cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cocaine-Related Aortic Dissection in Perspective

Cardiovascular complications of cocaine use have been ever more widely recognized and include the acceleration of atherosclerosis, coronary artery spasm, acute myocardial infarction, myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathies, and cardiac arrhythmias. Less well known is the potentially lethal complication of aortic dissection. In the present issue of Circulation , Hsue and colleagues1 report on their 20-year experience with acute aortic dissection at an inner-city hospital. Remarkably, their findings indicate that 14 (37%) of 38 patients treated for acute dissection reported having used cocaine in the minutes or hours preceding their presentation. Cocaine, particularly crack cocaine, seemed to have played a significant role in precipitating aortic dissection among this cohort of young (age 41±8.8 years), predominantly black (11 of 14; 79%), and hypertensive (11 of 14; 79%) individuals. This study represents the largest cohort of cocaine-related dissection ever reported. Its findings provoke a number of questions for those of us who study or manage this rare but highly lethal condition. See p 1592 How common is cocaine-related aortic dissection? Previous reports predominantly have been descriptions of a single patient2 or a summary of individual case reports.3 The presumption has been that cocaine is a very rare cause of a very rare condition. The report by Hsue et al1 would seem to challenge that logic, but the authors freely admit that the inner-city population served by their hospital likely is responsible for this. In fact, because they accumulated only 14 patients over 20 years at their hospital, a cocaine-related dissection was encountered less than once per year. The International Registry for Aortic Dissection (IRAD) represents a unique effort by 17 aortic centers around the world to characterize the current status of acute aortic dissection, including its predisposing conditions.4,5⇓ We were able to work with IRAD’s coordinating center to …
Mesolimbic Dopamine in Desire and Dread: Enabling Motivation to Be Generated by Localized Glutamate Disruptions in Nucleus Accumbens

An important issue in affective neuroscience concerns the role of mesocorticolimbic dopamine systems in positive-valenced motivation (e.g., reward) versus negative-valenced motivation (e.g., fear). Here, we assessed whether endogenous dopamine receptor stimulation in nucleus accumbens contributes to both appetitive behavior and fearful behavior that is generated in keyboard manner by local glutamate disruptions at different sites in medial shell. 6,7-Dinitroquinoxaline-2,3(1H,4H)-dione (DNQX) microinjections (450 ng) locally disrupt glutamate signals in <4 mm(3) of nucleus accumbens, and generate either desire or fear (or both) depending on precise rostrocaudal location in medial shell. At rostral shell sites, local AMPA/kainate blockade generates positive ingestive behavior, but the elicited motivated behavior becomes incrementally more fearful as the same microinjection is moved caudally. A dopamine-blocking mixture of D(1) and D(2) antagonists (raclopride and SCH-23390 [R(+)-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5,-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine hydrochloride]) was combined here in the same microinjection with DNQX to assess the role of endogenous local dopamine in mediating the DNQX-motivated behaviors. We report that local dopamine blockade prevented DNQX microinjections from generating appetitive behavior (eating) in rostral shell, and equally prevented DNQX from generating fearful behavior (defensive treading) in caudal shell. We conclude that local dopamine is needed to enable disruptions of corticolimbic glutamate signals in shell to generate either positive incentive salience or negative fearful salience (valence depending on site and other conditions). Thus, dopamine interacts with localization of valence-biased glutamate circuits in medial shell to facilitate keyboard stimulation of both appetitive and fearful motivations.
Development and validation of a procedure to isolate viable bone marrow cells from the vertebrae of cadaveric organ donors for composite organ grafting

Background aims. Donor-derived vertebral bone marrow (BM) has been proposed to promote chimerism in solid organ transplantation with cadaveric organs. Reports of successful weaning from immunosuppression in patients receiving directed donor transplants in combination with donor BM or blood cells and novel peri-transplant immunosuppression has renewed interest in implementing similar protocols with cadaveric organs. Methods. We performed six pre-clinical full-scale separations to adapt vertebral BM preparations to a good manufacturing practice (GMP) environment. Vertebral bodies L4 – T8 were transported to a class 10 000 clean room, cleaned of soft tissue, divided and crushed in a prototype bone grinder. Bone fragments were irrigated with medium containing saline, albumin, DNAse and gentamicin, and strained through stainless steel sieves. Additional cells were eluted after two rounds of agitation using a prototype BM tumbler. Results. The majority of recovered cells (70.9 14.1%, mean SD) were eluted directly from the crushed bone, whereas 22.3% and 5.9% were eluted after the fi rst and second rounds of tumbling, respectively. Cells were pooled and fi ltered (500, 200 μ m) using a BM collection kit. Larger lumbar vertebrae yielded about 1.6 times the cells of thoracic vertebrae. The average product yielded 5.2 1.2 10 10 total cells, 6.2 2.2 10 8 of which were CD45 CD34 . Viability was 96.6 1.9% and 99.1 0.8%, respectively. Multicolor fl ow cytometry revealed distinct populations of CD34 CD90 CD117 dim hematopoietic stem cells (15.5 7.5% of the CD34 cells) and CD45 – CD73 CD105 mesenchymal stromal cells (0.04 0.04% of the total cells). Conclusions. This procedure can be used to prepare clinical-grade cells suitable for use in human allotransplantation in a GMP environment.
Effect of low-dose oral glutamine on painful stomatitis during bone marrow transplantation

Painful oral mucositis is a common complication after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Glutamine is a nutrient for rapidly dividing cells and the major energy source for intestinal epithelium. This study tested whether an oral glutamine preparation could decrease the severity of oral mucositis in patients undergoing BMT. Glutamine or a placebo (glycine) were administered from admission until day +28 in 193 BMT patients in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study at a dose of 1.0 g amino acid/m2/dose swish and swallow four times a day. In autologous BMT patients (n = 87) glutamine was associated with significantly less mouth pain by self report and by opiate use (5.0+/-6.2 days of morphine for glutamine vs 10.3+/-9.8 days for placebo; P= 0.005). Matched sibling BMT patients had no effect by self report and an increased duration of opiate use (23.2+/-5.7 days for glutamine vs 16.3+/-8.3 days for placebo) (P = 0.002). However, day 28 survival of allogeneic patients was improved by glutamine. No significant differences in TPN use, rate of relapse or progression of malignancy, parenteral antibiotic use, acute or chronic GVHD, or days of hospitalization were observed in either autologous or allogeneic recipients. No toxicity of glutamine was observed. We conclude that oral glutamine can decrease the severity and duration of oropharyngeal mucositis in autologous BMT patients but not in allogeneic BMT patients, possibly due to interaction with methotrexate.
Fanning and photorefractive self-pumped four-wave mixing geometries

Results of recent experimental and theoretical investigations on the role of fanning in the operation of several popular photorefractive self-pumped FWM geometries, including the double phase conjugate mirror (DPCM), the ring oscillator, the semilinear mirror, the system of two coupled DPCMs, and the total internal reflection (TIR) mirror, are presented. The results can be divided into two groups. Geometries of the first group (the DPCM and the ring oscillator) have soft excitation thresholds. Geometries of the second group (the semilinear mirror, the system of the two DPCMs and the TIR mirror) have hard excitation thresholds. Geometries of the first group experience a noticeable influence of fanning only when the level of fanning of a single pumping beam passing through a crystal, is high. Geometries of the second group, such as the semilinear mirror, the system of two DPCMs, and the TIR mirror without fanning, are not self-starting. >
Effect of obesity on susceptibility to fatty acid-induced peripheral tissue insulin resistance.

Elevation of plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels has been shown to impair the actions of insulin on peripheral glucose uptake and suppression of hepatic glucose output (HGO). These studies have been conducted almost exclusively in healthy, lean men. We therefore set out to test the hypothesis that obese subjects, because they are already insulin-resistant, are less susceptible than lean subjects to the inhibitory effects of elevated NEFA on insulin-stimulated glucose disposal. We studied 15 lean (11 men, 4 women; age, 45 +/- 3 years [mean +/- SE]; body mass index [BMI], 22.7 +/- 0.6 kg/m(2)) and 15 obese normal subjects (11 men, 4 women; 49 +/- 3 years; 31.7 +/- 1.0 kg/m(2)). Each subject underwent two 5-hour 80-mU/m(2)/min hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps with measurement of glucose kinetics (intravenous 3-(3)H-glucose). Plasma NEFA levels were elevated in one study for 3 hours before and during the clamp ( approximately 1 mmol/L in both groups) by infusion of 20% Intralipid (60 mL/h) and heparin (900 U/h). The obese subjects had higher fasting insulin levels (9.1 +/- 1.1 v 4.8 +/- 0.6 mU/L, P <.005) and were insulin-resistant (glucose disposal rate [GDR] at the end of the control glucose clamps: obese, 7.96 +/- 0.55, lean, 10.24 +/- 0.35 mg/kg/min, P <.002). Contrary to our hypothesis, elevation of plasma NEFA had a similar effect in the lean and obese subjects, both in terms of the absolute reduction of insulin stimulated GDR in the lean (1.82 +/- 0.36 mg/kg/min decrement) and obese subjects (2.03 +/- 0.37 mg/kg/min decrement) and the overall percentage reduction in GDR (lean, 17.1% +/- 3.1%; obese, 24.5% +/- 4.2%; difference not significant [NS]). Suppression of HGO during the lipid clamps was also impaired to a similar extent in the 2 groups. Findings were similar for the 9 obese subjects with a BMI of 30 kg/m(2) or more. Combining the 2 groups, the NEFA induced reduction of insulin stimulated GDR did not correlate with BMI (r = 0.08, NS) or with insulin sensitivity (GDR) measured in the control study (r = 0.11, NS). In summary, the effect of a short term elevation of plasma NEFA levels on insulin stimulated GDR and suppression of HGO is comparable in lean and moderately obese subjects.
Identifying regional activity associated with temporally separated components of working memory using event-related functional MRI.

This study describes the neural circuitry underlying temporally separated components of working memory (WM) performance—stimulus encoding, maintenance of information during a delay, and the response to a probe. While other studies have applied event-related fMRI to separate epochs of WM tasks, this study differs in that it employs a methodology that does not make any a priori assumptions about the shape of the hemodynamic response (HDR). This is important because no one model of the HDR is valid across the range of activated brain regions and stimulus types. Systematic modeling inaccuracies may lead to the misattribution of activity to adjacent events. Twelve healthy subjects performed a numerical version of the Sternberg Item Recognition Paradigm adapted for rapid presentation event-related fMRI. This paradigm emphasized maintenance rather than manipulative WM processes and used a subcapacity WM load. WM trials with different delay lengths were compared to fixation. The HDR of the entire WM trial for each trial type was estimated using a finite impulse response (FIR). Regional activity associated with the Encode, Delay, and Probe epochs was identified using contrasts that were based on the FIR estimates and by examining the HDRs. Each epoch was associated with a distinct but overlapping pattern of regional activity. Activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, thalamus, and basal ganglia was exclusively associated with the probe. This suggests that frontostriatal neural circuitry participates in selecting an appropriate response based on the contents of WM.
Teaching communication, leadership, and the social context of computing via a consulting course

This paper describes a course at Carnegie Mellon University that engages students as consultants working with non-profit organizations. Different from most "service learning" courses, students in the Technology Consulting in the Community course focus on building capacity within organizations to sustain IT solutions without ongoing assistance. They do not merely provide IT support, nor do they focus on system development. Rather they focus on solving organizational problems using IT solutions. In doing so, they may develop a system, or adapt open source or commercial tools as appropriate to the situation. Computing systems do not exist in isolation, but in the context of people, organizations, and their policies. We want to train leaders in our community who can not only develop new technologies, but can solve organizational and societal problems. The course has as its learning goals to build inquiry, communication and leadership skills, in addition to engaging students in project development. At the same time it provides a valuable service in the community.
Explicit runaway criterion for catalytic reactors with transport limitations

We develop a simple, slightly conservative, explicit criterion predicting the appearance of parametric sensitivity in a cooled packed-bed reactor influenced by transport limitations
Apical Gene Transfer into Quiescent Human and Canine Polarized Intestinal Epithelial Cells by Lentivirus Vectors

Intestinal epithelial cells secrete a protective luminal mucus barrier inhibiting viral gene transfer. Quiescent, polarized monolayers of primary epithelial cells from dog gallbladder and human colon are efficiently transduced through the apical mucus side by lentivirus vectors, suggesting their application to intestinal gene therapy.
Optical frequency standards based on ultra-cold strontium atoms

As a key component of a strontium based optical clock, we have developed an apparatus which allows laser cooling and trapping of more than 10/sup 7/ /sup 88/Sr atoms to temperatures below 1 /spl mu/K. Using this system, we have performed the first high accuracy measurement of the /sup 88/Sr /sup 1/S/sub 0/-/sup 3/P/sub 1/ clock transition using an ultra-cold sample. Detailed descriptions of both the measurement technique and corresponding systematic uncertainties is provided. In addition, by varying the density of the ultra-cold /sup 88/Sr sample over a range of three orders of magnitude we obtain the first definitive measurement of a density-related frequency shift and linewidth broadening of an optical clock transition in an ultra-cold alkaline earth system. Spectroscopy of the /sub 1/S/sub 0/-/sup 3/P/sub 0/ transition is currently underway using this narrow probe laser and an octave spanning femtosecond laser. Our most recent results are presented. The proposed measurement technique, accuracy, and stability of an optical clock based on the EIT (electromagnetically-induced-transparency) measurement in /sup 88/Sr are described.
A protocol for efficient transfer of data over fiber/cable systems

A revolution is occurring in the scope and range of information, communication and education services that will be made available to schools, libraries, town-halls, clinics and, most importantly, residences. These services will be provided initially, primarily over hybrid fiber-cable systems, either by telephone companies or cable companies. The old cable plant is being upgraded and used in totally new ways. The topology and physical characteristics of the upstream channel present new challenges for efficient channel access. We present a media access protocol that efficiently transfers data on this channel. A primary goal in the design was to keep the portion of the protocol resident in the station as simple as possible. Thus we use centralized control located in the cable head-end and minimize intelligence in the station. We refer to this protocol as centralized priority reservation or CPR. A station wishing to transmit sends a request to the head-end using a contention channel. The head-end acknowledges the request and then schedules the request, informing the station by means of a grant message when to transmit. The protocol performs well under heavy load. Performance is affected little by the number of stations, the speed of the system and the physical length of the system.
Two-band wavelets and filterbanks over finite fields with connections to error control coding

Recently, we have developed a new framework to study error-control coding using finite-field wavelets and filterbanks (FBs). This framework reveals a rich set of signal processing techniques that can be exploited to investigate new error correcting codes and to simplify encoding and decoding techniques for some existing ones. The paper introduces the theory of wavelet decompositions of signals in vector spaces defined over Galois fields. To avoid the limitations of the number theoretic Fourier transform, our wavelet transform relies on a basis decomposition in the time rather than the frequency domain. First, by employing a symmetric, nondegenerate canonical bilinear form, we obtain a necessary and sufficient condition that the basis functions defined over finite fields must satisfy in order to construct an orthogonal wavelet transform. Then, we present a design methodology to generate the mother wavelet and scaling function over finite fields by relating the wavelet transform to two-channel paraunitary (PU) FBs. Finally, we describe the application of this transform to the construction of error correcting codes. In particular, we give examples of double circulant codes that are generated by wavelets.
New and underutilized uses of umbilical cord blood in neonatal care.

In an era increasingly focused on quality improvement and cost containment, more emphasis is being placed on wiser utilization of medical care resources. One underutilized resource in early neonatal care is umbilical cord blood. Umbilical cord blood can be utilized for admission laboratory studies in neonates thereby avoiding a significant phlebotomy event in the first minutes to hours of life. Additionally, umbilical cord blood can also be safely “transfused” into the neonate via delayed cord clamping or milking of the umbilical cord. This has been demonstrated to be particularly beneficial in premature infants by decreasing the rate of intraventricular hemorrhage. Delayed cord clamping has been formally endorsed by a number of medical societies, however it has not yet been universally adopted by obstetricians and neonatologists. Both uses of umbilical cord blood for neonatal admission laboratory testing and delayed cord clamping/milking of the umbilical cord have resulted in decreased transfusion rates as well as other outcomes reviewed herein.
Field Research on Human Service Encounters Diverse Solutions to Some Common Problems

Field research on human service encounters (e.g., doctor-patient interaction, policesuspect encounters, counselor-student interviews) has become increasingly diverse in the types of human service organizations studied, the methods used to collect data, and analytic foci. Despite this diversity, the process of assembling a data base has not been subjected to systematic treatment. Field researchers interested in human service encounters face a number of problems and issues, some of which are unique to this type of setting, others of which are common to most field research. The author first delineates some of the problems and issues facing field researchers interested in studying human service encounters. Second, he considers alternative ways of addressing these problems and issues. Problems, issues, and alternative ways of addressing them are considered in light of the specific characteristics of the research setting under study and the analytic focus of the research.
Parthenogenetic dopamine neurons from primate embryonic stem cells restore function in experimental Parkinson's disease

The identity and functional potential of dopamine neurons derived in vitro from embryonic stem cells are critical for the development of a stem cell-based replacement therapy for Parkinson's disease. Using a parthenogenetic primate embryonic stem cell line, we have generated dopamine neurons that display persistent expression of midbrain regional and cell-specific transcription factors, which establish their proper identity and allow for their survival. We show here that transplantation of parthenogenetic dopamine neurons restores motor function in hemi-parkinsonian, 6-hydroxy-dopamine-lesioned rats. Exposure to Wnt5a and fibroblast growth factors (FGF) 20 and 2 at the final stage of in vitro differentiation enhanced the survival of dopamine neurons and, correspondingly, the extent of motor recovery of transplanted animals. Importantly for future development of clinical applications, dopamine neurons were post-mitotic at the time of transplantation and there was no tumour formation. These data provide proof for the concept that parthenogenetic stem cells are a suitable source of functional neurons for therapeutic applications.
Relationship between Antibody 2F5 Neutralization of HIV-1 and Hydrophobicity of Its Heavy Chain Third Complementarity-Determining Region

The membrane-proximal external region (MPER) of the HIV-1 gp41 transmembrane glycoprotein is the target of the broadly neutralizing antibody 2F5. Prior studies have suggested a two-component mechanism for 2F5-mediated neutralization involving both structure-specific recognition of a gp41 protein epitope and nonspecific interaction with the viral lipid membrane. Here, we mutationally alter a hydrophobic patch on the third complementarity-determining region of the heavy chain (CDR H3) of the 2F5 antibody and assess the abilities of altered 2F5 variants to bind gp41 and to neutralize diverse strains of HIV-1. CDR H3 alterations had little effect on the affinity of 2F5 variants for a peptide corresponding to its gp41 epitope. In contrast, strong effects and a high degree of correlation (P < 0.0001) were found between virus neutralization and CDR H3 hydrophobicity, as defined by predicted free energies of transfer from water to a lipid bilayer interface or to octanol. The effect of CDR H3 hydrophobicity on neutralization was independent of isolate sensitivity to 2F5, and CDR H3 variants with tryptophan substitutions were able to neutralize HIV-1 ∼10-fold more potently than unmodified 2F5. A threshold was observed for increased hydrophobicity of the 2F5 CDR H3 loop beyond which effects on 2F5-mediated neutralization leveled off. Together, the results provide a more complete understanding of the 2F5 mechanism of HIV-1 neutralization and indicate ways to enhance the potency of MPER-directed antibodies.
Reinforcement schedules: the role of responses preceding the one that produces the reinforcer

In a two-key pigeon chamber, variable-interval reinforcement was scheduled for a specified number of pecks, emitted either on a single key or in a particular sequence on the two keys. Although the distribution of pecks between the two keys was affected by whether pecks were required on one or on both keys, the total pecks emitted was not; the change from a one-key to a two-key requirement simply moved some pecks from one key to the other. Thus, each peck preceding the one that produced the reinforcer contributed independently to the subsequent rate of responding; the contribution of a particular peck in the sequence was determined by the time between its emission and the delivery of the reinforcer (delay of reinforcement), and was identified by the proportion of pecks moved from one key to the other when the response requirement at that point in the sequence was moved from one key to the other.
Some Properties of Certain subclass of Meromorphically Multivalent Functions Defined by Convolution and Integral Operator involving I-Function

In the present paper, we introduce a certain subclass of meromorphic functions . We obtain some results, like, Coefficient inequality, Modified Hadamard Product, Integral means and Inclusion properties for this class.
Preliminary Calculus on Manifolds

This chapter provides a preliminary knowledge of manifold. Manifold geometry is the foundation of the geometric approach to dimensionality reduction. In DR, we assume that the observed (high-dimensional) data resides on a low-dimensional manifold whose dimension and shape are not a priori known. A manifold can be represented by its coordinates. DR methods try to find the coordinate representations of data. The current research of differential geometry focuses on the characterization of global properties of manifolds. However, DR methods only need the local properties of manifolds, which is much simpler. In this chapter, we give the notions and notations of manifolds. In Section 1, a linear manifold, also called a hyperplane, is introduced. In Section 2, we discuss differentiable structures of manifolds. An introduction to functions and operators on manifolds is given in Section 3. Most of the material in this chapter can be found in any standard textbook on differential geometry, for example, [1–4]. Therefore, the proofs of most theorems in this chapter are omitted.
Patients’ experiences with navigation for cancer care

Objective—We examined how navigation, defined as the assessment and alleviation of barriers to adequate health care, influences patients' perspectives on the quality of their cancer care. Methods—We conducted post-study patient interviews from a randomized controlled trial (usual care vs. patient navigation services) from cancer diagnosis through treatment completion. Patients were recruited from 11 primary care, hospital and community oncology practices in New York. We interviewed patients about their expectations and experience of patient navigation or, for nonnavigated patients, other sources of assistance. Results—Thirty-five patients newly diagnosed with breast or colorectal cancer. Valued aspects of navigation included emotional support, assistance with information needs and problem-solving, and logistical coordination of cancer care. Unmet cancer care needs expressed by patients randomized to usual care consisted of lack of assistance or support with childcare, household responsibilities, coordination of care, and emotional support. Conclusion—Cancer patients value navigation. Instrumental benefits were the most important expectations for navigation from navigated and non-navigated patients. Navigated patients received emotional support and assistance with information needs, problem-solving, and logistical aspects of cancer care coordination. Practice Implications—Navigation services may help improve cancer care outcomes important to patients by addressing fragmented, confusing, uncoordinated, or inefficient care.
A Brief History of International Investment Agreements

One of the most remarkable phenomena in international law during the past fifteen years has been the extraordinary increase in the number of agreements concluded relating to the protection or liberalization of foreign investment. More than 2500 such agreements now exist, with the great majority having been concluded since 1990. This number includes almost 2400 bilateral investment treaties (BITs) as well as more than 200 trade agreements that contain investment provisions. Although the number of agreements has accelerated remarkably in recent years, international agreements relating to investment have a long history. Provisions relating to the protection of property abroad may be found in international agreements dating back to the late Eighteenth Century.This essay traces the history of these international investment agreements. It finds that the history thus far comprises three separate eras. The first, the Colonial Era, began in the late Eighteenth Century and continued until the end of the Second World War. The second, the Post-Colonial Era, began with the end of the war and continued until approximately 1990, with the collapse of the Soviet Union. The third, the Global Era, began in approximately 1990 and continues until the present.
Materials and design considerations for fast flexible and stretchable electronics

Flexible and stretchable high-speed devices that operate at microwave level may enable wireless functionalities for many applications. The rise of flexible or stretchable electronic systems using inorganic semiconducting materials allow integration of high-performance electronic devices on foreign substrates, such as plastic or rubber. Here, we report on materials and design considerations for fabricating flexible and stretchable electronics systems that operate in the microwave level. High-speed active devices, including cost effective Si-based transistors and high-power GaN-based transistors, performing at multi-gigahertz frequencies are fabricated on either plastic or rubber substrates. Furthermore, important passive components, such as the capacitors, inductors and transmission lines that can together complete a microwave integrated circuit, are also demonstrated. All of the components presented here have comparable high-performances to their rigid counterparts, which can be combined to form microwave integrated circuits that can be used for many applications, where wireless functionalities are desired.
Multiple resources for processing and storage in short-term working memory

A frequent assumption in cognitive psychology is that performance in decision making and planning is severely restricted by the limited capacity of short-term working memory. Many predictions of this theory have not been supported, possibly because working memory may be composed of multiple resources rather than a single resource. The present experiments study two tasks, both involving memory for digits. Although these tasks can employ the same modality for input and for responding, they appear to differ in their demands for working memory resources. Specifically, the tasks appear to differ in resources required for processing at input, and they also differ in resources in the sense of storage capacity. The results support a version of multiple-resource theory applied to working memory in which resource composition depends on internal mediators even when stimulus and response modality are held constant.
Bimaterial effects in an earthquake cycle model using rate‐and‐state friction

We have developed a computational framework to study earthquake cycles in 2-D plane strain and apply it to faults separating dissimilar material. We consider a planar, strike-slip fault governed by rate-and-state friction where quasi-dynamic events nucleate spontaneously due to remote, tectonic loading. We investigate the influence of material contrast over the course of many hundreds of years. For the parameters we consider, we find that the presence of bimaterial properties influences the earthquake nucleation site, such that rupture in the preferred direction (that is, in the direction of particle motion of the side of the fault with lower shear wave velocity) is favorable. For large values of the critical slip distance Dc, events propagating in the preferred rupture direction occur for a wide range of material contrasts. For smaller values of Dc, small events emerge, even in the monomaterial case. With material mismatch present, some of these small events propagate in the nonpreferred direction, made possible by a favorable stress distribution left on the fault from previous ruptures. These results may shed light on our understanding of rupture directivity on large strike-slip faults (like the San Andreas Fault in California) which occasionally host events rupturing in the nonpreferred direction.
Spanish Fur Trade from New Mexico, 1540-1821

When the Mountain Men began their invasion of the Rockies n the 1820's, the tiny village of Taos, in New Mexico, took its place alongside Fort Vancouver and St. Louis as one of their three favorite “jumping-off points” in the search for beaver pelts. Spanish exploration of the area that now comprises the Southwestern United States had antedated that of the Anglo-American by over 250 years, but it was not until the arrival of the latter group that large-scale fur trapping took place. In the mountains and high plateaus of Colorado and New Mexico and in the beaver-rich valleys and tributaries of the Arkansas, Rio Grande, Green, Colorado, Gila, Sacramento and San Joaquin, the Anglo extracted great wealth where the Spaniard had seen only an unpromising wilderness. Although the Spaniard carried on a lively trade in deerskins and buffalo hides in the Southwest, there is little evidence of a significant trade in fine furs during the period of 1540 to 1821.
Inhibition of Pituitary Gonadotropin Secretion in Domestic Fowl by Enheptin (2-Amino, 5-Nitrothiazole)

SummaryAdministration of gonadotropic substances simultaneously with Enheptin (2-amino, 5-nitrothiazole) sustained sexual activity in most cases. Failure to restore sexual normality in all cases is probably due to the quality and quantity of administered gonadotropic hormone. The drug Enheptin was not able to suppress thyroidal hypertrophy during thiouracil treatment. Pituitary gonadotropic hormone potency is reduced in intact as well as capons treated with Enheptin.
Efficient support for application-specific video adaptation

As video applications become more diverse, video must be adapted in different ways to meet the requirements of different applications when there are insufficient resources. In this dissertation, we address two sorts of requirements that cannot be addressed by existing video adaptation technologies: (i) accommodating large variations in resolution and (ii) collecting video effectively in a multi-hop sensor network. In addition, we also address requirements for implementing video adaptation in a sensor network. Accommodating large variation in resolution is required by the existence of display devices with widely disparate screen sizes. Existing resolution adaptation technologies usually aim at adapting video between two resolutions. We examine the limitations of these technologies that prevent them from supporting a large number of resolutions efficiently. We propose several hybrid schemes and study their performance. Among these hybrid schemes, Bonneville, a framework that combines Multiple encodings with limited scalability, can make good trade-offs when organizing compressed video to support a wide range of resolutions. Video collection in a sensor network requires adapting video in a multi-hop store-and-forward network and with multiple video sources. This task cannot be supported effectively by existing adaptation technologies, which are designed for real-time streaming applications from a single source over IP-style end-to-end connections. We propose to adapt video in the network instead of at the network edge. We also propose a framework, Steens, to compose adaptation mechanisms on multiple nodes. We design two signaling protocols in Steens to coordinate multiple nodes. Our simulations show that in-network adaptation can use buffer space on intermediate nodes for adaptation and achieve better video quality than conventional network-edge adaptation. Our simulations also show that explicit collaboration among multiple nodes through signaling can improve video quality, waste less bandwidth, and maintain bandwidth-sharing fairness. The implementation of video adaptation in a sensor network requires system support for programmability, retaskability, and high performance. We propose Cascades, a component-based framework, to provide the required support. A prototype implementation of Steens in this framework shows that the performance overhead is less than 5% compared to a hard-coded C implementation.
Epidemiology trend and change of nosocomial invasive Candidainfections

OBJECTIVE To select the invasive Candida isolated from Chaoyang Hospital from 2000 to 2010 as the study objects and to explore the epidemiological trends and changes of invasive Candida infections.METHODS The invasive Candida were collected for data and statistics.The identification of the strains was performed by Chromagar agar with vitek 2 compact YST card,and 26S rDNA D1/D2-based single-strand conformation polymorphism(SSCP) patterns analysis of the molecular identification was applied to ensure the accurate molecular identification,and the genotyping of invasive C.albicans was performed by single-strand conformation polymorphisms(SSCP)of C.albicans' microsatellite CAI combined with the GeneScan data.The MIC of 5 drugs were determined by ATB FUNGUS 3 system and E-test strip.RESULTS From 2000 to 2010,of totally 2320 strains of pathogens causing bloodstream infections isolated,there were 148(6.4%) invasive Candida strains;of totally 4093 strains isolated from sterile fluids,there were 253(6.2%) strains of invasive Candida detected;the invasive Candida infections were most common in ICU,which was worthy of attention;of 82 independent strains,38 distinct CAI genotypes were identified by GeneScan analysis,among which 18-26(9.76%),16-21(8.54%),21-21(7.32%),11-18(4.88%),18-18(4.88%),11-20(4.88%),and 25-33(4.88%)were dominant;the genotypes of C.albicans isolated from various parts of 6 patients showed exactly the same;In vitro antifungal susceptibilities testing indicated that the susceptibility rate to fluconazole was 93.2%,voriconazole 94.5%,amphotericin B 100.0%,5-fluorocytosine(97.3%),and caspofungin(100.0%).CONCLUSION Invasive C.albicans isolates remains the main pathogens,however non-C.albicans infections is increased in varying degrees.The genotyping shows that the invasive C.albicans is polymorphic,and the genotypes of C.albicans which result in invasiveness are associated with those of the colonized isolates.
Nerve-Sparing Radical Prostatectomy: Evaluation of Results after 250 Patients

AbstractTo examine the efficacy of nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy in preserving sexual potency and urinary continence, and in providing complete tumor excision we analyzed the records of the first 250 consecutive patients with clinical stage A or B prostate cancer treated since this operation was adopted at our institution. Over-all, sexual potency was preserved in 71 of 112 patients (63%) who underwent bilateral nerve-sparing prostatectomy and 13 of 33 (39%) who underwent a unilateral nerve-sparing procedure with a minimum of 6 months of followup. Preservation of potency correlated with patient age (p equals 0.0035, chi-square) and was significantly (p less than 0.001, chi-square) higher in patients with pathologically organ-confined tumors (72%) than in those with pathologically extracapsular tumors (51%). Of 192 patients followed for at least 6 months 188 (98%) achieved urinary continence postoperatively. Over-all, apparent complete tumor excision as defined by organ-confined tumor with...
Abdominal obesity is a risk factor for dysexecutive function in chronic kidney disease.

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the metabolic syndrome and its components on dysexecutive function (DF) in individuals with and without CKD. Among 588 participants aged over 70 from the Einstein Aging Study (EAS), we defined DF as performance of 2SDs below the mean on any one test or 1.5SDs below the mean on any two of the following: Block Design, Digit Symbol Coding and the Trail-making Tests A and B. We defined CKD as an eGFR below 60 mL/min/m2. MetS was defined according to recent guidelines from the National Cholesterol Education Program. 149 participants had CKD at cross-section, 16.1% of which also showed DF. Of the 439 participants without CKD, 12.3% displayed DF. Abdominal obesity as measured by waist circumference, was an independent risk factor for dysexecutive function in CKD (OR = 14.3, 95%CI = 2.21–91.93, p = 0.005) but not in non-CKD. None of the other MetS components were associated with DF. Results suggested that abdominal obesity, recognized as an integral part of the MetS, is a strong risk factor for DF in individuals with CKD.
Wiring Seniors to Quality Health Information

A Web site was developed to support a project funded by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) and the Southeastern Atlantic Regional (SE/A) Medical Library at the University of Maryland at Baltimore. WordPress, a free content management system, was used to develop the site. The Web site aims to support the project's training curriculum, to provide seniors in the Memphis area with access to online consumer health information, and to examine criteria used to evaluate quality health information on the Internet.
Management of Accommodative Esotropia

Accommodative esotropia in its many forms is a common type of childhood strabismus. It presents first with intermittent esodeviation and then, if undiagnosed and untreated, progresses to a large constant esotropia that threatens normal development of binocular vision, stereopsis, and even visual acuity with the development of amblyopia. Therefore, early detection of intermittent eye crossing by parents and primary care physicians is required followed by rapid referral to eye care practitioners knowledgeable in the proper diagnosis and medical as well as surgical treatment of this condition to allow for optimal visual and cosmetic benefit. The referral ophthalmologist or optometrist must know the typical presenting history, signs, and symptoms. A complete pediatric eye exam is required including most importantly a cycloplegic refraction, the results of which, with the other clinical findings, are required for proper diagnosis and treatment. A trial of spectacles, with or without bifocals, to correct the full hyperopic refractive error is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and determine ongoing treatment options. If spectacles adequately align the eyes allowing best possible vision and binocular vision development, then proper ongoing follow-up is required until visual and ocular maturity. But if not, then strabismus surgery should be performed. Most experienced strabismus surgeons prefer bilateral medial rectus recession to treat the esotropia in residual refractive or non-refractive accommodative esotropia, but the exact surgical dosing is controversial. This chapter will review the latest information on this topic, emphasizing clinical pearls and a new surgical protocol for treatment that has proved very useful in the treatment of these challenging, yet rewarding patients.
Dangerous Places and Nimble Fingers: Discourses of Gender Discrimination and Rights in Global Corporations

This paper considers how women’s employment rights are being constructed in multinational corporations by examining three high-tech organizations— a U.S. company in Silicon Valley, its subsidiary in New Delhi, India, and a comparable local Indian company. It first describes the legal frameworks for addressing gender employment discrimination by state governments in India and the United States. Then it examines how these frameworks are appropriated and negotiated within the local contexts of the workplaces in the study. Finally, it reflects on recent transnational attempts to legislate and enforce women’s employment rights in multinational corporations, specifically the challenges that such attempts face in light of the three case studies.
Evaluation of the AMPS Boundary Layer Simulations on the Ross Ice Shelf with Tower Observations

AbstractFlight operations in Antarctica rely on accurate weather forecasts aided by the numerical predictions primarily produced by the Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS) that employs the polar version of the Weather Research and Forecasting (Polar WRF) Model. To improve the performance of the model’s Mellor–Yamada–Janjic (MYJ) planetary boundary layer (PBL) scheme, this study examines 1.5 yr of meteorological data provided by the 30-m Alexander Tall Tower! (ATT) automatic weather station on the western Ross Ice Shelf from March 2011 to July 2012. Processed ATT observations at 10-min intervals from the multiple observational levels are compared with the 5-km-resolution AMPS forecasts run daily at 0000 and 1200 UTC. The ATT comparison shows that AMPS has fundamental issues with moisture and handling stability as a function of wind speed. AMPS has a 10-percentage-point (i.e., RH unit) relative humidity dry bias year-round that is highest when katabatic winds from the Byrd and Mulock Glaciers excee...
Court Sentencing Patterns for Environmental Crimes: Is There a “Green” Gap in Punishment?

This study examines sentencing patterns for environmental crimes and tests the assumption that “green” offenders receive more lenient treatment from criminal courts than non-environmental offenders. We present two sets of analyses. First, we present an empirical portrait of environmental felony offenses convicted in a single state (Florida) over a fifteen-year period and the resulting criminal sanctions. Second, we use a precision matching analysis to assess whether environmental offenders receive more lenient treatment when compared to non-environmental offenders with the same characteristics and offense severity scores. Findings indicate that an overall small percentage of felony convictions in state courts stem from environmental crimes. We also find that punishments for environmental crimes are more lenient than sanctions assigned to comparable non-environmental offenses when the environmental crime is ecological, but that punishments are sometimes harsher when the environmental crime involves animals. The findings provide general support for the argument that courts and other formal institutions of social control treat environmental crimes more leniently than non-environmental crimes. This paper also raises important questions about citizen and state actors’ perceptions of crimes against the environment and, more generally, about the ways in which theories of court sentencing behaviors apply to environmental crime sanctioning decisions.
Broadband THz detection using GaSe crystals

We report the experimental results of using GaSe crystals for the tunable broadband detection of terahertz (THz) waves from 100 GHz to 30 THz. The results indicate that a GaSe crystal is a good sensor crystal for broadband THz waves with a 10 fs laser system. In comparison, the THz wave field amplitude measured with a GaSe crystal exceeds that detected by a ZnTe crystal with comparable detection bandwidth. The central frequency of THz pulses detected by the GaSe crystal is tunable by tilting the angle about the vertical axis, which is perpendicular to the direction of the probe beam. This suggests that GaSe can be also used as a narrowband detector.
Reviews and Resources:The Fantastic Laboratory of Dr. Weigl: BOOKS

At the time of World War II, the vaccine against epidemic typhus that was most trusted by the Germans was the one developed by a Polish microbiologist, Rudolf Weigl. This vaccine was only available in his laboratory in Lwow. It was made by infecting body lice with the typhus rickettsiae, waiting a week for them to develop, and collecting the infected gut. This material was phenol treated and made into the vaccine. To accomplish this, Weigl needed a colony of healthy lice, which he bred using human volunteers as feeders. The Germans placed such priority of this endeavor that they left not only the outspoken Weigl to his work, but even sheltered the louse-feeding volunteers, which included scientists and other intellectuals, some of whom were Jewish. Moreover, the lab sent full-strength vaccine preparations to the underground and to some ghettos while diluting out those provided to the Germans.
Shame in Korean Families

Although shame may be a pan-human feeling and concept, it may be different in important ways from culture to culture. This paper offers a view of shame in Korean families. It is based on intensive ...