cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Frontotemporal Dementia and Primary Progressive Aphasia: An Update

Frontotemporal dementias are syndromes of progressive dysfunction of the frontal and/or temporal lobes, either unilaterally or bilaterally. These syndromes were described clinically under the terms “primary progressive aphasia” in the United States and “frontotemporal dementia” in Europe and the United Kingdom. They are diagnosed by the clinical features of a frontal lobe neurobehavioral syndrome, or a language and cognitive deterioration. In recent years, molecular genetic findings in these syndromes, especially the tau and progranulin mutations on chromosome 17, have provided a molecular and genetic foundation for the understanding of frontotemporal dementia. These disorders are distinct from Alzheimer’s disease but have some overlap with the syndrome of corticobasal degeneration, and with motor neuron disease. Treatments remain very limited, mainly involving therapy for the mood and behavioral symptoms, but advances in the molecular and genetic understanding of these conditions will hopefully lead to more specific therapies in the future.
Hierarchical algorithms for assessing probabilistic constraints on system performance

We propose an algorithm for assessing probabilistic performance constraints for systems including components with uncertain delays. We make a case for designing systems based on a probabilistic relaxation of performance constraints, as this has the potential for resulting in lower silicon area and/or power consumption. We consider a concrete example, an MPEG decoder, for which we discuss modeling and assessment of probabilistic throughput constraints.
Collusion in Oligopoly: An Experiment on the Effect of Numbers and Information

I. Introduction, 240. — II. Price variations models of oligopoly, 241. — III. An experimental oligopoly market, 242. — IV. Hypotheses, 248. — V. Procedure, 249. — VI. Results, 251. — VII. Discussion, 257. — VIII. Summary and conclusions, 259.
Proliferation, apoptosis, and induction of hepatic transcription factors are characteristics of the early response of biliary epithelial (oval) cells to chemical carcinogens

In this study, we used [3H]thymidine labeling of newly synthesized DNA to examine the earliest effects of 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) on the mitotic activation of cells in the adult rat liver, and in situ hybridization analysis to study the expression of three transcription factors (HNF1 beta, HNF3 gamma, and HNF4), and two of the genes (alpha-fetoprotein [AFP] and albumin) regulated by these factors. A low dose of 2-AAF (and its analogs, 2-AF [2-aminofluorene] and N-OH-2-AAF) elicited a mitogenic response in ductal cells and nondescript periductular cells within 24 hours after administration. The compounds also induced the expression of HNF1 beta, HNF3 gamma, AFP, and albumin in ductal structures but had no detectable effect of HNF4 expression. In contrast, initiation of bile duct proliferation by ligation of the common bile duct had no effect on the expression of these genes in ductal cells. In addition to inducing a mitogenic response, 2-AAF resulted in increased numbers of apoptotic cells in the portal areas, a process that contributed to overall retention of liver morphology. Our results demonstrate that 2-AAF and some of its analogs can elicit a specific mitogenic response and induce expression of the "establishment" transcription factors, HNF1 beta and HNF3 gamma, in ductal cells. Our data provide further support of a precursor-product relationship between "stem-like" cells located in ductal structures, oval cells, and hepatocytes. (Hepatology 1996 Jan;23(1):62-70)
Luther's Inner Conflict: A Psychological Interpretation

The one group, represented by Rudolph Sohm, Karl Rieker, Heinrich Hermelink, Karl Miiller, Ernst Troeltsch, and Walther Kohler, to mention only a few, maintains that Luther was fundamentally medieval in his outlook, and that the Reformation as a general movement was to a great extent the solving anew of medieval, Catholic problems. These scholars attempt to show that Luther deviated very little from this fundamental medieval position, and in so doing explain the final development of a conservative territorial church of the princes, thoroughly hedged about by confessions and a virtual state control over faith.
Molecular neuroanatomy: a generation of progress

The neuroscience research landscape has changed dramatically over the past decade. Specifically, an impressive array of new tools and technologies have been generated, including but not limited to: brain gene expression atlases, genetically encoded proteins to monitor and manipulate neuronal activity, and new methods for imaging and mapping circuits. However, despite these technological advances, several significant challenges must be overcome to enable a better understanding of brain function and to develop cell type-targeted therapeutics to treat brain disorders. This review provides an overview of some of the tools and technologies currently being used to advance the field of molecular neuroanatomy, and also discusses emerging technologies that may enable neuroscientists to address these crucial scientific challenges over the coming decade.
The molecular mechanisms underlying the pharmacological actions of estrogens, SERMs and oxysterols: Implications for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis

Estrogen therapy and hormone therapy are effective options for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, although because of their significant side effect profile, long term use for these applications is not recommended. Whereas SERMs (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators) exhibit a more favorable side effect profile, the currently available medicines in this class are substantially less effective in bone than classical estrogens. However, the results of substantial efforts that have gone into defining the mechanisms that underlie the pharmacology of estrogens, antiestrogens and SERMs have informed the development of the next generation of SERMs and have led to the development of TSECs (Tissue Selective Estrogen Complexes), a new class of ER-modulator. Further, the recent determination that the oxysterol 27-hydroxycholesterol functions as an endogenous SERM has highlighted an unexpected link between hypercholesterolemia and bone biology and must be considered in any discussions of ER-pharmacology. This review considers the most recent progress in our understanding of ER pharmacology and how this has and will be translated into new medicines for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.
Climate response to radiative forcings by sulfate aerosols and greenhouse gases

The annual, global mean radiative forcing for the troposphere-surface system has been used to rank the global warming influences of atmospheric trace gases. The approach was also used recently to compare the cooling influence of tropospheric sulfate aerosols with the warming influence of greenhouse gases. However, the spatial inhomogeneity of sulfate aerosols (concentrated mainly in the continental Northern Hemisphere) may induce climate responses which differ other than just in sign from those induced by increased concentrations of the more homogeneously distributed greenhouse gases. Here we use a general circulation model to further examine the suitability of global mean radiative forcing as a predictor of differences in global, hemispheric, and regional climate responses to differing spatial and temporal forcing patterns. The calculated responses indicate that changes of the global and annual mean surface air temperature depend only on global average net forcing and are not highly sensitive either to the details of the spatial and seasonal patterns in forcing or to the nature of the forcing (shortwave vs. longwave). Thus in global and annual mean the negative aerosol forcing may be viewed as a scaleable anti-greenhouse forcing. However substantial responses to nonuniformly distributed aerosol forcing were observed at hemispheric and regional scales. Further, the patterns of response differ from the patterns of forcing, leading to the conclusion that the spatial distribution of all significant forcings must be accurately represented when studying regional climate changes.
Dephosphorylation of Sp1 by Protein Phosphatase 1 Is Involved in the Glucose-mediated Activation of the Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase Gene

When mouse 30A5 preadipocytes are exposed to high glucose concentrations, acetyl-CoA carboxylase is induced through glucose activation of promoter II of the acetyl-CoA carboxylase gene. Glucose treatment of the cells increases Sp1 binding to two GC-rich glucose response elements in promoter II. We have investigated the mechanism by which glucose increases Sp1 binding and transactivation of promoter II in 30A5 cells. DNA mobility shift assays have shown that nuclear extracts from glucose-treated cells exhibit increased Sp1 binding activity. This increase in the binding activity is not due to glucose-mediated changes in the amount of Sp1 in the nucleus but to an increase in the activity that modifies Sp1 so that it binds more effectively to the promoter sequence. This Sp1 modifying activity is inhibited by okadaic acid and phosphatase inhibitor 2, and has a molecular mass of 38-42 kDa. The catalytic subunit of type 1 protein phosphatase, whose molecular mass is 38 kDa, also increased the ability of Sp1 to bind to promoter II. Treatment of nuclear extract with antibodies against the catalytic subunit partially suppressed the nuclear activity for Sp1 activation. From these results, we conclude that the Sp1 transcription factor exhibits enhanced binding to promoter II and transcriptional activation is the result of glucose-induced dephosphorylation by type 1 phosphatase.
What They Learn in Court: Student Observations Of Legal Proceedings

IN A COMPELLING THESIS, Dorothy Smith suggests viewing "the everyday world as problematic, where the everyday world is taken to be various and differentiated matrices of experience" (1997:88). For sociology teachers, this presents a challenge: how to encourage students to look beneath the surface of everyday institutional processes in a topical course, an environment that some argue discourages non-traditional teaching techniques (Chow et al. 2003; Mauksch 1986; Sweet 1999). This note describes an ethnographic research assignment for a nonmethods course, using court observations to raise critical awareness of populations employed by, and processed through, the juvenile justice system. Court ethnography assignments provide a wonderful way to teach observation skills in an unfamiliar legal setting. Most people obtain their knowledge of legal proceedings from television or movies and students are no exception. But we can teach students to closely examine court process and legal behavior in a sophisticated way by assigning them to directly observe courtroom interactions, the needs of lawyers and clients, and the treatment they receive in the legal system. In this paper I outline how sociology teachers can use a court ethnography assignment in their non-methods courses, demonstrate its value, and offer some assessments (based on observations submitted by a total of 45 students from three different courses) of the quality of student work and learning created by this field work. I conclude with a discussion of strategies for addressing the limitations and concerns of student observations in court proceedings.
Partial half-life for β-decay of 36Cl

Abstract The partial half-life for β-decay of 36Cl was determined with a high specific activity preparation of 36Cl (32·6 atom per cent). Results by the specific activity method were 3·06 (±0·02) × 105 years (liquid scintillation counting) and 3·10 (±0·04) × 105 years (4πβ counting) in excellent agreement with the best previous value of 3·08 (±0·03) × 105 years.
Part II. Telomerase expression in cerebrospinal fluid specimens as an adjunct to cytologic diagnosis

The diagnosis of meningeal carcinomatosis hinges on the cytologic examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which has a known low sensitivity for the identification of malignant cells. Often only 'suspicious' or 'atypical' diagnoses can be rendered, and specimens are commonly unsatisfactory for evaluation due to poor morphologic preservation. Telomerase is widely expressed in most brain metastases, medulloblastomas, lymphomas, oligodendrogliomas, and is expressed focally in glioblastomas. Little is known about the level of telomerase expression in these tumors, except for brain metastases, where a four-fold variation in telomerase levels exists. In our laboratory, as few as ten carcinoma cells can be detected by a sensitive polymerase chain reaction-based assay, the telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP), for telomerase, but it was unclear whether varying levels of telomerase expressed by different types of metastases would influence detection. Using the TRAP protocol, we studied 281 CSF samples from a wide variety of patients with neurologic and non-neurologic conditions for telomerase expression. An adjusted specificity of 90% and a sensitivity of 64% were achieved for detection of malignant cells in CSF by telomerase expression. The TRAP assay for telomerase detection may serve as an adjunct to the traditional examination of CSF. Neither previously documented four-fold variation in the levels of telomerase expression in brain metastases, high CSF protein levels nor high white blood cell counts precluded detection of malignant cells in CSF.
Using landscape epidemiological models to understand the distribution of chronic wasting disease in the Midwestern USA

Animal movement across the landscape plays a critical role in the ecology of infectious wildlife diseases. Dispersing animals can spread pathogens between infected areas and naive populations. While tracking free-ranging animals over the geographic scales relevant to landscape-level disease management is challenging, landscape features that influence gene flow among wildlife populations may also influence the contact rates and disease spread between populations. We used spatial diffusion and barriers to white-tailed deer gene flow, identified through landscape genetics, to model the distribution of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the infected region of southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, USA. Our generalized linear model showed that risk of CWD infection declined exponentially with distance from current outbreaks, and inclusion of gene flow barriers dramatically improved fit and predictive power of the model. Our results indicate that CWD is spreading across the Midwestern landscape from these two endemic foci, but spread is strongly influenced by highways and rivers that also reduce deer gene flow. We used our model to plot a risk map, providing important information for CWD management by identifying likely routes of disease spread and providing a tool for prioritizing disease monitoring and containment efforts. The current analysis may serve as a framework for modeling future disease risk drawing on genetic information to investigate barriers to spread and extending management and monitoring beyond currently affected regions.
Synthesis and Comparative η1-Alkyl and Sterically Induced Reduction Reactivity of (C5Me5)3Ln Complexes of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, and Sm

The synthesis of (C5Me5)3Ce and (C5Me5)3Pr from [(C5Me5)2Ln][(μ-Ph)2BPh2] and KC5Me5 completes the series of sterically crowded (C5Me5)3Ln complexes for the larger lanthanides, La−Nd and Sm, and allows a comparison of structure and reactivity as a function of metal size. Synthesis of these new (C5Me5)3Ln complexes required silylated glassware, which surprisingly was not necessary for the more sterically crowded analogues. (C5Me5)3Ce and (C5Me5)3Pr display longer Ln−C(C5Me5) distances than any previously described Ce or Pr complexes containing the (C5Me5)- ligand. The η1-C5Me5 alkyl-like reactivity of the (C5Me5)3Ln complexes was investigated with CO, ethylene, THF, and H2. The sterically induced reduction (SIR) reactivity of the (C5Me5)3Ln complexes was examined with SePPh3, AgBPh4, C8H8, and phenazine. All of these data indicate that (C5Me5)3Ln reactivity increases with decreasing size of the metal and hence increased steric crowding. The reactivity of (C5Me5)3Ln with CO2 and with Et3NHBPh4 was examined ...
Effect of secoverine HCl on motor and myoelectrical activity of the sigmoid colon in man

Secoverine hydrochloride is a new synthetic tertiary amine with selective muscarine blocking effect. Its tendency to produce parasympathetic side effects has been claimed to be almost 100 times less than atropine. We studied the role of secoverine on meal-induced colon motor and myoelectrical activity in 12 healthy volunteers. Intraluminal pressure changes, slow wave activity, and spike frequency of the sigmoid colon as well as a pneumogram, blood pressure, and electrocardiogram were monitored. Fifteen minutes after ingestion of a 1000-kcal meal, subjects received 4 mg secoverine or the same volume of normal saline in separate sessions and recording continued for another 90 minutes. Ingestion of the meal increased colon motor and spike activities; however, these parameters were not influenced by secoverine. Drug treatment did not change the proportion of slow wave activity and did not affect pulse rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, or electrocardiogram in a significant fashion. In conclusion, intravenous injection of 4 mg secoverine had no effect on meal-stimulated colon motor and myoelectrical activity. Whether this medication at a different dose regimen has therapeutic value remains to be seen. However, this dose of secoverine was well tolerated by the subjects.
Two-dimensional finite element analysis of bi-modulus materials

Abstract The cord reinforced composite materials with different stiffness in tension and compression are considered. The composite properties of these materials are directly computed in term of constituents properties and the ‘effective’ cord compression modulus. These properties are, however, stress-dependent and therefore introduce nonlinearities into mathematical formulation even under the assumptions of small displacements. The finite element formulation of the problem is then discussed and an iterative scheme of solution is proposed. The features of the finite element formulation and solution procedure are examined through a two-dimensional plane-stress problem. Some numerical results are presented.
Why an unsurpassable being cannot create a surpassable world

Daniel and Frances Howard-Snyder suggest that it is possible for an omnipotent being, Jove, to create randomly a world from a continuum of ever more perfect possible worlds. They then go on to argue that Jove could be characterized as morally unsurpassable despite creating a surpassable world. I raise a number of problems for the view that Jove could be characterized as morally unsurpassable when he creates (randomly or not) a surpassable world.
Role of serotonergic input in the down-regulation of β-adrenoceptors following long-term clorgyline treatment

Administration of the selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) type A-inhibiting antidepressant clorgyline (1 mg/kg per day) to rats for 21 days caused a significant decrease in cortical [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding. Selective lesioning of central serotonergic axons by 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT; confirmed by the presence of the serotonin syndrome in response to a 40 mg/kg dose of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) or inhibition of 5-HT synthesis by parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA) caused significant 5-HT and 5-HIAA depletions in the cortex without much effect on NE and DA concentrations, but did not have any significant effect on beta-adrenoceptor density, and furthermore failed to attenuate clorgyline-induced decreases in beta-adrenoceptor density. Clorgyline treatment partially antagonized 5-HT depletion by the 5,7-DHT lesion or PCPA treatment. These findings suggest that due to their ability to raise 5-HT concentrations, MAO-inhibiting antidepressants may be a better alternative than the tricyclics in treating depressed patients with reduced 5-HT if down-regulation of beta-adrenoceptors is critical for antidepressant efficacy.
Localization of interferon-induced lupus inclusions demonstrated by computer image reconstruction of monensin-treated Daudi cells.

Abstract A structural analysis of cells that contained the interferon-α-induced lupus inclusions (LI) was performed using a high-voltage electron microscope to determine the exact cellular location of LI and their association with normal cell organelles. LI were induced in the human B lymphoblastoid cell line, Daudi, by culturing with the pure recombinant human leukocyte interferon, IFLrA. Just prior to harvesting, a portion of the cells was treated with monensin to selectively swell the Golgi apparatus, and thereby simplify their identification using the electron microscope. Organellar associations between LI and the outer nuclear envelope and Golgi apparatus were identified in stereopairs of 1-μm sections prepared from both cells that were not treated with monensin and those that were treated with monensin. Serial 0.25-μm sections of the monensin-treated cells were prepared, and seven arbitrarily chosen cells were examined. Each of these cells contained a single LI, and it formed throughout an endoplasmic-reticulum region that made contact with both the outer nuclear envelope and the Golgi vesicles. Reconstruction of a cell by computer from the digitized negatives of serial sections clearly illustrated these relationships. This study reports the first determination of the association between LI and the Golgi apparatus. It also identifies the presence of only one LI in every cell, and the routine association of the LI with both the outer nuclear envelope and the Golgi apparatus. The unique cell location of LI formation suggests their functioning in membrane biogenesis, the trafficking of proteins to the plasma membrane or to cytoplasmic vesicles, or the processing of proteins for secretion.
Low-Disorder Microwave Cavity Lattices for Quantum Simulation with Photons

We assess experimentally the suitability of coupled-transmission-line resonators for studies of quantum phase transitions of light. We have measured devices with low photon hopping rates $t/2\ensuremath{\pi}=0.8$ MHz to quantify disorder in individual cavity frequencies. The observed disorder is consistent with small imperfections in fabrication. We studied the dependence of the disorder on transmission-line geometry and used our results to fabricate devices with disorder less than two parts in ${10}^{4}$. The normal-mode spectrum of devices with a high photon hopping rate $t/2\ensuremath{\pi}=31$ MHz shows little effect of disorder, rendering resonator arrays a good backbone for the study of condensed-matter physics with photons.
Amphetamine and maternal behavior dose response relationships

Primiparous rats received 0.05, 0.25, 0.50, or 1.50 mg d-amphetamine/kg body weight, injected IP, when offspring reached 3–4 and 10–11 days of age. A multidimensional analysis of their maternal behavior revealed that at doses as low as 0.25 mg/kg, amphetamine had a disruptive effect on mother-pup intercontact interval, retrieval latency, inter-retrieval interval, number of pup retrieved and number of corners to which they were retrieved, time nest building, number of paper strips used, nursing time, time in motion, and number of squares entered. Disruption was dose-dependent for all the preceding except number of corners and time nest building. Amphetamine had no effect on the rate of maternal locomotion. The impact of amphetamine on nursing was significantly greater at pup ages of 3–4 days than at 10–11 days. Drug-induced augmentation of arousal exceeding optimal levels for adequate care-giving and locomotor stimulation incompatible with elements of maternal behavior may account for dose-dependent impairment in the range of 0.25 to 1.50 mg/kg d-amphetamine.
Factors That Influence a Jurisdiction's Probability of Charging Impact Fees

Increasing limitations on property taxes, declining federal, and state investment in infrastructure, and the realization that growth should pay its own way are among the major reasons contributing to local governments’ increasing reliance on impact fees to finance their growing infrastructure, including transportation needs. Although the factors that have led to the wide spread use of impact fees have been previously examined, the earlier studies have been largely theoretical in nature. This study, through empirical analysis of jurisdictional-level attributes of 16 impact fee charging cities and towns of King County and Snohomish County, Washington, for the period of 1991–2000, identifies and provides relative importance of several factors that influence the probability of a jurisdiction charging impact fees. The results show that these factors include population size of the jurisdiction, property tax rate, per-pupil school expenditure, and the number of new single family permits issued per year.
Heat or Eat: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Nutritional and Health Risks Among Children Less Than 3 Years of Age

In response to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries Energy Crisis of 1979, in fiscal year 1981, Congress implemented the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program to provide $1.85 billion for home heating, medically necessary home cooling, and weather-related supply shortage emergencies. This program became the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in 1982 and reached peak funding in the mid-1980s. Public funding for the LIHEAP has never been sufficient to serve more than a small minority of income-eligible households. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding has not increased with recent rapidly rising energy costs, harsh winter conditions, or higher child poverty rates. Although a national performance goal for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is to increase the percentage of recipient households having 1 member 5 years of age, the association of income-eligible households' receipt of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program with indicators of well-being in young children has not been evaluated previously. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the association between a family's participation or non-participation in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the anthropometric status and health of their young children.
SLOPE: a quick and accurate method for locating non-SNP structural variation from targeted next-generation sequence data.

Motivation Targeted 'deep' sequencing of specific genes or regions is of great interest in clinical cancer diagnostics where some sequence variants, particularly translocations and indels, have known prognostic or diagnostic significance. In this setting, it is unnecessary to sequence an entire genome, and target capture methods can be applied to limit sequencing to important regions, thereby reducing costs and the time required to complete testing. Existing 'next-gen' sequencing analysis packages are optimized for efficiency in whole-genome studies and are unable to benefit from the particular structure of targeted sequence data. Results We developed SLOPE to detect structural variants from targeted short-DNA reads. We use both real and simulated data to demonstrate SLOPE's ability to rapidly detect insertion/deletion events of various sizes as well as translocations and viral integration sites with high sensitivity and low false discovery rate. Availability Binary code available at http://www-genepi.med.utah.edu/suppl/SLOPE/index.html
Application of the rapid thermal process: sintering the sputtered aluminum/silicon contact in silicon detector fabrication

Rapid thermal process (RTP) sintering has been used in p/sup +/-n junction detector fabrication. For the same thickness of aluminum film and for the same RTP sintering condition, the leakage current of the p/sup +/-n junction detector with a sputtered Al gate showed at least a 50% improvement, and no spiking phenomena were observed. The flatband voltages of MOS capacitors with a sputtered Al gate after RTP sintering in 4% H/sub 2//N/sub 2/ ambient gas become comparable with those with an evaporated Al gate. RTP sintering has also been found to passivate the oxide damage introduced by /sup 60/Co gamma radiation. >
APEC — An authentication protocol with embedded certificates

The APEC (Authentication Protocol with Embedded Certificates) is a wireless ad hoc network authentication protocol that employs a time-slots/frequency two-tuple for the validation of trusted nodes in a secure ad hoc network. APEC is derived from a canonical, time-space (frequency channel) splitting over which information (data packets) propagates under the constraint of a collision-avoidance protocol. In this paper, we analyze several authentication attack scenarios and discuss their properties under APEC.
Interventions in children with Prader-Willi syndrome and their effect on sleep related breathing disorders, a retrospective review

Introduction: Limited evidence exists regarding effect of interventions on sleep related breathing disorders (SRBD) in children with Prader-willi syndrome (PWS). Aim: Evaluate results of polysomnograms (PSG) in children with PWS and assess impact of intervention adenotonsillectomy (AT), continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) and/or growth hormone (GH) therapy on SRBD. Methods: Retrospective chart review of all PWS patients. Those who had initial PSG as part of assessment for suitability for GH and consequently had repeat PSG between April 2004 and July 2012 were included in study. Results: Sixteen patients met the inclusion criteria . Five had GH, 2 had CPAP and GH, 1 had AT and GH, 6 had AT and 2 had no intervention. Median AHI was 6.4/hour for the initial PSG, this decreased to 3.15/hour in subsequent PSG. Median desaturation index for the group improved from 11.5/hour to 8/hour. Median Sp02 nadir increased from 79% to 85%. View this table: Conclusion: Data shows that PSG results with each intervention are highly variable from patient to patient with no pattern indentified. Given the sporadic nature of outcomes, we conclude that each patient be evaluated on an individual basis.
Budget Reform as Strategic Legislative Action: An Exploration

By using the development of the appropriations process in the House between 1865 and 1921 to generate a series of cases, this paper explores one way in which two congressional research paths, rational choice theory, and historical analysis, can be joined. The theory section specifies four types of structural strategies that rational members of Congress might pursue in order to make particular substantive outcomes more likely: expansionary fragmentation, retrenching centralization, expansionary centralization, and retrenching fragmentation. The empirical section of the paper examines episodes in the House between 1865 and 1921 when each of the four structural strategies was pursued. Expansionary fragmentation is the most common strategy during this period, confirming conventional wisdom concerning congressional budgeting. But the exact opposite strategy--retrenching centralization--had its persistent supporters who were frequently successful at instituting reform. Finally, the other two strategies--expansi...
EVALUATION OF THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF INSTALLED-IN-PLACE POLYURETHANE FOAM INSULATION BY EXPERIMENT AND ANALYSIS

In the thermal analysis of the 9977 package, it was found that calculated temperatures, determined using a typical thermal analysis code, did not match those measured in the experimental apparatus. The analysis indicated that the thermal resistance of the overpack in the experimental apparatus was less than that expected, based on manufacturer's reported value of thermal conductivity. To resolve this question, the thermal conductivity of the installed foam was evaluated from the experimental results, using a simplified analysis. This study confirmed that the thermal resistance of the experimental apparatus was lower than that which would result from the manufacturer's published values for thermal conductivity of the foam insulation. The test package was sectioned to obtain samples for measurement of material properties. In the course of the destructive examination a large uninsulated region was found at the bottom of the package, which accounted for the anomalous results. Subsequent measurement of thermal conductivity confirmed the manufacturer's published values. The study provides useful insight into the use of simplified, scoping calculations for evaluation of thermal performance of packages.
Dynamics of ezrin and EBP50 in regulating microvilli on the apical aspect of epithelial cells

Microvilli are found on the apical surface of epithelial cells. Recent studies on the microvillar proteins ezrin and EBP50 (ezrin/radixin/moesin-binding phosphoprotein of 50 kDa) have revealed both the dynamics and the regulation of microvillar components, and how a dynamic ezrin phosphocycle is necessary to confine microvilli to the apical membrane. In the present review, we first summarize the background to allow us to place these advances in context.
Toward integrated PV panels and power electronics using printing technologies

In this paper, we review the latest developments in the area of printing technologies with an emphasis on the fabrication of control-embedded photovoltaics (PV) with on-board active and passive devices. We also review the use of power converters and maximum power point tracking (MPPT) circuits with PV panels. Our focus is on the investigation of the simplest implementations of such circuits in view of their integration with solar cells using printing technologies. We see this concept as potentially enabling toward further cost reduction. Besides a discussion as to feasibility, we shall also present some projections and guidelines toward possible integration.
Registration Assisted Image Smoothing and Segmentation

Image segmentation is a fundamental problem in Image Processing, Computer Vision and Medical Imaging with numerous applications. In this paper, we address the atlas-based image segmentation problem which involves registration of the atlas to the subject or target image in order to achieve the segmentation of the target image. Thus, the target image is segmented with the assistance of a registration process. We present a novel variational formulation of this registration assisted image segmentation problem which leads to solving a coupled set of nonlinear PDEs that are solved using efficient numerical schemes. Our work is a departure from earlier methods in that we have a unified variational principle wherein registration and segmentation are simultaneously achieved. We present several 2D examples on syntheticand real data sets along with quantitative accuracy estimates of the registration.
Monitoring Early Fusion Dynamics of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 at Single-Molecule Resolution

The fusion of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to host cells is a dynamic process governed by the interaction between glycoproteins on the viral envelope and the major receptor, CD4, and coreceptor on the surface of the cell. How these receptors organize at the virion-cell interface to promote a fusion-competent site is not well understood. Using single-molecule force spectroscopy, we map the tensile strengths, lifetimes, and energy barriers of individual intermolecular bonds between CCR5-tropic HIV-1 gp120 and its receptors CD4 and CCR5 or CXCR4 as a function of the interaction time with the cell. According to the Bell model, at short times of contact between cell and virion, the gp120-CD4 bond is able to withstand forces up to 35 pN and has an initial lifetime of 0.27 s and an intermolecular length of interaction of 0.34 nm. The initial bond also has an energy barrier of 6.7 kBT (where kB is Boltzmann's constant and T is absolute temperature). However, within 0.3 s, individual gp120-CD4 bonds undergo rapid destabilization accompanied by a shortened lifetime and a lowered tensile strength. This destabilization is significantly enhanced by the coreceptor CCR5, not by CXCR4 or fusion inhibitors, which suggests that it is directly related to a conformational change in the gp120-CD4 bond. These measurements highlight the instability and low tensile strength of gp120-receptor bonds, uncover a synergistic role for CCR5 in the progression of the gp120-CD4 bond, and suggest that the cell-virus adhesion complex is functionally arranged about a long-lived gp120-coreceptor bond.
Coriolis-Force-Induced Trajectory and Endpoint Deviations in the Reaching Movements of Labyrinthine-Defective Subjects

When reaching movements are made during passive constant velocity body rotation, inertial Coriolis accelerations are generated that displace both movement paths and endpoints in their direction. These findings directly contradict equilibrium point theories of movement control. However, it has been argued that these movement errors relate to subjects sensing their body rotation through continuing vestibular activity and making corrective movements. In the present study, we evaluated the reaching movements of five labyrinthine-defective subjects (lacking both semicircular canal and otolith function) who cannot sense passive body rotation in the dark and five age-matched, normal control subjects. Each pointed 40 times in complete darkness to the location of a just extinguished visual target before, during, and after constant velocity rotation at 10 rpm in the center of a fully enclosed slow rotation room. All subjects, including the normal controls, always felt completely stationary when making their movements. During rotation, both groups initially showed large deviations of their movement paths and endpoints in the direction of the transient Coriolis forces generated by their movements. With additional per-rotation movements, both groups showed complete adaptation of movement curvature (restoration of straight-line reaches) during rotation. The labyrinthine-defective subjects, however, failed to regain fully accurate movement endpoints after 40 reaches, unlike the control subjects who did so within 11 reaches. Postrotation, both groups' movements initially had mirror image curvatures to their initial per-rotation reaches; the endpoint aftereffects were significantly different from prerotation baseline for the control subjects but not for the labyrinthine-defective subjects reflecting the smaller amount of endpoint adaptation they achieved during rotation. The labyrinthine-defective subjects' movements had significantly lower peak velocity, higher peak elevation, lower terminal velocity, and a more vertical touchdown than those of the control subjects. Thus the way their reaches terminated denied them the somatosensory contact cues necessary for full endpoint adaptation. These findings fully contradict equilibrium point theories of movement control. They emphasize the importance of contact cues in adaptive movement control and indicate that movement errors generated by Coriolis perturbations of limb movements reveal characteristics of motor planning and adaptation in both healthy and clinical populations.
Intraoperative Delineation of the Conduction System in Corrective Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease

Intraoperative recording of the specialized cardiac atrioventricular conduction system during open heart surgery has been widely used for approximately one decade. It has proved to be a valuable technique for the cardiac surgeon in the delineation and protection of the specialized conduction tracts in patients with various forms of congenital heart disease.
The Preposition “a” Before Place-Names in Spanish

This article tends to clarify present and past usage regarding the insertion or omission of the preposition a before place-names, and offers a correction to the doctrine of our chief grammarians on this point
Simulation studies of information propagation in a self-organizing distributed traffic information system

This paper investigates the feasibility of a self-organizing, completely distributed traffic information system based upon vehicle-to-vehicle communication technologies. Unlike centralized traffic information systems, the proposed system does not need public infrastructure investment as a prerequisite for implementation. Due to the complexity of the proposed system, simulation is selected as the primary approach in the feasibility studies. A simulation framework is built based on an existing microscopic traffic simulation model for the simulation studies. The critical questions for building the proposed market-driven system are examined both from communication requirements and traffic engineering points of view. Traffic information propagation both in freeway and arterial networks via information exchange among IVC-equipped vehicles is tested within the simulation framework. Results on the probability of successful IVC and traffic information propagation distance obtained from the simulation studies are generated and analyzed under incident-free and incident conditions for various roadway formats and parameter combinations. Comparisons between the speed of the incident information wave and the speed of the corresponding traffic shock wave due to the incident are analyzed for different scenarios as the most crucial aspect of the information propagation as a potential foundation for application in such a decentralized traffic information system.
Efficient recursive least-squares adaptive quadratic filters

A recursive least-squares algorithm for the quadratic filter is described which has satisfactory convergence for larger filter lengths while maintaining low computational requirements. A similar least-mean-square (LMS) algorithm is also described. The respective algorithms are based on the so-called normalized recursive least-squares and normalized LMS algorithms and have considerably better performance than their unnormalized counterparts. >
Exchange of GATA factors mediates transitions in looped chromatin organization at a developmentally regulated gene locus

Enhancers can regulate designate promoters over long distances by forming chromatin loops. Whether chromatin loops are lost or reconfigured during gene repression is largely unexplored. We examined the chromosome conformation of the Kit gene that is expressed during early erythropoiesis but is downregulated upon cell maturation. Kit expression is controlled by sequential occupancy of two GATA family transcription factors. In immature cells, a distal enhancer bound by GATA-2 is in physical proximity with the active Kit promoter. Upon cell maturation, GATA-1 displaces GATA-2 and triggers a loss of the enhancer/promoter interaction. Moreover, GATA-1 reciprocally increases the proximity in nuclear space among distinct downstream GATA elements. GATA-1-induced transitions in chromatin conformation are not simply the consequence of transcription inhibition and require the cofactor FOG-1. This work shows that a GATA factor exchange reconfigures higher-order chromatin organization, and suggests that de novo chromatin loop formation is employed by nuclear factors to specify repressive outcomes.
Nonlinear Organic Materials in Integrated Optics Structures

Nonlinear organic materials, in conjunction with integrated optics structures, can potentially be used to perform a variety of all-optical operations on subpicosecond time scales. A number of potential devices are described and the material properties necessary to implement them are summarized. Progress in our laboratory toward these goals is detailed.
The well‐being of laboratory non‐human primates

The well-being of non-human primates in captivity is of joint concern to scientists, veterinarians, colony managers, caretakers, and researchers working with non-human primates in biomedical research. With increased regulatory, accreditation, and research focus on optimizing the use of social housing for laboratory primates, as well as the advent of techniques to assess indices of chronic stress and related measures of well-being, there is no better time to present the most current advances in the field of non-human primate behavioral management. The collective body of research presented here was inspired in part by a 2014 symposium entitled, "Chronic Hormones and Demographic Variables: Center-Wide Studies on Non-Human Primate Well-Being" held at the American Society of Primatologists' 37th Annual Meeting in Decatur, GA. By aiming to target readership with scientific and/or management oversight of captive primate behavioral management programs, this special issue provides badly-needed guidance for implementing social housing programs in a research environment and leverages collaboration across multiple facilities to address key components of behavioral management, explore refinements in how well-being can be measured, and identify the interrelationships between varying indices. Am. J. Primatol. 79:e22520, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Golden Anniversary of the 'Preliminary Study of the Advisability and Feasibility of Developing Uniform Rules of Evidence for the Federal Courts': Mission Accomplished?

“Preliminary Study of the Advisability and Feasibility of Developing Uniform Rules of Evidence for the Federal Courts” is the title of the famous 1961 report prepared by a committee appointed by then Chief Justice Earl Warren. The Chief Justice tasked the committee to address two questions: (1) whether the state of the common law of Federal evidence was satisfactory; and (2) if not, whether the federal judiciary should adopt court rules codifying evidentiary doctrines. The committee critiqued the common law and urged the promulgation of court rules. The committee’s report eventually led to the adoption of the Federal Rules of Evidence in 1975. Fifty years have now elapsed since the committee submitted its report.The golden anniversary of the report is an opportune time to evaluate the impact of the Evidence rule making project. The first part of this essay reviews the objectives identified in the committee’s report and investigates whether, in the intervening half century, those objectives have been achieved. The essay concludes that in five different respects, the adoption of the Federal Rules of Evidence has made evidentiary doctrines more accessible to federal trial judges and litigators. Although gains have been realized in the past 50 years, the second part of the essay notes that there have been bumps in the road. Some of the problems are traceable to the shortsightedness of the committee and the later Advisory Committee. Other problems were caused by the committees’ political naivete. The essay concludes that to maximize the gains from rule making projects, future committees must take a longer view and proceed with greater political caution and sensitivity.
Seeing residential (im)mobilities in New York City

ABSTRACTThis chapter discusses and visually demonstrates how ethnicity and class affect residential (im)mobility and how that in turn affects the lives of local residents. It draws on decades long study of New York City's neighbourhoods focused on inter-class and inter-ethnic conflict and competition visible in vernacular landscapes [Krase, J. (2012) Seeing Cities Change: Local Culture and Class, Aldershot, UK, Ashgate; Krase, J. & Shortell, T. (2012) ‘On the visual semiotics of collective identity in urban vernacular spaces’, in Sociology of the Visual Sphere, ed. D. Zuev & R. Nathansohn, London, Routledge, pp. 108–128]. The mass movement of global capital into New York City has enhanced ‘the potential mobility of some, while detracting from the mobility potential of others’ [Sheller, M. (2011) ‘Mobilities (Review Article)’, Sociopedia.isa, [online] Available at: http://mcenterdrexel.wordpress.com/ (accessed 3 August 2013)]. Here, the rich get not only richer, but more mobile as the poor get poorer and l...