cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-Objective Unit Commitment Economic Dispatch for Power Systems Reliability Assessment

This paper presents a multi-objective unit commitment economic dispatch (UCED) model. The model considers minimizing two conflicting objective functions; the minimization of the generation cost and the minimization (shaving) of the composite demand (CD) peak. The model takes into account conventional generation (CG) operating constraints, variable generation (VG) forced outages and seasonal variation, demand and energy storage system operation constraints. The multi-objective function is solved considering multiple priorities of the two objective functions. Upon retrieving the optimal results from the optimization problems, the reliability indices are computed using the probabilistic production costing (PPC) method. The model is applied to a test system consisting of 10 CG units, wind farms (WFs), solar farms (SFs), and ESS. Example test cases are presented with different penetration levels and ESS size.
Are We Preaching to the Same Choir? A Mixed-Methods Comparison of Audiences at Animal-Themed Interpretive Facilities:

Interpretive programs can encourage the development of pro-environmental behavior, but visitors do not arrive as blank slates. Instead, their previous experiences interact with new programs to prod...
LieCatcher: Game Framework for Collecting Human Judgments of Deceptive Speech

Humans are notoriously poor at detecting deception --- most are worse than chance. To address this issue we have developed LieCatcher, a single-player web-based Game With A Purpose (GWAP) that allows players to assess their lie detection skills while providing human judgments of deceptive speech. Players listen to audio recordings drawn from a corpus of deceptive and non-deceptive interview dialogues, and guess if the speaker is lying or telling the truth. They are awarded points for correct guesses and at the end of the game they receive a score summarizing their performance at lie detection. We present the game design and implementation, and describe a crowdsourcing experiment conducted to study perceived deception.
Arthroscopic treatment for Morel-Lavallée lesion of the thigh: A case report and literature review.

Abstract Introduction Morel-Lavallee lesion (MLL) is a posttraumatic closed degloving soft tissue injury, in which the subcutaneous tissues are separated from the underlying fascia. Surgical treatment is recommended if conservative management fails. The conventional surgical treatment for the lesion is surgical drainage and debridement. Presentation of case A 51-year-old male patient presented with swelling of the right thigh incurred during a traffic accident. The lesion was diagnosed with MLL. The MLL was successfully treated with a minimally invasive arthroscopic treatment after failure of conservative treatment. The arthroscopic treatment was chosen because of the patient’s comorbidity that posed a risk of surgical wound complications. In addition, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) was performed postoperatively to ensure healing and to prevent recurrence of the lesion. The patient was successfully treated and the healing of the lesion was also confirmed with MRI. Discussion In a patient with a risk of wound complications due to a comorbidity, this minimally invasive arthroscopic treatment is useful. In addition, NPWT was used to ensure healing and to prevent recurrence. Although the use of NPWT combined with endoscopic treatment has not been reported, additional NPWT reported in this case may be helpful to ensure healing. Conclusion In case of MLL with a risk of surgical complications, the arthroscopic treatment is a reasonable method and achieves the goal of an open surgical debridement without increased morbidity.
Evaluating Fungicide Selections to Manage Pythium Root Rot on Poinsettia Cultivars with Varying Levels of Partial Resistance.

Pythium aphanidermatum is the predominant species causing Pythium root rot of commercially grown poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Kotzch) in North Carolina. Pythium root rot is managed p...
Nuclear data evaluation augmented by machine learning

Abstract The accuracy of neutrons modeling and simulation tools strongly depends on the quality of the nuclear data. Data libraries are generated by evaluators combining physics-based model codes and experimental data. There are many instances where experimental data are not available, are not reported rigorously or are discordant. In such cases, the evaluators need to make an expert judgment exposing the generated data to human bias and large uncertainties. This work proposes to support the evaluators’ complex tasks by leveraging Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Two proof-of-concept ML models, a Decision Tree and K-Nearest-Neighbor, were developed to fit nuclear data from the EXFOR database in order to infer neutron induce reaction cross sections. Both models were used to predict nuclear data for 233 U , a well-characterized isotope in literature, and 35 Cl , a less studied but important nuclide for some advanced nuclear reactors. The predicted values for 233 U were validated using the 233 U Jezebel benchmark in Serpent2 model. The predicted values for 35 Cl (n,p) cross section were compared against recent new measurement not available in EXFOR. The predicted ML/AI values matched more accurately the new measurements than any of the evaluated data libraries, which overestimate experimental results by up to a factor of five. In turn, the proof-of-concept models explored in this work, reliant on learning underlying patterns of cross section data from other radionuclides, demonstrate evidence that ML models can aid traditional physics-guided models and have a role to play in nuclear data evaluations. Furthermore, incorporating ML models in the nuclear data pipeline can allow evaluators to make faster bias-free decisions in areas of uncertainty as well as better inform future data measurement campaigns on areas of greatest sensitivity in EXFOR.
Effective conductivity of spheroidal particle composite with imperfect interfaces: Complete solutions for periodic and random micro structures

Abstract The rigorous analytical approach to the conductivity homogenization problem for spheroidal particle composite with imperfect interfaces has been developed. The complete multipole series solution for a single inclusion with imperfect interface constitutes mathematical background of the work and provides a basic building block for the Maxwell and Rayleigh homogenization schemes. The low- and highly conducting spheroidal interface are considered in a unified way. The developed theory enables an analysis of composites of periodic and random micro structure with imperfect interfaces. Numerical study shows quite a significant combined effect of micro structure and imperfect interfaces on the macroscopic conductivity of composite. The obtained accurate solution serves as a benchmark for the known approximate theories. Their error due to neglecting the interaction effects and simplified treating the imperfect interfaces is estimated.
On the importance of modeling and robustness for deep neural network feature

A large body of research has shown that acoustic features for speech recognition can be learned from data using neural networks with multiple hidden layers (DNNs) and that these learned features are superior to standard features (e.g., MFCCs). However, this superiority is usually demonstrated when the data used to learn the features is very similar in character to the data used to test recognition performance. An open question is how well these learned features generalize to realistic data that is different in character to their training data. The ability of a feature representation to generalize to unfamiliar data is a highly desirable form of robustness. In this paper we investigate the robustness of two DNN-based feature sets to training/test mismatch using the ICSI meeting corpus. The experiments were performed under 3 training/test scenarios: (1) matched near-field (2) matched far-field and (3) the mismatched condition near-field training with far-field testing. The experiments leverage simulation and a novel sampling process that we have developed for diagnostic analysis within the HMM-based speech recognition framework. First, diagnostic analysis shows that a DNN-based feature representation that uses MFCC inputs (MFCC-DNN) is indeed superior to the corresponding MFCC baselines in the two matched scenarios where the source of recognition errors are from incorrect model, but the DNN-based features and MFCCs have nearly identical and poor performance in the mismatched scenario. Second, we show that a DNN-based feature representation that uses a more robust input, namely power normalized spectrum (PNS) and Gabor filters, performs nearly as well as the MFCC-DNN features in the matched scenarios and much better than MFCCs and MFCC-DNNs in the mismatched scenario.
Factors associated with pharmacy student interest in international study.

Objectives. To examine the interest of pharmacy students in international study, the demographic factors and involvement characteristics associated with that interest, and the perceived advantages and barriers of engaging in international opportunities during pharmacy school. Methods. A self-administered electronic survey instrument was distributed to first-, second-, and third-year pharmacy students at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. Results. There were 192 total respondents, for a response rate of 50.9%. Seventy-two percent reported interest in international study. Previous international study experience (p=0.001), previous international travel experience (p=0.002), year in pharmacy school (p=0.03), level of academic involvement (p<0.001), and level of diversity involvement (p<0.001) were associated with international study interest. Positive influences to international study included desire to travel and availability of scholarships. Perceived barriers included an inability to pay expenses and lack of foreign language knowledge. Conclusions. The needs and interests of pharmacy students should be considered in the development and expansion of internationalization programs in order to effectively optimize global partnerships and available international experiences. Colleges and schools of pharmacy should engage students early in the curriculum when interest in study-abroad opportunities is highest and seek to alleviate concerns about expenses as a primary influence on study-abroad decisions through provision of financial assistance.
The mammary fat pad.

The mammary fat pad is essential for development of the mammary epithelium, providing signals that mediate ductal morphogenesis and, probably, alveolar differentiation. The "cleared" fat pad is often used as a transplantation site. Considering the crucial role of the fat pad, its properties have received relatively little attention from researchers in the field. Some of the questions whose investigation is pertinent to understanding both normal mammary development and carcinogenesis are outlined in this commentary in the spirit of stimulating enquiry into this important subject. It is clear from a brief perusal of the available literature that until studies are specifically designed to clearly differentiate between functional effects of the fibrous and the adipose stroma, more substantive information about their differential effects on mammary development and tumorigenesis will not be forthcoming.
The single-valued extension property for sums and products of commuting operators

It is shown that the sum and the product of two commuting Banach space operators with Dunford's property (C) have the single-valued extension property.
Year in review in Critical Care, 2004: sepsis and multi-organ failure

During 2004, Critical Care published a broad-range of original research focused on sepsis and the multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). In reviewing the table of contents for the year, we found twenty-seven studies that concerned these topics and presented original data. These studies varied from epidemiologic surveys, assessments of the pathogenesis of the syndrome, analyses of prognostic variables in affected patients, and new therapeutic modalities.
Initial experience with 82Rb myocardial perfusion imaging

2234 Objectives Few nuclear medicine departments use Rb-82 to efficiently assess myocardial perfusion and function in overweight and obese patients. With a short half-life, the cost and logistics of using Rb-82 can be daunting. The objective of this study is to highlight the numerous considerations that should to be taken into account prior to implementing a Rb-82 program. Methods Discussions were held not only with staff performing the Rb-82 imaging and processing, but also with the former manager and pursuer of Rb-82 start-up at our facility. Numerous issues, such as staffing, training, additional cost, and promotion were taken into consideration. Results Since St. Joseph9s Hospital and the Marshfield Clinic share certain resources, such as the Stress Lab, new contracts needed to be signed allowing the clinic staff to practice in the hospital. Also, additional nuclear medicine staff is required for Rb-82 over Sestamibi imaging since it is necessary for one technologist to administer the radiopharmaceutical while another is in the control room managing the computer. Costs ranged from the Sr-82/Rb-82 generator to the purchase of a new EKG machine. One of the most challenging issues was and is the promotion of this new imaging technique. Many referring physicians are at ease with Sestamibi imaging, however, the comfort level to request Rb-82 studies for overweight patients has not yet been established. Conclusions Due to the unique circumstances, bringing Rb-82 imaging to St. Joseph’s Hospital was a long and tedious process. The cost of offering this service must be balanced out with the number of scans being performed. Although Rb-82 imaging costs approximately 2 times more than a 99mTc-Sestamibi, the benefits for overweight and obese patients are overwhelming.
Case Report: Polyarteritis Nodosa: Chronic Renal Failure with Spontaneous Recovery

A 57-year-old male developed acute oliguric renal failure due to polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). He went on rapidly to chronic renal failure. After nine months of home hemodialysis, he recovered renal function with creatinine clearance of 30 ml/min. This patient was not treated with drugs of any type for his illness. He represents a spontaneous remission from severe renal PAN and underscores the need for further evaluation of the current recommended drug therapy for this disease.
Defects in III-V materials and the accommodation of strain in layered semiconductors

High resolution monochromatic synchrotron-radiation diffraction images of five, high quality epitaxial heterojunctions on silicon, gallium arsenide, and indium phosphide substrates display several forms of accommodation to lattice mismatch. From the images, we deduce a coherent set of factors for the loss of crystalline order in layered semiconducting crystals. Lattice mismatch is demonstrated in each of the systems by warping after layer deposition. Nevertheless, local lattice orientation is maintained across each layer interface. In two of the systems, one severely mismatched while the other is not, no arrays of dislocations appear. Sets of mixed linear lattice mismatch dislocations, consistent with identification as 60° dislocations, are found in two of the other systems with intermediate degrees of mismatch. A set of pure edge dislocations penetrating all layers is found in a system with a grid structure. These observations indicate that the formation of extensive arrays of dislocations during uniform one micrometer layer deposition depends not only on the extent of lattice mismatch and layer thickness but also on the degree of crystalline order of the substrate. Establishment of a nonpseudomorphic layer mismatched with the substrate by several tenths of a percent is an important factor, as previously determined. However, localized absence of crystalline order, e.g. in the form of scratches or dislocations in the substrate, appears also to be required for the formation of arrays of interface mismatch dislocations. Where these criteria are not fulfilled, the formation of dislocations in uniform layered systems is inhibited. Localized residual stress can initiate dislocation formation even where it would not appear in uniform layers. The images show also that crystalline disorder in state-of-the-art indium phosphide differs markedly from that in comparable gallium arsenide. Understanding of crystalline order in both monolithic materials is extended by this work.
"It just happens": a qualitative study exploring low-income women's perspectives on pregnancy intention and planning.

Objective Unintended pregnancy is common and disproportionately occurs among low-income women. We conducted a qualitative study with low-income women to better typologize pregnancy intention, understand the relationship between pregnancy intention and contraceptive use, and identify the contextual factors that shape pregnancy intention and contraceptive behavior.
The absolute sign of J coupling constants determined using the order matrix calculation.

A novel methodology using the order matrix calculation to determine the absolute sign of spin–spin couplings based on the structure of organic compounds is presented. The sign of the residual dipolar coupling (RDC) depends on the sign of corresponding scalar spin–spin coupling constant and the sign of the RDC has a dramatic influence on the order matrix calculation. Therefore, the sign of the spin–spin coupling constant can be obtained by an order matrix calculation through the corresponding RDC. Six types of spin–spin coupling constants, including 2J(H,H), 1J(C,F), 2J(C,F), 3J(C,F), 2J(F,H) and 3J(F,H), were obtained simultaneously. Except for 3J(C,F) where the measured RDCs have very small magnitudes, the signs were determined unambiguously. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Salmonella typhimurium InvH protein is an outer membrane lipoprotein required for the proper localization of InvG

The secretion of pathogenicity factors by Salmonella typhimurium is mediated by a type III secretion system that includes an outer membrane protein of the secretin family. Related secretins are also required for f1 phage assembly and type II secretion. When the C-terminal 43 amino acids of the S. typhimurium secretin InvG are added to f1 pIV, the chimeric f1 pIV-′InvG43 protein becomes dependent on the co-expression of another gene, invH, for function in phage assembly. [3H]-palmitic acid labelling, globomycin sensitivity and density gradient flotation were used to demonstrate that InvH is an outer membrane lipoprotein that is processed by signal peptidase II. A complex between chimeric f1 pIV-′InvG43 and InvH was demonstrated in vivo. InvH was shown to be required for the proper localization of InvG in the outer membrane and for the secretion of the virulence factor SipC. These results suggest that InvH and InvG are part of the functional outer membrane translocation complex in type III secretion systems.
Refining physician manpower data

Many conclusions about trends in physician manpower are based on the physician data set of the American Medical Association. Comparisons of specialty and activity status of physicians over time are hampered by changes in the AMA classification procedure in 1968 and growth in the "not classified" category since 1970. A method of adjusting data on physician manpower, taking into account these changes, is presented. The adjustments suggest that movements in the total physician supply away from patient care and primary care practice are overstated by use of unadjusted AMA data, and the percentage of physicians engaged in patient care has increased rather than decreased over the past decade.
Photoluminescence Stability Of Silicon Suboxide Thin Films

Photoluminescence (PL) stability of silicon suboxide (SiOx, 0 l.5) under light soaking and thermal processing has been investigated. As the oxygen content increases, the PL peak position shifts to the visible, with improved stability against measurement temperature and light soaking. With increasing annealing temperature, the PL spectra shifted to infrared, characteristic of a- Si:H. With annealing above 550 °C, visible PL is lost while infrared PL can be recovered by rehydrogenation of Si-dangling bond defects. Infrared absorption, transmission electron microscopy, visible absorption, and photocurrent indicate a disproportionation reaction resulting in a-Si phase segregation.
Proton relaxation of liquid crystal droplets dispersed in a polymer matrix

Abstract A study of proton relaxation for liquid crystal droplets confined in a polymer matrix is presented. The study was performed using the techniques of magic angle spinning (MAS) and magnetization transfer. These procedures allow the direct determination of the cross relaxation rate between the polymer and the liquid crystal, which is different for samples cured at different temperatures.
Quantitative observations of the acute effects of X-irradiation on brain capillary permeability: Part I

Abstract Male Fischer 344 rats received cerebral irradiation at 300 rad/day, four days/wk for three wk, to a total dose of 3600 rad. The capillary permeability coefficients for galactitol, urea, and sodium determined at 6, 10 and 12 wk postirradiation were not statistically different when they were compared to control rats. We found no evidence for the “early” delayed effects of X irradiation based on alteration of brain capillary permeability. We feel this syndrome is the result of alteration in the processes that control the maintenance of myelin. Further investigation of cellular and biochemical effects of irradiation would be more informative than additional capillary membrane studies.
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC/D): A Systematic Literature Review

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) is a genetic form of cardiomyopathy (CM) usually transmitted with an autosomal dominant pattern. It primary affects the right ventricle (RV), but may involve the left ventricle (LV) and culminate in biventricular heart failure (HF), life threatening ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). It accounts for 11%–22% of cases of SCD in the young athlete population. Pathologically is characterized by myocardial atrophy, fibrofatty replacement and chamber dilation. Diagnosis is often difficult due to the nonspecific nature of the disease and the broad spectrum of phenotypic variations. Therefore consensus diagnostic criteria have been developed and combined electrocardiography, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) and myocardial biopsy. Early detection, family screening and risk stratification are the cornerstones in the diagnostic evaluation. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation, ablative procedures and heart transplantation are currently the main therapeutic options.
An electrochemical study on the dissolution of gold and copper from gold/copper alloys

The dissolution behavior of gold and copper from their elemental states and from gold/copper alloys in cyanide solutions has been investigated using a rotating-disc electrode. The anodic and cathodic reactions were studied separately, and the resulting polarization curves were combined to examine the overall dissolution reactions. The dissolution rate of pure gold in the aerated cyanide solutions was inhibited by the anodic passivation on the gold surface, whereas the dissolution rate of pure copper was found to be mass-transfer controlled. On the other hand, the dissolution of gold and copper from the alloys was partially controlled by electrochemical reaction and largely by mass transfer.
The image of the government flack: movie depictions of public relations in public administration

Abstract Notwithstanding the ubiquity of public relations in contemporary society, little attention has been devoted by researchers to its image in popular culture, especially the nearly-universal mass entertainment medium of film. This article reviews the screen image of the public relations professional in public administration. Of twenty flack flicks, several attributes were consistent in most of them. The characters were almost all men, they worked for the federal government and especially in the military, they primarily conducted media relations and were disproportionately present in movies made in the 1990s rather than earlier decades. Other characteristics showed greater bipolarity. In about half the movies, the government public relations officer was a comic figure, a serious character in the other half. Finally, he was as often the good guy to be cheered by the audience as a bad guy to be jeered.
Regulation of chromatin accessibility and Zic binding at enhancers in the developing cerebellum

To identify chromatin mechanisms of neuronal differentiation, we characterized chromatin accessibility and gene expression in cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) of the developing mouse. We used DNase-seq to map accessibility of cis-regulatory elements and RNA-seq to profile transcript abundance across postnatal stages of neuronal differentiation in vivo and in culture. We observed thousands of chromatin accessibility changes as CGNs differentiated, and verified, using H3K27ac ChIP-seq, reporter gene assays and CRISPR-mediated activation, that many of these regions function as neuronal enhancers. Motif discovery in differentially accessible chromatin regions suggested a previously unknown role for the Zic family of transcription factors in CGN maturation. We confirmed the association of Zic with these elements by ChIP-seq and found, using knockdown, that Zic1 and Zic2 are required for coordinating mature neuronal gene expression patterns. Together, our data reveal chromatin dynamics at thousands of gene regulatory elements that facilitate the gene expression patterns necessary for neuronal differentiation and function.
Concurrent and Longitudinal Associations Between Diurnal Cortisol and Body Mass Index Across Adolescence

Purpose: Childhood and adolescent obesity have reached epidemic levels; however, little is known about the psychobiological underpinnings of obesity in youth and whether these differ from the mechanisms identified in adults. The current study examines concurrent (i.e., measured at the same point in time) and longitudinal (i.e., using earlier cortisol measures to predict later body mass index [BMI]) associations between diurnal cortisol and BMI across adolescence. Methods: Adolescent diurnal cortisol was measured over 3 days at each 11, 13, and 15 years. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to extract average measures of predicted morning, afternoon, evening levels of cortisol and the diurnal slope at each assessment. Adolescent BMI (kg/m 2 ) was measured at 11, 13, 15, and 18 years. Sex, family socioeconomic status, mother’s BMI, pubertal status, and adolescent mental health were examined as possible confounding variables. Results: Linear regressions revealed that blunted patterns of adolescent cortisol were associated with increased measures of BMI across adolescence both concurrently and longitudinally, particularly when examining measures of cortisol in early adolescence. Multinomial logistic regressions extended the linear regression findings beyond BMI scores to encompass categories of obesity. Conclusions: The current study builds on previous research documenting diurnal cortisoleobesity findings in adults by demonstrating similar findings exist both concurrently and longitudinally in adolescents. Findings suggest the association between cortisol and BMI is developmentally influenced and that blunted diurnal cortisol patterns can be identified in overweight individuals at a younger age than previously thought.
Clinical Outcomes in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Stage IA Endometrial Cancer With Myometrial Invasion Treated With or Without Postoperative Vaginal Brachytherapy

Purpose To assess the clinical outcomes of patients with Stage IA endometrial cancer with myometrial invasion treated with postoperative vaginal brachytherapy (VBT) with those who received no adjuvant therapy (NAT). Methods and Materials All patients treated with hysterectomy for endometrial cancer at Northwestern Memorial Hospital between 1978 and 2005 were identified. Those patients with Stage IA disease with myometrial invasion who were treated with VBT alone or NAT were identified and included in the present analysis. Results Of 252 patients with Stage IA endometrial cancer with superficial ( p = NS). Of the 169 VBT patients and 83 NAT patients, 8 (4.7%) and 6 (7.2%) developed recurrent disease. One vaginal recurrence occurred in the VBT group (0.6%) and three in the NAT group (3.8%). Recurrences developed 2–102 months after surgical treatment. Two of the four vaginal recurrences were salvaged. No Grade 3 or higher acute or late radiation toxicity was noted. Conclusions The use of postoperative VBT in patients with Stage I endometrial cancer with
Fishmeal-based diet decreases the redness of sunshine bass (Morone chrysops × Morone saxatilis) fillets

Abstract The objectives of the present study were to determine the effects of feeding a fishmeal-based diet on color attributes and lipid oxidation in sunshine bass ( Morone chrysops × Morone saxatilis ) fillets during retail display. A balanced diet containing 30 percent fishmeal (FM) or a diet containing poultry byproduct meal as a complete replacement of fishmeal (PB) was fed to sunshine bass for fifteen months. Harvested fish were filleted, overwrapped with polyvinyl chloride film and stored at 2 °C (REF) or over ice (ICE), under an illuminated retail display. Samples ( n = 6) were analyzed after 0, 3, 6, or 9 d storage for color attributes (CIE L ∗ , a ∗ , b ∗ , hue angle and chroma), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and pH. TBARS and pH increased ( P P a ∗ (redness) value and greater ( P
Development of visual tracking algorithms for an autonomous helicopter

A visual target designation and tracking system is being developed within the context of the Autonomous Scout Rotorcraft Testbed Project at Georgia Tech. This paper describes both the algorithms and the hardware being used for this purpose by the Mission Equipment Package Technology Area Team. Preliminary results using two simple tracking algorithms are presented.
Behavioral parameters of social dominance in rats

The present experiment studies the social dominance in rats, analyzing several agonistic and nonagonistic behavioral parameters. A correlation was observed within the agonistic categories, revealing also a positive correlation with the general bodily activity. However, it is noted that since dominance hierarchy in rats is not unidimensional, but complex, a further study of other factors influencing behavior is required in order to enable general conclusions regarding social behavior.
Underdevelopment and Dependence in Black Africa: Historical Origin:

Keeping in mind the variety of social, cultural and economic conditions distinguishing African Societies, the author divides the continent into three macro-regions: (1) Africa of the colo nial economy (enlarged West Africa) (2) Africa of the concession companies (Congo Basin) (3) Africa of the labor reserves (East and South Africa).The dialectics between colonial policies and social formations and modes of production in ternal to the regions are seen as a major deter minant in shaping the history of underdevelop ment in Black Africa.On this basis, four historical periods are ana lyzed : (1) The pre-mercantilist period (2) The mercantilist period (3) The preparatory phase for colonization (4) The colonization period.Concluding the discussion of the colonization period, the author points to the necessity of viewing African socities as dependent, peripheral ones, shaped according to the needs of dominant, capitalist societies.
β-Blocker therapy: A standard of care for heart failure

beta-Adrenergic-blocking agents underwent extensive research over the past 2 decades and emerged as a proven state-of-art therapy for the failing human heart. Through blockade of chronically elevated cardiac adrenergic stimulation, selective and nonselective agents with vasodilating properties prevent progression of myocardial dysfunction and cardiac remodeling. Most important, beta-adrenergic blockers added to conventional therapy of vasodilators and diuretics significantly increase survival to a 5-year rate similar to that of cardiac transplantation. The agents also significantly reduce hospitalizations, improve quality of life, and are well tolerated in clinical trials. The challenge in treating heart failure is to ensure that every eligible patient receives these life-saving drugs.
The Study on Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Heat Rolled and Solution-Treated Fe-26Mn-6Al-1C Steel

In the present work, mechanical properties and microstructures of hot-rolled and solution-treated Fe-26Mn-6Al-1C steel (6Al steel) were investigated. Tensile tests were carried out at room temperature. The samples were characterized by using XRD, OM, SEM and TEM. The results suggested that the microstructure of the hot rolled 6Al steel was fully austenitic. After solution treatment and deformation, the microstructure was still single austenite. With the increase of the solution treatment temperatures, the strength decreased and the elongation increased. After solution treated at 1100°C for 1h, the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation were 378MPa, 756MPa and 57%.
Complications and comorbidities of T2DM in adolescents: findings from the TODAY clinical trial

With the rise in childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been recognized to occur in adolescents with increasing frequency. Although much is known about T2DM in adults, few studies have examined the treatment and complications of T2DM in youth. The Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of various treatments and provided a unique opportunity to study the disease progression and appearance of complications in a pediatric cohort with recent onset of the disease. In the TODAY study, hypertension was present in 11.6% of the population at baseline and increased to 33.8% by the end of the study. Prevalence of high-risk LDL-cholesterol rose from 4.5% at baseline to 10.7% at the end of the study. Microalbuminuria was found in 6.3% of the cohort at baseline and increased to 16.6%. Retinopathy was not assessed upon entry into TODAY, but was present in 13.9% of the TODAY cohort at the end of the study. Experience to date indicates that these complications and comorbidities are similar to those seen in adults, but occur on an accelerated timeline. The early manifestation of diabetes complications in youth-onset T2DM suggests that this group will be burdened with the tangible consequences of cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, and retinopathy in the third and fourth decades of life. It is hoped that through an early, aggressive approach to treatment and prevention, we may be able to curb the onset and progression of these potentially devastating outcomes.
The 5-HT6 Receptor Antagonist SB-271046 Selectively Enhances Excitatory Neurotransmission in the Rat Frontal Cortex and Hippocampus

Preclinical evidence has suggested a possible role for the 5-HT6 receptor in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction. However, currently there is little neurochemical evidence suggesting the mechanism(s) which may be involved. Using the selective 5-HT6 antagonist SB-271046 and in vivo microdialysis, we have evaluated the effects of this compound on the modulation of basal neurotransmitter release within multiple brain regions of the freely moving rat. SB-271046 produced no change in basal levels of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) or 5-HT in the striatum, frontal cortex, dorsal hippocampus or nucleus accumbens. Similarly, this compound had no effect on excitatory neurotransmission in the striatum or nucleus accumbens. Conversely, SB-271046 produced 3- and 2-fold increases in extracellular glutamate levels in both frontal cortex and dorsal hippocampus, respectively. These effects were completely attenuated by infusion of tetrodotoxin but unaffected by the muscarinic antagonist, atropine. Here we demonstrate for the first time the selective enhancement of excitatory neurotransmission by SB-271046 in those brain regions implicated in cognitive and memory function, and provide mechanistic evidence in support of a possible therapeutic role for 5-HT6 receptor antagonists in the treatment of cognitive and memory dysfunction.
The effect of interdialytic interval on protein metabolism: evidence suggesting dialysis-induced catabolism.

While examining protein metabolism in hemodialysis patients, we noted that lengthening the interdialytic intervals from two to three days reduced the dialysate nitrogen waste excretion (D-N 2 ; mg/min) and lowered the patient's protein catabolic rate (PCR; glkgld). D-N 2 was measured in the spent dialysate and PCR derived from urea kinetics while patients maintained a constant dietary intake. In the basal state (B), D-N 2 decreased from 5.43 to 4.32 mg/min when the interdialytic interval was increased from two to three days ( P 3 ) or ipodate (Ip) to increase or decrease body metabolism. In the T 3 period, D-N 2 was 6.12 and 5.06 mg/min and PCR was 1.08 and 0.92 g/kg/d, respectively, when the interdialytic intervals were two and three days ( P P
CD8+ T Lymphocytes in Viral Hyperreactivity and M2 Muscarinic Receptor Dysfunction

In the airways, inhibitory M2 muscarinic receptors (M2Rs) on parasympathetic nerves limit acetylcholine release. Viral infection causes M2R dysfunction, which increases acetylcholine release and leads to airway hyperreactivity. In these studies we tested the role of CD8+ T cells in parainfluenza virus-induced hyperreactivity and M2R dysfunction in normal guinea pigs and in guinea pigs previously sensitized to ovalbumin. Depleting CD8+ T cells prevented virus-induced M2R dysfunction and hyperreactivity in sensitized animals, but not in nonsensitized animals. Sensitization increased the number of eosinophils in close relation to the airway nerves where, when activated, they release major basic protein, which binds to and blocks the M2Rs. Regardless of sensitization, viral infection decreased the number of visible tissue eosinophils, likely reflecting eosinophil degranulation via cytolysis. Depleting CD8+ T cells prevented this virus-induced eosinophil degranulation. In addition, an antiviral effect of sensi...
Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment: Biological Mechanisms and Clinical Evidence

Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), a relatively new and unproven intervention derived from a well-established and proven intervention, thermal radiofrequency neurotomy (TRFN), promises a safer, nondestructive approach to various chronic pain conditions. TRFN thermally lesions nerves to control intractable pain, whereas the mechanism underlying the effects of PRF heretofore has been unclear. Like any new technology that is perceived as less risky and less demanding than an earlier version of the same technology, PRF is an attractive alternative to TRFN, both to patients and to their physicians. Understandably, then, PRF has proponents who strongly believe in its clinical effectiveness in the field, and its use is growing rapidly. One particular criticism of PRF has been the absence of a biological mechanism for its clinical effect. How could PRF eliminate pain when there is no neurotomy? Van Zundert and colleagues …
Do Academics and Practitioners agree on What and How to Teach the Undergraduate Marketing Research Course

A survey was undertaken with executives from marketing research firms and marketing faculty who teach the under-graduate research course. Each group was asked comparable questions about desired cou...
QCD thermodynamics at Nt = 8

Abstract We report on recent simulations of QCD with two flavors of staggered fermions done on the 6.4 Gflop Columbia parallel processor using lattices of size 16 3 × 8. Calculations have been performed with m u a = m d a = 0.004 for values of β between 5.33 and 5.63, using both ordered and disordered starts for each β. We give our results for various observables and consider in some detail the evolution at β = 5.48, where we find results consistent with a two-state signal.
Molybdenum-tungsten interdiffusion and the influence on potassium bubbles in tungsten lamp wire

The present article describes the effects of molybdenum contamination on the microstructure of lampgrade potassium-doped tungsten wire after exposure to temperatures above 2500 °C. Molybdenum is generally used as the mandrel material in the coiling of single and double coil lamp filaments. During high-temperature heat treatments used during filament manufacture, significant amounts of molybdenum can diffuse into the tungsten. In this study, tungsten-molybdenum diffusion couples were prepared and heat treated at temperatures of 2500 °C and above to generate molybdenum contamination of the tungsten. After dissolution of the molybdenum from the diffusion couple, additional high-temperature heat treatments of the tungsten were performed to simulate lamp burning; equiaxed grains and excessive potassium bubble growth were observed in the tungsten. Explanations for these microstructural changes are discussed. Electron beam microprobe data were also obtained to characterize tungsten-molybdenum interdiffusion, and a Boltzmann-Matano analysis was performed to evaluate the contribution of the concentration dependence of the interdiffusion coefficient to the measured diffusion profiles.
Specific repression of rat prolactin gene expression in transplanted tumor cells.

Transplantation of GH3 rat pituitary tumor cells that express both PRL and GH to female Wistar-Furth rats results in tumors that secrete only GH. We have used in vivo passage of GH3 cells as a model system to study specific repression of PRL. RNA blot hybridization revealed that PRL message was repressed 95% in cells transplanted to host animals compared to that in GH3 cells in culture. In contrast, there was little change in GH message in the transplanted cells, and there was a 4-fold increase in insulin-like growth factor-I transcript levels. When the transplanted cells were returned to cell culture, PRL mRNA levels increased rapidly, reaching levels similar to those in GH3 cells within 72 h. Gene transfer studies demonstrated a low level PRL promoter utilization in GH3 cells after in vivo passage, when endogenous PRL was repressed. Transfection of the transplanted cells maintained in culture for 96 h, when endogenous PRL was expressed, demonstrated increased PRL promoter activity. Messenger RNA levels ...
Actinic keratoses: Natural history and risk of malignant transformation in the Veterans Affairs Topical Tretinoin Chemoprevention Trial.

Background Actinic keratoses (AKs) are established as direct precursors of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), but there is significant controversy regarding the rate at which AKs progress to SCC. The authors of this report studied a high-risk population to estimate the risk of progression of AK to SCC and to basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and the risk of spontaneous regression of untreated AKs. Methods Data were obtained from participants in the Department of Veterans Affairs Topical Tretinoin Chemoprevention Trial. Participants were examined every 6 months for up to 6 years. At each examination, the locations on the face and ears of clinically diagnosed AKs and lesions scheduled for biopsy were marked, and high-resolution digital photographs were taken. These photographs were used later to map and track the presence, absence, or biopsy of each AK across visits. Results In total, 7784 AKs were identified on the face and ears of 169 participants. The risk of progression of AK to primary SCC (invasive or in situ) was 0.60% at 1 year and 2.57% at 4 years. Approximately 65% of all primary SCCs and 36% of all primary BCCs diagnosed in the study cohort arose in lesions that previously were diagnosed clinically as AKs. The majority of AKs (55%) that were followed clinically were not present at the 1-year follow-up, and the majority (70%) were not present at the 5-year follow-up. Conclusions In the current study, the authors quantified the malignant potential of clinically diagnosed AKs for both SCC and BCC, although many did not persist, and the results suggested that AKs may play a greater role in the overall burden of keratinocyte carcinomas than previously documented.
Testing drugs in pediatric populations: the FDA mandate.

On November 27, 1998 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a new rule requiring that drugs and biological products be tested in pediatric populations. Since voluntary testing in pediatric populations had not resulted in a significant increase in pediatric labeling of drugs, stronger measures were needed to ensure that infants and children would receive the benefits of properly tested drugs and biologies. The mandate for pediatric testing raises a core ethical question: How should the need for validated treatments that benefit children as a group be weighed against the obligation to protect individual child subjects of research? The preamble to the new rule claims that adherence to Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines will provide adequate protection to individual subjects. Yet the special protections provided to children in these guidelines are not required by the new FDA rule, and have never been obligatory for research that is regulat...
Towards a species-selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor to control the mosquito vector of malaria, Anopheles gambiae

Anopheles gambiae is the major mosquito vector of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. At present, insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) impregnated with pyrethroid insecticides are widely used in malaria-endemic regions to reduce infection; however the emergence of pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes has significantly reduced the effectiveness of the pyrethroid ITNs. An acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor that is potent for An. gambiae but weakly potent for the human enzyme could potentially be safely deployed on a new class of ITNs. In this paper we provide a preliminary pharmacological characterization of An. gambiae AChE, discuss structural features of An. gambiae and human AChE that could lead to selective inhibition, and describe compounds with 130-fold selectivity for inhibition of An. gambiae AChE relative to human AChE.