cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metalloproteinase Shedding of Fas Ligand Regulates β-Amyloid Neurotoxicity

Abstract Extracellular deposits of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide closely match areas of neuronal loss in, and are a postmortem diagnostic indicator of, Alzheimer's disease. Neuronal cultures treated with fibrillar Aβ can be protected from neurotoxicity by caspase-8 inhibition or the expression of dominant-negative FADD, both of which are components of the Fas death receptor pathway [1, 2], and neurons with defective Fas and FasL are resistant to Aβ neurotoxicity [3]. The receptor binding region of FasL can be shed from cells by metalloproteinases, and this process greatly reduces its proapoptotic activity [4, 5]. Here, we show that factors affecting the shedding of membrane-bound FasL significantly impact Aβ neurotoxicity. A broad-spectrum metalloproteinase inhibitor, GM6001/Ilomastat, acted synergistically with Aβ to enhance neurotoxicity through a FasL-dependent mechanism. The disruption of ADAM-based metalloproteinase activity was likely responsible, as MMP-inhibiting TIMPs had no such effect. In contrast, enhanced FasL shedding, by recombinant MMP-7, completely protected neurons from Aβ neurotoxicity. These findings suggest that factors that affect metalloproteinase-mediated shedding of FasL may play a role in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease and may provide an avenue for therapeutic intervention.
Bahadur-Kiefer representations for GM-estimators in autoregression models

Abstract This paper proves strong consistency, along with a rate, of a class of generalized M-estimators for the autoregression parameter vector in pth order autoregression (AR(p)) models. If the score function ψ has bounded second derivative then the rate of convergence is n −1 2 ( lnln n) 1 2 while for a general ψ it is n −1 2 ( ln n) 1 2 . The paper also obtains the Bahadur-Kiefer type representations for these estimators. The class of estimators covered includes the least square, the least absolute deviation, and the Huber(k) estimators.
Evaluation of seven-subtest short forms of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III in a referred sample

The application of seven-subtest short forms of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III (WAIS-3) was evaluated in a sample of 281 mixed clinical patients from three Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. Short-form summary scores were derived from deviation quotient tables and from prorating. They included either Block Design or Matrix Reasoning. Short-form summary scores for Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ) and Verbal IQ (VIQ) demonstrated good alternate-forms reliability with the full WAIS-3 scores, whereas Performance IQ (PIQ) summary scores were less accurate. Short forms derived from deviation quotients and prorating did not differ from each other. However, the inclusion of Matrix Reasoning resulted in somewhat better accuracy with WAIS-3 PIQ than did Block Design. The results of this study support the use of the seven-subtest short form of the WAIS-3 in estimating full WAIS-3 summary scores, especially for FSIQ and VIQ.
Keratin sponge/hydrogel: I. Fabrication and characterization:

Keratin sponge/hydrogels formed by oxidation and reduction hydrolysis of US domestic fine- or coarse-grade wool exhibited distinctively different topologies, each with unique porous structure. These materials retained amino acids and microstructure as protein homologues of intact keratin. Amphoteric character was confirmed by differential dyeing with anionic and cationic dyes. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) provided evidence of molecular organization and the behavior of occluded moisture through measurements of glass transition, peak temperature, thermal degradation temperature, enthalpy of water removal, and degradation (Tg, Tw, ΔHw, Tt, and ΔHt). The absence of denaturation peaks indicated highly crosslinked molecular association. Low ΔHw indicated high plasticity and the ability to absorb and retain moisture. Small amplitude strain analysis rheology to measure storage or elastic modulus, G′, and shear loss or viscous modulus, G′′, as a function of applied strain characterized the sponge/hydrog...
Effect of amphetamine-induced dopamine release on radiotracer binding to D1 and D2 receptors in rat brain striatal slices.

The in vivo binding of positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) radiotracers to dopamine D2 receptors in the striatum can be influenced by competition with endogenous dopamine. The present study was undertaken to determine if a similar inhibition of radiotracer binding to dopamine receptors could be observed following pharmacologically-evoked dopamine release in rat brain striatal slices. Striatal slices were incubated in a large volume of oxygenated Krebs saline and exposed to amphetamine or methamphetamine to evoke dopamine release within the slice. Amphetamine and methamphetamine, at concentrations up to 30 µM, reduced [3H]raclopride binding in the slices by 77% and 86%, respectively, with 50% inhibition at 1.6 µM amphetamine or 3.0 µM methamphetamine. Neither drug produced a significant effect on binding of [3H]SCH 23390 in the slices. This suggests that dopamine was able to interfere with radiotracer binding to D2 but not D1 receptors. The dopamine uptake blockers, cocaine and methylphenidate, had relatively little effect by themselves on [3H]raclopride binding but, by inhibiting amphetamine-induced dopamine release, significantly reduced inhibition of [3H]raclopride binding by a low (3 µM) amphetamine concentration. At a higher (30 µM) amphetamine concentration the inhibition of [3H]raclopride binding was not antagonized by uptake blockers and data obtained from homogenate binding experiments indicated a direct displacement of [3H]raclopride binding by amphetamine at this concentration.
Observation on Lipid Utilization in Hens Fed Vegetable and Animal Fat Supplemented Diets

ABSTRACT THE recent advent of the synthetic detergent industry has created a surplus of inedible animal fats making them, thereby, available to the feed industry at a cost permitting their competition with carbohydrate energy sources (Ewell, 1953; and Krieg, 1954). The addition of these fats to feeds, however, has been made without serious consideration of the biochemical and physiological changes they might induce. Human studies indicate that an abnormal lipid metabolism may be induced by a large intake of saturated fat, (Ahrens et al., 1954, 1957; and Beveridge, 1956) whereas no such effects occurred when unsaturated fat was consumed. Similar observations in the mature chicken upon feeding saturated animal fat have been reported by Weiss and Fisher (1957) and Price et al. (1957). Although the effect of feeding an unsaturated fat to hens has been studied by several workers in connection with studies not related to the present problem (Heywang, 1943; . . .
The escape of natural satellites from Mercury and Venus

It is suggested that the slow rotations of Mercury and Venus may be connected with the absence of natural satellites around them. If Mercury or Venus possessed a satellite at the time of formation, the tidal evolution would have caused the satellite to recede. At a sufficiently large distance from the planet, the Sun's gravitational influence makes the satellite orbit unstable. The natural satellites of Mercury and Venus might have escaped as a consequence of this instability.
Tunable Photonic Oscillators Using Optically Injected Quantum-Dash Diode Lasers

An analytical approximation is described and experimentally verified for predicting the resonance frequency of an optically injected quantum-dash Fabry-Pe?rot laser in the period-one (P1) state. Due to the large spontaneous and nonlinear carrier relaxation rates measured in nanostructure lasers, the P1 resonance frequency is modified appreciably. The function presented accounts for these effects, and it also identifies the role of the linewidth enhancement factor of the optically injected slave laser. The resulting equation is shown to improve the P1 resonance frequency calculation when compared to previous models. Calculating the P1 resonance frequency is critical in using optically injected lasers as a building block for tunable photonic oscillators.
Determination of the Particle-Size Distribution of Iron Oxide Catalysts from Superparamagnetic Mössbauer Relaxation Spectra

Moessbauer spectroscopy has been used to investigate the particle-size distribution of a variety of ultrafine iron-based direct coal liquefaction catalysts having either Fe[sub 2]O[sub 3] or FeOOH composition. The Moessbauer spectra of these catalysts showed pronounced superparamagnetic relaxation effects. The relaxation spectra were analyzed as a function of temperature using a novel fitting model to determine the particle-size distribution for these catalysts. The resulting size distributions are in the nanometer range and agree reasonably well with size information obtained by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), SQUID magnetometry, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). 32 refs., 6 figs.
Imperatives for the Wireless Internet & Mobile WiMAX Devices

This paper presents a collection of slides. It explains how innovation in the Internet and demand for mobility will drive the wireless Internet. Bandwidth, cost structure/integration and device proliferation will drive WiMAX adoption. WiMAX is the promise of the mobile wireless Internet.
Shoe Inserts for Insensitive Feet

Peripheral neuropathy is a frequent compliction of diabetes. Resulting loss of sensation can lead to the formation of a plantar ulcer which may become infected and ultimately result in amputation of a toe, a foot, or a leg. This sequence of events threatens the patient's independence. Prevention of foot lesions can help to maintain the diabetic's independence as well as reduce the cost of medical care. An intervention program for the insensitive foot includes patient education, foot evaluation, fabrication of accommodative orthoses to distribute pressure thereby preventing pressure lesions and promoting healing of ulcers already formed.
Performing and processing FNA of anterior fat pad for amyloid

Historically, heart, liver, and kidney biopsies were performed to demonstrate amyloid deposits in amyloidosis. Since the clinical presentation of this disease is so variable and non-specific, the associated risks of these biopsies are too great for the diagnostic yield. Other sites that have a lower biopsy risk, such as skin or gingival, are also relatively invasive and expensive. In addition, these biopsies may not always have sufficient amyloid deposits to establish a diagnosis. Fat pad aspiration has demonstrated good clinical correlation with low cost and minimal morbidity. However, there are no standardized protocols for performing this procedure or processing the aspirated specimen, which leads to variable and nonreproducible results. The most frequently utilized modality for detecting amyloid in tissue is an apple-green birefringence on Congo red stained sections using a polarizing microscope. This technique requires cell block preparation of aspirated material. Unfortunately, patients presenting in early stage of amyloidosis have minimal amounts of amyloid which greatly reduces the sensitivity of Congo red stained cell block sections of fat pad aspirates. Therefore, ultrastructural evaluation of fat pad aspirates by electron microscopy should be utilized, given its increased sensitivity for amyloid detection. This article demonstrates a simple and reproducible procedure for performing anterior fat pad aspiration for the detection of amyloid utilizing both Congo red staining of cell block sections and electron microscopy for ultrastructural identification.
EC2KEGG: a command line tool for comparison of metabolic pathways.

Background Next-generation sequencing and metagenome projects yield a large number of new genomes that need further annotations, such as identification of enzymes and metabolic pathways, or analysis of metabolic strategies of newly sequenced species in comparison to known organisms. While methods for enzyme identification are available, development of the command line tools for high-throughput comparative analysis and visualization of identified enzymes is lagging.
Aneurysm of the aortic sinuses and ascending aorta in Turner's syndrome∗

Abstract A case of ascending aortic aneurysm associated with coarctation of the aorta and Turner's syndrome is presented. The progression in the size of the aneurysm and in the amount of aortic insufficiency, even after resection of the coarctation, is stressed. Resection of the ascending aorta with transplantation of the coronary vessels and aortic valve replacement resulted in a striking improvement. Histologic examination of the ascending aorta revealed medial necrosis with dissection.
Regulation by interferon alpha of immunoglobulin isotype selection and lymphokine production in mice.

Antigens and infectious agents that stimulate interferon alpha(IFN-alpha) production in mice induce antibody responses that are predominantly of the immunoglobulin (Ig)G2a isotype and contain little or no IgE. This suggested the possibility that IFN-alpha might have a role in directing Ig isotype selection. Consistent with this possibility, we have found that injection of mice with recombinant mouse IFN-alpha suppresses IgE secretion, enhances IgG2a secretion, and has no independent effect on IgG1 secretion in mice stimulated with a foreign anti-IgD antibody. Injection of mice with polyinosinic acid.polycytidylic acid (poly I.C), an inducer of macrophage IFN-alpha production, also suppresses the anti-IgD antibody-induced IgE response and stimulates the IgG2a response; these effects are blocked by a sheep antibody that neutralizes mouse IFN-alpha/beta. Both recombinant IFN-alpha and poly I.C have maximum IgE suppressive and IgG2a stimulatory effects when injected early in the anti-IgD antibody-induced immune response. Addition of IFN-alpha to mouse B cells cultured with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) + interleukin 4 (IL-4) suppresses both IgG1 and IgE production, but much less potently than IFN-gamma. IFN-alpha suppresses anti-IgD antibody-induced increases in the level of splenic IL-4 mRNA, but enhances the anti-IgD antibody-induced increase in the splenic level of IFN-gamma mRNA. These results are consistent with the effect of IFN-alpha on Ig isotype expression in mice, as IL-4 stimulates IgE and suppresses IgG2a secretion while IFN-gamma exerts opposite effects. These observations suggest that antigen presenting cells, by secreting IFN-alpha early in the course of an immune response, can influence the nature of that response both through direct effects on B cells and by influencing the differentiation of T cells.
Perceived Knowledge and Training Needs in Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention: Results From a Multidisciplinary Survey

Objectives To examine health care professionals' knowledge and interest in training in adolescent pregnancy prevention and whether an association exists between perceived knowledge and interest in training. Design A cross-sectional mailed survey. Participants Random, stratified sample design that identified 800 psychologists, 800 social workers, 1000 nurses, and 400 pediatricians from national professional membership lists. Response rate to the mailed survey was 51%. After removing respondents who did not currently work with adolescents, 1242 surveys (41%) were available for analyses. Main Outcome Measures Descriptive analyses were conducted on self-report data concerning perceived knowledge and interest in training about adolescent pregnancy prevention separately for each of the 4 disciplines. Within disciplines, perceived knowledge and interest in training were correlated for each of 3 content areas (ie, sex education and contraceptive counseling, adolescent pregnancy, and counseling after a negative pregnancy test) and for a summary measure of the content areas. Results Less than half of the nursing, pediatrics, psychology, and social work professionals reported high perceived knowledge in the 3 content areas. Psychologists and social workers reported the lowest perceived knowledge. However, with the exception of psychologists, more than two thirds of the other respondents reported moderate or high interest in training in the 3 content areas. Interest in training was not strongly correlated with perceived knowledge within any discipline. Conclusions The need to integrate psychosocial components into adolescent health care is a core assumption in the field, yet these data indicate that psychologists and social workers perceive low levels of knowledge and interest in training. These disciplines may benefit from more targeted professional training about their role in preventing adolescent pregnancy.
Neonatal intensive care unit graduate home visit: a learning opportunity for pediatric interns.

From the Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine; and Department of Neonatology, Beth Israel Deaconess W e created a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) graduate home visitation program in April 2010 to increase awareness among pediatric first-year residents (ie, interns) of the difficulties parents face when caring for recently discharged infants. One year later, we surveyed the participating interns to examine the feasibility of the NICU Home Visit Program and determine whether participation in this program improved resident self-report of comfort with anticipating needs of NICU infants after discharge. We will describe our NICU Home Visit Program and survey results in this commentary.
Toughening behavior and interfacial properties of fiber-reinforced ceramic composites

Toughening of ceramic s by incorporating strong fibers has become an established technology, resulting in the creation of an new generation of tough ceramic composites. This toughening effect is primarily due to bridging of the crack surfaces by intact fibers when the composite is subjected to tension. The fiber bridging mechanisms, which are contingent upon the stress transfer phenomena between the fiber and the matrix, are reviewed in this paper. The critical role of the properties at the fiber/matrix interface in controlling the stress transfer phenomena is examined. Finally, evaluations of the interfacial properties of the composite by the indentation technique and the corresponding analysis are presented.
Minimum energy decentralized estimation in sensor network with correlated sensor noise

We consider the problem of a single parameter estimation by a sensor network with a fusion center (FC). Sensor observations are corrupted by additive noise which can have arbitrary spatial correlation. Due to a bandwidth constraint each sensor is only able to transmit a finite number of bits. The fusion center combines messages from the sensors to produce a parameter estimator, which is required to have mean square error (MSE) within a constant factor of that of the best linear unbiased estimator (BLUE). We show that total sensor transmitted power can be minimized while meeting target MSE requirement if quantization levels are determined jointly by the fusion center using the knowledge of the noise covariance matrix. By numerical examples we show that energy saving up to 70% can be achieved when compared to a uniform quantization strategy when each sensor generates the same number of bits.
Unified data integration for Situation Management

We propose a new solution for data integration and semantic enrichment in support of Situation Management (SIMA). Our solution applies to any modality (e.g. text, images, audio, signals etc.) and embraces the diversity of data sources, types, and models, placing no restrictions on processes, applications, or users. It is database centric and proceeds in stages to address the unified storage of structured data and its semantic enrichment in a way that remains viable in an Ultra-Large Scale systems environment. The result is a layered data integration architecture that can accommodate any kind of data to coherently support the multiplicity of processing required for SIMA.
Office-Based Interventions for Recognizing Abnormal Pediatric Blood Pressures

Interventions to improve pediatric blood pressure (BP) screening have not been well studied. The authors measured staff acceptance of 2 simple in-office interventions and measured the effect on physician recognition of elevated BP measurements. Group 1 used simplified normative pediatric BP tables affixed to the growth chart, group 2 used a personal digital assistant program (PDA) to calculate BP percentiles as part of the vital signs, and group 3 served as the control. Group detection rates by compliant (C) and noncompliant (NC) with the intervention were: (1) (BP table) C = 18%, NC = 12%; (2) (PDA) C = 33%, NC = 26%; and (3) (control) 18%. There was no statistically significant intervention effect with documented compliance (P = .27) nor was there an effect in the noncompliant records (P = .12). Although the interventions were used inconsistently, their presence in the medical record did not improve performance. Future education and interventions are needed to reduce barriers to elevated pediatric BP recognition.
3D Tracking of Morphable Objects Using Conditionally Gaussian Nonlinear Filters

We present a generative model and its associated stochastic filtering algorithm for simultaneous tracking of 3D position and orientation, non-rigid motion, object texture, and background texture. The model defines a stochastic process that belongs to the class of conditionally Gaussian processes [On Kalman filtering for conditionally gaussian systems with random matrices]. This allows partitioning the filtering problem into two components: a linear component for texture that is solved using a bank of Kalman filters with time-varying parameters, and a nonlinear component for pose (rigid and non-rigid motion parameters) whose solution depends on the states of the Kalman filters. When applied to the 3D tracking problem, this results in an inference algorithm from which existing optic flow-based tracking algorithms and tracking algorithms based on texture templates emerge as special cases. Flow-based tracking emerges when the pose of the object is certain but its appearance is uncertain. Template-based tracking emerges when the position of the object is uncertain but its texture is relatively certain. In practice, optimal inference under this model integrates optic flow-based and template-based tracking, dynamically weighting their relative importance as new images are presented.
A choice of interpolation schemes for the boundary‐element method in elastodynamics

It is known that the boundary-element coefficient matrices in steady-state elastodynamics are frequency-dependent. For a multifrequency run, the coefficient matrices have to be reformed at each different frequency. This procedure usually involves heavy numerical integration, and hence is very time consuming. In this paper, two interpolation schemes are initially introduced to accelerate the process of matrix reformation without sacrificing the solution accuracy. In the first scheme, the coefficient matrices are first slightly transformed and then interpolated in the frequency domain. In the second scheme, the Green function is interpolated in the spatial domain. Comparison between these two schemes both in terms of accuracy and efficiency is presented. Finally, a hybrid scheme that takes advantage of the best of both interpolation schemes is proposed. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the three different interpolation schemes.
Dynamics of a gravity car race with application to the Pinewood Derby

Abstract. This paper investigates the underlying physics of a gravity car race. This work seeks to provide a sound theoretical basis to elucidate the design considerations that maximize performance while simultaneously dispelling false assertions that may arise from incomplete analyses. The governing equations are derived and solved analytically to predict race times; trend analyses are then performed along with a sensitivity analysis to ascertain the most important factors that influence performance. The inferences from a conservative energy balance are then compared with the predictions from the full set of differential equations, which include the dissipative terms associated with air resistance and friction.
A novel programmable gain amplifier

A MOSFET input amplifier with variable gain from 0 to 42 dB and fixed bandwidth at all closed-loop gains is described. Designed for a system where phase match at all gains is the dominant design goal, this amplifier adapts its open-loop gain crossover point to keep a constant closed-loop gain. This is done by controlling an active matrix of PMOS input devices which simultaneously achieves the constant phase characteristic and optimizes the noise and offset performance. Eight such amplifiers are implemented on a single chip with more than 100 dB of isolation between each amplifier and a power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) of more than 70 dB from 0 to 30 kHz. >
Chronic Ethanol‐Induced Impairment of Wnt/β‐Catenin Signaling is Attenuated by PPAR‐δ Agonist

Background The Wnt/β-catenin pathway regulates liver growth, repair, and regeneration. Chronic ethanol (EtOH) exposure blunts normal liver regenerative responses, in part by inhibiting insulin/IGF signaling, and correspondingly, previous studies showed that EtOH-impaired liver regeneration could be restored by insulin sensitizer (proliferator-activated receptor [PPAR]-δ agonist) treatment. As Wnt/β-catenin functions overlap and cross talk with insulin/IGF pathways, we investigated the effects of EtOH exposure and PPAR-δ agonist treatment on Wnt pathway gene expression in relation to liver regeneration. Methods Adult male Long Evans rats were fed with isocaloric liquid diets containing 0 or 37% EtOH for 8 weeks and also treated with vehicle or a PPAR-δ agonist during the last 3 weeks of the feeding regimen. The rats were then subjected to 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) and livers harvested at various post-PH time points were used to quantitate expression of 19 Wnt pathway genes using Quantigene 2.0 Multiplex Assay. Results EtOH broadly inhibited expression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling-related genes, including down-regulation of Wnt1, Fzd3, Lef1, and Bcl9 throughout the post-PH time course (0 to 72 hours), and suppression of Wnt7a, Ccnd1, Fgf4, Wif1, Sfrp2, and Sfrp5 at 18- and 24-hour post-PH time points. PPAR-δ agonist treatments rescued the EtOH-induced suppression of Wnt1, Wnt7a, Fzd3, Lef1, Bcl9, Ccnd1, and Sfrp2 gene expression in liver, corresponding with the improvements in DNA synthesis and restoration of hepatic architecture. Conclusions Chronic high-dose EtOH exposures inhibit Wnt signaling, which likely contributes to the impairments in liver regeneration. Therapeutic effects of PPAR-δ agonists extend beyond restoration of insulin/IGF signaling mechanisms and are mediated in part by enhancement of Wnt pathway signaling. Future studies will determine the degree to which targeted restoration of Wnt signaling is sufficient to improve liver regeneration and remodeling in the context of chronic EtOH exposure.
Low Pretreatment Impulsivity and High Medication Adherence Increase the Odds of Abstinence in a Trial of N-Acetylcysteine in Adolescents with Cannabis Use Disorder

Abstract Background In light of recent progress toward pharmacologic interventions to treat adolescent cannabis use disorder, it is important to consider which adolescent characteristics may be associated with a favorable response to treatment. This study presents secondary analyses from a parent randomized controlled trial of N -acetylcysteine (NAC) in adolescents with cannabis use disorder. We hypothesized that high pretreatment impulsivity and medication non-adherence would be associated with reduced abstinence rates. Methods Participants were treatment-seeking adolescents ( N =115) who met criteria for cannabis use disorder and were assessed for pretreatment impulsivity. They received 1200mg NAC or placebo orally twice daily for 8weeks. An intent-to-treat analysis using a repeated-measures logistic regression model was used to relate pretreatment impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale) and treatment group to abstinence rates, measured by urine cannabinoid tests. To explore mechanisms by which NAC may reduce cannabis use, relationships between impulsivity, adherence, and abstinence were assessed in a second statistical model using data from participants with recorded adherence and urine cannabinoid test results ( n =54). Results In the intent-to-treat analysis, low pretreatment impulsivity, NAC treatment, and negative baseline urine cannabinoid test results independently increased the odds of having negative urine cannabinoid tests during treatment (OR=2.1, 2.3, and 5.3 respectively). In the sample of participants with adherence data ( n =54), adherence tripled the odds of abstinence. Notably, the effect of adherence on abstinence was only observed in the NAC treatment group. Lastly, although the highly impulsive participants had reduced rates of abstinence, highly impulsive individuals adherent to NAC treatment had increased abstinence rates compared to non-adherent individuals. Conclusion Low impulsivity, NAC treatment, medication adherence, and baseline negative cannabinoid testing were associated with increased rates of abstinence in adolescents seeking treatment for cannabis use disorder. Efforts to optimize pharmacotherapy adherence may be particularly crucial for highly impulsive individuals. Understanding and addressing factors, such as impulsivity and adherence, which may affect outcomes, may aid in the successful evaluation and development of potentially promising pharmacotherapies.
The Effects of the Price-Support Program for Peanuts on the Sale Value of Farms

T HE PRICE SUPPORT and production control program for peanuts has been in effect since the thirties as a means of increasing and stabilizing the price of peanuts. To maintain prices at parity levels, the program controls supply by acreage allotments which rigidly restrict the acreages eligible for price support. The allotment thus tends to take on value in its role as a license to produce. This implies that, when farms are sold, anticipated future peanut-growing benefits from the allotment are capitalized into farm land values. To the degree that this capitalization takes place, those persons owning the land factor are the beneficiaries of the program. This analysis seeks to determine the extent to which peanut program returns are reflected in the sale value of farms. More specifically, what have farm buyers and sellers determined as the price of land with a peanut allotment as opposed to land without an allotment? This paper summarizes the initial phase of a regional land values project representing the Virginia-North Carolina peanut-producing region.
Facile Synthesis and Morphology Control of Bamboo-Type TiO2 Nanotube Arrays for High-Efficiency Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

We report fast synthesis of bamboo-type TiO2 nanotube arrays via anodization of Ti in nonhazardous electrolyte under alternating voltage condition for applications as photoanodes in high-efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Formation mechanism of bamboo-type nanotubes is also explored. The low-voltage step reduces pH and ion-diffusion gradient inside TiO2 nanotubes and induces formation of bamboo ridges on outer tube walls when a second high-voltage step is conducted. Ridge spacing and length of bamboo-type nanotubes can be facilely tuned by adjusting time of high-voltage step and electrolyte composition. All DSSCs based on bamboo-type TiO2 nanotube arrays show higher efficiencies than those based on smooth-walled nanotubes with the same tube length due to enhanced surface area of bamboo-type nanotubes for dye loading. It is also noted that DSSC efficiency increases with the ridge density of bamboo-type nanotubes of the same length. For example, DSSC based on bamboo-type nanotubes (8 μm long) wi...
Aminoethyl Phosphoric Ester in the Small Intestine of Rabbits and Pigs

SummaryA fractionation of the acid-soluble organic phosphoric esters of the small intestine as the uranium salts has been described. Aminoethyl phosphoric ester and adenylic acid have been isolated in crystalline form, each comprising about 1/4 of the acid-soluble organic P of the rabbit small intestine. The occurrence of the former ester in pig intestine has also been demonstrated.
Pre-treatment breast MRI and diffuse optical spectroscopic tomography can predict complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Analysis of breast DCE-MR and NIR tomography imaging of 17 NAC patients showed combined pre-TX contrast intensity and HbT were statistically significant in differentiating the patients with versus without complete pathological response (AUC=0.94).
MRAs in Patients With AMI Without Early Evidence of Heart Failure: Time for Reappraisal?

The mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) eplerenone (25 to 50 mg day) has been shown to be effective at reducing total mortality in patients with evidence of heart failure (HF) or diabetes mellitus when initiated early post myocardial infarction (MI) [(1)][1] and has been accorded a Class 1
Evaluation of extrauterine growth in premeture infants during hospitalization

Objective To describe the incidence of intrauterine growth restriction(IUGR)and extrauterine growth restriction(EUGR)in premature infants from NICU in the affiliated children's Hospital of Soochow University hospital and analyze the correlated factors with EUGR. Methods Data of the premature infants hospitalized from NICU in our hospital were reviewed.The incidences of IUGR and EUGR were assessed and the correlated risk factors was analyzed. ResultsThe subject included 126premature infants.The incidences of IUGR and EUGR were 29.37% and 27.78% by weight,of which the incidence rate of EUGR in SGA preterm children was 54.05%.Logistic regression analysis showed the risk factors associated with EUGR including small gestational age at birth,low birth weight,and merge complications. Conclusion The IUGR,EUGR incidence rates of preterm children are still high.It will be better to take early positive nutritional support,prevention and treatment of common complications in preterm children to reduce the incidence of EUGR and improve their quality of life.
A Sensible Approach to Address Dialysis Adequacy in the Elderly

A number of relevant issues regarding whether to start dialysis or manage an older patient with conservative therapy and whether to start hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis are covered in other chapters of this handbook. This chapter is limited to the question of what sort of hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis prescription we should write for an older patient, once the decision has been made to manage their advanced symptomatic kidney disease with chronic renal replacement therapy.
Role of Zinc in Alcoholic Liver Disease

Zinc is an essential trace element involved in various biological functions. It serves as a catalytic cofactor for hundreds of enzymes. Zinc is also required for stabilizing the zinc figure motif of a large number of zinc proteins, including critical transcription factors. Zinc deficiency is one of the most consistent nutritional/biochemical observations in alcoholic liver disease. Several mechanisms underlying alcohol-induced zinc deficiency have been suggested, including reduced dietary zinc intake and intestinal absorption, disturbed hepatic zinc metabolism, and increased urinary zinc excretion. Generation of reactive oxygen species in association with alcohol metabolism not only alters the expression of zinc transporters, but also releases zinc from zinc proteins. Dietary zinc supplementation has been shown to prevent/reverse alcohol-induced liver injury in animal models and clinical studies. The beneficial effects of zinc are achieved by both hepatic actions and extrahepatic actions. Inhibition of oxidative stress and restoration of alcohol-inactivated zinc finger transcription factors, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α and peroxisome proliferation activator α, represent important molecular mechanisms of zinc actions.
Zhou Enlai Negotiates with Chiang Kai-shek for Peaceful Settlement

This chapter delves into the aftermath of the Xi’an Incident and presents a true record of how Zhou Enlai picked up where Zhang Xueliang had left off, after Zhang had been captured by Chiang, and negotiated with Chiang Kai-shek in order to bring about a peaceful settlement of the incident, through the oral history of those who were directly involved in the incident, including former Northeastern Army officers and CPC officials.
Analyzing smart power grid and SCADA network robustness using the node degree distribution and algebraic connectivity under vulnerability and WMD attacks

We discuss the robustness of large networks such as Smart Power Grid and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) network. We put forward mathematical models of robustness that reflect power network dynamics and the Laplacian of the network. We used nodal degree distributions, algebraic connectivity, and Fiedler eigenvalue parameters for analyzing the robustness of real world power grid network. We also discussed the performance of Western Electric Coordinating Council (WECC) US grid under Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) attacks.
Contactless monitoring and classification of human motion activities by using SFCW radar

A contactless monitoring system for daily human activities using a stepped-frequency continuous wave (SFCW) is investigated in this paper. To detect and classify the daily human activities in a fast and accurate fashion, the phase information of the received signals is processed to determine the high-resolution range profile (HRRP), the instantaneous velocity, acceleration, and jerk. Preliminary simulation and experimental results demonstrate the potential of the proposed system for better monitoring and classifying of daily human activities using SFCW radar.
Distortion-Rate Theory

Distortion-rate theory is the information theoretic approach to the study of optimal source coding systems, including systems for quantization and data compression. It is also called rate-distortion theory and the theory of source coding with a fidelity criterion. The approach was first suggested in Shannon’s original development of information theory [73] and it was fully developed for memoryless and Markov sources in [74]. It was subsequently generalized to stationary ergodic processes with discrete alphabets and to Gaussian processes by Gallager [28] and to stationary and abstract alphabets by Berger [5] (as corrected by Dunham [26]). Elementary treatments may also be found in [79] and [66].
The Decision: A Creative Autoethnographic Account with Poetry

This is the story of my decision to place my mother in a continuing-care facility. It is interwoven with the experiences of 32 residents of two continuing-care communities. Their stories are presented as a poem, short conversation, and dramatic monologue. The poem describes what it means to be healthy. The short conversation elucidates the decision-making process of a couple and the monologue of a widow or single individual in moving to one of these facilities.
Surgical center for ambulatory extended recovery: 30-day follow-up report of minimally invasive radical prostatectomy.

83Background: In January 2016, we opened a novel, multidisciplinary ambulatory surgical center dedicated to perform complex cancer surgeries on an Ambulatory Extended Recovery (AXR) pathway specifi...
Bayesian multiple comparisons and model selection

The testing of multiple hypotheses is an important consideration in many statistical analyses. A theme for multiple comparisons problems under a frequentist paradigm is the need for an adjustment to control the overall error probability for the false detection of null effects. Our review will focus on Bayesian approaches to multiple comparisons problems. Under a Bayesian paradigm, multiplicity adjustments arise from a concern that many of the effects to be tested are null. We will discuss how Bayesian models provide a multiplicity adjustment through a prior placing increased probability on null effects, or through hierarchical modeling. We will also show how the Bayesian information criterion for model selection fits naturally into the study of multiple comparisons problems. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Are Community College Transfer Students “a Good Bet” for 4-Year Admissions? Comparing Academic and Labor-Market Outcomes Between Transfer and Native 4-Year College Students

ABSTRACTUsing detailed administrative data from Virginia, this paper examines whether community college “vertical transfer” students who resemble “native four-year” students in their accumulated college-level credits and performance at their point of entry into the four-year sector perform equally well in terms of both academic and labor market outcomes. We compare matching strategies typically used in existing literature to one where we match vertical transfer and native four-year students based on prior credits earned, accumulative GPA, and the destination four-year institution, and find substantial differences in estimates based on different matching strategies. We also examine potential mechanisms underlying vertical transfer students’ relative performance at the four-year institution and in the labor market. The results show that vertical transfer students’ probability of baccalaureate attainment is comparable to that of similar native students attending the same four-year institution. However, when ...
Nearshore corals on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System on pace to cease growing as soon as year 2110

Anthropogenic global change and local anthropogenic stressors are decreasing coral growth and survival globally, thus altering the structure and function of coral reef ecosystems. We show that skeletal extension rates of nearshore colonies of Siderastrea siderea and Pseudodiploria strigosa across the Belize Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS) have declined at average rates of 0.01 and 0.08 mm/yr, respectively, over approximately the past century, while offshore conspecifics exhibited no significant trend in extension with time. This caused extension rates of nearshore colonies to converge with their historically slower-growing offshore conspecifics. Bleaching events negatively impacted extension rates in S. siderea but not in P. strigosa. The more negative trend in linear extension for nearshore versus offshore colonies may arise from ocean warming combined with stronger land-based anthropogenic stressors within nearshore environments. Extrapolating these trends in linear extension into the future suggests that nearshore P. strigosa and S. siderea will cease growing by years 2110 and 2370, respectively.
Helping a Tuberculous Patient to Face Surgery

Throughout my contact with Mrs. M, I attempted to hold to my role of helping her work through each problem she presented, keeping the focus on its relation to her illness and her part in moving tow...
A marketing identity is flourishing

This commentary reports my view of the paper by El-Ansary, Shaw, and Lazer (2018). I take issue with two main aspects of the paper: (1) I doubt that there is a crisis in the identity of the marketing field, and (2) I doubt that paradigm four, which they propose, will supplant the current ruling paradigm. I explain these disagreements by giving my version of the historical developments and by describing the current situation that I believe will survive their contribution and claims.
Should I Invest it?: Predicting Future Success of Yelp Restaurants

Online customer reviews are becoming more and more important in helping consumer make decisions. Therefore, it is also interesting to see whether consumer reviews can be used to predict future business success. In this paper, using yelp dataset from 2016, we aimed to predict if the restaurant will still open till 2017. We focused on multi-level feature selection and analyzed features that influence the most for the future success of restaurant. The balanced accuracy is 67.46%. The result shows that our text features failed to have significant indications for the future success of the restaurant, while non-text features, especially business features, do have strong correlation with future restaurant performance. Furthermore, we did error analysis on insignificant features and gave potential improvements.
Reparations for environmental degradation and species extinction: a moral and ethical imperative for human society

While the history of reparations within Homo sapiens is lengthy, only recently has the concept been applied to events that have caused degradation or damage to natural systems. Some effects have been unmistakable, even to the untrained eye, and reparations have been made in a short temporal span. However, what should be done about ecological damage that has occurred incrementally over large temporal or spatial spans? If all parties involved are no longer living (e.g. slavery, colonialism), should the descendants of one group, who had nothing to do with the sit- uation and are individually innocent, pay descendants of the other, who did not suffer directly? Degradation of the planet's ecological life support system will cause all humans to suffer, directly or indirectly, regardless of the degree to which they contributed to the damage. Repair of ecological damage is an act of enlightened self-interest, as well as an ethical imperative. Although current events may make restoring the planet's ecological life support system seem futile, even irrational, the forces of destruction cannot exceed those of restoration for a substantial period of time without result- ing in severe disequilibrium, whether societal or ecological. The only long-term hope for the human species — sustainability — is a constructive, compassionate approach. Regardless of what happens to humankind, it is probable that some species will survive until the sun fails. Even if the human species does not, it seems ethical to make an exit that is notable for acts of compassion rather than acts of rage and revenge.
USE-ALTERATION ANALYSIS OF FIRE-CRACKED ROCKS

Although it is now commonplace for archaeologists to study use-alteration patterns on ceramics, the same cannot be said of one of the most ubiquitous classes of hunter-gatherer artifacts, fire-cracked rocks (FCR). It can be shown, however, that many of the same methods and theories applied to the study of cooking ceramics are also relevant to the investigation of rocks used as heating elements. Because use alteration analyses of FCR are so scarce, I describe a range of attributes with the goal of helping researchers identify use alterations (e.g., sooting, reddening, various fracturing patterns) on lithic artifacts from sites worldwide and evaluate their potential function in various cultural practices. These attributes are also outlined in order to create a standardized terminology for describing FCR use-alteration patterns. I discuss my analysis of FCR from three Late Archaic sites (Duck Lake, 913, and 914) on Grand Island in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, followed by an interpretation of their cooking contexts, as a case study. The results indicate great intersite variability among FCR characteristics, cooking methods, and cooking facilities (earth oven, stone boiling, and rock griddle). This use alteration analysis can be applied in archaeological contexts worldwide where similar materials are recovered.
Intersecting cultural identities and help-seeking attitudes: the role of religious commitment, gender, and self-stigma of seeking help

The current study (N = 404) used a moderated moderation model to examine how gender, religious commitment, and self-stigma toward seeking psychological help may interact in the prediction of help-s...