cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A musculoskeletal model of the upper extremity for use in the development of neuroprosthetic systems

Upper extremity neuroprostheses use functional electrical stimulation (FES) to restore arm motor function to individuals with cervical level spinal cord injury. For the design and testing of these systems, a biomechanical model of the shoulder and elbow has been developed, to be used as a substitute for the human arm. It can be used to design and evaluate specific implementations of FES systems, as well as FES controllers. The model can be customized to simulate a variety of pathological conditions. For example, by adjusting the maximum force the muscles can produce, the model can be used to simulate an individual with tetraplegia and to explore the effects of FES of different muscle sets. The model comprises six bones, five joints, nine degrees of freedom, and 29 shoulder and arm muscles. It was developed using commercial, graphics-based modeling and simulation packages that are easily accessible to other researchers and can be readily interfaced to other analysis packages. It can be used for both forward-dynamic (inputs: muscle activation and external load; outputs: motions) and inverse-dynamic (inputs: motions and external load; outputs: muscle activation) simulations. Our model was verified by comparing the model calculated muscle activations to electromyographic signals recorded from shoulder and arm muscles of five subjects. As an example of its application to neuroprosthesis design, the model was used to demonstrate the importance of rotator cuff muscle stimulation when aiming to restore humeral elevation. It is concluded that this model is a useful tool in the development and implementation of upper extremity neuroprosthetic systems.
High‐Temperature Phase Transition in RbH2PO4

The high‐temperature phase change in tetragonal RbH2PO4 at 86°C is found to result in a quasi‐irreversible transition to a monoclinic modification which seems to be isomorphous with monoclinic RbD2PO4 and KD2PO4. The transition is accompanied by a distortion of the PO4 groups and an ordering of the protons. From the analogy with monoclinic KD2PO4 it seems probable that the protons attach to one upper and one lower corner of a PO4 group giving rise to pyroelectric behavior along the b axis. The similarity of the infrared spectra of the high‐temperature forms of RbH2PO4 and KH2PO4 demonstrates that the above statements are valid for KH2PO4 as well.
Large‐Scale Blast Experiments Examine Subsurface Explosions

Volcanic craters are often formed by multiple subsurface explosions caused by the interaction of magma and groundwater [Lorenz, 1973; Valentine and White, 2012]. To understand the processes and products of such explosions, scientists spent 2 years conducting experiments that produced craters on the meter scale at the Geohazards Field Station in Ashford, N. Y.
Minimum hop and/or minimum distance robot movement with connectivity constraints in WSRNs

Mobility within Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) has proven to be quite useful in prolonging the lifetime of these networks. This mobility requires intelligent control of the robots in order to efficiently complete tasks within the network. If the tasks required of the network need to send audio-video data back to the base station, then we need to maintain some connectivity with the base station in order to efficiently use the energy within the network. After mathematically formulating our problem, we propose three algorithms to solve these problems and run extensive simulations to test these algorithms. We were able to optimally solve the minimum hop problem and compare that to the heuristics for the minimum distance problems.
Determination of the appropriate representative elastic modulus for asphalt concrete

The National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) 1-37A mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide (MEPDG) utilises the dynamic modulus of asphalt concrete in a multilayered elastic analysis to determine the primary responses in asphalt pavements. The dynamic modulus depends on temperature and loading frequency. In the MEPDG, the pulse time is used to determine the loading frequency. This methodology has been under scrutiny due to the large modulus it estimates. This paper evaluates several approximation methods, including the current MEPDG analysis, for the calculation of stresses and strains in linear viscoelastic materials by comparing analysis results with the solutions from the exact linear viscoelastic analysis. Sources of the errors that result from various approximation methods are discussed. Also, an alternative method to that of the MEPDG is proposed for determining the appropriate representative elastic modulus of asphalt concrete.
Recurrent neural networks for solving linear matrix equations

Abstract Recurrent neural networks for solving linear matrix equations are proposed. The proposed recurrent neural networks consist of two bidirectionally connected layers and each layer consists of an array of neurons. The proposed recurrent neural networks are shown to be asymptotically stable in the large and capable of computing inverse matrices and solving Lyapunov matrix equations. The operating characteristics of the proposed recurrent neural networks are demonstrated via several illustrative examples.
CHEMICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PROCESSES FOR NOx CONTROL FROM COMBUSTION OFF-GASES

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are major air pollutants as they have adverse effects on health and the environment. Various types of combustion equipment, including biosolids incinerators, are the sources of NOx emissions in the atmosphere. Various source control measures in the form of the use of low NOx burners and burner staging techniques, for example, are commonly practiced by the generators. Treatment processes such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) are also widely used, especially by power plants. Newer processes involving chemical scrubbing of the flue gas have been under development for the past two decades and are being gradually introduced in full-scale commercial operation. This article provides a comprehensive review of recently developed chemical and biochemical processes for NOx control. Equations for the reaction rates, scrubber sizes, and chemical requirements are also presented.
Protective action of 17β-estradiol in cardiac cells: implications for hyperkalemic cardioplegia

Abstract Background . Hyperkalemic cardioplegic solutions effectively arrest the heart, but may also induce intracellular Ca 2+ loading and cellular hypercontracture, which could contribute to ventricular dysfunction associated with global surgical ischemia. Recently, it has been proposed that 17β-estradiol may possess protective properties in the ischemic myocardium. The purpose of the present study was to examine the action of 17β-estradiol on cardiac cells exposed to hyperkalemic stress. Methods . Single ventricular cardiomyocytes, a preparation devoid of vascular and neuronal elements, were isolated from guinea pig hearts, loaded with a Ca 2+ -sensitive fluorescent probe, and imaged by digital epifluorescent microscopy. The emitted fluorescence of the probe, a measure of intracellular Ca 2+ concentration, and cell length were simultaneously recorded during hyperkalemic challenge, in the absence or presence of 17β-estradiol. Results . In control cardiomyocytes, the cytosolic concentration of Ca 2+ was 138 ± 11 nmol/L and cell length 93 ± 11 μm. Exposure to high K + (+16 mmol/L KCl) significantly increased cytosolic Ca 2+ to 2,191 ± 187 nmol/L ( p p + to induce either intracellular Ca 2+ loading (144 ± 13 nmol/L, p p Conclusions . We conclude that 17β-estradiol prevents hyperkalemia-induced Ca 2+ loading and hypercontracture through a direct and tamoxifen-sensitive action in cardiomyocytes. This study raises the possibility that 17β-estradiol should be considered as a cardioprotective adjunct toward a safer hyperkalemic cardioplegia.
Drug-induced lupus: The list of culprits grows

PreviewMore than 70 medications have been implicated in drug- induced lupus. Here, the author describes a case related to use of quinidine and notes variations among the forms of lupus caused by different agents. Need for awareness of this uncommon disorder is exemplified by the presented case, in which the patient experienced prolonged discomfort, extended curtailment of daily activities, and unnecessary therapeutic intervention due to delayed diagnosis.
Tumor mitochondrial transfer RNAS: The nucleotide sequence of mitochondrial tRNALeuUAG from morris hepatoma 5123D

Summary A leucine tRNA (anticodon UAG) was isolated from the mitochondria of a transplantable rat tumor, Morris hepatoma 5123D, and sequenced. The sequence, pACUUU/GUAUm 1 Am 2 GGAUAGAAGDAAUCCAUUGGUCU UAG m 1 GAACCAAAAACm 5 CUUGGUGCAACUCCAAAUAAAAGUACCA OH , can be arranged in cloverleaf form. It exhibits several unusual features, such as the absence of the constant GG sequence in loop I, the presence of a G11·C23 base pair in the stem of this loop, the presence of UGC instead of the constant TUC (UUC) in loop IV, a short variable arm, predominance of A·U base pairs, and the presence of m 1 A in position 9. The other modified nucleosides (N 2 -methylguanosine, dihydrouridine, pseudouridine, 1-methylguanosine, and 5-methylcytidine) occupy expected positions. In position 5, 2 nucleosides (uridine + guanosine) were found, possibly signifying a tumor-specific point mutation in mitochondrial DNA.
Motivational interviewing: Research, practice, and puzzles

Motivational interviewing is a directive client-centered counseling approach for initiating behavior change by helping clients to resolve ambivalence. Background research that led to its development is reviewed, along with current evidence for its efficacy in reducing alcohol and other drug abuse. Elements of therapeutic style are briefly discussed. Although current evidence generally supports the effectiveness of motivational interviewing, the underlying reasons and mechanisms for change pose unsolved puzzles.
Rotor/Stator Interactions of the ϵ Subunit in Escherichia coli ATP Synthase and Implications for Enzyme Regulation

Abstract The H+-translocating F0F1-ATP synthase of Escherichia coli functions as a rotary motor, coupling the transmembrane movement of protons through F0 to the synthesis of ATP by F1. Although the ϵ subunit appears to be tightly associated with the γ subunit in the central stalk region of the rotor assembly, several studies suggest that the C-terminal domain of ϵ can undergo significant conformational change as part of a regulatory process. Here we use disulfide cross-linking of substituted cysteines on functionally coupled ATP synthase to characterize interactions of ϵ with an F0 component of the rotor (subunit c) and with an F1 component of the stator (subunit β). Oxidation of the engineered F0F1 causes formation of two disulfide bonds, βD380C-S108C ϵ and ϵE31C-cQ42C, to give a β-ϵ-c cross-linked product in high yield. The results demonstrate the ability of ϵ to span the central stalk region from the surface of the membrane (ϵ-c) to the bottom of F1 (β-ϵ) and suggest that the conformation detected here is distinct from both the “closed” state seen with isolated ϵ (Uhlin, U., Cox, G. B., and Guss, J. M. (1997) Structure 5, 1219–1230) and the “open” state seen in a complex with a truncated form of the γ subunit (Rodgers, A. J., and Wilce, M. C. (2000) Nat. Struct. Biol. 7, 1051–1054). The kinetics of β-ϵ and ϵ-c cross-linking were studied separately using F0F1 containing one or the other matched cysteine pair. The rate of cross-linking at the ϵ/c (rotor/rotor) interface is not influenced by the type of nucleotide added. In contrast, the rate of β-ϵ cross-linking is fastest under ATP hydrolysis conditions, intermediate with MgADP, and slowest with MgAMP-PNP. This is consistent with a regulatory role for a reversible β/ϵ (stator/rotor) interaction that blocks rotation and inhibits catalysis. Furthermore, the rate of β-ϵ cross-linking is much faster than that indicated by previous studies, allowing for the possibility of a rapid response to regulatory signals.
Mutuality at the center: health promotion with Cape Verdean immigrant women

Objective. Public health care researchers, policy makers, and providers are increasingly interested in developing more effective and culturally responsive health promotion theories and interventions for diverse immigrant populations. The purpose of this study was to develop health promotion theory that validates the local knowledge and experiences of Cape Verdean women health promoters who work with immigrant women in their community. Design. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine culturally savvy, community-based Cape Verdean women health promoters about their perspectives and daily experiences of health promotion practice with Cape Verdean immigrant women. This study used Glaserian grounded theory to analyze the interviews. This approach identified concepts and developed an integrated process through which to theorize about the practice of health promoters. Results. For Cape Verdean women health promoters, a process of creating relationships was a key to promoting women's health. ...
Sewing conformal field theories I

We show that any Riemann surface M with punctures can be constructed by sewing three-punctured speres. Correspondingly, any correlation function on M can be obtained by sewing three-point functions on a sphere. There is no unique way of sewing three-punctured spheres to construct M, and the resulting correlation functions may depend on the precise way of sewing. We show that this dependence is absent, if we assume that four-point correlation function on a sphere and one-point functions on a torus are determined unambiguously.
Novel Genetic Locus Implicated for HIV-1 Acquisition with Putative Regulatory Links to HIV Replication and Infectivity: A Genome- Wide Association Study

Fifty percent of variability in HIV-1 susceptibility is attributable to host genetics. Thus identifying genetic associations is essential to understanding pathogenesis of HIV-1 and important for targeting drug development. To date, however, CCR5 remains the only gene conclusively associated with HIV acquisition. To identify novel host genetic determinants of HIV-1 acquisition, we conducted a genome-wide association study among a high-risk sample of 3,136 injection drug users (IDUs) from the Urban Health Study (UHS). In addition to being IDUs, HIV- controls were frequency-matched to cases on environmental exposures to enhance detection of genetic effects. We tested independent replication in the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (N=2,533). We also examined publicly available gene expression data to link SNPs associated with HIV acquisition to known mechanisms affecting HIV replication/infectivity. Analysis of the UHS nominated eight genetic regions for replication testing. SNP rs4878712 in FRMPD1 met multiple testing correction for independent replication (P=1.38x10-4), although the UHS-WIHS meta-analysis p-value did not reach genome-wide significance (P=4.47x10-7 vs. P<5.0x10-8) Gene expression analyses provided promising biological support for the protective G allele at rs4878712 lowering risk of HIV: (1) the G allele was associated with reduced expression of FBXO10 (r=-0.49, P=6.9x10-5); (2) FBXO10 is a component of the Skp1-Cul1-F-box protein E3 ubiquitin ligase complex that targets Bcl-2 protein for degradation; (3) lower FBXO10 expression was associated with higher BCL2 expression (r=-0.49, P=8x10-5); (4) higher basal levels of Bcl-2 are known to reduce HIV replication and infectivity in human and animal in vitro studies. These results suggest new potential biological pathways by which host genetics affect susceptibility to HIV upon exposure for follow-up in subsequent studies.
SANDIA OCTAHEDRAL MOLECULAR SIEVES (SOMS): STRUCTURAL AND PROPERTY EFFECTS OF CHARGE-BALANCING THE MIV-SUBSTITUTED (M = TI, ZR) NIOBATE FRAMEWORK

Sandia octahedral molecular sieves (SOMS) is an isostructural, variable composition class of ion exchangers with the general formula Na2Nb2-xMIVxO 6-x(OH)x·H2O (MIV = Ti, Zr; x = 0.04−0.40) where up to 20% of the framework NbV can be substituted with TiIV or ZrIV. This class of molecular sieves is easily converted to perovskite through low-temperature heat treatment (500−600 °C). This report provides a detailed account of how the charge imbalance of this NbV−MIV substitution is compensated. X-ray powder diffraction with Rietveld refinement, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, 23Na MAS NMR, and 1H MAS NMR were used to determine how the framework anionic charge is cation-balanced over a range of framework compositions. All spectroscopic evidence indicated a proton addition for each MIV substitution. Evidences for variable proton content included (1) increasing OH observed by 1H MAS NMR with increasing MIV substitution, (2) increased infrared band broadening indicating increased H-bonding with...
323. In Vivo Regulation of rAAV-Mediated GDNF Expression in the Rat Striatum

A number of tetracycline-regulated systems constructed in rAAV vectors were evaluated to control in vivo expression of glial cell line- derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in the rat neostriatum. The first system involved two vectors: rAAV construct contained tetracycline (tet) -inducible promoter driving expression of GDNF (tet-GDNF), and the other was a bicistronic vector encoding the reverse transactivator and silencer for the tet-regulated system (rtTA/ tTS). The second vector system incorporated all the elements required for the regulated expression of GDNF in one construct. This arrangement contained a mutated rtTA (rtTA2s-M2), a bidirectional tet-induceable autoregulatory promoter controlling the expression of rtTA2s-M2 and GDNF, in AAV2 inverted terminal repeats (TR2:M2-GDNF). The third construct system was identical to the later vector but contained AAV5 TR (TR5:M2-GDNF). As much as 5.4 fold induction of GDNF over un-induced levels could be achieved in vivo, using the dual vector system. However, measurable background expression was observed in the un-induced state. Un-induced GDNF expression could be reduced to near background levels by increasing the ratio of the reverse transactivator-repressor vector to the tet-GDNF. On the other hand the bidirectional constructs showed high expression of GDNF in the uninduced state, but the TR5 seemed to reduce the expression observed in the uninduced state with the TR2 bidirectional construct. We conclude that a dual vector system might be more efficient at regulating gene expression in the context of rAAV vectors. Based on these results we are developing improved versions of the two vector system to limit uninduced transgene expression and to increase the levels of induction in the |[ldquo]|on|[rdquo]| state.
The World Health Organization international collaborative study of medical care utilization: A summary of methodological studies and preliminary findings

Abstract A brief review of the organization, methodological and preliminary results of the World Health Organization/International Collaborative Study of Medical Care Utilization (WHO/ICS-MCU) of 12 areas in seven countries is given. The results are based on descriptive information about the health service resources of each area, and on data collected in the pretest, the early quarterly subsamples, and the complete household survey. Included is a discussion of the study's published papers on data reduction to select appropriate variables for the main analysis, cross-cultural measurement of attitudes, emotional disturbance, and health resource utilization, and the preliminary report of the WHO/ICS-MCU.
M-mode echocardiography in left bundle branch block: Significance of frontal plane QRS axis

M-mode echocardiograms were obtained in 48 patients with complete left bundle branch block (LBBB). Of these 48 patients, 28 had LBBB with normal frontal plane QRS axis (-20 degrees to +90 degrees, mean +/- SD 18 degrees +/- 34 degrees), and 20 had LBBB with a left axis deviation (LAD) (-30 degrees to -60 degrees, mean +/- SD -48 degrees +/- 11 degrees). In the group with LBBB and normal axis, 25 patients had typical early mean +/- SD -48 degrees +/- 11 degrees). In the group with LBBB and normal axis, 25 patients had typical early systolic posterior septal motion characteristic of LBBB. Septal motion following early posterior septal motion (through the ejection period) was posterior in 24 patients (86%), anterior (paradoxical) in 2 (7%), and flat in 2 (7%). In the group with LBBB and LAD, 16 patients had the typical early systolic posterior septal motion; subsequent septal motion was posterior in 3 (15%), anterior (paradoxical) in 13 (65%), and flat in 4 (20%). Patients with LBBB and normal axis had a higher frequency of posterior septal motion, and patients with LAD had a higher frequency of anterior septal motion (p less than 0.001). The correlation of abnormal axis and paradoxical septal motion may be explained by the activation pattern producing LAD or by a septal disease process producing both abnormalities of axis and abnormal septal motion.
Three dimensional distribution of the mastic in asphalt composites

Abstract The microstructure of the fine aggregate matrix has a significant influence on the mechanical properties and evolution of damage in an asphalt mixture. This paper presents the findings from a study conducted to identify a quantitative method to characterize the three-dimensional microstructure of the matrix in an asphalt mixture. The influence of binder content, coarse aggregate gradation, and fine aggregate gradation on the microstructure of the matrix was also investigated. Results indicate that for a given aggregate type, binder content and aggregate gradation influence the degree of anisotropy whereas gradation of the coarse aggregate has the most influence on the direction of anisotropy of the asphalt mastic. Addition of asphalt binder or adjustments to the fine aggregate gradation also resulted in a more uniform spatial distribution of the asphalt mastic.
Acute Effects of Aerosolized Acetylcysteine Upon Spirometric Measurements in Subjects With and Without Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Washington, D. C. T HE DEVELOPMENT OF TENACIOUS MUcoid secretions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presents an important therapeutic challenge to the physician. These secretions, resistant to clearance by cough, not only further compromise pulmonary function in such patients, but also may promote the development of bronchopulmonary infection. The threat posed by retained secretions is reflected by the many therapeutic modalities which have been employed to promote their liquefaction and removal, ranging from a high fluid intake to permanent tracheostomy.
Review of Presidencies Derailed: Why University Leaders Fail and How to Prevent It by S.J. Trachtenberg, G.B. Kauvar, and E.G. Bogue

Book Review of "Presidencies Derailed: Why University Leaders Fail and How to Prevent It" by S. J. Trachtenberg, G. B. Kauvar, and E. G. Bogue.
Feeding Traces and Paleobiology of a Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Crocodyliform: Example from the Woodbine Formation of Texas

Direct evidence of behavior in extinct tetrapods is rare. However, these traces can inform a variety of research questions touching on paleoecology, taphonomy, and functional morphology. Here we present fossil specimens from the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Woodbine Formation that exhibit tooth marks consistent with predation by a new taxon of large crocodyliform currently under study. Collected from the recently discovered Arlington Archosaur Site, the marked bones were largely found in a single peat horizon and in close association with the new crocodyliform. The feeding traces themselves consist of pits, scores, and punctures that occur on multiple turtle shell fragments and two dinosaur limb bones. The pattern of marks and the breakage on turtle carapaces and plastra suggest that they were crushed, whereas the marks on dinosaur bones indicate possible dismemberment. These interpretations and the association with a crocodyliform trace maker are based on observations of feeding behaviors and accompanying, diagnostic bite mark patterns made by extant crocodylians. The morphology of the new crocodyliform taxon and the distribution of bite marks indicates it was likely a generalist: an opportunistic predator that fed on a variety of prey, including turtles and dinosaurs. Given this evidence and the paleoenvironmental setting, the ecology of the large crocodyliform from the Woodbine Formation was likely most similar to that of fossil and living crocodylians inhabiting delta-plain environments. Not only were these crocodyliforms likely significant predators in the Woodbine paleoecosystem, they also played an important taphonomic role in the assembly of vertebrate remains from the surrounding community.
Mechanisms Underlying the Cerebral Microvascular Responses to Angiotensin II‐Induced Hypertension

Angiotensin II (AngII) and AngII type-1 receptors (AT1r) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension and ischemic stroke. The objectives of this study was to determine if/how chronic AngII administration affects blood-brain barrier (BBB) function and blood cell adhesion in the cerebral microvasculature. AngII-loaded osmotic pumps were implanted in wild type (WT) and mutant mice. Leukocyte and platelet adhesion were monitored in cerebral venules by intravital microscopy and BBB permeability detected by Evans blue leakage. AngII (two week) infusion increased blood pressure in WT mice. This was accompanied by an increased BBB permeability and a high density of adherent leukocytes and platelets. AT1r (on the vessel wall, but not on blood cells) was largely responsible for the microvascular responses to AngII. Immunodeficient (Rag-1(-/-) ) mice exhibited blunted blood cell recruitment responses without a change in BBB permeability. A similar protection pattern was noted in RANTES(-/-) and P-selectin(-/-) mice, with bone marrow chimeras (blood cell deficiency only) yielding responses comparable to the respective knockouts. These findings implicate AT1r in the microvascular dysfunction associated with AngII-induced hypertension and suggest that immune cells and blood cell-associated RANTES and P-selectin contribute to the blood cell recruitment, but not the BBB failure, elicited by AngII.
Demonstration-Based Behavior and Task Learning

To be truly useful, robots should be able to handle a variety of tasks in diverse environments without the need for re-programming. Current systems, however, are typically task-specific. Aiming toward autonomous robots capable of acquiring new behaviors and task capabilities, we describe a method by which a human teacher can instruct a robot student how to accomplish new tasks. During the course of training, the robot learns both the sequence of behaviors it should execute and, if needed, the behaviors themselves. It also stores each learning episode as a case for later generalization and reuse.
Hospice Care for Patients With Advanced Lung Disease

Hospices are organized programs of support services for patients in the advanced stages of a terminal illness and their families. Although hospices serve dying patients regardless of diagnosis, limited available evidence suggests that these programs are relatively underutilized by patients dying of nonmalignant lung diseases. One explanation may be a lower awareness of hospice eligibility criteria and services among pulmonologists than oncologists. The unpredictability of death from advanced lung disease is another likely reason. Certain limitations on federal and private insurance coverage for patients with advanced lung disease probably contribute as well. For those patients who do enroll, hospice offers expert palliation of physical, psychological, social, and spiritual distress, as well as practical support for home care needs, hospitalization for short-term control of symptoms, and inpatient respite care for relief of home caregivers. Hospice workers view dying as an active phase of life filled with the pursuit of goals that patients and family members wish to complete before or shortly after the end of life. This article reviews hospice care in the United States with particular attention to eligibility criteria and services available for patients who are dying of an advanced lung disease. Specific recommendations are offered for referring respiratory disease patients to hospice programs.
Somatotopic component of the multisensory map in the deep laminae of the cat superior colliculus

The topographic organization of the somatosensory representation in the deep layers of the cat superior colliculus was reexamined using methods previously used to examine the visuotopy in these layers. This technique identified the distribution of neurons in the superior colliculus that represent a designated region of the body surface (i.e., a dermal image), as well as assessed the differential distribution of deep layer neurons representing different body regions (e.g., face, forelimb, hindlimb, etc.). When the area of densest representation within a dermal image was considered, a well-ordered somatotopy was evident that was similar to the one previously described (Stein et al., '76: J. Neurophysiol. 39:401-419). Each region of the body surface, however, was represented within a surprisingly broad area of the deep layers, which often had considerable overlap with the representations of adjacent body regions. This organization was similar to that of the deep layer visuotopy and emphasizes that the representation of a peripheral stimulus is accomplished by the simultaneous activation of a large population of deep layer neurons. Furthermore, an examination of the convergence patterns on somatosensory-responsive neurons demonstrated that the somatotopy was formed primarily by multisensory neurons. These data indicate that the somatosensory representation is best considered as a component of a comprehensive multisensory functional unit that plays a critical role in effecting behavioral responses to a wide variety of stimuli.
The Dimension of a Variety

The most important invariant of a linear subspace of affine space is its dimension. For affine varieties, we have seen numerous examples which have a clearly defined dimension, at least from a naive point of view. In this chapter, we will carefully define the dimension of any affine or projective variety and show how to compute it. We will also show that this notion accords well with what we would expect intuitively. In keeping with our general philosophy, we consider the computational side of dimension theory right from the outset.
L’effet de l’utilisation des outils de réseau social par les sites gouvernementaux sur la transparence et la participation du public

La presente etude examine l’utilisation des outils de reseau social par les sites gouvernementaux dans les Etats americains et son incidence sur la transparence gouvernementale et la participation du public. Pour ce faire, des donnees ont ete colligees aupres des sites des gouvernements des cinquante Etats americains et du district de Columbia. Ces donnees etaient liees a l’usage fait, par les sites Internet des gouvernements etatiques, des outils de communication en ligne que sont Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn, Vimeo, des fonctions courriel, blogue et clavardage, de meme que des boites a suggestions et des technologies mobiles de visualisation de pages Web. Les resultats indiquent que la majorite des sites ont recours aux courriels, a Twitter et Facebook et que tres peu usent du blogue, de LinkedIn et de Vimeo. Le niveau de mise a jour et d’activite des sites gouvernementaux ainsi que la rapidite dans les reponses aux demandes d’information ont egalement ete analyses.
Actions of Rho family small G proteins and p21-activated protein kinases on mitogen-activated protein kinase family members

The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are a family of serine/threonine kinases that are regulated by distinct extracellular stimuli. The currently known members include extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 (ERK1), ERK2, the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinases (JNK/SAPKs), and p38 MAP kinases. We find that overexpression of the Ste20-related enzymes p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) and PAK2 in 293 cells is sufficient to activate JNK/SAPK and to a lesser extent p38 MAP kinase but not ERK2. Rat MAP/ERK kinase kinase 1 can stimulate the activity of each of these MAP kinases. Although neither activated Rac nor the PAKs stimulate ERK2 activity, overexpression of either dominant negative Rac2 or the N-terminal regulatory domain of PAK1 inhibits Ras-mediated activation of ERK2, suggesting a permissive role for Rac in the control of the ERK pathway. Furthermore, constitutively active Rac2, Cdc42hs, and RhoA synergize with an activated form of Raf to increase ERK2 activity. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized connection between Rho family small G proteins and the ERK pathway.
Short Bowel Syndrome in the Nicu

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is the most common cause of intestinal failure in infants. In neonates and young infants, necrotizing enterocolitis, gastroschisis, intestinal atresia, and intestinal malrotation/volvulus are the leading causes of SBS. Following an acute postsurgical phase, the residual gastrointestinal tract adapts with reorganization of the crypt-villus histoarchitecture and functional changes in nutrient absorption and motility. A cohesive, multidisciplinary approach can allow most neonates with SBS to transition to full enteral feeds and achieve normal growth and development. In this article, the clinical features, management, complications, and prognostic factors in SBS are reviewed.
Detecting signals in pharmacogenomic genome-wide association studies

In a common pharmacogenomic scenario, outcome measures are compared for treated and untreated subjects across genotype-defined subgroups. The key question is whether treatment benefit (or harm) is particularly strong in certain subgroups, and therefore the statistical analysis focuses on the interaction between treatment and genotype. However, genome-wide analysis in such scenarios requires careful statistical thought as, in addition to the usual problems of multiple testing, the marker-defined sample sizes, and therefore power, vary across the individual genotypes being evaluated. The variability in power means that the usual practice of using a common P-value threshold across tests has difficulties. The reason is that the use of a fixed threshold, with variable power, implies that the costs of type I and type II errors vary across tests in a manner that is implicit rather than dictated by the analyst. In this paper we discuss this problem and describe an easily implementable solution based on Bayes factors. We pay particular attention to the specification of priors, which is not a straightforward task. The methods are illustrated using data from a randomized controlled clinical trial in which homocysteine levels are compared in individuals receiving low and high doses of folate supplements and across marker subgroups. The method we describe is implemented in the R computing environment with code available from http://faculty.washington.edu/jonno/cv.html.
VLSI Dynamic nMOS design constraints due to drain induced primary and secondary impact ionization

Evidence of primary and secondary impact ionization have been reported recently in small geometry MOSFETs. We confirm the generation of secondary electrons by the impact ionization of primary holes accelerated through the drain to substrate voltage. A quantitative measure of the secondary electrons that diffuse into bulk is established and diffusion lengths of ∼400-650 µm are measured. This represents a non-thermal leakage source which is a dominant leakage phenomena below ∼60°C. We show that for high temperature operation this mechanism does not degrade dynamic nMOS performance at 3 µm, but could be severe at smaller geometry. This non-thermal process precludes the advantages claimed for a cold FET VLSI technology.
Electron Avalanches Near a Charged Insulator

Electron avalanches near a charged solid insulator have been simulated using four different electric field profiles: Linear exponential, rectangular and triangular. Photoemission from the solid dielectric has been incorporated in the growth of an avalanche. Results indicate the sensitivity of electron avalanche growth to the electric field profile and to a large extent to the photoemissive contribution from the insulator.
Airdrop simulations of controlled parachute descents

Computational simulation tools have been applied to a variety of applications relating to the control of parachute descent. The simulation tools have three components: the computation of the structural dynamics (CSD); the computation of the fluid dynamics of the air stream (CFD); and the mutual interface between two that make up the fluid-structure interactions (FSI). In the area of CSD, element contact methodologies have been investigated and tested. FSI developments have focused on the application of line input controls and soft-landing techniques for round canopies. In addition, long duration simulation results have been performed and compared qualitatively with the results from experimental investigations.
Optimization of the bandwidth distribution scheme for handling topology changes

The bandwidth distribution scheme (BDS) was designed to combine the advantages of the integrated and differentiated services models and to provide support for scalable per-flow quality of service. In recent studies Hnatyshin et al. showed that the variation of the bandwidth distribution scheme called the exact requested bandwidth range BDS (X-BDS), can support per-flow minimum bandwidth guarantees in a scalable manner. The X-BDS achieves per-flow QoS by maintaining aggregate flow requirements in the network core and distributing these requirements as needed. Based on the obtained information the edge nodes determine the fair allocation of available bandwidth among the active flows. This paper introduces an optimization which allows the X-BDS approach to operate seamlessly in the event of network topology changes. The primary challenge of addressing this problem is determining how to correctly update the aggregate flow requirements maintained in the network core. This paper examines two instances of topology changes, link failure and link restoration, and presents an algorithm which enables the routers in the X-BDS network to properly update the aggregate flow requirements in each of these cases. This paper examines the performance of the introduced algorithm through simulation.
Differences in Vision Between Clinic and Home and the Effect of Lighting in Older Adults With and Without Glaucoma

Importance Patients often report greater visual difficulties at home than expected from vision testing in the clinic. Such discordance may be owing to worse vision in the home than measured in clinic. Objective To compare vision measured between the clinic and home and evaluate factors, including lighting, associated with these differences. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study conducted from 2005-2009 involved 126 patients with glaucoma and 49 without glaucoma recruited from the Glaucoma and Comprehensive Eye Clinics at Washington University, St Louis, Missouri. Patients underwent clinic and home visits, were aged 55 to 90 years, were consecutively recruited, and met inclusion criteria for this study. A total of 166 eligible patients refused participation. Exposure Participants underwent clinic and home visits randomized to order of completion. At each visit, masked and certified examiners measured binocular distance visual acuity (DVA) with a nonbacklit chart, near visual acuity (NVA), contrast sensitivity (CS), CS with glare, and lighting. Main Outcomes and Measures Differences in vision between the clinic and home. Results The mean scores for all vision tests were significantly better in the clinic than home for participants with and without glaucoma ( P t tests). For DVA, 29% of participants with glaucoma read 2 or more lines better in the clinic than home and 39% with advanced glaucoma read 3 or more lines better. For the entire sample, 21% of participants read 2 or more lines better in the clinic than home for NVA and 49% read 2 or more triplets better in the clinic for CS with glare. Lighting was the most significant factor associated with differences in vision between the clinic and home for DVA, NVA, and CS with glare testing ( P Conclusions and Relevance Vision measured in the clinic is generally better than vision measured at home, with differences mainly owing to poor home lighting. Knowledge that vision discrepancies between patient report and clinical testing may be owing to home lighting may initiate clinician-patient discussions to optimize home lighting and improve the vision of older adults in their homes.
Nonvolatile floating-gate memory programming enhancement using well bias

A nonvolatile memory programming approach using ohmic and Schottky well bias contacts is proposed. Programming efficiency using positive and negative bias voltages are compared in addition to electric field differences between the biases and type of contacts using experimental data and simulations. High-injection efficiency of electrons to the floating-gate is achieved using a negatively biased Schottky contact and a positively biased ohmic contact. A low-injection efficiency is achieved using a negatively biased ohmic contact and a positively biased Schottky contact.
Age-Related Variation in the Scent Pouch Bacterial Communities of Striped Hyenas ( Hyaena hyaena )

Our understanding of the contributions of symbiotic microbes to animal behavior is being greatly facilitated by technological advances in characterizing host-associated microbial communities and their synergistic metabolic activities. A particularly promising line of inquiry is to elucidate how symbiotic microbes can mediate animals’ chemical communication systems. Using a combination of next-generation DNA sequencing and targeted metabolite analyses, we recently found that symbiotic bacterial communities appear to contribute to scent pouch odors among wild striped hyenas. Here we characterize these bacterial communities among juvenile, young adult, and adult hyenas. Akin to adult scent pouches, juvenile pouches are populated by fermentative bacteria from known odor-producing clades. However, the composition and structure of bacterial communities in juvenile scent pouches are different from, and more variable than, those of communities inhabiting the pouches of adults. Adult striped hyenas possess a core scent pouch bacterial community—12 bacterial types were shared among all sampled adults and consistently accounted for more than 90 % of the recovered 16S rRNA gene sequences. These bacterial types were less widespread and abundant among juveniles. Although verification will ultimately require longitudinal sampling of individual hyenas throughout ontogeny, these data are consistent with the hypothesis that striped hyena scent pouch bacterial communities converge on a stereotypical phenotype during host development. We discuss how this could be facilitated by transmission of bacterial community members from adult scent pouches to those of juveniles by juveniles and adults occupying the same spaces, coming into recurrent physical contact, and/or scent overmarking each other.
Reflections on the State of Management in Social Work

Abstract The author reviews the development of administration in social work noting the substantial advances that have occurred in its professional and scholarly standing over the last 30 years. Notwithstanding these gains, he argues that progress toward a strong presence for social work management in both academia and the field appears to be languishing. The paper reviews some of the reasons for the current state of affairs and suggests several strategies that might be pursued to re-energize the enterprise, including the development of a unique approach to management in the human services, a redesign of education for management in social work and more institutionalized interactions between academics and practitioners.
Environmental Factors Associated with Febrile Seizures

Investigators from Taichung, Taiwan, conducted a nationwide population-based retrospective study of the association between febrile seizure (FS) and allergic rhinitis.
La vecindad con Estados Unidos: interés nacional y opinión pública

This paper analyzes the individual factors that affect the cost-benefit perceptions of having the United States as a neighbor in Mexican public opinion. A statistical multivariate linear regression model is constructed. Mexicans posses well-founded, differentiated, and rational opinions that display patterns of conceptual coherence. The cost-benefit evaluations associated with having the United States as a neighbor depend less on the demographic characteristics of Mexicans and more on the fundamental values and predispositions associated with national identity, including the principles of internationalism, economic liberalism, sovereignty and perceptions of the relative vulnerability of Mexico visa-vis the United States.
Abstract CN01-04: Cancer survivors: Opportunities and challenges in managing comorbidities among disadvantaged populations

As the treatment of cancer is becoming more successful, there is a growing population of cancer survivors. For patients diagnosed with a cancer prior to the age of 21 years, over 80% will be cured and as a result there are more than 350,000 survivors of childhood cancer currently living in the US. Research in large cohorts of childhood cancer survivors indicate these patients are at significant risk of premature mortality due to late effects and second cancers due to their previous therapy. Recognizing this, in 2003, the Institute of Medicine has recommended lifelong, risk-based long term follow up care focused on monitoring for cancer recurrence, surveillance and early intervention of late effects, and second cancers and education. Despite these recommendations, survivors are not receiving risk based care. There are many barriers to medical care in this vulnerable population. Many of these patients are young adults and not able to secure employment and/or insurance. Our research has indicated that primary care physicians who follow patients in the community are not aware of the risks and surveillance guidelines for these patients. Further, most survivors and their primary care physicians report that they do not have a treatment summary and follow up plan. These issues are likely compounded in disadvantaged populations. Research must be focused on examining risk of late effects and second cancers in minority populations in order to tailor surveillance recommendations. Intervention studies must be designed that are focused on the dissemination of treatment summaries and care plans for survivors not cared for in tertiary care centers, but in the community. Specific education must be in place at the time of cancer care such that patients are aware of their risks and need for long term follow up care. Policy measures must include focused efforts for disadvantaged survivors in order to ensure appropriate health care coverage to meet their significant and specialized health care needs. Citation Format: Tara O. Henderson. Cancer survivors: Opportunities and challenges in managing comorbidities among disadvantaged populations. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr CN01-04. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-CN01-04
Interpretation of high resolution spectra of Mars. II

Abstract The high-resolution spectra of Venus, obtained by Janine and Pierre Connes in the region of 2 microns have been used to obtain a curve of growth for the 2 ν 3 band of the 13 C 16 O 18 O isotope of carbon dioxide. Several methods of data reduction are compared; the rotational temperature found from this band, using the curve of growth, is 245° ± 3° K (standard deviation). Values for the effective pressure for line formation and the absorber amount above the clouds are also derived, but are dependent on the strengths of the lines.