cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
First Report of Xylella fastidiosa Associated with Oleander Leaf Scorch in Louisiana.

Oleander (Nerium oleander L.) is an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean Region and Southeast Asia. Despite being poisonous, it is a popular ornamental plant for use in landscapes, gardens, ...
Comprehensive Management of Renal Failure in Infants

From 1986 through 1989, 23 infants (18 of whom were less than 30 days old) required peritoneal dialysis within their first 6 months of life. Modifications to conventional peritoneal dialysis included modified Silastic Tenckhoff catheters, peel-away sheaths for percutaneous insertion, automated peritoneal dialysis "cyclers," and generous omentectomy. With these modifications, there were no bowel perforations, and the infants were successfully dialyzed for prolonged periods. Eight of the 23 infants developed end-stage renal failure and were prepared for transplantation. All had gastrostomy tubes placed to supplement oral nutrition. Living, related transplantation was performed when the child weighted 10 kg. Four of the eight completed this protocol. One child with congenital nephrotic syndrome died before transplantation. One transplant was complicated by a technical problem (venous thrombosis), which resulted in allograft loss and return to peritoneal dialysis. Kidney function, growth, and development in the survivors were excellent.
A measure of standing of journals in stratified networks

The concept of a stratified journal network is advanced where the nodes are journals and the relation is citation aggregated over the articles in these journals. The standing of the journals in the network can be measured through tools based on input-output models. These measures can be used to chart the changing status of journals at different time points.
A far-infrared investigation of cathodochromic sodalite

Abstract Sodalite absorption bands in the 50–350 cm−1 region were studied using Fourier transform spectroscopy. Vibrational modes were identified using chemical substitution, H2 and vacuum-annealing, and coloration studies. A bromosodalite band at 294 cm−1 was assigned to an Si—O—Al mode based on Ge substitutions for Si. A bromosodalite band at 200 cm−1 is assigned to an Na—cage vibration based on previous H2annealing studies and chemical substitution of Ge for Si, Ga for Al and Cl and I for Br. A 107 cm−1 band is the Na—Br related vibration, and substitution of 100% Cl for Br moved this band to 111 cm−1, H2 and vacuum-annealing studies show a correlation between the amount of Br removed from bromosodalite during annealing and the area of the 107 cm−1 band. A band at 68 cm−1 is the Na—Br mode based on 100% substitution of Cl for Br. Coloration studies in the 50–150 cm−1 region show no changes attributable to F-center formation.
A Geometrically-exact rod model incorporating shear and torsion-warping deformation

Abstract A fully nonlinear, three-dimensional rod model is developed that incorporates transverse shear and torsion-warping deformation. The geometric setting is that of a constrained body model with configuration space modeled on R3 × SO(3) × R : a differentiable manifold. The proposed model incorporates the classical notion of bi-moment (and bi-shear) in a fully nonlinear, geometrically exact context. Explicit, properly invariant, constitutive equations that generalize those of the linearized theory are developed. The underlying variational formulation of the model is discussed, and computational procedures employing a Galerkin projection are addressed. Numerical examples are presented that illustrate the performance of the formulation.
Biochemical effects of fenbensazole on Hymenolepis diminuta in vivo

Abstract An investigation of the chemotherapeutic and biochemical effects of a new broad-spectrum anthelmintic, fenbendazole, (FBZ, methyl 5-[phenylthio]-benzimadazole-2-carbamate), on Hymenolepis diminuta in experimentally infected rats is reported. FBZ proved to be highly active against H. diminuta; a single oral dose of 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg body wt. on day 15 of infection eliminated 77, 100 and 88% of the tapeworms respectively as determined at necropsy 24 h after treatment. The chemotherapeutic actions of FBZ on H. diminuta in vivo were accompanied by marked changes in worm wt. and chemical composition. Tapeworms recovered from rats that had received a therapeutically effective dose of FBZ 18 h earlier were significantly smaller and contained much less glycogen (as a percent of the fresh wt.) than worms from unmedicated controls. Protein concentrations rose in FBZ-treated worms, but more slowly than the rate of decline in glycogen concentration. Glycogen/protein ratios in FBZ-treated worms were considerably lower than the corresponding control values. Differences in the absolute amounts of glycogen and protein between control and drug-treated worms were even more profound. Administration of a single oral dose of FBZ (14 mg/kg) to the rat produced in H. diminuta another change, the onset of which coincided with, or preceded, the gross alterations in worm wt. and chemical composition. In vitro studies, carried out 16 h after treatment, revealed that FBZ-treated worms absorbed and metabolized much smaller quantities of exogenous glucose than did the controls, and the ability to the worm to accumulate glucose against a concentration difference was significantly depressed.
Electrophysiology of Single and Aggregate Cx43 Hemichannels

Connexin43 (Cx43) is the most ubiquitous gap junction protein in the human body and is essential for cell-to-cell communication in a variety of organs and organ systems. As a result, Cx43 is responsible for mediating both electrical and chemical signals, passing dissolved solutes and small signaling molecules between cells in a coordinated fashion. Here, we explore the electrophysiological properties of hemichannels formed from Cx43 and Cx43 fused to eGFP (Cx43eGFP) and their interactions in a planar lipid membrane (BLM). Unlike in vivo patch clamp experiments, Cx43 was purified and isolated from other membrane constituents allowing elucidation of individual protein responses to various electrical and chemical stimuli. Using this system, we examined hemichannel electrophysiology and the roles of several well-known gap junction blockers, namely: lanthanum, heptanol, carbenoxalone and lindane. We also observed a critical number of hemichannels required for an accelerated conductance increase, an emergent electrical signature indicative of plaque formation.
A New Versatile and Sensitive Monitoring System for Liquid Chromatography: Cerate Oxidation and Fluorescence Measurement

Abstract A new liquid chromatographic detector depends upon the fluorescence measurement of cerium (III) produced from the reaction of cerium (IV) with eluted reducible compounds. It is more sensitive than previous oxidative detectors by more than a factor of 100. The reaction can be varied to discriminate among compounds according to ease of oxidation.
Epstein-Barr virus episome-based promoter function in human myeloid cells.

Abstract Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) episomal replicons offer an expeditious means for amplifying transfected genes in human cells. A panel of EBV episomes was constructed to assess the relative utility of five distinct eukaryotic promoter elements for high level and inducible gene expression in stably transfected human myeloid leukemia cells. The Rous sarcoma virus 3' long terminal repeat (LTR) was most highly suited for EBV episome-based gene expression, whereas the lymphopapilloma virus and the SV40 early regulatory elements exhibited substantially lower activities. Chemically responsive promoter elements, such as the SV40 early, human metallothionein IIA and rat GRP78 gene promoters, retained their inducibility when EBV episome-based. Differences in gene expression obtained with the episomes reflected differential promoter activity rather than significant variations in episome copy numbers per cell. These observations provide guidelines for the optimal design of EBV episomal expression vectors for human expression work.
EDTA-Induced Pseudo–Gray Platelet Syndrome

A Patient With AbnormalAppearing Platelets Case Presentation A 68-year-old homeless man with a history of alcohol and tobacco abuse sought treatment for shortness of breath in the emergency department of Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, TX. He had been seen previously at this facility and had been diagnosed with Helicobacter pylori infection, chronic gastric bleeding, and normocytic anemia. A CBC count, ordered in the emergency department, demonstrated severe anemia, with a hemoglobin level of 4.7 g/dL (47 g/L) (reference range, 13.2-16.2 g/dL [132-162 g/L]), an instrument platelet count (STKS Analyzer, Beckman Coulter M) of 100 × 103/μL (100 × 109/L) (reference range, 140-450 × 103/μL [140-450 × 109/L]), and a platelet error message, which triggered a manual platelet review. In addition, a peripheral blood smear, prepared from the whole blood specimen collected from our patient using EDTA anticoagulant, demonstrated uniformly agranular platelets, appearing as gray, ghost-like forms throughout the smear that were difficult to see except at high magnification [I1]. In addition, there was prominent platelet clumping throughout the smear, including the presence of striking cloud-like accumulations at the terminal edge [I2]. The platelet count, estimated from a microscopic estimate of the peripheral blood smear, appeared to be in the normal range or elevated. These findings prompted a review of the peripheral blood smear by a hematopathologist. The differential diagnosis included EDTA-induced pseudo–gray platelet syndrome (PGPS) and true gray platelet syndrome (GPS). An additional whole blood specimen, collected with sodium citrate anticoagulant, was obtained from the patient to establish the cause of the unusual appearance of the platelets. A peripheral blood smear prepared using this blood specimen demonstrated platelets with normal granulation [I3]. Platelet clumping was still present, although to a somewhat lesser degree. Smears from blood collected in EDTA over the next several days all demonstrated the presence of agranular platelets.
Restrictive Interatrial Communication with Protein-Losing Enteropathy and Coagulopathy in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome After Norwood Palliation

The Norwood procedure is one option for neonates born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. We describe a case of an infant with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, palliatively repaired with the Norwood procedure. The infant developed restriction of the interatrial communication, despite atrioseptectomy at the first stage of palliation. Consequently, a protein-losing enteropathy with severe coagulopathy developed which resolved after a repeat atrioseptectomy.
CHANGES IN SOME MONOCARBONYL CLASSES DURING PROCESSING AND STORAGE OF SWEET POTATO FLAKES

Dehydrated sweet potato flakes were prepared in a pilot plant by (1) peeling and comminuting fresh sweet potatoes; (2) heating sweet potato puree to 755°C and holding at that temperature to allow naturally present amylases to convert a certain proportion of the starch into sugars; (3) heating puree to 105°C to inactivate enzymes; (4) atmospheric drum drying and flaking; and (5) packing flakes in cans under N2 atmosphere Total monocarbonyls in fresh sweet potatoes generally increased with time of storage of the roots During processing of freshly dug sweet potatoes into dehydrated flakes, monocarbonyls increased as processing progressed. During processing of “cured,” and of up to 4-months' stored sweet potatoes the content of monocarbonyls peaked during conversion of starch to sugars, and decreased after heating to 105°C prior to drum drying. Levels of saturated aide hydes and of methyl ketones were also highest during amylolysis. During storage of the packaged flakes at 27°C for 128 days, total monocarbonyl content remained rather constant, while saturated aldehydes increased and methyl ketones decreased. At 45°C storage temperature, total monocarbonyls and saturated aldehydes showed a marked increase, while ketones decreased. There was a slight net increase in CO2 and O2 and a slight decrease in N2 in the gas present in cans of flakes stored for 1 yr at 24°C. After 12 months storage, 0.026% CO was found in the dehydrated sweet potato flake product monocarbonyls, particularly aldehydes, are probably a factor in off-flavor development during storage.
A frequency agile beamforming array

This paper presents our design of a frequency agile beamforming array over a very broad frequency range (2GHz–18GHz). We chose to use an 8 thin wire half-wave (at 5.8GHz) dipole circular array as our antenna array. The array radius is 1.0″. Simulation and lab test results for transmitting beamforming are presented to demonstrate the capability of the array system.
EFFECT OF ICE ON LAKES LEVEL

ABSTRACT This report describes an analytical approach to the problem of defining changes in the water levels of two lakes or reservoirs connected by a channel subjected to flow blockages or retardations due to ice. Routing equations for this purpose were derived for Lakes Michigan-Huron and Erie which form a portion of the Great Lakes system. Procedures were developed for computing the monthly winter flow retardation due to ice in the St. Clair River, the outlet channel for Lake Michigan-Huron. An examination of these flow retardations, 1899–1969, indicated that the degree of retardation has progressively diminished since 1920. Utilizing the routing equations derived, the effects of these reductions in the retardations were computed to have lowered the levels of Lake Michigan-Huron by 0·50 ft. Investigation of factors responsible for the reduction in the winter flow retardations lead to the conclusion that the major factor was man-made channel enlargements in the St. Clair River.
Electron-trapping materials and electron-beam-addressed electron-trapping material devices: an improved model

An improved model governing the dynamics of electron-trapping materials (ETM's) under simultaneous illumination of blue and IR light is developed. The new model takes into account previously neglected effects, such as electron-trap-density saturation and dependence of electron-trapping efficiency on the existing level of trapped-electron density. Inclusion of both effects in a model is vitally important for effective use of ETM's in optoelectronic neurocomputing with pulsating neurons. Experimental verification of the new model is given. General issues of addressing ETM's with an electron beam are also studied, and a general design equation for electron-beam-addressed ETM devices is developed. In particular, two electron-beam-addressed ETM devices that are of special interest, the field-emission microcathode ETM spatial light modulator and the ETM-based image intensifier, are presented.
Effect of volunteer potato density on bulb onion yield and quality

Abstract Bulb onions are poor competitors and volunteer potato, commonly observed in western USA onion fields, is difficult to manage. To improve the understanding of onion and weed interactions, relationships were quantified among volunteer potato density, onion yield, and volunteer potato tuber production using hyperbolic or linear models. Onion yield losses because of volunteer potato interference occur at densities commonly observed in the field. A volunteer potato density as low as 0.067 plants m−2 resulted in a 10% reduction in crop yield. Asymptotic yield loss (A parameter) was 100% and achieved with 4 volunteer potato plants m−2. Volunteer potato competition limits onion bulb size, resulting in a lower quality and thus a less-valuable crop. Volunteer potato tuber density and biomass increased linearly with initial weed density as high as 8 volunteer potato m−2. Onion yield loss from volunteer potato competition occurs to a greater extent and at a lower weed density than demonstrated in previous re...
CD1d-dependent expansion of NKT follicular helper cells in vivo and in vitro is a product of cellular proliferation and differentiation

NKT follicular helper cells (NKTfh cells) are a recently discovered functional subset of CD1d-restricted NKT cells. Given the potential for NKTfh cells to promote specific antibody responses and germinal center reactions, there is much interest in determining the conditions under which NKTfh cells proliferate and/or differentiate in vivo and in vitro. We confirm that NKTfh cells expressing the canonical semi-invariant Vα14 TCR were CXCR5(+)/ICOS(+)/PD-1(+)/Bcl6(+) and increased in number following administration of the CD1d-binding glycolipid α-galactosylceramide (α-GC) to C57Bl/6 mice. We show that the α-GC-stimulated increase in NKTfh cells was CD1d-dependent since the effect was diminished by reduced CD1d expression. In vivo and in vitro treatment with α-GC, singly or in combination with IL-2, showed that NKTfh cells increased in number to a greater extent than total NKT cells, but proliferation was near-identical in both populations. Acquisition of the NKTfh phenotype from an adoptively transferred PD-1-depleted cell population was also evident, showing that peripheral NKT cells differentiated into NKTfh cells. Therefore, the α-GC-stimulated, CD1d-dependent increase in peripheral NKTfh cells is a result of cellular proliferation and differentiation. These findings advance our understanding of the immune response following immunization with CD1d-binding glycolipids.
Node localization via analyzing multi-path signals in ultrasonic sensor networks

This paper proposes a novel signal analysis based node localization strategy for sensor networks used in structural health monitoring (SHM) applications. The key idea is to analyze location-dependent multipath signal patterns in inter-node ultrasonic signals, and use machine-learning mechanisms to detect such patterns for accurate node localization on metal substrates on target structures. Majority of the traditional mechanisms rely on radio based Time Delay of Arrival (TDOA), coupled with multilateration, and multiple reference nodes. The proposed mechanism attempts to solve the localization problem in an ultrasonic sensor network (USN), avoiding the use of multiple reference beacon nodes. Instead, it relies on signal analysis and multipath signature classification from a single reference node that periodically transmits ultrasonic localization beacons. The approach relies on a key observation that the ultrasonic signal received at any point on the structure from the reference node, is a superposition of the signals received on the direct path and through all possible multi-paths. It is hypothesized that if the location of the reference node and the substrate properties are known a-priori, it should be possible to train a receiver (source node), to identify its own location by observing the exact signature of the received signal. To validate this hypothesis, steps were taken to develop a TI MSP-430 based module for implementing a run-time system from a proposed architecture. Through extensive experimentation within an USN on the 2024 Aluminum substrate, it was demonstrated that localization accuracies up to 92% were achieved in the presence of varying spatial resolutions.
Evaluation of Herbal Dietary Supplements Marketed on the Internet for Recreational Use

BACKGROUND:The Internet is a popular tool for marketing and purchasing herbal dietary supplements (DS). Various Web sites sell these products purely for recreational use.Objective:To describe the content of Web sites that advertise and market herbal DS for recreational use (ie, for the purpose of altering mood/behavior/or perception, “getting high,” or as a substitute for a drug of abuse).METHODS:Four major search engines and the search terms “buy herbal high” and “buy legal high” were used to identify Web sites selling herbal DS for recreational use. Web sites were evaluated for their country of origin and for compliance with the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). Products were evaluated for their ingredient lists, effect claims, comparisons with illicit drugs, adverse effects, drug interactions, and contraindications.RESULTS:Twenty-eight unique Web sites with 119 products were evaluated. Most sites were in the US (54%) and were in compliance with DSHEA. Forty-seven percent of the produ...
Triptolide is more effective in preventing T cell proliferation and interferon-gamma production than is FK506.

The Chinese traditional herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F (TWHF) has been reported to be effective in the treatment of a variety of autoimmune disorders. The major active component of this herb is triptolide and most of the efficacy of this herb immunosuppression is attributed to triptolide. FK506 is also a potent immunosuppressive agent and is currently being used clinically. The present studies compare the effectiveness of triptolide and FK506 to suppress certain human T cell functions. Specifically human T cell proliferation, IL-2 and IFNgamma were compared. The results show that, overall, triptolide is more effective at inhibiting T cell proliferation and IFNgamma production than FK506 and the two compounds inhibit IL-2 production in an equivalent manner.
Feasibility of low-dose interleukin-2 therapy following T-cell-depleted nonmyeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from HLA-matched or -mismatched family member donors.

Introduction: High relapse rates and infections remain primary causes of failure in nonmyeloablative transplantation. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) may stimulate the immune system and improve outcomes. The primary objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of administering IL-2 following a T-cell-depleted nonmyeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Methods: Patients received T-cell-depleted nonmyeloablative transplant from a matched or mismatched related donor. Those with allogeneic engraftment, <grade 2 acute GVHD at time of study entry, and no severe end organ damage were eligible and received IL-2 starting 6 weeks after the first day of stem cell infusion. Patients received 1 mu/m2 daily for 5 days each week for 4 weeks followed by a 2-week rest period for a 6-week cycle to continue for up to 1 year. Results: Eight patients aged 28–69 years were treated. Significant toxicities were limited to GVHD of the skin ≤grade 2 in 3 patients and severe fatigue in 4 patients, limiting the durat...
Motor Learning Strategies for Well Elderly: A Pilot Study

Although motor learning strategies have been studied throughout the 20th century, relatively little is known about motor learning strategies that are specifically effective for older adults. The purpose of this study was to compare the skill acquisition, retention, and transfer of motor skills in older persons on relatively easy and relatively difficult tasks across varying frequencies of knowledge of results (KR). It was hypothesized that there would be a significant interaction upon task learning between frequency of KR and task difficulty for the acquisition, retention, and transfer phases. Participants included 61 right-hand dominant, well, elderly individuals, aged 60 to 87 years. The task involved turning a knob that controlled the height of a bar on a computer screen to match the height of a target bar. The target bar height and the time interval of the target bar were manipulated into four groups including the 100% KR/easy task, the 100% KR/hard task, the 33% KR/easy task and the 33% KR/hard group...
Behavioral predictors of medication adherence trajectories among youth with newly diagnosed epilepsy

Abstract Objective This study aimed to identify psychosocial predictors of two-year antiepileptic drug (AED) adherence trajectories among youth with newly diagnosed epilepsy, controlling for known demographic and medical factors. Method This study is part of a large, prospective, longitudinal observational study of AED adherence and medical outcomes in youth with newly diagnosed epilepsy. Parents completed questionnaires of psychosocial and family functioning at one month and one year following diagnosis. Chart review and questionnaires were used to collect medical variables and seizure outcomes. Previously established two-year AED adherence trajectories (Severe Early Nonadherence, Variable Nonadherence, Moderate Nonadherence, High Adherence) were used as the outcome variable. Results Participants were 91 parents of youth with epilepsy (7.3 ± 2.8 years of age; 60% male) and their families. Early (one month following diagnosis) predictors of two-year adherence trajectories included socioeconomic status, epilepsy knowledge, family problem-solving, and family communication. Significant predictors one year following diagnosis included socioeconomic status, parent fears and concerns, and parent life stress. Conclusion There are modifiable parent and family variables that predict two-year adherence trajectories above and beyond known medical (e.g., seizures, side effects) factors. Psychosocial interventions delivered at key points during the course of epilepsy treatment could have a positive impact on adherence outcomes.
Comparative effectiveness review of treatment options for pituitary microadenomas in acromegaly.

Object Acromegaly, a syndrome of excess growth hormone (GH) secretion typically caused by a GH-secreting pituitary adenoma, reduces life expectancy by approximately 10 years when left untreated. Treatment of acromegaly involves combinations of one or more discrete therapeutic modalities to achieve biochemical control. Unfortunately, data capable of informing decisions among alternate management strategies are presently lacking. Methods The authors performed a comparative effectiveness research (CER) review integrating efficacy, cost, and quality of life (QOL) analysis for treatment strategies comprising various combinations of surgery, radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and pharmacotherapy in patients with acromegaly caused by a pituitary microadenoma. A management decision tree was used to identify 5 treatment strategies, each with up to 4 potential treatment steps. Efficacy was assessed using recent literature reports of biochemical control rates for each modality. Cost estimations were derived fr...
BRAGG SPECTROSCOPY OF A BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATE

Properties of a Bose-Einstein condensate were studied by stimulated, two-photon Bragg scattering. The high momentum and energy resolution of this method allowed a spectroscopic measurement of the mean-field energy and of the intrinsic momentum uncertainty of the condensate. The coherence length of the condensate was shown to be equal to its size. Bragg spectroscopy can be used to determine the dynamic structure factor over a wide range of energy and momentum transfers.
Forms of expression for designing visual languages for animation

We present further steps in our research into visual languages for animation. Animation is a rich mode of communication that is currently accessible to few, because animation systems are complex. Some systems try to make animation simple but put severe limits on users' creative expression. Our field studies are demonstrating that would-be animators need to express animation in a wide variety of ways. We are developing a taxonomy of forms of expression for animation that will help the designers of visual languages for animation to determine which expressive forms to support. Our end goal is to build animation sketching systems that use pen input to make animation universally accessible.
Streamflow disaggregation: a nonlinear deterministic approach

This study introduces a nonlinear deterministic approach for streamflow disaggregation. According to this approach, the streamflow transformation process from one scale to another is treated as a nonlinear deterministic process, rather than a stochastic process as generally assumed. The approach follows two important steps: (1) reconstruction of the scalar (streamflow) series in a multi-dimensional phase-space for representing the transformation dynamics; and (2) use of a local approximation (nearest neighbor) method for disaggregation. The approach is employed for streamflow disaggregation in the Mississippi River basin, USA. Data of successively doubled resolutions between daily and 16 days (i.e. daily, 2-day, 4-day, 8-day, and 16-day) are studied, and disaggregations are attempted only between successive resolutions (i.e. 2-day to daily, 4-day to 2-day, 8-day to 4-day, and 16-day to 8-day). Comparisons between the disaggregated values and the actual values reveal excellent agreements for all the cases studied, indicating the suitability of the approach for streamflow disaggregation. A further insight into the results reveals that the best results are, in general, achieved for low embedding dimensions (2 or 3) and small number of neighbors (less than 50), suggesting possible presence of nonlinear determinism in the underlying transformation process. A decrease in accuracy with increasing disaggregation scale is also observed, a possible implication of the existence of a scaling regime in streamflow.
An analysis for differentiated services in IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.11e wireless LANs

We study backoff-based priority schemes for IEEE 802.11 and the emerging IEEE 802.11e standard by differentiating the minimum backoff window size, the backoff window-increasing factor, and the retransmission limit. An analytical model is proposed to derive saturation throughputs, saturation delays, and frame dropping probabilities of different priority classes for all proposed priority schemes. Simulations are conducted to validate analytical results. The proposed priority schemes can be easily implemented, and results are beneficial in designing good priority parameters.
Navigating inexpensively and wirelessly

One of the main focuses in immersive virtual environment research is traveling techniques. A traveling technique depends primarily on the tasks needed to be performed as well as the device(s) used to accomplish a given task. In this paper we examine the potential of a relatively new and inexpensive device introduced in the gaming industry that revolutionized the way 3D games are played. We developed two techniques, both utilizing the wireless Wii remote and its extension from Nintendo, and we examined the usefulness of the remote in traveling techniques in large virtual environments. Our technique allows efficient and comfortable control of multiple degrees of freedom using one hand. We performed a user study to measure the effectiveness of the device and we present our results.
Percentage Insula Ribbon Infarction of >50% Identifies Patients Likely to Have Poor Clinical Outcome Despite Small DWI Infarct Volume

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Large admission DWI infarct volume (>70 mL) is an established marker for poor clinical outcome in acute stroke. Outcome is more variable in patients with small infarcts ( MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the admission NCCT, CTP, and DWI scans of 55 patients with proximal anterior circulation occlusions on CTA. Percentage insula ribbon infarct (>50%, ≤50%) on DWI, NCCT, CT-CBF, and CT-MTT were recorded. DWI infarct volume, percentage DWI motor strip infarct, NCCT-ASPECTS, and CTA collateral score were also recorded. Statistical analyses were performed to determine accuracy in predicting poor outcome (mRS >2 at 90 days). RESULTS: Admission DWI of >70 mL and DWI–percentage insula ribbon infarct of >50% were among significant univariate imaging markers of poor outcome ( P 50% ( P = .045) and NIHSS score ( P n = 40), 90-day mRS was significantly worse in those with DWI–percentage insula ribbon infarct of >50% ( n = 9, median mRS = 5, interquartile range = 2–5) compared with those with DWI–percentage insula ribbon infarct of ≤50% ( n = 31, median mRS = 2, interquartile range = 0.25–4, P = .036). In patients with admission DWI infarct of >70 mL, DWI–percentage insula ribbon infarct did not have added predictive value for poor outcome ( P = .931). CONCLUSIONS: DWI–percentage insula ribbon infarct of >50% independently predicts poor clinical outcome and can help identify patients with stroke likely to have poor outcome despite small admission DWI lesion volumes.
First-year students as first responders: Initiating their first code

First-year nursing students may care for patients with deteriorating conditions and should be able to respond appropriately to emergencies. First-year students may not have confidence or skills to initiate a code response within seconds of recognizing an event even though they are required to have certification in basic life support. Faculty of one associate-degree nursing program developed a “Code Week” with a high-fidelity simulation scenario for first-semester students to rehearse initiating a code.
Anticholinergic Medication Use and Risk of Dementia Among Elderly Nursing Home Residents with Depression.

Objective To examine the risk of dementia with anticholinergic use among elderly nursing home residents with depression. Design Population-based nested case-control study. Setting Population-based study involving 2007–2010 Minimum Data Set–linked Medicare data from all 50 states. Participants Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older, diagnosed with depression, and no history of dementia as of 2007 (baseline period). Cases were identified as patients with incident dementia following the baseline period. For each case, four age- and sex-matched control subjects were selected using incidence density sampling. Measurements Anticholinergic exposure was defined using Anticholinergic Drug Scale. Prescription of clinically significant anticholinergic medications (levels 2 and 3) 30 days preceding the event date formed the primary exposure. The primary outcome was dementia diagnosis, between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2010. A conditional logistic regression model stratified on matched case-control sets was performed to assess dementia risk, after controlling for other risk factors. Results The study sample included 28,388 cases diagnosed with dementia and 113,352 matched control subjects. After adjusting for other risk factors, clinically significant anticholinergic use was associated with significant risk of dementia (OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.22–1.29) compared with non-use. The findings remained consistent across levels of anticholinergic potency (level 2, OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.31–1.44; level 3, OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.10–1.19). Conclusion Use of clinically significant anticholinergic medications was associated with a 26% increase in risk of dementia among elderly nursing home residents with depression. With increasing safety concerns, there is a significant need to optimize anticholinergic use, especially for those who are at risk for dementia.
Bean Leaf Beetle: Emergence Patterns of Adults from Overwintering Sites

Emergence of the bean leaf beetle from overwintering sites occurred over a period of 3 mo, 60% occurring in May. Emergence began at a day-length of 13 h and an avg daily temperature of 26°C. Cold rain suppressed emergence. Variations in macro- and micro-habitats affected the time of 1st emergence and the length of the emergence period.
Managing congenital heart defects in adults.

Congenital heart defects may go undiagnosed or untreated in childhood and become adult problems.
Sterol Carrier and Lipid Transfer Proteins

Publisher Summary The discovery of the lipid exchange, transfer, or carrier proteins is a result of the findings that cells contained cytosolic factors that were required for microsomal synthesis of cholesterol or could accelerate the transfer or exchange of phospholipids between membrane preparations. Most of the lipid exchange transfer or carrier activities have been characterized as cytosolic factors. These activities might be concentrated in cell particulate fractions, such as microsomes, and might be released to varying extents by tissue homogenization and/or treatment of the “cytosolic” fraction. The phospholipid exchange and transfer activities have been determined by the exchange or transfer of labeled phospholipids between microsomes and mitochondria or liposomes. These more direct assays involving aspects of cholesterol metabolism suggest the possibility that there is greater biological specificity for sterol carrier protein 2 (SCP 2) than is implied by the term non-specific lipid transfer protein. Another protein with apparent biological specificity is fatty acid-binding protein (FABP). Three approaches have been employed to determine fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) activities: Sephadex G-50 chromatography of liver cytosol following addition of [14 C] oleate; use of hydrophobic Lipidex 1000 to separate FABP-bound from unbound fatty acids; and immunoprecipitation technique.
Inverse problems of a class of non-linear algebraic equations

This paper solves the inverse problems of a class of non-linear algebraic equations as its partial solution is known. One is the inversion of its nonhomogeneous terms, and the another is the inversion of its coefficients containing some parameters. The optimization method is applied and convenient formulas for computation gradient are obtained.
Case report: simple renal cyst in child.

AbstractA case of a large renal cyst of the right kidney suggesting a nephroblastoma is reported. Preoperative differentiation was difficult.
Becoming a Professional Online Discussion Boards as a Tool for Developing Professionalism Among MPH Students

Cultivating professionalism among students is a key goal of the Master of Public Health (MPH) practicum. Achieving this goal, however, can be pedagogically challenging. We provide guidance on imple...
My Brain Made Me Moral: Moral Performance Enhancement for Realists

How should ethics help decide the morality of enhancing morality? The idea of morally enhancing the human brain quickly emerged when the promise of cognitive enhancement in general began to seem realizable. However, on reflection, achieving moral enhancement must be limited by the practical challenges to any sort of cognitive modification, along with obstacles particular to morality’s bases in social cognition. The objectivity offered by the brain sciences cannot ensure the technological achievement of moral bioenhancement for humanity-wide application. Additionally, any limited moral enhancement will not easily fulfil ethical expectations. Three hypothetical scenarios involving putative moral enhancement help illustrate why. Philosophical concerns about the “Does-Must Dichotomy” and the “Factor-Cause Plurality,” as I label them, forbid easy leaps from views about morality on to conclusions about ways to enhance morality, and then further on to ethically justifying those enhancements. A modest and realistic approach to moral enhancement emerges from exploring these issues.
IL4RA on lymphatic endothelial cells promotes T cell egress during sclerodermatous graft versus host disease

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a potentially fatal autoimmune disorder with limited therapeutic options. Sclerodermatous graft versus host disease (sclGvHD), induced by transfer of B10.D2 splenocytes into BALB/c Rag2-/- mice, models an inflammatory subset of SSc characterized by a prominent IL13-induced gene expression signature in the skin. Host mice deficient in IL4RA, a subunit of the type II IL4/IL13 receptor, are protected from sclGvHD. While IL4RA has a well-established role in Th2 differentiation and alternative macrophage activation, we report here a previously unappreciated function for IL4RA in lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs): regulation of activated T cell egress. Seven days after splenocyte transfer, Il4ra-/- hosts had increased numbers of activated graft CD4+ T cells in skin draining lymph nodes (dLNs) but fewer T cells in efferent lymph, blood, and skin. Sphingosine-1 phosphate (S1P), master regulator of lymphocyte egress from LNs, was lower in dLNs of Il4ra-/- hosts with a corresponding decrease of S1P kinase 1 (Sphk1) expression in LECs. Bypassing the efferent lymphatics via i.v. injection of CD4+ T cells from dLNs of Il4ra-/- sclGvHD mice restored clinical GvHD in secondary Il4ra-/- recipients. These results identify a role for IL4RA and suggest that modulation of lymphocyte egress from LNs may be effective in SSc and GvHD.
The Positive Effects of Hydrophobic Fluoropolymers on the Electrical Properties of MoS2 Transistors

We report the improvement of the electrical performance of field effect transistors (FETs) fabricated on monolayer chemical vapor deposited (CVD) MoS2, by applying an interacting fluoropolymer capping layer (Teflon-AF). The electrical characterizations of more than 60 FETs, after applying Teflon-AF cap, show significant improvement of the device properties and reduced device to device variation. The improvement includes: 50% reduction of the average gate hysteresis, 30% reduction of the subthreshold swing and about an order of magnitude increase of the current on-off ratio. These favorable changes in device performance are attributed to the reduced exposure of MoS2 channels to the adsorbates in the ambient which can be explained by the polar nature of Teflon-AF cap. A positive shift in the threshold voltage of all the measured FETs is observed, which translates to the more desirable enhancement mode transistor characteristics.
High-temperature operation of broadband bidirectional terahertz quantum-cascade lasers

Terahertz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) with a broadband gain medium could play an important role for sensing and spectroscopy since then distributed-feedback schemes could be utilized to produce laser arrays on a single semiconductor chip with wide spectral coverage. QCLs can be designed to emit at two different frequencies when biased with opposing electrical polarities. Here, terahertz QCLs with bidirectional operation are developed to achieve broadband lasing from the same semiconductor chip. A three-well design scheme with shallow-well GaAs/Al0.10Ga0.90As superlattices is developed to achieve high-temperature operation for bidirectional QCLs. It is shown that shallow-well heterostructures lead to optimal quantum-transport in the superlattice for bidirectional operation compared to the prevalent GaAs/Al0.15Ga0.85As material system. Broadband lasing in the frequency range of 3.1–3.7 THz is demonstrated for one QCL design, which achieves maximum operating temperatures of 147 K and 128 K respectively in opposing polarities. Dual-color lasing with large frequency separation is demonstrated for a second QCL, that emits at ~3.7 THz and operates up to 121 K in one polarity, and at ~2.7 THz up to 105 K in the opposing polarity. These are the highest operating temperatures achieved for broadband terahertz QCLs at the respective emission frequencies, and could lead to commercial development of broadband terahertz laser arrays.
Diagnosis and removal of a dentigerous cyst complicated by ameloblastic fibro-odontoma in a dog

A large, deforming, dentigerous cyst involving the maxillary canine tooth was removed from a young Vizla dog. Subsequent histopathologic examination revealed ameloblastic fibro-odontoma within the ...
Radiation Therapy for Colorectal Liver Metastases

Purpose of Review The purpose of the present study is to review the management of colorectal liver metastases (CLM) with radiation therapy (RT).
Moderate exercise failed to reduce blood pressure

Source Citation Blumenthal JA, Siegel WC, Appelbaum M. Failure of exercise to reduce blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension. Results of a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 1991 Oct 16;2...
Tweeting about public transit — Gleaning public perceptions from a social media microblog

Abstract Capturing public perceptions regarding transit systems is an essential part of creating a just and equitable service. Gathering such perceptions also holds the potential for identifying ways of increasing ridership and for identifying sources of transport-related social exclusion. Traditionally, these perceptions have been obtained from public participatory forums or via surveys on users’ opinions. However, increasingly, the use of alternative methods of obtaining public perceptions has included media and social media sources. Twitter is one such social media source and it is used in this research to obtain public opinions regarding a bus rapid transit system (BRT). Rather than relying upon purely automated data mining techniques for analyzing Twitter feeds, a traditional qualitative research design is used featuring a two-step process. First, a text mining procedure is used on the Twitter feeds filtered out by keywords relevant to the transit system, and secondly, a structured content analysis is applied to the entries. This method is applied to a case study on a Bus Rapid Transit system in Cali, Colombia. The results highlight concerns with safety, problems with the system’s infrastructure, and behavioral issues on the bus as primary points of discussion.
Invited talk II: Why does life start, what does it do, where will it be, and how might we find it?

Life was driven into being on our planet to resolve the disequilibria between the fuels hydrogen and methane emanating from submarine alkaline springs, as against the carbon dioxide dissolved in the acidulous ocean from the atmosphere. The two fluids were kept at bay by the precipitation of iron minerals at the spring. It was in the mineral barriers that this free energy was first converted via a protometabolism to organic molecules. Thus, we can say that life hydrogenated, and still hydrogenates, carbon dioxide. Therefore, we may expect life to emerge on any wet and rocky world that has a partly carbon dioxide-rich ocean. One possible example is on Europa (see Figure). It should reveal itself either as whole cells or as bioorganic molecules that themselves are far-from-thermodynamic equilibrium.
Robust HMM estimation with Gaussian merging-splitting and tied-transform HMMs.

We present two different approaches for robust estimation of the parameters of context-dependent hidden Markov models (HMMs) for speech recognition. The first approach, the Gaussian MergingSplitting (GMS) algorithm, uses Gaussian splitting to uniformly distribute the Gaussians in acoustic space, and merging so as to compute only those Gaussians that have enough data for robust estimation. We show that this method is more robust than our previous training technique. The second approach, called tied-transform HMMs, uses maximum-likelihood transformation-based acoustic adaptation algorithms to transform a small HMM to a much larger HMM. Since the transforms are shared or tied among Gaussians in the larger HMM, robust estimation is achieved. We show that this approach gives a significant improvement in recognition accuracy and a dramatic reduction in memory needed to store the models.
CONTROL SYSTEMS CURRICULA IN THE UNITED STATES: RESULTS OF TWO RECENT SURVEYS

In this paper we report the results of two recent surveys on control systems curricula in the United States. The surveys focused on control education within departments of electrical and mechanical engineering. There are only two schools in the United States that offer degree programs in control systems outside of regular engineering departments. The surveys included data on required and elective courses at both the graduate and undergraduate level. They also included considerable information on textbooks used in control systems courses, which, however, is not reproduced in this report.
Electrochemical deposition and anodic stripping of PdZn bimetallic compound

Abstract Pd alloys with non-noble transition metals are of interest for various catalytic applications. The electrodeposition of Pd-Zn alloy was investigated from an ammonia citrate electrolyte at neutral pH in this report. Cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic deposition, and potentiostatic stripping were used to understand the electrochemical behavior of the system. Films were characterized with electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. While Zn-rich alloy films with various compositions were electrodeposited at different current densities, a porous but stable tetragonal PdZn bimetallic compound was obtained after anodic stripping.