cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
WHO'S THERE?— COMMUNITY OF THE QUESTION

It used to be, in the clamorous sixties, when with all the enchantments of dissidence we were shattering language, abandoning texts, and going for broke with the body, or extolling body language, that dance was preferred to theatre, or at least the bourgeois theatre, burdened as it was with words—or the words, words, words that are, in their Hamletic disposition, an impediment to action. But if dance and theatre were sometimes merged or conflated, as in the tradition of Martha Graham, we have now seen a generation of choreographers, like Alain Platel in Belgium or Jerome Bel in France, who merge them too, but with street arts or social action, or with a high-tech guerrilla strategy, on rooftops with satellite disks, as if in some radicalized extension of that other tradition, from the Judson Memorial Church, with its offbeat anti-aesthetic, during the years of the counterculture. The Judson was not especially political, and there were trained dancers there, like Yvonne Rainer or Trisha Brown, but in renouncing virtuosity, mere dance, in favor of “found” movement or task-directed events, there was another kind of activism, which might change the site of performance or the spectator’s relation to it—and sometimes in public spaces, where if there was anything like a public, they’d have sure been surprised to see it. Thus, if in the church itself they might have performers upside down on a ceiling or, in autistic slow motion, crawling on a floor, they might elsewhere in the city have them in a spidery web (with rather tenuous ropes) coming down from the top of a building. In their affinities, meanwhile, with new music, Cage’s silence, Rauschenberg’s collage, and the interplay of performance with all the visual arts, the Judson choreographers initiated still other ideas: exploring everyday movement, the gestures of eating or dressing, with barely a humming sound; and in the relation of movement and time, testing the viewer’s endurance, as in a matrix of no-time, monotonic at long duration, with the boredom as conceptual; or, breathtaking, breath-catching, the sonic propelling motion, as if danced on the vocal tract. Such ideas were taken up by or inseparable from alternative modes of theatre that, with rock music and blue jeans, soon came over to Europe—along with the
Regulation and mechanism of L-type calcium channel activation via V1a vasopressin receptor activation in cultured cortical neurons.

We have sought to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms that underlie the memory enhancing properties of the neural peptide vasopressin. Toward that goal we have investigated vasopressin induction of calcium signaling cascades, long held to be involved in long-term memory function, in neurons derived from the cerebral cortex, a brain region associated with long-term memory. Our previous studies demonstrated that in cultured cortical neurons, V1a vasopressin receptor (V1aR) activation resulted in a sustained rise in intracellular calcium concentration that was dependent on calcium influx (Son & Brinton, 1998). To investigate the mechanism of V1aR-induced calcium influx, we investigated V1aR activation of the calcium channel subtype(s) in cortical neurons cultured from Sprague-Dawley rat embryonic day 18 fetuses. The results of these analyses demonstrated that the L-type calcium channel blocker nifedipine blocked 250 nM V1 vasopressin receptor agonist (V1 agonist)-induced calcium influx. Intracellular calcium imaging analyses using fura-2AM demonstrated that blockade of L-type calcium channels prevented the 250 nM V1 agonist-induced rise in intracellular calcium concentration. These results indicate that the influx of extracellular calcium via L-type calcium channels is an essential step in the initiation of the V1 agonist-induced rise in intracellular calcium concentration. To determine the mechanism of V1aR activation of L-type calcium channels, regulatory components of the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway were investigated. The results of these analyses demonstrated that V1 agonist-induced calcium influx was blocked by both a phospholipase C inhibitor (U-73122) and a protein kinase C inhibitor (bisindolylmaleimide I). Further analysis of V1aR activation of protein kinase C (PKC) demonstrated that V1 agonist induced PKC activity within 1 min of exposure in cultured cortical neurons. These data indicate that in cultured cortical neurons, V1aR activation regulates the influx of extracellular calcium via L-type calcium channel activation through a protein kinase-C-dependent mechanism. The results of these studies provide biochemical mechanisms by which vasopressin could enhance memory function. Those mechanisms include a complex cascade that is initiated by activation of the phosphatidylinositol pathway, activation of protein kinase C, followed by phosphorylation of L-type calcium channels to initiate the influx of extracellular calcium to activate a cascade of calcium-dependent release of intracellular calcium.
The role of state policy in promoting physical activity.

Abstract Objective The objective of this commentary is to demonstrate the growing interest of state legislatures in adopting policies that promote physical activity in schools and communities through partnerships with school districts and local governments. Method Interviews were conducted with state legislators that have sponsored legislation enacted into law. The author and his staff also surveyed proposed and enacted bills during the 2007 and 2008 legislative sessions. Results The majority of states have considered or enacted legislation in recent years that addresses physical activity in schools or communities through partnerships with school districts, cities and counties responsible for implementing state policy. These policies may seek to directly impact a targeted audience (children in school by requiring minimum amounts of physical education during the day) or provide broad guidelines for implementation by other entities with direct authority (local governments charged with preparing comprehensive land use plans under other statutes). Conclusion As research demonstrates the increasing costs of public health care associated with physically inactive children and adults, and the public health benefits that can be gained through specific policy interventions, state legislatures have been willing to act to promote physical activity. A key is translating research into understandable policy applications.
Clean‐Facility Design, Construction, and Maintenance Issues

Successful pharmaceutical manufacturing plant projects incorporate practices that promote flow of the construction process toward completion on time and within budget. Engineering the clean room in accordance with recognized industry practice would produce construction documents that facilitate clear procurement and construction planning as well as a focused, efficient, construction effort. This article focuses on design, construction, and maintenance issues associated with clean-room construction projects. Keywords: pharmaceutical manufacturing plant project; clean room; front-end planning; construction documents
Modeling of 10-nm-scale ballistic MOSFET's

We have performed numerical modeling of nanoscale dual-gate ballistic n-MOSFET's with ultrathin undoped channel, taking into account the effects of quantum tunneling along the channel and through the gate oxide. The results show that transistors with channel length as small as 8 nm can exhibit either a transconductance up to 4000 mS/mm or gate modulation of current by more than 8 orders of magnitude, depending on the gate oxide thickness. These characteristics make the sub-10-nm devices potentially suitable for logic and memory applications, though their parameters are rather sensitive to size variations.
Electrodics in Electrochemical Energy Conversion Systems: A Mesoscopic Formalism

In recent years, amidst a global thrust toward clean energy research, electrochemical energy conversion systems, i.e., fuel cells, have received significant attention. Among the different types of fuel cells, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is being considered as the primary candidate for variety of applications. In the PEFC, the electrode is a key component where the electrochemical reaction occurs. The electrode is the host to multi-scale, coupled physicochemical interactions including charge, liquid/vapor/gas transport inside a porous microstructure, which affect the overall cell performance. In this chapter, a mesoscopic modeling framework is presented in order to elucidate the intricate microstructure–transport–performance interplay inherent in the PEFC electrode.
Demands, Backorders, Service Level, Lost Sales And Effective Service Level

The typical way service level is measured in industry is the demand filled over total demand. Unfilled demand becomes a backorder or lost sales. Lost sales demand is often not known or measured by the management. This paper shows how to estimate the lost sales demand and also shows how to measure an effective service level. Tables are provided for easy reference and two examples show how to apply the results of this paper to industry situations .
Direct Formation of NO2 in Combustion Products

Abstract It is noted that combustion devices may, under some operating conditions, produce NOX emissions containing a rather large fraction of NO2. A detailed chemical kinetic mechanism for such NO2 formation is presented, and the results of measurements on a laboratory combustor are described. It is concluded that NO2 forms via the reaction NO + HO2 → NO2 + OH in regions where combustion processes are rapidly quenched by mixing with excess air.
ERYTHROPOIETIC ACTIVITY OF UNTREATED AND DEPROTEINIZED NORMAL HUMAN PLASMA.

SummarySignificant erythropoietic stimulating activity was found in 27 out of 42 samples of untreated normal human plasma assayed in the transfused polycythemic mouse. Deproteinization by boiling of plasma resulted in a marked reduction in the fraction of active samples. Both whole untreated normal plasma and deproteinized extracts were essentially inactive in hypophysectomized and starved rats. The possibility that these results are due to low levels of erythropoietin in normal plasma is discussed.
Dissociation of a phenotypic correlation: response to post-trial etherization and to variation in temporal distribution of practice trials.

We reported previously (1) that mice of strain DBA/2J show superior performance on both an active and a passive learning task when trials are massed, while mice of strain C57BL/6J show superior performance on both tasks when trials are distributed and (2) that post-trial etherization can result in facilitation of learning performance of mice of strain DBA/2J but not of strain C57BL/6J. We further suggested that there might be a high functional relation between differences in performance under massed and distributed temporal conditions of practice and response to etherization. Specifically, we suggested that superiority under massed practice is associated with a facilitative response to post-trial etherization, while superiority under distributed practice is associated with lack of a facilitative response to etherization. This paper reports studies of the learning performances of two new strains, BDP/J and SJL/J, with massed and distributed trials and studies of the effects of etherization on, performance of these two strains for tasks on which they are superior under the distributed-practice condition. The possible relation of lack of ether facilitation to superior performance under the distributed-practice condition was not confirmed.
Active Heave Compensator for Heavy Hanging Body Suspended from Offshore Floating Unit

When a heavy facility or equipment is set on or picked up from the sea bed in deep sea area, it seems to be difficult to keep safety anytime throughout the long operation period, because of the risk of encountering rough sea conditions.Although conventional heave compensator using air spring mechanism has been already applied in such an operation, the compensation performance of such a passive system would not be sufficient against large heave motions in rough sea conditions, and dynamic hook load would come to dangerous level, especially in case of resonance condition of the air spring due to long period heave motions.In this research, it has been studied to stabilize the position of suspended heavy mass in sea water and reduce the dynamic hook load by adding active control force to the passive air spring mechanism.Simplified model tests and corresponding theoretical simulations have been performed and the results are shown in this paper.Tested model consists of vessel part, suspended mass part and heave compensation mechanism part. The responses of those were measured in various wave conditions. Heave compensation mechanism was simplified using AC servo motor controlled so as to simulate the performance of the ideal air spring and also to simulate hybrid mode together with active control force. The command of the active control force is derived from the signals of vertical accelerometer sensing vessel heave motion, and pulse generator sensing relative motion between the vessel and the suspended mass.The following conclusions have been derived by the model tests and corresponding theoretical simulations.(1) Variable hook load in hybrid mode (with active control force) has been reduced to about 1/10 compared with the case of fixed mode, and about 1/3 compared with the case of passive mode (using air spring only).(2) Theoretical simulations have shown good agreement with the tested model results.
Self-propelled chelation platforms for efficient removal of toxic metals

Water-powered ligand-modified micromotors that offer efficient ‘on-the-fly’ chelation of heavy metal contaminants are described. The Janus micromotors are prepared by functionalizing Mg/Au microsphere motors with a self-assembled monolayer of meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). The resulting micromotors propel autonomously in complex environmental and biological matrices, containing chloride and surfactant, obviating the need for external (peroxide) fuel or expensive Pt catalysts. Such self-propelled micromotors act as highly efficient dynamic chelation platforms that offer significantly shorter and more efficient water remediation processes compared to the common use of static remediation agents. The effective decontamination capability of the DMSA-based Janus micromotors is illustrated towards the rapid removal of Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II). Factors influencing the micromachine-enhanced metal chelation process, such as the navigation time and number of motors, have been investigated. High removal efficiencies of ∼100% are obtained for all target metals following 2 min treatment of serum, seawater or lakewater samples spiked with 500 μg L−1 of each heavy metal. The chelation mechanism has been characterized using the Langmuir model, indicating strong interaction and monolayer-type adsorption of the target heavy metals onto the DMSA-binding layer. The new nanomotor concept holds considerable promise towards future metal remediation applications.
Follow-up study of patients treated by X-ray epilation for tinea capitis. I. Population characteristics, posttreatment illnesses, and mortality experience.

This study compares the illness experience of 2,043 tinea capitis patients during a 12-year period after x-ray epilation with that of 1,413 nonirradiated tinea capitis patients who were also treated during the years 1940 to 1959 at the Skin and Cancer Unit of the New York University Hospital. The irradiated and control groups, surveyed by questionnaire, represented 85% and 79%, respectively, of the total available clinic population of tinea capitis cases and were well matched for age, sex, and race. The major findings of the study included a higher incidence of confirmed cases of cancer and mental illness in the irradiated group.
THU0115 Factors Associated with Methotrexate Treatment Duration, Including Subcutaneous Use, in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Observations from the Veterans Affairs Database

Background Methotrexate (MTX) is the cornerstone of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment, however, limitations of systemic exposure of oral MTX can affect its efficacy. The bioavailability of subcutaneous (SC) MTX is greater than that of oral MTX, which may result in better efficacy, and SC MTX has been proven to be well tolerated even at high doses of up to 45 mg/week. 1 A previous analysis performed using the national administrative databases of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) suggested that the use of injectable MTX was associated with a higher likelihood to remain on MTX monotherapy. 2 Objectives To determine whether patients identified in the VA database who were treated with injectable MTX after being unable to tolerate or having inadequate response to oral MTX remained on MTX monotherapy longer than those treated only with oral MTX. Additionally, to compare the rates of liver enzyme abnormalities between patients using injectable MTX monotherapy and those using oral MTX monotherapy. Methods The duration of MTX monotherapy before a therapeutic change was required (defined as switching to or adding another DMARD or biologic agent) was compared between patients treated with injectable MTX for at least 30 days and those who were treated only with oral MTX using a Wilcoxon-Matt-Whitney test. Factors that could potentially influence the duration of MTX monotherapy in subjects with therapeutic change included the use of injectable MTX, gender, age, race, starting MTX dose, maximum MTX dose, and modified Charlson comorbidity score. These factors were assessed using a log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier curves; in order to correct for patient variables, linear regression models were also run. Liver enzyme abnormalities were compared between patients on injectable and oral MTX who received MTX monotherapy for >90 days; abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were defined as exceeding twice the upper limit of normal. Results Of the 7107 patients who were treated with MTX monotherapy for >90 days, 3910 required a therapeutic change (3808 were treated with oral MTX, 102 with injectable MTX). Patients treated with oral MTX remained on MTX monotherapy for a mean (SD) of 627 (636.5) days compared with 962 (786.6) days for patients treated with injectable MTX monotherapy ( P P =0.0018 and P P =0.870 and P =0.056, respectively). Conclusions Among patients identified in the VA database, the use of injectable MTX was associated with a significantly longer duration of MTX monotherapy compared with oral MTX. No significant differences in liver enzyme abnormalities were found between patients treated with injectable MTX and oral MTX. References Schiff et al. EULAR 2013; Madrid, Spain; poster. Ng B, Chu A. Clin Rheumatol. 2014;33(1):21-30. Disclosure of Interest : B. Ng Grant/research support: Antares Pharma DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.3021
Resorption of Retained Eggs and Follicular Degeneration in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)

Vertebrate-host-seeking Aedes abserratus, Aedes canadensis, Aedes stimulans , and Aedes triseriatus females were collected in Connecticut, USA, during 1980 and 1981 and were dissected to determine numbers of retained eggs and prevalence of resorption and follicular degeneration. Based on ovarian examinations of 490 parous mosquitoes, females with retained eggs ranged from 10.2% of 128 Ae. canadensis to 15.8% of 120 Ae. stimulans . The average number of relict eggs per female varied from 3.4 to 4.5. Resorption of retained eggs and degeneration of newly formed follicles occurred concomitantly in the same ovarioles of 32 females, but because of relatively low prevalence, formation of “aberrant dilatations” due to these processes was considered uncommon.
A Study on Feasibility of Replacing Draize Eye Irritation Test with Hela-MTT Test in Evaluation of Toxicity

Objective To delve into feasibility of replacing Draize eye irritation test with Hela-MTT test(MTT being reduced in alive Hela-cells) in evaluations of cosmetics toxicity.Methods22 kinds of cosmetics were examined in this series by Hela-MTT test and Dralze eye irritation according to procedures and methods of eye irritation test in'Hygienic Standards of Cosmetic' promulgated by Ministry of Health,PRC in 1999(HSC-1999) and 2002(HSC-2002). The results obtained in Hela-MTT test were compared with those obtained in Draize eye irritation test.ResultsThe correlation coefficient between Hela-MTT test and Draize eye irritation test in HSC 1999 was-0.811,and that between Hela-MTT test and Draize eye irritation test in HSC-2002 was -0.639.ConclusionIt was suggested that Hela-MTT test could replace Draize eye irritation test in evaluations of cosmetics toxicity.
Induction of human factor VIII inhibitors in rats 2: Fine mapping of rat anti-human rFVIII antibodies

Inhibiting antibodies in patients with hemophilia A pose a significant therapeutic dilemma in the treatment of bleeding episodes. The genetic factors which predispose hemophiliacs to inhibitors and the optimal method for inhibitor suppression remain obscure. Hence, an animal model of the human FVIII inhibitor response is of potential value. Sprague-Dawley rats immunized with human recombinant FVIII (rFVIII) subsequently developed abnormal coagulation parameters coincident with the development of an immune response to the human protein. The epitopes for the resultant rat anti-rFVIII antibodies were mapped using a random fragment expression library constructed from the FVIII cDNA. Antigenic regions located within the A1, First and Second Acidic and B domains were mapped. Rat immunoglobulins reactive with the individual epitopes were immunoaffinity purified and assayed for inhibitory activity. Several of the epitopes mapped using the rat antibodies were similar to regions previously shown to be antigenic for human inhibitors. By contrast, no epitopes were mapped to the A2 domain with the techniques used. This may be due to the possible presence of conformational epitopes in this area which cannot undergo fragmentation and still retain antigenicity or the presence of relatively low concentrations of antibodies to this region. The rat model shares some similarity with both the auto- and alloimmune human response to FVIII and therefore may be a valuable model for studies on the induction and suppression of the inhibitor response.
Physician policies on the use of preventive hormone therapy.

Background Current guidelines recommend that most postmenopausal women be offered preventive hormone therapy (PHT), but there have been no surveys of U.S. physicians’ policies since these guidelines appeared. We sought to measure physicians’ policies and attitudes about PHT and compare them with the American College of Physicians’ guideline on the use of PHT. Methods We used a stratified, randomized survey of gynecologists, family physicians, and general internists in Washington, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. Results Nearly all respondents reported strong belief in the benefits of PHT and felt that the vast majority of their patients should be offered PHT. Where they differed, gynecologists believed even more strongly in its benefits than other respondents. Physicians estimated that 3% of their patients with a uterus were on regimens without any progestin and 23% were on regimens including time without any hormones. Gynecologists ranked mammography first and PHT use second on a list of eight preventive services, while the other respondents ranked smoking cessation first and PHT fourth (P Conclusions Among surveyed physicians, there was near unanimous adoption of policies favoring the recommendation of PHT. Gynecologists believed in it even more strongly than family physicians and general internists and ranked it as more important than counseling about smoking cessation.
The Monied Metropolis: The Power of Capital and the Problem of Legitimacy

On December 15, 1880, the gates of the new armory of the 7th New York Regiment swung open. After years of fund-raising, the armory of New York's elite regiment had finally been finished. To mark the occasion, “fashionable and distinguished” guests ventured to the sparkling new building on Manhattan's Upper East Side to join in the festivities of the New Armory Inauguration Ball. They ate and danced till late at night, examining “with deep interest the elaborate furniture, … the prizes in silver and bronze won by the company in various contests, and the splendid trophies of armor and arms, ancient and modern.” Dinner, as always, was served by the caterer of choice – Delmonico's. This sunny December day was the culmination of an eight-year struggle by upper-class New Yorkers to give a new home to the 7th Regiment. As early as 1873, the “tax payers and business men” had disseminated a petition in elite circles for the construction of a new armory. In the circular they had urged the city to pay for the construction, yet when adequate funds were not forthcoming, the regiment and its supporters, undeterred, appealed to “the active and veteran members of the Regiment,” and to “the liberal citizens, business men, and tax-payers of the city of New York” to support the endeavor out of their own purses. The response was overwhelming: Merchant Royal Phelps sent in a check for $500 the very same day he received the appeal, and by May 1, 1875, $80,000 had come in from such illustrious bourgeois New Yorkers as the Astors, Browns, Dodges, Singers, and Vanderbilts.
Belonging and Attitudes Towards Migrant Heritage Languages

Based on data collected in Melbourne between 2008 and 2010, this chapter assesses the attitudes of non-refugee African migrants towards their ethnic languages in the context of the utility and prestige of English in Australia. The chapter explores the tensions between discourses on rights to language(s) of choice and discourses on conforming to prescribed languages. It opens up new questions about ethnic language loyalty and language maintenance among African diasporas in Australia. The following questions are addressed: How do African communities in Australia perceive their ethnic languages? What is the state of ethnic language maintenance among African diasporas? How do dominant monolingual discourses influence the attitude of African diasporas towards their ethnic languages? How are the identities of Africans in Australia shaped and mediated by competing attitudes towards English on the one hand and migrant ethnic languages on the other? The chapter responds to these questions by drawing on data from responses to a survey that sought respondents’ choice of language in different contexts in Australia (such as in their homes, at work, with family friends and in public places); their views on the linkages between ethnic languages, identity and cultural heritage; their opinions on intergenerational ethnic language transmission; their attitudes towards English and what they considered to be factors that hinder or enhance the use of migrant ethnic languages in Australia.
Patronage of Printed Music in Brescia and Bergamo before 1600

Music print dedications in Renaissance Brescia and Bergamo offer clues about publication underwriting. Dedications also suggest other motivations for publication: tribute, employment portfolio, creative archive, commercial venture or liturgical embellishment. Print dedication (and presumably patronage) by minor nobility of Bergamo and Brescia reveals local trends in the growth of musical patronage and its spread among neighbors and political allies. The pattern from this limited region offers an archetype for understanding the rapid growth and burgeoning popularity of printed music in the sixteenth century.
The Effect of Radical Prostatectomy, External Beam Radiation Therapy and Active Surveillance on Life Insurance Premiums in Patients with Prostate Cancer

AbstractIntroduction: Patients with early stage, low risk prostate cancer are typically treated with radical prostatectomy, external beam radiation therapy or active surveillance. We examine how these different management options affect life insurance underwriting practices.Methods: A total of 20 life insurance companies were sent questionnaires with 9 sample patient cases. Patients were diagnosed with low risk prostate cancer at age 55, 65 or 75 years, and treated with radical prostatectomy, external beam radiation therapy or active surveillance. The life insurance companies were then asked what their underwriting decision would be (standard, substandard or decline) for each sample patient if he submitted a $500,000 term life insurance application at 1, 3 and 5 years after treatment initiation with no evidence of disease on followup.Results: Of the 20 life insurance companies 12 (60%) responded to the questionnaire. In all age groups standard life insurance premiums were most likely to be granted after r...
Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition of Transition Metals and Transition Metal Silicides

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PEVCD) of transition metals and transition metal silicides. Glow discharges or plasmas have been used to promote chemical reactions for the deposition of solid films for many years. However, most of the studies performed have dealt with the formation of semiconductor or dielectric films. In large part, the small number of investigations reported on PECVD of metallic films may be because of the high sensitivity of metallic film properties to small concentrations of impurities present in the film. In addition, stable, volatile metal hydrides are often unavailable as source vapors for PECVD. Thus, the reactants generally used for chemical vapor deposition or PECVD of metal films, such as tungsten and molybdenum, are halides, carbonyls, or alkyls. Plasma-enhanced depositions of transition metals and transition-metal silicides have been carried out in parallel plate reactors that use either rf or dc excitation. Tungsten and molybdenum silicides can be deposited in rf plasmas using WF 6 /SiH 4 and MoCl 5 /SiH 4 , respectively, as reactant gases. These processes allow considerable flexibility in controlling the W/Si and the Mo/Si ratios and, hence, the structural and electrical properties of the deposited films.
An Integrated Assessment of Changes in Brain Structure and Function of the Insula Resulting from an Intensive Mindfulness-Based Intervention

Mindfulness training is thought to alter both brain function and structure, yet these effects are almost always investigated and reported independently. In the present study, we combine these two approaches to provide a more complete description of the effects of a 6-week mindfulness-based health and wellness intervention. Region-of-interest analysis of brain structure revealed a significant increase in cortical thickness within the left-hemisphere posterior insula, a region that plays a role in auditory perception and interoception. We then examined changes in the resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) of this insula cluster and found two regions with which it displayed increased functional connectivity: one in the right-hemisphere ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC) and another spanning parts of the left-hemisphere middle and superior temporal gyri (MTG/STG). Individuals with the greatest improvements in dispositional mindfulness showed the greatest increases in insular thickness as well as greater increases in rs-FC of the posterior insula with vlPFC and MTG/STG. The insula, vlPFC, and MTG/STG comprise a structurally connected network involved in, respectively, early auditory perception, the allocation of attention to changes in sounds, and the detailed analysis of fluctuations in sounds. Accordingly, these findings suggest a mechanistic account of the alterations in brain structure and function that underlie changes in auditory processing following a mindfulness-based intervention.
An Efficient Fault Tolerance Algorithm for wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor network (WSN) is an infrastructure comprising of thousands of wireless sensor nodes that are spread over a geographical area so as to instrument, observe and react to events in that particular environment. Sensor networks are the key for smart environments, analyzing events in buildings, utilities, industrial, home, shipboard, transportation systems automation or elsewhere. The reliability of WSN is affected by faults that may occur due to various reasons such as malfunctioning hardware, software glitches, dislocation, or environmental hazards. In WSN, localization of sensors is the key issue, as collected data from sensors is useful only if the position of a sensor is known. Location information will also help in avoiding faults in the network and improving performance of tasks such as routing, energy conservation, and data aggregation. Knowing the precise location of a sensor is very important. Localization algorithms require techniques for location estimating depending on the beacon nodes location. These are called multi-lateration(ML) techniques. The work makes use of proximity technique and fault information signal to get localization details . Keywords : fault information signal, localization, proximity technique, wireless sensor networks.
Phenotypic Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Diverse Sample of Somali and Other Children

The potential for culture to impact diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is high, yet remains largely unstudied. This study examined differences across racial/ethnic groups in ASD symptoms, cognitive and adaptive skills, and related behaviors in children with ASD that included a unique subgroup, children from the Somali diaspora. Somali children were more likely to have ASD with intellectual disability than children from all other racial/ethnic groups. Few differences were found in the presence of specific symptoms and behaviors across groups once IQ was controlled. Results lend support to previous studies that found higher rates of ASD intellectual disability in children of immigrants from low human resource index countries compared to other groups. Implications for future research are discussed.
Calls to Poison Centers for hookah smoking exposures

Over the past decade, smoking behaviors have changed in the US. Hookah or waterpipe smoking is increasing, especially among youth and young adults. Social media sites describe the "hookah high" or "buzz", which may be related to nicotine, carbon monoxide, or other inhalants in hookah smoke. Most important is the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Case reports include a high number of victims presenting with loss of consciousness from either syncope or seizures. Anaphylaxis and a very rare respiratory hypersensitivity reaction, acute eosinophilic pneumonia, have also been reported from hookah smoking in previously healthy young adults. This article provides background information on hookah smoking, describes hookah-induced acute injuries that could precipitate poison center calls, and offers suggestions for exposure characterization.
Structure of Gialpha1.GppNHp, autoinhibition in a galpha protein-substrate complex.

Abstract The structure of the G protein Giα1 complexed with the nonhydrolyzable GTP analog guanosine-5′-(βγ-imino)triphosphate (GppNHp) has been determined at a resolution of 1.5 A. In the active site of Giα1·GppNHp, a water molecule is hydrogen bonded to the side chain of Glu43 and to an oxygen atom of the γ-phosphate group. The side chain of the essential catalytic residue Gln204 assumes a conformation which is distinctly different from that observed in complexes with either guanosine 5′-O-3-thiotriphosphate or the transition state analog GDP·AlF4 −. Hydrogen bonding and steric interactions position Gln204 such that it interacts with a presumptive nucleophilic water molecule, but cannot interact with the pentacoordinate transition state. Gln204 must be released from this auto-inhibited state to participate in catalysis. RGS proteins may accelerate the rate of GTP hydrolysis by G protein α subunits, in part, by inserting an amino acid side chain into the site occupied by Gln204, thereby destabilizing the auto-inhibited state of Gα.
Performance Analysis of a Ferrofluid-Based Electromagnetic Energy Harvester

This paper presents a detailed investigation of the influence of several design parameters on the performance of a ferrofluid-based electromagnetic energy harvester which converts ambient vibratory energy into an electromotive force through the sloshing motion of a ferrofluid. To this end, a computational model is developed and validated against the experimental data. Using the validated model, a series of numerical simulations are performed on two configurations of the energy harvester to study the effects of the magnetic and sloshing parameters on the electromotive force. Results of the performance analysis provide useful insights for designing high-performance ferrofluid-based energy harvesters.
Singularly Perturbed Stochastic Differnetial Systems

By employing generalized variation of constants formula and theory of differential inequalities, the mean square convergence of solutions process of a singularly perturbed stochastic differential system of Ito-type is investigated. Moreover, the solution process of such a system is approximated by the solution processes of corresponding reduced and boundary layer systems.
Operation of Liquid Helium Level Sensors at Elevated Pressures

Operation of standard liquid helium level sensors depends on the difference in heat transfer between the gas and liquid phases. At increased pressure inadequate cooling by the liquid causes the resistive zone to penetrate below the liquid surface when the liquid level rises. Thus the level detector records the minimum level and does not follow any subsequent rise in the level. Measurements of indicated levels as a function of heater current at pressures up to 0.2 MPa (29 psia) were made using an American Magnetics sensor to determine the proper heater currents. Reduced heater currents were found to permit operation at pressures up to nearly the critical point.
Peripheral neuropathies associated with monoclonal proteins

Peripheral neuropathies associated with monoclonal proteins have received considerable attention as a clinically important group of chronic late-onset neuropathies. When a monoclonal protein is found in patients with peripheral neuropathy of unknown cause, as occurs in 10% of such cases, usually no associated disease is discovered; hence MGUS. Less often, disorders such as multiple myeloma, AL amyloidosis, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, osteosclerotic myeloma, and lymphoma are found. Demyelinating neuropathies associated with MGUS of all classes, but particularly IgM, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, and osteosclerotic myeloma typically follow an indolently progressive course, and frequently respond to treatments aimed at interfering with putative underlying immune mechanisms. By contrast, axonal neuropathies associated with MGUS, multiple myeloma, and AL amyloidosis have generally shown no response to therapy. Recently, IgM monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies directed against human peripheral nerve antigens including MAG and various glycolipids such as GM1 ganglioside have been found in patients with specific neuropathy syndromes. Anti-MAG antibodies occur in predominantly sensory demyelinating neuropathies, whereas elevated titers of anti-GM1 ganglioside antibodies are associated with lower motor neuron syndromes with multifocal motor conduction block. Although the evidence for autoimmune mechanisms in some monoclonal protein-associated neuropathies is mounting, a causal connection between monoclonal proteins and these neurologic syndromes has yet to be established.
PA 08-3-2283 How do parents teach children to cross roads safely? a study of parent-child road-crossing in an immersive pedestrian simulator

Recent research has begun to examine how parent-child conversations work as a mechanism to prevent childhood injury. However, no work has yet examined what these conversations look like in real time. Given that children suffer 38% of pedestrian injuries that occur worldwide, crossing roads is one such scenario in which parents might talk to their child about safety. The current study sought to examine age-related differences in parent-child conversations about safety while engaged in a risky, yet common situation – crossing roads with traffic. Seventy-two 6–8-, 10-, and 12-year-old children crossed a single lane of traffic with a parent in an immersive pedestrian simulator 20 times. Measures included the likelihood of gap acceptance, how many gaps parents and children suggested for crossing, who suggested the gap that was taken, who opposed gaps that were suggested for crossing, and if feedback was given about the result of the crossing. Dyads with 6-, 8-, and 10-year-old children accepted more risky gaps than did those with 12-year-olds, replicating previous work with 6- to 12-year-old solo crossers. Further, dyads with 6-, 8-, and 10-year-olds were less discriminating in their gap selection, taking more small and fewer large gaps than 12-year-old dyads. Conversations complemented gap choices. Parents made significantly more gap suggestions when crossing with 6- and 8-year-olds. While there was no effect of age on who suggested the taken gap, parents opposed more of the gaps suggested by 6-year-olds, compared to those suggested by 12-year-olds. Finally, parents provided feedback most often for 12-year-olds. Parents are guiding younger children’s road crossing behavior by giving them more gap suggestions and opposing more of children’s gap suggestions. Conversely, parents are allowing older, more capable children to guide gap selection for the pair, providing feedback when necessary.
China’s air pollution crisis: Science and policy perspectives

Abstract China’s air pollution crisis, which has profound effects on the environment and human health, has attracted a great deal of scientific and media attention both domestically and internationally. Over the past few years, major policy initiatives for pollution abatement have been put in place, and air-quality monitoring data in many regions has actually begun to show marked and sustained improvement. This article serves as an introduction to the special journal issue entitled “China’s air pollution crisis: Science and Policy perspectives,” which brings together new empirical contributions on this important topic. The article outlines past trends in the air pollution crisis and examines emerging research to discuss what the future may hold. It also provides an in-depth analysis of the various measures – including scientific and technological innovation in key sectors such as energy, top-down policy initiatives, and citizen engagement – that are integral to the emissions reductions now being achieved. Finally, the article considers the implications of these trends for the control of air pollution in China today and into the future.
“Los recuerdos del porvenir”. El testimonio del residuo en "Voces de Chernóbil. Crónica del futuro" de Svetlana Alexiévich

Voces de Chernobil. Cronica del futuro de Svetlana Alexievich resulta dificil de encasillar en un genero, ya que encabalga el testimonio, el periodismo y la narrativa (con su consecuente impronta ficcional), de ahi que para este articulo se escogiera el termino “testimonio ficcional” para leer a traves de este como se construye la catastrofe de Chernobil a partir de la condicion residual en la palabra que se testimonia y en dos espacios que fijan el resto: el museo y la fotografia. Textos de autores como Georges Didi-Huberman, Giorgio Agamben, Ricardo Forster, Elizabeth Jelin y Andreas Huyssen, entre otros, se utilizaran como soportes teoricos que ayudaran en la reflexion sobre este libro, el mas reconocido, de la Premio Nobel de Literatura 2015. Palabras clave: Svetlana Alexievich; Chernobil; catastrofe; resto; siglo XXI
Test of a dynamic neural field model: spatial working memory is biased away from distractors.

Attention facilitates the encoding (e.g., Awh, Anllo-Vento, & Hillyard, J Cognit Neurosci 12(5), 840–847, 2000) and maintenance of locations in spatial working memory (Awh, Vogel, & Oh, Atten, Percept Psychophys 78(4), 1043–1063, 2006). When individuals shift their attention during the maintenance period of a spatial working memory task, their memory of a target location tends to be biased in the direction of the attentional shift (Johnson & Spencer, 2016). Dynamic field theory predicts that in certain conditions, inhibitory mechanisms will result in biases away from distractors presented during the maintenance period of the task. Specifically, dynamic field theory predicts that memory responses will be biased toward distractors that are near the target location and biased away from distractors that are farther from the target location. In two experiments, the current study tested adults in a spatial memory task that required memorization of a single target location. On a subset of trials, a distractor appeared during the memory delay at different distances and directions from the target location. In contrast to the prediction, memory responses were biased away from distractors that were near the target location and not biased by distractors that were far from the target location, providing challenges for, dynamic field theory and other theories of spatial working memory.
A Novel Method to Treat Lymphedema [Virginia Commonwealth University]

One in eight American women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Many will survive, but will be left with painful reminders of their disease. One of these is lymphedema, a disease that involves excessive swelling of the limbs due to lymphectomies, chemotherapy, and radiation. Lymphedema affects body image, activities of daily living and ails more than 10 million Americans, yet nothing is being done for these people. They have defeated cancer but are losing to life. Lymphedema has many treatment options; however, most of them are ineffective, irritating, debilitating and cause other side effects such as nerve pain, muscle atrophy, and joint pain. New treatments need to be established. I am researching whether biomedical engineers can create a surgical implant that will restore or repair the lymphatic system. I studied the lymphatic system and the damage that is caused due to cancer treatments. Then I examined peer-reviewed research that explored how to prevent lymphedema, how different methods of breast reconstruction affected the incidence of lymphedema, the effectiveness of conventional lymphedema treatments, and the effect of surgical implants and grafts on limb volume reduction. The research suggests that biomedical engineers can create an implant that is capable of effectively treating lymphedema. The proposed device will be a small pump that will be implanted in place of the lymph nodes, the damaged lymphatic pathways will be replaced with silicone catheters and the devices’ battery will be charged using wireless charging. The pump and catheters will work in conjunction to regulate the lymph. The implant described above can be easily fabricated by modifying the original idea used in another study. Based on the results of the study this implant can be used to standardize the treatment and improve the quality of life for patients suffering from lymphedema.
Simulating contact angle hysteresis using pseudo-line tensions

Pseudo-line tensions are used in a continuum approach to simulate contact angle hysteresis. A pair of pseudo-line tensions in the receding and advancing states, respectively, are utilized to represent contact line interactions with a substrate because of the nanoscale topological and/or chemical heterogeneity on the substrate. A water droplet sitting on a horizontal or inclined substrate, whose volume is 4–30 µL, has been studied experimentally and numerically. Our simulation model predicts consistent hysteresis at four different droplet sizes compared with experiments. Meanwhile, the critical roll-off angles captured in simulations match well with experiments.