cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plasma and urine diketopiperazine concentrations in normal adults ingesting large quantities of aspartame

In aqueous solution, aspartame can cyclicize to form its corresponding diketopiperazine (3-carboxymethyl-6-benzyl-2,5-diketopiperazine; DKP) and methanol. We measured plasma and urinary concentrations of DKP in samples obtained from six normal adult subjects ingesting 2.2 mg DKP/kg body weight. The DKP was administered as part of a dose of 200 mg aspartame/kg body weight. DKP concentrations in plasma were below the detection limit (less than 1 microgram/ml) of the high-pressure liquid chromatographic method at each time interval after ingestion at which they were measured. Mean (+/- SD) total urinary DKP excreted during the first 24-hr period after dosing was 6.68 +/- 1.30 mg (4.83 +/- 0.23% of the ingested DKP dose). Approximately 44% of the total DKP excreted was excreted in the first 4 hr after dosing.
On nonparametric regression with higher-order kernels

Abstract Estimation of the value of an unknown function at a point of continuity using kernel estimators is considered. Optimal bandwidths for second- and fourth-order kernels and their asymptotic and large-sample efficiencies are examined. For fourth-order kernels generated by the generalized jackknife combination of two quadratics with different bandwidths, the optimal bandwidth ratio is derived. In the regression context the potential advantages of a fourth-order kernel make it a viable competitor to the usual second-order kernel estimator.
TEACHER TRAINING WITH CLOSED‐CIRCUIT TELEVISION

How can we train more teachers to teach English as a foreignlanguage? This has been the c r y of the English Language Institute at the University of Michigan since its inception in 1941. The Institute was originally founded to teach English to foreign students in an eight-week course known a s the Intensive Course. It soon became apparent, however, that a teacher-training program was necessary. The teaching materials and instructional techniques developed at the Institute were the outgrowth of the application of the findings of modern descriptive linguistics. For optimum success teachers specially trained in the use of these materials and techniques were required. Thus a new profession, the teaching of English as a foreign language, was born. In the early days teacher trainees at the English Language Institute could be carefully and almost individually guided by the Institute's founder, Professor Charles C . Fries. Eventually other universities entered the field of scientific teaching of English a s a foreign language and the need for teachers specificially trained in the necessary techniques has been snowballing ever since. In spite of the efforts of the English Lanugage Institute and other institutions to meet the demand, it has not been possible to supply the needed number of teachers to teach the socalled linguistic or oral approach. There is a continuing demand, not only from colleges and universities in the United States but from the far corners of the globe. Because of the shortage of trained personnel, many of the openings either are not filled or they are filled by linguists who have no special interest in English as a foreign language, by social o r comparative anthropologists who want an opportunity to get out in the field, o r by literature majors. They a re even filled by persons who have no other qualification than that they are native speakers of English! Since language learning and language teaching are skill subjects, this makes for a deplorable situation-almost as bad a s assigning a person to teach linotype operators when his sole qualification is that he can read a newspaper.
A Full Navier-Stokes Based Optimal Design of Bleed Flow for Supersonic Inlets

A simulation-based optimal aerodynamic design tool is developed and used to optimize the bleed system for improving the performance of the supersonic inlet. A genetic algorithm is integrated into the design process to perform automated single- or multiple-objective optimizations. The dependent objective functions considered are the total pressure recovery and the total bled mass of air. The independent bleed system design parameters investigated are the bleed flow rate and the location of the bleed zone. A full Navier-Stokes flow solver is used and validated against experimental data for bleed on a flat plate with oblique shock-wave and turbulent boundary layer interaction which is commonly seen in a mixed-compression inlet. The accuracy in dealing with supersonic flow bleed and the capability of the developed design system for optimizing an inlet bleed system is demonstrated. The resulting improvement in total pressure recovery is presented and discussed in terms of the design variables used and design objectives considered.
Formation of endothelial lumens requires a coordinated PKCε-, Src-, Pak- and Raf-kinase- dependent signaling cascade downstream of Cdc42 activation

In this study, we present data showing that Cdc42-dependent lumen formation by endothelial cells (ECs) in three-dimensional (3D) collagen matrices involves coordinated signaling by PKCe in conjunction with the Src-family kinases (SFKs) Src and Yes. Activated SFKs interact with Cdc42 in multiprotein signaling complexes that require PKCe during this process. Src and Yes are differentially expressed during EC lumen formation and siRNA suppression of either kinase, but not Fyn or Lyn, results in significant inhibition of EC lumen formation. Concurrent with Cdc42 activation, PKCe- and SFK-dependent signaling converge to activate p21-activated kinase (Pak)2 and Pak4 in steps that are also required for EC lumen formation. Pak2 and Pak4 further activate two Raf kinases, B-Raf and C-Raf, leading to ERK1 and ERK2 (ERK1/2) activation, which all seem to be necessary for EC lumen formation. This work reveals a multicomponent kinase signaling pathway downstream of integrin-matrix interactions and Cdc42 activation involving PKCe, Src, Yes, Pak2, Pak4, B-Raf, C-Raf and ERK1/2 to control EC lumen formation in 3D collagen matrices.
A Rotating-Tip-Based Mechanical Nano-Manufacturing Process: Nanomilling

We present a rotating-tip-based mechanical nanomanufacturing technique, referred to here as nanomilling. An atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe tip that is rotated at high speeds by out-of-phase motions of the axes of a three-axis piezoelectric actuator is used as the nanotool. By circumventing the high-compliance AFM beam and directly attaching the tip onto the piezoelectric actuator, a high-stiffness arrangement is realized. The feeding motions and depth prescription are provided by a nano-positioning stage. It is shown that nanomilling is capable of removing the material in the form of long curled chips, indicating shearing as the dominant material removal mechanism. Feature-size and shape control capabilities of the method are demonstrated.
Alternate Patterns of Premature Ventricular Excitation during Spontaneous Atrial Bigeminy

This report documents two instances of spontaneous alternate patterns of premature ventricular excitation during atrial bigeminy (alternating premature ventricular excitation). Previous reports of "alternating premature ventricular excitation" have required control of electrophysiologic parameters by atrial pacing methods. Illustration of this arrhythmia and a discussion of its mechanism constitute the substance of this report.
Adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: What treatment options are available?:

The scientific literature on adenocarcinoma of the ampulla (papilla) of Vater suggests that it either represents a distinct entity or is more closely related to small bowel adenocarcinoma than to the biliary malignancies. The ambiguity surrounding this rare cancer has kindled research exploring its immunohistochemistry aspects and gene expression profiling. While the basis of management for resectable disease remains surgical intervention, the role of adjuvant chemotherapy is not clear. A recent large phase 3 clinical trial conducted in patients with resected ampulla of Vater adenocarcinoma favored adjuvant chemotherapy over observation alone. The standards of therapy for the advanced small bowel adenocarcinoma and biliary cancer are fluoropyrimidine derivatives and gemcitabine-based combinations, respectively. In addition, new biologic and targeted agents may enhance clinical results seen in this cancer type. Therefore, diligently designed clinical trials are necessary to establish its optimal treatment strategies. We describe herein a patient with ampulla of Vater adenocarcinoma who had an exceptional response to fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy. We further include a discussion reviewing the clinicopathologic aspects of this neoplasm as well as focus on currently available and future therapeutic options.
Development of the cranium and paired fins in the zebrafish Danio rerio (Ostariophysi, Cyprinidae).

Because of the genetic and developmental information available, Danio rerio stands out as a vertebrate model system in which significant progress in the areas of development and evolution can be made. Despite its increasing popularity, little research has been done on skeletal development. In this report, we provide developmental information on the structure and composition of the zebrafish skull, pectoral, and pelvic girdle. We describe the sequence of ossification of the skull and paired fins from a large series of cleared and Alizarin red-stained specimens at larval and adult stages. The most commonly followed developmental sequence in Danio rerio is described. Chondrocranial development is noted from Alcian blue-stained specimens. General trends in ossification patterns are examined from developmental, phylogenetic, and functional contexts. No clear pattern in ossification order of dermal versus cartilage bones is evident. Ossification sequence conforms to functional need in a general way, but there are inconsistencies in the details of order. Selected phylogenetic comparisons of ossification sequence within cranial regions are made among Danio rerio, Betta splendens, Oryzias latipes, and Barbus barbus. Greater sequence conservation is apparent between D. rerio and Barbus barbus, the ostariophysans, than among other taxon pairs. Intraspecific variation in ossification order is apparent, most of which involves small adjustments in timing. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Estradiol replacement reverses ovariectomy-induced muscle contractile and myosin dysfunction in mature female mice

Skeletal muscle contractility and myosin function decline following ovariectomy in mature female mice. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that estradiol replacement can reverse those dec...
On The Possibility Of An Absolute Radiometric Standard Based On The Quantum Efficiency Of A Silicon Photodiode

The physical mechanisms governing the behavior of silicon photovoltaic p-n junctions are reviewed from the point of view of using the internal quantum efficiency of such devices as absolute radiometric standards.
State-level moderation of genetic tendencies to smoke.

Objectives. I examined genetic influences on smoking among adolescents and differences in the heritability of smoking across states in the United States.Methods. With data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (participants aged 12–21 years), I used a multilevel twin- and sibling-pair (N = 2060 pairs) regression model.Results. Daily smoking (hereditability estimate [h2] = 0.54) and smoking onset (h2 = 0.42) were both highly heritable. Whereas the genetic influences on smoking onset were consistent across states, there was significant variation in these influences on daily smoking. Genetic influences on daily smoking were lower in states with relatively high taxes on cigarettes and in those with greater controls on the vending machines and cigarette advertising. Genetic influences were also negatively associated with rates of smoking among youths.Conclusions. At the state level, gene–environment interaction models are best characterized by the model of social control. State policies may...
Utility of Flow Cytometry Immunophenotyping for the Diagnosis and Classification of Lymphoma in Community Hospital Clinical Needle Aspiration/Biopsies

Abstract Context.—Flow cytometry immunophenotyping (FC) of needle aspiration/biopsy (NAB) samples has been reported to be useful for the diagnosis and classification of lymphoma in university and cancer center–based settings. Nevertheless, there is no agreement on the utility of these methods. Objective.—To further define the utility of adjunctive FC of clinical NAB for the diagnosis and classification of lymphoma, and to determine if this approach is practicable in a routine clinical practice setting. Setting.—A community-based hospital. Methods.—Clinical NABs were submitted for adjunctive FC between June 1996 and September 1999 if initial smears were suspicious for lymphoma. Smears and cell block or needle core tissues were routinely processed and paraffin-section immunostains were performed if indicated. The final diagnosis was determined by correlating clinical and pathologic data, and the revised European-American classification criteria were used to subtype lymphomas. Results.—Needle aspiration/biop...
Patterns of cortical stability in Tetrahymena.

SYNOPSIS. A simplified technic is presented for determining clonal stability patterns for numbers of ciliary rows in Tetrahymena. The technic involves plotting the variance of meridian number against the mean number of meridians. By this procedure strains of different syngens, difficult to discriminate on other grounds, may sometimes be shown to be distinctive.
The Death of Isabella Della Volpe: Four Eyewitness Accounts of a Postmortem Caesarean Section in 1545

This article provides a transcription and translation of four notarized declarations describing the events surrounding a postmortem caesarean section performed in 1545 in Vercelli, a small city in the Duchy of Savoy. After her death in the late stages of pregnancy, Isabella della Volpe's body was opened and her fetus excised by a local barber, aided by a surgeon and a midwife. The article argues that the postmortem caesarean section was a well-known and widely accepted procedure and that it might be motivated by financial and legal as well as religious concerns; not only was it important to baptize the child for its salvation, but the fate of the mother's dowry, as in this case, might depend on whether she died with or without living issue.
Multiple paradoxical emboli

Abstract We report a case of multiple paradoxical emboli involving the common carotid, right subclavian, right renal, celiac, and superior mesenteric arteries. Paradoxical embolus is an uncommon but important cause of acute arterial occlusion. Successful management requires prompt recognition, prevention of further embolization, and treatment directed toward relief of the acute arterial occlusion. (J VASC SURG 1986;4:284-7.)
Concomitant opsoclonus ataxia and limbic encephalitis as a result of dual anti‐Ri and anti‐Yo antibodies in uterine carcinosarcoma: A case report

Paraneoplastic syndromes have become increasingly recognized as causing a number of neurological symptoms that can herald the presence of malignancy. A number of these antibodies have been identified. Few cases report paraneoplastic syndromes resulting from the presence of multiple antibodies in a single tumor source. Here, we describe a case of simultaneous opsoclonus ataxia and limbic encephalitis from two concurrent paraneoplastic antibodies, anti-Ri and anti-Yo, in the presence of diagnosed uterine carcinosarcoma. Anti-Ri (anti-neuronal nuclear antibody type 2 or ANNA-2) and anti-Yo (anti-Purkinje cell cytoplasmic antibody type 1) antibodies are known to be associated with opsoclonus myoclonus and cerebellar degeneration syndromes, respectively. Anti-Ri has also been associated with limbic encephalitis. This is a unique description of both anti-Ri and anti-Yo paraneoplastic antibodies with correlating syndromes in uterine carcinosarcoma. Although paraneoplastic syndromes are widely recognized and described, they are rare; but, as evidenced by this case, it is possible to have multiple concomitant syndromes and antibodies.
Specificity of the stress electrocardiogram during adenosine myocardial perfusion imaging in patients taking digoxin.

Abstract Background In patients taking digoxin, the exercise electrocardiogram has a lower specificity for detecting coronary artery disease. However, the effect of digoxin on adenosine-induced ST-segment depression is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the specificity of the electrocardiogram during adenosine myocardial perfusion imaging in patients taking digoxin. Methods Between May 1991 and September 1997, patients (n = 99) taking digoxin who underwent adenosine stress imaging with thallium-201 or technetium-99m sestamibi and coronary angiography within 3 months were retrospectively identified. Exclusion criteria included prior myocardial infarction, coronary artery angioplasty or bypass surgery, left bundle branch block, paced ventricular rhythm, or significant valvular disease. Twelve-lead electrocardiograms were visually interpreted at baseline, during adenosine infusion, and during the recovery period. The stress electrocardiogram was considered positive if there was ≥1 mm additional horizontal or downsloping ST-segment depression or elevation 0.08 seconds after the J-point compared with the baseline tracing. Results ST-segment depression and/or elevation occurred in 24 of 99 patients. There were only 2 false-positive stress electrocardiograms, yielding a specificity of 87% and positive predictive value of 92%. All 8 patients with ≥2 mm STsegment depression had multivessel disease by coronary angiography. Conclusions ST-segment depression or elevation during adenosine myocardial perfusion imaging in patients taking digoxin is highly specific for coronary artery disease. Marked (≥2 mm) ST-segment depression and/or ST-segment elevation is associated with a high likelihood of multivessel disease. (Am Heart J 2000;140:937-40.)
A study of deep-sea natural microbial populations and barophilic pure cultures using a high-pressure chemostat.

Continuous cultures in which a high-pressure chemostat was used were employed to study the growth responses of (i) deep-sea microbial populations with the naturally occurring carbon available in seawater and with limiting concentrations of supplemental organic substrates and (ii) pure cultures of copiotrophic barophilic and barotolerant deep-sea isolates in the presence of limiting carbon concentrations at various pressures, dilution rates, and temperatures. We found that the growth rates of natural populations could not be measured or were extremely low (e.g., a doubling time of 629 h), as determined from the difference between the dilution rate and the washout rate. A low concentration of supplemental carbon (0.33 mg/liter) resulted in positive growth responses in the natural population, which resulted in an increase in the number of cells and eventually a steady population of cells. We found that the growth responses to imposed growth pressure by barophilic and barotolerant pure-culture isolates that were previously isolated and characterized under high-nutrient-concentration conditions were maintained under the low-nutrient-concentration limiting conditions (0.33 to 3.33 mg of C per liter) characteristic of the deep-sea environment. Our results indicate that deep-sea microbes can respond to small changes in substrate availability. Also, barophilic microbes that are copiotrophic as determined by their isolation in the presence of high carbon concentrations and their preference for high carbon concentrations are versatile and are able to compete and grow as barophiles in the low-carbon-concentration oligotrophic deep-sea environment in which they normally exist.
Optimization algorithms for magnetics and their parallelizability

Parallelization of optimization routines is now increasingly resorted to, because of the heavy computation associated with the optimization of electromagnetic products in the process of their design. This paper evaluated the possibilities for parallelization in electromagnetic product design. The several optimization algorithms available are evaluated for their parallelizability. It is further shown that, given the present limits of technology in relation to the number of processors available on shared memory computers of parallel architecture, parallelization in electromagnetic optimization is not necessarily worth attempting at present. Thus, works of this nature, are of necessity, for the future, in readiness for that day when a new generation of parallel computer is available to us.
Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: A New Face to an Old Pathogen

The presence and consequences of resistance to drugs used for the treatment of tuberculosis have long been neglected. The recent detection and recognition of widespread multiple-drug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis have raised interest and concern among clinicians and public health authorities globally. In this article, we describe the current global status of drug-resistant tuberculosis. We discuss the development of resistance, current management, and strategies for control.
Cognitive Habits and Memory Distortions in Anxiety and Depression

When anxious or depressed people try to recall emotionally ambiguous events, they produce errors that reflect their habits of interpreting ambiguity in negative ways. These distortions are revealed by experiments that evaluate performance on memory tasks after taking interpretation biases into account—an alternative to the standard memory-bias procedure that examines the accuracy of memory for clearly emotional material. To help establish the causal role of interpretation bias in generating memory bias, these distortions have been simulated by training interpretation biases in nondisordered groups. The practical implications of these findings for therapeutic intervention are discussed; future directions are described.
Proton Reirradiation of Recurrent Rectal Cancer: Dosimetric Comparison, Toxicities, and Preliminary Outcomes

Abstract Purpose: Locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma is effectively treated with chemoradiation and surgery; however, 10 to 25% of patients locally recur within or near a previously irradiated field. Proton radiation therapy (PRT) is ideally suited to the problem of reirradiation for locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC). Patients and Methods: Seven patients with LRRC in or near prior radiation fields were enrolled on this prospective study from March 2010 to February 2011. All patients underwent positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) simulation and were stratified by low volume (clinical target volume 250 cm3, n=3). Primary endpoints were feasibility and acute toxicity (within 90 days from PRT initiation). Dosimetry was compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Tumor response was defined according to PERCIST criteria. Results: Median follow-up was 14 months (4.9–22.6). Median dose of prior RT was 5040 cGy. Mean PRT dose was 6120 cGy (RBE) (rang...
Laboratory guidelines for animal care

Animal research is a controversial subject because of the ethical and moral implications of using unwilling research subjects in potentially painful or distressful procedures usually ending in euthanasia. As such, it must be conducted in a compassionate and responsible manner geared toward maximizing the animals' quality of life prior to and during experimentation. Because of its contentious nature, the conduct of animal research is highly regulated at the federal, state, city, and institutional levels. It is essential that researchers acquire a working knowledge of the procedures and regulations in order to protect themselves and their staff from occupational hazards as well as protect their labs from criticism or attack from animal rights organizations. Perhaps the best way to protect from the latter is to avoid inadvertent instances of noncompliance with their research protocol or applicable regulations. Regulatory noncompliance can also have serious negative consequences on investigators' research ranging from temporary suspension of their protocols to loss of funding or principal investigator status. To minimize such events, it is advised that researchers build positive and collaborative relationships, trust and rapport with key institutional players, such as the veterinary staff, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and top administrators. Guidance is provided regarding the appropriate handling of regulatory noncompliances.
Induction and Analysis of Knowledge of Reality

Hume and skeptics following him assert that since there are no necessary connections in statements of matters of fact, our empirical generalizations are invalid and we have no rational basis for believing them. Since our empirical knowledge of laws and of reality in general appears to be based on empirical generalizations, a Humean skeptic should therefore call into question the very validity of empirical laws and of our empirical knowledge of reality in general.
European-American Immigration Convergence

Will similarities in the nature of the twin problems of controlling unwanted immigration and absorbing newcomers lead to a convergence of European and American immigration and integration policies? A conference of 70 leading American and European researchers and policymakers in Charleston, South Carolina on May 13-14, sponsored by the European Communities Studies Association, discussed the gap between immigration goals and realities on both sides of the Atlantic, and worried about whether current steps taken to promote integration will be successful. They reached apparent consensus on three points: 1) immigration pressures in Europe and the United States are rising and are unlikely to abate soon; 2) there is no compelling economic or demographic case for opening borders to mass migration; 3) there are no clear historical or contemporary models that provide beacons to guide integration policies.
Combination drug products for HIV – a word of caution for the transplant clinician

Modern-day treatment regimens for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are not only highly effective, but are now more often available as convenient fixed-dose combination products. Furthermore, as medication adherence is of utmost importance in this setting, national guidelines endorse the use of such products. Transplant providers of HIV-infected patients will undoubtedly encounter these products, some of which contain medications known to drastically alter the metabolism of certain immunosuppressants. Herein, we describe an instance of drug interaction-induced calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) nephrotoxicity in a renal transplant recipient being started on a cobicistat-containing combination product for HIV. CNI toxicity, in turn, was resolved with the aid of phenytoin as an inducer of drug metabolism. This case underscores the importance of familiarity with newer combination products on the market and constant communication with HIV-positive transplant recipients and their providers.
CT-derived Biomechanical Metrics Improve Agreement Between Spirometry and Emphysema

Rationale and Objectives Many patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have marked discordance between forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ) and degree of emphysema on computed tomography (CT). Biomechanical differences between these patients have not been studied. We aimed to identify reasons for the discordance between CT and spirometry in some patients with COPD. Materials and Methods Subjects with Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stages I–IV from a large multicenter study (The Genetic Epidemiology of COPD) were arranged by percentiles of %predicted FEV 1 and emphysema on CT. Three categories were created using differences in percentiles: Cat spir with predominant airflow obstruction/minimal emphysema, Cat CT with predominant emphysema/minimal airflow obstruction, and Cat matched with matched FEV 1 and emphysema. Image registration was used to derive Jacobian determinants, a measure of lung elasticity, anisotropy, and strain tensors, to assess biomechanical differences between groups. Regression models were created with the previously mentioned categories as outcome variable, adjusting for demographics, scanner type, quantitative CT-derived emphysema, gas trapping, and airway thickness (model 1), and after adding biomechanical CT metrics (model 2). Results Jacobian determinants, anisotropy, and strain tensors were strongly associated with FEV 1 . With Cat matched as control, model 2 predicted Cat spir and Cat CT better than model 1 (Akaike information criterion 255.8 vs. 320.8). In addition to demographics, the strongest independent predictors of FEV 1 were Jacobian mean (β = 1.60,95%confidence intervals [CI] = 1.16 to 1.98; P P P = 0.001). CVs of Jacobian and strain are both potential markers of biomechanical lung heterogeneity. Conclusions CT-derived measures of lung mechanics improve the link between quantitative CT and spirometry, offering the potential for new insights into the linkage between regional parenchymal destruction and global decrement in lung function in patients with COPD.
The importance of the surface or interface P wave in near-earthquake studies

abstract A study of the surface P wave radiated by propagating two-dimensional dislocation sources is presented. Theoretical seismograms computed in the near-field of an earthquake fault located in a half-space show an unexpectedly strong surface P pulse. For the configurations studied, this wave is the prominent phase on the horizontal seismogram. It has little effect on the vertical motion, which may result in apparently uncorrelated horizontal and vertical seismograms. The SP pulse obtained on the horizontal component looks very similar to the shear pulse of the infinite medium solution. This fact, combined with the large reduction in amplitude of the S wave past the critical distance, may easily result in the misidentification of the surface P pulse as the direct shear wave. The presence of a surface layer with compressional velocity larger than the shear velocity of the source medium is not seen to affect significantly the strength of the surface P wave. In the case of a low-velocity sedimentary layer, the surface P wave is replaced by an interface P wave which can radiate efficiently to the surface provided that the layer thickness is small.
Structural imaging in psychiatric disorders

Abstract Structural imaging of the brain deals with the structure of the brain and the diagnosis of gross intracranial disease such as tumor, strokes and injury. The real progress in structural imaging started with computed axial tomography (CAT or CT scanning), when more detailed anatomical images of the brain became available for diagnostic and research purposes. In the early 1980s magnetic resonance imaging (MRI )was introduced clinically, and during the last 30 years an explosion of technical refinements and diagnostic MR applications have transformed imaging of the brain. This article briefly outlines structural imaging techniques and their use to study psychiatric disorders, and discusses the potential future use of structural imaging in psychiatric disorders.
Economic Factors Influence on Funding of the Supply-Side of Housing in Kenya: Case Study Nairobi

Housing plays a very important role in the social economic development of any nation. One set of factors that impacts on the funding of the supply-side of housing are economic factors comprising market forces, cost of inputs, the macro economy and the cost of funding. This paper sets to establish the relationship between economic factors and funding of the supply-side of housing in Kenya and also the effect of the major stakeholders on such a relationship if it exists. Using an explanatory form of approach in research design a survey was conducted where primary data was collected by self-administered questionnaires from a random sample of 212 branches in Nairobi of financial institutions drawn from a population of 43 commercial banks, 9 deposit-taking MFIs and three major financiers of housing development. Factor analysis, correlation analysis and ordinal logit regression were used to determine the relationship between funding of housing and economic factors. Results indicated a negative relationship between economic factors and funding of housing development. It was also established that there exists a positive moderating effect of stakeholders on the relationship between economic factors and funding of housing development. The implication being the government and policy makers should ensure that interest rates and inflation rates are kept at a level that will encourage investments in housing, with the government acting then more as an enabler.
Romidepsin-associated cardiac toxicity and ECG changes: A case report and review of the literature.

BackgroundRomidepsin is a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor that is approved for the treatment of cutaneous and peripheral T-cell lymphoma in patients who have had at least one prior therapy. Romidepsin is generally well tolerated, though it comes with a risk of cardiac toxicities.ObjectiveWe report a case of electrocardiogram changes in a 64-year-old male with enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma, type 2, treated with salvage romidepsin therapy who relapsed after non-myeloablative allogeneic sibling peripheral blood stem cell transplant.DiscussionAlthough histone deacetylase inhibitors have been investigated for many years, they have only recently been translated to clinical use as a therapy for malignancies. Furthermore, given their approval for a rare disease, clinicians often have limited experience with the dosing and side effects of histone deacetylase inhibitors.ConclusionThis case report and literature review investigates the cardiac side effects of histone deacetylase inhibitors and illustrat...
Distortion Analysis of a 10 dB Pad and a 10 cm Line with Short/Open

The distortion of a signal that travels through a 10 dB pad can be analyzed by observing a short or open termination using the time-domain. This technique has application for measuring the absorption (or radiation) of energy along a transmission line or antenna.
Museum audiences: A visitor-centered perspective

Research on why the public visits museums is presented in order to provide a visitor-centered perspective on the long-running debate about whether museums should position themselves first and foremost as content authorities or as public educators, often dichotomized as ‘quality/education’ versus ‘quantity/entertainment.’ Data from a diversity of museums across the globe reveals that the public currently visits museums in order to satisfy not a single goal but rather a diversity of leisure-related goals, including learning outcomes falling at both ends of the quality–quantity continuum, as well as every point in between. The results suggest that the current debate, which tends to frame the problem as an either–or issue, is misguided. The author concludes that museums should strive to meet a diversity of visitor needs, creating both exhibitions that attain the highest standards of intellectual excellence and integrity, and exhibitions that seek to pique the interest and generalized understandings of diverse...
Hydrocarbon chemicals from hydrothermal processing of renewable oils over HZSM-5

We used the hydrothermal catalytic reaction (400 ℃, 200 bar, 180 min) of renewable triglyceride feedstocks over zeolite HZSM-5 to produce hydrocarbons. Crude algal oil, cold-pressed coconut oil, peanut oil, and lard were converted into aromatics, alkanes, and fuel gases in varying yields and proportions. The most abundant liquid products from coconut oil, peanut oil, and lard were xylenes and toluene, whereas 2-methyl-pentane was the most abundant for crude algal oil. Reactions with crude algal oil generated alkanes and aromatics in comparable amount with more gases than liquid products. Peanut oil and lard, the more refined triglyceride feedstocks, gave the highest total liquid product yields of nearly 90 wt.% and yields of aromatic hydrocarbons (around 50 wt %) that exceeded those from individual fatty acids under the same reaction condition. Taken collectively, these results demonstrate the technical feasibility of biorenewable aromatic chemical production from zeolite catalytic hydrothermal processing of triglyceride feedstocks.
Alternative Local Public Education Expenditure Functions: An Econometric Evaluation:

This article presents a formal econometric evaluation of competing median voter public education demand specifications. The Cox specification test is used to determine the appropriate role for inte...
Deep Sequencing: Technical Advances and Clinical Microbiology Applications

The ability to generate sequence information for millions of DNA fragments in a short time cheaply by next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has enabled numerous projects covering diverse application areas that include de novo sequencing, genome resequencing, transcriptome sequencing, chip-sequencing, and exome sequencing. Several sequencing platforms are available in the market and many more are being developed at various stages [1]. Among them, the Roche/454 Genome Sequencer (GS) has the ability to sequence 400–600 million base pairs per run with 400–500 bp read lengths, and the Illumina HiSeq 2000 (HiSeq in brief) has the capacity to generate up to 200 billion base pair per run with 100 bp read lengths. The long reads by the GS and the high yield by the HiSeq make these two platforms stand out among various NGS techniques in the current NGS market.
PENGARUH PENGELUARAN per MAHASISWA, MOTIVASI BELAJAR DAN TINGKAT KECERDASAN SPIRITUAL TERHADAP PRESTASI AKADEMIK

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh antara pengeluaran per mahasiswa, motivasi belajar dan tingkat kecerdasan spiritual terhadap indeks prestasi mahasiswa Manajemen Universitas CIputra. Hal ini disebabkan fenomena yang terjadi yaitu rendahnya indeks prestasi mahasiswa justru terjadi dikalangan mahasiswa yang mempunyai biaya pengeluaran hidup yang lebih tinggi. Karena fenomena ditemukan mahasiswa status ekonomi tinggi mempunyai peningkatan IPK dibawah mahasiswa status ekonomi lemah, maka peneliti bertujuan untuk mengamati pengaruh pengeluaran tiap mahasiswa, tingkat motivasi dan tingkat kecerdasan spiritual mahasiswa terhadap indeks prestasi mahasiswa. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada bulan Oktober – Februari 2017 dan jumlah populasi mahasiswa manjemen sebanyak 1.308 mahasiswa. Model Analisis pada penelitian ini adalah model Regresi logistik . Sample sebanyak 86 responden dengan metode pengambilan purposive sampling dengan instrument angket dan pengolahan data dengan program SPPS. Dari analisis deskriptif dan statistic diperoleh hasil bahwa indeks prestasi mahasiswa Manajemen UC berada pada kategori menurun dan sangat menurun bukan dipengaruhi oleh pengeluaran per mahasiswa, tingkat motivasi belajar dan kecerdasan spiritual. Karena ke -3 variabel ini hanya 3, 6% memberi efek kepada indeks prestasi belajar, sisanya dipengaruhi oleh factor lain. Implikasinya adalah para dosen dan orangtua mahasiswa harus tetap memberikan dukungan materi, motivasi dan dukungan spiritual kepada mahasiswa untuk menhindari indeks prestasi yang menurun. Kata Kunci : Pengeluaran mahasiswa, motivasi belajar, kecerdasan spiritual, indeks prestasi.
Interdisciplinary immersive analytics at the electronic visualization laboratory: Lessons learned and upcoming challenges

We describe the lessons learned from three recent Immersive Analytics projects which take place at the Electronic Visualization Lab. These successful collaborative projects use the CAVE2 immersive hybrid environment. All three projects visualize multifaceted scientific data and benefit from interdisciplinary collaborations with experts across application domains. We further outline the challenges and opportunities ahead for the field of Immersive Analytics.
Bulk optical characterization of dissolved organic matter from semiarid wheat-based cropping systems

Abstract Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays a critical role in the cycling of nutrients and long-term agricultural sustainability. The composition of DOM in soil is likely altered due to management, yet there is limited knowledge on the effect of long-term cropping on DOM chemical character. Here, we characterized water extractable DOM composition along a gradient of soil organic carbon (SOC) affected by differing cropping and tillage intensity in a semiarid climate of the northern Great Plains, USA. Soil samples (0–10, 10–20, 20–30 cm) were collected from conventional till-fallow winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.; F till -W), no-till spring pea/oilseed-wheat ( Pisum sativum L.; P g /O-W), and no-till continuous wheat (W-W) fields, and analyzed using UV/Vis absorbance and excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy. The concentration of DOM decreased with depth and was significantly greater ( P g /O-W than F till -W. The absorbance at 254 nm (Abs 254 ), a proxy for DOM aromatic nature, indicated that aromaticity decreased with depth and lower biomass-C inputs (i.e. W-W ≥ P g /O-W ≥ F till -W). Multidimensional parallel factor (PARAFAC) analysis revealed humic-like (C1, C2), monolignol-like (C3), and protein/tannin-like (C4) components with varying fluorescence intensities as a function of cropping system and soil depth. DOM humification, indicated by the humification index (HIX), increased significantly with depth ( P till -W (2.95) than W-W (2.61) or P g /O-W (2.28). Overall, DOM became depleted of plant-derived constituents and was enriched by more decomposed, condensed substances in F till -W, as compared to W-W or P g /O-W soils. DOM composition is strongly affected by cropping intensity and such changes are important drivers controlling SOC accretion in arable soils.
Mn3 Single-Molecule Magnets and Mn6/Mn9 Clusters from the Use of Methyl 2-Pyridyl Ketone Oxime in Manganese Phosphinate and Phosphonate Chemistry.

The syntheses, structures, and magnetochemical properties are reported for five new Mn clusters: [MnIII3O(O2PPh2)3(mpko)3](ClO4) (1), [MnIII3O(O2PPh2)3(ppko)3](ClO4) (2) [MnIII6O2(OMe)4(O2PPh2)4(mpko)4](ClO4)2 (3), [MnIII8MnIIO6(O2CMe)7(O3PPh)2(mpko)3(H2O)] (4), and [MnIII2MnIIO(mpko)3(H2O)4(ClO4)2](ClO4) (5), where mpko– (or ppko–) is the anion of methyl (or phenyl) 2-pyridyl ketone oxime. 1 was obtained by carboxylate substitution on [MnIII3O(O2CMe)3(mpko)3](ClO4) by treatment with diphenylphosphinic acid (Ph2PO2H). The comproportionation reaction between Mn(ClO4)2 and NBun4MnO4 in the presence of Ph2PO2H and ppkoH in EtOH, or mpkoH in MeOH, led to 2 and 3, respectively. 4 was obtained as was 3, but with phenylphosphonic acid (PhPO3H2) instead of Ph2PO2H. 5 was obtained by aerial oxidation of Mn(ClO4)2 in the presence of mpkoH. 1 and 2 contain a triangular Mn3 core, 3 comprises the fusion of two Mn3 units of 1 by MeO– bridges, and 4 has a cagelike structure. 5 is similar to 1 in possessing a triangular ...
From Critical Mass to Critical Leaders: Unpacking the Political Conditions behind Gender Quotas in Africa

The surge in gender quotas across Africa raises questions about the varied impacts of these measures on women's empowerment in legislatures. This study contends that we must explore the diverse political conditions under which quotas are adopted to understand the potential for empowerment in legislatures. By examining political context, we can pinpoint why political parties acquiesce to gender quotas and how they design laws to either empower women or reinforce party control. Parties influence aspects of gender quota design that have lasting effects on women legislators elected through these laws. Employing a new measure of legislative leadership equity, this article compares political conditions under which quotas are adopted across 18 African countries and the extent to which women reach leadership positions following the implementation of a quota. Levels of political competition and women's mainstream political activity at the time of gender quota adoption indicate how the interests of political parties shape the design and effects of the law. That the outcomes of gender quotas are highly contingent on adoption context suggests the need for academics and policy makers to analyze the politics behind these measures to develop country-specific approaches for empowering women in politics.
The Search for Elusive Progress Against the Epidemic of Childhood Obesity.

You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics suggests a startling lack of progress against childhood obesity in the United States.1 As someone who has conducted researc
Trauma-Related Shame, Sexual Assault Severity, Thwarted Belongingness, and Perceived Burdensomeness Among Female Undergraduate Survivors of Sexual Assault.

Abstract. Background and Aim: This study evaluated trauma-related shame as a mediator of the association between sexual assault severity and perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Met...
Toward quantifying the electrostatic transduction mechanism in carbon nanotube molecular sensors.

Despite the great promise of carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNT FETs) for applications in chemical and biochemical detection, a quantitative understanding of sensor responses is lacking. To explore the role of electrostatics in sensor transduction, experiments were conducted with a set of highly similar compounds designed to adsorb onto the CNT FET via a pyrene linker group and take on a set of known charge states under ambient conditions. Acidic and basic species were observed to induce threshold voltage shifts of opposite sign, consistent with gating of the CNT FET by local charges due to protonation or deprotonation of the pyrene compounds by interfacial water. The magnitude of the gate voltage shift was controlled by the distance between the charged group and the CNT. Additionally, functionalization with an uncharged pyrene compound showed a threshold shift ascribed to its molecular dipole moment. This work illustrates a method for producing CNT FETs with controlled values of the turnoff ga...
A Case Study of Federal Leadership Perspectives on Special Education

This article is part of an illustrative study of federal leadership in special education based on interviews with persons who served as Assistant Secretaries in the U.S. Department of Education’s O...
Benefits of the Involvement of Dentists in Managing Oral Complications Among Patients With Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer: An Analysis of Claims Data

PURPOSE:Patients with oral cancer and oropharyngeal cancer frequently develop treatment-related oral complications that negatively affect patients' quality-of-life, cost, and health outcomes. We in...
Medication safety in nonoperating room anesthesiology.

Purpose of review Medication errors remain a prominent source of medical harm in spite of over 20 years of effort in establishing standardized protocols and procedures, implementing assistive electronic technologies to identify medications and prevent administration errors and in establishing a just culture with regard to reporting events and near misses. Recent findings Some of these interventions are even more necessary in the nonstandard environment of a non-operating room anesthesiology (NORA) procedure suite, where the anesthesiologist is often far removed from colleagues, in a dark room, lacking the standard medications commonly found in their operating room. Medication availability in NORA sites may be limited because of lack of standardization or distance from the operating room pharmacy. Proper preparation of medication may be impaired by poor lighting and cramped conditions. Medication administration might be hampered by a lack of infusion pumps or pumps without the proper medication library needed by the anesthesiologist. Summary Specific attention must be paid to enhancement of medication safety in NORA sites to overcome additional challenges inherent in the provision of anesthesia care remote from the standard operating room setting.