cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Schedule-induced electrodermal responding in children.

The current studies were designed to determine whether different intermittent schedules of reinforcement would have a differential effect on the skin conductance responses (SCRs) of children in the 8–12-year-old age range. Results of two experiments indicated that the amplitude of children’s SCRs immediately following the occurrence of reinforcement were a function of the schedule of reinforcement, with larger SCRs associated with longer inter-reinforcement intervals. The findings are consistent with the research literature suggesting that long inter-reinforcement intervals can be evocative of aversively motivated emotions, as well as with research on the effects of interstimulus intervals on SCRs. Possible implications for these findings are discussed.
Using composite gratings for optical system characterization through scatterometry

Timely process characterization is crucial in Design for Manufacturing. Scatterometry as a powerful metrology tool can be extended for optical system characterization. In this paper, we show how scatterometry can be used in conjunction with an array of dual-pitch or dual-bar gratings to measure optical aberrations. Multiple pattern designs are presented and compared. A linear model is used to describe the relation between aberration and measurable quantities. Firstprinciple simulation results shows the current approach can simultaneously measure various Zernike coefficients with accuracy ~2 mλ.
The Computational Neurobiology of Reaching and Pointing — A Foundation for Motor Learning by Reza Shadmehr and Steven P. Wise

Over the last three decades, computational neuroscience has become an increasingly important component in neurobiological research. Modern multi-electrode and multi-site recording techniques, brain...
Representation of Concurrency with Ordering Matrices

A formal technique for the representation of tasks such that the potential concurrency of the task is detectable, and hence exploitable, during the execution of the task is described. Instructions are represented as a pair of binary vectors d? and e which completely describe the sources and sinks specified by the instruction. Tasks are represented as square matrices M called ordering matrices. The values of the elements of these matrices are used to dynamically indicate the necessary ordering of the execution of instructions. It is shown how several different types of ordering matrices, each type having the capability of exhibiting different amounts of potential concurrency, can be calculated from the d? and e vectors of the instructions of a task using ``linear algebraic-like'' operations. For example, intercycle independencies can be detected with a ternary ordering matrix. This matrix can be extended to dynamically detect opportunities for reassigning the resources specified by certain instructions to increase the amount of potential concurrency. Experimental results are presented showing the relative capability of each of these matrix types for exhibiting potential concurrency. These techniques are shown to produce somewhat greater amounts of potential concurrency than other known dynamic techniques. However, the amounts of potential concurrency found are less than those reported for preprocessing detection techniques.
Statistical analysis of biological data from preoperational-postoperational industrial water quality monitoring

Abstract An application of methods for analysis of biological data from preoperational-postoperational industrial surveys is presented. Repeated observations at the same sampling station form a time series in which the observations are not statistically independent, and the usual forms of statistical analysis do not apply. If the data do not indicate a trend, control charts can be applied to analyze this form of data, and control charts are easy to use. A careful analysis of biological monitoring data requires a well designed sampling scheme and removal of seasonal fluctuations from the data. It is shown that stream monitoring can detect only relatively large changes that occur in aquatic populations.
Holography And Holometry Applications In Dental Research

The earliest reference to holographic applications appeared in the dental literature in 1972 when Wictorin, Bjelkhagen and Abramson described a method to study elastic deformation of defective gold solder joints in simulated fixed bridges. Their paper, published in the Swedish dental literature, offered a concise presentation of the interferometry technique which led to the development of other research applications of holographic interferometry(holometry) in dentistry. In this presentation, the development and application of the interferometry technique in the dental field will be discussed. Various interesting and potentially useful applications of holography have appeared in the dental literature over the past decade. Some of these, which will be discussed, include the use of holograms as a storage medium for dental study models, multiplexing of computer(CT) scan sections to form white light viewable holograms and the potential application of holographic training aids in the teaching of the basic courses of dental anatomy and restorative dentistry. In addition, some unique related applications will be mentioned including a laser reflection method for accurate non-contact measurement of tooth mobility/movement and a technique for contour mapping of occlusal surfaces to measure wear of restorative materials.
Bootstrap confidence intervals in nonparametric regression with built-in bias correction

The problem of estimating nonparametric regression with associated confidence intervals is addressed. It is shown that through appropriate choice of infinite order kernel, it is possible to construct bootstrap confidence intervals which do not require either explicit bias correction or suboptimal levels of smoothing at any stage of the estimation. In particular, it is demonstrated that in this setting, consistent estimates are obtained when both the pilot and final smoothings are estimated at the mean square error optimal bandwidth for estimating the regression. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated through a small simulation study.
Monitoring the earliest amyloid-β oligomers via quantized photobleaching of dye-labeled peptides

Misfolding and aggregation of amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) are widely recognized as causative events in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Contrary to earlier hypotheses, recent studies have identified soluble Abeta oligomers as the pathogenic agents and documented neurodegenerative effects from species as small as dimers and trimers. As such, detection and characterization of the earliest Abeta oligomers are paramount to understanding, preventing, and treating AD. We have exploited quantized photobleaching from individual dye-labeled Abeta peptides to characterize monomers and small oligomers tethered to the surface of functionalized coverslips. In this way, we have directly determined reproducible distributions of peptide species in various sample environments. Fresh samples (30pM peptide) at pH 7.4 consist primarily of monomers and dimers. Both acidic conditions (pH 5.8) and zinc coordination promote greater association, which is further increased in samples prepared from more concentrated stocks. Acid- or zinc-promoted association is largely prevented and/or reversed by addition of the beta-sheet breaker peptide iAbeta5 or the chelator clioquinol, respectively. These results are qualitatively consistent with bulk-solution studies of Abeta40 and demonstrate a powerful approach for definitively characterizing Abeta oligomers. The methodology utilized here holds promise for assessing aggregation promoters and inhibitors and investigating peptide association in its earliest stages.
Tackling Tobacco Use: The Power of Nursing

On a recent walk with my dog through a public park, I passed a teenage boy and girl smoking cigarettes. My immediate response was of concern and then I pondered the environmental factors that encou...
A hybrid localization method in wireless sensor networks

In wireless sensor networks (WSN), location information acquisition is critical to guarantee their performance. This paper presents a hybrid positioning method in WSN with high precision. Reference nodes transmit linear frequency modulation continuous wave (FMCW), general nodes estimate the range difference to reference nodes based on the received signals' frequency difference. The location information can be obtained by combining the Fang's analytical algorithm and Taylor iteration method. The simulation results prove that the new method enjoys high precision and moderate computational complexity.
Pulmonary inflammation by ambient air particles is mediated by superoxide anion.

Lung inflammation is a key response to increased levels of particulate air pollution (PM); however, the cellular mechanisms leading to this response remain poorly understood. We have previously shown that oxidants are critical mediators of the inflammatory response elicited by inhalation of ambient air particles. Here we tested the possible role of a specific oxidant, superoxide anion, by using the membrane-permeable analog of superoxide dismutase, Mn(III) tetrakis(4-benzoic acid)porphyrin chloride (MnTBAP). Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were instilled with either urban air particles (UAP) or saline. MnTBAP-treated rats received 10 mg/kg (ip) MnTBAP 2 h prior to exposure to UAP. Recruitment of inflammatory cells into bronchoalveolar lavage was evaluated 4 h after instillation. Rats exposed to UAP showed significant increases in the total cell number (8.9 ± 0.6× 106; sham: 5.1 ± 0.6 × 106, p < .02), the numbers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (26 ± 4%; sham: 6 ± 1%, p < .0001), protein levels (1.2 ± 0.5 mg/ml,...
AFFINITY FOR VIOLENT TELEVISION AND APPROVAL OF VIOLENT BEHAVIOR IN RELATION TO TELEVISION EXPOSURE

There is considerable evidence of change in violent behavior as a function of viewing violent televised programs (1, 2, 4, 5, 8 ) . However, the relationship between exposure to television and attitudes toward violence has been minimally examined ( 3 ) . The present investigation attempted to delineate specific relationships in this area. Considering that most television programs are replete with violent content ( 2 ) , it was hypothesized that exposure to television correlates positively with approval of violent behavior and correlates positively with preference for violent programs. Fifty white male college smdents (M = 19.5 yr.) were randomly chosen from an introductory psychology dass and were asked to fill out a questionnaire, composed of the Approval of Violent Behavior Scale (G), the Preference for Violent Television Scale ( 7 ) and various dummy questions on American foreign pol iq (reliability and validiry measures are currently unavailable as the measures are relatively new). Subjects were divided into four groups, according to their report of daily television exposure: No viewing (0 min., n = 12) ; low exposure (1/59 rnin., n = 1 2 ) ; moderate viewing (60/119 min., n = 14); and high exposure (120 min. or more, n = 12) . A significant difference among the four groups in approval of violent behavior was indicated by an analysis of variance (K .U = 8.72, p < .001). A significant high positive Pearson correlation between daily exposure and approval scores was .84 ( p < ,001). There was also a significant difference among groups in preference for violent television (F3.40 = 4.48, < .01) as well as a significant positive correlation between approval and preference scores ( r = .79, p < .05). Consistent with previous research indicating behavioral modification as a function of violent exposure (1, 2, 4, 5, 8 ) , the present study demonstrated attitudinal differences as well. While previous work has focused on behavioral measures, these results suggest inquiries must also assess attitudinal indices. Cross-validation after standardization of these measures is needed.
Mercury Concentrations in Urine and Whole Blood Associated with Amalgam Exposure in a US Military Population

Minute amounts of mercury vapor are released from dental amalgams. Since mercury vapor is known to be associated with adverse health effects from occupationally exposed persons, questions regarding the margin of safety for exposure to mercury vapor in the general population continue to be raised. To address this issue, one needs information regarding exposure to mercury vapor from dental amalgam fillings and its possible consequences for health in the general population. The NIDR Amalgam Study is designed to obtain precise information on amalgam exposure and health outcomes for a non-occupationally-exposed population of US adults. One hypothesis was that in a generally healthy population a significant association between amalgam exposure and Hg levels in urine and/or whole blood could be detected. The cohort investigated was an adult military population of 1127 healthy males. Their average age was 52.8 years, and their ages varied from 40 to 78 years. Ninety-five percent of the study participants were white males, and slightly over 50% had some college education. Five percent were edentulous. The dentate participants, on average, had 25 natural teeth, 36.9 decayed or filled surfaces (DFS), and 19.9 surfaces exposed to amalgam, with amalgam exposure varying from 0 to 66 surfaces. Their average total and inorganic urinary mercury concentrations were 3.09 microg/L and 2.88 microg/L. The average whole-blood total and inorganic mercury concentrations were 2.55 microg/L and 0.54 microg/L. Significant correlations were detected between amalgam exposure and the total (r = 0.34, p < 0.001) and inorganic 0.34 (r = 0.34, p < 0.001) urinary mercury concentrations on the original scale. Stronger correlations were found for total (r = 0.44, p < 0.001) and inorganic (r = 0.41, p < 0.001) urinary Hg on the log scale, as well as for creatinine-corrected total (r = 0.43, p < 0.001) and inorganic (r = 0.43, p < 0.001) urine concentrations. In whole blood, statistically significant, but biologically weak, correlations were detected for total (r = 0.09, p = 0.005) and inorganic (r = 0.15, p < 0.001) Hg concentrations, respectively. Based on these cross-sectional data, it is estimated that, on average, each ten-surface increase in amalgam exposure is associated with an increase of 1 microg/L mercury in urine concentration.
Socialization Experiences and Coping Strategies of Adults Raised Using Spoken Language

This investigation concerned the socialization experiences and coping strategies of a group of 28 deaf adults who were raised using spoken language. Most respondents reported some level of social isolation because of (1) limitations in communication with hearing peers; (2) missing information in social, academic, and work settings; and (3) a sense of being "different." Most participants also reported strategies used to reduce isolation and mitigate the social difficulties associated with their hearing loss.
Suppressed Critical Current in Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors With High Fill-Factors

In this work we present a new fabrication process that enabled the fabrication of superconducting nanowire single photon detectors SNSPD with fill-factors as high as 88% with gaps between nanowires as small as 12 nm. This fabrication process combined high-resolution electron-beam lithography with photolithography. Although this work was motivated by the potential of increased detection efficiency with higher fill-factor devices, test results showed an unexpected systematic suppression in device critical currents with increasing fill-factor.
Embedded Structures and Representation of Nursing Knowledge

Nursing Vocabulary Summit participants were challenged to consider whether reference terminology and information models might be a way to move toward better capture of data in electronic medical records. A requirement of such reference models is fidelity to representa- tions of domain knowledge. This article discusses embedded structures in three different approach- es to organizing domain knowledge: scientific reasoning, expertise, and standardized nursing lan- guages. The concept of pressure ulcer is presented as an example of the various ways lexical ele- ments used in relation to a specific concept are organized across systems. Different approaches to structuring information—the clinical information system, minimum data sets, and standardized messaging formats—are similarly discussed. Recommendations include identification of the poly- hierarchies and categorical structures required within a reference terminology, systematic evalua- tions of the extent to which structured information accurately and completely represents domain knowledge, and modifications or extensions to existing multidisciplinary efforts. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2000;7:539-549.
Network Learning: The Effects of Partners' Heterogeneity of Experience on Corporate Acquisitions

To examine the effects of interorganizational network structures on acquisition decisions, we propose a model whereby firms learn by sampling the diverse experiences of their network partners. We t...
Practice variability in management of acute respiratory distress syndrome: bringing evidence and clinician education to the bedside using a web-based teaching tool.

BACKGROUND: Clinical practice often lags behind publication of evidence-based research and national consensus guidelines. OBJECTIVE: To assess practice variability in the clinical management of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and test an evidence-based, online clinician-education tool designed to improve intensive-care clinicians' understanding of current evidence about ARDS management. METHODS: We surveyed 117 intensive care clinicians (16 critical care physician specialists, 28 resident physicians, 50 critical care nurses, and 23 respiratory therapists) with an online questionnaire in our tertiary academic institution. Fifty of the original respondents (12 residents, 26 critical care nurses, and 12 respiratory therapists) also responded to a repeat survey that included context-sensitive hypertext links to a summary of critically appraised primary articles regarding ARDS management, to determine if the responses changed after the clinicians had read the evidence-based summary information. RESULTS: Critical care physician specialists were most likely to choose the low-tidal-volume (low-VT) ventilation strategy and protocol-based ventilator weaning and were least likely to choose neuromuscular blockade or parenteral nutrition (p 48 h, during the 6 months before and after the survey, from which we identified 45 ARDS patients. Following the clinician-education intervention, ARDS patients were less likely to receive potentially injurious high-VT ventilation (mean day-3 VT 10.3 ± 2.3 mL/kg before vs 8.9 ± 1.7 mL/kg after, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Web-based teaching tools are useful to educate intensive-care practitioners and to promote evidence-based practice.
Covariant quantization of membrane dynamics

A Lorentz covariant quantization of membrane dynamics is defined, which also leaves unbroken the full three dimensional diffeomorphism invariance of the membrane. Among the applications studied are the reduction to string theory, which may be understood in terms of the phase space and constraints, and the interpretation of physical,zero-energy states. A matrix regularization is defined as in the light cone gauged fixed theory but there are difficulties implementing all the gauge symmetries. The problem involves the non-area-preserving diffeomorphisms which are realized non-linearly in the classical theory. In the quantum theory they do not seem to have a consistent implementation for finite N. Finally, an approach to a genuinely background independent formulation of matrix dynamics is briefly described.
Determination of Flaw‐Size Distribution by the Crack‐Off Process

The crack-off process is a new alternative to diamond sawing for the cutting of brittle materials. The process involves exposing brittle rods (or plates) to biaxial fluid pressure. Fluid penetration into surface flaws causes fracture at pressures strongly dependent on the severity of the flaws. A method for calculating the probability-density distribution of surface flaws in a batch of brittle rods, using the crack-off pressures for a random sample, is presented here. The scatter in the pressure data is a consequence of the statistical nature of surface flaws. Parameters defining the flawsize distribution can hence be deduced from the crack-off pressure distribution. The method has been tested on two batches of glass rods that have undergone different treatments, with satisfactory results.
The floor area ratio gradient: New York City, 1890–2009

Abstract An important measure of the capital–land ratio in urban areas is the Floor Area Ratio (FAR), which gives a building's total floor area divided by the plot size. Variations in the FAR across cities remain an understudied measure of urban spatial structure. We examine how the FAR varies across the five boroughs of New York City. In particular, we focus on the FAR gradient over the 20th century. First we find that the gradient became steeper in the early part of the 20th century, but then flattened in the 1930s, and has remained relatively constant since the mid-1940s. Next we identify the slope of the gradient across space, using the Empire State Building as our core location. We find significant variation of the slope coefficients, using both ordinary least squares and geographically weighted regressions. We then identify subcenters, and show that while accounting for them can better capture New York's spatial structure, by and large, the city remains monocentric with respect to its FAR. Lastly, we find a nonlinear relationship between plot sizes and the FAR across the city.
Pushing the limits of glioma resection using electrophysiologic brain mapping

proposes that intraoperative stimulatory mapping to determine the location of eloquent brain areas during glioma resection provides increased volume of resection and is associated with reduced late severe neurologic deficits. The report is based on a retrospective systematic meta-analysis of 90 publications describing 8,091 patients with glioma. Because extent of resection and neurologic status are two crucial predictors of longer survival in patients with glioblastoma, the authors propose that intraoperative surgical mapping should become part of the standard of care for resective neurosurgery of high-grade brain gliomas. The current standard of care for the treatment of high-grade gliomas is neurosurgical resection, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. If tumors can be resected at all, the aim is for the resection to be as complete as possible. Radiation treatment has been standardized for some time now, and the current chemotherapy of choice is temozolomide administered in various regimes that have been optimized over the last 5 years. Because long-term survival ( 2 years) continues to be low, experimental therapies are administered in tandem with the primary standard of care or on tumor recurrence, which occurs in almost 100% of cases. 2-4 Two-year survival in patients with high-grade gliomas at the highest-complexity medical centers, with optimized standard of care, is 38.4%, and median survival is 18 to 21 months. 5 Longer-term survival of the majority of patients continues to be an elusive goal. Predictors of long-term survival continue to be classical clinical categories: younger patients (age 35 years), with high Karnofsky performance score at presentation, and a tumor that in principle is susceptible to complete neurosurgical excision. Even in these cases, 5-year survival remains below 5%. 4,6-8
Projected Nesterov's proximal-gradient signal recovery from compressive poisson measurements

We develop a projected Nesterov's proximal-gradient (PNPG) scheme for reconstructing sparse signals from compressive Poisson-distributed measurements with the mean signal intensity that follows an affine model with known intercept. The objective function to be minimized is a sum of convex data fidelity (negative log-likelihood (NLL)) and regularization terms. We apply sparse signal regularization where the signal belongs to a closed convex set within the domain of the NLL and signal sparsity is imposed using total-variation (TV) penalty. We present analytical upper bounds on the regularization tuning constant. The proposed PNPG method employs projected Nesterov's acceleration step, function restart, and an adaptive step-size selection scheme that aims at obtaining a good local majorizing function of the N LL and reducing the time spent backtracking. We establish O (k−2) convergence of the PNPG method with step-size backtracking only and no restart. Numerical examples demonstrate the performance of the PNPG method.
Ultrafast Fluorescent Probes for Brain Activity Imaging

Methods for visualizing electrical activity in neurons would be useful for understanding circuit function. We describe the ASAP family of voltage indicators featuring cofactor independence, bright fluorescence, large responses, efficient membrane localization, and fast kinetics.
Life History and Gall Development of Mordwilkoja vagabunda (Homoptera: Aphidae) on Populus deltoides. Part II—Gall Development

Fundatrices of this aphid cause the formation of galls from leaf stipules of the cottonwood. Prior to gall stimulation they inhibit elongation of the stem terminals, and in Minnesota such elongation is brought to a complete stop in about 30 days. Galled stem terminals averaged only 79 mm. long at May 30 and showed no growth thereafter, while nongalled stems continued growing to an average length of 252 mm. at August 30. Infested stems average 8 leaves, noninfested ones 23 leaves per stem. Swelling and reddening of infested stems were the first observed symptoms of gall development. Most of the gall tissue was formed during early stages of gall growth, and subsequent development was confined to cell enlargement, changes in cell shape, and development of intercellular spaces. Galls, at first bright red, became yellow-green and finally turned dark brown at maturity, when their height ranged from 40 to 60 mm. Their greatest growth occurred from June 8 to June 26. Natural exit holes developed prior to the appearance of alate fundatrigeniae within the galls. There were three general phases in the formation of these galls: (1) initial stem inhibition, resulting in cessation of terminal growth; (2) cell formation and differentiation, explained on the basis of accumulation of a growth substance; and (3) expansion of the laminae, resulting from increased availability of nutrients that otherwise would be used in stem elongation. Gall tissues maintained a meristematic appearance throughout all stages of gall development.
Abstract 3338: Pharmacological inhibition of MRK/ZAK kinase for the treatment of medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma is a cerebellar tumor and the most common pediatric brain malignancy. Radiation therapy is part of the standard care for this tumor, but its effectiveness is accompanied by significant neurocognitive sequelae due to the deleterious effects of radiation on the developing brain. We have previously shown that the protein kinase MRK/ZAK protects tumor cells from radiation-induced cell death by regulating cell cycle arrest after ionizing radiation. Here we show that siRNA-mediated MRK depletion sensitizes medulloblastoma primary cells to radiation. We have, therefore, designed and tested a small molecule inhibitor of MRK, M443, which binds to MRK in an irreversible fashion and inhibits its activity. We found that M443 strongly radio-sensitizes UW228 medulloblastoma cells as well as IMB226 patient-derived primary cells. M443 also inhibits radiation-induced activation of both p38 and Chk2, two proteins that act downstream of MRK and are involved in DNA damage-induced cell cycle arrest. We also tested the effect of M443 in an animal model of medulloblastoma that employs orthotopic implantation of IMB226 medulloblastoma cells in nude mice. Intra-tumoral delivery of M443 alone significantly extended animal survival by 5 days compared to vehicle treatment. Combination treatment of M443 with radiation at 2 × 3 Gy, that is not effective on its own (1 day of additional survival over control), achieved a synergistic increase in survival (15 days over the control survival time). Western blotting of tumor lysates demonstrated strong inhibition of MRK activity. In conclusion, we have developed a new small molecule inhibitor of MRK/ZAK that radio-sensitizes medulloblastoma cells. We hypothesize that combining radio-therapy with M443 will allow us to lower the radiation dose while maintaining therapeutic efficacy, thereby minimizing radiation-induced side effects. Citation Format: Rosamaria Ruggieri, Daniel Markowitz, Caitlin Powell, Nhan Tran, Magimairajanissai Vanan, Mingzu He, Yousef Al-Abed, Marc Symons. Pharmacological inhibition of MRK/ZAK kinase for the treatment of medulloblastoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3338. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3338
Electrolysis of SnO_2 Based Inert Anode

The effects of additives such as Cu,ZnO and Fe2O3on the sintering characters of SnO2based inert an-ode were studied in this paper.It was found that Fe2O3could promote the sintering of SnO2based inert anode greatly.Sintered the sample which composition was 95%SnO2+5%Fe2O3at 1 400℃for 4 hours,the radial shrinkage and the axial shrinkage of the sintered sample were 13.23% and 16.46% respectively.The porosity of the sample gotten was just 0.10%.The anode of electrolyte surface was seriously destroyed and the anode im-mersed in the electrolyte showed excellent anti-corruption performance after electrolysis.The impurities of Al were Sn and Fe,content of which were 4.22% and 1.20% respectively.The impurities of Al were mainly due to the disrepair of the surface anode.
Efficacy of nitroprusside therapy in postcardiotomy low-output syndrome necessitating intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation.

Serial hemodynamic measurements were obtained before, during, and after nitroprusside therapy over a 24 hour period in 19 patients requiring intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) for successful weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass. Nitroprusside, administered in doses ranging from 0.5 to 5 μg/kg/min, effected significant reductions in mean aortic pressure and systemic vascular resistance within 20 to 30 minutes. Mean aortic pressure decreased from 108 ± 22 mm Hg to 85 ± 27 mm Hg (p
Inherited Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes

Since the advent of the genomic era, remarkable advances have been made in molecular diagnostic capabilities for patients with rare genetic diseases. Within the field of benign hematology, these advances have had a particularly dramatic impact on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with genetic disorders causing decreased production and survival of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, known collectively as the inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFS). As recently as 10–15 years ago, practitioners could rely only upon constellations of often overlapping clinical features and histopathologic findings to attempt classification of specific IBMFS diagnoses and convey prognosis. Now, the wide availability of PCR-based rapid sequencing methodologies, high-throughput next-generation sequencing panels, and whole exome sequencing facilitates the identification of a genetic diagnosis in the majority of IBMFS patients. In turn, identifying the genetic underpinning of these diseases has led to both considerable advances in defining the molecular pathogenesis of these syndromes and the discovery of genotype-phenotype correlations that enable the application of a more tailored, patient-specific approach to evaluation and therapy known as “precision medicine.”
Teachers and Psychopharmacology

Educators at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Hospital and Inpatient School, Los Angeles, CA, and the Division of Special Education, University of Iowa, I0, discuss the issues in child psychopharmacology that are of importance to teachers and stress the need for greater interdisciplinary collaboration between the medical profession and the schools.
Intimate Interventions in Global Health : Family Planning and HIV Prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa

When addressing the factors shaping HIV prevention programs in sub-Saharan Africa, it is important to consider the role of family planning programs that preceded the epidemic. In this book, Rachel Sullivan Robinson argues that both globally and locally, those working to prevent HIV borrowed and adapted resources, discourses, and strategies used for family planning. By combining statistical analysis of all sub-Saharan African countries with comparative case studies of Malawi, Nigeria, and Senegal, Robinson also shows that the nature of countries' interactions with the international community, the strength and composition of civil society, and the existence of technocratic leaders influenced variation in responses to HIV. Specifically, historical and existing relationships with outside actors, the nature of nongovernmental organizations, and perceptions of previous interventions strongly structured later health interventions through processes of path dependence and policy feedback. This book will be of great use to scholars and practitioners interested in global health, international development, African studies and political science.
Style shifting and the phonetic performance of gay vs. straight: A case study from French

This article examines the phonetic characteristics of speech performed in straight and gay styles by French males. Analysis considers features shown in other languages or in antecedent literature to be associated with perceptions of sexual identity: segmental quality (vowels, /s/, liquids), suprasegmental features (pitch, duration), and a number of language-specific variables. Results suggest that straight performances are characterized by decreased segmental duration and gay performances by differential use of vowel space, especially F2, nasal vowel duration, and fundamental frequency. A closing section provides comparison of these results to previous study and to other languages, while also addressing epistemological concerns raised by questions of identity, performance, and linguistic form.
Human microglia and astrocytes express cGAS-STING viral sensing components.

Abstract While microglia and astrocytes are known to produce key inflammatory and anti-viral mediators following infection with replicative DNA viruses, the mechanisms by which these cell types perceive such threats are poorly understood. Recently, cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) has been identified as an important cytosolic sensor for DNA viruses and retroviruses in peripheral leukocytes. Here we confirm the ability of human microglial and astrocytic cell lines and primary human glia to respond to foreign intracellular double stranded DNA. Importantly, we provide the first demonstration that human microglia and astrocytes show robust levels of cGAS protein expression at rest and following activation. Furthermore, we show these cell types also constitutively express the critical downstream cGAS adaptor protein, stimulator of interferon genes (STING). The present finding that human glia express the principle components of the cGAS-STING pathway provides a foundation for future studies to investigate the relative importance of these molecules in clinically relevant viral CNS infections.
An Additive Sugar Helps the C. diff Go Round

Outbreaks of hypervirulent strains of Clostridium difficile began to be reported in healthcare facilities worldwide around 20 years ago. Concurrently, trehalose became a common additive used by the global food industry. A new study provides evidence that these two observations are a linked phenomenon (Collins et al., 2018).
The Issuance and Informativeness of Management Long-Term Earnings Growth Forecasts

SYNOPSIS This study examines quantitative long-term earnings growth (LTG) forecasts issued by publicly traded firms. While the difficulty of verifying management LTG forecasts provides incentives for self-serving disclosures, we find that stakeholder interests and forecast credibility considerations significantly constrain such tendencies. In particular, we find that demand from market participants, information asymmetry, peer LTG forecast provision, product market competition, and industry profitability drive management LTG forecast issuance, while poor performance and high uncertainty over firm growth prospects deter management LTG forecast issuance. Moreover, we provide evidence that management LTG forecasts, on average, provide incremental information about future earnings growth, and that high competition and investor monitoring increase LTG forecast informativeness, consistent with predictions of theoretical cheap talk models. Our findings also indicate that both upward and downward LTG guidance pro...
Intention, Practical Knowledge and Representation

Danto says “that we can change the world to fit our representations, as in action, or change our representations to fit the world, as in knowledge, are marvelous powers, but they require reference to representation.” I shall make some fairly obvious points about representation, some more controversial claims about intentional action, taking my cue in both cases from things Descartes says on these topics. Since Descartes is said to have given us the problem of how a movement in the material world can be mind-imbued or mind-informed enough to count as an intentional act, it seems only proper to see what hints he gives of a solution. It is noteworthy that this problem is not a perennial one, it did have to be invented. Earlier philosophers, even those who believed the soul could be separated from the body, found nothing paradoxical in our intentional physical action. It is a special sort of achievement to become puzzled about the most familiar of things, and intentional action surely should be the most familiar of realities, even to a philosopher. Can it really be that the soul spends so much of its time in error, the discrepancy between intention and act so frequent in our ‘community of spiritual animals’ that we can, without special philosophical conditioning, find it problematic that act and intent should ever coincide, that we should find it puzzling when Anscombe says “I do what happens” (Intention, p. 52) and “the failure to execute intentions is necessarily the rare exception”? (ibid. p. 86). If our puzzlement is really due to our Cartesian upbringing, then possibly our cure will lie in a fuller realization of what that involved. The way into the flybottle is the way out.
ANALYSIS OF MACROPHAGE ACTIVATION AND BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE MODIFIER EFFECTS BY USE OF OBJECTIVE MARKERS TO CHARACTERIZE THE STAGES OF ACTIVATION

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the analysis of macrophage activation and biological response modifier effects by use of objective markers to characterize the stages of activation. Analysis of the degree of activation expressed by a given population of mononuclear phagocytes has been frustrating. The effects of pyran copolymer were examined on macrophages (Mφ) standard tissue culture conditions and under endotoxin-free conditions. Several other biological response modifiers were also examined for their effects on Mφ activation. The data present a system for analyzing precisely the state of activation of various mononuclear phagocytes. Development of the capacity for augmented binding of tumor cells and secretion of CF correlate well with the present concepts on how the two capacities are induced. An initial preparatory signal prepares the Mφ for secretion, but a second triggering signal is needed to effect actual release of CF. The concept of activation as the application of signals that induce capacities necessary for completion of a complex function is consistent with evidence from a variety of sources.
The Relationship of CD4 Counts over Time to Survival in Patients with AIDS: Is CD4 a Good Surrogate Marker?

Methods are developed to analyze the relationship of survival to time dependent covariates that are measured longitudinally with possible measurement error using a two stage approach. In the first stage, the longitudinal time dependent data are modelled using repeated measures random components models. In the second stage methods are developed for estimating the parameters in a Cox proportional hazards model when the time dependent data is of this form. These methods are applied to CD4 data from a randomized clinical trial of AIDS patients where half the patients received AZT and the other half received placebo. Although a strong corellation between CD4 counts and survival is demonstrated, we also show that CD4 may not serve as a useful surrogate marker for assessing treatments for this population of patients.
Energy, Anthropology of

This article reviews anthropological research on energy dating back to the 1940s. Three generations of research are identified and explored: the first was Leslie White's pathbreaking effort in the 1940s and 1950s to rethink models of cultural evolution through the lens of energy use. Then, in the 1970s, a second generation of anthropological research took shape in response to the global oil shocks and the beginning of serious political debates over the need for transition to renewable energy resources. Those conversations were largely silenced by a political recommitment to carbon and nuclear fuel across the world in the 1980s. However, in the past several years, a third generation of anthropological research has rapidly developed, spurred by mounting evidence of anthropogenic climate change and its impacts of human and nonhuman life across the world.
Dynamic modeling of constrained planar multibody systems: A case of lower limbs rehabilitative robot

An explicit equation of motion for constrained systems, called the Udwadia-Kalaba equation, opens up a new way of dynamic modeling of constrained multibody systems, which is accomplished in a straightforward and novel three-step process. However, constraint violation arises from violation of the lower-order constraint equations because the aforementioned equations incorporate only the acceleration level constraints. There are two methods, Baumgarte stabilization method (BSM) and modified method, are implemented to realize the constraint violation suppression. The comparison of the BSM and the modified method is provided, based on numerical simulations for a sample constrained system that represents a lower limbs rehabilitative robot with continuous passive motion for therapy and rehabilitation. The results of numerical simulation obtained by the modified method are superior to that obtained by BSM, which confirms the numerical effectiveness and accuracy of the explicit solution based on the modified method to the constrained planar multibody systems.
A Cost Modeling Approach for Entry Systems Analysis of Human Mars Missions

Cost is one of the biggest obstacles to sending humans to Mars. However, spacecraft costs are typically not estimated until after the preliminary vehicle and mission concepts have been designed. By automating the cost estimation process, the effect of any change in vehicle or mission design on the mission cost can be determined more efficiently. This paper describes an extension to the tool Systems Analysis for Planetary Entry, Descent, and Landing which integrates the cost modeling software System Estimation and Evaluation of Resources- Hardware with a number of systems analysis tools. This new method is used to analyze several tradespaces of an entry vehicle for human Mars missions utilizing a Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator and provide preliminary results. Key findings include quantifying how ballistic coefficient, main engine specific impulse, and thrust to weight ratio affect the cost of the vehicle and how the payload per lander and number of landers affects the cost of a campaign to Mars.
Graphitic coated Al nanoparticles manufactured as superior energetic materials via laser ablation synthesis in organic solvents

Abstract The large heat release predicted in the early investigations of energetic aluminum nanoparticles (Al NPs) used in solid-state propulsion and pyrotechnics has been offset by hindered diffusion-limited detonation rates due to excess oxide shell formations and surface area loss from aggregations. We address these challenges by manufacturing graphitic shell coated Al NPs (
A queer ecology of the sea: reading Virginia Woolf’s The Waves *

ABSTRACTThis essay goes beyond previous criticism of imperialism and gender roles in The Waves to argue for the ecological potential of the novel’s experimental aesthetics. While the novel mourns t...
Changes in Emergency Department Care Intensity from 2007-16: Analysis of the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.

Author(s): Chou, Shih-Chuan; Baker, Olesya; Schuur, Jeremiah D. | Abstract: Introduction: Emergency departments (ED) in the United States (US) have increasingly taken the central role for the expedited diagnosis and treatment of acute episodic illnesses and exacerbations of chronic diseases, allowing outpatient management to be possible for many conditions that traditionally required hospitalization and inpatient care. The goal of this analysis was to examine the changes in ED care intensity in this context through the changes in ED patient population and ED care provided.Methods: We analyzed the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) from 2007-2016. Incorporating survey design and weight, we calculated the changes in ED patient characteristics and ED care provided between 2007 and 2016. We also calculated changes in the proportion of visits with low-severity illnesses that may be safely managed at alternative settings. Lastly, we compared ED care received and final ED dispositions by calculating adjusted relative risk (aRR) comparing ED visits in 2007 to 2016, using survey weighted multivariable logistic regression.Results: NHAMCS included 35,490 visits in 2007 and 19,467 visits in 2016, representing 117 million and 146 million ED visits, respectively. Between 2007 and 2016, there was an increase in the proportion of ED patients aged 45-64 (21.0% to 23.6%) and 65-74 (5.9% to 7.5%), while visits with low-severity illnesses decreased from 37.3% to 30.4%. There was a substantial increase in the proportion of Medicaid patients (22.2% to 34.0%) with corresponding decline in the privately insured (36.2% to 28.3%) and the uninsured (15.4% to 8.6%) patients. After adjusting for patient and visit characteristics, there was an increase in the utilization of advanced imaging (aRR 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-1.41), blood tests (aRR 1.16; 95% CI, 1.10-1.22), urinalysis (aRR 1.22; 95% CI, 1.13-1.31), and visits where the patient received four or more medications (aRR 2.17; 95% CI, 1.88-2.46). Lastly, adjusted hospitalization rates declined (aRR 0.74; 95% CI, 0.64-0.84) while adjusted discharge rates increased (aRR 1.06; 95%CI 1.03-1.08). Conclusion: From 2007 to 2016, ED care intensity appears to have increased modestly, including aging of patient population, increased illness severity, and increased resources utilization. The role of increased care intensity in the decline of ED hospitalization rate requires further study.
Institutional Evolution and the Collaborative Development of Technology Transfer Capabilities

This article examines the development of university technology transfer operations at the Research Triangle region’s three universities. Organized to commercialize university-based scientific inven...
The Impact of Mortality Salience on Organ Donation Attitude, Beliefs, and Behavior.

The current study examines the relationship between mortality salience and attitude, beliefs, and behavior toward organ donor registration. Participants (N = 484) completed a laboratory study in a ...
Inverse reinforcement learning to assess safety of a workplace under an active shooter incident

Active shooter incidents are posing an increasing threat to public safety. Given the majority of the past incidents took place in built environments (e.g., educational, commercial buildings), there...