cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alteration of Motor-Unit Discharge Characteristics in Aged Humans

The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the discharge characteristics of single motor-unit action potentials (SMUAPs) in young and aged subjects during 5, 10, and 20 percent of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the abductor digiti minimi manus muscle. Three decades of aged subjects ranging from 60 to 90 years of age were compared with a group of 20 to 35 year olds. Specially constructed fine-wire bifilar recording electrodes were used, and SMUAPs were identified by interactive computer processing. Although the results did not reach a statistically significant level, they showed the 70- to 79-year-old age group had the longest mean interspike intervals (ISI) in each of the three percentages of MVC. The prolonged ISI indicate a slow motor-unit discharge rate. In addition, the 70- to 79-year-old group had a statistically significant floating standard deviation, indicating increased variability of discharge, and a significantly different negative floating serial correlation coefficient. All three factors describing motor-unit discharge behavior in the 70- to 79-year-old age group suggest possible substitution of larger motor units for smaller motor units normally active at low tensions.
Quantitative radiographic imaging using a photostimulable phosphor system

We have evaluated a photostimulable phosphor x-ray imaging system [Philips Computed Radiography (PCR) system] for use in quantification of x-ray exposure in diagnostic radiography. An exponential function was fitted to data yielding quantitative x-ray exposure values as a function of digital pixel values. We investigated several factors that affect the accuracy of exposure measurement using the PCR including repeatability, background noise as a function of time delay between plate erasure and use, sensitivity variation between different plates, nonuniformity of sensitivity within a plate, decay of the latent image between time of exposure and readout (observed as a change in sensitivity), and the accuracy with which the (exponential) calibration function yields exposure values as a function of digital pixel values. The calibration was performed over the exposure range from 5.1 X 10(-9) to 2.0 X 10(-5) C/kg (0.02-75 mR). The accuracy of exposure measurements made with a single imaging plate is between 1.6% and 4.2%. If measurements from several plates are involved, the uncertainty in the final measurement will be between 5% and 5.9%.
Therapeutic hypothermia and vasopressor dependency after cardiac arrest.

Abstract Objective Clinical trials of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) after cardiac arrest excluded patients with persistent hemodynamic instability after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and thus equipoise may exist regarding use of TH in these patients. Our objective was to determine if TH is associated with worsening hemodynamic instability among patients who are vasopressor-dependent after ROSC. Methods We performed a prospective observational study in vasopressor-dependent post-cardiac arrest patients. Inclusion criteria were age >17, non-trauma cardiac arrest, comatose after ROSC, and persistent vasopressor dependence. The decision to initiate TH (33–34 °C) was made by the treating physician. We measured cumulative vasopressor index (CVI) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) every 15 min during the first 6 h after ROSC. The outcome measures were change in CVI (primary outcome) and MAP (secondary outcome) over time. We graphed median CVI and MAP over time for the treated and not treated cohorts, and used propensity adjusted repeated measures mixed models to test for an association between TH induction and change in CVI or MAP over time. Results Seventy-five post-cardiac arrest patients were included (35 treated; 40 not treated). We observed no major differences in CVI or MAP over time between the treated and not treated cohorts. In the mixed models we found no statistically significant association between TH induction and changes in CVI or MAP. Conclusion In patients with vasopressor-dependency after cardiac arrest, the induction of hypothermia was not associated with a decrease in mean arterial pressure or increase in vasopressor requirement.
Kinship-based politics and the optimal size of kin groups

Kin form important political groups, which change in size and relative inequality with demographic shifts. Increases in the rate of population growth increase the size of kin groups but decrease their inequality and vice versa. The optimal size of kin groups may be evaluated from the marginal political product (MPP) of their members. Culture and institutions affect levels and shapes of MPP. Different optimal group sizes, from different perspectives, can be suggested for any MPP schedule. The relative dominance of competing groups is determined by their MPP schedules. Groups driven to extremes of sustainability may react in Malthusian fashion, including fission and fusion, or in Boserupian fashion, altering social technology to accommodate changes in size. The spectrum of alternatives for actors and groups, shaped by existing institutions and natural and cultural selection, is very broad. Nevertheless, selection may result in survival of particular kinds of political structures.
Spectrally Resolved Magnetic Resonance Imaging of a Xenon Biosensor

Due to its ability to non-invasively record images, as well as elucidate molecular structure, nuclear magnetic resonance is the method of choice for applications as widespread as chemical analysis and medical diagnostics. Its detection threshold is, however, limited by the small polarization of nuclear spins in even the highest available magnetic fields. This limitation can, under certain circumstances, be alleviated by using hyper-polarized substances. Xenon biosensors make use of the sensitivity gain of hyperpolarized xenon to provide magnetic resonance detection capability for a specific low-concentration target. They consist of a cryptophane cage, which binds one xenon atom, and which has been connected via a linker to a targeting moiety such as a ligand or antibody. Recent work has shown the possibility of using the xenon biosensor to detect small amounts of a substance in a heterogeneous environment by NMR. Here, we demonstrate that magnetic resonance (MR) provides the capability to obtain spectrally and spatially resolved images of the distribution of immobilized biosensor, opening the possibility for using the xenon biosensor for targeted imaging.
Dynamic Hybrid Topology Design for Multicast in Constrained WDM Networks

High bandwidth one-to-many applications emerging in IP over WDM optical networks demand multicast support at WDM layer so that data signals would be efficiently duplicated inside network without O/E/O conversion. Multicast trees in an optical layer can be built with light-trees which use light-splitting technique. Most of recent studies have been focused to efficiently build and configure light-trees without existing unicast or multicast traffic into consideration. In this paper we consider the dynamic and optimal design problem of multicast configuration for realistic and constrained WDM networks. In such a network, both unicast and multicast are supported, and WDM switches have limited number of wavelengths and light splitting capability. On the other hand, the amount of bandwidth per wavelength is abundant. Using subwavelength sharing among traffic demands of unicast and multicast, we build a hybrid virtual topology which exploits both existing light-trees and light- paths. By optimizing WDM resources in addition to resource sharing with existing unicast and multicast demands, we truly maximize the WDM layer capability and efficiently support more multicast traffic demands. We validate the efficiency of our approach with extensive simulations.
Metabolic disturbances in patients with cerebral palsy and gastrointestinal disorders.

Summary Under nutrition and growth failure are common findings in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and neurologically impairments. Electrolyte and micronutrient abnormalities have also been documented. Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases like gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD), feeding difficulties and constipation have been associated with increased frequency of these derangements. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of malnutrition, metabolic and electrolyte abnormalities in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy and gastrointestinal disorders. A retrospective review of 172 medical records was performed out of which 45 subjects did not have any GI problem, 69 patients had constipation and 58 patients either had GERD, esophagitis, gastrostomy and feeding difficulties. Data collected included: weight, length and body mass index, pre-albumin, albumin, vitamin D, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium (Mg), phosphorus. The results demonstrate a significant difference (p = 0.0126) in the values of albumin in children with CP with GI disorders vs. those without. Additionally, a significant difference (p = 0.0129) was found in Mg levels between CP children with constipation vs. GERD/esophagitis/feeding issues/gastrostomy. Results suggest that children with CP and GI disorders have decreased levels of albumin, but normal pre-albumin. The mechanism for this is not completely clear and although we acknowledge importance of nutritional intake for albumin level support, other mechanisms such as low grade chronic inflammation and increased gut and vascular permeability may play a role. The lower levels of Mg in children with CP and constipation could be secondary to the use of laxatives. Further prospective studies looking at nutritional protein intake, gut and vascular permeability and laxative use in this patient population are important for future optimization of health care management.
Behavioral Variability in the Play of Children With Autism and Their Typically Developing Peers

Invariable or repetitive behavior is a defining feature of autism and can limit a child's exposure to varying consequences and subsequent learning opportunities. We compared the variability in play material selection between 30 children with autism and 30 typically developing children, aged 2-8 years, across three different activities: selecting paper outfits to dress dolls, selecting beads to place on a string, and choosing marker colors for coloring shapes. Selections of materials could be varied or identical to previous selections within the session. Although there was some overlap between the two groups, children with autism were more likely to respond invariably than typically developing children. Two-year-old children in both groups tended to display invariable play material selection, but variability increased across increasing age groups for typical children and remained relatively stable across increasing age groups for children with autism. Implications regarding the divergence in variable behavior across children with autism and typically developing children as a function of age are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of the nervous system in regeneration, growth and cell differentiation in Hydra. I. Distribution of nerve elements during hypostomal regeneration.

Using whole mount preparations, nerve cells at the cut surface (head region) and also the peduncular-basal disk region were studied during various stages of regeneration (zero hour — 96 h) in Hydra. Leucomethylene blue staining technique allows excellent stainability of nerve cells and thus a statistical count of them at the specified stages of regeneration was obtained. Within 1 h after transection a significant increase (P < 0.001) in release of neurosecretory droplets occurs. Between 4 and 15 h of regeneration the number of perikarya remains relatively constant, but the number of processes increases by 200%. This indicates that neurons in Hydra have the capacity to regenerate their processes. Their growth in length is dramatically illustrated at 18 hrs. of regeneration. This degree of anastomosing arrangement is not observed in any other stage of regeneration. After this time the majority of processes break down releasing the neurosecretory materials. A study of the number of perikarya, the number of neurites and the number of neurosecretory droplets in regenerating animals reveals a continuous increase in the number of nerve cells and neurosecretory droplets released for up to 24 h. With the accumulation of nerve cells at the cut surface (24 h of regeneration) there is a simultaneous appearance of tentacle outpushings. The tentacles increase in number and length during the subsequent periods of regeneration. As the regenerative process approaches completion (72–96 h) the number of neurosecretory droplets released decreases, approaching the pre-transection levels as seen in normal animals. It is suggested that the neurosecretory material may act as a “trophic” agent which stimulates differentiation of interstitial cells into nerve cells and thus influences the regenerative process.
Financial Strain and Cancer Outcomes

nationally representative Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance Consortium study to suggest that limited financial reserves are associated with greater symptom burden and reduced qualityof life among patients with comparable clinical stages of lung or colorectal cancer. Using multivariable analysis, the authors attempted to rule out alternative explanations, including age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, health insurance status, cancer stage, and the presence of other chronic illnesses. The results complement a growing literature that documents
Taste-Based Medicine

This essay examines the significance of gustation in the history of therapeutics as a shared anthropological inheritance that mediates human relationships with the natural world. Bringing together ancient Indian, Chinese, and Western medical cosmologies, I argue that our faith in the curative properties of certain tastes—or “taste-based medicine”—has been remarkably enduring. Focusing on elite English medical practitioners over the long eighteenth century, I demonstrate that “taste-based medicine” not only survived transformations within the English medical marketplace and the rise of the “new science,” but actively mobilized debates about the constitution of expertise and who should have access to it.
Trace material detection of surfaces via single-beam femtosecond MCARS

There is a significant need for the development of optical diagnostics for rapid and accurate detection of chemical species in convoluted systems. In particular, chemical warfare agents and explosive materials are of interest, however, identification of these species is difficult for a wide variety of reasons. Low vapor pressures, for example, cause traditional Raman scattering to be ineffective due to the incredibly long signal collection times that are required. Multiplex Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (MCARS) spectroscopy generates a complete Raman spectrum from the material of interest using a combination of a broadband pulse which drives multiple molecular vibrations simultaneously and a narrow band probe pulse. For most species, the complete Raman spectrum can be detected in milliseconds; this makes MCARS an excellent technique for trace material detection in complex systems. In this paper, we present experimental MCARS results on solid state chemical species in complex systems. The 40fs Ti:Sapphire laser used in this study has sufficient output power to produce both the broadband continuum pulse and narrow band probe pulse simultaneously. A series of explosive materials of interest have been identified and compared with spontaneous Raman spectra, showing the specificity and stability of this system.
Ageing and obesity similarly impair antibody responses

Summary Ageing is characterized by increased low-grade chronic inflammation, which is a significant risk factor for morbidity and mortality of elderly individuals. Similar to ageing, obesity is considered to be an inflammatory predisposition associated with chronic activation of immune cells and consequent local and systemic inflammation. Both ageing and obesity are characterized by reduced innate and adaptive immune responses. This review focuses on B cells, how they may contribute, at least locally, to low-grade chronic inflammation in ageing and obesity and on the mechanisms involved.
Breastfeeding duration and offspring conduct problems: The moderating role of genetic risk

Abstract Rationale A sizable body of research has examined associations between breastfeeding and various facets of offspring development, including childhood behavioral problems. Notwithstanding the number of studies on the topic, breastfeeding has not consistently been linked to child misbehaviors. Moreover, empirical examinations of whether breastfeeding is differentially predictive of conduct problems among individuals with varying degrees of genetic risk are lacking. Objective The present study examines whether a short duration of breastfeeding and genetic risk interact to predict conduct problems during childhood. Methods A genetically informative design is employed to examine a subsample of twins from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study: Birth Cohort (ECLS-B), a nationally representative sample of American children. Results The findings suggest that a shorter duration of breastfeeding only enhances the risk of offspring conduct problems among children who possess high levels of genetic risk. Conversely, longer breastfeeding durations were found to protect against childhood behavioral problems when genetic risk was high. Conclusions Indicators of genetic risk may help to distinguish individuals whose behavioral development is most sensitive to the duration of breastfeeding. Future research should seek to replicate and extend these findings by considering genetic factors as potential markers of differential susceptibility to breastfeeding duration.
Mentoring graduate students through the action research journey using guiding principles

AbstractOur department has adopted action research (AR) projects as the culminating task for our master’s degree candidates. This article presents our work on mentoring graduate students towards the completion of their final AR research projects and details the deliberate structures put in place to guide them through the AR process. These structures include a full-semester course, individual meetings with an AR chair, and collaborative faculty–student feedback sessions. These collaborative conversations (between students and faculty) have allowed us to clarify our understandings of AR, set standards and goals for AR, and raise our expectations on the quality of final AR projects. We hope that the discussion in this article will give students assigned AR new insights as they conduct their research. Also, we hope that the guiding principles we have derived through our efforts can inform others who currently use or plan to assign AR to their students.
This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate

In a view from the future, 2016 might prove a critical inflection point: for science, the environment, geopolitics, economics, activism, and ethics. On 22 April, 175 countries signed the United Nat...
Systematics of 0° neutron production by 800 MeV protons on targets with 27 ≤ A ≤ 238

The 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} neutron spectra resulting from 800 MeV proton bombardment of targets of Al, Ti, Cu, W, Pb, and U have been measured for neutron momenta above 500 MeV/c. Integrated cross sections for the quasielastic charge exchange peaks and the broad pion associated peaks at lower momenta show a remarkably smooth dependence on atomic mass of the target, varying as ${A}^{\frac{2}{3}}$ and ${A}^{\frac{1}{2}}$, respectively.
Exploring the Relationship Between Sports Fandom and the Black Criminal Stereotype

In news media, one stereotype that has continually been perpetuated is the overrepresentation of Blacks as criminals, leading to what many refer to as “the Black criminal stereotype.” Although rese...
Organizing Principles of the Nervous System

This chapter presents an overview of the organizing principles of the nervous system. The pervasive nervous system provides oneness, flexibility, speed, and reliability. These capabilities arise from its intricate circuitry. Neurons whose labor is united are organized into common groups (the functional nuclei) and interconnected (by tracts) into precise circuits. The body reads the patterns of different stimuli through visual, auditory, olfactory, and somesthetic systems. The sensory systems pick out the significant stimuli, the changing ones, and present them to the brain. There they are analyzed, first singly and then in combination, all in relation to the present situation and past history. To do these, all sensory systems follow a few general principles. They must transduce stimuli by specialized receptors into neuronal terms: coded electrical signals. All these receptors, no matter where they are, look for differences; what is changing in the environment is what the brain knows best, and the incoming signals are regulated by outgoing modulation so that the brain may choose the most significant stimuli.
Post-operative Catheterization Interventions at the Site of Surgery: An Application of the CRISP Scoring System

Catheter-based interventions in the early post-operative period are performed with caution due to concerns for increased procedural risk, particularly across fresh suture lines. The recently published CRISP scoring system provides prospective risk stratification based on pre-procedural criterion. In an effort to refine the assessment of risk in patients undergoing post-operative catheter-based interventions, the predicted risk of an adverse event based on CRISP scores was compared to actual adverse event rates. A single-center, retrospective review of patients undergoing catheterization interventions within 6 weeks of cardiac surgery was conducted between Jan 2004 and Dec 2014. Patients who underwent dilation interventions across fresh suture lines (group 1) were compared to patients who underwent interventional procedures at other sites (group 2), and a CRISP score was calculated for all patients. Patients receiving only surveillance biopsies were excluded. Sixty-eight patients underwent 100 interventional procedures. Group 1 was composed of 44 patients receiving 64 interventions, while group 2 had 24 patients who underwent 36 interventions. Group 1 was comprised significantly more single ventricles and patients were smaller/younger. Group 1 had a significantly higher median CRISP score, but both groups were within Category 4. The rates of adverse events were similar between groups and comparable to predicted rates with the CRISP scoring system. Catheter-based interventions in the early post-operative period can be performed with no significant increase in the risk of serious adverse events when intervening across fresh suture lines. The CRISP scoring system can be a valuable tool in pre-procedural counseling of high-risk post-operative patients.
Macroscale Insight from Nanoscale Testing

With a very large number of applications, macroscale behavior is based upon hypotheses or guesses about material or process behavior, with no direct experimental evidence to confirm or deny the hypothesis. This is clearly the case with most tribological phenomenon, such as abrasion-based friction and wear, as well as boundary lubrication. Design rules such as the Archard wear law do not explain the function or suggest the value of a wear coefficient, for example, which in effect regulates tribologists to empiricism. Often, nanoscale simulations with only experimental or theoretical components are equally limited, since parameters such as physical dimensions and material properties are chosen to conveniently match the researcher’s tools instead being correlated to a real problem.
Role of Cellular Prion Protein in the Amyloid-β Oligomer Pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia affecting millions worldwide. The primary histopathological features of AD are amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Aβ oligomers (Aβo) are believed to be essential mediators of the synaptotoxicity and cell death that are characteristic of this illness. For decades, the exact mechanism for how Aβ exerted its toxic effect remained unknown. Recently, it has been shown that the cellular Prion Protein (PrPC) acts as a high-affinity binding partner for Aβo. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that PrPC is necessary for memory loss, impaired long-term potentiation, and neuronal dysfunction in transgenic mouse models of AD. Antagonizing PrPC in AD mouse models has also been shown to reverse memory deficits, so targeting PrPC is a potential avenue for treatment. This chapter will review the evidence connecting PrPC to Aβo pathophysiology.
Diffusion Models of Asset Prices

This paper reviews the literature on asset pricing in diffusion models. The first part is devoted to equilibrium models based on the representative agent paradigm. Explicit formulas for fundamental equilibrium quantities such as the state price density, the interest rate and the market price of risk are presented. Valuation formulas for stocks and contingent claims are also provided. Numerical implementation of the model is carried out in a setting with constant relative risk aversion. The second part of the paper focuses on multiagent models with complete financial markets. Characterizations of equilibrium are reviewed and numerical algorithms for computation are proposed.
Ranking Variables in Nonlinear Nonparametric Additive System Identification

Abstract Identification of a high dimensional nonlinear nonparametric system is costly. On the other hand for many real-world problems, they are sparse in the sense that not all variables contribute or contribute significantly. If these variables that do not contribute or contribute little can be identified and removed prior to system identification, the identification problem is of lower dimension. In this paper, depending on the identification purposes, importance measures are defined. Based on these measures, ways to calculate these measures and to rank the importance of variables are proposed. This paper addresses such questions.
Representing the Presence of Absence in Cartography

A key cartographic challenge associated with the rise of big data is to show when spatial data observations are missing or to communicate variables that indicate absence. For example, showing where...
Evaluating the Correlation and Performance of PROMIS to SRS Questionnaires in Adult and Pediatric Spinal Deformity Patients.

Abstract Study Design Retrospective cross-sectional cohort analysis. Objectives 1) To assess the correlation of Patient-Reported Outcomes Management Information System (PROMIS) domains with SRS-22r/SRS-30 domains in all scoliosis patients; 2) to assess the correlation of PROMIS domains with SRS-30 domains in adult scoliosis patients; 3) to assess the correlation of PROMIS domains with SRS-22r/SRS-30 domains in pediatric scoliosis patients; and 4) to assess ceiling and floor effects of PROMIS and SRS-22r/SRS-30 domains. Summary of Background Data Studies evaluating correlations between PROMIS and a number of legacy PRO tools have been conducted. To our knowledge, no literature exists examining the correlation of PROMIS and SRS questionnaires in adult and pediatric spinal deformity patients. Methods Outpatient visits from July 2015 to December 2017 with concurrent PROMIS and SRS questionnaires were analyzed. Pediatric patients completed the SRS-22r, whereas adults completed the SRS-30. PROMIS measured Physical Function/Mobility, Pain Interference, and Depression domains. Spearman correlation coefficients (ρ) were calculated. Ceiling and floor effects were calculated and compared. Results 227 (164 adult; 64 pediatric) patient visits representing 173 patients were included. Moderate to strong correlation existed between PROMIS Physical Function/Mobility and SRS Function/Activity (F/A) domains (ρ, range 0.59–0.84; p Conclusions PROMIS Physical Function/Mobility, Pain Interference, and Depression domains correlate well with SRS F/A, Pain, and MH. SRS SI/A and Satisfaction are not as well captured. PROMIS showed better ceiling and floor effects than SRS. Level of Evidence Level III.
Estimation in Tournaments and Graphs Under Monotonicity Constraints

We consider the problem of estimating the probability matrix governing a tournament or linkage in graphs from incomplete observations under the assumption that the probability matrix satisfies natural monotonicity constraints after being permuted in both rows and columns by some latent permutation. We propose a natural estimator which bypasses the need to search over all possible latent permutations and hence is computationally tractable. We then derive asymptotic risk bounds for our estimator. Pertinently, we demonstrate an automatic adaptation property of our estimator for several sub classes of our parameter space which are of natural interest, including generalizations of the popular Bradley-Terry model in the tournament case, the $\beta $ model and stochastic block model in the graph case, and Holder continuous matrices in the tournament and graph settings.
Effect of the numerical discretization scheme in Shock-Driven turbulent mixing simulations

Abstract We evaluate the effects of distinct numerical strategies in simulations of shock-driven turbulent mixing. An air-SF6-air gas curtain subjected to Mach 1.2 shock-waves is computed with Implicit Large-Eddy Simulation based on three numerical schemes: directional-split with Harten-Lax-van Leer (HLL) solver; directional-unsplit using HLL-Contact (HLLC) solver; and directional-unsplit with HLLC solver and a Low Mach number Correction (LMC). The results illustrate the importance of the numerical strategy to the accuracy of the predictions. Whereas both split and unsplit schemes result in a similar spatial development of the initial shock-driven instability, only the unsplit schemes can predict the turbulent mixing transition after reshock observed by the laboratory experiments. Such feature increases the mixing rate of the two fluids, this being particularly pronounced when the LMC is active due to i) the reduced flow Mach number, and ii) the larger effective Reynolds number. Since the selected mixing problem is driven by the deposition of vorticity at the fluids’ interface, the resultant flow physics is analyzed by investigating the contribution of distinct inviscid mechanisms to the production of vorticity: baroclinicity, stretching, and dilatation. As expected, it is observed that the production of vorticity is initially dominated by the baroclinicity mechanism. Yet, the relevance of the remainder mechanisms is enhanced after the reshock and may even surpass the baroclinicity term.
Pre-formed DSA and kidney allograft outcomes.

Donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) directed against HLA antigens are central to the development of antibody-mediated rejection and chronic allograft vasculopathy, the leading causes of long-term transplant failure. DSAs can be preexisting (preformed) or arise de novo (dnDSA) following transplantation. Preformed DSAs occur through previous exposure to alloantigens after blood transfusion, pregnancy or prior transplant. Because preformed DSAs significantly increase the risk of antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR), organs expressing the target antigens of the DSAs are avoided if possible. Using solid-phase, single antigen [...]
Make a name for yourself: exploring the interculturality of naming and addressing practices among transnational teachers of Chinese as a foreign language

Naming practices are inextricably linked to cultural values and social norms. Among Chinese English language learners, naming practices have been the focus of studies in both domestic and transnati...
Medical Complications and Prognostic Factors for Medically Unstable Conditions During Acute Inpatient Cancer Rehabilitation.

PURPOSE:Acute inpatient rehabilitation provides concurrent medical care and intensive rehabilitation. We sought to describe the nature of types of medical complications and to identify the more fre...
Self-assembled peptide-conjugated rosemary extract derivatives as drug delivery vehicles for targeting tumor cells

Self-assembled supramolecular structures have gained attention due to their wide range of applications. In this work, we have created two novel drug delivery systems for targeting MCF-7 breast canc...
Psychiatry Transcript Annotation: Process Study and Improvements:

Background: The demand for psychiatry is increasing each year. Limited research has been performed to improve psychiatrist work experience and reduce daily workload using computational methods. The...
Cannabis and Driving

As more states in the U.S legalize recreational and medicinal cannabis, rates of driving under the influence of this drug are increasing significantly. Aspects of this emerging public health issue potentially pit science against public policy. The authors believe that the legal cart is currently significantly ahead of the scientific horse. Issues such as detection procedures for cannabis-impaired drivers, and use of blood THC levels to gauge impairment, should rely heavily on current scientific knowledge. However, there are many, often unacknowledged research gaps in these and related areas, that need to be addressed in order provide a more coherent basis for public policies. This review focuses especially on those areas. In this article we review in a focused manner, current information linking cannabis to motor vehicle accidents and examine patterns of cannabis-impairment of driving related behaviors, their time courses, relationship to cannabis dose and THC blood levels, and compare cannabis and alcohol-impaired driving patterns directly. This review also delves into questions of alcohol-cannabis combinations and addresses the basis for of per-se limits in cannabis driving convictions. Finally, we distinguish between areas where research has provided clear answers to the above questions, areas that remain unclear, and make recommendations to fill gaps in current knowledge.
The ISOTILT software for discovering cooperative rigid-unit rotations in networks of interconnected rigid units

A user-friendly web-based software tool called `ISOTILT' is introduced for detecting cooperative rigid-unit modes (RUMs) in networks of interconnected rigid units (e.g. molecules, clusters or polyhedral units). This tool implements a recently described algorithm in which symmetry-mode patterns of pivot-atom rotation and displacement vectors are used to construct a linear system of equations whose null space consists entirely of RUMs. The symmetry modes are first separated into independent symmetry-mode blocks and the set of equations for each block is solved separately by singular value decomposition. ISOTILT is the newest member of the ISOTROPY Software Suite. Here, it is shown how to prepare structural and symmetry-mode information for use in ISOTILT, how to use each of ISOTILT's input fields and options, and how to use and interpret ISOTILT output.
Sex-Positivity, Medical Mistrust, and PrEP Conspiracy Beliefs Among HIV-Negative Cisgender Black Sexual Minority Men in Atlanta, Georgia.

Because the public health response to the disproportionate HIV burden faced by Black sexual minority men (BSMMM) has focused on sexual risk reduction and disease prevention, other vital components of sexual health (e.g., intimacy, pleasure, benefits of sex) have been often overlooked. Sex-positive describes a more open, holistic approach toward sex and sexuality that prioritizes these other components, though such an approach is rarely applied to BSMM's sexual health. For sex-positive BSMM, risk/preventive discourse may foster or exacerbate medical mistrust as a reaction to the dissonance between how these men view sexual health and how the medical establishment views it, which may discourage sexual healthcare-seeking. We assessed sex-positivity and its association with medical mistrust and PrEP conspiracy beliefs among 206 HIV-negative cisgender BSMM in Atlanta, Georgia. We performed exploratory factor analytic procedures on responses to a sex-positivity scale, followed by multivariable linear regressions to determine sex-positivity’s associations with medical mistrust and PrEP conspiracy beliefs. We extracted two sex-positivity factors: sexual freedom (α = 0.90), reflecting openness toward casual sex and rejection of sexual mores, and essence of sex (α = 0.77), reflecting the intimate, relational, and pleasurable qualities of sex. Sexual freedom was independently associated with perceived provider deception (β = 0.19, CI = 0.04, 0.34). Essence of sex was independently associated with PrEP conspiracy beliefs (β = 0.16, CI = 0.02, 0.31) and marginally associated with perceived provider deception (β = 0.14, CI = − 0.00, 0.29). Healthcare providers and public health practitioners may cultivate greater trust with BSMM by incorporating a sex-positive approach into patient/participant interactions, clinical decision-making, and interventions. Improving access to sexual pleasure acknowledges BSMM’s right to optimal, holistic sexual health.
An Overview of Tax-Favored Higher Education Savings Benefits, Their Relationship to Each Other, and Their Impact on Traditional Federal Financial Aid Eligibility

With the average cost of a college education at public and private institutions estimated to rise to $60,000 and $200,000, respectively, by the year 2007, the need for financial planning for college is more critical than ever. Recent changes and additions to the Internal Revenue Code have fulfilled Congress' intention to maximize tax benefits for education and provide greater choices for taxpayers in determining which tax benefits are most appropriate for them (H.R. Conf Report). The interaction of the various education incentives such as qualified tuition plans, Coverdell education savings accounts, the scholarship exclusion, the qualified tuition deduction, and the Hope and Lifetime Learning credits, among others, makes planning to maximize tax benefits an extremely complex undertaking. Further complicating the overall planning process is the impact of various funding alternatives and tax incentives on eligibility for federal financial aid. This paper will explore each of these areas.
Tamanho da raiz, pêlos radiculares e infecção por micorrizas: um reexame da hipótese de Baylis com árvores tropicais

A series of 89 Brazilian forest species for which root characteristics and V-A mycorrhizal condition were known was used to test an aspect of Baylis's magnolioid root hypothesis. A non-parametric statistical test showed a significant association between magnolioid root characteristics and V-A infection.
Simulation of Field Coupled Computing Architectures Based on Magnetic Dot Arrays

In this paper, we demonstrate that field-coupled nanomagnets can be used for digital information processing. The operation of logic devices is based on a QCA-like architecture, where information propagates by magnetostatic interaction between individual magnetic dots. Micromagnetic simulations indicate that simple logic gates function properly. Efficient design tools, based on the single-domain approximation are developed.
Migraine Headaches: the Immunologist's View

Objective: Review evidence supporting the role of mast cells in migraine pathophysiology. Background: Mast cells are known for their role in allergic reactions, but they are also important in immunity and inflammatory diseases, especially those precipitated or worsened by stress. Such are migraine headaches that are associated with spreading neuronal depression and neurogenic inflammation intracranially. Migraines are also comorbid with allergies and could precipitate acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Mast cells are located perivascularly, in close association with neurons, especially in the meninges. Mast cells can be activated by trigeminal nerve stimulation and by acute stress, leading to increased vascular permeability and neurogenic inflammation dependent on NK-1 receptors, but not necessarily on substance P (SP). Methods: We reviewed relevant literature and summarized our own findings. Results: Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), a mediator of the stress response released from the hypothalamus, can activate CRH receptors either on the sensory nuclei of the trigeminal nerve or directly on the mast cells. They, then release proinflammatory, nociceptive and vasoactive mediators including histamine, tryptase and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), thereby triggering migraine headaches. Conclusions: These results indicate that there are several novel points of intervention for the development of therapeutic agents to help alleviate migraines. Preliminary clinical studies with brain mast cell blockers and CRH receptor antagonists suggest that they could be useful prophylactically.
Viscosupplementation for knee osteoarthritis

AbstractPurpose:To provide an overview of the diagnosis and pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA), and to describe appropriate treatments for knee OA, with a focus on the efficacy and safety of viscosupplementation. Because nurse practitioners (NPs) can inject viscosupplements, a section on injecti
SAMI3/SD-WACCM-X simulations of ionospheric variability during northern winter 2009

We have performed simulations using the Naval Research Laboratory's physics-based model of the ionosphere, Sami3 is A Model of the Ionosphere (SAMI3), to illustrate how neutral wind dynamics is responsible for day-to-day variability of the ionosphere. We have used neutral winds specified from the extended version of the specified dynamics Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (SD-WACCM-X), in which meteorology below 92 km is constrained by atmospheric specifications from an operational weather forecast model and reanalysis. To assess the realism of the simulations against observations, we have carried out a case study during January–February 2009, a dynamically disturbed time characterized by a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) commencing 24 January 2009. Model results are compared with total electron content (TEC) from Jet Propulsion Laboratory global ionospheric maps. We show that SAMI3/SD-WACCM-X captures longitudinal variability in the equatorial ionization anomaly associated with nonmigrating tides, with strongest contributions coming from the diurnal eastward wave number 2 (DE2) and DE3. Both migrating and nonmigrating tides contribute to significant day-to-day variability, with TEC varying up to 16%. Our simulation during the SSW period reveals that at the Jicamarca longitude (285°E) on 27 January 2009 nonmigrating tides contribute to an enhancement of the electron density in the morning followed by a decrease in the afternoon. An enhancement of the semidiurnal eastward wave number 2 (SE2) and SE3 nonmigrating tides, likely associated with the appearance of the SSW, suggests that these tides increase the longitudinal variability of the SSW impact on the ionosphere. The conclusion is that realistic meteorology propagating upward from the lower atmosphere influences the dynamo region and reproduces aspects of the observed variability in the ionosphere.
Excessive coupling of the salience network with intrinsic neurocognitive brain networks during rectal distension in adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome: a preliminary report

Background The neural network mechanisms underlying visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are incompletely understood. It has been proposed that an intrinsic salience network plays an important role in chronic pain and IBS symptoms. Using neuroimaging, we examined brain responses to rectal distension in adolescent IBS patients, focusing on determining the alteration of salience network integrity in IBS and its functional implications in current theoretical frameworks. We hypothesized that (i) brain responses to visceral stimulation in adolescents are similar to those in adults, and (ii) IBS is associated with an altered salience network interaction with other neurocognitive networks, particularly the default mode network (DMN) and executive control network (ECN), as predicted by the theoretical models. Methods Irritable bowel syndrome patients and controls received subliminal and liminal rectal distension during imaging. Stimulus-induced brain activations were determined. Salience network integrity was evaluated by the functional connectivity of its seed regions activated by rectal distension in the insular and cingulate cortices. Key Results Compared with controls, IBS patients demonstrated greater activation to rectal distension in neural structures of the homeostatic afferent and emotional arousal networks, especially the anterior cingulate and insular cortices. Greater brain responses to liminal vs subliminal distension were observed in both groups. Particularly, IBS is uniquely associated with an excessive coupling of the salience network with the DMN and ECN in their key frontal and parietal node areas. Conclusions & Inferences Our study provided consistent evidence supporting the theoretical predictions of altered salience network functioning as a neuropathological mechanism of IBS symptoms.
Conditions for production of ochratoxin A by Aspergillus species in a synthetic medium

Trace elements were required by Aspergillus melleus and A. ochraceus, but not by A. sulphureus, to grow and to elaborate ochratoxin A. The composition of the medium affected the synthesis of the toxin more than the growth of the mycelium.
Accounting Textbooks as Change Agents: Finney's Intermediate and Finney and Miller's Intermediate from 1934 to 1958

This paper undertakes to illustrate how the two leading intermediate accounting textbooks published between the 1930s and 1950s, by Finney and Finney/Miller, regularly critiqued recommended and accepted practice, and proposed innovations, while the tendency in today’s textbooks is solely to describe and codify standards and practice and therefore not to stimulate students’ and instructors’ thinking. The author recommends that today’s textbook authors emulate Finney and Finney/Miller.
Estimating the Magnitude and Direction of Altered Arbovirus Transmission Due to Viral Phenotype

Vectorial capacity is a measure of the transmission potential of a vector borne pathogen within a susceptible population. Vector competence, a component of the vectorial capacity equation, is the ability of an arthropod to transmit an infectious agent following exposure to that agent. Comparisons of arbovirus strain-specific vector competence estimates have been used to support observed or hypothesized differences in transmission capability. Typically, such comparisons are made at a single time point during the extrinsic incubation period, the time in days it takes for the virus to replicate and disseminate to the salivary glands. However, vectorial capacity includes crucial parameters needed to effectively evaluate transmission capability, though often this is based on the discrete vector competence values. Utilization of the rate of change of vector competence over a range of days gives a more accurate measurement of the transmission potential. Accordingly, we investigated the rate of change in vector competence of dengue virus in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and the resulting vectorial capacity curves. The areas under the curves represent the effective vector competence and the cumulative transmission potentials of arboviruses within a population of mosquitoes. We used the calculated area under the curve for each virus strain and the corresponding variance estimates to test for differences in cumulative transmission potentials between strains of dengue virus based on our dynamic model. To further characterize differences between dengue strains, we devised a displacement index interpreted as the capability of a newly introduced strain to displace the established, dominant circulating strain. The displacement index can be used to better understand the transmission dynamics in systems where multiple strains/serotypes circulate or even multiple arbovirus species. The use of a rate of a rate of change based model of vectorial capacity and the informative calculations of the displacement index will lead to better measurements of the differences in transmission potential of arboviruses.