cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Objective markers for upper motor neuron involvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

A reliable objective marker of upper motor neuron (UMN) involvement is critical for early diagnosis and monitoring disease course in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Lower motor neuron (LMN) involvement can be identified by electromyography, whereas UMN dysfunction has been currently distinguished solely by neurological examination. In the search for diagnostic tests to evaluate UMN involvement in ALS, numerous reports on new markers using neurophysiological and imaging techniques are accumulating. Transcranial magnetic stimulation evaluates the neurophysiological integrity of UMN. Although the diagnostic reliability and sensitivity of various parameters of central motor conduction measurement differ, central motor conduction time measurement using brainstem stimulation is potentially useful for determining UMN dysfunction by distinguishing lesions above the pyramidal decussation. MR-based techniques also have the potential to be used as diagnostic markers and are continuously improving as a modality to pursue early diagnosis and monitoring of the disease progression. Conventional MRI reveals hyperintensity along the corticospinal tract, hypointensity in the motor cortex, and atrophy of the precentral gyrus. There is a lack of agreement regarding sensitivity and specificity in detecting UMN abnormalities. Recent advances in magnetizing transfer imaging (MTI) provide more sensitive and accurate detection of corticospinal tract abnormality than conventional MRI. Reduction in N-acetyl-aspartate by proton magnetic spectroscopy in the motor cortex or the brainstem of the patients with ALS is reported with different techniques. Its diagnostic value in clinical assessment is uncertain and remains to be established. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) reveals the structural integrity of neuronal fibers, and has great diagnostic promise for ALS. It shows reduced diffusion anisotropy in the corticospinal tract with good correlation with physiological index, reflecting UMN pathology. Diffusion tensor tractography allows for visualization and evaluation of corticospinal and corticobulbar tract dysfunction individually in patients with ALS. Although many of these new approaches do not yet reach clinical significance, they have been extensively explored in objective evaluation of upper motor function in patients with ALS. Further investigation is needed to determine and to compare the utility of various neurophysiological and neuroimaging markers.
Ethnic Return Migration and Noncitizen Hierarchies in South Korea and Japan

Despite the unavoidable, continuing growth of foreign populations in South Korea and Japan, both countries maintain highly restrictive immigration policies that tightly regulate the entrance of unskilled foreign labor and discourage or prohibit their settlement. Ethnic return migration is the exception to both countries’ largely closed labor migration policies. By opening the doors to co-ethnic migrant workers from abroad based on ethnic ties while making their full incorporation into Korean and Japanese society contingent on naturalization, the Korean and Japanese governments have exploited their “in-between” status to meet labor demands while maintaining relatively closed immigration and citizenship policies. Co-ethnic policies have also led to the development of noncitizen hierarchies whereby specific rights are associated with different levels of membership.
Management of Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Sarcomas are rare mesenchymal tumors that usually present as a painless mass. Both histologic and anatomic assessments of the mass are critical to determine the treatment plan. Complete surgical resection remains the cornerstone of treatment for most sarcomas.
Houses Without Names: Architectural Nomenclature and the Classification of America's Common Houses

Review of: "Houses Without Names: Architectural Nomenclature and the Classification of America's Common Houses" by Fred W. Peterson.
Model-Based Teaching and Learning about Inheritance in Third-Grade Science.

Research suggests that it is challenging for elementary students to develop conceptual understanding of trait variation, inheritance of traits, and life cycles. In this study, we report on an effor...
Shunt thrombosis in pediatric patients undergoing staged cardiac reconstruction for cyanotic congenital heart disease

Abstract Three stage cardiac reconstruction is a common surgical procedure performed in children with complex cyanotic congenital heart diseases (CCHD) such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and related single ventricle physiology. The perioperative period in these patients poses a unique challenge of concomitantly increased risk of bleeding and thrombosis. Thrombosis of systemic and cavo-pulmonary shunt/conduit (modified BT shunt, bidirectional Glenn and Fontan circulation) remains a leading cause of shunt failure and mortality. Acute shunt thrombosis usually needs emergent catheter-based intervention, such as balloon angioplasty, stent placement, surgical thrombectomy or local administration of thrombolytics. Judicious anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin (UFH) in the early postoperative period has been shown to decrease the risk of thrombosis, and also increases the likelihood of subsequent completion of staged Fontan reconstruction. Furthermore, these children remain at higher risk of thrombosis after systemic and cavo-pulmonary shunt placement for at least 3–12 months after the procedure. Prophylactic anticoagulation is generally recommended during that period. However, there is a paucity of evidence on anticoagulation beyond 12 months after the surgery. Here, we describe the unique risk factors for thrombosis in neonates, infants and children with CCHD who undergo staged cardiac reconstruction, and summarize the clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of shunt thrombosis.
Does Service Learning Work? Attitudes of College Students Toward Individuals With Disabilities:

Background: Service-learning has been used in adapted physical activity and education (APA/E) courses in kinesiology. However, evidence has been lacking to clarify the need for utilizing service-le...
Surface states of gas-atomized Al 6061 powders – Effects of heat treatment

Abstract Surface oxides formed on powder feedstocks used for cold spray deposition can play an important role in the bonding of the particles and in the development of defects in the deposit. A combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to investigate the oxides formed on gas-atomized Al 6061 alloy feedstock powders. The powders were studied in the as-atomized condition and after two different thermal exposures that correspond to typical feedstock pre-treatment conditions. The surface features and internal microstructures are consistent with those reported previously for these powders. The as-atomized powders have 5.2 nm thick amorphous oxide layers, with an outer Mg-rich sub-layer and an inner Mg-lean sub-layer. Powders heat-treated at 230 °C in air exhibit slightly thicker oxide layers with a crystalline MgAl2O4 spinel outer sub-layer and an amorphous aluminum oxide inner sub-layer. Powders homogenized under Ar at 400 and 530 °C have significantly thicker (8.9 nm) oxide layers with evidence for a defect inverse spinel Al(Mg,Al)2O4 inner sub-layer between the MgAl2O4 spinel outer sub-layer and the alloy. Differences between these observations and those reported previously for oxidation of bulk alloys are explained on the basis of Mg surface segregation during the gas atomization process.
Ballistic behavior for random Schrödinger operators on the Bethe strip

The Bethe Strip of width m is the cartesian product B×{1,...,m}, where B is the Bethe lattice (Cayley tree). We consider Anderson-like Hamiltonians H� = 1 � 1 + 1 A + �V on a Bethe strip with connectivity K � 2, where A is an m × m symmetric matrix, V is a random matrix potential,
The mysterious ecosystem at the ocean's surface.

Life on the ocean’s surface connects worlds. From shallow waters to the deep sea, the open ocean to rivers and lakes, numerous terrestrial and marine species depend on the surface ecosystem and the organisms found therein. Organisms that live freely at the surface, termed “neuston,” include keystone organisms like the golden seaweed Sargassum that makes up the Sargasso Sea, floating barnacles, snails, nudibranchs, and cnidarians. Many ecologically and economically important fish species live as or rely upon neuston. Species at the surface are not distributed uniformly; the ocean’s surface harbors unique neustonic communities and ecoregions found at only certain latitudes and only in specific ocean basins. But the surface is also on the front line of climate change and pollution. Despite the diversity and importance of the ocean’s surface in connecting disparate habitats, and the risks it faces, we know very little about neustonic life. This Essay will introduce you to the neuston, their connections to diverse habitats, the threats they face, and new opportunities for research and discovery at the air-sea interface.
Personal Loss, Parental Relationships, and Caregiving Intentions among Adult Siblings of Individuals with Mental Illness

Although parents often provide care for adult children coping with serious mental illness, adult siblings are typically expected to assume caregiving responsibilities when parents are no longer able to do so. However, relatively little is known about how family relationships and adults’ own reactions to their sibling’s mental illness may relate to their intentions to provide future sibling care. The present study examined how adults’ reports of parental practical support and mutual emotional support with parents were related to their feelings of personal loss due to mental illness and their intentions to provide future care for their sibling with mental illness. A total of 107 adults (43 men; 64 women; age M = 32.4 years; SD = 6.56) with a sibling with mental illness completed an online survey about relationships with their parents, personal loss due to mental illness, and intentions to provide future sibling care. Present findings suggest that perceived parental social support moderated relationships between adults’ reports of personal loss and intentions to provide future sibling care. Overall, adults who reported higher levels of personal loss generally reported greater intentions to provide future care for their sibling with mental illness when they perceived themselves as having more practical and mutual emotional support with their parents and had lower intentions to provide future care when they perceived themselves as having less mutual emotional support with their parents. Findings highlight the importance of adults’ perceptions of personal loss and parental social support in their intentions to provide future sibling care and have implications for family caregiving interventions.
Shaping the second-growth forest: fine-scale land use change in the Ohio Valley over 120 years

Historical land use is potentially the most important factor controlling composition and structure of temperate deciduous forests, but historical dynamics are not well understood at biologically relevant spatial and temporal scales. To provide insight into the structure of second-growth forest communities in a post-agricultural landscape relatable to large areas of eastern North America. Using point-sampling of historical aerial photographs, we document changes in the frequency and distribution of land covers in a section of the Ohio River Valley (USA). Data were collected at the scale of individual management units at 20-year intervals to test environmental and geographic factors controlling forest regeneration. Between 1939 and 2015, forest cover increased from 26 to 68% of the study area paralleling declines in cultivation and pasturing. The mean size of forest stands increased each decade, and distance to the forest edge increased between 1939 and 1980, potentially favoring recovery of interior-specialist species. Transition analysis revealed a sequence of agricultural relegation from cultivation to pasture to old-field to young forest to mature forest consistent with the economic value of individual plots. Most modern stands are 35–55 years old and situated on slopes. Only 12.7% of forest is > 120 years old. Notwithstanding the increase in forest cover, comparison of stand distribution with long-term successional data suggests that land use history has concentrated forest-species diversity in a small number of relict stands. Management for biological diversity should focus on identifying and protecting relict stands rather than protecting second-growth forest in general.
Addressing mental health stigma in low-income and middle-income countries: A new frontier for digital mental health

Summary Background Mental health stigma is a major barrier to seeking help, and leads to poor quality of life and social withdrawal for individuals living with mental illness. These concerns are especially severe in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) that face a disproportionate share of the global burden of mental illnesses. With growing access to digital technologies in LMICs, there may be new opportunities to address mental health stigma. This review considers the potential for emerging digital technologies to advance efforts to challenge mental health stigma in LMICs. Methods Promising digital strategies to reduce mental health stigma were identified through searching the peer-reviewed literature. Drawing from the Mental Illness Stigma Framework, these studies of digital strategies were grouped into three categories: 1) protest; 2) education, and 3) contact. Results These three categories align with established stigma reduction programs. Digital strategies could expand the reach of or complement existing efforts. There are challenges with digital stigma reduction strategies, including the need for cultural adaptation of these programs to diverse contexts and settings, consideration of reliable measurement of mental health related stigma, and risks that digital media could perpetuate the spread of misinformation and exacerbate concerns pertaining to mental health stigma. Conclusion This review highlights the promise of technology for addressing mental health stigma in LMICs. This is imperative in the face of growing demand for mental health services owing to the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increasing reliance on digital platforms among individuals in most countries.
Viruserkrankungen des Respirationstraktes und der Speicheldrüsen

Influenza ist eine akute Erkrankung des Respirationstraktes, die im allgemeinen in epidemischer Form auftritt. Man kennt drei immunologische Typen des Influenza Virus: A, B und C. Innerhalb der Influenza Viren der Gruppe A treten offensichtlich fortwahrende Anderungen der Antigenitat auf, vielleicht auch in geringerem Umfang in der Gruppe B, wahrend die Influenza C Viren in ihrer Antigenitat offenbar stabil sind.
Increase in Circulating Stem Cells Following Chemotherapy in Man

The number of circulating granulocytic stem cells (CFU-C) was determined by the in vitro methylcellulose technique in cancer patients receiving intermittent chemotherapy. In 17 patients studied prior to therapy, the median CFU-C concentration per 2 X 10(5) mononuclear cells plated was six, compared to a posttreatment median of 23 in 21 patients (p less than 0.001). Large numbers of stem cells were obtained by leukopheresis and cryopreserved with a 99.5% median CFU-C recovery. Cyclical changes in the concentration of stem cells with maximum values of 20 times baseline were demonstrated in a patient studied at weekly intervals during multiple courses of treatment. It was estimated that, at peak CFU-C concentrations, a quantity of stem cells equivalent to that present in a bulk bone marrow harvest could be obtained from the peripheral blood by a 17-liter pheresis. These results suggest that it may be practical to obtain an adequate number of stem cells from the peripheral blood to study autologous stem cell infusion as a means of averting myelosuppression in patients receiving intensive chemotherapy.
The Construction of Fear

The paper derives applications of an observation about how fears are constructed by people in their daily lives in order to expand upon developments and critiques in constructionist analyses of scares in the news media.
A Review of “The Other Iraq: Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq”

In The Other Iraq: Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq, University of Chicago assistant professor Orit Bashkin has made a major contribution to the study of modern Iraqi history under Hashemite...
Luminescence in colloidal Mn2+-doped semiconductor nanocrystals

Abstract Recent advances in nanocrystal doping chemistries have substantially broadened the variety of photophysical properties that can be observed in colloidal Mn2+-doped semiconductor nanocrystals. A brief overview is provided, focusing on Mn2+-doped II–VI semiconductor nanocrystals prepared by direct chemical synthesis and capped with coordinating surface ligands. These Mn2+-doped semiconductor nanocrystals are organized into three major groups according to the location of various Mn2+-related excited states relative to the energy gap of the host semiconductor nanocrystals. The positioning of these excited states gives rise to three distinct relaxation scenarios following photoexcitation. A brief outlook on future research directions is provided.
One-step purification from Escherichia coli of complex II (succinate: ubiquinone oxidoreductase) associated with succinate-reducible cytochrome b556.

Abstract Complex II (succinate:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) is an important component of both the tricarboxylic acid cycle and of the aerobic respiratory chains of eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. The enzyme has been purified from numerous sources and appears to be highly conserved from considerations of both the amino acid sequences of the catalytic subunits and from the prosthetic groups associated with the enzyme. The sdh operon has been cloned and sequenced from Escherichia coli, but the enzyme from this source has, so far, resisted attempts at biochemical purification. In this work, a one-step purification of the enzyme is described which yields a stable four-subunit enzyme which has a high specific activity. This purification takes advantage of a strain which overproduces the enzyme by 10-fold due to the presence of a multicopy plasmid containing the cloned sdh operon. The purified complex II has one FAD, eight non-heme irons, seven acid-labile sulfides, and one protoheme IX per molecule. The enzyme has been reconstituted in phospholipid vesicles and demonstrated to reduce ubiquinone-8, the natural electron acceptor, at a high rate.
β-Catenin Expression Is Altered in Human Colonic Aberrant Crypt Foci

The aberrant expression of β-catenin in colon tumors and the discovery of β-catenin mutations in small adenomas suggest that alterations of β-catenin are early events in human colorectal carcinogenesis. Here, we describe the expression of β-catenin in human aberrant crypt foci (ACF), the earliest identified neoplastic lesions in the colon. Paraffin-embedded sections of 94 ACF, 12 adenomas, and 10 carcinomas were evaluated for β-catenin expression by immunohistochemistry. Normal colonic epithelial cells adjacent to these lesions showed strong membranous expression of β-catenin and lacked cytoplasmic and nuclear expression. Cytoplasmic expression of β-catenin was seen in 25 of 46 ACF with dysplasia and in 2 of 48 ACF with atypia. In ACF with dysplasia, reduced membranous expression of β-catenin was associated with increased nuclear (P = 0.0013) and cytoplasmic (P = 0.0247) expression. The membranous (P = 0.0003) expression of β-catenin was reduced, and the cytoplasmic (P = 0.0016) and nuclear (P = 0.0266) expressions increased in ACF according to their degree of dysplasia. Likewise, membranous (P = 0.0007) expression of β-catenin was reduced, and the cytoplasmic (P = 0.0050) and nuclear (P = 0.0001) expressions increased from ACF to adenoma to carcinoma. These data suggest that ACF and their aberrant expression of β-catenin play a role in colon tumorigenesis.
Evidence for a stem cell-specific repressor of Moloney murine leukemia virus expression in embryonal carcinoma cells.

Abstract A negative regulatory element (NRE) spanning the tRNA primer-binding site (PBS) of Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV) mediates repression of M-MuLV expression specifically in embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells. We precisely defined the element by base-pair mutagenesis to an 18-base-pair segment of the tRNA PBS and showed that the element also restricted expression when moved upstream of the long terminal repeat. A DNA-binding activity specific for the M-MuLV NRE was detected in vitro by using crude EC nuclear extracts in exonuclease III protection assays. Binding was strongly correlated with repression in EC cells. Mutations within the NRE that relieved repression disrupted binding activity. Also, nuclear extracts prepared from permissive, differentiated EC cell cultures showed reduced binding activity for the NRE. These results indicate the presence of a stem cell-specific repressor that extinguishes M-MuLV expression via the NRE at the tRNA PBS.
MyFaceTube Politics

This article examines the political uses of social networking (SN) Web sites by young adults in context of the early stages of the 2008 presidential primary season. Using a survey of over 3,500 18- to 24-year-olds contacted immediately prior to the Iowa caucuses, we illustrate that although SN Web sites are recognized by youth as a possible source of news and that many receive some of their news from these sites, the types of news gathered probably do little to inform them or add to democratic discourse. Moreover, the study shows that in spite of the promise SN sites hold for increasing political interest and participation among a chronically disengaged cohort, users are no more inclined to participate in politics than are users of other media.
Stroke recovery: how the computer reprograms itself

Abstract Neuronal Plasticity: the key to stroke recovery Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, 19–22 March 2000
FRACTIONAL ORDER PROCESSING OF QUARTZ CRYSTAL MICROBALANCE BASED DNA BIOSENSOR SIGNALS

Abstract The working principle of quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is based on the linear relationship between the change of frequency (Δf) and the change of mass on the crystal surface, as described in Sauerbrey equation. In present work, it is interesting to observe the oscillation characteristics of Δf and resistance (R) in the early period of single strand (ssDNA) immobilization and subsequent target DNA (tDNA) hybridization. Two fractional order signal processing techniques, namely, fractional Fourier transform (FrFT) and rescaled range statistical analysis (R/S analysis), are applied to analyze the QCM signals.
Size distribution analysis of large scatterers by the forward scattering lobe method

Abstract The value of light-scattering measurements in the forward scattering lobe (FSL) has been increased for large polydisperse scatterers. The Mie equation and the Airy disk equation along with the ZOLD and Gaussian distribution functions were used to represent polydisperse scatterers. A Sloan plot (logIθ2 vs logθ) is used to present data in the FSL. The z average radius can be calculated from the maximum in the Sloan plot (within 5% for most cases) for large scatterers. The breadth parameter (σ0) can also be estimated by using a master plot of a family of curves generated for different values of σ0) and any fixed value of the modal radius. The shape and maximum of the Sloan plot, except for a few cases, was also shown to be independent of the refractive index ratio.
Silver Nanosphere SERS Probes for Sensitive Identification of Pathogens

The identification and timely detection of pathogenic bacteria is critical to ensuring safe food, health, and water. Although surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) methods have been used for pathogen characterization and single molecule sensing, the challenge of detecting pathogens in very low numbers using an optimal substrate that is sensitive and reproducible is still a challenge. In this report, we have developed and explored a novel SERS active substrate of 60−80 nm diameter through the assembly of Ag nanocrystals (AgNCs) into Ag nanospheres (AgNSs). A finite difference time domain (FDTD) analysis of the electromagnetic field produced by these structures and the enhancement factor calculations indicated that an enhancement of 108 was possible using the 633 or 785 nm excitation. The exact enhancement factors (EF) through the experimental results were calculated to be 2.47 × 107, which is close to that obtained through the FDTD analysis. Preliminary characterization of the SERS substrate was demonst...
A Probabilistic Polynomial-time Calculus For Analysis of Cryptographic Protocols: (Preliminary Report)

We describe properties of a process calculus that has been developed for the purpose of analyzing security protocols. The process calculus is a restricted form of -calculus, with bounded replication and probabilistic polynomial-time expressions allowed in messages and boolean tests. In order to avoid problems expressing security in the presence of nondeterminism, messages are scheduled probabilistically instead of nondeterministically. We prove that evaluation may be completed in probabilistic polynomial time and develop properties of a form of asymptotic protocol equivalence that allows security to be specified using observational equivalence, a standard relation from programming language theory that involves quantifying over possible environments that might interact with the protocol. We also relate process equivalence to cryptographic concepts such as pseudo-random number generators and polynomial-time statistical tests.
Enthalpies of formation of CaAl4O7 and CaAl12O19 (hibonite) by high temperature, alkali borate solution calorimetry

Enthalpies of formation were determined for two calcium aluminate phases, CaAl4O7 and CaAl12O19, using high-temperature alkali borate solution calorimetry. The aluminates were synthesized by multiple-cycle heating and grinding stoichiometric mixtures of CaCO3 and Al2O3, and the products were characteized by X-ray diffraction and SEM microbeam analysis. The data on impurities (CaAl4O7 was found to be about 89.00 percent pure by weight and the CaAl12O19 samples about 91.48 percent pure) were used to correct the heat of solution values of the synthetic products. The enthalpies of formation, at 1063 K, from oxides, were found to be equal to -(25.6 + or - 4.7) kJ/g.f.w. for CaAl4O7 and -(33.0 + or - 9.7) kJ/g.f.w. for CaAl12O19; the respective standard enthalpies of formation from elements, at 298 K, were estimated to be -4007 + or - 5.2 kJ/g.f.w. and -10,722 + or - 12 kJ/g.f.w.
Contemplating Regretted Messages: Learning-oriented, Repair-oriented, and Emotion-focused Reflection

Regretted messages provide speakers an opportunity to learn. Whether learning occurs should depend upon how the incident is processed. This study had two objectives: (a) to determine how the goal a message conflicts with and seriousness influence the emotion(s) evoked; and (b) to determine which variables predict adoption of learning-oriented, repair-oriented, and emotion-focused reflection (dissonance reduction). Whether regretted messages evoked guilt, shame, sadness, anxiety, or fear depended on the goal(s) the message conflicted with. Learning-oriented reflection was best predicted by more intense sadness, fear/anxiety, or guilt. Whereas learning-oriented reflection was positively related to perceived learning, reducing dissonance was negatively related to perceived learning.
Perinatal Autopsy Findings in Three Cases of Jugular Lymphatic Obstruction Sequence and Cardiac Polyvalvular Dysplasia

Three infants with a prenatal diagnosis of Noonan's syndrome suffered fetal hydrops and immediate neonatal death. The infants all had the external appearance of jugular lymphatic obstruction sequence with wide-spaced nipples, redundant posterior nuchal skin, and edema of the dorsa of the feet and hands. All 3 demonstrated thick, redundant leaflets of all 4 cardiac valves, and 2 had a membranous ventricular septal defect. One female infant had a mutation of the PTPN11 gene. Two males had no common mutation of PTPN11. The males demonstrated other abnormalities in common, including small penis, testicular malformation, rosette-like appearance of the pituicytes, and an eosinophil infiltration of the pancreatic islets with islet cell hypertrophy. Detailed anatomy of cases of lymphatic obstruction sequence fetuses can be correlated with an increasing number of genetic mutations associated with Noonan's syndrome and related syndromes in mice and humans.
Postoperative Imaging of Spinal Disk Arthroplasty Devices

Cervical and lumbar arthroplasty is being increasingly used over the past decade for the management of degenerative spinal disease with multiple varied devices available worldwide. As more experience is obtained with the devices currently available, the need for postoperative imaging has heightened. Plain x-rays are still useful for the assessment of device positioning, determination of range of motion, and to rule out potential device migration. Computed tomography scanning can be combined with this, but incorporation of newer devices into bony endplates is difficult to visualize. In cases where neural structures need to be assessed at operated or adjacent levels, magnetic resonance (MR) scanning is suitable in most titanium-based or nonmetallic devices but produces significant artifact in cobalt-chromium alloy-based devices. In this latter group, computed tomography myelography, which is more invasive than MR scanning, will need to be used. In time, it would be envisioned that nonmetallic devices made of plastics should allow for acceptable postoperative MR imaging. As our experience with the devices and their imaging increases, these recommendations may change; however, material properties play a greater role in the decision making of type of modality used for postoperative imaging in scenarios where interbody fusion is performed.
Desmin characteristics of CD11b-positive fibers after eccentric contractions.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the desmin characteristics of fibers infiltrated by CD1 lb-leukocytes in fast- and slow-twitch murine muscles after eccentric contractions. Methods: We developed a computer image analysis procedure to quantify the percentage of intramyofiber CD1 lb-leukocyte infiltration. Only CD1 Ib-positive fibers that exhibited identifiable borders were examined. Patterns of leukocyte infiltration of these fibers were distinguished and confirmed quantitatively by determining the mean percentage of leukocyte infiltration. We examined the desmin characteristics of these fibers with the same image analysis system and quantified the percentage of the fiber that demonstrated antidesmin staining. The influence of sex and muscle type on desmin characteristics and percentage of CD1 lb-leukocyte infiltration also was analyzed. Results: The percentage of CDI Ib-leukocyte infiltration was less than 50% for the majority of fibers. Three intramyofiber leukocyte infiltration patterns were identified that had significantly different mean percentages of leukocyte infiltration: 14%, 27%, and 47% (P < 0.001). Of the three desmin characteristics (normal, increased, and decreased) that were observed, almost three fourths of the fibers exhibited increased desmin. A significant difference in the percentage of increased desmin was found among the CD1 lb-leukocyte infiltration patterns (P = 0.01). Fibers with the least amount of CD1 lb-leukocyte infiltration showed the greatest amount of increased desmin. Sex and muscle type did not influence any of these findings. Conclusion: Increased desmin appears to be associated with an early stage of intramyofiber leukocyte infiltration after eccentric contractions.
Conscious and unconscious influences on remembering information from the near and distant past: A developmental analysis

We examined adults' memory for the actors and actresses who won Academy Awards for their performances in specific motion pictures between 1992 to 1937. Fifty-six individuals between 41 to 81 years of age completed inclusion and exclusion versions of aMovie Memory Questionnaire in which they were required to identify actors and actresses who were paired with the names of movies they actually appeared in (e.g., Cher—Moonstruck) or they never appeared in (e.g., Robert DeNiro—Annie Hall), respectively. Estimates of the independent contributions of conscious and unconscious influences on recollection were obtained by analyzing subjects' performance on the inclusion and exclusion tasks via Jacoby's (1991)Process Dissociation Procedure. Results indicated that conscious recollection for motion picture information exhibited a typical retention function, whereas unconscious contributions to recollection remained relatively constant over the entire time range that was sampled. When age differences were considered, it was found that young-old participants displayed a higher level of conscious recollection than did middle-age and old-old adults. The role played by unconscious processes in recollection, however, did not vary by age group.
GASAR Porous Metals Process Control

GASAR porous metals are produced by melting under a partial pressure of hydrogen and then casting into a mold that ensures directional solidification. Hydrogen is driven out of solution and usually grows as quasi-cylindrical pores normal to the solidification front. Experiments with pure nickel have been carried out under processing conditions of varying H2 partial pressure, total pressure (H2 + Ar), and superheat. An analysis that considers heterogeneous bubble nucleation was developed that identifies processing conditions in which hydrogen bubbles are stable in the liquid before solidification. It is hypothesized that these conditions lead to low porosity because these bubbles float out of the melt and “escape” the advancing solidification front. Experimental data are shown to support this hypothesis.
Report of a Persistent Right Aortic Arch and its Surgical Correction in a Cat

— Successful surgical repair of the persistent right aortic arch in a cat is reported. The importance of good preoperative physical condition and careful radiological examination is emphasized.
Multiple types of cell surface heparan sulfate are produced by primary cultures of embryonic mouse cells.

Abstract The cell surface heparan sulfate produced by primary cultures of 12-day mouse embryo cells has been found to consist of at least two forms, designated I and II. These two forms can be distinguished by both ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and eletrophoresis at pH 1. However, no difference in molecular weight is observed when the two forms are compared by gel filtration on Bio-Gel A-15m. These data suggest that the two forms differ in their content of sulfate residues. Multiple types of cell surface heparan sulfate are also produced by primary cell cultures derived from various mouse embryonic organs, including heart, lung, kidney and liver. Type II, the minor form produced by the primary embryonic mouse cells, behaves on ion-exchange chromatography and electrophoresis at pH 1 as the heparan sulfate produced by several mouse cell lines that exhibit contact inhibition of growth. The predominant form, type I, behaves on ion-exchange chromatography as the heparan sulfate derived from either DNA or RNA virus-transformed cell lines which lack growth control. The cell surface heparan sulfate produced by chick myoblasts, human fibroblasts, and bovine endothelial cells behave as single types on ion-exchange chromatography. These data suggest that an individual cell type produces a single type of cell surface heparan sulfate and provide support for a model in which cell-cell interactions are mediated, in part, by the quantity and, possibly, arrangement of sulfate residues within the heparan sulfate polymer.
Central respiratory modulation of facial motoneurons in rats

Abstract Facial motoneurons (FMN) were recorded intracellularly in Sprague-Dawley rats anesthetized with halothane. The animals were vagotomized, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated. The average membrane potential of the cells was 62.6 ± 1.9 mV and their input impedance ranged from 5 to 30 Mω (9.8 ± 1.1 M ω , n = 38). The membrane potential of most FMNs varied throughout the central respiratory cycle and four distinct patterns were detected. Type I (post-inspiratory) cells ( 21 44 ) showed a two-phase C1 − -mediated hyperpolarization during the respiratory cycle, one during central inspiration and the second during late expiration. Type II cells (early inspiratory, n = 10) showed early inspiratory depolarization. Type III ( n = 2, stage-2 expiratory) cells displayed late expiratory depolarization and one cell (type IV or throughout inspiratory) exhibited expiratory C1 − -mediated hyperpolarization. The remaining 10 cells showed no detectable respiratory modulation. The results reflect the heterogeneity of the central respiratory modulation of FMNs and suggest that these cells receive both excitatory and inhibitory inputs from elements of the central respiratory pattern generating network.
P.L.-Spheres, convex polytopes, and stress

We describe here the notion of generalized stress on simplicial complexes, which serves several purposes: it establishes a link between two proofs of the Lower Bound Theorem for simplicial convex polytopes; elucidates some connections between the algebraic tools and the geometric properties of polytopes; leads to an associated natural generalization of infinitesimal motions; behaves well with respect to bistellar operations in the same way that the face ring of a simplicial complex coordinates well with shelling operations, giving rise to a new proof that p.l.-spheres are Cohen-Macaulay; and is dual to the notion of McMullen's weights on simple polytopes which he used to give a simpler, more geometric proof of theg-theorem.
Trends in Managerial Reinvention: Creating a Learning Map

Managers are reinventing business, technology, the corporation, and themselves. This author identifies four trends in managerial reinvention through a review of selected recent journals: renewing entrepreneurial focus, refraining the manager's leadership role, reimagining organizational life, and reconnecting to the socio-political-economic-cultural context. The author then maps challenges for managerial learning in light of the learning organization by examining each trend at four learning levels: individual, team, organizational, and societal. The article concludes with a discussion of challenges common to each learning level for all four trends.
Ten π-electron nitrogen heterocyclic compounds III: The synthesis and NMR spectra of some 1,6-naphthyridines

The synthesis of 1,6-naphthyridine and of some 4-substituted 1,6-naphthyridines are described. The analysis of the NMR spectra and a correlation between the chemical shifts of H2, H5, H7, H8, and Brown's σp+ values are reported.
Third Culture Kids: Implications for Professional School Counseling:

The increase of international business, military placements, and immigration has led to an increase in students attending schools in a country other than where they were born: third culture kids (TCKs). TCKs have unique educational needs, necessitating the support of their school counselors. This article (a) defines and introduces the needs and characteristics of TCKs, (b) reviews interventions for school counselors working with TCKs during transitional stages, and (c) presents a case illustration of a middle school counselor employing the suggested strategies.
A Fault-tolerant Adaptive and Minimal Routing Scheme in $n$-D Meshes

In this paper a sufficient condition is given for minimal routing in n-dimensional (n-D) meshes with faulty nodes contained in a set of disjoint fault regions. It is based on an early work of the author on minimal routing in low-dimensional meshes (such as 2-D meshes with faulty blocks). Unlike many traditional models that assume all the nodes know global fault distribution, our approach is based on the concept of limited global fault information. First, a novel fault model called Fault Region is proposed in which all faulty nodes in the system are contained in a set of disjoint regions. Fault information is coded in a 2n-tuple called Extended Safety Level associated with each node of an n-D mesh to support minimal routing. Specifically, we study the existence of minimal paths at a given source node, limited distribution of fault information, minimal routing and deadlock-free routing. Our results show that any minimal routing that is partially adaptive can still be applied, as long as the destination node meets a certain safety condition. A dynamic planar-adaptive routing scheme is presented that offers better fault tolerance and adaptivity than the regular planar-adaptive routing scheme in n-D meshes. In 3-D meshes, both regular and dynamic planar-adaptive routing need three virtual channels. Our approach is the first attempt to address minimal routing in n-D meshes with faulty nodes using limited global fault information.
Total syntheses of (+/-)-massadine and massadine chloride.

The total syntheses of the complex pyrrole−imidazole alkaloids (±)−massadine and (±)−massadine chloride is described using a carefully orchestrated sequence of manipulations on highly polar and structurally complex intermediates. Key to the completion of this synthetic endeavor was the exploration of a unique and chemoselective method to oxidize unprotected guanidines under aqueous conditions in air. This oxidation has been optimized and applied to a selection of spirocyclic guanidines of varying complexity. Additionally, the 3,7-epi analogues of these interesting natural products have been synthesized and fully characterized.
Health literacy: Use of the Four Habits Model to improve student pharmacists’ communication

Abstract Objective To assess whether student pharmacists’ communication skills improved using the Four Habits Model (FHM) at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. Methods During the Fall of 2009 and 2010, student pharmacists in the third professional year learned and practiced the FHM. They were given feedback by faculty on three of the four Habits, used the FHM for self and peer assessment, and were formally evaluated on all four Habits during a standardized patient encounter. Results Student pharmacist performance significantly improved from baseline during both Fall 2009 and Fall 2010 in the majority of the Habits assessed. Conclusion Use of the FHM in pharmacy education can improve a student pharmacists’ ability to display the four Habits of communicating and developing relationships with patients. Tailoring of the FHM to pharmacy encounters will further enhance the utility of this communication framework. Practice implications Use of the FHM enhances the measurement and assessment of the relational aspects of student pharmacist–patient communication skills. Consistent use of the FHM over time is likely necessary to fully develop and retain communication skills. The overall goal is to improve patient's health literacy and appropriate medication use by improving communication and the pharmacist–patient relationship.
Magnetically separable Fe3O4@DOPA–Pd: a heterogeneous catalyst for aqueous Heck reaction

Magnetically separable Fe3O4@DOPA–Pd catalyst has been synthesized via anchoring of palladium over dopamine-coated magnetite via co-ordinate interaction and the catalyst is utilized for expeditious Heck coupling in aqueous media. Magnetically separable Fe3O4@DOPA-Pd catalyst has been synthesized via anchoring of palladium over dopamine-coated magnetite and the catalyst is utilized for expeditious Heck coupling in aqueous media.
Budgetary convergence in the WAEMU : adjustment through revenue or expenditure?

A regional convergence pact adopted recently by the Conference of Heads of States of WAEMU provides a framework for fiscal convergence similar to the European Union's Maastricht Treaty. Using bivariate co-integration and error-correction models, this paper investigates the relationship between revenue and expenditure in seven member countries to determine the feasibility and nature of the policy adjustment required to meet the new convergence criteria. The results indicate that, in the long run, there is causality running from revenue to expenditure in Burkina Faso and Senegal, from expenditure to revenue in Benin and Togo, a bidirectional causality in Cote d'Ivoire and Mali, and no causality in Niger.
Environmental change in grasslands: Assessment using models

Modeling studies and observed data suggest that plant production, species distribution, disturbance regimes, grassland biome boundaries and secondary production (i.e., animal productivity) could be affected by potential changes in climate and by changes in land use practices. There are many studies in which computer models have been used to assess the impact of climate changes on grassland ecosystems. A global assessment of climate change impacts suggest that some grassland ecosystems will have higher plant production (humid temperate grasslands) while the production of extreme continental steppes (e.g., more arid regions of the temperate grasslands of North America and Eurasia) could be reduced substantially. All of the grassland systems studied are projected to lose soil carbon, with the greatest losses in the extreme continental grassland systems. There are large differences in the projected changes in plant production for some regions, while alterations in soil C are relatively similar over a range of climate change projections drawn from various General Circulation Models (GCM's). The potential impact of climatic change on cattle weight gains is unclear. The results of modeling studies also suggest that the direct impact of increased atmospheric CO2 on photosynthesis and water use in grasslands must be considered since these direct impacts could be as large as those due to climatic changes. In addition to its direct effects on photosynthesis and water use, elevated CO2 concentrations lower N content and reduce digestibility of the forage.
Theoretical principles underlying optical stimulation of myelinated axons expressing channelrhodopsin-2.

Numerous clinical conditions can be treated by neuromodulation of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Typical electrical PNS therapies activate large diameter axons at lower electrical stimulus thresholds than small diameter axons. However, recent animal experiments with peripheral optogenetic neural stimulation (PONS) of myelinated axons expressing channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) have shown that this technique activates small diameter axons at lower irradiances than large diameter axons. We hypothesized that the small-to-large diameter recruitment order primarily arises from the internodal spacing relationship of myelinated axons. Small diameter axons have shorter distances between their nodes of Ranvier, which increases the number of nodes of Ranvier directly illuminated relative to larger diameter axons. We constructed “light-axon” PONS models that included multi-compartment, double cable, myelinated axon models embedded with ChR2 membrane dynamics, coupled with a model of blue light dynamics in the tissue medium from a range of different light sources. The light-axon models enabled direct calculation of threshold irradiance for different diameter axons. Our simulations demonstrate that illumination of multiple nodal sections reduces the threshold irradiance and enhances the small-to-large diameter recruitment order. In addition to addressing biophysical questions, our light-axon model system could also be useful in guiding the engineering design of optical stimulation technology that could maximize the efficiency and selectivity of PONS.