cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid computation of intermolecular interactions in molecular and ionic clusters: self-consistent polarization plus symmetry-adapted perturbation theory

A method that we have recently introduced for rapid computation of intermolecular interaction energies is reformulated and subjected to further tests. The method employs monomer-based self-consistent field calculations with an electrostatic embedding designed to capture many-body polarization (the “XPol” procedure), augmented by pairwise symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) to capture dispersion and exchange interactions along with any remaining induction effects. A rigorous derivation of the XPol+SAPT methodology is presented here, which demonstrates that the method is systematically improvable, and moreover introduces some additional intermolecular interactions as compared to the more heuristic derivation that was presented previously. Applications to various non-covalent complexes and clusters are presented, including geometry optimizations and one-dimensional potential energy scans. The performance of the XPol+SAPT methodology in its present form (based on second-order intermolecular perturbation theory and neglecting intramolecular electron correlation) is qualitatively acceptable across a wide variety of systems—and quantitatively quite good in certain cases—but the quality of the results is rather sensitive to the choice of one-particle basis set. Basis sets that work well for dispersion-bound systems offer less-than-optimal performance for clusters dominated by induction and electrostatic interactions, and vice versa. A compromise basis set is identified that affords good results for both induction and dispersion interactions, although this favorable performance ultimately relies on error cancellation, as in traditional low-order SAPT. Suggestions for future improvements to the methodology are discussed.
Accessing the Mott Regime in 2D Optical Lattices with Strongly Interacting Fermions

We use numerical linked-cluster expansions to study finite-temperature properties of strongly interacting fermions in two-dimensional optical lattices, governed by the Hubbard model. We show the double occupancy and entropy for the infinite homogeneous system at temperatures significantly lower than those obtained by other exact methods at strong interactions. Employing a local density approximation, and using the high-precision results for the entropy, we study the density and nearest-neighbor spin correlation profiles of lattice fermions trapped in a harmonic potential during adiabatic processes. Starting with a trap that has a substantial band-insulator region at high temperatures, we show how one can access the Mott region at low temperatures by flattening the trapping potential.
Early clinical experience with direct peritoneal enhancement for abdominal computed tomography.

Abstract Improved visualization of the peritoneal cavity and its contents has recently become possible by performing abdominal paracentesis and intraperitoneal infusion of 7–15% meglumine diatrizoate prior to abdominal CT. Enhanced morphologic detail has been demonstrated in cadavers and prompted us to study a select group of patients with known or suspected abdominal masses. Case material is presented demonstrating the applicability of this technique in: localizing masses to the intra or extraperitoneal space; detecting tumor implants on the solid viscera and peritoneum; distinguishing between masses and adjacent viscera excluding invasion; defining the mural thickness of the hollow viscera; and illustrating normal CT anatomy. The indications and limitations of the technique are discussed.
Tuning Function of the Light-Driven Proteorhodopsin Proton Pump by Formation of Oligomeric and Surfactant-Based Synthetic Complexes

The Proteorhodopsin (PR) membrane protein equips marine bacteria worldwide with the capability of converting light energy into chemical energy. The proton pump absorbs light via an intrinsic retinal molecule, followed by subsequent conformational changes that store energy in the form of a proton gradient across the bacterial cell membrane. Because PR exists in the complex membrane environment, a multitude of factors could contribute to its light absorption and energy-transducing properties, including protein-protein, protein-lipid, and electrostatic interactions. Here we demonstrate by steady-state and time-resolved optical absorption spectroscopy that there are profound functional effects (e.g. altered activity and photocycle kinetics) modulated by the association of PR with other PR molecules to form oligomeric complexes, and by reconstitution in membrane-mimetic surfactant environments with varying chemical and physical characteristics.We study the molecular-level properties accompanying these functional consequences of environment with magnetic resonance techniques, specifically amino acid side-chain dynamics probed by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and local hydration dynamics by Overhauser Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (ODNP). Such information lends insight into the mechanisms tuning PR function and can be applied towards the design of function-enhancing synthetic environments. For example, surface water diffusion is faster in a model lipid bilayer than in surfactant micelles, concurrent with faster conformational motion, and possibly efficiency (Hussain, et.al, Angew. Chem. 52, 2013). We further have developed a synthetic platform for potential device applications by the incorporation of active PR into surfactant-directed mesostructured silica films, in both its hexameric and monomeric forms, and using different surfactants. This provides a unique opportunity to apply results from the biophysical characterization of PR to the design of an optimized solar energy-harvesting biomaterial, tuning molecular interactions to match the desired functional properties.
Estimating Hydraulic Properties of a Fine-textured Soil Using a Disc Infiltrometer

Inverse optimization of parameters offers an economical means to infer soil hydraulic properties from in situ measurements of infiltration. We evaluated optimization strategies to inversely estimate soil hydraulic parameters using field measured tension disc infiltrometer data. We estimated the parameters n, α, and K s of the van GenuchtenMualem (VGM) model, and a piecewise representation of conductivity near saturation using a numerical inversion of Richards' equation. In addition to cumulative infiltration, optimizations included in the objective function water retention data, water contents from cores extracted after termination of infiltration, or transient measurements of water contents using time domain reflectometry (TDR) probes. Three-parameter fits to field data were nonunique because of a positive correlation between α and K s . In contrast, fits of n and K s with a estimated from separate fits to retention data improved parameter identifiability while not compromising the fit to measured infiltration. Inverse optimizations that included in the objective function both water retention and cumulative infiltration, led to excellent fits of this data when initial volumetric water contents were >0.23 cm 3 cm -3 . Close fits to cumulative infiltration were also obtained at lower water contents, however, water retention data was underestimated likely because of hysteresis. Optimizations of cumulative infiltration with final soil core water content or TDR data led to estimates of final water contents that closely approximated measured water contents. However, measured TDR water contents were poorly matched by simulations at early times. A piecewise loglinear interpolation of hydraulic conductivity near saturation improved fits to measured cumulative infiltration and water retention data as compared with using the VGM model at all pressure heads.
Understanding the Psychosocial Issues of African American Couples Surviving Prostate Cancer

African Americans are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer, yet less is known about the most salient psychosocial dimensions of quality of life. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of African American prostate cancer survivors and their spouses of psychosocial issues related to quality of life. Twelve African American couples were recruited from a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center registry and a state-based non-profit organization to participate in individual interviews. The study was theoretically based on Ferrell's Quality of Life Conceptual Model. Common themes emerged regarding the psychosocial needs of African American couples. These themes were categorized into behavioral, social, psychological, and spiritual domains. Divergent perspectives were identified between male prostate cancer survivors and their female spouses. This study delineated unmet needs and areas for future in-depth investigations into psychosocial issues. The differing perspectives between patients and their spouses highlight the need for couple-centered interventions.
Supersymmetry, two-dimensional critical phenomena and the tricritical Ising model☆☆☆

Abstract We discuss the general properties of supersymmetrical two-dimensional critical phenomena, i.e. superconformal field theory. We first review the consequences of ordinary conformal invariance. We then discuss general features of superconformal invariance and the superdifferential equation that correlation functions in certain theories obey. We give the explicit form of this differential equation in the even sector of the tricritical Ising model at its tricritical point. We find the solution of this equation. The physical realizations of this model, e.g. helium adsorbed on krypton-plated graphite, are the first observable supersymmetric field theories in nature.
Expression of TGFβ type-II receptor in association with markers of proliferation and apoptosis in premalignant lung lesions

BACKGROUND. Analysis of the early molecular abnormalities that play an oncogenic role in the progression of pulmonary neoplasia may lead to the identification of useful markers for early detection and prognosis. In normal squamous epithelium, transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) regulates cell growth and differentiation via specific membranous receptors and intracellular signaling molecules (Smads). The authors previously observed that, in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, the expression of the TGFβ type II receptor (TβR-II) decreases as tumors become less differentiated and more biologically aggressive. METHODS. In this pilot study of 48 premalignant bronchoepithelial lesions, the authors evaluated the expression of TβR-II and 2 proliferation markers (Ki-67 and MCM2), and the amount of early DNA fragmentation as evidence of apoptosis. RESULTS. The authors observed that the progression of premalignant lesions toward carcinoma in situ is accompanied by a decrease in TBR II expression and apoptosis and an increase in the expression of Ki-67 and MCM2. CONCLUSIONS. These results suggested that the TGFβ pathway may be impaired early in the neoplastic process and that a combination of selected markers can provide a useful profile to detect preneoplastic changes in individuals at high risk for developing pulmonary carcinoma. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Gaussian expansions for polyatomic molecules

A method for obtaining finite series expansions of Slater-type atomic orbitals in terms of an arbitrary number of Gaussian-type functions is described. The method is based on numerical quadrature procedures applied to the Laplace transform of the exponential radial dependence of the Slater orbital. Accuracy of the expansions is evaluated by examining various overlap and one-electron energy integrals. A further application is made to the evaluation of two-centre Coulomb electron repulsion integrals and it is seen that six-place accuracy is obtainable using sixteen term expansions.
Social learning and adoption of new behavior in a virtual agent society

Social learning and adoption of new behavior govern the rise of a variety of behaviors: from actions as mundane as dance steps to those as dangerous as new ways to make IED detonators. However, agents in immersive virtual environments lack the ability to realistically simulate the spread of new behavior. To address this gap, a cognitive model was designed that represents the well-known socio-cognitive factors of attention, social influence, and motivation that influence learning and the adoption of a new behavior. To explore the effectiveness of this model, simulations modeled the spread of two competing memes in Hamariyah, an archetypal Iraqi village developed for cross-cultural training. Diffusion and clustering analyses were used to examine adoption patterns in these simulations. Agents produced well-defined clusters of early versus late adoption based on their social influences, personality, and contextual factors, such as employment status. These findings indicate that the spread of behavior can be simulated plausibly in a virtual agent society and has the potential to increase the realism of immersive virtual environments.
Rescue of defective SV40 from mouse-human hybrid cells containing human chromosome 7

Abstract Subcloning of SV40 T-antigen positive, V-antigen negative mouse human hybrid clones resulted in their segregation into T-antigen positive and negative subclones which still contained the full complement of mouse chromosomes. These subclones were analyzed for SV40 V-antigen and virion formation after fusion of the subclone cells with CV-1 cells of African green monkey kidney origin. All subclones which contained the human chromosome 7 showed the appearance of V-antigen in heterokaryocytes after fusion with CV-1 cells; all subclones, which have lost the human chromosome 7, did not express V-antigen following fusion with CV-1 cells. Wild-type plaque-forming SV40 could not be rescued from cultures of any of the T-antigen positive or negative clones or subclones, but defective SV40 virions were rescued from a hybrid subclone in which the only human chromosome present was the 7; two subclones which had lost human chromosome 7 showed no SV40 virion formation.
DNA damage by oxo- and peroxo-chromium(V) complexes: insight into the mutation and carcinogenesis mechanisms

The carcinogenic and mutagenic properties of chromium(VI) compounds are attributed to hypervalent chromium species, especially metastable oxo- and peroxo-chromium(V)/(IV) complexes. To understand the nature of DNA damage induced by various hypervalent chromium complexes, reactions of sodium bis(2-ethyl-2-hydroxybutanato)oxochromate(V) (I) with single- and double-stranded DNA were investigated in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and a radical scavenger. In these reactions, three DNA damaging agents, oxo- and peroxo-chromium(V) complexes and hydroxyl radicals, were generated. Both double and single-stranded DNA cleavages were largely observed after piperidine treatment, indicating base-labile scissions. Although these cleavages appeared to be random in most cases, a modest selectivity towards the G base was observed for the double stranded oligonucleotides. A variety of sugar and base oxidation products were detected after enzymatic digestion of the reaction mixtures with exo- and endo-nucleases. These products include furfural, 5-methylene furanone, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-guanosine (8-oxodGuo), thymine propenal, deoxyribonucleoside derivative of 5-guanidinohydantoin (dGh), cytosine glycol and 5-hydroxy cytosine. The first three mentioned products were observed for reactions of compound I with DNA in the absence of peroxide. Since compound I generated a persistent peroxo-chromium(V) complex in situ and oxidation of DNA by the oxo-chromium(V) was relatively slow, it appears that the peroxo-species was largely responsible for the formation of dGh through a four-electron oxidation of the guanine residue following the mechanism proposed by Meunier and coworkers. Likewise, the formation of propenals follows a similar pathway observed for bleomycine-mediated DNA oxidation that follows Hecht's mechanism. On the other hand, 5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydro-2′-deoxycytidine (dCydGl) and 5-hydroxy-2′-deoxycytidine (5-OHdCyd) were most likely formed from the reactions of DNA with the hydroxyl radical. We hypothesize that base oxidations and the formation of abasic sites are most likely responsible for transverse DNA mutation.
Zero-current persistent potential drop across small-capacitance Josephson junctions.

Quantum effects in a small-capacitance Josephson junction coupled capacitively to an external circuit are investigated. Capacitive coupling permits one to control the charge on the junction and to hold the junction in an equilibrium state. The equilibrium state is characterized by a persistent voltage drop without an accompanying dc current. The persistent voltage is a periodic function of the control charge with period 2e if Cooper pairs only are present and with period e if quasiparticles are included. In the capacitively coupled junction, Bloch oscillations are induced by increasing the control charge linearly in time. The presence of a persistent voltage drop is reflected in the small-signal impedance of the circuit which describes the response of the junction to an oscillating control charge superimposed on a static control charge. The impedance reveals features which seem closely related to experimental observations by Lambe and Jaklevic [Phys. Rev. Lett. 22, 1371 (1969)] on a normal array of capacitively coupled junctions.
Ultrasound-modulated optical tomography of absorbing objects buried in dense tissue-simulating turbid media

Continuous-wave ultrasonic modulation of scattered laser light was used to image objects buried in tissue-simulating turbid media. The buried object had an absorption coefficient greater than the background turbid medium. The ultrasonic wave that was focused into the turbid media modulated the laser light that passed through the ultrasonic field. The modulated laser light that was collected by a photomultiplier tube reflected the local mechanical and optical properties in the zone of ultrasonic modulation. Objects buried in the middle plane of 5-cm-thick dense turbid media were imaged with millimeter resolution through the scanning and detecting alterations of the ultrasound-modulated optical signal. The optical properties of the dense turbid media included an absorption coefficient of 0.1 cm-1 and a reduced scattering coefficient of 10 cm-1 and were comparable with those of biological tissues in the visible and near-IR ranges. The dependence of the ultrasound-modulated optical signal on the off-axis distance of the detector from the optic axis and the area of the detector was studied as well.
Design validation of prototype ultra-wideband linear polyfractal antenna arrays

This paper focuses on the design, construction, and testing of two prototype 32-element, ultra-wideband polyfractal antenna arrays and compares their performance with numerical simulations.
Dynamic pricing with "alternatives" for mobile networks

Dynamic pricing has been used as an effective means to alleviate network congestion in mobile networks. It is potentially capable of gaining higher revenue over the fixed pricing scheme. However, the dynamic pricing scheme fails to provide user satisfaction since there is absolutely no guarantee that, during the time of congestion, users could get the service with their expected price. In this paper, we propose a new pricing scheme that gives choices to mobile users between dynamic prices with superior quality of service or fixed low price with an acceptable performance degradation. The performance results verify that the new pricing scheme improves the overall system utilization and yet guarantees users' satisfaction.
Molecular Diagnosis of Eosinophilic Esophagitis by Gene Expression Profiling

Background & Aims Gene expression profiling provides an opportunity for definitive diagnosis but has not yet been well applied to inflammatory diseases. Here we describe an approach for diagnosis of an emerging form of esophagitis, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), which is currently diagnosed by histology and clinical symptoms. Methods We developed an EoE diagnostic panel (EDP) comprising a 96-gene quantitative polymerase chain reaction array and an associated dual-algorithm that uses cluster analysis and dimensionality reduction using a cohort of randomly selected esophageal biopsy samples from pediatric patients with EoE (n = 15) or without EoE (non-EoE controls, n=14) and subsequently vetted the EDP using a separate cohort of 194 pediatric and adult patient samples derived from both fresh or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue: active EoE (n = 91), control (non-EoE and EoE remission, n=57), histologically ambiguous (n = 34), and reflux (n = 12) samples. Results The EDP identified adult and pediatric patients with EoE with approximately 96% sensitivity and approximately 98% specificity, and distinguished patients with EoE in remission from controls, as well as identified patients exposed to swallowed glucorticoids. The EDP could be used with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue RNA and distinguished patients with EoE from those with reflux esophagitis, identified by pH-impedance testing. Preliminary evidence showed that the EDP could identify patients likely to have disease relapse after treatment. Conclusions We developed a molecular diagnostic test (referred to as the EDP) that identifies patients with esophagitis in a fast, objective, and mechanistic manner, offering an opportunity to improve diagnosis and treatment, and a platform approach for other inflammatory diseases.
Establishing genetic interactions by a synthetic dosage lethality phenotype.

We have devised a genetic screen, termed synthetic dosage lethality, in which a cloned ``reference'' gene is inducibly overexpressed in a set of mutant strains carrying potential ``target'' mutations. To test the specificity of the method, two reference genes, CTF13, encoding a centromere binding protein, and ORC6, encoding a subunit of the origin of replication binding complex, were overexpressed in a large collection of mutants defective in either chromosome segregation or replication. CTF13 overexpression caused synthetic dosage lethality in combination with ctf14-42 (cbf2, ndc10), ctf17-61 (chl4), ctf19-58 and ctf19-26. ORC6 overexpression caused synthetic dosage lethality in combination with cdc2-1, cdc6-1, cdc14-1, cdc16-1 and cdc46-1. These relationships reflect specific interactions, as overexpression of CTF13 caused lethality in kinetochore mutants and overexpression of ORC6 caused lethality in replication mutants. In contrast, only one case of dosage suppression was observed. We suggest that synthetic dosage lethality identifies a broad spectrum of interacting mutations and is of general utility in detecting specific genetic interactions using a cloned wild-type gene as a starting point. Furthermore, synthetic dosage lethality is easily adapted to the study of cloned genes in other organisms.
Asymptotic behavior of maximum likelihood estimates of superimposed exponential signals

Strong consistency and asymptotic normality are derived for the maximum-likelihood estimates (MLEs) of the unknown parameters ( omega /sub 1/,. . ., omega /sub p/), ( alpha /sub 1/,. . ., alpha /sub p/), and sigma /sup 2/ in the superimposed exponential model for signals, Y/sub t/= Sigma alpha exp (it omega /sub k/)+e/sub t/, where the summation is from k=1 to p, t=0, 1, . . ., n-1, and sigma /sup 2/ is the variance of the complex normal distribution of e/sub t/. As a by-product, it is found that the MLEs of the parameters attain the Cramer-Rao lower bound for the asymptotic covariance matrix. >
Structural and mechanical characterization of platelet graphite nanofibers

Platelet graphite nanofibers have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The results show that the graphene sheets are stacked parallel to each other and are perpendicular to the fiber axis; the interlayer spacing is 0.34 nm. A small fraction of carbon atoms are bonded to oxygen. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance shows that hydrogenated carbons are under the detection limit (<5%) and that the nanofibers are dominated by sp 2 -bonded carbons. Mechanical measurements were made on individual nanofibers by nanoindentation.
Federal Aid to Irrigation Development

As with other lines of agricultural development, early irrigation was undertaken without benefit of direct Federal aid. Many small irrigation systems were built by individuals or by small partnerships. Conditions in many places, however, required action by larger groups so settlers organized into cooperative or mutual water-ditch companies for constructing and operating irrigation systems. Understandings regarding "water rights" for irrigation purposes became established by usage and over a period of years gradually became formalized into law by statutory enactments and court decisions. Early irrigation associations often based on informal agreements have also been formalized under various state laws into mutual or cooperative irrigation companies, associations, or irrigation districts. Projects that required simple low-cost construction were sought. The better, more easily developed lands near dependable and readily accessible water supplies were selected for development. As the more favorable sites were occupied, project development became increasingly more difficult and costly. Storage dams, pumping plants, and long canals over difficult terrain increased the cost of later irrigation developments. To assist in financing and operating such irrigation projects, all of the 17 western states have passed irrigation district laws. These differ in detail but irrigation districts set up under state law generally are public or quasi-public corporations having authority to levy assessments against all lands within their boundaries that benefit from district facilities. These districts have proved very useful, particularly in taking over and operating systems built by the Federal Government. However, they have not
Amplifying damage signature in periodic structures using enhanced piezoelectric networking with negative resistance elements

Spatially periodic structures, such as bladed disks, are widely used as components in rotating machines. The recent advent of blade-tip-timing sensing technique has allowed the extraction of vibratory response information of blades during rotation for damage detection purposes. The decision making in damage detection of a periodic structure based on such measurement, however, is difficult primarily because of the clustered natural frequencies and high modal density, which is further complicated by inevitable structural uncertainty/variation. Our underlying idea is to integrate piezoelectric transducers together with circuitry elements onto the periodic structure to alter its dynamic characteristics during the inspection stage to improve the sensitivity and robustness of vibration-based damage detection. In particular, it has been identified that a properly designed piezoelectric inductive circuitry can amplify the response anomaly under external excitation. Such amplification nevertheless diminishes as th...
Security Mechanisms for SQL Server 2000 Database in Hydrologic Telemetering and Hydropower Operation Automation System

As SQL Server 2000 database system widely used in Hydrologic Telemetering and Hydropower Operation Automation System,it becomes increasingly important that how to respond to various threats for database security,so that to ensure the system operation stable and reliable.Based on the analysis of security needs of SQL Server 2000,a detailed analysis of access database security mechanisms in Hydrologic Telemetering and Hydropower Operation Automation System is given in the paper.
The Systems Biocompatibility of Coronary Stenting

The coronary stent has propelled our understanding of the term "biocompatibility." Stents are expanded at sites of arterial blockage and mechanically reestablish blood flow. This simplicity belies the complex reactions that occur when a stent contacts living substrates. Biocompatible seek to elicit the intended response; stents should perform rather than merely exist. Because performance is assessed in the patient, stent biocompatibility is the multiscale examination of material and cell, and of material, structure, and device in the context of cell, tissue, and organism. This review tracks major biomaterial advances in coronary stent design and discusses biocompatibility clinical performance.
Label-free CEST MRI Detection of Citicoline-Liposome Drug Delivery in Ischemic Stroke

Citicoline (CDPC) is a natural supplement with well-documented neuroprotective effects in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, we sought to exploit citicoline as a theranostic agent with its inherent chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI signal, which can be directly used as an MRI guidance in the citicoline drug delivery. Our in vitro CEST MRI results showed citicoline has two inherent CEST signals at +1 and +2 ppm, attributed to exchangeable hydroxyl and amine protons, respectively. To facilitate the targeted drug delivery of citicoline to ischemic regions, we prepared liposomes encapsulating citicoline (CDPC-lipo) and characterized the particle properties and CEST MRI properties. The in vivo CEST MRI detection of liposomal citicoline was then examined in a rat brain model of unilateral transient ischemia induced by a two-hour middle cerebral artery occlusion. The results showed that the delivery of CPDC-lipo to the brain ischemic areas could be monitored and quantified by CEST MRI. When administered intra-arterially, CDPC-lipo clearly demonstrated a detectable CEST MRI contrast at 2 ppm. CEST MRI revealed that liposomes preferentially accumulated in the areas of ischemia with a disrupted blood-brain-barrier. We furthermore used CEST MRI to detect the improvement in drug delivery using CDPC-lipo targeted against vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 in the same animal model. The MRI findings were validated using fluorescence microscopy. Hence, liposomal citicoline represents a prototype theranostic system, where the therapeutic agent can be detected directly by CEST MRI in a label-free fashion.
Structural and functional evaluations for the early detection of glaucoma

The early detection of glaucoma is imperative in order to preserve functional vision. Structural and functional methods are utilized to detect and monitor glaucomatous damage and the vision loss it causes. The relationship between these detection measures is complex and differs between individuals, especially in early glaucoma. Using both measures together is advised in order to ensure the highest probability of glaucoma detection, and new testing methods are continuously developed with the goals of earlier disease detection and improvement of disease monitoring. The purpose of this review is to explore the relationship between structural and functional glaucoma detection and discuss important technological advances for early glaucoma detection.
Introduction to Spectral Theory of Schrödinger Operators

Lecture Notes of introductory course delivered at the Giessen University during teaching year 1999/2000
A critical period for reduced brain vulnerability to developmental injury. II. Volumetric study of the neocortex and thalamus in cats.

Abstract Groups of young adult cats with a left hemineodecortication at postnatal (P) ages (in days) 5–15 (P10), 30 (P30), 60 (P60), 90 (P90), 120 (P120) and in adulthood, were used to measure the volume of the thalamus, bilaterally, and of the remaining neocortex (right hemisphere). The same subjects were employed for the behavioral studies reported in the preceding paper. There was a bilateral, age-dependent, thalamic volume decrease. Ipsilateral to the resection, the thalamic shrinkage was the largest for the adult-lesioned cats (by 56.7%) and it was the smallest for the P30 group (43.3%), with a tendency towards a greater atrophy as the age at lesion increased. A similar pattern of atrophy was seen for the contralateral thalamus but the volume reduction was much less pronounced such that it was significant only for the four older age-at-lesion groups (ranging from 18.2% to 11.2% for the P120 and P90 groups respectively). Once again, the shrinkage was the smallest for the P30 group (5.3%). The remaining neocortex also shrunk in these animals, but the volume decrease was significant only for the adult-lesioned (17.8%) and the P120 group (15.4%), while the P30 group had practically no shrinkage (2.4%). The frontal cortex had no atrophy or it was minimal but the shrinkage gradually increased caudally such that all lesioned groups had some size reduction of the occipital cortex. The present results, together with the main conclusion of the preceding paper, indicate that there is a critical maturation period (CMP) of reduced forebrain vulnerability to neocortical injury which, in cats, tends to end between 30 to 60 days postnatally. The implications for developmental brain damage in other higher mammal species as well as the possible morphological ontogenetical underpinnings of this period are discussed.
The Service Implications of a Rhetorical Approach to Information Literacy.

Column description. The Future Voices in Public Services column is a forum for graduate students in library and information science programs to discuss key issues in academic library public services, to envision what they feel librarians in public service have to offer to academia, to tell us their visions for the profession, or to share research being conducted in library schools. We hope to provide fresh perspectives from those entering our field, in both the United States and other countries. Interested faculty of graduate library and information science programs, who would like their students’ ideas represented in these pages, are invited to contact Miriam L. Matteson.
Discriminative Sparse Representations

In recent years, Sparse Representation (SR) and Dictionary Learning (DL) have emerged as powerful tools for efficient processing image and video data in non-traditional ways. An area of promise for these theories is object recognition. In this chapter, we review the role of algorithms based on SR and DL for object recognition. In particular, supervised, unsupervised, weakly supervised, nonlinear kernel-based, convolutional sparse coding and analysis DL methods are reviewed.
Close Reading of Literary Nonfiction: The Three-column Journal

ABSTRACTThe Common Core State Standards have placed more emphasis on the close reading of all texts, and have made a point of increasing the use of nonfiction in secondary English classrooms. In th...
Opioid, alcohol, and cannabis misuse among patients with hidradenitis suppurativa: A population-based analysis in the United States.

Background Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) experience chronic pain and have significant physical, emotional, and psychological disease impact. These patients may be at risk for substance abuse. Objective To evaluate substance use disorder (SUD) among patients with HS in the United States. Methods This cross-sectional analysis of adult HS patients (n = 32,625) identified using electronic health records data was pulled from a population-based sample of >50 million patients. Results The prevalence of SUD among patients with HS was 4.0% (1315/32,625) compared to 2.0% (195,260/9,581,640) for patients without HS ( P Limitations SUD may not be accurately diagnosed. Conclusion Patients with HS have higher odds of SUD and may benefit from periodic screening for substance abuse.
INTER-RATER AGREEMENT AND VALIDITY OF A TACKLING PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT SCALE IN YOUTH AMERICAN FOOTBALL.

Background Long term neurologic injury and concussion have been identified as risks from participation in American football. Altering tackling form has been recommended to reduce the risk of neurologic injury caused by head accelerations when tackling. The purpose of this research is to determine the inter-rater agreement and validity of the Qualitative Youth Tackling System (QYTS), a six-item feedback scale to correct tackling form, when utilized by novice and expert raters. Hypothesis Experienced raters will have higher levels of agreement with each other and with motion capture when compared to novice raters. Methods Both novice and experienced raters viewed video of youth athletes (ages 9-13) tackling a dummy in a laboratory setting along. The raters identified successful performance according to a binary rating scale for each component. Analysis of both the raters' agreement with each other and with an objective motion capture measure were completed. Results Fliess' Kappa measures between all raters were found to be moderate for head placement (k=.48), fair for cervical extension (k=.38), trunk inclination (k=.37), shoulder extension (k=.27) and step length (k=.29), and there was no agreement for pelvic height (k=.-16). When compared to the dichotomized validation measures of each of the five components provided by the motion capture system the average Cohen's Kappa agreement was substantial for pelvic height (k=.63), fair for step length (k=.34), cervical extension (k=.40), trunk inclination (k=.35), and slight for shoulder extension (k=.16). The experienced raters outperformed the novice raters in all categories. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that skilled raters are better able to identify the movement patterns included in the QYTS when compared to a validation measure as well have higher rates of inter-rater agreement than novice raters. Level of evidence 3b.
The Routledge Companion to Race and Ethnicity

Acknowledgements Contributors Introduction Part I 1. Origins of the Concept of Race F. Carl Walton & Stephen M. Caliendo 2. Ethnicity Vivian Ibrahim 3. Whiteness Robert Jensen 4. Colonialism/Postcolonialism William Muck 5. Race, Politics and Public Policy Charlton D. McIlwain & Stephen M. Caliendo 6. Race-based Social Movements Charlton D. McIlwain 7. Motivation, Immigration and the Immigrant Eric M. Kramer 8. Race, Gender and Sexuality Nina Asher 9. Race, Media and Popular Culture Stephen M. Caliendo 10. Race, Ethnicity and Globalization S. P. Udayakumar Part II A to Z: Key Concepts in the Study of Race and Ethnicity
A case study application of the Integrated Ethical/Clinical Judgment Model.

Purpose/objectives To discuss diagnostic, therapeutic and ethical reasoning, as linked in the Gordon Murphy Candee and Hiltunen Integrated Clinical Judgment Model in the context of a case study. Data sources An interview conducted with a widow who had been her husband's primary hospice caregiver while he was dying at home of lung cancer as well as published books and articles. Data synthesis Elements of ethical reasoning parties claims and moral basis for claims are revealed in the experiences of one family receiving hospice care. Conclusions The Integrated Clinical Judgment Model has applicability in ethical research and clinical nursing practice. Implications for nursing practice Nurses firm grounding in both diagnostic and ethical reasoning will facilitate the application of sound clinical judgment in the provision of optimal hospice nursing care.
Fertility and Fertility Research: Where are They Going? A Comment on the Macunovich Paper

Aftershocks from the social upheaval of the 1950s baby boom still rent the economic environment, and judging from the never-ending social security debate will continue to do so well into the next century. A non-economist might suppose, therefore, that the causes of the baby boom and the prospects for a new one might be high on the economics research agenda. But economics has never been unduly influenced by concerns with empirical relevance, and for most economists childbearing behavior remains a matter of indifference or cocktail party curiosity.
Guidelines for Anticoagulation of Atrial Fibrillation: Is It Time for an Update?

Several areas regarding use of oral anticoagulation have been identified which are in need of updating or reconsideration. Recommendations are always best when data-driven. For some of these areas, the data are lacking, weak, or controversial. For others, the data seem clear. Because these several areas are important, we hope they will gain the attention they deserve from the ACC/AHA/ESC and ACCP guideline committees.
Pre-Bötzinger Complex Neurokinin-1 Receptor Expressing Neurons in Primary Cell Culture

Phenotypic identification of pre-Botzinger complex (pre-BotC) neurons is vital to the delineation of endogenous cellular properties involved in respiratory rhythm generation and neuromodulation of breathing. A subpopulation of pre-BotC neurons endowed with intrinsic rhythmicity is proposed as the kernel for inspiratory rhythm generation in vitro. In this study, the pre-BotC "island" preparation was excised from medullary slices and reduced to its heterogeneous cellular constituents using primary cell culture techniques. Cultured neurons were labeled with tetramethylrhodamine conjugated to Substance P (TMR-SP) to identify individual NK-1R expressing neurons. Data from this study provide initial evidence that the pre-BotC neurons living in culture remain functionally capable of binding and internalizing the fluorescently-tagged ligand and TMR-SP tagging is a useful experimental tool that reliably identifies the NK-1R phenotype.
AN INQUIRY INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF A NATIONAL ACCOUNTING POLICY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The reactions to informal surveys conducted by the author about the effort to set a national policy that would include public school districts indicated it was either largely unknown or not understood by many school officials and professors of education administration. Thus, an inquiry was conducted to document the historical basis for creating the double entry method of accounting, the impetus for a national accounting policy, and the relevance to public school districts. The ultimate objective of the inquiries, therefore, was to offer a set of conclusions regarding the current status of accounting and budgeting policies with particular reference to their potential influence on the practices of public school districts.
Optimization of Membrane Processes at the Water-Energy Nexus

Abstract Water and energy are two of the most pressing problems faced by the world today. Osmotic membrane processes such as Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Pressure Retarded Osmosis (PRO) can help alleviate both of these challenges. This work focuses on systematic optimization of a two-stage RO-PRO process for energy-efficient seawater desalination which integrates RO for desalination and PRO for power generation into a single process. RO-PRO is of great significance at the water-energy nexus given that water production, pump energy consumption, and hydraulic/osmotic energy recovery are essentially intertwined. The optimization problem is formulated to minimize the Specific Energy Consumption (SEC) subject to specified total membrane area and total water recovery. By solving the optimization model, the best design (e.g., allocation of membrane area among different units) and operating conditions (e.g. applied pressure in each membrane unit) are simultaneously determined. It is shown that the proposed twostage RO-PRO is energy-efficient than single- and two-stage ROs as well as one-stage RO-PRO.
Language switching decomposed through MEG and evidence from bimodal bilinguals

A defining feature of human cognition is the ability to quickly and accurately alternate between complex behaviors. One striking example of such an ability is bilinguals’ capacity to rapidly switch between languages. This switching process minimally comprises disengagement from the previous language and engagement in a new language. Previous studies have associated language switching with increased prefrontal activity. However, it is unknown how the subcomputations of language switching individually contribute to these activities, because few natural situations enable full separation of disengagement and engagement processes during switching. We recorded magnetoencephalography (MEG) from American Sign Language–English bilinguals who often sign and speak simultaneously, which allows to dissociate engagement and disengagement. MEG data showed that turning a language “off” (switching from simultaneous to single language production) led to increased activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), while turning a language “on” (switching from one language to two simultaneously) did not. The distinct representational nature of these on and off processes was also supported by multivariate decoding analyses. Additionally, Granger causality analyses revealed that (i) compared with “turning on” a language, “turning off” required stronger connectivity between left and right dlPFC, and (ii) dlPFC activity predicted ACC activity, consistent with models in which the dlPFC is a top–down modulator of the ACC. These results suggest that the burden of language switching lies in disengagement from the previous language as opposed to engaging a new language and that, in the absence of motor constraints, producing two languages simultaneously is not necessarily more cognitively costly than producing one.
Recruitment of patients with de novo Parkinson disease: successful strategies in a randomized exercise clinical trial

Recruitment of sufficient patients with Parkinson disease into clinical trials is a barrier to successful, timely study completion. Non-pharmacologic studies have shown to be even more challenging for recruitment, despite some studies focusing on de novo Parkinson disease populations. This paper describes successful recruitment techniques from a randomized exercise clinical trial in Parkinson disease. Several recruitment strategies were used to enroll de novo patients with Parkinson disease into a year-long clinical trial. Strategies focused on infrastructure included fast-track clinic scheduling, weekly research meetings, an established clinical repository, real-time clinic recruitment, and outreach to the community. The nature of the study facilitated recruitment by offering a wait-listed control group, exercise at a local fitness center with a paid membership, and collection of data by shipping equipment foregoing some visits. An experienced nurse study coordinator involved in recruitment and training of the principal investigator in recruitment of minorities enhanced overall recruitment. Finally, the patient population chosen for this study, patients with de novo Parkinson disease, may be more likely to enroll in an exercise study than patients with later stage disease. Seventy-six patients with de novo Parkinson disease were successfully enrolled into the exercise clinical trial from a single site. Targeted recruitment strategies were successful in this study. Additional modifications to the study protocol, such as eliminating treadmill stress tests before randomization, travel to an urban downtown location for study visits, and a relatively healthy Parkinson disease population, may also have impacted this study. These strategies could all be adopted for other studies in Parkinson disease, neurodegenerative diseases, or other chronic disorders. Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01506479 . Registered on 10 January 2012.
PD09-06 INTRADETRUSOR IPSC-DERIVED HUMAN PROGENITOR SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS IN A ROWETT NUDE RAT MODEL OF RADIATION CYSTITIS

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:Adverse effects of radiation include urothelial hemorrhage and bladder fibrosis. Mesenchymal stem cells are known to promote tissue repair and inhibit inflammation. Our ...