikrein excretion in both S and R rats. Increased urinary protein following chronic treatment was still evident in the dexamethasone-treated S rats but not in the dexamethasone-treated R rats. Chronic glucocorticoid treatment probably inhibits urinary kallikrein activity by suppressing pituitary and adrenal function which would remove the stimulatory effect of aldosterone on u...
Ecomog in West Africa: Lessons for Future Peace Initiatives

Guided by an old African song, ""Africa's shaped like a question mark; Africa's got the answer!"" President Thabo Mbeki set in motion the idea of an African Renaissance. Due to Africa's inaction the West has continued to paint a gloomy picture of Africa. Africa is now synonymous with bad news, and this thought is gradually being entrenched in our subconscious. Indeed, Africa is descriptionbed as the centre of bedeviling civil wars, ethnic clashes and total failure by governments to bring about civil unity. As a result, it is only sober and necessary to ask whether anything good has come out of Africa.
Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation in Acute Respiratory Failure

The use of noninvasive mechanical ventilatory support has become more popular since initial studies have noticed improved outcomes and decreased morbidity when compared to invasive mechanical ventilation in select cases of acute respiratory failure. Currently the best evidence for use remains in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute pulmonary edema, and immunocompromised populations. However data continues to accrue for use in other patient populations.
Evidence for a common hepatic cholesterol precursor site for cholic and chenodeoxycholic acid synthesis in man.

SummaryBile fistula patients were administered [14C]cholesterol and labeled mevalonic acid by constant infusion (for 5 hr) or by intravenous pulse. Bile was collected at frequent time intervals. The specific activities of newly synthesized cholic and chenodeoxycholic acids were virtually identical at all time periods (up to 24 hr). These observations provide evidence for the presence of a common cholesterol substrate pool for primary bile acid synthesis in man. Both cholic and chenodeoxycholic acids appear to be synthesized via the 7α-hydroxy-cholesterol pathway.
Optimizing cell seeding and retention in a three-dimensional bioengineered cardiac ventricle: The two-stage cellularization model.

Current cell seeding techniques focus on passively directing cells to a scaffold surface with the addition of dynamic culture to encourage cell permeation. In 3D tissue engineered constructs, cell retention efficiency is dependent on the cell delivery method, and biomaterial properties. Passive cell delivery relies on cell migration to the scaffold surface; biomaterial surface properties and porosity determine cell infiltration capacity. As a result, cell retention efficiencies remain low. The development of an effective two-stage cell seeding technique, coupled with perfusion culture, provides the potential to improve cellularization efficiency, and retention. This study, uses a chitosan bioengineered open ventricle (BEOV) scaffold to produce a two-stage perfusion cultured ventricle (TPCV). TPCV were fabricated by direct injection of 10 million primary rat neonatal cardiac cells, followed by wrapping of the outer scaffold surface with a 3D fibrin gel artificial heart muscle patch; TPCV were perfusion cultured for 3 days. The average biopotential output was 1.731 mV. TPCV cell retention following culture was approximately 5%. Cardiac cells were deposited on the scaffold surface and formed intercellular connections. Histological assessment displayed localized cell clusters, with some dissemination, and validated the observed presence of intercellular and gap-junction interactions. The study demonstrates initial effectiveness of our two-stage cell delivery concept, based on function and biological metrics. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 2275-2285. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cognitive neuroscience from a behavioral perspective: A critique of chasing ghosts with Geiger counters

Abstract Cognitive neuroscience is a growing new discipline concerned with relating complex behavior to neuroanatomy. Relatively new advances in the imaging of brain function, such as positron emission tomography (PET), have generated hundreds of studies that have demonstrated a number of interesting but also potentially problematic brain-behavior relations. For example, cognitive neuroscientists largely favor interpretations of their data that rely on unobserved hypothetical mechanisms. Their reports often contain phraseology such as central executive, willed action, and mental imagery. As B. F. Skinner argued for decades, cognitive constructs of neurological data may yield nothing more than a conceptual nervous system.
Diagnosing sepsis - The role of laboratory medicine.

Abstract Sepsis is the host response to microbial pathogens resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. An accurate and timely diagnosis of sepsis allows prompt and appropriate treatment. This review discusses laboratory testing for sepsis because differentiating systemic inflammation from infection is challenging. Procalcitonin (PCT) is currently an FDA approved test to aid in the diagnosis of sepsis but with questionable efficacy. However, studies support the use of PCT for antibiotic de-escalation. Serial lactate measurements have been recommended for monitoring treatment efficacy as part of sepsis bundles. The 2016 sepsis consensus definitions include lactate concentrations > 2 mmol/L (> 18 mg/dL) as part of the definition of septic shock. Also included in the 2016 definitions are measuring bilirubin and creatinine to determine progression of organ failure indicating worse prognosis. Hematologic parameters, including a simple white blood cell count and differential, are frequently part of the initial sepsis diagnostic protocols. Several new biomarkers have been proposed to diagnose sepsis or to predict mortality, but they currently lack sufficient sensitivity and specificity to be considered as stand-alone testing. If sepsis is suspected, new technologies and microbiologic assays allow rapid and specific identification of pathogens. In 2016 there is no single laboratory test that accurately diagnoses sepsis.
Functional Blood Progenitor Markers in Developing Human Liver Progenitors

In the early fetal liver, hematopoietic progenitors expand and mature together with hepatoblasts, the liver progenitors of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. Previous analyses of human fetal livers indicated that both progenitors support each other's lineage maturation and curiously share some cell surface markers including CD34 and CD133. Using the human embryonic stem cell (hESC) system, we demonstrate that virtually all hESC-derived hepatoblast-like cells (Hep cells) transition through a progenitor stage expressing CD34 and CD133 as well as GATA2, an additional hematopoietic marker that has not previously been associated with human hepatoblast development. Dynamic expression patterns for CD34, CD133, and GATA2 in hepatoblasts were validated in human fetal livers collected from the first and second trimesters of gestation. Knockdown experiments demonstrate that each gene also functions to regulate hepatic fate mostly in a cell-autonomous fashion, revealing unprecedented roles of fetal hematopoietic progenitor markers in human liver progenitors.
First Emission Inventory of Ammonia in Timis County

The Environmental Protection Agency Timisoara is responsible for the environmental protection activity in Timis county, the biggest in the country, situated in western Romania. The complexity of the environmental problems is enhanced because of this border position. As a characteristic of the Timis county is the presence of a large livestock sector.
Geodiverse Routing Protocol with multipath forwarding compared to MPTCP

This work presents a comprehensive performance comparison of our cross-layer resilient protocol stack, ResTP-GeoDivRP against Multipath TCP (MPTCP). A profile-based challenge model is used to better represent different failure scenarios. Furthermore, our resilient protocol stack is implemented in the network simulator ns-3 and emulated in the KanREN testbed. The GeoDivRP routing protocol collects network statistics and calculates multiple geodiverse paths; these paths are provided upstack to our resilient transport protocol, ResTP, for resilient multipath communications. By providing multiple geodiverse paths, our ResTP-GeoDivRP protocol stack provides better path protection against regional failures than MPTCP.
A Prospective Randomized Trial of Mini-Incision Posterior and 2-Incision Total Hip Arthroplasty: Minimum 5-Year Follow-Up.

Abstract Background We previously described the results of a randomized controlled trial of mini-posterior vs 2-incision total hip arthroplasty and were unable to demonstrate significant differences in early outcomes. As less-invasive anterior approaches remain popular, the purpose of this report was to re-examine the outcomes at a minimum 5-year follow-up. Methods Seventy-two patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty were randomized to a mini-posterior or 2-incision approach. Complications, revisions, and clinical outcome measures were compared. Radiographs were reviewed for implant loosening. A power analysis using a minimal clinically important difference value of 6 points for the Harris hip score revealed 28 patients required per group. Results At a mean of 8.2 years (range, 5-10 years), 6 patients died without revision surgery and 63 of 66 living patients were reviewed. There were 6 total failures, 3 in each group. For unrevised patients, there were no significant differences between groups (posterior vs 2-incision) in the Harris hip score (95.5 ± 3.5 vs 95.7 ± 6.3; P = .88), 12-item Short Form Survey physical composite score (50.5 ± 8.5 vs 49.0 ± 9.1; P = .53), 12-item Short Form Survey mental composite score (57.3 ± 4.1 vs 55.4 ± 8.0; P = .25), or single assessment numeric evaluation score (97.1 ± 3.7 vs 97.8 ± 5.2; P = .55). Conclusion We found no differences in midterm outcomes between the 2 approaches. Given the increased complexity, operative time, and need for fluoroscopy with the 2-incision approach combined with equivalent early and midterm outcomes, the 2-incision approach has been abandoned in the senior author's practice.
Ceasefire Agreements and Peace Processes: A Comparative Study

This book analyses and compares ceasefire agreements as part of peace processes in intrastate armed conflicts. Research repeatedly underscores the importance of ceasefire agreements in peace proces ...
Primary vs. delayed perineal proctectomy—there is no free lunch

Perineal wound complications associated with anorectal excision are associated with prolonged wound healing and readmission. In order to avoid these problems, the surgeon may choose to leave the anorectum in situ. The purpose of this study is to compare complications and outcomes after primary vs. delayed anorectum removal. A retrospective review of all patients undergoing proctectomy or proctocolectomy with permanent stoma between 2004 and 2014 in a single tertiary institution was conducted. During the study period, we identified 117 proctectomy patients; 69 (59%) patients had anorectum removed at index operation and 41% had the anorectum left in place. Patients with retained anorectum developed pelvic abscess significantly more frequently as compared to the other group (23 vs. 4%, p = 0.003). In patients with primary anorectum removal, 22 (32%) had perineal complications and 10 (15%) required reoperations. In patients with retained anorectum, 12 patients (25%) came back for delayed perineal proctectomy at a mean time of 277 days after the index operation; 7 of those (58%) developed postoperative wound complications. There was no difference in time to perineal wound healing between primary and delayed perineal proctectomy group (154 vs. 211 days, p = 0.319). Surgery involving the distal rectum is associated with a significant number of infectious perineal complications. Although leaving the anorectum in place avoids a primary perineal wound, both approaches are associated with a significant number of complications including reoperation.
Sport Fan Evaluations of a Major League Baseball Season: Key Predictors and Influence on Future Evaluations and Consumption Behaviors

ABSTRACTThe current study examined fan evaluations of Major League Baseball team performance for a previous season as well as predictions of, and consumption expectations for, an upcoming season. With respect to evaluations of the recently completed season, appraisals were positively predicted by team identification, actual wins, and the number of playoff series played; evaluations were negatively predicted by simply making the playoffs. As for expectations for the next season, evaluations of the previous season, team identification, and actual wins were key predictors as those with more positive evaluations, higher levels of identification, and rooting for teams with fewer wins expected better performances from their team. Regarding consumption, team identification and expectations for the upcoming year were frequent predictors of a variety of consumption forms (e.g. attendance at home games, television viewing).
DACOS: DAKOTA-AGENT neutronics computational optimization system

Abstract DACOS is a newly developed computational optimization system that merges well-known neutron transport code AGENT and well-known optimization tool DAKOTA. The DACOS can be applied to any reactor configuration for the purpose of optimizing its parameters such as but not limited to determining the optimal fuel composition and spatial distribution, amount and position of reflectors and neutron absorbing materials to achieve a specified neutron flux at a given location in the reactor or reactor power level. In this paper we provide detailed description of the DACOS system performances with the examples that include modeling of the University of Utah TRIGA research reactor to achieve a specific neutron flux in the center of the reactor by altering the fuel, reflectors, and neutron absorbing materials and their placement within the core. This research reactor DACOS model is also utilized in demonstrating its ability to determine the control rod placement and fuel placement to assure a desired k eff . The DACOS demonstrated the ability to successfully optimize neutron flux and k eff and thus shows to be applied to any type and complexity of nuclear reactors.
Solitary fibrous tumour of the female genital tract: a clinicopathological analysis of 25 cases.

Aims Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is an uncommon spindle cell neoplasm of fibroblastic origin, first described as a tumor of the pleura and now well established at extrapleural sites. However, SFT in the female genital tract is rare and therefore not fully characterized. Material and results We describe a series of 25 SFTs arising throughout the gynecologic tract, including vulva (14 cases), vagina (1), cervix (1), uterus (6), ovary (2) and fallopian tube (1). The tumors demonstrated classic histology as well as known variant morphologic features, including those with a fatty component, diffuse stromal hyalinization, myxoid stroma, and giant cell angiofibroma-like features. Eleven (11/25, 44%) were considered histologically malignant based on mitotic counts ≥ 4 per 10 high-power field (HPF). Follow-up data was available for 9 (3 to 56 months; mean 25 months). Six patients are alive with no evidence of disease and three are alive with disease. SFT as well as other spindle cell lesions of the gynecologic tract were stained for STAT6. Ninety percent of SFTs showed nuclear expression of STAT6. The majority of other tumor types were negative for STAT6, except in a subset of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (1 of 3; 33%), fibroma/thecoma (3 of 56; 5%), and sclerosing stromal tumor (1 of 3; 33%) that demonstrated weak/focal staining. Conclusion Gynecologic SFT can be diagnosed reliably with careful morphologic evaluation and judicious use of immunohistochemical stains, and should be considered in the diagnostic workup of spindle cell tumors of unclear lineage in the female genital tract. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Traumatic Stress, Social Support, and Health Among Older American Indians: The Native Elder Care Study

Objectives To estimate the prevalence of lifetime traumatic experiences, describe related symptoms of traumatic stress, and examine their association with perceived social support and physical and mental health among older American Indians. Method Analyses of existing interview data from the Native Elder Care Study, a random age-stratified sample of 505 tribal members ≥55 years of age conducted in partnership with a large Southeastern tribe. Interviews assessed trauma exposure, traumatic stress, measures of social support, and physical and mental health status. Results Overall, 31% of participants had experienced a traumatic event; of these, 43% reported traumatic stress at the time of the interview. Higher perceived social support was associated with a reduced prevalence of traumatic stress. Compared to their counterparts without traumatic stress, women participants reporting traumatic stress reported more symptoms of depression, and both symptomatic men and women had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease and chronic pain. Discussion Traumatic stress was associated with less perceived social support and poorer health. Social support was not found to moderate the relationship between traumatic stress and physical and mental health.
Teaching Entrepreneurial Action Through Prototyping: The Prototype-It Challenge:

This article outlines a novel approach to engaging entrepreneurship students in a hands-on, action-oriented prototyping exercise. The pedagogical focus of the Prototype-It Challenge is on the relat...
The World's Most Famous Math Problem (The Proof of Fermat's Last Theorem and Other Mathematical Mysteries). By Marilyn vos Savant

(1995). The World's Most Famous Math Problem (The Proof of Fermat's Last Theorem and Other Mathematical Mysteries). By Marilyn vos Savant. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 102, No. 5, pp. 470-473.
Metabolism and actions of ADP-riboses in coronary arterial smooth muscle.

The present study examined the metabolism of ADP-ribose (ADPR) and cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) in small bovine coronary arterial homogenates and characterized the effects of these nucleotides on the activity of potassium (K+) channels in coronary smooth muscle cells. ADPR and cADPR were produced from NAD+ (lmM) by homogenates from small bovine coronary arteries. The conversion rate was 2.81 ± 0.19 nmol/min/100 µg protein for ADPR and 1.37 ± 0.03 nmol/min/100 µg protein for cADPR. In patch clamp experiments, ADPR produced a concentration-dependent increase in the activity of a calcium activated K (KCa) channel in inside-out membrane patches of coronary arterial smooth muscle cells at concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 10 µM. The open state probability (NPo) of KCa channel was maximally increased 5-fold at a concentration of 10 µM. cADPR reduced the activity of KCa channel at concentrations of 1 and 10 µM. The NPo was decreased by 45% and 75%, respectively. The results indicate that there is an enzymatic pathway in the coronary arterial smooth muscle to produce ADPR and cADPR. These nucleotides may play a role in the control of coronary vascular tone by altering the activity of the KCa channel in vascular smooth muscle cells.
Mind, Structure, and Contradiction

In working on the mind-brain problem over the last few years, I have become disheartened on occasion and come to the conclusion that western man is uniquely equipped and situated so as to make that problem unsolvable, even though it may be a rather simple problem indeed. As a scientist, I would like to hold philosophers responsible for this state of affairs! However, the roots appear to lie deeper than mere verbal obfuscation. As Freud pointed out, the Copernican revolution, the Darwinian revolution, and finally the psychoanalytic revolution—the latter being more of a quelled insurrection—all comprised narcissistic injuries to man, who had seen himself variously as the center of the universe, distinct from other forms of life, and consciously determining his own behavior. Perhaps to understand the mind-brain problem, we have to give up further narcissistic notions—that we are the only conscious form of life, that the world actually 2 is as we perceive it to be, indeed that we are in any nontrivial way distinct from the rest of the natural world. Those of you who have read the brilliant and extraordinary books of Carlos Castaneda (1969, 1971, 1973, 1974) which describe his apprenticeship to a Yaqui Indian sorcerer, don Juan, will appreciate the tenacity with which we, reared in a western philosophical and scientific paradigm, hold onto these narcissistic notions. In this regard, I find that the mystical paradigm has much to offer, when considering the mind-brain puzzle.
“I’m Going Out There and I’m Telling This Story”: Victimhood and Empowerment in Narratives of Military Sexual Violence

Storytelling has been central within the movement against military sexual violence. Among communication scholarship on narrative, there are both studies demonstrating that narrative begins to assua...
Application of Heated Water to Reduce Populations of Brettanomyces bruxellensis Present in Oak Barrel Staves

New 16 L and three-year-old commercial 225 L barrels representing French and American oaks of different toasting levels, contaminated with Brettanomyces bruxellensis, were obtained. Center sections of individual staves were sawn into 3 x 3 cm cubes and submerged 2 mm into heated water at 50°C, 60°C, 70°C, or 80°C. Following heat treatment, cross sections and/or shavings were collected and transferred into a yeast recovery medium for incubation for ≥60 days. Culturable cells were not recovered from cubes heated in water at 70°C for 20 minutes, or 80°C for 15 minutes, when the yeast was present in oak at depths of ≤4 mm. However, longer heating times (70°C for 30 min or 80°C for 20 min) were required if B. bruxellensis was present at depths of 5 to 9 mm within cubes made from staves. Based on these results, heating water to at least 70°C for a minimum of 30 minutes is recommended to reduce risk of wine spoilage by barrels contaminated with B. bruxellensis.
Recurrent mosaic MTOR c.5930C > T (p.Thr1977Ile) variant causing megalencephaly, asymmetric polymicrogyria, and cutaneous pigmentary mosaicism: Case report and review of the literature.

Genetic alterations leading to overactivation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling result in brain overgrowth syndromes such as focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) and megalencephaly. Megalencephaly with cutis tri-color of the Blaschko-linear type pigmentary mosaicism and intellectual disability is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder attributed to the recurrent mosaic c.5930C > T (p.Thr1977Ile) MTOR variant. This variant was previously reported at low to intermediate levels of mosaicism in the peripheral blood of three unrelated individuals with consistent clinical findings. We report a fourth case of a 3-year-old female presenting with megalencephaly, obstructive hydrocephalus due to cerebral aqueductal stenosis, asymmetric polymicrogyria, dysgenesis of the corpus callosum, hypotonia, developmental delay, and cutaneous pigmentary mosaicism. Oligonucleotide and SNP chromosomal microarray (CMA), karyotype, and trio whole exome sequencing (WES) in the peripheral blood, as well as a targeted gene variant panel from fibroblasts derived from hyperpigmented and non-hyperpigmented skin did not detect any abnormalities in MTOR or other genes associated with brain overgrowth syndromes. Unlike the previously reported cases, the de novo c.5930C > T (p.Thr1977Ile) MTOR variant was detected at 32% mosaicism in our patient only after WES was performed on fibroblast-derived DNA from the hyperpigmented skin. This case demonstrates the tissue variability in mosaic expression of the recurrent p.Thr1977Ile MTOR variant, emphasizes the need for skin biopsies in the genetic evaluation of patients with skin pigmentary mosaicism, and expands the clinical phenotype associated with this pathogenic MTOR variant.
Rapid Identification of Phospholipase A2 Transcripts from Snake Venoms

Phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) is a major component in snake venoms and it is found in many different isoforms. To identify transcripts encoding different PLA₂ isoforms, we developed a simple, rapid procedure. Total RNA was extracted from the venoms of three cottonmouth snakes and two diamondback rattlesnakes, and further reverse-transcribed into complementary DNA (cDNA). Using one pair of cottonmouth PLA₂-specific primers and a Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) technique, we identified 27 unique full-length PLA₂ transcripts, including nine sequences identical to the previously documented ones in the database and one novel GIII-like PLA₂. Two common transcripts respectively encoding Asp49 and Lys49 PLA₂ isoforms were identified in all three cottonmouth venoms, that contain more PLA₂ transcripts than the diamondback rattlesnake venoms. The placement of cloned PLA₂ transcripts in snake venom PLA₂s was further discussed by phylogenetic analysis. The procedure developed in this study paves the way for accelerated acquisition of transcriptome data on any other venom toxin families. The results obtained are crucial for insight into the structure and function of PLA₂ isoforms for scientific and potential therapeutic purposes.
How to Manage Aortic Regurgitation from an Allograft

The benefits of Ross operation include the elimination of postoperative anticoagulant therapy, and the favorable postoperative valve function. The procedure has widely been performed as autologous pulmonary valve (PV) transplantation to treat aortic valve (AV) disease predominantly in young patients. Example of good indications for the procedure include women who wish to fall pregnant or athletes who want to avoid anticoagulants, young patients for whom a suitable prosthetic valve size cannot be found, and patients with infective endocarditis.
Capacity Design Procedure for Rocking Braced Frames Using Modified Modal Superposition Method

AbstractRocking braced frames (RBF) are innovative structural systems that maintain near-zero residual drift through controlled rocking and a self-centering posttensioning system. The braced frame ...
Rabbits and Flying Warriors: The Postindian Imagery of Jim Denomie

In an era defined by self-determination and decolonization, it is refreshing and startling to hear about indigenous artists making every effort possible not to be “Indian artists.”1 Although the phrase Indian art is still commonplace in the vernacular of indigenous artists, historians, and critics, it is used within a community that has undergone substantial changes since the post-1945 generation of artists, including Oscar Howe (Lakota) and Allan Houser (Apache), first confronted a conservative and largely Euro-American–controlled art establishment that unequivocally shunned their efforts to create an indigenous discourse on modernist aesthetics. Especially since the rise of the Institute of American Indian Art (IAIA) during the early 1960s, one has seen artists from a range of tribal backgrounds striving to exceed the limitations of “Indian art,” which is a nonindigenous identity imposed primarily by well-meaning patrons of Native North American art—most famously Dorothy Dunn and Mabel Lujan. Although these patrons revered the artwork of the indigenous imagination, they nonetheless stifled efforts at responding and adapting to a drastically changing world. Consequently, although the Indian art of the 1920s and 1930s may have reflected the climate of reform and a more enlightened acceptance of American Indian cultures, as epitomized by the 1934 Wheeler-Howard Act (Indian Reorganization Act) and the 1935 Indian Arts and Crafts Act, Indian easel art—most notably, the San Ildefonso watercolorists—was frozen in time
Beginning to end hunger: food and the environment in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and beyond

Even if you study urban food security, there is a chance you have not heard of Belo Horizonte. That Brazilian city, the sixth-largest in the country, some 600 kilometers northeast of Sao Paulo, is ...
Authoring Conversational Intelligent Tutoring Systems.

Conversational Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITSs) are expensive to develop. While simple online courseware could be easily authored by teachers, the authoring of conversational ITSs usually involves a team of experts with different expertise, including domain experts, linguists, instruction designers, programmers, artists, computer scientists, etc. Reducing the authoring cost has long been a problem in the use of ITSs. Using AutoTutor as example, this paper discusses the authoring process and possible solutions by automatizing some authoring processes in authoring conversational ITSs.
Classification of Arthritis

Arthritis is a broad term that encompasses many different etiologies. Joints can be damaged due to degenerative changes and inflammatory changes or through deposition of unwelcome substances. Each affects the joint in a unique manner.
Insulin BBB pharmacokinetics in young apoE male and female transgenic mice

In addition to age, apolipoprotein E4 (E4), female sex, or a combination of both synergistically increase the risk for the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Why these risk factors predispose an individual to developing AD later in life is the target of the current investigation. Central nervous system (CNS) insulin resistance is associated with cognitive impairment and AD. CNS insulin is acquired primarily from the circulation and therefore must negotiate the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Thus, changes in BBB transport of insulin could lead to alterations in CNS insulin signaling and resistance, which would then lead to changes in cognition. There has been recent evidence suggesting the relationship between CNS insulin; E4, a risk factor to develop AD as compared to E3; and the female sex in aged individuals and in pre-clinical models. However, this relationship has been largely unexplored at a younger age, in which some of these risk factors could predispose an individual to dysregulation of CNS insulin later in life. Here, we present the first findings of BBB insulin pharmacokinetics in young E3 and E4 male and female targeted replacement (TR) mice. We found that levels of insulin binding the vasculature at the BBB are different due to genotype and sex which could impact the function of the brain endothelial cell. These early alterations could contribute to or fully explain the age-related cognitive changes observed due to CNS insulin signaling in E4 and/or female individuals.
Geometric Integrability of the Camassa–Holm Equation

It is observed that the Camassa–Holm equation describes pseudo-spherical surfaces and that therefore, its integrability properties can be studied by geometrical means. An sl(2, R)-valued linear problem whose integrability condition is the Camassa–Holm equation is presented, a ‘Miura transform’ and a ‘modified Camassa–Holm equation’ are introduced, and conservation laws for the Camassa–Holm equation are then directly constructed. Finally, it is pointed out that this equation possesses a nonlocal symmetry, and its flow is explicitly computed.
Chapter 22 – Otolith Thermal Marking

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the underlying basis for thermal marking, discusses how thermal marks are applied, describes methods for creating mark codes to organize information on otoliths, and notes some of the challenges and drawbacks of the technique. It also discusses current applications of the technique, focusing on salmonid fishes on the Pacific Rim. It is remarkable that periodic changes in water temperature have profound enough effects on growing otoliths that regulated changes in water temperature can be used to mark fish on such a grand scale. Thermal marking has been successful with a variety of salmonid species, and large-scale programs in Canada, Japan, Russia, and the United States are thermally marking some 20% of hatchery-produced salmon in the North Pacific Ocean. An estimated 1.1 billion thermally marked juveniles were released from Pacific Rim hatcheries in 2003, more than 90% of which were pink and chum salmon. The impact of this marking technique on stock assessment for specific fisheries management issues has been significant, and because many hatchery stocks carry otolith marks, collected samples from a variety of settings are more routinely checked for marks. This will continue to produce important information on the distribution, abundance, and migration of Pacific salmon.
Radiographic assessments of pediatric supracondylar fractures and mid-term patient-reported outcomes.

Radiographic parameters are commonly used to determine the need for surgical supracondylar humeral (SCH) fracture reduction and the postoperative quality of reduction. We studied whether such parameters are correlated with mid-term patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores in pediatric patients.We retrospectively reviewed data from 213 patients (104 girls) treated surgically for Gartland type-II (n = 84) or type-III (n = 129) SCH fractures from 2008-2016. Mean (± standard deviation) age at surgery was 5.1 ± 2.1 years. Mean time from initial treatment to outcome survey completion was 5.0 ± 2.1 years (range, 2.0-10 years). We evaluated preoperative radiographs for coronal/sagittal fracture displacement, presence of impaction/comminution, Gartland classification, and rotation. Patients, parents were asked via telephone to complete the QuickDASH (Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) and PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) Strength Impact, Upper Extremity, and Pain Interference questionnaires. Parents were also asked whether the previously fractured arm appeared normal or abnormal. We evaluated postoperative radiographs for coronal/sagittal deformity, Baumann angle, and rotation and classified reductions as near complete/complete or incomplete. Anterior humeral line through the capitellum, Baumann angle in the 7.5th to 92.5th percentile of the sample, or rotation ratio between 0.85 and 1.15 were considered near complete/complete reductions; all others were considered incomplete. Bivariate analysis was used to determine whether radiographic parameters and arm appearance were associated with QuickDASH and PROMIS scores.Patients with Gartland type-III fractures had significantly greater disability on the QuickDASH at follow-up compared with those with Gartland type-II fractures (P < .01). It is unknown if this statistical difference translates to clinical relevance. No other preoperative or postoperative radiographic parameter was significantly associated with PRO scores. There was no association between fractured arm appearance at follow-up and PRO scores.Radiographic parameters that are used to evaluate the need for and quality of pediatric SCH fracture reduction are not significantly associated with mid-term PROMIS and QuickDASH scores.LOE: Prognostic Level III.
COMPARISON OF RETAKE RATES OF INTRAORAL RADIOGRAPHS USING ROUND AND RECTANGULAR COLLIMATORS

BACKGROUND Use of rectangular collimators has been shown to reduce exposure rates compared with round collimators.1-3 However, transitioning from round to rectangular collimators can result in higher numbers of retakes because of a smaller margin for error.4 OBJECTIVE(S) The aim of the study was to examine the extent and distribution of retakes in digital intraoral imaging when transitioning from round to rectangular collimators and the effect on radiation exposure to patients. STUDY DESIGN Retake data for intraoral radiographs in a dental school radiology clinic were collected for 2018 to 2019. Round collimators were used throughout 2018, with a shift to rectangular collimators with same class rotating through radiology starting in 2019. Overall exposure values were obtained by comparing exposure factors registered for images in the picture archiving and communication system (PACS) system to published exposure values for periapical images.1 RESULTS `There was a significant increase in retakes across all semesters while using rectangular collimation. However, retakes decreased from summer to fall semesters. A significant reduction in radiation exposure to patients due to use of rectangular collimation despite the higher retake numbers was also noted. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS Even with didactic courses and training, an increase in numbers of retakes with the transition to rectangular collimation was noted. However, as students gained more practice and confidence in capturing radiographs, retakes decreased. Because a significant reduction in radiation exposure to patients while using rectangular collimation was noted, increased effort to train and implement rectangular collimation should be made. With proper clinical and didactic training and emphasis on the importance of rectangular collimators, a transition from round to rectangular collimation can be made with a minimal initial increase in numbers of retakes and subsequent normalization, resulting in significant reduction of undue radiation dosage to the population.
Some Unsolved Problems in X-Ray Absorption Spectrometry

This X-ray session of the Thirteenth Annual Mid-American Spectroscopy Symposium has brought together a relatively large group of people who are interested in the spectroscopy of X-ray absorbers and emitters in situ. It is probably the largest such group assembled since the conference organized by Professor Beeman and held at the University of Wisconsin about a dozen years ago. I hope we can profit from this assemblage.
On a Hybrid Genetic Algorithm Solving a Global Path Planning for a Ground Mobile Robot

A general framework for one of the key issues of modern mobile robotics is presented. For generating of global path for a mobile robot a specialised hybrid genetic algorithm was elaborated. A specific type of genotype representation have been chosen comparing to classical random sampling. For this specific representation a set of genotype improvement operators and specialized crossover operator have been proposed as a hybridization of an algorithm. These operators aims in speeding up calculations and generating better results.
Mixotrophy and the toxicity of Ochromonas in pelagic food webs

Summary 1. Toxic compounds produced by many phytoplankton taxa are known to have negative effects on competitors (allelopathy), anti-predatory effects on grazers (mortality or impaired reproduction) or both. Although mixotrophs of the genus Ochromonas are known to be toxic to zooplankton, it has often been assumed in studies of plankton community processes that all flagellates in the size range of this taxon are edible to typical zooplankton grazers (i.e. cells ≤30 μm for Daphnia, ≤6 μm for rotifers). 2. We explored the toxicity of a species of Ochromonas to other planktonic taxa, including its competitors (two species of phytoplankton and protists) and consumers (two species of zooplankton). To test if mode of nutrition by this mixotroph influences its toxicity to other taxa, we exposed each test species to Ochromonas cultured in chemostats under four different nutritional regimes: osmotrophy (labile dissolved organic carbon) and phagotrophy (bacterial prey) in both light and dark conditions (i.e. with or without photosynthesis). 3. Filtrate from osmotrophically fed Ochromonas had a significant negative effect on the population growth rate of two obligate phototrophic phytoplankton, Cryptomonasozolini and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The protists Tetrahymena tetrahymena and Paramecium aurelia were also negatively affected by Ochromonas filtrate. Ochromonas cells were toxic to both the rotifer Brachionus calicyflorus and the cladoceran Daphnia pulicaria, with the toxic effects significantly more severe when fed at high cell densities (75 000 cells mL−1) than at low densities (7500 cells mL−1). Ochromonas cultured osmotrophically in the light was more toxic to the Daphnia than cells cultured under other conditions. In contrast, Ochromonas from all nutritional conditions was equally highly toxic to Brachionus. 4. Our findings support the view that Ochromonas can be toxic to other components of the food web with which it interacts. It is especially toxic to zooplankton that directly consume it, although the effect depends upon Ochromonas cell density and whether or not a good food source is simultaneously present. Our results call into question the common practice of pooling flagellates into a single ‘functional group’ included in an ‘edible phytoplankton’ category of cells <30 μm in diameter.
Quaternary deformation along the Meeman‐Shelby Fault near Memphis, Tennessee, imaged by high‐resolution marine and land seismic reflection profiles

[1] A series of high-resolution seismic reflection surveys was carried out in 2008, 2010, and 2011, providing a total of five new seismic profiles constraining the location and character of the Meeman-Shelby Fault (MSF), about 9 km west of Memphis, Tennessee, in the Central U.S. The MSF is the best documented fault closest to Memphis yet discovered and shows a recurrent fault history. The fault, as imaged by the reflection profiles, is ~45 km long, strikes N25°E, and dips west-northwest ~83°, exhibiting an up-to-the-west sense of motion with a possible right-lateral strike-slip component. The data show that on average, the MSF offsets the Paleozoic unit ~77 m and folds the top of the Cretaceous unit and the Paleocene-Eocene Wilcox Group ~44 and ~25 m, respectively. One seismic profile acquired along the Mississippi River images the bottom of the Quaternary alluvium warped up ~28 m, indicating recent activity of the MSF. Calculated vertical slip rates of the MSF during the deposition of the Upper Cretaceous, Paleocene, Eocene, and Quaternary sediments are 0.0022, 0.0010, 0.0004, and 0.2154 mm/yr, respectively, suggesting an increase in fault activity during the Quaternary. Consistent with the present stress field and the deformation of the New Madrid seismic zone fault system, we interpret the MSF as a P shear fault in the context of a left-stepping, right-lateral constraining strike-slip fault system under a nearly east-west oriented compressional stress field. Source scaling estimates indicate that the MSF is capable of generating a M6.9 earthquake if rupturing in one event.
Surface Coverage Issues When Using Eddy Current Arrays

Over the past few years, the need for improved flaw detection sensitivity has motivated the development of imaging techniques for eddy current testing [1]. The imaging approach has a major advantage over more traditional eddy current detection methods as image processing routines may be applied to the eddy current images to enhance flaw detection capability. Smaller probes are also being developed to further improve the resolution and sensitivity of flaw detection. The use of smaller probes, however, requires shorter data acquisition sampling intervals. This forces a tradeoff between inspection resolution and inspection speed. The need for simultaneous improvement in both inspection resolution and speed has stimulated an interest in eddy current arrays. As a result, a powerful new eddy current array inspection technology is emerging.
Boron in the Hyades Giants

Spectra of two of the Hyades giants ϵ Tau (HD 28305) and δ 1 Tau (HD 27697), the reference K0II giant β Gem (HD 62509), and the Hyades main-sequence F star 45 Tau (vB 14) have been obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope. Boron abundances were determined from spectrum synthesis of the region near 2500A. Since B is destroyed by (p,α) reactions at a temperature near 5 million degrees, it is expected to be preserved in only an outer shell on the main-sequence, and diluted by B-free interior material on the giant branch. We find the B abundance in each giant is reduced below solar by just the factor of 10 predicted by standard stellar evolution models. Li, which is more fragile than B, is reduced in the same stars by a factor of 160. The prediction is 60 — a long standing discrepancy. However, when NLTE effects are accounted for, the observed Li dilution factor becomes 80, equaling the predicted value within measurement error. No unusual mass loss or non-standard internal mixing is required to match the B or Li observations.