cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cross-layer techniques for adaptive video streaming over wireless networks

Real-time streaming media over wireless networks is a challenging proposition due to the characteristics of video data and wireless channels. In this paper, we propose a set of cross-layer techniques for adaptive real-time video streaming over wireless networks. The adaptation is done with respect to both channel and data. The proposed novel packetization scheme constructs the application layer packet in such a way that it is decomposed exactly into an integer number of equal-sized radio link protocol (RLP) packets. FEC codes are applied within an application packet at the RLP packet level rather than across different application packets and thus reduce delay at the receiver. A priority-based ARQ, together with a scheduling algorithm, is applied at the application layer to retransmit only the corrupted RLP packets within an application layer packet. Our approach combines the flexibility and programmability of application layer adaptations, with low delay and bandwidth efficiency of link layer techniques. Socket-level simulations are presented to verify the effectiveness of our approach.
Applications in food technology: antimicrobial peptides

Abstract Although all living organisms produce defense peptides, only a few of these have been tested and found usable in food. Processors favor antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) produced by microorganisms that are already in use in food fermentations, particularly lactic acid bacteria, but there are many promising peptides produced by other microorganisms. There is a need for a multitude of AMPs that effectively combat foodborne pathogens and thus improve food safety. Spoilage microorganisms are responsible for a great share of food waste; many of these harmful organisms can be controlled with the use of the right AMPs. Despite the industry’s best effort to combat pathogenic and spoilage organisms, these remain a serious concern in food. Microbial peptides are used in food preservation in the form of antimicrobial additives after proper testing and regulatory approval. Nisin, a ribosomal peptide produced by Lactococcus lactis, and e-polylysine, a nonribosomal peptide produced by Streptomyces albulus, are examples of natural peptides approved for use in food. Microbial producers of AMPs may also be used in food as protective cultures. These producers may be also inoculated in food or food-grade ingredients that serve as growth media; the resulting fermentates may be used as protective food ingredients or probiotics. It is advantageous to apply AMPs in combination with another preservation factor, such as heat or ultra-high pressure, particularly if two treatments act synergistically against the microbial targets. This approach can minimize the quality damage that may result from the use of physical treatments alone. Some of the hurdles facing the application of AMPs include the difficulty and expense associated with mass production and the complexity of regulatory approval for promising antimicrobial additives. The search for potent, safe, and food-useable AMPs should be encouraged and supported. To facilitate implementation, collaboration among researchers, processors, and regulators needs to be emphasized.
Is remote working a privilege? A spatial Durbin approach of digital infrastructure and workplace mobility change during the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.

Utilizing workplace mobility change from Google Community Mobility Report as a proxy for the availability of remote working, the present study aims at (1) testing the spatial dependence of workplace mobility change of U.S. county during the COVID-19 outbreak; (2) examining the impact of ICTs access on the workplace mobility change; (3) investigating the spillover effect of ICTs access from adjacent counties on workplace mobility change (N = 1027). Based on the result of the global measure of spatial dependence, this study identifies the spatial pattern of workplace mobility across the contiguous U.S., and the spatial pattern is consistent across time from March to December 2020. Besides, after controlling for democratic and occupation factors, the results of the spatial Durbin error models find that if a county with better digital infrastructure (i.e., more devices, more available and faster Internet connection), the people in the county tends to have the option to shift to remote working during the pandemic, and their workplace mobility change would be larger comparing to the baseline of pre-pandemic period. And this finding is constantly detected across 10 months in 2020, which illustrates that the ICTs access is an inevitably important determinant for the availability of remote working during the pandemic. More interestingly, the results also detect a spillover effect of the ICT access from adjacent counties. Therefore, ICTs access is an important factor affecting the availability of remote working during the pandemic. And the effect is not only situated in people’s current location, but also spilled from adjacent geographical locations. In other words, remote working could be a privilege for those households and individuals with access to better digital infrastructure.
Hypomethylating Agents and FLT3 Inhibitors As Maintenance Treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract Background Disease relapse remains the major cause of death among patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who receive an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT). Maintenance treatment with FLT3 inhibitors and hypomethylating agents (HMA) has been studied in various clinical trials with mixed results. Objective To synthesize the current evidence on the efficacy and safety of FLT3 inhibitors and HMA for maintenance therapy after allo-HCT in AML and MDS. Methods For this systematic review and meta-analysis Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection were searched from inception to March 2021 for studies on maintenance therapies after allo-HCT in AML and MDS. Studies were excluded if they were reviews, commentaries, case series with Results Our search strategy identified 5559 studies. Twenty-one studies with a total of 809 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The 2-year OS rates were 81.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 73.8%-87.7%) and 65.7% (95% CI, 55.1%-74.9%) among patients treated with FLT3 inhibitors and HMA, respectively. In sensitivity analyses restricted to studies that included a control group, maintenance therapy with FLT3 inhibitors (HR for death = 0.41; 95% CI, 0.26-0.62) or HMA (HR = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.31-0.66) appeared superior to no maintenance therapy. The 2-year RFS rates were 79.8% (95% CI, 75.0%-83.9%) and 62.4% (95% CI, 50.6%-72.9%) among patients treated with FLT3 inhibitors and HMA, respectively. Rates of any grade acute and chronic GVHD were 33.1% (95% CI, 25.4%-41.8%; grade 3/4: 16.5%) and 42.5% (95% CI, 26.3%-60.4%) among FLT3 inhibitor and 42.7% (95% CI, 33.5%-52.4%; grade 3/4: 8.1%) and 41.5% (95% CI, 32.0%-51.6%) among HMA-treated patients, respectively. Conclusion Maintenance therapy with either FLT3 inhibitors or HMA after allo-HCT can lead to prolonged and improved OS and RFS with a favorable safety profile. Additional studies are needed to define the optimal duration of treatment, the role of measurable residual disease status, and transplant characteristics in patient selection.
Using tools and technology to promote education and adherence to oral agents for cancer.

Background The use of oral agents for cancer (OACs) is increasing, and oncology nurses are in an ideal position to educate patients about them and suggest methods to improve adherence. Once an OAC is ordered, the administration is the responsibility of the patient. Oncology nurses can use tools and technology to assist with education, which may promote adherence, and suggest reminder tools that can be used. Many electronic tools have been developed, such as smartphone applications, text messaging, electronic alarms, and glowing pill bottles. Objectives The researchers reviewed electronic devices, as well as traditional methods such as calendars and pillboxes, that can assist patients in remembering to take the medication they are administering at home. Methods A literature search was compiled and websites were searched for patient education tools, reminder tools (electronic and manual), and smartphone applications. The project was part of the Oncology Nursing Society Putting Evidence Into Practice effort on oral adherence. Findings Education alone is insufficient to promote adherence to oral medication regimens. Multicomponent interventions have demonstrated improved adherence, and tools and technology directed at improving adherence to oral agents can be used. The researchers found multiple reminder aids to assist patients in adhering to an oral regimen. They are highlighted in this article.
Minimal Inter-Fractional Fiducial Migration during Image-Guided Lung Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Using SuperLock Nitinol Coil Fiducial Markers.

Author(s): Rong, Yi; Bazan, Jose G; Sekhon, Ashley; Haglund, Karl; Xu-Welliver, Meng; Williams, Terence | Abstract: ObjectivesStereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is being increasingly used for the treatment of patients with lung cancer or lung metastasis who are medically unfit to undergo resection. In order to improve accuracy and confidence in targeting tumors, many centers rely on fiducial implantation. We evaluated the migration of a novel fiducial marker specifically designed for lung tissue implanted via electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB).MethodsWe retrospectively quantified the individual and group migrations of SuperLock nitinol coil fiducials for 15 patients receiving lung stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), in order to evaluate the reliability of using these fiducials as a target surrogate for cases where tumors cannot be clearly delineated on cone beam CTs (CBCTs). For each fraction, we compared the individual and group migrations of the fiducials between the planning CT and the acquired CBCT. The group migration was defined as the distance between the centroids of the fiducial group and GTV.ResultsA total of 16 lung targets were included in our study for these 15 patients (one patient with two targets). Of 55 fiducials placed, we observed a 100% retention rate. The mean individual migration was 1.87 mm (range, 0.63-5.25 mm) with a standard deviation of 1.26 mm. The mean group migration was 1.94 mm (range, 0.03-6.19 mm) with a standard deviation of 1.45 mm. Overall, there was minimal change in the relative locations of the markers with respect to each other, as well as to the target.ConclusionsWe found that the SuperLock nitinol coil fiducial marker positions are stable throughout the radiation treatment, and can be used as a reliable surrogate to target, and to avoid geometric misses during gated treatments.
Nitric Oxide: A Critical Determinant in Ischemia-Reperfusion

Publisher Summary Basal physiological levels of nitric oxide (NO) are essential to the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis, on the micro- and macrocirculatory levels. Normally, these physiological concentrations of NO, in the low nanomolar range, originate from the endothelium; thus, it is called endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO). It exerts a variety of important circulatory functions, including the maintenance of vasodilator tone, inhibition of platelet aggregation, attenuation of leukocyte rolling and adherence to the endothelium, and stabilization of endothelial layer permeability. The onset of reperfusion of an ischemic vascular bed, as occuring in myocardial or mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion, in transplantation of an organ or in reinfusion of shed blood following total body hemorrhage results in a rapid endothelial dysfunction characterized by a loss of functional EDNO. This reduced EDNO leads to a profound increase in expression of cell adhesion molecules and to enhanced leukocyte-endothelial interaction. The consequence of these effects is marked stimulation of the inflammatory response, with transendothelial migration of neutrophils through the dysfunctional endothelium to the affected region.
Covariance functions and random regression models for cow weight in beef cattle.

Data from the first four cycles of the Germplasm Evaluation program at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center were used to evaluate weights of Angus, Hereford, and F 1 cows produced by crosses of 22 sire and 2 dam (Angus and Hereford) breeds. Four weights per year were available for cows from 2 through 8 yr of age (AY) with age in months (AM). Weights (n = 61,798) were analyzed with REML using covariance function-random regression models (CF-RRM), with regression on orthogonal (Legendre) polynomials of AM. Models included fixed regression on AM and effects of cow line, age in years, season of measurement, and their interactions; year of birth; and pregnancy-lactation codes. Random parts of the models fitted RRM coefficients for additive (a) and permanent environmental (c) effects. Estimates of CF were used to estimate covariances among all ages. Temporary environmental effects were modeled to account for heterogeneity of variance by AY. Quadratic fixed regression was sufficient to model population trajectory and was fitted in all analyses. Other models varied order of fit and rank of coefficients for a and c. A parsimonious model included linear and quartic regression coefficients for a and c, respectively. A reduced cubic order sufficed for c. Estimates of all variances increased with age. Estimates for older ages disagreed with estimates using traditional bivariate models. Plots of covariances for c were smooth for intermediate, but erratic for extreme ages. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.38 (36 mo) to 0.78 (94 mo), with fluctuations especially for extreme ages. Estimates of genetic correlations were high for most pairs of ages, with the lowest estimate (0.70) between extreme ages (19 and 103 mo). Results suggest that although cow weights do not fit a repeatability model with constant variances as well as CF-RRM, a repeatability model might be an acceptable approximation for prediction of additive genetic effects.
Abstract 16788: Delivery of Pluripotent Stem Cell Specific Microrna-294 Induces Cardiomyocyte Proliferation Augmenting Cardiac Function After Myocardial Infarction

Rationale: Embryonic heart is characteristic of rapidly dividing cardiomyocytes that give rise to sufficient numbers required to build a working myocardium. In contrast, cardiomyocytes retain some proliferative capacity in the neonates but lose most of it in adulthood. Embryonic stem cell cycle (ESCC) miRs are a class of microRNAs regulating the unique cell cycle of ESCs and their characteristic pluripotency. Nevertheless, expression of miR-294, a member of the ESCC miRs is lost during developmental transitions from the ESCs to mature cells. Effect of miR-294 to induce cardiac proliferation and heart function has not been previously studied. Objective: To determine whether miR-294 drives cardiomyocyte cell cycle reentry leading to augmentation of cardiac function after myocardial infarction. Methods and Results: miR expression analysis was carried out in the heart during development to determine levels of miR-294. Elevated level of miR-294 was observed in the prenatal heart confirmed by qRT-PCR. In contra...
Just solidarity: The key to fair health care rationing

I agree with Professor ter Meulen that there is no need to make a forced choice between “justice” and “solidarity” when it comes to determining what should count as fair access to needed health care. But he also asserts that solidarity is more fundamental than justice. That claim needs critical assessment. Ter Meulen recognizes that the concept of solidarity has been criticized for being excessively vague. He addresses this criticism by introducing the more precise notion of “humanitarian solidarity.” However, I argue that these notions are still not precise enough and are in need of behavioral translation, especially in relation to the problem of fair health care rationing. More specifically, I argue that translation ought to take the form of a well-ordered process of rational democratic deliberation, which I describe and defend in this essay. Such a process is what is required to construct a working model of just solidarity as opposed to a merely abstract idealization of just solidarity.
Effects of stress and stress hormones on amyloid-beta protein and plaque deposition.

Growing evidence indicates that physical and psychosocial stressors, in part acting through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, may accelerate the process of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this review, we summarize recent research related to the effects of stress and stress hormones on the various disease process elements associated with AD. Specifically, we focus on the relationships among chronic stressors, HPA axis activity, amyloid-β protein, and amyloid-β plaque deposition in mouse models of AD. The potential mechanisms by which stress and stress-related components, especially corticotrophin-releasing factor and its receptors, influence the pathogenesis of AD are discussed.
Involving Students in Curriculum Planning

There seems to be some controversy in the question of involving students in curriculum development, and there is some justification for the dissension. At the beginning of the movement toward progressive education, certain theorists proposed that students take the central role in planning the learning activities. A clash between progressives and traditionalists developed, and schools were charged with permissiveness.2 An example of the traditionalist criticism of student influence on the curriculum is Swartz's attack on what he calls "education as entertainment"
Performance of a 4.5 kV, 100 A current-scalable emitter turn-off (ETO) thyristor module

This paper highlights the experimental development and demonstration of an ETO module based on planar GTO technology that is well-suited to be scaled for a multitude of current requirements, with continuous current ratings from 100 A, and voltages up to 4.5 kV. The ETO module has low on state voltage drop and good snubberless turn-off capability. Different from press-pack ETO design, the ETO module employs industry standard module design widely used in IGBT module. Moreover, the ETO module has forward biased safety operation area (FBSOA), so it can achieve di/dt control and short circuit protection capability.
Lymphoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses: Improved outcome and altered prognostic factors with combined modality therapy

BACKGROUND Lymphoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is a rare presentation of extranodal lymphoma with a natural history that is not well characterized in this era of combination chemotherapy. The goals of this retrospective study were 1) to define the natural history of sinonasal lymphomas; 2) to compare the results of radiation therapy (XRT) alone with those of combined modality therapy (CMT) in the treatment of patients with lymphoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses; and 3) to define prognostic factors for each treatment. METHODS Between 1947 and 1993, 70 patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses were treated. The Ann Arbor stages were: Stage IE: 42 patients; Stage IIE: 14 patients; Stage IIIE: 2 patients; and Stage IV: 12 patients. The distribution of T classifications of the primary tumors was as follows: T1: 2 patients; T2: 16; T3: 18; and T4: 34. Greater than 90% of the patients had intermediate grade lymphoma (Working Formulation), and none had follicular lymphoma. Twenty-eight patients received XRT alone, and 42 received CMT. RESULTS The actuarial 5-year freedom from progression (FFP) and overall survival (OS) rates for the entire group were 57% and 52%, respectively. For patients with localized disease (Stages IE and IIE) receiving CMT, the actuarial 5-year FFP and OS were 83% and 67%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, treatment with CMT (P = 0.0005) and stage (IE vs. IIIE-IV) (P = 0.0001) were associated with improved FFP. In the group of patients receiving XRT, extent of disease (Stage IE, T1-3 vs. Stage IE, T4 vs. Stage IIE-IV) (P = 0.0001) was the only clinical characteristic associated with improved FFP in multivariate analysis. For patients receiving CMT, International Index (0 vs. 1-3 vs. 4, 5) (P = 0.0001) was the only significant factor predictive of improved FFP in multivariate analysis. One patient failed in the central nervous system (CNS) after initial therapy as a result of a radiation therapy marginal miss. CONCLUSIONS In a Western population, patients with localized lymphoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses have a favorable prognosis when treated with CMT. FFP is significantly improved by treatment with CMT. For patients treated with XRT, extent of disease is the strongest predictor of outcome. International Index is the most significant prognostic factor for patients receiving CMT. Failure in the CNS is rare after initial therapy and is associated with local failure. Cancer 1997; 80:477-88. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
Should an undocumented immigrant receive a heart transplant

In making decisions about allocating scarce organs, undocumented immigrant status should not be used as a proxy for the legitimate criterion of likelihood of success because uncertainty about future ability to pay or insurance coverage applies to almost everyone listed for transplant.
Economic Growth, Regime Insecurity, and Military Strategy: Explaining the Rise of Noncombat Operations in China

Abstract Although China's armed forces have yet to complete its ambitious modernization program, its military strategy has begun to emphasize the ability to conduct noncombat operations such as disaster relief and peacekeeping in addition to traditional war fighting. This new component of China's military strategy is best explained by an unexpected relationship between economic growth and regime security. Although growth is key to the legitimacy of leaders in developing countries, it also creates new sources of domestic unrest and increases the vulnerability of the economy to external shocks, both of which, if unchecked, can harm future growth. As a result, developing countries such as China may use their armed forces to maintain political stability and provide services that the state lacks, such as emergency disaster relief. These conclusions are based on original data from China.
Coping strategies and psychological distress in cancer patients before autologous bone marrow transplant

The increased use of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) to treat a variety of cancers has led researchers to study psychological functioning of BMT patients. The majority of studies conducted, however, has focused on adjustment after transplantation. Cancer patients' use of coping strategies before undergoing this procedure may also relate to levels of psychological distress. Our aims were (1) to provide normative coping data, controlling for situation-specific variables with a homogeneous sample, targeted stressor, and fixed time point, using the Ways of Coping Questionnaire; and (2) to identify coping strategies associated with distress before high-dose chemotherapy. Subjects were 49 patients scheduled to receive high-dose chemotherapy and an autologous bone marrow transplant. Consistent with previous coping research, we found that escape-avoidance was related to psychological distress on several measures. Item endorsement analyses of the escape-avoidance subscale suggest that patients may have used more passive than active avoidance strategies. Subsequent participation in a longitudinal study was not affected by initial levels of avoidant coping.
Synthesis and characterization of new sulfonated polyimides as proton-exchange membranes for fuel cells

Abstract The synthesis and characterization of a series of new sulfonated polyimides are described. One-step high temperature polymerization method was used to prepare the sulfonated polyimide copolymers from 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTDA), 4,4′-diaminostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DSDSA), and other three common diamines, i.e., 4,4′-oxydianline (ODA), 4,4′-methylene dianiline (MDA), and 4,4′-(9-fluorenylidene)dianiline (FDA). The sulfonation degree of the copolymers was regulated through variation of the molar ratio of DSDSA to the common diamines. Flexible, transparent, and mechanically strong membranes were successfully obtained. The membranes were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, ion-exchange capacity, and proton conductivity measurements. These results showed that the membranes had good thermal stability and exhibited high conductivity at high relative humidity levels, especially in liquid water at 70 °C. At high temperatures of above 140 °C, the membranes displayed higher conductivities than Nafion® membranes because of their high activation energies.
The Lesotho Highlands Corruption Trial: Who has been Airbrushed from the Dock?

The Lesotho government has taken four British business groups to court, charging them with paying bribes to the chief executive, Masupha Sole, of the Lesotho Highlands Water Authority. The companies, Balf our Beatty, Sir Alexander Gibb and Co, Stirling International Civil Engineering and Kier International are charged alongside the Swiss‐Swedish group, ABB, Impregilo of Italy, Acres International of Canada and Sogreah, Dumez and Cegelec of France. Balfour Beatty was a partner in the Lesotho Highlands Project consortium and is accused of paying more than £1 million to Sole over three years. Kier International and Stirling International, within the Highlands Water Venture consortium, are alleged to have paid him £250,000, while Sir Alexander Gibb and Co is accused of transferring £51,478.01.
Contribution of ocean thermal energy conversion to world energy needs

SYNOPSIS Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) can provide energy to all countries. It can deliver the energy (i) to regions bordered by warm ocean waters via direct electric-power transmission or (ii) to other areas not bordered by warm ocean waters, via an energy-intensive material produced on OTEC plant-ships cruising on the high seas in the tropics. Ammonia is an outstanding choice for an energy-intensive material because it can (a) replace ammonia now made from natural gas to conserve fuel, (b) serve as a synthetic fuel, or (c) provide an easily transported, storable source of hydrogen for fuel cells to generate electric power where needed anywhere in the world. Costs of OTEC ammonia and of electricity delivered directly or via fuel cells are projected to be competitive with costs of electricity from coal or nuclear plants by 1990, if rapid OTEC development is pursued.
Novel Forms of Lipodystrophy: Why should we care?

Lipodystrophies are a heterogeneous group of conditions in which individuals never develop or progressively lose adipose tissue in parts or all of their bodies (1,2) (Table 1). In this commentary, we will make the case that 1 ) defining lipodystrophy is a work in progress; 2 ) not all forms of lipodystrophy are very rare; 3 ) lipodystrophy and obesity can occur simultaneously and their metabolic consequences are similar and possibly synergistic; 4 ) leptin treatment can have impressive therapeutic effects; and 5 ) these conditions provide useful paradigms to explore the role of the adipose tissue on metabolic homeostasis and to investigate pathways leading from distinct genetic mutations to very different clinical phenotypes. View this table: Table 1 Phenotypic characterization of lipodystrophy subtypes with inclusion of genotype (if available) What is lipodystrophy? A recent consensus statement by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists acknowledges the difficulty in determining quantitative criteria and concludes that “lipodystrophy is a condition characterized by regional or total loss or absence of subcutaneous fat. This can occur either in the presence or absence of metabolic abnormalities, and with diverse clinical presentations. While generalized forms of lipodystrophy are often diagnosed during childhood or adolescence, some forms of lipodystrophy, particularly familial partial lipodystrophy, may bear some resemblance to common metabolic disorders managed by adult endocrinologists” (3). There are no specific cutoff levels for percent body fat or leptin concentrations, and it often requires time and long-term follow-up to confirm the diagnosis. Much progress has been made in identifying the genetic etiologies of many lipodystrophy forms (1). How missing or abnormal gene products prevent adipocyte development or cause disappearance of adipose tissue in distinct regions of the human body, however, remains mostly unknown. An excellent example is familial partial lipodystrophy or Dunnigan syndrome, in which numerous mutations of the LMNA gene have been found. LMNA is …
The diversifiability of exchange risk

Abstract Discussions of the determinants of the spot or forward exchange rate frequently argue that holders of foreign assets that are subject to exchange risk must be compensated by a risk premium. This paper shows that much of exchange risk is diversifiable. If there are no outside assets and the value of the currency is uncorrelated with the value of other forms of wealth, then all exchange risk is diversifiable; there is no risk premium. More generally, there is a risk premium, but it need not be related to foreign indebtedness or to the variability of the exchange rate as commonly presumed.
Introduction of infection control measures to reduce infection associated with implantable pain therapy devices.

Introduction: Implantable pain therapy devices for chronic pain include spinal cord stimulators (SCS) and intrathecal drug delivery systems (IDDS). A number of different complications can occur after implantation of these devices, but among the most serious is infection. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for prevention of surgical site infection, published literature on infection risk with implantable pain therapy devices, and recommendations from groups within our own our institution, we introduced infection control measures for all patients receiving either SCS or IDDS. Methods: After approval from the Institutional Review Board, we performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing primary implantation of SCS or IDDS before and after introduction at our institution of safety measures designed to reduce device-related infection. We compared infection incidence and compliance to infection precautions before and after introduction of these measures. Results: Thirty-four SCS or IDDS were implanted before implementation of the infection control measures and 58 were placed after. Five device-related infections occurred. Adherence to most infection precautions improved during the study period, but 100% compliance was seen only with venue used for implantation. Infection incidence declined after introduction of the safety measures, but the reduction was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Introduction of infection control measures for implantable pain therapy devices improved adherence to most infection precautions in our practice. Lack of specific documentation could have hindered practice surveillance within our group. A tool to document performance of infection control measures would be useful not only as a marker of compliance but could also serve as a reminder to perform certain safety measures.
Two-component desensitization of three types of responses to acetylcholine in Aplysia☆

Abstract Both the onset of and recovery from desensitization of three types of responses of acetylcholine in Aplysia californica occurred by biphasic kinetics. The fast component of onset recovered at a slower rate than the slow component of onset. The rates of onset and recovery were widely different when the three response types were compared. These data suggest that receptor properties determine two components in the desensitization process that are similar for all three responses, while the channel determines the rates of these processes.
Extraction and analysis of neuron firing signals from deep cortical video microscopy

We introduce a method for extracting and analyzing neuronal activity time signals from video of the cortex of a live animal. The signals correspond to the firing activity of individual cortical neurons. Activity signals are based on the changing fluorescence of calcium indicators in the cells over time. We propose a cell segmentation method that relies on a user-specified center point, from which the signal extraction method proceeds. A stabilization approach is used to reduce tissue motion in the video. The extracted signal is then processed to flatten the baseline and detect action potentials. We show results from applying the method to a cortical video of a live mouse.
Optical gap solitons: Past, present, and future; theory and experiments.

Optical gap solitons refer to nonlinear waves propagating in optical fibers whose linear refractive index has a periodic variation. Stationary gap solitons came to light first in 1987 [Chen and Mills, Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 160 (1987)]; two years later, they re-emerge in Christodoulides and Joseph [Phys. Rev. Lett. 62, 1746 (1989)] and are first extended to a more general traveling wave form in Aceves and Wabnitz [Phys. Lett. A 141, 37 (1989)]. But it was not until seven years later, that the first experimental demonstration [Eggleton et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 76, 1627 (1996); J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 14, 2980 (1997)] was reported. Since then, there has been an increase in the study of the dynamics and applications of such solitons. This paper is a brief survey of some of the ongoing and future research on optical gap solitons.
Kinetics of DNA Overstretching: Melting vs B-To-S Transition

Single B-form DNA molecules undergo a cooperative overstretching transition at force Fov to a ∼1.7-fold longer form when stretched. The nature of overstretched DNA has been debated for over 10 years. Either peeled (PL DNA), internally melted (M DNA), or unwound double-helical (S DNA) forms of overstretched DNA have been suggested. Here we characterize the kinetics of the overstretching transition in polymeric torsionally unconstrained double stranded (ds) DNA molecules. We pull ∼50 Kbp λ−DNA molecules using optical tweezers with rates ν ∼10 nm/s to 5.104 nm/s, (net over-stretching time between 0.2 and 10∧3 s). We show that the rate dependence of Fov(ν, [Na+]), measured over a broad range of solution ionic strength [Na+] =5-250 mM suggests the existence of all three forms of the overstretched DNA. Thus, at [Na+]> 50 mM and ν>>1s), internal melting dominates λ-DNA overstretching. This B to M transition is highly cooperative (involves ∼100 bp), and slow (has an on/off time ∼1000s at the transition midpoint force). Faster pulling on a time scale ≤1 s leads to B DNA overstretching into S DNA. The B to S transition is much less cooperative (involves ∼10 bp) and much faster (on/off time ∼1s at the transition midpoint) than the B to M transition. In contrast, in lower salt ([Na+] >1s) leads to DNA peeling. However, on the faster time scale of 0.2-1 s, even in low salt, the DNA overstretches into S DNA, as peeling becomes kinetically prohibited. Our conclusions are supported by several independent lines of evidence, including the salt and rate dependence of both the slope of the overstretched DNA force-extension curve and the value of the second transition force (from M or PL DNA into S DNA).
Method of analysis of non-competitive enzyme immunoassays for antibody quantification

A computerized analysis of a quantitative enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (EIA) using a non-specific immunoglobulin (IgG) of known concentration as the standard has been developed for measuring specific antibody levels in serum without the need for affinity purification of the positive control antibody. The computer program utilized logit-log linear regression analysis of sigmoid serial dilution curves plus a weighted least-squares best curve fit analysis and an iterative manipulation to eliminate errant data points. The EIA was performed using serial dilutions of standard and unknown antibodies, and a double sandwich technique. A comparison of antibody levels determined by EIA using non-specific IgG as a standard relative to antibody levels determined using affinity-purified specific antibody as a standard were 1.04, 0.53, 0.48, and 0.97 for four different polyclonal antibody systems. Five monoclonal antibodies to carcinoembryonic antigen gave ratios as described above of 1.07, 1.59, 1.73, 2.32, and 2.42. The corresponding antibody affinity constants (1/mol) were 1.0 X 10(8), 3.8 X 10(8), 5.5 X 10(9), 1.8 X 10(10), and 2.6 X 10(10) respectively. This method permits accurate quantification of serum antibody levels when affinity-purified antibodies are not readily available and avoids errors due to loss of antibody activity during affinity purification.
Natural Intentions: Fertility Decline in the African Demographic and Health Surveys

Many recent models of society treat certain forms of action as revealing individual intentions, aspirations, or preferences. For example, formal models of fertility decline following Henry and Coale take specific childbearing distributions to indicate “natural fertility,” where couples take no intentional action to manage their reproduction. This article argues that this mode of inference can be valid only when the cultural repertoires that mediate between intentions and actions are well established. Using data from 18 African countries, the author compares women’s self‐reported intentions to those attributed to them under standard demographic models and finds significant discrepancies. The link between intentions and outcomes is itself a social product.
Antihuman leukocyte antigen antibody-induced autoimmunity: role in chronic rejection.

Purpose of reviewWe provide evidence for the role of de-novo development of immune responses to self-antigens in the posttransplant period and its possible induction by alloimmunity in the pathogenesis of chronic rejection following lung, heart and kidney transplantation. The present review details
Methimazole: a goitrogen without apparent extrathyroidal effects in the rat.

Injection of 1.0 μg/100 g per day of l-thyroxine 1) prevented methimazole (Tapazole)-induced goiter in adult female rats without altering plasma PBI and 2) blocked thyroidal I131 release equally well in the presence or the absence of methimazole. The goitrogen did not alter the rate of degradation of labeled l-thyroxine, as manifested by urinary and fecal excretions of radioactivity. The data suggest that methimazole influences thyrotropin-thyroid hormone interplay without complicating effects of an extrathyroidal nature.
Purification and biochemical characterization of α2-adrenergic receptor from the rat adrenocortical carcinoma

Abstract The α 2 -adrenergic receptor was purified from rat adrenocortical carcinoma 494 by an affinity chromatographic step using a novel para-aminoclonidine-sepharose resin followed by a gel-permeation high performance liquid chromatographic step. The iodinated receptor protein was homogeneous as evidenced by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and by high performance liquid chromatography. Both SDS-PAGE and high performance liquid chromatographic studies revealed that Mr of the protein was 64,000, suggesting the monomeric nature of the receptor protein. The purified protein showed the typical binding characteristics of α 2 -adrenergic receptor.
Analyzing spike train similarity measures: the effects of bursts and silence

A fundamental issue in neuroscience research is that of quantifying the similarity or dissimilarity of patterns of neuronal activity, or ``spike trains.'' Several approaches to solving this problem have been proposed, in particular, a variety of spike train similarity measures have been constructed [1-7]. Some of these quantitative measures of similarity are metrics in the strict mathematical sense of the word, and all of them can be thought of as attempts to define the intuitive notion of a ``distance'' between two spike trains. In constructing or choosing a similarity measure, one faces the question of what exactly it means for two trains to be considered similar (close) or dissimilar (far apart), and how this definition of similarity is incorporated into the measure. That choice may depend explicitly upon the nature of the neural system being investigating. In any case, one is faced with the problem of deciding exactly which features of a spike train are physiologically relevant and important for encoding information. Features of interest include neuronal firing rate, spike timing, bursts, or periods of inactivity that are correlated between neurons. The existence of a wide range of possible mechanisms through which spike trains could be encoding information calls into question the idea that a single similarity measure is appropriate for all data sets or experimental conditions. It may be that the best choice of a similarity measure depends intimately upon the specific features of the spike data under analysis. To date, the extent to which different measures respond differently to various specific features of spike trains has for the most part not been explored, although a recent study [8] has compared a handful of these measures on the basis of their effectiveness in discriminating spike trains on the basis of firing rate, instantaneous firing rate and spike synchrony. In contrast, in the present study we propose a novel set of criteria along which to evaluate spike train similarity measures. In particular, we examine the sensitivity of the measures to periods of common silence and the presence and timing of bursts through a set of simple computational tests. We find that, of the measures we examined, only a few were sensitive to bursts, and only one displayed sensitivity to shared silence. None were sensitive to both bursts and silence. In light of this, we introduce a new measure designed specifically to detect and emphasize shared periods of silent inactivity, and evaluate this measure along the same criteria as the others. We find that this new measure, when combined in a natural way with a measure proposed by Schreiber et al., [5] is unique in its sensitivity to both bursts and shared periods of inactivity. Further work will involve subjecting this new measure to the sort of analysis conducted by others [8] to further elucidate its properties. Another promising avenue is to compare this new measure to others on the basis of clustering performance, as has been done with other measures [6].
Signal transfer from photoreceptors to bipolar cells in the retina of the tiger salamander

Abstract Under conditions of dark-adaptation, in response to weak stimuli, the distal retina behaves as a linear system. During the process of voltage transfer from the rods to the bipolar cells the information encoded in the rod responses is spatially filtered. The spatial filtering is determined by the spatial properties of the receptive field of the bipolar cell. These, in turn, depend upon the spatial properties of three syncytia, those of the receptors, the horizontal cells and the bipolar cells themselves. The response of the bipolar cell to these weak stimuli is a linear difference of two components; a component generated by the receptive field center and a component generated by the receptive field surround. The receptive field surround is misnamed since it extends throughout the receptive field center and contributes to the response of the bipolar cell to stimuli located anywhere within the receptive field. The receptive field surround has the spatial properties that would be expected if it were generated by an input from the horizontal cells to the receptive field center of the bipolar cell. The cellular pathway mediating this input remains unclear though we have evidence that it involves, at least in part, a feedforward pathway from horizontal cells to bipolar cells. If a feedback pathway also exists it is not mediated by the GABA A synapse on the synaptic terminals of the cones.
The energy distribution in the pulmonary circulation. II. Experiments.

Data and computations are presented which delineate the distribution of energy delivered to the pulmonary circulation by the right heart into strain energy of the vascular walls, kinetic energy of the blood, and dissipation into heat. For the pulmonary circulation of the intact dog, the effective resistance Re based on energy dissipation was found to be about 20% greater than conventional resistance R0 based on pressure drop. The difference is due largely to the neglect of kinetic energy in the usual definition of resistance. Both the conventional resistance R0 and the effective resistance Re decrease during exercise as compared to rest. This indicates that increased kinetic energy, which is taken into account in computing Re, cannot be responsible for the reduced resistance during exercise.
Syllables and morpheme integrity in Kinande reduplication

Within the expanding framework of non-linear morphology, no wordformation process has sparked more interest than reduplication. Once relegated to a secondary status with a few examples, reduplication has now arrived centre stage as a testing ground for alternative theories of multitiered morphology and phonology. The innovative work of McCarthy (1981) and Marantz (1982) on this subject has laid the groundwork for subsequent formal treatments of reduplication, including Levin (1983), Broselow & McCarthy (1984), Clements (1985), Odden & Odden (1985), Schlindwein (1986, 1988), McCarthy & Prince (forthcoming), Kiparsky (1986), Mester (1986) and Steriade (1988), among others. These varying accounts of reduplication have been tested against a large and growing body of data from most parts of the world. Surprising to us, however, since every Bantu language we are familiar with has one or more reduplicative processes, relatively little attention has been focused on this rather large linguistic group of several hundred languages coverin a major part of the African continent.
A Novel Heuristic Method Based on Shared-Risk Link Groups (SRLG) Constraints in WDM Optical Networks

This paper proposes a novel survivable algorithm, called backup shared and trap avoidance (BSTA), to protect the single failure of shared-risk link groups (SRLG) in WDM optical networks. For each connection request, BSTA computes one primary path and one SRLG-disjoint backup path, or one primary path and two SRLG-disjoint segment-backup paths. With respect to the previous algorithm, BSTA can obtain better performances. Simulation results are shown to be promising.
Laser-plasma acceleration of electrons and plasma diagnostics at high laser fields

Laser-plasma acceleration is now entering an era of petawatt lasers, tenuous plasmas and multi-GeV electron energies. I will review initial results in this regime, and discuss plasma diagnostics needed to understand, optimize and scale them.
Fostering Integrative Motivation among Introductory‐Level German Students through a Language Partners Program

Many students enroll in language classes with the instrumentally motivated goal of satisfying a requirement. This article argues that instructors can influence students’ motivation toward more integrative motivation by helping them make connections with the language community. The “Language Partner” program established for a small German program has proven to be successful in moving the motivation of beginning German students in the direction of integrative motivation. Regularly-scheduled sessions with German speakers give students an opportunity to experience and manipulate the language in authentic contexts. The results of a survey are presented which point toward the success of the program and confirm the benefits for students.