cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What HIRTS athletes? Establishing a unified public policy understanding of Head Impact-Related Trauma in Sport

Globally, concussions in sport now attract far greater concern than several decades ago. Yet, no international scientific consensus exists for defining ‘concussion,’ or for determining how many brain injuries caused by a contact sport constitute a sufficient public health threat to warrant improving policies. How can policymakers help coaches, players, and parents work with public health authorities and clinicians to identify concussions, and prevent and treat head injuries? Doing so will require language that helps distinguish among the multitude of conditions related to Head Impact-Related Trauma in Sport (HIRTS), including sport-related concussion, post-concussion syndrome, second impact syndrome, and neurodegenerative diseases such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy. We propose a ‘HIRTS framework’ to advance public policy pertaining to head impacts and their effects. Given the scientific ambiguities regarding the definition, diagnosis, and markers of concussion and resulting complications, we encourage international policymakers, clinicians, and public health officials to adopt the following working definitions and concomitant policy recommendations to safeguard athletes’ health and optimize tracking efforts, public education, funding, and government services.
Retrieval Analysis of Cruciate-Retaining and Posterior-Stabilized Total Knee Arthroplasty and Correlations to Laxity and Wear.

Abstract Background Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with posterior-stabilized (PS) or posterior cruciate-retaining (CR) implants has high success rates and survivorship. However, it is uncertain how laxity and constraint are associated with long-term polyethylene wear under physiological conditions. Methods To answer this question, we measured the laxity patterns of 47 harvested cadaver specimens with primary TKAs in a custom knee-testing machine at full extension and at 30°, 60°, and 90° of flexion. The wear patterns of the tibial inserts were assessed using a semiquantitative method which is a modified approach of that proposed by Hood et al in 1983. Results Statistical analysis found that the PS TKA cohort had a statistically significant increase in varus laxity at 60° and 90° of flexion, as well as total coronal laxity at 60° of flexion when compared to the CR cohort. Furthermore, analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between increased PS coronal laxity and increased tibial wear, a trend that was not seen in the CR specimens. Conclusion Our findings suggest that greater laxity in flexion after primary TKA may increase the wear realized over time and that PS TKAs may be more susceptible due to the loss of support the PCL affords to the flexion space. Whether a CR or PS TKA is used, surgeons need to avoid the pitfalls that may create greater flexion laxity during the procedure to optimize long-term polyethylene wear.
Examining the characteristics of game-based learning: A content analysis and design framework

Abstract The purpose of this study was to analyze the design characteristics of game-based learning environments in the research literature through a content analysis. Article text was coded in 194 sampled publications on six primary characteristics and 14 secondary characteristics from 2007 to 2017. The results revealed associations between four groups of primary characteristics for a framework including leveled games, problem solving games, open-world multiplayer games, and immersive multiplayer games. The framework of secondary characteristics included paired positive and negative game mechanics, immediate feedback with technology, reward mechanisms that track progress, supportive multi-sensory learning, team structures, and teams with personalization. We conclude the article with a discussion of primary and secondary characteristics in game-based learning, suggestions for reporting game-based learning research, and directions for future research.
Optimization of energy absorption performance of polymer honeycombs by density gradation

Abstract Density gradation has been analytically and experimentally proven to enhance the load-bearing and energy absorption efficiency of cellular solids. This paper focuses on the analytical optimization (by virtual experiments) of polymeric honeycomb structures made from thermoplastic polyurethane to achieve density-graded structures with combined desired mechanical properties. The global stress-strain curves of single-density honeycomb structures are used as input to an analytical model that enables the characterization of the constitutive response of density-graded hexagonal honeycombs with discrete and continuous gradations and for various gradients. The stress-strain outputs are used to calculate the specific energy absorption, efficiency, and ideality metrics for all density-graded structures. The analytical results are shown to be in good agreement with previous experimental measurements. Our findings suggest that the choice of an optimal gradient depends on the specific application and design criteria. For example, graded structures wherein low density layers are dominant are shown to outperform high density uniform honeycombs in terms of specific energy absorption capacity while possessing higher strength compared with low density uniform structures.
Funes the Crate Digger: AI, Perception, and Recall

This essay is inspired by Jorge Luis Borges’s short story about Funes, a young man with perfect perception and recall. His stunning archival ability allowed Funes to create a shorthand system for creativity, a “rhapsody of unconnected words” to stand in for his archive of memories: “Anything he thought, even once, remained ineradicably with him.” There is similar malady today, a cultural hyperthymesia, a fetish for the archive. Information is recalcitrant and will not disappear, which cheapens the value of information while amplifying the need for human attention. The art of searching through the information rapids, then, depends upon elimination perhaps more than retrieval. Human curators with inclinations toward perception and recall are needed to filter through this influx of information rather than permitting the reliance upon algorithms by default. This essay theorizes the remix artist as a Borgesian Librarian, a curator of archived information fragments. Through the process of “crate digging,” remixers find long-forgotten samples of music and then exploit their allegorical potential. Like Funes, remix artists have an uncanny ability for perception and recall. Unlike Funes, rather than perceiving their talents as a curse, remix artists are model curators, exemplars of how to filter and make meaning from information overabundance. To illustrate these points, I will address the crate digging on display in two essential remix albums, DJ Shadow’s Endtroducing… and J Dilla’s Donuts.
Care of the Homicidal Patient in Pregnancy or During the Postpartum Period: Managing Intrusive Thoughts; Special Considerations for OCD

Assessing the thoughts of perinatal women around harm to others, particularly harm to their babies, is a critical part of care that needs to occur systematically and regularly. Three cases are used to illustrate common situations related to thoughts of harm to their infants. Postpartum psychosis and perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) both associate with thoughts of harm to the infant and both are treatable medical conditions. However, differentiating intrusive thoughts from delusions and understanding all of the contributory factors for any woman is instrumental to developing treatment plans and ensuring that mother and child are safe and healthy. Some guiding principles are outlined. This chapter also discusses cultural and legal considerations around infanticide and filicide. Finally, treatment options for clear cases of postpartum psychosis and perinatal OCD, as well as cases that are not as clear, are described including medication and therapy.
Associations of multiple (≥5) chronic conditions among a nationally representative sample of older United States adults with self-reported pain

OBJECTIVES The association between an individuals' demographic and health characteristics and the presence of multiple chronic conditions is not well known among older United States (US) adults. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and associations of having multiple chronic conditions among older US adults with self-reported pain. METHODS This retrospective, cross-sectional study used data from the 2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Study subjects were aged ≥50 years and had self-reported pain in the past four weeks. The outcome variable was multiple (≥5) chronic conditions (vs. <5 chronic conditions). Hierarchical logistic regression models were used to identify significant associations between demographic and health characteristics and multiple chronic conditions with significance indicated at an a priori alpha level of 0.05. The complex survey design was accounted for when obtaining nationally-representative estimates. RESULTS The weighted population was 57,074,842 US older adults with pain, of which, 66.1% had ≥5 chronic conditions. In fully-adjusted analyses, significant associations of ≥5 comorbid chronic conditions included: age 50-64 vs. ≥65 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.478, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.391, 0.584); male vs. female gender (AOR=1.271, 95% CI=1.063, 1.519); white vs. other race (AOR=1.220, 95% CI=1.016, 1.465); Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic ethnicity (AOR=0.614, 95% CI=0.475, 0.793); employed vs. unemployed (AOR=0.591, 95% CI=0.476, 0.733); functional limitations vs. no functional limitations (AOR=1.862, 95% CI=1.510, 2.298); work limitations vs. no work limitations (AOR=1.588, 95% CI=1.275, 1.976); little/moderate vs. quite a bit/extreme pain (AOR=0.732, 95% CI=0.599, 0.893); and excellent/very good (AOR=0.375, 95% CI=0.294, 0.480) or good (AOR=0.661, 95% CI=0.540, 0.810) vs. fair/poor physical health. CONCLUSIONS Approximately 38 million of the 57 million US older adults with pain in this study had ≥5 chronic conditions in 2017. Several characteristics were associated with multiple chronic conditions, which may be important for health care professionals to consider when working with patients to manage their pain. This study was approved by The University of Arizona Institutional Review Board (2006721124, June 12, 2020).
CoFi: Coarse-to-Fine ICP for LiDAR Localization in an Efficient Long-lasting Point Cloud Map.

LiDAR odometry and localization has attracted increasing research interest in recent years. In the existing works, iterative closest point (ICP) is widely used since it is precise and efficient. Due to its non-convexity and its local iterative strategy, however, ICP-based method easily falls into local optima, which in turn calls for a precise initialization. In this paper, we propose CoFi, a Coarse-to-Fine ICP algorithm for LiDAR localization. Specifically, the proposed algorithm down-samples the input point sets under multiple voxel resolution, and gradually refines the transformation from the coarse point sets to the fine-grained point sets. In addition, we propose a map based LiDAR localization algorithm that extracts semantic feature points from the LiDAR frames and apply CoFi to estimate the pose on an efficient point cloud map. With the help of the Cylinder3D algorithm for LiDAR scan semantic segmentation, the proposed CoFi localization algorithm demonstrates the state-of-the-art performance on the KITTI odometry benchmark, with significant improvement over the literature.
HomeStyles-2: Randomized controlled trial protocol for a web-based obesity prevention program for families with children in middle childhood.

BACKGROUND Parents are children's primary role models, are food and physical activity gatekeepers, and create the home structure/lifestyle environment. Thus, parents strongly influence children's weight-related behaviors and have the opportunity to cultivate a "culture of health" within the home. Yet, there is a dearth of evidence-based obesity prevention intervention programs, especially for families with children aged 6-11 years, commonly called middle childhood. METHODS The aim of the HomeStyles-2 online learning mode RCT is to determine whether this novel, age-appropriate, family intervention enables and motivates parents to shape home environments and weight-related lifestyle practices (i.e.,diet, exercise, sleep) to be more supportive of optimal health and reduced obesity risk in middle childhood youth more than those in the control condition. The RCT will include the experimental group and an attention control group. The participants will be parents with school-age children who are systematically randomly assigned by computer to study condition. The HomeStyles intervention is predicated on the social cognitive theory and a social ecological framework. The RCT will collect sociodemographic characteristics of the participant, child, and partner/spouse; child and parent health status; parent weight-related cognitions; weight-related behaviors of the parent and child; and weight-related characteristics of the home environment. Deliverables Enrollment for this study will begin in 2022. DISCUSSION This paper describes these aspects of the HomeStyles-2 intervention: rationale; sample eligibility criteria and recruitment; study design; experimental group intervention theoretical and philosophical underpinnings, structure, content, and development process; attention control intervention; survey instrument development and components; outcome measures; and planned analyses. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, Protocol #NCT04802291, Registered March 14, 2021.
Geodesic Graph Cut Based Retinal Fluid Segmentation in Optical Coherence Tomography

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in developed countries. Its most damaging form is characterized by accumulation of fluid inside the retina, whose quantification is of utmost importance for evaluating the disease progression. In this paper we propose an automated method for retinal fluid segmentation from 3D images acquired with optical coherence tomography (OCT). It combines a machine learning approach with an effective segmentation framework based on geodesic graph cut. After an image preprocessing step, an artificial neural network is trained based on textural features to assign to each voxel a probability of belonging to a fluid. The obtained probability maps are used to compute minimal geodesic distances from a set of identified seed points to the remaining unassigned voxels. Finally, the segmentation is solved optimally and efficiently using graph cut optimization. The method is evaluated on a clinical longitudinal dataset consisting of 30 OCT scans from 10 patients taken at 3 different stages of treatment. Manual annotations from two retinal specialists were taken as the gold standard. The segmentation method achieved mean precision of 0.88 and recall of 0.83, with the combined F1 score of 0.85. The segmented fluid volumes were within the measured inter-observer variability. The results demonstrate that the proposed method is a promising step towards accurate quantification of retinal fluid.
SU‐E‐T‐340: Dosimetry of a Small Field Electron Beam for Innovative Radiotherapy of Small Surface Or Internal Tumors

Purpose: An innovative small high intensity electron beams with energies from 6 to 12 MeV is being developed at Argonne National Laboratory to deliver an absorbed dose via a catheter to small malignant and nonmalignant lesions. This study reports on the initial dosimetric characteristics of this electron beam. These include output calibration, percent depth dose, beam profiles and leakage through the catheter. Methods: To simulate the narrow electron beam, the Argonne Wakefield Accelerator is used to produce high energy electron beams. The electron beam from the accelerator is monitored by measuring the current through a transmission coil while the beam shape is observed with a fluorescent screen. The dosimetry properties of the electron beam transmitting through bone and tissue-like materials are measured with nanodot optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters and EDR radiographic film. The 6 MV photon beam from a Varian True beam linac is used to calibrate both the OSLDs and the film. Results: The beam characteristics of the 12 MeV beam were measured. The properties of the small diameter, 5 mm, beam differs from that of broad clinical electron beams from radiotherapy linacs. Due to the lack of scatter from the narrow beam, the maximum dose is at the surface and the depth of the 50% depth dose is 35 mm compared to 51 mm for a clinical 12 MeV. The widths of the 90% isodose measured at the surface and depths of 2, 6, 12, and 16 mm varied from 6.6 to 8.8 mm while the widths of the FWHM isodose varied from 7.8 to 25.5 mm. Conclusion: Initial beam measurements show favorable dosimetric properties for its use in treating either small surface or internal lesions, particularly to deliver radiation at the time of surgery to maximize the dose to the lesion and spare normal tissue.
THE RELATIVE DEGREE ENHANCEMENT PROBLEM FOR MIMO NONLINEAR SYSTEMS

The authors present a result for linearizing a nonlinear MIMO system by employing partial feedback - feedback at all but one input-output channel such that the SISO feedback linearization problem is solvable at the remaining input-output channel. The partial feedback effectively enhances the relative degree at the open input-output channel provided the feedback functions are chosen to satisfy relative degree requirements. The method is useful for nonlinear systems that are not feedback linearizable in a MIMO sense. Several examples are presented to show how these feedback functions can be computed. This strategy can be combined with decentralized observers for a completely decentralized feedback linearization result for at least one input-output channel.
Active Documentation for VLSI Design

The main proposal of this dissertation is the integration of design and documentation in a VLSI design system using hypermedia technologies. We introduce and demonstrate the use of active documents in VLSI design. These are multimedia presentations that incorporate invocations to the tools to display and modify the design data. The combination of design and documentation systems offers a new way of creating integrated environments for designers in general, and introduces a new paradigm for VLSI design. We show that it is possible to develop effective design methodologies that enable creating design and documentation in a single thread without intruding in the design process. Active documentation is also used as a new paradigm for creating a common interface to heterogeneous tools and data used in system design environments. We add a new integration layer that hides heterogeneity by enabling designers to control the flow of information between independent systems through a document manipulation paradigm. We also show how information-based services available through electronic commerce could be integrated into the design environment using this paradigm. Active documents become a vehicle for transporting design data and operations between frameworks in independent organizations, enabling the creation of virtual enterprises for development of electronic systems. We develop a realistic model for creating a system supporting the integration of design and documentation based on a new infrastructure that attempts to re-use existing framework services and design and documentation tools with minimal modification. From the data point of view, it introduces a new layer within the design database. This new layer contains descriptions of how the design data is organized and presented. It is a data structure with references to the design data, configuration and history data. It also includes mechanisms to tool invocations to present the data. The new presentation layer is organized as a set of active documents. Designers manipulate them just like the documents produced by documentation processing systems.
Immunochemical evidence for the transmembrane orientation of glycophorin A. Localization of ferritin-antibody conjugates in intact cells.

Abstract Antibodies were raised in rabbits to a 51-amino acid cyanogen bromide-derived peptide of human erythrocyte glycophorin A which has been shown to represent the C-terminal end of the 131-residue polypeptide chain. Antibodies prepared by immunoadsorption were found to be directed against a chymotryptic-derived peptide (residues 102 to 118) of glycophorin A but were unreactive with either intact or proteolytically modified red blood cells. No cross-reactivity was observed with glycophorin B of human or sialoglycoproteins prepared from red blood cells of other mammalian species. Ferritin-antibody conjugates of such sera were applied to thin sections of intact red blood cells (frozen or protein embedded) and were found to localize exclusively to sites distributed uniformly along the inner surfaces of the membrane. No staining was seen on sections prepared from red blood cells from other species nor on sections of human red cells pretreated with unconjugated antisera. These results provide additional evidence in intact, fixed human erythrocytes that glycophorin A has a transmembrane orientation.
Service-Learning in Introduction to Engineering at the University of San Diego: first lessons

Service-Learning, which involves matching a community need with academic goals, is becoming increasingly important in higher education. First-year engineering students need to learn about what engineering is, why it is useful to society, and other nontechnical skills such as communication and teamwork. Thus, in the fall of 1998, Community Service-Learning was introduced into Introduction to Engineering at the University of San Diego (USD) to meet community and academic needs. In this project, first-year engineering students worked with 6/sup th/ grade students in a science class at a local middle school with an economically disadvantaged and ethnically diverse student body. Students worked in teams to prepare a hands-on, fun, and educational activity. The academic learning goals for the project were to effectively communicate to a "real live" nontechnical audience, to creatively design and implement an activity, to complete a project as a team, and to deepen students' understanding of engineering related topics. After working with the middle school students, most college students were excited that they had done something worthwhile. The engineering students reported that the Service-Learning project helped them learn about communicating to a real audience and working as a team. The 6/sup th/ graders were enthusiastic and appreciative of the college students' efforts. The experience of the instructor in incorporating Service-Learning for the first time as well as initial evaluation and response of the students are discussed.
The mechanism of the rutile-to-CaCl2 phase transition : RuO2 and β-PtO2

Using the full-potential linearized augmented-plane-wave (FLAPW) method, the mechanism of the rutile-CaCl2 phase transition of RuO2 and the phase stability of β-PtO2 are investigated. The local density functional calculations predict quantities such as lattice constants, bulk moduli, and phonon frequencies in good agreement with experiment. The pressure-induced phase transition in RuO2 appears to be driven by the strong repulsion between O-O and Ru-O along the diagonal direction in the xy-plane. By contrast, a strong hybridization between the Pt 5d and O 2p states is responsible for the stability of the β-PtO2 structure, for which a pseudo-gap (instead of the strong peak for the rutile-PtO2) is opened at the Fermi level due to the rotation of the PtO6 octahedra.
Optical Analogs of 2D NMR

Multidimensional Fourier transform methods can simplify and manipulate magnetic resonance spectra, helping to determine the structures of large biomolecules. Researchers are also exploiting the shorter wavelengths of visible and infrared light to determine instantaneous molecular structures. In his Perspective, [Jonas][1] highlights the report by [ Tian et al .][2], who have recorded two-dimensional optical spectra by using a programmable femtosecond pulse shaper to generate sequences of phase-controlled collinear pulses. Automated pulse shaping promises to expand the scope of two-dimensional femtosecond spectroscopy by making complex pulse manipulations easy. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/300/5625/1515 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/300/5625/1553
An Anatomy of Nationhood and the Question of Assimilation: Debates on Turkishness Revisited

Scholars have primarily debated the anatomy of Turkishness within the framework of an ethnic versus civic dichotomy. Arguing that such an approach would be inconclusive and less explanatory, this article approaches Turkishness from a singularity/plurality framework. First, the article emphasizes the singular nature of Turkishness – defined as monolithic nationhood – in the early Republican years that rejected any alternative identity approaches other than the definition of the state elites. Second, the article argues that the homogenization of the nation by the new state targeted those who considered themselves Turks as well, especially those who did not fit the ‘ideal’ or ‘imagined’ Turk (i.e. Muslim but secular, urban, and Western). The final section analyses the persistence and change in the monolithic nationhood in Turkey throughout the twentieth century and considers the implications of the state's recent identity policies on the meaning of Turkishness.
Intelligent concurrent engineering system for product development

Summary form only given as follows. A framework for smart product modeling in a knowledge-based concurrent engineering environment is presented. The paper describes a case study that highlights developmental and implementation issues.
Elective Diagnostic Laparoscopy and Cancer Staging

The use of the laparoscope in patients with cancer is evolving. One area in which laparoscope may be helpful is in the staging of patients in which conventional studies show borderline resectable disease. Another is to separate patients that would benefit from laparotomy and resection from those with metastatic disease that might have been missed on preoperative workup. This can be done as a separate procedure, or done just prior to a scheduled laparotomy and planned formal resection. This chapter will help guide the surgeon and discuss the technique used during staging and diagnostic laparoscopy in various types of cancers.
Alzheimer's disease drug discovery: in vivo screening using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model for β-amyloid peptide-induced toxicity

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex human neurodegenerative disease. Currently the therapeutics for AD only treats the symptoms. While numbers of excellent studies have used mammalian models to discover new compounds, the time and effort involved with screening large numbers of candidates is prohibitive. Cultured mammalian neurons are often used to perform high-throughput screens (HTS); however, cell culture lacks the organismal complexity involved in AD. To address these issues several researchers are turning to the roundworm, Caenorhabditis elegans. C. elegans has numerous models of both Tau and Ab induced toxicity, the two prime components observed to correlate with AD pathology. These models have led to the discovery of numerous AD modulating candidates. Further, the ease of performing RNA interference for any gene in the C. elegans genome allows for identification of proteins involved in the mechanism of drug action. These attributes make C. elegans well positioned to aid in the discovery of new AD therapies.
Cross-coupling of signal transduction pathways: zinc finger meets leucine zipper

Abstract Cell proliferation and cellular differentiation are often thought of as opposing phenomena. The molecular mechanisms by which steroid, retinoid and thyroid hormones inhibit cellular proliferation and by which growth factors stimulate this process are poorly understood. We discuss recent evidence suggesting that these two signal transduction pathways converge through a process referred to as ‘cross-coupling', which involves a possible interaction between steroid hormone receptors and the c-Jun oncoprotein.
The Evolution of an SLPA Program

Abstract There is an increasing demand for qualified individuals available in our profession. One answer to this crisis is to hire trained speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) to assist spe...
The Effects of Lime Application to Acid Bog Lakes in Northern Michigan

Abstract To investigate the observed correlation between alkalinity and productivity of lake waters and to test the use of lime in bog lakes to increase biological productivity, lime application was made to two, acid, soft-water, colored bog lakes in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Lime application was made twice to each of the two lakes, once in the summer under thermally stratified conditions and once in the autumn under nearly homothermous conditions, by pumping a lime-water mixture into the surface waters. Total rate of lime application was 100 pounds per acre-foot in each lake. The summer lime applications resulted in raising the pH and increasing alkalinity, total hardness and conductivity in the epilimnion only. The autumn application resulted in similar effects in the lower hypolimnion, because of sinking of the denser lime solution to the bottom where because of its greater density it did not later mix with upper layers. Lime application did not decrease the organic colloidal color. Total phosph...
Depressed Response to Intravenous Sympathicomimetic Agents in Humans During Acidosis

versible. What is the evidence for the co-existence of shock and acidosis? In 1918, Cannon2 championed the use of alkali in the treatment of shock, but his suggestion was refuted the same year.3 Burget and Visscher4 reported that the adrenalin response of the vascular system of the pithed cat could be made to vary by varying the pH of the blood, and they found from pH 6.9 to 8.0 the response progressively increased. Levine et al3 found that intravenous alkali increased the survival rate of dogs subjected to prolonged hemorrhagic shock (that is, the duration of shock was prolonged until the carbon dioxide capacity of the plasma fell to or below 15 volumes
A New Magnesium-Catalyzed Doubly Diastereoselective anti-Aldol Reaction Leads to a Highly Efficient Process for the Total Synthesis of Lactacystin in Quantity

A new process is described for metal-catalyzed doubly diastereoselective Mukaiyama aldol coupling of a chiral tertiary α-amino aldehyde and an achiral silyl enol ether to form selectively an anti-aldol product. The metal requirement is strict, since of several salts tested only MgI2 functions as an effective catalyst. The MgI2-catalyzed aldol greatly facilitates the total synthesis of lactacystin (1) and the corresponding β-lactone (2), microbial products which are potent and selective inhibitors of proteasome function, cell cycle progression, and gene regulation. The method also allows the synthesis of analogues of 1 in which the 7β-methyl group of lactacystin is replaced by higher alkyl or aralkyl groups. Detailed experimental procedures are presented for the optimized synthesis of lactacystin on the scale required to meet the current needs of many hundreds of biological laboratories.
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Containing the α4 Subunit Modulate Alcohol Reward

Background Nicotine and alcohol are the two most co-abused drugs in the world, suggesting a common mechanism of action might underlie their rewarding properties. Although nicotine elicits reward by activating ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons via high-affinity neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), the mechanism by which alcohol activates these neurons is unclear. Methods Because most high-affinity nAChRs expressed in ventral tegmental area DAergic neurons contain the α4 subunit, we measured ethanol-induced activation of DAergic neurons in midbrain slices from two complementary mouse models, an α4 knock-out (KO) mouse line and a knock-in line (Leu9′Ala) expressing α4 subunit-containing nAChRs hypersensitive to agonist compared with wild-type (WT). Activation of DAergic neurons by ethanol was analyzed with both biophysical and immunohistochemical approaches in midbrain slices. The ability of alcohol to condition a place preference in each mouse model was also measured. Results At intoxicating concentrations, ethanol activation of DAergic neurons was significantly reduced in α4 KO mice compared with WT. Conversely, in Leu9′Ala mice, DAergic neurons were activated by low ethanol concentrations that did not increase activity of WT neurons. In addition, alcohol potentiated the response to ACh in DAergic neurons, an effect reduced in α4 KO mice. Rewarding alcohol doses failed to condition a place preference in α4 KO mice, paralleling alcohol effects on DAergic neuron activity, whereas a sub-rewarding alcohol dose was sufficient to condition a place preference in Leu9′Ala mice. Conclusions Together, these data indicate that nAChRs containing the α4 subunit modulate alcohol reward.
Ancestral semiochemical attraction persists for adjoining populations of sibling Ips bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Three species ofIps pine bark beetles in Hopping's group IX (S.L. Wood'sgrandicollis group),Ips confusus, I. lecontei, andI. paraconfusus, are parapatrically distributed in the American Southwest. They share post-Pleistocene altitudinal ecotones with their host pines. Adjacent to these areas of host overlap, we tested the hypothesis that aggregation pheromones produced by male beetles and/or host volatiles are sufficient to elicit the speciesspecific colonization behaviors typical of these threeIps species in nature. A more distantly related species,I. pini (Hopping's group IV, S.L. Wood'spini group) was used for outgroup comparison. Under the influence of pheromone, males ofI. confusus andI. paraconfusus do not discern among unin-fested log bolts of host and nonhost pine prior to bark contact. Males responding to pheromones emanating from infested bolts are similarly undiscriminating. Females ofI. confusus andI. lecontei olfactorily discern the combination of conspecific males in host pine from other possible beetlepine combinations; females ofI. paraconfusus do not. FemaleI. pini discerned conspecific pheromone from that ofI. lecontei. The bark beetle predator,Enoclerus lecontei, is attracted by, but does not discriminate among, the male-produced volatiles of these Group IXIps species. These results support a hypothesis that divergence in pheromonal responses by these group IXIps species has evolved following their speciation, having been manifested first in the female sex. Evolutionarily, the derived pheromonal messages have preceded their behavioral discrimination by these beetles. Additional speciesspecific cues may operate between the sexes in the field that may preclude heterospecific pairings.
Kinase-associated endopeptidase 1 (Kae1) participates in an atypical ribosome-associated complex in the apicoplast of Plasmodium falciparum

The universally conserved kinase-associated endopeptidase 1 (Kae1) protein family has established roles in N6-threonylcarbamoyl adenosine tRNA modification, transcriptional regulation, and telomere homeostasis. These functions are performed in complex with a conserved core of protein binding partners. Herein we describe the localization, essentiality, and protein-protein interactions for Kae1 in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. We found that the parasite expresses one Kae1 protein in the cytoplasm and a second protein in the apicoplast, a chloroplast remnant organelle involved in fatty acid, heme, and isoprenoid biosynthesis. To analyze the protein interaction networks for both Kae1 pathways, we developed a new proteomic cross-validation approach. This strategy compares immunoprecipitation-MS data sets across different cellular compartments to enrich for biologically relevant protein interactions. Our results show that cytoplasmic Kae1 forms a complex with Bud32 and Cgi121 as in other organisms, whereas apicoplast Kae1 makes novel interactions with multiple proteins in the apicoplast. Quantitative RT-PCR and immunoprecipitation studies indicate that apicoplast Kae1 and its partners interact specifically with the apicoplast ribosomes and with proteins involved in ribosome function. Together, these data indicate an expanded, apicoplast-specific role for Kae1 in the parasite.
The genus of nearly complete graphs-case 6

The genus of a complete graph equals the least integer greater than or equal to (E-3V+6)/6, whereE andV are the numbers of edges and vertices of the graph. This paper extends the class of graphs known to have this property, concentrating on graphs whose number of vertices is congruent to 6 modulo 12.
Gas cooled fast reactor for generation IV service

Abstract The Gas Cooled Fast Reactor (GFR), which is among the Generation IV concepts under evaluation for future deployment, will have to satisfy the Gen IV goals in the area of sustainability, safety and economy. This paper discusses challenges posed by the GFR when striving for the achievement of balance among the above Generation IV goals, and the pros and cons of various design choices. Considering these goals, the currently preferred design direction at MIT is a GFR design using a direct supercritical CO2 cycle, traditional containment with design pressure of 5 bars, employment of redundant active emergency cooling systems with highly reliable and diverse power supplies, which can also function in the passive mode as a backup at 5 bars containment pressure, and TRU fueled cores using either block-type (TRU-U)C fuel or pin type (TRU-U)C fuel with double cladding or (TRU-U)O2 fuel vibropacked in a tube-in-duct assembly.
Woman Soul: The Inner Life of Women's Spirituality Edited by Carole A. Rayburn and Lillian Comas-Diaz

Westport, CT: Praeger Press, 2008. xv + 277 pp. $49.95 hardcover. Contemporary women have deep spiritual needs that are not being met by mainstream religious traditions. Thus women are seeking else...
Identifying Mothers with Postpartum Depression Early: Integrating Perinatal Mental Health Care into the Obstetric Setting

With prevalence rates of postnatal depression (PND) as high as at least 7%, there was a need for early detection and intervention of postpartum mental illness amongst Singaporean mothers. This is a report on the first year results of our country's first PND Intervention Programme. The programme consists of two phases: (1) postpartum women were screened with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and provided appropriate care plans; (2) individualized clinical intervention using a case management multidisciplinary team model. Screening for PND was generally acceptable, as 64% eligible women participated voluntarily. Nine percent (126) were identified as probable cases from 1369 women. Forty-one women accepted intervention and achieved 78% reduction in the EPDS symptom scores to below the cutoff of 13, 76% had improvement in GAF functioning scores, and 68% had improved health quality scores. Preliminary results are promising, and this intervention model can be replicated.
COUPLING-CONSTANT DEPENDENCE OF ATOMIZATION ENERGIES

The local spin-density LSD functional and Perdew)Wang 91 PW91 generalized gradient approximations to atomization energies of molecules are investigated. We discuss the coupling-constant dependence of the atomization energy and why exchange errors of the functionals are greater than exchange)correlation errors. This fact helps to justify hybrid schemes which mix some exact exchange with density functional approximations for exchange and correlation. It is shown that the biggest errors in the atomization energies occur when there is a strong interaction between different electron pairs, which vanishes upon atomization. We argue that the amount of exchange character of a molecular property, such as the atomization energy, depends on the property itself. We define an exact mixing coefficient b, which measures this exchange character, and show that both LSD and PW91 typically overestimate this quantity. Thus, nonempirical hybrid schemes which approximate this quantity by its LSD or PW91 value typically do not improve the exchange)correlation energy. Q 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 64: 285)295, 1997
Repair of vaginal vault prolapse and pelvic floor relaxation using polypropylene mesh.

Aims The sacrouterine ligament/cardinal (SULC) complex and prerectal fascia attach at the perineal body, forming a single support unit preventing levator descent. Many patients with vault prolapse have levator descent and widening of the hiatus. Existing transvaginal procedures do not address pelvic floor descent. We describe a technique utilizing polypropylene mesh to repair pelvic floor relaxation and prevent levator descent, along with restoration of the SULC complex in vaginal vault repair. Materials and Methods We prospectively evaluated 50 patients who had a transvaginal mesh vault/posterior wall reconstruction. A T-shaped soft prolene mesh is prepared fixing the two arms of the mesh and recreating the SULC complex in support of the cuff. The vertical segment of the mesh is transferred over the prerectal fascia and secured to the pelvic floor musculature. The rectocele is repaired incorporating the mesh distally preventing pelvic floor descent. Surgical outcome was determined by patient self-assessment including quality of life (QoL) measure as well as pelvic examination using POP-Q staging. Results Mean age was 67 years. Mean follow-up was 6 months (range 3–12). There were no intraoperative complications. There have been two apical (4%) recurrences. Mean QoL score postoperatively on a 0–6 scale was 0.74 (0 = delighted, 1 = pleased). Pelvic floor descent has been repaired on all patients. Postoperative POP-Q reveals restoration of normal anatomy. Conclusions We report a new technique that recreates the SULC complex in support of the vaginal vault with the aid of prolene mesh. It is the first transvaginal procedure described to reconstruct the pelvic floor in attempt to prevent pelvic floor descent. Neurourol. Urdynam. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Using medical registries and data sets for technology assessment. An overview of seven case studies.

In this concluding article, we summarize the major ways that seven registries and data sets have been used for technology assessment in the published literature. The registries fell into three groups according to the original purpose of the registry. Within each group, we note the types of contributions that researchers using the registries made to technology assessment.
Psychiatric disability in female carriers of the fragile X chromosome

• Fragile X syndrome, an X-linked genetic condition, is an important genetic cause of mental retardation in males. In addition to mental retardation, hemizygous males with fragile X syndrome appear to have a greater likelihood of displaying behaviors classified under the diagnostic category of pervasive developmental disorder than would be expected on the basis of mental retardation alone. Although the majority of female heterozygotes with the fragile X genetic defect are of normal intelligence, our clinical work with this population and a recent case report have suggested that females with fragile X syndrome have an increased rate of schizophrenia spectrum and affective disorders. In this study, the relationship of the fragile X genetic defect to psychopathology in female heterozygotes is investigated by psychiatric evaluation of 35 obligate female carriers of the fragile X chromosome and a comparison group of 24 fragile X—negative controls. Female fragile X carriers were found to have a greater frequency of psychopathology associated with schizophrenia spectrum diagnoses, particularly schizotypal features. A weaker association between the fragile X genetic defect and chronic affective disorders was detected. The specificity of the neuropsychiatric phenotype occurring in particular genetic conditions such as the fragile X syndrome adds a potentially valuable tool to the study of psychopathology in the general population.
California Lomatiums, Part VI. Composition of the Essential Oils of Lomatium foeniculaceum ssp. fimbriatu

Abstract The fruit essential oil of Lomatium foeniculaceum ssp. fmbriatum collected from the Inyo National Forest in California contained myrcene (24.5%), β-phellandrene/limonene (12.9%), germacrene D (13.9%), (E)-β-ocimene (10.4%), and (Z)-ligustilide (9.8%) as the major components. Germacrene D and (Z)-ligustilide also constituted the major components of the stem and leaf oil. (Z)-Falcarinol (38.1%) was the major component of the root essential oil.
Interleukin 24 is induced by the RET/PTC3 oncoprotein and is an autocrine growth factor for epithelial cells.

Thyroid cancers, like hematological malignancies, are commonly associated with chromosomal translocations leading to the formation of fusion proteins. Through altered signaling by fusion proteins, cell death and survival pathways are disrupted and the physiological balance of cell–cell communication may be lost. A consequence of this disruption is the release of factors by stressed cells that alert the host. One type of host response is leukocytic infiltration that may develop into chronic inflammation or autoimmune disease. Although inflammation can be associated with neoplastic tissue, the mechanism driving this process is largely unknown. Therefore, to address the mechanism of cancer inflammation we investigated the effects of an oncogene in a murine model system. A comprehensive genetic analysis revealed several soluble factors that were induced by RET/papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)3 gene expression including several proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines and immunologically relevant costimulatory molecules. Following a large genetic screen using RP3-expressing thyroid cells, we identified a highly abundant transcript and later identified it as interleukin 24 (Il24), a cytokine with diverse tumor suppressor and inflammatory activities. We show that RET/PTC3 induces Il24 expression in rat thyrocytes and that this expression is dependent on the signaling properties of its tyrosine kinase. Likewise, RET/PTC3 induces large amounts of Il24 following expression in murine thyrocytes, but its expression is dramatically reduced in poorly differentiated carcinomas, a finding that parallels the loss of RET/PTC3 expression. Consistent with its behavior as a tumor suppressor, the loss of Il24 coincided with the loss of RET/PTC3 in poorly differentiated mouse tumors. A functional role of Il24 in the autocrine growth/survival of RET/PTC3-expressing thyroid cells was identified helping to support its role in cellular transformation. These data suggest that the induction of Il24 by oncogenes may support tumor growth at the early stages of cancer.
Unique presentation of cerebellopontine angle choroid plexus papillomas: case report and review of the literature.

Objectives We present the case of a choroid plexus papilloma (CPP) in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA), describe the different appearances of CPPs with a variety of imaging techniques, and discuss the differential diagnosis of CPA tumors. Participant and Design We report the case of a 52-year-old woman with headache, tinnitus, and unilateral hearing impairment whose preoperative magnetic resonance imaging revealed a heterogeneously enhancing CPA mass that extended into the internal auditory canal. Main Outcome Measures, Results, and Conclusion The preoperative imaging appearance of the lesion was most consistent with that of a schwannoma. Postoperative histopathologic examination found the tumor to be a CPP with cuboidal epithelial cells overlying fibrovascular stroma. CPPs are rare benign central nervous system neoplasms arising from choroid plexus epithelium. The most common site of presentation is in the fourth ventricle in adults and the lateral ventricles in children. CPPs rarely occur in the CPA, and when they do, clinical-radiologic diagnosis is difficult due to both the rarity of this presentation and to nonspecific radiological features.