cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A novel fluid–wall heat transfer model for molecular dynamics simulations

The ‘fluid–wall thermal equilibrium model’, to numerically simulate heating/cooling of fluid atoms by wall atoms, is used to compare molecular dynamics simulation results to the analytical solution of 1-D heat equation. Liquid argon atoms are placed between two platinum walls and simultaneous heating and cooling is simulated at the walls. Temperature gradient in liquid argon is evaluated and the results are found to match well with the analytical solution showing the physical soundness of the proposed model. Additional simulations are done where liquid argon atoms are heated by both the walls for two different channel heights and it is shown that in such cases, heat transfer occurs at a faster rate than predicted by heat equation with decreasing channel heights.
Early pregnancy loss in in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a positive predictor of subsequent IVF success

Abstract Objective: To determine the significance of biochemical pregnancy losses and clinical spontaneous abortion (SAB) on outcomes of future IVF cycles. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Academic IVF program. Patient(s): Women with a history of unsuccessful IVF attempts undergoing IVF. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Clinical pregnancy rate. Result(s): Patients with an early pregnancy loss had a greater ongoing clinical pregnancy rate in the immediate next cycle when compared with those women who had a negative pregnancy test (37.3% vs. 27.3%). Patients with a history of a biochemical pregnancy or a clinical spontaneous abortion had an ongoing clinical pregnancy rate in the next cycle of 38.4% and 42.3%, respectively, compared with 27.3% in women who had a history of a negative pregnancy test. The cumulative pregnancy rate after the first IVF attempt was 54.1% in patients with a previous biochemical pregnancy loss, 61.4% in those with a previous clinical SAB, and 46.5% in women with a previous negative pregnancy test. Conclusion(s): Women who experience an early pregnancy loss after IVF have a greater likelihood of success in subsequent IVF cycles when compared with patients who fail to conceive.
Distal spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy caused by dynactin mutation.

Disruption of axonal transport has been implicated in the mechanism of frontotemporal dementia,1 polyglutamine diseases,2,3 and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.4,5 The importance of the dynein–dynactin microtubule motor proteins, which mediate retrograde axonal transport, has been further emphasized by recent studies showing that mutation or disruption of these motor proteins leads to late-onset motor neuron disease in mice.6,7 We recently reported on a family in which a G59S missense mutation in the p150Glued subunit of dynactin is associated with an autosomal dominant form of motor neuron disease.8 In this study, we delineate the unique clinical, electrophysiological, and pathological effects of this mutation.
Effects of low-velocity fault zones on dynamic ruptures with nonelastic off-fault response

[1] Using a finite element method for elastoplastic dynamic analysis, we examine the effects of a low-velocity fault zone (LVFZ) surrounding a fault on a spontaneous dynamic earthquake rupture. A Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion is used to characterize nonelastic off-fault response to earthquake ruptures. We find that the presence of a LVFZ alters the distribution of off-fault plastic strain and results in larger final slip and larger peak slip velocities on the fault. These effects show a LVFZ-width dependency. A supershear (relative to the shear wave velocity of country rocks) rupture transition is observed with a LVFZ width of 400 m or larger (up to 2 km). The presence of a LVFZ increases the amplitude of ground shaking at stations within the LVFZ and induces high-frequency oscillations at stations within and near the LVFZ.
Insights into the Biogenesis of Lysosome-Related Organelles from the Study of the Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome

Lysosome-related organelles (LROs) are a family of cell-type-specific organelles that include melanosomes, platelet dense bodies, and cytotoxic T cell granules. The name, LRO, recognizes the fact that all of these organelles contain subsets of lysosomal proteins in addition to cell-type-specific proteins. The recent identification of genetic disorders that cause combined defects in several of these organelles indicates that they share common biogenetic pathways. Studies of one of these disorders, the Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS), have provided helpful insights into the molecular machinery involved in LRO biogenesis. HPS is a genetically heterogeneous disorder caused by mutations in any of 7 genes in humans and 15 genes in mice. These genes encode subunits of 4 multi-protein complexes named AP-3, BLOC-1, BLOC-2 and BLOC-3, in addition to miscellaneous components of the general protein trafficking machinery. The AP-3 complex is a coat protein involved in vesicle formation and cargo selection in the endosomal-lysosomal system. One of these cargo molecules is the melanosomal enzyme, tyrosinase, the missorting of which may explain the defective melanosomes in AP-3-deficient humans and mice. The function of the BLOC complexes is unknown, although they are thought to mediate either vesicle tethering/fusion or cytoplasmic dispersal of LROs. Further studies of these complexes should contribute to the elucidation of the mechanisms of LRO biogenesis and the pathogenesis of HPS.
An optional laboratory in molecular techniques as an aid in the teaching of medical biochemistry

This communication describes the implementation of an optional laboratory exercise for first year medical students with little or no experience in modern molecular techniques. The students learn to use restriction enzymes, perform Southern blots, and to do PCR on buccal cell DNA to look for a specific mutation in the DNA. At the completion of the four hour exercise the students have indicated that these abstract procedures are now brought into focus, and will help them with the didactic course material which follow.
Construction crew discovers grave of "Tiny Tim".

by Sir Percivall Pott (1714 ‐ 1788) 60 years before Timothy Excavation to strengthen the buttresses and roof supports of Cratchit was born. Typically, children become infected first St. Andrew’s Church in London led to the discovery of 13 with TB pneumonia, which they contract from a contagious grave sites dating to the late 19th century. The graves and adult. The bacteria then spread through the bloodstream and marker stones had been buried under decades of debris and lodge in the backbone, where they begin an insidious destrucpaved over in 1963. While the discovery of forgotten graves tion. Usually the body is able to fight the initial infection, but is not uncommon in this section of London, this discovery was the TB in the backbone continues to smoulder. The majority particularly exciting, according to Dr. Peter Brown of the Royal of cases of TB of the spine, or Pott’s disease, occur in children Historic Society. ‘‘We are often called to examine the markers between 3 and 10 years of age. Children develop pain and or graves for their potential archaeologic value. It was almost stiffness of the back, followed by gradual wasting, fatigue, and by accident that we discovered Cratchit’s tombstone.’’ After intermittent fevers. A section of the spine is gradually demoving several of the large stones, workers stumbled across a stroyed, leading to shortened trunk height. The legs may bestone that read ‘‘In Memory. Timothy Cratchit. 1839 ‐ 1884. come weaker if the crumbling backbones push on the spinal Beloved Husband of Julia, Father of Robert, and Son of Robert cord. The children often lose the ability to walk normally. and Martha.’’ Immediately beneath the stone, skeletal remains ‘‘While it is possible for children to live for years and even were discovered. They were of a man approximately 40 years decades with this condition,’’ Dr. McClean explained, ‘‘death of age wearing a frame of metal and leather on his legs and will often occur rapidly in the weakened or malnourished child, lower back. when the bone infection leaks into the fluid surrounding the
Offspring of Centenarians Have a Favorable Lipid Profile

OBJECTIVES: It is well recognized that a favorable lipid profile provides protection from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Because the major cause of nontraumatic death in the western world is considered to be due to cardiovascular disease, centenarians (defined here as subjects over 95 years of age) are believed to possess “atherosclerotic protective” factors. However, it is impossible to study comparatively the lipid profile in centenarians because of lack of controls. Assuming that certain genes responsible for encoding the lipid phenotype may be inherited, we studied the lipid profile characteristics of offspring of centenarians and compared them with control groups. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: The study was part of the Longevity Genes Project at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. PARTICIPANTS: Ashkenazi Jewish centenarians (n = 27, 98.4 ± 10.4 years) and their offspring (n = 33, 67.4 ± 1.4 years). The Ashkenazi Jewish offsprings' spouses, who were not related by blood to the centenarians or their offspring, were used as a control group (n = 26, 68.4 ± 1.2 years). MEASUREMENTS: The lipoprotein profile of the offspring was compared with the above control group and to a larger control group (age and gender matched) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III study (without the sample weights, n = 394, 60 to 69 years). RESULTS: Female offspring of centenarians had significantly higher plasma levels of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels compared with controls (70.2 ± 3.1 vs 59.0 ± 4.1 mg/dl, P = .029). Male offspring of centenarians had higher plasma levels of HDL-C levels (56.2 ± 7.1 vs 44.3 ± 3.4 mg/dl, P = 0.130) and significantly lower LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (95.0 ± 6.0 vs 127.0 ± 8.0 mg/dl, P = .009) compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Offspring of centenarians have a favorable lipid profile compared with controls. These data support the notion that a certain phenotypic lipid profile may be transmitted in families and suggest that a favorable lipid profile may play a role in longevity.
Approximate root isolation for nonlinear systems by Monte-Carlo

Abstract A procedure for isolating the real roots of nonlinear systems of equations is presented. The technique requires only function values and can be applied readily to complicated systems of transcendental functions. A program implementing the technique has been written, and the effectiveness and efficiency of the program are discussed.
The Internet's role in learning; Pandora's Box or the missing link?

Metaphors and analogies used to argue the potential of the Internet can be powerful, persuasive and sometimes misleading. Some talk about the “information superhighway” as if it were the road to the future in education…and that installing an ethernet connection in every classroom is the beginning of long awaited educational reform. Others caution, though, that if the Internet just becomes a means of doing exactly what we are doing now but to more people spread over a larger geographical area, then this medium may become the catalyst of even faster deterioration of education rather than its savior.
Undergraduate Programs in Agricultural Economics: Some Observations

In recent years, increased attention has been focused on undergraduate education in agricultural economics. The profession's interest in undergraduate education has been demonstrated through sponsoring workshops, the Distinguished Undergraduate Teacher Awards, and, more recently, program emphasis at the annual meetings. Periodic evaluation of courses and programs at the department level in many institutions suggests a continuing concern for quality undergraduate education. As part of a comprehensive review of undergraduate agricultural economics programs at the University of Kentucky, a mail survey was conducted to obtain information relative to the current status and anticipated changes in programs in the United States and Canada.' Questionnaires were mailed to departments at land grant institutions in the United States and Canada in early 1975. Data obtained from forty-six departments are presented in this note. While the data requested touched on many facets of the undergraduate program, this note focuses primarily on the current size of agricultural economics programs, departmental characteristics and faculty involvement, and potential growth areas. As such the note offers some parallels to the Storey and Christensen survey of graduate programs previously reported in this Journal and elaborates on aspects of undergraduate programs discussed by Davis et al.
Toward an open-architecture specification language for machine control

Current machine control operating environments rely heavily upon G codes to specify the desired machine behavior. G codes provide a sequential non-preemptive execution semantics that, together with the operating environment, allow for precise control of the machine. However, G codes do not allow for the type of reactive behavior specification required in the next generation of open architecture manufacturing system and propose the semantics for a language that meets those requirements.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
On the eve of the Haitian revolution: Slave runaways in Saint Domingue in the year 1790

(1985). On the eve of the Haitian revolution: Slave runaways in Saint Domingue in the year 1790. Slavery & Abolition: Vol. 6, Out of the House of Bondage: Runaways, Resistance and Marronage in Africa and the New World, pp. 112-128.
Laparoscopic percutaneous jejunostomy for long term enteral access

Background: Patients suffering from upper gastrointestinal pathology may require jejunal feeding for adequate nutrition. A laparoscopically guided percutaneous jejunostomy offers a minimally invasive means of obtaining such feeding access.
Ferritin in human liver cells of homozygous beta-thalassaemia: ultrastructural observations.

Summary. Homozygous beta-thalassaemia is a disease in which there is a progressive iron overload from infancy to death in early adulthood. Liver biopsies from 10 patients in various stages of this disease were examined by electron microscopy. A number of round or oval lysosomal structures, containing lamellae different from myelin figures, were seen in all patients, including those with minimal iron overload. Ferritin molecules were seen either in relationship with the lamellae forming arrays, or in paracrystalline arrangement, or with no organized form. There were practically no ferritin molecules in sub-cellular compartments other than cell sap and lysosomes. The density of cell sap ferritin was constant beyond infancy, but the number of iron-laden lysosomes increased with age. The stages in the process of iron seclusion, seen even in advanced phases of iron overload, are described. Ferritin is thought to accumulate in lysosomes by a transmembraneous movement, but other explanations are considered.
Plasmodium berghei: gluconeogenesis in the infected mouse liver studied by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance.

Abstract Using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, we have compared the gluconeogenic activity of perfused livers isolated from normal starved mice and mice highly parasitized with Plasmodium berghei, using [2-13C]pyruvate as substrate. In both types of livers, 13C labeling of glucose carbons occurred in positions 1, 2, 5, and 6. The equal proportions of [1,6-13C]- and [2,5-13C]glucose in livers from malarial and normal mice suggests that pyruvate enters the gluconeogenic pathway directly and, to an equal extent, via the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The normalized signal heights indicated that at a given time after the addition of [2-13C]pyruvate the degree of 13C labeling in glucose carbons was reduced in livers from malarial animals, when compared to livers from normal animals. During the course of the perfusion experiment, the [2-13C]lactate resonance signal was always more intense from livers of malarial animals than from normal animals. A reduced activity of hepatic gluconeogenesis in malarial animals was further confirmed by a separate set of perfusion experiments which showed a 56% reduction of the measured rate of glucose production in livers from malarial animals, with respect to that of normal animals. A lowered NAD NADH ratio in livers from malarial animals would explain the increased proportion of lactate observed in the spectra and be related to a decreased gluconeogenic rate. A more reduced oxidoreduction level in the hepatocytes of a malarial animal would result from a defect in the oxidative phosphorylation activity of mitochondria.
Measurement of Strength and Loading Variables on the Knee During Alpine Skiing

The study focusses on the prevention of knee injuries during snow skiing. In order to develop a technology of knee injury prevention, both the strength and loading on the knee during skiing activity must be known. This paper reports measurements of variables influencing both knee strength and loading of the joint. The strength variables measured included the degree of activity in six muscles crossing the knee, the knee flexion angle, and the axial load (i.e. weight bearing) transmitted to the knee. Transducers included surface electrodes to monitor electromyogram signals indicating the degree of muscle activity and a goniometer to measure both hip and knee flexion angles. The complete loading on the knee was derived from a dynamometer which measured the six load components at the boot-dynamometer interface. The transducer data were acquired and stored by a compact, battery powered digital data acquisition-controller system. Three male subjects of similar physical size (nominal was 1.8 m and 75 kg) and skiing ability (advanced intermediate to expert) were tested under similar conditions. Each subject skied a total of four slalom runs--one snowplow and three parallel. The total time of each test was 21 s. Example data plots from different types of runs are presented and discussed. Based on observations from the data, necessary performance features for ski bindings offering improved protection from knee ligamentous injuries are defined.
Dermatopathy in juvenile Angus cattle due to vitamin A deficiency

In juvenile cattle, vitamin A deficiency is reported most commonly as a neurological condition; only rarely are there dermatologic manifestations. In the current study, alopecia, severe epidermal and follicular orthokeratosis, and acanthosis due to hypovitaminosis A are reported in 2 of 32 Angus calves, with a third animal suspected. Affected animals responded to vitamin A supplementation, and no additional calves displayed signs. Vitamin A acts on skin by regulating DNA transcription in keratinocytes, reducing the number of tonofilaments and desmosomes, both involved in cell-to-cell adhesion. Hence, adequate levels of dietary vitamin A are necessary for normal keratinocyte turnover, and deficiencies result in retention of keratinized cells (orthokeratosis). The present report reminds diagnosticians to consider vitamin A deficiency in cases of orthokeratotic dermatopathy in cattle.
Phase locked loop using delay compensation techniques

This paper illustrates a modification to a basic phase locked loop (PLL) topology aimed at compensating the effects of loop latency. The technique, developed to address the performance degradation observed in high latency PLL topologies as is the case of Viterbi based decision directed read channel timing recovery, is readily applicable to digital baseband communication receivers.
On the thermodynamics of diblock chain fluids from simulation and heteronuclear statistical associating fluid theory for potentials of variable range

The SAFT-VR equation of state is extended to treat heteronuclear chain fluids, focusing, in particular, on symmetric and asymmetric diblock chains. The chain molecules studied are composed of segments of different size and/or energy of interaction. Both symmetric and asymmetric systems are considered. The theoretical predictions are compared with isothermal–isobaric and Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo simulation data. Excellent agreement is obtained between the hetero-SAFT-VR predictions and the simulation data, validating the use of the SAFT-VR approach for heteronuclear chains in more realistic models of polymers and small molecules composed of different functional groups.
A Case of Classic Raymond Syndrome

Classic Raymond syndrome consists of ipsilateral abducens impairment, contralateral central facial paresis, and contralateral hemiparesis. However, subsequent clinical observations argued on the presentation of facial involvement. To validate this entity, we present a case of classic Raymond syndrome with contralateral facial paresis. A 50 year-old man experienced acute onset of horizontal diplopia, left mouth drooling and left-sided weakness. Neurological examination showed he had right abducens nerve palsy, left-sided paresis of the lower part of the face and limbs, and left hyperreflexia. A brain MRI showed a subacute infarct in the right mid-pons. The findings were consistent with those of classic Raymond syndrome. To date, only a few cases of Raymond syndrome, commonly without facial involvement, have been reported. Our case is a validation of classic Raymond syndrome with contralateral facial paresis. We propose the concept of two types of Raymond syndrome: (1) the classic type, which may be produced by a lesion in the mid-pons involving the ipsilateral abducens fascicle and undecussated corticofacial and corticospinal fibers; and (2) the common type, which may be produced by a lesion involving the ipsilateral abducens fascicle and undecussated corticospinal fibers but sparing the corticofacial fibers.
COMPUTING WELL HYDRAULICS SOLUTIONS

Abstract. Type curves, and drawdown analysis curves of other sorts, have a well-established position in the ground-water profession. Although a plethora of solutions to well hydraulics problems exists, many of these arc not available in useful type curve formats. lpurthcr, if one wants to perform parameter estimation using many of these solutions, a computer-based form of the solution is needed. Those who have programmed analytical solutions know the difficulties that will be encountered in coding even the most innocuous-looking result. In this paper, a computer-based method of type curve generation is prcscnted based on Stehfest's method of inverting the Laplace transform solution of ground-water flow problems. The latter are usually easier to obtain than a complete closed-form solution. The method is very robust for a large class of well hydraulics problems. A companion diskette with FORTRAN source and executable example program is available from the author.
Anti-inflammatory effects of physical activity in relationship to improved cognitive status in humans and mouse models of Alzheimer's disease.

Physical activity has been correlated with a reduced incidence of cognitive decline and Alzheimers disease in human populations. Although data from intervention-based randomized trials is scarce, there is some indication that exercise may confer protection against age-related deficits in cognitive function. Data from animal models suggests that exercise, in the form of voluntary wheel running, is associated with reduced amyloid deposition and enhanced clearance of amyloid beta, the major constituent of plaques in Alzheimers disease. Treadmill exercise has also been shown to ameliorate the accumulation of phosphorylated tau, an essential component of neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimers models. A common therapeutic theme arising from studies of exercise-induced neuroprotection in human populations and in animal models involves reduced inflammation in the central nervous system. In this respect, physical activity may promote neuronal resilience by reducing inflammation.
Design Data Structure

In this chapter, we will examine different ways of describing the representational and structural details of a design. Since the representational details are typically domain specific, we will limit the discussion to one design domain, namely VLSI design. We then describe several proposed and implemented design data models. These provide structures for organizing the design description within and across representations, for incorporating interface specifications, and for representing design versions and alternatives. A more detailed description of one such model, the Object Data Model, will be presented in the next chapter.
A DSP-based beam current monitoring system for machine protection using adaptive filtering

The CEBAF accelerator at Jefferson Lab is currently using an analog beam current monitoring (BCM) system for its machine protection system (MPS), which has a loss accuracy of 2 /spl mu/A. Recent burn-through simulations predict catastrophic beam line component failures below 1 /spl mu/A of loss, resulting in a blind spot for the MPS. The revised MPS requirements target an ultimate beam loss accuracy of 250 nA. A new beam current monitoring system has been developed which utilizes modern digital receiver technology and digital signal processing concepts. The receiver employs a direct-digital down converter integrated circuit, mated with a Jefferson Lab digital signal processor VME card. Adaptive filtering is used to take advantage of current-dependent burn through rates. Benefits of such a system include elimination of DC offsets, generic algorithm development, extensive filter options, and interfaces to UNIX-based control systems.
Epithelial Microvilli Establish an Electrostatic Barrier to Microbial Adhesion

Microvilli are membrane extensions on the apical surface of polarized epithelia, such as intestinal enterocytes and tubule and duct epithelia. One notable exception in mucosal epithelia is M cells, which are specialized for capturing luminal microbial particles; M cells display a unique apical membrane lacking microvilli. Based on studies of M cell uptake under different ionic conditions, we hypothesized that microvilli may augment the mucosal barrier by providing an increased surface charge density from the increased membrane surface and associated glycoproteins. Thus, electrostatic charges may repel microbes from epithelial cells bearing microvilli, while M cells are more susceptible to microbial adhesion. To test the role of microvilli in bacterial adhesion and uptake, we developed polarized intestinal epithelial cells with reduced microvilli ("microvillus-minus," or MVM) but retaining normal tight junctions. When tested for interactions with microbial particles in suspension, MVM cells showed greatly enhanced adhesion and uptake of particles compared to microvillus-positive cells. This preference showed a linear relationship to bacterial surface charge, suggesting that microvilli resist binding of microbes by using electrostatic repulsion. Moreover, this predicts that pathogen modification of electrostatic forces may contribute directly to virulence. Accordingly, the effacement effector protein Tir from enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 expressed in epithelial cells induced a loss of microvilli with consequent enhanced microbial binding. These results provide a new context for microvillus function in the host-pathogen relationship, based on electrostatic interactions.
CORR Insights™: Can a triple pelvic osteotomy for adult symptomatic hip dysplasia provide relief of symptoms for 25 years?

This CORR Insights™ is a commentary on the article ‘‘Can a Triple Pelvic Osteotomy for Adult Symptomatic Hip Dysplasia Provide Relief of Symptoms for 25 Years?” By van Stralen and colleagues available at DOI 10.1007/s11999-012-2701-0.
A Comparison of SYN Flood Detection Algorithms

The problem of detecting distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, and particularly SYN flood attacks, has received much attention in current literature. A variety of algorithms for detecting such attacks have been published. Researchers have tested their own algorithms using traces containing real or synthetic attacks, and have reported good results based on those tests. However, the traces used and parameters of the attacks seen or generated vary greatly between published works. This paper compares three published SYN flood detection algorithms using traces collected from the UCLA Computer Science Department network and synthetic attacks in an Emulab network. The algorithms vary significantly in the speed at which they detect the start and end of attacks, their false positive and false negative rates, the types of non- DDoS activity they detect, and other properties. Their qualitative strengths and weaknesses are discussed, and suggestions are made for enhancements.
Digit systolic algorithms for fine-grain architectures

In this paper, the authors present a novel scheme for performing arithmetic efficiently on fine-grain programmable architectures and FPGA-based systems. They achieve an O(n) speedup over the bit-serial methods of existing fine-grain systems such as the DAP, the MPP and the CM2, within the constraints of regular, near neighbor communication and only a small amount of on-chip memory. This is possible by means of digit systolic algorithms which avoid broadcast and operate in a fully systolic manner at the digit level. They use digit online techniques coupled with a base 4, signed-digit number system to limit carry propagation. Although the algorithms are bit-serial, the authors are able to match the performance of the bit-parallel methods, while retaining low communication complexity. Efficient O(n) time algorithms for multiplication and division of fixed-point, variable precision numbers are given. By using the organization of logic blocks suggested in this paper, problems of placement and routing that exist in systems built using FPGAs can be avoided. Since the algorithms are amenable to pipelining, very high throughput can be obtained. >
Combinations of oxazepam and metyrapone attenuate cocaine and methamphetamine cue reactivity.

Abstract Background We have previously reported that combining low doses of oxazepam and metyrapone (OX/MET) reduces intravenous cocaine self-administration without affecting stress-hormone levels. We hypothesized that the combination of OX/MET would also inhibit the reinstatement of cocaine or methamphetamine seeking induced by the presentation of a conditioned reinforcer and that stress hormone levels would not be influenced by this treatment. Methods Male rats were implanted with jugular catheters and trained to self-administer cocaine or methamphetamine during daily 2-h sessions. During training, cocaine or methamphetamine delivery was paired with the presentation of a tone and the illumination of a house light. Following stable self-administration, rats were placed into forced abstinence. During cue-reactivity testing, rats were placed back into the operant chambers and responding only resulted in the presentation of the conditioned reinforcer; no cocaine or methamphetamine was delivered. Blood was collected on the last day of self-administration and on the day of cue-reactivity testing (either 15-min or 2-h session) to assess plasma corticosterone. Results The response-contingent presentation of the conditioned reinforcer reliably maintained cocaine or methamphetamine seeking following vehicle pretreatment. Pretreatment with OX/MET resulted in a dose-related attenuation of both cocaine and methamphetamine seeking. Corticosterone levels were significantly different at the end of the 15-min session, but not following the 2-h session. Conclusion These data suggest that OX/MET may be useful in blocking the ability of environmental cues to stimulate both cocaine and methamphetamine seeking and that this effect is not entirely dependent on stress hormone levels.
Simplified Model for Dynamic Simulation of Solar Systems with Evacuated Tube Collector

Abstract A better design of solar systems by preliminary dynamic simulation enhances their viability. Available simulation tools like TRNSYS are often complex and require much experience. This study proposes a simplified simulation model of solar systems using evacuated tube collectors with a storage tank that may be stratified or not. Models were developed for the three main components of the solar loop: global irradiation, the collector, and the storage tank. The differential equations generated were solved using a prediction-correction algorithm. A computer program, JANT-BI, was developed to allow for the monitoring of the different levels of temperature in the whole system. JANT-BI can be used to evaluate the solar coverage rate for a given load and as a function of different design parameters, and so is suitable for both numerical simulation and optimal design. A case study of process steam generation with a non-stratified system revealed that the tank volume is inversely proportional to the overall performance of the system. It was also found that for a given collector area, a collector arrangement that favors parallels against series provides a better solar coverage rate.
Validity and Reliability of a Novel Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS) in Quantifying and Monitoring Corneal and Ocular Surface Pain

Purpose To validate the Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS), specifically designed to measure ocular pain and quality of life for use by eye care practitioners and researchers. Design A single-center cohort study was conducted among patients with and without corneal and ocular surface pain at initial and follow-up visits over a 6-month period. The content of the OPAS was guided by literature review, a body of experts, and incorporating conceptual frameworks from existing pain questionnaires. The Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale served as the gold standard for measuring the intensity of ocular pain. Participants A total of 102 patients aged 18 to 80 years completed the OPAS at the initial visit. A total of 21 patients were followed up after treatment. Methods Indices of validity and internal consistency (Spearman's rank-order, r s , or Pearson's correlation coefficients, r p ), and coefficient of reliability (Cronbach's α) were determined in addition to equivalence testing, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and diagnostic analysis. Main Outcome Measures Eye pain intensity was the primary outcome measure, and interference with quality of life (QoL), aggravating factors, associated factors, associated non–eye pain intensity, and self-reported symptomatic relief were the secondary outcome measures. Results The OPAS had criterion validity at both initial (r s = 0.71; n = 102; P s = 0.97; n = 21; P 0.83 for all subscales established strong internal consistency, which correlated with the gold standard, including 24-hour eye pain intensity and QoL interference scores (r p = 0.81, 0.64, respectively P p = 0.53; P 50. Conclusions The OPAS is a valid, reliable, and responsive tool with strong psychometric and diagnostic properties in the multidimensional quantification of corneal and ocular surface pain intensity, and QoL.
Stable mixed chimerism and tolerance to human organ transplants

Tolerance to combined kidney and hematopoietic cell transplant has been achieved in humans after establishment of mixed chimerism allowing for the withdrawal of immunosuppressive drugs. The seminal contributions of Ray Owen provided the scientific basis for the human protocol.
Multi-fractal Characteristics of the Rebar and Wire Rod Markets: an SHFE-based Empirical Study

Based on the time series analysis,multi-fractal method and fractal rescaled range analysis( the R / S method),an investigation on the time series of returns on the rebar and wire rod markets in China was done empirically. It was found that the time series of the returns on both steels are characterized by being leptokurtic and heavy-tailed,which are not normally distributed and showa long-term memory between prices,thus indicating that the rebar and wire rod markets don't reach the soft efficiency. The efficient market hypothesis is thus to be queried. The scale variations of time series showthat a single-scale index is insufficient to describe the price fluctuations of commodities. However,the multi-fractal analysis as a powerful instrument can serve to describe more accurately howthe prices of rebar and wire rod vary.
Lamin A/C Gene Mutation and Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Lamin proteins are thought to determine the size and shape of cell nuclei and to be involved in nuclear stability,chromatin structure and gene expression.Lamin A/C mutation is one of the etiological factors of dilated cardiomyopathy.Many mutational sites of lamin A/C have now been found.Lamin A/C mutation can result in disrupted cardiocyte nuclear envelope and disturbed interactions between lamin A/C proteins and other nuclear envelope proteins and chromatin.Furthermore,it may lead to the dysregulation of cardiocyte cellular functions,such as transcription,chromosome organisation,and contractile function.These abnormalities are involved in the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy.
Building a Maritime Domain Lexicon: a Few Considerations on the Database Structure and the Semantic Coding

In this paper we refer about the building we are carrying out of a specialized lexicon belonging to the maritime domain, together with the coding performed according to the ItalWordNet semantic relations model. The main characteristics of the lexical semantic database and the specific features of the specialized language are taken into consideration and, in particular, we concentrate our attention on the following items: i) the main characteristics of this lexicon, its different levels of specificity and its distribution within different sub domains; ii) the verb class semantic coding; iii) the suitable concepts to outline a specific maritime domain ontology.
Synchronous cystoscopy and cystometry in the management of neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

AbstractThe physical difficulties associated with cystoscopy and cystometry in the spinal cord injury patient led to a clinical trial of synchronous cystoscopy and cystometry in these individuals. Following a disappointing experience with external transducer methodology, a recently available fiberoptic microtransducer system was used and an effective system was developed.A total of 20 individuals with spinal cord injury underwent a standard water cystometrogram on an examination table followed by synchronous flexible cystoscopy and cystometry using a 5F fiberoptic microtransducer while seated in a chair. The results showed both pressure tracings to be clinically identical. Uninhibited contraction spikes, compliance curves and leak point pressures were essentially the same by both methods and artifact was not a problem. Given the speed, ease and reproducibility of this method, the difficulties with patient transfer for these studies have been virtually eliminated. Two urethral instrumentations have been re...
Neuromodulation Improves the Evolution of Forward Models

Many animals predict the outcomes of their actions by internal models. Such "forward models'' enable animals to rapidly simulate many actions without performing them to choose an appropriate action. Robots would similarly benefit from forward models. However, such models must change over time to account for changes in the environment or body, such as injury. Thus, forward models must not only be accurate, but also adaptable. Neural networks can learn complex functions with high accuracy, hence they are suitable candidates to build forward models for robots. Generally, neural networks are static, which means once they pass the training phase, their weights remain unchanged and they thus cannot adapt themselves if something about the world or their body changes. Plastic neural networks change their connections over time via local learning rules (e.g. Hebbian rule) and can thus deal with unforeseen changes. A more complex, yet still biologically-inspired, technique is neuromodulation, which can change per-connection learning rates in different contexts. In this paper, we test the hypothesis that neuromodulation may improve the evolution of forward models because it can heighten learning after drastic changes such as injury. We compare forward models evolved with neuromodulation to those evolved with static neural networks and Hebbian plastic neural networks. The results show that neuromodulation produces forward models that can adapt to changes significantly better than the controls. Our findings suggest that neuromodulation is an effective tool for enabling robots (and artificial intelligence agents, more generally) to have more adaptable, effective forward models.
How the size of governing coalitions shape legislative behavior: A subnational analysis of Argentine legislative chambers, 1992–2009:

In presidential democracies, minority governments are widespread and the size of the governing coalition varies dramatically across legislatures. Despite substantial variation across legislatures, no significant research has been conducted to explore how the size of the governing coalition shapes legislative behavior. We argue that executives supported by a legislative majority have the necessary resources to promote the party; consequently, members of the governing coalition are subject to less partisan pressure. However, as the size of the governing coalition decreases, so does the executive’s political capital; thus, party leaders are required to exert party discipline to convalesce the party’s image. Using a unique comparative research design from Argentine provincial legislatures over an 18-year period, we provide strong empirical support for our theory of the conditional effect of inter-branch relations on legislative behavior.
Trials and tribulations of developers of intelligent systems: A field study

Intelligent systems are gaining in popularity and receiving increased media attention, but little is known about how people actually go about developing them. In this paper, we attempt to fill this gap through a set of field interviews that investigate how people develop intelligent systems that incorporate machine learning algorithms. The developers we interviewed were experienced at working with machine learning algorithms and dealing with the large amounts of data needed to develop intelligent systems. Despite their level of experience, we learned that they struggle to establish a repeatable process. They described problems with each step of the processes they perform, as well as cross-cutting issues that pervade multiple steps of their processes. The unique difficulties that developers like these face seem to point to a need for software engineering advances that address such machine learning systems, and we conclude by discussing this need and some of its implications.
Fashioning Multiplatform Masculinities: Gay Personal Style Bloggers’ Strategies of Gendered Self-representation across Social Media

Scholarly interest in the potential of personal style blogging to intervene in fashion media’s gendered norms has focused on women and femininity. To assess the implications for men and masculinity, this article examines gay male bloggers’ self-representational practices. Through interviews and textual analysis, we find their uses of different digital platforms reproduce and confront the heteronormativity of men’s fashion media in ways that speak to their status as bloggers in the industry. Specifically, their desire to demonstrate recognizable forms of fashion expertise keeps their blogs disciplined by industry norms of masculinity even as the need to self-brand encourages queer self-expression across other social media. We thus argue the ways in which bloggers embrace platforms’ technological affordances to engage multiple audiences are central to theorizing how their labor produces different discourses and depictions of masculinity. This builds on arguments made by gender and sexuality scholars to expl...
The Nature of William Bartram

William Bartram (1739-1823) was the first American to devote his life to the study of nature. He was an artist, a botanist, an explorer, a gardener, an herbalist, a naturalist, and a "philosophical pilgrim," as he called himself. He was an Enlightened Romantic, a culturally transitional figure whose ideas had as many roots in the past as seeds for the future. He was an intensely private person in an age of public men. For all his travels, Bartram died in the house where he was born. For all his romance, he never married. For all his days in the same garden, he remained fascinated by its seasonal rhythms down to his last day, a day that began at his desk, where he wrote about nature, and ended in the garden that he loved. For all the things that he was, William Bartram was principally a gardener. Once having botanized over thousands of miles and explored several professions, he returned to his family's home outside Philadelphia, where he wrote his life's book (Travels, 1791), practiced his art, studied nature, and worked in the garden for forty six years. If he was more than a day's journey from the garden between January 1777, when he returned from the Southern travels on which his book would be based, and July 22, 1823, when he died, there is no record of the trip. There is, on the other hand, ample proof that he recorded the temperature of the air, the direction of the wind, the temper of the days, the presence and activities of flora and fauna in the gar den with no interruption for years on end. Neither the call of the University of Pennsylvania to its first botanical chair nor of President Jefferson to help with the work of exploring the continent tempted the philosophical pilgrim to put down the hoe that he wielded against clumps of earth or the pen with which he chronicled the garden's seasons for the rest of his days. He became in his family's garden the William Bartram that he wanted to be.
Pathoanatomical characteristics of temporomandibular dysfunction: Where do we stand? (Narrative review part 1)

Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is a complicated and multifactorial condition that affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and muscles of mastication, resulting in pain and disability in 5-12% of the population. The condition involves genetic, anatomic and hormonal factors and is propagated, in part, by trauma, habitual activity, psychosocial components and occlusal variation. Yet, the exact etiology of TMD is still unknown and the most strategic conservative management of the condition is still a topic of debate. The purpose of this paper, the first of a two part series, is to provide greater insight into the pathoanatomical factors associated with TMD. Consistent with Scully (2008, 2013), degenerative changes seem to disrupt the relationship between the TMJ capsule, articular disc and muscles of mastication. The resulting position of the articular disc coincides with three primary classifications of TMD: Type 1 (muscle disorders), Type 2a/b (disc displacement with and without reduction), and Type 3 (any joint pain). Given the association of the lateral pterygoid with both the joint capsule and articular disc, the superior and inferior head seem to play a key role in TMD. Both heads undergo biological changes associated with the vicious cycle, pain adaptation and integrated pain adaptation, making the muscle a key pain generator associated with TMD. Clinicians must understand the pathoanatomic features associated with TMD so as to choose appropriate treatment strategies, leading to optimal short and long-term outcomes. While the former is discussed in part 1 of this narrative review, the latter will be considered in part 2.