cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Very Large Data Bases

The goal of this Conference is to bring to the attention of the international database community and of the members of ACM's Special Interest Groups on Business Data Processing (SIGBDP), Information Retrieval (SIGIR), and Management of Data (SIGMOD), the two new activities which will impact them for years to come. The first new activity is the initiation of a technical journal by ACM known as the ACM Transactions on Database Systems (TODS) which will have its first issue in the Spring of 1976. The second new activity is the emerging emphasis on very large database research and development which is prompted by Advance Research Projects Agency's programs on intelligent terminals, advanced memory concepts and very large database systems. In order to meet the goal, we formed a Program Committee of international standing. The Committee decided to have an open call-for-papers, to organize panel discussions on very large database users, on very large storage devices and on future storage architectures, and to arrange the Conference meeting in the Greater Boston area which had the support and sponsorship of ACM's SIGBDP, SIGIR, and SIGMOD and The Rand Corporation. The response to the call-for-papers was overwhelming. Over one hundred and forty people indicated their desire to submit papers. Despite a delay of notice and an earlier deadline for paper submission, we received ninety-eight complete papers. Each paper was refereed by three reviewers. Twenty-nine papers were recommended by the Committee for their publication in the Conference Proceedings. Six of the twenty-nine papers will be included in the first issue of the TODS. Because some of the remaining papers were of good quality and of interest to database practitioners, the Committee further recommended the inclusion of abstracts of another twenty-seven papers in the Proceedings.
A Measure of Basic Math Skills for Use with Undergraduate Statistics Students: The MACS.

Mathematical competency is related to performance in introductory statistics courses and may be a roadblock to successful course completion. We developed a new measure (Math Assessment for College Students, MACS) of basic mathematics skills that improves upon measures previously used in undergraduate settings. The MACS is freely available and contains items not typically included on standardized measures of mathematical ability. We administered the 44-item MACS to 414 undergraduate psychology statistics students, and used a multiple correspondence analysis to eliminate 14 items, resulting in a 30-item measure with strong psychometric properties. MACS scores showed statistically significant moderate correlations with a commonly used standardized measure of basic mathematics skills and with overall statistics course grade. We discuss the utility of the MACS and how the MACS may help course instructors identify areas of mathematical deficiency that require remediation. First published November 2018 at Statistics Education Research Journal Archives
Velocities of type II endoleaks on Doppler ultrasonography predict outcome.

Abstract Objective We sought to determine whether flow velocities measured using Doppler ultrasonography after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) can predict for resolution of type II endoleaks without intervention. We also assessed the relationship of the flow velocities to sac growth and the need for intervention. We hypothesized that hemodynamic properties suggesting low flow velocity would predict for resolution of type II endoleaks. Methods The data from 23 patients with type II endoleaks identified on Doppler ultrasonography after EVAR from January 2014 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The 23 patients with type II endoleaks were split into two groups. Group 1 included the 13 patients with resolved endoleaks or shrinking sac size and group 2, the 10 patients with an increasing sac size or those requiring intervention to seal the endoleak because of an increased sac size. We analyzed the velocities of the endoleak nidus. Results Doppler ultrasound velocities were significantly lower in patients with resolved type II endoleaks and those with a shrinking aneurysm sac size compared with those demonstrating an increase in aneurysm sac size (42.6 ± 25.2 cm/s vs 219.5 ± 84.1 cm/s; P 100 cm/s. In contrast, no patient in group 1 had had any duplex ultrasound scan with endoleak nidus velocities >100 cm/s. Conclusions The Doppler ultrasound velocities of type II endoleaks might be able to predict for spontaneous resolution of type II endoleaks or increased sac growth. Type II endoleaks on Doppler ultrasonography with endoleak nidus velocities >100 cm/s can persistent, even with attempted treatment.
Performance Analysis of Integrated Electro-Optic Phase Modulators Based on Emerging Materials

Electro-optic modulators are utilized ubiquitously ranging from applications in data communication to photonic neural networks. While tremendous progress has been made over the years, efficient phase-shifting modulators are challenged with fundamental tradeoffs, such as voltage-length, index change-losses or energy-bandwidth, and no single solution available checks all boxes. While voltage-driven phase modulators, such as based on lithium niobate, offer low loss and high speed operation, their footprint of 10’s of cm-scale is prohibitively large, especially for density-critical applications, for example in photonic neural networks. Ignoring modulators for quantum applications, where insertion loss is critical, in this work we distinguish between current versus voltage-driven modulators. We focus on the former, since current-based schemes of emerging thin electro-optical materials have shown unity-strong index modulation suitable for heterogeneous integration into foundry waveguides. Here, we provide an in-depth ab-initio analysis of obtainable modulator performance based on heterogeneously integrating low-dimensional materials, i.e., graphene, thin films of indium tin oxide, and transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers into a plurality of optical waveguide designs atop silicon photonics. Using the fundamental modulator tradeoff of energy-bandwidth-product as a design-quality quantifier, we show that a small modal cross section, such as given by plasmonic modes, enables high-performance operation, physically realized by arguments on charge-distribution and low electrical resistance. An in-depth design understanding of phase-modulator performance, beyond doped-junctions in silicon, offers opportunities for micrometer-compact yet energy-bandwidth-ratio constrained modulators with timely opportunities to hardware-accelerate applications beyond data communication towards photonic machine intelligence, for instance; where both performance and integration-density are critical.
Reconfigurable Curved Beams for Selectable Swimming Gaits in an Underwater Robot

Rowing is a swimming motion employed by a number of animals via tuned passive biomechanics and active gait strategies. This gait generates positive net thrust (or moment) by having a higher drag profile in the power stroke compared with the recovery stroke, which is obtained via faster actuation speed or higher effective area. In this letter, we show that using the preferential buckling of curved beams in swimming robots can, via a passive reduction of effective area in recovery stroke, be used to generate positive net thrust and moment. Additionally, these curved beams can be actively tuned to alter their behavior on demand for use in swimming applications, and can be used in an underwater robot to switch between rowing and flapping gaits. A dynamic model has been developed to model the swimming behavior of a robot using buckling joints. A design optimization has been carried out, using the Covariance Matrix Adaption Evolution Strategy (CMA-ES), to find the design and gait parameters that maximize the robot's forward swimming speed. A series of experimental gait searches have subsequently been conducted on the resulting optimal design, again using CMA-ES with the goal of finding the optimal gait pattern across a number of swimming strategies such as paddling, flapping, and undulation. By actively altering the curved beam's buckling limits, an untethered robot has been developed that maneuvers in water across each of these swimming strategies. The findings suggest that tuning the preferential buckling limits of curved beams can be an effective and potentially advantageous approach for producing directional thrust and moments.
Social work training to reduce duration of untreated psychosis: Methodology and considerations of a web-based training for community providers.

Aim Outcomes for individuals with psychotic disorders can be improved through early intervention services; however, identification continues to be a major problem in connecting individuals with these services. Social workers form a vast majority of the human service and mental health workforce in the United States and therefore have the potential to play a unique role in identifying and referring those who may benefit from specialty early intervention services. Methods The current article describes the methodological design, implementation, and participant recruitment procedures of a large-scale, web-based training program for social workers promoting identification and referral of individuals with emerging symptoms of a mental illness with psychosis in the context of a randomized clinical trial. Results The web-based study enrolled 1384 individuals. More than half of study participants enrolled within the first 3 months of the 14-month recruitment period. Completion of all study components was achieved by 959 individuals (69% of total enrolled), and completion status did not vary significantly by gender, ethnicity, or facility at which the individual was employed. Completion rates varied by race, such that participants identifying as White were more likely to complete the study, while those identifying as Black were less likely. Discussion The results suggest the feasibility of using a web-based training program to engage social workers in early psychosis identification practices. Challenges related to encouraging participants to complete the training and lessons learned during the study recruitment are discussed.
Lithium–Ion Battery Modeling for Aerospace Applications

In this paper, we develop a semiempirical model for predicting degradation in lithium–ion batteries and use it to assess the performance of an all-electric general aviation aircraft over its operat...
Cascaded Switching Capacitor based Multi-phase Three-Level Buck Converter for Communication Envelope Tracking

The evolution of 4G and 5G communication systems improved not only the data transfer rates but also the losses associated with the radio frequency power amplifier (RFPA) of the transmitter/receiver system. When supplied with a constant DC power source, the RFPA has very poor efficiency. Envelope tracking (ET) is a supply modulation technique where the supply voltage varies dynamically to track the envelope of the input radio frequency (RF) signal. A cascaded switching capacitor-based multi-phase three-level buck converter is proposed in this digest as a drain supply modulator. EPC 8000 family eGaN MOSFETS are used to enable the multi – MHz high switching frequency of operation of the converter. A fourth-order low pass LC-filter is designed to enable the zero-voltage switching and to track the 20 MHz 4G LTE band-limited envelope signal. The proposed converter has a peak efficiency of 97.3 % and over 95 % for most of the output voltage range. Simulation results and preliminary experimental results are provided to validate the proposed concept.
Bilateral Pedicle Fractures at Contiguous Segments in a Low Trauma Setting: A Case Report.

CASE: A 74-year-old patient with a history of osteoporosis presented with a 2-month history of lower back pain after low-energy trauma. Imaging revealed bilateral subacute L4 and L5 pedicle fractures-the first reported case of this low-energy mechanism of bilateral contiguous-segment pedicle fractures. CONCLUSION: Bilateral pedicle fractures have infrequently been reported in the literature. There have been a few reports of bilateral pedicle fractures because of isolated osteoporosis, and these have all been single level. The current report presents an unusual fragility fracture pattern that can be conservatively managed.
Vascular complications of transsphenoidal surgery.

Vascular complication of transsphenoidal can lead to mortality and serious morbidity. In a series of 3,061 transsphenoidal operations for pituitary disease, 24 such complications were encountered, seven of which were fatal. The anatomic substrate for such complications is discussed, along with technical aspects of surgery and other methods for the avoidance of vascular complications.
Existence and Approximation of Solutions to a Linear Partial Differential Equation

We shall denote by P n the vector space of polynomials in n indeterminates (or “variables”) X1,...,X n , with complex coefficients, by P n d (d=0, 1,...) the subspace of P n consisting of the polynomials of degree ≤d. We provide P n with the locally convex topology, inductive limit of the finite-dimensional Hausdorff TVS P n d : a seminorm 𝖕 on P n is continuous if and only if its restriction to every P n d for d=0, 1,..., is continuous. But every seminorm on a finite dimensional Hausdorff TVS is continuous (cf. Treves [2], Theorem 9.1), therefore this is also true in P n Spec P n is the total spectrum of P n in other words, P n carries the finest locally convex topology. This is equivalent with saying that every linear functional on P n is continuous: the algebraic dual of P n is equal to its dual.
Central role for MyD88 in the responses of microglia to pathogen-associated molecular patterns.

Microglia, the innate immune effector cells of the CNS parenchyma, express TLR that recognize conserved motifs of microorganisms referred to as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP). All TLRs identified to date, with the exception of TLR3, use a common adaptor protein, MyD88, to transduce activation signals. Recently, we reported that microglial activation in response to the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus was not completely attenuated following TLR2 ablation, suggesting the involvement of additional receptors. To assess the functional role of alternative TLRs in microglial responses to S. aureus and its cell wall product peptidoglycan as well as the Gram-negative PAMP LPS, we evaluated primary microglia from MyD88 knockout (KO) and wild-type mice. The induction of TNF-α, IL-12 p40, and MIP-2 (CXCL2) expression by S. aureus- and peptidoglycan-stimulated microglia was MyD88 dependent, as revealed by the complete inhibition of cytokine production in MyD88 KO cells. In addition, the expression of additional pattern recognition receptors, including TLR9, pentraxin-3, and lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1, was regulated, in part, via a MyD88-dependent manner as demonstrated by the attenuated expression of these receptors in MyD88 KO microglia. Microglial activation was only partially inhibited in LPS-stimulated MyD88 KO cells, suggesting the involvement of MyD88-independent pathways. Collectively, these findings reveal the complex mechanisms for microglia to respond to diverse bacterial pathogens, which occur via both MyD88-dependent and -independent pathways.
Extensive proteolysis of head and inner body proteins by a morphogenetic protease in the giant Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage φKZ

Encased within the 280 kb genome in the capsid of the giant myovirus φKZ is an unusual cylindrical proteinaceous “inner body” of highly ordered structure. We present here mass spectrometry, bioinformatic, and biochemical studies that reveal novel information about the φKZ head and the complex inner body. The identification of 39 cleavage sites in 19 φKZ head proteins indicates cleavage of many prohead proteins forms a major morphogenetic step in φKZ head maturation. The φKZ head protease, gp175, is newly identified here by a bioinformatics approach, as confirmed by a protein expression assay. Gp175 is distantly related to T4 gp21 and recognizes and cleaves head precursors at related but distinct S/A/G-X-E recognition sites. Within the φKZ head there are six high copy number proteins that are probable major components of the inner body. The molecular weights of five of these proteins are reduced 35–65% by cleavages making their mature form similar (26–31 kDa), while their precursors are dissimilar (36–88 kDa). Together the six abundant proteins sum to the estimated mass of the inner body (15–20 MDa). The identification of these proteins is important for future studies on the composition and function of the inner body.
The Preservation of Urine Specimens for δ-Aminolevulinic Acid Determination

The effect of light exposure and temperature on urinary δ-aminolevulinic acid recovery was studied. Addition of tartaric acid and storage of urine specimens in the dark results in excellent recovery of δ-aminolevulinic acid, even after several days at room temperature. Proper handling and storage of urine collected during surveys of lead poisoning are emphasized.
Genome-level and biochemical diversity of the acyl-activating enzyme superfamily in plants

In higher plants, the superfamily of carboxyl-CoA ligases and related proteins, collectively called acyl activating enzymes (AAEs), has evolved to provide enzymes for many pathways of primary and secondary metabolism and for the conjugation of hormones to amino acids. Across the superfamily there is only limited sequence similarity, but a series of highly conserved motifs, including the AMP-binding domain, make it easy to identify members. These conserved motifs are best understood in terms of the unique domain-rotation architecture that allows AAE enzymes to catalyze the two distinct steps of the CoA ligase reaction. Arabidopsis AAE sequences were used to identify the AAE gene families in the sequenced genomes of green algae, mosses, and trees; the size of the respective families increased with increasing degree of organismal cellular complexity, size, and generation time. Large-scale genome duplications and small-scale tandem gene duplications have contributed to AAE gene family complexity to differing extents in each of the multicellular species analyzed. Gene duplication and evolution of novel functions in Arabidopsis appears to have occurred rapidly, because acquisition of new substrate specificity is relatively easy in this class of proteins. Convergent evolution has also occurred between members of distantly related clades. These features of the AAE superfamily make it difficult to use homology searches and other genomics tools to predict enzyme function.
Science: Learning Through Experimentation and Practice

In this chapter the reader will be introduced to the National Educational Technology Standards for Student. These standards will be used in alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards and the Common Core Standards to demonstrate how the standards and technology can be integrated into the science education and support language arts and mathematics education as well. Readers will receive backgrounds on the standards, instructional strategies to use, examples of technologies to support the strategies, and scenarios from across the K-12 spectrum.
Altered insulin-like growth factor-1 and nitric oxide sensitivities in hypertension contribute to vascular hyperplasia

Vascular medial thickening, a hallmark of hypertension, is associated with vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Although the precise mechanisms responsible are elusive, we have shown that strain induced regulation of autocrine insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and nitric oxide (NO) reciprocally modulate VSMC proliferation. Therefore, we investigated potential IGF-1 and NO abnormalities in young (10-week-old) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and their respective VSMC ex vivo. The SHR had increased mean arterial pressure (173 ± 2 v 128 ± 3 mm Hg, n = 24, P .05) v WKY. The SHR exhibited increased aortic wall thickness in comparison with WKY (523 ± 16 v 355 ± 17μm; P < .05). No differences were seen in plasma combined NO2 and NO3 (NOx) (0.48 ± 0.11 mmol/L for WKY v 0.58 ± 0.18 mmol/L for SHR) or plasma IGF-1 (1007 ± 28 ng/mL for WKY v 953 ± 26 ng/mL for SHR). Aortic VSMC from SHR displayed enhanced proliferation in comparison with WKY (P < .05). Underlying this enhanced proliferation was altered SHR VSMC sensitivity to the antiproliferative NO donor 2,2"[Hydroxynitrosohydrazono] bis-ethanimine (DETA-NO) (ID50: 270 ± 20 mmol/L for SHR; 150 ± 11 mmol/L for WKY; P < .05). Basal cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) secretion from SHR VSMC was 65-fold greater than that seen from WKY (P < .001). In response to DETA-NO, cGMP secretion from SHR VSMC increased modestly (1.5-fold; P < .01), whereas treatment of WKY VSMC resulted in a 26-fold (P < .001) increase in cGMP. The SHR VSMC did not respond to exogenous IGF-1, whereas WKY VSMC exhibited a dose dependent increase in proliferation with IGF-1 (10−10 to 10−7 mol/L). These data suggest that VSMC hyperplasia in early hypertension is not reflected by imbalances in plasma IGF-1 or NO. Rather, altered SHR VSMC sensitivity to NO is likely responsible in part for the observed hyperproliferation seen in early stages of hypertension.
Mechanism of Cardiovascular Action of Tetrodotoxin in the Cat BLOCK OF CONDUCTION IN PERIPHERAL SYMPATHETIC FIBERS

Tetrodotoxin given to cats in doses of 1 to 10 µg/kg iv caused profound cardiovascular depression characterized by decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressures, pulse pressure, heart rate, force of myocardial contraction, cardiac output and peripheral resistance. These effects were associated with marked inhibition of the responses to stimulation of nerves to the adrenal medulla and the sympathetic nerves to heart and blood vessels. Sinus bradycardia due to toxin did not occur after acute cardiac sympathetic denervation. In isolated sympathetic nerve-right atrium preparations, tetrodotoxin at 1 to 2 x 10 -8 g/ml abolished the positive inotropic and chronotropic responses to nerve stimulation without effect on spontaneous rate or force, or transmitter release by tyramine. Toxin-produced vasodilation in perfused hindlimbs was associated with marked inhibition of the normal vasoconstrictor responses to sympathetic vasomotor nerve stimulation. Vasodilation was not due to a direct action on vascular smooth muscle, since it was not seen after α-receptor blockade with phenoxybenzamine, after sympathetic denervation, or after blockade of adrenergic transmitter release by guanethidine or β-TM 10 accompanied by adrenalectomy. Vasodilators such as acetylcholine, histamine and isoproterenol consistently produced additional vasodilation under these conditions. The hypotensive effect of the toxin was also observed in spinal cats. It is concluded that the potent hypotensive action of tetrodotoxin, in the cat, is primarily due to blockade of conduction in peripheral sympathetic nerves and nerve fibers innervating the adrenal medulla.
Onc 0 sequences in Banach spaces

A Banach space has property (S) if every normalized weakly null sequence contains a subsequences equivalent to the unit vector basis ofc0. We show that the equivalence constant can be chosen “uniformly”, i.e., independent of the choice of the normalized weakly null sequence. Furthermore we show that a Banach space with property (S) has property (u). This solves in the negative the conjecture that a separable Banach space with property (u) not containingl1 has a separable dual.
Optional, repeatable, and varying type parameters

Parameter passing mechanisms are developed for optional, repeatable, and varying type parameters. For optional parameters, a programmer-defined default value is passed when the actual parameter is not present; in addition, the called procedure may determine whether the actual parameter is present. An arbitrary number of actual parameters may be passed by binding them to an array-like structure in the called procedure. Syntax similar to Algol 68's union type is proposed to allow passing parameters of varying types. These mechanisms are suggested as useful extensions to Pascal-like languages.
On the Structure of Phoneme Categories in Listeners With Cochlear Implants

Purpose To describe cochlear implant users' phoneme labeling, discrimination, and prototypes for a vowel and a sibilant contrast, and to assess the effects of 1 year’s experience with prosthetic he...
Power, Labor, and the Dynamics of Change in Chacoan Political Economy

The organizational structure of the famous Chaco Phenomenon has long been debated by southwestern archaeologists. To better clarify the nature and dynamics of Chacoan organization we need to rethink the relationship between social power and the appropriation of surplus labor in middle-range societies. Drawing on the tradition of anthropological political economy, I outline a theoretical approach that allows for the relative autonomy of power and labor relations in human social life and models Chacoan political economy using a “thin definition” of communalism. Empirical patterns from the Chaco and post-Chaco eras in the northern Southwest are presented in support of a model of Chaco communalism and change dynamics. Suggestions for furthering a political economy of the Chaco Phenomenon that respects the difference or “otherness” of the past are also detailed.
Acetylcarnitine-mediated inhibition of ethanol oxidation in hepatocytes

Abstract Carnitine-mediated prevention of ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis is related to the attenuation of ethanol metabolism by carnitine in the intact rat. Although carnitine retards ethanol oxidation in the intact animal, the in vitro activities of ethainol-metabolizing enzymes remain unaltered. Therefore, hepatocytes were targeted to understand the mechanism of carnitine effect on ethanol metabolism. Rat hepatocytes were isolated by a collagenase-perfusion technique and incubated in albumin-containing medium with ethanol in the presence or absence of added carnitine or related compounds. Ethanol oxidation was determined by the loss of ethanol as well as by the products formed. The rate of ethanol oxidation in the presence of carnitine was one-half the rate in the absence of carnitine (14 vs. 25 nmol · min −1 · million −1 cells). It took 100 times the concentration of carnitine to equal the maximal inhibition produced by acetylcarnitine and the effect of acetylcanitine was without a lag time. It is concluded that acetylcarnitine is the mediator of carnitine inhibition of ethanol oxidation.
Architectonic subdivisions of the motor thalamus of owl monkeys: Nissl, acetylcholinesterase, and cytochrome oxidase patterns

As the first part of an investigation of the motor thalamus and its cortical connections in the owl monkey, a New World anthropoid primate, we studied thalamic architecture by using stains for Nissl, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and cytochrome oxidase (CO), in order to identify subdivisions of the ventrolateral thalamic region as well as other nuclei with motor connections. Material was obtained from brains cut in the frontal, horizontal, and parasagittal planes. Our results indicate that the ventrolateral thalamic region (VL) of owl monkeys is a heterogeneous structure composed of several architectonic subdivisions that resemble divisions that have been described in macaques and other Old World anthropoids. All of these subdivisions are more readily distinguished in AChE than in Nissl or CO preparations. The anterior part of VL, VLa (VLo of Olszewski), is characterized by clusters of medium-sized, darkly stained neurons. VLa is also distinguished by AChE-positive cells embedded in a matrix of neurites as well as by a characteristic dark, irregular net of blood vessels. The posterior part of VL is rather uniform cytoarchitectonically and contains large, darkly stained, and sparsely distributed neurons. However, we were able to distinguish three subdivisions of posterior VL that closely correspond to structures described by Olszewski in macaques: a principal segment, VLp (VPLo of Olszewski), a medial segment, VLx ("area X" of Olszewski), and a dorsal segment, VLd (VLc and VLps of Olszewski). In AChE, VLd is much darker than the other divisions. The distinction between VLp and VLx, which together make up the largest part of VL, is less marked, although VLp is somewhat darker and more irregular in appearance in AChE than is VLx.
Developing neural stem cell-based treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

Owing to the aging of the population, our society now faces an impending wave of age-related neurodegenerative pathologies, the most significant of which is Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, no effective therapies for Alzheimer’s disease have been developed. However, recent advances in the fields of neural stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells now provide us with the first real hope for a cure. The recent discovery by Blurton-Jones and colleagues that neural stem cells can effectively deliver disease-modifying therapeutic proteins throughout the brains of our best rodent models of Alzheimer’s disease, combined with recent advances in human nuclear reprogramming, stem cell research, and highly customized genetic engineering, may represent a potentially revolutionary personalized cellular therapeutic approach capable of effectively curing, ameliorating, and/or slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Modulation of macrophage and microglial responses to axonal injury in the peripheral and central nervous systems.

OBJECTIVE: After axonal injury, macrophages rapidly infiltrate and become activated in the mammalian peripheral nervous system (PNS) but not the central nervous system (CNS). We used the dorsal root pathway to study factors that modulate the response of macrophages to degenerating axons in both the PNS and the CNS. METHODS: Lewis rats underwent transection of dorsal roots (Group I), stab within the spinal cord (Group II), crush at the dorsal root entry zone (Group III), transection of dorsal roots combined with a CNS lesion (Group IV), or systemic administration of a known activator of macrophages, lipopolysaccharide, alone (Group V) or combined with transection of dorsal roots (Group VI). ED-1 antibody stained for macrophages and activated microglia at 7, 14, and 42 days postinjury. RESULTS: At early time points, Group I demonstrated ED-1 cells in the PNS but not the CNS portion of the degenerating dorsal roots. Group II revealed ED-1 cells near the stab lesion. Group III demonstrated ED-1 cells adjacent to the dorsal root entry zone crush site. Group IV revealed ED-1 cells along both the PNS and the CNS portions of the degenerating dorsal roots when the CNS lesion was placed near the transected roots. Group V demonstrated few ED-1 cells in the PNS and the CNS, whereas Group VI revealed a marked ED-1 cellular response along both the PNS and the CNS portions of the transected dorsal roots. CONCLUSION: Local CNS trauma and systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide can prime macrophages/ microglia, resulting in an enhanced response to degenerating axons in the CNS. Such priming might prove useful in promoting axonal regeneration.
Testing for and against an order restriction in mixed-effects models

Mixed-effects models are considered for situations in which it is believed a priori that the ordering of the fixed effects is known. An analogue to the usual F-test for homogeneity of the fixed effects is presented and its use is illustrated by a numerical example. A test of the order restriction on the fixed effect as the null hypothesis is developed for situations in which the ordering assumption is in question.
Far-Field Optical Imaging at the Nanoscale via Absorbance Modulation

Absorbance modulation is a technique that overcomes the far-field diffraction barrier by combining nonlinear photochemistry with nodal illumination. We present the application of absorbance modulation to optical nanoscopy.
Opportunities for meeting sustainability objectives

Abstract It is inevitable that theory and good practice in Human Factors/Ergonomics (HF/E) should comprise engineering for sustainability to safeguard ecology and maintaining the quality of life. There are immediate and longer-term opportunities for HF/E community to be a key contributor in solving sustainability issues. However, sustainability research in HF/E domain has only been partially explored. A further theoretical and practical contribution is needed. Digital Human Modeling (DHM) is a potential method to integrate human element into sustainability research. However, current DHM tools are limited in resolving these issues until sustainability objectives are explicitly considered. There are DHM tools available to evaluate human performance. However typically do not consider sustainability aspects of the work environment. This study introduces two conceptual digital ergonomics toolkits, Air Quality Index Assessment and Metabolic Energy Expenditure, to demonstrate the potential use of DHM in evaluating the health risks and worker's performance in work design. Incorporating human element into sustainability through DHM (digital ergonomics toolkits) reduces the need for in-situ human data collection and physical prototyping for work environments that are subject to poor air quality, toxic exposure and handling of hazardous materials. The DHM toolkits proposed in this study can bring attention towards building multidisciplinary collaboration that can enhance HF/E outreach goals in sustainability-related engineering design. Relevance to Industry DHM can help industry to minimize the need of in-situ human data collection, reduce the need of physical prototyping, and optimize overall system performance for where subjects are exposed to poor air quality, toxic exposure, and handling of hazardous materials.
Bentonite-cellulose systems. Flow behavior of mixed dispersions and mechanical properties of composite films.

Bentonite and microcrystalline cellulose are used as thickening agents and binders; their interaction was studied in suspension and in the solid state. Mixtures of the two solids covering the whole range of compositions were prepared by blending their aqueous suspensions under high shear. The rheological behavior of the mixed suspensions and the mechanical properties of composite films prepared by drying thin layers of these suspensions were investigated as a function of composition. Based on the volume-percentage of the dry components, bentonite was about five times more effective in increasing the viscosity of aqueous suspensions than cellulose. Cellulose tended to produce yield values. Bentonite formed strong films when its aqueous suspensions were dried; neither pure cellulose nor a mixture containing 88 vol. % cellulose formed coherent films. In the range of 0-77 vol. % cellulose, the in-plane and perpendicular tensile strengths of the composite films decreased only moderately with increasing cellulose content.
A non-class I MHC intestinal epithelial surface glycoprotein, gp180, binds to CD8.

Abstract The activation of CD8+ T cells by normal intestinal epithelial cells in antigen-specific or allogeneic mixed cell culture systems has significant implications for the modulation of mucosal immune responses due to the fact that these T cells appear to have regulatory rather than cytolytic activity. A 180-kDa glycoprotein (gp180) has been identified and shown to be important in CD8+ T cell activation by intestinal epithelial cells. In this study, we examine, in further detail, the role that the CD8 molecule plays in this interaction. It has been previously shown that monoclonal antibodies against gp180 inhibited the activation of CD8-associated p56lck in T cells. Although indirectly suggested by these data, there was no evidence that the activation of this protein tyrosine kinase was a direct result of gp180 interacting with the CD8 molecule. In this study, we document that soluble gp180 is able to bind to CD8–Fc fusion proteins and is absorbed by human CD8α but not CD4 transfected murine T cells and that this interaction is dependent upon carbohydrate on the gp180 molecule. Furthermore, the sites used for binding by gp180 are distinct from those used by the conventional CD8 ligand, class I MHC. Thus, gp180 appears to be a novel CD8 ligand that plays an important role in the activation of CD8-associated kinases and of CD8+ T cells.
Preputial urinary diversion to treat urine soaking during urination in a dog

A young dog was presented with a history of adopting an unusual posture to urinate, resulting in urine soaking of the ventral abdomen and caudal forelimbs. The dog was initially treated surgically with cranial advancement of the prepuce, which did not resolve the problem. Further surgery was then successfully carried out to create a more caudal preputial orifice, which angled the penis ventrally when extruded, directing urine away from the body. At follow-up clinical examination, the dog was clinically normal.
Time-resolved absolute velocity quantification with projections.

Quantitative information on time-resolved blood velocity along the femoral/popliteal artery can provide clinical information on peripheral arterial disease and complement MR angiography since not all stenoses are hemodynamically significant. The key disadvantages of the most widely used approach to time-resolve pulsatile blood flow by cardiac-gated velocity-encoded gradient-echo imaging are gating errors and long acquisition time. Here we demonstrate a rapid non-triggered method that quantifies absolute velocity on the basis of phase difference between successive velocity-encoded projections after selectively removing the background static tissue signal via a reference image. The tissue signal from the reference image’s center k-space line is isolated by masking out the vessels in the image domain. The performance of the technique, in terms of reproducibility and agreement with results obtained with conventional phase contrast (PC)-MRI was evaluated at 3T field strength with a variable-flow rate phantom and in vivo of the triphasic velocity waveforms at several segments along the femoral and popliteal arteries. Additionally, time-resolved flow velocity was quantified in five healthy subjects and compared against gated PC-MRI results. To illustrate clinical feasibility the proposed method was shown to be able to identify hemodynamic abnormalities and impaired reactivity in a diseased femoral artery. For both phantom and in vivo studies, velocity measurements were within 1.5 cm/s and the coefficient of variation was less than 5% in an in vivo reproducibility study. In five healthy subjects, the average differences in mean peak velocities and their temporal locations were within 1 cm/s and 10 ms compared to gated PC-MRI. In conclusion, the proposed method provides temporally-resolved arterial velocity with a temporal resolution of 20 ms with minimal post-processing.
Childhood motor disorders.

To the Editor. — I am writing to comment on the article by Dr Terence Sanger and the Task Force on Childhood Motor Disorders.1 The efforts of the Task Force are greatly appreciated, and published reports of this sort are sorely needed. The criticisms and suggestions that follow are not intended to detract from the obvious efforts of the Task Force but, rather, to contribute to the discussion. Current clinical testing procedures are indeed tethered by older definitions of terms such as “tone” and “spasticity.” Scientific investigation into the mechanisms subserving these impairments has not been similarly constrained. The report states: “Current definitions of spasticity are based on velocity-dependent resistance or … increased sensitivity in the tonic stretch reflex.” The references provided are from 1959 and 1980. More recent work by Drs Burke, Gandevia, O’Dwyer, and others indicate that the resistance encountered during passive or active movements of a spastic limb are not attributable solely to changes in the stretch reflex. The suggested definition of spasticity also limits clinical assessment. Clinicians often comment about changes in postural muscle tone and its contribution to disability. The current definition of spasticity negates testing and quantifying this condition because of the difficulty in assessing velocity-dependent resistance of most postural muscles. The same comment applies to restricting the use of the term “tone” to resistance to externally imposed movement about a joint. It would be difficult, using this definition, to assess tone …
Communication and information deficits in patients discharged to rehabilitation facilities: An evaluation of five acute care hospitals†

BACKGROUND: The quality of discharge documentation in patients discharged to rehabilitation centers and other subacute facilities is less well studied than that of patients discharged home. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of information transfer among patients discharged from acute hospitals to subacute facilities across an integrated healthcare delivery system. DESIGN: Retrospective evaluation of discharge documentation packets of selected patients. SETTING: Five acute care hospitals of the Partners Healthcare System. MEASUREMENTS: We measured the presence of specific data elements required to safely care for patients after discharge, including all data elements required by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (TJC). RESULTS: A total of 1501 discharge documentation packets were reviewed from March 2005 through June 2007. Only 1055 (70.3%) discharge summaries had all the information required by TJC, with physical examination at admission and condition at discharge most often missing (in 11.4% and 14.2% of cases, respectively). Other deficiencies not mandated by TJC included a list of preadmission medications (missing in 20.3%) and reasons for changes in these medications at discharge (35.3%), mention of pending test results (47.2%), and postdischarge management and follow-up plans (11.1%). CONCLUSIONS: We found room for improvement in the inclusion of data elements required for the safe transfer of patients from acute hospitals to subacute facilities, especially in areas such as medication reconciliation, pending test results, and adequate follow-up plans. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2009;4:E28–E33. © 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine.
286 Osteogenic differentiation in vitro of porcine adult mesenchymal stem cells

The quantity and accessibility of subcutaneous adipose tissue in humans make it an attractive alternative to bone marrow as a source of adult stem cells for therapeutic purposes. However, before such a cell source substitution can be proposed, the properties of stem cells derived from adipose tissue (ADSC) and bone marrow (BMSC), and their differentiated progeny must be compared in an animal model, such as swine, that adequately simulates the structure and physiology of humans. The objective of this work was to induce adult porcine stem cells isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue and bone marrow to differentiate in vitro along the adipogenic lineage and to compare their transcript profile properties. ADSC and BMSC were isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue and femurs of adult pigs, respectively, and differentiated along the adipogenic lineage using specific inducing medium. Cells were incubated up to 4 weeks with medium replaced every 3 days. Histological staining with Oil Red O was performed at 0, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28 days of differentiation (dd) to confirm the adipogenic differentiation. RNA was also extracted at these time points. qPCR was performed on PPARG, DBI, ACSL1, CD36, CEBPA, DGAT2, ADFP, ADIPOQ, SCD. The geometrical mean of GTF2H3, NUBP, and PPP2CB was used as an internal control. Gene expression was analyzed using a mixed model of SAS with repeated time. The adipogenic differentiation of both ADSC and BMSC was confirmed by the Oil Red O positive staining. The relative mRNA abundance of all the genes at dd0 was similar between the ADSC and BMSC. The relative mRNA abundance of most of the genes was also similar between ADSC and BMSC throughout the adipogenic differentiation. ACSL1 and ADIPOQ had analogous expression patterns among the cell types. ACSL1 had relatively large mRNA abundance before differentiation, but ADIPOQ was barely detectable. As a consequence of differentiation, ACSL1 increased in relative mRNA abundance about 10-fold, whereas ADIPOQ mRNA increased about 1000-fold. Temporal expression patterns of SCD, DGAT2, and ADFP were similar. The increase in gene expression was >800% for SCD, >500% for ADFP, and >50 000% for DGAT2 after 7dd. ADSC had significantly higher expression of those genes compared to BMSC at 14 and 28dd. Both ADIPOQ and DGAT2 were almost undetectable prior to differentiation. mRNA expression of CD36 and DBI was similar with a significantly larger increase in expression of ADSC compared with BMSC. Relative mRNA abundance of CEBPA and PPARG was also larger in ADSC compared with BMSC; however, BMSC had a remarkable increase in temporal expression of those genes throughout adipogenic differentiation. These results suggest both cell types can differentiate towards the adipogenic lineage but with quantitatively different gene expression patterns. More investigation is needed before the ADSC can be considered a practical alternative source for stem cells in future human clinical applications. This research was supported by the Illinois Regenerative Medicine Institute.
Content and chemical form of mercury and selenium in soil, sludge, and fertilizer materials

The content and chemical from of Hg and Se were determined for several samples of municipal sewage sludge and sludge ash, garden soil having a history of sludge and residential compost application, and selected fertilizer materials (peat moss, cow manure, residential compost, composted municipal refuse and sewage sludge, Miloganite). Municipal sewage sludge had the highest levels of total Hg (averaging 1240 ppb), while sludge ash had the lowest levels (averaging 5.6 ppb). Total Se levels were lowest in compost (averaging 255 ppb), while being highest in sludge ash (averaging 11550 ppb). The methylmercury percentage was fairly constant for all samples, averaging 6.0% of the total Hg content. Hexavalent Se averaged 24.3 of the total Se content, and was notably higher in sludge and fertilizer samples. Successive annual application of sludge and compost to garden soil resulted in a gradual increase of total Hg and Se in the soil, but had no significant influence on chemical form distribution for both elements.
Biomagnetic image reconstruction using the method of alternating projections

Reconstruction of current distributions was performed by solving the magnetic inverse problem using the minimum norm techniques. It provides rough images of current distribution with some noise. Improvement of the resolution and removal of noise from the reconstructed images was done by using alternating projections. The procedure assumes that images can be represented by line-like elements and involves finding the line-like elements based on the initial image and projecting back onto the original solution space. Simulation studies were performed on a (lambda) shaped conductor and a shape of the conductors in the form of letters, UWBC. All conductors were of line-like thickness. In all cases the initial reconstruction produced a good representation of the conductors with some noise, and with larger width of conductor. Alternating projection technique was applied and in each case the original shape and the line-like thickness of the conductors was recovered.
Molecular Cloning, Functional Expression, and Chromosomal Localization of the Human Cholecystokinin Type A Receptor

The results presented here describe for the first time the molecular cloning of the human CCKA-R. Expression of the recombinant receptor shows the expected subtype pharmacology and coupling to phosphoinositide hydrolysis reported for the native human CCKA-R. This knowledge will enhance our understanding of its distribution, pharmacology, and structure and will improve our understanding of its physiological role in the gastrointestinal and nervous systems in humans. Ultimately, this should hasten the understanding and therapy of gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatric disorders.