cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The depiction of senior citizens in magazine advertisements: A content analysis

This study utilized a content analysis of magazine advertisements to measure the frequency that senior citizens were used as models in the advertisements and the extent to which they were presented in a desirable or undersirable light, relative to younger persons. A sample of consumer magazines was examined, in order to assess hypotheses related to the depiction of seniors by advertisers. The research results were analyzed and conclusions drawn which can be of potential value to marketers whose goods and services have potential appeal to older consumers.
Development of a novel, single-cycle replicable rift valley Fever vaccine.

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) (genus Phlebovirus, family Bunyaviridae) is an arbovirus that causes severe disease in humans and livestock in sub-Saharan African countries. Although the MP-12 strain of RVFV is a live attenuated vaccine candidate, neuroinvasiveness and neurovirulence of MP-12 in mice may be a concern when vaccinating certain individuals, especially those that are immunocompromised. We have developed a novel, single-cycle replicable MP-12 (scMP-12), which carries an L RNA, M RNA mutant encoding a mutant envelope protein lacking an endoplasmic reticulum retrieval signal and defective for membrane fusion function, and S RNA encoding N protein and green fluorescent protein. The scMP-12 underwent efficient amplification, then formed plaques and retained the introduced mutation after serial passages in a cell line stably expressing viral envelope proteins. However, inoculation of the scMP-12 into naive cells resulted in a single round of viral replication, and production of low levels of noninfectious virus-like particles. Intracranial inoculation of scMP-12 into suckling mice did not cause clinical signs or death, a finding which demonstrated that the scMP-12 lacked neurovirulence. Mice immunized with a single dose of scMP-12 produced neutralizing antibodies, whose titers were higher than in mice immunized with replicon particles carrying L RNA and S RNA encoding N protein and green fluorescent protein. Moreover, 90% of the scMP-12-immunized mice were protected from wild-type RVFV challenge by efficiently suppressing viremia and replication of the challenge virus in the liver and the spleen. These data demonstrated that scMP-12 is a safe and immunogenic RVFV vaccine candidate.
Nicotine stimulates esophageal peristaltic contractions in cats by a central mechanism

The aim of the present study was to 1) characterize nicotine-induced peristalsis in the feline esophagus and 2) determine the site of action of nicotine. Experiments were done on ketamine-sedated cats. Esophageal contractions were measured using a multilumen catheter assembly system. After recording 1 degree and 2 degrees peristaltic sequences nicotine (50-100 micrograms/kg iv) was administered. Nicotine induced a peristaltic contraction through the esophageal striated and smooth muscle part of the esophagus, which was not associated with any mylohyoid electromyogram activity or pharyngeal response, although the upper esophageal sphincter did relax. Addition of either atropine (20-50 micrograms/kg iv) or hexamethonium (10-20 mg/kg iv), a peripherally acting nicotinic antagonist, did not affect the striated muscle portion of the nicotine-induced esophageal contractile response but antagonized the smooth muscle response. However, mecamylamine (0.5-1 mg/kg iv), a ganglionic antagonist that crosses the blood-brain barrier, abolished the esophageal response to nicotine. Succinylcholine (0.5-1 mg/kg iv) abolished the striated muscle response without affecting the nicotine-induced smooth muscle contractility. Finally, the nicotine-induced peristaltic sequence was abolished after bilateral cervical vagotomy. In conclusion, nicotine, administered peripherally, activates central brain stem mechanisms that mediate a peristaltic sequence through the feline esophagus.
Investigations of the fluctuations of water-levels in observation-wells in Virginia

An automatic water-stage recorder has been maintained on an observation-well in Arlington County, Virginia, about 1-½ miles from the United States Weather Bureau, in Washington, D.C., since June, 1928, but there are a few interruptions in the record. This is a dug well, about 28 feet deep and extends through terrace deposits of gravelly silt or loam. It has not been used for water-supply during the period of record. The recorder was installed by the United States Geological Survey and the record has been given considerable study by O. E. Meinzer, W. N. White, and L. K. Wensel, all of the Geological Survey. In July, 1931, the study of this well was made a part of a more comprehensive investigation of the ground-water resources of Virginia in cooperation with the State Geological Survey, which was assigned to the writer. The well is essentially of the water-table type, and its hydrograph shows approximately the periods of rainfall-penetration and the relative amounts of recharge in each of these periods. The record is especially instructive because of certain unusual climatic conditions that have existed in the last four years.
On the average depth of asymmetric LC-tries

Andersson and Nilsson have already shown that the average depth Dn of random LC-tries is only Θ(log* n) when the keys are produced by a symmetric memoryless process, and that Dn = O(log logn) when the process is asymmetric. In this paper we refine the second estimate by showing that asymptotically (with n ⇒ ∞): Dn ∼ 1/η log logn, where n is the number of keys inserted in a trie, η = - log(1 - h/h-∞), h = -p log p - q log q is the entropy of a binary, memoryless source with probabilities p, q = 1 - p (p≠q), and h-∞ = - log min(p, q).
Physiological studies on supercooled killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) II. Serum organic constituents and the problem of supercooling

To gain insight into the mechanism permitting Fundulus heteroclitus to survive subzero temperatures in a supercooled state, previously published data on inorganic components of the serum were complemented by studies on serum organic constituents in parallel groups of adult male killifish acclimated to various temperatures (30°C, 20°C, 10°C, 4°C, 2°C, −1°C and −1.5°C) in salt water under otherwise constant laboratory conditions. When the acclimation temperature was lowered from 20°C to −1.5°C, there was little or no change in levels of serum total non-protein nitrogen, total amino acids, urea and non-glucose free carbohydrates. Total serum protein levels were usually unaffected by the cold, but occasionally showed a decrease. Serum total cholesterol levels increased by 69% in the subzero cold, presumably due to an increased lipid metabolism. Whereas most serum constituents (organic and inorganic) showed only minor changes in supercooled F. heteroclitus, serum glucose levels increased from three- to sixfold. Serum glucose levels of 68 mg% in fish at 20°C increased to 460 mg% in sexually regressed fish at −1.5°C but to only 280 mg% in supercooled mature fish. It was suggested that the elevation of serum glucose in the subzero cold permitted survival in a supercooled state, presumably by retarding ice crystal growth on any ice nuclei that might form spontaneously in the blood.
Comparison and optimization of two MALDI-TOF MS platforms for the identification of medically relevant yeast species

The rapid identification of yeast is essential for the optimization of antifungal therapy. The objective of our study was to evaluate two matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) platforms, the bioMerieux VITEK MS (IVD Knowledgebase v.2.0) and Bruker Biotyper (software version 3.1), for the rapid identification of medically relevant yeast. One hundred and seventeen isolates, representing six genera and 18 species, were analyzed using multiple direct smear methods to optimize identification. Sequence analysis was the gold standard for comparison. Isolates were analyzed with VITEK MS using the direct smear method +/− a 25 % formic acid on-plate extraction. For Biotyper, isolates were analyzed using direct smear without formic acid, and with 25 % and 100 % formic acid on-plate extractions. When all methods were included, VITEK MS correctly identified 113 (96.6 %) isolates after 24 h with one misidentification, and Biotyper correctly identified 77 (65.8 %) isolates using a threshold of ≥2.0 with no misidentifications. Using a revised threshold of ≥1.7, Biotyper correctly identified 103 (88.0 %) isolates, with 3 (2.6 %) misidentifications. For both platforms, the number of identifications was significantly increased using a formic acid overlay (VITEK MS, p < 0.01; Biotyper, p < 0.001), and reducing the Biotyper threshold from ≥2.0 to ≥1.7 significantly increased the rate of identification (p < 0.001). The data in this study demonstrate that the direct smear method with on-plate formic acid extraction can be used for yeast identification on both MS platforms, and more isolates are identified using the VITEK MS system (p < 0.01).
TEXTUAL ANNOTATION IN A HEAD TRACKED, STEREOSCOPIC VIRTUAL DESIGN ENVIRONMENT

In this paper we describe the textual annotation system we have implemented in CHaMUE, our Collaborative Haptic Mark-Up Environment software. This head tracked, stereoscopic virtual environment for design review allows remote participants to critique and refine product design ideas in real time, both by drawing on 3D virtual representations of the objects and by placing textual annotations linked to specific object features. Each textual annotation is displayed in a floating note with a 3D line path connecting the note with the point being referenced on the object geometry. The exact note positions and the 3D paths are automatically adjusted on a per-user basis according to each user’s current viewing position, balancing the ease of associating each note with its reference point on the object and the occlusion of both paths and the object under discussion. We discuss evaluation criteria for judging well placed notes and well chosen paths, and address the challenges posed by stereoscopic vision and head tracking to optimal note placement and path generation.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Cefepime effectiveness in Gram-negative bloodstream infections

Results: The median age of patients with Gram-negative BSI was 65 years (interquartile range 51‐77) and 230 (58%) were male. Compared with patients who received other b-lactams, patients treated with cefepime were more likely to have cancer (59% versus 44%, P¼0.007) and immunocompromising conditions (55% versus 21%, P,0.001). Patients who received cefepime were less likely to have community-acquired infection acquisition (18% versus 33%, P ¼0.002) and urinary source of BSI (14% versus 23%, P ¼0.04) than those treated with other b-lactam antibiotics. After adjusting for the propensity to receive cefepime and other covariates in the multivariable Cox model, cefepime therapy was not associated with an increased 28 day all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.53‐1.79, P ¼0.97). Conclusions: In adult patients with monomicrobial Gram-negative BSI, cefepime therapy was not associated with increased mortality when compared with other b-lactam antibiotics.
Electronic Systems for Student Clinical Records

Proper documentation of a student’s clinical education is a critical component of a diagnostic medical sonography program’s administrative functions. Traditional paper documents have been used for decades to record and verify a student’s clinical training. However, these paper records can rapidly become a paperwork nightmare, especially for large sonographic programs spread over a broad geographical area. This article examines the reasons for keeping accurate clinical records, discusses paper clinical records systems, and reviews some of the new electronic systems for student clinical records that are now emerging in the allied health professions.
Neural detectors for signals in non-Gaussian noise

The authors demonstrate that a neural network can be trained for the purpose of detecting a known signal corrupted by additive Gaussian as well as non-Gaussian noise of the impulse type. It is shown that, in the presence of Gaussian noise, the performance of a properly trained neural network is very similar to that of the optimum matched filter detector. In the presence of non-Gaussian noise, however, neural detectors are shown to perform better than both the matched filter and locally optimum detectors. >
Relationship of the posterior femoral axis of the “kinematically aligned” total knee arthroplasty to the posterior condylar, transepicondylar, and anteroposterior femoral axes

Background A recent proposed modification in surgical technique in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been the introduction of the “kinematically aligned” TKA, in which the angle and level of the posterior joint line of the femoral component and joint line of the tibial component are aligned to those of the “normal,” pre-arthritic knee. The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship of the posterior femoral axis of the “kinematically aligned” total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to the traditional axes used to set femoral component rotation.
Morphology of dendritic polyethylene crystals

The dendritic crystals of polyethylene described in this paper illustrate many details of the morphology of polyethylene crystals including the development of spiral growths, delineation of fold domains, the attachments between adjacent lamellae, and fracture behavior of single lamellae. Definitions of terms useful in the description of lamellar crystals of polymer molecules are also given.
An Empirical Comparison of Platt Calibration and Inductive Confidence Machines for Predictions in Drug Discovery

During the early phase of drug discovery, machine learning methods are often utilized to select compounds to send for experimental screening. In order to accomplish this goal, any method that can provide estimates of error rate for a given set of predictions is an extremely valuable tool. In this paper we compare Platt Calibration Algorithm and recently introduced Conformal Algorithm to control the error rate in the sense of precision while preserving the ability to identify as many compounds as possible (recall) that are highly likely to be bio-active in a certain context. We empirically evaluate and compare the performance of Platt’s Calibration and offline Mondrian ICM in the context of SVM-based classification on 75 distinct classification problems. We perform this evaluation in the real world setting where the true class labels of compounds are unknown at the time of prediction and are only revealed after the biological experiment is completed. Our empirical results show that under this setting, offline Mondrian ICM and Platt Calibration are not able to bound precision rates very well on an absolute basis. Comparatively, Mondrian ICM, even though not theoretically designed to control precision directly, compares favorably with Platt Calibration for this task.
1141160720 Does the anti‐proliferative action of ovine uterine serpin involve apoptosis?

Ovine uterine serpin (OvUS) is the major progesterone-induced protein in the uterus of the pregnant sheep. This protein is a member of the serine proteinase inhibitor superfamily and it has been proposed to down-regulate uterine immune function during pregnancy to protect the fetus. In vitro experiments have shown that both the native and the recombinant (r) form of the protein can inhibit mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation and growth of canine primary osteogenic sarcoma cells, mouse lymphoma cells, human prostatic adenocarcinoma cells (PC-3 cell line) and bovine preimplantation embryos. The mechanism by which OvUS inhibits cell proliferation is still unknown. Accordingly, experiments were conducted to test whether rOvUS exerts its anti-proliferative action through apoptosis. In the first experiment, the anti-proliferative effect of rOvUS on PC-3 cells was tested to determine the minimal concentration effective at inhibiting proliferation. Proliferation was inhibited by concentrations of OvUS at 8 μg/mL and higher. The incorporation of [3H]thymidine was 4043, 3998, 3464, 2785, 2827, 2310, and 2332 dpm for 0, 0.5, 2, 8, 32, 125, and 250 μg/mL, respectively. In the second experiment, PC-3 cells were cultured for 48 hr with 50, 100 and 200 μg/mL of rOvUS or ovalbumin. Cells were then fixed and apoptotic cells identified using the TUNEL assay to detect DNA fragmentation. There was no effect of OvUS at any concentration tested on the percent of cells that were apoptotic. Percent apoptosis was 1.3% for control cells, 3.8%, 4.8% and 2% for cells cultured with 50, 100 and 200 μg/mL rOvUS, and 2% for cells cultured with 200 μg/mL ovalbumin. Results confirm that OvUS inhibits proliferation of PC-3 cells and indicate that inhibition does not involve induction of apoptosis. Further experiments are warranted to elucidate the anti-proliferative mechanism of action of OvUS.
Changes in Brain Self-Stimulation Rates After Exposure to X-Irradiation

Alterations in the pressing rate of hypothalamic self-stimulating rats were observed after ionizing radiation. Total-body 600-r X-irradiation would increase, decrease, or not alter the mean pressing rate with generally little change in the daily rate deviation. While there is a correlation between structure and pressing rate, the agreement between irradiation response and hypothalamic structure is not complete. Electrodes in the median forebrain bundle produced no change in pressing rate after irradiation. Head irradiation mainly increased the daily deviation without changing the mean. The whole body irradiation effects are probably not direct.
Bilateral teleoperation of a formation of nonholonomic mobile robots under constant time delay

We applied partial feedback linearization to the unicycle model to stabilize part of the state at a desired position on the plane and extend it to design formation control for teleoperation. Further, using output synchronization results we derive a Single Master Multiple Slave bilateral teleoperation system robust to constant unknown, possible different time delays between master and formation and among mobile robots and formation. We show our simulation's results to illustrate the performance of the derived control law.
Combined dexamethasone suppression-corticotrophin-releasing hormone stimulation test in medication-free major depression and healthy volunteers.

Abstract Background The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is dysfunctional in a subgroup of mood disorders. Methods We compared cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) responses in major depression and healthy volunteers to the combined dexamethasone suppression–corticotrophin-releasing hormone stimulation (DEX–CRH) test. Unlike other published studies, the study patients were medication-free and the healthy volunteers did not have first-degree relatives with a mood or psychotic disorder. Demographics, DSM-IV diagnoses and other clinical parameters were evaluated in major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy control groups. Participants received an oral dose of 1.5 mg dexamethasone at 11 pm the day before CRH administration. On the following day, at 3 pm, 100 µg of ovine CRH was infused. Blood samples for determination of cortisol and ACTH were collected every 15 min from 3 pm to 4:15 pm. Cortisol and ACTH responses were calculated as areas under the curve. Results Controlling for age, baseline (i.e., post-dexamethasone) ACTH levels were higher in depressed patients compared to controls ( p =0.01). There was a trend for higher ACTH responses in depressed patients compared to the control group ( p =0.08). In depressed patients, cortisol and ACTH responses correlated positively with age, duration of illness and number of hospitalizations. Limitations Because of the cross-sectional study design we can only evaluate the nature of potential HPA axis disturbances that were present in patients when they are acutely depressed. Conclusions Feedback inhibition of ACTH secretion by cortisol is compromised in MDD, and this is independent of an age effect on the HPA axis function.
Particle density distributions in Fermi gas superfluids: Differences between one- and two-channel models in the Bose-Einstein-condensation limit

We discuss the differences between one- and two-channel descriptions of fermionic gases with arbitrarily tunable attractive interactions; these two cases correspond to whether molecular bosonic degrees of freedom are omitted or included. We adopt the standard ground state wave function for the fermionic component associated with the BCS to BEC crossover problem: for weak attraction the system is in the BCS state while it crosses over continuously to a Bose-Einstein-condensed (BEC) state as the interaction strength is increased. Our analysis focuses on the BEC and near-BEC limit where the differences between the one- and two-channel descriptions are most notable, and where analytical calculations are most tractable. Among the differences we elucidate are the equations of state at general $T$ below ${T}_{c}$ and related particle density profiles. We find a narrowing of the density profile in the two-channel problem relative to the one-channel analog. Importantly, we infer that the ratio between bosonic and fermionic scattering lengths depends on the magnetic detuning and is generally smaller than its one-channel counterpart. Future experiments will be required to determine to what extent this ratio varies with magnetic fields, as predicted here.
The application of finite element method analysis to eddy current nondestructive evaluation

The finite element method for the computation of eddy current fields is presented. The method is described for geometries with a one-component eddy current field. The use of the method for the calculation of the impedance of eddy current sensors in the vicinity of defects is shown. An example is given of the method applied to a C-magnet-type sensor positioned over a crack in a plane-conducting material.
Chromosome 22: a model with implications for diagnostic imaging.

lar cytogenetics. These advances have led to a greater understanding of the structure and function of chromosomes and have increased sensitivity in the identification of chromosomes and genes. Cytogenetic techniques have contributed significantly to physical mapping of chromosomes and have led to the localization of the genes involved in many inherited disorders. This review will use chromosome 22 (Ch 22) as a model to introduce radiologists to the striking progress that has been made by our colleagues in cytogenetics and to describe some of the protean diseases that are manifested by abnormalities at various sites on this chromosome.
A design methodology for protocol processors

New communication protocols such as FCS (Fibre Channel Standard), and ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode), are the emerging gigabit network standards. The emergence of these gigabit speed networks has resulted in increased communication processing requirements. Numerous architectures have been developed (using transputers, multiple microprocessors, VLSI, or high performance host machine) to meet such processing requirements. In this paper, we classify those architectures and discuss their pros and cons. We also propose an architecture using homogeneous multi-processors in a single VLSI chip. Given the state-of-the-art in CAD (Computer Aided Design) systems and the wide acceptance of IEEE VHDL (VHSIC Hardware Description Language) as the industry standard, it is now possible to build VHDL macro libraries and use them in designing environment-specific VLSI protocol processors. Libraries of behavioral models, typically used in simulating modules and adapter cards, can also be re-utilized in order to make the design process shorter, simpler and more cost-effective. We call this approach CVDS (Communication VLSI Design System).
Maximum Likelihood Reconstruction for SPECT Using Monte Carlo Simulation

Reconstructed images for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with quantitative compensation for scatter and attenuation are provided using Inverse Monte Carlo (IMOC): Maximum likelihood estimation with Monte Carlo modeling of the photon interaction and detection probabilities. Quantitative compensation was evaluated by comparing region of interest values for compensated images of line sources scanned in water with line sources scanned in air. Compensation was demonstrated for both 360° 180° acquisition. Lesion contrast was investigated for cold spheres in an active background.
Induced superconductivity in high-mobility two-dimensional electron gas in gallium arsenide heterostructures.

Superconductivity has been induced in 2D electron gases, but high-field interplay between it and quantum Hall edge states remains elusive. Here the authors reach this regime by growing transparent superconducting contacts in GaAs, reporting modification of resistance in the quantum Hall regime.
Steinbrenner to Estate Tax: Who's Boss?

George Steinbrenner was a lucky man. The longtime owner of the New York Yankees died on July 13, 2010, during the current one-year hiatus in the federal estate tax. The man whose management style earned him the nickname ‘‘The Boss’’ may have pulled off the greatest play in baseball history. This article describes the tax problems that may face Steinbrenner's estate. His will created a marital trust for his wife, and granted an unusual discretionary taxpaying power to his lawyer. Assuming that the estate tax is not imposed retroactively on decedents dying in 2010, repeal means that Steinbrenner’s estate escapes taxation. The assets in his estate will not receive the benefit of the stepped-up basis under section 1041(f), however.
Oscillatory thermocapillary-Coriolis convection in open cylindrical annuli

Oscillatory thermocapillary convection in open cylindrical annuli heated from the inside wall is investigated numerically. Results for aspect ratio of 1 and Prandtl number of 30 are obtained to compare the simulations with available experiments. The influence of space craft or orbital rotation on the critical Reynolds number and pattern of convection through the Coriolis force, as measured by a vector Taylor number of magnitude Ta, is investigated. The flow is steady and axisymmetric at sufficiently low values of Re. In the absence of rotation, we observe a twolobed, isotherm pattern travelling clockwise at the free surface near Recr. Thus the frequency of temperature oscillations is twice that of the isotherm rotation. At supercritical jRe, a two-lobed pulsating isotherm pattern is observed instead. Isotherm patterns on the free surface are in good agreement with experimental results. With Ta less than 1, which is relevant to space applications, the effect of rotation on Recr and flow field is small. Recr is found to decrease with increasing Ta. When the rotation vector is orthogonal to the cylinder axis, the isotherms take a three-lobed pulsating pattern. When the rotation vector is parallel to the cylinder axis, a two-lobed rotating isotherm pattern is observed. It is found that rotation has a stronger influence on the flow field when parallel to the cylinder axis.
Toxicity, mutagenesis and stress responses induced in Escherichia coli by hydrogen peroxide.

SUMMARY Two modes of killing of Escherichia coli by hydrogen peroxide can be distinguished. Mode-one killing is maximal at 1–2 mm; at higher concentrations the killing rate is approximately half-maximal and is independent of H2O2 concentration but first order with respect to exposure time. Mutagenesis and induction of a phage lambda lysogen are similarly affected by H2O2 concentration, with reduced levels of response above 1–2 mm-H2O2. Mutagenesis is not affected by inactivation of umuC. Mode-one killing requires active metabolism during the H2O2 challenge and it results in sfiA-independent filamentation of both cells that survive and those that are killed by the challenge. This mode of killing is enhanced in xth, polA, recA and recB strains; however, it is unaffected by mutations in the nth, uvrA, uvrB, uvrC, uvrD, rep, gyrA, htpR and rel loci. Mode-one killing is normal in strains totally lacking catalase activity (katE, katG), glutathione reductase (gor) or glutathione synthetase (gshB), but enhanced in a strain lacking NADH dehydrogenase (ndh). Mode-one killing is accelerated by the presence of CN− or by an unidentified function that is induced by anoxic growth and is under the control of the fnr locus. A strain carrying both xth and recA mutations and certain polA mutants appear to undergo spontaneous mode-one killing only under aerobic conditions. Taken together, these observations imply that mode-one killing results from DNA damage that normally occurs at a low, non-lethal level during aerobic growth. Models for the resistance to mode-one killing at doses above 1–2 mm-H2O2 will be discussed. Mode-two killing occurs at high concentrations of H2O2 and longer times. It does not require active metabolism, and cells that are killed do not filament, although survivors demonstrate a dose-dependent growth lag followed by a period of filamentation. Mode-two killing is accompanied by enhanced mutagenesis, but strains with DNA repair defects were not observed to be especially sensitive to this mode of killing.
Live from Dar es Salaam: Popular Music and Tanzania's Music Economy

Title: Live from Dar es Salaam: popular music and Tanzania’s music economy Author: Perullo, Alex Publisher: Indiana University Press Publication year: 2011 ISBN: 978-0-253-22292-3
Hammett Analyses of Halocarbene–Halocarbanion Equilibria

Substituted arylchlorocarbenes (X = H, p-Cl, p-CF3, p-F, m-Cl) reacted reversibly with Cl(-) in dichloroethane to form the corresponding aryldichloromethide carbanions. Equilibrium constants and rate constants for the forward and reverse reactions were correlated by the Hammett equation. DFT methods were used to compute equilibrium constants and electronic absorption spectra.
Neuroprotective effect of antioxidant compounds

Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of individuals worldwide. It has been estimated that the number of patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) will increase over time, due to the growing size of the elderly population (Willis, 2015). Currently AD affect 5.3 million people in the US and ~44 million people worldwide; PD affect 1.0 million people in the US and 7–10 million people worldwide; HD affect 30,000 people in the US and 100,000 people worldwide; TBI affect 1.4 million people in the US and 5.3 million people worldwide; Stroke affect 795,000 people in the US and 15.0 million people worldwide and finally ALS affect 12,000–30,000 people in the US and 450,000 people worldwide. Although a number of FDA approved drugs for these diseases have been used, they have been shown to produce diverse side effects and yield relatively modest benefits. Therefore, to surpass these limitations of current therapeutics, extensive research and development are underway to find drugs that are effective with less or no undesirable side effects.
Epididymal Inflammatory Pseudotumor With Downstream Sperm Granuloma in an Adolescent Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Herein we describe the first reported case of epididymal inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) with incidental sperm granuloma in an adolescent. IPTs of epididymal origin are very rare, with a differential diagnosis including benign and malignant processes. Rhabdomyosarcomas and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors are important diagnostic considerations that display pathologic similarities to IPTs. These lesions were excluded from diagnosis in this case and the important pathologic features allowing for exclusion are detailed within. Lastly, sperm granulomas are extremely rare pathologic findings in pediatric patients and their presence in this situation is likely the result of downstream tumor obstruction.
Nutrition, Diet, and Allergic Diseases

The Dietary Reference Intake, the American reference for recommended food and nutrient intake from the Institute of Medicine, is constantly evolving in the face of evidence from new information and research, some of which is influenced by food corporations. Optimal nutrition may be different for different disease states, as well as different for different ethnicities, which may have adapted to local foods over centuries. We are learning more about how food affects the microbiome, which in turn exerts an effect on allergic and immunologic disease.
Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infection: Rise of Resistant Pathogens.

The rate of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection is outpacing the rate of implantation of these specialized devices [(1)][1]. CIED infection is a serious condition that carries a high morbidity and mortality and is a significant cost burden to our health care system [(2)][2]. Early
Finite-frequency wave propagation through outer rise fault zones and seismic measurements of upper mantle hydration

Effects of serpentine-filled fault zones on seismic wave propagation in the upper mantle at the outer rise of subduction zones are evaluated using acoustic wave-propagation models. Modeled wavespeeds depend on azimuth, with slowest speeds in the fault-normal direction. Propagation is fastest along faults, but, for fault widths on the order of the seismic wavelength, apparent wavespeeds in this direction depend on frequency. For the 5-12 Hz Pn arrivals used in tomographic studies, joint-parallel wavefronts are slowed by joints. This delay can account for the slowing seen in tomographic images of the outer rise upper mantle. At the Middle America Trench, confining serpentine to fault zones, as opposed to a uniform distribution, reduces estimates of bulk upper mantle hydration from ~3.5 wt% to as low as 0.33 wt% H2O.
Na+/K+ pump interacts with the h-current to control bursting activity in central pattern generator neurons of leeches

The dynamics of different ionic currents shape the bursting activity of neurons and networks that control motor output. Despite being ubiquitous in all animal cells, the contribution of the Na(+)/K(+) pump current to such bursting activity has not been well studied. We used monensin, a Na(+)/H(+) antiporter, to examine the role of the pump on the bursting activity of oscillator heart interneurons in leeches. When we stimulated the pump with monensin, the period of these neurons decreased significantly, an effect that was prevented or reversed when the h-current was blocked by Cs(+). The decreased period could also occur if the pump was inhibited with strophanthidin or K(+)-free saline. Our monensin results were reproduced in model, which explains the pump's contributions to bursting activity based on Na(+) dynamics. Our results indicate that a dynamically oscillating pump current that interacts with the h-current can regulate the bursting activity of neurons and networks.
PDE11A negatively regulates lithium responsivity

Lithium responsivity in patients with bipolar disorder has been genetically associated with Phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A), and lithium decreases PDE11A mRNA in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hippocampal neurons originating from lithium-responsive patients. PDE11 is an enzyme uniquely enriched in the hippocampus that breaks down cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. Here we determined whether decreasing PDE11A expression is sufficient to increase lithium responsivity in mice. In dorsal hippocampus and ventral hippocampus (VHIPP), lithium-responsive C57BL/6J and 129S6/SvEvTac mice show decreased PDE11A4 protein expression relative to lithium-unresponsive BALB/cJ mice. In VHIPP, C57BL/6J mice also show differences in PDE11A4 compartmentalization relative to BALB/cJ mice. In contrast, neither PDE2A nor PDE10A expression differ among the strains. The compartment-specific differences in PDE11A4 protein expression are explained by a coding single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at amino acid 499, which falls within the GAF-B homodimerization domain. Relative to the BALB/cJ 499T, the C57BL/6J 499A decreases PDE11A4 homodimerization, which removes PDE11A4 from the membrane. Consistent with the observation that lower PDE11A4 expression correlates with better lithium responsiveness, we found that Pde11a knockout mice (KO) given 0.4% lithium chow for 3+ weeks exhibit greater lithium responsivity relative to wild-type (WT) littermates in tail suspension, an antidepressant-predictive assay, and amphetamine hyperlocomotion, an anti-manic predictive assay. Reduced PDE11A4 expression may represent a lithium-sensitive pathophysiology, because both C57BL/6J and Pde11a KO mice show increased expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) relative to BALB/cJ and PDE11A WT mice, respectively. Our finding that PDE11A4 negatively regulates lithium responsivity in mice suggests that the PDE11A SNPs identified in patients may be functionally relevant.
Mild asymptomatic intrahepatic biliary dilation after cholecystectomy, a common incidental variant

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of intra- and extrahepatic ductal dilatation in asymptomatic individuals after cholecystectomy. This IRB-approved retrospective cohort study evaluated the prevalence of intra- and extrahepatic biliary dilation in 77 consecutive post cholecystectomy patients who had CT obtained in the portal venous phase. These were then compared to age and sex matched control patients. Two radiologists in consensus blinded to surgical history evaluated the intrahepatic ducts qualitatively for dilatation. A single radiologist using the best of three orthogonal planes measured the extrahepatic ducts. Extrahepatic ducts were considered dilated if >7 mm plus 1 mm/decade after 60 years. T tests and chi-squared tests were performed. Cholecystectomy patient duct patterns: normal ducts 26% (20/77); intra- and extrahepatic dilation 31.2% (24/77); intrahepatic dilation only 18.2% (14/77); extrahepatic dilation only 24.7% (19/77). Control patient duct patterns: normal ducts 88.3% (68/77); intra- and extrahepatic dilation 2.6% (2/77); intrahepatic dilation only 2.6% (2/77); extrahepatic dilation only 6.5% (5/77). All intrahepatic ductal dilatation was mild. Total intrahepatic dilation: 49.4% (cholecystectomy); 5.2% (control patients). The relative risk of intrahepatic ductal dilation in cholecystectomy patients was 9.5:1. Increased prevalence of intra- and extrahepatic dilation in cholecystectomy patients was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Average extrahepatic duct was 7.8 mm (cholecystectomy) and 5.3 mm (control patients) (p < 0.001). Mild intrahepatic biliary dilation in the setting of cholecystectomy is very common, and if not associated with clinical or biochemical evidence of obstruction is likely of no clinical significance.
Development of models for disk-gap-band parachutes deployed supersonically in the wake of a slender body

The Advanced Supersonic Parachute Inflation Research and Experiments (ASPIRE) project will investigate the supersonic deployment, inflation, and aerodynamics of Disk-Gap-Band (DGB) parachutes in the wake of a slender body. The parachutes will be full-scale versions of the DGBs used by the Mars Science Laboratory in 2012 and planned for NASA's Mars 2020 project and will be delivered to targeted deployment conditions representative of flight at Mars by sounding rockets launched out of NASA's Wallops Flight Facility. The parachutes will be tested in the wake of a slender payload whose diameter is approximately a sixth that of entry capsules used for Mars missions. Models of the deployment, inflation, and aerodynamic performance of the parachutes are necessary to design key aspects of the experiment, including: determining the expected loads and applicable margins on the parachute and payload; guiding sensor selection and placement; evaluating the vehicle trajectory for targeting, range safety, and recovery operations. In addition, knowledge of the differences in the behavior of the parachutes in the wake of slender and blunt bodies is required in order to interpret the results of the sounding rocket experiment and determine how they relate to expected performance behind blunt bodies at Mars. However, modeling the performance of a supersonic DGB in the wake of a slender body is challenging due to the scarcity of historical test data and modeling precedents. This paper describes the models of the aerodynamic performance of DGBs in supersonic slender-body wakes being developed for the ASPIRE sounding rocket test campaign. Development of these models is based on the four available flight tests of DGBs deployed in supersonic slender-body wakes as well as on data from past flight and wind-tunnel experiments of DGBs deployed in the wake of blunt bodies, on the reconstructed at-Mars DGB performance during past missions, and on computational fluid dynamics simulations. Simulations of the wakes of blunt and slender bodies in supersonic flow have been conducted in order to investigate the differences in the flowfields encountered by parachutes deployed in both wake types. The simulations have allowed the project to investigate the fundamental differences between the sounding rocket tests and the flight of a DGB during a Mars mission and to assess the limitations of the sounding rocket test architecture for evaluating flight performance at Mars.
Education Policy Implementation Research: A Call for New Approaches

In this chapter, we present a literature-based argument for the adoption of language-based methodologies to study education policy implementation. We highlight the ways in which the existing research positions policy actors in relation to policy implementation. We note that scholars have examined resistance to the adoption of policies, the alignment between policy goals and local organizational values, and the role of policy actors who are both internal and external to the organization. We conclude by advocating for the use of language-based methodologies to examine policy implementation issues which are bound within sociocultural and sensemaking contexts.
VOICE ONSET TIME IN ARABIC AND ENGLISH STOP CONSONANTS

This project will study the voice onset time (VOT) of stop consonants as produced by Arabic speakers in comparison to English speakers. In English, there exists a phonological contrast between voiced and voiceless pronunciations of bilabial, alveolar, and velar stop consonants. These pairs are /p/-/b/, /t/-/d/, and /k/-/g/ respectively. In Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), the voiceless and voiced versions of the alveolar stop, /t/-/d/, are contrastive, but the same does not apply to bilabial and velar stops. /b/ and /k/ are included in the phonological inventory of Arabic, but /p/ and /g/ are not. This leads to questions about pronunciation: Do the VOTs of /b/ and /k/ coincide with the VOTS of the /t/-/d/ contrasting pair according to voicing? Or conversely, do Arabic speakers VOTs vary more liberally in these stops due to the absence of a contrastive voiceless equivalent? It was found that Arabic and English speakers pronunciations of VOT in stop consonants differed significantly as Arabic speakers often engage in prevoicing. The gaps in the Arabic stop consonant inventory, though, have no noticeable effect on the VOTs of affected consonants.
Dynamic Pricing and Timing of Upgrades

Problem definition: We propose and study a dynamic upgrading framework as a way to mitigate supply-demand mismatches among products of different qualities. Dynamic upgrades from a regular product to a premium one are offered between booking and check-in times by a travel firm. A regular product purchaser receives an upgrade offer as a link to a website and may accept it after observing an upgrade fee dynamically determined by the firm on the website. These offers are time-limited; the firm can stop them by deactivating the links. We characterize the optimal timing, quantity and pricing of dynamic upgrades between the booking and check-in times. As a common practice, static upgrading has been implemented either at the booking or the check-in time. Travel firms have recently started to adopt dynamic upgrades, which attest to their importance in practice. Methodology/results: We formulate and solve the problem using dynamic programming with two profit maximization approaches: a capacitated (limited) or a costly upgrade model. We prove that two models are profit-equivalent and the optimal upgrade policies in both are of a pulsing type; either maintaining zero or the maximum number of upgrade links. Focusing on the easy-to-implement capacitated upgrade model, we propose four variations to incorporate relevant business rules: upgrade postponement, restricted upgrade fees, limited upgrade (de-)activation times, and stockout-induced upward substitution. Using multimodularity concepts, we compare optimal policies across model variations and establish monotonicity properties. Managerial implications: The equivalence of two dynamic upgrade formulations allows managers to adopt either one. The optimal policy structures and monotonicity properties help managers understand tradeoffs in dynamic upgrades. Through a comprehensive and systematic numerical study, we identify business contexts suitable for dynamic upgrades and quantify their profit improvements. Compared to the optimal profit with check-in upgrades, the profit improvement with dynamic upgrades, flexible upgrade fees, unlimited (de-)activations and upward substitutions is 5.52% on average and can be as high as 59.34%. We also provide an upgrade process framework that can be used in practice and discuss its customization and implementation.
Dispersal and population state of an endangered island lizard following a conservation translocation

Population size is widely used as a unit of ecological analysis, yet to estimate population size requires accounting for observed and latent heterogeneity influencing dispersion of individuals across landscapes. In newly established populations, such as when animals are translocated for conservation, dispersal and availability of resources influence patterns of abundance. We developed a process to estimate population size using N-mixture models and spatial models for newly established and dispersing populations. We used our approach to estimate the population size of critically endangered St. Croix ground lizards (Ameiva polops) five years after translocation of 57 individuals to Buck Island, an offshore island of St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands. Estimates of population size incorporated abiotic variables, dispersal limits, and operative environmental temperature available to the lizards to account for low species detection. Operative environmental temperature and distance from the translocation site were always important in fitting the N-mixture model indicating effects of dispersal and species biology on estimates of population size. We found that the population is increasing its range across the island by 5-10% every six months. We spatially interpolated site-specific abundance from the N-mixture model to the entire island, and we estimated 1,473 (95% CI, 940-1,802) St. Croix ground lizards on Buck Island in 2013 corresponding to survey results. This represents a 26-fold increase since the translocation. We predicted the future dispersal of the lizards to all habitats on Buck Island, with the potential for the population to increase by another five times in the future. Incorporating biologically relevant covariates as explicit parameters in population models can improve predictions of population size and the future spread of species introduced to new localities.
Theoretical implications of research on bilingual subject production: The Vulnerability Hypothesis:

In this paper we propose a new hypothesis for the formal analysis of cross-linguistic influence, the Vulnerability Hypothesis (VH), with the support of data from subject personal pronoun use in Spa...