cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Routine provision of emergency contraception to teens and subsequent condom use: a preliminary study

This prospective study examines the relationship between routine provision of emergency contraception (EC) and subsequent condom use by adolescent African-American and Hispanic women in the US. Eligibility criteria of study participants included women aged 14-20 years not pregnant and not currently using Depo-Provera or Norplant. The subjects completed a self-administered questionnaire and were given the Preven kit. Follow-up questionnaires were mailed out 1 month and 3 months after the initial survey to assess the sexual behaviors of study participants. Statistical analysis examining condom use during the 3-month period after receiving Preven included 38 subjects only. At intake 53% (n = 20) of this subsample reported having used a condom at last sexual intercourse and 46% (n = 18) reported no condom use at last intercourse. The study found that 9 young women reported that EC had changed something about the way they used birth control. 5 young women reported that EC resulted in more responsible use of contraceptives and one indicated that EC resulted in less responsible use of contraceptives. These preliminary findings suggest that provision of EC may not have an adverse effect on condom use and may prompt teens to think seriously about their contraceptive behavior.
Interconnect system compression analysis for multi-core architectures

One of the major problems associated with integrating multiple cores on a single chip is the performance demand it places on the interconnect system because of the combined traffic generated by multiple simultaneously executing threads. In this paper, we analyze interconnect compression potential in the two primary types of information — instructions and data — and important interconnect components in multi-core systems. In our study, lower compression ratio means better compression. We show great compression potential with 0.47–0.67 zero-information compression ratio, 0.28–0.29 zeroth-order compression ratio, and 0.11–0.14 first-order compression ratio obtained with different levels of compression specialization.
The functional importance of a cap site-proximal region of the human prointerleukin 1 beta gene is defined by viral protein trans-activation.

Prointerleukin 1[beta] (IL-1[beta]) is a cytokine that mediates a broad range of biological activities. Genomic sequences that regulate IL-1[beta] transcription include both inducible regulatory elements located more than 2,700 bp upstream of the transcriptional start site (cap site) and proximal elements located near the TATA box of this gene. In this study, we focused on the identification and characterization of trans-acting nuclear regulatory proteins that bind to the cap site-proximal region of the human IL-1[beta] gene. We identified a protein, termed NFIL-1[beta]A (NF[beta]A), that binds to a highly conserved 12-bp DNA sequence (-49 to -38) located upstream of the TATA box motif in both the human and murine IL-1[beta] genes. The IL-1[alpha] gene, which lacks a TATA motif, does not possess an NF[beta]A-binding sequence within the promoter region, suggesting that NF[beta]A may selectively regulate IL-1[beta] expression. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we identified several distinct DNA-protein complexes that are expressed in a cell-type-specific manner. In monocytic cell lines, the relative abundance of these complexes varied rapidly following stimulation of the cells with phorbol esters or lipopolysaccharide. UV cross-linking analysis identified two distinct DNA-binding polypeptides that comprise distinct complexes. The functional role of NF[beta]A was assessed in transient transfection assays. Thesemore » data indicate the NF[beta]A is required for both basal and inducible promoter activity in monocytic cells. Furthermore, the human cytomegalovirus immediate-early 1 gene product requires the presence of NF[beta]A in order to trans-activate the proximal IL-1[beta] promoter in a monocytic cell line. We propose that NF[beta]A is a factor that mediates either direct or indirect activation by the immediate-early 1 gene product. The proximity of this essential factor to the TATA motif suggests a possible role in transcriptional initiation.« less
HMM-Based Reconstruction of Unreliable Spectrographic Data for Noise Robust Speech Recognition

This paper presents a framework for efficient HMM-based estimation of unreliable spectrographic speech data. It discusses the role of hidden Markov models (HMMs) during minimum mean-square error (MMSE) spectral reconstruction. We develop novel HMM-based reconstruction algorithms which exploit intra-channel (across-time) correlation and/or inter-channel (across-frequency) correlation. For the sake of computational efficiency, this paper utilizes approximations to HMM-based decoding methods by developing models constructed from lower resolution quantizers. State configurations for lower resolution models are obtained through a tree-structured mapping of quantizer centroids, and model parameters are adapted accordingly. HMM downsampling avoids expensive retraining of models, and eliminates unnecessary memory requirements. Explicit general formulae are presented for the adaptation of steady-state and transitional statistics. Adaptation of observation statistics are derived from stochastic models of noise spectral magnitude estimation accuracies. The proposed estimation methods are applied in combination with oracle masks, which provide an upper performance bound, as well as masks derived from speech presence probability, which represent a more realistic scenario. Both methods are shown to boost noise robust recognition accuracies significantly relative to the Mel-frequency cepstral coefficient (MFCC) baseline system. Furthermore, HMM downsampling greatly reduces the complexity of the HMM-based reconstruction method while negligibly affecting results.
An innovative approach to supporting hospitalist physicians towards academic success

BACKGROUND: Academic hospitalist physicians face significant challenges that may threaten their chances for successful and timely promotions, such as heavy clinical workloads, limited training in research, and relatively few experienced mentors in their field. The appreciable growth of hospital medicine groups in recent years, as has occurred at our institution, compounds the predicament by diluting the limited resources that are available to support these physicians. METHODS: A needs assessment was followed by the development of specific objectives for the division and for individual members of the division related to academic success. The resulting 3-pronged strategy to support the academic success of our group was based on securing strong mentorship, investing requisite resources, and committing to recruit fellowship-trained new faculty. RESULTS: To date, the initiative has resulted in an increased number of peer-reviewed publication and grants, as well as national leadership roles for division members. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2008;3:314–318. © 2008 Society of Hospital Medicine.
The Breathe Easier through Weight Loss Lifestyle (BE WELL) Intervention: A randomized controlled trial

Obesity and asthma have reached epidemic proportions in the US. Their concurrent rise over the last 30 years suggests that they may be connected. Numerous observational studies support a temporally-correct, dose-response relationship between body mass index (BMI) and incident asthma. Weight loss, either induced by surgery or caloric restriction, has been reported to improve asthma symptoms and lung function. Due to methodological shortcomings of previous studies, however, well-controlled trials are needed to investigate the efficacy of weight loss strategies to improve asthma control in obese individuals. BE WELL is a 2-arm parallel randomized clinical trial (RCT) of the efficacy of an evidence-based, comprehensive, behavioral weight loss intervention, focusing on diet, physical activity, and behavioral therapy, as adjunct therapy to usual care in the management of asthma in obese adults. Trial participants (n = 324) are patients aged 18 to 70 years who have suboptimally controlled, persistent asthma, BMI between 30.0 and 44.9 kg/m2, and who do not have serious comorbidities (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, stroke). The 12-month weight loss intervention to be studied is based on the principles of the highly successful Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle intervention. Intervention participants will attend 13 weekly group sessions over a four-month period, followed by two monthly individual sessions, and will then receive individualized counseling primarily by phone, at least bi-monthly, for the remainder of the intervention. Follow-up assessment will occur at six and 12 months. The primary outcome variable is the overall score on the Juniper Asthma Control Questionnaire measured at 12 months. Secondary outcomes include lung function, asthma-specific and general quality of life, asthma medication use, asthma-related and total health care utilization. Potential mediators (e.g., weight loss and change in physical activity level and nutrient intake) and moderators (e.g., socio-demographic characteristics and comorbidities) of the intervention effects also will be examined. This RCT holds considerable potential for illuminating the nature of the obesity-asthma relationship and advancing current guidelines for treating obese adults with asthma, which may lead to reduced morbidity and mortality related to the comorbidity of the two disorders. NCT00901095
Long‐term stability of eelgrass fish assemblages in two highly developed coastal estuaries

Changes in fish assemblages were tracked in representative eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) beds within two estuaries on the urbanised coast of southern California, USA, San Diego Bay and Mission Bay, from 1987 to 2010. Assemblages were sampled twice yearly (spring and summer) at day and night using beach seines. Assemblage stability was examined over time along with changes in assemblage structure across time of day and season, including the influence of temporally variable abiotic variables. Only the occasionally occurring fish, those present in <70% of samples, in Mission Bay appeared to be shifting to a new assemblage. Although season and sampling time significantly affected assemblages, correlations with abiotic factors were low. Given the long history of urban development of these estuaries, community shifts may have occurred prior to the onset of sampling, giving the appearance of stability. Alternatively, eelgrass habitat may be providing a refuge from long-term disturbances.
Complement component C5a Promotes Expression of IL-22 and IL-17 from Human T cells and its Implication in Age-related Macular Degeneration

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in elderly populations worldwide. Inflammation, among many factors, has been suggested to play an important role in AMD pathogenesis. Recent studies have demonstrated a strong genetic association between AMD and complement factor H (CFH), the down-regulatory factor of complement activation. Elevated levels of complement activating molecules including complement component 5a (C5a) have been found in the serum of AMD patients. Our aim is to study whether C5a can impact human T cells and its implication in AMD. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from the blood of exudative form of AMD patients using a Ficoll gradient centrifugation protocol. Intracellular staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to measure protein expression. Apoptotic cells were detected by staining of cells with the annexin-V and TUNEL technology and analyzed by a FACS Caliber flow cytometer. SNP genotyping was analyzed by TaqMan genotyping assay using the Real-time PCR system 7500. We show that C5a promotes interleukin (IL)-22 and IL-17 expression by human CD4+ T cells. This effect is dependent on B7, IL-1β and IL-6 expression from monocytes. We have also found that C5a could protect human CD4+ cells from undergoing apoptosis. Importantly, consistent with a role of C5a in promoting IL-22 and IL-17 expression, significant elevation in IL-22 and IL-17 levels was found in AMD patients as compared to non-AMD controls. Our results support the notion that C5a may be one of the factors contributing to the elevated serum IL-22 and IL-17 levels in AMD patients. The possible involvement of IL-22 and IL-17 in the inflammation that contributes to AMD may herald a new approach to treat AMD.
Workflow support for electronic commerce applications

Internet-based electronic commerce is becoming the next frontier of new business opportunities. However, commerce on the Internet is seriously hindered by the lack of a common language for collaborative commercial activities. Although Extensible Markup Language (XML) allows trading partners to exchange semantic information electronically, it does not provide support for document routing. In this paper, we describe various inter-organizational electronic commerce applications and discuss their needs for workflow support. Then, we propose a blueprint for XRL, an Extensible Routing Language that enables routing of commercial documents over the Internet and helps in creating truly intelligent documents. This routing language is simple, yet powerful enough to support flexible routing of documents in the Internet environment.
Post-European Settlement Forest Changes in Oscoda and Ogemaw Counties, Michigan

Witness trees from Ogemaw and Oscoda counties were used to identify presettlement forest composition in order to compare how different historical land uses altered early settlement and presentday forests. Presettlement forests in Ogemaw County were dominated by Tsuga canadensis (17%), Pinus banksianu (13%), and Fagus grandifolia (12%). Oscoda County was dominated by Pinus banksiana (42%) and Pinus resinosa (16%). Tsuga canadensis was significantly (P = 0.05) associated with sandy loams in depressions; Fagus grandifolia was significantly associated with sandy loams on uplands; Pinus banksiana was significantly associated with sandy plains; and Pinus resinosa was significantly associated with sandy uplands. Both counties were logged of Pinus strobus and valuable hardwoods in the late 1800s. In the early 1900s, farms were established on the cutover hardwood sites. Temporary use of these logged sites for agriculture prevented successful regeneration of hardwoods. Thus, following agricultural declines in the 1930s, Pinus banksiana seedlings invaded these abandoned farmlands. Other cutover sites experienced repeated slash fires, which also favored the invasion of the fire-adapted Pinus banksiana. In contrast, pre-European settlement Pinus banksiana sites were not logged; however, these sites experienced fire suppression during the last 70 years and fire-intolerant early successional hardwoods have invaded these sites. This study demonstrated the strong influence of soils and topography on the distribution of pre-European settlement vegetation in northern lower Michigan, but post-European settlement species distribution has been more influenced by land use history.
Matrix Metalloproteinase-13/Collagenase-3 Deletion Promotes Collagen Accumulation and Organization in Mouse Atherosclerotic Plaques

Background—Interstitial collagen plays a crucial structural role in arteries. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), including MMP-13/collagenase-3, likely contribute to collagen catabolism in atherosclerotic plaques. Methods and Results—To test the hypothesis that a specific MMP-collagenase influences the development and structure of atherosclerotic plaques, this study used atherosclerosis-susceptible apolipoprotein E–deficient mice that lack MMP-13/collagenase-3 (Mmp-13 / /apoE / ) or express wild-type MMP-13/collagenase-3 (Mmp-13 / /apoE / ). Both groups consumed an atherogenic diet for 5 (n8) or 10 weeks (n9). Histological analyses of the aortic root of both groups revealed similar plaque size and accumulation of smooth muscle cells (a collagen-producing cell type) and macrophages (a major source of plaque collagenases) after 5 and 10 weeks of atherogenic diet. By 10 weeks, the plaques of Mmp-13 / /apoE / mice contained significantly more interstitial collagen than those of Mmp-13 / /apoE / mice (P0.01). Furthermore, quantitative optical analyses revealed thinner and less aligned periluminal collagen fibers within the plaques of Mmp-13 / /apoE / mice versus those from Mmp-13 / /apoE / mice. Conclusions—These data support the hypothesis that MMP-13/collagenase-3 plays a vital role in the regulation and organization of collagen in atherosclerotic plaques. (Circulation. 2005;112:2708-2715.)
Empyema Hospitalizations Increased in US Children Despite Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the incidence of empyema among children in the United States has changed since the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in 2000. METHODS: We used the nationally representative Kids9 Inpatient Database to estimate the annual total number of hospitalizations of children ≤18 years of age that were associated with empyema in 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2006. Using US Census data, estimated counts were converted into annual incidence rates per 100000 children. Incidence rates were compared between 1997 and later years to determine the impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on hospitalization rates. RESULTS: During 2006, an estimated total of 2898 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2532–3264) hospitalizations of children ≤18 years of age in the United States were associated with empyema. The empyema-associated hospitalization rate was estimated at 3.7 (95% CI: 3.3–4.2) per 100000 children, an increase of almost 70% from the 1997 empyema hospitalization rate of 2.2 (95% CI: 1.9–2.5) per 100000. The rate of complicated pneumonia (empyema, pleural effusion, or bacterial pneumonia requiring a chest tube or decortication) similarly increased 44%, to 5.5 (95% CI: 4.8–6.1) per 100000. The rate of bacterial pneumonia decreased 13%, to 244.3 (95% CI: 231.1–257.5) per 100000. The rate of invasive pneumococcal disease (pneumonia, sepsis, or meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae) decreased 50%, to 6.3 (95% CI: 5.7–6.9) per 100000. CONCLUSIONS: Among children ≤18 years of age, the annual empyema-associated hospitalization rates increased almost 70% between 1997 and 2006, despite decreases in the bacterial pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease rates. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is not decreasing the incidence of empyema.
Primus inter pares: storytelling and male peer groups in an indo-guyanese rumshop

Language is centrally implicated in the semiotic organization of socio-political realities and in the maintenance of both social equality and social differentiation. Conversations in a rural Indo-Guyanese village, during which men collectively reconstruct past events, allow for differential participation in the activity of storytelling. In the sequential organization of interaction, and the actions embedded therein, the participants display to one another a preoccupation with age, rights to knowledge, and social differentiation based on these criteria, [storytelling, social organization, knowledge, age, Guyana]
Bimaterial interfacial crack growth as a function of mode-mixity

The mechanical integrity of many electronic devices and their components is determined by the strength of the interfaces between dissimilar materials. Therefore, the knowledge of interfacial strength is important to the design for reliability of these devices. A few examples are die/die attach interface, leadframe/molding compound interface, and copper/resin interfaces in multilayer printed circuit boards. Failure of these interfaces results in reduced reliability and performance of such electronic devices. Two important issues are raised in terms of applying the interfacial fracture to the bimaterial interface reliability prediction. The first issue is the quantification of strength (fracture toughness) in such interfaces as a function of mode mixity. The second issue is the computing of actual energy release rate (a generalized crack driving force) and comparing it with the measured fracture toughness so as to predict the crack initiation, growth, and failure of electronic devices. This study emphasizes on a unified methodology and demonstrates the feasibility of application of the rigorous interfacial fracture mechanics for the delamination growth. The proposed numerical scheme was verified by three examples: a DCB unidirectional composite beam, a DCB resin/copper beam, and an ENF resin/copper beam. Using a crack closure technique, the energy release rate and mode mixity are evaluated and used to predict the behavior of the specimens before and after delamination growth. Good agreement between testing and prediction has been achieved. >
Paradigms for Societal Transition

Three world views or paradigms-Industrial (I), De-Industrial (D), and Symbiotic (S) -are compared in their expression in 12 selected key institutions of Advanced Western Industrial Societies at four levels: at the macro level, the nation state, the market economy, the pattern of Advanced country-Lesser developed country relations, the Welfare State and representative political democracy; at the meso or intermediate level, the private corporation and the metropolitan city; at the micro level, the nuclear family and the autonomous individual; at the socio-cultural level, classical science, the pattern of technological choice, and continuous formative education. The "whole-brained"processes associated with Paradigm S are adjusted to be increasingly more suitable for our present and future turbulent society and provide the basis for a paradigm for societal transition.
SOURCE–SINK DYNAMICS OF FLORIDA KEY DEER ON BIG PINE KEY, FLORIDA

Abstract The endangered Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) is endemic to the Florida Keys, Florida, USA, with Big Pine Key (BPK) supporting most (approx 60%) of the population. Habitat loss and fragmentation have altered the amount of available habitat, creating areas of varying suitability; north BPK (NBPK) is believed to contain more optimal habitat than south BPK (SBPK), which is more developed and fragmented. We evaluated the source–sink dynamics of Key deer using a sex- and stage-structured, stochastic matrix model. Model results indicated that the NBPK population of Key deer was increasing (λ = 1.02), whereas the SBPK population was decreasing (λ = 0.87). Without dispersal from the north, the SBPK population has a 97% probability of falling below 25 individuals (quasi-extinction threshold) in the next 20 years. The higher risk to Key deer in SBPK can be explained by relative habitat-quality differences between the 2 areas. House density, amount of roads, number of fences, and amount o...
Blood volume parameters of a poikilothermal animal in hypo- and hyperthermia.

SummaryCooling the alligator rapidly to 5°C results in a lowered venous hematocrit but does not cause significant change in circulatory hematocrit. Total visceral cell volume tends to increase, although of the individual organs only one, the spleen, has a statistically significant increase in cell volume. Rapid warming of alligators to temperature of 35°C results in no significant change in venous hematocrit but in a significant fall in circulatory hematocrit. Organ cell volumes in general are lower, that of the intestine and kidneys significantly so. This release of cells must account for the maintenance of a constant venous hematocrit in spite of a great increase in plasma volume not accounted for solely by the significant increases in organ plasma volumes.
SP0056 Clinical Trials in SLE: What have we Learned?

We stand at the threshold of great progress for lupus. More than 30 qualified pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies are poised to develop treatments specifically for lupus, each finely targeted to provide nuanced regulation of the immue system in ways that ought to have great impact on the disease. However the patients are heterogeneous both clinically and biologically and it must be accepted that one drug, one dose, one method will not fit all. With an increasingly sophisticated understanding of immune responses and how they become disordered in lupus, we could learn to develop individualized combinations of these agents for each patient, using strategic blood testing to select the treatments and guide their dosing. The technology is here. The impediments include remaining difficulties in designing and carrying out lupus trials and an understandable resistance to changing the paradigm of how treatments are developed. But solutions are being formulated and the paradigm is indeed shifting. Disclosure of Interest J. Merrill Grant/research support from: Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Genentech, UCB, Consultant for: Genentech, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, GSK, UCB, Lilly, MedImmune
Iron stress responses of a chlorosis-susceptible and chlorosis-resistant cultivars of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

A cultivar of pepper (Zehavi) known to produce Fe chlorosis in calcareous soils in Israel was compared to two ‘normal’ pepper cultivars in Hoagland’s I nutrient solutions with no Fe and several concentrations of FeEDDHA. A number of parameters were monitored to establish to what degree they might be linked in Strategy I plant responses to Fe stress. These included apical leaf chlorophyll, nutrient solution pH, riboflavin excretion, root reductive capacity and tissue mass. The Zehavi cultivar required more FeEDDHA to prevent chlorosis of apical leaves, but the chlorophyll content of its apical leaves of plants supplied with 2 mg L−1 was almost equal to that of the other cultivars: Iron stressed Zehavi plants were unable to lower the nutrient solution pH as did plants of the other cultivars. Riboflavin excretion by Fe-stressed roots of Zehavi plants occurred, but concentrations were much lower than those of the other cultivars. Riboflavin concentrations were independent of nutrient solution pH decreases. Root Fe reductive activity for Fe-stressed Zehavi plants harvested over 14 days were mostly less than that of the other cultivars, but activity of all plants fluctuated with time. Use of some NH 4 + in solutions to maintain low pH prevented chlorosis of Zehavi plants supplied with an intermediate Fe concentration.
Photochemical degradation of isoprene-derived 4,1-nitrooxy enal

Abstract. In isoprene-impacted environments, carbonyl nitrates are produced from NO3-initiated isoprene oxidation, which constitutes a potentially important NOx reservoir. To better understand the fate of isoprene carbonyl nitrates, we synthesized a model compound, trans-2-methyl-4-nitrooxy-2-buten-1-al (4,1-isoprene carbonyl nitrate, or 4,1-isoprene nitrooxy enal), and investigated its photochemical degradation process. The measured OH and O3 oxidation rate constants (298 K) for this nitrooxy enal are 4.1(±0.7) × 10−11 cm3 molecules−1 s−1 and 4.4(±0.3) × 10−18 cm3 molecules−1 s−1, respectively. Its UV absorption spectrum was determined, and the result is consistent with TDDFT calculations. Based on its UV absorption cross section and photolysis frequency in a reaction chamber, we estimate that the ambient photolysis frequency for this compound is 3.1(±0.8) × 10−4 s−1 for a solar zenith angle of 45°. The fast photolysis rate and high reactivity toward OH lead to a lifetime of less than 1 h for the isoprene nitrooxy enal, with photolysis being a dominant daytime sink. The nitrate products derived from the OH oxidation and the photolysis of the nitrooxy enal were identified with an iodide-based chemical ionization mass spectrometer. For the OH oxidation reaction, we quantified the yields of two nitrate products, methyl vinyl ketone nitrate and ethanal nitrate, which together contributed to 36(±5) % of the first-generation products.
Inexpensive, serotype-independent protocol for native and bioengineered recombinant adeno-associated virus purification

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a valuable and often used gene therapy vector. With increased demand for highly purified virus comes the need for a standardized purification procedure that is applicable across many serotypes and includes bioengineered viruses. Currently cesium chloride banding or affinity chromatography are the predominate forms of purification. These approaches expose the final purified virus to toxic contaminants or are highly capsid dependent and may require significant optimization to isolate purified AAV. These methods may also limit crude viral lysate processing volume resulting in a significant loss of viral titer. To circumvent these issues, we have developed an AAV purification protocol independent of toxic compounds, supernatant volume and capsid moiety. This purification method standardizes virus purification across native serotype and bioengineered mosaic capsids.
The Concept of Probability in Statistical Physics: The Haar Measure

GROUP-INVARIANT MEASURES In 1933, Alfred Haar wrote a paper, entitled “The Concept of Measure in the Theory of Continuous Groups,” whose main objective was to construct a measure invariant to the action of a topological group. The importance of the paper must have been noticed immediately, and further studies followed shortly on its heels. Von Neumann proved the uniqueness of this measure in 1934. In 1937, Stefen Banach wrote an appendix about the Haar measure for a textbook about integration theory, and in 1940 both Weil and Cartan offered new uniqueness proofs. What is interesting and important about Haar's construction is that it leads (in most important cases) to a measure that is different from the Lebesgue measure by only a factor of proportionality. However, because the Haar measure is more general and abstract, it can illuminate and even justify the choice of the Lebesgue measure as the natural measure. In particular, the construction makes it easier to explain why we use the Lebesgue measure as a probability measure when it is defined as a volume measure. The Haar measure is hardly unknown to mathematicians. In fact, for many mathematicians the Haar construction constitutes the foundation of their views on probabilities. It contains existence and uniqueness proofs in a fairly general setting, and it coincides with our pretheoretical notions of how probability measures ought to behave. However, the importance of the Haar measure is not due solely to its mathematical character.
Strength and wave parameters for sound propagation in random media.

Line-of-sight sound propagation of plane and spherical waves in a statistically isotropic, random moving medium is considered. The variances of the phase and log-amplitude fluctuations of these waves are expressed in terms of the strength and wave parameters for arbitrary spectra of temperature and velocity fluctuations, and results are then derived specifically for the Gaussian and generalized von Karman spectra. This representation of the variances reduces significantly the number of independent parameters of the problem and enables better understanding of sound scattering by plane and spherical waves, and due to temperature and velocity fluctuations. Using this representation, the boundary between the weak and strong scattering regimes is determined in terms of the strength and wave parameters. The results obtained are compared with the Λ – Φ diagram adopted in ocean acoustics. Other statistical moments of plane and spherical waves in a medium with arbitrary spectra of temperature and velocity fluctuat...
The Role of Forebrain Commissures in Kindled Seizure Development

The forebrain commissures in both humans and experimental animals have long been known to participate in epileptogenesis. Although some of the first studies were done a century ago (e.g., Unverricht, 1883; Franck and Pitres, 1883), the roles that the corpus callosum, anterior commissure and hippocampal commissure play are still not thoroughly understood. Early studies indicated that the corpus callosum was the preferred, although not the only, pathway for the propagation of epileptiform activity between the neocortices (Gozzano, 1936; Erickson, 1940; Curtis, 1940a,b; McCulloch and Garol, 1941). The anterior commissure was also implicated in the contralateral spread of seizure activity, particularly from the temporal lobe areas (McCulloch and Garol, 1941; Frost et al., 1958; Poblete et al., 1959). Finally, the hippocampal commissure was shown to participate in the contralateral propagation of epileptiform activity (Fox et al., 1948).
Isomerization of glucose to fructose catalyzed by lithium bromide in water

This study demonstrated that glucose could be isomerized to fructose in the concentrated aqueous solution of lithium bromide (LiBr) under mild conditions. The isomerization mechanisms were studied via isotopic labeling experiments. It was found that both the cation (Li+) and the anion (Br−) in the system catalyzed the isomerization of glucose to fructose. Br− catalyzed the isomerization through the proton transfer mechanism via an enediol intermediate, while Li+ did it through an intramolecular hydride shift mechanism from C2 to C1. The estimation using quantitative 13C-NMR analysis indicated that Br− catalyzed approximately 85% of the isomerization, while Li+ was responsible for the remaining 15%. The results indicated that 31% of the fructose was produced from glucose in LiBr trihydrate at 120 °C for 15 min. The outcomes of this study provided not only a better understanding of and insights into the sugar transformations in the LiBr solution but also an alternative approach to produce fructose from glucose.
Permeability and calcium signaling in lung endothelium: unpack the box….

This brief review assesses the role of Ca2+ signaling in lung endothelium in regulation of endothelial permeability. The disconnect between experimental and clinical outcomes to date may be due, in...
Negative electroretinograms in retinitis pigmentosa

Purpose Patients with typical clinical features of retinitis pigmentosa were found to have the atypical electroretinographic finding of a negative waveform to a bright flash in the dark-adapted state. The full-field electroretinogram (ERG) was studied in seven such patients to understand better the pathophysiology. Methods Rod ERGs were isolated using blue and red flash stimuli in the dark-adapted state. The rod ERG was assumed to be the sum of two major components, P3 and P2. A family of delayed Gaussian functions fitted to the rod a-wave intensity series was used to estimate the P3 component. The P2 component was derived by subtracting the estimated P3 component from the rod-isolated ERG. Long duration stimuli were used to elicit "on" and "off" components of the light-adapted cone ERG. Oscillatory potentials were isolated by digitally filtering cone ERGs to white flash stimuli. Results The estimated rod P3 component was reduced in amplitude in all patients. The derived P2 component of the rod ERG was present but abnormally reduced relative to the P3 component. Cone waveforms had decreased a-waves, "on" and "off" components. Many of the patients had a disproportionate reduction of the "on" compared to the "off" component. Photopic oscillatory potentials were either reduced in amplitude and delayed in timing or not detectable. Conclusions The ERG findings in this subset of RP patients indicate there is dysfunction not only at the level of the photoreceptor outer segment but also at or proximal to the photoreceptor terminal region.
Isothermal oxidation behavior of scandium and yttrium co-doped B2-type iron–aluminum intermetallics at elevated temperature

B2 FeAl intermetallic compounds modified with reactive elements (REs) including Sc and Y were fabricated by vacuum arc-melting, and the isothermal oxidation behavior of the RE-doped alloys at 1373 K was investigated. Both Sc and Y single-doping significantly decrease the alumina film growth rate of the alloys. The alumina film growth rate of Sc + Y co-doped alloy even further reduces compared to that of the Sc and Y single-doped alloys. The synergistic effect produced by Sc + Y co-doping on the growth behavior of alumina was discussed. It could be anticipated that the combined additions of Sc and Y which have matched chemical properties might decrease the alumina film growth rate more effectively and provide FeAl alloys with enhanced oxidation resistance.
Comparative Study of Aluminum Joint Strength and Durability with Varying Thickness, Boehmite-Type Oxide Surfaces

The presence of boehmite oxide on aluminum surfaces has often been associated with weather-durable bonding. In this work, a considerable variance was shown in aluminum joint durability involving such oxide surfaces with varying thicknesses as generated in the absence or presence of electrolyte in boiling water; i. e., deionized or tap water. The changes in oxide were generated starting from a deoxidized surface base by varying the exposure times in boiling water.
Tetramethylcyclopentadienyl Ligands Allow Isolation of Ln(II) Ions across the Lanthanide Series in [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][(C5Me4H)3Ln] Complexes

Although previous studies of the stabilization of Ln(II) ions across the lanthanide series have relied on Me3Si-substituted cyclopentadienyl ligands, we now find surprisingly that these ions can also exist surrounded by three tetramethylcyclopentadienyl ligands. Reduction of the 4fn Ln(III) complexes, Cptet3Ln (Cptet = C5Me4H) using potassium graphite in the presence of 2.2.2-cryptand (crypt) produces the Ln(II) complexes, [K(crypt)][Cptet3Ln] for Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, and Dy, all of which were characterized by X-ray crystallography. These complexes display intense absorptions in the UV–visible–near IR region that are red-shifted compared to those of previously characterized (Cp′3Ln)1– complexes (Cp′ = C5H4SiMe3). The thermal stability of these new Ln(II) complexes decreases with the size of the metal.
Cangleska Wakan: The ecology of the sacred circle and the role of tribal colleges and universities

Indigenous education and philosophy are rooted in the concept of relationality – the relatedness of all things – within the framework of place-based experiences and knowledge. This article focuses on tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) in the United States – in particular, on their dedication to land use and preservation, sustainability and tribal ecological knowledge within their missions of cultural preservation, academic and career development, and community engagement. TCUs are post-secondary institutions chartered by their respective tribal governments to serve as the higher education institutions of the Tribe. In the TCU environment, tribal identities emerge from an understanding of how all things are related. Evidence includes creation stories, tribal languages and place-based knowledge. The circular relationship among place, engagement and identity is often manifested in how land and its resources are preserved, managed and expanded through education, outreach and research. In 1994, the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act was passed, granting TCUs endowments for facilities and institutional capacity building in place of land. This article explores the time periods of 1968–1993 and 1994 to today in the context of the development of TCUs, first as place-based institutions preserving tribal identity and later as land-grant institutions preserving tribal environmental and ecological knowledge and resources. The authors provide a number of examples which demonstrate that TCUs exercise the inherent sovereignty of Tribes to provide quality education to their people by incorporating their language and Indigenous knowledge and values.
CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF 6-HYDROXYDOPAMINE ANALOGS

ABSTRACT In order to evaluate the influence of specific structural features on the neurodestructive properties and related chemical reactivity of the catecholamine analog 6-hydroxydopamine (6-HODA), the corresponding 6-thio derivative (6-thiodopamine, 6-HSDA) has been synthesized. Unlike 6-HODA, 6-HSDA is stable to autooxidation at pH 7.4 but upon electrochemical oxidation forms species which, like 6-HODA, undergo spontaneous, irreversible chemical reactions indicative of reactive electrophiles. The norepinephrine uptake inhibiting activity (rat atria) of 6-HSDA was found to be significant although considerably less than that of 6-HODA.
How Well Do U.S. Hispanics Adhere to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans? Results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

Purpose: To examine alignment between 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and dietary choices of individuals in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) between 2008 and 2011. Methods: Data are from 15,633 adults 18-74 years from the population-based cohort in HCHS/SOL. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2010 was used to measure diet quality. Means and standard errors (SEs) for the HEI total and each of the 12 component scores were calculated overall and by Hispanic/Latino heritage, sex, age group, and measures of acculturation. Linear regression was used to examine correlates of the HEI 2010 total score. All analyses accounted for complex survey design. Results: The overall HEI mean of 63.8 (SE: 0.4) varied across groups from a high (healthier diet) of 71 (SE: 0.9) among Mexicans to a low of 56 (SE: 0.1) among Puerto Ricans. The proportion with a maximum score for the HEI components varied across heritage groups; >25% of adults adhered to recommendations for total proteins, and seafood and plant proteins, whole fruits, and greens and beans, with the exception of Cubans and Puerto Ricans, who had lower adherence scores for the latter two. The components with the lowest adherence were sodium (<2%) and fatty acids (overall 7.4%) among all heritage groups. Characteristics associated with better adherence included sociodemographic variables, Spanish language preference, weight status, medical conditions, and lifestyle behaviors. Conclusions: Individuals with Mexican, Dominican, and Central American heritage had better overall dietary quality compared to other groups. However, all can improve their eating habits to align more with the DGAs by reducing sodium consumption and improving fatty acid ratios.
Considerations of target surface area and the risk of radiosurgical toxicity

Objective The goal of this study was to explore conceptual benefits of characterizing delineated target volumes based on surface area and to utilize the concept for assessing risk of therapeutic toxicity in radiosurgery. Methods and materials Four computer-generated targets, a sphere, a cylinder, an ellipsoid and a box, were designed for two distinct scenarios. In the first scenario, all targets had identical volumes, and in the second one, all targets had identical surface areas. High quality stereotactic radiosurgery plans with at least 95% target coverage and selectivity were created for each target in both scenarios. Normal brain volumes V12Gy, V14Gy and V16Gy corresponding to received dose of 12 Gy, 14 Gy and 16 Gy, respectively, were computed and analyzed. Additionally, V12Gy and V14Gy volumes and values for seven prospective toxicity variables were recorded for 100 meningioma patients after Gamma Knife radiosurgery. Multivariable stepwise linear regression and best subset linear regression analyses were performed in two statistical software packages, SAS/STAT and R, respectively. Results In a phantom study, for the constant volume targets, the volumes of 12 Gy, 14 Gy and 16 Gy isodose clouds were the lowest for the spherical target as an expected corollary of the isoperimetric inequality. For the constant surface area targets, a conventional wisdom is confirmed, as the target volume increases the corresponding volumes V12Gy, V14Gy and V16Gy also increase. In the 100-meningioma patient cohort, the best univariate model featured tumor surface area as the most significantly associated variable with both V12Gy and V14Gy volumes, corresponding to the adjusted R2 values of 0.82 and 0.77, respectively. Two statistical methods converged to matching multivariable models. Conclusions In a univariate model, target surface area is a better predictor of spilled dose to normal tissue than target largest dimension or target volume itself. In complex multivariate models, target surface area is an independent variable for modeling radiosurgical normal tissue toxicity risk.
Realism Contested: Jean Améry’s Charles Bovary, Country Doctor

The chapter offers a reading of Amery’s, Charles Bovary, Country Doctor: Portrait of a Simple Man as a contribution to the art historical and critical discourse on Realism. In his novel-essay, Amery contests the Realism of Madame Bovary. The chapter argues that contestation is central to aesthetic realism. Thus, in concluding that Flaubert’s novel is a failed Realist work, and this because of its erasure of the bourgeois history of post-revolutionary France, Amery also develops his own account of Realism in critical exchange with Flaubert; he does so because aspects of that historical reality are present as traces in Madame Bovary. For Amery, what is real in Realism is the common experience of the “everyman [jedermann]”: an experience expressed in “common language [Alltagssprache].” Though rendered in “beautiful style [beau style],” Flaubert’s novel often speaks in the everyday; much of the dialogue is characters trading in cliches and received ideas of the day. Everyday language is general and collective. In the truisms and commonplaces of Flaubert’s characters, Amery hears the shared voice of the modern bourgeoisie—muffled though it is under Flaubert’s personal, individualistic style. Madame Bovary, then, contains the “hidden” reality of bourgeois modernity, which Amery reveals in his novel-essay. The subject of such speech is Charles Bovary as a real literary figure—a reality located in his passionate embodiment, that is, in his body. In conclusion, and by appealing to Barthes’ notion of the “reality effect,” the chapter tracks the process by which the body comes to signify and speak out for Amery as the real of Realism.
Predictors of long-term success and failure in primary and revision endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

Background Although endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (endo-DCR) is a common treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction, little is known about the determinants of surgical success and failure. The purpose of this study was to identify patient- and technique-specific factors that may influence surgical outcomes of primary and revision endo-DCR. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of 596 patients who underwent endo-DCR over a 30-year period (1989-2018). Patients' demographics and surgical techniques were assessed. Results Among the cohort of patients (n = 478) who underwent primary endo-DCR, 10% (n = 48) required revision surgery. Patients who failed primary DCR tended to be younger (p = 0.015) and were less likely to have chronic sinonasal inflammation on histopathology (p = 0.047) than the successful surgery group. After adjusting for patient demographics and comorbidities, the occurrence of a postoperative complication was significantly associated with primary DCR failure (odds ratio [OR], 2.2; p = 0.032). Among the cohort of patients (n = 118) who underwent revision endo-DCR, 8.5% (n = 10) required additional revision surgery. Patients who failed revision DCR tended to be younger (p = 0.022), more likely to have had intraoperative laser usage (p = 0.031), and more likely to have had an intraoperative complication (p = 0.013) than the successful revision surgery group. Endo-DCR failure was not associated with smoking status, middle turbinate resection, or intraoperative visualization of the internal common punctum (p > 0.05). Conclusion An understanding of factors associated with primary and revision endo-DCR failure can help to inform preoperative counseling, intraoperative surgical technique, and postoperative care in the treatment of patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction.