cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Lattice-Based Approach to Percolation in Penetrable Sphere Systems

An heuristic mapping is presented that enables analysis of continuum percolation by penetrable spheres in terms of an analogous lattice model. The resulting framework is based upon the well-known Bethe lattice, which is modified by the inclusion of an adjustable proportion of fully connected subgraphs that provide a particularly simple, albeit operational, vehicle for modeling the effect of inter-particle clustering. The volume fraction at the percolation threshold is calculated as a function of (i) the degree of interpenetrability amongst the spheres, and: (ii) the extent of particle clustering, and the results are compared with findings from Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of this problem. It is found that a suitably chosen ansatz that reflects a monotonic increase in the degree of clustering with increasing inter-sphere penetrability leads to close agreement between percolation thresholds calculated using the present approach and the results of MC simulations.
Vaekehu, the Life of a 19th Century Marquesan “Queen" in Turbulent Times

Born on Nuku Hiva around 1823, Vaekehu was a high-ranking woman in a line of powerful and wealthy Marquesan women. She grew up in a period when the 'old ways' were still vital and the structure of 'traditional' Marquesan life intact. She married Temoana, the island's highest-ranking chief; their high status led the French to dub them 'king' and 'queen' of Nuku Hiva. She lived until 1901, and her long life, which was recorded by numerous writers and artists, mirrored the dramatic changes that occurred in the archipelago in the 19th century because of depopulation, missionisation and colonisation.
Sacrifice as terror; the Rwandan genocide of 1994

Sacrifice as Terror: The Rwandan Genocide of 1994. Christopher C. Taylor. Oxford: Berg, 1999. vii +197 pp., bibliography, index,
PP is closed under intersection

In this seminal paper on probabilistic Turing machines, Gill asked whether the class PP is closed under intersection and union. We give a positive answer to this question. We also show that PP is closed under a variety of polynomial-time truth-table reductions. Consequences in complexity theory include the definite collapse and (assuming P ? PP) separation of certain query hierarchies over PP. Similar techniques allow us to combine several threshold gates into a single threshold gate. Consequences in the study of circuits include the simulation of circuits with a small number of threshold gates by circuits having only a single threshold gate at the root (perceptrons) and a lower bound on the number of threshold gates that are needed to compute the parity function.
Modeling of an Electric Vehicle Thermal Management System in MATLAB/Simulink

Electric vehicles (EVs) need highly optimized thermal management systems to improve range. Climate control can reduce vehicle efficiency and range by more than 50%. Due to the relative shortage of waste heat, heating the passenger cabin in EVs is difficult. Cabin cooling can take a high portion of the energy available in the battery. Compared to internal combustion engine-driven vehicles, different heating methods and more efficient cooling methods are needed, which can make EV thermal management systems more complex. More complex systems typically allow various alternative modes of operation that can be selected based on driving and ambient conditions. A good system simulation tool can greatly reduce the time and expense for developing these complex systems. A simulation model should also be able to efficiently co-simulate with vehicle simulation programs, and should be applicable for evaluating various control algorithms. The MATLAB/Simulink dynamic system simulation environment, widely used in the automotive industry, effectively meets these criteria. To model the full EV thermal management system, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's air-conditioning model now incorporates liquid-coolant system components. In the full system model, lookup tables were used to characterize the components' performance. Predicted data obtained with the system simulation model were compared against experimental data. An agreement within 5% for most of the system parameters was achieved. The validated system model was then used to determine which of two possible locations for the power electronics and electric motor in the system is better for quick cabin heating starting from cold soak.
Cholecystokinin synapses in the sexually dimorphic central part of the medial preoptic nucleus

The distribution of immunoreactive cholecystokinin synapses in the medial preoptic nucleus was studied. At the light microscopic level, the relative density of cholecystokinin in the nucleus corresponds to its three subdivisions. The sexually dimorphic central part of the nucleus was filled with a very dense plexus of cholecystokinin fibers/terminals. At the ultrastructural level, cholecystokinin-positive boutons contained labeled, dense core vesicles and clear vesicles as well as a population of unlabeled vesicles. The cholecystokinin boutons formed axodendritic, axosomatic, and axoaxonic interactions. Very few of the boutons were found in apposition with unlabeled elements but without any evidence of contact, i.e., synaptoid-type. Interestingly, cholecystokinin-positive, dendrite-like structures occasionally extended thin processes that were observed to end in a bouton containing both light and dense core vesicles. These varicosities were observed to have synaptoid endings. The dense innervation and synaptoid interaction of cholecystokinin elements in the central part of the medial preoptic nucleus may help to clarify the peptide's function in the medial preoptic area.
Pacemaker Upgrade Causing New-Onset Heart Failure in a Patient with Complete Congenital Atrioventricular Block

For infants with congenital complete atrioventricular block (CCAVB), the choice of pacing modalities is limited. Due to their size and surgical limitations, neonates typically start with an epicardial right ventricular pacing system, then upgrade to right-sided dual-chamber pacing once appropriate size is achieved. These modes are generally well tolerated. However, the reported case involved a patient with CCAVB who paradoxically experienced congestive heart failure after upgrading to a dual-chamber system, a theoretically superior pacing modality. With conversion to biventricular pacing, a relatively new modality for adults with very little pediatric experience to date, the patient’s symptoms dramatically improved.
Conversations in Colombia: The Domestic Economy in Life and Text

Conversations in Colombia: The Domestic Economy in Life and Text. Stephen Gudeman and Alberto Rivera. Cambridge University Press, 1990 224 pp. $45.00 (cloth), $14.95 (paper). ISBN 0-521-38745-0, ISBN 0-521-38745-0.
Weight gain prevention in the school worksite setting: Results of a multi-level cluster randomized trial

Objective To describe the effectiveness, reach and implementation of a weight gain prevention intervention among public school employees.
Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting improves in-hospital mortality in patients with dialysis-dependent renal failure.

Abstract Objective Patients with chronic dialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease are increasingly referred for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and their early outcome is less favorable. Off-pump CABG (OPCAB) has achieved encouraging results in high-risk patients. Therefore, we designed this retrospective study to test the hypothesis that OPCAB reduced surgical risks in dialysis patients. Methods From January 2000 to December 2005, 294 dialysis-dependent patients received isolated CABG at the Washington Hospital Center. Among them, 168 underwent OPCAB (off-pump group), and 126, CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (on-pump group). The in-hospital outcomes were analyzed. Results The two groups were comparable in terms of preoperative characteristics. The Parsonnet's Bedside Score of the off-pump group was similar to that of the on-pump group (32.0 vs. 32.0, P =.57). The in-hospital mortality of the off-pump group was significantly lower than that of the on-pump group (5.4% vs. 11.9%, P =.04). Although the percentage of patients who received transfusions was similar, the on-pump group received more total transfusions. Logistic regression analysis revealed that use of CPB independently predicted in-hospital mortality [odds ratio (OR), 5.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.78–13.85; P P =.03). No significant difference in long-term survival at 4 years was absorbed between the two groups of hospital survivors. Conclusions Our data suggest that OPCAB is a safe alternative to on-pump CABG in dialysis patients. Avoiding CPB resulted in less perioperative blood utilization, MI, and hospital mortality.
Quantifying rearfoot-forefoot coordination in human walking

A method is proposed to facilitate the quantification and interpretation of inter-joint/-segment coordination. This technique is illustrated using rearfoot-forefoot kinematic data. We expand existing vector coding techniques and introduce a set of operational terms through which the coordinative patterns between the rearfoot segment and the forefoot segment are summarized: in-phase, anti-phase, rearfoot phase and forefoot phase. The literature on foot mechanics has characterized the stable foot at pushoff by a decreasing medial longitudinal arch angle in the sagittal plane, which is accompanied by forefoot pronation and concurrent rearfoot supination-in other words, anti-phase motion. Nine skin markers were placed on the rearfoot and forefoot segments according to a multi-segment foot model. Three healthy subjects performed standing calibration and walking trials (1.35ms(-1)), while a three-dimensional motion capture system acquired their kinematics. Rearfoot-forefoot joint angles were derived and the arch angle was inferred from the sagittal plane. Coupling angles of rearfoot and forefoot segments were derived and categorized into one of the four coordination patterns. Arch kinematics were consistent with the literature; in stance, the arch angle reached peak dorsiflexion, and then decreased rapidly. However, anti-phase coordination was not the predominant pattern during mid- or late stance. These preliminary data suggest that the coordinative interactions between the rearfoot and the forefoot are more complicated than previously described. The technique offers a new perspective on coordination and may provide insight into deformations of underlying tissues, such as the plantar fascia.
Towards a packet-based control theory - part 1: stabilization over a packet-based network

In this paper, we study the classical problem of stabilizing a linear time invariant (LTI) system in a packet-based network setting. We assume that the LTI system is unstable but both controllable and observable. The state information is transmitted to the controller over a packet-based network. We also assume that there is a perfect link from the controller to the plant. We give a set of sufficient conditions under which the system can be stabilized for a given data rate C. In particular, these conditions can yield an upper bound on the minimum C for which the system can be stabilized. A recursive encoding-decoding scheme and an associated control law are proposed to achieve stability for rate exceeding this bound. An optimal bit allocation problem is investigated in which we ask about how to allocate the bits in a single packet for a subsystem of a general LTI system such that a minimum upper bound on the data rate is achieved. We then formulate the optimal bit allocation problem as a linear matrix inequality (LMI) optimization problem which can be solved efficiently using standard semi-definite programming (SDP) solvers. Examples and simulations are given to demonstrate the results.
Developmental Changes in Attention and Comprehension Among Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Changes in visual attention and story comprehension for children (N = 132) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comparison peers were examined. Between the ages of 7 and 9 (Phase 1) and approximately 21 months later (Phase 2), children viewed 2 televised stories: 1 in the presence of toys and 1 in their absence. Both groups of children showed developmental increases in visual attention and stable group differences over time. Deficits in comprehension among children with ADHD, however, increased over time. Whereas comparison children's recall of factual and causal information increased over time in both viewing conditions, children with ADHD showed no developmental improvement in recall of factual information in the toys-present condition and no improvement in recall of causal relations in either viewing condition.
Is Smart Growth Associated with Reductions in Carbon Dioxide Emissions

The transportation sector is the second largest contributor to human-generated carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. A key goal of the U.S. Department of Transportation is to implement environmentally sustainable policies that can reduce carbon emissions from transportation sources. Smart growth—characterized by compact, mixed use; greater network connectivity; and environments friendly to alternative modes—may encourage reductions in vehicle travel and emissions. A better understanding of travel behavior in conventional and smart growth communities is needed to inform policies. A behavioral data set is analyzed to determine whether smart growth developments are associated with lower CO2 emissions. Sample selection models are estimated from a 2009 travel behavior survey of 15,213 households to capture the conditionality of emissions on the decision to drive (or not) by household members on a given day. Results indicated that 12% of responding households used alternative modes or did not travel from home; the re...
Nanoparticle‐Wetted Surfaces for Relays and Energy Transmission Contacts

Abstract Submonolayer coatings of noble-metal nanoparticle liquids (NPLs) are shown to provide replenishable surfaces with robust asperities and metallic conductivity that extends the durability of electrical relays by 10 to 100 times (depending on the current driven through the contact) as compared to alternative approaches. NPLs are single-component materials consisting of a metal nanoparticle core (5-20 nm Au or Pt nanoparticles) surrounded by a covalently tethered ionic-liquid corona of 1.5 to 2 nm. Common relay failure modes, such as stiction, surface distortion, and contact shorting, are suppressed with the addition of a submonolayer of NPLs to the contact surfaces. This distribution of NPLs results in a force profile for a contact-retraction cycle that is distinct from bare Au contacts and thicker, multilayer coatings of NPLs. Postmortem examination reveals a substantial decrease in topological change of the electrode surface relative to bare contacts, as well as an indication of lateral migration of the nanoparticles from the periphery towards the contact. A general extension of this concept to dynamic physical interfaces experiencing impact, sliding, or rolling affords alternatives to increase reliability and reduced losses for transmittance of electrical and mechanical energy.
Sex roles and hedonism among members of “outlaw” motorcycle clubs

While difficult to investigate with standard sociological methods, outlaw motorcycle clubs are of great theoretical and practical interest to the sociology of deviance. Based on interviews with current and former bikers, law enforcers and personal experience, this study examines the roles available to women in this subculture, as well as some of the normative constraints faced by male bikers. Attention is focused on the sex role structure of these groups and the boundaries between areas open to personal choice and those controlled by subcultural prescription. An attempt is made to relate the operation of these structures to the violence and hedonism of the outlaw lifestyle using concepts derived from social exchange theory.
Evaluation of a quantitative D-dimer latex immunoassay for acute pulmonary embolism diagnosed by computed tomographic angiography

OBJECTIVE To determine the sensitivity and specificity of a quantitative plasma fibrin D-dimer latex immunoassay (LIA) for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Study subjects were Mayo Clinic Rochester inpatients and outpatients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism; all had undergone quantitative D-dimer LIA testing and multidetector-row computed tomographic (CT) angiography between August 3, 2001, and November 10, 2003. Multidetector-row CT angiography was the diagnostic reference standard. RESULTS Of 1355 CT studies, 208 (15%) were positive for acute pulmonary embolism. Median D-dimer levels were significantly higher for patients with acute pulmonary embolism (1425 ng/mL) than for patients without (500 ng/mL) ( P CONCLUSION The quantitative D-dimer LIA with a discriminant value of 300 ng/mL had high sensitivity and high negative predictive value but low specificity for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism. On the basis of these results, we believe that a negative quantitative D-dimer LIA result and a low pretest probability of thromboembolism together are sufficient to exclude acute pulmonary embolism.
Cooperative Interaction between the MUC1-C Oncoprotein and the Rab31 GTPase in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Cells

Rab31 is a member of the Ras superfamily of small GTPases that has been linked to poor outcomes in patients with breast cancer. The MUC1-C oncoprotein is aberrantly overexpressed in most human breast cancers and also confers a poor prognosis. The present results demonstrate that MUC1-C induces Rab31 expression in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer cells. We show that MUC1-C forms a complex with estrogen receptor α (ERα) on the Rab31 promoter and activates Rab31 gene transcription in an estrogen-dependent manner. In turn, Rab31 contributes to the upregulation of MUC1-C abundance in breast cancer cells by attenuating degradation of MUC1-C in lysosomes. Expression of an inactive Rab31(S20N) mutant in nonmalignant breast epithelial cells confirmed that Rab31 regulates MUC1-C expression. The functional significance of the MUC1-C/Rab31 interaction is supported by the demonstration that Rab31 confers the formation of mammospheres by a MUC1-C-dependent mechanism. Analysis of microarray databases further showed that (i) Rab31 is expressed at higher levels in breast cancers as compared to that in normal breast tissues, (ii) MUC1+ and ER+ breast cancers have increased levels of Rab31 expression, and (iii) patients with Rab31-positive breast tumors have a significantly decreased ten-year overall survival as compared to those with Rab31-negative tumors. These findings indicate that MUC1-C and Rab31 function in an autoinductive loop that contributes to overexpression of MUC1-C in breast cancer cells.
On a Decision Method in Restricted Second Order Arithmetic

Let SC be the interpreted formalism which makes use of individual variables t, x, y, z,... ranging over natural numbers, monadic predicate variables q( ), r( ), s( ), i( ),... ranging over arbitrary sets of natural numbers, the individual symbol 0 standing for zero, the function symbol ′ denoting the successor function, propositional connectives, and quantifiers for both types of variables. Thus SC is a fraction of the restricted second order theory of natural numbers, or of the first order theory of real numbers. In fact, if predicates on natural numbers are interpreted as binary expansions of real numbers, it is easy to see that SC is equivalent to the first order theory of [Re, +, Pw, Nn], whereby Re, Pw, Nn are, respectively, the sets of non-negative reals, integral powers of 2, and natural numbers.
Noise characteristics of lattice-matched InGaAs/InAlAs heterostructure p-i-n photodiodes

Summary form only given. The authors report the experimental characterization of a set of three InGaAs/InAlAs heterostructure p-i-n photodiodes. Current-voltage, capacitance-voltage, S-parameter, and noise data were collected at room temperature over a wide range of bias current and voltage and a function of incident light intensity. The first device consisted of 360 alternating, undoped, lattice-matched In/sub 0.53/Ga/sub 0.47/As and In/sub 0.52/Al/sub 0.48/As layers 30 AA wide, sandwiched between an n/sup +/ and a p/sup +/ absorption layer of In/sub 0.53/Ga/sub 0.47/As. In the second and third device the number of layers and the layer width were respectively 200 and 90 AA and 50 and 500 AA. The capacitance-voltage data indicate that, in the dark, the heterostructure photodiodes are depleted gradually when the reverse bias is increased, i.e. one quantum well at a time. As a result, two high-field depleted regions at the contacts and a low-field undepleted region in the center are formed. Upon illumination by a light-emitting diode (1350 nm), the p-i-n photodiodes show large excess noise levels up to 500 MHz. Beyond this frequency the 30-AA devices show full short noise at field strengths E where impact ionization and Zener tunneling are absent, 0 >
Parallel Processing and Large-Field Electron Microscope Tomography

We review some recent progress in improving the speed of electron microscope tomography through highly parallel algorithms implemented on parallel computers, clusters and graphics processor boards in desktop computers.
Assessing the speed and predictability of local adaptation in invasive California poppies (Eschscholzia californica)

Insight into the speed and predictability of local adaptation can be gained by studying organisms, such as invasive species, that have recently expanded their geographical ranges. Common garden studies were designed to address these issues with the California poppy, Eschscholzia californica, collected from a wide range of environments in both its native (California) and invasive (Chile) ranges. We found similar patterns of plant trait variation along similar abiotic gradients in plants collected from both areas. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that coastal plants from both areas tended to be shorter, smaller plants with smaller seeds and flowers that germinate and flower later than plants collected from inland locations. In addition, size and fecundity traits in both native and invasive poppies were correlated with average rainfall totals; the plants that grew the largest and were the most fecund during the first year of growth originated from the driest areas. This parallel variation suggests that these traits are adaptive and that these patterns have evolved in Chile during the 110‐150 years since introduction.
The Impact of Hydroxyethyl Starch Use in Deceased Organ Donors on the Development of Delayed Graft Function in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Propensity-Adjusted Analysis.

Our objective was to evaluate the impact of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) use in organ donors after neurologic determination of death (DNDD) on recipient renal graft outcomes. The following data elements were prospectively collected for every DNDD managed by a single organ procurement organization from June 2011 to July 2013: demographics; critical care endpoints; treatments, including the use of HES; graft cold ischemia time (CIT); and the occurrence of recipient delayed graft function (DGF, dialysis in the first week after transplantation). Logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of DGF with a p-value <0.05. The results were then adjusted for each donor's calculated propensity to receive HES. Nine hundred eighty-six kidneys were transplanted from 529 donors. Forty-two percent received HES (1217 ± 528 mL) and 35% developed DGF. Kidneys from DNDDs who received HES had a higher crude rate of DGF (41% vs. 31%, p < 0.001). After accounting for the propensity to receive HES, independent predictors of DGF were age (OR 1.02 [1.01-1.04] per year), CIT (OR 1.04[1.02-1.06] per hour), creatinine (OR 1.5 [1.32-1.72] per mg/dL) and HES use (OR 1.41 [1.02-1.95]). HES use during donor management was independently associated with a 41% increase in the risk of DGF in kidney transplant recipients.
Carbon limitation leads to suppression of first year oak seedlings beneath evergreen understory shrubs in Southern Appalachian hardwood forests

Inhibition of canopy tree recruitment beneath thickets of the evergreen shrubs Rhododendron maximum L. and Kalmia latifolia L. has long been observed in Southern Appalachian forests, yet the mechanisms of this process remain unresolved. We present a first-year account of suppression of oak seedlings in relation to Rhododendron and Kalmia basal area, light and resource availability, seedling performance and the rates of seedling damage i.e., herbivory. We found no evidence of first-year seedling suppression or significant resource deficiencies beneath thickets of K. latifolia in mature mixed hardwood stands. Suppression beneath R. maximum was apparent during the first growing season. We found that seedling biomass, light availability prior to canopy closure, and seedling tissue C:N ratios were negatively correlated with R. maximum basal area. Basal area of R. maximum was positively correlated with seedling mortality rates, soil Al, and early-growing season leaf herbivory rates. Seedling growth was positively correlated with light and tissue C:N, while negatively correlated with soil Al. Overall, our results support the inhibition model of shade-mediated carbon limitation beneath dense understory shrubs and indicate the potential importance of herbivory and aluminum toxicity as components of a suppression mechanism beneath R. maximum thickets. We present a causal model of first year inhibition beneath R. maximum in the context of our findings and the results of prior studies.
Smoking among lesbians, gays, and bisexuals: a review of the literature

Abstract Objectives: To collect estimates of smoking prevalence among lesbian, gay, and bisexual people from the published literature and to compare with general population estimates. Methods: Databases were searched for all studies published in English on tobacco use among lesbians, gays, and bisexuals. From 1987 through 2000, twelve studies were identified (four youth, eight adult): seven were based on convenience samples; one on a population-based probability sample; one involved random sampling within selected census tracts; one was based on a large multicenter clinical trial; and two were representative school-based samples. Study findings were compared to national survey data from the corresponding time period. Results: Estimated smoking rates for lesbians, gays, and bisexuals ranged from 38% to 59% among youth and from 11% to 50% among adults. National smoking rates during comparable periods ranged from 28% to 35% for adolescents and were approximately 28% for adults. Conclusions: While information in the published literature is limited, it appears that smoking rates are higher among adolescent and adult lesbians, gays, and bisexuals than in the general population. Steps should be taken to ensure representation of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals in tobacco-use surveillance and to collect data in order to understand the apparent high smoking rates in these groups. Attempts should be made to target prevention and cessation interventions to lesbians, gays, and bisexuals.
Multinational Clients: A Source Of Competitive Advantage For Multinational Audit Firms

This research evaluates the competitive advantages of the Big 6 audit firms in selected foreign markets, namely in Malaysia, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom. In particular, the current study investigates audit pricing for multinational clients headquartered in the above regions. The analyses consider the degree of multinationality of the client and the locations of multinational clients’ operations in order to gain insight into the determination of audit fees and audit firms’ competitive advantages. The results indicate that audit fee premiums increase as the level of multinationality of the client increases in the Malaysian market, but not in the Hong Kong or UK markets. Also, in Malaysia, the magnitude of the Big 6 audit fee premium increases for clients with subsidiaries in developed countries. However, in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, the location of client subsidiaries in developed countries does not provide additional competitive advantages for Big 6 firms.
Parametric identification of nonlinear structural dynamic systems using finite elements in time

A procedure based on the finite element method in time is developed for parametric identification of nonlinear structural dynamic systems. In the time finite element method, the time is discretized in a number of finite elements and the response history over each element is expressed in terms of basis functions (Legendre polynomials used in this study) in the time co-ordinate. An advantage of the time finite element method is the ease with which one can calculate the sensitivity of the transient response with respect to various design parameters, a key requirement for gradient-based parameter identification schemes. The method is simple, since one obtains the sensitivities of the response to system parameters by differentiating the algebraic: equations, not original differential equations. The proposed idenfication procedure employs this method to calculate the time series for the first partial derivatives of the response with respect to system parameters. These sensitivities are used in Levenberg-Marquardt iterative direct method to identify parameters for two nonlinear single-degree-of-freedom systems. The measured response was simulated by integrating the example nonlinear systems using the given values of the system parameters. To study the influence of the measurement noise on parameter identification, random noise is added to the simulated response. It is observed that the convergence is slower for system parameters that do not affect the system response appreciably. The accuracy and the efficiency of the present method is compared to a previously available approach that employs a multistep method to integrate nonlinear differential equations. It is seen that for the same accuracy, the present approach requires fewer data points (50 as compared to 335). * Professor of Aerospace Engineering, Associate Fellow AIAA 'Graduate Student, Aerospace Engineering NOMENCLATURE B Bilinear term in the variational formulation A Linear term in the variational formulation 6 Variational operator T Kinetic energy V Potential energy Qi Nonconservative forces not included in the variational operation Si, Si Displacement, Velocity TO Initial time Tf Final time Pk,pm Design parameters q Generalized coordinates {} Column vector Row vector
Perspectives of leukocyte activation in the microcirculation

Recent evidence for a role of granulocytes in ischemic organ injury and in hemorrhagic shock is provided. Compared to red cell, granulocytes are large cells and have a stiff cytoplasm, making them prone to entrapment in the microcirculation. After activation, granulocytes become adhesive, they can elaborate superoxide radicals and release proteolytic enzymes. In the circulation a subgroup of granulocytes are in a spontaneously activated state. If during shock such cells become trapped in the microcirculation they impose a risk for organ injury. In a short term shock protocol, the group of surviving and non-surviving animals can be sharply distinguished by the number of activated granulocytes before shock. Experimental forms of granulocyte activation in the coronary circulation cause temporary trapping of cells, an increase in vascular resistance, and a transient reduction of muscle contraction even in the presence of a normal perfusion pressure. Detection of spontaneous granulocyte activation requires the development of new tests which can be carried out on fresh unseparated blood samples. We provide here also a critical evaluation of experimental neutropenia as a test for granulocyte related hypotheses.
Improving Clinical Judgment in Abuse Case Finding

* Abbreviation: CPR — : clinical prediction rule Although child maltreatment has existed through human history, widespread, sustained attention to the problem of child physical abuse has only a 54-year history, after the 1962 publication of The Battered Child Syndrome by Kempe and colleagues.1 Since then, all US states and many foreign countries have passed laws and developed systems to respond to reports of child abuse. Medical recognition of this phenomenon is reflected in an expanding medical literature; child abuse pediatrics has become a certified pediatric subspecialty (2005) with accredited fellowships (2007) and a board certification exam (2009). The field has evolved from a field of a few professionals identifying a few disturbing cases to one that has grown to be more systematic and driven by careful epidemiology and scientific study of both diagnosis and outcome. Berger et al’s2 “Validation of the Pittsburgh Infant Brain Injury Score for abusive head trauma” in this issue of Pediatrics adds an important step in this evolution of science by validating the importance of sentinel findings or “red flags” for abusive head trauma and a clinical prediction rule (CPR) that can guide clinicians in decisions about looking for occult intracranial hemorrhage when the history is not accurately presented and the risks are high. That child maltreatment was only widely recognized as a problem in the 1960s is proof of the potential … Address correspondence to Desmond K. Runyan MD, DrPH, 13123 East 16th Ave, B390, The Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045. E-mail: desmond.runyan{at}childrenscolorado.org
Anaerobic growth of Neisseria gonorrhoeae induces and represses synthesis of outer membrane proteins

Outer membrane protein composition of aerobically and anaerobically grown N. gonorrhoeae strains was compared by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Anaerobically grown strains were found to express at least 3 proteins (Pan 1–Pan 3) at much higher levels than aerobically grown cells. Conversely, at least 5 other proteins (Pox 1–Pox 5) were found to be expressed at significantly higher levels in aerobically grown cells. None of the Pan or Pox proteins were heat- modifiable, and none of the heat modifiable Proteins lis or other major outer membrane Proteins I and III were altered in expression by anaerobic growth. The regulation of outer membrane protein expression observed suggests that anaerobic growth of N. gonorrhoeae is a physiologically significant mode of growth for this organism.
Effects of Floor Plan Openness on Eating Behaviors

A repeated-measures study, conducted with 57 college students in a research kitchen-dining area, examined effects of floor plan openness on eating behaviors. Openness was manipulated via folding sc...
The appeal of Rube Goldberg

Reuben "Rube" Goldberg was born in San Francisco on 4 July 1883. For a while his father tried to quash young Rube's ambitions to draw, and pushed an engineering career instead. Goldberg was persuaded to enter the School of Mining Engineering of the University of California at Berkeley, partly on the argument that great artists such as daVinci had begun their careers with engineering training.
Elaphomyces species (Elaphomycetaceae, Eurotiales) from Bartlett Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, USA.

We describe five new species of Elaphomyces from Bartlett Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, USA (E. americanus, E. bartlettii, E. macrosporus, E. oreoides, and E. remickii) and revise the description of a sixth previously published species (E. verruculosus). Of the five new species, E. bartlettiii and E. remickii are only known from New Hampshire whereas E. americanus, E. macrosporus, and E. oreoides are widely distributed in eastern North America. Elaphomyces verruculosus is the most widespread and abundant Elaphomyces species in eastern North America with a distribution extending from eastern Canada south to northeastern Mexico. All six Elaphomyces species are putatively associated with Tsuga canadensis, a tree species in regional decline. For five of the six Elaphomyces species, we report partially consumed ascomata or rodent fecal samples containing spores, indicating that small mammals play a key role in dispersing these Elaphomyces species and that the Elaphomyces are an important part of the small mammals’ diet.
Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Neuroendocrine Tumors

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) comprise a spectrum of slower-growing neoplasms (in comparison with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas) that arise from the pancreatic islets. Because patients with PNETs have a different natural history than those with adenocarcinoma, they present a different spectrum of management challenges. For example, unlike patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, patients with PNETs: May have survival durations measured in years, even with metastatic disease Often require complex management of the pancreatic tumor (local disease) because of their favorable survival outlook—especially in the setting of a large primary tumor, biliary obstruction, intravascular extension of tumor, or adjacent organ involvement May benefit from concomitant resection of both the primary tumor and metastases, which are most often in the liver May demonstrate dramatic responses to systemic therapy, with significant change in the size of the primary tumor or associated metastases.
Ethnic Disparities of Perceived Safety Climate Among Construction Workers in Georgia, 2015.

Safety climate involves worker perception about the relative importance where they work and safety climate and has been shown to be a reliable predictor of safety-related outcomes. The primary objective of this study is to investigate ethnic differences in perceived safety climate among construction workers. Surveys (n = 179) that included a 10-item safety climate scale were administered in Athens, Georgia (GA), at local construction sites and home improvement stores during June–August, 2015. The majority of respondents were carpenters or roofers (39%), followed by laborers (22%), painters and dry wall workers (14%), other skilled trades (14%), and supervisors (11%); 32% were Hispanic. Hispanic ethnicity (p < 0.0001), drinking two or more alcoholic beverages per day (p < 0.0001), working for a company that does not provide health insurance (p = 0.0022), and working for a company with fewer than ten employees (p < 0.0001) were significantly associated with lower perceived safety climate scores. The lower perceived safety climate scores among Hispanic workers indicate that the perception of the importance of safety on the job site is lower among Hispanics construction workers than non-Hispanics construction workers.
Chapter 6 Production of Antisera and Radioimmunoassays for Tubulin

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the methodology used for raising antisera and the parameters that have been found most useful in developing reliable radioimmunoassays. This chapter discusses the production of antisera raised against electrophoretically purified and SDS-treated tetrahymena tubulin. These antisera react with tubulin from a number of species. Antisera to tubulin are generated for use in both cytochemical and quantitative studies. Tubulin is a highly conserved protein, and production of antisera, even with moderate titers, has proved problematic. A number of different immunogen preparations have been used, including (1) native purified tubulins, (2) glutaraldehyde cross-linked tubulin, (3) SDS-denatured species, either injected directly, and (4) other tubulin containing preparations. The majority of antisera have been tested for specificity by double immunodiffusion tests, immunoelectrophoresis, or staining of microtubule networks by indirect immunofluorescence. These assays have given variable results. Some immune sera have given high backgrounds in immunofluorescence, and further purification by affinity chromatography has been necessary to obtain satisfactory images. In addition, the results that depend on precipitation of immune complexes may be difficult to analyze because of the apparent weak precipitation properties of most tubulin antisera; this property may make assessment of the presence of minor contaminants in either the immunogen or test antigens difficult.
Good work, wellbeing and changes in performance outcomes:Illustrating the effects of good people management practices with an analysis of the National Health Service

We already know that the extensive use of good people‐management practices can have benefits for organisational performance and employee wellbeing. Good people‐management practices are those which, for example: ● provide opportunities for workers to influence their work directly and allow staff to have input into decisions about their wider working environment; ● have clear roles and responsibilities for staff; ● encourage staff to communicate respectfully with each other, to collaborate, to be supportive of each other and to work effectively in their teams. ● enhance workers’ skills and support workers with access to learning and development opportunities; ● improve their motivation to perform well, provide feedback on their work through fair, accurate, supportive and effective performance management processes; ● encourage managers to support their people, through, for example, encouraging staff, giving advice and providing help with work problems. We know that job security is important, but this was not measured in this survey since it is not the most salient people management issue in the NHS, where workers tend to have secure jobs compared to other parts of the economy. We illustrate the benefits of good people management for performance and wellbeing with an analysis of National Health Service Trusts in England.
DDM1 guards against telomere truncation in Arabidopsis

Prolonged hypomethylation of DNA leads to telomere truncation correlated with increased telomere recombination, transposon mobilization and stem cell death. Epigenetic pathways, including DNA methylation, are crucial for telomere maintenance. Deficient in DNA Methylation 1 (DDM1) encodes a nucleosome remodeling protein, required to maintain DNA methylation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plants lacking DDM1 can be self-propagated, but in the sixth generation (G6) hypomethylation leads to rampant transposon activation and infertility. Here we examine the role of DDM1 in telomere length homeostasis through a longitudinal study of successive generations of ddm1-2 mutants. We report that bulk telomere length remains within the wild-type range for the first five generations (G1-G5), and then precipitously drops in G6. While telomerase activity becomes more variable in later generation ddm1-2 mutants, there is no correlation between enzyme activity and telomere length. Plants lacking DDM1 also exhibit no dysregulation of several known telomere-associated transcripts, including TERRA. Instead, telomere shortening coincides with increased G-overhangs and extra-chromosomal circles, consistent with deletional recombination. Telomere shortening also correlates with transcriptional activation of retrotransposons, and a hypersensitive DNA damage response in root apical meristems. Since abiotic stresses, including DNA damage, stimulate homologous recombination, we hypothesize that telomere deletion in G6 ddm1-2 mutants is a by-product of elevated genome-wide recombination in response to transposon mobilization. Further, we speculate that telomere truncation may be beneficial in adverse environmental conditions by accelerating the elimination of stem cells with aberrant genomes.
Roger Hendrix: Gentle Provocateur.

ABSTRACT Roger W. Hendrix was at the forefront of bacteriophage biology for nearly 50 years and was central to our understanding of both viral capsid assembly and phage genomic diversity and evolution. Roger9s warm and gentle demeanor belied a razor-sharp mind and warmed him to numerous highly productive collaborations that amplified his scientific impact. Roger was always completely open with scientific ideas while at the same time quietly agitating with a stream of new ways of thinking about problems and nudging our communities to search for innovative solutions: a gentle but highly effective provocateur.
Single-institution report of setup margins of voluntary deep-inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) whole breast radiotherapy implemented with real-time surface imaging.

Purpose We calculated setup margins for whole breast radiotherapy during voluntary deep-inspiration breath-hold (vDIBH) using real-time surface imaging (SI). Methods and materials Patients (n = 58) with a 27-to-31 split between right- and left-sided cancers were analyzed. Treatment beams were gated using AlignRT by registering the whole breast region-of-interest to the surface generated from the simulation CT scan. AlignRT recorded (three-dimensional) 3D displacements and the beam-on-state every 0.3 s. Means and standard deviations of the displacements during vDIBH for each fraction were used to calculate setup margins. Intra-DIBH stability and the intrafraction reproducibility were estimated from the medians of the 5th to 95th percentile range of the translations in each breath-hold and fraction, respectively. Results A total of 7269 breath-holds were detected over 1305 fractions in which a median dose of 200 cGy was delivered. Each fraction was monitored for 5.95 ± 2.44 min. Calculated setup margins were 4.8 mm (A/P), 4.9 mm (S/I), and 6.4 mm (L/R). The intra-DIBH stability and the intrafraction reproducibility were ≤0.7 mm and ≤2.2 mm, respectively. The isotropic margin according to SI (9.2 mm) was comparable to other institutions' calculations that relied on x-ray imaging and/or spirometry for patients with left-sided cancer (9.8-11.0 mm). Likewise, intra-DIBH variability and intrafraction reproducibility of breast surface measured with SI agreed with spirometry-based positioning to within 1.2 and 0.36 mm, respectively. Conclusions We demonstrated that intra-DIBH variability, intrafraction reproducibility, and setup margins are similar to those reported by peer studies who utilized spirometry-based positioning.
The Role of Layer I in Cortical Function

Layer I of the cerebral cortex contains the apical dendritic tufts of pyramidal neurons and axons from a number of subcortical structures as well as the axonal terminations of some cortical neurons. In an evolutionary sense, apical dendritic tufts are considered to be a conserved feature of pyramidal neurons and contrast with basal dendrites in deeper layers which are viewed as phylogenetically more progressive (Sanides and Sanides, 1972). During development the anlage of layer I is the marginal zone which is the first cortical layer to differentiate in the expanding cerebral vesicle. The marginal zone contains large numbers of fibers, the distal processes of neurons that have stopped migrating and those that are still in the process of migration, and Cajal—Retzius cells (Marin-Padilla, 1984). In the early stages of development, noradrenergic fibers are among the first to innervate the marginal zone (Levitt and Moore, 1979; Schlumpf et al., 1980). The origin of these fibers is the locus coeruleus which when ablated in newborn rats abolishes this aminergic input to layer I and deeper layers, and interferes with the differentiation of dendritic tufts (Felten et al., 1982) and GABAergic and serotoninergic connections (Johnston et al., 1979; Blue and Molliver, 1987).
VEGF Inhibitor Induced Oxidative Stress in Retinal Ganglion Cells

Oxidative stress mediated toxicity is common to several sight-threatening ocular conditions, in which vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays both a pathologic and protective role. Anti-VEGF therapy can negate the protective role of endogenous VEGF and enhance oxidative stress and thus should be administered with caution as long-term intravitreal usage of bevacizumab may have collateral negative effects on retinal cells.