cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chlorine adsorption on clean aluminum

Abstract Auger spectroscopy, ellipsometry and surface potential measurements have been used to study the preparation of clean A1 films on A1 and the adsorption of chlorine gas on these films. The chlorine adsorption mechanism, consistent with the experimental data, involves adsorption in a precursor state as molecular chlorine, followed by dissociation and chemical reaction. At room temperature at least two monolayers form within an hour at a chlorine pressure of 2 × 10 −6 torr. The heat of physisorption is estimated as 4 kcal/mole and the heat of reaction is estimated as ⩽ 22 kcal/mole. At higher temperatures desorption occurs from both states.
Associational resistance protects mangrove leaves from crab herbivory

Abstract While associational defenses have been well documented in many plant and algal ecosystems, this study is the first to document associational resistance in mangroves. Mangrove tree crab ( Aratus pisonii ) density and herbivory on three life-stages of the red mangrove ( Rhizophora mangle ) were documented in pure red versus mixed-species and predominantly non-red mangrove stands containing black ( Avicennia germinans ) and white ( Laguncularia racemosa ) mangroves in 1999–2000 in Tampa Bay, Florida. This study first established that R. mangle is the focal species in the context of associational resistance because it is damaged more than either of the other mangrove species. Next, it was hypothesized that crab density and leaf damage on R. mangle would be lower when in mixed-species and predominantly non-red versus red mangrove stands. A non-significant trend suggested that crab density varies among stands, and crab damage on R. mangle leaves was significantly lower in mixed-species and non-red stands. Mechanisms to explain associational resistance were examined. Positive Pearson correlations between the percent of adult R. mangle in a stand and both crab density and R. mangle leaf damage provided support for the resource concentration hypothesis. Limited support was found for the attractant-decoy hypothesis because the total amount of damaged leaves of all mangrove species combined typically differed among stands, suggesting that crabs were not shifting to alternative mangrove species to offset reduced availability of R. mangle leaves. Finally, while R. mangle seedlings were shorter in non-red stands compared to others, intra-specific differences in R. mangle leaf chemistry and sclerophylly among stands failed to explain associational patterns. These combined results argue for the need for additional experiments to elucidate mechanisms responsible for defensive plant associations in mangrove ecosystems and to determine whether such associations could be of use in mangrove restoration.
What is a language made out of

L'A. examine differents aspects du paradoxe selon lequel le caractere inne du langage ne retire rien au fait qu'il doive obligatoirement etre appris. Toute langue constitue une realisation en partie arbitraire de la Grammaire Universelle et c'est cette realisation que chaque enfant doit decouvrir en interpretant l'information provenant de l'environnement. Des contraintes agissent sur la maniere d'interpreter l'environnement. Mais ces contraintes ne constituent pas la procedure d'apprentissage elle-meme. Pour que l'apprentissage ait lieu, l'enfant doit extraire du monde les fragments primitifs de sens et de son. L'A. tente d'identifier ces elements dont le langage est constitue
The meaning of abstinence for college students.

ABSTRACT The current investigation assessed the denotative or descriptive meaning that college students attach to the word abstinence. A sample of 1101 students indicated whether a series of sexual behaviors were abstinent or not abstinent. Their categorizations were analyzed for consistency with the CDC's definition of abstinence as “refraining from sexual activities that involve vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse.” Many students categorized behaviors high in risk of HIV-transmission as abstinent, e.g., anal intercourse (24%), oral intercourse (37%), and oral-anal contact (47%). The implications for HTV/STD prevention education and future research are discussed.
The performance of a microchannel plate at cryogenic temperatures and in high magnetic fields, and the detection efficiency for low energy positive hydrogen ions

Abstract We have conducted a systematic study of the performance of a microchannel plate at cryogenic temperatures, and in a magnetic field perpendicular to the plate surface of up to 2.5 T. We observe no change in the characteristic pulse height distribution down to temperatures near 4 K if the count rate is kept sufficiently low. With increasing count rates the onset of saturation effects can be observed to be temperature dependent. For the specific plate used, this occurs around 1 kHz at the lowest temperature. This behavior is in good agreement with calculations based on a widely used model for the gain function of microchannel plates, if the plate resistance is allowed to be temperature dependent. Additionally we have studied the detection efficiency for low energy hydrogen ions of a chevron type microchannel plate under a variety of operating conditions at room temperature, and find the detection efficiency to level off around 60% at energies above 1 keV, if the plate is operated in a saturated gain mode.
Interfacial reactions in the Nb/GaAs system

Solid-state reactions between niobium and gallium arsenide in both thin film and bulk forms were studied in the temperature range 400 to 1000 °C using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), metallography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Initially Nb4As3 and Nb5Ga3 formed at the interface and grew very slowly. Following an incubation period, NbAs and NbGa, nucleated and grew at rates several orders of magnitude faster than the initial phases. The resulting metastable diffusion path, Nb/NbGa3/NbAs/GaAs, was observed even after relatively long-term annealing and is believed to be kinetically stabilized. Formation of the other Nb–Ga binary compounds as predicted by the phase diagram was inhibited by nucleation and kinetic barriers. The observed reaction sequence is discussed considering the thermodynamics, kinetics, and possible growth mechanisms involved in the reaction.
Effects of Communication Assertion Intensity.

This study examined the effects of variations in message assertion intensity on the accuracy of congruity principle predictions of attitude change. Subjects read either high intensity or low intensity message assertions which negatively linked favored sources with favored concepts. Comparisons were made between obtained persuasion and change predicted by the congruity principle. Tests of the hypothesized relationship between assertion intensity and source or concept intensity gave evidence that congruity predictions were more accurate when source and concept intensity were equivalent to the message intensity level. Implications for the study of message intensity are discussed.
Involving parents in structured therapy groups for adolescents

Initial and on-going techniques for feedback to parents about progress in adolescent groups are described including: therapy contracts, monthly group generated, feedback letter to parents, and a “Suggestions to Parents From the Group Booklet” developed and “published” by group members. Structured techniques for actual parental participation in “Parent Hot Seat” exercises are described which increase opportunities for development of curative factors and allow practice in negotiation, increased positive shared perceptions of child and parent, and an increased acceptance of parental limit setting.
Cancer of the thyroid in youth

This is a review of 68 patients 20 years of age and younger with well-differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid seen at the University of North Carolina Memorial Hospital and University of Iowa Hospital since 1935. These patients are included in the Thyroid Carcinoma Registry that provides continuing follow-up of all patients with carcinoma of the thyroid at these 2 hospitals. The historical, clinical, laboratory, and surgical pathological findings in these 68 patients, their treatment, and survival are reported. Comparisons are made with findings in the 486 patients 21 years of age or older with well-differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid seen during the same time. The most striking finding of this clinical investigation is that only 1 of the 68 patients, followed up for as long as 30 years, has died as a result of the well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. There was a history of irradiation to the head or neck, 28% of patients younger than 15 years of age, 15% of those 15 to 20 years of age, and 6% of patients older than 21 years. The results of this study reaffirm the conclusion that the treatment of well-differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid in young patients as in older patients is empirical. Our experience suggests that the surgical approach should be determined by the biologic aggressiveness of the disease. Lobectomy, including isthmusectomy, is performed for well-circumscribed lesions less than 2 cm in diameter in the absence of lymph node metastases. Near total thyroidectomy is advised in the presence of unilateral disease and ipsilateral lymph node metastases. Total thyroidectomy is performed for multifocal disease, when required to remove gross neoplasm, with bilateral lymph node metastases, and with follicular carcinoma in the presence of metastatic disease. Thyroid hormone therapy is used prophylactically. Radioiodine is advised for inoperable, residual, or recurrent disease.
Cost-effectiveness of universal cystoscopy to identify ureteral injury at hysterectomy.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of routine cystoscopy at the time of abdominal, vaginal, and laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy in terms of cost per ureteral injury identified and treated. Methods: Using a hospital-based perspective, a decision-analysis model was constructed to estimate the outcomes and costs of cystoscopy or no cystoscopy at the time of abdominal hysterectomy. A similar model was constructed for vaginal and laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy to account for the cost of conversion to laparotomy. Cost estimates were based on estimated costs of Duke University Medical Center and from average Medicare reimbursements for similar Diagnostic Related Groups from the Health Care Financing Administration. The incidence of ureteral injury was obtained from a review of the literature. Sensitivity analyses were performed for the following variables: ureteral injury rate, silent ureteral injury rate, cost of cystoscopy, and cost of therapeutic interventions. We assumed a silent renal death rate of 0%. Results: Routine cystoscopy at abdominal hysterectomy was cost-saving above a threshold ureteral injury rate of 1.5%. At a ureteral injury rate of 0.2%, the marginal increase in the cost of routine intraoperative cystoscopy was $108 per abdominal hysterectomy, with an associated cost of $54,000 per ureteral injury identified. In comparison, at a ureteral injury rate of 2%, routine cystoscopy gave a marginal cost savings of $44 per hysterectomy, with a cost savings of $2200 per ureteral injury identified intraoperatively. At the baseline ureteral injury rate of 0.5%, routine cystoscopy had a marginally increased cost of $83 per hysterectomy, with an incremental cost-effectiveness of $16,600 spent per ureteral injury identified. The model constructed for vaginal hysterectomy and laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy yielded a threshold ureteral injury rate of 2%, above which routine cystoscopy was cost-saving. In both models, the incidence of ureteral injury and the cost of readmission were the two variables with the greatest influence on cost-effectiveness. Conclusion: The cost-effectiveness of routine intraoperative cystoscopy depends on the rate of ureteral injury independent of the route of hysterectomy. If that rate exceeds 1.5% for abdominal hysterectomy and 2% for vaginal or laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy, then routine cystoscopy is cost-effective.
Lead, mercury, and cadmium exposure and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.

Abstract Background There is limited research examining the relationship between lead (Pb) exposure and medically diagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The role of mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd) exposures in ADHD development is even less clear. Objectives To examine the relationship between Pb, Hg, and Cd and ADHD in children living inside and outside a Lead Investigation Area (LIA) of a former lead refinery in Omaha, NE. Methods We carried out a case-control study with 71 currently medically diagnosed ADHD cases and 58 controls from a psychiatric clinic and a pediatric clinic inside and outside of the LIA. The participants were matched on age group (5–8, 9–12 years), sex, race (African American or Caucasians and others), and location (inside or outside LIA). We measured whole blood Pb, total Hg, and Cd using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results Inside the LIA, the 27 cases had blood Pb geometric mean (GM) 1.89 µg/dL and the 41 controls had 1.51 µg/dL. Outside the LIA, the 44 cases had blood Pb GM 1.02 µg/dL while the 17 controls had 0.97 µg/dL. After adjustment for matching variables and maternal smoking, socioeconomic status, and environmental tobacco exposure, each natural log unit blood Pb had an odds ratio of 2.52 with 95% confidence interval of 1.07–5.92. Stratification by the LIA indicated similar point estimate but wider CIs. No associations were observed for Hg or Cd. Conclusions Postnatal Pb exposure may be associated with higher risk of clinical ADHD, but not the postnatal exposure to Hg or Cd.
Unit analysis of nonspecific thalamic responses to high-intensity cutaneous input in the cat.

Abstract On the basis of neurophysiological, neuroanatomical, and neurosurgical reports, we have searched for neurons responding to noxious cutaneous stimulation in two nonspecific thalamic nuclei, posterior nucleus-magnocellular medial geniculate and centrum medianum-parafascicularis in the chloralose-anesthetized cat. The neuron discharge patterns to peripheral stimulation (short-latency burst, long-latency burst, short- and long-latency bursts, and inhibited tonic discharge) and mean latencies were similar to those reported by other investigators. We have been unable to find neurons responding to nociceptive input in the high proportions reported by some other investigators. The discharge properties of the few noxious responding neurons isolated are not directly comparable to those of the spinal cord interneurons responding to nociceptive input, suggesting modulation of nociceptive information rostral to the spinal cord relay. Neurons of these two thalamic nuclei, on the basis of latency to peripheral electrical stimulation, electrical threhold, receptive field size and location, and natural stimulus sensitivity, comprise a nonnociceptive somatosensory representation.
Assessment of Computational Boundary Conditions for Hyperbolic Systems

Specification of bqundary conditions is essential when solving partial differential equations. For Hyperbolic equations, a locally one dimensional approach can be used tit the boundaries to reduce the non physical reflectio& that may occur when the boundary conditions are not well Ispecified. The application of this non- reflecting boundary condition to Euler's equations is presented here for a non uniform grid system. Appending an additional layer to the domain of interest where the equations are modified to absorb, and elimi&e the reflections is another approach. Both methods show substantial improvement over the simple extrapolation of variables at the boundaries
NURSES PERCEPTIONS OF THEMSELVES, CANCER NURSES, TYPICAL, IDEAL AND CANCER PATIENTS

The Activity Vector Analysis was administered to four independent samples of hospital staff nurses (40 working on surgical floors, 40 on medical floors, 10 cancer specialists, and 10 in an outpatient department) to investigate differences in how nurses perceived themselves versus the type of nurse who works best with cancer patients, as well as differences in the perceptions of typical hospital patients, ideal patients, and cancer patients. Highly congruent stereotype clusters for the perception of the typical patient and cancer patient were found along with two less congruent stereotype clusters of the ideal patient and a stereotype cluster of perceptions of the cancer nurse. Both typical patients and typical cancer patients were seen as significantly below average in terms of their potential for action and were perceived as exercising less foresight, planning ability, moral judgment, and ethical conduct than nurses.
A Potential Substrate Binding Conformation of β-Lactams and Insight into the Broad Spectrum of NDM-1 Activity

New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1 (NDM-1) is a key enzyme that the pathogen Klebsiella pneumonia uses to hydrolyze almost all β-lactam antibiotics. It is currently unclear why NDM-1 has a broad spectrum of activity. Docking of the representatives of the β-lactam families into the active site of NDM-1 is reported here. All the β-lactams naturally fit the NDM-1 pocket, implying that NDM-1 can accommodate the substrates without dramatic conformation changes. The docking reveals two major binding modes of the β-lactams, which we tentatively name the S (substrate) and I (inhibitor) conformers. In the S conformers of all the β-lactams, the amide oxygen and the carboxylic group conservatively interact with two zinc ions, while the substitutions on the fused rings show dramatic differences in their conformations and positions. Since the bridging hydroxide ion/water in the S conformer is at the position for the nucleophilic attack, the S conformation may simulate the true binding of a substrate to NDM-1. The I conformer either blocks or displaces the bridging hydroxide ion/water, such as in the case of aztreonam, and is thus inhibitory. The docking also suggests that substitutions on the β-lactam ring are required for β-lactams to bind in the S conformation, and therefore, small β-lactams such as clavulanic acid would be inhibitors of NDM-1. Finally, our docking shows that moxalactam uses its tyrosyl-carboxylic group to compete with the S conformer and would thus be a poor substrate of NDM-1.
A test that discriminates between two models of the Dutch-first auction non-isomorphism

Abstract Previous experiments reject the hypothesis that the Dutch and first auctions are isomorphic. Two alternatives to the standard normal form analysis of the Dutch auction are formalized: (1) bidders violate Bayes' rule, (2) bidders experience a utility of suspense that is additive with the utility of monetary reward. Paired comparisons of bidding behavior between groups in which the treatment is to triple the payoff of the baseline group yields no significant effect of this treatment. We therefore reject the utility of suspense model.
The chromatin "landscape" of a murine adult β-globin gene is unaffected by deletion of either the gene promoter or a downstream enhancer.

In mammals, the complex tissue- and developmental-specific expression of genes within the β-globin cluster is known to be subject to control by the gene promoters, by a locus control region (LCR) located upstream of the cluster, and by sequence elements located across the intergenic regions. Despite extensive investigation, however, the complement of sequences that is required for normal regulation of chromatin structure and gene expression within the cluster is not fully defined. To further elucidate regulation of the adult β-globin genes, we investigate the effects of two deletions engineered within the endogenous murine β-globin locus. First, we find that deletion of the β2-globin gene promoter, while eliminating β2-globin gene expression, results in no additional effects on chromatin structure or gene expression within the cluster. Notably, our observations are not consistent with competition among the β-globin genes for LCR activity. Second, we characterize a novel enhancer located 3′ of the β2-globin gene, but find that deletion of this sequence has no effect whatsoever on gene expression or chromatin structure. This observation highlights the difficulty in assigning function to enhancer sequences identified by the chromatin “landscape” or even by functional assays.
Association of Health Profession and Direct-to-Consumer Marketing with Infant Formula Choice and Switching

Background Infant formula is marketed by health professionals and directly to consumers. Formula marketing has been shown to reduce breastfeeding, but the relation with switching formulas has not been studied. Willingness to switch formula can enable families to spend less on formula. Methods Data are from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II, a United States national longitudinal study. Mothers were asked about media exposure to formula information during pregnancy, receiving formula samples or coupons at hospital discharge, reasons for their formula choice at infant age 1 month, and formula switching at infant ages 2, 5, 7, and 9 months. Analysis included 1,700 mothers who fed formula at infant age 1 month; it used logistic regression and longitudinal data analysis methods to evaluate the association between marketing and formula choice and switching. Results Most mothers were exposed to both types of formula marketing. Mothers who received a sample of formula from the hospital at birth were more likely to use the hospital formula 1 month later. Mothers who chose formula at 1 month because their doctor recommended it were less likely to switch formula than those who chose in response to direct-to-consumer marketing. Mothers who chose a formula because it was used in the hospital were less likely to switch if they had not been exposed to Internet web-based formula information when pregnant or if they received a formula sample in the mail. Conclusions Marketing formula through health professionals may decrease mothers' willingness to switch formula. (BIRTH 40:1 March 2013)
Facilitating play for hospitalized children through child life services

ABSTRACTTo minimize the anxiety associated with medical visits, health care facilities employ certified child life specialists. Child life specialists promote typical development and minimize the stress and anxiety of hospitalized children and their families by providing (a) opportunities for normalization, (b) specific information regarding their hospitalization, and (c) therapeutic activities. Play has been found to help children cope with stressors, such as a hospitalization, because it allows them to express their fears and anxieties in a manageable way. The 3 most common types of play used by child life specialists in the hospital setting (i.e., normative play, medical play, and therapeutic play) and their benefits are discussed in this review of the literature examining the importance of play for hospitalized children.
Modeling inorganic nutrient distributions among hydrologic gradients using multivariate approaches

Abstract River inflow can control the distribution of dissolved inorganic nutrients in an estuary. So, it is expected that estuaries with different inflow regimes will have a different nutrient transport and different structural and functional balance of nutrient dynamics. A long term (1987–2012) data set of nutrients in the three South Texas Estuaries (the Guadalupe (GE), Lavaca–Colorado (LC), and Nueces (NC) Estuaries) was used to test these hypotheses. The nutrient dynamics in the estuaries were compared using multivariate linear regression and structural equation modeling (SEM). The Nueces Estuary is relatively oligotrophic because the probabilities of detecting ammonia, nitrite + nitrate, and orthophosphate concentrations at ≤ 1 μmol/L were 0.63, 0.75, and 0.64 respectively. Although the GE and LC Estuaries have more river inflow than the NC Estuary, the probability of detecting dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) (ammonia + nitrite + nitrate) concentrations of ≤ 1 μmol/L was greater than 0.5. In all the three estuaries, silicate was constantly available and was always at a high concentration, whereas inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations have decreased since 1987. The SEM identified that environmentalflow and phytoplankton were the most important predictor variables to predict DIN, silicate and orthophosphate, whereas TSS was important in predicting phosphorous and silica. The direct negative effect of latent variable phytoplankton to DIN implies that remineralization is likely maintaining the supply of DIN concentrations. The environmental flow was identified as the most important predictor variable in maintaining DIN. However, the low path coefficient of environment flow to nitrogen and other nutrients indicate that there is insufficient river inflow to maintain inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations into the estuaries. These findings imply future water diversions or a drier climate that could lead to oligotrophication.
Endovascular repair in the thoracic and abdominal aorta: no increased risk of spinal cord ischemia when both territories are treated.

Purpose:To evaluate the morbidity associated with thoracic and abdominal aortic repair using endovascular exclusion alone or combined endovascular and open repair.Methods:Between January 1998 and F...
NEURAL NETWORKS WITH MEMORY

ABSTILkCT This paper is divided into four parts. Part 1 contains a survey of three neural networks found in the literature and which motivate this work. In Part 2 we model a neural network with a very general integral form of memory, prove a boundedness result, and obtain a first result on asymptotic stability of equilibrium points. The system is very general and we do not solve the stability problem. In the third section we show that the neural networks are very robust. The fourth section concerns simplification of the systems from the second part. Several asymptotic stability results are obtained for the simplified systems.
Age-related mortality explains life history strategies of tropical and temperate songbirds

Life history theory attempts to explain why species differ in offspring number and quality, growth rate, and parental effort. I show that unappreciated interactions of these traits in response to age-related mortality risk challenge traditional perspectives and explain life history evolution in songbirds. Counter to a long-standing paradigm, tropical songbirds grow at similar overall rates to temperate species but grow wings relatively faster. These growth tactics are favored by predation risk, both in and after leaving the nest, and are facilitated by greater provisioning of individual offspring by parents. Increased provisioning of individual offspring depends on partitioning effort among fewer young because of constraints on effort from adult and nest mortality. These growth and provisioning responses to mortality risk finally explain the conundrum of small clutch sizes of tropical birds.
Addendum to: Subelliptic Spin C Dirac Operators, III

We prove the relative index conjecture, which in turn implies that the set of embeddable deformations of a strictly pseudoconvex CR-structure on a compact 3-manifold is closed in the C 1 -topology.
A Bayesian network for autonomous sensor control during polar ice sheet measurements

The PRISM (Polar Radar for Ice Sheet Measurements) project at the University of Kansas is developing intelligent radar sensors for the measurement and study of the mass balance of the polar ice sheets. An important component of PRISM is intelligent, autonomous synthetic aperture radar that can reason about its operating mode (monostatic vs. bistatic) and frequency, based on a variety of environmental and sensor-related factors. The PRISM sensors are placed on autonomous robotic vehicles ("rovers") that use the sensor and environmental information to decide about what paths to traverse, how to traverse them, and at what speeds. In our work, we have implemented the reasoning component of the autonomous radar and the rovers, using intelligent agents and Bayesian networks. This implementation is the first ever of a dynamically modifying adaptive radar and mobile data collection system based on autonomous rovers for accurate polar ice sheet measurements.
Comparative effectiveness research and the rise of orphan indications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show the link between the comparative effectiveness research (CER) and the interest in developing drugs for rare disease by the pharmaceutical industry. Total healthcare spending is on the rise without having a corresponding better health outcome. As such, with the growing role of government in healthcare, measuring and demonstrating value is beginning to expand beyond the private sector to metrics applied in the public sector. A modern approach to comparative effective research began its rapid rise in the USA when the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 allocated $1.1 billion for CER. This paper analyzes the implication and impact on the pharmaceutical industry. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the basic definitions of CER and its areas of strength and weakness. It used real examples of drugs to show the impact of the Reinvestment Act of 2009 on the rise of orphan drugs. Findings – The study shows that the act encouraged the development ...
Generating derivative structures at a fixed concentration

We present an algorithm for generating derivative superstructures for large unit cells at a fixed concentration. The algorithm is useful when partial crystallographic information of an ordered phase is known. This work builds on the previous work of Hart and Forcade [Phys. Rev. B77224115, 2008; Phys. Rev. B80 014120, 2009]. This extension of the original algorithm provides a mapping from atomic configurations to consecutive integers when only a subset (fixed concentration) of all possible configurations is under consideration. As in the earlier algorithm, this mapping results in a minimal hash table and perfect hash function that enables an efficient method for enumerating the configurations of large unit cells; the run time scaleslinearlywith the number of symmetrically-distinct configurations. We demonstrate the algorithm for a proposed structure in the Ag‐Pt system comprising 32 atoms, with stoichiometry 15:17, a configuration space of!400,000.
New insight into the anatomy of the hyolingual apparatus of Alligator mississippiensis and implications for reconstructing feeding in extinct archosaurs

Anatomical studies of the cranium of crocodilians motivated by an interest in its function in feeding largely focused on bite force, the jaw apparatus and associated muscles innervated by the trigeminal nerve. However, the ossified and cartilaginous elements of the hyoid and the associated hyolingual muscles, innervated by the facial, hypoglossal and glossopharyngeal nerves, received much less attention. Crocodilians are known to retain what are ancestrally the ‘Rhythmic Hyobranchial Behaviors’ such as buccal oscillation, but show diminished freedom and movement for the hyobranchial apparatus and the tongue in food transport and manipulation. Feeding among crocodilians, generally on larger prey items than other reptilian outgroups, involves passive transport of the food within the mouth. The tongue in extant crocodilians is firmly attached to the buccal floor and shows little movement during feeding. Here, we present a detailed anatomical description of the myology of the hyolingual apparatus of Alligator mississippiensis, utilizing contrast-enhanced micro-computed tomography and dissection. We construct the first three-dimensional (3D) description of hyolingual myology in Alligator mississippiensis and discuss the detailed implications of these data for our understanding of hyolingual muscle homology across Reptilia. These anatomical data and an evaluation of the fossil record of hyoid structures also shed light on the evolution of feeding in Reptilia. Simplification of the hyoid occurs early in the evolution of archosaurs. A hyoid with only one pair of ceratobranchials and a weakly ossified or cartilaginous midline basihyal is ancestral to Archosauriformes. The comparison with non-archosaurian reptilian outgroup demonstrates that loss of the second set of ceratobranchials as well as reduced ossification in basihyal occurred prior to the origin of crown-clade archosaurs, crocodilians and birds. Early modification in feeding ecology appears to characterize the early evolution of the clade. Hyoid simplification has been linked to ingestion of large prey items, and this shift in hyoid-related feeding ecology may occur in early archosauriform evolution. A second transformation in hyoid morphology occurs within the crocodilian stem lineage after the split from birds. In Crocodyliformes, deflections in the ceratobrachials become more pronounced. The morphology of the hyoid in Archosauriformes indicates that aspects of the hyolingual apparatus in extant crocodilians are derived, including a strong deflection near the midpoint of the ceratobranchials, and their condition should not be treated as ancestral for Archosauria.
Prostate Cancer Detection by GSTP1 Methylation Analysis of Postbiopsy Urine Specimens

Purpose: We assess the feasibility of a urinary test for prostate cancer detection in a high-risk patient cohort based on methylation-specific PCR analysis of the π class glutathione S -transferase ( GSTP1 ) gene promoter. Experimental Design: A total of 45 men underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate for suspected malignancy. Clean-catch voided urine specimens were prospectively collected from each patient immediately after biopsy. Genomic DNA was isolated from urine specimens and subjected to sodium bisulfite modification. Methylation of the GSTP1 promoter was examined in a blinded manner by methylation-specific PCR analysis and correlated with pathology results, and clinical information was obtained from the patient record. Results: Methylation of GSTP1 in the urine was detected in a total of 18 of 36 (50%) informative cases. A total of 7 of 18 (39%) patients with prostate adenocarcinoma identified on their initial biopsy had detectable urinary GSTP1 methylation (58% sensitivity among informative cases). Abnormal urinary GSTP1 methylation was also detected in 7 of 21 (33%) patients without evidence of cancer on biopsy and in 4 of 6 (67%) patients diagnosed with atypia or high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Conclusions: We have demonstrated the feasibility of a novel, noninvasive molecular approach for the detection of epigenetic changes associated with prostate cancer. A screening test based on GSTP1 methylation in the urine specimens of patients with suspected prostate malignancy may be a useful adjunct to serum screening tests and digital rectal examination findings for identification of men at increased risk of harboring cancer despite a negative biopsy. This molecular assay has potential application for stratification of patients into low- and high-risk groups for surveillance versus repeat biopsy.
Health Monitoring and Assistance to Support Aging in Place

To many people, home is a sanctuary. For those people who need special medical care, they may need to be pulled out of their home to meet their medical needs. As the population ages, the percentage of people in this group is increasing and the effects are expensive as well as unsatisfying. We hypothesize that many people with disabilities can lead independent lives in their own homes with the aid of at- home automated assistance and health monitoring. In order to accomplish this, robust methods must be developed to collect relevant data and process it dynamically and adaptively to detect and/or predict threatening long-term trends or immediate crises. The main objective of this paper is to investigate techniques for using agent-based smart home technologies to provide this at-home health monitoring and assistance. To this end, we have developed novel inhabitant modeling and automation algorithms that provide remote health monitoring for caregivers. Specifically, we address the following technological challenges: 1) identifying lifestyle trends, 2) detecting anomalies in current data, and 3) designing a reminder assistance system. Our solution approaches are being tested in simulation and with volunteers at the UTA's MavHome site, an agent-based smart home project.
Motor Unit Behavior in Parkinson's Disease

This article reviews the literature related to motor unit behavior in Parkinson's disease (PD). The focus is on bradykinesia, or slowed movement. There is sparse literature on muscular performance in PD, as PD is regarded as a disease of higher motor centers. Nevertheless, a decrease in muscle activation has been demonstrated, and motor unit behavior is altered so that (1) the discharge patterns of motor units are irregular and intermittent, (2) a greater number of motor units are recruited at low thresholds as compared with the findings for age-matched control subjects, and (3) antagonist muscles are abnormally coactivated. Possible reasons for these changes include imbalances in excitatory and inhibitory inputs to motor neurons, adaptations in motor neurons secondary to disuse, or deviations in the normal aging process. For the physical therapy of persons with PD, we propose a greater emphasis on strength-training exercises.
Salivary cortisol levels and mood vary by lifetime trauma exposure in a sample of healthy women

The authors examined the effects of lifetime trauma exposure on salivary cortisol and mood in a sample of women (N = 37) over 25 days before and after a stressful event. The sample excluded posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression and was divided into three groups: (a) no trauma, (b) prior trauma with no peritraumatic symptoms of acute distress, and (c) prior trauma with peritraumatic symptoms. Because results indicated no significant differences between groups one and two, they were combined for analysis. Women reporting prior trauma with symptoms had lower afternoon cortisol levels across time, with sustained negative mood relative to the comparison group. These data suggest the presence of long-term psychophysiological effects of trauma exposure in healthy women.
Activation and Inhibition of Cellular Calcium and Tyrosine Kinase Signaling Pathways Identify Targets of the HBx Protein Involved in Hepatitis B Virus Replication

Human hepatitis B virus (HBV) HBx protein is a multifunctional protein that activates cellular signaling pathways and is thought to be essential for viral infection. Woodchuck HBV mutants that lack HBx are unable to replicate in vivo or are severely impaired. HBV replication in HepG2 cells, a human hepatoblastoma cell line, is stimulated 5- to 10-fold by HBx protein. We have utilized the HepG2, HBx-dependent HBV replication system to study the effects of activators and inhibitors of cytosolic calcium and tyrosine kinase signaling pathways on viral replication. By transfecting either a wild-type HBV genome or an HBV genome that does not express HBx and then treating transfected cells with activators or inhibitors of signaling pathways, we identified compounds that either impair wild-type HBV replication or rescue HBx-deficient HBV replication. Geldanamycin or herbimycin A, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, blocked HBV replication. Derivatives of cyclosporine, i.e., cyclosporine A, cyclosporine H, and SDZ NIM811, which block cytosolic calcium signaling and specifically the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (SDZ NIM811), also impaired HBV replication. Treatment of cells with compounds that increase cytosolic calcium levels by a variety of mechanisms rescued replication of an HBx-deficient HBV mutant. Transcription of viral RNA and production of viral capsids were only minimally affected by these treatments. These results define a functional signaling circuit for HBV replication that includes calcium signaling and activation of cytosolic signaling pathways involving Src kinases, and they suggest that these pathways are stimulated by HBx acting on the mitochondrial transition pore.
Integrating external user profiles in collaboration applications

Due to the increase in federated nature of collaboration applications, users from multiple institutions have the potential to participate in activities centered around common regions of interest. However, existing technologies address external users at a coarse grained level. Consequently, mechanisms to integrate external user profiles into collaboration applications are practically non-existent. This prevents an end user from having locus of control in managing permissions to resources for users that are external to their parent institution. In this paper, the need for a fine grained access control mechanism for end users, that allows them to transparently manage permissions to external users in collaboration applications, is addressed. Mechanisms that need to be in place to provide a framework for realizing this capability are outlined. Some of the components that exist now are reviewed in this context. The end users will benefit from a holistic framework by having empowerment over resource management for external collaborators in a natural way.
Effect of expedited treatment of sex partners on recurrent or persistent gonorrhea or chlamydial infection.

background Many sex partners of persons with gonorrhea or chlamydial infections are not treated, which leads to frequent reinfections and further transmission. methods We randomly assigned women and heterosexual men with gonorrhea or chlamydial infection to have their partners receive expedited treatment or standard referral. Patients in the expedited-treatment group were offered medication to give to their sex partners, or if they preferred, study staff members contacted partners and provided them with medication without a clinical examination. Patients assigned to standard partner referral were advised to refer their partners for treatment and were offered assistance notifying partners. The primary outcome was persistent or recurrent gonorrhea or chlamydial infection in patients 3 to 19 weeks after treatment. results Persistent or recurrent gonorrhea or chlamydial infection occurred in 121 of 931 patients (13 percent) assigned to standard partner referral and 92 of 929 (10 percent) assigned to expedited treatment of sexual partners (relative risk, 0.76; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.59 to 0.98). Expedited treatment was more effective than standard referral of partners in reducing persistent or recurrent infection among patients with gonorrhea (3 percent vs. 11 percent, P=0.01) than in those with chlamydial infection (11 percent vs. 13 percent, P=0.17) (P=0.05 for the comparison of treatment effects) and remained independently associated with a reduced risk of persistent or recurrent infection after adjustment for other predictors of infection at follow-up (relative risk, 0.75; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.57 to 0.97). Patients assigned to expedited treatment of sexual partners were significantly more likely than those assigned to standard referral of partners to report that all of their partners were treated and significantly less likely to report having sex with an untreated partner. conclusions Expedited treatment of sex partners reduces the rates of persistent or recurrent gonorrhea or chlamydial infection.
A spiking network model of short-term active memory

Studies of cortical neurons in monkeys performing short-term memory tasks have shown that information about a stimulus can be maintained by persistent neuron firing for periods of many seconds after removal of the stimulus. The mechanism by which this sustained activity is initiated and maintained is unknown. In this article we present a spiking neural network model of short-term memory and use it to investigate the hypothesis that recurrent, or “re-entrant,” networks with constant connection strengths are sufficient to store graded information temporarily. The synaptic weights that enable the network to mimic the input-output characteristics of an active memory module are computed using an optimization procedure for recurrent networks with non-spiking neurons. This network is then transformed into one with spiking neurons by interpreting the continuous output values of the nonspiking model neurons as spiking probabilities. The behavior of the model neurons in this spiking network is compared with that of 179 single units previously recorded in monkey inferotemporal (IT) cortex during the performance of a short-term memory task. The spiking patterns of almost every model neuron are found to resemble closely those of IT neurons. About 40% of the IT neuron firing patterns are also found to be of the same types as those of model neurons. A property of the spiking model is that the neurons cannot maintain precise graded activity levels indefinitely, but eventually relax to one of a few constant activities called fixed-point attractors. The noise introduced into the model by the randomness of spiking causes the network to jump between these attractors. This switching between attractor states generates spike trains with a characteristic statistical temporal structure. We found evidence for the same kind of structure in the spike trains from about half of the IT neurons in our test set. These results show that the behavior of many real cortical memory neurons is consistent with an active storage mechanism based on recurrent activity in networks with fixed synaptic strengths.
Resistance Emerges to Second-Generation Antiandrogens in Prostate Cancer

The appearance of a mutant androgen receptor, AR(F876L), in prostate cancer cells chronically exposed to enzalutamide or ARN-509 promotes a switch from antagonist to agonist receptor function, undermining the potential long-term effectiveness of these second-generation antiandrogen drugs.
Understanding How Adolescents with Reading Difficulties Utilize Technology-Based Tools.

This article reports the findings from a study that examined how adolescent students with reading difficulties utilized cognitive tools that were embedded in a technology-based middle school science curriculum. The curriculum contained salient features of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) theoretical framework. Sixteen general education teachers implemented the curriculum in 62 inclusive classrooms. Students’ (N D 1153) tool use was monitored throughout the four-week curriculum to determine if there was a relationship between students’ reading ability, use of cognitive tools, and their comprehension of scientific concepts and processes. Students were grouped into three reading ability levels based on their performance on a standardized reading test. Findings from this study indicate that students who scored below the 50th percentile on the reading assessment utilized and benefited from the tools in highly similar ways. Implications and recommendations for instructional design research and practice are discussed.
Request-service scheduling in dynamic communication networks

Summary form only given. We investigate the problem of propagating of data to nodes and scheduling of available nodes in a dynamic data communication network. The goal of scheduling algorithm is to find a request-service scheduling such that the total communication cost is minimized. In the special case in which all requests are of equal priorities and all services have equal performance, the scheduling problem becomes the mapping of the maximum number of requests to the free service-nodes. Scheduling in a communication network entails the efficient search of a mapping from request-nodes to free service-nodes such that circuit blockage in the network are minimized and service-nodes are maximally utilized.