cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Quest for Legacy in Later Life

Abstract Anthropological fieldwork among retirees in a rural New York community revealed that a common feature in people's search for meaning was their effort to create a legacy. The results varied, and included innovative programs, the moral lessons of personal experience, and creative works. New retirees also cared about who would succeed them, either in their former positions, or by carrying on the work, stories, or sensibilities they had forged. Ethnographic vignettes relate these twin themes of legacy and succession to American ideas about debts, personal identity, and moral obligation. These stories are also compared with the way legacies are constructed in other societies.
Closed N-shell alkali spectra

Abstract Term values and ionization potentials have been calculated for several ions in the promethium (N = 61) isoelectronic sequence. As the nuclear charge is increased, the ground configuration changes from 4f135s2 to 4f145s giving the upper portion of the sequence an alkali-like character. According to our most recent Hartree-Fock calculations with first-order relativistic corrections, the ground term is 5s 2S for Z > 77 (Ir XVII) and the first excited term is 5p 2P0 for Z > 84 (P0 XXIV). Comparisons are made with calculations of Cowan in W XIV. The prospects for observation of these spectra in fast ion beams are discussed.
IFN-γ, IL-21, and IL-10 Co-Expression in Evolving Autoimmune Vitiligo Lesions of Smyth Line Chickens

The Smyth line (SL) of chicken is an excellent animal model for human autoimmune vitiligo. In SL vitiligo (SLV), postnatal loss of melanocytes in feathers appears to be due to cell-mediated immunity. In this study, leukocyte infiltration and associated expression (RNA) of immune function-related cytokines in growing feathers were investigated throughout SLV development and progression. Both leukocyte infiltration and cytokine expression levels started to increase near visible SLV onset (early SLV), reached peak levels during active SLV, and decreased to near pre-vitiligo levels after complete loss of melanocytes. Specifically, significant increases were noticed in relative proportions of T cells, B cells, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II-expressing cells during active SLV. Levels of T-cell infiltration were higher than those of B cells, with more CD8+ than CD4+ cells throughout SLV. Elevated leukocyte infiltration in early and active SLV was accompanied by increased levels of cytokine expression, especially in IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-21. Low expression of IL-4 and IL-17 did not suggest important roles of Th2 and Th17 cells in SLV pathogenesis. Taken together, SLV appears to be a Th1-polarized autoimmune disease, whereby IFN-γ expression is strongly associated with parallel increases in IL-10 and IL-21, particularly during early and active stages of SLV.
Interleukin-17 in transverse myelitis and multiple sclerosis.

CSF IL-6 is elevated in transverse myelitis (TM) and predicts disability. Since IL-17 regulates cytokines (TNFα, IL-1β and IL-6) known to stimulate IL-6 production by astrocytes, we sought to determine whether IL-17 was increased in TM and MS compared to healthy controls (HC) and other neurologic diseases (OND). IL-17 and IL-6 levels were measured in stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) supernatants from HC, MS, TM and OND. IL-17 was increased in TM compared to HC, MS, and OND (mean pg/ml±standard error; HC: 36.1±11.7, MS: 89.4±23.3, TM: 302.6±152.5, OND: 41.2±13.0, p=0.01). IL-6 was increased in TM relative to MS and HC (HC: 2624 pg/ml±641, MS: 6129±982, TM: 12,536±2657, OND: 6920±1801, pb0.002). MS patients with early disease (b2 years) also had increased levels of IL-17 (pb0.04) and IL-6 (pb0.05). Cytokine neutralization experiments demonstrated that IL-6 was the main inducer of astrocyte IL-6 production. We conclude that IL-17 and IL-6 production from PBMC in TM and early MS are increased and induce astrocyte IL-6 production through IL-6. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
An improved method for the stabilization of NaI-photomultiplier gamma detectors against thermal and other drift

Alpha peaks have been used as part of servo systems to stabilize NaI-photomultiplier gamma detectors against drift. However, alpha peaks shift with temperature change differently than do gamma peaks, thus spoiling what would otherwise be a workable scheme for stabilizing against probably the most serious source of NaI-p.m. detector drift, namely thermal effects. It has been found possible to accurately compensate for the difference in the shift with temperature versus gamma peaks using the signal derived from a thermistor in thermal contact with the NaI crystal to control the bias of a discriminator in the servo circuit. The servo circuit utilizing this principle has been used in commercial multichannel analyzers of the type intended for field use under adverse ambient conditions.
The Effect of Global Warming on Infectious Diseases

Global warming has various effects on human health. The main indirect effects are on infectious diseases. Although the effects on infectious diseases will be detected worldwide, the degree and types of the effect are different, depending on the location of the respective countries and socioeconomical situations. Among infectious diseases, water- and foodborne infectious diseases and vector-borne infectious diseases are two main categories that are forecasted to be most affected. The effect on vector-borne infectious diseases such as malaria and dengue fever is mainly because of the expansion of the infested areas of vector mosquitoes and increase in the number and feeding activity of infected mosquitoes. There will be increase in the number of cases with water- and foodborne diarrhoeal diseases. Even with the strongest mitigation procedures, global warming cannot be avoided for decades. Therefore, implementation of adaptation measures to the effect of global warming is the most practical action we can take. It is generally accepted that the impacts of global warming on infectious diseases have not been apparent at this point yet in East Asia. However, these impacts will appear in one form or another if global warming continues to progress in future. Further research on the impacts of global warming on infectious diseases and on future prospects should be conducted.
RNA Structure: The Long and the Short of It

The database of RNA structure has grown tremendously since the crystal structure analyses of ribosomal subunits in 2000-2001. During the past year, the trend toward determining the structure of large, complex biological RNAs has accelerated, with the analysis of three intact group I introns, A- and B-type ribonuclease P RNAs, a riboswitch-substrate complex and other structures. The growing database of RNA structures, coupled with efforts directed at the standardization of nomenclature and classification of motifs, has resulted in the identification and characterization of numerous RNA secondary and tertiary structure motifs. Because a large proportion of RNA structure can now be shown to be composed of these recurring structural motifs, a view of RNA as a modular structure built from a combination of these building blocks and tertiary linkers is beginning to emerge. At the same time, however, more detailed analysis of water, metal, ligand and protein binding to RNA is revealing the effect of these moieties on folding and structure formation. The balance between the views of RNA structure either as strictly a construct of preformed building blocks linked in a limited number of ways or as a flexible polymer assuming a global fold influenced by its environment will be the focus of current and future RNA structural biology.
The long-term safety and efficacy of pramipexole in advanced Parkinson's disease.

Objective: To assess the long-term safety and efficacy of pramipexole in advanced Parkinson's disease over a four year time period.Methods: This study is an open-label extension trial of pramipexole for Parkinson's disease open to patients completing a double-blind placebo controlled safety and efficacy trial of this drug. Three hundred and six patients entered the trial. These patients had moderate to severe PD (stage II-IV Hoehn and Yahr during off time) and were experiencing motor fluctuations. Patients were titrated over a six week period and then entered a maintenance phase which lasted up to 50 months. Patients were evaluated every 3 months using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS II, III and IV) and modified Schwab and England scale (S/E).Results: Sixty-four percent (197) of the 306 patients who entered this study completed it. Patients showed steady improvement over the 6 week ascending dose interval when pramipexole was reintroduced into the trial as the open-label study medication. Over the duration of the trial patients slowly returned to their baseline levels. This was true for all measures evaluated except for the UPDRS part IV. On UPDRS part IV patients remained below their baseline score which indicated an improvement for the duration of the study. Patterns similar to the overall scores were seen when the individual components of the UPDRS scale part II for "on" and "off" periods and part III were evaluated. However tremor during "on" periods showed improvement over baseline for the duration of the trial. The most common adverse events secondary to pramipexole occurring in greater than 10% of patients included dyskinesias, asymptomatic orthostatic hypotension, dizziness, insomnia, and hallucinations.Conclusion: Pramipexole was well tolerated for up to 4 years. Pramipexole treatment appeared to show continued efficacy in the treatment of Parkinson's disease for 3 years in this open-label descriptive study. After 3 years there was a gradual return to baseline motor states perhaps suggesting progression of Parkinson's disease.
The radiomimetic enediyne, 20'-deschloro-C-1027 induces inter-strand DNA crosslinks in hypoxic cells and overcomes cytotoxic radioresistance.

Abstract The ability of the radiomimetic anti-tumor enediyne C-1027 to induce DNA inter-strand crosslinks (ICLs), in addition to the expected DNA strand breaks, is unique among traditional DNA targeted cancer therapies. Importantly, radiation therapy and most radiomimetic drugs have diminished effect in hypoxic environments due to decreased induction of DNA strand breaks, which is an oxygen requiring process. However, C-1027's induction of ICLs is enhanced under hypoxia and it is actually more potent against hypoxic cells, overcoming this common tumor resistance mechanism. In this study, an analog of C-1027, 20′-deschloro-C-1027 was examined for its ability to induce DNA ICLs under hypoxic conditions. Deschloro-induced ICLs were detected under hypoxic cell-free conditions, with a concomitant reduction in the induction of DNA strand breaks. In cells deschloro behaved similarly, inducing cellular ICLs under hypoxic conditions with a reduction in DNA breaks. The cytotoxicity of deschloro treatment was similar in normoxic and hypoxic cells, suggesting that the ICL induction allows deschloro to retain its cytotoxic activity under hypoxia. It appears that rational engineering of the C-1027 family of radiomimetics holds promise toward overcoming the radioresistance associated with the hypoxic environment associated with solid tumors.
CYTOLOGIC STUDIES ON LENS EPITHELIUM. A COMPARISON OF EFFECTS OF X-RAYS, MYLERAN, AND TEM.

The epithelial cells of the rat lens have been extensively studied in regard to generation time and the phases of the cell cycle. On the basis of now available information it is possible to compare the effects of antitumor agents on this experimental system. In the present work the injury produced by x-rays and two widely used alkylating compounds is described. The three agents differ from each other in their mode of biological action. Experiments with a single exposure to 250 r and 1,000 r x-rays, single injections of Myleran (12.5 mg. per kilogram) and of triethylene melamine (1 to 2 mg. per kilogram) show that irradiation attacks the cells at multiple sites of the cycle; that Myleran inflicts injury to the cells in the Q, period with the signs of injury apparent as the cells prepare to divide. Triethylene melamine seems to act on some cells in the Gs period but primarily slows DNA synthesis with resulting prolongation of the S period.
Purification of proteins associated with specific genomic Loci.

SUMMARY Eukaryotic DNA is bound and interpreted by numerous protein complexes in the context of chromatin. A description of the full set of proteins that regulate specific loci is critical to understanding regulation. Here, we describe a protocol called proteomics of isolated chromatin segments (PICh) that addresses this issue. PICh uses a specific nucleic acid probe to isolate genomic DNA with its associated proteins in sufficient quantity and purity to allow identification of the bound proteins. Purification of human telomeric chromatin using PICh identified the majority of known telomeric factors and uncovered a large number of novel associations. We compared proteins found at telomeres maintained by the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway to proteins bound at telomeres maintained by telomerase. We identified and validated several proteins, including orphan nuclear receptors, that specifically bind to ALT telomeres, establishing PICh as a useful tool for characterizing chromatin composition.
Optimally quantized offset min-sum algorithm for flexible LDPC decoder

In this paper, we analyze the performance of quantized offset min-sum (MS) decoding algorithm and propose an optimally quantized offset MS algorithm for a flexible low-density parity-check (LDPC) decoder. It is known that the offset MS decoding algorithm is implemented with simplified hardware complexity and achieves good decoding performance. However, the finite precision effects in decoding LDPC codes result in performance different from floating point. The performance degradation is caused by different dynamic ranges of input data at high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The proposed offset MS algorithm uses the received data directly instead of log-likelihood ratio (LLR) data as the intrinsic information. It can achieve better performance than the conventional one since its offset factor is more effective at a wide range of SNR and the intrinsic information is quantized more robustly since it is independent of channel information. Also, it is possible for the proposed scheme to use a same quantization scheme for a flexible LDPC decoder, which can decode several kinds of LDPC codes. Simulation results show that our optimally quantized offset MS algorithms with 5-bits for (1728, 864) and (1728, 1296) irregular LDPC codes achieve better performance compared with the conventional offset MS algorithms with 6-bits quantization scheme.
Atrial natriuretic peptide in hypothyroidism.

The effect of hypothyroidism on circulating levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) was studied in 11 hypothyroid patients (aged 11–65 yr; mean, 31 yr) and 13 normal subjects (aged 28–39 yr; mean, 32 yr). Plasma ANP was 32 ± 9 (±sd) pg/ml in normal subjects and 20 ± 5 pg/ml in the hypothyroid patients (P < 0.005). In 7 hypothyroid patients, plasma ANP levels were measured after 10–14 weeks of l-T4 therapy. ANP increased from 22 ± 5 to 46 ± 18 pg/ml (P < 0.02), along with an increase in mean serum T4 from 0.6 ± 0.5 to 8.1 ± 2.5 μg/dl (P < 0.001). Thus, hypothyroidism is characterized by decreased circulating levels of ANP which are reversed by l-T4 therapy.
High-Fill-Factor Micromirror Array With Hidden Bimorph Actuators and Tip–Tilt-Piston Capability

This paper presents the design, fabrication, packaging, and characterization of a novel high-fill-factor micromirror array (MMA) actuated by electrothermal bimorphs. In this paper, 4 × 4 MMA devices with an 88% area fill factor at normal incidence, 1.5 mm × 1.5 mm subaperture size, and single-crystal-silicon-supported mirror plates have been fabricated based on a single silicon-on-insulator wafer, without additional bonding/transfer processes. The bimorph actuators are hidden underneath the mirror plates, which are also protected by silicon walls. The MMA devices can directly be surface mounted onto driving circuit chips or printed circuit boards after fabrication. The subapertures can generate large tip-tilt-piston scanning and can individually be addressed. Static characterizations of the packaged devices show that each subaperture can achieve a piston stroke of ~310 μm and optical deflection angles greater than ±25° in both the x- and y-axes, all at 8-V dc. The preliminary laser-steering optical-phased-array capability of the obtained MMA device has also experimentally been demonstrated. This paper is based on the conference proceedings presented at the 23rd IEEE International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS 2010), Hong Kong.
Predicting fault prone modules by the Dempster-Shafer belief networks

This paper describes a novel methodology for predicting fault prone modules. The methodology is based on Dempster-Shafer (D-S) belief networks. Our approach consists of three steps: First, building the Dempster-Shafer network by the induction algorithm; Second, selecting the predictors (attributes) by the logistic procedure; Third, feeding the predictors describing the modules of the current project into the inducted Dempster-Shafer network and identifying fault prone modules. We applied this methodology to a NASA dataset. The prediction accuracy of our methodology is higher than that achieved by logistic regression or discriminant analysis on the same dataset.
Shifting Demographic Control of a Perennial Bunchgrass along a Natural Habitat Gradient

The relative importance of competition vs. other environmental factors in determining the local distribution of a perennial bunchgrass species, Danthonia sericea, was investigated in two experiments, one in 1984 and another in 1985. Seeds were planted in a two-way split-plot experimental design under field conditions on the campus of Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA. One treatment, four planting regions in distinct demographic zones along a soil/vegetation gradient, was used to investigate the effect of gradient position on germination rates, early establishment success, growth rates, and early reproduction of Danthonia sericea. The second treatment, vegetation left intact or vege- tation removed, was used to assess the relative importance of competition from neighboring herbaceous plants in regulating the same demographic processes. The demographic success of Danthonia sericea was enhanced at all positions along the gradient by vegetation removal. However, the magnitude of the response varied with year of experiment and with gradient position, indicating that the intensity of competition is dependent upon a variety of factors that shift over time and space. It is suggested that a complete understanding of the im- portance of any one factor, such as competition, in regulating species distributions can only be obtained by conducting experiments over a range of habitats and years.
Crystals (A Freshman Seminar): An Exercise on Cooperative and Peer Learning

We have found that dividing the class of 20 students in groups of four brings agility to the group logistics and minimizes “defocusing” socialization. These are the teams of peer teachers. Each is responsible in carrying its own weight in the education of the team. They select their own “management” structure, as well as their agenda. The course itself starts with a month of lectures by the instructors and by visitors from other germane departments. The students organize visits to research labs on campus where research on crystalline materials is being performed, and invite researchers in the field to lecture the class. Each meeting period involves discussion of homework problems, where the groups, informally, present their findings. After this initial month, each team selects a topic among a wide gamut of possibilities and clears, with the instructors, the particular focus it wishes to develop further. The selected themes tend to group in science, technology, as well the general “lore” of crystals. So the themes range from the growth of crystals in reduced gravity, through the economic aspects of synthetic diamonds, to the folklore of crystals in healing. The particular selection of a theme is not as important as the way they research the topic, develop it and present it. The teams first present a survey of their topic to the class. We evaluate the presentation in terms of intellectual content and delivery. The students not only receive our feedback but also that of their peers. They have the chance to incorporate the comments in a second report, three weeks after the first when they are supposed to focus more on the initial theme and select a part for a more in-depth study. Final oral and written reports are due at the end of the semester. Through the semester the classroom atmosphere has been that of inquiry, critical thinking, accepting of all points of view and the pursuit of diverse perspectives. The students seem to be able to take with them these attitudes and maintain them in their team meetings and discussions.
Combined histone deacetylase and cyclooxygenase inhibition achieves enhanced antiangiogenic effects in lung cancer cells.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is an important pro-angiogenic and pro-proliferative cytokine and the key enzymes modulating its levels, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) play important opposing roles in carcinogenesis. Previously we found loss of 15-PGDH expression in lung cancer and its reactivation leads to strong in vivo tumor-suppressive effect via an antiangiogenic mechanism. Here, we find that HDAC inhibitors (HDACI), such as trichostatin A (TSA) and vorinostat could reactivate 15-PGDH expression but overall induce PGE2 generation and this is the result of concomitant induction of COX-1 and -2 leading to functional promotion of endothelial cell proliferation and capillary formation. Direct TSA treatment inhibits endothelial cell proliferation and capillary formation in our study in line with prior reports as HDACIs have been shown to directly inhibit angiogenesis. The elevation of PGE2 levels induced by HDACI is potently neutralized by indomethacin (INN) or Celecoxib co-treatment and accordingly, angiogenesis is more effectively inhibited when using conditioned medium of co-treatment than either alone confirming that this effect is mediated via the PGE2 axis. Accordingly, blockage of EP2/4 receptors mitigates the stimulation of angiogenesis by excessive PGE2 generation mediated by TSA. In this study, we identify a potentially adverse effect of HDACIs through induction of both 15-PGDH and COX-2 leading to elevated PGE2 levels and thereby stimulation of angiogenesis. Co-treatment of TSA and INN shows more potent anti-angiogenic effects by inducing 15-PGDH and inhibiting COX-2. Overall, our results suggest that combined HDACI and COX inhibition should be explored clinically to achieve more meaningful benefits from HDACI therapy in lung cancer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Role and contribution of viral respiratory infections to asthma.

Summary From the above observations, it is apparent that many respiratory viruses causes a change in airway function such that bronchial obstruction is more likely to occur in patients with asthma. Furthermore, there is also evidence that viruses act through a number of pathways to enhance the likelihood of an inflammatory response. Subsequent observations must focus on the ability of viruses to stimulate cytokine production, which could then upregulate the allergic airway inflammatory response. With the unfolding of such observations, it is highly likely that greater insights into this major provoking factor in asthma will become more apparent as well as clearer insight into mechanisms of asthma.
Rapid detection of K-ras gene mutations in canine lung cancer using single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis

A total of 126 spontaneous lung tumors from pet dogs were examined for K-ras mutations within exon 1 and exon 2 using a non-radioisotope single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis (SSCP) detection method on PCR products. Mutations were confirmed by direct DNA sequencing. Tumors were classified as adenomas (9), bronchioloalveolar carcinomas (59), adenocarcinomas (30), adenosquamous carcinomas (16), squamous cell carcinomas (3) and anaplastic carcinomas (9). Nineteen mutations were detected in the malignant tumors: 18 occurred in exon 1 codon 12 and one in exon 2 codon 61. No mutations were present in the adenomas. The most common mutation was a G-->A transition (11/19) in the second position of codon 12. Based on this study, K-ras mutations occur in canine non-small cell lung carcinomas. The frequency and type of mutation more closely matches tumors from human non-smokers with K-ras mutations than smokers. With the application of screening techniques such as SSCP, large numbers of dog tumors can be examined to provide a large animal model for comparative studies of carcinogenesis.
Waveform and receiver design considerations on wideband CDMA

An overview of some of the research at UCSD on wideband CDMA is presented. Initially a comparison is given of the performance of wideband and narrowband CDMA, and then previous results on both multicarrier CDMA and multiple access interference suppression are presented. The advantages of wideband CDMA are demonstrated, as are some key attributes of some of the signal designs for CDMA, such as the use of multicarriers.
A rationale for managing rare complications: evidence from the European Registry of Endovascular Aortic Repair Complications about aorto-oesophageal fistula

a Cardiovascular and Thoracic Section, Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA b Cardiovascular and Thoracic Section, Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA c Division of Vascular and Endovascular Therapy, Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA d Thoracic Aortic Program, Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Expression of Multiple Pili by Legionella pneumophila: Identification and Characterization of a Type IV Pilin Gene and Its Role in Adherence to Mammalian and Protozoan Cells

Legionella pneumophila expresses pili of variable lengths, either long (0.8 to 1.5 microm) or short (0.1 to 0.6 microm), that can be observed by transmission electron microscopy. We have identified a gene in L. pneumophila with homology to the type IV pilin genes (pilEL). An insertion mutation was constructed in pilEL and introduced into the L. pneumophila wild-type strain by allelic exchange. The pilin mutant is defective for expression of long pili. Reintroduction of the pilin locus on a cosmid vector restores expression of the long pili. The L. pneumophila pilEL mutant exhibited approximately a 50% decrease in adherence to human epithelial cells (HeLa and WI-26 cells), macrophages (U937 cells), and Acanthamoeba polyphaga but had a wild-type phenotype for intracellular replication within these cells. Southern hybridization analysis showed that the pilEL locus is present in L. pneumophila serogroups 1 through 13 but is variable in 16 other Legionella species. The presence of a type IV pilin gene and its expression by L. pneumophila may provide an advantage for colonization of lung tissues during Legionnaires' disease and invasion of amoebas in the environment.
CONNECTIONS WITH L**P BOUNDS ON CURVATURE

We show by means of the implicit function theorem that Coulomb gauges exist for fields over a ball inR n when the integralL n/2 field norm is sufficiently small. We then are able to prove a weak compactness theorem for fields on compact manifolds withL p integral norms bounded,p>n/2.
Roles for Ca2+ Mobilization and Its Regulation in Mast Cell Functions

Mobilization of Ca2+ in response to IgE receptor-mediated signaling is a key process in many aspects of mast cell function. Here we summarize our current understanding of the molecular bases for this process and the roles that it plays in physiologically relevant mast cell biology. Activation of IgE receptor signaling by antigen that crosslinks these complexes initiates Ca2+ mobilization as a fast wave that is frequently followed by a series of Ca2+ oscillations which are dependent on Ca2+ influx mediated by coupling of the ER luminal Ca2+ sensor STIM1 to the CRAC channel protein Orai1. Granule exocytosis depends on this process, together with the activation of protein kinase C isoforms, and specific roles for these signaling steps are beginning to be understood. Ca2+ mobilization also plays important roles in stimulated exocytosis of recycling endosomes and newly synthesized cytokines, as well as in antigen-mediated chemotaxis of rat mucosal mast cells. Phosphoinositide metabolism plays key roles in all of these processes, and we highlight these roles in several cases.
Pharmacoepidemiology of opiate use in the neonatal ICU: Increasing cumulative doses and iatrogenic opiate withdrawal.

Objective: Neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) care involves use of opiates to treat postoperative, ventilated, or chronically ill infants. Opiates provide necessary analgesia and sedation, but the morbidities include prolonged neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and extended length of stay for dose tapering. Our objective was to quantify trends in opiate exposure in a tertiary care NICU. The authors hypothesize that medical opiate exposure and resultant ICU-acquired NAS would increase over time. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional cohort study. Setting: Tertiary care NICU. Patients: High-risk inborn infants admitted in fiscal years 2003-2004, 2007-2008, and 2010-2011. Main outcome measure: Average cumulative morphine exposure (all opiate doses converted to morphine equivalents) per time epoch was compared in cohorts of clinically similar infants. Linear regression was used to assess the primary outcome, assessing changes in opiate exposure over time. Results: Sixty-three infants were included in the final analysis. The primary analysis assessing cumulative opiate exposure per infant showed an increase of 134 mg per time epoch (95% CI –12, 279 mg, p-value 0.071). There was a statistically significant increase in the percent of infants with a diagnosis of iatrogenic NAS, increasing from 9 to 35 to 50 percent (p-value 0.012).
Learning about complex systems: the role of perceptual signatures and agent-level mechanisms in understanding emergence: an example in learning electricity

Our primary research goal is to investigate the effectiveness and cognitive (epistemological) implications of representing electrical conduction in a multi-agent based computational learning environment based on agent-level, intuitive mechanisms.
Adolescent males orientation toward paternity and contraception.

Data from a nationally representative sample of 1880 young men aged 15-19 reveal that neighborhood quality parental education race or ethnicity and attitudes about male gender roles are related to young mens attitudes toward an unplanned pregnancy and to their contraceptive experiences. Young men who live in poor neighborhoods are more likely to be pleased about an unplanned pregnancy than those who have better living conditions (12% vs. 2%) and are also more likely to view impregnating a woman as enhancing their masculinity (8% vs. 3%). Among men with average living conditions 12% of black adolescents view fathering a child as enhancing their masculinity compared with 6% of white adolescents; among those with very good living conditions these proportions were 10% and 2% respectively. Young men whose parents had less education and those who held traditional male gender role attitudes were also more likely than their counterparts to view fathering a child as enhancing their masculinity. Regarding contraceptive behavior sexually active black men and Hispanic men were more likely than white men to have discussed contraception with their last partner; black men were more likely to have used an effective contraceptive method the last time they had intercourse; and black men were more likely to have used a condom at last intercourse. However young men who were aware that they had been responsible for a previous pregnancy were less likely than those who reported no pregnancies to have used an effective contraceptive the last time they had intercourse. These same young men were also more likely to report that fathering a child would please them and enhance their masculinity. (authors)
The Effect of Elevated Pressure on Soot Formation in a Laminar Jet Diffusion Flame

Soot volume fraction (fsv) is measured quantitatively in a laminar diffusion flame at elevated pressures up to 25 atmospheres as a function of fuel type in order to gain a better understanding of the effects of pressure on the soot formation process. Methane and ethylene are used as fuels; methane is chosen since it is the simplest hydrocarbon while ethylene represents a larger hydrocarbon with a higher propensity to soot. Soot continues to be of interest because it is a sensitive indicator of the interactions between combustion chemistry and fluid mechanics and a known pollutant. To examine the effects of increased pressure on soot formation, Laser Induced Incandescence (LII) is used to obtain the desired temporally and spatially resolved, instantaneous fsv measurements as the pressure is incrementally increased up to 25 atmospheres. The effects of pressure on the physical characteristics of the flame are also observed. A laser light extinction method that accounts for signal trapping and laser attenuation is used for calibration that results in quantitative results. The local peak fsv is found to scale with pressure as p 1.2 for methane and p 1.7 for ethylene.
Programming Reduction Behavior of the Ferrous Burden under Oxygen Blast Furnace Simulated Condition

In present paper,the gas composition in different zones of traditional blast furnace and oxygen blast furnace was determined by using mathematical model of multi-zone constrains for blast furnace,the reduction process of the ferrous burden in different oxygen blast furnace was researched combined with specific heating program.The results indicate that compared with traditional blast furnaces,the reduction starting temperature of sinter and pellet decreased by 60 ℃and 150 ℃ respectively under the condition of oxygen blast furnace;The reduction degree(RI)of sinter and pellet almost reached 100%in oxygen blast furnace condition when the temperature reached 1100℃,however,the reduction degree(RI)of sinter and pellet were only 94% and 83.1%respectively in traditional blast furnace.In addition,by chemical analysis of sinter and pellet after reaction,the content of carbon of sinter and pellet of oxygen blast furnace was about 10times and 2.5times that of traditional blast furnace,respectively.
Discussion on non-clinical pharmacodynamics study of new drugs of Chinese materia medica

The article analyses the present dissension on non-clinical pharmacodynamics study of new drugs of Chinese materia medica,and reviews the questions of non-clinical effect evaluation,and gives the opinions and advices on non-clinical pharmacodynamics study.It may be a reference for the study of new drugs of Chinese materia medica.
In Vitro Kinetochore Assembly

The kinetochore is the primary site of interaction between chromosomes and microtubules of the mitotic spindle during chromosome segregation. Kinetochores are composed of more than 100 proteins that transiently assemble during mitosis at a single epigenetically defined region on each chromosome, known as the centromere. Kinetochore assembly and activity must be tightly regulated to ensure proper microtubule interaction and faithful chromosome segregation. Kinetochore malfunction can result in chromosome segregation defects leading to aneuploidy and cell death. As such, cell free and reconstituted systems to analyze kinetochore formation and function are invaluable in probing the biochemical activities of kinetochores. In vitro approaches to studying kinetochores have enabled the manipulation of kinetochore protein structure, function, interactions, and regulation that are not possible in cells. Here we outline a cell-free approach for the assembly of centromeres and recruitment of functional kinetochores that enables their manipulation and analysis.
Intertemporal Poverty among Older Americans

ABSTRACTThis study uses aggregate intertemporal poverty indices proposed by Gradin, Del Rio, and Canto (2012) to measure poverty among older American households of different races from 2001 through 2009 employing data from the Health and Retirement Study. The findings indicate that the incidence of intertemporal poverty is higher among Black and Hispanic households and that it is also more intense and of longer duration. In our investigation of antipoverty effects of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, we find that the program has a significant impact in reducing intensity and inequality of poverty among poor populations. However, it does not significantly alter the incidence of intertemporal poverty.
Graphite encapsulated molybdenum carbide core/shell nanocomposite for highly selective conversion of guaiacol to phenolic compounds in methanol

Abstract Graphite encapsulated molybdenum carbides (Mo 2 C@C) were synthesized via the hydrothermal carbonization of a solution of glucose and ammonium molybdate followed by temperature programmed reduction. Characterization and structural analyses revealed that the synthesized Mo 2 C@C nanoparticles had a molybdenum core/carbon shell structure with a particle size ranging from 50 nm to 100 nm and a core size range of 5–45 nm. The catalytic performance of the graphite encapsulated molybdenum carbides was evaluated on conversion of guaiacol to phenolic compounds in methanol. At 340 °C under 2.8 MPa hydrogen pressure, a 76.3% guaiacol conversion was obtained with selectivities of 68.6% for phenol and 93.5% for phenolic compounds. Thus, Mo 2 C@C showed high selectivity for phenolic compounds in methanol.
AN ANALYTICS APPROACH FOR INCORPORATING MARKET DEMAND INTO PRODUCTION DESIGN AND OPERATIONS OPTIMIZATION

This chapter focuses on the cost of manufacturing a product with a supporting discussion of the methods of management science analytics, which may be deployed for production design and operations optimization. It discusses the notion of optionality for several different purposes, namely, to identify equipment portfolio, design line throughput, purposefully select bottleneck(s), engineer product flexibility, and manage the inventory of work in process (WIP) and finished goods (FG) inventory under the uncertainty of commercial demand modeled endogenously with the plant operations. The chapter reviews discrete???event simulation and probabilistic financial methodology, which we have deployed to characterize an energy storage manufacturing process at General Electric. The goal is to manage throughput, inventory, expense, and fulfillment with an emphasis on the financial ramifications of production engineering and plant operational decision support. The chapter discusses the market and production coupling and treat product design as one of the distinguishing features of an alternative configuration.
Continuous low-irradiance photodynamic therapy (CLIPT) as a novel treatment for cutaneous recurrences of breast cancer.

e11548 Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used for the treatment of many malignancies. This binary therapy involves the administration of a photosensitizer followed by exposure to ligh...
Constructing Drug Using Victims: Race and Class in Policy Debates on Ecstasy Use in the U.S.

Sociologists and political scientists examining the social construction of public anxiety surrounding drug use in the United States have argued that racial minorities are the targets of the harshes...
ConvLight: A Convolutional Accelerator with Memristor Integrated Photonic Computing

Neuromorphic computing is a promising candidate to accelerate big data processing. Recently, several attempts have been made to design neuromorphic accelerators for popular machine learning algorithms, such as reservoir computing, deep learning, spiking neurons etc. Deep learning accelerator which involves convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have received widespread attention for their accuracy and efficiency. This paper proposes ConvLight, a novel deep learning accelerator based on memristor integrated photonic computing framework. While the use of on-chip photonic circuits for analog computing is well known, no prior work has demonstrated a full-fledged accelerator based on photonic components. In particular, this paper makes the following novel contributions: (i) A multilayer deep learning architecture design is proposed using compute efficient memristors and photonic components for the first time. (ii) A pipelined design for each CNN layer is presented for maximizing throughput and enabling parallelism across the layers. (iii) Simulation of ConvLight architecture with standard photonic tools for demonstrating the execution of DNN and CNN workloads yielding 25X, 60X, and 40X improvements in computational efficiency, throughput, and energy efficiency (respectively) compared to state-of-the-art design.
Situating Library Instruction: A Case Study of Upper-Division Social Work Seminar/Practicum Courses

This article details how librarians can create discipline-specific, one-shot sessions that go beyond general bibliographic instruction when teaching outside their own academic backgrounds. This app...
The Circulation of Earth’s Atmosphere and Ocean

The modern atmospheric circulation reflects the state of the planet with ice on both poles. Warm air rises in the equatorial region and sinks in the polar regions. But the rotation of the earth causes equatorward flowing air to appear to be turned to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere. The result is three cells per hemisphere. Those on either side of the equator are the Hadley cells, those in the polar regions are the Polar cells; these drive an intermediate pair of cells, the Ferrell cells. The winds drive the ocean currents; the water moves to the right of the wind in the northern hemisphere, and to the left in the southern hemisphere. The winds set up large anticyclonic gyres between the equator and a latitude of about 60 N and S. These warm water gyres overlie cold water that sinks in the polar region. The waters between these two masses in which the temperature declines rapidly with depth are known as thermocline and intermediate waters. They sink into the ocean along the Subtropical and Polar frontal system that border the great gyres. The deep waters of the ocean form a ‘Great Conveyor.’ Cold saline waters sink in the Greenland–Iceland–Norwegian (GIN) Sea and overflow the Greenland–Scotland Ridge into the North Atlantic Basin. There they mix with warm saline Mediterranean outflow waters, and flow southward as North Atlantic deep water. Some of this wells up near the Weddell Sea, is chilled, and sinks again as Antarctic Bottom Water, flowing eastward to end up in the Pacific. Slow upwelling of deep waters occurs throughout the lower latitude ocean, but more rapid upwelling occurs along the eastern margins of the ocean basins where equatorward blowing winds drive the surface water offshore. Special disturbances of the general circulation occur periodically in the Pacific (El Nino - La Nina, The Southern Oscillation) and the Atlantic (North Atlantic Oscillation) Ocean circulation on the warmer Earth of the Cretaceous was very different from that of today. Atmospheric pressure systems at the poles reversed with the seasons, winds were inconstant, and the great ocean gyres were replaced by myriads of eddies.
Latent Class Models for Measuring

Most latent class analysis in contemporary social research is aimed at data reduction or “building clusters for qualitative data” (Formann, 1985, p. 87; see also Aitkin, Anderson, & Hinde, 1981). Some special restricted models in this area have of course been used to represent structural characteristics or behavioral processes (e.g., Clogg, 1981a; Goodman, 1974a). But a careful examination of the latent class models now available shows that none deal in a direct way with measurement, particularly if exacting standards are used to define how measurement should take place. Extensions and modifications of latent class models reported below are intended to remove this deficiency.
Energy-Delay Characteristics of CMOS Adders

Choosing the right algorithm and a corresponding adder topology depends on many factors closely related to the technology of implementation. With the transition to CMOS, where circuit delay has a complex relation to implementation parameters, and the recent transition to deep-submicron technologies which introduce further complexity, it becomes even more difficult to make the right choice. This relationship is even more complicated when power consumption is included. In this chapter we present this complex relationship and highlight the important factors that influence the right selection of algorithm, circuit topology, operating conditions and power consumption.
Diseases of the Gastrointestinal System

Abstract In captivity, gastrointestinal diseases are the most common clinical finding in common marmosets. Clinical signs may be due to a host of etiologies and typically manifest as weight loss, diarrhea, changes in eating habits, and/or abdominal distension. Proper recognition of clinical signs and identification of the underlying cause(s) is important to maintain the health of the individual animal and colony as a whole.
Let the "A" in WASH Stand for Air: Integrating Research and Interventions to Improve Household Air Pollution (HAP) and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) in Low-Income Settings.

Background: Research often suffers from overspecialization, a practice nurtured in academia and reinforced by funders. Indeed, investigators in household air pollution (HAP) and water, sanitation a...
AN INVESTIGATION OF WAVE SHELTERING BY ISLANDS

The West Coast Experiment, a meso-scale oceanographic experiment, was conducted from February to April, 1977, off the coast of Southern California. The wave data measured by an air-borne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and a shore-based high frequency (HF) radar on March 25, 1977, are used to study the sheltering effect of islands on waves propagating towards shore. The comparisons between wave directional spectra offshore, in the vicinity of islands, and nearshore show that islands play a significant role in determining the near shore wave climate. The data show clearly the "shadow" and "window" effects. An investigation of waves coming out of the "shadow" region indicates that nonlinear wave-wave energy transfer is the likely mechanism responsible for producing such waves.
The Internal Causality of Practical Thinking

In Part I we dealt with the contents, or noemata, of practical thinking. In this chapter and in the next we deal with practical thinking itself. We discuss the practicality of practical thinking, i.e., the general schema of the way in which the thinking of a practition or a deontic judgment leads to action. We ground the practical action schema on an account of needs, desires, and wants. The contents of the schema belong to empirical psychology. The ultimacy of practical thinking in the Representational System, as we saw in Part I, lies in the practitional copula. In this chapter we elucidate the role of that copula and, therefore, the sense of the infinitive, imperative and future-tense first-person constructions expressive of practitions. In Chapter 11 we will discuss the connection between deontic operators and action.
Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Cyclopentene-spirooxindoles Bearing Vinylsilanes Capable of Further Transformations

We report a scandium-catalyzed [3 + 2] annulation of alkylideneoxindoles with allenylsilanes for the enantioselective formation of cyclopentene-spirooxindoles containing vinylsilanes. Using a Sc(OT...