cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computing the volume is difficult

For every polynomial time algorithm which gives an upper bound\(\overline {vol}\)(K) and a lower boundvol(K) for the volume of a convex setK⊂Rd, the ratio\(\overline {vol}\)(K)/vol(K) is at least (cd/logd)d for some convex setK⊂Rd.
Electron microscopy of classically stained astrocytes.

Sections of cat cerebral cortex stained for astroytes by the Cajal gold chloride-sublimate method have been examined with the electron microscope. Small, electron-opaque dots representing gold deposition are specifically concentrated in cells which have swollen, clear perikaryal areas and processes which terminate as perivascular end feet. The appearance of these cells is very similar to the “watery” cells identified as astrocytes in some of the early electron microscopic investigations of central nervous tissue. Neurons and oligodendrocytes, in those layers of cortex examined electron microscopicallly, contain only a small number of gold particles. A possible morphological substrate explaining the sepecificity of the Cajal method for astrocytes is discussed.
Multiple amphetamine injections reduce the release of ascorbic acid in the neostriatum of the rat.

Abstract Voltammetric signals were recorded bilaterally with unmodified or electrochemically-modified carbon-fiber electrodes in the neostriatum of rats that sustained a unilateral depletion of dopamine by pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopamine. In both hemispheres, single daily injections of d -amphetamine (5.0 mg/kg or steadily increasing doses beginning with 6.0 mg/kg) for 6 consecutive days significantly reduced the rise in oxidation current produced by a challenge injection of 2.5 mg/kg d -amphetamine compared to the response obtained from saline-treated controls. Voltammetric scans indicated that the oxidized substance shared the electrochemical characteristics of ascorbic acid. It appears, therefore, that multiple amphetamine injections reduce the release of ascorbic acid in the neostriatum and that this effect does not depend on the integrity of dopaminergic neurons.
Medication adherence in a comparative effectiveness trial for bipolar disorder

Objective Psychopharmacology remains the foundation of treatment for bipolar disorder, but medication adherence in this population is low (Range = 20% to 64%). We examined medication adherence in a multi-site, comparative effectiveness study of lithium.
Characteristics of facilities with specialized programming for drinking drivers and for other criminal justice involved clients: analysis of a national database

Background Offering specialized programming at substance abuse treatment facilities can help diversify clientele and funding sources, potentially enhancing the facilities' ability to survive and/or expand. Past research has shown that facilities only offering specialized programming for driving under the influence/driving while intoxicated offenders (DUI) are predominately private-for-profit owned. As criminal justice populations, both DUI and other criminal justice offenders, comprise a large proportion of those in community-based substance abuse treatment knowing facilities' characteristics would be important for administrators and policymakers to consider when updating programming, training staff or expanding capacity to ensure efficient use of scarce resources. However, while such characteristics are known for DUI programs, they are not known for facilities offering specialized programming for other criminal justice offenders.
SECOND LANGUAGE WRITING SYSTEMS, Vivian Cook and Benedetta Bassetti (Eds.)

SECOND LANGUAGE WRITING SYSTEMS. Vivian Cook and Benedetta Bassetti (Eds.). Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters, 2005. Pp. xi + 448. $69.95 cloth.This wide-ranging collection explores the oft-neglected question of how writing systems impact the learning of second language (L2) reading and writing. The excitement with which I greeted this volume was sustained by the introductory chapter in which the two editors, both linguists at University of Essex, United Kingdom, present an overview of research in L2 writing systems.
Bottleneck throughput maximization for correlated data routing: a game theoretic approach

In this paper, we propose an efficient bottleneck throughput maximizing routing framework for correlated data gathering in wireless sensor networks. Our proposed routing metric exploits the the data correlation present in sensor networks. For throughput-maximizing correlation aware routing, a game theoretic framework is developed for a local solution of the NP-complete optimization problem. The proposed throughput maximization algorithm selects the best routes to increase the bottleneck throughput of each source in the network using best response dynamics. Numerical results corroborates predicted throughput gains.
A Brushless DC Motor Controlled by a Microprocessor with Examples for a Three-Phase Motor

The principle and the characteristics of a brushless dc motor and a driver circuit using bipolar transistors are described briefly. Motor control by microprocessor, including hardware and software commutation, speed measurement, and control via software algorithms, is described in more detail. Different current choppers were investigated: the hysteresis current chopper, the fixed-frequency current chopper, and the software current chopper (Patent EP 0 093 182 A1, US 4 514 667). Application examples and implementation details for the print-band drive of an impact printer are discussed. Finally, microprocessors are ideal devices to detect, to isolate, and to pass on errors for display.
Identity crisis: it's not just Foxp3 anymore

What does it take to make a regulatory T (Treg) cell? In this issue of Immunity, Ohkura et al. show that Treg-cell-specific CpG hypomethylation and Foxp3 expression are independent events required for Treg cell development, stability, and full suppressive activity.
Clinical and laboratory experience with erythrocyte and platelet preparations from a 0.5CPD Erythro-Sol opti system

BACKGROUND Red blood cells stored as concentrates or suspensions in additive solutions change rapidly their oxygen affinity mainly due to the loss of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG). When collected in CPD with half of the normal concentration of citrate and citric acid (0.5CPD) and stored in a new additive solution (Erythro-Sol), 2,3-DPG is better maintained. No studies of the oxygen affinity of red cells stored under these conditions have been published. In Erythro-Sol, red cells have a satisfactory in vivo recovery for 49 days but the conditions after 28 days, within which time most red cell units are transfused, have not been investigated. Of importance is also to be able to make platelet concentrates (PCs) from 0.5CPD blood. Little data are available concerning the clinical usefulness of platelets prepared from 0.5CPD buffy coats (BCs). METHODS Blood was collected in 0.5CPD, held at 20 degrees C for 3-4 h, then separated with the bottom-and-top technique into red cells, plasma and BC. In a storage experiment with 6 U the 2,3-DPG and P50 values were determined weekly and a number of in vitro parameters were tested on day 28. In 6 donors the in vivo recovery and survival of red cells were determined using a single-chromium technique. Transfusions of 212 0.5CPD-Erythro-Sol red cell units were given to hematological patients under supervision. PCs derived from pools of 0.5CPD BCs suspended in PAS2 (T-Sol) were transfused to 20 thrombocytopenic patients and compared with CPD-BC-PCs suspended in PASI. Corrected count increments (CCI) were determined. RESULTS The erythrocyte 2,3-DPG and P50 values were normal or slightly subnormal initially but increased to supernormal levels during the 1 week, and remained at these levels for a further 1-3 weeks; the 2,3-DPG was two thirds of normal after 28 days, the P50 was 3.72 +/- 0.28 kPa after 14 days and 2.84 +/- 0.41 after 28 days (mean +/- SD). The P50 values corresponded closely (r2 = 0.903) to 2,3-DPG. The in vivo recovery of 4-week-stored red cells was 89.6 +/- 5.5% and the T50 was 32.2 +/- 2.0 days. No adverse effects were observed in the transfusions. The CCI values did not differ between test and control groups; in both, 3- to 5-day-stored PCs gave lower CCI than fresh (0-2 days) PCs. Patients with acute myeloid leukemia AML (n = 11) had significantly lower CCI values than patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloma and lymphoma (n = 9; CCI 1 h: p = 0.001; CCI 24 h: p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS Red cells stored in Erythro-Sol sustain a normal or slightly lowered oxygen affinity for 2-4 weeks, their viability is excellent, and they are well tolerated in clinical transfusions. Platelets prepared from 0.5CPD-BCs cause CCI, of the same magnitude as CPD-BCs.
Expanded model of the electric field hypothesis for propagation in cardiac muscle

An electric field model for action potential (AP) propagation between adjoining myocardial cells has been further developed by expanding the model to a strand of 10 cells, increasing the number of active membrane segments per cell, incorporating Beeler-Reuter kinetics, assigning physiologically realistic values to the parameters, and employing a simpler numerical integration scheme. The major assumption is that the pre- and postjunctional membranes are excitable membranes. There is no requirement for a low-resistance coupling between the cells. The electric field that develops in the narrow junctional cleft between cells during the rising phase of the action potential in the prejunctional membrane acts to depolarize the postjunctional membrane to threshold. AP propagation occurred down the strand at a uniform velocity of 32 cm/sec under standard conditions. Propagation was found to be strongly dependent on radial cleft resistance (R"j"c) and the junctional membrane properties. There was an optimal R"j"c for maximum velocity under any given conditions. However, overall propagation velocity was determined by the AP conduction delay at the junctional clefts. K^+ accumulation in the clefts was shown to facilitate AP transmission. This model is consistent with many experimental facts concerning propagation in cardiac muscle, including discontinuous conduction, and suggests an alternative mechanism for AP propagation that does not depend on direct current flow between cells.
Evidence for Reactive Reduced Phosphorus Species in the Early Archean Ocean

It has been hypothesized that before the emergence of modern DNA–RNA–protein life, biology evolved from an “RNA world.” However, synthesizing RNA and other organophosphates under plausible early Earth conditions has proved difficult, with the incorporation of phosphorus (P) causing a particular problem because phosphate, where most environmental P resides, is relatively insoluble and unreactive. Recently, it has been proposed that during the Hadean–Archean heavy bombardment by extraterrestrial impactors, meteorites would have provided reactive P in the form of the iron–nickel phosphide mineral schreibersite. This reacts in water, releasing soluble and reactive reduced P species, such as phosphite, that could then be readily incorporated into prebiotic molecules. Here, we report the occurrence of phosphite in early Archean marine carbonates at levels indicating that this was an abundant dissolved species in the ocean before 3.5 Ga. Additionally, we show that schreibersite readily reacts with an aqueous solution of glycerol to generate phosphite and the membrane biomolecule glycerol–phosphate under mild thermal conditions, with this synthesis using a mineral source of P. Phosphite derived from schreibersite was, hence, a plausible reagent in the prebiotic synthesis of phosphorylated biomolecules and was also present on the early Earth in quantities large enough to have affected the redox state of P in the ocean. Phosphorylated biomolecules like RNA may, thus, have first formed from the reaction of reduced P species with the prebiotic organic milieu on the early Earth.
Transformation-based Framework for Record Matching

Today's record matching infrastructure does not allow a flexible way to account for synonyms such as "Robert" and "Bob" which refer to the same name, and more general forms of string transformations such as abbreviations. We propose a programmatic framework of record matching that takes such user-defined string transformations as input. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first proposal for such a framework. This transformational framework, while expressive, poses significant computational challenges which we address. We empirically evaluate our techniques over real data.
Initial stage hot pressing of monosized Ti and 90% Ti-10% TiC powders

The kinetics of the initial stage of uniaxial vacuum-hot-pressing of commercially pure spherical titanium powders are investigated for temperatures between 730 and 870-degrees-C and applied pressures from 25 to 50 MPa. Densification kinetics are found to agree with models of Arzt, Ashby and coworkers for hot isostatic pressing by power law creep. The best fit with all data is for a creep exponent of 4.9 and a creep activation energy of 208 kJ mol-1. With the addition to the titanium powder of 10 vol.% TiC powder of same size, the densification rates remain in overall agreement with the same models but become from 5 to 20 times slower. Addition of the inert ceramic particles slows hot pressing kinetics in two ways: (i) by decreasing the initial density of the compact and (ii) by reducing the densification rate at interparticle contacts. It is shown that this latter effect decreases the densification rate by a factor of at most 2 in the present experiments, hence, the former accounts for the significantly larger reductions in densification kinetics observed experimentally.
The scintillation properties of cerium-doped lanthanum fluoride

Abstract We report on the scintillation properties of cerium-doped lanthanum fluoride (LaF 3 ), a newly discovered dense (5.9 g/cm 3 ) heavy-atom scintillator. We have investigated four dopant concentrations (0.01%, 1%, 10% and 50% mole fraction of CeF 3 ) and measured the emission spectrum, light output and decay time distribution. The light output increases with increasing cerium concentration until a maximum is reached at 2200 photons/MeV at 10% CeF 3 , then decreases to 1900 photons/MeV at 50% CeF 3 . The emission spectrum depends on concentration, but tends to consist of a pair of peaks centered at approximately 350 and 290 nm, with the lower cerium concentrations having a greater fraction of shorter-wavelength emissions. While the decay time distribution also depends on concentration, all samples are well described by the sum of three exponential components (3.0 ns, 26.5 ns, and a long component that varies between 140 and 275 ns), with the fraction of the 3.0 ns fast component increasing from 10% at 50% cerium to 15% at 1% cerium, and the fraction of the long component increasing from 3% at 50% cerium to 21% at 1% cerium. These scintillating compounds may be useful for applications where high rates and good stopping power are required, such as medical imaging and nuclear instrumentation.
Effect of oral phytoestrogen on androgenicity and insulin sensitivity in postmenopausal women

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine and compare the effect of treatment with transdermal oestrogen and phytoestrogen on insulin sensitivity and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels in healthy postmenopausal women. Methods: Forty-three healthy postmenopausal women aged 68 ± 7( mean± SD) years who were not receiving hormonal replacement therapy completed a 3 month randomized drug therapy study. The participants were randomized to one of four groups: 0.05 mg or 0.1 mg transdermal oestrogen/day, or 40 or 80 mg oral phytoestrogen (Promensil)/day insulin sensitivity was indirectly measured using the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI). SHBG, total testosterone, oestradiol, and fasting glucose and insulin levels for calculation of insulin sensitivity were obtained at baseline and at monthly intervals during the 3 months of therapy. Results: In healthy nondiabetic postmenopausal women, the rate of change in QUICKI was significantly different between the red clover based phytoestrogen and transdermal oestrogen groups, so that after three months of therapy, QUICKI with red clover based phytoestrogen therapy was lower than that in the transdermal oestrogen group, p = 0.01. Red clover based phytoestrogen therapy was not associated with any changes in SHBG levels whereas transdermal estrogen therapy significantly increased SHBG levels, p = 0.05. Conclusions: In contrast to transdermal oestrogen therapy, oral phytoestrogen therapy does not decrease androgenicity and is associated with a decrease in insulin sensitivity. These effects are similar to those of raloxifene and consistent with phytoestrogen’s selective oestrogen
Performance assessment methodology for ground vehicle infrared and visual signature countermeasures

The Army performance assessment methodology for visual and infrared countermeasures typically uses an area weighted average temperature/contrast (AWAT or AWAC) description of an equivalent uniform target in a uniform background scene. A simplistic target/background description is not sufficient to evaluate most signature countermeasure (CM) applications. This paper analyzes alternative strategies for using a realistic target/background model to achieve valid assessments of CM technology.
Reciprocal signaling by integrin and nonintegrin receptors during collagen activation of platelets.

Activation of platelets by exposed collagen after vessel wall injury is a primary event in the pathogenesis of stroke and myocardial infarction. Two collagen receptors, integrin α2β1 and glycoprotein VI (GPVI), are expressed at similar levels on human and mouse platelets, but their individual roles during collagen activation remain poorly defined. Recent genetic and pharmacologic experiments have revealed an essential role for GPVI but have failed to define the role of α2β1 or explain how two structurally distinct collagen receptors might function together to mediate platelet collagen responses. Discriminating the roles of these two collagen receptors is complicated by evidence suggesting that GPVI and platelet integrins may activate a common intracellular signaling pathway. To determine how α2β1 and GPVI activate platelets in response to collagen, we have (i) examined collagen signaling conferred by expression of these receptors in hematopoietic cell lines; (ii) determined the effect of blocking each receptor on the activation of human platelets by collagen; (iii) generated low-GPVI mice in which the α2β1/GPVI receptor ratio has been altered from 1:1 to 50:1 to expose α2β1 function; (iv) studied the collagen responses of mouse platelets lacking LAT, an adaptor protein critical for GPVI but not integrin signaling; and (v) addressed the mechanism by which soluble collagens activate wild-type platelets. These studies demonstrate that α2β1 requires inside-out signals to participate in collagen signaling and that α2β1 is required for collagen activation of platelets when GPVI signals are reduced by blocking anti-GPVI antibody, low receptor number, specific disruption of the GPVI signaling pathway, or forms of collagen that bind weakly to GPVI relative to α2β1. We propose a reciprocal two-receptor model of collagen signaling in platelets in which the nonintegrin receptor GPVI provides the primary collagen signal that activates and recruits the integrin receptor α2β1 to further amplify collagen signals and fully activate platelets through a common intracellular signaling pathway. This model explains many of the genetic and pharmacologic observations regarding collagen signaling in platelets and demonstrates a novel mechanism by which hematopoietic cells integrate signaling by structurally distinct receptors that share a common ligand.
HIV-1 antiretrovirals induce oxidant injury and increase intima-media thickness in an atherogenic mouse model.

Abstract A growing body of evidence suggests HIV patients are at a greater risk for developing atherosclerosis. However, clinical investigations have generated conflicting results with regard to whether antiretrovirals are independently involved in the development of HIV-associated atherosclerosis. By administering antiretrovirals in an atherogenic mouse model, we determined whether two commonly prescribed antiretrovirals, the protease inhibitor indinavir and the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor AZT, can induce premature atherosclerosis. C57BL/6 mice were administered an atherogenic diet ± AZT, indinavir, or AZT plus indinavir for 20 weeks. Aortic intima–media thickness (IMT) and cross-sectional area (CSA) were determined. Compared to controls, treatment with AZT, indinavir or AZT plus indinavir, significantly increased aortic IMT and CSA. This suggests that antiretrovirals can directly exacerbate atherogenesis, in the absence of interaction with a retroviral infection. To elucidate the role of oxidant injury in the drug-induced initiation of atherosclerosis, a separate group of mice were treated for 2 weeks with an atherogenic diet ± AZT, indinavir or AZT plus indinavir. Aortic reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and glutathione/glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) ratios, as well as plasma levels of 8-isoprostanes (8-iso-PGF 2α ) and lipids were determined. At 2 weeks, aortic ROS was increased and GSH/GSSG ratios were decreased in all antiretroviral treatment groups. Plasma 8-iso-PGF 2α was increased in the AZT and AZT plus indinavir-treated groups. At 20 weeks, increased ROS production was maintained for the AZT and indinavir treatment groups, and increased 8-iso-PGF 2α levels remained elevated in the AZT treatment group. Cholesterol levels were moderately elevated in the AZT and AZT plus indinavir-treated groups at 2 but not 20 weeks. Conversely, indinavir treatment increased plasma cholesterol at 20 but not 2 weeks. Thus, though effects on plasma lipid levels occurred, with effects of the individual antiretrovirals variable across the treatment period, there was consistent evidence of oxidant injury across both early and late time points. Together with the known metabolic abnormalities induced by antiretrovirals, drug-induced oxidant production may contribute to the development of antiretroviral-associated atherosclerosis.
Development of an Emulsion-Solvent Evaporation Technique for Microencapsulation of Drus-Resin complexes

Chlorpheniramine maleate was complexed with a carboxylic acid cation-exchange resin and the complexes were microencapsulated with polymethyl methacrylate using an emulsion-solvent evaporation techn...
191 CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER INSERTION VIA FEMORAL VEIN BY PEDIATRIC RESIDENTS: A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUE

Success in teaching pediatric residents (PRs) to insert central venous catheters (CVCs) for hemodynamic monitoring has not been evaluated previously. Surveillance was carried out for CVCs inserted by PRs under the supervision of ICU attendings or chief residents, using the percutaneous Seldinger technique via the femoral vein. Insertion by PRs or ICU staff was successful in 21 of 23 (91%) consecutive patients attempted. Success was achieved in a single attempt in 13 of 21 cases; the others required 3–8 attempts. In successful cases, insertions required ≤5 minutes in 12 of 20 (60%) for whom time was recorded. Patients ≤10kg had prolonged (>5 minutes) or unsuccessful attempts (6 of 8) more often than patients >10kg (4 of 14) (p=.048). PRs were successful in 14 of 21 (67%) patients attempted, and were successful at the first insertion attempt in 12 of 21 (57%). Most of the PRs (15 of 18) had previously inserted fewer than 5 CVCs each. The only significant complication, arterial puncture in 2 of 23 (9%), was not associated with sequela. Minor complications included mild local bleeding (3), transient pallor of leg (1), catheter looped in vena cava (easily repositioned) (1), and thrombi adhering to the catheter at post mortem exam (2). Clinical evidence of venous obstruction was not observed. CVC insertion by femoral vein is a safe and effective procedure. Instruction in this procedure should be included in pediatric advanced life support training for pediatric residents.
AD HOC TEAMWORK BEHAVIORS FOR INFLUENCING A FLOCK

Ad hoc teamwork refers to the challenge of designing agents that can influence the behavior of a team, without prior coordination with its teammates. This paper considers influencing a flock of simple robotic agents to adopt a desired behavior within the context of ad hoc teamwork. Specifically, we examine how the ad hoc agents should behave in order to orient a flock towards a target heading as quickly as possible when given knowledge of, but no direct control over, the behavior of the flock. We introduce three algorithms which the ad hoc agents can use to influence the flock, and we examine the relative importance of coordinating the ad hoc agents versus planning farther ahead when given fixed computational resources. We present detailed experimental results for each of these algorithms, concluding that in this setting, inter-agent coordination and deeper lookahead planning are no more beneficial than short-term lookahead planning.
A timing-driven macro-cell placement algorithm

The timing-driven macro-cell placement algorithm described is based on the force-directed technique. The proposed star net model enables more accurate timing analysis, hence path delay constraints can be handled. In addition, the placer provides functions such as determination of cell orientation, routing estimation and pad placement. The algorithm is iterative and incremental, allowing flexibility in the physical design flow. The placer competes with commercial physical design tools and gives better results in terms of path delay.
Rags: The gaseous sample collection diagnostic at the National Ignition Facility

Radiochemical diagnostic techniques such as solid- and gas-phase capsule debris analysis may prove to be successful methods for establishing the success or failure of ignition experiments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Samples in the gas phase offer the most direct method of collection by simply pumping out the large target chamber following a NIF shot. The target capsules will be prepared with dopants which will produce radioactive noble gas isotopes upon activation with neutrons. We have designed and constructed the Radchem Apparatus for Gas Sampling (RAGS) in order to collect post-shot gaseous samples for NIF capsule diagnostics. The design of RAGS incorporates multiple stages intended to purify, transfer, and count the radioactive decays from gaseous products synthesized in NIF experiments. We will present preliminary results from the RAGS system's commissioning experiments highlighting collection efficiency and transport times. In addition, future improvements including cryogenic collection and purification of analytes and an implementation timeline at NIF will be discussed.
Mutation of a U2 snRNA Gene Causes Global Disruption of Alternative Splicing and Neurodegeneration

Although uridine-rich small nuclear RNAs (U-snRNAs) are essential for pre-mRNA splicing, little is known regarding their function in the regulation of alternative splicing or of the biological consequences of their dysfunction in mammals. Here, we demonstrate that mutation of Rnu2-8, one of the mouse multicopy U2 snRNA genes, causes ataxia and neurodegeneration. Coincident with the observed pathology, the level of mutant U2 RNAs was highest in the cerebellum and increased after granule neuron maturation. Furthermore, neuron loss was strongly dependent on the dosage of mutant and wild-type snRNA genes. Comprehensive transcriptome analysis identified a group of alternative splicing events, including the splicing of small introns, which were disrupted in the mutant cerebellum. Our results suggest that the expression of mammalian U2 snRNA genes, previously presumed to be ubiquitous, is spatially and temporally regulated, and dysfunction of a single U2 snRNA causes neuron degeneration through distortion of pre-mRNA splicing.
6. A Diagnostic Routine for the Detection of Consequential Heterogeneity of Causal Effects

Least squares regression estimates of causal effects are conditional-variance-weighted estimates of individual-level causal effects. In this paper, we extract from the literature on counterfactual causality a simple nine-step routine to determine whether or not the implicit weighting of regression has generated a misleading estimate of the average causal effect. The diagnostic routine is presented along with a detailed and original demonstration, using data from the 2002 and 2004 waves of the Education Longitudinal Study, for a contested but important causal effect in educational research: the effect of Catholic schooling, in comparison to public schooling, on the achievement of high school students in the United States.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging in stroke recovery

A better understanding of brain reorganization following stroke may have value in predicting outcome defining the targets of restorative therapies, measuring the physiology of recovery, and in serving as a biologic marker in studies targeting stroke recovery. Measures of brain organization may provide insights as to which patients retain relevant substrate for therapies that target restorative events. Brain reorganization can be studied with many different methods that often have complementary value. Functional MR imaging provides insights into brain plasticity after stroke and remains a valuable tool in the study of motor recovery after stroke.
MEK inhibitors: a patent review 2008 - 2010.

Introduction: MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) inhibitors target the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway, which is important in cell growth, differentiation and development. The pathway has been implicated in the progression of a variety of diseases, in particular cancer, as well as in immune and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, organ transplant rejection, septic shock, asthma and viral infection. Areas covered: A comprehensive review of the patent literature (2008 – 2010) covering MEK inhibitors and combinations thereof is provided in this paper. Expert opinion: The first MEK inhibitor was described in the literature in 1995, and several companies are still active in the research and development of MEK inhibitors for various disease states. The emerging role of MEK inhibitors in disease has prompted further investigations of this important target. The combination of MEK inhibitors with other agents/therapies in the treatment of diseases, particularly cancer, is a key deve...
Culture and Cognition: A Process Account of Culture

Sociologists of culture and cognition are well positioned to take up the rigorous study of culture as a dynamic process by which meanings come to be perceived as shared through social interaction and influence. A wealth of exciting new work in psychology on how cognitive representations and associations are shaped and strengthened by social interaction can be integrated into a more comprehensive account of the dynamic process of culture. Understanding how shared meanings develop and change sheds light onto some of the most important questions in sociology. I provide a brief example of how a process-based account of culture can help us understand peer conflict in schools.
A new model for the reflected wave of the ionosphere

In order to find an effective arithmetic which can suppress the useless reflected wave of the ionosphere, a new model for the reflected wave of the ionosphere is proposed here. Using the multiple phase-screen method used for the investigation of the HF wave propagation, the amplitude scintillation and phase scintillation of the reflected wave of the ionosphere can be achieved. Using the results of the multiple phase-screen method and considering the altitudinal change of the reflect-point, a model for the reflected wave of the ionosphere is given. Then, the experimentally derived data of the reflected wave of the ionosphere are analyzed. The statistical results of the real date prove the validity of the model for the reflected wave of the ionosphere.
Bone mineral density of the proximal femur is not related to dynamic joint loading during locomotion in young women

We characterized the extent to which body mass influences the relationship between hip joint moments during locomotion and bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal femur in healthy young women (n = 24). There is some evidence of a direct relationship between hip joint moments during locomotion and BMD of the proximal femur in patients with osteoarthritis. Nevertheless, based on expected simultaneous influences of body mass on BMD and joint moments during locomotion, we hypothesized that BMD would not be significantly associated with hip joint moments during locomotion independently of body mass. BMD of the nondominant proximal femur was determined using DXA. The hip joint moments were determined by gait analysis. The correlation between peak internal rotation moment and BMD of the intertrochanteric region was significant (r = 0.48; P = 0.019). However, body mass was significantly correlated to both BMD and the internal rotation moment (r = 0.59 and 0.70; P = 0.002 and <0.001, respectively). After accounting for the relationship between body mass and hip joint moment, the internal rotation moment was not significantly correlated to BMD of the proximal femur (r = 0.04, P = 0.34) indicating that BMD is not significantly associated with hip joint moments during locomotion independent of body mass in young healthy women.
Hand lesions characteristic of bulimia.

• Bulimia is a serious and prevalent eating disorder in the adolescent population. The pediatrician is often in a position to make the initial diagnosis of bulimia but must suspect the disorder in light of subtle physical evidence. Denial and embarrassment reduce the likelihood of self-report of symptoms. Hand lesions resulting from self-induced emesis have a distinctive configuration and appearance. Noting these characteristic lesions during a physical examination should alert a physician to the diagnosis of bulimia or to an exacerbation of symptoms in a patient whose condition was previously diagnosed. ( AJDC 1986;140:28-29)
Field Mapping, NMR Lineshape, and Screening Currents Induced Field Analyses for Homogeneity Improvement in LTS/HTS NMR Magnets

This paper describes two general methods: field map processing and NMR lineshape analysis, that we are currently using for the on-going research of field improvement techniques specifically applied to our 700 MHz LTS/HTS NMR magnet. The validity of the methods is verified with comparison between calculations and experiments. Also, a simple but effective analysis has been used to identify the principal source of a remanent magnetic field measured in the bore of the 700 MHz LTS/HTS NMR magnet: the screening current induced field (SCF) from the 100-MHz HTS insert, comprised of 48 double pancake coils, each wound with Bi2223 tape.
Statistical learning of temporal community structure in the hippocampus

The hippocampus is involved in the learning and representation of temporal statistics, but little is understood about the kinds of statistics it can uncover. Prior studies have tested various forms of structure that can be learned by tracking the strength of transition probabilities between adjacent items in a sequence. We test whether the hippocampus can learn higher-order structure using sequences that have no variance in transition probability and instead exhibit temporal community structure. We find that the hippocampus is indeed sensitive to this form of structure, as revealed by its representations, activity dynamics, and connectivity with other regions. These findings suggest that the hippocampus is a sophisticated learner of environmental regularities, able to uncover higher-order structure that requires sensitivity to overlapping associations.
A critical appraisal of stroke evaluation and rating scales.

To judge the efficacy of new, putative stroke therapies, we need a method to measure neurological deficit accurately in groups of patients before and after treatment. No single measurement technique has yet proven to be universally acceptable, but one approach is the use of rating instruments that summarize the neurological deficit found on clinical examination. Currently, stroke assessment scales may be based on the examination of physical deficits, an inventory of activities of daily living, or a global evaluation of functional outcome.Scientific methods for authenticating stroke scales are available in the psychometric and statistical literature. We review currently available stroke scales for their validity and reliability and propose investigations needed to refine further the standardized measurement of neurological deficit following stroke.We suggest that clinical stroke trials include a physical deficit scale and a global rating during the acute phase and that an activities of daily living scale b...
A Process Variation Tolerant Self-Compensating Sense Amplifier Design

Lithography related CD variations, fluctuations in dopant density, oxide thickness and parametric variations of devices are identified as major challenges in ITRS. Due to growth in size of embedded SRAMs as well as usage of sense amplifier based signaling techniques, process variation in sense amplifiers lead to significant loss of yield. In this paper, we present a process variation tolerant self-compensating sense amplifier design, using an active compensation circuitry. Results from statistical simulation in a 32nm process show that the proposed active compensation is highly effective in restoring yield at a level comparable to that of sense amplifiers without significant process variations.
Universal Classification of Skin Type

Thomas Fitzpatrick [1] proposed a classification of skin type based on the efficiency of melanogenesis in response to ultraviolet exposure. This classification is based on a personal history of sunburning and/or suntanning following 45–60 min of exposure to midday sun. This “Fitzpatrick skin classification” (Table 3.1) has been universally adopted in all aspects of dermatology and cutaneous surgery to predict post-treatment pigmentary changes. My experience in treating hundreds of patients of both sexes of various races on various medications suggests that the Fitzpatrick classification is not an accurate predictor of pigmentary response to laser, surgical (dermabrasion) or chemical injury to the skin. In fact, I do not believe that the Fitzpatrick classification was ever meant to fulfill this purpose.
Chief Nursing Officer Sustainment: A Phenomenological Inquiry.

Objective The study explored factors leading to chief nursing officer (CNO) sustainment in the professional practice of nurse executive leadership. Background CNOs are expected to lead adaptations in care delivery in this current era of healthcare reform, requiring a multitude of new leadership skills. Exploration is needed to understand barriers to longevity, which prevent consistency of leadership and execution of vision. Methods Twenty CNOs were interviewed to determine the lived experience related to the phenomena of role sustainment. An interpretative phenomenological analysis approach was used. Results Six themes emerged describing sustainment. These are as follows: loving the profession, having a broader impact, reflecting on one's own work, learning to manage conflict, maintaining work/life balance, and working with supportive leaders. Conclusions The desire and passion for nurse executive leadership must be enhanced through education and competencies that emerged in this study and include strategic processing, mindful reflection, and resiliency training.
Fractured Fairytales: The Failed Social License for Unconventional Oil and Gas Development

Few people had heard of “fracking” ten years ago. Today, it is ubiquitous, especially in the media. But, despite our growing familiarity with the term fracking and its companion process, horizontal drilling, they remain poorly understood. Fracking has also become a shorthand term used by various stakeholders to describe a variety of processes related to unconventional oil and gas development that are connected to, but distinct from fracking. Moreover, and to a significant extent, the term has been co-opted by opponents of oil and gas development to encapsulate all of the problems that can arise from such development. To be sure, many of those problems are real, although most might be reasonably addressed. But, because the surge of new unconventional development outpaced a complete discussion of the problems and potential solutions, industry lacks the public’s support to fully develop unconventional oil and gas resources. This article does not advocate for or against the development of unconventional oil and gas deposits; nor does it seek to resolve whether fracking and horizontal drilling are, in all cases, environmentally benign. Rather, this article attempts to demystify unconventional oil and gas development, including hydraulic fracturing, by providing an in-depth explanation of the processes involved. It also suggests a framework to help the public, industry, and decision makers engage in a meaningful social discourse on unconventional oil and gas development generally, and fracking in particular. Further, a foundation is offered for understanding how unconventional gas development can be carried out to best protect affected public and private interests. 6 Wyoming LAW revieW Vol. 13
Lattice Polyhedra II: Generalization, Constructions and Examples

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of lattice polyhedra II. Lattice polyhedra are a certain class of polyhedra that not only have all vertices integral but also have the property that, when objective functions are integral, dual linear programs have integer optimal solutions whenever they have optimum solutions. Accordingly, they are suitable for proving combinatorial extremal theorems. The chapter presents some methods for constructing polyhedra from some simple notions and explores the question of whether each such polyhedron arises this way. Sub- and supermodular consecutive functions are examined in the chapter.
Labor Market Dynamics During a Period of Structural Adjustment: California in the Early 1990s

This paper contributes to the literature on labor market dynamics in four ways. First, unlike most of the existing literature, it uses the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). This panel survey, with a 32 months window of observation, allows a more precise measure of employment flows than other data sources. We find that one out of three workers experiences a job transition during the observation period. Second, it focuses on the state of California during an economic cycle. According to our estimates, the net decline in employment represents just 2.6 percent of all job rotations (separations offset by accessions), and gross job flows were as important during the downturn as they were during the economic expansion. Third, it estimates gross flows by sector, and finds significant variation in gross flows relative to employment across sectors of economic activity. Fourth, it examines the coexistence of cyclical and structural changes of California in the early 1990s. The results suggest a labor market link between structural changes and economic cycles.
The land of big queers: A fairy's tale (To be read aloud then discarded just as quickly)

Queer culture has its insiders and outsiders. Me? I’m somewhere in between – in a kind of no man's land where I’m both abject and subject to academic queer discourse which, much as it seeks to resist structuration, has managed to organize itself around a highfalutin center. In this paper, using an ad hoc, campy and at times irreverent methodology, I trace the concept of abjection through three canonical queer works. My writing style – performative autoethnography – resists queer paradigms as I experiment with voice and with different subject positions to bring queer theory down to earth. In short, I play.
Context of First Same‐Sex Condom Use and Nonuse in Young Black Gay and Bisexual Males

Despite high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) rates among young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM), there are limited data about condom use during first same-sex (FSS). This study sought to understand socio-contextual factors of 50 YBMSM aged 15-19 years that influenced condom use during FSS. Condom use was influenced by individual, partner, and community factors. Individual factors-recent illness or sexually transmitted infections (STI)-prompted condom use, while frequent HIV testing prompted nonuse. Partner factors-proactive encouragement from partners-prompted condom use, while trust and condom discomfort prompted nonuse. Larger community factors-such as presence of females-were key for use, while limited sexual health information combined with peers who discouraged condoms prompted nonuse. A multilevel approach may be useful in developing sexual health programming for these young men.
Endogenous 1,4-Dihydropyridine-Displacing Substances Acting on L-Type Ca2+ Channels: Isolation and Characterization of Fractions from Brain and Stomach

Several lines of evidence suggest that endogenous l, 4-dihydropyridine (DHP) ligands that act on DHP binding sites may exist. First, the binding of these dihydropyridines is of very high affinity (typically 0.01–1 nM), and is highly stereoselective (Triggle and Janis 1987; Janis et al. 1987). Second, the density of DHP binding sites can be modulated by treating animals chronically with various Ca2+ -channel ligands (Panza et al. 1985; Gengo et al. 1988; J. Ferrante and D.J. Triggle, in preparation). Third, synthetic pathways for DHPs that may occur spontaneously in vivo have been proposed (Nair et al. 1986). Finally, the discovery of Bay K8644 and related drugs that activate Ca2+ channels supports the idea that analogous endogenous substances exist (Schramm et al. 1983). The observation that Bay K8644 stabilizes a spontaneously occurring mode of L-type calcium-channel gating suggested that binding to the DHP receptor could alter physiological function (Hess et al. 1984).
Gaze-based Notetaking for Learning from Lecture Videos

Taking notes has been shown helpful for learning. This activity, however, is not well supported when learning from watching lecture videos. The conventional video interface does not allow users to quickly locate and annotate important content in the video as notes. Moreover, users sometimes need to manually pause the video while taking notes, which is often distracting. In this paper, we develop a gaze-based system to assist a user in notetaking while watching lecture videos. Our system has two features to support notetaking. First, our system integrates offline video analysis and online gaze analysis to automatically detect and highlight key content from the lecture video for notetaking. Second, our system provides adaptive video control that automatically reduces the video playback speed or pauses it while a user is taking notes to minimize the user's effort in controlling video. Our study shows that our system enables users to take notes more easily and with better quality than the traditional video interface.
An Approach for Totally Dynamic Forms Processing in Web-Based Applications.

This paper presents an approach for dynamically generating and processing user input form variants from metadata stored in a database. Many web-based applications utilize a series of similar looking input forms as a basis for capturing information from users, such as for surveys, cataloging, etc. Typical approaches for form generation utilize static HTML pages or dynamic pages generated programmatically via scripts. Our approach generates totally dynamic forms (including page controls, presentation layout, etc.) using only metadata that has been previously defined in relational tables. This significantly reduces the amount of custom software that typically needs to be developed to generate and process form variants.