cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A note on the impact of options on stock return volatility

Abstract This paper measures the impact of option introductions on the return variance of underlying stocks. Past research generally finds a significant reduction in stock return variance following the listing of options through 1986. Using a more extensive sample, I compare changes in the return variance of optioned stocks to changes in the return variance of a control group. Since the average change in the control group is statistically indistinguishable from the average change in the optioned stocks, I conclude that option introductions do not significantly affect stock return variance.
Least squares parameter estimation methods for material decomposition with energy discriminating detectors

Purpose: Energy resolving detectors provide more than one spectral measurement in one image acquisition. The purpose of this study is to investigate, with simulation, the ability to decompose four materials using energy discriminating detectors and least squares minimization techniques. Methods: Three least squares parameter estimation decomposition techniques were investigated for four-material breast imaging tasks in the image domain. The first technique treats the voxel as if it consisted of fractions of all the materials. The second method assumes that a voxel primarily contains one material and divides the decomposition process into segmentation and quantification tasks. The third is similar to the second method but a calibration was used. The simulated computed tomography (CT) system consisted of an 80 kVp spectrum and a CdZnTe (CZT) detector that could resolve the x-ray spectrum into five energy bins. A postmortem breast specimen was imaged with flat panel CT to provide a model for the digital phantoms. Hydroxyapatite (HA) (50, 150, 250, 350, 450, and 550 mg/ml) and iodine (4, 12, 20, 28, 36, and 44 mg/ml) contrast elements were embedded into the glandular region of the phantoms. Calibration phantoms consisted of a 30/70 glandular-to-adipose tissue ratio with embedded HA (100, 200, 300, 400,more » and 500 mg/ml) and iodine (5, 15, 25, 35, and 45 mg/ml). The x-ray transport process was simulated where the Beer-Lambert law, Poisson process, and CZT absorption efficiency were applied. Qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the decomposition techniques were performed and compared. The effect of breast size was also investigated. Results: The first technique decomposed iodine adequately but failed for other materials. The second method separated the materials but was unable to quantify the materials. With the addition of a calibration, the third technique provided good separation and quantification of hydroxyapatite, iodine, glandular, and adipose tissues. Quantification with this technique was accurate with errors of 9.83% and 6.61% for HA and iodine, respectively. Calibration at one point (one breast size) showed increased errors as the mismatch in breast diameters between calibration and measurement increased. A four-point calibration successfully decomposed breast diameter spanning the entire range from 8 to 20 cm. For a 14 cm breast, errors were reduced from 5.44% to 1.75% and from 6.17% to 3.27% with the multipoint calibration for HA and iodine, respectively. Conclusions: The results of the simulation study showed that a CT system based on CZT detectors in conjunction with least squares minimization technique can be used to decompose four materials. The calibrated least squares parameter estimation decomposition technique performed the best, separating and accurately quantifying the concentrations of hydroxyapatite and iodine.« less
An Automated Passive Analog Circuit Synthesis Framework using Genetic Algorithms

In this work, we present a genetic algorithm based automated circuit synthesis framework for passive analog circuits. A procedure is developed for the simultaneous generation of both the topology and the component values for analog circuits comprising of R, L and C elements, from a given set of specifications. The novelty of the work pertains to two distinct advantages when compared to previous evolutionary search techniques having similar objectives. First of all, the selection procedure chooses prospective parent circuits for mating on the basis of comparable fitness values. Secondly, the crossover process comprises of exchanging well-defined subcircuits, encompassing the whole design space, between the two chosen parent circuits. This minimizes the production of faulty offspring circuits. Experiments conducted on two filter specifications show that the techniques adopted bring about a reduction in the search space and help in faster attainment of the design goal.
Cytokine and Chemokine Transcription Profile during Mycoplasma pulmonis Infection in Susceptible and Resistant Strains of Mice: Macrophage Inflammatory Protein 1β (CCL4) and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 2 (CCL8) and Accumulation of CCR5+ Th Cells

The progression of murine mycoplasma pneumonia is dependent on T cells and other immune cells. The role of cytokines in immunity are complex, and identifying the network of cytokines produced after infection of mice is essential in dissecting the key cytokine cascades involved mycoplasma disease pathogenesis. In the present study, mRNA expression of 143 different cytokines, chemokines, or receptors were evaluated in lung tissues from both susceptible (BALB/c and C3H/HeN) and resistant (C57BL/6) mice after Mycoplasma pulmonis infection. To accomplish this, membrane-based cDNA microarrays were used to monitor changes mRNA expression in lungs. There was a clear association with disease susceptibility and development of cytokine mRNA expression. In addition to proinflammatory cytokines, mRNA expression of an anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-10, increased with disease severity, suggesting an attempt to moderate the severity of the inflammatory response. Furthermore, it is clear that an array of chemokines produced in susceptible mice could contribute to the recruitment and maintenance of inflammatory cells at the site of disease. In support of this, there was an increase in macrophage inflammatory protein 1beta (MIP-1beta; CCL4) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 2 (MCP-2; CCL8) mRNA levels from mycoplasma-infected mice and a corresponding accumulation of CD4+ Th cells expressing the MIP-1beta/MCP-2 receptor, CCR5, in the lungs of mice. Furthermore, MIP-1beta- and MCP-2-producing cells and CD4+ T cells were found to be in close association in pulmonary lesions. Thus, there was a significant cytokine response associated with disease pathogenesis, and these studies provide important leads and insights into ongoing cytokine- and chemokine-mediated processes in this persistent inflammatory disease.
SINR-Max cooperative beamforming for multiuser MIMO-OFDM systems

In our previous works, we proposed an uplink transmit beamforming design algorithm for multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems in frequency non-selective channels, under the assumption that cooperation exists among multiple users so that the full multiuser channel state information (FMCSI), i.e. the collection of the channel state information between each of the users and the base station, is available at each of the multiple users. The proposed algorithm, aiming to maximize the signal to multiuser interference plus noise ratio (SINR), is referred to as SINR-Max cooperative beamforming. In this paper, we extend the application of SINR-Max cooperative beamforming to frequency selective block invariant channels by combining orthogonal frequency division multiplexing technique into MIMO systems (MIMO- OFDM). We designed two alternative transmitter structures with pre-IDFT beamforming in the frequency domain and post-IDFT beamforming in the time domain respectively, and the receiver structure common to both types of transmitters. For post-IDFT transmitter, we investigated different implementation options. Performance of the designed systems with different schemes is evaluated and compared through simulations.
Design, analysis, and test of low-power and reliable flexible electronics

Flexible electronics are emerging as an alternative to conventional Si electronics for large-area low-cost applications such as e-paper, smart sensors, and disposable RFID tags. By utilizing inexpensive manufacturing methods such as ink-jet printing and roll-to-roll imprinting, flexible electronics can be made on low-cost plastics just like printing newspapers. However, the key elements of flexible electronics, thin-film transistors (TFTs), have a much slower operating speed and are less reliable than their Si electronics counterparts. Furthermore, depending on the material properties, TFTs are usually mono-type (either p- or n-type) devices - making air-stable complementary TFT circuits is very challenging and not feasible for most TFT technologies. Existing design and test technologies for Si electronics, therefore, cannot be applied to flexible electronics. Other limiting factors such as high supply voltage, large process variation, and lack of trustworthy device modeling also make designing larger-scale, robust TFT circuits a significant challenge.
Variation in the use of discourse markers by Chinese teaching assistants in the US

Abstract The use of discourse markers (DMs) is common in everyday native speech. If an L2 speaker wants to sound more like a native speaker, one way is to adopt the “conventional expressions” (e.g. DMs) used by native speakers in the local community. Recently a number of studies have examined DM use by native speakers of a variety of languages; however, relatively few studies have explored the use of DMs by L2 speakers and even fewer have examined L2 speakers in the study-abroad context. This study investigates the use of English DMs by six male and female Chinese L1 graduate students in a study-abroad context. The DMs examined are yeah, oh, you know, like, well, I mean, ok, right, and actually, for a total of 1422 tokens. Combining insights from variationist sociolinguistics and SLA, this study uses quantitative methods to investigate the use of DMs in two settings, TA-led discussions and sociolinguistic interviews, and examines the variable production of L2 speakers. In addition, this study also employs qualitative analysis to examine the relationship between L2 speakers’ multifaceted social identities, language attitude, and participation in the local community with their individual repertoires and frequency of DM use.
Transposable Elements in Antirrhinum Majus

SUMMARY The transposable element, Tam 3, gives rise to large-scale chromosomal rearrangements at a low frequency, when it is inserted at the nivea locus of Antirrhinum majus. Some deletions that result from imprecise excision of Tam 3 provide an allelic series for functional analysis of the nivea gene promoter. Rearrangements involving deletion, dispersion and inverted duplication of flanking sequences, where Tam 3 remains in situ, have also been identified. These rearrangements have been mapped at the molecular level, and the behaviour of Tam 3 following rearrangement has been observed. It is clear that Tam 3 has enormous potential to restructure chromosomes through successive rounds of large-scale rearrangements.
Overcoming natural replication barriers: differential helicase requirements

DNA sequences that form secondary structures or bind protein complexes are known barriers to replication and potential inducers of genome instability. In order to determine which helicases facilitate DNA replication across these barriers, we analyzed fork progression through them in wild-type and mutant yeast cells, using 2-dimensional gel-electrophoretic analysis of the replication intermediates. We show that the Srs2 protein facilitates replication of hairpin-forming CGG/CCG repeats and prevents chromosome fragility at the repeat, whereas it does not affect replication of G-quadruplex forming sequences or a protein-bound repeat. Srs2 helicase activity is required for hairpin unwinding and fork progression. Also, the PCNA binding domain of Srs2 is required for its in vivo role of replication through hairpins. In contrast, the absence of Sgs1 or Pif1 helicases did not inhibit replication through structural barriers, though Pif1 did facilitate replication of a telomeric protein barrier. Interestingly, replication through a protein barrier but not a DNA structure barrier was modulated by nucleotide pool levels, illuminating a different mechanism by which cells can regulate fork progression through protein-mediated stall sites. Our analyses reveal fundamental differences in the replication of DNA structural versus protein barriers, with Srs2 helicase activity exclusively required for fork progression through hairpin structures.
Radical Prostatectomy Trends in the United States: 1998 to 2011

Abstract Objective To determine the incidence and distribution of radical prostatectomy (RP) in the United States over time. Patients and Methods We conducted a serial cross-sectional analysis of time trends using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample of adult men older than 45 years who underwent RP between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2011. Results Weighted estimates revealed that 962,917 men underwent RP during the study period. The annual rate of RP remained relatively stable, from 1425 RPs per million in the period 1998 to 1999 to 1330 RPs per million in the period 2010 to 2011 (7% decrease; P =.90). The annual rate of open RP decreased from 1424 per million to 435 per million ( P P P P P P P Conclusion Per capita utilization of RP in the United States has remained stable from 1998 to 2011. Rapid expansion of the use of minimally invasive RP has reduced open RP utilization rates and median annual hospital caseload.
A New Fundamental Equation for Thermodynamic Property Correlations

A new fundamental equation for correlation of thermodynamic property data for fluids is presented. The fundamental equation (equation of state) is explicit in Helmholtz energy and is readily adapted to system analysis applications. All thermodynamic properties are derived by differentiation of the fundamental equation. A comprehensive function containing up to 100 terms provides the basis for the correlation. The fundamental equation for a specific fluid is a subset of this comprehensive function. The individual terms of the comprehensive function may be easily changed by varying exponents of the functions of the independent variables. Functions for the calculation of derivative properties are given, and the incorporation of calorimetric information via ideal gas heat capacity equations is discussed. Applications to fluids of cryogenic interest include oxygen, nitrogen, argon, ethylene and neon. Coefficients for calculation of thermodynamic properties of these fluids taken from formulations published elsewhere are given.
Impacts of Interactive Stratospheric Chemistry on Antarctic and Southern Ocean Climate Change in the Goddard Earth Observing System, Version 5 (GEOS-5)

Stratospheric ozone depletion plays a major role in driving climate change in the Southern Hemisphere. To date, many climate models prescribe the stratospheric ozone layer's evolution using monthly and zonally averaged ozone fields. However, the prescribed ozone underestimates Antarctic ozone depletion and lacks zonal asymmetries. In this study we investigate the impact of using interactive stratospheric chemistry instead of prescribed ozone on climate change simulations of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean. Two sets of 1960-2010 ensemble transient simulations are conducted with the coupled ocean version of the Goddard Earth Observing System Model, version 5: one with interactive stratospheric chemistry and the other with prescribed ozone derived from the same interactive simulations. The model's climatology is evaluated using observations and reanalysis. Comparison of the 1979-2010 climate trends between these two simulations reveals that interactive chemistry has important effects on climate change not only in the Antarctic stratosphere, troposphere, and surface, but also in the Southern Ocean and Antarctic sea ice. Interactive chemistry causes stronger Antarctic lower stratosphere cooling and circumpolar westerly acceleration during November-December-January. It enhances stratosphere-troposphere coupling and leads to significantly larger tropospheric and surface westerly changes. The significantly stronger surface wind stress trends cause larger increases of the Southern Ocean Meridional Overturning Circulation, leading to year-round stronger ocean warming near the surface and enhanced Antarctic sea ice decrease.
Interpretation of IR and Raman Line Shapes for H2O and D2O Ice Ih

Noticeable differences between the vibrational (IR and Raman) spectra of neat H2O and D2O ice Ih are observed experimentally. Here, we employ our theoretical mixed quantum/classical approach to investigate these differences. We find reasonable agreement between calculated and experimental line shapes at both high and low temperatures. From understanding the structure of ice Ih and its vibrational exciton Hamiltonian, we provide assignments of the IR and Raman spectral features for both H2O and D2O ice Ih. We find that in H2O ice these features are due to strong and weak intermolecular coupling, not to intramolecular coupling. The differences between H2O and D2O ice spectra are attributed to the significantly stronger intramolecular coupling in D2O ice. Our conclusion for both H2O and D2O ice is that the molecular symmetric and antisymmetric normal modes do not form a useful basis for understanding OH or OD stretch spectroscopy.
PREDATION ON NORTHERN CARDINAL NESTS: DOES CHOICE OF NEST SITE MATTER?'

The fates of 12 1 nests of Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) in south- western Ohio were determined in 199 1 and 1992. Success rate was only 1 So/o, estimated by the Mayfield method. All failed nests were known or suspected to have heen preyed upon. Several hypotheses to explain differences between the location of successful and failed nests were tested. None of those considered explained why the contents of particular nests were taken. We propose that a high incidence of predation by a rich guild of nest predators precludes the existence of predictably safe nest sites for cardinals. Instead, cardinals appear simply to be well-adapted to renest rapidly in response to the near randomness of nest predation. A similar adaptation may characterize many passerines.
PROTOPLAST FUSION BETWEEN MUTANT STRAINS OF MICROSPORUM GYPSEUM

Protoplast fusion and nutritional complementation between auxotrophic mutants of Microsporum gypseum has been achieved. The highest recombinant frequency (1%) was obtained between fused protoplasts of phenylalanine and glutamic acid auxotrophs using a solution that contained 35% polyethylene glycol, 1 M KC1, 0.05 M CaCl2 and 0.05 M glycine with pH 6.1. Among different minimal media tested, minimal medium 2, which had a high sulphur content, supported the best growth of the fusion products. The hybrid colonies were slow growing, irregular in shape, with diminished sporulation and a wide range of pigmentation. Most of the hybrid colonies on complete medium segregated readily into two types of parental auxotrophs by producing distinctive sectors. These segregations suggested that the colonies were heterokaryons. This study was undertaken to elucidate the mechanisms of protoplast fusion and to understand complementation of nutritionally deficient mutants of dermatophytes.
Use of Four-Factor Prothrombin Concentrate Complex in LVAD Recipients Undergoing Transplantation: Impact on Blood Loss, Blood Use, Blood Bank Costs and Clinical Outcomes

s S113 S. Rao , C. Hayward, P. MacDonald, A. Jabbour, E. Kotlyar, A. Keogh. Heart and Lung Transplantation Unit, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Purpose: Since the broadening of age eligibility criteria for orthotropic heart transplantation (OHT) in 2006, there has been an increase in the number of transplants being performed in recipients 60 years and older. Outcomes for older patients have not been reassessed since this guideline change has occurred. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the UNOS dataset to identify first time OHT recipients from 2006 onwards (n= 18,130). All cause mortality was assessed and modelled using Kaplan-Meier method, and comparison was made between those aged more 60 years vs 18-59 years. Further analysis within the older age group was performed between the 60 to 64 years, 65 to 70 years and ≥ 70 years. Results: Of the 18,130 patients identified, 35% were aged 60 years or more (n= 6,454). Within the older group, 53% were aged 60-64 (n= 3,420), 39% were aged 65-69 (n= 2,505) and 8% were aged 70 or older (n= 529). Survival at 30 days, 1 year and 5 years was 96%, 90% and 79% for the younger group and 96%, 88% and 77% for the older group (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in survival within the older group (see table, p = 0.18). Conclusion: Recipient age has minimal impact on 5-year survival after heart transplantation in the current era. Broadening the transplant eligibility criteria for OHT has led to an increase in the number of OHT performed in older recipients; however appropriate selection of older patients has led significant improvement in survival in this group such that it now is similar to outcomes for younger patients prior to 2006.
Analysis of mRNA Translation States in Arabidopsis Over the Diurnal Cycle by Polysome Microarray

Gene regulation at the level of translation occurs in response to environmental perturbation and is increasingly recognized as a factor affecting plant development. Despite extensive knowledge of transcriptional control, very little is known about translational regulation of genes in response to the daily light/dark cycles. Here we describe the experimental layout designed to address how the translation states of genes change at various times during a diurnal cycle in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. We have adopted a strategy combining sucrose-gradient profiling of ribosomes and high-throughput microarray analysis of the ribosome-associated mRNA to investigate the translational landscape of the Arabidopsis genome. This is a powerful technique that can be easily extended to study translation regulation in different genetic backgrounds and under various environmental conditions.
Endocrine evaluation of hypospadias.

Hypospadias is a congenital defect of the penis resulting in an incomplete development of the anterior urethra (Duckett, 1998). The abnormal urethral opening may be any place along the shaft of the penis or open onto the scrotum or perineum. By the end of the first month of gestation, the hindgut reaches the surface of the embryo at the cloacal membrane on the ventral surface. The cloacal membrane is then divided by the urorectal septum into the anal and urogenital membrane. The genital tubercle and genital swellings appear around the urogenital membrane. A surge of luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland leads to an increase of testosterone. Testosterone biosynthesis occurs at about 9 weeks gestation and hCG-LH receptors are present on fetal Leydig cells by at least 12 weeks of gestation. Androgens are critical for the induction, growth and differentiation of the genital tubercle into the male phenotype via the androgen receptor (AR), a nuclear transcription factor. Dihydrotestosterone, a metabolite of testosterone, mediates the action of androgens on the external genitalia and is known to bind to the AR with a higher affinity than testosterone. Masculinization of the external genitalia, namely elongation of the phallus, formation of the penile urethra from the urethral groove and development of the prepuce, depends on adequate testosterone synthesis, adequacy of the enzymatic pathway mediating the cascade and responsive end organs. During the third fetal month, the wolffian ducts complete their development and involution of the mullerian system occurs under the influence of mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS or AMH). A deficiency in the formation or delay in the maturation of the enzymes in the testosterone steroid cascade during these critical embryogenesis periods may be responsible for incomplete development.
Enabling Graduate School Decision-Making Through User-Centered Redesign of Program Website:

When faced with difficult budget restrictions, many university departments attempt to increase enrollment to offset costs. To appeal to high quality students who may be interested in a program, it is critical for a university department to provide information online in an easily accessible, aesthetically pleasing format that matches potential students’ goals and information needs. Our research team was tasked with helping [redacted] university’s Computer Graphics Technology (CGT) Master of Science (MS) program to improve their existing website. Through user-centered design and goal-directed design methodologies, we were able to evaluate the existing website for design flaws, gather user research to inform our conceptual redesign, and evaluate our redesign for usability and compatibility with users’ mental models. This paper outlines our process and concludes with design implications that other university departments can use to improve their own websites.
Crystalline Organic Pigment Based Field Effect Transistors

Three conjugated pigment molecules with fused hydrogen bonds, 3,7-diphenylpyrrolo[2,3-f]indole-2,6(1H,5H)-dione (BDP), (E)-6,6′-dibromo-[3,3′-biindolinylidene]-2,2′-dione (IIDG), and 3,6-di(thiophen-2-yl)-2,5-dihydropyrrolo-[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4-dione (TDPP), were studied in this work. The insoluble pigment molecules were functionalized with tert-butoxylcarbonyl (t-Boc) groups to form soluble pigment precursors (BDP-Boc, IIDG-Boc, and TDPP-Boc) with latent hydrogen bonding. The single crystals of soluble pigment precursors were obtained. Upon simple thermal annealing, the t-Boc groups were removed and the soluble pigment precursor molecules with latent hydrogen bonding were converted into the original pigment molecules with fused hydrogen bonding. Structural analysis indicated that the highly crystalline soluble precursors were directly converted into highly crystalline insoluble pigments, which are usually only achievable by gas-phase routes like physical vapor transport. The distinct crystal structure afte...
The effects of chronic and acute physical activity on working memory performance in healthy participants: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Understanding how physical activity (PA) influences cognitive function in populations with cognitive impairments, such as dementia, is an increasingly studied topic yielding numerous published systematic reviews. In contrast, however, there appears to be less interest in examining associations between PA and cognition in cognitively healthy individuals. Therefore, the objective of this review was to evaluate and synthesize randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies that investigated the effects of both chronic and acute PA on working memory performance (WMP) in physically and cognitively healthy individuals. Following the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review of studies published between August 2009 and December 2016 was performed on RCTs investigating the effects of chronic and acute PA on WMP with healthy participants as the sample populations. Searches were conducted in Annual Reviews, ProQuest, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science. Main inclusion criteria stipulated (1) healthy sample populations, (2) PA interventions, (3) WMP as an outcome, and (4) RCT designs. Descriptive statistics included cohort and intervention characteristics and a risk of bias assessment. Analytical statistics included meta-analyses and moderation analyses. From 7345 non-duplicates, 15 studies (eight chronic PA and seven acute PA studies) met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated. Overall, there was noticeable variance between both cohort and intervention characteristics. Sample populations ranged from primary school children to retirement community members with PA ranging from cycling to yoga. The majority of studies were characterized by “low” or “unclear” risk of selection, performance, detection, attrition, reporting, or other biases. Meta-analysis of chronic PA revealed a significant, small effect size while analysis of acute PA revealed a non-significant, trivial result. Age and intensity were significant moderators while allocation concealment, blinding, and intervention length were not. Chronic PA can significantly improve WMP while acute PA cannot. The limiting factors for acute PA studies point to the diversity of working memory instruments utilized, unequal sample sizes between studies, and the sample age groups. Large-scale, high-quality RCTs are needed in order to provide generalizable and more powerful analysis between PA and WMP in a systematic approach.
Ombré Alpaca Nuno Felting

Felted wool techniques implementing sheep fibers have been used to create interesting and luxurious fashion collections; yet, felted fabric with alpaca fibers have not recently been explored to create apparel. Since alpaca does not carry lanolin, a common allergy found in sheep's wool, it could be an excellent substitute for creating felted textiles. Thus, the objective of this sweater design was to explore alpaca fiber's ability to create a functional, aesthetic, and organic felted garment. The overall design was inspired by the stark contrast of the pollutant side of the textile industry verse the emergence and interest of sustainable and ethical textiles. The results concluded that alpaca roving is a workable fiber effective with needle felting, machine-wash felting, and nuno felting techniques. This indicates potential for alpaca roving to be used as a successful fiber for textile felting.
Biochemistry Of The Neurotoxic Action Of MPTP And What It May Teach Us About The Etiology Of Idiopathic Parkinsonism

The past four years have been an exciting period in the history of parkinsonian research. Thanks to the efforts of an extraordinary number of investigators who have entered the field and a close interaction among neurologists, pharmacologists, biochemists, cell biologists, and chemists, we have progressed in a short time span from the first report that MPTP causes neurological symptoms close to those seen in Parkinsonism patients to an understanding of the main events leading to nigrostriatal cell death initiated by MPTP. One purpose of this paper is to summarize the biochemical events involved in this process, emphasizing recent, largely unpublished data and pointing out unresolved questions. Our second aim is to give an overview of what is being done to provide evidence for the hypothesis, which is gaining increasing acceptance, that idiopathic Parkinsonism is caused by slow-acting environmental neurotoxins. We will point out the battery of relatively simple in vitro tests for screening such potential neurotoxins and how they may eventually facilitate elimination of the disease. The original studies to be summarized represent, in part, collaboration with our colleagues, A. Trevor and N. Castagnoli at our University and in part, collaboration with Dr. R. Heikkila’s laboratory.
Inguinal hernia repair: is there a benefit to using the robot?

The number of robotic surgical procedures performed yearly is constantly rising, due to improved dexterity and visualization capabilities compared with conventional methods. We hypothesized that outcomes after robotic-assisted inguinal hernia repair would not be significantly different from outcomes after laparoscopic or open repair. All patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair between 2012 and 2016 were identified using institutional American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data. Demographics; preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative characteristics; and outcomes were evaluated based on method of repair (Robot, Lap, or Open). Categorical variables were analyzed by Chi-square test and continuous variables using Mann–Whitney U. A total of 510 patients were identified who underwent unilateral inguinal hernia repair (Robot: 13.8% [n = 69], Lap: 48.1% [n = 241], Open: 38.1% [n = 191]). There were no demographic differences between groups other than age (Robot: 52 [39–62], Lap: 57 [45–67], and Open: 56 [48–67] years, p = 0.03). Operative duration was also different (Robot: 105 [76–146] vs. Lap: 81 [61–103] vs. Open: 71 [56–88] min, p < 0.001). There were no operative mortalities and all patients except one were discharged home the same day. Postoperative occurrences (adverse events, readmissions, and death) were similar between groups (Robot: 2.9% [2], Lap: 3.3% [8], Open: 5.2% [10], p = 0.53). Although rare, there was a significant difference in rate of postoperative skin and soft tissue infection (Robot: 2.9% [2] vs. Lap: 0% [0] vs. Open: 0.5% [1], p = 0.02). Cost was significantly different between groups (Robot: $7162 [$5942–8375] vs. Lap: $4527 [$2310–6003] vs. Open: $4264 [$3277–5143], p < 0.001). Outcomes after robotic-assisted inguinal hernia repair were similar to outcomes after laparoscopic or open repair. Longer operative duration during robotic repair may contribute to higher rates of skin and soft tissue infection. Higher cost should be considered, along with surgeon comfort level and patient preference when deciding whether inguinal hernia repair is approached robotically.
Inhibition of amyloid beta fibril formation by monomeric human transthyretin

Transthyretin (TTR) is a homotetrameric protein that is found in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. Dissociation of TTR tetramers sets off a downhill cascade of amyloid formation through polymerization of monomeric TTR. Interestingly, TTR has an additional, biologically relevant activity, which pertains to its ability to slow the progression of amyloid beta (Aβ) associated pathology in transgenic mice. In vitro, both TTR and a kinetically stable variant of monomeric TTR (M-TTR) inhibit the fibril formation of Aβ1-40/42 molecules. Published evidence suggests that tetrameric TTR binds preferentially to Aβ monomers, thus destabilizing fibril formation by depleting the pool of Aβ monomers from aggregating mixtures. Here, we investigate the effects of M-TTR on the in vitro aggregation of Aβ1-42 . Our data confirm previous observations that fibril formation of Aβ is suppressed in the presence of sub-stoichiometric amounts of M-TTR. Despite this, we find that sub-stoichiometric levels of M-TTR are not bona fide inhibitors of aggregation. Instead, they co-aggregate with Aβ to promote the formation of large, micron-scale insoluble, non-fibrillar amorphous deposits. Based on fluorescence correlation spectroscopy measurements, we find that M-TTR does not interact with monomeric Aβ. Two-color coincidence analysis of the fluorescence bursts of Aβ and M-TTR labeled with different fluorophores shows that M-TTR co-assembles with soluble Aβ aggregates and this appears to drive the co-aggregation into amorphous precipitates. Our results suggest that mimicking the co-aggregation activity with protein-based therapeutics might be a worthwhile strategy for rerouting amyloid beta peptides into inert, insoluble, and amorphous deposits.
Identification of a queen and king recognition pheromone in the subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes.

Chemical communication is fundamental to success in social insect colonies. Species-, colony-, and caste-specific blends of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) and other chemicals have been well documented as pheromones, mediating important behavioral and physiological aspects of social insects. More specifically, royal pheromones used by queens (and kings in termites) enable workers to recognize and care for these vital individuals and maintain the reproductive division of labor. In termites, however, no royal-recognition pheromones have been identified to date. In the current study, solvent extracts of the subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes were analyzed to assess differences in cuticular compounds among castes. We identified a royal-specific hydrocarbon—heneicosane—and several previously unreported and highly royal enriched long-chain alkanes. When applied to glass dummies, heneicosane elicited worker behavioral responses identical to those elicited by live termite queens, including increased vibratory shaking and antennation. Further, the behavioral effects of heneicosane were amplified when presented with nestmate termite workers’ cuticular extracts, underscoring the importance of chemical context in termite royal recognition. Thus, heneicosane is a royal-recognition pheromone that is active in both queens and kings of R. flavipes. The use of heneicosane as a queen and king recognition pheromone by termites suggests that CHCs evolved as royal pheromones ∼150 million years ago, ∼50 million years before their first use as queen-recognition pheromones in social Hymenoptera. We therefore infer that termites and social Hymenoptera convergently evolved the use of these ubiquitous compounds in royal recognition.
Problems and complications of burn shock resuscitation

The problems and complications of the fluid resuscitation phase of the treatment of major thermal burns are many and varied. Emphasis has been placed on the most important organ system responses commonly observed in the first week after injury. The efficacy of treatment and the lack of available treatment are outlined. The mechanical complications occurring from poorly selected and monitored fluid administration sites, complications of monitoring, problems of constrictive edema (usually in the extremities), airway problems, respiratory care, and innumerable other technical aspects were purposely omitted. While these problems and complications are extremely important and occur commonly in our experience, they are in the realm of technical performance of good emergency and intensive care medicine and their optimal management does not affect the problems and complications of the residual organ systems.
Egocentric social networks and smoking among adults with serious mental illness

Evidence-based smoking cessation treatment is safe and effective for smokers with serious mental illness (SMI); however, quit rates remain low in this population. We explored how social networks influence smoking outcomes among people with SMI who participated in smoking cessation treatment at community mental health centers. We conducted egocentric social network interviews with 41 individuals with SMI who participated in a statewide Medicaid demonstration project of smoking cessation treatment. We estimated the proportions of current smokers, former smokers, and never smokers in participants' (i.e., egos') networks and examined support for quitting from alters, defined as family, friends, peers, or significant others. We used logistic regression and mixed-effect logistic regression to explore the relationship between social network variables and ego's smoking status following cessation treatment. Egos reported an average of 5.9 ± 2.2 alters; 52% of alters were current smokers; 18% were former smokers; and 30% never smoked. The majority (57%) of alters helped an ego quit smoking. The presence of former smokers in the network was associated with decreased odds that the ego was smoking post-treatment. Egos whose friends were highly interconnected were less likely to smoke after treatment. Former smokers in the network may be a valuable resource for quitting particularly for vulnerable groups where there is a high prevalence and acceptability of smoking. Our initial findings suggest that a highly interconnected friendship network structure may be beneficial for people with SMI who are trying to quit smoking.
Radiotherapy for extranodal classic Hodgkin lymphoma of the maxillary sinus: Case report and literature review

Background Classic Hodgkin lymphoma is a malignant neoplasm of the lymphatic system that commonly presents with cervical and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Primary extranodal disease of the head and neck is rare, with only a few cases reported in the literature. In this case report, we describe the presentation, treatment, and clinical outcome of a patient who presented with extranodal Hodgkin lymphoma of the maxillary sinus. Methods We report a case of extranodal classic Hodgkin lymphoma of the maxillary sinus treated with 2 cycles of chemotherapy and consolidative radiotherapy (RT). We also reviewed the literature. Results The patient tolerated treatment without complications and has experienced no evidence of recurrence 2 years after treatment. Conclusion This is one of the few reports of extranodal Hodgkin lymphoma of the maxillary sinus. To our knowledge, this report represents the longest follow-up of any patient with this presentation.
Modified Sequence Method to Assess Baroreflex Sensitivity in Rats

Baroreceptors respond to fluctuations in blood pressure (BP) by modifying physiology in order to maintain a homeostatic set point. Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is used to quantify baroreceptor function and is a useful metric for tracking cardiovascular disease state and treatment effects. Pathological conditions such as hypertension (HTN) alter baroreflex function and reduce BRS. Traditionally, the sequence method is used to measure BRS, in which the linear slope of concomitant changes in BP and RR intervals are assessed. However, in rats, a high respiratory rate reduces the reliability of the sequence method. Here, we present a modified sequence method that captures BRS at lower frequencies and decreases the variability of the BRS estimate. This method was demonstrated using ECG and BP data from two groups of HTN rats: Sham rats and rats treated with vagus nerve stimulation. The modified sequence method resulted in lower BRS estimates than the traditional sequence technique when applied to the same data sets. Additionally, the modified sequence method resulted in lower BRS estimate variability.
Exploring intergenerational study abroad to promote Age-Friendly Universities (AFU).

Intergenerational study abroad programs can provide opportunities for academic institutions to become more age-friendly. With a robust market of both older adult educational tourists and university...
From the point of a gun to the point of starvation: economic conscription in post-conflict policing

ABSTRACTA central aspect of post-conflict policing literature holds that the new force must differentiate itself from its predecessor. In the efforts to democratize Iraqi police, trainers and recru...
The Inferior Nuchal Line as a Simple Landmark for Identifying the Vertebral Artery During the Retrosigmoid Approach

Background The V3 segment of the vertebral artery (V3-VA) is at risk during various approaches to the craniovertebral junction. Several landmarks have been defined to identify V3-VA, but these landmarks are not routinely exposed during a retrosigmoid (RS) approach, where musculocutaneous dissection inferiorly towards the foramen magnum can threaten this arterial segment. Objective To find a landmark that will identify the V3-VA during the RS approach, and analyze the inferior nuchal line (INL) as this novel landmark. Methods The anatomic relationships between the INL and the V3-VA were assessed in 7 cadaveric heads through RS exposure in the lateral position. Results The INL is an L-shaped bony ridge with horizontal (medial) and vertical (lateral) arms, with the vertical arm being more conspicuous in all specimens (INLV). The mean depths of the V3-VA relative to the medial and lateral ends of the INLV were (mean ± standard deviation) 24.9 ± 7.1 mm, and 8.3 ± 3.2 mm, respectively. In all specimens, the V3-VA was located inferior and anterior to the INLV. Conclusion The INL provides an important landmark during RS approach that can protect the V3-VA from inadvertent injury or identify it for use in an interpositional bypass. The INLV identifies the region of the suboccipital triangle where the V3-VA is embedded. INLV is routinely seen during the RS approach, making it more relevant than other classic landmarks such as the transverse process of C1, C1 posterior arch, and the atlantomastoid line that are not exposed during the RS approach.
"A" for Effort: Rewarding Effortful Retrieval Attempts Improves Learning From General Knowledge Errors in Women.

Previous research has shown that the prospect of attaining a reward can promote task-engagement, up-regulate attention towards reward-relevant information, and facilitate enhanced encoding of new information into declarative memory. However, past research on reward-based enhancement of declarative memory has focused primarily on paradigms in which rewards are contingent upon accurate responses. Yet, findings from test-enhanced learning show that making errors can also be useful for learning if those errors represent effortful retrieval attempts and are followed by corrective feedback. Here, we used a challenging general knowledge task to examine the effects of explicitly rewarding retrieval effort, defined as a semantically-plausible answer to a question (referenced to a semantic knowledge database: www.mangelslab.org/bknorms), regardless of response accuracy. In particular, we asked whether intermittent rewards following effortful incorrect responses facilitated learning from corrective feedback as measured by incidental learning outcomes on a 24-48 hour delayed retest. Given that effort-contingent extrinsic rewards represent the intersection between an internal locus of control and competency, we compared participants in this “Effort” group to three other groups in a between-subjects design: a Luck group that framed rewards as related to participant-chosen lottery numbers (reward with internal control, not competence-based), a random Award group that framed rewards as computer generated (no control, not competence-based), and a Control group with no reward, but matched on all other task features. Both men and women in the Effort group showed increased self-reports of concentration and positive feelings following the receipt of rewards, as well as subjective effort on the retest, compared to the Control group. However, only women additionally exhibited performance benefits of effort framing on error correction. These benefits were found for both rewarded and non-rewarded trials, but only for correction of low confidence errors, suggesting that effort-contingent rewards produced task-level changes in motivation to learn less familiar information in women, rather than trial-level influences in encoding or consolidation. The Luck and Award groups did not demonstrate significant motivational or behavioral benefits for either gender. These results suggest that both reward context and gender are important factors contributing to the effectiveness of rewards as tools to enhance learning from errors.
Using prequestions to enhance learning from reading passages: the roles of question type and structure building ability.

Answering questions before learning something (“prequestions”) enhances learning. However, these benefits usually occur for information that was asked in the prequestions (i.e. prequestioned materi...