cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Use of Stimulant Medication to Treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Elite Athletes: A Performance and Health Perspective

The use of stimulants as a treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among elite athletes is a controversial area with some arguing that stimulant use should not be permitted because it offers an advantage to athletes (fair play perspective). Guided by an integrated model of athletic performance, we address common concerns raised about stimulant use in sports from our perspective, which we coined the “performance and health perspective,” highlighting relevant research and pointing to gaps in empirical research that should be addressed before bans on use of stimulants for athletes with ADHD are considered. The current article posits that a stimulant ban for athletes with ADHD does not necessarily facilitate fair play, ensure safety, or align with existing policies of large governing bodies. Instead, we recommend that stimulant medication be allowed in high-level sport, following proper diagnosis by a trained professional and a cardiac assessment to confirm no underlying heart conditions. Athletes with ADHD approved to use stimulant medication should be monitored by a health care professional, physically reevaluated and reassessed for ADHD as clinically appropriate and as indicated by relevant sports governing bodies. This performance and health perspective is consistent with that of multiple sport governing bodies who offer therapeutic use.
Factitious Disorders and the Adjudication of Claims of Physical and Mental Injury

Factitious disorder involves the deceptive presentation of oneself or another as genuinely ill, for psychological benefits, as opposed to purely material ones. Although factitious disorders have been officially recognized since the DSM-III, and over a thousand articles and chapters have been written on the topic, the research base in this area is poorly developed, owing to the elusive quality of people with factitious disorder. Nevertheless, the issue of whether physical or mental illnesses or injuries that arise in legal cases are genuine, malingered, or factitious must be addressed by mental health examiners who serve as expert witnesses in such cases. In this review, we define and describe factitious disorder, including factitious disorder imposed on the self and factitious disorder imposed on another. We review what little is known about it, contrast it with related conditions, and review legal cases in which the theory of the case developed by a plaintiff or defendant might relate to the question of whether factitious disorder is present.
Forensic Drug Identification, Confirmation, and Quantification Using Fully Integrated Gas Chromatography with Fourier Transform Infrared and Mass Spectrometric Detection (GC-FT-IR-MS).

This manuscript is a continuation of a recent study that described the use of fully integrated gas chromatography with direct deposition Fourier transform infrared detection and mass spectrometric ...
Die Natur der strahlenden Energie

Die bisher behandelten Probleme gehorten alle der Molekularphysik an. Die Entdeckung des Elektrons und die Ermittlung seiner Eigenschaften bte aber auch auf den weiteren Ausbau der Physik des Athers einen gewaltigen Einflus aus. Gerade diese Entwicklung verdient unsere besondere Aufmerksamkeit, freilich fuhrt sie in Forschungsgebiete, wo der Physiker bis jetzt nur ganz unklar und wie im Nebel sieht — ja man mus sagen, wo der Physiker in unseren Tagen sogar noch unklarer sieht, als er es vor etwa 20 Jahren zu tun glaubte.
Minimally Invasive Medical Microwave Ablation Technology

Minimally invasive intervention offers many benefits: long incisions are replaced with a puncture wound, major cardiac and pulmonary complications are sidestepped, the need for postoperative intensive care is significantly reduced, and in many cases, it offers a “cure” without major surgery. Thus, minimally invasive thermal microwave ablation treatment can contribute to many areas of health care, including cardiology, urology, gynecology, and oncology. While present results are encouraging, application of microwave ablation still is in its early stages. More theoretical and experimental investigations are needed before percutaneous, transcatheter microwave thermal therapy can become a wide spread, efficacious clinical option. An important facet for the success of thermal microwave ablation therapies is the catheter antenna used to deliver microwave energy to the target tissue without damage to the surrounding normal tissue. Indeed, percutaneous catheter ablation of arrhythmogenic foci has become an important therapy for patients with drug refractory arrhythmias. Since the propagation of microwaves is governed by the frequency, antenna, and tissue permittivity, catheter antennas can be designed to produce the needed absorbed energy distribution, which then is converted into heat. Microwave antennas continue to irradiate tissues at depth, despite the presence of coagulum on the antenna. The inherent features of microwave catheter ablation have been demonstrated in phantom, animal, and human subjects for atrial, nodal, and ventricular arrhythmias. Larger and deeper lesions have been produced by microwave catheter antennas. These results show that microwave catheter ablation is a safe and suitable procedure for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.
Comment: Alternative Rationales for Restrictive Procedures

Thomas Gilligan and Keith Krehbiel develop two arguments in their paper. First, they propose an abstract rationale for the general tendency of democratic assemblies to impose restrictions on their actions. Second, they suggest that the informational rationale they develop constitutes part of the actual explanation for the historical adoption of restrictive procedures in the U.S. House of Representatives in the late nineteenth century. My reactions to the paper depend very much on which of these two arguments we consider. I have nothing but admiration for the abstract exercise. It is an ambitious and impressive effort to apply recently developed ideas and tools to the study of important political questions. Before Schelling many theorists took it as axiomatic that rational actors could never gain by restricting their freedom of action. Here Gilligan and Krehbiel provide another compelling demonstration that conflict of interest in an uncertain world may indeed lead rational actors to "tie their hands" in order to achieve a better outcome.
A Novel Tree Shrew (Tupaia belangeri) Model of Glaucoma.

Purpose Primates and rodents are used widely as animal models of glaucoma, but each has significant limitations. Researchers need additional animal models that closely resemble the relevant anatomy and pathologic features of the human disease to more quickly advance research. We validate a novel glaucoma animal model in tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri). Methods Experimental glaucoma was induced in adult tree shrews (n = 8) by injecting 50 μL of a 25 mg/mL ferromagnetic bead solution into the anterior chamber. Beads were directed into the iridocorneal angle with a magnet to impede aqueous outflow. Animals were followed for 3 months with weekly IOP measurements and biweekly spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images of the optic nerve head. Histopathology of the optic nerve and optic nerve axon counts were completed at the end of the study. Results The 12-week average mean IOP was 22.7 ± 3.6 and 8.6 ± 2.9 mm Hg in the treated and control eyes, respectively. Longitudinal analysis showed significant retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning throughout the study. Axon counts were significantly reduced (59.7%) in treated versus control eyes. SD-OCT imaging showed cupping and posterior displacement of the lamina cribrosa in glaucomatous eyes. RNFL thickness and optic nerve axon counts were reduced consistent with IOP elevation. Optic nerves demonstrated histopathology consistent with glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Conclusions Tree shrews with experimental glaucoma show key pathologic characteristics of the human disease. The tree shrew model of glaucoma has the potential to help researchers accelerate our understanding of glaucoma pathophysiology.
A Nonlinear Control Strategy for Extensible Continuum Robots

In this paper, we describe a novel nonlinear control strategy for the closed-loop control of extensible continuum robots. Previous attempts at controlling continuum robots have proved difficult due to the complexity of their system dynamics. Taking advantage of a previously developed dynamic model for a three-section, planar, continuum manipulator, we develop an adaptation-based control law. We present simulation results of a set-point tracking between a rigid-link control device and an extensible continuum manipulator. Experimental results of the controller implemented on a six degree-of-freedom continuum robot are also presented.
Rectal Endoscopic Ultrasound in Clinical Practice

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is routinely utilized for evaluation of disorders of the lower gastrointestinal tract. In this review, we summarize the current status of rectal EUS in clinical practice and describe recent developments in diagnostic and therapeutic rectal EUS. Recent guidelines recommend rectal EUS for rectal cancer staging as a second line modality in cases where MRI is contraindicated. Forward-viewing echoendoscopes and through the scope EUS miniprobes allow for EUS imaging of lesions through the entire colon and for evaluation beyond stenoses or luminal narrowings. EUS can be used to assess perianal disease and drain pelvic abscess associated with IBD, along with newer applications currently under investigation. For rectal varices, EUS can confirm the diagnosis, assess the optimal site for banding, guide therapy placement with sclerotherapy and/or coils, and assess response to treatment by confirming absence of flow. Therapeutic rectal EUS is emerging as a promising modality for drainage of pelvic fluid collection drainage and fiducial placement for rectal or prostatic cancer. Drug delivery mechanisms and substances that may increase the scope of therapy with rectal EUS are in varying stages of development. Rectal EUS continues to be an important modality for evaluation of benign and malignant disorders of the lower gastrointestinal tract, although its use as a cancer staging modality has declined due to improvements in MRI technology. Various technologies to enhance ultrasound imaging and for therapeutics have been developed that have or may contribute to expanded indications for rectal EUS.
Hox11L2 expression and prognosis in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL): A Children’s Oncology Group Study

4729 Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common form of leukemia in childhood with a cure rate of greater than 75%. However, other than white blood count at diagnosis, there are currently no clinically useful prognostic factors that significantly predict outcome in T cell -ALL (T-ALL). In this regard, we have conducted a molecular analysis of T-ALL patient samples from treatment failure T-ALL versus long-term survivors to assess the genes that may impact outcome, and provide the basis for novel directions of therapeutic intervention. Recently, the homeobox gene Hox11L2 was found to be transcriptionally activated by translocation in T-ALL. We thus sought to determine the frequency of Hox11L2 expression in 111 T-ALL patients, 86 of which were uniformly treated on POG9404, and assess the clinical significance of its expression. As determined by semi-quantitative and quantitative RT-PCR, 18 of the 111 samples expressed Hox11L2 for an overall expression rate of 14%. Several reports have associated Hox11L2 expression with an adverse outcome, while other reports have found no association. In our sample population from uniformly-treated POG9404 patients, we found no significant differences in Hox11L2 expression in samples from patients who failed therapy (3 of 25, 12%) versus those from patients who have continued to enjoy an event free survival of >42 months (12 of 61, 20%, p=0.53). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the rate of expression of Hox11L2 in the relapse sample population (2 of 20, 10%) versus POG9404 diagnosis samples from patients who failed therapy or long term survivors, demonstrating that Hox11L2 expression was not an expression profile unique to relapse T-ALL. This relationship was further corroborated in an analysis of 6 diagnosis-relapse paired samples, none of which expressed Hox11L2 at diagnosis or relapse. Hox11L2 expression further did not correlate with age of disease onset, white blood cell count at diagnosis or gender, either when all patients were considered together, or when treatment failure and long term survival patients were compared separately. We conclude that Hox11L2 expression is an infrequent event in T-ALL and alone is unrelated to outcome or other clinical features of T-ALL such as WBC, gender or age.
Iron and fecundity among Tsimane' women of Bolivia

Background and objectives Iron is critical for women's reproduction, and iron-deficiency anemia is a global health problem for mothers. While public health programs have aimed to correct iron deficiency in reproductive-aged women with supplementation, a small group of studies have shown that too much iron also has negative effects on birth outcomes. We hypothesize that women's iron levels evolved within a narrow optimum, and predict that hemoglobin (Hb) levels would be associated with women's fecundity. Methodology We used the publicly available, longitudinal Tsimane' Amazonian Panel Study to test the association between -Hb levels and hazard of having a next birth (a measure of fecundity) among 116 parous, reproductive-aged Tsimane' women of Bolivia. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to model Hb level and other predictors against the event of next birth across the observation period, which began at each woman's previous birth. Results The higher the Hb level, the lower the hazard of a woman giving birth within the study observation period (hazard ratio=0.82, P = 0.03). However, there was no evidence that low Hb reduced women's fecundity. Conclusions and implications These results demonstrate that high Hb influences women's fecundity. These results supports the growing body of literature showing that iron metabolism is critical for understanding the evolution of women's reproduction. More work is needed to determine the evolved optimal range of iron levels for reproductive-aged women. Lay summary Lower chance of pregnancy among Tsimane' women with high Hb levels, suggesting evolved optimal Hb levels in women.
Condon Internal Diffraction in the 0 u + → 0 g + Fluorescence of Photoassociated Hg 2

We have observed a well-resolved Condon diffraction pattern in the O/sub u//sup +/(v approx. = 57) ..-->.. O/sub g//sup +/ (unbound) fluorescence of Hg/sub 2/. The upper state is excited by photoassociating mercury atoms with an ArF laser at 193 nm.
The Revised Starling Equation: The Debate of Albumin Versus Crystalloids Continues:

Objectives: The purpose of this critical narrative review is to discuss the revised Starling equation for microvascular fluid exchange and the associated implications for intravenous fluid administration. Data Sources: PubMed (1946 to December 2019) and EMBASE (1947 to December 2019) were used, and bibliographies of retrieved articles were searched for additional articles. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Articles pertaining to the revised Starling equation and microvascular fluid exchange. Additionally, prospective human studies involving the disposition and oncotic action of radiolabeled albumin and large randomized trials comparing fluid requirements associated with isotonic crystalloid and albumin administration were included. Data Synthesis: In the revised Starling equation, oncotic forces act across the endothelial cell layer, more specifically between the fluid in the vessel lumen and the protein-sparse subglycocalyx space. The revised Starling equation and radiolabeled investigations of albumin necessitate a reconsideration of conventional views of the plasma-expanding properties of exogenous albumin. Large clinical trials demonstrate that the administration of iso-oncotic or hyper-oncotic albumin solutions in patients undergoing resuscitation does not have the reductions in fluid requirements anticipated from a traditional understanding of the oncotic actions of albumin. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: When used as a resuscitation fluid, albumin does not have the degree of plasma expansion or intravascular retention commonly used to justify its use. Conclusions: The principles underlying the revised Starling equation in conjunction with data from radiolabeled studies of albumin and large clinical trials demonstrate that albumin does not have the perceived degree of plasma expansion or duration of intravascular retention beyond crystalloid solutions predicted by the classic Starling equation.
Morphological Control of Silicon Carbide Deposited on Hi-Nicalon Type S Fiber Using Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Vapor Infiltration

Silicon carbide coated onto Hi-Nicalon Type S fiber is of great interest to the aerospace industry. This work focuses on tuning the reaction parameters of atmospheric pressure SiC CVI using CH3SiCl...
Does Salary Discrimination Persist for Foreign Athletes in the NBA

This study empirically examines Becker’s (1971) wage discrimination theory using foreign-born national basketball association (NBA) players. Despite the rapid growth in the NBA, particularly in foreign markets, existing literature suggests that foreign-born players continue to be underpaid relative to players born in the U.S. Becker’s theory predicts that over time, wage discriminators will be priced out of the market and that wages will eventually equilibrate. This study uses the most recent data, from the 2010-2011 NBA season to test if foreign-born discrimination persists. The empirical results from this study reveal that not only have wages for foreign players caught up to the wages of their American counterparts, but foreign-born players received an average wage premium of approximately $900,000.
Identification of the retrotrigonal layer as a key anatomical landmark during robotically assisted radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVE: To define the gross and microscopic anatomy, and the surgical significance, of the newly described retrotrigonal layer of the bladder neck, as an aid during robotic radical prostatectomy (RRP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data for this study were obtained from five fresh cadaveric dissections and 100 consecutive RRPs. Five male cadavers with no previous pelvic or urethral surgery were dissected to expose the posterior bladder neck and identify the retrotrigonal layer. This same layer was reproducibly identified in all 100 RRPs. The gross appearance of this layer, and its relationship to neighbouring structures, was documented using still photographs and intraoperative video. The microscopic composition of this layer was assessed using routine haematoxylin and eosin stains, and special staining for smooth muscle (desmin), neural tissue (S-100), and elastin. RESULTS: Grossly, the retrotrigonal layer is a well-defined midline strip located posterior to the bladder neck, that extends from the trigone (superiorly) to the base of the prostate (inferiorly). Microscopically, this layer was predominantly composed of smooth muscle with intervening connective tissue. The retrotrigonal layer serves as a key anatomical landmark to facilitate posterior prostatic dissection, particularly in men with large prostates, prominent median lobes, or previous transurethral prostatic surgery. Further, in our practice, this layer marks the posterior limit of dissection in which electrocautery is still used. Finally, the retrotrigonal layer serves to buttress the posterior layer of the urethrovesical anastomosis. CONCLUSION: The retrotrigonal layer is a key landmark during the posterior bladder neck dissection in the antegrade technique of RRP.
Healthcare Utilization, Costs, and Adverse Events of Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring (rtCGM) versus Traditional Blood Glucose Monitoring (BG) among US Adults with Type 1 Diabetes:

Objective:To compare healthcare utilization, costs, and incidence of diabetes-specific adverse events (ie, hyperglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, and hypoglycemia) in type 1 diabetes adult patients ...
Viscous Effects and Their Modeling

The models discussed in the previous chapters (and also the next) are all in the inviscid framework. The effects of viscosity on the coupled nonlinear dynamics of the body and fluid cannot be predicted by these models, and these effects can sometimes be important in the applications mentioned in this book. As is well-known, provided the Reynolds number is sufficiently high, viscosity leads to the formation of thin boundary layers on the surface of the body. These boundary layers directly contribute to the force on the body through the mechanism of viscous shear stresses. But the indirect contribution that comes into play when the boundary layers thicken and “separate” from the body is usually more important.
Working with Caribbean Immigrants After the World Trade Center Tragedy

SUMMARY Caribbean immigrants were among those transfixed by the destruction and human suffering caused by the World Trade Center tragedy. An emergent cliche is that life will never be the same after September 11th. This study explores the issues that impact the health and well-being of English-speaking Caribbean immigrants and challenges social workers to reassess their intervention with immigrant populations in the Post 9/11 era.
Trust in digital government

This is a chapter in the Encyclopedia of Digital Government, ed. A.-V. Anttiroiko & M. Malkia, Hershey, PA, USA: The Idea Group, 2006.
Complex Urinary Fistulas of the Posterior Urethra and Bladder

The management and reconstruction of complex rectourinary and vesicoperineal fistulas are some of the most difficult problems to treat in urology. To decide on the proper management, a detailed knowledge of the fistula etiology, integrity of the anal and external urethral sphincters, functional status of the bladder, extent of rectal radiation damage, size and location of the urinary fistula, and the overall performance and nutritional status of the patient is needed. Few surgeons have had a large experience with such fistulas and this explains why there is no clear standard surgical approach. Treatment needs to be tailored to the specifics of the fistula, the etiology, and the patient. Fistulas that result from radiation therapy are more complex and difficult to reconstruct than those developing after other forms of treatment, with the frequent concomitant problems of urinary and fecal incontinence and/or urethral stricture. Small, nonradiated fistulas are successfully managed by the transanal or York-Mason approach. Complex fistulas that are large, or of radiation or cryotherapy etiology, are often best managed by primary repair, buttressed with a gracilis interposition flap, or by proctectomy and colo-anal pull through, or supravesical urinary diversion. Herein we have detailed the varying surgical methods for fistula repair as well as for salvage.
Initiation of ovalbumin synthesis in chicken oviduct magnum: Transient labeling of the NH2-terminus by methionine

Abstract The incorporation of [ 35 S]methionine into ovalbumin, a protein containing NH 2 -terminal N -acetylglycine, has been studied in chicken oviduct magnum cells. The purification of [ 35 S]methionine-labeled ovalbumin from total oviduct proteins was accomplished by dialysis of a crude extract at pH 3.6 followed by chromatography on carboxymethyl cellulose. The radioactive ovalbumin eluted from the column in three peaks (P 0 , P 1 , and P 2 -containing 0, 1, and 2 moles of phosphate, respectively, per mole of ovalbumin). The kinetics of labeling of peaks P 0 and P 1 showed that the ratio of radioactivity in NH 2 -terminal methionine to total incorporation was greater at 2 min of labeling than at later times. The transient labeling of the NH 2 -terminus of ovalbumin with methionine indicates that methionine is the initiator amino acid for the synthesis of this protein, which in its mature form contains NH 2 -terminal N -acetylglycine.
The Importance of Mesh Adaptation for Higher-Order Discretizations of Aerodynamic Flows

This work presents an adaptive framework for a higher-order discretization of the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations. The adaptation strategy is based on an output-based error estimate and explicit control of the degrees of freedom. Adaptation iterates toward the generation of simplex meshes that equidistribute local errors throughout the domain and provide anisotropic resolution in arbitrary orientations. Numerical experiments reveal that uniform re nement limits the performance of higher-order methods when applied to aerodynamic ows with low regularity. However, when combined with anisotropic re nement of singular features, higher-order methods can signi cantly improve computational a ordability of RANS simulations in the engineering environment. The bene t of the higher spatial accuracy is exhibited for a wide range of applications including subsonic, transonic, and supersonic ows. The higher-order simplex meshes are generated using the elasticity and the cut-cell techniques, and the competitiveness of the cut-cell method is demonstrated in terms of accuracy per degree of freedom.
Comparison of turbulent diffusion flame measurements of OH by planar fluorescence and saturated fluorescence

Planar laser induced fluorescence imaging (PLIF) is shown to be a quantitative method of measuring average values, rms fluctuations, and probability density functions of OH concentration in laboratory scale, H2-air diffusion flames. When compared with single-pulse laser saturated fluorescence (LSF) data, PLIF data show agreement (within a factor of two) for average and rms values in laminar, transitional, and turbulent flames. The unknown temperature dependence of the H2 quenching cross section introduces a factor of two uncertainty in PLIF measurements in rich flame zones. Extensions of PLIF to other molecules and other combustion systems are discussed.
Selective Leaching of Extruded Cordierite Honeycomb Structures

Influence de la lixiviation sur la dilatation thermique et la resistance aux chocs thermiques
Bioactive Components of Human Milk

The growing number of bioactive substances being found in human milk suggest the need to attempt their categorization according to function. Two major themes that emerge from recent research on human milk and lactation are efficient nutrient transfer from mother to infant and protection of the infant from disease. Bioactive substances in human milk may be considered in terms of these themes.
Bioethics and Law Forum* Roeing Against the Wind and Wadeing Against the Current: Embryonic Stem Cell Research and the Abortion Debate

The debate on the production and use of stem cells is probably the highest profile scientific news story in recent memory, and the ethical, moral, and scientific issues raised are numerous and complex. Yet, somewhere in between adhering to party lines, pandering to campaign contributors, following their own religious beliefs, and succumbing to the self-interest of those whose loved ones may benefit from stem cell technology, politicians have managed to morph the debate into another round of Roe v Wade (1973). It does not seem to matter that Jane Roe (aka Norma McCorvey) is now a born-again Christian and a staunch pro-life advocate or that Henry Wade passed away in 2001, their names are immortalized in this eternal debate. Both Democrats and Republicans, with very few exceptions, aver their age-old party rhetoric; pro-life advocates talk of infanticide, and the opposition speaks of a woman’s right to choose. Even President Bush, himself, openly admits to basing some of his science-related decisions upon his fervent Christian beliefs. However, an important fact has been lost in the redundancy: the subject matter of the stem cell debate is not abortion rights, but rather, the use of nonimplanted frozen embryos to procure embryonic stem cells (ESCs)—stem cells that have the potential of becoming the pivotal weapon in the fight against Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, diabetes, and a host of other debilitating diseases.
Demagnetization characteristics of permanent magnet synchronous machines

This paper presents the calculated demagnetization characteristics of different types of permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) under the influence of demagnetizing MMF contributed by the stator currents (i.e., armature reaction). The demagnetization of NdFeB magnets is quantified in terms of demagnetized magnet volume and loss of magnet remanence using finite element (FE) analysis. The impact of cross-coupled q-axis current and the rotor position are also investigated. The results comparing seven PM machine configurations show that burying the magnets inside the rotor using interior PM (TPM) rotor configurations generally improves the demagnetization performance. In addition, the machine configurations with distributed windings generally provides better demagnetization-withstand capabilities than the configurations with fractional-slot concentrated windings.
A Pseudo Twin Primes Theorem

Selberg identified the “parity” barrier that sieves alone cannot distinguish between integers having an even or odd number of factors. We give here a short and self-contained demonstration of parity breaking using bilinear forms, modeled on the twin primes conjecture.
Good-enough security

Today, security is a major concern at the top corporate, government, and academic levels, and security problems in cyberspace are unlikely to disappear or be solved any time soon. Indeed, new problems and requirements are likely to emerge, and we can anticipate continued interest in the field. The author discusses user friendly security and considers business-driven security.
The Humoral Immune Response to Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Envelope Glycoprotein gp46 Is Directed Primarily against Conformational Epitopes

Individuals infected with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) develop a robust immune response to the surface envelope glycoprotein gp46 that is partially protective. The relative contribution of antibodies to conformation-dependent epitopes, including those mediating virus neutralization as part of the humoral immune response, is not well defined. We assess in this report the relationship between defined linear and conformational epitopes and the antibodies elicited to these domains. First, five monoclonal antibodies to linear epitopes within gp46 were evaluated for their ability to abrogate binding of three human monoclonal antibodies that inhibit HTLV-1-mediated syncytia formation and recognize conformational epitopes. Binding of antibodies to conformational epitopes was unaffected by antibodies to linear epitopes throughout the carboxy-terminal half and central domain of HTLV-1 gp46. Second, an enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay was developed and used to measure serum antibodies to native and denatured gp46 from HTLV-1-infected individuals. In sera from infected individuals, reactivity to denatured gp46 had an average of 15% of the reactivity observed to native gp46. Third, serum antibodies from 24 of 25 of HTLV-1-infected individuals inhibited binding of a neutralizing human monoclonal antibody, PRH-7A, to a conformational epitope on gp46 that is common to HTLV-1 and -2. Thus, antibodies to conformational epitopes comprise the majority of the immune response to HTLV-1 gp46, and the epitopes recognized by these antibodies do not appear to involve sequences in previously described immunodominant linear epitopes.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Services and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Objectives. We examined prereform patterns in insurance coverage, access to care, and preventive services use by race/ethnicity in adults targeted by the coverage expansions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).Methods. We used pre-ACA household data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to identify groups targeted by the coverage provisions of the Act (Medicaid expansions and subsidized Marketplace coverage). We examined racial/ethnic differences in coverage, access to care, and preventive service use, across and within ACA relevant subgroups from 2005 to 2010. The study took place at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in Rockville, Maryland.Results. Minorities were disproportionately represented among those targeted by the coverage provisions of the ACA. Targeted groups had lower rates of coverage, access to care, and preventive services use, and racial/ethnic disparities were, in some cases, widest within these targeted groups.Conclusions. Our findings highlighted the...
DATA ACQUISITION AND ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES IN A BRAIN RESEARCH INSTITUTE.

Neurophysiological data treated mathematically by computer-tape recording system in brain research institute
Leadership and the three faces of integrity

Abstract Recent scholarship in business and leadership strongly suggests that integrity is not fundamentally a moral concept. This paper presents an account of leadership integrity that defends its ethical meaning while identifying important cognitive structures that clarify the confusion surrounding integrity attributions. The paper begins with a brief review of historical, philosophical, and business discussions of integrity. Using the insights from these discussions, I argue that integrity is fundamentally, but not exclusively, a moral concept that supports the ethical claims of leadership theories. I then review current leadership theories and derive a definition of integrity as a moral concept. Using this definition, I explain how a leader's integrity is founded on identity-conferring commitments to values and then describe three types of leadership integrity to better understand these constructs. I conclude with a few research questions that seek to advance leadership integrity research with the goal of advancing our understanding of ethical leadership.
Estimating and Testing Mediation Effects with Censored Data

This study investigated influences of censored data on mediation analysis. Mediation effect estimates can be biased and inefficient with censoring on any one of the input, mediation, and output variables. A Bayesian Tobit approach was introduced to estimate and test mediation effects with censored data. Simulation results showed that the Bayesian Tobit approach can be used to deal with censoring in estimating and testing mediation effects under certain conditions. The proposed method was illustrated by analyzing an empirical data set with more than 50% of censored data on the output variable. Some guidelines for applying the proposed method were discussed.
Clustering-based Active Learning on Sensor Type Classification in Buildings

Commercial and industrial buildings account for a considerable portion of all energy consumed in the U.S., and thus reducing this energy consumption is a national grand challenge. Based on the large deployment of sensors in modern commercial buildings, many organizations are applying data analytic solutions to the thousands of sensing and control points to detect wasteful and incorrect operations for energy savings. Scaling this approach is challenging, however, because the metadata about these sensing and control points is inconsistent between buildings, or even missing altogether. Moreover, normalizing the metadata requires significant integration effort. In this work, we demonstrate a first step towards an automatic metadata normalization solution that requires minimal human intervention. We propose a clustering-based active learning algorithm to differentiate sensors in buildings by type, e.g., temperature v.s. humidity. Our algorithm exploits data clustering structure and propagates labels to their nearby unlabeled neighbors to accelerate the learning process. We perform a comprehensive study on metadata collected from over 20 different sensor types and 2,500 sensor streams in three commercial buildings. Our approach is able to achieve more than 92% accuracy for type classification with much less labeled examples than baselines. As a proof-of-concept, we also demonstrate a typical analytic application enabled by the normalized metadata.
QOS considerations for future military satcom networks with link layer dynamic resource allocation

To efficiently utilize limited RF resources, future military packet-switched satellite networks will dynamically allocate resources on the uplink and downlink. Designing the resource allocation algorithms to maximize link layer efficiency is insufficient. The resource allocation algorithms must work cooperatively with the network layer and transport layer to optimize network layer performance and provide quality of service (QoS) to applications and users. Several mechanisms for facilitating this required cooperation between the layers are presented. The individual roles and actions of the layers as well as their interaction are defined. QoS schedulers that continue to provide service differentiation in the presence of link variations are illustrated. Downlink scheduling architectures that provide terminal QoS guarantees are demonstrated. Finally, the interaction between TCP and the dynamic resource allocation algorithms is investigated, leading to suggested modifications of either the resource allocation algorithms, the TCP protocol, or both. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
External morphology of the larvae of Ephydra (Hydropyrus) hians (Diptera: Ephydridae).

Scanning electron microscopy is used to describe the ultrastructure of morphological features related to feeding, locomotion, respiration, and pigmentation in second- and third-instar larvae of Ephydra hians (Ephydridae: Diptera). Using larvae fixed with the head extended, the ultrastructural details of the mandibles, maxillary papilli, and antennae are described for the first time. The larvae possess finger-like projections at the anterior spiracle and a distensible bifurcated siphon at the posterior spiracle. Slit-like openings are found on each. The second- and third-instar larvae can be differentiated on the basis of dorsal pigmentation associated with extensive patches of spines. The larvae have regional specializations in spine distribution, particularly on the ventral and dorsal body surfaces, and the prolegs. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Normal and superconducting properties of EuMo6S8 in high magnetic fields

The variation of the electrical resistanceR of EuMo6S8 with temperatureT and applied magnetic fieldH was determined at pressuresP to 19 kbar. At ambient pressure, the results are in agreement with previous work on samples of similar quality, where it was determined that variations of the carrier concentration were responsible for the very strong dependence ofR onT andH. AtP=8.5 kbar, the magnetoresistance is determined by the freezing out of the Eu2+ spins asH increases. ForP>13 kbar, EuMo6S8 exhibits bulk superconductivity, and we investigated the upper critical magnetic fieldHc2(T). The analysis of these results shows that our EuMo6S8 samples are clean superconductors. We observe thatHc2 is strongly reduced by pressure, perhaps due to an increase of the carrier concentration with pressure.
Factors Related to Self-Reported Health Status in Low Income Midlife Women

Transition throughout midlife can affect women’s perception of their health status. Multiple factors are potentially related to self-reported health status (SRHS), but it was not clear what factors are related to SRHS for midlife women, especially those with low income. This study examined factors related to SRHS in low income midlife women over time. A multi-step linear regression of longitudinal Medicaid Managed Care (MMC) data (n = 310) from July 2000 through November 2006 was used. Participants completed SRHS at initial (baseline) enrollment into MMC (T1), with a second assessment completed 11 to 23 months later for those retaining MMC eligibility (T2). Results indicated that disability and number of medical conditions were the factors most related to SRHS. SRHS scores differed significantly between non-disabled and disabled women. For disabled women, SRHS improved significantly between T1 and T2 (p < .001), but not for non-disabled women. Those with lower SRHS scores used community agencies more ofte...
Raman, polarized Raman and ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy of nucleic acids and their complexes

Applications of Raman spectroscopy to investigate the molecular constituents of nucleic acids were initiated in the late 1960s and soon thereafter progressed to studies of synthetic and native nucleic acids and complex biological assemblies containing either DNA or RNA. Raman applications to nucleic acids have continued to increase in number and diversity up to the present time. This paper attempts to provide an overview of this large body of work, with emphasis on studies carried out during the past decade and focusing on problems of biological interest and significance. The specific Raman methodologies included in this review of nucleic acid applications are (i) conventional Raman spectroscopy (i.e. off-resonance Raman excitation), (ii) ultraviolet resonance Raman (UVRR) spectroscopy, and (iii) polarized Raman microspectroscopy. For each methodology, the experimentally obtained nucleic acid spectrum consists of a number of discrete vibrational bands, most of which can be assigned confidently to a base, sugar or phosphate constituent of the macromolecule and many of which can be employed as sensitive indicators or fingerprints of either local structure, global conformation, intermolecular interaction or molecular dynamics. The applications selected for review include numerous examples from the authors' laboratories. The topics addressed include the influences of base composition, base sequence, superhelical stress drug ligation on nucleic acid structure polymorphism, the thermodynamic parameters governing nucleic acid premelting melting phenomena, the molecular mechanisms determinants of protein/nucleic acid recognition the structures dynamics of nucleic acids in virus assemblies. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrogen production by reacting water with mechanically milled composite aluminum-metal oxide powders

Abstract Several composite aluminum-metal oxide powders were prepared by mechanical milling and considered for hydrogen production in the Al–water split reaction. The powders included compositions capable of independent, highly exothermic thermite reaction between components: Al·MoO 3 , Al·Bi 2 O 3 , and Al·CuO, as well as chemically inert compositions Al·MgO and Al·Al 2 O 3 . Experiments used a water displacement method to quantify hydrogen production. In most experiments, the flask containing water and composite powder was maintained at 80 °C; additional limited experiments were performed at varied temperatures. Condensed reaction products were collected and examined using electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. For all compositions, the aluminum–water split reaction was nearly complete. Average reaction rates were comparable to those reported earlier for materials with similar particle sizes prepared by ball milling. Reaction rates were affected by the specific composition; the Al·Bi 2 O 3 composite reacted substantially faster than other materials. It was observed that the Al–water split reaction initiated at 80 °C could be completely stopped by cooling the reacting flask to room temperature; the reaction did not restart at room temperature but could be resumed at its previous rate by heating the flask back to 80 °C. For Al·MoO 3 composite, an interruption in the hydrogen production was observed at a constant temperature; it was associated with the formation of MoO 2.4 (OH) 0.6 , a hydrated MoO 3 phase. Evidence of thermite reactions interfering with the Al–water split reaction and generating metallic Bi and Cu was obtained for experiments with Al·Bi 2 O 3 , and Al·CuO composites, respectively. A qualitative reaction mechanism is proposed assigning different rate controlling processes to different stages of the Al–water split reaction for the composites prepared by ball milling.
Quantum magnetoresistance of layered semimetals

A model is proposed for the linear magnetoresistance recently observed in layered rare-earth diantimonides. It is based on a graphitelike energy spectrum with a small hopping between the layers and the assumption that the distance between the lowest-Landau bands exceeds both the temperature and the bandwidth along the main axis.
Hanford Site Vadose Zone Studies: An Overview

Large quantities of radioactive and chemical wastes, created from plutonium production for nuclear weapons, are located in a remote desert setting at the U. S. Department of Energy’s Hanford Site, north of Richland, Washington, USA. Much of the waste currently resides in the vadose zone. At Hanford, the vadose zone is characterized by glacial-fluvial sediments that are often highly stratified. The extremely heterogeneous sediments give rise to complex subsurface-flow paths that contribute to uncertainty of contaminant fate and transport. Research efforts have focused on answering questions of contaminant transport from the viewpoint of geologic, biologic, geochemical and hydrologic controls. This special section of the Vadose Zone Journal highlights key research topics that are systematically addressing vadose zone problems at the Hanford Site. Research to date indicates that some of the contaminant species (e.g., Cs-137, Co-60, Sr-90, uranium, etc.) are highly reactive with Hanford sediments, as predicted by geochemical considerations, rendering them effectively immobile, except under extremely saline or acidic conditions, while other species (e.g., Tc-99, I-129, H-3) are typically mobile and have moved deep into the vadose zone and subsequently into groundwater. In addition, large quantities of organics, including carbon tetrachloride, have moved in complex ways as both vapor andmore » liquid, and have reached the water table at some locations where they represent a potential long-term threat to groundwater. Observed transport of mobile species is linked to liquid discharges and to elevated recharge rates that occur primarily at waste sites where land surfaces are void of vegetation and where winter rains have subsequently penetrated the subsurface wastes. A series of papers in this special issue document progress to date in understanding transport rates at Hanford, why anisotropy strongly affects the distribution of subsurface contaminants, why organic contaminants such as DNAPLs (e.g., carbon tetrachloride) are so difficult to find in the deep vadose zone, and what are the impacts of hypersaline fluids on waste form degradation and subsequent transport.« less
Element quality analysis: estimating the accuracy of ephemeris predictions from orbital elements

ABSTRACT Element Quality Analysis (EQA) is the evaluation of the accuracy with which an orbital element set de-scribes the orbit of a satellite. This paper proposes practical methods for evaluating element quality anddescribes the benefits of improved EQA.The paper first discusses the need for and applications of EQA. These applications include satellite cata-log maintenance, collision prediction, collision avoidance, and propagator evaluation.Past and current operational methods for EQA are then considered. These methods, applied byUnited States Space Command to maintain and use the existing satellite catalog, are described and eval-uated.The main portion of the paper describes alternative methods for EQA. The methods considered include:techniques related to statistical process control, various methods for propagation of state error distribu-tions, diffusion methods, regression methods, application of the covariance matrix arising from differen-tial correction ofelement sets, Kalman filtering, and stochastic differential equations.