cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and dielectric properties of nanocrystalline oxide perovskites, [KNbO3]1−x[BaNi0.5Nb0.5O3−δ]x, derived from potassium niobate KNbO3 by gel collection

Inorganic materials synthesis techniques that can approach low temperature routes akin to chemical solution processing are attractive for their ability to prepare nanocrystalline oxides. These methods can offer thin film integration options more compatible with modern device platforms such as spray coated or printed devices (2D, 3D) and flexible electronics. A chemical solution processing method based on sol–gel chemistry was used to obtain a set of perovskite compounds of the formula [KNbO3]1−x[BaNi0.5Nb0.5O3−δ]x, called KBNNO, a class of visible light absorbing ferroelectric photovoltaic materials, with a tunable bandgap as a function of x. The materials produced were fully crystallized with average nanoparticle sizes of 15–20 nm (KNO) and 20 nm (KBNNO). Control over the composition of KBNNO was based on the synthesis of nanocrystalline potassium niobate KNbO3 (KNO) via potassium and niobium ethoxides, with subsequent chemical reaction of complimentary barium and nickel alkoxides and methoxyethoxides. Characterization by Raman, TEM, SEM, XRD, and EDS confirms structure and composition. Following the introduction of Ba and Ni, a transition from the original orthorhombic Amm2 unit cell (x = 0) to a more complex atomic arrangement in cubic Pm3m (x > 0.1) is observed. This synthetic route to KBNNO, previously only synthesized by solid state processing at 1050–1200 °C, provides a lower temperature (<525 °C) approach to doping ferroelectric KNbO3 with Ba and Ni, which inserts Ba2+ onto the A-site, and Ni2+ onto the B-site with the addition of oxygen vacancies for charge compensation. Frequency dependent dielectric measurements, performed on KNO–PFA (poly furfuryl alcohol) and KBNNO–PFA nanocomposites, show stable effective dielectric constants of 41.2, 70.8, 94.0, and 108.3 for KNO, KBNNO x = 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 respectively at 1 MHz. Using full error analysis and the modified interphase model, a Maxwell-Garnett based micromechanics approach, the dielectric constant of the individual nanoparticles of KNO, KBNNO x = 0.1, x = 0.2, and x = 0.3 were calculated to be 154, 180, 225, and 255 respectively. The decrease in observed values relative to bulk films is attributed to a potential particle size suppression of the ferroelectric behavior.
Miller Fisher Syndrome: A Case Report Highlighting Heterogeneity of Clinical Features and Focused Differential Diagnosis.

Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS) is a rare variant of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) that has a geographically variable incidence. It is largely a clinical diagnosis based on the cardinal clinical features of ataxia, areflexia, and opthalmoplegia, however, other neurological signs and symptoms may also be present. Serological confirmation with the anti-GQ1b antibody is available and allows for greater diagnostic certainty in the face of confounding symptoms. A self-limiting course is typical of MFS. The following case report is that of a patient who presented with generalized weakness, somatic pain, inability to walk, and diplopia following an upper respiratory illness. The patient exhibited the classic triad of ataxia, areflexia, and opthalmoplegia characteristic of MFS, but also had less typical signs and symptoms making for a more challenging diagnostic workup. Our suspected diagnosis of MFS was serologically confirmed with positive anti-GQ1b antibody titer and the patient was successfully treated with Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG).
New materials for Plasmonics: Designs and Applications from Flat Optics to Quantum Nanophotonics

We will review the list of alternative plasmonic materials and provide a focused discussion on transition metal nitrides for refractory plasmonics. Nanostructures made of alternative plasmonic materials and their performance will be presented. Article not available.
Photodegradation of Secondary Organic Aerosol Particles as a Source of Small, Oxygenated Volatile Organic Compounds

We investigated the photodegradation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) particles by near-UV radiation and photoproduction of oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) from various types of SOA. We used a smog chamber to generate SOA from α-pinene, guaiacol, isoprene, tetradecane, and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene under high-NOx, low-NOx, or ozone oxidation conditions. The SOA particles were collected on a substrate, and the resulting material was exposed to several mW of near-UV radiation (λ ∼ 300 nm) from a light-emitting diode. Various OVOCs, including acetic acid, formic acid, acetaldehyde, and acetone were observed during photodegradation, and their SOA-mass-normalized fluxes were estimated with a Proton Transfer Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS). All the SOA, with the exception of guaiacol SOA, emitted OVOCs upon irradiation. Based on the measured OVOC emission rates, we estimate that SOA particles would lose at least ∼1% of their mass over a 24 h period during summertime condition...
Development of highly efficacious hydrophobic paclitaxel prodrugs delivered in nanoparticles for fixed-ratio drug combination applications

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 12-16, 2008; San Diego, CA 5734 In vitro evidence has revealed that many drug combinations can act either synergistically or antagonistically, depending on the exposed drug ratio. Since the pharmacokinetic behavior of the individual drugs cannot be controlled when administered in a conventional aqueous based cocktail, drug delivery systems must be utilized to maintain optimal drug ratios. We report here the development of nanoparticle delivery systems for hydrophobic drugs where plasma drug levels can be controlled in a manner that can be readily adapted to deliver drug combinations. Paclitaxel is a hydrophobic chemotherapeutic drug that is typically used in combination with other agents to treat breast, lung and ovarian cancer. Poor drug solubility necessitates its formulation into a mixture of Cremophor and ethanol. Toxicity associated with the use of Cremophor has resulted in formulation efforts using polymer micelles or nanoparticles with hydrophobic cores to serve as a drug reservoir. While paclitaxel can be efficiently solubilized in these delivery systems, the drug is rapidly cleared from circulation following injection. We have generated a series of hydrophobic paclitaxel prodrugs with the objective of enhancing and controlling drug circulation lifetime through changes in the hydrophobic lipid anchor composition. Paclitaxel prodrugs were stably incorporated into amphiphilic block copolymer nanoparticles and administered intravenously into mice. The nanoparticles were shown to have an elimination half-life of approximately 24 h in vivo . The rate at which the prodrug was released from the nanoparticles could be controlled by adjusting the hydrophobicity of the lipid anchor, resulting in release rates ranging from 1h to 24 h. The nanoparticle formulations could be stored stably at 4°C for several months. To evaluate the therapeutic activity of the various paclitaxel prodrugs, nanoparticle formulations were administered intravenously into mice bearing HT29 human colon xenograph tumors. As the plasma half-life and area under the curve of the prodrug increased, activity against HT29 tumors also increased. Paclitaxel prodrug nanoparticles more than doubled the time for HT29 tumors to reach 400 mg relative to commercial paclitaxel in Cremophor, when both treatments were administered at MTD using optimal treatment regimens. The paclitaxel prodrugs could be co-formulated with hydrophobic prodrug analogues of water-soluble agents such as doxorubicin and dual-drug nanoparticles maintained the two agents at the injected drug:drug ratio in the plasma for extended times after injection. Formulating hydrophobic prodrugs in nanoparticles provides a novel approach to co-deliver anticancer drug combinations with widely differing physicochemical properties and maintain optimal drug:drug ratios in vivo .
Soft Surfaces for Fast Characterization and Positioning of Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy Nanoelectrode Tips.

The testing of nanoelectrode tips for scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is a slow and cumbersome task that often results in untimely electrode breakage due to crashing against a substrate. Here, we evaluated approach curves of nano- and microelectrodes to soft surfaces using SECM for a rapid and more convenient characterization and positioning protocol. Soft surfaces consisted of either a submerged argon bubble or a thin polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer. While approach curves to Ar bubbles in the presence of a surfactant were promising for the characterization of microelectrode tips, their performance with nanoelectrodes was deficient. In contrast, approach curves to PDMS films allowed the rapid positioning of nanoelectrodes as small as 30 nm radius at speeds up to 5 μm/s without the risk of breakage. The nanoelectrodes were able to approach the polymer films multiple times without affecting their electrochemical performance. Furthermore, using a half-coated substrate with PDMS, nanoelectrodes c...
Improved connectivity analysis using multiple low-cost paths to evaluate habitat for the endangered San Martin titi monkey (Plecturocebus oenanthe) in north-central Peru

Graph-theoretic evaluations of habitat connectivity often rely upon least-cost path analyses to evaluate connectedness of habitat patches, based on an underlying cost surface. We present two improvements upon these methods. As a case study to test these methods, we evaluated habitat connectivity for the endangered San Martin titi monkey (Plecturocebus oenanthe) in north-central Peru, to prioritize habitat patches for conservation. First, rather than using a single least-cost path between habitat patches, we analyzed multigraphs made up of multiple low-cost paths. This allows us to differentiate between patches connected through a single narrow corridor, and patches connected by a wide swath of traversable land. We evaluate potential movement pathways by iteratively removing paths and recomputing connectivity metrics. Second, instead of performing a sensitivity analysis by varying costs uniformly across the landscape, we generated landscapes with spatially varying costs. This approach produced a more informative assessment of connectivity than standard graph analyses. Of the 4340 habitat patches considered across the landscape, we identified the most important 100, those frequently ranked highly through repeated network modifications, for multiple metrics and cost surfaces. These methods represent a novel approach for assessing connectivity, better accounting for spatial configurations of habitat patches and uncertainty in cost surfaces. The ability to identify habitat patches with more possible routes to other patches is of interest for resiliency planning and prioritization in the face of continued habitat loss and climate change. These methods should be broadly applicable to conservation planning for other wildlife species.
Making Education Game to Choose Healthy Snacks for Children

One of the learning media is games. Games that can be used as a learning tool can be called as education games. Because children like games, games can make positive effect for them. Children can study while playing games. Education game that have theme about snacks for children still rarely be found. Unfortunately, children from elementary school have a habit to buy and eat snacks without paying attention to snacks hygiene and health. With this reason, education about choosing hygiene and healthy snack for children made. The aim for this games is to make children more careful about choosing snacks that they will eat later. In this paper, there will be explained about how to make education game about snacks and with proof if this game can be used as an education tool to educate children about snacks.
Physical and Chemical Kinetics of Al and B Flames

The reaction mechanisms of Al and B particles will be reviewed from the point of view of (a) the nature of the combustion process and the controlling mechanism, (b) the particulates in the products of combustion, and (c) the implications of different experimental techniques adopted in these studies. In determining the overall effectiveness of the energizing of propellants by the addition of metal particles, the heat transfer, drag and relaxation coefficients play a major role. Recent data pertaining to these will be presented with the primary emphasis on the combustion zone.
Melanocytic Nevi of the Palpebral Conjunctiva: An Extremely Rare Location Usually Signifying Melanoma

Abstract Nevi of the conjunctiva generally develop during the first 2 decades of life, and are almost entirely restricted of the epibulbar surface, the plica, the caruncle, and the lid margin. Therefore, any elevated pigmented lesion of the forniceal or tarsal conjunctiva acquired later in life must be regarded with suspicion as a melanoma or melanoma precursor, and a biopsy should be done routinely. This report is, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the first histopathologic documentation of nevi located in the palpebral conjunctiva. One nevus was acquired and the other was probably congenital.
Addicted to Poison

Tobacco grew naturally in the Americas and was used by Native Americans prior to European contact in a way that was very different from today. Mostly they smoked for ceremonial and cultural purposes. But after colonization, tobacco became a cash crop for which a large market developed and, eventually, with the development of industrial cigarette manufacturing, smoking became widespread and much more intensive than the way it was practiced by Native Americans. In the first part of the twentieth century, lung cancer incidence increased, but it took a while to understand that this was driven by smoking. A German researcher in Nazi Germany was the first to show the association, followed by more rigorous evidence after World War II. Robust public health campaigns, in spite of aggressive push back from the industry, eventually reduced smoking in most developed countries by the turn of the century. But, smoking then spread to larger populations in developing countries where it remains a massive health problem.
Importance of Multi-parameter SAT Attack Exploration for Integrated Circuit Security

An analysis of the effects variable ordering, initial constraints, and the phase heuristic have on the number of iterations required to complete the SAT attack is described. The characterization of variable ordering through the generation of 1,000 random netlist gate orderings results in as much as 276% variation in the number of iterations required to execute the SAT attack. Setting the initial conditions of the SAT solver results in up to a 636% increase in the average number of iterations required to complete the SAT attack for an OR tree circuit topology. Modifying the phase heuristic of the SAT solver is also analyzed, indicating that the AND-tree structure does not always provide enhanced security against a SAT-attack. The described analysis demonstrates that security is dependent on a variety of conditions that are not represented in a single execution or implementation of the SAT attack, requiring further evaluation of circuit security against the SAT attack.
An Analysis of the Correlation between Gastro-Intestinal (GI) Symptoms, Macroscopic Appearance, Histology & Acute Gvhd (aGVHD) Treatment Responses in Cord Blood Transplant (CBT) Recipients: Significant Implications for aGVHD Management

Background GI symptoms are common after CBT & GI aGVHD is frequent. The correlation between symptoms, macroscopic appearance (macro), histology, aGVHD severity & therapy response, however, is not established. Methods We analyzed 1st endoscopies done days +21-180 in engrafted adult double unit CBT recipients transplanted 10/2009-12/2017 with Cy 50/ Flu 150/ Thio 5-10/ TBI 400 & CSA/ MMF. All patients (pts) received fungal prophylaxis, early CMV pre-emptive therapy & C. difficile/ viral PCR stool assays (& blood for adenovirus) were routinely performed. Abnormal histology was defined as mild (grade 1-2) vs severe (grade 3-4). Results Of 156 pts, 88 pts (56%) [median 49 years (range 22-66), 65 leukemia, 5 MDS/ MPD, 18 NHL/ HL] were scoped. Their median donor-recipient HLA-allele match was 5/8 (range 3-7) & 36 (38%) pts also received haplo-CD34+ cells. Pts had 44 upper, 2 lower & 42 combined upper/ lower scopes at a median of 52 days (range 22-176) post-CBT. Of 86 pts who had upper scopes (Table 1), 67/86 (78%) were treated for upper GI aGVHD & only 3 had infection (Figure). The majority (51/67,76%) of aGVHD treated pts had normal macro appearance & the majority (49/67, 73%) had aGVHD compatible histology (typically apoptotic epithelial cells, mild in all but 2). Overall, the majority of treated pts (48/67, 72%) had a day 28 CR (37 budesonide, 11 high dose corticosteroids). Of 18 treated pts with normal macro & histology, 11 had CR & 7 PR. Nearly all (40/44, 91%) pts who had lower GI scopes (Table 2) were treated for aGVHD & none had infection (Figure). Most (33/40, 83%) were stage I-II ( Conclusions With pre-emptive CMV therapy, yeast prophylaxis, & stool PCR studies, the majority of CBT pts who required endoscopies had aGVHD & infection was very rare. This was especially true in pts with diarrhea. Normal mucosal appearance was frequent in aGVHD treated pts & nearly all pts with diarrhea & abnormal macro had aGVHD. Most had aGVHD compatible histology (usually mild). Notably, 9/23 treated pts with normal histology only had a PR supporting aGVHD is a clinical diagnosis. Moreover, pts with severe histologic abnormality were at high risk for PR/ refractory disease. This data supports early corticosteroid therapy if aGVHD compatible symptoms & not waiting for biopsy results. This is critical in pts with diarrhea. Correlation of this data with serum biomarkers & microbiota to improve the efficiency of diagnosis & risk stratification are needed.
Hospitalized After Medical Readiness for Discharge: A Multidisciplinary Quality Improvement Initiative to Identify Discharge Barriers in General Medicine Patients:

Reducing the length of hospitalization is a shared priority for patients, clinicians, and other health care stakeholders. However, patients can remain hospitalized after being "medically ready" for discharge, accumulating delayed discharge bed days (DDBDs). As part of a quality improvement initiative, the authors developed a method to measure DDBD and define discrete barriers to discharge identified by inpatient clinicians. Patients with delayed discharge had a higher rate of in-hospital complications compared to those who were discharged routinely. To identify modifiable barriers among patients with delayed discharges, 2 patient subgroups were defined: prolonged hospitalization (>19 DDBDs, top quintile accumulated) and extended hospitalization (≤19 DDBDs). Patients with prolonged hospitalization were more likely than those with extended hospitalization to have financial (P < .001) or behavioral (P < .001) barriers, homelessness (P < .05), and impairment of decision-making capacity (P < .01). Understanding the characteristics and discharge barriers of patients who are hospitalized despite medical readiness may increase appropriateness of inpatient resources.
Development of a novel ex vivo nasal epithelial cell model supporting colonization with human nasal microbiota

The nasal mucosa provides first line defense against inhaled pathogens while creating a unique microenvironment for bacterial communities. Studying the impact of microbiota in the nasal cavity has been difficult due to limitations with current models including explant cultures, primary cells, or neoplastic cell lines. Most notably, none have been shown to support reproducible colonization by bacterial communities from human donors. Therefore, to conduct controlled studies of the human nasal ecosystem, we have developed a novel ex vivo mucosal model that supports bacterial colonization of a cultured host mucosa created by immortalized human nasal epithelial cells (NEC). For this model, immortalized NEC established from 5 male and 5 female donors were cultured with an air-interfaced, apical surface on a porous transwell membrane. NEC were grown from nasal turbinate tissues harvested from willed bodies or from discarded tissue collected during sinonasal procedures. Immortalized cells were evaluated through molecular verification of cell type, histological confirmation of tissue differentiation including formation of tight junctions, NEC multilayer viability, metabolism, physiology and imaging of the luminal surface by scanning electron microscopy. Results showed proper differentiation and multilayer formation at seven to 10 days after air interface that was maintained for up to 3 weeks. The optimized mucosal cultures created an environment necessary to sustain colonization by nasal microbiomes (NMBs) that were collected from healthy volunteers, cryogenically preserved and characterized with customized quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) arrays. Polymicrobial communities of nasal bacteria associated with healthy and inflamed states were consistently reproduced in matured NEC co-cultures by transplant of NMBs from multiple community types. The cultured NMBs were stable after an initial period of bacterial replication and equilibration. This novel ex vivo culture system is the first model that supports controlled cultivation of NMBs, allowing for lab-based causation studies and further experimentation to explore the complexities of host-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions.
A comparison of three different approaches to defining frailty in older patients with multiple myeloma

Abstract Objectives As the aging population grows, interest in applying the concept of frailty to older adults with cancer has increased. This study examines the prevalence of frailty in older patients with multiple myeloma using three frailty models. Methods In this secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study, 40 adults aged ≥65 with myeloma completed the Cancer and Aging Research Group geriatric assessment within three months of initial diagnosis. Geriatric assessment data was used to categorize patients' frailty status according to three indices: The International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Frailty Index, the Revised Myeloma Comorbidity Index (R-MCI), and the Carolina Frailty Index (CFI). Agreement between the indices was examined using Cohen's kappa. Results Twenty-eight patients were classified as frail by at least one of the models. However, only slight agreement exists on the classification of frailty among the indices, with little concordance among the models (Kappa 0.03–0.12). Only three patients were categorized as frail by all three models. Conclusion In a cohort of 40 older adults with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, three frailty indices have differing approaches to operationalizing frailty resulting, in different patients being categorized as frail. Little agreement existed between the models. Further studies are needed to explore the utility of these models in predicting treatment toxicity and prognosis.
Factor Analysis of a Modified Characteristic of Giftedness Scale

“Gifted or talented” is a student exceptionality category that in many states requires a formal eligibility procedure to qualify for specialized school programming (Gallagher et al. 2014). Researchers agree that there is a historical overreliance on IQ in determining service eligibility; however, no brief parent rating scale appears in the empirical literature to support the decision-making of school evaluation teams. Items of the Characteristics of Giftedness Scale (Silverman 1993) were selected and expanded upon to create a brief 20-item instrument. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) revealed that the modified scale was best characterized as having a two-factor structure. Furthermore, group differences were found between students eligible for gifted school programming and those without gifted status at school. Taken together, present findings suggest that this modified scale may be a suitable evaluation tool for school-based use.
What Shall We Do: Pretend or Real? Preschoolers’ Choices and Parents’ Perceptions

ABSTRACTPretend play is common in childhood. Yet by age 4, children shown pretend and real activities in a book said they would choose to do the real activity over the pretend one. The present stud...
Effects of Cholesterol in Stress-Related Neuronal Death—A Statistical Analysis Perspective

The association between plasma cholesterol levels and the development of dementia continues to be an important topic of discussion in the scientific community, while the results in the literature vary significantly. We study the effect of reducing oxidized neuronal cholesterol on the lipid raft structure of plasma membrane. The levels of plasma membrane cholesterol were reduced by treating the intact cells with methyl-s-cyclodextrin (MsCD). The relationship between the cell viability with varying levels of MsCD was then examined. The viability curves are well described by a modified form of the empirical Gompertz law of mortality. A detailed statistical analysis is performed on the fitting results, showing that increasing MsCD concentration has a minor, rather than significant, effect on the cellular viability. In particular, the dependence of viability on MsCD concentration was found to be characterized by a ~25% increase per 1 μM of MsCD concentration.
Remote Plasma Processing

Direct exposure of microelectronic devices and circuits to processing plasmas can degrade the performance of these components by charging damage, ion impact damage and defects introduced by ultraviolet photons. Charging damage is due to the existence of an excess potential across the SiO2, which leads to tunneling of electrons through the oxide which introduces permanent defect states in the SiO2 and degrades its reliability.[l] Ion impact damage can lead to bond breaking and atomic displacement and/or impurity mixing in the surface region of the exposed materials. [2] In addition, it lowers the etch selectivity that can be achieved in the process which may not be acceptable for non-critical applications, e.g. mask stripping. A third type of damage is due to the high flux of energetic photons that irradiates the substrate in a direct plasma process. The photon flux from the plasma produces traps in insulators and interface states at insulator/semiconductor interfaces which degrade the device performance.[3]
Using digital impressions to fabricate space maintainers: A case report

Digital impressions improve patient experience and compliance. Digital impressions enable dental offices to collaborate and work with distant dental laboratories and specialists with ease. Although the initial cost of acquiring an intraoral scanner is significant, its use has the potential to reduce the cost per procedure.
Chapter 2 – Structure and Bonding

A general discussion of the structural and bonding characteristics of polyhedral boranes and their derivatives is given from the viewpoint of both localized-bond and electron-delocalized approaches, and methods for correlating cage geometry with skeletal electron count via systematic rules are outlined. Several topics that are more fully developed in later chapters are introduced, including cage rearrangement and isomer stability, aromaticity in cluster frameworks, and the notion of electron deficiency as applied to boron cage compounds.
Noise and turn-taking impact postanesthesia care unit handoff efficiency:

BackgroundOptimal handoffs are pivotal for patient safety, yet some of the underlying communication mechanisms which support effective handoffs remain to be understood. As handoffs are conversation...
Learning Mobility: Adaptive Control Algorithms for the Novel Unmanned Ground Vehicle (NUGV)

Abstract : Mobility is a serious limiting factor in the usefulness of unmanned ground vehicles, This paper contains a description of our approach to develop control algorithms for the Novel Unmanned Ground Vehicle (NUGV) to address this problem. The NUGV is a six- degree-of-freedom, sensor-rich small mobile robot designed to demonstrate auto-learning capabilities for the improvement of mobility through variegated terrain. The learning processes we plan to implement are composed of classical and operant conditionings of novel responses built upon pre-defined fixed action patterns. The fixed action patterns will be in turn modulated by pre-defined low-level reactive behaviors that, as unconditioned responses, should continuously serve to maintain the viability of the robot during the activations of the fixed action patterns and of the higher-order (conditioned) behaviors. The sensors of the internal environment that govern the low-level reactive behaviors also serve as the criteria for operant conditioning. Using this adaptive controller, the NUGV should learn to negotiate difficult obstacles, and to protect itself from collisions and falls.
Food Anticipatory Activity on Circadian Time Scales Is Not Dependent on Central Serotonin: Evidence From Tryptophan Hydroxylase-2 and Serotonin Transporter Knockout Mice

A number of studies implicate biogenic amines in regulating circadian rhythms. In particular, dopamine and serotonin influence the entrainment of circadian rhythms to daily food availability. To study circadian entrainment to feeding, food availability is typically restricted to a short period within the light cycle daily. This results in a notable increase in pre-meal activity, termed "food anticipatory activity" (FAA), which typically develops within about 1 week of scheduled feeding. Several studies have implicated serotonin as a negative regulator of FAA: (1) aged rats treated with serotonin 5-HT2 and 3 receptor antagonists showed enhanced FAA, (2) mice lacking for the 2C serotonin receptor demonstrate enhanced FAA, and (3) pharmacologically increased serotonin levels suppressed FAA while decreased serotonin levels enhanced FAA in mice. We sought to confirm and extend these findings using genetic models with impairments in central serotonin production or re-uptake, but were surprised to find that both serotonin transporter (Slc6a4) and tryptophan hydroxylase-2 knockout mice demonstrated a normal behavioral response to timed, calorie restricted feeding. Our data suggest that FAA is largely independent of central serotonin and/or serotonin reuptake and that serotonin may not be a robust negative regulator of FAA.
tRNA-Derived Small RNAs and Their Potential Roles in Cardiac Hypertrophy

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are abundantly expressed, small non-coding RNAs that have long been recognized as essential components of the protein translation machinery. The tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs), including tRNA halves (tiRNAs), and tRNA fragments (tRFs), were unexpectedly discovered and have been implicated in a variety of important biological functions such as cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and apoptosis. Mechanistically, tsRNAs regulate mRNA destabilization and translation, as well as retro-element reverse transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes. Emerging evidence has shown that tsRNAs are expressed in the heart, and their expression can be induced by pathological stress, such as hypertrophy. Interestingly, cardiac pathophysiological conditions, such as oxidative stress, aging, and metabolic disorders can be viewed as inducers of tsRNA biogenesis, which further highlights the potential involvement of tsRNAs in these conditions. There is increasing enthusiasm for investigating the molecular and biological functions of tsRNAs in the heart and their role in cardiovascular disease. It is anticipated that this new class of small non-coding RNAs will offer new perspectives in understanding disease mechanisms and may provide new therapeutic targets to treat cardiovascular disease.
Wide field-of-view volumetric imaging by a mesoscopic scanning oblique plane microscopy

Most reports on oblique plane microscopy (OPM) have a limited microscopic field of view (FOV), typically within 1x1 mm2. We implemented an optical design of mesoscopic scanning oblique plane microscopy (OPM) to allow using low numerical aperture (NA) objective lens. The angle of the intermediate image before the remote focusing system was increased by a demagnification under Scheimpflug condition such that the light collecting efficiency in the remote focusing system was significantly improved. We demonstrate a mesoscopic FOV up to ~6× 5×0.6 mm3 volumetric imaging, the largest reported FOV by OPM so far.
Ganga: The Multi-form Feminine Divine

Ganga is the symbol of an eternal journey and her stories are preserved in the Rigveda, the Mahabharata, and the Puranas. Ganga is the most important river Goddess of India, and numerous festivals including the Kumbhamela are centered on the river Goddess Ganga. This chapter examines the story of the personified Ganga as divine heroic along with her divine feminine. This chapter will also focus on festivals, rituals, and vows centered on the river Goddess Ganga. Her journey to Earth is one of the most recollected tales of India.
AI MSK clinical applications: orthopedic implants

Artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning have multiple potential uses in aiding the musculoskeletal radiologist in the radiological evaluation of orthopedic implants. These include identification of implants, characterization of implants according to anatomic type, identification of specific implant models, and evaluation of implants for positioning and complications. In addition, natural language processing (NLP) can aid in the acquisition of clinical information from the medical record that can help with tasks like prepopulating radiology reports. Several proof-of-concept works have been published in the literature describing the application of deep learning toward these various tasks, with performance comparable to that of expert musculoskeletal radiologists. Although much work remains to bring these proof-of-concept algorithms into clinical deployment, AI has tremendous potential toward automating these tasks, thereby augmenting the musculoskeletal radiologist.
Encoded finite-state machines for non-concurrent error detection and identification

In this paper we develop a methodology for systematically constructing redundant finite-state machines in a way that enables an external mechanism to detect and identify transient state-transition faults by performing checks in a non-concurrent manner (e.g., periodically). More specifically, by characterizing non-concurrent error detection/identification capabilities in terms of state encoding constraints and redundant dynamics, the proposed approach constructs a redundant version of the given FSM that allows the external mechanism to detect and identify errors due to past state-transition faults based on the current, corrupted FSM state. Therefore, the external mechanism can operate at a slower speed than the rest of the system, which relaxes the stringent requirements on its reliability.
Packed-entrapped-mixed microbial cells for small wastewater treatment.

The primary goal of the research is to develop and evaluate a biological treatment system in which mixed microbial populations are physically immobilized by entrapment. The immobilized system was evaluated initially for its ability to remove simple benzene-based compounds from a synthetic wastewater as a model for treating pesticide-containing waters. Cellulose triacetate was used as the preparation of monocarrier and combined cellulose triacetate and calcium alginate were used for the preparation of bi-carrier. Phenol was used as substrate to test the entrapped mixed microbial cell process. Process performance including steady state, shock load and comparison of entrapped microbial cell process with and without entrapped microbial cell was investigated. It was concluded that the critical loading rate for phenol synthetic wastewater appeared to be 9 g COD/L/day. The COD removal efficiency could be maintained higher than 90%. Because of the low effluent suspended solid concentration, conventional-secondary-settling tanks could be eliminated. Also, the process could take both concentration and hydraulic shock loads of phenol synthetic wastewater successfully without the need of external sludge recycling. The equalization and external sludge recycling facilities equipped in the conventional wastewater treatment plant could be eliminated. When the process is operated only at low COD loading rate (less than 1.3 g/L/day), entrapped cells might not be required. However, when operated at higher loading rate, combined adsorbed and entrapped cells appeared to remove phenol more efficiently. For the application, mono-carrier (cellulose triacetate) is preferable to bi-carrier (cellulose triacetate and calcium alginate), since it is easier to prepare and the operational performance is better. Therefore, the application of packed-entrapped mixed microbial cell process for treatment of small-toxic-organic wastewater holds great potential.
Do es Size Really Matter? Empirical evidence on group incentives.

The paper empirically analyzes the economic theory and intuition that the “free rider” problem will overwhelm firm-wide incentives in large firms. Kandel and Lazear (1992) claim that in a simple model of an equitable partnership, Nash equilibrium eort levels fall with the number of partners - the 1 N problem. The paper shows that this result is crucially dependent on a unstated assumption on the production function. In particular, if worker eort levels are complementary, eort levels can increase with the number
Abstract T P180: Ultrasound Characteristics of Symptomatic Carotid Plaques: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background and Purpose: Ultrasound is the most commonly used imaging modality for assessment of carotid artery stenosis. A number of studies have demonstrated that surface irregularities, heterogeneous echotexture and hypoechoic plaques are risk factors for acute ischemic stroke. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to better define the risk of stroke based off of the sonographic characteristics of carotid plaques. Materials and Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature search evaluating the association of carotid plaque characteristics on ultrasound with ischemic outcomes. We included both case-control and cohort studies examining the relationship between complex plaque and acute ischemic stroke. Complex plaque was defined as plaque that had any of the following characteristics: heterogeneous plaque echogenicity, hypoechoic plaque, plaque neovascularization, plaque surface irregularity, plaque ulceration, and intraplaque motion. Meta-analyses using the random-effect...
Introducing cable television into Hong Kong: Political and economic implications

Abstract This paper seeks to evaluate and predict the impact of the introduction of cable television into Hong Kong, a densely populated and highly dynamic Asian metropolis currently under British administration. The discussion will focus on how the coming of cable communication will impact on the ownership and economic structure of the broadcasting industry, with particular reference to international participation; public policy issues concerning economic structure and programming of the cable system; and the implications for the period of Hong Kong's political transition from the UK to China.
Pulmonary gas exchange during exercise in women: effects of exercise type and work increment

Exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia (EIAH) has been reported in male athletes, particularly during fast-increment treadmill exercise protocols. Recent reports suggest a higher incidence in women. W...
On the realizable weaving patterns of polynomial curves in R 3

We prove that the number of distinct weaving patterns produced by n semi-algebraic curves in ℝ3 defined coordinate-wise by polynomials of degrees bounded by some constant d, is bounded by 2O(nlogn), where the implied constant in the exponent depends on d. This generalizes a similar bound obtained by Pach, Pollack and Welzl [3] for the case when d=1.
Diagnosis-related Groups and Hospital Inpatient Federal Reimbursement

The diagnosis-related group system has had a major effect on hospital reimbursements; as this system evolves, it will continue to change the dynamics of hospital finance.
Rhetorical Historiography and the Octalogs

The phenomenon of the Octalog came into being at the 1988 CCCC when James J. Murphy, with support from Theresa Enos and Stuart Brown, proposed and chaired a roundtable composed of eight distinguish...
Marked elevations of serum creatine kinase activity associated with antipsychotic drug treatment

Serum creatine kinase (SCK) activity of the skeletal muscle (MM) form is sometimes moderately increased in acutely psychotic patients and may be massively increased as a result of muscle damage. The objective of this study was to characterize the SCK increases in patients treated with novel antipsychotic drugs. SCK activity and myoglobinuria, an index of gross muscle damage, were monitored at varying intervals in schizophrenic or schizoaffective patients treated with antipsychotic drugs. Possible causes of increases in SCK activity, such as trauma, excessive physical activity, exacerbation of psychosis, were assessed. Fifteen instances of massive increases in SCK activity were observed in 11 out of 121 patients (10%) treated with the following antipsychotic drugs: clozapine, loxapine, haloperidol, melperone, risperidone, or olanzapine. These increases in SCK activity were of the MM type and ranged from 1,206 to 177,363 IU/L (median, 9,600 IU/L). Thus, they were much larger than the increases usually found in acutely psychotic patients or patients with neuroleptic malignant syndrome (range, 500-3,000 IU/L). Only the patient with SCK activity of 177,363 IU/L had rhabdomyolysis as evidenced by myoglobinuria. The onset of the increases was from 5 days to 2 years after initiating treatment, and the increases lasted 4 to 28 days (median, 8 days). Flulike symptoms were present in two of the patients, but the others were asymptomatic. The increases were self-limiting in three cases, despite continuing treatment. Two of three cases rechallenged with the same drug again developed large increases in SCK activity within a week. It is unlikely these increases in SCK activity are related to acute psychosis, trauma, or the neuroleptic malignant syndrome. The increase in SCK activity may reflect the ability of the drugs to increase intermittently cell membrane permeability, especially in skeletal muscle, in some vulnerable subjects. A possible role of serotonin in this process is suggested by the pharmacology of most of the offending drugs. However, in some instances, the increases may have been unrelated to drug treatment. There was no evidence that these increases in SCK activity, despite their magnitude, compromised renal function. Routine monitoring of SCK activity of myoglobinuria during treatment with the antipsychotic drugs studied here is probably not necessary.
Orthographic Problem-Solving Ability of Learning Disabled and Normally Achieving Students.

Based on results from research on learning disabled children's spelling, it is argued that spelling errors produced by carefully selected LD elementary-school students cannot be interpreted as aberrant or as deviating from errors expected of younger, normally achieving children. The data are interpreted to support a cognitive-developmental model of spelling acquisition in LD and normally achieving children. Errors are shown to represent limited information and/or ability to formulate strategies for how to apply information in order to solve spelling problems. Recommended solutions include the need for supplementary instruction in general problem-solving skills as they relate to acquisition of basic academic skills. Moreover, researchers are urged to consider the potential of programmatic research on LD students' basic-skills acquisition as a model of cognitive processing differences.
Seismic anisotropy above and below the subducting Nazca lithosphere in southern South America

[1] The goal of this study is to better constrain anisotropy and mantle flow above and below the Nazca slab from 28°S to 42°S through modeling of shear wave splitting in local S, SKS and SKKS (SK(K)S) phases. Comparisons of local S splitting times and path lengths in the slab, mantle wedge, and upper plate indicate that splitting times for arc and back-arc stations are consistent with anisotropy in the mantle wedge, but long slab paths to fore-arc stations imply that slab anisotropy is also significant. SK(K)S shear wave splitting observations and models for sub-slab anisotropy show that significant anisotropy is present below the slab, and that the orientation of sub-slab anisotropy sometimes differs from anisotropy above the slab. Anisotropy both above the slab and below the slab in the South American subduction zone is consistent with mantle flow that is driven by a combination of entrainment with downgoing slab motion and flow complexity related to variations in slab shape and slab rollback.
Segregating variation for temperature-dependent sex determination in a lizard

Temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) was first reported in 1966 in an African lizard. It has since been shown that TSD occurs in some fish, several lizards, tuataras, numerous turtles and all crocodilians. Extreme temperatures can also cause sex reversal in several amphibians and lizards with genotypic sex determination. Research in TSD species indicates that estrogen signaling is important for ovary development and that orthologs of mammalian genes have a function in gonad differentiation. Nevertheless, the mechanism that actually transduces temperature into a biological signal for ovary versus testis development is not known in any species. Classical genetics could be used to identify the loci underlying TSD, but only if there is segregating variation for TSD. Here, we use the 'animal model' to analyze inheritance of sexual phenotype in a 13-generation pedigree of captive leopard geckos, Eublepharis macularius, a TSD reptile. We directly show genetic variance and genotype-by-temperature interactions for sex determination. Additive genetic variation was significant at a temperature that produces a female-biased sex ratio (30°C), but not at a temperature that produces a male-biased sex ratio (32.5°C). Conversely, dominance variance was significant at the male-biased temperature (32.5°C), but not at the female-biased temperature (30°C). Non-genetic maternal effects on sex determination were negligible in comparison with additive genetic variance, dominance variance and the primary effect of temperature. These data show for the first time that there is segregating variation for TSD in a reptile and consequently that a quantitative trait locus analysis would be practicable for identifying the genes underlying TSD.
The Bunshaft Tapes: A Preliminary Report

Among the material collected in the Gordon Bunshaft Papers in the Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library Archives at Columbia University are seventeen audiocassette tapes documenting a series of interviews between Arthur Drexler (1925-1987), curator of architecture and design at the Museum of Modern Art, and Gordon Bunshaft (1909-1990) of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). In these tapes, Bunshaft and Drexler proceed systematically through Bunshaft's work for SOM, with Drexler consistently probing for evidence of authorial intentionality, resisted by Bunshaft. This report considers the manner in which these tapes construct a complex “orality,” in which Bunshaft's testimony refuses the intertextual mediation implied by Drexler's questions, which themselves rely on the authority of an oral testimony to guarantee the authenticity of the answers. In turn, Bunshaft's refusals to engage with architectural discourse in the name of a pseudotransparent pragmatics demonstrate the extent of his identification with the ethos of his clients, corporate executives whose “visionary” status in the postwar period was a function of their own-discursive-privileging of pragmatic action over reflective discourse.