cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dual, Yet Dueling Illnesses Multiple Chronic Illness Experience at Midlife

The prevalence of multiple chronic illnesses is increasing dramatically, especially among those in middle adulthood, yet much prior research has focused on the experience of multiple morbidity among older adults. We examined the online illness narratives (blogs) of 10 men and women aged 36 to 59 to better understand the experience of living with multiple chronic illnesses at midlife. Multiple morbidity presents distinct challenges to those at midlife: (a) diagnosis and management of multiple illnesses, (b) need for information, (c) identity dilemmas and threats to self-image, and (d) stigma and social rejection. Relinquishing the work identity was especially difficult for participants because it threatened to foreshorten middle adulthood and push them prematurely into late adulthood. Participants used their blogs to revise their identities, alleviate isolation, and inform and guide others.
A practical overview of tizanidine use for spasticity secondary to multiple sclerosis, stroke, and spinal cord injury.

ABSTRACTObjective: Tizanidine is an imidazoline central α2-adreno­ceptor agonist widely used to manage spasticity secondary to conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, and spinal cord injury (SCI). While there is wide­spread use of tizanidine in clinical practice, little practical information is available to assist prescribers with the effective use of tizanidine for spasticity management. The aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date overview of tizanidine and its use in the management of spasticity associated with acquired (SCI), static (stroke), and progressive neurological (MS) diseases.Scope: An unfiltered literature search of the term ‘tizanidine’ was undertaken on the Medline database resulting in 311 papers. As the review focused on tizanidine clinical pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and tolerability, with comparisons limited to the oral antispastic agents baclofen, diazepam, and dantrolene, 53 articles were selected for detailed assessment.Findings: Tizanidine, an α2-adrenoceptor agon...
Rainfall-triggered landslides, anthropogenic hazards, and mitigation strategies

Abstract. Rainfall-triggered landslides are part of a natural process of hillslope erosion that can result in catastrophic loss of life and extensive property damage in mountainous, densely populated areas. As global population expansion on or near steep hillslopes continues, the human and economic costs associated with landslides will increase. Landslide hazard mitigation strategies generally involve hazard assessment mapping, warning systems, control structures, and regional landslide planning and policy development. To be sustainable, hazard mitigation requires that management of natural resources is closely connected to local economic and social interests. A successful strategy is dependent on a combination of multi-disciplinary scientific and engineering approaches, and the political will to take action at the local community to national scale.
Dual effects of implicit bystanders: Inhibiting vs. facilitating helping behavior

Encouraging consumers to engage in helpful behavior is a perennial task of marketers in non-profit and for-profit organizations. Recent research suggests that merely imagining the presence of others can lead to less helping behavior on a subsequent unrelated task (Garcia, S.M., Weaver, K.D., Moskowitz, G.B., and Darley, J.M. (2002). Crowded minds: The implicit bystander effect. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 83, 843–853.). The present analysis uncovers the boundary conditions of this effect. Across four studies, we establish that the degree to which a group situation fosters public scrutiny is an important moderator. When group primes are paired with public scrutiny, their inhibitive effect on helping behavior diminishes, and helping behavior on a subsequent task tends to increase. The present research thus adds complexity to previous findings by suggesting that implicit bystanders can both decrease and increase helping behavior.
A System Dynamics Examination of the Willingness of Villagers to Engage in Illegal Logging

Abstract Much of the work of illegal logging in Indonesia is carried out by villagers. Several factors determine villagers' willingness to participate in such activities. Chief among these are: (1) the need for income, (2) the fact that other villagers (and non-villagers) are already illegally logging, and (3) the realization of loss of community control over traditional forest areas. These factors form the basis of feedback loops, which trap villagers in illegal logging systems, which will likely result in the disappearance of a major source of livelihood. Ideas for system dynamics model structure were obtained from field reports and interviews with stakeholders. These ideas were examined using causal loop diagrams to represent different views of illegal logging. One village level view was formulated as a quantified system dynamics model using Vensim software. The model allows examination of scenarios, which might alter system behavior. The model is a tool for understanding consequences of various propos...
The Political Meanings of Social Class Inequality

Research on a wide range of topics related to rising economic inequality is flourishing throughout the social sciences. One topic that is gaining fresh attention is the politics of inequality. We know very little, however, about how Americans define and perceive inequality or how they express and enact their political desires for more or less of it. In the absence of such knowledge, and under the influence of powerful theoretical models that depict how Americans ought to respond politically to rising inequality (but appear not to be), we are apt to resort to common sense notions of American indifference. This article examines the record of new empirical research on this subject to determine whether such notions are justified. Drawing from and building on this research, I then offer a methodological and theoretical framework for future studies of the political meanings of social class inequality.
Sensitivity and Specificity of Serologic Assays for Detection of Human Infection with 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Virus in U.S. Populations

Swine origin 2009 H1N1 influenza virus has spread globally to cause the first influenza pandemic of the 21st century. Serological studies can improve our understanding of the extent of human infection and risk factors associated with the transmission of this pandemic virus. The "gold standard" for serodiagnosis of human influenza virus infection is the detection of seroconversion between acute- and convalescent-stage samples. However, the timing of seroepidemiological investigations often precludes the collection of truly acute-phase sera, requiring development of serological criteria for evaluating convalescent-phase sera that optimize detection of true positives and true negatives. To guide seroepidemiological investigations into the spread of the novel 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus, we characterized serum antibody responses to 2009 H1N1 virus in 87 individuals with confirmed viral infection and 227 nonexposed U.S. individuals using microneutralization (MN) and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays. Sensitivity and specificity were determined for each assay alone and in combination for detection of 2009 H1N1 virus-specific antibodies in convalescent-phase sera. Although the HI assay was more specific for detecting antibody to 2009 H1N1, the MN assay was more sensitive, particularly for detecting low-titer seroconversions. A combination of titers (MN ≥ 40 and HI ≥ 20) provided the highest sensitivity (90%) and specificity (96%) for individuals aged <60 years and 92% specificity for adults aged ≥ 60 years for detection of serologically confirmed 2009 H1N1 infections in U.S. populations during the first pandemic waves. These studies provide an approach to optimize timely serological investigations for future pandemics or outbreaks of novel influenza viruses among humans.
In-memory data compression for sparse matrices

We present a high performance in-memory lossless data compression scheme designed to save both memory storage and bandwidth for general sparse matrices. Because the storage hierarchy is increasingly becoming the limiting factor in overall delivered machine performance, this type of data structure compression will become increasingly important. Compared to conventional compressed sparse row (CSR) using 32-bit column indices, compressed column indices (CCI) can be over 90% smaller, yet still be decompressed at tens of gigabytes per second. We present time and space savings for 20 standard sparse matrices, on multicore CPUs and modern GPUs.
Negative regulation of TCR signaling by linker for activation of X cells via phosphotyrosine-dependent and -independent mechanisms

The activation of T cells and the initiation of an immune response is tightly controlled through the crosstalk of both positive and negative regulators. Two adaptors that function as negative regulators of T cell activation are adaptor in lymphocytes of unknown function X (ALX) and linker for activation of X cell (LAX). Previously, we showed that T cells from mice deficient in ALX and LAX display similar hyperresponsiveness, with increased IL-2 production and proliferation upon TCR/CD28 stimulation, and that these adaptors physically associate. In this study, we analyze the nature of the association between ALX and LAX. We demonstrate that this association occurs in the absence of TCR/CD28 signaling via a mechanism independent of both tyrosine phosphorylation of LAX and the SH2 domain of ALX. Cotransfection of ALX with LAX resulted in LAX tyrosine phosphorylation in the absence of TCR/CD28 stimulation. ALX-mediated LAX phosphorylation depends upon the ALX SH2 domain, which functions to recruit Lck to LAX. We also show that LAX, like ALX, can inhibit RE/AP reporter activation. However, in contrast to its inhibition of NFAT, the inhibition of RE/AP by LAX is independent of its tyrosine phosphorylation. Therefore, it can be concluded that inhibition of signaling events involved in T cell activation by LAX occurs through mechanisms both dependent on and independent of its tyrosine phosphorylation.
An Overview of the Victims’ Rights Movement: Historical, Legislative, and Research Developments†

The Victims' Rights Movement has made considerable accomplishments since the 1960s, when an increasing crime rate, coupled with the underreporting of crime, inspired concerns regarding crime victims. In subsequent decades the Victims' Rights Movement evolved and gained considerable momentum. This paper examines the historical development of the Victims' Rights Movement, including the movement's focus on specific types of victimization and crimes. State and Federal responses to the movement are also presented, with attention to constitutional developments and debates. Finally, current issues are presented and future research is suggested.
Use of blogs by pharmacists.

Purpose The characteristics of pharmacist blogs were examined. Methods Internet search engines, blog aggregators, and blog rolls were used to identify pharmacist blogs. Six categories were developed to evaluate blogs, including practice-based topics, identifying information, positive language, critical language, professionalism, and miscellaneous. The most recent five posts on each pharmacist blog were reviewed. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the results. Results A total of 117 blogs were identified, 44 of which were designated as pharmacist blogs. No blogs contained patient-identifying information. Anonymity was maintained by 68.2% of bloggers. Bloggers practiced in community (43.1%) and noncommunity (43.1%) settings. Pharmacists most commonly used positive language to describe the profession (32%), other health care professionals (25%), and patients (25%). The highest rates of critical language were found in descriptions of patients (57%) and other health care professionals (44%). Almost half of pharmacist blogs contained explicit or unprofessional language. Overall, community practitioner blogs were substantially more likely than noncommunity practitioner blogs to use unprofessional and critical language. Twenty-five percent of pharmacist bloggers also maintained a microblog (e.g., Twitter) account. Conclusion A search using Internet search engines, blog aggregators, and blog rolls identified 117 blogs, 44 of which met the study criteria for designation as pharmacist blogs. The majority of pharmacist blogs included some type of discussion of pharmacologic therapies. Pharmacists most commonly used positive language to describe the profession, other health care professionals, and patients. The highest rates of critical language were found in descriptions of patients and other health care professionals.
Representing Analogies: Increasing the Probability of Innovation

Design-by-analogy is well-recognized for its power in innovation processes. This paper presents experimental results showing the representation of a product in a person’s memory influences the person’s ability to later use the product for a design analogy. Representation has the potential to facilitate the design-by-analogy process both in human reasoning and for automated tools. We show specific experimental results and insights for three analogy problems: an air mattress analogy to a water-filled travel weights product, a football analogy to a bullet raft product and a whisk analogy to a flour sifter product.
Filling Narrow Trenches by Iodine-Catalyzed CVD of Copper and Manganese on Manganese Nitride Barrier/Adhesion Layers

We present a process for the void-free filling of sub-100 nm trenches with copper or copper-manganese alloy by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Conformally deposited manganese nitride serves as an underlayer that initially chemisorbs iodine. CVD of copper or copper-manganese alloy releases the adsorbed iodine atoms from the surface of the manganese nitride, allowing iodine to act as a surfactant catalyst floating on the surface of the growing copper layer. The iodine increases the growth rate of the copper and manganese by an order of magnitude. As the iodine concentrates near the narrowing bottoms of features, void-free, bottom-up filling of CVD of pure copper or copper-manganese alloy is achieved in trenches narrower than 30 nm with aspect ratios up to at least 5:1. The manganese nitride films also show barrier properties against copper diffusion and enhance adhesion between copper and dielectric insulators. During post-deposition annealing, manganese in the alloy diffuses out from copper through the grain boundaries and forms a self-aligned layer that further improves adhesion and barrier properties at the copper/insulator interface. This process provides nanoscale interconnects for microelectronic devices with higher speeds and longer lifetimes.
The Event Heap: a coordination infrastructure for interactive workspaces

Coordinating the interactions of applications running on the diversity of both mobile and embedded devices that will be common in ubiquitous computing environments is still a difficult and not completely solved problem. We look at one such environment, an interactive workspace, where groups come together to collaborate on solving problems. Such a space will contain a heterogeneous collection of both new and legacy applications and devices. We propose the Event Heap, a coordination model most similar to tuplespaces, as being appropriate for such environments. We also present a prototype implementation of the Event Heap, and show that the system has performed well in actual use over the last two years in our prototype interactive workspace, the iRoom.
Tenogenic Induction of Human MSCs by Anisotropically Aligned Collagen Biotextiles

A novel biofabrication modality, electrophoretic compaction with macromolecular alignment, was utilized to make collagen threads that mimic the native tendon's structure and mechanical properties. A device with kinematic electrodes was designed to fabricate collagen threads in continuous length. For the first time, a 3D-biotextile was woven purely from collagen. Mechanical properties and load-displacement behavior of the biotextile mimicked those of the native tendon while presenting a porosity of 80%. The open pore network facilitated cell seeding across the continuum of the bioscaffold. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seeded in the woven scaffold underwent tenogenic differentiation in the absence of growth factors and synthesized a matrix that was positive for tenomodulin, COMP and type I collagen. Up-regulation of tenomodulin, a tendon specific marker, was 11.6 ± 3.5 fold, COMP was up-regulated 16.7 ± 5.5 fold, and Col I was up-regulated 6.9 ± 2.7 fold greater on ELAC threads when compared to randomly oriented collagen gels. These results demonstrate that a bioscaffold woven by using collagen threads with densely compacted and anisotropically aligned substrate texture stimulates tenogenesis topographically, rendering the electrochemically aligned collagen as a promising candidate for functional repair of tendons and ligaments.
A human-computer collaborative workflow for the acquisition and analysis of terrestrial insect movement in behavioral field studies

The study of insect behavior from video sequences poses many challenges. Despite the advances in image processing techniques, the current generation of insect tracking tools is only effective in controlled lab environments and under ideal lighting conditions. Very few tools are capable of tracking insects in outdoor environments where the insects normally operate. Furthermore, the majority of tools focus on the first stage of the analysis workflow, namely the acquisition of movement trajectories from video sequences. Far less effort has gone into developing specialized techniques to characterize insect movement patterns once acquired from videos. In this paper, we present a human-computer collaborative workflow for the acquisition and analysis of insect behavior from field-recorded videos. We employ a human-guided video processing method to identify and track insects from noisy videos with dynamic lighting conditions and unpredictable visual scenes, improving tracking precision by 20% to 44% compared to traditional automated methods. The workflow also incorporates a novel visualization tool for the large-scale exploratory analysis of insect trajectories. We also provide a number of quantitative methods for statistical hypothesis testing. Together, the various components of the workflow provide end-to-end quantitative and qualitative methods for the study of insect behavior from field-recorded videos. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed workflow with a field study on the navigational strategies of Kenyan seed harvester ants.
The Impact of a Sport-Based Service Learning Course on Participants’ Attitudes, Intentions and Actions Toward Social Change

Framed in the context of a sport-based service learning program that engages in interdepartmental university partnerships (including athletics), the current study focused on addressing the need to analyze the long-term impacts of service learning on students’ intentions and actions toward social change. Service learning courses have been shown to facilitate positive outcomes such as increased cultural competency and future intentions toward civic engagement (Bruening et al., 2010, 2014). Building on this knowledge, the current study used in-depth interviews to investigate the social justice-related attitudes, intentions, and behaviors of alumni of a college service learning through sport course. Individual interviews (n = 22) with participants who had completed at least one semester in the course indicated that the course was influential in developing their ability to recognize social inequities. Furthermore, participants indicated future intentions and current involvement in initiatives that address soci...
Structural Localization and Origin of Compartmentalized Fluid Flow, Comstock Lode, Virginia City, Nevada

Bonanza-grade orebodies in epithermal-style mineral deposits characteristically occur as discrete zones within spatially more extensive fault and/or fracture systems. Empirically, the segregation of such systems into compartments of higher and lower permeability appears to be a key process necessary for high-grade ore formation and, most commonly, it is such concentrations of metals that make an epithermal vein district world class. In the world-class silver- and gold-producing Comstock mining district, Nevada, several lines of evidence lead to the conclusion that the Comstock lode is localized in an extensional stepover between right-lateral fault zones. This evidence includes fault geometries, kinematic indicators of slip, the hydraulic connectivity of faults as demonstrated by veins and dikes along faults, and the opening of a normal-fault–bounded, asymmetric basin between two parallel and overlapping northwest-striking, lateral- to lateral-oblique–slip fault zones. During basin opening, thick, generally subeconomic, banded quartz-adularia veins were deposited in the normal fault zone, the Comstock fault, and along one of the bounding lateral fault zones, the Silver City fault. As deformation continued, the intrusion of dikes and small plugs into the hanging wall of the Comstock fault zone may have impeded the ability of the stepover to accommodate displacement on the bounding strike-slip faults through extension within the stepover. A transient period of transpressional deformation of the Comstock fault zone ensued, and the early-stage veins were deformed through boudinaging and hydraulic fragmentation, fault-motion inversion, and high- and low-angle axial rotations of segments of the fault planes and some fault-bounded wedges. This deformation led to the formation of spatially restricted compartments of high vertical permeability and hydraulic connectivity and low lateral hydraulic connectivity. Bonanza orebodies were formed in the compartmentalized zones of high permeability and hydraulic connectivity. As heat flow and related hydrothermal activity waned along the Comstock fault zone, extension was reactivated in the stepover along the Occidental zone of normal faults east of the Comstock fault zone. Volcanic and related intrusive activity in this part of the stepover led to a new episode of hydrothermal activity and formation of the Occidental lodes.
Systematics of quarkonium production at the LHC and double parton fragmentation

In this paper we discuss the systematics of quarkonium production at the LHC. In particular, we focus on the necessity to sum logs of the form log(Q/p⊥) and log(p⊥/mQ). We show that the former contributions are power suppressed, while the latter, whose contribution in fragmentation is well known, also arise in the short distance (i.e., non-fragmentation) production mechanisms. Though these contributions are suppressed by powers of mQ/p⊥, they can be enhanced by inverse powers of v, the relative velocity between heavy quarks in the quarkonium. In the limit p⊥ ≫ mQ short distance production can be thought of as the fragmentation of a pair of partons (i.e., the heavy quark and anti-quark) into the final state quarkonium. We derive an all order factorization theorem for this process in terms of double parton fragmentation functions (DPFF) and calculate the one-loop anomalous dimension matrix for the DPFF.
Empirical performance assessment using soft-core processors on reconfigurable hardware

Simulation has been the de facto standard method for performance evaluation of newly proposed ideas in computer architecture for many years. While simulation allows for theoretically arbitrary fidelity (at least to the level of cycle accuracy) as well as the ability to monitor the architecture without perturbing the execution itself, it suffers from low effective fidelity and long execution times.We (and others) have advocated the use of empirical experimentation on reconfigurable hardware for computer architecture performance assessment. In this paper, we describe an empirical performance assessment subsystem implemented in reconfigurable hardware and illustrate its use. Results are presented that demonstrate the need for the types of performance assessment that reconfigurable hardware can provide.
Menthol attenuates respiratory irritation responses to multiple cigarette smoke irritants

Menthol, the cooling agent in peppermint, is added to almost all commercially available cigarettes. Menthol stimulates olfactory sensations, and interacts with transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) ion channels in cold-sensitive sensory neurons, and transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), an irritant-sensing channel. It is highly controversial whether menthol in cigarette smoke exerts pharmacological actions affecting smoking behavior. Using plethysmography, we investigated the effects of menthol on the respiratory sensory irritation response in mice elicited by smoke irritants (acrolein, acetic acid, and cyclohexanone). Menthol, at a concentration (16 ppm) lower than in smoke of mentholated cigarettes, immediately abolished the irritation response to acrolein, an agonist of TRPA1, as did eucalyptol (460 ppm), another TRPM8 agonist. Menthol's effects were reversed by a TRPM8 antagonist, AMTB. Menthol's effects were not specific to acrolein, as menthol also attenuated irritation responses to acetic acid, and cyclohexanone, an agonist of the capsaicin receptor, TRPV1. Menthol was efficiently absorbed in the respiratory tract, reaching local concentrations sufficient for activation of sensory TRP channels. These experiments demonstrate that menthol and eucalyptol, through activation of TRPM8, act as potent counterirritants against a broad spectrum of smoke constituents. Through suppression of respiratory irritation, menthol may facilitate smoke inhalation and promote nicotine addiction and smoking-related morbidities.
Continuity and change in the life story: a longitudinal study of autobiographical memories in emerging adulthood.

If a person's internalized and evolving life story (narrative identity) is to be considered an integral feature of personality itself, then aspects of that story should manifest some continuity over time while also providing evidence regarding important personality change. Accordingly, college freshmen and seniors provided detailed written accounts of 10 key scenes in their life stories, and they repeated the same procedure 3 months and then 3 years later. The accounts were content analyzed for reliable narrative indices employed in previous studies of life stories: emotional tone, motivational themes (agency, communion, personal growth), and narrative complexity. The results showed substantial continuity over time for narrative complexity and positive (vs. negative) emotional tone and moderate but still significant continuity for themes of agency and growth. In addition, emerging adults (1) constructed more emotionally positive stories and showed (2) greater levels of emotional nuance and self-differ- entiation and (3) greater understanding of their own personal develop- ment in the 4th year of the study compared to the 1st year. The study is the first to demonstrate both temporal continuity and developmental
The Matrix Approach to Logit Models

In this chapter we again discuss logit models, but here we use the matrix approach of Chapter VI. Section 1 discusses the equivalence of logit models and log-linear models. This equivalence is used to arrive at results on estimation and testing. Because the data in a typical logistic regression correspond to very sparse data in a contingency table, the asymptotic results of Section VI.2 are not appropriate. Section 2 presents results from Haberman (1977) that are appropriate for logistic regression models. Section 3 discusses model selection criteria for logistic regression. Direct fitting of logit models is considered in Section 4. The appropriate maximum likelihood equations and Newton-Raphson procedure are given. Section 5 indicates how the weighted least squares model fitting procedure is applied to logit models. Models appropriate for response variables with more than two categories are examined in Section 6. Finally, Section 7 considers the discrimination problem.
How Should Governments Use Revenue from Corrective Taxes

Corrective taxes can encourage healthier, safer, and less polluting behavior. But how should governments use their revenue? Options abound to cut other taxes, boost spending, or reduce borrowing. We organize those uses into four categories: offsetting new burdens, furthering the same goal, compensating people harmed by the taxed activity, or funding unrelated priorities. We illustrate them with examples including greenhouse gas emissions, unhealthy foods, financial transactions, tobacco, gasoline, and other products. We discuss the pros and cons of competing revenue uses and describe tradeoffs across their social benefits and political appeal.
Cartooning Pre-revolutionary Cuba: The Animated Exoticism of Time and Place in Vampiros en la Habana (1985) and Chico and Rita (2010)

This article discusses exoticism and self-exoticism in the representation of pre-revolutionary Cuban musicianship in two animated films: the 2010 Spanish/British co-production Chico and Rita and the 1985 Cuban film, Vampiros en la Habana. Within the similarly constructed animated archetypes on display, these films generate vastly different discursive outputs. Both texts are more interested in musicians as mythical figures than as comprehensive subjects, but where the mythology of Vampiros offers a dissenting, self-defined cultural identity, that of Chico and Rita employs a mythology of Otherness to reaffirm the cultural protagonism and hegemony of Eurocentric discourses. Although these films engage with similar archetypes, localities and representations of the exotic, the ways in which they do so evidence disparities in terms of intended audience, artistic intent, relationship to Cuba’s revolutionary project, and perspective towards Cuba’s cultural identity—all within the highly flexible, but highly codif...
Foreign and Domestic Firms Growing Apart: Learning- vs. Capability-based Imprinting

Using 60 interviews with large-sized Taiwanese and Chinese domestic apparel firms in southern China, this article contributes to the organizational imprinting literature in two ways through 1) dise...
Gastrointestinal response fo malnutrition and starvation.

What happens when man is malnourished or starved? This is an important question because as many as 14 million Americans have inadequate diets. Yet much evidence about body changes still rests on animal experiments. As man goes without food, his intestines function differently and even change in structure. When man is malnourished, these alterations depend on what substances he lacks in his diet.
Construction and Application of the Province and Region Integration Cooperative Computing System for Operation Mode in Hubei Power Grid

The province and region integration cooperative computing system for operation mode introduced the concept of computer collaboration.The distributed structure is used in the system,which supports the browser way to visit,and many people are allowed to operate in different places.The data centralized maintenance management is realized in the system through the intelligent data management platform.The function of power flow and transient stability calculation are realized through intelligent application platform.Based on process management and interactive tools of integrated collaborative platform,the problem of the region dispatcher concentration calculation for a long time by the method of cooperative computation in different places can be effectively solved.
Plasma shedding by the canine oxyntic and pyloric glandular mucosa induced by topical action of acetylcholine. Effect of atropine and physostigmine.

Irrigation of the canine oxyntic or pyloric glandular mucosa in vagally denervated pouches with a solution of acetylcholine causes the mucosa to shed plasma proteins and the potential difference across the mucosa to fall. The response is dose-related with the threshold concentration of acetylcholine bromide ranging from 0.1 to 1 g per 100 ml. Topical application or intravenous injection of atropine prevents both plasma shedding and decline in potential difference. The minimal effective intravenous dose of atropine sulfate is about 0.007 mg per kg. The effect of irrigation with low concentrations of acetylcholine is enhanced by concurrent irrigation with physostigmine. The action of topical acetylcholine is not affected by concurrent irrigation with hexamethonium chloride (0.5 g per 100 ml) or by intravenous injection (5 mg per kg). Topical application of gallamine triethiodide (0.5 g per 100 ml) or d-tubocurarine (0.15 g per 100 ml) does not prevent the effects of acetylcholine in causing plasma shedding. Topical application of succinylcholine chloride (1 g per 100 ml) does not cause plasma shedding or a fall in potential difference.
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of a Weight-Based Dosing Regimen of Cefoxitin for Perioperative Surgical Prophylaxis in Obese and Morbidly Obese Patients

The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of a weight-based cefoxitin dosing regimen for surgical prophylaxis in obese patients. Patients received a single dose of cefoxitin at 40 mg/kg based on total body weight. Cefoxitin samples were obtained over 3 h from serum and adipose tissue, and concentrations were determined by validated high-performance liquid chromatography. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis was performed, followed by Monte Carlo simulations to estimate probability of target attainment (PTA) for Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacteroides fragilis over 4-h periods postdose. Thirty patients undergoing bariatric procedures were enrolled. The body mass index (mean ± standard deviation [SD])was 45.9 ± 8.0 kg/m(2) (range, 35.0 to 76.7 kg/m(2)); the median cefoxitin dose was 5 g (range, 4.0 to 7.5 g). The mean maximum concentrations were 216.15 ± 41.80 μg/ml in serum and 12.62 ± 5.89 in tissue; the mean tissue/serum ratio was 8% ± 3%. In serum, weight-based regimens achieved ≥90% PTA (goal time during which free [unbound] drug concentrations exceed pathogen MICs [fT>MIC] of 100%) for E. coli and S. aureus over 2 h and for B. fragilis over 1 h; in tissue this regimen failed to achieve goal PTA at any time point. The 40-mg/kg regimens achieved higher PTAs over longer periods in both serum and tissue than did the standard 2-g doses. However, although weight-based cefoxitin regimens were better than fixed doses, achievement of desired pharmacodynamic targets was suboptimal in both serum and tissue. Alternative dosing regimens and agents should be explored in order to achieve more favorable antibiotic performance during surgical prophylaxis in obese patients.
RNA interference in the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata: Identification of key contributors.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a useful reverse genetics tool for investigation of gene function as well as for practical applications in many fields including medicine and agriculture. RNAi works very well in coleopteran insects including the Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata. We used a cell line (Lepd-SL1) developed from CPB to identify genes that play key roles in RNAi. We screened 50 genes with potential functions in RNAi by exposing Lepd-SL1 cells to dsRNA targeting one of the potential RNAi pathway genes followed by incubation with dsRNA targeting inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP, silencing of this gene induces apoptosis). Out of 50 genes tested, silencing of 29 genes showed an effect on RNAi. Silencing of five genes (Argonaute-1, Argonaute-2a, Argonaute-2b, Aubergine and V-ATPase 16 kDa subunit 1, Vha16) blocked RNAi suggesting that these genes are essential for functioning of RNAi in Lepd-SL1 cells. Interestingly, Argonaute-1 and Aubergine which are known to function in miRNA and piRNA pathways respectively are also critical to siRNA pathway. Using 32P labeled dsRNA, we showed that these miRNA and piRNA Argonautes but not Argonaute-2 are required for processing of dsRNA to siRNA. Transfection of pIZT/V5 constructs containing these five genes into Sf9 cells (the cells where RNAi does not work well) showed that expression of all genes tested, except the Argonaute-2a, improved RNAi in these cells. Results from Vha16 gene silencing and bafilomycin-A1 treatment suggest that endosomal escape plays an important role in dsRNA-mediated RNAi in Lepd-SL1 cells.
Sex differences in interval timing and attention to time in C57Bl/6J mice.

Abstract Interval timing is crucial for decision-making and motor control and is impaired in many neuropsychiatric disorders. Previous studies examined timing in various strains or genetically-altered mice, but not in parallel in male and female mice in the same experimental setting. We investigated timing and attention to time in male and female C57Bl/6J mice, when presented with gaps in the timed stimulus, novel auditory distracters presented during the un-interrupted timed stimulus, and gap + distracter combinations. No sex differences were found in regard to timing accuracy and precision. However, presentation of the gap + distracter combination over-reset timing in males but had a much smaller effect in females. The over-reset strategy was reported previously with emotional distracters (e.g., previously paired with footshock) but not with neutral distracters. These results reveal sex differences in attentional gating/switching or working memory for time.
Performance feedback assists practice driven plasticity

Motor skills are generally acquired by means of practice. This procedure comprised of acquiring particular task requirements by overruling intrinsic tendencies. The objectives of the present study were; to induce plasticity through bimanual finger tapping task; and to determine the influence of presence or absence of performance feedback on training. Behavioural data from 16 healthy subjects was recorded. They were randomly divided into two equal groups. First group performed bimanual finger tapping task according to 2∶1 mode with feedback (TF). Second group performed bimanual finger tapping task according to 2∶1 mode without feedback (TNF). All subjects performing Tapping task either with or without feedback improved their performance at the end of practice. However, TF performed better than TNF, F (1,14) = 22.378, p<0.01. The results illustrate that practice of 2∶1 task with feedback leads to augmented motor experience reflecting better practice driven plasticity.
Hospitals with Higher Direct Cost Ratios Have Lower Readmission Rates

Utilizing limited resources to generate the best quality of care for patients is one of the most pressing challenges faced by hospital executives. In this study, we examine how a hospital’s direct cost ratio, defined as the cost directly related to patient care divided by the total cost of patient care, is associated with an important quality metric, the Medicare 30-day unplanned readmission rate. Using the 2014 Medicare Cost Report, Hospital Compare, and Final Rule Data from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), we find that one standard deviation increase in the direct cost ratio is associated with fifteen fewer readmissions per 10,000 discharges, holding total patient care cost per adjusted discharge constant. Supplementary analyses show that the direct (indirect) cost per adjusted discharge is negatively (positively) associated with readmission rates. Our study recognizes the implication of cost structure on one important measure of hospital quality of care. The results provide hospital executives with useful guidance for making budgetary decisions.
Teaching Religion Through Videos

The teaching of religion through videos in the classroom setting was examined among 120 freshmen students using both quantitative and qualitative analysis. In general, the study showed that videos are “a little” effective in teaching religion class. Specific areas to which videos may assist the learning process include: mastery of the lesson; student’s motivation; enhances experience; deeper learning of the subjects; authentic learning experience; and making learning easy. The qualitative analysis, on the other hand, revealed distinct preferences of the students as regards the use of videos in the classroom. Moreover, an apparent difference between the teacher’s choice of videos and the students has significantly influenced the perceptions of the learners towards the use of videos in the classroom.
Constitución y hegemonía. Luchas contra la dominación global

This essay deals with the challenges presented to the left -especially the Latin American left- at the beginning of the 21st century in their struggle against domination. According to the author, If there is one thing that can be said with a degree of certainty about the difficulties currently experienced by the progressive forces in Latin America, it is that those difficulties stem from the fact that their governments have tackled neither the Constitution issue nor the hegemony issue. The idea of domination, the forms of struggle and the status of globalization are discussed in the first place, to finally analyze the situation of the left governments.
Unpacking the paradox: testing for mechanisms in the food insecurity and BMI association

Objective: Using data from the 2007–2008 continuous National Health Nutrition Examination Survey NHANES, this study conducted gender-specific analyses to examine the influence of food insecurity on...
Immediate effects of interoceptive awareness training through Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy (MABT) for women in substance use disorder treatment.

Background: Sensory information gained through interoceptive awareness may play an important role in affective behavior and successful inhibition of drug use. This study examined the immediate pre-...
A Physician’s Consideration of Criteria of Nuclear Reactors for Medical Therapy and Research

When one hears the term “Medical Reactor” it conjures up a picture of a device intimately concerned with medical diagnosis or therapy. In the field of atomic energy this type of description has, in the past, been applied frequently to reactors which could not be so used themselves but because a product of the reactor, a radioactive isotope, was to be used in this fashion. It is, I believe, quite clear that in such an instance the reactor may bear no more resemblance to a true medical device than does the factory of the drug manufacturer whose product is used in hospitals and physicians’ offices. The nature of a nuclear reactor is such that in almost every instance a unit can be incorporated which will permit the reactor to be used as a producer of radioactive isotopes.
O'Rahilly, Thomas Francis (1883–1953)

Thomas Francis O'Rahilly's interests spanned the breadth of Irish language, literature, and history, though successive periods of his career were marked by different predominant themes. Prior to the commencement of his formal academic career, he founded Gadelica: A Journal of Modern Irish Studies; it ran to just one issue, but featured articles by many of the most prominent figures in Irish language and literature studies. O'Rahilly held successive posts at Trinity College Dublin (1919–1929), University College Cork (1929–1935), University College Dublin (1935–1941), and the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (1940–1947). He became director of the Dublin Institute in 1941.
Clozapine's Antipsychotic Effects do not Depend on Blockade of 5-HT3 Receptors

Sixteen known 5-HT3 receptor blockers, including clozapine, fully or partially reverse the inhibitory effect of 1 μM GABA on [35S]TBPS binding, indicating that they are also GABAA antagonists, some of them selective for subsets of GABAA receptors. The 5-HT3 receptor blocker, ondansetron, has been reported to produce some antipsychotic and anxiolytic effects. However, no antipsychotic effects have been reported for a large number of highly potent 5-HT3 receptor blockers. Like clozapine, ondansetron partially reverses the inhibitory effect of GABA on [35S]TBPS binding. Additivity experiments suggest that ten 5-HT3 receptor blockers tested at low concentrations preferentially block subtypes of GABAA receptors that are among those blocked by clozapine. Wiley and Porter (29) reported that MDL-72222, the most potent GABAA antagonist decribed here, partially generalizes (71%) with clozapine in rats trained to discriminate an interoceptive clozapine stimulus, but only at a dose that severly decreases responding. Tropisetron (ICS-205,930) exhibits both GABA-positive and GABA-negative effects. R-(+)-zacopride is 6-fold more potent than S-(−)-zacopride as a GABAA antagonist. We conclude that the observed antipsychotic and, possibly, anxiolytic effects of some 5-HT3 receptor blockers are due to selective antagonism of certain GABAA receptors, and not to blockade of 5-HT3 receptors. We speculate that the anxiolytic and sedative effects of clozapine and several other antipsychotic drugs may be due to selective blockade of α1β2γ2 GABAA receptors which are preferentially located on certain types of GABAergic interneurons (probably parvalbumin positive). Blockade of these receptors will increase the inhibitory output of these interneurons. So far, no highly potent GABAA antagonists with clozapine-like selectivity have been identified. Such compounds may exhibit improved clozapine-like antipsychotic activity.
Ribosome Stoichiometry: From Form to Function.

The existence of eukaryotic ribosomes with distinct ribosomal protein (RP) stoichiometry and regulatory roles in protein synthesis has been speculated for over 60 years. Recent advances in mass spectrometry (MS) and high-throughput analysis have begun to identify and characterize distinct ribosome stoichiometry in yeast and mammalian systems. In addition to RP stoichiometry, ribosomes host a vast array of protein modifications, effectively expanding the number of human RPs from 80 to many thousands of distinct proteoforms. Is it possible that these proteoforms combine to function as a ‘ribosome code’ to tune protein synthesis? We outline the specific benefits that translational regulation by specialized ribosomes can offer and discuss the means and methodologies available to correlate and characterize RP stoichiometry with function. We highlight previous research with a focus on formulating hypotheses that can guide future experiments and crack the ribosome code.
The Falcon: The Statue of a Winged Youth at McGill

The Falcon statue, created by R. Tait McKenzie, stands as a beacon just outside the entrance of the McLennan Library Building on the main campus of McGill University. The process of acquiring this statue was not straightforward but owing to the persistence of Principal F. Cyril James the statue of the winged youth made its way to McGill.
Acoustic beam pattern for a push-pull laser interferometric sound sensor

A push-pull laser interferometric sound sensor uses two parallel laser beams where both beams are exposed to the sound filled fluid. In arrays of conventional piezoelectric hydrophones, each array element produces a voltage and the beam pattern is obtained by deriving the response as a function of acoustic wave angle in terms of electrical power divided by the maximum response power along the acoustic axis. In a push-pull laser interferometric sound sensor the response function is an optical path difference or phase difference between the two laser beams as a function of acoustic wave angle. In an analogous way, we derive a response function in terms of the optical path difference between two optical line sensors as a function of acoustic wave angle and divide by the response along the acoustic axis. This normalized response function is squared to obtain the beam pattern for a push-pull laser interferometric sensor. We compare this beam pattern to that of a conventional line array.