cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient physics-based planning: sampling search via non-deterministic tactics and skills

Motion planning for mobile agents, such as robots, acting in the physical world is a challenging task, which traditionally concerns safe obstacle avoidance. We are interested in physics-based planning beyond collision-free navigation goals, in which the agent also needs to achieve its goals, including purposefully manipulate non-actuated bodies, in environments that contain multiple physically interacting bodies with varying degrees of controllability. Physics-based planning is computationally hard due to the large number of continuous motion actions and to the difficulty in accurately modeling the rich interactions of such controlled, manipulatable, and uncontrolled, potentially adversarial, bodies. We contribute an efficient physics-based planning algorithm that uses the agent's high-level behaviors to reduce its motion action space. We first discuss the general physics-based planning problem. We then introduce Tactics and Skills as a model for infusing goal-driven, higher level behaviors into a randomized motion planner. We present a physics-based state and transition model that employs rigid body simulations to approximate real-world interbody-dynamics. We introduce and compare two variations of our tactics-driven, physics-based planning algorithm, namely Behavioral Kinodynamic Balanced Growth Trees and Behavioral Kinodynamic Rapidly-Exploring Random Trees. We tested our physics-based planners in a variety of rich domains and show results in simulated domains where the agent manipulates an object in a dynamic non-adversarial and adversarial environment, namely in a robot minigolf and robot soccer domain, respectively.
Plasmonic response of partially gated field effect transistors

Electron density oscillations in the transistor channels - plasma waves in the two-dimensional electron gas - determine the high frequency device response. Plasmonic field effect transistors have emerged as very sensitive, tunable, and extremely fast detectors of THz radiation. They have been implemented using silicon (CMOS), AlGaAs/InGaAs HEMTs, and AlGaAs/InGaAs HEMTs, with the HEMTs shown to operate more efficiently at higher THz frequencies. These HEMTs have both gated and ungated sections of the device channel between the source and drain, and the photovoltaic regime of operation requires an asymmetric gate placement in the device channel. The interactions of the plasma waves in the gated and ungated channel regions strongly affect the overall response and have been investigated in numerous publications. This work addresses a new aspect of such interaction - the effect of the relative position of the gated and ungated section. We show this previously unexplored effect plays a dominant role in determining the response. The results of the numerical simulation based on the solution of the complete system of the hydrodynamic equations describing the electron fluid in the device channel show that the inverse response frequency could be approximated by the sum of the gated plasmon transit time in the gated section of the device, the ungated plasmon transit time in the ungated section of the device between the gate and the drain, and the RC gate-to-source constant. Here R and C are the resistance and capacitance of the gate to source section. Hence, the highest speed is achieved when the gate is as close to the source as possible. This suggests a novel plasmonic detector design, where the gate and source electrode overlap, which is shown to have a superior frequency response for the same distance between the source and the drain.
Safety of a meningococcal group B vaccine used in response to two university outbreaks

AbstractObjective: To assess the safety of MenB-4C vaccine.Participants: Undergraduates, dormitory residents, and persons with high-risk medical conditions received the MenB-4C vaccine two-dose series during mass vaccination clinics from 12/2013 through 11/2014.Methods: Adverse events (AEs) were identified by 15 minutes of observation post-vaccination, spontaneous reports, surveys, and hospital surveillance. Causality was assessed for serious adverse events (SAEs).Results: 16,974 persons received 31,313 MenB-4C doses. The incidence of syncope during the 15 minutes post-dose 1 was 0.88/1000 persons. 2% of participants spontaneously reported an AE (most common were arm pain and fever). 3 SAEs were suspected of being caused by the vaccine, including one case of anaphylaxis.Conclusions: Most AEs reported were non-serious and consistent with previous clinical trial findings. Measures to prevent injury from syncope and to treat anaphylaxis should be available wherever vaccines are administered. Our safety evalu...
Women’s alcohol consumption and cumulative incidence of live birth following in vitro fertilization

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of alcohol consumption on outcomes among women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). This study is a retrospective cohort study. This study was performed in a private academically affiliated IVF center. Patients included women presenting for their first IVF cycle from July 2004 through October 2012. Women completed self-administered questionnaires before their first IVF cycle, which included report of usual alcohol consumption. Women were categorized as non-drinkers, social drinkers, or daily drinkers, as well as by the number of drinks consumed per week. Competing risks analysis was used to calculate the cumulative incidence of live birth after 6 cycles stratified by alcohol consumption. Main outcome measures included spontaneous abortion, clinical pregnancy, and live birth following IVF. There were 591 (27.7%) non-drinkers, 1466 (68.7%) social drinkers, and 77 (3.6%) daily drinkers (total n = 2134). In the first cycle, compared to non-drinkers, daily drinkers had a twofold increased risk of spontaneous abortion (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1–4.5) among all cycle starts, and while their risk of live birth was 30% lower (aRR 0.7; 95% CI 0.4–1.3), the sample size was small, and it was not significantly lower. By the end of 6 cycles, social drinkers and daily drinkers did not differ from non-drinkers in their cumulative incidence of live birth (56.1, 50.6, and 52.1%, respectively; both P ≥ 0.28). There was a trend towards lower risk of live birth among daily drinkers. Daily drinkers had an increased risk of spontaneous abortion in the first cycle, but the number of daily drinkers was small.
An englacial hydrologic system of brine within a cold glacier: Blood Falls, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

Taylor Glacier hosts an active englacial hydrologic system that feeds Blood Falls, a supraglacial outflow of iron-rich subglacial brine at the terminus, despite mean annual air temperatures of −17°C and limited surface melt. Taylor Glacier is an outlet glacier of the East Antarctic ice sheet that terminates in Lake Bonney, McMurdo Dry Valleys. To image and map the brine feeding Blood Falls, we used radio echo sounding to delineate a subhorizontal zone of englacial brine upstream from Blood Falls and elongated in the ice flow direction. We estimate volumetric brine content in excess of 13% within 2 m of the central axis of this zone, and likely much higher at its center. Brine content decreases, but remains detectable, up to 45 m away along some transects. Hence, we infer a network of subparallel basal crevasses allowing injection of pressurized subglacial brine into the ice. Subglacial brine is routed towards Blood Falls by hydraulic potential gradients associated with deeply incised supraglacial valleys. The brine remains liquid within the subglacial and englacial environments through latent heat of freezing coupled with elevated salt content. Our findings suggest that cold glaciers could support freshwater hydrologic systems through localized warming by latent heat alone.
A Rock and a Hard Place: Chiseling Away at the Multiple Mechanisms of Aortic Stenosis.

Article, see p 1935 Nonrheumatic aortic stenosis has assumed center stage in contemporary cardiology because of the aging of the population and the prodigious advances in percutaneous approaches to its treatment. Many refer to this disease dismissively as “degenerative”. That term implies an inevitable, ineluctably progressive, and inherent process that defies slowing or regressing. Use of the term degenerative cloaks our ignorance regarding mechanisms, much as do the designations idiopathic cardiomyopathy or essential hypertension. Yet, in step with the remarkable advances in addressing the mechanical aspects of aortic stenosis, researchers continue to stride toward better mechanistic understanding of the pathophysiology of this condition. Rather than “degenerative” aortic stenosis, we advocate use of the terms fibrocalcific or sclerocalcific aortic valve disease: nomenclature that captures the hardening of the valve tissue and its mineralization. We now recognize a number of active biological mechanisms that pave the pathway to alterations in the structure and function of the aortic valve (Figure 1). Figure 1. Multifactorial mechanisms contribute to fibrocalcific aortic valve disease. DPP-4 indicates dipeptidyl peptidase-4; and Lp(a), lipoprotein(a). A healthy aortic valve maintains its physiological functions by means of highly organized tissue architecture. The aortic valve leaflets contain 3 distinct extracellular matrix layers: a collagen-rich fibrosa, an elastin-rich ventricularis, and a spongiosa, a middle layer rich in glycosaminoglycans (Figure 2A). This trilaminar structure determines the biomechanical properties of the valve leaflets. Disease progression involves simultaneous thickening and stiffening of the valve leaflets attributable to fibrosis and the formation of calcific nodules that originate on the base of the fibrosa/aortic aspect of the leaflet (Figure 2B). Figure 2. Structure of a normal and diseased aortic valve. A , A healthy aortic valve leaflet contains valvular endothelial cells (VECs) and quiescent fibroblast-like valvular interstitial cells (VICs), and 3 distinct extracellular matrix layers: a collagen-rich fibrosa, a glycosaminoglycan-enriched …
Living Standards: Diet

A diet that was more nutritious, varied, and tasty was the second form by which eighth and seventh century Israelites consumed their new wealth. Before examining the underlying biblical and archaeological evidence, it is advisable to consider the main facts regarding nutrition and dietary regimens.1
Le traitement conservateur du thorax en entonnoir par cloche à aspiration

La discussion au sujet de l’indication a un traitement ­cible du thorax en entonnoir congenital connait a l’heure actuelle un regain d’interet etonnant dans nos consultations.
Evolution of convergent plates

Plate boundaries vary greatly along strike at any one time, change rapidly, and evolve complexly, so histories of most arcs are highly variable along trend. Subducting plates sink more steeply than they dip, and overriding plates advance over them as hinges roll back. Magmatic arcs are products of sinking slabs and approximately track 100-km depth contours on slabs. Oceanic arcs migrate forward above sinking slabs and lengthen with time, and new oceanic crust forms by sea-floor spreading behind oceanic arcs or is plated out in lumpy form by fast-migrating magmatic arcs. Subduction occurs beneath only one side of an internally rigid plate at a time.
Strategies for Recognizing and Managing Immune-Mediated Adverse Events in the Treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma with Checkpoint Inhibitors

The programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab and pembrolizumab represent an important therapeutic advance in the treatment of relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Clinical trials have shown substantial therapeutic activity and an acceptable safety profile in heavily pretreated patients, resulting in U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of nivolumab for the treatment of cHL that has relapsed or progressed after either autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto-HCT) and brentuximab vedotin treatment or three or more lines of systemic therapy (including auto-HCT), and of pembrolizumab for adult or pediatric patients with refractory cHL or cHL that has relapsed after three or more prior therapies. Mechanistically, anti-PD-1 therapy prevents inhibitory signaling through PD-1 receptors on T cells, thereby releasing a 'block' to antitumor T-cell responses. However, this disinhibition can also lead to inappropriate T-cell activation and responses against healthy tissues, resulting in immune-mediated adverse events (IMAEs) that affect a number of organ systems. The skin, gastrointestinal, hepatic, and endocrine systems are most commonly involved, typically resulting in rash, colitis, abnormal liver enzyme levels, and thyroiditis, respectively. Notably, pneumonitis is a potentially fatal complication of checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. Hematologic oncologists who treat cHL with PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors should monitor patients for IMAEs, as early recognition and treatment can rapidly reduce morbidity and mortality. This review focuses on IMAEs during the treatment of relapsed or refractory cHL with nivolumab and pembrolizumab. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This article highlights the importance of monitoring for immune-mediated adverse events (IMAEs) in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) who receive anti-programmed death-1 (anti-PD-1) therapy, with particular attention given to the recognition and management of such events. The risk of individual IMAEs differs between patients with HL and those with solid tumors, as prior treatments may predispose certain organ systems to specific IMAEs. Accurate and prompt diagnosis of IMAEs is essential for optimal management, allowing PD-1 inhibitor therapy to be restarted in order to maintain disease control. Potential difficulties, such as distinguishing disease progression from pneumonitis, or colitis from diarrhea, are highlighted to raise clinical awareness.
Quantitative Assessment of Halogen Bonding Utilizing Vibrational Spectroscopy

A total of 202 halogen-bonded complexes have been studied using a dual-level approach: ωB97XD/aug-cc-pVTZ was used to determine geometries, natural bond order charges, charge transfer, dipole moments, electron and energy density distributions, vibrational frequencies, local stretching force constants, and relative bond strength orders n. The accuracy of these calculations was checked for a subset of complexes at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. Apart from this, all binding energies were verified at the CCSD(T) level. A total of 10 different electronic effects have been identified that contribute to halogen bonding and explain the variation in its intrinsic strength. Strong halogen bonds are found for systems with three-center-four-electron (3c-4e) bonding such as chlorine donors in interaction with substituted phosphines. If halogen bonding is supported by hydrogen bonding, genuine 3c-4e bonding can be realized. Perfluorinated diiodobenzenes form relatively strong halogen bonds with alkylamines as...
Characterization of unique products in reactions of GSNO with H2S

The interplay between NO and H2S signaling has attracted much interest in redox proteomics of nitrosative and oxidative stress. Both small molecules appear to target similar pathways in organisms, by reacting with protein free thiols or metalloenzymes to alter or enhance function. We have previously investigated the N-based product speciation in the reaction of GSNO with H2S, specifically noting that the N-based gas product distributions are analogous to those of reactions of GSNO with reductants (e.g. ascorbic acid). We have also identified a plethora of unique glutathione-based products by LC-HRMS analysis. Single Ion Chromatograms (SICs) confirm that these species are present in the reaction mixture and are separated on the LC column prior to ionization. A number of small reactive thiols can be trapped with iodoacetamide (IA), including polysulfides (SnH2), glutathione polysulfides (GSSnH) and trithionitrates, GSN(SnH)2. Unusual trithionitrates are also observed as acetamide adducts, GSN(SnA)2, but only at low ratios of H2S to GSNO. Competition experiments suggest one initial product, the sulfenic acid GSOH, acts as precursor to persulfide and oxidized glutathione-based products. Addition of a non-electrophilic radical trap, vinyl cyclopropane, has little effect on the product distributions, suggesting radical intermediates are short-lived. Other unique dimedone adducts were observed that are attributable to the sulfinyl (GS(O)H) tautomer. We also observe small S-oxoacids, HSOH and S(OH)2, as the derivatized ISnD and DSnD adducts. As with GSOH, unique thioacetals are observed which derive from the sulfenyl tautomers of both HS(O)H and GS(O)H. These unique mixed-valence sulfides have little precedent in the literature but remain observable in reaction mixtures after many hours on the bench.
Neonatal electroencephalography recordings

The growth processes involved early in gestation and further into the intricate signaling networks in the brain form the basis for rapid cortical electrical bursting patterns. This leads to the quantification of cortical activity from the electroencephalogram (EEG) in full-term hypoxic infants and preterm infants. The associated neurological sequelae in both populations are foregrounded by a summary into current epidemiology and common clinical practices. The present review article highlights recent advances in physics and neuroscience, which will help in development of reliable predictors of outcome for full-term and preterm neonates after birth.
Video Games in Teaching Economics

While economic education considers a large body of valuable classroom activities which demonstrate the efficacy of economic ideas, these activities mainly serve as illustrations and are constrained to the classroom. But video games hold even more pedagogical promise and to illustrate their potential, I present a working video game designed to reinforce students’ understanding of comparative statics. The game plays as if it was built solely to entertain but rewards players who have a solid grasp of how to shift supply and demand curves. It thus incentivizes command of the subject matter without the pressure of grades. And because the game is not obviously homework, students who have trouble would be encouraged to stay engaged as they practice shifting curves. Though the game lacked many features a final version would include, student test results suggested that the video game improved student learning.
Proton and Lithium Ion Conductors Based Upon the AM 2 IV (PO 4 ) 3 Type Structure

Superion conductors based upon either Li+ or H+ as the principal conductor and which are stable at high temperatures are attractive for a number of reasons. The ions are light in weight and hence should show improved energy density in battery devices (1). Temperature stable proton conductors would fine ready use in medium temperature H2-O2 fuel cells. In addition the mechanism of conduction of these ions is interesting from a theoretical standpoint. We have concentrated our present efforts on the three dimensional conductors of the A+M 2 IV (PO4)3 type which are related to NASICON (2).
Emergency Department Interventions and Their Effect on Delirium's Natural Course: The Folly May be in the Foley.

Background: Delirium frequently affects older emergency department (ED) patients and has been associated with accelerated cognitive and functional decline, increased length of stay (LOS), and higher in- and out-of-hospital mortality. Objectives: Care provided in the ED may have downstream effects on delirium duration during hospitalization. This study aimed to identify the modifiable factors of ED care associated with delirium duration in patients admitted to the hospital through the ED. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled ED patients who were 65 years and older and admitted to the hospital. Delirium was determined in the ED and during the first 7 days of hospitalization using the modified Brief Confusion Assessment Method. All delirious patients and a random selection (17%) of nondelirious patients were also enrolled. ED LOS, opioid administration, benzodiazepine administration, anticholinergic medication administration, and bladder catheter placement were obtained by medical record review. Multivariable proportional odds logistic regression was performed to determine if each of the factors was associated with delirium duration after adjusting for age, dementia, baseline function, comorbidity burden, severity of illness, nursing home residence, and central nervous system insult. Results: A total of 228 patients were enrolled. ED bladder catheter placement was significantly associated (adjusted proportional odds ratio = 3.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.3 to 7.4) with increased delirium duration after adjusting for confounders. ED LOS, opioid administration, benzodiazepine administration, and anticholinergic burden, however, were not. Conclusions: ED bladder catheter placement was significantly associated with delirium duration and may present an opportunity for intervention.
Practitioner Education and Feedback to Decrease Ciprofloxacin Prescriptions in Patients with Acute Uncomplicated Cystitis.

CONTEXT Current guidelines recommend a nonfluoroquinolone agent as first-line treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis (AUC) because of concerns of antimicrobial resistance and adverse effects. OBJECTIVE To test whether a multifaceted intervention involving education and feedback reduced primary care practitioners' ciprofloxacin prescriptions for AUC therapy. DESIGN Primary care practitioners at 3 medical offices participated: 65 in the intervention group and 51 in the control group. Intervention group participants received an educational lecture and emailed summary of antimicrobial guidelines, their AUC prescriptions were audited, and feedback was provided on inappropriate antibiotic choices. Prescriptions at AUC encounters were tracked during baseline, intervention, and postintervention periods. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Proportion of AUC encounters at which ciprofloxacin was prescribed vs recommended first-line antibiotics. RESULTS Intervention group participants had 5262 eligible AUC encounters, and control group participants had 5473. At baseline, ciprofloxacin was prescribed at 29.7% and 33.7% of eligible AUC encounters in the intervention and control groups, respectively (p = 0.003). After intervention, ciprofloxacin was prescribed at 10.8% of eligible AUC encounters in the intervention group and 34.3% in the control (p < 0.001). Adjusted odds ratios of ciprofloxacin prescription for AUC therapy were significantly lower in the intervention group during postintervention and intervention periods vs baseline (0.29, 95% confidence interval = 0.20-0.44, p < 0.001 and 0.80, 95% confidence interval = 0.66-0.97, p = 0.03). Adjusted odds ratios did not change over time in the controls. CONCLUSION Educating primary care practitioners and conducting audit and feedback reduced their prescriptions of ciprofloxacin for AUC therapy.
Online Resources for Genomic Structural Variation

Genomic structural variation (SV) can be thought of on a continuum from a single base pair insertion/deletion (INDEL) to large megabase-scale rearrangements involving insertions, deletions, duplications, inversions, or translocations of whole chromosomes or chromosome arms. These variants can occur in coding or noncoding DNA, they can be inherited or arise sporadically in the germline or somatic cells. Many of these events are segregating in the population and can be considered common alleles while others are new alleles and thus rare events. All species studied to date harbor structural variants and these may be benign, contributing to phenotypes such as sensory perception and immunity, or pathogenic resulting in genomic disorders including DiGeorge/velocardiofacial, Smith-Margenis, Williams-Beuren, and Prader-Willi syndromes. As structural variants are identified, validated, and their significance, origin, and prevalence are elucidated, it is of critical importance that these data be collected and collated in a way that can be easily accessed and analyzed. This chapter describes current structural variation online resources (see Fig. 1 and Table 1), highlights the challenges in capturing, storing, and displaying SV data, and discusses how dbVar and DGVa, the genomic structural variation databases developed at NCBI and EBI, respectively, were designed to address these issues.
The role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in alcohol-related behaviors.

Abstract Alcohol use disorder (AUD) causes an alarming economic and health burden in the United States. Unfortunately, this disease does not exist in isolation; AUD is highly comorbid with nicotine use. Results from both human and animal models demonstrate a genetic correlation between alcohol and nicotine behaviors. These data support the idea of shared genetic and neural mechanisms underlying these behaviors. Nicotine acts directly at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) to have its pharmacological effect. Interestingly, alcohol also acts both directly and indirectly at these receptors. Research utilizing genetically engineered rodents and pharmacological manipulations suggest a role for nAChR in several ethanol behaviors. The current manuscript collates this literature and discusses findings that implicate specific nAChR subunits in ethanol phenotypes. These data suggest future directions for targeting nAChR as novel therapeutics for AUD.
Commentary and Rewritten Opinion for Etsitty V. Utah Transit Authority (10th Cir. 2007)

The rewritten opinion of Etsitty v. Utah Transit Authority finds that discrimination against transgender persons is sex discrimination under Title VII; that Title VII’s protection of those who fail to conform to gender stereotypes extends to bathroom use; and that transgender persons are a protected class of persons for Equal Protection purposes. The commentary discusses both the original opinion by the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in 2007 and the feminist rewritten opinion.
Patient-Specific Readmission Prediction and Intervention for Health Care

Hospital readmission is often associated with unfavorable patient outcomes and a large cost of resources. Therefore, preventing avoidable re-hospitalizations is imperative. To target this problem, one important metric that researchers and practitioners strive to reduce is the 30-day hospital readmission rate. In this paper, we introduce a general decision support system that utilizes machine learning (ML) based patientspecific prediction to guide the suggestion of patient intervention program assignment, with the objective of minimizing the readmission cost for hospitals. This work has three major contributions. First, the proposed solution is highly scalable by using PySpark. Second, we outline solution architecture components including (1) data injection (both real-time sensor reading and data at rest), processing, and analysis; and (2) ML model building, evaluation, deployment and scoring. Third, we discuss how the ML prediction results can be taken into account in a decision support system by presenting a rich visualization.
Topical clonazepam for burning mouth syndrome: Is it efficacious in patients with anxiety or depression?

BACKGROUND Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic disorder characterised by pain in the oral cavity without clinically evident causative lesions. The aetiology of this condition is poorly understood, and treatment can be challenging. METHOD A retrospective review of the medical records of 82 patients with BMS was performed. Data on demographics, BMS associated symptoms, symptoms' intensity score (NRS: 0-10) and response to treatment with topical clonazepam were extracted from clinical notes based on a standardised clinical questionnaire. Differences in the symptoms' intensity score between patients with or without concomitant anxiety/depression or systemic psychogenic medication use were analysed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS Among the entire cohort, the median symptoms' intensity score at baseline was 4.5 and 3.0 at first follow-up, a statistically significant improvement (p < .001; 95% CI). Among the subjects with anxiety/depression and those who were prescribed systemic psychogenic medications, the median symptoms' intensity score at baseline was 5.0 and 3.0 at first follow-up, a statistically significant improvement (p < .001; 95% CI). Among those without anxiety/depression, the symptoms' intensity score at baseline was 4.0 and 2.0 at first follow-up, a statistically significant improvement (p < .05; 95% CI). The median symptoms' intensity score for those who were not on any psychogenic medications at baseline was 4.0 and 2.0 at first follow-up, a statistically significant improvement (p < .001; 95% CI). CONCLUSIONS Clinicians are encouraged to prescribe topical clonazepam for BMS regardless of concomitant use of systemic psychogenic medications or comorbid mood disorders as it is an efficacious management approach in the presence or absence of these potentially complicating factors.
The PDE10A inhibitor MP-10 and haloperidol produce distinct gene expression profiles in the striatum and influence cataleptic behavior in rodents.

Abstract Phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) has garnered attention as a potential therapeutic target for schizophrenia due to its prominent striatal expression and ability to modulate striatal signaling. The present study used the selective PDE10A inhibitor MP-10 and the dopamine D2 antagonist haloperidol to compare effects of PDE10A inhibition and dopamine D2 blockade on striatopallidal (D2) and striatonigral (D1) pathway activation. Our studies confirmed that administration of MP-10 significantly elevates expression of the immediate early genes (IEG) c-fos , egr - 1 , and arc in rat striatum. Furthermore, we demonstrated that MP-10 induced egr - 1 expression was distributed evenly between enkephalin-containing D2-neurons and substance P-containing D1-neurons. In contrast, haloperidol (3 mg/kg) selectively activated egr -1 expression in enkephalin neurons. Co-administration of MP-10 and haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg) increased IEG expression to a greater extent than either compound alone. Similarly, in a rat catalepsy assay, administration of haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg) or MP-10 (3–30 mg/kg) did not produce cataleptic behavior when dosed alone, but co-administration of haloperidol with MP-10 (3 and 10 mg/kg) induced cataleptic behaviors. Interestingly, co-administration of haloperidol with a high dose of MP-10 (30 mg/kg) failed to produce cataleptic behavior. These findings are important for understanding the neural circuits involved in catalepsy and suggest that the behavioral effects produced by PDE10A inhibitors may be influenced by concomitant medication and the level of PDE10A inhibition achieved by the dose of the inhibitor.
Iminodiacetic acid/ethylcellulose as a chelating ion exchanger: Part 2. Determination of trace metals by inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Abstract A chelate-forming cellulose, iminodiacetic acid/ethylcellulose (IDAEC), is applied to the collection of metals from ammonium citrate and acetate solutions. A method is devised for the i.c.p./a.e.s. determination of metal contaminants in magnesium by separation and preconcentration of the metals with IDAEC.
Narcissism and Counterproductive Work Behavior (CWB): Meta-Analysis and Consideration of Collectivist Culture, Big Five Personality, and Narcissism's Facet Structure

A recent review of the relationship between narcissism and CWB reported two key results: (a) narcissism is the dominant predictor of CWB among the dark triad personality traits, and (b) the narcissism–CWB relationship is moderated by ingroup collectivist culture (k = 9; N = 2,708; O'Boyle, Forsyth, Banks, & McDaniel, 2012). The current work seeks to enhance understanding of the narcissism–CWB relationship in five ways. First, we update O'Boyle et al.'s (2012) meta-analysis to include over 50 per cent more data (k = 16; N = 4,424), and demonstrate that narcissism remains the largest unique predictor of CWB after controlling for the Big Five personality traits. Second, we reveal that O'Boyle and colleagues' inference of cross-cultural moderation hinges on a single dataset from Bangladesh. Third, based on an original international dataset of on-line respondents, we reaffirm that ingroup collectivist culture does moderate/weaken the narcissism–CWB relationship. Fourth, we show that the narcissism–CWB relationship is stronger in published (corrected r = .48) versus unpublished studies (corrected r = .15). Finally, we propose a new moderator of the narcissism–CWB relationship: narcissism's facets. One facet (Entitlement/Exploitativeness) relates positively to CWB, whereas another facet of narcissism (Leadership/Authority) relates negatively to CWB.
Finite sample error bound for Parzen windows

Parzen Windows as a nonparametric method has been applied to a variety of density estimation as well as classification problems. Similar to nearest neighbor methods. Parzen Windows does not involve learning. While it converges to true but unknown probability densities in the asymptotic limit, there is a lack of theoretical analysis on its performance with finite samples. In this paper we establish a finite sample error bound for Parzen Windows. We first show that Parzen Windows is an approximation to regularized least squares (RLS) methods that have been well studied in statistical learning theory. We then derive the finite sample error bound for Parzen Windows, and discuss the properties of the error bound and its relationship to the error bound for RLS. This analysis provides interesting insight to Parzen Windows as well as the nearest neighbor method from the point of view of learning theory. Finally, we provide empirical results on the performance of Parzen Windows and other methods such as nearest neighbors, RLS and SVMs on a number of real data sets. These results corroborate well our theoretical analysis.
Metastasis of bronchogenic carcinoma to the mandible. Report of a case.

Abstract A rare instance of metastasis to the mandible from a primary bronchogenic carcinoma has been described. As a forerunner to the fatal course of the disease, symptoms mimicking a “gumboil” caused an investigation sequence which led to a diagnosis of lung cancer. The neoplastic cells invading mandibular bone were identified as mucus-secreting cells of an adenocarcinoma. Roentgenograms revealed the existence of an asymptomatic primary lung tumor. The frequency of metastatic bone invasion in bronchogenic carcinoma was reported and compared with bone metastases of other primary carcinomas. Radiographic features of the metastatic bone lesions, as well as the identification of cell types and their frequency in primary lung cancer and in metastases to bone, were discussed. With the rising incidence of lung cancer, metastatic invasion from bronchogenic carcinoma must be considered in the differential diagnosis of all osteolytic lesions found in the jaws.
Low-Damage Precast Columns for Accelerated Bridge Construction in High Seismic Zones

AbstractAccelerated bridge construction (ABC) is a feature incorporating new technologies, advanced planning, and new detailing to expedite bridge construction. Accelerated bridge construction offers many benefits, the most important of which is faster onsite construction. Precast systems and members are the key components of ABC. Even though the application of precast systems is common in low and moderate seismic regions, implementation of precast columns in high seismic zones has been scarce because of uncertainty in the seismic performance of precast member connections. Three low-damage materials, ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC), engineered cementitious composite (ECC), and nickel–titanium shape memory alloy (NiTi SMA), were incorporated in this study, in either the connection or the plastic hinge of a half-scale bridge column test model to develop a precast column that exhibits improved seismic performance over columns built cast-in-place with conventional materials. The column damage was signif...
Active density-based separation using standing surface acoustic waves

Abstract In this paper, we demonstrate active, sheathless density-based particle separation using standing surface acoustic waves. Density-based separation is critical for many biological applications, such as white blood cell classification, stem cell isolation, fetal cell collection from maternal blood, and specific bacterium sorting. Current gold standard separation techniques are only capable of separation based on particle size; hence, separation cannot be achieved for same-size particles with different densities. Here, the separation is accomplished with an acoustic force field (active technique) without using sheath flow. We demonstrate the separation of two 10 μm diameter, different-density particle streams (polystyrene: 1.05 g/cm 3 , melamine: 1.71 g/cm 3 ) with 98.8% separation efficiency.
Impact of local partial coherence variations on exposure tool performance

A study of linewidth variations across commercial stepper exposure fields suggests that variations in local value of partial coherence across the exposure field might be responsible for the excessive character of linewidth variance. A methodology to estimate the local value of partial coherence (LVPC) at a random point in the stepper exposure field is proposed and discussed. Estimation of the local value of the partial coherence summarized across the tested exposure field is represented as a 'Coherence map' of the stepper field. For a stepper under test, such a map revealed significant deviation in the local values of the partial coherence from the designed value. Estimated LVPC variation fully accounted for 'excessive' across field linewidth variation as well as for its orientational dependency. Several means of improving line width control in the presence of variance in LVPC are suggested. The impact of the presence of localized partial coherence in the exposure systems used with PSM and OPC technologies is analyzed briefly. Sensitivity to LVPC variations with the suggested monitor design and ways to improve t are also discussed.
Seismic Refraction Study of Crustal Structure in the Western United States

A network of 64 seismic-refraction profiles recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey in California and Nevada and adjacent areas of Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, and Arizona from 1961 to 1963 was re-interpreted. From record sections compiled for all profiles, a basic travel-time diagram can be derived. In addition to the first arrivals on profiles in the Snake River Plain, the northern Basin and Range province, and the middle Rocky Mountains, two dominant phases can be correlated in secondary arrivals, whereas the profiles in other areas show only one dominant phase in later arrivals. Based on velocity-depth functions calculated for each profile after the method of Giese, the crustal structure of the western United States is presented on contour maps and on a fence diagram that is composed of 15 crustal cross sections. Crustal thickness reaches maxima under the Sierra Nevada (42 km), the Transverse Ranges of southern California (37 km), and in southwestern Nevada (36 km), whereas the crust is relatively thin under the Coast Ranges of California (24–26 km), under the Mojave Desert (28 km), and under parts of the central Basin and Range province in Nevada and Utah (29–30 km). The base of the crust dips generally from the Basin and Range province toward greater depths in the Colorado Plateau (43 km), the middle Rocky Mountains (45 km), and the Snake River Plain (44 km). The upper-mantle velocity is less than 8.0 kmps under the Great Basin of the Basin and Range province, the Sierra Nevada, and the Colorado Plateau, but it is equal to or greater than 8.0 kmps under the Coast Ranges of California, the Mojave Desert, and the middle Rocky Mountains. Velocity inversions within the upper crust are indicated under the southern Cascade Mountains and the middle Rocky Mountains, but not under the Sierra Nevada. The average velocity of the upper crust beneath the Basin and Range province is 6.1 to 6.2 kmps to a depth of 15 to 20 km. Only beneath the middle Rocky Mountains, the Snake River Plain, and the northern part of the Basin and Range province can a boundary zone between upper and lower crust be determined confidently.
Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 Induces MicroRNA-155 Expression in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

MicroRNA (miR) abnormalities play a key role in the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). High levels of miR-155 have been detected in human neoplasms, and overexpression of miR-155 has been found to induce lymphoma in mice. High levels of miR-155 were detected in CLL cells and STAT3, which is known to induce miR-21 and miR-181b-1 expression, is constitutively activated in CLL. Given these findings, we hypothesized that STAT3 induces miR-155. Sequence analysis revealed that the miR-155 promoter harbors two putative STAT3 binding sites. Therefore, truncated miR-155 promoter constructs and STAT3 small interfering RNA (siRNA) were co-transfected into MM1 cells. Of the two putative binding sites, STAT3-siRNA reduced the luciferase activity of the construct containing the 700–709 bp STAT3 binding site, suggesting that this site is involved in STAT3-induced transcription. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay confirmed that STAT3 bound to the miR-155 promoter in CLL cells, and chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase assay confirmed that STAT3 bound to the 700–709 bp but not the 615–624 bp putative STAT3 binding site in CLL cells. Finally, STAT3-small hairpin RNA downregulated miR-155 gene expression, suggesting that constitutively activated STAT3 binds to the miR-155 gene promoter. Together, these results suggest that STAT3 activates miR-155 in CLL cells.
Measurement of oscillatory flow pressure gradient in an elastic artery model

Abstract In vitro experiments were conducted to measure the oscillatory flow pressure gradient along an elastic tube in order to assess the recent nonlinear theory of Wang and Tarbell. According to this theory, in an elastic tube with oscillatory flow, the mean (time-averaged) pressure gradient cannot be calculated using Poiseuille's law. The effect of wall motion creates a nonlinear convective acceleration, and an induced mean pressure gradient is required to balance the convective acceleration. The induced mean pressure gradient depends on the diameter variation over a cycle, the pulsatility and unsteadiness of the flow, and the phase difference between the pressure wave form and the flow wave form. The amplitude of the pressure gradient also depends on these parameters and may deviate significantly from Womersley's rigid tube theory. A flow loop was constructed to produce oscillatory flow in an elastic tube. Flow wave forms were measured with an ultrasonic flow probe, and ultrasonic diameter crystals were used to measure wall movement. A special device for pressure drop measurement was constructed using Millar catheter tip transducers to obtain both forward and backward pressure drops that were then averaged. This averaging method eliminated the static error of the pressure transducers. The pressure-flow phase angle was varied by clamping a distal elastic section at various locations. Pressure gradients were obtained for a range of phase angles between −55 ° and +49 °. The mean and amplitude of the measured pressure gradient were compared to theoretical values. Both positive and negative induced mean pressure gradients were measured over the range of phase angles. The measured pressure gradient amplitudes were always lower than predicted by Womersley's rigid tube theory. The experimental means and amplitudes are in good agreement with the elastic tube theoretical values. Thus, the experiments verify the theory of Wang and Tarbell.
The conviction of delusional beliefs scale: Reliability and validity

This study reports on the development of a new measure of delusional belief conviction, the Conviction of Delusional Beliefs Scale (CDBS). Most of the current scales in use assess belief conviction with a single item and primarily reflect the cognitive aspects of conviction. The CDBS represents an improvement over existing scales in that it contains a larger number of test items that can be subjected to psychometric examination. In addition, the CDBS also broadens the concept of belief conviction by incorporating cognitive, emotional, and behavioral items. In the present study, fifty participants with delusions completed the CDBS along with measures of delusional ideation, psychiatric symptomatology, insight, and reading ability. The CDBS showed very good levels of internal consistency and test-retest stability over a six-week period. All of the CDBS items loaded highly on a unitary factor of belief conviction. The CDBS positively correlated with four measures of belief conviction thereby reflecting the convergent validity of the scale. The CDBS was unrelated to other dimensions of delusional ideation, psychiatric symptomatology, insight, and reading ability, which supported the discriminant validity of the scale. The CDBS appears to be a reliable and valid measure of delusional belief conviction that could be used in clinical and research settings.
Isolation and DNA sequence of the STE13 gene encoding dipeptidyl aminopeptidase.

We have isolated a mutant which exhibits partial constitutivity for a-specific gene expression in α cells. The wild-type gene was cloned and demonstrated to be allelic to the STE13 gene, which encodes the dipeptidyl aminopeptidase involved in processing of the α-factor prepropheromone. Thus, the mating defect of the ste13 mutations in α cells may result both from the production of incompletely processed α-factor and from the increased expression of a-specific genes. The STE13 open reading frame of 931 amino acids contains a putative membrane-spanning segment near its amino terminus and is 31% identical to a second yeast dipeptidyl aminopeptidase (DAP2). A null mutant of STE13 has been constructed: it is viable and sporulation-proficient. The sequence has been deposited in the GenBank data library under Accession Number L21944.
The Neuropathology Of Parkinson’S Disease

The etiology and pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease have remained a mystery since the first description of the disease, but the neuropathology of the disorder, as we now know it, is fairly simple and straightforward. The most important lesion is in the substantia nigra pars compacta, where nerve cells degenerate together with their nigro-striatal fiber tract, causing a severe depletion of dopamine in the basal ganglia.
Marketing Breastfeeding—Reversing Corporate Influence on Infant Feeding Practices

Breast milk is the gold standard for infant nutrition and the only necessary food for the first 6 months of an infant’s life. Infant formula is deficient and inferior to breast milk in meeting infants’ nutritional needs. The infant formula industry has contributed to low rates of breastfeeding through various methods of marketing and advertising infant formula. Today, in New York City, although the majority of mothers initiate breastfeeding (~85%), a minority of infants is breastfed exclusively at 8 weeks postpartum (~25%). The article reviews the practices of the formula industry and the impact of these practices. It then presents the strategic approach taken by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and its partners to change hospital practices and educate health care providers and the public on the benefits of breast milk, and provides lessons learned from these efforts to make breastfeeding the normative and usual method of infant feeding in New York City.