cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vitamin B-6 Analysis: Some Historical Aspects

The discovery and purification of almost every vitamin or other physiologically active substance has been achieved only as methods which permit its detection have been devised. Even crude methods may suffice to permit isolation of the active compound; once the purified compound is available and its chemical nature is known, it becomes possible to modify old methods or devise new ones that provide enhanced convenience, specificity, and sensitivity.
Integrating plant ontogeny and structure in Brassica napus L. I. Forward phenomics

Defining a minimum set of phenotypic traits that can integrate ontogeny and structure of Brassica napus L. is required for breeding and selection of high yielding and adapted genotypes to the short growing season of the upper Midwest, USA. Forward phenomics was instrumental in striking a balance between accuracy, timing and speed of capturing multi-level, spatiotemporal data at different scales of integration. Quantitative and categorical data digitally recorded, measured or scored on whole canopies, single plants, single leaves, and single siliques; and on random mature seed samples of entries in a phenotyping nursery of B. napus were used to identify plant traits that can integrate the effects of time (ontogeny) and space (architecture) on oil%, and to develop a multilevel-multitrait protocol based on field and laboratory characterization of phenotypic and agronomic data while accounting for fixed and random sources of variation when interpreting components of phenotypic variance. Traits conferring tolerance to low temperatures during germination and early seedling growth included fast emergence, early vigor, early flowering combined with short duration of bolting-to-flowering, and early maturity. To approximate rapeseed yield potential in the upper Midwest, USA, genotypes with biomass > 6.0 Mg ha−1, seed > 3.5 Mg ha−1, oil > 1.75 Mg ha−1 and protein yield > 0.75 Mg ha−1 are envisioned. A subset of adaptive traits has been identified that can be combined in a selection index to develop a plant ideotype for B. napus.
Provider Perspectives on Quality Payment Programs Targeting Diabetes in Primary Care Settings

Abstract Public and private insurers increasingly use quality payment programs as a tool to improve quality of care in primary care settings. However, little is known about primary care providers' ...
The Washed Ashore Project: Saving the Ocean Through Art

What happens to our everyday necessities once they become obsolete? Our water bottles run dry, plastic shopping bags are emptied, and our children outgrow their plastic toys. Living in today's mate...
Experiences and perspectives on the return of secondary findings among genetic epidemiologists.

While there has been a recent increase in scholarship around developing policies for the return of results from genetic sequencing, it is not clear whether these approaches are appropriate for genetic epidemiology studies. Because genetic epidemiological research increasingly utilizes genome sequencing methods, particularly in large data sets where researchers did not directly ascertain the subjects, it is important to understand researchers’ perspectives on the return of results. We conducted an online survey of members of the International Genetic Epidemiology Society to document the diversity of experiences and impressions regarding return of results. The survey contained both closed and open-ended questions. Among our respondents who enroll their own research participants, only 21% return secondary findings. Most respondents do not search their sequence data for clinically actionable findings not associated with their disease of interest. Many feel that genetic epidemiologists have a unique perspective on the return of results and that research studies should not follow the same procedures as clinical sequencing studies. Precision medicine initiatives that rely on both clinical and “big data” genomic research should account for variation in researcher perspectives and study design limitations when developing policies and standard practices regarding the return of results.
A Bidirectional Buck-boost Converter Using 1.3kV Series-Stacked GaN E-HEMT Modules for Electric Vehicle Charging Application

In this paper, an all-Gallium Nitride (GaN) bidirectional buck-boost converter using series stacked GaN Enhancement High Electron Mobility Transistor (E-HEMT) modules for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging application is proposed. A Series Switch Driver (SSD) is proposed for controlling series-connected GaN HEMTs. In this circuit, a single gate driver supply is used. The function of the proposed gate driver is to provide the required gate charge for the devices and ensure turn-on and off synchronization between the devices. A mathematical model is derived for the series-stacked GaN HEMTs (GaN module) along with the designed gate driver. In this model, the parasitic inductors are also considered and the switching loss is calculated. Simulation and experimental results of the proposed converter validate the theoretical analysis.
The “Red DNA”: How Discourses of Class and Race Integrate

There is a structural similarity between classism and racism in their logics and social functions: both of them essentialize people’s social belongings and accordingly consign them identities, and this type of given identity becomes the basis of politics of differentiation, the fundamental instrument played by both communists and racists in manipulating the population and maintaining their regimes. As Arendt argued, as ideology, both of them had “tremendous power of persuasion.”
Artificial Intelligence Architecture Inspired by Personality Theory

This paper introduces a novel approach for classification problems utilizing a Jungian Psychology-inspired classification architecture (JPICA). The goal of JPICA is to demonstrate applications of personality theory to artificial intelligence in general, and thus move closer to holistic artificial intelligence. Here, results are presented for the initial experiments of JPICA applied to the classic AI problem of automated voiced/unvoiced/silence classification of speech segments. Multiple audio files are analyzed, hand labeled, and put through a feature extraction protocol in order to generate the dataset that is used in the experiments. The number of features used in the experiments ranges from 3 to 34. The architecture is tasked with accurately classifying the speech segments, while adhering to the defined behavior of the personalities used to define the various classifiers. Experiments with this early implementation of JPICA provide favorable and encouraging results for future algorithm development and experimentation in the field of artificial intelligence.
An Overview of the United States’ Section 230 Internet Immunity

47 U.S.C. § 230 says that websites and other online services aren’t liable for third-party content. This legal policy is simple and elegant, but it’s hardly intuitive, and it has had extraordinary consequences for the Internet and our society. This Chapter provides an overview of Section 230 and how it compares to some foreign counterparts.
Survival Impact of Time to Initiation of Adjuvant Radiation for Merkel Cell Carcinoma: An Analysis of the National Cancer Database.

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to determine the impact of time to initiation (TTI) of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) on overall survival (OS) for patients with stage I or II Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Methods and materials The National Cancer Database was queried for patients with MCC of the head and neck, trunk, or extremities diagnosed between 2006 and 2014. Patients who did not undergo resection or receive adjuvant RT within 180 days of surgery were excluded. TTI was defined as the time from resection to first RT fraction. Linear regression was used to define factors associated with TTI. Recursive partitioning analysis modeling was performed to determine an optimal threshold for TTI. Cox proportional hazards modeling was performed to define covariates associated with OS. Results A total of 2293 patients were included in this study. The median TTI for the cohort was 62 days (interquartile range, 43-86 days). TTI was not associated with OS for the overall cohort by multivariable Cox modeling (P = .19). Age, treatment facility type, lymph node examination, anatomic subsite, and surgical margin were associated with TTI (P Conclusions Increased TTI of adjuvant RT was not associated with OS for patients with early stage MCC in this analysis of the National Cancer Database. The median TTI of 62 days from resection to adjuvant RT initiation for our study cohort contextualizes TTI on a national level and may offer reassurance for patients with prolonged postoperative wound healing or intercurrent illness delaying immediate RT initiation. Despite the lack of a clear detriment to survival with increased TTI up to 180 days from surgery, unnecessary delays in initiating adjuvant therapy should continue to be minimized while ensuring optimal recovery from resection.
Application of oxidized metallic surfaces as a medium to store biochemical agents with antimicrobial properties

Abstract Creating air-stable antimicrobial metallic surfaces that are resistant to washing could impact both food handling and medical applications. This work analyzes the release kinetics of nisin nanoparticles (an antimicrobial peptide) from cracked and uncracked oxide films on stainless steel and titanium to develop an antibacterial metallic surface. The cracked morphology creates mudflat crack patterns that penetrate approximately 4 μm into the substrate, deeper than the 100 nm thick oxides. The desorption of the peptide from uncracked oxides on stainless steel is promoted by acidic pH, slows down at neutral, and stops at basic pH. Increases in temperature contribute to significant accelerated desorption process only at acidic pH. Cracked oxide films effectively immobilized nisin in the cracks. For Ti-6Al-4 V, even under the harshest conditions tested (50 °C and pH 2) the peptide did not release into solution after 24 h. Quantitative depth profiling detected nitrogen to depths of up to 2.8 μm, indicating the presence of nisin in the cracks. A simple test of the antibacterial performance of these surfaces against Listeria monocytogenes has been demonstrated.
Investigation of the Short-term Effects of Heat Shock on Human Hamstring Tenocytes In Vitro

Tendons and ligaments are collagenous connective tissues involved in locomotion and stabilization of joints. These tissues possess relatively low cellularity and vascularity, resulting in long and potentially incomplete healing responses following injury. For sub-failure injuries such as strains and sprains, the common treatment is an implementation of rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This procedure relies on the tissue’s natural healing ability, leaving the tissue prone to possible re-injury and failure. As a potential aid in the healing process, we investigated the effects of thermal stress on human tenocytes in vitro. This method exploits the activity of heat shock proteins, which assist in cellular proliferation and protein assembly. Heat shock at 40, 44, and 48 °C was applied to human hamstring tenocytes for 5–20 min. Studies were performed to determine metabolic activity, proliferation, protein secretion, and gene expression of the cells shortly after heating. A scratch wound healing assay was performed to monitor migration of cells as they recovered from heat shock. The data showed increased cellular activity following 15 and 20 min of thermal conditioning at 44 and 48 °C. Protein secretion and expression of collagens types I and III and TGF-β1 suggest that the heat shock response of tenocytes is similar to that of natural wound healing. The results revealed different responses for different temperatures and different durations of heat shock. The scratch assay revealed that heat might hasten recovery times following injury. Although additional studies that investigate additional heat shock proteins with different cell lines must be performed, these initial results suggest that heat shock may be a potential therapeutic tool that should be further investigated for the treatment of sub-failure tendon and ligament injuries. Heat shock presents a potential aid for the regeneration of damaged musculoskeletal tissues. In this preliminary study of human hamstring tenocytes in vitro, the application of thermal stress for a short duration caused rapid proliferation of cells after they were allowed to recover. Furthermore, parallels were observed between the in vitro heat shock response and the natural wound healing process of tendons and ligaments. This information provides potential for heat shock to assist in healing damage tendon and ligament tissue. Future works will need to explore the effects of heat shock on a wider range of tendon and ligament cells, as well as develop methods of applying thermal stress to tissue in vivo.
Effect of Change Orders on Cost and Schedule for Small Low-Bid Highway Contracts

AbstractFor design-bid-build (DBB) projects, the assumption is that because the bid cost of the lowest bidder is usually below the estimated cost of the project, change orders during construction w...
Single Crystalline Scandium Aluminum Nitride: An Emerging Material for 5G Acoustic Filters

Emerging next generation wireless communication devices call for high-performance filters that operate at 3-10 GHz frequency range and offer low loss, small form factor, wide bandwidth and steep skirts. Bulk and surface acoustic wave devices have been long used in the RF front-end for filtering applications, however their operation frequencies are mostly below 2.6 GHz band. To scale up the frequency of the filters, the thickness of the piezoelectric material needs to be reduced to sub-micron ranges. One of the challenges of such scaling is maintaining high electromechanical coupling as the film thickness decreases, which in turn, determines the filter bandwidth.Aluminum Nitride (AlN) — popular in today’s film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs) and mostly deposited using sputtering techniques—shows degraded crystal quality and poor electromechanical coupling when the thickness of AlN film is smaller than 1 μm.In this work, we propose using high-quality single-crystalline AlN and Scandium (Sc)-doped AlN epi-layers grown on Si substrates, wherein high crystal quality is maintained for ultra-thin films of only 400 nm thickness. Experimental results verify improved k t 2 for 3-10 GHz resonators, with quality factors of the order of ~250 and k t 2 values of up to 5%based on bulk acoustic wave resonators. The experimental results suggest that single-crystal Sc-AlN is a great material candidate for 5G resonators and filters.
Two-Dimensional Difference Gel Electrophoresis: A Gel-Based Proteomic Approach for Protein Analysis

Two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) remains to be one of the most popular and versatile methods of protein separation among many proteomics technologies. Similar to traditional two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE), the proteins are separated based on their charges and molecular weight by 2D-DIGE. Different from 2D-PAGE, proteins are pre-labeled with different fluorescent dyes, and different protein samples are run in one gel by this method. Therefore, 2D-DIGE not only carries the advantages of 2D-PAGE but also eliminates gel-to-gel variation and achieves high resolution, sensitivity, and reproducibility.
Reactive Signal Obfuscation with Time-Fracturing to Counter Information Leakage in FPGAs

With tremendous economic and technological ramifications, hardware security has become an increasingly more critical design metric for FPGA-based logic design. In this work, we focus on countermeasures against power side-channel attacks in any reconfigurable computing system implemented with modern FPGA fabric. We design and implement a novel countermeasure technique called Time-Fracturing (TF) to fend off side-channel-based information leakage, which proves to be both hardware-efficient and minimally invasive. To validate its effectiveness, we have applied our TF technique to an FPGA-based AES128 encryption core. Our experimental results have shown an increase of more than 50 times, when compared to its unprotected baseline, in its attack difficulty measured by the number of traces required to extract the secret key. Furthermore, our approach is orthogonal to existing methods, thus having the potential to be integrated in the future for a multi-variate defense mechanism.
Structure-guided point mutations on FusionRed produce a brighter red fluorescent protein

The development of fluorescent proteins (FPs) has revolutionized biological imaging. FusionRed, a monomeric red FP (RFP), is known for its low cytotoxicity and appropriate localization of target fusion proteins in mammalian cells but is limited in application by low fluorescence brightness. We report a brighter variant of FusionRed, FusionRed-MQV, which exhibits an extended fluorescence lifetime (2.8 ns), enhanced quantum yield (0.53), higher extinction coefficient (~140,000 M-1cm-1), increased radiative rate constant and reduced non-radiative rate constant with respect to its precursor. The properties of FusionRed-MQV derive from three mutations - M42Q, C159V and the previously identified L175M. A structure-guided approach was used to identify and mutate candidate residues around the phenol and the acylimine ends of the chromophore. The C159V mutation was identified via lifetime-based flow cytometry screening of a library in which multiple residues adjacent to the phenol end of the chromophore were mutated. The M42Q mutation is located near the acylimine end of the chromophore and was discovered using site-directed mutagenesis guided by x-ray crystal structures. FusionRed-MQV exhibits 3.4-fold higher molecular brightness and a 5-fold increase in the cellular brightness in HeLa cells (based on FACS) compared to FusionRed. It also retains the low cytotoxicity and high-fidelity localization of FusionRed, as demonstrated through assays in mammalian cells
The Association Between the Frequency of Interruptions in Antibiotic Exposure and the Risk of Health Care-Associated Clostridiodes difficile Infection

Abstract Background Although antibiotic use is an established risk factor for health care-associated Clostridiodes difficile infection, estimates of the association between infection and antibiotic use vary, depending upon how antibiotic exposure is measured. Objectives The purpose of this study was to explore the association between the frequency of interruptions in antibiotic exposure and the risk of health care-associated C difficile infection. Methods A retrospective chart review cohort study was conducted of all inpatients between 2011and 2016 from a single academic health center who received at least 1 dose of a systemic antibacterial for a cumulative duration of >3 days and ≤30 days. The measures of antibiotic exposure examined were duration—cumulative total calendar days of antibiotics therapy—and continuity—the frequency of interruptions in antibiotic exposure that was defined as the number of antibiotic treatment courses. Results A total of 52,445/227,967 (23%) patients received antibacterial therapy for >3 days and ≤30 days during their hospitalization. Of these, 1161 out of 52,445 (2.21%) were patients with health care-associated C difficile infection. An adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk of C difficile increased with longer cumulative days (odds ratio = 2.7; comparison of >12 days to ≤5 days) and fewer interruptions of antibiotic treatment (odds ratio = 0.78; comparison of >3 discrete antibiotic treatment courses to 1 course or continuous antibiotic treatment course; all P values Conclusions For patients who received the same number of cumulative days of therapy, the patients who had more frequently interrupted courses of antibiotic therapy were less likely to experience health care-associated C difficile infection. (Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2020; 81:XXX–XXX)
Extensive Tinea Associated with Tofacitinib Therapy Masquerading as New-Onset SCLE

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that often requires treatment with immunomodulatory agents, however, such interventions are not without risk of opportunistic infection. Monitoring for such conditions is critical, whereas recognition and treatment can prove challenging at times, as they may manifest with an atypical presentation or masquerade as another condition entirely. We present here a case of extensive tinea corporis with concomitant tinea capitis masquerading as new-onset connective tissue disorder in a patient being treated for rheumatoid arthritis with the Janus kinase inhibitor tofacitinib.
A Semi-Analytic Model for Cosmological Reheating and Reionization Due to the Gravitational Collapse of Structure

We present a semi-analytic model for the thermal and ionization history of the universe at 1000 >~ z >~ 3. This model incorporates much of the essential physics included in full-scale hydrodynamical simulations, such as (1) gravitational collapse and virialization; (2) star/quasar formation and subsequent ionizing radiation; (3) heating and cooling; (4) atomic and molecular physics of hydrogen; and (5) the feedback relationships between these processes. In addition, we model the process of reheating and reionization using two separate phases, self-consistently calculating the filling factor of each phase. Thus radiative transfer is treated more accurately than simulations to date have done: we allow to lowest order for both the inhomogeneity of the sources and the sinks of radiation. After calibrating and checking the results of this model against a hydrodynamical simulation, we apply our model to a variety of Gaussian and non-Gaussian CDM-dominated cosmological models. Our major conclusions include: (1) the epoch of reheating depends most strongly on the power spectrum of density fluctuations at small scales; (2) because of the effects of gas clumping, full reionization occurs at z ~ 10 in all models; (3) the CMBR polarization and the stars and quasars to baryons ratio are strong potential discrimants between different assumed power spectra; (4) the formation of galactic spheroids may be regulated by the evolution of reheating through feedback, so that the Jeams mass tracks the non-linear mass scale; and (5) the evolution of the bias of luminous objects can potentially discriminate strongly between Gaussian and non-Gaussian PDFs.
A Generalized Fictitious Node Approach for Surface Effect Correction in Peridynamic Simulation

Peridynamics has been developed over the past 2 decades as an approach to engineering simulation that offers an alternative to discretizing the partial differential equations produced by traditional continuum models. The peridynamic constitutive model assumes a material point lies in the bulk of the material; points near a body’s surface are known to exhibit an erroneous “surface effect,” appearing softer than points in the bulk. Le and Bobaru (Comput Mech 61:499–518, 2018) proposed a fictitious node method for eliminating the surface effect artifacts for bodies with simple, axis-aligned boundaries. In this paper, we present a generalization of this approach that can be applied to arbitrary boundary geometries. Additionally, the approach presented provides a method for more strict enforcement of boundary conditions than what is available in typical peridynamic boundary treatments. The correction method is tested on a set of canonical elasticity problems and shows suppression of the surface effect comparable to the levels of suppression obtained by Le and Bobaru, while removing the geometrical constraints limiting the applicability of Le and Bobaru’s method.
Abstract P179: Impact of Transportation Mode on Outcome of Mechanical Thrombectomy

Introduction: It is well established that mechanical thrombectomy (MT) improves functional outcome in stroke patients with a large vessel occlusion and salvageable brain tissue. In this study, we e...
A comparative study of SIR Model, Linear Regression, Logistic Function and ARIMA Model for forecasting COVID-19 cases

Starting February 2020, COVID-19 was confirmed in 11,946 people worldwide, with a mortality rate of almost 2%. A significant number of epidemic diseases including human Coronavirus display patterns. In this study with the benefit of data analytic, we develop regression models and a Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) model for the contagion to compare the performance of models to predict number of cases. first, we implement a good understanding of data and perform Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA). Then, we derive the parameters of the model from the available data corresponding to the top 4 regions based on the history of infections and the most infected people as of the end of August 2020. Then models are compared and further research are introduced.
Adolescent Dating Violence Among Youth Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic Review

The quality of adolescent dating relationships is an outcome of developmental importance for young people exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) in childhood. As adolescents explore romantic interests for the first time, it is important to consider whether youth who have witnessed IPV have an increased likelihood of adolescent dating violence (ADV) victimization and/or perpetration. This systematic review seeks to synthesize empirical literature on ADV victimization and perpetration outcomes in youth exposed to IPV, examine mechanisms that may explain ADV outcomes in IPV-exposed youth, and summarize methodological factors that influence interpretation of findings. Seven bibliographic databases were searched through August 2020 for a broader evidence and gap mapping (EGM) project examining published empirical studies on child outcomes of IPV exposure. Following de-duplication, 350 empirical studies on child IPV exposure outcomes were identified and categorized into child outcome themes, including 29 studies that examine ADV victimization and/or perpetration among IPV-exposed youth. The association between IPV exposure and ADV perpetration and victimization varies widely, with factors such as gender, mental health symptoms, beliefs about violence, and emotion regulation differentially influencing outcomes. Inconsistencies in measurement of IPV, ADV, and sample ages make cross-study comparisons challenging. Practice and research implications are addressed, including the importance of examining strengths-based youth assets and resilient trajectories of healthy dating relationships among IPV-exposed youth.
BMP4 and WNT signaling interact to promote mouse tracheal mesenchyme morphogenesis.

Tracheobronchomalacia and Complete Tracheal Rings are congenital malformations of the trachea associated with morbidity and mortality for which the etiology remains poorly understood. Epithelial expression of Wls (a cargo receptor mediating Wnt ligand secretion) by tracheal cells is essential for patterning the embryonic mouse trachea's cartilage and muscle. RNA sequencing indicated that Wls differentially modulated the expression of BMP signaling molecules. We tested whether BMP signaling, induced by epithelial Wnt ligands, mediates cartilage formation. Deletion of Bmp4 from respiratory tract mesenchyme impaired tracheal cartilage formation that was replaced by ectopic smooth muscle, recapitulating the phenotype observed after epithelial deletion of Wls in the embryonic trachea. Ectopic muscle was caused in part by anomalous differentiation and proliferation of smooth muscle progenitors rather than tracheal cartilage progenitors. Mesenchymal deletion of Bmp4 impaired expression of Wnt/β-catenin target genes, including targets of WNTsignaling: Notum, and Axin2. In vitro, rBMP4 rescued the expression of Notum in Bmp4 deficient tracheal mesenchymal cells and induced Notum promoter activity via SMAD1/5. RNA sequencing of Bmp4 deficient tracheas identified genes essential for chondrogenesis and muscle development co-regulated by BMP and WNT signaling. During tracheal morphogenesis, WNT signaling induces Bmp4 in mesenchymal progenitors to promote cartilage differentiation and restrict trachealis muscle. In turn, Bmp4 differentially regulates the expression of Wnt/β-catenin targets to attenuate mesenchymal WNT signaling and to further support chondrogenesis.
The National Extension Indian Reservation Program (EIRP)

Twenty-one Indian tribes and nations exist within the geographic boundaries of Arizona. The Extension Indian Reservation Program (EIRP) was authorized by the 1990 Farm Bill (EL. 101 -64). This measure directed that the "Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Extension Service, shall establish appropriate extension education programs on Indian reservations and tribal jurisdictions." The legislation specified consultation with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Intertribal Agriculture Council, and the Southwest Indian Agriculture Association in establishing these extension programs. Extension Indian Reservation Program funding has enabled The University of Arizona to hire Cooperative Extension agents on six Arizona reservations. Agents currently serve the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT), Hopi and San Carlos Apache Indian reservations, Hualapai and Havasupai reservations (one agent for both), and The Navajo Nation (two agents). EIRP program funding allowed The University of Arizona to join with New Mexico State University and Utah State University in a consortium to hire and place two Cooperative Extension agents on The Navajo Nation in Shiprock, New Mexico and Window Rock, Arizona. The La Paz County Extension office is located on CRIT, the only Cooperative Extension office in the United States that is on an Indian reservation. Currently there are requests and needs for at least 12 more Cooperative Extension agents to be placed on Arizona Indian reservations. This issue of Arizona Land & People highlights EIRP programs on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation and the Navajo Nation. Other Arizona EIRP programs will be covered in subsequent issues.
Endoscopic corpus callosotomy: An animal study

We have previously described a technique for the partial bisection of the corpus callosum in the cadaver in order to increase the minimally invasiveness of this procedure. We now present our experience with this procedure in an animal model. Following a 1.0 cm midline skin incision, cranial trephinations (approximately 0.5 cm) were performed in five adult pigs under general endotracheal anesthesia. A rigid endoscope (AESCULAP, Tuttlingen, Germany) was next introduced and used to transect the approximate anterior two-thirds of the corpus callosum. Following the procedure, brains were observed for gross injury to vascularities or non callosal nervous tissue. No vascular complications were encountered in any of our animal specimens (e.g. superior sagittal sinus, anterior cerebral, frontopolar, or pericallosal arteries). The corpus callosum was easily transected in each specimen. All animals survived the procedure. We believe this technique could provide a less invasive mechanism for patients primarily children, who require corpus callosotomy and will minimize much of the morbidity associated with the traditional methods of sectioning the corpus callosum. Human studies are now necessary to confirm our findings. (J Pediatr Neurol 2003; 1(1): 25-28).
Information-Based Instruments for Improved Urban Management

The task of urban managers is to ensure the provision of basic urban services, such as water, waste removal, security, transport, and an environment conducive to economic activity, while maintaining fiscal sustainability of city operations. City managers in developing countries face increasing pressure in achieving these goals because of rapid urbanization, the larger responsibilities following decentralization, and the economic challenges of globalization. Based on experience in Bangalore, India, the authors argue that effective, forward-looking urban management requires a much better information infrastructure than is currently available in most cities.
Effect of hypoxia on nuclear high affinity Ca2+ -ATPase activity and nuclear Ca2+ -influx in the cerebral cortex of newborn piglets (888.2)

Nuclear calcium signals control a number of critical nuclear functions including regulation of transcription factors, cell cycle regulation, gene transcription and DNA replication. Previous studies have shown that during hypoxia, there is increase in intracellular Ca2+-and in nuclear high affinity Ca2+-ATPase activity in the cerebral cortex of newborn piglets.We test the hypothesis that hypoxia results in increased activity of high affinity Ca2+-ATPase and increased concentration of Ca2+-influx in cortical neuronal nuclei of newborn piglets, and this hypoxia-induced increase is Src kinase mediated.Piglets were divided into normoxic (Nx, n=4), hypoxic (Hx, n=4), and hypoxic pretreated with Src kinase inhibitor (Hx+Srci, n=4). Hypoxia was induced by decreasing FiO2 to 0.07 for 1 hr. Src kinase inhibitor (PP2, 1.0 mg/kg i.v.) was administered 30 min prior to hypoxia. Hypoxia was documented by levels of ATP and phosphocreatine (PCr). Nuclear 45Ca2+ concentration and activity of high affinity Ca2+-ATPase was d...
Ask a busy person: attentional myopia and helping

According to an oft-quoted piece of folk wisdom, if one wants something accomplished, the best person to ask is a busy person. We tested a version of this proposition in two studies. Study 1 exposed participants to a helping request in which cues promoting the relevant behavior were made more salient than those inhibiting it. Study 2 featured a request in which inhibiting cues were made more salient than cues promoting the behavior. In both studies, participants who were “busied” by high cognitive load showed more influence of the dominant behavioral pressure than did participants under minimal load. The results suggest that busy people can respond more to a helping appeal, but only when cues facilitating helping are more salient than those discouraging it.
Glycoprotein gI of pseudorabies virus promotes cell fusion and virus spread via direct cell-to-cell transmission.

Abstract Mutants of pseudorabies virus defective in either glycoprotein gI or gIII are only slightly less virulent for mice and chickens than is wild-type virus, while mutants defective in both gI and gIII are avirulent. To clarify the reason for the lack of virulence of the gI- gIII- mutants, we have analyzed in some detail the interactions of these mutants with their hosts. The results obtained showed that the gI glycoprotein is an accessory protein that promotes cell fusion. This conclusion is based on the findings that in some cell types, syncytium formation is significantly reduced in mutants deficient in gI. Furthermore, despite efficient replication, gI- mutants form significantly smaller plaques on some cell types. Finally, while wild-type and gI- virus are neutralized similarly by antisera, the size of the plaques formed by gI- mutants, but not by wild-type virus, is reduced by the presence of neutralizing antibodies in the overlay. Passive immunization of mice with neutralizing antipseudorabies virus sera is also considerably more effective in protecting them against challenge with gI- mutants than in protecting them against challenge with wild-type virus. These results show that gI- mutants are deficient in their ability to form syncytia and to spread directly by cell-to-cell transmission and that these mutants spread mainly by adsorption of released virus to uninfected cells. Wild-type virus and gIII- mutants, however, spread mainly via direct cell-to-cell transmission both in vivo and in vitro. We postulate that the lack of virulence of the gIII- gI- virus is attributable to its inability to spread by either mode, the defect in gIII affecting virus spread by adsorption of released virus and the defect in gI affecting cell-to-cell spread. Although a gI- gIII- mutant replicates as well as a gIII- mutant, it will be amplified much less well. Our results with in vitro systems show that this is indeed the case.
Extending the windows desktop interface with connected handheld computers

Increasingly, people will be in situations where there are multiple communicating computing devices that have input / output capabilities. For example, people might carry their handheld computer, such as a Windows CE device or a Palm Pilot, into a room with a desktop or an embedded computer. The handheld computer can communicate with the PC using wired or wireless technologies, and then both computers can be used at the same time. We are investigating many ways in which the handheld computer can be used to extend the functions of existing and new applications. For example, the handheld's screen can be used as a customizable input and output device, to provide various controls for desktop applications. The handheld can contain scroll bars, buttons, virtual knobs and menus. It can also display the slide notes or a list of slide titles for a presentation, the list of current tasks and windows, and lists of links for web browsing. The user can tap on these lists on the handheld to control the PC. Information and control can flow fluidly among all the user's devices, so that there is an integrated environment.
Abstract W P230: Tetrahydrobiopterin Attenuates Cerebrovascular Oxidative Stress in Tg2576 Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Background: The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that supplementation of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) to transgenic mice expressing the Swedish double mutation of human amyloid precursor protein (Tg2576 mice) results in restoration of BH4 levels required for activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and in turn, prevents oxidative stress in cerebral microvasculature. Methods: Cerebral microvessels were obtained from 4-5 months old female wild-type and Tg2576 mice. Biopterin levels, enzymatic activity of GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH-I) and superoxide production were measured by HPLC. The effects of supplementation of BH4 on oxidative stress were studied by injecting wild-type and Tg2576 mice subcutaneously with 100 mol/kg (b.w.) of BH4 ([6R]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-L-biopterin dihydrochloride; [6R]-BH4). Results: Enzymatic activity of GTPCH-I, rate limiting enzyme in BH4 biosynthesis, was not different between cerebral microvessels of wild-type and Tg2576 mice. However, bioavailabilit...
Perfect Information and Backward Induction

Backward induction (BI) is defined for extensive-form games of perfect information. The relation of BI to Nash equilibrium, the concept of incredible threat, and subgame perfect equilibrium is described. Variants of the procedure include cutting long subgames or cutting any subset of disjoint subgames. The discussion of criticisms is focused on the incorrect predictions of BI in games such as Centipede. An example of the incorrect application of BI concludes the article. Keywords: backward induction; subgame perfect equilibrium; SPE; extensive-form game; perfect information
Erasing Drug Memories Through the Disruption of Memory Reconsolidation: A Review of Glutamatergic Mechanisms

Over the past decade, a growing body of research has sought to investigate how the pharmacological disruption of memory reconsolidation can degrade or erase memories. Much of this research has focused specifically on disrupting memories that are considered bad or maladaptive for the ultimate purpose of translation to a human population. While most of the research was pioneered in fear memory, recent studies have focused on degrading drug-cued memories in the context of addiction. Essentially, this research seeks to disrupt cues as predictors of reward or drug availability. A core component of this reconsolidation process is glutamate signaling. An overall review of the literature suggests that disruption of glutamate signaling under reconsolidation parameters is sufficient to erase drug-related memories. This review will focus on specific studies that examine the glutamatergic mechanisms of reconsolidation disruption in the context of drug addiction.
Sustainable and Unsustainable Adaptations by Early Farming Communities of Northern Poland

Abstract This paper considers the abandonment of several Neolithic sites in north-central Poland from the perspective of the sustainability or unsustainability of their overall adaptive strategy. The proposition will be advanced that although they were very successful short-term adaptations, their long-term chances were compromised by their intensive local land use and the dense network of social obligations both within the settlements and with nearby communities.
Theoretical characterization of silicon self-interstitial clusters in uniform strain fields

We use first-principles density-functional theory calculations to evaluate the orientation-dependent stability of small, neutral self-interstitial clusters (${I}_{\text{n}}$, $n\ensuremath{\le}4$) in crystalline Si across a range of uniform strain conditions $(\ensuremath{-}4\ensuremath{\le}\ensuremath{\epsilon}\ensuremath{\le}4%)$ in both uniaxial and biaxial strain fields on Si(100). Comprehending the behavior of these small clusters under strain is important in extending our understanding of the evolutionary cycle of interstitial defects during the ion implantation and annealing processes that occur during semiconductor manufacturing. Our calculation results suggest that strain of sufficient magnitude can contribute to significant ground-state structural distortion and even generation of different cluster configurations. Our study also indicates that the relative stability change per unit change in applied strain is greater in the biaxial case than the uniaxial case for interstitial clusters. We provide localized strain-distribution profiles and modification of bulk Si density of states to characterize the extent to which interstitial clusters modulate crystalline Si structure.
Evaluating Alcoholics Anonymous's Effect on Drinking in Project MATCH Using Cross-Lagged Regression Panel Analysis

Objective:The objective of the study is to determine whether Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) participation leads to reduced drinking and problems related to drinking within Project MATCH (Matching Alcoholism Treatments to Client Heterogeneity), an existing national alcoholism treatment data set.Method:The method used is structural equation modeling of panel data with cross-lagged partial regression coefficients. The main advantage of this technique for the analysis of AA outcomes is that potential reciprocal causation between AA participation and drinking behavior can be explicitly modeled through the specification of finite causal lags.Results:For the outpatient subsample (n = 952), the results strongly support the hypothesis that AA attendance leads to increases in alcohol abstinence and reduces drinking/problems, whereas a causal effect in the reverse direction is unsupported. For the aftercare subsample (n = 774), the results are not as clear but also suggest that AA attendance leads to better outcomes.Conc...
Validation and calibration of physical activity monitors in children.

Objective: This study was designed to validate accelerometer-based activity monitors against energy expenditure (EE) in children; to compare monitor placement sites; to field-test the monitors; and to establish sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous threshold counts. Research Methods and Procedures: Computer Science and Applications Actigraph (CSA) and Mini-Mitter Actiwatch (MM) monitors, on the hip or lower leg, were validated and calibrated against 6-hour EE measurements by room respiration calorimetry, activity by microwave detector, and heart rate by telemetry in 26 children, 6 to 16 years old. During the 6 hours, the children performed structured activities, including resting metabolic rate (RMR), Nintendo, arts and crafts, aerobic warm-up, Tae Bo, treadmill walking and running, and games. Activity energy expenditure (AEE) computed as EE − RMR was regressed against counts to derive threshold counts. Results: The mean correlations between EE or AEE and counts were slightly higher for MM-hip (r = 0.78 ± 0.06) and MM-leg (r = 0.80 ± 0.05) than CSA-hip (r = 0.66 ± 0.08) and CSA-leg (r = 0.73 ± 0.07). CSA and MM performed similarly on the hip (inter-instrument r = 0.88) and on the lower leg (inter-instrument r = 0.89). Threshold counts for the CSA-hip were <800, <3200, <8200, and ≥8200 for sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous categories, respectively. For the MM-hip, the threshold counts were <100, <900, <2200, and ≥2200, respectively. Discussion: The validation of the CSA and MM monitors against AEE and their calibration for sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous thresholds certify these monitors as valid, useful devices for the assessment of physical activity in children.
HYPOTHERMIA IN HYPOXIC ANIMALS : MECHANISMS, MEDIATORS, AND FUNCTIONAL SIGNIFICANCE

A basic tenet of biology is that body temperature (Tb) has a marked effect on oxygen uptake of resting animals. For most animals, the temperature coefficient (Q10) is >> 2.5; e.g., resting oxygen uptake changes about 11% per degree C change in Tb. An important consequence of this dependence is that hyperthermia could be deleterious for hypoxic animals, particularly for oxygen sensitive organs, e.g., heart and brain. Conversely, a moderate degree of hypothermia could be beneficial during hypoxia. This concept is not new. Forced hypothermia is sometimes used in surgical procedures, particularly for heart and brain surgery. However, in many situations where hypothermia might have benefits, e.g., pediatric intensive care, it is not permitted. This is due in part to dogma and in part to the real and potential disadvantages of hypothermia, even in severely hypoxic animals. Among these in ventricular fibrillation. This is apparently preventable if blood pH is allowed to rise following the "Buffalo Curve." Another important disadvantage, were it to occur, is elevation of oxygen demand due to a thermogenic responses. However, at least in some species, the thermogenic response is blunted during hypoxia; e.g., in young rats. Furthermore, even if a thermogenic response occurs, this takes place primarily in muscles (shivering) and brown fat (non-shivering) and not in the O2-sensitive organs, heart and brain. A third disadvantage, for prolonged hypothermia, might be impairment of the immune response, a serious problem if hypoxia is combined with infection. This paper will review four aspects of behavioral fever and hypothermia: the occurrence among animals, the mechanisms and mediators that might trigger behavioral responses, and the functional significance.
Preadolescent Clique Stratification and the Hierarchy of Identity

This article focuses on one of the most critical features of elementary school students' social lives: their peer friendship groups. Within each grade, and separated by gender, a hierarchy of friendship groups is stratified according to the dimension of status and popularity. This ranges from the popular clique at the top, to the wannabes who hang around the popular people's periphery seeking access, to the individuals forming smaller middle-level friendship circles, to the social isolates at the bottom. Membership at each of these ranks carries with it a distinct experience in terms of power and domination, intra-group stratification, type of leadership, and friendship relations, leading to a further stratification by group into a hierarchy of identity. We conclude by examining the basis for preadolescents' identity formation, augmenting previous models of identity and social position that rely exclusively on status with the addition of interactional and relational factors. This structural-relational model bridges the structural and processual symbolic interactionist models of identity, linking them at a Simmelian level of analysis.