cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prediction of the anisotropic damage evolution of dry common millet (Panicum miliaceum) seed under quasi-static blunt indentation

Abstract Common millet (Panicum miliaceum) seed is a prevalent crop worldwide with high adaptability and survivability. The outer seedcoat of common millet seed has an interesting and complex microstructure, with epidermal cells being articulated with wavy sutures, to form a jigsaw-like sutural tessellation. Experimental flatwise compression tests were performed on full common millet seeds and kernels (by removal of the outer seedcoat). Finite element models for the seed and kernel were developed. A brittle crushing model and Hashin progressive damage model were used to simulate the damage initiation and evolution of the kernel and the seedcoat, respectively. The anisotropic strengths of the seedcoat were derived from the seedcoat microstructure comprising suture tessellation. The finite element models were able to accurately capture the overall force-displacement responses of both the kernel and full seed. This integrated theoretical, numerical and experimental methodology developed in this investigation shows a promising toolkit to explore the damage initiation and evolution of microstructured biological and bio-inspired materials under large deformation.
Social Cyber Forensics (SCF): Uncovering Hidden Relationships

In this chapter, we will introduce the concept of social cyber forensics (SCF) and its usability. Then, we will introduce a tool, i.e., Maltego that can be used to study the cross-media affiliation and uncover hidden relations among different ODGs . In Sect. 4.2 we will provide three stepwise methodologies that can be followed to reach the desired outcome of analysis (e.g., uncovering the hidden relationship between Twitter accounts and a set of websites or blog sites, websites or blog sites and other websites or blog sites, and infer the ownership of a set of websites or blog sites). These methodologies have been tested during many cyber propaganda campaigns to associate and infer the relationships between different online groups. We also provide hands-on exercises to practice each of the methodologies introduced.
Defining the Boundary Between Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

In this article we provide a practical and comprehensive review of myeloid neoplasms with overlapping myelodysplastic (MDS) and myeloproliferative (MPN) features, with emphasis on recent updates in classification, particularly the utility of morphologic, cytogenetic, and molecular findings in better defining and classifying these disease entities. We provide the reader with a summary of the most recent developments and updates that have helped further our understanding of the genomic landscape, clinicopathologic features, and prognostic elements of myeloid neoplasms with MDS/MPN features.
Perspectives and Experiences of Persons With Dementia With Advance Care Planning: An Integrative Literature Review.

Objective:An integrative review of the literature on advance care planning (ACP) preferences and practices from the perspective of persons with dementia (PWDs) was conducted, both to learn how heal...
Detecting and classifying online dark visual propaganda

Abstract The staggering increase in the amount of information on the World Wide Web (referred to as Web) has made Web page classification essential to retrieve useful information while filtering out unwanted, futile, or harmful contents. This massive information-sharing platform is occasionally abused for propagating extreme and radical ideologies and posing threats to national security and citizens. Detecting the so called dark material has gained more impetus following the recent outbreak of extremist groups and radical ideologies across the Web. The goal of this project, being the first of its own, is to surveil online social networks (OSN) and Web for real-time detection of visual propaganda by violent extremist organizations (VEOs). This is valuable not only for flagging and removing such content from OSN and Web, but also to provide military insight and narrative context inside VEOs. Visual propaganda by VEOs are not only detected, but also further classified based on the type of VEO and focus or intent of the image into hard propaganda, soft propaganda, symbolic propaganda, landscape, and organizational communications. Over 1.2 million images were automatically collected from suspicious OSN accounts and Web pages over a course of four years. Out of which, 120,000 images were manually classified to provide the training data for a convolutional neural network. An overall generalization accuracy of 97.02% and F1 of 97.89% were achieved for a binary classification or mere detection of visual VEO propaganda and an overall generalization accuracy of 86.08% and F 1 ¯ of 85.76% for an eight-way classification based on the intent of the image.
Toric matrix Schubert varieties and root polytopes (extended abstract)

Start with a permutation matrix π and consider all matrices that can be obtained from π by taking downward row operations and rightward column operations; the closure of this set gives the matrix Schubert variety Xπ. We characterize when the ideal defining Xπ is toric (with respect to a 2n − 1-dimensional torus) and study the associated polytope of its projectivization. We construct regular triangulations of these polytopes which we show are geometric realizations of a family of subword complexes. We also show that these complexes can be realized geometrically via regular triangulations of root polytopes. This implies that a family of β-Grothendieck polynomials are special cases of reduced forms in the subdivision algebra of root polytopes. We also write the volume and Ehrhart series of root polytopes in terms of β-Grothendieck polynomials. Subword complexes were introduced by Knutson and Miller in 2004, who showed that they are homeomorphic to balls or spheres and raised the question of their polytopal realizations.
Psychological distress and cigarette smoking among U.S. households by income: Considering the role of food insecurity.

Psychological distress and tobacco use are known to co-occur for many reasons, including vulnerabilities associated with socioeconomic disadvantage. Food insecurity-a stressful condition due to inconsistent food access-is linked with increased psychological distress and is also an independent risk factor for smoking. We investigated the association between psychological distress and cigarette smoking, examining distress occurring with or without food insecurity, and variations in the associations by socioeconomic status. We analyzed data from the 2015 U.S. Panel Study of Income Dynamics (n = 9048). A four-category variable was constructed based on responses to validated measures of psychological distress and of food insecurity: no distress and no food insecurity; food insecurity without distress; distress without food insecurity; and distress with food insecurity. Weighted, robust Poisson regression analysis examined associations with current smoking, with analyses stratified by socioeconomic status. Smoking prevalence was highest among respondents experiencing psychological distress with food insecurity (39%). Results showed that respondents with food insecurity alone had higher smoking prevalence (33%) than respondents with psychological distress alone (20%). Only among respondents above poverty, psychological distress without food insecurity was significantly associated with current smoking (prevalence ratio = 1.44; 95% CI [1.25, 1.65]). For respondents at/below poverty, psychological distress without food insecurity was not significantly associated with current smoking. Further examining how socioeconomic stressors, such as food insecurity, intersect with psychological distress is needed to address continued socioeconomic disparities in cigarette smoking and develop effective population-based interventions.
Concurrent Multi-Directional Beam-Forming Receiving Network for Full-FoV High-Efficiency Wireless Power Transfer

This paper demonstrates an all-passive ultra-compact low-loss array-based beamforming rectenna array for high-efficiency wireless power transfer (WPT). The detailed circuit analysis and theoretical derivation are presented in the paper, showing that the proposed circuit can achieve full field-of-view (FoV) WPT operation with scalable array-based RF-to-DC efficiency improvement. A proof-of-concept 4-element rectenna design example at 2.4GHz is implemented in a 4-layer FR4-Rogers hybrid PCB. The compact transformer-based 4×4 Butler matrix design with at least 100× size reduction as the passive beamformer is implemented in the WPT design for supporting concurrent multi-direction beam reception. At 2.4GHz, measurement for the Butler matrix exhibits an insertion loss of 0.8dB, a return loss better than 10dB (DC-3GHz), and a peak-to-null ratio > 35dB. Then, with the proposed passive beamformer, the measurement results of the proposed WPT network achieves at least full-FoV 2.4× and a peak 3× RF-to-DC efficiency enhancement compared to conventional rectenna array design. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first complete analysis and demonstration of a compact scalable N-element array-based beamforming rectenna array network for full-FoV high-efficiency WPT.
Language predictors of autism spectrum disorder in young children with tuberous sclerosis complex

Abstract Background Epilepsy has previously been implicated in the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the setting of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). However, the role of language in this relationship is unclear, and the specific relationship between ASD, epilepsy, and language development in this population has not been well-studied. Objectives The objectives the study were to identify the role of early language in subsequent development of ASD, evaluate the impact of epilepsy as a covariate on language development, and evaluate the relationship between epilepsy, language development, and development of ASD. Methods This study included 154 children ages 3–36 months with TSC who were enrolled in the TSC Autism Center of Excellence Research Network (TACERN), a multicenter, prospective observational study to identify biomarkers of ASD. Developmental and autism-specific assessments were administered longitudinally. Appropriate variables from the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL), Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, 2nd Edition (VABS-II), and Preschool Language Scales, 5th Edition (PLS-5) were used to assess patients' language skills. At 36 months, clinical best estimate, which was based on clinical assessment and observation, was used to determine a diagnosis of ASD. Results By 12 months, all language variables on the MSEL, PLS-5, and VABS-II significantly predicted an ASD diagnosis at 36 months. Age at seizure onset was associated with language scores in that later seizure onset was associated with improved language scores on the MSEL, VABS-II, and PLS-5. Seizure onset prior to 6 months was associated with a diagnosis of ASD at 36 months. Higher seizure frequency negatively correlated with language scores at 12 months and beyond. Higher seizure frequency was also associated with an ASD diagnosis at 36 months. When looking at the relationship between epilepsy, language, and ASD diagnosis, by 18 months, language scores were more associated with a later ASD diagnosis at 36 months compared with age at seizure onset, which was a better predictor of later ASD diagnosis earlier in development. Conclusion Analysis of language variables and epilepsy characteristics from 6 to 36 months and ASD diagnosis at 36 months revealed significant relationships between all three variables. While the direction of these relationships needs further research, epilepsy, language, and the development of ASD are integrally related in young children with TSC.
Attribute degree centrality and attribute tie strength as criteria of argument quality

Persuasion research involves identifying speaker, message, and receiver factors that influence persuasiveness. Based on Probabilistic Persuasion Theory (PPT), two experiments tested whether attribu...
Detection of Respiratory Syncytial Virus or Rhinovirus Weeks After Hospitalization for Bronchiolitis and the Risk of Recurrent Wheezing.

Background In severe bronchiolitis, it is unclear if delayed clearance or sequential infection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or rhinovirus (RV) is associated with recurrent wheezing. Methods In a 17-center severe bronchiolitis cohort, we tested nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) upon hospitalization and parents collected nasal swabs ~3 weeks later (clearance swab) for respiratory viruses using PCR. The same RSV subtype or RV genotype in both the NPA and clearance swab defined delayed clearance (DC), while a new RSV subtype or RV genotype at clearance defined sequential infection (SI). Recurrent wheezing by age 3 years was defined per national asthma guidelines. Results Among 673 infants with clearance swabs, RSV DC and RV DC were not associated with recurrent wheezing, and RSV SI was rare. The 128 infants with RV SI (19%) had non-significantly higher risk of recurrent wheezing (hazard ratio [HR] 1.31, 95%CI 0.95-1.80, P=0.10) versus infants without RV SI. Among infants with RV at hospitalization, those with RV SI had a higher risk of recurrent wheezing compared to children without RV SI (HR 2.49, 95%CI 1.22-5.06, P=0.01). Conclusions Among infants with severe bronchiolitis, those with RV at hospitalization followed by a new RV infection had the highest risk of recurrent wheezing.
A place to land: spatiotemporal drivers of stopover habitat use by migrating birds.

Migrating birds require en route habitats to rest and refuel. Yet, habitat use has never been integrated with passage to understand the factors that determine where and when birds stopover during spring and autumn migration. Here, we introduce the stopover-to-passage ratio (SPR), the percentage of passage migrants that stop in an area, and use 8 years of data from 12 weather surveillance radars to estimate over 50% SPR during spring and autumn through the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts of the south-eastern US, the most prominent corridor for North America's migratory birds. During stopovers, birds concentrated close to the coast during spring and inland in forested landscapes during autumn, suggesting seasonal differences in habitat function and highlighting the vital role of stopover habitats in sustaining migratory communities. Beyond advancing understanding of migration ecology, SPR will facilitate conservation through identification of sites that are disproportionally selected for stopover by migrating birds.
Top Tens in 2012: Patent, Trademark, Copyright and Trade Secret Cases

This paper discusses notable intellectual property law cases in the United States in 2012. The Supreme Court cut back on the scope of patent subject matter in Prometheus, while according Congress great latitude in extending copyright protection in Golan. Prometheus was one of a number of cases in which the concept of functionality cut across the various areas of intellectual property. Prometheus cut back on patents on innovations that were not sufficiently functional, because they effectively claimed a law of nature. The Federal Circuit, in Myriad Genetics, by contrast, held isolated genes patentable (and the Supreme Court has decided to hear that case). The strongest rationale may be that isolated genes play different functions than their counterpart in nature. CLS Bank International held a computer-implemented invention patentable because its abstractness was not “manifestly evident”: a presumption of functionality that the court soon decided to revisit en banc. Design patents have become more prominent, giving protection to ornamental aspects of functional products.By contrast, in copyright, the copyright in the code that implements the programming language Java was held not to extend to the code’s functional interfaces with other software, such as the Android operating system. Courts also recognize that software can vary in its mix of functionality and creative expression. Video games were compared to dramatic works and received a higher level of protection than more utilitarian software.In trademark, the distinction between functional aspects and symbolic ones arose in litigation involving such diverse stuff as traction hoists, keyword searching, red-soled shoes and orange feeding tubes. Courts also looked at the related issues of what constituted use of a trademark, and what uses are constitutionally protected.Several cases explored the boundaries of trade secret protection. Courts read two federal statutes, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and the National Stolen Property Act, to provide less protection for trade secrets than earlier cases have, possibly setting the issue for Supreme Court review. Nondisclosure agreements were likewise held to provide less protection for claimed trade secrets than some precedent would suggest. The potential information covered by trade secrets, by contrast, was held broad enough to cover information not used by a business and public information that had been compiled and widely distributed. Courts also explored the requirement of use for liability, requiring a substantial showing of use, beyond access.
All the President's Men? The Appointment of Female Cabinet Ministers Worldwide

Women have traditionally been underrepresented among government ministers, and when included in cabinets have largely been relegated to “feminine” and low-prestige policy areas. Recently, however, some countries have witnessed changes in the number, gender, and/or prestige of women’s appointments. What accounts for this variation in women’s access to ministerial power? To answer this question, we posit three competing theoretical explanations: political institutions, social indicators of gender equality, and broader trends in women’s political recruitment. To test these hypotheses, we compile an original dataset of 117 countries and construct a new measure—the Gender Power Score—which differentially weights cabinet positions based on women’s numbers and the gender and prestige of the ministries to which they are assigned. Using a finite mixture model to evaluate competing hypotheses, we find that political variables—rather than social factors—have the strongest impact on gender parity in cabinets.
Mastery learning improves simulated central venous catheter insertion by emergency medicine teaching faculty

Objectives Routine competency assessments of procedure skills, such as central venous catheter (CVC) insertion, do not occur beyond residency training. Evidence suggests variable, suboptimal attending physician procedure skills. Our study aimed to assess CVC insertion skill by academic emergency physicians, determine whether a simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) intervention improves performance and investigate for variables that predict competence. Methods This is a pretest-posttest study that evaluated simulated CVC insertion by emergency medicine (EM) faculty physicians. We assessed 44 volunteer participants at a large academic medical center over a 1-month period using a published 29-item checklist. Our primary outcome was the difference in assessment score before and after a SBML intervention. A secondary analysis evaluated predictors of pretest performance. Results A total of 44 subjects participated. Only four of 44 (9.1%) of subjects met a predefined minimum passing score on pretest. Mean assessment scores increased by 21.5% following the SBML intervention (95% confidence interval [CI] of the difference = 18.1% to 24.8%, p < 0.001). In a regression model, pretest scores increased by 10.8% (95% CI = 2.9 to 18.7%, p = 0.009) if subjects completed postgraduate training within 5 years. Frequency of CVC insertion did not predict performance, but 25 of 44 (56.8%) faculty members had no documented performance or supervision of a CVC insertion within 1 year of assessment. Conclusions SBML is a promising method to assess and improve CVC insertion performance by EM faculty physicians. Recent completion of postgraduate training was a significant predictor of CVC insertion performance. Our results require validation in larger cohorts of EM physicians across other academic institutions.
Toward better meetings: A psychologist's view

Meetings are potentially the best means of communication between managers and the people who report to them. Often, however, meeting time is misused and unproductive. The author suggests that in planning your next meeting you consider group size, check the meeting place before the meeting convenes, and prepare and distribute an agenda. Tips are given on guiding the discussions, handling behavior problems, establishing rules of order, and voting.
Family Caregivers: Caring for Aging End-Stage Renal Disease Partners

With the rapid aging of end-stage renal disease patients have come increasing burdens on families to provide care and support. This article focuses on the role changes, strains, and burdens for family caregivers, particularly spouses. Analysis is on the process of dramatic role changes and losses that occur within families and the resulting risks to dialysis patients and caregivers. Importance of constant assessment of caregivers by renal professionals is emphasized. Suggestions for families and professionals coping with role change and care burdens are offered. Concern is raised about American society shifting more care burdens onto families at a time of cultural change and stress on families, without enough societal support and programs to assist families adequately with care burdens of aging members.
The 12C(α, n)15O and 16O(α, n)19Ne reactions at Eα = 41 MeV

Abstract Spectra and neutron angular distributions have been obtained for the (α, n) reaction on 12 C and 16 O to (a) determine whether with this reaction more detailed spectroscopic information can be extracted than from heavy-ion induced 3 He transfer reactions, and (b) to compare the results obtained for (α, n) with those from the (α, p) reaction on the same target nuclei. The results indicate that the same states are populated in (α, n) as in the heavy-ion induced reactions; and that the (α, n) results agree with expectations based on the (α, p) reaction at E α = 40 MeV. The reactions can be well described as a simple direct transfer of a 3 He-like cluster. The fact that the angular distributions show a J -dependence which is reproduced in the spectroscopic calculations provides a promising spectroscopic tool.
Recurrent invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the ocular surface requiring penetrating therapeutic sclerokeratoplasty

Purpose: We review a case of invasive squamous cell carcinoma invading the cornea to discuss optimal management. Methods: Observational case report with histopathologic analysis. Results: Histopathology demonstrates corneal invasion by the tumor that appears to have been completely excised with a large therapeutic keratoplasty and adjuvant cryotherapy. Conclusions: Successful management of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) requires removal of identifiably abnormal tissue without disruption of normal protective architecture, careful histopathologic analysis, and the employment of adjuvant therapy at the time of or subsequent to surgical excision.
Knowledge extraction from reinforcement learning

This paper deals with knowledge extraction from reinforcement learners. It addresses two approaches towards knowledge extraction: the extraction of explicit, symbolic rules front neural reinforcement learners; and the extraction of complete plans from such learners. The advantages of such knowledge extraction include: the improvement of learning (especially with the rule extraction approach); and the improvement of the usability of results of learning.
Age and Second Language Acquisition and Processing: A Selective Overview

This article provides a selective overview of theoretical issues and empirical findings relating to the question of age and second language acquisition (L2A). Both behavioral and brain-based data are discussed in the contexts of neurocognitive aging and cognitive neurofunction in the mature individual. Moving beyond the classical notion of “deficient” L2 processing and acquisition, we consider the complementary question of learner potential in postadolescent L2A.
Modular forms and a generalized Cardy formula in higher dimensions

We derive a formula which applies to conformal field theories on a spatial torus and gives the asymptotic density of states solely in terms of the vacuum energy on a parallel plate geometry. The formula follows immediately from global scale and Lorentz invariance, but to our knowledge has not previously been made explicit. It can also be understood from the fact that log $Z$ on ${\mathbb{T}}^{2}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{\mathbb{R}}^{d\ensuremath{-}1}$ transforms as the absolute value of a nonholomorphic modular form of weight $d\ensuremath{-}1$, which we show. The results are extended to theories which violate Lorentz invariance and hyperscaling but maintain a scaling symmetry. The formula is checked for the cases of a free scalar, free Maxwell gauge field, and free $\mathcal{N}=4$ super Yang-Mills. The case of a Maxwell gauge field gives Casimir's original calculation of the electromagnetic force between parallel plates in terms of the entropy of a photon gas.
Source Counts in the Chronometric Cosmology

The chronometric cosmology (a static, homogeneous, and hence nonevolving model proposed by Segal) is unable to explain the steep number versus flux law N(S) for quasars or extragalactic radio sources. The explanation given by Segal to explain the steep N(S) laws gives at best a small increase over a Euclidean N(S) proportional to S exp-1.5, and requires that the source spectral index be close to but greater than zero to create the effect. For typical radio spectral indices of roughly 0.75, the chronometric model cannot give a quantitative fit to the excess number of 1-3 Jy sources that the standard cosmology attributes to evolution. Thus the chronometric model can explain a steep N(S) law only for flat spectrum sources, while the observations show the steepest N(S) law for steep spectrum sources. Furthermore, the observed N(S) law for ultraviolet excess quasars is steeper than the steepest possible chronometric prediction.
Isolation and Characterization of the Molybdenum Alkylidyne Complex [(F3C)Me2CO]2Mo(C-t-Bu)-[N(Ar)P=(H)(CMe2Ph)] and Its Conversion to a Phophamolybdacyclobutene

Novel molybdenum alkylidyne [(F3C)Me2CO]2Mo(C-t-Bu)[N(Ar)PC(H)(CMe2Ph)] (Ar = 2,6-(i-Pr)2C6H3; 3b) is formed in the reaction of tert-butylphosphaalkyne 2 with molybdenum alkylidene 1b. Alkylidyne 3...
Animal models of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a very common auto-immune disease that is characterized by thechronic, progressive, symmetrical and erosivedestruction of peripheral joints. Severity of andsusceptibility to RA are influenced by multiplegenetic, reproductive, age and environmental fac-tors. Several experimentally induced rat andmouse models of autoimmune erosive arthritisare currently widely used to evaluate potentialetiopathogenetic mechanisms in RA. They arealso used extensively to evaluate potential newtherapeutic agents
Neuroprotective Effects of the CRF1 Antagonist R121920 After Permanent Focal Ischemia in the Rat

The neuroprotective effects of a systemically active, highly selective, corticotropin-releasing factor-1 (CRF1) receptor antagonist, R121920 ((7-(dipropylamino)-2,5-dimethyl-3- [2-(dimethylamino)-5-pyridyl] pyrazolo [1,5-a] pyrimidine), was assessed in two rat models of permanent focal cerebral ischemia, where the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was occluded either through the subtemporal approach or using the intraluminal suture technique. R121920 rapidly crossed the blood-brain barrier after intravenous (IV) bolus administration (10 mg/kg), with peak brain concentrations at 5 minutes (2.26 +/- 0.40 microg/mL), which were approximately 2-fold greater than those in plasma (0.98 +/- 0.24 microg/mL). Treatment with R121920 (10 mg/kg IV followed by 5 mg/kg subcutaneously at hourly intervals for 4 hours) significantly (P < 0.001) reduced total (by 40%) and cortical (by 37%) infarct volume at 24 hours after subtemporal MCA occlusion (MCAO). In the intraluminal suture MCAO model, IV administration of R121920 (10 mg/kg) at the time of ischemia onset (and at multiple times thereafter) reduced both hemispheric infarct volume (by 34%, P < 0.001) and brain swelling (by 50%, P < 0.001) when assessed at 24 hours. In this model of focal ischemia, significant reduction (P < 0.05) in both outcome measures was obtained when R121920 administration was delayed up to 1 hour after MCAO. These results further define the antiischemic properties of selective CRF 1 antagonists in two experimental models of permanent focal cerebral ischemia.
Rhythm generation by the pre-Bötzinger Complex in medullary slice and island preparations: Effects of adenosine A1 receptor activation

The pre-Botzinger complex (preBotC) is a central pattern generator within the ventrolateral medulla oblongata's ventral respiratory group that is important for the generation of respiratory rhythm. Activation of adenosine A1 receptors (A1R) depresses preBotC rhythmogenesis. Although it remains unclear whether A1R activation is important for organisms in a normal metabolic state, A1R activation is important to the response of the preBotC to metabolic stress, such as hypoxia. This study examined mechanisms linking A1R activation to depression of preBotC rhythmogenesis in medullary slice and island preparations from neonatal mice. Converting medullary slices to islands by cutting away much of the medullary tissue adjacent to the preBotC decreased the amplitude of action potential bursts generated by a population of neurons within the preBotC (recorded with an extracellular electrode, and integrated using a hardware integrator), without noticeably affecting burst frequency. The A1R agonist N6-Cyclopentyladenosine (NCPA) reduced population burst frequency in slices by ca. 33% and in islands by ca. 30%. As in normal (drug-free) artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF), NCPA decreased burst frequency in slices when GABAAergic or GABAAergic and glycinergic transmission were blocked, and in islands when GABAAergic transmission was antagonized. Converting slices to island preparations decreased synaptic input to inspiratory neurons. NCPA further decreased the frequency of synaptic inputs to neurons in island preparations and lowered the input resistance of inspiratory neurons, even when chemical communication between neurons and other cells was impeded. Together these data support the suggestion that depression of preBotC activity by A1R activation involves both decreased neuronal excitability and diminished inter-neuronal communication.
DNA damage in cichlids from an oil production facility in Guatemala

This study focused on several wetlands in Laguna del Tigre National Park (Guatemala) as part of Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program. Sediment and water samples were collected from a laguna near Xan field, Guatemala’s largest oil facility, and three other sites for determination of levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Cichlid fish (Thorichthys meeki and Vieja synspila) were collected for determination of DNA strand breakage (by gel electrophoresis), chromosomal breakage (flow cytometry), and fin erosion. For T. meeki from Xan field, chromosomal breakage and strand breakage was greater than in at least two of the three reference sites. For V. synspila, chromosomal breakage and strand breakage were greater in Xan than one of the two reference sites. Fin erosion was observed only at the Xan laguna. Genetic biomarker effects and fin erosion, along with patterns of aqueous PAH concentrations, indicate that fish are affected by anthropogenic contaminants. PAHs were elevated at some reference sites, but environmental forensic analysis suggested a pyrogenic or diagenic origin. It is possible that oil field brines injected into the ground water caused fin erosion and genotoxicity in fish at Xan field, and it is also possible that pyrogenic PAHs influence levels of DNA damage in reference sites. These analyses represent one of the first efforts to examine genotoxicity in native Mesoamerican cichlids.
Formularies, costs, and quality of care.

I read with interest the debate between Labiner and Drake vs Jones about formulary restrictions, in particular for epilepsy.1,2 While the authors have taken polarized views on the subject for the sake of fostering a lively debate, clearly the answer lies somewhere in between. At its most basic level, a formulary may be defined as a book containing a list of pharmaceutical products with their formulas and means of preparation. One of the main functions served by formularies today is to specify which medicines … Correspondence to: wnjones49{at}cox.net
Significant silicon accumulation by marine picocyanobacteria

Diatoms—unicellular algae that form substantial blooms in cold, nutrient-rich waters—are thought to be responsible for the export of marine silica to depth. An analysis of the elemental composition of marine cyanobacteria suggests that picocyanobacteria also accumulate significant quantities of silicon.
XooML: XML in support of many tools working on a single organization of personal information

XooML takes a step towards addressing a basic tension in the development of supporting tools of Personal Information Management (PIM) and, more generally, in the development of computer-based tools for end users: How to innovate without forcing people to re-organize or re-locate their information? Seven considerations in the design of a XooML schema follow from experiences in the iterative evaluation and development of a Planz prototype. Considerations take aim on a vision of PIM: One integrative structure for the organization of personal information; many tools in support of this structure, its creation and its life-long elaborative use.
Central delay of the laser-activated rat tail-flick reflex

The latency of the heat-activated rat tail-flick (TF) reflex is dependent upon 4 variables, none of which has previously been determined: activation of cutaneous nociceptors (TN); afferent conduction to the dorsal horn (TA); conduction within the central nervous system (CNS) (central delay); and conduction from the ventral horn (VH) to, and activation of, tail muscles (TE). Using a CO2 infrared laser (10 W, 45 msec) to produce synchronous activation of tail-skin nociceptors, TF latency (EMG response) was measured in 10 awake rats. Based on shifts in response latency from points of stimulation near the tip and base of the tail, conduction velocity in the afferent limb of the reflex was estimated to be 0.76 +/- 0.11 m/sec. This indicates that the response is mediated by C fibers. The rats were then anesthetized with pentobarbital and multiple-unit activity and evoked potentials (EPs) were recorded from the superficial dorsal horn at spinal segments S3-CO1 during laser or high-intensity electrical (10 mA, 1 msec) stimulation of the tail. Unit activity and EPs elicited by both stimuli consisted of two distinct components, corresponding to activation of A and C fibers. The difference in latency between laser and electrical evoked activity indicated that 60.00 +/- 7.33 msec was required for activation of nociceptors by the laser. Electrical stimulation of the VH at S3-CO1 in 3 rats produced a TF (EMG) response in 4 msec. Central delay, calculated as total TF time minus (TN+TA+TE), was 82.3 +/- 13.08 msec. This represents the time frame during which modulation of the reflex by an intrinsic, pain-activated, supraspinal system could occur.
The risk of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer in users of hormonal preparations

Because endogenous hormones play a major role in the risk of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer, the impact on risk of oral contraceptives and of hormonal therapy given at about the time of menopause has been a major concern. Numerous studies provide insight into whether risk is increased or decreased in association with use of these preparations. Oral contraceptives present a chemopreventive opportunity for endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer as risk is dramatically lower among women who have used these preparations than among those who have not. Balanced against this is the potential for risk of breast cancer to be increased with oral contraceptive use. A pooled analysis of studies conducted through the early 1990s found that only current or recent users were at higher risk of breast cancer, but two more recent studies provide conflicting results with one showing no impact of oral contraceptives on risk of any group of women and the other showing an increase in risk with use. Among women participating in observational studies who are current or recent users of oestrogen therapy and who have relatively long durations of use, risk of breast cancer is modestly elevated; results from the Women's Health Initiative trial, based on a relatively short duration of oestrogen use are consistent with these observations. Oestrogen therapy increases endometrial cancer risk dramatically. It may also increase the risk of ovarian cancer; however more study of this issue is needed as the literature is inconsistent. Combined oestrogen and progestin therapy increases breast cancer risk by as much as 10% per year of use. Endometrial cancer risk is not elevated when combined therapy is given in a cyclic manner with progestin administered only part of the time and it is reduced when both oestrogen and progestin are administered on a daily basis. As with oestrogen therapy, the impact of combined therapy on ovarian cancer risk is uncertain.
Effects of maternal attention-directing strategies on preterm infants' affective expressions during joint toy play

Abstract Six-month-old, high-risk (HR) preterm (n = 33), low risk (LR) preterm (n = 40), and full-term (FT) (n = 44) infants were observed during a 5-min joint attention play situation with their mothers. The frequency with which the infants displayed smiles, high interest, low interest, and distress was recorded as well as the frequency of specific types of attention-directing strategies used by their mothers. Results indicated that the HR infants displayed fewer smiles than the other two infant groups. Differential relations were also found among the maternal attention- directing strategies and the affect measures for each of the three infant groups. In general, the frequency with which mothers attempted to maintain their infants' interest in a toy was positively associated with increased displays of positive affect for the two preterm groups. Mothers' use of strategies that introduced their infants' attention to toys was associated with low-interest displays for the HR group. For the FT infants, low interest was predicted by mothers' use of strategies that attempted to redirect their attention from one toy to another.
Cystinuria and Dermatomyositis

A girl is described who had both cystinuria and dermatomyositis. This associa tion, not previously recorded, may or may not be pathogenetically related.
Boson-Fermion equivalence in a two-dimensional anomalous chiral model

Abstract A current algebraic approach is taken to realise the two-dimensional chiral model having anomaly analogous to that of Wess and Zumino. The conserved currents are shown to be a combination of bosonic and fermionic ones. The equations of motion of the fermions are realised through its commutation algebra with the Sugawara-like energy-momentum tensor. Quantisation of the anomaly parameter is shown to be a consequence of consistent statistics.
Historiography in the twentieth century

Geschichtswissenschaft im Zeitaltr der Extreme: Theorien; Methoden; Tendenzen von 1900 bis zur Gegenwart. By Lutz Raphel.
Isolating and localizing ATP-sensitive tryptophan emission in skeletal myosin subfragment 1.

The fluorescence intensity difference between rabbit skeletal myosin subfragment 1 (S1) and nucleotide-bound or trapped S1 isolates ATP-sensitive tryptophans (ASTs) emission from the total tryptoph...
Photorefractive crystals: barium titanate

Barium titanate is one of the photorefractive crystals. It has extremely large electro-optic coefficients (r42 equals r51 equals 1640 pm/v) which give rise to an efficient photorefractive effect. It has wide applications in volume hologram storage for high capacity optical memories, real-time information processing, real-time holography and interferometry, coherent light amplification, integrated optics, and laser applications. The growth from two different TiO2 sources and fabrication in oxygen partial pressure between 1 and 10-17 atm for commercial BaTiO3 crystals are discussed. The optical constants of barium titanate crystals from the UV to the far infrared were compiled from various literatures, and the results are presented. Single domain barium titanate crystals exhibit unusual scattering and fanning phenomena. Some models which contribute to this effect are described, and an analysis related to the experimental observations is presented. The changes in response (writing) time, decay (storage) time, and diffraction efficiency of barium titanate crystals as a function of temperature ranging from room temperature to about 100 degree(s)C were measured by non-degenerate four-wave mixing and self-pumped phase conjugate experiments. These results also are discussed.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Sugammadex: Another Milestone in Clinical Neuromuscular Pharmacology

Sugammadex is a revolutionary investigational reversal drug currently undergoing Phase III testing whose introduction into clinical practice may change the face of clinical neuromuscular pharmacology. A modified -cyclodextrin, sugammadex exerts its effect by forming very tight water-soluble complexes at a 1:1 ratio with steroidal neuromuscular blocking drugs (rocuronium vecuronium pancuronium). During rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade, the IV administration of sugammadex creates a concentration gradient favoring the movement of rocuronium molecules from the neuromuscular junction back into the plasma, which results in a fast recovery of neuromuscular function. Sugammadex is biologically inactive, does not bind to plasma proteins, and appears to be safe and well tolerated. Additionally, it has no effect on acetylcholinesterase or any receptor system in the body. The compound’s efficacy as an antagonist does not appear to rely on renal excretion of the cyclodextrin-relaxant complex. Human and animal studies have demonstrated that sugammadex can reverse very deep neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium without muscle weakness. Its future clinical use should decrease the incidence of postoperative muscle weakness, and thus contribute to increased patient safety. Sugammadex will also facilitate the use of rocuronium for rapid sequence induction of anesthesia by providing a faster onset-offset profile than that seen with 1.0 mg/kg succinylcholine. Furthermore, no additional anticholinesterase or anticholinergic drugs would be needed for antagonism of residual neuromuscular blockade, which would mean the end of the cardiovascular and other side effects of these compounds. The clinical use of sugammadex promises to eliminate many of the shortcomings in our current practice with regard to the antagonism of rocuronium and possibly other steroidal neuromuscular blockers. (Anesth Analg 2007;104:575‐81)
Pregnancy and delivery before and after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for inflammatory bowel disease: immediate and long-term consequences and outcomes

This study was designed to evaluate pregnancy, delivery, and functional outcome in females before and after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for chronic ulcerative colitis. From a prospective database of 1,454 patients who underwent ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for chronic ulcerative colitis between 1981 and 1995, a standardized questionnaire was sent to all female patients aged 40 years or younger at the time of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (n = 544). The response rate was 83 percent (450/544) with a mean follow-up after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis of 13 years. A total of 141 females were pregnant after the chronic ulcerative colitis diagnosis, but before ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (236 pregnancies; mean, 1.7) and 87 percent delivered vaginally. A mean of five (range, 1–16) years after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, 135 females were pregnant (232 pregnancies; mean, 1.7). Comparison of pregnancy and delivery before and after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in the same females (n = 37) showed no difference in birth weight, duration of labor, pregnancy/delivery complications, vaginal delivery rates (59 percent before vs. 54 percent after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis), and unplanned cesarean section (19 vs.14 percent). Planned cesareans occurred only after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and were prompted by obstetrical concerns in only one of eight. Pouch function at first follow-up after delivery (mean, 7 months) was similar to pregravida function. After ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, daytime stool frequency was the same after delivery as pregravida (5.4 vs. 5.4, not significant) but was increased at the time of last follow-up (68 months after delivery; 5.4 vs. 6.4; P < 0.001). The rate of occasional fecal incontinence also was higher (20 percent after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and 21 percent pregravida vs. 36 percent at last follow-up; P = 0.01). No difference in functional outcome was noted compared with females who were never pregnant after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (n = 307). Age and becoming pregnant did not affect the probability of pouch-related complications, such as stricture, pouchitis, and obstruction. Successful pregnancy and vaginal delivery occur routinely in females with chronic ulcerative colitis before and after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. The method of delivery should be dictated by obstetrical considerations. Pouch function and the incidence of complications in females with pregnancies seem largely unaffected long-term.
Heat transfer enhancement in a ribbed duct using vortex generators

Local and average Nusselt number and overall pressure drop results were obtained experimentally for an air flow (Re ≈ 3450) in a ribbed duct with vortex generators (circular rods) placed immediately above or just downstream of select rib elements. The larger diameter generators (dh = 1.0) for the two dimensionless rib pitches studied (Ph = 38.4 and 19.2) resulted in average Nusselt number, Nu, increases as large as 21 and 12%, respectively, and entropy generation per unit heated length, S', decreases as large as 27 and 9%, respectively. The smaller diameter generators (dh = 0.50) generally had no effect on either Nu or S'.
The relationship between perceived secondary trauma and adolescent comorbid posttraumatic stress and alcohol abuse: a review

The purpose of this review is to conceptualize the association between youth exposure to family member perceived trauma response and comorbid posttraumatic stress and substance abuse. An understanding of the effects of such exposure is vital to prevention and treatment efforts concerning child and adolescent mental health.
Sustainability in Hospitality Education: The Industry's Perspective and Implications for Curriculum

We examined hospitality industry managers' perspectives on sustainability in education based on in-depth interviews with 11 managers in Northern California. We found general agreement that sustainability should be incorporated into the hospitality curriculum because it has become a new standard in the hospitality industry. The interviewees also agreed that students should learn about sustainability in a comprehensive way rather than focusing only on 1 dimension (i.e., protecting the environment) so that they can operationalize the concept in any given situation. Meanwhile, each manager's definition of sustainability varied, despite some commonalities. Our findings imply that the hospitality curriculum should be updated and more progressive to help students harness conceptual and practical competencies about sustainability.