cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of gamma-aminobutyric acidergic synaptic contacts in the thalamic reticular nucleus of the monkey.

Gamma-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) neurons in the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) spontaneously generate a synchronous bursting rhythm during slow-wave sleep in most mammals. A previous study at the electron microscopic level in cat anterior TRN has suggested that synchronous bursting activity could result from the large number of presumably GABAergic dendrodendritic synaptic contacts. However, little is known about the synaptology of the monkey thalamic reticular nucleus and whether it contains dendrodendritic contacts. To address this issue, we examined tissue obtained from Macaca fascicularis that was prepared for electron microscopy using postembedding techniques to demonstrate GABA immunoreactivity. Examination of the anterior (motor) and posterior (somatosensory) portions of the TRN disclosed the following: The majority of synaptic contacts (87.5% of 958) were formed by axon terminals showing no GABA immunoreactivity and making asymmetric synaptic contacts on dendrites or cell bodies. A further 6.4% of synaptic contacts was composed of GABA-immunoreactive presynaptic terminals making symmetric contacts with the dendrites of TRN neurons. The majority resembled the pleomorphic vesicle containing F-terminals seen in the dorsal thalamus and known to originate from axons of TRN. A subset or possible second class did not resemble any previously described class of GABA-immunoreactive terminals in the TRN. Both classes of these terminals making symmetric contacts may originate wholly or partially within the nucleus. There was one dendrodendritic synaptic contact and only a small number (3.2%) of axodendritic contacts with synaptic vesicles visible both pre- and postsynaptically. We conclude that dendrodendritic contacts are probably not responsible for the synchronized bursting neuronal activity seen in the slow-wave sleep of monkeys, and that, if TRN neurons are coupled synaptically, the most likely mechanism is through the synapses formed by recurrent axon collaterals of TRN neurons onto TRN dendrites. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The emergence of global coordination during multijoint pulls made while standing

Abstract This study evaluated whether global coordination improves and body rigidity decreases as subjects learn to perform a complex, multijoint action. Freely-standing subjects practiced making abrupt impulse-like horizontal pulls in the sagittal plane, against a handle held bilaterally, to different target forces. Global coordination was modeled as a second-order equation relating the dynamics associated with anterior-posterior center of mass motion (CMAP) to horizontal pulling force (FP). The stiffness (KE) parameter of the model provided an estimate of global body rigidity. Five subjects had three days' practice in producing peak forces equalling 25, 40, and 55% of their estimated maximum, receiving verbal feedback about force production after every other trial. CMAP coordinates and anterior-posterior pulling force (FP) were measured on Days 1 and 3. Force errors, model fit and KE were compared between the first ten trials to each target on Day 1, and the last ten trials at each target on Day 3. Practice resulted in significantly more consistent force production, better fits of the model to the data, and lower global KE. These findings suggest that the modeled global coordinative function was learned and that global stiffness decreased as subjects became more skilled on the multijoint pulling task.
Addiction Competencies in the 2009 CACREP Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Standards

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs developed addiction competencies for clinical mental health counseling students. This article highlights these competencies, provides an overview of current addiction training, and describes methods to integrate addiction education into curricula.
Radiative deexcitation of singlet metastable helium by collisions with helium atoms

Cross sections and rate coefficients are reported for the process He{sup *}(2 {sup 1}{ital S})+He{r arrow}He+He+{ital h}{nu}, for collision energies corresponding to gas temperatures in the range from 100 to 32000 K.
Communication integration: An analysis of context and conditions

Abstract Integrated communication has been discussed as both a process and a concept. On the one hand it is mechanical, through message and image matching, channel management, and measurement. On the other hand, it is also conceptual, based on a unique organizing philosophy that underscores communication mechanics. The latter, which can be termed “the spirit” of integration, has received little attention in the literature in spite of its influence on communication. This article proposes contextual variables that underscore and facilitate integration, including flexibility, adaptation, an open social system, and other informal processes. The article concludes by illustrating these contextual variables in the integrated communication efforts at a nationally-ranked hospital.
On rules, procedure, caching and views in data base systems

This paper demonstrates that a simple rule system can be constructed that supports a more powerful view system than available in current commercial systems. Not only can views be specified by using rules but also special semantics for resolving ambiguous view updates are simply additional rules. Moreover, procedural data types as proposed in POSTGRES are also efficiently simulated by the same rules system. Lastly, caching of the action part of certain rules is a possible performance enhancement and can be applied to materialize views as well as to cache procedural data items. Hence, we conclude that a rule system is a fundamental concept in a next generation DBMS, and it subsumes both views and procedures as special cases.
NITRIC OXIDE (NO) MODULATES VENTILATORY RESPONSES TO HYPOXIA IN DEVELOPING RAT. † 1983

NO is an important excitatory neurotransmitter. NO blockers induce marked ventilatory reductions during sustained hypoxia in adult freely-behaving rats. We hypothesized that limited NOS activity may play a role in the biphasic response of developing animals to hypoxia. To test our hypothesis, 3-5-d, 10-d, and 15-d rat pups underwent a 30-min hypoxic challenge (10% O2) before, and following administration of 100 mg/kg N-nitro-L-argine methyl ester (L-NAME), a competitive NOS inhibitor. Ventilation (VE) was measured using whole-body plethysmography. In 15-d hypoxic pups, L-NAME was associated with significantly larger VE reductions when compared to pre-treated animals. In contrast, in 3-5-d pups, VE reductions were similar before, and following L-NAME. Western blots of dorsal brainstem tissue homogenates displayed increasing neuronal NOS expression with increasing postnatal age. These findings suggest that NOS activity mediates excitatory components of the hypoxic ventilatory response. Furthermore, reduced NOS-positive neuronal populations in brainstem respiratory regions may play a role in modulating the biphasic response to hypoxia typically seen in early post-natal life.
Evaluation of calculated entanglement spacings for undiluted linear amorphous polymers

In reality, entanglements based on rheological measurements have been essentially defined operationally as a kinetic or time delay effect present in concentrated polymer systems. This is where intuitively molecular loops or overlap and entanglements of polymer chains are most likely to occur. The evaluation in fig. 2 suggests that the theory of rubber elasticity, even discounting the inherent imprecision of measurements, gives anM e which is not relatable to polymer composition 1and chain structure. Conversely reliable and internally consistent values ofM c can come from the molecular weight dependence of: 1.Newtonian viscosities, 2.NMR relaxation times, and 3 the shear dependence of viscosities, see fig. 1. However, entanglement spacings calculated in this way lack adequate theoretical substantiation particularly as to the mechanism of flow. Nonetheless, the correlation ofM c with composition and structure is convincing and provides a sound empirical correlation and the basis for a renaissance in theoretical interpretation of viscoelastic behavior of linear amorphous polymers. Further theory must rationalize the fact that the shear compliance, which is proportional toM e , depends on a combination of molecular weight averages involvingZ andZ+1. Yet the break in viscosity-molecular weight curves yieldingM c has been generally confirmed to depend on only weight average molecular weight. The values ofM c appear worthy of further experimental and theoretical evaluation. The values ofM e appear to be based on experimental techniques that at present do not provide sufficient precision to warrant citation of such values molekular weight distribution is thought to have an important yet ill-defined influence on calculated values of M e .
Synthesis of 21-amino-5-pregnene-3,20-dione bysethylene ketal

Abstract 21-Amino-5-pregnene-3,20-dione bisethylene ketal was obtained in good yield by lithium aluminum hydride reduction of 21-azido-5-pregnene-3,20-dione bisethylene ketal. The azido bisethylene ketal was synthesized by the sequence: deoxycorticosterone → deoxycorticosterone 21-p-toluene-sulfonate → 21-azidoprogesterone → 21-azido-5-pregnene-3, 20-dione bisethylene ketal. The structure of the title compound was confirmed by its conversion to the known 21-acetylaminoprogesterone. 21-Amino-5-pregnene-3,20-dione bisethylene ketal is a stable aminosteroid which is a useful intermediate for the synthesis of C-21 nitrogen derivatives of progesterone.
Modeling, operation and control of wind turbine with direct drive PMSG connected to power grid

This work presents modeling, analysis, and control of a wind turbine with direct drive permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) connected to the grid. A complete mathematical model is built to study the stability of the wind turbine with direct drive PMSG when suffered with wind velocity disturbances and effectively to design controller parameters. The specialized space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) with current predictive control strategy is adopted to control the three-phase voltage source converter (VSC) in order to minimize the system delay and improve the current response so that the grid-side current harmonics can be sharply reduced. Active and reactive current are controlled respectively in d-q rotating coordinate system to achieve unity power factor. The proposed switching algorithm can control the converter with wide input variations. The stability of the system after suffering disturbances in wind velocity is evaluated based on simulation results in the MATLAB environment in order to validate the system operation.
A sociological view of costs of price adjustment: contributions from grounded theory methods

Economic theory and data sometimes pose problems that cannot be addressed with existing econometric methods. For example, theories of price adjustment costs rely on variables that cannot or have not been observed. In principle, such costs can be measured, but there is little reason to expect they can be measured with existing econometric methods. I argue that the grounded theory methods developed by sociologists can be used to demonstrate the validity of price adjustment costs and to address deeper questions about how firms adjust prices. Properly matched to economic problems, grounded theory may help economists to develop better theory and better test existing theory. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Alkyl Chain Length and Degree of Substitution on the Complexation of Sulfoalkyl Ether β-Cyclodextrins with Steroids

This study was designed to test how the sulfoalkyl ether (SAE) modification of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) affects the binding capacity of testosterone and progesterone, thereby enhancing their solubility. The SAE-β-CD derivatives contain either sulfopropyl ether (SPE) or sulfobutyl ether (SBE) groups on the 2-, 3-, and 6-hydroxyl positions of the dextrose moieties. SAE-β-CDs are a mixture of positional and regional isomers containing from one to as many as 12 SAE groups per CD. The effect of chain length and the degree of substitution on complexation behavior was investigated by the phase-solubility method. The results were compared with those obtained with β-CD, where possible, and with hydroxypropyl-β-CD (HP-β-CD). To determine the effect of degree of substitution (DS) on the binding, mixtures of SAE-β-CDs with multiple substitution levels and varying average degrees of substitution were studied as well as mixtures of SAE-β-CDs that contained the same degree of substitution. Mixtures that contained SAE-β-CDs of the same degree of substitution were isolated from the multiple substitution level mixtures by ion-exchange chromatography and purified for investigation. Unlike the parent β-CD, linear increases in the apparent solubilities of testosterone and progesterone were observed, and the binding potentials were comparable to those of β-CD or better. The results demonstrate that the binding potentials of the SAE-β-CD derivatives were dependent on the guest molecule, the degree of substitution, and the alkyl ether chain length. Our previous study showed the inhibition of complexation by direct sulfonation of the β-CD. However, in the present work, interferences with the charged sulfonate groups were avoided by repositioning them away from the cavity. Increasing the degree of substitution assisted in complex formation; however, its effects were limited. Reduction of the alkyl chain length, as in the case of SPE-β-CD compared with SBE- β-CD, decreased the complexation potential. This decrease in complexation potential was further suppressed with an increase in the number of substituents placed on the CD torus. Generally, the binding potential of SAE-β-CD derivatives increased with increasing alkyl chain length. However, placement of more than an optimum number of SAE groups on the CD torus resulted in inhibition of complexation.
Parametric optical processes for microwave photonics

The ability to map a wideband signal to multiple, arbitrarily spaced new frequencies was long recognized as missing capability that could lead to fundamentally new means for signal processing and channel distribution. Its simplest form, frequency conversion, has been used in the past to reconfigure the link, but was also regarded as lossy and channel-impairing process. Indeed, conventional link design inherently associates any frequency conversion with finite performance penalty. As a consequence, very few links relied on frequency conversion and none of them, to the best of our knowledge, used frequency mapping for signal fan-out.
The Investigation of a 13-mm Torch for Use in Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry

A 13-mm torch is evaluated for use in inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). With this system, an analytically useful plasma can be supported at 1.35 kW applied rf power and 9.35 L/min total argon flow. The effect of operating parameters (nebulizer flow rate, rf power, sampling depth, and ion-lens voltages) on analyte ion signals was examined, also. The optimal nebulizer-gas flow rate, sampling depth, and power for the 13-mm torch were found to be comparable to those used for the standard (18-mm) torch. Similar trends were seen between the two systems when these parameters were varied. Under optimal operating conditions, the 13-mm torch was found to produce comparable sensitivities, oxide-ion ratios, and doubly charged ion ratios. The most significant difference exhibited between the two torches was the independence of the doubly charged ion ratio on plasma parameter settings for the 13-mm torch.
Omissions, conflations, and false dichotomies: Conceptual and empirical problems with the Barbey & Sloman account.

Both the theoretical frameworks that organize the first part of Barbey & Sloman's (B&S's) target article and the empirical evidence marshaled in the second part are marked by distinctions that should not exist (i.e., false dichotomies), conflations where distinctions should be made, and selective omissions of empirical results – within the very studies discussed – that create illusions of theoretical and empirical favor.
An analysis of psychophysical tuning curves in normal and pathological ears

Simultaneous psychophysical tuning curves were obtained from normal‐hearing and hearing‐impaired listeners, using probe tones that were either at similar sound pressure levels or at similar sensation levels for the two types of listeners. Tuning curves from the hearing‐impaired listeners were flat, erratic, broad, and/or inverted, depending upon the frequency region of the probe tone and the frequency characteristics of the hearing loss. Tuning curves from the normal‐hearing listeners at low‐SPL’s were sharp as expected; tuning curves at high‐SPL’s were discontinuous. An analysis of high‐SPL tuning curves suggests that tuning curves from normal‐hearing listeners reflect low‐pass filter characteristics instead of the sharp bandpass filter characteristics seen with low‐SPL probe tones. Tuning curves from hearing‐impaired listeners at high‐SPL probe levels appear to reflect similar low‐pass filter characteristics, but with much more gradual high‐frequency slopes than in the normal ear. This appeared as abnormal downward spread of masking. Relatively good temporal resolution and broader tuning mechanisms were proposed to explain inverted tuning curves in the hearing‐impaired listeners.
High linearity photodiode array with monolithically integrated Wilkinson power combiner

We demonstrate the first high linearity four-element photodiode array with monolithically integrated Wilkinson power combiner. A high third-order intercept point (OIP3) of 47 dBm is achieved at 20 GHz and 80 mA photocurrent level.
Biochemical and ecological characterization of two peroxidase isoenzymes from the mangrove, Rhizophora mangle

This study examines phenolic peroxidase (POX) in Rhizophora mangle L. leaves in order to assess its role in phenolic manipulation and H 2 O 2 scavenging. Sun-exposed and understorey leaves experiencing varying degrees of nutrient stress were analysed from an oligotrophic cay off the coast of Belize. POX activity was unaffected by growth environment, but increased throughout leaf development and persisted through senescence and after abscission. Histochemical analyses indicated POX activity throughout leaf tissues, especially in the apoplast. Phenolics were similarly broadly distributed. Two isoenzymes of POX were partially characterized with pIs of 4.1 and 6.3 and masses of 65.5 and 54.3 kDa, respectively. The larger, more acidic isoenzyme showed especially high heat stability, showing no reduced activity after 24 h at 60 ∞ C. Rhizophora mangle POX oxidized quercetin preferentially, and, to a lesser extent, coniferyl alcohol, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and p -coumaric acid. It did not oxidize ascorbate, but ascorbate could act as a secondary electron donor in the presence of a phenolic substrate and H 2 O 2 . However, because quercetin and other aglycones were not present in R. mangle leaves, and because POX showed no activity with the most abundant leaf flavonoid, rutin, it was concluded that detoxification of H 2 O 2 is secondary to the other roles of POX in manipulation of phenolics.
Highly relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions: The central rapidity region

The space-time evolution of the hadronic matter produced in the central rapidity region in extreme relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions is described. We find, in agreement with previous studies, that quark-gluon plasma is produced at a temperature &200— 300 MeV, and that it should survive over a time scale & 5 fm/c. Our description relies on the existence of a flat central plateau and on the applicability of hydrodynamics.
A study of the effect of serum on the immunological reaction of a bacterial endotoxin.

Contact of a purified endotoxin from Shigella fiexneri Type Z with normal rabbit or human serum results in an alteration of its immunological reaction with antiserum, as determined by precipitation in gel. Analysis of fractions of normal serum obtained by zone electrophoresis in starch indicates that the component responsible for altering the immunological reaction of endotoxin is associated with beta globulin. Normal serum has no similar effect on the immunological reaction of a variety of other protein and polysaccharide antigens. Serum from rabbits made tolerant to the pyrogenic action of an endotoxin from Serratia marcescens (P-35) possesses the ability to alter the reaction of Shigella endotoxin with its specific antiserum, although the serum from tolerant rabbits does not significantly enhance the pyrogenicity of Shigella toxm. The component of normal rabbit serum responsible for the effect on the immunological reaction of Shigella endotoxin is not destroyed by heating at 56°C. The possible relationship of the effect of normal serum on the immunological reaction of endotoxin and the augmentation of fever induced by endotoxins is discussed.
Why There Are No Epistemic Duties

Epistemic duties would be duties to believe, disbelieve, or withhold judgement from propositions, and they would be grounded in purely evidential considerations. I offer a new argument for the claim that there are no epistemic duties. Though people may have duties to believe, disbelieve, or withhold judgement from propositions, those duties are never grounded in purely epistemic considerations. Rather, allegedly epistemic duties are a species of moral duty.
Rheological and Optical Properties of Shearing Colloidal Suspensions by Polarized Light Spectroscopy

The two-particle correlation function serves as an important connection between suspension microstructure, scattering experiments, and macroscopic properties. Formal relationships between the experimentally accessible structure factor for suspensions undergoing simple shear, bulk stresses, and flow dichroism and birefringence are demonstrated. Measurements of flow dichroism using variable wavelength incident radiation provide a method to map out the nonequilibrium microstructure.
Evolutionary Genetics and Pleistocene Biogeography of North American Tree Squirrels (Tamiasciurus)

Nucleotide sequence data from the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome-b gene and allozymic data were used to infer the evolutionary and biogeographic histories of New World tree squirrels of the genus Tamiasciurus. Phylogenetic analyses of the cytochromeb data support the existence of 3 mtDNA lineages within Tamiasciurus: a western lineage consisting of populations of T. douglasii from western British Columbia (Canada), Washington, Oregon, and California, and T. mearnsi from northern Baja California (Mexico); a southwestern lineage consisting of populations of T. hudsonicus from New Mexico and Arizona; and a geographically widespread lineage comprising populations of T. hudsonicus from the remainder of the species’ range. Levels of mtDNA sequence variation observed within and among populations of Tamiasciurus were small (0‐2.4%), suggesting that contemporary geographic patterns of genetic variation in Tamiasciurus have been established relatively recently (i.e., in the Late Pleistocene). Allozyme analyses also support a close relationship among extant populations of Tamiasciurus. No fixed allelic differences were observed among the 3 recognized species and interspecific genetic distances (Nei’s D) were substantially less than those typically observed between sibling species. Although differing from the current taxonomy in several respects, geographic patterns of genetic variation observed within Tamiasciurus are similar to those observed in a variety of North American boreal forest taxa and most likely reflect effects of forest fragmentation associated with glacial cycles of the Pleistocene.
Use of pictorial aids in medication instructions: a review of the literature.

Purpose. The effects of pictorial aids in medication instructions on medication recall, comprehension, and adherence are reviewed. Summary. Many patients depend on medication labels and patient information leaflets for pertinent drug information, but these materials are often difficult for patients to understand. Research in psychology and marketing indicates that humans have a cognitive preference for picture-based, rather than text-based, information. Studies have shown that pictorial aids improve recall, comprehension, and adherence and are particularly useful for conveying timing of doses, instructions on when to take medicine, and the importance of completing a course of therapy. Other research has compared various techniques for using picture-based information and supports the use of integrative instructions, a combination of textual, oral, and pictorial communication, to promote comprehension and adherence. While pictures have generally proven useful for improving patient comprehension and adherence, not all picture-based interventions have produced successful results. Some icons, particularly clock icons, have been found to be too complex to enhance understanding and could not overcome the advantage provided by the familiarity of the textbased format, suggesting that patients be trained to use pictorial medication information before they are expected to use icons as an aid for medication administration. In addition to enhancing understanding, pictorial aids have been found to improve patients’ satisfaction with medication instructions. Conclusion. The use of pictorial aids enhances patients’ understanding of how they should take their medications, particularly when pictures are used in combination with written or oral instructions.
On the global properties of interconnected systems

Interconnected systems are discussed in terms of their global properties. A theory of signal flow graphs over rings is developed. A new sufficient condition is derived for the complete reducibility of a signal flow graph, namely if the cycle products are contained in the Jacobson radical. We show how to construct the smallest ring over which a partially known interconnected system must be reducible. Examples illustrate the application of these results to the study of stability, well-posedness, and asymptotic behavior.
Missing the mark with Latina women with type 2 diabetes: implications for educators.

PurposeThe purpose of this qualitative study was to explore nutritional behaviors and attitudes among Latino women with type 2 diabetes.MethodsWomen over 18 years old and previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were recruited to participate in semi-structured qualitative interviews in their homes in Los Angeles, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada. Recruitment was conducted through flyers posted in local businesses. Interviews were conducted in Spanish or English. Data were transcribed and analyzed using an iterative process that involves reading interview transcripts and designating themes that arise from the data.ResultsAcquisition of nutritional knowledge and behavioral capability were positively associated with observational learning, formal nutritional education, and culturally competent meal planners. The use of traditional remedies and the consultation of naturistas reveal a tendency toward medical pluralism. In the home environment, husbands had the greatest influence on Latina women’s attitudes a...
EEG asymmetry, power, and temperament in children.

Measures of EEG spectral power, lateral asymmetry in the frontal and parietal areas, and social behavior with an examiner were analyzed on 166 children, 10 to 12 years old, who were participating in a longitudinal study of the temperamental contributions to social behavior. Loss of 8- to 13-Hz power (alpha band) on the right, compared with the left, frontal area (right frontal active) was most prevalent among children who were classified as high reactive at 4 months and were highly fearful at 14 and 21 months. Second, greater frontal power in the 14- to 30-Hz band (beta) at rest was correlated with the tendency to be right frontal active. Finally, spontaneous talkativeness with an unfamiliar examiner was associated with right frontal activation and high alpha power for boys, but with right frontal activation and high beta power for girls. Right frontal activation is most characteristic of children who begin life with a temperamental bias favoring high reactivity and who develop a fearful reaction to unfamiliar events in the second year of life.
An approach to improving student learning of civil engineering concepts using case studies

Engineering educators, professional organizations and practitioner have long recognized the benefits of integrating engineering case studies, especially failures into the civil engineering curriculum. One key benefit is that it provides a pedagogical tool that encourages students to address the complex challenges faced by engineers in the real world. The Civil Engineering Faculty at the United States Coast Guard Academy has successfully integrated case studies in several undergraduate courses to reinforce technical concepts. Case studies provided opportunities for discussion of engineering principles and concepts as well as fostering professional development in ethics and life-long learning. This paper discusses the implementation of case studies and the benefits to student learning especially in identifying problems and developing alternative solutions. Assessment data indicate that the use of case studies enhanced students' learning of engineering principles and improved their understanding of the problem-solving process.
Patients with overlap autoimmune disease differ from those with ‘pure’ disease

Objective To determine frequency, demographic and treatment characteristics of patients with an overlapping second autoimmune illness (2nd AI). Methods We analysed two cohorts containing 897 patients with ‘pure’ systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjogren9s syndrome or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and 424 patients with one of these diagnoses plus at least one 2nd AI. Results A 2nd AI occurred in 38% of all patients diagnosed as having SLE (with or without a 2nd AI), 30% with RA, 52% with Sjogren9s syndrome and 43% with APS. Compared to those without 2nd AI, patients with 2nd AI differ in age, sex, race and treatment at last visit. Intepretation These differences may have important implications for understanding treatments, outcomes and mechanisms of SLE and related diseases.
Exercise and Mindfulness-Based-Stress-Reduction: A Multidimensional Approach Towards Cancer Survivorship Care.

Cancer survivors often experience a variety of physiological deficits resulting from cancer treatment such as reduced muscle strength, decreased range of motion and poor balance. Cancer survivors also commonly experience psychosocial side effects, such as anxiety, depression and fear of recurrence. Overall, it is common for cancer survivors to report a decrease in physical and emotional wellbeing and overall quality of life. Research suggests that improvements in physical health can be achieved through moderate intensity exercise such as light resistance training and moderate aerobic exercise in this population. Mindfulness-Based-Stress-Reduction (MBSR) programming utilizes various mind/body techniques that can reduce state anxiety levels, distress and depression. While cancer survivors face numerous physiological and psychological challenges, exercise interventions focus on physical health, while MBSR interventions focus on psychosocial health. The American Medical Association (AMA) recommends a patientâ€™s care should include psychological, physiological, psychosocial and educational components, emphasizing the need for an integrated approach to cancer survivorship. Integrating exercise and MBSR interventions may serve to optimize the overall health and quality of life of a cancer survivor.
Combating Greenwashing through Public Critique.

Courses: Environmental Communication, Environmental Media, or Critical Media Studies coursesObjectives: This unit activity is designed to guide students in a critical examination of advertising that utilizes green appeals to sell products or brands. The assignment asks students to use concepts from media analysis, communication ethics, and social justice to critique advertising claims and potential influences of advertising on society's environmental discourse. Students should be able to identify greenwashing in advertisements, research whether the statements of the advertisements are accurate, and discuss the significance of the advertisements’ messages in shaping environmental and social thought. A secondary purpose of the assignment is to give students experience writing for a popular audience in a public forum.
Electron paramagnetic resonance and electron-nuclear double resonance studies of the reactions of cryogenerated hydroperoxoferric-hemoprotein intermediates.

The fleeting ferric peroxo and hydroperoxo intermediates of dioxygen activation by hemoproteins can be readily trapped and characterized during cryoradiolytic reduction of ferrous hemoprotein–O2 complexes at 77 K. Previous cryoannealing studies suggested that the relaxation of cryogenerated hydroperoxoferric intermediates of myoglobin (Mb), hemoglobin, and horseradish peroxidase (HRP), either trapped directly at 77 K or generated by cryoannealing of a trapped peroxo-ferric state, proceeds through dissociation of bound H2O2 and formation of the ferric heme without formation of the ferryl porphyrin π-cation radical intermediate, compound I (Cpd I). Herein we have reinvestigated the mechanism of decays of the cryogenerated hydroperoxyferric intermediates of α- and β-chains of human hemoglobin, HRP, and chloroperoxidase (CPO). The latter two proteins are well-known to form spectroscopically detectable quasistable Cpds I. Peroxoferric intermediates are trapped during 77 K cryoreduction of oxy Mb, α-chains, and...
Towards “Green Tribology”: Self-Organization at the Sliding Interface for Biomimetic Surfaces

“Green tribology” is the concept that was introduced in 2009 by the founder of Tribology, Prof. P. Jost, who defined it as “the science and technology of the tribological aspects of ecological balance and of environmental and biological impacts.” This includes tribological technology that mimics living nature (biomimetic surfaces) and thus is expected to be environment-friendly, the control of friction and wear that is of importance for energy conservation and conversion, environmental aspects of lubrication and surface modification techniques, and tribological aspects of green applications such as the wind-power turbines, tidal turbines, or solar panels. It is clear that a number of tribological problems could be put under the umbrella of “green tribology” and is of mutual benefit to one another. Biomimetic applications are of particular interest for the Green Tribology, because of their environment-friendliness. Nosonovsky and Bhushan suggested the “12 principles of the Green Tribology.” The common feature in various biomimetic surfaces is their hierarchical structure and the ability for self-organization. I will discuss the principles of self-organization in hierarchical tribological systems on the basis of the concepts of the non-equilibrium thermodynamics (the Onsager formalism). In particular, I will show that the thermodynamic approach in tribology can yield new and practically important results.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Effect of Volume Preloading with Hydroxyethyl Starch on Gastric Mucosal Perfusion in Infants Undergoing Laparoscopic Surgery

Objective To explore the effect of volume preloading with hydroxyethyl starch(HES) on gastric mucosal perfusion in infants undergoing laparoscopic surgery.Methods Thirty infants undergoing laparoscopic surgery,aged less than 4 months,were randomly divided into three groups,with 10 infants in each group.The RL group and HES group were given volume preloading with lactated Ringer’s solution(4 mL·kg-1) and HES(6% solution in 0.9% sodium chloride),respectively.The control group was not given volume preloading.The partial pressure difference of CO2 between gastric mucosa and arterial blood(Pg-a CO2) was monitored and the levels of serum epinephrine(E) and norepinephrine(NE) were detected after volume preloading(T1),5 minutes after pneumoperitoneum(T2),30 minutes after pneumoperitoneum(T3),5 minutes after the end of pneumoperitoneum(T4) and 30 minutes after the end of pneumoperitoneum(T5).Results Compared with T1,the values of Pg-a CO2 and the concentrations of serum E and NE significantly increased at T2 and T3(P0.01).No obvious differences were found between T2 and T3,as well as among T1,T4 and T5(P0.05).Compared with HES group,the values of Pg-a CO2 and the concentrations of serum E and NE significantly increased in RL group and control group at T2 and T3(P0.05).The differences were not significant between RL group and control group(P0.05).In addition,there were no obvious differences among the three groups at T1,T4 and T5(P0.05).Conclusion Volume preloading with 6% HES can relieve gastric mucosal perfusion during laparoscopic surgery.
Nearest neighbor parameters for inosine x uridine pairs in RNA duplexes.

An enzyme family known as adenosine deaminases that act on RNA (ADARs) catalyzes adenosine deamination in RNA. ADARs act on RNA that is largely double-stranded and convert adenosine to inosine, resulting, in many cases, in an I·U pair. Thermodynamic parameters derived from optical melting studies are reported for a series of 14 oligoribonucleotides containing single I·U pairs adjacent to Watson−Crick pairs. In order to determine unique linearly independent nearest neighbor parameters for I·U pairs, four duplexes containing 3‘-terminal I·U pairs and four duplexes containing 5‘-terminal I·U pairs have also been thermodynamically characterized. This data was combined with previously published data of seven duplexes containing internal, terminal, or tandem I·U pairs from Strobel et al. [Strobel, S. A., Cech, T. R., Usman, N., and Beigelman, L. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 13824−13838] and Serra et al. [Serra, M. J., Smolter, P. E., and Westhof, E. (2004) Nucleic Acids Res. 32, 1824−1828]. On average, a duplex with...
Gene analysis for the CTX-M-9 group extended spectrum beta-lactamases in clinical isolates of Shigella

Objective:To understand the genotype distribution of CTX-M-9 group extended spectrum beta-lactamases(ESBLs) in clinical isolates of Shigella in Xicheng District of Beijing,and to analyze the species,quantity and polymorphism of CTX-M-9 group gene.Methods: Ninety-four strains of non-reduplicative clinical isolates of Shigella were colleted from 2008 to 2011 in Xicheng District of Beijing,the CTX-M-9 group ESBLs gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction(PCR),then sequencing for PCR positive productions were performed,the sequencing results were compared in GenBank to determine gene subtypes,meanwhile the nucleotide sequence was analyzed by means of DNAman software to determine SNPs site.Results: Among 94 strains of Shigella,Seventeen strains(18.09%) carried CTX-M-9 group ESBLs gene,furthermore,which was detected in Shigella flexneri,Shigella sonnei and Shigella boydii.The results of DNA sequence analysis showed that CTX-M-9 group ESBLs were all CTX-M-14 subtype,and no SNPs site was found.Conclusion: The CTX-M-9 type ESBLs in Xicheng District of Beijing are mainly CTX-M-14 subtype,and the gene structure is stable,without gene mutation,which exist widely in different serum types of Shigella.
Sketchpads In and Beyond the Brain

A model of human cognition is presented in which peripheral sensory images are selectively enhanced by corticofugal pathways. The same processes also generate quasi-sensory mental images even in the absence of sensory stimulation. This inversion of forward sensory processing can come about through hillclimbing algorithms or a type of Hebbian synaptic facilitation I call inverse learning. The neural mechanisms that enable us to simulate actions and evaluate alternative scenarios, are described as internal sketchpads. It is further argued that early artistic expression and language origin can be understood as natural extensions of cognitive processes in which central symbolic neural activity is projected outward to generate images and symbols.
Low Mass Dilepton Production at the CERN SPS

Dilepton experiments at the CERN SPS have observed direct radiation from the hot and dense reaction volume created in central heavy ion collisions. This direct radiation significantly enhances the dilepton continuum between the two pion threshold up to the J / ψ and has a soft momentum distribution. In theoretical calculations thermal ππ annihilation emits most of the extra low mass dileptons. However, medium modifications are required as essential ingredient to describe the data, either by dropping meson masses as precursor of chiral symmetry restoration or by collision broadening. This talk reviews the experimental evidence and its theoretical interpretation with emphasis on the most recent CERES Pb-Au results.
Low-Dose Pyridoxine Masks Pyridoxine-Dependent Seizures

A 4-month-old male infant with pyridoxine dependency and seizures from birth was controlled with extremely low-dose pyridoxine (0.5 mg/day) given as a vitamin supplement, in a report from Joana de Gusmao Children’s Hospital, Florianopolis, Brazil.
Hydrodynamic controls on muddy sedimentary-fabric development on the Southwest Louisiana subaqueous delta

Abstract This study examines the sedimentary products of current-wave-enhanced sediment gravity flows (CWESGFs) on the muddy Southwest Louisiana (SWLA) subaqueous delta where the combined effects of gravity, currents, and wave orbital velocity exert a strong control on sedimentary-fabric development, and contribute to development of a muddy inner-shelf clinothem. CWESGF microstratigraphy from the SWLA subaqueous delta displays an overall structure similar that is similar to the tripartite layering of WESGFs previously documented on the Eel Shelf, where wave-enhanced sediment gravity flow deposits were first described (basal crossbeds, intermediate planar interlaminations of clay and silt; topmost clay-rich drape). However, on the SWLA subaqueous delta, a shorter wave period appears to impart more rapid alternations in turbulent and laminar conditions than for the Eel shelf, reducing the prominence of the intermediate planar laminations that are thought to develop during laminar flow conditions only. A novel framework for relating the sedimentary products of CWESGFs to interacting unidirectional, wave-driven, and gravity-driven flow is used to place our results in a global context, with respect to other modern examples. This is an important contribution as it may provide insights into paleo-depositional conditions represented by sedimentary structures in ancient strata, and provide the basis for developing additional recognition criteria for CWESGFs, an important and diverse class of sediment gravity flows.
The Violence of Work: Revisiting South Africa’s ‘Labour Question’ Through Precarity and Anti-Blackness

A normative association of waged work with ideas of dignity and personal responsibility was central to the elaboration of the ‘labour question’ by the institutions of white rule in early 20th-century South Africa. Colonial work ethic sustained representations of the ‘native’ as a productive agent for whom promises of progress and modernisation (deriving from economic interdependence) contrasted with the deepening of political subjugation and racialised despotism. The respectability that was putatively linked to working for wages served to define the ‘native’ in opposition to what the white state perceived as a more threatening blackness, averse to wage labour and incompatible with the country’s colonial situation. Nascent African nationalism articulated its claims (albeit with significant ambiguities), against the background of such ideational oppositions. Ideals of productive Africans as virtuous subjects of the white-ruled polity simultaneously disguised and underpinned modalities of structural violence...
Emulation of the laparoscopic environment for image-guided liver surgery via an abdominal phantom system with anatomical ligamenture

In order to rigorously validate techniques for image-guided liver surgery (IGLS), an accurate mock representation of the intraoperative surgical scene with quantifiable localization of subsurface targets would be highly desirable. However, many attempts to reproduce the laparoscopic environment have encountered limited success due to neglect of several crucial design aspects. The laparoscopic setting is complicated by factors such as gas insufflation of the abdomen, changes in patient orientation, incomplete organ mobilization from ligaments, and limited access to organ surface data. The ability to accurately represent the influences of anatomical changes and procedural limitations is critical for appropriate evaluation of IGLS methodologies such as registration and deformation correction. However, these influences have not yet been comprehensively integrated into a platform usable for assessment of methods in laparoscopic IGLS. In this work, a mock laparoscopic liver simulator was created with realistic ligamenture to emulate the complexities of this constrained surgical environment for the realization of laparoscopic IGLS. The mock surgical system reproduces an insufflated abdominal cavity with dissectible ligaments, variable levels of incline matching intraoperative patient positioning, and port locations in accordance with surgical protocol. True positions of targets embedded in a tissue-mimicking phantom are measured from CT images. Using this setup, image-to-physical registration accuracy was evaluated for simulations of laparoscopic right and left lobe mobilization to assess rigid registration performance under more realistic laparoscopic conditions. Preliminary results suggest that non-rigid organ deformations and the region of organ surface data collected affect the ability to attain highly accurate registrations in laparoscopic applications.
New Kidney Allocation System Associated With Increased Rates Of Transplants Among Black And Hispanic Patients

Before the 2014 implementation of a new kidney allocation system by the United Network for Organ Sharing, white patients were more likely than black or Hispanic patients to receive a kidney transplant. To determine the effect of the new allocation system on these disparities, we examined data for 179,071 transplant waiting list events in the period June 2013–September 2016, and we calculated monthly transplantation rates (34,133 patients actually received transplants). Implementation of the new system was associated with a narrowing of the disparities in the average monthly transplantation rates by 0.29 percentage point for blacks compared to whites and by 0.24 percentage point for Hispanics compared to whites, which resulted in both disparities becoming nonsignificant after implementation of the new system.