cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ovarian contractility and its relationship to ovulation: a review.

During the past decade there has been a renewal of interest in the contention that ovarian contractions are necessary for mammalian ovulation. The century-long deliberation on this controversial issue has been revived by current evidence that: I) muscle-like cells are present in the vicinity of mature ovarian follicles: 2) contractility is a basic property of ovarian tissue; 3) autonomic nerves extend into the mammalian ovary and 4) neurohumoral agents, prostaglandins and other metabolic substances present in ovulatory tissue can stimulate ovarian contractility. However, despite the extensive new data, it remains unclear whether ovarian contractions have an essential role in the ovulatory process. The problem is no longer a matter of insufficient information as considerable evidence is now available on the topic. What is needed is a comprehensive analysis of the existing data. This paper critically surveys the current information, in an effort to clarify the functional significance of ovarian contractility in the mechanism of ovulation. The review concentrates on studies that have been carried out during recent years. For a summary of the earlier work on ovarian “smooth muscle,” the interested reader is referred to the perceptive report by Kraus (1947). In addition, there are a number of recent papers which discuss various aspects of the subject
Tornado in a dish: revealing the mechanisms of ventricular arrhythmias in engineered cardiac tissues.

See article by Bursac and Tung (pages 381–390) in this issue. Ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation (VT/VF) are the leading, immediate causes of death in the developed world. Investigation of the mechanisms of VT/VF spans over a century and a half. However, despite a long and exciting history of discovery in the field, we are still asking the same questions posed by Carl J. Wiggers in 1940 [1]: “As to the fundamental mechanisms of fibrillation we have plenty of theories, but none is universally accepted… we may note in passing that they all center around two ideas, viz., (a) that the impulses arise from centers, or pacemakers, or (b) that the condition is caused by the re-entry of impulses and the formation of circles of excitation. Each of these views, again, has two groups of exponents, viz., (a) those who believe that a single focus, or excitation ring, occurs, and (b) those who favor the idea that multiple foci, or numerous circus rings, are developed.” In addition to these fundamental questions, we can also ask: (a) Is VF neurogenic or myogenic in nature? (b) Is VF maintained by the “mother rotor” or “multiple wavelet” mechanism? (c) Is there a “critical mass” of VF? The initial discovery of VT/VF produced by “faradisation” … *Corresponding author. Washington University, St. Louis Department of Biomedical Engineering, Whitaker Hall, Campus Box 1097, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130-4899, USA. Tel.: +1 314 935 8612; fax: +1 314 935 8377. Email address: igor{at}wustl.edu
A history of cryptorchidism: Lessons from the eighteenth century

Abstract Purpose John Hunter in 1786 opened the door to more than 200 years of study and discussion of the cryptorchid testis. We review the history that has brought us to our current surgical treatment of this condition. Materials and methods We performed a review of the medical and historical surgical literature pertaining to cryptorchidism. Results The study of cryptorchidism began with the anatomical descriptions of Baron Albrecht von Haller and John Hunter. Attempts at surgical correction of the undescended testis began in the early 1800s, culminating in the first successful orchidopexy by Thomas Annandale in 1877. Further contributions to the surgical technique include: (1) Arthur Dean Bevan's division of the processus vaginalis to prevent reascent and his stress on the importance of adequate mobilization of the spermatic cord, (2) the description by Robert Prentiss of surgical triangles which allowed for mobilization of the spermatic cord and placement of the testis into the scrotum without tension, and (3) Lattimer's subdartos pouch. Conclusion Our understanding and the surgical treatment of cryptorchidism have continued to evolve over the last 200 years. A study of the history of surgical management of the undescended testis sheds light on the rationale behind current management.
The present and projected performance and cost of double-layer pseudo-capacitive ultracapacitors for hybrid vehicle applications

The performance of carbon/carbon double-layer and pseudo-capacitive ultracapacitors are assessed based primarily on testing done in the laboratory at UC Davis. The useable energy density of commercially available carbon/carbon devices is between 3.5 and 4.5 Wh/kg. The corresponding power density for high efficiency (95%) discharges is between 800-1200 W/kg. The pseudo-capacitive devices have higher energy densities in the range of 10-13 Wh/kg for constant power discharges less than 500 W/kg, but the energy density decreases significantly at higher power densities. Projections of future development indicate that the energy density of the carbon/carbon devices will increase to 5-6 Wh/kg in the relatively near future along with higher power densities of 1500-3000 W/kg. In the case of the pseudo-capacitive approaches, the carbon/PbO/sub 2/ device looks particularly promising from both the performance and cost points-of-view primarily because of its relationship to the low cost lead-acid battery. Costs of the carbon/carbon ultracapacitors are expected to continue to decrease from the present costs of 2-3 cents/Farad to about 0.5 cents/Farad. Further reductions in cost require a low cost carbon of $5-$10/kg. Comparisons of the costs of ultracapacitor and battery energy storage units for mild hybrid vehicles depend critically on the energy storage requirement (Wh) assumed for the ultracapacitor unit. If the storage requirement is less than 100 Wh, there is a strong possibility that ultracapacitors can compete with nickel metal hydride and lithium-ion batteries in the future hybrid vehicles.
Application of a Hybrid Algorithm in the Modular Neural Nets Trainning with Multilayers Specialists in Electric Disturbance Classification

This work evaluates the effectiveness of a new hybrid algorithm in the training of modular neural nets with multilayers specialists. The algorithm is applied on the classification of electric disturbances previously characterized and processed, making possible the comparison between its performance and multilayers perceptrons nets. It presents the algorithm's development,such as the data acquisition methodology and its preprocessing.
THE DIMENSIONALITY OF READERSHIP MEASURES

This study posits three dimensions of self-report measures of readership based on the extent to which a measure reflects a general predisposition to expose oneself to a magazine or is tied to a specific issue. Confirmatory factor analysis of specific indicants related to the three general dimensions was used to test the resulting measurement model with a readership study conducted in Venezuela (N = 500). The results demonstrate that the specified dimensions provided a good fit to the data, with higher loadings and less measurement error associated with the dimension reflecting the most abstract measures. As predicted, the intercorrelations between the dimensions indicated they reflect differing underlying dimensions of readership.
CORRELATES OF REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS IN COOPERATIVELY BREEDING WESTERN AMERICAN CROWS: IF HELPERS HELP, IT'S NOT BY MUCH

Abstract I measured annual reproductive success for a resident population of cooperatively breeding Western American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos hesperis) over 6 years, and examined the relationship between it and several ecological and social variables. Most nests (57%) failed to fledge any young, due largely to predation. Success in fledging young was associated with three interrelated variables: (1) the presence of helpers, (2) early nesting, and (3) consistent differences between pairs. Assisted pairs began incubation earlier, some pairs consistently nested early, and the proportion of years that pairs were successful was related to the proportion of years in which they had help. Although both help and incubation date were related to nesting success independent of each other, the effect of help became nonsignificant after controlling for differences between pairs. The slight increase in fledging success possibly attributable to helpers may have been the result of consistently successful pairs succeed...
Statins and cognition: what can we learn from existing randomized trials?

Background:Statins are being developed as treatments for Alzheimer's dementia based on evidence from preclinical and observational studies. However, cholesterol plays an integral role in cell membrane signal transduction and suboptimal cholesterol level could potentially impair neuronal function. Additionally, results of observational nonrandomized studies may have been affected by treatment bias.Methods:We performed a systematic literature review in MEDLINE from January 1966 to July 2004 and included published prospective, randomized, and placebo-controlled human studies that examined the cognitive effects of statins.Results:Nine studies with sample sizes ranging from 22 to 20,000 and duration of 3 weeks to 5 years, met criteria for review. Study populations and cognitive outcomes varied. Four studies were ≥6 months or longer. Overall, none of these studies reported finding a positive benefit for any statin on cognition in non-demented subjects although there was inconsistent evidence for acute cognitive worsening in some studies.Conclusion:While statins intuitively have appeal for the prevention or treatment of dementia, any conclusions about their efficacy should await more definitive evidence from on-going prospective clinical trials
High Silicon Self-Interstitial Diffusivity as Revealed by Lithium Ion Drifting

We report on the use of lithium ion (Li+) drifting1 as a sensitive means to study Si self-interstitial (SiI) diffusion.2 Li+ properties in silicon are well known from extensive ion drift studies and Li+ interactions with dopants and point defects.3 We have used this low temperature (≈100°C) technique in combination with Si1 injection from oxides to delineate, identify and eliminate D defects4 in certain p-type floating zone (FZ) Si single crystals.5–8 Our results suggest Si1 diffusion occurs to a depth of at least 10 mm into the bulk during phosphorus (P) diffusion with oxidation (i.e., POCI3 process) at 950°C for 100 min. Process modeling of this lower bound SiI diffusion using SUPREM-IV9 results in a Si{nti} diffusivity of 3.5x10−6 cm2/s at 950°C.
REPURPOSING GERMLINE EXOMES OF THE CANCER GENOME ATLAS DEMANDS A CAUTIOUS APPROACH AND SAMPLE-SPECIFIC VARIANT FILTERING

When seeking to reproduce results derived from whole-exome or genome sequencing data that could advance precision medicine, the time and expense required to produce a patient cohort make data repurposing an attractive option. The first step in repurposing is setting some quality baseline for the data so that conclusions are not spurious. This is difficult because there can be variations in quality from center to center, clinic to clinic and even patient to patient. Here, we assessed the quality of the whole-exome germline mutations of TCGA cancer patients using patterns of nucleotide substitution and negative selection against impactful mutations. We estimated the fraction of false positive variant calls for each exome with respect to two gold standard germline exomes, and found large variability in the quality of SNV calls between samples, cancer subtypes, and institutions. We then demonstrated how variant features, such as the average base quality for reads supporting an allele, can be used to identify sample-specific filtering parameters to optimize the removal of false positive calls. We concluded that while these germlines have many potential applications to precision medicine, users should assess the quality of the available exome data prior to use and perform additional filtering steps.
Rapid crystallization of faujasitic zeolites: mechanism and application to zeolite membrane growth on polymer supports.

Zeolites are microporous, crystalline aluminosilicates with the framework made up of T–O–T (T = Si, Al) bonds and enclosed cages and channels of molecular dimensions. Influencing and manipulating the nucleation and growth characteristics of zeolites can lead to novel frameworks and morphologies, as well as decreased crystallization time. In this study, we show that manipulating the supersaturation during synthesis of zeolite X/Y (FAU) via dehydration led to extensive nucleation. Controlled addition of water to this nucleated state promotes the transport of nutrients, with a 4-fold increase in the rate of crystal growth, as compared to conventional hydrothermal process. Structural signature of the nucleated state was obtained by electron microscopy, NMR, and Raman spectroscopy. This extensively intermediate nucleated state was isolated and used as the starting material for zeolite membrane synthesis on porous polymer supports, with membrane formation occurring within an hour. With this time frame for growt...
Base-Free Iridium-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Esters and Lactones

Half-sandwich iridium bipyridine complexes catalyze the hydrogenation of esters and lactones under base-free conditions. The reactions proceed with a variety of ester and lactone substrates. Mechanistic studies implicate a pathway involving rate-limiting hydride transfer to the substrate at high pressures of H2 (≥50 bar).
Human experiment on the effect of conjugated linoleic acid in reducing body weight

Objective] To explore the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in reducing human body weight. [Methods] Thirty simple obesity adult volunteers were kept on taking CLA capsule for 60 days. Safety and functional indices were tested before and after the experiment. [Results] After the experiment, body weight, total body fat, rate of fat/ body weight, sub-deltoid fat thickness, subscapular fat thickness, abdomen fat thickness, iliac crest fat thickness, waistline and hipline reduced by average 1.9kg, 1.2kg, 0.7%, 2.1mm, 4.1mm, 3.5mm, 3.6mm, 4.3cm and 1.5cm respectively, without any adverse effect on physical endurance. No obvious changes were detected in clinical examinations before and after the experiment. [Conclusion] CLA has obvious effects in reducing human body weight, and has no evident adverse effect on tested persons.
Online least-squares one-class support vector machine for outlier detection in power grid data

This paper addresses the problem of outlier detection in the power grid. A sparse online least squares one-class support vector machine classification algorithm is presented to detect outliers in a data stream. An approximate linear dependence criteria is used to obtain a sparse solution by sequentially processing each data point only once, keeping with the requirement of data processing over a data stream. Experiments were conducted on a two dimensional synthetic data set and for bad data in a critical measurement in the IEEE 14 bus system to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm.
Tricyclic antidepressants and lithium.

Although difficulty in correlating plasma levels of tricyclic antidepressants with therapeutic outcome has been reported, therapeutic monitoring can be helpful in the management of selected depressed patients. The greater toxic potential of lithium is a pressing and clear indication for therapeutic monitoring in manic patients.
Responses: Public and Private

This chapter covers the array of public and private responses to the right-extremist scene since Germany’s unification in 1990. In the public sector the federal, Lander, and local governments have sought to stem the violence with varying degrees of success. The chapter first describes the legal system that provides guidance to judges who must deal with breaches of the law. Second, the role of the police in maintaining law and order is discussed. Third, the anti-rightist policies devised by the top government officials are assessed. What has been their response to the anti-democratic statements of the right-extremist parties and to the violent acts committed by the neo-Nazi groups and the skinheads? What kind of moral and financial support have the federal, Lander, and local governments given the numerous civic initiative groups, youth leaders, social workers, teachers, religious leaders, and union and business officials in their struggle against neo-Nazism? How effective have the programs initiated by public and private groups been? Have the groups succeeded in producing a more democratic climate in the German polity? Have the degree of violence and the number of neo-Nazis and skinheads decreased as a result of a multitude of public and private initiatives?
Effect of redundancy on the mean time to failure of wireless sensor networks: Research Articles

In data-driven wireless sensor networks (WSNs), the system must perform data sensing and retrieval and possibly aggregate data as a response at runtime. As a WSN is often deployed unattended in areas where replacements of failed sensors are difficult, energy conservation is of primary concern. While the use of redundancy is desirable in terms of satisfying user queries to cope with sensor and transmission faults, it may adversely shorten the lifetime of the WSN, as more sensor nodes will have to be used to answer queries, causing the energy of the system to drain quickly. In this paper, we analyze the effect of redundancy on the mean time to failure (MTTF) of a WSN in terms of the number of queries the system is able to answer correctly before it fails due to either sensor/transmission faults or energy depletion. In particular, we analyze the effect of redundancy on the MTTF of cluster-structured WSNs for energy conservations. We show that a tradeoff exists between redundancy and MTTF. Furthermore, an optimal redundancy level exists such that the MTTF of the system is maximized. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Occupancy behavior based model predictive control for building indoor climate—A critical review

Abstract This paper reviews occupancy based model predictive control (MPC) for building indoor climate control. Occupancy behavior in buildings is stochastic and complex in nature. With better understanding of occupancy presence in rooms and spaces, advanced controls, such as MPC, can be designed to achieve a more energy efficient operation, compared to more traditional control methods, while comfort is maintained. This paper starts with an overview of traditional controls implemented in buildings, and importance of occupancy based controls. Various control-oriented building modeling methods including physics-based and data-driven models are reviewed. Later on, a comprehensive review of MPC in terms of control theory, objective functions, constrains, optimization methods, system characteristics and various types of MPC is presented conducted. In principle, MPC finds an optimal sequence of control commands to optimize an objective function, considering system model, disturbances, predictions and actuation constraints. Lastly, occupancy based controls including commonly used rule-based and latest model-based controls are reviewed. In addition, a few experimental studies are presented and discussed. The paper presents a holistic overview of occupancy-based MPC for building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and discusses current status and future challenges. The purpose of this paper is to provide a guideline forresearchers who would like to conduct similar studies to have a better understanding of established research methods.
DOCK2 Is Critical for FC to Induce Regulatory T Cells

Abstract 1885 CD8+/TCR− graft facilitating cells (FC) significantly enhance engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in both allogeneic and syngeneic recipients. We have shown that DOCK2−/− FC are compromised in cell migration in vitro and facilitating HSC engraftment in vivo . DOCK2 activates the small GTPase Rac and is indispensable for migration of neutrophils, lymphocytes and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (DC). A recent study demonstrated that DOCK2−/− DC were defective in antigen uptake and presentation. FC are a heterogeneous cell population, with a predominant subpopulation resembling plasmacytoid precursor DC. We previously found that FC induced antigen-specific regulatory T cells (Treg) in vitro and in vivo . In the present study, we evaluated whether DOCK2−/− FC could induce Treg. 5×105 wild-type (WT) sorted CD4+CD25− splenocyte T cells were incubated with 1×105 WT FC or DOCK2−/− FC at a 5:1 ratio in U bottom 96-well plates with long-term culture medium (IMEM with 20% horse serum, 10−6M hydrocortisone and 50μM β-mercaptoethanol) for up to 6 days. The co-cultures were harvested and CD4+CD25+ T cells were analyzed for FoxP3 by flow cytometry intracellular staining. WT CD4+CD25− splenocytes were cultured as negative control. Phagocytosis of APC-labeled polystyrene beads by WT and DOCK2−/− FC was assessed after incubating FC with the beads for 3 hours. We found that FC induced the generation of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg in vitro as expected, while DOCK2 deficiency completely abrogated the ability of FC to induce Treg generation. Moreover, the uptake of beads by DOCK2−/− FC was significantly impaired compared to their uptake by WT FC. In summary, DOCK2−/− FC were unable to induce the generation of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg in vitro and were compromised in phagocytosis. ![Figure][1] Disclosures: Ildstad: Regenerex, a biotech start-up company: Equity Ownership. [1]: pending:yes
Biodegradable Thermogelling Poly(Organophosphazenes) and Their Potential Biomedical Applications

Poly(organophosphazenes) as a new type of biodegradable polymers have been exploited as carriers for various drug delivery systems due to versatility of molecular structures and easily modulated physico-chemical properties. Thus, biodegradable thermogelling poly(organophosphazenes) are expected to be very promising biomaterials as injectable systems with minimal surgical intervention for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. The key advantage of thermosensitive hydrogels based on poly(organophosphazenes) over other thermosensitive polymers is the ease of tuning the hydrogel properties by use of different compositions of side groups or through variations in co-substituent ratios. A variety of poly(organophosphazene) thermogels have been developed with desirable hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance, controllable degradation rate and suitable mechanical properties with respect to different applications. This chapter covers a comprehensive summary of the recent developments in this field of study, including polymer design, property assessment and potential biomedical applications.
Mining and visualizing recommendation spaces for PDE solvers: the continuous attributes case

In this chapter we extend previous work in mining recommendation spaces based on symbolic problem features to PDE problems with continuous valued attributes. We identify the research issues in mining such spaces, present a dynamic programming algorithm from the data mining literature, and describe how a priori domain meta-knowledge can be used to control the complexity of induction. A visualization aid for continuous valued recommendation spaces is also outlined. Two case studies are presented to illustrate our approach and tools: (i) a comparison of an iterative and a direct linear system solver on nearly singular problems, and (ii) a comparison of two iterative solvers on problems posed on non-rectangular domains. Both case studies involve continuously varying problem and method parameters which strongly influence the choice of best algorithm in particular cases. By mining the results from thousands of PDE solves, we can gain valuable insight into the relative performance of these methods on similar problems.
Do Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics of Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears Correlate With Sleep Disturbance?

Background:Many patients with rotator cuff tears suffer from nocturnal shoulder pain, resulting in sleep disturbance.Purpose:To determine whether rotator cuff tear size correlated with sleep distur...
GLUT1 expression in human breast carcinoma: Correlation with known prognostic markers

Background Breast cancers have been shown to have increased glucose uptake and utilization, and to express the facilitative glucose transporter Glut1. The aim of this study was to determine the biological significance of Glut1 expression in breast cancer. Methods Paraffin sections of 118 breast cancers were immunostained with antibody to Glut1. The percent of Glut1-positive cancer cells in each tumor was correlated with known prognostic markers, and with patient outcome. Results Glut1 was expressed in 42% of the tumors. Glut1 immunoreactivity correlated positively with the proliferative activity as determined by Ki-67 immunostaining, and with the total histologic score, and showed negative correlation with bcl-2 immunostaining. There was no correlation between the percent of Glut1-immunoreactive cancer cells and estrogen receptor status, tumor size, or lymph node status. Conclusions 1) Glut1 expression is increased in breast cancers with higher grade and proliferative activity, and 2) glucose transport in the majority of breast cancers may be mediated by a glucose transporters other than Glut1.
The Effects of Intimate Partner Violence on the Early Caregiving System

This chapter reviews the effects of intimate partner violence (IPV: defined here as male physical, psychological and/or sexual violence towards his female partner) on the early mother-child relationship, beginning during pregnancy and through the first few years postpartum. Attachment theory is used to explain the mechanisms through which IPV affects the mother-child relationship. Extant research has documented the significant toll that IPV takes on women’s physical and mental health. IPV and its consequent mental health effects may impair women’s parenting beginning in utero as women develop maternal representations of the baby and herself as mother. These representations are found to influence parenting behavior during infancy. Infants develop internal working models of attachment based on the parenting behaviors they experience. Thus, when IPV affects parenting, it can influence the kind of attachment relationship between the mother and child, laying the groundwork for the child for future significant relationships. In addition, poor attachment quality is associated with poor emotional self-regulation leading to behavioral problems in children. Thus, we conclude that targeted interventions for mothers and children exposed to IPV are critical for intervening in this intergenerational cycle of violence.
Beyond the Teaching Assistantship: CURE Leadership as a Training Platform for Future Faculty

We advocate for use of the course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) as a training platform for graduate students and postdoctoral scientists interested in becoming faculty of primarily undergraduate institutions. Acting as a CURE leader and coteacher is an immersive teaching experience that allows future faculty to practice a range of teaching techniques, create instructional materials, and develop a teaching philosophy based on actual practice beyond that of a standard teaching assistantship.
Hierarchical cluster based evaluation system for computer courses

With continuous deepening of educational reform, educators attach more and more importance to efficient computer lesson. To improve effectiveness of computer course learning evaluation, a kind of computer course learning evaluation system based on game compromise analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is proposed in this paper. Firstly, overall structure of computer course learning evaluation system is constructed based on AHP model, scale and pairwise comparison matrix are given, and quantitative analysis is made to efficient computer lesson teaching evaluation, so as to provide reference for efficient computer lesson teaching evaluation; secondly, subjective weight of computer course learning evaluation index is determined based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP), comprehensive weight of index evaluation is obtained through game compromise method, and computer course learning system decision method based on ordering is constructed; finally, effectiveness of algorithm is verified through example test.
Urinary exosomal expression of activator of G protein signaling 3 in polycystic kidney disease

PKD is a genetic disease that is characterized by abnormally proliferative epithelial cells in the kidney and liver. Urinary exosomes have been previously examined as a source of unique proteins that may be used to diagnose and monitor the progression of PKD. Previous studies by our group have shown that AGS3, which is a receptor-independent regulator G-proteins, was markedly upregulated in RTECs during kidney injury including PKD. In this study, our goal was to determine whether AGS3 could be measured in exosomes using animals and humans with PKD. In our study, urinary exosomes were isolated from PCK rats and the control Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. AGS3 expression was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in PKD versus SD rats at 16 weeks of age. This increase was detectable in a time-dependent manner from 8 weeks of age and peaked at ~ 16–20 weeks (length of study). Similarly, in exosomes from human urine samples with PKD, AGS3 expression was significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared to healthy human controls where AGS3 was largely undetectable. In conclusion, the detection of AGS3 in urinary exosomes may be a novel biomarker for PKD, and provide new insight into the biology of tubular epithelial cell function during cystic disease progression.
Zafirlukast: the first leukotriene-receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of asthma.

ObjectiveTo review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and adverse effects of zafirlukast. Therapeutic issues regarding the use of a leukotriene-receptor antagonist as prophylact...
Gamma camera count rate performance assessment without specialized equipment

2406 Objectives Assessment of gamma camera count rate performance is ideally performed as part of acceptance testing and is also an annual requirement of certain accreditation organizations (e.g. ACR). Unfortunately the current NEMA NU 1-2007 procedure for assessing count loss is impractical as it involves a 2 day dynamic protocol that is not supported on many gamma camera systems. In this study we investigate alternative methods for measuring count loss, including a new method that requires no specialized test equipment. Methods We propose a new variable-distance method involving two Tc-99m point sources: a low activity source (~0.6 MBq) and a high activity source (~12 MBq). The incident count rate is controlled by adjusting the distance between the source and the face of an uncollimated gamma camera. At each distance, data are separately acquired for both sources. A plot of the count rates for the high activity source against those for the low activity source indicates the count rate performance of the system, under the assumption that the low activity source causes negligible dead-time. The results of this method were compared with results obtained using the copper attenuator method (Geldenhuys 1988). Results None of the 8 gamma cameras at our institution were capable of performing the NEMA NU 1-2007 protocol. The new variable-distance method was successfully implemented on all cameras. The slope of a linear fit to the low count rate data approximated the ratio of the activities of the two sources, confirming the principle of the technique. The maximum observed count rate and the observed count rate at 20 % count loss were 9 % and 18 % lower with the variable-distance method compared to the copper attenuator method. Count rate performance measured by both methods was not well approximated by a simple paralyzable model. Conclusions The copper attenuator method is quick and reliable but requires specialized test equipment. When the necessary copper filters are not available, the new variable-distance method provides a viable alternative
Non-Invasive detection of respiratory effort-related arousals (REras) by a nasal cannula/pressure transducer system.

Study objectives The published AASM guidelines approve use of a nasal cannula/pressure transducer to detect apneas/hypopneas, but require esophageal manometry for Respiratory Effort-Related Arousals (RERAs). However, esophageal manometry may be poorly tolerated by many subjects. We have shown that the shape of the inspiratory flow signal from a nasal cannula identifies flow limitation and elevated upper-airway resistance. This study tests the hypothesis that detection of flow limitation events using the nasal cannula provides a non-invasive means to identify RERAs. Design N/A. Setting N/A. Patients 10 UARS/OSAS and 5 normal subjects Interventions N/A. Measurements and results All subjects underwent full NPSG. Two scorers identified events from the nasal cannula signal as apneas, hypopneas, and flow limitation events. Two additional scorers identified events from esophageal manometry. Arousals were scored in a separate pass. Interscorer reliability and intersignal agreement were assessed both without and with regard to arousal. The total number of respiratory events identified by the two scorers of the nasal cannula was similar with an Intraclass Correlation (ICC) =0.96, and was essentially identical to the agreement for the two scorers of esophageal manometry (ICC=0.96). There was good agreement between the number of events detected by the two techniques with a slight bias towards the nasal cannula (4.5 events/hr). There was no statistically significant difference (bias 0.9/hr, 95%CI -0.3-2.0) between the number of nasal cannula flow limitation events terminated by arousal and manometry events terminated by arousal (RERAs). Conclusion The nasal cannula/pressure transducer provides a non-invasive reproducible detector of all events in sleep disordered breathing; in particular, it detects the same events as esophageal manometry (RERAs).
Consequences of the Existence of Special Elements

The purpose of this chapter is the investigation of the consequences that the existence of special elements has for the structure of C(M), particularly as to the interplay between C(M) and its subalgebra C0(M). If rank M is odd, we will see that the structure of C0(M) completely determines that of C(M); if rank M is even, this situation is reversed, and it is C(M) that determines C0(M). Throughout the chapter, R is a commutative ring and M is a quadratic module over R with quadratic form q and associated symmetric bilinear form h. An isomorphism between algebras for which gradings are specified will be understood to preserve the gradings. For an R-algebra A, recall that denotes the algebra A supplied with the trivial grading.
Utilising Refactoring To Restructure Use-Case Models

Use case refactoring is one of the recent software engineering techniques that aimed at synthesising and refining use case models. Two new types of use case refactoring are proposed in this paper. First, behavioural refactorings aimed at synthesising the presentation and understanding of the described services. Second, structural refactorings aimed at refining and simplifying the different relationships between the following pairs: (1) concrete and abstract use cases, and (2) use cases and actors. The application of the proposed refactorings on a real use case model showed that the advantages of use case refactorings are not limited to the target use case models only, but on their relationsips with other software engineering artefacts. These include the facilitation of the extraction and utilisation of (1) use case patterns, (2) software metrics, and (3) software cost estimates from use case models. Further work is being carried out to automate the process of use case refactoring and integrate it with the underlying software development process.
Chapter 51 – Sexual Aspects of Prostate Cancer Treatment

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common and troubling complications following treatment for prostate cancer. Intraoperative damage to the neurovascular bundles, which initiate erections, is the main cause of erectile dysfunction after prostatectomy. These neurovascular bundles, comprised of cavernous nerves, release nitric oxide in response to sexual stimuli, which initiates a molecular cascade resulting in increased levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Sexual dysfunction after any form of prostatic surgical or hormonal intervention can adversely affect the quality of life of patients. Therefore, successful treatment of prostate cancer depends not only on the length of time patients are cancer free but also on a patient's sexual function, which comprises a major component of his quality of life. Preserving potency revolves around sparing the nerves of varing sizes that comprise the neurovascular bundle, not just the large nerves in the area. The pathological stage of the tumor also plays a role in predicting postoperative potency. Radiation therapy is more likely to preserve potency if patients are able to achieve erections sufficient for vaginal penetration preradiotherapy. Hormonal therapy in general has higher rates of sexual dysfunction than radical prostatectomy or radiation treatment due to its central effect of decreasing sexual desire. Finally, patients who fail initial measures to restore normal sexual function should not be deferred from seeking additional help from sexual rehabilitation.
Leadership Development for Academic Librarians: Maintaining the Status Quo?

Leadership development experiences within librarianship are immensely popular. The informal critiques that are leveled at these programs, however, claim that they serve only to reinforce the status quo and that they do not address the real issues affecting our profession, particularly those relating to racial and gender diversity. In order to critically determine the value of these programs, I examine them through the lens of critical race theory. Elements of critical race theory are illustrated through details solicited from the program coordinators and from available information on program websites and in professional literature. While these leadership programs frame themselves as creating transformational leaders, focusing on team-building, collaboration, and motivation, their curriculum and structure perpetuate the status quo in relation to librarianship's existing structural biases. There are steps that can be taken, however, to better develop diverse leaders with our professional values in mind.
Improving 21st-Century Teaching Skills: The Key to Effective 21st-Century Learners

The development of competencies known as 21st-century skills are garnering increasing attention as a means of improving teacher instructional quality. However, a key challenge in bringing about des...
PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY OF NON-ASBESTOS GASKETING MATERIALS

Some non-asbestos gasketing materials have proven to be equal to (and some superior to) asbestos reinforced gasketing materials under severe service conditions. Proper selection of materials for performance/cost considerations given the service requirements is essential. Data comparing non-asbestos gasket materials to conventional products over a wide range of simulated application parameters will be presented. Emphasis will be placed on data and test conditions that can be used to predict functionality and reliability of gasket materials.
Oxygen dependence of glucose sensing: role in glucose homeostasis and related pathology.

Glucose sensing requires glucose metabolism through glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. Dependence of the latter on oxygen concentration imposes an oxygen dependence on glucose sensing. We ha...
Histone H2B monoubiquitination regulates heart development via epigenetic control of cilia motility

Genomic analyses of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) have identified significant contribution from mutations affecting cilia genes and chromatin remodeling genes; however, the mechanism(s) connecting chromatin remodeling to CHD is unknown. Histone H2B monoubiquitination (H2Bub1) is catalyzed by the RNF20 complex consisting of RNF20, RNF40, and UBE2B. Here, we show significant enrichment of loss-of-function mutations affecting H2Bub1 in CHD patients (enrichment 6.01, P = 1.67 × 10−03), some of whom had abnormal laterality associated with ciliary dysfunction. In Xenopus, knockdown of rnf20 and rnf40 results in abnormal heart looping, defective development of left–right (LR) asymmetry, and impaired cilia motility. Rnf20, Rnf40, and Ube2b affect LR patterning and cilia synergistically. Examination of global H2Bub1 level in Xenopus embryos shows that H2Bub1 is developmentally regulated and requires Rnf20. To examine gene-specific H2Bub1, we performed ChIP-seq of mouse ciliated and nonciliated tissues and showed tissue-specific H2Bub1 marks significantly enriched at cilia genes including the transcription factor Rfx3. Rnf20 knockdown results in decreased levels of rfx3 mRNA in Xenopus, and exogenous rfx3 can rescue the Rnf20 depletion phenotype. These data suggest that Rnf20 functions at the Rfx3 locus regulating cilia motility and cardiac situs and identify H2Bub1 as an upstream transcriptional regulator controlling tissue-specific expression of cilia genes. Our findings mechanistically link the two functional gene ontologies that have been implicated in human CHD: chromatin remodeling and cilia function.
Metronidazole-induced Encephalopathy

Metronidazole is commonly used in the treatment of anaerobic infections. While neuropathy is known to be associated with metronidazole, encephalopathy has been rarely reported. We herein present a case of metronidazole-induced encephalopathy presenting as frequent falls and slurred speech. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated T2/FLAIR hyperintensity in the dentate nuclei bilaterally. Soon after the discontinuation of metronidazole, dysarthria and dysmetria resolved. Metronidazole-induced encephalopathy should be considered in patients presenting with new neurologic symptoms after the initiation of metronidazole.
Novel Invasive and Noninvasive Cardiac-Specific Biomarkers in Obesity and Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of fatality and disability worldwide regardless of gender. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in population across different regions. According to epidemiological studies, CVD risk markers in childhood obesity are one of the significant risk factors for adulthood CVD, but have received disproportionally little attention. This review has examined the evidence for the presence of traditional cardiac biomarkers (nonspecific; lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, myoglobulin, glycogen phosphorylase isoenzyme BB, myosin light chains, ST2, and ischemia-modified albumin) and novel emerging cardiac-specific biomarkers (cardiac troponins, natriuretic peptides, heart-type fatty acid-binding protein, and miRNAs). Besides, noninvasive anatomical and electrophysiological markers (carotid intima-media thickness, coronary artery calcification, and heart rate variability) in CVDs and obesity are also discussed. Modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome in the progression of CVD, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, and adipocytokines are also outlined. These underlying prognostic risk factors predict the onset of future microvascular and macrovascular complications. The understanding of invasive and noninvasive cardiac-specific biomarkers and the risk factors may yield valuable insights into the pathophysiology and prevention of CVD in a high-risk obese population at an early stage.
LLVM-based automation of memory decoupling for OpenCL applications on FPGAs

Abstract The availability of OpenCL High-Level Synthesis (OpenCL-HLS) has made FPGAs an attractive platform for power-efficient high-performance execution of massively parallel applications. At the same time, new design challenges emerge for massive thread-level parallelism on FPGAs. One major execution bottleneck is the high number of memory stalls exposed to data-path which overshadows the benefits of data-path customization. This article presents a novel LLVM-based tool for decoupling memory access from computation when synthesizing massively parallel OpenCL kernels on FPGAs. To enable systematic decoupling, we use the idea of kernel parallelism and implement a new parallelism granularity that breaks down kernels to separate data-path and memory-path (memory read/write) which work concurrently to overlap the computation of current threads[1] with the memory access of future threads (memory pre-fetching at large scale). At the same time, this paper proposes an LLVM-based static analysis to detect the decouplable data for resolving the data dependency and maximize concurrency across the kernels. The experimental results on eight Rodinia benchmarks on Intel Stratix V FPGA demonstrate significant performance and energy improvement over the baseline implementation using Intel OpenCL SDK. The proposed sub-kernel parallelism achieves more than 2x speedup, with only 3% increase in resource utilization, and 7% increase in power consumption which reduces the overall energy consumption more than 40%.
Visions of Schooling: Conscience, Community, and Common Education

At no time in the past century have there been fiercer battles over our public schools than there are now. Parents and educational reformers are challenging not only the mission, content, and structure of mass compulsory schooling but also its underlying premise-that the values promoted through public education are neutral and therefore acceptable to any reasonable person. In this important book, Rosemary Salomone sets aside the ideological and inflammatory rhetoric that surrounds today's debates over educational values and family choice. She offers instead a fair-minded examination of education for democratic citizenship in a society that values freedom of conscience and religious pluralism. And she proposes a balanced course of action that redefines but does not sever the relationship between education and the state. Salomone demonstrates how contemporary conflicts are the product of past educational and social movements. She lays bare some of the myths that support the current government monopoly over education and reveals how it privileges those of economic means. Through a detailed case study of recent controversy in a suburban New York school district, the author explores the legal and policy issues that arise when widely disparate world views stand in the way of political compromise on educational materials, techniques, and programs. Salomone builds a case for educational governance that places the developmental needs of the child at the center of family autonomy. She advances a plan that respects diverse values and visions of schooling while preserving the core commitments that bind our nation.