cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How to Promote Fed Independence: Perspectives from Political Economy and History

In two short histories of the independence of the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank since its creation in 1913—the first with respect to the Fed's monetary policymaking, the second focused on its regulatory policymaking—the author shows that the range of the Fed's powers has varied greatly over time, and that changes in those powers have had major effects on the extent of Fed independence. Moreover, the shifts over time in Fed powers reflect, to a significant degree, conscious trade‐offs by Fed leaders. A large number of somewhat surprising Fed positions on important regulatory matters can be explained as more or less deliberate attempts to preserve the Fed's monetary powers from political interference by yielding some of its independence in exercising its regulatory authority. In a case involving one of the most destructive U.S. financial regulatory policies, the Fed's effective neutrality on, and thus failure to support, the elimination of restrictions on interstate branch banking is seen as contributing to the chronic instability of the U.S. banking system, which has suffered some 20 major crises since the early 1800s (as compared to the crisis‐free Canadian system, with its nationwide banking from its inception). The Fed's reluctance to intervene is attributed to its unwillingness to antagonize powerful Congressional supporters of state banking interests and, more generally, to a “game of bank bargains” that can be seen at work in the political economy of virtually all countries. In more recent times, the most costly episode in this time‐honored game features a series of implicit or, in some cases, explicit agreements between large U.S. banks and urban activist groups—under the aegis of the Community Reinvestment Act, and with the oversight and implicit blessing of the Fed—to make on the order of $4.6 trillion loans to “subprime” borrowers in exchange for the activists’ (and the Fed's) support in Congressional merger hearings. The resulting nationwide debasement of mortgage underwriting standards and sheer volume of “toxic assets,” in combination with clearly inadequate capital requirements (which the Fed also failed to correct), are viewed as if not the principal cause of the crisis, a far bigger contributor than, say, the Fed's widely criticized unwillingness to tighten monetary policy in the early 2000s. To prevent the Fed from continuing to sacrifice its independence in regulatory matters to preserve its freedom to conduct monetary policy, the author proposes that authority for regulatory and monetary policy be vested in two separate regulatory bodies. If carried out, such a policy change would enact a proposal made by then Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson in 2008, just before the global financial crisis hit.
The Application of a Logic Model for Planning a Professional Development Workshop for Physical Education Teachers

Physical education teachers should have sufficient content knowledge (CK) to provide high-quality physical education for students. CK is an important knowledge base for pedagogical content knowledg...
Examining the Relationship between Motivations and Resilience in Different International Student Groups Attending US Universities

Advancing diversity and inclusion in the U.S. higher education requires a solid understanding of the dynamics of students’ mobility. This study investigated the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations that lead different international student groups to study in American universities, in connection with their resilience in overcoming the inevitable higher education challenges. An online survey was completed by 164 international students at three research universities. Pearson correlation coefficient analyses and independent t tests were conducted to examine the relationships among three variables—intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and resilience—along with the differences among groups. Results show a medium-sized positive significant relationship between international students’ intrinsic motivations and resilience, and significant differences among groups of students in relation to intrinsic and extrinsic motivations.
Pediatric Primary Care Provider Perspectives on a Computer-Facilitated Screening and Brief Intervention System for Adolescent Substance Use

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to elicit pediatric primary care providers' (PCPs) feedback on the acceptability and feasibility of implementing a tablet computer-facilitated Screening and Brief Intervention (cSBI) system for adolescent substance use in their practices. Methods We trained PCPs at five Boston area practices and enrolled their 12- to 18-year-old patients in a pilot randomized trial of cSBI versus usual care. PCPs completed an 18-item poststudy questionnaire. We computed frequencies and thematically coded open-ended responses. Results The analysis sample included 49 of 54 participating PCPs (90.7%). Overall, 89.8% of participants agreed the cSBI system was useful, and 81.6% reported increased confidence in providing brief counseling. Most useful were the immediate availability of screen results, talking points on substance use risks, and counseling prompts. Challenges included time and unfamiliarity with tablet computers. Many suggested electronic health record integration of cSBI to improve efficiency. Conclusions cSBI showed high acceptability and increased confidence among pediatric PCPs. Feasibility could be enhanced by electronic health record integration.
A Case for Reversible Coherence Protocol

We propose the first Reversible Coherence Protocol (RCP), a new protocol designed from ground up that enables invisible speculative load. RCP takes a bold approach by including the speculative loads and merge/purge operation in the interface between processor and cache coherence, and allowing them to participate in the coherence protocol. It means, speculative load, ordinary load/store, and merge/purge can all affect the state of a given cache line. RCP is the first coherence protocol that enables the commit and squash of the speculative load among distributed cache components in a general memory hierarchy. RCP incurs an average slowdown of (3.0%,8.3%,7.4%) on (SPEC2006,SPEC2017,PARSEC), which is lower compared to (26.5%,12%,18.3%) in InvisiSpec and (3.2%,9.4%,24.2%) in CleanupSpec. The coherence traffic overhead is on average 46%, compared to 40% and 27% of InvisiSpec and CleanupSpec, respectively. Even with higher traffic overhead (~46%), the performance overhead of RCP is lower than InvisiSpec and comparable to CleanupSpec. It reveals a key advantage of RCP: the coherence actions triggered by the merge and purge operations are not in the critical path of the execution and can be performed in the cache hierarchy concurrently with processor execution
Measuring professional nursing value development in students participating in international service learning: A quasi-experimental study.

Abstract Background International service learning is becoming widely used in nursing education as a means to provide global learning opportunities as well as part of a clinical learning experiences. Concrete outcomes for these experiences have not been clearly supported in previous research. Professional nursing values are an important learning outcome for nursing students and development of professional nursing values has been found to occur through various learning experiences. Determining if international service learning experiences facilitate the development of professional nursing values can support the use of international service learning as a viable pedagogy. Objective The purpose of the study was to determine if there was a difference in professional nursing values development in students who participate in international service learning as part of their clinical experiences compared to those who do not. Design The research was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test, post-test design. Setting/participants Undergraduate students participating in one week international service learning as part of their clinical hours were compared with students who did not participate in international service learning. Methods Comparison of professional nursing values development between the experimental and control group was completed using the Nurses Professional Values Scale. Results The study showed the use of international service learning as part of clinical was at least equivalent in the development of professional nursing values as traditional clinical. In addition, it supported the development of professional nursing values through clinical learning overall. Conclusion The use of international service learning is a viable option for clinical experiences as a means to develop professional nursing values.
Combined photothermal lens and photothermal mirror Z-scan of semiconductors

We perform thermal lens and thermal mirror Z-scan experiments to study the photothermal properties of semiconductors. We fix the sample’s position, facilitating the alignment procedure and the experiment’s interpretation. By scanning the lens, which focuses the pump beam, we obtain the Z-scan signature. A diode laser at 1064 nm provides the probe beam for the thermal lens experiment, while a Helium–Neon laser generates it for the photothermal mirror one. Using a telescope, we collimated the probe beam having a nearly constant radius of few millimeters. In this configuration, the z-scan response is single peaked. We fit both experimental results using a model based on the Fresnel diffraction approximation. The fitting determines the photothermal phase shift, the photothermal quantum yield, the temperature change of the optical path, and the thermal diffusivity. We study two semiconductors: Gallium Arsenide and Silicon obtaining good agreement with previously reported data.
Applications of optical nonlinearities for signal processing

This paper presents applications of nonlinear optics and ultrafast pulse lasers for optical information processing. Nonlinear wave mixing process based on three- and four- wave mixing in a second order nonlinear crystal inside the spectral processing device (SPD) is utilized. Signal processing is performed in the temporal frequency domain by spatially dispersing the frequency components in a SPD and performing operations on the spectrally decomposed wave (SDW) using its unique time-domain properties. These techniques enable femtosecond rate space-to-time conversion for multiplexing an ultrahigh bandwidth serial temporal channel onto slower parallel channels.
PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SPORULATION PROCESS IN CLOSTRIDIUM BOTULINUM II. Maturation of Forespores

Day, Lawrence E., (Michigan State University, East Lansing) and Ralph N. Costilow. Physiology of the sporulation process in Clostridium botulinum. II. Maturation of forespores. J. Bacteriol. 88:695–701. 1964.—Clostridium botulinum, strain 62-A, did not sporulate endotrophically, but forespores matured to refractile, heat-resistant spores when replaced in solutions containing l-alanine and l-proline, l-isoleucine and l-proline, or l-alanine and l-arginine. Solutions of l-arginine or l-citrulline would not support the maturation process. Acetate, CO2, and δ-amino valeric acid were produced during sporulation in a replacement solution of l-alanine and l-proline, indicating the operation of the Stickland reaction. There was no large uptake of either exogenous l-alanine or acetate during this process. Similarly, there was no apparent protein or nucleic acid synthesis, since high levels of chloramphenicol, 8-azaguanine, or mitomycin C failed to inhibit, and no significant amount of P32 was incorporated into the spore nucleic acids. Dipicolinic acid (DPA) was synthesized during forespore maturation. It is believed that these final steps in sporulation of C. botulinum require only an exogenous source of energy which can be obtained via the Stickland reaction system, and that the synthesis of DPA and other unknown materials relies primarily on endogenous substrates.
Experimental software engineering: Seventeen years of lessons in the SEL

Seven key principles developed by the Software Engineering Laboratory (SEL) at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are described. For the past 17 years, the SEL has been experimentally analyzing the development of production software as varying techniques and methodologies are applied in this one environment. The SEL has collected, archived, and studied detailed measures from more than 100 flight dynamics projects, thereby gaining significant insight into the effectiveness of numerous software techniques, as well as extensive experience in the overall effectiveness of 'Experimental Software Engineering'. This experience has helped formulate follow-on studies in the SEL, and it has helped other software organizations better understand just what can be accomplished and what cannot be accomplished through experimentation.
Effects of biorhythms on blood flow distribution in the pregnant uterus (Macaca mulatta).

Abstract Ten rhesus monkeys were studied between 143 and 181 days of gestation. The unanesthetized animals were confined to restraining chairs and maintained in a controlled environment with continuous monitoring of spontaneous uterine dynamics. Forty-five determinations of blood: flow distribution were made using radionuclide-labeled microspheres. The microsphere injections confirmed a circadian pattern of uterine blood flow. These biorhythms are related to alterations in distribution of blood flow to placental and nonplacental portions of the uterus. Myometrial blood flow is highest during the period of light. It is correlated positively to aortic blood pressure (r = 0.490, p 0.05). The data indicate that blood flow distribution in the primate uterus is modulated by factors in addition to physiologic pressure-flow relationships. Extrapolation to the human has potential significance.
Primary structure of insoluble tendon collagen. I. N- and C-terminal positional analysis of collagenolytic breakdown products of native collagen

Abstract Purified insoluble native Achilles tendon collagen was digested with Clostridium histolyticum collagenase. The N-terminal sequence of the mixed peptides to position 3 was determined by a modification of the Edman degradation procedure, C-terminal amino acids by hydrazinolysis. Experimental losses and non-specific cleavage of the peptides were estimated from model compounds and appropriate corrections made. At the N-terminus 182 residues out of 200 were glycine, 10 were alanine, while isoleucine, phenylalanine, and valine accounted for the remainder. In the second position 77 residues out of 200 were proline, but significant amounts of other amino acids were present showing that the specificity requirement of the enzyme is less rigorous than originally suspected. Ten residues of hydroxyproline in this position were unexpected. In the third N-terminal position the distribution was even more heterogenous, but hydroxyproline and alanine, mostly in tripeptides, predominated. C-terminally, 58 residues were hydroxyproline, 42 alanine, 29 arginine, with other amino acids in considerably lower amounts. No glycine was detected at the C-terminus. Attempts were made to deduce the distribution of third position residues between tripeptides and longer chain peptides and comparisons made with results obtained by others with different collagens.
Calcium Signaling in the Liver

Intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) is a highly versatile second messenger that regulates a wide range of functions in every type of cell and tissue. To achieve this versatility, the Ca2+ signaling system operates in a variety of ways to regulate cellular processes that function over a wide dynamic range. This is particularly well exemplified for Ca2+ signals in the liver, which modulate diverse and specialized functions such as bile secretion, glucose metabolism, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. These Ca2+ signals are organized to control distinct cellular processes through tight spatial and temporal coordination of [Ca2+]i signals, both within and between cells. This article will review the machinery responsible for the formation of Ca2+ signals in the liver, the types of subcellular, cellular, and intercellular signals that occur, the physiological role of Ca2+ signaling in the liver, and the role of Ca2+ signaling in liver disease. © 2013 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 3:515-539, 2013.
Early Diagnosis and Its Benefits in Sepsis Blood Purification Treatment

Sepsis is a progressive medical condition characterized as an uncontrolled inflammatory response, which is the leading cause of death in non-coronary intensive care units in the United States. In sepsis treatment, accurate and timely diagnosis is essential for allowing physicians to design appropriate therapeutic strategies at early stages, when therapies are usually the most effective and the least costly. To make an adequate diagnosis, physicians usually rely on manual inspection of a large amount of complex, high-dimensional longitudinal data. We use our recently published data mining method for extracting patterns from such data and show that these patterns can be used to assist physicians in providing early diagnosis. In conducted experiments, we showed that combination of early diagnosis and blood purification therapy can rescue more patients (52%) than standard approach for blood purification therapy (32%). We also propose a hybrid therapy model that combines strengths of early and standard approaches and further improves the percentage of rescued patients. Finally, by correctly classifying 98% of patients who didn't need treatment, MSD method provides opportunity to reduce the total cost of treatments.
Glucocorticoid stimulation of dopamine production in PC12 cells on extracellular matrix and plastic

PC12 cells are spherical when cultured on plastic, but flatten and spread extensively when cultured on extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by bovine corneal endothelial cells. We previously demonstrated that cells which have spread on ECM release more dopamine and contain less intracellular dopamine than cells which are rounded on plastic cultureware. Glucocorticoids increase dopamine production in PC12 cells presumably via an increase in tyrosine hydroxylase gene transcription. We questioned whether cell shape as determined by ECM would change the response of PC12 cells to glucocorticoids. Dopamine release and cell content were measured by a radioenzymatic assay in serum-free cultures of PC12 cells on ECM and plastic treated with various glucocorticoids in a dose-response fashion for 24 or 48 h. In addition, the response of cells on both substrata to one dose of dexamethasone was examined from 3-48 h. PC12 cells on ECM and plastic exhibited a dose-related increase in dopamine release and content when treated for 24 h with corticosterone or for 48 h with dexamethasone, corticosterone or cortisol. The ED50s for dexamethasone- and corticosterone-stimulated release and content were similar for cells on ECM and plastic as were the doses at which the first significant increases were detected. The average times at which the first significant increase in release and content occurred were also similar for cells on ECM and plastic. PC12 cells on ECM continue to release more dopamine and store less dopamine than cells on plastic with glucocorticoid treatment. However, glucocorticoid-treated cells on ECM showed a greater percent increase over ECM controls in the cell content of dopamine, whereas glucocorticoid-treated cells on plastic showed a greater percent increase over controls in the release of dopamine. It is hypothesized that glucocorticoids increase dopamine production to a similar extent in cells on ECM and plastic, but that storage is facilitated in cells on ECM.
Neuropsychiatric effects of tenofovir in comparison with other antiretroviral drugs

Correspondence: Kathleen Ferrer 3.5 West, Infectious Diseases, Children’s National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20010, USA Tel +1 202 476 6151 Fax +1 202 476 3850 Email kferrer@cnmc.org Abstract: Tenofovir is a widely used antiretroviral medication indicated to treat adults and children infected with HIV. Current guidelines for the management of HIV infection recommend tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) as a component of the preferred first-line combination antiretroviral therapy. The efficacy, tolerability, prolonged half-life allowing for once-daily administration, and availability as a component of several fixed-dose formulations make TDF an attractive choice for treatment-naive and treatment-experienced HIV-infected patients. TDF is also widely used as a component of postexposure prophylaxis in noninfected individuals. Most importantly, it has been recently approved for use as pre-exposure prophylaxis for noninfected adults and adolescents to reduce the risk of HIV transmission. With increasing use of TDF among adults and children, understanding of the potential for drug-associated side effects is important. This review focuses on the neuropsychiatric effects of tenofovir in adults and children with HIV infection in comparison with other antiretroviral drugs.
The role of empathic distress in the enjoyment of cinematic tragedy

Abstract The present investigation explores the enjoyment of cinematic tragedy. In particular, it examines the seemingly paradoxical relationship between the intensity of empathic distress during exposure, on the one hand, and the magnitude of enjoyment following exposure to the entire drama, on the other. In a quasi-experimental design, trait empathy (low, high) was cross-varied with gender of respondent. Empathic reactions of negative hedonic valence were obtained at three points during the film. After film exposure, respondents indicated their enjoyment of the film as a whole. Results showed proportional hedonic reversals from distress to enjoyment. High empathizers experienced more empathic distress during the film than low empathizers, but also enjoyed the film as a whole more than low empathizers did. Additionally, females experienced more empathic distress than males, but also enjoyed the film as a whole more than males did. Those who experienced greater hedonic lows during exposure to tragic happenings thus came to experience greater hedonic highs after the resolution of tragic drama.
Socio-Cultural Considerations and Sleep Practices in the Pediatric Population

In addition to biologic mechanisms, cultural factors are important determinants of sleep practices and behaviors in infants, children, and adolescents and influence both the type and frequency of sleep problems found in the pediatric population. This article discusses some of the key sleep practices most influenced by cultural practices and beliefs: cosleeping, bedtime rituals, the sleeping environment, napping, and parental expectations regarding sleep in children. The importance of clinical and educational cross-cultural collaboration and the need for future research that uses culturally sensitive and comparable methodologies to explore cultural differences and similarities are emphasized.
Direct growth of single-domain and twin-free CdTe(111)B on vicinal Si(001) by molecular beam epitaxy

CdTe(111)B layers have been grown on Si(001) and its vicinal surface. Formation of double domains and twins is found to be related to the surface structure of the Si(001) substrate. The tilt angle and tilt direction of the misoriented Si(001) substrate play an important role in suppressing the formation of double domains and twins. A double-domain and twinned CdTe(111)B layer is always obtained, when it is grown on nominal Si(001) substrate. However, by optimizing the tilt parameters, one can consistently obtain single-domain and twin-free CdTe(111)B layers grown on slightly misoriented Si(001) substrates.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A High-Risk High-Reward Approach to Public-Private Collaborative Research in Predictive Modeling and Control of Complex Systems

In this paper, we propose an approach to public-private collaborative research in predictive modeling and control of complex engineered systems. Society depends intimately on complex systems. The behavior of a simple system can be modeled and the model can be validated by experimental observations, if the behavior of each component and its interface with other components are known and well-defined. In contrast, a complex system cannot be modeled accurately enough to effectively predict and control the behaviors of the overall system. One example of an engineered complex system network (CSN) is the electricity power grid, which encompasses power generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption, as one giant system that includes electric generators, transformers, substation switchyards, transmission lines, consumer devices, and a multitude of new evolving components. The electricity power grid depends on other complex systems, e.g., climate systems that govern wind current for wind turbines, river water levels for thermoelectric cooling, and economic systems for service demand, pricing, revenue collection, and for business capital supply. Operational robustness, reliability, and efficiency of CSN’s are in the interest of all the subsystem owners, end users, and the public welfare of the nation. Conundrum? Who is responsible for the overall CSN’s operational robustness, reliability and efficiency, when so many parts of the system reside in so many different hands with the ultimate beneficiaries of the systems being the general public? Which entities are responsible for funding critical high-risk research, whose ultimate benefits do not reside with any one subset of stakeholders? These questions characterize the challenge of sourcing R&D funds that can be focused on modeling, understanding, and management of CSNs in general. To address such needs for innovative collaborative research, Congress established the Technology Innovation Program (TIP) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as part of the 2007 America COMPETES Act. Its purpose is to “assist United States businesses and institutions of higher education or other organizations, such as national laboratories and nonprofit research institutions, to support, promote, and accelerate innovation in the United States through high-risk, high-reward research in areas of critical national need.” Ongoing efforts by TIP to identify and qualify societal challenges in the critical national need area of Complex System Networks are introduced.© 2011 ASME
The ‘Pacific’ President's agenda for Transatlantica

The election of Barack Obama as president of the United States in November 2008 lifted hopes around the world that the new administration would usher in a transformational era in American foreign policy. President Obama proved to be particularly popular in Europe, where both the elite and the masses held high hopes that the charismatic, centre-left president would erase the bitter legacy of the Bush years. The new administration engaged the transatlantic community early and often, looking to Europe as its preferred partner in addressing the most daunting foreign policy challenges. Due to a lack of leadership in Europe, sagging political will, and declining capabilities, this article queries whether Europe will respond constructively to Obama's substantive agenda for Transatlantica, which calls for a renewal of the transatlantic community as a means for addressing global threats and challenges.
Stably maintained dendritic spines are associated with lifelong memories

Connections between neurons are thought to be remodelled when we learn new tasks or acquire new information. However, this plasticity must also occur against a backdrop of stable memory maintenance. In mice, a paradigm of either enhanced sensory experience or specific motor learning produced new putative neuronal connections that remained stable alongside developmentally preserved connections much later in life. This suggests that learning can produce changes in the neuronal connectivity that can be stable for the lifetime of the network. Connections between neurons are thought to be remodelled when we learn new tasks or acquire new information; however, it is unclear how neural circuits undergo continuous synaptic changes during learning while maintaining lifelong memories. Here, by following post-synaptic dendritic spines in the mouse cortex, it is shown that a small fraction of new spines induced by novel experience are preserved and provide a structural basis for lifelong memory retention. Changes in synaptic connections are considered essential for learning and memory formation1,2,3,4,5,6. However, it is unknown how neural circuits undergo continuous synaptic changes during learning while maintaining lifelong memories. Here we show, by following postsynaptic dendritic spines over time in the mouse cortex7,8, that learning and novel sensory experience lead to spine formation and elimination by a protracted process. The extent of spine remodelling correlates with behavioural improvement after learning, suggesting a crucial role of synaptic structural plasticity in memory formation. Importantly, a small fraction of new spines induced by novel experience, together with most spines formed early during development and surviving experience-dependent elimination, are preserved and provide a structural basis for memory retention throughout the entire life of an animal. These studies indicate that learning and daily sensory experience leave minute but permanent marks on cortical connections and suggest that lifelong memories are stored in largely stably connected synaptic networks.
Computational models for predicting the deflected shape of a non-uniform, flexible finger

Motivated by the applications of flexible fingers (capable of offering large deflections to accommodate object variations) in grasping, we present several computational models that characterize the large deflection of a flexible finger (beam). Specifically, we develop analytical methods for analyzing the design of cantilever-like fingers or elements of a machine that is designed primarily to support forces acting perpendicular to the axis of the member. Both uniform and non-uniform beams are considered. The methods were numerically validated by comparing the computed results against those obtained using the closed-form solutions, where exact solutions are available for fingers with a uniform cross-section. To extend the closed-form solution for predicting the shape of a non-uniform finger, we compute numerically an effective EI that approximates the non-uniform finger as a uniform finger at the point of contact. The approximate model has been examined experimentally. The results show excellent agreement. We expect that the methods presented here will have other engineering applications.
Dynamics of hierarchical models in discrete-time

We derive and analyze a general class of difference equation models for the dynamics of hierarchically organized populations. Different forms of intra-specific competition give rise to different types of nonlinearities. For our models, we prove that contest competition results asymptotically in only equilibrium dynamics. Scramble competition, on the other hand, can result in more complex asymptotic dynamics. We study both the case when the limiting resource is a constant and when it is dynamically modeled. We prove, in all cases, that the population persists if the inherent net reproductive number of the population is greater than one.
Efficacy of succimer chelation for reducing brain lead in a primate model of human lead exposure.

Abstract The extent to which succimer ( meso -2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid [DMSA], Chemet) reduces brain lead (Pb) levels may be a primary consideration in evaluating its efficacy for reducing neurotoxicity. Clinical research in this area has been hampered by the need to use blood Pb levels as the index of treatment efficacy, despite the fact that brain Pb level is the exposure parameter of greater relevance to cognitive outcomes. Here, a nonhuman primate model of human Pb exposure was used to determine: (1) The efficacy of oral succimer for reducing brain Pb derived from chronic or recent exposures, and (2) The extent to which blood Pb levels reflect brain Pb prior to and following chelation. Adult rhesus monkeys were chronically exposed to Pb orally for 5 weeks to reach and maintain a target blood Pb level of 35–40 μg/dL. Chelation of Pb from recent exposures was assessed using a stable 204 Pb isotope tracer administered over 4 days prior to treatment. Immediately prior to chelation, a prefrontal cortex (PFC) biopsy was collected to determine pretreatment brain Pb levels. Subsequently, monkeys were assigned to vehicle ( n = 5) or succimer ( n = 6, 30 mg/kg/day × 5 days followed by 20 mg/kg/day × 14 days) groups. Blood and brain PFC, frontal lobe (FL), hippocampus (H), and striatum (S) were analyzed for total Pb and 204 Pb tracer concentrations by magnetic sector inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. There were no measurable differences in brain Pb concentrations between the succimer and vehicle groups, indicating that succimer treatment was not efficacious in reducing brain Pb levels. In contrast, the cessation of Pb exposure significantly reduced brain (PFC) Pb (≈34%) when compared to pretreatment levels (succimer and vehicle groups). Pb concentrations also varied among brain regions (PFC > FL ≈ H > S). Finally, pretreatment PFC Pb concentrations were significantly correlated with the integrated blood Pb level (AUC) over the Pb exposure period, but not with the single pretreatment blood Pb collected concurrently with the PFC biopsy. Following treatment, blood Pb levels correlated only with Pb in the PFC, and not the other brain regions measured (FL, H, S). These data indicate that, under the conditions of this study, succimer treatment did not reduce brain Pb levels beyond the cessation of Pb exposure alone. Moreover, a single blood Pb measurement may be a poor predictor of brain Pb levels, reflecting limitations in the use of blood Pb level as an indicator of treatment efficacy.
Calcium phosphate ceramic coatings as carriers of vancomycin

Infection in the setting of total joint arthroplasty remains a challenging problem. Attention has turned to developing methods of local delivery of antibiotics for prophylaxis. Vancomycin loaded into calcium phosphate ceramic coatings on titanium alloy substrates is a clinically relevant concept in the setting of total joint arthroplasty. Drug loading was accomplished by immersion of ceramic-coated discs in vancomycin-containing simulated physiological solution; in some experiments drug loading by immersion was followed by lipid coating in egg phosphatidylcholine solutions. The kinetics of vancomycin release and the efficacy of drug inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus were determined in vitro in comparison to the release from currently used antibiotic-laden poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The loading by immersion provided effective release and inhibition at early time points (up to 24 h); however, the lipid-coated samples demonstrated significant release and effective bacterial inhibition up to 72 h. The two-step procedure, i.e. drug loading followed by lipid coating in order to slow antibiotic elution, is more effective than the conventional one-step loading. The study indicated that the osteoconductive calcium phosphate coatings have the potential to serve as drug carriers to prevent infection in the setting of total joint arthroplasty.
Plasma catabolism of human apolipoprotein E isoproteins: Lack of conversion of the doubly sialilated form to the asialo form in plasma

Abstract Apolipoprotein E (apoE) circulates as a mixture of sialilated and asialilated forms. In this study the catabolic fate and the plasma turnover rate of the different apoE forms have been investigated in vivo in humans. Asialo apoE (E) and doubly sialiated apoE (Ess) were isolated by preparative isoelectrofocusing from the VLDL of subjects homozygous for the E3 allele. 131E3 and 125E3ss were injected simultaneously into three hypertriglyceridemic subjects, and plasma samples were collected up to the sixth day. VLDL were isolated by ultracentrifugation, and the apoE forms were separated by isoelectrofocusing. Gel bands corresponding to E3 and E3ss were cut out and counted for the associated radioactivity. Residence times in plasma for 131E3 and 125E3ss were 0.95 ± 0.16 and 0.74 ± 0.16 days, respectively. As determined from the gel count distribution up to 24 hours, no conversion of the injected sialilated form to the correspondent asialilated form was detected.
Origins and Characteristics of the Threshold Voltage Variability of Quasiballistic Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Field-Effect Transistors

Ultrascaled transistors based on single-walled carbon nanotubes are identified as one of the top candidates for future microprocessor chips as they provide significantly better device performance and scaling properties than conventional silicon technologies. From the perspective of the chip performance, the device variability is as important as the device performance for practical applications. This paper presents a systematic investigation on the origins and characteristics of the threshold voltage (VT) variability of scaled quasiballistic nanotube transistors. Analysis of experimental results from variable-temperature measurement as well as gate oxide thickness scaling studies shows that the random variation from fixed charges present on the oxide surface close to nanotubes dominates the VT variability of nanotube transistors. The VT variability of single-tube transistors has a figure of merit that is quantitatively comparable with that of current silicon devices; and it could be reduced with the adopti...
Plasma nesfatin-1 is not affected by long-term food restriction and does not predict rematuration among iteroparous female rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

The metabolic peptide hormone nesfatin-1 has been linked to the reproductive axis in fishes. The purpose of this study was to determine how energy availability after spawning affects plasma levels of nesfatin-1, the metabolic peptide hormone ghrelin, and sex steroid hormones in rematuring female rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). To limit reproductive maturation, a group of female trout was food-restricted after spawning and compared with a control group that was fed a standard broodstock ration. The experiment was conducted twice, once using two-year-old trout (second-time spawners) and once using three-year-old trout (third-time spawners). During monthly sampling, blood was collected from all fish, and a subset of fish from each treatment was sacrificed for pituitaries. Pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone-beta (fsh-β) mRNA expression was analyzed with q-RT-PCR; plasma hormone levels were quantified by radioimmunoassay (17β-estradiol and ghrelin) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (11-keto-testosterone and nesfatin-1). Although plasma nesfatin-1 levels increased significantly in the months immediately after spawning within both feeding treatments, plasma nesfatin-1 did not differ significantly between the two treatments at any point. Similarly, plasma ghrelin levels did not differ significantly between the two treatments at any point. Food restriction arrested ovarian development by 15–20 weeks after spawning, shown by significantly lower plasma E2 levels among restricted-ration fish. Pituitary fsh-β mRNA levels were higher among control-ration fish than restricted-ration fish starting at 20 weeks, but did not differ significantly between treatment groups until 30 weeks after spawning. Within both treatment groups, plasma 11-KT was elevated immediately after spawning and rapidly decreased to and persisted at low levels; starting between 20 and 25 weeks after spawning, plasma 11-KT was higher among control-ration fish than restricted-ration fish. The results from these experiments do not provide support for plasma nesfatin-1 as a signal for the initiation of reproductive development in rematuring female rainbow trout.
A comparison of sonography and radiography student scores in a cadaver anatomy class before and after the implementation of synchronous distance education

Distance education is a solution to expand medical imaging education to students who might not otherwise be able to obtain the education. It can be a mechanism to reduce the health care worker shortage in underserved areas. In some cases, distance education may be a disruptive technology, and might lower student performance. This study compares student scores in a cadaver anatomy course in the four cohorts preceding the implementation of distance education to the first three cohorts that took the course using a multiple campus design. The means and medians of the lecture exam average, the laboratory component score, and the final course score of the nondistance education cohorts were compared with those of the distance education cohorts using nonparametric statistical analysis. Scores in an anatomy course were compared by campus placement among the distance education cohorts, and the independent effect of distance education on the laboratory component, lecture examination average, and final course scores, while controlling for cumulative grade point average and site (originating/distant), was assessed. Students receiving the course in a nondistance education environment scored higher in the anatomy course than the students who took the course in a distance education environment. Students on the distant campus scored lower than students on the originating site. Distance education technology creates new opportunities for learning, but can be a disruptive technology. Programs seeking to implement distance education into their curriculum should do so with knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages.
Multilevel predictors of inconsistent condom use among adolescent mothers

Objectives. We used Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory to identify factors that predicted never or sometimes using condoms in a multiethnic cohort of adolescent mothers.Methods. We interviewed adolescent mothers within 48 hours of delivery and surveyed them 6 and 12 months after delivery (n = 636). We used multinomial logistic regression to identify individual-, dyad-, family-, and peer and community-level factors associated with never or sometimes using versus always using condoms during intercourse at 12 months postpartum.Results. Pregnancy status, partner refusal to use condoms, intimate partner violence, and race/ethnicity predicted both never and sometimes using condoms. Condom use 6 months earlier and church attendance also predicted never using condoms, whereas maternal monitoring was an additional predictor for sometimes using condoms.Conclusions. Overlapping yet distinct risk profiles predicted never or sometimes using versus always using condoms. Factors from multiple levels of influence...
Design optimization of an 8 W, microscale, axial-flux, permanent-magnet generator

This paper presents the design optimization and characterization of a microscale, permanent-magnet (PM) generator, capable of supplying 8 W of dc power to a resistive load at a rotational speed of 305 000 rpm. The generator is a three-phase, axial-flux, PM machine, consisting of a stator with Cu surface windings and a multi-pole SmCo PM rotor. Optimization of the machine geometries has enabled a 30% improvement in power density (for the same rotational speed) over a previously reported machine. Furthermore, these design improvements, in combination with higher rotational speeds, have enabled a >7x improvement in total output power and a net power density of 59 W cm -3 .
A Case of Chronic Mountain Sickness Diagnosed by Routine Pulmonary Function Tests

In summary, this is a patient who presented with respiratory acidosis and cor pulmonale. The major diagnostic challenge was in differentiating primary cardiopulmonary disease from a central abnormality of ventilatory drive. The arterial blood gases showed a normal A-a gradient suggesting hypoventilation as the etiology of his hypoxemia. Pulmonary function testing showed air trapping, but a relatively normal FEV1/FVC and airways resistance. The literature suggests that most altitude natives have depressed hypoxemic and hypercapnic drives with a distinct subset demonstrating a profoundly depressed drive to ventilation. This latter group has been labeled as having chronic mountain sickness or Monge's disease. As one might expect, ventilatory control during sleep is also abnormal in these patients with CMS. Our patient indeed showed typical frequent severe desaturations with hypopnea. The diagnosis of CMS in our patient was made with routine arterial blood gases and standard pulmonary function tests. Additional tests of ventilatory responsiveness to oxygen and carbon dioxide could have been performed, but are not necessary to make the diagnosis.
Post-Miocene fluctuations of Antarctic Bottom Water paleospeed in the southwest Atlantic Ocean

Abstract A gap in the Falkland Escarpment serves as the primary channel through which Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) flows into the Argentine Basin from the Georgia Basin. The particle-size distributions of the biogenic-free silt fraction in four cores near the Falkland Gap and the hiatus frequency at water depths greater than 4000 m throughout the Southern Ocean, are used to infer post-Miocene AABW paleospeed. Analysis of AABW paleocirculation indicates episodes of increased bottom-current speeds at: 5.3–4.5; 4.0–3.5; 3.3–3.1; 2.5–2.3; 2.0–1.5; and 1.0 Ma. These fluctuations in inferred paleospeed are compared to both northern and southern hemisphere paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic events in order to examine the response of bottom-water circulation to post-Miocene climates. During the Early Gilbert-Middle Matuyama (5.3–1.5 Ma), southern hemisphere climatic events provided the primary forcing mechanisms on AABW activity. The model invoked involves increased salinity (and overturn) of Weddell Shelf Water in response to increased sea ice formation during cold episodes. From the Late Matuyama (after 1.5 Ma) to present fluctuations in Warm Deep Water resulting from northern hemisphere climatic evolution may have been the predominant factor influencing AABW paleospeed. These episodes of increased bottom-current activity may correlate to periods of mudwave migration in the Argentine Basin during the past 5 Ma. The mudwave fields consist of silty, siliceous clays deposited in response to enhanced sediment supply and fast moving currents in the interior basin. We speculate that the periods of enhanced bottom-water activity may have been responsible for major episodes of mudwave growth that began since the Late Oligocene and have persisted into the Holocene.