cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of Diuretics in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Diuretics are commonly prescribed to treat the sodium retention, volume expansion, and hypertension characteristic of CKD. With reduced renal function, delivery of the drugs to their renal tubular sites of action is impaired, potentially leading to diminished potency. In addition, reduced GFR and alterations in sodium transport at other tubular sites can reduce the natriuretic effect of delivered drug. To use diuretics effectively in CKD, clinicians must understand these changes in diuretic pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. This chapter reviews the sites and mechanisms of action of diuretics, describes how diuretic pharmacology is affected by CKD and details how best to overcome diuretic resistance. Much of the focus is on the loop agents, which are the most potent class of diuretics and the mainstay of treatment in CKD. The use of other classes of diuretics is also covered, as is the use of diuretics to treat specific subsets of CKD patients.
Veterans with PTSD report more weight loss barriers than Veterans with no mental health disorders

Abstract Objective This study characterized and compared Veterans of the United States Armed Forces with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to Veterans with no mental health disorders on self-reported measures of factors that influence success in weight management programs. Method We examined the relation of PTSD diagnosis with weight loss plan, reasons for overweight/obesity and barriers to dieting and physical exercise among 171,884 Veterans. Statistically significant variables in chi-square tests (P Results Both groups reported high ratings of importance and confidence regarding changing weight loss behaviors and were preparing or actively engaging in efforts to manage their weight. Compared to Veterans without mental health disorders, more Veterans with PTSD endorsed 27 of the 28 barriers to changing eating and physical habits. Conclusions The results of this study help to explain the lower rates of success of Veterans with PTSD in weight loss programs. Results suggest that a comprehensive, integrated approach to promoting weight loss in Veterans with PTSD is needed.
A review of current and novel levodopa formulations for the treatment of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease treatment is characterized by the nearly inevitable development of motor complications, including fluctuations and dyskinesias, in which the duration of benefit of a dose of medication is offset by involuntary movements that can be more disabling than the Parkinsonian features themselves. While levodopa remains the gold standard of therapy, it is the most likely to be associated with these complications. The concept of continuous dopaminergic stimulation has gained increasing acceptance as a potential mechanism by which to avoid or delay the development of motor complications, or to minimize their impact once they have already occurred. This article will explore existing and novel formulations of levodopa to identify their role in the spectrum of Parkinson's disease therapeutics.
Controlling Random Lasing with Three-Dimensional Plasmonic Nanorod Metamaterials

Plasmonics has brought revolutionary advances to laser science by enabling deeply subwavelength nanolasers through surface plasmon amplification. However, the impact of plasmonics on other promising laser systems has so far remained elusive. Here, we present a class of random lasers enabled by three-dimensional plasmonic nanorod metamaterials. While dense metallic nanostructures are usually detrimental to laser performance due to absorption losses, here the lasing threshold keeps decreasing as the volume fraction of metal is increased up to ∼0.07. This is ∼460 times higher than the optimal volume fraction reported thus far. The laser supports spatially confined lasing modes and allows for efficient modulation of spectral profiles by simply tuning the polarization of the pump light. Full-field speckle-free imaging at micron-scales has been achieved by using plasmonic random lasers as the illumination sources. Our findings show that plasmonic metamaterials hold potential to enable intriguing coherent optica...
The metabolic functions of vitamin B12: III. Vitamin B12 binding in Lactobacillus leichmannii and other lactobacilli

Abstract Lactobacillus leichamannii rapidly removed [60Co]vitamin B12 from the medium. The amounts taken up exceeded the quantities needed to satisfy nutritional requirements but bound vitamin was metabolically available if organisms were subsequently placed in medium lacking or deficient in vitamin B12. Binding was affected by the concentration of vitamin B12 in the medium and maximal binding occurred at a concentration of approx. 10 mμg/ml (7.4·10−9 M). Under these conditions, the vitamin has been concentrated about 1000 times within the cells. The binding process seemed independent of the growth phase and was little affected by temperature changes between 4 and 40° or by a number of metabolic inhibitors. The amount of [60Co]vitamin B12 bound was decrease by additions of unlabeled vitamin B12 or the ethylamide, methylamide, anilide and monocarboxylic acid derivatives of vitamin B12. Dimethylbenzimidazole was without effect. Cell-free extracts of L. leichmannii effectively bound [60Co]vitamin B12 and preliminary evidence indicates that a major adsorptive site is a ribosomal glycoprotein. L. acidophilus (ATCC 4357), L. casei and L. lactis also bind [60Co]vitamin B12. Two species of lactobacilli that failed to bind the vitamin, L. delbrueckii and L. acidophilus (ATCC 11506), were also incapable of utilizing vitamin B12 as a growth factor. Of these, only L. delbrueckii demonstrated binding in cell-free extracts.
The "July phenomenon" for neurosurgical mortality and complications in teaching hospitals: an analysis of more than 850,000 neurosurgical patients in the nationwide inpatient sample database, 1998 to 2008.

BACKGROUND The evidence of or against the presence of a 'July phenomenon' in resident teaching hospitals has been inconsistent. Moreover, there are limited data on the "July phenomenon" in the field of neurosurgery. OBJECTIVE To determine whether a "July phenomenon" exists for neurosurgical mortality or complications. METHODS A search of the National Inpatient Sample database from 1998 to 2008 was performed for all admissions for International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision codes corresponding to nontraumatic hemorrhage, central nervous system (CNS) trauma, CNS tumor, and hydrocephalus. Generalized linear mixed-model analysis was performed, adjusted for patient demographics and hospital characteristics, for the outcomes of mortality and complications for the month of July compared with all other months in teaching hospitals. RESULTS Generalized linear mixed-model analysis demonstrated that the risk of dying in the month of July vs any other month in a teaching hospital was not statistically different for any of the 4 diagnoses: nontraumatic hemorrhage (P = .071), CNS trauma category (P = .485), CNS tumor category (P = .578), hydrocephalus category (P = .1505). Moreover, the risk of any complication in the month of July vs any other month in a teaching hospital was not statistically different for any of the 4 diagnoses: nontraumatic hemorrhage (P = .529), CNS trauma category (P = .378), CNS tumor category (P = .461), and hydrocephalus category (P = .441). The same findings were true in an analysis of nonteaching hospitals performed as a control. CONCLUSION No "July phenomenon" was found for neurosurgical mortality or complications in patients with nontraumatic hemorrhage, CNS trauma, CNS tumor, or hydrocephalus.
Hydraulic System Design of Drilling and Loading Machine with Specification ZZ2-8/100

The structure and principle of drilling and loading machine with specification ZZ2-8/100 is introduced,based on requirement of function,hydraulic system has been designed.It includes control circuit,travelling circuit,rake loading circuit and right-left boom circuit.It is convinced the hydraulic system owns characteristics of function of interlocking,anti-jamming,simple-operation and high efficiency and so on.
Study on Stack Analysis of Safety Critical System

It is very difficult to find the root cause of a system failure caused by memory exception,partly because the system failure symptoms are quite far from the real errors. In addition,a memory error often causes the whole system crash,such as avionics system,which would cause the crash of the aircraft or human casualty. Therefore as for safety critical system,the memory analysis is crucial. On the other side,compared with other memory space,stack itself is dynamic; meanwhile the dynamic scheduling and the object-code-based analysis enlarge the difficulty of stack analysis as well. Starting with the necessary of stack analysis, this paper proposes a stack analysis combining with interrupt preemption graph. Based on this theory,some suggestions are given for the safety critical system to guarantee the determination of the worst case stack depth. And then,as a real case,this paper conducts the stack analysis for a safety critical system FCOS. The process and result are mentioned also.
Stability of an Extemporaneously Compounded Oral Suspension of Bosentan

Abstract Purpose: To assess the stability of an extemporaneously compounded oral suspension of bosentan from commercially available tablets for a period of 1 month. Methods: A 6.25 mg/mL oral suspension of bosentan monohydrate was prepared from Tracleer tablets. The bosentan suspension was then evenly divided between 2 light-resistant prescription bottles and stored in the dark either under refrigeration (4–8°C) or at controlled room temperature (21–26°C). The suspensions were assessed for physical changes (ease of resuspendability, change in color, change in odor), and samples were drawn immediately after preparation and on days 0, 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, and 31. Samples were analyzed at each time point by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) utilizing a reversed-phase column with chemical stability defined as the retention of at least 90% of the initial intact bosentan concentration measured. Results: No change in suspendability, color, or odor of the compounded bosentan suspensions was noted ...
Association Between Time to Rehabilitation and Outcomes After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.

Abstract Objective To examine the relations between time to rehabilitation after spinal cord injury (SCI) and rehabilitation outcomes at discharge and 1-year postinjury. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Facilities designated as Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems. Participants Patients (N=3937) experiencing traumatic SCI between 2000 and 2014, who were 18 years or older, and who were admitted to a model system within 24 hours of injury. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Rasch-transformed FIM motor score at discharge and 1-year postinjury, discharge to a private residence, and the Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique (CHART) Physical Independence and Mobility scores at 1-year postinjury. Results After accounting for health status, a 10% increase in time to rehabilitation was associated with a 1.50 lower FIM motor score at discharge (95% confidence interval [CI], −2.43 to −0.58; P =.001) and a 3.92 lower CHART Physical Independence score at 1-year postinjury (95% CI, −7.66 to −0.19; P =.04). Compared to the mean FIM motor score (37.5) and mean CHART Physical Independence score (74.7), the above-mentioned values represent relative declines of 4.0% and 5.3%, respectively. There was no association between time to rehabilitation and discharge to a private residence, 1-year FIM motor score, or the CHART mobility score. Conclusions Earlier rehabilitation after traumatic SCI may improve patients' functional status at discharge.
Damage Detection in a Multi-Layered, Multi-Material Composite Using Air-Coupled Ultrasonic Resonance Imaging

Air-coupled ultrasonic resonance imaging (ACURI) is an NDE technique that exploits the resonant behavior of a structure to extract information. This work applies the ACURI detection technique to multi-layered, multi-material composite plate samples with engineered disbonds and inclusions. Through-transmission C-scans of an undamaged sample are compared to samples with known defects. This investigation is carried out at 120 and 225 kHz to study the effect of resonance frequency excitation range on damage detection. It is shown that the majority of defects are easily detected. In some cases a difference in through thickness location is also discerned.
Characterization of Neck Strength in Healthy Young Adults

Abstract Background The role of cervical muscle (neck) strength in traumatic brain and spine injury and chronic neck pain disorders is an area of active research. Characterization of the normal ranges of neck strength in healthy young adults is essential to designing future investigations of how strength may act as a modifier for risk and progression in head and neck disorders. Objective To develop a normative reference database of neck strength in a healthy young adult population, and to evaluate the relationship of neck strength to anthropometric measurements. Design Cross-sectional. Setting An academic medical center research institution. Participants A total of 157 healthy young adults (18-35 years of age) had their neck strength measured with fixed frame dynamometry (FFD) during 1 visit to establish a normative neck strength database. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measurements Peak and average strength of the neck muscles were measured in extension, forward flexion, and right and left lateral flexion using FFD. The ranges of peak and average neck strength were characterized and correlated with anthropometric characteristics. Results In all, 157 subjects (84 male, 73 female; average age 27 years) were included in the normative sample. Neck strength ranged from 38 to 383 Newtons in men and from 15 to 223 Newtons in women. Normative data are provided for each gender in all 4 directions. Weight, body mass index, neck circumference, and estimated neck muscle volume were modestly correlated with neck strength in multiple directions (correlation coefficients Conclusions Neck strength in healthy young adults exhibits a broad range, is significantly different in men from that in women, and correlates only modestly with anthropometric characteristics. Level of Evidence Not applicable.
Tolerability and benefit of a tetramethoxyluteolin-containing skin lotion.

As many as 40% of people have sensitive skin and at least half of them suffer from pruritus associated with allergies, atopic dermatitis (AD), chronic urticaria (CU), cutaneous mastocytosis (CM), a...
Disease prevention and delayed aging by dietary sulfur amino acid restriction: translational implications

Sulfur amino acids (SAAs) play numerous critical roles in metabolism and overall health maintenance. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that SAA-restricted diets have many beneficial effects, including extending life span and preventing the development of a variety of diseases. Dietary sulfur amino acid restriction (SAAR) is characterized by chronic restrictions of methionine and cysteine but not calories and is associated with reductions in body weight, adiposity and oxidative stress, and metabolic changes in adipose tissue and liver resulting in enhanced insulin sensitivity and energy expenditure. SAAR-induced changes in blood biomarkers include reductions in insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, glucose, and leptin and increases in adiponectin and fibroblast growth factor 21. On the basis of these preclinical data, SAAR may also have similar benefits in humans. While little is known of the translational significance of SAAR, its potential feasibility in humans is supported by findings of its effectiveness in rodents, even when initiated in adult animals. To date, there have been no controlled feeding studies of SAAR in humans; however, there have been numerous relevant epidemiologic and disease-based clinical investigations reported. Here, we summarize observations from these clinical investigations to provide insight into the potential effectiveness of SAAR for humans.
Acute Intraoperative Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Failure in a Child with Myelomeningocele: A Case Report.

Spinal deformity surgery in patients with myelomeningocele carries a high rate of complications, including wound infection and fusion pseudarthrosis1,2. Most patients with myelomeningocele have a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt with the potential for malfunction either during surgery or in the immediate postoperative period3. Death from shunt malfunction in the early postoperative period also can occur1. In this report, we present a patient with myelomeningocele and severe spinal deformity whose initial spinal surgery was aborted secondary to acute VP shunt malfunction. Subsequent spinal surgery was completed with the aid of continuous intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring with use of an external shunt tap. The importance of recognizing this potentially lethal complication and a suggested management protocol are presented. The patient and his family were informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication, and they provided consent. A fifteen-year-old boy with a thoracic-level myelomeningocele presented to our institution with a severe scoliosis measuring 120° (Figs. 1-A and 1-B). A VP shunt that had been placed at birth had never required any shunt revisions. A preoperative neurosurgical evaluation, including a stable head computed tomography (CT) scan, revealed no evidence of shunt malfunction. He was scheduled for a spinal fusion from T2 to the pelvis in a planned two-stage surgical approach. Stage one included a halo ring application, exposure of the posterior spine with placement of spinal anchors, and multiple Ponte osteotomies (bilateral excision of facets and removal of the ligamentum flavum to improve spinal flexibility), followed by six weeks of halo-gravity traction. Stage two consisted of an apical vertebral column resection as well as completion of the posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation. Fig. 1-A Fig. 1-B Anteroposterior ( Fig. 1-A ) and lateral supine ( Fig. 1-B ) radiographs of a fifteen-year-old boy with myelomeningocele. He has severe scoliosis measuring 120°, thoracolumbar …
Social network analysis for assessing college-aged adults' health: A systematic review.

Objective: Social network analysis (SNA) is a useful, emerging method for studying health. College students are especially prone to social influence when it comes to health. This review aimed to id...
El género como patología : enfermedad, degeneración y discurso médico a finales del siglo XIX en Colombia

Este articulo examina como los doctores colombianos y los funcionarios de los servicios de salud produjeron, durante las ultimas decadas del siglo XIX, un campo de conocimiento sobre la salud de los ciudadanos usando el lenguaje y la autoridad de la ciencia para hablar de una sociedad necesitada de redencion e intervencion medica. En estos casos, el genero se convirtio en un componente esencial de la elite y de los discursos medicos. Medicos e higienistas describieron las identidades femeninas, bien como amenazas potenciales y degeneradoras de la moral y de la economia de la nacion, o bien como una ?fuerza civilizadora? a traves de la movilizacion de la maternidad y la reificacion de la familia como un espacio de regeneracion. Los medicos y funcionarios del gobierno colombiano examinaban y esperaban que las mujeres colombianas preservasen la familia como una unidad, e inculcaran los valores del orden, la higiene y la eficiencia en la esfera privada. Si las construcciones de la elite sobre identidades femeninas ?ideales? movilizaron a las mujeres como madres, las preocupaciones por el control de las ?mujeres publicas?, que alteraban el orden publico o el ideal, daban una imagen de amenaza a la unidad familiar. En directo contraste con el ideal femenino, la construccion de una otra femenina enfatizaba la transgresion moral y la promiscuidad sexual.
Transmembrane Transport and the Control of Bioelectrical Activities

In the preceding chapters, we considered several examples of developmental events that occur in microorganisms. In many instances we saw that intercellular communication as well as the ability of individual cells to sense changes in their environment were necessary for these processes to occur. External stimuli of various sorts were able to effect changes in the structure, metabolism and biochemistry of differentiating cells. In all cases so far examined, these sensory detection systems include proteins in the cell membrane whose roles are to transduce information from the outside of the cell into signals that then modulate various intracellular biochemical events. Some of these proteins are those also responsible for the transmembrane transport of solute molecules, while others appear to be more highly specialized for their chemoreceptor function. In later chapters, we shall explore the molecular details of some of these communication mechanisms. As a foundation for this, however, we shall first consider some mechanisms by which many cells directly communicate with their environment via transmembrane transport.
Neurosurgery During Pregnancy

This chapter highlights neurosurgical issues that may arise during pregnancy, providing the non-neurosurgeon foundational knowledge on these conditions. Divided between intracranial and spinal pathology, the authors review presenting features and the indications for intervention in the more common neuropathological processes seen in the gravid patient. Although the deferral of treatment until after delivery is preferred when appropriate, many neurosurgical disorders can present an urgent threat to the mother and fetus and necessitate intervention. New and different neurologic complaints or mental status changes may be a harbinger of serious pathology that can result in loss of function, paralysis, and death if not treated appropriately. In many instances, available data and treatment guidelines for neurosurgical emergencies during pregnancy are scarce, and decisions will have to be made on a case-by-case basis in the best interest of the mother and fetus.
Adobe Identity Graph

Adobe’s Identity Graph allows enterprises to more effectively utilize their data in a digital marketing context. We enable enterprises to stitch together all known and anonymous identities of a user between logical and physical devices. This allows companies to perform marketing and analytics in the context of people rather than signals coming from different devices. As a result, a more holistic view of any given customer can be achieved. The graph is built through a combination of deterministic and probabilistic approaches which are applied to both online and offline data. The efficacy of our approach is validated against a real big data set, which has both online data traffic and offline data logs covering more than 1.9 billion devices.
Modern Network Security Practices: Using Rainbow Tables to Solve Organizational Issues

The purpose of this case study analysis is to examine a non-traditional method of identifying weak passwords within a large hospital organization. The process of using rainbow tables to crack passwords/ensure password compliance is discussed and specific examples are provided within this paper. This process emphasizes the notion that network security-related problems tend to be organization-specific and require creative approaches. The goal is to establish a practical use for rainbow tables within an organization as a means of enhancing network security.
The In Vitro Effects of Pentamidine Isethionate on Coagulation and Fibrinolysis.

Pentamidine is bis-oxybenzamidine-based antiprotozoal drug. The parenteral use of pentamidine appears to affect the processes of blood coagulation and/or fibrinolysis resulting in rare but potentially life-threatening blood clot formation. Pentamidine was also found to cause disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome. To investigate the potential underlying molecular mechanism(s) of pentamidine’s effects on coagulation and fibrinolysis, we studied its effects on clotting times in normal and deficient human plasmas. Using normal plasma, pentamidine isethionate doubled the activated partial thromboplastin time at 27.5 µM, doubled the prothrombin time at 45.7 µM, and weakly doubled the thrombin time at 158.17 µM. Using plasmas deficient of factors VIIa, IXa, XIa, or XIIa, the concentrations to double the activated partial thromboplastin time were similar to that obtained using normal plasma. Pentamidine also inhibited plasmin-mediated clot lysis with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of ~3.6 μM. Chromogenic substrate hydrolysis assays indicated that pentamidine inhibits factor Xa and plasmin with IC50 values of 10.4 µM and 8.4 µM, respectively. Interestingly, it did not significantly inhibit thrombin, factor XIa, factor XIIIa, neutrophil elastase, or chymotrypsin at the highest concentrations tested. Michaelis-Menten kinetics and molecular modeling studies revealed that pentamidine inhibits factor Xa and plasmin in a competitive fashion. Overall, this study provides quantitative mechanistic insights into the in vitro effects of pentamidine isethionate on coagulation and fibrinolysis via the disruption of the proteolytic activity of factor Xa and plasmin.
A systematic review of physical guidance procedures as an open-mouth prompt to increase acceptance for children with pediatric feeding disorders

This article reviews behavioral treatments of pediatric feeding disorders using physical guidance procedures as an open-mouth prompt (i.e., jaw prompt, finger prompt, Nuk prompt, side deposit) to increase food acceptance. We identified 9 articles containing 35 systematic evaluations. We coded participant and study characteristics and assessed the experimental rigor, quality, and outcomes of each evaluation. Of the high-quality research present, the finger prompt variation and side deposit reliably increased acceptance. We found mixed results on the efficacy of the jaw prompt, although it was the most widely researched procedure. Further, authors reported interobserver agreement for 100% of the participants, procedural integrity for 60%, social validity for 80%, fading for 5%, and follow-up for 55%. Based on the invasive nature of physical guidance, we provide recommendations for researchers and clinicians to increase the quality of their treatment evaluations. We discuss limitations, implications for practice, and future research.
Strategic Activity Planning for Emotionally Disturbed Children and Adolescents

Strategically planned activity components for residential treatment program directly reduced the amount of negative acting out which must be managed in the cottage environment. Sequentially guided creative tasks can provide a supportive central core for treatment goal implementation. Organized activities serve to measure progress towards individual and peer relationship objectives. Specific step-by-step strategies and projects are recommended for use within the therapeutic milieu for emotionally disturbed children and adolescents.
Making peace to sustain war: the Astana Process and Syria’s illiberal peace

In the aftermath of large-scale Russian military intervention in Syria in 2015, Iran, Russia, and Turkey established the Astana Process to manage the conflict and negotiate a post-conflict transiti...
The effect of the Kinesio Tape on the muscle power performance of elite weightlifters.

Abstract Introduction To investigate the effect of the Kinesio Tape on the muscle power of the elite weightlifters. Methods A randomized controlled trial, single blind. Forty-two male weightlifters were randomly assigned to the experimental Kinesio Tape and sham Kinesio Tape groups of the study. The participants then performed a single leg vertical jump and a single leg horizontal jump with three attempts of each to obtain the measurement of muscle power. Outcome measures were included single-leg vertical countermovement jump, estimated peak power, and single-leg horizontal countermovement jump. Result Significant effect of Kinesio Tape on horizontal jumps distance among the weightlifters in the experimental group (p = 0.002). The study showed that the vertical jump height (p = 0.433), estimated peak power (p = 0.542) and horizontal jump distance (p = 0.841) measurements did not improve significantly between the groups at level p = 0.05. Conclusion There is a small and better improvement noticed on the outcome measurements after Kinesio Tape application, which may be considered clinical importance for the sport. However, there was no statistically significant effect of Kinesio Tape between the groups.
Effectiveness of Deep Learning on Serial Fusion Based Biometric Systems

We develop a framework for multibiometric systems, which combines a deep learning technique with the serial fusion method. Deep learning techniques have been used in unimodal and parallel fusion-based multimodal biometric systems in the past few years. While deep learning techniques have been successful in improving the authentication accuracy, a biometric system is still challenged by two issues: 1) a unimodal system suffers from environmental interference, spoofing attacks, and nonuniversality, and 2) a parallel fusion-based multimodal system suffers from user inconvenience as it requires the user to provide multiple biometrics, which in turn takes longer verification times. A serial fusion method can improve user convenience in a multibiometric system by requiring a user to submit only a subset of the available biometrics. To our knowledge, the effectiveness of using a deep learning technique with a serial fusion method in multibiometric systems is still underexplored. In this article, we close this research gap. We develop a three-stage multibiometric system using a user's fingerprint, palm, and face and test three serial fusion methods with a Siamese neural network. Our experiments achieve an AUC of 0.9996, where the genuine users require only 1.56 biometrics (instead of all 3) on an average. Impact statement— We work on enhancing the user convenience and reducing the verification error in a multibiometric system. An improved multibiometric system can help law enforcement, homeland security, defense, and our daily lives by providing better access control. With the advent of deep learning technologies, the accuracy of multibiometric systems have been improved significantly; however, its applicability is still in question because of long verification times required by parallel fusion in a multibiometric system. Our proposed multibiometric framework alleviates this user inconvenience issue by utilizing a serial fusion strategy in decision making and improves accuracy by leveraging deep learning technology in feature extraction and score generation.
The COVID Retirement Boom

As of August 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, slightly more than 3 million people likely retired earlier than they would have otherwise.
Mott Memory and Neuromorphic Devices

Orbital occupancy control in correlated oxides allows the realization of new electronic phases and collective state switching under external stimuli. The resultant structural and electronic phase transitions provide an elegant way to encode, store, and process information. In this review, we examine the utilization of Mott metal-to-insulator transitions, for memory and neuromorphic devices. We emphasize the overarching electron–phonon coupling and electron–electron interaction-driven transition mechanisms and kinetics, which renders a general description of Mott memories from aspects such as nonvolatility, sensing scheme, read/write speed, and switching energy. Various memory and neuromorphic device architectures incorporating phase transition elements are reviewed, focusing on their operational principles. The role of Peierls distortions and crystal symmetry changes during phase change is discussed. Prospects for such orbitronic devices as hardware components for information technologies are summarized.
International Human Rights: Problems of Law, Policy, and Practice

The introductory chapter of this book discusses how a unifying concern for human dignity led to the establishment of human rights as part of the body of international law. Next, the chapter includes excerpts from multiple writers’ works to employ slavery as a case study to demonstrate how the international community has used the notion of human rights to create binding law. Third, this chapter discusses the philosophical drivers of human rights by including writings from other scholars and the history of the presence of human rights in international law. The chapter concludes that increasing concern for human rights may indicate that protection of human rights is presently in danger rather than improving.
Semantics for an actor-based real-time language

We give formal semantics for a distributed concurrent object oriented real time programming language based on a variant of the actor model which includes an extention enabling the specification of time constraints on message invocation. Real time semantics must capture both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the language, and provide a meaning for the real time constructs. The real time semantics of our language is given as timed graph, an existing real time specification formalism. We present the semantics by first defining an operational semantics for the untimed language, and then translating this into a timed graph which interprets the time constructs. Our semantics is formulated independently of the underlying resources needed to execute a program; the semantics of a program thus defines the set of permissible concrete implementations.
Novel wavelength-selective single-mirror resonant detector

Summary form only given. We present a novel monolithic single-mirror resonant photodetector design with a narrow detection bandwidth of 10 nm, increased responsivity and high transmission at long wavelengths. This wavelength-selective detector uses resonant QW absorption and an impedance-matched DBR to achieve higher wavelength selectivity, peak responsivity, and lower cross talk than conventional bulk or multi QW photodetectors.
Stochastic averaging with a flattened Hamiltonian: A Markov process on a stratified space (a whiskered sphere)

We consider a random perturbation of a 2-dimensional Hamiltonian ODE. Under an appropriate change of time, we identify a reduced model, which in some aspects is similar to a stochastically averaged model. The novelty of our problem is that the set of critical points of the Hamiltonian has an interior. Thus we can stochastically average outside this set of critical points, but inside we can make no model reduction. The result is a Markov process on a stratified space which looks like a whiskered sphere (i.e., a 2-dimensional sphere with a line attached). At the junction of the sphere and the line, glueing conditions identify the behavior of the Markov process.
Enhancement by Non-Coherent Superposition of Microwave Images Formed with Crossed, Coherent Arrays

Several potential applications motivate research in microwave holography. These applications include the determination of ionospheric properties and imaging through fog or soil.1–3 Additional applications are to diagnostics of microwave devices such as antennas and radomes.4,5,6
Epigenetics and complementary proteins

Although studies on the immunopathogenesis of anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA) vasculitis have been directed at understanding the autoantibody, there is growing evidence that points to the importance of ANCA autoantigen genes and their regulation. Transcriptional analysis indicates that ANCA autoantigen genes are active in mature neutrophils of ANCA vasculitis patients compared to healthy controls. The unusual transcriptional state of neutrophils from ANCA vasculitis patients appears to be a consequence of failed or disrupted epigenetic silencing. Defective epigenetic silencing could have global effects, by altering the transcriptional and phenotypic state of neutrophils, or local effects by permitting transcription of autoantigen genes from both strands resulting in anti-sense transcripts. Although the role of anti-sense transcripts is currently unknown, there are two intriguing possibilities. Anti-sense transcripts could function (as described for other genes) in transcriptional silencing of autoantigen genes, which takes place in normal neutrophil progenitors. In the setting of failed epigenetic silencing, the fate of anti-sense transcripts may be pathological and serve as a template for production of complementary autoantigens. The observation that ANCA vasculitis patients have anti-sense transcripts and antibodies to complementary proteins is consistent with a role of anti-sense transcripts in complementary protein production. A better understanding of epigenetic silencing and complementary proteins in ANCA vasculitis may unlock the underlying pathology of this condition.
Demonstration of an outer membrane protein with antiphagocytic activity from Pasteurella multocida of avian origin.

Abstract A strain of Pasteurella multocida of avian origin was found to inhibit phagocytosis of Candida albicans by mononuclear phagocytes in vitro. Whole-cell lysates of P. multocida showed this effect, as did a 50-kilodalton (kDa) protein eluted from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels obtained by electrophoresis of whole-cell lysates. Heat, digestion with trypsin, and antibody specific for this 50-kDa protein neutralized the antiphagocytic effects of P. multocida, of the whole-cell lysates, and of the 50-kDa protein itself. Evidence that this protein was in the outer membrane of the bacterial cell included the findings that (i) treatment of encapsulated or unencapsulated P. multocida with trypsin reduced the antiphagocytic effect; (ii) whole-cell lysates prepared from trypsinized, unencapsulated P. multocida had reduced antiphagocytic activity; and (iii) antibody to outer membrane proteins neutralized the antiphagocytic effect. Turkeys given antibodies specific for the 50-kDa outer membrane protein were protected against lethal challenge with P. multocida.
The biosynthesis of erythritol and glycerol by Torulopsis magnoliae. Studies with C14-labelled glucose.

D-Glucose-1-C14, D-glucose-2-C14, D-glucose-3, 4-C14, and D-glucose-6-C14 were dissimilated aerobically by washed cells of Torulopsis magnoliae. The major products formed were erythritol and glycerol.A method for the stepwise degradation of erythritol, after oxidation with Acetobacter suboxydans to L-erythrulose, is described. The distribution of radioactive carbon in the erythritol suggests that it is formed by a complex series of reactions in which enzymes of the transaldolase and transketolase type play a major part to give a four-carbon fragment which is then reduced to the tetritol. Enzymes of the Embden–Meyerhof pathway are probably concerned to a lesser extent.
Structure-optical property relationships of porphyrins

Porphyrins are attractive compounds for optical applications. We have been investigating the relationship between molecular structure and optical properties of a number of porphyrin compounds. Structural variations explored include insertion of metal ions, extension of conjugation, halogenation and alkylation either at the pyrrole position or the meso-aryl groups. The characterization of these chromophores includes measurement of UV/Vis, fluorescence and fluorescence lifetimes. Furthermore, we have investigated their nonlinear absorption, excitation dynamics. The significant factors influencing limiting behavior appear to be the heavy atom effect, electron donating and withdrawing substituents conformation distortion and changes in conjugation. Detailed understanding will be gained from measurements of photophysical parameters underlying limiting behavior.
Medical imaging in the diagnosis and management of cancer pain.

LLC Within the past few decades medical imaging has evolved very rapidly, now becoming an indispensable tool for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients with cancer-related pain. Multiple imaging modalities are available for the assessment of cancer patients, each one with different advantages and limitations that are important to consider at the time we order a diagnostic study or plan an image-guided procedure. This article reviews the role that various imaging modalities play in the management of cancer pain and provides an overview of the latest technological advances.
Demodex Nycticeii: a new species of hair follicle mite (Acari: Demodecidae) from the evening bat, Nycticeius humeralis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Abstract Demodex nycticeii sp. nov. is described, in all life stages, from papule-forming colonies in the skin of the Evening bat, Nycticeius humeralis. The papules, measuring to one mm in diameter and containing many mites, develop following initial invasion by the mites of the hair follicles of the general body fur. Papules are surrounded by multinucleate giant cells and large numbers of leucocytes, the latter especially if mites penetrate through the epithelial lining of the papule into the surrounding dermis. Demodex nycticeii is most similar to D. novazelandica of the New Zealand bat, Mystacina tuberculata, but differs in size, shape of opisthosoma and structure of podosomal shield.
N-Arachidonoyl-serotonin in the basolateral amygdala increases anxiolytic behavior in the elevated plus maze

Abstract CB1 receptors in the amygdala have been shown to mediate learned and unlearned anxiety states, however, the role of amygdalar TRPV1 receptors remains unclear. In the present study we investigated the potential anxiolytic action of intra-basolateral amygdala (BLA) infusion of N-arachidonoyl-serotonin (AA-5-HT), a dual blocker of the endocannabinoid-inactivating enzyme, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), and a TRPV1 antagonist. Varying doses of AA-5-HT (0–0.5 nmol) were administered into the BLA prior to elevated plus maze testing. AA-5-HT significantly increased both time spent and number of entries into the open arms. Next, to determine whether the anxiolytic effects were the result of blocking FAAH, TRPV1, or whether a combined action was required, rats were given intra-BLA infusions of either 0.25 nmol AA-5-HT, 1.0 nmol capsazepine (CZP, a TRPV1 antagonist), 0.01 μg URB597 (a selective FAAH inhibitor), or vehicle. Again, AA-5-HT increased the time spent in the open arms as well as the number of open arm entries. In contrast, CZP and URB597 did not reliably alter plus maze performance. We then investigated the effects of co-administration of CZP (1.0 or 10.0 nmol) and URB597 (0.01 or 0.1 μg). At lower doses, co-injections significantly increased both open arm entries as well as the time spent in the open arms, compared to vehicle or either compound alone. While co-administration of the higher doses had no significant effect when compared to either vehicle or CZP treatment, we did observe that open arm activity was elevated in rats receiving combined CZP-URB597 treatment compared to URB597 alone. Overall, our findings indicate that simultaneous FAAH activity and TRPV1 activation are important with respect to the expression of unconditioned fear as mediated within the BLA.
Climatic and Hydrologic Oscillations in the Owens Lake Basin and Adjacent Sierra Nevada, California

Oxygen isotope and total inorganic carbon values of cored sediments from the Owens Lake basin, California, indicate that Owens Lake overflowed most of the time between 52,500 and 12,500 carbon-14 ( 14 C) years before present (B.P.). Owens Lake desiccated during or after Heinrich event H1 and was hydrologically closed during Heinrich event H2. The magnetic susceptibility and organic carbon content of cored sediments indicate that about 19 Sierra Nevada glaciations occurred between 52,500 and 23,500 14 C years B.P. Most of the glacial advances were accompanied by decreases in the amount of discharge reaching Owens Lake. Comparison of the timing of glaciation with the lithic record of North Atlantic core V23-81 indicates that the number of mountain glacial cycles and the number of North Atlantic lithic events were about equal between 39,000 and 23,500 14 C years B.P.
Modeling of the optical piston: Density-wave shape and resonance-fluorescence effects

We present results of a numerical model of the optical piston driven by laser-induced drift (LID). The model is based on a drift-velocity formulation of Lawandy, derived from an asymmetric-random-walk argument, and includes resonance-fluorescence effects. The model is applied primarily to the experimental conditions of H. G. C. Werij and co-workers (Phys. Rev. A 33, 3270 (1986)). It is shown that both the velocity and the shape of the propagating density wave change continuously throughout the traverse of a (finite) diffusion tube under these conditions. In addition, we have numerically verified the contention of G. Nienhuis (Phys. Rev. A 31, 1636 (1985)) that a ''self-preserving'' form of the density wave is indeed possible for the case of a ''finite number of absorbers in an infinite medium,'' both with and without saturation. Finally, we show that resonance fluorescence slows the piston velocity, broadens the density distribution, and decreases its peak height. It is concluded that resonance fluorescence can play a significant role in determining the time evolution and detailed shape of the optical-piston density distribution in sodium.
Pediatric neurosurgery: pride and prejudice.

Pediatric neurosurgery now exists as a member of the family of neurosurgery with its own training programs, process of accreditation, national and international conferences and scientific journals. Th
TF004 - interfacing complex oxides to gallium nitride

Integration of functional complex oxides with gallium nitride is attractive for advanced device architectures including smart FETs and high-temperature electronics. Inclusion of large bandgap interfacial oxide layers are of interest for band line-up compatibility. This presentation reviews work on the epitaxial growth of large bandgap rocksalt oxide buffer layers including MgO and CaO by molecular beam epitaxy. It also discusses the epitaxial deposition of ferroelectric oxides by rf magnetron sputtering.
Radioisotopes as political instruments, 1946-1953

The development of nuclear "piles," soon called reactors, in the Manhattan Project provided a new technology for manufacturing radioactive isotopes. Radioisotopes, unstable variants of chemical elements that give off detectable radiation upon decay, were available in small amounts for use in research and therapy before World War II. In 1946, the U.S. government began utilizing one of its first reactors, dubbed X-10 at Oak Ridge, as a production facility for radioisotopes available for purchase to civilian institutions. This program of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission was meant to exemplify the peacetime dividends of atomic energy. The numerous requests from scientists outside the United States, however, sparked a political debate about whether the Commission should or even could export radioisotopes. This controversy manifested the tension in U.S. politics between scientific internationalism as a tool of diplomacy, associated with the aims of the Marshall Plan, and the desire to safeguard the country's atomic monopoly at all costs, linked to American anti-Communism. This essay examines the various ways in which radioisotopes were used as political instruments-both by the U.S. federal government in world affairs, and by critics of the civilian control of atomic energy-in the early Cold War.