cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fast-integral-equation scheme for computing magnetostatic fields in nonlinear media

Computing magnetic field distributions is important for a range of practical applications. In the past, integral-equation-based schemes for such analysis have primarily relied on scalar formulations. In this paper, we introduce a novel integral equation that is cast in terms of the magnetic flux density and construct a method of moments solver by representing the flux with a set of basis functions whose normal component is continuous. This solver is then augmented with a recently introduced version of the fast multipole method that lowers the computational complexity and the memory requirements from /spl Oscr/(N/sup 2/) to /spl Oscr/(N), where N is the number of basis functions used for the analysis. We validate magnetic field distributions computed by the proposed scheme by comparing them with those obtained analytically. Finally, we demonstrate the efficacy of this scheme by applying it to the analysis of practical problems in the nonlinear regime.
Angle recording method for efficient implementation of the CORDIC algorithm

CORDIC (coordinating rotation digital computer) is an iterative arithmetic algorithm for computing generalized vector rotations without performing multiplications. For applications where the angle of rotation is known in advance, the authors present a method to speed up the execution of the CORDIC algorithm by reducing the total number of iterations. This is accomplished by using a technique called angle recording, which encodes the desired rotation angle as a linear combination of very few elementary rotation angles. Each of these elementary rotation angles takes one CORDIC iteration to compute. The fewer the elementary rotation angles, the fewer the iterations required. A greedy algorithm that takes only O(n/sup 2/) operations is developed to perform CORDIC angle recording. It can reduce the total number of required elementary rotation angles by at least 50% without affecting the computational accuracy. Simulation results are presented. >
Using Social Stories and Visual Schedules to Improve Socially Appropriate Behaviors in Children With Autism

The current study investigated the effects of Social Stories written according to Gray’s specifications on on-task behavior in inclusive classroom settings in three children with autism. Using a multiple-baseline design across participants, modest improvements in on-task behavior were associated with implementation of an auditory-visual Social Story intervention. In follow-up analysis, the Social Story was replaced with a visual schedule component to augment the effects of Social Stories when there was room for improvement for one participant. Further improvement in on-task behavior indicates that strategies such as visual schedules may be an effective way to augment the effects of Social Stories. An effect size estimate calculated using Parker et al.’s percentage of all nonoverlapping data points procedure revealed a large effect (d = 1.33) associated with Social Stories alone, which increased (d = 1.7) when the visual schedule intervention applied to one participant was added to the analysis. Although S...
A Climatology of Diurnal and Semidiurnal Surface Wind Variations over the Tropical Pacific Ocean Based on the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean Moored Buoy Array

Hourly measurements from 51 moored buoys in the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean array (9°N–8°S, 165°E– 95°W) during 1993–2004 are used to document the climatological seasonal and annual mean patterns of diurnal and semidiurnal near-surface wind variability over the tropical Pacific Ocean. In all seasons, the amplitude of the semidiurnal harmonic is approximately twice as large as the diurnal harmonic for the zonal wind component, while the diurnal harmonic is at least 3 times as large as the semidiurnal harmonic for the meridional wind component, both averaged across the buoy array. Except for the eastern equatorial Pacific, the semidiurnal zonal wind harmonic exhibits uniform amplitude (0.14 m s 1 ) and phase [maximum westerly wind anomalies 0325/1525 local time (LT)] across the basin in all seasons. This pattern is well explained by atmospheric thermal tidal theory. The semidiurnal zonal wind signal is diminished over the cold surface waters of the eastern equatorial Pacific where it is associated with enhanced boundary layer stability. Diurnal meridional wind variations tend to be out of phase north and south of the equator (maximum southerly wind anomalies 0700 LT at 5°N and 1900 LT at 5°S), while a noon southerly wind anomaly maximum is observed on the equator in the eastern Pacific particularly during the cold season (June–November). The diurnal meridional wind variations result in enhanced divergence along the equator and convergence along the southern border of the intertropical convergence zone 0700 LT (opposite conditions 1900 LT); the amplitude of the divergence diurnal cycle is 5 10 7 s 1 . The diurnal meridional wind variations are largely consistent with the diurnal pressure gradient force.
Epidemiology of Group B Streptococcus: Longitudinal Observations during Pregnancy

A longitudinal, three-year study of the epidemiology of group B Streptococcus was conducted with repeated (four to 11) observations of 382 patients followed through pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period. Group B streptococci (2.3% of which were nonhemolytic) were isolated from the birth canal at first visit from 15% of the patients and from 28% with repeated cultures. Overall, group B streptococci were isolated at 12% of culture visits. Streptococcal carriage was significantly less common among patients who were Mexican-American, 20 years old or older, or in a fourth or later pregnancy. Multivariate analysis indicated that each of these three factors had a significant, independent bearing upon carriage of group B streptococci. Of 108 patients harboring these organisms in the birth canal, 36% could be classified as chronic, 20% as transient, and 15% as intermittent carriers. The relationship of infant colonization to the presence of streptococci in the birth canal at delivery and not to previous or subsequent carriage by the mother was consistent with the observation that maternal colonization was often inconstant.
Fluoroquinolone Resistance in Bacteria

FQs are some of the most widely prescribed antimicrobial agents. Of the total sales of $42 billion from antibiotics worldwide in 2009, FQs represented 17 % of the market, generating $7 billion in global sales (Furiex Pharmaceuticals; http://www.furiex.com). A detailed discussion of structure–activity relationships is beyond the scope of this chapter, but these agents have undergone several iterations, or “generations,” which have consisted of structural modifications to improve potency and spectrum of activity. The classification system of quinolones, from first to fourth generation, is based on the improving spectrum of antibacterial activity and potency against pneumococci and anaerobic organisms and is more of a practical classification system for clinical use [1]. The first generation quinolone upon which all subsequent derivatives are based is nalidixic acid (Fig. 16.1), which was isolated as a by-product during chloroquine synthesis [2]. Nalidixic acid actually is a naphthyridone based on the presence of a nitrogen atom at position 8, whereas quinolones generally have a carbon atom at this position. Second generation drugs, all of which have a fluorine at position 6 of the quinolone nucleus (hence the term “fluoroquinolone”), include norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, ofloxacin, and pefloxacin. These drugs have added antimicrobial activity versus aerobic Gram-positive bacteria and better activity against Gram-negative bacteria compared to the first-generation drugs, but lack activity against anaerobic bacteria [1]. Third generation agents have even greater activity versus Gram-positive bacteria, especially pneumococci, plus good potency against anaerobic bacteria, and include sparfloxacin, grepafloxacin, temafloxacin, and levofloxacin. Garenoxacin (not US FDA approved), gemifloxacin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, and trovafloxacin (discontinued) are considered fourth generation agents, with even greater activity against pneumococci and anaerobes [1]. FQs are widely used in ophthalmology, and the newest and first developed specifically for topical ophthalmologic use is besifloxacin, which is approved for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. Besifloxacin has a C-8 chlorine substituent and thus is a chloro-fluoroquinolone. It has dual-targeting activity versus topoisomerase IV and DNA gyrase (topoisomerase II), resulting in increased potency and a decreased chance of the emergence of bacterial resistance [3]. Tosufloxacin and sitafloxacin are approved for clinical use in Japan. Sitafloxacin has been shown to have favorable susceptibility rates among most bacteria tested (excluding methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] and Enterococcus faecium), non-inferiority to levofloxacin and tosufloxacin, and a low propensity to cause resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae [4].
Transition from transient to stationary behavior in stimulated Raman scattering

The transition between the transient and the stationary regimes of stimulated Raman scattering is examined computationally for pulses with a sharp initial rise. We find that the transient-regime predictions are useful for times less than T2 regardless of the pulse duration and that the stationary-regime predictions become useful only for times much greater than T2.
Effects of Load and Thermal Conditions on Pb-Free Solder Joint Reliability

Reliability of lead-free solder joints has been a hot topic widely debated in the electronic industry. Most published data indicate that a change to lead-free soldering has the potential benefit of more reliable solder joints than the current Sn-Pb eutectic solder joints. However, in reality many mechanical, metallurgical, thermal, and environmental factors affect the service reliability of solder joints. This paper tries to shed some light on the effects of mechanical loading and thermal conditions on solder joint reliability. These conditions are determined not only by external environments but also by the solder alloy itself and the joint geometry. Analyses with first principles are carried out on solder joints of both areal array and peripheral packages. Effects on fatigue life of solder joint geometry, thermal and mechanical characteristics of components and substrate materials, and application conditions are discussed. The analysis helps explain why lead-free solder joints may not be more reliable in certain application conditions than the current Sn-Pb eutectic solder joints.
Accelerated Degradation of Caspase-8 Protein Correlates with TRAIL Resistance in a DLD1 Human Colon Cancer Cell Line

The tumor-selective cytotoxic effect of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) makes TRAIL an attractive candidate as an anticancer agent. However, resistance to TRAIL poses a challenge in anticancer therapy with TRAIL. Therefore, characterizing the mechanisms of resistance and developing strategies to overcome the resistance are important steps toward successful TRAIL-mediated cancer therapy. In this study, we investigated mechanisms of acquired TRAIL resistance in a colon cancer DLD1 cell line. Compared with the TRAIL-susceptible DLD1 cell line, TRAIL-resistant DLD1/TRAIL-R cells have a low level of caspase-8 protein, but not its mRNA. Suppression of caspase-8 expression by siRNA in parental DLD1 cells led to TRAIL resistance. Restoration of caspase-8 protein expression by stable transfection rendered the DLD1/TRAIL-R cell line fully sensitive to TRAIL protein, suggesting that the low level of caspase-8 protein expression might be the culprit in TRAIL resistance in DLD1/TRAIL-R cells. Sequencing analysis of the caspase-8 coding region revealed a missense mutation that is present in both TRAIL-sensitive and TRAIL-resistant DLD1 cells. Subsequent study showed that the degradation of caspase-8 protein was accelerated in DLD1/TRAIL-R cells compared to parental DLD1 cells. Thus, accelerated degradation of caspase-8 protein is one of the mechanisms that lead to TRAIL resistance.
An Index of Molecular Flexibility from Kappa Shape Attributes

An index encoding the structural attribute known as flexibility has been devised based upon the chemical graph. The flexibility definition is based upon the role of molecular size, branching, cycles and heteroatom content. The calculation of the index, phi, uses information from the kappa indexes to encode these contributions. The flexibility index is made equal to the product of kappa-one and kappa-two, normalized to the number of atoms in the graph. Examples reveal the structure-activity potential for the index.
Peering Beneath the Surface: Novel Imaging Techniques to Noninvasively Select Gametes and Embryos for ART

Embryo imaging has long been a critical tool for in vitro fertilization laboratories, aiding in morphological assessment of embryos, which remains the primary tool for embryo selection. With the recent emergence of clinically applicable real-time imaging systems to assess embryo morphokinetics, a renewed interest has emerged regarding noninvasive methods to assess gamete and embryo development as a means of inferring quality. Several studies exist that utilize novel imaging techniques to visualize or quantify intracellular components of gametes and embryos with the intent of correlating localization of organelles or molecular constitution with quality or outcome. However, the safety of these approaches varies due to the potential detrimental impact of light exposure or other variables. Along with complexity of equipment and cost, these drawbacks currently limit clinical application of these novel microscopes and imaging techniques. However, as evidenced by clinical incorporation of some real-time imaging devices as well as use of polarized microscopy, some of these imaging approaches may prove to be useful. This review summarizes the existing literature on novel imaging approaches utilized to examine gametes and embryos. Refinement of some of these imaging systems may permit clinical application and serve as a means to offer new, noninvasive selection tools to improve outcomes for various assisted reproductive technology procedures.
Transducción de señales del receptor antigénico de la célula T

El receptor antigeno de la celula T (TCR) reconoce peptidos asociados con moleculas de HLA (antigenos leucocitos humanos) de clase I y II expresadas en la superficie de celulas presentadoras de antigenos (APC) ademas del reconocimiento del complejo de HLA peptido por el TCR, varias reacciones entre proteinas y glicoproteinas en la superficie de estas celulas (molecula de adhesion) sirve para reforzar la comunicacion entre la celula T y la APC. Muchas de estas moleculas existen en complejos de proteinas con funciones distintas, algunas con dominio intracelulares que se unen a otras moleculas y se conectan con vias de senalizacion que finalmente llegan al nucleo. El resultado es la expresion de una multitud de genes que regulan diversos aspectos de la funcion celular como la proliferacion, diferenciacion y produccion de citosinas. Estos procesos que relacionan los eventos de la superficie celular con la regulacion del ADN y el metabolismo intracelular se denominan transduccion de senales. Nuestra atencion se centrara en los eventos intracelulares que siguen a la union con el TCR
Soy Induces Phase II Enzymes But Does Not Inhibit Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-Induced Carcinogenesis in Female Rats

Isoflavones in soy may play a role in the prevention of cancer through their capacity to affect antioxidant or protective phase II enzyme activities. This study evaluated the effects of dietary isoflavone levels on the induction of antioxidant and phase II enzyme activities and inhibition of breast carcinogenesis. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (36 d) were fed one of four purified diets with casein, or with soy containing three levels of isoflavonoids (0.03, 0.4 or 0.81 mg/g diet; low, middle and high level of isoflavones, respectively). After 2 wk, enzyme activity was determined of rats (n 5 6 -7) from each diet group. Liver glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities, blood glutathione levels, kidney glutathione S-transferase and colon quinone reductase (QR) activities were greater in rats consuming the high isoflavone diet compared to rats consuming the casein diet. Kidney QR and liver, kidney, small intestine, and colon UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities were greater in rats fed the high isoflavone diet compared to rats fed the casein and low-isoflavone diets. Liver and blood oxidized glutathione were lower in rats fed the high-isoflavone diet compared to those fed the low-isoflavone diet. A subset of rats (n 5 86) was fed the purified diets for 2 wk and intubated with dimethylbenz(a)anthracene or peanut oil and palpated weekly for tumors. At 13 wk, there was an inverse relationship (R 2 5 0.911, P , 0.09) between tumor incidence and increasing isoflavone intake. These data support the mechanism of soy and soy isoflavones as antioxidant and phase II enzyme inducers, but not as tumor inhibitors. J. Nutr. 129: 1820 -1826, 1999.
Diagnostic Instruments for the Core Features of ASD

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of lifelong, heterogeneous disorders that share overlapping diagnostic criteria. The broad diagnostic criteria first defined by Kanner (1943) have remained consistent; however, the diagnostic systems classifying these core impairments (i.e., in socialization, communication, and restricted interests/repetitive behavior) have changed over time. Thus, to account for these changes, measures used to assess symptoms of various forms of ASDs have amended and transformed. With the increasing knowledge about the various ASDs, the development of diagnostic measures and screeners that assess for symptoms of ASD continues. Therefore, the focus of this chapter will be on measures specific to ASDs that assist in screening for symptoms and for diagnostic decision making. The standardization of ASD diagnoses remains complicated by research on the symptoms of ASD, differential diagnoses between ASDs, and the promotion of diagnosing ASD in preschoolers (Matson, Nebel-Schwalm, & Matson, 2007). Therefore, measures included in this chapter may cover one or a number of the above (e.g., for younger versus older children, just for autism versus differentiating between ASDs).
A shoe mounted system for parkinsonian gait detection and real-time feedback

Conditions like Parkinson’s disease (PD) remain largely a mystery in the way that they affect individuals even under today’s modern medical practices. One of the main secondary effects associated with PD can be seen in issues with the individual’s gait and is referred to as Freezing of Gait (FoG). The symptom often responds poorly and sometimes paradoxically to treatment with dopaminergic medication that is traditionally used to treat the other symptoms of PD. However, a linkage found that FoG, during walking, results when the sequence effect is superimposed on a reduced step length. Prior research has focused on the development of technologies that use audio or visual feedback to help the individual adjust their gait. These systems may not be deployable in real-world environments since people rely on sight and sound for navigation. This research proposes the development of a system to measure step length in real-time and to provide haptic feedback to offset the progression of FoG episodes.
A Column Generation Approach to the Vehicle Routing Problem

We apply column generation with branch-and-price optimization to the multi-target, multi-task assignment problem, with precedence constraints. The cost of any feasible UAV trajectory is calculated using Dubin’s ∞yable paths. We present results for the multitarget, single-task assignment problem. Along with the multi-target, multi-task assignment problem with precedence constraints. olumn generation is a means of solving linear programs. 1 In this paper, we apply column generation to the multi-target, multi-task assignment problem, with precedence constraints. Currently task assignment algorithms are calculated at a central (base) location, with assignments being fed to each agent in the team. The motivation for this work to to investigate the possibility of using column generation as a distributed means of calculating optimal assignments. Column generation is based on the Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition 2 and permits distribution of certain linear programs depending on the constraints. Rather than optimizing a large linear program, column generation divides and conquers by repeatedly iterating between a so called master problem with coupling constraints and a series of sub-problems, each with its own respective local constraints. 1,3,4 Some interesting properties of column generation are that by relaxing the integrality constraints of the master problem, the resulting bound is tighter than if the original problem were relaxed. 5 Furthermore, by applying the Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition, an optimization problem with non-linear costs and constraints becomes a linear program if separability holds. 6,7 This last property permits us to solve the task assignment problem with non-linear costs and precedence constraints determined by Dubin’s ∞yable paths as a linear program. Similar works, and the references therein, include Ref. 8 which is a single-assignment problem without precedence constraints, Ref. 9 which solves the routing with time windows using column generation and a branch-and-price scheme, and Ref. 10 which uses column generation to solve large tra‐c scheduling problems. We begin this paper by expressing the vehicle routing problem with precedence constraints in Section II. Then we explain column generation using a simple ∞ow problem in Section III. This toy problem explains column generation in an intuitive fashion, since it is easy to visualize. Then, in Section IV, we apply the Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition to the vehicle routing problem with precedence constraints and set up the column generation problem. We conclude with some illustrative examples and remarks in Sections V and VI.
Non-Ras targets of farnesyltransferase inhibitors: focus on Rho.

Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) are a novel class of cancer therapeutics whose development was based on the discovery that the function of oncogenic Ras depends upon its posttranslational farnesylation. Significantly, experiments in animal models have shown that FTIs have promise as nontoxic cancer therapeutics. However, cell biological studies have suggested that FTIs may act at a level beyond that of suppressing Ras function, so the exact mechanism of action has emerged as a question of major interest. Here, we review evidence that proteins other than Ras are important targets for inhibition, summarize findings suggesting a role for farnesylated Rho proteins prompted by studies on RhoB, and suggest a new model for how FTIs exert their biological effects. The `FTI-Rho hypothesis' proposes that FTIs act in part by altering Rho-dependent cell adhesion signals which are linked to pathways controlling cell cycle and cell survival and which are subverted or defective in neoplastic cells. This model offers a novel framework for addressing the questions about FTI biology, including the basis for lack of toxicity to normal cells, cytotoxic versus cytostatic effects on tumor cells, and the persistence and drug resistance of malignant cells in FTI-treated animals.
A study of stealthy denial-of-service attacks in Wi-Fi direct device-to-device networks

Wi-Fi Direct technology enriches local services that enables social interactions off the grid. Allowing purely local connections among mobile devices, Device-to-Device (D2D) networks support more versatile proximity-based applications and reduce dependence on central entity. While the D2D paradigm allows more convenient information exchanging or resource sharing, it also brought new challenges. Information assurance and system security are top concerns users have. In this paper, we studied the impacts of Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks in a D2D underlaying network. Our experimental results show that malicious users can effectively force the victim mobile device drop off its Wi-Fi connection to the access point (AP) without being detected by the AP or the cellular network. We expect this preliminary results can inspire more research in this raising area. Keywords-Wi-Fi Direct Connection, Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks, Device-to-Device (D2D) Networks.
DROSOPHILA HETERONEURA AND DROSOPHILA SILVESTRIS: HEAD SHAPES, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION.

The planitibia subgroup of the picturewinged Drosophila is represented on Hawaii, the easternmost island of the chain, by two closely related species, D. heteroneura and D. silvestris (Carson, 1979). Hawaii consists of seven sequentially aged volcanoes that are fused into a single large land mass (Fig. 1, Table 1). The flies dwell in the rain forests on the slopes of these volcanoes at elevations of circa 900-1,500 m. Drosophila heteroneura essentially is restricted to the 900-1,200 m range and thus is fully sympatric with silvestris but populations of the latter extend above the areas occupied by heteroneura. Further, silvestris is present on the northernmost volcano Kohala where heteroneura is lacking. Drosophila heteroneura prefers areas of the forest where the density of the vegetation, especially the trees that form the forest canopy, is lower than that preferred by silvestris. As a result the light intensity in the understory portions of the forests where heteroneura lives is higher than in the areas typically selected by silvestris. Thus, although the species broadly overlap in their distributions, there is partial geographical and ecological isolation between them. The prime larval substrates of both species are the fermenting parts of plants, especially the bark of Clermontia spp (Montgomery, 1975). Clermontia is an understory shrub widely but not uniformly scattered throughout the forests. In areas where a number of individuals of Clermontia are present, both species of flies can be found in close association and both species have been reared from the same fermenting mass of Clermontia (Kaneshiro and Val, 1977). Morphologically the two species are distinctly different and readily separable (Hardy, 1965; Carson, 1979). Sexual isolation under laboratory conditions is strong but not complete (Kaneshiro, 1976). However, when heterogamic mating does occur the F1 hybrids produced are viable and fertile (Carson, 1979). Further, fertile hybrids have been recovered in the field (Kaneshiro and Val, 1977; Carson, 1979). The following discussion is concerned with the probable roles that behavior and the geological history of the island of Hawaii have served in the evolution of these two species and is based on behavioral data from laboratory and field studies conducted during the past decade. The laboratory studies used both field captured and laboratory reared individuals. Conant (1978) conducted intensive field studies on both species in the Pauahi area, which is located in the Kona district 8.6 km east of Captain Cook, where the two species live in sympatry. His findings parallel my field data.
Effective spin- 1 2 scalar chiral order on kagome lattices in Nd 3 Sb 3 Mg 2 O 14

We introduce ${\mathrm{Nd}}_{3}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{3}{\mathrm{Mg}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{14}$ with ideal kagome lattices of neodymium ions in ABC stacking. Thermodynamic measurements show a Curie-Weiss temperature of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Theta}}}_{\text{CW}}=\ensuremath{-}0.12$ K, a ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{3+}$ spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ Kramers doublet ground state, and a second-order phase transition at ${T}_{N}=0.56(2)$ K. Neutron scattering reveals noncoplanar scalar chiral $\mathbf{k}=\mathbf{0}$ magnetic order with a correlation length exceeding $400\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\text{\AA{}}=55a$ and an ordered moment of $1.79(5){\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$. This order includes a canted ferromagnetic component perpendicular to the kagome planes favored by Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions.
Some Critical Distribution Problems in Services Marketing

One of the more pervasive problems in services marketing today is the problem of services distribution. This paper discusses some of the critical problems of services distribution and its related issues -- people and environmental control, lack of agreement among the services marketing academicians etc. Lastly, the paper concludes with some observations of the present state of affairs and recommendations for services marketing managers.
Student-Centered Education and Constructivism: Challenges, Concerns, and Clarity for Teachers.

Constructivism is undoubtedly one of the most influential philosophies in education in the twenty-first century. It is, however, one that is frequently misunderstood, has diverse meanings ascribed ...
Christodemocracy Is One of Many Normative Frameworks Used for Understanding the Behavior of Democratic States

This chapter explores how many authors have created a canon of democracy types and how Christodemocracy builds upon previous analyses. It distinguishes the book’s examination of the Christian Right through a different prism, that of normative theory. It defines Christodemocracy via comparison with other categorical labels. Christodemocracy is normatively no more correct a label for a nation state than any other. Rather, competing normative frameworks coexist with a single formal system and fight for actualization.
Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), diabetes and trajectories of change in episodic memory performance

Background As the ageing population grows, it is important to identify strategies to moderate cognitive ageing. Objective We examined glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and diabetes in relation to level and change in episodic memory in older adults with and without diabetes. Methods Data from 4419 older adults with (n=950) and without (n=3469) diabetes participating in a nationally representative longitudinal panel study (the Health and Retirement Study) were examined. Average baseline age was 72.66 years and 58% were women. HbA1c was measured in 2006 and episodic memory was measured using immediate and delayed list recall over 4 biennial waves between 2006 and 2012. Growth curve models were used to assess trajectories of episodic memory change. Results In growth curve models adjusted for age, sex, education, race, depressive symptoms and waist circumference, higher HbA1c levels and having diabetes were associated with poorer baseline episodic memory (p=0.036 and Conclusions Higher HbA1c and diabetes were both associated with declines in episodic memory, with this relationship further exacerbated by having diabetes and elevated HbA1c. HbA1c appeared more important for episodic memory performance among women than men.
374. Therapeutic Effect of Platelet Transfusions for Acute Neuronopathic Gaucher Disease

Enzyme replacement therapy has led to resolution of most visceral manifestations in Gaucher disease (GD), but it is also limited by the instability of acid beta -glucosidase enzyme (GCase) in circulation, liver 1st bypass, and high cost. In addition, intravenous enzyme administration has not been effective for ameliorating central nervous system (CNS) deficits. Platelets are blood elements that contain cytoplasmic secretory vesicles. The involvement of platelet containing proteins in inflammation and angiogenesis has recently been indicated. We have recently shown that platelets/megakaryocytes could serve as efficient and protective depots for lysosomal enzyme generation and distribution. In this study the potential therapeutic benefits of platelet transfusion in treating neuronopathic GD (nGD) was evaluated using a murine model of acute nGD (4L;C). This model resembles the CNS phenotype and biochemistry of types 2 and 3 Gaucher disease, and premature death results from progressive CNS disease. Platelets containing significant amounts of wild type GCase (19 U/109 plt) were isolated from GFP mice and transfused weekly for four times into 4L;C mice beginning at 21 days of age. The average percentages of donor-derived platelets were at mean of 10% to 12.9% (ranging from 7.2 to 16.1%) as measured one hour after each transfusion by flow cytometry analysis with anti-CD41 staining for GFP-positive donor platelets. Clearance curves of transfused platelets were similar in 4L;C and wild-type recipients with comparable half-life of GFP+ platelets (t1/2=50 h), suggesting the lack of an immune-response against platelet-derived normal GCase in nGD mice. Importantly, the life-span of treated 4L;C mice was significantly extended from 46 days [untreated 4L;C (n=22)] to 54 days [treated, (n=7)]. Potential CNS benefits were assessed using hindlimb gait analysis that evaluated motor function. In comparison to normal controls, the untreated 4L;C mice exhibited abnormal splaying of their hindlimbs and progressive paresis. The platelet-treated 4L;C mice improved significantly toward normal behavior and had delays in the age of onset for CNS signs. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that numbers of CD68+ cells were decreased in the cerebellum, brainstem and cortex of treated 4L;C mice, indicating the reduction of pro-inflammation by platelet transfusion. The clearance of GFP+ platelets by liver and spleen was shown by GFP signals detected in those organs of treated 4L;C mice. Quantification of the pathogenic lipids, glucosylceramide and glucosylsphingosine, is in progress to assess potential metabolic correction in various regions of brain and visceral organs in platelet-treated nGD mice. More studies are underway to further investigate possible mechanism(s) involved. In summary, our results demonstrate that repeated, moderate levels of platelet transfusion could extend the life span of nGD mice and improve CNS deficits. abbbb
From blast to bench: A translational mini-review of posttraumatic headache

Current events within the military and professional sports have resulted in an increased recognition of the long-term and debilitating consequences of traumatic brain injury. Mild traumatic brain injury accounts for the majority of head injuries, and posttraumatic headache is the most common adverse effect. It is estimated that between 30% to 90% of traumatic brain injuries result in posttraumatic headache, and for a significant number of people this headache disorder can continue for up to and over a year post injury. Often, the most severe and chronic posttraumatic headache has a migraine-like phenotype and is difficult to resolve. In this review we discuss the preclinical findings from animal models of posttraumatic headache. We also describe potential mechanisms by which traumatic brain injury leads to chronic posttraumatic headache, including neuroinflammatory mediators and migraine-associated neuropeptides. There are surprisingly few preclinical studies that have investigated overlapping mechanisms between posttraumatic headache and migraine, especially considering the prevalence and debilitating nature of posttraumatic headache. Given this context, posttraumatic headache is a field with many emerging opportunities for growth. The frequency of posttraumatic headache in the general and military population is rising, and further preclinical research is required to understand, ameliorate, and treat this disabling disorder. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optical Networks for Telecommunications

Fiber optics has the highest data carrying capacity of any physical medium. Important fiber optic based technologies for optical networks are surveyed. This includes Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM), Optical Transport Networks (OTN), Flexible/Elastic Optical Networks, Passive Optical Networks (PON), and fiber using orbital angular momentum (OAM) based signals.
Phase II trials of ondansetron with high-dose cisplatin.

Abstract Phase II trials of ondansetron were undertaken to assess the ability of this agent to control nausea and vomiting caused by specific chemotherapeutic agents, to establish the optimal number of doses and the most appropriate schedule of administration, to see if control could be improved by the use of continuous infusion, and to ascertain if the degree of efficacy and safety of ondansetron would warrant further investigations. In each of six multiple-bolus trials, ondansetron was given at 0.15 mg/kg to 0.18 mg/kg intravenously for three doses, beginning 30 minutes prior to cisplatin. No patient had received prior cancer chemotherapy. Overall, 48% of patients experienced no emesis, and 71 % had zero to two emetic episodes after receiving cisplatin doses of 100 mg/m 2 or greater. Comparable antiemetic control was seen with all schedules studied. Three additional trials assessed the effect of the number of doses of ondansetron on antiemetic effectiveness. A single dose gave complete protection in 25% of patients and three doses gave a 50% no-emesis rate. Complete control was not improved when six doses of ondansetron were given. Efficacy rates with multiple-bolus therapy and continuous infusion over 24 hours were similar. Side effects were mild and reversible in all trials, and there were no remarkable differences in adverse events among different schedules or numbers of doses. The complete and major control rates observed show that ondansetron is as effective as or more effective than metoclopramide in controlling cisplatin-induced emesis.
Illness Narratives, Networked Subjects, and Intimate Publics

This introduction provides an overview of the themes of this Special Section on Illness Narratives, Networked Subjects, and Intimate Publics. Drawing on the intersection of illness narratives and human-technological assemblages, the introduction frames this section’s consideration of how illness, disability, dying, and death are mediated within emerging digital spaces.
Conditional Deterrence: An Agent-Based Framework of Escalation Dynamics in an Era of WMD Proliferation

We offer a revised conditional deterrence agent based model applied to global and regional nuclear proliferation issues. Further extending the dyadic logic already established in the deterrence literature helps anticipate more recent 21st century challenges generated by the proliferation of nuclear capabilities and their acquisitions by dissatisfied non-state actors. Key elements include relative capabilities, risk propensity associated with the status quo, and physical exposure to preemptive-attack or retaliation. This work continues to extend our previous complex adaptive system framework to generalize insights to deterrence environments with multiple competing actors. Our preliminary analysis suggests that deterrence is stable when the capabilities of a dissatisfied challenger are inferior to that of a dominant and satisfied defender. Conversely, deterrence is tenuous when a dissatisfied challenger approaches parity in capability with a more dominant and satisfied defender, or when a violent non-state actor obtains nuclear capability or other WMDs.
Sunday, August 15, 2010—Washington D.C.

Midnight in Chicago translated into 1:00 a.m. in Washington D.C., where in a dimly lit office the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Bradford spoke in low tones with the Assistant Deputy of the Task Force on Biochemical Weapons (TFBW) for the Department of Defense (DOD), Dr. Ruby Carmichael.
Postoperative Complications Independently Predict Cancer-Related Survival in Peritoneal Malignancies

The authors hypothesized that postoperative complications after cytoreductive surgery–hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (CRS–HIPEC) have a negative impact on perioperative and oncologic outcomes and that the novel Comprehensive Comorbidity Index (CCI) would be a better predictor of such outcomes than the traditional Clavien–Dindo classification (CDC). The study used a prospective database of 1296 patients with peritoneal metastases (PM) undergoing CRS–HIPEC between 2001 and 2016. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate survival. Multivariate analyses identified associations with perioperative and oncologic outcomes. The Akaike information criterion and the Schwarz (Bayesian information) criterion were used to compare model fitting for CCI versus CDC. In this study, CRS–HIPEC was performed for malignant mesothelioma (12%) and PM from appendix (50%), colorectal (30%), and ovarian (8%) cancers. Major postoperative in-hospital complications (CDC grades 3–4) occurred for 24% of the patients. However, a range of CCI scores was calculated for each CDC grade because 36% of the patients experienced multiple complications. After a median follow-up period of 55 months, the median progression-free survival was 15 months, and the median overall survival was 39 months. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards models, postoperative in-hospital complications (measured by CDC or CCI) were independent prognostic factors for 30-day post-discharge morbidity and readmission, as well as for survival. The CCI scores demonstrated higher prognostic sensitivity for these outcomes than CDC grades. Reduction of postoperative complications after CRS–HIPEC is essential for optimal short- and long-term outcomes. For assessing total burden of postoperative complications per patient, CCI is superior to CDC and more sensitive for assessing surgery- and cancer-related outcomes after CRS–HIPEC.
Gabapentin and Tricyclics in the Treatment of Post‐Concussive Headache, a Retrospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE To examine the association of commonly prescribed post-concussive medications, namely gabapentin and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), with symptom reduction after concussion. BACKGROUND Concussion is a common diagnosis in modern medicine. Many providers use medication to target the residual symptoms of a concussion, with little evidence supporting their efficacy. DESIGN Retrospective study with longitudinal analysis using mixed-effects and piecewise regression analyses of 277 patients presenting to an academic sports medicine clinic, all of whom were clinically diagnosed with a concussion. Main outcomes were patient-reported headache score (quantitative variable; 0-6) and combined symptom score (quantitative variable; 0-132) from the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS). METHODS Patients self-reported their symptom scores on the PCSS at the time of each clinic visit. Gabapentin or TCAs were prescribed to some patients during their follow-ups for headache treatment, based on physician judgment. Patients were classified into 3 groups: (1) no medication; (2) gabapentin; or (3) TCAs. Follow-up data were evaluated over 1 year. A mixed-effects and piecewise regression analysis were performed to assess long- and short-term effects of medication status. RESULTS The mixed-effects analysis showed a significant decrease in both headache and symptom scores over time in each medication group and in those not receiving medication (P ≤ .014 for all scenarios, B = -0.005 and -0.08, respectively). Although patients in the 2 medication groups showed significantly higher headache and symptom scores (P < .001), neither medication had a significant effect on longitudinal improvements in the outcome scores. The piecewise regression, however, showed short-term improvements with gabapentin (1.3 points, P = .004) and more sustained improvements with TCAs (3.5 points, P = .006). CONCLUSIONS Patients recover from a concussion with time, regardless of medication. Gabapentin and TCAs appear to have immediate effects on improving symptom burden, but long-term outcomes show similar improvement compared to those who are not prescribed medication. More rigorous prospective studies are required to better elucidate their efficacy.
The use of aloe vera in cancer radiation: An updated comprehensive review

Abstract Introduction Many cancer patients require radiation therapy and often experience adverse effects including erythema, itching, and pain. Aloe vera has been studied for its potential use in the prevention and treatment of radiation related adverse effects as it possesses a variety of properties and is considered an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Multiple controlled trials have been performed in order to evaluate the efficacy of aloe vera for the prevention and treatment of radiation side effects. Previous systematic reviews have examined the use of aloe vera for radiation-induced skin reactions, however updated literature now includes the use of aloe vera in proctitis. Objectives The aim of this comprehensive review is to summarize and evaluate the use of aloe vera in patients who have undergone radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Results Aloe vera may not be effective for prophylaxis or treatment of radiation adverse effects in breast cancer patients. Moderate efficacy was seen when aloe vera was used in combination with mild soap versus soap as monotherapy for the treatment of radiation skin reactions. Aloe vera may be effective when cumulative radiation doses are greater than 2,700 cGy and for acute radiation proctitis. Conclusions There is contradictory evidence for the use of aloe vera in the setting of radiation in regards to its efficacy in the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced adverse effects.
Measuring Congruence in Problem Definition of Latino Patients and Their Psychotherapists: An Exploratory Study:

The current study developed a mixed-methods coding scheme to explore the degree of correspondence between Latino patients’ and their psychotherapists’ descriptions of the presenting problems. We in...
Case Study 2: Left and Right Dislocation

Left and right dislocation were identified by Bally (1921) as “one of the most striking characteristics of spoken-language syntax.” Types of dislocation include demonstrative dislocation, clitic dislocation and contrastive topics. We also find constructions that resemble dislocation, such as complex inversion and conjoined noun phrases. Grieve-Smith (Topicalization and Word Order in Conversational French. Southeast Conference on Linguistics, 2000) found that dislocation constructions were less frequent in Francois’s (Francais parle. Paris: SELAF, 1974) conversational corpus than in a 1999 IRC corpus, and much less frequent in a literary magazine article. They are also less frequent in the Digital Parisian Stage corpus, and even less frequent in the 1800–1815 theatrical texts in FRANTEXT. This corroborates the evidence in Case Study 1 that FRANTEXT plays are more conservative than the average Parisian play from the same time.
Toward Energy–Quality Scaling in Deep Neural Networks

Editor’s notes: This article surveys the latest advances in neural network (NN) architectures by applying them to the task of energy-quality scaling. Results show that, while coarse scaling is possible with existing NN architectures, fine-grain scaling is needed for fog computing efforts, and further work should focus on hybrid NN architecture development. — Deming Chen, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign