cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kinetic and mechanistic characterization of NMDA receptor antagonism by replacement and truncation variants of the conantokin peptides

The characterization of conantokin-T (con-T), conantokin-R (con-R), and variants thereof, using the whole-cell patch clamp technique, was undertaken to evaluate the contribution of various residues towards the onset and recovery of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor inhibition in cultured embryonic murine hippocampal neurons. The results obtained indicate that the two most C-terminal gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) residues of the conantokins, while not essential for activity, provided for more tenacious binding to the receptor. Specifically, con-T[gamma10K/gamma14K] and con-R[gamma11A/gamma15A] displayed 5.6- and 8.4-fold decreases in tau(off), respectively, compared to the parent peptides. For the truncated con-T variants, con-T[1-9/Q6G], and a sarcosine (Src)-containing species, con-T[1-9/G1Src/Q6G], the tau(off) was over 80- and 40-fold faster, respectively, compared to con-T. For the latter peptide, the coapplication of 300 microM spermine enhanced the onset rate constant from 3.1x10(3)M(-1) x s(-1) to 12.6x10(3)M(-1) x s(-1). From analysis of equilibrium dose-inhibition curves using the Cheng-Prusoff equation, a K(i) value of 1.1 microM for the peptide was obtained. Con-T[1-9/G1Src/Q6G] demonstrated an apparent competitive mode of inhibition relative to NMDA. Schild analysis of the data yielded an equilibrium dissociation constant of 2.4 microM for the interaction of con-T[1-9/G1Src/Q6G] with the receptor.
Pharmacy residents’ barriers to scholarly pursuits

Abstract Objectives This study examined barriers to pursuing scholarly activities among pharmacy residents. Methods Pharmacy residents of American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)-accredited programs in the Southeastern region of the United States during the 2009–2010 residency cycle were invited to participate in a web-based survey to assess interests in and barriers to pursuing scholarly activities (e.g., peer-reviewed manuscript development). A 22-question, web-based survey instrument was developed and pilot tested to assess demographics, confidence, interest and intent in pursuing scholarly activities, and barriers to scholarly activity. The survey instrument was administered in April 2010, and respondents were given four weeks to complete. Descriptive statistics (e.g., frequency and median ± IQR) were used to report respondent characteristics and identifiable barriers. Results A total of 209 out of 405 (52%) residents completed the survey. Respondents were primarily female (80%), under the age of 30 years (86%), and in a first-year residency program (75%). The majority of respondents (79%) intended on pursuing scholarly activities beyond their residency project. Lack of time was the most frequently reported and was ranked the most important barrier to pursuing scholarly activities. Lack of knowledge of the processes associated with scholarly activity and limited mentorship from residency preceptors were identified as barriers by 37% and 25% of residents, respectively. Conclusions Noteworthy barriers to pharmacy residents’ pursuit of scholarly activity were identified including lack of time, mentorship, and knowledge of the process. Pharmacists involved in mentoring residents should facilitate opportunities for scholarly activities, including peer-reviewed publications.
Application of Various Combustion Models to a Generic Combustor

The flow-field of a generic gas combustor with interior and exterior conjugate heat transfers was numerically studied. Results obtained from three combustion models, combined with the re-normalization group (RNG) k-e turbulence model, discrete ordinates radiation model, and partial equilibrium NOx model are presented and discussed. The numerical results are compared with a comprehensive database obtained from a series of experimental tests. The flow patterns and the recirculation zone length are excellently predicted, and the mean axial velocities are in fairly good agreement with the experimental measurements, particularly at downstream sections for all three combustion models. The mean temperature profiles are also fairly well captured by the probability density function (PDF) and eddy dissipation (EDS) combustion models. The EDS-finite-rate combustion model fails to provide acceptable temperature field. In general, the PDF shows some superiority over the EDS and EDS-finite-rate models. NOx levels predicted by the EDS model are in reasonable agreement with the experimental measurements.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Long-term potentiation: Peeling the onion

Since the discovery of long-term potentiation (LTP), thousands of papers have been published on this phenomenon. With this massive amount of information, it is often difficult, especially for someone not directly involved in the field, not to be overwhelmed. The goal of this review is to peel away as many layers as possible, and probe the core properties of LTP. We would argue that the many dozens of proteins that have been implicated in the phenomenon are not essential, but rather modulate, often in indirect ways, the threshold and/or magnitude of LTP. What is required is NMDA receptor activation followed by CaMKII activation. The consequence of CaMKII activation is the rapid recruitment of AMPA receptors to the synapse. This recruitment is independent of AMPA receptor subunit type, but absolutely requires an adequate pool of surface receptors. An important unresolved issue is how exactly CaMKII activation leads to modifications in the PSD to allow rapid enrichment. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Glutamate Receptor-Dependent Synaptic Plasticity'.
Early coagulopathy predicts mortality in trauma.

Background:Coagulopathy and hemorrhage are known contributors to trauma mortality; however, the actual relationship of prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) to mortality is unknown. Our objective was to measure the predictive value of the initial coagulopathy profile for trauma
Skeletal Alterations in Rats During Space Flight

Male Wistar rats were placed in orbit for an 18.5 day period aboard the Soviet Cosmos 1129 biological satellite. The skeletal changes which occurred during space flight were a reduced rate of periosteal bone formation in the tibial and humeral diaphyses, a decreased trabecular bone volume, and an increased fat content of the bone marrow in the proximal tibial metaphysis.
The design and calibration of a simulation model of a star computer network

A simulation model of the CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) SPS star computer network is described. The model concentrates on simulating the message handling computer, through which all messages in the network pass. The paper describes the main features of the model, the transfer time parameters in the model and how performance measurements were used to assist in the calibration of the model.
Calcitonin effects on isolated bone cells

Calcitonin decreased calcium uptake in specific rat bone cell populations obtained by sequential collagenase digestions of calvaria. The calcitonin effect on calcium uptake was observed in the same populations that manifested calcitonin-induced increases in cyclic AMP as well as high levels of acid phosphatase and the ability to release45Ca from prelabeled devitalized bone. No effect of calcitonin was observed in cell populations that had high levels of alkaline phosphatase and lacked the potential to resorb devitalized bone. These results suggest that changes in cell calcium as well as cyclic AMP may be involved in the mode of action of calcitonin on osteoclast-like cells.
The Status of Earthquake Early Warning around the World: An Introductory Overview

The term "earthquake early warning" (EEW) is used to describe real-time earthquake information systems that have the potential to provide warning prior to significant ground shaking. This is possible by rapidly detecting the energy radiating from an earthquake rupture and estimating the resulting ground shaking that will occur later in time either at the same location or some other location. Warning times range from a few seconds to a little more than a minute and are primarily a function of the distance of the user from the earthquake epicenter. The concept has been around for as long as we have had electric communications (e.g., Cooper 1868), but it is only in the last two decades that the necessary instrumentation and methodologies have been developed (e.g., Nakamura 1988; Espinosa-Aranda et al. 1995). The last five years in particular have seen a rapid acceleration in the development and implementation of EEW, fueled by a combination of seismic network expansion, methodological development, and awareness of the increasing threat posed by earthquakes paired with desire by the seismological community to reduce risk.
Resource utilization in primary repair of cleft lip

ObjectiveTo determine national variations in resource utilization for primary repair of cleft lip, identify patient and institutional factors associated with high resource use, and estimate the cur...
Growth and anthocyanin production by carrot suspension cultures grown under chemostat conditions with phosphate as the limiting nutrient

Chemostat cultures of carrot suspension cultures, where growth was limited by the concentration of phosphate in the input medium, were achieved by replacing a fixed proportion of the culture with fresh medium at daily intervals. In the range 0.05–0.30mM phosphate in the input medium and at a specific growth rate of 0.357 days−1, steady-state culture density but not anthocyanin in the cells was strictly proportional to the input phosphate concentration with no intercept. At a phosphate concentration of 0.10mM and growth rates from 0.105 to 0.430 days−1, the steady-state culture density could not be described by Monod's model of chemostat cultures, but could be described by Nyholm's model. The steady-state levels of anthocyanin were not strictly proportional to the steady-state biomass under all conditions, showing that anthocyanin production is not completely growth associated.
Polysaccharide requirements of the angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Oliv.).

Nutritional and behavioral assays were designed to study the effect of dietary carbohydrates on the Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Oliv.). Nutritional results showed that larvae grew better in artificial pellets containing cornstarch (60%, w/w) than rice or potato starch. Dietary amylo- pectin and glycogen supported development while larvae did not grow in diets containing amylose, cellulose, or inulin as the sole test carbohydrate. Whole or partial replacement of dietary cornstarch with mono- and disaccharides resulted in poor growth because of the inferior physical consistency of the test pellets. Behavioral results showed that the growth suppression caused by dietary amylose could be attributed to an inability to digest amylose rather than to any feeding deterrency. It was concluded that the insect has a specific dietary requirement for a branched-chain polymer of glucose with a (1 â€"Â» 4) and a (1 â€"Â» 6) linkages. The nature of insect digestive amylases is briefly discussed. J. Nutr. 102: 187-194, 1972.
Stochastic resonance in an optical bistability system with three-level atoms

We experimentally demonstrate phenomenon of stochastic-resonance in optical bistability from an optical ring cavity containing three-level (Lambda-type) rubidium atoms. The measured results match qualitatively with theoretical predictions of the generic model for the SR phenomenon.
Three Readings of Most

In this paper we show that most DPs in subject position can receive three kinds of truth-conditions, yielding a proportional reading, a 'regular' superlative reading and a 'partition-based' superlative reading. We propose an analysis of the three readings that views them as resulting from the interaction of several components, including (a generalized version of) the superlative operator -est, covert and overt movement, and focus. Furthermore, we explain how movement affects the distribution of readings of most.
“Real time” Angiographic Evidence of “Pseudoaneurysm” Formation After Aneurysm Rebleeding

Pseudoaneurysms occur at the rupture site of true aneurysms and appear as irregularly shaped and partially thrombosed outpouchings of the main sac. Recanalization of thrombi inside pseudoaneurysmal sac is one of the putative mechanisms of rebleeding of unsecured aneurysms and of coil migration after endovascular treatment. We document “real time” pseudoaneurysm formation after rerupture of an anterior communicating artery aneurysm. Case report. A 55-year-old man with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage from an anterior communicating aneurysm underwent catheter angiography. After the diagnostic angiogram while awaiting for the anesthesia team to proceed with endotracheal general anesthesia, a seizure occurred. Rebleeding was suspected and confirmed by a dynamic CT in the angio suite. A repeat angiogram showed a pseudoaneurysm arising from the previously ruptured aneurysm which had not been present on the original angiogram a few minutes earlier. Uneventful coiling of the aneurysm was undertaken and the patient was discharged home a week later. We document angiographic formation of a “pseudoaneurysm” at the site of rupture of an anterior communicating artery aneurysm. “Pseudoaneurysm” formation occurs after rupture of an intracranial aneurysm. They represent a weak spot in the aneurysm sac at the site of rupture and probably the result of persistent flow within the clot forming at the site of rupture. Presence of a pseudoaneurysm with characteristic angiographic features like the one herein described represents an unstable area within the aneurysm. This case also highlights the observation that, in patient harboring unsecured ruptured aneurysms, seizures or seizures-like phenomena are the clinical expression of rebleeding unless proven otherwise.
A real-time information processing algorithm for the evaluation and implementation of ATMS strategies

One component of the overall intelligent vehicle highway system (IVHS) is the advanced traffic management system (ATMS). An ATMS functions as the central nervous system of the overall transportation system, receiving and combining inputs from a variety of standard (on-street loops, operator-inputs) and advanced technology (image processing, in-vehicle probes) sources. Evaluation of ATMS strategies involves simulation of large systems of traffic actuated controllers and, ultimately, development of dynamic 'real-time' optimization strategies. In general, existing simulation and optimization tools were developed for 'off-line' analysis and typically impose restrictions on the types of signal control systems which can be simulated. This paper focuses on development of a 'real-time' information processing algorithm, based on a macroscopic, platoon-based model of traffic flow, for the evaluation of systems of coordinated and uncoordinated traffic actuated controllers. >
Memory stabilization and enhancement following music practice

Procedural memory consolidation has been shown to enhance a variety of perceptual and motor skills during sleep, but only recently has this effect been investigated in trained musicians performing music. I tested the extent to which expected music performance skill improves over a night of sleep and to what extent the new skill memory may be fragile following initial learning. Musicians (N = 60) learned a 13-note piano melody in individual evening training sessions under one of four practice conditions. Performance of the target melody was tested the next morning following a night of sleep. In line with previous research findings, subjects showed evidence of overnight gains in performance speed and accuracy. However, these results reveal, for the first time with musicians, that additional practice on a second, similar melody seems to inhibit these overnight gains, perhaps indicating that the overnight consolidation of new skill memories is susceptible to interference from similar tasks.
A theory of local autonomy

For all its rhetorical appeal, the meaning of local autonomy remains opaque. Local autonomy is desired by the left and the right, yet is compromised by many laws administered by higher tiers of the state. In this paper I propose a theory of autonomy, premised upon two principles of power derived from Bentham: immunity and initiative. The former refers here to the power of localities to function free from the oversight authority of higher tiers of the state. The latter principle refers to the power of localities to legislate and regulate the behavior of residents. I describe a fourfold taxonomy of autonomy and draw implications regarding the assumptions of current theories of local government power. Finally, an example from Illinois illustrates the theory.
Cerebral specialization and interhemispheric communication: does the corpus callosum enable the human condition?

Summary The surgical disconnection of the cerebral hemispheres half-brain. By having the callosum serve as the great communication link between redundant systems, a precreates an extraordinary opportunity to study basic existing system could be jettisoned as new functions neurological mechanisms: the organization of the sensory developed in one hemisphere, while the other hemisphere and motors systems, the cortical representation of the could continue to perform the previous functions for both perceptual and cognitive processes, the lateralization of half-brains. Split-brain studies have also revealed the function, and, perhaps most importantly, how the divided complex mosaic of mental processes that participate in brain yields clues to the nature of conscious experience. human cognition. And yet, even though each cerebral Studies of split-brain patients over the last 40 years hemisphere has its own set of capacities, with the left have resulted in numerous insights into the processes of hemisphere specialized for language and speech and perception, attention, memory, language and reasoning major problem-solving capacities and the right abilities. When the constellation of findings is considered hemisphere specialized for tasks such as facial recognition as a whole, one sees the cortical arena as a patchwork of and attentional monitoring, we all have the subjective specialized processes. When this is considered in the light experience of feeling totally integrated. Indeed, even of new studies on the lateralization of functions, it becomes though many of these functions have an automatic quality reasonable to suppose that the corpus callosum has to them and are carried out by the brain prior to our enabled the development of the many specialized systems conscious awareness of them, our subjective belief and by allowing the reworking of existing cortical areas feeling is that we are in charge of our actions. These while preserving existing functions. Thus, while language phenomena appear to be related to our left hemisphere’s emerged in the left hemisphere at the cost of pre-existing interpreter, a device that allows us to construct theories perceptual systems, the critical features of the bilaterally about the relationship between perceived events, actions and feelings. present perceptual system were spared in the opposite
Efficiency and Braess' Paradox under pricing in general networks

We study the flow control and routing decisions of self-interested users in a general congested network where a single profit-maximizing service provider sets prices for different paths in the network. We define an equilibrium of the user choices. We then define the monopoly equilibrium (ME) as the equilibrium prices set by the service provider and the corresponding user equilibrium. We analyze the networks containing different types of user utilities: elastic or inelastic. For a network containing inelastic user utilities, we show the flow allocations at the ME and the social optimum are the same. For a network containing elastic user utilities, we explicitly characterize the ME and study its performance relative to the user equilibrium at 0 prices and the social optimum that would result from centrally maximizing the aggregate system utility. We also define Braess' Paradox for a network involving pricing and show that Braess' Paradox does not occur under monopoly prices.
Selenate fortification of infant formulas improves the selenium status of preterm infants

The purpose of this study was to determine whether selenate fortification of infant formula would improve the selenium status of relatively well, growing, preterm infants during the first 12 wk of enteral feeding. A high-selenium group (n = 7, mean body weight = 1312 g) received selenate-fortified preterm and full-term infant formulas containing 0.36 and 0.22 mumol Se/L, respectively, and a low-selenium group (n = 10, mean body weight = 1262 g) received non-selenium-fortified preterm and full-term infant formulas containing 0.12 and 0.11 mumol Se/L, respectively. There were no significant differences in growth between the two groups throughout the study. The high-selenium group had significantly greater mean selenium intakes than did the low-selenium group from weeks 2 to 12. Plasma selenium concentrations decreased over the study period in the low-selenium group. Plasma selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity was greater in the high-selenium group at week 12 only. Red blood cell selenium concentrations decreased over time in both groups and were significantly greater in the high-selenium group at weeks 4, 8, and 12. Plasma selenium concentrations were significantly correlated with plasma glutathione peroxidase activity for all infants on study day 1 and at weeks 4 and 12. Selenium intake of all infants was significantly correlated with plasma glutathione peroxidase activity at 12 wk. Selenate fortification of infant formulas can improve the selenium status of preterm infants. Current selenium contents of infant formulas and recommendations for dietary intakes of selenium for some preterm infants may be inadequate.
Hormonal regulation of the epithelial Na+ channel : From amphibians to mammals

High-resistance epithelia derived from amphibian sources such as frog skin, toad urinary bladder, and the A6 Xenopus laevis kidney cell line have been widely used to elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved in the regulation of vectorial ion transport. More recently, the isolation of high-resistance mammalian cell lines has provided model systems in which to study differences and similarities between the regulation of ion transporter function in amphibian and mammalian renal epithelia. In the present study, we have compared the natriferic (Na+ retaining) responses to aldosterone, insulin, and vasotocin/vasopressin in the A6 and mpkCCDcl4 (mouse principal cells of the kidney cortical collecting duct) cell lines. The functional responses of the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) to hormonal stimulation were remarkably similar in both the amphibian and mammalian lines. In addition, insulin- and aldosterone-stimulated, reabsorptive Na+ transport in both cell lines requires the presence of functional PI3-kinase.
Overlap: What's Tested, What's Taught?.

In studying the effectiveness of different instructional practices or programs, it is possible that an outcome measure may be biased in favor of a particular practice or program because the overlap between the test and one program is greater than the overlap for the other(s) (e.g., Walker & Schaffarzick, 1974). By overlap, we mean the extent to which there is a match between the content of what is taught and the content of the test used to measure progress in performance. When overlap is not considered, one program or set of practices may look artificially better with respect to test performance than another. Although awareness of this problem is long standing, effective ways of dealing with the problem are just emerging. This paper traces some of the ways in which the overlap question has been handled and reviews empirical examples of one approach. This will allow us to examine the implications of overlap for evaluative studies, and suggest methods for evaluating and compensating for this problem. The score received on a "good" achievement test is meant to reflect the actual knowledge that an individual or group has about the domain from which that test was drawn. That is, a good test is assumed to be a sample of items from a specified domain, where domain includes both content covered and item form. The domain of instruction
Small States, Big Pork

Using data on authorizations from the 2005 Highway Bill, we show that the legislative allocation of pork barrel spending by U.S. state (measured by the value of transportation earmarks per capita) greatly favors smaller states. We exploit the difference between two versions of the bill: the version that was passed by the House and the compromise version passed in conference committee. Our empirical results provide strong evidence in favor of theories of legislative malapportionment. On 10 August 2005 President Bush signed a USD 286.4 billion transportation bill. The bill, a reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA21), provides a renewable six-year plan to fund the nation’s highway system. In total, USD 24.2 billion, or 8.4% of the bill’s total spending, were earmarked for 6373 specific highway construction and improvement projects throughout the 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. These earmarks, often referred to as pork barrel spending, constitute an ideal setting to analyze the incidence of small state overrepresentation in the U.S. Congress. In this paper we test the hypothesis that small states receive a disproportionate share of pork barrel spending, a central prediction of models of legislative malapportionment. A major innovation of our approach, compared to existing work, is to analyze different versions of the bill as it progressed through the legislative process. This allows us to distinguish the effect of legislative malapportionment from the effect of increasing returns to the provision of local public goods. Both effects would lead small states to receive more spending per capita. However, if legislative malapportionment is at work, the small state
MST Radar Observations of Gravity Waves and Turbulence near Thunderstorms

The effect of deep convection on the intensities of gravity waves and turbulence during the summer at White Sands, New Mexico, is investigated using 50-MHz mesosphere‐stratosphere‐troposphere (MST) radar observations and surface weather reports. Radar data taken at 3-min intervals from the summers of 1991 through 1996 (with occasional gaps of varying length) are used to construct hourly means, medians, and standard deviations of wind speed, spectral width ( ), and backscattered power calibrated as the refractivity turbulence 2 s turb structure constant ( ). The hourly variance of the vertical velocity is used as an indicator of high-frequency 2 2 C s n w gravity wave intensity. Surface observations taken near the radar site are used to identify periods marked by convection at or near the radar. During cases in which no convection is reported, the median hourly is nearly 2 s w constant with altitude (about 0.04 m 2 s 22 below and 0.03 m2 s 22 above the tropopause). Values of , , and 22 s C wn are significantly enhanced from no-convection cases to thunderstorm cases. Largest increases are about 12 2 s turb dB relative to the no-convection cases at about 11 km for , about 9.5 km for , and about 7.5 km for 22 ss w turb . The relatively lower height for the maximum of is likely due to the influence of humidity advected 2 2 CC n n upward during convection on the mean gradient of the refractive index. The probability density distributions of and near their levels of maximum enhancement are unimodal, with the modes steadily increasing with 22 C s n turb increasing proximity of convection. However, the probability density distribution of is bimodal in all instances, 2 s w suggesting that there can be enhanced wave activity even when visible convection is not present and that the presence of a thunderstorm at the station does not necessarily indicate greatly enhanced wave activity.
Microwave Attenuation Statistics Estimated from Rainfall and Water Vapor Statistics

Annual distribution curves are obtained for values of total atmospheric attenuation over a 50-km path and a 1-km path at Washington, D.C. These results are obtained by analyzing the available meteorological data, though these are usually ill-suited to the purpose; theoretical coefficients are used for converting into radio attenuation values. The problem of obtaining rainfall rates on the longer path is solved empirically using data from a network of rain gauges; these data, together with additional inference, indicate that annual statistics for hourly point depths may be interpreted as equivalent to instantaneous rates on a path about 50 km long. Extensions of the results to other portions of the country are discussed.
Effects of St. Louis on Convective Cloud Heights

Abstract Heights and locations of the tallest 3 cm radar echoes at each half-hour through the convective parts of 140 summer days were measured during Project METROMEX. Comparison of the area-weighted frequencies of echoes occurring over and downwind of St. Louis, Mo., with those over a large nearby rural area, shows a substantial enhancement in the frequency of tall echoes over the city and near-down-wind areas. This enhancement comes mainly during the late morning and early afternoon and possibly again during the evening hours. The data also show a substantially different echo height distribution over urban and rural areas. Whereas the rural height distribution is distinctly bimodal, the urban height distribution shows no such bimodal character. This means that urban clouds are frequently able to penetrate mid-level arresting levels which limit the growth of rural clouds. These observations suggest an important role for urban-enhanced cloud dynamics in causing the St. Louis rainfall anomaly.
Fertility Preservation Counseling for Pediatric and Adolescent Cancer Patients.

Purpose: Fertility preservation for children and young adults with cancer is an important part of comprehensive patient care. In 2013, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released updated clinical practice guidelines addressing fertility preservation. This study aimed to evaluate if pediatric oncologists were performing fertility preservation counseling, if the new guidelines were being adopted, and how reproductive endocrinologists can educate this patient population and their providers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed from May 26, 2014, to August 26, 2014. An online survey addressing fertility preservation practice patterns was created and provided to the members of the Children's Oncology Group (COG). Results: Thirty-five percent of the 234 respondents reported reading the new 2013 ASCO guidelines. Ninety-five percent of providers reported mentioning fertility preservation options prior to treatment, most commonly including referral to a reproductive endocrinologist (28%), a...
Cervico-occipital fusion for congenital and post-traumatic anomalies of the atlas and axis.

Since 1943, nine patients have had cervico-occipital fusion performed at the Mayo Clinic. Two patients had definite congenital anomalies, three had roentgenographic evidence of a separate odontoid process with dislocation of the atlas on the axis, and four had dislocation or instability as a result
Uncommon Gliomas in Adults: Brainstem Gliomas, Pilocytic Astrocytomas, and Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytomas

Brainstem glioma (BSG) refers to a heterogeneous population of tumors that arise in the pons, midbrain, cervicomedullary junction, or tectal plate (Table 12.1). These are often classified as diffuse or focal neoplasms.
An Integrated Stochastic Design Framework Using Cross-Validated Multivariate Metamodeling Methods

An integrated stochastic design framework that facilitates practical applications involving time-consuming CAE simulations is described. The probabilistic performance measure that addresses stochastic uncertainties in CAEmodeling and simulations is used to support design decision-making. Two enabling metamodeling methods using cross-validated radial basis functions (CVRBF) and a corresponding uniform sampling method are introduced to approximate highly nonlinear CAE model input/output relationships. A vehicle restraint system example is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework and enabling techniques.
Further Studies on the Heart and Median Cardiac Nerve of Limulus Polyphemus

The heart of Limulus consists essentially of 2 divisions, an atrium and a ventricle, each of which are contractile. The electromyograms obtained with the cathode ray oscillograph as a recording mechanism indicate that the fully contracted state is reached by a process of successive additions. In the atrial and ventricular muscle fibers the greatest amount of shortening occurs at the onset of a contraction, the further additions being of smaller and more nearly equal degree. The electromyogram consequently has a form somewhat comparable to the RST complex of the mammalian electrocardiogram. In contrast the electromyogram of a small group of isolated ventricular muscle fibers after stimulation with a single shock has the form of an ordinary diphasic muscle record, the rate of progression being 1 to 2 cm. per second.The electroneurogram of the median cardiac nerve shows 2 groups of oscillatory discharges beginning 30 to 80 sigmas before the start of electrical activity in the musculature of the atrium and ve...
Conditionally Averaged Large-Scale Motions in the Neutral Atmospheric Boundary Layer: Insights for Aeolian Processes

Aeolian erosion of flat, arid landscapes is induced (and sustained) by the aerodynamic surface stress imposed by flow in the atmospheric surface layer. Conceptual models typically indicate that sediment mass flux, Q (via saltation or drift), scales with imposed aerodynamic stress raised to some exponent, n, where $$n > 1$$ . This scaling demonstrates the importance of turbulent fluctuations in driving aeolian processes. In order to illustrate the importance of surface-stress intermittency in aeolian processes, and to elucidate the role of turbulence, conditional averaging predicated on aerodynamic surface stress has been used within large-eddy simulation of atmospheric boundary-layer flow over an arid, flat landscape. The conditional-sampling thresholds are defined based on probability distribution functions of surface stress. The simulations have been performed for a computational domain with $$\approx 25 H$$ streamwise extent, where H is the prescribed depth of the neutrally-stratified boundary layer. Thus, the full hierarchy of spatial scales are captured, from surface-layer turbulence to large- and very-large-scale outer-layer coherent motions. Spectrograms are used to support this argument, and also to illustrate how turbulent energy is distributed across wavelengths with elevation. Conditional averaging provides an ensemble-mean visualization of flow structures responsible for erosion ‘events’. Results indicate that surface-stress peaks are associated with the passage of inclined, high-momentum regions flanked by adjacent low-momentum regions. Fluid in the interfacial shear layers between these adjacent quasi-uniform momentum regions exhibits high streamwise and vertical vorticity.
Assessing Impairment in Childhood ADHD: Validation of the Parent and Teacher ADHD-FX Rating Scale in a Dual-Site Clinical Sample.

Objective: The current study sought to establish psychometric properties of the ADHD-FX (a culturally sensitive measure designed to assess functional impairment related to ADHD) in a dual-site clin...
Local compression in automated breast ultrasound in the mammographic geometry

Background, Motivation and Objective: Automated ultrasound scanning (AUS) of the breast has developed more slowly than anticipated. The main limitation, beyond achieving adequate acoustic coupling to the breast, has been excessive shadow artifacts, as reflecting structures at acute angles to the ultrasound beam are not flattened by the transducer as well as in manual scanning. We believe that imaging of the breast in near mammographic compression provides much of the needed flattening. The question under initial study in this effort is, whether in breast AUS under very light mammographic compression, local compression by the transducer might flatten the acutely oriented structures further and reduce the acoustic path length to key structures in the breast. We suspect these improvements will be possible without distorting the breast so dramatically that the lesion registration advantages of scanning the breast in the same system as mammography or digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) are not realized. Preliminary tests are reported here, as well as design of a system for a more refined human study. Statement of Contribution/Methods: Initial imaging tests were performed in our combined AUS/DBT system. A fiber mesh, loosened slightly in its frame, replaced the standard plastic mammography compression paddle. The transducer, in contact with the mesh and the breast, was translated by motors. The compression force of the linear array transducer on its vertical was manually controlled. Breast phantoms and the breasts of three women were scanned with usual compression by the mesh paddle and then with less global, but added local, compression. Results: Examples of flattened structures were observed more brightly in the locally compressed breasts, and acoustic paths longer than 35 mm were reduced, by ∼10 mm. In many areas image penetration was 3 cm greater. In one case, image volumes w/wo local compression were spatially aligned by nonlinear image registration software. Discussion and Conclusions: Visual indicators of image features expected to provide improved ultrasonic imaging were observed with local compression and lateral movement of tissues appeared acceptable. These results motivated design and construction of an apparatus to make local compression practical and safe. It utilizes joystick control of the vertical compression force during scanning, realized by pneumatic actuators attached to the transducer. The air pressure applied to these actuators is also applied to actuators in the joystick for force feedback to the operator. Two miniature vibrators attached to the joystick provide vibrotactile feedback of the reaction torques computed from the measurements of 6 force sensors on the transducer holder. The fail-safe system design insures no pneumatic compression force application to the breast in case of power loss or emergency shutdown.
The Legacy of Stop and Frisk: Addressing the Vestiges of a Violent Police Culture

In the introduction to his famous essay, Violence and the Word, Robert Cover explained that law and legal interpretive acts exact violence upon individuals. He noted that "[a] judge articulates her understanding of a text, and as a result, somebody loses his freedom, his property, his children, even his life. Interpretations in law also constitute justifications for violence which has already occurred or which is about to occur." This statement is especially true in the context of police-citizen encounters. The law that governs police has been consistently interpreted to justify violence against the very individuals they are charged with protecting. For many years, the New York City Police Department ("NYPD") has engaged in a practice known as "Stop and Frisk." This policy allows officers, based on reasonable suspicion that criminal activity is afoot, to engage in investigatory stops and to conduct a pat down of the outer clothing of the individual if there is reasonable suspicion that the suspect is armed. Unfortunately, this policy symbolizes Cover's explanation of how laws and legal interpretation can justify violence. Although police had previously engaged in these stop-and frisk tactics, the Supreme Court's landmark 1968 decision in Terry v. Ohio4 gave this practice the imprimatur of an acceptable law enforcement tool to investigate and prevent violent crime.5 In Terry, the Court authorized a narrow window of police behavior to stop and frisk individuals based on reasonable suspicion of criminal activity and reasonable suspicion of armed danger.While there is an abundance of analysis regarding the detrimental impact of the stop-and-frisk policy, particularly the allegations of racial discrimination, an under examined facet of this policy and its implementation is the inherently violent nature of these encounters. The "frisk," or pat down, necessarily connotes a physical touching, but personal accounts of stop-and-frisk encounters reveal a disturbing pattern of violence towards those stopped.Part I of this Essay explains the controversial stop-and-frisk policy as it has been implemented in New York City and explores arguments for and against the use of such tactics to prevent and investigate crime. Part II explains the inherent violence the NYPD has employed in numerous stop-and-frisk encounters. Part III argues that the institutional nature of practices such as stop and frisk and other aggressive police strategies create a culture that cultivates misconduct within police departments, imposes unfair burdens on residents of these communities, and undermines the legitimacy of law enforcement. Part IV offers solutions to counteract institutional police misconduct associated with stop and frisk and other aggressive police tactics. Any successful reform must be organizational in nature and must include various stakeholders to ensure sustainable and politically legitimate reforms.
Motion, Early Vision, and the Plenoptic Function

If you generalize edge detection to space-time, you get motion. If you keep generalizing you get color opponency, stereopsis, flicker, and much more. The plenoptic function captures everything that can be seen; its derivatives yield early vision.
A secure data allocation solution for heterogeneous Hadoop systems: SecHDFS

Apache Hadoop is a widely used distributed computing framework and its file system is Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS), which assumes that DataNodes in a system are homogeneous in nature. When a cloud system scales up, DataNodes are very likely to become heterogeneous. Thus, extensive research has been placed on improving performance for heterogeneous Hadoop systems, but little attention has been placed on security improvements. This motivates us to investigate a data allocation scheme called the Secure HDFS (SecHDFS) by integrating the secret sharing technique to improve storage security in a heterogeneous Hadoop system. DataNodes in a Hadoop system are classified into a variety of different types of groups based on their vulnerability characteristics. SecHDFS addresses the increased risk issue caused by data replication in HDFS by allocating fragments of a file to as many different types of DataNodes as possible and multiple replicas of the same fragment to DataNodes of the same type. A storage assurance model is developed to evaluate the quality of security offered by SecHDFS. Analysis of the assurance model and performance evaluation experiments show that SecHDFS does not impact the performance of the Hadoop system that much in comparison with the default HDFS, while significantly improving data assurance in a heterogeneous environment.
Neurophysiologic and Etiologic Correlations in Dyslexia: The Prospective Study

The unexpected discovery of a c-v “needle” in a massive clinical dyslexic “haystack,” and the surprising retrospective correlation of dyslexia with c-v dysfunction led to the design of a prospective study. The aim of this new study was to determine specifically the incidence and distribution of c-v and related neurophysiologic signs and symptoms in a reading-disabled “dyslexic” sample. With this aim in mind, 115 consecutively referred reading-disabled children were neuropsychologically examined, and the clinical data tabulated and analyzed. In addition, independent “blind” neurologic and “blind” caloric vestibular function (ENG) studies were performed on random subsamples, and the results similarly quantified and analyzed (Frank and Levinson, 1973).
Physical modeling of soil liquefaction: Overview of LEAP production test 1 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Abstract Liquefaction induced ground failures during seismic events have been of major concern to the engineering community. Laboratory, full-scale, and centrifuge experimentation has provided valuable insights on the mechanics and propagation of liquefaction. Concurrently, advances in the computational field have led to refined numerical tools to simulate the liquefaction phenomenon. In an effort to better evaluate the modeling capabilities, the Liquefaction Experiments and Analysis Project (LEAP) aims at providing numerical modelers with high quality experimental data that can be used in a series of prediction exercises. For this purpose, in early 2015 several centrifuge tests were conducted at different facilities all over the world and were followed by numerical simulations. This paper presents the centrifuge test that was conducted at the Center for Earthquake Engineering Simulation at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and discusses the modeling techniques that were employed in order to gain a variety of information on the soil response.
The Mobius AIRO mobile CT for image‐guided proton therapy: Characterization & commissioning

Purpose The purpose of this study was to characterize the Mobius AIRO Mobile CT System for localization and image-guided proton therapy. This is the first known application of the AIRO for proton therapy. Methods Five CT images of a Catphan®504 phantom were acquired on the AIRO Mobile CT System, Varian EDGE radiosurgery system cone beam CT (CBCT), Philips Brilliance Big Bore 16 slice CT simulator, and Siemens SOMATOM Definition AS 20 slice CT simulator. DoseLAB software v.6.6 was utilized for image quality analysis. Modulation transfer function, scaling discrepancy, geometric distortion, spatial resolution, overall uniformity, minimum uniformity, contrast, high CNR, and maximum HU deviation were acquired. Low CNR was acquired manually using the CTP515 module. Localization accuracy and CT Dose Index were measured and compared to reported values on each imaging device. For treatment delivery systems (Edge and Mevion), the localization accuracy of the 3D imaging systems were compared to 2D imaging systems on each system. Results The AIRO spatial resolution was 0.21 lp mm−1 compared with 0.40 lp mm−1 for the Philips CT Simulator, 0.37 lp mm−1 for the Edge CBCT, and 0.35 lp mm−1 for the Siemens CT Simulator. AIRO/Siemens and AIRO/Philips differences exceeded 100% for scaling discrepancy (191.2% and 145.8%). The AIRO exhibited higher dose (>27 mGy) than the Philips CT Simulator. Localization accuracy (based on the MIMI phantom) was 0.6° and 0.5 mm. Localization accuracy (based on Stereophan) demonstrated maximum AIRO-kV/kV shift differences of 0.1 mm in the x-direction, 0.1 mm in the y-direction, and 0.2 mm in the z-direction. Conclusions The localization accuracy of AIRO was determined to be within 0.6° and 0.5 mm despite its slightly lower image quality overall compared to other CT imaging systems at our institution. Based on our study, the Mobile AIRO CT system can be utilized accurately and reliably for image-guided proton therapy.