cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dysfunctional reward processing in male alcoholics: An ERP study during a gambling task

Objective: A dysfunctional neural reward system has been shown to be associated with alcoholism. The current study aims to examine reward processing in male alcoholics by using event-related potentials (ERPs) as well as behavioral measures of impulsivity and risk-taking. Methods: Outcome-related negativity (ORN/N2) and positivity (ORP/P3) derived from a single outcome gambling task were analyzed using a mixed model procedure. Current density was compared across groups and outcomes using standardized low resolution electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA). Behavioral scores were also compared across groups. Correlations of ERP factors with behavioral and impulsivity factors were also analyzed. Results: Alcoholics showed significantly lower amplitude than controls during all outcome conditions for the ORP component and decreased amplitude during the loss conditions for the ORN component. Within conditions, gain produced higher amplitudes than loss conditions. Topographically, both groups had an anterior focus during loss conditions and posterior maxima during gain conditions, especially for the ORN component. Decreased ORP current density at cingulate gyrus and less negative ORN current density at sensory and motor areas characterized the alcoholics. Alcoholics had higher levels of impulsivity and risk-taking features than controls. Conclusions: Deficient outcome/reward processing and increased impulsivity and risk-taking observed in alcoholics may be at least partly due to reward deficiency and/or dysfunctional reward circuitry in the brain, suggesting that alcoholism can be considered as part of the cluster of the reward deficiency syndrome (RDS).
Vertebral Augmentation for Osteoporotic Compression Fractures

Osteoporosis is a systemic disease currently afflicting approx 44 million Americans; this figure will increase as the population ages. It results in progressive bone mineral loss and concurrent changes in bony architecture that leave bone vulnerable to fracture, often after minimal or no trauma. The spine is the most common site of osteoporotic fracture, with vertebral compression fracture (VCF) occurring in 20% of people over the age of 70 yr, and up to 50% of women 80 yr and older (1,2). Overall, 700,000 people per year in the United States suffer a VCF, exceeding even the frequency of hip fractures (3). Osteoporotic VCFs have been shown to be associated with up to a 30% age-adjusted increase in mortality (4). The cost to society of managing osteoporotic VCF patients in the United States in 1995 was $746 million (5). Possible acute complications of vertebral fracture include cord compression, urinary retention, and ileus (6). Long-term consequences include considerable pain (reported in 35% of detectable VCFs) (7) as well as pulmonary compromise (a 9% loss in predicted forced vital capacity with each vertebral fracture) (8). Other chronic sequelae include deconditioning, deformity, insomnia, and depression, resulting in substantial physical, functional, and psychosocial impairment (8,9).
Hemicellulosic cell wall carbohydrate monomer composition in Panicum amarum, P. amarulum and P virgatum accessions

Three taxa in the Virgata group of Panicum, ie Panicum amarum (Elliot) var amaruns (Hitch and Chase) P. G. Palmer, and P virgatum L, show potential as a ruminant feed. Accessions analyzing high and low in-vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) were selected from three morphological categories of short (grazing types), intermediate, and tall (hay types) from among these taxa. Significant structural carbohydrate variation existed among accessions and within plant and morphological categories. Significant differences in hemicellulosic monomer concentrations were also found for maturity stages and accessions differing in IVDMD. Total hydrolyzed hemicellulosic pentoses(arabinose+xylose) of plant parts were negatively correlated (r = –0.77, P ≤ 0.01) with IVDMD in contrast to hemicellulosic hexoses (galactose + glucose) which were positively related (r = 0.40, P ≤ 0.01). Similar significant (P ≤ 0.001) correlations for whole plant samples were r = –0.86 and 0.39, respectively. Of the hemicellulosic monomers, xylose and glucose accounted for most variation in IVDMD. The hydrolyzed hemicellulosic pentose fraction or a ratio between the xylose and glucose composition were indicators of IVDMD and would be useful in the selection of germplasm to develop improved Panicum ecotypes.
On Fracture Criteria for Mixed-Mode Crack Propagation in Functionally Graded Materials

This paper addresses mixed-mode crack growth in two-dimensional functionally graded materials, and assesses the predictive capability of some fracture criteria on both crack growth direction and crack initiation condition. Automatic simulation of mixed-mode crack propagation in homogeneous and functionally graded materials is performed by means of the finite element method in conjunction with a remeshing algorithm. Crack growth simulation consists of iterative procedures for the calculation of mixed-mode stress intensity factors by means of the interaction integral method, determination of crack growth direction and crack initiation, and local automatic remeshing along the crack path. The present approach requires a user-defined crack increment at the beginning of the simulation. Crack trajectories obtained by the present simulation are compared with available experimental results.
Armed groups and militarized elections

Nonstate armed groups are often involved in electoral violence, but we know little about the origins or fates of these groups. This article develops an interactive theory of relations between governments and electoral armed groups. Governments assign different political roles to armed groups that reflect their ideological position and electoral value. State strategies flow from these political roles, but groups’ organizational capacity can allow them to resist government efforts to control, destroy, or incorporate them. The interaction of regime political interests and armed group autonomy leads to five distinct government-armed group trajectories, ranging from incorporation to violent conflict. I use comparative evidence from militarized elections in Karachi to illustrate the validity of the concepts and assess the power of the theory, while also exploring its limits and the need for future research. My argument and findings matter for our understanding of the linkages between democracy, civil conflict, and state power.
Supporting Learning of Variable Control in a Computer-Based Biology Environment: Effects of Prompting College Students to Reflect on Their Own Thinking

While instruction on control of variables has been shown to be effective, especially when it encourages students to focus explicitly on rules or procedures, little evidence of application to novel problems has been obtained. We hypothesized that prompting students to understand their own learning processes while doing experiments involving control of variables would allow them to activate their reper- toire of knowledge and strategies and learn in a way that would enhance transfer of learning. Students were assigned to one of four versions of a computer-based biology simulation learning environment, each em- ploying a different type of prompt: reason justification, rule based, emotion focused, or none (control). Learning in this computer environment, college biology students designed and conducted experiments in- volving control of variables. Students' ability to solve both contextually similar (near transfer) and con- textually dissimilar (far transfer) problems was assessed. The treatment groups performed equally well on contextually similar problems. However, on a contextually dissimilar problem, the reason justification group had significantly higher scores than the other groups. Qualitative data showed that the reason justi- fication prompts directed students' attention to understanding when, why, and how to employ experiment design principles and strategies, and this in turn helped students to transfer their understanding to a novel problem. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 36: 837- 858, 1999
Total body irradiation in a patient with fragile X syndrome for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in preparation for stem cell transplantation: A case report and literature review

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a congenital disorder caused by expansion of CGG trinucleotide repeat at the 5' end of the fragile X mental retardation gene 1 (FMR1) on the X chromosome that leads to chromosomal instability and diminished serum levels of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). Afflicted individuals often have elongated features, marfanoid habitus, macroorchidism and intellectual impairment. Evolving literature suggests the condition may actually protect from malignancy while chromosomal instability would presumably elevate the risk. Increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation should also be predicted by unstable sites within the DNA. Interestingly, in this report, we detail a patient with FXS diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with induction followed by subsequent cycles of hyper-CVAD (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone) with a complete response who then was recommended to undergo peripheral stem cell transplantation. The patient underwent total body irradiation (TBI) as a component of his conditioning regimen and despite the concern of his clinicians, developed minimal acute toxicity and successful engraftment. The pertinent literature regarding irradiation of patients with FXS is also reviewed.
At pains to consent: A narrative inquiry into women's attempts of natural childbirth.

Abstract Background With only 1.2% of all annual U.S. births registered as out-of-hospital births, national trends show an increase in medicalised hospital births. Caesarean sections have become the most common surgical procedure in the U.S.; Caesarean section rates have increased from 20.6% in 1997 to 31.5% in 2009. Furthermore, in 2009, 67% of hospital births utilised epidural analgesia and 26% used oxytocin augmentation. In response to the increased medicalisation of childbirth within the U.S., some women resist standardised medical procedures and instead choose to labour and birth without medical intervention. Aim The purpose of this study was to understand and contextualise the childbirth experiences of first-time mothers who planned to have a natural childbirth (without medical intervention) in the Midsouthern United States. Methods Using narrative inquiry, we collected data from six participants through semi-structured life-story interviews. Findings Utilising thematic analysis, four recurring themes emerged: (1) benefits and limitations of pre-labour self-education; (2) labouring women's experiences of relationality; (3) the importance of birth stories and expectations; and (4) the creation of false dilemmas and complexities of “informed choice.” Discussion and conclusion The women's stories suggest that U.S. medical establishments, the media, and society need to empower pregnant and birthing women by creating new narratives of labour and positive spaces of relationality. Furthermore, health care professionals need to critically examine their usage of the medical model of care while respecting women's choices and agency.
A Sacred Mountain and the Art of ''Impression Management'' Analyzing a Mining Company's Encounter With Indigenous Communities in Atacama, Chile

The installation of a radio communication antenna on a sacred mountain, Mount Quimal, led to an interaction between a mining corporation and Atacameno people in northern Chile. The present article focuses on how language games that involve “over- and undercommunication” of information in this transactional event reflect the distribution of power in society. Specifically, it looks into the “impression management” (Goffman 1959, 1971) that took place in the interactions and negotiations between the corporation and the communities, within the context of a sustainable development discourse adopted by the corporate world.
What's Happening to Profits at Cazenovia Creations?

ABSTRACT In this case, students assume the role of an accounting professional asked by a client to investigate why net income is not as strong as expected. The students must first analyze a set of financial statements to identify areas of possible concern. After determining the areas to investigate, the students use a database query tool to see if they can determine causes by examining transaction level data. Finally, the students are asked to professionally communicate their findings and recommendations to their client. The case provides students with experience in using query-based approaches to answering business questions. It is appropriate for students with basic query and financial analysis skills and knowledge of internal controls. A Microsoft Access database with transaction details for the final seven months of the current year as well as financial statements for the current and prior year are provided.
Interaction between a novel F9-specific factor and octamer-binding proteins is required for cell-type-restricted activity of the fibroblast growth factor 4 enhancer.

Abstract Understanding how diverse transcription patterns are achieved through common factor binding elements is a fundamental question that underlies much of developmental and cellular biology. One example is provided by the fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF-4) gene, whose expression is restricted to specific embryonic tissues during development and to undifferentiated embryonal carcinoma cells in tissue culture. Analysis of the cis- and trans-acting elements required for the activity of the previously identified FGF-4 enhancer in F9 embryonal carcinoma cells showed that enhancer function depends on sequences that bind Sp1 and ubiquitous as well as F9-specific octamer-binding proteins. However, sequences immediately upstream of the octamer motif, which conform to a binding site for the high-mobility group (HMG) domain factor family, were also critical to enhancer function. We have identified a novel F9-specific factor, Fx, which specifically recognizes this motif. Fx formed complexes with either Oct-1 or Oct-3 in a template-dependent manner. The ability of different enhancer variants to form the Oct-Fx complexes correlated with enhancer activity, indicating that these complexes play an essential role in transcriptional activation of the FGF-4 gene. Thus, while FGF-4 enhancer function is octamer site dependent, its developmentally restricted activity is determined by the interaction of octamer-binding proteins with the tissue-specific factor Fx.
How) Can We Estimate the Ideology of Citizens and Political Elites on the Same Scale

Estimating the ideological positions of political elites on the same scale as those of ordinary citizens has great potential to increase our understanding of voting behavior, representation, and other political phenomena. There has been limited attention, however, to the fundamental issues, both practical and conceptual, involved in conducting these joint scalings, or to the sensitivity of these estimates to modeling assumptions and data choices. I show that the standard strategy of estimating ideal point models using preference data on citizens and elites can suffer from potentially problematic pathologies. This article explores these issues and presents a technique that can be used to investigate the effects of modeling assumptions on resulting estimates and also to impose restrictions on the ideological dimension being estimated in a straightforward way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
EVIDENCE THAT GONADAL HORMONE LEVELS IN AMNIOTIC FLUDI ARE DECREASED IN MALES BORN TO ALCOHOL USERS IN HUMANS

Biochemical evaluation of amniotic fluid content is often used to monitor fetal secretor and excretory functions It is known that alcohol freely passes through the placenta and enters the fetal tissues. The study. was designed to investigate whether alcohol use during pregnancy affects amniotic fluid steroid and peptide hormone levels. Five alcohol users who drank between 40 and 45 drinks per month and consumed approximately 1 oz. of alcohol per day from beer drinking participated in the study. Thirteen controls with no history of alcohol use including essential and non-essential drugs were selected for the study. The final selection of participants was made among those who delivered male offsprings Amniotic fluid was aspirated between 16 and 20 weeks of gestation by amniocentesis and an aliquot was used to assay steroid hormones (4-androstenedione [−4-AD], testosterone [T], estradiol [E2], dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [DHEA-S]), and peptide hormones (FSH and LH). Birth weights, placental weights and gestation age were recorded at birth. The results showed that -4-AD, T and E2 levels were significantly decreased ( P < 0.01) in alcohol users; DHEA-S. FSH and LH levels were unaffected. Birth weights were significantly decreased ( P < 0 05) in alcohol users, the placental weights and gestation age were not affected. We conclude that alcohol passes through the placenta and affects fetal testes, capacity to synthesize steroids and the effect appears to be direct and not via the hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis.
Preference and Oviposition Rates of Adult Thanasimus dubius (F.) on Three Prey Species

The relative preference of adult Thanasimus dubius (F.) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) for two natural prey, the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm., and the small (four-spined) southern pine engraver, Ips avulsus (Eichh.) (Scolytidae), and for a laboratory prey, the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (L.) (Bruchidae), was determined. Newly emerged, hungry T. dubius preferred the two natural prey over C. maculatus , but consumed I. avulsus and D. frontalis as encountered. A 7-day conditioning period did not affect the preference; all predators, when offered a choice of three prey species, preferred I. avulsus . Egg production was significantly lower for T. dubius fed C. maculatus , and egg viability was significantly lower for T. dubius reared on D. frontalis .
Cereal Aphids in South Dakota. I. Observations of Autumnal Bionomics

Six aphid species—the corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch); oat bird-cherry aphid, R. padi (L.); rice root aphid, R. rufiabdominalis (Sasaki); English grain aphid, Macrosiphun avenae (F.); greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani); and Forda olivacea Rohwer—colonized winter wheat in South Dakota during the autumns of 1963, 1964, and 1965. Except for R. padi , no evidence was found of holocyclic overwintering by these species. Subterranean alienicolae of R. padi and R. rufiabdominalis survived into early December, but did not overwinter in any of the 3 years.
Control on Condensate Deaeration of Large Direct Air-cooled Turbine Units

Harms and causes of high oxygen content in condensate of large direct air-cooled turbine units were analyzed,for which corresponding countermeasures proposed.Structures of an exhaust device with built-in deaerator were described in detail,while the deaeration process illustrated and discussion on the deaerator design optimization performed.Based on above analyses,the problem of high oxygen content in the condensate is finally solved.
Effects of Acute Electrical Stimulation of Rat Nucleus Ambiguus on the Expression of TGF-β,Thymosin in Thymus and the Release of IL2,IL-6 in Splenocytes

We studied the effect of acute electrical stimulation of Amb on the levels of TGF-β and thymosin-β4 mRNA in thymus.We found that The mRNA level of thymosin and TGF-β were all significantly decreased from(1.46±0.98)×10-6 to(2.65±0.31)×10-7 and from(3.67±0.86)×10-6 to(1.92±0.66)×107 following the effective Amb-stimulation in comparison with those of sham-stimulation groups.These findings reveal that the Amb participates in the modulation of animal immune functions.
Moral Responsibility and Desert: Social, Scaffolded, and Revisionist

The idea of moral responsibility is central to a wide range of our moral, social, and legal practices. It underpins our basic notion of culpability. Yet the idea of moral responsibility is regarded with considerable skepticism by researchers and scholars in psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and the law. So, it is a social practice in want of justification.This article presents an account of the justification of moralized praise, blame, and punishment. On this account, the normative basis for moral responsibility depends on the effects that participation in the practice has upon us. Roughly, responsibility practices help to make us better people. One advantage of this picture is that moral responsibility does not require a “spooky” or otherwise mysterious picture of human agency. That is, responsible agency is compatible with a broadly scientific picture of the place of humans in nature, even one where psychology and neuroscience give us reason for thinking that we do not have the kind of free will that figures in (metaphysical, not political) libertarian theories.This article goes on to consider a variety of objections to this account, centered on concerns about moral desert and whether and how we can justify practices of holding one another to account.
Genetics of the fowl

Partial suppression of the frizzled plumage of heterozygous Frizzles is induced by a recessive autosomal gene, mf, which is independent of the gene for frizzling.
Supporting the supporter Social support and physiological stress among caregivers of children with severe disabilities

The social, economic, and physical costs associated with providing long-term care for a child with disabilities can be overwhelming, and it is not uncommon for caregivers to experience burnout, emotional distress, and significant health ailments as a result of their commitment to their child. Social support can be a key resource to combat these negative effects, as ample research has shown that social support can act as a buffer to the negative effects of stress. The current study explored whether short-term supportive interactions between parents of children with disabilities and members of their supportive network (n = 40 dyads) influenced the physiological stress responses (as measured by salivary cortisol) of both interactants. Results indicated that receiving support in a short interaction resulted in parents experiencing decreases to their physiological stress, though the quality of the support played a key role in determining how beneficial the interaction was in this context. These results suggest...
Photonic-based synthesis of low phase noise microwave signals

The lowest phase noise microwave signals are now produced by photonic methods. This talk will describe some of these methods, with special attention given to optical frequency division.
MACULAR PIGMENT DISTRIBUTION RESPONSES TO HIGH-DOSE ZEAXANTHIN SUPPLEMENTATION IN PATIENTS WITH MACULAR TELANGIECTASIA TYPE 2.

Purpose To analyze macular pigment (MP) amount and distribution in patients with macular telangiectasia Type 2 receiving oral zeaxanthin supplementation in a randomized, open-label, interventional trial. Methods Eight macular telangiectasia Type 2 patients were randomized to 10 mg or 20 mg of zeaxanthin per day. At each visit, best-corrected visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, fundus biomicroscopy, color fundus photography, autofluorescence imaging, optical coherence tomography, and serum carotenoid levels were tested. Patients were assessed at baseline and after 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of zeaxanthin supplementation. Concentration of MP was analyzed and calculated from autofluorescence imaging obtained at 488-nm excitation wavelength. Serum carotenoid levels were obtained using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results The majority of patients had definite increases in the intensity of hypofluorescent ring of MP, but none of them deposited MP centrally at the fovea. Although some patients noted subjective improvements in vision, no objective improvements could be documented, and there were no changes in foveal optical coherence tomographic features. Yellowish, hypofluorescent crystals appeared in one patient's macular region with no change in visual acuity. These inner retinal crystals disappeared several months after discontinuing her 20-mg zeaxanthin supplement. Conclusion Based on the current study, zeaxanthin supplementation does not result in any visual benefit in patients with macular telangiectasia Type 2 and does not reestablish a normal peaked distribution of MP in the fovea. One patient developed a novel, reversible, crystalline maculopathy in response to zeaxanthin supplementation that was reminiscent of canthaxanthin crystalline maculopathy.
A Corporate Tax Return Simulation: Utilizing Electronic Work Papers and Resolving Ambiguous Issues

ABSTRACT: Practitioners routinely note that new staff lack documentation skills, communication skills, and strong Excel skills. Further, new staff report critical-thinking, written and oral communication, teamwork, and project management skills deserve greater emphasis in Master of Accountancy programs. The AICPA's (2014) Model Tax Curriculum suggests that active learning approaches be used to enable students to build communication, critical-thinking, and interpersonal skills. This case uses a realistic corporate tax return preparation experience to address these criticisms by focusing on four main areas: time management, communication, research, and technical skills. The case is divided into two phases. In Phase 1, students review client information, generate requests from the client for missing information, keep a log of hours spent on the project, research ambiguous issues, meet with the project “senior” to obtain guidance, and prepare electronic work papers. In Phase 2, students incorporate feedback f...
Bicriteria Distributed Submodular Maximization in a Few Rounds

We study the problem of efficiently optimizing submodular functions under cardinality constraints in distributed setting. Recently, several distributed algorithms for this problem have been introduced which either achieve a sub-optimal solution or they run in super-constant number of rounds of computation. Unlike previous work, we aim to design distributed algorithms in multiple rounds with almost optimal approximation guarantees at the cost of outputting a larger number of elements. Toward this goal, we present a distributed algorithm that, for any e > 0 and any constant r, outputs a set S of O(rk/e1/r) items in r rounds, and achieves a (1-e)-approximation of the value of the optimum set with k items. This is the first distributed algorithm that achieves an approximation factor of (1-e) running in less than log 1/e number of rounds. We also prove a hardness result showing that the output of any 1-e approximation distributed algorithm limited to one distributed round should have at least Ω(k/e) items. In light of this hardness result, our distributed algorithm in one round, r = 1, is asymptotically tight in terms of the output size. We support the theoretical guarantees with an extensive empirical study of our algorithm showing that achieving almost optimum solutions is indeed possible in a few rounds for large-scale real datasets.
The Texas Heart Institute: Part 2-Working Toward the Next Breakthrough in Cardiovascular Medicine.

The Texas Heart Institute (THI) has grown significantly since its inception in 1962. By taking a multifaceted approach to research and patient care, THI has stayed at the forefront of innovation in cardiovascular medicine (Table). Nothing has symbolized this more than the opening of The Denton A. Cooley Building in 2002. Thanks to a successful $75 million campaign, this 10-story, 327 000-square-foot building, located next to St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, was built to provide the full spectrum of cardiovascular services. It includes 12 operating rooms, a postinterventional floor, a transplantation floor, a progressive-care floor, cardiovascular recovery beds, an imaging facility, a telemedicine center, 2 floors dedicated to basic science research, a 325-seat conference center (the largest in the Texas Medical Center), a Heart Information Center, and a museum dedicated to the heart and the pioneering cardiovascular research conducted at THI. View this table: Table. Historical Milestones of the Texas Heart Institute (2000–2017) Figure. Signing of an enhanced affiliation agreement between the Texas Heart Institute (THI) and the University of Texas (UT) System in 2009. Top row from left to right: UT System Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Kenneth Shine, MD; UT Health President Larry Kaiser, MD; and THI Board of Trustees Chairman Meredith Long. Bottom row from left to right: THI President Emeritus and Surgeon-in-Chief Denton Cooley, MD; THI President and Medical Director James Willerson, MD; and UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa, MD (Published with permission from the Texas Heart Institute). A major focus of THI’s laboratories has always been the development and testing of mechanical assist devices and cardiac substitutes. In fact, the Cullen Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, established in 1972, has been involved in the development of most of the cardiac pumps used throughout the world today, including the Heartmate II and HeartWare ventricular assist devices. Currently, research is underway to …
The knowledge and attitudes of orthodontic trainees towards orthodontic therapists: a national survey

ABSTRACTObjective: To assess the knowledge and attitudes of orthodontic trainees towards orthodontic therapists (OTs) in the UK.Design: Cross-sectional survey.Setting: UK-based orthodontic trainees.Materials and methods: An electronic survey was sent to all members of the Training Grades Group of the British Orthodontic Society assessing exposure to OTs and their knowledge regarding current supervision guidelines and scope of practice. Attitudes towards OTs were also explored.Results: Seventy-six responses (response rate 57%) were returned. Nearly 90% of trainees had no formal training regarding OTs. A total of 15.5% were aware of the correct current supervision guidelines and there was large variation in the knowledge of OTs’ scope of practice. The majority of trainees were happy to supervise OTs, but only 22.4% felt prepared for this during training. In total, 63% of trainees felt that OTs could impact their own future job prospects.Conclusions: Currently, there is minimal formal training provided to tr...
Calculation of conformational free energies by confinement simulations in explicit water with implicit desolvation

The confinement method is a robust and conceptually simple free energy simulation method that allows the calculation of conformational free energy differences between highly dissimilar states. Appl...
White matter integrity correlates with depressive symptomatology in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Abstract Rationale White matter abnormalities occur in both temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and depression, but there is limited research examining the depression–white matter association in depressed individuals with TLE. This study examined the relationship between white matter integrity (WMI) and depression including the influence of age at seizure onset, in adults with TLE, TLE and depression, and depression only. Methods Thirty-one adults were in one of three groups: TLE without depression (TLE; n = 11), TLE with depression (TLE + DEP; n = 9), and depression without TLE (DEP; n = 11). Participants completed structured interviews for depression diagnosis and severity. White matter integrity was estimated based on fractional anisotropy (FA) calculated in frontotemporolimbic (FTL) and non-FTL regions in the JHU DTI atlas. Results In adults with TLE (n = 20), depressive symptomology was significantly correlated with FA in non-FTL regions and trended toward significance in FTL regions. These associations were found in FTL (statistically significant) and non-FTL (trended toward significance) regions in participants with childhood seizure onset but not in those with adolescent/adult seizure onset. Conclusions Current results suggest that WMI, within FTL and non-FTL regions, are associated with depressive symptomology in adults with TLE. This association may be most notable in those with childhood-onset epilepsy. These findings could have important implications for the conceptualization and clinical care of neuropsychiatric comorbidities in TLE.
Mesolevel: The Neighborhood

Neighborhood is both a physical and a psychological concept, a place and a state of mind. Traditionally, it is first of all a physical location. Typically, its area falls somewhere between the microneighborhood, defined by Altman and Zube (1987) as “the next door neighborhood, the person in the next apartment, or the most immediate set of adjacent households” (p. xviii), and the walking-distance neighborhood, usually specified as the elementary school district (Morris & Hess, 1975). The residential block, or a small cluster of such blocks, in most instances is the physical definition of neighborhood (Keller, 1968; Rivlin, 1987). Sheer proximity is its physically defining characteristic. Its interpersonal implications, as Cohen (1983) notes, exist even before members of its population meet, as characteristics of setting often help to segregate people with similar personal characteristics—especially by social class, ethnicity, and lifestyle.
Mechanisms of twinning. IV. Sex preference and lactation.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the likelihood of twinning through conception during lactation and to attempt to explain why there is an increased sex ratio with monozygotic twinning. STUDY DESIGN: Parturients who had become pregnant while still breastfeeding were asked to supply information about their gestations. Also, records from two maternity services over a three-year period were examined for the sex of monozygotic twin sets. Zygosity was confirmed with the pathology reports of the placentas. RESULTS: Much like that in a previously published study, the sex ratio (females/total) was found to be 0.60 in monozygotic twins. In the case of lactating gravidas, the incidence of twinning was much higher than in a random population (11.4% versus 1.1%). CONCLUSION: These findings are consistent with the model of twinning as a consequence of a depressed calcium environment and its effect on embryonic intercellular bonding.
Chemogenetic activation of the perirhinal cortex reverses methamphetamine-induced memory deficits and reduces relapse

Prolonged use of methamphetamine (meth) has been associated with episodic memory deficits in humans, and preclinical rat models of meth self-administration indicate the memory deficits are a consequence of meth use. Others have suggested that the meth-induced memory deficits may promote a cyclical pattern of drug use, abstinence, and relapse, although preclinical evidence for this relationship is somewhat lacking. The memory deficits in preclinical models manifest as a loss of novel object recognition (NOR) memory. These deficits occur one to two weeks after cessation of meth use and involve the perirhinal cortex, a parahippocampal region essential to NOR memory. We hypothesized that a loss of perirhinal cortex function contributes to both the NOR memory deficits and increased vulnerability to relapse in a novel-cue reinstatement model. To test this, we attempted to restore NOR memory in meth rats using an excitatory Gq-DREADD in perirhinal neurons. Activation of these neurons not only reversed the meth-induced deficit in NOR memory, but also restored novelty salience in a novel-cue reinstatement model. Thus, perirhinal cortex functionality contributes to both memory deficits in relapse in a long-access model of meth self-administration in rats, and chemogenetic restoration of perirhinal function restores memory and reduces relapse.
Flexible electrolyte-cathode bilayer framework with stabilized interface for room-temperature all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries

Abstract Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) are promising next-generation energy storage system beyond state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries because of their low cost and high energy density. However, liquid electrolyte-based LSBs suffer from “polysulfide shuttle”, and safety concerns originated from the use of flammable organic electrolytes and the formation of lithium dendrites. Herein, we report a novel bilayer framework through integrating a three-dimensional (3D) carbon nanofiber/sulfur (CNF/S) cathode with one-dimensional (1D) ceramic Li0.33La0.557TiO3 (LLTO) nanofiber-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) solid composite electrolyte to serve as both cathode and electrolyte for room-temperature ASSLSBs. The stabilized cycling performance of this novel bilayer structure design lies in the reduced interfacial resistance and enhanced electrode/electrolyte interfacial stability due to the addition of Li+ conducting 1D LLTO nanofibers, as well as the formed fast-continuous electron/ion transportation pathways within the 3D cathode architecture. Meanwhile, the mechanically robust bilayer framework with micro-/meso-pores could also accommodate the large volume change of sulfur during continuous charge-discharge process and help suppress the Li dendrite formation. As a result of the aforementioned benefits of the novel bilayer structure design, the introduced ASSLSBs could deliver a stable cycling performance at room temperature with high Coulombic efficiency of over 99%.
Surface-Engineered MXenes: Electric Field Control of Magnetism and Enhanced Magnetic Anisotropy

Controlling magnetism in two-dimensional (2D) materials via electric fields and doping enables robust long-range order by providing an external mechanism to modulate magnetic exchange interactions and anisotropy. In this report, we predict that transition metal carbide and nitride MXenes are promising candidates for controllable magnetic 2D materials. The surface terminations introduced during synthesis act as chemical dopants that influence the electronic structure, enabling controllable magnetic order. We show ground-state magnetic ordering in Janus M2XOxF2–x (M is an early transition metal, X is carbon or nitrogen, and x = 0.5, 1, or 1.5) with asymmetric surface functionalization, where local structural and chemical disorder induces magnetic ordering in some systems that are nonmagnetic or weakly magnetic in their pristine form. The resulting magnetic states of these noncentrosymmetric structures can be robustly switched and stabilized by tuning the interlayer exchange couplings with small applied elec...
1,4,10,13-Tetra­oxa-7,16-diazo­niacyclo­octa­decane bis­(hexa­fluoro­phosphate): PF6− acting as a pseudohalide

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C12H28N2O42+·2PF6−, the center of the diprotonated macrocycle 18N2O4-2H2+ (18N2O4-2H2+ is the 1,4,10,13-tetra­oxa-7,16-diazo­nia­cyclo­octa­decane dication) coincides with a crystallographic inversion center. The structure displays N—H⋯F inter­actions between H atoms of the cationic N atoms of the macrocycle and the F atoms of the PF6− anions. The H⋯F distances are in the range 2.15 (3)–2.42 (4) A. The structure is nearly isostructural with the previously determined iodide salt, with PF6− acting as a pseudohalide anion.
Playing the Right Way: In-House Sports Reporters and Media Ethics as Boundary Work

During the past 2 decades, sports organizations have turned their websites into news portals, a transition that has included hiring reporters to produce stories that often look like the daily outpu...
Applying Reinforcement Learning to Plan Manufacturing Material Handling Part 2: Experimentation and Results

Applying machine learning to improve the efficiency of complex manufacturing processes, particularly logistics and material handling, can be a challenging problem. The interconnectedness of the multiple components that compose such processes and the typically large number of variables required to specify procedures and plans within those processes combine to make it very difficult to map the details of real-world manufacturing processes to an abstract mathematical representation suitable for machine learning methods. In this paper, we report on the application of machine learning methods, in particular reinforcement learning, to generate increasingly efficient plans for material handling to satisfy temporally varying product demands in a representative manufacturing facility. The essential steps in the research included defining a formal representation of a realistically complex material handling plan, defining a set of suitable two-stage plan change operators as reinforcement learning actions, implementing a simulation-based multi-objective reward function that considers multiple components of material handling costs, and abstracting the many possible material handling plans into a state set small enough to enable reinforcement learning. Extensive experimentation with multiple starting plans showed that the reinforcement learning process could consistently reduce the material handling plans' costs over time. This work may be one of the first applications of reinforcement learning with a multi-objective reward function to a realistically complex material handling process. This paper first provides an explanation of how the material handling plans and rewards were abstracted into a manageable state set. It then details the various initial plans and experimental trials used to test the plans. Finally, it reports the results of those experimental trials, including the plan change policies learned and the reductions in material handling costs achieved.
The role of Chk1 and Mre11/Nbs1/Rad50 in S phase arrest induced by DNA damage

4233 Many anticancer agents cause DNA damage which activates cellular checkpoints to arrest cell cycle progression. The arrest provides time for DNA repair so that the cells can survive. The Mre11/Rad50/Nbs1 (MRN) complex is a regulator of the S phase checkpoint, and defective MRN enhances chemo- and radio-sensitivity. The colon cancer cell line HCT116 was identified as defective in S phase arrest following incubation with the topoisomerase I inhibitor SN38, and was found to express very low levels of MRN proteins. Transfection with Mre11 also elevated Rad50 and Nbs1 because it stabilizes the complex, and rescued the defect in S phase arrest. To determine the frequency of defects in the MRN complex, we have screened the 59 available cell lines of the NCI60 panel for expression of Mre11, Rad50 and Nbs1. We also screened the panel for defects in S phase arrest in response to DNA damage induced by SN38. We hypothesized, based on our data from HCT116 cells, that low levels of MRN proteins would correlate with lack of S phase arrest. Consistent with this hypothesis, the ovarian cancer cell line IGROV1 lacked MRN and failed to arrest in S phase when damaged. In contrast, we found cell lines such as HCC2998 which also failed to arrest in S, but exhibited high levels of MRN. We investigated the impact of MRN in more detail by suppressing its expression in MDA-MB-231 cells. Despite suppression of MRN, these cells still remained arrested in S phase when damaged. We also suppressed the checkpoint protein Chk1 in MDA-MB-231 cells and found that these cells now failed to arrest in S. This latter result suggested that activation of Chk1 is necessary for S phase arrest. However, further analysis of two of the three cells lines that failed to arrest in S phase (HCT116 and IGROV1) showed that they both activated Chk1 when damaged. Hence, Chk1 appears necessary but not sufficient for S phase arrest in SN38-damaged cells, but the ability to arrest in S can not be explained by the status of the MRN complex. These results demonstrate that cancer cell lines exhibit many different defects in cell cycle checkpoint regulation. These defects may provide a unique sensitivity of a particular tumor subtype to chemotherapeutic agents and the results may help to design rational therapies targeted at cells with these defects.
Mid-Infrared Electro-Optical Modulation Using Monolithically Integrated Titanium Dioxide on Lithium Niobate Optical Waveguides.

Tunable photonic circuits were demonstrated in the mid-Infrared (mid-IR) regime using integrated TiO2-on-LiNbO3 (ToL) waveguides. The upper waveguide ridge was made by a sputtered TiO2 thin film with broad transparency at λ = 0.4–8 µm and an optimized refractive index n = 2.39. The waveguide substrate is a z-cut single crystalline LiNbO3 (LN) wafer that has strong Pockels effect, thus enabling the tunability of the device through electro-optical (E-O) modulation. A sharp waveguide mode was obtained at λ = 2.5 µm without scattering or mode distortion found. The measured E-O coefficient γeff was 5.9 pm/V approaching γ31 of 8.6 pm/V of LN. The ToL waveguide showed a hybrid mode profile where its optical field can be modified by adjusting the TiO2 ridge height. Our monolithically integrated ToL modulator is an efficient and small footprint optical switch critical for the development of reconfigurable photonic chips.
Response heterogeneity to lifestyle intervention among Latino adolescents.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the heterogeneity in response to lifestyle intervention among Latino adolescents with obesity. METHODS We conducted secondary data analysis of 90 Latino adolescents (age 15.4 ± 0.9 y, female 56.7%) with obesity (BMI% 98.1 ± 1.5%) that were enrolled in a 3 month lifestyle intervention and were followed for a year. Covariance pattern mixture models identified response phenotypes defined by changes in insulin sensitivity as measured using a 2 hour oral glucose tolerance test. Baseline characteristics were compared across response phenotypes using one-way ANOVA and chi-square test. RESULTS Three distinct response phenotypes (PH1, PH2, PH3) were identified. PH1 exhibited the most robust response defined by the greatest increase in insulin sensitivity over time (β ± SE, linear 0.52 ± 0.17, P < .001; quadratic -0.03 ± 0.01, P = .001). PH2 showed non-significant changes, while PH3 demonstrated modest short-term increases in insulin sensitivity which were not sustained over time (linear 0.08 ± 0.03, P = .002; quadratic -0.01 ± 0.002, P = .003). At baseline, PH3 (1.1 ± 0.4) was the most insulin resistant phenotype and exhibited the highest BMI% (98.5 ± 1.1%), 2 hours glucose concentrations (144.0 ± 27.5 mg/dL), and lowest beta-cell function as estimated by the oral disposition index (4.5 ± 2.8). CONCLUSION Response to lifestyle intervention varies among Latino youth with obesity and suggests that precision approaches are warranted to meet the prevention needs of high risk youth.
Unassisted N-acetyl-phenylalanine-amide transport across membrane with varying lipid size and composition: kinetic measurements and atomistic molecular dynamics simulation

Biological membranes are essential to preserve structural integrity and regulate functional properties through the permeability of nutrients, pharmaceutical drugs, and neurotransmitters of a living...