cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of acetylcholine in the striatum: Recent insights and therapeutic implications

ACh= : acetylcholine; DA= : dopamine; GABA= : γaminobutyric acid; GPe= : globus pallidus externus; GPi= : globus pallidus internus; ILT= : intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus; LTD= : long-term depression; LTP= : long-term potentiation; MSN= : medium spiny neuron; nAChR= : nicotinic ACh receptor; PD= : Parkinson disease; PIP2= : phosphatidylinositol diphosphate; SNc= : substantia nigra pars compacta; SNr= : substantia nigra pars reticulata The striatum is a nodal structure of the basal ganglia circuits and is one of the brain areas with the highest concentration of markers of cholinergic transmission. Giant aspiny cholinergic interneurons constitute only 1%–3% of the neurons of the striatum but exert a powerful influence on its output, which is mediated by the medium spiny neurons (MSNs). Acetylcholine (ACh), acting via different receptor subtypes, affects the activity of the MSNs both directly and via modulation of glutamate release from corticostriate terminals and of dopamine release from nigrostriatal terminals. Acetylcholine, via its reciprocal interactions with dopamine (DA), has an important role in the differential modulation of striatal output via the so-called direct and indirect pathways of the basal ganglia circuits. Recent evidence indicates that ACh release in the striatum, triggered by thalamic inputs, provides a “stop” signal that interrupts ongoing motor behavior in response to salient stimuli from the environment. Cholinergic mechanisms in the striatum may contribute to the pathophysiology of Parkinson disease (PD) and dystonia, and may have a beneficial role in Tourette syndrome and other stereotypies. The physiology of cholinergic interneurons and the effects of ACh in the striatum recently have been reviewed.1,–,4 ### General organization of the striatum. The striatum comprises anatomic subdivisions that receive inputs from different areas of the frontal lobe and intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus (ILT); it participates in parallel, partially segregated motor, oculomotor, cognitive, and limbic circuits. In addition to these functionally defined territories, the striatum can be subdivided into 2 compartments, the matrix and the striosomes (or patches).5,6 Most neurons (nearly 95%) of the striatum are projection MSNs in both compartments that utilize γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). MSNs of the matrix include 2 functionally distinct subpopulations that express different proportions of dopaminergic, cholinergic, and other receptors. One MSN population projects to …
The risk of bloodstream infection associated with peripherally inserted central catheters compared with central venous catheters in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background. Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are associated with central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). The magnitude of this risk relative to central venous catheters (CVCs) is unknown.Objective. To compare risk of CLABSI between PICCs and CVCs.Methods MEDLINE, CinAHL, Scopus, EmBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched. Full-text studies comparing the risk of CLABSI between PICCs and CVCs were included. Studies involving adults 18 years of age or older who underwent insertion of a PICC or a CVC and reported CLABSI were included in our analysis. Studies were evaluated using the Downs and Black scale for risk of bias. Random effects meta-analyses were used to generate summary estimates of CLABSI risk in patients with PICCs versus CVCs.Results. Of 1,185 studies identified, 23 studies involving 57,250 patients met eligibility criteria. Twenty of 23 eligible studies reported the total number of CLABSI episodes in patients with PICCs and CVCs. Pooled meta-analyses of these studi...
Relationship of genes encoding Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Gr and calspermin: a gene within a gene.

Abstract Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase enriched in cerebellar granule cells (CaM kinase Gr) is a neuronal calmodulin-dependent protein kinase whose purification and partial cloning from rat brain has been described. A combination of the polymerase chain reaction and cDNA library screening was used to determine the DNA sequence that encodes most of the remaining polypeptide sequence. The deduced amino acid sequence was confirmed by comparison with the peptide sequence from purified CaM kinase Gr. Analysis of this sequence indicated the presence of potential catalytic, regulatory, and association domains with 42% overall homology to the alpha subunit of another neuronal Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, CaM kinase II. The degree of homology within the catalytic domain was 58% with conservation of all invariant amino acids. The portion of sequence that extended from the hypothesized calmodulin-binding domain to the carboxyl terminus of the protein was identical at both the amino acid and nucleotide level to the noncatalytic, calmodulin-binding protein calspermin from rat testis. Screening a genomic library with a portion of the cDNA for CaM kinase Gr allowed the isolation of a genomic clone that contained at least 9 kilobases (kb) of the gene for CaM kinase Gr. Analysis of the sequence revealed that the coding sequences for calspermin were contained within the CaM kinase Gr gene and that alternative splicing of internal exons may lead to the formation of the two different proteins, CaM kinase Gr and calspermin.
Personality, Process, and Performance in Interactive Brainstorming Groups

This study assessed the impact of group-level personality on the processes and outcomes of brainstorming groups. Subjects were 312 students who were randomly placed in 78 four-person groups. Measures included personality, group processes, and group outcomes. Results showed that mean extraversion had significant negative relationships with group process variables. Mean openness had significant positive relationships with group outcomes, but was not related to the group process variables. Finally, mean emotional stability was not related to group process variables but did have a significant relationship with a group outcome. Implications of these findings and areas for future research are briefly discussed.
The Pathology of Abortion Caused by the Virus of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis

The fetal lesions which characterize abortions caused by the virus of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis are focal necrotizing hepatitis, necrotizing placentitis, and irregularly distributed focal necrotic lesions in other organs. The abortions occur 18 to 64 days after experimental exposure of the dam. The lesions are quantitatively and qualitatively the same whether in response to infection by vaccine or field strains of the virus. The pattern of abortions which occurred in one herd following vaccination is reported.
Thermal magnetization noise in spin valves

Thermal magnetization fluctuations (mag-noise) in giant magnetoresistive (GMR) spin valve (or any MR) heads will serve as a fundamental limit on their signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR). Measured mag-noise in several varied spin-valve read sensors is shown to be in good quantitative agreement with predictions based on the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. The dependence of mag-noise and head-SNR on sensor geometry and other device parametrics is discussed.
Mexican American Public Sector Professionals Perceptions of Affirmative Action Policies and Workplace Discrimination

Diversity among civil service employees, affirmative action, and workplace discrimination continue to be salient and potentially dynamic issues for public sector human resource managers. In an effort to better understand a fast-growing but rarely studied subgroup of the public workforce, this study compares Mexican American managers’ perceptions of affirmative action and workplace discrimination to those of their White and Black, non-Hispanic peers. Data for this study come from two large Southwestern United States cities, Phoenix, Arizona and San Antonio, Texas. Results from bivariate and multivariate analyses show that managers, as a collective group, do not believe affirmative action policies and workplace discrimination have affected advancement. However, when the data are disaggregated and reexamined by race or ethnicity, significant differences of opinion emerge. We find evidence that Mexican American managers perceive affirmative action policies and workplace discrimination differently than their p...
Performance evaluation of ad-hoc on demand distance vector (AODV) in mobile ad-hoc networks

In this paper, we address Ad-hoc on demand distance vector (AODV), a versatile routing algorithm for such ad-hoc networks to investigate its Internet connectivity and undertake simulation based performance evaluation. The simulation environments are based on the AODV models. To obtain better understanding of these models, simulations were performed under different load condition. The simulation results verify the performance of different models under different criteria.
Proving ownership over categorical data

This paper introduces a novel method of rights protection for categorical data through watermarking. We discover new watermark embedding channels for relational data with categorical types. We design novel watermark encoding algorithms and analyze important theoretical bounds including mark vulnerability. While fully preserving data quality requirements, our solution survives important attacks, such as subset selection and random alterations. Mark detection is fully "blind" in that it doesn't require the original data, an important characteristic especially in the case of massive data. We propose various improvements and alternative encoding methods. We perform validation experiments by watermarking the outsourced Wal-Mart sales data available at our institute. We prove (experimentally and by analysis) our solution to be extremely resilient to both alteration and data loss attacks, for example tolerating up to 80% data loss with a watermark alteration of only 25%.
Multiple sources of stress and parenting behavior

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess how stress specific to the parenting role (i.e., parenting stress) and multiple role-related stress affect parenting behavior. A non-random sampling strategy was used, and 85 mothers of young children consented to participate in this study. The results showed that parenting stress both directly and indirectly affected parenting behavior, while multiple role-related stress indirectly affected parenting behavior. Both parenting stress and multiple role-related stress directly affected parental symptomatology. Furthermore, social support buffered the relationship between parenting stress and parenting behavior, and between parenting symptomatology and parenting behavior. Implications of these findings for professionals working with mothers of young children are discussed.
Quantification of prairie restoration for phytostability at a remediated defense plant.

In June 2008 and 2009, cover, density, and species diversity were measured on two areas of the prairie at the U. S. Department of Energy Weldon Spring Site to begin quantification of the prairie establishment and the effects of a prairie burn. Sampling began by testing for the most appropriate transect length (cover) and quadrat size (density) for quantification of vegetation. Total cover increased in the first growing season after burning. Conversely, total cover decreased in the unburned area in one year. The trend in litter cover is the opposite with litter decreasing after burning, but increasing in one year in the unburned area. Bare ground decreased in one year in the unburned area, but was unchanged after burning. Species diversity tripled after fire, but was unchanged in one year in the unburned area. The results show that litter and fire both affect plant cover. If land reclamation activities are to be an integral part of hazardous waste remediation at contaminated sites, then the success of recl...
Posterior Urethral Valves: Renal Failure and Prenatal Treatment

Posterior urethral valves occur in 1 : 5000 live births. Despite the high prevalence, the few children that survive do poorly, with over 50% progressing to ESRD in 10 years. The gold standard for post-natal diagnosis is voiding cystourethrography, while pre-natal diagnosis is dependent on routine screening ultrasonography. Despite the ability to identify features of bladder outlet obstruction early in fetal development, there is no consensus on how to incorporate early detection into current screening protocols. There has yet to be a marker that allows prediction of obstruction in the absence of or prior to radiographic evidence of obstruction. With our current screening strategy, the majority of interventions are performed well after irreversible damage has occurred. Improved mortality and long term morbidity from posterior urethral valves and congenital bladder outlet obstruction will likely remain unchanged until it is possible to intervene prior to the onset of irreversible renal damage. New biologic markers and improved instrumentation will allow for more effective diagnosis and intervention at earlier stages of fetal development.
The Markov moment problem and de Finetti’s theorem: Part II

The Markov moment problem is to characterize sequences admitting the representation s n =∫0 1 x nf (x)dx, where f(x) is a probability density on [0,1] and 0≤f(x)≤c for almost all x. There are well-known characterizations through complex systems of non-linear inequalities on {s n }. Necessary and sufficient linear conditions are the following: s 0 =1, and for all and . Here, Δ is the forward difference operator. This result is due to Hausdorff. We give a new proof with some ancillary results, for example, characterizing monotone densities. Then we make the connection to de Finetti’s theorem, with characterizations of the mixing measure.
Decays of $L = 1$ Mesons to $\gamma \pi$, $\gamma \rho$, and $\gamma \gamma$

The importance is stressed of measuring the rate and angular distributions in ${f}_{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$. Predictions are made for this process on the basis of the single-quark-transition hypothesis in terms of the recently measured radiative widths $\ensuremath{\Gamma}(B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\pi})$, $\ensuremath{\Gamma}({A}_{1,2}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}})$. Additional predictions, based on vector dominance and measured rates for pion emission, permit the conclusions that $\ensuremath{\Gamma}(B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\pi})=184\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}30$ keV, $\ensuremath{\Gamma}({{A}_{1}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}})=1\ensuremath{-}1.6$ MeV, $\ensuremath{\Gamma}({{A}_{2}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}})=375\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}50$ keV, and $\ensuremath{\Gamma}({f}_{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\rho})=1.35\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2$ MeV. About 10% of this last partial width occurs in $M2$ and 90% in $E1$ radiation. The relative sign of the $M2$ and $E1$ amplitudes is predicted and one way is shown to measure their ratio. Another application of vector dominance leads to the prediction $\ensuremath{\Gamma}({f}_{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma})=7.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2$ keV, dominantly in the helicity-2 channel. An intrinsic limitation of vector dominance for heavy-quark systems is noted.
Software documentation-driven manufacturing: viaduct between software engineering and virtual engineering

'Manufacturing in the Computer' denotes the virtual manufacturing vision that fabrication/assembly of any product can be simulated in a computer by a powerful modeling and simulation environment. This paper presents the DDM approach, documentation-driven manufacturing to address the problem of engineering such an environment. The key to DDM is the creation and application of the engineering repository (ER) that supports multiple views for modeling and simulating virtual production in the computer and model control of physical production in the factory, respectively. Both virtual view and physical view are heeded for manufacturing under the support of the ER. The ER tangibly documents virtual parts and make them well organized for use by 'iteration-to-maturity' in the computer. It also provides a means for driving the virtual production from one stage to another throughout the manufacturing process, and for converting documents between virtual view and physical view representation to manage and control the physical production.
A Comparison of Hybrid Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter–Optimum Interpolation and Ensemble Square Root Filter Analysis Schemes

A hybrid ensemble transform Kalman filter (ETKF)–optimum interpolation (OI) analysis scheme is described and compared with an ensemble square root filter (EnSRF) analysis scheme. A two-layer primitive equation model was used under perfect-model assumptions. A simplified observation network was used, and the OI method utilized a static background error covariance constructed from a large inventory of historical forecast errors. The hybrid scheme updated the ensemble mean using a hybridized ensemble and static background-error covariance. The ensemble perturbations in the hybrid scheme were updated by the ETKF scheme. The EnSRF ran parallel data assimilation cycles for each member and serially assimilated the observations. The EnSRF background-error covariance was estimated fully from the ensemble. For 50-member ensembles, the analyses from the hybrid scheme were as accurate or nearly as accurate as those from the EnSRF, depending on the norm. For 20-member ensembles, the analyses from the hybrid scheme were more accurate than analyses from the EnSRF under certain norms. Both hybrid and EnSRF analyses were more accurate than the analyses from the OI. Further reducing the ensemble size to five members, the EnSRF exhibited filter divergence, whereas the analyses from the hybrid scheme were still better than those updated by the OI. Additionally, the hybrid scheme was less prone to spurious gravity wave activity than the EnSRF, especially when the ensemble size was small. Maximal growth in the ETKF ensemble perturbation space exceeded that in the EnSRF ensemble perturbation space. The relationship of the ETKF ensemble variance to the analysis error variance, a measure of a spread–skill relationship, was similar to that of the EnSRF ensemble. The hybrid scheme can be implemented in a reasonably straightforward manner in the operational variational frameworks, and the computational cost of the hybrid is expected to be much less than the EnSRF in the operational settings.
GaAs on Si: progress and promise

Summary form only given, as follows. In spite of the large mismatch in lattice dimensions and thermal expansion properties, remarkable progress has been made in epitaxially depositing GaAs on Si substrates. The epitaxial layer quality, although clearly inferior to that of GaAs deposited on GaAs, is adequate for laboratory-scale fabrication of a variety of electronic and optoelectronic devices that exhibit reasonable performances. Two broad areas for applications of GaAs on Si are being considered. In one the Si serves to replace conventional GaAs substrate wafers with larger, stronger and less expensive Si substrates. The other, a longer range and more difficult application, involves fabrication of active devices both in the GaAs epitaxial layer and in the underlying Si substrate. An assessment of these applications with reference to the improvements in material quality that each requires is given. >
Drug Discovery and Development for Inflammatory Diseases

Numerous recent investigations have pointed to a key role of the pro-inflammatory, pleotropic cytokines TNF-α and IL-1 in host defence and inflammatory disease processes. TNF and IL-1 overexpression has been found in disease target tissue and in the circulation of patients with acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, and it was suggested early on in this field of basic medical research that TNF-α and IL-1 were crucial in these diseases. Over the last 10 years, several approaches to inhibit TNF-α and, in one case, IL-1 activity, have been developed by the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. These include neutralising antibodies to TNF-α as well as soluble TNF-α receptors with characteristic properties designed to bind the 17 kDa soluble trimeric TNF-α and the 26 kDa membrane-bound form of TNF-α. Clinical trials have demonstrated significant effects with these agents and it is likely that blocking TNF-α will become an important standard therapeutic option for clinicians. The data available from th...
Searching for the Optimal Proof Schedule in a Proof-Carrying Survivability Paradigm - A Dynamic, Interactive Approach

Survivability represents a system's capability to withstand malicious attacks and system failures and to provide essential services in a challenging environment. In a proof-carrying survivability scenario, a user publishes his/her survivability requirements and a system provider constructs a proof to show that the system satisfies those requirements. Finally, the user verifies that the proof is valid. In this paper, we propose a systematic approach for the system provider to search for an optimal proof schedule to construct a valid proof. Our framework is applied to a threshold-based survivability requirement model, where the user's requirements are represented using pre-defined threshold operators and proof generation relies on the evaluations of system survivability properties by authorized evaluators. We develop algorithms and techniques to explore different proof options and schedules and identify the most efficient (optimal) schedule. We study how the dynamic, interactive proof evidence collection process proceeds between the system provider and the evaluators. A prototyping system has been developed to implement the framework.
Race, Law, and American Society

The impact of slavery, racism, and genocide lasts for generations. It is only with social action, legal change, and compassion that such effects may be abated. The goal of Gloria J. Browne-Marshall...
Review Essay: Music Library and Research Guides

Four current textbooks designed for graduate-level courses in music research demonstrate an orientation towards hard-copy reference sources for European art music. Most are organized primarily as bibliographies, reflecting the traditionally source-laden methodology of such courses; A Guide to Library Research in Music and Introduction to Research in Music also treat student writing. Pedagogical texts for music research should emphasize search skills over bibliographic control of numerous reference tools.
Supralinearity of Thermoluminescent Dosimeters

Abstract The supralinear response of thermoluminescent dosimeters after irradiation with gamma-or beta-rays can be decomposed by use of the cummulative Poisson distribution into a sum of 1-or-more and 2-or-more hit components, suggesting the coexistence of both types of trap structures. Following the response of other 1-hit detectors, and of biological cells to energetic heavy ions, we expect and find that the supralinear response tends to disappear with alpha particle, and with neutron irradiation, and that the supralinear, or 2-hit, component tends to be more responsive to high LET (Linear Energy Transfer) radiations. Since the response of biological cells to gamma-rays is also supralinear, the supralinear component of the TLD response can be expected to have the capacity to mimic the response of biological cells and tissues to radiations of different quality.
Abstract P28: Awareness and Management of CVD Risk Factors and Area-Level Mortality Regions in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study

Background: Federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) receive extra resources, but recent reports suggest that HPSAs may not consistently identify areas of need. We examined an alternative approach to designating areas of need based on county-level ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke mortality rates. Methods: We examined participants in the REGARDS Study, a national cohort of 30,239 US community-dwelling adults (42% African Americans) aged ≥45 recruited 2003-7. “Need” was defined by awareness, treatment or control of hypertension (n=21,118), diabetes (6,355) or hyperlipidemia (21,096). Awareness and treatment were self-reported, and control was defined as BP <140/90 mmHg (<130/80 for diabetes or chronic kidney disease) for hypertension; fasting blood sugar <140 mg/dL (<200 if non-fasting) for diabetes; and LDL cholesterol <130 mg/dL for hyperlipidemia. Each county was categorized into race-specific tertiles of IHD and, separately, stroke mortality, using 1999-2006 CDC data (based ...
Serum protein polymorphisms in Peromyscus polionotus of South Carolina.

Serum proteins were sampled from 318 old field mice, Peromyscus polionotus , collected from 21 sites along a 90-mile transect through central South Carolina. Polymorphisms of transferrin, albumin, prealbumin, postalbumin, and other proteins were demonstrated by electrophoresis. The inheritance of two transferrins C and E was controlled by co-dominant alleles, Trf c , and Trf e . Abnormal segregation ratios involving a third transferrin, D , were observed. Significant differences in the frequency of one allele, Trf e , were observed among the three major areas of the transect, which were separated by river-swamp systems, with the allele apparently being absent at the northeast extreme. Marked variation in frequency of the Trf e allele between neighboring, but semi-isolated, collection sites was interpreted as evidence of founder effect.
#SpoiledMilk: Blacktavists, Visibility, and the Exploitation of the Black Breast

ABSTRACTOn September 22, 2014, Medolac Laboratories, a company in Oregon that processes human milk, announced an initiative to purchase pumped breast milk from African-American mothers in Detroit, Michigan. Angry about Medolac’s predatory initiative to target this population, a community of Black female breastfeeding activists, or Blacktavists, swiftly took to blogs, Twitter, and Facebook to express their concerns. We argue that Blacktavists—working on, against, and through the Black breastfeeding body—constructed a persuasive narrative about Medolac’s campaign that made visible (a) the historical legacy of Black labor for White interests, (b) the economic value of that labor, and (c) whiteness as a racial category. Overall, our study explores the valuable, problematic, and complex characteristics of Blacktavists’ advocacy. Future successful advocacy must continue to challenge normative mothering rhetorics to bring about impactful social change.
The Formation of Curved Polymer Crystals: Poly (4-methylpentene-1).

An optical and electron microscopical study is described of the habits exhibited by poly(4-methylpentent-1) crystals (Modification I tetragonal unit cell) grown at temperatures between 50 and 90 °C from 0.1 percent solutions of the polymer in equivolume mixtures of xylene and amyl acetate. A distinct trend in the effect of crystallization temperature (supercooling) on the habits of the crystals is illustrated and discussed. The lamellar crystals formed in that temperature range are all the more pronouncedly curved the lower the crystallization temperature. To indicate but the extremes in this trend, the crystals varied from essentially planar ones whose constitutent square shaped chain-folded lamellae (bounded laterally by {100} faces and up to 20 μm on a side) are four-sectored and only very slightly buckled as previously indicated by Bassett et al., to distinctly curved four-fold symmetrical hollow bowl shaped ones having a radius of curvature of about 2.5 μm and in which the surface of the curved multilayered wall of which they are constituted changes in orientation through 180° from the base (pole) to the periphery. In contrast with the four-sectored character of the lamellae in the aforementioned essentially planar crystals, the constituent lamellae in all the distinctly dished and bowl-like crystals formed in the temperature range 50 to 90 °C are multiseetored. their lateral development being characterized by the formation at their periphery during growth of successive arrays of {100} microfaceted sectored outgrowths. The reasons why the lamellar crystals of poly (4-methylpentene-1) are all the more pronouncedly curved the lower the crystallization temperature are explored and discussed. Conjectures concerning the origins of this phenomena are advanced in the form of a working 'model.'
Comparison of Zinc and Cadmium Coordination Environments in Synthetic Analogues of Carbonic Anhydrase: Synthesis and Structure of {[PimPri,But]Cd(OH2)(OClO3)}(ClO4)

The cadmium complex {[PimPri,But]Cd(OH2)(OClO3)}(ClO4), synthesized by the reaction of Cd(ClO4)2·6H2O with PimPri,But, has been structurally-characterized by X-ray diffraction; comparison with its zinc counterpart {[PimPri,But]ZnOH}(ClO4) reveals structural and chemical differences between the metals in environments that are closely related to the active site of carbonic anhydrase.
The clinical analysis of Miller Fisher syndrome in children

Objective: In order to get a deep understanding of this disease,this study was designed to analyze the clinical features of Miller Fisher syndrome(MFS) in children.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 6 cases of MFS in recent 5 years in our hospital,and referred to the documents concerned.Results: Among the six subject-patients(5 males,1 female),five were of ophthalmoplegia,six ataxia,three facial palsy,three patients bulbar palsy,five patients areflexia,four CT/MRI normal,one patient's spinal MRI showing posterior nerve roots swell and four electrophysiologic abnormal.CSF aibuminocytological dissociation was present in five cases after 1 ~ 2 weeks.Conclusions: Miller Fisher syndrome is a localized variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome,characterized by ophthalmoplegia,areflexia and ataxia.Raised cerebrospinal fluid protein is seen in most patients,electrophysiologic can be found in unusual presentations.Most cases of MFS generally have a good outcome.
Natural Vegetation of Yusan National Forest Park in Jiangsu Province,China

The ratio of forest cover over Yusan National Forest Park is over 96 percent,including 74.8 percent of natural vegetation.The community characteristics of its broadleaved forest are divided into fourteen types by means of investigation,which belong to seven kinds of natural vegetation.Its forests are mainly composed of Pinnus massoniana and mixed broadleaved trees but there are still some broadleaved trees,small patches of evergreen trees and deciduous broadleaved trees at the bottom of the mountain.The community characteristics of this natural vegetation are analyzed,which belong to three types according to its site environment.And based on the investigation and analysis of the vegetation,a series of valid principles and methods are put forward in order to provide scientific evidences for further protection and appropriate management of the forest park and to promote urban forest development.
An efficient genome-wide association test for mixed binary and continuous phenotypes with applications to substance abuse research

We propose a new genome-wide association test for mixed binary and continuous phenotypes that uses an efficient numerical method to estimate the empirical distribution of the Fisher's combination statistic under the null hypothesis. Our simulation study shows that the proposed method controls the type I error rate and also maintains its power at the level of the permutation method. More importantly, the computational efficiency of the proposed method is much higher than the one of the permutation method. The simulation results also indicate that the power of the test increases when the genetic effect increases, the minor allele frequency increases, and the correlation between responses decreases. The statistical analysis on the database of the Study of Addiction: Genetics and Environment demonstrates that the proposed method combining multiple phenotypes can increase the power of identifying markers that may not be, otherwise, chosen using marginal tests.
Analyzing UHF-band antennas near anatomical human models with a fast integral-equation method

A fast integral-equation method is used to quantify the performance of UHF-band antennas near high-fidelity anatomical models of the human body. The surface-volume electric-field integral equation pertinent to the analysis is solved by employing triangular and voxel antenna-body meshes. Traditional basis/testing functions are defined throughout the model except at the antenna feed port: A finite-gap port model is used and novel basis/testing functions are introduced at the port to improve input impedance calculations. The computational costs are reduced by using a parallel FFT-accelerated surface-preconditioned iterative solver. The resulting method is used to compare the return loss and radiation pattern of an asymmetric meandered flare dipole antenna in three cases: (i) when it is in free space, (ii) when it is placed next to a homogeneous block body model, and (iii) when it is placed next to AustinMan and AustinWoman anatomical models. The results demonstrate the suitability of the proposed method for assisting the design of wearable antennas.
Lipoma responsible for tarsal tunnel syndrome. Apropos of 2 cases

Two cases of tarsal tunnel syndrome caused by lipoma are reported. Both patients had ankle pain that radiated to the sole for years. On physical examination, localized swelling behind medial malleolus was found. Tinel's sign was provoked by gentle percussion on the posterior tibial nerve and its branches. Electrophysiological study showed fibrillation in foot intrinsic muscles or prolongation of motor and sensory latency of plantar nerves. Computed tomography of the tarsal tunnel demonstrated areas of low density indicating masses of high lipid content. Exploration of tarsal tunnel revealed compression of the medial plantar nerve by a lipoma. After excision of the lipoma, both patients had complete relief of ankle and foot pain. Computed tomography is helpful in delineating the nature and extent of lipoma within the tarsal tunnel.
Effect of Phosphorus Placement Methods and Rates on Sugarbeet Production under Strip Tillage in Southern Idaho

Strip tillage usage is increasing in the sugarbeet production systems of the Pacific Northwest and research data to guide phosphorus placement options and application rate for those options need to be acquired. The effects of phosphorus application method (surface and subsurface band) and phosphorus application rate (0 to 230 kg P2O5 per ha) were evaluated in 2009 and 2010 on sugarbeet grown under strip tillage at the USDA-ARS Northwest Irrigation & Soils Research Laboratory at Kimberly, ID. The soil at the study sites was a Portneuf silt loam (coarse-silty mixed superactive, mesic Durixerollic Xeric Haplocalcids) that had low bicarbonate extractable phosphorus concentrations of 3.7 and 6.0 mg per kg in 2009 and 2010, respectively. In general, yields did not differ between phosphorus fertilizer application methods. Yields increased as phosphorus rate increased and were not maximized at the highest application rate applied in this study (greater than 230 kg P2O5 per ha). The harvested roots removed an equivalent of 14.3 percent of the applied fertilizer P and the entire plant extracted an equivalent of 22.7 percent of the applied fertilizer phosphorus. Research does not provide evidence that the current University of Idaho and Amalgamated Sugar Company phosphorus fertilizer recommendations should be changed for strip tillage regardless of the application methods used in this study.
The Curious Case of the Martian Microbes: Mariomania, Intrinsic Value and the Prime Directive

This paper offers an extended critique of a position I call Mariomania. Mariomaniacs believe that, if there is life on Mars, even if it is merely microbial, we must “leave Mars to the Martians.” The justification for this sort of claim is less than clear, but seems to revolve around a strong notion of intrinsic value. Such positions encounter major pragmatic problems, however, since ethical rules based on strong intrinsic value tend to be inviolate in character. Attempts to apply Mariomaniacal ideals will thus encounter the same sorts of difficulties that plague other supposedly inviolate ethical principles, such as the Prime Directive from Star Trek. These types of concerns no doubt account in part for the unpopularity of Mariomaniacal ideas as revealed in a poll of both lay and professional ethical audiences. After examining some of the problems that plague Mariomania, I offer an outline of a counter-argument that stresses the opportunity costs humanity would incur by foregoing exploitation of Mars , showing that there are good moral reasons for human interests to be given pride of place when they conflict with those of Martian microbes.
Bauxite Residue for Phosphorus Removal from Waste Water

Phosphorus compounds have been used in a wide variety of industrial and agricultural applications. However, they have also been shown to cause eutrophication in water systems. It is important that the phosphorus is removed from water systems and potentially reclaimed for reuse. One potential phosphorus capture material is bauxite residue. Bauxite residue is a waste product from the Bayer process of aluminum production. The residue is kept in large, alkaline holding pools where it remains unused. Through processing, bauxite residue has been shown to remove phosphorus compounds from waste water. Here, bauxite residue is modified and processed, and the structure-properties relationships are investigated. The effects of microstructure and chemical composition on the removal of phosphorus from water are examined and methods for bauxite valorization are discussed.
Two-dimensional materials for electronic, photonic, spintronic and sensing applications

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are a broad family of layered crystals characterized by strong intra-layer bonds, but with weak inter-layer coupling dominated by van der Waals forces. These characteristics allow 2D materials to be either exfoliated or grown with atom-scale thickness. A wide range of 2D materials exist [1], including graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), black phosphorus (BP) and many others. While these materials have generated a great deal of excitement in the scientific community, many of the applications where these materials can truly provide a benefit compared to state-of-the-art solutions remain unclear. Here, I will describe our work on 2D materials, and will specifically describe how we have attempted to identify applications for which these materials are best suited.
Heteroatom Tuning of Bimolecular Criegee Reactions and Its Implications.

High-level quantum-chemical calculations have been performed to understand the key reactivity determinants of bimolecular reactions of Criegee intermediates and H2X (X=O, S, Se, and Te). Criegee intermediates are implicated as key intermediates in atmospheric, synthetic organic, and enzymatic chemistry. Generally, it is believed that the nature and location of substituents at the carbon of the Criegee intermediate play a key role in determing the reactivity. However, the present work suggests that it is not only the substitution of the Criegee intermediate, but the nature of the heteroatom in H2X that also plays a crucial role in determining the reactivity of the interaction between the Criegee intermediate and H2X. The barriers for the reactions of Criegee intermediates and H2X satisfy an inverse correlation with the bond strength of X−H in H2X, and a direct correlation with the first pKa of H2X. This heteroatom tuning causes a substantial barrier lowering of 8–11 kcal mol−1 in the Criegee reaction barrier in going from H2O to H2Te. An important implication of these results is that the reaction of the Criegee intermediate and H2S could be a source of thioaldehydes, which are important in plantery atmospheres and synthetic organic chemistry. By performing the reaction of Criegee intermediates and H2S under water or acid catalysis, thioladehydes could be detected in a hydrogen-bonded complexed state, which is significantly more stable than their uncomplexed form. As a result, simpler aliphatic thioaldehydes could be selectively synthesized in the laboratory, which, otherwise, has been a significant synthetic challenge because of their ability to oligomerize.
Ethnopharmacological Importance of Western Medicinal Herb, Scutellaria lateriflora

Scutellaria lateriflora also known as American skullcap is a well-known medicinal herb which has been used in traditional medicine and Western materia medica for years. S. lateriflora has exhibited plethora of pharmacological effects. The plant has been shown to affect the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and other organs such as gastrointestinal tracts, liver, sexual organs, endocrine system, blood, kidney, and muscles. However, chief use of this Western medicinal herb is for the central nervous system pathologies. S. lateriflora has primarily reduced the symptoms associated with hyperarousal disorders. The hyperarousal disorders are seizures, insomnia, pain, spasms, and anxiety. Further, the plant parts are used in various botanical formulations and are currently on the US market. In this article, we describe ethnopharmacological role of S. lateriflora and its medicinal applications in detail. Additionally, we have summarized the mechanism of action attributed to the neuroprotection and other pharmacological actions associated with S. lateriflora.
Quantitative Correlation Between Fabrication Precision and Device Homogeneity of Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes

For single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs), a statistical method is advanced to establish the quantitative correlation between the controllability of structure parameters in fabrication process and the homogeneity of device characteristics. With randomly varying structure parameters introduced, it is easy to learn how significant any parameter is to the device performance. By simply setting different parameters fluctuating independently and simultaneously, the collective effect of multiparameters can be obtained and a design tradeoff between various structure parameters can be straightly carried out. For a typical InGaAsP/InP SPAD, it is seen that device homogeneity with excess-bias fluctuation within 50% requires uncertainty in layer thickness and doping density to be smaller than about 3%, whereas device homogeneity better than 10% requires epitaxial precision better than 0.5%, a challenging level.
Iodotyrosine, Iodothyronines, and Thyroid Function

Several methods are available for the facile radioiodination of tyrosine residues in peptides and proteins. Applications of radioiodinated macromolecules in such areas as receptor biochemistry, immunology, transport phenomena, and metabolic studies are now routine. References for methodology and applications are given in the review by Alexander (1984).
Perioperative Morbidity of Same-Day and Staged Bilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty

Abstract Background Management strategies for bilateral hip degenerative disease include same-day or staged bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA), but information on outcomes remains sparse. We sought to describe in-hospital complications and blood transfusion rates after same-day and staged bilateral THAs at different time intervals and to assess risk factors for these events. Methods We retrospectively reviewed administrative data for 3785 patients treated with same-day bilateral (n = 1946; group A) and staged bilateral THA within (1) 0-3 months apart (n = 328; group B); (2) 3-6 months apart (n = 703; group C); and (3) 6-12 months apart (n = 808; group D), between 1999 and 2014. We recorded demographics, the Charlson-Deyo comorbidity index and in-hospital local and systemic (minor and major) complications. Complication and blood transfusion rates among groups were compared. A logistic regression model was developed to identify risk factors for major complications. Results Local complications were rare. Minor complications were less frequent in group A ( P P = .012). Group A had higher overall ( P P Conclusion Same-day bilateral THA in a high-volume joint replacement center may be a safe option for younger and healthier patients, given the relatively low incidence of adverse events reported in this study.
Hot Row Identification of DRAM Memory in a Multicore System

Access locality in single-core system is not easily observed in multicore system due to interleaved requests from different cores. Requests that come to DRAM-based main memory is mapped to a specific bank in DRAM and accessed through row buffer in the bank. DRAM row-buffer conflicts occur when a sequence of requests on different rows goes to the same memory bank, causing much higher memory access latency than requests to the same row or to different banks.In this paper, we first show that strong locality exists in memory requests of multicore systems. For many workloads, the accesses to some rows are more frequent than others, which we call them hot rows. Based on the observation, we propose a simple hot row buffer (HRB) scheme that is able to detect and capture these hot rows in DRAM. Results have shown that the proposed scheme is able to provide average 56% hit ratio over all row accesses in a bank for 10 selected workloads from SPEC CPU2006. A simple stream prefetcher prefetching in the hot row is implemented and results show an average of 9.1% IPC improvement over no prefetcher design.
The Institutionalization of Service-Learning at the Independent Colleges and Universities of the Gulf Coast Region

ABSTRACTService-learning is a high-impact educational practice that benefits the community, the university, and students (Jacoby, 2015). It also represents an educational practice that specifically supports the integration of Christian thought and action within Christian institutions (Schaffer, 2004). The purpose of the study was to determine the level of service-learning institutionalization within the faith-based, faith-affiliated, and secular institutions of the Gulf Coast Region of the United States. Utilizing an electronic version of Furco's (2009) Self-Assessment Rubric for the Institutionalization of Service-Learning in Higher Education, chief academic officers at independent colleges and universities of the Gulf Coast region provided their respective institution's current stage of development on the institutionalization continuum. The majority of administrators reported scores indicative of development at the midpoint of the continuum, the Quality Building Stage. The presence of a university philo...
Corruption as Disloyalty

In order to assess the legitimacy of criminalising corruption, it is necessary, first, to develop a concept of corruption which adequately captures the different behaviours that can plausibly be considered corrupt. And second, it is necessary to be clear not only about what harm corruption produces but also what its moral wrong consists in, and what is the degree of its moral wrong according to the moral typology of each kind of corrupt conduct. These considerations provide a matrix of analysis that is useful both to control the plausibility of existing criminal law that punishes corruption and to propose reforms of the law which are consistent with the moral convictions that actually exist in society regarding this problem.