cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Error analysis leading to design criteria for transmission line model characterization of ohmic contacts

The transmission line model (TLM) is a standard method for planar specific contact resistance measurement. Although widely used, the accuracy of a measurement is typically not stated. In addition to contributions from random errors, there can be substantial contributions from systematic errors in typical TLM measurements. In this paper, we develop an analytical model for the experimental uncertainty from the fundamental TLM expressions in order to understand and calculate the uncertainty associated with the specific contact resistance and sheet resistance derived by the TLM method. The experimental uncertainties in measured resistances, together with the pad width and pad spacing, are the dominant contributions to the total uncertainty. Analytical expressions for relative random and systematic uncertainties in contact resistance and sheet resistance are developed in terms of the error contributions and the parameters of the TLM geometry. Expressions for minimum uncertainty, with associated optimum widths and sheet resistances, serve as a basis for the design of TLM structures with minimum uncertainty. The model quantifies the increase in relative uncertainty associated with decreasing contact resistance. Simulations of uncertainty under various sheet resistance, contact resistance, and pad width are implemented and uncertainties are calculated for realistic data sets.
A pilot study comparing a protocol using intermittent administration of glargine and regular insulin to a continuous rate infusion of regular insulin in cats with naturally occurring diabetic ketoacidosis

Objective The goal of this pilot study was to compare regular insulin administered by continuous rate infusion (CRI) to an approach using insulin glargine and regular insulin administered intermittently. Design Prospective randomized clinical trial. Setting University teaching hospital. Animals Sixteen cats with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Interventions Cats with DKA were randomized to either low-dose regular insulin CRI (CRI group; n = 8) or intermittent short- and long-acting insulin injections (subcutaneous [SC] glargine plus intramuscular [IM] regular insulin; SC/IM group; n = 8). Measurements and Main Results Time of normalization of pH, bicarbonate, hyperglycemia, ketonemia, and appetite, as well as duration of hospitalization were recorded. Eleven of 16 cats (59%) survived to discharge, with no difference in survival between groups (P = 0.99). Times of resolution of hyperglycemia (P = 0.02) and ketonemia (P = 0.04), and normalization of pH (P = 0.04), and bicarbonate (P = 0.03) were significantly shorter in the SC/IM group. Cats in the SC/IM group also had a significantly shorter duration of hospitalization (SC/IM: median = 54 hr [range, 19–118 hr]; CRI: median = 111 hr [range, 58–271 hr]; P = 0.04). Time of first meal was not significantly different between groups. Conclusions Although further research is required, an approach using intermittent short- and long-acting insulin injections appeared to be an effective option for treatment of DKA in cats.
Femtosecond fabrication of waveguides and gratings in chalcogenide thin films

Summary from only given. Amorphous chalcogenide glass (ChG) films are candidates for all-optical integrated circuits for the telecommunication industry due to their excellent infrared transparency, large nonlinear refractive index, and low phonon energies. This paper describes for the first time to our knowledge, material ablation and corresponding structural changes in single and multilayer ChG thin films, using an unamplified Ti:sapphire laser.
Comparison of Short-Term Outcomes of Late Preterm Singletons and Multiple Births: An Institutional Experience

We compare 4 short-term outcomes—namely admission to special care nursery (SCN), length of stay (LOS), age at full feeds (AFF) and respiratory morbidity/need for ventilation—in 1015 late preterm singletons and 366 twins and triplets born at our institution over a 4-year period. Birth weight (BW) and gestational age (GA) rather than plurality of birth determined need for admission to SCN, LOS, AFF, and need for respiratory support. When matched for GA, compared to singletons, twins and triplets needed less admission to SCN and respiratory support at 36 weeks, whereas at 34 weeks, they had longer LOS and took longer to get to full feeds. We conclude that the outcomes of interest are affected by GA and BW rather than plurality.
Exergy and irreversible entropy production thermodynamic concepts for control system design: robotic servo applications

This paper develops a novel control system design methodology that uniquely combines: concepts from thermodynamic exergy and entropy; Hamiltonian systems; Lyapunov's direct method and Lyapunov optimal analysis; electric AC power concepts; and power flow analysis. Relationships are derived between exergy/entropy and Lyapunov optimal functions for Hamiltonian systems. The methodology is demonstrated with a few fundamental numerical simulation examples: 1) a Duffing oscillator/Coulomb friction nonlinear model that employs PID regulator control; and 2) a linear PID tracking servo control design for a translational single robot link system. The control system performances are partitioned and evaluated based on exergy generation and exergy dissipation terms. This novel nonlinear control methodology results in both necessary and sufficient conditions for stability of nonlinear systems
Overexpression of catalase or Bcl-2 alters glucose and energy metabolism concomitant with dexamethasone resistance.

Abstract Glucocorticoids induce apoptosis in lymphocytes by causing the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol; however, the events in the signaling phase between translocation of the steroid–receptor complex to the nucleus and the release of cytochrome c have not been elucidated. Previously, we found that, in response to steroid treatment, WEHI7.2 mouse thymic lymphoma cells overexpressing catalase (CAT38) show delayed apoptosis (delayed cytochrome c release) compared to the parental cells, while Bcl-2 overexpressing cells (Hb12) are protected from steroid-induced apoptosis. In lymphocytes, glucocorticoid treatment decreases glucose uptake. Both glucose deprivation and the attendant ATP drop are known inducers of apoptosis. Therefore, we used 31P and 1H NMR spectroscopy to compare metabolic profiles of WEHI7.2, CAT38 and Hb12 cells in the presence and absence of dexamethasone to determine: (1) whether glucocorticoid effects on glucose metabolism contribute to the mechanism of steroid-induced apoptosis; and (2) whether catalase or Bcl-2 overexpression altered metabolism thereby providing a mechanism of steroid resistance. Loss of mitochondrial hexokinase activity was correlated to the induction of apoptosis in WEHI7.2 and CAT38 cells. CAT38 and Hb12 cells have an altered basal metabolism which includes increases in hexokinase activity, lactate production when subcultured into new medium, use of mitochondria for ATP production and potentially increased glutaminolysis. These data suggest that: (1) glucocorticoid effects on glucose metabolism may contribute to the mechanism of steroid-induced lymphocyte apoptosis; and (2) the altered metabolism seen in catalase and Bcl-2 overexpressing cells may contribute to both the steroid resistance and increased tumorigenicity of these variants.
Bench-to-bedside review: When is dead really dead – on the legitimacy of using neurologic criteria to determine death

This review explores the legitimacy of the whole brain death (WBD) criterion. I argue that it does not fulfill the traditional biologic definition of death and is, therefore, an unsound clinical and philosophical criterion for death. I dispute whether the clinical tests used to diagnose WBD are sufficient to prove all critical brain functions have ceased, as well as examine the sets of brain functions that persist in many WBD patients. I conclude that the definition of death must be modified from a biologic to an ontologic model if we intend to maintain the WBD criterion.
Hydration repulsion effects on the formation of supported lipid bilayers

When zwitterionic lipids fuse onto substrates such as silica (SiO2), the water of hydration between the two approaching surfaces must be removed, giving rise to an effective hydration repulsion. Removal of water around the polar headgroups of the lipid and the silanols (SiOH) of SiO2 allows supported lipid bilayer (SLB) formation, although an interstitial water layer remains between the lipid and surface. The importance of hydration repulsion in SLB formation is demonstrated by monitoring fusion of zwitterionic lipids onto silica (SiO2) nanoparticles heat treated to control the silanol group (SiOH) density and thus the amount of bound water. SLB formation, observed by cryo-TEM and nano-differential scanning calorimetry, was found to be slower for the more hydrated surfaces. Although the SiOH density decreased with increasing heat treatment temperature, ζ-potentials were the same for all the SiO2. This arose since at the pH = 8 of the experiments, only isolated silanols, with a pKa = 4.9, and not hydrogen bonded silanols, with a pKa = 8.5, were dissociated/charged. Since there were no differences in double layer forces between the SUVs and SiO2, which are the largest and most important interactions determining lipid fusion onto surfaces, the slower rate of SLB formation of DMPC onto SiO2 nanoparticles with higher silanol densities and more bound water was therefore attributed to greater hydration repulsion of the more hydrated nanoparticles. For SiO2 heated to 1000 °C, with only a few isolated silanols, little adsorbed water and many hydrophobic Si–O–Si groups, particle aggregation occurred and lipid sheaths formed around the nanoparticle aggregates.
Fragile X–associated tremor ataxia syndrome in FMR1 gray zone allele carriers†‡§

Background: Carriers of fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) repeat expansions in the premutation range (55–200 CGG repeats) often develop a syndrome of kinetic tremor, cerebellar ataxia, and parkinsonism; designated the fragile X–associated tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). Neurological signs have not been reported in carriers of gray zone (45–54 CGG repeats) expansions. Methods/Results: We describe 3 patients with FMR1 gray zone alleles who meet diagnostic criteria for FXTAS. Conclusions: Our cases suggest that the definition of the FXTAS may need to be broadened to include individuals with FMR1 repeat expansions in the gray zone. These neurological signs may be due to elevated levels of expanded CGG repeat FMR1 mRNA in the gray zone carriers, similar to the changes seen in premutation carriers with FXTAS. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Church Attendance, Social Capital, and Black Voting Participation*

Objectives. We test the traditional studies of political participation that suggest enhanced education and income will help reduce the racial gap in voting. Methods. We adopt a Bayesian model to test the impact of education and income on both black and white racial groups. We also link the explanation of black voting participation to social capital. Results. We find that bonding and bridging social capital as well as human capital are all important in explaining white voting participation, but only bonding social capital, measured by church attendance, explained African-American voting participation. Conclusions. We conclude that the utility of social capital theory and continuing significance of human capital theory must be considered in a racial context. In addition, our findings offer important implications about the continuing role of black churches for increasing social capital and political participation.
Managerial Problem Solving Models: A Review and a Proposal

Managerial problem solving models exhibit commonalities in form and content. Problem solving models have developed from learning theory but have not reached the refinement of expectancy motivation models which were derived from the same sources. An integrative problem solving model is proposed which includes applicable constructs for expectancy theory.
Real-time queue length estimation for congested signalized intersections

How to estimate queue length in real-time at signalized intersection is a long-standing problem. The problem gets even more difficult when signal links are congested. The traditional input-output approach for queue length estimation can only handle queues that are shorter than the distance between vehicle detector and intersection stop line, because cumulative vehicle count for arrival traffic is not available once the detector is occupied by the queue. In this paper, instead of counting arrival traffic flow in the current signal cycle, we solve the problem of measuring intersection queue length by exploiting the queue discharge process in the immediate past cycle. Using high-resolution "event-based" traffic signal data, and applying Lighthill-Whitham-Richards (LWR) shockwave theory, we are able to identify traffic state changes that distinguish queue discharge flow from upstream arrival traffic. Therefore, our approach can estimate time-dependent queue length even when the signal links are congested with long queues. Variations of the queue length estimation model are also presented when "event-based" data is not available. Our models are evaluated by comparing the estimated maximum queue length with the ground truth data observed from the field. Evaluation results demonstrate that the proposed models can estimate long queues with satisfactory accuracy. Limitations of the proposed model are also discussed in the paper.
Response to letter regarding article, "rosiglitazone and outcomes for patients with diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease in the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) Trial".

They point out that, in contrast to our results, previous pooled analyses of randomized trials of rosiglitazone showed a higher incidence of myocardial infarction, and that our observed differences (or rather lack of differences) in cardiovascular outcomes associated with rosiglitazone were potentially attributable to residual confounding. They also raise the point that we did not report a falsification end point that could have assessed the likelihood that observed results were more likely attributable to confounding than true effects. Our study reported prospectively collected longitudinal results from the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) trial cohort based on the diabetes mellitus treatment received, and was not a cross-sectional analysis. We agree that there is no substitute for randomization and no observational study, ours included, can fully exclude residual confounding. We should then also note the potential weaknesses of the meta-analysis that first implicated rosiglitazone as a cause of myocardial infarction, and reemphasize the unique aspects of the BARI 2D design and analysis that would be expected to minimize the impact of confounding. Even a well-conducted meta-analysis of limited studies will remain limited, because it is unable to compensate for the weaknesses of the original studies and may even unintentionally conceal those weaknesses. A carefully performed, independent examination of the meta-analysis regarding cardiovascular hazard from rosiglitazone concluded that the risk for myocardial infarction and death for diabetic patients taking rosiglitazone remained uncertain. 2 It is within this context that the BARI 2D design and results merit further consideration. In the BARI 2D trial, 3 patients were randomly assigned to a glycemic strategy of insulin sensitization or insulin provision. Therefore, initiation of rosiglitazone was generally determined by treatment assignment rather than patient indication, and the biases seen when the initiation of drug treatment is influenced by severity of illness were minimized. We used propensity-matching to further reduce any baseline differences when comparing treatment groups. Despite this, we did not detect a signal of ischemic cardiovascular harm from rosiglitazone. Similar conclusions were recently confirmed by a thorough FDA review of the independent readjudication of the 1 completed randomized trial designed to test the cardiovascular safety of rosiglitazone. 4
Body size, body shape, and long bone strength in modern humans

To identify behaviorally significant differences in bone structure it is first necessary to control for the effects of body size and body shape. Here the scaling of cross-sectional geometric properties of long bone diaphyses with different "size" measures (bone length, body mass, and the product of bone length and body mass) are compared in two modern human populations with very different body proportions: Pecos Pueblo Amerindians and East Africans. All five major long bones (excluding the fibula) were examined. Mechanical predictions are that cortical area (axial strength) should scale with body mass, while section modulus (bending/torsional strength) should scale with the product of body mass and moment arm length. These predictions are borne out for section moduli, when moment arm length is taken to be proportional to bone length, except in the proximal femoral diaphysis, where moment arm length is proportional to mediolateral body breadth (as would be expected given the predominance of M-L bending loads in this region). Mechanical scaling of long bone bending/torsional strength is similar in the upper and lower limbs despite the fact that the upper limb is not weight-bearing. Results for cortical area are more variable, possibly due to a less direct dependence on mechanical factors. Use of unadjusted bone length alone as a "size" measure produces misleading results when body shape varies significantly, as is the case between many modern and fossil hominid samples. In such cases a correction factor for body shape should be incorporated into any "size" standardization.
The Psychological Effects of Solitary Confinement on Prisoners in Supermax Units: Reviewing What We Know and Recommending What Should Change

This article examines the psychological consequences of short- and long-term solitary confinement for prisoners in the United States subjected to administrative or disciplinary segregation. Particular attention is paid to the use of secure housing units, alternatively known as control units or supermax units. These correctional entities allow for the isolation of convicts under conditions that offer little sensory stimulation and minimal opportunities for interaction with other people. The circumstances typically found in these units and the heightened potential for the abuse of prisoners are described. The connections between internment and mental illness-as well as isolation and race, gender, and class-are explored. A set of recommendations for the reform of secure housing is presented.
Influence of Southern Green Stink Bug, Nezara viridula L., on Late-Season Yield Losses in Cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L.

Abstract A field study examined the influence of southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula L., on late-season yield losses in cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. These indirect harvest losses included rotted (complete tissue decay associated with pathogens) and hard-locked bolls (individual locules within a boll that remain compact and fail to open normally, associated with abiotic or biotic agents). Stink bugs were caged in plots of cotton under conditions of high rainfall and humidity, which favor pathogen development and physiological disorders in bolls. Boll-rotting pathogens (Diplodia spp. and Fusarium spp.) were isolated from rotted bolls. The percentage of rotted (2.0-fold) and hard-locked (1.4-fold) bolls within the stink bug–infested treatment was significantly greater compared with that in the noninfested treatment. Stink bug injury within hard-locked (1.9-fold) and harvestable (1.7-fold) bolls was more common in the infested treatment compared with those bolls in the noninfested treatment. Stink bugs...
Intelligence (IQ) testing.

1. Ellen B. Braaten, PhD* 2. Dennis Norman, EdD† 1. *Psychologist, Massachusetts General Hospital; Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass 2. †Chief of Psychology, Massachusetts General Hospital; Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Define intelligence quotient (IQ) and what constitutes the “normal” range of IQ scores. 2. Describe the predictive validity of intelligence test scores. 3. Discuss the factors that may influence performance on intelligence tests. 4. Recognize the relationship between variability observed in factor scores and the probability of the child having a learning or cognitive disability. 5. Describe how achievement tests are used in conjunction with IQ tests to determine eligibility for a learning disability. Intelligence tests assess a person’s mental abilities and compare them with the abilities of other people through the use of numerical scores. Although the term intelligence is used as if there is agreement on what it means, in reality there is much debate as to how this term should be and has been defined. For example, debate has surrounded whether intelligence should be considered an inherent cognitive capacity, an achieved level of performance, or a qualitative construct that cannot be measured. Psychologists have debated whether intelligence is learned or inherited, culturally specific or universal, and one ability or several abilities. While these debates are ongoing, evidence is increasing that traditional intelligence tests measure specific forms of cognitive ability that are predictive of school functioning, but do not measure the many forms of intelligence that are beyond these more specific skills, such as music, art, and interpersonal and intrapersonal abilities. (1) Despite these debates, most experts view intelligence as a person’s problem-solving abilities, such as adapting to the environment and having vocabulary skills, higher-order thinking (eg, decision making, reasoning skills, verbal and nonverbal problem-solving skills), memory, and mental speed. More specifically, for the purpose of this article, intelligence is discussed as it relates to a child’s score on the intelligence (IQ or “intelligence quotient”) tests that are used most commonly to measure …
Emitter thickness optimization for GaSb thermophotovoltaic cells grown by molecular beam epitaxy

ABSTRACT GaSb thermophotovoltaic (TPV) devices were fabricated using a Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) technique. Different emitter thicknesses (d e ) were studied to maximize the TPV cells short circuit current density. In this regard, the fabricated TPV devices emitter was incrementally wet-etched and characterized to find the optimal thickness value. Simulations were performed using the Crosslight APSYS® platform over the full-spectrum range in order to predict device performance for different designs, while maximizing the photocurrent generation and enhancing the emitter sheet resistance. TPV devices were characterized electrically and optically. These experimental data showed that the etched emitter has minimal impact on the measured short circuit current density (J sc ) while simulated results demonstrated an optimal d e of 200 nm. Keywords: Large-area GaSb Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) Devices, Emitter Thickness, Short Circuit Current Density, Optimization, Carrier Lifetime. 1. INTRODUCTION
A Bayesian approach for forecasting errors of budget cost estimates

AbstractAccurate estimation of budget costs is critical for effective management of construction projects. The performance of various management functions is dependent on the accuracy of the estimates throughout the construction phase. These estimates, however, inevitably involve a considerable amount of error, which imperatively requires the evaluation of budget cost estimates and the measurement of errors associated with the estimates. Applying an analytical procedure, this study carried out a thorough statistical analysis of existing practice in the construction industry to identify limitations of the practice. As an alternative to the practice, a Bayesian approach was found to be more appropriate than the industry common practice to account for the probabilistic nature of estimates and to forecast errors associated with the budget estimates. A scenario-based example is included to demonstrate application of the analytical procedure for analysing historical cost performance data that are readily availa...
Leptin-related polymorphisms and SLE

Leptin is a hormone/cytokine that is mainly produced by adipocytes and has a range of actions that span from the control of metabolic balance to the modulation of adaptive and innate immune responses. Many investigations have indicated that the pro-inflammatory activities of leptin can contribute significantly to the promotion and maintenance of autoimmune responses. It is not known whether the abnormal elevation of leptin in patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) - an autoimmune disease characterized by multi-organ involvement and the presence of autoantibodies – can reflect the chronic inflammatory status of the disease or contributes to the pathogenesis of the disease. To partly address this question, a recent investigation analyzed several leptin-related gene polymorphisms in SLE in large numbers of individuals from different ancestral groups. The study identified weak associations with certain SNPs that did not remain significant after correction for multiple testing. This review discusses the implications of those findings for the pathogenesis of SLE and for the possibility of leptin-based modalities of therapeutic intervention in the disease.
Incidence and Remission of Nocturia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract Context Although vital for decision-making about management, the natural history of nocturia remains uncertain. A systematic review would clarify the issue, but because natural history reviews are uncommon it would require methodological innovations. Objective To estimate the incidence and remission of nocturia, and refine methods for meta-analyses assessing natural history. Evidence acquisition We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases and abstracts of major urologic meetings as far as August 31, 2015. Random effects meta-analyses addressed incidence/remission rates of nocturia; meta-regression explored potential determinants of heterogeneity. Studies were categorized as either low or high risk of bias using a novel instrument specifically designed for longitudinal symptom studies aimed at the general population. Evidence synthesis Of 4165 potentially relevant reports, 16 proved eligible. Pooled estimates from 13 studies (114 964 person-years of follow-up) demonstrated that annual incidence was strongly associated with age: 0.4% (0–0.8%) for adults aged Conclusions The available evidence suggests that nocturia onset is strongly associated with age, with much higher rates in those over 60 yr; remission occurs in approximately 12% each year. These estimates can aid with management decisions and counseling related to nocturia. Patient summary We reviewed all previous studies of progression of night-time urination (nocturia). We found that in any given year 0.4% of adults aged
Properties of optical frequency combs

Optical frequency combs have attracted much interest over the last 10 years. They have applications in optical frequency metrology, optical atomic clocks, waveform synthesis and high field studies. Frequency combs have a very broad optical spectrum. The spectral breadth is essential for determining the comb offset frequency, which is a key quantity for most applications. In this paper, the motivation for using frequency combs, their basics and will be briefly presented.Optical frequency combs have attracted much interest over the last 10 years. They have applications in optical frequency metrology, optical atomic clocks, waveform synthesis and high field studies. Frequency combs have a very broad optical spectrum. The spectral breadth is essential for determining the comb offset frequency, which is a key quantity for most applications. In this paper, the motivation for using frequency combs, their basics and will be briefly presented.
The Case of the Forgetful Burglar

(1958). The Case of the Forgetful Burglar. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 65, No. 2, pp. 71-76.
HOLDING ON BY THEIR HOOKS: ANCHORS FOR WORMS.

We examined the hooked setae of a dominant group of tube-dwellers, the polychaete annelids, and found a pattern of setation that is predictable by tube type, exclusive of worm taxon or orientation; we also demonstrated the mechanical significance of these hooked setae. When tube-dwelling worms belonging to different lineages are pressurized, they resist differentially as a function of the direction in which hooks face. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that hooks are used primarily to resist removal of worms from their tubes, are polyphyletic in origin, and are active agents of resistance.
Influence of experimental history on nicotine self-administration in squirrel monkeys

Methods for establishing robust long-term self-administration of intravenous (i.v.) nicotine, the primary psychoactive agent in tobacco, are not well-established in laboratory animals. Here, we examine the use of a fading procedure to establish robust and consistent i.v. nicotine self-administration under second-order schedule conditions in squirrel monkeys. First, self-administration behavior was developed in two groups of male squirrel monkeys using a second-order fixed-interval 5-min schedule with fixed-ratio 5 units (FI 5-min (FR5: S)). Comparable performances were maintained by i.v. cocaine (0.032 mg/kg/injection (inj); group A, n = 3) and the combination of food delivery (20–30 % condensed milk) and 0.01 mg/kg/inj i.v. nicotine (group B, n = 3). Subsequently, the concentration of condensed milk was gradually reduced to zero in the second group and self-administration behavior was maintained by i.v. nicotine alone. Next, self-administration of a range of doses of i.v. nicotine (0.001–0.032 mg/kg/inj) and, in additional experiments, the minor tobacco alkaloid anatabine (0.01–0.18 mg/kg/inj) was studied in both groups. Results show that nicotine and anatabine had reinforcing effects in both groups. However, optimal doses of nicotine and anatabine maintained significantly higher rates of i.v. self-administration behavior in subjects trained with the fading procedure than in subjects provided with a history of cocaine-maintained responding. These results illustrate conditions under which robust i.v. nicotine self-administration can be established in squirrel monkeys and the influence of prior experimental history in the expression of reinforcing effects of nicotine and anatabine.
Metaheuristic for Randomized Priority Search (Meta-RaPS): A Tutorial

This chapter presents a metaheuristic named Meta-Heuristic for Randomized Priority Search (Meta-RaPS), which has been applied to different problems in literature. It mainly explains the overall framework by using an example so the reader can understand how the meta-heuristic works. We at the end identify some future opportunities for research.
Tobacco Mosaic Virus Antibodies Are Present in Serum of Smokers and Non-Smokers (P04.240)

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine whether exposure to tobacco products induces an immune response to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in humans which might be linked to the association of Parkinson9s disease with smoking. BACKGROUND: TMV, a worldwide infectious agent, is found in cigarettes and smokeless tobacco as well as many other plants. Plant viruses do not replicate or cause infection in human and other mammals. However, pepper mild mottle plant virus is associated with specific immune responses in human and cowpea mosaic virus is able to interact with mammalian cells after oral administration. People who smoke cigarettes or other tobacco products experience a lower risk of developing PD, but the mechanism by which this occurs is unclear. DESIGN/METHODS: 60 male healthy volunteers were recruited in this study: 20 non-users of tobacco products, 20 current smokers, and 20 current users of smokeless tobacco. Using a sandwich ELISA assay, serum anti-TMV antibodies and the cross-reactivity between anti-TMV antibody and the human mitochondrial membrane protein TOMM40L were measured. RESULTS: We detected antibodies against TMV in serum of all healthy smokers as well as non-smokers. Smokers had a significantly higher level of serum IgG (IgG1, IgG3 and IgG4) antibodies against TMV than non-smokers, while smokeless tobacco users showed a trend toward increased levels of anti-TMV IgG (IgG1, IgG3 and IgG4) when compared to non-smokers. Furthermore, we found that a human protein TOMM40L (an outer mitochondrial membrane 40 homolog –like translocase) contains a strong homology of six contiguous amino acid to the TMV coat protein and the TOMM40L peptide exhibited cross-reactivity with anti-TMV antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that molecular mimicry between the foreign plant antigens of TMV and the human TOMM40L protein may have a potential role in pathogenesis of human disorders including PD. Supported by: In part by grant from the NIH (AG017173). Disclosure: Dr. Liu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vaishnav has nothing to disclose. Dr. Roberts has nothing to disclose. Dr. Friedland has nothing to disclose.
Association of Reports of Childhood Abuse and All-Cause Mortality Rates in Women.

Importance Research has linked childhood abuse to a variety of adult psychiatric problems, but little is known about associations of child abuse with adult mortality. Objective To test associations of retrospective reports of physical and emotional abuse in childhood with all-cause mortality rates in adulthood. Design, Setting, and Participants National sample of 6285 adults (aged 25-74 years at baseline) from the survey of Midlife Development in the United States. Baseline psychosocial data were collected in 1995 and 1996, with follow-up mortality data collected through October 2015. Main Outcomes and Measures Participants completed questionnaires at baseline about self-report of childhood emotional abuse, moderate physical abuse, and severe physical abuse. Mortality data during the next 20 years was tracked using the National Death Index. Results Of the 6285 participants included in the study sample, 2987 were men (48%) and 5581were white (91%), with a mean (SD) age of 46.9 (12.95) years. Women who reported childhood emotional abuse (hazard ratio [HR], 1.22; 95% CI, 1.01-1.49; P = .04), moderate physical abuse (HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.05-1.60; P = .02), or severe physical abuse (HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.20-2.08; P = .001) were at increased risk for all-cause mortality during the follow-up period. Reports of more types of childhood abuse were also associated with a greater risk of all-cause mortality in women (all vs none HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.24-2.30; P = .001; some vs none HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.01-1.52; P = .04). These effects could not be accounted for by childhood socioeconomic status, personality traits, or adult depression. No associations were observed in men. Conclusions and Relevance These results suggest that in addition to the established psychiatric consequences of abuse, women who report childhood abuse also remain vulnerable to premature mortality into adulthood. Thus, reported childhood abuse may have long-term ramifications for health and longevity in women.
Tectonic constraints on a deep-seated rock slide in weathered crystalline rocks

Abstract Deep-seated rock slides (DSRSs), recognised as one of the most important mass wasting processes worldwide, involve large areas and cause several consequences in terms of environmental and economic damage; they result from a complex of controlling features and processes. DSRSs are common in Calabria (southern Italy) where the complex geo-structural setting plays a key role in controlling the geometry of the failure surface and its development. This paper describes an integrated multi-disciplinary approach to investigate a DSRS in Palaeozoic high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Sila Massif; it focuses on the definition of the internal structure and the predisposing factors of the Serra di Buda landslide near the town of Acri, which is a paradigm for numerous landslides in this area. An integrated interdisciplinary study based on geological, structural, and geomorphological investigations—including field observations of weathering grade of rocks, minero-petrographic characterisations, geotechnical investigations and, in particular, fifteen years of displacement monitoring—is presented. Stereoscopic analysis of aerial photographs and field observations indicate that the Serra di Buda landslide consists of two distinct compounded bodies: (i) an older and dormant body (~ 7 ha) and (ii) a more recent and active body (~ 13 ha) that overlies the previous one. The active landslide shows movement linked to a deep-seated translational rock slide (block slide); the velocity scale ranges from slow (1.6 m/year during paroxysmal stages) to extremely slow (
Structure activity relationship of heparin mimicking polymer p(SS-co-PEGMA): effect of sulfonation and polymer size on FGF2-receptor binding

Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) is a heparin binding protein that plays a role in a range of biological functions such as wound healing and bone regeneration. Heparin, a highly sulfated glycosaminoglycan, is required for FGF2 to bind to its receptor. Therefore, polymeric mimics of heparin are widely studied for their ability to manipulate FGF2-induced biological interactions. It is known that altering the degree of sulfonated monomer incorporation and size of heparin-mimicking polymers can affect protein-receptor binding. To elucidate the relationship between degree of sulfonation and receptor binding for the heparin-mimicking polymer, poly(styrene sulfonate-co-poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (p(SS-co-PEGMA)) a library was synthesized to contain nine polymers with degrees of sulfonation ranging from 0-100%. Kinetics of the polymerization was evaluated and reactivity ratios compared to literature results. These polymers were then tested for their ability to enhance FGF2 binding with its receptor as both covalent conjugates and as excipients. In a receptor based enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA), as well as a cell-based study, the polymer with 81% SS incorporation enhanced receptor binding compared to FGF2 alone, and to a greater extent than the other polymers. Therefore, another library of polymers was prepared maintaining the degree of sulfonation at 81% and changing the size from 41 to 390 monomer repeat units. The polymers were again tested in receptor based ELISA and cell studies, and all of the different sizes performed similarly, except for degree of polymerization 295 and 390, which had reduced response in the cellular assay. These results provide important information for the use of pSS-co-PEGMA as a potential heparin-mimicking therapeutic.
Perspectives in psychology - XXII

This is a statement of some of the constituents of the worthwhile study of perception, and includes several major examples.
Imaging Genetic Heterogeneity in Glioblastoma and Other Glial Tumors: Review of Current Methods and Future Directions

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this review is to summarize advances in the molecular analysis of gliomas, the role genetics plays in MRI features, and how machine-learning approaches can be used to survey the tumoral environment. CONCLUSION. The genetic profile of gliomas influences the course of treatment and clinical outcomes. Though biopsy is the reference standard for determining tumor genetics, it can suffer diagnostic delays due to surgical planning and pathologic assessment. Radiogenomics may allow rapid, low-risk characterization of genetic heterogeneity.
Hsp72 Is an Intracellular Target of the α,β-Unsaturated Sesquiterpene Lactone, Parthenolide

The electrophilic natural product parthenolide has generated significant interest as a model for potential chemotherapeutics. Similar to other α,β-unsaturated carbonyl electrophiles, parthenolide induces the heat shock response in leukemia cells, potentially through covalent adduction of heat shock proteins. Other thiol-reactive electrophiles have also been shown to induce the heat shock response as well as to covalently adduct members of the heat shock protein family, such as heat shock protein 72 (Hsp72). To identify sites of modification of Hsp72 by parthenolide, we used high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry to detect 10 lysine, histidine, and cysteine residues of recombinant Hsp72 as modified in vitro by 10 and 100 μM parthenolide. To further ascertain that modification of Hsp72 by parthenolide occurs inside cells and not simply as an in vitro artifact, an alkyne-labeled derivative of parthenolide was synthesized to enable enrichment and detection of protein targets of parthenolide using copper-cat...
Counterfactual Imagination as a Mental Tool for Innovation

In the article I demonstrate some of the possible ways by which counterfactual imagination can lead people to innovation and the creation of novel and valuable solutions. I start with adopting the broad definition of counterfactuals, by which counterfactual imagination is understood as the ability to imagine alternative states of affairs which can relate to the past, present or future. I explain how counterfactual imagination differs from other sorts of imaginative and creative thoughts, pointing out that counterfactual types of thinking always rely on facts and involve a change in some features of the actual world, leaving other such features unaltered. I also show that the concept of counterfactual imagination can be useful when we aim to describe the very earliest manifestations of imaginative capacities in children, which can be seen in their make-believe games. All the mentioned characteristics of counterfactual imagination are further used to examine how what if and would be sorts of thinking and imagining might influence people’s creative performance. I conclude with the suggestion that—if guided properly—counterfactual imagination could be a truly valuable mental tool for innovation. This demonstration is partly influenced by Ruth Byrne’s multi-faceted analysis of counterfactual imagination, mainly from her book, The Rational Imagination: How People Create Alternatives to Reality .
Case 24 Weakness in a Dialysis Patient

Digoxin toxicity usually arises due to increased dosing, impaired clearance, or interaction with other concomitant medications. Cardiac dysrhythmias may result, and the most effective treatment is the administration of digoxin-specific antibody. However, once the antibody is administered, renal clearance is required to eliminate the drug-antibody complex from the circulation. In patients with anuric renal failure, additional treatment modalities such as plasmapheresis may be needed to avoid recurrent toxicity once the antibody dissociates from the drug.
Assessment of statistical homogeneity in chemically treated granular materials

This study uses statistical methods to examine the homogeneity of a chemically treated granular soil. Reactive solutions have been injected to promote mineral precipitation, thus generating solid d...
The minority body: a theory of disability: The minority body: a theory of disability, by Elizabeth Barnes, Oxford, OxfordUniversity Press, 2016, 200 pp., $45.00 (hardback), ISBN 978-0-19-873258-7

It has been and remains common amongst theorists and scholars to analyze disabled bodies in comparison to abled bodies. More so, disability theorists critically analyze disabled bodies as a social ...
William James, Mind Cure, and the Religion of Healthy-Mindedness

At the turn of the twentieth century, the mind-cure movement emphasized the healing power of positive emotions and beliefs. William James defended mind-cure during the Massachusetts legislature's debates on licensing physicians in 1894 and 1898. In The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902) he used the movement's therapeutic claims to illustrate the typically American, practical turn of the “religion of healthy-mindedness.” Varieties sympathetically surveys mind-cure literature, but also criticizes healthy-minded religion for its limited range and refusal to confront tragedy and radical evil. Many of today's mind/body therapies continue the mind-cure tradition and retain the limitations that James noted.
Lymphocyte Homing Receptors, Ubiquitin, and Cell Surface Proteins

The immune system, unlike most organ systems that are consolidated in one anatomic location, is dispersed over an entire organism. It exists as circulating elements in the blood, through which it gains access to nearly all body tissues, and as innumerable lymphoid aggregates throughout the body. Therefore, the immune system is placed under a special constraint, which is managed by substituting extensive cell-cell recognition and interactive events as a strategy for organization. Of course, these recognition events are not required for the imposed proximity of cells in architecturally localized organ systems. This layer of complexity must then be superimposed on the central function of the immune system, self-nonself-recognition and appropriate responses to nonself-encounters. These functions are largely executed by the major element of the immune system, the lymphocyte.
Mining Bodily Patterns of Affective Experience during Learning.

We investigated 28 learners’ postural patterns associated with naturally occurring episodes of boredom, flow/engagement, confusion, frustration, and delight during a tutoring session with AutoTutor, a dialoguebased intelligent tutoring system. Training and validation data were collected in a learning session with AutoTutor, after which the learners’ affective states (i.e., emotions) were rated by the learner, a peer, and two trained judges. An automated body pressure measurement system was used to capture the pressure exerted by the learner on the seat and back of a chair during the tutoring session. We extracted 16 posture-related features that focused on the pressure exerted along with the magnitude and direction of changes in pressure during emotional experiences. Binary logistic regression models yielded medium sized effects in discriminating the affective states from neutral. An analysis of the parameters of the models indicated that the affective states were manifested by three unique postural configurations and a general increase in movement (when compared to neutral).
Principles and Methods of Sequence Analysis

This chapter is the longest in the book as it deals with both general principles and practical aspects of sequence and, to a lesser degree, structure analysis. Although these methods are not, in themselves, part of genomics, no reasonable genome analysis and annotation would be possible without understanding how these methods work and some practical experience with their use. Inappropriate use of sequence analysis procedures may result in numerous errors in genome annotation (we have already touched upon this subject in the previous chapter and further discuss it in Chapter 5). We attempted to strike a balance between generalities and specifics, aiming to give the reader a clear perspective of the computational approaches used in comparative and functional genomics, rather than discuss any one of these approaches in great detail. In particular, we refrained from any extensive discussion of the statistical basis and algorithmic aspects of sequence analysis because these can be found in several recent books on computational biology and bioinformatics (see ♦4.8) and, no less importantly, because we cannot claim advanced expertise in this area. We also tried not to duplicate the “click here”-type tutorials, which are available on many web sites. However, we deemed it important to point out some difficult and confusing issues in sequence analysis and warn the readers against the most common pitfalls.