cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Repeated doses of cardiac mesenchymal cells are therapeutically superior to a single dose in mice with old myocardial infarction.

We have recently demonstrated that repeated administrations of c-kitPOS cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) have cumulative beneficial effects in rats with old myocardial infarction (MI), resulting in markedly greater improvement in left ventricular (LV) function compared with a single administration. To determine whether this paradigm applies to other species and cell types, mice with a 3-week-old MI received one or three doses of cardiac mesenchymal cells (CMCs), a novel cell type that we have recently described. CMCs or vehicle were infused percutaneously into the LV cavity, 14 days apart. Compared with vehicle-treated mice, the single-dose group exhibited improved LV ejection fraction (EF) after the 1st infusion (consisting of CMCs) but not after the 2nd and 3rd (vehicle). In contrast, in the multiple-dose group, LV EF improved after each CMC infusion, so that at the end of the study, LV EF averaged 35.5 ± 0.7% vs. 32.7 ± 0.6% in the single-dose group (P < 0.05). The multiple-dose group also exhibited less collagen in the non-infarcted region vs. the single-dose group. Engraftment and differentiation of CMCs were negligible in both groups, indicating paracrine effects. These results demonstrate that, in mice with ischemic cardiomyopathy, the beneficial effects of three doses of CMCs are significantly greater than those of one dose, supporting the concept that multiple treatments are necessary to properly evaluate the full therapeutic potential of cell therapy. Thus, the repeated-treatment paradigm is not limited to c-kit POS CPCs or to rats, but applies to other cell types and species. The generalizability of this concept dramatically augments its significance.
Generation of C. reinhardtii Mutants that Photoproduce H2 from H2O in the Presence of O2

Many species of green algae have the capability of photoproducing H2 from H2O using the photosynthetic electron transport chain (1). However, utilization of the electrons derived from 2O to reduce protons and evolve H2, a reaction catalyzed by the reversible hydrogenase enzyme, is sensitive to O2 and does not occur under aerobic conditions. This sensitivity is due to the effect of O2 on the FeS centers of the hydrogenase (2) and has limited the development of a photobiological H2-producing system for commercial applications (3). In order to induce enzyme activity, algal cells must be anaerobically incubated in the dark, as shown in Figure 1. We are employing a dual approach to address this O2-sensitivity problem. The first, based on classical mutagenesis and selection procedures, depends on the ability of a mutagenized population of algal cells to survive under conditions that require them to either produce or consume H2 in the presence of controlled amounts of O2 (4-5). The second approach, based on molecular genetic strategies, involves the cloning of the hydrogenase gene and identifying the expression factors required for optimal H2-evolution activity. We report here current progress on both approaches.
Neuropsychological comparisons of cocaine versus methamphetamine users: A research synthesis and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACTBackground: Previous meta-analytical research examining cocaine and methamphetamine separately suggests potentially different neuropsychological profiles associated with each drug. In addition, neuroimaging studies point to distinct structural changes that might underlie differences in neuropsychological functioning. Objectives: This meta-analysis compared the effect sizes identified in cocaine versus methamphetamine studies across 15 neuropsychological domains. Method: Investigators searched and coded the literature examining the neuropsychological deficits associated with a history of either cocaine or methamphetamine use. A total of 54 cocaine and 41 methamphetamine studies were selected, yielding sample sizes of 1,718 and 1,297, respectively. Moderator analyses were conducted to compare the two drugs across each cognitive domain. Results: Data revealed significant differences between the two drugs. Specifically, studies of cocaine showed significantly larger effect-size estimates (i.e., poorer...
SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF CONCOMITANTLY USED DIRECT ORAL ANTICOAGULANT AND AMIODARONE IN PATIENTS WITH NON-VALVULAR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: A META-ANALYSIS OF PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIALS

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and amiodarone are widely used in the treatment of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). The DOACs are P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and cytochrome p-450 (CYP3A4) substrates. DOAC levels may be increased by the concomitant use of potent dual P-gp/CYP3A4 inhibitors such
Motivational Factors in Educational Gamification

Most of the current educational gamification applications are created without clear connections to motivational theories backing their design. As a result, they focus more on rewards and progress information and less on gameful experiences. This paper discusses the design of OneUp Learning – a gamification platform developed with the aim to address these problems. It discusses the underlying motivational theory and psychological mechanisms of games driving its design and briefly describes the functionality of the resulting highly configurable platform for gamifying academic courses and studying the motivational mechanisms of educational gamification.
Multiple sclerosis patients who are stable on interferon therapy show better outcomes when staying on same therapy than patients who switch to another interferon.

Background Real-world outcomes from staying on an interferon beta (IFNβ) vs switching to another IFNβ could help guide treatment decisions. This study's objective was to compare outcomes of stable multiple sclerosis (MS) patients on an IFNβ who stayed on therapy vs those who switched to another IFNβ. Methods MS patients were identified from the Optum Insights Clinformatics Data Mart Multi-Plan who were 18-64 years old and relapse-free (stable) over 1 year while continuously being treated with an IFNβ. Patients were propensity score matched 3:1 using age, gender, initial IFNβ, adherence, and month and year for patients who stayed on the initial IFNβ (No Switch) to patients who switched to another IFNβ (Switch). Patients had to be continuously enrolled for 1 year prior to and 1 year after the index date (date of the first claim of the switched-to IFNβ or the match date when continuing on initial IFNβ treatment). Patients were enrolled with index dates between January 1, 2005 and September 30, 2014. Relapses were recorded during the 1-year follow-up period after index date. Results After matching, there were 381 patients in the Switch group and 1,143 in the No Switch group. Baseline characteristics were well matched between groups (average age 46 years, 72% female). The percentage of patients experiencing a relapse during the follow-up was significantly higher in the Switch group than in the No Switch group (21% vs 12%, P<0.0001). Annual relapse rate during the follow-up was significantly higher in the Switch group than in the No Switch group (0.35 vs 0.20, P<0.0001). Conclusion MS patients stable on IFNβ therapy who remain on initial therapy had significantly better outcomes (lower annual relapse rate and percentage of patients with relapses) than patients who switched to another IFNβ. This supports the benefits of allowing patients to remain on current IFNβ therapy when stable.
Body mass index, but not vitamin D status, is associated with brain volume change in MS.

Objective To determine whether body mass index (BMI) or vitamin D status is associated with MRI measures of neurodegeneration in a cohort of individuals with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). Methods Expression, Proteomics, Imaging, Clinical (EPIC) is a longitudinal multiple sclerosis (MS) cohort study at the University of California, San Francisco. Participants had clinical evaluations, brain MRI, and blood draws annually. We evaluated patients with CIS or RRMS at baseline. In multivariate repeated-measures analyses adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, smoking status, and use of MS treatments, annual 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and BMI were evaluated for their association with subsequent brain volumes (normalized gray matter [nGMV], brain parenchymal [nBPV], and white matter volumes, as determined by Structural Image Evaluation using Normalization of Atrophy-X). Results Among 469 participants, each 1-kg/m 2 higher BMI was independently associated with reduced nGMV in multivariate models (−1.1 mL, 95% confidence interval [CI] −1.8 to −0.5, p = 0.001). BMI was likewise independently associated with nBPV (nBPV per 1-kg/m 2 greater BMI: −1.1 mL, 95% CI −2.1 to −0.05, p = 0.039). Vitamin D levels did not appear to be meaningfully associated with brain volumes. Conclusions Higher BMI appears to be associated with greater reductions in nGMV and nBPV, which is relevant because, in particular, nGMV loss portends greater longer-term disability. Because obesity is modifiable, further studies should explore these relationships in detail, and evaluating the effect of reducing BMI on imaging and clinical outcomes in MS may be warranted.
Pope Francis’s Effort to Revitalize Catholic Mission:

From the start of his pontificate, Pope Francis has pursued a reform of the Catholic Church aimed at revitalizing Catholic engagement in mission. He has pursued this reform in three areas. He has s...
Antioxidants & bronchopulmonary dysplasia: Beating the system or beating a dead horse?

Abstract Preterm birth is a primary cause of worldwide childhood mortality. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, characterized by impaired alveolar and lung vascular development, affects 25–50% of extremely low birth weight (BW; Reactive oxygen intermediates play a key role in the development of lung disease but, despite promising preclinical therapies, antioxidants have failed to translate into meaningful clinical interventions to decrease the incidence of lung disease in premature infants. In this review we will summarize the state of the art research developments in regards to antioxidants and premature lung disease and discuss the limitations of antioxidant therapies in order to more fully comprehend the reasons why therapeutic antioxidant administration failed to prevent BPD. Finally we will review promising therapeutic strategies and targets.
Research on Network Resource Management and Control Framework of Power Data Center Based on SDN

For the power data center communication network is difficult to provide strong support for the rapid development of the smart grid, we propose an SDN-based power data center network resource management and control system to meet the development needs of the power data center communication network. The system consists of application layer, collaboration layer, control layer, and device forwarding layer. By introducing a domain controller and a cooperative controller, it realizes efficient and flexible centralized management and control of network resources. The experimental results show that the system can realize cross-domain and cross-vendor device communication in the data center. At the same time, the system can slice the bandwidth resources and ensure the QoS of the data center network communication effectively, solve the problems faced by power data center communication.
Education as Support for the Integral Development of the Pupil

Seventy years after the publication of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (in 1948), as well as ninety years after Pius XI’s publication of the Encyclical 'Divini Illius Magistri' (1929 ), special remarks were made about the concept of integral upbringing, which these events clearly indicate and for which the philosophical and ideological foundations were outlined by J. Maritain in his publication – Integral Humanism . The origins of this concept of education can be found even in ancient times, and particularly from the beginnings of Christianity. This sheds light on its contemporary role as an expanding approach to secularism for transcendence. Integral humanism, through openness to anthropological integrity and axiological integration, appreciates the whole person, respecting the integrity of the human person and accomplishing his/her in-depth integration. Such upbringing is reflected in the pedagogical wisdom of the Catholic Church, as well as in its practice, manifesting the educational potential of the Catholic Church with “a powerful educational apparatus ... with all its spiritual life, with its teaching, liturgy, sacraments and pastoral care” (as stated by Father Jacek Woroniecki).
Using Photovoice Methodology to Illuminate the Experiences of LGBTQ Former Foster Youth

AbstractLesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or queer (LGBTQ) identified youth are overrepresented in the Los Angeles County foster care system, and the majority are also youth of color. Many experience ...
Barriers to Effective Communication and Stakeholder Management in Project Environments and How to Overcome These Barriers

This study sought to investigate the prominent barriers to effective communication and stakeholder management in project teams. Specifically, this study examined the role of management frameworks c...
The Great Crash of 1929: A Look Back After 90 Years

The Great Crash of 1929 ranks among the climactic events of the last century, apparently heralding the beginning of the Great Depression. This event raises at least four questions that are relevant today:. Answers to these questions, illuminated by careful research, remind decision‐makers in business and government that the first explanations for historical events are not always the best, that complex systems have unintended consequences, and that gaps in information make the Great Crash a difficult standard by which to assess future events. The use of historical precedent warrants caution and great humility in the makers of public policy.
Treatment of Femur Neck Fracture in Children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Two Case Reports.

CASE We present 2 cases of femoral neck fracture (FNF) in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) with a previously placed intramedullary nail (IMN). Case 1: A 12-year-old girl who sustained a right FNF after spine surgery. Case 2: An 18-year-old boy who sustained a right FNF after IMN of the left side. Both patients underwent our modified surgical technique as described below. Both patients recovered well overall. CONCLUSIONS FNF in patients with OI poses a significant challenge especially in the presence of an IMN. Here, we describe a surgical technique that provides stable fixation with a less stress riser effect by bypassing the screws and a previously placed nail.
Effects of HCG, HMG, HLH, and HGH Administration on Testicular function

Proper patient selection together with the use of purified gonadotropic hormones having known biologic activity are of paramount importance when experiments are conducted to define the effects of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) or luteinizing hormone (LH) on human testicular function. This is particularly true when assigning physiologic roles to these gonadotropins.
The influence of neighborhood violent crime on child-rearing: Integrating neighborhood ecologies and stratified reproduction approaches

While relationships between neighborhood violent crime and adverse child outcomes are well-established, less is known about how neighborhood violent crime influences child-rearing strategies. To address this gap, we blend neighborhood ecologies and stratified reproduction frameworks and examine interview data collected in 2014-2015 from 107 adult caregivers residing in three low and three elevated violent crime neighborhoods in Cleveland, Ohio. Our objective is to examine how perceptions of neighborhood violent crime and its relationship to self-reported child-rearing practices vary by level of neighborhood violence. We find that, although caregivers in low and elevated violent crime neighborhoods shared the perception of neighborhood violent crime as a concern, their narratives of child-rearing practices differed. Caregivers in elevated violent crime neighborhoods were more likely than their low violent crime counterparts to describe in experience-near terms how violent crime threatened their children's well-being. To protect children, caregivers in elevated violent crime neighborhoods reported engaging in severely constrained child-rearing strategies. These constraints have unintended consequences. While they may protect children in the short-term, they may also reproduce inequities by reducing family quality of life in other ways. These findings advance understanding of how neighborhood violent crime differentially affects child-rearing. We integrate neighborhood ecologies and stratified reproduction frameworks to capture how social inequities interact in neighborhood settings to constrain child-rearing and perpetuate inequities over time.
Survival of the cryptic: Tracing technological imaginaries across ideologies, infrastructures, and community practices:

This article explores an inflection point for a community of cryptography advocates as they grappled with a series of cascading failures. Drawing on 3 years of ethnographic observation and intervie...
A UPF1 variant drives conditional remodeling of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay

The nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway monitors translation termination to degrade transcripts with premature stop codons and regulate thousands of human genes. Due to the major role of NMD in RNA quality control and gene expression regulation, it is important to understand how the pathway responds to changing cellular conditions. Here we show that an alternative mammalian-specific isoform of the core NMD factor UPF1, termed UPF1LL, enables condition-dependent remodeling of NMD specificity. UPF1LL associates more stably with potential NMD target mRNAs than the major UPF1SL isoform, expanding the scope of NMD to include many transcripts normally immune to the pathway. Unexpectedly, the enhanced persistence of UPF1LL on mRNAs supports induction of NMD in response to rare translation termination events. Thus, while canonical NMD is abolished by translational repression, UPF1LL activity is enhanced, providing a mechanism to rapidly rewire NMD specificity in response to cellular stress.
The Impact of Body Weight and Renal Function on the Risk of Bleeding With Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Atrial Fibrillation.

Background:Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of stroke and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are first-line agents for prevention. Gaps in the literature cause reluctance in prescribing ...
Cough, Cough: A Rare Case of Co-Existing Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis and Autoimmune Hepatitis in a Pediatric Patient

Case Description: A 15-year-old female presented with two weeks of worsening abdominal pain and a non-productive cough. Prior to presentation, she had a low-grade fever, sore throat, conjunctivitis and an erythematous pruritic rash over her extremities that resolved. She was transferred from an outside hospital with elevated transaminases, positive liver-kidney microsome-1 antibody and elevated immunoglobulin G, overall concerning for autoimmune hepatitis. Her past medical history was significant for mild intermittent asthma, seasonal allergies and GERD. Her family history was significant for hereditary angioedema in her sister. Vital signs were 39°C, pulse 119, …
Jet Quenching and Cronin Enhancement in A+A at s^1/2=20 vs 200 AGeV

The sensitivity of semi-hard (p_\perp pi^0 up to 4 GeV/c and while these data are reproduced, the results depends sensitively on the model of the Cronin effect. At (RHIC) collider energies (s^1/2 > 200 AGeV), on the other hand, semi-hard hadron production becomes insensitive to the above model and is thus expected to be a cleaner probe of jet quenching signature associated with non-Abelian radiative energy loss.
Day-of-Surgery Gabapentinoids and Prolonged Opioid Use: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Medicare Patients Using Electronic Health Records.

Background While preoperative gabapentinoids are commonly used in surgical multimodal analgesia protocols, little is known regarding the effects this therapy has on prolonged postsurgical opioid use. In this observational study, we used data from a large integrated health care system to estimate the association between preoperative day-of-surgery gabapentinoids and the risk of prolonged postsurgical opioid use. Methods We identified adults age ≥65 years undergoing major therapeutic surgical procedures from a large integrated health care system from 2016 to 2019. Exposure to preoperative gabapentinoids on the day of surgery was measured using inpatient medication administration records, and the outcome of prolonged opioid use was measured using outpatient medication orders. We used stabilized inverse probability of treatment-weighted log-binomial regression to estimate risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of prolonged opioid use, comparing patients who received preoperative gabapentinoids to those who did not and adjusting for relevant clinical factors. The main analysis was conducted in the overall surgical population, and a secondary analysis was conducted among procedures where at least 30% of all patients received a preoperative gabapentinoid. Results Overall, 13,958 surgical patients met inclusion criteria, of whom 21.0% received preoperative gabapentinoids. The observed 90-day risk of prolonged opioid use following surgery was 0.91% (95% CI, 0.77-1.08). Preoperative gabapentinoid administration was not associated with a reduced risk of prolonged opioid use in the main analysis conducted in a broad surgical population (adjusted risk ratio [adjRR], 1.19 [95% CI, 0.67-2.12]) or in the secondary analysis conducted in patients undergoing colorectal resection, hip arthroplasty, knee arthroplasty, or hysterectomy (adjRR, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.30-3.33]). Conclusions In a large integrated health system, we did not find evidence that preoperative gabapentinoids were associated with reduced risk of prolonged opioid use in patients undergoing a broad range of surgeries.
An incompressible Eulerian method for fluid-structure interaction with mixed soft and rigid solids

We present a general simulation approach for incompressible fluid--structure interactions in a fully Eulerian framework using the reference map technique (RMT). The approach is suitable for modeling one or more rigid or finitely-deformable objects or soft objects with rigid components interacting with the fluid and with each other. It is also extended to control the kinematics of structures in fluids. The model is based on our previous Eulerian fluid--soft solver, and generalized to rigid structures by constraining the deformation-rate tensor in a projection framework. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the capability of the method.
Approaches for studying angiogenesis-related signal transduction.

Abstract Understanding how extracellular growth factors activate intracellular pathways that promote angiogenesis is a broad area of research. In this chapter, we outline the systematic dissection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)–mediated activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and other downstream targets that are relevant to the angiogenic response. These approaches may also be applied to most other angiogenic‐factor signaling cascades.
User-Aided Boundary Delineation through the Propagation of Implicit Representations

In this paper we introduce user-defined segmentation constraints within the level set methods. Snake-driven methods are powerful and widely explored techniques for object extraction. Level set representations is a mathematical framework technique to implement such methods. This formulation is implicit, intrinsic and parameter/topology free. Introducing shape-driven knowledge within the level set method for segmentation is a recently explored topic. User interactive constraints are more simplistic forms of prior shape knowledge. To this end, we propose a simple formulation that converts user interaction to objective function terms that aim to guide the segmentation solution through the user edits.
Using Page Classification and Association Rule Mining for Personalized Recommendation in Distance Learning

With the rapid development of Internet, distance learning applications over Internet become more and more popular. This paper introduces a personalized learning system for web-based distance learning and focus on the web usage mining techniques aimed at personalized recommendation service. First, this paper presents a web page classification method, which uses attribute-oriented induction method according to related domain knowledge shown by a concept hierarchy tree. Second, the paper presents an algorithm of mining association rules with one-support using Freq-Set-Tree. Third, based on their current access patterns, page classes at the home site, page integration from other sites, and the rules discovered in mining, recommendation pages are made and presented for the students.
Assigning unique keys to chemical compounds for data integration: some interesting counter examples

Integrating data involving chemical structures is simplified when unique identifiers (UIDs) can be associated with chemical structures. For example, these identifiers can be used as database keys. One common approach is to use the Unique SMILES notation introduced in [2]. The Unique SMILES views a chemical structure as a graph with atoms as nodes and bonds as edges and uses a depth first traversal of the graph to generate the SMILES strings. The algorithm establishes a node ordering by using certain symmetry properties of the graphs. In this paper, we present certain molecular graphs for which the algorithm fails to generate UIDs. Indeed, we show that different graphs in the same symmetry class employed by the Unique SMILES algorithm have different Unique SMILES IDs. We tested the algorithm on the National Cancer Institute (NCI) database [7] and found several molecular structures for which the algorithm also failed. We have also written a python script that generates molecular graphs for which the algorithm fails.
Influence of fault connectivity on slip rates in southern California: Potential impact on discrepancies between geodetic derived and geologic slip rates

Along the San Bernardino strand of the San Andreas fault (SAF) and across the eastern California shear zone (ECSZ), geologic slip rates differ from those inverted from geodetic measurements, which may partly be due to inaccurate fault connectivity within geodetic models. We employ three-dimensional models that are mechanically compatible with long-term plate motion to simulate both fault slip rates and interseismic surface deformation. We compare results from fault networks that follow mapped geologic traces and resemble those used in block model inversions, which connect the San Jacinto fault to the SAF near Cajon Pass and connect distinct faults within the ECSZ. The connection of the SAF with the San Jacinto fault decreases strike-slip rates along the SAF by up to 10% and increases strike-slip rates along the San Jacinto fault by up to 16%; however, slip rate changes are still within the large geologic ranges along the SAF. The insensitivity of interseismic surface velocities near Cajon Pass to fault connection suggests that inverse models may utilize both an incorrect fault geometry and slip rate and still provide an excellent fit to interseismic geodetic data. Similarly, connection of faults within the ECSZ produces 36% greater cumulative strike-slip rates but less than 17% increase in interseismic velocity. When using overconnected models to invert GPS for slip rates, the reduced off-fault deformation within the models can lead to overprediction of slip rates. While the nature of fault intersections at depth remains enigmatic, fault geometries should be chosen with caution in crustal deformation models.
Efficient Parallel Algorithms for Mining Associations

The problem of mining hidden associations present in the large amounts of data has seen widespread applications in many practical domains such as customer-oriented planning and marketing, telecommunication network monitoring, and analyzing data from scientific experiments. The combinatorial complexity of the problem and phenomenal growth in the sizes of available datasets motivate the need for efficient and scalable parallel algorithms. The design of such algorithms is challenging. This chapter presents an evolutionary and comparative review of many existing representative serial and parallel algorithms for discovering two kinds of associations. The first part of the chapter is devoted to the non-sequential associations, which utilize the relationships between events that happen together. The second part is devoted to the more general and potentially more useful sequential associations, which utilize the temporal or sequential relationships between events. It is shown that many existing algorithms actually belong to a few categories which are decided by the broader design strategies. Overall the aim of the chapter is to provide a comprehensive account of the challenges and issues involved in effective parallel formulations of algorithms for discovering associations, and how various existing algorithms try to handle them.
An extensible formal framework for the specification and verification of an optimistic simulation protocol

Parallel and distributed software systems are representative of large scale critical and complex systems that require the application of normal methods. Parallel and distributed software systems are notoriously unreliable because implementors often design and develop such systems without a complete understanding of the problem domain; in addition, the nondeterministic nature of certain parallel and distributed systems make system validation difficult if not impossible. In this paper, the application of normal specification and verification to a class of parallel and distributed software systems is presented. Specifically, the prototype verification system (PVS) is applied to the specification and verification of the time warp protocol, a parallel optimistic discrete event simulation algorithm. The paper discusses how the specification of the time warp protocol can be mechanized within a general-purpose higher-order logic framework like PVS. In addition, the paper presents the extensibility of the specification to address and verify different aspects and optimizations of the basic time warp protocol.
Diazepam, given postischemia, protects selectively vulnerable neurons in the rat hippocampus and striatum.

Following cerebral ischemia, certain populations of neurons degenerate. Excessive accumulation of excitatory amino acids in the synaptic cleft, activation of excitatory amino acid receptors, and influx of calcium into neurons play a key role in the development of ischemia-induced neuronal death. We hypothesized that neuroprotection may be achieved by enhancing inhibitory (i.e., gamma-aminobutyric acid, GABA) neurotransmission to offset excitation. Diazepam, a drug that increases GABA-induced chloride channel opening, was administered (10 mg/kg, i.p.) to rats 1 and 2 hr following 15 min of transient global ischemia, when hippocampal GABA levels, increased during ischemia, returned to basal. Rats were maintained normothermic during ischemia and became hypothermic following the injections of diazepam. Four days later, rats were sacrificed and the brains were examined for neuronal degeneration and the presence of GABAA receptors labeled by 35S-t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate (35S-TBPS). There was substantial neuroprotection of striatal neurons and pyramidal neurons in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. In addition, diazepam prevented the loss of 35S-TBPS binding sites in the striatum and in the dendritic fields of the CA1 hippocampus following ischemia. Since hypothermia, itself, is neuroprotective, we determined if hypothermia was required for the ability of diazepam to produce neuroprotection. Diazepam was microinjected into the CA1 hippocampus 1 and 2 hr following ischemia, and rats remained normothermic. Four days later, diazepam still produced substantial protection of hippocampal neurons. Thus, postischemic hypothermia may have contributed to the neuroprotection by diazepam when it was administered systemically, but the neuroprotective effect of diazepam did not require hypothermia. We conclude that delayed enhancement of GABAergic neurotransmission directly at the site of vulnerability following an ischemic event protects the vulnerable neurons from death.
Mechanism of activation of human plasminogen by streptokinase. Presence of active center in streptokinase-plasminogen complex.

The role of proactivators for the streptokinase activation of human plasminogen was studied. It was found that plasmin, as well as plasminogen, can form activator complex with streptokinase. The relative importance of these two proactivators for the streptokinase activation of human plasminogen is discussed. The use of the active center-specific reagent, p-nitrophenyl-p-guanidinobenzoate (NPGB) established that an active center appears in the streptokinase-plasminogen complex even before proteolytic activity develops, i.e. before conversion to streptokinase-plasmin. When, in the presence of NPGB, plasminogen is mixed with increasing amounts of streptokinase, equivalent amounts of unactivatable plasminogen are obtained. Physical evidence indicates that the active center develops in the complex before the plasminogen moiety was converted to plasmin, i.e. before cleavage of the single peptide chain of plasminogen. Activator activity, like NPGB-reactivity, is imparted to the complex before proteolytic activity is acquired. It appears that the transitory streptokinase-plasminogen complex plays a dominant role in the streptokinase activation of human plasminogen, as its formation does not depend on the presence of spontaneous plasmin.
Worse than Exemption

In this article, we discuss how various defects in the current U.S. international tax system - deferral, defective income-sourcing and cost allocation rules, lenient transfer-pricing rules, generous cross-crediting, the export sales source rule, the effectively tax-exempt treatment of many types of foreign-source royalties, and the deduction of foreign losses against U.S.-source income - can be combined to make the present U.S. system as generous as, and in some important respects more generous than, a properly designed exemption or territorial system for taxing foreign-source income of U.S. resident corporations. In other words, when judged from a public policy standpoint, the current U.S. system can produce worse-than-exemption results. Because of this, the U.S. multinational corporate community largely has shifted its lobbying efforts away from support for an exemption or territorial system and toward support for changes in the current incoherent international tax system that would further reduce the effective U.S. income tax rate on U.S. corporations’ foreign-source income by magnifying the worse-than-exemption results. In our view, reform efforts in the international tax area should be directed toward comparing the strengths and weaknesses of a properly designed worldwide system with the strengths and weaknesses of a properly designed exemption system, and then proceeding to enact one of those two coherent systems for taxing the international income of U.S. persons. Based on our prior work in the international tax area we believe that such an analysis will lead to a conclusion that a strengthened and properly designed worldwide system is superior to a properly designed territorial system and is definitely superior to our defective and incoherent current U.S. international tax system.
Giant optical enhancement of strain gradient in ferroelectric BiFeO3 thin films and its physical origin.

Through mapping of the spatiotemporal strain profile in ferroelectric BiFeO3 epitaxial thin films, we report an optically initiated dynamic enhancement of the strain gradient of 105–106 m−1 that lasts up to a few ns depending on the film thickness. Correlating with transient optical absorption measurements, the enhancement of the strain gradient is attributed to a piezoelectric effect driven by a transient screening field mediated by excitons. These findings not only demonstrate a new possible way of controlling the flexoelectric effect, but also reveal the important role of exciton dynamics in photostriction and photovoltaic effects in ferroelectrics.
A novel real-time baseline restorer for high count-rate digital PET cameras

1520 Objectives This study is to develop a novel digital real-time baseline restorer using FPGA which serving hundreds of signal channels for modern digital PET systems. Methods A waveform baseline drift is normally caused by detectors, such as solid-state detectors, pre-amplifiers and other electronics, and is very sensitive to environment temperature. A front-end ASIC based on CMOS technology is often used in PET system for pre-amp, shaping and baseline holder. However a single channel can only work under 500khz count-rate, hence hundreds of channels are required for a PET system. In this design, we capture an additional digital sample right before the rising-edge of every pulse, which is being digitized by a free-running ADC, and perform a real-time online statistical processing within a FPGA. The baseline can be retrieved accurately from the samples even at very high count-rate condition and subtracted from the original waveform. Results A new algorithm has been developed to track accurately by using free samples in digital PET system without using analog ASIC. The circuit is very simple and only includes two digital counters, a comparator and a register. Simulation shows a single channel works at 30M/S high-rate with pileup condition. Conclusions A novel real-time digital baseline restorer method has been developed successfully. 336 baseline restorer circuits have been implemented in FPGA for our new fully digital PET systems.
Are psychotropic medications associated with differences in baseline neurocognitive assessment scores for young athletes? A pilot study.

AbstractObjectives. Baseline and post-concussive neurocognitive testing is useful in managing concussed athletes. The Concussion in Sport Group has postulated that the use of psychotropic medications is a modifying factor in the management of sport-related concussion. About 7% of US adolescents are prescribed psychotropics in a given year. Our aim was to investigate whether psychotropic medication use or psychiatric illness is associated with differences in baseline neurocognitive test scores. Methods. From 2007 to 2012, over 7000 athletes underwent pre-participation baseline neurocognitive testing using the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) battery. Following application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, athletes’ self-reported medication lists were reviewed and: 1) classified as psychotropic or not and 2) subclassified. Group subclassification yielded: 1) use of any psychotropic medication, 2) psychostimulant use, 3) antidepressant use and 4) self-reported history of...
Measuring Progress in Modern Warfare

In a counter-insurgency, metrics should seek to capture the population's beliefs about the future. Economic choice during periods of intense conflict are a reasonable proxy for such beliefs.
Origin of Tertiary to Recent EM- and subduction-like chemical and isotopic signatures in Auca Mahuida region (37°–38°S) and other Patagonian plateau lavas

The alkaline volcanic rocks of the 1.8–0.9 Ma Auca Mahuida and post-mid-Pliocene Rio Colorado backarc volcanic fields east of the Andean Southern Volcanic Zone at ~37°–38°S have pronounced intraplate-like chemical signatures with some striking similarities to oceanic DM-EM1-like lavas of the south Atlantic Tristan da Cunha type. These backarc lavas are considered to have formed as a series of mantle batches typified by 4–7 % melting, with decompression melting initiating in a garnet-bearing mantle above a steepening subduction zone, and final equilibration occurring near the base of a ~65- to 70-km-thick lithosphere at temperatures of ~1,350–1,380 °C. Evolved Auca Mahuida mugearite to trachytic samples are best explained by crystal fractionation with limited mixing of partial melts of recently underplated basalts, in line with isotopic signatures that preclude significant radiogenic contamination in a preexisting refractory crust. Higher Ba/La and subtly higher La/Ta ratios than in nearby ~24–20 Ma primitive basalts or oceanic (OIB) lavas are attributed to the residual effects of slab fluids introduced during a shallow subduction episode recorded in the arc-like chemistry of the adjacent 7–4 Ma Chachahuen volcanic complex. Positive Sr, K and Ba spikes on mantle-normalized patterns of both primitive Auca Mahuida and ~24–20 Ma basalts, like those in EM-like OIB basalts, are attributed to mixing of continental lithosphere into the asthenosphere. In Patagonia, this mixing is suggested to have peaked as the South America continent accommodated to major late Oligocene plate convergence changes, as similar Sr, K and Ba spikes and DM-EM1 signatures are absent in ~50–30 Ma backarc lavas north of 51°S, and all of those south of 51°S. Introduction of an EM1-like component associated with lateral mantle flow of a Tristan da Cunha source is largely precluded by its Cretaceous age and distance to Patagonia.
Symbolization of experience in the process of group development

This paper applies some of the concepts of the theory of experiencing (as developed within the client-centered school of thought) to psychotherapy process in the small group. The ideas of Rogers and Gendlin regarding how change occurs in psychotherapy are applied to the process of development in the group-as-a-whole. The role of perception and symbolization of experience in the process of group development is examined. A case example from group psychotherapy is used to illustrate the process of formation, the change of shared perceptions among the group members, and the importance of these perceptions to the functioning of the group.
Producer assessment of dairy extension programming in Kentucky

To assess the dairy production issues extension programming should be addressing, a survey was distributed to all licensed milk producers in Kentucky (n = 1,074). A total of 236 surveys were returned; 7 were omitted due to incompletion, leaving 229 for subsequent analyses (21% response rate). Mean herd size was 83.0 ± 101.8 cows with a projected increase to 102.1 ± 114.4 cows by 2013. Mean producer age was 50.9 ± 12.9 with a range of 22 to 82. Mean milk production (kg/cow per day) was 23.9 ± 5.4 with a range of 6.8 to 38.6 kg. Mean somatic cell counts (SCC) were 304,824 ± 123,580 with a range of 75,000 to 750,000 cells/mL. When asked about meeting attendance frequency, 25% of producers indicated they attended meetings annually, whereas 29% attended twice yearly, 13% quarterly, 3% monthly, 2% at least twice monthly, and 28% indicated they never attended meetings. Surveyed producers were asked to assess what level of importance should be placed on a predetermined list of management topics. Mean response to each topic was calculated after assigning the following numeric values to producer response categories: not important: 1, important: 3, and very important: 5. Producers indicated mastitis and milk quality was the most important management topic with a response of 4.35 ± 1.05, followed by animal well-being (4.05 ± 1.14), disease prevention and vaccinations (4.01 ± 1.06), cow comfort (3.97 ± 1.09), disease treatment (3.95 ± 1.10), and lameness and hoof health (3.95 ± 1.16). Producers were asked to identify their preferred information delivery method. The most effective delivery methods were printed farm magazines (81.0%), agricultural newspapers (77.4%), printed newsletters from county agricultural agents (75.7%), printed newsletters from university extension (65.0%), and local or regional meetings (55.8%). The least effective delivery methods were university website (11.9%), indirect access through allied industry consultants (11.5%), webinars (2.7%), podcasts (0.4%), and blogs (0.4%). These results provide invaluable insight for future dairy-related Cooperative Extension Service programming efforts.
Measurement of eye movements by contact lens techniques: analysis of measuring systems and some new methodology for three-dimensional recording.

A vector treatment for optical systems utilizing contact lenses for the measurement of eye movements is developed and used to describe some new techniques which permit measurement of three orthogonal components of ocular rotation (e.g., horizontal, vertical, torsional). Mirrors may be embedded directly in the lens at nearly any angles; no stalk is required between contact lens and mirror. Such a system has been built, using infrared beams, which permits measurement of eye movements simultaneously with visual phenomena requiring darkroom viewing. The present system resolves movements of two seconds of arc.
Scaling properties of gravity-driven sediments

Recent field observations of the statistical distribution of turbidite and debris flow deposits are discussed. In some cases one finds a good fit over 1.5-2 orders of magnitude to the scaling law N(h) ∝ h^(-B), where N(h) is the number of layers thicker than h. Observations show that the scaling exponent B varies widely from deposit to deposit, ranging from about 1/2 to 2. Moreover, one case is characterized by a sharp crossover in which B increases by a factor of two as h increases past a critical thickness. We propose that the variations in B, either regional or within the same deposit, are indicative of the geometry of the sedimentary basin and the rheological properties of the original gravity-driven flow. The origin of the power-law distribution remains an open question.
Radithor and the era of mild radium therapy

Soon after the discovery of radium, a school of practitioners arose who were interested primarily in the physiological rather than the tumoricidal powers of this new radioactive element. This treatment philosophy was called "mild radium therapy" and involved the oral or parenteral administration of microgram quantities of radium and its daughter isotopes, often as cures for rheumatic diseases, hypertension, and metabolic disorders. Manufacturers of patent medicines responded to this market by producing a variety of over-the-counter radioactive preparations including pills, elixirs, and salves. One such nostrum was Radithor, a popular and expensive mixture of radium 226 and radium 228 in distilled water. Radithor was advertised as an effective treatment for over 150 "endocrinologic" diseases, especially lassitude and sexual impotence. Over 400 000 bottles, each containing over 2 μCi (74 kBq) of radium, were apparently marketed and sold worldwide between 1925 and 1930. The death of the Pittsburgh millionaire sportsman Eben M. Byers, who was an avid Radithor user, by radium poisoning in 1932 brought an end to this era and prompted the development of regulatory controls for all radiopharmaceuticals. ( JAMA. 1990;264:614-618)