cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prurigo Nodularis in a 9-Year-Old Girl

A 9-year-old African-American female with a known history of atopic dermatitis presented for evaluation of an intensely pruritic nodular rash on both upper and lower extremities, buttocks, and lower abdomen for more than 1 year. The patient had been treated with several medium-potency topical steroids and antipruritics without appreciable improvement. After considering and excluding other differential diagnoses, the diagnosis of prurigo nodularis (PN) in association with atopic dermatitis was made. Prurigo nodularis usually occurs in middle-aged and older persons and is rarely seen in the pediatric population. The onset of PN in the case presented is considerably earlier than what has been described in literature. The etiology of the disorder is unknown. The management of prurigo nodularis is usually challenging for both patients and treating physicians. Frequently, combinations of several medications or modalities are used in an attempt to control disease activity. Overall, PN is a benign condition in children, particularly when it is associated with atopic dermatitis. It does not increase mortality; however, it can cause significant morbidity in untreated patients.
A new tri-state-boost-based pickup topology for inductive power transfer

In this paper we present a new circuit design for multi-pickup high-power inductive power transfer systems. The proposed design combines parallel compensated resonant tank with tri-state boost converter. By synchronizing tri-state boost switching period with the half-period of resonant tank voltage, we position the inherently discontinuous current pulse drawn by tri-state boost to control both active and reactive power flow from the resonant circuit to tri-state boost. Controllable reactive current can be used effectively to emulate appropriate inductance or capacitance to tune the resonant tank and achieve optimal power transfer.
Response to Letter by Weimar and Knipp Regarding Article, “Patients With Severe Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis Do Not Have a Higher Risk of Stroke and Mortality After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery”

Thank you for the opportunity to reply to the letter written by Weimar and Knipp.1 The standard of care for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with concomitant, severe, asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis has not yet been defined. Although the American College of Cardiology/American Heart …
Surprise-based developmental learning and experimental results on robots

Learning from surprises and unexpected situations is a capability that is critical for developmental learning. This paper describes a promising approach in which a learner robot engages in a cyclic learning process consisting of “prediction, action, observation, analysis (of surprise) and adaptation”. In particular, the robot always predicts the consequences of its actions, detects surprises whenever there is a significant discrepancy between the prediction and the observed reality, analyzes the surprises for causes, and uses the analyzed knowledge to adapt to the unexpected situations. We tested this approach on a modular robot learning how to navigate and recover from unexpected changes in sensors, actions, goals, and environments. The results are very encouraging.
Sex, aggression, and life history strategy

We agree that sexual selection is a more comprehensive explanation for sex differences in direct aggression than social role theory, which is an unparsimonious and vestigial remnant of human exceptionalism. Nevertheless, Archer misses several opportunities to put the theoretical predictions made by himself and by others into direct competition in a way that would further the interests of strong inference.
Optical THz-wave generation with periodically-inverted GaAs

We overview methods of THz-wave generation using frequency down-conversion in GaAs with periodically-inverted crystalline orientation. First, we compare different nonlinear-optical materials suitable for THz generation, analyze THz generation process in quasi-phase-matched crystals and consider theoretical limits of optical-to-THz conversion. Then, we review single-pass optical rectification experiments with femtosecond pump pulses, performed in periodically-inverted GaAs, where monochromatic THz output tunable in the range 0.9–3 THz was produced. Finally, we describe a novel approach to create a compact highly efficient tunable (0.5–3.5 THz) room temperature monochromatic THz source, based on the concept of intracavity THz generation via resonantly-enhanced difference frequency mixing. This approach allowed generating of 1 mW of average THz power, potentially scalable to 10–100 mW.
ShearWave elastography: repeatability for measurement of tendon stiffness.

Tendon injuries are common and a significant source of pain and disability. Tendon injuries are often treated with a variety of non-surgical (e.g., physical therapy) and surgical interventions, along with a reduction of normal physical activities as the tendon heals [1–3]. However, it is difficult to objectively determine when the tendon has healed sufficiently and has the functional capacity to return to normal activities. Previous research has documented the functional capacity of tendons by measuring their stiffness under in vitro [4, 5] and in vivo [6, 7] conditions, but the technologies used for measuring tendon stiffness are applicable only to in vitro conditions (e.g., mechanical testing systems) or require the highly invasive implantation of sensors (e.g., strain gauges) under in vivo conditions. Conventional imaging modalities (e.g., ultrasound, MRI) can monitor changes in the appearance of tendons over time, but these imaging modalities do not provide an objective, quantitative assessment of tendon healing. A technique that could reliably provide a non-invasive quantitative assessment of tendon mechanical properties in vivo would have significant clinical application as a tool for monitoring tendon changes as a result of injury, pathology, and/or treatment. Shear-wave elastography is a relatively new technology that has the potential to assess the functional capacity of healing tendons in vivo. This technique applies an acoustic radiation force via an ultrasonic beam to the tissue(s), and then utilizes an ultrafast (up to 20 kHz) imaging sequence to measure the speed of the shear waves that result from this applied force. Shear-wave propagation increases as tissue stiffness increases, thus allowing for the indirect estimation of tissue stiffness from shear-wave speed. This technology has been used primarily as a diagnostic tool to identify fibrous masses in breast tissue [8] and has also been applied to the liver, arteries, and muscle [9–12], but its use in tendon is relatively new. Shear-wave elastography has been shown to have good reproducibility in breast imaging [8], but the repeatability for assessing tendon stiffness is not known. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the in vitro and in vivo repeatability of shear-wave elastography for estimating tendon stiffness. We hypothesized that in vitro repeatability would be better than in vivo repeatability, and that repeatability would be no worse than “moderate” (i.e., ICC≥0.41) under both in vitro and in vivo conditions.
A framework for understanding community resident perceptions of Masoala National Park, Madagascar

Protected areas (PAs) represent a central strategy in biodiversity conservation worldwide. Yet many PAs are weakened by people-PA conflicts resulting from the separation of natural resource protection from human considerations. Research at Masoala National Park in Madagascar focused on the following questions: (1) What are the factors that influence residents' perceptions of the Park and restrictions on use of natural resources in the Park area? (2) How do residents of communities on the periphery of the Park perceive and interact with Park staff, and what factors influence interactions and perceptions? A multi-method qualitative research approach was taken, including individual and focus group interviews, participant observation, archival research, and an environmental education and communication workshop. From July to December 2001, 119 semi-structured individual and group interviews were conducted with a total of 181 Masoala National Park staff, employees of non-governmental conservation organizations and community residents, focusing on two villages on the periphery of Masoala National Park. Factors found to influence the perceptions of the Park held by residents living in the Park periphery included the history of Park management, the degree of awareness of Park existence, types of interactions with Park staff and actual or potential benefits received from the Park. Inconsistency in past and present Park management goals has led to community confusion regarding the Park programme. Residents were largely aware of the Park's existence but were unfamiliar with its goals. Pressures on Park natural resources came from a variety of sources and occurred across a range of spatial and temporal scales, some of which were outside the control of Park managers. A conceptual framework represented relations between Park staff and community residents. Understanding people-PA interactions and perceptions can help guide future PA management strategies to increase conservation effectiveness, through efforts such as environmental education and communication programmes.
Decentralized stochastic decision problems and polynomial optimization

In this paper we consider the problem of computing decentralized control policies in a discrete stochastic decision problem. For the problem we consider, computation of optimal decentralized policies is NP-hard. We present a relaxation method for this problem which computes suboptimal decentralized policies as well as bounds on the optimal achievable value. We then show that policies computed from this relaxation are guaranteed to be within a fixed bound of optimal. The relaxation is derived from an equivalent formulation of this decentralized decision problem as a polynomial optimization problem. The method is illustrated by an example of decentralized detection.
The New Digital Cartesianism: Bodies and Spaces in Online Education

The apparent “disembodiment” created in cyberculture poses a genuine dilemma for critical, feminist and progressive educators. For at least twenty years feminists and other poststructuralists have insisted that the body be recognized as central to the production of knowledge. With significant exceptions, phallocentric theory since Plato and Rene Descartes has advocated transcending the body in order to avoid polluting knowledge and truth. Text-based computer-mediated digital culture repackages the Cartesian desire to transcend the body. Whether in the oftrepeated joke “On the internet no one knows you’re a dog,” or the MCI advertisement “There is no race there is no sex there is no infirmity,” this hype heralds a new digital Cartesianism.
Ophthalmic abnormalities secondary to periocular or ocular snakebite (pit vipers) in dogs—11 cases (2012–2014)

Objective To describe ophthalmic abnormalities secondary to periocular and ocular snakebite in dogs. Animal Studied Retrospective review of medical records from dogs presenting to the Small Animal Hospital at University of Florida following snakebites to the face (2012–2014). Two groups were identified: periocular bites (PB) and ocular bites (OB). Results Records from eleven dogs matched the search criteria and were included in the study (PB=9, 81.8%; OB=2, 18.2%). Both OB cases involved the cornea. Facial edema, blepharospasm, chemosis, and conjunctival hyperemia occurred in all cases (100%). Hemorrhage from the eyelids occurred in eight cases (72.7%; PB=7, OB=1). Subconjunctival hemorrhage occurred in seven cases (63.6%; PB=6, OB=1). Third eyelid laceration and nictitans gland prolapse occurred in 1 case each (9%; PB=1). Lagophthalmia was present in three cases (27.3%; PB=3), with secondary corneal ulcer in two cases (18.2%; PB=2). Corneal ulcer due to direct corneal bite occurred in two cases (18.2%—partial thickness with melting 1 and full thickness 1). Uveitis was present in 6 cases (54.5%; PB=4, OB=2), with flare and miosis in 4 cases (36.4%; PB=2, OB=2). Hyphema, fibrin in anterior chamber, and cataract occurred in one case (9%; OB=1). Vision loss occurred in two cases (18.2%; PB=2), secondary to retinal degeneration (PB=1) and amaurosis (PB=1). Mean follow-up time was 7 weeks (range: 3 days–11 months). Most clinical signs had resolved by last examination. Conclusions Periocular symptoms were more commonly observed than ocular alterations, regardless of bite location. Appropriate supportive therapy should be instituted according to clinical signs.
Cyclophane zur Komplexierung von Neutralmolekülen

Die Chemie synthetischer Wirtkomponenten zur gezielten Komplexierung organischer und anorganischer Gastkomponenten hat sich seit der Entdeckung der Kronenether durch Pedersen von zwanzig Jahren sturmisch entwickelt. In diesem Aufsatz wird erortert, welchen Beitrag die Untersuchungen mit synthetischen Cyclophanen als Wirten zum Verstandnis der Komplexierung neutraler organischer Gastmolekule in wasrigen und organischen Losungsmitteln geliefert haben. Cyclophane konnen in wasriger Losung stochiometrische Komplexe mit aromatischen Neutralmolekulen bilden; die Stabilitat dieser Komplexe ist mit derjenigen von Enzym-Substrat-Komplexen vergleichbar. Wirksame Komplexierung kann auch in organischen Medien erreicht werden, wobei die sehr starke Abhangigkeit der Bindungsstarke von der Art des Losungsmittels sich im wesentlichen auf Solvatationseffekte zuruckfuhren last. Elektronen-Donor-Acceptor-Wechselwirkungen konnen fur die Stabilitat der Cyclophan-Aren-Komplexe von groser Bedeutung sein. Fur die gezielte Entwicklung optisch aktiver Wirtkomponenten zur selektiven Erkennung von Enantiomeren („chirale Erkennung”) bieten sich Kraftfeldrechnungen in Kombination mit computergraphischen Darstellungen der Wirte und ihrer Komplexe an. Die gezielte Funktionalisierung von Cyclophanen hat zu stabilen, bioorganischen Katalysatoren gefuhrt, die ihre Substrate wie Enzyme in einem vorgelagerten Gleichgewicht komplexieren. Auf dem Gebiete der molekularen Komplexierung und Katalyse hat sich die Forschung faszinierende Ziele gesteckt. Cyclophane als Wirte konnen in hohem Mase dazu beitragen, diese Ziele zu erreichen.
Atoms of EVE′: A Bayesian basis for esthetic analysis of style in sketching

At its root level, style is actually an esthetic agreement between people. The question is, how can esthetic agreements be modeled and measured in artificial intelligence? This paper offers a formal theory called EVE′ and applies it to a novel test bed of dynamic drawings that combine features of music and sketching. The theory provides mathematical measures of expectations, violations, and explanations, which are argued to be the atomic components of the esthetic experience. The approach employs Bayesian methods to extend information measures proposed in other research. In particular, it is shown that information theory is useful at an entropic level to measure expectations (E) of signals and violations (V) of expectations, but that Bayesian theory is needed at a semantic level to measure explanations (E′) of meaning for the signals. The entropic and semantic measures are then combined in further measures of tension and pleasure at an esthetic level that is actually style.
Synchronous Activity in Locus Coeruleus Results from Dendritic Interactions in Pericoerulear Regions

Locus coeruleus (LC) neurons in brain slices from adult rats were studied using intracellular and extracellular recordings to investigate synchronous activity. Spontaneous field potentials were recorded with extracellular electrodes in solutions containing tetraethylammonium chloride (10 mm) and BaCl2 (1 mm). These field potentials were found throughout but not outside the LC cell body region. No field potentials were observed in control solutions. Paired recordings showed that field potentials were synchronous in all areas of the LC. The synchronous activity was resistant to tetrodotoxin (1 μm) and to the neurotransmitter receptor blockers d-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, bicuculline, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, idazoxan, and strychnine, suggesting that this activity was not synaptically driven. Field potentials were also synchronous with oscillations in membrane potential recorded with intracellular electrodes. The oscillations in membrane potential were 5–30 mV in amplitude and had a biphasic waveform. Neither the frequency nor the waveform of the oscillations was dependent on the membrane potential. The glycyrrhetinic acid derivative carbenoxolone and intracellular acidification with CO2 disrupted synchronous activity, suggesting a role of electrotonic coupling. When the cell body region of the LC was isolated from the pericoerulear dendritic regions by sectioning the slice rostral and caudal to the cell body region, synchronous activity was reduced or abolished. Dendritic interaction in the pericoerulear region was also indicated by improved voltage control of the opioid-induced potassium current, as indicated by a shift in the reversal potential to the potassium equilibrium potential. The results suggest that electrical interactions between dendrites outside the cell body region can account for synchronous activity within the nucleus.
OVIS: a tool for intelligent, real-time monitoring of computational clusters

Traditional cluster monitoring approaches consider nodes in singleton, using manufacturer-specified extreme limits as thresholds for failure "prediction". We have developed a tool, OVIS, for monitoring and analysis of large computational platforms which, instead, uses a statistical approach to characterize single device behaviors from those of a large number of statistically similar devices. Baseline capabilities of OVIS include the visual display of deterministic information about state variables (e.g., temperature, CPU utilization, fan speed) and their aggregate statistics. Visual consideration of the cluster as a comparative ensemble, rather than as singleton nodes, is an easy and useful method for tuning cluster configuration and determining effects of realtime changes. Additionally, OVIS incorporates a novel Bayesian inference scheme to dynamically infer models for the normal behavior of a system and to determine bounds on the probability of values evinced in the system. Individual node values that are unlikely given the current applicable model are flagged as aberrant. This can be a much earlier indicator of problems than waiting for the crossing of some threshold that is necessarily set high to preclude too many false alarms. We present OVIS and discuss its applications in cluster configuration and environmental tuning and to abnormality and problem discovery in our production clusters.
Intelligent database retrieval by visual reasoning

The authors introduce the concept of personalized user profile for very large databases, as well as the VisualNet model as a representation for such a user profile. A user profile is a small and dynamic structure which contains the user's knowledge of the database, serves as a starting point for the user's access to the database, and supports intelligent database accesses. The basic idea is that a user usually accesses only a very small and stable region of a very large database, and therefore, the size of the user profile is much smaller than the whole database view. It is hoped that most of the user's database search can be conducted in the user profile. Techniques for automatic construction and maintenance of user profiles are discussed. A set of visual reasoning algorithms is presented to support intelligent and interactive user's queries to the database, as well as to coordinate the search between the user profile and the global database. >
Beyond metrocentrism: From empire to globalism in early US sociology

Existing accounts of American sociology’s founding years during the early twentieth century assume that the discipline was ‘metrocentric.’ They assume that it was only interested in processes occurring within the United States; that American sociologists fell prey to state-centrist thought; and that, therefore, contextualizing America sociology’s emergence necessitates understanding relations, events, and processes within the confines of US territorial boundaries. By contrast, this paper shows the imperial and hence global aspects of early American sociological thought. Early American sociologists were interested in imperialism and, therefore, in cross-societal, transnational, and global processes and relations. Implicitly or explicitly they approached imperialism as a process by which social groups, not least ‘races,’ interacted and conflicted. They also saw it as a route towards new global forms. Early American sociology thus articulated a sociological imagination that looked beyond American society and...
Application of Linda to molecular modeling

Presents a sampling of work applying parallel computation to computational chemistry using the Linda machine-independent parallel programming language. The authors focus on two projects in particular. The first project parallelized the well-known distance geometry program, DGEOM, while the second project looked at a molecular dynamic code. In both cases, the Linda programs were relatively easy to develop and delivered good performance on a variety of MIMD architectures. >
The Effect of Inconsistency Appeals on the Influence of Direct-to-Consumer Prescription Drug Advertisements: An Application of Goal Disruption Theory

Scholars across multiple domains have identified the presence of inconsistency-arousing information in direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertisements and have suggested that these appeals, which highlight differences between people's actual and desired lives, may create psychological disequilibrium. However, experimental assessment of the distinct influence of inconsistency-arousing information in this domain is rare. Guided by goal disruption theory—a framework that outlines people's reactions to goal expectation violations—we created direct-to-consumer advertisements designed to make people's life inconsistencies salient. The influence of these ads on people's perceptions of, and intentions to use, prescription drugs was then assessed. Results from a structural equation modeling analysis supported the proposed model, indicating that compared to a control ad, an ad containing a goal expectation violation manipulation resulted in higher levels of psychological disequilibrium; in turn, psychological d...
Arthrodesis of the Knee by Double-Plating

A technique for arthrodesis of the knee, using two eight-inch stainlesssteel plates applied to the anterior and medial aspects of the femur and tibia at 90 degrees to each other, is presented. The procedure has been used successfully on four knees with neurogenic arthropathy secondary to tabes dorsalis, three knees with old septic arthritis, two knees with tuberculous arthritis, three knees with post-traumatic arthritis, as well as four knees with rheumatoid arthritis, one knee with a segmental resection of the proximal end of the tibia for giant-cell tumor, and one knee with degenerative arthritis. There was only one failure, and this knee went on to solid fusion after a second plating procedure. External support was seldom required, and walking with crutches shortly after operation was possible in most instances, with partial weight-bearing usually permitted by three months and full weight-bearing after six months. The method described makes it possible to preserve maximum length and even to bridge defects; it assures arthrodesis in the optimum position with minimum hospitalization. Of the eighteen cases reported, removal of the plates was subsequently performed in five instances.
The Value of Learning in the Product Development Stage: A Real Options Approach

In this paper we use a contingent claims approach to value pilot project investments that help reduce idiosyncratic uncertainty with respect to the value of the project's commercial phase before the decision to introduce the product into the market place is made. In our model, both radable market uncertainty and idiosyncratic technical uncertainty affect the value of the project's commercial phase, with the diffusion coefficients that drive idiosyncratic shocks being a function of the amount invested in the product's development stage. Learning is modelled using a proportionality assumption between investment and resolution of idiosyncratic uncertainty. The coefficient that governs this proportionality relation will play a key role in our model, as it defines whether there is decreasing or increasing marginal learning with respect to investment and to what extent. We study the effects of the different dimensions that affect the value of learning and the optimal investment decision. In particular, we analyze and provide an economic interpretation of the impact of changes in the learning coefficient, the market and technical volatility coefficients, the leverage of pilot investment and the expected profitability of the project's commercial phase. Finally, we relax some of the model's assumptions, exploring the effect of these extensions on our results.
Evolution of fracture permeability with respect to fluid/rock interactions under thermohydromechanical conditions: development of experimental reactive percolation tests

The evolution of fracture permeability is crucial as regards the lifespan of the deep fractured geothermal exchanger of an Enhanced Geothermal System site. The objective in developing reactive percolation tests in fractures under thermohydromechanical conditions is to improve our understanding of fluid/rock interactions and their role in the evolution of fracture permeability. This article describes the test apparatus and the experimental protocol developed to meet this objective. The data from a test on a sample of fractured granite are interpreted with a view to characterising the phenomena that occurred during the reactive percolation and their impact on the behaviour of the fracture and its permeability. The test showed that the free face type dissolution of some minerals led, through a deepening of existing channels on the fracture walls, to an increase of the fracture’s permeability by one order of magnitude and to a change in its hydromechanical behaviour.
Study and Development of Process Level Simulation Testing System for Digital Substations

This article brings forward a solution to process-level simulation testing system which integrates "GDCT-800 integrated test instrument for digital substations" with "IEC 61850 process level monitoring and analysis tools" in respect that the conventional monitoring and analysis means can not meet the testing requirements after the change of equipment structure and transfer mode in digital substations.The function structure and technological superiority are expounded and onsite engineering application test is conducted,the result of which indicates that the scheme can meet the requirement of the application.
Neural Network Realization Based on Cross-Validation

Due to the slow convergence speed of BP neural network,limitation of data processing and easilly dropping into local minimum,the cross-validation method is put forward to modify the corresponding parameters and select the appropriate hidden layer,then improve the back-propagation algorithm by means of cross-validation.The simulation results show that the back-propagation algorithm based on cross-validation is superior to the traditional back-propagation algorithm.
Decision making by and for nursing home residents. A legal view

The law is concerned with a panoply of issues affecting the care and lives of nursing home residents. This article has outlined one area, that of decision making, which in many respects is the embodiment of and key to all other fundamental resident rights. The doctrine of informed consent applies with full force in the nursing home, both for mentally competent residents and for cognitively impaired residents for whom decision making rights must be exercised through a proxy. Long-term care institutions and professionals are obligated to insure that decisions made by or for residents are made voluntarily, competently, and knowingly.
Baroreflex attenuates pressor response to graded muscle ischemia in exercising dogs

Graded reductions in hindlimb perfusion in dogs exercising at 2 miles/h (0% grade) elicited reflex pressor responses by what is referred to as the “muscle chemoreflex.” To determine the extent to which arterial baroreceptor reflexes oppose the muscle chemoreflex, we elicited pressor responses to muscle ischemia before and after chronic surgical denervation of the arterial baroreceptors. The muscle chemoreflex showed a threshold beyond which systemic pressure rose approximately 3 mmHg for each 1-mmHg decrease in hindlimb perfusion pressure when the arterial baroreceptors were intact. Arterial baroreceptor denervation approximately doubled the pressor responses, i.e., systemic pressure rose by approximately 6 mmHg for each 1-mmHg fall in hindlimb perfusion pressure, without alteration in threshold. We conclude that during mild dynamic exercise, the arterial baroreflexes oppose the pressor response to graded reductions in hindlimb perfusion, reducing it by approximately 50%. When unopposed by the arterial baroreflexes the muscle chemoreflex exhibits a gain (ratio of change in systemic pressure to change in hindlimb perfusion pressure) of approximately -6; thus this reflex can correct by 85% the decrease in muscle perfusion pressure caused by partial vascular occlusion.
Ligand Induced Allostery in Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Cytoplasmic Heme Binding Protein (Phus) Drives the Protein-Protein Interaction with Heme Oxygenase

Integral to its essential role in the metabolism of extracellular heme, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa's Phus binds incoming heme and tranfers it to the iron-regulated heme oxygenase (HemO). Previous studies have shown that heme binding induces conformational changes required to interact with HemO. Here, we used mass spectrometry and spectroscopic techniques to probe heme binding, characterize the heme-induced conformational changes in Phus and map the holo-Phus-HemO interaction. Hydrogen-Deuterium exchange (HDX-MS) of apo- and holo-PhuS reveals that heme binding results in significant rearrangements of the heme-binding pocket. Notably, C-terminal proximal helices α6/α7/α8 (residues 198-233) are highly labile in the apo-Phus and become largely protected from exchange upon heme binding only to subsequently undergo EX1-type cooperative unfolding within 1hr. Also, N-terminal α1/α2 helices (residues 1-36) undergo cooperative unfolding in apo-Phus which is significantly slowed in holo-Phus. Remarkably, mapping the interface of the holo-PhuS-HemO complex using chemical crosslinking and MALDI-TOF-MS revealed that these same regions, the α7/α8 helices (residues 217-236) and α1 helix (residues 1-29) contact HemO. Together, HDX-MS and crosslinking data is consistent with a heme-binding induced conformational rearrangement of the C-terminal domain driving the initial PhuS-HemO interaction. A binding-competent yet transfer-incompetent mutant, H212R-Phus was used to further interrogate the conformational changes of Phus in response to heme binding. Spectroscopic studies show H212R-Phus binds heme with approximately 2-fold faster kinetics than wt-Phus. In accordance, HDX-MS shows, in the apo form, the C-terminal binding pocket helices α6/α7/α8 of H212R-Phus are slightly but significantly more protected from exchange than wt-Phus. In holo-H212R-Phus, whereas the large conformational rearrangements in the heme binding pocket is still observable, the cooperative unfolding of the C-terminal and N-terminal helices is largely abolished, suggesting a possible role for such cooperative unfolding in heme transfer.
Commentary: Neural Changes Associated with Treatment Outcome in Children with Externalizing Problems.

In a 2011 study published in the journal Biological Psychiatry, Steven Woltering and colleagues demonstrate that children with externalizing behaviors who respond to cognitive behavioral therapy show electroencephalogram-defined neural markers of improved self-regulation (1). In this commentary, I review this study and the rationale for my proposal that children with externalizing behaviors who respond to psychoanalytic psychotherapy may also show similar neural markers of improved self-regulation. The intent is to help psychoanalytically oriented providers, who may have reservations toward evidence-based medicine and mainstream psychiatric care, to see the value of a brain-based dimensional model of recovery and of hypothesis testing to create an evidence base for practice.
Endovascular treatment of TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus D aortoiliac occlusive disease using unibody bifurcated endografts

Abstract Objective Aortobifemoral bypass has been the gold standard treatment for extensive aortoiliac occlusive disease. Endovascular therapy and stenting of aortic and iliac occlusive lesions has proven to be efficacious, especially when dealing with short segment lesions. Endovascular treatment of TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus II (TASC) D aortoiliac occlusive lesions remains a challenge, but a valuable treatment option in poor surgical candidates. We present our operative technique and midterm results in treating TASC D aortoiliac occlusive disease using unibody bifurcated endografts. Methods We performed a retrospective review of patients with TASC D aortoiliac occlusive disease who underwent transfemoral endovascular revascularization with the Endologix Powerlink unibody bifurcated endograft (Endologix, Irvine, Calif). Demographic data, operative details, and outcomes were collected. Paired t -tests were performed to compare preoperative and postoperative ankle brachial indexes. Results Between March 2009 and July 2011, 10 high-risk patients (8 male and 2 female) for a traditional aortobifemoral bypass were treated using this endovascular technique. The mean age was 59 ± 6 years (range, 50-69 years). All patients presented with rest pain, and four with tissue loss. Technical success was 100%, with two patients requiring brachial access and eight patients requiring additional stent placement. Postoperatively, all patients reported clinical improvement with resolution of ischemic symptoms. Mean improvement ankle brachial index was 0.50 ± 0.08 ( P = .028) and 0.50 ± 0.01 ( P = .034) in the left and right legs, respectively. Mean follow-up time was 40 ± 24 months (range, 4-81 months). The primary and secondary patency rates were 80% and 100%, respectively. Complications requiring early reintervention occurred in two patients and included one expanding hematoma from the percutaneous access site and one acute iliac artery thrombosis. Additionally, one patient underwent repeat angioplasty/stenting for threatened endograft limbs at 4 months. One patient expired during follow-up from an unrelated cardiac cause 19 weeks postoperatively. Conclusions This series demonstrates that endovascular repair using a unibody bifurcated endograft for TASC D aortoiliac occlusive disease is feasible, effective, and has excellent midterm patency. It should be considered an effective treatment option when the disease process involves the aorta, in particular if the patient is surgically unfit for a traditional aortobifemoral bypass. The unibody configuration preserves the anatomic aortic bifurcation, which is particularly important in patients with peripheral occlusive disease who are deemed to undergo subsequent endovascular interventions.
Control Chart Constants for Non-normal Sampling

Statistical process control chart constants are bias correction factors used to establish three-sigma limits that are used to identify assignable variation. These constants have been tabulated for normal sampling. Subsequent research has verified the robustness for non-normal sampling. This paper explores exact results for both the normal distribution and select non-normal distributions using a computer algebra system to compute the exact values of the constants.
Clinical analysis on 5 cases of critically ill children complicated with pancreatic necrosis

Objective To summarize the clinical features and biological markers of critically ill children with pancreatic necrosis. Methods The clinical data of 5 ill children whose autopsy confirmed pancreatic necrosis in our hospital from 2003 to 2009 were collected and the pathological results were analyzed.Results Five cases appeared as acute onset and fever. Clinical manifestation of 2 cases included abdominal pain and 2 cases represented abdominal bulging,lots of flatulence and gastrointestinal bleeding. Four cases represented abnormal liver function and significant decrease of albumin,3 cases with increase of C-reactive protein. No case showed abnormal pancreas acoustic image of abdominal B-ultrasonography. Autopsy confirmed that 5 cases represented varying degrees necrosis of the pancreas, which complicated with the damage of adrenal gland,liver,lung,heart, spleen, kidney,intestine, thymus, mediastinal and mesenteric lymphnodes. All died in 36 hours after the children'conditions were changed. Two cases died of acute hemorrhagic necrosis of the pancreas,3 cases died of multiple organ failure based on pancreatic necrosis. Conclusion Pancreatic necrosis in critically ill children presents acute onset and short course,is prone to result in multiple organ damage or failure. Key words: Pancreatic necrosis; Critically illness; Multiple organ failure; Children
Affective Entanglements and Alternative Histories

Focusing on Samuel Rowley’s 1605 play about the reign of Henry VIII, When You See Me, You Know Me, DiGangi argues that affect theory offers new resources for understanding the representation of political agency in the English history play. Rowley characterizes Henry as an unpredictable amalgam of shifting moods and affective attachments. Henry’s passionate nature at times interferes with his judgment and duties as sovereign; nonetheless, his indulgence of mirth and his openness to affective entanglements with others make him a more effective ruler. Rowley’s play suggests that “historical” narratives, even those concerned with the great figures and events of the national past, might meaningfully engage with the elusive movements of the trivial, improvisational, and everyday: realms of experience productively illuminated by affect theory.
Blood cell detection and counting in holographic lens-free imaging by convolutional sparse dictionary learning and coding

We propose a convolutional sparse dictionary learning and coding approach for detecting and counting instances of a repeated object in a holographic lens-free image. The proposed approach exploits the fact that an image containing a single object instance can be approximated as the convolution of a (small) object template with a spike at the location of the object instance. Therefore, an image containing multiple non-overlapping instances of an object can be approximated as the sum of convolutions of templates with spikes. Given one or more images, one can learn a dictionary of templates using a convolutional extension of the K-SVD algorithm for sparse dictionary learning. Given a set of templates, one can efficiently detect object instances in a new image using a convolutional extension of the matching pursuit algorithm for sparse coding. Experiments on red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) detection and counting demonstrate that the proposed method produces promising results without requiring additional post-processing.
Noncovalent Control of the Electrostatic Potential of Quantum Dots through the Formation of Interfacial Ion Pairs

This paper describes the role of tetraalkylammonium counterions [NR4+, R = −CH3, −CH2CH3, −(CH2)2CH3, or −(CH2)3CH3] in gating the electrostatic potential at the interface between the 6-mercaptohexanoate (MHA) ligand shell of a PbS quantum dot (QD) and water. The permeability of this ligand shell to a negatively charged anthraquinone derivative (AQ), measured from the yield of electron transfer (eT) from the QD core to AQ, increases as the steric bulk of NR4+ increases (for a given concentration of NR4+). This result indicates that bulkier counterions screen repulsive interactions at the ligand/solvent interface more effectively than smaller counterions. Free energy scaling analysis and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that ion pairing between the ligand shell of the QD and NR4+ results from a combination of electrostatic and van der Waals components, and that the van der Waals interaction promotes ion pairing with longer-chain counterions and more effective screening. This work provides molecular-l...
Strategies for Success: Preparing for the Application

Preparing an application for promotion requires a lot of work by the applicant and the assistance of several individuals. Some academic tracks mandate the timing of application for promotion. Otherwise, promotion should only be undertaken if the applicant has a realistic concept of the requirements and timelines, is willing to devote time and effort into preparing an appropriate application, and is prepared to be entrepreneurial and persistent in seeking the necessary assistance. A suggested approach consists of groundwork to establish the essentials required for an application, seeking perspective on the wisdom of applying in this cycle, assessing personal readiness, and identifying available resources. Applicants should remain pragmatic and objective—sometimes it is wise to postpone an application until the applicant has stronger credentials or has more time and resources to prepare an application.
Compact ultra low power class AB buffer amplifier

Targeting the energy harvesting applications that require multiple channels of matched buffer amplifiers on a chip, a small rail-to-rail input-output, ultra low current, and low supply voltage (VDD) buffer amplifier is presented. The contributions of this work are as follows: First, an output buffer driver utilizes a loser-take-all circuit (LTA) and a current mirror amplifier (CMA) circuit to regulate the current in either of the inactive sink or source output driver transistors (FET). In conjunction with the LTA and CMA, a complementary noninverting current mirror (CNICM), monitors and rectifies the sink-source output signals before they are fed to the LTA circuit. Hence, the amplifier's current consumption, attributed to monitoring external loads, is substantially curbed. More importantly, because all the elements of the buffer driver (LTA, CMA, and CNICM) operate mainly in current mode, the output buffer driver is structurally fast and can operate with low V DD of about V GS +2V DS . Second, a floating current source (FCS) function is emulated that can also operate with low VDD and is fast in lieu of utilizing auxiliary common gate amplifiers (CGA). The FCS contains two complementary cascoded FET current sources where the middle cascoded FET's VGSs are held constant and their drain currents are criss-crossed and fed to each other's source terminals, while CGAs regulate the V GS s of the lower FETs, whose currents are substantially equalized and mirrored into the Amplifier's bias network. Montecarlo (MC) and worst case (WC) simulations indicate the following specifications are achievable: V DD minimum ∼ 0.8v; I DD ∼ 200nA; input voltage range rail to rail; output voltage range ∼ 10mV from the rails; open loop gain (A V ) ∼ 115dB with unity gain bandwidth (f U ) ∼ 600KHz and phase margin (PM) ∼ 30 degrees; power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) ∼ − 88dB; common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) ∼ − 120dB; slew rate (SR) ∼ 2V/ 5uS; settling time (t S ) ∼ 10uS; output resistor (R L ) capability ∼10K Ohms; and die size rough estimate is 100 um per side.
Mutually augmenting interactions of dextromethorphan and sazetidine-A for reducing nicotine self-administration in rats.

Abstract A variety of nicotinic drug treatments have been found to decrease nicotine self-administration. However, interactions of drugs affecting different nicotinic receptor subtypes have not been much investigated. This study investigated the interactions between dextromethorphan, which blocks nicotinic α3β2 receptors as well as a variety of other receptors with sazetidine-A which is a potent and selective α4β2 nicotinic receptor partial agonist with desensitizing properties. This interaction was compared with dextromethorphan combination treatment with mecamylamine, which is a nonspecific nicotinic channel blocker. Co-administration of dextromethorphan (either 0.5 or 5 mg/kg) and lower dose of sazetidine-A (0.3 mg/kg) caused a significant reduction in nicotine SA. With regard to food-motivated responding, 3 mg/kg of sazetidine-A given alone caused a significant decrease in food intake. However, the lower 0.3 mg/kg sazetidine-A dose did not significantly affect food-motivated responding even when given in combination with the higher 5 mg/kg dextromethorphan dose which itself caused a significant decrease in food motivated responding. Interestingly, this higher dextromethorphan dose significantly attenuated the decrease in food motivated responding caused by 3 mg/kg of sazetidine-A. Locomotor activity was increased by the lower 0.3 mg/kg sazetidine-A dose and decreased by the 5 mg/kg dextromethorphan dose. Mecamylamine at the doses (0.1 and 1 mg/kg) did not affect nicotine SA, but at 1 mg/kg significantly decreased food-motivated responding. None of the mecamylamine doses augmented the effect of dextromethorphan in reducing nicotine self-administration. These studies showed that the combination of dextromethorphan and sazetidine-A had mutually potentiating effects, which could provide a better efficacy for promoting smoking cessation, however the strength of the interactions was fairly modest.
Three-dimensional Analogues of Kekulé Structures for Deltahedral Boranes

Localized structures analogous to the Kekule structures of benzenoid hydrocarbons can be constructed for the deltahedral boranes BnHn2- (6 ≤ n ≤ 12) containing three two center-two electron (2c-2e) B-B bonds and n - 2 3c-2e B-B-B bonds so that the 3c-2e bonds cover exactly half of the 2n - 4 deltahedral faces. Such Kekule-type structures are more readily visualized in the duals of the borane deltahedra where the 3c-2e B-B-B bonds become special vertices and the 2c-2e B-B bonds become special edges so that the sums of the numbers of special vertices and edges for every face are exactly three and neither vertex of any special edge is also a special vertex. Comparison of the Kekule-type structures for borane deltahedra obtained by maximizing their symmetries with those obtained from PRDDO computations by Lipscomb and coworkers suggest that wide distribution of the three 2c-2e B-B bonds throughout the deltahedron and a minimum number of empty faces are more important than maximum symmetry in leading to the most favorable Kekule-type structures. The sum of the electron densities of the set of equivalent Kekule-type structures for a given BnHn2- deltahedron has the geometry of a symmetric skyrmion arising from the non-linear field theory of a system of interacting mesons and B = f(n + 2) baryon (nucleon) sources within a nucleus.