cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Malian Collapse and the Reconfiguration of Sahelian States

This paper will attempt to sort out some of the key questions that have been raised by the collapse of the regime in Mali following the March 2012 coup, and to suggest the extent to which some of these questions are having repercussions well beyond Mali itself. It will argue that much of the established wisdom on the Sahel has been called into question by events in Mali, and that regimes as well as external actors are faced with some fundamental questions that must be addressed as each attempts to negotiate the many competing pressures provoked by the crisis, as each official maintains a commitment to attempting to build democracy in some form. Prime among these questions are the very nature of democratic regimes and institutions that might be viable in the current contexts, and in particular the issue of decentralization and of possible forms of ethno-regional federalism. In addition, the dynamics of state-religion relations have been and will continue to be significantly affected by the Malian crisis, where intense internal debates within the High Islamic Council of Mali (HCIM) are reflected elsewhere in the region. By considering such questions the paper proposes a comparative framework within which to analyze the individual country cases with which the panel is concerned.
Insulin Receptors in Brain Development

The presence of insulin in the nervous system has generated considerable interest since its discovery in insects less than a decade ago (for a review, see Hendricks et al., 1983). Since then, insulin or insulin-like material has been detected in numerous species, both vertebrate and invertebrate, as well as in bacteria and fungi (LeRoith et al., 1980; LeRoith et al., 1981). Accordingly, this has prompted the search in these tissues and cells for an insulin specific cellular target, namely the insulin receptor. Insulin receptors appear on nearly all vertebrate and many invertebrate cells, most of which have not previously been considered insulin-responsive. This has raised the possibility that insulin may elicit unique actions in these cells, distinct from its known effects on liver, muscle and fat. For example, insulin is essential for the in vitro growth and maintenance of all cell lines examined to date (Barnes and Sato, 1980). This may be particularly relevant when considering the role of insulin in the nervous system, since few of insulin’s classical effects have been demonstrated in this tissue. Current thinking has led to the suggestion that insulin may have neuromodulatory actions in the central nervous system (CNS) (Boyd et al., 1985). Alternatively, insulin might play two different but not mutually exclusive roles in the nervous system: 1.) neuromodulatory, and 2.) promotion of growth and differentiation in the embryo and newborn brain. Few studies have examined the ontogeny of insulin receptors in the embryonic brain and little is known concerning the importance of insulin in the central nervous system.
Making College Better

In this chapter, I call for a renewed commitment to expanding access to higher education for all students, including those who struggle. True access requires greater institutional resources allocated to the work of helping all students to thrive. With the current 6-year graduation rates remaining stagnant at 59%, universities ought to have both ethical and pragmatic reasons to prioritize struggling students. That said, culture change is slow and educators cannot wait for systemic overhaul when they have students sitting in front of them this semester. Hence, this chapter concludes with concrete, practical strategies educators can employ in the short-time while working toward long-term structural improvement.
Electric Aircraft System Co-Simulation Including Body, Propeller, Propulsion, and Energy Storage Models

This paper discusses the multi physics modeling of an electric aircraft with distributed electric propulsion. Mathematical models for the aircraft body, propellers, propulsive motors, power electronics inverters, and batteries are developed. Two types of models are proposed for the power electronics inverters and electric machines, namely, average models which allow study of the aircraft performance under a specified mission profile, and detailed switching models used for transient examination. A new simulation framework was developed to allow communication between these two types of models so that losses and thermal stresses in the power electronics converters can be estimated especially during takeoff, landing, and other extreme conditions. Case studies are presented for an example aircraft based on the ratings and configuration of X-57 Maxwell, NASA's first all-electric distributed electric propulsion electric aircraft, which employs fourteen propellers driven by synchronous electric motors.
Cryptogenic Intracranial Hemorrhagic Strokes Associated with Hypervitaminosis E and Acutely Elevated α-Tocopherol Levels.

Abstract Objectives: Up to 41% of intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH) are considered cryptogenic despite a thorough investigation to determine etiology. Certain over-the-counter supplements may increase proclivity to bleeding, and we hypothesize that specifically vitamin E may have an association with ICH and acutely elevated serum levels of α-tocopherol. Our aim is to report 3 cases of recently admitted patients with hypervitaminosis E and otherwise cryptogenic ICH. Methods: At our institution between January and December 2018, 179 patients were admitted with ICH with 73 imputed to be “cryptogenic” (without clear etiology as per Structural vascular lesions, Medication, Amyloid angiopathy, Systemic disease, Hypertension, or Undetermined and Hypertension, Amyloid angiopathy, Tumor, Oral anticoagulants, vascular Malformation, Infrequent causes, and Cryptogenic criteria). Of these, we found 3 (4.1%) clearly admitted to consistent use of vitamin E supplementation for which α-tocopherol levels were checked. We describe the clinical presentation and course of these patients and their etiologic and diagnostic evaluations including neuroimaging and α-tocopherol laboratory data. Results: All patients in this series were consistently consuming higher than recommended doses of vitamin E and developed acute ICH. The first 2 patients both had subcortical (thalamic) intraparenchymal hemorrhages while the third had an intraventricular hemorrhage. Serum α-tocopherol levels in patient A, B, and C were elevated at 30.8, 46.7, and 23.3 mg/L, respectively (normal range 5.7-19.9 mg/L) with a mean of 33.6 mg/L. No clear alternate etiologies to their ICH could be conclusively determined despite thorough workups. Conclusions: In patients with cryptogenic ICH, clinicians should consider hypervitaminosis E and check serum α-tocopherol level during admission. Reviewing the patient's pharmacologic history, including over-the-counter supplements such as vitamin E, may help identify its association, and its avoidance in the future may mitigate risk. With its known vitamin K antagonism, hypo-prothrombinemic effect, cytochrome p-450 interaction, and antiplatelet activity, vitamin E may not be as benign as presumed. Its consumption in nonrecommended doses may increase ICH risk, which may be underestimated and under-reported.
E-004 The utility of micro vascular plug in the treatment embolization of vein of galen malformation: a case report, technical consideration, and literature review

Background Vein of Galen malformations (VOGM) are rare, accounting in recent literature for approximately thirty percent of pediatric venous malformations, caused by abnormal venogensis during gestation. VOGM is divided into two categories, mural and choroidal, depending on the respective feeding vessels. At presentation, VOGM is known to cause additional complications in the neonate including hydrocephalus, congestive heart failure, and seizures. Treatment options include coil and microparticle embolization in addition to the recent introduction of the microvascular plug used traditionally for arterial occlusion. In this case presentation, we present the second known case of use of the microvascular plug (MVP) to assist with venous occlusion for a VOGM Method/Case presentation A 39 weeks male was born via an urgent Cesarean section for right atrial dilation, cardiac arrhythmia thought to be premature atrial complexes and a cerebral vascular malformation. His mother had had a recent fetal ultrasound demonstrating intrauterine growth restriction. Head ultrasound performed after birth demonstrated a large vein of Galen malformation. MRI with angiography and venography demonstrated a 4.3×3.6×4.1 centimeter aneurysmal VOGM with primary supply via a dilated right superior cerebellar artery and primary drainage via a dilated median prosencephalic vein. Intervention/Result Postpartum day 7, the patient showed signs and symptoms of worsening heart failure. Treatment was deemed necessary. The left vertebral artery was catheterized and multiple runs performed revealing a mural type vein of Galen malformation with direct AV fistula from the supplying right superior cerebellar artery. The right superior cerebellar artery was measured at approximately 3.8 mm in diameter. A 3–5 mm Microvascular Plug device was chosen for primary embolization. Post MVP deployment angiographic runs showed decreased flow through the fistula. Three coils were then deployed followed by Onyx 34 in order to completely obliterate the fistula. Final angiographic runs revealed fistula obliteration and patent basilar artery, posterior cerebral arteries, left superior cerebellar artery and left PICA. Follow up cranial US with smaller ventricular size and repeat echocardiography with stable hemodynamics and without evidence of heart failure. Conclusion This is the second case documented in the literature demonstrating the utility of the microvascular plug for assistance in embolization of a VOGM. The utility of this device is limited by vessel diameter and appropriate landing zone requirements. Further investigation is needed to assess feasibility as well as short and long term outcomes and possible related complications from embolization including postoperative development of hydrocephalus which common in both our case and the previously published literature. Disclosures M. Mathkour: None. E. McCormack: None. J. Berry: None. A. Dumont: None. E. Valle-Giler: None.
Comparisons of the Sensitivity and Reliability of Multiple Measures of Listening Effort.

Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and reliability of one subjective (rating scale) and three objective (dual-task paradigm, pupillometry, and skin conductance response amplitude) measures of listening effort across multiple signal to noise ratios (SNRs). Design Twenty adults with normal hearing attended two sessions and listened to sentences presented in quiet and in stationary noise at three different SNRs: 0, -3, and -5 dB. Listening effort was assessed by examining change in reaction time (dual-task paradigm), change in peak to peak pupil diameter (pupillometry), and change in mean skin conductance response amplitude; self-reported listening effort on a scale from 0 to 100 was also evaluated. Responses were averaged within each SNR and based on three word recognition ability categories (≤50%, 51% to 71%, and >71%) across all SNRs. Measures were considered reliable if there were no significant changes between sessions, and intraclass correlation coefficients were a minimum of 0.40. Effect sizes were calculated to compare the sensitivity of the measures. Results Intraclass correlation coefficient values indicated fair-to-moderate reliability for all measures while individual measurement sensitivity was variable. Self-reports were sensitive to listening effort but were less reliable, given that subjective effort was greater during the dual task than either of the physiologic measures. The dual task was sensitive to a narrow range of word recognition abilities but was less reliable as it exhibited a global decrease in reaction time across sessions. Pupillometry was consistently sensitive and reliable to changes in listening effort. Skin conductance response amplitude was not sensitive or reliable while the participants listened to the sentences. Skin conductance response amplitude during the verbal response was sensitive to poor (≤50%) speech recognition abilities; however, it was less reliable as there was a significant change in amplitude across sessions. Conclusions In this study, pupillometry was the most sensitive and reliable objective measure of listening effort. Intersession variability significantly influenced the other objective measures of listening effort, which suggests challenges for cross-study comparability. Therefore, intraclass correlation coefficients combined with other statistical tests more fully describe the reliability of measures of listening effort across multiple difficulties. Minimizing intersession variability will increase measurement sensitivity. Further work toward standardized methods and analysis will strengthen our understanding of the reliability and sensitivity of measures of listening effort and better facilitate cross-modal and cross-study comparisons.
Resilient Outcomes among Youth Aging-Out of Foster Care: Findings from the National Youth in Transition Database

The period of transition from foster care to independent living is frequently associated with poor outcomes. While some studies have conveyed patterns of resilience among transition-age foster yout...
Social Performance and Reticence: Mental Negotiations in Austen, Brontë, and Eliot

iv Introduction 1 Chapter One: “A Personage in Disguise”: The Performance of Introversion in Charlotte Bronte’s Villette 10 Chapter Two: “The Proudest...Man in the World”: Failed Performance of Extroversion in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice 32 Coda: Resigned to Introversion: Philip Wakem in George Eliot’s The Mill on the Floss......... 49 Works Consulted 63 Vita 68
Reductive functionalization of 3d metal–methyl complexes: The greater importance of ligand than metal

Abstract Selective oxidation of methane, which is the primary component of natural gas, to methanol, as a more easily transportable liquid, using organometallic catalysis, has become more important recently due to the abundance of domestic natural gas. In this regard, reductive functionalization (RF) of methyl ligands in [M(diimine) 2 (CH 3 )(Cl)] complexes, where M is a 3d metal with oxidation state of 2+ has been studied computationally using density functional techniques. The metal ions chosen for study were V II (d 3 ) through Cu II (d 9 ) in the 3d row of the periodic table to assess changes in RF energetics as a function of d orbital occupation. A S N 2 mechanism for the nucleophilic attack of hydroxide on the metal–methyl bond, resulting in the formation of methanol, was studied. Similar highly exergonic pathways with very low energy S N 2 barriers were observed for the proposed RF mechanism for all the studied complexes. Changes in spin state occurred through the RF pathway for most of the metals studied. To modulate RF pathways closer to thermoneutral for catalytic purposes, a future challenge, paradoxically, requires finding a way to strengthen the metal–carbon bond. Furthermore, the DFT calculations suggest that for 3d metals, ligand properties will be of greater importance than metal identity in identifying suitable catalysts for alkane hydroxylation in which reductive functionalization is used to form the C–O bond.
A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of the Currently Utilized Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Alert: A Use Case Example for a Learning Health System

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common among hospitalized patients with significantly worse outcomes even with mild degrees of severity. We collected data on AKI e-alerts in a university medical center in November 2013. A sample of 100 non-ICU patients was analyzed for "possible AKI" e-alert present in the laboratory data section of the EMR. We found that all cases in which the alert fired were true cases of AKI with 100% Specificity and 97% Sensitivity.
General equilibrium incidence analysis: The Harberger model after ten years

Abstract This survey paper summarizes and appraises the Harberger model of tax incidence and its extensions, modifications, and applications. It considers the shortcomings of Marshallian partial equilibrium incidence analysis and early efforts to overcome them, exposits a late vintage version of the Harberger model, explains how this relatively simple general equilibrium model overcomes many of the shortcomings of earlier analysis, and describes several existing and potential modifications and applications and several inherent shortcomings of the model. It concludes that Harberger performed an invaluable service in providing public finance economists with an easily manageable general equilibrium incidence model.
Insulin signal transduction through protein kinase cascades.

This review summarizes the evolution of ideas concerning insulin signal transduction, the current information on protein ser/thr kinase cascades as signalling intermediates, and their status as participants in insulin regulation of energy metabolism. Best characterized is the Ras-MAPK pathway, whose input is crucial to cell fate decisions, but relatively dispensable in metabolic regulation. By contrast the effectors downstream of PI-3 kinase, although less well elucidated, include elements indispensable for the insulin regulation of glucose transport, glycogen and cAMP metabolism. Considerable information has accrued on PKB/cAkt, a protein kinase that interacts directly with Ptd Ins 3′OH phosphorylated lipids, as well as some of the elements further downstream, such as glycogen synthase kinase-3 and the p70 S6 kinase. Finally, some information implicates other erk pathways (e.g. such as the SAPK/JNK pathway) and Nck/cdc42-regulated PAKs (homologs of the yeast Ste 20) as participants in the cellular response to insulin. Thus insulin recruits a broad array of protein (ser/thr) kinases in its target cells to effectuate its characteristic anabolic and anticatabolic programs.
Herbicides: Cellulose Biosynthesis Inhibitors

The cellulose biosynthesis inhibitors are a chemically diverse group of herbicides that inhibit the biosynthesis of cellulose in susceptible plants through unknown mechanisms. These herbicides include dichlobenil, flupoxam, isoxaben, and quinclorac. As cell division is inhibited by preventing the incorporation of cellulose into new cell walls, these chemicals are most effective when used on seedlings or young plants that are growing rapidly. Dichlobenil is used for preemergence control of a number of annual grasses in addition to broadleaf weeds. Flupoxam and isoxaben are used primarily for preemergence control of annual broadleaf weeds. Quinclorac is used for preemergence or early post-emergence control of annual grasses, but it can also be used to control a number of broadleaf weeds in a manner similar to auxinic herbicides. There are very few reports of weeds that have developed resistance to these herbicides. Keywords: cellulose; dichlobenil; flupoxam; herbicide; isoxaben; quinclorac
Effect of Calcium Ions on Synthesis of T5-Specific Proteins

Abstract The effect of concentration of calcium ions on the capacity for phage development and on the synthesis of phage-specific proteins by complexes of T5-infected Escherichia coli F has been studied. The omission of calcium ions from a chemically defined medium results in the formation of unstable phage-cell complexes. At 10-4 m calcium chloride stable complexes are formed that have the potential for phage development but are restricted in this respect until the calcium ion concentration is elevated to 10-3 m. Class I phage proteins, which are formed for the first 6 min after protein synthesis is first allowed following infection under standard conditions, are synthesized normally by phage-cell complexes at 10-4 m Ca++. However, there is no evidence for the synthesis of Class II or Class III proteins, which first appear at 5 min and 14 min, respectively. Complexes that have been arrested at this first step may reinitiate protein synthesis and viral development upon elevation of the calcium ion concentration to 10-3 m.
Government Appeals in Criminal Cases: The Myth of Assymmetry

This article challenges the myth that the government cannot protect the public interest because its access to appellate review is circumscribed. In fact, careful examination reveals that government access to appellate review in criminal cases is more extensive today that at most times in the history of the country. Since 1971, in federal cases, the government has been able to challenge a wide range of trial court ruling on appeal. The government can challenge other rulings through petitions for writ of mandamus. These two avenues to appellate review permit the government to raise many and diverse legal questions. Some questions nevertheless remain insulated from appellate review either because they arise in a trial that ends in acquittal or an improvidently ordered mistrial or because they simply never ripen into appealable issues. The article argues that, to the extent a problem of asymmetry thus remains, the courts and the government should take steps to reduce the impact of that residual asymmetry. First, both the court and the government should adopt procedural approaches that support the government's access to appellate review; wherever possible, issues should be resolved before trial or after verdict, thus allowing the government to appeal the ruling. Second, when the trial court engages in bad faith manipulation, granting the defendant an acquittal calculated to preclude government appeal, the appellate courts should entertain government arguments to recharacterize the trial court's ruling, permitting government appeal. Finally, recognizing that some questions can only be reached through the use of mandamus, the government should pursue that avenue more often, and the appellate courts should be more receptive to challenges brought through petitions for writs of mandamus.
The structure of a membrane fusion mutant of the influenza virus haemagglutinin.

Abstract The haemagglutinin glycoprotein (HA) of influenza virus specifically mediates fusion of the viral and host cell endosomal membranes at the acidic pH of endosomes. The HAs from mutant viruses with raised fusion pH optima contain amino acid substitutions in regions of the HA structure thought to be involved in the fusion process [Daniels et al. (1985b) Cell, 40, 431-439]. We have determined the neutral pH crystal structure of one such mutant, HA2 112 Asp----Gly. A water molecule appears to partially replace the aspartate side chain, and no changes are observed in the surrounding structure. It appears that four intra-chain hydrogen bonds that stabilize the location of the N-terminus of HA2 are lost in the mutant, resulting in a local destabilization that facilitates the extrusion of the N-terminus at higher pH.
Fine-needle aspiration cytomorphology of sebaceous lymphadenoma of the salivary gland.

Sebaceous lymphadenoma (SLA) is a histologic variant of lymphadenoma or sebaceous adenoma of the salivary gland. The fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of SLA has not been well-described. In this report, we reported a case that involved an 81-year-old male with a long-standing left parotid mass and was diagnosed on FNA cytology. The FNA smears showed clusters of three types of epithelial cells in a background of abundant lymphoid cells, macrophages and abundant proteinaceous materials. The predominant epithelial cells were large polygonal cells with abundant cytoplasm filled with multiple, uniform, small, and clear vacuoles, ill-defined cytoplasmic borders, and small centrally located round nuclei with finely granular chromatin, conspicuous nucleoli and indented nuclear membranes apparently imprinted by cytoplasmic vacuoles. These cells were surrounded by polygonal or flat cells with less or more dense cytoplasm, indistinct cell borders and round or oval small nuclei with smooth nuclear membranes, which correspond to germinative or basaloid cells. Some cells had granular cytoplasm. Large three dimensional clusters of nonkeratinized squamous cells have oval nuclei containing evenly distributed chromatin, and scant to moderate dense cytoplasm that were arranged in a “stream of fish” pattern. Rare granulomas and cystic contents (degenerated cells, inflammatory cells, macrophages, and abundant granular debris/proteinaceous material) were also seen. The diagnosis of SLA was confirmed by the surgical resection. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2014;42:959–963. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Love Thy Neighbour? Social Mixing in London's Gentrification Frontiers

The issue of social mixing has recently moved to the forefront of gentrification debate. In part, this has been stimulated by neoliberal urban policies promoting ‘social mix’, research showing the inability of gentrified neighbourhoods to remain socially mixed and attempts to rethink the association between gentrification and displacement. This paper draws upon a mixed-methods study that examined levels of social mixing between gentrifying and incumbent communities in three neighbourhoods undergoing new-build gentrification in London, UK. Little evidence was found for substantial interactions between populations, and there were few shared perceptions of community. The author claims that the particular character of new-build gentrification has played an important role in generating this socially tectonic situation. Husserl's concept of the lifeworld and Bourdieu's thesis on the relative structuring of class identity are drawn upon to provide an explanatory framework.
New hybrid 1971 energy intensities available

Abstract The Energy Research Group at the University of Illinois has computed a set of 1971 hybrid intensities from 1971 direct energy-use data 1 and 1967 economic input/output information from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) 2 .
Analysis of Protein Solvent Accessible Surfaces by Photochemical Oxidation and Mass Spectrometry

Protein surfaces are important in most biological processes, including protein−protein interactions, enzymatic catalysis, and protein−ligand binding. We report a method in which hydroxyl radicals generated by a rapid-UV irradiation of a 15% hydrogen peroxide solution were utilized to oxidize specific amino acid side chains of two model proteins (lysozyme, β-lactoglobulin A), according to the residues' chemical reactivities and the solvent accessibility of the reactive carbons and sulfurs in the residue. Oxidized peptides generated by tryptic digestion were identified by electrospray-Fourier transform mass spectrometry. The specific sites of the stable modification were then identified by reverse-phase liquid chromatography coupled to quadropole ion trap tandem mass spectrometry. The solvent accessibility of the residue was shown to directly affect the rate of oxidation by this method (with the exception of methionine), supporting its use as a rapid measure of the solvent accessibility of specific residues...
High flow-resolution for mobility estimation in 2D-ENMR of proteins using maximum entropy method (MEM-ENMR).

Abstract Multidimensional electrophoretic NMR (nD-ENMR) is a potentially powerful tool for structural characterization of co-existing proteins and protein conformations. By applying a DC electric field pulse, the electrophoretic migration rates of different proteins were detected experimentally in a new dimension of electrophoretic flow. The electrophoretic mobilities were employed to differentiate protein signals. In U-shaped ENMR sample chambers, individual protein components in a solution mixture followed a cosinusoidal electrophoretic interferogram as a function of its unique electrophoretic migration rate. After Fourier transformation in the electrophoretic flow dimension, the protein signals were resolved at different resonant frequencies proportional to their electrophoretic mobilities. Currently, the mobility resolution of the proteins in the electrophoretic flow dimension is limited by severe truncations of the electrophoretic interferograms due to the finite electric field strength available before the onset of heat-induced convection. In this article, we present a successful signal processing method, the Burg’s maximum entropy method (MEM), to analyze the truncated ENMR signals (MEM-ENMR). Significant enhancement in flow resolution was demonstrated using two-dimensional ENMR of two protein samples: a lysozyme solution and a solution mixture of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and ubiquitin. The electrophoretic mobilities of lysozyme, BSA and ubiquitin were measured from the MEM analysis as 7.5 × 10 −5 , 1.9 × 10 −4 and 8.7 × 10 −5 cm 2 V −1 s −1 , respectively. Results from computer simulations confirmed a complete removal of truncation artifacts in the MEM-ENMR spectra with 3- to 6-fold resolution enhancement.
Managing programmer resources in a maintenance environment with function points

Programmer resources as measured in available hours are often a limiting or constraining resource in software projects and maintenance. A key element in software project management, therefore, is the forecast of required programming hours. Estimates based on past experience and similar projects are generally unreliable and usually underestimate the level of programming resources required. Function point counting provides a reliable methodology for estimating the level of effort required in software projects. Presents the results of using and modifying function point counting procedures in a maintenance environment where changes are often confined to one or more lines of code. The study indicates that even in this environment, function point counting procedures are useful. Finally, function point counting in the maintenance environment as discussed in this paper helped uncover problems in resource management, training, and personnel evaluation.
Animal-oriented virtual environments: illusion, dilation, and discovery

As a research tool, virtual environments (VEs) hold immense promise for brain scientists. Yet to fully realize this potential in non-human systems, theoretical and conceptual perspectives must be developed. When selectively coupled to nervous systems, virtual environments can help us better understand the functional architecture of animals’ brains during naturalistic behaviors. While this will no doubt allow us to further our understanding of the neural basis of behavior, there is also an opportunity to uncover the diversity inherent in brain activity and behavior. This is due to two properties of virtual environments: the ability to create sensory illusions, and the ability to dilate space and/or time. These and other potential manipulations will be characterized as the effects of virtuality. In addition, the systems-level outcomes of virtual environment enhanced perception will be discussed in the context of the uncanny valley and other expected relationships between emotional valence, cognition, and training. These effects and their usefulness for brain science will be understood in the context of three types of neurobehavioral phenomena: sensorimotor integration, spatial navigation, and interactivity. For each of these behaviors, a combination of illusory and space/time dilation examples will be reviewed. Once these examples are presented, the implications for improving upon virtual models for more directly inducing the mental phenomena of illusion and space/time dilation will be considered. To conclude, future directions for integrating the use of VEs into a strategy of broader biological inquiry will be presented.
Diagnosis and management of mineral metabolism in CKD.

BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects over 26 million Americans and is frequently complicated early in its course by disordered mineral metabolism and metabolic bone disease. Since CKD-related bone loss is often indistinguishable from osteoporosis by standard bone densitometry, many CKD patients may be inappropriately treated with bisphosphonates rather than CKD-specific therapies.
First-principles description of anomalously low lattice thermal conductivity in thermoelectric Cu-Sb-Se ternary semiconductors

Experimental measurements have recently shown that Cu${}_{3}$SbSe${}_{3}$ exhibits anomalously low and nearly temperature-independent lattice thermal conductivity, whereas Cu${}_{3}$SbSe${}_{4}$ does not exhibit this anomalous behavior. To understand this strong distinction between these two seemingly similar compounds, we perform density functional theory calculations of the vibrational properties of these two semiconductors within the quasiharmonic approximation. We observe strikingly different behavior in the two compounds: almost all the acoustic-mode Gr\"uneisen parameters are negative in Cu${}_{3}$SbSe${}_{4}$, whereas almost all are positive in Cu${}_{3}$SbSe${}_{3}$ throughout their respective Brillouin zones. The average of the square of the Gr\"uneisen parameter for the acoustic mode in Cu${}_{3}$SbSe${}_{3}$ is larger than that of Cu${}_{3}$SbSe${}_{4}$, which theoretically confirms that Cu${}_{3}$SbSe${}_{3}$ has a stronger lattice anharmonicity than Cu${}_{3}$SbSe${}_{4}$. The soft frequency and high Gr\"uneisen parameters in Cu${}_{3}$SbSe${}_{3}$ arise from the electrostatic repulsion between the lone ${s}^{2}$ pair at Sb sites and the bonding charge in Sb-Se bonds. Using our first-principles-determined longitudinal and transverse acoustic-mode Gr\"uneisen parameters, zone-boundary frequencies, and phonon group velocities, we calculate the lattice thermal conductivity using the Debye-Callaway model. The theoretical thermal conductivity is in good agreement with the experimental measurements.
Protonation thermochemistry of β-alanine

Abstract The extended kinetic method is employed to determine the proton affinity (PA) of β-alanine and four other difunctional molecules that can develop intramolecular hydrogen bonds after protonation, including α-alanine and three α,ω-diaminoalkanes. Proton-bound dimers of each of these molecules (AA) and reference bases of similar protonation entropy (Bi) are formed by fast atom bombardment ionization and the dissociation kinetics of the AA–H+–Bi ions into the individual protonated monomers are assessed as a function of internal energy using tandem mass spectrometry and low energy collisionally activated dissociation (CAD). This procedure accounts for any difference in the activation entropies of the competitive dissociations, Δ(ΔS‡), which is assumed to be negligible in the conventional kinetic method (one internal energy), thereby leading to more accurate PA data. The proton affinities derived for α-Ala (902±4 kJ mol−1) and 1,2-diaminoethane (951±4 kJ mol−1), i.e., difunctional molecules that form relatively weak hydrogen bonds after protonation, are in excellent agreement with literature values. A PA of 927±4 kJ mol−1 is found for β-Ala, the substantial rise vs. PA(α-Ala) reflecting an increased intrinsic basicity upon moving the electron-withdrawing COOH group further away from the amine group and an improved hydrogen bonding arrangement with the β-substitution pattern. The PAs measured for 1,3-diaminopropane (978±4 kJ mol−1) and 1,4-diaminobutane (993±4 kJ mol−1), which develop markedly stronger hydrogen bonds after protonation, are 9 and 13 kJ mol−1, respectively, lower than reported data. The underestimation is attributed to small reverse barriers and/or an underestimation of Δ(ΔS‡). Our measurements confirm that the Δ(ΔS‡) parameter obtained by the extended kinetic method is not a thermodynamic quantity equal to the relative protonation entropy between AA and Bi, but a relative entropy between the dissociating transition states at the actual, generally non-Boltzmann energy distribution of the AA–H+–Bi heterodimers. Recommendations are given, when to apply the extended kinetic method (involving activation entropy corrections) vis-a-vis its conventional variant.
In vitro binding and CNS effects of novel neurotensin agonists that cross the blood-brain barrier.

Animal studies with neurotensin (NT) directly injected into brain suggest that it has pharmacological properties similar to those of antipsychotic drugs. Here, we present radioligand binding data for some novel hexapeptide analogs of NT(8-13) at the molecularly cloned rat and human neurotensin receptors (NTR-1), along with behavioral and physiological effects of several of these peptides after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration in rats. One unique analog, NT66L, which had high affinity (0.85 nM) for the molecularly cloned rat neurotensin receptor (NTR-1), caused a drop in body temperature and antinociception at doses as low as 0.1 mg/kg after i.p. injection. At 30 min post-injection, the ED50 for NT66L-induced hypothermia (rectal temperature) and antinociception (hot plate test) was 0.5 and 0.07 mg/kg, respectively. At a dose of 1 mg/kg i.p., NT66L caused 100% of the maximum possible effect for antinociception for up to 2 h after administration. At this dose body temperature lowering was greater than −2.5°C from 20 to 120 min after i.p. administration. These results in animals suggest that NT66L has agonist properties at NTR-1 in vivo after extracranial administration and provide support for its further study in behavioral tests predictive of neuroleptic activity.
Elastic-plastic creep analysis of high temperature nuclear reactor components

Abstract In structures subjected to high temperatures and large thermal gradients, the total strain consisting of the sum of thermal, elastic, plastic, and viscous (creep) parts must be considered. Elastic and thermal strains are reversible and depend on the instantaneous stress and temperature levels; plastic and viscoelastic (creep) strains are irreversible, and their complete determination requires that loading and temperature histories be known. For many practical applications high mechanical or thermal loadings are of short duration; hence, viscoelastic (creep) strains are not significant. In such cases, the elastic and plastic strains represent the significant response of a structure to the applied loadings. An adequate description of the behavior of such structures can be obtained by the use of the theory of non-isothermal plastic deformation of elastic strain-hardening solids. For structures exposed to high temperature, long duration loadings, such as liquid metal fast breeder reactor components, the above theories do not provide adequate design evaluation and the knowledge of creep strain as a design allowable is necessary. Further, since the loading is transient with multiple complex cycles, creep and plasticity strain portions must be considered simultaneously. This paper presents a method for solving the problem of non-isothermal elastic-plastic creep structures. Finite element discretization is utilized, based on a number of flat and curved, thick and thin shell elements of triangular and quadrilateral form. Material nonlinearities are treated by the tangent stiffness method; geometric nonlinearities are considered by updating the geometry after each loading increment. Non-isothermal loading is considered by making a transition to the new temperature at the beginning of the load step and allowing the solution to settle at the position of overall equilibrium by iterative steps.
"The Sleepers" and Some Whitman Notes

Discusses "The Sleepers" in relation to what appear to be prose notes for the poem in one of Whitman's notebooks on words, proposing that both the notebook and the poem explore "the nature of friendship and the poetic self."
Factors governing the textural development of Skaergaard gabbros: A review

Abstract Recent work has shown that the nomenclature and earlier interpretations of “cumulates” no longer provide an adequate conceptual framework for understanding basic plutonic rocks. Most of the rocks have undergone extensive recrystallization and no longer preserve their original textures, compositions, or modal proportions. Depending on the conditions governing these metasomatic changes, they can produce a wide variety of effects. We still have much to learn, but with the abundant evidence available in well-studies bodies like the Skaergaard Intrusion it should be possible to reach a better understanding of the late-stage processes that have had such pervasive effects on mafic layered intrusions.
THE PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF LEFT VENTRICULAR DYSSYNCHRONY BY GATED SPECT MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION IMAGING IN PATIENTS WITH END STAGE RENAL DISEASE

Gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) provides a opportunity to assess ejection fraction (EF), myocardial perfusion and LV dyssynchrony (LVD, by phase analysis). EF and perfusion are predictors of outcome in end stage renal disease (ESRD) but risk is high even with normal findings. We
Current trends in paediatric tracheostomies.

Summary Objective In the 1970s, the most common indication for tracheostomy in children was acute inflammatory airway obstruction. Modern neonatal intensive care units have turned long-term intubation into an alternative to tracheostomy. Long-term intubation itself has become the most important indication for tracheostomy combined with subglottic stenosis. Methods Retrospective analysis in a tertiary referral center. A total of 38 patients who underwent tracheostomy for respiratory failure and upper airway obstruction from 1 November 1998 to 30 November 2004. Results Total complication rate was 42.1%. In children under 1 year of age the complication rate was 47.4%, in children over 1 year the complication rate was 26.3%. Decannulation was attempted in 12 patients with a cannulation time of 22 months. Conclusions Long-term intubation and its sequelae have now become one of the most important indication for tracheostomy. The change of indication has also entailed a decrease of the average age of children who require tracheostomy. A longer period before decannulation and a lower average age have changed the complication rate of tracheostomy in paediatric patients.
Interaction between moisture, nutrients and growth of white spruce in interior Alaska.

Abstract Two thinning and fertilization studies, the first in 1969 and the second in 1971, were established to evaluate the question of nutrient limitation to tree growth and the consequences of stand manipulation of soil moisture supply. Fertilizer was applied yearly for the first 5 years in both studies; growth response has been measured through 1987. Results indicate that thinning is necessary to obtain a growth response to fertilizer applied at the rate of 111 kg nitrogen ha−1. The response to fertilization after fertilization ended lasted for 4 years in plots thinned to 800 stems ha−1, while a significant response continued for only 2 years in plots thinned to 1600 stems ha−1. A soil water-balance model was calibrated for the control and treatment plots of these two studies. Soil water-deficits were estimated and correlated with yearly average basal-area growth per tree. Results indicated that there is a correlation between seasonal soil-moisture deficit and growth during the years when soil moisture was measured for the unthinned control plots (r2 = −0.787, P = 0.002) but not for the thinned and fertilized plots (r2 = −0.652, P = 0.057).
The experience of worry among young and older adults in the United States and Germany: a cross-national comparison.

This study compared adult age-related differences in the experience of worry within two cultures. Data were collected from 173 Germans and 263 Americans (within the United States) on a general worry scale and two hypothesized correlates of worry (life events and locus of control). Results indicated that there were age differences on all of the hypothesized correlates of worry as well as the measure of worry, with younger adults reporting more worries than did older adults. Differences were found between the two countries on the hypothesized correlates (with the exception of internal locus of control) and one subscale of the worry measure. More importantly, structural equation modeling indicated that the hypothesized correlates of worry differentially contributed to the prediction of worry across the two cultures and across the two age groups. That is, with one minor exception, the hypothesized correlates did not predict worry within the German sample, but did predict worry within the American sample. Amon...
DFT in a nutshell

The purpose of this short essay is to introduce students and other newcomers to the basic ideas and uses of modern electronic density functional theory, including what kinds of approximations are in current use, and how well they work (or not). The complete newcomer should find it orients them well, while even longtime users and aficionados might find something new outside their area. Important questions varying in difficulty and effort are posed in the text, and are answered in the Supporting Information. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effects of equity issues on ownership structure and stock liquidity: A comparison of rights and public offerings

Abstract I find that proportionate bid ask spreads increase after rights offerings of common stock, but decrease after public underwritten offerings. These changes are correlated with changes in the issuing firm's ownership structure. Public offerings cause greater dispersion in share ownership while rights offerings lead to more concentrated ownership. I argue that increased spreads represent a significant cost to issuing firms shareholders, making rights offerings costlier than public underwritten offerings for actively traded firms.
Comparison of the frequency of diphtheria toxin and thioguanine resistance induced by a series of carcinogens to analyze their mutational specificities in diploid human fibroblasts

Abstract The mutagenic specificities of ethylnitrosourea (ENU), X-rays (±)7β,,8α-dihydroxy-9α,10α-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (BPDE), ICR-191, and N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (N-AcO-AAF) were analyzed and compared in diplid human fibroblasts and Salmonella typhimurium. In the human fibroblasts, we compared the frequency of diphtheria toxin (DT) -resistant mutants, presumably induced in the gene coding for elongation factor-2, with the frequency of 6-thioguanine (TG) resistance induced by mutations in the gene coding for hypoxanthine(guanine)phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT). Recovery of DT-resistant (DTr) cells requires that the mutant EF-2 retain the ability to carry on protein synthesis since the normal EF-2 will be inactivated by DT selection. Therefore, the DTr mutation cannot involve major changes in the gene. In contrast, cells can acquire TG resistance by any mechanism which eliminates HPRT activity, e.g., base substitution, frameshift, deletion, loss of chromosomes. Each agent was assessed by calculating the ratio of the slopes of the dose-response plots (induced variant frequency as a function of dose of the agent used) for the two markers (DTr/TGr variants.). In S. typhimurium we examined the reversion frequency in four histidine-requiring strains bearing forward mutations of the frameshift (TA1538, TA98) or missense (TA1535, TA100) type. ENU, which was predominantly a base substitution mutagen in the bacteria, gave a ratio of DTr to TGr variants of 1.5. As expected of an agent inducing gross chromosomal changes, X-rays induced no revertants in bacteria gave a ratio of 0.15. In the set of ICR-191 which was predominantly a frameshift mutagen in bacteria gave a ratio of 0.15. In the set of bacterial strains containing the plasmid pKM101, BPDE reverted both frameshift and base substitution mutations. It did not cause reversions in the other set of strains. In human cells BPDE gave a response similar to ENU, i.e., a ratio of DTr/TGr variants of 1.5. As reported by others, N-ACO-AAF was predominantly a frameshift mutagen in bacteria. However, in the human cells it gave a ratio of DTr/TGr variants of 1.5, similar to ENU and BPDE. These results suggest that in human cells, BPDE and N-AcO-AAF, like ENU, yield predominantly base substitutions, while ICR-191 and X-rays largely produce mutations by mechanisms which result in more extensive alterations in the gene.