cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neuroimaging findings in major depression, suicidal behavior and aggression

Abstract Studies of the neurobiology of suicidal behavior have focused on serotonergic abnormalities. We will review neuroimaging studies of major depression since the few studies of suicidal behavior were conducted in this population. Because of the relationship between suicidal behavior, aggression and serotonergic dysfunction, studies of aggression also will be reviewed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies suggest that frontal lobe volume is reduced in major depressives. Major depression appears to be associated with hyperperfusion of the amygdala, orbital cortex, medial thalamus, ventrolateral PFC, subgenual cortex and anterior insula and decreased perfusion in other PFC areas and the striatum. Metabolic changes in cortical regions have been correlated with symptom severity or treatment resistance. In one study, depressed subjects, two of whom were suicide attempters, showed a blunted metabolic response to fenfluramine compared to normal controls. A similar study of depressed women with no suicidal behavior using PET to assess changes in CBF after intravenous d-fenfluramine, found no differences in response compared to healthy volunteers. Lower serotonin transporter receptor binding potential (BP) is associated with major depression. Depressed subjects also have lower 5HT1A BP in the raphe nucleus and in the mesiotemporal cortex (amygdala and hippocampus together). Some, but not all studies show that depressed subjects have lower 5-HT2A BP in frontal, temporal and parietal cortex. Changes in 5-HT2A receptor BP may be related to suicidal behavior rather than depression. A comparison of high lethality and low lethality suicide attempters with major depression showed that the high lethality attempters appeared to had a relative hypofunction in prefrontal cortex compared to depressed low lethality attempters. That difference became more extensive after fenfluramine administration. Aggressive individuals appear to have an abnormality in PFC regardless of their psychiatric condition. In addition, two studies suggest that serotonergic functioning is decreased in aggressive individuals with psychiatric conditions. Thus, the PFC may regulate aggressive behavior by inhibition of impulsive urges. Although, more studies are needed to investigate in vivo the pathophysiology of suicidal behavior, there is evidence of involvement of the PFC, consistent with postmortern brain findings. Clinical descriptions of samples of subjects in neuroimaging studies should include details regarding suicidal behavior, depression and aggression to determine the relationships of psychopathology to regional of brain functions or structures.
Educational aspects of computer-aided design

Several general approaches to the use of the digital computer in the teaching of engineering design are discussed. These approaches are 1) the use of existing programs, 2) the development of programs specifically designed to solve a certain type of problem, and 3) the development of general-purpose software packages designed to implement the material and techniques taught in a specific course. The advantages and disadvantages of these various approaches are discussed, and specific examples of each approach are given.
Exploring the Factors for Budget Stability and Punctuations: A Preliminary Analysis of State Government Sub-Functional Expenditures

Disproportionate information processing theory asserts that sudden, dramatic changes punctuate otherwise stable growth patterns in U.S. policy and budget processes. The present paper uses state government sub-functional expenditures to explore what factors cause budget stability and punctuations. First, the findings in the present paper generally confirm the observations made in other studies that distributions of governmental budgets are Paretian. Second, while future research is warranted to identify more specific causes, this preliminary analysis suggests that institutional frictions and information oversupply tend to increase both budget stability and punctuations. It also suggests that availability of efficient information reduces budget stability but not necessarily budget punctuations. However, when examined at the level of different fund-type expenditures, which have differing degrees of institutional friction and availability of information that can be efficiently processed, more subtle and distinguishable differences in patterns of budget stability and punctuations emerge, which was not accounted for in disproportionate information processing theory.
A Model for Multinomial Response Error Applied to Labor Flows

Abstract A model for the response error associated with reported categorical data is developed. The model is used to construct estimators for the interior cells of a two-way table with marginals subject to independent response error. The estimation procedure is applied to the month-to-month table of employment status obtained from the U.S. Current Population Survey.
Can variable pH and low oxygen moderate ocean acidification outcomes for mussel larvae

Natural variation and changing climate in coastal oceans subject meroplanktonic organisms to broad ranges of pH and oxygen ([O2]) levels. In controlled-laboratory experiments we explored the interactive effects of pH, [O2], and semidiurnal pH fluctuations on the survivorship, development, and size of early life stages of two mytilid mussels, Mytilus californianus and M. galloprovincialis. Survivorship of larvae was unaffected by low pH, low [O2], or semidiurnal fluctuations for both mytilid species. Low pH (<7.6) resulted in delayed transition from the trochophore to veliger stage, but this effect of low pH was absent when incorporating semidiurnal fluctuations in both species. Also at low pH, larval shells were smaller and had greater variance; this effect was absent when semidiurnal fluctuations of 0.3 units were incorporated at low pH for M. galloprovincialis but not for M. californianus. Low [O2] in combination with low pH had no effect on larval development and size, indicating that early life stages of mytilid mussels are largely tolerant to a broad range of [O2] reflective of their environment (80–260 lmol kg � 1 ). The role of pH variability should be recognized as an important feature in coastal oceans that has the capacity to modulate the effects of ocean acidification on biological responses.
Pesticides in Mississippi air and rain: A comparison between 1995 and 2007

A variety of current-use pesticides were determined in weekly composite air and rain samples collected during the 1995 and 2007 growing seasons in the Mississippi Delta (MS, USA) agricultural region. Similar sampling and analytical methods allowed fordirect comparison of results. Decreased overall pesticide use in 2007 relative to 1995 generally resulted in decreased detection frequencies in air and rain; observed concentration ranges were similar between years, however, even though the 1995 sampling site was 500m from active fields whereas the 2007 sampling site was within 3 m of a field. Mean concentrations of detections were sometimes greater in 2007 than in 1995, but the median values were often lower. Seven compounds in 1995 and 5 in 2007 were detected in � 50% of both air and rain samples. Atrazine, metolachlor, and propanil were detected in � 50% of the air and rain samples in both years. Glyphosate and its degradation product, aminomethyl-phosphonic acid (AMPA), were detected in � 75% of air and rain samples in 2007 but were not measured in 1995. The 1995 seasonal wet depositional flux was dominated by methyl parathion (88%) and was >4.5 times the 2007 flux. Total herbicide flux in 2007 was slightly greater than in 1995 and was dominated by glyphosate. Malathion, methyl parathion, and degradation products made up most of the 2007 nonherbicide flux. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1283-1293. # 2014 SETAC
Loss of function in virus-specific lung effector T cells is independent of infection

Recently, several studies, including those with respiratory syncytial virus, mouse pneumovirus, and simian virus 5, have reported that virus-specific CD8 + effector cells entering the lung as a result of respiratory infection undergo significant loss of function. The impaired function in these cells has been proposed to be the result of infection-induced changes in the lung. Although virus-specific effects may contribute to regulation of T cells in the lung, the findings from this study provide evidence that the basal lung environment is sufficient to promote loss of function in effector cells. Loss of function occurs within 48 h of entry into the lung and is most evident in cells residing in the lung parenchyma. These findings suggest an additional paradigm for the immunoregulation of effector cells that enter the lung as a result of virus infection.
Relationships between Optical Extinction, Backscatter and Aerosol Surface and Volume in the Stratosphere following the Eruption of Mt. Pinatubo

The eruption of the Mt. Pinatubo volcano in the Philippines in June 1991 has resulted in increases in the surface and mass concentrations of aerosol particles in the lower stratosphere. Airborne measurements made at midlatitudes between 15 and 21 km from August 1991 to March 1992 show that, prior to December 1991, the Pinatubo aerosol cloud varied widely in microphysical properties such as size distribution, number, surface and volume concentrations and was also spatially variable. Aerosol surface area concentration was found to be highly correlated to extinction at visible and near-infrared wavelengths throughout the measurement period. Similarly, backscatter at common lidar wavelengths was a good predictor of aerosol volume concentrations. These results support the use of satellite extinction measurements to estimate aerosol surface and of lidar measurements to estimate aerosol volume or mass if temporal changes in the relationships between the variables are considered.
Silverman's Game on Discrete Sets

Abstract In a symmetric Silverman game each of the two players chooses a number from a set S ⊂(0,∞). The player with the larger number wins 1, unless the larger is at least T times as large as the other, in which case he loses v . Such games are investigated for discrete S , for T >1 and v >0. Except for v too near zero, where there is a proliferation of cases, explicit solutions are obtained. These are of finite type and, except at certain boundary cases, unique.
Experimental induction of cervical lymphadenitis in guinea-pigs with group C streptococci

SUMMARY Streptococcal lymphadenitis with macroscopic abscesses was induced in guinea-pigs when an isolate of Lancefield's group C streptococci of guinea-pig origin was sprayed orally. The disease was also produced in guinea-pigs when another isolate was injected sublingually but not when it was sprayed orally. Treatment with prednisolone did not increase the susceptibility to the latter isolant when sprayed orally. Abscesses could not be induced in the cervical lymph nodes of guineapigs exposed by injecting group E streptococci sublingually, although the organism was isolated from the cervical lymph nodes 2 days after inoculation. Neither could abscesses be induced by injecting these streptococci sub lingually in guinea-pigs treated with prednisolone. 223 Cervical or streptococcal lymphadenitis with abscess formation is a disease of several species of animals. In guinea-pigs, this disease is caused by a Lancefield's group C streptococci (Beattie, ] 93]; Boxmeyer, ] 907; Fraunfelter, Schmidt, Beattie & Garner, 1971). In swine this disease is known as 'jowl abscesses', caused by a Lancefield's group E streptococci (Collier, 1956), and in horses 'strangles', caused by a Lancefield's group C streptococci (Bryans, Doll & Shepard, 1964). This report describes the experimental induction of cervical lymphadenitis in guinea-pigs with Lancefield's group C streptococci (GCS), and attempted induction with group E streptococci (GES), in order to develop an animal model for studying jowl abscesses in swine. Although previous attempts to infect guinea-pigs by oral and subcutaneous administration of GES had been unsuccessful (Deibel, Yao, Jacobs & Niven, 1964), injection into the tongue had not been reported.
Pathogenicity of Minute Virus of Mice (MVM) for Rats, Mice, and Hamsters

SummaryIn studies made of its general behavior in laboratory animals MVM was found to induce lethal infections in suckling rats, and runting accompanied by proliferations of virus to high titers in many organs in mice. MVM attacked the cerebellum of infant mice, but without sufficient damage to induce clinical ataxia. When H-l virus was studied in a comparable manner, however, it was found to induce marked ataxia accompanied by an extensive cerebellar hypoplasia. A survey of wild rats revealed that Hi antibodies to MVM (69.5%) were more prevalent than those to either H-l (61%) or to rat virus (34%).
Inflammatory cytokines differentially up-regulate human endometrial haptoglobin production in women with endometriosis

background: Evidence suggests that eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis (US-E) has intrinsic functional anomalies compared with women without endometriosis (US-C). We hypothesized that differences in endometrial haptoglobin (eHp) mRNA and protein levels exist between eutopic endometrium from US-E and US-C and that inflammatory mediators may be involved. methods: Endometrial stromal cells and tissue explants from US-E (n ¼ 18) and US-C (n ¼ 18) were cultured (24 h/48 h for cells/ explants) with interleukin (IL)-1a ,- 1b, -6, -8 or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) at 0–100 ng/ml. eHp protein in media and mRNA levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative PCR. results: In eutopic endometrial stromal cells from US-E, IL-1b ,I L-6 and TNF-a (10 ng/ml) increased eHp mRNA levels (P ¼ 0.002, P , 0.001 and P , 0.001, respectively) and eHp protein (P ¼ 0.023, 0.031 and 0.006, respectively) versus control. In endometrial tissues from US-E, IL-1b, IL-6 and TNF-a increased eHp mRNA (P , 0.001, P ¼ 0.017 and P , 0.001, respectively) and eHp protein (P , 0.001, P ¼ 0.007 and 0.039, respectively) versus control. IL-1a and IL-8 had small or no effects on isolated endometrial cells or tissues. In US-C, IL-1b, IL-8 and TNF-a each reduced eHp mRNA in endometrial stromal cells (all P , 0.001) versus control; IL-1a and IL-6 had no effect. eHp mRNA increased in endometrial tissues from US-C in response to IL-1b (P ¼ 0.008), IL-6 (P ¼ 0.015) and TNF-a (P ¼ 0.031) versus control; IL-1a or IL-8 had no effect. conclusions: Endometrium from US-E differentially responds to specific inflammatory cytokines by production of eHp. We propose that upregulation of endometrial eHp by inflammatory mediators disrupts normal endometrial function and may facilitate the pathogenesis of endometriosis.
Adult Violence With the Mother and Sibling as Predictors of Partner Violence

The present study provides the first available evaluation of how violence with the mother and siblings during adulthood is associated with the occurrence of partner violence in young adults. Because a pattern of reciprocal partner violence is well documented, the authors hypothesized that reciprocal violence would also be found for adults and their mothers and for adults and their siblings. The authors also hypothesized that reciprocal violence with the mother and sisters would explain variance in partner violence even when controlling for other known predictors (poverty, poor family support, stress, anger, low self-esteem). Study participants included 377 college adults (114 men, 263 women; mean age = 24.4 years) who completed questionnaires to report their present violence to and from their mothers, sisters, brothers, and romantic partners. Violence is measured with a modified Conflict Tactics Scale. No sibling gender differences are found in violence reported as adults. Factor analysis confirms good fi...
Neutrophil dysfunction in the rabbit model of spur cell anemia.

In the rabbit model for spur cell anemia, animals fed a 5% cholesterol diet develop marked hypercholesterolemia and hemolytic spur cell anemia after several weeks on the diet. In vitro tests of granulocytes showed a 15% increase in cholesterol: phospholipid ratio, and decreased membrane fluidity measured with a fluorescent probe. Function tests revealed impairment of adherence, phagocytosis, and chemotaxis. Both a plasma factor and an intrinsic cellular defect appeared to contribute to the abnormal adherence. Bactericidal activity was normal. In vivo demargination in response to epinephnine was increased in animals on the diet, but exudation of granulocytes into sterile peritonitis fluid was diminished to 39.4% of control at 8 hours. Therefore, rabbits with experimental spur cell anemia have Impaired in vitro and in vivo granulocyte function. The clinical significance of these findings for patients with spur cell anemia and less severe alcoholic liver disease is uncertain.
Letter by Rudolph Regarding Article, "Reduced Fetal Cerebral Oxygen Consumption Is Associated With Smaller Brain Size in Fetuses With Congenital Heart Disease".

In the article “Reduced Fetal Cerebral Oxygen Consumption Is Associated With Smaller Brain Size in Fetuses With Congenital Heart Disease” by Sun et al,1 the authors state: “This study supports a direct link between reduced cerebral oxygenation and impaired brain growth in fetuses with CHD and raises the possibility that in utero brain development could be improved with maternal oxygen therapy.” I have a serious concern that this could lead to widespread introduction of chronic administration of oxygen to …
Análisis al futuro de las arquitecturas de internet

Debatir acerca del futuro de los desarrollos mas importantes de la ingenieria actual es necesario. Internet es uno de esos desarrollos, por lo tanto necesita discusiones continuas. En este articulo se discute acerca la investigacion del futuro de la arquitectura de internet, basicamente en dos corrientes: la de borron y cuenta nueva, en la que se propone crear una nueva arquitectura, y la de investigacion evolutiva, que propone mejorar la arquitectura actual.
Are diffuse high energy neutrinos and γ-rays from starburst galaxies observable?

Abstract Loeb and Waxman have argued that high energy neutrinos from the decay of pions produced in interactions of cosmic rays with interstellar gas in starburst galaxies would be produced with a large enough flux to be observable. Their model is reexamined here and we obtain an upper limit to the diffuse neutrino flux from starburst galaxies. The upper limit obtained here is a factor of ∼5 lower than the flux which they predict. Our predicted neutrino flux would be below the atmospheric neutrino foreground flux at energies below ∼300 TeV and therefore would be unobservable. Compared with predicted fluxes from other extragalactic high energy neutrino sources, starburst neutrinos with ∼PeV energies would have a flux considerably below that predicted for AGN models. We also estimate an upper limit for the diffuse GeV γ-ray flux from starbust galaxies to be O ( 10 − 2 ) of the observed γ-ray background, much less than the component from unresolved blazars and more than an order of magnitude below the estimate of Thompson et al.
Preharvest Ethephon Eliminates First Crop Figs

Most fig (Ficus carica) cultivars have potentially two crops; fruit from the first crop are called brebas. This crop is commercially important in some Mediterranean area cultivars. The second or main crop, called figs, is the commercially important crop for most fig cultivars. Due to labor cost increases, harvest of the breba crop, with its low production and lower quality fruit, has become economically unviable in some cultivars. Unharvested brebas are potential sites for fungal pathogens and they attract insects. Spring ethephon applications of 250 to 500 ppm applied before full leaf expansion, when the largest fruit are about 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter reduced the breba crop load ( 92%) without adverse side effects. The use of early fall ethephon applications of 500 ppm also resulted in breba crop load reductions ( 30%), but with significantly lower efficacy than spring treatments. These fall and/or spring ethephon treatments did not affect the percentage of vegetative budbreak, breba weight, breba soluble solids concentration, fig crop load, fig weight, or ethephon residues. Thus, early spring ethephon application at 300 ppm (0.22–0.36 kg ha), when breba fruit and leaves are just starting to develop and figs are not present, was a safe, effective and inexpensive way (about $16 per hectare) to reduce the breba crop. Currently, ethephon is included in the federal IR-4 program, and residue studies are ongoing as a protocol for future registration.
Simple method for monitoring dispersal of Heliothis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) backcross sterility genes.

Release of sterile backcross males from [Heliothis subfliexa (F.) X H. virescens (Guenee) females X H. virescens males I has been suggested as a means of reducing populations of H. virescens. A simple method is needed to measure the persistence or dispersal of the backcross sterility genetic factors. Backcross male sterility is transmitted via maternal inheritance. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) also is inherited maternally; therefore, the mtDNA in the backcross is from H. subflexa. Several regions of the mtDNA were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), then were cut with restriction enzymes to generate restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP). Differences between H. virescens and backcross mtDNA were observed for 16S (ribosomal DNA (rDNA)), 12S-16S rDNA, and the COI-COII (cytochrome oxidase) regions. This is attributed to species-specific differences between H. virescens mtDNA and H. subflexa mtDNA carried by the backcross. Therefore, mtDNA provides a convenient marker for tracking the progress of backcross sterility. Developmental stages from eggs through adults are suitable for use.
A Scalable, Nonenzymatic Synthesis of Highly Stereopure Difunctional C4 Secondary Methyl Linchpin Synthons

In response to the continuing widespread use of heterodifunctional C4 secondary methyl building blocks in asymmetric synthesis, we have developed a mole-scale, two-step synthesis of a 1:1 mixture of the diastereomers of 3-bromo-2-methyl-1-propyl camphorsulfonate (casylate). One isomer (2S) has been crystallized to >99:1 dr in ∼25% yield. Equilibration of the mother liquor (enriched in 2R) to a 1:1 mixture and recrystallization significantly raises the overall yield of 2S. Applications of 2S include chemoselective Grignard coupling, enabling the very short synthesis of highly stereopure long-chain natural products containing remote, methyl-bearing stereogenic centers [e.g., (R)-tuberculostearic acid], with complete control of configuration. Also, Ag-mediated, completely chemoselective Br displacement from 2S leads to a range of >99:1 er difunctional synthons. Both applications incorporate concurrent recovery of CasO. The enantiomer of 2S can be made from commercial (1R)-10-CasOH.
Stress Recovery in Composite Laminates Including Geometrically Nonlinear and Dynamic Effects

Stress recovery based on results from a two-dimensional plate-theory solution is a common method to estimate the transverse stresses in a plate. The development of a stress-recovery procedure is presented that is based directly on plate-theory finite element solutions applicable to situations in which geometrically nonlinear and inertial effects are important. The key reason for employing the stress-recovery procedure is its computational efficiency compared to three-dimensional finite element analyses. The developed procedure is applied to an example flat plate under the influence of dynamic loading. Results from the developed procedure are discussed; they compare well to those from a benchmark three-dimensional finite element solution. The range of applicability of the procedure, considering plate span-to-thickness ratio and degree of nonlinearity, is illustrated. Finally, a discussion is included in which the computational effort to obtain an accurate transverse-stress distribution by the stress-recove...
Love for the rails; Paul Theroux's Travelogues

In Paul Theroux’s writings railways do not just provide a background or a theme, but become a functional and structural part of their plot and narration. For Theroux railways offer a cross section of a society . The references in his writings are interesting findings in cultural study. The co-travellers create a temporary cultural aura in the compartment. When the narrator involves in conversation with the co-passengers, he acts as a mediator between the readers and the native. A train is both mobile and stationary at the same time. It is mobile for it takes passengers one place to another, at the same time it offers the traveller a stable platform to observe and socialise. Stating the insignificance of destinations, Theroux invites attention to the ‘being in a train’ experience.
Family as a source of support under stress: Benefits of greater breadth of family inclusion

AbstractFamily has profound meaning and represents the most important ingroup for most people, yet, we know very little about how lay perceptions of family affect well-being. In the current work, we examined how lay theories about breadth of family inclusion (i.e., including a broader variety of entities in one’s definition of family) were related to family experiences and to well-being. In Study 1, we found that lay theories about family as including a wider variety of entities (i.e., greater breadth of inclusion) predicted more positive family evaluations, more positive qualities, and greater family importance. In Study 2, we found that greater breadth of family inclusion was associated with greater resilience in the face of stress. Finally, in Study 3 we used an experimental manipulation of breadth of family inclusion, establishing that broader views of family produced greater social needs fulfillment. Implications for the role of ingroup memberships and identities in promoting well-being are discussed.
Noble Gases and Tritium in the Black Sea

Total helium and neon, helium isotopic ratio, and tritium measurements were made in water samples from the Black Sea. The depth profiles of dissolved helium show a more or less uniform positive gradient towards the bottom at the margin stations whereas the gradient is broken at the deep basin stations. The magnitude of the present concentrations and the gradient match very well to those measured in 1975 during the R/V Chain expedition. The steady-state helium flux from the sediments is used to set limits on the vertical eddy diffusivity of helium. Tritium penetration was observed down to about 500m. A simple calculation using the absence of tritium in the deep water indicates that only a small percentage of the Mediterranean plume could have reached below the 1700m horizon.
Reply to Barrett: affective neuroscience needs objective criteria for emotions.

I thank Lisa Barrett for the stimulating and comprehensive paper explaining her theory of emotion. In what follows I will summarize what I take to be our points of agreement, my confusions, and suggestions for how to move forward.
Marginal zone B cells are critical to factor VIII inhibitor formation in mice with hemophilia A

Although factor VIII (FVIII) replacement therapy can be lifesaving for patients with hemophilia A, neutralizing alloantibodies to FVIII, known as inhibitors, develop in a significant number of patients and actively block FVIII activity, making bleeding difficult to control and prevent. Although a variety of downstream immune factors likely regulate inhibitor formation, the identification and subsequent targeting of key initiators in inhibitor development may provide an attractive approach to prevent inhibitor formation before amplification of the FVIII immune response occurs. As the initial steps in FVIII inhibitor development remain incompletely understood, we sought to define early regulators of FVIII inhibitor formation. Our results demonstrate that FVIII localizes in the marginal sinus of the spleen of FVIII-deficient mice shortly after injection, with significant colocalization with marginal zone (MZ) B cells. FVIII not only colocalizes with MZ B cells, but specific removal of MZ B cells also completely prevented inhibitor development following FVIII infusion. Subsequent rechallenge with FVIII following MZ B-cell reconstitution resulted in a primary antibody response, demonstrating that MZ B-cell depletion did not result in FVIII tolerance. Although recipient exposure to the viral-like adjuvant polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid enhanced anti-FVIII antibody formation, MZ B-cell depletion continued to display similar effectiveness in preventing inhibitor formation following FVIII infusion in this inflammatory setting. These data strongly suggest that MZ B cells play a critical role in initiating FVIII inhibitor formation and suggest a potential strategy to prevent anti-FVIII alloantibody formation in patients with hemophilia A.
Response by Hess and Hiatt to Letter Regarding Article, "A Structured Review of Antithrombotic Therapy in Peripheral Artery Disease With a Focus on Revascularization: A TASC (InterSociety Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Artery Disease) Initiative".

We thank Dr Farina for his interest in our article, “A Structured Review of Antithrombotic Therapy in Peripheral Artery Disease With a Focus on Revascularization: A TASC (InterSociety Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Artery Disease) Initiative.”1 We acknowledge that he is correct that the design of the study by Iida et al2 randomized patients to cilostazol plus aspirin versus ticlopidine plus aspirin and showed improved vascular patency after femoropopliteal endovascular intervention. The design was accurately reported in Table 2 but incorrectly stated in the text; a correction has been made to the online version of the article. Dr Farina points to 2 additional randomized trials that have also evaluated …
The Self and Its Good Vary Cross-Culturally: A Dozen Self-variations and Chinese Familial Selves

In the first part, we present a taxonomy of a dozen self-variations that appear in the contemporary studies of cross-cultural anthropology, psychology and philosophy. The taxonomy is designed to serve as a general template to analyse cultural variation in views of self, which ranges from the metaphysical self (or no-self) to ideal emotional self. In the second part, we apply three aspects of the taxonomy to analyse a distinctive way that the self is conceived in the Chinese tradition, and its relation to the family and non-family members. In particular, we look at the Chinese notion of the ‘soul’ (hun-po), which informs a unique, family-oriented notion of self. This understanding helps explain the distinctive texture of the Chinese virtue of filial piety that emphasises not only respect and support of the elderly members of the family, but also reproducing children who can carry the family lineage. It also helps us understand certain family-oriented ways of decision-making in the Chinese society.
Transport of ionic species in skin: contribution of pores to the overall skin conductance.

Two methods are reported that allow visualization of high conductance paths in skin at current densities typically used during clinical iontophoretic drug delivery (10–200 µA/cm2). In the first method, the counter-directional iontophoretic transport of Fe(CN)6 4− and Fe3+ across skin results in the precipitation of colloidal prussian blue, Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3, at sites of high iontophoretic flux. The appearance of localized deposits of Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3 is recorded by video microscopy and used to document the activation of low-resistance paths. In the second method, the ionic flux of Fe(CN)6 4− through pores is directly imaged by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). Both methods demonstrate that the iontophoretic flux across skin is highly localized. Activation of low-resistance pores in hairless mouse skin is shown to occur during iontophoresis. The spatial density of current carrying pores increases from 0 to 100–600 pores/cm2 during the first 30–60 min of iontophoresis. At longer times, the active pore density approaches a quasi-steady-state value that is proportional to the applied current density. The total conductance of the skin is proportional to the number of pores, consistent with a model of conduction in skin that is comprised of low-resistivity pores in parallel with a high-resistivity bulk phase. The contribution of pores to the total skin conductance during iontophoresis increases from an initial value of 0–5% to a quasi-steady-state value of 50–95%.
Considerations in Our Search for Interferons for Clinical Use

Interferon has yet to become the drug of choice for any clinical disease entity, but several promising uses are being pursued. Clinical trials are limited probably because interferon is so expensive. Cheaper interferon would probably stimulate more clinical trials. Demonstrated efficacy in a disease of considerable magnitude would spur the search for cheaper interferon. Possible ways to look for more, cheaper interferon are suggested. The need to understand the chemical and structural composition of interferon is pointed out especially the role played by carbohydrates. There is a need for a non- biological, yet sensitive quantitative measurement of interferon; development of an immune assay is suggested. The need to restudy ways to apply interferon to target tissues and the need for a standardized product for use in clinical trials are pointed out.
Gender trends in dental practice patterns. A review of current U.S. literature.

This paper reviews three recent reports of national gender trends in dental practice patterns. Although the three independent cross-sectional studies were conducted at different points in time, used different sampling strategies, and used similar but independent survey instruments, findings were consistent across studies. In summary: Women dentists are less likely to be married and have fewer children. Women are more likely to assume child rearing and household responsibilities. Women are less likely to be practice owners. Women worked slightly fewer hours per week and weeks per year, and were more likely to take a leave of absence for illness or child rearing. However, women dentists demonstrate a far greater professional work commitment than was previously reported in the literature. Women earn significantly less income from the practice of dentistry, even after controlling for age, practice ownership, hours worked per week, and other personal characteristics. The most current "Gender Wage Gap" estimates range from 57.7% for specialists to 75.4% for general practitioners (8). delta.
Signaling at Stalled Replication Forks

Completing DNA replication with a minimum of errors is critical to prevent disease and requires the coordinated action of hundreds of proteins. These include DNA repair enzymes that remove DNA lesions, thereby preventing polymerase stalling and incorporation errors. However, given the large size of the genome and the numerous chemical assaults on it from both endogenous and exogenous sources, some lesions fail to be repaired before they are encountered by elongating replication forks. This review will examine recent advances in our understanding of cellular responses to replication stress that ensure a successful resolution of this common genome integrity challenge. In particular, we will focus on the ATR signaling pathway, and describe how recent experimental approaches in multiple organisms including yeast, frogs, and humans have yielded a model for its genome maintenance activities during DNA replication.
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Experience with Local Excision and Multimodality Therapy for Rectal Cancer

A prospective study of local excision of mobile rectal carcinomas in the distal rectum and postoperative radiotherapy was conducted in 46 patients. All patients were staged according to the T system of the American Joint Committee on Cancer. Local excision with postoperative radiotherapy provides adequate local control and is a reasonable alternative to abdominal resection of the mesorectum in elderly patients with T1-T3 tumors and in younger patients with early T1 or T2 carcinomas.
Optimal design and dispatch of a hybrid microgrid system capturing battery fade

Microgrids provide power to remote communities and at operational sites that are not connected to a grid. We consider such a microgrid that consists of batteries, photovoltaics, and diesel generators, and optimize the components it comprises and a corresponding dispatch strategy at hourly fidelity so as to minimize procurement, operations and maintenance, and fuel costs. The system is governed by constraints such as meeting demand and adhering to component interoperability and capability. Our contribution lies in the introduction to this optimization model of a set of constraints that incorporates capacity fade of a battery and temperature effects. We show, using data from a forward operating base and solving the corresponding instances for a time horizon of 8760 h, that higher temperatures decrease resistance, leading to better round-trip energy efficiency, but at the same time increase capacity fade of the battery, resulting in a higher overall operating cost. In some cases, the procurement strategy is robust to the fade of the battery, but fade can influence battery state of charge and power output as the available battery capacity degrades over time and with use.
Leadership Principles in Exodus 18

This chapter provides a detailed analysis of Exodus 18, including aspects of author and date (Cassuto in A Commentary on the Book of Exodus, Magnes Press, Jerusalem, 1997; Cole in Exodus: An Introduction and Commentary, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1973; Enns in Exodus, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 2000; Kaiser, 1990). Due to the focus of this research (leadership, small group leadership) it is unlike any other detailed analysis of Exodus 18. This chapter includes historical aspects of the leadership of Ambrose of Milan (339–397). More particularly, the research reveals Ambrose’s leadership within small groups. The chapter includes two main elements, historicity concerning pastoral functions and the development of the pastoral care; specifically concerning small group leadership. Some of the developing themes within this section include (a) humility, (b) remaining teachable, (c) personal development, (d) intimacy with God, (e) deliverance (f) relational, (g) delegation, (h) selection, (i) personal ability, (j) the fear of God, (k) trustworthiness, (l) cognitive, (m) moral, (n) hating a bribe, or covetousness (o) leader development, (p) obedience to God (q) discipleship, (r) family unity, and (s) trust.
Acutely Decreased Hemoglobin

Acute post-operative hemorrhage in the ICU can be difficult to diagnose accurately and in a timely fashion. There are many diagnostic studies available, some of which may delay timely diagnosis and treatment. This section reviews the diagnostic tests available and those that are most useful in the acute ICU setting of suspected post-operative or intraabdominal hemorrhage.
Nursing Students Who Fail and Repeat Courses: A Scoping Review.

Background Nursing students who fail and are required to repeat courses experience personal consequences and have an impact on the academic institution and nursing profession because of delayed graduation or even attrition. Purpose The purpose was to summarize the literature on nursing students who fail and repeat courses and identify gaps in knowledge about this population. Methods This was a scoping review. Results Academic failure and course repetition have emotional, social, and financial consequences and impact the student, institution, and nursing profession. Nursing student repeaters are at increased risk for poor academic outcomes, but supportive interventions can be beneficial. Conclusions The literature lacks a comprehensive description of nursing school progression policies, the incidence of nursing student repeaters, the financial implications of course repetition, and effective interventions to support the academic success of nursing students who repeat courses.
Genetic Characterization of Non-Native African Jewelfish, Hemichromis letourneuxi Sauvage 1880, in Florida

The African Jewelfish, Hemichromis letourneuxi, is an invasive, predatory cichlid fish introduced at least once to Florida. Its native range is in northern Africa. First encountered in Miami in the 1960s, it has since been found west and north within the State of Florida. It thrives in a wide range of aquatic habitats, including shallow, vegetated or rocky areas of canals, tidal creeks, rivers, and marshes. We generated mitochondrial DNA sequences from 6 Florida localities, and 1 Mexico population. The resulting tree describes recent historical relationships among populations. Nearly all Florida populations of African Jewelfish are intermixed, supporting a single invasion, with one possible exception: samples from the Tampa Bay locality are distinct and may represent a separate introduction. Samples obtained from the Mexico locality, previously identified as Hemichromis guttatus (Spotted Jewelfish), appear to be genetically identical to, and indistinguishable from the H. letourneuxi sampled in Florida localities.
Integrating formal and informal transit into one hybrid passenger transport system in Lagos, Nigeria

Informal minibus services dominate public transportation in Lagos, Nigeria. Local, state, and federal government entities in Nigeria have historically only been able to provide woefully inadequate formal transit systems. Informal transit has sprung up to fill this incredible demand. The cutthroat, individualistic grind of this system produces world-renowned problems of inefficiency, safety and, unreliability of urban transport in one of the world’s most populated cities. Still, the lion’s share of public transit trips in Lagos take place using informal services, which confer the benefits of dynamic transport that formalized mass transit generally cannot achieve. Government agencies preach the need for modernist, top-down imposition of bold, physical infrastructure projects and the eradication of the disorder associated with the informal system. This research takes a critical lens to the complex relationships at play in what currently embodies a competing, dual transit system rooted in institutional corruption. This analysis provides the groundwork for a potential collaborative relationship to develop in this place, leveraging the structural benefits of both the formal, ordered system and the informal system’s adaptive nature and situated knowledges. From this analysis, this research recommends the cultivation of operator associations within the informal sector to form the predominant platform for which the government can forge this complementary relationship.
First-in-Human study of [18F]SynVesT-2, a novel SV2A radioligand with fast kinetics and high specific binding signals

462 Objectives: Early stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with regional synapse loss. PET imaging agents for synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A), [11C]UCB-J [1] and [18F]UCB-H [2], have confirmed in vivo synaptic density loss in hippocampus of AD subjects. We recently developed an alternative radioligand, [18F]SynVestT-2 ([18F]SDM-2), with faster kinetics and lower nonspecific binding in the non-human primate brain. The aim of this study was to evaluate this SV2A tracer in humans in comparison with [11C]UCB-J, [18F]SynVesT-1 ([18F]SDM-8), and [18F]UCB-H. Methods: PET scans with [18F]SynVesT-2 were acquired for 120 min on a High Resolution Research Tomograph (HRRT) scanner. Arterial blood samples were drawn for metabolite analysis and construction of the arterial input function (AIF). Regions of interest (ROIs) were defined with an atlas and individual subjects’ MR image to generate time-activity curves (TACs). TACs were then fitted with 1- and 2- tissue compartment (1TC, 2TC) models to derive regional distribution volumes (VT) using the metabolite corrected AIF. Nondisplaceable binding potential (BPND) was calculated using centrum semiovale (white matter) as the reference region [3]. Results: Injected activity dose of [18F]SynVesT-2 was 4.78 +/- 0.15 mCi (n= 2). The parent fraction of [18F]SynVesT-2 in plasma was 23 +/- 4% (n=2) at 30 min after tracer injection, similar to that of [11C]UCB-J (27 +/- 9%, n=9) and [18F]SynVesT-1 (25 +/- 6%, n=3). Plasma free fraction (fp) was 0.35 +/- 0.06 (n=2). As predicted by our nonhuman primate studies, [18F]SynVesT-2 displayed high brain uptake and fast kinetics, with peak SUV of 8 in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and putamen at 7 min post injection. Regional TACs were fitted well with the 1TC model; while 2TC model produced unreliable VT values in some regions. K1 values (mL/cm3/min) from the 1TC model ranged from 0.12 (centrum semiovale) to 0.38 (thalamus) for [18F]SynVesT-2 and were similar to those of [18F]SynVesT-1 (0.11-0.34) and UCB-J (0.1-0.33). 1TC VT values (mL/cm3) ranged from 2.1 (centrum semiovale) to 8.1 (putamen) and were significantly lower than those of [18F]SynVesT-1 (~53% of the mean value) and [11C]UCB-J (~58%). As a measure of specific binding, mean BPND values of [18F]SynVesT-2 were 42% lower than those of [18F]SynVesT-1, and 24% lower than those of [11C]UCB-J (table 1), but three fold higher than those of UCB-H [4]. Importantly, regional VT of [18F]SynVesT-2 can be estimated reliably with 20 min of scan time(-1±5% different from 120-min value), much shorter than the 60 min required for [11C]UCB-J and [18F]SynVesT-1 [5]. Conclusions: The novel radiotracer [18F]SynVesT-2 demonstrates good imaging characteristics in humans with high brain uptake, fast kinetics, and high specific binding. These pharmacokinetic properties would shorten the length of a required scanning time and possibly negate the need for arterial blood sampling, decreasing the burden on this patient population and facilitate large scale clinical trials.
Louise Bourgeois (1563–1636): Transforming the Landscape of Medicine and Midwifery

In Midwiving Subjects in Shakespeare’s England, Caroline Bicks reminds us that when exceptional early modern midwives first published medical texts, they expose[d] definite breaks with the male-aut...
A Spatial Exploration of the Halo Effect in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election

The outcome of the 2016 presidential election in the United States was partly influenced by factors such as social marginalization and anti-immigrant sentiment, both of which have been associated w...
ROLLABLE METAMATERIAL SCREEN FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE COUPLING BASED HIGH EFFICIENCY WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER

This paper presents a rollable metamaterial screen for high-efficiency wireless power transfer (WPT) system based on magnetic resonance coupling, which operates at 4.5 MHz. The rollable metamaterial screen with a fully expanded area of 750 mm × 750 mm is located in the middle between transmitter and receiver coils and focuses the magnetic field and, by such a way, significantly improves power transfer efficiency (PTE). The metamaterial screen can be rolled up, e.g. onto the ceiling when it is not used, and thus does not require any designated space for the screen saving space. A WPT system with the rollable metamaterial screen is designed, fabricated, and characterized. Improved PTE is qualitatively and quantitatively verified by light bulb experiments and vector network analyzer measurements. The PTE of the WPT system with the metamaterial screen increases from 36 to 58.52% and 10.24 to 31.36% for the distances between the transmitter and receiver coils 100 and 150 cm, respectively. The effects of lateral and angular misalignments on the PTE of the WPT system are also studied. Obtained results show that the rollable metamaterial screen improves the PTE even at the misaligned condition.
Fuzzy N-soft Ordered Semigroups with Application

In this article, we introduce a new hybrid model called fuzzy N-soft ordered semigroup of S by a suitable combination of ordered semigroup S with fuzzy N-soft sets. Some useful operations and properties are given. Moreover, a novel multi-attribute decision making method combined with ordered semigroups is introduced inside we added the definition of grades that provides a finer granularity. This method is more cautious and reasonable.