cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
P02-023 - NLRP3 mosaicism as a cause of late-onset CAPS

The dominantly inherited cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS) are caused by heterozygous missense gain-of-function mutations in the NLRP3 (CIAS1) gene encoding NLRP3 (also known as cryopyrin). Most patients present at a young age with a variety of clinical symptoms including fevers, urticaria-like skin rash, arthropathy, and CNS inflammation. A subset of patients followed at the National Institute of Health’s autoinflammatory disease clinic has adult-onset fevers and urticarial rash but conventional genetic testing has been unremarkable for any mutations in NLRP3. We analyzed one such "mutation-negative" patient. She is a 63y/o female of Irish ancestry who developed a gradually worsening stress-induced urticarial rash in her 40s. Additional clinical history is remarkable for severe arthralgia, myalgia, chills, and occasional conjunctivitis. Initially started on anakinra 100mg/day in 2003, she had dramatic improvement in symptoms; however, her anakinra dose has required periodic adjustments since that time to control her symptoms.
Paradox of late Paleozoic glacioeustasy

Models of Euramerican cyclothem deposition invoke orbitally driven glacioeustasy to explain widespread cyclic marine and nonmarine late Paleozoic sedimentary sequences. Base-level fluctuations of ~100+ m have been estimated for the deposition of mid-continent North American subpycnoclinal black shales, subaerial exposure relief of algal bioherms in the Sacramento Mountains, and Russian Platform carbonates. Similar to the Pleistocene, these glacioeustatic fluctuations are thought to be driven by variations in orbital parameters. To evaluate this hypothesis, a coupled general circulation model–ice sheet model was used to simulate the effects of both transient orbital changes and variable atmospheric p CO 2 concentrations on late Paleozoic continental ice sheets. In our model, large continental ice sheet inception is simulated at and below p CO 2 levels of 280 ppm. Model results predict that while changing orbital parameters results in dynamic ice sheet behavior, the maximum orbitally induced sea-level fluctuation is ~25 m. The model also demonstrates that the complete ablation of ice sheets formed at 280 ppm (~7.9 × 10 7 km 3 , sea-level change ~135 m) requires an increase in atmospheric p CO 2 to levels >2240 ppm. These results present a potential paradox: while our model is able to simulate widespread Gondwanan glaciation, it is unable to reproduce significant orbitally driven glacioeustatic fluctuations without very large magnitude carbon cycle perturbations. We discuss possible solutions to this paradox.
A recursive PVM implementation of an image segmentation algorithm with performance results comparing the HIVE and the Cray T3E

A recursive PVM (Parallel Virtual Machine) implementation of a high quality but computationally intensive image segmentation approach is described and the performance of the algorithm on the HIVE and on the Cray T3E is contrasted. The image segmentation algorithm, which is designed for the analysis of multispectral or hyperspectral remotely sensed imagery data, is a hybrid of region growing and spectral clustering that produces a hierarchical set of image segmentations based on detected natural convergence points. The HIVE is a Beowulf-class parallel computer consisting of 66 Pentium Pro PCs (64 slaves and 2 controllers) with 2 processors per PC (for 128 total slave processors) which was developed and assembled by the Applied Information Sciences Branch at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The Cray T3E is a supercomputer with 512 available processors, which is installed at the NASA Center for Computational Science at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Timing results on Landsat Multispectral Scanner data show that the algorithm runs approximately 1.5 times faster on the HIVE, even though the HIVE is some 86 times less costly than the Cray T3E.
Role-taking skills in intellectually-gifted third-grade children

Abstract Very bright (mean IQ = 152) third graders were compared with both average IQ third graders and average IQ sixth graders on perceptual, cognitive, and affective perspective-taking tasks. The role-taking skills of the intellectually-gifted children were more similar to those of their mental age mates than to those of their chronological age mates on both the cognitive and affective tasks. On the perceptual task, the bright children's performance fell between that of the two comparison groups. The results provide evidence that gifted children are advanced in thinking about both the social and physical worlds, and have implications for educational issues such as curriculum development and acceleration vs. enrichment.
Moment closure techniques for stochastic models in population biology

Continuous-time birth-death Markov processes serve as useful models in population biology. In this paper, we present a procedure for constructing approximate stochastic models for these processes. This is done by representing the population of a species as the continuous state of a stochastic hybrid system (SHS). This SHS is characterized by reset maps that account for births and deaths, transition intensities that correspond to the birth-death rates, and trivial continuous dynamics. It has been shown that for this type of SHS the statistical moments of the continuous state evolve according to an infinite-dimensional linear ordinary differential equation (ODE). However, for analysis purposes it is convenient to approximate this infinite-dimensional linear ODE by a finite-dimensional nonlinear one. This procedure generally approximates some higher-order moments by a nonlinear function of lower-order moments and it is called moment closure. We obtain moment closures by matching time derivatives of the infinite-dimensional ODE with its finite-dimensional approximation at some time t/sub 0/. This guarantees a good approximation, at-least locally in time. We provide explicit formulas to construct these approximations and compare this technique with alternative moment-closure methods available in the literature. This comparison takes into account both the transient and the steady-state regimens.
Using Sculptor and Situs for simultaneous assembly of atomic components into low-resolution shapes

We describe an integrated software system called Sculptor that combines visualization capabilities with molecular modeling algorithms for the analysis of multi-scale data sets. Sculptor features extensive special purpose visualization techniques that are based on modern GPU programming and are capable of representing complex molecular assemblies in real-time. The integration of graphics and modeling offers several advantages. The user interface not only eases the usually steep learning curve of pure algorithmic techniques, but it also permits instant analysis and post-processing of results, as well as the integration of results from external software. Here, we implemented an interactive peak-selection strategy that enables the user to explore a preliminary score landscape generated by the colores tool of Situs. The interactive placement of components, one at a time, is advantageous for low-resolution or ambiguously shaped maps, which are sometimes difficult to interpret by the fully automatic peak selection of colores. For the subsequent refinement of the preliminary models resulting from both interactive and automatic peak selection, we have implemented a novel simultaneous multi-body docking in Sculptor and Situs that softly enforces shape complementarities between components using the normalization of the cross-correlation coefficient. The proposed techniques are freely available in Situs version 2.6 and Sculptor version 2.0.
Beam diagnostic systems and their use in the new IUCF beam line

Diagnostic tools developed for and being used in a new 30 m beam line (BL1C) connecting the IUCF high intensity polarized ion source (HIPIOS) with the injector cyclotron are described and the results obtained with them are detailed. These devices include non-intercepting beam position monitors, wire scanners, and beam sweeper systems. Studies of rf beam bunching have been performed using a high bandwidth current readout. Programs have been developed for automatic emittance measurements and beam centering in the beam line.
Is America Fragmenting

The view that America is fragmenting is popular among both pundits and academics and may well be endemic to American culture. We review claims that between 1970 and 2005 American society fragmented along lines of cultural politics, social class, immigration, race, or lifestyle. Taking the twentieth century as historical context, we weigh evidence for both main variants of the fragmentation thesis—that there is an increasing divide between two Americas, or that America is fragmenting into a variety of “little worlds that touch but do not interpenetrate.” We find a well-documented, widening gap in social class, whether measured by education or income. We also find that political elites and activists are demonstrably more polarized in 2005 than they were in 1970; this gap's effect on the electorate is debatable, however. Caveats aside, there is little evidence for increasing fragmentation of America along lines of race, ethnicity, or immigration status. American cultural tastes increasingly cluster into dist...
Is depression an adaptation

Many functions have been suggested for low mood or depression, including communicating a need for help, signaling yielding in a hierarchy conflict, fostering disengagement from commitments to unreachable goals, and regulating patterns of investment. A more comprehensive evolutionary explanation may emerge from attempts to identify how the characteristics of low mood increase an organism's ability to cope with the adaptive challenges characteristic of unpropitious situations in which effort to pursue a major goal will likely result in danger, loss, bodily damage, or wasted effort. In such situations, pessimism and lack of motivation may give a fitness advantage by inhibiting certain actions, especially futile or dangerous challenges to dominant figures, actions in the absence of a crucial resource or a viable plan, efforts that would damage the body, and actions that would disrupt a currently unsatisfactory major life enterprise when it might recover or the alternative is likely to be even worse. These hypotheses are consistent with considerable evidence and suggest specific tests.
Recurrent Oral Ulcers

A44-year-oldmanwith a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease and anxiety presents for evaluation of mouth ulcers recurring for the past 2 years. The painful ulcers resolve within 2 weeks but recur on differentmucosal surfaces. He denies new medications, foods, or oral hygiene productsand involvementofcutaneousorother mucosal surfaces.He isuncertainwhetherhehasa familyhistoryoforal ulcers. He was previously prescribed anesthetic rinses and fluconazole,withoutbenefit.Hiscurrentmedications includeomeprazoleand lorazepam. Intraoral examination demonstrates an ulcer with a pseudomembrane and erythematous halo on the left lateral surface of the tongue (Figure). Physical examination results are otherwise normal. Quiz at jama.com Figure. Round, symmetric ulcer, measuring approximately 8mm × 8mm, with pseudomembrane and erythematous halo on the left lateral surface of the tongue.
Exploring Mental Illness Through a Poetry-Writing Assignment

This article describes a poetry-writing assignment designed to encourage students to explore the experience of mental illness. No restrictions on format, length, or topic are given. This assignment promotes creative thinking and empathy for the mentally ill.
Association between mental health disorders, problem drug use, and regular prescription opioid use.

Background Use of opioids for chronic noncancer pain is increasing, but standards of care for this practice are poorly defined. Psychiatric disorders are associated with increased physical symptoms such as pain and may be associated with opioid use, but no prospective population-based studies have addressed this issue. Methods Analysis of longitudinal data from 6439 participants in the 1998 and 2001 waves of Healthcare for Communities, a nationally representative telephone community survey. Results Two hundred thirty-seven subjects (3.6%) reported regular prescription opioid use in 2001. In unadjusted logistic regression models, respondents with a common mental health disorder in 1998 (1165 [12.6%]; major depression, dysthymia, generalized anxiety disorder, or panic disorder) were more likely to report opioid use in 2001 than those without any of these disorders (odds ratio [OR], 4.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.64-5.38; P P P = .04) of opioids. Respondents reporting problem drug use (136 [2.0%]; OR, 3.57; 95% CI, 2.32-5.50; P P = .25) reported higher rates of prescribed opioid use than those without problem use. In multivariate logistic regression models controlling for 1998 demographic and clinical variables, common mental health disorder (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.47-2.62; P P Conclusions Common mental health disorders and problem drug use are associated with initiation and use of prescribed opioids in the general population. Attention to psychiatric disorders is important when considering opioid therapy.
Automated conversion of Simulink designs to analog hardware on an FPAA

We have designed an automation tool which converts Simulink models to a Spice netlist, which can then be automatically compiled to FPAA (Field Programmable Analog Array) targeting code and implemented on an FPAA. This will allow DSP and neuromorphic engineers to have a fast, low power analog solution, without having to gain the necessary expertise in circuit design.
Computer Literacy in the Psychology Curriculum: Teaching a Database Language for Control of Experiments

Undergraduates in a research design course were taught to program microcomputers for the control of experimental tasks. To promote general computer literacy, the training used a database management system with a full programming language (dBASE I11 Plus). The teaching approach is described for the 3-hr course unit, along with the experimental tasks that were programmed. In a mail survey, students ranked the programming of experimental tasks: as important as other traditional topics covered in the course.
Evidence that X-irradiation and 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide affects different lymphocytes that respond to specific antigen in vitro

The present study examined the effect of pulse treatment with the in vitro active synthetic derivative of cyclophosphamide (CY), 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HPCY), and exposure to X-irradiation on the in vitro Concanavalin A (ConA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and antigen-specific blastogenic responses of in vivo-primed lymph node cells. Primed lymph node cells from CY-pretreated, aggregated (A) human IgG-complete Freund's adjuvant (AHGG-CFA)-immunized mice were untreated, exposed to various doses of irradiation, or pulse treated with different concentrations of 4-HPCY before being cultured in medium alone or in medium containing HGG, ConA, or LPS. The results show that HGG-responding and LPS-responding cells exhibited similar dose-inactivation profiles following exposure to irradiation or pulse treatment with 4-HPCY. More than 75% of reactivity was eliminated by exposure to 100 rads or pulse treatment with 20 microM 4-HPCY. In contrast to preculture pulse treatment with 4-HPCY, however, when primed lymph node cells were cultured in medium containing 4-HPCY (culture treatment) LPS-responding cells were shown to be more sensitive to inactivation than HGG-responding cells. The data further show that the effect of low-dose irradiation and of culture treatment with 4-HPCY on the HGG-specific response of primed lymph node cells was additive, suggesting that these agents inactivate different cell subtypes that contribute to the HGG-specific response in vitro.
Applicability issues of the real-valued negative selection algorithms

The paper examines various applicability issues of the negative selection algorithms (NSA). Recently, concerns were raised on the use of NSAs, especially those using real-valued representation. In this paper, we argued that many reported issues are either due to improper usage of the method or general difficulties which are not specific to negative selection algorithms. On the contrary, the experiments with synthetic data and well-known real-world data show that NSAs have great flexibility to balance between efficiency and robustness, and to accommodate domain-oriented elements in the method, e.g. various distance measures. It is to be noted that all methods are not suitable for all datasets and data representation plays a major role.
Infrastructure Requirements for Non-Motorised Transport

In developing countries animal-based transportation is one form of non-motorised transport that may be critical to the local and national economy. The paper will address how remote sensing systems can be used to evaluate remote areas for improvements that will allow free movement of people and materials. Transportation infrastructures such as roads and bridges are easily distinguished in both air photography and satellite imaging. Pavements such as asphalt retain heat and are also easy to see in thermal imaging. Unpaved roads are not as easily detected but they can be found using high resolution systems. This paper is limited to a discussion of roads and related structures and will not address the infrastructure of other forms of transport.
Appraisal Guidelines for Reprint Collections

Appraisal of reprint collections or large series of reprints within manuscript and archival collections is of particular interest to archivists working with voluminous contemporary scientific collections. They have sought to identify and eliminate from collections material that is not unique and has little research value. A dozen articles and books in the archival literature have discussed the collection and appraisal of ephemera, near-print material, and reprints. While several authors have suggested that reprints be appraised closely, they have failed to provide appraisal guidelines.A review of the existing literature and a set of questions to ask in appraising reprint collections are provided in this article.
Deposition and characterization of ZnO films using microplasma at atmospheric pressure

Abstract Zinc oxide (ZnO) films were deposited on room-temperature Si(100) by microwave-induced microplasma at one atmosphere. The precursor used in this work was zinc acetylacetonate hydrate (Zn(acac)2.xH2O) sublimed at 54 °C into flowing helium. The deposition rate was estimated to be 400 nm/min. The films were visually transparent and FTIR spectroscopy confirms the presence of the Zn-O stretching vibration at 410 cm− 1. Raman spectroscopy reveals that the films have the 437 cm− 1 Raman band typical of a wurtzite crystal structure. Cross sectional scanning electron microscopy shows columnar growth with individual column widths of approximately 0.5 μm. Scale-up using arrays of microplasmas is considered.
Attenuating effects of intrathecal clonidine on the exercise pressor reflex

We tested the hypothesis that intrathecal injection of clonidine, an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, attenuated the reflex cardiovascular and ventilatory responses to static muscular contraction in cats. Before clonidine (1 microgram in 0.2 ml), contraction-induced reflex increases (n = 10) in mean arterial pressure and ventilation averaged 25 +/- 3 mmHg and 359 +/- 105 ml/min, respectively, whereas after clonidine these increases averaged 8 +/- 4 mmHg and 200 +/- 114 ml/min, respectively (P less than 0.05). Clonidine had no effect on the heart rate response to contraction. Intrathecal injection of yohimbine (10 micrograms; n = 5), an alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist, but not prazosin (10 micrograms; n = 3), an alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist, prevented the attenuating effects of clonidine on the reflex pressor and ventilatory responses to contraction. Our findings were not due to the spread of clonidine to the medulla, because the reflex pressor and ventilatory responses to contraction were not attenuated by injection of clonidine (1 microgram) onto the medulla (n = 3). In addition, our findings were not due to a clonidine-induced withdrawal of sympathetic outflow, because intrathecal injection of clonidine (1 microgram) did not attenuate increases in arterial pressure and ventilation evoked by high-intensity electrical stimulation of the cut central end of the sciatic nerve (n = 5). Furthermore, our findings were not due to a local anesthetic action of clonidine, because application of this agent to the dorsal roots had no effect on the discharge of group IV muscle afferents. We conclude that stimulation of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in the spinal cord attenuates the reflex pressor and ventilatory responses to static contraction.
Predicting oxygen transfer efficiency at low-head gated sill structures

An improved model for predicting oxygen transfer efficiency at gated sills is presented. An analysis of field measurements from eight gated sill structures is used to develop a dimensionless relationship between inflow conditions, dam geometry and oxygen transfer efficiency. The oxygen transfer coefficient is estimated from scaled formulations of the liquid film coefficient, mean bubble diameter, air entrainment rate and turbulent energy dissipation rate. The model is validated with additional field measurements adjusted for temperature and effective saturation concentration. A design parameter for gated sill dams is introduced giving a relationship between gate opening and oxygen transfer efficiency. Improved prediction of oxygen transfer in the field is a tool that can be used to successfully operate gated structures to meet oxygen concentration requirements and to assist in the design of remediation technologies.
Late Quaternary environmental reconstructions of playa-lunette system evolution on the central High Plains of Kansas, United States

Playas are small, ephemeral wetlands found throughout semiarid and arid regions around the world. Lunettes are dunes that form downwind of some large playas. Two playa-lunette systems on the High Plains were investigated to reconstruct paleoenvironments during playa-lunette system evolution. Both playa-lunette systems are composed of sediment spanning >40 k.y., with earliest deposits accumulating during at least marine isotope stage (MIS) 3, and possibly starting as early as MIS 5. The Gilman Canyon Formation pedocomplex, dating between 42 and 28 ka, dominates this period and is ubiquitous throughout the playa-lunette systems. Climate during MIS 3 was similar to modern, with warm temperatures, low effective moisture, and playa floors exposed long enough to allow pedogenesis. During MIS 2, climate was relatively cool with higher effective precipitation, and playas were inundated for longer periods. The regionally expressed Brady Soil of the Pleistocene-Holocene transition caps these deposits and dates between 11.8 and 9.4 ka. During the Pleistocene-Holocene transition, climate warmed, yet moisture availability remained relatively high. Several distinct shifts in δ 13 C identify rapid climate changes associated with the Bolling-Allerod–Younger Dryas chronosequence. Warming continued into the Holocene, though moisture availability was highly variable. Holocene soils are common and date between 8.3 and 3.6 ka. Playa-lunette system stratigraphy represents a continuum of the upland loess sequence, though deposits are altered by playa hydrology. Geomorphic processes alternated between dissolution- and fluvial-eolian–driven processes as climate changed and playas developed. Due to the aggradational environment and sensitivity of these systems, high-resolution records of environmental change throughout their evolution are preserved.
Experimental Database for Development of a HiFiRE JP-7 Surrogate Fuel Mechanism

We report on the status of an experimental chemical kinetics database for the HiFiRE JP-7 surrogate fuel. HiFiRE hypersonic flight tests are being performed with a twocomponent gas-phase surrogate simulating partially-cracked JP-7. This two-component surrogate (36% methane/64% ethylene) closely simulates the behavior of partially-cracked JP-7 in ignition, extinction and flame strength experimental tests. Accurate CFD modeling of HiFiRE engine behavior requires the development of a high-fidelity reaction mechanism that can simulate the performance of this surrogate under various combustion conditions. Our experimental chemical kinetics database includes shock tube/laser absorption measurements of ignition delay times, species concentration time-histories, and individual elementary reaction rate constants over a wide range of temperature, pressure and mixture conditions. The development of this reaction mechanism uses a hierarchical approach based on an improved H2/O2 sub-mechanism developed at Stanford University and a C2 submechanism validated using this new chemical kinetics database.
The actions of L-glutamate at the postsynaptic membrane of the squid giant synapse.

The actions of L-glutamate on the postsynaptic membrane of the squid giant synapse were investigated using two methods of application: ionophoresis and bath perfusion. Bath perfusion of 10 mmoll-1 sodium glutamate did not produce an appreciable depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane but reversibly blocked the neurally evoked postsynaptic potential (PSP). The postsynaptic membrane depolarized when L-glutamate was applied ionophoretically. The sensitivity to glutamate application was not uniform, but sharply localized to sites which may correspond to synaptic contacts made by branching colaterals from the postsynaptic axon. The relationship between membrane potential and amplitude of the glutamate-activated postsynaptic potential (PSP) examined under current-clamp conditions was linear over the voltage range studied (−110 to −60 mV) with an extrapolated reversal potential of −36 mV. The amplitude of the glutamate-activated PSP was reduced either by replacing Na+ in the external solution with Tris+ (Na+-free) or by raising the extracellular K+ concentration to 20 mmoll-1 and was abolished by removing both Na+ and Ca2+ from the bath solution. The PSP amplitude was insensitive to changes in the extracellular Mg2+ concentration. The extrapolated reversal potential of the glutamate PSP was shifted to more positive potentials in both Na+-free and raised-K+ bathing solutions and was unchanged by anion substitution. The depolarization induced by L-glutamate increased with increasing ionophoretic current and reached a maximum with large pulses. Double logarithmic plots of the coulomb dose-response relationship gave a limiting slope in the range 1.7-2.2, suggesting that two glutamate molecules are required for receptor activation. The time course of desensitization of the glutamate response was studied using a double-pulse method. The initial decrease in the ratio, PSP2/PSP1, is followed by a slower time-dependent recovery of the postsynaptic response with a time constant of 8.5 s. Prolonged perfusion of the squid giant synapse with concanavalin A failed to abolish desensitization of the glutamate-evoked PSP.
Study on the suitability of testing methods for syphilis examination in special populations

Objective:To compare three methods of syphilis screening test,and find the most suitable one.Methods: Test serum of the samples with ELISA and TRUST,and compare the results.The positive samples are confirmed by TPPA again.Results: According to TPPA,282 samples are positive;With ELISA,the positive number is 281,and the positive rate is 99.6%.However,following TRUST,the positive samples are 194,and the rate is 68.8%.There are statistically significant difference.Compared with TPPA andTRUST,the OD values also varies in ELISA.Conclusion: ELISA is suitable for syphilis screening test in special populations.But TPPA should be used to confirm the positive samples with lower OD.
Interventions to Encourage Uptake of Cancer Screening for People With Severe Mental Illness.

It is prudent that all people have cancer screening at various intervals throughout their life. How often we have screenings and for what cancers depend on our sex, age, personal and social history...
Learning to Leverage Children's Multiple Mathematical Knowledge Bases in Mathematics Instruction

In this article, the authors explore prospective elementary teachers’ engagement with and reflection on activities they conducted to learn about a single child from their practicum classroom. Through these activities, prospective teachers learned about their child’s mathematical thinking and the interests, competencies, and resources she or he brought to the mathematics classroom, and then wrote reports that included instructional suggestions as to next steps to further the child’s growth in mathematics. The authors’ analyses of these reports indicate that there were a variety of ways which prospective teachers made connections to one or more of their child’s knowledge bases. In a high percentage of cases, prospective teachers attended to one of these knowledge bases, indicating that they were attending to particularities about their child and developing the dispositions to continue to do so. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
The Effect of Purified Multi-potent Human Bone-marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Rotator Cuff Tendon Healing in an Athymic Rat : Is Regenerative Healing Possible?

Objectives: Bone marrow concentrates are being used to augment soft tissue healing. However, only 0.01% of these cells meet the criteria of a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC), which likely accounts for the variability in reported results. Previous studies using an established rat rotator cuff repair model have demonstrated that bone marrow-derived MSCs had no effect on healing. In this study we evaluated the effect of purified human MSCs on rotator cuff healing in an athymic rat model. Our hypothesis is that purified human MSCs added to the repair site will improve biomechanical strength and fibrocartilage formation of the healing tendon.
Specialized channels in astrocytes

As discussed in Chapter 7, astrocytes express a large repertoire of ion channels that are reminiscent of those used by excitable cells to generate or propagate electrical signals. In addition, astrocytes also contain more specialized channels that appear to engage in ion and water homeostasis in brain. Most notably, these include anion channels and water-permeable aquaporins. These channels are much less well understood than their voltage-gated cousins. This chapter attempts to provide a concise summary of our current knowledge regarding the molecular, pharmacological and biophysical characteristics of these specialized channels as well as to discuss some of the potential roles for these channels in the biology of astrocytes. The reader is also referred to recent reviews on anion channels in astrocytes (Walz, 2002) and aquaporins in the central nervous system (Badaut et al., 2002;Venero et al., 2001).
Nontoxic Formulations of Scintillation Nanocrystals for Use as X-ray Computed Tomography Contrast Agents

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is currently one of the most powerful, noninvasive, clinical in vivo imaging techniques, which has resulted from advances in both X-ray device and contrast enhancement technologies. The present study demonstrates, for the first time, that metal tungstates (such as CaWO4) are promising contrast agents for X-ray, radiation, and CT imaging, because of the high X-ray mass attenuation of tungsten (W). We have developed a method of formulation, in which CaWO4 (CWO) nanoparticles (NPs) are encapsulated within a biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol-b-d,l-lactic acid) (PEG–PLA) block copolymer (BCP) capsule. We show that these PEG–PLA-encapsulated CWO NPs (170 ± 10 nm hydrodynamic diameter) produce a higher CT contrast (by a factor of about 2) than commercial iodine-based radiocontrast agents (e.g., Iohexol) at identical molar concentrations of W or I atoms. PEG–PLA-coated CWO NPs are chemically stable and completely nontoxic. It was confirmed that the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of t...
An asymptotic-preserving stochastic Galerkin method for the radiative heat transfer equations with random inputs and diffusive scalings

Abstract In this paper, we develop an Asymptotic-Preserving (AP) stochastic Galerkin scheme for the radiative heat transfer equations with random inputs and diffusive scalings. In this problem the random inputs arise due to uncertainties in cross section, initial data or boundary data. We use the generalized polynomial chaos based stochastic Galerkin (gPC-SG) method, which is combined with the micro–macro decomposition based deterministic AP framework in order to handle efficiently the diffusive regime. For linearized problem we prove the regularity of the solution in the random space and consequently the spectral accuracy of the gPC-SG method. We also prove the uniform (in the mean free path) linear stability for the space-time discretizations. Several numerical tests are presented to show the efficiency and accuracy of proposed scheme, especially in the diffusive regime.
Is Ethnic Identity a Buffer? Exploring the Relations Between Racial Microaggressions and Depressive Symptoms Among Asian-American Individuals

This study explores the moderating role of ethnic identity in the relations between racial microaggressions and depressive symptoms. Using survey data from 353 Asian-American college students, we f...
Determinants of health and education in Latin America

Abstract. This paper discusses the determinants of health and education in Latin America, a region which we define as consisting of the following twenty countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Health and education are integral factors to the productive capability and overall well-being of individuals. Therefore the factors that contribute to health and education lay the foundation for long-term economic growth that is distributed equitably throughout every socioeconomic stratum. There are a myriad of factors that contribute to the levels of health and the quality of education experienced by individuals living in Latin America; the determinants of health will be organized such that they fall into economic, social and historical, environmental, and biological categories, while the determinants of education will be broken down into student-side, school-level, and system-wide or macro variables. Using a panel of the twenty Latin American countries previously listed, this paper will discuss possible influences of health and education status as well as the nature of that influence; the paper will then proceed to discern between statistically significant and statistically insignificant factors. The paper will conclude with a discussion of possible statistical flaws that could result in biased conclusions. Keywords. Health, Education, Latin America, HIV, Panel data. JEL. I15, I25, C33.
The Impact of Discretionary Release on Offender Recidivism using Survival Analysis

The practice of parole in the United States has undergone significant change during recent decades. Since 1980, inmates have been increasingly released through mandatory rather than discretionary m...
Diagnosis and Treatment of Renal Trauma

The kidney is the most frequently injured genitourinary organ because of external trauma and is involved in as many as 5% of abdominal trauma cases. Although the majority of injuries are minor contusions, renal trauma may occasionally represent a true life-threatening emergency. Advances in staging techniques (resulting from increased use of computed tomographic [CT] scanning) as well as increased awareness of the kidney’s capacity for healing have permitted the majority of these injuries to be successfully managed nonoperatively.
Feasibility, safety, and patient satisfaction of same-day discharge following peripheral arterial interventions: A randomized controlled study.

Objective To assess feasibility, safety, and patient satisfaction of same-day discharge (SD) following peripheral arterial interventions. Background Although diagnostic angiography is routinely performed as a same-day procedure, same-day percutaneous trans-luminal angioplasty is less common. Because there is very low incidence of peri-procedural complications after 4 hr, discharge after this window is possible provided the patient is able to ambulate and has necessary social support. To-date, safety and patient satisfaction related to SD has not been studied systematically in this population. Method After providing informed consent, patients undergoing out-patient peripheral arterial interventions in a single institution between 2011 and 2015 were randomized to usual care (overnight stay, OS) or SD following successful interventions. Patient satisfaction, complications, and readmission status was ascertained by blinded telephone interviewers at 48-72 hr and 10 days post-procedure. Results A total of 24 patients consented. Of these, 5 (21.7%) failed screening, leaving 19 patients for randomization to control (n = 10) and experimental group (n = 9) conditions. The SD group experienced zero complications, however their Likert scale rating scores were significantly lower than OS for perceived level of safety (P = 0.02) and likelihood of having the procedure again (P = 0.004). Conclusion This small, single-center randomized study found that among carefully selected peripheral arterial interventions, SD may be feasible and safe. However, patient satisfaction and perceived safety were significantly lower among SD compared to the OS condition. Larger prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
Transcriptomic Profiling of Zebrafish Hair Cells Using RiboTag

The zebrafish inner ear organs and lateral line neuromasts are comprised of a variety of cell types, including mechanosensitive hair cells. Zebrafish hair cells are evolutionarily homologous to mammalian hair cells, and have been particularly useful for studying normal hair cell development and function. However, the relative scarcity of hair cells within these complex organs, as well as the difficulty of fine dissection at early developmental time points, makes hair cell-specific gene expression profiling technically challenging. Cell sorting methods, as well as single-cell RNA-Seq, have proved to be very informative in studying hair cell-specific gene expression. However, these methods require that tissues are dissociated, the processing for which can lead to changes in gene expression prior to RNA extraction. To bypass this problem, we have developed a transgenic zebrafish model to evaluate the translatome of the inner ear and lateral line hair cells in their native tissue environment; the Tg(myo6b:RiboTag) zebrafish. This model expresses both GFP and a hemagglutinin (HA) tagged rpl10a gene under control of the myo6b promoter (myo6b:GFP-2A-rpl10a-3xHA), resulting in HA-tagged ribosomes expressed specifically in hair cells. Consequently, intact zebrafish larvae can be used to enrich for actively translated hair cell mRNA via an immunoprecipitation protocol using an antibody for the HA-tag (similar to the RiboTag mice). We demonstrate that this model can be used to reliably enrich for actively translated zebrafish hair cell mRNA. Additionally, we perform a global hair cell translatome analysis using RNA-Seq and show enrichment of known hair cell expressed transcripts and depletion of non-hair cell expressed transcripts in the immunoprecipitated material compared with mRNA extracted from whole fish (input). Our results show that our model can identify novel hair cell expressed genes in intact zebrafish, without inducing changes to gene expression that result from tissue dissociation and delays during cell sorting. Overall, we believe that this model will be highly useful for studying changes in zebrafish hair cell-specific gene expression in response to developmental progression, mutations, as well as hair cell damage by noise or ototoxic drug exposure.
Compulsive Drug Use and Brain Reward Systems

Compulsive drug intake is a hallmark of addiction, yet the neurobiological mechanisms that contribute to the loss of control over drug consumption remain unclear. A better understanding of the mechanisms that drive compulsive drug taking may reveal targets for the development of novel therapeutics to alleviate this maladaptive behavioral state. Drug use is initiated primarily to obtain the stimulatory effects of addictive drugs on brain reward systems, an action that can be measured as drug-induced lowering of intracranial self-­stimulation (ICSS) thresholds in rats and mice. Paradoxically, excessive drug intake can result in decreased activity of reward systems, reflected in elevated ICSS. Such drug-induced deficits in brain reward function likely reflect the engagement of compensatory mechanisms to counter drug effects. Recent evidence suggests that compulsive drug intake may develop in response to such adaptive decreases in brain reward systems. Further, environmental stimuli repeated paired with the actions of addictive drugs can attain “hedonic” salience to negatively regulate brain reward systems, and may thereby serve as a novel source of drug craving. The aim of this chapter is to review the impact of excessive drug consumption and drug-paired environmental stimuli on brain reward function, discuss the role for reward pathways in driving compulsive drug taking, and present potential neurobiological mechanisms that may underlie these processes.
Nonreceptor Tyrosine Kinases in Aggregation-Mediated Cell Activation

Many of the cellular recognition events in the immune system which are mediated by cell surface receptors are initiated by cell-cell contacts which result in receptor aggregation. Almost universally, the relevant receptors lack intrinsic enzymatic activity. However a growing body of evidence suggests that tyrosine phosphorylation is an early concomitant of cellular activation initiated by aggregation of cell surface receptors, and in some cases a causal role for tyrosine kinases in the activation process can be identified.
Anesthesia for Thoracic Surgery: Part I—Double-Lumen Tube Intubation

Double-lumen tube intubation is the method of choice of separating the two lungs to facilitate the performance of thoracic surgery in the vast majority of cases. Proper insertion and positioning of the double-lumen tube is often the most important determinant as to whether these cases [in particular one-lung ventilation (1LV) cases] proceed smoothly. If the double-lumen tube is in the right position, the nondependent lung will collapse completely and easily, the surgeon will be able to work efficiently without damaging the nondependent lung, and the dependent lung will be unobstructed and easy to ventilate. This lecture discusses the proper insertion and positioning of double-lumen tubes.
A Capacitance-to-Digital Converter Integrated in a 32bit Microcontroller for 3D Gesture Sensing

This paper describes a capacitance-to-digital converter (CDC) integrated in a 32bit microcontroller. The analog part of the CDC that we propose is only composed of a voltage down converter, current mirror circuit, and current- controlled oscillator. Since its analog part is so simple that our CDC can be easily ported to various kinds of processes with which microcontrollers are fabricated. RF noise immunity1 of our CDC is enhanced by using the random phase shift scheme that we developed. The effectiveness of the scheme was experimentally verified with a CDC integrated in a 32bit microcontroller which was fabricated in I30nm CMOS process. Our CDC meets level 3 of IEC 61000-4-3 and IEC 61000-4-6 standards. With our CDC structure, users can select resolution under a trade-off between the resolution and measurement time. If the measurement time is increased up to 50ms, its resolution is as high as 2aF. 3D gesture sensing was realized using the 32bit microcontroller in which the proposed CDC was integrated.
Why Families Go Outside: An Exploration of Mothers’ and Daughters’ Family-Based Nature Activities

Family-based nature activities (FBNA) are associated with improved health and family functioning, yet little research has explored how and why families spend time together outside. This study used ...
Is There a Role for Acute Vasoreactivity Testing Outside of Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

The Ask the Expert column highlights challenges faced in caring for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In this issue, Richard Krasuski, MD, comments on the role of acute vasoreact...
A problem in time dependent particle diffusion in atmospheric turbulence. Ein Problem der zeitabhängigen Teilchendiffusion in der atmosphärischen Turbulenz

The Green's function for an instantaneous line particle source turbulently diffusing under the action of a logarithmic shear wind is obtained by solving the two dimensional time dependent form of the turbulent diffusion equation for a particular unstable atmosphere. For the particular case considered here, the form of the equation is a linear homogeneous second order differential equation with variable coefficients associated with the space variables. It is shown that the solution becomes tractable if one transforms the original set of independent variables to an appropriate new set whereby the equation reduces to one involving variable coefficients which are at most functions of the variable associated with the time. The spacial distribution of the particles for several values of the time are plotted and examined.
Exploring Sleep Dynamic of Mother-Infant Dyads Using a Regime-Switching Vector Autoregressive Model.

Decades of pediatric research have established the role of sleep across multiple domains of child development (e.g., El-Sheikh & Kelly, 2017). Using a dynamical system approach to understanding the...
Greater Advaita Vedānta: The Case of Sundardās

To understand the history of Advaita Vedānta and its rise to prominence, we need to devote more attention to what might be termed “Greater Advaita Vedānta,” or Advaita Vedānta as expressed outside the standard canon of Sanskrit philosophical works. Elsewhere I have examined the works of Niścaldās (ca. 1791–1863), whose Hindi-language Vicār-sāgar (“The Ocean of Inquiry”) was once referred to by Swami Vivekananda as the most influential book of its day. In this paper, I look back to one of Niścaldās’s major influences: Sundardās (1596–1689), a well-known Hindi poet and a direct disciple of Dādū Dayāl (d. 1604). Sundardās is typically classified as a bhakti poet rather than an Advaita Vedāntin; certainly he is not included in existing surveys or histories of Vedānta. In his youth, however, he studied Sanskrit and Vedānta in Banaras, and his poems present us with a mind that found no contradiction in claiming Dādū as his master and at the same time embracing the teachings of Advaita Vedānta. I argue that not only should Sundardās be included in histories of Advaita Vedānta, he should be credited for his originality: not only did he “Vedānticize” the Dādū Panth, he “Dādūized” Vedānta. I conclude by comparing Sundardās to two Sanskrit intellectuals from roughly the same period: Mahādeva Sarasvatī Vedāntin and Annambhaṭṭa, both of whom, like Sundardās, had commitments to Advaita Vedānta as well as to other intellectual traditions.