cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improvement of severe myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms following surgical treatment of cervical spinal stenosis

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a potentially disabling disorder. Little is known about the contributors to severe forms of the illness. We describe three consecutive patients with severe ME/CFS whose symptoms improved after recognition and surgical management of their cervical spinal stenosis. All patients satisfied clinical criteria for ME/CFS and orthostatic intolerance, and were later found to have cervical spinal stenosis. Overall function was assessed before and after surgery using the Karnofsky score and the SF-36 physical function subscale score. Neurological findings included > 3+ deep tendon reflexes in 2 of 3, a positive Hoffman sign in 2 of 3, tremor in 2 of 3, and absent gag reflex in 1 of 3. The cervical spine canal diameter in the three patients ranged from 6 to 8.5 mm. One had congenital cervical stenosis with superimposed spondylosis, and two had single- or two-level spondylosis. Anterior cervical disc replacement surgery in two patients and a hybrid anterior cervical disc fusion and disc replacement in the third was associated with a marked improvement in myelopathic symptoms, resolution of lightheadedness and hemodynamic dysfunction, improvement in activity levels, and improvement in global ME/CFS symptoms. The prompt post-surgical restoration of more normal function suggests that cervical spine stenosis contributed to the pathogenesis of refractory ME/CFS and orthostatic symptoms. The improvements following surgery emphasize the importance of a careful search for myelopathic examination findings in those with ME/CFS, especially when individuals with severe impairment are not responding to treatment.
Speech enhancement and speaker verification with convolutional neural networks

Convolutional neural networks have been used with great success for image processing tasks. The convolution filters can act as powerful feature detectors in images to find edges and shapes. Time domain speech signals are one dimensional, but frequency domain information can be viewed in the same way as an image, allowing one to use two-dimensional convolutional networks for tasks such as speech enhancement. In this paper, recently reported deep neural network preprocessing methods used for dereverberation are examined to explore their ability to remove noise and or reverberation. A convolutional network is then introduced and compared to the previous methods to explore the relative strengths and weaknesses of each approach. Comparisons are made through experimentation in the context of speech quality and speaker identification tasks.
Comparing Short-term and Oncologic Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Versus Open Pancreaticoduodenectomy Across Low and High Volume Centers.

Objective:To compare short-term and oncologic outcomes of patients with cancer who underwent open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) versus minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy (MIPD) using the National Cancer Database.Summary Background Data:MIPD, including laparoscopic and robotic approaches, has
Multiplexing Using Triggerable Distinct Waveforms

It is very often desirable to use a single transmission channel or wire for the sequential transmission of signals derived from several sources. This method can be thought of as a simple “time-sharing” approach to the use of the channel, in that each signal source is allotted a certain portion of the available time for its use of the channel. Obviously, if each of N signal sources is allocated an equal portion of the total time available, then 1/N is the fraction available for any single source. This procedure is called “multiplexing” and may be used equally well with either digital or analog signals. These two types of multiplexing are represented schematically in Fig. 11–1.
Reduced Constitutive Equations. Internal Constraints

Under a change of frame, F* = QF, as we have seen in Lecture 2. Let Qt(s) be the history up to time t of any orthogonal tensor function Q(t). Then the principle of material frame-indifference states that the response functional Open image in new window of a simple material must satisfy the equation Open image in new window identically in the orthogonal tensor history Qt(s) and the non-singular tensor history Ft(s).
A Simple Introduction to Complex Manifolds

The material discussed at the conference consisted of two applications of Kahler differential geometry nonlinear σ-models [1,2]. Since this material will be published in the standard literature, there is little point in interesting it again here. However, in the course of our work we found that Kahler geometry is a beautiful subject not well-known to most theoretical physicists and the essential part not as accessible as one might hope from the many mathematical textbooks. Kahler geometry not only has applications in supersymmetric σ-models, as was shown first by Zumino [3] and then in our work, but also in quantum gravity where every self-dual gravitational instantation is a Kahler manifold [4].
Transgenic Rodent Models to Study Alpha-Synuclein Pathogenesis, with a Focus on Cognitive Deficits

The aggregation of alpha-synuclein (aSyn) has been implicated in a number of degenerative diseases collectively termed synucleinopathies. Although most cases of synucleinopathies are idiopathic in nature, there are familial cases of these diseases that are due to mutations or multiplications of the gene coding for aSyn. Two of the most common synucleinopathies are Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Both of these diseases present with cognitive deficits, though with different clinical and temporal features. In PD, cognitive deficits are subtle, may occur before the onset of the classical motor symptoms, and only occasionally lead to dementia in the later stages of the disease. In contrast, dementia is the dominating feature of DLB from the disease onset. The impact of aSyn pathology on the development of neurobiological and behavioral impairments can be investigated using rodent models. There are currently several lines of transgenic mice overexpressing wild-type or mutated aSyn under various promoters. This review will provide an updated synopsis of the mouse lines available, summarize their cognitive deficits, and reflect on how deficits observed in these mice relate to the disease process in humans. In addition, we will review mouse lines where knockout strategies have been applied to study the effects of aSyn on various cognitive tasks and comment on how these lines have been used in combination with other transgenic strains, or with human aSyn overexpression by viral vectors. Finally, we will discuss the recent advent of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic models of PD and their effectiveness in modeling cognitive decline in PD.
When the Internet Becomes X-Rated: Creating an Ethical Climate for Technology in Catholic Schools

Pornography is the number-one business on the Internet, yet the very same Internet can be a valuable source of knowledge for all students. Educational leaders face many challenges in bringing the Internet into classrooms. This article reviews recent and relevant case law on Internet access in schools, offers guidance about the writing of effective acceptable use policies, and concludes with advice to Catholic school teachers and administrators on creating an ethical climate while fully using available technology.
My face is more than me. A Nordic researcher in the South: An autoethnographic retrospective perspective

A white person from the Global North, referred to in Kiswahili as a mzungu, can hardly conduct research anonymously, observe unnoticed or merge with staff and students in the context of African university classrooms. This article builds on the author’s six years of research at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) in Tanzania, examining staff and students’ everyday practices in terms of how they are characterised by linguistic constraints. Using an autoethnographic, self-reflective and retrospective approach, the author discloses some of her experience during fieldwork as a researcher on the university campus. Through this form of qualitative research, she connects her personal experience to the discourse on the language of instruction policy and practices in higher education in Tanzania. The aim of her self-reflection is to understand the wider meanings of how cultural, political and social language practices unfold in staff and students’ daily lives. Using the concepts of insider and outsider, preconception, and theory-ladenness of observation, the author aims to depict the challenges and limits of being a researcher in a totally unfamiliar context. During her fieldwork, using a mixed-methods approach of questionnaires, interviews and participating observation, the author also kept a notebook with her. She made field notes of self-observation, reflecting on her reactions to what she encountered in the research process. While making these notes was not deliberately a part of the data collection, it was an important way of talking to herself. In retrospect, a few years after submitting her doctoral thesis, these notes have become more important to her. The purpose of this article is twofold: on the one hand, the author reveals some of her own experience as a researcher in unaccustomed surroundings, on the other hand, she uses her personal experience to describe, question and shed light on the discrepancies caused by language practices in Tanzanian higher education.
Thin viscoelastic dewetting films of Jeffreys type subjected to gravity and substrate interactions

This work presents a study of the interfacial dynamics of thin viscoelastic films subjected to the gravitational force and substrate interactions induced by the disjoining pressure, in two spatial dimensions. The governing equation is derived as a long-wave approximation of the Navier-Stokes equations for incompressible viscoelastic liquids under the effect of gravity, with the Jeffreys model for viscoelastic stresses. For the particular cases of horizontal or inverted planes, the linear stability analysis is performed to investigate the influence of the physical parameters involved on the growth rate and length scales of instabilities. Numerical simulations of the nonlinear regime of the dewetting process are presented for the particular case of an inverted plane. Both gravity and the disjoining pressure are found to affect not only the length scale of instabilities, but also the final configuration of dewetting, by favoring the formation of satellite droplets, that are suppressed by the slippage with the solid substrate.
Impact of a Parent Text Messaging Program on Pre-Kindergarteners’ Literacy Development:

There is increasing interest in low-cost, scalable approaches that support parent engagement in their children’s learning at home. This study examined the impact of one such approach on pre-kinderg...
Surface Modification for Suppressing Interfacial Parasitic Reactions of a Nickel-Rich Lithium-Ion Cathode

Ni-rich lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides (LiNixMnyCo1–x–yO2, x ≥ 0.5, NMCs) are high-capacity cathode materials for Li-ion batteries, but they exhibit limited cycling stability under high cut...
Ensuring climate services serve society: examining tribes’ collaborations with climate scientists using a capability approach

Interest in climate service efforts continues to grow. However, more critical analysis could enhance how well climate services align with the needs of society. Collaborations between Native American Tribes (Tribes) and Climate Science Organizations (CSOs) providing decision-support for climate change planning accentuate the potential for climate services to have social justice implications through either deepening or softening existing inequities. This paper compares 30 Tribe-affiliated and 36 CSO-affiliated individuals’ perceptions about potential harms and benefits associated with their collaborations with one another. The importance of the potential benefits of collaborations listed outweighed the potential harms listed for both groups, but while climate science organizations rated the potential benefits listed slightly higher than Tribes did, the potential harms listed were much more salient for Tribes. This finding highlights concerns that, without proper training and management, these collaborations may reinforce unequal relationships between settler and Indigenous populations. While CSOs appeared cognizant of their Tribe-affiliated colleagues’ concerns, transitioning from a focus on building trust to establishing and sustaining shared systems of responsibilities might help these collaborations meet the needs of both groups more effectively.
Risk Factors for Tibial Plafond Nonunion: Medial Column Fixation May Reduce Nonunion Rates.

OBJECTIVES To identify the incidence and risk factors for development of tibial plafond nonunion. DESIGN Retrospective comparative study. SETTING Two Level 1 academic trauma centers. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS Seven hundred forty tibial plafond fractures (OTA/AO 43B3 and 43C) treated January 2006 to December 2015. INTERVENTION Open reduction and internal fixation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT Nonunion. RESULTS Five hundred eighteen patients with a mean age of 43 years (range, 18-81 years) and mean follow-up of 27 months (range, 12-115 months) were involved. Seventy-two patients (72/518, 14%) were identified as having a nonunion. Surgical approach was not associated with nonunion in univariate analysis. Multiple regression model 1 identified OTA/AO 43C [odds ratio (OR) = 4.43; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-19.41; P = 0.048], tobacco use (OR = 2.02; 95% CI, 1.10-3.71; P = 0.024), both minimal and substantial bone loss (P = 0.006 and P < 0.001, respectively), and open fracture (OR = 1.96; 95% CI, 1.10-3.48; P = 0.022) as risk factors for tibial plafond nonunion. Model 2 identified locking plate (OR = 1.97; 95% CI, 1.13-3.40; P = 0.016) and failure to treat the medial column (vs. screw P = 0.047, or plate P = 0.038) as risk factors. CONCLUSIONS The tibial plafond nonunion rate was 14%. Bone loss, open fracture, failure to treat the medial column, locking plates, and tobacco use were all significant risk factors for developing tibial plafond nonunion. Equally important, surgical approach was not significantly associated with plafond nonunion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Time Resolved Measurements of Pulsed Discharges: The Role of Metastable Atoms in the Afterglow

The electron and ion densities, electron temperatures, and electron energy probability functions (EEPF) of modulated-power glow discharges through argon and helium in the Gaseous Electronics Conference reference reactor have been measured using an RF compensated Langmuir probe and microwave interferometer. RF power was capacitively coupled to the glow and square wave amplitude modulated with a 50% duty cycle and 100% modulation depth. The time resolution of the probe was approximately 10 µs and of the interferometer better than 1µs. We found that a metastable-metastable ionization reaction can produce hot electrons in the EEPF. In addition this reaction can cause the electron density to increase in the afterglow rather than decrease as one might first expect. By moving the Langmuir probe along the diameter of the chamber it was determined that the electron density decreases more quickly between the electrodes by diffusion. This gives rise to a plasma density in argon which becomes somewhat donut shaped during the afterglow and causes the glow to re-ignite from the edges into the center. The electron temperature at re-ignition in helium discharges can become larger than that at steady state in the active glow. It quickly relaxes to the steady state value. This effect is not nearly as pronounced in argon.
Suppressing the dark side of autophagy

A wide variety of genetic, pharmacological and nutrient manipulations that extend lifespan in model organisms do so in a manner dependent upon increased autophagic flux. However, our recent findings suggest that when mitochondrial membrane integrity is compromised, macroautophagy/autophagy can be detrimental. In C. elegans lacking the serine/threonine kinase mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase complex 2 and its downstream effector SGK-1 (Serum- and Glucocorticoid-inducible Kinase homolog), lifespan is shortened in spite of increased levels of autophagy, whereas reducing autophagy restores normal lifespan. This is due to a concomitant defect in mitochondrial permeability in mutants defective in either SGK-1 or mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase complex 2, attributable to increased VDAC-1 (VDAC Voltage Dependent Anion Channel homolog) protein level. More generally, we find that induction of mitochondrial permeability reverses each and every tested paradigm of autophagy-dependent lifespan extension and, further, exacerbates ischemia-reperfusion injury. In this punctum, we discuss our finding that autophagy with increased mitochondrial permeability is a detrimental combination conserved from nematode to mammals.
OINNIONN: outward inward neural network and inward outward neural network evolution

Neural networks perform well when they are built for a specific task and the set of inputs and the set of outputs are well defined. However, these results are very limited in scope, and communication between different neural networks to share knowledge that can lead to the performance of more general tasks is still inadequate. Communication between specialized neural networks is the goal of the present work. We utilize independent sets of neural networks trained for specific tasks, while transferring knowledge among the neural networks allows them to evolve chaining the input and output information. The idea is based on computer network architecture, which is a communication system that transfers data between components inside a computer or between computers. The idea can similarly allow each neural network to specialize in its own task while transferring and receiving information from other neural networks. This can allow different neural networks to be plugged in and knowledge transfer to evolve. It can also allow additional information to be requested, when the task at hand is difficult or hard to resolve.
Remarks on the Cohen-Kaplan-Nelson bound

Cohen, Kaplan, and Nelson (CKN) conjectured that the UV and IR cutoffs of effective quantum field theories coupled to gravity are not independent, but are connected by the physics of black holes. We interpret the CKN bound as a scale-dependent depletion of the quantum field theory (QFT) density of states and discuss various aspects of the bound on small and large scales. For laboratory experiments, we argue that the bound provides small corrections to ordinary quantum field theory, which we estimate to be of order ${m}_{e}/{M}_{p}$ for $g\ensuremath{-}2$ of the electron. On large scales, we suggest a modification of the CKN bound due to the presence of cosmological horizons and discuss the connection with entropy bounds.
Comparison of mechanical sorting and DNA metabarcoding for diet analysis with degraded wolf scats

DNA metabarcoding has become a powerful technique for identifying species and profiling biodiversity with the potential to improve efficiency, reveal rare prey species, and correct mistaken identification error in diet studies. However, the extent to which molecular approaches agree with traditional approaches is unknown for many species. Here, we compare diets from wolf scats profiled using both mechanical sorting and metabarcoding of amplified vertebrate DNA sequences. Our objectives were: (1) compare findings from mechanical sorting and metabarcoding as a method of diet profiling and (2) use results to better understand diets of wolves on Prince of Wales Island, a population of conservation concern. We predicted metabarcoding would reveal both higher diversity of prey and identify rare species that are overlooked with mechanical sorting. We also posited that the relative contribution of Sitka black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) and beaver (Castor canadensis) would be overestimated with mechanical sorting methods because of the failure to account for the full diet diversity of these wolves. We found that there was substantial overlap in the diets revealed using both methods, indicating that deer, beaver, and black bear (Ursus americanus) were the primary prey species. However, there was a large discrepancy in the occurrence of beaver in scats (54% and 24% from mechanical sorting and metabarcoding, respectively) explained by the high rate of false positives with mechanical sorting methods. Metabarcoding revealed more diet diversity than mechanical sorting, thus supporting our initial predictions. Prince of Wales Island wolves appear to have a more diverse diet with greater occurrence of rare species than previously described including 14 prey species that contribute to wolf diet. Metabarcoding is an effective method for profiling carnivore diet and enhances our knowledge concerning the full diversity of wolf diets, even in the extremely wet conditions of southeast Alaska, which can lead to DNA degradation. Given the increasingly efficient and cost-effective nature of collecting eDNA, we recommend incorporating these molecular methods into field-based projects to further examine questions related to increased use of alternate prey coinciding with changes in abundance of primary prey and habitat alteration.
Determination of aluminum in bovine liver SRM 1577c by Instrumental Cold Neutron Activation Analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis may need to correct for matrix interferences caused by fast neutron induced threshold reactions. The very low Al mass fraction in bovine liver Standard Reference Material (SRM) has eluded certification due to such complications. Cold neutron beam irradiation absent fast neutrons provides a possible alternative, which has been applied for the first time to determine Al in bovine liver SRM 1577c. The Al mass fraction was determined to be (0.80 ± 0.15) mg/kg using the traditional single peak-fitting method, and (0.78 ± 0.23) mg/kg using a new physics model-based spectral fitting method.
Reflections on the enlightenment and modernity: In our plague year

Written as a polemical piece, the essay confronts the detractors of the Enlightenment and modernity. It asks if science is simply a social construction, how can we put so much faith in it to help solve the current crisis brought about by COVID-19? If we turn away from the Enlightenment and its values, how can we deploy liberal solutions to work in our current predicament and preserve what is progressive within modernity?. © koninklijke brill nv, leiden, 2020
Single dose perioperative intrathecal ketamine as an adjuvant to intrathecal bupivacaine: A systematic review and meta-analysis of adult human randomized controlled trials.

Abstract Study objective To identify whether adding intrathecal ketamine to intrathecal bupivacaine prolongs the time to first analgesic request in adult humans. Design A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in humans. Setting The majority of data was obtained in an operating room and postoperative recovery area. Patients A total of 750 ASA physical status I and II patients were included in the study. Procedures performed include: cesarean section, lower abdominal surgery, lower limb surgery, and urologic surgery. Interventions Databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane were searched. Google Scholar was also queried. Multiple reviewers screened the papers for inclusion. Measurements The primary outcome assessed was time to first analgesic request. Secondary outcomes included onset of sensory blockade, onset of motor blockade, duration of sensory blockade, and duration of motor blockade. Data were extracted to include means, 95% confidence intervals, tests for heterogeneity, and use of the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines to assess for publication bias. Main results Eleven randomized controlled trials met inclusion criteria. When comparing intrathecal bupivacaine plus ketamine to intrathecal bupivacaine alone, the time to first analgesic request was prolonged (effect size = 58.23 min (95% CI 37.36 to 79.10) p Conclusions The studies analyzed suggest there may be a benefit to using intrathecal ketamine as an adjunct to bupivacaine. Additional studies are warranted to optimize dosing, clarify the safety and efficacy of this intrathecal drug combination, and examine the various ketamine formulations as intrathecal bupivacaine adjuvants.
US adults with diabetes mellitus: Variability in oral healthcare utilization.

Background Diabetic patients are advised to have at least one dental examination per year. It is unclear to what extent different subgroups of US diabetic adults closely follow this recommendation. Thus, we assessed dental care utilization and related factors in a representative sample of US diabetic adults from rural and urban counties. Methods Cross-sectional data were from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Survey logistic regression was used to account for the complex sampling design. Results Among 40,585 eligible participants, 24,887 (60% of the population) had at least one dental visit for any reason within the past year. The lowest compliance was observed among edentulous participants (27%, adjusted OR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.22–0.31 vs. fully dentate). Dental compliance was also negatively associated with having a lower income or education, ever being a smoker, or having barriers to access to care. Rural residents had lower dental compliance compared to urban residents, particularly those without healthcare coverage. Conclusions Dental compliance among US adult diabetic individuals was low, particularly among rural residents, and as compared to other recommended diabetic care practices. Future public health interventions may target rural individuals without healthcare coverage, smokers and edentulous individuals. There is a need to integrate dental and medical care to facilitate cross-talks among different health professionals, so that educational preventive messages are reinforced at every healthcare visit.
Twisting of 2D Kagomé Sheets in Layered Intermetallics.

Chemical bonding in 2D layered materials and van der Waals solids is central to understanding and harnessing their unique electronic, magnetic, optical, thermal, and superconducting properties. Here, we report the discovery of spontaneous, bidirectional, bilayer twisting (twist angle ∼4.5°) in the metallic kagome MgCo6Ge6 at T = 100(2) K via X-ray diffraction measurements, enabled by the preparation of single crystals by the Laser Bridgman method. Despite the appearance of static twisting on cooling from T ∼300 to 100 K, no evidence for a phase transition was found in physical property measurements. Combined with the presence of an Einstein phonon mode contribution in the specific heat, this implies that the twisting exists at all temperatures but is thermally fluctuating at room temperature. Crystal Orbital Hamilton Population analysis demonstrates that the cooperative twisting between layers stabilizes the Co-kagome network when coupled to strongly bonded and rigid (Ge2) dimers that connect adjacent layers. Further modeling of the displacive disorder in the crystal structure shows the presence of a second, Mg-deficient, stacking sequence. This alternative stacking sequence also exhibits interlayer twisting, but with a different pattern, consistent with the change in electron count due to the removal of Mg. Magnetization, resistivity, and low-temperature specific heat measurements are all consistent with a Pauli paramagnetic, strongly correlated metal. Our results provide crucial insight into how chemical concepts lead to interesting electronic structures and behaviors in layered materials.
Disorders of mood and affect in Parkinson's disease

Publisher Summary Apathy, a common syndrome in neurodegenerative diseases, is a disorder of affect that may overlap with depression. Pseudobulbar affect (PBA), also called emotional lability, is a syndrome of emotional dysregulation characterized by spells of crying or laughing. The characteristic neuro pathophysiological changes that occur in PD plus the association between exposure to dopaminergic medications and certain psychiatric disorders suggest a neurobiological basis for most psychiatric symptoms. Psychiatric complications in PD are associated with excess disability, worse quality of life, poorer outcomes, and caregiver distress. This chapter provides an overview of the prevalence of disorders of mood and affect in PD, and their impact on disability, quality of life, and outcomes. The etiology and pathophysiology of the various disorders is reviewed, focusing primarily on the contribution of disease-specific neurobiological changes. Clinical correlates and comorbid non-motor symptoms are also discussed.
A General [3 + 2] Annulation: cis‐4‐exo‐Isopropenyl‐1,9‐dimethyl‐8‐(trimethylsilyl)bicyclo[4.3.0]non‐8‐en‐2‐one

A general [3 + 2] annulation: cis-4-exo-Isopropenyl-1,9-Dimethyl-8-(Trimethylsilyl)Bicyclo[4.3.0]non-8-en-2-one product: cis-4-exo-isopropenyl-1,9-dimethyl-8-(trimethylsilyl)bicyclo[4.3.0]non-8-en-2-one Keywords: annulation, carbocyclic-[5]; cyclization, cycloaddition; dichloromethane (methylene chloride); titanium tetrachloride, disposal
Computer simulations of EPSP-spike (E-S) potentiation in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells

Long-term potentiation of hippocampal excitatory synapses is often accompanied by an increase in the probability of spiking to an EPSP of fixed strength (E-S potentiation). We used computer simulations of a CA1 pyramidal neuron to test the plausibility of the hypothesis that E- S potentiation is caused by changes in dendritic excitability. These changes were simulated by adding “hot spots” of noninactivating voltage- sensitive Ca2+ conductance to various dendritic compartments. This typically caused spiking in response to previously subthreshold synaptic inputs. The magnitude of the simulated E-S potentiation depended on the passive electrical properties of the cell, the excitability of the soma, and the relative locations on the dendrites of the synaptic inputs and hot spots. The specificity of the simulated E-S potentiation was quantified by colocalizing the hot spots with a subset (40 of 80) of the synaptic contacts, denoted “tetanized,” and then comparing the effects of the hot spots on these and the remaining (untetanized) synaptic contacts. The simulated E-S potentiation tended to be specific to the tetanized input if the untetanized contacts were, on average, electrically closer to the soma than the tetanized contacts. Specificity was also high if the tetanized and untetanized contacts were segregated to different primary dendrites. The results also predict, however, that E-S potentiation by this mechanism will appear to be nonspecific (heterosynaptic) if the synapses of the untetanized input are sufficiently far from the soma relative to the tetanized synapses. Experimental confirmation of this prediction would support the hypothesis that changes in postsynaptic excitability can contribute to hippocampal E-S potentiation.
Structural Properties of HIV Integrase. Lens Epithelium-derived Growth Factor Oligomers

Integrase (IN) is the catalytic component of the preintegration complex, a large nucleoprotein assembly critical for the integration of the retroviral genome into a host chromosome. Although partial crystal structures of human immunodeficiency virus IN alone and its complex with the integrase binding domain of the host factor PSIP1/lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF)/p75 are available, many questions remain regarding the properties and structures of LEDGF-bound IN oligomers. Using analytical ultracentrifugation, multiangle light scattering, and small angle x-ray scattering, we have established the oligomeric state, stoichiometry, and molecular shapes of IN·LEDGF complexes in solution. Analyses of intact IN tetramers bound to two different LEDGF truncations allow for placement of the integrase binding domain by difference analysis. Modeling of the small angle x-ray scattering envelopes using existing structural data suggests domain arrangements in the IN oligomers that support and extend existing biochemical data for IN·LEDGF complexes and lend new insights into the quaternary structure of LEDGF-bound IN tetramers. These IN oligomers may be involved in stages of the viral life cycle other than integration, including assembly, budding, and early replication.
Neighborhood characteristics and hospital closures. A comparison of the public private and voluntary hospital systems.

Abstract This paper analyzes the neighborhood distribution of hospital closures in New York City between 1970 and 1981. Discriminant analysis procedures are used to compare the social, economic and health status characteristics of neighborhoods in which hospitals have closed with those of neighborhoods in which facilities have remained open. The results show that overall hospital closures have had a substantial distributional impact, with facilities in low-income, high infant mortality neighborhoods having the highest rates of failure. Closure of voluntary hospitals occured most frequently in disadvantaged neighborhoods; whereas municipal and proprietary hospital closures showed no differential neighborhood impact. Implications for the geographical accessibility to various groups to health care and for the efficiency and cost of hospital services are discussed.
Scalable Publish-Subscribe in a Managed Framework

Abstract : Reliable multicast, publish-subscribe and group communication are highly effective in support of replication and event notification, and could serve as the enabling technologies for new types of applications that are both interactive and decentralized. To fully realize this vision, we need a high-performance, scalable, and reliable multicast engine as an integral part of the runtime environment. Since the majority of development today is done in managed, strongly typed environments such as Java or .NET, integration with such environments is of particular importance. What factors limit performance and scalability of a reliable multicast engine in a managed environment? What support from the runtime could improve performance, avoid instabilities, or make such systems easier to build? This paper sheds light on these questions by analyzing the performance of QuickSilver Scalable Multicast (QSM), a new multicast protocol and system built entirely in .NET. Memory-related overheads and scheduling-related phenomena are shown to dominate the behavior of our system. We discuss techniques that helped us alleviate some of these problems, and point to areas where better support from the runtime would be desirable.
Abstract 301: Deletion of Sam68 Attenuates Myocardial Hypertrophy

The Src-associated in mitosis 68 kDa (Sam68) belongs to the STAR (signal transducer and activator of RNA) family of RNA-binding proteins and has recently been shown to regulate angiotensin II (Ang II) signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells. In this study, we investigated the role of Sam68 in cardiac hypertrophy. Wild-type (WT) and Sam68 knockout (KO) mice were administered continuously with Ang II for 14 days via osmotic minipumps. Echocardiography analyses reveled that basal left-ventricular posterior wall thicknesses (LVPTs and LVPTd) and basal chamber sizes (LVIDs and LVIDd) are similar between the 2 groups of mice, that Ang II induced a significant elevation in LVPTs and LVPTd and reduction in LVIDs and LVIDd in both groups of mice, and that the changes of all these hypertrophic parameters were significantly attenuated in Sam68 KO than in WT mice (p<0.05 at day 14, n=15). The increase in the heart weight (HW) / body weight (BW) ratio was also lesser in Sam68 KO mice than in WT mice (p<0.05 at day 1...
Effect of glucomannan on plasma lipid and glucose concentrations, body weight, and blood pressure: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Several clinical trials have investigated the impact of glucomannan on plasma lipids, body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and blood pressure (BP), but have yielded conflicting results and had only modest sample sizes. Objective The objective was to perform a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of glucomannan to better characterize its impact on plasma lipids, FBG, body weight, and BP. Design A systematic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database was conducted from the earliest possible date through November 2007. A random-effects model was used to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% CIs as the difference between the mean for the glucomannan and control groups. Standard methods for assessing statistical heterogeneity and publication bias were used. Results Fourteen studies (n = 531) met the inclusion criteria. The use of glucomannan significantly lowered total cholesterol [weighted mean difference (WMD): -19.28 mg/dL; 95% CI: -24.30, -14.26], LDL cholesterol (WMD: -15.99 mg/dL; 95% CI: -21.31, -10.67), triglycerides (WMD: -11.08 mg/dL; 95% CI: -22.07, -0.09), body weight (WMD: -0.79 kg; 95% CI: -1.53, -0.05), and FBG (WMD: -7.44 mg/dL; 95% CI: -14.16, -0.72). The use of glucomannan did not appear to significantly alter any other study endpoints. Pediatric patients, patients receiving dietary modification, and patients with impaired glucose metabolism did not benefit from glucomannan to the same degree. Conclusions Glucomannan appears to beneficially affect total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, body weight, and FBG, but not HDL cholesterol or BP.
The Changing Role of Place‐Image in the Profit Making Strategies of the Designer Fashion Industry

In today’s designer fashion industry, a number of interesting new trends are emerging. For example, some firms are freely appropriating each other’s place-images suggesting that any place-image is now up for grabs; some brands are becoming too cool for place-image; and some designers are growing too powerful to be place-bound. In this article, I argue that these developments are of interest to economic geographers.
The basilar membrane as a uniformly loaded plate clamped on two spiral boundaries in a plane or on two helical-spiral boundaries; discussion of the model

Abstract A uniformly loaded plate, clamped on two lateral edges and on both ends, is proposed as a model of the basilar membrane in the spiral-shaped cochlea of the mammalian inner ear. The vibrational modes are principally radial rather than arcwise, as proposed in [4] and approved by several notable authorities, but spiral shaping would seem to require some arcwise “wave travel” properties as well. Curvatures of arc segments of the cochlea helical spiral and the corresponding span of the basilar membrane across the cochlea appear to be principally responsible for frequency discrimination. Surprisingly, the effects of curvature have not been included in most mathematical models, though the effects of spiral shaping are always assumed in studies of comparative physiology to be the basis of a frequency selection principle. In including the effect of the basilar membrane span width on frequency selection, especially in a “resonance” or “natural frequency” or “eigenvalue” type of argument, the proposed model is consonant with the classical theory of hearing of Helmholtz, but there are some differences with classical theories that are quite basic. In particular, the proposed model seems to have the capacity to accommodate recently observed effects given in [2] that have caused a renewed search for models, but detailed analyses are not entered into at this time.
Nuclear localization of NPR1 is required for regulation of salicylate tolerance, isochorismate synthase 1 expression and salicylate accumulation in Arabidopsis

Plant systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is a broad-spectrum immune response in which pathogen infection in local tissue induces resistance in systemic leaves. Activation of SAR requires the signal molecule salicylic acid (SA), which is primarily synthesized from chorismate via isochorismate through the action of isochorismate synthase 1 (ICS1) and a putative isochorismate pyruvate lyase. The Arabidopsis transcription coactivator NPR1 is a key regulator of SAR, which functions at multiple nodes in the SA signaling network. NPR1 not only acts downstream of SA to activate SAR, but also upstream of SA to suppress the expression of ICS1, thus inhibiting SA biosynthesis. NPR1 also positively regulates SA tolerance and plays a role in SA-mediated negative regulation of jasmonic acid (JA) signaling. The NPR1 protein contains a functional bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS). It has been shown that the NLS and nuclear localization of NPR1 are required for activation of pathogenesis-related gene expression, whereas modulation of the crosstalk between SA- and JA-dependent defense pathways is mediated by cytosolic NPR1. In this study we used two transgenic lines, one expressing a mutated npr1 with a dysfunctional NLS and the other in which NPR1 nuclear localization can be induced by dexamethasone treatment, to test whether nuclear localization is required for other functions of NPR1. We found that prevention of NPR1 nuclear localization renders transgenic seedlings sensitive to the toxicity of high levels of SA and causes over-accumulation of ICS1 transcripts and SA in response to pathogen infection. Induction of NPR1 nuclear localization restores SA tolerance and normal accumulation of ICS1 transcripts and SA. These results indicate that the NLS and nuclear localization of NPR1 are required for regulation of SA tolerance, ICS1 expression and SA accumulation.
Optical measurements of frazil concentration

Abstract The concentration of ice particles in the water column has been measured with two optical instruments, both of which are commercially available. The first instrument used is a single wavelength beam transmissometer with a pathlength of 25 cm. We calibrated the transmissometer in a laboratory flume and applied this calibration to field measurements made in an Arctic lead. An observed vertical profile of frazil concentration, which we believe is the first field observation to be reported, was dynamically consistent with the observed temperature and salinity profiles. This consistency provides indirect support for the validity of the laboratory calibrations. The transmissometer is capable of measuring frazil concentrations as low as 2 × 10 −3 kg/m 3 . The second instrument tested is a three-wavelength absorption meter with the selected wavelength bands in the near infrared portion of the spectrum. In this region of the spectrum, water and ice have greatly different absorption characteristics. To remove the effect of non-ice particles on the measurement of frazil concentration we used the difference between the absorption coefficient measured at two wavelengths. The differential absorption technique can measure frazil concentrations as low as 5 × 10 −2 kg/m 3 . Both instruments are capable of rapid and sensitive in situ measurements of frazil concentration necessary for field and laboratory studies of frazil formation and evolution within the water column.
Particle size and molecular weight distributions of various polystyrene emulsions

Three different emulsion polymerization techniques, the batch (B), monomer addition (M Add), and emulsion addition (E Add) procedures were studied. Rates of polymerization indicated that the B reacted more rapidly than either the M Add or E Add. This was related to the lower monomer concentration present in the M Add and E Add systems. This is described as monomer starvation. MW and MW distributions were compared for these polymers. The B polymer had a significantly higher MW than either the M Add or E Add polymer. This could also be related to monomer starvation in the latter systems. However, the MW distribution of these polymers gave comparable values of Mw/Mn = 3.1. This indicates a similar molecular growth phenomena which appears to result from polymerization occurring near the particle surface for the addition systems. Particle size distribution measurements showed the B latex to have the narrowest distribution while the E Add latex had the widest. Also, the M Add had a particle diameter distribution which was approximated by a normal distribution. This is explained by use of the monomer starvation concept. Additional polymerizations were carried out called “hybrids” which were variations of the polymerizations discussed above. Significant differences result from the various techniques of emulsion polymerization. These differences manifest themselves not only in average particle size and MW, but also in particle size distribution. No significant differences were obtained in MW distributions.
Operational BI platform for video analytics

Video analytics is a data-intensive and knowledge-rich computation chain from collected video frames to high-level scene and behavior descriptions. The platform separation of video storage and video analysis, as it is now, has become the major bottleneck for scalability, efficiency and effectiveness of video analysis. We solve this problem by (a) completely pushing down video analysis computation to the database engine for fast data access and reduced data transfer; (b) systematically managing domain knowledge and context information, and consistently applying them to video analysis; (c) combining multilevel, multidimensional analytics with data loading for "just-in-time" meta-data materialization; (d) supporting analytical data streaming by database engine, towards a new paradigm for Operational Business Intelligence (OpBI). An OpBI system integrates the management of data, knowledge and analytics programs, along the canonical "eco-chain" of information abstraction, derivation, induction, and feedback.Then we focus on extending the query engine, the SQL framework and the UDF (User Defined Function) technology to support real-time, process-level and data streaming based OpBI, resulting in a highly efficient system contained entirely in a database system. Our experiment al results reveal that in-DB streaming and materializing meta-data, aggregates and other commonly interested analysis results along data loading, effectively enable near real-time analysis, and thus confirm the advantages of extending DB-engine to support OpBI.
An Investigation on the Interface in a NiTi Short-Fiber-Reinforced 6061 Aluminum Composite by Transmission Electron Microscope

It has already been demonstrated that NiTi shape-memory alloy fiber-reinforced composites show enhanced mechanical properties by adding a compressive stress to the matrix when the shape-memory effect is activated. The bonding quality between NiTi fiber and the matrix directly affects the stress transfer across the interface, through which the novel functionality of the smart composite is achieved. In the present study, the interface in a NiTi short-fiber-reinforced 6061 aluminum matrix has been investigated by transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Three layers at the interface between NiTi fiber and 6061 aluminum alloy matrix have been found and characterized, i.e., Al3Ti with DO22 ordered structure near the NiTi fiber, Al9FeNi with Al9Co2 (or Al9Fe2) type ordered structure near the Al alloy matrix, and Mg-O layer with 20 nm in thickness between Al3Ti and Al9FeNi layers. The potential effects of these layers on the mechanical properties of the composite are discussed. Evidence indicates that extensive diffusion from both NiTi fiber and Al alloy matrix occurred during the fabrication of the composite at 570 °C to 580 °C within 20 to 30 minutes. The minor elements in the matrix could be the major elements at the interface. By selecting the chemical composition of the Al alloy matrix, it is possible to control the chemical composition at the interface and further control the mechanical properties of the composites.