cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In Vivo Imaging of Neuroinflammatory Targets in Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy.

Recent evidence indicates that chronic, low-level neuroinflammation underlies epileptogenesis. Targeted imaging of key neuroinflammatory cells, receptors, and tissues may enable localizing epileptogenic onset zone, especially in those patients who are treatment-resistant and considered MRI-negative. Finding a specific, sensitive neuroimaging-based biomarker could aid surgical planning and improve overall prognosis in eligible patients. This article reviews recent research on in vivo imaging of neuroinflammatory targets in patients with treatment-resistant, non-lesional epilepsy. A number of advanced approaches based on imaging neuroinflammation are being implemented in order to assist localization of epileptogenic onset zone. The most exciting tools are based on radioligand-based nuclear imaging or revisiting of existing technology in novel ways. The greatest limitations stem from gaps in knowledge about the exact function of neuroinflammatory targets (e.g., neurotoxic or neuroprotective). Further, lingering questions about each approach’s specificity, reliability, and sensitivity must be addressed, and clinical utility must be validated before any novel method is incorporated into mainstream clinical practice. Current applications of imaging neuroinflammation in humans are limited and underutilized, but offer hope for finding sensitive and specific neuroimaging-based biomarker(s). Future work necessitates appreciation of investigations to date, significant findings, and neuroinflammatory targets worth exploring further.
Humanity’s Fundamental Environmental Limits

Models and estimates of Earth’s human carrying capacity vary widely and assume, rather than solve for, binding environmental constraints (the process or resource in shortest supply relative to human biological needs). The binding constraint, and therefore the true upper bound on the number of humans that Earth could sustain indefinitely, remains unknown. We seek to resolve this uncertainty by considering a full range of technological possibilities and incorporating a potential stoichiometric constraint not previously explored. We find that limits to photosynthesis constrain population before micronutrients become limiting unless technological capabilities for utilizing nutrient resources lag far behind other technologies. With ideal technology, human carrying capacity runs into the tens of trillions, while with currently demonstrated technology Earth could support more than 200 billion humans. These numbers reflect neither a desirable nor a natural equilibrium population level, but represent a rough estimate of the maximum number of humans Earth could sustain.
Identifying service needs and service gaps for sexually exploited/trafficked persons in Missouri:

SummaryThe U.S. Trafficking Victims’ Protection Act of 2000 established specialized victims’ services and law enforcement directives to protect victims/survivors of sex trafficking through investig...
Cooperative Emissions from Hydrogen-Bonded Heterocyclic Organic Compounds

Additional spectral broadening for pyridine-water complexes was observed that cooperative phenomenon is in effect. Probe pulse delay measurements in coherent Raman spectroscopy differentiated spectral dephasing rates for cooperative species among others.
Tasks, stability, architecture, and compute: Training more effective learned optimizers, and using them to train themselves.

Much as replacing hand-designed features with learned functions has revolutionized how we solve perceptual tasks, we believe learned algorithms will transform how we train models. In this work we focus on general-purpose learned optimizers capable of training a wide variety of problems with no user-specified hyperparameters. We introduce a new, neural network parameterized, hierarchical optimizer with access to additional features such as validation loss to enable automatic regularization. Most learned optimizers have been trained on only a single task, or a small number of tasks. We train our optimizers on thousands of tasks, making use of orders of magnitude more compute, resulting in optimizers that generalize better to unseen tasks. The learned optimizers not only perform well, but learn behaviors that are distinct from existing first order optimizers. For instance, they generate update steps that have implicit regularization and adapt as the problem hyperparameters (e.g. batch size) or architecture (e.g. neural network width) change. Finally, these learned optimizers show evidence of being useful for out of distribution tasks such as training themselves from scratch.
Optimizing health IT to improve health system performance: A work in progress.

Abstract Background Despite significant investments in health information technology (IT), the technology has not yielded the intended performance effects or transformational change. We describe activities that health systems are pursuing to better leverage health IT to improve performance. Methods We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with C-suite executives from 24 U.S. health systems in four states during 2017–2019 and analyzed the data using a qualitative thematic approach. Results Health systems reported two broad categories of activities: laying the foundation to improve performance with IT and using IT to improve performance. Within these categories, health systems were engaged in similar activities but varied greatly in their progress. The most substantial effort was devoted to the first category, which enabled rather than directly improved performance, and included consolidating to a single electronic health record (EHR) platform and common data across the health system, standardizing data elements, and standardizing care processes before using the EHR to implement them. Only after accomplishing such foundational activities were health systems able to focus on using the technology to improve performance through activities such as using data and analytics to monitor and provide feedback, improving uptake of evidence-based medicine, addressing variation and overuse, improving system-wide prevention and population health management, and making care more convenient. Conclusions and implications Leveraging IT to improve performance requires significant and sustained effort by health systems, in addition to significant investments in hardware and software. To accelerate change, better mechanisms for creating and disseminating best practices and providing advanced technical assistance are needed.
Universal HCV screening of baby boomers is feasible, but it is difficult

ABSTRACT Background/Objective Our objective was to assess the impact of mass mailing and the inclusion of Best Practice Advisory (BPA) ‘Pop-Up’ tool in the electronic medical record (EMR) on HCV screening rates. Methods Between June 2015 and March 2020, two interventions were developed for primary care physicians (PCP). An educational letter along with a blood requisition form, signed on behalf of the PCP’s, was sent to patients. We also developed a BPA ‘Pop-Up’ screening tool to alert PCP’s to order HCV screening tests on patients with no previous screening. Data were collected and analyzed prospectively. Results When we started the screening program in June 2015, 33,736 baby boomers were eligible for screening and the hospital system added an additional 26,027 baby boomers between June 2015 and March 2020. Of the 89 primary care providers employed by the hospital, 75 agreed to participate at different time periods. We screened 23,291 (43.5%) of 53,526 eligible patients during study period. Of these 399 (1.7%) had HCV antibody, but HCV RNA was positive in only 195 (1%). HCV antibody positivity rates were higher in men, blacks and in 1951-1960 birth cohorts. Spontaneous clearance rates appeared to be lower in men (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.39-0.90, p=0.015) and in blacks (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.20-0.50, p Conclusion Although a formal screening program increased screening rates for HCV among baby boomers, about 50% of baby boomers remained unscreened. In this community screening program, we found that men and blacks are less likely to have spontaneous HCV clearance.
Identification of Influenza A/PR/8/34 Donor Viruses Imparting High Hemagglutinin Yields to Candidate Vaccine Viruses in Eggs

One of the important lessons learned from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic is that a high yield influenza vaccine virus is essential for efficient and timely production of pandemic vaccines in eggs. The current seasonal and pre-pandemic vaccine viruses are generated either by classical reassortment or reverse genetics. Both approaches utilize a high growth virus, generally A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (PR8), as the donor of all or most of the internal genes, and the wild type virus recommended for inclusion in the vaccine to contribute the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes encoding the surface glycoproteins. As a result of extensive adaptation through sequential egg passaging, PR8 viruses with different gene sequences and high growth properties have been selected at different laboratories in past decades. The effect of these related but distinct internal PR8 genes on the growth of vaccine viruses in eggs has not been examined previously. Here, we use reverse genetics to analyze systematically the growth and HA antigen yield of reassortant viruses with 3 different PR8 backbones. A panel of 9 different HA/NA gene pairs in combination with each of the 3 different lineages of PR8 internal genes (27 reassortant viruses) was generated to evaluate their performance. Virus and HA yield assays showed that the PR8 internal genes influence HA yields in most subtypes. Although no single PR8 internal gene set outperformed the others in all candidate vaccine viruses, a combination of specific PR8 backbone with individual HA/NA pairs demonstrated improved HA yield and consequently the speed of vaccine production. These findings may be important both for production of seasonal vaccines and for a rapid global vaccine response during a pandemic.
Fishery and Hatchery Effects on an Endangered Salmon Population with Low Productivity

AbstractWe estimated the natural spawner–fry stock–recruitment relationship and juvenile survival rates for Sacramento River winter Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in California and used these estimates to examine the expected numbers of spawners and fishing mortality under different fishing mortality rates and levels of hatchery supplementation. A stochastic, age-structured population dynamics model was fit to fry and female spawner abundance data for the years 1996–2010. Estimated survival rates of fry through the end of the first year in the ocean were generally <0.5%. Estimated survival rates of hatchery-origin fish from egg to the end of the first year in the ocean were on average about four times greater than the estimated maximum rate for natural-origin fish. The hatchery program was estimated to increase the number of spawners returning to natural spawning areas and thereby increase the fishing mortality rate that could be sustained. Assessing the past or future net effect of the hatchery ...
Withdrawal severity after chronic intermittent ethanol in inbred mouse strains.

Background: To study withdrawal, ethanol is usually administered chronically without interruption. However, interest has recurred in models of episodic exposure. Increasing evidence suggests that chronic intermittent exposure to ethanol leads to a sensitization effect in both withdrawal severity and ethanol consumption. The goal of the present study was to examine mouse inbred strain differences in withdrawal severity following chronic intermittent exposure using the handling-induced convulsion as the behavioral endpoint. We also sought to compare the withdrawal responses of inbred strains across acute, chronic continuous, and chronic intermittent exposure regimens. Methods: Male mice from 15 standard inbred strains were exposed to ethanol vapor for 16 hours each day for 3 days and removed to an air chamber during the intervening 8 hours. Mice in the control groups were handled the same, except that they were exposed only to air. Daily blood ethanol concentrations were averaged for each mouse to estimate total dose of ethanol experienced. Results: Across strains, mice had an average daily blood ethanol concentration (BEC) of 1.45 ± 0.02 mg/ml and we restricted the range of this value to 1.00–2.00 mg/ml. To evaluate strain differences, we divided data into two dose groups based on BEC, low dose (1.29 ± 0.1 mg/ml) and high dose (1.71 ± 0.02 mg/ml). After the third inhalation exposure, ethanol-exposed and air-exposed groups were tested hourly for handling-induced convulsions for 10 hour and at hour 24 and 25. Strains differed markedly in the severity of withdrawal (after subtraction of air control values) in both dose groups. Conclusion: The chronic intermittent exposure paradigm is sufficient to elicit differential withdrawal responses across nearly all strains. Data from the high-dose groups correlated well with withdrawal data derived from prior acute (single high dose) and chronic continuous (for 72 hours) ethanol withdrawal studies, supporting the influence of common genes on all three responses.
HCCI Combustion: Analysis and Experiments

Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) is a new combustion technology that may develop as an alternative to diesel engines with high efficiency and low NOx and particulate matter emissions. This paper describes the HCCI research activities being currently pursued at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and at the University of California Berkeley. Current activities include analysis as well as experimental work. On analysis, we have developed two powerful tools: a single zone model and a multi-zone model. The single zone model has proven very successful in predicting start of combustion and providing reasonable estimates for peak cylinder pressure, indicated efficiency and NOX emissions. This model is being applied to develop detailed engine performance maps and control strategies, and to analyze the problem of engine startability. The multi-zone model is capable of very accurate predictions of the combustion process, including HC and CO emissions. The multi-zone model h as applicability to the optimization of combustion chamber geometry and operating conditions to achieve controlled combustion at high efficiency and low emissions. On experimental work, we have done a thorough evaluation of operating conditions in a 4-cylinder Volkswagen TDI engine. The engine has been operated over a wide range of conditions by adjusting themore » intake temperature and the fuel flow rate. Satisfactory operation has been obtained over a wide range of operating conditions. Cylinder-to-cylinder variations play an important role in limiting maximum power, and should be controlled to achieve satisfactory performance.« less
SCmesh: Solar-Powered Wireless Smart Camera Mesh Network

Wireless visual sensor networks find a wide range of applications such as environment and habitat monitoring, object tracking, surveillance, etc. Unlike sensor networks targeting telemetry applications, which typically use "scalar" sensors, visual sensor networks produce richer, multi-media information and therefore raise additional challenges related to efficient use of energy-, node-, and network-resources. In this paper, we introduce SCmesh, a mesh network of solar-powered wireless camera nodes. Using SCmesh, low-cost, solar-powered, visual sensing nodes are able to transfer video files as well as collaborate on tasks such as visual processing, event detection, object tracking, etc. SCmesh allows node-to-node, as well as scoped- or full broadcast communication. We deploy SCmesh in a smart visual sensor network deployment and showcase its functionality and performance.
On the Synthesis of Parallel Programs from Tensor Product Formulas for Block Recursive Algorithms

This paper presents a methodology for synthesizing parallel programs for block recursive algorithms such as fast Fourier transforms and Strassen's matrix multiplication algorithm. A block recursive algorithm is expressed as a tensor product formula which consists of matrix sums, matrix products, direct sums, tensor products, componentwise matrix operations, and stride permutations. These mathematical operations can be mapped to high-level programming language constructs such as iteration, sequential composition, parallel composition, vector operations, and index computation. Translation of a tensor product formula consisting of these primitives into a parallel program involves determination of the proper indexing schemes for the arrays. This paper gives an algorithm to determine the indexing scheme and the code required for the index computation. Various parallel programs can be synthesized by manipulating tensor product formulas to exploit different computational structures. In this paper, we discuss some issues involved in formula manipulation for a particular target machine, the Cray Y-MP.
Using Dublin Core to facilitate cross-collection searches in an enterprise image repository

The Madison Digital Image Database (MDID) is an Internet-based content delivery system designed to allow instructors to teach with digital images and image catalog data. James Madison University (JMU) is currently developing an enterprise-level version of the MDID that will support custom catalogs, multiple collections, and cross-collection searches. The new MDID relies on Dublin Core (DC) to facilitate cross-collection searches. We anticipate that Dublin Core will also make catalog customization, data exchange and system interoperability easier. This poster describes the implementation of Dublin Core in a relational database, the mechanism for conducting cross-collection searches, and other benefits of using Dublin Core in the new MDID.
Effects of surfactants on properties of polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles for drug delivery application

The objective of this research was to compare the effects of two different surfactants on the physicochemical properties of thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-acrylamide-allylamine) (PNIPAAm-AAm-AH)-coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as a commonly used surfactant in nanoparticle formulation process and Pluronic F127 as an FDA approved material were used as surfactants to synthesize PNIPAAm-AAm-AH-coated MNPs (PMNPs). The properties of PMNPs synthesized using SDS (PMNPs-SDS) and PF127 (PMNPs-PF127) were compared in terms of size, polydispersity, surface charge, drug loading efficiency, drug release profile, biocompatibility, cellular uptake, and ligand conjugation efficiency. These nanoparticles had a stable core–shell structure with about a 100-nm diameter and were superparamagnetic in behavior with no difference in the magnetic properties in both types of nanoparticles. In vitro cell studies showed that PMNPs-PF127 were more cytocompatible and taken up more by prostate cancer cells than that of PMNPs-SDS. Cells internalized with these nanoparticles generated a dark negative contrast in agarose phantoms for magnetic resonance imaging. Furthermore, a higher doxorubicin release at 40 °C was observed from PMNPs-PF127, and the released drugs were pharmacologically active in killing cancer cells. Finally, surfactant type did not affect the conjugation efficiency to the nanoparticles when folic acid was used as a targeting ligand model. These results indicate that PF127 might be a better surfactant to form polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles for targeted and controlled drug delivery.
MICROBIAL AND MICROARTHROPOD DETRITAL PROCESSING IN A PRAIRIE SOIL

Spring burning and raking were used to increase detrital productivity relative to un- disturbed plots in a Wisconsin prairie soil (Mollic Hapludalf). Relative changes in fungal hyphae and microarthropod density were determined 3, 7, and 28 wk after treatment; percent carbon, particulate organic matter, and bacterial density were determined after 28 wk. Significant effects 28 wk after burning were disappearance of 30o of fine particulate organic matter, microarthropod density increase due to vertical migration, and increased particulate organic matter ingestion by oribatid mites. Twenty- eight weeks after raking, significant effects included 7% soil carbon loss and disappearance of 57% of fine particulate organic matter, and 25% of the fungal hyphae. In raked plots, bacterial cell density was 21% greater than in other treatments; microarthropod density increased through reproduction and vertical migration. These results demonstrate that (1) increased plant productivity speeds pro- cessing of plant material by fungi and oribatid mites, (2) physical disturbance of the soil more strongly increases processing of plant material and dead hyphae by bacteria, as well as oribatid, prostigmatid, and astigmatid mites (3) root growth is least where processing rate is greatest. Significant increases in proportions of oribatids and Collembola with empty guts in November suggest that in grasslands, resources may limit detritivores in fall.
Riboflavin nutritional status and flavoprotein enzymes in normal and genetically diabetic KK mice.

Abstract Riboflavin nutritional status in normal control Swiss albino (SA) and genetically diabetic (KK) mice aged 8–9 mo was assessed by determining the glutathione reductase activity in erythrocyte hemolysates, with and without addition of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD); the ratio (activity with added FAD)/(activity without FAD) was expressed as the activity coefficient (AC). AC values from 0.9 to 1.3 were considered normal and those greater than 1.3 were regarded as evidence of riboflavin deficiency. Among SA mice, 35% were found to be riboflavin deficient. Among KK mice, 83% were riboflavin deficient. The difference in prevalance was significant (p
Ge Crystal Growth and Evaluation as Ge(Li) Detector Material

A comprehensive program of germanium single crystal growth and the evaluation of such material for use as Ge(Li) detectors is described. The effects of crystal growth parameters such as pull rate, cooling rate, crucible material, and atmosphere, among others, are analyzed by a number of techniques. These techniques include the standard etch-pit density, resistivity profile and minority carrier lifetime measurements as well as others which have been developed at this Laboratory and have been shown to be extremely useful in characterizing the quality of single crystal germanium for Ge(Li) detectors
A Model of motivated cognition to account for the link between self-monitoring and materialism

Drawing on previous theorizing about the development of materialistic values, a model of motivated cognition is proposed to account for the positive association between self-monitoring and materialism. The model suggests that self-monitoring is associated with individual differences in belonging motivation, that belonging motivation shapes people's beliefs about buying as a means of belonging within valued groups, and that buying-is-for-belonging beliefs shape the degree to which people value wealth and luxury. Results from two studies supported this model and suggested that the self-monitoring results are not better attributed to extraversion, social self-confidence, or shyness. The proposed model emphasizes that traits associated with a strong need to belong may predispose people toward materialism. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A phase II study of chloroquinoxaline sulfonamide (CQS) in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (MCRC).

Purpose: Phase II multicenter study investigated the efficacy and toxicity of the novel halogenated derivative of sulfaquixonaline Chloroquinoxaline Sulfonamide (CQS) in metastatic colorectal cancer. Experimental design: Eligible patients with metastatic or recurrent colorectal cancer received CQS at a dose schedule of 2000 mg/m2 over an hour weekly for 4 weeks every 42 days. Treatment was continued until unexpected toxicity or disease progression. Results: A total of seventeen patients were enrolled on this study. 94% of all patients enrolled had prior treatment. Sixteen patients were evaluable for response with fifteen patients showing evidence of disease progression and one patient with prolonged stable disease. One patient had non-evaluable disease. Following this interim analysis, the drug was considered ineffective and the study was terminated early. The most frequent adverse event was anemia. No patients discontinued the treatment because of toxicity. Conclusion: CQS, when given at a dose of 2000 mg/m2 weekly for 4 weeks every 42 days to patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, does not result in significant tumor regression.
SAP97 and Cortactin Remodeling in Arrhythmogenic Purkinje Cells

Because structural remodeling of several proteins, including ion channels, may underlie the abnormal action potentials of Purkinje cells (PCs) that survive in the 48 hr infarcted zone of the canine heart (IZPCs), we sought to determine the subcellular structure and function of the KV1.5 (KCNA5) protein in single IZPCs. Clustering of the Kv1.5 subunit in axons is regulated by a synapse-associated protein, SAP97, and is linked to an actin-binding protein, cortactin, and an intercellular adhesion molecule, N-cadherin. To understand the functional remodeling of the Kv1.5 channel and its regulation in IZPCs, Kv1.5 currents in PCs were measured as the currents blocked by 10 µM RSD1379 using patch-clamp techniques. Immunocytochemistry and confocal imaging were used for both single and aggregated IZPCs vs normal PCs (NZPCs) to determine the relationship of Kv1.5 with SAP-97, cortactin and N-cadherin. In IZPCs, both the sarcolemma (SL) and intercalated disk (ID) Kv1.5 protein are abundant, and the amount of cytosolic Kv1.5 protein is greatly increased. SAP-97 is also increased at IDs and has notable cytosolic localization suggesting that SAP-97 may regulate the functional expression and stabilization of Kv1.5 channels in IZPCs. Cortactin, which is located with N-cadherin at IDs in NZPCs, remains at IDs but begins to dissociate from N-cadherin, often forming ring structures and colocalizing with Kv1.5 within IZPCs. At the same time, cortactin/Kv1.5 colocalization is increased at the ID, suggesting an ongoing active process of membrane trafficking of the channel protein. Finally, the Kv1.5 current, measured as the RSD1379-sensitive current, at +40 mV did not differ between NZPCs (0.81±0.24 pA/pF, n = 14) and IZPCs (0.83±0.21 pA/pF, n = 13, NS). In conclusion, the subcellular structural remodeling of Kv1.5, SAP97 and cortactin maintained and normalized the function of the Kv1.5 channel in Purkinje cells that survived myocardial infarction.
Is iNOS Beginning to Smoke

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) helps drive numerous inflammatory disorders, but its inhibition has not had therapeutic success. Now Seimetz et al. (2011) make a case for inhibiting iNOS in an effort to treat one of the world's leading causes of death—chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
High-pressure cells for in situ multi-anvil experiments

A new series of high-pressure cells for in situ multi-anvil experiments is described. The cells are based on the conventional COMPRES cells, but modifications are made to improve the passage of X-rays. The modifications include cutting slits in parts of the assemblies that have very high X-ray absorption, such as lanthanum chromite and rhenium, the use of low-Z thermal insulation, such as forsterite, in place of zirconia, and the partial replacement of zirconia by MgO equatorial windows combined with a mullite octahedron. Details of the designs, thermal characterizations, and examples of the application of these cells are described.
Use of carbon monoxide and cyanide to probe the active sites on nitrogen-doped carbon catalysts for oxygen reduction

Abstract Interaction of carbon monoxide with CNx catalysts was investigated using pulse chemisorption, DRIFTS, and cyclic voltammetry techniques. Pulsed chemisorption experiments showed no CO uptake over the CNx catalysts. Cyclic voltammetry and potential hold studies showed carbon monoxide not to have any electrocatalytic interaction with nitrogen-doped graphite surfaces and not to have any poisoning effect for the oxygen reduction reaction. This is in contrast to the preferential adsorption of CO in the presence of oxygen on ORR sites of Pt catalysts, inhibiting the oxygen reduction activity drastically. Cyanide poisoning experiments performed using KCN showed no activity loss for CNx, while Pt/VC catalysts showed significant deactivation. These studies suggest that it is unlikely for coordinated metal sites to have significant contribution to the oxygen reduction reaction in CNx catalysts.
Thinking small is not easy

The enormous difference in scale between our everyday world and the nanoworld could explain why so few members of the general public seem to know about nanotechnology.
Lope de Vega's La dama boba and the Construction of Comedy

The essay seeks to extract from Lope de Vega's La dama boba (1613) what might be labelled the playwright's theory of comedy. The process is thus internal, based not on reigning prescriptions and poetics but rather on the specific ways in which Lope uses language, circumstance, literary precedent, and an expressed interest in pleasing the public as he composes a comic play. La dama boba is overdetermined; it moves in multiple directions and examines the motives and mysteries of love (and chemistry) from multiple vantage points. Its humour is based on a number of elements that are hardly innately funny: honour, social decorum, strongly patriarchal rules of conduct, and boberia itself. Although love obviously is a key factor here, emotion is often replaced with self-interest, and the blend is ultimately inviting, exciting, and open to critique. In considering La dama boba, I address my attempt to re-create aspects of Lope's comic vision in an adaptation of the play titled Wit's End, which was first performed...
Vibratory characteristics of the vocal folds in young adult and geriatric women

Summary Acoustic, aerodynamic, and videostroboscopic measures of vocal fold function were collected and analyzed during phonation of the vowel /i/ on 20 geriatric and 20 young adult normal female speakers. Acoustic and aerodynamic measures were analyzed for mean fundamental frequency, mean percent jitter, shimmer, sound pressure level, and mean airflow rate. Results indicate that the geriatric women exhibited greater shimmer and more intersubject variability in F 0 and mean airflow rate. Stroboscopic findings revealed a geriatric profile of greater aperiodicity, incomplete glottal closure, mucosal wave alterations, and reduced amplitude of vibration when compared to their younger counterparts. The findings are discussed in terms of the reported age-related anatomic and physiologic changes.
Crisis of Conscience: Pharmacist Refusal to Provide Health Care Services on Moral Grounds

Advances in technology have resulted in medical procedures and practices that were unthought-of in previous generations. Embryonic stem cell research, abortifacients, birth control, and artificial insemination are just a few examples of these technological advances. While many individuals readily embrace such medical advances, others find them morally objectionable. A contentious national debate is now occurring over whether employee pharmacists have the right to refuse to fill legal prescriptions for emergency contraception because of conscientious objections. In the United States, existing public policy is somewhat muddled in both protecting and encroaching on the employee pharmacist’s right of refusal. This article discusses the legal and ethical nature of that controversy, as well as the clash of interests, rights and responsibilities between employers, employee pharmacists and customers from a U.S. perspective.
Distributed learning, recognition, and prediction by ART and ARTMAP neural networks

Abstract A class of adaptive resonance theory (ART) models for learning, recognition, and prediction with arbitrarily distributed code representations is introduced. Distributed ART neural networks combine the stable fast learning capabilities of winner-take-all ART systems with the noise tolerance and code compression capabilities of multilayer perceptrons. With a winner-take-all code, the unsupervised model dART reduces to fuzzy ART and the supervised model dARTMAP reduces to fuzzy ARTMAP. With a distributed code, these networks automatically apportion learned changes according to the degree of activation of each coding node, which permits fast as well as slow learning without catastrophic forgetting. Distributed ART models replace the traditional neural network path weight with a dynamic weight equal to the rectified difference between coding node activation and an adaptive threshold. Thresholds increase monotonically during learning according to a principle of atrophy due to disuse. However, monotonic change at the synaptic level manifests itself as bidirectional change at the dynamic level, where the result of adaptation resembles long-term potentiation (LTP) for single-pulse or low frequency test inputs but can resemble long-term depression (LTD) for higher frequency test inputs. This paradoxical behavior is traced to dual computational properties of phasic and tonic coding signal components. A parallel distributed match–reset–search process also helps stabilize memory. Without the match–reset–search system, dART becomes a type of distributed competitive learning network.
Crossing the Cultural Divide in Early Childhood Teacher Education Programs: A Study of Chinese Graduate Students’ Perceptions of American Early Care and Education

To effectively teach young children, early childhood teachers must be prepared to collaborate with families of diverse backgrounds. Studying the unique cultural contexts of children and families in American early care and education programs and communities will offer early educators information needed to develop empathy for the families with whom they wish to partner. This study investigated the attitudes of Chinese graduate students in the United States toward American early care and education programs. Chinese graduate students are a unique and growing population of approximately 189,000, 40% of whom have at least one child attending American early care and education programs. Chinese graduate students’ educational expectations for their young children and reasons behind these expectations were also explored. Findings showed that participants’ views of American early care and education reflected Chinese culture and life experience. In terms of American education, these Chinese graduate students compared...
Integrating reflective writing in CS/IS

The ability to communicate effectively is a critical attribute for graduates of CS/IS programs. A challenge for CS/IS educators is how best to create experiential learning activities for students that allow for enhanced learning outcomes. In this paper we summarize a set of experiential learning activities coupled with the use of reflective writing. These activities are designed to build cognitive connections between academic theory and real-world applications. Sample experiences for both the freshmen and upper division levels are described, as well as discussion of and the results obtained from reflective writing activities.
The potential of microorganisms to invade the lamina propria of human gingival tissues.

T H E INTERDENTAL COL AREA as described by Cohen 1 3 has been shown to have a thin, nonkeratinized epithelium. In addition, chronic inflammation is found in the tissues subjacent to the epithelium in the central col depression. This has been confirmed by Kohl and Zander, Fish, 5 Stahl, and Cantor and Stahl. If the col may be the initial site of periodontal breakdown' a study focusing on the source of this chronic inflammation would be of interest.
Comparative study of pressure- and volume-controlled ventilation on stroke volume variation as a predictor of fluid responsiveness in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery

Abstract Purpose We hypothesized that the 2 ventilation modes might have a different influence on the stroke volume variation (SVV). This study investigated the effect of the ventilation modes on SVV as a predictor of fluid responsiveness during major abdominal surgery. Materials and Methods Sixty patients were randomly allocated to volume-controlled ventilation (VCV, n = 30) or pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV, n = 30) modes. After the induction of anesthesia, hemodynamic variables and SVV were measured before and after volume expansion (VE) with colloid solution of 10 mL/kg. The ability of SVV to predict the fluid responsiveness was tested by calculation of the area under a receiver operating characteristic curve for an increase in stroke volume index of at least 15% after VE. Results There were 10 and 16 responders in the VCV and PCV groups, respectively. The area under a receiver operating characteristic curve (95% confidence interval) for SVV before VE was 0.723 (0.538-0.907) and 0.799 (0.625-0.973) in the VCV and PCV groups, respectively. The optimal threshold value of SVV was 11% and 14% in the VCV and PCV groups, respectively. Conclusions Stroke volume variation can predict fluid responsiveness during both VCV and PCV modes. However, the optimal threshold values of SVV may differ according to the ventilation modes.
Shark complement: an assessment

The classical (CCP) and alternative (ACP) pathways of complement activation have been established for the nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum). The isolation of a cDNA clone encoding a mannan-binding protein-associated serine protease (MASP)-1-like protein from the Japanese dogfish (Triakis scyllia) suggests the presence of a lectin pathway. The CCP consists of six functionally distinct components: C1n, C2n, C3n, C4n, C8n and C9n, and is activated by immune complexes in the presence of Ca++ and Mg++ ions. The ACP is antibody independent, requiring Mg++ ions and a heat-labile 90 kDa factor B-like protein for activity. Proteins considered homologues of C1q, C3 and C4 (C2n) of the mammalian complement system have been isolated from nurse shark serum. Shark C1q is composed of at least two chain types each showing 50% identity to human C1q chains A and B. Partial sequence of the globular domain of one of the chains shows it to be C1q-like rather than like mannan-binding protein. N-terminal amino acid sequences of the alpha and beta chain of shark C3 and C4 molecules show significant identity with corresponding human C3 and C4 chains. A sequence representing shark C4 gamma chain, shows little similarity to human C4 gamma chain. The terminal shark components C8n and C9n are functional analogues of mammalian C8 and C9. Anaphylatoxin activity has been demonstrated in activated shark serum, and porcine C5a desArg induces shark leucocyte chemotaxis. The deduced amino acid sequence of a partial C3 cDNA clone from the nurse shark shows 50%, 30% and 24% homology with the corresponding region of mammalian C3, C4 and alpha 2-macroglobulin. Deduced amino acid sequence data from partial Bf/C2 cDNA clones, two from the nurse shark and one from the Japanese dogfish, suggest that at least one species of elasmobranch has two distinct Bf/C2 genes.
Computer controlled printing

This paper describes some of the characteristics and applications of programs that have been developed recently in the author's laboratory, for the production of coded paper tapes to control the Photon photocomposing machine. Conventional typesetting machines have been supplemented in the last two decades by a variety of photocomposing machines that produce the original copy for photolithographic reproduction by a photographic process. In this process, images of letters and characters are focused by an optical system at appropriate positions of a roll of sensitized paper. A photocomposing machine contains a matrix of transparent characters in an opaque background, with a mechanism for illuminating one selected character at a time. Several types of photocomposing machines have been designed and manufactured. The work that is reported here has used some Photon machines that are installed in Boston, and which are equipped with paper tape readers.
Cholesterol as a risk factor for coronary heart disease in elderly men. The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Abstract In order to explore the relationship of cholesterol to coronary heart disease (CHD), defined as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and sudden coronary death, in older men, a group of 1052 men, participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging, were examined. Subjects were stratified into three age groups, 28 to 64, 65 to 74, and 75 to 97 years old. In all three age groups, cholesterol was a significant risk factor for CHI). In the oldest age group (n = 250), the relationship between cholesterol and risk was linear (P = .003) as opposed to younger age groups where the relationship was exponential. This study extends the age range in which hypercholesterolemia has been shown to be associated with CHD to include the 75- to 97-year range.
Relative specificities of inhibition of acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase and neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase in cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells by esterastin and cholesteryl oleyl ether

Rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells in culture were incubated with 0.04-500 M esterastin. Acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase (ACEH) and neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase (NCEH) activities were inhibited to a comparable degree, with 50% inhibition occurring in the range of 0.4 M esterastin. Cells incubated with cholesteryl oleyl ether showed 50% inhibition of NCEH at 5.0 M, but no inhibition of ACEH over a concentration range of 0.2-20 M. This relative specificity of cholesteryl oleyl ether for NCEH can be employed to study the relative roles of ACEH vs. NCEH in preventing cellular cholesteryl ester accumulation.
Drosophila CK2 phosphorylates Deadpan, a member of the HES family of basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) repressors

In Drosophila, protein kinase CK2 regulates a diverse array of developmental processes. One of these is cell-fate specification (neurogenesis) wherein CK2 regulates basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) repressors encoded by the Enhancer of Split Complex (E(spl)C). Specifically, CK2 phosphorylates and activates repressor functions of E(spl)M8 during eye development. In this study we describe the interaction of CK2 with an E(spl)-related bHLH repressor, Deadpan (Dpn). Unlike E(spl)-repressors which are expressed in cells destined for a non-neural cell fate, Dpn is expressed in the neuronal cells and is thought to control the activity of proneural genes. Dpn also regulates sex-determination by repressing sxl, the primary gene involved in sex differentiation. We demonstrate that Dpn is weakly phosphorylated by monomeric CK2α, whereas it is robustly phosphorylated by the embryo-holoenzyme, suggesting a positive role for CK2β. The weak phosphorylation by CK2α is markedly stimulated by the activator polylysine to levels comparable to those with the holoenzyme. In addition, pull down assays indicate a direct interaction between Dpn and CK2. This is the first demonstration that Dpn is a partner and target of CK2, and raises the possibility that its repressor functions might also be regulated by phosphorylation.
Decision making by parole interviewers: The effect of case and interview factors

Nonverbal behavior of 103 inmates was coded during their parole interviews, and additional information was obtained from their case files. These data were related to interviewers' pre-and postinterview judgments of the inmates' likelihood of completing parole successfully and to interviewers' ratings of the inmates' honesty during the interview. Results showed that information obtained during the interview significantly affected the interviewers' postinterview judgments. Perceived honesty during the interview was affected significantly by the severity of the inmates' crime and by how much information the inmates' volunteered, how polite they were to the interviewers, and how much the inmates fidgeted during the interviews. Results suggest that the interviews did not improve, and may have lowered, interviewers' accuracy at predicting inmates' success on parole.
Examining Churn and Loyalty Using Support Vector Machine

The present study attempts to contribute to the knowledge of how customer loyalty could be assessed, using support vector machine. Additionally, the relationship between customer loyalty rate and churn rate is studied. After literature review and elaborating the concepts of customer loyalty, churn and support vector machine, a comprehensive data analysis on a telecommunication company's customers' dataset, utilizing support vector machine, has been developed. The proposed dataset consists of 1300 customers of a telecommunication company . The results imply that the proposed data analysis tool could be used for recognizing and determining the strategies leading to higher customer loyalty and lower churn. Keywords: Support Vector Machine, Customer Loyalty, Churn
The Most Primary of Care — Talking about Driving and Distraction

Current data suggest that each year, at least 1.6 million traffic accidents (28% of all crashes) in the United States are caused by drivers talking on cell phones or texting. Dr. Amy Ship urges physicians to ask patients about driving and distraction.
Description and Performance of a Fiber-Optic Confocal Fluorescence Spectrometer

We describe a fiber-optic-based confocal fluorescence spectrometer for obtaining depth-resolved, attenuated fluorescence emission spectra with lateral resolution of several microns and depth resolution of tens of microns. The confocal optics of the spectrometer are small, inexpensive, and easy to construct and to interface to existing spectrometers. We compare the performance of this system to that of conventional fluorescence spectrometers for nonscattering homogeneous and inhomogeneous samples. We demonstrate that the confocal measurements readily provide information about the sample geometry and optical properties not available from nonconfocal measurements. Potential applications of the technique are discussed.
Mopeds and scooters: crash outcomes in a high traffic state.

BACKGROUND:: Moped and scooter crash outcomes in the United States were last reported more than 20 years ago. These vehicles have experienced resurgence in popularity with sales that have increased up to 60% in recent years. The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors between severe and nonsevere driver-related injuries and to identify modifiable risk factors. METHODS:: The Florida Traffic Crash Records Database (FTCRD) was used to identify all crashes involving mopeds and scooters occurring between 2002 and 2008. A total of 5,660 moped crashes were evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the strength of association of severe injury for each risk factor. RESULTS:: More than 90% of drivers involved in moped or scooter crashes were uninsured. Only 17% of all drivers wore helmets. Alcohol and drug use was a significant risk factor of severe and lethal crashes (odds ratio [OR], 2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.64, 2.66). Risk factors amenable for state intervention and associated with increased severe or lethal injury were unpaved roads (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.30, 1.88); driving speeds >20 mph (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.73, 2.36); posted speed limits >30 mph (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.22, 1.62); major roadways with four or more lanes (OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.04, 3.21); and poor lighting conditions (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.23, 2.32). CONCLUSIONS:: These results suggest that most of the traffic infrastructure does not accommodate the safety of moped and scooter drivers. Focused interventions and further investigation into statewide traffic rules may improve moped crash outcomes. Language: en