cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two-Dimensional Gel Analyses of HLA-DR and HLA-DS Molecules

Human Ia antigens were first described serologically using alloantisera obtained from multiparous women and are so named because of their structural and functional equivalency to the murine I-region associated molecules. Although two families of murine Ia antigens (I-A and I-E) have been well-defined biochemically (1), for many years, only one family (HLA-DR, I-E equivalent) was biochemically described in man (2). We have recently described a second family of human Ia molecules which is structurally equivalent to the murine I-A molecule and have designated it DS for D region, second locus (3,4). Both DR and DS molecules are cell surface glycoproteins composed of two noncovalently associated subunits. The large subunit in each case is designated α (DSα, DRα) and has a molecular weight of about 34,000. The small subunit is designated β (DSβ and DRβ) and has a molecular weight of about 27,000 to 29,000. Although DR and DS molecules cannot be distinguished solely on the basis of molecular weight they can be identified by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.
Hypertonic saline inhalation for capillary bronchitis in infants by aerosol

Objective To explore the clinical value and observe the clinical efficacy of hypertonic saline for capillary bronchitis in infants by aerosol inhalation.Methods 89 infants with capillary bronchitis hospitalized into the pediatric ward of our hospital from Oct.2010 to Oct.2012 were selected and randomly divided into two groups.On the basis of general conventional treatment,the treatment group was given aerosol inhalation of 2 ml hypertonic saline(3％ NaC1) and 2.5 mg salbutamol,and the control group was dealt with aerosol inhalation of 2 ml saline(0.9％ NaC1) and 2.5 mg salbutamol.Aerosol inhalation was used in both groups by air compression atomizing oxygen driven pumps Q8h until hospital discharge.Compared the remission time of gasp and cough,the time of pulmonary rales disappeared and the score changes of the clinical illness severity before and after treatment.Results The remission time of gasp and cough,the time of pulmonary rales disappeared and the time of hospitalization in treatment group were (3.31 ± 1.13) days,(4.61 ± 0.72) days,(3.84 ± 1.22) days,and (5.75 ± 1.40)days,respectively,which were significantly shorter than those of the control group ([4.50 ± 0.94],[5.93 ± 1.11],[5.15 ± 1.31],[6.81 ± 1.64] days),with significant differences between the two groups (P＜0.01).The scores of the clinical illness severity in treatment group after 1st,2nd,3rd,and 4th day's treatment were(5.88 ± 0.78)points,(5.01 ± 0.59)points,(4.13 ± 0.68) points,and(3.59 ± 0.70)points,respectively,which were lower than those of the control group([6.95-± 0.82],[6.36 ± 0.84],[5.57 ± 0.64],[4.45 ± 0.83] points),with significant differences between the two groups (P＜0.01).No serious atomization-relative adverse reactions (acute bronchospasm,decrease in blood oxygen saturation,etc) occurred in both groups.Conclusions The efficacy of aerosol inhalation of hypertonic saline for the capillary bronchitis infants is significantly better than that of saline.What' s more,aerosol inhalation of hypertonic saline is an effective and safe treatment,which can decrease the scores of the clinical illness severity in infants,obviously shorten the time of hospitalization and have no obvious adverse reactions. Key words: Bronchitis; Hypertonic saline; Aerosol inhalation; Infants; Cure
ARID1A loss in neuroblastoma promotes the adrenergic-to-mesenchymal transition by regulating enhancer-mediated gene expression

Mutations in genes encoding SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes are found in approximately 20% of all human cancers, with ARID1A being the most frequently mutated subunit. Here, we show that disruption of ARID1A homologs in a zebrafish model accelerates the onset and increases the penetrance of MYCN-driven neuroblastoma by increasing cell proliferation in the sympathoadrenal lineage. Depletion of ARID1A in human NGP neuroblastoma cells promoted the adrenergic-to-mesenchymal transition with changes in enhancer-mediated gene expression due to alterations in the genomic occupancies of distinct SWI/SNF assemblies, BAF and PBAF. Our findings indicate that ARID1A is a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor in MYCN-driven neuroblastoma, whose depletion enhances tumor development and promotes the emergence of the more drug-resistant mesenchymal cell state.
Deep learning-based model for progress variable dissipation rate in turbulent premixed flames

Abstract A deep neural network (DNN) based large eddy simulation (LES) model for progress variable dissipation rate in turbulent premixed flames is presented. The DNN model is trained using filtered data from direct numerical simulations (DNS) of statistically planar turbulent premixed flames with n-heptane as fuel. Training data was comprised of flames with varying turbulence levels leading to a range of Karlovitz numbers. Through a-priori tests the DNN model is shown to predict the subfilter contribution to progress variable dissipation rate accurately over a range of filter widths and for all Karlovitz numbers examined in this study. Superior performance of the DNN model relative to an established physics-based model is also demonstrated. Additionally, transferability of the DNN model is highlighted by a-priori evaluation of the model using filtered DNS data from multiple cases with different Karlovitz numbers and fuel species than those that were used for training the model.
Acute stress drives global repression through two independent RNA polymerase II stalling events in Saccharomyces.

Summary In multicellular eukaryotes, RNA polymerase (Pol) II pauses transcription ~30–50 bp after initiation. While the budding yeast Saccharomyces has its transcription mechanisms mostly conserved with other eukaryotes, it appears to lack this fundamental promoter-proximal pausing. However, we now report that nearly all yeast genes, including constitutive and inducible genes, manifest two distinct transcriptional stall sites that are brought on by acute environmental signaling (e.g., peroxide stress). Pol II first stalls at the pre-initiation stage before promoter clearance, but after DNA melting and factor acquisition, and may involve inhibited dephosphorylation. The second stall occurs at the +2 nucleosome. It acquires most, but not all, elongation factor interactions. Its regulation may include Bur1/Spt4/5. Our results suggest that a double Pol II stall is a mechanism to downregulate essentially all genes in concert.
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) Nest Success and Incubation Behavior in Northern Michigan, United States

Nest success and chick survival are difficult to determine in Black Terns (Chlidonias niger) due to cryptic nests and chicks, challenging to access nest locations, and potential detrimental effects on nest success from increased disturbance in the colony. Nest success and attendance rates were documented in a Black Tern colony in northern Michigan, USA, in 2017 and 2018 using nest cameras and weekly site visits to overcome these challenges. Nest success was estimated at 74% (95% CI = 41%-91%) in 2017 and 81% (95% CI = 61%-92%) in 2018. Mean nest attendance during the late incubation stage (86%) was significantly higher than during the early stage (77%); and time of day had a significant effect on nest attendance rates, with adult Black Terns spending more time on the nest at night. When chicks reached 6 days post-hatch, mean diurnal nest attendance dropped to 35% or lower. Nocturnal nest attendance remained high until the chicks were 6 or more days old, then nest attendance declined precipitously. These findings may provide further insight into the use of nest cameras and potential factors limiting Black Tern nest success and chick survival in the Great Lakes.
Comparing Log-Linear and Best-Fit Models to Evaluate the Long-Term Persistence of Enteric Markers in Sewage Spiked River Water

Water quality models use log-linear decay to estimate the inactivation of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB). The decay of molecular measurements of FIB does not follow a log-linear pattern. This study examined the factors associated with the persistence of Escherichia coli uidA, enterococci 23S rDNA, and Bacteroides thetataiotaomicron 1,6 alpha mannanase in microcosms containing 10% (vol/vol) sewage spiked river water stored at 4°C for up to 337 days. The study compared estimations of the markers’ persistence using log-linear models (LLMs) to best-fit models, biphasic exponential decay (BI3) and log-logistic (JM2). Concentrations of B. thetataiotaomicon decreased to levels below detection after 31 days in storage and were not fit to models. BI3 and JM2 were fit to E. coli and enterococci, respectively. LLMs had larger Bayesian information criterion values than best-fit models, indicating poor fit. LLMs over-estimated the time required for 90% reduction of the indicators (T90) and did not consider dynamic rates of decay. Time in storage and indicator species were associated with persistence of the markers (p < 0.001). Using the T90 values of the best-fit models, enterococci was the most persistent indicator. Our data supports the use of best fit models with dynamic decay rates in water quality models to evaluate the decay of enteric markers.
Thinking and Feeling through Mobile Media and Communication: A Review of Cognitive and Affective Implications

In recent decades, mobile media and communication have become integral to human psychology, including how people think and feel. Although the popular press, parents, and educators often voice concerns about the integration of mobile media into everyday life (e.g., “smartphone addiction”), the growing body of scholarship in this area offers a mix of positive, negative, and conditional effects of mobile media use. This review article traverses this variegated scholarship by assembling cognitive and affective implications of mobile media and communication. It identifies information processing, offloading, spatial cognition, habit, attention, and phantom vibrations as cognitive themes, and feelings of pleasure, stress/anxiety, safety/security, connectedness, and control as affective themes. Along the way, it helps bring structure to this growing and interdisciplinary area of scholarship, ground psychological work on mobile media in theorizing on technological embedding, inform academic and public debates, and identify opportunities for future research.
Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. massiliense infection secondary to traumatic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery

Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM) infections following knee surgery are rarely reported in the literature. One month after arthroscopic lysis of adhesions from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, a 67-year-old male patient presented with symptoms suggesting septic arthritis. Empiric antibiotics were initiated. Intraoperative cultures were positive for Mycobacterium abscessus. Organism-specific antimicrobial therapy with azithromycin, amikacin, and imipenem were started. Four months later the patient was switched to oral outpatient treatment with azithromycin, clofazimine and bedaquiline. Mycobacterium infections following ACL reconstruction are exceedingly rare in the United States. Successful management of Mycobacterium abscessus infection is exceptionally challenging for both orthopedists and infection disease specialists.
Critical Race Theory and the Landscapes of Higher Education

Frank Michael Munoz received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Afro-American and African Studies at the University of Virginia. He is the son of a Naval Officer and spent the better part of his youth living on the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. and in Japan. At UVM, Frank Michael is a second-year HESA student and has served as the Graduate Assistant in the Operations Office of the Dudley H. Davis Center during the student center’s inaugural two years. His research interests include educational environments and critical race theory. Critical Race Theory and the Landscapes of Higher Education
Methods of Generating Dynamic Loading

Methods of generating well characterized dynamic loads for investigations of dynamic fracture phenomena are described in this chapter. Numerous methods have been used to generate reproducible loading for the purpose of examining dynamic crack growth, ranging from static or quasistatic loading of blunt cracks to impact with projectiles at speeds ranging from 5 to 100 m/s. Novel methods such as electromagnetic loading, pulse loading derived from a Hopkinson bar, and explosive loading have been developed to generate high-intensity, short-duration pulse loading on cracks. Of the many different loading schemes describedin the chapter, the electromagnetic loading provides two major advantages. First, it provides a very repeatable, electrically synchronized loading that makes experiments easy. Therefore, this loading method is well suited for studies of crack initiation as well as continued growth. However, specialized equipment is necessary for implementation of this loading and is not readily available commercially. Second, this scheme provides crack surface loads in a configuration that can be modelled as a pressurized semi-infinite crack in an unbounded medium, a configuration that is easily analyzed.
Multitree-Multiobjective Multicast Routing for Traffic Engineering

This paper presents a new traffic engineering multitree-multiobjective multicast routing algorithm (M-MMA) that solves for the first time the GMM model for Dynamic Multicast Groups. Multitree traffic engineering uses several trees to transmit a multicast demand from a source to a set of destinations in order to balance traffic load, improving network resource utilization. Experimental results obtained by simulations using eight real net-work topologies show that this new approach gets trade off solutions while simultaneously considering five objective functions. As expected, when M-MMA is compared to an equivalent singletree alternative, it accommodates more traffic demand in a high traffic saturated network.
Human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells generate CD5+ B lymphoid cells in NOD/SCID mice.

The nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) xenotransplantation model is increasingly utilized to study both human lymphohematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and committed cell types. Human B lymphoid cells develop and proliferate in this model. We found high numbers of CD19+CD5+ B lymphoid cells in the bone marrows and spleens of NOD/SCID mice transplanted with human CD34+ stem/progenitor cells. The CD5+ cells accounted for a particularly large percentage of the B lymphoid cells in the spleens of chimeras analyzed three months after transplantation. CD19+CD5+ cells from all the analyzed chimeras coexpressed HLA-DR, surface IgM, CD20, CD38, CD43, and CD45. However, CD19+CD5+ cells were negative for κ light chain, CD10, CD11a, CD11b, CD15, CD21, CD22, CD23, CD25, CD34, CD35, CD44, CD62L, CD69, and CD71. Cell surface expression of the λ light chain, surface IgD, CD9, and CD40 antigens was detected in some but not all chimeras. Thus, the CD19+CD5+ cell population detected in our study has the phenotype of previously described CD5+ B lymphoid cells in humans and other species. The origin and role of the B lymphoid cells which express CD5 cell surface glycoprotein are poorly understood. The malignant cells in B lymphoid chronic lymphocytic leukemia express CD5, and the numbers of CD5+ B lymphoid cells are elevated in several autoimmune conditions. The human-NOD/SCID chimera system may provide an in vivo model to investigate the maturation and development of this cryptic human CD5+ B lymphoid cell subpopulation.
A Framework for Cooperating Decision Procedures

We present a flexible framework for cooperating decision procedures. We describe the properties needed to ensure correctness and show how it can be applied to implement an efficient version of Nelson and Oppen’s algorithm for combining decision procedures. We also show how a Shostak style decision procedure can be implemented in the framework in such a way that it can be integrated with the Nelson–Oppen method.
Organization of the stomatogastric ganglion of the spiny lobster

The Stomatogastric ganglion ofPanulirus interruptus contains about 30 neurons, and controls the movements of the lobster's stomach. When experimentally isolated, the ganglion continues to generate complex rhythmic patterns of activity in its motor neurons which are similar to those seen in intact animals.
THE GENUS PSORTHASPIS (HYMENOPTERA: POMPILIDAE) IN COLOMBIA

The biodiversity of spider wasps in Psorthapsis occurring in Colombia was examinedin this study. Three species of this genus were found in northern and westernColombia, of which two represent new distributional records: Psorthaspis variegataand Psorthaspis connexa are recorded from Choco and Magdalena, respectively.A neotype is established for Psorthapsis colombiae. The morphological variation,coupled with geographic distribution, precludes the division of P. variegata and P.connexa into subspecies. A discussion on the status of these subspecies is provided.A key to the members of the genus in Colombia also is presented.
No correlation between aggregates of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and cell death in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Aggregates of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) have been demonstrated in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases; however, their role in disease pathogenesis is unclear. In this study, we investigated the presence of SOD aggregates in nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC12 cells and cell viability following: (i) transduction with replication-deficient recombinant adenoviruses (AdVs) expressing wild-type SOD (SODWT) or mutant SOD (SODMT, V148G or A4V); (ii) transfection of yellow fluorescent protein-tagged SODWT (SODWT-YFP) or SODMT (SODA4V-YFP, SODV148G-YFP). SOD aggregates were more prominent in cells following transduction of AdSODMT than AdSODWT and following treatment with H2O2, suggesting that mutant SOD leads to oxidation of cellular components. In addition, cells expressing SODMT-YFP yielded SOD aggregates that were significantly larger and more frequent than SOD aggregates in cells expressing SODWT-YFP. Proteasome inhibitors, but not cathepsin B inhibitors, increased aggregate formation but did not increase cell death. In addition, treatments that increased cell viability did not significantly decrease SOD aggregates. Taken together, our data demonstrate that there is no association between SOD aggregates and cell death in FALS.
Intervertebral Biomechanics of Locking Compression Plate Monocortical Fixation of the Canine Cervical Spine

Objective: To evaluate the use of a locking compression plate (LCP) with monocortical screw purchase for stabilization of the canine cervical spine. Study Design: Experimental study. Animals: Cadaveric canine cervical spine specimens (n=7). Methods: Flexion and extension bending moments were applied to canine cadaveric specimens (C3–C6) in 4-point bending, before and after creation of a ventral slot at C4–C5, and after fixation with a 5 hole, 3.5 mm LCP with monocortical screw placement. Screw placement and penetration into the vertebral canal were determined by radiography. Range of motion, stiffness, and energy for passive physiologic loads were determined for the C3–C4, C4–C5, and C5–C6 vertebral motion units (VMU). Monotonic failure properties were determined for cervical extension. Effects of treatments on biomechanical variables were assessed using repeated measures analysis of variance and least square means (P≤.05). Results: The ventral slot procedure increased range of motion at the treated VMU. Plate fixation decreased range of motion, increased stiffness, and decreased energy at the treated VMU. No changes were observed at adjacent VMUs. None of the screws penetrated the vertebral canal. Mean (± SD) yield bending moment of plate stabilized, slotted spines was 15.6 ± 4.6 N m. Conclusion: LCP fixation with monocortical screws stabilized the canine cervical spine.
Smoking, oxidative stress and inflammation: Impact on resting energy expenditure in diabetic nephropathy

Background Inflammation is associated with increased resting energy expenditure (REE) in patients with chronic kidney disease. Oxidative stress, on the other hand, appears not to increase REE. Smoking is a common mechanism for generating oxidative stress and inflammation. Whether smokers have increased REE and if so, whether it is accounted for by the pro-oxidant and inflammatory state is not known.
Ab Initio Study of Spin-Vibronic Dynamics in the Ground X̃(2)E and Excited Ã(2)A1 Electronic States of CH3S(•).

A spin-vibronic Hamiltonian including the linear, quadratic, cubic, and quartic Jahn-Teller terms with account for all important anharmonic effects was applied to study electronic and nuclear dynamics in the ground X(2)E and first excited A(2)A1 electronic states of the CH3S methylthio radical (C3v). The E⊗(3a1+3e) problem of spin-vibronic eigenvalues and eigenfunctions was solved in a basis set of products of electronic, electron spin, and vibrational functions. The Jahn-Teller distortions in X(2)E CH3S are totally quenched by the strong spin-orbit coupling. However, Jahn-Teller interaction terms in the spin-vibronic Hamiltonian cannot be neglected for the high precision evaluation of energy levels of CH3S. The results of calculations show the importance of inclusion of at least quadratic vibronic terms into variational treatment. The nonadiabatic (pseudo-Jahn-Teller) coupling of the X(2)E and A(2)A1 electronic states was found small and safely removable from the spin-vibronic Hamiltonian of CH3S.
Reducing Plated‐through Hole Copper Loss during Pin‐in‐hole Rework — Polymer Barrier Film Process

In an electronic manufacturing environment, rework of pin‐in‐hole components on printed circuit boards is an essential process. Rework enhances product yield and through‐put efficiency by allowing device repair to occur quickly and at significantly reduced costs in comparison with complete board reconstruction. However, current rework techniques are not without their shortcomings, most notably enhanced dissolution of copper in plated‐through holes. This paper discusses a new methodology using polymer films as barrier layers, resulting in negligible plated‐through‐hole copper dissolution when conventional rework technologies are practised.
Associations of the dopamine D4 receptor gene VNTR polymorphism with drug use in adolescent psychiatric inpatients.

Background The VNTR polymorphism in the Dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4) has been associated with differential urge for substances across multiple methodologies ranging from neuroimaging to assessment in the natural environment. It is unclear whether the DRD4 gene is a marker for an underlying propensity for greater urge or whether the DRD4 gene differentially moderates the neuroadaptive effects of extended substance use on urge. Examination of the DRD4 in an adolescent sample may provide evidence of a mechanism of this putative relationship.
A Mutation of the Nucleoside Triphosphate Phosphohydrolase I (NPH-I) Gene Confers Sensitivity of Vaccinia Virus to Interferon

The role of vaccinia virus nucleoside triphosphate phosphohydrolase I (NPH-I) in determining the resistance of this virus to alpha-interferon (IFN) was analyzed by using a well-defined temperature-sensitive mutant (ts36) in the NPH-I gene. Detailed analysis of viral proteins and mRNAs produced in cultured cells treated with or without IFN-alpha showed a strong inhibition by IFN of the synthesis of late virus polypeptides at the nonpermissive temperature, e.g., 83.8% inhibition for the luciferase reporter gene, which is associated with a decrease in steady-state mRNA levels. Sensitivity of ts36 to IFN was only the consequence of the point mutation in the NPH-1 gene, as shown by characterization of the rescued virus, R36. Our findings demonstrate that functional NPH-1 is required, at least in part, for resistance of vaccinia virus to IFN.
Re-engendering translation: transcultural practice, gender/sexuality and the politics of alterity

As Christopher Larkosh explains in his introduction, the aim of this short, seven-article edited volume is to ‘reexamine and diversify understandings of the relationship between translation studies...
New macromolecules for solid polymeric electrolytes

Abstract The polyphosphazene MEEP, [NP(OCH2CH2OCH2CH2OCH3)2]n, was first reported 12 years ago as a significant advance in the design of solid polymer electrolytes (P. M. Blonsky, D. F. Shriver, P. E. Austin and H. R Allcock, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 106, 6854 (1984)) [1] . Since that time, more than 30 new polymers have been synthesized in our laboratory, which build on the basic structure and theory developed for MEEP. The new polymers possess a phosphazene backbone, which is the basis of the molecular flexibility, with a variety of different alkyl ether and alkoxy side groups. The ionic conductivity of these polymers in the presence of lithium triflate has been studied as a function of the different polymer side groups. Several systems that improve on the properties of MEEP have been identified. The behaviour of selected polymers in operating rechargeable batteries has also been investigated.
Confidence Level Estimation and Design Sensitivity Analysis for Confidence-Based RBDO

In practical engineering problems, often only limited input data are available to generate the input distribution model. The insufficient input data induces uncertainty on the input distribution model, and this uncertainty will cause us to lose confidence in the optimum design obtained using the reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) method. Uncertainty on the input distribution model requires us to consider the reliability analysis output, which is defined as the probability of failure, to follow a probabilistic distribution. This paper proposes a new formulation for the confidence-based RBDO method and design sensitivity analysis of the confidence level. The probability of the reliability analysis output is obtained with consecutive conditional probabilities of input distribution parameters and input distribution types using a Bayesian approach. The approximate conditional probabilities of input distribution parameters and types are suggested under certain assumptions. The Monte Carlo simulation is applied to practically calculate the output distribution, and the copula is used to describe the correlated input distribution types. A confidence-based RBDO problem is formulated using the derived the distribution of output. In this new formulation, the probabilistic constraint is modified to include both the target reliability and the target confidence level. Finally, the sensitivity of the confidence level, which is a new probabilistic constraint, is derived to support an efficient optimization process. Using accurate surrogate models, the proposed method does not require generation of additional surrogate models during the RBDO iteration; it only requires several evaluations of the same surrogate models. Hence, the efficiency of the method is obtained. For the numerical example, the confidence level is calculated and the accuracy of the derived sensitivity is verified when only limited data are available.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A Constitutive Equation for Filled Rubber under Cyclic Loading

Abstract This paper describes experiments and the development of constitutive equations to predict the steady-state response of filled rubber under cyclic loading. An MTS servo-hydraulic machine was used to obtain the dynamic hysteresis curves for a filled rubber compound in uniaxial tension-compression. The material tests were performed with mean strains from −0.1 to 0.1, strain amplitudes ranging from 0.02 to 0.1, and strain rates between 0.01 and 10 s−1. Temporary material set, the Payne effect and rate-dependence were observed from the experimental results. A hyper-viscoelastic constitutive model was developed to characterize the dynamic response of the rubber. A cornerstone of this constitutive modeling was to devise a scheme to evaluate material set and a finite strain, non-linear viscoelastic law from the test data. Predictions of the dynamic hysteresis curves using the proposed constitutive equation were found to be in good agreement with the uniaxial test results.
Neurobiological Impact of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonists: An Activation Likelihood Estimation Meta-Analysis of Pharmacologic Neuroimaging Studies

BACKGROUND: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists augment cognition among cigarette smokers and nonsmokers, yet the systems-level neurobiological mechanisms underlying such improvements are not fully understood. Aggregating neuroimaging results regarding nAChR agonists provides a means to identify common functional brain changes that may be related to procognitive drug effects. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of pharmacologic neuroimaging studies within the activation likelihood estimation framework. We identified published studies contrasting a nAChR drug condition versus a baseline and coded each contrast by activity change direction (decrease or increase), participant characteristics (smokers or nonsmokers), and drug manipulation employed (pharmacologic administration or cigarette smoking). RESULTS: When considering all studies, nAChR agonist administration was associated with activity decreases in multiple regions, including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), parahippocampus, insula, and the parietal and precentral cortices. Conversely, activity increases were observed in lateral frontoparietal cortices, the anterior cingulate cortex, thalamus, and cuneus. Exploratory analyses indicated that both smokers and nonsmokers showed activity decreases in the vmPFC and PCC, and increases in lateral frontoparietal regions. Among smokers, both pharmacologic administration and cigarette smoking were associated with activity decreases in the vmPFC, PCC, and insula and increases in the lateral PFC, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, thalamus, and cuneus. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide support for the systems-level perspective that nAChR agonists suppress activity in default-mode network regions and enhance activity in executive control network regions in addition to reducing activation of some task-related regions. We speculate these are potential mechanisms by which nAChR agonists enhance cognition.
Grading vascularity from histopathological images based on traveling salesman distance and vessel size

ABSTRACT Vascularity represents an important element of tissue/tumor microenvironment and is implicated in tumor growth, metastatic potential and resistence to therapy. Small blood vessels can be visualized using immunohistochemical stains specific to vascular cells. However, currently used manual methods to assess vascular density are poorly reproducible and are at best semi quantitative. Computer based quantitative and objective methods to measure microvessel density are urgently needed to better understand and clinically utilize microvascular density information. We propose a new method to quantify vascularity from images of bone marrow biopsies stained for CD34 vascular lining cells protein as a model. The method starts by automatically segmenting the blood vessels by methods of I=THEJGPDNAODKH@EJC and minimum graph cuts. The segmentation is followed by morphological post-processing to reduce blast and small spurious objects from the bone marrow images. To classify the images into one of the four grades, we extracted 20 features from the segmented blood vessel images. These features include first four moments of the distribution of the area of blood vessels, first four moments of the distribution of 1) the edge weights in the minimum spanning tree of the blood vessels, 2) the shortest distance between blood vessels, 3) the homogeneity of the shortest distance (absolute difference in distance between consecutive blood vessels along the shortest path) between blood vessels and 5) blood vessel orientation. The method was tested on 26 bone marrow biopsy images stained with CD34 IHC stain, which were evaluated by three pathologists. The pathologists took part in this study by quantifying blood vessel density using gestalt assessment in hematopoietic bone marrow portions of bone marrow core biopsies images. To determine the intra-reader variability, each image was graded twice by each pathologist with two-week interval in between their readings. For each image, the ground truth (grade) was acquired through consensus among the three pathologists at the end of the study. A ranking of the features reveals that the fo urth moment of the distribution of the area of blood vessels along with the first moment of the distribution of the shortest distance between blood vessels can correctly grade 68.2% of the bone marrow biopsies, while the intra- and inter-reader variability among the pathologists ar e 66.9% and 40.0%, respectively. Keywords: tumor microenvironment, shortest path, image segmentation, combinatorial optimization
Barriers to Completing the Dissertation as Perceived by Education Leadership Doctoral Students

Prior research indicates that students perceive a number of barriers to completing their dissertations. In this qualitative study, six education leadership doctoral students were interviewed about barriers and enhancers to completing their coursework, comprehensive exams, and dissertation proposals. Five of the students were in a program specifically for community college leadership who had taken a dissertation development course for students struggling to complete the dissertation proposal. Findings indicated that students perceived a number of barriers including external obligations, difficulties with advising, and knowledge deficiencies.
DYNAMICS AND FORECASTING OF TWO CHAOTIC STARS

For two stars (R UMi and RS Cyg) believed to behave chaotically, we demonstrate that nonlinear forecasting is possible over a time horizon of about a year and calculate their future light curves, verifiable after photometric measurements take place. We find that the minimal embedding dimension of the dynamics of these stars is three. We tentatively identify the topology of the respective strange attractors, and argue that the presence of a near-2:1 resonance is a direct consequence of the features of these attractors.
Morbidly Obese Patients With Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Is Airway Reconstructive Surgery a Viable Treatment Option?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of airway reconstructive surgery for the treatment of severe obstructive sleep apnea in the morbidly obese patient. METHODS: Retrospective review of consecutively treated patients. Variables examined include age, sex, body mass index (BMI), respiratory disturbance index (RDI), lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT), cephalometric data, and complications. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (13 men) with a mean age of 42.6 +/- 7.9 years and mean BMI of 45 +/- 5.4 kg/m2 were identified. The mean RDI improved from 83 +/- 30.1 to 10.6 +/- 10.8 events per hour with an improved mean apnea index from 38.4 +/- 31.3 to 1.2 +/- 1.8 events per hour. The mean LSAT improved from 63.9 +/- 17.7% to 86 +/- 7.9%. The mean BMI at the 6-month postoperative polysomnographic recording was 43 +/- 4.3 kg/m2 (P < .001). Seventeen patients (81%) were successfully treated (RDI < 20 and with minimal desaturation < 90%). The mean follow-up was 21.8 +/- 15.4 months (range, 7-66 mo). Coexisting obesity-hypoventilation syndrome was related to treatment failure in two patients. One patient noted recurrence of daytime fatigue after significant weight gain 4 years after surgery and the polysomnographic recordings demonstrated the recurrence of obstructive sleep apnea. CONCLUSION: Airway reconstruction is an effective treatment for severe obstructive sleep apnea in the morbidly obese patient. Careful patient selection and identifying potential coexisting obesity-hypoventilation syndrome, as well as counseling on weight reduction and avoiding continual weight gain will improve treatment outcomes. Key Words: Obstructive sleep apnea, sleep-disordered breathing, obstructive sleep apnea surgery, obesity, maxillomandibular advancement.
New kind of type 3 chondrite with a graphite-magnetite matrix

Four clasts in three ordinary-chondrite regolith breccias are discovered which are a new kind of type 3 chondrite. As with ordinary and carbonaceous type 3 chondrites, they have distinct chondrules, some of which contain glass, highly heterogeneous olivines and pyroxenes, and predominantly monoclinic low-Ca pyroxenes. Instead of the usual, fine-grained, Fe-rich silicate matrix, however, the clasts have a matrix composed largely of aggregates of micron- and submicron-sized graphite and magnetite. The bulk compositions of the clasts, as well as the types of chondrules (largely porphyritic), are characteristic of type 3 ordinary chondrites, although chondrules in the clasts are somewhat smaller (0.1-0.5 mm). A close relationship with ordinary chondrites is also suggested by the presence of similar graphite-magnetite aggregates in seven type 3 ordinary chondrites. It is thought that this new kind of chondrite is probably the source of the abundant graphite-magnetite inclusions in ordinary-chondrite regolith breccias and that it may be more common than indicated by the absence of whole meteorites made of chondrules and graphite-magnetite.
Evaluation of non-visual panning operations using touch-screen devices

This paper summarizes the implementation, evaluation, and usability of non-visual panning operations for accessing graphics rendered on touch screen devices. Four novel non-visual panning techniques were implemented and experimentally evaluated on our experimental prototype, called a Vibro-Audio Interface (VAI), which provides completely non-visual access to graphical information using vibration, audio, and kinesthetic cues on a commercial touch screen device. This demonstration will provide an overview of our system's functionalities and will discuss the necessity for developing non-visual panning operations enabling visually-impaired people access to large-format graphics (such as maps and floor plans).
Ar+ ion-induced optical emission from CsBr, Cu, and Ni thin films

Abstract Optical emission spectra from thin CsBr, Cu, and Ni films on a thick Al foil have been obtained with 100 keV Ar + ion bombardment. The photon emission from all samples showed a pronounced AlI peak, whose intensity was rising with bombardment time. For the CsBr thin film sample, the AlI line was superimposed on a continuum spectrum.
Avoid Filling Swiss Cheese with Whipped Cream: Imputation Techniques and Evaluation Procedures for Cross-Country Time Series

International organizations collect data from national authorities to create multivariate cross-sectional time series for their analyses. As data from countries with not yet well-established statistical systems may be incomplete, the bridging of data gaps is a crucial challenge. This paper investigates data structures and missing data patterns in the cross-sectional time series framework, reviews missing value imputation techniques used for micro data in official statistics, and discusses their applicability to cross-sectional time series. It presents statistical methods and quality indicators that enable the (comparative) evaluation of imputation processes and completed datasets.
Turbulent flow through a natural human mitral valve

Abstract Turbulent characteristics of pulsatile fluid flow through a natural human mitral valve opening were measured with a pair of linearized, cylindrical hot-film anemometer probes oriented orthogonally to each other. A normal adult human mitral valve, excised along the annulus base during an autopsy, was carefully sutured into the valve section of a transparent plastic model chamber to preserve the geometry. The chamber was fabricated to reproduce the cross-sectional area of the human left ventricular cavity during diastole. A pneumatically powered pulsatile diaphragm pump drove the testing fluid, 36.7% (by volume) aqueous-glycerol solution, through the chamber at the flow rate of 51./min. Throughout the experiment, the pulse rate was kept at a constant 72 beats per min. The turbulent intensities and Reynolds stress immediately downstream from the mitral valve leaflet were evaluated during the end-diastolic and pre-systolic periods while the flow through the mitral valve was at its maximum rate. The analog signal was digitized and then processed to obtain phase averages of the variation of mean velocity, distributions of turbulent intensities, and Reynolds stresses. The phase average is conditioned on an amplitude threshold of the pressure drop across the valve during diastole; the periodic pressure drop served as the reference clock for the phase averaging process. Signal processing of the kind applied here provides meaningful data in pulsatile turbulent flows and appears to be new in experimental investigations of cardiovascular flows.
Understanding Cloud Data Using Approximate String Matching and Edit Distance

For health and human services, fraud detection and other security services, identity resolution is a core requirement for understanding big data in the cloud. Due to the lack of a globally unique identifier and captured typographic differences for the same identity, identity resolution has high spatial and temporal complexities. We propose a filter and verify method to substantially increase the speed of approximate string matching using edit distance. This method has been found to be almost 80 times faster (130 times when combined with other optimizations) than Damerau-Levenshtein edit distance and preserves all approximate matches. Our method creates compressed signatures for data fields and uses Boolean operations and an enhanced bit counter to quickly compare the distance between the fields. This method is intended to be applied to data records whose fields contain relatively short-length strings, such as those found in most demographic data. Without loss of accuracy, the proposed Fast Bitwise Filter will provide substantial performance gain to approximate string comparison in database, record linkage and deduplication data processing systems.
Design of an 80kV, 40A resonant switch mode power supply for pulsed power applications

A high power resonant three phase switch mode power supply with low output ripple has been constructed at University of Wisconsin to drive a klystron tube. Output voltage stabilization has been achieved by adjusting switching frequency toward resonance to compensate for capacitor bank droop. The power supply input is connected to a 900V electrolytic capacitor bank and three transformers with loosely coupled resonant secondaries are connected to a doubling three phase rectifier to provide an 80kV, 40A output. A snubber and crowbar sparkgap protects the klystron in the event of an internal arc, while output filters reduce voltage ripple in the output.
Neonatal Exposure to Citalopram Selectively Alters the Expression of the Serotonin Transporter in the Hippocampus: Dose‐Dependent Effects

Infants born to mothers taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) late in pregnancy have been reported to exhibit signs of antidepressant withdrawal. Such evidence suggests that these drugs access the fetal brain in utero at biologically significant levels. Recent studies in rodents have revealed that early exposure to antidepressants can lead to long lasting abnormalities in adult behaviors, and result in robust decreases in the expression of a major serotonin synthetic enzyme (tryptophan hydroxylase) along the raphe midline. In the present investigation, we injected rat pups with citalopram (CTM: 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 20 mg/kg) from postnatal Days 8-21, and examined serotonin transporter (SERT) labeling in the hippocampus, ventrobasal thalamic complex, and caudate-putamen when the subjects reached adulthood. Our data support the idea, that forebrain targets in receipt of innervation from the raphe midline are particularly vulnerable to the effects of CTM. SERT-immunoreactive fiber density was preferentially decreased throughout all sectors of the hippocampal formation, whereas the subcortical structures, each supplied by more lateral and rostral aspects of the raphe complex, respectively, were not significantly affected. Reductions in SERT staining were also found to be dose-dependent. These findings suggest that SSRIs may not only interfere with the establishment of chemically balanced circuits in the neonate but also impose selective impairment on higher cortical function and cognitive processes via more circumscribed (i.e., regionally specific) deficits in 5-HT action.
Postnatal sequelae of parental smoking during and after pregnancy

Abstract Tobacco smoking by pregnant women is related to significant health risks to the developing foetus. Moreover, the infant experiences continued tobacco chemical exposure after birth via lactation and passive inhalation. Thus, maternal and paternal smoking during the postnatal period represents continued risk to the developing infant and to children in later life. A review of postnatal health and neurobehavioural effects of tobacco chemical exposure is presented. Compared to offspring of non-smokers, infants of smokers have 2.4 times more low Apgar (<2) scores, 3.5 times more hospital admissions, 30 per cent more bronchitis and pneumonia, 35 per cent more low Bailey development scores, 42 per cent more apnoea episodes, a 10–50 per cent increased risk of teenage cancer, a 52-200 per cent higher risk of SIDS, and a 2.8 times greater risk of death before five years old. Parental smoking is also associated with other long-term sequelae such as asthma, hay fever, allergies, decreased respiratory function...
The treatment of idiopathic hyperhidrosis by glycopyrronium bromide and tap water iontophoresis.

SUMMARY A method of treating idiopathic hyperhidrosis usitig direct current iontophoresis is described. Employing a solution of glycopyrronium bromide, such treatment produces prolonged periods of suppression of palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis but only occasionally do useful periods of dryness result from treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis. Tap water iontophoresis can also be used to produce sweat suppression but its effects are generally less satisfactory.
Rank variability of the Publish or Perish metrics for economics and finance journals

This article analyses the 10 citation-based journal ranking metrics reported by Harzing's (2007) Publish or Perish (PoP) software (http://www.harzing.com/pop.htm) for 163 economics and finance journals. The results indicate that the 10 metrics produce rankings that are highly correlated. However, closer examination reveals that the variability in rank across the 10 metrics is significantly larger for some journals than others; this article identifies journals for which this is most poignant and offers possible solutions.