cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hypertensive Emergency Presenting With Acute Spontaneous Subdural Hematoma

Abstract Hypertensive crisis is a serious medical condition defined as severely elevated blood pressure; typically the systolic blood pressure is above 180 mmHg, and/or the diastolic blood pressure is above 120 mmHg. Hypertensive crises are divided into two categories: hypertensive urgency and hypertensive emergency. Hypertensive urgency is asymptomatic while hypertensive emergency presents with end-organ damage requiring more aggressive blood-pressure lowering. The common presentations for neurological end-organ dysfunction in conjunction with hypertensive emergency include ischemic strokes, intracranial hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, head trauma, and hypertensive encephalopathy. The occurrence of acute spontaneous subdural hematoma (SDH) as a neurological end-organ damage complicating hypertensive crisis is rare and should receive tight blood-pressure lowering to prevent further bleeding. We present a case of hypertensive emergency complicated with acute spontaneous SDH. .
25 International Psychology

The history of international psychology is approached from three perspectives: a description of the development of psychology in an international context from its roots in early philosophy and medicine to the present time; a discussion of current trends in regionalization, attention to culture and context, and the application of psychology to social issues, and a timeline tracing the development and growth of psychology in every region in the world. Keywords: international; psychology; indigenization; globalization; organizations; systems
Generating hierarchies with Anderson localisation

Abstract We consider how the effect of Anderson localisation in a one-dimensional, disordered lattice can be applied to generate exponential hierarchies amongst the couplings of 4D field theories. This may have applications in the study of beyond the Standard Model physics; we give a proof-of-concept model for the generation of small neutrino masses.
Prediction of treatment response from retinal OCT in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration

Age related macular degeneration is a major cause of blindness and visual impairment in older adults. Its exudative form, where fluids leak into the macula, is especially damaging. The standard treatment involves injections of anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) agents into the eye, which prevent further vascular growth and leakage, and can restore vision. These intravitreal injections have a risk of devastating complications including blindness from infection and are expensive. Optimizing the interval between injections in a patient specific manner is of great interest, as the retinal response is partially patient specific. In this paper we propose a machine learning approach to predict the retinal response at the end of a standardized 12-week induction phase of the treatment. From a longitudinal series of optical coherence tomography (OCT) images, a number of quantitative measurements are extracted, describing the underlying retinal structure and pathology and its response to initial treatment. After initial feature selection, the selected set of features is used to predict the treatment response status at the end of the induction phase using the support vector machine classifier. On a population of 30 patients, leave-one-out cross-validation showed the classification success rate of 87% of predicting whether the subject will show a response to the treatment at the next visit. The proposed methodology is a promising step towards the much needed image-guided prediction of patient-specific treatment response.
Positivity enhancements to the Pn transport equations

AbstractOne of the common methods for solving the radiation transport equation is to use a polynomial expansion for the angle variable(s). While each solution technique has its disadvantages, in so...
Organizing Universities for Global Learning

Seeing the World: How US Universities Make Knowledge in a Global Era, by Mitchell L. Stevens, Cynthia Miller-Idriss, and Seteney Shami. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2018. 184 pages. H...
A Miniaturized Dual Band Antenna for Harmonic RFID Tag

Abstract A miniaturized antenna is required for a small form factor RFID tag. For harmonic RFID tag, the tag should be capable of receiving and transmitting at two different frequencies (fundamenta...
Comparing stability in random forest models to map Northern Great Plains plant communities in pastures occupied by prairie dogs using Pleiades imagery

Abstract. Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) have been described as a keystone species and are important for grassland conservation, yet many concerns exist over the impact of prairie dogs on plant biomass production and consequently livestock production. The ability to map plant communities in pastures colonized by prairie dogs can provide land managers with an opportunity to optimize rangeland production while balancing conservation goals. The aim of this study was to test the ability of random forest (RF) models to classify five plant communities located on and off prairie dog towns in mixed-grass prairie landscapes of north central South Dakota, assess the stability of RF models among different years, and determine the utility of utilizing remote sensing techniques to identify prairie dog colony extent. During 2015 and 2016, Pleiades satellites were tasked to image the study site for a total of five monthly collections each summer (June–October). Training polygons were mapped in 2016 for the five plant communities and used to train RF models. Both the 2015 and 2016 RF models had low (1 %) out-of-bag error rates. However, comparisons between the predicted plant community maps using the 2015 imagery and one created with the 2016 imagery indicate over 32.9 % of pixels changed plant community class between 2015 and 2016. The results show that while RF models may predict with a high degree of accuracy, overlap of plant communities and interannual differences in rainfall may cause instability in fitted models. A final RF model combining both 2015 and 2016 data yielded the lowest error rates and was also highly accurate in determining prairie dog colony boundaries.
Neurologic complications of lung cancer

Lung cancer and its associated treatments can cause various neurologic complications, including brain and leptomeningeal metastases, epidural spinal cord compression, cerebrovascular events, and treatment-related neurotoxicities. Lung cancer care has significantly changed in the last 5 to 10 years, with novel therapies that have affected aspects of neurologic complication management. Herein, the authors review the potential neurologic complications of lung cancer, including important clinical and therapeutic aspects of care.
Omnichannel marketing: Are cross-channel effects symmetric?

Abstract The rapid growth in omnichannel (e.g., Web, call center, sales agent, store) shopping and the need to effectively allocate resources across channels are prompting managers and researchers to better understand cross-channel effects, that is, the effects of marketing efforts in one distribution channel on shopping outcomes in other channels. We develop a broad set of hypotheses about cross-channel effects based on channel richness and influence roles (informative, persuasive). To test the hypotheses, we model the effects (own and cross) of channel marketing efforts on shopping outcomes in different channels through a simultaneous equation system. We estimate these models using data from the auto insurance industry that comprises the exclusive agent, the independent agent, the Web, and the call center channels. Our results offer novel insights. They show that cross-channel effects and elasticities are significant and asymmetric. While the effect of marketing efforts in a channel on shopping outcomes in a dissimilar (with a different primary influence role) channel is positive (e.g., exclusive agent, the Web, and the call center channels are complementary), the magnitudes of the cross-channel effects are asymmetric. Similarly, while the effect of marketing efforts in a channel on shopping outcomes in a similar (with the same primary influence role) channel is negative (e.g., independent agent and exclusive agent channels are substitutional), they are also asymmetric. Exclusive agent efforts have a greater negative effect on the outcomes of independent agent efforts than vice versa. Based on the results, we develop a channel influence vs. influenceability analysis tool for managers to better plan their channel efforts. We also illustrate a resource allocation model that shows substantial incremental profits from the reallocation of marketing efforts based on our model with cross-channel effects relative to a model without cross-channel effects.
Real-time rendering of decorative sound textures for soundscapes

Audio recordings contain rich information about sound sources and their properties such as the location, loudness, and frequency of events. One prevalent component in sound recordings is the sound texture, which contains a massive number of events. In such a texture, there can be some distinct and repeated sounds that we term as a foreground sound. Birds chirping in the wind is one such decorative sound texture with the chirping as a foreground sound and the wind as a background texture. To render these decorative sound textures in real-time and with high quality, we create two-layer Markov Models to enable smooth transitions from sound grain to sound grain and propose a hierarchical scheme to generate Head-Related Transfer Function filters for localization cues of sounds represented as area/volume sources. Moreover, during the synthesis stage, we provide control over the frequency and intensity of sounds for customization. Lastly, foreground sounds are often blended into background textures such as the sound of rain splats on car surfaces becoming submerged in the background rain. We develop an extraction component that outperforms existing learning-based methods to facilitate our synthesis with perceptible foreground sounds and well-defined textures.
Examining family-based nature activities among Latinx students: contexts for reinforcing family relationships and cultural heritage

There is a strong need to conduct research and inform practice related to increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the leisure field (Floyd and Stodolska [2019]. “Scholarship on Race and Ethnicity...
Extending INR testing intervals in warfarin patients at a multi-center anticoagulation clinic.

Warfarin has been used as an anticoagulant by millions of patients due to its effectiveness, availability, and low cost. Evidence on the safe extension of international normalized ratio (INR) testing frequency remains an area of interest, especially during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to safely extend INR testing intervals in patients throughout a multisite, system-wide anticoagulation clinic. Updates were made to the pharmacist's collaborative practice agreement (CPA) and nurse protocol to optimize practice and allow INR testing interval extension up to a maximum of 8-weeks. The primary outcome was the change in duration between INR tests (INR testing interval) measured before and after providing staff education on clinic updates. The mean duration between INR tests (SD) was 23.69 days (11.29) in the pre-intervention period and 25.58 days (13.91) in the post-intervention period. During the COVID-19 pandemic (post2), intervals were extended further to 27.81 days (14.96), demonstrating a statistically significant increase in INR testing interval from pre-intervention to post-intervention and to post2 (p 60% for the clinic population.
Frequency-Response Functions of Orthotropic Sandwich Plates*

Summary A method is presented for the determination of the frequencyresponse functions of the components of deformation and of stress in orthotropic sandwich plates. It applies to the case of simply supported rectangular plates, loaded by pressure normal to their planes. The analysis takes into account the transverse shear deformation of the core and the material damping of the core and of the facings. The results are presented in the form of expressions suitable for numerical evaluation. An example il­ lustrates the application of this theory.
CENTRIN AND THE ALGAL FLAGELLAR APPARATUS

Review of the recent findings on a particular aspect of the algal flagellar basal apparatus that concerns the occurence, localization, composition, and functional properties of calcium-sensitive, centrin-containing contractile fibers associated with basal bodies
Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Type 2 Receptors in the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus Mediate the Behavioral Consequences of Uncontrollable Stress

Uncontrollable shock produces a constellation of behavioral changes that are not observed after equivalent escapable shock. These include interference with escape and potentiation of fear conditioning. The activation of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) receptors within the caudal dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) during inescapable tailshock (IS) has been shown to be critical for the development of these behavioral changes. CRH binds to two receptor subtypes, both of which are found in the DRN. The present set of studies examined which CRH receptor subtype mediates the effects of IS. Intra-DRN administration of the CRH2 receptor antagonist anti-sauvagine-30 before IS dose-dependently blocked IS-induced behavioral changes; the CRH1 receptor antagonist 2-methyl-4-(N-propyl-N-cycloproanemethylamino)-5-chloro-6-(2,4,6-trichloranilino)pyrimidine (NBI27914), administered in the same manner, did not. Moreover, the highly selective CRH2 receptor agonist urocortin II (Ucn II) dose-dependently caused behavioral changes associated with IS in the absence of shock. Ucn II was effective at doses 100-fold lower than those previously required for CRH. The relationship between CRH2 receptors and DRN 5-HT is discussed.
Types on stable Banach spaces

We prove a geometric characterization of Banach space stability. We show that a Banach space X is stable if and only if the following condition holds. Whenever X is an ultrapower of X and B is a ball in X , the intersection B ∩ X can be uniformly approximated by finite unions and intersections of balls in X ; furthermore, the radius of these balls can be taken arbitrarily close to the radius of B , and the norm of their centers arbitrarily close to the norm of the center of B . The preceding condition can be rephrased without any reference to ultrapowers, in the language of types, as follows. Whenever τ is a type of X , the set τ−1[0, r] can be uniformly approximated by finite unions and intersections of balls in X ; furthermore, the radius of these balls can be taken arbitrarily close to r , and the norm of their centers arbitrarily close to τ (0). We also provide a geometric characterization of the real-valued functions which satisfy the above condition.
Risk of Parkinson's Disease after Traumatic Brain Injury versus Nonbrain Trauma (S36.002)

OBJECTIVE: To quantify risk of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) after traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained in older-adulthood. BACKGROUND: TBI is a risk factor for PD. Risk of PD after recent TBI in older adults has proven difficult to assess due to possible confounding or reverse-causation if patients with incipient PD are more prone to injury. To mitigate this concern we compared TBI to non-TBI trauma (NTT). DESIGN/METHODS: Using administrative emergency department (ED) and inpatient data from California hospitals, we identified patients age 蠅55 with TBI (n=53,303) or NTT (n=114,269) diagnosed in 2005-2006 who didn’t have baseline PD or dementia and survived to discharge (total n=167,572). TBI was defined according to Centers for Disease Control ICD-9 criteria. NTT was defined as fracture, excluding fractures of head/neck. Using Cox proportional hazards ratios (adjusted for demographics, comorbidities, healthcare use, trauma severity), we estimated risk of PD after TBI or NTT through 12/31/2011, excluding patients with PD diagnoses made 1 TBI) were also assessed. RESULTS: TBI patients were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with PD compared to NTT patients (1.7[percnt] versus 1.1[percnt], p 1 TBI HR 1.85, 95[percnt] CI 1.56-2.18) suggested a dose-response. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients age 蠅55 presenting to an ED/inpatient setting with trauma, TBI is associated with a 45[percnt] increased risk of PD over the subsequent 5-7 years that is likely not entirely due to confounding or reverse-causation. Disclosure: Dr. Gardner has nothing to disclose. Dr. Burke has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nettiksimmons has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kaup has nothing to disclose. Dr. Barnes has received research support from Posit Science. Dr. Goldman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tanner has received personal compensation for activities with Pfizer Inc. as a consultant. Dr. Yaffe has received personal compensation for activities with Pfizer Inc., Medivation, and Novartis.
Structural analysis of sterol distributions in the plasma membrane of living cells.

Although plasma membrane (PM) cholesterol-rich and -poor domains have been isolated by subcellular fractionation, the real-time arrangement of cholesterol in such domains in living cells is still unclear. Therefore, dehydroergosterol (DHE), a naturally occurring fluorescent sterol, was incorporated into cultured L-cell fibroblasts. Two PM markers, the enhanced cyan fluorescent protein (ECFP-Mem) and 3‘-dioctadecyloxacarbocyanine perchlorate [DiOC18(3)], were used to distinguish DHE localized at the PM of living cells. Spatial enrichment of DHE in the PM of living cells was visualized in real time by multiphoton laser scanning microscopy (MPLSM). Quantitative models and image-processing techniques were developed for statistical analysis of the distribution of DHE within the PM. The PM was resolved from the cytoplasm in a two-step process, and a smooth trajectory reference of the PM was refined by statistical regression and moments-based techniques. Thus, DHE intensities over the PM were measured following ...
Atrial Fibrillation After Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation

Atrial fibrillation is a reported complication of automatic defibrillator implantation. Its incidence, risk factors, time-course, and complications have not been well-defined. Accordingly, data from 117 patients who underwent defibrillator implantation via a thoracotomy (n = 71) or nonthoracotomy (n = 46) approach were reviewed. To identify risk factors, 15 variables of potential predictive value were chosen and analyzed. Atrial fibrillation developed in 26/117 patients (22%) during the early postoperative period and all but one of these 26 patients had undergone thoracotomy (P < 0.001). Patients who developed atrial fibrillation tended to be older than those who did not (63 +/- 2 vs 58 +/- 2 years, P = 0.04) and more frequently had a prior history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (31% vs 10%, P = 0.02). They were also less likely to be taking Class I or III antiarrhythmic drugs (1/26 vs 24/91, P = 0.01). By multivariate analysis, operative approach (P < 0.001), the absence of antiarrhythmic drug therapy (P = 0.006), and a prior history of atrial fibrillation (P = 0.003) were significant independent variables. Digoxin neither prevented the occurrence of atrial fibrillation nor slowed the maximal ventricular response. The mortality and complication rates did not differ between the two groups. The major adverse effect of postimplant atrial fibrillation was automatic defibrillator discharge; six patients received between 1 and 11 discharges for atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rates.
Nest Initiation in Three North American Bumble Bees (Bombus): Gyne Number and Presence of Honey Bee Workers Influence Establishment Success and Colony Size

Three species of bumble bees, Bombus appositus Cresson, Bombus bifarius, Cresson and Bombus centralis Cresson (Hymenoptera: Apidae) were evaluated for nest initiation success under three sets of initial conditions. In the spring, gynes of each species were caught in the wild and introduced to nest boxes in one of three ways. Gynes were either introduced in conspecific pairs, singly with two honey bees, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) workers, or alone. Nesting success and colony growth parameters were measured to understand the effects of the various treatments on nest establishment. Colonies initiated from pairs of conspecific gynes were most successful in producing worker bees (59.1%), less successful were colonies initiated with honey bee workers (33.3%), and least successful were bumble bee gynes initiating colonies alone (16.7%). There was a negative correlation between the numbers of days to the emergence of the first worker in a colony to the attainment of ultimate colony size, indicating that gynes that have not commenced oviposition in 21 days are unlikely to result in colonies exceeding 50 workers. B. appositus had the highest rate of nest establishment followed by B. bifarius and B. centralis. Nest establishment rates in three western bumble bee species can be increased dramatically by the addition of either honey bee workers or a second gyne to nesting boxes at colony initiation.
Primary and secondary prevention of alcohol problems: U.S. internist attitudes and practices.

OBJECTIVE: To describe internists’ involvement in primary and secondary prevention of alcohol-related problems, and to evaluate relationships between preventive practices and training, attitudes, and work patterns. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of 152 board-certified internists, ≤65 years old, who practiced primary care in the continental United States, was selected from the American Medical Association’s master list. Ten were ineligible; 99 (70%) of the remaining 142 internists completed questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The authors evaluated the internists’ preventive practices, including the frequency with which they assessed patients’ alcohol consumption and advised patients about safe levels of alcohol consumption. The authors also evaluated the internists’ opinions about safe levels of alcohol consumption, training and attitudes regarding advising patients about safe levels of consumption, and work patterns. RESULTS: Ninety-four percent of the respondents believed they had a responsibility to advise all patients about safe levels of alcohol consumption (primary prevention), though only 30% often/always did so. Eighty percent often/always advised patients who drank three or more drinks daily about safe levels of alcohol consumption (secondary prevention), but many (45%) did not routinely ask patients how much they drank daily. Preventive practices correlated positively with the number of hours/week internists practiced primary care, and with their belief in the effectiveness of preventive advice about alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Internists believe they have a responsibility for primary prevention of alcohol-related problems, but only a minority actively practice it. In contrast, many internists practice secondary prevention, offering advice about safe alcohol consumption to patients who drink three or more drinks daily. The effectiveness of such secondary prevention is limited, however, by incomplete screening regarding level of alcohol consumption.
The IEEE/IEC pulse standards — Basic tools for waveform analysis

Describes the organization and content of the new IEEE pulse standards and presents material that illustrates their use. These standards (and their International Electrotechnical Commission counterparts) complement instruments that digitize, store, and analyze waveforms. Together, the standards and these relatively new instruments provide means for automated pulse waveform analysis.
Comment on "Little evidence for developmental plasticity of adult hematopoietic stem cells".

Wagers et al . ([1][1]) investigated the possibility of marrow cell plasticity at the single cell level, as we did ([2][2]). Although they found “little evidence for developmental plasticity”— i.e., marrow cells giving rise to mesoderm (blood), endoderm (liver), and ectoderm (brain)—their
Shallow fault-zone dilatancy recovery after the 2003 Bam earthquake in Iran

Earthquakes radiate from slip on discrete faults, but also commonly involve distributed deformation within a broader fault zone, especially near the surface. Variations in rock strain during an earthquake are caused by heterogeneity in the elastic stress before the earthquake, by variable material properties and geometry of the fault zones, and by dynamic processes during the rupture. Stress changes due to the earthquake slip, both dynamic and static, have long been thought to cause dilatancy in the fault zone that recovers after the earthquake. Decreases in the velocity of seismic waves passing through the fault zone due to coseismic dilatancy have been observed followed by postseismic seismic velocity increases during healing. Dilatancy and its recovery have not previously been observed geodetically. Here we use interferometric analysis of synthetic aperture radar images to measure postseismic surface deformation after the 2003 Bam, Iran, earthquake and show reversal of coseismic dilatancy in the shallow fault zone that causes subsidence of the surface. This compaction of the fault zone is directly above the patch of greatest coseismic slip at depth. The dilatancy and compaction probably reflects distributed shear and damage to the material during the earthquake that heals afterwards. Coseismic and postseismic deformation spread through a fault zone volume may resolve the paradox of shallow slip deficits for some strike-slip fault ruptures.
Chicks with decks: the female lived experience in poker

Though poker does not inherently discriminate between men and women, the proportion of men in the game is much higher than that of women. The authors describe the female lived experience in poker, including interactional barriers to participation from the moment they step foot in the door, to individual decisions at the table, and through to the time they depart. In-depth qualitative interviews with 13 recreational and professional poker players are used to explore these issues. Strategies women use to overcome the potentially uncomfortable and intimidating environment to persist in poker play are also explored, such as community-building through women-only poker games and adapting to and forming aggressive play strategies. It is suggested that poker be distinguished as a unique example of gender differences in gambling, a complex group interaction that goes beyond the current theory on gendered gambling preferences.
Enhancement of hypothermic heart preservation with fructose 1, 6-diphosphate.

Abstract Background. We hypothesized that the addition of fructose 1,6-diphosphate (FDP) to a hypothermic heart preservation solution could improve metabolic recovery because it has several beneficial effects. Materials and Methods. Twenty adult Sprague-Dawley rats were used to study hypothermic heart preservation. The hearts were removed under general anesthesia and preserved at 4°C in Euro-Collins solution (30 ml/kg) for 8 h. In the study group ( N = 10), FDP (5 mM) was added to the Euro-Collins solution. In the control group ( N = 10), no FDP was added. Heart function was studied after preservation using a working heart model. The ability of various concentrations of fructose 1,6-phosphate to passively diffuse through an egg phosphatidylcholine multilamellar vesicle (MLV) membrane bilayer was examined. Results. Cardiac output ranged from 17.0 ± 1.9 to 24.9 ± 1.6 ml/min in the study group vs 2.0 ± 1.0–12.3 ± 1.7 ml/min for controls, average aortic flow was 10.8 ± 1.4 ml/min in the study group vs −1.3 ± 1.6 ml/min for controls, and maximum LV generated power was 22.8 ± 1.7 J/min vs 10.1 ± 1.6 J/min for controls. Coronary flow, left ventricular stroke volume and stroke work, and myocardial oxygen consumption were much higher in the study group than in the control group. Coronary vascular resistance was lower in the study group than in the control group. Electron microscopic study indicated that many myocytes displayed patches of swollen mitochondria in the control group, but was rarely observed in the study group. The addition of 50 mM FDP caused substantial changes in MLV permeability. No dose of sucrose buffers outside the vesicles resulted in a significant changes of MLV permeability. Conclusions. Our results indicate that the addition of FDP to Euro-Collins solution significantly improves hypothermic rat heart preservation, and FDP appeared to cross the membrane bilayer.
Dean's List: Power, Institutions, and Achesonian Diplomacy

This review essay, forthcoming in the American Journal of International Law, considers Robert Beisner's recent magisterial biography of Dean Acheson. I ask what Acheson's diplomatic record tells us about the nature of world politics, and consider the question in light of international relations theory and international legal thought. I argue that Achesonian diplomacy demonstrates the interrelatedness of the four major paradigms of international relations theory - realism, institutionalism, liberalism, and constructivism. Each theory explains a crucial part of the impact of Acheson's record, but none can explain it by themselves. I suggest in conclusion that while the Cold War might have begun with or without Acheson, his diplomatic leadership helped ensure that it ended as soon as it did - even though he was gone by the time it occurred.
The adjuvanticity of an O. volvulus-derived rOv-ASP-1 protein in mice using sequential vaccinations and in non-human primates.

Adjuvants potentiate antigen-specific protective immune responses and can be key elements promoting vaccine effectiveness. We previously reported that the Onchocerca volvulus recombinant protein rOv-ASP-1 can induce activation and maturation of naive human DCs and therefore could be used as an innate adjuvant to promote balanced Th1 and Th2 responses to bystander vaccine antigens in mice. With a few vaccine antigens, it also promoted a Th1-biased response based on pronounced induction of Th1-associated IgG2a and IgG2b antibody responses and the upregulated production of Th1 cytokines, including IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-6. However, because it is a protein, the rOv-ASP-1 adjuvant may also induce anti-self-antibodies. Therefore, it was important to verify that the host responses to self will not affect the adjuvanticity of rOv-ASP-1 when it is used in subsequent vaccinations with the same or different vaccine antigens. In this study, we have established rOv-ASP-1's adjuvanticity in mice during the course of two sequential vaccinations using two vaccine model systems: the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV spike protein and a commercial influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) vaccine comprised of three virus strains. Moreover, the adjuvanticity of rOv-ASP-1 was retained with an efficacy similar to that obtained when it was used for a first vaccination, even though a high level of anti-rOv-ASP-1 antibodies was present in the sera of mice before the administration of the second vaccine. To further demonstrate its utility as an adjuvant for human use, we also immunized non-human primates (NHPs) with RBD plus rOv-ASP-1 and showed that rOv-ASP-1 could induce high titres of functional and protective anti-RBD antibody responses in NHPs. Notably, the rOv-ASP-1 adjuvant did not induce high titer antibodies against self in NHPs. Thus, the present study provided a sound scientific foundation for future strategies in the development of this novel protein adjuvant.
Interrupted Aortic Arch and Aortic Atresia With Circle of Willis-Dependent Coronary Perfusion

We present a case of type B interrupted aortic arch and aortic atresia. This combination is usually incompatible with life. However, the presence of an aberrant right subclavian artery and enough blood flow through the circle of Willis allowed perfusion of the coronary arteries through retrograde carotid and aortic blood flow. A two-ventricular repair was successfully undertaken.
Myotonic dystrophy: Calcium‐dependent phosphatidic acid synthesis in erythrocytes

Recently it was reported that calcium-dependent phosphatidic acid synthesis in erythrocyte of patients with myotonic muscular dystrophy (MyD) is markedly impaired when compared to that in control subjects. Using 32P-loaded erythrocytes, we found no significant difference in the levels of 32P-phosphatidic acid synthesized after exposure to calcium and its ionophore A23187 between patients with MyD and controls. In a batch experiment typical of the experiments with 32P, and a twofold increase of phosphatidic acid in both groups was determined by inorganic phosphate measurements. Thus, the specific activity of the 32P-phosphatidic acid increased four- to five-fold in response to calcium Analyses of 32P-polyphosphoinositide breakdown in ghosts and in adenosine triphosphate-depleted erythrocytes also appeared normal for patients with myotonic muscular dystrophy. Possible discrepancies between the results presented here and those reported previously are discussed.
Police department and instructor perspectives on pre‐service firearm and deadly force training

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine perceptions of police departments and instructors regarding academy‐based pre‐service firearm and deadly force training.Design/methodology/approach – Surveys of department‐based instructors (n=175) and state and local police departments (n=116) in Washington State provided ratings and other data on pre‐service academy training and included department‐based training provided before and/or after attending the academy.Findings – The paper found academy graduates' skills generally were rated as adequate. Ratings for tactics and decision making were lower, and many departments noted that these areas needed more attention. Some departments also provided extensive post‐academy training before allowing their new officers to work armed. Nevertheless, many departments used BLEA's handgun qualification course‐of‐fire for in‐service requalification and, in some cases, training.Research limitations – The research setting was one state and the study focused on firearm a...
The oxidation of α-tocopherol during the autoxidation of ethyl oleate, linoleate, linolenate, and arachidonate

Abstract The effect of α-tocopherol on the autoxidation of ethyl oleate, linoleate, linolenate, and arachidonate in vitro, at 37 ° was studied. The “efficiency” of the autioxidant was found to vary with concentration but at comparable concentrations, the relative “efficiency” of the antioxidant corresponded to the ratios 40:1:0.5:0.25 for oleate, linoleate, linolenate, and arachidonate, respectively. The transition from slow to rapid autoxidation was dependent on the accumulation of a critical level of hydroperoxide which was approximately 4, 160, 320, and 640 times the residual level of α-tocopherol for oleate, linoleate, linolenate, and arachidonate, respectively. When new free-radicals were generated by the bimolecular breakdown of hydroperoxides, the rate of oxidation of α-tocopherol was affected by fatty ester structure. At low initial levels of α-tocopherol, ≦ 0.2 μmoles/g ester, the transition from slow to rapid autoxidation occurred prior to formation of sufficient quantities of hydroperoxide to support the bimolecular reaction. When new free-radicals were generated by the unimolecular breakdown of hydroperoxides, the rate of oxidation of α-tocopherol appeared to be independent of fatty ester structure. Failure to properly evaluate the effect of α-tocopherol concentration on the kinetics of α-tocopherol oxidation may lead to erroneous conclusions in experiments designed to determine the biochemical function of α-tocopherol.
Hereditary angioedema: management of laryngeal attacks.

BackgroundHereditary angioedema (HAE) patients suffering from laryngeal attacks in the United States faced severely limited treatment options until 2008. These potentially life-threatening episodes...
Dynamics of Drug Use.

This paper analyzes data from interviews with 167 drug users in the community, including age, sex, birth order, education, family constellation, age of first drug use and circumstances of first drug use. Initial drug use was usually a social experience, with considerable influence from peers. Usually initial drug use began with marijuana or alcohol. The majority of subjects had tried to stop using drugs, but most of them had been unsuccessful at the time of the interview.
Pressure-Derived Flow: A New Method

Pulsatile flow waveforms in the dog femoral artery and abdominal aorta were derived from measurements of pressure before and after a brief vessel occlusion. Derived flows compared favorably with directly measured flows in the abdominal aorta, less so in the femoral artery. Possible sources of deviations are discussed.
Crystallographic and kinetic origins of acicular and banded microstructures in U–Nb alloys

Abstract The transition from the acicular to banded structure in dilute U–Nb alloys (∼5 at.%Nb) has been investigated. The acicular morphology consists of large, single orientation laths with high densities of dislocations and deformation twins, while the banded morphology is comprised of fine transformation twins, often with complex, multiple twin orientation relationships. Detailed Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) studies of the crystallographic relationships and deformation structures of these two microstructures are presented. In addition, controlled thermal histories and Continuous Cooling Transformation (CCT) curves have been evaluated to characterize the transformation pathways associated with the change in morphology. While the change from acicular to banded morphology is associated with increasing Nb concentrations, the competition between a temperature invariant reaction (at higher cooling rates) and a thermally activated transformation is investigated.
Quantification of intervertebral disc cartilaginous endplate morphology using MRI

Introduction: The cartilaginous endplate (CEP) is a thin layer of hyaline cartilage which functions as a mechanical barrier between the nucleus pulposus and the vertebral endplate and as a gateway for nutrient transport to the intervertebral disc. To date, the geometry of the CEP has not been well defined. This study visualizes the three-dimensional morphology of the CEP and quantifies CEP thickness via a semi-automatic analysis technique. Methods: Human lumbar motion segments (n=24) were imaged using an optimized 3D FLASH sequence. MRI data were evaluated in the axial and mid-sagittal imaging planes for CEP area, circumference, anterior-posterior width, lateral width, and thickness. CEP thickness was evaluated at five anterior-posterior locations. Results: There was no significant difference in CEP circumference, area, A-P width, or lateral width with respect to superior/inferior location (p>0.7) or disc level (p>0.6) except between L1L2 and L4L5 (p 0.5). Discussion: This study demonstrates the potential for MRI FLASH imaging coupled with automatic geometric quantification in evaluating the CEP as a potential contributor in the degenerative cascade.
Effect of antinociceptive doses of oxotremorine on mouse brain acetylcholine turnover rate.

Abstract The effect of antinociceptive doses of oxotremorine on the steady-state level and turnover rate of acetylcholine (ACh) was investigated in male Swiss-Webster mice. Oxotremorine produced dose-related increases in ACh levels which attained statistical significance (p ≥ 95; Dunnett's T) with the ED84 antinociceptive dose in two sacrifice methods. The increased steady-state level of ACh was temporally correlated with the peak antinociceptive effect of oxotremorine. ACh turnover rate decreased with increasing doses of oxotremorine. The ACh turnover rate decreased from 11.06 ± 1.62 nmol/g/min to 5.38 ± 0.71 nmol/g/min by decapitation method and 30.20 ± 1.8 nmol/g/min to 19.99 ± 1.6 nmol/g/min by the microwave irradiation method (Ed84 oxotremorine doses). The decrease in turnover rate of ACh produced by antinociceptive doses of oxotremorine is of a lesser magnitude than that produced by tremorogenic doses (1,2).
Hippocampal neuroplasticity induced by early-life stress: Functional and molecular aspects

Whereas genetic factors contribute crucially to brain function, early-life events, including stress, exert long-lasting influence on neuronal function. Here, we focus on the hippocampus as the target of these early-life events because of its crucial role in learning and memory. Using a novel immature-rodent model, we describe the deleterious consequences of chronic early-life 'psychological' stress on hippocampus-dependent cognitive tasks. We review the cellular mechanisms involved and discuss the roles of stress-mediating molecules, including corticotropin releasing hormone, in the process by which stress impacts the structure and function of hippocampal neurons.
The Effects of Some External Management Factors on the Nitrogen Composition of Cattle Manure on Smallholder Farms

Smallholder farmers in Kenya collect manure from confined cattle housing termed zero-grazing units. Zero-grazing designs may include urine collection, though the effectiveness of these designs in improving manure N content has not been established. The manure-urine mixtures produced in these units were simulated to determine urine effects on manure N composition. Manure and manure-urine mixtures were stored for 120 days during dry and rainy seasons in Kenya. Manure-urine mixtures leached 26% of their mineral N content during the dry season, but only 12% during the rainy season. After storage, manure-urine mixtures had less organic-N and fiber-N than manure alone during the dry season (𝑃<0.01), but not during the rainy season. Results suggest that the effect of cattle urine on manure N composition is greater during dry seasons than rainy. Manure should not be stored more than 30 days to minimize N loss to leaching. Farmers may take steps to reduce N loss by controlling leaching and protecting manure from rainfall.
Semi-quantitative paper electrophoresis of serum lipoproteins

Summary 1. The needs of epidemiologic teams and clinical investigators are served better by quantitative data in digital form than by qualitative descriptions of serum lipoprotein patterns. 2. A collaborative study of 71 normal and abnormal sera revealed that values for the principal lipoprotein fractions obtained with the analytical ultracentrifuge could be estimated in from 83 to over 90 percent of samples within plus or minus 30 percent by paper electrophoresis with densitometric scanning of the strips. 3. Since significant clinical lipoprotein disorders and the results of successful therapy involve larger changes, this degree of accuracy justifies the usage of lipoprotein electrophoresis as a semi-quantitative method.
Local State Reform and Class Struggle: The Case of Toledo, Ohio

This paper discusses how Toledo city government changed from a mayor-ward council system, to a city manager with a proportional representation council system, to an at-large council-manager system. We draw from research on the structural location of the local state in the overall state system and its role in contradiction management, capitalist-labor struggle for control of the local state, and the early 20th century municipal reform movement in the United States to explain the outcomes of Toledo reform struggles. Our research supports the propositions that capitalists will attempt to depoliticize the local state while labor will attempt to politicize the local state. It also shows that labor is able to politicize the local state structure only when it is unified and capitalists are divided.
The biogeochemistry of manganese and iron reduction in marine sediments

Manganese and iron reduction in marine sediments are known to play important roles in the biogeochemical cycles of many elements, including carbon, sulfur, phosphorus and several trace elements. These reduction reactions affect these cycles on a variety of time scales, ranging from those as short as seasonal time scales (e.g., nutrient cycling in coastal ecosystems), to those as long as thousands to tens of thousands of years (e.g., glacial-interglacial transformations in deep sea sediments). In this review article I will briefly summarize the results of laboratory studies on the types of manganese and iron reduction that are known to occur in marine sediments, and then discuss the occurrence of these processes in different sedimentary environments. Particular efforts will be given to examining the rates and mechanisms of sedimentary manganese and iron reduction in relationship to other biogeochemical processes in sediments.
METABOLIC URINARY CORRELATES OF CALCIUM OXALATE DIHYDRATE IN RENAL STONES

AbstractPurpose: We determined what metabolic features of the 24-hour urine predict calcium oxalate dihydrate in kidney stones. Prior studies have suggested that low urine magnesium, high urine calcium, high calcium-to-oxalate ratio and high urine supersaturation with respect to calcium oxalate monohydrate predict calcium oxalate dihydrate.Materials and Methods: Stone analyses and results from 2, 24-hour pretreatment urine collections from 96 patients with nephrolithiasis were drawn from 3 kidney stone prevention centers. Standard stone risk measurements were made on the urine, including supersaturation for calcium oxalate monohydrate, brushite and uric acid.Results: The main differences in metabolic urine findings were between patients with no calcium oxalate dihydrate and those with any calcium oxalate dihydrate in stones. Percent calcium oxalate dihydrate itself did not correlate with urine findings. Patients with no calcium oxalate dihydrate in stones showed a biphasic pattern of urine calcium oxalate...
Effects of the Venusian Atmosphere on Incoming Meteoroids and the Impact Crater Population

The dense atmosphere on Venus prevents craters smaller than about 2 km in daimater from forming and also causes formation of several crater fields and multiple-floored craters (collectively referred to as multiple impacts). A model has been constructed that simulates the behavior of a meteoroid in a dense planetary atmosphere. This model was then combined with an assumed flux of incoming meteoroids in an effort to reproduce the size-frequency distribution of impact craters and several aspects of the population of the crater fields and multiple-floored craters on Venus. The modeling indicates that it is plausible that the observed rollover in the size-frequency curve for Venus is due entirely to atmospheric effects on incoming meteoroids. However, there must be substantial variation in the density and behavior of incoming meteoroids in the atmosphere. Lower-density meteoroids must be less likely to survive atmospheric passage than simple density differences can account for. Consequently, it is likely that the percentage of craters formed by high-density meteoroids is very high at small crater diameters, and this percentage decreases substantially with increasing crater diameter. Overall, high-density meteoroids created a disproportionately large percentage of the impact craters on Venus. Also, our results indicate that a process such as meteoroid flattening or atmospheric explosion of meteoroids must be invoked to prevent craters smaller than the observed minimum diameter (2 km) from forming. In terms of using the size-frequency distribution to age-date the surface, the model indicates that the observed population has at least 75% of the craters over 32 km in diameter that would be expected on an atmosphereless Venus; thus, this part of the curve is most suitable for comparison with calibrated curves for the Moon.