cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulated Hail Damage to Rice: II. Effects during Four Reproductive Growth Stages

Knowledge of grain yield responses to simulated hail damage is useful in assessing hail damage, assessing similar types of damage, and better understanding crop biology. In previous experiments, we determined that reproductive stages of rice (Oriza sativa L.) development were most sensitive to damage. Objectives of this study were to delineate grain yield effects of simulated hail damage during critical reproductive growth stages at which various components of yield are set. Field experiments were conducted on a Crowley silt loam soil (fine, montmorillonitic, thermic Typic Albaqualfs) in 1985 and 1986 using the cultivar Lebonnet. At four reproductive growth stages, yield loss was determined from these three treatments: (i) removal of the top 1, 2, and 3 fully expanded leaves, (ii) bending of 10, 20, or 40% of culms, and (iii) severing of 10, 20, or 40% of culms. All three types of damage were significant at some level of intensity at all four growth stages. The largest yield reductions resulted from leaf removal. Leaf removal resulted in the greatest amount of yield reduction at booting and heading, with less damage from leaf removal 14 d after heading and least damage from leaf removal at panicle initiation (PI). Yields were reduced as more leaves were removed. Culm severing caused less yield reduction than leaf removal and the least yield reductions resulted from culm bending. Culm severing was progressively more damaging to yield as the rice developed through the season and reductions were similar to those found for leaf removal at 14 d after heading. Culm bending was found to be significantly damaging to field except at the 10% treatment levels at heading and 14 d after heading. Despite apparently extreme damage treatments, rice yields were reduced by < 15% in response to most of the treatments imposed. Consequently, the rice crop has considerable ability to compensate for physical damage due in part to the unique biology of the rice plant
973-109 Late Development of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy After Anterior Infarction

A number of investigations have shown progressive left ventricular dilatation in sub-groups of patients after anterior wall myocardial infarction. However, the magnitude and time course to which “reactive” left ventricular hypertrophy develops in such patients has been moot. A number of clinical studies have examined long term consequences of post-infarction remodeling using imaging methods which assess chamber enlargement but have, at best, limited precision to quantify serial changes in absolute left ventricular muscle mass. We have followed 16 patients after an uncomplicated index anterior wall myocardial infarction with serial electron beam CTstudies from hospital discharge (d/c) to 4-5 years post-infarction. All patients were FC I-II. Absolute global left ventricular end-diastolic volumes (LVEDV, ml), left ventricular muscle masses (LVM, gm) and volume/mass ratios (V/M, an index of global wall tension) were determined in 5 serial examinations performed at specific dates after infarction, as shown below (data are mean ± SD and statistics are for p l 0.05) d/c 6-weeks 6-months 1-year 4--5 years LVEDV 136 ± 22 147 ± 25 * 155 ± 26 * 169 ± 30 * # $ 168 ± 32 * # $ LVM 136 ± 28 115 ± 22 * 126 ± 33 # 140 ± 33 # $ 149 ± 30 * # $ VIM 10 ± 03 1.3 ± 0.3 * 1.3 ± 0.3 * 1.3 ± 0.4 * 1.1 ± 0.2 * # $ a * vs. die # vs. 6-weeks $ vs. 6-months a vs l-year Conclusions In these generally asymptomatic patients, left ventricular chamber dilatation, developing rapidly during the first weeks to months after infarction, did not appear to advance after the first year; however, global left ventricular hypertrophy developed more gradually with significant increases in left ventricular muscle mass above baseline apparent by 4-5 years after index anterior infarction. Furthermore, the V/M ratio, although elevated from that determined at initial hospital discharge, suggested that wall tension was decreasing by 4-5 years after infarction, probably as a direct consequence to the late development of “reactive” left ventricular hypertrophy.
Variation in models of care delivery for children undergoing congenital heart surgery in the United States.

Limited data are available regarding contemporary models of care delivery for patients undergoing congenital heart surgery. The purpose of this survey was to evaluate current US practice patterns in this patient population. Cross-sectional evaluation of US centers caring for patients undergoing congenital heart surgery was performed using an Internet-based survey. Data regarding postoperative care were collected and described overall and were compared in centers with a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) versus dedicated pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). A total of 94 (77%) of the estimated 122 US centers performing congenital heart surgery participated in the survey. The majority (79%) of centers were affiliated with a university. Approximately half were located in a free-standing children’s hospital and half in a children’s hospital in a hospital. Fifty-five percent provided care in a PICU versus a CICU. A combination of cardiologists and/or critical care physicians made up the largest prop...
A bubble detection system for propellant filling pipeline

This paper proposes a bubble detection system based on the ultrasound transmission method, mainly for probing high-speed bubbles in the satellite propellant filling pipeline. First, three common ultrasonic detection methods are compared and the ultrasound transmission method is used in this paper. Then, the ultrasound beam in a vertical pipe is investigated, suggesting that the width of the beam used for detection is usually smaller than the internal diameter of the pipe, which means that when bubbles move close to the pipe wall, they may escape from being detected. A special device is designed to solve this problem. It can generate the spiral flow to force all the bubbles to ascend along the central line of the pipe. In the end, experiments are implemented to evaluate the performance of this system. Bubbles of five different sizes are generated and detected. Experiment results show that the sizes and quantity of bubbles can be estimated by this system. Also, the bubbles of different radii can be distinguished from each other. The numerical relationship between the ultrasound attenuation and the bubble radius is acquired and it can be utilized for estimating the unknown bubble size and measuring the total bubble volume.
Sleuthing Through the Rock Cycle: An Online Guided Inquiry Tool for Middle and High School Geoscience Education

The rock cycle is a key component of geoscience education at all levels. In this paper, we report on a new guided inquiry curricular module, Sleuthing Through the Rock Cycle, which has a blended online/offline constructivist design with comprehensive teaching notes and has been successful in pilot use in Rhode Island middle and high school classrooms over the past 3 y. The module consists of two overarching activities: (1) SherRock Holmes and the Case of the Mystery Rock Samples, and (2) Cracking the Case of the Changing Rocks. The module encourages hands-on activities, peer collaboration, and real-time teacher review of embedded textual and reflection components. Overall, Rhode Island teachers report that the module is an outstanding teaching tool and that the associated professional development is empowering. 2013 National Association of Geoscience Teachers. [DOI: 10.5408/12-326.1]
Para-Sights: Multiplied Perspectives on Surveillance Research in Art Educational Spaces

In this paper the author outlines multiple approaches regarding surveillance research in the visual arts and art education. The notion of the parasite is used to diagram power relationships that are addressed by visual artists and activists engaged with the mechanisms of both surveillance and dataveillance. These parasitic practices are then compared with actions from art educational spaces, allowing for the surveillance that is inherent to pedagogy to be analyzed and critiqued.
T(H)17-Mediated Protection against Pneumococcal Carriage by a Whole-Cell Vaccine Is Dependent on Toll-Like Receptor 2 and Surface Lipoproteins.

ABSTRACT A pneumococcal whole-cell vaccine (WCV) confers T H 17-mediated immunogenicity and reduces nasopharyngeal (NP) carriage in mice. Activation of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) has been shown to be important for generating T H 17 responses, and several lipidated pneumococcal proteins have TLR2-activating properties. Here we investigated the roles of TLR2 and lipidation of proteins in WCV-induced interleukin-17A (IL-17A) responses and protection against NP carriage. Immunization of Tlr2 −/− mice with WCV conferred significantly lower IL-17A levels and reduced protection against NP carriage, compared to wild-type (WT) mice, suggesting that host TLR2 engagement is required for effective immunity and protection elicited by WCV immunization. Using a WCV with deletion of lgt , the gene encoding the enzyme required for lipidation and membrane attachment of prolipoproteins, we show that lipidation and membrane localization of these proteins are critical for the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the WCV. To evaluate the roles of diacylglyceryl transferase (Lgt)-mediated processes in the recall of WCV-induced protective responses, we colonized WCV-immunized animals with a strain in which lgt was deleted. WCV-immunized animals still had significantly reduced colonization burdens, compared to control animals, which suggests that lipidation and membrane localization of pneumococcal prolipoproteins are less critical for the recall of the immune responses elicited by WCV immunization than for the priming of such responses. Elucidation of underlying immune mechanisms and the optimal characteristics of WCV formulations can help guide vaccine development and enhance our understanding of host-pneumococcus interactions.
Can Early Intervention Prevent High School Dropout? Evidence from the Chicago Child-Parent Centers

The authors investigated the effects of participation in the Chicago Child-Parent Center and Expansion Program from ages 3 to 9 on school dropout by age 18 for 1,159 youths. This Title I program pr...
Audit Committee Characteristics and Restatements

This study addresses the impact of certain audit committee characteristics identified by the Blue Ribbon Committee on Improving the Effectiveness of Corporate Audit Committees (BRC) on the likelihood of financial restatement. We examine 88 restatements of annual results (without allegations of fraud) in the period 1991–1999, together with a matched pairs control group of firms of similar size, exchange listing, industry and auditor type. We find that the independence and activity level (our proxy for audit committee diligence) of the audit committee exhibit a significant and negative association with the occurrence of restatement. We also document a significant negative association between an audit committee that includes at least one member with financial expertise and restatement. To test the robustness of the results we also consider a sample of 44 fraud and no‐fraud firms and arrive at largely similar findings. Our results underscore the importance of the BRC's recommendations as a means of strengthen...
17β-Estradiol Reduces Plasma Aβ40 for HRT-Naïve Postmenopausal Women With Alzheimer Disease: A Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVE One mechanism to support the potentially beneficial effects of estrogen in the brain for postmenopausal women potentially involves the hormone's ability to favorably alter the processing of amyloid-precursor protein (APP), believed to play an important role in the pathobiology of Alzheimer disease (AD). The authors evaluated the effects of estrogen administration on plasma concentration of one by-product of APP processing, Aβ40, for postmenopausal women with AD. METHODS In a placebo-controlled, double blind, parallel-group design study, 20 women were randomized to receive either 0.10 mg/day of transdermal 17β-estradiol or a placebo for 8 weeks and were retrospectively evaluated as to whether basal levels of Aβ40 were affected by pre-study use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Blood samples were collected and cognitive tests were administered at baseline; at Weeks 3, 5, and 8 during treatment; and again 8 weeks after treatment termination. RESULTS For the group as a whole, plasma Aβ40 was not reliably reduced in response to short-term estradiol administration. For HRT-naive subjects, baseline Aβ40 concentrations were higher than those of previous HRT users, and controlled estradiol administration significantly reduced plasma Aβ40 by the end of the 8-week treatment period. CONCLUSIONS These results provide preliminary clinical evidence to support an effect of estradiol on Aβ-processing for AD women who are HRT-naive. This finding suggests that the hormone may serve as an Aβ-lowering agent for HRT-naive AD women, which may, in turn, have ultimate ramifications for the progression of AD pathology.
HIV risk reduction among detained adolescents: a randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Criminally involved adolescents engage in high levels of alcohol-related risky sex. A theory-based sexual and alcohol risk-reduction intervention was designed, implemented, and evaluated in juvenile detention facilities. Participants and Methods. In a randomized, controlled trial, 484 detained adolescents received 1 of 3 group-based interventions: combined sexual and alcohol risk reduction (group psychosocial intervention [GPI] + group motivational enhancement therapy [GMET]); sexual risk reduction only (GPI); or HIV/sexually transmitted disease prevention information only (group information-only intervention [GINFO]). Follow-up data were obtained 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the intervention. Behavioral outcomes were condom-use behavior, frequency of intercourse while drinking, and alcohol-related problems. RESULTS: Condom-use behavior measured as frequency of condom use during sex (ranging from never to always) decreased over time, although the GPI and GPI + GMET interventions mitigated this tendency at the 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow-up assessments. Although both active interventions were significantly more successful than the GINFO condition and the pattern of effects favored the GPI + GMET, there were no statistically significant differences between the GPI and GPI + GMET interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the feasibility of integrating alcohol-specific sexual risk content into a theory-based sexual risk-reduction intervention and provide additional evidence that theory-based interventions are effective at reducing risky sex in this population. There was limited evidence of intervention effects on alcohol-use outcomes. Future research should focus on strengthening the GPI + GMET to most effectively target risky sexual behavior among at-risk adolescents.
Further Space Efficient Functions

In the last chapter we presented algorithms for some of the simple space efficient functions, such as the scalar functions and outer product. In this chapter we consider a larger class of space efficient functions, those for which the transformations on the indices can become more complex than the simple division that was required to implement outer product. In many of these functions, reduction for example, the determination of a single element of the result requires a loop to iterate over several elements of the argument subexpression.
Fields of extremals in linear-quadratic problems of optimal control

The author presents necessary and sufficient conditions for optimality of extremals in linear-quadratic problems of optimal control. He shows by an example that when the second variation is only semipositive definite and extremals are still minimizers, the classical Riccati equation technique fails. The conditions obtained allow one to solve linear-quadratic problems with subsidiary conditions. An example of a solution to a constrained problem is presented. >
Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement in Third- and Fifth-Grade Students

The relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement has received much attention owing to the increasing prevalence of children who are overweight and unfit, as well as the inescapable pressure on schools to produce students who meet academic standards. This study examined 259 public school students in third and fifth grades and found that field tests of physical fitness were positively related to academic achievement. Specifically, aerobic capacity was positively associated with achievement, whereas BMI was inversely related. Associations were demonstrated in total academic achievement, mathematics achievement, and reading achievement, thus suggesting that aspects of physical fitness may be globally related to academic performance in preadolescents. The findings are discussed with regards to maximizing school performance and the implications for educational policies.
Simultaneous double external DC shock techniques for atrial fibrillation: A simulation study

The success rate of direct current cardioversion (DCC), the most common method to convert atrial fibrillation (AF) to sinus rhythm (SR), depends on various factors including AF duration, prior anti-arrhythmic therapy, electrode position and size, transthoracic impedance, and the use of biphasic versus monophasic shocks. Recent, small clinical studies have reported using quadruple electrodes to deliver higher energy, in order to increase DCC success rates in refractory patients. This study aims to computationally model and compare double shock defibrillation with conventional single shock DCC, based on the two parameters, defibrillation threshold (DFT) and heterogeneity index (HI). DFT is the energy required to achieve a voltage gradient of 5 V/cm over 95% of the atrial myocardium. HI, calculated as the (95th−5th)/50th percentile of atrial electric field magnitudes, is a measure of non-uniformity. The electric field distributions in the myocardium were generated for over five thousand different conventional and quadruple electrode placements with electrodes of two different sizes. Results show that there is a significant decrease in DFT (p<0.01) and HI (p<0.01) with increase in electrode size and quantity.
Management of Gastroesophageal Tumors

The incidence of adenocarcinomas of the gastroesophageal junction has increased in recent years. These tumors possess distinct pathophysiologic characteristics. Although the consensus is that an R0 resection (complete microscopic and macroscopic resection) is the goal when operating for curative intent, much controversy remains regarding other aspects of patient management. There is lack of consensus regarding the type of surgery to perform, the role and extent of lymphadenectomy, and the role of neoadjuvant therapy. Utilizing an evidence-based approach, this review article provides an overview of the management of gastroesophageal junction carcinomas with particular emphasis on current areas of controversy.
Association between a satellite DNA sequence and the responder of segregation distorter in D. melanogaster

A large array of satellite DNA sequences are always associated with the Responder (Rsp) element of Segregation Distorter in D. melanogaster. In the appropriate genetic backgrounds, Rsp causes aberrant chromatin condensation in spermiogenesis, leading to dysfunction of sperm carrying Rsp, and meiotic drive. The repeat array is deleted or translocated to the Y chromosome whenever Rsp is. Moreover, the translocation of part of Rsp to Y is associated with the translocation of an incomplete repeat array. The number of repeats among 35 independently derived chromosomes correlates nearly perfectly with sensitivity to distortion. We hypothesize that this satellite repeat array represents Responder itself. Finally, the molecular structure of this locus is extremely variable, indicating a very active process of change.
Oromandibular Dystonia Revisited: A Review and a Unique Case

Oromandibular dystonia (OD) is a focal dystonia whereby repetitive or sustained spasms of the masticatory, facial, or lingual muscles result in involuntary, and possibly painful jaw opening, closing, deflecting, retruding, or a combination of the above. 1-3,4 There have been numerous publications since the French neurologist Henry Meige published this condition in 1910. Nevertheless, OD is often misdiagnosed and subsequently patients are managed incorrectly by dentists. The diagnosis of dystonia and the distinction between the different focal types are purely clinical and can be affected by several factors, including the circumstances of the examination, the psychologic status of the patient, and the attitude of the observer. The diagnosis of OD may well challenge 6 the astute clinician. This is primarily due to the numerous forms and severities in the presentation of OD. In particular, the diagnosis is elusive in selected patients with unrecognized triggers, presenting during periods of quiescence. There is an absence of a gold standard (a diagnostic test or biomarker) for validity of the diagnosis, and therefore the different types of focal dystonia cannot be assessed. 8 Misdiagnosis commonly includes temporomandibular disorders (TMD) such as bruxism or spontaneous condylar disloca tion, hemimasticatory or hemifacial spasms, 13
Gammaherpesvirus Latency Differentially Impacts The Generation Of Primary Versus Secondary Memory CD8+T Cells During Subsequent Infection

Unlike laboratory animals, humans are infected with multiple pathogens, including the highly prevalent herpesviruses. The purpose of these studies was to determine the effect of gammaherpesvirus latency on T cell number and differentiation during subsequent heterologous viral infections. Mice were first infected with murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68), a model of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and then after latency was established, they were challenged with the Armstrong strain of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). The initial replication of LCMV was lower in latently infected mice, and the maturation of dendritic cells was abated. Although the number of LCMV-specific effector CD8+ T cells was not altered, they were skewed to a memory phenotype. In contrast, LCMV-specific effector CD4+ T cells were increased in latently infected mice compared to those in mice infected solely with LCMV. When the memory phase was reached, latently infected mice had an LCMV-specific memory T cell pool that was increased relative to that found in singly infected mice. Importantly, LCMV-specific memory CD8+ T cells had decreased CD27 and increased killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1) expression. Upon secondary challenge, LCMV-specific secondary effector CD8+ T cells expanded and cleared the infection. However, the LCMV-specific secondary memory CD8+ T cell pool was decreased in latently infected animals, abrogating the boosting effect normally observed following rechallenge. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ongoing gammaherpesvirus latency affects the number and phenotype of primary versus secondary memory CD8+ T cells during acute infection. IMPORTANCE CD8+ T cells are critical for the clearance of intracellular pathogens, including viruses, certain bacteria, and tumors. However, current models for memory CD8+ T cell differentiation are derived from pathogen-free laboratory mice challenged with a single pathogen or vaccine vector. Unlike laboratory animals, all humans are infected with multiple acute and chronic pathogens, including the highly prevalent herpesviruses Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex viruses (HSV), and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The purpose of these studies was to determine the effect of gammaherpesvirus latency on T cell number and differentiation during subsequent heterologous viral infections. We observed that ongoing gammaherpesvirus latency affects the number and phenotype of primary versus secondary memory CD8+ T cells during acute infection. These results suggest that unlike pathogen-free laboratory mice, infection or immunization of latently infected humans may result in the generation of T cells with limited potential for long-term protection.
Early days of protein hydrogen exchange: 1954–1972†

Hydrogen exchange (HX) is recognized today as one of the most powerful and versatile tools available to protein scientists, especially for studying protein conformational change. This short history traces the beginnings of the HX method and the basic problems that faced the founders. Protein HX began as a simple idea with a straightforward goal, but the first experiments revealed both the unexpected complexity of the subject and the potential power of the method for probing deep into how proteins work. By 1972, the chemistry of the exchange reaction in peptides began to be well understood, but the challenge of getting and interpreting data on HX for individual peptide NH protons in proteins remained for decades longer.
The design and construction of a mechanical radiation detector

A method for constructing pliable bodies that respond to radiation impact is discussed. Microelectronic fabrication techniques are used to build the deflecting microstructures. The body motion is detected by measuring the capacitance change between the lever and a ground pad. This measurement technique requires levers that have low intrinsic stress. The stresses for polysilicon and silicon nitride thin films are measured. Stress balance is demonstrated between compressive polysilicon and tensile silicon nitride layers. The stress of 45.9 nm of doped polysilicon is reduced from -2140.08 MPa to -106.40 MPa by the addition of a 43.0 nm silicon nitride layer.
From Finance to Flip Flops: A Study of Fast Quasi-Monte Carlo Methods from Computational Finance Applied to Statistical Circuit Analysis

Problems in computational finance share many of the characteristics that challenge us in statistical circuit analysis: high dimensionality, profound nonlinearity, stringent accuracy requirements, and expensive sample simulation. We offer a detailed experimental study of how one celebrated technique from this domain - quasi-Monte Carlo (QMC) analysis - can be used for fast statistical circuit analysis. In contrast with traditional pseudo-random Monte Carlo sampling, QMC substitutes a (shorter) sequence of deterministically chosen sample points. Across a set of digital and analog circuits, in 90nm and 45nm technologies, varying in size from 30 to 400 devices, we obtain speedups in parametric yield estimation from 2times to 50times
Alien Earth: Glint observations of a remote planet

We give a preliminary report on a multi-wavelength study of specular reflections from the oceans and clouds of Earth. We use space-borne observations from a distance sufficient to ensure that light rays reflected from all parts of Earth are closely parallel, as they will be when studying exoplanets. We find that the glint properties of Earth in this far-field vantage point are surprising - in the sense that some of the brightest reflections are not from conventional ocean-glints, but appear to arise from cirrus cloud crystals. The Earth observations discussed here were acquired with the High Resolution Instrument (HRI) - a 0.3 m f/35 telescope on the Deep Impact (DI) spacecraft during the Extrasolar Planet Observation and Characterization (EPOCh) investigation.
A toolkit for building dependable and extensible home networking applications

Dependability and extensibility are two of the key requirements to successful home networking. In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of a software development toolkit for building dependable and extensible home networking applications. A reliable Soft-State Store (SSS) is implemented as a shared infrastructure to simplify robust distributed programming against device and object failures. SSS supports multi-timescale refreshes and selectively uses persistence to accommodate the battery power and network bandwidth constraints in the home networking environment. A publish/subscribe event system allows any changes in the SSS to be propagated to interested subscribers, which then perform appropriate adaptive, corrective, alerting, or cleanup actions. An Attribute-Based Lookup Service (ABLS) and a Name-Based Lookup Service (NBLS), both implemented on top of the SSS for robustness, provide a level of indirection for supporting extensibility as well as allowing user-friendly, natural language-based access. We demonstrate the use of the toolkit for building a home networking system in an actual deployment. We describe two end-to-end remote home automation applications, present performance results, and report our experiences.
Parametric investigation of thermoacoustic instability (TAI) in a rijke tube: a time-delay perspective

This paper presents a novel deployment of a recent mathematical paradigm for predicting the thermo-acoustic instability (TAI) of a Rijke tube in the relevant parametric space. This benchmark problem in combustion science has been studied for over 1 1/2 centuries with phenomenal achievements both in theoretical and practical fronts. The new paradigm is called the Cluster Treatment of Characteristic Roots (CTCR), which is originally developed to assess the asymptotic stability of Linear Time Invariant (LTI) Time-delayed Systems (TDS). A notorious subcategory within LTI-TDS is called "Neutral TDS", which matches the characteristics of the linearized dynamics of thermo-acoustic instability. The CTCR is shown to reveal a non-conservative and exhaustive linear stability map of the Rijke tube within the space of its geometric and operational parameters. We present a review of this paradigm as well as several case studies to demonstrate its capabilities and some encouraging comparison with the earlier literature....
Sjögrenis Syndrome And Adult Celiac Disease

Summary A patient with Sjogren's syndrome, nutritional deficiencies, and diarrhea was shown to have primary intestinal malabsorption caused by adult celiac disease. Abnormalities of small intestinal mucosal function and morphology improved after a gluten-free diet. Instillation of gliadin (purified wheat protein) into the jejunum after regeneration of the mucosa had occurred caused a severe histological reaction and a generalized urticarial skin eruption. Studies with fluorescein labeled antibody demonstrated increased γ-globulin deposition in the lamina propria of the jejunal mucosa.
The renal dialysis and kidney transplant patient

Kidney disease is widespread and endemic. It is estimated in its latest available statistics that 27 million people in the US have chronic kidney disease (United States Renal Data System 2012). Its extreme form, renal failure (ESRD) is diagnosed in 117,000 people in the US yearly.
Multi-Vehicle Adaptive Planning with Online Estimated Cost Due to Disturbance Forces

This paper proposes an adaptive planning architecture for multivehicle teams subject to an uncertain, spatially varying disturbance force. Motivated by a persistent surveillance task, the planning architecture is designed with three hierarchical levels. The highest level generates interference-free routes for the entire team to monitor areas of interest that have higher uncertainty. The lower level planners compute trajectories that can be tracked accurately along these routes by anticipating the effects of the disturbance force. To this end, the vehicles maintain an online estimate of the disturbance force, which drives adaptation at all planning levels. A set of simulation results validate the proposed method and demonstrate its utility for persistent surveillance.
‘Tell Me What You Eat and I'll Tell You Who You Are’: Changing Eating Habits in Cochabamba, Bolivia

This article describes changes in the lives of families in two communities in the Cochabamba Region, Bolivia, caused in part by food price volatility. It questions whether government policy aimed at ‘Vivir Bien’ (Living Well), is tackling the real issues of ill-being that arise from the commercialisation of food. Adaptation to a rising cost of living has social, economic and cultural costs for the families. The article illustrates these changes by recovering the voices and views of the community members themselves. These changes are broader, more prolonged, and more complex than the ‘Vivir Bien’ policy has assumed.
LtB4 Evokes the Calcium Signal That Initiates Nuclear Envelope Breakdown through a Multi-enzyme Network in Sand Dollar (Echinaracnius parma) Cells

LtB4 Evokes the Calcium Signal That Initiates Nuclear Envelope Breakdown through a Multi-enzyme Network in Sand Dollar (Echinaracnius parma) Cells Robert B. Silver (Departments of Radiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Decision and Information Sciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois; and Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts)
Ti Dife Boule sou Istwa Ayiti as Haitian civic education

Michel-Rolph Trouillot’s scholarship examines the world economy in relation to structural alliances between state leaders and commodity traders. His work suggests that the majority of formerly ensl...
Metal−Organic Framework Thin Film for Enhanced Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Gas Sensing

Despite its high refractive index sensitivity, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) spectroscopy has been generally restricted to large biological analytes. Sensing of smaller molecules is a compelling target for this technique; in particular, LSPR spectroscopy could be utilized to detect hazardous or toxic gases and manage industrial processes involving gaseous chemicals. Here, we report sensing of pure gases over Ag nanoparticles using LSPR spectroscopy, where the detected changes in bulk refractive index are <5 × 10−4 refractive index units (RIU). We further demonstrate a novel strategy for amplifying the sensing signal by coating the plasmonic substrate with a metal−organic framework (MOF) material. Cu3(BTC)2(H2O)3, BTC = benzenetricarboxylate, was grown on Ag nanoparticles using a layer-by-layer method in order to control the MOF thickness, which we show greatly affects the sensor response. Preferential concentration of CO2 within the MOF pores produces a 14-fold signal enhancement for CO2 sens...
THE NUMBER OF NUCLEI IN SPORANGIOSPORES OF RHIZOMUCOR SPECIES: TAXONOMIC AND BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

A Feulgen staining procedure was used to stain nuclei of sporangiospores ofRhizomucor miehei and R. pusillus. Most of the sporangiospores of all of the 18 different strains of R. miehei, and some ofthe 12 strains of R. pusillus examined, contained one nucleus, but occasional (sometimes rare) sporangiospores of all strains contained more than one (usually two). Some strains of R. pusillus, however, consistently produced sporangiospores having more than one nucleus each. Effects on nucleus number of growth temperature, age of cultures, growth media, single-sporing by micromanipulation, repeated sampling with different protocols, origin of strains, mating system of strains, and treatment with a potential haploidizing agent are also described.
Challenges and Strategies for Hospice Caregivers: A Qualitative Analysis

Purpose Family caregivers of hospice patients are responsible for the day-to-day care of their loved ones during the final months of life. They are faced with numerous challenges. The purpose of this study was to understand the challenges and coping strategies used by hospice caregivers as they care for their family members. Design This study is a secondary analysis of data from an attention control group in a large randomized controlled trial testing a cognitive behavioral intervention with hospice caregivers. Methods Audiotaped interviews were coded with initial themes and combined into final categories of caregiving challenges and strategies for managing the hospice caregiving experience. Results Caregivers shared narratives discussing challenges that included their frustrations with patient care issues, emotional challenges, frustrations with various health care systems, financial problems, and personal health concerns. They also discussed coping strategies involving patient care, self-care, and emotional support. The coping techniques were both problem and emotion based. Implications There is a need for interventions that focus on strengthening both problem-based and emotional-based coping skills to improve the caregiving experience.
Biomechanical analysis of anterior cruciate ligament injury risky lower limb moves

The authors tested and analyzed the kinetic and dynamic indexes of such lower limb moves as jumping after a sudden stop,sideward dashing and forward dashing after vertical landing on the ground completed by 31(13 male and 18 female) college students,so as to comprehend the effects of different anterior cruciate ligament injury risky moves and genders on the mechanical indexes of lower limbs.By using an infrared point movement test sys-tem and a force measurement deck,the authors measured the 3D angles of the knee joints and the 3D reaction forces of the ground during the testees completing the moves,and revealed the following findings: at the landing stage,the mechanical indexes of these three moves are significantly different,which proves that there is a difference between these three movement forms in the anterior cruciate ligament injuring mechanism;compared with the moves of jumping after a sudden stop and forward dashing after vertical landing on the ground,completing the sideward dashing move will subject to a bigger horizontal ground reaction force,and produce a smaller knee joint flexion an-gle and a larger knee joint abduction angle;at the landing stage,the mechanical differences between these three moves are not affected by gender.
The Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Lisinopril Improves Muscle Histopathology but not Contractile Function in a Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

BACKGROUND Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) are the current standard of care treatment for cardiac dysfunction in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. We previously showed treatment with an ACEi plus mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist improves limb and respiratory skeletal muscles, in addition to cardiac muscles, in a dystrophic mouse model at 20 weeks-of-age. OBJECTIVE To determine whether previously observed preclinical benefits of an ACEi plus MR antagonist on dystrophic skeletal muscles can be reproduced by increasing ACEi dosage alone. We also compared functional and histological outcome measures at 10 and 20 weeks-of-age. METHODS Dystrophin deficient utrophin haplo-insufficient (utrn+/-; mdx) "het" mice were treated with 10, 20, or 50 mg/kg × day of the ACEi lisinopril from 4 to 10 weeks-of-age via water bottles and compared with C57BL/10 wild-type control mice and untreated hets. Data from 10 week-old het mice were also compared to data collected from an untreated het group at 20 weeks-old. In vivo cardiac and grip strength measurements, in vitro diaphragm and extensor digitorum longus muscle force measurements, and histopathological analyses were performed. One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett post hoc comparison was used to determine significance. RESULTS ACEi treatment reduced skeletal muscle damage but had no significant effect on muscle force. Body weight, heart rate, grip strength and blood pressure were unaffected by treatment. Limb muscle histopathology was more informative at 10 than 20 weeks-of-age. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest increased ACEi dosage alone cannot improve all dystrophic parameters. Further optimization of MR antagonists in 20 week-old mice is warranted.
Learning from exceptions in databases

To utilize database management systems, a database designer must construct a schema, which is used to validate the data stored and help set up efficient access structures. Because database design is an art, and because the real world is irregular, unpredictable, and evolves, truly useful database systems must be tolerant of occasional deviations from the constraints imposed by the schema, including so-called “semantic integrity constraints,” which are first-order assertions about consistent database states. For example, the integrity constraint
Framework for selecting occupancy-focused energy interventions in buildings

Energy policy tools aimed at achieving energy savings for buildings have often yielded less than the predicted savings. One reason for these results is that the design of these tools often neglects the actions and behaviours of the building occupants, and focuses more on the cost and ease of implementation. This research highlights the importance of identifying the diverse characteristics of occupants that significantly contribute to environmental problems, and the factors that make sustainable behavioural patterns attractive. A multilevel intervention strategy tailored to various occupants’ characteristics to produce and maintain large-scale energy savings for buildings over time is proposed. To achieve this, the framework adopts a motivation/opportunity/ability (MOA) approach from the consumer and social marketing fields, where intervention strategies can be regarded as advertisements enticing the building occupants to adopt certain energy-use characteristics. The conceptual framework involves: measurin...
Development of Hydroxyl Tagging Velocimetry for Low Velocity Flows

Hydroxyl tagging velocimetry (HTV) is a molecular tagging technique that relies on the photo-dissociation of water vapor into OH radicals and their subsequent tracking using laser induced fluorescence. Velocities are then obtained from time-of-flight calculations. At ambient temperature in air, the OH species lifetime is relatively short (<50 μs), making it suited for high speed flows. Lifetime and radicals formation increases with temperature, which allows HTV to also probe low-velocity, high-temperature flows or reacting flows such as flames. The present work aims at extending the domain of applicability of HTV, particularly towards low-speed (<10 m/s) and moderate (<500 K) temperature flows. Results are compared to particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements recorded in identical conditions. Single shot and averaged velocity profiles are obtained in an air jet at room temperature. By modestly raising the temperature (100-200 degC) the OH production increases, resulting in an improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Use of nitrogen - a non-reactive gas with minimal collisional quenching - extends the OH species lifetime (to over 500 μs), which allows probing of slower flows or, alternately, increases the measurement precision at the expense of spatial resolution. Instantaneous velocity profiles are resolved in a 100degC nitrogen jet (maximum jet-center velocity of 6.5 m/s) with an uncertainty down to 0.10 m/s (1.5%) at 68% confidence level. MTV measurements are compared with particle image velocimetry and show agreement within 2%.
Symptom distress three months after heart transplantation.

Background: Although symptoms of heart failure abate after heart transplantation, other symptoms caused by the surgery, immunosuppressant drugs, and complications can be new sources of symptom distress for patients after operation. Methods: This two-site National Institutes of Health study compared symptom distress in 173 adult heart transplant recipients from before operation to 3 months after operation. The Heart Transplant Symptom Scale was used to measure 92 symptoms related to heart disease and heart failure, transplantation, medication side effects, and complications commonly found in this population. Analysis was via paired t tests with Bonferroni correction. Most patients (93%) were receiving a triple immunosuppressant regimen of cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisone. Results: Total symptom distress decreased significantly (p = 0.013) from before operation to 3 months after heart transplantation. The 23 symptoms that decreased the most (p = 0.000) after operation accounted for a cumulative total reduction of 583% less symptom distress. These symptoms were primarily cardiopulmonary, neuromuscular, and emotional. The 10 symptoms that worsened the most (p = 0.000) after operation accounted for a cumulative total increase of 284% more symptom distress. These symptoms were primarily dermatologic, neurologic, and gastrointestinal and were all side effects of prednisone and cyclosporine. Conclusions: The net change in symptom distress resulted in 299% less symptom distress in this cohort at 3 months after heart transplantation. This significant improvement in symptom outcomes scientifically documents the effectiveness of heart transplantation in reducing symptoms of heart failure, along with accompanying emotional symptoms. These research findings therefore reinforce and support the positive symptom outcomes often reported anecdotally in clinical practice.
Retinal vein diameter during reversible upper respiratory bypass.

A reversible tracheal cannula was implanted in 14, Rambouillet sheep so that the sheep could breathe normally through the nostrils when the ‘flow-through’ insert was in place or through the tracheal opening when the ‘bypass’ insert of the cannula was in place. The outer diameter of the superotemporal retinal vein increased significantly in size during nasal bypass breathing compared to normal nasal breathing. Anteroposterior histological sections of the retina and optic disc revealed disc elevation and marked venous engorgement during nasal bypass breathing. These results suggest that a possible increase in the cerebrospinal fluid pressure during nasal bypass breathing must have caused a corresponding increase in optic nerve tissue pressure resulting in axoplasmic flow stasis and swelling of the optic nerve axons in the prelaminar area of the optic disc. The swollen axons apparently caused the compression of the thin-walled retinal veins resulting in venous engorgement.
Types for Flexible Objects

Scripting languages are popular in part due to their extremely flexible objects. Features such as dynamic extension, mixins, and first-class messages improve programmability and lead to concise code. But attempts to statically type these features have met with limited success. Here we present TinyBang, a small typed language in which flexible object operations can be encoded. We illustrate this flexibility by solving an open problem in OO literature: we give an encoding where objects can be extended after being messaged without compromising the expressiveness of subtyping. TinyBang’s subtype constraint system ensures that all types are completely inferred; there are no data declarations or type annotations. We formalize TinyBang and prove the type system is sound and decidable; all examples in the paper run in our most recent implementation.
Antihypertensive and hormonal effects of PN 200-110, a new calcium-channel blocker, in essential hypertension.

Twenty-four patients (aged 34-68), with mild to moderate essential hypertension, received 10 weeks of treatment with the new calcium-channel blocker PN 200-110. Eighty-six percent of the patients achieved goal blood pressure (i.e., sitting diastolic pressure less than or equal to 90 mmHg). The average reduction in sitting and standing systolic and diastolic blood pressure (-14 +/- 2/-15 +/- 1 mmHg, -14 +/- 3/-13 +/- 2 mmHg, respectively) was highly significant (p less than 0.001). No reflex tachycardia (sitting pulse 1 +/- 2 bpm; standing pulse 3 +/- 2 bpm) or weight change (-0.3 +/- 0.9 pounds) accompanied the hypotensive response. Although the fall in blood pressure was accompanied by a small but significant increment in plasma renin activity (0.5 +/- 0.2 ng/ml/hr [p less than 0.05]), no significant changes in plasma angiotensin II, aldosterone, or prostaglandin E2-metabolite occurred. There was no significant correlation between the fall in blood pressure and baseline (pretreatment) or stimulated (posttreatment) levels of plasma renin activity, angiotensin II, aldosterone, or prostaglandin E2-metabolite.
Working with Pueblo Indians in New Mexico.

The program of the Division of Indian Health, U. S. Public Health Service, has a unique opportunity to combine nutrition education for hospital and community in one plan of operation. Development of nutrition education materials to promote consistency in teaching by the health team is described here.