cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of nitrous oxide analgesia during transcutaneous pacing.

Transcutaneous cardiac pacing (TCP) is a promising prehospital intervention, but there are little data available regarding protocols to improve patient tolerance to TCP. A 50:50 nitrous oxide:oxygen analgesic mixture also is a commonly employed prehospital intervention. In this randomized, prospective study, we compared the discomfort experienced by 18 healthy subjects when paced in two trials at the capture threshold: one following breathing of a 50:50 nitrous oxide:oxygen mixture; and the second only breathing room air. Discomfort was rated on an analog scale from 1 (minimal discomfort) to 10 (severe pain). Of the 18 subjects, 15 (83%) reported that nitrous oxide improved the tolerance to pacing at capture threshold. The median pain scores at capture threshold in the nitrous oxide and room air group were 3.8 and 5.0 respectively (P less than .05). Nine of the subjects tolerated TCP for the maximum allotted time of 30 seconds in each trial; six tolerated TCP for a longer time period in the nitrous oxide trial; three tolerated TCP longer in the room air trial. These data suggest that inhalation of 50:50 nitrous oxide:oxygen mixture may improve tolerance to TCP in the conscious patient.
Longitudinal suicidal ideation across 18-months postpartum in mothers with childhood maltreatment histories.

Abstract Objective The current study extends our understanding of postpartum suicidal ideation (SI) in the context of childhood maltreatment (CM). The study longitudinally examines the prevalence and severity of maternal SI. We further examined risk and protective factors’ associations with postpartum SI. Methods SI was assessed at 4, 6, 12, 15, and 18-months postpartum in a non-clinical sample of mothers with CM histories (N=116). For the first aim, frequency, longitudinal percentage counts, and ANOVAs were conducted. For the second aim, logistic and linear regressions were completed to examine associations between risk and protective factors and the presence and severity of SI, respectively. Results Endorsement of SI was highest at 4-months (37%) and remained at approximately 25% for the duration of the study. While the severity of CM was not significant, our sample of women with CM histories evidenced markedly higher rates of SI than other postpartum investigations. Resilience, marital status, maltreatment-related shame, and family support were associated with suicidal ideation or severity at some assessments; however, these relationships were highly variable over time. Limitations of this study include the use of self-report measures and generalizability to mothers without CM histories. Conclusion Mothers with histories of CM are at risk for postpartum SI. Our findings elucidate the importance of understanding the interplay and variability of risk and protective factors during postpartum. These results aid clinicians in identifying women at risk for suicidal ideation during postpartum.
Synthesis of Ge 1− x Sn x Alloy Thin Films Using Ion Implantation and Pulsed Laser Melting (II-PLM)

Ge1−x Sn x thin films are interesting for all-group-IV optoelectronics because of a crossover to a direct bandgap with dilute Sn alloying. However, Sn has vanishing room-temperature equilibrium solubility in Ge, making their synthesis very challenging. Herein, we report on our attempts to synthesize Ge1−x Sn x films on Ge (001) using ion implantation and pulsed laser melting (II-PLM). A maximum of 2 at.% Sn was incorporated with our experimental conditions in the samples as determined by Rutherford back scattering spectroscopy. A red-shift in the Ge optical phonon branch and increased absorption below the Ge bandgap with increasing Sn concentration indicate Sn-induced lattice- and band-structure changes after II-PLM. However, ion-channeling and electron microscopy show that the films are not of sufficient epitaxial quality for use in devices.
Theme and Counter-Theme in Contemporary Spirituality

The contemporary religious seeker often experiences the feeling of being about to be quartered by wild horses running in opposite directions. Such a person recognizes the situation that Yeats describes in “The Second Coming”: Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.
On the design of proportional resonant controllers for single-phase grid-connected inverters

Connection of distributed generations to the power grid is regulated by international standards. Proportional Resonant-type (PR) compensators are widely used for controlling single-phase grid-connected inverters. Those controllers are normally designed based on frequency response approach and system requirements such as phase margin (PM) and speed of transient response. This paper concerns the design of PR controllers for single-phase grid-connected inverters. The paper provides guidelines for performing a design leading to desirable system responses. The control system characteristics including transient response time, harmonic rejection ability, delay margin (DM), and the damping of the responses are considered to arrive at a desirable design. Comparisons of the proposed design method with a conventional one show that more robust performance over a wide range of inverter power ratings can is achieved.
Comparative study of joint decision-making on two visual cognition systems using combinatorial fusion

In processing multimedia technologies or decision-making in visual cognition systems, combination by both simple average and weighted average are used. In this paper, we extend each visual cognition system to a scoring system using Combinatorial Fusion Analysis (CFA). We investigate the performance of the combined system in terms of individual system's performance and confidence. Twelve experiments are conducted and our main results are: (a) The combined systems perform better only if the two individual systems are relatively good, and (b) overall, rank combination is better than score combination. In addition, we compare the three types of averages: simple average M1, weighted average M2 using σ, and weighted average M3 using σ2, where σ is related to confidence of each system. Our results exhibit a novel way to better make joint decisions in visual cognition using Combinatorial Fusion.
V(H) Gene Products Allow Specific Communication Among Immunologic Cell Sets

Stimulation of the immune system by foreign materials usually results in the production of antibody. The basis for regulation of the duration, intensity, and amount of antibody is not well understood. The first theories that made sense were based on the demonstration that the Darwinian rules that had been put to elegant experimental tests by Luria and Delbruck also applied to the immune system. These ideas were fairly straightforward, in keeping with what was known about the immune system at that time: antibody responses were thought of as a result of the relative concentrations of antigen and specific antibodies in serum; complexing of antibodies with antigen were thought to mask antigenic determinants and gradually decrease the effective concentration of antigenic stimulation (see Uhr and Moller, 1968). Additional experimental analysis suggested that antigen-antibody complexes might themselves inactivate antibody-secreting lymphocytes (or their immediate precursors) either by altering the molecular configuration of antigen (Diener and Feldmann, 1972) or via a direct effect of the Fc portion of antibodies (Chan and Sinclair, 1971; Murgitta and Vas, 1972). In either case, these models relied upon three basic elements: antibody, antigen, and the antibody-secreting cell.
Grocery shopping, food waste, and the retail landscape of cities: The case of Seoul

Abstract The reasons for household food waste are complex and not yet fully understood, especially with regards to how the food retail sector might influence and interact with food management practices. This study explores the causes of household food waste from this perspective, drawing from practice theory and the concept of systems of provision. Survey data from 460 Seoul households is analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analyses to assess whether avoidable food waste per household member is affected by the type of food retailers (e.g. supermarkets, hypermarkets, traditional markets, etc.) a household buys its groceries from. Seoul was chosen as the research site due to its diverse food retail sector and South Korea's distinctive food waste policy environment. The results indicated that households' grocery shopping trips take on different characteristics depending on the type of retailer visited, and that these characteristics, including travel time and buying frequency, are differentially associated with over-purchasing and avoidable food waste. Overall, this study suggests that the influence of food retailers on household food waste is not limited to marketing promotions, but also extends to the ways they may shape households' grocery shopping patterns. As such, waste reduction policies and initiatives need to take urban retail development patterns into greater account in order to more effectively tackle the problem of household food waste.
Snapchat's Gift: Equity Culture in High-Tech Firms

Snap, Inc., the company that owns the platform Snapchat, controbersially offered nonvoting common shares to the public in 2017. This Article asks what it means to invest in Snap or other (mostly technology-based) companies in which common shareholders collectibely have little or no power to influence corporate policy. In particular, why do such investors expect to be compensated? This Article explores the familiar rationales for equity investing, including stock appreciation and dividends, and the logical shortcomings of those rationales in these circumstances. Adopting Henry Manne's "two systems" approach to corporate affairs through both law and economics, we show that corporation law fails to ensure that corporations return business profits to shareholders. A similar analysis of the market for corporate control concludes that, without shareholder boting, the market for corporate control also fails to ensure a return to shareholders. Shareholders who invest in firms in the absence of legal or market mechanisms to secure a return on their inbestment, howeber, are not irrational. Instead, inbestors rely on cultural understandings of appropriate reciprocity. This Article employs Marcel Mauss's cultural anthropology classic, The Gift, to explain the equity culture in which shareholders invest in Snap and other high-technology firms, and in which such firms operate. This Article concludes by suggesting some ramifications of understanding shareholding, and consequently management, in terms of equity culture. This Article also complements the substantial work of behabioral economics in explaining inbestor choice and organizational behabiors. The field of corporate finance traditionally has been organized around the figure of the rationally self-interested indibidual. Behabioral economics argues that people are not as rational as orthodox corporate finance assumes. This Article argues that people in markets are not as individual as corporate finance assumes.
Sexual Differentiation and Sex Differences in Neural Development.

Sex determination occurs at the moment of conception, as a result of XX or XY chromosome pairing. From that point, the body undergoes the process of sexual differentiation, inducing the development of physical characteristics that are easily distinguishable between the sexes and are often reflected in one’s physical appearance and gender identity. Although less apparent, the brain also undergoes sexual differentiation. Sex differences in the brain are organized during a critical period of neural development and have an instrumental role in determining the physiology and behavior of an individual throughout the lifespan. Understanding the extent of sex differences in neurodevelopment also influences our understanding of the potential risk for a number of neurodevelopmental, neurological, and mental health disorders that exhibit strong sex biases. Advances made in our understanding of sexually dimorphic brain nuclei, sex differences in neural cell communication, and sex differences in the communication between the brain and peripheral organs are all research fields that have provided valuable information related to the physiological and behavioral outcomes of sex differences in brain development. More recently, investigations into the impact of epigenetic mechanisms on sexual differentiation of the brain have indicated that changes in gene expression, via epigenetic modifications, also contribute to sexual differentiation of the developing brain. Still, there are a number of important questions and ideas that have arisen from our current understanding of sex differences in neurodevelopmental processes that necessitate more time and attention in this field.
Energization of active transport by Escherichia coli.

Abstract An activated membrane state necessary for the active transport of certain amino acids, carbohydrates, and cations by Escherichia coli can be generated by either oxidative energy or phosphate bond energy. Membrane fragment vesicles from E. coli couple oxidative but not phosphate bond energy to the transport of proline. The vesicles show an O2-dependent transport yet lack measureable capacity for oxidative phosphorylation. Such transport is arsenate-resistant, consistent with the transport being independent of oxidative phosphorylation. Although vesicles possess ATPase activity, added ATP does not stimulate proline transport. With intact E. coli cells, incubation with high arsenate and low phosphate drastically lowers intracellular ATP and P-enolpyruvate levels in the presence or the absence of O2. Aerobic proline transport is uninhibited, but in contrast, anaerobic transport is sharply reduced. These results show that intact cells can use energy either from oxidations or from phosphorylations to drive active proline transport. Similarly, active accumulation of leucine, β-methylthiogalactoside, Rb+ (as a K+ analogue), and α-methylglucoside occurs aerobically in the presence of high arsenate. Uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation block the use of energy for transport both from oxidations and from ATP, suggesting that a similar or identical energy-conserving membrane state is formed from either energy source. Transport of α-methyl glucoside by intact E. coli is only partially inhibited by the high arsenate-low phosphate incubation, and further, part of the transported sugar still appears intracellularly in the phosphorylated form. The glucose-6-P level remains high in presence of arsenate and this or other intracellular phosphate compounds may be involved in phosphorylation of the transported sugar by an unknown mechanism. Low concentrations of iodoacetate nearly completely block the α-methylglucoside transport with but little effect on the O2-driven proline transport.
Pricing Lemons, Views, and University Housing

Prices capture a whale of a lot of information on the scarcity of the resources that go into the production of products and on how much people value various goods. Prices enable buyers to economize on their time. By not having to know much, if anything, about production conditions in various parts of the world or about consumer tastes other than their own, buyers can focus their time and energy on comparing prices and attributes of goods they want to buy that, with as much income as many buyers have these days, is not always an easy problem.
Measuring Number Sense in Young Children

Accurate assessment of preschool children is challenging, with studies of dynamic measures of early math performance missing from the field. Therefore, curriculum-based measures that inform planning and instructional decisions are of particular interest. The purpose of this research was to evaluate a constructivist mathematics curriculum-based measure (MCBM) for assessing number sense in preschool children. The hypothesis was that six measurable variables—quantification level, counting skills, set comparison, numeral recognition, combining sets, and patterning—would make significant contributions to the latent construct of number sense. The measurement tool was an interactive game consisting of teddy bear counters and a series of cards in a standardized order, played between assessor and a child. The sample consisted of 108 children, ages 3–5 years. Confirmatory factor analysis, used to evaluate the hypothesized model, indicated a good model fit: χ2(3,N=108)=4.246, p=.236; NFI=.990; CFI=.997; and RMSEA=.062. Standardized path coefficients ranged from .71 to .88. The results suggest that the MCBM was a valid and reliable measure of number sense for this sample.
From Merrifield to MetaPhore: A Random Walk with Serendipity

It is the highpoint of my career to receive this award, named in honor of my Ph.D. mentor, Bruce Merrifield. There is little that I can add to what we all know regarding the impact that Bruce has had on peptide research. Certainly, he has had a more significant impact on my scientific development than any other individual. I do need, however, to acknowledge from the start that I have made a habit of associating myself with outstanding individuals, such as Bruce, who have made me look good. My mother always advised, “You are known by your friends” and I took those words to heart. I also need to acknowledge the support of my wife Suzanne, our four children and their spouses for their sacrifices and encouragement over the many years. Suzanne and I are in the middle of our 42nd year of marriage. She received a Ph.T. (put husband through) degree from Caltech when I graduated in 1962, and has never wavered in her support. So my thanks to my family, students, postdocs and collaborators for allowing me to be associated with their lives; this award belongs to you collectively.
Magnetism and Microstructure: Imaging Techniques and Structure-Property Correlations in Information Storage Materials

Future development of ultrahigh density magnetic recording depends on developing microstructures of multicomponent and multilayered materials at the nanometer length scale. This can only be achieved by a dynamic iteration between growth of thin film structures and appropriate characterization of the physical, chemical and magnetic microstructure at relevant length scales. Electron-optic scattering, imaging and spectroscopy techniques are ideally matched to the challenge of carrying out such measurements. In this article, comprehensive reviews of the evolution of magnetic recording technology from a microstructure perspective and the status of electron microscopy based techniques are followed by examples of the application of these techniques in determining appropriate structure-property correlations. These include interface anisotropy in Co/Pt multilayers, temperature-dependent spin-reorientation transitions in c-axis oriented Co-Cr films, interface roughness and GMR in Fe/Cr multilayers and quantitative measurements of Cr-segregation and media noise in Co-Cr-Pt-X alloys.
Gene Alterations in Glial Tumors

The occurrence and stepwise accumulation of mutations are thought to both cause and chronicle the malignant progression of cancer. Evidence in support of this interpretation of tumor evolution has come from numerous investigations demonstrating that increasing tumor histopathological malignancy is associated with increasing numbers of detectable mutations. One group of tumors for which this relationship is evident are the gliomas, among which frequent losses of genetic information from chromosomes 17p, 9p, and 10, and amplification of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene, have been noted. It is now clear that these and additional alterations accumulate as gliomas become more malignant. Specific gene targets have been identified for some of the glioma-associated chromosomal alterations, including the genes that encode the p53 (17p) and p16 (9p) proteins. The identification of these mutations provides a starting point from which to investigate growth-regulatory pathways whose perturbations underlie glial tumor development. It is anticipated that information obtained from such investigations will contribute important concepts for the development of directed, effective, and rational therapies for the treatment of a cancer that is currently fatal in nearly all instances.
Sound and efficient inference with probabilistic and deterministic dependencies

Reasoning with both probabilistic and deterministic dependencies is important for many real-world problems, and in particular for the emerging field of statistical relational learning. However, probabilistic inference methods like MCMC or belief propagation tend to give poor results when deterministic or near-deterministic dependencies are present, and logical ones like satisfiability testing are inapplicable to probabilistic ones. In this paper we propose MC-SAT, an inference algorithm that combines ideas from MCMC and satisfiability. MC-SAT is based on Markov logic, which defines Markov networks using weighted clauses in first-order logic. From the point of view of MCMC, MC-SAT is a slice sampler with an auxiliary variable per clause, and with a satisfiability-based method for sampling the original variables given the auxiliary ones. From the point of view of satisfiability, MCSAT wraps a procedure around the SampleSAT uniform sampler that enables it to sample from highly non-uniform distributions over satisfying assignments. Experiments on entity resolution and collective classification problems show that MC-SAT greatly outperforms Gibbs sampling and simulated tempering over a broad range of problem sizes and degrees of determinism.
The interaction of exposure and warming tolerance determines fish species vulnerability to warming stream temperatures.

Species vulnerability to climate change involves an interaction between the magnitude of change (exposure) and a species's tolerance to change. We evaluated fish species vulnerability to predicted ...
All Talk No Walk: Student Perceptions on Integration of Diversity and Practice in Planning Programs

ABSTRACTThis paper summarizes findings from a nationwide survey of degree-seeking urban planning students regarding the climate for diversity within their degree programs. This study examines urban planning student experiences in the classroom, with communities, and with professionals as they are trained to become planning practitioners. From May to October 2016, we surveyed 451 students and conducted in-depth interviews with 27 students. Our results show planning students are concerned that ‘the talk that we talk’ does not always match ‘the way that we walk’ – the values that we espouse in the classroom do not always translate into connecting these values to planning practice, particularly when engaging in diverse communities. These accounts reflect a pedagogical gap in planning education, which continues to be an area in need of improvement as the communities served by planners continue to become more diverse. Our findings offer implications and recommendations to reconcile these barriers for urban plan...
Patterns and Usefulness of Safety Behaviors Among Community-Based Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence.

Women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) use a variety of safety strategies to reduce the frequency and severity of violence, including both informal and formal help-seeking. The purpos...
Neuropsychological Assessment and Intellectual Function in Children

Recently, the American Psychological Association appointed a task force to define and describe the study of “intelligence“ (Neisser et al., 1996). Any more, intelligence is no longer conceptualized singularly as performance on an intelligence test, but rather this construct is understood more broadly to include basic, underlying processes, such as attention, memocy, learning, and processing speed (Beaumont, 1983; Lezak, 1995).
A New Metric for Torque Nonuniformity

This paper presents a new metric for the nonuniformity of the torque random process of a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The proposed metric is derived from the torque 2N extrema which occur within each engine cycle for an N-cylinder engine. A 2N-dimensional vector is obtained for each cycle, which represents torque nonuniformity. The proposed metric is either the 1 sub 1 or 1 sub 2 norm for this vector. It is shown in this paper that this metric satisfies several properties which are desirable for quantitatively representing torque nonuniformity. Moreover, this metric is computed once each engine cycle and is, therefore, a quasi-real time measure of torque nonuniformity. This metric has several potential applications in electronic engine control systems.
Relationship between Insurance Type at Diagnosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Survival

Background: For individuals with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), type of insurance may be an important prognostic factor because of its impact on access to care. This study investigates the relationship between insurance type at diagnosis and stage-specific survival. Methods: This retrospective cohort analysis used data from 18 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program cancer registries. Individuals ages 20 to 64 years, diagnosed with primary HCC between 2010 and 2015, with either private, Medicaid, or no insurance were eligible for cohort inclusion. Adjusted Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to generate HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between insurance type at diagnosis and overall survival. All models were stratified by stage at diagnosis. Results: This analysis included 14,655 cases. Compared with privately insured individuals with the same stage of disease, those with Medicaid had a 43% (HR = 1.43; 95% CI, 1.13–1.32), 22% (HR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1.13–1.32), and 7% higher risk of death for localized, regional, and distant stage, respectively. Uninsured individuals had an 88% (HR = 1.88; 95% CI, 1.65–2.14), 59% (HR = 1.59; 95% CI, 1.41–1.80), and 35% (HR = 1.35; 95% CI, 1.18–1.55) higher risk of death for localized, regional, and distant stage, respectively, compared with privately insured individuals. Conclusions: Disparities in survival exist by the type of insurance that individuals with HCC have at the time of diagnosis. Impact: These findings support the need for additional research on access to and quality of cancer care for Medicaid and uninsured patients.
Combining conservation and species-specific differences to determine how human telomerase binds telomeres

Telomerase catalyzes telomeric DNA synthesis at chromosome ends to allow for continued cell division. The telomeric protein TPP1 is essential for enhancing the processivity of telomerase and recruiting the enzyme to telomeres. The telomerase interaction surface on human TPP1 has been mapped to 2 regions of the N-terminal oligosaccharide/oligonucleotide-binding (OB) domain, namely the TPP1 glutamate (E) and leucine (L)-rich (TEL) patch and the N terminus of TPP1-oligosaccharide/oligonucleotide-binding (NOB) region. To map the telomerase side of the interface, we exploited the predicted structural similarities for human and Tetrahymena thermophila telomerase as well as the species specificity of human and mouse telomerase for their cognate TPP1 partners. We show that swapping in the telomerase essential N-terminal (TEN) and insertions in fingers domain (IFD)-TRAP regions of the human telomerase catalytic protein subunit TERT into the mouse TERT backbone is sufficient to bias the species specificity toward human TPP1. Employing a structural homology-based mutagenesis screen focused on surface residues of the TEN and IFD regions, we identified TERT residues that are critical for contacting TPP1 but dispensable for other aspects of telomerase structure or function. We present a functionally validated structural model for how human telomerase engages TPP1 at telomeres, setting the stage for a high-resolution structure of this interface.
Special ultrafilters and cofinal subsets of $$({}^omega omega, <^*)$$

The interplay between ultrafilters and unbounded subsets of $${}^\omega \omega $$ with the order $$<^*$$ of strict eventual domination is studied. Among the tools are special kinds of non-principal (“free”) ultrafilters on $$\omega $$ . These include simple P-points; that is, ultrafilters with a base that is well-ordered with respect to the reverse of the order $$\subset ^*$$ of almost inclusion. It is shown that the cofinality of such a base must be either $$\mathfrak {b}$$ , the least cardinality of $$<^*$$ -unbounded (“undominated”) set, or $$\mathfrak {d}$$ , the least cardinality of a $$<^*$$ -cofinal (“dominating”) set. The small uncountable cardinal $$\pi \mathfrak {p}$$ is introduced. Consequences of $$\mathfrak {b}< \pi \mathfrak {p}$$ and of $$\mathfrak r < \mathfrak {d}$$ are explored; in particular, both imply $$\mathfrak {b}< \mathfrak {d}$$ . Here $$\mathfrak r$$ is the reaping number, and is also the least cardinality of a $$\pi $$ -base for a free ultrafilter. Both of these inequalities are shown to occur if there exist simple P-points of different cofinalities (in other words, if $$\mathfrak {b}< \mathfrak {d}$$ and there exist simple $$P_\mathfrak {b}$$ -points and $$P_\mathfrak {d}$$ -points), but this is a long-standing open problem. Six axioms on nonprincipal ultrafilters on $$\omega $$ and the relationships between them are discussed along with various models of set theory in which one or more are known to hold (or are known to fail). The strongest of these, Axiom 1, is that for every free ultrafilter $$\mathcal U$$ and for every $$<^*$$ -unbounded $$<^*$$ -chain C of increasing functions in $${}^\omega \omega $$ , C is also unbounded in the ultraproduct $${}^\omega \omega , <_\mathcal U$$ . The other axioms replace one or both quantifiers with “there exists.” The negation of Axiom 3 in a model provides a family of normal sequentially compact spaces whose product is not countably compact. The question of whether such a family exists in ZFC, even with “normal” weakened to “regular”, is a famous unsolved problem of set-theoretic topology, known as the Scarborough–Stone problem.
The inhibition of LSD1 via sequestration contributes to tau-mediated neurodegeneration

Tauopathies are a class of neurodegenerative diseases associated with pathological tau. Despite many advances in our understanding of these diseases, the direct mechanism through which tau contributes to neurodegeneration remains poorly understood. Previously, our laboratory implicated the histone demethylase LSD1 in tau-induced neurodegeneration by showing that LSD1 localizes to pathological tau aggregates in Alzheimer's disease cases, and that it is continuously required for the survival of hippocampal and cortical neurons in mice. Here, we utilize the P301S tauopathy mouse model to demonstrate that pathological tau can exclude LSD1 from the nucleus in neurons. In addition, we show that reducing LSD1 in these mice is sufficient to highly exacerbate tau-mediated neurodegeneration and tau-induced gene expression changes. Finally, we find that overexpressing LSD1 in the hippocampus of tauopathy mice, even after pathology has formed, is sufficient to significantly delay neurodegeneration and counteract tau-induced expression changes. These results suggest that inhibiting LSD1 via sequestration contributes to tau-mediated neurodegeneration. Thus, LSD1 is a promising therapeutic target for tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease.
The Best and Worst of Times: Predictors of New Fathers’ Parenting Satisfaction and Stress

This study examined predictors of new fathers’ parenting satisfaction and stress using data from 182 fathers in dual-earner couples who were followed across their transition to parenthood. Expectant fathers completed surveys about their personal characteristics (anxiety, belief in maternal essentialism, parenting self-efficacy expectations) and family relationships (confidence in the couple relationship) during the third trimester of pregnancy. At 3 months postpartum, fathers completed surveys about their family relationships (maternal gatekeeping) and child characteristics (infant negative emotionality, infant gender), as well as their parenting satisfaction and stress. Results of regression analyses indicated that expectant fathers with greater parenting self-efficacy expectations reported less parenting stress and greater satisfaction at 3 months postpartum. More anxious expectant fathers were at risk of experiencing elevated levels of parenting stress postpartum, as were fathers with lower endorsement of maternal essentialism and infants highly negative in mood. Fathers were more satisfied in their roles as parents when mothers engaged in greater gate-opening behavior, particularly when those fathers expressed less confidence in their couple relationships prior to their child’s birth. Results indicate the importance of screening expectant and new fathers for anxiety, strengthening expectant fathers’ parenting self-efficacy, and encouraging greater maternal support for engaged fathering.
Weight loss during neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer does not predict poor outcomes

Abstract Background Weight changes during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for pancreatic cancer (PDAC) are not well studied. We hypothesized that weight loss may predict poor outcomes. Methods Weight change from NAC initiation to pancreatectomy was grouped: gain (≥5%), stable, and loss (≥5%). Pathologic, postoperative, and survival outcomes were compared. Results 95 patients were included: 31.6% lost weight, 58.9% maintained weight, and 9.5% gained weight. There were no differences in chemotherapeutic regimens. Median recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were similar between patients with stable weight and those who lost weight (RFS: 9.6vs14.0months; OS: 25.8vs26.7months). Among those who gained weight, RFS (29.5months) and OS (38.4months) were greater relative to the other weight categories. On multivariable regression, weight gain was associated with improved RFS compared to loss (HR = 0.16). Conclusion Most patients maintain or lose weight during NAC, and weight loss does not predict poor outcomes. Weight gain may predict improved RFS.
Interstellar Medium in External Galaxies

Certain questions are isolated as particularly vital to our understanding of the interstellar medium. What is distribution of magnetic field values? What is the coherence length? What fraction of the volume in the plane of typical spiral galaxies is in the hot gaseous phase? What forces maintain large amounts of warm, neutral medium far from the galactic plane? In molecular clouds, what precisely is measured by the CO luminosity? What physical processes account for the random energy of the molecular clouds? Is star formation a uni- or bimodal process? Are interstellar clouds really filaments or sheets and what is the overall topological structure? Does a typical spiral galaxy have a net inflow or outflow of gas?
Peer-to-peer computing for information systems

Peer-to-peer (P2P) computing is clearly valuable in modern computational environments, which are best described as open, emphasizing the autonomy and heterogeneity of their constituents. However, conventional P2P approaches fail to realize the full potential of P2P computing. However, when we take an agent-based view of P2P - with the agents acting as peers and modeling, communicating, and learning about each other - P2P offers a powerful architecture for large-scale information systems. The agent-based P2P approach easily addresses the challenges of service discovery, location, composition, execution, and monitoring, which are key to modern information systems. It also promises to provide a natural means for applying the participants' context in helping them find and use information and services. Further, the agent-based P2P approach offers a conceptually well-founded basis for structuring information systems, which can be thought of as a dynamic, context-sensitive analog of link analysis on today's static Web.
Mechanism of secretion of biliary lipids: Role of a microtubular system in hepatocellular transport of biliary lipids in the rat

Abstract The role of microtubules in the hepatocellular transport of biliary lipids has been investigated utilizing the actively secreting isolated rat liver perfusion model and the microtubular blocking agents, vinblastine and colchicine. The liver was perfused with sodium taurocholate (12 μmoles per hr) to produce active lipid secretion for 90 min before vinblastine administration and for 60 min before colchicine. The vinblastine-and colchicine-treated livers were then perfused for an additional 60 and 120 min, respectively. Two concentrations of vinblastine were used: (1) 1 × 10 −5 m and (2) 5 × 10 −5 M; the concentration of colchicine was 5 × 10 −6 M. Control groups received isotonic saline. Specific and nonspecific hepatic metabolic functions, including perfusion flow rates, protein and lecithin synthesis, bile acid uptake, and cytidine diphosphate choline 1,2-diglyceride transferase activity were not significantly altered by vinblastine. Similarly, colchicine administration had no effect on flow rates, protein synthesis, biliary lecithin metabolism, oxygen consumption, and β-hydroxybutyrate perfusate concentrations; colchicine did depress perfusate acetoacetate concentration by 33%. These viability criteria validate the metabolic integrity of this model for studying biliary lipid transport. Biliary lipid secretion and bile flow were significantly inhibited by both blocking agents at all concentrations. The selective effect on phospholipid and cholesterol output, however, was greater than for either bile acids or flow. These data support the concept that biliary lipids are secreted by a heterogeneous and complex transport process and also provide definitive evidence that the hepatocyte microtubular network participates in the translocation of lipids from microsomes to the canalicular membrane.
The Choice Between Patent Protection and Trade Secret Protection: A Legal and Business Decision

Patent and trade secret law can be viewed as alternative bodies of law for protecting certain types of inventions. Consequently, an inventor will often have to make a choice or election between the type of protection to rely on. This election must be based on considering both the legal consequences that flow from the choice and the relevant business considerations that must be factored into the choice. Part I of this article will discuss the scope of patentable subject matter; Part II will discuss the scope of subject matter protectible via trade secret law. Part III will then address the legal and business considerations related to choosing between reliance on patent or trade secret law when the relevant subject matter is potentially protectible by either body of law.
Renormalization Group Flows, Cycles, and c -Theorem Folklore

Monotonic renormalization group flows of the ``$c$'' and ``$a$'' functions are often cited as reasons why cyclic or chaotic coupling trajectories cannot occur. It is argued here, based on simple examples, that this is not necessarily true. Simultaneous monotonic and cyclic flows can be compatible if the flow function is multivalued in the couplings.
Improving Our Unacknowledged National Curriculum

(1996). Improving Our Unacknowledged National Curriculum. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 69, No. 3, pp. 140-143.
Studies on oogenesis in the polychaete annelid Nereis grubei (Kinberg). II. Oocyte growth rates in intact and hormone-deficient animals.

Abstract Nereis grubei appears to maintain normal oocyte growth rates when maintained in the laboratory for a month without feeding. The necessary use of unfed controls in hormone deprivation experiments in nereids thus appears to provide conclusions valid for animals in the field. The rate found for both fed and unfed animals with oocytes over 95 μ in diameteris about 1.5 μ/day. Oocytes under 95 μ in diameter, expected to grow more slowly, were found to exhibit variable growth rates which could reach the average for the larger cells, and which could not be distinguished with certainty from those of the larger cells. Analysis of oocyte responses to hormone deprivation (decapitation) indicates increased oocyte growth rates only in animals with oocytes between 50 μ and 130 μ in diameter. Smaller oocytes are completely resorbed within 2–3 weeks of the operation. Growth rates of oocytes greater than 130 μ in diameter do not differ significantly from unoperated controls. Only operated animals with an initial oocyte diameter greater than 95 μ achieve a morphology close to that of normal mature oocytes. Responses of oocytes of increasing diameter to hormone deprivation resemble results obtained earlier for metamorphosis. The hypothesis that both processes are controlled by a single hormone, which is present in decreasing concentration for nearly a month, is thus strongly supported. Observations on the relationships between oocytes and eleocytes (a class of coelomic cells circumstantially implicated in oocyte nutrition) are also included.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio as a Function of Imaging Parameters

Signal-to-Noise Ratio as a Function of Imaging Parameters (Azim Celik, General Electric Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Weili Lin, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina). The degree to which noise affects a measurement is generally characterized by the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR, as measured by the ratio of the voxel signal to the noise standard deviation). This unit describes the importance of SNR in describing image quality. SNR is the key parameter for determining the quality of any given imaging experiment. If the SNR is not high enough, it becomes impossible to differentiate tissues from one another or the background. The dependence of SNR on imaging parameters such as the number of repetitions, the number of k-space samples (Nx, Ny, and Nz), the readout bandwidth, and voxel dimensions (Dx, Dy, and Dz) is explained in detail.
A population-based study of asthma, quality of life, and occupation among elderly Hispanic and non-Hispanic whites: a cross-sectional investigation.

The U.S. population is aging and is expected to double by the year 2030. The current study evaluated the prevalence of asthma and its correlates in the elderly Hispanic and non-Hispanic white population. Data from a sample of 3021 Hispanics and non-Hispanic White subjects, 65 years and older, interviewed as part of an ongoing cross-sectional study of the elderly in west Texas, were analyzed. The outcome variable was categorized into: no asthma (reference category), current asthma, and probable asthma. Polytomous logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between the outcome variable and various socio-demographic measures, self-rated health, asthma symptoms, quality of life measures (SF-12), and various occupations. The estimated prevalence of current asthma and probable asthma were 6.3% (95%CI: 5.3–7.2) and 9.0% (95%CI: 7.8–10.1) respectively. The majority of subjects with current asthma (Mean SF-12 score 35.8, 95%CI: 34.2–37.4) or probable asthma (35.3, 34.0–36.6) had significantly worse physical health-related quality of life as compared to subjects without asthma (42.6, 42.1–43.1). In multiple logistic regression analyses, women had a 1.64 times greater odds of current asthma (95%CI: 1.12–2.38) as compared to men. Hay fever was a strong predictor of both current and probable asthma. The odds of current asthma were 1.78 times (95%CI: 1.24–2.55) greater among past smokers; whereas the odds of probable asthma were 2.73 times (95%CI: 1.77–4.21) greater among current smokers as compared to non-smokers. Similarly fair/poor self rated health and complaints of severe pain were independently associated with current and probable asthma. The odds of current and probable asthma were almost two fold greater for obesity. When stratified by gender, the odds were significantly greater among females (p-value for interaction term = 0.038). The odds of current asthma were significantly greater for farm-related occupations (adjusted OR = 2.09, 95%CI: 1.00–4.39); whereas the odds were significantly lower among those who reported teaching as their longest held occupation (adjusted OR = 0.36, 95%CI = 0.18–0.74). This study found that asthma is a common medical condition in the elderly and it significantly impacts quality of life and general health status. Results support adopting an integrated approach in identifying and controlling asthma in this population.
Quantitative Differences in Immune Responses during the Various Stages of the Estrous Cycle in Female BALB/c Mice

The immune responsiveness of spleens from female BALB/c mice to PHA, Con A, and LPS was greater at proestrus and metestrus as compared with estrus and diestrus. The peaks of responsiveness corresponded to reported elevated levels of estrogen and pregnenolone during these phases of the cycle. Similar results were obtained with the IgM or direct plaque-forming cell responses, which were also increased at proestrus and metestrus. It appears that female hormones may directly or indirectly stimulate immune responsiveness in adult mice.
Neuroblastoma with a solitary intraventricular brain metastasis visualized on I-123 MIBG scan.

Background Although metastatic skull lesions of neuroblastoma are not uncommon, brain involvement is infrequent and prompt diagnosis is of utmost importance in such cases. Previous studies have shown that Meta-Iodo-Benzyl-Guanidine (MIBG) scans were not always reliable in detecting central nervous system metastases, however most published reports referred to the Iodine-131 ((131)I)-MIBG scans. Herein, we report an intraventricular metastasis of neuroblastoma diagnosed using an Iodine-123 ((123)I)-MIBG scan, which is increasingly being used in clinical practice and reported as a more accurate method for detecting metastatic lesions. Case description An unusual case of metastatic neuroblastoma to the left lateral ventricle of the brain is presented. Planar (123)I-MIBG scintigraphy showed faint tracer activity close to the midline without asymmetric extensions or abnormal activity in the skull bones. A subsequent brain MR scan revealed an enhancing mass within the left frontal horn consistent with a metastatic lesion. The patient underwent tumor resection with pathology showing neuroblastoma. Conclusions Our case shows that (123) I-MIBG scintigraphy can be useful in detecting intraventricular brain metastases of neuroblastoma. Although the (123)I-MIBG scintigraphy has been reported to have a significantly superior sensitivity in monitoring asymptomatic patients with neuroblastoma compared with (131)I-MIBG scans, bone marrow histology, bone scan, CT, and urinary catecholamine levels, further studies may be necessary to evaluate its sensitivity in detecting brain lesions.
The Nearctic genera of Agathidinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) with a phylogenetic analysis, illustrated generic key, and the description of three new genera

The genera of Nearctic Agathidinae are revised based on a phylogenetic analysis of COI and 28S sequence data; 151 ingroup taxa are included. Three new genera are proposed, i.e., Aphelagathis Sharkey n. gen., Pneumagathis Sharkey n. gen. and Gelastagathis Sharkey n. gen.. The enigmatic species Agathis verticalis Cresson is identified and placed in Aphelagathis, Aphelagathis verticalis (Cresson) n. comb., and a neotype for the species is designated. Two species are described, i.e., Gelastagathis grisselli Sharkey n. sp. and G. frosti Sharkey n. sp. Two new combinations are proposed, Bassus spiracularis Muesebeck and Bassus brooksi Sharkey are transferred to Pneumagathis, Pneumagathis spiracularis (Muesebeck) n. comb., Pneumagathis brooksi (Sharkey) n. comb. An illustrated key to the Nearctic genera of Agathidinae is provided.