cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of interconnected graphene framework with two-dimensional protective layers for stable lithium metal anodes

Abstract Severe lithium (Li) dendrite growth during the plating/stripping process, which results in low Coulombic efficiency and safety issues, strongly hinders the practical applications of Li metal anodes. Herein, we propose a novel design of three-dimensional (3D) interconnected graphene (IG) framework synthesized with the help of nickel (Ni) microspheres for stable Li metal anodes. The as-prepared IG framework consists of multiple stacks of two-dimensional (2D) graphene layers and plenty of hollow graphene microspheres in between, and thus provides protective layers on the top to suppress lithium dendrites, sufficient surface area to reduce the effective current density, as well as ion channels for fast Li transport, which is confirmed by post-cycle morphology characterization. When Li foil was used as the counter electrode for Li deposition, the assembled coin cell maintained an average Coulombic efficiency of more than 97.5% for 100 cycles at current density of 1 mA cm−2 with a Li loading of 1 mAh cm−2. Furthermore, we achieved stable cycling for more than 300 h at a current density of 1 mA cm−2 with a Li loading of 2 mAh cm−2 when assembled as symmetric cells. This strategy of vertically stacking 2D materials provides a novel approach towards dendrite-free Li metal anodes for the next-generation energy storage systems.
Correction to: Don Ihde: Husserl’s Missing Technologies

In the original publication of an article the name “Idhe” occurs incorrectly including in the very beginning, in the title of the review. Now the correct name has been published in this correction.
Meeting Galileo: Testing the Effectiveness of an Immersive Video Game to Teach History and Philosophy of Science to Undergraduates

Can video games teach students about the history and philosophy of science? This paper reports the results of a study investigating the effects of playing an educational video game on students’ knowledge of Galileo’s life and times, the nature of scientific evidence, and Aristotle’s and Galileo’s views of the cosmos. In the game, students were immersed in a computer simulation of 16 th century Venice where they interacted with an avatar of Galileo and other characters. Over a period of two weeks, 71 undergraduates were exposed to lectures about Galileo and the Copernican revolution in a traditional classroom setting. However, only half of the students (i.e., experimental group) also played the game. The other half (i.e., control group) were only exposed to lectures. The knowledge of both groups was assessed at the beginning (i.e., pre-test) and end (i.e., post-test) of the two-week period. The results demonstrated objective improvements in knowledge for the experimental group while the control group showed virtually no change. Implications of these findings for teaching and learning the history and philosophy of science are discussed.
HbA1c AND BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS: RELATION WITH GENDER, BODY MASS INDEX, STUDY FIELD, AND LIFESTYLE IN LEBANESE STUDENTS.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of prediabetes/diabetes in Lebanese university students and to examine the relationship between both hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and blood pressure (BP) and gender, body mass index (BMI), study field, and lifestyle factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Saint-Joseph University of Beirut. A total of 603 students aged 18 to 25 years were recruited from both the medical science campus (MSC) and the social science campus (SSC) between January, 2016, and May, 2018. Waist circumference (WC), BMI, and BP were determined for each student and HbA1c was measured using the Siemens vintage DCA device. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire about their eating habits and level of physical activity. Results: The mean age of the population was 20.31 ± 1.76 years. The percentage of participants recruited from the MSC was 59.2%. The prevalence of prediabetes was 2.5%. Lower BMI, WC, and HbA1c values, and higher diastolic BP (DBP) were found in MSC students compared to SSC ones. HbA1c, systolic BP (SBP), and DBP were correlated with BMI (P = .02, P<.0001, and P = .017, respectively). HbA1c was not associated with eating habits or physical activity. DBP was inversely associated with physical activity (P = .002), while SBP was positively associated with fast food consumption (P = .003). Conclusion: The present study shows a low prevalence of prediabetes in Lebanese students. BMI and the study field are the main factors predicting HbA1c and BP. Further studies are needed to extrapolate our results to the overall young Lebanese population. Abbreviations: ADA = American Diabetes Association; BMI = body mass index; BP = blood pressure; DBP = diastolic blood pressure; HbA1c = hemoglobin A1c; HTN = hypertension; MSC = medical science campus; SBP = systolic blood pressure; SSC = social science campus; T2D = type 2 diabetes; US = United States; USJ = Saint-Joseph University; WC = waist circumference.
Gesture Comprehension and Language in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (P4.203)

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine gesture-language integration and gesture comprehension in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Background: The ability to manipulate and use tools is a cognitive-motor milestone that leads to independence in daily activities. These praxis networks typically develop in toddlers as spoken language emerges. Gesture production is impaired, but gesture comprehension has not been examined in young ASD children. Design/Methods: Preschool and kindergarten aged children (ASD=22; Controls=14, 4–6 years) were administered standardized language tests and gesture interpretation tasks. In the gesture-language integration task participants were shown a toy and had to match a presented gesture to a toy action in order to understand a made-up verb. In the gesture comprehension task, the subject had to choose a picture after viewing the examiner perform a gesture. Results: ASD children had lower gesture integration scores than controls (F1,34=10.87, p=.002). Eight ASD children (36%) performed at or below chance on the gesture condition relative to controls (0) (χ2=6.55, p=.011). Children performing above chance had higher language scores (F2,19 =4.45, p=.026; Receptive: p=.009; Expressive: p=.007) than those who performed at or below chance. In ASD, gesture-language integration correlated with gesture comprehension (r=.553, p=.009) and language scores (Receptive: r=.672, p=.001; Expressive: r=.684, p Conclusions: Our results showed that young children with ASD have difficulty with gesture interpretation. It is unclear whether semantic knowledge of tools-gestures may explain some of these performance differences. Nevertheless, gesture integration and comprehension was associated with language skill, supporting the tenant that praxis and language networks are functionally linked. A broken praxis network may contribute to challenges with language learning and interventions targeting gesture comprehension and not just production may enhance language abilities in ASD. Study Supported by: Louisiana Board of Regents Disclosure: Dr. Knaus has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kamps has nothing to disclose. Dr. Foundas has nothing to disclose.
Review of The Veterans’ Tale: British Military Memoirs of the Second World War by Frances Houghton

A review by Joanna Kohlhepp of the book, The Veterans' Tale: British Military Memoirs of the Second World War
Quantification of fiducial marker visibility for MRI-only prostate radiotherapy simulation.

To objectively compare the suitability of MRI pulse sequences and commercially available fiducial markers (FMs) for MRI-only prostate radiotherapy simulation. Most FMs appear as small signal voids in MRI images making them difficult to differentiate from tissue heterogeneities such as calcifications. In this study we use quantitative metrics to objectively evaluate the visibility of FMs in 27 patients and an anthropomorphic phantom with a variety of standard clinical MRI pulse sequences and commercially available FMs. FM visibility was quantified using the local contrast-to-noise-ratio (lCNR), the difference between the 80th and 20th percentile iso-intensity FM volumes (V fall) and the largest iso-intensity volume that can be distinguished from background: apparent-marker-volume (AMV). A larger lCNR and AMV, and smaller V fall represents a more easily identifiable FM. The number of non-marker objects visualized by each pulse sequence was calculated using FM-derived template-matching. The FM-based target-registration-error (TRE) between each MRI and the planning-CT image was calculated. Fiducial marker visibility was rated by two medical physicists with over three years of experience examining MRI-only prostate simulation images. The rater's classification accuracy was quantified using the F 1 score, which is the harmonic mean of the rater's precision and recall. These quantitative metrics and human observer ratings were used to evaluate FM identifiability in images from nine subtypes of T 1-weighted, T 2-weighted and gradient echo (GRE) pulse sequences in a 27-patient study. A phantom study was conducted to quantify the visibility of 8 commercially available FMs. In the patient study, the largest mean lCNR and AMV and, smallest normalized V fall were produced by the 3.0 T multiple-echo GRE pulse sequence (T 1-VIBE, 2° flip angle, 1.23 ms and 2.45 ms echo-times). This pulse sequence produced no false marker detections and TREs less than 2 mm in the left-right, anterior-posterior and cranial-caudal directions, respectively. Human observers rated the 1.23 ms echo-time GRE images with the best average marker visibility score of 100% and an F 1 score of 1. In the phantom study, the Gold-Anchor GA-200X-20-B (deployed in a folded configuration) produced the largest sequence averaged lCNR and AMV measurements at 16.1 and 16.7 mm3, respectively. Using quantitative visibility and distinguishability metrics and human observer ratings, the patient study demonstrated that multiple-echo GRE images produced the best gold FM visibility and distinguishability. The phantom study demonstrated that markers manufactured from platinum or iron-doped gold quantitatively produced superior visibility compared to their pure gold counterparts.
Chemokine signaling and MAPK/ERK pathway for advanced prostate cancer treatment response.

TPS275Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the backbone of therapy for metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Despite a high response rate, the majority of patients prog...
Turbulent Gas Clouds and Respiratory Pathogen Emissions: Potential Implications for Reducing Transmission of COVID-19.

This JAMA Insights Clinical Update discusses the need to better understand the dynamics of respiratory disease transmission by better characterizing transmission routes, the role of patient physiology in shaping them, and best approaches for source control in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak
“Now we shall reveal a little secret” first person plural and lyrical fluidity in the works of Amos Oz

Throughout his career, Amos Oz explored different kinds of narrations that would enable him to capture both the story of individuals and the voices of the collective. The stories often presented a ...
Subclinical Hyperthyroidism: A Review of the Clinical Literature

Subclinical hyperthyroidism (SCHyper) is a biochemical diagnosis characterized by a decreased serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and normal serum thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations. Because SCHyper can be resolved, it is recommended to repeat serum TSH, T3, and T4 concentrations in 3 to 6 months before confirming a diagnosis of SCHyper to consider treatment. Proposed grading systems distinguish between mild (TSH, 0.1-0.4 mIU/L) and severe SCHyper (TSH, <0.1 mIU/L) and are used alongside patients' age and the presence of risk factors and symptoms to guide treatment. Appropriate evaluation includes an investigation of the underlying cause and assessment of an individual's risk factors to determine the necessity and type of treatment that may be recommended. SCHyper may be associated with increased risks of cardiovascular-related adverse outcomes, bone loss, and in some studies, cognitive decline. Treatment may include observation without therapy, initiation of antithyroid medications, or pursuit of radioiodine therapy or thyroid surgery. Considerations for treatment include the SCHyper etiology, anticipated long-term natural history of the condition, potential benefits of correcting the thyroid dysfunction, and risks and benefits of each treatment option. The purpose of this overview is to provide a guide for clinicians in evaluating and managing SCHyper in the routine clinical practice.
Toward a more physiologically and evolutionarily relevant definition of metal hyperaccumulation in plants.

More than 500 plant species have demonstrated the ability to absorb metals or metalloids from soils and concentrate them at extremely high levels in leaf tissues (van der Ent et al., 2013; Cappa and Pilon-Smits, 2014). This phenomenon, known as hyperaccumulation, has profound ecological implications including herbivory deterrence, trophic transfer of metals, and modifications of soil chemistry (Boyd, 2004; Rascio and Navari-Izzo, 2011; Fones and Preston, 2013). Over the past few decades, many attempts have been made to develop an unambiguous, standardized definition of metal hyperaccumulation in plants (Baker and Whiting, 2002; van der Ent et al., 2013; Pollard et al., 2014). Several general recommendations and guidelines for standardizing hyperaccumulation research have been put forward recently, not all of which are compatible with the examination of hyperaccumulation from physiological, genetic, and evolutionary perspectives. Here we highlight several key issues with previous guidelines, and propose a refined definition that is more reflective of both the genetic and physiological mechanisms underlying hyperaccumulation and the evolutionary history of this phenomenon.
Pre-Operative Localization of Axillary Lymph Nodes with Tattoo Ink: A Preliminary Report

Background: Pre-operative localization options in the axilla are limited. This study aimed to explore the utility of pre-operative localization of axillary lymph nodes using tattoo ink with multidisciplinary correlations.Methods: In this prospective, Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved study, 19 lymph nodes in 17 patients underwent pre-operative localization with ultrasound-guided injection of Spot tattoo ink. The success rate of intraoperative identification of the tattooed node as well as the frequency in which the tattooed node was also a sentinel node were recorded. Radiologic, surgical and pathologic images were collected. Results: Tattoo ink localization was successful in 16/17 (94.1%) of patients. Tattoo ink did not hinder pathologic evaluation in any cases but was taken up by additional adjacent nodes in 1/17 successful localizations (5.9%). Successful sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) occurred in 13 patients in whom 14 lymph nodes underwent pre-operative tattoo ink localization. Nine of the 14 (64.2%) tattooed lymph nodes were also a sentinel node.Conclusion: In this study, pre-operative localization of axillary lymph nodes with tattoo ink was highly successful In patients undergoing SLNB, a significant number of the tattooed nodes were not sentinel nodes (35.8%), suggesting the importance of targeted lymph node excision in addition to SLNB.
Tongue Transplantation

The tongue is a vital organ that is integral to many basic human functions, such as speech and deglutition. The primary challenges in tongue reconstruction lie in its unique form and function, and complete functional rehabilitation is equally dependent on restoring sensory and motor functions. This review article discusses the background, history, and future of tongue reconstruction in the era of human tissue allotransplantation.
Single-cell genomics in plants: Current state, future directions, and hurdles to overcome

Single-cell genomics has the potential to revolutionize the study of plant development and tissue-specific responses to environmental stimuli by revealing heretofore unknown players and gene regulatory processes. Here, I focus on the current state of single-cell genomics in plants, emerging technologies and applications, in addition to outlining possible future directions for experiments. I describe approaches to enable cheaper and larger experiments and technologies to measure multiple types of molecules to better model and understand cell types and their different states and trajectories throughout development. Lastly, I discuss the inherent limitations of single-cell studies and the technological hurdles that need to be overcome to widely apply single-cell genomics in crops to generate the greatest possible knowledge gain.
Parameters for Fuchsian Groups I: Signature (0, 4)

This is the first of a series of notes presenting new parameters for certain torsion-free finitely generated Fuchsian and quasifuchsian groups. In this note we consider signature (0, 4). Other low signatures, as well as the general case, will be dealt with elsewhere. Every Fuchsian group of signature (0, 4), acting on the upper half-plane ∪, can be generated by four parabolic transformations, A,B,C,D, where the product ABCD = 1. Normalize so that AB has its attracting fixed point at ∞, its repelling fixed point at 0, and so that the fixed point of C is at 1. Let x be the fixed point of D, and let y be the fixed point of B. Then x > 1 and y < 0. We show that x and y serve as parameters for the deformation space of these groups (this is really two results, one having to do with Fuchsian, and the other with quasifuchsian groups). We also explicitly write the matrices A,B,C,D in PGL(2,ℝ) + (these are 2 × 2 real matrices with positive determinant) as functions of x and y; this gives an explicit example of a stratification (see [K-M]). We also construct an explicit fundamental domain for the Teichmuller modular group for signature (0, 4), and we identify the side pairing transformations.
Gene Therapy with Plasmid DNA

Gene therapy is a promising therapeutic modality for the treatment of inherited as well as acquired genetic disorders. It can be defined as the use of nucleic acid transfer, either RNA or DNA, to treat or prevent a disease. Although initially most research on gene therapy has focused on the development of viral-mediated approaches to deliver therapeutic genes to cells both ex vivo and in vivo, nonviral gene medicines have emerged as a potentially safe and effective gene therapy method for the treatment of a wide variety of acquired and inherited disorders. Compared to viral vectors, this delivery system has received great attention due to their several favorable properties, including low toxicity and immunogenicity, resistance to nuclease, and their efficiency is independent on size of the genetic cargo. One of the simplest approaches of delivery is direct gene transfer with naked plasmid DNA to the organs of interest. Plasmid DNAs (pDNAs), which carry recombinant genes of interest, are used for introducing genes to cells and organs. Various physical methods, for example, gene gun, electroporation, sonoporation, and laser irradiation increase the efficiency of the naked DNA incorporation. Synthetic gene delivery vectors such as cationic lipids and cationic polymers have the advantage of protecting the DNA against degradation by endogenous DNase in vivo, and can be targeted to a specific cellular site in some special cases. Varieties of lipid-based systems have been designed, mostly containing cationic lipids of different structures. Vectors containing polymers, either synthetic or natural, have also been developed. Although significant progress has been made, nonviral vectors are still limited in their efficiency and by some cytotoxicity inherited in the bacterial pDNA, which hosts the gene of interest. Understanding mechanisms and means to overcome the cellular barriers for the DNA delivery will undoubtedly promote further development of pDNA-mediated gene delivery. Great advancement has recently been made in the delivery of oligonucleotides, including siRNA, by nonviral vectors. This is because the nuclear membrane is not a delivery barrier for most of the oligonucleotides. Keywords: gene therapy; lipoplex; lipopolyplex; nonviral gene delivery; polyplex
Two distinct categories of warm autoantibody reactivity with age- fractionated red cells

Using age-fractionated erythrocytes, warm autoantibodies can be classified into two distinct categories, depending on their reactivity with reticulocyte-enriched (younger) or reticulocyte-poor (older) red cell fractions. The strength of the direct antiglobulin test (DAT) on the age-fractionated red cells of 24 patients indicated that 19 (79%) had an IgG warm autoantibody that reacted preferentially with older red blood cells. In 7 of these 19 patients (37%), the DAT was negative using reticulocyte-enriched red cell fractions. We have termed this preferential reactivity of warm autoantibodies with older red cells as type I. Five of the 24 patients studied (21%) had an IgG warm autoantibody that demonstrated no preference for young or older red cells. We have termed this pattern of warm autoantibody reactivity as type II. All 5 patients having type II warm autoantibodies had severe anemia. In contrast, 6 of 19 patients having type I warm autoantibody did not have clinical evidence of anemia when tested, and 11 of the 19 had only slight to moderate anemia. Additionally, our results using type I warm autoantibody raise questions regarding the blood group specificity of warm autoantibodies. The antigen recognized by type I warm autoantibody may be a cryptantigen. Rh specificity or relative Rh specificity, often associated with warm autoantibodies, may simply be a coincidental finding.
Using background knowledge in concept formation

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the utility of background knowledge about components for the task of incremental concept formation. It describes LABYRINTH, which is a system that carries out structured concept formation, and its use of background knowledge to improve its predictive accuracy. LABYRINTH is a model of incremental concept formation in structured domains, in which objects have components. LABYRINTH represents concepts by storing a set of attributes, their values, and associated probabilities. LABYRINTH can also store structured concepts, in which attributes have values that are primitive concepts. The system represents a CUP in terms of two other learned concepts, one that generalizes several cup bodies, and another generalizing the observed cup handles. Thus, LABYRINTH defines structured concepts not as monolithic structures but in terms of other concepts in memory. LABYRINTH can be primed with classes that characterize arbitrary subsets of attributes, provided instances are decompose d in the same way. Thus, LABYRINTH's use of components in classification enables it to take advantage of a form of background knowledge that is common in many domains.
Inductive Strengthening: the Effects of a Simple Heuristic for Restricting Hypothesis Space Search

This paper examines the effects on a learning program of using a simple heuristic for restricting hypothesis space search and suggests the desirability of making the heuristic explicit so that it can be altered easily. The heuristic is: only consider new hypotheses that cover at least one example not covered by the current concept description. We study the use of the heuristic for three tasks: (i) restricting subsequent search after part of a concept description is learned, (ii) restricting search when partial concept descriptions are provided as initial knowledge, and (iii) restricting search when the heuristic is used as a constant bias to a higher level program that adjusts the bias of the learning program along different dimensions. We show that not only does this heuristic reduce the number of nodes searched, it also reduces the size of the resultant concept description and increases its predictive accuracy.
The dangers of sparse sampling for uncertainty propagation and model calibration

Activities such as sensitivity analysis, statistical effect screening, uncertainty propagation, or model calibration have become integral to the Verification and Validation (V&V) of numerical models and computer simulations. Because these analyses involve performing multiple runs of a computer code, they can rapidly become computationally expensive. For example, propagating uncertainty with a 1,000 Monte Carlo samples wrapped around a finite element calculation that takes only 10 minutes to run requires seven days of single-processor time. An alternative is to combine a design of computer experiments to meta-modeling, and replace the potentially expensive computer simulation by a fast-running surrogate. The surrogate can then be used to estimate sensitivities, propagate uncertainty, and calibrate model parameters at a fraction of the cost it would take to wrap a sampling algorithm or optimization solver around the analysis code. In this publication, we focus on the dangers of using too sparsely populated design-of-experiments to propagate uncertainty or train a fast-running surrogate model. One danger for sensitivity analysis or calibration is to develop meta-models that include erroneous sensitivities. This is illustrated with a high-dimensional, non-linear mathematical function in which several parameter effects are statistically insignificant, therefore, mimicking a situation that is often encountered in practice. It is shown that using a sparse design of computer experiments leads to an incorrect approximation of the function. (Publication approved for unlimited, public release on November 4, 2009, LA-UR-09-7227, Unclassified.)
Improving the Quality of Semantic Retrieval in DNA-Based Memories with Learning

At least three types of associative memories based on DNA-affinity have been proposed. Previously, we have quantified the quality of retrieval of genomic information in simulation by comparison to state-of-the-art symbolic methods available, such as LSA (Latent Semantic Analysis.) Their ability is poor when performed without a proper compaction procedure. Here, we use a different compaction procedure that uses learning to improve the ability of DNA-based memories to store abiotic data. We evaluate and compare the quality of the retrieval of semantic information. Their performance is much closer to that of LSA, according to human expert ratings, and slightly better than the previous method using a summarization procedure. These results are expected to improve and feasibly scale up with actual DNA molecules in real test tubes.
Against Ad Hocery: A Comment on Michelman

Frank Michelman believes that the Supreme Court is "moving noticeably towards a reformalization of regulatory-takings doctrine."' He criticizes this development, believing that the Court should instead engage in balancing. To him "balancing-or, better, the judicial practice of situated judgment or practical reason-is not law's antithesis but a part of law's essence."2 I argue in this Article that Michelman is wrong on both counts. Part I demonstrates that the Court does not appear to be articulating consistent formal principles in the takings area. Part II argues that it should try to do just that. Whatever the merits of ad hoc balancing in other areas of law, it has special difficulties in the takings area because of the important role of investment-backed expectations. Nonetheless, Michelman is correct in saying that the formal pattern he discerns is an undesirable one.3 Thus, Part III suggests a way to think about the takings question that unifies physical and regulatory takings and provides a way to distinguish between government actions that require compensation and those that do not. Nevertheless, even a very imperfect, but clearly articulated, formal takings doctrine is likely to be superior to open-ended balancing.
A System of Information and Evidence: A Theoretical Systematic Review Framework to Explore Evidence of Quality in the Complex American Higher Education Accreditation Context

The American higher education accreditation process has evolved to meet the changing environmental demands across the century of its existence. This evolution finds the contemporary accreditation process currently situated in a complex context. This placement has complicated stakeholders’ ability to make sense of the environment, and therefore to make effective decision regarding quality. As a result, the construction of an evidence-based information system may provide the evidence necessary to increase decision effectiveness. This paper explores the construction of a systematic review framework whose outcome is an information system able to increase the effectiveness of decision regarding academic quality system wide.
Indentation Fracture Toughness Measurements of Low Dielectric Constant Materials

The physics and mechanics of a fracture toughness measurement technique for low-k films are described. It has been observed experimentally that it is possible to generate reproducible stable cracks at indentation sites in thin low-k films using cube-corner indentation. The fracture response depends on the film thickness and follows no simple scaling laws. The physics of a model that takes into account the stress fields from indentation and film stress, with particular attention paid to the Poisson’s ratio of the film, are described. The model is able to predict the changes in observables when the film thickness is changed, which allows one to estimate film toughness independent of the configuration of the material.
Integrating multiple sensory systems to modulate neural networks controlling posture

In this study we investigated the ability of sensory input to produce tonic responses in hindlimb muscles to facilitate standing in adult spinal rats and tested two hypotheses: 1) whether the spinal neural networks below a complete spinal cord transection can produce tonic reactions by activating different sensory inputs and 2) whether facilitation of tonic and rhythmic responses via activation of afferents and with spinal cord stimulation could engage similar neuronal mechanisms. We used a dynamically controlled platform to generate vibration while weight bearing, epidural stimulation (at spinal cord level S1), and/or tail pinching to determine the postural control responses that can be generated by the lumbosacral spinal cord. We observed that a combination of platform displacement, epidural stimulation, and pinching the tail produces a cumulative effect that progressively enhances tonic responses in the hindlimbs. Tonic responses produced by epidural stimulation alone during standing were represented mainly by monosynaptic responses, whereas the combination of epidural stimulation and tail pinching during standing or epidural stimulation during stepping on a treadmill facilitated bilaterally both monosynaptic and polysynaptic responses. The results demonstrate that tonic muscle activity after complete spinal cord injury can be facilitated by activation of specific combinations of afferent inputs associated with load-bearing proprioception and cutaneous input in the presence of epidural stimulation and indicate whether activation of tonic or rhythmic responses are generated depends on the specific combinations of sources and types of afferents activated in the hindlimb muscles.
High order numerical sommerfeld boundary conditions: Theory and experiments

Abstract We develop high-order, non-reflecting boundary equations for a semidiscrete approximation of the simple (hyperbolic) advection equation U 1 + cU x = 0. These boundary equation are based on a discrete interpretation of Sommerfeld's radiation condition for a second order wave equation which is associated with the semi-discrete equation. The performance of these schemes is expressed by an exact measure of the energy reflected at the boundary. For low order cases, the discrete Sommerfeld boundary equations are identical with the standard finite difference equations, but for high orders of approximation (starting with 4 points), the discrete Sommerfeld schemes differ from standard finite differences. It is shown, and verified experimentally, that the discrete Sommerfeld schemes are optimal, in the sense that they produce the least amount of reflected energy. Moreover, it is known theoretically, and we verify experimentally, that the reflected energy remains invariat when the semi-discrete equation are time-discretized with the trapezoidal (Crank-Nicolson) method. The corresponding fully discrete boundary equations are thus also optimal in the sense that they minimize the reflected energy.
A multifunctional thin film Au electrode surface formed by consecutive electrochemical reduction of aryl diazonium salts.

A multifunctional thin film surface capable of immobilizing two diverse molecules on a single gold electrode was prepared by consecutive electrodeposition of nitrophenyl and phenylboronic acid pinacol ester (PBA-PE) diazonium salts. Activation of the stacked film toward binding platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) and yeast cells occurred via chemical deprotection of the pinacol ester followed by electroreduction of nitro to amino groups. FTIR spectral analysis was used to study and verify film composition at each stage of preparation. The affect of electrodeposition protocol over the thickness of the nitrophenyl and PBA-PE layers was explored and had a profound impact on the film properties. Thicker nitrophenyl films led to diminished PBA-PE diazonium reduction currents during assembly and decreased phenylboronic acid (PBA) layer thickness while allowing for higher PtNP loading and catalytic currents from PtNP-mediated peroxide reduction. Multilayer PBA films could be formed over the nitrophenyl film; however,...
A Formal Model of Hierarchical Concept-Learning

We show how to learn from examples (Valiant style) any concept representable as a boolean function or circuit, with the help of a teacher who breaks the concept into subconcepts and teaches one subconcept per lesson. Each subconcept corresponds to a gate in the boolean circuit. The learner learns each subconcept from examples which have been randomly drawn according to an arbitrary probability distribution, and labeled as positive or negative instances of the subconcept by the teacher. The learning procedure runs in time polynomial in the size of the circuit. The learner outputs not the unknown boolean circuit, but rather a program that, for any input, either produces the same answer as the unknown boolean circuit, or else says "I don?t know." Thus the output of this learning procedure is reliable. Furthermore, with high probability the output program is nearly always useful in that it says "I don?t know" very rarely. A key technique is to maintain a hierarchy of explicit "version spaces." Our main contribution is thus a learning procedure whose output is reliable and nearly always useful; this has not been previously accomplished within Valiant?s model of learnability.
Avermectin B1a: An irreversible activator of the γ-aminobutyric acid-benzodiazepine-chloride-ionophore receptor complex

Avermectin B1a, an antihelminthic macrocyclic lactone, has been previously shown to reduce muscle membrane resistance by stimulating γ-aminobutyric acid-mediated chloride conductance. Since the benzodiazepine receptor is coupled to a receptor for γ-aminobutyric acid and related chloride ionophore, the effects of Avermectin B1a on [3H]diazepam binding to the benzodiazepine receptor were studied. In well-washed membrane fragments from rat cerebral cortex, Avermectin B1a markedly increased the binding of [3H]diazepam to benzodiazepine receptors. This effect was qualitatively similar to that observed with either γ-aminobutyric acid or chloride ion and was partially reversed by the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor antagonist, bicuculline. In contrast to the effects of γ-aminobutyric acid and chloride, the enhanced binding of [3H]benzodiazepine elicited by Avermectin B1a was not reversed by extensive washing of the membrane preparation. Avermectin B1a appears to irreversibly modify benzodiazepine receptors at a γ-aminobutyric acid-chloride recognition site and may be valuable in biochemical studies of the regulation of benzodiazepine receptor function.
Glyoxalase 1 (GLO) in the chicken: Genetic variation and lack of linkage to the MHC

Electrophoretic variation of glyoxalase 1 (GLO) has been detected in chicken red-cell lysates. Three phenotypes are shown to be inherited through a diallelic system, just as in humans and mice. The chicken GLO phenotypes differ from their mammalian counterparts in that one of the homozygotes is devoid of GLO activity. The heterozygote produces two bands, while the other homozygote yields a single band of GLO activity with mobility equal to the faster of these two bands. In noninbred White Leghorn birds, the GLO*2 allele occurred significantly more often in birds homozygous for the B*1 allele at the chicken MHC than in those homozygous for B*19, suggesting that the products of these loci may have population associations in the chicken. Absence of close linkage between the GLO and B loci was, however, demonstrated by appropriate test crosses.
Performance of a large-area avalanche photodiode at low temperature for scintillation detection

We investigate the performance of a large-area ð13 mm � 13 mmÞ avalanche photodiode at temperatures ranging from 4.2 to 77 K: We find that the gain, at a given bias voltage, increases with decreasing temperature down to 40 K; below which a premature breakdown phenomenon occurs. The quantum efficiency of the device decreases with decreasingtemperature until approximately 40 K ; at which point it drops abruptly to o15% of its room temperature value. The sensitivity of the device above 40 K makes it a good candidate for detection of scintillation light in lowtemperature systems. r 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. PACS: 07.60.Dq; 29.40.Mc; 29.40.Wk
Intrusion errors on the visual reproduction test of the wechsler memory scale and the wechsler memory scale - revised: An analysis of demented and amnesic patients

Abstract The number of prior-figure intrusion errors produced by patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT), Huntington's disease (HD), alcoholic Korsakoff's syndrome (AK), bilateral hippocampal damage (HI-AMN) and elderly normal control subjects (NC) was assessed using the Visual Reproduction Test (VRT) of the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) and the Wechsler Memory Scale - Revised (WMS-R). Patients with DAT made significantly more intrusion errors than did HD patients, although both of these patient groups generated more of these errors than did the intact control subjects. Patients with AK, but not HI-AMN patients, made significantly more intrusion errors than did NC subjects. Comparisons of the two versions of the VRT indicated that the WMS form was more likely to elicit intrusion errors from DAT and HD patients than was the WMS-R version. This reduced number of intrusion errors on the WMS-R may reflect a reduction in proactive interference due to the use of circular, as well as linear, geometric p...
Regional cerebral cortical deficits in the immune-deficient nude mouse: A preliminary study

This report examines the morphology of the cerebral cortex in the nude mouse (nunu) compared with the BALBc (+/+). Our experiments indicated that the thickness of the lateral frontal lobe was significantly reduced (8%; P < 0.005) in the 4-month-old, female nude mouse compared with a BALBc mouse of like sex and age. In addition, the left hemisphere was, in general, thinner in the nude than in the BALBc, with area 18 being significantly thinner (2%; P < 0.005). Oligodendrocytes were less in area 18 in the nude by 25% (P < 0.02) in contrast to the BALBc. In some respects these results extend the work of others. In previously published experiments, we showed that the thickness of the frontal cortex from enriched and impoverished female rats (from 60 to 116 days of age) differed by 2 to 3% (P < 0.001) and in male rats by 3 to 4% (P < 0.001). The oligodendrocytes in area 18 in the male differed by 20% (P < 0.02) in rats exposed to their respective enriched or impoverished environments from 25 to 105 days of age. Thus, we have shown that the frontal cortical morphology as well as the occipital cortical oligodendrocytes were altered in both immune-deficient animals and environmentally stimulated or impoverished animals. Based on these separate sets of data, we will be interested to learn if our environmental conditions can alter the immune system and if so by what mechanism.
Palpable spleens: ten-year follow-up.

Excerpt To the editor: In 1967 we reported that 63 of 2200 (2.9%) freshmen at Dartmouth College had a palpable spleen at the time of routine physical examination (1). Fifty-eight of the students we...
SIMD commentary on FDA oversight of laboratory-developed testing

An ad hoc committee of the Board of Directors of the Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders (SIMD) developed the following commentary in response to the Food and Drug Administration's request for comments at a public meeting held on July 19–20, 2010 in Hyattsville, MD on FDA oversight of laboratory-developed testing (LDT). The Board recognized the importance of being heard on this very important topic of interest to all who are stakeholders in LDT. The President of the SIMD, Georgirene D. Vladutiu, gave a brief presentation at the open meeting both as an individual stakeholder and as a representative for the SIMD. The following is a summary of her remarks and is posted as part of the FDA docket for comments on August 15, 2010.
Fermentation of cheese whey by a mixed culture ofClostridium beijerinckii andBacillus cereus

Fermentation of cheese whey to produce butanol and butyric acid was carried out using a mixed culture ofClostridium beijerinkii andBacillus cereus. Fermentation selectivities were studied by controlling the pH of the system. Controlled pH values higher than 6.5 as well as those below 5.0 were not conducive to butanol production. Maximum product formation was obtained by controlling the pH at 5.5. When compared with the results obtained using the pure culture ofC. beijerinckii, a higher butanol concentration was obtained in the mixed culture without sacrificing the level of butyric acid formed.
A nonlinear hyperelastic mixture theory model for anisotropy, transport, and swelling of annulus fibrosus.

A precise knowledge of the local mechanical and chemical environment around the nerve endings and disc cells in the annulus fibrosus will shed insight on understanding the mechanism of low-back pain and disc degeneration. It would also present an effective tool for the studies of the intervertebral disc structure–function relationship and provide guidance to disc tissue engineering. Experimental difficulties preclude the direct and simultaneous measurement of many of the important physical quantities, such as annulus pressurization, nutrient and electrolyte transport, and mechanical and swelling deformation. Considering that many of these quantities are coupled and that the annulus is highly anisotropic, interpretation of the results would be extremely challenging without an appropriate theoretical framework. In this study, we develop a nonlinear hyperelastic fiber-reinforced continuum mixture theory model for the annulus fibrosus. Special attention is given to the anisotropic nature of the annulus. On the basis of the lamella structure of annulus, and derived from a Helmholtz energy function, a locally transversely isotropic stress–strain relation is adopted for explicit representation of the collagen fiber orientations in general finite deformation situation. The exponential form of the Helmholtz energy function naturally reduces to the infinitesimal deformation form, and the equivalence between the current model coefficients and engineering elastic constants is established under the infinitesimal deformation. This model is able to describe the anisotropic finite and infinitesimal deformation, tension–compression nonlinearity, osmotic swelling, pressurization, electrical potential and current, and water and ion transports as well as the electroneutral nutrient (or growth factor) transport within the annulus.
Failure patterns in gynecologic cancer

In reviewing the literature on the patterns of failure in gynecologic malignancies, it is essential to define the type of recurrence resulting from the treatment program pursued. Categorizing them into local recurrences, marginal recurrences, parametrial recurrences, periaortic lymph node recurrences, abdominal recurrences, and distant metastatic disease become an important part in the design of new treatment programs in management. Most recurrences are actually the result of persistent disease. Therefore, the full extent of disease at the time of initial presentation should be determined. Pre-treatment surgical exploration obviously defines more precisely the tumor extent than does clinical stage alone. Samples of retroperitoneal abdominal lymph nodes in cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancer have shown more frequent involvement than previously suspected.
Epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common heterogeneous endocrine disorder characterized by irregular menses, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. The prevalence of PCOS varies depending on which criteria are used to make the diagnosis, but is as high as 15%-20% when the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology/American Society for Reproductive Medicine criteria are used. Clinical manifestations include oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, hirsutism, and frequently infertility. Risk factors for PCOS in adults includes type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Insulin resistance affects 50%-70% of women with PCOS leading to a number of comorbidities including metabolic syndrome, hypertension, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance, and diabetes. Studies show that women with PCOS are more likely to have increased coronary artery calcium scores and increased carotid intima-media thickness. Mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and binge eating disorder also occur more frequently in women with PCOS. Weight loss improves menstrual irregularities, symptoms of androgen excess, and infertility. Management of clinical manifestations of PCOS includes oral contraceptives for menstrual irregularities and hirsutism. Spironolactone and finasteride are used to treat symptoms of androgen excess. Treatment options for infertility include clomiphene, laparoscopic ovarian drilling, gonadotropins, and assisted reproductive technology. Recent data suggest that letrozole and metformin may play an important role in ovulation induction. Proper diagnosis and management of PCOS is essential to address patient concerns but also to prevent future metabolic, endocrine, psychiatric, and cardiovascular complications.