cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Pop-gen Pipeline Platform: A Software Platform for Facilitating Population Genomic Analyses

Abstract Here we present the Pop-Gen Pipeline Platform (PPP), a software platform with the goal of reducing the computational expertise required for conducting population genomic analyses. The PPP was designed as a collection of scripts that facilitate common population genomic workflows in a consistent and standardized Python environment. Functions were developed to encompass entire workflows, including: input preparation, file format conversion, various population genomic analyses, output generation, and visualization. By facilitating entire workflows, the PPP offers several benefits to prospective end users - it reduces the need of redundant in-house software and scripts that would require development time and may be error-prone, or incorrect. The platform has also been developed with reproducibility and extensibility of analyses in mind. The PPP is an open-source package that is available for download and use at https://ppp.readthedocs.io/en/latest/PPP_pages/install.html
Human Breast Milk-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in the Protection Against Experimental Necrotizing Enterocolitis.

Abstract Purpose Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading cause of death in premature infants. Breast feeding decreases the incidence of NEC but, even with aggressive promotion of nursing in Neonatal Intensive Care Units, morbidity and mortality remain high. Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that extracellular vesicles (EVs) purified from mouse and rat stem cells can protect the intestines from NEC. The aim of this study was to determine whether human breast milk (BM)-derived EVs could prevent NEC. Methods EVs were purified from human donor breast milk. NEC was induced in premature rat pups by exposure to asphyxia/hypothermia/hypercaloric feeds. Pups were randomized to: (1) breast fed, no injury, (2) NEC, (3) NEC + BM-derived EVs once intraperitoneally (IP), (4) NEC + BM-derived EVs enterally (PO) with each feed. Intestinal tracts were examined for histologic damage. Additionally, the effect of BM-derived EVs on intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in vitro was examined. Results NEC incidence was 0% in breast-fed pups and 62% in pups subjected to NEC. IP administration of BM-derived EVs decreased NEC incidence to 29% and enteral administration further decreased NEC incidence to 11.9%. (p Conclusion Breast milk-derived EVs delivered either IP or enterally significantly decrease the incidence and severity of experimental NEC, protect IEC from injury in vitro, and may represent an innovative therapeutic option for NEC in the future. Type of study Basic science study. Level of evidence N/A.
Expanding the utility of the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) mouse model to induce a clinically relevant loss of intestinal barrier function

Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a family of debilitating disorders that affects more than 1 million people in the United States. Many animal studies of IBD use a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) mouse model of colitis that induces rapid and severe colitis symptoms. Although the typical seven-day DSS model is appropriate for many studies, it destroys intestinal barrier function and results in intestinal permeability that is substantially higher than what is typically observed in patients. As such, therapies that enhance or restore barrier integrity are difficult or impossible to evaluate. Methods We identify administration conditions that result in more physiologically relevant intestinal damage by systematically varying the duration of DSS administration. We administered 3.0% DSS for four to seven days and assessed disease metrics including weight, fecal consistency, intestinal permeability, spleen weight, and colon length. Histology was performed to assess the structural integrity of the intestinal epithelium. Results Extended exposure (seven days) to DSS resulted in substantial, unrecoverable loss of intestinal structure and intestinal permeability increases of greater than 600-fold. Attenuated DSS administration durations (four days) produced less severe symptoms by all metrics. Intestinal permeability increased only 8-fold compared to healthy mice, better recapitulating the 2-18 fold increases in permeability observed in patients. The attenuated model retains the hallmark properties of colitis against which to compare therapeutic candidates. Our results demonstrate that an attenuated DSS colitis model obtains clinically relevant increases in intestinal permeability, enabling the effective evaluation of therapeutic candidates that promote barrier function.
Population-Level Interest and Telehealth Capacity of US Hospitals in Response to COVID-19: Cross-Sectional Analysis of Google Search and National Hospital Survey Data.

Background: As the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is widely spreading across the United States, there is a concern about the overloading of the nation’s health care capacity. The expansion of telehealth services is expected to deliver timely care for the initial screening of symptomatic patients while minimizing exposure in health care facilities, to protect health care providers and other patients. However, it is currently unknown whether US hospitals have the telehealth capacity to meet the increasing demand and needs of patients during this pandemic. Objective: We investigated the population-level internet search volume for telehealth (as a proxy of population interest and demand) with the number of new COVID-19 cases and the proportion of hospitals that adopted a telehealth system in all US states. Methods: We used internet search volume data from Google Trends to measure population-level interest in telehealth and telemedicine between January 21, 2020 (when the first COVID-19 case was reported), and March 18, 2020. Data on COVID-19 cases in the United States were obtained from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resources Center. We also used data from the 2018 American Hospital Association Annual Survey to estimate the proportion of hospitals that adopted telehealth (including telemedicine and electronic visits) and those with the capability of telemedicine intensive care unit (tele-ICU). Pearson correlation was used to examine the relations of population search volume for telehealth and telemedicine (composite score) with the cumulative numbers of COVID-19 cases in the United States during the study period and the proportion of hospitals with telehealth and tele-ICU capabilities. Results: We found that US population–level interest in telehealth increased as the number of COVID-19 cases increased, with a strong correlation (r=0.948, P<.001). We observed a higher population-level interest in telehealth in the Northeast and West census region, whereas the proportion of hospitals that adopted telehealth was higher in the Midwest region. There was no significant association between population interest and the proportion of hospitals that adopted telehealth (r=0.055, P=.70) nor hospitals having tele-ICU capability (r=–0.073, P=.61). Conclusions: As the number of COVID-19 cases increases, so does the US population’s interest in telehealth. However, the level of population interest did not correlate with the proportion of hospitals providing telehealth services in the United States, suggesting that increased population demand may not be met with the current telehealth capacity. Telecommunication infrastructures in US hospitals may lack the capability to address the ongoing health care needs of patients with other health conditions. More practical investment is needed to deploy the telehealth system rapidly against the impending patient surge.
Safety of repository corticotropin injection as an adjunctive therapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have significantly improved clinical symptoms and quality of life with reduced disease progression in many patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Sh...
On migratable traffic risk estimation in urban sensing: A social sensing based deep transfer network approach

Abstract This paper focuses on the migratable traffic risk estimation problem in intelligent transportation systems using the social sensing. The goal is to accurately estimate the traffic risk of a target area where the ground truth traffic accident reports are not available by leveraging an estimation model from a source area where such data is available. Two important challenges exist. The first challenge lies in the discrepancy between source and target areas and such discrepancy would prevent a direct application of a model from the source area to the target area. The second challenge lies in the difficulty of identifying all potential features in the migratable traffic risk estimation problem and decide the importance of identified features due to the lack of ground truth labels in the target area. To address these challenges, we develop DeepRisk, a social sensing based migratable traffic risk estimation scheme using deep transfer learning techniques. The evaluation results on a real world dataset in New York City show the DeepRisk significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art baselines in accurately estimating the traffic risk of locations in a city.
Neighborhood Poverty and Amygdala Response to Negative Face.

Introduction: Considerable research has established a link between socioeconomic status (SES) and brain function. While studies have shown a link between poverty status and amygdala response to negative stimuli, a paucity of knowledge exists on whether neighborhood poverty is also independently associated with amygdala hyperactive response to negative stimuli. Purpose: Using functional brain imaging data, this study tested the association between neighborhood SES and the amygdala’s response to negative stimuli. Considering race as a sociological rather than a biological construct, we also explored racial heterogeneity in this association between non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White youth. Methods: We borrowed the functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. The sample was 2,490 nine to ten years old non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White adolescents. The independent variable was neighborhood income which was treated as a continuous measure. The primary outcomes were the right and left amygdala response to negative face during an N-Back task. Age, sex, race, marital status, and family SES were the covariates. To analyze the data, we used linear regression models. Results: Low neighborhood income was independently associated with a higher level of amygdala response to negative face. Similar results were seen for the right and left amygdala. These effects were significant net of race, age, sex, marital status, and family SES. An association between low neighborhood SES and higher left but not right amygdala response to negative face could be observed for non-Hispanic Black youth. No association between neighborhood SES and left or right amygdala response to negative face could be observed for non-Hispanic White youth. Conclusions: For American youth, particularly non-Hispanic Black youth, living in a poor neighborhood predicts the left amygdala reaction to negative face. This result suggested that Black youth who live in poor neighborhoods are at a high risk of poor emotion regulation. This finding has implications for policy making to reduce inequalities in undesired behavioral and emotional outcomes. Policy solutions to health inequalities should address inequalities in neighborhood SES.
Ethical allocation of future COVID-19 vaccines.

The COVID-19 pandemic will likely recede only through development and distribution of an effective vaccine. Although there are many unknowns surrounding COVID-19 vaccine development, vaccine demand will likely outstrip early supply, making prospective planning for vaccine allocation critical for ensuring the ethical distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Here, we propose three central goals for COVID-19 vaccination campaigns: to reduce morbidity and mortality, to minimise additional economic and societal burdens related to the pandemic and to narrow unjust health inequalities. We evaluate five prioritisation approaches, assess their likely impact on advancing the three goals of vaccine allocation and identify open scientific questions that may alter their outcomes. We argue that no single prioritisation approach will advance all three goals. Instead, we propose a multipronged approach that considers the risk of serious COVID-19 illness, instrumental value and the risk of transmission, and is guided by future research on COVID-19-specific clinical and vaccine characteristics. While we focus this assessment on the USA, our analysis can inform allocation in other contexts.
Development and evaluation of a heparin gel for transdermal delivery via laser-generated micropores.

Aim: Our study investigated the feasibility of transdermal delivery of heparin, an anticoagulant used against venous thromboembolism, as an alternative to intravenous administration. Materials & me...
Evaluating esophageal motility beyond primary peristalsis: Assessing esophagogastric junction opening mechanics and secondary peristalsis in patients with normal manometry

Background Functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) Panometry assesses the esophageal response to distention and may complement the assessment of primary peristalsis on high-resolution manometry (HRM). We aimed to investigate whether FLIP Panometry provides complementary information in patients with normal esophageal motility on HRM. Methods Adult patients that completed FLIP and had an HRM classification of normal motility were retrospectively identified for inclusion. 16-cm FLIP studies performed during endoscopy were evaluated to assess EGJ distensibility, secondary peristalsis, and identify an abnormal response to distention involving sustained LES contraction (sLESC). Clinical characteristics and esophagram were assessed when available. Key results Of 164 patients included (mean(SD) age 48(16) years, 75% female), 111 (68%) had normal Panometry with EGJ-distensibility index (DI) ≥2.0 mm2 /mmHg, maximum EGJ diameter ≥16mm and antegrade contractions. Abnormal EGJ distensibility was observed in 44/164 (27%), and 38/164 (23%) had an abnormal contractile response to distension. sLESC was observed in 11/164 (7%). Among 68 patients that completed esophagram, abnormal EGJ distensibility was more frequently observed with an abnormal esophagram than normal EGJ opening: 14/23 (61%) vs 10/45 (22%); P=0.003. Epiphrenic diverticula were present in 3/164 patients: 2/3 had sLESC. Conclusions & inferences Symptomatic patients with normal esophageal motility on HRM predominantly have normal FLIP Panometry; however, abnormal FLIP findings can be observed. While abnormal Panometry findings appear clinically relevant via an association with abnormal bolus retention, complementary tests, such as provocative maneuvers with HRM and timed barium esophagram, are useful to determine clinical context.
No Significant Difference Between Intramedullary and Extramedullary Button Fixation for Distal Biceps Brachii Tendon Rupture After Cyclic Loading in a Cadaver Model.

Purpose To biomechanically compare intramedullary (IM) versus extramedullary (EM) distal biceps button fixation under cyclic loading conditions, which is most representative of postoperative physiologic status. Methods This controlled laboratory study used 13 fresh-frozen matched paired cadaver elbows. One specimen from each pair was randomized to either IM (unicortical) or EM (bicortical) distal biceps button fixation via onlay technique. A servohydraulic actuator was used to cycle each specimen from full extension to 90° of flexion at 0.5 Hz for 3,000 cycles. All specimens were subsequently loaded to failure to simulate an acute postoperative load. Results During cyclic loading, the mean change in force from cycle 5 to cycle 3000 was 2.1 ± 3.2 N for the IM group and 0.6 ± 4.2 N for the EM group (P = .19). The increase in tendon gap for the IM group was 1.02 mm and for the EM group was 1.83 mm (P = .37). During failure loading, the IM group had a mean failure load of 154.9 ± 44.5 N and the EM group a mean failure load of 191.1 ± 62.6 N (P = .16). Conclusions No significant differences exist between the IM and EM techniques in loss of force and tendon gap formation under cyclic loading or load to failure conditions. Thus, IM fixation may adequately facilitate optimal bone-tendon apposition, with less risk of iatrogenic injury to the posterior interosseous nerve that can be seen with bicortical extramedullary fixation. Clinical Relevance The most common major complication following distal biceps repair is PIN palsy. IM fixation may be sufficient in facilitating optimal bone-tendon apposition and healing with onlay technique, while minimizing risk of iatrogenic PIN injury associated with EM fixation.
Investigating the Role of Business in Accelerating Sustainable Development in Africa

Ending severe poverty, promoting economic growth, advancing environmental sustainability, and eliminating gender inequality are all considered as benefits of sustainable development. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of a country is linked with sustainable development, and GDP is used as an indicator of a country's economic health as well as a tool to measure a country's standard of living. Businesses must play a role in accelerating sustainable development by contributing to economic growth and employment creation. The idea is that when businesses invest in capital that is used in the manufacturing of commodities, they create jobs, which helps to raise people's living standards by providing them with a source of income. Accelerating Sustainable Development, on the other hand, has an impact on employee empowerment, where workers are paid living wages to satisfy their basic requirements, have job security, the right to join a trade union, and work in a sexual harassment-free workplace.
Does Intraprocedural CT Improve the Success Rate of Adrenal Venous Sampling? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Data from 809 Patients

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the technical success rate of adrenal venous sampling (AVS) with and without intraprocedural computed tomography (CT). A systematic search of the Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases for comparative studies using intraprocedural CT was undertaken. More than 1,000 records were screened using titles and abstracts. Full texts of 121 studies were reviewed and 14 eligible studies were identified. Nine studies had adequate comparative data and were included in the meta-analysis. A research synthesis was performed and data from 809 patients were pooled in multiple random effect models. Overall success rate of AVS without and with intraprocedural CT was 72.7% (59.3–83.0%) and 92.5% (86.6–95.9), respectively. The addition of intraprocedural CT increased the technical success rate by 19.8% (P < 0.001), with an odds ratio (OR) of 5.5 (3.3–9.2; P < 0.01). In meta-regression, odds of success with intraprocedural CT was associated with younger age (beta: 0.16 ± 0.05; P:0.001), higher body mass index (BMI; beta:0.08 ± 0.03; P:0.002), and higher selectivity index (defined as the ratio of cortisol in the adrenal vein to that in the inferior vena cava; beta:0.35 ± 0.08, P < 0.001). We found a linear inverse association between operator’s success without CT and improved success with intraprocedural CT (R2: 0.86). Intraprocedural CT is not required for every case, but can be performed in difficult cases or when operators' success is limited. The benefit was more pronounced in younger patients with higher BMI, female gender, and with higher selectivity. III Systematic review and meta-analysis of non-randomized clinical trials.
Development of lightweight carbon nanofiber reinforced syntactic foam composites

Syntactic foams are a class of hollow particle filled composites which have found many applications in the marine sector due to their outstanding specific compressive properties and tailorable buoyancy. A limitation of these composites is that the tensile and flexural properties are severely limited due to the addition of hollow particles. Carbon nanofibers reinforcement of the matrix has been explored as a means of improving the tensile properties of such composites without sacrificing light weight. The nanofibers are dispersed between the hollow particles and do not affect the packing efficiency of the filler. The unique electrical and thermal properties of CNFs also present opportunities to tailor these properties of the composite beyond the range traditionally achievable by only particles. Thermal and electrical properties of CNF syntactic foams will be examined with a focus on the potential applications of these composites.
Phylogenetic relationship among Libellula, Ladona and Plathemis (Odonata: Libellulidae) based on DNA sequence of mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene

. The type genus for the dragonfly family Libellulidae is Libellula. At present, Libellula s.l. includes twenty-nine species, whose distribution is largely Nearctic. Whether two other libellulid taxa, Ladona and Plathemis, should be considered synonyms of Libellula, subgenera of Libellula, or separate genera, has been a subject of intermittent debate for over a century. Earlier proposals concerning Ladona and Plathemis were based on a limited number of morphological characters and lacked rigorous phylogenetic analyses. Therefore, we used the DNA sequence of a portion of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene and parsimony, maximum likelihood and neighbour-joining analyses to explore whether Ladona and Plathemis are monophyletic lineages distinct from Libellula. We obtained ≈ 415 bp of DNA sequence from twenty-three taxa including thirteen species of Libellula s.s., all three recognized species of Ladona, the two species of Plathemis and representatives of four other libellulid genera. Tetragoneuria williamsoni (Odonata: Corduliidae) was included as the outgroup. Parsimony analysis suggested that Ladona and Plathemis are monophyletic lineages distinct from Libellula s.s. with a sister group relationship between Libellula and Ladona. The monophyly of Ladona, Plathemis and Libellula was supported in > 90% of bootstrap replications and in trees five to ten steps longer than the most parsimonious trees. Relationships inferred from maximum likelihood and neighbour-joining analyses also supported the monophyly of Ladona and Plathemis. The four other libellulid genera included in the study formed a monophyletic clade distinct from Libellula, Ladona and Plathemis. Based on our analysis, we propose that Ladona and Plathemis be considered either genera or subgenera within Libellulidae.
Detection of neuroendocrine marker in blood samples using an optofluidic chip

Detection of a newly discovered prostate cancer (PC) biomarker neuroendocrine marker (NEM) using an optofluidic chip, consisting of arrayed optical nanosensors, has been carried out. Different from prostate-specific antigen (PSA), NEM is produced by prostate tumor cells and is released or leaked in blood. Hence, NEM is tumorspecific and more reliable biomarker than PSA. In this effort, for the first time, we have detected 10pg/mL NEM in BSA solution and NEM in blood serum from a patient using the optofluidic chip with high specificity, indicating this type of chip can be potentially used for screening and achieving early detection of PC.
Electoral Reform, Issue Cleavages and the Consolidation of a Two-Party System in Taiwan

Until 2008, Taiwan's legislative elections followed a proportional electoral system likely to promote multiparty politics. Nonetheless, it has developed as a two-party system. The failure to develop multiparty politics is a product of the interaction of political institutions, elite strategies and social cleavages. The 2008 electoral reform is likely to cement Taiwan's two-party system.
The evolution of large-amplitude MHD waves near quasi-parallel shocks in the solar wind

We discuss attempts to explain the steepening of magnetohydrodynamic waves upstream of the Earth's bow shock and the formation of short-wavelength 'shocklets' in terms of simple analytic models. The effort involves use of the Derivative Nonlinear Schroedinger Equation (DNLS) to describe the wave evolution. We review shortcomings of previous attempts to model foreshock wave phenomena in terms of wave packet evolution according to the DNLS. It is pointed out that: (1) the oblique propagation of the waves and (2) their growth by unstable particle distribution are conducive to the processes of wave steepening and shocklet formation. Numerical solutions of the DNLS with initial conditions corresponding to envelope-modulated, obliquely propagating wave packets yield evolved wave packets with many properties similar to the observed waves.
Cardiopulmonary baroreflexes do not modulate exercise-induced sympathoexcitation

The purpose of this study was to test the general hypothesis that sympathoinhibitory cardiopulmonary baroreflexes modulate sympathetic outflow during voluntary exercise in humans. Direct (microneurographic) measurements of postganglionic sympathetic nerve activity to noncontracting muscle (MSNA) were made from the right peroneal nerve in the leg, and arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded in 10 healthy subjects before (control) and for 2.5 min during each of five interventions: 1) lower-body negative pressure at -10 mmHg (LBNP) alone, 2 and 3) isometric handgrip exercise at 15 and 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) alone, and 4 and 5) handgrip at 15 and 30% MVC performed during LBNP. During LBNP alone, which should have reduced cardiopulmonary baroreflex sympathoinhibition, AP and HR did not change from control, but MSNA increased 93 +/- 24% (P less than 0.05). Handgrip elicited contraction intensity-dependent increases in AP and HR (P less than 0.05), but MSNA increased above control only at the 30% MVC level (165 +/- 30%, P less than 0.05). The HR, AP, and MSNA responses to either level of handgrip performed during LBNP were not different from the algebraic sums of the corresponding responses to handgrip and LBNP performed separately (P greater than 0.05). Since there was no facilitation of the MSNA response to handgrip when performed during LBNP compared with algebraic sums of the separate responses, our results do not support the hypothesis that cardiopulmonary baroreflexes modulate (inhibit) sympathetic outflow during exercise in humans.
A simple program to reduce the stress associated with NRC nuclear operators' examinations

A sharply focused, two-part program was developed for TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) operators scheduled to take the NRC (US Nuclear Regulatory Commission) examination. The first part was early in the preparatory training, and the second part was given just prior to the examination. The first part consisted of a simple model of stress found in exams, early warning signs of tests stress, and tactics of stress management that were practical to use during the NRC exam itself. The second module consisted of tactics to prepare psychologically for the exam, and involved setting priorities, sleep patterns, physical activities, alcohol, prescription drugs, and nutrition, among others. >
Best Practices for a State Alzheimer's Disease Registry: Lessons from Georgia

In May 2014, the Georgia General Assembly enacted legislation establishing the Alzheimer’s Disease Registry (“Registry”) in order to generate new data for research and policy planning. The Task Force bill followed similar federal legislation. This state action has not only drawn tremendous attention to the continued prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease among the population of Georgia but also raised a series of questions regarding the practicability, legality, and effectiveness of the Registry. The lessons learned in Georgia, as Registry implementation moves forward, will provide guidance for other states interested in collecting similar data. In Part I of this article we describe the legislative history and operation of the Registry. In Part II we compare the two other population-based Alzheimer’s disease registries in the United States. In Part III we identify legal and ethical problems that may arise as the Registry becomes fully operational. In Part IV we identify specific concerns regarding the data collection and other procedural rules of the Registry. Finally in Part V, we articulate best practices for the Registry, considering both the unique circumstances of Georgia as well as generalizable concerns for other states.
Topical fibronectin in the treatment of persistent corneal epithelial defects and trophic ulcers

Six patients with persistent corneal epithelial defects that failed to improve with standard therapy were treated with topical fibronectin in a phase I uncontrolled trial. Fibronectin was purified from autologous plasma by affinity chromatography and administered topically, 0.5 mg/ml five times a day, for three weeks. Complete reepithelialization was achieved in five patients: three healed three to 17 days after initiation of treatment while two healed one to two weeks after discontinuation of topical fibronectin. No side effects were observed. Over a follow-up period of three to 18 months, two recurrences were noted.
High-pressure behavior of TiO 2 as determined by experiment and theory

Using high-resolution synchrotron x-ray powder diffraction we have investigated the structural phase transitions and equations of state of titanium dioxide $({\text{TiO}}_{2})$ under high pressure before and after heating at high temperature. The phase sequence we observe experimentally is as follows: rutile $(\text{RT})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\text{columbite}\text{ }(\text{CB})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\text{baddeleyite}\text{ }(\text{MI})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\text{orthorhombic}\text{ }\text{I}\text{ }(\text{OI})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\text{orthorhombic}\text{ }\text{II}\text{ }(\text{OII})$. The equations of state as determined from our experiments are consistent with previous measurements and computations. The only exception is the OII phase for which we find a significantly lower room-pressure bulk modulus $({K}_{0})$ of 312 $(\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}34)\text{ }\text{GPa}$ and room-pressure volume $({V}_{0})$ of 25.28 $(\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.35)\text{ }{\text{\AA{}}}^{3}$ as compared to previous experiments. We find that the volume decreases across the $\text{OI}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\text{OII}$ phase transition at room temperature by $\ensuremath{\sim}8.3%$, in very good agreement with our static first-principles calculations which predict volume changes of 8.2% and 7.6% for local-density approximation and generalized gradient approximation, respectively. This volume collapse is significantly higher than previously determined but consistent with the volume decrease observed in other dioxides across this transition.
Cortical patterns in two syngens of Glaucoma.

SYNOPSIS. Strains of 2 syngens of Glaucoma (16) were found to have different cortical characteristics. All clones of a particular strain had approximately the same range of corticotypes, approximately the same means and high and very similar variances. The chief differences between the syngens was the corticotypic range. The patterns of variation of cortical elements of syngen 2 appeared to be primarily extensions of the patterns of syngen 1. The range of meridian numbers of different species of Glaucoma overlapped with each other and could not be distinguished by this criterion alone.
A Comparison of Classical and Inverse Estimators in the Calibration Problem

Deciding between classical and inverse regression estimators in a calibration setting has been a dilemma for applied statisticians for over three decades. One proposed resolution of this dilemma compares estimators of a predicted-value of the regressor variable based on an observed value of the dependent variable through the Pitman closeness criterion. Least squares and inverse least squares techniques are compared via simulation due to the complexity of the distribution used in the calculation, which depends upon the product of a linear and a quadratic form. We show that the inverse least squares procedure provides an estimator which is Pitman-closer to the calibration point, x 0 , than the corresponding classical least squares approach when the calibration point is not too close to the sample average. We show the usefulness of this dominance in practical terms through an example, which involves leak detection in product transmission lines.
Ion-exchange equilibria of amino acids on strong-acid resins: Theory

Abstract Equations describing equilibrium uptake of neutral, acidic, and basic amino acids by strong-acid cation exchangers as a function of pH and concentrations of amino acid and added electrolyte or buffer are derived.
Latency-information theory and applications: Part I. On the discovery of the time dual for information theory

As part of research conducted on the design of an efficient clutter covariance processor for DARPA's knowledge aided sensor signal processing expert reasoning (KASSPER) program a time-dual for information theory was discovered and named latency theory , this theory is discussed in this first of a multi-paper series. While information theory addresses the design of communication systems, latency theory does the same for recognition systems. Recognition system is the name given to the time dual of a communication system. A recognition system uses prior-knowledge about a signal-processor's input to enable the sensing of its output by a processing-time limited sensor when the fastest possible signal-processor replacement cannot achieve this task. A processor-coder is the time dual of a source coder. While a source coder replaces a signal-source to yield a smaller sourced-space in binary dig its (bits) units a processor coder replaces a signal-processor to yield a smaller processing-time in binary operat ors (bors) units. A sensor coder is the time dual of a channel coder. While a channel coder identifies the necessary overhead-knowledge for accurate communications a sensor coder identifies the necessary prior-knowledge for accurate recognitions. In the second of this multipaper series latency theory is successfully illustrated with real-world knowledge aided radar.
Revision and Cladistic Analysis of the Nocturnal Social Wasp Genus, Apoica Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Vespidae; Polistinae, Epiponini)

Abstract A revision of the nocturnal social wasp genus, Apoica, is presented. The revision is based on a cladistic analysis of morphological, behavioral, and molecular characters of the nine nominal species. The subgenera Deuterapoica and Apoica are consistent with the phylogenetic results, and are thus retained. A new species, Apoica ellenae, whose phylogenetic position is uncertain, is described. A variant of A. albimacula from Peru is noted. This brings the total number of species in the genus to 10.
Theory of high- T c superconductors within a realistic Anderson lattice model

A realistic Anderson lattice Hamiltonian for La/sub 2-//sub x/Sr/sub x/CuO/sub 4/ is derived from an extensive tight-binding parametrization of ab initio band structure. A solution of the Hamiltonian by the 1/N expansion technique gives remarkably good agreement with the data on thermodynamic, transport, and critical properties, e.g., the location of the holes on the oxygen and saturation of T/sub c/ at 15% doping are reproduced.
Teachers' Perceptions of Alternate Assessments

The purpose of this study was to examine teachers' perceptions of alternate assessments. A total of 983 teachers from five states participated in this study. The results suggest that teachers tended to agree that their students should be included in school accountability, but they did not agree with most items assessing the educational benefits of alternate assessments. Teachers reported that the most significant impact of alternate assessments is the increase in paperwork and demands on their time. In contrast, when teachers perceive alternate assessments counting in school accountability systems, more teachers report a positive impact for alternate assessments. Significant differences in positive impact of alternate assessment between testing approaches (i.e., portfolio, performance-based, checklist) were also found. Implications and recommendations are discussed
Neural correlates of reactivation and retrieval-induced distortion

Reactivation of recently acquired information can strengthen memory storage and likely contributes to memory consolidation. Retrieval (generating information about prior events) may improve memory storage because it entails reactivation. Alternatively, retrieval may promote storage of retrieved information, and, if retrieval is inaccurate, subsequent recall could be distorted by the retrieved information. If retrieval modifies memory storage, as hypothesized, neural signals associated with accurate retrieval at that time may be distinct from neural signals associated with the degree of repeated retrieval error evident at some later time. We tested this prediction using a 3-session protocol. During session 1, people learned object-location associations to criterion and completed a cued-recall test in which locations were recalled upon viewing objects. During session 2, an electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded during cued recall for a subset of the associations. During session 3, cued recall was tested for all associations. Retrieval improved storage, in that recall at session 3 was superior for objects tested in session 2 compared with those not tested. Retrieval-induced distortion was revealed in session 3 for those objects tested in session 2, in that those objects were generally placed closer to locations retrieved at session 2 relative to original study locations. EEG analyses revealed positive potentials (400-700 ms) associated with relatively accurate recall at session 2. Memory updating was reflected in positive potentials after 700 ms that differentially predicted the degree to which recall promoted storage of the session-2-retrieved location. These findings demonstrate unique neurocognitive processing whereby memories are updated with information produced during retrieval.
Vibrational energy relaxation in liquid HCl and DCl via the linearized semiclassical method: electrostriction versus quantum delocalization.

The rate constant for vibrational energy relaxation of the H–Cl stretch in liquid HCl (T = 188K, ρ = 19.671 nm–3) is calculated within the framework of the Landau–Teller formula. The force–force correlation function is calculated via the recently introduced force-derivative-free linearized semiclassical method [Vazquez et al. J. Phys. Chem. A2010, 114, 5682]. The calculated vibrational energy relaxation rate constant is found to be in excellent agreement with experiment, and the electrostatic force is found to contribute significantly to the high frequency component of the force–force correlation function. In contrast, the corresponding classical vibrational energy relaxation rate constant is found to be 2 orders of magnitude slower than the experimental value, and the classical force–force correlation function is found to be dominated by the Lennard-Jones forces. These observations suggest that quantum delocalization, enhanced by the light mass of hydrogen, amplifies the contribution of repulsive Coulomb...
Chicken keel cartilage as a source of chondroitin sulfate

Chondroitin sulfate is used extensively as a treatment for osteoarthritis. This study was conducted to evaluate whether chondroitin sulfate could be isolated from chicken keel cartilage in sufficient quantities and of requisite quality to make it a feasible source of chondroitin sulfate. Proteoglycans were extracted from chicken keel cartilage obtained immediately after slaughter by using 3 M MgCl2 at room temperature. The extract was then dialyzed and digested with papain to remove proteins. Glycosaminoglycans were obtained by ethanol precipitation, lyophilized, and characterized by using gel filtration on Sepharose CL-6B columns. Guanidine-HCI extraction was also used as a control to investigate the efficiency of extraction using MgCl2. Results showed that, from every gram of wet or non-lyophilized keel cartilage, 32.9 +/- 4.8 mg (dry weight) of glycosaminoglycans could be obtained following MgCl2 extraction. Analyses revealed that 75.5 +/- 4.2% of these glycosaminoglycans were chondroitin sulfate. Chromatographic analyses showed a single symmetrical peak, which could be almost entirely removed by prior digestion with chondroitinase ABC, indicating that the material in the peak was in fact chondroitin sulfate. The average molecular weight (also called relative molecular mass, Mr) of the glycosaminoglycans was also estimated (Mr 48,500). Characterization using polyacrylamide or agarose gel electrophoresis showed diffuse bands containing chondroitin sulfate, which could be entirely removed by prior digestion with chondroitinase ABC. This study shows that chicken keel cartilage is a readily available source of chondroitin sulfate.
Oxidation-reduction behavior of undoped and Sr-doped LaMnO3: Defect structure, electrical conductivity, and thermoelectric power

Abstract Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity measurements were performed for undoped and Sr-doped LaMnO 3 as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure. The results of electrical conductivity showed typical p -type behavior. As reduction proceeded, the electrical conductivity of these LaMnO 3 -based perovskites decreased with P 1 4 O 2 . The analysis of the electrical conductivity data was performed by extending the defect model from a previous thermogravimetric (TG) study. The measured Seebeck coefficients were found to be positive except for the most reducing conditions when the decomposition into multiple phases occurred. The Heikes formula was adopted to interpret the Seebeck coefficient results and to calculate the mobility. These results indicated that the conduction was due to p -type carriers of a localized nature. It was also suggested that the conductivity for these perovskites was dominated by the mobility rather than by the carrier concentration.
Generalized Binomial Coefficients and the Subset-Subspace Problem

Generalized binomial coefficients of the first and second kind are defined in terms of object selection with and without repetition from weighted boxes. The combinatorial definition unifies the binomial coefficients, the Gaussian coefficients, and the Stirling numbers and their recurrence relations under a common interpretation. Combinatorial proofs for some Gaussian coefficient identities are derived and shown to reduce to the ordinary binomial coefficients whenq=1. This approach provides a different perspective on the subset-subspace analogy problem. Generating function relations for the generalized binomial coefficients are derived by formal methods.
Proton pump inhibitors for Barrett's oesophagus

Barrett's oesophagus is a metaplastic condition in which the normal squamous oesophageal epithelium is replaced by specialised intestinal metaplasia.1 Barrett's oesophagus occurs in about 10% of patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and predisposes to dysplasia and adenocarcinoma.2 The incidence of oesophageal and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma is rapidly increasing by a rate exceeding that of any other cancer.3 4 Over the past decade, acid suppression with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has become the mainstay of treatment of patients with Barrett's oesophagus. This article reviews the specific end points of such treatment. Concomitant symptomatic GORD is common in patients with Barrett's oesophagus and manifests as heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, or chest pain.5 Numerous trials have documented that PPIs provide superior relief of heartburn compared with H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs). In a recent meta-analysis of GORD studies of patients with endoscopically proved erosive oesophagitis, PPIs, irrespective of dose or duration of treatment, provide the greatest overall symptom relief, with 77.4% (10.4%) of patients becoming heartburn-free, which was significantly better than with H2RAs (47.6% (15.5%)). Furthermore, PPIs provide faster complete heartburn relief (11.5%/week) than H2RAs (6.4%/week).6 As a group, however, patients with Barrett's oesophagus have greater exposure to oesophageal acid than other patients with GORD7 8 and control of symptoms may require higher than usual doses of PPIs.9 10 Even with PPI therapy, however, a subgroup of patients may still have acid regurgitation in spite of control of oesophageal acid exposure.11 Of note, elderly patients over 65 years of age with Barrett's oesophagus may be much less symptomatic than their younger counterparts and may not require antisecretory therapy.5 Healing of coexistent oesophagitis is an important goal of treatment in patients with Barrett's oesophagus. Elimination of erosive oesophagitis or …
Calculation of stress intensity factors for straight cracks in grooved and ungrooved shafts

Abstract Stress intensity factors have been calculated by finite element methods for a straight edged crack in a plane normal to the axis of rotation of a circular cylinder under tension and bending, and for a similar crack at the base of a symmetric groove in a shaft under tension and bending and under compressive stresses on the cylindrical surface. Satisfactory agreement with results of simplified approximations was found in most cases. A simple formula for determining the effect of the crack on the stiffness of the shaft in bending has also been derived. For the crack in an ungrooved cylinder, the stress intensity factor due to tensile or bending loads was highest at the centre, and lower than that due to a semi-elliptical notch in a slab of the same thickness under the same load. For bending loads on cracks of depths up to a tenth of the cylinder diameter, the stress intensity factor is approx. 1 1 2 σ√l (where l is the maximum crack depth and σ the maximum stress in the absence of the crack). For cracks in shallow grooves, the maximum stress intensity under tensile and bending loads is also at the centre but that for cracks in deep grooves is at the surface. The maximum stress intensity factor due to shrink fit is near the surface for both types of groove.
Vocal Tract Resonance Characteristics of Adults with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Vocal tract acoustic resonance was evaluated in a group of 10 untreated adult males with diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome compared to 10 non-OSA adult males. Subjects were required to prolong the vowels /i/, /u/ and /a/, which were subsequently submitted to acoustic analysis of formant frequency and formant bandwidth. Results of the formant frequency analysis indicated lower formant values among the OSA group compared to the non-OSA group, for each vowel type. The lower formant frequencies among the OSA group were attributed to greater vocal tract length compared to non-OSA speakers. The corresponding formant bandwidths for each vowel produced by the OSA group were significantly wider compared to the non-OSA group. The wide formant bandwidths were interpreted to reflect significantly greater vocal tract damping in the OSA subjects, resulting from either excessive vocal tract tissue compliance or general size differences in the length and cross-sectional area of the vocal tract. Discussion focuses on the potential applications of acoustic analysis to aid in the diagnosis and follow-up treatment of OSA.
Left-Right Ideological Differences in Blaming Victims

In the first of two experiments conducted with liberal and conservative university students (so designated on the basis of their scores on Tomkins' Polarity Scale) men and women made attributions of responsibility to a welfare client. Overall, conservatives blamed the victim more than liberals. The second study extended this finding to the victim of a theft. Liberals were particularly lenient when the victim was described as emotionally upset, supporting Tomkins' ideas about left-right affective differences. In both studies, conservatives derogated the victim's character to a greater extent than liberals.