cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Texture synthesis using gray-level co-occurrence models: algorithms, experimental analysis, and psychophysical support

The development and evaluation of texture synthesis algo- rithms is discussed. We present texture synthesis algorithms based on the gray-level co-occurrence (GLC) model of a texture field. These algo- rithms use a texture similarity metric, which is shown to have high cor- relation with human perception of textures. Synthesis algorithms are evaluated using extensive experimental analysis. These experiments are designed to compare various iterative algorithms for synthesizing a ran- dom texture possessing a given set of second-order probabilities as characterized by a GLC model. Three texture test cases are selected to serve as the targets for the synthesis process in the experiments. The three texture test cases are selected so as to represent three different types of primitive texture: disordered, weakly ordered, and strongly or- dered. For each experiment, we judge the relative quality of the algo- rithms by two criteria. First, we consider the quality of the final synthe- sized result in terms of the visual similarity to the target texture as well as a numerical measure of the error between the GLC models of the syn- thesized texture and the target texture. Second, we consider the relative computational efficiency of an algorithm, in terms of how quickly the algorithm converges to the final result. We conclude that a multiresolu- tion version of the ''spin flip'' algorithm, where an individual pixel's gray level is changed to the gray level that most reduces the weighted error between the images second order probabilities and the target probabili- ties, performs the best for all of the texture test cases considered. Finally, with the help of psychophysical experiments, we demonstrate that the results for the texture synthesis algorithms have high correlation with the texture similarities perceived by human observers. © 2001 Society of Photo-
Involvement of the S-layer proteins Hpi and SlpA in the maintenance of cell envelope integrity in Deinococcus radiodurans R1

The potential functions have been investigated of two proteins in Deinococcus radiodurans R1 predicted to be involved in the maintenance and integrity of the S layer: the hexagonally packed intermediate (Hpi) protein, and SlpA (DR2577), a homologue of an S-layer SlpA protein in Thermus thermophilus. Deletion of the hpi gene had little effect on the structure of the cell envelope or on shear- or solvent-induced stress responses. However, deletion of the slpA gene caused substantial alterations in cell envelope structure, and a significant defect in resistance to solvent and shear stresses compared to the wild-type. Ultrastructural analysis of slpA mutant cells indicated loss of much of the outer Hpi protein carbohydrate coat, the ‘pink envelope’, and the membrane-like backing layer. Together these results suggest that the SlpA protein may be involved in attachment of the Hpi surface layer to the inner cell envelope, and that SlpA may play an important role in the maintenance of cell envelope integrity in D. radiodurans.
Elevated Stress and SAPK/JNK Phospho Mediate Cues at Implantation for Generating the Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy Signal

OBJECTIVE: To test whether stress and stress activated protein kinase/ Jun kinase (SAPK/JNK) can mediate the maternal recognition of pregnancy signaling induced during implantation of the early mammalian embryo into the uterus. DESIGN: Observational laboratory study to test the hypothesis that stress and SAPK/JNK mediate the induction of maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP) proteins during implantation of the embryo into the uterus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mouse embryos and trophoblast stem (TS) cells and the human first trimester placental cell line HTR were stressed in laboratory experiments using hyperosmolar stress with or without SAPK/JNK inhibitors and assayed by Western blot, immunocytochemistry, and microarray, to test for the role of stress and SAPK in the development of the MRP. RESULTS: HAND1, required for differentiation to trophoblast giant cells, is induced slightly by stress from a high baseline, but is SAPK/JNKdependent (SAPK/JNK inhibitor D-JNKl1 and SP600125-sensitive) in TS cells and HTR. In addition, high hyperosmolar stress at 400-1,000mM sorbitol, causes Id2 (Id2 must be attenuated to de-repress HAND1 activity) export from the nucleus at 0.5hr, and complete loss in all TS cells occurs by 24-30hr, but its loss is not SAPK/JNK-dependent. Placental lactogern (PL)-1 (part of the mouse MRP secretory phenotype) is triggered by stress at 24-30hr, and is partially SAPK/JNK-dependent. Interestingly, in the presence of TS cell mitogen, FGF4, a low dose of hyperosmolar stress (100mM sorbitol) spares Id2 positive TS cells in epithelial sheets, while driving higher expression of PL-1 in trophoblast giant cells. CONCLUSION: HAND1, Id2, and PL-1 are regulated in a stress and/or SAPK/JNK dependent manner in embryos and in TS and HTR placental cells. This suggests that a source of stress in utero on implantation day could serve as a cue to cause differentiation of TS cells to differentiated MRPsignaling cells, while sparing TS cells near FGF sources. In support of this hypothesis, it was determined that implantation day embryos have higher SAPK/JNK phospho than early blastocysts isolated a day earlier in development or culture for a day in 200mM sorbitol. The data suggest that stress can mediate the implantation phenotype as characterized by rapid induction of the maternal recognition of pregnancy. Supported by: This research was supported by grants to DAR from National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, (R01 HD40972A) and NASA (NRA, NAG 2-150309).
Active Control of High Speed Jets Using Localized Arc Filament Plasma Actuators

apart, are presented. Due to the limitation of the current power supply, which is being remedied at the present, the forcing started at a Strouhal number of 0.59, based on the nozzle exit diameter. The jet seems to respond quite well and the large scale structures, which were randomly distributed in space without any periodicity in the baseline case, become well organized and quasi-periodic at lower forcing frequencies (9 to 16 kHz; StD = 0.59 - 1.04). It also appears that the jet responds even at higher frequencies (e.g. StD = 3.59), where the structures become much smaller and more organized, in comparison with those of the baseline case, but less coherent in comparison with those of the forced cases at lower Strouhal number. In addition to the limited frequency range of the power supply, there is an issue with the characterization of the forcing frequency, both of which will be remedied with the design and fabrication of a new power supply. Therefore, the results are preliminary and limited in scope.
Electrical Perception and Communication

Electric communication occurs among a few specialized fishes that have evolved electric organs for generating signals in water and electroreceptors for sensing them at close range. Behavioral analysis provides convincing evidence for communication in some of these fish – their electric discharges are displaylike: complex, patterned, and stereotyped; the discharges are given by signalers only in specific social contexts; the signals evoke characteristic responses from recipients; and when the discharges are imitated and played to recipients through electrodes, they evoke the same types of responses seen in social interactions. For these fishes, electric communication is private, fast, short-range, and temporally precise, and it can be used at night and in noisy or turbid environments, when other signaling modalities have reduced effectiveness. Electric communication is best known for two groups of freshwater teleost fishes: the Mormyriformes (c. 200 species, Osteoglossomorpha) of Africa and the Gymnotiformes (c. 160 species, Ostariophysi) of South and Central America. Fish in both groups have independently evolved tuberous electroreceptors for signal sensing and electric organs of considerable diversity for display and advertisement. There are complex electromotor pathways in the brain for the control of electric organs, and specialized electrosensory systems for signal analysis and recognition.
Environmental Justice, the Demographic Threshold and the Exclusion of Communities: Are Benefits Reaching Those at Risk?

The residents surrounding the Love Canal environmental disaster would not have met New York State’s criteria for an environmental justice community and its working-class residents would not have received any benefits under the state’s current policy. In this paper, we examine how states are defining the environmental justice community and consider the missed opportunities of non-EJ communities. Specifically, we look to nineteen existing state policies and identify the criteria and methodologies used for defining the environmental justice community as well as the benefits conferred upon these communities as a result of their designation. We then discuss the implications of the pervasive demographic threshold approach and its corresponding potential for misaligning environmental justice benefits with communities at risk.
FDG PET/CT management of rare primary appendiceal lymphoma

1331 Learning Objectives 1. Describe the role of FDG PET/CT in the diagnoses and differentiation of appendiceal lymphoma from physiologic bowel activity. 2. Discuss the utility of FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of extranodal manifestations of lymphoma. Malignant lymphomas comprise approximately 1 to 4% of all the gastrointestinal malignant neoplasms. While gastrointestinal tract is the most common site of extranodal lymphomas and accounts for 30-45% of all extranodal cases, primary appendiceal lymphomas are extremely rare and constitute only 0.015% of all gastrointestinal lymphomas. Lymphomas of the appendix usually present in the second and third decades of life with symptoms of anorexia, weight loss, nausea and vomiting. Infrequently, intussception or lower gastrointestinal bleeding may be the presenting symptom. Right lower quadrant mass may be palpable on examination. Appendiceal lymphomas are often diagnosed post-operatively as the clinical findings are nonspecific, leading to a delay in diagnosis. We report a case in a patient with mantle cell lymphoma who had an FDG PET/CT for the assessment of treatment response. The PET/CT images showed intense FDG uptake in the appendix, which was present in the prior scan and was attributed to physiologic bowel activity. However, the persistent FDG uptake in the same site on the follow-up PET/CT prompted subsequent colonoscopy and biopsy with the final tissue diagnosis of appendiceal lymphoma. While the most common site of gastrointestinal lymphomas is the stomach, followed by the small intestine, colon and esophagus, the finding of a persistent increased FDG uptake in the appendix should alert the interpreter for the possibility of appendiceal lymphoma, albeit uncommon.
Elimination of Gradual Calorie Advancement in Initiation of the Ketogenic Diet (P03.008)

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether initiation of the ketogenic diet at full calories reduces hypoglycemia. BACKGROUND: Inpatient initiation of the ketogenic diet has historically involved gradual advancement of calories and/or diet ratio. Hypoglycemia during this initiation period is common. We sought to determine if initiation of the diet at goal calories would reduce the incidence of hypoglycemia when compared to gradual advancement of calories. DESIGN/METHODS: Fifty four patients were admitted to a tertiary care hospital for elective initiation of the ketogenic diet between 7/7/08 and 9/17/12. All patients were placed on a ketogenic diet initiation pathway. In September 2010, the pathway was modified from a gradual caloric advancement to initiation at goal calories. We selected 27 consecutive patients before and after the change for comparison. Each case was reviewed for incidence of hypoglycemia, number of days to reach full ketosis (defined as 4+ urine ketones), acidosis requiring commencement of sodium citrate, and length of admission. Hypoglycemia was defined as blood glucose (BG) RESULTS: In the group with gradual advancement of calories (n=27), there were seven instances of hypoglycemia in five patients. Eight patients were started on sodium citrate. Length of admission averaged 4.5 days, and 23 patients reached full ketosis, in an average of 2.3 days, by discharge. In the group started at full caloric ratio (n=27), there were six instances of hypoglycemia in four patients. Nineteen patients were started on sodium citrate. Length of admission averaged 4.8 days, and 22 patients reached full ketosis, in an average of 2.9 days, by discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The elimination of gradual advancement of calories does not significantly impact length of admission and/or days to reach ketosis. It may decrease the incidence of hypoglycemia, but likely increases acidosis. Disclosure: Dr. Bansal has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cramp has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kao has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for serving as chief editor, child neurology articles at Medscape/emedicine. Dr. Carpenter has nothing to disclose.
TIRF microscopy analysis of human Cof1, Cof2, and ADF effects on actin filament severing and turnover

Dynamic remodeling and turnover of cellular actin networks requires actin filament severing by actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF)/Cofilin proteins. Mammals express three different ADF/Cofilins (Cof1, Cof2, and ADF), and genetic studies suggest that in vivo they perform both overlapping and unique functions. To gain mechanistic insights into their different roles, we directly compared their G-actin and F-actin binding affinities, and quantified the actin filament severing activities of human Cof1, Cof2, and ADF using in vitro total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. All three ADF/Cofilins had similar affinities for G-actin and F-actin. However, Cof2 and ADF severed filaments much more efficiently than Cof1 at both lower and higher concentrations and using either muscle or platelet actin. Furthermore, Cof2 and ADF were more effective than Cof1 in promoting "enhanced disassembly" when combined with actin disassembly co-factors Coronin-1B and actin-interacting protein 1 (AIP1), and these differences were observed on both preformed and actively growing filaments. To probe the mechanism underlying these differences, we used multi-wavelength total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy to directly observe Cy3-Cof1 and Cy3-Cof2 interacting with actin filaments in real time during severing. Cof1 and Cof2 each bound to filaments with similar kinetics, yet Cof2 induced severing much more rapidly than Cof1, decreasing the time interval between initial binding on a filament and severing at the same location. These differences in ADF/Cofilin activities and mechanisms may be used in cells to tune filament turnover rates, which can vary widely for different actin structures.
Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Serum Levels of d,l-4-Amino-N-(α-methylbenzyl)-benzamide, a New Benzamide Anticonvulsant

A method for the high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) determination of serum concentrations of d,l-4-amino-N-(alpha-methylbenzyl)-benzamide and its N-acetylated metabolite is described. The compounds are isolated from a 50-microL sample of serum using solid phase extraction. The compounds and internal standard are eluted from the extraction column with acetonitrile. Quantitation is performed via UV detection at 275 nm following isocratic reversed-phase (C18) separation using a ternary solvent system. The assay procedure is useful for the determination of concentrations of parent compound from 0.63 to 87.9 micrograms/mL from 50 microL of serum.
Kinetics of interfacial electron transfer at single-layer graphene electrodes in aqueous and nonaqueous solutions.

We present a catalog of electron transfer mediators for investigating the heterogeneous electron transfer kinetics of large-area, single-layer graphene electrodes. Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was used to probe the apparent standard electron transfer rate constant of mediators in aqueous solutions and in acetonitrile and dimethylformamide, allowing for studies of graphene electroactivity at different potentials and in both aqueous and nonaqueous media. In aqueous solution, iron(III) ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, hexacyanoruthenate(II), hexacyanoferrate(II), hexacyanoferrate(III), octacyanomalybdate(IV), cobalt(III) sepulchrate, and hydroxymethylferrocene exhibited quasi-reversible electron transfer behavior. The electron transfer kinetics of hexaammineruthenium(III), methyl viologen, and tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) were found to be reversible in these studies. The electron transfer rate constant of hydroxymethylferrocene and ferrocene, in organic media, was similar to that for hydro...
Minority carrier blocking to enhance the thermoelectric figure of merit in narrow-band-gap semiconductors

We present detailed theoretical predictions on the enhancement of the thermoelectric figure of merit by minority carrier blocking with heterostructure barriers in bulk narrow-band-gap semiconductors. Bipolar carrier transport, which is often significant in a narrow-band-gap material, is detrimental to the thermoelectric energy conversion efficiency as it suppresses the Seebeck coefficient and increases the thermal conductivity. When the minority carriers are selectively prevented from participating in conduction while the transport of majority carriers is relatively unaffected by one-sided heterobarriers, the thermoelectric figure of merit can be drastically enhanced. Thermoelectric transport properties such as Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and electronic thermal conductivity including the bipolar term are calculated with and without the barriers based on the near-equilibrium Boltzmann transport equations under the relaxation time approximation to investigate the effects of minority carrier barriers on the thermoelectric figure of merit. For this, we provide details of carrier transport modeling and fitting results of experimental data for three important material systems, $\mathrm{B}{\mathrm{i}}_{2}\mathrm{T}{\mathrm{e}}_{3}$-based alloys, $\mathrm{M}{\mathrm{g}}_{2}\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{i}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{n}}_{x}$, and $\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{i}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{G}{\mathrm{e}}_{x}$, that represent, respectively, near-room-temperature (300 K--500 K), midtemperature (600 K--900 K), and high-temperature ($g1000\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$) applications. Theoretical maximum enhancement of thermoelectric figure of merit that can be achieved by minority carrier blocking is quantified and discussed for each of these semiconductors.
The Realization of Stability Control System to Northwest Power Grid of Yinchuan-Shandong DC System

The security and stability control system is the important guarantee of power system.Based on the geographic connect graph of northwest power grid of Yinchuan-Shandong DC system,this paper analyses the serious problems of security and stability,and introduces the configuration and main function of security and stability control system,the characteristics of control system are also summarized.The result of local combined adjusting indicated that the introduced stability control system can guarantee the safety and stability of northwest power grid of Yinchuan-Shandong DC system.
Development of Distributed Combat Visual Simulation System Based on HLA

With the development of distributed interactive simulation architecture technology,new generation visual simulation system based on HLA becomes imperative.Based on real-time visual simulation software——Vega and HLA simulation support plat——pRTI,this paper designs a combat counterwork visual simulation system.It introduces the whole framework of combat counterwork simulation system,layouts each function of visual simulation system,illuminates in detail the federal design of visual simulation system,solves the key technology of visual picture'smooth display in HLA.Test with combat simulation system shows that visual simulation system displays realistically the whole process of combat situation,and it can meet real-time requirement.
From Residency to Lifelong Learning.

The residency training experience is the perfect environment for learning. The university/institution patient population provides a never-ending supply of patients with unique management challenges. Resources abound that allow the discovery of knowledge about similar situations. Senior teachers provide counseling and help direct appropriate care. Periodic testing and evaluations identify deficiencies, which can be corrected with future study. What happens, however, when the resident graduates ? Do they possess all the knowledge they'll need for the rest of their career ? Will medical discovery stand still limiting the need for future study ? If initial certification establishes that the physician has the skills and knowledge to function as an independent physician and surgeon, how do we assure the public that plastic surgeons will practice lifelong learning and remain safe throughout their career ? Enter Maintenance of Certification (MOC). In an ideal world, MOC would provide many of the same tools as residency training: identification of gaps in knowledge, resources to correct those deficiencies, overall assessment of knowledge, feedback about communication skills and professionalism, and methods to evaluate and improve one's practice. This article discusses the need; for education and self-assessment that extends beyond residency training and a commitment to lifelong learning. The American Board of Plastic Surgery MOC program is described to demonstrate how it helps the diplomate reach the goal of continuous practice improvement.
The Critically Ill Surgical Patient: Nutritional considerations

The nutritional care of the patient in the surgical intensive care unit is one of the most challenging in the field of nutritional support. Each patient must be assessed individually and specific goals of nutritional support established. Specialized nutritional solutions may be needed for the patient with significant renal, hepatic, or pulmonary disease, as well as patients in a chronic septic state. Knowledge of the infectious and metabolic complications that frequently occur in this population is essential in order to keep nutritionally related morbidity at a minimum. Finally, the realization that, in the surgical intensive care unit, nutritional therapy is often a supportive measure used in an attempt to gain time to eradicate the primary process will enable the clinician to establish the proper approach to the nutritional care of these patients.
Sandpile Models: Why We Study Them, What Have We Learned?

Sandpile models have been extensively studied as idealised models of non equilibrium spatially extended systems which might display the phenomenon of self-organized criticality. This review describes the state of the field with particular focus upon work recently done by the author in collaboration with Leo Kadanoff, Amy Kolan, Itamar Procaccia and Mitchell Feigenbaum on a class of such models.
Leadership and a Critical Spirit of Resistance

The field of educational research is replete with celebrated methodologies, procedures, and, in fact, a hegemony that prescribes what is considered to be genuine and valuable research. Scholars have engaged in numerous philosophical and ontological debates focusing on the efficacy of quantitative and qualitative research. In recent times, a discourse has emerged in research that salutes the poly-voiced character of researchers and the researched, celebrates culturally sensitive and relevant research, andendorses transformative and emancipatory research (see Mertens, 2005; Patton, 2002; Tillman, 2002). But all of these ways of positioning scholarship, it seems, are grounded in some sedimented notions of what “legitimate” research actually is. Within these prescriptions for scholarship is the idea that the purpose of research is to disclose some truth or truths and that these discovered truths are only legitimate if they have been unearthed through traditional or “accepted” forms of research methodology. Some positivist scholars argue that there exists what is called a grand narrative or some celebrated truth that purportedly essentializes the human condition—that research, it is argued, always either leads to or confirms its existence. The grand narrative is “a script that specifies and controls how social processes are carried out” (Stanley, 2007, p. 14). The grand narrative in education has been established through years of substantiating research.
Understanding the Remittance Gender Gap among Hispanics in the US: Gendered Norms and the Role of Expectations

ABSTRACTUsing the 2006 Latino National Survey (LNS), this study analyzes the existence of a gender gap in favor of men in the monetary remittance behavior of Hispanics residing in the United States. Findings indicate that cultural gender norms and expectations in the country of origin play a key role. The study shows that women migrants are less likely to remit than men and, when they do, they transfer smaller amounts. The remittance gender gap is not universal among subgroups, since it is only observable among Hispanics who came to the US to improve their economic situation, plan to return to their home country, and have low income and low schooling. An index on migrants’ perceptions of gender roles as a proxy for cultural gendered norms is constructed and shows that more traditional gender views are associated with a significant gender gap in favor of men in remittances.
100 A AC-DC current measurements to within /spl plusmn/25 ppm from 3 Hz to 1 kHz

The paper uses a set of computer controlled commercial equipment in conjunction with a software-controlled digitising voltmeter to produce accurate 100 A current measurements at ±DC and in the frequency range from 0.1 Hz to 1 kHz. Overall uncertainties in the region of ±20 ppm appear possible. The paper concentrates on 100 A results; however, the concepts work down to 10 A and up to at least 1 kA. The resultant system is nearly immune to the thermal problems and warm-up times that plague shunts and thermal convertors, particularly for currents greater than 20 A. A method to separate the transfer functions of the amplifier and the transducer is proposed. Experimental verification of the method and of the system performance is provided.
A novel ANO3 variant identified in a 53-year-old woman presenting with hyperkinetic dysarthria, blepharospasm, hyperkinesias, and complex motor tics.

Cervical dystonias have a variable presentation and underlying etiology, but collectively represent the most common form of focal dystonia. There are a number of known genetic forms of dystonia (DYT1-27); however the heterogeneity of disease presentation does not always make it easy to categorize the disease by phenotype-genotype comparison. In this report, we describe a 53-year-old female who presented initially with hand tremor following a total hip arthroplasty. The patient developed a mixed hyperkinetic disorder consisting of chorea, dystonia affecting the upper extremities, dysarthria, and blepharospasm. Whole exome sequencing of the patient revealed a novel heterozygous missense variant (Chr11(GRCh38): g.26525644C > G; NM_031418.2(ANO3): c.702C > G; NP_113606.2. p.C234W) in exon 7 in the ANO3 gene. ANO3 encodes anoctamin-3, a Ca+2-dependent phospholipid scramblase expressed in striatal-neurons, that has been implicated in autosomal dominant craniocervical dystonia (Dystonia-24, DYT24, MIM# 615034). To date, only a handful of cases of DYT-24 have been described in the literature. The complex clinical presentation of the patient described includes hyperkinesias, complex motor movements, and vocal tics, which have not been reported in other patients with DYT24. This report highlights the utility of using clinical whole exome sequencing in patients with complex neurological phenotypes that would not normally fit a classical presentation of a defined genetic disease.
Characterization of Histone Deacetyalses Involved in γ-Globin Gene Regulation.

Abstract Fetal hemoglobin (HbF; α2γ2) ameliorates vaso-occlusive symptoms in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) because of its ability to inhibit hemoglobin S polymerization. One mechanism for γ-globin reactivation likely involves chromatin modification and the release of repressor complexes in which histone deacetylases (HDACs) may be present. The objective of this study was to identify HDACs involved in γ-globin gene regulation. Experiments were performed in K562 cells to determine the ability of NaB (2mM), TSA (0.5μm) and the non-HDAC-inhibitor γ-globin activator hemin (50μM), to alter transcription levels of the HDAC genes during concomitant HbF induction. Gene expression was measured by reverse transcription (RT) of mRNA followed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis using gene-specific primers. Treatment of K562 cells with TSA and NaB reduced transcription levels of both HDAC9 and HDRP (histone deacetylase related protein, a splice variant of HDAC9) from 20–80% as did the control agent hemin (p
Frequency of snoring, rather than apnea-hypopnea index, predicts both cognitive and behavioral problems in young children

Abstract Objective Primary snoring (PS) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) not only affect the quality of sleep in a large number of young children, but have also been repeatedly associated with a variety of behavioral and cognitive problems. However, little is known about the potentially differing relationships of behavioral and cognitive pathology within the sleep disordered breathing (SDB) spectrum. Method This study examined data from an enriched for snoring community sample of 631 children aged between 4 and 10 years. Multivariate mixed models were used to assess the relationship between both snoring and the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI). Numerous cognitive and behavioral variables were used, while adjusting for several important demographic variables. These were followed by univariate analyses of individual measures and sensitivity analyses. Results Results indicated that snoring status is a significant predictor of general behavioral ( p = 0.008) and cognitive ( p = 0.013) domains, even after adjusting for baseline covariates and AHI severity. More frequent snoring was associated with poorer outcomes independent of AHI. However, AHI did not emerge as a significant predictor of the overall cognitive functioning domain ( p = 0.377). Additionally, although AHI was a significant predictor of the general behavioral functioning domain ( p = 0.008), the significance pattern and nature of its relationship with individual behavioral measures were inconsistent in post-hoc analyses. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that general behavioral and cognitive function may decline with greater snoring severity. Further, snoring should not simply be assumed to represent a lower severity level of SDB, but should be examined as a potential predictor of relevant outcomes.
Self-congruity and flow as antecedents of attitude and loyalty towards a theme park brand

ABSTRACTBrand loyalty is believed to be a sustainable advantage for theme parks. Since theme parks represent a man-made environment purposefully built for specialized market segments, studying factors that lead to brand loyalty for theme park products is of strategic importance. These factors have yet to be identified in the current literature, however. Recognizing the potential influence of self-congruity and flow in the theme park consumption experience, and thus its influence on loyalty, the current study investigated the effect of these constructs on visitor attitude and loyalty towards a theme park brand. The results revealed that both self-congruity and flow are the antecedents of visitor attitude and brand loyalty. The theoretical contributions of this study, as well as managerial implications concerning image projection, branding strategy, and park experience design, are discussed.
Unraveling the complexities of invasive multimodality neuromonitoring.

Acute brain injuries are a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Survivors of life-threatening brain injury often face a lifetime of dependent care, and novel approaches that improve outcome are sorely needed. A delayed cascade of brain damage, termed secondary injury, occurs hours to days and even weeks after the initial insult. This delayed phase of injury provides a crucial window for therapeutic interventions that could limit brain damage and improve outcome.A major barrier in the ability to prevent and treat secondary injury is that physicians are often unable to target therapies to patients’ unique cerebral physiological disruptions. Invasive neuromonitoring with multiple complementary physiological monitors can provide useful information to enable this tailored, precision approach to care. However, integrating the multiple streams of time-varying data is challenging and often not possible during routine bedside assessment.The authors review and discuss the principles and evidence underlyin...
Atom probe tomography study of Fe-Ni-Al-Cr-Ti ferritic steels with hierarchically-structured precipitates

Abstract The ferritic Fe-Ni-Al-Cr-Mo steel (FBB8) has good creep properties up to 700 °C due to B2-NiAl nanoscale precipitates and its creep resistance can be further improved by additions of 2 or 4 wt.% Ti, as a result of sub-precipitates within the main precipitates. Here, the hierarchical structure of the precipitates is studied in the light of phase separation via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography (APT). For FBB8-2Ti (with 2% Ti added) exhibiting B2-NiAl precipitates with L21-Ni2AlTi sub-precipitates, APT analysis shows strong partitioning of Ni, Al and Ti from the ferritic matrix into the B2/L21 precipitates and, within the precipitates, partitioning of Ti and Fe within the L21 sub-precipitates. Based on the published pseudo-binary phase-diagram between (Ni,Fe)Al and (Ni,Fe)Ti, this hierarchical precipitate microstructure is discussed based on the known miscibility gap between the B2 and L21 phases, due to partitioning of Ti into the L21 phase and ordering of Al and Ti on the Al sub-lattice of the B2 structure. For FBB8-4Ti (with 4% Ti added), by contrast, the L21 precipitates exhibit bcc sub-precipitates rich in Fe and Cr, with a composition close to that of the matrix; the absence of the B2 structure is consistent with an increase of Ti and Fe concentrations, to 18.2 and 19.3 at.% respectively, as measured via APT, in the L21 precipitates.
The emerging role of the non-cemented glenoid in total shoulder arthroplasty

Abstract In an effort to address the relatively high rate of glenoid component lucent lines, loosening and failure, tantalum/trabecular metal glenoid implant fixation has evolved as it has in hip and knee arthroplasty. Trabecular metal-anchored glenoid implants used in this consecutive patient case series has demonstrated a lower failure rate than traditional all-polyethylene cemented glenoids. Although the radiographs of some patients demonstrated small focal areas of lucency, none have become loose, and only one has actually demonstrated glenoid component failure due to a fracture 6 years after the index procedure. One with glenoid loosening was due to poly wear from a massive cuff tear occurring 8 years after the index procedure. Most patients experienced significant improvements in shoulder range of motion and reduction in pain. Trabecular metal glenoids when carefully implanted do not produce excessive failure rates, but rather result in functional improvements while decreasing operative time.
Central or peripheral autonomic dysfunction in Parkinson disease: Does it matter?

In the early 19th century, James Parkinson captured with dazzling lucidity several clinical aspects of the disease that would bear his name, including some of its nonmotor autonomic features such as constipation, urinary dysfunction, and dysphagia. During most of the 20th century, autonomic dysfunction in patients with Parkinson disease (PD), neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH) in particular, was considered a side effect of l-dopa, a late stage in the disease progression, or, if prominent, a red flag suggesting multiple system atrophy (MSA). In the early 21st century, autonomic dysfunction is a well-recognized, characteristic nonmotor feature of PD, occurring in most patients at all stages of the disease. Indeed, autonomic dysfunction can be a prodromal manifestation of the disease, occurring years, or even decades, before any of the defining motor features are evident.1,2
Cytopenias: Acquired bone marrow failure

Aplastic anemia (AA) is characterized by diminished or absent hematopoietic precursors in the bone marrow (BM), most often due to injury to the hematopoietic stem cell. AA can be congenital but is more frequently acquired. Acquired AA preferentially affects young adults (20–25 years) and individuals over the age of 55–60 years [1]. The incidence of acquired AA is estimated at two per million annually, and occurs at higher rates in countries with increased rates of viral hepatitis [2]. Table 4.1 lists the causative agents that have been reported associated with acquired AA. However, despite numerous, diverse possible causes, from chemicals and drugs to viral, collagen vascular diseases and pregnancy, in about 70% of patients, no clear cause can be determined and the AA is considered to be idiopathic [3]. It has been suggested that immune-mediated destruction/suppression may be the underlying cause in many of the patients with idiopathic AA. It has been postulated that damage induced by chemicals, drugs, viruses, or antigens leads to lymphocyte activation resulting in destruction of BM hematopoietic cells [4]. Studies have shown that autoreactive T-lymphocytes from the BM of patients with AA can inhibit hematopoiesis when co-cultured with normal marrows [5, 6]. This inhibition may be mediated by the release of marrow-suppressing cytokines, such as interferon gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin-2 [1], ultimately leading to apoptotic death of BM hematopoietic stem cells. IFN-γ may also lead to increased expression of the Fas and Fas receptor [7]. Telomeric attrition resulting in critically shortened telomeres, prompting cellular senescence or crisis, has also been considered one of the underlying causes of AA. Inherited heterozygous mutations in the genes that repair or protect telomere may limit marrow stem cell self-renewal and predispose some patients to marrow failure [8, 9].
Slow Aging: Insights from an Exceptionally Long-Lived Rodent, the Naked Mole-Rat

As organisms age, one commonly notes a decline in vitality, fertility, and function with a concomitant increase in mortality risk. In short-lived animals, this decline is rapid, reflecting poor defense against aging. On the other hand, long-living organisms may show markedly attenuated rates of aging. Investigating how this is achieved may elucidate key mechanisms employed in slow or successful aging, characteristics we are interested in better understanding and even emulating. One such extraordinarily long-lived organism is the naked mole-rat. Naked mole-rats live in captivity an order of magnitude longer than similar-sized mice (>30 years). The common cause of death is still unknown and to date cancer has not been observed in these long-living rodents. Unlike the situation with most mammals, females continue to breed throughout their long lives and exhibit no decline in fertility well into their third decade. Only slight age-related changes are observed in all biochemical, physiological, and morphological characteristics studied to date. Clearly, these endogenous processes have evolved to dramatically extend healthy life span in this species, and typical age-associated acceleration in mortality risk that characterizes other mammalian species is attenuated. Studies addressing mechanisms of aging in this species have yielded surprising data: Naked mole-rat reproductive profiles are not typical of slow-aging K-selected animals and do not support the disposable soma theory of aging; short telomeres and low levels of telomerase in somatic tissue are in conflict with the telomere theory of aging; and high levels of oxidative damage diverge from those expected from the oxidative stress theory of aging. The challenge that lies ahead is to determine the mechanisms that facilitate the unusual profile associated with slow aging and prolonged health span in this rodent, and to test the ubiquity of these mechanisms in other species. As such, the naked mole-rat will prove to be an important animal model with which to address successful aging.
Social Cognition: From Behavior-Reading to Mind-Reading

Primates must navigate complex social landscapes in their daily lives: gathering information from and about others, competing with others for rewards like food and mates, and cooperating to obtain rewards as well. Although many species may exhibit similar behaviors in naturalistic contexts, the cognitive bases of the sophisticated behaviors that many primates exhibit can vary widely across species. In this article, we examine the psychology underlying primate social behavior in three situations: gaze-following, competing for food, and instrumental cooperation. In each of these domains, various primate gaze-follow, compete, and cooperate with great success – but experiments have revealed that the ways they do so can be quite diverse. These examples provide a framework for investigating social cognition from an evolutionary perspective that addresses why such different social-cognitive skills evolved across species.
A Quasi-Optimal, Consistent Approach for Combination of UT1 and LOD

ITRF2005 is the first realization of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) using a time series combination of multi-technique solutions to yield fully consistent station positions and Earth orientation parameters (EOPs), with full variance-covariance information. However, it is not as easy to combine universal time (UT1) and length of day (LOD) as for polar motion within the ITRF combination itself. Only the UT1 and LOD results from 24-hr very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) sessions have been included because the denser set of short-duration, single-baseline VLBI sessions can distort station position estimates and daily satellite-based LOD estimates suffer from large, time-varying biases.
Abdominal wall considerations and complications in reoperative surgery.

The orientation of the reoperative surgical incision must be carefully planned to avoid postoperative complications. Nevertheless, the surgeon must accept the fact that reoperative wounds have an increased risk of morbidity that requires recognition and appropriate management. The authors focus on the management of infectious and necrotizing complications of the abdominal wall in reoperations.
A robotic wayfinding system for the visually impaired

We present an emerging indoor assisted navigation system for the visually impaired. The core of the system is a mobile robotic base with a sensor suite mounted on it. The sensor suite consists of an RFID reader and a laser range finder. Small passive RFID sensors are manually inserted in the environment. We describe how the system was deployed in two indoor environments and evaluated by visually impaired participants in a series of pilot experiments.
Neural Substrates of the Visual Perception of Movement

The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief summary of recent ideas and data regarding the neural substrates of the perception of motion. This summary is not comprehensive nor does it include the considerable relevant literature in human psychophysics. Several recent detailed and outstanding reviews are available also covering movement perception; in particular, the reviews by Grusser and Grusser-Cornellis (1975) and by Sekuler, Pantle and Levinson (1978) are notable. These reviews attempt to take into account the many physiological findings that may be relevant to motion perception. Several earlier, less physiological reviews are also available in basic reference texts and handbooks, e.g., Walls (1942), Johansson (1970), Graham (1963), etc., and the reader is referred to these for general background.
Note: Regulation of Hedge Fund Managers in the U.K. Before and After the Global Financial Crisis

This note will examine the regulatory framework for hedge funds in the United Kingdom (UK) before and after the financial crisis of 2008. First, it will discuss European Union (EU)-level regulation that applies to the UK as an EU member state. Second, it will discuss UK-specific regulation. Finally, this note will cover anticipated changes to regulation, both at the EU-level and within the UK, resulting from the financial crisis.Learning Objective:To provide students with sufficient background to analyze a case on UK hedge funds.
Gene transfer for increased animal growth

Transgenic mice which contain growth hormone (GH) or a human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF) fusion genes exhibit enhanced growth. Mice containing the metallothionein promoter/regulator (MT) fused to either the rat, human (h) or bovine (b) GH gene exhibit metal inducible levels of GH mRNA, and have substantial quantities of foreign GH. Mice which contain a GRF fusion gene exhibit enhanced growth due to stimulation of endogenous GH synthesis and release. Transfer of GH fusion genes has been extended to rabbits and GH and GRF fusion genes to pigs and sheep. Transgenic pigs and sheep expressing genes consisting of the MT promoter fused to either the hGH or bGH genes or the GRF gene have been produced. Expression of hGH or bGH genes in pigs has not improved growth performance. However, hGH and bGH exert varied biological effects. Founder transgenic pigs have transmitted the gene and one line has been bred to homozygosity with respect to the transgene. Transgenic sheep which express a bGH fusion gene have not exhibited enhanced growth. Transgenic pigs and sheep containing hGRF genes are being examined for the consequences of transgene expression.
Transmitters, Receptors, and Related Compounds in the Thalamus

With the possible exception of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the neurochemical transmitter agents released during passage of an afferent volley through the thalamus are unknown. But there is a long history of iontophoretic studies of thalamic neurons and there are many accounts of the localization of transmitter-related compounds and of various kinds of receptor agents in the thalamus. It is to these that we turn our attention in this chapter.