cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effects and Meanings of Receiving a Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment or Alzheimer's Disease When One Lives Alone.

BACKGROUND One third of older adults with cognitive impairment live alone and are at high risk for poor health outcomes. Little is known about how older adults who live alone experience the process of receiving a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD). OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to understand the effects and meanings of receiving a diagnosis of MCI or AD on the lived experience of older adults living alone. METHODS This is a qualitative study of adults age 65 and over living alone with cognitive impairment. Participants' lived experiences were elicited through ethnographic interviews and participant observation in their homes. Using a qualitative content analysis approach, interview transcripts and fieldnotes were analyzed to identify codes and themes. RESULTS Twenty-nine older adults and 6 members of their social circles completed 114 ethnographic interviews. Core themes included: relief, distress, ambiguous recollections, and not knowing what to do. Participants sometimes felt uplifted and relieved by the diagnostic process. Some participants did not mention having received a diagnosis or had only partial recollections about it. Participants reported that, as time passed, they did not know what to do with regard to the treatment of their condition. Sometimes they also did not know how to prepare for a likely worsening of their condition, which they would experience while living alone. CONCLUSION Findings suggest the need for more tailored care and follow-up as soon as MCI or AD is diagnosed in persons living alone.
Dissecting metabolic flux in C4 plants: experimental and theoretical approaches

C4 photosynthesis is the carbon fixation pathway in specific plant species, so called C4 plants including maize, sorghum and sugarcane. It is characterized by the carboxylation reaction that forms four-carbon (C4) molecules, which are then used to transport CO2 to the proximity of RubisCO in the bundle sheath cells. Since C4 photosynthesis confers high photosynthetic as well as water and nitrogen use efficiency on plants, worldwide efforts have been made to understand the mechanisms of C4 photosynthesis and to properly introduce the pathway into C3 crops. Metabolic flux analysis (MFA) is a research field trying to analyze the metabolic pathway structure and activity (i.e., flux) in vivo. Constraint-based reconstruction and analysis tools theoretically study the distribution of metabolic flux in genome-scale network-based models. Different types of MFA and model-based analyses have been contributing to the discovery of C4 photosynthetic pathways and to analyze its operation in C4 plant species. This article reviews the studies to dissect the operation of C4 photosynthesis and adjacent pathways, from the pioneer studies using radioisotope-based MFA to the recent stable isotope-based MFA and the model-based approaches. These studies indicate complex interconnections among metabolic pathways and the importance of the integration of experimental and theoretical approaches. Perspectives on the integrative approach and major obstacles are also discussed.
Extending the operating system at the user level: the Ufo global file system

In this paper we show how to extend the functionality of standard operating systems completely at the user level. Our approach works by intercepting selected system calls at the user level, using tracing facilities such as the /proc file system provided by many Unix operating systems. The behavior of some intercepted system calls is then modified to implement new functionality. This approach does not require any re-linking or recompilation of existing applications. In fact, the extensions can even be dynamically "installed" into already running processes. The extensions work completely at the user level and install without system administrator assistance. We used this approach to implement a global file system, called Ufo, which allows users to treat remote files exactly as if they were local. Currently, Ufo supports file access through the FTP and HTTP protocols and allows new protocols to be plugged in. While several other projects have implemented global file system abstractions, they all require either changes to the operating system or modifications to standard libraries. The paper gives a detailed performance analysis of our approach to extending the OS and establishes that Ufo introduces acceptable overhead for common applications even though intercepting system calls incurs a high cost.
Assessment of laboratory performance with Streptococcus pneumoniae antimicrobial susceptibility testing in the United States: a report from the College of American Pathologists Microbiology Proficiency Survey Program.

Abstract Objective.—To assess the performance of clinical microbiology laboratories in the United States when conducting in vitro susceptibility tests with Streptococcus pneumoniae. Methods.—The results of a nationwide College of American Pathologists Proficiency Survey test sample, in which susceptibility testing of an isolate of S pneumoniae was performed, were assessed with respect to precision and accuracy. Results.—Wide variability was noted among participating laboratories with both minimum inhibitory concentration procedures and disk diffusion susceptibility tests when both methods were applied to S pneumoniae. Despite this high degree of variation, categorical interpretive errors were uncommon. Numerous laboratories reported results for antimicrobial agents that are not recommended by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards for tests with S pneumoniae. Conclusions.—Current susceptibility testing practices with S pneumoniae in the United States indicate limited precision and a tend...
Bernard Faÿ, Antoine Compagnon: the modern/anti-modern, or the delicate balance of the ‘Entre-Deux’

This article examines Antoine Compagnon’s Le cas Bernard Fay: du College de France a l’indignite nationale in the light of Compagnon’s intellectual trajectory and in connection with his conception ...
The N3XT Approach to Energy-Efficient Abundant-Data Computing

The world’s appetite for analyzing massive amounts of structured and unstructured data has grown dramatically. The computational demands of these abundant-data applications, such as deep learning, far exceed the capabilities of today’s computing systems and are unlikely to be met with isolated improvements in transistor or memory technologies, or integrated circuit architectures alone. To achieve unprecedented functionality, speed, and energy efficiency, one must create transformative nanosystems whose architectures are based on the salient properties of the underlying nanotechnologies. Our Nano-Engineered Computing Systems Technology (N3XT) approach makes such nanosystems possible through new computing system architectures leveraging emerging device (logic and memory) nanotechnologies and their dense 3-D integration with fine-grained connectivity to immerse computing in memory and new logic devices (such as carbon nanotube field-effect transistors for implementing high-speed and low-energy logic circuits) as well as high-density nonvolatile memory (such as resistive memory), and amenable to ultradense (monolithic) 3-D integration of thin layers of logic and memory devices that are fabricated at low temperature. In addition, we explore the use of several device and integration technologies in the N3XT beyond the specific ones mentioned earlier that are also used in our main nanosystem prototypes. We also present an efficient resiliency technique to overcome endurance challenges in certain resistive memory technologies. N3XT hardware prototypes demonstrate the practicality of our architectures. We evaluate the benefits of the N3XT using a simulation framework calibrated using experimental measurements. System-level energy-delay product of common implementations of abundant-data workloads improves by three orders of magnitude in the N3XT compared with conventional architectures. These improvements impact a broad range of application workloads and architecture configurations, from embedded systems to the cloud.
The Impact of an Adversary in a Language Model

Neural networks have been quite successful at complex classification tasks. Furthermore, they have the ability to learn information from a large volume of data. Unfortunately, not all of the sources available are secure and there is a possibility that an adversary in the environment has the malicious intention to poison a training dataset to cause the neural network to have a poor generalization error. Therefore, it is important to observe how susceptible a neural network is to the free parameters (i.e., gradient thresholds, hidden layer size, etc.) and the availability of adversarial data. In this work, we study the impact of an adversary for language models with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks and its configurations. We experimented with the Penn Tree Bank (PTB) dataset and adversarial text that was sampled from works in a different era. Our results show that there are several effective ways to poison such an LSTM language model. Furthermore, from our experiments, we are able to provide suggestions about the steps that can be taken to reduce the impact of such attacks.
Regulating assisted reproduction: Discrimination and the right to privacy:

Advances in fertility medicine have led some ethicists to call for stricter regulations on assisted reproduction. One counterargument is that such restrictions are unfair, for they impose far more ...
Distribution System State Estimation Via Data-Driven and Physics-Aware Deep Neural Networks

Massive integration of renewables and electric vehicles comes with unknown dynamics — what exemplifies the need for fast, accurate, and robust distribution system state estimation (DSSE). Due to limited real-time measurements however, optimization-oriented DSSE faces major challenges related to convergence, as well as multiple global/local minima. To address these challenges, this paper puts forth a novel deep neural network (DNN)-based computational framework for DSSE that consists of two modules: a deep recurrent neural network (RNN) based pseudo-measurement postulating module, and a prox-linear net-based real-time state estimation module. Both RNN and prox-linear nets learn complex nonlinear functions, and can afford efficient training by leveraging existing deep learning platforms. Numerical tests with semi-real load data demonstrate the merits of the DNN-based DSSE approach.
Biological Effects of Radiation in Humans

This chapter describes the deleterious effects of radiation in humans causing cancer and genetic defects that result from DNA and chromosome damage by radiation. Sources of radiation exposure to the US population are given. Acute short-term effects from whole-body radiation are presented. Long-term effects including carcinogenesis and genetic effects are also discussed. The LNT theory for risk estimate from radiation exposure is discussed as opposed to the theory of a threshold for risk. A discussion is in order on the effects of radiation on the embryo and fetus. A pertinent discussion is presented on the risk versus benefit of nuclear and radiological procedures.
Inside science: Stories from the field in human and animal science

Through case studies ranging across the social and biological sciences in the twentieth century, Robert Kohler offers a set of engaging portraits of scientific researchers who embarked on intensive...
For Christ and Country : Militant Catholic Youth in Post-Revolutionary Mexico

Why did Jose de Leon Toral kill Alvaro Obregon, leader of the Mexican Revolution? So far, historians have characterized the motivations of the young Catholic militant as the fruit of fanaticism. This book offers new insights on how diverse sectors experienced the aftermath of the Revolution by exploring the religious, political, and cultural contentions of the 1920s. Far from an isolated fanatic, Leon Toral represented a generation of Mexicans who believed that the revolution had unleashed ancient barbarism, sinful consumerism, and anticlerical tyranny. Facing attacks against the Catholic essence of Mexican nationalism, they emphasized asceticism, sacrifice, and the redemptive potential of violence. Their reckless enthusiasm to launch assaults was a sign of their devotion. Leon Toral insisted that 'only God' was his accomplice; in fact, he was cheered by thousands who dreamed of bringing the Kingdom of Christ to beleaguered Mexico.
Impact of glycaemia, dyslipidemia and anxiety level on oxidative stress in prediabetic and diabetic patients

Diabetes is one of the growing health crises. The current study was conducted to analyze the impact of glycaemia, dyslipidemia and anxiety level on oxidative stress in prediabetic and diabetic subjects. This cross-sectional study comprised of 140 subjects. Based on ADA criteria, subjects were divided into diabetic patients (n= 54) and pre-diabetic patients (n=44). Forty-two healthy subjects with normal fasting blood glucose level were served as a control group. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressures were measured using standard procedures. The biochemical parameters for measuring oxidative stress, blood glucose levels and lipid profile were estimated. Anxiety level was measured using the STAI questionnaire. The serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (nmol /ml) were significantly higher in pre-diabetes (3.14±0.42) and diabetes mellitus (3.43±0.78) compared to normal controls (2.26±1.08). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (U/ml) were higher in diabetes (11.35±3.51) and pre-diabetic subjects (8.55±2.50) compared to healthy subjects (8.11±4.11). MDA had a significant positive correlation with Fasting blood sugar (FBS), Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), waist to hip ratio and waist circumference. SOD also had a significant correlation with FBS, HbA1c, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio and Body Mass Index. The present study confirmed that diabetic and prediabetic patients are suffered from more oxidative stress than nondiabetic subjects, and it is influenced by their glycemic status and abdominal obesity which is leading to the progression of the disease. Dyslipidemia and anxiety levels didn't mark influence on oxidative stress in prediabetic and diabetic patients.
Prader Willi syndrome: endocrine updates and new medical therapies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Prader Willi syndrome is characterized not only by hyperphagia frequently resulting in obesity, but also by endocrine dysfunction across a variety of axes. This article reviews the most recent literature regarding possible causes of hyperphagia and the nature of endocrinopathies seen in Prader Willi syndrome, as well as current research into possible therapies. RECENT FINDINGS Investigation into neurologic, metabolic and hormonal drivers of hyperphagia and obesity has revealed new insights and clarified underlying pathophysiology. Additional studies continue to elucidate the hormonal deficiencies seen in the syndrome, allowing for improvements in clinical care. SUMMARY The underlying causes of the hyperphagia and progressive obesity frequently seen in Prader Willi Syndrome are largely unknown and likely multifactorial. Understanding the hormonal and metabolic drivers at work in PWS, as well as the nature of other hormonal dysfunction seen in the syndrome is necessary to guide current management and future research directions.
Engineering Ph.D. Students’ Research Experiences: A Think-Aloud Study

This Research Work in Progress Paper describes the initial development and validation for using a new assessment instrument to understand how the research experiences of engineering Ph.D. students shape them as future professionals. Little is understood about how engineering Ph.D. students are prepared for professional practice through their research experiences, yet this is of growing concern to the engineering education community. This paper describes how assessment items were developed and the collection of initial validity evidence through a structured think-aloud protocol where engineering Ph.D. students read and interpreted the items, verbalizing their thinking as they completed the assessment. Two rounds of think-alouds were completed with engineering Ph.D. students. The first round was conducted with seven students and resulted in modification of twenty-eight of the thirty assessment questions, including minor word changes to twenty-two questions and relatively major rewrites to six questions. The second round was conducted with five students and resulted in modification of twelve of the thirty assessment questions, with only minor word changes to the questions. The evidence collected shows that the vast majority of the assessment questions were understood as intended, and the assessment is ready for pilot data collection through a survey.
Characteristics of REM and NREM Sleep

REM's biobehavioral characteristics are paradoxical in that its physiologic correlates appear to be injurious to the health of the organism while its brain correlates suggest social-emotional functions. Unlike REM, NREM biobehavioral characteristics are slightly less paradoxical but still enigmatic. NREM’s physiologic functions may be related to immune system function while its electrophysiologic properties are clearly related to the restorative functions of sleep. Both REM and NREM sleep likely participate in memory processing but so does the waking state. The fact that NREM appears to be associated with the gradual deactivation of a select group of brain structures that are then reactivated during REM suggests that the two sleep states either work in harmony with one another to maintain optimal brain function or that NREM undoes something that REM instantiates.
The Impact of Dermal Fillers on Perceived Personality Traits and Attractiveness.

Dermal fillers are increasingly popular for facial rejuvenation and enhancement, including effacement of nasolabial folds (NLFs) and marionette lines and lip augmentation. This study aimed to evaluate casual observer perception of physical and interpersonal traits of subjects who receive filler treatment. An anonymous survey of 8 before/after treatment photographical sets was administered in Likert scale format (1–7) using online crowdsourcing. Three sets of photographs were before/after NLF/ marionette line treatment, three of lip augmentation, and two internal controls. Respondents were surveyed on personal demographics, as well as perceptions of subject photographs across nine domains (facial symmetry, confidence, likeability, youthfulness, trustworthiness, attractiveness, intelligence, approachability, happiness). In total, 260 respondents completed the survey. The majority were male (63.1%), Caucasian (58.1%), 18–34 years old (58.1%), and college graduates (66.2%). Respondents rated photographs with line filler treatment and lip filler treatment as significantly improved compared to the pre-treatment photographs across all nine trait domains [p 0.05, for all]. Middle-aged respondents (35–55 years) were more likely to perceive treated filler photographs as more youthful than younger respondents (18–34 years) [p < 0.006] Additionally, respondents with lower educational attainment (high-school graduate or less) were more likely to perceive treated patients as less intelligent compared to higher-educated respondents (college/postgraduates) [p < 0.05, for both]. The use of dermal fillers for treatment of NLF/marionette lines and lip augmentation have significant associations with the perception of improved attractiveness and several personality traits. Additionally, casual observer demographic subgroups may influence perceptions. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
Interpersonal Violence: a Review of Elder Abuse

We review the underappreciated problem of elder abuse with a focus on what trauma surgeons need to know. Because of its prevalence, it is important that clinicians understand types of elder abuse, risk factors in patient and perpetrator, prevention strategies, and the appropriate referral and treatment of potential victims of elder abuse. Elder abuse affects at least 10% of older individuals in the USA. Despite much effort to address the problem via legal and societal approaches, data to support particular programs are poor. And even with extensive efforts, the utility of established prevention strategies or existing screening tools to identify victims of elder abuse in the acute care setting has yet to be established. Elder abuse is a public health problem. As a society, we have only begun to define the extent of the problem. Healthcare systems have failed to effectively prevent or to accurately screen for, diagnose, and report elder abuse. The next steps include broader public awareness, educational initiatives, improved screening tools, and effective intervention strategies. In the meantime, we as trauma surgeons can be more diligent in reporting.
5-50GHz Tapered Slot Antenna Array

A 10:1 bandwidth finite size tapered slot antenna array is proposed. The configuration is composed of 8 columns of 8 tightly coupled elements corporate-fed and arranged in their E-plane. Antenna can scan to 60° in H-plane with $\text{VSWR} across the 5-50GHz bandwidth. A free-standing design accounting for practical multi-layer PCB fabrication is presented.
Technically Accessible, Practically Ineligible: The Effects of Medicaid Expansion Implementation on Chronic Homelessness.

CONTEXT Homeless policy advocates viewed Medicaid expansion as an opportunity to enhance health care access for this vulnerable population. We studied Medicaid expansion implementation to assess the extent to which broadening insurance eligibility affected the functioning of municipal homelessness programs targeting chronic homelessness in the context of two separate governance systems. METHODS We employed a comparative case study of San Francisco, California, and Shreveport, Louisiana, which were selected as exemplar cases from a national sample of cities across the United States. We conducted elite interviews with a range of local-level stakeholders and combined this data with primary-source documentation. FINDINGS Medicaid expansion did not substantially enhance the functioning of homelessness programs and policies because of Medicaid access challenges and governance conflicts. Administrative burden and funding limitations contributed to limited provider networks, inadequate service coverage, and lack of linkages between Medicaid enrollment and homelessness programming. Governance conflicts reinforced these functional challenges, with homelessness under the administration of local municipalities and nongovernmental organizations while states administer Medicaid. CONCLUSIONS Improving access to health care services for persons experiencing homelessness cannot occur without intentional coordination between sectors and levels of government and thus necessitates the development of targeted policies and programs to overcome these challenges.
How policy influence varies with race and gender in the US courts of appeals

Even when women and people of color achieve positions of political power, institutional norms may combine with social constructions of difference to create a system in which power is distributed di...
Use of a Novel Clinical Decision Support Tool for Pharmacist-Led Antimicrobial Stewardship in Patients with Normal Procalcitonin.

In 2018, a clinical decision support (CDS) tool was implemented as part of a “daily checklist” for frontline pharmacists to review patients on antibiotics with procalcitonin (PCT) <0.25 mcg/L. This study used a retrospective cohort design to assess change in antibiotic use from pharmacist interventions after this PCT alert in patients on antibiotics for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). The secondary outcome was antibiotic days of therapy (DOT), with a subgroup analysis examining antibiotic use and the length of stay (LOS) in patients with a pharmacist intervention. From 1/2019 to 11/2019, there were 165 alerts in 116 unique patients on antibiotics for LRTI. Pharmacists attempted interventions after 34 (20.6%) of these alerts, with narrowing spectrum or converting to oral being the most common interventions. Pharmacist interventions prevented 125 DOT in the hospital. Vancomycin was the most commonly discontinued antibiotic with an 85.3% use reduction in patients with interventions compared to a 27.4% discontinuation in patients without documented intervention (p = 0.0156). The LOS was similar in both groups (median 6.4 days vs. 7 days, p = 0.81). In conclusion, interventions driven by a CDS tool for pharmacist-driven antimicrobial stewardship in patients with a normal PCT resulted in fewer DOT and significantly higher rates of vancomycin discontinuation.
Assessing Repeated and Rescheduled Attempts in Random Digit Dial Surveys

A central challenge to telephone surveys is low response rates. This is particularly true for random digit dial (RDD) surveys, which have especially low response rates. For researchers designing RDD survey protocols, there is a clear tradeoff between effort and composition, where surveys can achieve a higher response rate by calling fewer numbers repeatedly or by calling more numbers less intensively. This brief explores this tradeoff by measuring the effects of (i) repeated attempts per case, and (ii) rescheduling a call, on completion rates and sample composition. Using data from nine low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), we find that repeated and rescheduled attempts result in lower completion rates than new attempts, on average. However, the respondents who complete the survey in later attempts or after rescheduling have statistically significant differences in observable characteristics. This suggests that more call attempts may be needed to adequately represent the respondents who are harder to interview, even if those call attempts produce fewer completions per case.
Spinal anesthesia in contemporary and complex lumbar spine surgery: experience with 343 cases

OBJECTIVE Spinal anesthesia (SA) is an alternative to general anesthesia (GA) for lumbar spine surgery, including complex instrumented fusion, although there are relatively few outcome data available. The authors discuss their experience using SA in a modern complex lumbar spine surgery practice to describe its utility and implementation. METHODS Data from patients receiving SA for lumbar spine surgery by one surgeon from March 2017 to December 2020 were collected via a retrospective chart review. Cases were divided into nonfusion and fusion procedure categories and analyzed for demographics and baseline medical status; pre-, intra-, and postoperative events; hospital course, including Acute Pain Service (APS) consults; and follow-up visit outcome data. RESULTS A total of 345 consecutive lumbar spine procedures were found, with 343 records complete for analysis, including 181 fusion and 162 nonfusion procedures and spinal levels from T11 through S1. The fusion group was significantly older (mean age 65.9 ± 12.4 vs 59.5 ± 15.4 years, p < 0.001) and had a significantly higher proportion of patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification class III (p = 0.009) than the nonfusion group. There were no intraoperative conversions to GA, with infrequent need for a second dose of SA preoperatively (2.9%, 10/343) and rare preoperative conversion to GA (0.6%, 2/343) across fusion and nonfusion groups. Rates of complications during hospitalization were comparable to those seen in the literature. The APS was consulted for 2.9% (10/343) of procedures. An algorithm for the integration of SA into a lumbar spine surgery practice, from surgical and anesthetic perspectives, is also offered. CONCLUSIONS SA is a viable, safe, and effective option for lumbar spine surgery across a wide range of age and health statuses, particularly in older patients and those who want to avoid GA. The authors' protocol, based in part on the largest set of data currently available describing complex instrumented fusion surgeries of the lumbar spine completed under SA, presents guidance and best practices to integrate SA into contemporary lumbar spine practices.
An Optimal Ray Traversal Scheme for Visualizing Colossal Medical Volumes

Modern computers are unable to store in main memory the complete data of high resolution medical images. Even on secondary memory (disk), such large datasets are sometimes stored in a compressed form. At rendering time, parts of the volume are requested by the rendering algorithm and are loaded from disk. If one is not careful, the same regions may be (decompressed and) loaded to memory several times. Instead, a coherent algorithm should be designed that minimizes this thrashing and optimizes the time and effort spent to (uncompress and) load the volume. We present an algorithm that divides the volume into cubic cells, each (compressed and) stored on disk, in contrast to the more common slice-based storage. At rendering time, each cell is allocated a queue of rays. For a sequence of images, all rays are spawned and queued at the cells they intersect first. Cells are loaded, one at a time, in front-to-back (FTB) order. A loaded cell is rendered by all rays found in its queue. We analyze the algorithm in detail and demonstrate its advantages over existing ray casting volume rendering methods.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone radioimmunoassay and its measurement in normal human plasma, secondary amenorrhea, and postmenopausal syndrome

A sensitive and specific double antibody radioimmunoassay for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) has been developed for measurement in ethanol extracts of human plasma. Iodinated hormone was prepared with the use of the chloramine-T method, and antibodies were developed in rabbits over a six-month period with a GnRH synthetic copolymer immunogen. A Scatchard plot revealed at least three species of antibody. The assay can measure conservatively at the 5 pg. per milliliter level and shows no cross-reactivity with other available hypothalamic and pituitary hormones. The releasing hormone was quantitatively recovered from human plasma with immunologic identity to native hormone. Unextracted plasma could not be used because of nonspecific displacement. The measurement of GnRH in individuals receiving 100 mug of intravenous bolus infusions of the synthetic decapeptide show extremely elevated values with two half-lives: one of two to four minutes and another of 35 to 40 minutes. In our experiments, we have found measurable GnRH in patients with secondary amenorrhea and at the midcycle in normal women. In the normal cycling woman during the follicular and luteal phases, GnRH was undetectable. In postmenopausal women with extreme hypoestrogenism and markedly elevated luteinizing hormone values, GnRH was also undetectable. No bursts of GnRH could be detected in normal men when sampled every ten minutes over a two-hour period and every two hours throughout the day.
Corticocortical projections to representations of the teeth, tongue, and face in somatosensory area 3b of macaques

We placed injections of anatomical tracers into representations of the tongue, teeth, and face in the primary somatosensory cortex (area 3b) of macaque monkeys. Our injections revealed strong projections to representations of the tongue and teeth from other parts of the oral cavity responsive region in 3b. The 3b face also provided input to the representations of the intraoral structures. The primary representation of the face showed a pattern of intrinsic connections similar to that of the mouth. The area 3b hand representation provided little to no input to either the mouth or the face representations. The mouth and face representations of area 3b received projections from the presumptive oral cavity and face regions of other somatosensory areas in the anterior parietal cortex and the lateral sulcus, including areas 3a, 1, 2, the second somatosensory area (S2), the parietal ventral area (PV), and cortex that may include the parietal rostral (PR) and ventral somatosensory (VS) areas. Additional inputs came from primary motor (M1) and ventral premotor (PMv) areas. This areal pattern of projections is similar to the well-studied pattern revealed by tracer injections in regions of 3b representing the hand. The tongue representation appeared to be unique in area 3b in that it also received inputs from areas in the anterior upper bank of the lateral sulcus and anterior insula that may include the primary gustatory area (area G) and other cortical taste-processing areas, as well as a region of lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) lining the principal sulcus.
Breaking the Chains: Combating Human Trafficking at the State Level

Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery. Many individuals fall prey to this flourishing industry after being lured from their homes by the promise of economic opportunity. Upon relocation, these victims are forced to work under the darkest conditions in countries around the world, including the United States. This Note explores the problem of trafficking in the United States and the efforts being exerted to combat it at the federal and state levels. Massachusetts State Senator Mark C. Montigny recently introduced a comprehensive bill that would complement and improve upon federal efforts to prosecute perpetrators of human trafficking and provide services to their victims. Ultimately, given the clandestine nature of the industry and the minimal effect the federal legislation has had, this Note urges Massachusetts to adopt Senator Montigny’s bill to fight human trafficking effectively on the local level, and for other state legislatures quickly to follow suit.
Pelvimetric dimensions do not impact upon nerve sparing or erectile function recovery in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy.

ABSTRACT Introduction The impact of unfavorable pelvic anatomy on the likelihood of having a nerve sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) and the potential correlation between pelvic dimensions and recovery of erectile function (EF) after RRP have not been previously evaluated. Aim To determine the impact of different pelvic bony and soft tissue dimensions as well as apical prostate depth on the likelihood of performing bilateral nerve sparing and on recovery of EF after RP. Methods Between November 2001 and June 2007, 644 potent men undergoing RRP had preoperative MRI where pelvimetry was performed with bilateral nerve sparing in 504 men. Outcomes including varying degrees of recovery of EF (level 1: normal; level 2: partial erections routinely sufficient for intercourse; level 3: partial erections occasionally sufficient for intercourse) were assessed. Median follow‐up was 44.1 (interquartile range: 29.2, 65.3) months. We evaluated independent predictors of performing a bilateral nerve sparing procedure and of recovery of EF using multivariable Cox proportional hazards methods. Main Outcome Measures Likelihood of performing bilateral nerve sparing as well as recovery of EF after RRP. Results Patients with higher clinical stage and biopsy Gleason score are less likely to undergo bilateral nerve sparing. Surgeon is also a factor in the likelihood of having bilateral nerve sparing RRP. On multivariate Cox regression analysis, factors predictive of recovery of EF were age, pretreatment erectile function, surgeon, and modified Charlson score. None of the pelvimetric dimensions were significant predictors of any degree of recovery of EF. However, the study is limited by its retrospective nature and by being based on MRI evaluations useful for cancer staging rather than anatomical evaluation of pelvimetric dimensions. Conclusions We did not find unfavorable pelvic anatomy to impact the likelihood of performing a nerve sparing procedure or to be predictive of any degree of recovery of EF after RRP. von Bodman C, Matikainen MP, Favaretto RL, Matsushita K, Mulhall JP, Eastham JA, Scardino PT, Akin O, and Rabban F. Pelvimetric dimensions do not impact upon nerve sparing or erectile function recovery in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy.
The Effect of Dietary Fat Saturation on Plasma and Hepatic Lipoproteins in the Rat

Semipurified diets containing 10% kilocalories from either safflower oil (SO), corn oil (CO), olive oil (OO) or palm oil (PO) were fed to weanling male rats for 2 weeks. The effects of dietary fat saturation on plasma lipids and lipoproteins were: 1) Nonfasted plasma cholesterol concentration was higher in rats fed OO (mean +/- SEM = 81.0 +/- 2.9 mg/dl) vs. CO (67.5 +/- 2.9); 2) plasma chylomicron cholesterol concentration was higher in rats fed OO vs. SO and CO, with PO values in between; and 3) the cholesterol concentration of plasma very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) did not differ among groups. The effects of dietary fat saturation on hepatic lipoproteins (determined by liver perfusion techniques) were: 1) hepatic higher density lipoprotein (d = 1.006-1.21 g/ml) cholesterol production was greater in rats fed SO and CO vs. PO [19.1 +/- 1.2, 17.2 +/- 0.8 and 13.7 +/- 1.6 micrograms/(g liver X 1.5 hour), respectively]; 2) there was no difference in hepatic VLDL cholesterol production among groups; and 3) the ratio of cholesterol to protein of hepatic VLDL and the higher density lipoprotein fraction was higher in rats fed diets rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids versus saturated fatty acids. Dietary fat saturation had no effect on carcass and liver cholesterol concentrations. Since differences in hepatic lipoprotein production were not reflected in plasma lipoprotein patterns, these results suggest that extrahepatic lipoprotein metabolism differs in rats fed diets containing fatty acids of varying saturation.
Church Property: The Unity of Law and Theology

As part of a book project, this Chapter explores the ownership of property in the Catholic Church. The Chapter consists of four sections. First, the Chapter compares several seminal elements in the understanding of property in canon law and liberal political theory. On the basis of the differences, the Chapter suggests that it would be misplaced to impose the understanding of property embraced by liberal theory onto the canon law that regulates the ownership of property within the Catholic Church. Second, in light of the question raised about the ownership of parish property in the recent diocesan bankruptcy litigations, the Chapter examines the canonical and theological relationship between the diocese and the parish in terms of the ownership of property. Third, the Chapter recounts the nineteenth century struggle of the Catholic Church to secure its parish property in accord with the hierarchical structure required by canon law in opposition to the then dominant congregational model embraced by Protestantism. Fourth, it discusses the relationship between canon law and state law with regard to ecclesiastical property. The Chapter suggests that property is held within the Catholic Church in accord with the unity of canon law and theology.
Coonhound paralysis. An acute idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis in dogs resembling the Landry-Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Abstract We have studied clinically nine dogs, and pathologically five dogs, with coonhound paralysis. We have shown that the disease is an acute polyradiculoneuritis. The typical clinical picture is an acute ascending flaccid paralysis often with facial diplegia. Pathologically, the disease is characterized by inflammation and segmental demyelination of ventral roots and spinal nerves. We have shown that the bite of a raccoon has invariably preceded the illness by an interval of between 7 and 14 days. Coonhound paralysis has been compared in detail to the Landry-Guillain-Barre syndrome in man, and has been found to be nearly identical clinically and pathologically. This great similarity strongly suggests a pathogenesis common to both entities. The raccoon bite has been compared to the viral infections that so often precede the Landry-Guillain-Barre syndrome. The raccoon bite may be looked upon as an antigenic stimulus triggering immunological disturbances that damage Schwann cells. This hypothesis is in line with the prevalent theory of the role of viral disease in the Landry-Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Have Basic Mathematical Skills Grown Obsolete In The Computer Age: Assessing Basic Mathematical Skills And Forecasting Performance In A Business Statistics Course

The purpose of this study was to measure the comprehension of basic mathematical skills of students enrolled in statistics classes at a large regional university, and to determine if the scores earned on a basic math skills test are useful in forecasting student performance in these statistics classes, and to determine if students’ basic math skills have changed over time. The results showed that 22 percent of the students’ final grades in business statistics courses were explained by their scores on this skills test. These findings may be of use to statistics faculty in identifying students who experience difficulties in these courses in the future. The current students’ scores were compared to scores from a test previously given to students in 1992/1993. The students from the first group had significantly higher scores than the current group of students.
Parallel-form adaptive state-space filtering and its implementation

Introduces an adaptive recursive state-space algorithm and its implementation. The adaptive state-space filtering is realized by using the least mean square adaptation algorithm and the gradients for filter parameters are derived directly from the state equations. To reduce the computational complexity, a parallel form of second-order sections is used. The performance of adaptive state-space filters, in terms of stability monitoring, roundoff noise and convergence rate, is given. A possible roundoff noise performance improvement by using adaptive state-space filtering is shown using simulation examples. The stability monitoring is simple since each section is a second-order filter. VLSI array processors are suggested for real-time applications. >
Pregnancy complicated by subarachnoid hemorrhage

Abstract 1. 1. Twenty-nine cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage complicating pregnancy are reviewed from the world's literature. 2. 2. Three new cases of SAH in pregnancy that occurred in the author's experience are presented. 3. 3. SAH is a rare and formidable complication of pregnancy. Injection of oxytocies might be precipitating factors in causing rupture of silent cerebral aneurysms of pregnant women. Oxytocies should be administered with extreme caution to those women who have complaints of recurrent headaches or migraine. 4. 4. Unconsciousness due to SAH is of grave prognostic import, since a very large percentage of these patients die. 5. 5. Cesarean section in a pregnant woman with SAH is to be performed only for obstetrical indications, as the absence of labor prior to an attack does not significantly reduce the mortality. 6. 6. Pregnancy does not alter the clinical picture of subarachnoid hemorrhage. 7. 7. It is ineumbent upon the physician to perform an adequate neurological examination and spinal tap on all unconscious pregnant women in order to make the correct diagnosis and institute proper treatment at the most feasible time. Failure to do so will result in overlooking the presence of a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which will be found more often than a review of the literature indicates.
Automated polarization measurement

The author describes a novel scheme of polarization measurement utilizing more than four antennas or photodetectors. In particular, he seeks configurations which possess the attractive features of conceptual and computational simplicity, robustness, and self-checking redundancy. Using a computationally convenient algorithm based on a six-port theory, digitized power meter indications are readily processed automatically to yield the desired polarimetric data. >
Anti-HER2 radioimmunotherapy.

HER2/neu is a receptor protein whose overexpression strongly correlates with poor prognosis in breast carcinomas. It is used increasingly as a therapeutic target for breast carcinomas in clinical human trials. In particular, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that target HER2/neu have been investigated for therapeutic applications. Anti-Her2 mAbs linked to radionuclides have been used in pre-clinical models and in patients for radioimmunolocalization of tumors using external scintigraphy and intraoperative handheld gamma detecting probes. Initial efforts of systemic radioimmunotherapy employed radio-iodinated mAbs. In a murine human breast cancer xenograft model, the radiolabeled mAb was 20-fold more effective than the unarmed mAb but did not yield permanent eradication of the tumor. Due to the limitations of radio-iodine ((131)I), metallic radionuclides (e.g, the beta(-)-emmiter (90)Y or the alpha-emitters (213)Bi, (212)Bi, (212)Pb) linked to mAb's are being evaluated in murine models. Complete elimination of beast cancer xenografts was possible in an adjuvant setting using (212)Pb linked to an anti-HER2/neu mAb. Finally, major efforts are underway to increase the access of the radiolabel to the tumor cell in large solid tumors. One such approach involved a pre-targeting strategy with an initial administration of streptavidin linked to mAb that, after a clearing step, was followed by biotin armed with the radionuclide. Although major challenges must be addressed, HER2/neu represents a very attractive target for systemic radioimmunotherapy of breast cancer.
Magnetocaloric effect and magnetic refrigeration

The phenomenon of the magnetocaloric effect along with recent progress and the future needs in both the characterization and exploration of new magnetic refrigerant materials with respect to their magnetocaloric properties are discussed. Also the recent progress in magnetic refrigerator design is reviewed.
Monetary regimes and money supply endogeneity

(1990). Monetary regimes and money supply endogeneity. Applied Economics: Vol. 22, No. 10, pp. 1355-1364.
Identification of Small Molecule Inhibitors that Distinguish between Non-Transferrin Bound Iron Uptake and Transferrin-Mediated Iron Transport

Chemical genetics is an emerging field that takes advantage of combinatorial chemical and small molecule libraries to dissect complex biological processes. Here we establish a fluorescence-based assay to screen for inhibitors of iron uptake by mammalian cells. Using this approach, we screened the National Cancer Institute's Diversity Set library for inhibitors of non-transferrin bound iron uptake. This screen identified 10 novel small molecule inhibitors of iron transport with IC(50) values that ranged from 5 to 30 microM. Of these ten compounds, only two blocked uptake of iron mediated by transferrin. Thus, this study characterizes the first small molecule inhibitors that distinguish between different pathways of iron transport.
Role of oxidant injury in the pathogenesis of neonatal lung disease.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease that develops in newborn infants treated with oxygen and mechanical ventilation for a primary lung disorder. With significant improvements in survival of many critically ill infants, BPD has become an extremely important complication of newborn intensive care. The pathogenesis of BPD is complex and involves a variety of causative factors. However, increasing evidence has suggested that an oxidative insult could be an extremely important component of the injury process. Premature infants are especially sensitive to oxidant injury since they are exposed to supraphysiological concentrations of oxygen at birth while endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity may be relatively deficient. Conclusion: Superoxide dismutase is an antioxidant enzyme that has been shown in numerous basic and clinical studies to protect cells against oxidant injury.