cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Presynaptic Plasticity: Targeted Control of Inhibitory Networks

GABAergic inhibitory interneurons are embedded in almost all central neuronal networks, where they act to influence cell excitability, spike timing, synchrony, and oscillatory activity, that is, almost every physiologically relevant process in the mammalian central nervous system. Consequently, presynaptic plasticity of the synaptic input onto, or the outputs from, a single inhibitory interneuron can have major ramifications for the activity of the often thousands of downstream target neurons. Here we discuss several recently described forms of presynaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) occurring at synapses either made onto inhibitory interneurons, or at inhibitory synapses onto downstream targets in a number of central structures. As we will illustrate, the induction mechanisms underlying these disparate examples of presynaptic plasticity share few common features, however, their expression mechanisms converge on the presynaptic release machinery. We hypothesize that these varied forms of presynaptic plasticity can operate in a manner fundamentally distinct from most postsynaptic ‘point to point’ forms of plasticity, to achieve powerful modification of the integration and output of large-scale networks.
Interpreting the dispersion of χ(3)(−3ω; ω, ω, ω) of polythiophenes

Abstract The dispersion of χ(3)(−3ω; ω, ω, ω) for poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and five other polythiophenes which possess a mixed aromatic-quinoid backbone structure has been characterized using third-harmonic generation (THG). The data were interpreted using perturbation theory and the essential states mechanism. The nonlinearity of the P3HT is well described by the two-level model, while the mixed backbone systems need three levels to reproduce properly the measured dispersion. It is demonstrated that the three-level model leads to an interference minimum in the dispersion of the nonlinearity. The χ(3)(−ω; ω, − ω, ω) is predicted from the parameters derived by fitting the THG data, and the resulting figure of merit is discussed.
Retropubic Urethropexy (RPUP): A 15-Year Review of Perioperative Complications

The morbidity of two operations used to treat genuine stress urinary incontinence was evaluated. The data of 115 patients who underwent primary incontinence surgery with a Burch or Pereyra (RPUP) procedure between January 1978 and August 1992 were analyzed and information regarding complications was accrued. Patients were divided into four groups of 50: group I, Burch alone; group II, Pereyra alone; group III, Burch with concomitant operations; and group IV, Pereyra with concomitant operations. In group I (n=7) no patient had intra- or immediate postoperative complications; 1 patient had a late complication. In group II (n=14): 1 patient (7%) had an intraoperative complication, 4 (28%) experienced immediate and 4 (28%) late postoperative complications. Of group III, (n=26) 7 patients (27%) had intraoperative, 9 (35%) immediate and 2 (8%) late postoperative complications. In group IV (n=68) 12 patients (18%) had intraoperative, 17 (25%) immediate, and 22 (31%) late postoperative complications. Patients undergoing a Pereyra and a concomitant procedure had significantly more late postoperative complications than did similar patients who underwent a Burch procedure (P<0.03). It was concluded that RPUPs have varying degrees of associated morbidity. No significant difference was noted in intraoperative complications rates between the four groups, though postoperative complication rates varied significantly.
Ingenuity pathway analysis of clozapine-induced obesity.

Background: Lipid accretion is one of the major side effects of clozapine pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia that made clozapine into an interesting obesity drug model. Method: Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) engine was used for core analysis and building the networks of weight regulation. Results: The examination of molecules that were selected into ‘clozapine neighborhood’ identified them as multifunctional signals that appear to orchestrate vascular and tissue functions plausibly implicated in adiposity side effect. Conclusions: It is hypothesized that clozapine unmasks the functional and morphological phenotype of microvascular deficit that facilitates shunting nutrients from utilization toward storage.
Writing abstracts—A basic approach

I am writing this article in a state of irritation. I am irritated because I just read a GEOPHYSICS manuscript that left me (and fellow reviewers) with the unhappy feeling that the abstract was insufficient and needed to be redone. We gave specific suggestions and guidelines, which included Landes’ useful and often-reprinted article (1951, 1966, 1990 AAPG Bulletin) and my more pedestrian TLE article (1993). I have reread those articles and, frankly, I cannot understand how after reading them, authors continue to miss the point about abstracts. What’s the problem? Abstract writing is not a mystery! Why should you care about abstracts? After all, if an
A study of factors affecting tip size in restaurants.

Abstract This study was undertaken to gain understanding of the tipping phenomenon in restaurants. The study reviews the phenomenon of tipping and the accompanying characteristics that determine the gratuity amount of consumers. An understanding of the relationship between tip size and factors such as food quality and level of service will help to determine what areas restaurant personnel should focus on to enhance customer satisfaction and facilitate those working in the restaurant industry. In this study, the researchers tested the hypothesis that the greater the tip size, the more satisfied the customer is with the food quality and service provided by server. The other hypothesis tested was: The greater the tip size, the greater the likelihood of a return patronage. Data were collected at a restaurant in Houston, Texas. This analysis found a strong relationship between tip size and service provided by server and return intentions, but did not find a significant relationship between tip size and food qu...
An electroencephalographic comparison of alfentanil with other narcotics and with thiopental.

Using aperiodic analysis, we compared the EEC produced by alfentanil with the EEGs produced by two other opiates—fentanyl and sufentanil—on the one hand and with the EEG produced by a barbiturate—thiopental—on the other hand. Alfentanil and thiopental were injected over 1 minute: fentanyl and sufentanil were injected over 10 to 15 minutes. From the aperiodic analysis we derived up to seven single-number variables computed over 30- or 60-second epochs. All the opiates induced EEGs that were qualitatively similar to each other, although the maximum or minimum values tended to be greater and the time course more rapid with alfentanil than with the other two opiates. This finding may have been related to the fact that we injected relatively more alfentanil and administered it more rapidly. The EEGs produced by alfentanil and thiopental differed markedly, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The total power at 1 Hz and cumulative power at 3 Hz went to higher peak values with alfentanil, the latter tending to decrease with thiopental. The total number ot waves per epoch went to lower peak values with alfentanil; there was little change with thiopental. The frequency below which 90% ot the power resides went to considerably lower peak values with alfentanil than with thiopental. Finally, total power at 10 to 12 Hz (alpha waves; and average power at 17 to 19 Hz (beta waves) went to very high peak values with thiopental, but decreased with alfentanil. In spite ot differences in the opiate studies in the timing ot injection and the relative amount ot drug injected, the variables that proved useful in their response to fentanyl and sutentanil also proved useful with altentanil. In contrast, almost all variables showed a difference in response between alfentanil and thiopental.
OXIDATIVE CHLORIDE ADSORPTION AND LEAD UPD ON CU(100) : INVESTIGATIONS INTO SURFACTANT-ASSISTED EPITAXIAL GROWTH

The influence of chloride adsorption and lead upd on the step dynamics of Cu(100) has been examined in acid perchlorate solution. A c(2 × 2) Cl adlayer is formed upon immersion of a Cu(100) electrode leading to step faceting in the 〈100〉 direction. At more negative potentials an order−disorder transformation occurs leading to significant rearrangement of the steps. Alternatively, in an electrolyte containing Pb2+ the halide adlayer may be completely displaced by lead upd. Images of orthogonal surface steps in combination with an assessment of the coulometry suggest that the lead adlayer forms either a highly defective c(2 × 2), c(5√2 × √2)R45° or a disordered structure corresponding to a coverage ranging from 0.5 to 0.6. The transformation from the halide to the lead adlayer results in the formation of vacancies and adatoms which condense to form holes and islands, respectively. These features may be rationalized by the formation of an alloy phase at low coverage, which subsequently dealloys as the covera...
Making Difference in the Aftermath of the September 11th 2001 Terrorist Attacks

When terror struck the Twin Towers on the morning of September 11th 2001, administrators at neighborhood schools had to act quickly. This ethnographic study compares the experiences of two schools ...
Recruitment of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin to β1 integrin promotes cancer cell migration via mitogen activated protein kinase activation

Background Integrin-extracellular matrix interactions activate signaling cascades such as mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK). Integrin binding to extracellular matrix increases tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Inhibition of FAK activity by expression of its carboxyl terminus decreases cell motility, and cells from FAK deficient mice also show reduced migration. Paxillin is a focal adhesion protein which is also phosphorylated on tyrosine. FAK recruitment of paxillin to the cell membrane correlates with Shc phosphorylation and activation of MAPK. Decreased FAK expression inhibits papilloma formation in a mouse skin carcinogenesis model. We previously demonstrated that MAPK activation was required for growth factor induced in vitro migration and invasion by human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) lines.
Naming and Nonexistence

I defend a cluster of views about names from fiction and myth. The views are based on two claims: first, proper names refer directly to their bearers; and second, names from fiction and myth are genuinely empty, they simply do not refer. I argue that when such names are used in direct discourse, utterances containing them have truth values but do not express propositions. I also argue that it is a mistake to think that if an utterance of, for example, "Vulcan is a planet" fails to express a proposition, then an utterance of "Le Verrier believed that Vulcan is a planet" cannot express a proposition. The argument applies to claims about fiction, such as "Sherlock Holmes is strong," and claims about the attitudes of authors and auditors. The upshot is a semantics for fictional statements that provides a satisfying way for direct reference theorists to avoid taking fictional entities to be abstract objects and to accept the commonsense view that what is true in a fiction is ultimately a matter of what is pretended to be the case.
The Rate of Fall of Blood Glucose Determines the Necessity of Forebrain-Projecting Catecholaminergic Neurons for Male Rat Sympathoadrenal Responses

Different onset rates of insulin-induced hypoglycemia use distinct glucosensors to activate sympathoadrenal counterregulatory responses (CRRs). Glucosensory elements in the portal-mesenteric veins are dispensable with faster rates when brain elements predominate, but are essential for responses to the slower-onset hypoglycemia that is common with insulin therapy. Whether a similar rate-associated divergence exists within more expansive brain networks is unknown. Hindbrain catecholamine neurons distribute glycemia-related information throughout the forebrain. We tested in male rats whether catecholaminergic neurons that project to the medial and ventromedial hypothalamus are required for sympathoadrenal CRRs to rapid- and slow-onset hypoglycemia and whether these neurons are differentially engaged as onset rates change. Using a catecholamine-specific neurotoxin and hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemic clamps, we found that sympathoadrenal CRRs to slow- but not rapid-onset hypoglycemia require hypothalamus-projecting catecholaminergic neurons, the majority of which originate in the ventrolateral medulla. As determined with Fos, these neurons are differentially activated by the two onset rates. We conclude that 1) catecholaminergic projections to the hypothalamus provide essential information for activating sympathoadrenal CRRs to slow- but not rapid-onset hypoglycemia, 2) hypoglycemia onset rates have a major impact on the hypothalamic mechanisms that enable sympathoadrenal CRRs, and 3) hypoglycemia-related sensory information activates hindbrain catecholaminergic neurons in a rate-dependent manner.
Evaluation of PM3, AM1, and MNDO for calculation of higher energy ionization potentials

Higher ionization energies were calculated with PM3, AM1, and MNDO for three series of molecules, representative small molecules, molecules containing heteroatoms, and sterically congested alkenes. Values from PM3, AM1, and MNDO were compared to experimental values. In most instances, the semiempirical calculations correctly predict the ordering of higher ionization energies. In the absence of steric hindrance, MNDO is the method of choice. Within groups of molecules, AM1 performs better on hydrocarbons, especially twisted hydrocarbons, than PM3. PM3 commonly gives sigma orbitals which are too high in energy compared to related pi orbitals. PM3 performed better than AM1 with molecules containing oxygen, but failed to give the correct geometry for hydrogen peroxide.
Shear bond strength of a resin composite to enamel treated with an APF gel.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an APF gel treatment on the shear bond strength of a resin composite to enamel. A total of 45 noncarious human extracted permanent molars were used. A flat enamel surface was obtained with 600 grit silicon carbide paper and cleansed with a rubber cup and a water slurry of fine flour of pumice. The teeth were randomly distributed into three groups of 15 teeth each: Group 1: Etched for 30 sec with 37% orthophosphoric acid gel (control); Group 2: APF treatment (Topex gel--Sultan Dental Products, Englewood, N]) for 1 min and then etched as in Group 1; Group 3: APF gel treatment for 4 min and then etched as in Group 1. After etching, rinsing, and drying, an unfilled resin (XR-Bond--Kerr Manufacturing Co., Romulus, MI) was applied thinly with a brush and cured for 20 sec. A nylon ring (internal diameter: 6.69 mm 2) was placed over the area and filled with a light-cured composite resin (Herculite XR~---Kerr Manufacturing Co., Romulus, MI). The teeth were thermocycled (x500), mounted in plastic cups and plaster, and sheared with a knife-edged blade in an Instron® Testing Machine (Instron Engineering Corp., Canton, MA) running at a crosshead speed of O.5 mm/min. The results in MPa were as follows: Group 1: 24.88 + 6.16; Group 2:23.20 + 5.11; Group 3:21.29 +_ 8.44. An ANOVA and S tudentNewman-Keuls procedure revealed no statistically significant difference among the groups. Enamel fracture (enamel cohesive failure) occurred in all specimens in groups 1 and2, and in 14 of 15 in Group 3. (Pediatr Dent 15:272-74, 1993)
Effect of Surface Forces on Subcritical Crack Growth in Glass

Data on the growth of cracks tested in aqueous solutions were interpreted in terms of surface force theory. For applied stress intensity factors greater than 0.25 MPa · m½, the position and the slope of the curves and their dependence on pH and ion concentration can be explained in terms of surface force theory, provided these forces are of a magnitude and range that are representative of those involved in the cohensive bonding of solids. Weaker forces, such as structural, double-layer, or dispersion forces, have little effect on crack growth in silica glass for KI > 0.25 MPa · m½.
Adaptive Repetitive Control Using a Modified Filtered-x lms Algorithm

In this paper we develop a modified filtered-x least mean squares (MFX-LMS) method to synthesis an adaptive repetitive controller for rejecting periodic disturbances at selective frequencies. We show how a MFX-LMS algorithm can be utilized when the reference signal is deterministic and periodic. A new adaptive step size is proposed with the motivation to improve the convergence rate of the MFX-LMS algorithm and fade the steady state excess error caused by the variation of estimated parameters in a stochastic environment. A novel secondary path modeling scheme is proposed to compensate for the modeling mismatches online. We further discuss the application of this adaptive controller in hard disk drives that use Bit Patterned Media Recording. Finally we present the results of comprehensive realistic numerical simulations and experimental implementations of the algorithms on a hard disk drive servo mechanism that is subjected to periodic disturbances known as repeatable runout.
Solubility of pyrene in binary alcohol + cyclohexanol and alcohol + 1-pentanol solvent mixtures at 299.2 K

Article on the solubility of pyrene in binary alcohol + cyclohexanol and alcohol + 1-pentanol solvent mixtures at 299.2 K.
Preparing Future Teachers to Collaborate With Families Contributions of Family Systems Counselors to a Teacher Preparation Program

Systemically trained counselors have a distinctive set of skills that make them well suited to prepare teachers to work with students’ families. In this article, we discuss our experiences as famil...
Accuracy of geophysical parameters derived from Atmospheric Infrared Sounder/Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit as a function of fractional cloud cover

[1] AIRS was launched on EOS Aqua on 4 May 2002, together with AMSU A and HSB, to form a next generation polar orbiting infrared and microwave atmospheric sounding system. The primary products of AIRS/AMSU are twice daily global fields of atmospheric temperature-humidity profiles, ozone profiles, sea/land surface skin temperature, and cloud related parameters including OLR. The sounding goals of AIRS are to produce 1 km tropospheric layer mean temperatures with an RMS error of 1 K, and layer precipitable water with an RMS error of 20%, in cases with up to 80% effective cloud cover. The basic theory used to analyze AIRS/AMSU/HSB data in the presence of clouds, called the at-launch algorithm, was described previously. Prelaunch simulation studies using this algorithm indicated that these results should be achievable. Some modifications have been made to the at-launch retrieval algorithm as described in this paper. Sample fields of parameters retrieved from AIRS/AMSU/HSB data are presented and validated as a function of retrieved fractional cloud cover. As in simulation, the degradation of retrieval accuracy with increasing cloud cover is small and the RMS accuracy of lower-tropospheric temperature retrieved with 80% cloud cover is about 0.5 K poorer than for clear cases. HSB failed in February 2003, and consequently, HSB channel radiances are not used in the results shown in this paper. The AIRS/AMSU retrieval algorithm described in this paper, called version 4, become operational at the Goddard DAAC (Distributed Active Archive Center) in April 2003 and is being used to analyze near-real time AIRS/AMSU data. Historical AIRS/AMSU data, going backward from March 2005 through September 2002, is also being analyzed by the DAAC using the version 4 algorithm.
Homomorphic processing system and ratio rule for color image enhancement

Homomorphic filter is an illumination-reflectance model that can be used to develop a frequency domain procedure for improving the appearance of an image by simultaneous gray-level range compression and contrast enhancement. Many previously reported methods on homomorphic filter for color images shows that the homomorphic filter consistently provides excellent dynamic range compression but is lacking final color rendition. We present a novel color image enhancement process to overcome this limitation. The color image enhancement process involved using a neural network algorithm, namely ratio rule, to pre-process and post-process the color image in the homomorphic system. This method improves the appearance of images as perceived by the human eye, and/or to render these images more suitable for computer analysis. That is, both color rendition and dynamic range compression are achieved using this method.
A Monolithically Integrated Phase-Sensitive Optical Sensor for Frequency-Domain NIR Spectroscopy

This paper presents design and measurement results of a fully integrated optical sensor for phase and amplitude detection of RF modulated optical signals up to 110 MHz in the near-infrared (NIR) region (650-850 nm) for use in frequency-domain spectroscopy instruments. The sensor consists of an NIR-sensitive photodetector monolithically integrated with a front-end analog amplifier and signal processing circuitry for amplitude and phase detection in an unmodified complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. A high-gain, low-noise differential transimpedance amplifier (TIA) is implemented to amplify the photocurrent signal. Amplitude and phase resolution are evaluated with a 690 nm laser diode modulated at 100 MHz. The amplitude response exhibits 2.2 mV/μW resolution with 0.4% linearity. The measured amplitude output noise is 72 μ~V. The proposed phase detector detects 0°-360° phase difference with a measured average phase resolution of 4.8 mV/degree and 255 μV output noise. The sensor is implemented in a 180 nm CMOS technology and consumes 23.4 mW from a 1.8 V supply voltage.
Neurotrophin-3 Promotes the Differentiation of Muscle Spindle Afferents in the Absence of Peripheral Targets

The neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) that supply muscle spindles require target-derived factors for survival. One necessary factor for these neurons is neurotrophin-3 (NT3). To determine whether NT3 can promote the survival of these neurons in the absence of other target-derived factors, we analyzed the effects of exogenous NT3 after early limb bud deletion in the chick. In control embryos, limb bud deletion eliminated ∼90% of the trkC-positive (trkC+) neurons in lumbar DRG on the deleted side. In addition, the deletion led to a dramatic loss of collateral sensory projections to motoneurons. Exogenous NT3 restored a normal population of trkC+ neurons in lumbar DRG on the deleted side and increased the number of trkC+ neurons in DRG with normal targets (contralateral lumbar and thoracic). The effect was highly selective; NT3 increased the number of trkC+ neurons without significantly changing the number of either trkA+ or trkB+ neurons. The effect of NT3 was attributable to the rescue of DRG neurons from cell death, because exogenous NT3 reduced the number of pyknotic nuclei without significantly altering proliferation. Analysis of spinal projections showed further that many of the trkC+ neurons rescued by NT3 projected to the ventral spinal cord. These neurons thus had central projections characteristic of muscle spindle afferents. Together, our results indicate that NT3 signaling is both necessary and sufficient for the development of the proprioceptive phenotype, even in the absence of other signals from limb muscle.
CVD of Carbide Multi-Phased Coatings

TiC and Ti-W-C films have been produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). A fractional factorial design was used to study the effects of deposition temperature, C:Ti input, H:Ti input, reactor pressure, and total mass flow on TiC film composition. Statistical models were developed for both titanium at.% and C:Ti in the film. It was found that the most significant affect on titanium at.% was the interaction of temperature, pressure and total mass flow. The most important affect on the C:Ti in the deposited film was the interaction C:Ti input, H:Ti, and total mass flow. Ti-W-C films have been deposited at 1050°C at various (TiCl 4 +W(CO) 6 )/CH 4 inlet ratios ranging from 0.53 to 1.01. The characterization of the films revealed that the changes in deposition rate, crystallinity, film orientation, and morphology of various Ti-W-C compositions were affected by (TiCl 4 +W(CO) 6 )/CH 4 inlet ratios.
Assimilation of TOPEX sea level measurements with a reduced‐gravity, shallow water model of the tropical Pacific Ocean

Sea surface height variability measured by TOPEX is analyzed in the tropical Pacific Ocean by way of assimilation into a wind-driven, reduced-gravity, shallow water model using an approximate Kalman filter and smoother. The analysis results in an optimal fit of the dynamic model to the observations, providing a dynamically consistent interpolation of sea level and estimation of the circulation. Nearly 80% of the expected signal variance is accounted for by the model within 20° of the equator, and estimation uncertainty is substantially reduced by the voluminous observation. Notable features resolved by the analysis include seasonal changes associated with the North Equatorial Countercurrent and equatorial Kelvin and Rossby waves. Significant discrepancies are also found between the estimate and TOPEX measurements, especially near the eastern boundary. Improvements in the estimate made by the assimilation are validated by comparisons with independent tide gauge and current meter observations. The employed filter and smoother are based on approximately computed estimation error covariance matrices, utilizing a spatial transformation and an asymptotic approximation. The analysis demonstrates the practical utility of a quasi-optimal filter and smoother.
Probabilistic approach for extracting regions of interest in digital images

We propose an image-understanding algorithm for iden- tifying and ranking regions of perceptually relevant content in digital images. Global features that characterize relations between image regions are fused in a probabilistic framework to generate a region ranking map (RRM) of an arbitrary image. Features are introduced as maps for spatial position, weighted similarity, and weighted ho- mogeneity for image regions. Further analysis of the RRM, based on the receiver operating characteristic curve, has been utilized to gen- erate a binary map that signifies region of interest in the test image. The algorithm includes modules for image segmentation, feature extraction, and probabilistic reasoning. It differs from prior art by using machine learning techniques to discover the optimum Baye- sian Network structure and probabilistic inference. It also eliminates the necessity for semantic understanding at intermediate stages. Experimental results indicate an accuracy rate of 90% on a set of 4000 color images that are publicly available and compare favor- ably to state-of-the-art techniques. Applications of the proposed al- gorithm include smart image and document rendering, content- based image retrieval, adaptive image compression and coding, and automatic image annotation. © 2010 SPIE and IS&T.
Effect of Depot Medoxyprogesterone Acetate on Immune Functions and Inflammatory Markers of HIV-Infected Women.

OBJECTIVES: Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) was associated with increased HIV transmission and accelerated disease progression in untreated women. The potential underlying mechanisms include immune modulation. We evaluated the effect of a single DMPA injection on cell-mediated immunity (CMI) T-cell activation T-cell regulation (Treg) and inflammation in HIV-infected women on combination antiretroviral regimen (cART). METHODS: Women with HIV plasma RNA /= 68% had HIV varicella-zoster virus phytohemagglutinin A and CD3/CD28 CMI measured by lymphocyte proliferation and/or IFNgamma/IL2 dual-color fluorospot. CMI did not significantly change after DMPA administration except for a 1.4-fold increase in IL2/IFNgamma varicella-zoster virus fluorospot at week 12. T-cell activation decreased after DMPA administration reaching statistical significance at week 12 for CD4(+)CD25+%. Treg behaved heterogeneously with an increase in CD8+FOXP3+% at week 4 and a decrease in CD4+IL35+% at week 12. There was a decrease in TGFbeta at week 12 and no other changes in plasma biomarkers. Correlation analyses showed that high MPA Cmax and/or area under the concentration curve were significantly associated with increases of IFNgamma HIV enzyme-linked ImmunoSpot CD4+IL35+% and CD4+TGFbeta+% Treg and decreases of plasma IL10 from baseline to weeks 4 and/or 12. CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of DMPA did not have immune-suppressive or pro-inflammatory effects in HIV-infected women on cART. Additional studies need to assess the effect of multiple doses.
Neutron negative central charge density : An inclusive-exclusive connection

Models of generalized parton distributions at zero skewness are used to relate the behavior of deep inelastic scattering quark distributions, evaluated at high $x$, to the transverse charge density evaluated at small distances. We obtain an interpretation of the recently obtained negative central charge density of the neutron. The $d$ quarks dominate the neutron structure function for large values of Bjorken $x$, where the large momentum of the struck quark has a significant impact on determining the center of momentum and thus the ``center'' of the nucleon in the transverse position plane.
Leveraging the electronic health record for research and quality improvement: Current strengths and future challenges

Abstract Passage of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act in 2009 resulted in the rapid adoption of electronic health record (EHR) systems. With this, came the promise of increased access to patient data for beneficial secondary uses such as research and quality improvement. However, clinicians and researchers interested in leveraging HIT for such purposes often find EHR data as heterogeneous and complex. As such, EHR clinical data often remain underutilized. Biomedical and Health Informaticians are developing systems and techniques to use the EHR for clinical knowledge discovery and dissemination. Applicable approaches may require biostatistical, programming, and other technical knowledge, as well as information technology data infrastructure often consisting of the institution׳s clinical data repository (CDR). Other techniques can also be instituted by practicing clinicians to leverage EHR systems including the use of clinical decision support (CDS) tools and standard knowledge representation for surgical applications.
Turbulence Modeling For Highly Separated Flows

The objective of this study is to investigate the Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) modifications to the hybrid k , k ! (kk! ) turbulence model and the Scale Adaptive Simulation (SAS) modifications to the one-equation k (1k ) turbulence model. Additionally, modifications to the damping functions to the baseline 1k model are presented and validated for a variety of test cases. Further, the Stress-! (S!) Reynolds stress model is tested alongside the 1k and kk! models. A blended dissipation equation is implemented into the S! model and validated for a variety of test cases. A surface-mounted cube is chosen as the primary test case to examine specifically the highly separated wake flow. Multiple grid levels are used to identify the grid requirements necessary for accurate computations with the kk! DES and 1k SAS models.
Occupational lung disease induced by reactive chemicals.

In industry, a wide variety of reactive chemicals are employed that can cause respiratory disease in exposed workers) As an example, two general classes of chemicals that cause occupational lung disease in the plastic industry include the anhydrides and the isocyanates. Phthalic anhydride has been a known cause of asthma since the late 1930s. ~ The isocyanates have been known to cause respiratory reactions characterized by dyspnea, wheezing, and cough for over 30 years. 3 The spectacular growth of the plastics industry over the last 30 years is indicated by the annual production of phthalic anhydride in this country, which in 1940 was 58 million pounds and has increased to well over one billion pounds a year in 1975. For trimellitic anhydride, annual production will exceed 100 million pounds in 1985 and will double in 10 years. This growth has resulted in an increased number of workers who develop respiratory tract disease, 4 which covers a wide spectrum both in clinical presentation and severity. In the spectrum of respiratory reactions caused by the inhalation of low molecular weight chemicals, the asthmatic syndromes have received the most attention and research emphasis and have been well summarized in recent reviews of occupational asthma. 4-7 A few low molecular weight chemicals will be discussed to illustrate the range of work that has been done. The complex salts of platinum have been known for years to cause a spectrum of asthma in sensitized workers. ~ Sensitized individuals have a high degree of skin reactivity to the platinum salts, and sensitivity has been reproduced by bronchial provocation. 9 It was not until 1979 that specific in vitro tests were able to detect IgE antibody to a conjugate of the platinum salts and human serum albumin} ° Phthalic anhydride is illustrative of a chemical that has been known for years to induce asthma, as shown by history, skin testing, bronchial provocation, and more recently by detection of specific IgE antibody in the serum of affected individuals to a conjugate of this low molecular weight chemical and a protein carrier} I
High-Resolution Electronic Structure of the Primary Electron Acceptor A0 of Photosystem I

The Type I photosynthetic reaction center, Photosystem I, is an exquisitely tuned protein complex comprised of multiple polypeptide subunits and protein-bound electron-transfer (ET) cofactors. Upon illumination, the special chlorophylls, P700, are photoexcited which results in the rapid formation of the charge-separated state, P700+A0-. In order to prevent charge recombination, the electron is transferred to the phylloquinone cofactor, A1, and subsequently to three four iron-four sulfur [4Fe4S] clusters, FA, FB, and FX, respectively. Through the ET reactions of PSI, the reducing equivalents that are required for the carbon fixation reactions are generated and stored as NADPH or ‘biohydrogen’. The PSI reaction center displays pseudo-C2 symmetry, such that the ET cofactors, A0 and A1, are duplicated in what is termed the A- and B-branch. Although ET is bidirectional along the A- and B-branch, it has been demonstrated that ET in the A-branch is highly preferred. This is thought to be due to the tuning of the redox-potential of the ET cofactors by smart matrix effects from the surrounding protein environment. This research explores the electronic structure of the primary electron acceptor A0 in the A-branch (A0A) through the use of two-dimensional (2D) hyperfine sublevel correlation (HYSCORE) spectroscopy in tandem with density functional theory calculations. The application of 2D HYSCORE spectroscopy allows for the identification of the 14N atoms and protons that are magnetically interacting with the paramagnetic center of A0A-. The 14N and 1H hyperfine parameters obtained here provide a direct measure of the electron spin density distribution of A0- in the A-branch of PSI. These are then be compared with simulations of the electronic structure of the A-branch of Photosystem I in order to better understand the mechanism of electron transfer from P700 to the primary electron acceptor, A0A.
Review of the South American Genus Zirta (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Ectrichodiinae), with Descriptions of Three New Species

Three new species of the genus Zirta Stal are described: caudorubra from Peru, marietha from Bolivia, and tocamela from Brazil. The genus Zirta is discussed in terms of its distribution, phylogeny, and possible mimicry. A key to the species is given.
A global perspective on the pyrotechnologies of Sub-Saharan Africa

ABSTRACTAlthough Sub-Saharan Africa has the oldest evidence for the deliberate production of fire, its recent record of pyrotechnology is more often presented as a list of absences than as a list of accomplishments. In this review I summarise the evidence, both before and after the initiation of long-distance trade with the Islamic world. The literature is decidedly unbalanced, with almost all attention so far having gone to African iron smelting, but the recent discovery of a unique type of glass production in Nigeria suggests that much more attention needs to be paid to other branches of pyrotechnology. I also suggest that we need to look outside the continent to understand why the record of preindustrial pyrotechnology in Sub-Saharan Africa is so different from that in other parts of the Old and New Worlds.
Orientation of Corn-Infesting Species of Wireworms Toward Baits in the Laboratory

Wireworm attractancy to 19 materials was evaluated in 13 laboratory experiments. Melanotus depressus (Melsheimer) larvae were most frequently attracted to wheat seeds; 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 corn-wheat mixtures; corn seeds; Dorito's® edible corn chips; and chopped carrots. Melanotus verberans (LeConte) larvae showed preferences for corn chips, 1:1 and 1:2 corn-wheat mixtures, wheat, chopped turnips, grain sorghum seeds, and corn. Larvae of M. opacicollis LeConte were in an apparently non-feeding phase that prevented observation of preferences of the materials tested. Limonius dubitans (LeConte) larvae showed attractancy to chopped red potatoes, wheat, carrots, and pinto beans. If all species were considered, baits of wheat, 1:1 corn-wheat mixture, turnips, and corn chips attracted a mean of over 4 wireworms per site.
Synthesis of a novel calcium-selective fluorescent indicator

A novel calcium-selective fluorescent indicator was designed and synthesized.The structures of the new compound were adequately characterized by 1HNMR,GC-MS,IR and MALDI-TOF MS.Meanwhile,the fluorescence spectra of the new compound has been studied.Structure analysis of this calcium-selective fluorescent indicator provides a new idea for syntheses of novel calcium-selective fluorescent indicators which can be uesed to investigate the effects of calcium ions in biological systems.
The organization and distribution of patient education materials in family medicine practices.

BACKGROUND: Millions of dollars are spent annually on the production and distribution of patient education materials; however, there are no studies describing their actual use by physicians. Using qualitative data from a large comparative case study, our analysis evaluates how patient education materials are organized and used in family practices. METHODS: Eighteen purposefully selected family medicine practices were directly observed for 4 to 12 weeks each. A total of 57 providers were shadowed by a research nurse, and detailed field notes on 1600 patient encounters were recorded. A 3-member analysis team reviewed the qualitative data and identified emergent patterns. RESULTS: Clinics' use of patient education materials fell mostly into 2 distinct patterns. "Stockpilers" were providers who relied on the clinic staff to develop and organize a common library of patient education handouts. Providers with a "personal stash" collected much smaller numbers of materials that they personally maintained. Providers in the latter group had a known repertoire of a limited amount of educational material and used it more often than providers with access to a greater variety and number of handouts. In all practices, providers distributed most handouts; staff and self-selection by patients played a minor role. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that provider involvement and familiarity with patient education materials are key to their use in clinical practice. Clinicians use written patient education materials most efficiently by personally selecting and maintaining a small number of handouts that address topics most relevant to their practice.
Mechanosensory Lateral Line: Functional Neuroanatomy

Publisher Summary The mechanosensory lateral line system allows fishes to respond to unidirectional or oscillatory water movement at relatively short distances. Effective lateral line stimuli may arise from prey or may be generated by water flow over environmental obstacles. The lateral line system transduces vibratory reproductive signals in salmon and facilitates rheotaxis. Additionally, efferent input and other inputs contribute to, or modify lateral-line-mediated behavior; and the mechanosensory lateral line system responds to noncompressible, local flow in the near field. There are distinct differences in the functional attributes of narrow and widened head canal systems. Increased canal width, the presence of a flexible instead of a stiff canal roof, and increased size of neuromasts (typical of widened canals) all contribute to increased neuromast sensitivity, but increased response time of widened canal systems. Additionally, the response properties of extremely wide canals are similar to that of superficial neuromasts. This could account for the evolution of both widened canals and reduced canals (where superficial neuromasts predominate) in deep sea taxa.
Climate Change and the Moral Agent: Individual Duties in an Interdependent World

Traditional moral theories often struggle to say what we ought to do about the harms of climate change and why. Theories of moral responsibility have particular difficulty. This is because no one a...
Influence of Potassium Sorbate on Growth of Pseudomonas putrefaciens.

The effect of potassium sorbate on growth of two strains of Pseudomonas putrefaciens ( Alteromonas )1 was studied. Addition of 0.2% sorbate to trypticase soy broth (pH 6.0) inactivated strain P19X and resulted in a 3-log cycle reduction in number of viable cells of strain P5LIN through 6 days of incubation at 24 C.
Mitochondrial capacity, muscle endurance, and low energy in friedreich ataxia.

Introduction In this study we noninvasively evaluated skeletal muscle mitochondrial capacity, muscle-specific endurance, and energy/fatigue feelings in persons with Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) and able-bodied controls (AB). Methods Forearm mitochondrial capacity was measured in FRDA (n = 16) and AB (n = 10) study participants using the rate of recovery of oxygen consumption after electrical stimulation with near-infrared spectroscopy. Mechanomyography (MMG) assessed muscle endurance after electrical stimulation for 3 minutes at 2 Hz, 4 Hz, and 6 Hz. Validated scales assessed disease severity and energy/fatigue feelings. Results Groups did not differ in mitochondrial capacity (FRDA and AB: 1.8 ± 0.3 L/min). The difference in muscle endurance at 6 Hz was lower by 19.2% in the FRDA group (group effect: P < 0.001). Feelings of physical energy were 34% lower in FRDA group. In FDRA muscle, endurance was positively related to mitochondrial capacity (r = 0.59, P = 0.03), and disease severity was negatively related to mitochondrial capacity (r = –0.55, P = 0.04) and muscle endurance (r = –0.60, P = 0.01). Conclusion Non-invasive measures of skeletal muscle mitochondrial capacity and muscle-specific endurance are useful in monitoring FRDA. Muscle Nerve 56: 773–779, 2017
Robust MPS-Based Modeling via Spectral Analysis

Spatially distributed phenomena typically do not exhibit Gaussian behavior, and consequently methods constrained to traditional two-point covariance statistics cannot correctly represent the spatial connectivity of such phenomena. This necessitates the development of multiple-point statistics (MPS)-based algorithms. However, due to the sparse data available to infer these MPS statistics, one needs to have a training image (TI) to accurately model higher-order statistics. Training images are usually inferred from outcrops and/or conceptual models and are subject to uncertainty that have to be accounted for in MPS algorithms.
Hospital Performance on Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Process and Outcomes Measures

BackgroundThe Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement recently proposed percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)‐specific process measures. However, information about hospital performance ...
Cloud Computing Technology and Security

Cloud computing as a technology is difficult to define because it is evolving without a clear start point and no clear prediction of its future course. Even though this is the case, one can say that it is a continuous evolution of a computer network technology going beyond the client-server technology. It is a technology extending the realms of a computer network creating an environment that offers scalability, better utilization of hardware, on-demand applications and storage, and lower costs over the long run through the creation of virtual servers cloned from existing instances each offering near instantaneous increase in performance, allowing companies to react quickly and dynamically to emerging demands. The “cloud” or “cloud solution,” as the technology is commonly referred to, can either be hosted on-site by the company or off-site such as Microsoft’s SkyDrive and Samsung’s S-Cloud.
Enumeration and Identification of Listeria monocytogenes on Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Frankfurters

We will practice enumerating Listeria monocytogenes on commercial frankfurters by inoculating, dilution technique, and spread plating onto selective medium Modified Oxford Agar. The presumptive colonies will be identified using Gram staining, catalase test, and 12L test. In this chapter, it requires students to finish part of the work independently.
Process optimization for microstructure-dependent properties in thin film organic electronics

Abstract The processing conditions during solvent-based fabrication of thin film organic electronics significantly determine the ensuing microstructure. The microstructure, in turn, is one of the key determinants of device performance. In recent years, one of the foci in organic electronics has been to identify processing conditions for enhanced performance. This has traditionally involved either trial-and-error exploration, or a parametric sweep of a large space of processing conditions, both of which are time and resource intensive. This is especially the case when the process → structure and structure → property simulators are computationally expensive to evaluate. In this work, we integrate an adaptive-sampling based, gradient-free, Bayesian optimization routine with a phase-field morphology evolution framework that models solvent-based fabrication of thin film polymer blends (process → structure simulator) and a graph-based morphology characterization framework that evaluates the photovoltaic performance of a given morphology (structure → property simulator). The Bayesian optimization routine adaptively adjusts the processing parameters to rapidly identify optimal processing configurations, thus reducing the computational effort in process → structure → property explorations. This serves as a modular, parallel ‘wrapper’ framework that facilitates swapping-in other process simulators and device simulators for general process → structure → property optimization. We showcase this framework by identifying two processing parameters, the solvent evaporation rate and the substrate patterning wavelength, in a model system that results in a device with enhanced photovoltaic performance evaluated as the short-circuit current of the device. The methodology presented here provides a modular, scalable and extensible approach towards the rational design of tailored microstructures with enhanced functionalities.