cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robotic system for plaster and finishing works on the construction site

This paper discusses some important issues related with automation and mechanization of plastering and finishing works at a construction site. It presents some requirements to the automation of finishing works. The paper suggests basic principles of designing finishing robotic systems. It also describes a method to design the block structure of a finishing robot.
Creating a Nursing Student Center for Academic and Professional Success

BACKGROUND The purpose of this article is to describe the development of an innovative broad-based initiative supportive of academic and professional success, the Center for Academic and Professional Success (CAPS) at the University of Rochester School of Nursing. While CAPS was founded to support all nursing students, it was also carefully developed to meet the special needs of students in the accelerated program for non-nurses (APNN) due to their diversity and the intensity and rapidity of the APNN program. METHOD Faculty discussion, literature review, and student needs assessment findings informed program development. Outcome data obtained during the past 4 years are presented. RESULTS Data revealed a correspondence between identified student needs and use of program services, as well as high satisfaction ratings. CONCLUSION Findings supported the provision of both traditional academic support, as well as other critical supports to address the academic and social stressors associated with the transitions experienced by nontraditional, working, and graduate nursing students. [J Nurs Educ. 2017;56(4):235-239.].
Hemiconvulsion-hemiplegia-epilepsy syndrome in a child with pre-existing cerebral pathology.

For details visit the Multimedia Teaching Material/ Neuroimaging Section of the website www.epilepticdisorders.com
Bisexual Identity in the Context of Parenthood: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Self-Identified Bisexual Parents in the United States

Bisexual parents constitute the largest proportion of “lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) parents” yet are largely absent from previous research. As parenting and sexual identity may be significant pi...
Cubic crystalline erbium oxide growth on GaN(0001) by atomic layer deposition

Growth of crystalline Er2O3, a rare earth sesquioxide, on GaN(0001) is described. Ex situ HCl and NH4OH solutions and an in situ N2 plasma are used to remove impurities on the GaN surface and result in a Ga/N stoichiometry of 1.02. Using atomic layer deposition with erbium tris(isopropylcyclopentadienyl) [Er(iPrCp)3] and water, crystalline cubic Er2O3 (C-Er2O3) is grown on GaN at 250 °C. The orientation relationships between the C-Er2O3 film and the GaN substrate are C-Er2O3(222) ǁ GaN(0001), C-Er2O3⟨-440⟩ ǁ GaN ⟨11‐20⟩, and C-Er2O3⟨-211⟩ ǁ GaN ⟨1‐100⟩. Scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy are used to examine the microstructure of C-Er2O3 and its interface with GaN. With post-deposition annealing at 600 °C, a thicker interfacial layer is observed, and two transition layers, crystalline GaNwOz and crystalline GaErxOy, are found between GaN and C-Er2O3. The tensile strain in the C-Er2O3 film is studied with x-ray diffraction by changes in both out-of-plane and in-p...
The effect of consumer food creation on the food consumption experience

Two experiments show that the role the consumer plays in the creation of their food can affect the consumption experience. When guilt is present in the consumption of the food item, namely an unhea...
Kullback-Leibler Divergence minimization for competitive learning of self-organizing maps

In this paper, we employ the Kullback-Leibler Divergence (KD) measure from information theory within the framework of Self Organizing Maps applied to network planning and dimensioning. Here, the KD measure estimates the closeness among probability densities (or relative Entropy), and is used instead of the distance or dot product measures. Applied to a real network planning under the supervision of link budget calculations, the new method shows improved performance and a promise of wider network applications.
The temporal dimension in end user programming for the Web

Publisher Summary Despite the dynamic nature of the Web, most people only view and interact with a static snapshot. Search engines, browsers, and higher level end-user programming environments only support observing and manipulating a single point in time—the “now.” We propose that moving beyond this static viewpoint is important because (1) maintaining a temporal view of the Web allows users to more clearly understand the behavior of their “programs,” both in static and dynamic contexts, and (2) temporally changing information on the Web is interesting in its own right. In this chapter, we discuss the opportunities and challenges of integrating the temporal dimension in end-user programming environments and our experiences with Zoetrope, a tool for interacting with the ephemeral (i.e., dynamic) Web.
Hyperthermal Reactions of O+(4S3/2) with CD4 and CH4: Theory and Experiment†

Theoretical and experimental methods are applied to the study of the reaction dynamics in hyperthermal collisions of O+ (4S3/2) with methane. Measurements of the absolute reaction cross sections for the interaction of O+ with CD4 and CH4 were obtained at collision energies in the range from near-thermal to approximately 15 eV, using the guided-ion beam (GIB) technique. Product recoil velocity distributions, using the GIB time-of-flight (TOF) methods, were determined for several product ions at selected collision energies. The main reaction channel, charge transfer, proceeds via large impact parameter collisions. A number of minor channels, involving more intimate collisions, were also detected. Ab initio electronic structure calculations have been performed with different levels of theory and basis sets, including high-level coupled-cluster calculations to determine the energies of reaction intermediates and transition states for reaction. Several reaction paths on both quartet and doublet electronic stat...
Optically Activated Delayed Fluorescence through Control of Cyanine Dye Photophysics.

Merocyanine 540 fluorescence can be enhanced by optically depopulating dark photoisomer states to regenerate the fluorescence-generating manifold of the all-trans isomer. Here, we utilize a competi...
Synthesis, Antiproliferative and Antiviral Activity of Imidazo[4,5-d]isothiazole Nucleosides as 5:5 Fused Analogs of Nebularine and 6-Methylpurine Ribonucleoside

A series of imidazo[4,5-d]isothiazole nucleosides related to the antibiotic nebularine and the highly cytotoxic 6-methyl-9-β-d-ribofuranosylpurine have been synthesized from the corresponding heterocycles. The sodium salt glycosylation of the imidazo[4,5-d]isothiazoles proceeded smoothly, giving mixtures of N-4 and N-6 regioisomers in generally good yields. The protected derivatives were deblocked using standard conditions to afford the desired imidazo[4,5-d]isothiazole nucleosides, usually as crystalline solids. None of the new nucleosides or heterocycles displayed selective activity against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) or herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The N-6 glycosylated imidazo[4,5-d]isothiazoles were completely inactive up to the highest concentration tested. The N-6 glycosylated imidazo[4,5-d]isothiazoles also were inactive in antiproliferative and cytotoxicity assays, except for 3-methyl-6-β-d-ribofuranosylimidazo[4,5-d]isothiazole (15a) and 5-(benzylthio)-6-(2-deoxy-β-d-ribofuranosyl)imidaz...
Discrepancies Among Student School Lunch Preferences, Menu Options, and Consumption Patterns in a Low-Income Northern California High-School

USDA Nutrient Standard Menu Planning option, one of two National School Lunch Program options for school meal planning, has no requirements for fruit/vegetable servings and enables foodservice to serve nutrient-poor foods while remaining compliant with nutrition requirements. The objective of this research was to compare student reported preferences, meals offered, and meals selected over nine days. A preference survey was administered to 151 ninth grade students attending a low-income northern California high school. School lunch observations were conducted daily for an average of 418 to 584 students by trained researchers. Observation data demonstrated that 66% of students chose no servings of fruit or vegetables over the nine day period. In addition, 37% consistently selected the same one or two meals out of the 32 meals offered daily over a five day period. There was a discrepancy between reported meal preferences and observed meal selections. While 10% selected pizza as their most preferred entree, pizza comprised almost 30% of all daily entree sales. This discrepancy is possibly due to the increased availability of pizza and/or limited availability of the more preferred entrees that either contain or are served with a fruit/vegetable. Findings indicate that a significant proportion of students may complete high school without ever selecting a serving of fruit or vegetables. A considerable gap between available food items and student preferences resulted in nutrient-poor food selection practices among 9th graders.
Surpassing Rayleigh limit: Fisher information analysis of partially coherent source(s)

Tsang et al. have shown that the Fisher information of the two incoherent point source separation, below the Rayleigh limit, is finite and achievable using optical modes measurements.1 However, recent claims regarding partial coherence of sources, no matter how small, leads to necessarily zero Fisher information as the source separation decreases below the Rayleigh limit approaching zero have proved to be controversial.2, 3 Thus, the impact of partial coherence on the photon counting optical modal measurements merits further exploration. In this work, we derive the mutual coherence function (image plane) of two partially coherent point sources and find the classical Fisher information of the source separation using both direct image plane and photon counting modal measurements. A classical Fisher information analysis of partially coherent source(s) leads to some rather surprising results for two-point source resolution as the source separation approaches zero. We find that the magnitude of the Fisher information strongly depends on the degree of (positive/negative) partial coherence, which can be understood using an intuitive semi-classical analysis of direct image plane and photon counting modal measurements. We also provide an error analysis of the maximum likelihood estimators for both measurements.
Treadmill Training Effect on Kinematics: An Aging Study in Rats

Aging causes dramatic changes in the locomotion of animals, including the human animal. Treadmill training has been used frequently as a method to improve locomotion and to gather kinematic data that can quantify locomotor ability. Rats are one of the premier models of human disease, in which treadmill locomotion is readily observed and quantified. Several studies have looked at changes in the H-reflex (Caron et al. in Neurobiol Aging 42:61–68, 2016) in old rats, but an in-depth examination of changes in locomotion in old rats has not been a significant focus of past works, despite the utility of such non-invasive data. Here, we investigate changes in the locomotor kinematics of aged rats with treadmill training, over a 4-week treadmill training regime. Our results show that the ankle and knee angles are significantly more flexed on the last day of training compared to the first day. Additionally, we use principal components analysis to find additional features extracted from the kinematics that change across training sessions. Our results suggest that the required training for consistent running at higher speeds for older rats is approximately 3 weeks. We also showed some joint angles were more flexed after training sessions. Thus, future work will build on these results by extracting higher-order features with which to evaluate a treatment for aged animals, by including data from young and old rats that do or do not, receive the treatment.
Association of Entrepreneurial Traits With Interest in Becoming a Pharmacist Provider Among Student Pharmacists

Background:With the emerging opportunities for pharmacists to gain provider status, the need for understanding interest to become a pharmacist provider has never been greater.Objective:To determine...
Diagnosis and treatment of an imported case of schistosomiasis haematobium

OBJECTIVE To report the diagnosis and treatment of an imported case of schistosomiasis haematobium, including the pathological features of the disease and therapeutic efficacy of praziquantel. METHODS The data of the patient with schistosomiasis haematobium were collected, and the pathological features of the bladder tissue were observed under a microscope. More-over, the patient was treated with praziquantel, and his urine was collected before and after the treatment. The eggs in the urine were examined by a microscope after sediment and the miracidia were hatched. RESULTS The patient once worked in Angola for three months, and after returning home he had the symptoms of intermittent painless terminal hematuresis. It was ineffective after anti-inflammatory treatment in a number of hospitals. There were no sand spots discovered under the cystoscope. However, the inflammatory reaction to parasite with a lot of eosinophils infiltration in the bladder mucosa was found on the pathological sections under a microscope, and the egg structure was observed with individual characteristics. The eggs were detected in the urine and the miracidia were hatched before the praziquantel treatment. The hematuria symptoms disappeared after the praziquantel treatment. The eggs were still detected in the urine 7 days post-treatment, but the miracidium could not be hatched. One month and 6 months post-treatment, the eggs were not detected in the urine. CONCLUSIONS The imported cases of schistosomiasis haematobium are often misdiagnosed, and therefore, it is necessary to strength the health education to the workers overseas and also to improve the ability of diagnosis in medical staff. For the case reported in this paper, there are typical structure of Schistosoma haematobium eggs and egg-granulomas on the pathological sections of bladder tissues. Praziquantel has satisfactory treatment results.
Stepping Back: Re-evaluating the Use of the Numeric Score in USMLE Examinations.

There are increasing concerns from medical educators about students’ over-emphasis on preparing for a high-stakes licensing examination during medical school, especially the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1. Residency program directors’ use of the numeric score (otherwise known as the three-digit score) on Step 1 to screen and select applicants drive these concerns. Since the USMLE was not designed as a residency selection tool, the use of numeric scores for this purpose is often referred to as a secondary and unintended use of the USMLE score. Educators and students are concerned about USMLE’s potentially negative influence on curricular innovation and the role of high-stakes examinations in student and trainee well-being. Changing the score reporting of the examinations from a numeric score to pass/fail has been suggested by some. This commentary first reviews the primary use and secondary uses of the USMLE scores. We then focus on the advantages and disadvantages of the currently reported numeric score using Messick’s conceptualization of construct validity as our framework. Finally, we propose a path forward to design a comprehensive, more holistic review of residency candidates.
Demand Response to Help Mitigate Cascading Outages: A Case Study on the 2011 Tornado Super Outbreak

This study investigates the role of demand response with the participations of utility customers in mitigating cascading outages triggered by extreme events. A strategy of demand response is proposed and simulated for a real cascading outage case on the 2011 Tornado Super Outbreak. By responsive reduction of electricity usage of end user in the early stage of cascading outages, outage propagation can be mitigated significantly in terms of the number of line outages and amount of load loss. The practicality of the proposed demand response strategy is verified by analysis on household HVACs. With the participations of HVACs by adjusting their temperature settings within an acceptable range, the system load can be reduced for effective mitigation of cascading outages. Results provide useful suggestions for utilities and policy makers in implementing demand response programs for cascading outage issue.
Effects of variability in radiomics software packages on classifying patients with radiation pneumonitis.

Purpose: While radiomics feature values can differ when extracted using different radiomics software, the effects of these variations when applied to a particular clinical task are currently unknown. The goal of our study was to use various radiomics software packages to classify patients with radiation pneumonitis (RP) and to quantify the variation in classification ability among packages. Approach: A database of serial thoracic computed tomography scans was obtained from 105 patients with esophageal cancer. Patients were treated with radiation therapy (RT), resulting in 20 patients developing RP grade ≥ 2 . Regions of interest (ROIs) were randomly placed in the lung volume of the pre-RT scan within high-dose regions ( ≥ 30 Gy ), and corresponding ROIs were anatomically matched in the post-RT scan. Three radiomics packages were compared: A1 (in-house), IBEX v1.0 beta, and PyRadiomics v.2.0.0. Radiomics features robust to deformable registration and common among radiomics packages were calculated: four first-order and four gray-level co-occurrence matrix features. Differences in feature values between time points were calculated for each feature, and logistic regression was used in conjunction with analysis of variance to classify patients with and without RP ( p 0.006 ). Classification ability for each package was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and compared using the area under the ROC curve (AUC). Results: Of the eight radiomics features, five were significantly correlated with RP status for all three packages, whereas one feature was not significantly correlated with RP for all three packages. The remaining two features differed in whether or not they were significantly associated with RP status among the packages. Seven of the eight features agreed among the packages in whether the AUC value was significantly > 0.5 . Conclusions: Radiomics features extracted using different software packages can result in differences in classification ability.
A Compact Calibration Model for Linearizing CMOS Sample-and-Hold Circuits

Intermediate-Frequency (IF) sampling demands stringent tracking bandwidth and linearity performance of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), dictating high supply voltages and bipolar devices to implement the front-end buffer/sampler. As quantizers are nowadays almost exclusively realized in scaled CMOS technology, the integration of the high-voltage bipolar front-end and the low-voltage CMOS quantizer becomes a challenging task as cost, complexity, and power consumption are important competitive metrics for vendors. In this brief, we present a compact calibration model to linearize the sample-and-hold (S/H) circuits realized in low-cost CMOS technology for IF-sampling applications. Simulation and experimental results show that a spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) close to 100 dB can be achieved using the proposed technique.
Direct-to-Consumer Prescription Drug Advertising and Patient-Provider Interactions.

Background: Direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising is prevalent and affects patient care. Previous research that examined its effect on the patient-provider relationship predates many changes in the advertising and medical landscape that have occurred in the last decade, such as the rise in online promotion and the push for value-based medicine. Methods: We conducted a nationally representative mail-push-to-web survey of 1744 US adults in 2017 to explore how patients view the effects of direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising on patient-provider interactions. Results: Most respondents (76%) said they were likely to ask a health care provider about advertised drugs; 26% said they had already done so. Among the 26% of respondents who talked to a health care provider about a specific prescription drug they saw advertised, 16% said they received a prescription for the advertised drug. Few respondents (5%) reported that advertising had caused conflict with a health care provider, 16% said it had caused them to question their provider’s advice, and 23% said they were likely to look for a different provider if their provider refused to prescribe a requested brand name drug. Discussion: These results suggest that direct-to-consumer advertising is driving some patients to discuss specific products with their health care providers but that most patients do not believe advertising has a negative influence on the patient-provider interaction itself.
Application and integration of principles and uses of international trade in regulatory systems

The present work is concentrated on thoughts and perspectives of unwritten soft law codification models in international trade system, following an especially comparative and critical analysis with the hard law systems and regulatory integration in private, European and international economic law. Aplicacion e integracion de principios y usos del comercio internacional de sistemas reglamentarios El presente trabajo se concentra en los pensamientos y perspectivas de los modelos de codificacion de leyes no escritas no escritas en el sistema de comercio internacional, siguiendo un analisis especialmente comparativo y critico con los sistemas de leyes duras y la integracion regulatoria en el derecho economico privado, europeo e internacional. Palabras clave: CISG, art. 7 CISG, modelos de codificacion, estado de derecho, UE, derecho privado internacional, derecho economico internacional, codificacion, derecho blando, derecho duro.
Multi-Task Learning based 3-Dimensional Striatal Segmentation of MRI – a Multi-modal Objective Assessment

Abstract The human striatum is a collection of subcortical nuclei that serves as a critical node in an information processing network. Recent studies have established a clear topographical and functional organization of projections to and from striatal regions that involves detailed and complex subdivisions of the striatum. Manual segmentation of these functional subdivisions is labor-intensive and time-consuming, yet automated methods have also been a challenging computational problem. Recently, deep learning has emerged as a powerful tool for various tasks, including semantic segmentation. Multi-Task Learning (MTL) is a machine learning technique that allows latent representations between related tasks to be shared during model prediction of multiple tasks with better accuracy. We utilized MTL to segment subregions of the striatum consisting of pre-commissural putamen (prePU), pre-commissural caudate (preCA), post-commissural putamen (postPU), post-commissural caudate (postCA), and ventral striatum (VST). Dice similarity coefficients (DSC) demonstrate excellent spatial agreement between manual and MTL-generated segmentations (≥ 0.72 across all striatal subregions). Further quantitative task-based analysis was also conducted. Binding potential values, BPND, of [11C]raclopride PET, and ROI time-series and whole-brain connectivity using fMRI images were compared between results generated from manual segmentations and MTL-generated segmentations. BPND values from MTL-generated segmentations were shown to correlate well with manual segmentations with R2 ≥ 0.91 in all caudate and putamen subregions, and R2=0.69 in VST. Mean Pearson correlation coefficients of the fMRI data between MTL-generated and manual segmentations were also high in time-series (≥0.86) and whole-brain connectivity (≥0.89) across all subregions. We conclude that the MTL approach is a fast, robust and reliable method for 3D striatal subregion segmentation with results comparable to manually segmented ROIs.
E-187 Comparative analysis of procedure related morbidity and mortality between pipeline, pipeline flex embolization device and surpass

Introduction The purpose of this study is to compare peri-procedural complication rates in patients at a single academic medical center treated with Surpass or Pipeline/Pipeline Flex flow diverter stents. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent placement of a flow diverter stent from the last 3 years. We evaluated major complications including mortality, stroke, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) or failure of device deployment, and minor complications including radial and groin access site hematoma, retroperitoneal hematoma (RPH), arterial dissection. We also recorded hospital course complications including urinary tract infection (UTI), pneumonia (PNA) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). We examined the length of hospital stay (LOS), and disposition at discharge. We adjusted for the following variables: Patient age, gender, pre-existing medical comorbidities, laterality, anatomic location of treated aneurysm, device utilized, number of devices deployed per case, longest length and diameter of all devices deployed per case. Results We identified 23 Surpass cases and 99 pipeline cases performed on a total of 106 patients. The median number of devices used for Surpass was 1 (IQR 1,1) compared to Pipeline/Pipeline Flex 1 (IQR 1,3) which was statistically significantly different (p=0.0003)We found no significant difference in mortality(p=0.4949), stroke(p=0.3565), intracerebral hemorrhage(p=0.3310), or aborted procedures(p=0.4021). There was no significant difference in minor complications or hospital complications. The median length of stay was 1 day for both devices. Interquartile length for Surpass 1–3(75th%); and Pipeline 1–26(75th%), mann-whitney p=0.238 between the medians. Conclusions These results suggest that Surpass is non-inferior to Pipeline in regards to major and minor peri-procedural complications. Pipeline on average required a statistically significant more number of devices per procedure. There was no difference in the length of stay between Surpass and Pipeline. Further prospective data is needed to further confirm this hypothesis. Disclosures C. Feigen: None. N. Haranhalli: None. R. Holland: None. A. Brook: None. D. Altschul: 2; C; Microvention, Stryker.
DOES JET LAG CREATE A PROFITABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR NFL BETTORS

Traveling across multiple time zones, especially from east-to-west so that hours are “lost”, has documented negative effects on athletic performance. Nichols (2012) finds mixed evidence that sports betting markets fail to account for these effects. We reconsider, for the 2005-2010 NFL regular seasons, the “jet lag” hypothesis with more direct methods. We find that closing lines of NFL contests are set irrationally such that the jet lag effect is not appreciated. More importantly, we are the first to document that betting against potential jet lag teams proves to be markedly profitable. This profitability is statistically significant, which is a standard very rarely encountered throughout the literature. Consistent with our conjectures, we find these results to be even stronger when only afternoon games are kept in the sample and when division games are omitted from the sample.
Implementing Rubric-Based Peer Review for Video Microlecture Design in Health Professions Education

Efficient and effective instructional materials designed for asynchronous learning are increasingly important in health professions curricula. Video microlectures are an effective instructional method, but many faculty lack training in applying best-practice multimedia principles to development of their own recorded microlectures. Here we report a rubric designed for use in a peer-review process to evaluate and improve microlectures. The one-page rubric provides a framework for application of multimedia principles and cognitive load theory to microlecture design. Quality improvement of microlectures following redesign according to rubric elements is supported by increased student viewership, which coincided with higher rubric peer review scores.
The Mindful Path to Success

This brief article explores how law professors might incorporate mindfulness exercises into their programs to help prepare students for success in law school and their future careers. Studies show that mindfulness and meditation tie closely to physical benefits like improved neuroplasticity, increased brain matter density, and reduced cognitive declines, such as those associated with advancing age. Mindfulness is connected to just about everything that law professors wish for their students: better memory and capacity for learning new skills, reduced anxiety, higher-quality sleep, improved decision-making skills, the ability to cope with stress in healthy ways, stronger empathy and communication proficiency, and improved overall wellbeing, among others. A list of resources with links to further reading is included.
Metal Leaching from Lithium-ion and Nickel-metal Hydride Batteries and Photovoltaic Modules in Simulated Landfill Leachates and Municipal Solid Waste Materials

Abstract Photovoltaic (PV) modules and batteries can either be recycled or disposed of in landfills at end-of-life (EoL). This work focuses on disposal since the benefit of recycling PV modules and batteries is well established. This study characterizes the potential toxicity due to metals leaching from selected PV modules and batteries through both the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) and in-house batch leaching protocols to probe the impact on metallic ion mobility as a function of the different types of e-waste entering the waste stream, the magnitude of device damage when placed into the waste stream, and the simulated municipal solid waste (SMSW) composition. Our results showed that one PV module and three battery types in this study should be classified as hazardous waste within the U.S. However, for some of the other e-wastes, metals of concern including Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn leached during the batch tests but not in the TCLP regulatory method. For most of the waste types, the amounts of metals that leached in the TCLP test and batch tests were much lower than the total extractable amounts, demonstrating the potential for additional unaccounted for amounts of metals to leach. These results demonstrate that the TCLP regulatory method might fail at predicting potential leaching and at capturing the complexity of e-waste leaching in landfill conditions. It confirms that additional work is needed urgently to develop appropriate EoL procedures for MSW with PV and battery e-waste.
A family with two female siblings with compound heterozygous FMR1 premutation alleles

Premutation alleles (55-200 CGG repeats) of the fragile X mental retardation (FMR1) gene have been linked to various types of clinical involvement ranging from mood and anxiety disorders to immunological disorders and executive function deficits. Carrier females typically have a premutation allele and a normal allele (<55 CGG repeats). Although rare, seven cases of females that carry two expanded alleles (compound heterozygous premutation) have been reported. Here, we report on four members of a family including two compound heterozygous premutation sisters with similar CGG allele sizes, affected with different levels of clinical severity.
Specifying Avalon Objects in Larch

This paper gives a formal specification of three base Avalon/C++ classes: recoverable, atomic, and subatomic. Programmers derive from class recoverable to define persistent objects, and from either class atomic or class subatomic to define atomic objects. The specifications, written in Larch, provide the means for showing that classes derived from the base classes implement objects that are persistent or atomic, and thus exemplify the applicability of an existing specification method to specifying “nonfunctional” properties. Writing these formal specifications for Avalon/C++'s built-in classes has helped clarify places in the programming language where features interact, make explicit unstated assumptions, and make precise complex properties of objects.
Quasi-Fully Dynamic Algorithms for Two-Connectivity, Cycle Equivalence and Related Problems

In this paper we introduce a new class of dynamic algorithms called quasi-fully dynamic algorithms, which are much more general (and sometimes simpler) than backtracking algorithms and are much simpler than fully dynamic algorithms. These algorithms are especially suitable for applications in which a certain core connected portion of the graph remains fixed, and fully dynamic updates occur on the remaining edges in the graph. We present very simple quasi-fully dynamic algorithms with logarithmic worst case time, per operation, for 2-edge connectivity and cycle equivalence. The former is deterministic while the latter is Monte-Carlo randomized. For 2-vertex connectivity, we give a randomized Las Vegas algorithm with polylog expected amortized time per operation. We introduce the concept of quasi-k-edge-connectivity, which is a slightly relaxed version of k-edge connectivity, and show that it can be maintained in O(log n) worst case time per operation. We also analyze the performance of a natural extension of our quasi-fully dynamic algorithms to fully dynamic algorithms. The quasi-fully dynamic algorithm we present for cycle equivalence (which has several applications in optimizing compilers) is of special interest since the algorithm is quite simple, and no special-purpose incremental or backtracking algorithms are known for this problem.
Some Aspects on the Hamiltonian and Liouvillian Formalism, the Special Propagator Methods, and the Equation of Motion Approach

Publisher Summary This chapter investigates the Liouvillian eigenvalue problem LC = vC and its solution through the special propagator methods, the equation-of-motion approach, and their connection in terms of the commutator binary product and are briefly reviewed. The solution of the eigenvalue problem LC = vC in the Hilbert-Schmidt operator space is also studied in great detail. The refined solutions are expressed in terms of a new basis B (1), which spans an operator space closed under adjunction and multiplication. The refinement procedure is of particular value when separating an eigenelement associated with a degenerate eigenvalue v into components, which are excitation operators referring to specific initial and final states. The connection between the general theory and the special methods is then discussed also using the connection between the commutator binary product and the Hilbert-Schmidt binary product. In conclusion, the possibilities for further generalization of the propagator concept, as well as approximations by means of “inner projections” are also briefly discussed.
Production of Culture

The production of culture (POC) perspective emerged as a way to understand the external conditions that influence symbolic components of culture. Moving beyond a simple “reflection” theory of cultural production, this perspective directed attention to the processes by which culture is made. POC scholars have demonstrated how factors such as technology, law and regulation, organizational form, industry structure, careers, and markets influence the production, distribution, and reception of cultural products. First, we review foundational research that addresses the “six facets” associated with the POC perspective as well as related work on cultural industry and classification systems. Next, we address cutting-edge work that offers new insights and methodological savvy to classic POC concerns with innovation and diversity, gatekeeping processes, and the consequences of categories in symbolic production. Finally, we discuss opportunities for future work that has the potential to move POC scholarship forward while addressing fundamental sociological questions about fields, networks, and processes of classification, valuation, and evaluation. The increasing conceptual and methodological diversity that characterizes production of culture research promises to keep it a vibrant area of inquiry for years to come. Keywords: art; culture; classification; organizations; economic sociology; symbolic boundaries
Extracellular ATP4- modulates organic anion transport by rat hepatocytes

The hepatocyte has an organic anion transport system that recognizes compounds such as bilirubin and sulfobromophthalein. These anions circulate bound tightly to albumin from which they are extracted rapidly by hepatocytes by an electroneutral process that requires extracellular inorganic anions such as Cl- for activity. Transport activity is reduced by depletion of intracellular ATP, but whether ATP interacts directly with this transporter is not known. In this study, the influence of extracellular ATP on the hepatocyte organic anion transport mechanism has been characterized. In the presence of 2.5 mM Ca2+ and 2 mM Mg2+, initial uptake of [35S]sulfobromophthalein was reduced by 50% at 1 mM ATP. In the absence of divalent cations sensitivity to ATP was 10-fold greater. Other nucleotides including UTP, CTP, GTP, ADP, AMP, and AMP-PCP (adenosine 5'-(beta,gamma-methylene)triphosphate) were inactive. Decreased transport activity was rapidly reversible, was non-competitive with respect to ATP, did not require ATP hydrolysis, and did not correlate with P2y purinergic receptor activity. Differential activity of ATP on sulfobromophthalein transport in the presence and absence of divalent cations was not due to ecto-ATPase activity but rather to alteration in [ATP4-]. Although an ATP4- receptor in macrophages mediates increased cellular permeability, reduced organic anion permeability is seen in hepatocytes. This effect is not seen in the hepatoma cell line HepG2. Modulation of activity of the organic anion transporter by extracellular ATP may have important pathophysiological consequences in conditions resulting in liver cell injury.
Initial performance and characteristics of the PBX-M 80 kV neutral probe beam

The Princeton Beta Experiment-Modified (PBX-M) neutral probe beam (NPB) was installed to perform q-profile measurements using two different methods. The NPB has met design specifications and has operated very reliably. Ion-source conditioning is accomplished at a rate suitable for the PBX-M experimental schedule. Operation of a conditioned ion source requires little operator attention. This performance has supported the diversity and complexity of the associated experiments. The mechanical, vacuum, and magnetic performance of the NPB are described, and ion-source conditioning, timing, perveance, and modulation are discussed. Species measurements and ratios are given, and recent applications are described. >
Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion alters inducible NOS expression within the ventrolateral medulla and modulates cardiovascular function during static exercise.

A major cause of stroke is cerebral ischemia in regions supplied by the middle cerebral artery (MCA). In this study, we hypothesized that compromised cardiovascular function during static exercise may involve altered expression of inducible NOS (iNOS) protein within the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) and caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM). We compared cardiovascular responses and iNOS protein expression within the left and right sides of both RVLM and CVLM in sham-operated rats and in rats with a 90 min left-sided MCA occlusion (MCAO) followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Increases in blood pressure during a static muscle contraction were attenuated in MCAO rats compared with sham-operated rats. Also, iNOS expression within the left RVLM was augmented compared with the right RVLM in MCAO rats and compared with both RVLM quadrants in sham-operated rats. In contrast, compared with sham-operated rats and the right CVLM of MCAO rats, iNOS expression was attenuated in the left CVLM in left-sided MCAO rats. T...
Progressive tumor features accompany epithelial-mesenchymal transition induced in mitochondrial DNA-depleted cells.

The growth of LNCaP, a human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line, and MCF-7, a human breast adenocarcinoma cell line, is initially hormone dependent. We previously demonstrated that LNρ0-8 and MCFρ0, derived from LNCaP and MCF-7 by depleting mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), exhibited hormone-independent growth that led to progressed phenotypes. Here, we demonstrate that LNρ0-8 and MCFρ0 have invasive characters as evaluated by the ability of invasion through the extracellular matrix (ECM) in vitro. In addition, the induction of vimentin and the repression of E-cadherin expression in ρ0 cells indicate that they are mesenchymal cells. Since LNρ0-8 and MCFρ0 were derived from epithelial cancer cell lines, LNCaP and MCF-7 must have lost epithelial features and gained the mesenchymal phenotype by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during the mtDNA depletion. In the ρ0 cell lines, the Raf/MAPK signaling cascade was highly activated together with the expressions of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and type I TGF-β receptor (TGF-βRI). EMT requires cooperation of TGF-β signaling with activation of the Raf/MAPK cascade, suggesting that EMT was induced in mtDNA depleted cells resulting in the acquisition of progressive tumor features, such as higher invasiveness and loss of hormone dependent growth. Our results indicate that decreasing mtDNA content induces EMT, enabling the progressive phenotypes observed in cancer. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 1584–1588)
Traumatic cervical spine injuries: characteristics of missed injuries.

Abstract Purpose Computed tomographic (CT) scanning has mostly replaced x-rays as an imaging modality, but concerns exist because of excess radiation, missed injuries, and whether it is the definitive procedure for intubated patients. The purpose of this study was to characterize missed cervical spine injuries (CSIs). Methods All pediatric ( χ 2 , Student's t test, and bivariate correlation were used. Results There were 1307 pediatric trauma patients admitted with 318 imaged for potential CSI. Computed tomography was the sole imaging study in 200, x-rays in 64, and both in 54. Time to C-spine clearance was similar for all modalities ( P > .05). For CT, 34 (10.7%) were initially positive for CSI with 7 false-positives (FPs) and no false-negative (FN). There were 18 patients with CSI identified by x-ray, with 5 FPs and 5 FNs (missed injuries). The 5 FNs missed by x-ray were all positive by CT scan and required no intervention. None of the flexion/extension views revealed an additional injury. Sex, intubated patients, ISS, age, type, and injury location were not predictive of a missed injury ( P > .05).The sensitivity of CT scan was 1.0, specificity was 0.976, and the positive predictive value was 79.4%. The sensitivity of plain x-ray was 61.5%, the specificity was 1.6%, and the positive predictive value was 61.5%. Conclusions Our data suggest that CT scans should be the primary modality to image a CSI. Flexion/extension views did not add to the decision making for C-spine clearance after CT evaluation.
Leave a Legacy: Follow the Example of Title IX

Just as Senator Bayh became the face of academic and athletic change for women by authoring Title IX, teachers can and should initiate changes that may make a difference in their school system or community.
Nucleotides Regulate the Conformational State of the Small Terminase Subunit from Bacteriophage Lambda: Implications for the Assembly of a Viral Genome-Packaging Motor†

Terminase enzymes are responsible for “packaging” of viral DNA into a preformed procapsid. Bacteriophage lambda terminase is composed of two subunits, gpA and gpNu1, in a gpA1·gpNu12 holoenzyme complex. The larger gpA subunit is responsible for preparation of viral DNA for packaging, and is central to the packaging motor complex. The smaller gpNu1 subunit is required for site-specific assembly of the packaging motor on viral DNA. Terminase assembly at the packaging initiation site is regulated by ATP binding and hydrolysis at the gpNu1 subunit. Characterization of the catalytic and structural interactions between the DNA and nucleotide binding sites of gpNu1 is thus central to our understanding of the packaging motor at the molecular level. The high-resolution structure of the DNA binding domain of gpNu1 (gpNu1-DBD) was recently determined in our lab [de Beer, T., et al. (2002) Mol. Cell 9, 981−991]. The structure reveals the presence of a winged−helix−turn−helix DNA binding motif, but the location of the...
Synthesis of Novel Polymer/Urea Peptoid Conjugates Using RAFT Polymerization

The synthesis of novel urea peptoids and their conjugation to polymers prepared using reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is reported. Statistical copolymers of poly(styrene-co-3-azidopropyl methacrylate) (poly(styrene-co-AzPMA)) and poly(3-O-methacryloyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-D-glucofuranose-co-AzPMA) (poly(MAIpGlc-co-AzPMA)) were synthesized with high molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distributions. The polymer conjugates were formed using copper-catalyzed azide/alkyne cycloaddition chemistry and confirmed by FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Following conjugate formation with poly(MAIpGlc-co-AzPMA) and the urea peptoid the isopropylidene groups were removed using dilute trifluoroacetic acid. This yielded a sugar functionalized water-soluble, polymer/urea peptoid conjugate. Reactions with fluorescent compounds demonstrated that the peptoids can be further modified after conjugation to the polymer.
Effect of electron-density discontinuity on magnetotransport in multiprobe narrow-channel structures.

Une barriere de marche causee par la discontinuite des porteurs de charge peut donner naissance a un melange parmi differents canaux de transport et a un effet tunnel du niveau inter-Landau sous un champ magnetique modere et entre des regions de densites elevees et basses
Retrograde Distal Superficial Femoral Artery Approach in the Supine Position for Chronic Superficial Femoral Artery Occlusion

Subintimal angioplasty is an effective method for the treatment of long superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusions. One of the major limiting factors for the success of this procedure is the failure to re-enter the true lumen. The recently introduced luminal re-entry devices provide a high technical success rate, but failures can occur. In such cases, a retrograde popliteal approach can serve as a potential backup option. However, the need to reposition the patient remains a drawback. Here, we report a case of an 81-year-old male with a long SFA occlusion treated using a retrograde distal SFA approach in the supine position after the initial failure of antegrade angioplasty.