cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate on angiogenesis in complex endometrial hyperplasia.

Abstract Objective. To evaluate the effect of orally administered medroxyprogesterone acetate upon angiogenesis in the myometrium of patients with complex endometrial hyperplasia. Methods. Microvessel counts in the myometrium of consecutive patients with complex endometrial hyperplasia, treated with oral medroxyprogesterone acetate prior to hysterectomy ( n = 12), were compared with microvessel counts of consecutive control patients with complex endometrial hyperplasia without prehysterectomy medroxyprogesterone acetate treatment ( n = 15). All specimens were stained immunohistochemically for factor VIII-related antigen as a sensitive and specific marker for vascular endothelium. Areas with the highest angiogenic intensity, within the myometrium immediately underlying complex endometrial hyperplasia, were selected. Three fields (×400) were selected for each slide, and the mean microvessel count per high-power field was calculated. Statistical analysis included factorial analysis of variance/covariance, and multiple regression analysis with P Results. Microvessel counts of uterine specimens of patients with complex endometrial hyperplasia treated with oral medroxyprogesterone acetate were significantly lower than microvessel counts of control patients with complex endometrial hyperplasia without medroxyprogesterone acetate therapy (median 20, range 11–37 versus median 38, range 20–130, respectively, P Conclusion. Orally administered medroxyprogesterone acetate has a significant antiangiogenic effect upon myometrium immediately underlying complex endometrial hyperplasia.
Bacillus subtilis TRAP binds to its RNA target by a 5' to 3' directional mechanism.

TRAP is an 11 subunit RNA-binding protein that regulates expression of the Bacillus subtilis trpEDCFBA operon by transcription attenuation and translation control mechanisms. Tryptophan-activated TRAP acts by binding to a site in the 5′-untranslated leader region of trp mRNA consisting of 11 (G/U)AG repeats. We used mung bean nuclease footprinting to analyze the interaction of TRAP with several artificial binding sites composed of 11 GAG repeats in nucleic acids that lack secondary structure. Affinities for individual repeats within a binding site did not vary significantly. In contrast, the association rate constants were highest for repeats at the 5′ end and lowest for those at the 3′ end of all binding sites tested. These results indicate that TRAP binds to its RNA targets by first associating with one or more repeat at the 5′ end of its binding site followed by wrapping the remainder of binding site around the protein in a 5′ to 3′ direction. This directional binding is novel among RNA-binding proteins. We suggest that this mechanism of binding is important for TRAP-mediated transcription attenuation control of the trp operon.
Low‐frequency tunable (1–1.8 GHz) electron spin resonance resonator and spectrometer

We describe a tunable low‐frequency Electron Spin Resonance spectrometer suitable for operation in the liquid helium temperature range. The resonator is a one‐quarter wavelength piece of stripline, whose frequency can be set anywhere in the band from 1–1.8 GHz. The microwave bridge uses a solid‐state oscillator and commerically available components.
Calibrated Ambitions: Low Educational Ambition as a Form of Strategic Adaptation Among Chinese Youth in Spain

The children of Chinese immigrants in the U.S. have been held up as exemplars for their academic prowess and their high levels of educational attainment. Although recent U.S.-based studies have attempted to debunk the model minority hypothesis, showing that the actual educational trajectories of Chinese youths vary tremendously by family SES, in terms of group-level outcomes, the Chinese still fare better than other ethno-national groups net of SES characteristics (e.g. Kasinitz et al. 2008; Kao 1995; Louie 2004; Portes and Rumbaut 2001). Regardless of actual educational outcomes, the ambition for higher education among Chinese immigrant parents, which are subsequently transmitted to the youths themselves, appear to remain strong. In this way, researchers have commented on how the Chinese represent an ?exceptional? case: even among children whose parents have minimal education (i.e. less than a high school diploma), the pressure to excel at school is nearly universal. Whether or not they actually do well in school and make good grades, they are expected to graduate from high school and to enter some form of post-secondary institution, even if it is not a prestigious four-year university. By comparison, their counterparts from other national origin groups, who come from families of comparable or even higher SES backgrounds, tend not to be as academically-fixated in their future life plans.
Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors is necessary for transneuronal regulation of ribosomes in chick auditory neurons

Elimination of auditory nerve activity results in atrophy and death of nucleus magnocellularis (NM) neurons in the chick. One early event in the degeneration of NM neurons is a disruption of their ribosomes. This experiment examines the role of metabotropic glutamate receptors in afferent regulation of ribosomes. The auditory nerve on one side of a chick brainstem slice was stimulated in vitro. Rapid stimulation-dependent changes in ribosomes were visualized by immunolabeling using an antibody, called Y10B, that recognizes ribosomal RNA. In normal media, NM neurons on the stimulated side of the slice show greater Y10B labeling than the unstimulated NM neurons on the opposite side of the same slice. The role of metabotropic glutamate receptors was evaluated by unilaterally stimulating the auditory nerve in media containing the metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist (RS)-α-methyl-4-carboxyphenyl-glycine (MCPG). Addition of MCPG to the bath did not block EPSPs produced by stimulating the auditory nerve. However, MCPG did prevent the stimulation-dependent regulation of ribosomes in NM neurons (as indexed by Y10B labeling). These data suggest that glutamate may play a trophic role in the young auditory system through activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors.
Material-element deformation in isotropic turbulence

The evolution of infinitesimal material line and surface elements in homogeneous isotropic turbulence is studied using velocity-gradient data generated by direct numerical simulations (DNS). The mean growth rates of length ratio (I) and area ratio (A) of material elements are much smaller than previously estimated by Batchelor (1952) owing to the effects of vorticity and of non-persistent straining. The probability density functions (p.d.f.’s) of 1/(1) and A/(A) do not attain stationarity as hypothesized by Batchelor (1952). It is shown analytically that the random variable 1/(1) cannot be stationary if the variance and integral timescale of the strain rate along a material line are non-zero and DNS data confirm that this is indeed the case. The application of the central limit theorem to t!e material element evolution equations suggests that the standardized variables Z( = (In 1- (In l))/(var Z);) and d( = (1nA - (In A))/(varA)i) should attain stationary distributions that are Gaussian for all Reynolds numbers. The p.d.f.s of 1 and d calculated from DNS data appear to attain stationary shapes that are independent of Reynplds number. The stationary values of the flatness factor and super-skewness of both 1 and d are in close agreement with those of a Gaussian distribution. Moreover, the mean and variance of In I (and 1nA) grow linearly in time (normalized by the Kolmogorov timescale, T~), at rates that are nearly independent of Reynolds number. The statistics of material volume-element deformation are also studied and are found to be nearly independent of Reynolds number. An initially spherical infinitesimal volume of fluid deforms into an ellipsoid. It is found that the largest and the smallest of the principal axes grow and shrink respectively, exponentially in time at comparable rates. Consequently, to conserve volume, the intermediate principal axis remains approximately constant. The performance of the stochastic model of Girimaji & Pope (1990) for the velocity gradients is also studied. The model estimates of the growth rates of (lnl) and (1nA) are close to the DNS values. The growth rate of the xariances are estimated by the model to within 17 %. The stationary distributions of I and d obtained from the model agree very well with those calculated from DNS data. The model also performs well in calculating the statistics of material volume-element deformation.
Settling It on the Field Battlefield Events and War Termination

Using a sample of battlefield data from twentieth-century wars, the author of this article tests a number of previously untested hypotheses linking battle events and the decision to end violent conflict. The author explores how factors like the distribution of power, battlefield casualties, and information that flows from the battlefield influence war termination. The analysis speaks to the validity of competing rational choice theories of war termination.
Comparison of overweight and obese military-dependent and civilian adolescent girls with loss-of-control eating.

Objective Limited data suggest that the children of U.S. service members may be at increased risk for disordered-eating. To date, no study has directly compared adolescent military-dependents to their civilian peers along measures of eating pathology and associated correlates. We, therefore, compared overweight and obese adolescent female military-dependents to their civilian counterparts along measures of eating-related pathology and psychosocial functioning. Method Adolescent females with a BMI between the 85th and 97th percentiles and who reported loss-of-control eating completed interview and questionnaire assessments of eating-related and general psychopathology. Results Twenty-three military-dependents and 105 civilians participated. Controlling for age, race, and BMI-z, military-dependents reported significantly more binge episodes per month (p < 0.01), as well as greater eating-concern, shape-concern, and weight-concern (p's < 0.01) than civilians. Military-dependents also reported more severe depression (p < 0.05). Discussion Adolescent female military-dependents may be particularly vulnerable to disordered-eating compared with civilian peers. This potential vulnerability should be considered when assessing military-dependents. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:790–794)
Effect of Tai Chi on Physical Function, Fall Rates and Quality of Life Among Older Stroke Survivors

Abstract Objective To examine the effect of a 12-week Tai Chi (TC) intervention on physical function and quality of life. Design Single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Setting General community. Participants Community-dwelling survivors of stroke (N=145; 47% women; mean age, 70y; time poststroke: 3y; ischemic stroke: 66%; hemiparesis: 73%) who were aged ≥50 years and were ≥3 months poststroke. Interventions Yang style 24-posture short-form TC (n=53), strength and range of movement exercises (SS) (n=44), or usual care (UC) (n=48) for 12 weeks. The TC and SS groups attended a 1-hour class 3 times per week, whereas the UC group had weekly phone calls. Main Outcome Measures Physical function: Short Physical Performance Battery, fall rates, and 2-minute step test; quality of life: Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results During the intervention, TC participants had two thirds fewer falls (5 falls) than the SS (14 falls) and UC (15 falls) groups (χ 2 =5.6, P =.06). There was a significant group by time interaction for the 2-minute step test (F 2,142 =4.69, P t 53 =2.45, P =.02) and SS ( t 44 =4.63, P t 48 =1.58, P =.12). Intervention adherence rates were 85%. Conclusions TC and SS led to improved aerobic endurance, and both are suitable community-based programs that may aid in stroke recovery and community reintegration. Our data suggest that a 12-week TC intervention was more effective in reducing fall rates than SS or UC interventions. Future studies examining the effectiveness of TC as a fall prevention strategy for community-dwelling survivors of stroke are recommended.
Fast camera images of flux ropes during plasma relaxation

Images of visible light emission from flux ropes during plasma relaxation are presented. Multiple images are used to gain insight into the dynamics of driven/dissipative plasma relaxation processes in finite-/spl beta/ plasmas. A fast-gated (40-200 ns) intensified charge coupled device (ICCD) camera generates time-resolved images of 1-3 flux ropes in the reconnection scaling experiment (RSX) device. During relaxation, flux ropes are observed to evolve toward states characterized by the presence of single and multiple helical mode structures.
Physics and Psychology of the Muscle Sense

The sensibility associated with muscles contributes little to the conceptual content of current psychology. In part, this is because perceptions achieved through the muscle sense typically go unnoticed. Nonetheless, researchers have discovered a rich variety of muscle-based perceptual capabilities—such as those relating to held objects, probed objects, and body segments—that seem to depend on quantities well known in physics, quantities that reflect how the mass of an object or limb is distributed. The conceptual and technical issues posed by these capabilities warrant study by psychologists interested in the general problems of space perception, action, and selective attention.
Mi2β is required for γ-globin gene silencing: temporal assembly of a GATA-1-FOG-1-Mi2 repressor complex in β-YAC transgenic mice.

Activation of γ-globin gene expression in adults is known to be therapeutic for sickle cell disease. Thus, it follows that the converse, alleviation of repression, would be equally effective, since the net result would be the same: an increase in fetal hemoglobin. A GATA-1-FOG-1-Mi2 repressor complex was recently demonstrated to be recruited to the −566 GATA motif of the Aγ-globin gene. We show that Mi2β is essential for γ-globin gene silencing using Mi2β conditional knockout β-YAC transgenic mice. In addition, increased expression of Aγ-globin was detected in adult blood from β-YAC transgenic mice containing a T>G HPFH point mutation at the −566 GATA silencer site. ChIP experiments demonstrated that GATA-1 is recruited to this silencer at day E16, followed by recruitment of FOG-1 and Mi2 at day E17 in wild-type β-YAC transgenic mice. Recruitment of the GATA-1–mediated repressor complex was disrupted by the −566 HPFH mutation at developmental stages when it normally binds. Our data suggest that a temporal repression mechanism is operative in the silencing of γ-globin gene expression and that either a trans-acting Mi2β knockout deletion mutation or the cis-acting −566 Aγ-globin HPFH point mutation disrupts establishment of repression, resulting in continued γ-globin gene transcription during adult definitive erythropoiesis.
To what extent are emotional visual stimuli processed without attention and awareness

In the past few years, important contributions have been made to the study of emotional visual perception. Researchers have reported responses to emotional stimuli in the human amygdala under some unattended conditions (i.e. conditions in which the focus of attention was diverted away from the stimuli due to task instructions), during visual masking and during binocular suppression. Taken together, these results reveal the relative degree of autonomy of emotional processing. At the same time, however, important limitations to the notion of complete automaticity have been revealed. Effects of task context and attention have been shown, as well as large inter-subject differences in sensitivity to the detection of masked fearful faces (whereby briefly presented, target fearful faces are immediately followed by a neutral face that ‘masks’ the initial face). A better understanding of the neural basis of emotional perception and how it relates to visual attention and awareness is likely to require further refinement of the concepts of automaticity and awareness.
A reliability layer for ad-hoc wireless sensor network routing

We have been studying communication in wireless ad-hoc sensor networks. One of the authors has designed the multipath on-demand routing (MOR) protocol (Shu Hui Chen, 2003), which makes use of all possible paths to a given destination. Each node in MOR has, wherever possible, a choice of next hops for a given destination. We have designed and implemented a MOR reliability layer to take advantage of this. The basic strategy is to use a different node on each retransmission, and to keep track of which transmissions are successful. The main benefit is that a packet is likely to be delivered even if a given neighbor is temporarily unavailable, thus improving the delivery ratio or decreasing the number of end-to-end retransmissions. A further benefit is that nonresponsive nodes are removed from the routing table after a number of consecutive failures. In a sensor network transmission may be unreliable for a number of reasons, but particularly when congestion results in collisions. Without our reliability layer, collisions would cause packet loss and route loss. If the transport protocol is reliable, this results in end-to-end retransmission, which requires additional energy. We simulated transmission in congested conditions in different realistic sensor networks and compared MOR to available protocols. In our tests, the reliability layer helped MOR deliver data faster and less energy usage than the other protocols.
Retroperitoneal Aortofemoral Bypass

Retroperitoneal aortofemoral bypass is performed for severe aortoiliac occlusive disease in patients with hostile abdomen or morbid obesity. This chapter describes indications, essential steps, variations, and complications of this procedure. It provides a detailed template operative note for the procedure.
Toleranzanalysen an beliebigen physikalischen Systemen

Toleranzanalysen sind notwendig, um die spatere technische Realisierung von Baugruppen unter Serienbedingungen nachzuweisen. Dieser Beitrag der Casim Ingenieurleistungen GmbH zeigt einen empirischen Losungsansatz auf, mit dem komplexe Toleranzanalysen an beliebigen physikalischen Systemen einfach durchzufuhren sind.
RTRB-15CONCURRENT TEMOZOLOMIDE AND HYPOFRACTIONATED RADIOTHERAPY FOR RECURRENT HIGH GRADE GLIOMA

BACKGROUND: Recurrent glioma has a poor prognosis and largely recurs within the irradiated volume. Improvements in radiosensitization are needed. The utility of concurrent temozolomide with hypofractionated radiotherapy for recurrent glioma is undefined. METHODS: 103 consecutive patients treated with re-irradiation (re-RT) for recurrent glioma between 2010-2014 were analyzed. Patients were excluded if they had incomplete records (n = 20) or initially treated for LGG or AO (n = 21). 62 met inclusion criteria and separated into two groups: re-RT plus concurrent TMX (n = 17) and Re-RT alone (n = 45). OS and survival from re-RT were estimated using Kaplan Meier plots and compared using Log-rank tests. RESULTS: The median age was 55.5 yo for re-RT alone and 56 yo for the re-RT + TMZ. The median KPS was 85 and 90, for the re-RT alone and re-RT + TMZ groups, respectively. Gr3 histology comprised 35% of patients in the re-RT group and 12% in the re-RT + TMZ group. Additional therapy (chemotherapy and/or bevacizumab) was given in 32 % of patients in the re-RT group and 47% of the RT + TMZ group. 51% had repeat surgery in RT alone group and 6% in re-RT + TMZ group. The median dose of RT was 35 Gy in 10 fractions. Oral temozolomide was administered 75 mg/m2 for fourteen days during RT. OS for patients receiving re-RT alone was 21.8 months compared to 24.7 months for patients in the re-RT + TMZ group (p = 0.03, HR 0.5 [0.3-0.9]). Survival from re-RT was 17.5 months for the re-RT +TMZ group and 7 months for the re-RT group (p = 0.0025, HR 0.4 [0.2-0.7]. CONCLUSIONS: Survival was significantly higher in the group receiving re-RT + TMZ compared to re-RT alone. The cohort of patients receiving re-RT + TMZ was small and there may be selection bias. Re-RT with concurrent TMZ may be a viable option for well selected patients. Further studies are needed.
Toward an Understanding of Citywide Urban Environmental Governance: An Examination of Stewardship Networks in Baltimore and Seattle

Efforts to create more sustainable cities are evident in the proliferation of sustainability policies in cities worldwide. It has become widely proposed that the success of these urban sustainability initiatives will require city agencies to partner with, and even cede authority to, organizations from other sectors and levels of government. Yet the resulting collaborative networks are often poorly understood, and the study of large whole networks has been a challenge for researchers. We believe that a better understanding of citywide environmental governance networks can inform evaluations of their effectiveness, thus contributing to improved environmental management. Through two citywide surveys in Baltimore and Seattle, we collected data on the attributes of environmental stewardship organizations and their network relationships. We applied missing data treatment approaches and conducted social network and comparative analyses to examine (a) the organizational composition of the network, and (b) how information and knowledge are shared throughout the network. Findings revealed similarities in the number of actors and their distribution across sectors, but considerable variation in the types and locations of environmental stewardship activities, and in the number and distribution of network ties in the networks of each city. We discuss the results and potential implications of network research for urban sustainability governance.
Design and realization of reflective current barrier for high-brightness LED chips

Based on optical transfer matrix theory,a distributed Bragg reflector(DBR) consisting of SiO2 and Ti3O5 is designed as the current barrier layer for high-brightness LED chips,and a trench structure is etched by inductively coupled plasma(ICP) technique at the current barrier.The problems that the current spreading restricts the improvement of the LED efficiency and the metal electrodes reduce light-extraction efficiency are solved by this way.The experiment results indicate that the brightness of the LED chip with this structure can be increased by 5%,while the chip voltage is essentially unchanged,which shows that the new structure can greatly ameliorate the current spreading and increase the extraction efficiency of LED chip.
See-and-Treat for High-Grade Cytology: Do Young Women Have Different Rates of High-Grade Histology?

ObjectiveTo compare rates of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or greater (CIN3+) between women aged 21 to 24 and women aged 25 or older undergoing a see-and-treat strategy for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) cytology.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, women treate
Helping patrons find locally held electronic resources: An interlibrary loan perspective

ABSTRACTThe University of North Texas Libraries provide extensive online access to academic journals through major vendor databases. As illustrated by interlibrary loan borrowing requests for items held in our databases, patrons often have difficulty navigating the available resources. In this study, the Interlibrary Loan staff used data gathered from the ILLiad interlibrary loan management system to investigate why patrons request locally available materials. This study resulted in recommendations for the Libraries' linking strategies in EBSCOhost databases. Several user education needs were identified and communicated to the Libraries' Subject Liaisons.
Lone Man Out: Strategic Implications of Marketing Signals

The higher the number of signalers within an industry, the higher the profits for the firm and the industry. The marginal contribution by the addition of another signaler to the industry is significant. However, there appears to be a negative incentive for a firm to be the only signaler within an industry. This "Lone man out" puts a firm at a competitive disadvantage within its industry.
Examination of Women’s Sports Fans’ Attitudes and Consumption Intentions

To date, few studies have focused on understanding fans of women’s sport, which is especially true with regard to consumption intentions. This study was undertaken to 1) examine fans’ attitudes toward women’s sports, including both cognitive and affective evaluations as related to consumption intentions; 2) identify salient product attributes of women’s sports related to fans’ consumption intentions; and 3) examine group differences on attitudes. Multiple regression analysis and multivariate analysis of variance were conducted to address the research questions. Results of the study revealed that both cognitive and affective aspects of attitude were predictive of women’s sport fans’ consumption intentions. In addition, study results indicated excitement and entertainment price as two salient product attributes of women’s sports that predicted consumption intentions. Lastly, differences in attitudes between former athletes and nonathletes and age groups were found.
Multivariate Associations Among Health-Related Fitness, Physical Activity, and TGMD-3 Test Items in Disadvantaged Children From Low-Income Families.

Motor skills are needed for physical development and may be linked to health-related fitness and physical activity levels. No studies have examined the relationships among these constructs in large samples of disadvantaged children from low-income families using the Test for Gross Motor Development-3rd Edition (TGMD-3). The purpose of this study was to examine the multivariate associations among health-related fitness, physical activity, and motor skills assessed using the TGMD-3. Participants included 1460 school-aged children (730 boys, 730 girls; M age = 8.4 years, SD = 1.8 years) recruited from the K to sixth grades from three low-income schools. Health-related fitness was assessed using the FITNESSGRAM battery, physical activity was assessed using accelerometers and pedometers, and motor skills were assessed using the TGMD-3. Canonical correlations revealed statistically significant correlations between the Ball Skills and health-related fitness variates (Rc = 0.43, Rc2 = 17%, p < 0.001). Significant canonical coefficients in the Ball Skills variate included two-handed striking, dribbling, and catching, and significant canonical coefficients in the health-related fitness variate included body mass index and the progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run ( p < 0.01). Locomotor skills did not significantly correlate with health-related fitness or physical activity. Ball skills are related to health-related fitness in disadvantaged children from low-income families.
Improved Radio-Frequency Magneto-Optical Trap of SrF Molecules

We report the production of ultracold, trapped strontium monofluoride (SrF) molecules with number density and phase-space density significantly higher than previously achieved. These improvements are enabled by three distinct changes to our recently-demonstrated scheme for radio-frequency magneto-optical trapping of SrF: modification of the slowing laser beam geometry, addition of an optical pumping laser, and incorporation of a compression stage to the magneto-optical trap. With these improvements, we observe a trapped sample of SrF molecules at density 2.5×105 cm−3 and phase-space density 6×10−14, each a factor of 4 greater than in previous work. Under different experimental conditions, we observe trapping of up to 104 molecules, a factor of 5 greater than in previous work. Finally, by reducing the intensity of the applied trapping light, we observe molecular temperatures as low as 250 μK.
Fabrication of X-Ray Microcalorimeter Focal Planes Composed of Two Distinct Pixel Types

We develop superconducting transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter focal planes for versatility in meeting the specifications of X-ray imaging spectrometers, including high count rate, high energy resolution, and large field of view. In particular, a focal plane composed of two subarrays: one of fine pitch, high count-rate devices and the other of slower, larger pixels with similar energy resolution, offers promise for the next generation of astrophysics instruments, such as the X-ray Integral Field Unit Instrument on the European Space Agency's ATHENA mission. We have based the subarrays of our current design on successful pixel designs that have been demonstrated separately. Pixels with an all-gold X-ray absorber on 50 and 75 μm pitch, where the Mo/Au TES sits atop a thick metal heatsinking layer, have shown high resolution and can accommodate high count rates. The demonstrated larger pixels use a silicon nitride membrane for thermal isolation, thinner Au, and an added bismuth layer in a 250-μm2 absorber. To tune the parameters of each subarray requires merging the fabrication processes of the two detector types. We present the fabrication process for dual production of different X-ray absorbers on the same substrate, thick Au on the small pixels and thinner Au with a Bi capping layer on the larger pixels to tune their heat capacities. The process requires multiple electroplating and etching steps, but the absorbers are defined in a single-ion milling step. We demonstrate methods for integrating the heatsinking of the two types of pixel into the same focal plane consistent with the requirements for each subarray, including the limiting of thermal crosstalk. We also discuss fabrication process modifications for tuning the intrinsic transition temperature ( $T_{c}$ ) of the bilayers for the different device types through variation of the bilayer thicknesses. The latest results on these “hybrid” arrays will be presented.
Evidence for a GPR18 Role in Diurnal Regulation of Intraocular Pressure.

Purpose The diurnal cycling of intraocular pressure (IOP) was first described in humans more than a century ago. This cycling is preserved in other species. The physiologic underpinning of this diurnal variation in IOP remains a mystery, even though elevated pressure is indicated in most forms of glaucoma, a common cause of blindness. Once identified, the system that underlies diurnal variation would represent a natural target for therapeutic intervention. Methods Using normotensive mice, we measured the regulation of ocular lipid species by the enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and N-arachidonoyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase (NAPE-PLD), mRNA expression of these enzymes, and their functional role in diurnal regulation of IOP. Results We now report that NAPE-PLD and FAAH mice do not exhibit a diurnal cycling of IOP. These enzymes produce and break down acylethanolamines, including the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide. The diurnal lipid profile in mice shows that levels of most N-acyl ethanolamines and, intriguingly, N-arachidonoyl glycine (NAGly), decline at night: NAGly is a metabolite of arachidonoyl ethanolamine and a potent agonist at GPR18 that lowers intraocular pressure. The GPR18 blocker O1918 raises IOP during the day when pressure is low, but not at night. Quantitative PCR analysis shows that FAAH mRNA levels rise with pressure, suggesting that FAAH mediates the changes in pressure. Conclusions Our results support FAAH-dependent NAGly action at GPR18 as the physiologic basis of the diurnal variation of intraocular pressure in mice.
Conformation and hydrogen bonding in 4-Aminobutanol

Abstract Rotational spectra of the most abundant and four 13 C isotopomers of 4-aminobutanol have been recorded in natural abundance using a Fourier-transform microwave spectrometer. For the most abundant isotopomer, 56 hyperfine components from the fifteen a- and b-type transitions measured were fit to the quadupole coupling constants, χ aa = −3.843(3) MHz, χ bb = 1.971(3) MHz. Rotational and centrifugal distortion constants determined from fits of the resulting unsplit line centers to the Watson A-reduction Hamiltonian are A = 4484.893(3) MHz, B = 2830.721(1) MHz, C = 1942.9710(3) MHz, Δ J = 0.98(3) kHz, Δ JK = 1.4(1) kHz, Δ K = − 2.6(5) kHz, δ J = 0.27(1) kHz, and δ K = 1.7(1) kHz. Between nine and eleven rotational transitions were measured for the 13 C isotopes and rotational constants were determined by fixing the distortion constants to the values found for the normal isotope. The five sets of moments of inertia were used to determine the 4-aminobutanol substitution structure as well to perform a least-squares fit of the lowest energy ab initio structure. The heavy atom coordinates determined from these two methods are in excellent agreement. The conformation of 4-aminobutanol is stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond from the alcohol proton to amino nitrogen with a resulting hydrogen bond distance of 1.891 A. The experimental structure is consistent with the lowest energy ab initio [MP2/6-311++G(d,p)] structure.
The causes and consequences of CEO, COB, and board turnover

I investigate the relation between CEO, chairman, and board turnover and ask how changes in the boardroom affect performance. I find that voluntary chairman turnover causes voluntary CEO turnover. Furthermore, directors do not leave voluntarily if the firm fires its CEO. I identify a group of directors with superior monitoring abilities: Outsiders with experience in the relevant industry increase the performance-sensitivity of CEO turnover and the probability of performance improvements. I also include relatively unexplored board dimensions such as gender and education and find no correlation with turnover and performance. Several anti-takeover mechanisms protect managers but do not affect performance.
Pediatric Cervical Spine Conditions

Pediatric cervical spine conditions are relatively uncommon. Pathology usually begins at the time of early development; however, it is not usually recognized until late childhood (incidental finding) or early adulthood when patients may become symptomatic. It is also important to recognize other anomalies associated with cervical spine anomalies and manage in a timely manner to achieve optimal care of the child. This chapter reviews some of the higher-yield information regarding pseudosubluxation, atlantoaxial instability, atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation, anomalies of the dens, Klippel-Feil syndrome, congenital muscular torticollis, and basilar impression.
From Time to Topology: Is a Process Driven by Chance or Necessity?

The data from our senses and the measurements recorded by our instruments are only a shadow of reality. We analyze the data and the measurements to reconstruct the Platonic “artifacts” that produced those shadows. For example, we use the spots on an X-ray diffraction pattern to infer structural information about the three-dimensional shape of a protein. The physical spots on the photograph, that we can touch with our fingers, are further removed from the reality of the protein than the “cartoon” of protein structure that we form in our mind’s eye and display on our computer screen.
Green Chemistry: Historical Perspectives and Basic Concepts

Abstract This chapter provides an introduction to the roots and progress of green chemistry as an overarching philosophy that guides sustainable development. The basic principles of green chemistry and engineering as well as several metrics that guide the design of processes are described along with a brief overview of the impacts of human society on the environment. The chapter concludes with a concise description of the major regulatory and enforcement agencies of selected major economies.
Is Serum Methylmalonic Acid a Reliable Biomarker of Vitamin B12 Status in Children with Short Bowel Syndrome: A Case Series

We describe 3 patients with short bowel syndrome who had persistently elevated serum methylmalonic acid (MMA) levels while being treated for vitamin B12 deficiency. Following treatment for presumed small bowel bacterial overgrowth, MMA levels normalized. Among patients with short bowel syndrome, MMA levels may have limited specificity for vitamin B12 deficiency.
ADPROC: an adaptive routing framework to provide QOS in wireless sensor networks

With Wireless Sensor Networks becoming more and more prominent, a lot of new routing protocols are being proposed. But most of the routing protocols are designed to address the limitations of sensor nodes especially their sparse energy resources. However, advances in technology have led to highly sophisticated sensor nodes that can transmit video/images and critical information. The routing protocol should be able to handle real-time or critical data where latency is important and non-real-time or non-critical data where energy efficiency is important using different approaches. In this paper, we propose a priority-based routing approach for sending data using different routes based on the priority and Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. The proposed adaptive routing protocol framework, AdProc, supports two different routes; a short rapid route for data with high priority and strict QoS requirements, and an energy efficient route for lower priority data. Simulation results suggest that AdProc achieved higher QoS by reducing the latency while remaining energy efficient. The protocol framework also helps distribute energy consumption thereby prolonging the network life and reducing network holes.
Effect of rivastigmine on plasma butyrylcholine esterase activity and plasma ghrelin levels in patients with dementia in Alzheimer's disease.

Aim Alzheimer's disease causes loss of appetite, resulting in bodyweight reduction. This, in turn, causes progression of cognitive dysfunction and physical complications that hasten death. Earlier care for loss of appetite is essential in Alzheimer's disease management. Rivastigmine is a therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease that has dual inhibition effects on acetylcholine esterase and butyrylcholine esterase. Butyrylcholine esterase is known to degrade the gastric hormone, ghrelin, which regulates appetite; therefore, we considered that rivastigmine might have an effect on appetite. The present study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that rivastigmine improves appetite in Alzheimer's disease patients. Methods Rivastigmine was given to mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease patients for 16 weeks. We evaluated the effects of rivastigmine on food intake, bodyweight, motivation (estimated by the vitality index), cognition function (estimated by the Hasegawa Dementia Scale-Revised), plasma butyrylcholine esterase activity, active ghrelin and inactive ghrelin. Results Plasma butyrylcholine esterase activity significantly decreased over time (percent change: -18.9 ± 27.0%, P Conclusions The present study suggests that rivastigmine might improve appetite in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease patients by suppressing degradation of plasma active ghrelin through the inhibition of plasma butyrylcholine esterase. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 886-891.
Quality competition in north-south trade

Abstract This paper investigates three stylized facts about quality competition between an innovating firm in a developed economy and copycat producers in developing countries. First, the innovating firm may not enter the market in low-income countries, but copycat firms produce generic products. In the second scenario with horizontal product differentiation, the innovating firm may export the original product and coexist with local copycat producers. In the case of vertical product differentiation, the paper delineates the condition under which the innovator’s product is superior in quality in the Cournot model. In the Stakelberg model, the quality of the innovator is always higher than in the Cournot model. In the third scenario, the innovating firm may exit from the developing country in the long run. The long run survival of the innovating firm crucially depends on consumers’ willingness to pay and production cost in developing countries.
A neural biomarker, the error-related negativity, predicts the first onset of generalized anxiety disorder in a large sample of adolescent females.

Objective An increased neural response to making mistakes has emerged as a potential biomarker of anxiety across development. The error-related negativity (ERN) is an event-related potential elicited when people make mistakes on simple laboratory-based reaction time tasks that has been associated with risk for anxiety. This study examined whether the ERN prospectively predicted the first onset of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) over 1.5 years in adolescent girls. Methods The sample included 457 girls between the ages of 13.5 and 15.5 years, with no history of GAD. At baseline, the ERN was measured using a flankers task. Psychiatric history of the adolescent and biological parent was assessed with diagnostic interviews, and the adolescent completed a self-report questionnaire regarding anxiety symptoms. Approximately 1.5 years later, adolescents completed the same interview. Results An increased neural response to errors at baseline predicted first-onset GAD over 1.5 years. The ERN was a significant predictor independent of other prominent risk factors, including baseline anxiety and depression symptoms and parental lifetime psychiatric history. Jointly the ERN and social anxiety symptoms provided the greatest power for predicting first-onset GAD. Conclusions This study provides evidence for the utility of the ERN as a biomarker of risk for GAD during a key developmental period.
Domoic acid in California sea lion fetal fluids indicates continuous exposure to a neuroteratogen poses risks to mammals.

Abstract Domoic acid (DA) is a neuroexcitotoxic amino acid that is naturally produced by some species of marine diatoms during harmful algal blooms (HABs). The toxin is transferred through the food web from plantivorous fish and shellfish to marine mammals resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Due to the timing and location of DA producing HABs, it is well documented that pregnant female California sea lions (CSL) are regularly exposed to DA through their diet thereby posing exposure risks to a neuroteratogen in developing fetuses. In the present study, fluids from 36 fetuses sampled from naturally exposed pregnant CSLs were examined for DA. Domoic acid was detected in 79% of amniotic fluid (n = 24), 67% of allantoic fluid (n = 9), 75% of urine (n = 4), 41% of meconium (n = 17) and 29% of stomach content (n = 21) samples opportunistically collected from CSL fetuses. The distribution of DA in fetal samples indicates an increased prenatal exposure risk due to recirculation of DA in fetal fluids and continuous exposure to the developing brain.
Topological Phase Transitions

We use methods of statistical mechanics to study the Julia set of the mapping f(z) = z2 + p. For most values of p these methods allow extremely accurate determination of the fractal dimension and escape rate. At special values of p the Julia set undergoes a change in topology. We study the value p = l/4 in detail and find singularities which we interpret as a phase transition.
Bariatric Surgery in Adolescents

Paralleling the epidemic of adult obesity are increasing trends in the prevalence and incidence of childhood obesity. Nearly two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight and one-third obese (1), and 17% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese (2). The immediate and long-term health consequences of childhood obesity as well as the psychosocial and economic effects increasingly are cited as compelling arguments to perform bariatric surgery on adolescents to achieve aggressive weight loss. To provide a framework for considering and performing adolescent bariatric surgery, this chapter discusses the basic concepts of pediatric obesity, including definitions, risk factors, and consequences of obesity unique to adolescents. Additionally, we review the available evidence for the efficacy of bariatric procedures in the adolescent population and provide the reader with a suggested guideline and pathway for the application of bariatric surgery among adolescents.
The Doctor of Plant Medicine Program at the University of Florida: Growers, Agricultural Agencies, and Industries Need Plant Doctors

Abstract The Doctor of Plant Medicine program is a new graduate doctorate program that ushers in a new discipline, Plant Medicine, and a new profession, the Plant Doctor. Like anything else that is...
DEVELOPMENT OF PET-SPS IN OSV

This paper elaborates the development of Polyethylene Terephthalate-S-Type Passive Sensor (PET-SPS) in ON Semiconductor Vietnam (OSV), which is a new product business expansion. The SPS is using the miniature die technology with multiple sensing feature and functionalities integrated into a single IC. It eliminates the need of stimulus detector and the need for microcontroller at the sensing node. The die in this case is attached onto the aluminum antenna covered with closed cell foam. The entire package is covered with PET with adhesive layer at the outer part in order to stick to designated car surfaces during moisture detection application. SPS package incorporates various designs of antenna made according to sensitivity requirement. Several foam with different properties had been studied initially and the result have shown that a closed cell foam with low moisture absorption provides much better dielectric constant (DK) and loss tangent (DF) which are being used as spacer or insulation. This paper further discusses the challenges it encountered during the development and mass production stage and outlines all the countermeasures being implemented that eventually led to the complete success of the project.
Virtual Reality-Assisted Pain, Anxiety, and Anger Management in the Emergency Department.

Abstract Study Objective: Pain management in emergency department (ED) patients is challenging. Although both pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies exist, they are often suboptimal. Imme...
Deadbeat Flux Vector Control for Dynamic Six-Step Operation of Synchronous Machines

This paper proposes a deadbeat flux vector regulator to control flux along a hexagonal flux trajectory for six-step operation. Since the stator flux is directly controlled at every sampling instant, fast and smooth flux and torque generation is achieved both in steady state and transient operations. A key feature of this control technique is that deviations from the ideal six-step flux trajectory can be detected and corrected at every sample instant resulting in a very fast transient response and good disturbance rejection properties while maintaining six-step operation. Furthermore, this approach allows transitioning in and out of six-step within a few sampling periods. By using flux as the primary control variable, the control law is simple to implement and only relies on a few parameters. Moreover, this paper analyzes discrete time control limitations and stator resistance sensitivity and proposes techniques to mitigate these limitations. The paper presents simulation-based and experimental evaluation of the control approach and compares it to conventional six-step voltage angle torque control.
Older People in Liberia: An Afterthought for Policy Development

Aging is a natural human phenomenon and an irreversible part of our biological process. Hence, there are countries that are making stringent efforts to improve the quality of life of their aging population to ensure that they age with grace. Although the burden of caring for our aging population can be enormous in economic and human resource terms, this is not an excuse for not responding to the needs of the elderly when they need their governments and communities to step up to the plate the most, considering their contributions to the development of their societies in diverse professions and occupations when they were available, capable and able.