cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transmission of Chlamydia pneumoniae in Young Children in a Japanese Family

Chlamydia pneumoniae strain TWAR was isolated from the respiratory tract of a 5-year-old girl suffering from pneumonia. The IgM and IgG antibody titers to TWAR were 1:32 and 1:128, respectively. Cultures and serology for other common bacterial and viral respiratory pathogens were negative. Although she was treated with 35 mg/kg/day rokitamycin, TWAR was repeatedly isolated after treatment. Her 3-year-old sister developed acute bronchitis, and TWAR was isolated from her nasopharynx. She was treated with 43 mg/kg/day erythromycin with prompt improvement, and TWAR was not isolated after treatment. Although her mother, grandmother, and 8-month-old sister suffered from respiratory illness during these periods, TWAR was not isolated from them. The repeated isolations from the index patient suggest that infection was transmitted from sister to sister. This case represents the first reported isolation of TWAR from young children in the same household and the first from Japan.
Effects of excitatory modulation on intrinsic properties of turtle motoneurons.

The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of excitatory modulation on the intrinsic properties of motoneurons (MNs) in slices of spinal cord taken from the adult turtle. Responses were ...
Evaluating performance of metagenomic characterization algorithms using in silico datasets generated with FASTQSim

Background In silico bacterial, viral, and human truth datasets were generated to evaluate available metagenomics algorithms. Sequenced datasets include background organisms, creating ambiguity in the true source organism for each read. Bacterial and viral datasets were created with even and staggered coverage to evaluate organism identification, read mapping, and gene identification capabilities of available algorithms. These truth datasets are provided as a resource for the development and refinement of metagenomic algorithms. Algorithm performance on these truth datasets can inform decision makers on strengths and weaknesses of available algorithms and how the results may be best leveraged for bacterial and viral organism identification and characterization. Source organisms were selected to mirror communities described in the Human Microbiome Project as well as the emerging pathogens listed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The six in silico datasets were used to evaluate the performance of six leading metagenomics algorithms: MetaScope, Kraken, LMAT, MetaPhlAn, MetaCV, and MetaPhyler. Results Algorithms were evaluated on runtime, true positive organisms identified to the genus and species levels, false positive organisms identified to genus and species level, read mapping, relative abundance estimation, and gene calling. No algorithm out performed the others in all categories, and the algorithm or algorithms of choice strongly depends on analysis goals. MetaPhlAn excels for bacteria and LMAT for viruses. The algorithms were ranked by overall performance using a normalized weighted sum of the above metrics, and MetaScope emerged as the overall winner, followed by Kraken and LMAT. Conclusions Simulated FASTQ datasets with well-characterized truth data about microbial community composition reveal numerous insights about the relative strengths and weaknesses of the metagenomics algorithms evaluated. The simulated datasets are available to download from the Sequence Read Archive (SRP062063).
CFD Validation of Gas Injection Into Stagnant Water

Investigations in the area of two-phase flow at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s (ORNL) Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) facility are progressing. It is expected that the target vessel lifetime could be extended by introducing gas into the liquid mercury target. As part of an effort to validate the two-phase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, simulations and experiments of gas injection in stagnant water have been completed. The volume of fluid (VOF) method as implemented in ANSYS-CFX was used to simulate the unsteady two-phase flow of gas injection into stagnant water. Flow visualization data were obtained with a high-speed camera for the comparison of predicted and measured bubble sizes and shapes at various stages of the bubble growth, detachment, and gravitational rise. The CFD model is validated with these experimental measurements at different gas flow rates. The acoustic waves emitted at the time of detachment and during subsequent oscillations of the bubble were recorded with a microphone. The acoustic signature aspect of this validation is particularly interesting since it has applicability to the injection of gas into liquid mercury, which is opaque.© 2007 ASME
Generalized similarity, renormalization groups, and nonlinear clocks for multiscaling.

Fixed points of the renormalization group operator ${R}_{p,r}X(t)\ensuremath{\equiv}X(rt)/{r}^{p}$ are said to be $p$-self-similar. Here $X(t)$ is an arbitrary stochastic process. The concept of a $p$-self-similar process is generalized via the renormalization group operator ${\mathcal{R}}_{F,G}X(t)=F[X(G(t))]$, where $F$ and $G$ are bijections on $(\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\infty},\ensuremath{\infty})$ and $[0,\ensuremath{\infty})$, respectively. If $X(t)$ is a fixed point of ${\mathcal{R}}_{F,G}$, then $X(t)$ is said to be $(F,G)$-self-similar. We say $Y(t)$ is $(F,G)$-$X(t)$-similar if ${\mathcal{R}}_{F,G}X(t)=Y(t)$ in distribution. Exit time distributions and finite-size Lyapunov exponents were obtained for these latter processes. A power law multiscaling process is defined with a multipower-law clock. This process is employed to statistically represent diffusion in a nanopore, a monolayer fluid confined between atomically structured surfaces. The tools presented provide a straightforward method to statistically represent any multiscaling process in time.
Reality and Literature in Latin America

(1981). Reality and literature in Latin America. Index on Censorship: Vol. 10, 10th Year, pp. 89-91.
N. dibutyl Succinate as a Solvent for Parenteral Injection

Recently we have had occasion to test the toxicity of some water insoluble drugs. Lipschitz et al.1 after extensive studies with various organic esters stated that N. dibutyl succinate showed a minimal toxicity when injected intramuscularly into rats and believed the agent suitable as a solvent for parenteral injections. This agent was selected for the solvent of our drug and was injected intra peritoneally into rats.∗ Using constant amounts of the solvent with varying amounts of the drug to be tested, it was observed that all the rats behaved in a very peculiar manner, regardless of drug dosage. The solvent alone was tried by intraperitoneal injection and it was found that the solvent accounted for all the reactions observed.A series of 20 albino rats weighing from 200 to 250 g were injected with the N. dibutyl succinate in graded amounts from 0.5 cc to 10 cc per kg intraperitoneally. The first effect observed was a tendency to gnaw the hind toes, then the rats assumed a somewhat flat crawling position, ...
Periodic expression of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA replication genes during the trypanosomatid cell cycle

In trypanosomatids, DNA replication in the nucleus and in the single mitochondrion (or kinetoplast) initiates nearly simultaneously, suggesting that the DNA synthesis (S) phases of the nucleus and the mitochondrion are coordinately regulated. To investigate the basis for the temporal link between nuclear and mitochondrial DNA synthesis phases the expression of the genes encoding DNA ligase I, the 51 and 28 kDa subunits of replication protein A, dihydrofolate reductase and the mitochondrial type II topoisomerase were analyzed during the cell cycle progression of synchronous cultures of Crithidia fasciculata. These DNA replication genes were all expressed periodically, with peak mRNA levels occurring just prior to or at the peak of DNA synthesis in the synchronized cultures. A plasmid clone (pdN-1) in which TOP2, the gene encoding the mitochondrial topoisomerase, was disrupted by the insertion of a NEO drug-resistance cassette was found to express both a truncated TOP2 mRNA and a truncated topoisomerase polypeptide. The truncated mRNA was also expressed periodically coordinate with the expression of the endogenous TOP2 mRNA indicating that cis elements necessary for periodic expression are contained within cloned sequences. The expression of both TOP2 and nuclear DNA replication genes at the G1/S boundary suggests that regulated expression of these genes may play a role in coordinating nuclear and mitochondrial S phases in trypanosomatids.
ANALYSIS OF TUBING LEAKAGE OF A RE-HEATER FOR POWER PLANT

Tubing leakage occurred of a re-heater at Fushun power plant,the relevant case analysis results showed that the leakage was induced by corrosion of the solved oxygen in the water under scale on the tube surface,which then resulted in thinning of the tubing wall and finally in perforation of the tubes.In the meanwhile several measures for preventing the corrosion were proposed.
Feasibility Analysis of Metalized Membrane Method Applied to Monitor Corona Loss of Transmission Lines

The metalized membrane method,in which transmission line was coated by metalized membrane where the insulated layer was next to transmission line and mental layer was outwards,was applied to monitor the corona losses on AC/DC transmission lines online.The sampling resistance between transmission line and membrane could convert leakage current to voltage signal which would be sent to a computer by wireless telecommunications way or optical fiber transmission way.The voltage of transmission line would also be sent to a computer after converting by PT or voltage divider.The leakage current,corona loss,and other data could be calculated by a prepared program on the computer.The measurement results of the leakage current of the metalized membrane and the leakage current on the sampling resistance at the beginning of the transmission were compared,and the related coefficient,time delay and unit length leakage current were analyzed.Results prove that this new method is feasible to measure corona losses,and easy to realize monitoring online.This method can be practically applied to not only on-load and no-load lines,but also AC and DC transmission lines.
Prevalence of dog walking and sociodemographic characteristics of dog walkers in the U. S.: an update from 2001.

Objectives To describe and estimate the prevalence of dog walking using a nationwide sample. Methods 2009 National Household Travel Survey data (N = 5100) were analyzed for: duration of dog walks, number of dog walks/day, total dog walking minutes/day. Results In a one-day period, 67% of dog walkers took at least one walk ≥ 10 minutes, 20% walked a dog for at least 30 minutes, and 28% took more than one dog walk. Older participants and participants with children were more likely to accumulate ≥ 30 minutes of dog walking in a one-day period. Conclusions A majority of dog walks occurred in bouts ≥ 10 minutes, suggesting dog walking is a legitimate form of health-enhancing physical activity which contributes to meeting physical activity guidelines.
Neutron powder diffraction study of hydrogarnet to 9.0 GPa

The crystal structure of synthetic, deuterated katoite [Ca3A12(0.D.)3] has been refined at 0.0001,0.78,3.6,6.1,7.9, and 9.0 GPa using the opposed-anvil Paris-Edinburgh cell and the POLARIS powder diffractometer at the U.K. pulsed spallation source, ISIS. A constrained Birch-Murnaghan fit to the unit-cell volume yields ~ = 52(1) GPa for K~= 4.0. The lower bulk modulus of katoite relative to anhydrous Ca-bearing garnets (Ko = 159-179 GPa) is due to the greater compressibility of the Ca dodecahedron and O.D. tetrahedron. At high pressure, comer-sharing tetrahedra and octahedra undergo a rigidbody rotation, which causes a shift in the a position. This rotation, coupled with the large compression of the two tetrahedral edges shared with the dodecahedron, changes the relative lengths of the Ca-O bonds at high pressure, such that Ca2-0 6 GPa. With increasing pressure, the O-D...O angles widen slightly, as the O-D vector rotates toward the tetrahedral face. Both O-D and O...D bond lengths decrease as a function of pressure, which was unexpected in view of the results of recent high-pressure studies. Comparison of crystallographic and spectroscopic data collected at high pressure for hydrogarnets suggests that empirical relationships derived for hydrogen-bond systems at ambient conditions, where a relaxed, equilibrium state is attained, may not always apply to O-D...O hydrogen bonds under compression.
Phospholipid methylation and receptor-mediated transmission of biological signals through membranes

Phospholipids are a major constituent of cell membranes, where they are arranged in a bilayer. The lipid bilayer provides a fluid matrix in which receptor proteins are present on the outer surface of the membranes. These receptors bind to specific ligands to initiate a series of biochemical changes within the membrane which finally lead to the characteristic response of the cell. Recent work in our laboratory has shown that the methylation of phospholipids are important events in the receptor-mediated transmission of signals through membranes.
A 72 × 60 Angle-Sensitive SPAD Imaging Array for Lens-Less FLIM

We present a 72 × 60, angle-sensitive single photon avalanche diode (A-SPAD) array for lens-less 3D fluorescence lifetime imaging. An A-SPAD pixel consists of (1) a SPAD to provide precise photon arrival time where a time-resolved operation is utilized to avoid stimulus-induced saturation, and (2) integrated diffraction gratings on top of the SPAD to extract incident angles of the incoming light. The combination enables mapping of fluorescent sources with different lifetimes in 3D space down to micrometer scale. Futhermore, the chip presented herein integrates pixel-level counters to reduce output data-rate and to enable a precise timing control. The array is implemented in standard 180 nm complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology and characterized without any post-processing.
Relationships between green anoles ( Anolis carolinensis ) and shrub-level vegetation in fire-maintained longleaf pine ( Pinus palustris ) forests of eastern Texas.

Abstract We examined habitat use by Anolis carolinensis (Green Anole) at perch heights ≤5 m, particularly in relation to woody shrub-level vegetation, in fire-maintained Pinus palustris (Longleaf Pine) forest stands on the Angelina National Forest in eastern Texas. We surveyed Green Anoles in 2 stands, within 20 established plots per stand with varying shrub densities, during June (breeding season) and August (post-breeding season) for 3 years. An unforeseen prescribed fire in 1 stand provided an opportunity to examine the effects of fire on anoles and their habitat. Only adults were found during June. Adult detections decreased substantially, and juveniles predominated during August. The number of Green Anole detections was positively correlated with the number and volume (m3) of shrub-level plants. Also, anoles selected shrub-level plants with greater than average width, height, and volume. Larger shrubs provide more display perches and escape routes as well as greater protective cover from predators, a...
Surface barrier particle detectors

Abstract Techniques are outlined for the fabrication of surface barrier charged particle detectors. It has been found that the best results are obtained when the gold evaporation is carried out in wet oxygen at pressures of the order to 5×10 −3 torr. Detectors fabricated using these techniques have been shown to survive long exposure to a high vacuum environment.
Proinflammatory cytokines and glial cells: Their role in neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain, or chronic pain due to nerve injury, is a prevalent condition for which currently there is no effective treatment. These neuropathic pain syndromes include deafferentation pain, diabetic, cancer and ischemic neuropathies, phantom limb pain, trigeminal neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgias and nerve injury caused by surgery or trauma [1]. Neuropathic pain is not only chronic and intractable, it is debilitating and causes extreme physical, psychological and social distress. In an effort to provide even temporary relief, narcotics (opioids) are often used inappropriately and in excess. Even if opioids provide some initial relief, tolerance and physical dependence are major limitations to their continued use. Clearly, development of non-opioid and non-addictive treatments for neuropathic pain would offer tremendous benefit to chronic pain patients. Our laboratory has focused on understanding mechanisms that lead to neuropathic pain. This knowledge may then translate into development of new, effective approaches for treatment and even prevention of chronic pain syndromes.
Abstract 1534: The significance of a p53 gain-of-function mutation in the acquisition of metastatic traits in the SW13 cell line

The therapeutic potential of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), shown to epigenetically regulate a variety of genes, has yet to be fully realized due to their documented pleiotropic effects in vivo. Currently, four HDACi are FDA-approved for the treatment of hematological malignancies, but their effectiveness against other types of cancers have been shown to be limited at best and, as a result, most of these clinical trials have failed. A comprehensive review of the recent literature has identified that approximately 50% of all cell lines treated with an HDACi demonstrate an increase in metastatic potential as measured by increases in migration and invasion. Of these cell lines that respond with increased metastatic potential to HDACi treatment, 60% have a gain-of-function mutation within p53 (p=0.03). As HDACi have been shown to destabilize mutant p53, they have been used in studies to examine the effects of HDACi treatment on cancers with an identified p53 mutation. This is concerning as the specific p53 mutation in these cancers is not always known, and thus treatment could potentially result in an increase in cancer cell growth. Previous work in our lab demonstrates that the human SW13 adrenal adenocarcinoma cell line, which harbors a homozygous H193Y gain-of-function mutation, does have an HDACi-induced metastatic phenotype; treated cells demonstrate significant increases in MMP activity and ~50% reduction in p53 protein expression compared to untreated cells. To investigate the role that a decrease in mutant p53 expression plays in the acquisition of metastatic characteristics we utilized stable shRNA plasmids to knock-down p53 expression in the SW13 cell line. HeLa cells, which possess a wild-type p53 gene, were used as a positive control. We found that a decrease in p53 expression alone was not sufficient to induce changes in SW13 growth or invasiveness. In fact, even though p53 expression was knocked down by ~70% in the shRNA lines, HDAC inhibition still induced the acquisition of metastatic properties in these cells. Intriguingly, while the DNA binding activity of mutant p53 was correlated with protein expression and was significantly decreased following HDAC inhibition, the same response was not observed in HeLa cells. These findings suggest that p53 status may be an important determinant of therapeutic response to HDAC inhibition. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: McKale Montgomery, Elizabeth Hull. The significance of a p53 gain-of-function mutation in the acquisition of metastatic traits in the SW13 cell line [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1534. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1534
Surveillance Law Through Cyberlaw's Lens

The continuing controversy over the surveillance-related provisions of the USA Patriot Act highlights the depth of Americans' concern about internet privacy. Although calls to limit the government's surveillance powers strike a chord with the public, the legal framework governing surveillance activities is highly technical and poorly understood. The Patriot Act's sunset date provides Congress with an opportunity to revisit that framework. This Article seeks to contribute to the debate over the appropriate scope of internet surveillance in two ways. First, the Article explores the intricacies of the constitutional and statutory frameworks governing electronic surveillance, and particularly surveillance to acquire electronic evidence. Such an exploration should not only clarify many of the poorly understood aspects of the surveillance framework, but also provide guidance on how surveillance law reforms should proceed. Second, this Article takes initial steps toward reconceptualizing internet surveillance law. Surveillance law is viewed as a narrow and specialized field at the outer boundaries of the domain of criminal procedure. Just as electronic surveillance generally is not a central focus of criminal procedure courses, internet surveillance law is rarely given significant treatment within internet law or "cyberlaw" courses. At most, such courses tend to focus on the significant cases illuminating the relationship between the Fourth Amendment's protection against warrantless searches and technological developments that enhance the government's surveillance powers. Within the growing body of internet law scholarship, too, surveillance issues take a back seat to copyright, trademark, and free speech matters. The marginalization of internet surveillance law is unfortunate in two respects: first, surveillance law issues can provide a rich illustration of some of the major themes that emerge in internet law scholarship; and second, internet law scholarship can illuminate and provide an organizing normative structure to some of the policy dilemmas Congress faces in updating surveillance law.
BackDoor: Sounds that a microphone can record, but that humans can't hear

Microphones are like human ears. If we play an audible sound, both humans and microphones will be able to hear it. We design sound that appears just as any other sound to microphones, but remains inaudible to humans. This sound can be regulated to carry data bits, thereby enabling an acoustic (but inaudible) communication channel to hundreds of smart devices that already have built-in microphones. Other applications include jamming spy microphones in the environment, live watermarking of music in a concert, and even threats like acoustic denial-of-service (DoS) attacks on phone calls or inaudible command attacks on voice-enabled devices.
How Do We Talk Ourselves Into These Things

Biometric authentication offers promise for mobile security, but its adoption can be controversial, both from a usability and security perspective. We describe a preliminary study, comparing recollections of biometric adoption by computer security experts and non-experts collected in semi-structured interviews. Initial decisions and thought processes around biometric adoption were recalled, as well as changes in those views over time. These findings should serve to better inform security education across differing levels of technical experience. Preliminary findings indicate that both user groups were influenced by similar sources of information; however, expert users differed in having more professional requirements affecting choices (e.g., BYOD). Furthermore, experts often added biometric authentication methods opportunistically during device updates, despite describing higher security concern and caution. Non-experts struggled with the setting up fingerprint biometrics, leading to poor adoption. Further interviews are still being conducted.
Role of Neuronavigation for Training and Improvement of Accuracy During Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (P6.262)

Objective: Understanding the role of neuronavigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) in improving the accuracy of TMS. Background: To improve the accuracy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a highly precise three dimensional mapping of spatial positions of the patient and the stimulating coil using frame-less stereotactic tracking, is now a popular tool. The technology uses an infra-red camera to achieve precise localization of the TMS procedures. We wanted to quantify the degree of improvement nTMS can produce even for an untrained TMS operator. Methods: All TMS recordings were performed in a simulated environment, using a three dimensional model of head with image reconstruction the MNI coordinate system. Magventure Magpro X100 with a figure of eight coil (MC-B70) was used as the TMS device for the procedure. Frame-less three dimensional stereo-tactic navigation was performed using Localite GmbH, neuro-navigation device. The recordings were performed under three categories: 1) trained operator performing the stimulation under neuro-navigation, 2) untrained operator performing the procedure without the assistance of neuronavigation, 3) untrained operator performing the same procedure under neuronavigation. Results: A total of 98 stimulation data points were collected in each arm. The average change from the target instrument marker were as follows: 1) For trained operator : positional vector displacement along x=0.95[percnt] (SD=0.67[percnt]), y=49.94[percnt] (SD=0.65[percnt]), z=1.5[percnt] (SD=1[percnt]) of a mm, 2) For an untrained operator using neuro-navigation: x=6.82[percnt] (SD=2.31[percnt]), y=54.04[percnt] (SD=3[percnt]), z=3.36[percnt] (SD=3.70[percnt]) of a mm. 3) Without the assistance of neuro-navigation: x=8.58[percnt] (SD=2.29[percnt]), y=55.89[percnt] (SD=3.21[percnt]), z=5.50[percnt] (SD=2.22[percnt]). There was a statistically significant improvement in accuracy for the untrained operator while performing TMS under neuro-navigation (p<0.001). Conclusions: Under nTMS, the degree of error during positioning of the stimulating coil can be minimized significantly. This advantage is demonstrable even for an untrained operator performing under nTMS. Disclosure: Dr. Remanan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Panchal has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lange has received personal compensation for activities with Genzyme as a consultant.
Reversible Triplet Excitation Transfer in a Trimethylene-Linked Thioxanthone and Benzothiophene-2-Carboxanilide that Photochemically Expels Leaving Group Anions.

The triplet excited state of thioxanthone produced by photolysis undergoes reversible triplet energy transfer with a trimethylene-linked benzothiophene-2-carboxanilide ring system. The ensuing electrocyclic ring closure of the anilide moiety produces a putative zwitterionic intermediate that is capable of expelling leaving groups (LG–) from the C-3 position of the benzothiophene ring. Stern–Volmer quenching studies with cyclohexadiene as quencher furnish the rate constants for the triplet excitation transfer in the forward and reverse directions, which can be expressed as an equilibrium constant K = 0.058. Overall, the rate of the triplet excited state reaction becomes K × kr = 5.7 × 104 s–1 for LG– = Cl–, where kr is the triplet decay rate of the C-3 chloro-substituted benzothiophene-2-carboxanilide, found through Stern–Volmer quenching. The high quantum efficiencies found for the trimethylene-linked systems are due to K × kr being competitive with the triplet excited state decay of the thioxanthone of k...
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Compendium of Recent Single Event Effects Results

We present the results of single event effects (SEE) testing and analysis investigating the effects of radiation on electronics. This paper is a summary of test results.
Smartphone and self-extension: Functionally, anthropomorphically, and ontologically extending self via the smartphone:

This paper focuses on the blurring boundary between the “human self” and the smartphone, using interviews with 60 heavy smartphone users. The interview responses reveal three types of self-extensio...
The Supreme Court: An Analytic History of Constitutional Decision Making

This book presents a quantitative history of constitutional law in the United States and brings together humanistic and social-scientific approaches to studying law. Using theoretical models of adjudication, Tom S. Clark presents a statistical model of law and uses the model to document the historical development of constitutional law. Using sophisticated statistical methods and historical analysis of court decisions, the author documents how social and political forces shape the path of law. Spanning the history of constitutional law since Reconstruction, this book illustrates the way in which the law evolves with American life and argues that a social-scientific approach to the history of law illuminates connections across disparate areas of the law, connected by the social context in which the Constitution has been interpreted.
“The effect of tDCS on functional connectivity in primary progressive aphasia” NeuroImage: Clinical, volume 19 (2018), pages 703–715

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is an innovative technique recently shown to improve language outcomes even in neurodegenerative conditions such as primary progressive aphasia (PPA), but the underlying brain mechanisms are not known. The present study tested whether the additional language gains with repetitive tDCS (over sham) in PPA are caused by changes in functional connectivity between the stimulated area (the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG)) and the rest of the language network. We scanned 24 PPA participants (11 female) before and after language intervention (written naming/spelling) with a resting-state fMRI sequence and compared changes before and after three weeks of tDCS or sham coupled with language therapy. We correlated changes in the language network as well as in the default mode network (DMN) with language therapy outcome measures (letter accuracy in written naming). Significant tDCS effects in functional connectivity were observed between the stimulated area and other language network areas and between the language network and the DMN. TDCS over the left IFG lowered the connectivity between the above pairs. Changes in functional connectivity correlated with improvement in language scores (letter accuracy as a proxy for written naming) evaluated before and after therapy. These results suggest that one mechanism for anodal tDCS over the left IFG in PPA is a decrease in functional connectivity (compared to sham) between the stimulated site and other posterior areas of the language network. These results are in line with similar decreases in connectivity observed after tDCS over the left IFG in aging and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Multiservice Interconnection Networks

Up to this point we have ignored connection performance across the switches, focusing instead on connection blocking owing to the finite transmission resources. In this chapter we take a closer look at the connection performance of ATM switches.
All people are created equal? Racial discrimination and its impact on hospitality career satisfaction

Abstract Drawing on self-determination theory, this paper investigated the level of racial discrimination in the hospitality industry and examined its effects on hospitality career satisfaction. Based on a sample of 179 hospitality students who were working in the industry, the study showed that racial discrimination is prevalent in the hospitality industry such that people of color suffer from a higher level of discrimination than Whites people. However, there is no difference in racial discrimination among racial/ethnic minority groups. Structural equation modeling results also showed that a high level of racial discrimination results in a lower level of hospitality career satisfaction. Overall, the results suggested that people of color have a lower level of career satisfaction via the mediating roles of racial discrimination and basic needs satisfaction. Results have theoretical and practical implications related to racial discrimination, as well as diversity management and education.
The on demand computing paradigm - what it is, why it emerged, and where it's going

Bob Yellin in Vice President of Technology for IBM Tivoli Systems, a prominent Austin based startup that was acquired by IBM in 1996. In this capacity he is responsible for the technical architecture of IBM's systems management product line. Bob has 30 years of experience in many facets of the IT industry. He began his career as Director of Database and Data Communication at Aetna Life and Casualty, then moved on to build the development team as VP of Development for Business Systems Technology Inc, a Boston area based startup that specialized in change control and configuration management software. BST was acquired by Legent Corporation, a systems management vendor. There, Bob assumed the role of Senior Vice President of Development and Technology.
La desnudez de la plebe: Mendicidad, vagancia y vestido a finales del virreinato mexicano

En el siglo xviii, el termino de “ociosos, vagos y malentretenidos” fue comun en las notas, asi como en los bandos publicados en el Diario de Mexico y la Gazeta de Mexico. Este termino se equipara ...
Anacardic acid, interleukin-33, and the quest for remyelination.

In PNAS, Ljunggren-Rose et al. (1) present results from a study assessing the effect of anacardic acid, a salicylic acid derivative with a 15- or 17-carbon-containing alkyl chain substituent (i.e., 2-hydroxy 6-alkylbenzoic acid), on remyelination. Anacardic acids are phytochemicals that are found in foods such as cashews and mangoes. Myelin is the lipid-rich lamellar sheath that provides the electrical insulation around axons of nerve cells. Intact myelin is critical for axonal function because it enables efficient saltatory propagation of the action potential. In the central nervous system (CNS), myelin is formed and actively maintained by oligodendrocytes. Remyelination is the repair and formation of new myelin sheaths in areas where damage has occurred. Multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic and disabling CNS disease characterized by blood–brain barrier breakdown, inflammation and lesion formation, demyelination, axonal injury, and neurodegeneration, is the most common disorder of myelin. Although several disease-modifying therapies, including oral medications, have become available for treating MS, all of the currently approved drugs are immunomodulatory agents that do not directly address the axonal injury and neurodegeneration that commences early in the course of the disease and contributes to disability and disease progression. There is an unmet need for neuroprotective and neuroreparative therapies for progressive MS. Myelin loss in MS can occur as a consequence of inflammatory attack on the myelin sheath, oligodendrocyte loss, and loss of trophic support from glia. When demyelination occurs, axons become vulnerable to neurodegeneration. Remyelination of MS lesions is variable but occurs as a result of net myelin production by oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPC) that undergo proliferation and maturation with some contributions from the oligodendrocytes that have retained functional capacity to produce myelin. When lesions remyelinate, they can be seen as “shadow plaques” in magnetic resonance imaging, but the resultant degree of myelination is generally to levels that … [↵][1]1Email: murali{at}buffalo.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Sequence Meets Function-Microbiota And Cardiovascular Disease.

The discovery that gut-microbiota plays a profound role in human health has opened a new avenues of basic and clinical research. Application of ecological approaches where the Bacterial 16S rRNA gene is queried has provided a number of candidate bacteria associated with coronary artery disease and hypertension. We examine the associations between gut microbiota and a variety of CVD including atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease and blood pressure. These approaches are associative in nature and there is now increasing interest in identifying the mechanisms underlying these associations. We discuss three potential mechanisms including: gut permeability and endotoxemia, increased immune system activation, and microbial derived metabolites. In addition to discussing these potential mechanisms we highlight current studies manipulating the gut microbiota or microbial metabolites to move beyond sequenced based association studies. The goal of these mechanistic studies is to determine the mode of action by which the gut microbiota may affect disease susceptibility and severity. Importantly, the gut microbiota appears to have a significant effect on host metabolism and CVD by producing metabolites entering the host circulatory system such as short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO). Therefore, the intersection of metabolomics and microbiota research may yield novel targets to reduce disease susceptibility. Finally, we discuss approaches to demonstrate causality such as specific diet changes, inhibition of microbial pathways and fecal microbiota transplant.
The Relationship between Political, Economic, Social, and Cultural Vulnerability and Food Insecurity among Adults Aged 50 Years and Older.

Individuals experience food insecurity when they worry about or have limited access to nutritious foods. Food insecurity negatively impacts older adults’ health. Social exclusion is a theoretical framework describing how unequal access to rights, resources, and capabilities results in political, economic, social, and cultural vulnerability, which leads to health disparities. We used the Health and Retirement Study to cross-sectionally examine associations between vulnerability and experiencing food insecurity in adults 50 years and older using the social exclusion framework. We tested the association between experiencing food insecurity and indicators of political, economic, social, and cultural vulnerability using logistic regression controlling for demographic and health-related factors. Analyses were performed with all respondents and sub-group of respondents with incomes less than 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Assets (OR = 0.97 in both samples), income (OR = 0.85, 0.80 in 400% FPL sub-sample), perceived positive social support from other family (OR = 0.86, 0.84 in 400% FPL sub-sample), and perceived everyday discrimination (OR = 1.68, 1.82 in 400% FPL sub-sample) were significantly associated with food insecurity. Perceived positive social support from spouses, children, or friends and U.S. citizenship status were not significantly associated with food insecurity. Further research is needed to define and measure each dimension of vulnerability in the social exclusion framework. Interventions and policies designed to prevent food insecurity should address these vulnerabilities.
All physical activity may not be associated with a lower likelihood of adolescent smoking uptake.

Objective Research has documented that physical activity is associated with a lower risk of adolescent smoking uptake, yet it is unclear whether this relationship exists for all types of physical activity. We sought to determine whether certain types of physical activity are associated with a decreased or an increased risk of adolescent smoking uptake.
Performance-Contingent Executive Compensation and Managerial Behavior

Recent regulation and legislation, along with the growing influence of compensation consultants and proxy advisors, have led to an increase in performance-contingent awards. A majority of these awards contain performance conditions tied explicitly to accounting measures. Both the structure of the awards and the opaqueness of award disclosures can provide incentives for earnings management. Our examination reveals no evidence of earnings management through discretionary accruals. In contrast, we find evidence of real activities management. Earnings management varies with accounting metric type, award disclosure opaqueness, and proximity of earnings to performance thresholds. Results are robust to accounting for endogeneity in performance-contingent awards. Our evidence suggests that recent trends in the structure and transparency of pay affect both the incentives for managing earnings and the form of earnings management.
The Mathematical Behavior of Six Successful Mathematics Graduate Students: Influences Leading to Mathematical Success

This study investigated the mathematical behavior of graduate students and the experiences that contributed to their mathematical development and success. Their problem-solving behavior was observed while completing complex mathematical tasks, and their beliefs were assessed by administering a written survey. These graduate students report that a mentor, most frequently a high school teacher, facilitated the development of their problem solving abilities and continued mathematical study. The mentors were described as individuals who provided challenging problems, encouragement, and assistance in learning how to approach complex problems. When confronted with an unfamiliar task, these graduate students exhibited exceptional persistence and high confidence. Their initial problem solving attempts were frequently to classify the problem as one of a familiar type, and they were not always effective in accessing recently taught information or monitoring their solution attempts, but were careful to offer only solutions that had a logical foundation. These results provide numerous insights into the complexities of using and extending one's mathematical knowledge and suggest that non-cognitive factors play a prominent role in a student's mathematical success.
ENHANCEMENT OF MENTOR SELECTION USING THE IDEAL MENTOR SCALE

Doctoral students seeking faculty mentors have few tools available to assist them. The Ideal Mentor Scale (IMS) is a new measure designed to help graduate students consider the qualities they as individuals most value in a potential mentor. Ph.D. students at 3 different universities (Ns = 82, 250, 380) contributed to the development and cross-validation of the 34-item IMS. Item frequencies indicated that 2 universal qualities were central to graduate students' definitions of a mentor: communication skills and provision of feedback. Principal factor analysis of the IMS indicated that 3 individual differences dimensions reliably underlaid graduate students' importance ratings of mentor attributes: Integrity, Guidance, and Relationship. In one sample, Guidance and Relationship were significantly related to student satisfaction with their mentor. The IMS is an assessment tool that could individualize the initiation and maintenance of mentoring relationships, enhance communication, and ultimately improve the satisfaction of students with their doctoral education.
An improved vertical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis apparatus: Application to typing and subtyping of haptoglobins

Abstract A vertical gel electrophoresis apparatus allowing the casting of two parallel polyacrylamide gel slabs or of single slabs of various thicknesses is described. Techniques for both typing and subtyping of human haptoglobins with the apparatus are presented.
Why Reasons Skepticism is Not Self‐Defeating

Abstract: Radical meta-normative skepticism is the view that no standard, norm, or principle has objective authority or normative force. It does not deny that there are norms, standards of correctness, and principles of various kinds that render it possible that we succeed or fail in measuring up to their prerogatives. Rather, it denies that any norm has the status of commanding with objective authority, of giving rise to normative reasons to take seriously and follow its demands. Two powerful transcendental arguments challenge this view. First, skepticism is said to be self-defeating: Settling what to accept, and in particular whether to accept skepticism, appears to be a reason-guided enterprise. How can skeptics coherently support their view by citing reasons in their favor after they just rejected them throughout? Second, there is the practical-deliberative version, most recently developed by David Enoch: We are essentially deliberative creatures. Yet deliberation appears to require that there are correct answers in the form of normative reasons to our practical questions. Thus confidence in the sensible nature of deliberation should inspire confidence in reasons. The essay undermines both transcendental arguments by demonstrating, first, how to support skepticism without deserting its tenets, and, second, how to deliberate in skeptical fashion.
Degradation of (La0.8Sr0.2)0.98MnO3−δ–Zr0.84Y0.16O2−γ composite electrodes during reversing current operation

Reversing-current operation of solid oxide cell (La0.8Sr0.2)0.98MnO3−δ–Zr0.84Y0.16O2−γ (LSM–YSZ) oxygen electrodes is described. Degradation was characterized by impedance spectroscopy in symmetric cells tested at 800 °C in air with a symmetric current cycle with a period of 12 hours. No change in cell resistance could be detected, in 1000 h tests with a sensitivity of ∼1% per kh, at a current density of 0.5 A cm−2 corresponding to an overpotential of 0.18 V. At a current density to 0.6 A cm−2 (0.33 V overpotential) measurable resistance degradation at a rate of 3% per kh was observed, while higher current/overpotential values led to faster degradation. Degradation was observed mainly in the ohmic resistance for current densities of 0.6, 0.8 and 0.9 A cm−2, with little change in the polarization resistance. Polarization degradation, mainly observed at higher current density, was present as an increase in an impedance response at ∼30 kHz, apparently associated with the resistance of YSZ grain boundaries within the electrode. Microstructural and chemical analysis showed significant changes in electrode structure after the current cycling, including an increase in LSM particle size and a reduction in the amount of YSZ and LSM at the electrode/electrolyte interface – the latter presumably a precursor to delamination.
A comparative study of hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy in the investigation of infertility.

Basal body temperatures semen analyses and endometrial biospies were done in 79 infertile women. Hysterosalpingographies were done only when ovulatory cycles were shown and postcoital tests were adequate; pelvic examinations were normal. 60 of the 79 patients had abnormal and 19 had normal hysterosalpingograms. Of the 19 with such normal studies 9 had abnormal findings using the laparoscopic technique. Of the 60 abnormal hysterosalpingograms only 2 were found to be normal by laparoscopy. Endoscopy was the most accurate way to diagnose endometriosis which is common in infertile women. The 2 methods are integral procedures of a complete fertility evaluation. Hysterosalpingography is used initially and if in 3-6 months pregnancy is not achieved laparoscopy is indicated.
Why do global firms use currency swaps?: Theory and evidence

Abstract Globalization has reduced capital market imperfections and barriers, and led to significant foreign competition in product-markets giving rise to economic exposure of firms. We show that the firms’ preference for currency swaps is determined by their economic exposure. Our theory suggests that currency swaps help global firms achieve long-term financing and financial risk management objectives. Using a sample of 320 global firms from the Fortune 500 firms, we test the hypothesis emerging from our theory that the higher the economic exposure of the firm, the greater the likelihood of the firm using currency swaps. The hypothesis is validated for the cashflow-based measure of economic exposure.
SEX DIFFERENCES IN RESPONSE TO ABSURD, AGGRESSIVE, PRO-FEMINIST, SEXUAL, SEXIST, AND RACIAL JOKES

50 male and 50 female students attending a small Catholic college in a suburban area were given a questionnaire of 30 jokes and 20 biographical questions. The subjects rated the jokes on scale of 1...
The slender, sweet thread: Sugar, capital and dependency in Mauritius, 1860–1936

(1988). The slender, sweet thread: Sugar, capital and dependency in Mauritius, 1860–1936. The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History: Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 177-200.