cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oestrogen and nuclear binding sites. Determination of specific sites by [3H]oestradiol exchange

A method was developed for the determination of the number of specific oestradiol-binding sites in the nuclear fraction of oestrogen-sensitive tissues. The method is based on the exchange of [3H]oestradiol with non-labelled oestradiol that is bound to nuclear binding sites. The number of specific nuclear binding sites after the injection of 2.5μg of oestradiol, an amount sufficient to saturate all binding sites, is 1.6–1.7pmol per immature uterus. The number of sites occupied after an injection of physiological amounts of oestradiol (0.1μg) was 0.46pmol. The injection of oestradiol results in an increased number of nuclear binding sites in uterus and vagina, but has no effect on kidney or muscle. Injections of testosterone or progesterone failed to increase the number of uterine nuclear binding sites. This method permits an evaluation of the number of oestradiol-binding sites in the nuclear fraction of various tissues as a function of either endogenous oestradiol or non-labelled oestradiol administered by injection.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game: Using the Seventh-Inning Stretch to Teach Law Students

Major League Baseball recognizes the value of the Seventh-Inning Stretch to give spectators a break and maintain interest in the game. This article suggests that law school professors use this tried, true, and familiar practice to teach new concepts and skills to law students. The article also suggests that law school professors step away from the podium and allow a pair of students to teach the new concept or skill during the five-minute Seventh-Inning Stretch. Section I describes the educational theory which supports the method, focusing on the challenge of capturing and maintaining law students' attention. Section II describes the method, including asking students to stretch and sing Take Me Out to the Ball Game. Section III provides a very specific example of how to use the method to teach a new concept, legal citation, to first-year law students. Section IV considers the advantages and disadvantages of the Seventh-Inning Stretch teaching method.
Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders

Abstract The author responds to Hill et al.'s “Gender Identity Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence: A Critical Inquiry,” Winters' “Gender Dissonance: Diagnostic Reform of Gender Identity Disorder for Adults,” and Moser and Kleinplatz's “DSM-IV-TR and the Paraphilias: An Argument for Removal.” As a clinician, the author is loathe to relegate these conditions to mere legal problems and have those affected by them go to jail as the only consequence where they will not get treated as they would by psychiatry or other mental health professions. The author, who has evaluated over 40 transsexuals for sex reassignment surgery, believes psychiatrists should remain the patient's ombudsman in these procedures. He also does not believe that the diagnosis stigmatizes anyone worse than the stigma that the transsexuals receive every single day. In regard to paraphilias, the author believes there must be some way of differentiating between the normal and abnormal ways in which people get aroused, excited, and fulfille...
The γ subunits of the native GABAA/benzodiazepine receptors

Subunit-specific antibodies to all the gamma subunit isoforms described in mammalian brain (gamma(1), gamma(2S), gamma(2L), and gamma(3) have been made. The proportion of GABA(A) receptors containing each gamma subunit isoform in various brain regions has been determined by quantitative immunoprecipitation. In all tested regions of the rat brain, the gamma(1) and gamma(3) subunits are present in considerable smaller proportion of GABA(A) receptor than the gamma(2) subunit. Immunocytochemistry shows that gamma(1) immunoreactivity concentrates in the stratum oriens and stratum radiatum of the CA1 region of the hippocampus. In the dentate gyrus, gamma(1) immunoreactivity concentrates on the outer 2/3 of the molecular layer coinciding with the localization of the axospinous synapses of the perforant pathway. In contrast, gamma(3) immunoreactivity concentrates on the basket cells and other GABAergic local circuit neurons of the hilus. These cells are also rich in gamma(2S). In the cerebellum, gamma(1)++ immunolabeling was localized on the Bergmann glia. The gamma(2S) and gamma(2L) subunits are differentially expressed in various brain regions. Thus the gamma(2S) is highly expressed in the olfactory bulb and hippocampus whereas the gamma(2L) is very abundant in inferior colliculus and cerebellum, particularly in Purkinje cells, as immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization and immunoprecipitation techniques have revealed. The gamma(2S) and gamma(2L) coexist in some brain areas and cell types. Moreover, the gamma(2S) and gamma(2L) subunits can coexist in the same GABA(A) receptor pentamer. We have shown that this is the case in some GABA(A) receptors expressed in cerebellar granule cells. These GABA(A) receptors also have alpha and beta subunits forming the pentamer. Immunoblots have shown that the rat gamma(1), gamma(2S), gamma(2L) and gamma(3) subunits are peptides of 47, 45, 47 and 44 kDa respectively. Results also indicate that there are aging-related changes in the expression of the gamma(2S) and gamma(2L) subunits in various brain regions which suggest the existence of aging-related changes in the subunit composition of the GABA(A) receptors which in turn might lead to changes in receptor pharmacology. The results obtained with the various gamma subunit isoforms are discussed in terms of the high molecular and binding heterogeneity of the native GABA(A) receptors in brain.
454 UTEROPLACENTAL INSUFFICIENCY AFFECTS HIPPOCAMPAL PHENOTYPE IN INTRAUTERINE GROWTH-RESTRICTED RAT.

Background Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) increases the risk of neurodevelopmental delay and causes neuroendocrine reprogramming in the affected newborn. Using a rat model of uteroplacental insufficiency (UPI) and IUGR, we have previously demonstrated that the hippocampus is vulnerable to IUGR-induced insult and in males has poorer outcome in learning and memory performance. It is not clear what changes in the hippocampus may be affected by IUGR. Objective We therefore hypothesized that IUGR-induced stress affects neuronal development in the hippocampus. Method Bilateral uterine artery ligation was performed on e19 pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats to induce IUGR through uteroplacental insufficiency (N = 4 litters). Pups were delivered by cesarean section at term. Brains were perfusion-fixed for immunofluorescence. Morphometric analysis was performed using an Automated/Metamorph Workstation, including counting of neurons per mm2 surface area and the density of GFAP, MBP, and synaptophysin/tissue area in the CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG). Neuronal density and average intensity of GFAP, MBP, or synaptophysin were quantified. The sections for counting were taken from the level of Bregma around −3.0, where all subzones of dorsal hippocampus were demarcated. Results IUGR decreased neural density to 42 and 46% of control values in CA1 and CA3 hippocampal regions, respectively, in males. Parallel to neuronal loss was a decrease in MBP in CA1 (33%), CA3 (23%), and DG (25%) and synaptophysin in CA3 (61%) and an increase in GFAP in CA (490%), CA3 (380%), and DG (420%). In females, although there was an increase in MBP (410% in CA1) and synaptophysin (480% in DG) there was no change in neuronal density and GFAP. Conclusion UPI results in decreased neuronal density within the hippocampus of IUGR male rats while not affecting females. Speculation Neuronal development in the male rat hippocampus is more vulnerable to UPI-induced insult.
Difficulty recalling people's names.

Background: Difficulty recalling people's names is common in the adult population, especially in the elderly. The subject is scarcely mentioned in the literature. An 82-year-old patient gave the history that for 33 years he had made prospective observations on his own difficulty with people's names. Methods: Documentation and analysis of the patient's personal observations in which his ability to recall the names of friends, acquaintances, colleagues, public figures, movie stars and athletes is compared with that of his spouse. A suitable test-battery for the names of famous North American persons was not available. Results: The patient's capability in recalling people's names was clearly inferior to that of his spouse. The patient's intellect was otherwise intact and the impairment seemed to be isolated to the category of proper-naming. Doubts were raised about the patient's own conclusion that the deficit was progressive. Conclusions: A parallel may be drawn between benign difficulty recalling people's names and the acquired categorical deficit for proper naming reported in the literature in recent years. Based on Damasio's concept of anatomically compartmentalized sensory subsystems, it is hypothesized that our patient's symptom represents an innate limited capacity for proper naming.
Magnetic resonance imaging patterns of muscle involvement in genetic muscle diseases: a systematic review

A growing body of the literature supports the use of magnetic resonance imaging as a potential biomarker for disease severity in the hereditary myopathies. We performed a systematic review of the medical literature to evaluate patterns of fat infiltration observed in magnetic resonance imaging studies of muscular dystrophy and congenital myopathy. Searches were performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and grey literature databases. Studies that described fat infiltration of muscles in patients with muscular dystrophy or congenital myopathy were selected for full-length review. Data on preferentially involved or spared muscles were extracted for analysis. A total of 2172 titles and abstracts were screened, and 70 publications met our criteria for inclusion in the systematic review. There were 23 distinct genetic disorders represented in this analysis. In most studies, preferential involvement and sparing of specific muscles were reported. We conclude that magnetic resonance imaging studies can be used to identify distinct patterns of muscle involvement in the hereditary myopathies. However, larger studies and standardized methods of reporting are needed to develop imaging as a diagnostic tool in these diseases.
Medical Therapies in Cushing’s Syndrome

Medical therapy has an important, albeit secondary, role in patients with Cushing’s syndrome. While medications are not currently used as definitive therapy of this condition, they can be very effective in controlling hypercortisolism in patients who fail surgery, those who are not surgical candidates, or those whose tumor location is unknown. Medical therapies can be particularly helpful to control hypercortisolism in patients with Cushing’s disease who underwent radiation therapy and are awaiting its salutary effects.
Nucleosome dynamics: HMGB1 facilitates nucleosome restructuring and collaborates in estrogen-responsive gene expression

The genome in the human cell is extraordinarily compacted in the nucleus. As a result, much of the DNA is inaccessible and functionally inert. Notwithstanding the highly efficient packaging, mechanisms have evolved to render DNA sites accessible that then enable a multitude of factors to carry out ongoing and vital functions. The compaction is derived from DNA complexation within nucleosomes, which can further consolidate into a higher-order chromatin structure. The nucleosome and nucleosomal DNA are not static in nature, but are dynamic, undergoing structural and functional changes as the cell responds to stresses and/or metabolic or environmental cues. We are only beginning to understand the forces and the complexes that engage the nucleosome to unearth the tightly bound and inaccessible DNA sequences and provide an opening to more accessible target sites. In many cases, current findings support a major role for the action of ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes (CRCs) in providing an avenue to factor accessibility that leads to the activation of transcription. The estrogen receptor α (ERα) does not bind to the estrogen response element (ERE) in the canonical nucleosome. However, evidence will be presented that HMGB1 restructures the nucleosome in an ATP-independent manner and also facilitates access and strong binding of ERα to ERE. The features that appear important in the mechanism of action for HMGB1 will be highlighted, in addition to the characteristic features of the restructured nucleosome. These findings, together with previous evidence, suggest a collaborative role for HMGB1 in the step-wise transcription of estrogen-responsive genes. In addition, alternate mechanistic pathways will be discussed, with consideration that “HMGB1 restructuring” of the nucleosome may generally be viewed as a perturbation of the equilibrium of an ensemble of nearly isoenergetic nucleosome states in an energy landscape that is driven by conformational selection by HMGB1.
Statistical Modeling of Crosstalk Noise in Domino CMOS Logic Circuits

Domino logic circuits have been aggressively explored for vulnerabilities due to crosstalk noise. In these circuits, statistical modeling of crosstalk noise seems to be a promising approach due to factors like: large unpredictability in crosstalk noise with technology trends pushing process variations to their extreme end and reducing feature sizes ensuing unevenness in device geometries. We present here a general model for crosstalk noise with cross-coupling capacitive variance and MOS devices’ channel width variation effects and progressively refine it to get the most accurate circuit analysis model for deriving the crosstalk distribution. The statistical model derived is validated with 1000 runs of Monte Carlo simulations.
Investigation of phosphorylated adjuvants co-encapsulated with a model cancer peptide antigen for the treatment of colorectal cancer and liver metastasis

The lipid calcium phosphate nanoparticle is a versatile platform capable of encapsulating a wide range of phosphorylated molecules from single nucleotides to pDNA. The use of this platform has shown great success as an immunotherapeutic vaccine carrier, capable of delivering co-encapsulated phosphorylated adjuvants and peptides. Three potent vaccine formulations were investigated for anti-cancer efficacy. The phosphorylated adjuvants, CpG, 2′3′cGAMP, and 5′pppdsRNA were co-encapsulated with a model phosphorylated tumor specific peptide antigen (p-AH1-A5). The anti-cancer efficacy of these adjuvants was assessed using an orthotopic colorectal liver metastasis model based on highly aggressive and metastatic CT-26 FL3 cells implanted into the cecum wall. The results clearly indicate that the RIG-1 ligand, 5′pppdsRNA, co-encapsulated with the p-AH1-A5 peptide antigen greatly reduced the growth rate of the primary colon cancer as well as arrested the establishment of liver metastasis in comparison to the other adjuvant formulations and unvaccinated controls. Further evaluation of the immune cell populations within the primary tumor confirms the ability of the 5′pppdsRNA adjuvant to boost the adaptive CD8+ T-cell population, while not inciting increased populations of immune suppressive cell types such as T-regulatory cells or myeloid derived suppressor cells. Furthermore, to our knowledge this is the first study to investigate the anti-cancer efficacy of a specific RIG-1 receptor ligand, 5′pppdsRNA, alongside more established TLR 9 (CpG) and STING (2′3′cGAMP) adjuvants in a cancer vaccine. The 5′pppdsRNA vaccine formulation can be a potent immunotherapy, especially when combined with agents that remodel the immune suppressive microenvironment of the tumor.
Reactions to food additives : guest review

Food additives are natural or synthetic substances that are added to food to enhance their preservation, palatability and appearance or to alter and stabilise form. Their ubiquitous use and ability to cause a wide spectrum of clinical reactions in sensitive individuals means that they are an important consideration when managing reactions to food. The case below describes a child with a severe preservative reaction who presented to the Allergy Division at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital. This is followed by an overview on reactions to food additives with an emphasis on some of the common additives and their clinical relevance.
Testing Theories of the Determinants of An Individual Foreign Policy Preferences in Georgia

Abstract Public opinion has an impact on states’ foreign policy. In the case of Georgia, the pro-Russian or pro-United States attitude among the people is determined by several factors. The strategic value of Georgia for these two most powerful states in the world makes their study of the mass opinion’s preferences toward major power an interesting and a valuable one. In this article, I test two sets of factors that shape the individual preferences toward major powers, and employ logistic regression model to explain the relationship between four independent variables with the dependent variable. I argue that religiosity, role of government, and economic satisfaction are still the best predictors of the pro-Russian policy. Key words : Georgia, public opinion, Russia, United States, logistic regression Abstrak Kebijakan luar negeri suatu negara dipengaruhi oleh pendapat para masyarakatnya. Pertanyaannya adalah apa yang mempengaruhi pandangan masyarakat mengenai kebijakan yang selayaknya diambil oleh pemerintah? Artikel ini meneliti faktor-faktor yang dapat mempengaruhi pandangan masyarakat di Georgia mengenai rekan ideal bagi negara mereka. Georgia sendiri merupakan negara yang memiliki nilai strategis bagi negara besar seperti Rusia dan Amerika. Oleh karenanya, kajian mengenai determinan opini publik mengenai siapa diantara kedua negara besar tersebut yang layak menjadi mitra Georgia penting untuk dilakukan. Melalui metode kuantitatif, khususnya pendekatan regresi logistik, artikel ini berusaha melanjutkan penelitian yang terdahulu. Penelitian sebelumnya melihat korelasi antara faktor agama, peran pemerintah, dan kepuasan ekonomi dengan pilihan masyarakat terhadap mitra kerjasama luar negeri Georgia. Satu hal yang luput dari penelitian sebelumnya adalah peran nilai politik. Berdasar analisa melalui model regresi logistik, faktor agama, peran pemerintah, dan kepuasan ekonomi masih menjadi faktor penentu utama pilihan masyarakat Georgia mengenai siapa diantara Amerika dan Rusia yang dianggap ideal menjadi mitra hubungan bilateral negara mereka. Kata kunci : georgia; opini publik; rusia; amerika; regresi logistik.
On-Field Signs Predict Future Acute Symptoms After Sport-Related Concussion: A Structural Equation Modeling Study

Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between on-field, objective signs immediately following sport-related concussion and self-reported symptom endorsement within 1 day post injury. Methods: A retrospective case series of 237 concussed high school athletes was performed. On-field signs were evaluated immediately post injury. Self-reported symptoms (2 clusters) were collected within 1 day post injury. A two-step structural equation model and follow-up bivariate regression analyses of significant on-field signs and symptom clusters were performed. Results: Signs of immediate memory, β=0.20, p=.04, and postural instability, β=0.19, p < .01, significantly predicted a greater likelihood of endorsing the cognitive-migraine-fatigue symptom cluster within 1 day post injury. Regarding signs correlated with specific symptoms, immediate memory was associated with symptoms of trouble remembering, χ 2 =37.92, p < .001, odds ratio (OR)=3.89 (95% confidence interval (CI) [2.47, 6.13]), and concentration difficulties, χ 2 =10.84, p=.001, OR=2.13 (95% CI [1.37, 3.30]). Postural instability was associated with symptom endorsement of trouble remembering, χ 2 =12.08, p < .001, OR=1.76 (95% CI [1.29, 2.40]). Conclusions: Certain post-concussion on-field signs exhibited after injury were associated with specific symptom endorsement within 1 day post injury. Based on these associations, individualized education-based interventions and academic accommodations may help reduce unanticipated worry from parents, students, and teachers following a student-athlete’s sport-related concussion, especially in cases of delayed onset symptoms. (JINS, 2018, 24, 476–485)
SLUMS: Desmontando el concepto

espanolLa idea de que el lenguaje construye realidades ya es casi un lugar comun. Al observar contextos problematicos, sin embargo, la urgencia por buscar una solucion nos hace obviar que esa realidad tambien ha sido fabricada por el lenguaje. Analizando el concepto de slum, este texto explica que su construccion como un problema masivo a nivel global exigia una ambiguedad tal que le permitiera adaptarse tanto a las distintas realidades globales como a los intereses expansivos de las agencias globales a cargo de resolverlo. EnglishThe idea that language constructs realities is almost commonplace. When looking at problematic contexts, however, the urgency to find a solution makes us forget that language also constructed this reality. By analyzing the concept of 'slum,' this text explains that its construction as a massive problem at a global level demanded an ambiguity that allowed it to adapt both to the different realities and to the expansive interests of the global agencies in charge of solving it.
Preparation of Thin-Film Alumina for Catalytic Activity Studies

An atomic-scale understanding of electronic, morphological and chemical structure of materials is a necessary prerequisite for tailoring nanostructured materials for catalytic applications. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS) are surface sensitive tools than that can be used to systematically probe morphological and electronic structure that can affect catalytic properties. STS, which can be used in tandem with STM, can give information on the densities of both filled and unfilled states at the nanometer scale by probing the local density of states (DOS) underneath the tip. This mapping is accomplished by varying the applied voltage and measuring the tunneling current while holding the tip at a constant position over an area of interest in the ST micrograph. A current-to-voltage (I-V) spectrum providing information regarding the chemical environment of a single atom can thus be produced. Figure 1 shows a diagram showing the band gap (Eg) between the conduction (Ec) and valence (Ev) band edges of metal clusters adsorbed onto a conductive support. Electrons (injected from the tip to the surface) occurs between the Fermi levels of the tip and sample, with electrons tunneling out of the more negative source. Fully metallic clusters exhibit no band gap (denoted by the length of the plateaus at the zero current); but an increase is observed with a decrease in size as the admetal clusters adopt a more non-metallic character. The length of the plateaus (in eV) is an effective band gap measurement of the supported adclusters.
Issues in Laboratory Animal Science

Abstract Numerous genetic, microbial, environmental, and experimental factors work together to influence development of the lesions studied by the toxicologic pathologist. The pathologist needs to understand how factors associated with the laboratory animal, the animal care and use program, the research facility environment, and the study conditions contribute to study findings so that the results of toxicity experiments can be properly evaluated. The changes that are occurring in laboratory animal care and use practices are driven in part by recent advances in animal welfare concerns. Future standards for animal care and use will likely differ from those employed today. As advances are made, greater emphasis will be placed on understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of the interplay between host susceptibility factors, toxicant exposure, and environment.
A1: spreadsheet-based scripting for developing web tools

A1 is a Java-based spreadsheet environment that enables system administrators to build small tools that simplify and automate common tasks, integrating real-time data across heterogeneous systems. A1 spreadsheets can be saved to a central repository, where they are published and shared as interactive web portlets. In this paper, we discuss the need for administrators to create their own tools, how the A1 environment is designed to support this need, and how A1's support for web publishing - without requiring special web programming - can enable teams to share, modify, and improve their tools. We also discuss the design and implementation of A1, and show a number of sample spreadsheets for various administration tasks.
Predation, Pollination and Torpor in Two Nocturnal Prosimians: Cheirogaleus Major and Microcebus Rufus in the Rain Forest of Madagascar

Cheirogaleus is the only known genus of primate with extended periods of torpor (Petter, 1978). Previous field studies of the two smallest rain forest species of nocturnal primates, Cheirogaleus major, the greater dwarf lemur and Microcebus rufus, the rufous mouse lemur, were based on anecdotal observations (Petter et al., 1977) or short-term studies (Harcourt, 1987; Martin, 1972; Hladik, 1979; Ganzhorn, 1989). Both species eat fruit, flowers, and insects, are seasonal breeders, have two to three offspring and protect their offspring in leaf nests (Petter et al., 1977). These data do not in themselves explain why in sympatric species, one species has an extended inactive period, but the other does not. A goal of this study was to shed light on some of the factors which might have contributed to the evolution of this behavior.
Challenges and opportunities in bridging behavior, physiology, and anatomy in translational hearing research

The Acoustical Society of America has a long, rich history of physiology research aimed at understanding the neural mechanisms underlying hearing and hearing dysfunction. In particular, this research has included pivotal studies in animal models that reveal the neurobiology of hearing and hearing disorders. More recently, research in animal models and research in human subjects have been considered in completely separate conferences or sessions. This situation presents a barrier to communicating important scientific information and fostering collaborations that bridge the gap between research in animal models and human listeners. It is crucial that the two types of research interface and inform one another to maximize translational potential and converge on fundamental knowledge. Experimental manipulations can be performed in non-human animals that cannot be performed in humans, but human and non-human animals can also be tested using similar techniques to increase translatability. Examples of mouse models tested using detailed analysis of synapse-level changes, clinically relevant evoked potentials, and behavioral tests will be presented. Areas for mutually beneficial interdisciplinary investigation will be discussed with the intention of inspiring new lines of communication between researchers focused on non-human animal and human subjects research.
A Community-Based Prevention Approach: Examples from the Field

The issue of child maltreatment is complex and requires community-based solutions to ensure the well-being of children and families. The prevention of maltreatment, both primary and secondary, involves a unique understanding of community context and individual’s behavior as it relates to society. It is important to promote practice principles believed to mitigate stressors that could lead to child maltreatment and overall, to support improved outcomes for children and families. These principles include building the capacity of communities to offer locally based services and supports that address the unique needs of children and families, and strengthen parental capacity to protect and provide for their children. However, the prevention of child abuse is not just about services, but about embracing and changing norms—those community and individual beliefs and expectations about how we should behave, and the understanding that there is knowledge to be gained from the community that individuals come from. This article presents examples from a nation-wide, federally funded program that strengthens families and prevents child maltreatment through community-based solutions that embrace social norms and promote collaboration and coordination across related efforts at the state and local level.
The Effect of Daily Use of Plantar Mechanical Stimulation Through Micro-Mobile Foot Compression Device Installed in Shoe Insoles on Vibration Perception, Gait, and Balance in People With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy:

Objective:People with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) have impaired gait and balance performance. The aim of this study is to investigate therapeutic effectiveness of mechanical stimulation th...
Structural Racism and Severe Maternal Morbidity in New York State

Objective:We examined the association between county-level structural racism indicators and the odds of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in New York State.Design:We merged individual-level hospitali...
Development of land surface reflectance models based on multiscale simulation

Modeling and simulation of Earth imaging sensors with large spatial coverage necessitates an understanding of how photons interact with individual land surface processes at an aggregate level. For example, the leaf angle distribution of a deciduous forest canopy has a significant impact on the path of a single photon as it is scattered among the leaves and, consequently, a significant impact on the observed bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of the canopy as a whole. In particular, simulation of imagery of heterogeneous scenes for many multispectral/hyperspectral applications requires detailed modeling of regions of the spectrum where many orders of scattering are required due to both high reflectance and transmittance. Radiative transfer modeling based on ray tracing, hybrid Monte Carlo techniques and detailed geometric and optical models of land cover means that it is possible to build effective, aggregate optical models with parameters such as species, spatial distribution, and underlying terrain variation. This paper examines the capability of the Digital Image and Remote Sensing Image Generation (DIRSIG) model to generate BRDF data representing land surfaces at large scale from modeling at a much smaller scale. We describe robust methods for generating optical property models effectively in DIRSIG and present new tools for facilitating the process. The methods and results for forest canopies are described relative to the RAdiation transfer Model Intercomparison (RAMI) benchmark scenes, which also forms the basis for an evaluation of the approach. Additional applications and examples are presented, representing different types of land cover.
Amantadine and Modafinil as Neurostimulants Following Acute Stroke: A Retrospective Study of Intensive Care Unit Patients.

Neurostimulants may improve or accelerate cognitive and functional recovery after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), ischemic stroke (IS), or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), but few studies have described their safety and effectiveness in the intensive care unit (ICU). The objective of this study was to describe amantadine and modafinil administration practices during acute stroke care starting in the ICU and to evaluate safety and effectiveness. Consecutive adult ICU patients treated with amantadine and/or modafinil following acute non-traumatic IS, ICH, or SAH were evaluated. Neurostimulant administration data were extracted from the electronic medication administration record, including medication (amantadine, modafinil, or both), starting dose, time from stroke to initiation, and whether the neurostimulant was continued at hospital discharge. Patients were considered responders if they met two of three criteria within 9 days of neurostimulant initiation: increase in Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score ≥ 3 points from pre-treatment baseline, improved wakefulness or participation documented in caregiver notes, or clinical improvement documented in physical or occupational therapy notes. Potential confounders of the effectiveness assessment and adverse drug effects were also recorded. A total of 87 patients were evaluable during the 3.7-year study period, including 41 (47%) with ICH, 29 (33%) with IS, and 17 (20%) with SAH. The initial neurostimulant administered was amantadine in 71 (82%) patients, modafinil in 13 (15%), or both in 3 (3%) patients. Neurostimulants were initiated a median of 7 (4.25, 12.75) days post-stroke (range 1–27 days) for somnolence (77%), not following commands (32%), lack of eye opening (28%), or low GCS (17%). The most common starting dose was 100 mg twice daily for both amantadine (86%) and modafinil (54%). Of the 79 patients included in the effectiveness evaluation, 42 (53%) were considered responders, including 34/62 (55%) receiving amantadine monotherapy and 8/24 (33%) receiving both amantadine and modafinil at the time they met the definition of a responder. No patient receiving modafinil monotherapy was considered a responder. The median time from initiation to response was 3 (2, 5) days. Responders were more frequently discharged home or to acute rehabilitation compared to non-responders (90% vs 62%, p = 0.006). Among survivors, 63/72 (88%) were prescribed a neurostimulant at hospital discharge. The most common potential adverse drug effect was sleep disruption (16%). Neurostimulant administration during acute stroke care may improve wakefulness. Future controlled studies with a neurostimulant administration protocol, prospective evaluation, and discretely defined response and safety criteria are needed to confirm these encouraging findings.
The Impact of Audibility and Voice on Young Adult Performance on the Mini-Mental State Examination

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of reduced audibility (RA) and speaker voice on performance on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in individuals with normal hearing...
Catechol-O-methyltransferase Val158Met Genotype and Early-Life Family Adversity Interactively Affect Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Symptoms Across Childhood.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is among the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorders of childhood. The dopaminergic system has been shown to have substantial effects on its etiology, with both functional Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met genotype and early-life environmental adversity involved in the risk of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms. In this prospective longitudinal study, we examined for the first time the impact of proximal and distal early-life family adversity and COMT Val158Met polymorphism gene - both the direct and the interactive effects, on children's ADHD symptoms across childhood. Data came from the Family Life Project, a prospective longitudinal study of 1,292 children and families in high poverty from birth to 11 years. In infancy, data regarding socioeconomic (SES)-risk-factors, observed-caregiving behaviors, and DNA genotyping were collected. In early and middle childhood teachers rated the occurrence and severity of the child's ADHD symptoms. Multilevel growth curve models revealed independent effects of COMT, early-life SES-risk and negative caregiving on ADHD symptoms in early and middle childhood. Significant gene-environment interactions were found, indicating that overall, carriers of at least one COMT158Met allele were more sensitive to early-life adversity, showing higher inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms severity in childhood when exposed to high SES-risk factors in infancy, compared to Val-Val carriers. Findings provide new insights into the complex etiology of ADHD and underline the need for further investigation of the neuronal mechanisms underlying gene-environment interactions. Findings might have implications for prevention and intervention strategies with a focus on early-life family relationships in genetically at-risk children.
Trap state mediated triplet energy transfer from CdSe quantum dots to molecular acceptors.

Triplet energy transfer (TET) from quantum dots (QDs) to molecular acceptors has received intense research interest because of its promising application as triplet sensitizers in photon up-conversion. Compared to QD band edge excitons, the role and mechanism of trap state mediated TET in QD-acceptor complexes have not been well understood despite the prevalence of trap states in many QDs. Herein, TET from trap states in CdSe QDs to adsorbed 9-anthracene carboxylic acid (ACA) is studied with steady state photoluminescence, transient absorption spectroscopy, and time-resolved photoluminescence. We show that both band edge and trap excitons undergo direct Dexter energy transfer to form the triplet excited state of ACA. The rate of TET decreases from (0.340 ± 0.002) ns−1 to (0.124 ± 0.004) ns−1 for trap excitons with decreasing energy from 2.25 eV to 1.57 eV, while the TET rate from band edge excitons is 13–37 times faster than trapped excitons. Despite slightly higher TET quantum efficiency from band edge excitons (∼100%) than trapped excitons (∼95%), the overall TET process from CdSe to ACA is dominated by trapped excitons because of their larger relative populations. This result demonstrates the important role of trap state mediated TET in nanocrystal sensitized triplet generation.
Plenary) Creating the Interface between the Universe and Data with Integrated Photonic Sensors

Integrated photonics is a particularly attractive option for building broadly useful sensor platforms. Here, the light source, sensing mechanism, and detection system are all in the same plane. As such, these sensors are small and simple enough that they could be incorporated into a cell phone. For the past five years, we have worked in partnership with the American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics (AIM Photonics) to establish designs and manufacturing strategies for photonic chemical and biological sensors. AIM is a public-private partnership established to develop U.S. manufacturing capability in photonics.
Modified Cranioplasty and Latissimus Dorsi Flap for an Exophytic Invasive Brain Tumor.

ABSTRACT We describe the clinical case of a 62-year-old man with an atypical grade II meningioma, invading bone and scalp, and present a step-by-step video description of a modified technique for cranioplasty and scalp reconstruction with latissimus dorsi flap. By using this technique, we aim to minimize the space between the dura and the flap, which would decrease the risk of fluid collections and infections.
The Sky Didn't Fall: The Meaning and Legal Effects of the North Carolina Marriage Amendment

In May 2012 North Carolina became the thirty-first state to define marriage as involving only opposite-sex couples when it amended its constitution to provide that "[m]arriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State." There was much disagreement prior to the vote about the meaning and potential legal effects of this provision. Led by law professors from every law school in North Carolina, opponents of the Amendment claimed that it not only would ban same-sex marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships, but also would threaten a wide range of legal benefits and protections given to all unmarried couples, whether heterosexual or homosexual, including existing domestic violence and child custody, adoption, and visitation laws. They also claimed that the Amendment's passage would lead to a flood of litigation over its meaning. A year has passed and none of these predictions have come true. This article addresses the political controversy over the Amendment and how courts likely will rule on its scope and legal effects. It explains why opponents’ claims about the Amendment’s far-ranging "unintended consequences" were never likely to occur in North Carolina. It also provides a guide for resolving Amendment-related legal issues should they arise in litigation in North Carolina or other states with (or considering) similar amendments.
What Do You Call a Black Woman With a PhD? A N*****: How Race Trumps Education No Matter What:

The 16-year journey from being a doctoral student to a tenured Associate Professor as a Black woman has been eventful. This essay provides a peek into some of the unforgettable moments experienced ...
A Comparison of Hysterectomy and Prostatectomy Medicare Reimbursement Rates: 2010-2019

Study Objective To investigate differences in Medicare reimbursement rates between hysterectomy and prostatectomy to understand gender disparities in healthcare reimbursement. Design Ten codes representing hysterectomy and five codes representing prostatectomy from The Physician Fee Schedule Look-Up Tool. Setting Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Patients or Participants All patients who had undergone hysterectomy or prostatectomy with reimbursement by Medicare using the fifteen codes represented in The Physician Fee Schedule Look-Up Tool from 2010-2019 in the United States. Interventions Hysterectomy or prostatectomy reimbursed by Medicare. Measurements and Main Results The codes were identified and the average annual and total percent change in reimbursement were calculated from 2010 to 2019. After adjusting for inflation, the average reimbursement for abdominal hysterectomy procedures decreased by 7.85% and for laparoscopic hysterectomy procedures by 21.16% with average R2 values of 0.94 and 0.88, respectively. The average reimbursement for open prostatectomy procedures decreased by 23.61% and by 28.20% for laparoscopic prostatectomy procedures with average R2 values of 0.86 for both. The average reimbursement rate in dollar amount for abdominal hysterectomy is $1068.68 and $1,374.25 for open prostatectomy. The average reimbursement rate in dollar amount for laparoscopic hysterectomies and prostatectomies are $1,053.32 and $1,775.65, respectively. Conclusion This study provides an analysis of trends in procedural Medicare reimbursement for hysterectomy procedures and prostatectomy procedures. Medicare reimbursement rates for hysterectomies have decreased by a smaller amount than prostatectomy procedures, although average reimbursement for hysterectomy procedures still remains lower. Reimbursement for procedures are calculated based on multiple factors, but gender equity should be an important factor for policy makers. Results from this study show that while male-specific procedures are still reimbursed more, there is a more rapid decline in reimbursement rates for male-specific procedures, potentially signaling movement towards greater equality. Further work must be done to understand why inequalities still exist in the medical field regarding reimbursement for sex-specific procedures.
Radioembolization Dosimetry with Total-Body 90Y PET.

Introduction: Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) is a loco-regional radiopharmaceutical therapy based on the delivery of radioactive yttrium-90 (90Y) microspheres to liver tumors. The importance of personalized dosimetry to make TARE safer and more effective has been demonstrated in recent clinical studies, stressing the need for quantification of the dose-response relationship to ultimately optimize the administered activity pre-treatment and image it post-treatment. 90Y dosimetric studies are challenging due to the lack of accurate and precise methods but best realized with positron emission tomography combined with Monte Carlo simulations and other image modalities to calculate a segmental dose distribution. Methods: Two PET/CT scanners were evaluated in this study: the Biograph mCT and the total-body uEXPLORER. The reconstructions of a NEMA IQ phantom and two patient images were performed using our standard clinical oncology protocol. A late portal phase CECT was used to contour the liver segments and create corresponding volumes of interest. To calculate the absorbed dose, Monte Carlo simulations were carried out using GATE. The absorbed dose and the dose volume histograms were calculated for all six spheres (diameters ranging from 10 mm to 37 mm) of the NEMA phantom, the liver segments, and the entire liver. The difference between the phantom doses and an analytical ground truth were quantified through the root mean squared error. Results: The uEXPLORER showed a higher signal to noise ratio at 10 mm and 13 mm diameter, consistent with its high spatial resolution and system sensitivity. The total liver absorbed dose showed excellent agreement between the uEXPLORER and the mCT for both patients, with differences lower than 0.2%. Larger differences were observed when comparing the liver segment doses. All DVH were in good agreement, with narrower tails for the uEXPLORER in all segments, indicating a lower image noise. Conclusion: This patient study is compelling for the use of total-body 90Y PET for liver dosimetry. The uEXPLORER scanner showed a better signal-to-noise ratio than mCT especially in lower count regions of interest, which is expected to improve dose quantification and tumor dosimetry.
Recent Developments in Multiple Scattering Theory and Density Functional Theory for Molecules and Solids

Density functional theory (DFT) and multiple scattering theory (MST) have been used extensively for calculations in condensed matter physics of the electronic structure of materials built from atomic species throughout the periodic table. As originally formulated for the muffin-tin model, MST in general gave disappointing results in applications to molecules, which discouraged use of this methodology. Recent developments in so-called ‘full-potential’ MST have removed these muffin-tin constraints while retaining the computational efficiency associated with these methods. Full-potential MST is reviewed here, with emphasis on the theoretical basis of computational methods that are viable for molecules. Several recent developments in the formalism of DFT are reviewed, in particular reference-state DFT, which frees the theory from the constraint that the electronic density in the variational model state must be identical to that of the true ground state, and places DFT in the context of the Fermi liquid theory of Landau. The theory of self-interaction corrections is reexamined from this point of view.
Planning and Managing Knowledge-Based System Evaluations

The development of knowledge-based systems can be very complex, extending over a number of years and involving many people with different roles, a number of different design and development phases, and often different modules developed using different design approaches that must work together. The life cycle evaluations of the system will be correspondingly complex. They involve different types of evaluations, services of users and subject matter experts, coordination with the developer and sponsor, evaluation personnel with a variety of different specialties, uncertain requirements and changing development schedules. The system and its parts must be evaluated during different development phases, different aspects of the system must be evaluated, and different types of evaluations conducted at different places by different personnel. A comprehensive evaluation plan and schedule, which are integrated into the knowledge-based system development plan, are used to coordinate the many elements of the evaluations. By coordination, appropriate scheduling, and anticipating problems, early evaluation planning and management can facilitate efficient and effective use of evaluation resources and ensure that the evaluation information will be useful and used by the developer and sponsor. The purpose of this chapter is help the evaluator put all of the pieces together, i.e. to summarize procedures to structure the design and management of life cycle evaluations.
Age, Sex, and Old Goats

The time period during which our ancestors first moved from a hunter to a pastoral lifestyle has long been debated. In a Perspective, Curtis Marean discusses new findings (Zeder and Hesse) suggesting that the first step in domestication of wild goats occurred about 10,000 years ago in the Zagros mountains of Iran and Iraq.