cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social isolation alters ultrasonic vocalizations but not thyroarytenoid neuromuscular junctions in old rats.

OBJECTIVE Age-related muscle atrophy of the laryngeal muscles contributes to presbyphonia. Remodeling of the neuromuscular junction is one aspect underlying age-related muscle atrophy. Although muscle disuse has been shown to exacerbate age-related neuromuscular changes in the limb muscles, it is unknown if reduced vocal use has a similar effect in the laryngeal muscles. The objective of this study was to examine the use of social isolation as a novel method to reduce vocal use in old rats-and the impact of that reduced vocal use on ultrasonic vocalization acoustics and neuromuscular junction morphology in the thyroarytenoid muscle. STUDY DESIGN Animal group comparison. METHODS Old F344/BN rats (31 months of age) were socially isolated (n = 8) or communally housed (n = 8) for 8 weeks. Effect of housing condition on ultrasonic vocalization acoustics was assessed by calculating the changes in vocalization fundamental frequency and amplitude from baseline to 8 weeks. Neuromuscular junction morphology was measured in the lateral and medial portions of the thyroarytenoid muscle at the conclusion of the experiment. RESULTS Vocalization amplitude decreased by a mean of -4.4 dB (standard deviation [SD], 4.49) after social isolation, whereas amplitude increased by a mean of 5.7 dB (SD, 5.07) in the communally housed rats (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in the change in fundamental frequency between groups. Furthermore, there were no group differences in any measure of neuromuscular junction morphology. CONCLUSION These results suggest that neuromuscular junctions in the thyroarytenoid muscle of old rats are unaffected by 8 weeks of social isolation, despite functional changes in vocalizations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE NA Laryngoscope, 129:E9-E14, 2019.
On the Interrelationship Between Static and Vibration Mitigation Properties of Architected Metastructures

Continuous demand for improvement of material performance in structural applications pushes the need for materials that are able to fulfill multiple functions. Extensive work on effective static properties of different architected materials have shown their ability to push the modulus-density design space, in terms of high effective moduli at low relative density. On the other hand, variations in geometry allow for these materials to manipulate mechanical wave propagation, producing band gaps at certain frequency ranges. The enhanced static and vibration properties of architected metamaterials make them ideal candidates for multi-functional purposes. In this paper, we take inspiration from the mass-efficient static behavior of different lattice geometries to fully explore the capabilities of a periodic and locally resonant metastructure design platform. We numerically study the influence of four different lattice topologies on the dynamic and static behavior of metastructures that combine a periodic lattice geometry with locally resonant inclusions. We analyze the influence of lattice geometry on band gap frequencies in terms of the lattice effective static properties. We show that vibration mitigation over a wide range of frequencies is achieved by tailoring the lattice geometry for constant unit cell mass and size. Specifically, by selectively placing material inside the unit cell, we achieve up to a 6-fold change of lower edge band gap frequency and up to an 8-fold change of normalized band gap width, for metastructures with low-density lattices. We introduce multi-functional performance parameters to evaluate the metastructures in terms of their effective static stiffness and band gap properties. These parameters can inform the design of tailored materials that have desired mechanical and dynamic properties for applications in e.g. aerospace and automotive components, and energy infrastructure.
Invisible Social Identity Exercise

Diversity courses cover a variety of relevant topics, but it is difficult to convey the dilemmas those with stigmatized, invisible social identities may encounter in the workplace. This exercise at...
Prediction of discharge destination after traumatic brain injury in children using the head abbreviated injury scale

INTRODUCTION Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health problem, particularly in children. Prognostication of injury severity at the time of presentation is difficult. The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) is a commonly used anatomical-based coding system created to classify and describe injury severity after initial presentation, once test results are able to better define the anatomical characteristics of the injury. We hypothesize that the Head AIS can predict discharge destination in children after TBI. METHODS The trauma registry database for a Pediatric Level 1 Trauma center was queried for patients age ≤14 years from 2006 to 2015 with a Head AIS>2. All diagnoses with head AIS>2 were retrieved. Since one patient can have multiple diagnoses with an AIS>2, we selected the diagnosis with highest Head AIS associated with each patient. The demographics, length of stay, and the discharge disposition of patients were retrieved. Descriptive statistics were performed and association of Head AIS with the length of stay and discharge disposition was determined using logistic regression. RESULTS 393 pediatric patients (age≤14 years) with an Head AIS ≥3, (64.0% males, mean age = 6.2 S.D. 4.58) presented over 10 years. Head AIS was strongly associated with mortality; with 0.8%, 1.1% and 42.0% of patients with Head AIS of 3, 4 and 5, respectively, dying - odds ratio for Head AIS 5 over Head AIS 3 = 89 (logistic regression, p-value<0.001). 80.0% of deaths (23 patients) in this cohort occurred within 24-h of presentation. Head AIS was associated with an increase likelihood of discharge to rehabilitation with 1.2%, 7.7% and 47.0% of survivors discharging to rehabilitation for Head AIS of 3, 4 and 5. CONCLUSION Head AIS can reliably predict discharge disposition to home, rehab or death. Calculation of Head AIS prior to discharge could lead to accurate prediction of discharge destination.
Transferring perceptual cue-weighting from second language into first language: Cues to voicing in Russian speakers of English

Abstract Does second language experience affect first language perception? The present paper addresses this question in a study of bilingual cue weighting with a focus on perceptual cues that are of markedly different importance for the corresponding monolingual groups. The study investigates the use of vowel duration and glottal pulsing duration as cues to stop voicing by adult Russian speakers of English, long-term residents of the USA, (n = 37, average age 38.8 years), as well as a control group of monolingual Russians, recruited and tested in Russia, (n = 34, average age 26.1 years) and a control group of monolingual English speakers, recruited and tested in the USA, (n = 34, average age 21.7 years). Participants took part in a binary-choice voicing identification experiment using resynthesized real-word stimuli recorded by native speakers of each language. The stimuli varied orthogonally in terms of preceding vowel duration and duration of glottal pulsing during stop closure. Results demonstrate that monolingual English participants assigned a greater perceptual weight to vowel duration and a lesser perceptual weight to glottal pulsing than monolingual Russian participants. Bilinguals also used different cue weighting depending on the language mode. Bilinguals’ cue weighting in English mode was not statistically different from that of monolingual English participants. Bilinguals’ cue weighting in Russian mode showed an increased reliance on vowel duration and a decreased reliance on glottal pulsing, compared to monolingual Russians, indicating the influence of English. These findings demonstrate that second language experience affects cue weighting patterns in bilinguals’ first language.
Contribution of thirdhand smoke to overall tobacco smoke exposure in pediatric patients: study protocol

Thirdhand smoke (THS) is the persistent residue resulting from secondhand smoke (SHS) that accumulates in dust, objects, and on surfaces in homes where tobacco has been used, and is reemitted into air. Very little is known about the extent to which THS contributes to children’s overall tobacco smoke exposure (OTS) levels, defined as their combined THS and SHS exposure. Even less is known about the effect of OTS and THS on children’s health. This project will examine how different home smoking behaviors contribute to THS and OTS and if levels of THS are associated with respiratory illnesses in nonsmoking children. This project leverages the experimental design from an ongoing pediatric emergency department-based tobacco cessation trial of caregivers who smoke and their children (NIHR01HD083354). At baseline and follow-up, we will collect urine and handwipe samples from children and samples of dust and air from the homes of smokers who smoke indoors, have smoking bans or who have quit smoking. These samples will be analyzed to examine to what extent THS pollution at home contributes to OTS exposure over and above SHS and to what extent THS continues to persist and contribute to OTS in homes of smokers who have quit or have smoking bans. Targeted and nontargeted chemical analyses of home dust samples will explore which types of THS pollutants are present in homes. Electronic medical record review will examine if THS and OTS levels are associated with child respiratory illness. Additionally, a repository of child and environmental samples will be created. The results of this study will be crucial to help close gaps in our understanding of the types, quantity, and clinical effects of OTS, THS exposure, and THS pollutants in a unique sample of tobacco smoke-exposed ill children and their homes. The potential impact of these findings is substantial, as currently the level of risk in OTS attributable to THS is unknown. This research has the potential to change how we protect children from OTS, by recognizing that SHS and THS exposure needs to be addressed separately and jointly as sources of pollution and exposure. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02531594 . Date of registration: August 24, 2015.
Lifetime of short-period binaries measured from their Galactic kinematics

As a significant fraction of stars are in multiple systems, binaries play a crucial role in stellar evolution. Among short-period (<1 day) binary characteristics, age remains one of the most difficult to measure. In this paper, we constrain the lifetime of short-period binaries through their kinematics. With the kinematic information from Gaia Data Release 2 and light curves from {\it Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer} (WISE), we investigate the eclipsing binary fraction as a function of kinematics for a volume-limited main-sequence sample. We find that the eclipsing binary fraction peaks at a tangential velocity of $10^{1.3-1.6}$ km/s, and decreases towards both low and high velocity end. This implies that thick disk and halo stars have eclipsing binary fraction $\gtrsim 10$ times smaller than the thin-disk stars. This is further supported by the dependence of eclipsing binary fraction on the Galactic latitude. Using Galactic models, we show that our results are inconsistent with any known dependence of binary fraction on metallicity. Instead, our best-fit models suggest that the formation of these short-period binaries is delayed by 0.6-3 Gyr, and the disappearing time is less than the age of the thick disk. The delayed formation time of $\gtrsim0.6$ Gyr implies that these short-period main-sequence binaries cannot be formed by pre-main sequence interaction and the Kozai-Lidov mechanism alone, and suggests that magnetic braking plays a key role in their formation. Because the main-sequence lifetime of our sample is longer than 14 Gyr, if the disappearance of short-period binaries in the old population is due to their finite lifetime, our results imply that most ($\gtrsim90$%) short-period binaries in our sample merge during their main-sequence stage.
Negligence, Mens Rea , and What We Want the Element of Mens Rea to Provide

It is widely agreed that the top three Model Penal Code culpability levels suffice for criminal liability, but the fourth is controversial. And it isn’t just the particular MPC wording; that negligence should be on the list at all is controversial. My question is: What (if anything) makes negligence so different? What is it about negligence that gives rise to the view that it should not suffice for criminal liability? In addressing it, I draw attention to how we conduct the debate, and how our framing of the issues is shaping it (maybe leading some scholars to view negligence as less suitable as a species of mens rea than it in fact is, maybe leading those who want to argue that it does suffice for criminal liability to develop an account of negligence that meets some requirement that should not have to be met). My hope is to prompt thought and discussion on just what we want the element of mens rea to provide, and to draw attention to background assumptions that shape our views of what it should take for negligence to count as a species of mens rea (or, framed differently, to suffice for criminal liability).
A Novel Neighbor Housing Environment Enhances Social Interaction and Rescues Cognitive Deficits from Social Isolation in Adolescence

Adolescence is characterized by high levels of playful social interaction, cognitive development, and increased risk-taking behavior. Juvenile exposure to social isolation or social stress can reduce myelin content in the frontal cortex, alter neuronal excitability, and disrupt hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis function. As compared to group housed animals, social isolation increases anxiety-like phenotypes and reduces social and cognitive performance in adulthood. We designed a neighbor housing environment to alleviate issues related to social isolation that still allowed individual homecages. Neighbor housing consists of four standard mouse cages fused together with semi-permeable ports that allow visual, olfactory, and limited social contact between mice. Adolescent C57BL/6J males and females were group housed (4/cage), single housed (1/cage), or neighbor housed (4/complex). As adults, mice were tested for social, anxiety-like, and cognitive behaviors. Living in this neighbor environment reduced anxiety-like behavior in the social interaction task and in the light-dark task. It also rescued cognitive deficits from single housing in the novel object recognition task. These data suggest that neighbor housing may partially ameliorate the social anxiety and cognitive deficits induced by social isolation. These neighbor cage environments may serve as a conduit by which researchers can house mice in individual cages while still enabling limited social interactions to better model typical adolescent development.
Interplay between Microscopic and Macroscopic Properties of Charged Hydrogels

We have investigated aqueous charged poly(acrylamide-co-acrylate) gels by varying polymer concentrations at fixed concentrations of added sodium chloride salt. Using a combination of static and dynamic light scattering, rheology, and water permeation experiments, we have made independent measurements of shear modulus, friction coefficient, diffusion coefficient, and mesh size of the gel. We have also derived a generalized mean field theory for charged gels by including electrostatic interactions between polymer segments, in addition to the contributions from free energy of mixing, elasticity, and the Donnan equilibrium. The measured dependencies of modulus, friction coefficient, and gel diffusion coefficient on polymer concentration are in accordance with the predictions of the generalized mean field theory, enabling a reliable bridge between the macroscopic and microscopic properties of polyelectrolyte gels. When the contributions to free energy of the gel from fluctuations in polymer concentration and c...
Analyzing wearable device data using marked point processes.

This paper introduces two sets of measures as exploratory tools to study physical activity patterns: active-to-sedentary/sedentary-to-active rate function (ASRF/SARF) and active/sedentary rate function (ARF/SRF). These two sets of measures are complementary to each other and can be effectively used together to understand physical activity patterns. The specific features are illustrated by an analysis of wearable device data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). A two-level semiparametric regression model for ARF and the associated activity magnitude is developed under a unified framework using the marked point process formulation. The inactive and active states measured by accelerometers are treated as a 0-1 point process, and the activity magnitude measured at each active state is defined as a marked variable. The commonly encountered missing data problem due to device nonwear is referred to as "window censoring," which is handled by a proper estimation approach that adopts techniques from recurrent event data. Large sample properties of the estimator and comparison between two regression models as measurement frequency increases are studied. Simulation and NHANES data analysis results are presented. The statistical inference and analysis results suggest that ASRF/SARF and ARF/SRF provide useful analytical tools to practitioners for future research on wearable device data.
Augmented PEEC for direct time-domain thermal and power estimation of Integrated Voltage Regulator architectures arising in Heterogeneous Integration

An enhanced PEEC model for periodic steady-state analysis is presented. It interprets a dynamical domain as a network of linear and switching elements and represents them with their augmented spectral equivalents. Its computational efficiency is verified on the thermal and power delivery analysis of integrated voltage regulator architectures.
The ‘What’ and ‘Why’ of Love’s Reasons

We can be said to love many things. These include people (people in general, but also people with whom we have a special relationship like parents, siblings, children, friends, romantic partners, spouses . . .), non-human animals (dogs, cats, horses, snakes . . .) objects (rings, shoes, paintings . . .), activities (eating, dancing, playing guitar, watching movies . . .), ideas (truth, justice, wisdom . . .), and so on. Though to say that we love some of these things amounts to little more than the claim that we like them, in many cases something more, and in other cases something quite different, is being claimed. The question is what that more or different thing amounts to, and what reasons for action we have in virtue of loving someone or something in that more or different way.
Chapter 14 The Development of Expertise in Youth Sport

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews research regarding the development of expertise in youth sport. The focus is primarily on the development of cognitive skills and their relation to sport performance. The chapter presents the paradigms and findings from various areas of research on sport expertise in children and adults. The knowledge base and developmental processes associated with working memory and long term memory are discussed. The constraints on the development of cognitive and motor expertise in youth sport is highlighted. Studies examining modeling have shown that verbal strategies are particularly helpful for enhancing performance in young children. The longitudinal research and research on instructional influences offers the greatest promise. Experience alone does not translate into expertise. Research examining changes in knowledge, skill, and performance over short periods of time provide limited pieces of information. Sport expertise develops over considerable time and practice using the knowledge and skills. Many sport experts begin participation in childhood. Only by measuring changes in procedural knowledge and skill development over extended periods of time, can it be expected to uncover the changes in knowledge structures, the interaction of cognitive and motor processes, constraints on cognitive and motor performance, relations to improved performance, and instructional practices which facilitate performance.
Stress, health and the immune response: Reciprocal interactions between the nervous and immune systems

Abstract Both the nervous (CNS) and immune systems are charged with maintaining biological integrity in the face of constant physical and psychological challenges from the environment. These challenges generate changes in each system that are distinguished as “stressful”. However, while the term ‘stress’ has traditionally suggested negative health consequences, the experience or physiological situation known as “stress”, is largely adaptive and activated for the good of the organism. Therefore, if we view biological integrity as a state of positive health, the psychological response (e.g., anxiety) to a stressor, is not necessarily unhealthy. Similarly, the neural, behavioral and biological consequences of an immune response to microbial organisms need hardly be considered unhealthy-in spite of the discomfort rendered by inflammatory changes. Moreover, although there is a large body of evidence demonstrating that psychological or physical stress can modify immune function, this does not necessarily imply that the immune system is compromised in maintaining protection against infectious agents or in maintaining self-tolerance. This dynamic relationship between the nervous and immune systems was very likely selected to serve some advantage in preventing disease. One instructive example is neuroendocrine feedback during an ongoing immune response. For example, the HPA response to interleukin-1 modifies exaggerated humoral and cellular immune fucntion. Alternatively, such neuroendocrine feedback was unable to alter interleukin-2 production induced in vivo by staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). This suggests that neuroendocrine immunoregulation during the immune response may be selective. Ultimately, it may be important to identify disrupted or ineffective regulatory interactions between the nervous and immune systems, which may reveal the reasons behind the appearance or persistence of immunopathology. One critical issue will be the degree to which chronicity of stressor exposure and/or impaired immune-mediated neural signaling modify stress circuits in the brain and impair normal nervous-immune functional interactions.
Social Constructions of Male Sexual Identity: Translational Limitations of Western “Homosexuality” in an Indian Male Patient

The contemporary discourse on human sexuality has sought to create a space for marginalized sexual minorities and thereby empower them through a collective identification that posits itself as a healthy alternative to the dominant mode. However, such constructions of sexuality risk solidifying the boundaries between these modes and may thereby limit full sexual expression by forcing one to self-identify in binary terms. This is especially problematic when seeking to engage non-Western individuals who may find it easier to identify in alternative, unaccounted for, sexual terms. Using a clinical case as experienced by a psychiatric resident, this paper hopes to explore the limitations of using binary (Western) sexual categories to understand and treat an Indian man sexually aroused by other men. Specific cultural similarities and differences are examined for their relevance as obstacles or facilitators of sexual expression.
Automotive Radar Signal Source Using InP Based MMICs

This paper describes a millimeter wave signal source for automotive radar developed with microwave/millimeter-wave integrated circuits (MMIC). It describes the principles of the frequency modulated continuous wave radar, the structure and performance of the high electron mobility transistors, the design of the MMIC and the performance of the signal source. Potential applications for millimeter wave radar include intelligent cruise control and collision avoidance systems.
In Brief: European Environment Agency recommends new methods to assess water quality

The European Environment Agency published a report on 23 July that provides tools for effectively monitoring chemical changes in rivers and lakes. The report, “Assessing water quality in Europe using stratification techniques—Results of a prototype application using French data,” uses an approach whereby specific water catchments are monitored to determine how agricultural activities, urban pollution, and natural events translate into differences in water quality. With this technique, pollution reduction from specific European Union environmental legislation, such as regulations for nitrate emissions and urban waste water treatment, can be more readily evaluated. To read the report, see http://reports.eea.europa.eu/technical_report_2007_10/en.
Building Secure and Reliable Network Applications

From the Publisher: As the 'network is the computer' slogan becomes reality so reliability and security of networked applications become more important. Not only are hospitals, air traffic control systems, and telephone systems becoming more networked, but business applications are increasingly based on the open world of the internet. Stability in the face of minor accidents, software or hardware failures, or outright attack has become vital. This book provides a structured description of the technologies currently available for building reliable solutions to these problems.
Model Building and Refinement of a Natively Glycosylated HIV-1 Env Protein by High-Resolution Cryoelectron Microscopy

Secretory and membrane proteins from mammalian cells undergo post-translational modifications, including N-linked glycosylation, which can result in a large number of possible glycoforms. This sample heterogeneity can be problematic for structural studies, particularly X-ray crystallography. Thus, crystal structures of heavily glycosylated proteins such as the HIV-1 Env viral spike protein have been determined by removing the majority of glycans. This step is most frequently carried out using Endoglycosidase H (EndoH) and requires that all expressed glycans be in the high-mannose form, which is often not the native glycoform. With significantly improved technologies in single-particle cryoelectron microscopy, we demonstrate that it is now possible to refine and build natively glycosylated HIV-1 Env structures in solution to 4.36 A resolution. At this resolution we can now analyze the complete epitope of a broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb), PGT128, in the context of the trimer expressed with native glycans.
Surgical Correction of Absence of Proximal Segment of Left Pulmonary Artery

In a 14-month-old patient who had been repeatedly hospitalized for recurrent pulmonary infections, cardiac angiography found "absence" of the left pulmonary artery, but thoracic aortography demonstrated that a rudimentary patent ductus filled a distal patent pulmonary artery. There was a coexistent vascular ring with a retroesophageal right subclavian artery. At surgical exploration it was possible to mobilize the distal left pulmonary artery and perform a direct anastomosis between the left pulmonary artery and the main pulmonary artery. This is perhaps the first patient in whom such an operation has been performed. It is emphasized that the absence of a pulmonary artery on pulmonary angiography does not indicate that the entire pulmonary artery is absent. The presence of a patent and surgically reconstructable distal pulmonary artery can be determined only by aortography or possibly by surgical exploration.
Assessing medical student knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding organ donation.

Abstract Purpose To measure medical students’ knowledge of the central issues in organ donation and transplantation and to understand their perception of the extent of training they received prior to and during medical school. Methods A previously validated, 41-question instrument assessing organ donation, allocation, and transplantation knowledge was directly administered to 537 first- and second-year medical students attending one of three Ohio schools from January through April 2005. Students were also asked about their support for organ donation and the donation training they had received. Results Two hundred sixty four first-year and 236 second-year students responded (response rate = 93%). Few students to date received donation and transplantation training before (11%) or during (22%) medical school. Second-year students were more likely than first-year students to have received training during medical school (40% vs 6%, P P = .017). However, both first- and second-year medical students answered the majority of the knowledge questions incorrectly (43% vs 48%, P P P = .001) and knowing where to find answers to patients’ questions regarding donation (OR = 2.76, P Conclusion Medical students have significant gaps in knowledge regarding the organ donation and transplantation system. Donation and transplantation education is associated with improved knowledge in the area and comfort in knowing how to address patient questions.
Priorities in social categories.

In this paper we review evidence from social, developmental, and evolutionary psychology to raise a common question: Are there priorities in how humans categorize their social world? Are some social groupings more prominent in childhood, and more resilient in adulthood than others? We review and compare evidence from each field, with a particular emphasis on exploring the relative robustness of gender, race, age, and language as social categories. We highlight the value of developmental approaches for characterizing the origins and nature of social categories in adults, and provide suggestions for how collaborative research from social, developmental, and evolutionary psychology could inform our understanding of potential priorities in social categorization. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risk-Constrained Generation Asset Scheduling for Price-Takers in the Electricity Markets

A risk-constrained generation asset scheduling model for generation companies (GENCOs) in the electricity markets is proposed in this paper. The model embodies the arbitrage opportunities for GENCOs through an optimization procedure. The risk exposure of GENCOs is managed by explicitly adding the downside risk constraints into the optimization problem. To avoid the inaccuracy of downside risk, the variance of expected profit is calculated to measure the fluctuation of GENCO's profit. The sensitivity of GENCOs' profit to risk is also calculated in the form of Sharpe ratio. The downside risk constraint will keep tightening iteratively until the risk exposure tolerance is satisfied. Consequently the profit and risk will be balanced automatically.
CAD tools integration for robot kinematics design assurance with case studies on PUMA robots

Purpose – In this paper, a CAD‐based integration method for analyzing and verifying robotic mechanisms design is proposed. The work is motivated by the fact that current structural design of complex mechanisms still requires substantial efforts of human intervention even with CAD assistance.Design/methodology/approach – It is accomplished by blending the unique capabilities of two popular engineering CAD packages, namely, the mathematical computations in Matlab and the virtual prototyping functions in Pro/Mechanica. Here we take advantage of the numerical computation capability of Matlab to complete the first portion of design tasks. Consequently, the proposed integration of these two CAD tools comes into play, which involves writing the joint angle values calculated from Matlab to.tab text files first. These.tab files are then directly used as the input for joint angles' drivers in Pro/Mechanica's virtual motion analysis function.Findings – The proposed method realizes design automation of robotic mechan...
Sulfhydryl reactivity in the central nervous system: effects of electro-shock.

Abstract Rat brain sections were stained for reactive sulfhydryl groups. Normally certain neuroglial ells stain intensely, whereas most of the rest of the cells are relatively unreactive. After the rats had been electrically stimulated in a shock-box from a wired floor, the number of these cells increased; in addition, neurons showed SH reactivity. If the rats were allowed 24 hours to recover from this shock, their brains were less reactive than before stimulation; however, the increase in neurons showing SH reactivity was still observed.
High-grade esophageal dysplasia: long-term survival and quality of life after esophagectomy

Abstract Background . Esophagectomy for high-grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus has been advocated. Although long-term survival data exist, little is known about functional outcome and quality of life in this particular subset of patients. Methods . The records of all patients who underwent esophageal resection for high-grade dysplasia from June 1991 through July 1997 were reviewed. Long-term functional outcome and quality of life were assessed using a two-part written survey. Results . There were 54 patients (48 men, 6 women). Median age was 64 years (range, 36 to 83 years). Ivor Lewis esophagogastrectomy was performed in 34 patients (63%), transhiatal esophagectomy in 10 (18%), extended esophagectomy in 8 (15%), and other in 2 (4%). Invasive carcinoma was found in 19 patients (35%). Five patients (9%) were stage 0, 7 (13%) stage I, 3 (6%) stage IIA, 1 (2%) stage IIB, and 3 patients (6%) stage III. There was one operative death (1.8%). Complications occurred in 31 patients (57%). Median hospitalization was 13 days (range, 11 to 44 days). Follow-up was complete in all patients and ranged from 6 months to 9 years (median, 63 months). Overall 5-year survival was 86% and did not differ significantly from a population matched for age and gender. Five-year survival for patients with only high-grade dysplasia was 96% and 68% for patients with cancer ( p = 0.017). Quality of life was measured by the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. For patients with only high-grade dysplasia, the role-physical and role-emotional scores were better than for the control population ( p p Conclusions . Although perioperative morbidity is significant, surgical resection of high-grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus provides excellent long-term survival with acceptable function and quality of life.
Late Beethoven and “The First Power of Inspiration” in Brahms's Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 21, No. 1

Two critiques of Brahms's Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 21, No. 1, written by Joseph Joachim in letters to the composer, show that the form of this work passed through at least three distinct versions. A hitherto overlooked remark by Clara Schumann suggests that the variations were essentially finished by the end of 1858. An examination of the music reveals the influence of Joachim's Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 10, and the variation movement of Beethoven's Piano Sonata, Op. 111, the latter serving as an antecedent especially for Brahms's eleventh variation and coda.
A modified MM2 force field for bleomycin analysis

Abstract New MM2 parameters for the cobalt binding site in cobalt-bleomycin, a potent antitumor antibiotic, are presented. These force constants were successfully used to model crystal structures of two cobalt-bleomycin analogues. Calculations on the bithiazole part of bleomycin show that the trans form is more stable than the cis form. It is also shown that conformational searches are necessary even in small inorganic molecules.
Real Estate Regulations in Accra: Some Macroeconomic Consequences?

Ghana has been one of the most rapidly growing economies in sub-Saharan Africa. This growth has been aided by Ghana's improving policy environment. In light of this, the paper addresses the question of why, given its higher level of per capita income and relatively strong growth, the housing conditions of the poor in Accra are considerably worse than those in a number of other African cities with lower incomes. There are not many data available to answer this question, so the method is indirect and takes two approaches. First, a variant of the monocentric city model is used to calculate Accra's housing supply elasticity relative to those of other similarly sized African cities. The model suggests that housing supply responsiveness is considerably lower in Accra, a result consistent with the observed higher housing costs. Secondly, a number of traditional housing demand and reduced-form equations are estimated for Accra and the other cities. This allows the formation of a quantitative judgment about Accra'...
Seismic image of the subducted trailing fragments of the Farallon plate

The Farallon plate was an enormous oceanic plate located west of the Americas during the Cenozoic and Mesozoic eras. This plate has now been almost completely subducted beneath the American plates. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Farallon plate broke up to form a number of independent smaller plates1–3 when its western edge approached the North American plate. Here we present a tomographic image of the subducted trailing fragments of the Farallon plate in the upper mantle beneath the western margin of North America. The relatively cold, subducted fragments appear as an intricate region of high seismic S-wave velocity. Comparison of the structure of this high-velocity region with tectonic plate reconstructions and volcanic records enables us to identify individual fragments of the subducted Farallon plate and thus reconstruct qualitatively the kinematic evolution of the Farallon slab in the upper mantle beneath North America.
Reliability and sensitivity of the TonoLab rebound tonometer in awake Brown Norway rats.

Purpose To compare the sensitivity of the TonoLab rebound tonometer with the Tono-Pen in awake Brown Norway rats and to compare their ability to predict optic nerve damage induced by experimental IOP elevation.
Minimal access surgery of ascending and proximal arch of the aorta: a 9-year experience.

Background Minimal access approaches are becoming readily accepted techniques for cardiac valve surgery. However, the safety or benefit of this approach for aortic surgery has not been well investigated. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 128 consecutive patients who underwent ascending aortic replacement (n = 53), proximal aortic arch replacement (n = 7), aortic root replacement (n = 67), or sinus of Valsalva aneurysm repair (n = 1) through an upper hemisternotomy between August 1996 and May 2005. Using matched variables (age, type of procedure, redo operation, and use of circulatory arrest), we constructed two matched cohorts of 79 patients each: a minimally invasive (group A) and full sternotomy (group B) and compared outcomes. Results The mean age for the minimally invasive group (n = 128) was 54 years (range, 25 to 83 years). There were six reoperations (4.7%), five (3.9%) urgent operations, and 16 (12.5%) deep hypothermic circulatory arrests. Operative mortality was zero, the median length of hospital stay was 5 days (range, 3 to 21 days), and 112 patients (82.4%) were discharged home. Actuarial survival at 5 years was 97.2%. On comparison between group A and B, there was no significant difference in operative times, mortality, and morbidity. However, group A had shorter median length of stay (5 versus 6 days, p = 0.020) and fewer median units of red blood cell transfusion than group B (2 versus 2.5, p = 0.020). Conclusions An upper hemisternotomy approach is safe and feasible for ascending aortic and proximal arch surgical procedures, with excellent early and late outcomes. This approach is associated with shorter hospital stay and less blood transfusion.
Receptor binding interactions of the angiotensin II antagonist, 125I-[sarcosine1,leucine8]angiotensin II, with mammalian brain and peripheral tissues

Abstract Sarcosine 1 ,leucine 8 -angiotensin II [Sar 1 , Leu 8 ]AII), an angiotensin II antagonist, binds saturably, reversibly and with high affinity (K D 's of 0.03–22 nM) to calf cerebellar cortex, bovine adrenal cortex and rabbit uterine membranes. The peptide specificity of 125 I[Sar 1 , Leu 8 ]AII binding to brain, adrenal cortex and uterus is consistent with the labeling of physiologically relevant angiotensin receptors. A detailed study of the binding potencies of 28 angiotensin peptide analogues reveals: (1) very significant correlations between peptide binding potencies at 125 I-AII compared to 125 I-[Sar 1 , Leu 8 ]AII binding sites, (2) many similarities between brain and uterine receptor sites and marked differences between these two tissue receptors compared to adrenal cortical receptor sites, and (3) correlations among peptide physiological potencies (AII-contracted rabbit aortic strip) and receptor binding potencies in all three tissues labeled with either 125 I-AII or 125 I-[Sar 1 , Leu 8 ]AII. The correlations are much better for adrenal cortex than for brain or uterus, suggesting that adrenal cortical angiotensin receptors are similar to aorta angiotensin receptors.
Association of perceived medical errors with resident distress and empathy: a prospective longitudinal study.

ContextMedical errors are associated with feelings of distress in physicians, but little is known about the magnitude and direction of these associations.ObjectiveTo assess the frequency of self-perceived medical errors among resident physicians and to determine the association of self-perceived medical errors with resident quality of life, burnout, depression, and empathy using validated metrics.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsProspective longitudinal cohort study of categorical and preliminary internal medicine residents at Mayo Clinic Rochester. Data were provided by 184 (84%) of 219 eligible residents. Participants began training in the 2003-2004, 2004-2005, and 2005-2006 academic years and completed surveys quarterly through May 2006. Surveys included self-assessment of medical errors and linear analog scale assessment of quality of life every 3 months, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and personal accomplishment), Interpersonal Reactivity Index, and a validated depression screening tool every 6 months.Main Outcome MeasuresFrequency of self-perceived medical errors was recorded. Associations of an error with quality of life, burnout, empathy, and symptoms of depression were determined using generalized estimating equations for repeated measures.ResultsThirty-four percent of participants reported making at least 1 major medical error during the study period. Making a medical error in the previous 3 months was reported by a mean of 14.7% of participants at each quarter. Self-perceived medical errors were associated with a subsequent decrease in quality of life (P = .02) and worsened measures in all domains of burnout (P = .002 for each). Self-perceived errors were associated with an odds ratio of screening positive for depression at the subsequent time point of 3.29 (95% confidence interval, 1.90-5.64). In addition, increased burnout in all domains and reduced empathy were associated with increased odds of self-perceived error in the following 3 months (P=.001, P<.001, and P=.02 for depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and lower personal accomplishment, respectively; P=.02 and P=.01 for emotive and cognitive empathy, respectively).ConclusionsSelf-perceived medical errors are common among internal medicine residents and are associated with substantial subsequent personal distress. Personal distress and decreased empathy are also associated with increased odds of future self-perceived errors, suggesting that perceived errors and distress may be related in a reciprocal cycle.
Quantification of Damage Detection Schemes using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curves.

In this work we detect damage in a composite to metal bolted joint subject to ambient vibrations and strong temperature fluctuations. Damage to the joint is considered to be a degradation of the connection strength implemented by loosening the bolts. The system is excited with a signal that conforms to the Pierson-Moskowitz distribution for wave height and represents a possible loading this component would be subject to in situ. We show that as the bolts are loosened, increasing amounts of nonlinearity are introduced in the form of impact discontinuities and stick-slip behavior. The presence of the nonlinearity, hence the damage, is detected by drawing comparisons between the response data and surrogate data conforming to the null hypothesis of an undamaged, linear system. Two metrics are used for comparison purposes: nonlinear prediction error and the bicoherence. Results are displayed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. The ROC curve quantifies the trade-off between false positives (type I errors) and false negatives (type II errors). Type I errors can be expressed as the probability of false alarm and 1 - type II error is the probability of detection. We demonstrate that ROC curves provide a unified quantifiable approach for directly comparing the merits of different detection schemes.
Neoadjuvant and adjuvant imatinib treatment in gastrointestinal stromal tumor: current status and recent developments.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract and is a paradigm of targeted therapy for solid tumors. Elucidation of the biology of GIST enabled use of imatinib, which revolutionized the prognosis of advanced GIST. Whereas surgical resection continues to be the standard of care for primary GIST, judicious and individualized use of adjuvant and neoadjuvant imatinib may enhance the potential for cure in select patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Prospective trials utilizing adjuvant and neoadjuvant imatinib have established the safety and efficacy of these modalities adjunct to surgical resection. Correlative tissue studies derived from these trials have examined gene expression patterns, metabolic and radiographic response, and apoptosis during the first few days of imatinib therapy. As appropriate use of adjuvant and neoadjuvant imatinib requires proper patient selection, development of a predictive nomogram, and advances in mutational analysis represent progress toward individualized care. SUMMARY: Imatinib is well tolerated and beneficial as adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy, but its utility in these settings continues to be refined. The greatest benefit will derive from an individualized approach that considers multiple patient, drug, and tumor characteristics to assess risk and likelihood of benefit for each patient.