cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identifying Possible Patient Slips and Falls Using Motion Capture Experiments

The Centers for Disease and Control report that falls are the most common cause of injury in older adults. Moderate to severe fall-related injuries significantly interfere with independent living and reduce quality of life, and it is necessary to prevent these falls whenever possible. The present study seeks to identify factors within a hospital bedroom and bathroom setting that may lead to falls. A motion capture experiment was conducted in a laboratory setting on thirty subjects over the age of seventy using one bedroom and two bathroom mockups designed to match the dimensions and layout of a representative room drawn from the archives of a large healthcare design firm. Data were post processed using Cortex and Visual3D software. A potential fall was defined as a period of time during which the jerk trajectory of the upper body’s center of mass remained consistently high. Preliminary results suggest that falls are more likely to occur when a patient is reaching, taking backwards steps, or turning. Future work includes locating each potential fall in a video recording to be analyzed by healthcare professionals including healthcare designers, clinicians, and a kinesiology expert. Identifying potential falls may lead to safer designs for hospital bedrooms and bathrooms and improved education for elderly adults about how to prevent falls.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
PS1-34: Sensitivity of Patient-reported Physician Percentile Rankings to Inter-physician Variability and Patient Sample Size

Background/Aims Patient satisfaction is increasingly being recognized as a desirable measure of physician quality and is used for quality-based financial incentives. Patient satisfaction surveys such as the CAHPS, however, typically exhibit ‘ceiling effects’ where most patients report maximal satisfaction, and so physicians are often ranked based on their percentage of maximum-satisfaction responses (“percentile top box scores,” 0–100%) rather than on raw scores. Even so, physicians express concern that low response rates or tight clustering of underlying scores can have unknown effects on rankings and detrimental consequences. This study used simulation to report the effect of inter-physician variability and sample size on survey-based physician rankings.
Image Processing in Radio Astronomy

Image Processing has enabled large improvements in the performance of radio telescopes. Non-linear deconvolution and adaptive (self-) calibration techniques were developed in radio astronomy in the seventies and eighties. These processing techniques are now part of the standard tool kit used by any radio astronomer. In addition, these techniques have influenced the design of new telescopes. In the last decade, computing technology has enabled the development of similar but substantially more powerful image processing techniques. Moore’s Law has enabled larger problems to be solved, and object-oriented software techniques have enabled more physically realistic descriptions of radio telescopes to be used as a basis for image processing. I describe how these changes are being exploited to allow new processing methods on an unprecedented scale.
Historical Roots: The Family Tree of Viral Pathogenesis

Starting in the nineteenth century, some diseases began to be associated with “viruses,” at first simply vaguely conceived poisons, then transmissible microbes, and in the twentieth century, “filterable” agents too small to be seen by even the best microscopes. The ways these viruses (as well as other microbes) interacted with cells were at first mysterious. Cell death and host immune responses were the two primary pathogenic phenomena most often observed. Both of these important effects of virus infection, however, have become clear only with advances in basic cell biology as well as a more complete understanding of the complexities of the immune system.
Genetic aspects of hyperlipidemia in coronary heart disease

Genetic analysis of a large group of consecutively studied survivors of myocardial infarction indicates that one out of five below 60 years of age has some form of simply inherited hyperlipidemia. The most frequent of these inherited disorders—designated familial combined hyperlipidemia—has hitherto been poorly defined. Its unique feature is the presence of multiple lipoprotein types among the affected relatives of the same family.
Seed dispersal of an invasive shrub, Amur honeysuckle ( Lonicera maackii ), by white-tailed deer in a fragmented agricultural-forest matrix

Ungulates are potentially important seed dispersers for many invasive plant species. While our understanding of which invasive plant species are dispersed by ungulates has improved over the last decade, the factors influencing this process remain poorly understood. To address this, we explored white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) seed consumption and dispersal of an invasive shrub (Lonicera maackii) in fragmented agricultural-forest matrices in western Ohio. In a pairwise browse preference experiment, deer browsed at similar levels on branches of L. maackii with fruits removed and fruits intact (mean ± 95 % CI 57 ± 14 and 62 ± 14 %, respectively). We found no evidence that white-tailed deer disperse L. maackii seeds along an invasion front, but 31 % of deer pellet groups collected in an invaded area contained germinable L. maackii seeds (maximum number of germinable seeds = 30). By combining hourly movement data specific to fragmented landscapes and gut retention time data, we projected that female deer disperse 91 % of ingested seeds further than 100 m from seed sources (i.e., long-distance seed dispersal), and rarely disperse seeds up to 7.9 km. We conclude that white-tailed deer can be important long-distance seed dispersal vectors of L. maackii, and that invader abundance and/or patch connectivity likely influence patterns of seed dispersal by white-tailed deer.
The End of Freedom

As the United States Army defeated the Plains Indians in battle, the United States government endeavored to eradicate their way of life. Plains Indian people were confined to reservations where they were subjected to policies of acculturation by coercion and where their lives were controlled by government laws and agents (Figure 21). Divisions grew between traditionalists and those people who accepted many of the new ways. Indian people experienced poverty, powerlessness, dependency, and despair. “You see this barren waste,” Red Cloud told a white visitor to Pine Ridge. “Think of it! I, who used to own rich soil in a well-watered country so extensive that I could not ride through it in a week on my fastest pony, am put down here…. Now I, who used to control five thousand warriors, must tell Washington when I am hungry. I must beg for that which I own. If I beg hard, they put me in the guardhouse. We have trouble. Our girls are getting bad. Coughing sickness every winter carries away our best people. My heart is heavy….”1
Fusion gene profile of biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma: an analysis of 44 cases.

Aims Biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma (SNS) is a locally aggressive tumour that occurs in the sinonasal region. PAX3–MAML3 has recently been identified as a recurrent fusion gene event in this entity; however, a subset of tumours harbour alternative PAX3 rearrangement without the involvement of MAML3. In this study we sought to characterize the molecular profile of a large series of cases, with a special emphasis on tumours with alternative fusions. Methods and results Forty-four examples of SNS were screened by fluorescence in-situ hybridization and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to better characterize its molecular profile and identify potential novel fusion genes. Twenty-four were positive for PAX3–MAML3 (55%), 15 showed rearrangements of PAX3 without MAML3 involvement (34%), one showed rearrangement of MAML3 without PAX3 involvement, and four were negative for the involvement of either gene (9%). Among 15 cases with PAX3 involvement only, three were found to harbour PAX3–FOXO1. Two of these cases arose in the nasal cavities of female patients (aged 31 and 47 years), and one showed bilateral involvement of the nasal cavities of a 35-year-old male. A fourth case involved the skull base of a 47-year-old male, and was positive for PAX3–NCOA1. Patients with fusion-negative tumours were slightly older. Conclusion More than half of the SNSs in this series were positive for PAX3–MAML3. However, a subset of tumours may harbour alternative PAX3 fusion genes or show no involvement of PAX3. Except for a possible weak association between age and molecular profile, the overall morphological and immunophenotypic features of all cases seem to be similar. Because of the rarity of these tumours, the impact of the molecular profile on the clinical course of these tumours remains to be determined.
NAVPACK-a package of simulation tools for integrated navigation applications

The authors describe the NAVPACK software package, for navigation system simulation and analysis. The fundamental concept is to create as modular a structure for the software as possible, with standard interfaces between separate programs and within individual programs. NAVPACK consists of distinct computer programs that perform individual simulation tasks which may be classified into four categories: trajectory generation, data synthesis, processing, and evaluation. These programs are combined as needed at the operating-system level to perform the required simulations. The discussion is illustrated with plots of simulation results for inertial navigation systems integrated with other sensors, such as GPS (global positioning system). >
How business historians can save the world – from the fallacy of self-made success

AbstractNarratives about ‘self-made’ success form a pillar of Anglo-American lore, but the concept’s meanings and applications no longer reflect either its origins or how people actually succeed. Ideological competition has reshaped the Calvinists’ admiration for community-serving self-improvement into a Social Darwinian glorification of individual ambition and wealth. American and British business and political leaders now invoke this newer narrative to assail progressive policies and to advocate the funnelling of resources and authority toward the wealthy – purportedly worthy – few. Because business historians understand the contexts and mechanisms behind business success, they are well situated to balance competing stories about prosperity’s sources and obligations.
Race differences in depression vulnerability following Hurricane Katrina.

OBJECTIVE This study investigated whether racial disparities in depression were present after Hurricane Katrina. METHOD Data were gathered from 932 New Orleans residents who were present when Hurricane Katrina struck, and who returned to New Orleans the following year. Multiple logistic regression models evaluated racial differences in screening positive for depression (a score ≥16 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), and explored whether differential vulnerability (prehurricane physical and mental health functioning and education level), differential exposure to hurricane-related stressors, and loss of social support moderated and/or reduced the association of race with depression. RESULTS A univariate logistic regression analysis showed the odds for screening positive for depression were 86% higher for African Americans than for Caucasians (odds ratio [OR] = 1.86 [1.28-2.71], p = .0012). However, after controlling simultaneously for sociodemographic characteristics, preexisting vulnerabilities, social support, and trauma-specific factors, race was no longer a significant correlate for screening positive for depression (OR = 1.54 [0.95-2.48], p = .0771). CONCLUSIONS The racial disparity in postdisaster depression seems to be confounded by sociodemographic characteristics, preexisting vulnerabilities, social support, and trauma-specific factors. Nonetheless, even after adjusting for these factors, there was a nonsignificant trend effect for race, which could suggest race played an important role in depression outcomes following Hurricane Katrina. Future studies should examine these associations prospectively, using stronger assessments for depression, and incorporate measures for discrimination and segregation, to further understand possible racial disparities in depression after Hurricane Katrina. (PsycINFO Database Record
T. A. Rompelman, Der Wartburgkrieg, kritisch herausgegeben: Amsterdam: H. J. Paris, 1939. 355 pp.

(1940). T. A. Rompelman, Der Wartburgkrieg, kritisch herausgegeben. The Germanic Review: Literature, Culture, Theory: Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 300-302.
Exposing Students to Environmental Sustainability in Accounting: An Analysis of Its Impacts in a US Setting

ABSTRACTIn this study, we examine whether the introduction of two different forms of an environmental sustainability intervention into differing sections of an introductory-level managerial accounting course at a US university induces changes in students’ environmental intentions and behaviors. Based on attributes from Ajzen’s [1991. “The Theory of Planned Behavior.” Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes 50: 179–211; 2002. “Perceived Behavioral Control, Self-efficacy, Locus of Control, and the Theory of Planned Behavior.” Journal of Applied Social Psychology 32 (4): 665–683] theory of planned behaviour, results show that, in comparison to a control group with no intervention, students exhibited higher levels of attitude, perceived behavioural control, intentions, and behaviour following the interventions. However, the positive results were limited to students undergoing an experiential learning assignment beyond the basic reading, lecture, and discussion intervention. The findings provide s...
Moderate intensity aerobic exercise improves executive control

An extensive body of literature has reported that moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic exercise elicits transient and long-lasting benefits to cognition (Colcombe and Kramer 2003: Psyhol Sci). In particular, the increased cerebral blood flow associated with aerobic exercise is thought to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of cognitive-related brain structures. The goal of the present study was to determine if moderate intensity aerobic exercise engenders a specific and immediate benefit to executive control. To address this question, 14 participants (19-26 yrs) were required to cycle on an ergometer for: (1) a 2.5-minute warm-up (90W), (2) 10-minutes at a moderate intensity (55-70% of max HR), and (3) 2.5-minutes of cool-down (90W). Notably, to address executive control we examined antisaccade (i.e., saccade mirror-symmetrical to a target) performance pre- and post-exercise (i.e., after heart rate returned to baseline) interventions. The antisaccade task is an ideal task to examine executive control because of its hands- and language-free nature and because directionally correct antisaccades are mediated via high-level executive structures residing in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex – a cortical region shown to elicit increased activity post-exercise intervention. Results showed that antisaccade RTs significantly decreased from pre- to post-exercise intervention without a concomitant increase in the frequency of direction errors. Thus, the improved post-intervention RTs cannot be attributed to a speed-accuracy trade-off. As such, moderate intensity aerobic exercise engenders an immediate benefit to executive control and we propose that such a benefit may arise from increased activity within the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Acknowledgments: Supported by NSERC
Real exchange rate misalignment of Asian currencies

This paper examines the size of real exchange rate (RER) misalignment in seven developing Asian counties and Japan. An analytical framework is developed to estimate the equilibrium RERs, which are then used to derive the RER misalignments. The estimation results from the model indicate that RERs have been misaligned in most of the Asian countries during the sample period, although not to the extent claimed in some studies. The real exchange behaviour in these countries is mostly consistent with the economic fundamentals and the magnitude of measured RER misalignment is not alarming.
They Don’t Just Take a Random Egg: Egg Selection in the United States

This chapter examines how the United States fertility industry relies upon the ideology of eugenic selection and the genetic capacity of gametes to market egg donation services globally. Egg donors are selected based on physical, racial, and personality traits that clinics and agencies perceive will appeal to intended parents. By appealing to intended parents to come to the United States as a means to “select” traits in their future offspring by way of egg donation, American fertility industry practices may serve to undermine officially sanctioned norms and values regarding eugenics and selection in those intended parents’ own countries.
How do external companions affect spin-orbit misalignment of hot Jupiters?

Consider a planet with its orbital angular momentum axis aligned with the spin axis of its host star. To what extent does an inclined distant companion (giant planet or binary star) affect this alignment? We provide an analytic, quantitative answer and apply it to hot Jupiter systems, for which misalignments between the orbital axis and the stellar spin axis have been detected. We also show how similar consideration can be applied to multi-planet systems with distant companions (such as Kepler-56). The result of this paper provides a simple method to assess the dynamical role played by external companions on spin-orbit misalignments in exoplanetary systems.
A multiscale multi-permeability poroplasticity model linked by recursive homogenizations and deep learning

Abstract Many geological materials , such as shale, mudstone , carbonate rock , limestone and rock salt are multi-porosity porous media in which pores of different scales may co-exist in the host matrix. When fractures propagate in these multi-porosity materials, these pores may enlarge and coalesce and therefore change the magnitude and the principal directions of the effective permeability tensors. The pore-fluid inside the cracks and the pores of host matrix may interact and exchange fluid mass, but the difference in hydraulic properties of these pores often means that a single homogenized effective permeability tensor field is insufficient to characterize the evolving hydraulic properties of these materials at smaller time scale. Furthermore, the complexity of the hydro-mechanical coupling process and the induced mechanical and hydraulic anisotropy originated from the micro-fracture and plasticity at grain scale also makes it difficult to propose, implement and validate separated macroscopic constitutive laws for numerical simulations. This article presents a hybrid data-driven method designed to capture the multiscale hydro-mechanical coupling effect of porous media with pores of various different sizes. At each scale, data-driven models generated from supervised machine learning are hybridized with classical constitutive laws in a directed graph that represents the numerical models. By using sub-scale simulations to generate database to train material models, an offline homogenization procedure is used to replace the up-scaling procedure to generate cohesive laws for localized physical discontinuities at both grain and specimen scales. Through a proper homogenization procedure that preserves spatial length scales, the proposed method enables field-scale simulations to gather insights from meso-scale and grain-scale micro-structural attributes. This method is proven to be much more computationally efficient than the classical DEM–FEM or FEM 2 approach while at the same time more robust and flexible than the classical surrogate modeling approach. Due to the usage of bridging-scale technique, the proposed model may provide multiple opportunities to incorporate different types of simulations and experimental data across different length scales for machine learning. Numerical issues will also be discussed.
Inflammatory cytokines and peripheral mediators in the pathophysiology of pruritus in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) includes a diverse group of neoplasms, including mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome. One of the earliest and most common symptoms of CTCL is pruritus, which affects up to 88% of patients. The severity of pruritus can range from mild to very debilitating, producing tremendous discomfort and a significant decrease in quality of life. Patients with advanced disease, in particular, may experience a more chronic, intractable pruritus. However, the underlying mechanism of pruritus in CTCL remains unknown. Conventional antipruritic agents, such as antihistamines, gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs and antidepressants, are only partially effective in relieving symptoms, suggesting a more complex, unique pathophysiology. In this review, we summarize the current research on cytokines and peripheral mediators implicated in pruritus in CTCL.
Consensus on Molecular Testing in Lung Cancer

Molecular testing for lung cancer has evolved dramatically over the last decade, driven primarily by the rapid development of targeted therapies. Initial testing was intended to make appropriate therapeutic choices with primary single gene testing and has evolved into larger sensitive and specific panels to evaluate multiple genes. The wide array of technologies and an increasing number of targeted therapies have resulted in increasingly complex management algorithms. In this article, we review the current guidelines, briefly discuss individual targets, and introduce some of the complexities associated with genomic testing. We generally recommend next generation sequencing (NGS) panel testing when available and discuss other reasonable alternatives. Circulating tumor assays are commonly utilized, particularly when tissue is unavailable for genomic testing.
Large-scale Isolation, Expansion and Characterization of Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells.

Background and objectives The human Amniotic epithelial cells (AME) derived from amniotic membrane of placenta have been considered as the potential fetal stem cell source with minimal or no ethical concerns and are important therapeutic tool for anti-fibrotic and regenerative therapies. Methods and results Here, we evaluated the isolation, media screening, scale-up and characterization of AME cells. The isolation, expansion of AMEs were performed by sequential passaging and growth kinetics studies. The AMEs were characterized using immunocytochemistry, immunophenotyping, In-vitro differentiation, and anti-fibrotic assays. The growth kinetics study revealed that the AME cultured in Ultraculture (UC) and DMEM knockout (DMEM-KO) have prominently higher growth rate compared to others. Overall, the AMEs cultured from 5 different media retained basic morphological characteristics and the functional characteristics. Conclusions Our result suggests that the AMEs can be successfully cultured in UC based complete media without losing its epithelial cell characteristics even after passaging for passage 2 (P2). However, a careful and methodical pre-clinical and clinical translation studies need to be conducted to show its safety and efficacy.
The Magic of Self-Confidence

Ginny, the mother of one of my daughter’s friends—whom I am also friendly with—approached me a few years ago to talk about my career. She was fascinated that I was working at the university, still working with a fee-only practice, and involved in several other side projects.
The State of Evolutionary Archaeology

The problem, straight off, is that the common ground is not as clear as it should be. To the reader it must seem that evolutionary archaeologists are individually certain they are standing on the common ground, equally certain that their colleagues are not, and that the job is mainly to bring the undecided and misguided into the fold. Competition brings out the best in some products, possibly, but perhaps not in theory. All of the authors here would surely agree that the evolutionary processes that operate in the human case are complex and still poorly understood. After all, the biological disciplines from which much of the basic theory is being borrowed have historically been, and continue to be, filled with contentious debate over the processes of organic evolution. In the case of humans, we deal mainly with one species, but also with the relatively unstudied, and decidedly controversial, complexities of cultural evolution. Under these circumstances, competition between theorists plays a useful role only if the reader is not misled by the rhetorical excesses of self-advertisement and remains diligent in discriminating between clear thinking and problem solving, on the one hand, and dogma and the strawman, on the other. It helps to recognize that at the early stages of the exploration of a new field, even the main lines of fruitful inquiry remain shrouded in ignorance. Polemical essays are best taken merely as claims that a particular line of inquiry is promising enough to be worth pursuing. Read literally, some of the arguments here verge on claiming a unique theoretical correctness for certain evolutionary concepts, processes, or lines of empirical inquiry. Many such claims are highly abstract, which should trigger a warning signal in the reader’s mind. Scientific issues are generally settled with concrete tests of cogency (often involving mathematical tools) or critical data (collected with effort and analyzed with care). In the case of the complex and diverse subject matter of evolution, many models, much data, and considerable time are invariably required to arrive at definitive answers. It is hard to think of a case where important issues in evolutionary biology were settled by abstract, a priori claims.
Solar Wind Control of Magnetospheric Configuration

The solar wind exerts intimate control of the configuration of the magnetosphere by the reconnection of interplanetary magnetic field with the magnetospheric magnetic field. Thus the solar wind controls the energization of the magnetosphere proper including the ring current as well as the transport of magnetic flux to the tail and the consequent storage of energy there. The dynamics of the magnetopause are also controlled closely by the interplanetary magnetic field. The formation of flux transfer events, twisted tubes of flux across the dayside magnetopause, arise for southward interplanetary magnetic fields. Whether these flux tubes are connected to closed field lines or are completely open is not yet clearly resolved.
Fortification of Plant Cell Walls as a Resistance Mechanism

A multitude of potential pathogens are present in the plant environment. Most of these pathogens, however, are unable to breach structural barriers or withstand preformed antimicrobial compounds of the plant. Some pathogens are able to penetrate the plant, but many of them are overcome by the defense mechanisms activated by the pathogenic infection. Only these pathogens with the ability to circumvent the defense mechanisms are able to successfully infect and colonize the plant. Thus, plant defenses in general are sound, and plant disease is the exception and not the rule (Campbell et al., 1980). Cowling and Horsfall (1980) draw an analogy between the defense in plants and the defense of a medieval castle. Preformed structures and chemicals that ward off pathogens at the plant surface are similar to the castle setup of heavy walls, trap doors, and poisonous baits. Upon invasion, some plants improvise defense by reinforcing cell walls with cal lose, lignin, and hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein in a way similar to throwing up barricades against the invaders by the castle defenders. Other plants synthesize toxic substances such as phytoalexins and hydrolytic enzymes to confine the pathogen, similar in a way to the throwing of explosives and pouring of boiling oil on the invaders.
Coxiella Subversion of Intracellular Host Signaling

Coxiella burnetii is a highly infectious bacterial pathogen that replicates in a specialized vacuole inside eukaryotic cells. Due to a prolonged growth cycle, Coxiella continuously manipulates cellular processes to generate this parasitophorous vacuole (PV) and promote host cell viability. Here, we discuss recent findings that indicate Coxiella modulates several host signaling pathways to influence survival and ensure intracellular replication. The pathogen actively inhibits apoptotic cell death and activates the pro-survival kinases Akt and Erk1/2 to promote host viability. Coxiella’s anti-apoptotic activity also involves the interface between autophagy and apoptosis, which is regulated by the interaction of autophagy-related Beclin-1 and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. Additionally, Coxiella requires host kinase activity for PV biogenesis and maintenance. Thus, signaling modulation by Coxiella is critical for multiple aspects of host cell parasitism. Collectively, recent signaling studies have enhanced our understanding of the unique Coxiella-host cell interaction. Identification of bacterial factors that regulate signaling events will further our ability to model this intriguing infectious process.
Evidence for multiple adrenoceptor sites in rainbow trout vasculature

The importance of neuronal and lumenal vascular adrenoceptors in the regulation of vascular reactivity was examined in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, ganglionic blockade with hexamethonium or α-adrenoceptor blockade, with either phentolamine or prazosin, produced similar (7 mmHg) decreases in dorsal aortic blood pressure. The drop in dorsal aortic pressure produced by phentolamine or prazosin was due to reduced systemic vascular resistance. Neither the α-adrenoceptor antagonist, phenoxybenzamine nor chemical sympathectomy with 6-hydroxy-dopamine affected dorsal aortic pressure. However, after chemical sympathectomy, phenoxybenzamine lowered dorsal aortic pressure to levels similar to that produced by either phentolamine or prazosin. Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations increased four- and twofold, respectively, in sympathectomized fish. Sympathectomy also produced a leftward shift in the epinephrine dose/response curve of the in vitro perfused splanchnic vasculature, placing the effective catecholamine concentration well within the in vivo plasma levels. These results indicate that following chemical sympathectomy arterial blood pressure is stabilized by circulating catecholamines through the combined effect of increased plasma catecholamine concentrations and increased sensitivity of vascular adrenoceptors. Phenoxybenzamine is incapable of blocking neuronal vascular adrenoceptors but is a potent antagonist of the up-regulated adrenoceptors, suggesting that the latter are localized on the lumenal side of the vessel.
γ-Rays following the β-decay of rare-earth α-emitters☆

Abstract The β-decay properties of the rare-earth α-emitters, 150Dy, 151Dy, 152Dy and 149Tb, are discussed. By bombardment of stable praseodymium with 14N ions at different energies in the Berkeley heavy-ion linear accelerator the three dysprosium isotypes have been produced. γ-spectra have been obtained and the following γ-rays have been assigned to the decay of the three nuclides, 390 keV (150Dy), 145 keV (151Dy) and 255 keV (152Dy). Annihilation peaks have been observed to decay with the half-lives of the three isotopes, indicating that the nuclides must emit positrons. In addition, the mass assignments of 160Dy and 151Dy, the 8 min and 19 min dysprosium α-emitters respectively, have been determined with certainty. 149Tb has been produced by bombarding stable praseodymium with 12C ions. The energies of the γ-rays following the decay of 149Tb are 170, 230, 360 and 640 keV.
Downregulation of M1 and M2 Muscarinic Receptor Subtypes in Y1 Mouse Adrenocarcinoma Cells

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are important in mediating neurotransmission in the central and peripheral nervous systems and regulate a broad spectrum of physiologic responses. Chronic exposure of cells to muscarinic agonists results in a decrease in receptor number and diminished coupling to effectors. We examined this phenomenon in 2 of the 5 described receptor subtypes: ml, one of the predominant subtypes expressed in brain, and m2, the major cardiac subtype. DNA clones for these receptors were transfected into the Y1 mouse adrenal cell line and a variant Y1 clone. Kin 8, in which cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity is greatly reduced. Transfected receptors could be expressed at high levels and were functional as determined by their ability to bind muscarinic ligands and stimulate phosphoinositide turnover (ml) or inhibit adenylyl cyclase (m2). We determined the susceptibility of the receptor subtypes to internalization after chronic exposure to the muscarinic agonist, carbachol, and as a consequence of activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C. These experiments suggest that the mechanisms for internalization of the m1 and m2 receptor subtypes differ. The ml, but not the m2, receptor was internalized in response to activation of protein kinase C and this internalization was dependent on the presence of a functional cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Activation of either protein kinase C or cAMP-dependent protein kinase did not mimic agonist-induced internalization of either m1 or m2. There was a large surplus of receptors for coupling to the effector enzymes in cells expressing several hundred fmol receptor per mg membrane protein. At low receptor numbers, agonist-induced desensitization was correlated with internalization of receptors.
Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies and Hurricanes

Monthly and annual sea surface temperature anomalies have been computed for a large portion of the North Atlantic Ocean for the period 1887–1936. Correlations with hurricane frequencies and tracks ...
Light Levels for Parking Facilities Based on Empirical Evaluation of Visual Performance and User Perceptions

Light levels recommended for parking facilities should be backed by empirical research that accounts for all users. In the current study, pedestrians’ and drivers’ visual performance and their perc...
DIAGNOSTIC PITFALLS IN THE ASSESSMENT OF MULTIVALVULAR DISEASE

Multivalvular disease (MVD) is observed in 20% of patients with native valves per the EuroHeart Survey. Concurrent aortic and mitral valve disease is the most common MVD and when present, warrants careful evaluation given the implications for dual valve intervention. A 76-year-old female was
Materials as Bioinks and Bioink Design

This chapter summarizes the major concepts and recent progress in the design and formulation of bioinks for 3D bioprinting. Bioinks encompass cells and materials designed for processing by an automated biofabrication technique, such as direct-write, inkjet, stereolithography (SLA), or laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) technologies, with each having its own requirements for material properties to fabricate specific tissue constructs. There are two major types of bioinks: (1) scaffold-free, consisting of cellular aggregates, and (2) scaffold-based, comprised of biomaterials with encapsulated cells. These bioinks can be composed of single materials or blends of multiple components to develop constructs tailored to preferred printing techniques and applications. Key parameters important in material selection include printability, mechanical properties, degradation, biochemical functionality, cell viability, and biocompatibility. Single-component hydrogels have limitations since properties that enhance cell viability and function often contrast with those that facilitate printing of mechanically robust constructs. More complex formulations, such as multi-material bioinks, interpenetrating networks, and nanocomposite bioinks, expand the range of properties and techniques that can be achieved for desired applications. Future directions will demonstrate how bioinks can be optimized and exploited to engineer native-like tissue constructs with spatially and temporally organized biochemical and biophysical cues and tissue-specific cell types.
Ibrutinib is Effective in Refractory Type II Cryoglobulinemia.

Abstract Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is an infrequent cause of type II mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) yet these small B-cell clones can induce acute and profound end organ damage. Due to lack of explicit evaluation criteria, established standard of care and evidence-based guidelines, it continues to remain a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Here, we discuss our management approach to monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) related to MC and report the first case of the use of ibrutinib in a refractory setting that resulted in a complete and durable clinical response with reversal of kidney injury.
Poly(alkyl/arylphosphazene)-Metal Nanoparticle Composites

Nanoparticles of gold were prepared by reduction of Au(III) with a reducing agent in the presence of poly(methylphenylphosphazene), [Me(Ph)PN]n, (PMPP), an alcohol derivative (PMPP-OH), a graft copolymer poly(methylphenylphosphazene)-graft-polystyrene, PMPP-g-PS, and a blend of the two graft components. The process involved no phase transfer reagents because the polymers successfully moved the salts from the aqueous to the organic phase. The metal nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). When stabilized by these phosphazene polymers, the average size of gold nanoparticles was between 3 and 5 nm. The PMPP-OH nanocomposites were stable in toluene at room temperature for several days, and showed no change on heating in the absence of solvent at 100 °C. In the graft copolymer and the blend, TEM imaging shows that the nanoparticles of gold were located exclusively in the phosphazene domains. An improved synthesis of the parent polymer, PMPP, used to make these and many other derivatives is described.
Natural Right in Cicero's Political Philosophy

The aim of this paper is to begin an examination of Cicero’s teaching on natural right. The method is a close reading of the two accounts given of natural law in "On the Republic": Scipio’s in book 1 and Laelius’ in book 3. I conclude by comparing and contrasting the positions taken by Cicero in the prefaces to books 1 and 3 with those of the characters Scipio, Laelius, and Philus.
Ototoxicants and Hearing Impairment: The Challenge for Occupational Hygiene

Noise has traditionally been considered the primary risk factor for hearing loss. However, due to the complexity of industrial environments, the 1996 NIOSH publication “Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss — A Practical Guide” estimated that a worker may be exposed to up to three hazardous agents simultaneously in the workplace; for this reason, it may be inappropriate to restrict occupational hearing loss to only a noise-induced origin. Recent evidence suggests that exposures to chemicals commonly found in industrial environments may affect hearing alone or in combination with noise exposure.
Perception of Proton Pump Inhibitor Side Effects Among Members of the American Broncho-Esophagological Association.

Abstract Objectives To investigate awareness of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) side effects and the resulting changes in reflux mana management among members of the American Broncho-Esophagological Association (ABEA) caring for adult patients in light of increasing concern for PPIs long-term adverse effects. Study design Cross-sectional survey study Methods Online surveys were electronically distributed to ABEA members assessing awareness of PPI side effects and current practice in reflux management. Results 374 ABEA members were contacted, of whom, 43 (11.5%) completed the survey. The majority of respondents (94.1%) selected laryngology as their principal focus. The entire cohort warned their patients about PPI side effects, with highest concern for osteoporotic risk. Most respondents (88.2%) had changed their PPI prescription frequency in light of recent studies on PPI side effects, with 55.9% avoiding PPI prescription and 94.1% limiting the duration of PPI courses. Instead of PPIs, 73.5% of responders prescribe H2-receptor blockers. The primary reasons for starting patients on PPIs were typical gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (47.1%), followed by laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms (41.2%), and endoscopic findings suspicious for reflux (11.8%). Finally, the majority of respondents (82.4%) had referred at least one patient for surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux in the past year. Conclusions The majority of surveyed ABEA members were concerned about reports of PPI adverse effects and had modified their prescription patterns as a result. Avoidance of PPI recommendation was common, along with the preference for H2 blockers in the management of GERD and LPR. PPI side effects of greatest concern to broncho-esophagologists treating adult patients were osteoporosis, renal dysfunction and dementia. Level of evidence 5
Assessment of inner retinal oxygen metrics and thickness in a mouse model of inherited retinal degeneration.

Abstract The retinal degeneration 1 (rd1) mouse is a well-established model of inherited retinal degeneration, displaying photoreceptor degeneration and retinal vasculature damage. The purpose of the current study was to determine alterations in the rate of oxygen delivery from retinal circulation (DO2), the rate of oxygen extraction from the retinal circulation for metabolism (MO2), and oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) in rd1 mice. The study was performed in a total of 18 wild type (WT) and 10 rd1 mice at both 3-weeks and 12-weeks of age. Retinal arterial and venous oxygen contents (O2A and O2V) were measured using phosphorescence lifetime imaging. Total retinal blood flow (TRBF) was determined by fluorescence and red-free imaging. DO2 and MO2 were determined as TRBF × O2A and TRBF × (O2A-O2V), respectively. OEF was calculated as MO2/DO2. The thickness of individual retinal layers was measured from histology sections and inner retina (IR) and total retina (TR) thickness were calculated. TRBF, DO2 and MO2 were lower in rd1 mice compared to WT mice (P ≤ 0.001), whereas OEF was not significantly different between rd1 and WT mice (P = 0.4). TRBF and DO2 were lower at 3-weeks of age compared to 12-weeks of age (P ≤ 0.01), while MO2 was not significantly different between age groups (P = 0.4) and OEF was higher at 3-weeks of age compared to 12-weeks of age (P = 0.003). Additionally, the outer and inner retinal cell layer thicknesses were decreased in rd1 mice at 12-weeks of age compared to both age-matched WT mice and rd1 mice at 3-weeks of age (P ≤ 0.02). MO2 was directly correlated with both IR and TR thickness (R ≥ 0.50; P ≤ 0.03, N = 20). The findings indicate that the rate oxygen is supplied by the retinal circulation is decreased and the reduction in oxygen extracted for metabolism is related to retinal cell layer thinning in rd1 mice.
Risks Posed by the IRS Offshore Crackdown and Recent Case Law to International IRC § 831(B) Captive Insurance Companies

The Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Department of Justice have been conducting a nearly decade-long crackdown on tax avoidance activities of U.S. citizens doing business internationally. The offshore crackdown began with hearings conducted by the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, in which the Senate committee that controls IRS funding made it clear that it expected the IRS to get aggressive in international tax enforcement. This article discusses the history of such IRS enforcement as it relates to offshore captive insurance companies.
Projections Along General Contours

The powerful CIG in Fig. 3.1 can also be used to generate ramps which are not linear, along with other more sophisticated patterns. For example, the operation \(\sqrt {{c_1}{{(i - {i_1})}^2} + {c_2}{{(j - {j_1})}^2}} \) , where c1, c2, il, and jl are constants, is suitable for generating elliptical ramps, and is specifically useful for drawing circular multi-tone masks (see Sects. 5.4 and 5.5). Another example is the operation \(c\sqrt {ij} \) , where c is a constant, which yields hyperbolic ramps.2 In this case, it is necessary that the CIG be capable of taking integer products between the image coordinates.
A Law Antecedent and Paramount

"Congress shall make no law . . . abridging freedom of speech or of the press." Whatever else the First Amendment may mean, the Supreme Court has interpreted it to forbid the government from restricting expression because it disagrees with the sentiment expressed;(note 1) restricting expression prior to its utterance or publication;(note 2) and making impermissible distinctions by content,(note 3) compelling speech(note 4) or access to the expressive capacity of another,(note 5) without demonstrating that the abridgement is narrowly tailored to serve a compelling governmental interest. These First Amendment principles restrict not merely Congress, but all federal and state govern-mental agencies, and apply to expression that the Court has determined does not independently warrant protection,(note 6) conduct that involves no speech,(note 7) and activities ancillary to expression.(note 8)
Rapid and efficient incorporation of tissue factor into liposomes.

Summary. Tissue factor (TF), the physiological trigger of the blood clotting cascade, is also the active ingredient in thromboplastin preparations which are widely used in clotting assays such as the prothrombin time (PT) test. A type I integral membrane protein, TF must be incorporated into suitable phospholipid membranes for full procoagulant activity. Several methods exist for incorporating TF into phospholipid vesicles, typically employing the formation of mixed micelles containing detergent, phospholipid and TF, followed by detergent removal or dilution below the critical micelle concentration (CMC). These methods have certain drawbacks: they may take several days to complete, employ expensive detergents, are difficult to scale up, and do not always result in complete detergent removal. In this study we have investigated the use of a variety of detergents [Triton X-100, octaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C12E8), cholate, deoxycholate, and n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside], and the use of adsorbent beads (Bio-Beads SM-2) for removing detergent, in processes to incorporate TF into proteoliposomes with high specific activity in coagulation assays. The method we have developed is rapid and readily scalable, yielding thromboplastin preparations with specific activities in plasma clotting assays that are at least as high as those made with detergent dialysis.
On Computing Visual Flows with Boundaries: The Case of Shading and Edges

Many visual tasks depend upon the interpretation of visual structures that are flow fields, such as optical flow, oriented texture, and shading. The computation of these visual flows involves a delicate tradeoff: imaging imperfections lead to noisy and sparse initial flow measurements, necessitating further processing to infer dense coherent flows; this processing typically entails interpolation and smoothing, both of which are prone to destroy visual flow discontinuities. However, discontinuities in visual flows signal corresponding discontinuities in the physical world, thus it is critical to preserve them while processing the flow. In this paper we present a computational approach motivated by the architecture of primary visual cortex that directly incorporates boundary information into a flow relaxation network. The result is a robust computation of visual flows with the capacity to handle noisy or sparse data sets while providing stability along flow boundaries. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach by computing shading flows in images with intensity edges.
The Role of Some Polar Amino Acid Residues in Secretin

Three analogues of S5-27 the tricosapeptide with the carboxyl-terminal sequence of secretin, were studied. In the analogues, the acidic residues at positions 9 and 15 of S5-27 were replaced by the neutral residues glutamine and asparagine. These changes resulted in a decrease in immunoreactivity. Binding to an antibody against secretin could be correlated with the changes in the conformation of the synthetic analogues.