cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence for hippocampal regulation of neuroendocrine neurons of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis

Expression of mRNAs coding for the ACTH secretagogues corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) was examined in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of rats bearing hippocampal lesions. Either total hippocampectomy (HPX) or extirpation of the dorsal hippocampus (DHPX) precipitated a 4-fold increase in CRF mRNA expression relative to sham-operated controls (SHAM), as determined by semiquantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry. AVP mRNA was localized to individual parvocellular neurons of the medial parvocellular division of the PVN in only the HPX and DHPX groups, consistent with enhanced production of AVP message in this neuronal population subsequent to hippocampal damage. HPX did not affect AVP mRNA content in magnocellular divisions of PVN. Plasma beta-endorphin levels were significantly elevated in the HPX and DHPX groups relative to SHAM animals, indicating a chronic increase in release of proopiomelanocortin peptides from the anterior pituitary gland in response to hippocampal lesion. Circulating corticosterone levels were elevated in HPX rats as well. To control for effects of lesion size and location, additional animals received large ablations of cerebral cortex or cerebellum. In neither case was CRF or AVP mRNA significantly altered in the PVN. The results suggest that the hippocampus exercises a tonic inhibitory role on ACTH secretagogue production in neuroendocrine neurons promoting ACTH release.
CREATINE-CREATININE METABOLISM AND THE HORMONES V. EFFECT OF PARENTERAL INJECTION OF EPINEPHRIN, ESCHATIN, PERCORTEN AND SALINE INTO NORMAL AND ADRENALECTOMIZED RATS UPON MUSCLE CREATINE AND CREATINE-CREATININE EXCRETION1

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS publications from this laboratory have contained data which show that there is a close relation between creatine-creatinine and water and salt metabolism (1, 2,3). A study of the hormones of the adrenal gland should, therefore, be of interest in this connection. In addition it is possible that the effect of epinephrin upon creatinuria might throw some light upon the well known relationship between creatinuria and carbohydrate metabolism. The technic used has been published on several occasions (1, 2, 3). Young adult rats were used and urine samples were collected in 3-day periods under 5 cc. of 1% HC1. Total and preformed creatinine was determined as usual with alkaline picrate and the difference between these two values is expressed “creatine as creatinine” in the charts. Muscle creatine was determined as usual using the method of Rose, Helmer and Chanutin (4). All color comparisons were made in the Fisher electrophotometer.
Ultrafast computed tomography analysis of regional radius-to-wall thickness ratios in normal and volume-overloaded human left ventricle.

BACKGROUND This study tested two hypotheses: 1) regional left ventricular radius-to-wall thickness ratios (R/T) are uniform in normal subjects, and 2) patients with left ventricular hypertrophy secondary to compensated volume overload normalize global and regional R/T. METHODS AND RESULTS Ultrafast computed tomography was used to measure regional short-axis ventricular R/T in 11 normal subjects and 13 patients with compensated aortic insufficiency (AI) of moderate severity (regurgitant fraction, greater than or equal to 25%). Radius and wall thickness dimensions were calculated by two different methods. In method 1, the average radius and wall thickness were determined for each planimetric transaxial tomographic image. In method 2, the left ventricle was three-dimensionally reconstructed; then, new radii and wall thickness were recalculated as if all the images were acquired orthogonal to the endocardial surface at each tomographic level. In normals, the mean R/T ratio was 1.75 +/- 0.11 (SEM) with method 1 and 1.80 +/- 0.07 with method 2. The R/T ratios varied as a function of the relative apex-to-base position. R/T ratios at the basal four levels were relatively uniform, whereas R/T at the lower three tomographic levels were significantly less than those at the base (p less than 0.01). Patients with AI had a mean regurgitant fraction of 44 +/- 3.8% (range, 25-63%). The mean R/T ratio was 2.18 +/- 0.16 with method 1 and 2.55 +/- 0.18 with method 2. Similar to the pattern observed in normals, the regional R/T ratios at the lower three or four levels were significantly less than the basal R/T ratios (p less than 0.01). Regional comparison of the normal to the volume-overloaded ventricles demonstrated that R/T ratios in the AI patients were significantly greater at the upper five levels with method 1 and at all eight levels with method 2 (p less than 0.01-0.001, AI versus normal). CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that regional R/T ratios are heterogeneous in both normals and patients with left ventricular hypertrophy secondary to compensated aortic insufficiency. Furthermore, these findings challenge the accepted hypothesis that global and regional R/T ratios normalize in patients with compensated volume-overload hypertrophy.
Generalized mean squared error properties of regression estimators

Theobald (1974) compares Ordinary Least Squares and Ridge Regression estimators of regression parameters using a generalized mean squared error criterion. This paper presents the generalized mean squared error of a Principal Components Regression estimator and comparisons are made with each of the above estimators. In general the choice of which estimator to use depends on the magnitude and the orientation of the unknown parameter vector.
Coincidence of an anterior cerebral artery aneurysm and a glioblastoma: case report and review of literature.

Background: The association between glioblastoma and intracranial aneurysm is rare. Treatment guidelines do not exist, and operative mortality and morbidity are significantly high. To our knowledge, no prior cases have employed endovascular therapy for the treatment of these intratumor intracranial aneurysms followed by tumor resection. Case presentation: A 74-year-old male, history of a left A2 aneurysm, presented after a motor vehicle accident at low speeds. Imaging was concerning for a possible traumatic brain contusion, an aneurysmal hemorrhage given history of left A2 aneurysm, or a hemorrhage from an underlying tumor given profound edema. The patient was discussed at the brain tumor board, where the plan was to address the aneurysm followed by resection of the mass versus close monitoring with subsequent imaging. The high risk of rehemorrhage, given the real possibility of an aneurysmal hemorrhage, motivated prompt treatment of the aneurysm. The patient was taken to the angiography suite; an anterosuperiorly projecting azygous A2 aneurysm, measuring 4.5 mm × 5.5 mm with a neck width at 3.5 mm and a small daughter sac, was completely obliterated with primary coiling. The following day, he underwent a left craniotomy along a forehead skin crease for mass excision. Final pathology revealed glioblastoma. The patient recovered well from both procedures, with a baseline neurological exam. The patient subsequently underwent hypofractionated radiation and temodar. Conclusion: To our knowledge, no prior cases have employed endovascular therapy for the treatment of these intracranial aneurysms. We emphasize that efforts to introduce less invasive elements may improve the overall outcomes in this rare patient population.
Polarized atomic-beam measurement of parity nonconservation in atomic cesium

Atomic cesium is one of the most important systems for stringently testing the standard model of electroweak interactions and in looking for new physics beyond it. Precision measurements of parity nonconservation1 (PNC) in conjunction with highly accurate atomic-structure calculations for cesium2 allow an interpretation of experimental results in terms of fundamental parameters. With only eight hours of data the effect has been remeasured to 2%. The result is in agreement with our 1988 result, which required two months to reach 2%.
An acute dose of racemic gamma vinyl-GABA (GVG) attenuates the acute effects of morphine on brain metabolism and behavior in young adult animals

417 Objectives We examined the ability of racemic GVG to inhibit morphine-induced changes in brain metabolism and behavior in young adult animals (PND 50). Small animal PET imaging using 18FDG was coupled with behavioral measures during uptake following an acute dose of morphine (10 mg/kg, Group 1) or an acute dose of morphine (10 mg/kg) and GVG (100 mg/kg, Group 2). Methods Two groups of freely moving young adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=7/group) were studied using an Siemen9s Inveon. All animals received baseline 18FDG scans. Group 1 animals received an acute challenge of morphine (10 mg/kg) and were rescanned following their challenge. Group 2 animals received the identical morphine dose and scanning regimen as Group 1 except with the addition of GVG (100 mg/kg) prior to morphine. An observational time-sampling procedure was used to record behaviors during 18FDG uptake. Composite behavioral scores established individual drug severity as well as group differences. Results Marked changes in 18FDG uptake were noted in both cortical and subcortical structures in Group 1 animals (morphine only challenge). In contrast, however, these metabolic changes were either blocked or significantly reduced following the addition of GVG. Similar changes were noted in behaviors associated with an acute morphine challenge. Conclusions GVG blocks or inhibits morphine-induced changes in brain metabolism in young adult animals. These data support the continued development of GVG for the potential treatment of opiate dependence and withdrawal. Perhaps more importantly, these data further validate the use of small animal PET with 18FDG in behaving animals in an effort to better understand neural circuits that underlie behavior. This combined strategy of awake animal imaging may ultimately provide a novel platform to better guide CNS drug development. Research Support Supported by the NIH and the DoD (K02-DA22346 to SLD; RC1-E4018534, PR094020 and DA25729 to WKS)
Magnetic and Magneto-Optic Properties of PtFe (001) and PtCo (001) Thin Films

We report on the magnetic and magneto-optical properties of PtFe and PtCo intermetallic thin films when they have the CuAu(I) tetragonal structure and their crystallographic c axis is oriented out of the film plane. These films possess large perpendicular magnetic anisotropy energies. We observe changes in the magneto-optic Kerr rotations of Pt-Fe and Pt-Co alloys associated with the formation of the uniaxial CuAu(I) crystal structure. In particular, we report the observation of up to 60% enhancement in the magneto-optic Ken-rotation for ordered, epitaxial PtFe intermetallic alloy over that of the random face centered cubic alloy. This enhancement is wavelength dependent, with a peak in the visible light range at 2.0 eV.
ANIMAL COMMUNICATION AND EVOLUTION.

The study of Animal Communication is a diverse endeavor encompassing disciplines from physics and chemistry to psychology and linguistics, traversing neurobiology, behavior and evolution along the way. No one treatment of this field could be definitive. Hauser has sampled it, however, to produce a treatment that encompasses both the subject's richness and its subtleties, and that is exquisitely clear in its presentation. This work can serve as an undergraduate text, an introduction to the novice researcher and a reminder to others of us of the initial excitement that drew us to this area of study.
Dye Transfer Between Cells of the Lens

Dye transfer between lens fiber cells and between lens epithelial cells and underlying fiber cells was studied using a wide dynamic range-cooled CCD camera, H2O immersion objectives and image analysis techniques. Each lens was decapsulated by a new technique which leaves the epithelial cells adherent to the lens fiber mass. Lucifer Yellow CH was injected into either single epithelial cells or single fiber cells using the standard whole cell configuration of the patch voltage clamp technique. The results demonstrate extensive dye communication between fiber cells at the lens posterior surface, anterior surface, and equatorial surface. Dye transfer between deep fiber cells was also observed. Dye transfer between ≈10% of epithelial cells and their underlying fiber cells was apparent when care was taken to yield wide dynamic range images. This was required because the relatively high concentration of dye in the epithelial cell masks the presence of much lower dye concentrations in the underlying fiber cell. A mathematical model which includes dye concentration, time, and spatial spread suggests that those epithelial cells that are coupled to an underlying fiber cell are about as well dye coupled as the epithelial cells themselves. The relatively low dye concentration in a fiber cell is due to its larger volume and diffusion of the dye along the axis of the fiber away from the fiber/epithelial junction.
Property of Pt–Ag Alloy Nanoparticle Catalysts in Carbon Monoxide Oxidation

Alumina-supported platinum–silver alloy nanoparticle (Pt–Ag/Al2O3) catalysts with different particle composition have been prepared using a wet chemistry method and studied for the property in carbon monoxide oxidation reaction. The Pt–Ag alloy catalyst exhibits significantly improved activity and largely decreased activation energy barrier compared to those of both pure Pt and pure Ag catalysts in the room temperature range. The Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism, in which surface Pt active sites chemisorb CO and adjacent Ag sites activate O2, was proposed and discussed to explain the promoted CO oxidation kinetics on the Pt–Ag alloy. Thermal stability of the Pt–Ag alloy catalyst under the reaction condition was also investigated using in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy experiments and transmission electron microscopy characterizations.
On the Design and Management of Large Hospital Disaster Recovery System

Application of various disaster recovery too ls and techniques to make information systems business continuity disaster recovery is to maintain the essence. In this paper, with many years of experience in operational aspects of disaster in our hospital information system designed to do a presentation, and come in large hospitals are more suitable for use in disaster recovery system design and have detailed about its implementation process and works instructions.
Neurophenotyping Genetically Modified Mice for Social Behavior

Sociability in mice is a multidimensional adaptive and functional response. Due to its complexity, it is important that researchers use well-defined behavioral assays that are easily replicated with clearly defined ethograms. In the Mouse Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Analysis Core Facility at Duke University, we have developed a broad series of tests that examine different components of neonatal and adult social behaviors that include sociability, sexual behavior, aggressive and territorial responses, and maternal behaviors. While the purpose of this chapter is not to provide an exhaustive description of all mouse social tests available, we provide investigators with a description of basic procedures and considerations necessary to develop a successful social behavior testing program within their laboratories.
ISOIMMUNE NEONATAL THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA. CLINICAL AND THERAPEUTIC CONSIDERATIONS.

1. Serologic tests utilizing complement fixation have allowed differentiation of isoimmune neonatal thrombocytopenia from other forms of congenital thrombocytopenia. 2. The pathogenesis of the isoimmune disease involves fetal-maternal incompatibility of platelet antigens, and destruction of fetal platelets by a transplacental transfer of maternal antibody. 3. Three different platelet antigens have been implicated in neonatal purpura. None of these antigens correspond to known erythrocyte antigens, but two of the platelet antigens are shared by granulocytes and lymphocytes. 4. Review of the literature of probable isoimmune neonatal purpura and our own cases reveals that in untreated cases death occurs in approximately 12 per cent of cases, and platelet counts usually do not remain below 60,000/ mm. 3 longer than 21 days. 5. In two of three instances in which neonatal thrombocytopenia was anticipated as a result of serologic tests done on the mothers, antepartum steroids may have benefited the infant. 6. Steroid therapy to the infant appears to shorten the duration of thrombocytopenia, and in one instance exchange transfusion led to immediate cessation of hemorrhage and rapid return of platelets to normal.
Relational Turbulence Theory: Explaining Variation in Subjective Experiences and Communication Within Romantic Relationships

This essay extends the relational turbulence model as a framework for understanding communication in romantic relationships. Following the relational turbulence model, relational turbulence theory identifies relational uncertainty and interdependence as parameters that shape subjective experiences, but the theory clarifies the theoretical processes underlying their distinctive effects. In addition, relational turbulence theory articulates causal processes linking cognitive appraisals and emotions to communication. Relational turbulence theory also describes how episodes characterized by biased appraisals, intense emotions, and volatile communication coalesce into global evaluations of relationships as turbulent. In turn, the theory addresses the effect of relational turbulence on personal, relational, and social outcomes. Finally, the theory explains how communication can contribute to the development of both turbulence and resilience in romantic relationships.
Multi-Sensor Integration to Map Odor Distribution for the Detection of Chemical Sources

This paper addresses the problem of mapping odor distribution derived from a chemical source using multi-sensor integration and reasoning system design. Odor localization is the problem of finding the source of an odor or other volatile chemical. Most localization methods require a mobile vehicle to follow an odor plume along its entire path, which is time consuming and may be especially difficult in a cluttered environment. To solve both of the above challenges, this paper proposes a novel algorithm that combines data from odor and anemometer sensors, and combine sensors’ data at different positions. Initially, a multi-sensor integration method, together with the path of airflow was used to map the pattern of odor particle movement. Then, more sensors are introduced at specific regions to determine the probable location of the odor source. Finally, the results of odor source location simulation and a real experiment are presented.
Diamond fly cutting of aluminum thermal infrared flat mirrors for the OSIRIS-REx Thermal Emission Spectrometer (OTES) instrument

We present the fabrication and measurement of monolithic aluminum flat mirrors designed to operate in the thermal infrared for the OSIRIS-Rex Thermal Emission Spectrometer (OTES) space instrument. The mirrors were cut using a conventional fly cutter with a large radius diamond cutting tool on a high precision Kern Evo 3-axis CNC milling machine. The mirrors were measured to have less than 150 angstroms RMS surface error.
Hygiene and Medicine

When you became ill with the disease which you contracted I sent for a chief physician and he treated you and you did what he told you to do. From a letter The problems related to personal hygiene in ancient Egypt were not greatly different than in any other ancient or modern developing civilization. It is ironic that the problems were only made more complex and difficult to solve by the side effects of the two important physical realities that made life possible. These were the incessant heat of the sun and the abundant waters of the river Nile. While the constant sunshine was a great benefit, for it provided heat and light and was incidentally a source of vitamin D, it dried or burned the skin and also encouraged the breeding of insects that could transmit disease. The Nile was not only directly responsible for the fertility of the land, as well as providing the most important source of water for drinking and bathing, it also functioned as an all-too-handy waste removal system. The unintentional result of the two “assets” was a continued cycle of disease transmission. When the prehistoric hunter-gatherers lived a nomadic life and constantly moved from place to place, they regularly abandoned temporary sites that were no longer habitable. In the process they left behind accumulated human and animal waste and garbage that was alive with vermin, parasites, and the consequent disease-breeding potential that they represent. When people began to establish permanent settlements and villages in the Nile valley, this regular process of cleansing by relocation by and large came to an end. Life in settlements brought with it conditions that encouraged the transmission of disease and the proliferation of parasites. For most of the population during the span of Egyptian history permanent housing usually meant conditions of constant crowding, poor ventilation, and little or no sanitary facilities as we know them today.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in patients with HIV

Summary Liver disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people with HIV, and in this era of safer and more effective hepatitis C therapy, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) could soon emerge as the most common liver disease in this population. NAFLD is common among patients with HIV, and might be more likely to progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and NAFLD-related fibrosis or cirrhosis in these patients than in individuals without HIV. Several mechanisms of NAFLD pathogenesis are postulated to explain the disease severity in patients with HIV; these mechanisms include the influence of the gut microbiome, and also metabolic, genetic, and immunological factors. Although treatment strategies are currently based on modification of NAFLD risk factors, many new drugs are now in clinical trials, including trials specifically in patients with HIV. Thus, the identification and risk-stratification of patients with HIV and NAFLD are becoming increasingly important for accurately counselling of these patients regarding their prognosis and for establishing the most appropriate disease-altering therapy.
Interfacial Fracture of Nanowire Electrodes of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Nanowires (NW) have emerged as a promising design for high power-density lithium-ion battery (LIB) electrodes. However, volume changes during cycling can lead to fracture of the NWs. In this paper, we investigate a particularly detrimental form of fracture: interfacial detachment of the NW from the current collector (CC). We perform finite element simulations to calculate the energy release rates of NWs during lithiation as a function of geometric parameters and mechanical properties. The simulations show that the energy release rate of a surface crack decreases as it propagates along the NW/CC interface toward the center of the NW. Moreover, this paper demonstrates that plastic deformation in the NWs drastically reduces stresses and thus crack-driving forces, thereby mitigating interfacial fracture. Overall, the results in this paper provide design guidelines for averting NW/CC interfacial fractures during operation of LIBs.
Mean and Turbulent Flow Statistics in a Trellised Agricultural Canopy

Flow physics is investigated in a two-dimensional trellised agricultural canopy to examine that architecture’s unique signature on turbulent transport. Analysis of meteorological data from an Oregon vineyard demonstrates that the canopy strongly influences the flow by channelling the mean flow into the vine-row direction regardless of the above-canopy wind direction. Additionally, other flow statistics in the canopy sub-layer show a dependance on the difference between the above-canopy wind direction and the vine-row direction. This includes an increase in the canopy displacement height and a decrease in the canopy-top shear length scale as the above-canopy flow rotates from row-parallel towards row-orthogonal. Distinct wind-direction-based variations are also observed in the components of the stress tensor, turbulent kinetic energy budget, and the energy spectra. Although spectral results suggest that sonic anemometry is insufficient for resolving all of the important scales of motion within the canopy, the energy spectra peaks still exhibit dependencies on the canopy and the wind direction. These variations demonstrate that the trellised-canopy’s effect on the flow during periods when the flow is row-aligned is similar to that seen by sparse canopies, and during periods when the flow is row-orthogonal, the effect is similar to that seen by dense canopies.
Hot electron generation under large-signal radio frequency operation of GaN high-electron-mobility transistors

In order to assess the underlying physical mechanisms of hot carrier-related degradation such as defect generation in millimeter-wave GaN power amplifiers, we have simulated the electron energy distribution function under large-signal radio frequency conditions in AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors. Our results are obtained through a full band Monte Carlo particle-based simulator self-consistently coupled to a harmonic balance circuit solver. At lower frequency, simulations of a Class AB power amplifier at 10 GHz show that the peak hot electron generation is up to 43% lower under RF drive than it is under DC conditions, regardless of the input power or temperature of operation. However, at millimeter-wave operation up to 40 GHz, RF hot carrier generation reaches that from DC biasing and even exceeds it up to 75% as the amplifier is driven into compression. Increasing the temperature of operation also shows that degradation of DC and RF characteristics are tightly correlated and mainly caused by ...
π and 4 π Josephson Effects Mediated by a Dirac Semimetal

${\mathrm{Cd}}_{3}{\mathrm{As}}_{2}$ is a three-dimensional topological Dirac semimetal with connected Fermi-arc surface states. It has been suggested that topological superconductivity can be achieved in the nontrivial surface states of topological materials by utilizing the superconductor proximity effect. Here we report observations of both $\ensuremath{\pi}$ and $4\ensuremath{\pi}$ periodic supercurrents in aluminum-${\mathrm{Cd}}_{3}{\mathrm{As}}_{2}$-aluminum Josephson junctions. The $\ensuremath{\pi}$ period is manifested by both the magnetic-field dependence of the critical supercurrent and the appearance of half-integer Shapiro steps in the ac Josephson effect. Our macroscopic theory suggests that the $\ensuremath{\pi}$ period arises from interference between the induced bulk superconductivity and the induced Fermi-arc surface superconductivity. The $4\ensuremath{\pi}$ period is manifested by the missing first Shapiro steps and is expected for topological superconductivity.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Graduated Stress Exposure in Virtual Spaceflight Hazard Training

Psychological and physiological stress experienced by astronauts can pose risks to mission success. In clinical settings, gradually increasing stressors help patients develop resilience. It is uncl...
Disparities in Knowledge of Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms among Adult Men: An Analysis of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey Data

Abstract Context: The staggering burden of myocardial infarction and stroke in men and for men of African-American descent in particular provided the impetus for this study. Morbidity and mortality from these vascular disorders can be reduced by early treatment, which requires correct prehospital identification of symptoms. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess current knowledge of myocardial infarction and stroke symptoms and to examine if there were disparities in knowledge of these among U.S. males. Design: This is a cross-sectional study analyzing public use 2003-2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey data. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate techniques were used. Setting: Random-digit-dial telephone survey focused on health risk factors and behaviors. Data collection was done under the direction of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Patients or Other Participants: Data collections targeted noninstitutionalized U.S. adults 18-90 years of age. This study focused on the adult male population. Main Outcome Measures: From the 13 heart attack and stroke symptom knowledge questions asked on the survey, a heart attack and stroke knowledge score was computed for each respondent. Results: Multivariate analysis revealed that both Caucasian and African-American men earning low scores on the knowledge questions were more likely to: have less than a high-school education, have deferred medical care in the past 12 months because of cost and not have health insurance in the past 12 months. African-American men were also more likely to live in households with annual incomes Conclusions: There is a disparity in myocardial infarction and stroke symptom knowledge along racial and socioeconomic lines. African-American males, poorer individuals and those with lower levels of education had significantly lower scores. Since these subgroups are also among those at higher risk for stroke and myocardial infarction, targeting measures to enhance knowledge in these groups might yield more benefit than programs aimed at the general male populace.
Visual tracking of surgical tools for proximity detection in retinal surgery

In retinal surgery, surgeons face difficulties such as indirect visualization of surgical targets, physiological tremor and lack of tactile feedback. Such difficulties increase the risks of incorrect surgical gestures which may cause retinal damage. In this context, robotic assistance has the potential to overcome current technical limitations and increase surgical safety. In this paper we present a method for robustly tracking surgical tools in retinal surgery for detecting proximity between surgical tools and the retinal surface. An image similarity function based on weighted mutual information is specially tailored for tracking under critical illumination variations, lens distortions, and rapid motion. The proposed method was tested on challenging conditions using a phantom eye and recorded human in vivo data acquired by an ophthalmic stereo microscope.
Restructuring a Reading Program

(1977). Restructuring a Reading Program. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Western College Reading Association: Vol. 10, Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Conference of the WCRA. Personalizing Learning Systems: Ecologies and Strategies, pp. 68-73.
Hybrid Loopy Belief Propagation.

We propose an algorithm called Hybrid Loopy Belief Propagation (HLBP), which extends the Loopy Belief Propagation (LBP) (Murphy et al., 1999) and Nonparametric Belief Propagation (NBP) (Sudderth et al., 2003) algorithms to deal with general hybrid Bayesian networks. The main idea is to represent the LBP messages with mixture of Gaussians and formulate their calculation as Monte Carlo integration problems. The new algorithm is general enough to deal with hybrid models that may represent linear or nonlinear equations and arbitrary probability distributions.
Epidemiology of Enteric Viral Infections

ABSTRACT Information obtained from a multi-year, multiple location epidemiological program conducted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to develop health effects recreational water quality criteria provided some insights as to the etiology of the observed swimming-associated, pollution-related gastroenteritis. A number of factors suggest the human rotavirus or the parvo-like viruses as the etiologic agents, probably the former. Included are the infectivity, prevalence, and/or survival properties of the agent as seen from the illness-indicator relationships and the effect of pollution sources on them, the role of immunity as obtained from the comparison of the data from United States and Egyptian studies and from Cairo visitors and Alexandria residents in the Egyptian study, the age distribution of symptomatology, and the incubation period, severity and duration of the gastrointestinal symptoms.
Using Publicly Available Data to Understand the Opioid Overdose Epidemic: Geospatial Distribution of Discarded Needles in Boston, Massachusetts.

Objectives. To use publicly available, crowdsourced data to understand geospatial trends in discarded needles.Methods. We completed multiple geospatial analyses of discarded needles reported throug...
The influence of extractive activities on public support for renewable energy policy

Abstract Notable spatial variation in public opinion on climate change and energy policy has been demonstrated at various geographic scales (Howe et al., 2015). Understanding the source of this variation is useful for policymakers, energy developers, and utility providers in predicting how different locales may respond to newly proposed policies and energy developments, particularly those encouraging renewable energy. Using nationally representative survey data from 2008 to 2015, we employ hierarchical linear regression to examine variation in public support for renewable energy policy, focusing on how residence in areas with extractive activities may be related to attitudes toward renewable energy policy. We test the influence of several county-level indicators, including oil production, gas production, and economic dependence on the mining sector. We also test for individual factors, including political ideology, belief in anthropogenic climate change, and several sociodemographic variables. Results suggest that individuals living in both mining-dependent counties and counties with natural gas production are somewhat less likely to support renewable energy policies than individuals living outside such places. At the individual level, belief in anthropogenic global warming is the strongest predictor of renewable energy policy support, and liberal political ideology, being more educated, and being female are also positively associated with policy support.
Not as easy as pi : An insertional residue does not explain the pi-helix gain-of-function in two-component FMN reductases.

The π-helix located at the tetramer interface of two-component FMN-dependent reductases contributes to the structural divergence from canonical FMN-bound reductases within the NADPH:FMN reductase family. The π-helix in the SsuE FMN-dependent reductase of the alkanesulfonate monooxygenase system has been proposed to be generated by the insertion of a Tyr residue in the conserved α4-helix. Variants of Tyr118 were generated, and their X-ray crystal structures determined, to evaluate how these alterations affect the structural integrity of the π-helix. The structure of the Y118A SsuE π-helix was converted to an α-helix, similar to the FMN-bound members of the NADPH:FMN reductase family. Although the π-helix was altered, the FMN binding region remained unchanged. Conversely, deletion of Tyr118 disrupted the secondary structural properties of the π-helix, generating a random coil region in the middle of helix 4. Both the Y118A and Δ118 SsuE SsuE variants crystallize as a dimer. The MsuE FMN reductase involved in the desulfonation of methanesulfonates is structurally similar to SsuE, but the π-helix contains a His insertional residue. Exchanging the π-helix insertional residue of each enzyme did not result in equivalent kinetic properties. Structure-based sequence analysis further demonstrated the presence of a similar Tyr residue in an FMN-bound reductase in the NADPH:FMN reductase family that is not sufficient to generate a π-helix. Results from the structural and functional studies of the FMN-dependent reductases suggest that the insertional residue alone is not solely responsible for generating the π-helix, and additional structural adaptions occur to provide the altered gain of function.
Nietzsche contra stoicism: naturalism and value, suffering and amor fati

Nietzsche criticizes Stoicism for overstating the significance of its ethical ideal of rational self-sufficiency and for undervaluing pain and passion when pursuing an unconditional acceptance of f...
Intrinsic ratchets: A Hamiltonian approach

An asymmetric Brownian particle subjected to an external time-dependent force may acquire a net drift velocity and thus operate as a motor or ratchet, even if the external force is represented by an unbiased time-periodic function or by a zero-centered noise. For an adequate description of such ratchets, a conventional Langevin equation linear in the particle's velocity is insufficient, and one needs to take into account the first nonlinear correction to the dissipation force which emerges beyond the weak coupling limit. We derived microscopically the relevant nonlinear Langevin equation by extending the standard projection operation technique beyond the weak coupling limit. The particle is modeled as a rigid cluster of atoms and its asymmetry may be geometrical, compositional (when a cluster is composed of atoms of different types), or due to a combination of both factors. The drift velocity is quadratic in the external force's amplitude and increases with decreasing the force's frequency (for a periodic force) and inverse correlation time (for a fluctuating force). The maximum value of the drift velocity is independent on the particle's mass and achieved in the adiabatic limit, i.e., for an infinitely slow change of the external field.
Forensic Autopsy Experience and Core Entrustable Professional Activities: A Structured Introduction to Autopsy Pathology for Preclinical Student:

The forensic and autopsy pathology service within the Department of Pathology at University of North Dakota School of Medicine provides an optional, structured autopsy experience for medical students during the second year of the curriculum. This experience reinforces forensic autopsy pathology as the practice of medicine and highlights the American Association of Medical Colleges Core Entrustable Professional Activities. Students self-select for this optional, noncredit autopsy observership. Prior to the experience, interested students participate in a session that reviews the professional and educational expectations of the autopsy experience, autopsy safety training, and logistics of call. Groups of up to 4 students are on call for an autopsy. Student groups observe and participate in an autopsy, ideally from scene through autopsy performance, slide review, and toxicology results. The student groups use a structured presentation format for summarizing their autopsy experience, forming a differential and final diagnosis, completing the death certificate, and discussing quality management or learning issues in the case. At the end of the semester, all students participating in the experience meet and each group presents a 10-minute, structured review of their case. At least 6 core entrustable professional activities were addressed in every autopsy review; some had more when advanced clinical questions or safety issues were identified. Additionally, one student presented his case at a national meeting with a resultant publication. The experience provided (1) a positive introduction to autopsy pathology, (2) reinforced the role of pathology in medicine, and (3) provided concrete examples of American Association of Medical Colleges Core Entrustable Professional Activities within pathology for students in preclinical years.
Some conjectures on modular representations of affine sl2 and Virasoro algebra

We conjecture an explicit bound on the prime characteristic of a field, under which the Weyl modules of affine sl2 and the minimal series modules of Virasoro algebra remain irreducible, and Goddard-Kent-Olive coset construction for affine sl2 is valid.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND JOB LOCK: THE INTERACTION BETWEEN TAX SUBSIDIES AND HEALTH INSURANCE REGULATIONS

This paper demonstrates that health insurance tax subsidies increase self‐employment, but that the effect differs substantially based on nongroup market regulations and health status. Using the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, I show that households that cannot purchase health insurance because of a preexisting condition do not respond to tax subsidies in states in which they would be denied insurance, but they respond strongly in states in which they face risk‐rated premiums. Households respond similarly to tax subsidies in states with nongroup market regulations similar to those established by the Affordable Care Act, regardless of preexisting conditions.
International Efforts Towards Peace Agency and Results

Since 2012, the UN Security Council has tried, with limited success, to bring in a lasting ceasefire that would pave the way for peace in Syria. With the failure of the Kofi Annan and Lakhdar Brahimi missions and following eight Geneva conferences, the peace-making effort passed to the Astana Process run by Russia, Turkey and Iran. After eight rounds in Astana, the participants have agreed to provide forces to police and keep the peace in contiguous provinces of Syria. The Astana track has effectively buttressed the Geneva track as have the dialogues in Vienna and elsewhere. This chapter examines the progress that has been possible in discussing the issues involved, on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015), accepted as the best pathway towards establishing a democratic polity in Syria. The reasons for lack of success stem from both the inability of the UNSC to act unitedly and the fact that four P-5 members are actively involved in the Syrian conflict.
Integrative Perspectives on Treating Sexual Perversion

For a number of years, the present authors have utilized an integrative approach, which is essentially bimodal in nature, in the treatment of sexual perversions.1 This bimodal approach is based on the proposition that key components of both the cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic paradigms can be effectively integrated. A central feature of this approach is the focus on fantasy material, both for understanding the nature of the sexual perversion and as the crucial axis of therapeutic intervention in the application of treatment.
Two years résumé of abortions in the Louisville City Hospital

Abstract 1. 1. A more careful study of the products of conception together with an accurate knowledge of maternal conditions will aid in preventing a great number of abortions. 2. 2. Induced abortions are rapidly increasing in number and are associated with a high morbidity and numerous complications which greatly impair the health of the individuals. 3. 3. Threatened abortions should be handled most conservatively and no manipulation or packing instituted. 4. 4. Conservative treatment of inevitable and incomplete abortions has proved most satisfactory in our hands. Only 10.0 per cent of the cases needed surgical intervention, and this was resorted to only after conservative measures had failed. 5. 5. Septicemia was the cause of 66.6 per cent of the deaths in this series, 95 per cent of the infected cases were the result of induced abortions. The public should know the grave dangers and complications resulting from induced abortions. A fuller understanding of the great risks involved would mean consideration and hesitation before the attempt is made.
Power balance methods to estimate junction attenuation in lightweight constructions

A power balance method to estimate junction attenuation in a lightweight-framed construction was investigated. Velocity level difference (VLD) was measured and variance in these measurements was related to the attenuation. Additional attenuation in the surface, which is a complex function of damping and size and spacing of joists, increased the measured VLD which made the measurements very sensitive to accelerometer location. Work is still in progress to determine a suitable in-situ test method for lightweight framed construction.
Políticas educativas, filosofía y planificación: la estrategia dominicana del Plan Decenal, 1990-2000

Este articulo provee una ilustracion para el entendimiento de las filosofias, politicas y planificacion educativa dominicana y por extension para America Latina. El proposito del mismo es rnirar a la estrategia del plan decenal de 1990 al 2000 desde una perspectiva de teorias politicas y enmarcarlo dentro de los campos de la educacion comparativa, desarrollo nacional y economia global. El articulo esta dirigido a dar una vision macro y fresca a la elite formuladora de politicas educativas. En este articulo, se niega la defensa de una posicion dentro de la ecuacion de intereses preestablecidos. Tambien el articulo aspira a contribuir con una posicion critica positiva al diseno nacional educativo. En algunas momentos donde callo no implica una subscripcion a la nocion de callar para otorgar, sino, a dejar el espacio a otros para que superen estas informaciones necesarias pero no suficientes.
An architecture for behaviour coordination learning

This paper describes a neural architecture for learning coordination of different behaviours in a situated agent. Behaviour-oriented approaches define the control of an agent directly in terms of its tasks. A key challenge is how to manage the agent's ongoing tasks so that action conflict is minimized and the desired levels of compliance with overall goals are achieved. We present mechanisms for adapting the coordination strategy through short- and long-term adaptive inhibition and time-varying performance feedback. Finally, we present preliminary experimental results for a simulated robot which demonstrate the effectiveness of this method.
An ultrastructural analysis of the effects of ethanol self-administration on the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in rhesus macaques

A bidirectional relationship between stress and ethanol exists whereby stressful events are comorbid with problematic ethanol use and prolonged ethanol exposure results in adaptations of the physiological stress response. Endocrine response to stress is initiated in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) with the synthesis and release of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and arginine-vasopressin (AVP). Alterations in CRH and AVP following long-term ethanol exposure in rodents is well demonstrated, however little is known about the response to ethanol in primates or the mechanisms of adaptation. We hypothesized that long-term ethanol self-administration in nonhuman primates would lead to ultrastructural changes in the PVN underlying adaptation to chronic ethanol. Double-label immunogold electron microscopy (EM) was used to measure presynaptic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate density within synaptic terminals contacting CRH- and AVP-immunoreactive dendrites. Additionally, pituitary-adrenal hormones (ACTH, cortisol, DHEA-s and aldosterone) under two conditions (low and mild stress) were compared before and after self-administration. All hormones were elevated in response to the mild stressor independent of ethanol consumption. The presynaptic glutamate density in recurrent (i.e., intra-hypothalamic) CRH terminals was highly related to ethanol intake, and may be a permissive factor in increased drinking due to stress. Conversely, glutamate density within recurrent AVP terminals showed a trend-level increase following ethanol, but was not related to average daily consumption. Glutamate density in non-recurrent AVP terminals was related to aldosterone under the low stress condition while GABAergic density in this terminal population was related to water consumption. The results reveal distinct populations of presynaptic terminals whose glutamatergic or GABAergic density were uniquely related to water and ethanol consumption and circulating hormones.
Book Review: Econometric Modeling and Inference

The scope, depth, and unified treatment of topics make this book quite remarkable. It provides a powerful and unified statistical presentation of a wide range of topics and methods used in modern e...