cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Warfarin Anticoagulation and Incident Dementia in a Community-Based Cohort of Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract Objective To study the association between time in therapeutic range (TTR) during warfarin therapy and risk of dementia in a population-based cohort of incident atrial fibrillation (AF). Patients and Methods We conducted an observational population-based study of 2800 nondemented patients with incident AF from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2010. The association of incident dementia with warfarin therapy and TTR was examined using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results Mean patient age was 71.2 years; 53% were men (n=1495), and warfarin was prescribed to 50.5% (n=1414) within 90 days of AF diagnosis. Incident dementia diagnosis occurred in 357 patients (12.8%) over a mean ± SD follow-up of 5.0±3.7 years. After adjusting for confounders, warfarin therapy was associated with a reduced incidence of dementia (hazard ratio [HR], 0.80; 95% CI, 0.64-0.99). However, only those in the 2 highest quartiles of TTR were associated with lower risk of dementia. A 10% increase in TTR with a 10% reduction in time spent in the subtherapeutic (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.64-0.79) and supratherapeutic (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.57-0.79) ranges were associated with decreased risk of dementia. Conclusion In the community, warfarin therapy for AF is associated with a 20% reduction in risk of dementia. Increasing TTR on warfarin is associated with reduced risk of dementia. The risk of dementia was reduced with a reduction in time spent in subtherapeutic and supratherapeutic international normalized ratio range. Effective anticoagulation may prevent cognitive impairment in patients with AF.
Cuerpos que rompen el silencio: nuevas narrativas guatemaltecas desde lo concreto a lo virtual

Representing an original and deeply critical perspective, young women narrators from Guatemala reveal in their stories a troubled world where “post-war” does not equal “peace” and violence keeps on escalating. Moreover, given the difficulties for accessing traditional publishing, their work is disseminated in virtual formats and goes beyond conventions. This article explores how through the new dynamics and publication means, these female Guatemalan writers/performers instate and maintain a constant critical view of the contemporary world in which women transcend traditional roles, attempt to escape the position of victims and become agents and narrators of their own stories. With regards to this, Regina Jose Galindo, whose performances are internationally acclaimed, is a case in point; therefore, particular attention is given here to her production in which there is clear denunciation and resistance to the imposition of narratives on and about female subjectivities and bodies
Efficiency-Driven Enterprise Design: A Synthesis of Studies

Enterprise design decisions include choosing among operational strategies, allocating scarce resources, and coordinating actions toward common goals, among others. In this paper, we explore how the concepts and applications of the efficiency performance measurement paradigm can be used to inform enterprise design. Up to date, efficiency performance measurement has been mainly used to describe how well an enterprise has performed, i.e., answering “what happened” via an ex post evaluation. However, informing enterprises on “what might happen” when making changes, i.e., an ex ante evaluation, has received less attention. To address this gap, we synthetize findings pertaining to enterprise design from the organizational design, enterprise systems engineering, and efficiency performance measurement literatures. The synthesis allows us to identify the integrative role that the efficiency performance measurement paradigm plays in informing enterprise transformation decisions. We illustrate this role by providing a case study of an enterprise dealing with design decisions. Our research provides exploratory evidence, for managerial stakeholders, about the ability of the efficiency performance measurement paradigm to answer how well an enterprise could perform if certain design decisions are made.
Direct Regularization From Co-Registered Contrast MRI Improves Image Quality of MRI-Guided Near-Infrared Spectral Tomography of Breast Lesions

An approach using direct regularization from co-registered dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic reson- ance images was used to reconstruct near-infrared spectral tomography patient images, which does not need image segmentation. 20 patients with mammography/ultrasound confirmed breast abnormalities were involved in this paper, and the resulting images indicated that tumor total hemoglobin concentration contrast differentiated malignant from benign cases (p-value = 0.021). The approach prod- uced reconstructed images, which significantly reduced surface artifacts near the source-detector locations (p-value = 4.16e−6).
No Dialysis for Aids Nephropathy

A 37 year old homosexual man, known to be infected with the HIV virus for seven years, over the past year, developed a series of devastating life-threatening complications of AIDS, including fungal infection of the brain and Kaposi’s sarcoma. During the past month, urinary protein excretion rose above 10 grams per day as kidney function declined inexorably. A nephrologist noting typical large kidneys and normal blood pressure made the diagnosis of AIDS nephropathy and projected survival as likely to be less than six months. He stated that based on the poor prognosis, he would not start what would amount to a futile regimen of dialytic therapy.
The Soul of the Antichrist Necessarily Will Be a Being: A Modal Sophism in 16th Century Logic Texts

In logic texts of the early 16th century, logicians wondered whether the proposition ‘The soul of the Antichrist necessarily will be a being’ (anima antichristi necessario erit ens) is true or false. Their discussions primarily revolve around the issue of scope, that is, whether the modal term ‘necessarily’ is within the scope of the temporal term ‘will be’, although along the way other interesting topics arise, such as multiple conceptions of necessity, the temporal connotations of the modal terms, and the truth conditions for divided modal propositions. We will focus on the works of two logicians, both of whom taught at the University of Paris within the first two decades of the 16th century: the Spaniard Jeronimo Pardo, and the Scot Robert Caubraith.
The Fossil Record of Cyanobacteria

Fossil evidence of cyanobacteria, represented in the geological record by microbially laminated stromatolites, cyanobacterial and cyanobacterium-like microscopic fossils, and carbon isotopic data consistent with the presence of Rubisco-mediated CO2-fixation, extends back to ∼3,500 million years ago. The most abundant and best-documented fossil cyanobacteria, known from thousands of specimens preserved in several hundred geological units, belong to five taxonomic families: the Oscillatoriaceae, Nostocaceae, Chroococcaceae, Entophysalidaceae and Pleurocapsaceae. As documented by the essentially identical morphologies, life cycles, and ecologic settings of such fossils and their modern counterparts, members of these families have exhibited extreme evolutionary stasis over enormous segments of geological time. Because of the incompleteness of the fossil record, however, such data do not resolve the time of origin of O2-producing cyanobacteria from their anoxygenic, bacterial, evolutionary precursors. Though it is well established that Earth’s ecosystem has included autotrophs since its very early stages, available data indicate only that O2-producing photoautotrophic cyanobacteria originated earlier than the Great Oxidation Event at ∼2,450 million years ago; that such microbes were evidently extant by ∼2,700 million years ago; and that the origin of oxygenic photosynthesis may date from as early as, or even earlier than, 3,500 million years ago.
A review on high throughput roll-to-roll manufacturing of chemical vapor deposition graphene

The interest in graphene has surged over the past few years due to its exceptional mechanical, thermal, electrical, and optical properties, as well as its potential for flexible electronic applications. The traditional batch process for graphene synthesis and transfer need to be replaced by a high throughput, low-cost manufacturing process in order to enable mass production of graphene-based devices. Roll-to-roll (R2R) manufacturing and its related enabling technologies have been employed for both graphene growth and transfer, the two essential steps in graphene fabrication. It has been demonstrated that large-scale graphene production is feasible and has the potential to achieve economic success in the near future. This review provides an analysis of the state-of-the-art R2R manufacturing techniques for large-scale graphene fabrication. Different growth and transfer methods are compared. The benefit, limitation, and future outlook of R2R graphene fabrication are discussed. It is expected that through this review a benchmark is established for future development in R2R large-scale graphene production.
Cytochrome c electrochemistry on peptide self-assembled monolayers

Abstract A short chain peptide is covalently attached to an evaporated gold electrode to form a biocompatible self-assembled monolayer (SAM) surface. The peptide is designed to optimize the interfacial interaction of horse heart cytochrome c (cytc) through the electrostatic interaction of the carboxylate group on the terminal amino acid glutamate and the amine on lysine in cytc. Cytc exhibits quasi-reversible voltammetry and is stable on the time scale of the experiments. Marcus theory is used to calculate the electron transfer rates, which are ~5 times faster for cytc/peptide/Au compared to cytc/11-mercaptoundecanoic acid/Au SAMs of similar chain length. The formal potentials also shift for the cytc/peptide system ~20 mV more positive than cytc adsorbed to 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid-SAM/Au electrodes.
Pinning effects in two-band superconductors

Abstract Recently, new high-temperature superconductors have been discovered. One such material, magnesium diboride, is an ideal candidate for superconducting technology due to its high critical temperature (39 K), high critical current, and relative inexpensiveness. Numerical simulations of vortex dynamics and vortex pinning in such materials can help investigate material properties that can be utilized in superconducting technology. Unfortunately, magnesium diboride comes with many odd properties such as multiple superconducting bands rendering previous numerical models of superconductivity unable to fully describe vortex behaviors. It is well known in one-band superconductors that impurities can pin vortices and thus reduce the resistance. Here, we propose a modified Ginzburg-Landau model to describe a two-band superconductor with normal inclusions. The new model is used to investigate the effects of vortex pinning in magnesium diboride with regards to passing a resistance-free current through the superconducting sample.
Organization of oversight for integrated control of neglected tropical diseases within Ministries of Health.

Background Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are communicable diseases that impact approximately 1 billion people, but receive relatively little research, funding, and attention. Many NTDs have similar treatments, epidemiology, and geographic distribution, and as a result, the integration of control efforts can improve accountability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of programs. Here, we examine the landscape of efforts towards NTD integration across countries with the highest burden of disease, and review the administrative management of integration in order to identify approaches and pathways for integration. Methodology and principal findings We utilized a standardized system to score countries for NTD endemnicity to create a list of 25 countries with the highest overall burden of NTDs. We then conducted a literature review to characterize the NTD control programs in the focus countries. Six countries were selected for key informant interviews to validate literature review results and gather additional data on opportunities and obstacles to NTD integration, from an administrative perspective. The majority of countries included in the study were located in Africa, with the remainder from Asia, North America, and South America. Multiple models and pathways were observed for the integration of NTD programs, in combination with other NTD programs, other diseases, or other health programs. Substantial heterogeneity existed with respect to the NTD control programs, and no country had integrated all of their NTD control efforts into a single program. NTDs that can be treated with preventative chemotherapy were frequently integrated into a single program. Leprosy control was also frequently integrated with those of other communicable diseases, and notably tuberculosis. Barriers to NTD integration may result from internal administrative obstacles or external obstacles. Conclusions Although many countries have begun to integrate NTD control efforts, additional work will be required to realize the full benefits of integration in most of the countries examined here. Moving forward, NTD integration efforts must ensure that administrative structures are designed to maximize the potential success of integrated programs and account for existing administrative processes.
Bisubstrate inhibitors to target histone acetyltransferase 1.

Developing selective enzyme inhibitors allows for the expansion of molecular toolboxes to investigate functions and activities of target enzymes. The histone acetyltransferase 1 (HAT1) is among the first histone acetyltransferase (HAT) enzymes that were discovered in the mid-1990s; however, it remains one of the poorly studied enzymes in comparison with the other HATs. Although HAT1 has been linked to various disease states, no inhibitors have been reported to target HAT1. Here, we designed a set of peptide-CoA conjugates as bisubstrate inhibitors of HAT1 with submicromolar potency. In particular, the bisubstrate inhibitor H4K12CoA exhibited a low Ki value of 1.1 nM for HAT1. In addition, H4K12CoA was shown to be a competitive inhibitor with respect to both AcCoA and H4 peptide, suggesting a unique kinetic mechanism of HAT1 catalysis. Creating these submicromolar inhibitors offers mechanistic tools to better understand how HAT1 recognizes substrates and cofactors, as well as provides chemical leads to further develop therapeutic agents to target this important enzyme for disease therapy.
Use of Pulmonary Arterial Catheters for Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure and Peri-Operative Monitoring in Children

Purpose Pulmonary arterial catheters (PAC) provide real-time hemodynamic data that has been used to tailor ICU therapies, aid in surgical decision making in adults with ADHF and in predicting right-heart failure (RHF) in adults undergoing LVAD evaluation. Approximately 1/3 of patients develop RVF after LVAD insertion. Patients who required rescue RVAD have increased mortality when compared to planned BiVAD implantation. Right ventricular stroke work index (RVSWI) has been demonstrated to predict RHF in adults. Prediction of RHF and data on use of PAC in children are limited. Methods Pediatric patients with ADHF and biventricular circulation undergoing PAC placement at Boston Children's Hospital from 2013 through 2018 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Data were collected as part of an ongoing QI project. Variables predictive of RVF in adults undergoing LVAD implantation were compared between patients with and without RHF. Pedimacs definition of RHF was used for post-VAD patients: RV dysfunction requiring inotropic support at 14 days. Results Thirteen PAC were placed in 11 patients, aged 2 to 18 years old, with biventricular circulation and ADHF. Eight patients had DCM, 2 had CHD and one RCM. Nine PAC were placed to aid in pre-VAD decision making. One to assess awake hemodynamics for transplant candidacy, and one was placed at the time of OHT. Nine PAC were placed by catheterization and 4 in the OR. Mean duration of PAC monitoring was 3.7 days (0.4 to 9.3 days). RVSWI alone was able to significantly predict post-LVAD RVF. All patients free from RVF post-LVAD implantation were discharged home before OHT, at an average or 27 +/-4 days. No patients with RVF reached discharge before transplantation. There were 2 AEs possibly related to the presence of a PAC, including one episode of hemodynamically well-tolerated EAT and one episode of slow VT. Conclusion PAC use in pediatrics is feasible with low rates of adverse events. Low pre-implantation RVSWI was associated with RHF after LVAD implantation. All patients undergoing LVAD implantation with no RHF were discharged home while every patient with RHF remained hospitalized until RVAD implantation or OHT. Arrhythmias occurred in two patients PACs. Though both were hemodynamically stable lines were removed, illustrating the opportunity for managing staff in optimum use of PACs.
Defining the hepatitis C cure cascade in an Urban health system using the electronic health record.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a public health threat. The electronic health record (EHR) can be used to monitor patients along the HCV cure cascade and highlight opportunities for interventions to improve cascade outcomes. We developed an HCV patient registry using data from Grady Health System's (GHS) EHR and performed a cross-sectional analysis of 72 745 GHS patients who received anti-HCV testing from 2004 to 2016. We created a testing cascade: (1) anti-HCV reactive, (2) HCV RNA tested and (3) HCV RNA detectable; and a cure cascade: (1) HCV RNA detectable, (2) engaged in care, (3) treatment prescribed, (4) sustained virologic response (SVR) tested and (5) SVR documented. A total of 9893 (14%) had reactive anti-HCV tests of 72 745 patients tested, 5109 (52%) of these had HCV RNA tested, and 4224 (43%) were HCV RNA detectable. A total of 2738 (65%) of 4224 with detectable RNA were engaged in care, 909 (22%) were prescribed antiviral therapy, and 354 (8%) achieved SVR. Factors associated with HCV treatment included cirrhosis, tobacco use, depression, diabetes, obesity, alcohol use, male gender, black race and Medicare insurance. Uninsured patients were significantly less likely to be prescribed HCV treatment. In conclusion, using EHR data, we identified high anti-HCV prevalence and noted gaps in HCV RNA testing, linkage to care and treatment. The EHR can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of targeted interventions to overcome these gaps.
State-space models of evoked potentials to localize the seizure onset zone

Surgical removal of the seizure onset zone (SOZ) in epilepsy patients is a potentially curative treatment, but the process heavily relies on accurate localization of the SOZ via visual inspection. SPES (Single-pulse electrical stimulation) is a method recently used to explore inter-areal connectivity in vivo to probe functional brain networks such as language and motor networks, and to a much lesser degree, seizure networks. We hypothesized that a dynamical quantification of the connectivity networks derived from the evoked responses induced by SPES could also be used to localize the SOZ. To test our hypothesis, we used an intracranial EEG (iEEG) data set in which five epilepsy patients underwent extensive SPES evaluation. For each patient, and for each dataset that stimulated a different pair of electrodes, we constructed a state-space model from the patient's data. Specifically, we simultaneously estimated model parameters under an exogenous pulse input to a dynamical system whose state vector consisted of the response iEEG signals. Then, the size of the reachable state space, as quantified by the maximum singular value of the reachability matrix, σ max (R), was computed and denoted as the "largest" network response possible when stimulating the given pair. Our results suggest high agreement between σ max (R) and clinically annotated SOZ for patients with localizable SOZs.Clinical Relevance— Our study applies dynamical systems theory to identify epileptogenic brain regions, creating a novel tool that clinicians may use in surgical planning for medically-refractory epilepsy patients.
Interpulse Frequency Diversity System for Second-Trip Suppression and Retrieval in a Weather Radar

This paper develops the use of Inter-pulse frequency diversity scheme for a weather radar system. It establishes the performance of frequency diversity technique comparing it with other inter-pulse schemes for weather radar systems. Inter-pulse coding is widely used for second trip suppression or cross-polarization isolation. Here, a new inter-pulse scheme is discussed taking advantage of frequency diverse waveforms. The simulations and tests of performance are evaluated keeping in mind NASA dual-frequency, dual-polarization, Doppler radar (D3R). A new method is described to recover velocity and spectral width due to incoherence in samples from change of frequency pulse to pulse. This technique can recover the weather radar moments over a much higher dynamic range of the other trip contamination as compared with the popular systematic phase code, for second trip suppression and retrieval.
Education for life or life-long education?

Historically, people learned skills that lasted for their lifetime. This was «education for life». In the modern technical and scientific world, things change so rapidly that a professional must continuously learn new material. This is «life-long education». Technological advances require signifi cant changes the electrical engineering curriculum. Studies of vacuum tubes and transformers have given way to studies of control theory, VSLI chips, semiconductor technology and lasers. An electrical engineer can not expect to master all aspects of the field within four or even eight years of study. Continuing education has become part of an engineering career.
Pathways of Care and Treatment Options for Patients with Neurogenic TOS

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a rare and complex group of disorders that may cause severe and disabling symptoms, and caring for patients with these conditions provides many challenges to health care providers. An organized, systematic, approach to the diagnosis and treatment of neurogenic TOS provides an opportunity for specialists to deliver patient-centered care to achieve optimal treatment results. This unique type of care is best delivered through the efforts of a multi-disciplinary team consisting of various specialists. In this chapter we focus on the care path for managing patients with a diagnosis of neurogenic TOS, as based on our experience at Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
Historical Book Review: W.E.B. DuBois, The Philadelphia Negro: A Social Study

Criminology’s Forgotten Genesis? Crime is a phenomenon of organized social life, and is the open rebellion of an individual against his social environment. Naturally then, if men are suddenly transported from one environment to another, the result is lack of harmony with the new conditions; lack of harmony with the new physical surroundings leading to disease and death or modification of physique; lack of harmony with social surroundings leading to crime. (DuBois, p. 235)
Peripheral Blood Transcriptome in Patients with Sarcoidosis-Associated Uveitis.

Purpose: To identify peripheral blood transcriptome differences in uveitis patients with sarcoidosis compared to those with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome and controls.Methods: Ten patients with uveitis compatible with sarcoidosis (eight with pulmonary sarcoidosis, one with central nervous system sarcoidosis, and one with conjunctival sarcoidosis), nine patients with VKH, and nine healthy controls were prospectively enrolled.Results: Ten genes exhibited a four-fold difference in expression in sarcoidosis patients compared to controls, many being involved in regulating inflammatory processes or cellular responses to microbes.Conclusions: This research suggests that the transcriptome in sarcoidosis is robust enough to be detected in the peripheral blood and that sarcoidosis can be distinguished from healthy controls. Differentially expressed genes may serve as candidates warranting further investigation with respect to disease pathophysiology and may provide additional information, such as ability to stratify patients based on associated disease severity and anatomical location of inflammation within the eye.
The association of the home literacy environment and parental reading beliefs with oral language growth trajectories of Spanish-English bilingual children

Abstract Purpose This study examines the extent to which the Home Literacy Environment (HLE) as measured by reading habits and resources, library use, and subscriptions or materials, as well as parental reading beliefs predict both language skills (i.e., vocabulary) at kindergarten and students’ trajectories of growth from kindergarten (K) to grade 3 (G3). Method The sample included 259 Spanish-English bilingual children and their parents living in Arizona. We measured HLE and parental reading beliefs with a questionnaire administered to parents during the kindergarten year. Children completed measures of English and bilingual Spanish-English vocabulary in grades K to G3. Results Findings indicated that library use and reading habits and resources predicted skills at kindergarten, but not growth. Across all language outcomes, library use was the consistent factor associated with skills in kindergarten. Conclusion Given that HLE was associated with variability in children's vocabulary skills at kindergarten but not with vocabulary growth, this suggests that timely HLE supports are essential. Supports around library use show promise, given their significant associations with vocabulary skills in Spanish-English bilingual children.
Birds of a Feather Flock Together: A Study of Status Homophily in HRI

Homophily, a person’s bias for having ties with people who are similar to themselves in social ways, has a vital role in creating a social connection between people. Studying homophily in human-robot interactions can provide valuable insights for improving those interactions. In this paper, we investigate whether similar interests have a positive effect on a human-robot interaction similar to the positive impact it can have on human-human interaction. We explore whether sharing similar interests can affect trust. This experiment consisted of two NAO robots; each gave differing speeches. For each participant, their national origin was asked in the pre-questionnaire, and during the sessions, one of the robot’s topics was either personalized or not to their national origin. Since one robot shared a familiar topic, we expected to observe bonding between humans and the robot. We gathered data from a post-questionnaire and analyzed them. The results summarize the hypotheses here. We conclude that homophily plays a significant role in human-robot interaction, affecting trust in a robot partner.
Time-of-flight scattering and recoiling spectrometry (TOF-SARS) analysis of Pt{110}: II. The (1 × 2)-to-(1 × 3) interconversion and characterization of the (1 × 3) phase

Abstract The (1 × 3) phase of Pt{110} is shown to be stabilized by Ca and K impurities in the outermost layers of the surface. This structural phase is characterized by time-of-flight scattering and recoiling spectrometry (TOF-SARS). The results reveal that the surface is reconstructed into (1 × 3) troughs in which part of the central second-layer rows remain. A 0.24 ± 0.08 A inward relaxation of the first layer atoms is observed. The proposed structure of (1 × 3)-Pt{110} is contrasted with previous work on the (1 × 3)-{110} surfaces of Pt, Au, and Ir.
Student Success in Face-To-Face and Distance Teleclass Environments: A matter of contact?

Learning from a distance continues to gain popularity. An influx of traditional, and even on-campus students attest to its flexibility, but are they equipped to succeed in a low-contact distance environment versus a face-to-face, on-campus environment? This research explored whether several variables including background, preparedness and self-perceptions assessed within the first week of class contributed differently to the success of students completing one-way distance teleclasses (n = 35) versus students completing the same classes in face-to-face, on-campus environments (n = 64). The distance students were less successful than face-to-face students when exam grades were examined (A, B, C versus D, F, drop). For distance learners, higher reading comprehension and scholastic competence were indicative of exam grade success. Student-initiated contact with the instructor was marginally related to distance student success. For face-to-face learners, reading comprehension, reading rate and lower athletic competence was indicative of exam grade success. Suggestions to help students decide whether distance learning is right for them and ways to support distance learners in low-contact environments are discussed.
Selective Regression Testing of Safety-Critical Systems: A Black Box Approach

This paper presents a selective regression testing approach for testing proper failure mitigation in safety-critical systems. Based on changes to the models used for test generation, it classifies tests as obsolete, retestable, and reusable. It also defines a process for generating new tests based on partial regeneration. It takes advantage of the phased approach of the original method that starts with behavioral and mitigation model, determines points of failure in the behavioral test suite and weaves mitigation into it to create a safety-mitigation test suite. This Black-Box selective regression-testing approach is illustrated using a Railroad Crossing Control System.
The central stimulant and potential antiparkinsonism effects of 2(p-nitrobenzylthio)-imidazoline (3H)-HCl.

Abstract In doses ranging from 30–60 mg/kg, 2(p-nitrobenzylthio)-imidazoline (3H)·HCl (NBTI) caused stereotyped behavior and tremor in both rats and mice. When the dose exceeded 50 mg/kg, these effects were accompanied by clonic convulsions. Neither rectal temperature nor pentobarbitone-induced hypnosis were significantly influenced by this drug. Anticholinergic antiparkinsonism drugs, phenoxybenzamine, α-methyl-p-tyrosine (αMT) or p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) failed to modify the tremor induced by NBTI. Benztropine mesylate, L-Dopa, d-amphetamine and diphenhydramine pretreatments enhanced the toxicity of NBTI. In mice, perphenazine was very effective in blocking both the tremor and stereotyped behavior, but chlorpromazine and haloperidol did so only at higher doses. A significant depletion of norepinephrine (NE) was seen in the whole brains of mice 1 hr after 50 mg/kg dose of NBTI, but dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5HT) levels were not significantly altered. Pretreatment of mice with NBTI partly antagonized the αMT-induced depletion of brain catecholamines, but such pretreatment was less effective in antagonizing the depletion of brain 5HT by α-propyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetamide (H 22/54). In vitro studies showed that this drug is about 100 times more powerful than desipramine (DMI) in blocking the uptake of D,L-14C-norepinephrine uptake by slices of rat hypothalamus, but was less potent than benztropine mesylate in blocking the uptake of 14C-dopamine uptake by rat caudate slices. The structural similarity of NBTI with DA and also the pharmacological and biochemical studies indicate that this compound causes a direct stimulant effect of central dopamine receptors. This was supported by the observation that this drug readily and effectively reversed the sedation and akinesia caused in rats by combined treatment with reserpine and αMT. Similar striking effects were observed in the rhesus monkey. These findings together with its effect on the uptake of catecholamines suggest its potential usefulness as an antiparkinsonis and/or antidepressant drug.
Bone morphogenetic protein-2-induced signaling and osteogenesis is regulated by cell shape, RhoA/ROCK, and cytoskeletal tension

Osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) is classically thought to be mediated by different cytokines such as the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Here, we report that cell adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM), and its effects on cell shape and cytoskeletal mechanics, regulates BMP-induced signaling and osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. Using micropatterned substrates to progressively restrict cell spreading and flattening against ECM, we demonstrated that BMP-induced osteogenesis is progressively antagonized with decreased cell spreading. BMP triggered rapid and sustained RhoA/Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) activity and contractile tension only in spread cells, and this signaling was required for BMP-induced osteogenesis. Exploring the molecular basis for this effect, we found that restricting cell spreading, reducing ROCK signaling, or inhibiting cytoskeletal tension prevented BMP-induced SMA/mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD)1 c-terminal phosphorylation, SMAD1 dimerization with SMAD4, and SMAD1 translocation into the nucleus. Together, these findings demonstrate the direct involvement of cell spreading and RhoA/ROCK-mediated cytoskeletal tension generation in BMP-induced signaling and early stages of in vitro osteogenesis, and highlight the essential interplay between biochemical and mechanical cues in stem cell differentiation.
Whitney's theorem for infinite graphs

Soient G(V,#7B-E) et G'=(V',#7B-E') des graphes connexes infinis et soit θ:#7B-E→#7B-E' un isomorphisme d'arete. Alors θ est induit par un isomorphisme de sommet
Experiences From Screencasting Engineering Mechanics Lectures

Screencasting is the simultaneous recording of a computer screen, audio narration, and possibly a video image included in a small portion of the screen. Instructors are beginning to screencast their lectures as an additional learning resource for students. Once produced, the files can be uploaded to an internet accessible site and reviewed by students. The author uses the Camtasia software running on a TabletPC, using Microsoft Journal. The software runs in the background on the Tablet during the lecture. After the lecture, the software can be used to edit the files and produce the lecture in a variety of internet-ready formats. The files can be uploaded into a course management system and linked for student access. This paper discusses the mechanics of screencasting, feedback from students, and an assessment of the effect on student performance.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Statistical studies of random-lasing modes and amplified spontaneous-emission spikes in weakly scattering systems

We measured the ensemble-averaged spectral correlation functions and statistical distributions of spectral spacing and intensity for lasing modes in weakly scattering systems, and compared them to those of the amplified spontaneous-emission spikes. Their dramatic differences illustrate distinct physical mechanisms. Our numerical simulation revealed that even without reabsorption the number of potential lasing modes might be greatly reduced by local excitation of a weakly scattering system. The lasing modes can be drastically different from the quasimodes of the passive system, due to selective amplification of the feedback from the scatterers within the local gain region.
Extracting information from free-text aircraft repair notes

For every problem mentioned by crew members in an aircraft log book, an associated repair action note is entered in the same log book by a maintenance technician after the problem has been handled. These hand-written repair notes, subsequently transcribed into a database, give an account of the actions undertaken by the technicians to fix the problems. Written in a free-text format with peculiar linguistic characteristics, including many arbitrary abbreviations and missing auxiliaries, they contain valuable information that can be used for decision support methods such as case-based reasoning. We use natural language techniques in our information extraction system to analyze the structure and contents of these notes in order to determine the pieces of equipment involved in a repair and what was done to them. Lexical information and domain knowledge are extracted from an electronic version of the illustrated parts catalog for the particular airplane, and are used at different stages of the process, from the morpholexical analysis to the evaluation of the semantic expression generated by the syntactical analyzer.
Intense molecular emissions in the region of 431 nm in long-pulsed, electron-beam-generated helium plasmas and afterglows.

Using an electron beam (250 kV, 200 A, 900 ns maximum pulse length) to excite ultrapure helium at a pressure of 1000 Torr, we have observed previously unreported emissions near 431 nm. These intense emissions are molecular in nature (both Q and R branches are resolvable) and have very slow rise and decay times relative to the rise and fall times of the electron-beam current pulse. A rotational constant derived from those emissions indicates that they do not originate from something other than a helium molecular species.
Krüppel-like zinc fingers bind to nuclear import proteins and are required for efficient nuclear localization of erythroid Krüppel-like factor.

Erythroid Kruppel-like Factor (EKLF/KLF-1) is an erythroid-specific transcription factor that contains three C2H2 zinc fingers and is required for correct chromatin structure and expression of the β-globin locus. However, regions within the EKLF protein that serve as signals for its nuclear localization and the proteins that may enable it to become localized are unknown. Two approaches were used to address these issues. First, green fluorescent protein or pyruvate kinase was fused to EKLF domains, and localization was monitored and quantitated by confocal microscopy. Two necessary and sufficient nuclear localization signals (NLSs) were identified: one (NLS1) adjacent to the zinc finger DNA binding domain within a highly basic stretch of amino acids (275–296), and another more efficient signal (NLS2) within the zinc finger domain itself (amino acids 293–376). Interestingly, each zinc finger contributes to the overall effectiveness of NLS2 and requires an intact finger structure. Second, each NLS was tested in vitro for binding to importin proteins. Surprisingly, both EKLF NLSs, but principally the zinc finger domain, bind importin α and importin β. These findings demonstrate that two nuclear localization signals target EKLF to the nucleus and suggest this transport relies primarily on a novel zinc finger/importin protein interaction.
Photoproduction evidence for and against hidden-strangeness states near 2 GeV

Experimental evidence from coherent diffractive proton scattering has been reported for two narrow baryonic resonances that decay predominantly to strange particles. These states, with masses close to 2.0 GeV, would, if confirmed, be candidates for hidden-strangeness states with unusual internal structure. In this paper we examine the literature on strangeness photoproduction to seek additional evidence for or against these states. We find that one state is not confirmed, while for the other state there is some mild supporting evidence favoring its existence. New experiments are called for, and the expected photoproduction line shapes are calculated.
Identifying robot parameters using partial pose information

A simple radial-distance linear transducer (LVDT) that measures the distance from several fixed points in the workspace to the robot's endpoint has been used to infer the kinematic parameters of a robot. The motivation, theory, implementation, and performance of this particularly easy calibration and parameter identification method are discussed. A disagreement in the literature about the type of measuring system (in particular, the dimensionality of the pose measurements) needed to fully identify a robot's kinematic parameters is addressed. >
Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in children.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and diagnostic features of children presenting with haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), evolution of the disease and outcomes in response to treatment.
Response suppression as a function of the schedule of punishment

The schedule of punishment, like the schedule of positive reinforcement, is an important determinant of response rate. The amount of response suppression of rats in a free-responding situation was considerably greater for those given a variable-interval schedule of punishment than for those given a fixed-ratio schedule of punishment, even under conditions that roughly equated the frequency of punishments.
A comparison of relict versus equilibrium models for insular mammals of the Gulf of Maine

For the mammalian faunas of 24 landbridge islands in the Gulf of Maine (0.003–279 km2 in size), area accounts for 86% of variance in species richness. The slope, z, of the species-area curve is 0.247. For the seven largest islands (>10km2), the non-equilibrium hypothesis of relaxation following saturation in the post-Pleistocene is suggested by (1) elevated slope of the species-area curve (0.353), (2) correlation of species richness with island age (r=- 0.81) and water depth to mainland (r= -0.70), (3) highly non-random nested subsets of species ranked by island area, and (4) discontinuity with the extremely depauperate faunas of oceanic islands of the eastern North Atlantic. The alternative hypothesis of a dynamic equilibrium determined by recurrent immigration and extinction is supported by (1) documented turnover in 16 species, (2) correlation of species-area residuals with distance (r= - 0.90), (3) distribution dependent upon vagility with reduction or absence of hibernators and other poor dispersers, (4) low levels of endemism, and (5) congruence of community structure with that of mainland fauna for both trophic level and body size. I conclude that while some insular populations may be relictual, the faunal composition of most of these islands is dependent on recurrent colonization, much of which takes place over ice bridges. However, true equilibrium is perturbed by climatic shifts, range expansions, and human disturbance.
Java-powered virtual laboratories for earthquake engineering education

This paper presents a series of Java-Powered Virtual Laboratories (VLs), which have been developed to provide a means for on-line interactive experiments for undergraduate and graduate education. These VLs intend to provide a conceptual understanding of a wide range of topics related to earthquake engineering, including structural control using the tuned mass damper (TMD) and the hybrid mass damper (HMD), linear and nonlinear base isolation system, and nonlinear structural dynamic analysis of multi-story buildings. A total of five VLs are currently available on-line at: http://cee.uiuc.edu/sstl/java and have been incorporated as a reference implementation of educational modules in the NEESgrid software (http://www.neesgrid.org/). © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 13: 200–212, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20050
Continuum-level solid oxide electrode constriction resistance effects

Continuum-level mass and electronic transport through solid oxide cell electrodes, inclusive of ribbed interconnects, are modeled employing analytical solutions of the 2D Laplace equation. These analytical solutions describe localized mass and electronic transport phenomena in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anodes and localized mass transport phenomena in SOFC cathodes. Two-dimensional constriction resistance effects created by reductions in active transport area are shown to significantly increase internal cell resistances by increasing transport path lengths within a cross-sectional region of the cell. Furthermore, these effects can alter cell performance with respect to fuel depletion phenomena and create a competition of losses between mass and electronic transport resistances. Fuel depletion is shown to occur at a current density lower than the traditionally defined limiting current density. An analytical expression for this fuel depletion current density is proposed based upon the models developed. The competition between mass transfer and electronic resistance effects arising from solid oxide cell interconnect geometry is also characterized through parametric studies based on a design of experiments (DOEs) approach. These studies demonstrate the benefits of smaller SOFC unit cell geometry.
The corticotrigeminal projection in the cat. A study of the organization of cortical projections to the spinal trigeminal nucleus.

Abstract The projection from the cerebral cortex to the spinal trigeminal nucleus has been studied light microscopically in adult cats. Both orthograde degeneration and orthograde intra-axonal labeling techniques have been applied. Our results indicate that the projection from the coronal gyrus (face area of primary somatosensory cortex) to the spinal trigeminal complex is somatotopically organized. In subnucleus caudalis this somatotopy is organized dorsoventrally and appears to match the somatotopic distribution of the divisional trigeminal afferents. Hence cortical fibers originating from the posterior coronal gyrus (upper face representation) project ventrolaterally into caudalis where division I trigeminal afferents terminate. Likewise cortical fibers from the anterior coronal gyrus (jaw and tongue representation) terminate dorsomedially in caudalis to overlap with division III trigeminal afferents. In contrast, the distribution of corticofugal afferents to the rostral spinan trigeminal subnuclei (pars interpolaris and oralis) is organized mediolaterally. Therefore in these subnuclei the cortical projection does not appear to overlap the dorsoventral lamination of the divisional trigeminal afferents. In addition, our results suggest that the cortical projection to subnucleus caudalis includes fibers which terminate in the marginal zone (lamina I) and its extensions into the spinal trigeminal tract (the interstitial cells of Cajal). We have been unable to document a projection from the proreate gyrus to the spinal trigeminal complex.
Predicted new optically pumped FIR molecular lasers

A total of nine cw FIR laser lines are reported from two new FIR laser molecules; CH2CHF and S18O2. These two are from a list of twelve candidate molecules that were predicted using a set of selection criteria. The candidate D218O was tested, but did not lase. Combining these results with independent studies on other candidates, brings the number of proven laser molecules to 4 out of 5 that were tested. These results confirm the value of the selection criteria as a guideline for predicting new optically pumped FIR laser molecules.