cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Babies, Bonding and Breastfeeding in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit: Innovative Family Centered Care in a Community Hospital

Newborn Care Poster Presentation Purpose for the Program I n many cultures, newborns are placed naked on their mothers’ chests immediately after birth, which is viewed by many as necessary for the infants’ survival. In most community hospitals, mothers and infants are separated quickly after cesarean birth and not reunited until hours later. In collaboration with our post-anesthesia recovery team, our obstetric nurses created a seamless process to keep the mother and infant together throughout the challenging postoperative period.
A Spiking Network Model of Decision Making Employing Rewarded STDP

Reward-modulated spike timing dependent plasticity (STDP) combines unsupervised STDP with a reinforcement signal that modulates synaptic changes. It was proposed as a learning rule capable of solving the distal reward problem in reinforcement learning. Nonetheless, performance and limitations of this learning mechanism have yet to be tested for its ability to solve biological problems. In our work, rewarded STDP was implemented to model foraging behavior in a simulated environment. Over the course of training the network of spiking neurons developed the capability of producing highly successful decision-making. The network performance remained stable even after significant perturbations of synaptic structure. Rewarded STDP alone was insufficient to learn effective decision making due to the difficulty maintaining homeostatic equilibrium of synaptic weights and the development of local performance maxima. Our study predicts that successful learning requires stabilizing mechanisms that allow neurons to balance their input and output synapses as well as synaptic noise.
Manometric determination of nitrate and nitrite

Abstract Procedures are described for gasometric determination of nitrate, nitrite, and mixtures of nitrate and nitrite with the Van Slyke-Neill manometric apparatus. Nitrate is measured by the nitric oxide evolved by the reaction with mercury and sulfuric acid: 2HNO 3 + 6Hg + 3H 2 SO 4 = 2NO + 3HgSO 4 + 4H 2 O. Nitrite is measured by the N 2 evolved by reaction with sulfamic acid: HSO 3 · NH 2 + HNO 2 = H 2 SO 4 + N 2 + H 2 O. In mixtures of nitrate and nitrite, the total nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen is determined by adding permanganate to oxidize the nitrite to nitrate and then applying the nitrate method. Nitrite is determined in a separate sample by the reaction with sulfamic acid and nitrate N is calculated as total N minus nitrite N.
THE USE OF DIGITALIS IN CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY.

Summary This paper describes the role of digitalis in cardiac surgical patients as viewed in our hospital. Routine preoperative digitalis is given to almost all patients who are to have intracardiac surgery, whether or not cardiopulmonary bypass is to be used. The positive inotropic effect of digitalis and its action on atrioventricular conduction are discussed in relation to cardiac surgery. The use of digitalis and the means of its administration before, during and after surgery are described. Postoperative digitalis intoxication and its treatment are outlined.
Influence diagnostics for linear measurement error models

SUMMARY Influence functions are used to show that extreme observations affect linear measurement error model estimators in directions orthogonal to and along the fitted plane, rather than vertically and horizontally as with least squares estimators. Influence diagnostics patterned after those for least squares and derived for generalized linear models by Pregibon (1981) are adapted to assess the influence of extreme observations on linear measurement error model estimators. Perturbation arguments and asymptotic theory are used to support the use of these diagnostics. It is well known that least squares estimators are influenced by extreme observations in the response and predictor variables. Geometrically, these influences are in directions defined by the axis of the response variable and the plane defined by the predictors. As shown in ? 3, measurement error model estimators are affected in directions that are perpendicular to and along the fitted plane. Thus, least squares influence diagnostics that measure the effects of observations in the vertical and the horizontal directions may fail to accurately indicate the true effects of extreme observations on measurement error model estimators. Kelly (1984) derives an influence function for a structural measurement error model in which the error distribution has finite fourth moments and the error covariance matrix is known up to a multiple. With the aid of this influence function, diagnostics such as Cook's D are defined by analogy to the corresponding least squares equivalents. Fuller (1987) defines a measurement error model estimator of the hat matrix using estimated predictor variable values. He also proposes using diagnostics and plotting techniques analogous to those of least squares with estimated model errors and estimated leverage values from the hat matrix. Miller (1989) provides partial theoretical justification for the use of these least-squares-based techniques by showing that the estimated model errors asymptotically are a Gaussian process. Apart from these efforts, little research has been conducted on influence diagnostics for measurement error models. The derivation of influence diagnostics for measurement error models in this paper proceeds as follows. Measurement error model estimators are briefly described in ? 2. A more comprehensive discussion of these estimators is given by Fuller (1987, Ch. 2). In ? 3, influence function arguments are used to establish the need for measurement error model diagnostics. Measurement error model estimators are expressed as iteratively reweighted least squares estimators in ? 4, leading to the adaptation of diagnostics for
Stability crossing set for systems with three scalar delay channels

The characteristic function of a system with three scalar delay channels contains cross terms of different delays. This article studies the parameterization and geometric structure of the stability crossing set (the set of delay combinations with at least one characteristic root on the imaginary axis) for such systems. Understanding the structure of this set is crucial to the identification of stable regions in the delay parameter space using the D-subdivision method. The presence of the cross terms significantly complicates the analysis, and requires a quite different method than the case without these cross terms, and it involves more numerical computation.
Cyclopentadien‐Komplexe als Synthesebausteine: Ring‐ und regiospezifische nucleophile Addition an Cobaltocenium‐Salze — Synthese substituierter Cyclopentadiene und Cyclopentenone

Das vollstandige Manuskript dieser Zuschrift erscheint in: Angew. Chem. Suppl. 1982, 1360. DOI: 10.1002/ange.198213600
The role of NMDA currents in state transitions of the nucleus accumbens medium spiny neuron

The nucleus accumbens (NAcb) integrates information from a wide range of glutamatergic afferent inputs, including the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala. One of the glutamatergic receptors, the NMDA channel, has been implicated in the non-linearity of the current-voltage relationship in these cells under certain input conditions. In order to examine the relationship of the different glutamatergic receptors to the membrane response, we modeled the AMPA, GABA"A and NMDA receptors in the medium spiny (MSP) cells and their afferent input. The model demonstrates that the NMDA current is capable of sustaining certain membrane states and contributes to the non-linearity of the membrane response to input.
Traumatic pulmonary valve injury following blunt chest trauma

A 23-year-old man presented with exertional dyspnoea that had worsened over the past few years after sustaining chest contusions during a traffic accident. Auscultation over the pulmonary area revealed grade IV/VI diastolic murmur. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated a flail …
Efficient 5D excitation of trapped Rb atoms using pulses of diode-laser light in the counterintuitive order

We demonstrate that appropriately time-ordered pulses of diode-laser light can provide efficient population transfer in a three-level cascade system. Laser-trapped Rb atoms are excited from the 5S ground state to the highly-excited 5D level (through the 5P intermediate level) with a transfer efficiency approaching 100%. Diode-laser light at 780 nm (5S→5P) and 776 nm (5P→5D) is switched with acousto-optic modulators to provide the excitation. The measured variation of transfer efficiency with relative delay between the two pulses is in reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions. However, the intensities needed for efficient transfer are significantly higher than expected. In general, optimum excitation occurs for the counterintuitive pulse ordering, i.e., when the upper transition is driven first.
Quantitative and qualitative comparison of volumetric and surface rendering techniques

The fidelity of visualizing craniofacial features using two modern three-dimensional (3-D) imaging algorithms-one employing surface and the other volume rendering-is examined. Each rendering technique is evaluated for its ability to display closed cranial sutures, loss of thin bone through partial volume averaging, and the presence of artifacts. Linear measurements of the orbits, foramina, and mounting holes were taken on the 3-D renderings and compared with direct measurements. Both techniques visualized the closed cranial sutures, orbits, mandibles, and teeth. The errors in linear measurement averaged less than 1.5 mm (root mean square) and were not statistically different between the two techniques. Errors are attributable to uncertainty in locating edges due to partial transparency (volume rendering) and suboptimal lighting. Both rendering techniques stiffer from step pattern and thin-bone artifacts. It is concluded that an algorithm for surface construction can provide detailed and accurate representation of the craniofacial anatomy. >
Oxidative stress and age-related olfactory memory impairment in the honeybee Apis mellifera.

is one of the most impor-tant insect species to study olfactorylearning and memory because it canbe conditioned to respond with feed-ing movements of the mouthparts (pro-boscis)to avariety ofﬂoral odors by usingProboscis Extension Reﬂex (PER) condi-tioning. Honeybee workers switch fromin-hive (nursing) to outside-hive (forag-ing) tasks depending on their age, colonydemand, and outside conditions. Workersuse their sophisticated cognitive abilitiesin both foraging, and task performancewithin the colony (Menzel and Giurfa,2001; Frasnelli et al., 2014). The honey-bee olfactory system possesses olfactorysensory neurons inside the cuticle-coveredsensillae along the antennae, which areequivalenttoolfactoryepitheliawithinthenasal cavity in vertebrates. From antennathe information is carried via axons ofolfactory sensory neurons directly to theantennal lobe (AL) that is equivalent tothe olfactory bulb (OB) in vertebrates.This information is processed in the ALthen relayed by projection neurons tothe mushroom bodies (MB), which con-tribute to memory consolidation asso-ciated with long-term potentiation andsynaptic organization (Hourcade et al.,2010).Theexhibitingsynapticplasticityinthe MB is similar to that of mammalianhippocampal synaptic plasticity (Bliss andCollingridge, 1993).The neuronal synaptic plasticity canbe regulated by important signalingmolecules called as “biogenic amines”that modulate synaptic morphology,number of synapses, and receptors,inﬂuencing animal behaviors includ-ing complex behaviors such as learningand memory formation in both ver-tebrates and invertebrates. Prominentexamples of biogenic amines includeepinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine,serotonin, octopamine, and tyramine.Norepinephrine and epinephrine arepreferentially synthesized by vertebrates;whereas octopamine and tyramine arepreferentially synthesized by invertebrates.Biogenic amines exert their activity byinteracting with speciﬁc G-protein cou-pled receptors, causing changes in thelevels of intracellular second messengers(Scheiner et al., 2006). In vertebrates,both the OB and cortex receive heavyinputs from cholinergic, noradrenergic,and serotonergic modulatory systems,exerting profound effects on both odorprocessing and odor memory by actingon both inhibitory local interneurons γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) and outputneurons in both regions (Fletcher andChen, 2010). The primary sensory affer-ents from the olfactory neuroepitheliumto OB can be modulated by a presynap-tic inhibition-mediated by GABA anddopamine released from bulbar interneu-rons. Increased levels of octopamine inthe AL mediate an important role in areinforcementpathwayinvolvingolfactorylearning and memory in
Clinical Themes in Gay- and Lesbian-Parented Adoptive Families:

When gay and lesbian people choose to create families by adoption, there is a complex intersection of issues relevant to the work of clinicians treating such families, especially their children. This article identifies identity and responsibility as two clinical themes emergent in the confluence of these issues and gives special attention to those themes’ importance to clinical work with children and adolescents in families, as they form and continue through their post-adoption years. The changing face of gay and lesbian parenting demands that researchers, educators, clinicians, and policy makers explore the issues of gay and lesbian adoptive parents and their children in their own right, not assuming that they are necessarily the same as those faced by other lesbian and gay families.
Lattice Parameter Changes in High Dose Ion-Implanted, Pulsed Laser Annealed GaAs:Si

Double crystal x-ray diffraction has been used to examine the lattice parameter changes which occur in heavily Si-doped GaAs obtained by ion implantation of 28Si at 180 keV with doses up to 1 × 1016/cm2. The heavily damaged, implanted layer was pulsed laser annealed with single pulses from a 10 ns dye laser operating at 728 nm with an energy density of up to 0.9 J/cm2. Plasmon Raman scattering was used at the center of the laser-annealed spots to determine the free electron concentration which reached ≈4 × 1019/cm3. Double crystal rocking curves were obtained for reflections from the pulsed laser annealed area and from the surrounding as-implanted region. The results show a dilation of the lattice of up to 0.5% in the as-implanted region and in the laser-annealed region a dilation of 0.025%. The residual lattice dilation after annealing is interpreted in terms of a dilation due to free carriers and a (smaller) contraction due to the Si atomic size effects.
Enhanced efficiency in a coupled photovoltaic/thermal concentrating solar collector

We present an analysis of combined efficiencies in a coupled photovoltaic/thermal concentrating solar collector. The calculations take into account the drop in efficiency that accompanies the operation of photovoltaic cells at elevated temperatures along with a detailed analysis of the thermal system including all losses. An iterative numerical scheme is described that involves a coupled electro-thermal simulation of the solar energy conversion process. In the proposed configuration losses in the photovoltaic cell due to reduced efficiencies at elevated temperatures and the incident solar energy below the PV bandgap are both harnessed as heat. This thermal energy is then used to run a thermodynamic power cycle. The simulations show that it is possible to optimize the overall efficiency of the system by variation of key factors such as the solar concentration factor, band gap of the photovoltaic material, and the system thermal design configuration.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Design and Development of a Model to Optimize the Clinical Engineering Department Size within a Hospital

The purpose of this study is to determine the optimum number of technicians within a clinical engineering department, based on the time and resources needed to properly maintain the medical equipment within the hospital. This project will study the number of biomedical technicians within a Clinical Engineering department and each technician's time from the past five years from three different sized hospitals. From that information, a model will be developed in order to optimize the number of technicians within the clinical engineering department. This model will include the following: A) The model will show the staffing numbers at Baystate Medical Center from previous years compared to the number of technicians that would have been most productive during that time, and use this information to predict the future optimum size of the department. B) This model will show the optimum breakdown of staff within different subdivisions of the department, including Radiology, Imaging and General Biomed. C) The model will evaluate the optimum department sizes for three different sized hospitals and portray the relationship between hospital volume and optimum clinical engineering department size. These three hospitals include Baystate Medical Center (BMC), Franklin Medical Center (FMC) and Marylane Hospital (MLH).
The Alzheimer's disease β-secretase enzyme, BACE1

The pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease is highly complex. While several pathologies characterize this disease, amyloid plaques, composed of the β-amyloid peptide are hallmark neuropathological lesions in Alzheimer's disease brain. Indeed, a wealth of evidence suggests that β-amyloid is central to the pathophysiology of AD and is likely to play an early role in this intractable neurodegenerative disorder. The BACE1 enzyme is essential for the generation of β-amyloid. BACE1 knockout mice do not produce β-amyloid and are free from Alzheimer's associated pathologies including neuronal loss and certain memory deficits. The fact that BACE1 initiates the formation of β-amyloid, and the observation that BACE1 levels are elevated in this disease provide direct and compelling reasons to develop therapies directed at BACE1 inhibition thus reducing β-amyloid and its associated toxicities. However, new data indicates that complete abolishment of BACE1 may be associated with specific behavioral and physiological alterations. Recently a number of non-APP BACE1 substrates have been identified. It is plausible that failure to process certain BACE1 substrates may underlie some of the reported abnormalities in the BACE1-deficient mice. Here we review BACE1 biology, covering aspects ranging from the initial identification and characterization of this enzyme to recent data detailing the apparent dysregulation of BACE1 in Alzheimer's disease. We pay special attention to the putative function of BACE1 during healthy conditions and discuss in detail the relationship that exists between key risk factors for AD, such as vascular disease (and downstream cellular consequences), and the pathogenic alterations in BACE1 that are observed in the diseased state.
Automated vision system for inspection of IC pads and bonds

One of the problems in increasing reliability in the manufacture of integrated circuit (IC) devices is inspection of the bond pads and the bonds connecting the bond pads to the lead fingers of the device. The continuing increase in packing density of VLSI circuits requires that the inspection process be completely automated. The authors present methods for visual inspection of bond pads and bonds, which are intended to automatically extract parameters of significance in determining their quality, from two-dimensional images taken from the top of the IC wafer. >
Adaptive and Distributed Algorithms for Vehicle Routing in a Stochastic and Dynamic Environment

In this paper, we present adaptive and distributed algorithms for motion coordination of a group of m vehicles. The vehicles must service demands whose time of arrival, spatial location, and service requirement are stochastic; the objective is to minimize the average time demands spend in the system. The general problem is known as the m-vehicle Dynamic Traveling Repairman Problem (m-DTRP). The best previously known control algorithms rely on centralized task assignment and are not robust against changes in the environment. In this paper, we first devise new control policies for the 1-DTRP that: i) are provably optimal both in light-load conditions (i.e., when the arrival rate for the demands is small) and in heavy-load conditions (i.e., when the arrival rate for the demands is large), and ii) are adaptive, in particular, they are robust against changes in load conditions. Then, we show that specific partitioning policies, whereby the environment is partitioned among the vehicles and each vehicle follows a certain set of rules within its own region, are optimal in heavy-load conditions. Building upon the previous results, we finally design control policies for the m-DTRP that i) are adaptive and distributed, and ii) have strong performance guarantees in heavy-load conditions and stabilize the system in any load condition.
Bark and ERB bilinear transforms

Use of a bilinear conformal map to achieve a frequency warping nearly identical to that of the Bark frequency scale is described. Because the map takes the unit circle to itself, its form is that of the transfer function of a first-order allpass filter. Since it is a first-order map, it preserves the model order of rational systems, making it a valuable frequency warping technique for use in audio filter design. A closed-form weighted-equation-error method is derived that computes the optimal mapping coefficient as a function of sampling rate, and the solution is shown to be generally indistinguishable from the optimal least-squares solution. The optimal Chebyshev mapping is also found to be essentially identical to the optimal least-squares solution. The expression 0.8517[arctan(0.06583fs)]/sup 1/2/-0.916 is shown to accurately approximate the optimal allpass coefficient as a function of sampling rate f/sub s/ in kHz for sampling rates greater than 1 kHz. A filter design example is included that illustrates improvements due to carrying out the design over a Bark scale. Corresponding results are also given and compared for approximating the related "equivalent rectangular bandwidth (ERB) scale" of Moore and Glasberg (ACTA Acustica, vo.82, p.335-45, 1996) using a first-order allpass transformation. Due to the higher frequency resolution called for by the ERB scale, particularly at low frequencies, the first-order conformal map is less able to follow the desired mapping, and the error is two to three times greater than the Bark-scale case, depending on the sampling rate.
Trends in maize, rice, and wheat yields for 188 nations over the past 40 years: a prevalence of linear growth

Abstract To prevent or prepare for future food shortages an understanding of the likely magnitude and distribution of future cereal yields is required. To this end, predictions of cereal yields have commonly been made, using various assumptions. However, the employed assumptions, namely, that yields tend to follow a given trend over time, have not been extensively tested. This study presents a test of the applicability of two general models to time series of maize (Zea mays L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yields for 188 nations to characterize past yield trends, to assess the relative importance of various trends on a global scale, and lastly, to determine what factors might be responsible for the presence of slowing yield growth and yield decline in some nations. Results showed that linear growth in yields has been the most common trend over time, occurring in more than half of all nation-crop data sets, and that growth significantly greater than 33.1 kg ha−1 yr−1 (the rate at which global cereal yields must grow to have the current per-capita production in 2050) constituted 20% of the data sets and was the most important trend in terms of global area harvested, production, and population. A trend of slowing yield growth was present in roughly one-sixth of the data sets, and the nations that this subset comprised made a small contribution to global area harvested, production, and population (less than 10%). Nation-crop data sets that showed yield growth greater than 33.1 kg ha−1 yr−1 had much greater yields than those that showed slowing yield growth, demonstrating that yield growth is not being limited by general physiological constraints to crop productivity. The results of a logistic regression procedure showed that the relative frequency of slowing yield growth and yield decline was negatively correlated to per-capita gross domestic product (GDP) for maize and wheat, and to growth in fertilizer rate for maize. In addition to GDP, latitude was negatively correlated with the relative frequency of yield decline. There were no significant predictors for rice. These results suggest that both economic and biophysical factors have played a role in limiting cereal yield growth.
Potentials in anionic polyelectrolyte hydrogels

Polyelectrolyte hydrogels perform interest- ing physical and chemical changes, such as motility and bend in the presence of electric fields and interaction with ionic surfactants. We think that ionizable groups of poly- electrolyte hydrogels play a vital role in these environments. In this work, we prepared three anionic polyelectrolyte hy- drogels by two different routes, and micropipetts electrode was employed to determined negative potential in the gels. Our work showed that the gels reported herein all display a high degree of swelling with hydration and have a substan- tial negative potential in KCl solution and a simple mecha- nism was also described. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 1319 -1321, 2003
Labour Supply Curves for EU Member and Candidate States: An Applied General Equilibrium Analysis

This paper introduces a more sophisticated modelling of the labour market functioning of the European member and candidate states through the introduction of labour supply curves in an applied general equilibrium model. A labour supply curve offers a middle way in labour supply modelling, sitting between the two commonly adopted extremes of spare capacity and full employment. The first part of the paper outlines the theoretical foundation of the labour supply curve. Real world data is then used to derive labour supply curves for each member state, along with Croatia and Turkey. Finally, the impact of the newly specified labour markets on the results of an illustrative scenario involving reform of the common agricultural policy is explored. The results of computable general equilibrium analysis with the labour supply curve confirm the theoretical expectation that modelling the labour supply through an upwards-sloping curve produces results that lie between the extremes of spare capacity of the labour factor and fully employed labour. This specification captures a greater degree of heterogeneity in the labour markets of the member and candidate states, allowing for a more nuanced modelling of the effects of policy reform, including welfare effects.
The diagnosis-resolution structure in troubleshooting procedures

Troubleshooting procedures are prevalent in the computer industry and in many other industries and subject areas. In the computer industry, they appear in manuals and help systems and, especially, as “articles” in the KB (Knowledge Base) that comprises a core component of support websites. Developing successful troubleshooting procedures is both a technical and a rhetorical task. These procedures take diverse forms and vary greatly in complexity. Troubleshooting procedures, however, almost always have a diagnosis-resolution structure consisting of configurations of symptoms and solution methods. Examining this structure enables us to meaningfully classify the very diverse instances of this genre, reveals key design issues, and can help us identify productive research questions. Complex troubleshooting procedures present the user with multiple symptoms. A set of symptoms may correspond directly to particular causes or may comprise a tree of symptoms. The resolution phase consists of one or more solution paths each consisting of one or more methods. When feasible, solution paths and methods should be variable rather than fixed sequences and should empower users to choose among solution paths.
Sideways Information Passing for Push-Style Query Processing

In many modern data management settings, data is queried from a central node or nodes, but is stored at remote sources. In such a setting it is common to perform "push- style" query processing, using multithreaded pipelined hash joins and bushy query plans to compute parts of the query in parallel; to avoid idling, the CPU can switch between them as delays are encountered. This works well for simple select-project- join queries, but increasingly, Web and integration applications require more complex queries with multiple joins and even nested subqueries. As we demonstrate in this paper, push-style execution of complex queries can be improved substantially via sideways information passing; push-style queries provide many opportunities for information passing that have not been studied in the past literature. We present adaptive information passing, a general runtime decision-making technique for reusing intermediate state from one query subresult to prune and reduce computation of other subresults. We develop two alternative schemes for performing adaptive information passing, which we study in several settings under a variety of workloads.
Grace and Imagination: From Fear to Freedom

Creative use of our imagination is essential if we are to live a vibrant life. Although our use of imagination is often blocked by various fears, D. W. Winnicott's insights into play, aggression, and the use of transitional objects open up paths towards greater freedom. The sacred texts, symbols, and liturgies of our religious traditions can then become the “toys” which engage us in profound and re-creating soul play. Through grace and the evocative examples of our teachers, we can find ways to use our imagination more freely to deepen our spiritual life and psychological wholeness.
A Novel Technique for Feeding and Confirming Uptake of Bacteria in Larvae of the Southern House Mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

ABSTRACT Aquatic macroinvertebrates play important roles in freshwater ecosystems. The larvae of the vector mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) primarily reside in standing water rich in organic matter; these conditions are also suited for growth of microbial biofilms. As microbes serve as a food source for larvae, the study of interactions between microbial biofilms and C. quinquefasciatus can aid in understanding the routes by which aquatic larvae can acquire pathogens, and the role such larvae may play in environmental persistence of microorganisms. Studies in butterflies, nematodes, and ticks have described interactions with bacteria acquired by the oral route, including arthropods that play a role in dissemination of bacteria on beet plants. In pursuit of these goals, this manuscript describes a new protocol for investigating larval mosquito feeding on microbial biofilms. Fluorescent microscopy and GFP expressing bacterial strains were used to show larval acquisition and midgut l...
The multiplicity of self: neuropsychological evidence and its implications for the self as a construct in psychological research.

This paper examines the issue of what the self is by reviewing neuropsychological research, which converges on the idea that the self may be more complex and differentiated than previous treatments of the topic have suggested. Although some aspects of self-knowledge such as episodic recollection may be compromised in individuals, other aspects—for instance, semantic trait summaries—appear largely intact. Taken together, these findings support the idea that the self is not a single, unified entity. Rather, it is a set of interrelated, functionally independent systems. Implications for understanding the self in various areas of psychological research—e.g., neuroimaging, autism, amnesia, Alzheimer’s disease, and mirror self-recognition—are discussed in brief.
Successful use of bronchoscopic lung insufflation to treat left lung atelectasis.

We report first use of bronchoscopic lung insufflation in a child to treat acute left lung collapse. The patient is a 6-year old male asthmatic who was hospitalized with a 2-day history of cough, chest pain, and abdominal pain. He was tachypneic and hypoxemic on room air. Chest exam revealed diminished breath sounds on the left side. Chest X-ray and Chest CT showed complete left lung collapse. He underwent bronchoscopic lung insufflation procedure by injecting total of 200 ml air via flexible bronchoscope in the left upper lobe using 50cc syringe aliquots followed by similar injection of 200 ml of air in left lower lobe. After air insufflations, 6 ml of bovine surfactant (calfactant) were instilled in each lobe. Chest fluoroscopy was done immediately after procedure and showed expansion of entire left lung with no pneumothorax. The procedure was well tolerated. The patient's symptoms and hypoxemia resolved soon after procedure. However, left lower lobe atelectasis recurred next day and persisted for 6 days despite treatments with chest physical therapy, systemic steroids, oral azithromycin, nebulized dornase alpha, and endoscopic removal of secretions from left lower lobe. Bronchoscopic insufflation of left lower lobe was repeated resulting in immediate expansion of that lobe as demonstrated by intraoperative fluoroscopy. The patient was discharged home next day. This case suggests that brochoscopic lung insufflation can be safe and effective in treating acute lung collapse and in treating atelectasis which is refractory to conventional therapy.
Must Biodiversity Hot-Spots Be Social Not-Spots? Win-Win Ecology as Sustainable Social Policy

Reconciliation ecology, a family of socially inclusive conservation strategies that depart from traditional protected area management, is on trial. Skeptics find it problematic for a range of reasons, faulting it for lack of evidence and calling it a "bio-diversion" from the agenda of strict protected area conservation. Supporters counter that only by re-embedding conservation in human-dominated landscapes beyond protected areas will conservation succeed. The present paper builds on the work of Michael Rosenzweig, a leading example of this latter perspective, fortifying it with information from different world regions and programs. Simultaneously, I suggest that narrow reliance on formal protected areas yields conservation refugees, environmental backlash, and set-backs to sustainability efforts. Author’s Note My thanks to Paul Gellert, Riley Dunlap, Barbara Bedford, Jason Con, and the anonymous reviewers of Consilience for thoughtful comments on early drafts of this paper.
Left Atrial Size and Function in a Canine Model of Chronic Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure.

Background Our aim was to assess how atrial fibrillation (AF) induction, chronicity, and RR interval irregularity affect left atrial (LA) function and size in the setting of underlying heart failure (HF), and to determine whether AF effects can be mitigated by vagal nerve stimulation (VNS). Methods HF was induced by 4-weeks of rapid ventricular pacing in 24 dogs. Subsequently, AF was induced and maintained by atrial pacing at 600 bpm. Dogs were randomized into control (n = 9) and VNS (n = 15) groups. In the VNS group, atrioventricular node fat pad stimulation (310 μs, 20 Hz, 3–7 mA) was delivered continuously for 6 months. LA volume and LA strain data were calculated from bi-weekly echocardiograms. Results RR intervals decreased with HF in both groups (p = 0.001), and decreased further during AF in control group (p = 0.014), with a non-significant increase in the VNS group during AF. LA size increased with HF (p<0.0001), with no additional increase during AF. LA strain decreased with HF (p = 0.025) and further decreased after induction of AF (p = 0.0001). LA strain decreased less (p = 0.001) in the VNS than in the control group. Beat-by-beat analysis showed a curvilinear increase of LA strain with longer preceding RR interval, (r = 0.45, p <0.0001) with LA strain 1.1% higher (p = 0.02) in the VNS-treated animals, independent of preceding RR interval duration. The curvilinear relationship between ratio of preceding and pre-preceding RR intervals, and subsequent LA strain was weaker, (r = 0.28, p = 0.001). However, VNS-treated animals again had higher LA strain (by 2.2%, p = 0.002) independently of the ratio of preceding and pre-preceding RR intervals. Conclusions In the underlying presence of pacing-induced HF, AF decreased LA strain, with little impact on LA size. LA strain depends on the preceding RR interval duration.
Mechanics of interaction and atomic-scale wear of amplitude modulation atomic force microscopy probes.

Wear is one of the main factors that hinders the performance of probes for atomic force microscopy (AFM), including for the widely used amplitude modulation (AM-AFM) mode. Unfortunately, a comprehe...
Total Erythrocyte and Leucocyte Counts in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Albino Rats.

Crosman1 recently stated that the average leucocyte count of the pregnant albino rat is approximately 7,000 to 10,000 higher than that of non-pregnant animals. Comparison with our data on pregnant and non-pregnant rats respectively, shows that there is such great fluctuation in the counts of individual rats that only averages from a long series are significant in this regard. Our average count for the leucocytes of the pregnant female rat throughout the last third of pregnancy (16 to 22 days) is 10,758 per cu. mm. of blood as against 12,372 for our non-pregnant animals. (Table I.) These results suggest a decrease in the average count of the leucocytes during the last third of pregnancy. Certainly no leucocyte increase occurs. A high peak appears in one maternal count at the time when the fetuses are from 23 to 27 mm. long (19th day), namely, 16,000 cells. The fact that 3 other rats with fetuses at this same stage of development showed a similar increase arrests attention. However, we do not consider it ju...
Abstract 3024: Targeting TMEPAI/PMEPA1 inhibits triple negative breast cancer cell growth and metastasis by enhancing growth suppressive TGF-β signaling

Triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) that lack estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and hormone epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2/neu) are aggressive and cause high mortality among breast cancer patients. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) dependency for their aggressive behavior (growth and metastasis) has been well established in many of these tumors. Although targeting TGF-β signaling has major potential to treat TNBCs, however it carries the risk of disturbing the tumor suppressive effects of TGF-β in early tumors and its homeostatic control of normal tissues. Hence there is a need to identify novel targets to impede tumor progression without compromising the beneficial effects of TGF-β signaling. To satisfy this unmet need, earlier we identified that transmembrane prostate androgen induced (TMEPAI/PMEPA1), a direct target gene of TGF-β could act as a “molecular switch” that converts TGF-β from a tumor suppressor to promoter in TNBC. Thus, we undertook the present study that identified a novel compound that blocked TMEPAI expression. We identified terpenoid derivatives (TD) which inhibited the expression of TMEPAI, enhanced TGF-β signaling and blocked proliferation, migration and invasion of several triple negative breast cancer cells in vitro. Our results showed that TD increased phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and increased PTEN, p21 and p27 proteins that cause growth suppression. Concomitantly, TD decreased Akt phosphorylation and reduced Snail and Slug that are required for cell growth and metastasis. Interestingly, TD did not affect the growth of normal human mammary epithelial cells and failed to cause associated molecular changes that can result in growth suppression. Notably, using mice models (nude mice and syngeneic BALB/c mice), we showed that TD reduced tumor burden significantly with little or no toxicity. Consistent with its ability to inhibit Akt phosphorylation and induction of Snail and Slug proteins, TD suppressed lung metastasis of TNBC in mice model. Importantly, reduced tumors derived from TD treated mice exhibited increased expression of pSmad2/3, PTEN, p21, p27 and reduced expression of pAkt compared to tumors obtained from vehicle treated mice. These results suggest that drugs that target TMEPAI will restore homeostatic functions of TGF-β to inhibit growth and metastasis of TNBC and thus prevent new tumor development. Citation Format: Prajjal Kanti Singha, Srilakshmi Pandeswara, Manjeri A. Venkatachalam, Pothana Saikumar. Targeting TMEPAI/PMEPA1 inhibits triple negative breast cancer cell growth and metastasis by enhancing growth suppressive TGF-β signaling. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3024.
Compact moving least squares: An optimization framework for generating high-order compact meshless discretizations

Abstract A generalization of the optimization framework typically used in moving least squares is presented that provides high-order approximation while maintaining compact stencils and a consistent treatment of boundaries. The approach, which we refer to as compact moving least squares, resembles the capabilities of compact finite differences but requires no structure in the underlying set of nodes. An efficient collocation scheme is used to demonstrate the capabilities of the method to solve elliptic boundary value problems in strong form stably without the need for an expensive weak form. The flexibility of the approach is demonstrated by using the same framework to both solve a variety of elliptic problems and to generate implicit approximations to derivatives. Finally, an efficient preconditioner is presented for the steady Stokes equations, and the approach's efficiency and high order of accuracy is demonstrated for domains with curvi-linear boundaries.
The Chinese Remainder Theorem and Applications

A number of common mathematical techniques in signal processing and data transmission have as their common basis an ancient number-theoretic theorem known as the Chinese remainder theorem. The scope of problems to which this applies is very wide. It includes cryptography, error control coding, fault-tolerant systems, and certain aspects of signal processing. In this chapter we present various versions of this theorem and discuss some of the problems to which it can be applied.
The curvilinear effects of sexual orientation on young adult substance use

Alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are commonly used by adolescents and linked with harmful health-related outcomes (e.g. injury, dependence). Moreover, heavy episodic (binge) drinking predicts more severe consequences. When examined by sexual orientation, highest rates of substance use have been found among bisexual individuals, with lower use at either end of the spectrum. When examined also by sex, this curvilinear trend is maintained among women but not men. These substance use patterns were identified using group differences (i.e. heterosexual vs. bisexual vs. homosexual). However, evidence suggests that sexual orientation is a continuous, not categorical, variable. This study examined the hypotheses that sexual orientation and commonly used substances (heavy episodic drinking, tobacco, marijuana) would have a quadratic relation among women, but not among men. Six negative binomial regressions tested study hypotheses using data from 7372 participants. Results indicated that sexual orientation had a quadratic relation with heavy episodic drinking, tobacco use, and marijuana use among women, as hypothesized. Additionally, a quadratic relation was found between marijuana use and sexual orientation among men. These findings indicate that women identifying as having mixed sexual orientation are at higher risk than women at either end of the sexual orientation continuum for substance use and related negative outcomes. For men, this is only true for marijuana use and resultant negative consequences. This observed increased use may relate to coping with increased stressors, which has been linked to more problematic use. By better understanding LBG identities and behaviors, clinicians and researchers will be more adept at identifying risk factors and better understanding the nuances across the sexual orientation spectrum.
Sensitivity of osteosarcoma cells to HDAC inhibitor AR-42 mediated apoptosis

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone tumor in both humans and dogs and is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in children and young adults. Limb sparing surgery along with chemotherapy has been the mainstay of treatment for OS. Many patients are not cured with current therapies, presenting a real need for developing new treatments. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are a promising new class of anticancer agents. In this study, we investigated the activity of the novel HDAC inhibitor AR-42 in a panel of human and canine OS cell lines. The effect of AR-42 and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) alone or in combination with doxorubicin on OS cell viability was assessed. Induction of histone acetylation after HDAC inhibitor treatment was confirmed by Western blotting. Drug-induced apoptosis was analyzed by FACS. Apoptosis was assessed further by measuring caspase 3/7 enzymatic activity, nucleosome fragmentation, and caspase cleavage. Effects on Akt signaling were demonstrated by assessing phosphorylation of Akt and downstream signaling molecules. AR-42 was a potent inhibitor of cell viability and induced a greater apoptotic response compared to SAHA when used at the same concentrations. Normal osteoblasts were much less sensitive. The combination of AR-42 with doxorubicin resulted in a potent inhibition of cell viability and apparent synergistic effect. Furthermore, we showed that AR-42 and SAHA induced cell death via the activation of the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway through activation of caspase 3/7. This potent apoptotic activity was associated with the greater ability of AR-42 to downregulate survival signaling through Akt. These results confirm that AR-42 is a potent inhibitor of HDAC activity and demonstrates its ability to significantly inhibit cell survival through its pleiotropic effects in both canine and human OS cells and suggests that spontaneous OS in pet dogs may be a useful large animal model for preclinical evaluation of HDAC inhibitors. HDAC inhibition in combination with standard doxorubicin treatment offers promising potential for chemotherapeutic intervention in both canine and human OS.
Trait contempt, anger, disgust, and moral foundation values☆

Abstract Moral emotion researchers have suggested that violations of different moral values may differentially elicit state contempt, anger, and disgust. However, research investigating trait emotions and their associations with moral values has largely focused on trait disgust; in this context, few studies have examined trait anger, and none have examined trait contempt. Across two studies, we examined trait contempt, anger, and disgust and their associations with six moral values: harm/care, fairness, loyalty, authority, purity, and reciprocity/equity. Participants completed trait contempt, anger, and disgust instruments and a measure of moral values. Multiple regressions were used to examine the unique associations between trait emotions and endorsement of each moral value. Across the two studies, trait contempt was negatively associated with multiple moral values (consistently with harm/care and loyalty), whereas trait disgust was positively associated with multiple moral values (consistently with harm/care and reciprocity/equity). Trait anger was weakly associated with harm/care and fairness values in Study 2, but not Study 1. Our results highlight an important new link between a contemptuous personality and diminished moral values, and suggest that trait disgust is strongly associated with moral values outside the purity domain.