cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biological phenotypes associated with individuals at high risk for developing alcohol-related disorders: Part 1.

This article reviews the results of studies concerning particular classes of biological phenotypes that may have relevance for alcohol dependence. Broadly defined, these classes include brain neurotransmitter systems and neuroelectric potentials. Evidence is presented concerning genotypic variation in alcoholics and high-risk relatives suggesting that the etiology of alcoholism and other addictive diseases is mediated in part through suboptimal neurotransmitter functioning. Research opportunities are offered with respect to specific candidate genes that have been cloned from these neurotransmitter systems that could be most fully utilized in family-based genetic analyses. Additional evidence is offered, suggesting that characteristics of particular neuroelectric potentials (e.g. the amplitude of the P300 component of the event-related potential) may provide another dimension of potential markers that could be used to identify children at risk. Finally, methodological considerations specific to high risk studies are discussed. Among these are the need to include a plan for studying more severe cases of alcohol dependence that are relatively uncomplicated by other major psychiatric disorders. Plans for long-term follow-up of children at highest risk for developing the disorder should also be included. Multiple domains of inquiry should not be viewed as "unfocused" but rather as an economical means for utilizing highly characterized samples of individuals meeting rigorous research criteria.
CLEARANCE EFFECTS ON BILINEAR NORMAL MODE FREQUENCIES

Abstract The effects of a clearance or interference on the normal mode frequencies of a n -dof system with bilinear stiffness and without damping are investigated through various modifications of the bilinear frequency relation. First, the exact penetration distances and bilinear natural frequencies of a single-degree-of-freedom system are analytically obtained in terms of the amount of clearance and the strength of non-linearity, and an equivalent linear system is derived. These results are in turn used to construct three methods which approximate the bilinear frequencies for the n -dof system. The specific example of a two-dof system is studied in which the resulting approximate frequencies are compared with those obtained from numerical simulations in order to determine the most accurate approximation technique. The results demonstrate how these bilinear normal mode frequencies vary with the magnitude of the clearance/interference and thus point toward the need of including such effects in methods which utilize the bilinear frequency relation.
Histopathology of Acute Toxic Response in Rats and Mice Exposed to Methyl Chloride by Inhalation

Abstract Histopathology of Acute Toxic Response in Rats and Mice Exposed to Methyl Chloride by Inhalation. Morgan, K.T., Swenberg, J.A., Hamm, T.E., Jr., Wolkowski-Tyl, R. and Phelps, M. (1982). Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 2:293–299. Both sexes of one strain of rat (F344), two strains of mice (C3H and C57BL/6) and the cross (B6C3F1) of these 2 strains of mice were exposed by inhalation to methyl chloride for 6 hours per day for up to 12 days. Methyl chloride concentrations in air were 0, 500, 1000, or 2000 ppm for mice, and 0, 2000, 3500 or 5000 ppm for rats. All male B6C3F1 mice exposed to 2000 ppm were dead or moribund by day 2, and all male and female mice in the remaining 2000 ppm groups were moribund by day 5. Prior to death many of these mice exhibited ataxia, and hematuria with the latter occurring mainly in females. Treatment associated lesions in mice included hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis, degeneration and necrosis of proximal convoluted tubules and/or basophilic tubules in the renal cortex, and focal areas of necrosis of the internal granular layer of the cerebellum. Brain lesions were most severe in female C57BL/6 mice, while hepatocellular degeneration was most severe in male C57BL/6 and B6C3F1 strains. Approximately 50% of the male and female rats exposed to 5000 ppm were killed in extremis on day 5. The principal clinical signs, which were confined to the 5000 and 3500 ppm groups, included severe diarrhea, incoordination of the fore-limbs, and in a small number of animals, hind limb paralysis and convulsions. In rats, lesions were observed in the liver, kidney and brain which resembled those seen in mice but were generally less severe. Lesions observed in tissues examined only in rats included vacuolar degeneration of the zona fasciculata of the adrenal glands and degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules and epididymis. Rats appeared to respond in a similar manner to mice but were more resistant to methyl chloride toxicity. These findings demonstrate species, strain and sex differences in susceptibility to methyl chloride.
Development of non-contact drive monitoring system for advanced safety vehicle

In order to realize a driver support system based on the measurement of a driver, it is necessary to adopt non-contact measurement system. In this paper, we present a non-contact measurement system of a driver which acquires facial information in real-time. Recognition of the objects which the driver is looking at is possible using the developed system. The feasibility of the system was verified through measurement experiments of a driver at lane changes.
Congenital primitive neuroectodermal tumor (neuroepithelioma) of the chest wall.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (neuroepithelioma) is a relatively common central nervous system tumor in children. Those arising from a peripheral nerve are extremely rare in childhood. There is only one reported case in a 6-year-old where the tumor arose from the sciatic nerve. A case of neuroectodermal tumor of the chest wall, arising from the intercostal nerve, in a newborn is presented. The tumor metastasized to the brain. Prominent Homer-Wright rosettes, with central eosinophilic fibrillar substance similar to that seen in neuroepithelioma of the central nervous system, were present in the primary tumor and brain metastases. Ultrastructure, as revealed by transmission electron microscopy, is also described.
ESTIMATING THE STRENGTH OF SEXUAL SELECTION FROM Y-CHROMOSOME AND MITOCHONDRIAL DNA DIVERSITY

We show that a sex difference in the opportunity for selection results in sex differences in the strength of random genetic drift and thus creates different patterns of genetic diversity for maternally and paternally inherited haploid genes. We derive the effective population size Ne for a male-limited or female-limited haploid gene in terms of I, the ''opportunity for selection'' or the variance in relative fitness. Because the variance in relative fitness of males can be an order of magnitude larger than that of females, the Ne is much smaller for males than it is for females. We derive both nonequilibrium and equilibrium expressions for FST in terms of I and show how the portion of I owing to sexual selection, Imates, that is, the variation among males in mate numbers, is a simple function of the F's for cytoplasmic (female inherited) and Y-linked (male inherited) genes. Because multiple, transgenerational data are lacking to apply the nonequilibrium expression, we apply only the equilibrium model to published data on Y chro- mosome and mitochondrial sequence divergence in Homo sapiens to quantify the opportunity for sexual selection. The estimate suggests that sexual selection in humans represents a minimum of 54.8% of total selection, supporting Darwin's proposal that sexual selection has played a significant role in human evolution and the recent proposal regarding a shift from polygamy to monogamy in humans.
Macroporosity enhances vascularization of electrospun scaffolds.

Abstract Background One of the greatest challenges in scaffold-based tissue engineering remains poor and inefficient penetration of cells into scaffolds to generate thick vascularized and cellular tissues. Electrospinning has emerged as a preferred method for producing scaffolds with high surface area-to-volume ratios and resemblance to extracellular matrix. However, cellular infiltration and vascular ingrowth are insufficient because of lack of macropore interconnectivity in electrospun scaffolds with high-fiber density. In this study, we report a novel two-step electrospinning and laser cutting fabrication method to enhance the macroporosity of electrospun scaffolds. Materials and methods Polycaprolactone dissolved in hexafluoroisopropanol was electrospun at 25 kV to create uniform 100–120 μm sheets of polycaprolactone fiber mats (1- to 5-μm fiber diameter) with an array of pores created using VERSA LASER CUTTER 2.3. Three groups of fiber mats with three distinct pore diameters (300, 160, and 80 μm, all with 15% pore area) were fabricated and compared with a control group without laser cut pores. After laser cutting, all mats were collagen coated and manually wrapped around a catheter six times to form six concentric layers before implantation into the omentum of Lewis rats. Cellular infiltration and vascular ingrowth were examined after 2 wk. Results Histologic analysis of 14-d samples showed that scaffolds with laser cut pores had close to 40% more cellular infiltration and increased vascular ingrowth in the innermost layers of the construct compared with the control group. Despite keeping pore area percentage constant between the three groups, the sheets with the largest pore size performed better than those with the smallest pore sizes. Conclusions Porosity is the primary factor limiting the extensive use of electrospun scaffolds in tissue engineering. Our method of LASER cutting pores in electrospun fibrous scaffolds ensures uniform pore sizes, easily controllable and customizable pores, and enhances cellular infiltration and vascular ingrowth, demonstrating significant advancement toward utility of electrospun scaffolds in tissue engineering.
Activation of NF-κB by TMPRSS2/ERG Fusion Isoforms through Toll-Like Receptor-4

The TMPRSS2/ERG (T/E) fusion gene is present and thought to be an oncogenic driver of approximately half of all prostate cancers. Fusion of the androgen-regulated TMPRSS2 promoter to the ERG oncogene results in constitutive high level expression of ERG which promotes prostate cancer invasion and proliferation. Here, we report the characterization of multiple alternatively spliced T/E fusion gene isoforms which have differential effects on invasion and proliferation. We found that T/E fusion gene isoforms differentially increase NF-κB-mediated transcription, which may explain in part the differences in biological activities of the T/E fusion isoforms. This increased activity is due to phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 on Ser536. Tissue microarray immunochemistry revealed that p65 phospho-Ser536 is present in the majority of prostate cancers where it is associated with ERG protein expression. The T/E fusion gene isoforms differentially increase expression of a number of NF-κB associated genes including PAR1, CCL2, FOS, TLR3, and TLR4 (Toll-like receptor). TLR4 activation is known to promote p65 Ser536 phosphorylation and knockdown of TLR4 with shRNA decreases Ser536 phosphorylation in T/E fusion gene expressing cells. TLR4 can be activated by proteins in the tumor microenvironment and lipopolysacharide from Gram (-) bacteria. Our findings suggest that bacterial infection of the prostate and/or endogenous microenvironment proteins may promote progression of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and/or prostate cancers that express the T/E fusion gene, where the NF-κB pathway might be targeted as a rational therapeutic approach.
Technology mapping using Boolean matching and don't care sets

The authors describe a new approach to technology mapping where matchings are recognized by means of Boolean operations. The matching algorithm uses tautology checking based on Shannon decompositions. They show how to use the symmetry and unateness properties to speed-up the Boolean matching algorithm. They examine how don't care information can be used during Boolean matching. The algorithms have been implemented in program Ceres and tested on the 1989 MCNC benchmark circuits. >
Using student feedback to improve instruction in engineering calculus

The purpose of this paper is to describe and evaluate the instructional techniques that were used in a two-course sequence of engineering calculus. These techniques included a course Web site that contained solutions to exams from prior years, course notes and solutions to quizzes. Manipulatives, Mathematica and group work were also incorporated into the original design.
Principal Components Analysis of the Psychological Screening Inventory in a Sample of Substance Abusers

A principal components analysis of responses to the Psychological Screening Inventory from a sample of substance abusers was conducted. Subjects were 153 inpatients admitted to a midwestern program for chemical dependency treatment. Means for age and education were 28.0 yr. (SD = 8.1) and 11.4 (SD = 1.8), respectively. Analysis indicated that a two-factor solution best described these data. Factor 1 reflected over-all maladjustment, while Factor 2 was a measure of extroversion. Clinical utility of the inventory was discussed.
Impact of IEC 61850 on Power System Protection

IEC 61850 is a new international standard for communication networks and systems in substations that has a significant impact on the developments in power system protection. It allows the implementation of high-speed peer-to-peer communications based applications, as well as distributed protection solutions using sampled analog values. The paper describes the principles of different IEC 61850 communications based protection functions and analyses the factors that will affect their performance. It also discusses the advantages of distributed applications based on high-speed peer-to-peer communications compared with conventional hard wired schemes. Examples of comparison testing are presented at the end of the paper
Trust Management for Mobile Media Distribution

Multimedia content delivery to capable smart phones with high-speed next-generation Internet connectivity is becoming commonplace. However, the openness of delivery demands adaptive and robust management of intellectual property rights. The purpose of this article is to describe a framework to address the central issues in content delivery: a scalable peer-to-peer-based content delivery model. Our method pairs the delivery with a secure access control model that enables data providers to secure a return from making their original content available. Our work resulted in a prototype implementation written in Java that includes a client for the Android mobile platform. Adding robust trust management to scalable peer-to-peer content delivery is the major significance of our work.
Path planning using elastic sheet paradigm approach

To attain true autonomy, mobile robots must be able to plan and execute collision-free paths through an environment populated with obstacles. This paper presents a simple paradigm for two-dimensional path planning. The paradigm is called the elastic sheet paradigm or ESP. The development and modeling of the paradigm is presented. ESPs use in environments containing convex and concave polygonal obstacles is discussed. A software simulation of this technique was developed and it finds paths in relatively complex environments quickly and appears to have real-time applications. >
A Neglected Factor Explaining Family Business Success: Human Resource Practices

Over 600 family firms were involved in this examination of the impact of human resource management (HRM) and professional governance practices on family business success and survival. Our findings identified some of the most prevalent family firm HRM practices and found significant positive correlations among HRM practices, gross firm revenues, and CEO personal income levels. The results support prior arguments for competitive advantage in the marketplace gained through effective use of HRM practices. An interesting additional finding was that while boards of directors, strategic planning, and frequent family meetings were correlated with business longevity over multiple generations, succession planning was not. Such practices are important. for current competitive advantage and may also be crucial to the longevity of the business.
Juveniles Transferred to Criminal Courts: Is Their Criminal Sentence Dependent on How They Got There?

This research seeks to determine whether the manner in which a juvenile is transferred to criminal court affects the length of confinement sentences. A significant difference in confinement sentenc...
What Can the Family Contribute to Business? Examining Contractual Relationships:

The degree to which the family dominates as a form of business organization depends in part on whether a business’s operations favor the implicit informal personal relationships of families or the explicit, formal, impersonal contractual relationships, characteristic of market-oriented organizations. In some situations family identity, trust, personal ties, and the monitoring functions that family relationships provide promote greater incentives for success than explicit, formal contracts. In other cases, formal relationships can provide a more effective means of linking workers within the firm, even when the workers are family members.
Effect of crosslinking density of polymers and chemical structure of amine-containing monomers on the neutralization capacity of dentin adhesives.

Abstract Objectives Neutralization of the acidic micro-environment at the tooth/material interface is expected to provide enhanced durability for dental composite restorations. The objective of this study is to explore the effect of amine-containing monomer formulations and the crosslinking density of the resultant polymers on the neutralization capacity. Materials and methods The co-monomer system was varied systematically to obtain different proportions of Bisphenol A glycerolate dimethacrylate (BisGMA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), while maintaining a constant amount of amine-containing methacrylate monomer. A series of amine-containing monomers covering a range of p K a values were examined. Crosslinking density of formed copolymers was controlled by adjusting the weight content of the dimethacrylate monomer BisGMA. Lactic acid (LA) was used as a probe to analyze the effectiveness of the basic polymers to neutralize acid. The neutralization capacity of each amine-containing crosslinked copolymer was characterized by measuring pH as a function of time when the specimens were soaked in 1-mM LA solution, and the results were compared to the control formulations composed solely of BisGMA and HEMA. Polymer surfaces were examined using the methyl orange (MO) assay to quantify the amount of accessible amine groups. Results For each amine-containing crosslinked co-polymer, the neutralization capacity is enhanced by decreasing crosslinking density (e.g., by reducing BisGMA concentration in the formulation). In addition, more amine groups were accessible when crosslinking density was decreased. For different amine-containing polymers with the same BisGMA concentration, the neutralization capacity is higher when the amino monomers with higher p K a values were used in the formulations. Significance This is the first time that the neutralization capacity based on crosslinked dental polymers has been studied. The information is important for future development of durable dentin adhesives.
Clarification of Contaminants in L-Tryptophan

To the Editors: Most physicians should and do believe the articles published in this journal rather than patient anecdotes, lay press stories on science, and hearsay within the medical community. I...
Selective and enduring deficits in spatial learning after limited neonatal binge alcohol exposure in male rats.

Background: In rats, heavy bingelike alcohol exposure during the neonatal brain growth spurt [postnatal days (PD) 4–9] can impair development of spatial learning. This study tested whether binge exposure limited to the latter half of this period (PD 7–9) produced selective spatial learning deficits that endured into adulthood. Methods: On PD 7 to 9, Long-Evans rats were given intubations of alcohol (5.25 g/kg/day), sham intubations, or no intubations. Rats were tested as adults (≥PD 70) in the Morris water maze under one of three different conditions: place (submerged escape platform in the same location each trial), random (submerged platform in a different, random location each trial), or redundant (visible platform that protruded above the water, in the same location for each trial). A 60-sec probe trial (with no platform present) followed the last acquisition trial. Results: The mean peak blood alcohol concentration was 401 mg/dl on PD 7. Neonatal alcohol treatment significantly impaired acquisition and reduced place biases on the probe trial in place-trained males, but not females. Neonatal alcohol treatment had no significant effects on acquisition performance of the random or redundant groups. Redundant training yielded rapid acquisition for all groups. The visible cue overshadowed place cues for all treatment groups, but small place biases were evident in controls. After random training, no group showed place biases. Conclusions: Heavy alcohol exposure in rats limited to the last half of the neonatal brain growth spurt caused enduring deficits in spatial learning, but only in males. The deficits were specific to place learning in the Morris water maze and emerged only when learning and performance depended on the use of distal place cues.
Kernel Density Estimation, Affinity-Based Clustering, And Typical Cuts

The typical cut is a clustering method that is based on the probability p nm that points x n and x m are in the same cluster over all possible partitions (under the Boltzmann distribution for the mincut cost function). We present two contributions regarding this algorithm. (1) We show that, given a kernel density estimate of the data, minimising the overlap between cluster densities is equivalent to the mincut criterion. This gives a principled way to determine what affinities and scales to use in the typical-cut algorithm, and more generally in clustering and dimensionality reduction algorithms based on pair-wise affinities. (2) We introduce an iterated version of the typical-cut algorithm, where the estimated p nm are used to refine the affinities. We show this procedure is equivalent to finding stationary points of a certain objective function over clusterings; and that at the stationary points the value of p nm is 1 if n and m are in the same cluster and a small value otherwise. Thus, the iterated typical-cut algorithm sharpens the p nm matrix and makes the cluster structure more obvious.
US Food and Drug Administration Web Site: A Primer for Pharmacists

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Web site includes a vast amount of information, but it can be difficult to navigate. Despite frequently asked question (FAQ)-type pages within the Web site, it may not be easy for first-time users to find drug information. This article presents some examples of common questions, provides the locations of the answers on the FDA Web site, and gives a brief description of some of the many resources the FDA provides for health care professionals. Additionally, a newer project being undertaken by the FDA, Snapshot, is introduced.
Liberalism and Republicanism: in Federal Indian Law

This essay shows the ways that, despite apparent contradictions, tribal claims fit within the liberal and republican strands of American democratic theory. Critics of tribal sovereignty and, I believe, the modern Supreme Court, are influenced by the seeming conflict between tribal interests and a liberal philosophical framework. I argue that properly understood, most tribal claims do fit within classical liberal theory, with its emphasis on equality and freedom. It is true that some tribal claims are distinctly those of groups or peoples, and so cannot be adequately captured by an individualist liberal framework. Drawing on the later work of John Rawls, however, I show that even these claims fit within a liberal theory of the rights of peoples. Despite this, liberalism, with its neutrality towards conceptions of the good and its emphasis on formal equality, may still fall short in capturing the nuances of tribal legal claims. I argue that the second dominant strain of American political philosophy, the communitarian or republican strain, may better capture these elements of tribal claims to justice. I conclude by proposing an approach that combines these two strands of American democratic theory and discuss several Supreme Court decisions that utilized this approach.
Why is Earthquake Prediction So Difficult

“One of these [Benioff strainmeters] in the granitic rock of the San Gabriel Mountains is writing a continuous record of the local strain condition for eventual correlation with the general redistribution of strain in the region preceding and following large earthquakes. There are distant hopes that such data may eventually lead to some form of prediction, or at least to anticipation of the general course of seismic events in the area.” (From Charles Richter's textbook, Elementary Seismology, 1958, p. 227) Earthquake predictability has been the subject of several recent, controversial articles within the seismological community. The intensity of the controversy is understandable, since it stems both from our present inability to predict earthquakes and from the potentially great value that prediction could have for society. Our difficulty in predicting earthquakes is partly due to the inherent characteristics of earthquakes and seismic waves and partly to an incomplete understanding of the...
Interference between certain neurotropic viruses in tissue culture.

Summary1) Interference between non-cytopathogenic Col SK virus and cytopathogenic EMC virus occurred on L cells in tissue culture, causing suppression of 0.7 to 2.63 logs of challenge virus depending on the dose of interfering virus used. 2) Interference also occurred between Col SK virus and poliomyelitis or Coxsackie Group B virus on HeLa cells, causing suppression of about 1 to 3 logs of challenge virus depending on the dose of interfering virus used. 3) The mechanism of the interference reaction is discussed.
Effect of Platelet-Shaped Surfaces and Silver-Cation Exchange on the Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production of RbLaNb2O7

The layered Dion-Jacobsen RbLaNb2O7 photocatalyst was prepared in platelet-shaped morphologies using a RbCl flux and with a modulation of the particle morphologies using from 1:1–10:1 (RbCl:RbLaNb2O7) molar ratios and reaction times of 24 h–1 h at a temperature of 1100 °C. Further, the silver-ion exchanged AgLaNb2O7 product could be prepared by reaction of the RbLaNb2O7 particles within a AgNO3 flux at 250 °C for 24 h. These products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (e.g., Imma, a = 5.4763(8) A, b = 22.4042(2) A, c = 5.1576(3) A, for RbLaNb2O7; I41/acd, a = 7.7803(2) A, c = 42.5692(4) A, for AgLaNb2O7). At a 10:1 flux ratio, rounded-platelet morphologies with smooth surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with thicknesses of ∼100–300 nm and lateral dimensions of ∼1.0–6.0 μm. These particle dimensions and morphologies were conserved during the silver-exchange reactions. Photocatalytic rates for hydrogen production were measured in aqueous methanol and yielded maximal rate...
New Observations Regarding Killing of Fibroblasts Infected with Herpes Simplex Virus: Cooperation Between Elutable Factor and Peripheral Mononuclear Cells

With a standard chromium release assay, natural killing (NK) activity of peripheral mononuclear cells (PMCs) from 28 individuals was compared based on the ability of sera to support antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) for cells infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV). PMCs from all 20 individuals whose sera produced ADCC were capable of killing HSV-infected cells compared with none of the PMCs from the eight individuals whose sera did not produce ADCC (mean specific release, 33.2% vs. 6.8%). Results could not be explained by contaminating serum in the assay or by ineffective NK by the PMCs from the eight negative subjects because many of them killed the k562 myeloid cell line as effectively as PMCs from other individuals. In addition, NK could be eliminated by preincubation of effector cells at 37 C, and the capacity to kill by PMCs could be reconstituted by incubation in serum. Killing was more a function of source of serum rather than source of cells.
Understanding User Perceptions of Eva [Commonwealth of Virginia E-Procurement System]

This report explores the reasons for Virginia local governments’ currently low usage levels of eVA for procuring goods and services and what changes DPS might make to facilitate the localities’ increased use. This report explores the reasons why localities within the state of Virginia do or do not use the state’s electronic procurement system (eVA) in its two main forms eVA-Lite and eVA-Full. A group of four Master of Public Administration students at Virginia Commonwealth University have been tasked with researching the issue and providing recommendations to improve eVA and to make it more of an asset to the Commonwealth and its localities.eVA is owned and managed by the Virginia Department of General Services’ (DGS), Division of Purchases and Supply (DPS) and is the central procurement system for all nonconstruction and non-IT procurement needs for all state agencies and institutions. Research question: What are the reasons for local governments’ low use of eVA for procuring goods and services and what changes might DPS make to increase usage? Of the approximately $6 billion in expenditures procured by the state, localities currently make only 1.4 percent of those expenditures through the eVA procurement system. DPS is interested in understanding the reasons why localities do not use eVA for all essential goods and services. From DPS's perspective, using eVA will help increase local government’s access to essential goods and services through an affordable and efficient system. Methods of research and analysis include interviews with members of DPS; a survey sent to all localities that use eVA-Lite and eVA-Full, and observations of eVA outreach presentations to localities. The main findings revolve around the format of the eVA system and user’s understanding of the system. Survey findings suggest that many local governments perceive that eVA is not user-friendly and is time consuming. Additionally, responses from many local government procurers suggest the need for more education and training to better understand all aspects of the eVA system.Finally, the recommendations section offers considerations for DPS to improve the existing eVA system, according to the responses and suggestions of the survey participants. The recommendations fall under the areas of system changes, outreach and marketing strategies, and providing incentives for increasing local governments’ use of eVA.
Hindu Ritual at the Margins: Innovations, Transformations, Reconsiderations, edited by Linda Penkower and Tracy Pintchman, Columbia, University of South Carolina Press, 2014, xiv + 235 pp., US$49.95 (hardback), ISBN 978 1 6111 7389 5; US$48.99 (e-book), ISBN 978 1 6111 7390 1

Hindu Ritual at the Margins is a collection of nine essays (plus an introduction) that explores a variety of Hindu rituals from a diverse set of contexts that range in methodology, historical perio...
Role of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists in management of obesity

Purpose Published data on the weight loss effects of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are reviewed, with a focus on data from clinical trials. Summary Obesity is a significant health problem in the United States (an estimated 69% of U.S. adults are overweight and nearly 35% are obese), and few drugs have proven safety and efficacy as adjuncts to lifestyle modification for weight management. GLP-1 receptor agonists are used for glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and have been studied for their weight loss effects in patients with and without diabetes; these agents produce weight loss benefits through their effects on satiety and gastric emptying. In December 2014, the liraglutide product Saxenda (Novo Nordisk) became the first GLP-1 receptor agonist approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in long-term weight management. Results of clinical trials that evaluated the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy on weight and body mass index indicated outcomes comparable or superior to those achieved with the use of other antiobesity agents. As a class, GLP-1 receptor agonists have a generally more favorable safety profile than several other antiobesity agents; transient, mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal symptoms were the most frequently reported adverse effects in clinical trials. Conclusion Originally marketed for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 receptor agonists have been found effective for weight reduction in patients with and without type 2 diabetes. Liraglutide is currently the only GLP-1 receptor agonist approved by FDA for obesity treatment.
Going Beyond Clery: Evaluating Campus Definitions of ‘Sexual Assault’ and ‘Consent’

This study examined institutional definitions of “sexual assault” and “consent” in a sample of four-year residential institutions in one state. Findings were promising in some regards and discouraging in others. Almost all campuses were compliant with the Clery Act. Many defined “sexual assault” more broadly than statutes, and also defined “consent” in progressive ways. But, information remained scattered across documents and regressive Uniform Crime Report (UCR) language was not uncommon.
Psychological Treatments: Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials

Allocation of participants at random to two or more treatment conditions is an essential feature of the controlled trial. Procedures specific to the therapy must be differentiated from procedures and effects common to all psychotherapies (nonspecific elements). Treatment manuals are detailed accounts of therapeutic procedures used in clinical trials to facilitate therapist fidelity to the treatment. Studies may be classified as efficacy or effectiveness trials. An efficacy trial involves clearly differentiated treatment groups with highly selected patients carried out in a research setting. An effectiveness trial is carried out with patients as they present at the clinic, often with less skilled therapists. Efficacy and effectiveness are two ends of a continuum. A multisite trial involves several clinical sites each of which recruits and treats participants following the same protocol. The primary outcome of a clinical trial consists of the objective assessment of the primary symptoms or behaviors associated with the disorder. Secondary outcomes consist of assessment of associated psychopathology. Predictors of clinical outcomes are pretreatment variables that affect the outcome of treatment. Mediators are the results of therapeutic procedures that exert their effects prior to therapeutic changes and that are significantly related to outcome.
On board water recovery for water injection in high efficiency gasoline engines

During the early days of combustion engine development, inventors and researchers soon discovered that, among many other issues, high compression-end-temperatures and thereby induced uncontrolled self-inflaming of the fuel / air mixture (later called knocking) as well as mechanical failure of engine components due to excessively high combustion- and exhaust gas temperatures were a major challenge when it came to optimizing their engines power density as well as high load efficiency. The impact of these effects further increased, when first inventors started to add external compressors (later called superchargers) as means of enhancing the air density and thus oxygen mass inside the combustion chamber.
Fluid wireless protocols: energy-efficient design and implementation

We stand at the dawn of the next wireless revolution that is driven by 5G and internet-of-things technologies. The dramatic increase in the diversity of needs necessitates breaking the walls of rigid protocols. This paper introduces the concept of fluid wireless protocols, i.e., protocols that can change with the application requirements. We also present a protocol development kit to aid the design of these fluid protocols. Our tool set consists of a protocol recommendation engine for wireless communications and a hardware optimization framework for optimizing the implementation on a state-of-the-art system-on-chip platform. Specifically, we propose a hardware recommendation engine to generate an energy-efficient hardware implementation. We demonstrate the proposed techniques on four protocols with varying requirements, and also run air-to-air experiments on a commercial system-on-chip platform.
Police and Masculinities in Transition in Turkey: From Macho to Reformed to Militarized Policing:

Policing is a gendered and gendering institution. However, the centrality of masculinities to the reproduction of public policing has received little scholarly attention. Drawing from fieldwork, in...
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy of the Neonatal Bowel: Novel, Bedside, Noninvasive, and Radiation-Free Imaging for Early Detection of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Despite extensive research and improvements in the field of neonatal care, the morbidity and mortality associated with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) have remained unchanged over the past three decades. Early detection of ischemia and necrotic bowel is vital in improving morbidity and mortality associated with NEC; however, strategies for predicting and preventing NEC are lacking. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) are novel techniques in pediatrics that have been proven as safe modalities. CEUS has benefits over conventional ultrasound (US) by its improved real-time evaluation of the micro- and macrovascularities of normally and abnormally perfused tissue. US has been implemented as a useful adjunct to X-ray for earlier evaluation of NEC. NIRS is another noninvasive technique that has shown promise in improving early detection of NEC. The purpose of this article is to review the current understanding of changes in bowel perfusion in NEC, discuss the accuracy of abdominal US in detecting NEC, and explain how the use of CEUS and NIRS will enhance the precise and early detection of altered/pathological bowel wall perfusion in the initial development and course of NEC.
The Cochlear Amplifier

The recent observations of sharply-tuned basilar membrane motion and the existence of cochlear acoustic emissions provide evidence that the cochlea is an active mechanical system, capable of generating mechanical vibrations. A model of cochlear mechanics is presented in this paper to support the hypothesis that the primary function of mechanical generators in the cochlea is to amplify displacements of the basilar membrane at sound levels near the threshold of hearing. Some numerical solutions of this model show basilar membrane displacement amplitudes of about 1 angstrom for sound pressures at the eardrum of 0 dB SPL (20 µPa). The rate of energy flow out of the basilar membrane into the cochlear fluid due to the cochlear amplifier is often more than 40 dB greater than the rate of energy flow into the cochlea from the stapes. The action of the cochlear amplifier in this model may be interpreted as a piezoelectric effect which provides a delayed positive feedback to basilar membrane motion.
Mineral Requirements of Beef Cattle

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the mineral requirements of beef cattle. Calcium is the most abundant mineral element in the body; 99% is found in the bones and teeth and 1% in various soft tissues. Calcium plays a role in blood coagulation. Calcium in the blood is found in the plasma. Phosphorus is a component of phospholipids, which influence cell permeability and are components of the myelin sheathing of nerves. Phosphorus plays an important role in blood buffer systems; activation of several B-vitamins to form coenzymes required their initial phosphorylation. The mineral requirements of beef cattle are phospholipids, nucleoprotiens, phosphoric acid rsters of carbohydrates, riboflavin phosphate enzyme complex, diphosphothiamin, pyridoxal phosphate. The one exception is the use of raw rock phosphate which contains toxic levels of fluorine, and thus should not be used. A deficiency of phosphorus results in decreased growth rates, inefficient feed utilization, and a depraved appetite. A major function of sodium chloride and potassium is in the regulation of osmotic pressure within the body. Another obvious function of sodium is in the regulation of acid–base relationships within the body. The sodium ion is the chief cation of blood plasma, and this is true also for other extra-cellular fluids of the body. Chloride functions as a part of gastric juice, in accompaniment with the hydrogen ion. Potassium is the mineral constituent within the cell. The trace mineral elements are iodine, magnesium, cobalt, manganese, zinc, sulfur. The essential toxic mineral elements are selenium and fluorine.
Transamniotic stem cell therapy (TRASCET) in a rabbit model of spina bifida.

Abstract Purpose Transamniotic stem cell therapy (TRASCET) with select mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been shown to induce partial or complete skin coverage of spina bifida in rodents. Clinical translation of this emerging therapy hinges on its efficacy in larger animal models. We sought to study TRASCET in a model requiring intra-amniotic injections 60 times larger than those performed in the rat. Methods Rabbit fetuses (n = 65) with surgically created spina bifida were divided into three groups. One group (untreated) had no further manipulations. Two groups received volume-matched intra-amniotic injections of either saline or a concentrated suspension of amniotic fluid MSCs (afMSCs) at the time of operation. Infused afMSCs consisted of banked heterologous rabbit afMSCs with mesenchymal identity confirmed by flow cytometry, labeled with green fluorescent protein. Defect coverage at term was blindly categorized only if the presence of a distinctive neoskin was confirmed histologically. Statistical comparisons were by logistic regression and the likelihood ratio test. Results Among survivors with spina bifida (n = 19), there were statistically significant higher rates of defect coverage (all partial) in the afMSC group when compared with the saline and untreated groups (0–50%; p = 0.022–0.036), with no difference between the saline and untreated groups (p = 1.00). Donor afMSCs were identified locally, though sparsely and not in the neoskin. Conclusions Concentrated intra-amniotic injection of amniotic mesenchymal stem cells can induce partial coverage of experimental spina bifida in a leporine model. Transamniotic stem cell therapy may become a feasible strategy in the prenatal management of spina bifida. Level of Evidence N/A (animal and laboratory study).
Prepectoral Direct-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction: Early Outcomes and Analysis of Postoperative Pain.

Background Direct-to-implant (DTI) breast reconstruction provides high-quality aesthetic results in appropriate candidates. Most commonly, implants are placed in the subpectoral space which can lead to pain and breast animation. Surgical and technological advances have allowed for successful prepectoral implant placement which may eliminate these trade-offs. Objectives Here we present early outcomes from 153 reconstructions in 94 patients who underwent prepectoral DTI. We sought to determine whether these patients have less postoperative pain and narcotic use than subpectoral implant or expander placement. Methods A retrospective review was performed for all prepectoral DTI reconstructions at our institution from 2015 to 2016. Data were collected on postoperative pain and narcotic use while in hospital. Results The average follow-up time was 8.5 months (range, 3-17 months) and the overall complication rate was 27% (n = 41) with the most common complications being skin necrosis (9%, n = 13) and infection (7%, n = 11). No statistically significant difference in complications was found in patients who underwent postmastectomy radiation therapy. Patients who underwent prepectoral DTI reconstruction did not have a statistically significant difference in postoperative pain and narcotic use while in-hospital compared with other techniques. Conclusion Prepectoral DTI reconstruction provides good results with similar complication rates to subpectoral techniques. Prepectoral DTI eliminates the problem of breast animation. Although our series did not reach statistical significance in pain scores or requirement for postoperative narcotics, we believe that it is an important preliminary result and with larger numbers we anticipate a more definitive conclusion. Level of Evidence 4
Divergent selection for postweaning feed conversion in Angus beef cattle: III. Linear body measurements of progeny.

Postweaning performance data were obtained on 401 group-fed, purebred Angus calves from 24 selected sires (12 high- and 12 low-feed-conversion sires) from 1983 through 1986 at the Northwestern Branch of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. Body measurements of progeny were taken from 1983 through 1986 for hip height and backfat, whereas others, except chest measurements (depth and width) that were available only in 1985, were taken from 183 progeny born in 1985 and 1986. The objective of this portion of the study was to determine whether differences in linear body measurements exist between progeny of high- and low-feed-conversion sires. Differences between progeny of high- and low-feed-conversion sires tended to exist (P < .10) for heart girth (176.3 +/- 1.2 vs 173.2 +/- 1.2 cm) and were significant for backfat thickness (.94 +/- .01 vs .87 +/- .02 cm). No significant differences were observed for hip height (115.3 +/- .5 vs 115.5 +/- .5 cm), chest depth (58.8 +/- .6 vs 57.4 +/- .6 cm), chest width (44.4 +/- .5 vs 44.0 +/- .5 cm), head width (21.2 +/- .2 vs 21.1 +/- .2 cm), head length (42.4 +/- .3 vs 41.6 +/- .3 cm), muzzle circumference (41.0 +/- .4 vs 41.6 +/- .3 cm), length between hooks and pins (46.7 +/- .5 vs 46.2 +/- .5 cm), length between shoulder and hooks (94.9 +/- 1.0 vs 93.1 +/- 1.0 cm), or volume (361,199 +/- 4,885 vs 352,718 +/- 5,026 cm3).
The dialectic of ideology and technology

In this book, Alvin Gouldner weaves a dialectic of intellectual approaches to the questions of ideology. The sophistication of the new sociolinguistics, hermeneutics and its near relative, Frankfurt-style critical sociology, the revelations of social and intellectual historiography, some elements of traditional social science along with reflections on the experiences and moods of the world of the Movement, the counterculture, and the Watergate scandal all these find their places in the book. Some of it, I think, is a product of too much closeness to the particular situation of the late 1960's and early 70's. Other parts make a general contribution to the analysis of ideology that marks a major intellectual advance. For just how much of an advance, one need only compare it with the work of Mannheim a full generation ago.
Contribution of bees and other pollinators to watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.) pollination

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.) is an important economic crop with 29.6 million tons produced worldwide. However, few native bees and other pollinators have been documented to visit watermelo...
Optical Characterization of Individual Aerosol Particles

Spectroscopic studies of individual aerosol particles using Surface Enhanced Raman, polarized elastic light scattering and fluorescence measurements for broad classification and potential chemical identification of aerosols and their chemical dynamics.