cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hereditable Defects in Thyroid Peroxidase Function

The biochemical pathway leading to secretion of thyroid hormones depends on iodide transport, iodide oxidation, and binding of tyrosyl residues present in thyroglobulin (Tg). This requires a normal thyroid peroxidase (TPO), T2O2 generating system, and supply of iodide and Tg. Abnormalities of this process will be reviewed. Patients with defects of hormone synthesis typically display a compensatory growth of the thyroid and hypothyroidism or cretinism depending on the severity and time of onset of the thyroid hormone deficiency. These disorders are probably all congenital, however, the underlying genetics is not fully understood.
The effect of preincubation of human spermatozoa in milk on sperm penetration into zona-free hamster oocytes and on sperm binding to the human zona pellucida.

Objective To determine whether preincubation of sperm in milk enhances the outcome of sperm penetration assay (SPA) and hemizona assay (HZA) when compared with preincubation in TES and Tris (TEST)-yolk. Design Sperm penetration assay and HZA were performed on milk and TEST-yolk preincubated spermatozoa. Interventions Ejaculates were washed and divided into two equal aliquots. An equal volume of heat-inactivated cow's milk (95°C, 10minutes) was added to one aliquot and an equal volume of TEST-yolk was added to the other aliquot. Both sperm mixtures were cooled slowly to 5°C and incubated for 2hours. They were then washed twice (400× g for 8minutes) with culture medium at 37°C and processed for SPA and HZA. Main Outcome Measures Percentage of oocytes penetrated and the penetration index for the SPA. The number of sperm bound to hemizona and hemizona index for the HZA. Results Sperm preincubated in milk yielded significantly higher SPA results and hemizona index when compared with TEST-yolk. The penetration index and the number of sperm bound were high but were not statistically significant. Conclusion Preincubation of sperm in milk enhances the SPA and HZA outcome when compared with TEST-yolk.
Chronic Binge Alcohol Administration Dysregulates Hippocampal Genes Involved in Immunity and Neurogenesis in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Macaques

Alcohol use disorders (AUD) exacerbate neurocognitive dysfunction in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV+) patients. We have shown that chronic binge alcohol (CBA) administration (13-14 g EtOH/kg/wk) prior to and during simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in rhesus macaques unmasks learning deficits in operant learning and memory tasks. The underlying mechanisms of neurocognitive alterations due to alcohol and SIV are not known. This exploratory study examined the CBA-induced differential expression of hippocampal genes in SIV-infected (CBA/SIV+; n = 2) macaques in contrast to those of sucrose administered, SIV-infected (SUC/SIV+; n = 2) macaques. Transcriptomes of hippocampal samples dissected from brains obtained at necropsy (16 months post-SIV inoculation) were analyzed to determine differentially expressed genes. MetaCore from Thomson Reuters revealed enrichment of genes involved in inflammation, immune responses, and neurodevelopment. Functional relevance of these alterations was examined in vitro by exposing murine neural progenitor cells (NPCs) to ethanol (EtOH) and HIV trans-activator of transcription (Tat) protein. EtOH impaired NPC differentiation as indicated by decreased βIII tubulin expression. These findings suggest a role for neuroinflammation and neurogenesis in CBA/SIV neuropathogenesis and warrant further investigation of their potential contribution to CBA-mediated neurobehavioral deficits.
Introduction: Problem, Argument, Themes

This book explores urban sustainability across Greater Seattle through a series of regulatory, discursive, and investment strategies and emerging forms of territorial governance associated with the smart growth regional planning doctrine. The smart growth movement has been and largely remains into the 2010s, “the most prominent planning approach for sustainable land use and urban development” (J Am Plann Assoc 78:87–103, 2012, p. 90) in many parts of the USA. This chapter outlines the focus, purposes, and main arguments of the book. The discussion establishes the rising importance of forging sustainability through reshaping metropolitan space. It then argues that actually existing smart growth is spatially variegated across metropolitan space—i.e., unevenly taken up and differentially embedded in the urban fabric—because of what Karen Orren and Steven Skowronek (Political order, New York, 1996) call “intercurrence,” a key theoretical concept in the book that refers to the coexistence of multiple political orders. The chapter justifies the case study focus on Greater Seattle and concludes with a brief summary of the themes and arguments of the remaining chapters.
Temporal Association Between an Algal Bloom and Mutagenicity in a Water Reservoir

As a result of a human epidemiological investigation which found an association between a certain reservoir water and a high birth defect rate, a study of the reservoir water was undertaken. The reservoir water was found to be mutagenic in the Ames/Salmonella typhimurium assay over three consecutive sampling dates in 1978. The period of mutagenicity was temporally matched with reservoir algal bloom. In 1979, the water was not determined to be mutagenic and there was no algal bloom. The mutagenic response was found only in the Salmonella strain TA1537 and only in the presence of the S-9 liver microsomal fraction. The predominant alga in the algal bloom was found to be Oscillatoria subbrevis Schmidle.
Hybrid actuation with complementary allocation for depth control of a Lagrangian sea‐floor imaging platform

A hybrid depth control approach, which utilizes both active buoyancy control and a bi-directional vertical thruster, is presented for the Shallow Water Lagrangian Imaging Float. The approach is shown to reduce propulsion power and increase tracking accuracy compared to a single actuator system. Results are presented from field trials at Cordell Bank Marine Sanctuary and Scott Reef Nature Reserve at depths up to 60 m. Using heuristically tuned controllers, the hybrid actuation approach reduces average propulsion power by 65% with respect to a thruster-only system, and by 73% with respect to a piston-only system. A further 58% reduction in power consumption, and a 26% reduction in mean tracking error, is realized by combining state feedback control with a pair of complementary filters. The complementary filters are used to allocate vertical force command between the two actuation modes. Simulations are used to demonstrate that the power savings compared to a thruster-only system result from elimination of steady state trim errors that are otherwise inevitable in field deployments. The control architecture described allows the user to directly tune (a) the time constant of the desired first-order system dynamics and (b) the frequency cutoff between control using the “slow” active buoyancy system and control using the “fast” bi-directional thruster. The results indicate that hybrid actuation and complementary filtering for control allocation are enabling technologies for energy-constrained deep water platforms.
The Use of Extracorporeal Circulation in Bypass Surgery

Cardiac surgeons have employed a variety of operative techniques designed to achieve optimal results at minimal risk to the coronary bypass patients. The next several chapters will be concerned with variations in operative techniques used by surgeons nationwide. Particular emphasis will be placed on the problem of surgically introduced myocardial damage and the techniques that have been developed to perform the operation safely in the setting that precise bypass graft anastomoses require.
Blocking nocturnal blue light for insomnia: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract The use of light-emitting electronic devices before bedtime may contribute to or exacerbate sleep problems. Exposure to blue-wavelength light in particular from these devices may affect sleep by suppressing melatonin and causing neurophysiologic arousal. We aimed to determine if wearing amber-tinted blue light-blocking lenses before bedtime improves sleep in individuals with insomnia. Fourteen individuals (n = 8 females; age ± SD 46.6 ± 11.5 y) with insomnia symptoms wore blue light-blocking amber lenses or clear placebo lenses in lightweight wraparound frames for 2 h immediately preceding bedtime for 7 consecutive nights in a randomized crossover trial (4-wk washout). Ambulatory sleep measures included the Pittsburgh Insomnia Rating Scale (PIRS) completed at the end of each intervention period, and daily post-sleep questionnaire and wrist-actigraphy. PIRS total scores, and Quality of Life, Distress, and Sleep Parameter subscales, were improved in amber vs. clear lenses condition (p-values Clinical trials registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02698800.
Social optimization problems with decentralized and selfish optimal strategies

In this paper, we consider cooperative multi-agent systems minimizing a social cost. Each agent tries to minimize the deviation from the average collective behavior and to a local command input. In principle, the optimal solution is centralized and requires a complete communication graph. We study this problem for two important system input-output norms, the induced norm and the per-agent norm squared, as function of the number of agents, n. For the case of identical agents, we show that the optimal social solution is always decentralized and characterize the local optimization problem each agent needs to solve. The solution is decentralized but not selfish in the sense that the local optimization problem is not the same as that of a single isolated agent and also depends on the number of agents. In the case of the per-agent H 2 norm squared cost, we have similar results. However, in this case, we show that the optimal decentralized selfish solution is socially optimal in the limit of large n. We study some extensions that include norm constraints, and performance indices not restricted to only penalizing the variations for averages. We also present some extensions of the results to the cases of nonuniform averaging and non uniform agent dynamics. In simple terms, these results, identify important problem classes where decentralized and possibly selfish behaviors are socially optimal, and for which inter-agent communication is unnecessary.
An Experimental Analysis of the Impact of Information Revelation Policies in Sequential Auctions

Theoretical models of information asymmetry have identified a trade-off between the desire to learn and the desire to prevent an opponent from learning private information. This paper reports a laboratory experiment that investigates if actual bidders account for this trade-off, using a sequential procurement auction with private cost information and varying information revelation policies. Specifically, the Complete Information Revelation Policy, where all submitted bids are revealed between auctions, is compared to the Incomplete Information Revelation Policy, where only the winning bid is revealed. The experimental results are largely consistent with the theoretical predictions. For example, bidders pool with other types to prevent an opponent from learning significantly more often under a Complete Information Revelation Policy. Also as predicted, the procurer pays less when employing an Incomplete Information Revelation Policy only when the market is highly competitive. Bids are usually more aggressive than the risk-neutral quantitative prediction, which is broadly consistent with risk aversion.
(2,4,6-Trimethyl­dithio­benzoato-κ2S,S′)bis­(triphenyl­phosphine-κP)gold(I)

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Au(C10H8S2)(C18H15P)2], consists of two independent mol­ecules. The Au coordination environment can be described as a highly distorted tetra­hedral arrangement (S2AuP2), but is more accurately described as a flattened trigonal pyramid defined by three normal covalent bonds (SAuP2), with a second S atom more distantly bonded to the Au atom.
Echolocation I: Behavior

Echolocation is the active detection, localization, identification, and avoidance or capture of targets, using echoes of emitted sounds. It is most highly developed in Microchiropteran bats and dolphins. Both exhibit extraordinary echolocation capabilities that require equally extraordinary adaptations of the auditory nervous system. Bats emit brief, ultrasonic sounds containing constant frequency (CF) and broadband frequency modulation (FM) components in patterns that are species specific and tailored to the amount of acoustic ‘clutter’ in the environment. Exaggerated sensitivity to echoes, extraordinary temporal resolution, highly directional hearing, and the ability to overcome acoustic ‘clutter’ are essential adaptations of echolocation.
The impact of sexual abuse treatment on the social work clinician.

A growing body of literature exists on the prevalence and psychological sequelae of sexual abuse and its treatment. However, less attention has been focused on the experience of clinicians who treat these clients. This article uses the concept of vicarious traumatization (McCann and Pearlman, 1990a) to describe the impact this work may have on the social work clinician. The issues addressed include the impact of the work on the clinician's world-view and the possibility that there is a grief process as clinicians come to terms with their exposure to traumatic material. Implications of this reaction and suggestions to alleviate the detrimental effects arc addressed.
An Improved Non-Intubated Cutaneous Ureterostomy Technique for the Normal and Dilated Ureter

Cutaneous ureterostomy is a simple procedure to perform but is attended by high morbidity owing to recurring abscesses, strictures and stenosis of the stoma. An improved technique applied to the diversion of 4 normal renal units and 3 dilated ureters is described. We have not experienced the complications mentioned in previous studies and none of the patients has required ureteral intubation in this small series with a 3-year followup.
THE ROLE OF FUNCTIONAL STATUS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BLOOD PRESSURE AND COGNITIVE DECLINE

The objective of this study was to examine whether self-reported functional status modified the association between blood pressure (BP) and cognitive decline among older adults. The study included 2,097 U.S. adults aged 75 years and older from the Cardiovascular Health Study, followed for up to 6 years. Functional status was ascertained by self-reported limitation in activities of daily living (ADL; none vs. any). Cognitive function was assessed by the Modified Mini Mental State Exam (3MSE). We used linear mixed models to examine whether the presence of ≥ 1 ADL limitation modified the association between BP and cognitive decline. Potential confounders included demographics, physiologic measures, antihypertensive medication use and apolipoprotein E ɛ4 allele. We conducted stratified analyses for significant interactions between BP and ADL. The association between BP and change in 3MSE differed by baseline ADL limitation. Among participants without ADL limitation, elevated systolic BP (≥ 140 mmHg) was associated with a 0.16 decrease (95% CI: -0.25, -0.08); p-value for interaction<0.001, whereas in those with an ADL limitation, elevated systolic BP was independently associated with a 0.38 increase in 3MSE scores per year (95% CI: 0.13, 0.62). Elevated diastolic BP (≥80 mmHg) was associated with an increase in cognitive function in both groups, although the increase was greater in those with ADL limitation (0.52 points per year vs. 0.17 points per year, p-value for interaction =0.007). Elevated BP appears to be associated with decreases in cognitive scores among functioning older adults, and modest improvements in cognitive function among poorly functioning elders.
Knowledge of Palliative Care Among American Adults: 2018 Health Information National Trends Survey.

Abstract Context Palliative care will play an important role to alleviate disease suffering and improve quality of life for cancer patients and their family caregivers. Objective We examined the knowledge penetration of palliative care in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Methods We used the 2018 National Cancer Institute's Health Information National Trends Survey to determine the proportion of respondents who had knowledge of palliative care as well as the depth and sources of their knowledge. We used the Pearson chi-square test and a multivariable logistic regression model to assess the association of respondents' basic demographic characteristics as well as health status and having knowledge of palliative care. Results We identified 3194 respondents (weighted sample size: 229,591,005) who met the inclusion criteria. About 71% (2097) of all respondents had no knowledge of palliative care and 84.5% of Hispanic respondents had no knowledge of palliative care. Multivariable analyses indicated the middle-aged (50–64 years old, odds ratio, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.15–2.19, P = 0.006) and elder population (65 years or older, odds ratio, 1.70, 95% CI, 1.30–2.22, P Conclusion The proportion of adults who have knowledge of palliative care is low in the U.S. Greater efforts are needed to promote palliative care and reduce the misconceptions of palliative care in the general population.
Flood Depth Estimation from Web Images

Natural hazards have been resulting in severe damage to our cities, and flooding is one of the most disastrous in the U.S and worldwide. Therefore, it is critical to develop efficient methods for risk and damage assessments after natural hazards, such as flood depth estimation. Existing works primarily leverage photos and images capturing flood scenes to estimate flood depth using traditional computer vision and machine learning techniques. However, the advancement of deep learning (DL) methods make it possible to estimate flood depth more accurate. Therefore, based on state-of-the-art DL technique (i.e., Mask R-CNN) and publicly available images from the Internet, this study aims to investigate and improve the flood depth estimation. Specifically, human objects are detected and segmented from flooded images to infer the floodwater depth. This study provides a new framework to extract critical information from large accessible online data for rescue teams or even robots to carry out appropriate plans for disaster relief and rescue missions in the urban area, shedding lights on the real-time detection of the flood depth.
Wild Bee Visitation Rates Exceed Pollination Thresholds in Commercial Cucurbita Agroecosystems.

Wild bees supply sufficient pollination in Cucurbita agroecosystems in certain settings; however, some growers continue to stock fields with managed pollinators due to uncertainties of temporal and spatial variation on pollination services supplied by wild bees. Here, we evaluate wild bee pollination activity in wholesale, commercial pumpkin fields over 3 yr. We identified 37 species of bees foraging in commercial pumpkin fields. Honey bees (Apis mellifera L. [Hymenoptera: Apidae]), squash bees (Eucera (Peponapis) Say, Dorchin [Hymenoptera: Apidae]), and bumble bees (Bombus spp., primarily B. impatiens Cresson [Hymenoptera: Apidae]) were the most active pollinator taxa, responsible for over 95% of all pollination visits. Preference for female flowers decreased as distance from field edge increased for several bee taxa. Visitation rates from one key pollinator was negatively affected by field size. Visitation rates for multiple taxa exhibited a curvilinear response as the growing season progressed and responded positively to increasing floral density. We synthesized existing literature to estimate minimum ‘pollination thresholds’ per taxa and determined that each of the most active pollinator taxa exceeded these thresholds independently. Under current conditions, renting honey bee hives may be superfluous in this system. These results can aid growers when executing pollination management strategies and further highlights the importance of monitoring and conserving wild pollinator populations.
MJO Teleconnections over the PNA Region in Climate Models. Part II: Impacts of the MJO and Basic State

AbstractIn an assessment of 29 global climate models (GCMs), Part I of this study identified biases in boreal winter MJO teleconnections in anomalous 500-hPa geopotential height over the Pacific–No...
Lipid Shell Retention and Selective Binding Capability Following Repeated Transient Acoustic Microdroplet Vaporization.

Targeted therapy and molecular imaging using ultrasound have been widely explored using microbubble contrast agents, and more recently, activatable droplet contrast agents that vaporize when expose...
Oncology nursing essentials: then and now.

Forty years ago, in 1975, if you were a practicing clinical oncology nurse, you may have been working in an inpatient setting, acting as a primary care nurse during your 8- to 10-hour shift, and caring for patients with lymphoma or leukemia who were receiving multiple-day infusion treatment. These patients, most of whom were receiving a variation of standard chemotherapy regimens, were treated as inpatients because they were or would be very sick, based on their reaction to chemotherapy and their need for urgent symptom management. .
Guideline-Recommended Symptom Management Strategies That Cross Over Two or More Cancer Symptoms.

Problem identification Patients with cancer experience multiple symptoms, but current practice is driven by guidelines that address single symptoms. Identifying symptom management strategies recommended across two or more symptoms could relieve multiple symptoms and reduce patient burden. Literature search The Oncology Nursing Society, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, and American Society of Clinical Oncology websites were searched to identify management guidelines for 15 symptoms. Data evaluation The authors extracted symptom management strategies and recommendations. Recommendations were synthesized by symptom across the guidelines, and recommended strategies were compared across symptoms. Synthesis Among 32 guidelines reviewed, a total of 88 symptom management strategies (41 pharmacologic, 47 nonpharmacologic) were recommended across two or more symptoms. Implications for practice Findings support the potential for coordinated selection of symptom management strategies that cross over multiple symptoms in a patient. Investigators should test these symptom management strategies in the context of co-occurring symptoms and develop guidelines that address multiple symptoms.
Primary prevention of sickle cell disease using preimplantation genetic testing and in vitro fertilization is cost-effective.

Withdrawal: Primary prevention of sickle cell disease using preimplantation genetic testing and in vitro fertilization is cost-effective. The above article, published online on 20 August 2020 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com) as an Accepted Article, has been withdrawn by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor in Chief, and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The article has been withdrawn after the accepted article was posted online, the authors received independent feedback that has prompted them to review their analysis in the article to ensure that the original conclusions are accurate.
The Rise and Fall of the AMEX Emerging Company Marketplace

In 1992, the AMEX launched the Emerging Company Marketplace (ECM) to trade the stocks of small but growing companies. After listing on the ECM, stocks experienced dramatic decreases in bid-ask spreads, but showed mixed results on price and trading volume. News coverage of the ECM stocks rose significantly. Yet few firms chose to list on the new ECM, and the AMEX closed it in 1995. What went wrong? A series of scandals tarred the image of the exchange. Furthermore, auction markets historically have not fared well against dealer markets for very small firms. For some companies, it is worthwhile to subsidize the distribution channel for their stock by listing in a higher transaction cost dealer market, which gives dealers incentive to publicize the firm.
Honey bee sHSP are responsive to diverse proteostatic stresses and potentially promising biomarkers of honey bee stress

The pollination services provided by the honey bee are critical in both natural and agricultural ecosystems. Honey bee colonies in the United States have suffered from an increased rate of die-off in recent years, stemming from a complex set of interacting stresses that remain poorly described. Defining specific common cellular processes and cellular stress responses impacted by multiple stressors represent a key step in understanding these synergies. Proteotoxic stresses negatively impact protein synthesis, folding, and degradation. Diverse proteotoxic stresses induce expression of genes encoding small heat shock proteins (sHSP) of the expanded lethal (2) essential for life (l(2)efl) gene family. In addition to upregulation by the Integrated Stress Response (ISR), the Heat Shock Response (HSR), and the Oxidative Stress Response (OSR), our data provide first evidence that sHSP genes are upregulated by the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). As these genes appear to be part of a core stress response that could serve as a useful biomarker for cellular stress in honey bees, we designed and tested an RT-LAMP assay to detect increased l(2)efl gene expression in response to heat-stress. While this assay provides a powerful proof of principle, further work will be necessary to link changes in sHSP gene expression to colony-level outcomes, to adapt our preliminary assay into a Point of Care Testing (POCT) assay appropriate for use as a diagnostic tool for use in the field, and to couple assay results to management recommendations.
On the kinetics of voltage formation in purple membranes of Halobacterium salinarium

The kinetics of the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle, measured by voltage changes in a closed membrane system using the direct electrometrical method (DEM) of Drachev, L.A., Jasaitus, A.A., Kaulen, A.D., Kondrashin, A.A., Liberman, E.A., Nemecek, I.B., Ostroumov, S.A., Semenov, Yu, A. & Skulachev, V.P. (1974) Nature 249, 321-324 are sixfold slower than the kinetics obtained in optical studies with suspensions of purple membrane patches. In this study, we have investigated the reasons for this discrepancy. In the presence of the uncouplers carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone or valinomycin, the rates in the DEM system are similar to the rates in suspensions of purple membrane. Two alternative explanations for the effects of uncouplers were evaluated: (a) the 'back-pressure' of the Deltamicro;H+ slows the kinetic steps leading to its formation, and (b) the apparent difference between the two systems is due to slow major electrogenic events that produce little or no change in optical absorbance. In the latter case, the uncouplers would decrease the RC time constant for membrane capacitance leading to a quicker discharge of voltage and concomitant decrease in photocycle turnover time. The experimental results show that the primary cause for the slower kinetics of voltage changes in the DEM system is thermodynamic back-pressure as described by Westerhoff, H.V. & Dancshazy, Z. (1984) Trends Biochem. Sci. 9, 112-117.
Planning Models for Wide-Area Communication Network Design with Response-Time-Dependent Offered Traffic

We address an important planning problem occurring in the design of wide-area networks. Specifically, given a proposed or existing network topology and capacities, we determine how much potential traffic can be accommodated. We present models which recognize that some but not all users will tolerate delays. To do this, we develop routing models for different situations with response-time-dependent offered traffic. Since different user applications have different delay tolerances, the proposed link capacities may be insufficient for some users. This problem is especially important in internetworking, because the LANs modeled as nodes often contain many different types of users. In these problems, it may be too expensive to design capacity sufficient to ensure the instantaneous transmissions that only a few users need. Computational results show that the proposed models can be solved efficiently.
Diversities and Complexities in the Health of Asian Women

Eun-Ok Im, PhD, MPH, RN, CNS, FAAN, is the Marjorie O. Rendell Endowed Professor in the School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Approximately 15 million Asians, including three million midlife women, reside in the United States (U.S. Census Bureau, 2011). From 2000 to 2010, the Asian American population grew faster than any other major racial/ethnic group by 43% (U.S. Census Bureau, 2011). Despite the rapidly increasing number of Asians in the United States, very little is known about their health. Indeed, very few studies have been conducted among this specific population because they have been regarded as a healthy immigrant group whose morbidity and mortality rates of acute and chronic diseases are lower than those of any other racial/ethnic groups in the United States.
Polymer mechanochemistry: the design and study of mechanophores

The burgeoning field of polymer mechanochemistry has garnered significant interest in recent years. Mechanochemical transformations are those that are promoted by exogenous forces, and polymer mechanochemistry concentrates on the use of polymer chains to translate mechanical forces to chemical systems. Acoustic fields, particularly ultrasound, have proven to be highly efficient progenitors of tensile stresses within macromolecules and are frequently used to facilitate mechanochemical phenomena. Mechanochemical activation often arises when mechanophores, or functional groups that respond to mechanical perturbation in a controlled manner, are appropriately positioned within a polymer chain to experience tensile forces. A variety of interesting transformations have been realized when well-designed mechanophores have been properly outfitted with polymer chains, including: thermally inaccessible isomerizations and cycloreversions, symmetry-forbidden electrocyclic ring openings and activation of latent catalysts. Herein, the chemistry of known mechanophores is summarized and augmented with implications for new opportunities in synthesis and materials science. The focus of this mini-review is limited to mechanophores that have been specifically adapted for polymer mechanochemistry under acoustic activation. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Quantum energy density: Improved efficiency for quantum Monte Carlo calculations

We establish a physically meaningful representation of a quantum energy density for use in quantum Monte Carlo calculations. The energy density operator, defined in terms of Hamiltonian components and density operators, returns the correct Hamiltonian when integrated over a volume containing a cluster of particles. This property is demonstrated for a helium-neon ``gas,'' showing that atomic energies obtained from the energy density correspond to eigenvalues of isolated systems. The formation energies of defects or interfaces are typically calculated as total-energy differences. Using a model of $\ensuremath{\delta}$-doped silicon (where dopant atoms form a thin plane) we show how interfacial energies can be calculated more efficiently with the energy density, since the region of interest is small. We also demonstrate how the energy density correctly transitions to the bulk limit away from the interface where the correct energy is obtainable from a separate total-energy calculation.
Longitudinal Magnetoresistance in n-Type Germanium: Experimental

Measurements of the longitudinal magnetoresistance of single crystals of pure and doped $n$-type germamanium oriented in the $〈100〉$, $〈110〉$, and $〈111〉$ directions have been made in magnetic fields up to 300 kgauss over the temperature interval 20\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}-300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The magnetoresistance ratio $\frac{\ensuremath{\rho}(H)}{\ensuremath{\rho}(0)}$ was found to vary linearly with magnetic field strength in the quantum limit. Magnetoresistance ratios less than one were observed and explained on the basis of the many-valley structure of the conduction band. The saturation of magnetoresistance predicted by classical transport theory was observed at the higher end of the temperature range and used to demonstrate a temperature variation of the anisotropy parameter $K$.
Neuronal degeneration in aging and after experimental injury.

Abstract In this study an attempt has been made to compare the nature of degeneration in neurons in the spinal cord of old mice with experimentally injured ones and also to study any morphological evidence of degeneration in neurons showing immunological reaction. When the sciatic nerve was cut and avulsed on one side the early degenerative changes in the affected neurons included swelling of the cells, eccentric position of the nucleus and reduced basophilia with dispersion of Nissl substance. The changes were observed in all neurons irrespective of their fate. Later changes in the form of shrinkage, distortion and breakdown of cells, lobulation and breakdown of the nucleus and markedly pale nucleolus were considered as evidence of irreparable damage to neurons. Neither early changes of degeneration nor any evidence of regeneration could be demonstrated in the degenerating neurons without experimental injury in CNS of aged mice by the histological and histochemical techniques. An injection of serum from old mice into one cerebral hemisphere and damage to blood-brain barrier in old mice indicated a severe damage in at least 25 per cent of cells showing antigen-antibody reaction by the immunofluorescence method. The present study indicates that neuronal degeneration in normally aging mice differs from the degeneration following axonal injury and is possibly brought about by an immunological reaction of the cells against the neuron-reactive antibodies present in the serum of old mice.
Decision theory in expert systems and artificial intelligence

Abstract Despite their different perspectives, artificial intelligence (AI) and the disciplines of decision science have common roots and strive for similar goals. This paper surveys the potential for addressing problems in representation, inference, knowledge engineering, and explanation within the decision-theoretic framework. Recent analyses of the restrictions of several traditional AI reasoning techniques, coupled with the development of more tractable and expressive decision-theoretic representation and inference strategies, have stimulated renewed interest in decision theory and decision analysis. We describe early experience with simple probabilistic schemes for automated reasoning, review the dominant expert-system paradigm, and survey some recent research at the crossroads of AI and decision science. In particular, we present the belief network and influence diagram representations. Finally, we discuss issues that have not been studied in detail within the expert-systems setting, yet are crucial for developing theoretical methods and computational architectures for automated reasoners.
Too Many Students, Too Little Time: Creating and Implementing a Self-Paced, Interactive Computer Tutorial for the Libraries' Online Catalog

Abstract The goal of the project presented in this article was to create a tutorial for the University of Louisville's online catalog, Minerva, using an authoring software program. This article describes the thought process behind this decision, how the appropriate software was chosen, how the tutorial was designed and implemented, and how the project was evaluated. The tutorial is the first step in helping all students become information literate and works in coordination with the library session, which furthers the process by helping them learn how to evaluate and use the information they find.
Studies on Removing Sulfachloropyridazine from Groundwater with Microbial Bioreactors

Sulfachloropyridazine (SCP), an antibiotic used in aquaculture and in animal husbandry, is a common contaminant in surface and groundwaters. Two types of microbial reactors were evaluated as methods for removing SCP from flowing water. One type of reactor evaluated was a nitrogen-limiting biobarrier; the other a slow-sand-filter. Results showed that the soybean oil-fed, nitrogen-limiting biobarrier was not very effective at removing SCP from flowing water. When supplied with flowing water containing 2.4 mg l−1 SCP the nitrogen-limiting biobarrier removed ~0.6 mg l−1 SCP or about 28% of that present. SCP removal by the nitrogen-limiting biobarrier may not have been biological as abiotic removal was not ruled out. More efficient biological removal was obtained with the slow-sand-filter which reduced the SCP levels from 2.35 to 0.048 mg l−1, a removal efficiency of ~98%. High levels of nitrate nitrogen, 50 mg l−1 N, did not interfere with the removal processes of either reactor suggesting that SCP was not being degraded as a microbial nitrogen source.
Racial disparity in membrane response to infectious stimuli: a possible explanation for observed differences in the incidence of prematurity ☆: Community Award Paper

Abstract Objective This study compares the immune responsiveness of amniochorionic membranes (AC) derived from African American (AA) and white (C) women to an infectious stimulus ex vivo. Study design AC derived from AA and C women were placed in an organ explant culture for 48 hours and then stimulated with endotoxin. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay measured the concentration of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and soluble TNF receptors (sTNFR1and sTNFR2) in culture media from stimulated and unstimulated AC. Results The C group produced 8-fold more TNF-α after stimulation than did the AA group. Both soluble receptor (R1 and R2) production increased in the C group and decreased in the AA group after stimulation. Although the C group–derived membranes produced more MMP9 at rest, a 6-fold increase in MMP9 concentration was seen in the AA group–derived membranes after stimulation. No change in MMP9 concentration was seen after stimulation of the C group–derived membranes. Conclusion Although the C group produced more TNF, they also produce higher sTNFRs, which may serve a protective role. The increased MMP9 release by the AA group may be suggestive of the greater risk of premature rupture of membranes in the AA group.
Development of EUV lithography tools at Nikon

Exposure performance of projection optics with different flare level was compared in EUV1. Ultimate resolution of EUV1 was evaluated using alternate phase shift mask and resist modulation was obtained down to 16nmL/S. Modeling of carbon contamination growth and cleaning was established based on exposure experiments using a synchrotron source. Based on the modeling, in-situ cleaning condition using oxygen in EUV1 was optimized. As a result, carbon contamination growth in EUV1 was completely suppressed. Optical design of projection optics with numerical aperture of over 0.4 was investigated. 6-mirror system with central obscuration seems to be promising. EUV actinic wavefront metrology scheme without using a synchrotron source, which can be used as on-body wavefront metrology, was developed and its practicality was demonstrated.
Malondialdehyde-acetaldehyde-protein adducts increase secretion of chemokines by rat hepatic stellate cells.

Abstract Findings obtained from our recent studies have demonstrated that malondialdehyde, a product of lipid peroxidation, and acetaldehyde can react together with proteins in a synergistic manner and form hybrid protein conjugates, which have been designated as malondialdehyde–acetaldehyde (MAA)–protein adducts. These adducts have been detected in livers of ethanol-fed rats and are immunogenic because significant increases in circulating antibody titers against MAA-adducted proteins have been observed in ethanol-fed rats and more recently in human alcoholics. Although immunological factors may tend to perpetuate liver injury, little is known about the direct functional consequences of MAA-adducted proteins on the different cellular populations of the liver. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) have been shown to be pivotal in the pathogenesis of fibrosis and in the amplification and self-perpetuation of the inflammatory process. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of MAA-adducted proteins on the function of HSCs. Rat HSCs were exposed to various amounts of MAA–protein adducts and their unmodified controls, and the secretion of two chemokines, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, that are involved in the chemotaxis of monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils, respectively, was determined. We observed that bovine serum albumin–MAA induced a dose- and time-dependent increase in the secretion of both of these chemokines. These findings indicate that MAA-adducted proteins may play a role in the modulation of the hepatic inflammatory response and could contribute to the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease.
Normative pluralism: Islam, religion and law in the twenty-first century

Abstract Four new books on Islam and law provide the occasion for reflection on legal and religious pluralism. Bringing together a more nuanced and complex understanding of religion — one not determined by Enlightenment ideologies of separation — and of law — one also freed of Enlightenment notions of positivism and secularism — provide opportunities for ways to re-think the cultures of normative pluralism.
The solution structure of a specific GAGA factor-DNA complex reveals a modular binding mode.

The structure of a complex between the DMA binding domain of the GAGA factor (GAGA-DBD) and an oligonucleotide containing its GAGAG consensus binding site has been determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The GAGA-DBD comprises a single classical Cys2–His2 zinc finger core, and an N-terminal extension containing two highly basic regions, BR1 and BR2. The zinc finger core binds in the major groove and recognizes the first three GAG bases of the consensus in a manner similar to that seen in other classical zinc finger–DNA complexes. Unlike the latter, which require tandem zinc finger repeats with a minimum of two units for high affinity binding, the GAGA-DBD makes use of only a single finger complemented by BR1 and BR2. BR2 forms a helix that interacts in the major groove recognizing the last G of the consensus, while BR1 wraps around the DNA in the minor groove and recognizes the A in the fourth position of the consensus. The implications of the structure of the GAGA-DBD–DNA complex for chromatin remodelling are discussed.
Magnetic resonance imaging of Alzheimer's disease

1. Although dementia is caused by a heterogeneous group of diseases and pathologic states, Alzheimer's disease is the largest cause, estimated to account for 50 to 75% of all dementias. 2. Unfortunately, confirmation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) requires postmortem histologic confirmation; clinical diagnosis prior to death remains one of exclusion. 3. A large number of structural and volumetric MRI studies have noted anatomic and structural changes accompanying AD, including variable degrees of general cortical atrophy. 4. A classic feature reported by many MRI studies is hippocampal and temporal lobe atrophy. 5. White matter hyperintensities on MRI are common, especially in late onset AD although their significance is still controversial. 6. This article reviews the contribution of magnetic resonance to imaging the neuropathologic changes of AD, discussing both advantages and limitations, and summarizing the major findings.
Influence of fabric and soil suction on the mechanical behavior of a kaolinitic clay

Abstract An empirical analysis based on data from 48 one-dimensional compression tests on specimens from 6 different fabric samples is used to examine the influence of void ratio, particle-orientation characteristics, and soil suction on the load-deformation behavior of a kaolinite clay. This is accomplished by approximating the stress—strain response with a two-coefficient hyperbola and studying the variations of these coefficients (one of which is related to the initial tangent modulus and the other to the ultimate strength) with the afore-mentioned intrinsic behavioral parameters. The results indicate that the initial tangent modulus and the strength both increase with decreasing values of the soil suction and the void ratio, but the trends more dere defenitive in the case of strength. Although the effects of particle orientation on the initial tangent modulus were not clear, its effect on the strength parameter and secant modulus was evident.
Climate Change and Urban Transportation in Latin America: Analysis of Recent Projects

Urban transportation investments present an opportunity to mitigate climate change while supporting effective, clean, safe, and equitable transportation. This study reports on the response of a set of urban transportation investments in Latin America to climate change. A sample of recent transportation projects funded by an international bank was analyzed to learn what kinds of infrastructure, plans, and policies were being pursued and to assess whether projects developed specifically to address climate change differed from other projects. Loans and grants supported a mix of infrastructure for transit, bicycles, and pedestrians, as well as institutional strengthening. Although only a few projects explicitly addressed climate change mitigation, their impacts on mode choice and urban development almost surely have had positive effects compared with what would have happened without them. In some cases, however, funding for road construction at the urban fringe may induce outward urban expansion and greater a...
Immune Responses to Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Antigens: A Comparison of the Murine Model and the Response in Humans

responses of these two organisms, several major points of similarity have emerged. In both cases the role of the spleen is of importance in mounting an immune response. In both species the presence of certain malignancies causes profound immunosuppression, and treatment of malignancies with radiation and/or cytotoxic drugs results in severe impairment of the host's ability to respond to an immunogenic stimulus and to continue biosynthesis of the specific antibody. In the time since the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine was licensed and made available to the medical community, a large number of applications of the vaccine, in addition to the prevention of infections due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, have become apparent. These applications include the study of the immune response to polysaccharide antigens of the host immunocompromised because of disease, treatment, or genetic disorder. Under the aegis of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a number of such projects have been conducted. These projects (table 1) include investigation in humans of the immune response to the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine of patients with hyposplenic function or asplenia, Hodgkin's disease, and a variety of other illnesses that place individuals at high risk of acquiring pneumococcal infections. Investigation of the response to pneumococcal polysaccharide antigens in the murine model offers insight into the functioning of the immune system of humans. Three aspects of the relationship between the immune responses of mice and humans will be discussed: (1) the role of the spleen, (2) the role of malignancy, and (3) the ef