cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interpolation of Operators With Trace Inequalities Related To The Positive Weighted Geometric Mean

There are various generalizations of the geometric mean $(a,b)\mapsto a^{1/2}b^{1/2}$ for $a,b\in \mathbb{R}^+$ to positive matrices, and we consider the standard positive geometric mean $(X,Y)\mapsto X^{1/2}(X^{-1/2}YX^{-1/2})^{1/2}X^{1/2}$. Much research in recent years has been devoted to relating the weighted version of this mean $X\#_{t}Y:=X^{1/2}(X^{-1/2}YX^{-1/2})^{t}X^{1/2}$ for $t\in [0, 1]$ with operators $e^{(1-t)X+tY}$ and $e^{(1-t)X/2}e^{tY}e^{(1-t)X/2}$ in Golden-Thompson-like inequalities. These inequalities are of interest to mathematical physicists for their relationship to quantum entropy, relative quantum entropy, and Renyi divergences. However, the weighted mean is well-defined for the full range of $t\in\mathbb{R}$. In this paper we examine the value of $|||e^H\#_te^K|||$ and variations thereof in comparison to $|||e^{(1-t)H+tK}|||$ and $|||e^{(1-t)H}e^{tK}|||$ for any unitarily invariant norm $|||\cdot|||$ and in particular the trace norm, creating for the first time the full picture of interpolation of the weighted geometric mean with the Golden-Thompson Inequality. We expand inequalities known for $|||(e^{rH}\#_te^{rK})^{1/r}|||$ with $r>0$, $t\in [0,1]$ to the entire real line, and comment on how the exterior inequalities can be used to provide elegant proofs of the known inequalities for $t\in [0,1]$. We also characterize the equality cases for strictly increasing unitarily invariant norms.
Pilot study of side effects and serum and urine concentrations of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in azotemic and non-azotemic cats.

ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to determine the side effect frequency and serum and urine drug concentrations of amoxicillin–clavulanic acid in cats with and without azotemic chronic kidney ...
Robotic Biliary Surgery

Robotic cholecystectomy is safe and feasible approach and can be combined with common bile duct exploration to address complicated pathology in a single setting. This article summarizes reported outcomes after robotic biliary surgery. A technical overview of robotic multiport and single port cholecystectomy is provided. Last, the approach to benign bile duct disease during robotic cholecystectomy, including reconstruction of the biliary tree, is described.
The Experiences with Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (EASI)

We developed and validated a self-report scale assessing women’s daily experiences with hostile and benevolent sexism within domains of paternalism, gender differentiation, and heterosexuality. Wom...
Role of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors in patients with heart failure: an elusive mechanism

Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and the burden of HF continues to rise. There has been an interest in sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors fo...
Quantifying the Difference Between the Flux-Tube Expansion Factor at the Source Surface and at the Alfvén Surface Using a Global MHD Model for the Solar Wind

The potential-field approximation has been providing a fast and computationally inexpensive estimation for the solar corona’s global magnetic-field geometry for several decades. In contrast, more physics-based global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models have been used for a similar purpose, while being much more computationally expensive. Here, we investigate the difference in the field geometry between a global MHD model and the potential-field source-surface model (PFSSM) by tracing individual magnetic field lines in the MHD model from the Alfven surface (AS), through the source surface (SS), all the way to the field-line footpoint, and then back to the source surface in the PFSSM. We also compare the flux-tube expansion at two points at the SS and the AS along the same radial line. We study the effect of solar cycle variations, the order of the potential-field harmonic expansion, and different magnetogram sources. We find that the flux-tube expansion factor is consistently smaller at the AS than at the SS for solar minimum and the fast solar wind, but it is consistently larger for solar maximum and the slow solar wind. We use the Wang–Sheeley–Arge model to calculate the associated wind speed for each field line and propagate these solar-wind speeds to 1 AU. We find a deviation of more than five hours in the arrival time between the two models for 20 % of the field lines in the solar minimum case and for 40 % of the field lines in the solar maximum case.
Age-of-Information for mURLLC Over 6G Multimedia Wireless Networks

Integrating the ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC) with massive access, the massive-URLLC (mURLLC) in the sixth generation (6G) wireless networks aims at providing a wide range of delay-sensitive real-time services and applications by satisfying users' stringent requirements on the delay-bound and error rate. The age of information (AoI) theory characterizes the freshness of information, which measures the time elapsed since the generation instant of the latest received information update, and thus, has been recognized to be able to analyze the time-critical information's transmission latency in mURLLC networks. However, how to accurately characterize the AoI for 6G mURLLC networks has neither been well understood nor thoroughly studied. To overcome this challenge, in this paper we propose and develop an analytical modeling technique to characterize the AoI to efficiently support mURLLC services over 6G mobile wireless networks. First, we develop a stochastic hybrid system (SHS) model to track the AoI's evolution in the M/M /k queueing mURLLC networks. Second, we analyze AoI dynamics in the proposed SHS model, including deriving closed-form expressions for moments of the AoI and the state probability. Third, we prove the Lyapunov stability of the AoI under our proposed SHS model. Finally, we validate and evaluate our derived results of the AoI evolution in mURLLC networks through numerical analyses.
To Live in Their Utopia: Why Algorithmic Systems Create Absurd Outcomes

The promise AI’s proponents have made for decades is one in which our needs are predicted, anticipated, and met - often before we even realize it. Instead, algorithmic systems, particularly AIs trained on large datasets and deployed to massive scales, seem to keep making the wrong decisions, causing harm and rewarding absurd outcomes. Attempts to make sense of why AIs make wrong calls in the moment explain the instances of errors, but how the environment surrounding these systems precipitate those instances remains murky. This paper draws from anthropological work on bureaucracies, states, and power, translating these ideas into a theory describing the structural tendency for powerful algorithmic systems to cause tremendous harm. I show how administrative models and projections of the world create marginalization, just as algorithmic models cause representational and allocative harm. This paper concludes with a recommendation to avoid the absurdity algorithmic systems produce by denying them power.
The Rapid Evaluation of COVID-19 Vaccination in Emergency Departments for Underserved Patients Study.

Study objective Emergency departments (EDs) often serve vulnerable populations who may lack primary care and have suffered disproportionate COVID-19 pandemic effects. Comparing patients having and lacking a regular source of medical care and other ED patient characteristics, we assessed COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, reasons for not wanting the vaccine, perceived access to vaccine sites, and willingness to get the vaccine as part of ED care. Methods This was a cross-sectional survey conducted from December 10, 2020, to March 7, 2021, at 15 safety net US EDs. Primary outcomes were COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, reasons for vaccine hesitancy, and sites (including EDs) for potential COVID-19 vaccine receipt. Results Of 2,575 patients approached, 2,301 (89.4%) participated. Of the 18.4% of respondents who lacked a regular source of medical care, 65% used the ED as their usual source of health care. The overall rate of vaccine hesitancy was 39%; the range among the 15 sites was 28% to 58%. Respondents who lacked a regular source of medical care were more commonly vaccine hesitant than those who had a regular source of medical care (47% versus 38%, 9% difference, 95% confidence interval 4% to 14%). Other characteristics associated with greater vaccine hesitancy were younger age, female sex, Black race, Latinx ethnicity, and not having received an influenza vaccine in the past 5 years. Of the 61% who would accept a COVID-19 vaccine, 21% stated that they lacked a primary physician or clinic at which to receive it; the vast majority (95%) of these respondents would accept the COVID-19 vaccine as part of their care in the ED. Conclusion ED patients who lack a regular source of medical care are particularly hesitant regarding COVID-19 vaccination. Most COVID-19 vaccine acceptors would accept it as part of their care in the ED. EDs may play pivotal roles in COVID-19 vaccine messaging and delivery to highly vulnerable populations.
Spatial variation and disparity in female breast cancer relative survival in the United States

Background Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. However, data on spatial disparities in survival for breast cancer are limited in the country. This study estimated 5-year relative survival (RS) of female breast cancer and examined the spatial variations across the contiguous United States. Methods Women newly diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003-2010 in the United States were identified from the National Cancer Database and followed up through 2016. The crude 5-year RS at the county level was estimated and adjusted for patients' key sociodemographic and clinical factors. To account for spatial effects, the RS estimates were smoothed using the Bayesian spatial survival model. A local spatial autocorrelation analysis with the Getis-Ord Gi* statistics was applied to identify geographic clusters of low or high RS. Results Clusters of low RS were identified in more than 15 states covering 671 counties, mostly in the southeast and southwest regions, including Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Approximately 30% of these clusters can be explained by patients' characteristics: Race, insurance, and stage at diagnosis appeared to be the major attributable factors. Conclusions Significant spatial disparity in female breast cancer survival was found, with low RS clusters identified in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Policies and interventions that focus on serving Black women, improvements in insurance coverage, and early detection in these areas could potentially mitigate the spatial disparities.
Complex Algebraic Geometry

This volume contains the lectures presented at the third Regional Geometry Institute at Park City in 1993. The lectures provide an introduction to the subject, complex algebraic geometry, making the book suitable as a text for second- and third-year graduate students. The book deals with topics in algebraic geometry where one can reach the level of current research while starting with the basics. The topics covered include the theory of surfaces from the viewpoint of recent higher-dimensional developments, providing an excellent introduction to more advanced topics such as the minimal model program. Also included is an introduction to Hodge theory and intersection homology based on the simple topological ideas of Lefschetz and an overview of the recent interactions between algebraic geometry and theoretical physics, which involve mirror symmetry and string theory.
Facebook & the Web of Group Affiliation: Socializing, Socialization, & Social Network Site Use Among Law Students

Online social network sites (“SNSs”) have emerged as a significant socio-technical phenomenon in the past several years. Scholars from various disciplines have examined these sites to develop a better understanding of their social significance and implications from a variety of perspectives. Within the burgeoning field of SN studies, one strand of work focuses on the place of SNs in students’ educational experiences and the potential pedagogical applications of SNSs. However, the SNS phenomenon generally, and its educational/pedagogical significance in particular, have received scant attention from legal scholars. This article presents a case study of Facebook use by students at one law school, as a way of beginning a more robust examination of the place of SNSs within the contemporary law school experience. The article gauges differences in Facebook use among law students by age, gender, race/ethnicity, and other characteristics; explores students’ use of Facebook to manage and cultivate social ties with others in the legal world; and examines students’ self-presentation and communication on Facebook as an aspect of their professional socialization and identity construction.
Playing in the Sand with Picasso: Relief Sculpture as Game in the Summer of 1930

The essay discusses an often overlooked group of works made by Pablo Picasso over the span of two weeks in the summer of 1930. These "sand reliefs," as they are called, engaged with the medium of relief sculpture and used its parameters as rules of a game Picasso played. Across the eight works that make up this set, Picasso toyed with questions of two- and three-dimensional imaging. In particular, the essay focuses on the role of shadow as a central component of relief sculpture and on Picasso's allegorization of it through the introduction of the silhouette in the early reliefs. By discussing the importance of the silhouette for Picasso in these years, I show how an undirected process of play around it and in the framework provided by relief sculpture generated new ways of thinking about sculpture. Throughout, I attend to the open-endedness of Picasso's play and the back-and-forth testing of rules in the sand reliefs in order to demonstrate how the perspective of Game Studies can bring to light new ways of considering artworks and artistic process.
Slime mold inspired path formation protocol for wireless sensor networks

Many biological systems are composed of unreliable components which self-organize efficiently into systems that can tackle complex problems. One such example is the true slimemold Physarum polycephalum which is an amoeba-like organism that seeks food sources and efficiently distributes nutrients throughout its cell body. The distribution of nutrients is accomplished by a self-assembled resource distribution network of small tubes with varying diameter which can evolve with changing environmental conditions without any global control. In this paper, we use a phenomenological model for the tube evolution in slime mold and map it to a path formation protocol for wireless sensor networks. By selecting certain evolution parameters in the protocol, the network may evolve toward single paths connecting data sources to a data sink. In other parameter regimes, the protocol may evolve toward multiple redundant paths. We present detailed analysis of a small model network. A thorough understanding of the simple network leads to design insights into appropriate parameter selection. We also validate the design via simulation of large-scale realistic wireless sensor networks using the QualNet network simulator.
Alcoholism in the Families of Origin of MSW Students: Estimating the Prevalence of Mental Health Problems Using Standardized Measures

Abstract Previous research showing that roughly half of social work students report a history of familial alcohol abuse—and proposing that such abuse might affect these students' current mental health and professional performance—relied on self-reports without standardized screening measures. This 1991 study, based on a convenience sample of 136 MSW students at the University of Texas at Austin, determined students' status as Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACAs) by self-reports and scores on the Children of Alcoholics' Screening Test, and evaluated related mental health functioning with four standardized measures. The results suggest that well under half of social work students are ACAs, and that not all (nor only) ACAs were vulnerable to mental health problems.
A scalable approach to user-session based testing of Web applications through concept analysis

The continuous use of the Web for daily operations by businesses, consumers, and government has created a great demand for reliable Web applications. One promising approach to testing the functionality of Web applications leverages user-session data collected by Web servers. This approach automatically generates test cases based on real user profiles. The key contribution of This work is the application of concept analysis for clustering user sessions for test suite reduction. Existing incremental concept analysis algorithms can be exploited to avoid collecting large user-session data sets and thus provide scalability. We have completely automated the process from user session collection and reduction through replay. Our incremental test suite update algorithm coupled with our experimental study indicate that concept analysis provides a promising means for incrementally updating reduced test suites in response to newly captured user sessions with some loss in fault detection capability and practically no coverage loss.
Legal Ethics, Jurisprudence, and the Cultural Study of the Lawyer

In America, law is a cultural practice. Americans are dedicated to living as a community under the rule of law. This commitment to a legal way of life cannot be reduced to an equally strong devotion to a moral form of being. That is, the two dimensions of experience are incommensurable (which does not mean that they are wholly insulated or separate from one another). One consequence of this normative condition is that the demands arising from a commitment to law are not always reconcilable with those stemming from moral beliefs. At the same time, neither obligation has priority over the other. For the individual in his or her role as a lawyer, this indicates that he or she may be required to act in a manner that is not defensible on any moral ground, but is still capable of justification. As an analysis of the character of the lawyer's life, these facts reveal a basic truth: the life of the lawyer is an inherently conflicted, and an absolutely meaningful, one.This argument presents a direct challenge to contemporary legal ethics discourse, in its most essential aspects. In this Article, this argument takes the form of a defense of a new orientation toward our thinking about the practice of law, which is the cultural study of the lawyer (cultural study understood as a type of philosophical anthropology). An in-depth introduction to this line of reasoning is presented, an explanation that appeals to a variety of fields of knowledge, including jurisprudence, epistemology, political theory, and moral philosophy. The goal is to convince the reader of the propriety, and the power, of this form of inquiry into a lawyer's professional responsibility. The benefit is an understanding of lawyer ethics that is both realistic and hopeful.
An efficiency study of transient wave generation in a thermoelastic layer with a pulsed laser

The efficiency of transient wave generation in a thermoelastic silicon layer excited by a pulsed laser is considered. A first principle-based transfer matrix formulation with relaxation effect is used in obtaining transfer functions between the input heat field and the elements of the thermoelastic state vector. By employing the fast Fourier transform (FFT), the transient response of a silicon thermoelastic layer under a thermal excitation (laser) is investigated to quantify the conversion from light to mechanical energy. The transient heat, and mechanical power flux responses are presented. Rigid body singularities are eliminated by considered the higher order time derivatives of the state variables. For bulk silicon, laser excitation and geometric parameters, it is found that the amplitude ratio of the applied heat field to the propagating heat flux at the data points is on the order of 106. The ratio of the applied power to the generated mechanical power flux is on the order of 109.
Seasonal tropical cyclone precipitation in Texas: A statistical modeling approach based on a 60 year climatology

[1] Sixty years of tropical cyclone precipitation (TCP) in Texas has been analyzed because of its importance in extreme hydrologic events and the hydrologic budget. We developed multiple linear regression models to provide seasonal forecasts for annual TCP, TCP's contribution (percentage) to total precipitation, and the number of TCP days in Texas. The regression models are based on three or fewer predictors with model fits ranging from 0.18 to 0.43 (R2) and cross-validation accuracy of 0.05–0.36 (R2). La Nina exhibits the most important control on TCP in Texas. It is the major driver in our models and acts to reduce the vertical shear in the Caribbean and the tropical Atlantic, thereby generating more precipitating storms in Texas. Lower maximum potential velocity, the theoretical maximum wind speed that storms can attain, in the Gulf of Mexico, and low-level vorticity in the Atlantic hurricane main development region increased the modeled R2 by 20% or more. Both variables have negative coefficients in the TCP models. Lower maximum potential velocity and vorticity are associated with tropical cyclones with lower maximum wind speed and slower translation speed. Such weak TCs produce the majority of TCP and extreme TCP events in Texas. The quartiles of the TCs with strongest maximum wind speed and fastest translation speed are not associated with the largest mean daily precipitation based on observations in Texas. We have also shown that sea level pressure in the Gulf of Mexico, sea surface temperature in the Caribbean, and the North Atlantic Oscillation are potentially important predictors of seasonal TCP in Texas.
Successful simulation of complex systems with SIMSCRIPT II.5

Digital simulation is an effective method of pretesting proposed systems, plans or policies prior to the development of expensive prototypes, field tests or actual implementations. In simulation analysis the computer traces out in detail the implications and consequences of a proposed system or course of action. Compared with other forms of analysis, simulation is more realistic, more easily understood and more conclusive. Because the results are easier to understand, the conclusions receive wider acceptance.
It's all in the cards: effect of stimulus manipulation on Wisconsin Card Sorting Test performance in schizophrenia.

Patients with schizophrenia can be taught the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) sorting rules based upon expanded feedback. However, few task manipulations have been reported that differentially improve patient performance without altering the nature of feedback provided. The present study tests the hypothesis that deficits in WCST performance in schizophrenia reflect, in part, impaired ability to manipulate abstract stimulus features, rather than impaired ability to utilize feedback. We developed a modified stimulus set – the Rockland Face Sorting Test (RFST) – in which abstract shapes were replaced with faces, which we hypothesized would be more tractable to sorting by patients. Task rules and feedback remained unchanged. Relative RFST and WCST performance was examined in 19 patients as well as 15 normative controls. A comparison group of 15 patients received only repeated WCST administrations. Patients performed significantly better on the RFST vs. the WCST in categories completed, total correct responses and conceptual level responses, whereas no improvement was seen in either the normative or repeated WCST comparison groups. Furthermore, progressive improvement was seen following repeated RFST administration. These findings demonstrate that stimulus characteristics, as well as executive deficits, contribute to impaired WCST performance in schizophrenia.
Nonlinear effects in the extended Eady model: Nonzero β but zero mean PV gradient

Abstract An analytical solution in a small Rossby number approximation beyond quasigeostrophy is carried out for the extended Eady model with non-zero β , but zero mean potential vorticity gradient. The leading order solution exhibits symmetry in the geopotential height and potential temperature distributions standard for quasi-geostrophic approximation. In contrast, adding the β -effect into the first-order nonlinear dynamics results in a symmetry breaking. In addition to the high/low asymmetries, there also appears a meridional asymmetry resulting in an arching wave-train as a neutral mode at finite amplitude. These results may explain certain observed dynamical characteristics of synoptic and planetary-scale transients.
Fast wide-field photothermal and quantitative phase cell imaging with optical lock-in detection

We present a fast, wide-field holography system for detecting photothermally excited gold nanospheres with combined quantitative phase imaging. An interferometric photothermal optical lock-in approach (POLI) is shown to improve SNR for detecting nanoparticles (NPs) on multiple substrates, including a monolayer of NPs on a silanized coverslip, and NPs bound to live cells. Furthermore, the set up allowed for co-registered quantitative phase imaging (QPI) to be acquired in an off-axis holographic set-up. An SNR of 103 was obtained for NP-tagging of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in live cells with a 3 second acquisition, while an SNR of 47 was seen for 20 ms acquisition. An analysis of improvements in SNR due to averaging multiple frames is presented, which suggest that residual photothermal signal can be a limiting factor. The combination of techniques allows for high resolution imaging of cell structure via QPI with the ability to identify receptor expression via POLI.
Syncope as the Cause of Präteritumschwund : New Data from an Early New High German Corpus

This paper examines the cause of the decline of the preterite tense in favor of the present perfect tense in Early New High German. This development has long been attributed to apocope, which rendered the 3sg. weak preterite suffix -te homophonous with the 3sg. present suffix -t. By analyzing a database of over 20,000 past-tense clauses, this study evaluates the apocope account and more recent hypotheses. The resulting data lead to a new explanation: syncope in the 2sg. and 2pl. of weak verbs yielded dispreferred final clusters (-tst and -tt), resulting in a preference in these contexts for the present perfect, which then spread to other contexts.*
Multiphoton ionization in ultrahigh optical fields: a statistical description

The potential role of multiply excited states in multiphoton ionization of atoms under high-intensity ultraviolet laser radiation in the range of 1015–1017 W/cm2 is discussed. Since the density of multiply excited states is sufficiently great to form a quasi-continuum, the coupling can be described by an average one-photon absorption cross section. A numerical fit with experimental data from xenon, produced by 193-nm radiation, assuming an autoionization rate of 1013 sec−1, yields a cross section of 4.5 × 10−19 cm2. The resulting transition rates indicate that the motion of the electrons is highly coherent, with a ratio of dephasing rate to excitation rate of ~10−2. At 1017 W/cm2, the transition rate exceeds the optical frequency for 193-nm radiation by a factor of 30. This indicates that even for the shortest optical pulses, atoms start to interact violently with the optical field long before the peak intensity is reached and that unconventional theories will have to be developed if the observed phenomena are to be understood fully.
The Invasion of the Mind Snatchers: The Business of Business Education.

Abstract Corporations and universities are engaged in a wide variety of cooperative exchanges, activities, and research with both positive and negative effects. Increasingly, both parties are embracing attitudes and practices typically associated with the other. There is evidence that some of the fundamental value differences that distinguish business from education have become blurred. In this article, we explore some of these value differences, and we argue that the developing interrelationships have both problematic and positive implications. If business education is to continue to develop tomorrow's business leaders, universities and their business schools need to retain a meaningful degree of autonomy and provide a place where orthodox and unorthodox ideas can be freely discussed.
Isolation and partial characterization of three glucosyl transferases involved in the biosynthesis of flavonol triglucosides in Pisum sativum L

Abstract The glucosyl transferases involved in the biosynthesis of flavonol-3-triglucosides in Pisum sativum L. have been further purified and characterized. The reaction sequence is as follows: Flavonol → flavonol-3-monoglucoside → flavonol-3-diglucoside → flavonol-3-triglucoside The reaction kinetics suggested the involvement of three distinct glucosyl transferases which could be demonstrated after elution of the enzyme preparation from DE-52 with a linear KCl gradient. Each enzyme has been characterized as to its pH optimum, stability, substrate specificity, and Km. The results obtained show that the synthesis of flavonol triglucosides in Pisum involves three distinct and highly specific enzymes, and the kinetic data present an explanation for the lack of accumulated mono- and diglucoside derivatives in vivo.
HIV-Induced Cystopathy

The prevalence of voiding dysfunction in patients with HIV has decreased dramatically since the inception of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and therefore has not been an area that has been widely published. Prior research into this area was at the epidemic’s onset, when there was a large population of patients with opportunistic infections and associated voiding dysfunction. As the HAART patients are living longer and symptom-free lives, there is no current large population from which to draw in order to conduct sound studies. Through a comprehensive review of the literature, we discuss the most common causes of HIV-induced cystopathy to educate the practicing urologist about disease-related causes and to serve as a guide for the diagnosis and management of HIV-associated voiding dysfunction.
The markets for housing and real estate broker services

The paper presents and estimates a simultaneous model of housing and real estate broker services markets. The multiple listing service (MLS) successfully separates broker listing and selling services and prevents faster-selling larger firms from exacting listing premia in the broker services market. Regardless of the incentives to withhold listings from the MLS, the results also imply that such withholding behavior is not pervasive.
Do silent dopaminergic neurons exist in rat substantia nigra in vivo

Abstract A subpopulation of inactive or “silent” dopaminergic neurons has been reported to exist in vivo in rat substantia nigra, comprising up to 50% of nigral dopaminergic neurons. The existence of this large proportion of silent neurons has been inferred from various experimental manipulations, but never demonstrated directly. In the present study, striatal or medial forebrain bundle stimulation was used to activate antidromically substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons in vivo. Antidromic spikes of dopaminergic neurons observed by extracellular single-unit recordings in the absence of spontaneous activity were employed as indicators of the presence of a silent cell. A total of 312 dopamine neurons were recorded, including 190 neurons that could be antidromically activated from the striatum and/or the medial forebrain bundle. All neurons exhibited spontaneous activity. The firing rates were unimodally distributed about the mean of 4 spikes/s, and very few cells were observed to fire at less than 0.5 spikes/s. The numbers of spontaneously active and antidromically activated dopaminergic neurons per track were recorded and compared with the number of antidromically responding silent dopaminergic neurons per track after systemic apomorphine administration. Under control conditions, 0.80 ± 0.10 or 1.36 ± 0.13 spontaneously active neurons per track could be antidromically activated at 1.0 mA by striatal or medial forebrain bundle stimulation, respectively. After apomorphine completely suppressed spontaneous activity, 0.69 ± 0.08 and 1.39 ± 0.14 antidromic neurons per track were detected by stimulating the striatum or medial forebrain bundle respectively at 1.0 mA, demonstrating that silent dopaminergic neurons can be reliably identified through antidromic activation. In sharp contrast to previous reports, these data suggest that silent neurons do not comprise a substantial proportion of the total number of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Reverse χ2 analysis revealed that, if they exist at all, silent dopaminergic neurons make up less than 2% of the dopaminergic cells in the substantia nigra. These findings are related to current theories of the mechanisms of action of antipsychotic drugs and the maintenance of near-normal levels of dopamine in the striatum following large-scale loss of nigral dopaminergic neurons.
In vitro shoot regeneration from an intact and a sectioned embryo-axis of apple seeds

Abstract Embryo-axes were isolated from seeds of ‘Delicious’ and ‘Winesap’ fruits ( Malus Xdomestica Borkh.) and cultured onto a modified one-half strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), myo -inositol, glucose, malt extract and coconut milk. In a corresponding experiment, the embryo-axis of the seed of each of the 2 cultivars was subdivided into 3 sections along the plumule-hypocotyl-root-axis (A,B,C,). These sections were cultured in separate tubes using the same medium as described above. When the embryo-axis was cultured intact, all ‘Delicious’ explants and 55% of ‘Winesap’ explants formed callus only. However, more than 75% of section A explants (plumule-hypocotyl) of both cultivars developed shoots. Almost an equal number of section B (hypocotyl-root axis) explants from ‘Winesap’ developed shoots, but only 38% of ‘Delicious’ B explants did. C explants (root-axis) of ‘Delicious’ failed to form any shoots, and only 11% of ‘Winesap’ C explants developed shoots.
The Use of Information in Sorting

The information-gathering aspect of sorting is considered from a theoretical viewpoint. A large class, R, of sorting algorithms is defined, based on the idea of information use. Properties of this algorithm class are developed, and it is noted that several well-known sorting algorithms are closely related to algorithms in R. The Binary Tree Sort is shown to be in R and to have unique properties in this class. A vector is defined which characterizes the information-gathering efficiency of the algorithms of R. Finally, a more general class of algorithms is defined, and some of the definitions extended to this class. Two intriguing conjectures are given which appear to require graph theory or combinatorial topology for their solution.
Madness contested: power and practice

Madness Contested is an impressive book mainly because of the depth and breadth covered. Set out in two main parts (“questioning the domination of madness” and “ exploring the liberation of madness...
Body image and cosmetic medical treatments

Abstract Cosmetic medical treatments have become increasingly popular over the past decade. The explosion in popularity can be attributed to several factors—the evolution of safer, minimally invasive procedures, increased mass media attention, and the greater willingness of individuals to undergo cosmetic procedures as a means to enhance physical appearance. Medical and mental health professionals have long been interested in understanding both the motivations for seeking a change in physical appearance as well as the psychological outcomes of these treatments. Body image has been thought to play a key role in the decision to seek cosmetic procedures, however, only recently have studies investigated the pre- and postoperative body image concerns of patients. While body image dissatisfaction may motivate the pursuit of cosmetic medical treatments, psychiatric disorders characterized by body image disturbances, such as body dysmorphic disorder and eating disorders, may be relatively common among these patients. Subsequent research on persons who alter their physical appearance through cosmetic medical treatments are likely provide important information on the nature of body image.
The Swiss/ICR (Ha) albino mouse as an experimental host for infectious pancreatic necrosis virus of trout

Intracranial inoculation of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), a pathogen of several species of trout, produced pancreatic necrosis in suckling Swiss albino mice. Peri-nuclear halos, cytoplasmic vacuoles, and necrosis were found in histologic sections of pancreas taken from mice killed 21 days post-inoculation. Virus was recovered from the pancreas of mice killed as early as 10 days post-inoculation. Rivers' postulates were fulfilled. Virus recovered from the infected mouse pancreas was neutralized by IPNV specific antiserum. The significance of the mouse as an experimental host is discussed.
An investigation of the effect of porosity and diluents on micropyretic synthesis

A numerical model of combustion/micropyretic synthesis of a composite system is developed. The new features of the model include the consideration of melting of each constituent of the reactants and products and the inclusion of considerations involving dilution and porosity. The effect of porosity is to change both the thermal conductivity and density. The model for the porosity which is considered in this article shows the significance of its effect on the velocity and the type of the combustion front. Different values of porosities are considered for the reactants and products. For an illustrative analysis, a systematic study of the variation of porosity of reactants and products is carried out for the combustion synthesis of TiB2 and TiC. The numerical results indicate that as the reactant porosity values are decreased, the combustion velocity first increases because of an increase in the thermal conductivity. The combustion velocity, after reaching a maximum, decreases with a further decrease in the porosity. As the porosity is varied, there is a considerable effect on the nature of propagation of the combustion front, which may change from a steady state to an oscillatory mode. Results indicate that as the reactant porosity is decreased, the frequency of oscillations of the combustion front first increase and then decrease with a further decrease in the reactant porosity. The differences in the mechanism for the decrease in velocities at very low values of reactant porosities for the two systems TiC and TiB2 are identified. The results of considering different values of porosities in the reactants and the product are also presented. For the study of the effect of diluents, the product itself is considered as the diluent. The effect of adding the diluent to the initial reactants is to decrease the combustion temperature and the combustion velocity. The diluent also changes the mode of combustion. An increase in the amount of the diluent results in the decrease of the frequency of oscillations.
An experimental study on the fracture of metals under hydrostatic pressure

Abstract E xperimental investigation on the plastic behaviour of an aluminium alloy Alcoa 61S-T6 subjected to triaxial stresses was conducted. It was found that fracture strength was not affected by hydrostatic pressure but ductility decreased as hydrostatic pressure increased.
Aldehyde Dehydrogenases and Their Role in Carcinogenesis

Aldehydes are highly reactive molecules that may have a variety of effects on biological systems. They can be generated from a virtually limitless number of endogenous and exogenous sources. Although some aldehyde-mediated effects such as vision are beneficial, many effects are deleterious, including cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity. A variety of enzymes have evolved to metabolize aldehydes to less reactive forms. Among the most effective pathways for aldehyde metabolism is their oxidation to carboxylic acids by aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs). ALDHs are a family of NADP-dependent enzymes with common structural and functional features that catalyze the oxidation of a broad spectrum of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes. Based on primary sequence analysis, three major classes of mammalian ALDHs--1, 2, and 3--have been identified. Classes 1 and 3 contain both constitutively expressed and inducible cytosolic forms. Class 2 consists of constitutive mitochondrial enzymes. Each class appears to oxidize a variety of substrates that may be derived either from endogenous sources such as amino acid, biogenic amine, or lipid metabolism or from exogenous sources, including aldehydes derived from xenobiotic metabolism. Changes in ALDH activity have been observed during experimental liver and urinary bladder carcinogenesis and in a number of human tumors, including some liver, colon, and mammary cancers. Changes in ALDH define at least one population of preneoplastic cells having a high probability of progressing to overt neoplasms. The most common change is the appearance of class 3 ALDH dehydrogenase activity in tumors arising in tissues that normally do not express this form. The changes in enzyme activity occur early in tumorigenesis and are the result of permanent changes in ALDH gene expression. This review discusses several aspects of ALDH expression during carcinogenesis. A brief introduction examines the variety of sources of aldehydes. This is followed by a discussion of the mammalian ALDHs. Because the ALDHs are a relatively understudied family of enzymes, this section presents what is currently known about the general structural and functional properties of the enzymes and the interrelationships of the various forms. The remainder of the review discusses various aspects of the ALDHs in relation to tumorigenesis. The expression of ALDH during experimental carcinogenesis and what is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying those changes are discussed. This is followed by an extended discussion of the potential roles for ALDH in tumorigenesis. The role of ALDH in the metabolism of cyclophosphamidelike chemotherapeutic agents is described. This work suggests that modulation of ALDH activity may an important determinant of the effectiveness of certain chemotherapeutic agents.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
α-investing: a procedure for sequential control of expected false discoveries

Summary. α-investing is an adaptive sequential methodology that encompasses a large family of procedures for testing multiple hypotheses. All control mFDR, which is the ratio of the expected number of false rejections to the expected number of rejections. mFDR is a weaker criterion than the false discovery rate, which is the expected value of the ratio. We compensate for this weakness by showing that α-investing controls mFDR at every rejected hypothesis. α-investing resembles α-spending that is used in sequential trials, but it has a key difference. When a test rejects a null hypothesis, α-investing earns additional probability towards subsequent tests. α-investing hence allows us to incorporate domain knowledge into the testing procedure and to improve the power of the tests. In this way, α-investing enables the statistician to design a testing procedure for a specific problem while guaranteeing control of mFDR.
Historical overview of the use of cytomegalovirus hyperimmune globulin in organ transplantation.

A historical review of the development of cytomegalovirus hyperimmune globulin (CMV-IG, CytoGam®) shows its increasing use in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, either alone or in combination with ganciclovir. A review of clinical trials of CytoGam in renal transplant recipients shows reductions in CMV-associated syndromes and fungal and parasitic superinfections, and increases in graft survival, while CytoGam prophylaxis trials in orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients have produced reductions in severe CMV-associated disease and invasive fungal disease. A combination of CytoGam plus ganciclovir in OLT recipients has resulted in reductions in CMV hepatitis and infection, and CMV disease and viremia, plus a trend in improved 1- and 2-year survival rates.
Abdominal Wall Mass

A man in his 60s presented to the emergency department with a right flank mass that had been present for 4 weeks. The mass was associated with increasing pain as it grew rapidly, starting from the size of a dime and increasing to extend 15 cm. The patient reported spontaneous drainage of pus from the mass and an unexplained weight loss. His medical history included hypertension and diabetes mellitus; he had no recent travel. Physical examination revealed a large palpable mass with central fluctuance and surrounding erythema. The mass extended from the subcostal region to the anterior superior iliac spine on palpation and was tender to touch. No active drainage was noted; however, multiple pustules were present (Figure 1A). Computed tomography of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis showed a large (10 × 15 cm) soft-tissue mass in the right lateral abdominal wall, extending from the level of the diaphragm to the iliac crest (Figure 1B and C). The mass appeared to directly invade the liver and extend through intercostal spaces with multiple small areas of calcification. Core needle biopsy showed inconclusive results, and a recommendation was made for a fresh tissue biopsy. The patient was then taken to the operating room where an excisional biopsy was performed. Quiz at jamasurgery.com A C B
A Validation Test of the Flux-limited Diffusion Approximation for Radiation Hydrodynamics

This paper presents a validation test of the flux-limited diffusion (FLD) approximation for radiation hydrodynamics in the intermediate optical depth regime. We use an implementation of FLD in the ZEUS-2D astrophysical fluid dynamics code and the results of a set of laser-driven radiative shock experiments. One-dimensional simulations are performed to explore grid spacing and time step convergence without being limited by the available computational resources. The validation test compares two-dimensional simulations with the experimental results. FLD passes the validation test with a qualification: time step convergence seems very demanding for this particular problem. Given this qualification, it is uncertain whether FLD is faster than full-transport or other methods in the intermediate optical depth regime.
Polymer Growth Rate in a Wire Chamber with Oxygen,Water, or Alcohol Gas Additives

The rate of polymer growth on wires was measured in a wire chamber while the chamber was aged initially with helium-isobutane (80:20) gas, and then with either oxygen, water, or alcohol added to the gas. At the completion of the aging process for each gas mixture, the carbon content on the wires was measured in a SEM/EDX instrument. The same physical wires were used in all the gas mixtures, allowing measurement of polymer build up or polymer depletion by each gas additive. It is found that the rate of polymer growth is not changed by the presence of oxygen, water or alcohol. Conjecture that oxygen reduces breakdown by removing polymer deposits on field wires is negated by these measurements. Instead, it appears that the reduced breakdown is due to lower resistance in the polymer from oxygen ions being transported into the polymer. It is also observed that field wires bombarded by the electrons in the SEM and then placed back into the chamber show an abundance of single electrons being emitted, indicating that electron charge is stored in the polymer layer and that a high electric field is necessary to remove the charge.
Different perceptions of the Corn Smut fungus

Corn smut, Ustilago maydis, is described as a controversial food, medicine of native Americans, plant disease, and metaphore in Mexican murals.