cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Setting the Stage: Phenotypic Plasticity as Habitat Selection

The ability of plants to sense their environment gives them the capacity to respond to it plastically. Plastic responses, in turn, frequently alter the environment that plants experience. Plants can modify the environment they experience through many mechanisms—some approximate but others quite precise. The ability of plants to modify the environment they experience can strongly influence the evolution of characters expressed subsequently. A review of some theoretical models of habitat selection and of the coevolution of characters and their environments highlights the importance of habitat selection in plants. Novel evolutionary trajectories and outcomes result when organisms are capable of modifying the environment they experience. Specifically, characters can evolve even if they have no genetic variation, and plasticity in environment‐determining characters may promote specialization in others. Divergence and reproductive isolation may even be augmented by habitat‐selecting behavior in plants. An under...
Heterogeneous verification of cyber-physical systems using behavior relations

Today's complex cyber-physical systems are being built increasingly using model-based development (MBD), where mathematical models for the system behavior are checked against design specifications using analysis tools. Different types of models and analysis tools are used to address different aspects of the system. While the use of heterogeneous formalisms supports a divide-and-conquer approach to complexity and allows engineers with different types of expertise to work on various aspects of the design, system integration problems can arise due to the lack of an underlying unifying formalism. In this paper, we introduce the notion of behavior relations to address the problem of heterogeneity and propose constraints over parameters as a mechanism to manage inter-model dependencies and ensure consistency. In addition, we present structured constructs of nested conjunctive and disjunctive analyses to enable multi-model heterogeneous verification. The theoretical concepts are illustrated using an example of a cooperative intersection collision avoidance system (CICAS).
Pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly in the developed world. The inability to prevent the development of AMD and its complications stems from our lack of knowledge of the underlying pathological mechanisms. A recent report described a rodent with chemokine deficiencies that developed retinal changes similar to those frequently observed in AMD and suggested an important role for macrophages and complement in the pathogenesis of this disease. Such novel insights into the possible causes of AMD might give rise to preventative and/or reconstructive treatments in the future.
Factors associated with early relapse to insulin dependence in unprovoked A-β + ketosis-prone diabetes

Abstract Objective Unprovoked “A-β+” Ketosis-Prone Diabetes (KPD), a unique diabetic syndrome of adult-onset, obesity and proneness to ketoacidosis, is associated with rapid recovery of β cell function and insulin-independence. Whereas most patients experience prolonged remission, a subset relapses early to insulin dependence. We sought to define factors associated with early relapse. Methods We utilized a prospective, longitudinal database to analyze 50 unprovoked A-β + KPD patients with > 2 measurements of β cell function and glycemia following baseline assessment. Results 19 patients (38%) relapsed to insulin dependence 1 year (median 4.2 years). Younger age at baseline (OR = 0.947, P = 0.033), and lower HOMA2-%β (OR = 0.982, P = 0.001), lower HOMA2-IR (OR = 0.582, P = 0.046) and higher HbA1c at 1 year (OR = 1.71, P = 0.002) were associated with early relapse. A multivariate model with these variables and the interaction of HOMA2-%β and HbA1c at 1 year provided a good fit (P Conclusions Relapse to insulin dependence in unprovoked A-β + KPD patients is associated with younger age and, after 1 year, lack of robust increase in β cell functional reserve, and suboptimal glycemic control. Measurements of these parameters 1 year after the index DKA episode can be used to assess the need for insulin therapy.
Visual identification and spatial location in Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract Twelve patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and 15 healthy elderly control subjects were shown sets of luminance-defined letters, texture-defined letters, luminance-defined squares, and texture-defined squares. They were asked to name the letters or point to the target square on each page. The stimuli were graded into four levels of difficulty based on the amount of contrast between the figure and the background. Performance was measured in terms of the maximum level of difficulty at which the participant correctly identified or located the three figures. Contrary to expectations, no significant difference was found between the performance of AD patients and control subjects on texture discrimination tasks vs. luminance discrimination tasks. However, results indicate that AD patients are impaired in performing a task requiring them to locate a texture-defined target of known shape in a noisy background field. By contrast, AD patients show no significant deficit in a task requiring them to locate a texture-defined shape in a known location. This argues that the observed deficit in the location task is not due to a failure in the system that discriminates target texture from background texture (since both location and identification tasks require the same textural discriminations), but rather to an impairment of the system responsible for “finding things” (i.e., locating known targets at unknown locations). This observation suggests that AD patients may suffer selective damage to the dorsal “Where” pathway, which is responsible for localizing objects in space.
Rapid Test Plus Ampicillin Protocol for Reduction of Preterm Group B Streptococcal Perinatal Morbidity

One hundred fifty-six women with preterm labor or amniorrhexis were randomly tested or not tested for endocervical infection with group B streptococcus (GBS) using the Bactigen® latex particle agglutination test. All 9 patients with positive tests among the 84 randomized to testing were treated with parenteral ampicillin prophylaxis begun at the time of the positive test. There was no streptococcus-related perinatal morbidity in this group. In contrast, 4/72 patients assigned to the control group developed streptococcus-related perinatal morbidity (P < 0.05). Use of a rapid test for endocervical GBS to direct peripartum antibiotic treatment of women at risk for preterm delivery may be effective in reducing streptococcal perinatal morbidity, if confirmed by further studies.
Head and neck anomalies related to the branchial apparatus.

Although anomalies of the branchial apparatus have often been described in the medical literature, certain points of controversy still exist, particularly with respect to origin and classification. This article provides a thorough review of the present-day classification, pathogenesis, clinical diagnosis, and treatment of branchial anomalies. Areas of controversy are highlighted and clarified.
Genetic and environmental components of phenotypic and behavioral trait variation during lake sturgeon ( Acipenser fulvescens ) early ontogeny

Quantifying the relative contributions of genetic and environmental effects and their interaction on phenotypic variation is vital to understand how populations respond to their environment. Adults can plastically respond to environmental conditions by selecting breeding and egg incubation locations that affect offspring traits during embryonic and larval development. Environmental conditions during incubation can also affect traits during later ontogenetic stages (i.e., ontogenetic contingency). Using a well-studied population of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) from Black Lake, Michigan, eggs were reared from full and half-sibling families at two spawning locations and in a common garden experiment consisting of three water velocity treatments: high, low, and variable. Larvae reared within the stream varied significantly between spawning sites for traits quantified at hatch including body length, body area, and yolk-sac area. Estimates of trait heritabilities ranged from 0.42–0.48. Growth from hatch to 2–3 weeks post hatch when larvae emerged from the substrate to begin exogenously feeding varied among families reared at the spawning locations due to a genotype-by-environment (G-by-E) interaction. In the common garden experiment, phenotypic variation among families was greatest for larvae reared under high velocity and a significant G-by-E was detected for body length, body area, and head area. Growth also varied among velocity treatments, but did not vary between families. Overall, results indicate that adult-selected spawning and rearing locations as well as genetic effects influence offspring phenotypic trait variation. Importantly, egg incubation conditions can also affect trait variation during sequential ontogenetic stages potentially affecting larval survival and population levels of recruitment.
Hybrid femtosecond/picosecond coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering for high-speed gas-phase thermometry

We demonstrate hybrid femtosecond/picosecond (fs/ps) coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering for high-speed thermometry in unsteady high-temperature flames, including successful comparisons with a time- and frequency-resolved theoretical model. After excitation of the N(2) vibrational manifold with 100 fs broadband pump and Stokes beams, the Raman coherence is probed using a frequency-narrowed 2.5 ps probe beam that is time delayed to suppress the nonresonant background by 2 orders of magnitude. Experimental spectra were obtained at 500 Hz in steady and pulsed H(2)-air flames and exhibit a temperature precision of 2.2% and an accuracy of 3.3% up to 2400 K. Strategies for real-time gas-phase thermometry in high-temperature flames are also discussed, along with implications for kilohertz-rate measurements in practical combustion systems.
Direct Regulation of an Oncogenic Micro-RNA Cluster by E2F Transcription Factors

Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression via the RNA interference pathway. In addition to roles in normal development, miRNAs have recently been implicated in a range of human diseases, including cancer. We recently demonstrated that a polycistronic cluster of miRNAs, miR-17–92, is oncogenic in a mouse model for Burkitt's lymphoma. This is due, in part, to a reduced apoptotic program. In an effort to understand the regulation of miR-17–92, we have studied the promoter structure of this miRNA cluster. The primary transcript initiates from a consensus initiator sequence downstream of a nonconsensus TATA box. The core promoter region contains two functional E2F transcription factor binding sites. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrates that E2F3 is the primary E2F family member that occupies the promoter. These data place miR-17–92 in a regulatory loop between E2F3 and the miR-17 target E2F1. We propose a model whereby miR-17–92 promotes cell proliferation by shifting the E2F transcriptional balance away from the pro-apoptotic E2F1 and toward the proliferative E2F3 transcriptional network.
SUM RULES FOR TOTAL CROSS SECTIONS FROM SUGAWARA'S THEORY OF CURRENTS.

From Sugawara's theory of currents a number of sum rules are derived, some of which have previously appeared in the literature. These are now expressed in terms of total absorption cross sections for vector currents. It is shown that these sum rules imply that for fixed q and timelike ${q}^{2}$, where ${q}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ is the four-momentum associated with the current, the cross sections go to zero as ${q}^{2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$. In particular, the cross sections for absorption of transverse and longitudinal photons vanish for large timelike ${q}^{2}$.
Bus-Based Tree Structures for Efficient Parallel Computation

We propose a class of new multiprocessor structures called bus based trees (BBTs) that are based on multiple buses. We show that a BBT can simulate a tree machine optimally. We also discuss optimal VLSI layouts for the BBT and show that the BBT can be used as a building block to construct new powerful parallel computing structures.
Incorporation of MATLAB into a distributed behavioral robotics architecture

This paper presents a method that integrates MATLAB into a distributed behavioral robotics architecture. The architecture is written in Java and uses the Jini platform for distributed object registration, lookup and remote method invocation. The method described here can be used to integrate MATLAB into any Java-based behavioral architecture. The form of the integration allows a running MATLAB workspace to be accessed as a distributed object within the larger Java/Jini-based architecture. This is beneficial because MATLAB scripts and functions may be called in interpreted form and can make full use of MATLAB tool boxes and have access to the MATLAB workspace environment. This is not possible when MATLAB scripts are compiled into stand-alone C++, Java or p-code. The use of the architecture is demonstrated on an iRobot ATRV-JR robot and remote computer workstation. Experiments have been conducted to quantify GPS and odometry errors in outdoor environments using automated methods supported by the distributed architecture.
Laparoscopic transperitoneal pyeloplasty in children from age of 3 years: Our clinical outcomes compared with open surgery

Abstract Objective To report clinical outcomes for laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) in children compared with open pyeloplasty (OP) and literature findings. Patients and methods In a prospective study, the outcomes of 57 consecutive transperitoneal LP in children from the age of 3 years were analyzed and compared with a matched historic control group of OP and with series of LP in the literature. Successful result was defined as resolution of symptoms, no conversion or re-operation, improved hydronephrosis, and/or improved renographic drainage. Results Mean operative time was 177 (SD 50.5) min in the LP group and 108 (SD 25.6) min in the OP group (p Conclusions Our LP has a similar success rate and more often improved renographic drainage in comparison to OP. Furthermore, our LP demonstrates a shorter hospital stay and favorable outcomes compared to the literature. We thus regard LP as standard treatment for repair of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in children from the age of 3 years.
Influence of Network Model Detail on Estimated Health Effects of Drinking Water Contamination Events

AbstractNetwork model detail can influence the accuracy of results from analyses of water distribution systems. Previous work has shown the limitations of skeletonized network models when considering water quality and hydraulic effects. Loss of model detail is potentially less important for aggregated effects such as the systemwide health effects associated with a contamination event, but has received limited attention. The influence of model detail on such effects is examined here by comparing results obtained for contamination events using three large network models and several skeletonized versions of the models. Loss of model detail decreases the accuracy of estimated aggregated adverse effects related to contamination events. It has the potential to have a large negative influence on the results of consequence assessments and the design of contamination warning systems. However, the adverse influence on analysis results can be minimized by restricting attention to high percentile effects (i.e., 95th ...
Petrology and geochemistry of the Beemerville carbonatite–alkalic rock complex, New Jersey

The Beemerville carbonatite–alkalic rock complex of Late Ordovician age consists of two stocklike bodies of nepheline syenite and dikes or sills of phonolite, tinguaite, lamprophyre micromalignite, lamprophyre micromelteigite, and carbonatite. The complex also includes several lamprophyric diatremes with xenoliths of sedimentary rock and gneiss and autoliths of carbonatite, potassic syenite, and lamprophyre micromelteigite. The largest diatreme also contains a small pluglike body of nepheline syenite; fenite after graywacke occurs adjacent to one of the diatremes. Intense hydrothermal alteration is particularly evident in phonolite, lamprophyre, diatreme autoliths, and diatreme matrix rock. Field and bulk chemical evidence suggests that parental magma was of either highly carbonated melteigitic or slightly carbonated malignitic composition. A petrogenetic model based on each of these possibilities is explored. The model that begins with highly carbonated melteigite magma involves immiscibility relations between melteigite and carbonatite magmas as well as fractional crystallization processes. The model that begins with slightly carbonated malignite magma includes, in addition, immiscibility relations between carbonated melteigite and syenite magmas.
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide enhances electrical coupling in the mouse adrenal medulla

Neuroendocrine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells receive synaptic excitation through the sympathetic splanchnic nerve to elicit catecholamine release into the circulation. Under basal sympathetic tone, splanchnic-released acetylcholine evokes chromaffin cells to fire action potentials, leading to synchronous phasic catecholamine release. Under elevated splanchnic firing, experienced under the sympathoadrenal stress response, chromaffin cells undergo desensitization to cholinergic excitation. Yet, stress evokes a persistent and elevated adrenal catecholamine release. This sustained stress-evoked release has been shown to depend on splanchnic release of a peptide transmitter, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP). PACAP stimulates catecholamine release through a PKC-dependent pathway that is mechanistically independent of cholinergic excitation. Moreover, it has also been reported that shorter term phospho-regulation of existing gap junction channels acts to increase junctional conductance. In this study, we test if PACAP-mediated excitation upregulates cell-cell electrical coupling to enhance chromaffin cell excitability. We utilize electrophysiological recordings conducted in adrenal tissue slices to measure the effects of PACAP stimulation on cell coupling. We report that PACAP excitation increases electrical coupling and the spread of electrical excitation between adrenal chromaffin cells. Thus PACAP acts not only as a secretagogue but also evokes an electrical remodeling of the medulla, presumably to adapt to the organism's needs during acute sympathetic stress.
Two-photon excitation study of peridinin in benzene and in the peridinin chlorophyll a-protein (PCP)

Peridinin chlorophyll a-protein (PCP) is a unique light harvesting protein found in dinoflagellates, that contains a large amount of the carotenoid peridinin. Carotenoids have unusual spectroscopic properties due to theirapproximate C 2 h symmetry, which makes transitions from their ground states to their S 1 (S 2 ) states one-photon forbidden (allowed). To gain information about one-photon forbidden electronic states in peridinin, fluorescence excitation spectra were measured after two-photon excitation for peridinin in benzene and in the PCP. The samples were excited using 920-1320 nm light. Fluorescence of the isolated peridinin S, state was then measured at 750 nm. In PCP, the excited peridinin transfers energy to chlorophyll whose fluorescence was monitored at 670 nm. Surprisingly, two-photon absorption was observed in both the peridinin S 1 and S 2 regions, with the spectrum slightly red-shifted in the protein sample. The peridinin S, energy was found to be higher than that of typical light harvesting carotenoids, making its S 1 state very close in energy to its S 2 state. We suggest that peridinin's polar groups, symmetry breaking, and possible mixing of electronic states lead to two-photon character of the normally one-photon allowed S 0 -S 2 transition.
Some new existence results for fractional difference equations

In this paper, we introduce several existence theorems for a discrete fractional boundary value problem with Dirichlet boundary conditions in the case where the order ν of the fractional difference satisfies 1 < ν ≤ 2. We use cone theoretic techniques to deduce the existence of one or more positive solutions. We then deduce uniqueness theorems for the same problem by assuming a Lipschitz condition. We show that many of the classical existence and uniqueness theorems for second-order discrete boundary value problems extend to the fractional-order case.
BIOLOGY OF WOLBACHIA

▪ Abstract Wolbachia are a common and widespread group of bacteria found in reproductive tissues of arthropods. These bacteria are transmitted through the cytoplasm of eggs and have evolved various mechanisms for manipulating reproduction of their hosts, including induction of reproductive incompatibility, pathenogenesis, and feminization. Wolbachia are also transmitted horizontally between arthropod species. Significant recent advances have been made in the study of these interesting microorganisms. In this paper, Wolbachia biology is reviewed, including their phylogeny and distribution, mechanisms of action, population biology and evolution, and biological control implications. Potential directions for future research are also discussed.
Periostin induces proliferation of differentiated cardiomyocytes and promotes cardiac repair

Adult mammalian hearts respond to injury with scar formation and not with cardiomyocyte proliferation, the cellular basis of regeneration. Although cardiogenic progenitor cells may maintain myocardial turnover, they do not give rise to a robust regenerative response. Here we show that extracellular periostin induced reentry of differentiated mammalian cardiomyocytes into the cell cycle. Periostin stimulated mononucleated cardiomyocytes to go through the full mitotic cell cycle. Periostin activated alphaV, beta1, beta3 and beta5 integrins located in the cardiomyocyte cell membrane. Activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase was required for periostin-induced reentry of cardiomyocytes into the cell cycle and was sufficient for cell-cycle reentry in the absence of periostin. After myocardial infarction, periostin-induced cardiomyocyte cell-cycle reentry and mitosis were associated with improved ventricular remodeling and myocardial function, reduced fibrosis and infarct size, and increased angiogenesis. Thus, periostin and the pathway that it regulates may provide a target for innovative strategies to treat heart failure.
Access to health insurance in the United States.

One of the most compelling issues in United States health policy in the 1980s has been the growing number and proportion of the population with no health care coverage--no private health insurance, no Medicare coverage, no Medicaid coverage, no coverage through any other public or private program. Those without any coverage for health care expenses have come to be known as "the uninsured." The uninsured have increased from 27 million, 13 percent of the total population, in 1977 (Kasper, Walden, and Wilensky n.d.) to 37 million, 16 percent of the population, in 1987 (Short, Monheit, and Beauregard 1988). This article examines the reasons why health insurance coverage is an important issue, those groups most likely to be uninsured, the major sources and types of coverage for the insured population, and public policy options being considered to address the problem of access to health insurance.
OBSERVATIONS ON CRIME REPORTING IN A DEVELOPING NATION

The literature from developed countries hypothesizes that crime-reporting practices vary by levels of incident-specific, victim-specific, and environment-specific correlates. To date these correlates have not been used to investigate crime-reporting behavior in developing countries, nor have they been explored simultaneously. This research attempts to fill this void by analyzing data from a household victimization survey conducted in Belize, Central America. A crime-reporting model based on research findings from developed nations, especially the United States, is tested. Bivariate findings are presented and a multivariate logistic model is estimated, Contrary to prediction, the findings from the Belize sample are generally similar to those reported in developed nations. As in developed nations, incident-specific correlates play a significant role, individual-specific correlates pray a minor role, and environment-specific correlates play no role in inducing citizens to report a crime to the police. The findings indicate that factors that affect reporting in Belize seem not to be conditioned by the particularistic social structure of policing in that nation.
University Programs in Systems Engineering

A survey of university programs in systems engineering is presented. Only institutions having formally organized programs leading to degrees or options in systems engineering, systems science, cybernetics, or related fields are included. A list of institutions includes a statement of the history and position of the program at the institution. Eighteen categories of subject matter offered in these programs are proposed and the classification of typical course titles into the categories is exemplified. A subject matter profile is established for each program by reporting the number of courses that fall within each of the eighteen categories.
Clinical, electrophysiologic, and pathologic evidence for sensory abnormalities in ALS.

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive degenerative disease of upper and lower motor neurons. Reports of the nature and frequency of sensory nerve involvement in ALS have varied. Methods: We reviewed the Emory University motor neuron disease registry between 1997 and 2004 to identify 103 patients with ALS without coexisting diseases that might cause sensory abnormalities and for whom electrodiagnostic studies were available for review. Neurophysiologic studies were interpreted based on age-adjusted normative data from our laboratory. Twelve control biopsies were evaluated alongside 22 samples from patients with ALS to ensure blinded evaluation of pathologic specimens. Results: Sensory symptoms or signs were present in 32% of patients, sural sensory nerve action potential amplitudes were abnormal in 27%, and pathologic abnormalities were present in 91% of patients. Large-caliber myelinated fibers were predominantly affected (reduced in 73%) and small-caliber myelinated fibers were affected less often (23%). Thinly myelinated fibers were present in 95% and regenerating clusters in 77% of the biopsies. Teased fiber analysis showed an increased frequency of axonal degeneration and regeneration as well as excessive myelin irregularity. Morphometry confirmed the loss of large-caliber fibers. Conclusions: These data indicate that one third of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis report sensory symptoms and sural sensory response amplitudes are reduced in a similar proportion of subjects. Pathologic evidence of sensory nerve pathology was present in 91% of patients who underwent sural nerve biopsy. The electrophysiologic and pathologic findings indicate a pattern of axonal loss that predominantly affects large-caliber myelinated fibers.
Increasing on-chip memory space utilization for embedded chip multiprocessors through data compression

Minimizing the number of off-chip memory references is very important in chip multiprocessors from both the performance and power perspectives. To achieve this the distance between successive reuses of the same data block must be reduced. However, this may not be possible in many cases due to data dependences between computations assigned to different processors. This paper focuses on software-managed on-chip memory space utilization for embedded chip multiprocessors and proposes a compression-based approach to reduce the memory space occupied by data blocks with large inter-processor reuse distances. The proposed approach has two major components: a compiler and an ILP (integer linear programming) solver. The compiler's job is to analyze the application code and extract information on data access patterns. This access pattern information is then passed to our ILP solver, which determines the data blocks to compress/decompress and the times (the program points) at which to compress/decompress them. We tested the effectiveness of this ILP based approach using access patterns extracted by our compiler from application codes. Our experimental results reveal that the proposed approach is very effective in reducing power consumption. Moreover, it leads to a lower energy consumption than an alternate scheme evaluated in our experiments for all the test cases studied.
Is Milk-Borne Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Essential for Neonatal Development?

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), a polypeptide growth factor found in milk, is hypothesized to play a functional role in the growth and development of neonates, particularly the gastrointestinal tract. Considerable evidence, based on direct tracer studies with 125I-labeled IGF-I and measurements of circulating IGF-I concentrations in neonatal animals fed a range of IGF-I doses, indicates that the intestinal absorption of IGF-I and the possible effect on metabolism and somatic growth are negligible. However, studies in neonatal animals indicate that oral administration of pharmacological doses of IGF-I increases small intestinal mucosal growth, whereas oral IGF-I provided within the physiological range may enhance the development of intestinal lactase. Therefore, clinical trials exploring the therapeutic use of oral IGF-I as an intervention for preterm neonates and those with compromised intestinal function seem warranted. However, milk-borne IGF-I may not be essential for normal healthy infants, perhaps because endogenous IGF-I provides a sufficient stimulus for maintenance of gastrointestinal structure and function. Future studies should explore the significance of endogenous IGF-I and whether milk-borne IGF-I may be important under pathological conditions in which the endogenous IGF-I production may be compromised.
Intermittent atrial fibrillation may account for a large proportion of otherwise cryptogenic stroke: a study of 30-day cardiac event monitors.

Introduction Despite extensive inpatient workup including telemetry monitoring, a significant proportion of stroke is classified as cryptogenic at hospital discharge. It is possible that a significant proportion of cryptogenic stroke is a result of intermittent atrial fibrillation (AF). Thirty-day cardiac event monitors (30-DEM) may increase the rate of AF detection compared with standard investigations that include a combination of electrocardiography, cardiac telemetry, and short-term Holter monitoring. Methods Charts were reviewed of patients who were admitted to a university stroke center or who were evaluated in the outpatient clinic during a 9-month period to determine whether the cause of stroke was cryptogenic. As a matter of protocol, such patients typically underwent 30-DEM and the results of such monitoring were documented along with the duration of inpatient cardiac monitoring if relevant. Results In all, 218 patients with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack were identified. Of the strokes, 36 (16.5%) were classified as cryptogenic. Twenty patients with cryptogenic stroke or transient ischemic attack were evaluated with 30-DEM. Four (20%) were found to have AF, and all 4 patients were treated with warfarin. Conclusion The 30-DEM changed the medical treatment of 20% of patients with otherwise cryptogenic stroke because of the detection of intermittent AF despite no detection of AF on electrocardiography and inpatient telemetry monitoring in the majority of patients. Further prospective studies of extended cardiac event monitors in the setting of cryptogenic stroke are warranted.
Structural Impediments of the Civil Society Project in Iran: National and Global Dimensions

The origins of the “civil society” concept can be traced to the nineteenth century European political thought. But in the last two decades the concept has been revived in an eclectic and non-critical fashion by Western governments and affiliated donor agencies with vested neo-colonial and economic interests in Eastern Europe, former Soviet republics, and developing countries. This article argues that as an alternative to radical ideologies and revolutionary processes of social change, the civil society concept has been transformed into a neutral and allegedly non-ideological pragmatic “project” for establishing democracy and promoting market-based economies in developing nations. The article entails two components. First, it traces historical origins of the civil society concept from Locke, Hegel and Marx to Gramsci and Habermas, as well as resurrection of the concept by western governments, particularly in the United States and Britain. Second, it examines the feasibility of establishing civil society in...
Recall of disclosed apolipoprotein E genotype and lifetime risk estimate for Alzheimer's disease: The REVEAL study

Purpose: To determine whether individuals recall their apolipoprotein E genotype and numeric lifetime risk estimates after undergoing a risk assessment for Alzheimer's disease. Methods: One-hundred and four participants underwent Alzheimer's disease risk assessment that included disclosure of apolipoprotein E genotype and a numeric lifetime risk estimate. Results: At six weeks and one year post-disclosure, 59% and 48% of participants, respectively, recalled their lifetime risk estimate, and 69% and 63% recalled their apolipoprotein E genotype. Participants were more likely to remember their genotype than numeric lifetime risk estimate at one year (P < 0.05). Apolipoprotein E ɛ4-positive participants had better recall of their genotype at both time points (P < 0.05). Participants were more likely to recall whether they carried the “risk-enhancing form of apolipoprotein E” than their specific genotype (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These data suggest that apolipoprotein E genotype, especially the presence of an ɛ4 allele, is more memorable than a numeric risk estimate for Alzheimer's disease. Participants recalled genotype information in a more simplified, binary form. Health professionals testing for complex disorders such as Alzheimer's disease must find an appropriate balance between communicating risk in an understandable format and addressing the probabilistic nature of the information.
Marketing Models of Consumer Demand

Marketing researchers have used models of consumer demand to forecast future sales; to describe and test theories of consumer behavior; and to measure the response to marketing interventions. The basic framework typically starts from microfoundations of expected utility theory to obtain a statistical system that describes consumers’ choices over available options, and to thus characterize product demand. The basic model has been augmented significantly to account for quantity choice decisions; to accommodate purchases of several products on a single purchase occasion (multiple discreteness and multi-category purchases); and to allow for asymmetric switching between brands across different price tiers. These extensions have enabled researchers to bring the analysis to bear on several related marketing phenomena of interest. This paper has three main objectives. The first objective is to articulate the main goals of demand analysis - forecasting, measurement and testing - and to highlight the desiderata associated with these goals. Our second objective is describe the main building blocks of individual-level demand models. We discuss approaches built on direct and indirect utility specifications of demand systems, and review extensions that have appeared in the marketing literature. The third objective is to explore interesting emerging directions in demand analysis including considering demand-side dynamics; combining purchase data with primary information; and using semiparametric and nonparametric approaches. We hope researchers new to this literature will take away a broader perspective on these models and see potential for new directions in future research.
Caregiver–Recipient Closeness and Symptom Progression in Alzheimer Disease. The Cache County Dementia Progression Study

Applying Rusbult's investment model of dyadic relationships, we examined the effect of caregiver-care recipient relationship closeness (RC) on cognitive and functional decline in Alzheimer's disease. After diagnosis, 167 participants completed up to six visits, observed over an average of 20 months. Participants were 64% women, had a mean age of 86 years, and mean dementia duration of 4 years. Caregiver-rated closeness was measured using a six-item scale. In mixed models adjusted for dementia severity, dyads with higher levels of closeness (p < .05) and with spouse caregivers (p = .01) had slower cognitive decline. Effect of higher RC on functional decline was greater with spouse caregivers (p = .007). These findings of attenuated Alzheimer's dementia (AD) decline with closer relationships, particularly with spouse caregivers, are consistent with investment theory. Future interventions designed to enhance the caregiving dyadic relationship may help slow decline in AD.
Multiplex and Genome-Wide Analyses Reveal Distinctive Properties of KIR+ and CD56+ T Cells in Human Blood

Killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIRs) on NK cells have been linked to a wide spectrum of health conditions such as chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, pregnancy complications, cancers, and transplant failures. A small subset of effector memory T cells also expresses KIRs. In this study, we use modern analytic tools including genome-wide and multiplex molecular, phenotypic, and functional assays to characterize the KIR(+) T cells in human blood. We find that KIR(+) T cells primarily reside in the CD56(+) T population that is distinctively DNAM-1(high) with a genome-wide quiescent transcriptome, short telomere, and limited TCR excision circles. During CMV reactivation in bone marrow transplant recipients, KIR(+)CD56(+) T cells rapidly expanded in real-time but not KIR(+)CD56(-) T cells or KIR(+) NK cells. In CMV(+) asymptomatic donors, as much as 50% of CD56(+) T cells are KIR(+), and most are distinguishably KIR2DL2/3(+)NKG2C(+)CD57(+). Functionally, the KIR(+)CD56(+) T cell subset lyses cancer cells and CMVpp65-pulsed target cells in a dual KIR-dependent and TCR-dependent manner. Analysis of metabolic transcriptome confirms the immunological memory status of KIR(+)CD56(+) T cells in contrast to KIR(-)CD56(+) T cells that are more active in energy metabolism and effector differentiation. KIR(-)CD56(+) T cells have >25-fold higher level of expression of RORC than the KIR(+) counterpart and are a previously unknown producer of IL-13 rather than IL-17 in multiplex cytokine arrays. Our data provide fundamental insights into KIR(+) T cells biologically and clinically.
AUGMENTED RESPONSES TO OZONE IN OBESE CARBOXYPEPTIDASE E-DEFICIENT MICE

We reported previously that mice obese as a result of leptin deficiency (ob/ob) have enhanced ozone (O3)-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and inflammation compared with wild-type (C57BL/6) ...
Phonological variation and Optimality Theory: Evidence from word-initial vowel epenthesis in Vimeu Picard

One striking feature of Vimeu Picard concerns the regular insertion of epenthetic vowels in order to break up consonant clusters and to syllabify word-initial and word-final consonants. This corpus-based study focuses on word-initial epenthesis. It provides quantitative evidence that vowel epenthesis applies categorically in some environments and variably in others. Probabilistic analysis demonstrates that the variable pattern is constrained by a complex interplay of linguistic factors. Following Labov (1972a, 1972b) and Antilla and Cho (1998), I interpret such intricate grammatical conditioning as evidence that this variation is a reflection of a grammatical competence that generates both categorical and variable outputs, and I propose an account within the framework of Optimality Theory. An analysis of individual patterns of epenthesis by members of the community reveals that, even though all speakers share the same basic community grammar, their use of epenthesis differs qualitatively as well as quantitatively. I show that individual grammars can be derived from the community grammar, and that Optimality Theory allows us to formalize the idea that individual grammars constitute more specific versions of community grammars.
Evaluation of studies of prognosis

When patients first receive a diagnosis of a disease or condition, their initial questions often focus on “what can be done?”—that is, questions of treatment. Patients also want to know what will happen to them in the short and long term, in terms of disease progression, survival, and quality of life. These are questions of prognosis. For example, the family of a patient who has had a first ischaemic stroke will want to know if the patient will die, if current disabilities such as paralysis or aphasia will continue and for how long, what kind of life the patient can expect to have after discharge from hospital, and whether the patient is likely to have a recurrent stroke. The answers to some of these questions will likely influence decision making about treatment. If a patient is likely to die in the short term, families may be unwilling to initiate invasive treatments or those associated with pain or other adverse effects. Similarly, some conditions, such as the common cold, are self limiting and will resolve in time without treatment. In such cases, patients will often forgo treatment, especially if it is costly or has unpleasant side effects. Nurses, in various contexts, may be faced with questions of prognosis. It is therefore important for nurses to understand how to assess and interpret evidence related to disease prognosis. This users’ guide will focus on the critical appraisal of studies of prognosis. The specific questions that will guide this appraisal, initially outlined by Laupacis et al ,1 are summarised below. ### Questions to help critically appraise studies of prognosis Are the results valid? 1. Was there a representative and well defined sample of patients at a similar point in the course of the disease? 2. Was follow up sufficiently long and complete? 3. Were objective and unbiased …
Progress on the Upgrade of the CMS Hadron Calorimeter Front-End Electronics

Abstract We present a scheme to upgrade the CMS HCAL front-end electronics in the second long shutdown to upgrade the LHC (LS2), which is expected to occur around 2018. The HCAL electronics upgrade is required to handle the major instantaneous luminosity increase (up to 5 * 1034 cm-2 s-1) and an expected integrated luminosity of ∼3000 fb-1. A key aspect of the HCAL upgrade is to read out longitudinal segmentation information to improve background rejection, energy resolution, and electron isolation at the L1 trigger. This paper focuses on the requirements for the new electronics and on the proposed solutions. The requirements include increased channel count, additional timing capabilities, and additional redundancy. The electronics are required to operate in a high radiation/high magnetic field environment and are constrained by the existing infrastructure (existing on-detector custom crates, legacy optical fiber, existing water cooling plant, tight trigger latency requirement). The proposed solutions span from chip level to system level. They include the development of a new ASIC ADC, the design and testing of higher speed transmitters to handle the increased data volume, the evaluation and use of circuits from other developments, evaluation of commercial FPGAs, better thermal design, and improvements in the overall readout architecture. We will report on the progress of the designs for these upgraded systems, along with performance requirements and initial design studies.
Dose-dependent effects of glucocorticoids on pulmonary vascular development in a murine model of hyperoxic lung injury

Exposure of neonatal mice to hyperoxia results in pulmonary vascular remodeling and aberrant phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) signaling. Although glucocorticoids are frequently utilized in the NICU, little is known about their effects on the developing pulmonary vasculature and on PDE5. We sought to determine the effects of hydrocortisone (HC) on pulmonary vascular development and on PDE5 in a neonatal mouse model of hyperoxic lung injury. C57BL/6 mice were placed in 21% O2 or 75% O2 within 24 h of birth and received HC (1, 5, or 10 mg/kg subcutaneously every other day) or vehicle. At 14 d, right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH), medial wall thickness (MWT), lung morphometry, and pulmonary artery (PA) PDE5 activity were assessed. PDE5 activity was measured in isolated pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells exposed to 21 or 95% O2 ± 100 nmol/l HC for 24 h. Hyperoxia resulted in alveolar simplification, RVH, increased MWT, and increased PA PDE5 activity. HC decreased hyperoxia-induced RVH and attenuated MWT. HC had dose-dependent effects on alveolar simplification. HC decreased hyperoxia-induced PDE5 activity both in vivo and in vitro. HC decreases hyperoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling and attenuates PDE5 activity. These findings suggest that HC may protect against hyperoxic injury in the developing pulmonary vasculature.
Vine v. City of Lansing Police Dep't: Adoptees and Wrongful Death Damages: The Legal Ties that Bind

An article that explores the disparity between the legislative intent of wrongful death damages and inheritance laws. The disparity came to light in a case where a blood relative of a deceased was denied acess to wrongful death damages because he was not eligible to inherit from the deceased under intestacy laws. It is asserted that the legislature did not intend for eligibility to receive wrongful death damages be dependent on whether one is eligible to inherit from a deceased person under intestacy laws. The plaintiff in the case that is the subject of the article was the biological brother of the decedent. The decedent had been adopted by foster parents but maintained a close, personal relationship with his brother (who had not be adopted by the foster parents). When the adopted brother died, and wrongful death damages were awarded, the biological brother was not allowed to receive any part of the damages because the court determined that the adoption severed the relationship between two "brothers" so that they were no longer legally related to one another. As such, the biological brother was not allowed to inherit from the deceased "brother's" estate, and therefore, could not participate in the wrongful death damage award either.
Chronological Research at Copan: Methods and implications

As a consequence of long-term archaeological research at Copan, 1,425 archaeological sites containing 4,507 structures have been located and mapped over an area of 135 km2. As part of the PAC II research, 200 archaeological sites representing a 15% stratified random sample of all valley sites were test excavated from 1983–1989. From these excavations, 2,150 obsidian hydration dates were processed, representing the largest number of chronometric dates from controlled contexts currently available from any southern Lowland Maya site. Based on this chronological research, there appears to be an excellent fit with various other available chronological techniques for all time phases except the ending date of the important Coner ceramic phase, which now appears to have extended to A.D. 1250. This more detailed Copan chronology suggests that the political collapse of the Main Group and immediate vicinity was quite sudden, taking place c. A.D. 800–830. Beyond that, however, the chronometric data provide evidence that some of the secondary elite, or lineage heads, and large numbers of rural commoners continued to reside within the valley in reduced courtyard groups or small rural hamlets for about 400 years following the decentralization of the Copan polity.