cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Somatic plasticity of neural stem cells: fact or fancy?

Several studies have described the potential for embryonic and adult neural stem cells to differentiate into non-neural cells such as muscle and blood, tissues that are derived from non-neuroectodermal germ layers. This raised the exciting possibility that these cells possessed a broader range of differentiation potential than originally thought and raised interesting prospects for possible transplantation utilization. However, a number of recent reports have raised questions about whether the phenomena observed actually represented true somatic plasticity. In this review, we critically analyze these studies with the aim of providing some criteria by which future studies that address this important problem may be evaluated.
Live Attenuated Streptococcus pneumoniae Strains Induce Serotype-Independent Mucosal and Systemic Protection in Mice

Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important human pathogen causing both mucosal (otitis media and pneumonia) and systemic (sepsis and meningitis) diseases. Due to increasing rates of antibiotic resistance, there is an urgent need to improve prevention of pneumococcal disease. Two currently licensed vaccines have been successful in reducing pneumococcal disease, but there are limitations with their use and effectiveness. Another approach for prevention is the use of live attenuated vaccines. Here we investigate the safety and protection induced by live attenuated strains of S. pneumoniae containing combinations of deletions in genes encoding three of its major virulence determinants: capsular polysaccharide (cps), pneumolysin (ply), and pneumococcal surface protein A (pspA). Both the cps and ply/pspA mutants of a virulent type 6A isolate were significantly attenuated in a mouse model of sepsis. These attenuated strains retained the ability to colonize the upper respiratory tract. A single intranasal administration of live attenuated vaccine without adjuvant was sufficient to induce both systemic and mucosal protection from challenge with a high dose of the parent strain. Immunization with cps mutants demonstrated cross-protective immunity following challenge with a distantly related isolate. Serum and mucosal antibody titers were significantly increased in mice immunized with the vaccine strains, and this antibody is required for full protection, as μMT mice, which do not make functional, specific antibody, were not protected by immunization with vaccine strains. Thus, colonization by live attenuated S. pneumoniae is a potentially safe and less complex vaccine strategy that may offer broad protection.
Is there a role for expectation maximization imputation in addressing missing data in research using WOMAC questionnaire? Comparison to the standard mean approach and a tutorial

Standard mean imputation for missing values in the Western Ontario and Mc Master (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index limits the use of collected data and may lead to bias. Probability model-based imputation methods overcome such limitations but were never before applied to the WOMAC. In this study, we compare imputation results for the Expectation Maximization method (EM) and the mean imputation method for WOMAC in a cohort of total hip replacement patients. WOMAC data on a consecutive cohort of 2062 patients scheduled for surgery were analyzed. Rates of missing values in each of the WOMAC items from this large cohort were used to create missing patterns in the subset of patients with complete data. EM and the WOMAC's method of imputation are then applied to fill the missing values. Summary score statistics for both methods are then described through box-plot and contrasted with the complete case (CC) analysis and the true score (TS). This process is repeated using a smaller sample size of 200 randomly drawn patients with higher missing rate (5 times the rates of missing values observed in the 2062 patients capped at 45%). Rate of missing values per item ranged from 2.9% to 14.5% and 1339 patients had complete data. Probability model-based EM imputed a score for all subjects while WOMAC's imputation method did not. Mean subscale scores were very similar for both imputation methods and were similar to the true score; however, the EM method results were more consistent with the TS after simulation. This difference became more pronounced as the number of items in a subscale increased and the sample size decreased. The EM method provides a better alternative to the WOMAC imputation method. The EM method is more accurate and imputes data to create a complete data set. These features are very valuable for patient-reported outcomes research in which resources are limited and the WOMAC score is used in a multivariate analysis.
A Multilevel Energy Buffer and Voltage Modulator for Grid-Interfaced Microinverters

Microinverters operating into the single-phase grid from solar photovoltaic (PV) panels or other low-voltage sources must buffer the twice-line-frequency variations between the energy sourced by the PV panel and that required for the grid. Moreover, in addition to operating over wide average power ranges, they inherently operate over a wide range of voltage conversion ratios as the line voltage traverses a cycle. These factors make the design of microinverters challenging. This paper presents a multilevel energy buffer and voltage modulator (MEB) that significantly reduces the range of voltage conversion ratios that the dc-ac converter portion of the microinverter must operate over by stepping its effective input voltage in pace with the line voltage. The MEB partially replaces the original bulk input capacitor, and functions as an active energy buffer to reduce the total size of the twice-line-frequency energy buffering capacitance. The small additional loss of the MEB can be compensated by the improved efficiency of the dc-ac converter stage, leading to a higher overall system efficiency. The MEB architecture can be implemented in a variety of manners, allowing different design tradeoffs to be made. A prototype microinverter incorporating an MEB, designed for 27 to 38 V dc input voltage, 230-V rms ac output voltage, and rated for a line cycle average power of 70 W, has been built and tested in a grid-connected mode. It is shown that the MEB can successfully enhance the performance of a single-phase grid-interfaced microinverter by increasing its efficiency and reducing the total size of the twice-line-frequency energy buffering capacitance.
Ethics and Religion: An Empirical Test of a Multidimensional Model

Although it seems that ethics and religion should be related, past research suggests mixed conclusions on the relationship. We argue that such mixed results are mostly due to methodological and conceptual limitations. We develop hypotheses linking Cornwall et al.’s (1986, Review of Religious Research, 27(3): 266–244) religious components to individuals’ willingness to justify ethically suspect behaviors. Using data on 63,087 individuals from 44 countries, we find support for three hypotheses: the cognitive, one affective, and the behavioral component of religion are negatively related to ethics. Surprisingly, one aspect of the cognitive component (i.e., belief in religion) shows no relationship. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Passivity and complexity

Nature abounds with complex patterns and structures emerging from homogeneous media operating far from thermodynamic equilibrium. Such phenomena, which are widely observed in both inanimate (nonbiological) and biological media, can be modeled and studied via the CNN (cellular neural/nonlinear network) paradigm in an in-depth and unified way. Whether a homogeneous medium is capable of exhibiting complexity depends on whether the CNN cells, or its couplings, are locally active in a precise circuit-theoretic sense. This local activity principle is of universal generality and is responsible for all symmetry breaking phenomena observed in a great variety of nonequilibrium media ranging from the nucleation of domain oscillations in bulk semiconductor materials (e.g., gallium arsenide in Gunn diodes) to the emergence of artificial life itself. The long forgotten yet classic P. R. (positive real) criteria is resurrected and given new prominence in this paper by invoking its "negative" version and deriving a set of analytical inequalities for calculating the parameter range necessary for the emergence of a nonhomogeneous static or dynamic pattern in a homogeneous medium operating under an influx of energy and/or matter. The resulting "complexity related" inequalities are applicable to all media, continuous or discrete, which have been mapped into a CNN paradigm.
Collective Pedagogical Teacher Culture and Mathematics Achievement: Differences by Race, Ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Status

Scholars have not adequately assessed how organizational cultures in schools differentially influence stu- dents' mathematics achievement by race and socioeconomic status (SES). We focus on what we term col- lective pedagogical teacher culture, highlighting the role of professional communities and teacher collaboration in influencing mathematics achievement. Using cross-classified growth models, we analyze data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study and illustrate that schools where teachers perceive the presence of professional communities and teacher collaboration foster greater mathematics achievement throughout elementary school. Furthermore, achievement gaps by race and socioeconomic status are less- ened in schools with professional communities and teacher collaboration.
Policing Gangs and Extremist Groups: A Different Viewpoint

Charles F. Williams is currently a lecturer in Criminal Justice Studies, Behavior & Social Sciences at Collin College and an Outside Consultant Homeland Security. He recently retired from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where he was a supervisory Special Agent. In this paper, he looks at U.S. homegrown, transnational extremist groups acting at a national level, which he argues present a clear and present danger to local, county, state, federal and international policing cooperation. This essay offers a different viewpoint that posits that these groups are not under control in their current form. They are changing their ‘modus operandi’ (MO) while remaining engaged in all areas of criminality. The paper advocates gangs to be designated as terrorist organizations so that the provisions of the USA Patriot Act, intelligence agencies, and military intelligence can be deployed against them. It argues that informal, horizontal intelligence-sharing networks should be used to respond to these groups, as opposed to a vertical, stovepipe organized intelligence-sharing structure, and that the U.S. experience with gangs may be applicable to agencies in other countries that must confront rapidly changing transnational gangs.
Performance evaluation of linear hash structure model in a nested transaction environment

We design and implement a linear hash algorithm in nested transaction environment to handle large amount of data with increased concurrency. Nested transactions allow parallel execution of transactions, and handle transaction aborts, thus provides more concurrency and efficient recovery. We use object-oriented methodology in the implementation which helped in designing the programming components independently. In our model, buckets are modeled as objects and linear hash operations are modeled as methods. The papers contribution is novel in the sense that the system, to our knowledge, is the first to implement linear hashing in a nested transactions environment. We have build a system simulator to analyze the performance. A subtle benefit of the simulator is that it works as the real system with only minor changes.
New Methods for Comparing Groups Strategies for Increasing the Probability of Detecting True Differences

A commonly used method for comparing groups of individuals is the analysis of variance (ANOVA) F test. When the assumptions underlying the derivation of this test are true, its power, meaning its probability of detecting true differences among the groups, competes well with all other methods that might be used. But when these assumptions are false, its power can be relatively low. Many new statistical methods have been proposed—ones that are aimed at achieving about the same amount of power when the assumptions of the F test are true but which have the potential of high power in situations where the F test performs poorly. A brief summary of some relevant issues and recent developments is provided. Some related issues are discussed and implications for future research are described.
A VLSI wrapped wave front arbiter for crossbar switches

In this paper a novel VLSI CMOS implementation of a high performance wrapped wave front arbitration (WWFA) for Crossbar switches is described. Crossbars are one of the key components of communication switches used in networks. The transmission of packets is often delayed due to poor allocation of resources. Hence, switches must include an arbiter that eAEciently allocates these resources. Arbitration time is one of the critical factors that a ect the performance of networks. WWFA requires a two-dimensional arbitration that incorporates a rotating priority. In this paper we show the design and implementation of this arbiter. The arbiter is capable of performing an arbitration in 1.15ns using 0.5 m technology, for a 4x4 crossbar.
Algal Genes in the Closest Relatives of Animals

The spread of photosynthesis is one of the most important but controversial topics in eukaryotic evolution. Because of massive gene transfer from plastids to the nucleus and because of the possibility that plastids have been lost in evolution, algal genes in aplastidic organisms often are interpreted as footprints of photosynthetic ancestors. These putative plastid losses, in turn, have been cited as support for scenarios involving the spread of plastids in broadscale eukaryotic evolution. Phylogenomic analyses identified more than 100 genes of possible algal origin in Monosiga, a unicellular species from choanoflagellates, a group considered to be the closest protozoan relatives of animals and to be primitively heterotrophic. The vast majority of these algal genes appear to be derived from haptophytes, diatoms, or green plants. Furthermore, more than 25% of these algal genes are ultimately of prokaryotic origin and were spread secondarily to Monosiga. Our results show that the presence of algal genes may be expected in many phagotrophs or taxa of phagotrophic ancestry and therefore does not necessarily represent evidence of plastid losses. The ultimate prokaryotic origin of some algal genes and their simultaneous presence in both primary and secondary photosynthetic eukaryotes either suggest recurrent gene transfer events under specific environments or support a more ancient origin of primary plastids.
Cyclosporin A effects during primary and secondary activation of human umbilical cord blood T lymphocytes.

Abstract Objective Cyclosporin A (CsA), effective in prophylaxis and treatment of graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) after human allogeneic transplantation, blunts T-cell responses by inhibiting nuclear factor of activated T cells–1 (NFAT1) activation. This laboratory has shown that NFAT1 protein expression is severely reduced in human UCB (umbilical cord blood) T cells. Since UCB is increasingly used as a hematopoietic stem cell source in allogeneic transplantation, it is important to determine whether CsA sensitivity in UCB differs from that of adult T cells. Methods Surface flow cytometric analysis, intracellular cytokine staining, flow cytometric analysis of cell death, and thymidine incorporation were used in this study to determine T-cell activation and effector functions during primary and secondary stimulation in the presence of CsA. Results Although we observed differential CsA sensitivity of T-cell activation marker (CD69, CD45RO, CD25) upregulation comparing UCB and adult, we did not observe any significant difference in CsA sensitivity of T-cell effector functions. Importantly, we observed reduced IFN-γ and TNF-α expression in UCB T cells both in primary and secondary stimulation, as well as increased rates of activation-induced cell death (AICD). Conclusion Thus, our studies do not support the previous hypothesis that reduced GVHD observed after UCB transplantation is attributable to increased CsA sensitivity of UCB T cells. Rather, reduced UCB T-cell cytokine production and increased AICD may be important cellular mechanisms underlying these favorable rates of GVHD in UCB transplant recipients.
Exergetic Efficiency: A Detailed Reaction Mechanism Analysis of Hydrogen Combustion With Singlet Oxygen

In previous work the authors have demonstrated that when hydrogen is combusted in stoichiometric proportions at 1 atm and 1200 K, and singlet oxygen comprises 0–20% of the oxidizer, an optimal range of exergetic efficiency exists. The maximum exergetic efficiency occurs at approximately 10%. Over this range, roughly 60% of the total exergy destruction occurs prior to ignition. This is a significant result because it suggests that the exergetic efficiency of combustion might be improved at a fundamental level by chemical means, thereby inherently increasing the efficiency of fuel use for a desired energy application.The objective of the study presented in this paper is to analyze the reaction mechanisms for combustion with varying percentages of singlet oxygen, to determine which reaction pathways most influence the observed trends in exergy destruction and exergetic efficiency. This was accomplished by performing both sensitivity and rate-of-production analyses of the hydrogen-oxygen combustion mechanism. The results of the analysis show that the presence of singlet oxygen governs the rate of production of hydroxyl and other key radicals. These key radicals directly affect the phenomenological processes associated with chemical induction and thermal induction during ignition. Therefore, the observed optimum exergetic efficiency correlates to the quantity of singlet oxygen in the inlet charge that minimizes exergy destruction by fostering chemical reactions due to radical formation to a greater extent than thermal heat release. The results of this analysis are noteworthy and provide new insight regarding how the exergetic efficiency of combustion may be optimized by introducing singlet oxygen, thereby altering the reaction pathways to enhance energy conversion in a fundamental way that could have important implications for improved fuel use.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
A Revolution Armed and Disarmed: Autonomous Militias in Congo-Brazzaville 1963-1973

In 1963, three days of protests in Brazzaville led to the downfall of Congo's first post-independence government. A group of students and young intellectuals who had participated in the demonstrations feared that supporters of the old regime, the Congolese military, or foreign armies would attempt to overthrow the new government. They set about organizing independent "youth" militias to defend their vision of a "revolution" -- one that would cast off lingering elements of colonial rule and bring socialism to central Africa. In this paper, I examine the most important of these armed groups, the Defense civile, which, by 1967, had become larger and better equipped than the Congolese national military. To build the Defense civile, young intellectuals drew upon resources from international Communist and Third World networks outside of control of the new government. I argue that the Defense civile allowed young men and women to enter into political activity in support of the "revolution" while remaining autonomous from the Congolese state. Using Congolese archives and interviews with former participants, I show how the autonomy of young militants created an ongoing political crisis in Congo throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults and Risk of Dementia.

Importance Depression has been identified as a risk factor for dementia. However, most studies have measured depressive symptoms at only one time point, and older adults may show different patterns of depressive symptoms over time. Objective To investigate the association between trajectories of depressive symptoms and risk of dementia in older adults. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a prospective cohort investigation of black and white community-dwelling older adults in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition study. Participants were enrolled between May 1997 and June 1998 and followed up through 2001-2002. The dates of this analysis were September 2014 to December 2015. The setting was community research centers in Memphis, Tennessee, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Trajectories of depressive symptoms were assessed from baseline to year 5. Symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Short Form, and trajectories were calculated using latent class growth curve analysis. Main Outcomes and Measures Incident dementia through year 11, determined by dementia medication use, hospital records, or significant cognitive decline (≥1.5 SD race-specific decline on the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination). We examined the association between depressive symptom trajectories and dementia incidence using Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for demographics, health factors that differed between groups, and cognition during the depressive symptom assessment period (baseline to year 5). Results The analytic cohort included 2488 black and white older adults with repeated depressive symptom assessments from baseline to year 5 who were free of dementia throughout that period. Their mean (SD) age at baseline was 74.0 (2.8) years, and 53.1% (n = 1322) were female. The following 3 depressive symptom trajectories were identified: consistently minimal symptoms (62.0% [n = 1542] of participants), moderate and increasing symptoms (32.2% [n = 801] of participants), and high and increasing symptoms (5.8% [n = 145] of participants). Compared with the consistently minimal trajectory, having a high and increasing depressive symptom trajectory was associated with significantly increased risk of dementia (fully adjusted hazard ratio, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.30-2.90), while the moderate and increasing trajectory was not associated with risk of dementia after full adjustment. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the high and increasing trajectory was associated with dementia incidence, while depressive symptoms at individual time points were not. Conclusions and Relevance Older adults with a longitudinal pattern of high and increasing depressive symptoms are at high risk for dementia. Individuals’ trajectory of depressive symptoms may inform dementia risk more accurately than one-time assessment of depressive symptoms.
A CASE OF PRIMARY SMALL BOWEL VOLUVULUS

A case of primary sall bowel volvulus presenting with diffuse peritonitis is reported. A 54-year-old man was admitted to a near hospital with the complaint of abdominal pain, and palliatively treated at the hospital. But his symptoms were not improved, so he was refered to our hospital. On admission the abdomen was distended and muscular defense and Blumberg sign were noted. Abdominal X-ray film showed a small bowel gas shadow with niveau. Emergency operation was carried out because his symptoms suggested diffuse peritonitis. On laparotomy, massive small bowel necrosis was found and the root of the small intestinal mesentery was twisted clockwise about 360°. Resection of the length of the survived intestine was 1.2 m. We diagnoted as primary small bowel volvulus because the bands and adhesion were not noted in the abdominal cavity. The patient was treated with TPN and ED after operation and was discharged on the 50th day. Primary sall bowel volvulus rarely occurs, but demands careful attention in its possible severe progress.
Degradation of insulin-I131 by liver and kidney in vivo.

SummaryNephrectomy or physiological hepatectomy decreased the rate of degradation of insulin-I131 in rats. There was some degradation even when both operations had been performed. Kidney and liver therefore are major, but not the only, sites of insulin-I131 degradation in the rat.
Purine nucleotides contribute to pulmonary vasodilation caused by birth-related stimuli in the ovine fetus

We investigated the hypothesis that the purine nucleotides ATP and adenosine mediate the pulmonary vasodilation that occurs at birth in fetal lambs. We instrumented 44 fetal lambs to measure left pulmonary arterial pressure and flow. In control studies, we investigated the effects of sequential ventilation with 10, 50, and 100% O2 on fetal pulmonary arterial pressure and flow and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). We also measured the blood and plasma ATP levels in the pulmonary artery and left atrium in the control studies. In three separate groups of studies, we investigated the effects of 8-phenyltheophylline, an adenosine-receptor antagonist, and cibacron blue, an inhibitor of ATP-sensitive P2y receptors, given alone or in combination, on the response of PVR to sequential ventilation. Fetal arterial PO2 increased during ventilation with 50 and 100% O2 but not with 10% O2. Ventilation with 10% O2 caused a 4-fold increase in pulmonary blood flow and a 10-fold decrease in PVR. Ventilation with 50 and 100% O2 caused a 7-fold increase in pulmonary blood flow and a 20-fold decrease in PVR. Blood and plasma ATP levels in the pulmonary artery and blood ATP levels in the left atrium increased significantly during ventilation with 50 and 100% O2 but not with 10% O2. Pretreatment of animals with 8-phenyltheophylline attenuated the increase in pulmonary flow and decrease in PVR caused by ventilation at all fractions of inspired O2 (FIO2 levels). Pretreatment of animals with cibacron blue attenuated pulmonary vasodilation at 50 and 100% FIO2. Combined treatment with 8-phenyltheophylline and cibacron blue caused complete inhibition of the decrease in PVR in response to ventilation at the three FIO2 levels. Incubation of fetal red blood cells in vitro with 100% O2 caused an increase in ATP production. An increase in arterial PO2 in the fetus causes an increase in blood ATP levels, and an inhibition of ATP receptors attenuates the O2-induced decrease in PVR. Adenosine-receptor inhibition attenuates both ventilation- and O2-induced changes in PVR. Increased synthesis and release of ATP plays a major role in causing pulmonary vasodilation in response to birth-related stimuli in the ovine fetus.
Contributors to and impact of residual shunting after device closure of atrial septal defects

Background The prevalence of residual shunt in patients after device closure of atrial septal defect and its impact on long-term outcome has not been previously defined. Methods From a prospective, single-institution registry of 408 patients, we selected individuals with agitated saline studies performed 1 year after closure. Baseline echocardiographic, invasive hemodynamic, and comorbidity data were compared to identify contributors to residual shunt. Survival was determined by review of the medical records and the Social Security Death Index. Survival analysis according to shunt included construction of Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards modeling. Results Among 213 analyzed patients, 27% were men and age at repair was 47 ± 17 years. Thirty patients (14%) had residual shunt at 1 year. Residual shunt was more common with Helex (22%) and CardioSEAL/STARFlex (40%) occluder devices than Amplatzer devices (9%; P = .005). Residual shunts were more common in whites (79% vs 46%, P = .004). At 7.3 ± 3.3 years of follow-up, 13 (6%) of patients had died, including 8 (5%) with Amplatzer, 5 (25%) with CardioSEAL/STARFlex, and 0 with Helex devices. Patients with residual shunting had a higher hazard of death (20% vs 4%, P = .001; hazard ratio 4.95 [1.59-14.90]). In an exploratory multivariable analysis, residual shunting, age, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diastolic dysfunction were associated with death. Conclusions Residual shunt after atrial septal defect device closure is common and adversely impacts long-term survival.
Human platelet signaling defect characterized by impaired production of inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate and phosphatidic acid and diminished Pleckstrin phosphorylation: evidence for defective phospholipase C activation.

Signal transduction on platelet activation involves phosphoinositide- specific phospholipase C (PLC)-mediated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositides and formation of inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate [I(1,4,5)P3], which mediates Ca2+ mobilization, and diacylglycerol (DG), which activates protein kinase C (PKC) to phosphorylate a 47-kD protein (Pleckstrin). We studied these events in two related patients previously reported (Blood 74:664, 1989) to have abnormal aggregation and 14C-serotonin secretion, and impaired intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in response to several agonists. Thrombin-induced I(1,4,5)P3 and phosphatidic acid formation were diminished. Pleckstrin phosphorylation was impaired on activation with thrombin, platelet- activating factor, and ionophore A23187, but was normal with PKC activator 1,2-dioctonyl-sn-glycerol (DiC8). Ca2+ mobilization induced by guanosine triphosphate (GTP) analog guanosine 5′-0-(3 thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) was diminished. Pretreatment with either A23187 or DiC8 did not correct the impaired adenine diphosphate- induced secretion; however, upon stimulation with A23187 plus DiC8, pleckstrin phosphorylation and secretion were normal, indicating that both PKC activation and Ca2+ mobilization are essential for normal secretion. We conclude that these patients have a unique inherited platelet defect in formation of two key intracellular mediators [I(1,4,5)P3 and DG] and in the responses mediated by them due to a defect in postreceptor mechanisms of PLC activation.
The Importance of Apparel Attributes among Young Mexican-American Female Consumers

This study investigated the importance of apparel attributes among 18-25 year old Mexican-American females and assessed the impact of garment type on attribute importance. An internet-based questionnaire was used to collect 206 responses largely from college and university students. The sample was controlled in terms of age, subculture, gender, and geography to limit any influence from these factors. The survey measured the importance of 20 intrinsic and extrinsic apparel attributes in the purchases of casual pants, tops, skirts, and dresses. Mean ratings provided an indication of overall attribute importance while repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine the impact of garment type on importance. Results showed that the vast majority of attributes are very important in apparel purchases, with intrinsic attributes rated higher overall than extrinsic attributes. Attribute importance varied by garment type most significantly in the purchases of pants and dresses, suggesting that consumers have unique purchase processes and expectations based on garment type. This study contributes to a greater understanding of the behavior of one of the fastest growing U.S. consumer groups. Findings can be used to guide targeted product development for this market and future apparel consumer research.
Pyeloureterostomy with Appendiceal Interposition

We report a case of renal salvage after total right ureteral loss using the isolated vermiform appendix with preservation of the blood supply. The appendix was used to bridge the gap between the right renal pelvis and left ureter. Followup revealed satisfactory function of the appendiceal conduit with preservation of renal function. The appendix, used in this fashion, is an attractive alternative to other surgical modalities after total or near total ureteral loss. The excellent contractility combined with the relatively small size eliminates the problems associated with urinary stasis and electrolyte reabsorption. However, its use is limited by its availability and length.
Metallurgically lithiated SiOx anode with high capacity and ambient air compatibility

A common issue plaguing battery anodes is the large consumption of lithium in the initial cycle as a result of the formation of a solid electrolyte interphase followed by gradual loss in subsequent cycles. It presents a need for prelithiation to compensate for the loss. However, anode prelithiation faces the challenge of high chemical reactivity because of the low anode potential. Previous efforts have produced prelithiated Si nanoparticles with dry air stability, which cannot be stabilized under ambient air. Here, we developed a one-pot metallurgical process to synthesize LixSi/Li2O composites by using low-cost SiO or SiO2 as the starting material. The resulting composites consist of homogeneously dispersed LixSi nanodomains embedded in a highly crystalline Li2O matrix, providing the composite excellent stability even in ambient air with 40% relative humidity. The composites are readily mixed with various anode materials to achieve high first cycle Coulombic efficiency (CE) of >100% or serve as an excellent anode material by itself with stable cyclability and consistently high CEs (99.81% at the seventh cycle and ∼99.87% for subsequent cycles). Therefore, LixSi/Li2O composites achieved balanced reactivity and stability, promising a significant boost to lithium ion batteries.
Technological aspects of a practical frequency-domain optical storage system

Frequency domain optical storage presents a method of storing information at densities of 1011–1012 bits/cm2,1 Persistent spectral hole burning PHB) allows binary data to be encoded by the presence or absence of holes burned in inhomogeneously broadened absorption bands at low temperature by exposure to narrowband light from a tunable laser. Typical hole widths are ~100 MHz, while typical line widths are ~200 GHz, making it possible to write >103 holes in a tightly focussed laser spot.
A new variational approach to structural shape design sensitivity analysis

This paper is concerned with a new variational approach to structural design sensitivity analysis, including the consideration of shape variation. Specifically, the mutual Hu-Washizu functional is introduced for obtaining explicit sensitivity expressions for response functionals; and the Eulerian-Lagrangian kinematic description is applied to the description of design geometry variations.
The Turing Test in the classroom

This paper discusses the Turing Test as an educational activity for undergraduate students. It describes in detail an experiment that we conducted in a first-year non-CS course. We also suggest other pedagogical purposes that the Turing Test could serve.
Non-neurologic Causes of Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus/Nonconvulsive Seizures

Nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) is an underdiagnosed condition due to its minimal or inconspicuous clinical presentation. With increasing use of continuous electroencephalogram (EEG), NCSE has been diagnosed more frequently in critically ill patients. In 2012, the Neurocritical Care Society defined NCSE as seizure activity on EEG that is continuous or recurrent without return to baseline between seizures for 5 or more minutes that is not associated with convulsive activity. In acutely ill patients, NCSE often follows convulsive status epilepticus and presents with severely impaired mental status with or without subtle motor movements as well as other positive or negative signs [1]. (See Chap. 5 for further NCSE classification). Nonconvulsive seizures (NCS)/NCSE have been reported in 8–21 % of critically ill patient populations [2–4]. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of NCSE may lead to increased mortality which has been reported to be as high as 52 % in critically ill patients [2, 5].
The Dynamics of SQUIDs and Coupled Pendula

Josephson [8] predicted in 1962 that a DC tunnel current would flow between two superconductors connected by a thin insulating layer of thickness less than about 20 A in the absence of a voltage difference, an effect now called the DC Josephson effect. The quantum-mechanical current, called the superconducting current, arises from the tunneling of Cooper pairs of electrons of opposite spin and momenta and is given by
Why Are Mutual Fund Flow and Market Returns Related? Evidence from High-frequency Data

We study the relation between market returns and unexpected aggregate flow into U.S. equity funds, using semi-weekly and daily flow data. The reaction of flow and return --whether it be one reacting to the other, or both reacting to a third factor -- is fast and strong. The flow-return relation is mainly concurrent, but flow also follows returns with a one-day lag. The lagged response of flow indicates either a common response of both returns and flow to new information, or positive feedback trading. Additional tests suggest that the concurrent relation reflects flow driving returns.
Schema-Driven Influences in Recovering 3-D Shape from Motion in Human and Computer Vision

To investigate the role of prior knowledge in perceiving the hollow-face illusion, we set out to correlate human performance with that of a computational model that tracks facial features. Toward this goal, we prepared a video of a thin human mask, realistically painted on both the convex and concave sides, that rotated by 360 degrees. It is well known that when humans view the rotating hollow part of the mask, they perceive it as a convex face that rotates in the opposite direction. We submitted this video as input to DeCarlo & Metaxas’s (Int. J. Comput. Vis. 38(2):99–127, 2000) face tracking algorithm that uses a combination of optical flow and feature alignment to track moving faces; importantly, the algorithm uses a schema of a 3-D convex face. The algorithm was fooled, as humans are, into misperceiving a concave face as a convex face rotating in the opposite direction. Notably, this is a significant case where a computer vision algorithm “experiences” an illusion. However, when the convex-face schema was replaced with a schema that allowed both convex and concave faces, the algorithm tracked the mask accurately. The similarity in the responses of the computer vision algorithm and human observers reinforces the hypothesis that a built-in convex 3D face schema imposes a depth inversion for concave faces that in turn forces the false interpretation of motion signals.
The Diagnosis and Treatment of Malignant Melanoma

Malignant melanoma was once considered a hopeless, incurable disease by the most renowned authorities. With better understanding of the natural development of this cancer, earlier diagnosis is being made and earlier treatment instituted. Today melanoma can be cured in over 50 per cent of patients.
Taxidea taxus (American badger)

Skin biopsy from a male found dead in San Diego County, and a female, kindly supplied by Dr. Doris Wurster-Hill, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA, were used for karyotype preparations. The last autosome, an acrocentric, has a secondary constriction and is the “carnivore-marker.”
Depression as a risk factor for cardiac mortality and morbidity: a review of potential mechanisms.

Depression increases the risk of cardiac mortality and morbidity in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), but the mechanisms that underlie this association remain unclear. This review considers the evidence for several behavioral and physiological mechanisms that might explain how depression increases the risk for incident coronary disease and for subsequent cardiac morbidity and mortality. The candidate mechanisms include: (1) antidepressant cardiotoxicity; (2) association of depression with cardiac risk factors such as cigarette smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and reduced functional capacity; (3) association of depression with greater coronary disease severity; (4) nonadherence to cardiac prevention and treatment regimens; (5) lower heart rate variability (HRV) reflecting altered cardiac autonomic tone; (6) increased platelet aggregation; and (7) inflammatory processes. Despite recent advances in our understanding of these potential mechanisms, further research is needed to determine how depression increases risk for cardiac morbidity and mortality.
Lipid-Lowering Drugs in the Treatment of Atherosclerosis

The bile-acid-sequestering agents (resins) colestipol and cholestyramine are generally considered to be the most effective of the currently marketed drugs for lowering plasma LDL-C levels. The resins either have no effect on or produce a slight increase in HDL-C and TG levels. They are contraindicated as single-drug therapy of type III and IV hyperlipoproteinemia. The resins interrupt the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids and increase the number of LDL receptors and LDL catabolism. Because of this mechanism of action, the resins act synergistically with other available drugs. They are nonabsorbable drugs, and their long-term safety and ability to reduce CHD risk were demonstrated in the Lipid Research Clinics’ Coronary Primary Prevention Trial (1984). They are the only drugs recommended for use in children and young adults. If the cost is calculated per amount of LDL-C lowering, resin therapy compares favorably with other drugs except nicotinic acid. The disadvantages include the method of administration, gastrointestinal side effects, and altered absorption of many drugs, including the thiazides, s blockers, coumarin anticoagulants, digitoxin, and thyroxine.
Frederic Riesz’ Contributions to the Foundations of General Topology

Frederic Riesz made significant suggestions as to how the axiomatic foundations of general topology might be formulated. These suggestions are contained in the two articles [1] and [2] which appeared, respectively, in 1906 and 1908. Unfortunately they were generally overlooked at that time and their importance was appreciated only after they were rediscovered much later. Even now (see [7] and [8]) they are not as well known as they deserve to be.
Trends and Factors Associated with Hospitalization Costs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the United States

Few studies have addressed recent trends in hospitalization costs for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We explored trends and described patient and hospital factors associated with hospitalization costs for IBD. Using data from the 2003–2014 National Inpatient Sample for adults aged ≥ 18 years, we estimated costs using multivariable linear models and assessed linear trends by time periods using piecewise linear regressions. In 2014, there were an estimated 56,290 hospitalizations for Crohn’s disease (CD), with a mean cost of US$11,345 and median cost of US$7592; and 33,585 hospitalizations for ulcerative colitis (UC), with a mean cost of US$13,412 and median cost of US$8873. Higher costs were observed among Hispanic [adjusted cost ratio (ACR) = 1.07; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.00–1.14; p = 0.04] or other non-Hispanic (ACR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.02–1.17; p = 0.01) CD patients than for non-Hispanic White CD patients. For UC patients, higher costs were observed among men (ACR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.05–1.13; p < 0.001) compared with women and among patients aged 35–44 years, 45–54 years, and 55–64 years compared with those aged 18–24 years. Among all patients, factors associated with higher costs included higher household income, more comorbidities, and hospitals that were government nonfederal versus private, were large versus small, and were located in the West versus Northeast regions. From 2003 to 2008, total costs increased annually by 3% for CD (1.03; 95% CI = 1.02–1.05; p < 0.001) and 4% for UC (1.04; 95% CI = 1.02–1.06; p < 0.001), but remained unchanged from 2008 to 2014. The findings are important to identify IBD patients with higher hospitalization costs and to inform policy plans on hospital resource allocation.
Insight into The Nature of Rim Bonds in Coronene

Coronene is known in chemistry as an aromatic or even superaromatic molecule while it has 24 π-electrons which does not conform to the 4 n + 2 Huckel's rule. Chemical bonding description of it is not settled in chemistry and five models were reported in the literature. According to our model, coronene has two concentric π-systems responsible for aromaticity inside of the molecule. In addition to that there are six peripheral 2c-2e π-bonds, which makes coronene aliphatic/aromatic at the same time. However, recent experiments and calculations put in question the presence of peripheral π-bonds. In order to resolve this issue, we computationally studied reaction mechanism of the Cl2 molecule with C2H4, C6H6, and C24H12. As it turned out, coronene behaves in a way similar to ethylene by adding Cl2 molecule. Thus, it proves that coronene indeed has peripheral double bonds which is also consistent with its experimental geometrical features. Our chemical bonding model allows to identify the most reactive atoms in coronene and other PAHs; therefore, it is a matter of importance for combustion and soot formation studies.
Modeling the Visual Pathway for Stimulus Optimization in Brain-Computer Interfaces

Common brain-computer interface (BCI) paradigms such as P300 Speller and steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP)-based interfaces use brain responses to visual stimuli to identify the user's intended target to achieve device control. Many BCI paradigms and decoding approaches do not directly consider the underlying physiology of the sensory pathway and brain responses. By accurately modeling the sensory pathway, it is possible to design new spatial and temporal stimulus patterns to enhance brain response characteristics. This study presents a combined model of the human retina with an artificial neural network (ANN) in order to estimate electroencephalographic (EEG) brain activity trained on actual EEG data. Based on this new visual pathway model, techniques can be developed to create and validate improved stimulus sequences for BCIs and other neurotechnologies.
Deconstructing the behavior of donor-acceptor copolymers in solution & the melt: the case of PTB7.

For organic semiconductors, the solid-state packing of the π-conjugated molecules or polymers dictate the material electronic, optical, and mechanical characteristics. Combinations of solution and solid-state investigations are often used to establish structure–function relationships, though these connections are often loosely correlated, and experiments in different laboratories can lead to widely variable interpretations. Hence, there remains a need to develop a deeper, more robust understanding of the connections between molecular and polymer chemistry, structure, processing, solid-state order, and materials properties to enable judicious materials design principles. Towards this goal, we employ fully-atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of poly[4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl)thiophen-2-yl)benzo[1,2-b;4,5-b′]dithiophene-2,6-diyl-alt-(4-(2-ethylhexyl)-3-fluorothieno[3,4-b]thiophene-)-2-carboxylate-2-6-diyl] (PTB7), a donor–acceptor copolymer that has been widely investigated in the organic solar cell literature, to unravel some of these associations. The MD simulations make use of polymer lengths (molecular weights) and solution concentrations that are consistent with those used in experiment, allowing for a detailed picture to arise as to how variations in the polymer environment can direct polymer structure. Comparisons between experiment and theory suggest that processing history can be an important factor in the polymer structures presumed experimentally that are used to interpret optical and electronic responses. The results of these simulations provide specific information into the behavior of PTB7 under different conditions, and showcase how atomistic MD simulations that approach experimentally relevant sizes can be used to develop broader chemical insight that can aid in the design, processing, and characterization of polymer-based organic semiconductors.