cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gamow-teller states in 208Pb

Abstract We investigate coherent spin-isospin excitations of nucleons and isobars in 208 Pb in the long-wavelength limit (spin-isospin zero sound). Both NN − and ΔN − particle-hole channels are considered within a coupled RPA calculation using a Landau-Migdal type ph residual interaction. We obtain energy and strength of the giant isobaric Gamow-Teller (GT) state and discuss its influence on the nucleonic GT excitation. The coupling of this mode to 2p-2h states is also discussed. We emphasize the role of surface vibrational modes as dominant decay channels.
Rapid plant community responses during the summer monsoon to nighttime warming in a northern Chihuahuan Desert grassland

Abstract Global environmental change is altering temperature, precipitation patterns, and resource availability in aridland ecosystems. In 2006, we established a multifactor global change experiment to determine the interactive effects of nighttime warming, increased atmospheric N deposition, and more frequent occurrence of El Nino years on plant community dynamics in a northern Chihuahuan Desert grassland. Here we only report the results of warming and N addition from the first monsoon growing season prior to the imposition of the precipitation treatments. Our passive nighttime warming treatment increased daily minimum temperatures by 1.4–3.0 °C. Fertilization increased NO 3 N supply, as measured with Root Simulator Probes, by 28% and NO 3 N supply in warmed plots was 12% higher than in control plots. After one monsoon season we found that warming significantly increased total plant cover. Responses among dominant species varied, however. Warming significantly increased cover of Bouteloua eriopoda ( P Gutierrezia sarothrae ( P = 0.064), whereas N addition significantly increased the cover of Bouteloua gracilis ( P
Channel precoding and low-density parity-check codes for magnetic recording

At the extremely high-linear-density regime, where +-+ appears to be the dominant error event at the detector output, two complementary methods are presented to improve the performance of iterative detection/decoding schemes based on LDPC codes. First, without increasing complexity, noticeable performance gains can be obtained by using a 1/(1 /spl oplus/ D) precoder for the partial response channel. Second, selecting a longer partial response target provides substantial additional gains.
Good and Poor Readers' Recall of Familiar and Unfamiliar Text.

This study investigated poor readers' use of prior knowledge in reading by comparing good and poor readers' recall of familiar and unfamiliar text. Thirty-one third graders and thirty-one fifth graders, reading on a third grade level, and twenty fifth graders, reading on a fifth grade level, read and orally recalled two third grade expository passages, one on a familiar topic and one on an unfamiliar topic, which were very similar in structure. Both fifth grade groups recalled more than the third graders on the familiar passage. The fifth grade good readers recalled more than the poor readers and third graders on the unfamiliar passage. All groups recalled more on the familiar than unfamiliar passage, but the poor readers' mean difference score bet- ween the two passages was greater than the other two groups' mean difference scores. These findings suggest that poor readers' comprehension, in particular, suf- fers when their use of prior knowledge is restricted, as when reading unfamiliar material. Also, it appears that poor readers can do an adequate job of comprehending if given familiar material to read on an appropriate level.
Sources of subcortical GABAergic projections to the superior colliculus in the cat

The goal of this study was to identify GABAergic input to the cat superior colliculus from neurons located in the caudal diencephalon, mesencephalon, pons and medulla. Cells efferent to the superior colliculus were labeled retrogradely with the tracer horseradish peroxidase, and an antibody to gamma-aminobutyric acid was used to label GABAergic neurons in the same sections. The results indicate that neurons in several distinct areas of the caudal diencephalon and brainstem are both immunocytochemically labeled for GABA and retrogradely labeled with horseradish peroxidase. These areas include zona incerta, nucleus of the posterior commissure, anterior and posterior pretectal nuclei, nucleus of the optic tract, superior colliculus, cuneiform nucleus, subcuneiform area, substantia nigra pars reticulata and pars lateralis, periparabigeminal area, external nucleus of the inferior colliculus, the area ventral to the external nucleus of the inferior colliculus, mesencephalic reticular formation, dorsal and ventral nuclei of the lateral lemniscus, and the perihypoglossal nucleus. The role that such diverse inhibitory input to the superior colliculus might play, particularly in influencing eye movements, is discussed.
Human mast cells synthesize and release angiogenin, a member of the ribonuclease A (RNase A) superfamily.

ANG is a plasma protein with angiogenic and ribonucleolytic activity implicated in tumor growth, heart failure, wound healing, asthma, and the composition of the adult gut microflora. Human mast cells (HuMC) are similarly associated with modulation of vascular permeability, angiogenic processes, wound healing, and asthma. We hypothesized that HuMC express and secrete ANG in response to divergent stimuli. ANG expression was evaluated in the LAD2 HMC, the HMC-1, and CD34+-derived HuMC, following exposure to live Escherichia coli, TLR ligands, or neuropeptides and following FceRI aggregation. Expression and production of ANG were determined by microarray analysis, qRT-PCR, confocal microscopy, and ELISA. Microarray analysis showed that ANG is up-regulated by LAD2 cells exposed to live E. coli. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that LAD2, HMC-1, and HuMC constitutively expressed ANG mRNA and that it was up-regulated by exposure to E. coli. Activation of HuMC by FceRI aggregation resulted in release of small amounts of ANG ( 160 pg/mL ANG. These observations demonstrate that HuMC store and secrete ANG to a variety of stimuli and suggest that MC-derived ANG is available in the subsequent inflammatory response.
An Alternatively Spliced C. elegans ced-4 RNA Encodes a Novel Cell Death Inhibitor

The C. elegans gene ced-4 is essential for programmed cell death. We report that ced-4 encodes two transcripts and that whereas the major transcript can cause programmed cell death, the minor transcript can act oppositely and prevent programmed cell death, thus defining a novel class of cell death inhibitors. That ced-4 has both cell-killing and cell-protective functions is consistent with previous genetic studies. Our results suggest that the dual protective and killer functions of the C. elegans bcl-2-like gene ced-9 are mediated by inhibition of the killer and protective ced-4 functions, respectively. We propose that a balance between opposing ced-4 functions influences the decision of a cell to live or to die by programmed cell death and that both ced-9 and ced-4 protective functions are required to prevent programmed cell death.
The impact of metadata implementation on webpage visibility in search engine results (part II)

This paper discusses the impact of metadata implementation in a webpage on its visibility performance in a search engine results list. Influential internal and external factors of metadata implementation were identified. How these factors affect webpage visibility in a search engine results list was examined in an experimental study. Findings suggest that metadata is a good mechanism to improve webpage visibility, the metadata subject field plays a more important role than any other metadata field and keywords extracted from the webpage itself, particularly title or full-text, are most effective. To maximize the effects, these keywords should come from both title and full-text.
Demonstrating Nutrient Cost Gradients: A Brooklyn Case Study.

Abstract. Introduction: Foods dense in micronutrients are generally more expensive than those with higher energy content. These cost-differentials may put low-income families at risk of diminished ...
Citizens’ Use of Social Media in Government, Perceived Transparency, and Trust in Government

ABSTRACT:Governments are adopting social media to provide complementary information dissemination, communication, and participation channels whereby citizens can access government and government officials and make informed decisions. Using 2009 national e-government survey data from the Pew Research Center, this study finds (1) that use of government social media is significantly and positively associated with perceptions of government transparency, (2) that perceptions of government transparency are positively and significantly related to trust in government, and (3) that perceptions of government transparency mediate the relationship between use of government social media and trust in government. These findings demonstrate that social media is an effective means for government to improve citizens’ trust in government by enhancing their perceptions of government transparency. The study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence of the mediating role of perceived government transparency...
Stability of tacrolimus solutions in polyolefin containers.

Purpose Results of a study to determine the stability of tacrolimus solutions stored in polyolefin containers under various temperature conditions are reported. Methods Triplicate solutions of tacrolimus (0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 mg/mL) in 0.9% sodium chloride injection or 5% dextrose injection were prepared in polyolefin containers. Some samples were stored at room temperature (20–25 °C); others were refrigerated (2–8 °C) for 20 hours and then stored at room temperature for up to 28 hours. The solutions were analyzed by stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay at specified time points over 48 hours. Solution pH was measured and containers were visually inspected at each time point. Stability was defined as retention of at least 90% of the initial tacrolimus concentration. Results All tested solutions retained over 90% of the initial tacrolimus concentration at all time points, with the exception of the 0.001-mg/mL solution prepared in 0.9% sodium chloride injection, which was deemed unstable beyond 24 hours. At all evaluated concentrations, mean solution pH values did not change significantly over 48 hours; no particle formation was detected. Conclusion During storage in polyolefin bags at room temperature, a 0.001-mg/mL solution of tacrolimus was stable for 24 hours when prepared in 0.9% sodium chloride injection and for at least 48 hours when prepared in 5% dextrose injection. Solutions of 0.01 and 0.1 mg/mL prepared in either diluent were stable for at least 48 hours, and the 0.01-mg/mL tacrolimus solution was also found to be stable throughout a sequential temperature protocol.
PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION AND INJURY PREVENTION STRATEGIES FOR THE ARMY PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST: TECHNIQUE MATTERS.

The Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) is a biannual training requirement for all soldiers. The Army has made significant overall fitness gains by developing functional and comprehensive Physical Readiness Training (PRT) programs, but more emphasis on individualized physical fitness test taking technique is warranted in order to optimize performance. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to provide clinicians with several examples of APFT performance enhancement techniques that can potentially be applied not only in the Army, but throughout the military and in the sports community where general fitness assessments are routinely administered. Level of Evidence 5
How Should Hypertension During Pregnancy Be Managed?: An Internist's Approach

Hypertension may occur during pregnancy under different clinical circumstances. One cause is toxemia, a systemic disease unique to pregnant women, in which hypertension is associated with proteinuria, CNS irritability, hepatic and renal functional abnormalities, and, in fulminant disease, a consumptive coagulopathy. Since it is clear in the non-pregnant population that the vascular complications of hypertension can be prevented with antihypertensive therapy and since toxemia is the most common cause of maternal mortality, there is no reason not to treat pregnant women with hypertension.
Response of Flying Bollworm Moths and Other Tympanate Moths to Pulsed Ultrasound

Free-flying bollworm moths, Heliothis zea (Boddie), and 10 other species of tympanate moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) made evasive maneuvers (turn-aways, loops, and dives to the ground) when they were exposed to pulsed ultrasound; the looping (spiraling) was the more successful method of evading pursuing bats. Ultrasound that was most effective in causing evasive responses in bollworm moths was delivered at frequencies of 18–40 kilohertz (4–15 pulses/sec) with pulse durations of 4–10 milliseconds in pulse trains of 2–6-sec duration at sound levels of 80 decibels (db) or higher (0 db = 2×10−4 dynes/cm2). A pulse rate of 2/sec or less was not as effective. Not all moths exposed to pulsed ultrasound made evasive responses. However, a check of the acoustic sensitivity of the 2 sound-detecting cells in the tympanum of some nonresponding H. zea showed that the acoustic cells were responding to the stimuli; hence, the pulsed ultrasound had been detected. Habituation at 2nd or higher order neutral levels probably explains the bahavior of the nonresponders.
PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT AND OUTCOMES IN HYPERTENSION MANAGEMENT

Hypertension diagnosis and management is essential in the prevention of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite its prevalence with 1 in 3 American adults affected, only half have it controlled. Due to this there has been a call by private and government agencies to identify best practices.
Abstract 5513: Treatment and mortality in men with localized prostate cancer: A population-based study in California

Purpose: To provide patients and physicians with population-based estimates of mortality from prostate cancer or other causes depending upon the primary treatment modality, stratified by patient age, tumor stage and grade. Patients and Methods: We conducted a 10-year competing-risk analysis of 45,440 men diagnosed with clinically localized (T1 or T2) prostate cancer in California during 1995-1998. Information on patient demographics, tumor characteristics, primary treatment and causes of death was obtained from the California Cancer Registry. Results: In this population-based observational cohort, the most common primary treatment was surgery (40.4%), followed by radiotherapy (29.1%), active surveillance (20.8%), and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) monotherapy (9.8%). Prostate cancer mortality differed significantly (p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5513. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5513
Real-Time Data Acquisition and Off-Line Analysis System of Rolling Process

Combining characteristics of rolling process automation production line,a Windows-based real-time data acquisition and analysis system offline of rolling process automation was designed.System hardware adopted SIEMENS CP5613 A2 as high speed data acquisition card directly inserted into the industrial computer PCI slot,connecting basic automation with Profibus DP using the way of master-slave station.The real time data acquisition online uses the Windows system service mode for high speed data acquisition and compression storage.The data analysis offline uses the graphical curve analysis technology to recur the production data.
Ferrite/dielectric ceramic composites based on high temperature co-firing

First,ferrite and dielectric ceramic powder were prepared by common ceramic process,respectively,then they were molded to one-piece body without blending to each other,and finally sintered at temperature of 1300℃.The physical character of the matrix was macroscopically analyzed.Each areaincluding combining area were observed and analyzed by SEM and electron probe.Results showed that regular solid state reaction occurs for both ferrite and ceramic,and the two materials incorporates tightly to each other,without deformation in combining area of 200-400nm in thickness.Sintering shrinkage of ferrite and ceramic has a relatively great influence on the combination of matrix.
The problems, diagnosis and treatment of infection by Staphylococcus aureus.

Present-day problems of infection by Staphylococcus aureus are described against a brief historical account of the evolution of the multiple antibiotic-resistant ‘hospital staph’. which caused such immense problems of hospital cross-infection in the 1950's and 1960's. These problems have lessened considerably since that time, but staphylococcal infection still remains as a cause of morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis and treatment are not always straightforward. Apart from applying general supportive measures, and appropriate surgical intervention when necessary, the attending doctor is faced with making a choice from a multiplicity of antibiotic agents. A brief account of the main antibiotic agents currently available is given with comments on some of the disadvantages and complications attendant on their use. The potential dangers of staphylococcal sepsis and the need for rapid diagnosis and prompt vigorous treatment are stressed.
Phenotypic and functional testing of circulating regulatory T cells in advanced melanoma patients treated with neoadjuvant ipilimumab.

We have previously investigated neoadjuvant ipilimumab (ipi) for patients with locally/regionally advanced melanoma. That initial assessment of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) showed a significant increase in shared tumor associated antigen specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activation. We also observed a transient increase in circulating T regulatory cells (Treg) with a parallel increase in total CD4+ T cells, as well as a significant decrease in circulating myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC). The increase in circulating Treg frequency, as assessed at 6 weeks after initiation of ipilimumab, was significantly associated with improved progression free survival (PFS, p = 0.034; HR = 0.57) and returned to baseline levels by 12 weeks. To shed light on the unexpected positive correlation between increased Treg and PFS, we here investigated the suppressive activity of circulating Treg at baseline and 6 weeks. Patients were treated with ipi (10 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks for 2 doses) bracketing definitive surgery. Treg (CD4+CD25+CD127dim/-) were isolated from pre-ipi (baseline) and post-ipi (6 weeks) PBMC samples. Treg were co-cultured with autologous responder CD4+ T cells that were stimulated with OKT3/IL-2/CD28 and CFSE-labeled T cells. 1:1, 1:2, and 1:5 ratios were tested. Flow cytometery was used to evaluate the degree of Treg proliferation suppression. Thirty-five patients were enrolled in the study; 18 patients had adequate PBMC samples with sufficient Treg isolated for Treg functional analysis. At 6 weeks following ipi, a decrease in percent of maximal inhibition of Th by Treg compared to baseline was seen for some patients. Scatter plot analysis showed no association between Treg frequency and function at any ratio or between circulating Treg frequency and function at baseline and at 6 weeks post-ipi. An increase in Treg suppressive function was significantly associated with a decrease in PFS (p = 0.02). We find that Treg frequency measures do not correlate with suppressive activity measured ex vivo. Treg suppressive activity increases correlate with poorer patient outcomes.
An Analysis of Different Techniques for Distal Hypospadias Repair: The Price of Perfection

AbstractWe discuss the risks of total surgical correction of distal hypospadias with chordee, review 42 such cases and analyze 4 common surgical procedures that were used. The over-all complication rate was 16.6 per cent (7 of 42), with 9.5 per cent (4 of 42) of the cases requiring additional urethral reconstruction. All complications occurred following procedures designed to extend the urethral meatus to the tip of the glans (Horton-Devine 5 of 15 and Ombredanne 2 of 8). In contrast, no complications occurred following urethral advancement or Allen-Spence repairs (0 of 19). The physician and family should be aware of the increased risk attendant with total anatomical urethral correction in contrast to less extensive surgery, which gives an excellent functional result with minimal risk.
Electronic and magnetic properties of Cm in Pb 2 Sr 2 Cm 1-x Ca x Cu 3 O 8 (x=0.0 and 0.5)

A combination of x-ray diffraction, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility measurements have been used to study the physical properties of ${\mathrm{Pb}}_{2}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cm}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Ca}}_{x}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{8}$ $(x=0.0,0.5).$ These Cm compounds are isostructural with the superconducting members of the ${\mathrm{Pb}}_{2}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{R}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Ca}}_{x}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{8}$ (R denotes rare earth) series. X-ray absorption and magnetic susceptibility data clearly indicate that the Cm is trivalent in this compound, consistent with the superconducting members of this series. However, ${\mathrm{Pb}}_{2}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cm}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{Ca}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{8}$ is not superconducting. Furthermore, the Cm spins are found to magnetically order in the parent compound ${\mathrm{Pb}}_{2}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{CmCu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{8}$ with an ordering temperature of 18 K. Suppression of superconductivity is observed together with high-magnetic ordering temperatures in other high-${T}_{c}$ related compounds synthesized with Cm. The results determined here are put into context with these previous observations.
A Nonlinear Circuit Simulation of Switching Process in Resonant-Tunneling Diodes

A large-signal circuit model is used to compute the switching time for double-barrier resonant-tunneling diodes. The model consists of linear circuit elements plus a nonlinear $I$ – $V$ characteristic. The linear elements include a series resistor, a capacitor, and an inductor. The capacitance considers the charge accumulation, depletion in spacer layers, as well as charging-discharging of the quantum-well (QW) region. The inductance accounts for the delay of the current with respect to the voltage across the QW during the abrupt switching transition through the negative differential resistance region. A second-order Runge–Kutta method is used to solve for the switching transient, and then fit to experimental data for a high-quality InGaAs/AlAs resonant tunneling diode (RTD) using the QW inductance as a fitting parameter. Excellent agreement is found for the 10%–90% switching time with a calculated capacitance of 98 fF and a fitted inductance of 1300 pH. This large-signal inductance is approximately $7\times $ greater than the small-signal inductance that has been successfully used to predict the fmax of RTDs such as the one tested here.
Role of genomics in multiple myeloma

M Myeloma (MM) is a genomically and clinically heterogeneous, mature B-cell malignancy. Our biologic understanding of the disease has grown exponentially over the last decade and has led to major advances in developing novel agents to treat this cancer. Genomic tools such as microarray-based gene-expression profiling (GEP), micro-RNA profiling, florescent insitu hybridization (FISH), RNA sequencing and hypomethylation profiling are emerging as a powerful tool to globally analyze the changes in expression patterns to study myeloma biology and clinical behavior. The disease can now be characterized in to specific molecular sub-groups that have different clinical features at presentation and therapeutic responses. GEP is now able to risk-stratify patients with newly diagnosed MM. Groups with high-risk features are evident in all GEP-defined molecular subgroups, and GEP studies of serial samples showed increases in cumulative risk , with relapsed disease showing dramatic GEP shifts towards a signature of poor outcomes. Dissecting outcomes with different therapeutic regimens, GEP-defined disease subgroup and risk shows class-specific benefits for certain drugs, as well as mechanistic insight into drug sensitivity and resistance. The presenter will review the role of these new genomic tools in furthering our understanding of MM pathogenesis, prognosis, and treatment. Saad Z. Usmani, J Blood Disord Transfus 2013, 4:5 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2155-9864.S1.004
Tuning Caches to Applications for Low-Energy Embedded Systems

The power consumed by the memory hierarchy of a microprocessor can contribute to as much as 50% of the total microprocessor system power, and is thus a good candidate for power and energy optimizations. We discuss four methods for tuning a microprocessors’ cache subsystem to the needs of any executing application for low-energy embedded systems. We introduce onchip hardware implementing an efficient cache tuning heuristic that can automatically, transparently, and dynamically tune a configurable level-one cache’s total size, associativity and line size to an executing application. We extend the single-level cache tuning heuristic for a two-level cache using a methodology applicable to both a simulation-based exploration environment and a hardware-based system prototyping environment. We show that a victim buffer can be very effective as a configurable parameter in a memory hierarchy. We reduce static energy dissipation of on-chip data cache by compressing the frequent values that widely exist in a data cache memory.
Incompatibility of Erythromycin Lactobionate and Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim with Linezolid Injection:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical compatibility and chemical stability of linezolid 200 mg/100 mL admixed with erythromycin lactobionate 500 mg and separately with sulfamethoxazole 400 mg/trimethoprim 80 mg for up to 7 days at 4° C and 23° C. The test samples were prepared by adding the required amount of erythromycin lactobionate and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim to separate bags of linezolid injection. Evaluations were made at the initial time point and at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days of storage at temperatures of 4° C and 23° C for physical and chemical stability. Physical stability was assessed using visual observation in normal light and a high-intensity monodirectional light beam (Tyndall beam). In addition, turbidity and particle content were measured electronically. Chemical stability was evaluated by using stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analytical techniques. The linezolid admixtures with erythromycin lactobionate were clear and colorless when vi...
Current practices in the management of stage IB, grade 3 endometrial cancer in the United States

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy in the United States (US). Most patients are diagnosed with early stage disease and those with stage IB, grade 3 disease have inferior outcomes. Due to the heterogeneity among these patients, existing data has failed to yield cohesive recommendations to guide management decisions. The present study sought to analyze current practices regarding the use of adjuvant radiation for these patients. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program was used to find all cases of endometrial cancer diagnosed between 2009 and 2013 in patients aged 18 or older. Data regarding the age ( 4 cm), type of surgery performed (less than the total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophrectomy, TH/BSO, versus greater than or equal to TH/BSO), number of nodes examined (<10 versus ≥10), radiation sequence with surgery (none versus adjuvant radiation), and type of radiation (brachytherapy versus external beam radiation versus both) was extracted from the database. We compared type of treatment administered based on the presence of risk factors. We also analyzed survival outcomes based on these clinic-pathologic factors. There were no differences between patients receiving surgery alone versus adjuvant radiation based on any parameter. Among those who received radiation, we found no differences between the type of radiation administered, except with respect to tumor size. Patients with small tumors (<4 cm) were more likely to be offered VBT alone (p = 0.03). The overall survival (OS) estimate for the group as a whole was 89% at 59 months. The OS for VBT alone and EBRT alone was 89%, while for the combination, it was 91%. Large tumor size and sub-optimal surgery were associated with inferior survival. The current study highlights the fact that there is tremendous variation in the management of patients with stage IB, grade 3 endometrial cancer. Forty percent of patients in the US are not offered adjuvant radiation, despite inferior outcomes among these patients when treated with surgery alone. Clearly defined, uniform guidelines are needed to standardize management decisions for this group of patients. Uniform practice is especially important to cut costs in medicine and standardize treatment across health networks.
Antipsychotic-induced Tardive dyskinesia: from biological basis to clinical management.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a chronic and disabling movement disorder with a complex pathophysiological basis. A significant percentage of patients does not receive correct diagnosis, resulting in delayed or inaccurate treatment and poor outcome. Therefore, there is a critical need for prompt recognition, implementation of efficacious treatment regimens and long-term follow up of patients with TD.Areas covered: The current paper provides an overview of emerging data concerning proposed pathophysiology theories, epidemiology, risk factors, and therapeutic strategies for TD.Expert commentary: Despite considerable research efforts, TD remains a challenge in the treatment of psychosis as the available strategies remain sub-optimal. The best scenario will always be the prophylaxis or prevention of TD, which entails limiting the use of antipsychotics.
State and parameter estimation using measurements with unknown time delay

Standard Kalman filtering does not handle time-delayed measurements, and if the delay is significant, large estimation errors may accumulate over time. Furthermore, the delay value is typically unknown and variable in many real applications. To fuse measurements with unknown time delays, this study incorporates a parameter estimation technique into state estimation. In the combined parameter-state estimator, we directly estimate the delay value as an additional state and simultaneously obtain refined state estimates in the modified Kalman filter that compensates for delayed measurements. Since estimated delay value has some constraints, the estimator requires both interpolation and the truncation of the probability density function. Monte Carlo simulation results of this study show that this approach is more reliable than existing approaches for state estimation using measurements with unknown time delays.
Evaluating the Impact of National and State Policies on School-Based Counseling Practices and Student Outcomes

There is perhaps no other time in recent history that provides such a compelling case for the essential role of school-based counselors as today. Advocates of school-based counselors have stressed the importance of organizational structure to school-based counseling programs, a core curriculum, and program evaluation for improvement and accountability. This chapter argues for the essential role of statewide evaluation in supporting policies that promote the development and implementation of effective school-based counseling programs. The rationale is that the state often has the most leverage to bring about broad change within its borders. To this end, the chapter provides a content analysis of existing statewide evaluation studies found in the literature and assesses the evaluations against the National Leadership Cadre (2007) suggestions for statewide evaluations. Seven recommendations are provided that include (1) expansion of cost-effective, statewide evaluations; (2) use of evaluation strategies that support outcome evaluation; (3) wider use of methodological approaches and evaluation strategies; (4) deliberate evaluation of promising practices; (5) promotion of evaluation use; (6) finding ways to take advantage of existing policy research studies in promoting school-based counseling as a viable education reform tool; and (7) reaching out to the broader education policy and policy research community to argue for school-based counselors as essential personnel in the drive toward attainment of critical student outcomes.
Differential effects of public and private funding in the medical device industry.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Funding for scientific advancement comes from two dominant sources: public funds used to generate knowledge, and private sector funds in the pursuit of commercial products. It...
Anesthesia and Analgesia for Office-Based Uterine Procedures

While available evidence shows that diagnostic hysteroscopy can be performed in many patients with little or no analgesia or anesthesia, for some women, there is significant discomfort with the procedure, and many can benefit from the use of local anesthetic techniques. Operative hysteroscopic procedures can also be performed in the office setting, but there are challenges to performing such interventions using local anesthesia. There is little available evidence describing effective anesthetic techniques for operative hysteroscopy, a circumstance that invites both a creative approach and critical evaluation with appropriately rigorous investigation. The uterus possesses at least two distinctly different sources of innervation; the cervix is supplied by S2–4 largely through the uterosacral ligaments while the corpus receives sensory afferents via the T10–L1 roots that access the uterine architecture at the isthmus and via the ovarian ligaments. Theoretically, at least, the strategy for the effective use of local uterine anesthesia must consider these multiple sources of innervation as well as other factors including the procedure to be performed, the instrumentation to be used, selection of appropriate anesthetic agents, and the allowance of adequate elapsed time for a maximal anesthetic effect. An approach utilizing several simultaneously applied techniques is described together with patient pain outcomes suggesting that a wide spectrum of procedures can be performed in an office setting, under local anesthesia.
Acoustic gradient index lens design using gradient based optimization

We demonstrate a gradient based optimization of the absolute acoustic pressure at a focal point by incrementally repositioning a set of cylindrical obstacles so that they eventually act as an effective gradient index (GRIN) lens. The gradient-based optimization algorithm maximizes the absolute pressure at the focal point by analytically evaluating its derivative with respect to the cylinder positions and then perturbatively optimizing the position of each cylinder in the GRIN lens device while taking into account acoustic multiple scattering between the cylinders. The method is presented by examples of sets of hard cylinders and sets of elastic cylindrical shells of uniform size. Designs using available cylindrical shells enable easy and realistic fabrication of acoustic GRIN lenses. Computations are performed on MATLAB using parallel optimization algorithms and a multistart optimization solver, and supplying the gradients of absolute pressure at the focal point with respect to position vectors. Providing the analytic form of the gradients enhances modeling by allowing the use of exact gradients with optimization algorithms and parallel computing. This results in reducing number of function calls and time needed to converge, and improving solution accuracy for large scale optimization problems especially at high frequencies and with a large number of scatterers.
Farewell to the Self-Employed: Deconstructing a Socioeconomic and Legal Solipsism

Introduction - the Transvaluation of a Real Self-Contradiction Methodology Class - Exploitation, Dependence, Risk and Insecurity Substance Legislative and Judicial Attitudes toward the Unemployed Self-Employed The Question of the Incorporated Self-Employed Conclusion - Dissolution and Reconstitution.
High-Dimensional Classification

There are three fundamental goals in constructing a good high-dimensional classifier: high accuracy, interpretable feature selection, and efficient computation. In the past 15 years, several popular high-dimensional classifiers have been developed and studied in the literature. These classifiers can be roughly divided into two categories: sparse penalized margin-based classifiers and sparse discriminant analysis. In this chapter we give a comprehensive review of these popular high-dimensional classifiers.
The Glorious Future Never Came: An Interpretive Narrative Analysis of the 1947 St. Louis City Plan:

The 1947 St. Louis city plan predicted a glorious future for the city, but the glorious future never came. St. Louis experienced decline and city planning in St. Louis became problematic for contri...
Concentration of furfuryl alcohol in fluid milk, dried dairy ingredients, and cultured dairy products.

ABSTRACT Maillard reactions occur in dairy products during heat treatment. Furfuryl alcohol (FA) may be found in dairy products as a result of Maillard reactions. The recent posting in California Proposition 65 indicates that FA may be carcinogenic, and for this reason it is crucial to accurately measure FA concentrations in dairy products. The objective of this study was to identify an extraction and quantitation method for FA from dairy products and to determine FA concentrations in milk, dairy powders, and cultured dairy products. Solvent-assisted flavor extraction, solid-phase microextraction, stir bar sorptive extraction with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry were compared for recovery of FA. Internal standards for the quantitation of FA (2-methyl-3-heptanone, furfuryl-d5 alcohol, 2,5-dimethylphenol, 5-methyl-2-furfuryl alcohol, and 5-methyl furfural) were also compared. Subsequently, fluid milk [high temperature, short time (HTST) and ultrapasteurized], whey protein isolates (3 mo–4 yr), whey protein concentrates (3 mo–4 yr), whole milk powders (1 yr), high and low heat skim milk powders (SMP; 0–8 yr), milk protein isolates (3 mo–3 yr), milk protein concentrates (3 mo–3 yr), Cheddar cheese (mild, medium, sharp, and extra sharp), mozzarella cheese (whole and part skim), cottage cheese (nonfat, low fat, and full fat), sour cream (nonfat, low fat, and full fat), traditional yogurt (nonfat, low fat, and full fat), and Greek-style yogurt (nonfat; n = 139 products total) were evaluated. Furfuryl alcohol was extracted from products by headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry using a ZB-5ms column (30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 µm; Phenomenex Inc., Torrance, CA). Furfuryl-d5 alcohol was used as an internal standard. Each food was extracted in triplicate. Ultrapasteurized milks had higher levels of FA than HTST milks (122.3 vs. 7.350 µg/kg). Furfuryl alcohol concentrations ranged from 0.634 to 26.55 µg/kg in whey protein isolates, 2.251 to 56.19 µg/kg in whey protein concentrates, 11.99 to 121.9 µg/kg in milk protein isolates, and 8.312 to 49.71 µg/kg in milk protein concentrates, and concentrations increased with powder storage. High heat SMP had higher concentrations of FA than low heat SMP (11.8 vs. 1.36 µg/kg) and concentrations increased with storage time. Concentrations of FA in Cheddar and mozzarella cheese ranged from 2.361 to 110.5 µg/kg and were higher than FA concentrations in cottage cheese or sour cream (0.049–1.017 µg/kg). These results suggest that FA is present at higher levels in dairy products that have been subjected to higher temperatures or have been stored longer. Sour cream and cottage cheese had lower levels of FA. Compared with other studies on food products with reported levels of FA, such as coffee (200–400 µg/g), dairy products have very low levels of FA.
Real-time biosensing of proteins on a DVD nanoplasmonic grating

Development of label-free, highly sensitive, miniaturized surface plasmon resonance sensors enables real-time quantification of biomolecule interactions at atomic-levels, desirable for medical diagnostics and which will allow rapid clinical decisions. However, multi-target diagnostic assays require skilled labor, expensive materials, lengthy manual steps, as well as complicated analysis steps. Here, we develop a microfluidic-integrated digital optical disc (DVD) grating as a metasurface, which is coated with titanium-silver-gold (Ti-Ag-Au, 10, 30, and 15nm) for real-time monitoring of biomolecular interactions and binding affinities. Device fabrication process consists of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microfluidic channel assembly on nanoplasmonic DVD surface gratings via double side adhesive (DSA) layers. Compared with other nano- and micro-fabrication methods, DVD-based sensor fabrication is relatively simple, cost-effective, and enables large-scale fabrication with minimum efforts. The plasmonic microfluidic chip surface was illuminated with a broadband light source and the normal reflection signal was monitored using a customized optical-setup. Maximum bulk sensitivity (337 nm/RIU) was observed with 30 seconds of etching period and low glycerol concentration (5%, v/v). Red-shifts of peak-wavelength (~16 nm) upon glycerol concentrations were observed as a function of time (seconds). A 0.6 nm peak-wavelength shift was observed in the step of EDC/NHS coupling and continuous protein A/G and G binding resulted in 0.353 ± 0.211 nm and 0.667 ± 0.116 nm (n=3, p<0.05). The presented platform could be potentially applicable to detect and real-time monitor of various biotargets including bacteria, cells, viruses, and proteins.
The Paradox of Positionality: Avoiding, Embracing, or Resisting Feminist Accountability

ABSTRACTWrestling with the desirability and possibility of research objectivity, scholars across disciplines debate the claim that there can ever be value-free research. While many sociocultural sc...
Using Symmetry and Invariance to Solve Problems in Elementary Physics

Symmetry and invariance play a fundamental role in modern physics and related disciplines, and students entering a STEM field need practice with symmetry-based arguments as part of the preparation for their future careers. We refer to symmetry-based solutions as those that either make use of the existing geometric symmetry in a problem to simplify calculations or include transformations with the purpose of creating a simpler equivalent problem. We begin by giving some examples of symmetry-based solutions involving Gauss’s law, where such techniques are already widely used. Then we will propose additional problems where solutions based on symmetry and invariance are appropriate, but not yet in common use to our knowledge.
Microglia morphology and proinflammatory signaling in the nucleus accumbens during nicotine withdrawal

Smoking is the largest preventable cause of death and disease in the United States. However, <5% of quit attempts are successful, underscoring the urgent need for novel therapeutics. Microglia are one untapped therapeutic target. While previous studies have shown that microglia mediate both inflammatory responses in the brain and brain plasticity, little is known regarding their role in nicotine dependence and withdrawal phenotypes. Here, we examined microglial changes in the striatum-a mesolimbic region implicated in the rewarding effects of drugs and the affective disruptions occurring during withdrawal. We show that both nicotine and withdrawal induce microglial morphological changes; however, proinflammatory effects and anxiogenic behaviors were observed only during nicotine withdrawal. Pharmacological microglial depletion during withdrawal prevented these effects. These results define differential effects of nicotine and withdrawal on inflammatory signaling in the brain, laying the groundwork for development of future smoking cessation therapeutics.
Survival outcomes for robotic-assisted laparoscopy versus traditional laparoscopy in clinical stage I epithelial ovarian cancer.

Background The US Food and Drug Administration recently called for studies addressing long-term survival after robotic-assisted laparoscopy in oncologic settings. Long-term clinical outcomes of robotic-assisted laparoscopy among ovarian cancer patients are understudied. Objective(s) To investigate the long-term mortality of robotic-assisted laparoscopy compared to traditional laparoscopy for clinical stage I epithelial ovarian cancer. Materials and Methods Using data from the National Cancer Database, we identified a total of 1901 patients who received minimally invasive surgery (ie, robotic-assisted laparoscopy or traditional laparoscopy) for clinical stage I epithelial ovarian cancer between 2010 and 2014. Multivariable logistic or linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the short-term outcomes, including conversion-to-open surgery, number of lymph nodes examined, length of hospitalization, unplanned 30-day readmission, and 30- and 90-day mortality. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to derive adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for 1-, 3-, and 5-year total mortality associated with surgical approaches. Covariates adjusted for included age, tumor size and upstaging, number of lymph nodes evaluated, time from diagnosis to surgery, length of hospitalization, histologic subtype, insurance status, region, distance to care, surgical procedure type, and hospital experience with these procedures. Results Compared to traditional laparoscopy, robotic-assisted laparoscopy was less likely to result in conversion-to-open surgery (conversion rate: 7.2% versus 17.9%, P Conclusion(s) Robotic-assisted laparoscopy had comparable overall mortality in comparison to traditional laparoscopy when treating clinical stage I epithelial ovarian cancer.
Response of a charged particle in contact with a chaotic thermostat to an oscillating electric field

A numerical investigation is made of the response of a thermalized charge in contact with a chaotic thermostat to an externally applied, oscillating electric field, with and without a confining magnetic field. This study is based on the recent theoretical development of a chaotic thermostat [G. J. Morales, Phys. Rev. E 99, 062218 (2019)] for which the static properties of a thermalized charge (spatial diffusion and mobilities) were previously established. It is found here that in the unmagnetized case, to extract significant power from the oscillating electric field requires that the oscillatory velocity be larger than the thermal velocity. The spatial diffusion caused by the self-consistent, chaotic fluctuations is shown to be reduced, and even suppressed, by the coherent oscillations. The frequency-dependent mobilities, including cyclotron resonance, are determined, and the nonlinear modifications produced by large electric fields are explored. The value of the mobilities and the modifications to the diffusion coefficient exhibit non-monotonic dependencies on the control parameters.