cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Utility of Cardiac Monitoring in Fetuses at Risk for Congenital Heart Block The PR Interval and Dexamethasone Evaluation (PRIDE) Prospective Study

Background— Anti-SSA/Ro–associated third-degree congenital heart block is irreversible, prompting a search for early markers and effective therapy. Methods and Results— One hundred twenty-seven pregnant women with anti-SSA/Ro antibodies were enrolled; 95 completed an evaluable course in 98 pregnancies. The protocol included fetal echocardiograms performed weekly from 16 to 26 weeks’ gestation and biweekly from 26 to 34 weeks. PR intervals >150 ms were considered prolonged, consistent with first-degree block. Ninety-two fetuses had normal PR intervals. Neonatal lupus developed in 10 cases; 4 were neonatal lupus rash only. Three fetuses had third-degree block; none had a preceding abnormal PR interval, although in 2 fetuses >1 week elapsed between echocardiographic evaluations. Tricuspid regurgitation preceded third-degree block in 1 fetus, and an atrial echodensity preceded block in a second. Two fetuses had PR intervals >150 ms. Both were detected at or before 22 weeks, and each reversed within 1 week wit...
Illuminating the black box: investigating prefrontal cortical hemodynamics during exercise with near-infrared spectroscopy.

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) presents an appealing option for investigating hemodynamic changes in the cerebral cortex during exercise. This review examines the physical basis of NIRS and the types of available instruments. Emphasis is placed on the physiological interpretation of NIRS signals. Theories from affective neuroscience and exercise psychobiology, including Davidson's prefrontal asymmetry hypothesis, Dietrich's transient hypofrontality hypothesis, and Ekkekakis's dual-mode model, are reviewed, highlighting the potential for designing NIRS-based tests in the context of exercise. Findings from 28 studies involving acute bouts of exercise are summarized. These studies suggest that the oxygenation of the prefrontal cortex increases during mild-to-moderate exercise and decreases during strenuous exercise, possibly proximally to the respiratory compensation threshold. Future studies designed to test hypotheses informed by psychological theories should help elucidate the significance of these cha...
True fractional calcium absorption is decreased after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.

RIEDT, CLAUDIA S., ROBERT E. BROLIN, ROBERT M. SHERRELL, M. PAUL FIELD, AND SUE A. SHAPSES. True fractional calcium absorption is decreased after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Obesity. 2006;14: 1940–1948. Objective: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is considered to be the gold standard alternative treatment for severe obesity. Weight loss after RYGB results primarily from decreased food intake. Inadequate calcium (Ca) intake and metabolic bone disease can occur after gastric bypass. To our knowledge, whether malabsorption of Ca contributes to an altered Ca metabolism in the RYGB patient has not been addressed previously. Research Methods and Procedures: We recruited 25 extremely obese women in order to study true fractional Ca absorption (TFCA) before and 6 months after RYGB surgery, using a dual stable isotope method ( 42 Ca and 43 Ca) and test load of Ca (200 mg). Hormones regulating Ca absorption and markers of bone turnover were also measured. Results: In 21 women (BMI 52.7 8.3 kg/m 2 , age 43.9 10.4 years) who successfully completed the study, TFCA decreased from 0.36 0.08 to 0.24 0.09 (p 0.001) after RYGB. Bone turnover markers increased significantly (p 0.01). TFCA correlated with estradiol levels (r 0.512, p 0.02) and tended to correlate with 1,25 (OH)2D (r 0.427, p 0.06) at final measurement. Stepwise linear regression indicated that estradiol explained 62% of the variance for TFCA at 6 months post-surgery (p 0.01). Discussion: TFCA decreases (0.12 0.08) after RYGB surgery but remains within normal range. Although only some patients were estimated to have low Ca absorption after surgery, all of the patients showed a dramatic increase in markers of bone resorption. The alteration in Ca metabolism after RYGB-induced weight loss appears to be regulated primarily by estradiol levels and might ultimately affect bone mass.
Patient Gender Differences in the Prediction of Medical Expenditures

Abstract Aims: The prediction of individuals' use of medical services and associated costs is crucial for medical systems. We modeled a risk assessment equation that included patient sociodemographic characteristics and health risk behaviors (obesity, smoking, and alcohol abuse) to strengthen the power of self-reported health status to predict healthcare resource use. We also sought to uncover gender-specific differences in the predictive value of the models. Methods: Before their first primary care visit, 509 new patients were interviewed. Data collected included sociodemographics, self-reported health status Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form (MOS SF-36), body mass index (BMI), and screening for alcoholism and smoking. Subsequent use of healthcare services for 1 year was determined by reviewing medical and billing records. Results: Generalized linear models and two-part regressions were estimated relating the five types of charges (plus total charges) to self-reported physical health status, controlling ...
The non-commutivity of shear wave splitting operators at low frequencies and implications for anisotropy tomography

SUMMARY Measurements of the splitting or birefringence of seismic shear waves constitute a powerful and popular technique for characterizing azimuthal anisotropy in the upper mantle. The increasing availability of data sets from dense broad-band seismic arrays has driven interest in the development of techniques for the tomographic inversion of shear wave splitting data and in comparing splitting measurements with anisotropic upper-mantle models obtained from other constraints, such as surface wave analysis. Two different theoretical approaches have been developed for predicting apparent shear wave splitting parameters (fast direction and delay time) for models that include multiple layers of anisotropy at depth, which is useful for comparing azimuthally anisotropic surface wave models with shear wave splitting measurements. These approaches differ in one key aspect, which is whether or not the shear wave splitting operator can be treated as commutative. In this paper, we investigate the theoretical source of this discrepancy, and show that at frequencies relevant to most studies of upper-mantle anisotropy, the term that results in the non-commutivity of the shear wave splitting operator in the expressions for multiple-layer splitting must be retained. In contrast, the quantity known as the splitting intensity, which is closely related to the apparent fast direction and delay time, does commute at these frequencies. We illustrate these inferences with forward modelling examples and discuss their implications for the tomographic inversion of shear wave splitting measurements, the comparison of surface wave models with shear wave splitting observations and the joint inversion of surface wave and shear wave splitting observations for upper-mantle anisotropic models.
Confidentiality performance of spectral-phase-encoded optical CDMA

Enhanced security has often been cited as an important benefit of optical code-division multiple-access (O-CDMA) signaling but has seldom been analyzed in detail. This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the degree of confidentiality that can be provided by spectral-phase-encoded O-CDMA. Two eavesdropping detector structures are presented that can theoretically break the confidentiality of spectral-phase-encoded signals by detecting the code words in use by a specific user. One of them, an optical beat detector, is quantitatively analyzed to determine the probability of correctly detecting user code words. The confidentiality of user signals is shown to be vulnerable to such a detector if an eavesdropper can isolate a single user signal with a sufficiently high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). At lower SNRs, combining multiple bits is shown to dramatically increase the probability of an eavesdropper correctly detecting user code words; even for codes long enough to strain implementation capabilities (e.g., 2048 code elements), the probability of correct detection is shown to rise from negligibly low values to virtually 100% by the combining of less than 100 transmitted bits at the eavesdropper's receiver.
Consequences of Missing Postexam Review Sessions

Educational research has demonstrated the imparlance of knowledge of results in learning. With this principle in mind, I designed a study to examine the relation between attendance at postexam review sessions and overall course performance in two psychology courses. Students were divided inio two groups based on their attendance at postexam review sessions, and the groups were compared on measures of course performance. As expected, students who missed one or more of the review sessions performed at a significantly lower level than students who missed none of the sessions.
Synaptic Control of Spiking in Cerebellar Purkinje Cells: Dynamic Current Clamp Based on Model Conductances

Previous simulations using a realistic model of a cerebellar Purkinje cell suggested that synaptic control of somatic spiking in this cell type is mediated by voltage-gated intrinsic conductances and that inhibitory rather than excitatory synaptic inputs are more influential in controlling spike timing. In this paper, we have tested these predictions physiologically using dynamic current clamping to apply model-derived synaptic conductances to Purkinje cells in vitro . As predicted by the model, this input transformed the in vitro pattern of spiking into a different spike pattern typically observed in vivo . A net inhibitory synaptic current was required to achieve such spiking, indicating the presence of strong intrinsic depolarizing currents. Spike-triggered averaging confirmed that the length of individual intervals between spikes was correlated to the amplitude of the inhibitory conductance but was not influenced by excitatory inputs. Through repeated presentation of identical stimuli, we determined that the output spike rate was very sensitive to the relative balance of excitation and inhibition in the input conductances. In contrast, the accuracy of spike timing was dependent on input amplitude and was independent of spike rate. Thus, information could be encoded in Purkinje cell spiking in a precise spike time code and a rate code at the same time. We conclude that Purkinje cell responses to synaptic input are strongly dependent on active somatic and dendritic properties and that theories of cerebellar function likely need to incorporate single-cell dynamics to a greater degree than is customary.
Random matrix approach to linear control systems with network-induced delays

In this paper we study a simple jump linear system in the context of networked control systems. The objective is to show the equivalence between this simple stochastic recurrence and a random walk on a self-similar graph whose vertices are the visible points of the plane. These results strongly suggest that tools of graph theory, statistical physics, combinatorics and even number theory can be brought to bear on problems in control theory.
Testing the Cognitive Catalyst Model with Idiographic Content: Rumination Moderates the Association between Self-Discrepancies and Depressive Symptoms

Depressive rumination, which involves repetitive thinking directed at one’s depressive symptoms and the perceived causes and consequences of those symptoms, plays an important role in the onset and maintenance of depression. Recently, Ciesla, and Roberts (2002, 2007; Ciesla, Felton, & Roberts, 2011) proposed the cognitive catalyst model of depression, which posits that rumination intensifies the impact of already existing negative cognitions. Previous studies examining rumination as a moderator of cognitive content have used nomothetic conceptualizations of cognitive content. The current research replicated and extended these past studies using an idiographic conceptualization of negative cognitive content, specifically self-discrepancy theory (SDT). SDT suggests that idiographic self-guides serve to direct behavior and govern self-regulation (Higgins, 1987). Two studies based on college student samples (N = 102 and N = 107) tested the interaction between rumination and self- discrepancies in the prediction of depressive symptoms. In line with the cognitive catalyst model, Study 1 found that rumination moderated the association between actual:ideal self- discrepancies and depressive symptoms, such that self-discrepancies predicted depression more strongly among high compared to low ruminators. Study 2 found that the interaction between rumination and actual:ideal self-discrepancies was specific to predicting dysphoric mood and insomnia versus other dimensions of depressive symptoms, such as lassitude, appetite change and suicidality, and that these effects were limited to males. Results from the two studies provide further support for the cognitive catalyst model by demonstrating that rumination amplifies the association between self-discrepancies and depression and suggests that these effects may be specific to dysphoric mood and insomnia (at least for males) as opposed to other forms of depressive symptomatology.
Magnetic Investigations of Superconductive, Polycrystalline (RE)1Ba2Cu3O7−x Compounds (RE = Y, Gd, Ho, Dy)

Magnetic properties have been investigated for several rare-earth based, polycrystalline samples of high Tc superconductive “123” compounds with magnetic onset temperatures between 90 and 95 K. Analysis of the susceptibility × of samples based on Gd, Ho, and Dy indicates that the superconductive and magnetic properties are independent of one another to a substantial degree. Studies of the critical current density Jc are reported.
Hardness Results for Intersection Non-Emptiness

We carefully reexamine a construction of Karakostas, Lipton, and Viglas (2003) to show that the intersection non-emptiness problem for DFA’s (deterministic finite automata) characterizes the complexity class NL. In particular, if restricted to a binary work tape alphabet, then there exist constants c 1 and c 2 such that for every k intersection non-emptiness for k DFA’s is solvable in c 1 k log(n) space, but is not solvable in c 2 k log(n) space. We optimize the construction to show that for an arbitrary number of DFA’s intersection non-emptiness is not solvable in \(o(\frac{n}{\log(n)\log(\log(n))})\) space. Furthermore, if there exists a function f(k) = o(k) such that for every k intersection non-emptiness for k DFA’s is solvable in n f(k) time, then P ≠ NL. If there does not exist a constant c such that for every k intersection non-emptiness for k DFA’s is solvable in n c time, then P does not contain any space complexity class larger than NL.
Regions important for the adhesin activity of Moraxella catarrhalis Hag.

Background The Moraxella catarrhalis Hag protein, an Oca autotransporter adhesin, has previously been shown to be important for adherence of this respiratory tract pathogen to human middle ear and A549 lung cells.
Nanopore foams of high-temperature polymers

A method of generating high-temperature polymer foams with pore sizes in the nanometer regime was developed. The nanofoams were prepared by casting a block copolymer composed of a thermally stable and a thermally labile block, followed by a subsequent thermal treatment to degrade the labile material and generate the pores. The morphology of the block copolymer film was made up of a high-temperature polymer matrix, with the labile component as the dispersed phase. Thermolysis of the labile block affords pores where the size and shape of the pores are dictated by the initial copolymer morphology. Nanopore foam formation is described for triblock copolymers of poly(phenylquinoxaline), with poly(propylene oxide) as the labile block. Foam formation led to a 10-15% reduction in density, consistent with the poly(propylene oxide) composition, and a dielectric constant of 2.3. SAXS and TEM (transmission electron microscopy) measurements indicated pore sizes of approximately 10 nm. >
Structural Rules and Complex Regulatory Circuitry Constrain Expression of a Notch- and EGFR-Regulated Eye Enhancer

Enhancers integrate spatiotemporal information to generate precise patterns of gene expression. How complex is the regulatory logic of a typical developmental enhancer, and how important is its internal organization? Here, we examine in detail the structure and function of sparkling, a Notch- and EGFR/MAPK-regulated, cone cell-specific enhancer of the Drosophila Pax2 gene, in vivo. In addition to its 12 previously identified protein-binding sites, sparkling is densely populated with previously unmapped regulatory sequences, which interact in complex ways to control gene expression. One segment is essential for activation at a distance, yet dispensable for other activation functions and for cell type patterning. Unexpectedly, rearranging sparkling's regulatory sites converts it into a robust photoreceptor-specific enhancer. Our results show that a single combination of regulatory inputs can encode multiple outputs, and suggest that the enhancer's organization determines the correct expression pattern by facilitating certain short-range regulatory interactions at the expense of others.
Modeling human resource allocation and coordination in a hierarchical team

A model of resource allocation and coordination in a hierarchical team is developed. A human team consisting of one leader and three subordinates processes multiple types of randomly arriving tasks. Each subordinate, having local information and sharing a limited amount of renewable resources with other subordinates, processes a subset of tasks that arrive in his/her subsystem. The leader has global information and coordinates subordinates' task processing through announcing the resource transfer plans and carrying out resource transfers among the subordinates. The objective is to maximize the expected team reward. A decentralized approach that treats the leader and subordinates as individual decision-making entities is adopted. By incorporating the team's computation and communication limitations, solution methodologies are developed for the leader and for the subordinates. Comparison of model predictions with human experimental results indicates that the model can predict human team decision-making and coordination processes. >
Some comments on the proposed perception of phase and nanosecond time disparities by echolocating bats

In a series of recent reports, Simmons and his colleagues propose that bats are able to accurately encode the spectral, temporal and phase information of their emitted calls and echoes. The information so encoded is then extracted by the networks of the auditory system with specialized processing. They propose that bats use this information to determine the distance to their target by crosscorrelating the entire structure of the emitted call with the structure of the echo. The idea is that slight deviations in the correlation function can be detected by the bat and the degree of mismatch provides an accurate measure of temporal disparity and hence range. The data in the reports purport to show that bats perceive the phase of ultrasonic signals and that they can resolve temporal disparities of about 10 ns, and thus can distinguish range differences as small as 2 μm. The hypothesis also attempts to explain how a variety of acoustic cues are processed and represented in the auditory system and how they are combined to form a unitary percept of space and fine structure. The theory incorporates some time honored processes of extracting information, such as crosscorrelations. The implications of. the hypothesis, however, go far beyond a theory of neural processing and representation of information by ensembles of cells. The hypothesis requires some remarkable abilities, such as the phase coding of ultrasonic signals and a temporal acuity on the order of 10 ns. These features have never been seen in any neurophysiological study of any animal nor has its existence been implied in behavioral studies of other animals. If bats, in fact, detect and process those signals in the manner proposed by Simmons and his colleagues, it would suggest that bats are supermammals whose auditory systems have evolved new and extraordinary mechanisms not possessed by other animals. In view of the extraordinary implications of the hypothesis, it seems prudent to critically evaluate the data upon which the hypothesis is based. The purpose of this review is to point out a number of technical problems and deficiencies in those experiments which undermine the veracity of the purported demonstration of phase perception and nanosecond time resolution by bats.
Opportunities and barriers to pumped-hydro energy storage in the United States

As concerns about global warming grow, societies are increasingly turning to the use of intermittent renewable energy resources, where energy storage becomes more and more important. Pumped-hydro energy storage (PHES) is the most established technology for utility-scale electricity storage. Although PHES has continued to be deployed globally, its development in the United States has largely been dormant since the 1990s. In recent years, however, there has been a revival of commercial interests in developing PHES facilities. In this paper we examine the historical development of PHES facilities in the United States, analyze case studies on the controversies of disputed projects, examine the challenges to and conflicting views of future development in the United States, and discuss new development activities and approaches. The main limiting factors for PHES appear to be environmental concerns and financial uncertainties rather than the availability of technically feasible sites. PHES developers are proposing innovative ways of addressing the environmental impacts, including the potential use of waste water in PHES applications. In some cases, a properly designed PHES system can even be used to improve water quality through aeration and other processes. Such new opportunities and the increasing need for greater energy storage may lead policymakers to reassess the potential of PHES in the United States, particularly for coupling with intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power.
Some Recently Developed Chemicals as Disintegrating Agents for Compressed Tablets

Five disintegrating agents were tested for tablets, consisting of cornstarch, alginic acid, Methocel®, starch-agar mixture, and Veegum® HV. Alginic acid and corn-starch are favorable as disintegrating agents for this particular formula of sodium bicarbonate tablets. For this formula of aluminum hydroxide tablets, starch-agar and Veequm® HV were favorable disintegrators.
Brain Extracellular Space and Membrane Morphology Variations with Preparative Procedures

When considering extracellular space and plasma membrane structure in the brain, duration of postfixation in osmium tetroxide and embedding procedure are equally as important as the dehydrating agent employed. The use of ethanol instead of acetone for dehydration does not adequately explain the finding of a 5-30 nm space instead of apposed membranes. In this investigation it was found that postfixation for 3 h stabilized the tissue sufficiently so that ethanol or acetone dehydration followed by Vestopal W, Epon 812, or Araldite 502 embedding produced similar results, and apposed, triple-layered plasma membranes were prevalent. In contrast, when postfixed for a shorter time, namely 90, 45 or 30 min, ethanol dehydration followed by Epon embedding resulted in the common ‘20-nm’ extracellular space and only partially triple-layered plasma membranes. The same tissue dehydrated with acetone and Vestopal embedded looked much like the equivalent 3-h postfixed material, i.e. it had apposed, triple-layered plasma membranes. When acetone dehydration and Epon embedding, or ethanol dehydration and Vestopal embedding were used with tissue of short postfixation time, the results were comparable. Apposed membranes interspersed with erratic amounts of extracellular space were common and plasma membranes tended to show an indistinct outer leaflet. Taken together the results indicate that the presence of apposed triple-layered plasma membranes is at least as valid as the common finding of a 20-nm space and partially tri-laminar membranes.
Some Hypotheses About Empirical Desert

Paul Robinson has written a series of articles advocating the view that empirical desert should govern development of criminal law doctrine. The central contention of empirical desert is that adherence to societal views of “justice” – defined in terms of moral blameworthiness – will not only satisfy retributive urges, but will also often be as efficacious at controlling crime as a system that revolves around other utilitarian purposes of punishment. Constructing criminal laws that implement empirical desert has the latter effect, Robinson argues, because it enhances the moral credibility of the law, thus minimizing citizens’ desire to engage in vigilantism and other forms of non-compliance and increasing their willingness to accept controversial government decisions to criminalize or de-criminalize. In keeping with the utilitarian spirit of Robinson’s agenda, the main goal of this paper is to propose hypotheses (ten in all) that test possible vulnerabilities of his argument. Robinson’s work on empirical desert is provocative, but requires further empirical support.
The L2 perception of initial English /h/ and /ɹ/ by Brazilian Portuguese learners of English

This study investigates how speakers who speak Brazilian Portuguese as their first language and English as their second language perceive the English phonemes /h/ and /ɹ/, and how they and monolingual Brazilian Portuguese speakers map these phonemes onto Portuguese sound categories. Participants took part in three experiments: an AXB discrimination test, an identification test, and a cross-language assimilation test, which was also taken by monolinguals. Lower and higher proficiency groups were able to hear the distinction acoustically, but only the higher proficiency group used the distinction to identify English words. Monolingual Brazilian Portuguese speakers and the higher proficiency group assimilated English /h/ primarily to Portuguese /h/. However, the phonological environment had an effect for monolinguals, but not for the higher proficiency group. The lower proficiency group, which one might expect to fall in between these two groups, showed a failure to assimilate English sounds to the Portuguese categories.
Confronting the Odds: African American Entrepreneurship in Cleveland, Ohio

An in-depth examination is provided of African American businesses in Cleveland, Ohio, in order to identify the set of factors that promotes successful entrepreneurial outcomes for black business owners.The role of gender in black business development is also considered. An overview is provided of African American entrepreneurship at the national level, and a history of black business development in Cleveland from 1795 to the present. During 1998-2000, 186 small business owners (135 black and 50 white) were interviewed. Data were collected on the business organizations, both successful and unsuccessful, individual characteristics of the owners, the nature of the market area, and the social capital of the neighborhoods wherethe businesses were located. Five variables were found to be positively correlated with business success as measured by profit level: years of experience in industry, level of business debt, percentage of steady customers,having a business mentor, and marital stability. Research and public policy recommendations are given.(LMH)
Teachers' Knowledge About Informal Line of Best Fit.

The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers’ subject matter knowledge relevant to the teaching of informal line of best fit. Task-based interviews were conducted with nineteen pre-service and in-service mathematics teachers. The results include descriptions and categorizations of teachers’ conceptions, criteria for placement, accuracy of placement, and interpretation of the informal line of best fit. Implications regarding teacher preparation for the teaching of this topic, including current status and recommendations for future preparation, are discussed. First published May 2015 at Statistics Education Research Journal Archives
Accounting for Stock Options

This technical note discusses accounting for stock options. It includes a discussion of the business considerations in issuing stock options, the evolution of accounting for stock options, accounting for stock options using the intrinsic-value method and the fair-value method under U.S. GAAP, income-tax implications of stock options, and accounting for stock-option repricing. The note provides illustrative examples.
Radionuclide cancer therapy targeting circulating breast cancer cells: Assessment of intracellular localization of Her2-NLP peptide by fluorescent microscopic imaging

1421 Objectives Detection of circulating breast cancer cells (CBCC) over-expressing Her2/neu oncoprotein (Her-2 positive CBCC) is associated with metastasis and poor clinical outcome in the patients diagnosed with breast cancer. Objective of this study is to synthesize and assess intracellular localization of Her2-NLP consisting of Her-2 targeting peptide and nuclear localization sequence peptide (NLP) to determine whether Her2-NLP can be used for nuclear delivery of I-125 for radionuclide eradication of Her2-positive CBCC. Methods Fluorescent Cy5.5 Her2-NLP peptide conjugate was synthesized by coupling a bivalent peptide sequence, which consisted of a Her2-binding peptide (NH2-GSGKCCYSL) and an NLP peptide (CGYGPKKKRKVGG) linked by a polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain with 6 repeating units, with an activated Cy5.5 ester. The conjugate was separated and purified by HPLC and then characterized by Maldi-MS. The intracellular localization of fluorescent Her2-NLP was assessed by confocal microscopic imaging after incubation of Cy5.5-Her2-NLP with Her-2 positive breast cancer cells (SKBR3 and BT474) and Her2-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). Results Fluorescent signals were detected in cytoplasm of SKBR-3 and BT474 cells, but not in cytoplasm of MDA-MB-231 cells, after incubation of the cells with Cy5.5-Her2-NLP conjugate, suggesting Her-2 specific cellular uptake and cytoplasm localization of Cy5.5-Her2-NLP conjugate. No fluorescent signals were detected within the nuclei of Her2-positive SKBR-3 and BT474 cells incubated with Cy5.5-Her2-NLP, neither within the nuclei of Her2-negative MDA-MB231 cells, suggesting poor localization of Cy5.5-Her2-NLP conjugate to nuclei of breast cancer cells in vitro. Conclusions The Her2-binding peptide may be a useful ligand for targeted delivery of radionuclide to cytoplasm of Her2-positive CBCC, but Her2-NLP peptide conjugate may not be useful for intranuclear delivery of I-125 or other Auger electron emitting radionuclide for radionuclide eradication of Her2-positive CBCC. Research Support This study was supported by Department of Defense (CDMRP/BCRP, W81XWH-11-1-0188 to FP) and National Institutes of Health (P30 CA142543 to Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA).
A Mind-Body Program for Older Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance Treatment of chronic low back pain (LBP) in older adults is limited by the adverse effects of analgesics. Effective nonpharmacologic treatment options are needed. Objective To determine the effectiveness of a mind-body program at increasing function and reducing pain in older adults with chronic LBP. Design, Setting, and Participants This single-blind, randomized clinical trial compared a mind-body program (n = 140) with a health education program (n = 142). Community-dwelling older adults residing within the Pittsburgh metropolitan area were recruited from February 14, 2011, to June 30, 2014, with 6-month follow-up completed by April 9, 2015. Eligible participants were 65 years or older with functional limitations owing to their chronic LBP (≥11 points on the Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire) and chronic pain (duration ≥3 months) of moderate intensity. Data were analyzed from March 1 to July 1, 2015. Interventions The intervention and control groups received an 8-week group program followed by 6 monthly sessions. The intervention was modeled on the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program; the control program, on the “10 Keys” to Healthy Aging. Main Outcomes and Measures Follow-up occurred at program completion and 6 months later. The score on the Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire was the primary outcome and measured functional limitations owing to LBP. Pain (current, mean, and most severe in the past week) was measured with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes included quality of life, pain self-efficacy, and mindfulness. Intent-to-treat analyses were conducted. Results Of 1160 persons who underwent screening, 282 participants enrolled in the trial (95 men [33.7%] and 187 women [66.3%]; mean [SD] age,74.5 [6.6] years). The baseline mean (SD) Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire scores for the intervention and control groups were 15.6 (3.0) and 15.4 (3.0), respectively. Compared with the control group, intervention participants improved an additional −1.1 (mean, 12.1 vs 13.1) points at 8 weeks and −0.04 (mean, 12.2 vs 12.6) points at 6 months (effect sizes, −0.23 and −0.08, respectively) on the Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire. By 6 months, the intervention participants improved on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale current and most severe pain measures an additional −1.8 points (95% CI, −3.1 to −0.05 points; effect size, −0.33) and −1.0 points (95% CI, −2.1 to 0.2 points; effect size, −0.19), respectively. The changes in Numeric Pain Rating Scale mean pain measure after the intervention were not significant (−0.1 [95% CI, −1.1 to 1.0] at 8 weeks and −1.1 [95% CI, −2.2 to −0.01] at 6 months; effect size, −0.01 and −0.22, respectively). Conclusions and Relevance A mind-body program for chronic LBP improved short-term function and long-term current and most severe pain. The functional improvement was not sustained, suggesting that future development of the intervention could focus on durability. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT01405716
An argument for reviving the disappearing skill of cardiac auscultation.

Three case scenarios show how the clinical examination can complement echocardiography in the evaluation of valvular heart disease.
Effects of non-nutritive sucking on growth of premature infants

Objective: To study the effect of early non-nutritive sucking(NNS) on growth of premature infants.Methods: Eighty prematere infants appropriate for gestational age who accepted interm ittent nasogastric feeding(INGF) were randomly divided into two groups,the observational group(n = 40) to receive NNS before INGF and control group(n = 40) to receive routine therapy and nursing.Observed and compared the incidence rate of enteral feeding in tolerance and the time of reaching complete enteral feeding.Results: The incidence rate of enteral feeding intolerance in NNS group was lower than control group,and there was a statistical significance between the diffierence of two groups(P 0.05).The time of reaching complete enteral feeding in NNS group was shorter than control group,and the growth of weight in NNS group was faster than control group after two weeks.The differences had statistical significances(P 0.05).Conclusion: The NNS by early in premature infants is able to decrease the occurrence of enteral feeding intolerance,promote the functional maturity of gastrointestinal tract and promote the constitutional growth.
Comparison of standard aneurysmectomy and aneurysmectomy with directed endocardial resection for the treatment of recurrent sustained ventricular tachycardia

Nineteen patients undergoing a standard aneurysmectomy for recurrent ventricular tachycardia are compared with 30 patients undergoing electrophysiologically directed endocardial excision and aneurysmectomy. The electrophysiologically nondirected and electrophysiologically directed groups were similar for age (56.8 versus 57.5 years), interval after myocardial infarction (26.2 versus 28.3 months), preoperative episodes of ventricular tachycardia (13.2 versus 19.7), cardiac index (2.9S versus 2.79 L/min/m2), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (15.5 versus 18.2 torr), and ejection fraction (34 versus 28%). Operative mortality rate in the nondirected group was 42%, with all but one of the deaths resulting from uncontrolled postoperative ventricular tachycardia. In the nondirected group 78.9% (15/19) of patients had recurrent ventricular tachycardia postoperatively. The operative mortality rate in the electrophysiologically directed group was 6.7% (2/30), and both patients died of left ventricular failure. Three patients (10%) have ventricular tachycardia inducible with programmed stimulation. We conclude that standard left ventricular aneurysmectomy is not an effective operation for recurrent sustained ventricular tachycardia. Conversely, electrophysiologically directed endocardial excision characteristically controls the arrhythmia at an acceptable surgical risk.
Two-photon imaging of pancreatic beta cells in real time in vivo

Here we present the first generation of two-photon beta cell specific in vivo imaging probes based on GLP1R targeting peptides. Among the three compounds of potential interest, we found quite unexpectedly that a squarine-rotaxane conjugate (2PEx-647) had near ideal in vivo imaging characteristics.
Interactive Image Search for Clothing Recommendation

This demo delivers a novel retrieval system which meets users' multi-dimensional requirements in clothing image search. In this system, users are able to use both image and keywords as query inputs. We employ the color, texture, shape and attributes as additional descriptors to further refine the requirements. We propose the Hybrid Topic (HT) model, a probabilistic network integrating the multi-channel descriptors into a unified framework, to learn the intricate semantic representation of the descriptors above. The proposed model provides an effective multi-modal representation of clothes. Our experiments show that the HT method significantly outperforms the CNN-based deep search methods.
Special Considerations for Mohs Micrographic Surgery in Organ Transplant Recipients

Immunosuppressed patients have an increased risk of skin cancer, particularly virally mediated types. Squamous cell carcinomas in this population tend to behave more aggressively than in the general population. Mohs micrographic surgery is considered standard of care for treating high-risk squamous cell carcinomas.
Information maximization explains the sparseness of presynaptic neural response

In a sensory neural network, where a population of presynaptic neurons sends information to a downstream neuron, maximizing information transmission depends on utilizing the full operating range of the output of the postsynaptic neuron. Because the convergence of presynaptic inputs naturally biases higher outputs, a sparse input distribution would counter such bias and optimize information transmission.
Rethinking collaborative innovation

Academia, industry and government approach collaborative innovation using models, practices and measures that have been refined over many decades. As one example, the IBM Canada Centre for Advanced Studies has a 26-year history of successful joint academic-industry-government research projects, measured in terms of publications, patents, people and product impact.
Conservative Sexual Values: Effects of an Abstinence Program on Student Attitudes

Conservative values often involve the view that sex should be more subject to self-control than is typically the case. An application of this view is the attempt to teach students to refrain from premarital sexual intercourse. Data are analyzed from an abstinence program taught to 1800 students in four states, in grades 7–10. Will students be influenced by an abstinence program? The results suggest that students did develop conservative attitudes toward sex, as indicated by their increases in agreement with conservative values on four areas of sexual behavior. However, we do not know if this agreement actually affects behavior.
Abstract 361: Episodic High Blood Pressure in Childhood Predicts Adult Hypertension

Occasional high blood pressure (BP) readings in children are common; however, their clinical significance has not been carefully evaluated. In this study, we examined the association between childhood BP and adulthood hypertension in a prospectively followed cohort. The original cohort was established in 1986 and consisted of 1117 healthy children (528 male and 589 female), recruited from schools in Indianapolis, Indiana (mean age 12.1; SD 5.7 years). During the course of follow-up, BP was measured semiannually with a mean of 8.4 visits per child (SD 7.2). For the active subjects that were still being followed (n=263), diagnosis of hypertension was made based on JNC-7 criteria. For subjects no longer active in the study (n=854), we examined their adult medical records for physician-diagnosed hypertension. The mean age of the subjects as of 2013 was 33.4 years (SD 3.9). Among the adult subjects, there were 119 cases of hypertension (31 identified through prospective follow-up, 88 through chart review). We examined the childhood BP records of the study subjects using age, sex, and height adjusted BP percentile values; readings exceeding the 95th percentile were considered to be in a hypertensive range. In children with no BP measures exceeding the 95th percentile, the adult hypertension rate was 8.6% (82/959); in children with one BP measure in the hypertensive range, adult hypertension rate increased to 18% (20/110); in children with two or more BP measures in the hypertensive range, the adult hypertension rate was 35% (17/48). Adjusting for the effects of age, sex, and body mass index, we found that having at least one BP reading in the hypertensive range in childhood significantly increased the adult hypertension risk (adjusted odd ratio=3.1, 95%CI: 2.0-4.8). In addition, it is noteworthy that 59% (70/119) of those with hypertension as adults were either overweight or obese as children. In conclusion, episodic high BP in childhood significantly predicts adult hypertension risk. Occasional high BP readings should not be dismissed and modifiable risk factors should be addressed.
Synchronization of the Dust Acoustic Wave in an RF and a DC Discharge Plasma

A spatiotemporal measurement of the synchronization of a self-excited dust acoustic wave with an external modulation in a radio frequency (RF) discharge plasma is presented. This synchronization process is then compared with the synchronization observed in a dc discharge plasma. In both discharge types, the wave becomes synchronous with an external modulation behind a propagating synchronization front that travels at a slower speed than the phase velocity of the wave and the speed of this synchronization front decreases with increasing neutral gas pressure. It is also observed that the degree of synchronization decreases with increasing nonlinearity in the wave and varies with the strength of the external modulation. Finally, it was observed that the entire wave volume is observed to be synchronous with the external modulation with the smaller clouds observed in the dc discharge, while only a subvolume of the wave is observed to be synchronous with the external modulation in the larger clouds observed in an RF discharge.
A pharmacophore hypothesis and computationally optimized lead compounds for VKORC1

Warfarin is a popular pharmaceutical anticoagulant that targets the vitamin K epoxide reductase complex sub-unit 1, encoded by the gene VKORC1, but warfarin can be dangerous since it can cause bleeding. A first step in finding better anticoagulants that target the same enzyme is structure based lead molecule optimization using computational tools. This is possible because the tertiary structure of a bacterial homologue of VKORC1 is known. Lead molecules derived from this process can be selected for superior ADMET properties and high binding affinity. This work documents two such molecules, informally named pyracoumarols, that could be useful lead molecules for real world testing and synthesis. These molecules have pretty good predicted ADMET qualities and better predicted binding affinity than warfarin. A pharmacophore hypothesis is proposed that describes the ligands that will effectively dock with VKORC1.
Impacts of Variable Renewable Energy on Bulk Power System Assets, Pricing, and Costs

Author(s): Wiser, RH; Mills, AD; Seel, J; Levin, T; Botterud, A | Abstract: We synthesize available literature, data, and analysis on the degree to which growth in variable renewable energy (VRE) has impacted to date or might in the future impact bulk power system assets, pricing, and costs. We do not analyze impacts on specific power plants, instead focusing on national and regional system-level trends. The issues addressed are highly context dependent—affected by the underlying generation mix of the system, the amount of wind and solar penetration, and the design and structure of the bulk power system in each region. Moreover, analyzing the impacts of VRE on the bulk power system is a complex area of research and there is much more to be done to increase understanding of how VRE impacts the dynamics of current and future electricity markets. While more analysis is warranted, including additional location-specific assessments, several high-level findings emerge from this synthesis: -VRE Is Already Impacting the Bulk Power Market -VRE Impacts on Average Wholesale Prices Have Been Modest -VRE Impacts on Power Plant Retirements Have So Far Been Limited -VRE Impacts on the Bulk Power Market will Grow with Penetration -The ’System Value’ of VRE will Decline with Penetration -Power System Flexibility Can Reduce the Rate of VRE Value Decline All generation types are unique in some respect—bringing benefits and challenges to the power system—and wholesale markets, industry investments, and operational procedures have evolved over time to manage the characteristics of a changing generation fleet. With increased VRE penetrations, power system planners, operators, regulators, and policymakers will continue to be challenged to develop methods to smoothly and cost-effectively manage the reliable integration of these new and growing sources of electricity supply.
Hintergründe und Begriffsabgrenzung

Die Einordnung des Themas in die derzeitige wissenschaftliche, politische und gesellschaftliche Diskussion vollzieht sich im Spannungsfeld der in Abb. 2 dargestellten Hintergrunde.
Ascending Neural Pathways

To see whether connections between the spinal cord posterior to thoracic levels and supraspinal structures are required for lordosis, hormone-primed female rats were studied before and after complete transection of the spinal cord at low thoracic levels. All sham-operated rats showed strong lordosis reflexes before and after surgery. None of the rats receiving complete spinal transections performed lordosis after surgery, even in tests done 3 months and more after transection (Kow, Montgomery, and Pfaff, 1977). Even pharmacological attempts to facilitate lordosis failed to bring out the reflex in spinally transected hormone-primed female rats (Kow et al., 1980b). Thus, supraspinal control is required for the normal lordosis reflex. The net effect of this control must be facilitation of lordosis-relevant circuitry at segmental spinal levels.
WELL TEMPERED AND ILLUMINATED INTERIORS

The paper discusses the human overall comfort requirements in interior spaces, especially those related to the thermal and illumination indoor conditions. It then deals with the building design features which affect the indoor thermal and illumination conditions in different climatic regions.