cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nitric acid dissolution of large mixed cellulose ester filters for beryllium determination

Abstract Defense program use of beryllium has resulted in the need for a wide variety of sampling methods to assess the potential for airborne beryllium particulates. One technique employed in field sampling uses large (8 × 10 in.) mixed cellulose ester (MCE) filters in high volume air samplers. Standard methods for the acid digestion and analysis of the large MCE filters cannot be utilized as the increase in filter mass leads to an uncontrolled exothermic reaction (open flames). As this compromises data quality and presents a significant safety hazard, we propose here an alternative method for digesting these large filters to ensure a solution compatible with ICP-AES (inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy) analysis. The method is a modification of well accepted hot plate digestion methods, which avoids the use of the most hazardous acids such as perchloric or hydrofluoric. While only beryllium was investigated, it is likely that other metals on filters could be digested by this method. Filter media were spiked with a variety of beryllium sources to test the digestion, including beryllium solution spikes, beryllium metal, beryllium oxide and beryllium in soil. Recovery of beryllium metal (103%), beryllium in soil (96%) and beryllium solution spikes (93%) were excellent.
TU‐A‐BRB‐02: Imaging for Planning/Verification: In‐Room Imaging

It was not too long ago when CT based treatment planning was reserved for the few patients that was critical to have volumetric imaging, and treatment verification was limited to planar films of mediocre quality from a megavoltage imaging source. Today, we use multi‐modality based planning (CT,MRI,PET etc) and we employ sophisticated imaging tools and techniques to verify the correct delivery of the treatment. Such imaging capabilities include electronic portal imaging devices coupled with megavoltage (MV) or kilovoltage (kV) x‐ray sources, MV and kV cone beam CT,ultrasound guidance, optical systems, MV computed tomography,CT on rails and others. The goal of any in‐room imaging device is to verify that the patient setup is accurate and in accordance to the treatment plan. While some modalities allow for pre‐treatment verification, others can also provide on‐treatment verification feedback. The choice of the modality to use depends largely on user preference but also on the investment the clinic is willing to make to purchase the necessary equipment. Nonetheless, image based treatment verification has become a necessary and valuable aspect of our clinical practice and is enabling us to become a lot more aggressive with the planning and delivery of radiation treatments.Image Guided Radiation Therapy(IGRT) is undoubtedly the future of radiation therapy. In this presentation we will discuss some of the most popular methods of imaging for treatment verification techniques. Clinical examples will also be presented to demonstrate the implementation, use, and clinical experience with these modalities. Educational Objectives: 1. Review of existing image based treatment verification modalities. 2. Discuss pros and cons of each modality and appropriateness of use.
Approach navigation for a Titan aerocapture orbiter

A proposed Titan aerocapture mission will send an orbiter and surface probe to Titan. Aerocapture technology will be employed to slow the spacecraft and perform the orbit insertion.
Gas-Phase Oxidation of 1-Butene Using Nanoscale TiO2 Photocatalysts

The effects of preparation methods, humidity, and calcination temperatures on the behavior on nanoscale TiO{sub 2} photocatalysts were investigated in this study. Application of these photocatalysts were investigated in this study. Application of these photocatalysts in the gas-phase decomposition of 1-butene demonstrated that the nanoscale catalysts, prepared y the acid-assisted sol-gel technique, showed higher photocatalytic reactivity than commercially available Degussa P-25 TiO{sub 2}, while lower photoactivity was obtained on TiO{sub 2} catalysts prepared without photoactivity was obtained available Degussa P-25 TiO{sub 2}, while lower photoactivity was obtained on TiO{sub 2} catalysts prepared without adding acid to titanium isopropoxide. Experimental results revealed that the oxidation rates of 1-butene decreased exponentially with increasing water concentrations in the flowing stream. However, a trace amount of water vapor was indispensable in maintaining the stability of the catalysts. Proper calcination temperature (300 C) could promote the resistance of catalysts against the poisoning effects of humidity. Higher calcination temperature (400 C) unfavorably lowered the photoactivity due to phase transformation occurring at such a temperature. Amorphous and futile-typed TiO{sub 2} showed less photocatalytic reactivity. XRD patterns and BET measurements indicated that moderate surface areas (from 100 to 160 m{sup 2}/g), appropriate crystallite sizes (5{approximately}6 nm), and crystallinitymore » to anatase were beneficial to the photocavity of TiO{sub 2} catalysts. In situ FTIR studies indicated that catalyst surfaces contained large amounts of chemisorbed water and hydroxyl groups, which are considered to be active sites in photocatalytic reactions. The accumulation of carbonate species on active sites resulted in the deactivation of TiO{sub 2} catalysts under dry conditions. quantum size effects were thought to be responsible for the high photoactivity achieved on the nanoscale TiO{sub 2} catalysts prepared by sol-gel methods.« less
Tourism Image: Attribute Measurement of State Tourism Products Using Multidimensional Scaling Techniques:

State tourism image is a complex combination of various products and associated attributes . Attribute identification, along with state tourism product position, was inves tigated using multidimensional scaling analysis (MDS). Two-dimensional analysis on image data collected for the states of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah revealed salient attributes together with state touristic product images. The MDS procedure allowed for subjective interpretation of data, resulting in marketing implications for redirecting state image and modifying promotional campaigns. It was suggested that MDS analysis provides for alternative assessments of state tourism image, but before product reposition ing efforts are undertaken , individuals possessing intimate familiarity with the destination area be consulted for assistance in data interpretation.
Depression and Bulimia in a Pregnant Woman

CASE REPORT Ms. C. was a neatly groomed and well-dressed 32-year-old married woman with a history of anorexia nervosa during adolescence and a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa since age 22. At the time of her presentation, she was bingeing and purging by vomiting once or twice per week and felt moderately depressed, with occasional difficulty getting out of bed in the morning. She had recently become pregnant. Ms. C. was the oldest of three children and grew up in a chaotic and impaired family. Her father was an alcoholic who was prone to rageful verbal and physical attacks on her and her mother and sister. Ms. C.’s mother was passive and inconsistent in both her disciplining and her nurturing. Ms. C.’s father left the family when she was 10 years old, and her parents were divorced several years later. Her younger brother began abusing alcohol and drugs during adolescence, and her younger sister became depressed and attempted suicide in her late 20s. Ms. C. was born prematurely, and her childhood emphasized overfeeding as a means of compensating for her low birthweight. She gained adequate weight prior to puberty but continued to eat large amounts. By early adolescence her weight was slightly above average. Ms. C. stated, “food has always been an issue in my life, one way or another. Either I was being forced to eat more in order to gain weight, or I was dieting like crazy to lose weight.” In junior
Lung Perfusion Measured Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging: New Tools for Physiological Insights Into the Pulmonary Circulation

Since the lung receives the entire cardiac output, sophisticated imaging techniques are not required in order to measure total organ perfusion. However, for many years studying lung function has required physiologists to consider the lung as a single entity: in imaging terms as a single voxel. Since imaging, and in particular functional imaging, allows the acquisition of spatial information important for studying lung function, these techniques provide considerable promise and are of great interest for pulmonary physiologists. In particular, despite the challenges of low proton density and short T2* in the lung, noncontrast MRI techniques to measure pulmonary perfusion have several advantages including high reliability and the ability to make repeated measurements under a number of physiologic conditions. This brief review focuses on the application of a particular arterial spin labeling (ASL) technique, ASL-FAIRER (flow sensitive inversion recovery with an extra radiofrequency pulse), to answer physiologic questions related to pulmonary function in health and disease. The associated measurement of regional proton density to correct for gravitational-based lung deformation (the "Slinky" effect (Slinky is a registered trademark of Pauf-Slinky incorporated)) and issues related to absolute quantification are also discussed.
Wind speed and wavelength dependence of radar backscatter variations due to ocean fronts and internal waves

Multifrequency SAR images of fronts and internal waves collected under moderately low wind speeds indicate that the wavelength dependence of such features is contrary to the predictions of models that take into account only Bragg wave interactions with surface currents. Observations under very low wind speeds also show features that are inconsistent with simple Bragg model predictions. These observations are reviewed, and some hypotheses regarding the effects of finite amplitude intermediate-scale waves are discussed.
Ventricular Arrhythmias in Dogs With Splenic Masses

Summary The records of 73 dogs with splenic masses were evaluated retrospectively to determine whether ventricular arrhythmias, in the absence of clinically apparent underlying heart disease, were a common clinical finding. Associated clinical, laboratory, and pathologic findings were evaluated to search for clinical predictors of ventricular arrhythmias. Age, breed, weight, sex, coagulation abnormalities, electrolyte abnormalities, and hemoabdomen were unrelated to the development of arrhythmias (p > 0.05). Anemia was associated with the presence of arrhythmias (p = 0.005). Myocardial necrosis (10/18) and metastatic hemangiosarcoma (3/18) were common myocardial histopathologic findings. Proposed causes for arrhythmias in dogs with splenic masses include myocardial metastases, tissue hypoxia secondary to anemia or hypovolemia, and local or systemic catecholamine release.
Strained InGaAs/GaAs quantum well constricted-mesa lasers and application in a vertical-twin-guide tunable laser

Constricted-mesa semiconductor lasers containing a strained-layer InGaAs single-quantum-well-separate-confinement-heterostructure have been demonstrated. Very high etching selectivity between Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As (x=0.9) and Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As (x= >
BEAT-TO-BEAT VARIATION IN THE SPLIT SECOND HEART SOUND.

Abstract The respiratory variation of the split second heart sound was recorded for a series of consecutive beats in normal persons by using a high-frequency phonocardiographic technic. The component sounds were inscribed as discrete transients permitting the measurement of small time intervals from the onset of each. In some individuals, A 2 and P 2 were recorded as a composite of a series of clearly defined high frequency vibrations. Maximal splitting occurred during inspiration and resulted from the earlier occurrence of A 2 and delay in P 2 . The latter effect was predominant for the group, although the mechanism of widening and narrowing the split varied between individuals and between beats in a single individual. Hemodynamic events affecting closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves are discussed and attention is focused on the existing problem of the role of the lung on left heart venous return.
Transcriptome Analysis of the Rhodobacter sphaeroides PpsR Regulon: PpsR as a Master Regulator of Photosystem Development

PpsR from the anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides has been known as an oxygen- and light-dependent repressor of bacteriochlorophyll and carotenoid biosynthesis genes and puc operons involved in photosystem development. However, the putative PpsR-binding sites, TGTN12ACA, are also located upstream of numerous nonphotosystem genes, thus raising the possibility that the role of PpsR is broader. To characterize the PpsR regulon, transcriptome profiling was performed on the wild-type strain grown at high and low oxygen tensions, on the strain overproducing PpsR, and on the ppsR mutant. Transcriptome analysis showed that PpsR primarily regulates photosystem genes; the consensus PpsR binding sequence is TGTcN10gACA (lowercase letters indicate lesser conservation); the presence of two binding sites is required for repression in vivo. These findings explain why numerous single TGTN12ACA sequences are nonfunctional. In addition to photosystem genes, the hemC and hemE genes involved in the early steps of tetrapyrrole biosynthesis were identified as new direct targets of PpsR repression. Unexpectedly, PpsR was found to indirectly repress the puf and puhA operons encoding photosystem core proteins. The upstream regions of these operons contain no PpsR binding sites. Involvement in regulation of these operons suggests that PpsR functions as a master regulator of photosystem development. Upregulation of the puf and puhA operons that resulted from ppsR inactivation was sufficient to restore the ability to grow phototrophically to the prrA mutant. PrrA, the global redox-dependent activator, was previously considered indispensable for phototrophic growth. It is revealed that the PrrBA and AppA-PpsR systems, believed to work independently, in fact interact and coordinately regulate photosystem development.
Early diagnosis of fetal bladder outlet obstruction

Prenatal ultrasonography has facilitated early diagnosis of in utero bladder outlet obstruction. This represents one of the earliest diagnoses of prune-belly syndrome and sheds light on the natural history of the bladder outlet obstruction in the fetus.
What is a reading error

Early efforts to apply knowledge of dialect differences to reading stressed the importance of the distinction between differences in pronunciation and mistakes in reading. This study develops a method of estimating the probability that a given oral reading that deviates from the text is a true reading error by observing the semantic impact of the given pronunciation on the child's reading of the text that immediately follows. A diagnostic oral reading test was administered to 627 children who scored in the 33rd percentile range and below on state-mandated assessments in reading in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Atlanta, Georgia, and California elementary schools. Subjects were African American, European American, and Latino, including Latinos who learned to read in Spanish and in English first. For 12 types of dialect-related deviations from the text that were studied, the error rates in reading the following text were calculated for correct readings, incorrect readings, and potential errors. For African Americans, many of these potential errors behaved like correct readings. The opposite pattern was found for Latinos who learned to read in Spanish first: most types of potential errors showed the high percentage of following errors that is characteristic of true errors.
Intravascular Membrane Oxygenation and Carbon Dioxide Removal With IVOX: Can Improved Design and Permissive Hypercapnia Achieve Adequate Respiratory Support During Severe Respiratory Failure?

The intravenacaval oxygenator and carbon dioxide removal device (IVOX) conceived by Mortensen at CardioPulmonics is a diffusion-limited device capable of removing 30% of CO2 production of an adult at normocapnia with minimal reduction in ventilator requirements. Through mathematical modeling, an ex vivo venovenous bypass circuit to model the vena cava and animal models of severe smoke inhalation injury, the practice of permissive hypercapnia has been established to enhance CO2 removal by IVOX. By allowing the blood PCO2 to rise gradually, the CO2 excretion by IVOX can be linearly increased in a 1:1 relationship. Experimental and clinical studies have shown that CO2 removal by IVOX increased from 30-40 ml/min at normal blood PCO2 to 80-90 ml/min at PCO2 of 90 mm Hg. In addition, IVOX with permissive hypercapnia allowed a significant reduction in minute ventilation and peak airway pressure. Design changes could also improve the performance of IVOX. Increased surface area and mixing with more fibers and crimping in new prototypes of IVOX significantly increased CO2 removal and oxygen transfer. Active mixing in the blood to decrease the boundary layer resistance can further enhance gas exchange of IVOX. In conclusion, gas exchange by the current design of IVOX is limited, and improvements in design are needed for it to become a more clinically applicable device. Permissive hypercapnia can significantly enhance CO2 removal by IVOX as well as significantly reduce ventilator requirements.
From Mammy to Superwoman: Images That Hinder Black Women's Career Development

Black women, like other women of color, find themselves at the intersection of both racism and sexism in the workplace. Due to their unique dual status as racial and gender minorities, they encounter unique and unexplored barriers that inhibit their career as well as leadership development. The goal of this article is to highlight the emerging literature on how images of professional Black women align with their workplace experiences, and to highlight how these experiences may derail their ability to fully reach their potential. The authors also hope to motivate researchers and practitioners to investigate areas of practice that may better support these women's career development.
Attenuated improvements in adiponectin and fat loss characterize type 2 diabetes non-remission status after bariatric surgery

Aim To identify the metabolic determinants of type 2 diabetes non-remission status after bariatric surgery at 12 and 24 months. Methods A total of 40 adults [mean ± sd body mass index 36 ± 3 kg/m2, age 48 ± 9 years, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) 9.7 ± 2%) undergoing bariatric surgery [Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG)] were enrolled in the present study, the Surgical Treatment and Medication Potentially Eradicate Diabetes Efficiently (STAMPEDE) trial. Type 2 diabetes remission was defined as HbA1c <6.5% and fasting glucose <126 mg/dl (i.e. <7 mmol/l) without antidiabetic medication. Indices of insulin secretion and sensitivity were calculated from plasma glucose, insulin and C-peptide values during a 120-min mixed-meal tolerance test. Body fat, incretins (glucagon-like polypeptide-1, gastric inhibitory peptide, ghrelin) and adipokines [adiponectin, leptin, tumour necrosis factor-α, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)] were also assessed. Results At 24 months, 37 patients had available follow-up data (RYGB, n = 18; SG, n = 19). Bariatric surgery induced type 2 diabetes remission rates of 40 and 27% at 12 and 24 months, respectively. Total fat/abdominal fat loss, insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity and β-cell function (C-peptide0–120/glucose0–120 × Matsuda index) improved more in those with remission at 12 and 24 months than in those without remission. Incretin levels were unrelated to type 2 diabetes remission, but, compared with those without remission, hs-CRP decreased and adiponectin increased more in those with remission. Only baseline adiponectin level predicted lower HbA1c levels at 12 and 24 months, and elevated adiponectin correlated with enhanced β-cell function, lower triglyceride levels and fat loss. Conclusions Smaller rises in adiponectin level, a mediator of insulin action and adipose mass, characterize type 2 diabetes non-remission up to 2 years after bariatric surgery. Adjunctive strategies promoting greater fat loss and/or raising adiponectin may be key to achieving higher type 2 diabetes remission rates after bariatric surgery.
Identification of transient renal autoregulatory mechanisms using time-frequency spectral techniques

Identification of the two principal mediators of renal autoregulation from time-series data is difficult, as both the tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) and myogenic (MYO) mechanisms interact and share a common effector, the afferent arteriole. Moreover, although both mechanisms can exhibit oscillations in well-characterized frequency bands, these systems often operate in nonoscillatory states not detectable by frequency-domain analysis. To overcome these difficulties, we have developed a new approach to the characterization of the TGF and MYO systems. A laser Doppler probe is used to measure fluctuations in local cortical blood flow (CBF) in response to spontaneous changes in blood pressure (BP) and to large imposed perturbations in BP, which elicit strong, simultaneous, transient, oscillatory blood flow responses. These transient responses are identified by high-resolution time-frequency spectral analysis of the time-series data. In this report, we compare four different time-frequency spectral techniques (the short-time Fourier transform (STFT), smoothed pseudo Wigner-Ville, and two recently developed methods: the Hilbert-Huang transform and time varying optimal parameter search (TVOPS)) to determine which of these four methods is best suited for the identification of transient oscillations in renal autoregulatory mechanisms. We found that TVOPS consistently provided the best performance in both simulation examples and identification of the two autoregulatory mechanisms in actual data. While the STFT suffers in time and frequency resolution as compared to the other three methods, it was able to identify the two autoregulatory mechanisms. Taken together, our experience suggests a two level approach to the analysis of renal blood flow (RBF) data: STFT to obtain a low-resolution time-frequency spectrogram, followed by the use of a higher resolution technique, such as the TVOPS, if even higher time-frequency resolution of the transient responses is required.
Prospects for Association Mapping in Classical Inbred Mouse Strains

The collection of classical inbred mouse strains displays heritable variation in a large number of complex traits. Many generations of historical recombination have contributed to the panel of classical strain genomes, raising the possibility that quantitative trait loci could be located with high resolution by correlating strain genotypes and phenotypes. Although this association mapping framework has been successful in several empirical applications, its expected performance remains unclear. We used computer simulations based on a publicly available, dense single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) map to measure the power and false-positive rate of association mapping on a genomic scale across 30 commonly used classical inbred strains. Expected power is (i) often low for phenotypic effect sizes that are realistic for complex traits, (ii) highly variable across the genome, and (iii) correlated with linkage disequilibrium, aspects of the allele frequency distribution, and haplotype characteristics, as predicted by theory. Simulations also demonstrate clear potential for spurious associations to be generated by unequal relatedness among the strains. These findings suggest that association mapping in the classical strains is best applied in combination with other procedures, such as QTL mapping.
Simulation of Biceps Femoris Musculotendon Mechanics during the Swing Phase of Sprinting

Introduction/Purpose: Characterization of hamstring mechanics during sprinting is fundamental to understanding musculotendon injury mechanisms. The objective of this study was to use muscle-actuated forward dynamic simulations to investigate musculotendon mechanics of the biceps femoris long head during the swing phase of sprinting. Methods: We used a three-dimensional linked segment model with 26 Hill-type musculotendon actuators to simulate swing phase dynamics. Muscle excitations were computed that drove the linked segment model to track measured hip and knee motion of an individual sprinting on a treadmill. The simulations were used to investigate the effect of tendon compliance on the excursions and power development of the muscle and tendinous components of the biceps femoris. Results: The biceps femoris musculotendon complex underwent a stretch-shortening cycle over the latter half of swing phase, with the shortening portion occurring in the final 10% of the gait cycle. Biceps femoris excitation increased markedly between 70 and 80% of the gait cycle and continued through the end of swing. Following the onset of excitation, stretch of the muscle component slowed considerably while the tendon lengthened and stored elastic energy. Simulating the sprinting movement with a more compliant tendon increased tendon elastic energy storage, thereby reducing peak muscle stretch and negative muscle work. Conclusions: Muscle-actuated forward dynamic simulation provides a powerful approach for investigating biomechanical factors that may contribute to the occurrence of hamstring musculotendon injuries.
Does climate change matter for freshwater aquaculture in Bangladesh

Freshwater aquaculture plays an important role in the economy of Bangladesh, providing food, income, livelihoods and export earnings. However, freshwater aquaculture in the Mymensingh area of north-central Bangladesh has been accompanied by recent concerns over climate change. Field survey revealed that different climatic variables including flood, drought, rainfall variation and temperature fluctuation have had adverse effects on pond-fish culture. These climatic variables have detrimental effects on the ecosystem of ponds and thus affect survival, growth and production of fish. Changes in climatic variables have adverse effects on fish reproduction, grow-out operation, parasite infestation and disease occurrence. Considering vulnerability to the effects of climate change on pond-fish culture, we propose adaptation strategies that need to be introduced to cope with the challenges.
Comparison of spectral and voice quality parameters of voice trained anglophones and francophones in continuous speech

Continuous speech of 23 subjects was recorded. The group was composed of voice trained (n=11) and untrained (n=12) male and female anglophone subjects. The objective of the investigation was to find out how are spectral levels and voice quality compared to an equivalent group of francophones that were the object of a previous study. Long term spectral analysis was applied to all recorded samples and spectral levels were determined for regions of F 0, F 1, 1K ), >1000 Hz (A 1K ); and the following ratios were computed: 1. Θ= F 1- F 0, 2. α AB =>1000 Hz- AB greater for trained anglophones than for untrained anglophones. 2. α AB not greater for trained francophones than for untrained francophones. 3. α AB greater for trained anglophones than for trained francophones. 4. α AB the same for untrained anglophones and untrained francophones. 5. Trained anglophones have higher spectral levels than untrained anglophones. 6. Trained francophones have smaller spectral levels than untrained francophones. 7. trained anglophones have significantly higher spectral levels than trained francophones in the higher frequencies. 8. Untrained francophones have significantly higher spectral levels than untrained anglophones in the lower frequencies. 9. There were no significant differences for Θ
Abstract 331: Early Empowerment Strategies Boost Self-efficacy to Improve Health Outcomes

Background: An important mechanism in improving health status in behavioral cardiovascular (CV) self-management programs is patient self-efficacy, or a patient’s belief in their ability to make lifestyle changes to reach healthy goals. Little is known on when the optimal time is to incorporate self-efficacy enhancing strategies. We examined the impact of a jumpstart self-efficacy approach in the introductory phase of a multicomponent intervention on CV health outcomes. Methods: Participants enrolled in a 12-month CV behavioral health intervention, part of a prospective registry, completed validated questionnaires focusing on the four domains of the program: nutrition (Rate-Your-Plate), exercise (minutes of continuous exercise per week), stress (Perceived Stress Scale), sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and CV-relevant Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. Empowerment strategies comprised a comprehensive risk assessment report with detailed lifestyle recommendations on optimizing risk reduction and a multi-disciplinary educational workshop with interactive healthy food demonstration and stress management instruction. For the remainder of the program, patients received ongoing motivational health-coaching to achieve healthy goals in the four domains. Self-Efficacy Questionnaire was administered at baseline and after the workshop, at 6 weeks from baseline. All other measures at entry to and at 6-months of the program were assessed with paired t-tests. Results: Of 88 consecutive completers of the registry, 65 subjects (77%) had a family history of premature CV disease. These high risk subjects (36 men, age 57.4 ± 12.7 years, 42 white, 15 black, 8 other) showed clinically and statistically significant improvements in all four domains as well as improvement in subjective fatigue and self-efficacy for CVD behaviors. Conclusion: A comprehensive CV health intervention emphasizing empowerment strategies early in the sequence of the program improves self-efficacy leading to substantial behavioral improvements in CV health parameters. These findings are highly relevant particularly in high-risk individuals who are vulnerable to CV disease and may have the opportunity to make behavioral lifestyle modifications to lower their risk of overt disease. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Functional properties of primary afferent units probably related to pain mechanisms in primate glabrous skin

High-threshold primary afferent units were selected from the population of axons functionally isolated in fine filaments dissected from the median and ulnar nerves of macaque monkeys. In 47 experiments, 536 such units were studied. They comprised 345 A-delta and 191 C fiber units; 90 low-threshold mechanoreceptive afferents were also studied for comparison. The high-threshold units were categorized by observing their responses to mechanical and thermal (53 and 8 degrees C) stimuli applied to their receptive fiblds in the glabrous skin of the hand.
From Intersubjectivity to Group Cognition

The question of how it is possible for people to understand each other has been a controversial theme throughout the recent history of philosophy. It is a foundational issue for the social sciences, in which researchers try to understand the behaviors and statements of other people. It is of particular relevance to CSCW and CSCL, where participants have to understand, work with and learn with each other. Philosophers have posed the issue of how an individual can understand another and how a small group or community can have a joint understanding, shared intentionality or we-awareness. Studies of CSCW not only adopt insights from the philosophy of intersubjectivity to ground their methodology, they also contribute to the analysis of how intersubjectivity is established in concrete settings, including in virtual environments. Similarly, CSCL research can investigate how groups of people learn to construct intersubjective understandings in both traditional and technologically enhanced interactions. While classical phenomenology of intersubjectivity started from the cognitions of a solitary mind, the notion of intersubjectivity has subsequently shifted to a more social view. Recent studies of intersubjectivity suggest a structure of group cognition, which can provide a foundation for collaboration in work and learning that incorporates but transcends individual cognition.
Fetal Rat Islet Insulin Deficiency following Maternal Administration of Streptozotocin

Pancreatic islets were isolated from the fetuses of normal rats and rats made diabetic by the iv administration of streptozotocin (STZ) on either Day 3 or 5 of pregnancy. Of the rats made diabetic on Day 3, one group also received insulin injections at the appearance of glucosuria. Maternal blood glucose on Day 20 of gestation was significantly different in the diabetic rats (405 +/- 27 mg/dl) from the normal (97 +/- 1 mg/dl) and insulin-treated diabetic rats (69 +/- 9 mg/dl). While fetal weight was significantly decreased in the STZ-treated rats (2.64 +/- 0.13 g vs 3.52 +/- 0.05 g for the control group, P less than 0.005), fetal glucose was significantly higher in the STZ-treated than in normal pups (342 +/- 11 vs 35 +/- 1 mg/dl, P less than 0.005). Both fetal weight and glucose were normalized by insulin treatment: 3.16 +/- 0.18 g and 31 +/- 7 mg/dl, respectively. Insulin release from fetal islets of diabetic dams was blunted after a week in culture both in basal and stimulated conditions. After 2 weeks in culture, there was partial recovery in the insulin response to glucose but it did not equal to that measured in fetal islets from the normal and insulin-treated diabetic rats. These data suggest maternal hyperglycemia severely impairs fetal weight and insulin release from fetal rat islets in vitro, and correction of the hyperglycemia by insulin treatment not only improves fetal weight and glucose concentrations, but it also normalizes insulin release from fetal rat islets in vitro.
“Dark Victory” (prognosis negative) The beginnings of neurology on screen

In "Dark Victory," released in theaters in 1939, the diagnosis and management of a progressive brain tumor was a central part of the screenplay, and this film marked the beginnings of the depiction of neurologic disease in cinema. Bette Davis' cinematic portrayal of a young woman dying from a brain tumor is close to the reality of denial, bargaining, a hope for a cure, and final acceptance. "Dark Victory" includes part of a neurologic examination (funduscopy, testing of strength, testing of stereognosis, and tendon reflexes). The film also alludes to decisions on what to tell the patient (better say nothing) and shows an implausible clinical course (an abrupt peaceful ending). The film is unusual in depicting the presentation of a brain tumor, but the cinematic portrayal of the vicissitudes of living with a brain tumor is often close to reality.
Development in Nepal: Investment in the status quo

Despite billions of dollars provided by donors, Nepal's quest for development remains unfulfilled. Nepal's rugged topography is a serious obstacle, but this development failure has social roots. The first root is Nepal's power structure. A feudal elite, supported by British India, controlled Nepal until 1951, extracted and wasted the agricultural surplus, and excluded all modern influences. The post-1951 government adopted “development” as its goal and justification, but was still controlled by the same elite. Rivalries between the superpowers and between India and China produced a flow of foreign aid which has tripled each decade. Through its control of the state, Nepal's elite has directed and diverted foreign aid into channels which consolidate its power. This is manifested in the pervasive “corruption”, which is essential, not accidental, to the system. The second root of Nepal's development failure is inappropriate development theories, which have emphasized investment in infrastructure, but have ignored most of the 90% of the population who are subsistence farmers. The third root is the consistently dismal implementation of development projects by indigenous and expatriate development workers. The institutional ignoring of “corruption” amounts to collusion between foreign aid donors and indigenous elite.
Effectiveness of calcium hydroxylapatite paste in vocal rehabilitation.

Objectives We determined the effectiveness of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) paste in vocal rehabilitation. Methods We examined a retrospective case series of 39 adult patients who underwent CaHA paste injection for vocal fold rehabilitation over a 5-year period. The outcomes included the change in the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) score; procedure-related complications; and the need for follow-up voice procedures. Results The VHI scores demonstrated overall improvement, with a decrease from the preoperative mean of 61.2 +/- 24.0 to a postoperative mean of 35.9 +/- 26.3 (p = 0.0001) after a mean follow-up time of 17.8 +/- 13.6 months. The procedure was more likely to succeed in patients with paralysis and/or paresis than in patients with glottic soft tissue defects. After injection, the VHI scores worsened in 3 of 7 patients (43%) in the soft tissue defect group, compared to only 2 of 28 (7%) in the paralysis and/or paresis group (p = 0.04). Four of 7 patients with soft tissue defects (57%) required secondary vocal procedures to improve the voice, compared to only 2 of 32 (6%) in the paralysis and/or paresis group (p = 0.006). Conclusions Injection of CaHA paste results in significantly improved vocal scores in the majority of patients. Use of the paste was less satisfactory in patients with soft tissue defects because of poor retention of the paste in the scarred vocal fold remnant.
Erratum: Biochemical and clinical responses of Common Eiders to implanted satellite transmitters

ABSTRACT Some statistics in “Biochemical and clinical responses of Common Eiders to implanted satellite transmitters” were miscalculated due to missing data. We provide corrected values for the affected variables. Corrected data did not affect the conclusions of the paper.
Development of Sex Differences in the Nervous System

Before launching into a review of sexual differentiation, it seems appropriate to consider for a moment why there are two sexes. Sexual reproduction pervades the world of living organisms and yet sex itself remains a mystery. When an organism reproduces sexually only half of the population produces any offspring—a consequence that [Maynard-Smith (1978)] has referred to as “the cost of producing males” The sacrifice that sex entails can be appreciated by considering that a female could have twice as many grandchildren were she and her offspring to reproduce asexually. For the selfish gene, this would seem to be an enormous cost! So what maintains sex despite this major advantage of asexual reproduction?
Coach-led preventive training program in youth soccer players improves movement technique.

Abstract Long-term implementation of preventive training programs (PTP) in youth sport requires coach involvement. However, the optimal training of coaches to effectively implement a PTP remains unknown. It is also unknown if the benefits of PTP can be enhanced with multiple sport seasons of exposure. Objectives To evaluate the influence of prior PTP exposure on movement technique in youth soccer players after completing a coach-led PTP. Design Cluster-randomized controlled trial. Methods Twelve youth soccer teams (n = 89; age range 8–14 years) were divided into groups with (Experience (EXP); 6 teams [n = 18 females, n = 25 males]) and without (Novice (NOV); 6 teams [n = 30 females, n = 16 males]) previous professional-led PTP experience. The coaches and players of the EXP teams were exposed to an eight-week professional-led PTP before the coach-led PTP. EXP and NOV coaches attended the educational workshop prior to implementing the coach-led PTP. The Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) was used to evaluate movement technique. Results Both groups improved LESS scores over time (mean difference ± SD [post-pre] = −0.8 ± 0.2, 95%CI [−1.2, −0.4], p = 0.0001). Of the 64 participants classified as high risk for injury (LESS ≥5) prior to PTP implementation, a greater proportion of EXP (n = 14) compared to NOV (n = 7) participants changed risk classification from high to low (LESSΔ ≥ 1 and LESS Conclusions Our PTP enhanced movement technique regardless of PTP experience, but the benefits of the PTP impacted a proportionally greater number of players with previous PTP experience supporting continued PTP implementation. Coaches effectively implemented an exercise-based PTP after attending a training workshop regardless of previous PTP experience.
Accurate Prediction of Major Histocompatibility Complex class II Epitopes by Sparse Representation via l1-Minimization

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is responsible for presenting antigens (epitopes) on the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). When pathogen-derived epitopes are presented by MHC class II on an APC surface, T cells may be able to trigger an immune response. Prediction of MHC-II epitopes is particularly challenging because the open binding cleft of the MHC-II molecule allows epitopes to bind beyond the peptide binding groove; then, the molecule is capable of accommodating peptides of variable length. We propose a novel classification algorithm to predict MHC-II called sparse representation via l 1-minimization. We obtained a collection of experimentally confirmed MHC-II epitopes from the Immune Epitope Database and Analysis Resource (IEDB) and applied our l 1-minimization algorithm. To benchmark the performance of our algorithm, we compared our predictions against a SVM classifier. We measured sensitivity, specificity and accuracy; and used Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis to evaluate our method's performance. The prediction performance of MHC-II epitopes of the l 1-minimization algorithm was generally comparable and, in some cases, superior to the standard SVM classification method and overcame the lack of robustness of other methods with respect to outliers. While our method consistently favored DPPS encoding with the alleles tested, SVM showed a slightly better accuracy when "11-factor" encoding was used.
A Descriptive Study of a Spirituality Curriculum for General Psychiatry Residents.

The study collected data on the attitudes of residents toward religion and spirituality in their practice after taking part in a 3-year curriculum on spirituality during their residency. This is a descriptive, single-site study with psychiatry residents as subjects. A questionnaire was given to the residents at the end of their third year of residency (N = 12). The responses heavily endorsed the religiousness/spirituality curriculum to be helpful and meaningful. Residents consider addressing spiritual and religious needs of patients to be important (76.9%) and appropriate. For majority of the residents (69.2%), there is strong agreement in the management of addictions having spiritual dimensions. Residents also strongly agreed that treatment of suffering, depression, guilt, and complicated grief may require attention to spiritual concerns (92–100%). Regardless of cultural or religious background, the residents endorsed the curriculum as a worthwhile experience and increased their appreciation of the place of spirituality in the holistic care of patients with psychiatric conditions.
Perinatal, Neonatal, and Pediatric Transfusion—Principles and Practice

Abstract The unique challenges of pediatric transfusion medicine include tailoring one’s approach to treatment by taking into account many factors, such as the influence of patients’ age, developmental maturity on physiology and biology, and pathologic conditions involving the immunologic and hematologic systems. The main technical challenges include: (1) working with very small aliquots of blood components because of the inherently greater risk of volume overload and (2) the fact that risk of infection, product preservatives, and product storage breakdown can have an even greater effect in the pediatric population due to their unique physiology and biology. Research and evidence-based medicine in the field of pediatric transfusion is challenging due to the small number of experts and the challenge of designing research for such a vulnerable population. This chapter addresses core concepts in pediatric transfusion medicine, including: guidelines for the administration of blood products and component therapy; the associated relevant principles of immunology and hematology, and special considerations for certain pediatric populations.
Pyramiding different aphid-resistance genes in elite soybean germplasm to combat dynamic aphid populations

The soybean aphid (Aphis glycines Matsumura), an invasive species, has posed a significant threat to soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production in North America since 2001. Use of resistant cultivars is an effective tactic to protect soybean yield. However, the variability and dynamics of aphid populations could limit the effectiveness of host-resistance gene(s). Gene pyramiding is a promising way to sustain host-plant resistance. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalent aphid biotypes in Michigan and to assess the effectiveness of different combinations of aphid-resistance genes. A total of 11 soybean genotypes with known resistance gene(s) were used as indicator lines. Based on their responses, Biotype 3 was a major component of Michigan aphid populations during 2015–2016. The different performance of Rag-“Jackson” and Rag1-“Dowling” along with the breakdown of resistance in plant introductions (PIs) 567301B and 567324 may be explained by Biotype 3 or an unknown virulent biotype establishing in Michigan. With the assistance of flanking markers, 12 advanced breeding lines carrying different aphid-resistance gene(s) were developed and evaluated for effectiveness in five trials across 2015 to 2017. Lines with rag1c, Rag3d, Rag6, Rag3c + Rag6, rag1b + rag3, rag1c + rag4, rag1c + rag3 + rag4, rag1c + Rag2 + rag3 + rag4, and rag1b + rag1c + rag3 + rag4 demonstrated strong and consistent resistance. Due to the variability of virulent aphid populations, different combinations of Rag genes may perform differently across geographies. However, advanced breeding lines pyramided with three or four Rag genes likely will provide broader and more durable resistance to diverse and dynamic aphid populations.
Update on Quality of Life in Glaucoma

To summarize the recent studies which evaluate the relationship between quality of life and glaucoma. Vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) is a patient-reported outcome that is influenced by many factors including visual function, mental health, physical health, and education. It can be correlated to clinical measures such as visual field testing and imaging parameters. Certain thresholds of visual field loss may precede rapid loss of VRQOL. Glaucoma surgery does not decrease VRQOL and may prevent further VRQOL deterioration. More instruments need to be developed to quickly and reliably evaluate VRQOL. In a patient-centered health care environment, a multi-faceted treatment approach is indicated for glaucoma and includes medical/surgical therapy, education, and referrals for coexisting medical conditions. In the future as the relationship between visual field and quality of life become clearer, the timing of medical and surgical interventions may change.
Needs and Justice

This article reviews the main arguments for and against conceptions of distributive justice based on needs. It distinguishes instrumental needs, which are necessary for the attainment of goals, from vital or fundamental needs, which are necessary for inescapable or practically necessary ends, such as being an agent, one’s normal functioning as a human, ones identity and/or the avoidance of serious harm. It examines the differences between these fundamental needs and desires, and distinguishes various kinds of need claims. After explaining the nature of a need-based conception of justice, the article looks at some of the criticisms from alternative more mainstream views, as well as some of the replies.