cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Magnesium prevents seizure-induced reduction in excitatory amino acid receptor (kainate and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid) binding in pregnant rat brain

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the effect of seizures on kainate and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptor binding in maternal rat brain and whether maternal peripheral administration of magnesium sulfate can decrease this effect. Study Design: Rats were implanted with a bipolar electrode into the hippocampus. One week of recovery was allowed before breeding. Pregnant rats were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups, as follows: group 1, sodium chloride and no seizures (n = 5); group 2, magnesium sulfate and no seizures (n = 4); group 3, sodium chloride and seizures (n = 8); and group 4, magnesium sulfate and seizures (n = 9). Doses of sodium chloride or magnesium sulfate were administered every 20 minutes for 4 hours to all rats on gestational days 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19, followed by seizure induction (groups 3 and 4). On gestational day 20, rats were perfused, brains were dissected, and cryostat sections were taken, labeled in vitro, and placed on Hyperfilm for 4 weeks. The ligands used included kainate receptor agonist and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptor agonist and antagonist. Optical density measurements of binding in 15 brain regions on each section were evaluated by 1- and 2-way analysis of variance. Results: Seizure activity was associated with decreased α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptor binding of its agonist in pregnant rat brains (seizure effect, 25.9 ± 3.2 and 92.6 ± 3.4 fmol/mg tissue in hindbrain and forebrain, respectively; no seizure effect, 44.5 ± 4.7 and 110.7 ± 5.0 fmol/mg tissue in hindbrain and forebrain, respectively; P < .01). Magnesium administration was associated with increased binding of tritiated α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (magnesium effect, 44.9 ± 4.2 and 110.4 ± 4.5 fmol/mg tissue in hindbrain and forebrain, respectively; sodium chloride effect, 25.5 ± 3.7 and 92.9 ± 4.0 fmol/mg tissue in hindbrain and forebrain, respectively; P < .01). The same trend was seen with the kainate receptor in the hippocampus and hypothalamus, with a significant interaction effect between seizure and magnesium (P < .05). Conclusions: The mechanism for maternal rat brain injury resulting from seizure activity may be, at least in part, associated with alteration in the function of excitatory amino acid receptors. Administration of magnesium sulfate can counteract this effect and may reduce resultant maternal brain damage. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;183:793-8.)
Rapid determination of C-reactive protein levels: Semiquantitative versus quantitative

under the control of the tester and tones were presented when the child was ready to respond. To reduce the high AudioScope false positive rate, a second screening can be conducted immediately after the first. The AudioScope false positive rates in our study were based on only one screening; however, the false positive rates for the overall findings and for each age group (Table) were less than those reported by Gershel et al. 2 for children 3 to 9 years of age using only the second screening, but were in agreement with the first and second screenings reported by Bienvenue et al. 3 for 4to 5-year-old children. AudioScope screening is feasible and about as accurate as audiometer screening beginning at age 5 years if an overreferral rate of about 56% (compared with about 18% for audiometer screening) can be tolerated. Gershel et al. 2 found that a second AudioScope screening was as accurate as audiometer screening for children 3 to 9 years of age. The reason for this discrepancy may be related to procedural differences between studies. Gershel administered the screenings after an audiologic evaluation; thus the children were practiced at responding. Moreover, some had known hearing impairments, so they probably had had several prior hearing tests, making them more practiced than the children who participated in our study. The AudioScope manual reports that children as young as 4 years of age can be tested, depending on their cooperation. We also found that some younger children could be tested with the AudioScope and provided consistent results compared with the threshold test. However, as a general rule, children 5 years of age or older were found to be more cooperative and responsive and provided more consistent screening results. Pure tone audiometer screening should be the method of choice for children 2Y2 to 5 years of age, but either the AudioScope or audiometer can be used for children 5 years of age or older.
The Write—Say Method for Improving Spelling Accuracy in Children with Learning Disabilities

We evaluated a teaching strategy designed to improve spelling accuracy in children with learning disabilities. The write-say method provides immediate feedback to dual sensory modalities (i.e., visual and auditory) following the administration of a daily spelling test. Four males and three females (mean age = 11.61 years) with learning disabilities were introduced to the write-say procedure within a multiple-baseline design. Compared to control conditions (i.e., studying words on one's own), experimental procedures significantly enhanced subjects' spelling accuracy in a brief period of time. The write-say procedure was also advocated as a cost-effective method of spelling instruction for small classroom settings.
Response of sub-surface fatigue damage under sonic load – a computational study

Abstract Graphite/epoxy composite samples with a center hole were subjected to fatigue loading, and were tested for damage using the sonic infrared (sonic IR) imaging technique. The technique revealed the presence of semi-elliptical delaminations near the circular notch. In the sonic IR technique, a short pulse of sound infuses into the material and results in frictional heating at the delamination surfaces. The heating at the damage locations reaches the surface of the sample by conduction, and is captured by an IR camera. In the present analysis, the finite element technique was employed to model a notched sample with two semi-elliptical delaminations. The delaminations were modeled using a surface-to-surface contact algorithm, and the frictional energy developed during the infusion of sound pulse was graphed. A separate finite element model was developed for transient heat transfer analysis by utilizing the calculated frictional energy as a heat source. Variation in surface temperature within the delamination regions was plotted with time, and was compared with the temperature–time plot obtained from the sonic IR technique.
The primary walls of cotton fibers contain an ensheathing pectin layer

Cotton fiber walls (1–2 days post anthesis) are distinctly bilayered compared to those of nonfiber epidermal cells, with a more electron-opaque outer layer and a less electron-opaque, more finely fibrillar inner layer. When probed with antibodies and affinity probes to various saccharides, xyloglucans and cellulose are found exclusively in the inner layer and de-esterified pectins and extensin exclusively in the outer layer. Ovular epidermal cells that do not differentiate into fibers have no pectin sheath, but are labelled throughout with antixyloglucan and cellulase-gold probes. Middle lamellae between adjacent cells were clearly labelled with the antibodies to de-esterified pectins, however. Similarly, cell walls of leaf trichomes have a bilayered wall strongly enriched in pectin, whereas other epidermal cells are not bilayered and are pectin poor. These data indicate that one of the early markers of fiber and trichome cells from other epidermal cells involves the production of a pectin layer. The de-esterified pectins present in the ensheathing layer may allow for expansion and elongation of the fiber cells that does not occur in the other epidermal cells without such a sheath or may even be a consequence of the elongation process.
Tricarbonylchromium‐complexed phenylsiloxane polymers as stereoselective hydrogenation catalysts: Preparation and properties

Soluble tricarbonylchromium complexes were made by reacting Cr(CO)6 with a ladder polyphenylsilsesquioxane and a linear polydiphenylsiloxane. These new polymer Cr(CO)3 complexes were characterized by elemental Cr, infrared (IR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), viscosity, and thermal analyses and were evaluated as stereoselective hydrogenation catalysts. Thermogravimetry studies demonstrated that the new complexes were more stable at 180–200°C in N2 than the corresponding complex from crosslinked polystyrene. These silicone polymer complexes catalyzed stereoselective hydrogenation of methyl sorbate to cis-3-hexenoate in cyclohexane and tetrahydrofuran (THF) and could be recovered from THF for recycling by precipitation-fiItration. Catalytic activity and recyclability, however, were highly influenced by the solvent. Loss of catalytic activity associated with loss of Cr(CO)3 was observed on recycling. These results support a mechanisim that involves dissociation of Cr(CO)3, a significant portion of which cannot become reassociated with the polymer phenyl groups.
Trust and Memory: Organizational Strategies, Institutional Conditions and Trust Negotiations in Specialty Clinics for Alzheimer’s Disease

Clinicians aim to establish trust during medical encounters because, without it, health consumers may not seek medical care, consider their diagnoses legitimate, or adhere to treatment regimens. This paper examines the identification and treatment of memory loss within two specialty clinics to understand how cultural dynamics, such as organizational ethos and work practices, influence the social fabric of cognitive evaluations. Ethnographic data suggest important historical and cultural differences in the approaches to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Organizational routines, however, support a common goal, that of moving individuals from “potential patients” to patients, and ultimately research subjects, through establishing trust. Although the processes through which trust is potentially achieved, or the social conditions of trust, were similar at the sites, the object of trust was different. Whereas one clinic encouraged trust in collective medical expertise, the other focused on trust in specific clinicians. These conditions affect the clinical consequences of trust, particularly how and when the diagnosis is delivered, use of the AD label and other terminology, and the level of standardization. The individual consequences include perceptions of patients and depictions of the prognosis. Whether cognitive impairment is viewed as a scientific puzzle to be solved or is seen as a chronic illness significantly shapes the organizational processes of clinical evaluation. Alzheimer’s disease, as a cultural object, is a particularly salient exemplar of the clinical negotiation of ambiguous diagnostic categorizations and the unpredictable patient in daily biomedical practice.
On the toxicity of the ciguatera producing dinoflagellate, gambierdiscus toxicus adachi and fukuyo isolated from the Florida keys

Abstract The ciguatoxic dinoflagellate, G. toxicus was isolated from Islamorada Key, Florida. Analysis of unialgal cultures indicated that the dinoflagellate produces two toxins: a chloroform soluble toxin and a water soluble toxin. The former toxin was judged to be closely related to ciguatoxin on the basis of TLC and clinical effects manifested in mice. The water soluble toxin was closely related to maitotoxin on the basis of TLC and clinical effects manifested.
A dose-response study of consuming high-fructose corn syrup–sweetened beverages on lipid/lipoprotein risk factors for cardiovascular disease in young adults

Author(s): Stanhope, Kimber L; Medici, Valentina; Bremer, Andrew A; Lee, Vivien; Lam, Hazel D; Nunez, Marinelle V; Chen, Guoxia X; Keim, Nancy L; Havel, Peter J | Abstract: BackgroundNational Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data show an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality with an increased intake of added sugar.ObjectiveWe determined the dose-response effects of consuming beverages sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) at zero, low, medium, and high proportions of energy requirements (Ereq) on circulating lipid/lipoprotein risk factors for CVD and uric acid in adults [age: 18-40 y; body mass index (in kg/m(2)): 18-35].DesignWe conducted a parallel-arm, nonrandomized, double-blinded intervention study in which adults participated in 3.5 inpatient days of baseline testing at the University of California Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center's Clinical Research Center. Participants then consumed beverages sweetened with HFCS at 0% (aspartame sweetened, n = 23), 10% (n = 18), 17.5% (n = 16), or 25% (n = 28) of Ereq during 13 outpatient days and during 3.5 inpatient days of intervention testing at the research center. We conducted 24-h serial blood collections during the baseline and intervention testing periods.ResultsConsuming beverages containing 10%, 17.5%, or 25% Ereq from HFCS produced significant linear dose-response increases of lipid/lipoprotein risk factors for CVD and uric acid: postprandial triglyceride (0%: 0 ± 4; 10%: 22 ± 8; 17.5%: 25 ± 5: 25%: 37 ± 5 mg/dL, mean of Δ ± SE, P l 0.0001 effect of HFCS-dose), fasting LDL cholesterol (0%: -1.0 ± 3.1; 10%: 7.4 ± 3.2; 17.5%: 8.2 ± 3.1; 25%: 15.9 ± 3.1 mg/dL, P l 0.0001), and 24-h mean uric acid concentrations (0%: -0.13 ± 0.07; 10%: 0.15 ± 0.06; 17.5%: 0.30 ± 0.07; 25%: 0.59 ± 0.09 mg/dL, P l 0.0001). Compared with beverages containing 0% HFCS, all 3 doses of HFCS-containing beverages increased concentrations of postprandial triglyceride, and the 2 higher doses increased fasting and/or postprandial concentrations of non-HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein CIII, and uric acid.ConclusionsConsuming beverages containing 10%, 17.5%, or 25% Ereq from HFCS produced dose-dependent increases in circulating lipid/lipoprotein risk factors for CVD and uric acid within 2 wk. These results provide mechanistic support for the epidemiologic evidence that the risk of cardiovascular mortality is positively associated with consumption of increasing amounts of added sugars. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01103921.
A method to improve the effectiveness of diode in vivo dosimetry

A routine diode in vivo dosimetry program based on a combination of entrance and exit dose measurements was clinically implemented in the radiation oncology department of Grace Hospital, Detroit, in January 1995. The delivered dose has been monitored by taking weekly measurements. The calibration of the diodes and the in vivo dosimetry protocol for this new, more effective type of dose verification is presented. The problems encountered within the program are discussed along with our solutions.
Screening for distal sensory peripheral neuropathy in HIV-infected persons in research and clinical settings

Objective: To determine the accuracy of a screening examination for distal sensory peripheral neuropathy (DSPN) performed by nonphysician clinicians and to explore the associations between DSPN and clinical features in HIV-infected persons. Methods: A case-control study of a volunteer sample of 226 HIV-infected individuals was performed. An interview, focusing on risks and symptoms of DSPN, and a screening neurologic examination were performed. Results: Compared with the neurologist9s examinations, the clinicians9 examination was sensitive (92 to 95%) but not as specific (71 to 84%) for the diagnosis of DSPN. After excluding 27 patients with confounders, 42 of 199 patients (21%) had DSPN. This was associated significantly with neurotoxic nucleoside antiretroviral used and with more advanced HIV disease. Of the 42 patients with DSPN, 30 (71%) had no neuropathy symptoms. Conclusions: A brief examination performed by trained nonphysician clinicians can be used to screen for DSPN in HIV-infected persons. Asymptomatic DSPN is common in these individuals.
Enhancing campus IT services and student employee development through student technology services

Information technology funding seldom keeps pace with increasing demands for campus IT services. As a result, many IT departments are depending on qualified student employees to help them provide services. Information Technology Services (ITS) at North Dakota State University employs nearly 100 students in various workgroups who assist staff in providing core campus technology services. In 2004, ITS staff members recognized an opportunity to increase efficiency, save money, and raise the quality of services by implementing a Student Technology Services (STS) program. The STS program was formed to integrate all technology services provided by students into a single, consistently managed program. The program is managed by two student managers and a half-time staff coordinator. Goals of the STS program include: building a more unified student workforce; providing professional development opportunities for student employees; enhancing communication between ITS administration, workgroups, and student employees; developing more equitable and consistent hiring practices; empowering students and helping them to prepare for future careers; and providing a higher level of IT services for the NDSU campus. The STS program facilitates a coordinated approach to recruiting, hiring, orienting, training, and evaluating student employees. In this paper, we will provide an overview of the STS program at NDSU, share our accomplishments thus far, and discuss challenges as well as some positive outcomes of implementing the program.
Influence of age on control of norepinephrine release: Ca2+ channels and dopamine D2 receptors

Abstract Possible age-related changes in the roles of L- and N-type Ca 2+ channels and dopamine D 2 receptors in control of norepinephrine release were investigated in tail arteries of F-344 rats. Nifedipine had no effect on stimulation-evoked tritium efflux at 6 or 24 months of age; however, ω-conotoxin GVIA reduced efflux by 70 to 80% at both ages even when frequency of stimulation was altered. Activation of prejunctional dopamine D 2 receptors by the selective agonist N-0923 [( S )-(−)-2-( N -propyl- N -2-thienylethylamino)-5-hydroxytetralin] inhibited contractile responses to transmural nerve stimulation in a frequency and concentration-dependent manner. Effects were similar from 6 to 26 months. Furthermore inhibition by N-0923 of stimulation-evoked [ 3 H]norepinephrine efflux was not different at 12 and 24 months. Thus, N-type Ca 2+ channels predominate in control of norepinephrine release, and this is unchanged with advancing age or stimulation intensity. Furthermore, D 2 receptor-mediated inhibition of norepinephrine release is not altered with advancing age.
Observed changes in the diurnal temperature and dewpoint cycles across the United States

We analyzed hourly coterminous U.S. airport data, beginning in 1948, for changes in daily temperature and dewpoint regimes. We found an ubiquitous phase shift in the daytime cycle of warming, towards later in the day. Overall day and night temperature changes were very consistent with the results of {ital Karl} {ital et} {ital al}. [1993] even though this is an entirely different source of data, and one that is not specifically deurbanized, although we attempted to use stations that were not from downtown airports. We divided our results into eastern and western subsets as a first approximation for high and low sulfate aerosol conditions, and found evidence that was consistent with a sulfate effect on overall temperature, but inconsistent with modeled estimates of the effect of sulfates on the intradiurnal regime. It is difficult to establish the causes of the observed intradiurnal phase shift of warming time although urbanization and anthropogenic emissions are likely to be involved. The nature of our finding is subtle, and is consistent with other results that show very modest (and nonobvious) responses to greenhouse changes. Further research will ultimately clarify its causes and effects. {copyright} American Geophysical Union 1996
Practicing school psychologists' perceived role in prevention of school violence.

School psychologists have been called upon to take a leadership role in school-violence prevention, but little is known about their involvement in this issue, especially in states where school shootings have occurred. The current study surveyed 258 Michigan school psychologists about their role in prevention of school violence. Analysis suggested respondents felt prepared to address violence prevention but do not have a leadership role and are not sought for advice about prevention. The number of annual special education evaluations was significantly associated with frequency of being sought for advice on violence prevention but was not related to perceptions of leadership or preparedness. Modest relationships were noted between feeling prepared, knowledge of risk factors, and self-perceptions of a leadership role. Suggestions for research are included. Language: en
Uptake and Release of Iron by Ferritin Adsorbed at Tin-Doped Indium Oxide Electrodes

In this work, the uptake and release of iron by ferritin using direct electrochemical techniques have been investigated for the first time. Adsorption of ferritin from phosphate solution onto tin-d...
Estimation of daily and monthly direct, diffuse and global solar radiation from sunshine duration measurements

An accurate 200 W/m2 threshold pyreheliometer instrument for measuring the duration of bright sunshine has been used to derive daily and monthly regressions for direct, diffuse, and global solar radiation component vs sunshine duration. Daily regression for diffuse/global are linear in sunshine duration, while quadratic regression forms are employed for direct normal, direct horizontal, and global/extraterrestrial components. Only the daily direct normal component had regression values which depend on season while all of the monthly regressions depend on season. Linear regression relations for monthly direct normal, diffuse/global and global/extraterrestrial are employed, with a quadratic form being used for direct horizontal. Effects of rainfall, especially in overcast conditions, and of atmospheric turbidity and precipitable water, especially under clear-sky conditions, are observed and documented.
CO(2) laser for lidar applications, producing two narrowly spaced independently wavelength-selectable Q-switched output pulses.

In this research directed toward using lidar methods for mapping concentrations of a variety of hazardous gases and vapors in an indoor workplace, a need was identified for a CO2 laser that would meet certain special requirements, including an ability to produce 50–100-ns FWHM pulses in pulse pairs having interpulse spacings of 5–100 μs with each pulse of the pair being independently wavelength selectable. A laser was constructed with a low-pressure CO2 amplifier section because of CO2's long upper lasing level lifetime (>60 μs). This permitted the Q switching of two output pulses from a single laser amplifier electrical transverse discharge pulse, while allowing several microseconds for wavelength changing between pulses. An intra-cavity beam telescope was employed to use the amplifier discharge cavity cross section efficiently with the small CdTe Q-switch crystals available. A 1200-Hz oscillating grating with a high-resolution grating position sensor was used to change and reprogram wavelengths rapidly. Programming of wavelengths was accomplished by selecting appropriate delay times from the grating position reference signal for triggering the laser amplifier and the Q switch. Most of the basic performance goals of the device were achieved in the laboratory prototype.
Hybrid ozonation-ceramic membrane filtration of surface waters: The effect of water characteristics on permeate flux and the removal of DBP precursors, dicloxacillin and ceftazidime

Abstract The removal of the disinfection byproducts (DBPs) precursors, antibiotics dicloxacilline and ceftazidime by hybrid ozonation membrane filtration (HOMF) has been studied in three surface waters (Lake Huron, Lake Lansing and Huron River). This study demonstrates that, compared to membrane filtration, HOMF significantly improves the removal of dicloxacilline, ceftazidime, and disinfection byproduct precursors. At a sufficiently high ozone dosage, the concentrations of the two antibiotics in the permeate were reduced to below the detection limits in the three waters studied. Significant reductions in total organic carbon (TOC), specific UV absorbance (SUVA), and chlorinated disinfection byproducts (DBPs) were also achieved, suggesting that the system could also be effective at controlling the formation of DBPs during chlorination. The fouling behavior of the system was also studied. The degree of fouling was greater in waters with a high TOC and/or alkalinity. Alkalinity adversely affected the removal of the antibiotics and the ability of ozone to control fouling. The effect of alkalinity can be attributed to the scavenging of hydroxyl ( OH) radicals by carbonate species.
Determination of Aluminum, Calcium, and Magnesium in Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri) Foliage from Five Native Sites by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry: The Effect of Elevation upon Nutritional Status

Abstract The Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) is a conifer native to high elevation sites in the southern Appalachians that has recently suffered severe mortality because of an exotic insect, the balsam woolly adelgid (BWA). The companion tree of the Fraser fir, the red spruce (Piceae rubens) has suffered relatively mild decline induced by acidic deposition, due to reduction of extractable calcium and magnesium levels in the soil, while causing an increase in extractable aluminum. We hypothesized that acidic deposition may be involved, along with the BWA, in inducing Fraser fir decline. Our hypothesis was tested by collecting Fraser fir foliage and soil from five sites on Clingman's Dome, NC/TN, Roan Mountain, NC/TN, and Mount Rogers, VA, and determining foliar and extractable soil aluminum, calcium, and magnesium. Foliar aluminum was done by graphite furnace atomic absorption (GFAAS) with continuum source background correction, while all other analyses were done by flame AAS. The analysis of composite samples was shown to provide improved precision by a factor of 2–4 for elemental analysis of a class of conifers compared to averaging individual analyses. Although aluminum levels were larger and calcium/aluminum ratios were smaller at the high elevation sites at two mountains, calcium levels were statistically the same at the high and low elevation sites. Consequently, it is difficult to definitively conclude that acidic deposition has contributed to Fraser fir decline.
Acid stabilization of human growth hormone equilibrium folding intermediates.

Abstract Equilibrium denaturation experiments were performed on human growth hormone (hGH) under acidic conditions (pH 1.5-3.0) and different protein concentrations. At 0.1 mg/ml hGH using intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence and far-UV circular dichroism (CD) detection, midpoint values of 4.6 M GdnHCl were observed that are identical to those obtained at neutral pH. However, the ΔG values were reduced at pH 2.5 relative to pH 8.0 (10.5 vs. 15 kcal/mol). Increasing the protein concentration to 1 mg/ml resulted in a biphasic denaturation profile by far-UV CD detection at 222 nm, while near-UV CD measurements at 295 nm yielded a cooperative transition with a midpoint value of 3.6 M GdnHCl. These results indicate that equilibrium intermediates having a propensity to aggregate are highly populated under acid conditions. Static light scattering measurements performed under partial unfolding conditions (4.5 M GdnHCl) at pH 2.5 confirmed the existence of a large molecular weight (≌ 80 kDa) self-associated intermediate. No evidence of aggregation was found for hGH under acid conditions in the absence of denaturant, indicating that self-association results from the formation of an intermediate. Equilibrium GdnHCl concentration-jump experiments confirmed that association only occurs from an intermediate species and not from any other conformational state, and formation of the self-associated intermediate can lead to irreversible loss of protein due to precipitation. These results demonstrate that acid stabilizes equilibrium folding intermediates of hGH.
New N2H4 far-infrared laser lines and their frequencies

We report 25 new far-infrared laser lines and 26 heterodyne frequency measurements in hydrazine. The frequencies range from 1.0 to 5.5 THz with most of the frequencies between 2.5 and 4.0 THz. The lines were generated in a high frequency, far-infrared Fabry-Perot laser cavity pumped by a CO2 laser. The cavity has a high Q for wavelengths below 150 µm and uses variable coupling to optimize the power for each line.
Spectrum analysis of photoacoustic imaging data from prostate adenocarcinoma tumors in a murine model

Spectrum analysis of the radio-frequency signals from photoacoustic imaging is performed to generate parameters for tissue characterization that are calibrated for the response of the imaging system. Calibrated photoacoustic spectra were obtained by dividing the photoacoustic spectra from tissue by the spectrum of a point absorber. The resulting quasi-linear spectra were fit by linear regression, and midband fit, slope, and intercept were computed from the best-fit line. These spectral parameters were compared between tumors resulting from a prostate adenocarcinoma model and adjacent normal tissue in a murine model. The mean midband fit and intercept showed significant differences between regions of tumor and adjacent normal tissue. These initial results suggest that such frequency-domain analysis can provide a quantitative method for tissue characterization using photoacoustic imaging.
Behavioral and neurochemical effects of (-)- and (+/-)-cathinone: dose-response and time-course.

Abstract 1. The purpose of the present study was to compare (-)-cathinone and its analogue (+)cathinone using behavioral and neurochemical measures. 2. Rats were trained to discriminate between 0.6 mg/kg (-)- or (+)-cathinone and saline in a food-motivated, two-lever operant task. In addition, concentrations of dopamine, norepinephrine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and their major metabolites were analyzed in the nuclei accumbens and septi lateralis. 3. The results suggest that (-)- and (+)-cathinone have similar effects on behavior and neurochemistry with (-)-cathinone being more potent.
Global cognitive function in children with epilepsy: a community-based study.

Summary Purpose: To determine the frequency and determinants of subnormal global cognitive function in a representative, community-based sample of children prospectively identified at the time of initial diagnosis of epilepsy. Methods: In children enrolled with newly diagnosed epilepsy and followed a median of 10.5 years, level of cognitive function (within normal, borderline, mild, moderate to severe mental retardation (MR), neurologically devastated, and impaired but not further classified (NFC)) was determined based upon neurologists' and school records, repeated parental interviews, and, in over half the participants, standardized neuropsychological testing. For multivariable analyses, subnormal cognitive function was designated as consistent with a full scale IQ < 80. Results: Global cognitive function was considered within normal, N = 451 (73.6%), borderline, N = 31 (5.1%), mild MR, N = 21 (3.4%), more severe MR, N = 45 (7.3%), devastated, N = 29 (4.7%), and impaired-NFC, N = 36 (5.9%). Age at onset <5 years, symptomatic etiology, epileptic encephalopathy, remission status and current AED treatment were each strongly associated with level of cognitive function (all p-values <0.0001). In a multivariable logistic regression model, all variables except remission status independently contributed to subnormal global cognitive function. Discussion: Evidence of subnormal global cognitive function is apparent in approximately one of four children with epilepsy. Young age at onset, symptomatic cause, epileptic encephalopathy, and continued treatment, despite their strong intercorrelations, are independently associated with this outcome.
AN MPI QUASI TIME-ACCURATE APPROACH FOR NEARSHORE WAVE PREDICTION USING THE SWAN CODE : PART I : METHOD

The program SWAN (Simulating WAves Nearshore) is a third-generation wave model used to compute the spectra of random short-crested, wind-generated waves on Eulerian grids. Presently there is no release of the SWAN code to execute on parallel computers and computations are limited to a single processor. This paper shows how to easily create a version of the SWAN code that can execute on parallel platforms using a simple approximation. The approximation is to solve the transport equation as a stationary problem at every time level. This is referred to as a quasi time-accurate approximation to differentiate it from a truly time-accurate computation where the transport equation is solved as a nonstationary problem. Using this approximation, the individual integrations at different times are independent, and coarse-grain parallelism can be easily exploited using the Message Passing Interface (MPI) parallel programming system.
The viability of web-derived polarity lexicons

We examine the viability of building large polarity lexicons semi-automatically from the web. We begin by describing a graph propagation framework inspired by previous work on constructing polarity lexicons from lexical graphs (Kim and Hovy, 2004; Hu and Liu, 2004; Esuli and Sabastiani, 2009; Blair-Goldensohn et al., 2008; Rao and Ravichandran, 2009). We then apply this technique to build an English lexicon that is significantly larger than those previously studied. Crucially, this web-derived lexicon does not require WordNet, part-of-speech taggers, or other language-dependent resources typical of sentiment analysis systems. As a result, the lexicon is not limited to specific word classes -- e.g., adjectives that occur in WordNet -- and in fact contains slang, misspellings, multiword expressions, etc. We evaluate a lexicon derived from English documents, both qualitatively and quantitatively, and show that it provides superior performance to previously studied lexicons, including one derived from WordNet.
YC-1, a benzyl indazole derivative, stimulates vascular cGMP and inhibits neointima formation.

Abstract The pathobiologic process of arterial stenosis following balloon angioplasty continues to be an enigmatic problem in clinical settings. This research project investigates the ability of YC-1, a benzyl indazole derivative that sensitizes sGC/cGMP, to stimulate endogenous cGMP and attenuate balloon injury-induced neointima (NI) formation in the rat carotid artery. Northern and Western blot analyses revealed enhanced acute expression of iNOS and inducible heme oxygenase (HO-1) mRNA and protein in the injured artery. The contralateral uninjured artery also demonstrated acute HO-1 mRNA and protein induction without detectable iNOS expression. Perivascular application of YC-1 immediately following injury significantly stimulated acute vessel wall cGMP compared to untreated controls. YC-1 treated sections demonstrated significant reduction in NI area (−74%), NI area/medial wall area (−72%), and NI thickness (−76%) 2 weeks post-injury. These results directly implicate YC-1 as a potent new therapeutic agent capable of reducing post-angioplasty stenosis through endogenous CO- and/or NO-mediated, cGMP-dependent processes.
From patient-specific mathematical neuro-oncology to precision medicine.

Gliomas are notoriously aggressive, malignant brain tumors that have variable response to treatment. These patients often have poor prognosis, informed primarily by histopathology. Mathematical neuro-oncology (MNO) is a young and burgeoning field that leverages mathematical models to predict and quantify response to therapies. These mathematical models can form the basis of modern “precision medicine” approaches to tailor therapy in a patient-specific manner. Patient specific models (PSMs) can be used to overcome imaging limitations, improve prognostic predictions, stratify patients and assess treatment response in silico. The information gleaned from such models can aid in the construction and efficacy of clinical trials and treatment protocols, accelerating the pace of clinical research in the war on cancer. This review focuses on the growing translation of PSM to clinical neuro-oncology. It will also provide a forward-looking view on a new era of patient-specific mathematical neuro-oncology.
“Non solum sibi sed aliis etiam”: Neoplatonism and Rhetoric in Saint Augustine's De doctrina Christiana

Abstract: In the Confessions (397-401) and On Christian Doctrine (396; 426), St. Augustine brackets Neoplatonic philosophy with Ciceronian rhetoric, finding the acknowledged value of each to be limited by an emphasis on individual achievement that is conducive to pride. His personal struggle to overcome such pride shaped his conception of Christian eloquence, which stresses humility through subordination to the scriptural text and service to others. The Christian orator, as defined by Augustine, is above all a teacher who embodies the biblical text, whether by using the “rule of charity” to paraphrase the truths found in Scripture, by simply repeating the actual words of the Bible, or by leading a life of charity that constitutes a kind of speech without words.
The Future of Early Communication and Language Intervention

This article presents a vision of the future of early communication and language intervention efforts. In this vision, all young children experience highly responsive environments for as much of the time as possible from infancy onward, communication and language delays and disorders are routinely identified as close to their genesis as possible, and optimal intervention strategies are implemented as early as possible. To realize this vision, we must achieve the following on a broad scale: (a) increase support for responsive interaction styles among all parents, childcare workers, teachers, and early interventionists; (b) expand efforts to identify communication delays and disorders as early as possible; (c) move forward with the development of truly effective communication and language intervention approaches; and (d) transform research findings into day-to-day practice. The realization of this vision will necessitate a truly transdisciplinary approach to both research and practice.
Faith in Intuition Is Associated With Decreased Latent Inhibition in a Sample of High-Achieving Adolescents

Decreased latent inhibition (LI), reflecting an inability to screen from awareness stimuli previously experienced as irrelevant, has been associated with psychosis. Recent research has suggested, however, that low LI is associated with increased creative achievement in high-functioning individuals (S. H. Carson, J. B. Peterson, & D. M. Higgins, 2003). This study examined the relationship between LI and individual differences in the tendency to rely on intuition to make decisions. Participants scoring higher on a Faith in Intuition factor consisting of items relating to affect tended to have decreased LI. LI was not related to a rational thinking style or to a factor consisting of items relating to a holistic type of intuition. Furthermore, those high in faith in intuition benefitted more from a preexposure condition in which participants received the relevant stimuli in the first phase of the task than did those scoring medium and low in faith in intuition. An explanation is offered for the link between faith in intuition and LI, building on past theory and research on the biological basis of LI and associations with openness to experience and creativity.
Ab Initio Design of Two-Photon Absorbing Materials

Two-photon absorbing materials such as conjugated polyenes show promise as nonlinear optical materials. Prediction of two-photon absorption frequencies and cross-sections has been limited by the high level of ab initio calculations that must be carried out in order to accurately calculate excited state energies and transition dipole moments, by the size of many of the compounds of interest, and by the difficulty of handling condensed phase effects in the calculations. We have carried out geometry optimizations at the multi-configurational selfconsistent field level on a small polyene, hexatriene, both in the gas-phase and in solution, with the solvent effects being modeled by the effective fragment potential. The excited-state energies have been calculated by the multiconfigurational quasidegenerate perturbation theory. Transition dipole moment calculations have also been carried out, from which the two-photon absorption cross-section can be estimated. The results indicate that just one or two solvent molecules can have a large effect on the nonlinear optical properties of two-photon absorbing materials.
Increasing the net charge and decreasing the hydrophobicity of bovine carbonic anhydrase decreases the rate of denaturation with sodium dodecyl sulfate.

Abstract This study compares the rate of denaturation with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) of the individual rungs of protein charge ladders generated by acylation of the lysine e − NH 3 + groups of bovine carbonic anhydrase II (BCA). Each acylation decreases the number of positively charged groups, increases the net negative charge, and increases the hydrophobic surface area of BCA. This study reports the kinetics of denaturation in solutions containing SDS of the protein charge ladders generated with acetic and hexanoic anhydrides; plotting these rates of denaturation as a function of the number of modifications yields a U-shaped curve. The proteins with an intermediate number of modifications are the most stable to denaturation by SDS. There are four competing interactions—two resulting from the change in electrostatics and two resulting from the change in exposed hydrophobic surface area—that determine how a modification affects the stability of a rung of a charge ladder of BCA to denaturation with SDS. A model based on assumptions about how these interactions affect the folded and transition states has been developed and fits the experimental results. Modeling indicates that for each additional acylation, the magnitude of the change in the activation energy of denaturation (ΔΔ G ‡ ) due to changes in the electrostatics is much larger than the change in ΔΔ G ‡ due to changes in the hydrophobicity, but the intermolecular and intramolecular electrostatic effects are opposite in sign. At the high numbers of acylations, hydrophobic interactions cause the hexanoyl-modified BCA to denature nearly three orders of magnitude more rapidly than the acetyl-modified BCA.
First Annual Northeastern People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference Panel: The Diversity Among Us

Panelist, Jenny Rivera, describes her role as a professor of color and how the components of her identity have influenced her vision of the world, her work as a law professor, and her vision of the role of law to improve people's lives.
Genetic design of biologically inspired discrete dynamical basis networks to approximate data sequences

This paper described a method by which time based data sequences are modeled using a biologically inspired, discrete dynamical basis network (DDBN) of simple operators. Each operator contains an internal state variable, and the operator network represents a system of recurrence relations. The temporal values of each state variable form a basis sequence. The least mean squares (LMS) weighted sum of basis sequences compute the output from the network. A genetic algorithm (GA) was used to evolve the DDBN. Three different target data sequences were chosen to test the genetic design of the DDBNs. Results indicate that DDBNs with LMS summing output junctions are effective in approximating time based data sequences and capable of storing information in a procedural, dynamical fashion.
New reciprocity theorems for chiral, nonactive, and bi-isotropic media

Two generalized reciprocity theorems for homogeneous bi-isotropic media are presented that do not invoke a complementary space. One of them is eminently crosspolarized involving real sources and fields, while the other is a generalization of the Lorentz theorem and is therefore eminently copolarized, invoking generalized sources or fields. These theorems constitute the foundation for new variational expressions leading to a reaction-type development with capabilities to handle biisotropic/nonactive/chiral/isotropic materials.
Linearizing the z-axis of an oscilloscope display

In most oscilloscopes, the luminance of the display is not proportional to the z-axis voltage. We describe a simple circuit for linearizing this relationship.
Elevating perceived predation risk modifies the relationship between parental effort and song complexity in the song sparrow Melospiza melodia

Adult-directed predation risk elevates costs of parental care, and may modify relationships between sexually selected ornaments and parental effort by accentuating the tradeoff between survival and parental investment. We assessed multiple hypotheses regarding the relationship between maternal effort, paternal effort, and the sexually selected trait of male song complexity in the song sparrow Melospiza melodia. Further, we explored whether experimentally elevating perceived adult-directed predation risk near nests affected these relationships. We quantified two dimensions of song complexity: song repertoire size and residual syllable number (the relative number of syllables for a given song repertoire size). Under elevated perceived predation risk, but not in the absence of the predator stimuli, females mated to males with higher residual syllable number displayed higher nestling provisioning rates and performed a greater proportion of nestling provisioning trips. In other words, elevating perceived predation risk induced a pattern of maternal investment consistent with differential allocation. In contrast, under elevated perceived predation risk, only, females performed a lesser proportion of provisioning trips when mated to males with large song repertoire sizes. Further, consistent with the good parent hypothesis, males with large song repertoire sizes displayed lower latencies to return to the nest, independent of the predator stimuli. Results suggest that residual syllable number may reflect some aspect of male genetic quality, such that females are more willing to maintain maternal effort while facing heightened predation risk. On the other hand, females may gain paternal benefits when mated to males with large song repertoires. Our study supports the hypothesis that increased costs of parental care associated with predation risk may induce relationships between sexually selected traits and parental behavior, which may increase the strength of sexual selection. Additionally, results suggest that different aspects of song complexity may fulfill non-equivalent signaling roles.