cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experiment and Analysis of Directional Effects on Radiant Heat Transfer

Critical examination of the validity of the commonly used simplified models for predicting local and overall radiant heat interchange among real surfaces. The spectral local irradiation was measured at wavelengths of 3.08 and 4.51 microns in a configuration consisting of three plane parallel surfaces of finite extent. The test surfaces were gold with mechanical roughness and temperature varying from 0.02 to 7.1 microns and 77 to 760 K, respectively. Comparisons between experimental data and predictions for six different models ranging from the simple diffuse to the most detailed diffuse-plus-specular-directional-property model with specular component calculated according to Beckmann are presented. It is shown that the calculation of the overall irradiation using appropriate constant-property models agrees well with the experimental data to within combined experimental and analytical uncertainty. In general, it is concluded that for accurate prediction of local irradiation the directional characteristics of the surfaces must be considered.
Ultrastructure of a fibroxanthosarcoma (malignant fibroxanthoma)

Primary and metastatic lesions from a fibroxanthosarcoma (FXS) originating in the neck of a 29-year-old Caucasian woman are reported. Light and electron microscopic observations are correlated to define the various types of cells constituting this neoplasm. Ultrastructural examination verified that several types of cells can act as facultative fibroblasts. Since a malignant potentiality cannot be predicted solely from the histopathology of fibroxanthomas, an attempt was made to categorize certain ultrastructural nuclear and cytoplasmic organelles associated with FXS cells. This was done in order to further define the malignant neoplastic cells of the FXS, so that distinguishing the malignant from benign forms of this neoplasm may become more feasible.
Psychological Importance of the "Big Five": Impression Formation and Context Effects

In Study 1, university students rated the 300 items of the Adjective Check List for "psychological importance. " Adjectives representing the factors Extraversion (E) and Agreeableness (A) were judged more important than adjectives representing Emotional Stability (S), Conscientiousness (C), and Openness (0). In Study 2, graduate faculty members rated hypothetical applicants described with adjectives representing different combinations of the five factors. Contrary to predictions, applicants described with E and A adjectives were viewed less positively than applicants described with C and 0 adjectives, who were not viewed differently from applicants described by all five factors. In Study 3, university students rated the 300 adjectives for psychological importance in one of two contexts: working relationships or personal relationships. The results suggested that the unexpected results of Study 2 were obtained because the graduate faculty members viewed the applicants in the context of working rather than p...
Smallpox bioterror response.

In their report “Containing bioterrorist smallpox” (15 Nov., p. [1428][1]), M. E. Halloran et al. state that their “structured simulator” does not produce the “two orders of magnitude difference” between the number of deaths under targeted vaccination and the number of deaths under mass
The effects of varenicline on stress-induced and cue-induced craving for cigarettes.

Abstract Background Varenicline is a partial agonist of the α 4 β 2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor approved by the FDA for the treatment of nicotine dependence. While the clinical efficacy of varenicline for smoking cessation is well-supported, its biobehavioral mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. This randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled, human laboratory study combines guided imagery stress exposure with in vivo presentation of cigarette cues to test the effects of varenicline on stress-induced and cue-induced craving for cigarettes. Method A total of 40 (13 females) daily smokers (≥10 cigarettes per day) completed a guided imagery exposure (stress and neutral) followed by the presentation of cigarette cues at the target dose of varenicline (1 mg twice per day) and on matched placebo. Results Multilevel regression models revealed a significant main effect of varenicline ( p Conclusions These results elucidate the biobehavioral effects of varenicline for nicotine dependence and suggest that varenicline-induced amelioration of cigarette craving is unique to tonic craving and cue-induced craving following neutral imagery but does not extend to the combination of stress plus cues.
Synthesis and characterization of highly-conducting nitrogen-doped ultrananocrystalline diamond films

Ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) films with up to 0.2% total nitrogen content were synthesized by a microwave plasma-enhanced chemical-vapor-deposition method using a CH4(1%)/Ar gas mixture and 1%–20% nitrogen gas added. The electrical conductivity of the nitrogen-doped UNCD films increases by five orders of magnitude (up to 143 Ω−1 cm−1) with increasing nitrogen content. Conductivity and Hall measurements made as a function of film temperature down to 4.2 K indicate that these films have the highest n-type conductivity and carrier concentration demonstrated for phase-pure diamond thin films. Grain-boundary conduction is proposed to explain the remarkable transport properties of these films.
A 12 GHz IF bandwidth low power 5–17 GHz V-band positive transformer-feedback down-conversion mixer

In this paper, a novel positive transformer feedback down-conversion mixer is proposed to boost conversion gain. An ultra-wideband RF input is achieved by feeding RF signal at the emitter of the switching pair. Switching devices are biased so as to minimize LO input power. Area is minimized by means of transformer coupling and shielded transmission line for RF routing. The proposed mixer is implemented in a 0.13 μm BiCMOS process and occupies an active area of only 190 μm × 140 μm. The mixer consumes only 2.2 mA from a 1.3 V supply. The mixer shows a 3 dB IF bandwidth of greater than 12 GHz with a peak conversion gain of -2.4 dB and IIP3 of 2.8 dBm at a LO power of just -13 dBm. The RF input return loss is better than -15 dB up to 67 GHz. The proposed mixer achieves best Figure-of-Merit with LO power (FOM PLO ) and thus is most suited for wideband low power mm-wave receivers.
Design and Analysis of the Bellows Fatigue Test-Bed Based on Electro-Hydraulic Proportional Position Control

Electro-hydraulic proportional closed control system is designed which fully integrated electrical and hydraulic advantages of both. The dynamic mathematic model of the hydraulic system is built and the dynamic characteristics of the system are analyzed accurately. The advanced PID controller is adopted to correct the system, and have improved the dynamic quality of the system. In this paper, the hydraulic system is simulated on the basis of the Simulink and DSHplus professional hydraulic simulation software and the results of simulation prove that the qualities of the system can satisfy with the requirement much better.
Vanillic acid excretion can be used to assess compliance with dietary supplements

Summary Background & aims Current self-report methods to monitor dietary intake are often unreliable. As part of a dietary intervention study, we investigated whether adding a common food flavor (vanillin) to test diets and measuring the major metabolic end product vanillic acid in urine, could provide assessment of compliance with dietary supplements. Methods After baseline urine was collected 10 subjects (6 control and 4 study patients) consumed 1.3 g of vanillin in a liquid test meal as the last food at bedtime and collected the first morning urine. Next a kinetic excretion study was performed in which 6 controls consumed a vanillin spiked drink with continued urine sampling at 30-min intervals for 5 h. Vanillic acid concentrations were measured by reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Results The test diet was consumed just before bedtime; the first morning void vanillic acid concentration gave a reliable indication of compliance (3 males 0.224±0.041 and 3 females 0.290±0.099 mg/ml; mean±SD). Thirty-minute sampling of vanillic acid excretion for 6 controls was maximal 1 h after the test diet, returning to baseline after 4 h. Conclusion Vanillin is a useful, inexpensive and non-toxic biochemical marker for confirming compliance with experimental diets.
Evidence for successive episodes of condensation at high temperature in a part of the solar nebula

A polished thin section of a Ca-Al-rich inclusion CAI 3643 from the Allende meteorite has been studied by means of light and scanning electron microscopes, and electron and proton microprobes. The appearance and the mineral composition of the inclusion's three concentric layers: core, mantle, and crust are described. Despite differences in texture and composition, the three layers display a continuity in their modal mineralogical compositions, their extreme Al2O3 enrichments (53-69 percent, compared to 25-45 percent in other CAIs), and their trace element complementarity. This implies that all the layers of CAI 3643 have formed from the same cooling gaseous reservoir within a limited interval of time and space, consistent with an origin in a local transient heating event in the CV chondrite formation region of the nebula.
Polarization-Insensitive Wavelength Conversion at 40 Gb/s Using Birefringent Nonlinear Fiber

Polarization-insensitive cross-phase modulation in a birefringent nonlinear photonic crystal fiber is used to realize wavelength conversion at 40 Gb/s. Error-free performance for polarization scrambled signals is obtained.
The Impact of Student Poverty on Science Teaching and Learning: A Cross-National Comparison of the South African Case

This article investigates the claim that student poverty is the strongest significant predictor of science teaching and learning, even more than school factors. To investigate this phenomenon, this...
Treatment of experimental autoimmune uveitis in the rat with systemic succinylacetone.

Abstract The effects of succinylacetone (SA) on the development of S-antigen-induced experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) in the rat were studied. SA totally suppressed EAU at Day 14 when animals were treated with a constant infusion of 1.80 mg/hr by an osmotic minipump. Three intervals of treatment with this dose rate were used (Day 0–7, Day 7–14, or Day 0–14) and, regardless of dosage interval, suppression of the disease was complete. There was a significant inhibition of S-antigen-induced lymphocyte proliferative responses in cells from popliteal lymph nodes (P
The proliferative response of rat T cells to calcium ionophores increases with age

Splenocytes and T cells from both old and young rats proliferate to A23187 and ionomycin, and this response increases 3- to 10-fold in aged animals. Augmented responsiveness to ionomycin occurs in the absence of any defect in Con A-induced proliferation of T lymphocytes of aged rats and is dependent upon the addition of thiol compounds to the tissue culture medium. Augmented proliferative responses to ionomycin precede the significant but much smaller decline (30 to 40%) in Con A-induced proliferative responsiveness of splenocytes, which is evident only when rats reach 24 months of age. Heightened proliferation to calcium ionophores is not caused by a greater ability of T lymphocytes from aged rats to increase [Ca2+]i in response to ionomycin. The increased proliferative response of lymphocytes from aged rats to ionomycin occurs in the absence of detectable amounts of secreted IL 2 or IL 4. The ionophore response is a much more sensitive biomarker of age than the decline in Con A-induced proliferative responses of lymphocytes and identifies an activity of T lymphocytes that increases rather than decreases during the aging process.
Cohesin selectively binds and regulates genes with paused RNA polymerase.

Summary Background The cohesin complex mediates sister chromatid cohesion and regulates gene transcription. Prior studies show that cohesin preferentially binds and regulates genes that control growth and differentiation and that even mild disruption of cohesin function alters development. Here we investigate how cohesin specifically recognizes and regulates genes that control development in Drosophila . Results Genome-wide analyses show that cohesin selectively binds genes in which RNA polymerase II (Pol II) pauses just downstream of the transcription start site. These genes often have GAGA factor (GAF) binding sites 100 base pairs (bp) upstream of the start site, and GT dinucleotide repeats 50 to 800 bp downstream in the plus strand. They have low levels of histone H3 lysine 36 trimethylation (H3K36me3) associated with transcriptional elongation, even when highly transcribed. Cohesin depletion does not reduce polymerase pausing, in contrast to depletion of the NELF (negative elongation factor) pausing complex. Cohesin, NELF, and Spt5 pausing and elongation factor knockdown experiments indicate that cohesin does not inhibit binding of polymerase to promoters or physically block transcriptional elongation, but at genes that it strongly represses, it hinders transition of paused polymerase to elongation at a step distinct from those controlled by Spt5 and NELF. Conclusions Our findings argue that cohesin and pausing factors are recruited independently to the same genes, perhaps by GAF and the GT repeats, and that their combined action determines the level of actively elongating RNA polymerase.
The Life History of Diabrotica Vittata Fabr. In Iowa (Chrysomelidae, Coleoptera)

Two generations of the striped cucumber beetle, Diabrotica Vittata Fabr. were found in Iowa. The first equired 37 days and the second 51 for development. Females of the first averaged 225 eggs and the second 337. The over-wintering stage in this state has not been discovered and any extensive recommendations for biological methods of control must await this knowledge.
(p,t) reaction on even-mass cadmium nuclei: Test for the admixture of intruder configurations in the ground states.

The /sup 106,108,110,112,11/ /sup 4,116/Cd(p,t) reactions have been investigated at E-italic/sub p/ = 26 MeV. Enhancement factors for the ground-state to ground-state transitions have been extracted and compared with predictions for two-nucleon transfer strengths. No evidence for a sizable admixture of the intruder configurations in the ground states is deduced from this experiment.
What is a creolist

L'A. tente de definir ce qu'est un creoliste dans la mesure ou le terme creole n'a pas de validite empirique dans le domaine de la classification des langues, et ou il n'existe pas de trait structural permettant de definir un prototype creole
Nonsingular BEM for fracture modeling

Abstract A new three-dimensional formulation for the fracture mechanics problem based on a non-singular form of the hypersingular Somigliana stress identity (SSI) is presented. The resulting formulation permits the use of low-order numerical integration algorithms and allows the crack opening displacement variable to be modeled in a piecewise- C 1, α manner which is well suited to standard boundary element method (BEM) algorithms. The method is not limited to particular crack shapes and is sufficiently general that it holds excellent prospects for providing a general class of numerical Green's functions for this important class of problems.
Applications of infrared spectroscopy in the study of catalytic reactions and related adsorption phenomena on single crystal electrodes: connections between electrochemical and ultra high vacuum surface science

Abstract The aim of this review is to describe applications of infrared spectroscopy in the study of catalytic reactions and related adsorption phenomena at single crystal electrodes. The majority of work in this area has focused on reactions that form adsorbed CO as an intermediate, such as the electrochemical oxidation pathways of CO and several small organic molecules. In particular, studies that probed CO adsorption processes at a variety of single crystal electrode substrates are emphasized, as this work has been of fundamental importance for defining specific structural features of CO adlayers that form in the electrochemical environment. Efforts to derive CO adlayer structural information through comparisons with infrared spectroscopic studies of corresponding metal-adsorbate systems in ultra high vacuum are described, and both experimental and computational work is discussed. Applications of infrared spectroscopy in single crystal electrochemistry not discussed here include work on ionic adsorption [50, 152–156] and bimetallic interfaces (cf. Refs [157–159], as well as Refs [77, 78]). The reader is referred to the recent papers on these topics for a complete discussion of these areas. In addition, important work on polycrystalline materials continues to appear, and several reviews on these related topics are cited throughout the text.
Spectral characterization of wireless networks

This article puts forth the concept of spectral outage probability (SOP), a new characterization of the aggregate radio frequency emission generated by communicating nodes in a wireless network. We present two applications of the SOP: the establishment of spectral regulations and the design of covert military networks. We then present a simple case study where we derive and quantify the power spectral density of the aggregate network emission, as well as the corresponding SOP. The proposed framework captures all the essential physical parameters that affect the aggregate network emission, yet is simple enough to provide insights that may be of value in the design and deployment of wireless networks.
Continuous fiber reinforced ceramic composites

Abstract The pertinent issues of woven fiber fabric reinforced ceramic composites, such as processing, interface engineering, mechanical behavior, and theoretical modeling, have been discussed. The continuous plain‐weave Nicalon® fiber reinforced SiC composites have been successfully manufactured by a novel forced chemical vapor infiltration (FCVI) method. The FCVI technique can be modeled using a finite‐volume method to optimize the processing conditions, resulting in the savings of fabrication time and cost. Fiber fabric orientation and interface coating greatly influenced the mechanical behavior of the composites. Theoretical modeling is conducted to investigate the influence of fiber fabric orientation and coating thickness on the mechanical behavior of woven fabric reinforced composites. The predicted results were in good agreement with the experimental data.
Design and Implementation of a Network Centric Appliance Platform

Increasing demands on end-to-end solution performance has lead to a generation of workload optimized systems and appliances, with tightly integrated hardware and software delivering substantial improvements over general purpose architectures. Among the many challenges encountered in designing an appliance, the most complex one is making hardware and software high performance and, at the same time, render the system versatile enough to support as many workloads as possible. This paper provides a high level overview of the design and implementation process of such an appliance architecture, as realized by the IBM PowerEN team. The platform includes new silicon (the PowerEN processor), a novel system level board (Chroma card), system software and development kit, as well as end user applications for different industry domains. The solution has been completely designed by the team, starting from concept, to architecture, to implementation and delivery. The paper describes the most important characteristics of the platform, detailing how these influence its capability of supporting multiple optimized workloads.
The Cannabinoids as Potential Antiepileptics

Comparative studies of the anticonvulsant properties of the cannabinoids and prototype antiepileptic drugs in numerous animal seizure models demonstrate that (1) as an anticonvulsant, cannabidiol (CBD), in contrast to delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is relatively selective in terms of both central nervous system (CNS), depressant and excitatory properties; (2) the potency of cannabidiol, unlike that of phenytoin and phenobarbital, varies greatly with the species; (3) the large potency difference between the cannabinoids and the antiepileptics in the mouse appears to be due to dispositional differences, because brain concentrations of all the drugs are very similar; (4) tolerance to the anticonvulsant properties of cannabidiol is not a prominent feature; in three seizure models, tolerance developed in one, but "reverse tolerance" developed in the other two; and (5) the results of a study of the electrophysiologic mechanisms of action indicate that cannabidiol produces some unique effects and that its spectrum of antiepileptic activity may be different from that of the prototype drugs. The anticonvulsant nature of cannabidiol suggests that it has a therapeutic potential in at least three of the four major types of epilepsy: grand mal, cortical focal, and complex partial seizures.
Role of disorder in Mn:GaAs, Cr:GaAs, and Cr:GaN.

We present calculations of magnetic exchange interactions and critical temperature ${T}_{c}$ in ${\mathrm{G}\mathrm{a}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{M}\mathrm{n}}_{x}\mathrm{A}\mathrm{s}$, ${\mathrm{G}\mathrm{a}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{C}\mathrm{r}}_{x}\mathrm{A}\mathrm{s}$, and ${\mathrm{G}\mathrm{a}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{C}\mathrm{r}}_{x}\mathrm{N}$. The local spin-density approximation is combined with a linear-response technique to map the magnetic energy onto a Heisenberg Hamiltonion, but no significant further approximations are made. We show the following: (i) configurational disorder results in large dispersions in the pairwise exchange interactions; (ii) the disorder strongly reduces ${T}_{c}$; (iii) clustering in the magnetic atoms, whose tendency is predicted from total-energy considerations, further reduces ${T}_{c}$, while ordering the dopants on a lattice increases it. With all the factors taken into account, ${T}_{c}$ is reasonably predicted by the local spin-density approximation in Mn:GaAs without the need to invoke compensation by donor impurities.
TouchTags: using touch to retrieve information stored in a physical object

Information can be stored in inexpensive electronic "tag" microchips which can be embedded in physical objects. We have invented a new tag reader technology which allows information to be transferred into or out of these tag microchips through the human body via touch. Our technology has enabled us to create a novel user interface which can recognize when physical icons are touched, and a wearable system that can inventory packages when they are touched.
Chromosomes of Some Archaeopulmonata (Mollusca: Basommatophora)

This paper presents the chromosome numbers of 7 species of primitive basommatophoran snails and discusses these numbers in relation to systematics and to those numbers reliably reported for the Archaeopulmonata by other authors.1. Sixteen bivalents were observed in cells of the first division of meiosis in the 4 species of Siphonariidae studied, Siphonaria alternata, S. guamensis, S. laciniosa and S. pectinata.2. Several different chromosome numbers were observed in the two species of Ellobiidae studied. Seventeen bivalents were observed in Cassidula vespertilionis and 19 pairs of chromosomes were found in Melampus coffeus and in a population (of hybrids?) resembling this species but differing slightly on shell morphology. One specimen in this latter population was a tetraploid individual with 38 bivalents.3. The one species of Chilinidae examined, Chilina fluviatilis, had 18 pairs of chromosomes.4. The caryotype of Melampus bidentatus lineatus consists of 7 pairs of metacentric chromosomes and 11 pairs of submetacentric chromosomes. This is the first accurate report of the caryotype of an ellobiid snail.
A simple risk score predicted 7 day stroke risk after transient ischaemic attack

Source Citation Rothwell PM, Giles MF, Flossmann E, et al. A simple score (ABCD) to identify individuals at high early risk of stroke after transient ischaemic attack. Lancet. 2005;366:29-36. 15993230
Effects of aprepitant on cytochrome P450 3A4 activity using midazolam as a probe

Background Aprepitant is a neurokinin1 receptor antagonist that enhances prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting when added to conventional therapy with a corticosteroid and a 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3) antagonist. Because aprepitant may be used with a variety of chemotherapeutic agents and ancillary support drugs, which may be substrates of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4, assessment of the potential of this drug to inhibit CYP3A4 activity in vivo is important. The effect of aprepitant on in vivo CYP3A4 activity in humans with oral midazolam used as a sensitive probe of CYP3A4 activity was evaluated in this study. Methods In this open-label, randomized, single-period study, 16 healthy male subjects were enrolled. Subjects received one of two oral aprepitant regimens for 5 days (8 subjects per regimen): (1) 125 mg aprepitant on day 1 and then 80 mg/d on days 2 to 5 or (2) 40 mg aprepitant on day 1 and then 25 mg/d on days 2 to 5. All subjects also received a single oral dose of midazolam, 2 mg, at prestudy (3 to 7 days before aprepitant treatment) and on days 1 and 5 (1 hour after aprepitant administration). Results Coadministration of midazolam and 125/80 mg aprepitant increased the midazolam area under the plasma concentration–time curve by 2.3-fold on day 1 (P < .01) and by 3.3-fold on day 5 (P < .01), as compared with midazolam alone (prestudy). The 125/80-mg regimen of aprepitant also increased the midazolam maximum observed concentration by 1.5-fold on day 1 (P < .05) and by 1.9-fold on day 5 (P < .01). The midazolam half-life values increased from 1.7 hours (prestudy) to 3.3 hours on both day 1 and day 5. Coadministration of 40/25 mg aprepitant and midazolam did not result in significant changes in the midazolam area under the plasma concentration–time curve, maximum observed concentration, and half-life at either day 1 or day 5. Conclusions The 5-day 125/80-mg regimen of aprepitant produced moderate inhibition of CYP3A4 activity in humans, as measured with the use of midazolam as a probe drug. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2003) 74, 150–156; doi: 10.1016/S0009-9236(03)00123-1
Complex organism–environment feedbacks buffer species diversity against habitat fragmentation

Understanding the factors that determine the extent of biodiversity loss following habitat destruction is central to ecosystem conservation and management. One potential factor is the ecological feedbacks between organisms and local environmental conditions, which can infl uence how species aff ect one another and, consequently, whether or not species persist in fragmented landscapes. We investigated this possibility using a spatially explicit individual-based model of plant communities. In this model, plant species aff ected their own and other species ’ competitiveness by modifying local environmental conditions. Th ese plant – environment feedbacks were assumed to vary among species pairs in direction and strength to mimic complex feedbacks observed between plants and soil conditions in real communities. We found that complex feedbacks reduced the extent of diversity loss, eff ectively buff ering species against habitat fragmentation. Our analysis suggested that this buff ering eff ect operated via two mechanisms. First, complex feedbacks decreased the likelihood of immediate extinction by making the spatial distribution of each species less clustered and consequently less likely to be eliminated entirely by fragmentation. Second, complex feedbacks decreased the likelihood of additional extinction by generating negative density dependence among surviving species, thereby keeping low-abundance species from going extinct due to demographic stochasticity and other forces. Th e buff ering eff ect was particularly strong when species dispersed locally and abiotic environmental conditions varied globally. Our fi ndings highlight the potential importance of organism – environment feedbacks in explaining species extinction by habitat destruction.
Evaluation and Extension of the Cusum Technique with an Application to Salmonella Surveillance

The cumulative sum (cusum) technique was examined for its use in a disease surveillance system for detecting temporal clusters of events. Optimal technique parameters were derived for scenarios not previously considered. Simulation modeling produced results that evaluated deviations from predefined rate increases. The cusum technique was less prone to false alarms and more efficient at detecting large rate increases than previously reported. As demonstrated using data obtained from a Salmonella surveillance system operated by a state animal diagnostic laboratory system, the cusum technique could provide early warning of an epidemic problem.
A Tale of Two Currencies: British and French Finance During the Napoleonic Wars

The record of British and French finance during the Napoleonic wars presents the striking picture of a financially strong nation abandoning the gold standard, borrowing heavily, and generating inflation, while a financially weaker country followed more “orthodox” policies. This paradoxical behavior is explained by Britain's strong credibility that allowed more flexible policies, while France's poor reputation forced reliance on taxation.
THE CLINICAL USE OF THE DEXAMETHASONE SUPPRESSION TEST IN DSM-III AFFECTIVE DISORDERS: CORRELATION WITH THE SEVERE DEPRESSIVE SUBTYPES OF MELANCHOLIA AND PSYCHOSIS

Abstract The utility of the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) as an adjunct in the diagnosis of major depression remains controversial. While the research utility of the DST has been confirmed, the clinical utility has been questioned. We studied 166 consecutive admissions to a general, non-research unit who either met DSM-III criteria for major depression or had depressive symptoms associated with other DSM-III diagnoses. Using a 5 μg/dl criterion, non-suppression of serum cortisol after dexamethasone was observed in 63% of patients with DSM-III major depression. Patients with the most severe subtypes of major depression (melancholia and psychosis) showed both the highest rate of serum cortisol non-suppression and the highest post-DST serum cortisol concentrations. These findings from the clinical setting where the test, if found useful, will be used ultimately suggest that the DST is both sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of major depression. Future research will determine the potential role of the DST as an adjunct to the clinical assessment and management of patients with major affective disorder.
GABA Transaminase Inhibition Induces Spontaneous and Enhances Depolarization-Evoked GABA Efflux via Reversal of the GABA Transporter

The GABA transporter can reverse with depolarization, causing nonvesicular GABA release. However, this is thought to occur only under pathological conditions. Patch-clamp recordings were made from rat hippocampal neurons in primary cell cultures. Inhibition of GABA transaminase with the anticonvulsant gamma-vinyl GABA (vigabatrin; 0.05-100 microm) resulted in a large leak current that was blocked by bicuculline (50 microm). This leak current occurred in the absence of extracellular calcium and was blocked by the GABA transporter antagonist SKF-89976a (5 microm). These results indicate that vigabatrin induces spontaneous GABA efflux from neighboring cells via reversal of GABA transporters, subsequently leading to the stimulation of GABA(A) receptors on the recorded neuron. The leak current increased slowly over 4 d of treatment with 100 microm vigabatrin, at which time it reached an equivalent conductance of 9.0 +/- 4.9 nS. Blockade of glutamic acid decarboxylase with semicarbazide (2 mm) decreased the leak current that was induced by vigabatrin by 47%. In untreated cells, carrier-mediated GABA efflux did not occur spontaneously but was induced by an increase in [K(+)](o) from 3 to as little as 6 mm. Vigabatrin enhanced this depolarization-evoked nonvesicular GABA release and also enhanced the heteroexchange release of GABA induced by nipecotate. Thus, the GABA transporter normally operates near its equilibrium and can be easily induced to reverse by an increase in cytosolic [GABA] or mild depolarization. We propose that this transporter-mediated nonvesicular GABA release plays an important role in neuronal inhibition under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions and is the target of some anticonvulsants.
Authenticache: harnessing cache ECC for system authentication

Hardware-assisted security is emerging as a promising avenue for protecting computer systems. Hardware based solutions, such as Physical Unclonable Functions (PUF), enable system authentication by relying on the physical attributes of the silicon to serve as fingerprints. A variety of PUF designs have been proposed by researchers, with some gaining commercial success. Virtually all of these systems require dedicated PUF hardware to be built into the processor or System-on-Chip (SoC), increasing the cost of deployment in the field. This paper presents Authenticache, a novel, low-cost PUF design that does not require dedicated hardware support. Instead, it leverages on-chip error correction logic already built into many processor caches. As a result, Authenticache can be deployed and used by many off-the-shelf processors with minimal costs. We prototype, evaluate, and test the design on a real system, in addition to conducting extensive simulations. We find Authenticache to have high identifiability, as well as excellent resilience to measurement and environmental noise. Authenticache can withstand up to 142% of noise while maintaining a misidentification rate that is below 1 ppm.
The Role of ABC Transporters in Cancer Stem Cell Drug Resistance

There can be no cure for epithelial cancer until there is a significant ­therapeutic index that separates the most therapy-resistant cells within tumors, and the cells that mediate functions essential to life. The cancer stem cell paradigm explains tumor heterogeneity and has led to the hypothesis that therapy resistance originates in the mechanisms by which normal tissue stem cells protect themselves from toxic insults. However, therapeutic index is not merely the ratio of cancer stem cell kill to normal stem cell kill. It is further compounded by the fact that a small number of clonogenic cancer cells need only to survive to perpetuate the neoplasm, whereas vital tissue functions cannot be disrupted for long without lethal consequences. In this chapter, we review the concepts of tumor grade and therapeutic index; maximal tolerated dose; innate vs. acquired multiple drug resistance (MDR); tumor heterogeneity; and the role of ABC transporters in multipotent, therapy resistant, clonogenic cancer stem-like cells in the context of therapeutic use of MDR inhibitors to change the maximal tolerated dose of currently used antineoplastic agents.
A complete system for publishing music-related ETDs: Technology development and publishing model

Purpose – There is no proposed solution to address the unresolved issues of publishing music-related electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) pertaining to technology availability, copyright, and preservation. The purpose of this paper is to propose a complete system, including technology development and publishing model, which addresses the existing issues of publishing music-related ETDs. The paper shares the practice of utilizing the system developed by Texas Tech University Libraries known as Streaming Audio and Video Experience (SAVE), and proposes it as a solution for other multimedia collections. Design/methodology/approach – The proposed system includes a technology solution and a publishing model. The technology solution, SAVE, contains an authenticated streaming multimedia player, a responsive-design user interface, and a web-based submission and management system. The publishing model combines a DSpace-based institutional repository (IR) with SAVE and preservation strategies. Findings – The i...
Drosophila Mutants that Are Motile but Respond Poorly to All Stimuli Tested: Mutants that have a large defect in interaction with stimuli or in executive function

Adult Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies were placed into one end of a tube near to repellents (benzaldehyde and heat) and away from the other end containing attractants (light and a favored temperature). They escaped from the repellents and went to the attractants. Motile mutants that failed to do that were isolated. They did not respond to any external attractants tested or external repellents tested. In addition, they did not respond well to internal stimuli like hunger, thirst, and sleep. Some possibilities for explaining the deficiency: They may be considered defective in decision making that results from faulty interaction with the sensing mechanism, or, alternatively, the mutants may be defective in executive function. The mutants failed at both 34 degrees C and, in one case studied, at room temperature.
Age Differences in Information Processing: A Perspective on the Aged Consumer:

Literature pertaining to the effects of age differences indicates that elderly individuals and younger adults process information differently. Age differences result in a complex set of changes in ...
Experimental and theoretical investigation of prestressed natural fiber-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) composite materials

Abstract In this work we demonstrate that the specific (weight-normalized) mechanical properties of polylactic acid (PLA) can be enhanced by leveraging a combination of (a) additive manufacturing (3D printing) and (b) initial post-tensioning of continuous natural-fiber reinforcement. In this study both tensile and flexural PLA specimens with different cross-sectional geometries were 3D-printed with and without post-tensioning ducts. The mechanical properties of two continuous reinforcing fiber strands (i.e., jute, flax) were experimentally characterized prior to threading, post-tensioning to a prescribed level of stress, and securing in place with 3D-printed anchors. The effect of fiber type, matrix cross-sectional geometry, number of reinforcing strands, and degree of post-tensioning on the specific mechanical properties (i.e., strength-, stiffness-, rigidity-to-weight) of PLA were investigated using both tensile and flexural mechanical testing. Experimental results confirmed that additive manufacturing alone can improve the specific tensile and flexural mechanical properties of PLA and that these properties are further improved via initial mechanical prestressing of natural fiber reinforcement. Data indicate increases of 116% and 62% for tensile specific strength and stiffness and 14% and 10% for flexural specific strength and rigidity, respectively, compared to solid, unreinforced PLA. A theoretical model of the prestressed composite tensile response was employed and found to accurately predict (
Evaluation of Empirical Design Studies and Metrics

Engineering design is a complex multifaceted and knowledge-intensive process. No single theory or model can capture all aspects of such an activity. Various empirical methods have been used by researchers to study particular aspects of design thinking and cognition, design processes, design artefacts, and design strategies. Research methods include think-aloud protocol analysis and its many variants, case studies, controlled experiments of design cognition, and fMRI. The field has gradually progressed from subjective to objective analyses, requiring well-defined metrics since design of experiments (DOE) involves controlling or blocking particular variables. DOE also requires setting experiment variables at particular levels, which means that each variable needs to be characterized and quantified. Without such quantification, statistical analyses cannot be carried out. This chapter focuses on quantifiable characteristics of designers, targeted users, artefacts, and processes.
A fast approximation algorithm for single-group multicast beamforming with large antenna arrays

Multicast beamforming utilizes multiple transmit antennas and subscriber channel state information at the transmitter to direct power towards a group of subscribers while limiting interference caused to others. Unfortunately, the natural max-min-fair multicast beamforming formulation is a nonconvex Quadratically Constrained Quadratic Programming (QCQP) problem. This paper proposes a high performance, low complexity Successive Convex Approximation (SCA) algorithm for max-min-fair multicast beamforming with per antenna power constraints in a massive MIMO setting. The proposed approach is based on iterative approximation of the non-convex problem by a sequence of non-smooth, convex optimization problems, and using an inexact version of the Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers for efficiently computing solutions of each SCA subproblem via proximal operator evaluations. Simulations reveal that the algorithm achieves a very favorable performance-complexity tradeoff relative to the existing state-of-the-art.
Left ventricular assist device-induced reverse remodeling: it's not just about myocardial recovery.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The abnormal structure, function and molecular makeup of dilated cardiomyopathic hearts can be partially normalized in patients supported by a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), a process called reverse remodeling. This leads to recovery of function in many patients, though the rate of full recovery is low and in many cases is temporary, leading to the concept of heart failure remission, rather than recovery.Areas covered: We summarize data indicative of ventricular reverse remodeling, recovery and remission during LVAD support. These terms were used in searches performed in Pubmed. Duplication of topics covered in depth in prior review articles were avoided.Expert commentary: Although most patients undergoing mechanical circulatory support (MCS) show a significant degree of reverse remodeling, very few exhibit sufficiently improved function to justify device explantation, and many from whom LVADs have been explanted have relapsed back to the original heart failure phenotype. Fut...
Dr. Pangloss's Clinic: Prenatal Whole Genome Sequencing and a Return to Reality.

If there is an overarching theme shared by academic medicine and the social sciences it is this: Context matters. No medical innovation can be effectively imagined, studied, evaluated, or applied o...
Gsg1, Trnp1, and Tmem215 Mark Subpopulations of Bipolar Interneurons in the Mouse Retina.

Purpose How retinal bipolar cell interneurons are specified and assigned to specialized subtypes is only partially understood. In part, this is due to a lack of early pan- and subtype-specific bipolar cell markers. To discover these factors, we identified genes that were upregulated in Blimp1 (Prdm1) mutant retinas, which exhibit precocious bipolar cell development. Methods Postnatal day (P)2 retinas from Blimp1 conditional knock-out (CKO) mice and controls were processed for RNA sequencing. Genes that increased at least 45% and were statistically different between conditions were considered candidate bipolar-specific factors. Candidates were further evaluated by RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. Knock-in Tmem215-LacZ mice were used to better trace retinal expression. Results A comparison between Blimp1 CKO and control RNA-seq datasets revealed approximately 40 significantly upregulated genes. We characterized the expression of three genes that have no known function in the retina, Gsg1 (germ cell associated gene), Trnp1 (TMF-regulated nuclear protein), and Tmem215 (a predicted transmembrane protein). Germ cell associated gene appeared restricted to a small subset of cone bipolars while Trnp1 was seen in all ON type bipolar cells. Using Tmem215-LacZ heterozygous knock-in mice, we observed that β-galactosidase expression started early in bipolar cell development. In adults, Tmem215 was expressed by a subset of ON and OFF cone bipolar cells. Conclusions We have identified Gsg1, Tmem215, and Trnp1 as novel bipolar subtype-specific genes. The spatial and temporal pattern of their expression is consistent with a role in controlling bipolar subtype fate choice, differentiation, or physiology.
A retrospective analysis of all non-AIDS defining cancers (NADC): A subset analysis of the County Hospital AIDS Malignancy Project (CHAMP).

1611 Background: County Hospital (CCH) with its HIV clinic, the CORE Center (CC) is the largest provider for HIV patients (pts) in Chicago, treating over 5,500 HIV pts yearly. There is paucity of d...
Personality Traits Are Associated with Academic Achievement in Medical School: A Nationally Representative Study

This nationally representative study sought to identify personality traits that are associated with academic achievement in medical school. Third-year medical students, who completed an initial questionnaire in January 2011, were mailed a second questionnaire several months later during their fourth year. Controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and burnout, the authors used multivariate logistic regressions to determine whether Big Five personality traits were associated with receiving honors/highest grade in clinical clerkships, failing a course or rotation, and being selected for the Alpha Omega Alpha or Gold Humanism Honor Society. The adjusted response rates for the two surveys were 61 (n = 564/919) and 84% (n = 474/564). The personality trait conscientiousness predicted obtaining honors/highest grade in all clinical clerkships. In contrast, students high in neuroticism were less likely to do well in most specialties. Students with higher conscientiousness were more likely to be inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, while students high in openness or agreeableness traits were more likely to be inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Burnout was not associated with any clinical performance measures. This study suggests the importance of personality traits, particularly conscientiousness, in predicting success during the clinical years of medical school. Medical educators should consider a nuanced examination of personality traits and other non-cognitive factors, particularly for psychiatry.
Cutaneous angiosarcoma: a current update

Cutaneous angiosarcoma (cAS) is a rare malignant neoplasm with variable clinical presentation. Although a distinct vascular tumour, cAS shares many overlapping histopathological features with other vasoformative and epithelioid tumours or 'mimickers'. cAS shows aggressive behaviour and carries a grave prognosis, thus early diagnosis is of paramount importance to achieve the best possible outcomes. Recently, several genetic studies were conducted leading to the identification of novel molecular targets in the treatment of cAS. Herein, we present a comprehensive review of cAS with discussion of its clinical, histopathological and molecular aspects, the differential diagnosis, as well as current therapies including ongoing clinical trials.
Discounted Agricultural Growth in South Africa

This paper examines impacts of appropriate resource allocation on subsistence level output. This study uses a stylized Coase Bargaining model and data from the South African Reserve bank to support the second welfare theorem. Back of the envelope calculations indicate the opportunity cost of manufacturing output has been the 20% discount in agricultural output in South Africa since 1968. This paper offers an exercise that can be implemented in developing nations having institutions resulting in two-sector economies. Moreover, the methods used here will help policy makers to estimate an appropriate value for wealth transfers.
Undergraduate Performance in Solving Ill-Defined Biochemistry Problems.

This mixed-methods study retrospectively examines the competency of graduating biochemistry majors in areas related to scientific process, including the abilities to generate hypotheses, design exp...