cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving Depression Screening for Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE: Depression is common among adolescents, but rates increase significantly in the presence of chronic health conditions. Outpatient screening for depression is recommended but rarely formally conducted due to barriers of implementation. METHODS: To provide a model for depression screening of youth with chronic health conditions, a standard process using a self-administered electronic version of the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) was developed. Quality improvement methodology and traditional analytic approaches were used to test the feasibility and outcomes of routine screening in patients 13 to 17 years of age with type 1 diabetes. RESULTS: Of the 528 eligible adolescents, 509 (96%) received at least 1 depression screen during the first year. The process was tested and refined in over 1200 patient encounters, which resulted in an increase in depression screening rates from <5% to a median of 85% over the initial 12 months. Both patients and staff reported acceptance of screening on qualitative surveys. Elevated CDI scores (≥16) were found in 8% of the sample; moderate scores (10–15) in 12% of the sample. Low risk scores were found in 80% of the sample. Higher CDI scores correlated with lower blood glucose monitoring frequency and higher hemoglobin A1c, confirming the link between more depression symptoms and poorer diabetes management and control. Suicidal ideation was endorsed in 7% of the population. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic depression screening in adolescents with type 1 diabetes can be reliably implemented with clinically significant results. A systematic approach, such as described in this study, can serve as a model for other chronic health conditions. * Abbreviations: BGM — : blood glucose monitoring CDI — : Children’s Depression Inventory EMR — : electronic medical record HbA1c — : hemoglobin A1c QI — : quality improvement PDSA — : plan, do, study, act
A Revision of the Brine Flies of the Genus Ephydra of the Old World (Diptera: Ephydridae)

"Brine flies" of the genus Ephydra are often very abundant in coastal salt marshes, lagoons and rock pools; salt and alkaline lakes, ponds, and salinas; salterns where salt is evaporated for human use; and around thermal and mineral springs. The 13 recognized Old World species are redescribed and figured, and a key is presented for identification based mainly on characters of the male genitalia. The Old World species all belong in the subgenus Ephydra, s. str., and are classified in three groups, the bivittata, glauca, and riparia groups. Three new species are described in the riparia group: stuckenbergi from South Africa and Madagascar, magadiensis from Kenya, and murina from Iraq and the area westward to Bulgaria. From a study of types an attempt is made for the correct application of names from the earlier literature, and corrected synonymies include strenzkei Soika new syn. of riparia Fallen. Ephydra alandica Frey is considered to be a Baltic subspecies of macellaria Egger (new status).
Changes in membrane structure and function during chick embryonic erythropoiesis.

We found considerable differences in the pattern of membrane proteins as well as in the relative amounts of individual components in isolated chick red blood cell membranes during the course of embryonic development. Of special interest is the increase in the relative amounts of two major polypeptides, band 3 and 3.1 (MW 100,000 daltons) with increasing age of the cells. With respect to functional studies, we found that the magnitude of sulfate influx decreases with increasing age of the embryo. Furthermore, the activity of ouabain-sensitive ATPase increases with increasing age (2.5–day embryo to adult). In addition, both the basal and the fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities decrease as the embryo age increases, whereas the enzyme sensitivity to epinephrine increases with increasing age of the embryo.
Use of nile red as a rapid measure of lipid content in ciliates.

We report the use of nile red as a rapid and inexpensive method to estimate cellular lipids in three species of Paramecium and in Tetrahymena by the direct application of the dye to living or fixed cells without extraction and purification. Qualitative estimates of the relative changes in the lipid content of cells of varying culture ages were obtained using fluorescence microscopy, while semiquantitative determinations were obtained by measuring the total fluorescence from the emission spectrum (excitation, 535 nm) of fixed cells treated with excess nile red. The relative amounts of neutral (excitation, 488 nm; emission, 540 nm) and polar (excitation, 535 nm; emission, 680 nm) lipids were approximated using fluorescence intensity at these selected spectral conditions to avoid any spill over from each other. The patterns of change with culture age in total lipids in Tetrahymena and in total, neutral and polar lipids in Paramecium obtained using nile red agreed well with published gravimetric data for these ciliates.
Alternative splicing of human insulin receptor messenger RNA

Abstract The polymerase chain reaction has been used to examine alternative splicing of human insulin receptor (hINSR) mRNA. Alternative splicing of a 36 base pair exon, exon 11, generates hINSR transcripts encoding receptor isoforms which differ in sequence at the C-terminal end of the insulin-binding α-subunit. This process appears to be tissue-specific and, in addition, may be developmentally regulated.
Myoelectric activity detection during a Sit-to-Stand movement using threshold methods

Myoelectric signals recorded via surface electrodes contain rich muscle activity information that is beneficial for both clinical diagnosis and biomedical research. When synchronized with the kinematic data, these signals provide investigators an insight into muscle activation sequence, onset, levels, and periods. A primary difficulty with the analysis and interpretation of electromyography (EMG) signals lies in the inherent stochastic nature of the EMG process, which arises from its biological variability as well as noise added during the collection process. Various techniques for muscle onset and activity detection from the myoelectric signal have been proposed in the literature. Our focus in this study is myoelectric activity detection from EMG signals collected during Sit-to-Stand (STS) and Stand-to-Sit (STST) movements. We explore a previously established double threshold detection method, and compare its results with a novel detection scheme based on the energy of the signal. Accordingly, EMG signals from four lower extremity muscles, and synchronized kinematic data, were collected for 180 trials of STS and STST movements performed in the laboratory. Detection thresholds above baseline in the case of both algorithms were computed and analyzed using a 2 (detectors) x 4 (activity thresholds) repeated measures analysis of variance. Our statistical analysis revealed that the energy detection method performed similarly to the double threshold method, while both methods required a considerably higher threshold above baseline for detection.
The Differential Impact of Medicare Home Health Care Policy on Impaired Beneficiaries

ABSTRACT The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA'97) dramatically decreased reimbursements in the Medicare home health program. The first phase of BBA'97, the Interim Payment System (IPS), slashed reimbursements to 1993 levels and established a new capitated reimbursement. To identify potential moderating influences of these changes on the relationship between patient impairment and home care use, we compared 1996 and 1998 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey data. Using multivariate regressions controlling for health/functional, predisposing and enabling characteristics, we demonstrate dramatic decreases in home health use post IPS by persons with ADL, health, and memory impairments. The IPS encouraged agencies to cut services to more impaired patients who might exhaust the per-beneficiary cap. Similar policies may be adopted for other health systems. Thus, it is critical to understand the differential impact of sweeping changes on vulnerable populations.
Stiff-person syndrome presenting with headache.

Stiff-person (or stiff-man) syndrome (SPS) is a rare neuromuscular disorder characterized by axial and limb muscle rigidity and spasm. Painful spasms of muscle can be provoked by sudden noise, strong emotional or other startle stimuli. Electrophysiological studies show continuous low-frequency firing of motor units and simultaneous activity in agonist and antagonist muscles of the affected region that can be abolished by central or peripherally acting agents or neuromuscular blockade (1). An autoimmune basis for the disorder is postulated, based on the presence of antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) found in 90% of cases defined by strict criteria (2). GAD is the rate-limiting enzyme involved in the synthesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Many affected patients have other autoimmune disorders such as pernicious anaemia, vitiligo and thyroid malfunctions (3). A reduction in brain levels of GABA has been demonstrated on magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy scans (3). The loss of inhibitory input from spinal interneurons is theorized to lead to an impaired balance between inhibitory and excitatory influences on muscle activity (4). SPS usually begins insidiously with persistent aching and stiffening of axial muscles. Involvement of the face, neck, abdomen and arms is less typical. Headache as a presenting or major feature of the illness has not been described. Examination generally shows global muscle stiffness, with no other neurological abnormalities, and no abnormalities on computed tomography (CT) or MR imaging of the brain. Treatment is based on enhancing inhibitory activity in the spinal cord through the use of drugs such as diazepam, baclofen and vigabitrin that boost GABA neurotransmission. Steroids, plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin are also helpful (3). There are reports of improvement in severe muscle spasms and dystonia with the use of botulinum toxin (5). The authors report the case of a 34-year-old male with SPS in whom headache was the presenting feature, and a complicating feature throughout the illness.
Domestic financial market frictions, unrestricted international capital flows, and crises in small open economies*

We present an example of a small open economy for which small increases in the world interest rate may induce a sharp decline in output and a precipitous depreciation of the nominal and the real exchange rate (RER). Due to a costly state verification problem in domestic credit markets, combined with unrestricted international capital flows, our economy generates two long run equilibria, one with low GDP and a relatively depreciated RER, and one with high GDP and a relatively appreciated RER. The first is always a saddle, while the second may be a sink or a source, depending on the level of the world interest rate. There exists a critical level of the world interest rate above which the high-GDP steady state turns from a sink to a source. A “crisis” is identified in the model with the economy switching from an equilibrium path approaching the high-output steady state to the saddle path approaching the low output steady state. We simulate such a crisis trajectory for our model economy. In Mexico’s recent history, periods of growth associated with an appreciation of the real exchange rate (RER) have alternated with periods of sharp contraction characterized by a depreciation of the RER. Our economy may display such behavior as an equilibrium response to changes in the world interest rate.
Extended long-term outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus.

Objective To report graft survival results for initial penetrating keratoplasty (PK) performed more than 20 years ago for keratoconus. Secondary outcome measures included recurrent keratoconus, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), and rates of glaucoma. Design Retrospective, consecutive, noncomparative case series. Participants All patients with clinical and histopathological keratoconus who underwent initial PK at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from 1970 to 1983. Patients with pellucid marginal degeneration were excluded. Methods At baseline, age, preoperative BSCVA, keratometric astigmatism, and host/donor graft sizes for each eye were recorded. Visual acuity and intraocular pressure were followed until the eyes reached 1 of 4 end points: graft failure, recurrent keratoconus, loss to follow-up, or death. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed to estimate the long-term probability of graft failure and recurrent keratoconus. Results Among the 112 eyes of 84 patients who met entry criteria, there was a mean age at transplant of 33.7 years and preoperative BSCVA of 20/193. With a mean follow-up of 13.8 years (range, 0.5–30.4), 7 eyes (6.3%) experienced graft failure. Recurrent keratoconus was confirmed clinically or histologically in 6 eyes (5.4%), with a mean time to recurrence of 17.9 years (range, 11–27). Kaplan–Meier analysis estimated a graft survival rate of 85.4% and a rate of recurrent keratoconus of 11.7% at 25 years after initial transplantation. Six eyes (5.4%) developed open-angle glaucoma, and 2 eyes required trabeculectomy. At the last follow-up visit, 82 eyes (73.2%) had BSCVA of 20/40 or better. Conclusion Penetrating keratoplasty offers good long-term visual rehabilitation for keratoconus. Relative to other indications for PK, there is a low rate of graft failure. Late recurrence of disease occurs with increasing frequency over time. Given the younger age at which keratoconus patients undergo corneal transplantation, these long-term findings should be incorporated into preoperative counseling.
Dislocation Velocities and Deformation in the Mantle

Summary It is assumed that the mechanical properties of the mantle may be described in terms of dislocation behaviour and some of the consequences are examined. Geologically acceptable strain rates and a mantle attenuation characterized by a frequency dependent Q are found in this approach. Maxima are expected in the strain rate and attenuation with depth.
Thermo‐optical analysis of poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide)/triblock styrene–butadiene–styrene copolymer blends

Blending of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO resin) with a triblock butadiene–styrene–butadiene copolymer (Kraton 101) monotonically increases the softening temperature of the latter as measured by TOA. The TOA transition temperatures of the styrene/PPO resin phases closely approximate those of polystyrene/PPO resin blends having the same styrene/aromatic ether unit compositions. Uniform mixtures of the styrene blocks with the poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) molecules is inferred.
Children's use of summer camp health facilities: a longitudinal study.

This descriptive study explores the relationship between age, developmental level, and gender and school age campers' use of camp health facilities. The sample consists of 370 campers (141 girls, 229 boys) who attended three summer camps between 1977 and 1990. Encounters recorded in the nurses' log books are analyzed. Accidents and injuries, communicable diseases, discomfort-related problems, and allergies are the most frequent reasons for visits. Gender has a significant effect on midseason and odd-time visits and visits for accidents/injuries and constitutional symptoms. Low users visited most frequently for accidents/injuries; and high users for viral syndromes. More boys were low users. Factors that influence children's visits to camp health centers need further study.
Laparoscopic splenectomy for a large multilocular splenic cyst with elevated CA19-9: Report of a case.

INTRODUCTION Because splenic cysts are rare, a definitive treatment regime for these cysts remains unclear. We report a case of a large multilocular splenic cyst with elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) levels, which was successfully treated with laparoscopic splenectomy.
Expression of GTPase-deficient Giα2 Results in Translocation of Cytoplasmic RGS4 to the Plasma Membrane

Abstract The members of a recently identified protein family termed regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) act as GTPase-activating proteins for certain Gα subunitsin vitro, but their physiological effects in cells are uncertain in the face of similar biochemical activity and overlapping patterns of tissue expression. Consistent with its activity in in vitro GTPase-activating protein assays, RGS4 interacts efficiently with endogenous proteins of the Gi and Gq subclasses of Gα subunits but not with G12α or Gsα. Unlike other RGS proteins such as RGS9, RGS-GAIP, and Sst2p, which have been reported to be largely membrane-associated, a majority of cellular RGS4 is found as a soluble protein in the cytoplasm. However, the expression of a GTPase-deficient Giα subunit (Giα2-Q204L) resulted in the translocation of both wild type RGS4 and a non-Giα-binding mutant (L159F) to the plasma membrane. These data suggest that RGS4 may be recruited to the plasma membrane indirectly by G-protein activation and that multiple RGS proteins within a given cell might be differentially localized to determine a physiologic response to a G-protein-linked stimulus.
The educational status of parents, and infant and child mortality in rural North India.

Mortality among the very young is widely recognized as an important indicator of social well-being. Infant and child mortality is otten lower among families with more educated parents, but the mechanisms underlying this relationship are poorly understood. The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which education can be considered a determinant of infant and child mortality in the context of a very poor community with very high mortality. In this community the prevailing levels of education are low, but infants and children in those families with relatively more education experience lower levels of mortality. These same families, in addition to their educational qualifications, share a number of other characteristics. Thus, the task of this paper is to disentangle the various forces which influence the probability of death for children and, where possible, to identify the independent role of education. This paper is one of a series of explorations of the mortality and fertility experiences of a sample of couples from North India. This particular paper grows out of an increasing awareness that education may play a more important and certainly a more complex role in determining mortality than we realized when we initiated our earlier research on mortality in this region. Given the relatively low level of education in the region, we did not see strong theoretical or empirical reasons for expecting education to play a central role in determining neonatal mortality. In our work on the postneonatal period we used education as a measure of the family’s access to resources. We did find in that research, however, that even a relatively gross measure of education had a strong effect on the mortality experience of female children in the post-neonatal period. It did not affect the mortality probability for male children. The differential effect is startling and unexThis paper is based on data collected with support from the Government of India and USAID. An early stage of the analysis of the demographic data was supported with a grant from NICHD. We are grateful to our colleagues Celeste Smucker, Eric Jensen, B.D. Misra, Ali Ashraf, Prasanta Majumdar, and John Gross for help at various stages.
Ice growth in supercooled solutions of antifreeze glycoprotein

Inhibition of ice growth in supercooled solution by certain proteins is vital to the survival of many living organisms. Some fish, native to both subzero northern and southern waters, have special proteins or glycoproteins in their blood serum that inhibit ice formation. Whereas these proteins have only a very small effect on the melting temperature of ice, the temperature of these fish can fall to nearly 1 K below the melting point before ice crystals grow. This phenomenon is called freezing hysteresis, in contrast to the normal colligative effect of solutes that depresses the equilibrium temperature, around which small changes lead to crystal growth or melting depending on sign. Some insects also exhibit a serum freezing hysteresis. We report the effects of different degrees of supercooling on the habit and rates of growth of ice crystals from solutions of these antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGPs). We find that the crystallization rate is up to five times greater than that in pure water.
Strategies for improving performance and energy efficiency on a many-core

New many-core architectures are characterized not only by the large amount of processing elements but also by the large number and heterogeneity of resources. This new environment has prompted the development of new techniques that seek finer granularity and a greater interplay in the sharing of resources.The research proposed here will provide an analysis of these new scenarios, proposing new methodologies and solutions that leverage these new challenges in order to increase the performance and energy efficiency of modern many-core architectures.
Normalization of Plasma Insulin Profiles with Intraperitoneal Insulin Infusion in Diabetic Man

This study examined the feasibility of normalizing the plasma insulin profile in five insulin deficient diabetic males. Acute meal-related increases in plasma free insulin concentration were achieved by administering short-acting insulin intraperitoneally with a pre-programmed portable rotary splenoid driven pump. This insulin response was compared to that achieved when short-acting insulin was injected subcutaneously 15 minutes prior to each meal. After intraperitoneal insulin maximal plasma free insulin concentration was observed within 45 minutes of administration, and averaged 40±13 mU/l (±SEM) for breakfast, 30±13 mU/l for lunch, and 36±13 mU/l for supper. This acute rise was followed by a gradual decline in plasma free insulin concentration, simulating a normal plasma insulin profile. With subcutaneously injected insulin, approximately the same maximal plasma free insulin concentration was obtained as observed with intraperitoneal insulin, but it was delayed 116 minutes following injection. These data suggest that intraperitoneally delivered insulin is rapidly absorbed and may normalize the peripheral plasma free insulin concentration, at least during short-term studies.
Experimental and Computational Study of the OH−Isoprene Reaction: Isomeric Branching and Low-Pressure Behavior

The kinetics of the isoprene−OH reaction have been studied both experimentally and computationally. Experimental rate constants at pressures in the range 0.5−20 Torr have been determined at 295 K using pulsed photolysis/laser-induced fluorescence detection of the OH radical. A rate constant of (0.99 ± 0.05) × 10-10 molecules-1 cm3 s-1 at 20 Torr in argon was determined, which is consistent with previous results for the high-pressure limiting rate constant. We present the first experimental observation of the falloff region for this reaction and have modeled the pressure dependence of the rates using the Troe formalism. Canonical variational transition state theory calculations were performed on the basis of recent ab initio calculations to determine the relative branching among the four possible isoprene−OH adducts in the high-pressure limit. We find OH addition to the outer carbon positions dominates OH addition to the inner carbon positions. We have employed RRKM/master equation calculations to evaluate...
Optimal Attainment of Production Rates for a Multi-Stage Kanban Managed Production System With Time Varying Demand

This paper delves into the evaluation of an operation planning for a realistic multi-stage, single-product Kanban managed production system with time varying production rates and finished goods demands. The study pursued is to dynamically and systematically manipulate the production rate of each stage and the raw material orders at the first stage which are corresponding to the minimum integrated inventory costs incurred due to raw materials, finished products and work-in-process (WIP) inventories under a varying demand of finished product. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed operation planning methodology for a multistage Kanban managed production and supply chain system.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Trainers, Performance Technologists, and Environmentalists Originally published in 1991, PIQ 4.2

Performance technology is expanding its horizons. We have witnessed an increasingly wider-ang]e concern which has moved from a focus on task components to jobs, and from those to organizational concerns—a movement from the microscopic to the big picture. In making this transition, there are important lessons to be learned from environmentalists: they encourage us to think globally and act locally. By expanding from a concern with micro-level performance improvement to a focus where the primary clients and beneficiaries include concerns for performance improvement on all levels—individual, organizational, and client/societal—we too can think globally, act locally, and also improve our contributions at all levels. This article presents expanding horizons, building upon current models and understandings to develop both strategic thinking and practical tools for both doing our jobs right as well as defining the right job to be done in the first place. The world has shifted, and it is up to us to be increasingly responsive and responsible.
An extended character set for humanities computer printout

With the new version of the United States of America Standard for Communication Information Interchange (USAScIl x.3.4-1967),1 it is possible to have extended character sets, triggered by escape codes in the main set of characters. One great advantage of having such extended sets is that, so long as there are sufficient escape codes, one can go on with many different groups of characters. For example, it should be possible to develop a set for music, reachable by an escape code from the standard USASCII. For such purposes, in the unlikely situation that music symbols were never to be used by the Library of Congress in catalog cards, it might be possible to instruct the computer to accept one of the USASCII standard graphics as an escape code, even though the Library of Congress was using the same graphic to escape, say, into Greek. If, however, one wanted to add an incipit, in musical notation, to the standard cataloging of musical scores now performed by the Library of Congress, it would be better to reserve a unique symbol as an escape code for musical notation. Lest one despair of limitation in the number of possible escape codes, it should be pointed out that the standard IBM print train for the 360 line of computers permits 240 characters and to date (August 1969) only 174 are used on the extended set now planned by the Library of Congress for catalog card printing in all Roman alphabets. There is no particular reason why this special print train should be the only one. Presumably there will be other extended trains for other alphabets and further graphics. In fact, there is no reason (other than cost) why any organization requiring special graphics cannot have its own extended print train to suit its own purposes. Undoubtedly the scientific community will do just this.
Genomic Analyses of Modern Dog Breeds

A rose may be a rose by any other name, but when you call a dog a poodle it becomes a very different animal than if you call it a bulldog. Both the poodle and the bulldog are examples of dog breeds of which there are >400 recognized worldwide. Breed creation has played a significant role in shaping the modern dog from the length of his leg to the cadence of his bark. The selection and line-breeding required to maintain a breed has also reshaped the genome of the dog, resulting in a unique genetic pattern for each breed. The breed-based population structure combined with extensive morphologic variation and shared human environments have made the dog a popular model for mapping both simple and complex traits and diseases. In order to obtain the most benefit from the dog as a genetic system, it is necessary to understand the effect structured breeding has had on the genome of the species. That is best achieved by looking at genomic analyses of the breeds, their histories, and their relationships to each other.
Abstract B63: Heterologous expression of serine palmitoyltransferase-1 alters chemosensitivity and multidrug resistance profile of human cancer cells of different tissue origins

The progression of human brain, bladder and prostate cancers, considered inflammatory cancers, is characterized by the acquisition of metastatic and drug resistance profiles which remain major impediments to the efficacious delivery of therapeutic intervention. Recent localization and protein interaction studies of the sphingolipid metabolism protein, serine palmitoyltransferase-1, SPTLC1, suggest a signaling, other than metabolic role during cellular response to diverse stress stimuli. The current study examined chemosensitivity to genotoxic compounds by a set of SPTLC1 recombinant cancer cell lines. When exposed to the anti-cancer drugs celecoxib and fenretinide, SPTLC1 localization as determined by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy showed its translocation to focal adhesion sites. This allows for possible interaction and crosstalk with other stress response proteins involved in regulating cell growth, differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, migration and other processes by which cells respond to stress stimuli. Stress-inducible gene expression profile of cytochrome p450 transcripts shows differential attenuation of the Cyp1A1, 1A2 and 3A4 species. Altered expression of the genes for the cytochrome p450 xenobiotic metabolism proteins can have profound effect on the toxicity of anticancer drugs especially those with narrow therapeutic window. Taken together, the heterologous expression of a C-terminal modified SPTLC1 gene in the human cancer cell lines used in this study was found to mediate an altered drug response profile consistent with acquisition of a multidrug resistance phenotype. This is exemplified in increased resistance to anti-proliferative effect of therapeutic drugs, differential attenuation of transcriptional expression of Cyp450 species, as well as, chemical induced DNA fragmentation. The observations further support a general role for SPTLC1 in cellular stress response and its potential contribution in cellular resistance to cytotoxic drugs.
Integrative reflections on the new conservation science debate

In 2012, Kareiva and Marvier published What is Conservation Science? almost 30 yearsafter Soule´’s (1985) What is Conservation Biology? The ‘‘New Conservation Science’’(NCS), as it has been called (Doak et al. 2014; Miller et al. 2014; Soule´ 2013), refocusesconservation biology towards human wellbeing by placing it under the broader umbrella ofconservation science. This stirred a volley of responses and debate—all of which con-tribute to a broader conservation dialogue (Soule´ 1985, 2013; Noss 1999; Miller et al.2011). Here, we pause to reﬂect on this debate, using our perspectives as members of anintegrative conservation science doctoral program to emphasize the importance of diver-gent values in framing the NCS debate for current and future conservation scientists.As members of the Applied Biodiversity Science (ABS) program at Texas A&MUniversity (Fitzgerald and Stronza 2009), our academic training and development culti-vates ‘agile scientists’ (Welch-Devine et al. 2014) to effectively integrate ecological,cultural, and governance approaches to biodiversity conservation. As do Welch-Devineet al. (2014), ABS seeks to develop ‘‘the instincts to deﬁne and redeﬁne conservation issuesin ways that avoid the oversimpliﬁcation to which these issues are often subjected’’ (4).This requires understanding disparate theories and methodologies, navigating disciplinarybiases and assumptions, and negotiating and appreciating others’ value systems (Pooleyet al. 2014). In this sense, we, like (McEun 2014), also heard something different from the
In silico study supports the efficacy of a reduced dose regimen for stavudine.

Abstract Stavudine (d4T) is used extensively as part of HAART in resource poor settings, despite its toxicities. The revised WHO guidelines specify replacement of d4T with less toxic but more expensive drugs when feasible, and that d4T doses be standardized to 30 mg twice daily (bid) (irrespective of body-weight), from the approved 40 mg bid in adults (body-weight ⩾60 kg). Therefore, an in silico population pharmacokinetic and biochemical model was utilized to compare relative efficacies of the two doses in humans. Assessment of predicted quartile ranges of simulated concentrations of the triphosphate of d4T suggested sufficient trough concentrations to inhibit wild type HIV-1 reverse transcriptase at the reduced dose, lending support to the revised WHO recommendations.
Bayesian classification of polarimetric SAR images using adaptive a priori probabilities

The problem of classifying earth terrain by observed polarimetric scattering properties is tackled with an iterative Bayesian scheme using a priori probabilities adaptively. The first classification is based on the use of fixed and not necessarily equal a priori probabilities, and successive iterations change the a priori probabilities adaptively. The approach is applied to an SAR image in which a single water body covers 10 percent of the image area. The classification accuracy for ocean, urban, vegetated, and total area increase, and the percentage of reclassified pixels decreases greatly as the iteration number increases. The iterative scheme is found to improve the a posteriori classification accuracy of maximum likelihood classifiers by iteratively using the local homogeneity in polarimetric SAR images. A few iterations can improve the classification accuracy significantly without sacrificing key high-frequency detail or edges in the image.
Diagnostic value of serum cholinesterase determinations in jaundice and in cirrhosis of the liver

1. In cases of uncomplicated common duct stone with jaundice, serum Cholinesterase values varied from 41 to 112; 21 of 25 observations were above 50; a value below 40 speaks strongly against this diagnosis. 2. In cases of neoplastic obstruction of biliary passages with jaundice but without Cholangitis or metastases, Cholinesterase values varied from 40 to 74; a value below 40 throws considerable doubt on this diagnosis. 3. In cases of obstructive jaundice with Cholangitis or metastases, Cholinesterase values varied from 6 to 58 with 13 of 17 observations below 40; a value above 60 points to the absence of these complications. 4. In the jaundice of “catarrhal icterus” or toxic hepatitis values for Cholinesterase ranged from 28 to 100, 13 of 30 observations were below 50; 17 of 30 observations were above 50. Milder cases appeared to have higher values, and clinical improvement was accompanied by rise in the Cholinesterase level. 5. In the most important clinical problem, the differential diagnosis between biliary tract obstruction and toxic hepatitis (including catarrhal jaundice) a high value is of no aid; a value below 40 speaks against obstruction provided metastases or Cholangitis can be excluded. 6. Cases of cirrhosis of the liver, with or without jaundice, show low Cholinesterase values, the range being 9 to 69; 36 observations were below 50, 32 of 38 below 40. A value above 40 speaks against cirrhosis; a value above 50 practically excludes cirrhosis.
Implicit and explicit integration in the solution of the absolute nodal coordinate differential/algebraic equations

This investigation is concerned with the use of an implicit integration method with adjustable numerical damping properties in the simulation of flexible multibody systems. The flexible bodies in the system are modeled using the finite element absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF), which can be used in the simulation of large deformations and rotations of flexible bodies. This formulation, when used with the general continuum mechanics theory, leads to displacement modes, such as Poisson modes, that couple the cross section deformations, and bending and extension of structural elements such as beams. While these modes can be significant in the case of large deformations, and they have no significant effect on the CPU time for very flexible bodies; in the case of thin and stiff structures, the ANCF coupled deformation modes can be associated with very high frequencies that can be a source of numerical problems when explicit integration methods are used. The implicit integration method used in this investigation is the Hilber–Hughes–Taylor method applied in the context of Index 3 differential-algebraic equations (HHT-I3). The results obtained using this integration method are compared with the results obtained using an explicit Adams-predictor-corrector method, which has no adjustable numerical damping. Numerical examples that include bodies with different degrees of flexibility are solved in order to examine the performance of the HHT-I3 implicit integration method when the finite element absolute nodal coordinate formulation is used. The results obtained in this study show that for very flexible structures there is no significant difference in accuracy and CPU time between the solutions obtained using the implicit and explicit integrators. As the stiffness increases, the effect of some ANCF coupled deformation modes becomes more significant, leading to a stiff system of equations. The resulting high frequencies are filtered out when the HHT-I3 integrator is used due to its numerical damping properties. The results of this study also show that the CPU time associated with the HHT-I3 integrator does not change significantly when the stiffness of the bodies increases, while in the case of the explicit Adams method the CPU time increases exponentially. The fundamental differences between the solution procedures used with the implicit and explicit integrations are also discussed in this paper.
Remez-type inequalities and their applications

Abstract The Remez inequality gives a sharp uniform bound on [−1, 1] for real algebraic polynomials p of degree at most n if the Lebesgue measure of the subset of [−1, 1], where |;p|; is at most 1, is known. Remez-type inequalities give bounds for classes of functions on a line segment, on a curve or on a region of the complex plane, given that the modulus of the functions is bounded by 1 on some subset of prescribed measure. This paper offers a survey of the extensive recent research on Remez-type inequalities for polynomials, generalized nonnegative polynomials, exponentials of logarithmic potentials and Muntz polynomials. Remez-type inequalities play a central role in proving other important inequalities for the above classes. The paper illustrates the power of Remez-type inequalities by giving a number of applications.
Chronic self-administration of alcohol results in elevated ΔFosB: comparison of hybrid mice with distinct drinking patterns

Background: The inability to reduce or regulate alcohol intake is a hallmark symptom for alcohol use disorders. Research on novel behavioral and genetic models of experience-induced changes in drinking will further our knowledge on alcohol use disorders. Distinct alcohol self-administration behaviors were previously observed when comparing two F1 hybrid strains of mice: C57BL/6J x NZB/B1NJ (BxN) show reduced alcohol preference after experience with high concentrations of alcohol and periods of abstinence while C57BL/6J x FVB/NJ (BxF) show sustained alcohol preference. These phenotypes are interesting because these hybrids demonstrate the occurrence of genetic additivity (BxN) and overdominance (BxF) in ethanol intake in an experience dependent manner. Specifically, BxF exhibit sustained alcohol preference and BxN exhibit reduced alcohol preference after experience with high ethanol concentrations; however, experience with low ethanol concentrations produce sustained alcohol preference for both hybrids. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that these phenotypes are represented by differential production of the inducible transcription factor, ΔFosB, in reward, aversion, and stress related brain regions. Results: Changes in neuronal plasticity (as measured by ΔFosB levels) were experience dependent, as well as brain region and genotype specific, further supporting that neuronal circuitry underlies motivational aspects of ethanol consumption. BxN mice exhibiting reduced alcohol preference had lower ΔFosB levels in the Edinger-Westphal nucleus than mice exhibiting sustained alcohol preference, and increased ΔFosB levels in central medial amygdala as compared with control mice. BxN mice showing sustained alcohol preference exhibited higher ΔFosB levels in the ventral tegmental area, Edinger-Westphal nucleus, and amygdala (central and lateral divisions). Moreover, in BxN mice ΔFosB levels in the Edinger-Westphal nucleus and ventral tegmental regions significantly positively correlated with ethanol preference and intake. Additionally, hierarchical clustering analysis revealed that many ethanol-naive mice with overall low ΔFosB levels are in a cluster, whereas many mice displaying sustained alcohol preference with overall high ΔFosB levels are in a cluster together.
Intramembrane substitutions in helix D of bacteriorhodopsin disrupt the purple membrane

Abstract The Halobacterium salinarium purple membrane is a two-dimensional crystalline lattice containing bacteriorhodopsin (BR) and lipid. To test whether molecular packing within the lipid bilayer influences the structural stability of the lattice, BR mutants substituted on the membrane-embedded surface of the protein were expressed in H. salinarium. Lattice stability was assessed by equilibrium density centrifugation of cell lysates containing similar amounts of BR. BR was distributed in low (1.12 to 1.15 g/ml) and high density (1.18 g/ml) membrane fractions. The high density fraction comprised 89% of the total BR in wild-type, but only 19% (G113L), 29% (I117A), 52% (G116L) and 79% (I117F) in the mutants. In each case, this fraction contained BR in a lattice form: its absorption maximum was blue-shifted by ⩽4 nm relative to the wild-type lattice, its light-dark difference spectrum was normal, and its circular dichroism spectrum retained a bilobed feature characteristic of the lattice. Thus, the substitutions do not significantly alter the tertiary structure of the protein. In the low density fraction, the absorption maximum of BR was blue-shifted by 2 to 4 nm relative to the corresponding high density fraction, and the bilobed circular dichroism feature was attenuated (I117F and G116L) or absent (G113L and I117A). This suggests that the substitutions disrupt lattice stability, causing an accumulation of BR monomers or small aggregates. These results support a model in which the BR lattice is stabilized by hydrophobic packing at specific protein-protein and protein-lipid interfaces within the membrane bilayer.
The use of acarbose inhibition in the measurement of acid alpha-glucosidase activity in blood lymphocytes for the diagnosis of Pompe disease.

Purpose: Acid alpha-glucosidase is present in various tissues, including blood cells. Historically, enzyme measurement in cultured fibroblasts, or muscle, has been the gold standard to confirm a diagnosis of Pompe disease, due to the possibility of alternate isoenzyme activity masking disease in white cell assays. Enzyme measurement in an isolated lymphocyte population with acarbose, an inhibitor of neutral alpha-glucosidase, has greatly improved the sensitivity and specificity of the test in blood cells allowing for more rapid laboratory testing for Pompe disease. Methods: An assay for acid alpha-glucosidase was performed with and without inhibitor in lymphocytes from 14 patients with a clinical suspicion of infantile Pompe disease. Concurrent testing was performed in fibroblasts in an independent laboratory. Results: Thirteen of 14 patients demonstrated a clear deficiency in lymphocytes with acarbose inhibition. One patient was indeterminate, although below normal activity, suggesting the need for confirmatory testing. Tissue enzyme activity in all was consistent with infantile Pompe disease, and corroborated enzyme activity seen in lymphocytes. There were no false positives for disease, making the positive predictive value of lymphocyte enzyme testing 100%. Conclusion: Enzyme assay using acarbose as an inhibitor, can be performed in isolated lymphocytes for rapid diagnosis of infantile Pompe disease.
Effect of a chiral impulse on the weak interaction induced handedness in a prebiotic medium.

Previously we have carried out simulation of the Weak Neutral Current and symmetry breaking transition bifurcation process addressing some of the issues raised by critics of the approach. We now include the effects of a chiral impulse on the transition and show that under certain cases this could greatly alter the transition time. Examples of a chiral impulse could be a nearby Supernova and an impulse of β-emitters. We briefly discuss the possibility of these processes in the early solar system.
Vibrational relaxation of CN stretch of pseudo-halide anions (OCN-, SCN-, and SeCN-) in polar solvents.

The vibrational relaxation dynamics of pseudo-halide anions XCN- (X=O, S, Se) in polar solvents were studied to understand the effect of charge on solute-to-solvent intermolecular energy transfer (...
Spinal projections from the mesencephalic and pontine reticular formation in the North American Opossum: a study using axonal transport techniques.

The results from several experimental approaches lead to the following conclusions. The nucleus cuneiformis projects to at least lumbar levels of the spinal cord. Its axons course through the ipsilateral sulcomarginal and ventral funiculi to distribute within lamina VIII and adjacent portions of lamina VII. Neurons within the nucleus reticularis pontis (RP), particularly within more medial parts of the nucleus, project through comparable routes to the same laminae. In addition, however, neurons within the lateral and dorsolateral RP relay through the lateral and dorsolateral funiculi, ipsilaterally, and the dorsolateral funiculus, contralaterally. Axons could be traced from the dorsolateral tracts to laminae IV through VII, lamina X and, in some instances, to laminae I and II. Injections of the dorsolateral pons also label the intermediolateral cell column and an area presumed to be the sacral parasympathetic nucleus. Many of the neurons which contribute to the contralateral bundle are located adjacent to the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus. The nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis projects mainly via the sulcomarginal, ventral and lateral funiculi to laminae VIII and adjacent portions of laminae VII. The nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis pars ventralis innervates the same laminae; but, in addition, projects heavily to laminae I and II, to lateral portions of laminae IV through VII, to laminae IX and X and to the intermediolateral cell column. Axons destined for laminae I and II, as well as IV through VII and X, traverse the dorsolateral funiculi as described for the cat by Basbaum et al. (1978). Neurons within the nucleus reticularis parvocellularis project to cervical levels, mainly through the ventral funiculi. In general our results show that reticulospinal projections are more complex than suggested by degeneration methods and that laminae I, II, lateral parts of laminae IV-VII, laminae IX and X, as well as the intermediolateral cell column and sacral parasympathetic nucleus are targets of axons from specific areas.