cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of feeding lysine and threonine fortified bread during gestation and lactation on growth of the offspring in rats.

White bread, bread fortified with lysine, or with lysine and threonine was fed to female rats as the sole source of protein (13% of diet) during two closely spaced gestation and lactation periods. Compari sons were made with diets containing 13% or 26% casein protein, and a stock diet. Weight changes and food consumption of the mothers were determined, as were birth weights and weaning weights of the offspring. Lysine fortification increased food consumption and decreased weight loss of the mothers during lactation. When threonine was added with the lysine, food consumption during lactation was further increased and maternal weight loss prevented. Average weaning weights for first litters as a func tion of diet were: bread 17.0 Â±1.9 g, bread + lysine 26.8 Â±1.0 g, bread + lysine + threonine 39.8 Â± 3.1 g, 13% casein 42.8 Â± 3.8 g, 26%) casein 62.5 Â± 4.7 g, and stock diet 41.5 Â± 7.9 g. First and second litter weaning weights were closely similar for each. Although average birth weights were not greatly affected by dietary treatment, total offspring weight at birth of mothers fed unfortified bread was reduced 40% in the second, as compared to the first litter. This reduction in total offspring weight did not occur in mothers fed amino acid fortified bread. J. Nutr. 106: 33-40, 1976.
Simulation Study of Confinement Effects on the Melting Transition in Hexane and Decane Monolayers Between Two Graphite Slabs

The melting transition in hexane and decane monolayers are studied through use of a canonical ensemble molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method, where the monolayer is physisorbed onto a single, infinite graphite slab, with another confining graphite slab some varying vertical distance from the monolayer. Using a simple united-atom model to depict the alkanes, simulations suggest that the monolayer melting transition is largely dependent upon the average density of the physisorbed monolayer in addition to the spacing between the two graphite slabs. In particular, hexane is studied at two distinct coverages: ( i ) a fully commensurate (FC) monolayer, and ( ii ) a uniaxially incommensurate (UI) monolayer with an average density 0.9 times that of the FC monolayer. In the case of no confinement, both the FC hexane and decane monolayers exhibit a power law relation between the melting temperature of the monolayer and the graphite slab separation. In contrast, the UI hexane monolayer deviates from this behavior, suggesting that the power law behavior is an effect of the in-plane space, and how the monolayer melting transition depends upon this in-plane space. Finally, the role of the top (confining) layer corrugation in the power-law relationship, and the importance of this study toward future applications are briefly discussed.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: Its Role in Providing Valuable Insight Into Diverse Clinical Problems

Skeletal muscle plays an important role in respiratory and cardiovascular physiology. The ability to measure metabolic changes in skeletal muscle has been enhanced with the advent of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). MRS measurements have been used to understand the metabolic control of respiration and to evaluate metabolic changes in the muscle in patients with respiratory and cardiac diseases. The key to the respiratory control measurements is the ability to measure intracellular pH with MRS. Muscle oxidative metabolism has been measured in two ways: during steady-state exercise and using recovery kinetics. The similarities in the metabolic findings for pulmonary and coronary disease suggest the potential for some interesting common pathways.
Haploinsufficiency for Tumor Suppression The Hazards of Being Single and Living a Long Time

By and large, gene expression levels in diploid organisms reflect the combined transcription of both copies, or alleles, of that gene. Notable exceptions include genes on the X chromosome and imprinted genes. The presence of genes in only one copy or in more than two copies can have major effects on
A Combined Localization and Geographic Routing Algorithm for Rapidly-Deployed Wireless Sensor Networks

We consider a network of randomly-deployed, low-cost sensors and a single powerful sink node. A partition-based localization algorithm is proposed in which the sink node imparts sector-based location information through the phased-array transmission of a series of beacons. One-hop neighbor information is used by each sensor in a series of sector-partitioning routines to identify the sub-sector in which it resides. A geographic routing algorithm is then proposed which uses the sector-based localization results as the basis for a routing algorithm. Simulation results indicate that the performance of our localization algorithm improves with node density, and that the performance of the combined localization and routing algorithm in the presence of severe measurement noise is comparable with that provided by the same routing algorithm using perfect location information.
Designing and Developing Medical Device Software Systems Using the Model Driven Architecture (MDA)

On the surface, model-driven architecture (MDA) appears to be a fundamentally new paradigm compared to traditional software development. Upon closer examination, however, MDA mainly shifts the focus of iterative development to a higher level of abstraction. The traditional waterfall software development process (and its variations) dictates that the system development be driven by low-level design and coding. This can introduce many productivity, maintenance and documentation issues into the process. Using the MDA pushes development to a higher level, where platform-independent analysis and detailed platform-specific design modeling make it easier to trace back to the requirements, thereby introducing a more stringent governance over the project. Also, it introduces a technology and platform independent standardized development process, system interoperability internally as well as the ability to provide communication bridges with external systems. The systems can be portable, which allows for what the creators of the MDA, the object management group (OMG), refer to as "future proofing" of software systems. This is the ability to have long-lived models that can be applied to any new implementation technologies that will ultimately be created and introduced to the software development world. This paper seeks to introduce and demystify MDA concepts and features, and show how their application can be used to develop highly interoperable and robust medical device software systems. In particular, if medical devices are designed using the MDA approach, they can quickly be adapted to utilize any interoperability (or "plug and play") standard that evolves in the future.
What’s the board’s role in strategy development?: Engaging the board in corporate strategy

This article offers an action plan for CEOs who wish to constructively engage their boards in strategy development. In this approach, the board participates in the strategic thinking and strategic decision‐making processes, adding value but not infringing on the CEO’s and executive team’s fundamental responsibilities. More specifically, in value‐added engagement, the CEO and management lead and develop the strategic plan with directors’ input, and the board generally approves the strategy and the metrics to assess progress. The author details the five key elements critical to successful engagement of the board in strategy development: view strategy as a process, not an event; design parallel but lagged processes; inform and educate the board; collect and analyze director input; generate strategic alternatives. The recommended framework for engaging the board in strategy development is called the “strategic choice process”; it has six steps, with the CEO and his/her team leading the way.
Closures for Ensemble-Mean Linear Dynamics with Stochastic Basic Flows

Abstract This paper demonstrates the validity of a second-order closure for the ensemble-mean dynamics using the approach of direct numerical ensemble simulations of a linear barotropic model with stochastic basic flows. For various configurations of the stochastic basic flow and external forcing, the deterministic solutions under the second-order closure capture, with remarkable accuracy, the ensemble means and the associated eddy covariance fields of forced responses simulated by a 500-member numerical ensemble. Thus, the second-order closure is found to be adequate for describing the ensemble-mean linear dynamics with stochastic basic flows. Moreover, simple analytical solutions based on the second-order closure also demonstrate that the stochastic component of a superrotational basic flow not only damps the ensemble-mean Rossby waves, but also enhances their eastward propagation. Various examples of ensemble-mean solutions all show the important role played by the stochastic synoptic eddy component of...
Method for Evaluating Implications of Climate Change for Design and Performance of Flexible Pavements

A method to assess the impacts of forecasted climate change on pavement deterioration is presented. Traditional methods of pavement design use historic climate data and assume that climate is stationary with time. Climate change challenges this assumption of stationarity (i.e., natural driving forces of engineering have a variability described by a time-invariant probability density function). Therefore, the use of historic climate data is insufficient for the prediction of climate conditions. The focus is on the preparation and the use of climate model data sets as inputs to the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) model to simulate flexible pavement performance and deterioration over time. The method is illustrated with a case study that uses future climate model temperature data from three North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program scenarios at four sites across New England. Pavement distress predicted with future temperature scenarios is compared with that from MEPDG temp...
Myron B Fiering (1934–1992)

If one had to choose a single trait to describe Myron B Fiering, that of teacher would readily come to mind. He was a Harvard professor, and, in essence, he was a teacher in his private life as all who came to know him can attest. He was born to teach. As a student, Fiering attended the seminars of the Harvard Water Resources Program while pursuing his doctoral studies under the guidance of Harold A. Thomas. His career took root in that program. The professors became his academic colleagues and the participants, drawn largely from the federal water agencies, came to be counted among his professional associates. He received his Ph.D. in the spring of 1960. After spending the 1960 academic year as an assistant professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, he returned to his alma mater and began his long and distinguished career at Harvard. In 1969 he was appointed Gordon Mackay Professor of Applied Mathematics.
A fast acquisition Phase Frequency Detector for phase-locked loops

In this paper, we present a fast acquisition, ambiguity-free phase frequency detector (PFD) design. This PFD completely eliminates the missing edge and phase ambiguity problems found in many conventional PFDs. Therefore, this PFD topology speeds up the acquisition process and improves the maximum operating frequency. A fabricated PFD operating at 556 MHz along with a 6.5 GHz phase-locked loop design in 0.25 mum SOI process confirm such advantages.
Genital self-mutilation and the Internet.

A 25-year-old transsexual man who wished to undergo surgical conversion to a woman presented complaining of scrotal pain and swelling after placing a veterinary castration device on the scrotum 30 hours previously in an attempt at selfcastration. The patient had cut the device off the scrotum an hour before presentation. She (we refer to our transgender patients by their preferred sex) was also noted to have insulated electrical wire protruding from a homemade perineal urethrostomy from which urine drained (fig. 1). She was afebrile. Urianalysis was negative for bacteria but white and red cells were present. The patient had created the perineal urethrostomy so that she might void while sitting, like a true female. She had been taking female hormones to maintain female secondary sex characteristics for more than 1 year. The patient reported that she had learned how to perform these procedures on the Internet at a web site devoted to “body modification and enhancement.” Constricting the testicular blood flow with the castration device is explicitly described on this web site. Perineal urethrostomy is less well described, and so the technique for this procedure had to be partially developed by the patient. She placed a large knitting needle into the bulbar urethra until she could feel the tip in the perineum. She sat on a block of wood and used a hammer to drive the needle through the perineum to create a urethrostomy. The needle had been attached to electrical wire, which was then passed out the perineum to keep the wound open (fig. 2). Treatment consisted of removing the urethral wire, placing a Foley catheter and instituting parenteral antimicrobials. Testicular ultrasound showed arterial flow to be less than normal. The patient was discharged home after 3 days and at short-term followup had no sequela from the urethral injury. The patient was lost to followup.
Cellular responses to photoreceptor death in the rd1 mouse model of retinal degeneration.

RESULTS. During the peak of cone death, the in situ hybridiza- tion signals were typically higher in the mutant. This signal change was often true of genes with a wild-type pattern of expression in ganglion cells, bipolar cells, and/or Muller glia. In such cases, the upregulation was highest in bipolar cells and/or Muller glia. CONCLUSIONS. All retinal cell types responded during the pro- cess of retinal degeneration, as revealed by changes in gene expression. Genes that showed changes in the in situ hybrid- ization signals during the period of cone death were typically higher in the mutant, with many of them expressed in both the ganglion cell layer and the inner nuclear layer. (Invest Oph- thalmol Vis Sci. 2007;48:849 - 857) DOI:10.1167/iovs.05-1555 T he vertebrate retina has highly specialized sensory neu- rons, the photoreceptors (PRs), which serve to initiate the process of vision. Cone PRs are responsible for vision during the brighter-light intensities of the day and mediate color vi- sion. 1,2 Rod PRs are 1000 times more sensitive to light and initiate vision in dim light. In the human eye, light is focused onto a small region, the fovea, where high-acuity vision occurs. This area is highly adapted for daylight vision and contains only cone PRs. Approximately 95% of PRs in the rest of the retina are rods, with a central rod-rich ring that is almost free of cones. Retinal degenerations (RDs) are retinal diseases often in- volving the loss of PRs. The disease with the largest number of affected individuals worldwide (20 -25 million) is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with a typical disease onset of
IgG4-Related Disease of the Gastrointestinal Tract: A 21st Century Chameleon.

Context.— Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)–related disease is a systemic fibroinflammatory disease capable of affecting virtually any organ. Although the pancreas and hepatobiliary system are commonly affected, involvement of the tubular gut is unusual. The pancreatic manifestations of this disease (autoimmune pancreatitis) often mimic pancreatic carcinoma, whereas the hepatobiliary manifestations are mistaken for cholangiocarcinoma or primary sclerosing cholangitis. The characteristic histologic features include a dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, storiform-type fibrosis, and obliterative phlebitis. An increase in IgG4+ plasma cells and an IgG4 to IgG ratio of more than 40% are considered obligatory components of the diagnostic algorithm. Objective.— To review the challenges associated with the diagnosis of IgG4-related disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Data Sources.— A review of pertinent literature, along with the author's personal experience, based on institutional and consultation materials. Conclusio...
Optical Absorption of Proton Irradiated Colloidal CdSe/ZnS Core/Shell Nanocrystals

The excitonic transition observed in the optical absorption spectra of CdSe/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals is investigated as a function of 2 MeV proton irradiation dose. Samples of three different nanocrystal diameters were prepared by embedding the nanocrystals into a UV curable resin. The integrated area of the exciton peak is obtained after irradiating the samples with several irradiation fluences ranging between 1.0×1013 cm-2 to 9.5×1015 cm-2. The results indicate that nanocrystals with larger diameter (~4.40 nm) are more irradiation tolerant while the excitonic transition is completely degraded in nanocrystals with diameter of ~2.10 nm.
Multifunctional spider silk polymers for gene delivery to human mesenchymal stem cells

Non-viral gene delivery systems are important transport vehicles that can be safe and effective alternatives to currently available viral systems. A new family of multifunctional spider silk-based gene carriers was bioengineered and found capable of targeting human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). These carriers successfully delivered DNA to the nucleus of these mammalian cells. The presence of specific functional sequences in the recombinant proteins, such as a nuclear localization sequence (NLS) of the large tumor (T) antigen of the Simian virus 40 (SV40), an hMSC high affinity binding peptide (HAB), and a translocation motif (TLM) of the hepatitis-B virus surface protein (PreS2), and their roles in mitigation and enhancement of gene transfection efficiency towards hMSCs were characterized. The results demonstrate that these bioengineered spider silk proteins serve as effective carriers, without the well-known complications associated with viral delivery systems. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 1390–1401, 2015.
Further studies on swelling of brain slices.

The fluid in incubated brain tissue slices which is permeable by inulin from the surrounding medium, the "inulin space", consists mostly of fluid taken up in swelling but also of a little of the initial water. Unless the tissue is kept cold until aerobic conditions have been fully established, some fluid is taken up which is not penetrated by inulin and is therefore intracellular. Inulin and sucrose, previously absorbed by slices incubated aerobically in their presence, diffuse quickly from slices when these are placed in inulin-free or sucrose-free medium. This indicates that pinocytosis is not involved in the uptake of swelling fluid by incubated slices. When protein labelled with a fluorescent dye is present in the incubation medium, its distribution in the water of tissue slices is similar to that of inulin. This makes possible microscopic visualization of the water compartment in question. Freezedried preparations of slices of grey or white matter that had been incubated with labelled protein reveale...
Non-state ambassadors: NGOs' contribution to America's public diplomacy

This qualitative research paper explores how American non-state actors de facto contribute to US public diplomacy efforts while preserving their freedom of disagreement with government policies. In-depth interviews with 14 representatives of 12 US nonprofit nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) were conducted to look at their institutional and individual experiences of communicating with various foreign publics. NGOs' good standing in host countries depends on their ability to build relationships with and empower their local partners. The government could capitalise on NGOs' successes by highlighting their achievements in providing development assistance, as well as their autonomy, diversity and right to dissent. The study provides a baseline for further research on the unrealised capabilities of US civil society in strengthening America's reputation worldwide.
Resolving Treatment Complications in Children and Adolescents

Numerous randomized controlled studies have found that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is efficacious in treating childhood anxiety disorders, including those evaluating individual or group CBT for children and adolescents with social phobia (Beidel, Turner, & Morris, 2000; Spence, Donovan, & Brechman-Toussaint, 2000), specific phobia (Silverman et al., 1999), school refusal (King et al., 1998), panic disorder (Mattis, Pincus, Ehrenreich, & Barlow, 2007), and PTSD (Cohen, Deblinger, Mannarino, & Steer, 2004), as well as for heterogeneous groups of children diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and/or social anxiety disorder (Kendall, 1994; Kendall et al., 1997). However, despite these studies supporting the use of CBT with anxious children, a sizeable minority of children and adolescents with anxiety disorders fail to respond adequately to CBT (see Cartwright-Hatton, Roberts, Chitsabesan, Fothergill, & Harrington, 2004; Velting, Seltzer, & Albano, 2004). Consequently, there is a great need to increase our understanding of why CBT is not effective for a sub-sample of anxious children and how treatment can be tailored to meet the needs of these non-responders
Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Models, Metaphors, and Maps for Applying Theoretical Perspectives to Practice, by J. A. Forte

Forte (2007) is a notable addition to the theory component of the Human Behavior and the Social Environment (HBSE) curriculum. This textbook presents a thorough, in-depth look at major HBSE theorie...
Dynamics of Stock Return

Dynamics of daily Stock return is theoretically explained and ways and means are suggested for ascertaining deviations to understand the market and economic trends.
A randomized controlled pilot of home-based exercise (HBEX) versus standard care (SC) among breast (BC) and prostate cancer (PC) patients receiving radiation therapy (RTH)

8504 Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is reported in up to 97% of cancer patients during RTH. 60% rate it as moderate to severe. Fatigue can significantly reduce functional capacity (FC), t...
Sea Lion Field discovery and appraisal: a turning point for the North Falkland Basin

In 1998, the first six wells were drilled in the North Falkland Basin, and demonstrated the presence of excellent source rock and good reservoirs. Oil and gas shows were encountered in all but one well; however, no commercial volumes of hydrocarbons were proven. At that time, the focus of exploration was almost exclusively on traditional structural traps mapped on two-dimensional (2D) seismic surveys. Eleven years later, in May 2010, Rockhopper Exploration discovered the Sea Lion Field, which has over a billion barrels of estimated oil in place. Discovery well 14/10-2 was drilled on three-dimensional (3D) seismic data acquired by Rockhopper in 2007. Unlike the targets of the first campaign, the Sea Lion prospect was a stratigraphic trap imaged as a series of fan-shaped amplitude anomalies. Following a successful drill stem test of the SL10 and SL20 fans in the discovery well, Rockhopper embarked on an aggressive field appraisal and exploration drilling programme in the Sea Lion area. A second fully engineered production test was successfully performed on a later well to establish commercial flow rates. In addition to appraising the Sea Lion reservoirs, a further three hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs were proven (Casper, Casper South and Beverley). Comprehensive data acquisition and analysis has been key to de-risking the first commercial development in the basin. A full suite of wireline logs was run in all the appraisal wells; seven wells were extensively cored and fluid samples were recovered for analysis from all reservoirs. In parallel with the drilling campaign, in 2010–11 a total of 4500 km 2 of 3D seismic data was acquired and processed in a collaborative programme with Argos and Desire. In 2012, Premier Oil farmed-in to the licence and assumed operatorship with 60% equity. Dynamic modelling indicates that estimated resources of approximately 160 million barrels (160 mmbbl) can be recovered from the north-east flank of the field based on a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facilities concept for Phase 1 of the field development. The concepts for additional phases of field development are currently being evaluated.
The Relationship Between Interaction Patterns and Agoraphobic Fears Among College Students

ABSTRACT In the present study, we investigated the relationships between self-reports of agoraphobic-like anxiety (fear of open, crowded places), panic experiences, childhood separation anxiety, and family interaction patterns in a college student population. The research was conducted in two parts. Correlational analyses of the results of Study 1 revealed significant relationships between anxiety, difficulties in managing life transitions, and measures of family interaction (intergenerational and peer individuation, intergenerational and peer intimacy) as measured by the Personal Authority in the Family System Questionaire (Williamson, Bray, Harvey, & Malone, 1985). In Study 2, we observed significant correlations between agoraphobic anxiety and measures of childhood separation anxiety, state and trait anxiety, and patterns of family enmeshment. The results were interpreted in the context of a broad perspective, which includes the role of developmental and interactional variables in the onset and mainten...
Utility of Matrix Algebra and Graphical User Interface in Design of Six-Bar Mechanism for Rectilinear Motion Generation

Many applications require design of a linkage that executes a rectilinear motion. In this study a synthesis procedure for six-bar mechanism for generation of rectilinear motion is presented. To achieve this goal, matrix algebra is used to describe translation, rotation, and inversion of motion of links. These concepts then are used to implement the classical three-precision point synthesize of a four-bar mechanism with a coupler point that traces a straight line. The motion of this four-bar mechanism is inverted and then is used to synthesize a second four-bar mechanism. The merging of these two four-bar mechanisms forms a six-bar mechanism such that the motion of one link is rectilinear motion. To implement this procedure, a graphical user interface is developed for the ease of exploring the design space. The utility of this approach is demonstrated by designing a linkage for a lift-truck.© 2013 ASME
Introduction to lasers.

This article is an overview of the lasers that are presently available for dermatologic use. Each type of laser is discussed, including how it works, its indications, possible complications, physics, and safety issues.
Impact of Awareness and Patterns of Nonhospitalized Atrial Fibrillation on the Risk of Mortality: The Reasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study.

BACKGROUND Although mortality associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) has been reported to decrease over prior decades, the mortality risk of asymptomatic, nonhospitalized AF has not been examined. HYPOTHESIS Asymptomatic, nonhospitalized AF is associated with an increased risk of death. METHODS This analysis included 25,976 participants (mean age, 65 ± 9.4 years; 55% female; 38% black) from the Reasons for Geographic And Racial Differences (REGARDS) study. Atrial fibrillation was detected on the baseline electrocardiogram (ECG AF) or by self-reported history. Atrial fibrillation unawareness was defined as present if ECG evidence of the arrhythmia was detected but no self-reported history was reported. All-cause mortality was confirmed during follow-up through March 31, 2014. RESULTS A total of 2208 (8.5%) participants had AF at baseline (ECG: n = 371/17%; self-reported: n = 1837/83%). Over a median follow-up of 7.6 years, 3481 deaths occurred. In a multivariable Cox regression model, AF was associated with a 32% increased risk of mortality (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-1.46). Risk of death was higher among those with ECG AF (hazard ratio: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.42-2.07) compared with self-reported cases (hazard ratio: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.03-1.29). Those who were unaware of their AF diagnosis had a 94% increased risk of death (95% CI: 1.50-2.52) compared with AF participants who were aware of their diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Asymptomatic, nonhospitalized AF is associated with an increased risk of mortality in the general population. Mortality is higher in those with ECG-confirmed cases and among those who are unaware of their diagnosis.
Too Many Voices

By allowing God to become just one more god, the new movement brought all the inherently complex possibilities of local popular religion into play. God became enmeshed in the ethnic, localist, and above all political (both pro- and anti-government) potentials of the local religious mixture. When the first God Worshiper became possessed, the movement took another gigantic step into its own dissolution into local popular practice, even as it transformed that practice. The first possessions probably began in late 1847, just as the temple destruction movement was losing its power, and as Feng Yunshan was removed from the scene. The first medium may have been someone called Yang Qingxiu.34 As Hong Rengan later described the episode: Yang Ch’ing-hsiu [Qingxiu] was able to ascend to heaven, and in the sky there was the sound of drums and music. An angelic boy also descended to announce Hung’s [Hong’s] name and say: “Three eight two one; grain is food of jade; a man sits over all the land to be the guide of the people.” Each time when there was a proclamation, an angelic boy would come down and speak (in Michael, 1966–1971:4–5). The “angelic boy” undoubtedly described a possessed medium.
Utility Of diaphragm ultrasound in myopathy.

Introduction: Ultrasound (US) evaluation of diaphragm thickness and contractility is an effective tool in neurogenic diaphragm dysfunction. There are limited data about the value of this technique in patients with myopathy. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of cases with EMG-confirmed myopathy and real-time US evaluation of the diaphragm. Diaphragm thickness and thickening ratio (maximal inspiration/expiration) were measured. Demographic, imaging, pathology, and genetic data were reviewed, and the clinical diagnosis was recorded. Results: There were 19 eligible cases, of which 14 (73.7%) had abnormal US findings. Mean diaphragm thickness was 0.12 cm (SD 0.10) and mean thickening ratio was 1.29 (SD 0.35). In all cases with abnormal US evaluation, the thickening ratio was abnormal. There were no cases with abnormal thickness alone. Discussion: US examination can detect diaphragm dysfunction in myopathy. It is important to measure both the baseline thickness and thickening ratio to maximize sensitivity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
An Extensible Framework for Predictive Analytics on Cost and Performance in the Cloud

As we are moving to the cloud, one challenge is the pressure to provide an accurate picture of ongoing resource costs and associated application performance. While cloud offerings give great flexibility to elastic applications, tenants lack guidance for choosing between multiple offerings. The lack of knowledge could lead to tenants over-provisioning and paying for resource that they do not actually need, or under-provisioning with suffering performance issues. In this work, we propose an extensible framework for predictive analytics on cost and performance in the cloud. Resource consumption data is collected and placed at readiness for enabling immediate analysis such as billing with the models of pay-as-you-go and lease. The time series data stored in a tiering object store supporting fast retrieve, as well as the heterogeneous types of data on application events and performance, are utilized to facilitate pattern analysis. These data aggregation, meanwhile, is put into considerations concerning correlation between cost and performance and their changing trends over time. Thus, by leveraging what-if analysis and real-time prediction, the framework gives a quite precise view of current status on cost and performance, as well as future perspectives, so as to support decision making on resource configuration with satisfaction of application's Service Level Agreement (SLA) requirements.
Radioactive Iodine Therapy

Radioactive iodine (RAI; I-131) has been used to destroy thyroid ­carcinoma tissue postoperatively in patients with and without known residual disease since the mid-twentieth century. By eliminating remaining normal thyroid tissue, RAI ablation facilitates monitoring for persistent or recurrent thyroid carcinoma with thyroglobulin levels and iodine scans. Furthermore, for those patients with invasive cancers, extensive locoregional or distant metastases, many studies demonstrate that RAI treatment improves cause-specific and disease-free survival, but there are many challenges in the thyroid cancer literature to evaluating the benefits of RAI remnant ablation. There is a lack of prospective randomized controlled trials to identify effectiveness of RAI. Moreover, the use of as many as 16 staging systems, pooling of histological subtypes that respond differently to iodine, and lack of agreement of definitions for “low risk” versus “high risk” make it difficult to compare the outcomes for different stages/risks from across studies. In addition, the majority of analyses do not account for ethnic and geographic differences in total incidence and incidence of different histological types of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Furthermore, since recurrence and death from thyroid cancer can be seen many years after the initial diagnosis, attaining significant outcome data depends upon the duration of a study which is, oftentimes, too short to provide meaningful data. Lastly, recent studies use newer methods for detecting recurrence of disease such as with more sensitive thyroglobulin assays and high-resolution ultrasound, making it difficult to compare ­outcomes from older studies where less sensitive whole-body scanning was performed.
On Saints, Sinners, and Sex in the Apocalypse of St. John and the Sefer Zerubbabel

The Apocalypse of St. John and the Sefer Zerubbabel [a.k.a Apocalypse of Zerubbabel] are among the most popular apocalypses of the Common Era. While the Johannine Apocalypse was written by a first-century Jewish-Christian author and would later be refracted through a decidedly Christian lens, and the Sefer Zerubbabel was probably composed by a seventh-century Jewish author for a predominantly Jewish audience, the two share much in the way of plot, narrative motifs, and archetypal characters. An examination of these commonalities and, in particular, how they intersect with gender and sexuality, suggests that these texts also may have functioned similarly as a call to reform within the generations that originally received them and, perhaps, among later medieval generations in which the texts remained important.
Assessing Students’ Perceived Success in Attainment of Course Objectives in a Retail Merchandising Class

This study assesses student perceptions of the effectiveness of educational approaches and assessment techniques for an introductory retail merchandising course designed using the Biggs model (1999) of constructive alignment for curriculum development. Data were collected using an online survey that was developed to evaluate students’ attitudes toward educational approaches and assessment techniques and their perceived success in attainment of course objectives. Regression results showed those students’ attitudes toward assessment techniques and educational approaches were significant in predicting their perceived success in attaining course objectives.
Evaluation of an exercise programme for post-bariatric surgery patients: views of participants.

Objective Exercise programmes typically are evaluated with fitness assessments and psychological survey measures but seldom include participants' insights. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefits, facilitators and barriers of a 12-week exercise programme for post-bariatric surgery patients from the participants' perspective. Method Over a 2-year period, 20 patients recently having undergone bariatric surgery completed a 12-week programme that included participation in structured exercise and in focus groups designed to supplement standard evaluation data and provide insight into participants' views. Results Participants were highly adherent to the programme, and focus group results reflected a clear positive evaluations. Benefits included helpful information, developing commitment, physical fitness and social support; notably, weight was seldom mentioned. Participants cited structure, accountability and group support as facilitators of exercise. Participants cited few barriers, although very few had set plans for continuing exercise after programme completion. Conclusion Participants saw many benefits to the exercise programme, and those benefits reflected lifestyle changes rather than a focus on weight. Programme structure, accountability and the support of the group were facilitators to exercise. Participants cited few barriers. However, the lack of plans for continued exercise suggested the need for a transition phase to help participants continue an active lifestyle after the 12-week structured programme.
Interactions between kappa and mu opioid receptor agonists: effects of the ratio of drugs in mixtures

Pain is the leading reason for seeking health care, and mu opioid receptor agonists continue to be prescribed despite well-documented adverse effects. Kappa opioid receptor agonists have antinociceptive effects with little to no abuse liability and might be useful for treating pain in mixtures. Kappa:mu opioid mixtures might be useful if therapeutic effects of each drug can be selectively increased while reducing or avoiding the adverse effects that occur with larger doses of each drug alone. This study characterized the effects of the kappa opioid receptor agonist spiradoline alone (0.32–56 mg/kg) and in 1:10, 1:3, 1:1, and 3:1 mixtures with the mu opioid receptor agonists morphine (1.0–32 mg/kg) and etorphine (1–10 μg/kg) on warm water tail-withdrawal latency, body temperature, responding for food, and fecal output in male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 24). Antinociceptive effects were greater than additive for 1:10 and 1:3 spiradoline:morphine mixtures and for 1:10, 1:3, and 1:1 spiradoline:etorphine mixtures. The potency of spiradoline to produce hypothermia was greater with 1:3 and 3:1 spiradoline:etorphine mixtures but not with 1:10 or 1:1 mixtures or with any spiradoline:morphine mixture. The effects of 1:3 spiradoline:morphine on responding for food were additive, whereas 1:1 and 3:1 were greater than additive. Spiradoline did not significantly alter morphine-induced decreases in fecal output. Overall, mixtures of kappa and mu opioids might have therapeutic potential for treating pain, particularly when the mixture has a greater ratio of mu to kappa agonist. If adverse effects of each constituent drug are reduced or avoided, then kappa:mu mixtures might be advantageous to mu opioids alone.
Omics research ethics considerations

Abstract Background Pending revisions to the Common Rule include topics consistent with respect for persons, justice, and beneficence for research subjects in studies using omics technologies and are relevant to omics research. Purpose Synthesize trends in bioethics, precision health, and omics nursing science for novice and experienced nursing scholars from which to consider bioethics questions. Methods Review topics addressed in the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) strategic plan, Common Rule pending revisions, and publications regarding human subjects protection policies. Discussion Omics research involves decisions regarding understandable informed consent, broad consent, data sharing, trust, equal benefit, equal access, societal variables, privacy, data security, and return of findings to participants. Conclusion Principles of respect for persons, justice, and beneficence as articulated in the Belmont report and reflected in the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics provide guidance for human subjects protection procedures to advance omics and nursing science.
Probabilistic information fusion for multi-modal image segmentation

Observable evidence from disparate sources are combined coherently and consistently through a hierarchically structured knowledge tree. Prior knowledge of spatial interactions is modeled with Markov Random Fields. A posteriori probabilities of segmentations are maintained incrementally. This paper is a shortened version of [Chou and Brown 87], which contains many more references.
Comparing interaction rate detectors for weakly interacting massive particles with annual modulation detectors

We compare the sensitivity of WIMP detection via direct separation of possible signal vs. background to WIMP detection via detection of an annual modulation, in which signal and background cannot be separated on an event-by-event basis. In order to determine how the constraints from the two different types of experiments might be combined an adequate incorporation of uncertainties due to galactic halo models must be made. This issue is particularly timely in light of recent direct detection limits from Edelweiss and CDMS, which we now demonstrate cannot be made consistent with a recent claimed DAMA annual modulation observation, even by including halo uncertainties. On the other hand, we demonstrate that a combination of these two techniques, in the event of any positive direct detection signal, could ultimately allow significant constraints on anisotropic halo models even without directional sensitivity in these detectors.
Pedogenesis of Horizons and Profiles

When uniform rock material transforms to soil, horizons appear at various depths, recognizable as dark humus layers, gray and reddish color bands, zones of clay accumulations, carbonate strata, and iron and silica hardpans.
Variable Rate Refining Triangulation S of in \( \mathbb{G}^n \) x [0,+∞) by Juxtapositioning V[r,p]’s

Using Freudenthal’s triangulation F of \( \mathbb{G}^n-1 \), the triangulation V[r,p] of S × [0,1], we construct the variable rate refining homotopy triangulation S \( \mathbb{G}^n \) × [0, +∞). As a preview of such a triangulation see Figure 17.1.
The Mediating Effects of Parentification on the Relation Between Parenting Behavior and Well-Being and Depressive Symptoms in Early Adolescents

Approximately 3 million child and adolescent cases are investigated for maltreatment each year, and 75% of those cases are categorized as neglect. Parentification, a form of neglect, has emerged as an important clinical topic and focus of empirical research. Similar to the research base on neglect, the accumulated literature point toward a significant positive relation between parentification and pernicious outcomes, although nascent literature also has found a link between parentification and resiliency and select competencies. The purpose of the current study was two-fold: (a) To explore the extent to which parentification mediates the relation between parenting behaviors and depressive symptoms and well-being (as measured by negative and positive affect) in a sample of early adolescents (i.e., ages 11–14)? And, (b) to what extent does gender moderate the proposed mediation model? We found in our sample (N = 314) parentification mediated the association between parenting behaviors and depressive symptoms (negative affect) and partially mediated the relation between parenting behaviors and well-being (positive affect). In addition, gender partially moderated select mediation models. These findings may be useful in the conceptualization of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies focused on family systems and parenting interventions in families where parentification has occurred.
Countermeasures for Dysregulation of the Immune System of Astronauts During Prolonged Space Flights

NASA/National Space Gant College/Oklahoma Space Grant Consortia /Langston University/ Langston University NASA Advanced Research in Biology Center (LUNAR-BC)/ Langston University (STEM) Science Technology Engineering and Math Langston University STEM Team Langston University STEM team technicians are building a real sounding rocket/biology experiment payload; they will integrate and launch it on a two-stage Terrier-Orion rocket into outer space, and will design and manufacture a clinostat (rotating microgravity machine) and use it as a ground biology comparison experiment. Payload Control Sensor System Project Technician Leaders: Kameron Gibson, CADD. Project Technicians Lily Amber Martin, Bio. Brendon Wilkinson, Elec. Raechel Martin, CADD. Nicholas Grace, CS Moin Muhammad Khalil, Math Geiger Counter 8 GB SD Card Memory, 0-15 PSI Pressure Sensor, and Temperature Sensor, 3-Axis Gyroscope, 3-Axis Accelerometer in Low and Medium Range, 1-Axis Accelerometer in High Range, Humidity Sensor, and shield with all sub system printed circuit boards, Arduino, Code, and Calibration. Plate, Mechanical, Canister, Electrical, and Rocket Integration Payload Biology Experiment Effects of microgravity on the immune system. Human immune cells will be subjected to microgravity environment for six minutes. Payload Biology Experiment Integration (RockSat-C) Ground Biology Comparison Experiment (Clinostat) Project Technician Leaders: Celicia Kinlow, CADD Project Technicians Jordan McClellan, Elec. Micaiah, Tripplett, CADD. Rosalba Z. White, Bio Moin Muhammad Khalil, Math Researchers will simulate microgravity by using a clinostat (rotating microgravity machine) that will keep a constant speed. The clinostat will hold a biological experiment inside a vial, placed at the center of the rings which are suspended in the middle of a media growth liquid and will be spinning on 3-axis points at a particular RPM to negate the effects of gravitational pull. STEM Technicians will design and manufacture the Clinostat for the experiment.
Invasive Hemodynamic after LVAD Implantation and Association with Outcomes

Purpose There is paucity of data on assessment of invasive hemodynamics via right heart catheterization (RHC) after LVAD implantation and association with outcomes. We sought out to define if RV dysfunction, persistent volume overload and low cardiac output state defined via invasive hemodynamics is associated with adverse 1-year outcomes. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of end-stage HF patients who underwent continuous-flow LVAD implantation and subsequent RHC to determine invasive hemodynamics. 1-year outcomes including mortality, all-cause readmission and HF readmissions were assessed after index RHC. Definitions included low cardiac output state (CI 12 mm Hg), moderate RV dysfunction (RAP/pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) >0.75) and severe right ventricle dysfunction (RA/PCWP >1). Results A total of 142 patients underwent invasive hemodynamics after LVAD implantation. The median time from LVAD implantation to RHC was 6 months. Conclusion RV dysfunction defined using invasive hemodynamic criteria did not predict adverse 1-year outcomes. RAP > 12 mmHg indicative of persistent volume overload after LVAD implantation was significantly associated with increase HF readmissions at 1 year.