cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
When we enhance cognition with Adderall, do we sacrifice creativity? A preliminary study

Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts) is used by healthy normal individuals to enhance attention. Research with healthy normal participants and those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder indicate a possible inverse relationship between attentional function and creativity. This raises the possibility that Adderall could decrease creativity in people using it for cognitive enhancement. This study was designed to find out whether Adderall impairs creativity in healthy young adults. In a double-blind placebo-controlled study, the effects of Adderall on the performance of 16 healthy young adults were measured on four tests of creativity from the psychological literature: two tasks requiring divergent thought and two requiring convergent thought. Adderall affected performance on the convergent tasks only, in one case enhancing it, particularly for lower-performing individuals, and in the other case enhancing it for the lower-performing and impairing it for higher-performing individuals. The preliminary evidence is inconsistent with the hypothesis that Adderall has an overall negative effect on creativity. Its effects on divergent creative thought cannot be inferred with confidence from this study because of the ambiguity of null results. Its effects on convergent creative thought appear to be dependent on the baseline creativity of the individual. Those in the higher range of the normal distribution may be unaffected or impaired, whereas those in the lower range of the normal distribution experience enhancement.
Wave-electron coupling in helicon source

Summary form only given. Helicon studies by Ellingboe et al. (1994), have shown that argon emission intensity is strongly modulated at the 13.56 MHz RF frequency, and that the peak emission propagated axially at a velocity corresponding to that of the helicon waves, and consistent with electrons trapped in the traveling wave. Electrons traveling at the phase velocity would have an energy of a few tens of eV, energetic enough to efficiently ionize the gas, as suggested by Chen. We have assembled a helicon source, consisting of solenoidal magnets and a Nagoya Type III antenna surrounding a 15 cm inner diameter Pyrex tube. At one end, the tube expands to a 30 cm diameter aluminum vessel surrounded by a picket fence array of permanent magnets. The antenna is driven by up to 3 kW at 13.56 MHz. This helicon source is being studied and optimized for possible application to a large area plasma source. We are initiating a study of the wave coupling to electrons using a calorimeter probe that measures the power density coupled into the plasma, to determine the heating efficiency. Swept Langmuir probes, and a gridded energy analyzer will measure the electron energy distribution function at various axial positions. B-dot probes will measure the wave amplitude, k/sub /spl par// and phase velocity vs axial position. We will compare our measurements with theoretical studies, that apply formalisms developed to study bucket trapping and heating of electrons by electron cyclotron waves.
Kinetic control of guanine nucleotide binding to soluble Gαq

Abstract Binding of guanine nucleotides to heterotrimeric G proteins is controlled primarily by kinetic factors, such as the release of bound GDP, rather than by affinity alone. Detergent-solubilized Gα q displays unusual guanine nucleotide binding properties in comparison with other G protein α subunits. Under conditions where most G proteins bind nearly stoichiometric GTPγS in 5–30 min at micromolar nucleotide concentrations, GTPγS binding to Gα q is slow (>1 hr to completion), markedly substoichiometric, and dependent upon high concentrations of nucleotide (0.1 to 0.2 mM). Although the latter two properties suggest low affinity, GTPγS dissociation is immeasurably slow under commonly used conditions. We found that purified Gα q can bind stoichiometric GTPγS, but that binding is controlled kinetically by a combination of factors. GDP (or IDP) dissociated slowly from Gα q , but the dissociation rate increased linearly with the concentration of (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 up to 0.75 M (∼20-fold acceleration). The resulting GDP-free Gα q was labile to rapid and irreversible denaturation, however (rate constant ≥ 1 min −1 at 20°). Denaturation competed kinetically with relatively slow GTPγS association, such that stoichiometric binding was only attained at 100 μM GTPγS. These findings reconcile the slowly reversible binding of GTPγS to Gα q with the other behaviors that suggested lower affinity, and point out that events subsequent to GDP dissociation can markedly influence the rates and extents of guanine nucleotide binding to G protein α subunits. Understanding these interactions allowed the direct, accurate quantitation of active Gα q by a simple GTPγS binding assay in the presence of (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , and similarly can prevent underestimation of the concentrations of other G proteins.
Novel Bismaleimide-Based Shape Memory Polymers: Comparison to Commercial Shape Memory Polymers

A series of novel shape memory polymers, synthesized from 4-4-bismaleimidodiphenyl-methane, an extended chain aliphatic diamine, and a bis-isocyanate, have been created and characterized with the aim of providing a family of robust high temperature shape memory polymers with tailorable transition temperatures for use in reconfigurable aerospace structures. In the present study, three of the polymers are chosen for more detailed study of their thermomechanical properties. These materials are compared to commercial resins Veriflex® and Veriflex-E® which are styrene- and epoxy-based proprietary formulations, respectively. The thermal and mechanical properties are determined utilizing thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis. The temperatures at which 2% weight loss is observed in dry air ranges from 272 to 305 °C for the synthesized polymers, and occurs at 242 and 317 °C for the commercial Veriflex® and Veriflex-E® respectively. The glass transition temperatures, as measured by the peak in the tan(δ) curve, for the synthesized polymers range from 110 to 144 °C which is a higher than the Veriflex® and Veriflex-E® achieve at 84.3 and 100 °C respectively. With operation temperatures of subsonic structural aircraft components often reaching 121 °C (250 °F), the transition temperatures of the bismaleimide-based shape memory polymers are clearly desirable to ensure that shape memory polymers used in aircraft structures will not be prematurely triggered by the existing heat loads. In addition, the shape memory performance of the bismaleimide-based shape memory polymers compares well with the Veriflex® and Veriflex-E® resins.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Synthesis of Polymandelide: A Degradable Polylactide Derivative with Polystyrene-like Properties

Polymandelide, an aryl analogue of polylactide, was synthesized by the ring-opening polymerization of mandelide, the cyclic dimer of mandelic acid. The poor solubility of rac-mandelide limited the synthesis of polymandelide via solution polymerization, but polymerization of mandelide at 70 °C as a heterogeneous slurry in acetonitrile yielded first-order kinetic plots and polydispersities 150 °C exhibit properties that mimic those of polystyrene. Polymandelide is a glassy amorphous polymer with a Tg of 100 °C, with rheological properties comparable to polystyrene, and thermal gravimetric analyses under nitrogen show that the polymer is stable to ∼300 °C. Racemization during polymerization precluded formation of a crystalline polymer. Degradation of polymandelide in pH 7.4 buffer at 55 °C is consistent with a bulk erosion model and, due to its high Tg, proceeds at ∼1/100 the rate of polylactide under similar conditions.
Nondecisions and the Study of Local Politics

The widely cited concept of nondecisions is particularly prominent in criticisms of “pluralist” research on local politics. But no scholars, including those who introduced the notion of nondecisions, have done empirical research explicitly on this topic. The lack of research on nondecisions reflects the concept's weaknesses as a guide to field research: (1) It involves a number of unrealistic assumptions about political life. (2) It requires data that are difficult to gather or wholly unobtainable. (3) Even the data that can be collected do not provide a basis for sensible conclusions about the distribution of political power.The impracticability of research on nondecisions is not a serious setback for political science, however, for most of its specific component ideas, such as the policy consequences of different governmental forms or the impact of political socialization, are being studied without reference to the notion of nondecisions. Judged by its utility for empirical research, then, the idea of nondecisions appears to be superfluous. The same might be said of the notion of “power structures.”
Some reactions of tin (II) chloride in nonaqueous solution

Abstract Reactions of tin (II) chloride with a number of nitrogen and oxygen compounds in several nonaqueous solvents are reported. Compounds were prepared with tetra-substituted ammonium chlorides, pyridine, 2,2′-bipyridyl, pyridine-N-oxide, 8-quinolinol, dimethylsulphoxide, diphenyl-sulphoxide and 1,4-dioxane. Tin (II) chloride also reacts with methanol and ethanol in the presence of triethylamine to form tin (II) methoxide and tin (II) ethoxide. These alkoxides hydrolyse readily, and intermediate tin (II) oxide alkoxides are formed. Freshly prepared tin (II) methoxide reacts readily with hydroxylic compounds and offers interesting possibilities as a synthetic aid. Structural aspects of the compounds are discussed.
Hydrogen Migrations in Rhodium Silyl Complexes: Silylene Intermediates vs Oxidative Addition/Reductive Elimination†

Reaction of (PMe3)4RhMe with H2SiPh2 results in elimination of CH4 and generation of the rhodium silyl complex (Me3P)4RhSiHPh2 (1; 62% isolated yield). Compound 1, which appears to adopt a trigonal...
Null objects in English recipes

Recipes exhibit a phenomenon that does not exist in other varieties that are commonaly studied (e.g., narrative, sentences in isolation, conversational discourse, etc.)—namely, zero anaphors as direct objects, as in Beat [o] until stiff. The two goals of this article are to examine this phenomenon in both contemporary recipes and across time and to explore its consequences for linguistic theroy. It is found that stylistic, semantic, and discourse factors are the most important in the phenomenon, with syntax and morphology playing relatively minor roles. Furthermore, these zero anaphors pattern like overt pronouns and have in fact replaced overt pronouns over time. A preliminary model of register variation and its consequences for the synactic analysis of recipes are also presented.
Excessive ovarian follicular development in pregnant pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina).

To evaluate the status and possible control of ovarian follicular development during pregnancy, circulating levels of estrone (E1), estradiol-17β (E2), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured throughout gestation in both intact and ovariectomized pregnant pigtailed monkeys (Macaca nemestrina). From an additional group of pregnant monkeys, ovaries were obtained at late gestation (on day 150 or 159 of pregnancy) for histological studies. Circulating concentrations of E1 and E2 increased on day 13 and remained elevated for about 10 days; they then declined and reached low levels on day 32 of gestation. After day 60, there were gradual but smaller increases in estrogen levels to day 140, after which both E1 and E2 levels increased significantly, reaching maximum levels (E1 = 832.2 ± 210.8 pg/ ml; E2 = 1.66 ± 0.32 ng/ml) at the end of pregnancy. Removal of ovaries on day 35 of gestation did not affect pregnancy or the pattern of estrogen secretion. Serum concentrations of FSH demonstrated only minor fluctuations during pregnancy but were similar to those found during the early follicular phase of cycling pigtailed monkeys investigated in this study. Ovarian histology revealed extensive follicular growth; in addition to the corpus luteum of pregnancy, ovaries were packed with pre-antral, small antral, and medium-sized Graafian follicles. Some of these follicles appeared to be cystic and showed various degree of atresia; their general appearance was similar to the follicles of human females with polycystic ovary syndrome. Our data suggest that FSH may initiate ovarian follicular growth during gestation. High levels of estrogens were incapable of suppressing FSH secretion but may be responsible for the induction of atresia in a large number of follicles in pregnant pigtailed monkeys.
Factors involved in specific transcription by mammalian RNA polymerase II: purification, genetic specificity, and TATA box-promoter interactions of TFIID.

Abstract Selective and accurate transcription of purified genes by RNA polymerase II requires multiple factors. The factor designated TFIID was purified extensively from HeLa cell nuclear extracts by using a simple and novel complementation assay. Thus, TFIID was preferentially inactivated by mild heat treatment of a nuclear extract, and supplementation of the heat-treated extract with TFIID-containing fractions restored adenovirus major late (ML) promoter-dependent transcription. By using this assay, TFIID was purified approximately 300-fold by conventional chromatographic methods. The most purified TFIID fraction was demonstrated to be required for transcription of a number of other cellular and viral class II genes. This factor showed specific interactions with both the adenovirus ML promoter and a human heat shock 70 (hsp-70) promoter. On the ML promoter, the DNase I-protected region extended from around position -40 to position +35, although some discontinuities (and associated hypersensitive sites) were apparent near the initiation site and near position +27; the upstream and downstream boundaries of the TFIID-binding site were also confirmed by exonuclease III digestion experiments. In contrast to these results, the DNase I-protected regions on the human hsp-70 promoter were confined to a smaller area that extended from positions -35 to -19. DNase I hypersensitive sites were observed in both the adenovirus ML and hsp-70 promoters, most notably in the region at position -47. These results indicate either that there are different forms of TFIID or that a single TFIID can interact differently with distinct promoters.
Yield potential and soil quality under alternative crop production practices for fresh market pepper

This study was conducted in Florida in 1999 and 2000 to examine the impact of alternative crop production practices on soil quality and yields of fresh market pepper (Capsicum annuum). Replicated field plots were established on an organic vegetable farm that had been under certification for 5 years and on a conventional pepper farm that had been fumigated with methyl bromide for 25 consecutive years. Production practices evaluated included raised beds covered by white plastic mulch, soil solarization, no-till in a stubble crop of sunn hemp (Crotolaria juncea) or iron-clay pea (Vigna unguiculata) and the addition of 67 t ha−1 of urban plant debris (UPD). Soil fumigation with methyl bromide–chloropicrin was also evaluated at the conventional farm site. Soil organic carbon significantly increased following the addition of UPD in both years at the organic site but only in the second year at the conventional site. Cation exchange capacity increased significantly after addition of UPD in both years at both sites and a significant interaction with production practices was observed in the second year at the organic site. Soil phosphorus levels were high at both sites but were not impacted by production practices or UPD. In 1999, the addition of UPD significantly decreased soil nitrate levels at the organic site and the conventional site, except under the no-till treatments. In 2000, soil nitrate levels were not affected by UPD or production practice. Stand counts, determined by the number of surviving pepper plants 21–28 days after transplanting, were severely impacted in no-till treatments due to intense competition from weeds. Marketable yields equal to, or above, the 1999/2000 statewide average for conventional production systems were obtained with soil fumigation and soil solarization at the conventional site in 1999. In 2000, an epidemic of Phytophthora blight (Phytophthora capsici) eliminated production at the conventional site. Marketable yield at the organic site approached the statewide average for conventional systems under the solarization treatment. Yields under plastic mulch were increased at both sites with the addition of UPD. The results demonstrated that organic pepper yields from soil-solarized plots were similar to yields obtained by conventional farmers using high inputs of rapidly mobile nitrogen sources. However, no-till systems for fall production do not appear to be a viable alternative under Florida conditions due to the rapid proliferation of weeds under the cover crop stubble. The addition of urban plant debris was associated with an increase in soil organic carbon and cation exchange capacity in sandy soils typical of those found in Florida.
Odors activate dual pathways, a TRPC2 and a AA-dependent pathway, in mouse vomeronasal neurons.

Located at the anterior portion of the nose, the paired vomeronasal organs (VNO) detect odors and pheromones. In vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs) odor responses are mainly mediated by phospholipa...
The effect of macrophytic cover on survival of Palaemonetes pugio and P. vulgaris (grass shrimp) in the presence of predatory Fundulus heteroclitus (killifish)

Effects of three different macrophytic covers and the presence of alternative prey on survival of grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio and P. vulgaris) subjected to predation by killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) were studied in the laboratory. Overall, survival of P. vulgaris was significantly greater (82%) than that of P. pugio (70%). This difference in survival was attributed to the greater tendency of P. pugio to swim outside the covers, making it more vulnerable to predation. Both prey species responded similarly to the different cover conditions. Survival without cover (gravel substrate) was 48%. In cover provided by a plastic plant made to resemble Ambulia, 75% of the starting population survived. In cover furnished by field-collected specimens of the flat chlorophyte, Ulva, survival was 71%, compared to 98% survival in the branched green alga, Codium. Predation pressure on neither species was significantly enhanced or diminished by the presence of a second prey species. For both grass shrimp species, increased survival in Codium in the presence of the predator was attributed to the physically more complex nature of this macrophytic cover.
Enforcing Constraints for Human Body Tracking

A novel approach for tracking 3D articulated human bodies in stereo images is presented. We present a projection-based method for enforcing articulated constraints. We define the articulated motion space as the space in which the motions of the limbs of a body belong. We show that around the origin, the articulated motion space can be approximated by a linear space estimated directly from the previous body pose. Articulated constraints are enforced by projecting unconstrained motions onto the linearized articulated motion space in an optimal way. Our paper also addresses the problem of accounting for other constraints on body pose and dynamics (e.g. joint angle bounds, maximum speed). We present here an approach to guarantee these constraints while tracking people.
Virtual browser: a web-level sandbox to secure third-party JavaScript without sacrificing functionality

Third-party JavaScript offers much more diversity to Web and its applications but also introduces new threats. Those scripts cannot be completely trusted and executed with the privileges given to host web sites. Due to incomplete virtualization and lack of tracking all the data flows, all the existing works in this area can secure only a subset of third-party JavaScript. At the same time, because of the existence of not so well documented browser quirks, attacks may be encoded in non standard HTML/JavaScript so that they can bypass existing approaches as these approaches will parse third-party JavaScript twice, at both server and client side.In this paper, we propose Virtual Browser, a completely virtualized environment within existing browsers for executing untrusted third-party code. We secure complete JavaScript, including all the hard-to-secure functions of JavaScript programs, such as with and eval. Since this approach parses scripts only once, there is no possibility of attacks being executed through browser quirks. We first completely isolate Virtual Browser from the native browser components and then introduce communication by adding data flows carefully examined for security.
Novel Neurotransmitters and Their Neuropsychiatric Relevance

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review is to integrate insights regarding novel neurotransmitters or neuromodulators of neuropsychiatric significance. METHOD: Evolving concepts of neurotransmitter criteria are reviewed in light of the unexpected properties displayed by recently identified transmitters. RESULTS: Classic criteria for transmitters were based on the properties of acetylcholine but were markedly revised with the recognition of the catecholamines, serotonin, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and other amino acid transmitters and neuropeptides. Nitric oxide and carbon monoxide are notably atypical, as they are not stored in synaptic vesicles, are not released by exocytosis, and do not act at postsynaptic membrane receptor proteins. d-Serine, recently appreciated as the endogenous ligand for the glycine site of the glutamate N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, overturns fundamental axioms of biology as well as those of neuroscience. It is a d-amino acid, and it is synthesized and stored in glia rather...
Seasonal asthma in northern California: allergic causes and efficacy of immunotherapy.

Abstract Inland areas of northern California have an intense grass pollination in the spring of each year. This is accompanied by a stirking rise in the incidence of asthma. We documented this relationship and designed a trial to test the efficacy of immunotherapy for grass-pollen asthma. Aeroallergen counts were performed on the roof of the allergy clinic of David Grant Medical Center from January 1981 to December 1984 by a gravity collector. These counts were compared to counts done on a Rotorod at a nearby hospital from July 1982 to September 1984. Climatologic factors were also tabulated. Visits for asthma and rhinitis to our emergency room and asthma admissions to our hospital were counted for the 4-year period. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of immunotherapy with grass-pollen extract was performed from November 1984 to June 1985. Two groups of clinically and immunologically well-matched subjects were started on an accelerated preseasonal trial of immunotherapy. One group received a standardized grass extract, and the other group did not. Both groups received other extracts of aeroallergens to which they were skin test positive that occur locally in the spring and summer. This was done because of our dissatisfaction with a histamine placebo used in a previous pilot study. Symptom medication scores (SMS) and immunologic parameters were followed. For the 4-year period, grass-pollen count (GPC) correlated strongly with asthma emergency room visits (r = 0.90; p p p p p = 0.11. RGGI sIgE did not rise significantly in the grass-treated group but did in the placebo-treated group. RGGI sIgG rose in both groups, although to significantly higher levels in the grass-treated group, p p
Rosiglitazone amplifies the benefits of lifestyle intervention measures in long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of a lifestyle intervention programme including meal replacements and increased physical activity upon body weight, diabetes control and other cardiovascular risk factors in obese, poorly controlled, insulin-treated, type-2-diabetic individuals and to assess the impact of concomitant rosiglitazone (RSG) therapy. Methods: This 6-month intervention study included 21 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) requiring insulin therapy with haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) > 7% and with a body mass index (b.m.i.) > 27. All subjects were enrolled in a 6-month lifestyle intervention programme and randomized to placebo or RSG 4 mg/day. Participation in the lifestyle programme included meal replacements, increased intake of fruits and vegetables and increased daily physical activity. Measured end-points included body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, HbA1c and serum lipids, before entry into the study. Results: The baseline mean b.m.i. was 36.4 and the mean HbA1c was 9.0%. The greatest weight losses occurred during the first 12 weeks (19 lbs for RSG, 13.4 lbs for placebo) with a greater weight loss at each point for the group receiving RSG. Waist circumference declined by 2.8 and 4.0 inches for the placebo and RSG groups. Systolic BP declined 16.2 mmHg in the placebo group and 14.3 mmHg in the RSG group. Diastolic blood pressure decreased by 12.8 mmHg in the placebo group. HbA1c was reduced significantly by 1.3% for the placebo group and 1.1% in the RSG group. Discussion: This study demonstrates the benefits of lifestyle intervention using meal replacements and increased physical activity with resultant modest weight loss in long-standing, poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. RSG did not impede weight loss and, in fact, amplified some of the positive benefits of lifestyle intervention.
Fibrillin-2 Defects Impair Elastic Fiber Assembly in a Homocysteinemic Chick Model

Homocysteinemia in humans is associated with vascular complications that increase the risk for atherosclerosis and stroke. Animal studies have shown that the disease is multifactorial and includes lesions associated with the elastin component of the extracellular matrix. In the following experiments we have used the aortas from rapidly growing chicks to assess the cause of the elastin defects resulting from homocysteinemia. Day-old chicks were fed diets containing varying amounts of DL-methionine, DL-homocysteine, homocysteine thiolactone or DL-cysteine for periods up to 9 wk. Three weeks after feeding 2% DL-methionine the plasma methionine was elevated 20-fold, whereas plasma homocysteine was more than 3-fold normal plasma values. The aortas showed severe histopathology, evidenced by the pronounced separation of elastic lamellae with marked smooth muscle proliferation and, in some instances, aneurysms. There was no evidence of decreased desmosine content or a significant reduction in lysyl oxidase in the aortas from the treated groups compared to those from controls. Increasing other dietary factors such as the vitamins required for methionine metabolism had no effect on the development of the vascular lesions. Twenty to 30% of the chicks fed the high methionine diets exhibited severe neurological problems, expressed as tonic contractions or seizures. Electron microscopy revealed disordered aortic elastic fibrils, associated with either an absence of or disrupted assembly of microfibrils. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated a loss of fibrillin-2 immunoreactivity in the aortas of chicks fed 2% methionine. The studies suggest that elevated plasma methionine or its metabolites disrupt normal microfibril configuration, leading to the assembly of aberrant elastic fibers. J. Nutr. 132: 2143-2150, 2002.
The impact of missing data on species tree estimation

Phylogeneticists are increasingly assembling genome-scale data sets that include hundreds of genes to resolve their focal clades. Although these data sets commonly include a moderate to high amount of missing data, there remains no consensus on their impact to species tree estimation. Here, using several simulated and empirical data sets, we assess the effects of missing data on species tree estimation under varying degrees of incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and gene rate heterogeneity. We demonstrate that concatenation (RAxML), gene-tree-based coalescent (ASTRAL, MP-EST, and STAR), and supertree (matrix representation with parsimony [MRP]) methods perform reliably, so long as missing data are randomly distributed (by gene and/or by species) and that a sufficiently large number of genes are sampled. When data sets are indecisive sensu Sanderson et al. (2010. Phylogenomics with incomplete taxon coverage: the limits to inference. BMC Evol Biol. 10:155) and/or ILS is high, however, high amounts of missing data that are randomly distributed require exhaustive levels of gene sampling, likely exceeding most empirical studies to date. Moreover, missing data become especially problematic when they are nonrandomly distributed. We demonstrate that STAR produces inconsistent results when the amount of nonrandom missing data is high, regardless of the degree of ILS and gene rate heterogeneity. Similarly, concatenation methods using maximum likelihood can be misled by nonrandom missing data in the presence of gene rate heterogeneity, which becomes further exacerbated when combined with high ILS. In contrast, ASTRAL, MP-EST, and MRP are more robust under all of these scenarios. These results underscore the importance of understanding the influence of missing data in the phylogenomics era.
Wave propagation in periodically undulated beams and plates

Abstract This paper investigates the effects of periodic geometric undulations on the dispersion properties of 1D and 2D elastic structures. Periodic undulations result from the spatial modulation of the curvature of beams and plates, which leads to the coupling of transverse and in-plane motion. Such coupling affects the modal structure, and leads to interactions that produce complete, modal and partial frequency bandgaps along with directional wave motion. The effects of relevant geometrical parameters defining the undulation, such as spatial period and undulation amplitude, are investigated through the application of the Plane Wave Expansion Method and a Finite Element-based analysis of dispersion. Experimental illustration of the bandgap behavior of undulated beams, and numerical simulations of wave motion in plates serve as partial validations of the analytical predictions, and as demonstrations of the potential application of the concept for the design of structural components and elastic waveguides with tailored bandgap and directional properties.
An empirical study of delay jitter management policies

This paper presents an empirical study of several policies for managing the effect of delay jitter on the playout of audio and video in computer-based conferences. The problem addressed is that of managing the fundamental trade-off between display with low latency and display with few gaps. We describe a particular policy calledqueue monitoring which observes delay jitter over time and dynamically adjusts display latency in order to support low-latency conferences with an acceptable gap rate. Queue monitoring is evaluated by comparing it with two policies from the literature in a study based on measurements from a computer-based conferencing system. Our results show that queue monitoring performs as well or better than the other policies over the range of observed network loads. More importantly, we show that queue monitoring performs better on those network loads for which the other policies exhibit poor performance.
A Metal Organic Framework with Spherical Protein Nodes: Rational Chemical Design of 3D Protein Crystals.

We describe here the construction of a three-dimensional, porous, crystalline framework formed by spherical protein nodes that assemble into a prescribed lattice arrangement through metal–organic linker-directed interactions. The octahedral iron storage enzyme, ferritin, was engineered in its C3 symmetric pores with tripodal Zn coordination sites. Dynamic light scattering and crystallographic studies established that this Zn-ferritin construct could robustly self-assemble into the desired bcc-type crystals upon coordination of a ditopic linker bearing hydroxamic acid functional groups. This system represents the first example of a ternary protein–metal–organic crystalline framework whose formation is fully dependent on each of its three components.
Introduction to Methods in Molecular Cardiology

Molecular cardiology is a new area of cardiovascular medicine that aims to apply molecular biological techniques for the mechanistic investigation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cardiovascular disease. As an emerging discipline, it has changed our conceptual thinking of cardiovascular development, disease etiology, and pathophysiology. Although molecular cardiology is still at a very early stage, it has opened a promising avenue for understanding and controlling cardiovascular disease. With the rapid development and application of molecular biological techniques, scientists and clinicians are closer to curing heart diseases that were thought to be incurable 20 yr ago. There clearly is a need for a more thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases to promote the advancement of cell and gene therapy for heart diseases. This chapter briefly reviews state-of-the-art techniques in the area of molecular cardiology.
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of elbasvir and grazoprevir in the treatment of hepatitis C

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Approximately 130 – 150 million people have chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and upwards of 500,000 deaths annually are attributed to HCV related liver disease worldwide. Pegylated interferon and ribavirin have been the mainstay of treatment for greater than 25 years until recent advent of protease inhibitors which has led to all oral HCV treatment regimens that have changed the outlook of hepatitis C treatment.Areas covered: This review provides summary of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy and safety of grazoprevir/elbasvir therapy for treatment of HCV infection.Expert opinion: Grazoprevir/elbasvir provides an all-oral once daily treatment option for HCV infection with high rates of efficacy and tolerability in a pangenotypic fashion. It highly efficacious in treating patients with cirrhosis, patients who have previously failed treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, and patients with HIV co-infection. Grazoprevir/elbasvir has demonstrated higher barri...
Dispersion Characteristics in Disk-on-Pillar Array Nanostructures for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

In this paper, we analyze periodic disk-on-pillar nanoarrays as a platform for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy measurements. The nanostructure is a two-dimensional grating of silicon pillars covered by thin layers of silica and silver. The system supports both localized surface plasmons and surface plasmon polaritons. We investigate the dispersion characteristics of the nanoarray and present the relevant field distribution for each plasmon mode. The interaction between localized and propagating modes can be tuned to synergistically enhance the electric field, which results in larger surface-enhanced Raman signals. We find that utilizing this effect can generate Raman enhancements that are approximately 1000 times larger than that of an isolated pillar under the same excitation conditions.
Grading the angiographic extent of collateral filling. Comparison with coronary flow, collateral flow, and regional coronary flow distribution measurements.

Angiography frequently demonstrates a collateral circulation in severe coronary artery disease. An easily applicable method to quantify collateral flow might be a useful adjunct for the assessment of the hemodynamic effects of coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study was to validate a visual scaling of the extent of angiographic collateral filling by comparison with flowmeter- and microsphere-derived measurements of collateral flow. In 12 open-chest dogs, collaterals from the circumflex artery were angiographically visualized (n = 80) by creating acute critical left anterior descending artery occlusion. The extent of collateral filling was graded in four levels from 0 = no visible filling to 3 = complete epicardial filling. Collateral filling correlated with the change in flow of the collateral supplying circumflex artery (ΔQ; r = 0.84) which was + 5.3 ±4.6% with grade 1, + 9.1 ±3.5% with grade 2 and + 14.6 ±4.7% with grade 3 (p < 0.01). In parallel, coronary flow reserve decreased from 4.1 ±0.8 with grade 0 to 2.9 ±0.2 with grade 3 (p < 0.01). Colored microspheres were injected subselectively into the circumflex artery of 9 dogs (45 injections). The ratio of microspheres counted in the collateralized myocardium of the left anterior descending artery to the total number injected increased from 0.6 ±0.9% for grade 0 to 17.1 ±2.8% with grade 3 (p < 0.01). Absolute collateral flow derived from microsphere counts averaged 5.5 ±0.9 ml/min with grade 3 and closely correlated with collateral filling grade (r = 0.88). Semiquantitative grading of angiographic collateral filling in response to acute coronary occlusion in a canine model correlates with an increase in collateral source artery flow, absolute collateral flow and a decrease in source artery flow reserve. These data suggest that this scale might be a simple but useful adjunct tool to assess the hemodynamic significance of a collateral circulation.
Heptadecyl xylene sulfonate's adsorption properties

To study the problem of the surfactant adsorbing on the oil sands surface in ASP system,the adsorption on Daqing oil sands properties of heptadecyl xylene sulfonate synthesized by our laboratory were measured by using two-phase titration and research and the impact on the adsorption properties.The results show that under the conditions of 45 ℃,liquid-solid ratio 10∶1,absorption 24 hours,heptadecyl xylene sulfonate based at oil sands can be reached on adsorption equilibrium;temperature,electrolyte,alkali,alcohol as well as the structure and concentration of the sulfonate affect the surfactant static equilibrium adsorption capacity.With the aromatic ring moving to the middle of long-alkyl chain,the adsorption capacity declines when sulfonate concentration is 0.4 g/L,the adsorption capacity reaches saturation;with the rise of temperature the saturation adsorption of sulfonate on the oil sands decline;adding an appropriate electrolyte increases the sulfonate saturation adsorption capacity;the addition of alkali increases the adsorption capacity,while the addition of alcohol reduces the adsorption capacity.
Effects of the anabolic steroid trenbolone acetate, implanted alone or in combination with oestradiol-17 beta, on liver cell ultrastructure in steers.

The ultrastructural changes in hepatocytes of steers were studied in animals implanted with 140 mg trenbolone acetate, alone or in combination with 20 mg oestradiol. The mean volume of the nucleus in the hepatocytes of the animals implanted with trenbolone acetate alone was significantly greater than that in control animals (P
Synthesis and release of insulinlike growth factor I by mesangial cells in culture

Mesangial cell proliferation is a common hallmark of many glomerular diseases. The exact mechanisms inducing cell proliferation in glomerulosclerosis are not completely understood, and it remains t...
Prevention Finds a New Place in Medicine

Introduction to the November 2008 issue of Virtual Mentor on the theme of preventive medicine. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Label-free mid-infrared photothermal spectroscopy and imaging of neurological tissue

We present mid-infrared photothermal spectroscopy for label-free characterization of various healthy and diseased brain tissue types in a mouse model. The photothermal spectroscopy and imaging results allow to quantitatively distinguish between different tissue types.
Evaluation of Premature Ejaculation

Premature ejaculation (PE) has given rise to various and sometimes highly contrasting theories, approaches, and treatments. PE was believed to be mainly a psychological disorder for the first half of the twentieth century and regarded as a symptom of a neurosis that had to be treated by psychoanalysis in order to solve the unconscious conflicts that were assumed to have caused the neurosis. Years ahead of his time, Bernard Schapiro advocated oral and local anesthetic drug treatment to delay ejaculation. In 1994, Waldinger introduced the intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) as a scientific measure of the ejaculation time, using a stopwatch. In addition to Schapiro’s two PE subtypes (Lifelong and Acquired), Waldinger and Schweitzer postulated the existence of two additional PE subtypes: Subjective PE and Variable PE. The classification of PE into four PE subtypes is relevant for pharmacotherapy and counseling of men with complaints of PE. The pathophysiology of lifelong PE is mediated by a very complex interplay of central and peripheral serotonergic, dopaminergic, oxytocinergic, endocrinological, genetic, and probably also epigenetic factors. This chapter discusses the progress in PE research including evidence based evaluation methods.
Beliefs Regarding Asthma Management Relating to Asthma Action Plans (AAPs) of African American Caregivers Residing in Newark, New Jersey Public Housing Communities.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the beliefs regarding asthma management and Asthma Action Plans (AAPs) of African American caregivers residing in three New Jersey public housing communities in Newark, New Jersey. Design A qualitative methods design was accomplished using semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of nine African American caregivers of children with asthma. Information was coded using N'VIVO™; the textual analysis combined codes into categories, which were then assembled into themes. Results Self-determination was found to be a fundamental goal of asthma management; however, three themes emerged as barriers and facilitators to this goal: challenges in the urban environment, preference of familial methods, and access to medical care. Conclusions Findings from this study regarding minority caregivers' beliefs regarding difficulty navigating the health care system coupled with insurance instability, leading to use of Emergency Departments, are consistent with past research. Although caregivers expressed belief in use of prescribed medications as indicated on AAPs, familial methods, found to provide a sense of control over asthma, were preferred.
Incident Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infection and lung function decline in cystic fibrosis.

Objectives To determine whether incident detection of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (SM) in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is associated with accelerated lung function decline and increased hospitalizations and to determine whether this effect is more pronounced in individuals with subsequent chronic infection. Methods We performed a longitudinal, retrospective single-center, pre-post study of 88 patients with CF, ages 6–51 years, with first positive respiratory culture for SM between 2008 and 2014. Rate of decline in FEV1 and hospitalization rates prior to and following incident SM infection were analyzed using segmented regression analysis of interrupted time series. Results Mean (SD) age was 17.4 (9.2) years and the mean (SD) FEV1 % predicted at acquisition was 90.0% (25.2). A total of 44% developed chronic SM infection. In regression analysis adjusted for clinical and demographic factors, there was worsening of the mean annual decline in FEV1 % predicted from −1.79 (95%CI: −2.43, −1.15) pre-acquisition to −2.14 (95%CI: −2.61, −1.67) post-acquisition (P = 0.005). A significant change was observed in those with either subsequent intermittent or chronic infection. The mean annual hospitalization rate increased significantly in the subgroup with chronic infection from 0.46 (95%CI: 0.33, 0.60) to 0.88 (95%CI: 0.68, 1.07) (P = 0.007). Conclusions In this single-center cohort, acquisition of SM in CF was associated with an acceleration in lung function decline. Among those with chronic colonization, acquisition was also associated with increased hospitalization rates.
A Realization Effort Estimation Model for Dynamic Software Product Lines

Decision Support Frameworks, information systems that guide business and organization choices, are often used to help planners and designers make complex choices. These frameworks provide a means of aggregating the data needed to successfully reach a decision while providing a means of logically analyzing the compiled information. The framework can also provide additional information to help acclimate a planner or designer to special considerations of a domain if they are unfamiliar with the area.Dynamic Software Product Lines, product lines which can self-adapt their architecture at run-time, are complex systems usually constructed to cope with high levels of run-time uncertainty. During construction, selecting an appropriate design from among the set of possible designs for a Dynamic Software Product Line is a non-trivial task, and no existing Decision Support Framework provides guidance for this process. In this paper, we present a framework, Structured Intuitive Model for Dynamic Adaptive System Economics, for comparing and selecting between designs for a Dynamic Software Product Line.
Diagnosis and Management of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor–related Toxicities in Ovarian Cancer: A Series of Case Vignettes

Abstract Use of immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 and programmed cell death protein 1 have led to improved survival outcomes for advanced solid-tumor malignancies. This report helps the reader gain a better understanding of adverse events in patients with ovarian cancer on checkpoint inhibitor therapy. We describe 3 hypothetical case vignettes of patients with gynecologic cancer on checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy and discuss common immune-related adverse events. The typical presentation and onset of immune-related events are different from those associated with conventional chemotherapy. This report highlights the importance of early recognition and management of these events.
The Current Status of Analgesic Brain Stimulation

This paper reviews the author’s nine years of experience in analgesic brain stimulation. During this time, of 22 patients with pain of peripheral origin who were treated with periaqueductal gray (PAG), stimulation 16 achieved successful control of pain. Of 40 patients who presented with deafferentation pain, 16 were able to control their dysesthesia by brain stimulation of the subcortical somatosensory region alone; follow-up was over a long period. The mechanism of deafferentation pain is poorly understood and the effectiveness of subcortical somatosensory electrical stimulation to relieve such pain is based on empirical observation. The analgesia produced by PAG stimulation appears to be mediated by the release of beta-endorphin from the anterior hypothalamus. The released beta-endorphin binds to the Opiate reeeptors in the PAG and activates the descending pain-inhibitory pathway. However, the repetitive stimulation of this serotonergic system produces tolerance to its analgesic effect, due to a decreased rate of Serotonin turnover. Loading of the serotonin precursor by dietary supplementation of the essential amino acid L-tryptophan reverses this tolerance.