cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biomaterials for Local, Controlled Drug Delivery to the Injured Spinal Cord

Affecting approximately 17,000 new people each year, spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating injury that leads to permanent paraplegia or tetraplegia. Current pharmacological approaches are limited in their ability to ameliorate this injury pathophysiology, as many are not delivered locally, for a sustained duration, or at the correct injury time point. With this review, we aim to communicate the importance of combinatorial biomaterial and pharmacological approaches that target certain aspects of the dynamically changing pathophysiology of SCI. After reviewing the pathophysiology timeline, we present experimental biomaterial approaches to provide local sustained doses of drug. In this review, we present studies using a variety of biomaterials, including hydrogels, particles, and fibers/conduits for drug delivery. Subsequently, we discuss how each may be manipulated to optimize drug release during a specific time frame following SCI. Developing polymer biomaterials that can effectively release drug to target specific aspects of SCI pathophysiology will result in more efficacious approaches leading to better regeneration and recovery following SCI.
Two-port representation of propagation and scattering in radar

This paper details the derivation and application of modeling radar propagation and scattering using two-port networks. This form of representation allows different sections of propagation, such as through air or soil, to be computed separately for a particular frequency and then applied to waveforms. A forward-looking radar was modeled first which accounted for air and rain propagation. It was found that the correlation results of both noise and chirp waveforms were similar for different target impedances as well as being dependent upon the target reflection coefficient's phase. A down-looking radar formulation was also derived to represent soil clutter response with varying moisture content. In this case, noise waveforms showed consistently lower correlations than the chirp indicating that noise signals may be a better alternative for clutter suppression.
Synergistic effects of heat and antibiotics on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms

Upon formation of a biofilm, bacteria undergo several changes that prevent eradication with antimicrobials alone. Due to this resistance, the standard of care for infected medical implants is explantation of the infected implant and surrounding tissue, followed by eventual reimplantation of a replacement device. Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of heat shock for biofilm eradication. To minimize the heat required for in situ biofilm eradication, this study investigated the hypothesis that antibiotics, while ineffective by themselves, may substantially increase heat shock efficacy. The combined effect of heat and antibiotics on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms was quantified via heat shock in combination with ciprofloxacin, tobramycin, or erythromycin at multiple concentrations. Combined treatments had synergistic effects for all antibiotics for heat shock conditions of 60°C for 5 min to 70°C for 1 min, indicating an alternative to surgical explantation.
Exponential decay modeling can define parameters of weight loss trajectory after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Abstract Background Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) produces durable and clinically significant weight loss. We aim to characterize the trajectory of weight loss, and demonstrate the predictive ability of three-month performance on final weight loss. Methods Retrospective analysis of 1097 consecutive LRYGB patients allowed for assessment of conformity of various weight loss trajectory models. Establishing exponential decay as the optimal fit, initial, three-month and final BMI values were used to determine empiric rate constants (λ 3 ). Empirically derived weight loss curves and associated rate constants (λ) were generated. Results Exponential decay optimally characterizes post-LRYGB weight loss trajectory. Final weight loss can be characterized by λ 3, as well as by the demographics black race ( P = 0.008) and initial BMI ( P Conclusions Weight loss after LRYGB conforms well to exponential decay, and postoperative trajectory can thus be predicted early. This allows the clinician early identification and intervention upon patients at risk of poor performance.
A Low Bit Rate Wearable Motion Sensing Platform for Gesture Classification

In this paper, we present an energy efficient motion sensing platform for wireless body area networks that supports real-time, persistent gesture recognition through motion tracking sensors. The platform consists of multiple heterogeneous wearable sensors. The custom-built body sensors include inertial sensors, a low-power microcontroller and a 2.4 GHz radio transceiver. Signal classifiers such as Fishers linear discriminant classifiers, static neural networks, and focused time delay neural networks (fTDNN) are employed to classify the signals obtained from the wearable sensors. It was found that at a sampling rate of 10 Hz and just 4 bits/sample, the fTDNN classifier achieves 88% classification rate. Our results show that reducing the sampling and quantization rates could be used in energy constrained sensor networks for gesture recognition.
Treat and Extend Dosing Regimen with Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Agents for Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents are the mainstay of therapy for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD), one of the leading causes of blindness in the developed world. There have been a variety of different treatment regimens that have been examined for the administration of anti-VEGF therapies, including continuous fixed dosing, pro re nata administration, and treat and extend (TAE) protocols. There is no clear consensus on which dosing regimen optimizes visual and anatomical outcomes while accounting for factors such as cost and patient burden. Based on recent surveys in 2014 and 2017 by the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), the majority of ophthalmology providers are utilizing TAE protocol for anti-VEGF dosing for the management of nvAMD. Although there are a number of clinical trials that have examined TAE dosing, the ALTAIR study is the first, large, prospective randomized controlled trial to compare two different TAE protocols utilizing the anti-VEGF agent aflibercept for nvAMD. The ALTAIR study, in conjunction with other previous clinical trials, suggests that TAE protocol with aflibercept is an effective anti-VEGF dosing regimen for patients with nvAMD as it produces good visual gains and minimizes cost and burden for the patient.
Separation and Purification of Cord Factor (6,6′ Dimycoloyl Trehalose) from Wax C or from Mycolic Acids

Mycolic acids are among the most persistent contaminants of the toxic mycobacterial glycolipid 6,6′ dimycoloyl trehalose (cord factor). In the past, alternating multiple silicic acid and magnesium silicate column chromatography has been employed, not always successfully, to purify the glycolipid [5]. An ancillary problem which required a rapid method for bulk separation of certain derivatives of mycolic esters from the free acids led us to a disarmingly simple solution to both problems and ultimately to an improved method for isolation and purification of cord factor from wax C. Neutral lipids can be separated from quite large amounts of contaminant free carboxylic acids by adsorption chromatography on the free base form of diethylaminoethylcellulose (DEAE). The present paper describes the rationale and methods developed for cord factor purification.
Immunity and Tolerance to Synthetic Polynucleotides in New Zealand Mice

Our laboratory has been studying the pathogenesis of the autoimmune disorder systemic lupus erythematosus as it occurs in humans and in the inbred New Zealand mice. The disease in both species is characterized by spontaneous formation of antibodies to double-stranded DNA and RNA which unite with antigen, fix complement, and deposit in the kidney where the immune complexes lead to a fatal glomerulonephritis. Three factors contribute to this disorder. These factors are genetic, immunologic, and viral.
Refining representations to improve problem solving quality

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a learning method involving the refining of representations to improve problem solving quality of systems. Declarative, domain-independent problem solving is a widespread and effective technique for addressing artificial intelligence problems. It relies on a domain-independent inference engine and a declarative representation of domain-specific knowledge. The flexibility afforded by this approach is frequently offset by limitations in efficiency and competence of the problem solver. An alternative approach for more efficiency in processing systems is to do away with macro-inference rules and use machine learning methods to build appropriate representations explicitly. Useful problem-solving distinctions are explicitly identified for the general inference engine and other methods sharing the same declarative knowledge, like planning, inductive learning, and analogical reasoning. The employment of Bumble's explanation constructor as a learning method improves the quality and speed of inference for the computations it refines. The bad news is that the trade-off between the rise in classification costs is not offset by the drop in specific inference costs. Classification times rise as Bumble adds additional structure to the hierarchy.
Multi-stream to many-stream: using spectro-temporal features for ASR.

We report progress in the use of multi-stream spectro-temporal features for both small and large vocabulary automatic speech recognition tasks. Features are divided into multiple streams for parallel processing and dynamic utilization in this approach. For small vocabulary speech recognition experiments, the incorporation of up to 28 dynamically-weighted spectro-temporal feature streams along with MFCCs yields roughly 21% improvement on the baseline in low noise conditions and 47% improvement in noise-added conditions, a greater improvement on the baseline than in our previous work. A four stream framework yields a 14% improvement over the baseline in the large vocabulary low noise recognition experiment. These results suggest that the division of spectro-temporal features into multiple streams may be an effective way to flexibly utilize an inherently large number of features for automatic speech recognition.
Skill Learning And Human Factors: A Brief Overview

This paper provides a brief overview of the field of motor learning and control as it relates to the acquisition of skill in the human factors domain. The impact of learning variables on skill acquisition is critically assessed together with the more current literature on behavioral motor control. The potential impact of the ecological approach to perception and action in man-machine systems is outlined.
Retrospective evaluation of the effect of intravenous fluid administration on development of postoperative reflux in horses with colic (2004-2012): 194 horses.

Objective To evaluate the role of intravenous fluid volume and electrolyte supplementation on the development of postoperative reflux (POR) in horses undergoing celiotomy for colic. Design Case-control study spanning 2004-2012 for horses undergoing celiotomy for colic. Setting University teaching hospital. Animals Sixty-seven client-owned horses >1 year of age with POR were each matched to 2 controls with similar surgical lesions that did not demonstrate POR. Measurements and main results Survival was significantly lower in cases (65.7%) than controls (96.1%). Factors found to be associated with POR included decreased net fluid volume administered on day 1 postoperatively, increased age, and performing a resection and anastomosis. Mean time until onset of POR was 20.4 hours postoperatively. PCV was significantly higher immediately following surgery and at 24 hours postoperatively in horses that developed POR compared with matched controls. There was no association between electrolyte values at presentation or administration of potassium, calcium, or magnesium in the postoperative period and the subsequent development of reflux. Conclusions In the perioperative period, IV fluid volume overload and electrolyte abnormalities were not contributing factors in the development of POR in this population of surgical colic patients. Close postoperative monitoring with consideration and correction of pre- and postoperative fluid deficits is recommended.
The influence of Val158Met COMT on physiological stress responsivity.

We tested the extent to which the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism is associated with stress response and pain in both men and women. The participants were assessed on mea...
Morphologic variation of an evolving dome controlled by the extrusion of finite yield strength magma

Abstract Degassing-induced crystallization in volatile rich intermediate composition magmas results in material stiffening and strengthening that prior to solidification is reflected in non-Newtonian rheology. We explore the effects of a spectrum of such rheological regimes on eruptive style and morphologic evolution of lava domes, using a two-dimensional (2D) particle-dynamics model for a spreading viscoplastic (Bingham) fluid. We assume that the ductile magma core of a 2D synthetic lava dome develops finite yield strength, and that deformable frictional talus evolves from a carapace that caps the magma core. Our new model is calibrated against an existing analytical model for a spreading viscoplastic lava dome and is further compared against observational data of lava dome growth. Results indicate that a degassing-induced increase in strength of the injected magma causes a transition in the lava dome morphology from a dome with low surface relief evolving endogenously (with apparent bulk yield strength - 104 105 – 106 Pa) extruded through the dome carapace. The virtual lava dome with τ0a = 0.6 MPa shows good agreement with the observed dome heights observed at the Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat during a period of endogenous growth. The calculated apparent flow viscosity (1.36 × 1011 Pa·s for τ0a = 0.6 MPa) is in the range of estimated viscosities (109 to 1012 Pa·s) for andesitic-dacitic crystal-rich lavas. Our model results indicate a strong correlation between apparent yield strength and dome morphology, with both controlled by degassing-induced crystallization and extrusion rate.
Non-specific degradation of transcripts promotes plasmid clearance during type III-A CRISPR-Cas immunity.

Type III-A CRISPR–Cas systems employ the Cas10–Csm complex to destroy bacteriophages and plasmids, using a guide RNA to locate complementary RNA molecules from the invader and trigger an immune response that eliminates the infecting DNA. In addition, these systems possess the non-specific RNase Csm6, which provides further protection for the host. While the role of Csm6 in immunity during phage infection has been determined, how this RNase is used against plasmids is unclear. Here, we show that Staphylococcus epidermidis Csm6 is required for immunity when transcription across the plasmid target is infrequent, leading to impaired target recognition and inefficient DNA degradation by the Cas10–Csm complex. In these conditions, Csm6 causes growth arrest in the host and prevents further plasmid replication through the indiscriminate degradation of host and plasmid transcripts. In contrast, when plasmid target sequences are efficiently transcribed, Csm6 is dispensable and DNA degradation by Cas10 is sufficient for anti-plasmid immunity. Csm6 therefore provides robustness to the type III-A CRISPR–Cas immune response against difficult targets for the Cas10–Csm complex. Type III-A CRISPR–Cas systems use a non-specific RNase, Csm6, to mediate immunity against plasmids when transcription across the target is low. This results in non-specific degradation of host and plasmid transcripts, leading to growth arrest and preventing plasmid replication.
From the crust to the cortical: The geochemistry of trace elements in human bone

Abstract Trace element incorporation into human bone depends upon dietary, geological, and environmental inputs as well as biological processes that biopurify essential elements, while depleting nonessential or toxic elements. Thus, the trace element composition of human bones provides a geochemical archive of biological, environmental, anthropological, and/or geographic conditions that have occurred throughout an individual’s life. While the majority of research has focused on the incorporation of a select subset of elements (i.e., Ca, F, Sr, Pb, K, Mg, Zn, Na), less information exists on the abundances of many other geologically informative trace elements and the processes that control their incorporation into human bone. In this study, we use ICP-MS to characterize the distribution of 36 trace elements in cortical bone tissues from femoral heads to investigate their incorporation into modern human bones. We propose a standard system for the evaluation of trace elements in human bone by normalizing trace element contents to bone mineral content (i.e., normalized concentrations of element X = (XN)bone= [X]/[Ca], where X is the measured abundance for a trace element of interest and Ca is the measured calcium content). Because Zn is known to be highly regulated by an individual’s homeostatic processes, we compare trace element abundances to Zn concentrations to determine which elements are modified by homeostatic processes. Using this framework, we identify one subset of trace elements that correlates strongly to Zn consistent with homeostatic regulation and a second subset of elements that exhibits statistically insignificant correlations to Zn, which we infer as a lack of homeostatic regulation. While the first subset of elements experiences homeostatic regulation and therefore do not reflect dietary or environmental inputs, the second subset of trace elements can be linked to geographic location or dietary inputs. Ratios of incorporation (Ri = ((XN)bone)/([X]/[Ca]UCC)) of trace elements into bone quantify the relative deviation for each trace element from the theoretical geological standard for average soil composition, which is assumed here to be equivalent to Upper Continental Crust (UCC). Rare earth elements (REEs) and oxyanions may provide the best proxy for geographical provenance studies.
The Myth of the Taken: Why Hegel Is Not a Conceptualist

ABSTRACTThe close connection often cited between Hegel and Wilfrid Sellars is not only said to lie in their common negative challenges to the ‘framework of givenness,’ but also in the positive less...
Including the Consumer and Environment in Occupational Therapy Treatment Planning

This study was designed to examine the extent to which occupational therapists include the consumer and the environment in treatment planning. Twenty-nine registered occupational therapists who sub...
Review of WHO 2016 Changes to Classification of Gliomas; Incorporation of Molecular Markers

In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated its brain tumor classification system to recognize the importance of key genetic alterations in glioma, incorporating these features into the definitions of a variety of brain tumors for the first time. Several of these genetic alterations, such as IDH mutation and 1p/19q codeletion, can be assessed at imaging, with approaches including visual inspection, advanced MR and PET techniques, and machine learning reported in the literature. Reliable noninvasive assessment of these genetic features by imaging may allow for improved treatment planning and patient counseling, and an understanding of how the various genetically defined tumor types respond to therapy is useful in interpretation of post-treatment imaging. In the future, the importance of genetic features in glioma diagnosis and treatment will only increase, and it is incumbent upon neuroradiologists to stay abreast of these developments in order to provide optimal patient care.
Suppression of angiogenesis and tumor growth by selective inhibition of Angiopoietin-2

4662 In the classical pathway of Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation, NF-κB subunits are sequestered in the cytoplasm by the Inhibitor of Kappa B (IKB) and released to the nucleus when IKB is phosphorylated by the Inhibitor of Kappa B kinase (IKK) complex. The IKK complex consists of the regulatory IKKγ subunit, along with a dimer of IKKα subunits, IKKβ subunits, or both an IKKα and IKKβ subunit. In this study, our lab showed that IKKα specific induction of NF-κB translocation to the nucleus promoted a pro-angiogenic phenotype in endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro and in vivo through the classical NF-κB signaling pathway. IKKα expression, but not IKKβ expression, increased cell motility and tube formation in endothelial cells (ECs). This pro-angiogenic phenotype could be blocked with the co-expression of IKB, demonstrating that IKKα induction of NF-κB translocation was through the classical pathway. We also found that IKKα activation had a pro-angiogenic effect in vivo. We subcutaneously injected Rag-1 mice with matrigel containing Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) cells alone or LLC cells mixed with either IKKα-expressing or GFP-expressing ECs. Tumor size was measured daily, and tissue was harvested for analysis. We found that LLC cells mixed with IKKα-expressing ECs formed palpable tumors earlier than control tumors and tumors containing IKKα-expressing ECs initially grew much larger than controls. The vascular density was significantly higher, and there were fewer hypoxic regions in tumors containing IKKα-expressing ECs than in control tumors. Tumor cell growth was significantly higher and apoptosis was significantly lower in these tumors compared to control tumors. The data demonstrates that IKKα activation in ECs plays an important role in tumor angiogenesis. IKKα-expressing ECs induced a pro-angiogenic phenotype in ECs in vitro and increased the levels of tumor angiogenesis as demonstrated by an increase vascular density in tumor tissue. The increase in tumor angiogenesis promoted cell growth and lowered the levels of apoptosis in tumor tissue. Thus the expression and activation of IKKα provide potential new targets for anti-angiogenic cancer therapies.
Vitreous and Retina

In most cases the condition of the retina determines the outcome of an injury. In all cases of ocular (or systemic; see Chap. 3.3) trauma when posterior segment involvement can be suspected, vitreoretinal consultation should be sought. The earlier such consultation takes place the better. Many vitreoretinal surgeons also prefer if they are the one who sutures the corneal/scleral wound so that optimal conditions are established for vitrectomy, which may have be to performed in a very short period of time if this is deemed necessary to prevent secondary complications.
Behavioral Health Concerns and Eligibility Factors Among Adolescents and Young Adults Seeking Gender-Affirming Masculinizing Top Surgery

Purpose: We evaluated behavioral health histories and eligibility factors for patients seeking chest reconstruction. Methods: One hundred and fifty-eight consecutive transgender patients were seen ...
Assessing the Readiness of Blind Persons for Vocational Placement

The relationship of work to the needs—especially psychological—of clients is explored. It is concluded that full evaluation and testing of the individual should he used to develop a specific rehabi...
Noncell Autonomous Reprogramming to a Pluripotent State

In 2006, Takahashi and Yamanaka discovered that somatic cells could be reprogrammed to a pluripotent state by the expression of a defined set of exogenous transcription factors. This represents a significant breakthrough for the practical use of stem cells in regenerative medicine. Since then, several strategies have been used to generate induced pluripotent (iPS) cells that include nucleic acid and nonnucleic acid-based approaches, with and without epigenetic modifications. The purpose of these different approaches for generating iPS cells, besides understanding the ­underlying mechanism, is to develop a facile method for reprogramming without genetic alteration, suitable for clinical use. Here, we discuss different strategies for generating iPS cells, with an emphasis on a recent noncell autonomous approach to reprogram somatic progenitors that regenerate cornea to a pluripotent state through the recruitment of endogenous transcription factors.
Visualizing COVID-19 information for public: Designs, effectiveness, and preference of thematic maps

Abstract The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has affected human lives at all levels Maps visualizing this pandemic have become a valuable tool for public to retrieve and understand the situation in their areas of interest Some earlier maps visualize information at the level of country or state in the United States, but viewers could not access information at a finer level such as county Motivated by the necessity of visualizing information at a finer level, this study designs a thematic map displaying confirmed COVID-19 cases at the county level in the State of New York The thematic map utilizes a choropleth design with defined data classification and colors for symbolization This study then evaluates this designed thematic map with two other published maps: one from the New York State Department of Health and one from The New York Times The evaluation collects 147 valid responses from public all over the world Results show that choropleth design yields higher accuracy of map understanding In addition, the designed map in this study receives higher preference among participants This study suggests the importance of understanding the data, readers, and mapping purpose in the decision of data classification and symbolization in map design, as it contributes largely to the effectiveness of map interpretation
Investigating spatial heterogeneity of the controls of surface water balance in the contiguous United States by considering anthropogenic factors

Abstract Understanding how precipitation is partitioned into evapotranspiration and streamflow is important for assessing water availability. In the Budyko framework, this partitioning is quantified through the ω parameter. Previous studies have modeled the physical representation of ω; however, the spatial heterogeneity of the relationship between ω and the variables that it represents has not been investigated. This study uses a geographically weighted regression model to identify spatial variations in the factors that control the water balance in 126 reference watersheds with minimal human disturbance and 765 non-reference watersheds in the continental United States. Results show that snowfall and forest coverage are important predictors of ω in the reference watersheds. Relative cumulative moisture surplus, dam storage, and developed land in riparian areas are important predictors in non-reference watersheds. Climate is a primary control of the relative importance of forest coverage. The importance of forest coverage is greater in arid watersheds than in humid watersheds. Snowfall is more important than forest coverage in the Northeast and Midwest. This study demonstrates that dam construction and urban sprawl have a significant impact in non-reference watersheds. Dam storage is the most important predictor in 21% of the non-reference watersheds, and riparian developed land is more important in 13% of the non-reference watersheds. Overall, there are statistically significant relationships between climatic, physiographic, and human-related factors and the ω parameter. The spatial variations in the relationship quantified in this study can help to improve regional watershed management.
Incentivized Spacing and Gender in Computer Science Education

Extensive prior research shows that spacing – the distribution of studying over multiple sessions – significantly improves long-term learning in many disciplines. However, in computer science education, it is unclear if 1) spacing is effective in an incentivized, non-imposed setting and 2) when incentivized, female and male students space their studying differently. To investigate these research questions, we examined how students in an introductory computer science course (378 female and 310 male) spaced their studying. A retrieval practice tool in the course (for 5% of the course grade) incentivized students to space their studying, by awarding a point per day of usage. To measure how much each student spaced, we examined their interactions with the course eBook, which served as their primary learning resource. Specifically, when comparing two students with the same academic and demographic characteristics, the same measure of course easiness, and the same amount of content studied, we considered the student who distributed their studying over more days to be the one who spaced more. Using this definition, our structural equation modeling (SEM) results show that, 1) on average, students who spaced their studying over 14.516 more days (one standard deviation) got 2.25% higher final exam scores; and 2) female students spaced their studying over 4.331 more days than their male counterparts. These results suggest that, in an introductory computer science course, incentivized spacing is effective. Notably, when compared to their male counterparts, female students both exhibited more spacing and obtained higher final exam scores through spacing.
Treatment of Aggressive Pituitary Adenomas: A Case-Based Narrative Review

Management of aggressive pituitary adenomas is challenging due to a paucity of rigorous evidence supporting available treatment approaches. Recent guidelines emphasize the need to maximize standard therapies as well as the use of temozolomide and radiation therapy to treat disease recurrence. However, often these adenomas continue to progress over time, necessitating the use of additional targeted therapies which also impact quality of life and long-term outcomes. In this review, we present 9 cases of aggressive pituitary adenomas to illustrate the importance of a multidisciplinary, individualized approach. The timing and rationale for surgery, radiation therapy, temozolomide, somatostatin receptor ligands, and EGFR, VEGF, and mTOR inhibitors in each case are discussed within the context of evidence-based guidelines and clarify strategies for implementing an individualized approach in the management of these difficult-to-treat-adenomas.
Charity Scandals as a Catalyst of Legal Change and Literary Imagination in Nineteenth Century England

Nineteenth century England, often called the age of reform, was a period of enormous political, social, and economic change. In the first two decades came an increase in the rate of transformation of the economy, the polity and society and a greater stir and movement in all spheres of public activity caused by more "rational and purposeful" control based upon measuring, counting and observing.' Political, economic and governmental institutions developed modem structures and approaches. Charitable regulation reflected these trends. As part of a broader movement of inquiry, supervision and statutory reform, and in an effort to remedy the social evils of the time, the administration and abuse of charitable trusts became a part of a larger agenda of reform, leading to the creation at mid-century of a national Charity Commission which oversaw philanthropic organizations. The rationale for charitable reform was the hope, largely chimerical, to capture a supposedly huge corpus of charitable assets, a proportion of which were misspent, unspent or devoted to obsolete purposes, and to utilize them for modem needs such as education. In contrast to the past, charities were examined with a new thoroughness and scope. Publicity surrounding charitable scandals provided the impetus for Parliamentary reform. Chancery's inefficient hold of oversight of charities was loosened. At mid-century there was in place a permanent Charity Commission, though of questionable vigor and modest effectiveness.
Mutations in a new gene encoding a thiamine transporter cause thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anaemia syndrome.

Thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anaemia syndrome (TRMA; MIM 249270) is an autosomal recessive disorder with features that include megaloblastic anaemia, mild thrombocytopenia and leucopenia, sensorineural deafness and diabetes mellitus1,2,3. Treatment with pharmacologic doses of thiamine ameliorates the megaloblastic anaemia and diabetes mellitus. A defect in the plasma membrane transport of thiamine has been demonstrated in erythrocytes and cultured skin fibroblasts from TRMA patients4,5,6. The gene causing TRMA was assigned to 1q23.2–q23.3 by linkage analysis7. Here we report the cloning of a new gene, SLC19A2, identified from high-throughput genomic sequences due to homology with SLC19A1, encoding reduced folate carrier 1 (refs 8,9,10).We cloned the entire coding region by screening a human fetal brain cDNA library. SLC19A2 encodes a protein (of 497 aa) predicted to have 12 transmembrane domains. We identified 2 frameshift mutations in exon 2, a 1-bp insertion and a 2-bp deletion, among four Iranian families with TRMA. The sequence homology and predicted structure of SLC19A2, as well as its role in TRMA, suggest that its gene product is a thiamine carrier, the first to be identified in complex eukaryotes.
Cannabis‐Related Disorders

In 2007, 3.9 million persons in the United States aged 12 or older (1.6% of the population) met DSM criteria for cannabis dependence or abuse. The numbers of those who had used marijuana ever, in the past year, and in the past month in 2007 were 100.5 million, 25.1 million, and 14.5 million, respectively (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [CSAT], 2008). Approximately 4.3% of Americans have been dependent on cannabis. Keywords: marijuana; cannabis; cannabinoid; abuse; dependence
Phytogenesis of halomethanes: a product of selection or a metabolic accident?

Phytoplankton (microalgae), seaweeds(macroalgae), higher plants and fungi producehalomethanes. Algae and fungi produce bothmethyl halides and polyhalomethanes, whereasplants are known to produce only methylhalides. Why these organisms producehalomethanes is a question frequently asked bychemists and biologists. This question impliesthat halomethanes have a function and have aselective value to the producing organism.Except for some fungi, the evolutionaryadvantage of producing halomethanes may notpresently exist. Polyhalomethanes areby-products of halogenation of certain organiccompounds by haloperoxidases in marine algaeand perhaps some fungi, and they may beindirectly produced in aquatic environments byalgal release of oxidized halogen species. Amain function of this enzyme is to rid the cellof harmful oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide.Monohalomethanes (methyl halides) are productsof methyltransferase activity. It has beenproposed that methyl halide production mayprovide a mechanism to regulate chloride levelsin halotolerant plants. The examination of halidecellular concentrations, halomethane productionrates, and enzyme characteristics raisesquestions about this possible function. Inalgae, plants and some fungi, methyl halidesmay be a result of the insertion of ubiquitoushalides into the active site of numerousmethyltransferases. Therefore, halomethanes maybe by-products or `accidents' of metabolism.
Interpreting Figurative Meaning: Indeterminacy in Figurative Language Experience

A cartoon in The New Yorker magazine (August 25, 2008, p. 78) shows a baseball player lying on a psychiatrist's couch, dressed in a uniform and holding a baseball glove in one hand, as a very Freudian looking therapist sits behind taking notes. The caption reads, “My life is a powerful blast to center field easily snagged on the warning track.” Readers will need to know something about the game of baseball to understand and appreciate some of the complex meanings evoked by this cartoon. People must understand that a batter can initially appear to hit the ball very hard and possibly far and still have the ball slow down and be easily caught by a fielder before it goes over the homerun wall (where the “warning track” indicates that the fielder is coming close to the wall or fence). Moreover, there is something wonderfully allegorical about this poor player confessing his plight to a psychiatrist, and seeing his life as just a routine out (e.g., the ball being “easily snagged”) in the game of life, despite early appearances of great promise (e.g., “a powerful blast”). Most of us feel empathy for this person because we too have had moments in life where actions we initiate start well but end in inglorious failure. When reading this cartoon, we not only engage in cognitive work to understand something about what the metaphorical statement may mean, but also quickly experience a range of thoughts, attitudes, and feelings (including humor) that make the cartoon, and metaphor, stand out and appear special. Figurative language of all types, including metaphor, is heralded for its ability to suggest meanings, attitudes, and emotions that seem hard to vividly evoke using nonfigurative language. Although conventional forms of figuration are often presumed to be less evocative of complex meanings and emotions than more creative, poetic tropes, people may still employ cliched metaphors, ironies, idioms, proverbs, and so on, because they too accomplish various social and pragmatic goals in an easily understood medium.
Perchloric Acid and Perchlorates

Perchlorates are chlorine oxyanions in which the chlorine is present in its highest oxidation state (+7). The most outstanding property of the perchlorates, which are more stable than other chlorine oxyanions, is their oxidizing ability. Most cations form perchlorate compounds. Commercially, one of the most important compounds of this class is ammonium perchlorate, used as an oxidizer in propellant formulations for solid rocket fuel. Perchlorates are also used in explosives and pyrotechnics, in dry batteries, and in oxygen-generation systems. Commercial perchlorates are prepared by electrochemical oxidation. Perchloric acid, commercially available as a 72% aqueous solution, is one of the strongest of the mineral acids. Properties, manufacturing, and uses of these compounds are described. Keywords: chlorine heptoxide; perchloric acid; ammonium perchlorate; alkali metal perchlorates; trace metal analysis; perchlorates
The Needs and Requirements from the Standpoint of the Ultraviolet Solar Observations

Extending from the present to the early part of 1969 there are three Orbiting Solar Observatories to be launched, and these will all be capable of constructing spectro-heliograms of the Sun in solar emission lines of the EUV and X-ray region. The recently launched and highly successful OSO-III has obtained EUV and X-ray spectra with high-time resolution, but without spatial resolution on the solar disk. The later OSO satellites will provide spatial resolution of 1′ of arc to 30″ of arc, and will provide the basis for the extension to even higher spatial resolution in the future.
Vein of Galen aneurysms: a review and current perspective.

Our approach to treating a patient with a vein of Galen aneurysm is, of course, influenced greatly by the age of the patient, the clinical symptoms, and the angiographic architecture of the malformation. Therapeutic options are primarily based on whether a true AVM is present or if the malformation represents an arteriovenous fistula involving the vein of Galen. Arterial endovascular approaches, microneurosurgery, and/or radiosurgery are preferred for management of the former; the transvenous endovascular approach has become the cornerstone of treatment in the latter. The most critical group, however, is the neonates in extreme cardiovascular distress. In this case our therapeutic intervention is initially endovascular from the venous side, either transfemoral or transtorcular. The immediate goal is to increase resistance to right ventricular output. Advantages of this approach over a transarterial approach include a shorter anesthesia time, minimal fluid and/or contrast administration, and creation of a wire "basket" or "bird9s nest" on the venous side that helps prevent emboli that may be deposited on the arterial side in subsequent embolizations from passing through the malformation. The transvenous approach can be easily repeated multiple times and may be supplemented by transarterial embolizations. Endovascular coils have been the mainstay for such venous embolizations. The end point of treatment is not complete occlusion of the fistula but improvement in cardiac function. Often, more than one stage is required to reach our goal. The results in recent years have been encouraging and are to a large degree attributable to the advances in endovascular approaches. With future improved tools for diagnosis and treatment, perhaps the prognosis for this difficult malady also will continue to improve.
Protein Structure Prediction

The state of the art of the field of protein structure prediction is reviewed. The strengths and weaknesses of the three general approaches, comparative modelling, threading and template-free modelling, are discussed, and an overview of the results of the critical assessment of structure prediction (CASP) protein structure prediction experiments are summarized. The implications for protein structure prediction of the finding that the library of solved single domain protein structures is likely complete are examined. Recent advances in the modelling of membrane proteins and proteome scale protein structure predictions are presented. Finally, the key remaining unsolved proteins in protein structure prediction are described. Keywords: CASP; threading; comparative modeling; metapredictors; template free folding
KEEPING SYMBOLIC INTERACTION SAFE FROM SEMIOTICS: A RESPONSE TO HARMAN

This article provides a critique of the particular way in which Lesley D. Harman has proposed to accommodate Symbolic Interaction to semiotic theory and method. Harman’s argument rests on a belief in the reality of the nature/culture dimension as prior to semiotic or sociological theory. According to Harman’s view, nature is the realm of determinism, culture is the realm of freedom, and social theory ought to align itself with freedom and culture. A semiotic alternative based on Peirce’s concept of the sign is suggested. The alternative socio-semiotic approach opens the possibility of studying both cultural determinism and creative processes in nature.
The Bernstein-von Mises theorem and spectral asymptotics of Bayes estimators for parabolic SPDEs

The Bernstein-von Mises theorem, concerning the convergence of suitably normalized and centred posterior density to normal density, is proved for a certain class of linearly parametrized parabolic stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs) as the number of Fourier coefficients in the expansion of the solution increases to infinity. As a consequence, the Bayes estimators of the drift parameter, for smooth loss functions and priors, are shown to be strongly consistent, asymptotically normal and locally asymptotically minimax (in the Hajek-Le Cam sense), and asymptotically equivalent to the maximum likelihood estimator as the number of Fourier coefficients become large. Unlike in the classical finite dimensional SDEs, here the total observation time and the intensity of noise remain fixed.
Sequential thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy after acute infarction in man: comparison to creatine kinase-MB release pattern.

Three sequential Tl-201 myocardial perfusion studies were performed in 21 patients (18 men, 3 women) with first acute transmural myocardial infarction. The Tl-201 image defect size was determined with a semiquantitative visual scoring method and temporal changes in image defect size were compared to CK-MB infarct size and enzymatic evidence of progressive myocardial necrosis and infarct extension. Progressive decreases in Tl-201 image defect size were observed and the visual score in all 21 patients decreased significantly from 6.5 +/- 3.7 (mean +/- SD) on day 1 to 4.9 +/- 3.5 on day 12. Eleven patients without evidence of infarct extension had significantly lower infarct size, a significant decrease in visual score by the 12th day and had significantly smaller Tl-201 defects at all three study times compared to 10 patients with infarct extension. Seven of 10 (70%) with extension had an initial score greater than or equal to 7 compared to only 2/11 (18%) without extension. The temporal behavior of Tl-201 ...
Observations of a fast transverse instability in the PSR

Abstract A fast instability with beam loss is observed in the Los Alamos Proton Storage Ring (PSR) when the injected beam current exceeds a threshold value, with both bunched and unbunched beams. Large coherent transverse oscillations occur prior to and during beam loss. The threshold depends strongly on rf voltage, beam-pulse shape, beam size, nonlinear fields, and beam environmental. Results of recent observations of the instability are reported; possible causes of the instability are discussed. Recent measurements and calculations indicate that the instability is an “e-p”-type instability, driven by coupled oscillations with electrons trapped within the proton beam. Future experiments toward further understanding of the instability are discussed, and methods of increasing PSR beam storage are suggested.
Rotor losses in axial-flux permanent-magnet machines with non-overlapped windings

A characterization of the rotor losses in single-sided axial-flux permanent-magnet (AFPM) machines fitted with nonoverlapped windings (NOW) is presented in this paper, through experimental validation of finite element analysis (FEA) estimates. A literature review detailing the previous work done in the area of rotor loss estimation is given and the approaches taken by the authors to model the AFPM geometry, especially for 2D FEA, are detailed. Finally, the difficult issue of validating the FEA results with experimental data is addressed specifically with a prototype 24-slot/20-pole single-sided AFPM fitted with a single-layer (SL) set of NOW. (6 pages)
Adaptive significance of small body size: Strength and motor performance of school children in Mexico and Papua New Guinea

The postulated superior functional efficiency in association with reduced body size under conditions of chronic protein-energy undernutrition was considered in school children from rural Mexico and coastal Papua New Guinea. Grip strength and three measures of motor performance were measured in cross-sectional samples of children 6–16 years of age from a rural agricultural community in Oaxaca, Mexico, and from the coastal community Pere on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea. The strength and performance of a mixed-longitudinal sample of well nourished children from Philadelphia was used as a reference. The Oaxaca and Pere children are significantly shorter and lighter and are not as strong as the well nourished children. Motor performances of Pere children compare favorably to those of the better-nourished Philadelphia children, whereas those of the Oaxaca children are poorer. Throwing performance is more variable. When expressed relative to body size, strength is similar in the three samples, but the running and jumping performances of Pere children per unit body size are better than the relative performances of Oaxaca and Philadelphia children. Throwing performance per unit body size is better in the undernourished children. The influence of age, stature, and weight on the performance of Oaxaca and Pere children is generally similar to that for well nourished children. These results suggest that the hypothesized adaptive significance of small body size for the functional efficiency of populations living under conditions of chronic undernutrition varies between populations and with performance tasks.