cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A lightweight, biological structure with tailored stiffness: The feather vane.

Abstract The flying feathers of birds are keratinous appendages designed for maximum performance with a minimum weight penalty. Thus, their design contains ingenious combinations of components that optimize lift, stiffness, aerodynamics, and damage resistance. This design involves two main parts: a central shaft that prescribes stiffness and lateral vanes which allows for the capture of air. Within the feather vane, barbs branch from the shaft and barbules branch from barbs, forming a flat surface which ensures lift. Microhooks at the end of barbules hold barbs tightly together, providing the close-knit, unified structure of the feather vane and enabling a repair of the structure through the reattachment of un-hooked junctions. Both the shaft and barbs are lightweight biological structures constructed of keratin using the common motif of a solid shell and cellular interior. The cellular core increases the resistance to buckling with little added weight. Here we analyze the detailed structure of the feather barb and, for the first time, explain its flexural stiffness in terms of the mechanics of asymmetric foam-filled beams subjected to bending. The results are correlated and validated with finite element modeling. We compare the flexure of single barbs as well as arrays of barbs and find that the interlocking adherence of barbs to one another enables a more robust structure due to minimized barb rotation during deflection. Thus, the flexure behavior of the feather vane can be tailored by the adhesive hooking between barbs, creating a system that mitigates damage. A simplified three-dimensional physical model for this interlocking mechanism is constructed by additive manufacturing. The exceptional architecture of the feather vane will motivate the design of bioinspired structures with tailored and unique properties ranging from adhesives to aerospace materials. Statement of Significance Despite its importance to bird flight, literature characterizing the feather vane is extremely limited. The feather vane is composed of barbs that branch from the main shaft (rachis) and barbules that branch from barbs. In this study, the flexural behavior of the feather barb and the role of barbule connections in reinforcing the feather vane are quantitatively investigated for the first time, both experimentally and theoretically. Through the performed experiments, structure-function relationships within the feather vane are uncovered. Additionally, in the proposed model the sophisticated structure of the barbs and the interlocking mechanism of the feather vane are simplified to understand these processes in order to engineer new lightweight structures and adhesives.
Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Combined with Strength Training on Motor Function in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Objective To investigate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES)combined with strength training on motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy(CP).Methods Eighty-six children with CP aged 4.0 to 5.8 years old were randomly divided into study group(n=44)and control group(n=42).All patients received neurodevelopmental therapy.The study group were applied NMES combined with strength training.NMES devices were used and the surface electrodes were applied on the ankle dorsiflexor in the affected lower extremity.NMES lasted for 20 min per session.Strength training was administered in accordance with subjects' functional le-vel,kinetic theory,motor learning theory,and neurodevelopmental theory.It lasted for 6 weeks one time daily,5 times weekly.After 6 weeks,the program was continued in the familys of the subjects.Clinical assessments included composite spasticity scale(CSS),D and E dimensions of the gross motor function measure(GMFM),and walking velocity(WV)were performed before treatment,and the 6 weeks and 12 weeks after treatment.Results No statistically significant differences were found in age,gender,number of the hemiplegic and diplegic CP,level of gross motor function classification system,as well as clinical assessments(CSS,GMFM and WV)before treatment between 2 groups(Pa0.05).Compared with the CSS,GMFM and WV before treatment,there were statistically difference after 6 and 12 weeks treatment in two groups(Pa0.01).Furthermore,the differences of CSS,GMFM and WV at 6,12 weeks after treatment were statistically significant between the 2 groups(Pa0.05).Conclusion NMES combined with strength training can improve the functional performance on children with spastic CP.
Epidemiological Characteristics of Hand-foot-mouth Disease in Dongkou County in 2010

Objective To investigate the epidemiological features of hand-foot-mouth disease(HFMD),to analyze the characteristics of severe HFMDs and search for scientific controlling measures.Methods By using the ways of description and case-control study,the peak areas of HFMD cases which were reported in Dongkou County in 2010 were surveyed,and the characteristics of severe HFMD cases were explored.Results Six hundred infants or children were reported to suffer from HFMD in Dongkou County in 2010,and they were all infants or children who were under 10-year-old.The incidence rate of children aged between 0~4 years were the highest,and the infected children were mainly living scatteredly.The incidence rate of male was significantly higher than that of female(101.02/100,000,54.29/100,000),but no statistically significant difference was found in the incidence rate of severe HFMD cases between male and female(P0.05).The towns of Dongkou,Gaosha and Shanmen were the most serious areas that were reported to catch HFMD in Dongkou County as there were many migrant people in these areas and these areas were a little developed than the other areas.The days of fever and hospitalization of the severe cases were significantly longer than those of the slight cases,but the highest temperature and white blood cell in the severe cases were significantly higher than those in the slight cases.The infection rate of EV71 of the severe cases was higher than that of the slight cases(P0.05).Conclusions Strengthening the epidemiological survey and increasing the treatment level of the medical professionals in grass-roots units are the major measures to reduce the incidence and mortality of HFMD.
Musicians body sway embodies musical structure and expression: A recurrence-based approach:

Musicians’ sway during performance seems to be related to musical structure. However, it has yet to be shown that examples of the relationship are not simply due to chance. Progress has been impede...
Surface charge method for the forward EEG problem

Analysis of electroencephalographic recordings (EEG) often requires the solution of a forward problem, where the scalp potentials created by a known source are determined. Most current solution methods are based on the Geselowitz formulation that solves a boundary integral equation for the potential. We show that the problem can also be reformulated as an integral equation for the accumulated charge at the interfaces between regions of homogeneous conductivity. In contrast to the Geselowitz formulation, the resulting equations have a unique solution and their solution does not require deflation steps.
A New Model for Actin — A Rigid Helical Backbone with Flexible Outer Domains

The polymer F-actin is quite strong with respect to breaking: spontaneous fragmentation is so unfavorable that it is rarely observed except under conditions of shear or sonication. In striking contrast, single subunits appear to be held relatively weakly at the end of the filament, and dissociate readily under most solution conditions.
The vapor pressure of silver

The vapor pressure of silver has been measured by the Knudsen orifice effusion method 750° to 1050°C using radioactive Ag110 as a tracer. The pressures are given by the following equations: Solid silver: log p = 8.887 − 1.402 × 104/T. Liquid silver: log p = 8.342 − 1.334 × 104/T. The heats of sublimation and vaporization are respectively, 64.1 ± 0.7 and 61.0 ± 0.2 kcal/mol.
A Preliminary Model for Distributed Algorithms

Abstract Ideas from the literature on distributed computing and control of large systems are combined to propose a model for distributed algorithms. The model emphasizes the degree of coordination achieved by exchanging messages among different computing machines. A simple class of distributed algorithms is analyzed in terms of the model. Some open problems are listed. 2nd IFAC Symposium on Large Scale Systems : Theory and Applications, Toulouse, France, June 24-26, 1980.
Dual evolutionary origin of insect wings supported by an investigation of the abdominal wing serial homologs in Tribolium

The origin of insect wings is still a highly debated mystery in biology, despite the importance of this evolutionary innovation. There are currently two prominent, but contrasting wing origin hypotheses (the tergal origin hypothesis and the pleural origin hypothesis). Through studies in the Tribolium beetle, we have previously obtained functional evidence supporting a third hypothesis, the dual origin hypothesis. Although this hypothesis can potentially unify the two competing hypotheses, it requires further testing from various fields. Here, we investigated the genetic regulation of the tissues serially homologous to wings in the abdomen, outside of the appendage-bearing segments, in Tribolium. We found that the formation of ectopic wings in the abdomen upon homeotic transformation relies not only on the previously identified abdominal wing serial homolog (gin-trap), but also on a secondary tissue in the pleural location. Using an enhancer trap line of nubbin (a wing lineage marker), we were able to visualize both of these two tissues (of tergal and pleural nature) contributing to form a complete wing. These results support the idea that the presence of two distinct sets of wing serial homologs per segment represents an ancestral state of the wing serial homologs, and can therefore further support a dual evolutionary origin of insect wings. Our analyses also uncovered detailed Hox regulation of abdominal wing serial homologs, which can be used as a foundation to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that have facilitated the evolution of bona fide insect wings, as well as the diversification of other wing serial homologs.
The Acute Treatment of Methemoglobinemia in Pregnancy.

Abstract Background Methemoglobinemia can be a potentially lethal condition due to the hypoxic stress placed on the body. In pregnancy, the deleterious effects can be even more catastrophic. The benefits of treatment in all patients, especially in those who are pregnant, must outweigh the inherent risks of the therapies used to treat methemoglobinemia. Case Report We present a case of a 26-year-old Hispanic pregnant female at 30 weeks gestation presenting to the emergency department for chest pain, hypoxia, and cyanosis. She was subsequently diagnosed with methemoglobinemia, treated with methylene blue, and admitted to the intensive care unit with toxicology and obstetrics consultations. As an outpatient, the patient underwent genetic testing and was diagnosed with homozygous cytochrome b5 reductase deficiency as the etiology of the methemoglobinemia. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Methemoglobinemia is a rare, potentially lethal, but treatable condition. In the setting of pregnancy, methemoglobinemia can pose a significant risk to the mother and fetus by causing acute hypoxia. Because methemoglobinemia can be acquired or congenital, treatments vary based on the etiology. Methylene blue is the mainstay treatment for symptomatic methemoglobinemia of levels > 20%. The teratogenic risks of methylene blue require risk−benefit analysis and discussion with the patient before utilization. Systemic maternal administration is theorized to be of lowest risk to the fetus. In this case, methylene blue was used safely as an emergent therapy for congenital methemoglobinemia during pregnancy.
Effect of phenol and catechol on the kinetics of human myeloperoxidase-dependent hydroquinone metabolism.

Benzene, is hematotoxic and leukemogenic in humans (Aksoy, M., 1987). It is widely accepted that benzene requires metabolic activation to exert its toxic and carcinogenic effects (Cooper, K.R. and Snyder, R. 1987). The majority of benzene metabolism occurs in liver with phenol (PH), hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CAT) being the major metabolites formed. Benzene is also oxidized to a ring-opened product trans, trans-muconic acid.
A Snapshot of Happiness and Leisure Across Countries: Evidence from International Survey Data

We study the relationship between leisure and happiness, controlling both for individual and national variables. Using international survey data from 33 countries in 2007, our results show that certain leisure activities, satisfaction from leisure, and meaning of leisure to individuals all influence individual level of happiness. In contrast, the quantity of leisure is not so important compared to the effect of other aspects of leisure. In addition, family income and other individual demographic variable such as age and health condition also are significantly associated with happiness. National unemployment and political stability have robustly significant impact on happiness as well.
Phospholipid Remodeling in Physiology and Disease

Phospholipids are major constituents of biological membranes. The fatty acyl chain composition of phospholipids determines the biophysical properties of membranes and thereby affects their impact on biological processes. The composition of fatty acyl chains is also actively regulated through a deacylation and reacylation pathway called Lands' cycle. Recent studies of mouse genetic models have demonstrated that lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferases (LPCATs), which catalyze the incorporation of fatty acyl chains into the sn-2 site of phosphatidylcholine, play important roles in pathophysiology. Two LPCAT family members, LPCAT1 and LPCAT3, have been particularly well studied. LPCAT1 is crucial for proper lung function due to its role in pulmonary surfactant biosynthesis. LPCAT3 maintains systemic lipid homeostasis by regulating lipid absorption in intestine, lipoprotein secretion, and de novo lipogenesis in liver. Mounting evidence also suggests that changes in LPCAT activity may be potentially involved in pathological conditions, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, viral infections, and cancer. Pharmacological manipulation of LPCAT activity and membrane phospholipid composition may provide new therapeutic options for these conditions.
Whole Foods, Fresh Concerns?

The tools used to identify whether firms have reached a competitive tipping point in the United States come from regulatory frameworks established in the 1970s. Antitrust laws that were enacted to regulate an industrial economy continue to emphasize narrow inquiries that fail to appreciate the sophistication of the high-technology markets of the twenty-first century. Predatory pricing claims arising under Section 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act bring this point into sharp focus. U.S. courts recognize predatory pricing as generally implausible, a view that is preserved in the recoupment requirement. Nevertheless, developments in economic theory over the last 20 years contravene this view. Amazon’s spectacular growth has brought the tension between current antitrust jurisprudence and modern economic insights to the fore, and offers an opportunity to re-examine the viability of the recoupment requirement. This paper attempts such an examination, using Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods to anchor the discussion. It proposes that the recoupment requirement should be augmented to permit predatory pricing to be demonstrated by proof that a predatory scheme recognized in modern economic teachings—in this instance, reputation effects—is afoot.
“Remember Who You Are” – The Journey Home: A Perspective on Integrity Through the Writings of Parker J. Palmer

Listening to Bill recount his life story provided me a true moment in time. His desire to invite me into the process of capturing that story became for me an experience of a lifetime. Bill, an accomplished architect, a defensive tackle for Notre Dame back in the day, and a man of deep faith, possessed all the ingredients to create an inspiring narrative. One story line from Bill continues to inspire me: a remembrance he had of himself as a high school kid. Bill’s football team had earned the opportunity to play a championship game in New Orleans. Bill’s father, an accomplished architect as well, chaperoned the team. “Here we were,” Bill said, “all of us young teenagers in New Orleans wanting a night out on the town.” Granting permission to take on the sights and sounds of the infamous “French Quarter,” Bill’s father gently took him aside and said, “you can go and have a good time—but remember who you are.” That experience stayed with Bill the rest of his life. It has stayed with me as well.
The Protective Influence of Parental Monitoring and Ideological Religiosity on Adolescents’ Hazardous Alcohol Use

Prior research documents a protective role for parental monitoring and religiosity against adolescents’ hazardous alcohol use, whereas impulsivity tends to function as a risk factor. Alcohol outcome expectancies and valuations may help explain the ways risk and protective factors are associated with adolescents’ hazardous drinking. We therefore tested a conditional indirect effects model of the association between parental monitoring and hazardous drinking, with expectancies and valuations as mediating variables, and ideological religiosity, impulsivity, and valuations as moderating variables. Our cross-sectional sample, for whom we had complete self-report data on our study variables, consisted of adolescents from the northeastern United States (N = 467; Mage = 15.81, 53.5% female; 77.1% White; 59.5% religiously unaffiliated). Lower parental monitoring corresponded to greater positive expectancies among Religious adolescents relative to Atheistic adolescents, which in turn corresponded to greater hazardous use when impulsivity and positive valuations were higher (B = −1.09, [−1.91, −0.39]). Greater parental monitoring corresponded to lower hazardous use among Spiritual relative to Atheistic (B = −1.60, p = 0.004) and Unsure (B = 1.84, p = 0.04) adolescents. Last, self-identification as Atheistic (B = 11.28, p = 0.02) or Agnostic (B = −13.08, p = 0.02) predicted lower hazardous drinking, in comparisons with Spiritual adolescents. Our findings highlight the importance of including ideological religiosity when predicting adolescents’ alcohol use, as a means to distinguish between the constructs of religiosity and spirituality, and discern protective effects for religiosity relative to Atheistic and Agnostic comparison groups.
The rapidly changing landscape in mature T-cell lymphoma (MTCL) biology and management.

Historical advances in the care of patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) have been restricted largely to patients with B-cell lymphoma. The peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs), which are rare and heterogeneous in nature, have yet to experience the same degree of improvement in outcome over the past 20 to 30 years. It is estimated that there are approximately 80,000 and 14,000 cases, respectively, of NHL and Hodgkin lymphoma per year in the United States. As a subgroup of NHL, the PTCLs account for 6% to 10% of all cases of NHL, making them exceedingly rare. In addition, the World Health Organization 2017 classification describes 29 distinct subtypes of PTCL. This intrinsic diversity, coupled with its rarity, has stymied progress in the disease. In addition, most subtypes carry an inferior prognosis compared with their B-cell counterparts, an outcome largely attributed to the fact that most treatment paradigms for patients with PTCL have been derived from B-cell neoplasms, a radically different disease. In fact, the first drug ever approved for patients with PTCL was approved only a decade ago. The plethora of recent drug approvals in PTCL, coupled with a deeper understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of the disease, has stimulated the field to pursue new avenues of research that are now largely predicated on the development of novel, targeted small molecules, which include a host of epigenetic modifiers and biologics. There is an expectation these advances may begin to favorably challenge the chemotherapy paradigms that have been used in the T-cell malignancies.
Predictors of shared decision making with people who have a serious mental illness and who are under justice supervision in the community.

Abstract Shared decision making (SDM) can be an effective method for promoting service involvement among persons with serious mental illness (SMI). This survey study sought to identify predictors of positive attitudes toward the use of SDM with people with SMI who are living under probation and parole supervision. Supervising officers' (n = 291) perceptions of the capabilities of supervisees with SMI to contribute to their supervision plans, and their familiarity with recovery-oriented mental health services, were positively associated with attitudes toward using SDM. Training officers in common human goals and mental health recovery may advance SDM with supervisees with SMI.
Impact of angiotensin system inhibitors on esophageal cancer survival.

Introduction Angiotensin system inhibitors are associated with improved prognosis in patients with gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary cancers. Data suggest that renin-angiotensin system signaling stimulates the tumor's immune microenvironment to impact overall survival. The goal of this study is to investigate the role of angiotensin system inhibitor use on the overall survival and disease-free survival of esophageal cancer patients. Methods Retrospective review of esophagectomy patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma and squamous cell cancer at a single institution tertiary care center from 2007 to 2018 was performed. Outcomes include overall survival and disease-free survival. Patient characteristics were compared with t test and χ2 test. Survival was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional-hazards regression. Results One hundred seventy-one patients were identified and 123 underwent esophagectomy for cancer. No significant differences in patient demographics were found between angiotensin system inhibitor users and non-angiotensin system inhibitor users except for the rates of hypertension (40% vs 94%, P < .01) and diabetes (16% vs 47%, P < .01). Distributions of tumor neoadjuvant therapy, adjuvant therapy, pathology, staging, margins, and surgical approach were similar. Postoperatively, there was no difference in major adverse cardiovascular events or infection rates. This study did not find any differences in overall survival and disease-free survival between angiotensin system inhibitor users and non-angiotensin system inhibitor users. Conclusion Angiotensin system inhibitors have been shown to improve survival and decrease relative risk for several types of cancers; however, our data do not support the same effect on esophageal cancer patients undergoing curative intent surgery. Further research is needed to investigate potential nuances in angiotensin system inhibitor dose, chronicity of use, esophageal pathology, and applicability to nonsurgical candidates.
Emotional intelligence, burnout, and professional fulfillment in clinical year medical students.

Emotional intelligence (EI) has been associated with decreased burnout in surgical residents but has not been extensively studied in medical students. We hypothesized that higher EI would lead to d...
Frontline Science: Extracellular CIRP generates a proinflammatory Ly6G + CD11b hi subset of low-density neutrophils in sepsis

Extracellular cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (eCIRP) is a damage-associated molecular pattern. Neutrophils present in the mononuclear cell fraction of Ficoll gradient separation are called low-density neutrophils (LDNs). Here we report the novel role of eCIRP on LDNs' heterogeneity in sepsis. Sepsis was induced in male C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and CIRP-/- mice by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). At 20 h after CLP, LDNs in the blood were isolated by Ficoll gradient separation, followed by staining the cells with anti-Ly6G and anti-CD11b Abs and detection by flow cytometry. Sepsis or recombinant murine CIRP (rmCIRP) injection in mice resulted in significant increase in the frequency (%) and number of Ly6G+ CD11bhi and Ly6G+ CD11blo LDNs in the blood compared to sham- or vehicle-treated mice. At 20 h of CLP, CIRP-/- mice had significantly lower frequency and number of Ly6G+ CD11bhi and Ly6G+ CD11blo LDNs in the blood compared to WT mice. In sepsis mice or rmCIRP-injected mice, compared to Ly6G+ CD11blo LDNs, the expression of CXCR4, ICAM-1, and iNOS and formation of reactive oxygen species, and neutrophil extracellular traps in Ly6G+ CD11bhi LDNs in the blood were significantly increased. Treatment of WT bone marrow-derived neutrophils (BMDNs) with rmCIRP increased Ly6G+ CD11bhi LDN frequency, whereas treatment of TLR4-/- BMDNs with rmCIRP significantly decreased the frequency of Ly6G+ CD11bhi LDNs. BMDNs' stimulation with rmCIRP increased the expression of transcription factors in LDNs. eCIRP induces the formation of a proinflammatory phenotype Ly6G+ CD11bhi of LDNs through TLR4. Targeting eCIRP may provide beneficial outcomes in sepsis by decreasing proinflammatory Ly6G+ CD11bhi LDNs.
Association of trauma severity scores with limb amputation and death in acute leg compartment syndrome

Limb amputation and death are devastating sequelae of acute compartment syndrome (ACS), and have been posited to result either from the initial injury burden or from pathophysiologic sequelae, such as rhabdomyolysis leading to acute renal failure. We aimed to test the hypothesis that severity of trauma is associated with limb amputation and death in patients with traumatic leg ACS. We retrospectively reviewed 302 patients with ACS of 302 legs treated with fasciotomies from 2000 to 2015 at two tertiary trauma centers. Our response variables were death and limb amputation during inpatient hospital admission. Three common trauma severity scores, injury severity score (ISS), revised trauma score (RTS), and Glasgow coma scale (GCS), were studied. Patient- and injury-related explanatory variables were studied. Bivariate analyses were used to identify factors associated with limb amputation and death. Of 302 patients, 13 (4%) underwent limb amputation and 10 (3%) died during the inpatient admission. Only one of 10 patients who expired died secondary to acute renal failure. ISS and GCS were significantly associated with limb amputation, and RTS was marginally associated. ISS, RTS, and GCS were significantly associated with death. Moreover, smoking and open fracture were significantly associated with limb amputation, and diabetes mellitus, presence of fracture, closed head injury, and chest or abdominal injury were associated with death. Trauma severity scores are associated with both limb amputation and death during inpatient admission for traumatic leg ACS. These adverse sequelae of leg ACS are likely driven by the initial injury burden.
Eliminating Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding and Infant Mortality: A Qualitative Analysis of Conference Proceedings

Background: Breastfeeding confers important health benefits to mothers and infants. Despite these proven benefits, breastfeeding rates for African American mothers remain much lower than for other races and ethnicities. To address these disparities, a multi-disciplinary team hosted the 2nd Annual Conference to Eliminate Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding and Infant Mortality. The conference included three moderated discussions in which parents and healthcare providers interacted with audience members to identify barriers and opportunities toward improving breastfeeding support in the African American community. Objective(s): Our objective was to conduct a qualitative analysis of …
Clinical presentation and autonomic profile in Ross syndrome.

Ross syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by tonic pupils, hyporeflexia, and segmental anhidrosis. We sought to characterize the clinical presentation, associated autoimmune disorders, and autonomic profile in patients with Ross syndrome to further elucidate its pathophysiology. We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent a thermoregulatory sweat test (TST) between 1998 and 2020 and had confirmation of the diagnosis of Ross syndrome by an autonomic disorders specialist. Standardized autonomic reflex testing was reviewed when available. Twenty-six patients with Ross syndrome were identified. The most common initial reported manifestation was an abnormal segmental sweating response in 16 patients (described as hyperhidrosis in 12 patients and anhidrosis in 4 patients) while a tonic pupil was the initial manifestation in 10 patients. Other commonly reported symptoms included fatigue, chronic cough, and increased urinary frequency. An associated autoimmune disorder was identified in one patient. Positive autoantibodies were found in a minority of patients often with unclear clinical significance. Distributions of anhidrosis encountered were segmental (n = 15), widespread (n = 7), and global (n = 4). Well-circumscribed small areas of preserved sweating within areas of anhidrosis were observed in the majority of patients (88.5%). Anhidrosis progressed slowly over time and sudomotor dysfunction was predominantly (post)ganglionic. Cardiovagal and adrenergic functions were preserved in most patients. The pattern of autonomic dysfunction in Ross syndrome is suggestive of a limited autonomic ganglioneuropathy. Sudomotor impairment is prominent and should be the focus of symptomatic management; however, clinicians should be aware of symptoms beyond the classic triad.
Rawls and right-wing populism— A qualified defense of the former: A reply to Gila Stopler

This reply to Gila Stopler’s provocative piece on the possible complicity of political liberalism and right-wing populism welcomes Stopler’s strategy of identifying structural weaknesses in liberal theory. But it also presents three specific disagreements: first, it is argued that Rawls is much less of a defender of the status quo in really existing liberal democracies than Stopler makes him out to be; second, the argument is advanced that political liberalism has significant resources to counter right-wing populism; and, third and most important, it is claimed, following the work of philosophers such as Gina Schouten, that political liberalism can (and must) incorporate feminist concerns.
Does Advisor Gender Affect Women's Persistence in Economics?

Women persist in the field of economics at significantly lower rates than men. We show that the gender of an academic advisor is an important determinant of female undergraduates' persistence in economics. We use data from a four-year college where first-year economics majors are randomly assigned to advisors who are also faculty members in the economics department. Advisors help students choose courses and monitor their academic progress. We find that having a female advisor rather than a male advisor reduces female students' first-year dropout rates and increases their likelihood of graduating with an economics degree.
Is Europe One? An lntemational Multiple-Segmentation Approach and Implications for International Marketers

In this study, we attempted to find an answer to the critical question of whether Europe is a homogenous market in terms of three important dimensions: the national culture, the economic development level, and the social development level. The results indicated that there are two distinct segments, labeled as "developed" and "developing" markets, with unique characteristics among the selected countries.
Neural Organization and Cellular Mechanisms of Circadian Pacemakers

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on two aspects of current research: (1) the organization of neural systems that subserve circadian pacemakers in animals, using gastropod eyes as the primary example and (2) the cellular and molecular mechanisms of circadian pacemakers, with major emphasis on in vitro model systems, such as the isolated gastropod eyes, isolated vertebrate pineals, Gonyaulax cultures, and Neurospora . The remarkable ability of all eukaryotes to precisely time daily physiological and behavioral events arises from an inherent biological oscillator or pacemaker composed of cellular components. In animals, specific populations of endogenously active neurons usually associated with a visual pathway to the brain function as controlling circadian pacemakers. Neurons in gastropod eyes are the best understood circadian pacemakers. In them, the populations of about 100 or 1000 endogenously active neurons produce robust circadian rhythms of neuronal activity, even in eyes isolated for weeks in organ culture. The population is synchronized apparently by extensive electrical coupling among the neurons through neuropilar gap junctions. The pacemaker neurons send axons to the brain and distribute temporal information to neural centers controlling locomotion and other behaviors.
Approaches to the Design and Evaluation of Compounds for BNCT

The development of new and more effective agents for neutron capture therapy (NCT) continues to remain an important and ongoing problem as we strive to prepare compounds which possess greater and greater specificity for tumor versus contiguous normal tissues1. The problem that the synthetic chemist encounters in the rational development of such compounds is the paucity of information available as to the biochemical and physiological differences between normal and malignant cells that will allow the selective incorporation of the neutron absorber into tumor cells and their stroma. Cancer chemotherapeutic agents2 which have been used clinically for more than 40 years, have been evaluated for their tumoricidal activity and not on the basis of concentration differentials that may exist between tumor and adjacent normal tissues. On the other hand, concentration differentials have been very important in the development of radiopharmaceuticals, which have been used largely as diagnostic agents for malignancies, but in such instances only trace amounts, from a chemical standpoint, are administered3. Therefore, it is understandable that their clinical pharmacokinetic parameters may be considerably different from those observed, where significant amounts of compound are administered. This is certainly the requirement for NCT. Thus, the key questions for the development of new compounds for NCT are: (1) what is the rational basis for designing specific tumor-targeting agents, and (2) how should such structures be evaluated from an in vitro and in vivo standpoint in order to ascertain their potential utility in NCT?
Sustained visual attention and carbon monoxide: elimination of adaptation effects.

Eighteen subjects performed a 1-h visual vigilance task, once during a control condition, (filtered air) and once during an experimental condition (CO). The COHb level was elevated to 5% utilizing a bolus maintenance technique which raised the COHb level rapidly so that there would be no possibility of an adaptation occurring prior to vigilance testing. Physiological measurements included heart rate, blood pressure, and ventilation. Neither vigilance performance nor the physiological variables was statistically affected by the 5% COHb level. Subjects identified a significantly (p less than 0.05) higher percentage of signals with the high frequency of signal presentation as compared to the low frequency under both filtered air and the 5% COHb level. Signal detection improved in 12 subjects during minutes 0-15, while 10 subjects showed improvement during minutes 31-45 with an elevated COHb level. The subjective questionnaire indicated that CO significantly (p less than 0.01) decreased the subjects' confidence concerning their performance on the vigilance task, as well as causing significant (p less than 0.05) irritation of the eyes and throat.
ArtemisExpress: A Case Study in Designing Handheld Interfaces for an Online Digital Library

Learner-Centered Design (LCD) is an approach to building software that supports students as they engage in unfamiliar activities and learn about a new area. LCD has been successfully used to support students using desktop computers for a variety of learning activities, and in this paper we discuss new work to extend LCD to the design of educational software for handheld computers. We discuss some of the challenges of designing handheld software and present a case study of ArtemisExpress, a tool that supports learners using handheld computers for online research.
Dynamic visual servo control of robots: An adaptive image-based approach

Sensory systems, such as computer vision, can be used to measure relative robot end-effector positions to derive feedback signals for control of end-effector positioning. The role of vision as the feedback transducer affects closed-loop dynamics, and a visual feedback control strategy is required. Vision-based robot control research has focused on vision processing issues, while control system design has been limited to ad-hoc strategies. We formalize an analytical approach to dynamic robot visual servo control systems by first casting position-based and image-based strategies into classical feedback control structures. The image-based structure represents a new approach to visual servo control, which uses image features (e.g., image areas, and centroids) as feedback control signals, thus eliminating a complex interpretation step (i.e., interpretation of image features to derive world-space coordinates). Image-based control presents formidable engineering problems for controller design, including coupled and nonlinear dynamics, kinematics, and feedback gains, unknown parameters, and measurement noise and delays. A model reference adaptive controller (MRAC) is designed to satisfy these requirements.
Why modern systems should minimize the use of safety critical software

Many high consequence systems today are being controlled, or are under consideration for control, by software. Such systems are called high consequence because their failure could result in large numbers of fatalities or injuries, great environmental despoilment, or complete loss of mission or business purpose.
Compression and Compaction Characteristics of Selected Food Powders

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the compression and compaction characteristics of selected food powders. Food powder compression is involved in different industrial applications, such as bulk size reduction, grinding, particle size enlargement, food tablet production, encapsulated material resistance, hopper and silos storage design, mixing, and packaging. The chapter describes the methods of testing for compression evaluation using the Brazilian test, uniaxial compression test, cubical triaxial tester, high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) method, unconfined yield stress test, impact and shear tests, and vibration methods for compaction-extent follow-ups. The interparticle/intraparticle adhesive forces that naturally exist in powders in fine static powder beds and agglomerates and that intrinsically rule compression and compaction phenomena are portrayed. The chapter also depicts compression mechanisms that occur during testing and in different unit operations in fine particles and agglomerates, along with typical compression curves and other compaction mechanisms, such as attrition and segregation.
Measurement of Interobserver Disagreement: Correction of Cohen’s Kappa for Negative Values

As measures of interobserver agreement for both nominal and ordinal categories, Cohen’s kappa coefficients appear to be the most widely used with simple and meaningful interpretations. However, for negative coefficient values when (the probability of) observed disagreement exceeds chance-expected disagreement, no fixed lower bounds exist for the kappa coefficients and their interpretations are no longer meaningful and may be entirely misleading. In this paper, alternative measures of disagreement (or negative agreement) are proposed as simple corrections or modifications of Cohen’s kappa coefficients. The new coefficients have a fixed lower bound of −1 that can be attained irrespective of the marginal distributions. A coefficient is formulated for the case when the classification categories are nominal and a weighted coefficient is proposed for ordinal categories. Besides coefficients for the overall disagreement across categories, disagreement coefficients for individual categories are presented. Statistical inference procedures are developed and numerical examples are provided.
Developmental Pathways in Juvenile Externalizing and Internalizing Problems

This article summarizes the empirical studies showing pathways in the development of externalizing and delinquent behaviors. Pathways are defined as the orderly temporal development between more than two problem behaviors. The paper addresses the following questions: (1) What are the developmental pathways between different diagnoses of Disruptive Behavior Disorders, including Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Conduct Disorder (CD), and Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD)? (2) What is a parsimonious model of pathways in externalizing problems that incorporates psychiatric symptoms of Disruptive Behaviors Disorders, other externalizing behaviors, and delinquent acts? And do the data best fit a single or multiple pathways? (3) Which pathways have been documented from externalizing to internalizing behaviors? (4) What are the limitations of past studies and what are the prospects of future studies on developmental pathways? Implications are discussed of the findings for assessments and interventions.
Dynamic electrooptic frequency shifter for pulsed light signals

We report continuous frequency shifting of a train of mode-locked pulses of light by up to /spl plusmn/400 GHz using electrooptic frequency shifting (EOFS). Dynamic, continuous, and accurate shifting of the optical pulses is achieved by controlling the phase and power of a single frequency microwave signal in a traveling wave phase modulator structure. Operation of the device under different microwave power and optical pulse length settings was investigated in order to study spectral distortion predicted to occur at high levels of frequency shifting and when using long pulses. Possible techniques for future device improvement were proposed and preliminary tests were performed. The use of a second-harmonic component of the microwave drive signal leads to a longer region of constant amplitude gradient and results in reduced distortion.
Inhibition Effects in the Hydrolysis Reactions of Esters and Peptides Catalyzed by Carboxypeptidase A: An Example of Cooperative Binding Effects with a Monomeric Enzyme

N-benzoyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-phenylalanine is an excellent peptide substrate for carboxy-peptidase A; at 30 degrees C and pH 7.5, K(m) is 2.6 x 10(-5) M while k(cat) is 177 s(-1) (k(cat)/K(m) = 6.8 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1)). Indole-3-acetic acid is a noncompetitive or mixed inhibitor towards the peptide and toward hippuryl-L-phenylalanine; plots of E/V vs [Inhibitor] are linear. N-Benzoyl-L-phenylalanine is a competitive inhibitor of peptide hydrolysis, and plots of E/V vs [Inhibitor] are again linear. One molecule of inhibitor binds per active site, and these inhibitors bind in different sites. At constant peptide substrate concentration and a series of constant concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid, plots of E/V vs the concentration of N-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine are linear and intersect behind the E/V axis and above the [Inhibitor] axis. This shows that both inhibitors can bind simultaneously and that binding of one facilitates the binding of the other (beta = 0.18). Employing the ester substrate hippuryl-DL,beta-phenyllactate, the same type of behavior is observed in the reverse sense; N-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine is a linear noncompetitive inhibitor and indole-3-acetic acid is a linear competitive inhibitor. Again the two inhibitor plot is linear and intersects above the [Inhibitor] axis (beta = 0.12). Previous X-ray crystallographic studies have indicated that indole-3-acetic acid binds in the hydrophobic pocket of the S'(1) site, while N-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine binds in the S(1)-S(2) site. The product complex for hydrolysis of N-benzoyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-phenylalanine (phenylalanine + N-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine) occupies both of these sites. However, the present work shows that the peptide substrate does not bind to the enzyme at pH 7.5 so as to be competitive with indole-3-acetic acid. The binding sites may be formed via conformational changes induced or stabilized by substrate and product binding. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.
Calcium influx and postjunctional supersensitivity in guinea pig aortic strips

Abstract Both reserpine and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) pretreatment potentiated the sensitivity of guinea pig aortic strips to norepinephrine (NE), barium, methoxamine and potassium indicating postjunctional supersensitivity. However, cocaine treatment only potentiated the NE response indicating prejunctional supersensitivity. 6-OHDA and reserpine-induced supersensitivity but not cocaine-induced supersensitivity was accompanied by an increase in 45 Ca influx.
Proceedings of the 35th Annual Upper Midwest Neuro-Ophthalmology Group Meeting, July 25, 2014, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

The 34th annual meeting of the Upper Midwest Neuro-Ophthalmology Group (UMNOG) was held on July 26, 2013, at Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois. Thirty participants, including four fellows ...
Sperm activation: time and tide wait for no sperm.

Proper timing of sperm activation is required for reproductive success in Caenorhabditis elegans. The swm-1 gene encodes a predicted protease inhibitor that regulates sperm activation and the acquisition of amoeboid motility.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1250\deff0\deflang1038\deflangfe1038\deftab708{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset238{\*\fname Times New Roman;}Times New Roman CE;}} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\f0\fs24 Measurement of the fission yields of selected prompt and decay fission product gamma-rays of spontaneously fissioning \super 252\nosupersub Cf and \super 244\nosupersub Cm \par }

{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1250\deff0\deflang1038\deflangfe1038\deftab708{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset238{\*\fname Times New Roman;}Times New Roman CE;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset161{\*\fname Times New Roman;}Times New Roman Greek;}} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\f0\fs24 Gamma-ray spectrometry measurements have been made of the fission yields of selected \f1\’e3\f0 -rays emitted by the spontaneously fissioning isotopes \super 252\nosupersub Cf and \super 244\nosupersub Cm. The measured \f1\’e3\f0 -rays were selected based on their relative abundance in the spectrum and their freedom from interference or, in a few instances, ease of interference correction. From these data and the cumulative and independent yield data of \scaps England\scaps0 and \scaps Rider\scaps0 , those \f1\’e3 \f0 -rays that are primarily produced by radioactive decay, as opposed to direct yield, were converted into the decays per spontaneous fission expressed in percent and compared to cumulative yield values of \scaps England\scaps0 and \scaps Rider\scaps0 . For those \f1\’e3 \f0 -rays whose production is dominated by direct (independent) yield, the ratio of \f1\’e3 \f0 -rays per spontaneous fission is reported. The \f1\’e3 \f0 -ray yield can be compared to the independent yield values of \scaps England\scaps0 and \scaps Rider\scaps0 when 100% of the direct feeding passes through the \f1\’e3 \f0 -ray. In those cases where both cumulative and independent yields contribute to the observed \f1\’e3 \f0 -ray emission rate, a direct comparison is not possible but a method to quantify the contribution from each is proposed. \par }