cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification and characterization of three members of a novel subclass of protocadherins.

Abstract Protocadherins are members of a nonclassic subfamily of calcium-dependent cell–cell adhesion molecules in the cadherin superfamily. Although the extracellular domains have several common structural features, there is no extensive homology between the cytoplasmic domains of protocadherin subfamily members. We have identified a new subclass of protocadherins based on a shared and highly conserved 17-amino-acid cytoplasmic motif. The subclass currently consists of 18 protocadherin members. Two of these, PCDH18 and PCDH19, are novel protocadherins and a third is the human orthologue of mouse Pcdh10. All three genes encode six ectodomain repeats with cadherin-like attributes and, consistent with the structural characteristics of protocadherins, a large first exon encodes the extracellular domain of each gene.
Correlation function of the one-dimensional fermi gas in the infinite-coupling limit (repulsive case)

Abstract The two-point, equal-time correlation function for a one-dimensional, finite-density gas of impenetrable fermions is derived and expressed in terms of a solution of the Painleve equation of the fifth kind. The asymptotic large-distance behavior is found to be quite different from that found in the bosonic case.
Simulation of Kernel Number and Yield using CERES-Maize 3.51

The primary objective in corn production is to produce maximum yield, but many factors can interact to reduce yields. Crop models can be used as management tools to maximize returns to the producer and help manage resources. However, crop models need to accurately predict yield and yield components to be accepted on a large scale. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the simulation of kernel number and yield in the CERES-Maize crop model using four equations for kernel number calculation. Data sets from various plant populations, planting dates, and hybrid maturities under irrigated and dryland conditions from Kansas were used for evaluation of the four kernel number calculation methods incorporated into CERES-Maize version 3.51. None of the four equations adequately simulated kernel number across plant populations, locations, and hybrids for irrigated or dryland conditions. Simulated kernel numbers were generally high at low kernel numbers and low at high kernel numbers. However, under...
Digoxin use is associated with increased platelet and endothelial cell activation in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine whether digoxin use is associated with increased flow cytometric markers of endothelial cell and platelet activation in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Background Increased intracellular calcium is a key event in platelet activation, and several studies have demonstrated that digitalis activates platelets in vitro . Intracellular calcium also is a key regulator of endothelial cell function, and endogenous digitalis-like substances have been shown to affect biologic processes in endothelial cells. Methods We studied 30 patients with nonvalvular AF. We measured the levels of (1) platelet expression of P-selectin (CD62P), (2) platelet microparticles (PMP); and (3) endothelial microparticles (EMP) identified by anti-CD31 (EMP31) and by anti-E-selectin antibodies (EMP62E). Results Patients who were taking digoxin (n = 16; mean digoxin level=0.93 ng/dL) did not demonstrate any significant differences in clinical or echocardiographic characteristics compared with patients not taking digoxin (n = 14). Patients taking digoxin had significantly increased levels of CD62P expression in platelets and platelet-leukocyte conjugates and markedly increased markers of endothelial activation: EMP62E and EMP31. After adjusting for potential confounders (including age, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, ejection fraction, antiplatelet, β-blocker, and calcium channel blocker use), the differences persisted. Conclusions Digoxin use in patients with AF is associated with increased levels of endothelial and platelet activation. If digitalis activates endothelial cells and platelets at pharmacologic doses, use of digitalis in conditions such as AF could predispose to thrombosis and vascular events.
How Does Your Laundry Glow

This Classroom Activity examines the effect of pH on the fluorescence properties of optical brighteners present in liquid laundry detergent. Students conduct acid titrations in the presence and absence of buffer to determine the pH of the fluorescence color transition. This Activity can be used to explore the principles of acid/base titrations, the action of buffers, and the photophysics of pH-sensitive fluorescent probes.
Validity of interstitial fluid hydrostatic pressure measurement in hollow porous polyethylene capsules.

Abstract The measurement of interstitial fluid hydrostatic pressure by means of the rigid perforated capsule method proposed by Guyton [Guyton, A. C. (1963). Circ. Res. 12, 399–414] has been criticized as yielding pressures which are sensitive to transcapsular protein oncotic gradients. These gradients are due to the protein excluding characteristics of the dense granulation tissue which grows inside and around the capsules. In addition, the waiting periods necessary to achieve steady-state pressures following maneuvers are often longer than the ability of the interstitial space to remain stable. A modification of the capsule method which might meet both criticisms employs hollow capsules made of porous polyethylene which does not appear to induce the growth of granulation tissue. We tested these chronically implanted capsules for their protein gradient sensitivity by substituting varying concentrations of protein into their interiors with an intentional brief elevation of pressure past the “breaking point” of interstitial tissue. After 1 min, the pressure decay characteristics and final steady-state values of pressure were recorded and correlated to the injectate protein concentration. There was no relationship between any of these parameters and the level of capsular protein. It was concluded that these capsules are not significantly sensitive to transcapsular protein gradients, are quickly responsive, are demonstrably in communication with the surrounding interstitium, and are thus suitable for measurement of interstitial fluid hydrostatic pressure. For canine gastrocnemius muscle, the mean steady-state pressure ( N = 38) was 6.4 ± 0.5 (SEM) mm Hg, and for the skin ( N = 29) was 1.5 ± 0.4 mm Hg.
Healthy Aging through Knowledge and Self-Care

Abstract The normal aging process results in physical and psy-chosocial changes which can compromise health. Knowledge of these changes and self-care activities which limit their impact on health status are essential for prevention in the elderly. To stimulate and support these self-care behaviors teaching, counseling, screening, referral, and activity oriented human services are needed.
DNA–polyfluorophore excimers as sensitive reporters for esterases and lipases

DNA-scaffolded oligodeoxyriboside fluorophores (ODFs) were used as the reporters in turn-on sensing of enzymatic bond-cleaving activity. A tetramer ODF of pyrene deoxynucleosides displayed high quenching efficiency when conjugated via ester linkages with a dabcyl quencher, and yielded large signal increases with several enzymes in vitro and in intact human cells.
How Do Young Children Deal with Hybrids of Living and Non-Living Things: The Case of Humanoid Robots

In this experiment, we tested children's intuitions about entities that bridge the contrast between living and non-living things. Three- and four-year-olds were asked to attribute a range of properties associated with living things and machines to novel category-defying complex artifacts (humanoid robots), a familiar living thing (a girl), and a familiar complex artifact (a camera). Results demonstrated that 4-year-olds tended to treat the category-defying entities like members of the inanimate group, while 3-year-olds showed more variability in their responding. This finding suggests that preschoolers' ability to classify complex artifacts that cross the living-non-living divide becomes more stable between the ages of 3 and 4 and that children at both ages draw on a range of properties when classifying such entities.
Regulation of axon number in primate optic nerve by prenatal binocular competition

We report here that in mature rhesus monkeys in which one eye was removed during the first half of gestation, the optic nerve of the remaining eye is larger and contains significantly more retinal axons than in age-matched control animals. Such supernumerary fibres in monocularly enucleated monkeys probably result from an arrest in the normal process of elimination of excess embryonic optic axons1. Although the function of retained supernumerary optic axons is unknown, this finding demonstrates that (1) competition between the two eyes for synaptic territory occurs prenatally, before visual experience and (2) an early lesion in one brain area can adjust or enhance the size and perhaps the performance of other synaptically related structures.
CAPITAL BUDGETING: EMERGING ISSUES AND TRENDS

Since organizations have limited resources, it is not possible to invest in every opportunity which is recognized or imagined. Once a set of promising projects has been identified and investigated, it is necessary to reject some projects but invest in others. In this respect, the process of capital budgeting serves to shape the future of organizations, and a variety of capital budgeting methods have been proposed to assist managers who are engaged in this important planning task.
NAMES, LABELS, AND IDENTITIES: SOCIOPOLITICAL CONTEXTS AND THE QUESTION OF ETHNIC CATEGORIZATION

This article addresses a relatively unexplored topic: the meaning and use of names and labels for ethnies and nations. It has been said (by Anthony Smith and others) that a nation is a “named” ethnic community. In the same sense, an ethnie is a “named” categoric group. The labeling of an ethnic or national categoric group by the group is often a self-conscious political act of identification reflecting its image and self-image and serving a variety of purposes: the achievement of collective self-respect, self-legitimation, adaptation and assimilation, differentiation, and self-exclusion, just as labeling by others is associated with legitimation or de-legitimation and positive or negative discrimination. The assigning of ethnonyms is a function of the sociopolitical context, ideology, and public policy.
Heat shock protects cultured neurons from glutamate toxicity

Expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) occurs in brain after ischemia and status epilepticus. We report that induction of the heat shock response in cortical cultures protects neurons from glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Cultures heated to 42.2 degrees C for 20 min showed an overall decrease in protein synthesis but an increase in the synthesis of approximately 72 and approximately 85 kd proteins and in the levels of HSP70 mRNA. Heat shock inhibited excitotoxicity in cells exposed to glutamate at 3 or 24 hr following heat exposure, but not when the interval between heat and glutamate exposure was shortened to 15 min or lengthened to 48 hr. Protection due to heat shock required new protein synthesis, since it did not occur when protein or RNA synthesis inhibitors were added. By ameliorating excitotoxic processes, HSPs may attenuate brain injury in certain pathologic conditions.
Enhancing 3D file search with landscapes and personal histories: exploring the possibilities of TerraSearch+

Most users today have difficulty locating files due to memory, i.e., an ability to recreate the personal history of where they placed the document in the first place. Microsoft XP search provides the standard file search functions according to human semantic memory. However, depending exclusively on this human system for file acquisition can be problematic and very limiting for users who perform well in 3D space. The prototype system utilizes three-dimensional environments that are augmented with second-order information that depicts the relationships between the first-order properties by a visualization system. This system maintains user trace data in a way that enhances their ability to locate files according to place, time, and content. Early results of cognitive walkthroughs and questionnaires indicate users could more easily find files through search tools, but that unfamiliarity with the interface could be a barrier to acceptance.
A highly sensitive, PCR-based method for the detection of Plasmodium falciparum clones in microtiter plates

Cloning of parasites by limiting dilution is an essential and rate-limiting step in many aspects of malaria research including genomic and genetic manipulation studies. The standard Giemsa-stained blood smears to detect parasites is time-consuming, whereas the more sensitive parasite lactate dehydrogenase assay involves multiple steps and requires fresh reagents. A simple PCR-based method was therefore tested for parasite detection that can be adapted to high throughput studies. Approximately 1 μL of packed erythrocytes from each well of a microtiter cloning plate was directly used as template DNA for a PCR reaction with primers for the parasite 18s rRNA gene. Positive wells containing parasites were identified after rapid separation of PCR products by gel electrophoresis. The PCR-based method can consistently detect a parasitaemia as low as 0.0005%, which is equivalent to 30 parasite genomes in a single well of a 96-well plate. Parasite clones were easily detected from cloning plates using this method and a comparison of PCR results with Giemsa-stained blood smears showed that PCR not only detected all the positive wells identified in smears, but also detected wells not identified otherwise, thereby confirming its sensitivity. The PCR-based method reported here is a simple, sensitive and efficient method for detecting parasite clones in culture. This method requires very little manual labor and can be completely automated for high throughput studies. The method is sensitive enough to detect parasites a week before they can be seen in Giemsa smears and is highly effective in identifying slow growing parasite clones.
LATERAL ASYMMETRIES IN VISUAL PERCEPTION: A REVIEW OF TACHISTOSCOPIC VISUAL HALF-FIELD STUDIES

Summary.-Experiments using the visual half-field paradigm are reviewed with special reference to the three theories which purport to account for perceptual asymmetries: the left-to-right internal scanning mechanism theory, the direct anatomical access theory, and the attentional bias theory. Recent evidence has clearly shown that the direct anatomical access theory can account for virtually all lateral asymmetries in the perception of verbal and spatial stimuli. The results of the studies reviewed strongly support a model of brain function which suggests that the simultaneous processing of verbal and spatial stimuli does not constrict the attention of either hemisphere. The difficulty in separating the factors of hemispheric processing and stimulus characteristics is discussed. It is suggested that a reliable conclusion about the role of the cerebral hemispheres can only be made when a better description of the operating characteristics of the hemispheres is available. Mishkin and Forgays ( 1952) tachistoscopically presented English words unilaterally to the right or left of a central fixation point in an investigation of visual hemifield asymmetries in word recognition. They discovered that words which were briefly exposed to the right of fixation were more easily recognized than words pulsed in the left visual field. Using bilingual subjects, they presented Yiddish words unilaterally and found a left visual field superiority. They attributed the superiority of the right visual field-left hemisphere for English words and that for the left visual field-right hemisphere for Yiddish words to a more effective neural organization which resulted from training in the reading of the two languages. Heron (1957) modified the experimental task by employing a bilateral stimulus. Contrary to the results of the Mishkin and Forgays' study, Heron found that the differential accuracy for bilaterally presented words favored the left visual field. This superiority of the left visual field for bilateral letter and word recogriition had been observed in several studies undertaken as early as 1911 and reviewed by Woodworth (1938). In addition early studies of the "range of attention" such as Anderson and Crosland (1933) would also appear to support these results. To account for these findings Heron suggested that recognition asymmetries were due to a "directional postexposure scanning" mechanism which operated from left-to-right for English words and right-toleft for Yiddish words, thus explaining also the apparent contradiction with the Mishkin and Forgays' data. Heron's work, which was later supported by results
FUNDRAISING WITH A CONSULTANT: The Case of the Davenport Public Library

Small libraries that do not have a development officer on staff to conduct fundraising efforts may decide to engage the help of a consultant. Based on the experiences of the Davenport Public Library, local consultants who are familiar with the power base in the library's community may have an advantage over library fundraising experts who do not. The article discusses feasibility studies, organizational plans, and solicitation methods used in waging a successful campaign.
Evaluation of parameters that affect the 4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde assay for flavanols and proanthocyanidins

Proanthocyanidins are widely distributed in nature and represent the most abundant flavonoids consumed in the diet. Recent attention has been given to these compounds because of their health-promoting properties toward chronic diseases. Because of their large degrees of chemical variation and stereochemistry, isolation/quantification is difficult. The 4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (DMAC) spectrophotometric assay has become increasingly popular as a rapid technique to quantify the amount of proanthocyanidins present in foods and beverages; however, there is no current industry standard. In this study, several parameters affecting the DMAC reaction with catechin were examined. Effects of acid nature (hydrochloric acid [HCl] and sulfuric acid [H(2)SO(4)]) and concentration (2 to 10 N), temperature (5 to 45 °C), reaction time (2 to 35 min), sample water content (1 to 100%), DMAC concentration (1 to 3%), and interference of 8 different substances were evaluated. A mixture of 2% DMAC in methanol (w/v) in 6 N H(2)SO(4) (50:50 v/v) showed the highest slope in the standard curve when allowed to react for 15 to 35 min prior to analysis. For samples containing high concentrations of oligomeric proanthocyanidins, a reaction time of 20 to 35 min is recommended. The reaction of catechin with DMAC at constant room temperature (21 to 25 °C), with a sample water content of less than 1% was found to increase reproducibility and better assess the amount of catechin. Sample water contents higher than 1% showed significant bleaching effects on the color produced, when catechin concentrations were high (lower levels showed no significant differences). None of the substances examined in this study interfered with the assay; however, other compounds present in various food matrices may have an effect on color development.
An Alternative Example of the Method of Multiple Scales

An alternative example of the method of multiple scales is presented. This example arises in the study of the classical heat equation with a slowly varying flux imposed at one end. The module presents introductory ideas about dimensionless variables, multiple-scale expansions, and scaling of the dependent variable. The necessarily obfuscating algebraic computation is less than that for more familiar multiple-scale examples, such as the perturbed oscillator. The results are analyzed for both their physical and mathematical importance.
Relationship of Atypical Antipsychotics with Development of Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE:To review the pharmacoepidemiologic evidence for the link between exposure to atypical antipsychotics and the development of diabetes mellitus.DATA SOURCES:A MEDLINE search (1990–March 2003) was conducted.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:The search was limited to articles that described findings from analyses of large databases and used the words diabetes or hyperglycemia, and antipsychotic or clozapine or olanzapine or risperidone or quetiapine or ziprasidone or aripiprazole in the title or abstract. The odds ratio or relative risk, together with their corresponding confidence interval, was extracted.DATA SYNTHESIS:Results are conflicting, and this variability may be due to the different populations studied, different study designs, and the possibility of publication bias related to funding by the pharmaceutical industry. Nevertheless, an increased risk for diabetes mellitus appears to be present for patients receiving atypical antipsychotics. However, differential risk among the atypical an...
Dkk1 stabilizes Wnt co-receptor LRP6: implication for Wnt ligand-induced LRP6 down-regulation.

Background The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-6 (LRP6) is an essential co-receptor for canonical Wnt signaling. Dickkopf 1 (Dkk1), a major secreted Wnt signaling antagonist, binds to LRP6 with high affinity and prevents the Frizzled-Wnt-LRP6 complex formation in response to Wnts. Previous studies have demonstrated that Dkk1 promotes LRP6 internalization and degradation when it forms a ternary complex with the cell surface receptor Kremen. Methodology/Principal Findings In the present study, we found that transfected Dkk1 induces LRP6 accumulation while inhibiting Wnt/LRP6 signaling. Treatment with Dkk1-conditioned medium or recombinant Dkk1 protein stabilized LRP6 with a prolonged half-life and induces LRP6 accumulation both at the cell surface and in endosomes. We also demonstrated that Kremen2 co-expression abrogated the effect of Dkk1 on LRP6 accumulation, indicating that the effect of Kremen2 is dominant over Dkk1 regulation of LRP6. Furthermore, we found that Wnt3A treatment induces LRP6 down-regulation, an effect paralleled with a Wnt/LRP6 signaling decay, and that Dkk1 treatment blocked Wnt3A-induced LRP6 down-regulation. Finally, we found that LRP6 turnover was blocked by an inhibitor of caveolae-mediated endocytosis. Conclusions/Significance Our results reveal a novel role for Dkk1 in preventing Wnt ligand-induced LRP6 down-regulation and contribute significantly to our understanding of Dkk1 function in Wnt/LRP6 signaling.
mTORC1-independent reduction of retinal protein synthesis in type 1 diabetes.

Poorly controlled diabetes has long been known as a catabolic disorder with profound loss of muscle and fat body mass resulting from a simultaneous reduction in protein synthesis and enhanced protein degradation. By contrast, retinal structure is largely maintained during diabetes despite reduced Akt activity and increased rate of cell death. Therefore, we hypothesized that retinal protein turnover is regulated differently than in other insulin-sensitive tissues, such as skeletal muscle. Ins2Akita diabetic mice and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats exhibited marked reductions in retinal protein synthesis matched by a concomitant reduction in retinal protein degradation associated with preserved retinal mass and protein content. The reduction in protein synthesis depended on both hyperglycemia and insulin deficiency, but protein degradation was only reversed by normalization of hyperglycemia. The reduction in protein synthesis was associated with diminished protein translation efficiency but, surprisingly, not with reduced activity of the mTORC1/S6K1/4E-BP1 pathway. Instead, diabetes induced a specific reduction of mTORC2 complex activity. These findings reveal distinctive responses of diabetes-induced retinal protein turnover compared with muscle and liver that may provide a new means to ameliorate diabetic retinopathy.
Lack of electricity production by Pelobacter carbinolicus indicates that the capacity for fe(III) oxide reduction does not necessarily confer electron transfer ability to fuel cell anodes

The ability of Pelobacter carbinolicus to oxidize electron donors with electron transfer to the anodes of microbial fuel cells was evaluated because microorganisms closely related to Pelobacter species are generally abundant on the anodes of microbial fuel cells harvesting electricity from aquatic sediments. P. carbinolicus could not produce current in a microbial fuel cell with electron donors which support Fe(III) oxide reduction by this organism. Current was produced using a coculture of P. carbinolicus and Geobacter sulfurreducens with ethanol as the fuel. Ethanol consumption was associated with the transitory accumulation of acetate and hydrogen. G. sulfurreducens alone could not metabolize ethanol, suggesting that P. carbinolicus grew in the fuel cell by converting ethanol to hydrogen and acetate, which G. sulfurreducens oxidized with electron transfer to the anode. Up to 83% of the electrons available in ethanol were recovered as electricity and in the metabolic intermediate acetate. Hydrogen consumption by G. sulfurreducens was important for ethanol metabolism by P. carbinolicus. Confocal microscopy and analysis of 16S rRNA genes revealed that half of the cells growing on the anode surface were P. carbinolicus, but there was a nearly equal number of planktonic cells of P. carbinolicus. In contrast, G. sulfurreducens was primarily attached to the anode. P. carbinolicus represents the first Fe(III) oxide-reducing microorganism found to be unable to produce current in a microbial fuel cell, providing the first suggestion that the mechanisms for extracellular electron transfer to Fe(III) oxides and fuel cell anodes may be different.
The use of equalizing converters for serial charging of long battery strings

The authors present a technique that uses DC-DC converters to shunt energy from cells (or groups of cells) while the entire string of cells is being charged. The amount of charging of each cell can be controlled by varying the amount of diverted energy. The technique does not exclude the use of different capacity cells within the string nor exclude the use of different types of energy storage elements. If a cell fails, the converter across it will automatically regulate the voltage across the failed cell during charging and allow current to flow in the whole battery string. For energy discharge, the converters across the functional cells can be used in the traditional fashion with their outputs in parallel while the open-cell voltage is still maintained. >
Powerful Postures Versus Powerful Roles Which Is the Proximate Correlate of Thought and Behavior

Three experiments explored whether hierarchical role and body posture have independent or interactive effects on the main outcomes associated with power: action in behavior and abstraction in thought. Although past research has found that being in a powerful role and adopting an expansive body posture can each enhance a sense of power, two experiments showed that when individuals were placed in high- or low-power roles while adopting an expansive or constricted posture, only posture affected the implicit activation of power, the taking of action, and abstraction. However, even though role had a smaller effect on the downstream consequences of power, it had a stronger effect than posture on self-reported sense of power. A final experiment found that posture also had a larger effect on action than recalling an experience of high or low power. We discuss body postures as one of the most proximate correlates of the manifestations of power.
The Decline of the Sweat Test Comments on Pitfalls and Reliability

Eleven false positive and eight false negative sweat test results were found in a survey of 254 chest clinic patients thought to have cystic fibrosis. A larger and earlier study had given essentially no false results. Comments are made concerning the physiology of sweating, the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis, and the application of Faraday's Law. Failure to appreciate these principles has led to inappropriate and dubious modifications of the sweat test pro cedure. A strong plea is made for the careful performance of a basically sound procedure which has such profound genetic and prognostic implications.
Bioinformatics to Biostochastics: Statistical Perspectives and Tasks Ahead

Bioinformatics is an emerging field of science emphasizing the application of mathematics, statistics, and informatics to study and analysis of very large molecular biological (mostly, genetic and genomic) systems (data sets). In a comparatively broader setup of large biological systems without necessarily having a predominant genetic undercurrent, and having genesis in biometry to biostatistics, biostochastics has evolved as the primary vehicle for the much needed statistical reasoning. It is intended to point out the genuine need for statistical reasoning in this evolving interdisciplinary field, and in that way, to appraise the limitations of current (mostly, algorithm based) statistical resolutions.
RIA Post Accelerator Design

Overall design of the post accelerator for the RIA project is described with emphasis on performance for different ion beams. Characteristics for beams from A=10 to A=240 are provided with an estimate of output intensities. The selection rational for different accelerating structures, both for the normal conducting and for the superconducting types, is provided for a system design that accelerates beams to at least 10 MeV/u for heavy ions and up to 20 MeV/u for light ions.
Effect of Gradient on Jet Transport Runway Lengths

Investigation of the effects of runway gradients varying from 0% to 1 1/2% for airport sites from sea level to 6,000 ft over the temperature range of 30○ F to 100○F indicate that, for current (1963) and near-future turbo-jet transport, and for a uniform gradient, the increase in take-off runway length is nearly proportional to the magnitude of the gradient and amounts to a maximum of approximately 10% for each 1% uphill gradient. This is approximately one-half of the current FAA criterion. The increase in runway length as a result of an uphill uniform gradient is, for purposes of airport design, proportional to the magnitude of the gradient. A majority of the runways studied have maximum gradients that do not exceed 0.5%. Therefore, although runway gradients can have a pronounced influence on runway length, the actual gradients for the majority of runways studied are small, resulting in a relatively minor influence.
A Framework for Comparative Judicial Selection Research

This paper develops framework for categorizing and analyzing the judicial selection systems in an attempt to encompass judiciaries from multiple legal traditions. This approach allows for researchers to categorize countries based on the actors involved in selecting judges as well as other related selection factors that are important for understanding the relationship between judicial selection and judicial independence. Among these factors are the following: 1) qualification requirements, 2) term length and mandatory retirement, and 3) removal procedures. The result is a parsimonious system that allows researchers to capture the critical differences between judicial selection systems using a common language. This paper concludes with a descriptive application of this framework to European Union member nations.
Brain functional mapping using spatially regularized support vector machines

Quantitative functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) requires reliable mapping of brain function in task-or resting-state. In this work, a spatially regularized support vector machine (SVM)-based technique was proposed for brain functional mapping of individual subjects and at the group level. Unlike most SVM-based fMRI data analysis approaches that conduct supervised classifications of brain functional states or disorders, the proposed technique performs a semi-supervised learning to provide a general mapping of brain function in task-or resting-state. The method can adapt to between-session and between-subject variations of fMRI data, and provide a reliable mapping of brain function. The proposed method was evaluated using synthetic and experimental data. A comparison with independent component analysis methods was also performed using the experimental data. Experimental results indicate that the proposed method can provide a reliable mapping of brain function and be used for different quantitative fMRI studies.
Abstract 111: A Patient-centered Approach to Reduce Contrast Volume During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention to Prevent Acute Kidney Injury

Introduction: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is common, morbid and costly. Reducing contrast volume is one of the most effective strategies to reduce AKI, but physicians are not necessarily aware of the AKI risk nor limits of contrast use. Therefore, the volume of contrast used during PCI varies tremendously. No study has examined practical strategies to identify a safely tolerated limit of contrast. Methods: We developed a novel, patient-centric strategy to identify a safely tolerated limit of contrast during PCI. We identify AKI risk using the ACC NCDR CathPCI Aki risk model. We then use the contrast volume/eGFR ratio among deciles of AKI risk strata. Multiplying these ratios by eGFR results in the safely tolerated limit of contrast. We implemented this at Barnes Jewish Hospital (N=2,268 PCIs, 2013 -2015), we identified the impact of implementing this method on reducing costs and improving AKI outcomes. Results: For a high risk patient undergoing PCI, the decision aid for identifying safely tolerated risk of AKI is shown (Fig1). Since implementation, contrast volumes have reduced from 240 ml to 135 ml. AKI rates have reduced from7.75% to 3.6%. This has translated into reduced cost, estimated at $ 780,000. Conclusions: We have identified a novel patient centered method to reduce contrast volume during PCI. This has resulted in a greater than 50% reduction in reducing contrast volume and AKI rates. Furthermore, this has resulted in cost-savings of $700,000. Our study underscores an important opportunity of patient
Rock music and hearing.

The physiologic and psychologic effects of rock music are a controversial topic in the current emphasis on “noise” pollution. Noise-induced hearing loss apparently varies with the individual's susc...
Micro Intelligent Programmable Logic Controller with ARM Embedded System

Micro intelligent programmable logic controller (PLC) has been widely used in various control system of electric power system. However the current micro intelligent PLC still adopts eight bites or sixteen bites single-chip microcomputer as its processor. To overcome its deficiency,an ARM embedded processor-based micro intelligent PLC is designed. The system framework is present concisely. The hardware design based on AT91SAM9260 chip and the software design with the embedded real-time operating system VxWorks,are introduced in detail.
“You’re Supposed to Help Me”: The Perils of Mass Counseling Norms for Working-Class Black Students:

How do educators reconcile the growing college-for-all norm—the notion that all students should pursue college—with the diverse needs of students in urban settings? What is the impact on Black stud...
Electronic and Optoelectronic Properties of Semiconductor Structures: EXCITONIC EFFECTS AND MODULATION OF OPTICAL PROPERTIES

INTRODUCTION The bandstructure and optical properties of semiconductors we have discussed so far are based on the assumption that the valence band is filled with electrons and the conduciton band is empty. The effect of electrons in the conduction band and holes in the valence band is only manifested through the occupation probabilities without altering the bandstructure. In reality, of course, there is a Coulombic interaction between an electron and another electron or hole. Some very important properties are modified by such interactions. The full theory of the electron-electron interaction depends upon many body theory, which is beyond the scope of this text. However, there is one important problem, that of excitonic effects in semiconductors, that can be addressed by simpler theoretical techniques. In Fig. 10.1 we show how exciton effects arise. On the left-hand side, we show the bandstructure of a semiconductor with a full valence band and an empty conduction band. There are no allowed states in the bandgap. Now consider the case where there is one electron in the conduction band and one hole in the valence band. In this new configuration, the Hamiltonian describing the electronic system has changed. We now have an additional Coulombic interaction between the electron and the hole. The electronic bandstructure should thus be modified to reflect this change. The electron-hole system, coupled through the Coulombic interaction, is called the exciton and will be the subject of this chapter.
Symbolization of dynamic data-driven systems for signal representation

The underlying theory of symbolic time series analysis (STSA) has led to the development of signal representation tools in the paradigm of dynamic data-driven application systems (DDDAS), where time series of sensor signals are partitioned to obtain symbol strings that, in turn, lead to the construction of probabilistic finite state automata (PFSA). Although various methods for construction of PFSA from symbol strings have been reported in literature, similar efforts have not been expended on identification of an appropriate alphabet size for partitioning of time series, so that the symbol strings can be optimally or suboptimally generated in a specified sense. The paper addresses this critical issue and proposes an information-theoretic procedure for partitioning of time series to extract low-dimensional features, where the key idea is suboptimal identification of boundary locations of the partitioning segments via maximization of the mutual information between the state probability vector of PFSA and the members of the pattern classes. Robustness of the symbolization process has also been addressed. The proposed alphabet size selection and time series partitioning algorithm have been validated by two examples. The first example addresses parameter identification in a simulated Duffing system with sinusoidal input excitation. The second example is built upon an ensemble of time series of chemiluminescence data to predict lean blowout (LBO) phenomena in a laboratory-scale swirl-stabilized combustor apparatus.
Treatment of accidental perianal injection of topical thrombin with intravenous antithrombin

While topical thrombin application can markedly improve surgical hemostasis, rapid absorption of thrombin can result in pulmonary embolism and death. We report a case of accidental interstitial infiltration of topical thrombin after hemorrhoidectomy that was treated with administration of human antithrombin and heparin anticoagulation. Except for a marked decrease in antithrombin activity from super normal to normal values, the patient exhibited no laboratory or clinical signs of pulmonary embolism, thrombin mediated consumptive loss of procoagulants, or regional thrombosis. The patient had an uncomplicated recovery without sign of thrombotic morbidity. While it is hoped that such a medical misadventure should not occur, our case may serve as a reference to guide anticoagulant therapy if such a clinical scenario arises.
A methodology for Generation Expansion Planning for renewable energy economies

In the restructured electricity industry, Generation Expansion Planning (GEP) is an oligopoly of strategic Generation Companies (GenCos) with private information investing in a highly uncertain environment. Strategic planning and uncertainties can result in market manipulation and underinvestment (short-term planning). We present a forward moving approach to the problem of investment expansion planning in the restructured electricity industry. This approach accounts for technological, political and environmental uncertainties in the problem's environment and leads to long-term planning. At each step of the approach we present a block investment market mechanism that has the following features. (F1) It is individually rational. (F2) It is budget balanced. (F3) The expansion and production allocations corresponding to the unique Nash Equilibrium (NE) of the game induced by the mechanism are the same as those that maximize the sum of utilities of the producers and the demand. (F4) It is price efficient that is, the price for electricity at equilibrium is equal to the marginal utility of the demand and to the marginal cost of production by producers with free capacity.
A LECTIN RESISTANT VARIANT OF MOUSE FIBROBLASTS WITH ALTERED CELL SURFACE GALACTOSE

Publisher Summary This chapter examines a lectin resistant variant of mouse fibroblasts with altered cell surface galactose. The isolation of the first lectin-resistant variant of the Swiss 3T3 mouse cell line has been reported. This variant is able to resist the cytotoxic effects of the α-d-galactopyranosyl-binding isolectin, Bandieraea simplicifolia I-B 4, and the α- and β-d-galactose-binding lectin. Compared to the parental cell line, the variant cell exhibits a reduced number of binding sites on its cell surface for the Bandieraea sinplicifolia I-B 4 isolectin. A second lectin isolated from B. simplicifolia seeds, but specific for terminal N -acetyl-d-glucosaminyl groups is cytotoxic to the variant but not the parental cells. These results suggest a lesion in the biosynthesis of cell surface structures which results in the exposure of subterminal N -acetyl-d-glucosaminyl residues. Crude membrane preparations from the variant cell line were tenfold more active than parental 3T3 membrane preparations in the transfer of d-galactose from radiolabeled UDP-galactose to endogenous glycoprotein acceptors.
Olfactory Functioning in First-Episode Psychosis.

Background Though olfactory deficits are well-documented in schizophrenia, fewer studies have examined olfactory performance profiles across the psychosis spectrum. The current study examined odor identification, discrimination, and detection threshold performance in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, major depression with psychotic features, and other psychotic conditions. Method FEP patients (n = 97) and healthy adults (n = 98) completed birhinal assessments of odor identification, discrimination, and detection threshold sensitivity for lyral and citralva. Participants also completed measures of anticipatory pleasure, anhedonia, and empathy. Differences in olfactory performances were assessed between FEP patients and controls and within FEP subgroups. Sex-stratified post hoc analyses were employed for a complete analysis of sex differences. Relationships between self-report measures and olfactory scores were also examined. Results Individuals with psychosis had poorer scores across all olfactory measures when compared to the control group. Within the psychosis cohort, patients with schizophrenia-associated psychosis had poorer odor identification, discrimination, and citralva detection threshold scores relative to controls. In schizophrenia patients, greater olfactory disturbance was associated with increased negative symptomatology, greater self-reported anhedonia, and lower self-reported anticipatory pleasure. Patients with mood-associated psychosis performed comparable to controls though men and women in this cohort showed differential olfactory profiles. Conclusions These findings indicate that olfactory deficits extend beyond measures of odor identification in FEP with greater deficits observed in schizophrenia-related subgroups of psychosis. Studies examining whether greater olfactory dysfunction confers greater risk for developing schizophrenia relative to other forms of psychosis are warranted.
Prefrontal Cortical Response to Negative Social Words Links Social Risk to Depressive Symptoms in Adolescence

Research suggests that altered emotion processing may be one important pathway linking social risk factors and depressive symptoms. We examined the extent to which neural response to negatively valenced social information might help to account for the relationship between social risk and depressive symptoms in youth. Forty-nine youth were scanned while identifying the emotional valence of words that connoted social status. They also completed questionnaires assessing self-reported social risk factors and depressive symptoms. Mediation analysis revealed that reduced dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activity in response to negative social status words explained the positive association between social risk and depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that social risk factors present during adolescence may contribute to depressive symptoms by influencing the neural substrates of emotion processing.
Assessment, Prevention, and Treatment

As previously established, childhood neglect often co-occurs with other child maltreatment, thus making it difficult to identify or assess. Moreover, the lack of agreement about what constitutes minimally acceptable standards of childcare, coupled with uncertainty as to the point at which subpar parenting has adverse consequences to child development, contributes to difficulty in assessing for neglectful parenting behavior (Howard & Brooks-Gunn, 2009; McDaniel & Dillenburger, 2007). That is, certain parenting behaviors may not legally be defined as neglect (e.g., leaving a child of a certain age at home without supervision), yet can have damaging effects on the child. Perhaps due, in part, to difficulties in the recognition of childhood neglect, efforts to improve surveillance of subthreshold parenting have been most frequently discussed in the literature by way of primary prevention (e.g., Evans, Garner, & Honig, 2014), such that established programs (e.g., home-visiting programs) aim to provide support to at-risk families prior to any indication of neglect or abuse to the child. It is also important to consider that different subtypes of neglect may require different types of prevention and treatment efforts (Straus & Kantor, 2005).
Technical Note: Electrochemistry of CO2 Corrosion of Mild Steel: Effect of CO2 on Cathodic Currents

The common understanding of aqueous CO2 corrosion mechanism considers carbonic acid as an electroactive species. The direct reduction of carbonic acid on a steel surface is believed to be the cause of the higher corrosion rates of mild steel, as compared to that observed in strong-acid solutions with the same pH. However, in-depth quantitative analyses based on comprehensive mechanistic models, developed in recent years, have challenged this idea. In an attempt to provide explicit experimental evidence for the significance of direct reduction of carbonic acid in CO2 corrosion of mild steel, the charge transfer controlled cathodic currents in CO2 saturated solutions were investigated in the present study. The experiments were conducted on three different surfaces: Type 316L stainless steel, pure iron, and API 5L X65 mild steel, in order to examine the possible effect of alloying impurities on the kinetics and the mechanism of cathodic currents. The experimental polarization curves showed that at a constant...
A Medical Student-Cadaver Relationship

The medical student's anatomy-lab cadaver is not exactly a patient, but neither is the cadaver merely an object.
The Unknown and the Unknowable in Law

THE COURSE of the law is influenced by various types of philosophy. Of course, the influence of jurisprudence, the philosophy whose specific subject matter is law, is well recognized. Every lawyer knows that jurisprudential opinions--conceptions of the nature, meaning and operation of law--have at all times found expression in legislative acts, judicial and administrative decisions. Social and economic philosophies are incontestibly other important factors in shaping the law.