cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rebuttal from Alan R. Schwartz and Philip L. Smith

Butler et al. present an interesting alternative to the Starling resistor model to account for the phenomenon of negative effort dependence (Butler et al. 2013). This phenomenon is characterized by a decrease in flow with increasing inspiratory effort, which can occur to a variable degree in sleeping individuals. Negative effort dependence is a feature commonly observed in pressure–flow relationships in collapsible conduits, whether they be biological or otherwise, and is illustrated in the classical descriptions of flow limitation to which Butler and co-workers referred. Negative effort dependence is usually characterized by a plateauing of airflow at a submaximal level, rather than complete cessation of airflow as described by Butler et al. This flow plateau, like the maximal flow, is still determined by the gradient between upstream and critical pressure, and falls progressively as this gradient approaches zero. In other words, the Starling resistor models the pressure–flow regimen and the severity of upper airway obstruction similarly for maximal or submaximal flows alike, encompassing the phenomenon of negative effort dependence. Several explanations could account for the unusual example of negative effort dependence characterized by the cessation of flow, as Butler et al. described. Redundant tissue can intussuscept during inspiration, blocking the airway completely, much as the wall of a vein can block the bevelled opening of a venipuncture needle when negative pressure is applied. Alternatively, the epiglottis can rarely flip down and occlude the laryngeal aperture during inspiration. While bulk tissue movement may obstruct flow completely in these examples, it would not account for snoring, which is more typically observed during periods of inspiratory airflow limitation. Snoring, like wheezing and stridor, is produced by vibration in airway tissues as flow oscillates around its maximal level. Rather than occluding the airway completely, tissues oscillate as pressure is dissipated by turbulent flows through a narrowed or critical orifice. Furthermore, the ‘lumped’ tissue model described by Butler et al. does not offer the broad applicability of the Starling resistor in modelling upper airway flow dynamics during sleep across a spectrum from health to disease (Schwartz & Smith, 2013). Nor does it account for the induction of upper airway obstruction and sleep apnoea syndrome in normal individuals breathing at subatmospheric nasal pressure during sleep. Indeed, negative effort dependence may be more of an epiphenomenon than a key to understanding the pathogenesis and clinical spectrum of upper airway obstruction during sleep.
Review of Legal Aspects of Architecture, Engineering and the Construction Process by Justin Sweet and Marc M. Schneier

The seventh edition of Legal Aspects of Architecture, Engineering and the Construction Process by Justin Sweet and Marc M. Schneier calls itself a “national textbook.” It is far more than a textbook. A textbook typically has a life of one semester. This, on the other hand, is a reference book that will become a trusted, well-worn, and dog-eared companion in the library of lawyers, architects, engineers, and contractors long after graduation. Through straightforward text and illustrative problems, the authors demystify law and demonstrate the legal system’s usefulness as a tool for successfully planning the construction project, navigating the construction process, guiding professionals in their relationships with clients and others, including their ethical obligations, and for dispute resolution. The text is impressive in its thoroughness. One of its greatest strengths is its breadth and depth of coverage of construction law. In a single volume, it covers virtually all that a professional will need to understand legal issues concerning the construction process. Another strength of the text is that it recognizes the diversity of the construction industry. While “the largest [construction] firms sign contracts in excess of $20 billion annually and consist of thousands of employees ”...“over two-thirds of [construction] firms have less than five employees.” The industry is “fragmented, consisting primarily of relatively small contractors operating on a local or regional basis,” and overall ranging from “commercially sophisticated well-capitalized companies with a yearly volume in the hundreds of millions,” to “small businesses operating out of the kitchen.” Sweet and Schneier’s text provides a solid foundation for the student who will one day work for the largest or for the smallest company and for the student who will design or build a single-family residence, an interstate highway, or a resort complex. The chapters on contracting especially concentrate on alternative provisions in contracts and therefore guide the reader in making informed choices when contracting. First, the authors explore what will happen if a contract is governed by the default rules of the common law of contracts. Certainly, all professionals must understand how contract law will fill the interstices of their contractual agreement. Default rules are those basic contract law rules that operate where the parties have sufficiently agreed to form a contract, but have left out some specifics. The strength of this text is that it empowers the design professional to take control of the contract and alter those default rules as appropriate for their goals. Beyond basic contract law, form contracts promulgated by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Engineers Joint Con-
Infiltrating Macrophages Are Key to the Development of Seizures following Virus Infection

Viral infections of the central nervous system (CNS) can trigger an antiviral immune response, which initiates an inflammatory cascade to control viral replication and dissemination. The extent of the proinflammatory response in the CNS and the timing of the release of proinflammatory cytokines can lead to neuronal excitability. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), two proinflammatory cytokines, have been linked to the development of acute seizures in Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced encephalitis. It is unclear the extent to which the infiltrating macrophages versus resident CNS cells, such as microglia, contribute to acute seizures, as both cell types produce TNF-α and IL-6. In this study, we show that following infection a significantly higher number of microglia produced TNF-α than did infiltrating macrophages. In contrast, infiltrating macrophages produced significantly more IL-6. Mice treated with minocycline or wogonin, both of which limit infiltration of immune cells into the CNS and their activation, had significantly fewer macrophages infiltrating the brain, and significantly fewer mice had seizures. Therefore, our studies implicate infiltrating macrophages as an important source of IL-6 that contributes to the development of acute seizures.
Cold tolerance of the invasive Carcinus maenas in the east Pacific: molecular mechanisms and implications for range expansion in a changing climate

Physiological studies have long been utilized to understand the role of environmental temperature in the distribution of native organisms within marine communities. For the invasive crab Carcinus maenas, temperature has been implicated as the main predictor of establishment success across temperate regions. Therefore, we determined whether the lower temperature tolerances of this non-native crab would restrict it from spreading farther poleward from a relatively new recipient environment. Cold tolerance capacity was determined in the laboratory by holding crabs sampled from Vancouver Island, British Columbia (BC)—near the present northern limit for the northeast Pacific metapopulation to an overwintering thermal profile generated from Sitka, Alaska, USA. These crabs were physiologically capable of overwintering north of their present range boundary. The cellular response to cold stress was investigated using two functional categories of the cellular stress response. We measured cyclin D1, a cell-cycle regulator, and Hsp70, a protein chaperone, after laboratory acclimation and acute cold stress on two populations of C. maenas from the west coast of North America that have disparate thermal histories (crabs sampled from CA or BC). We found site-specific differential expression of cyclin D1 after cold acclimation and cold shock, perhaps affecting invasion capacity in this species. Determining what physiological mechanisms are in place with respect to thermal tolerance and preference can give insight into what makes an invasive organism successful and aid in predicting probable distribution of such species within a new environment.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Calcium Aluminosilicate Intergranular Films on (0001) Al2O3 Facets

Molecular dynamics simulations of intergranular films (IGF) containing SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , and CaO in contact with two surface terminations of the basal plane of Al 2 O 3 were performed to model faceted grain boundaries in sintered Al 2 O 3 . In both the aluminum-terminated and the oxygen-terminated crystal surfaces, cage structures were observed in the intergranular film at the interface. Complete epitaxy of aluminum and silicon cations from the IGF was observed on the oxygen termination of the crystal surface. Calcium segregated to specific sites at the interface in all systems studied. Segregation of aluminum ions to the interface was observed from IGFs with high Al 2 O 3 content. High-SiO 2 IGFs impeded the growth of the first of the two aluminum layers parallel to the basal plane, whereas CaO promoted the growth of this layer. However, CaO impeded the growth of the second aluminum layer parallel to the basal plane.
Protecting Big Blue from Rogue Subatomic Particles

Device technology scaling continues to deliver faster and smaller transistors, contributing to IBMs continued leadership in server systems. However, there is also a dark side to device technology scaling. As transistors shrink, the amount of charge required to change the logic state of a memory or a logic circuit (i.e. flip a 1 to a 0 and vice versa) also shrinks. This complication spurs continued effort at IBM to test, characterize, and mitigate these transient bit flips, so called soft errors. In this paper we survey our ongoing work in this realm and introduce our views on trends for soft errors in future device technologies.
Toward In-Band Self-Organization in Energy-Efficient MAC Protocols for Sensor Networks

This paper presents a self-organizing medium access control (MAC) protocol framework for distributed sensor networks with arbitrary mesh topologies. The novelty of the proposed In-band self-organized MAC (ISOMAC) protocol lies in its in-band control mechanism for exchanging time-division multiple access (TDMA) slot information with distributed MAC scheduling. A fixed-length bitmap vector is used in each packet header for exchanging relative slot timing information across immediate and up to two-hop neighbors. It is shown that, by avoiding explicit timing information exchange, ISOMAC can work without networkwide time synchronization, which can be prohibitive for severely cost-constrained sensor nodes in very large networks. A slot-clustering effect, caused by in-band bitmap constraints, enables ISOMAC to offer better spatial channel reuse compared to traditional distributed TDMA protocols. ISOMAC employs a partial node wake-up and header-only transmission strategy to adjust energy expenditure based on the instantaneous nodal data rate. Both analytical and simulation models have been developed for characterizing the proposed protocol. Results demonstrate that, with in-band bitmap vectors of moderate length, ISOMAC converges reasonably quickly, that is, approximately within a four to eight TDMA frame duration. Also, if the bitmap header duration is restricted within 10 percent of packet duration, then the energy penalty of the in-band information is quite negligible. It is also shown that ISOMAC can be implemented in the presence of network time synchronization, although its performance without synchronization is just marginally worse than that with synchronization.
A Discriminant Function Approach to Adjust for Processing and Measurement Error When a Biomarker is Assayed in Pooled Samples

Pooling biological specimens prior to performing expensive laboratory assays has been shown to be a cost effective approach for estimating parameters of interest. In addition to requiring specialized statistical techniques, however, the pooling of samples can introduce assay errors due to processing, possibly in addition to measurement error that may be present when the assay is applied to individual samples. Failure to account for these sources of error can result in biased parameter estimates and ultimately faulty inference. Prior research addressing biomarker mean and variance estimation advocates hybrid designs consisting of individual as well as pooled samples to account for measurement and processing (or pooling) error. We consider adapting this approach to the problem of estimating a covariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) relating a binary outcome to a continuous exposure or biomarker level assessed in pools. In particular, we explore the applicability of a discriminant function-based analysis that assumes normal residual, processing, and measurement errors. A potential advantage of this method is that maximum likelihood estimation of the desired adjusted log OR is straightforward and computationally convenient. Moreover, in the absence of measurement and processing error, the method yields an efficient unbiased estimator for the parameter of interest assuming normal residual errors. We illustrate the approach using real data from an ancillary study of the Collaborative Perinatal Project, and we use simulations to demonstrate the ability of the proposed estimators to alleviate bias due to measurement and processing error.
A High Cell Density Approach to Fed-Batch Cell Culture for Production of Biopharmaceuticals

We have evaluated a more cell-intensive approach to both cell line adaptation and production culture as a means of achieving high integrated viable cell density (IVCD) in order to improve cell culture process yields. Shake flask based Fed-batch (FB) production cultures were seeded at multiple cell densities. Increases in seed density in the fed batch up to 8x control seed density resulted in significantly higher IVCD and titer with a 2–3 fold benefit relative to control seeded cultures. Whereas the initial increments in production seed density resulted in a linear increase in IVCD and titer, further increments showed diminishing returns. It appeared that the highest seed density production cultures were limited by nutrient supply and so richer medium and a higher feeding rate were then tested, resulting in further improvements in IVCD and titer. We also tested the effect of adapting the cells to high densities for over 50 generations prior to production cultures. For the production assessment, both the high- and standard-density adapted cells were seeded at multiple cell densities. Effect of the adaptation was modest and variable. By combining high-seed adaptation, high production culture seed densities, enriched media and high feeding rate titer yields of up to 9 g/L were achieved.
Wave Propagation in a Materially Nonlinear Rod: Numerical and Experimental Investigations

In order to facilitate an efficient and high fidelity analysis of nonlinear wave propagation, a modified Newton-Raphson iterative method is developed in order to improve the computational performance of the alternating wavelet-time finite element method (AWT-FEM). A non-dimensional model of a materially nonlinear rod is developed and a metric is constructed to quantify nonlinear dispersion in the response. A parametric study is conducted in order to investigate the influence of the nonlinear coefficient and other system parameters on the nonlinear behavior by using the modified AWT-FEM. An experimental investigation is performed by using a rod structure with a strong hardening-type material nonlinearity in order to verify the predicted phenomenon.
Effective Instruction in Mathematics for Students with Learning Difficulties

Achievement in mathematics is critical to success in school and, ultimately, to success in the adult world. As a consequence of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB, 2001), students in the United States must pass a ‘high stakes’ state assessment in mathematics to graduate from secondary school. However, poor performance remains evident at the state level (for example Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test: FCAT), the national level (for example National Assessment of Educational Progress, NAEP, 2003) and also at the international level (for example Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, TIMSS, 2004), leaving many students at risk for failure and/or dropping out of school. Recognising the consistently dismal mathematics performance of students in the United States, in 1989 the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM, 1989) published the Curriculum and Evaluation NCTM Standards for School Mathematics (NCTM, 1989) and revised those standards in 2000 as the Principles and NCTM Standards for School Mathematics (NCTM, 2000).
Optical Implementation of Resilient Packet Rings Using Light-Trails

The growth of RPR in metropolitan optical networks, has been due to the requirement of sub-wavelength granularity and dynamic provisioning between nodes in a 2-ringlet optical network. The solution of creating opto-electro-opto conversion at each node and then processing individually the information being sent on each wavelength leads to expensive equipment cost as well as issues such as strict synchronization and limited bit-rate. Light-trails, on the other hand provides a solution that optically is able to broker the bandwidth between multiple nodes on the same wavelength leading to low cost implementations, while guaranteeing the dynamic bandwidth requirements that are a necessary prelude to provisioning revenue bearing services. A light-trail is a generalization of a lightpath [5], such that multiple nodes on the trail can take part in unidirectional communication within the trail without the need for optical switch reconfiguration. Light-trails can be pragmatically implemented [1] and provide for sub-wavelength optical communication by creating time differentiated flows between individual nodes. In this paper we study the implementation of light-trails to facilitate RPR. Through a simulation study we identify the constraints that affect a light-trail network and how it performs as compared to an RPR network. The intuitive benefit in cost savings using a light-trail network is somewhat offset by the need for aggregation of traffic at the data layer (like RPR) as well as the wastage of bandwidth in the broadcast medium (light-trail).
ALCOHOL AND THE ELDERLY: RELATIONSHIPS TO ILLNESS AND SMOKING

A group of 33 semi-independent living nonagenarian men and a group of 32 65-75 year-old men of similar demographic characteristics, living at the California Veterans' Home, were compared in terms of alcohol use, past and present, and relationships to several somatic, mental and lifestyle aspects including smoking. The younger group had a higher prevalence of alcohol abuse and higher current alcohol intake (P less than 0.004). Higher alcohol intake related to greater smoking of cigarettes in the younger group. Alcohol tended to be related to an increased number of medical illnesses, and to increased use of major medications (P less than 0.005). There was an interactive effect between classes of alcohol use and scores on a mental status examination used to assess cognitive function (P less than 0.05).
A Mixed Methods Study of Contraceptive Effectiveness in a Relationship Context Among Young Adult, Primarily Low-Income African American Women

Unintended pregnancy is an important public health issue. Rates of unintended pregnancy are disproportionately higher among women from racial and ethnic minority groups among whom rates of contraceptive use are lower. Women’s multifaceted feelings about pregnancy and perceptions of their intimate relationships may influence contraceptive behavior. We used mixed methods to examine women’s perceptions of pregnancy, motherhood, and contraceptives within the context of their intimate relationships. A convenience sample of 130 primarily low-income African American women ages 18–29 completed a cross-sectional, computerized survey; 12 women provided in-depth qualitative interview data. Generalized linear mixed models were used to identify associations between study variables and contraceptive effectiveness. Interview data were analyzed using qualitative descriptive methods and integrated with quantitative data. Higher positive pregnancy attitude [odds ratio (OR) 0.78; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.63, 0.98], lower contraceptive attitude (OR 1.17; 95 % CI 1.01, 1.36), and more than one recent sexual partner (OR 0.03; 95 % CI <0.01, 0.60) were associated with less effective contraceptive use. Qualitative results included three themes: You get pregnant that’s on you; Motherhood means everything; and Make sure you're stable. Women’s qualitative reports primarily supported but occasionally diverged from quantitative findings, reflecting discrepancies from their stated ideals, personal goals, and behavior. The incongruities between women’s ideals and their actual contraceptive behavior demonstrate the complexity of making reproductive decisions based on existing life circumstances and challenges. Health care providers should have broad understanding of women’s pregnancy goals in order to recommend the most appropriate contraceptive methods and pre-conception counseling.
Differences in smoking and cessation characteristics among adult nondaily smokers in the United States: findings from the 2009-2010 National Adult Tobacco Survey.

INTRODUCTION Nondaily smoking in the United States is increasing. Although differences in smoking and cessation behaviors between daily and nondaily smokers have been documented, differences among nondaily smokers are poorly understood. This study provides updated national data on smoking and cessation characteristics among nondaily versus daily smokers and between subgroups of nondaily smokers. METHODS Data were obtained from the 2009-2010 National Adult Tobacco Survey, a stratified, dual-frame telephone survey conducted in the United States. Participants were categorized into daily smokers, never-daily nondaily smokers (NDNS), recently converted (≤1 year) nondaily smokers (RCNS), and established-converted (>1 year) nondaily smokers (ECNS). Chi-square tests were used to assess differences across groups, and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with past-year quit attempts. RESULTS Among nondaily smokers (17.8% of the total sample), 27.1% were NDNS, 37.4% were RCNS, and 35.4% were ECNS. RCNS were the most likely to report ever having tried to quit (p < .0001), having tried to quit in the past year (p < .0001), having used cessation treatment during their last quit attempt (p < .05), and wanting to quit smoking for good (p < .001). Compared with NDNS, RCNS had more than twice the odds of trying to quit in the past year after adjusting for demographics and smoking characteristics (adjusted odds ratio = 2.1, 95% confidence interval = 1.3-3.2). No significant differences existed between NDNS and ECNS. CONCLUSIONS RCNS are potentially more interested in quitting and should be specifically targeted with cessation interventions to avoid relapse to daily or long-term nondaily smoking.
Metal-insulator transition in epitaxial VO 2 thin films on TiO 2 (100)

We performed detailed resistivity and impedance spectroscopy studies of epitaxial (100) VO${}_{2}$ films. As the metal-insulator transition (MIT) is approached from below, the dielectric constant collapses concomitantly with a sharp increase in conductivity, revealing the coexistence of metallic and insulating phases. At lower temperatures transport in the insulating phase can be explained by small polaron hopping, with an activation scale significantly smaller than the semiconducting gap. We propose that closer to the MIT transport is dominated by polarons tunneling between metallic regions. Our results stress the critical importance of the metal-insulator phase coexistence and electronic motion coupled with ionic displacement in determining the transport behavior.
7-Chloro-4-(piperazin-1-yl)quinoline.

There are two mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit (Z′ = 2) of the title compound, C13H14ClN3, Each mol­ecule is linked by N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds to another of the same type in a chain in [110]. The crystal studied was a non-merohedral twin with components 0.622 (2) and 0.378 (2).
A 15th-century treatise on kidney affections and their treatment? A first approach.

Two Greek manuscripts have preserved a short treatise On the Diagnosis of Kidney Pathologies and Their Treatment attributed to Galen. In the present article, I study the content of this work and suggest that it may describe the effect of gout on the kidneys, unless it describes pseudogout, that is, chondrocalsinosis of kidneys. On this basis, I suggest that the treatise is not by Galen, but by the 15th-century Byzantine physician Demetrios Pepagomenos.
Biocompatibility of α-TCP brushite bone cement material

AIM: To investigate the biocompatibility of α-TCP brushite bone cement.METHOD: α-TCP was introduced to β-TCP+MCPM bone cement to obtain α-TCP brushite bone cement.The material was evaluated by hemolysis test,pyrogen test,acute toxicity test,skin allergy test and muscle implant test.The biocompatibility of α-TCP brushite bone cement was compared with traditional brushite bone cement.RESULTS: The hemolysis rate of α-TCP brushite bone cement was below 5 percent.No pyrogenic,no toxic,no skin allergic,and no obvious inflammatory reaction were observs.CONCLUSION: The α-TCP brushite bone cement shows excellent biocompatibility and safety,tence can be used in vivo as a bone substitute material.
Differentiale als Prognosen

Differentiale drucken die Ableitungs-Vorstellung der lokalen Linearisierung in anschaulicher Art aus. Es wird eine intuitive Definition fur Differentiale vorgeschlagen und diese wird in Beziehung zur didaktischen und fachwissenschaftlichen Literatur gesetzt. Weiter wird skizziert, wie sich die Analysis auf Basis dieser Definition entwickeln lasst und wie ein darauf aufbauender Unterrichtsgang aussehen konnte. Statt Anderungsraten werden hier Anderungen zum zentralen Beschreibungs- wie Argumentationsmittel.
The Influence of Simple and Complex Tropes on Believability, Importance and Memory

This research focuses on one type of figure of speech, tropes, and investigates their effects on persuasion and memory. Tropes are phrases in which the combination and ordering of the words causes them to take on unexpected meaning. The results of two experiments suggest that tropes can influence both the persuasiveness of and memory for advertised information. Complex tropes appear to influence persuasion without lasting memory effects, while simple tropes seem to be more memorable but not more persuasive. This suggests that the objective of an advertisement be clearly defined before the specific message tactic is chosen. Simple tropes may be more suitable for informative and reminder ads, while complex tropes may be the appropriate choice for persuasive ads.
Isolation of brain cancer stem cells using signaling pathway reporters

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 12-16, 2008; San Diego, CA 5006 This study is designed to improve the definition and functional characterization of brain tumor stem cells (BTSC). In some brain tumors, the presence of the normal neural stem cell-associated antigen, CD133, could predict the tumorigenic properties of the cells. However, experiments in our lab have shown that CD133 may not be a universal marker for brain tumor stem cells, and alternative experimental strategies are required. Our working hypothesis is that the activity level of signaling pathways may also be a distinctive hallmark of BTSC. Our methodology involves the fractionation of tumor cells based on biochemical activities associated with self-renewal, and thus provides a functional method that complements the phenotypic method used for cancer stem cell isolation. Our laboratory has developed a paradigm for the identification of cancer stem cells in human Medulloblastoma (MB) and Glioblastoma Multiformae (GBM): First, a xenograft model for these human brain tumors was established using newborn immunocompromised mice. Injection of fresh, non-fractionated human MB or GBM cells into the cerebellum or lateral ventricles, respectively, has resulted in successful recapitulation of the original tumors. This xenograft model provides the platform by which the tumorigenicity of select tumor cell populations is assessed. Fractionation of fresh tumor cells from MB and GBM is based on the activity of two signaling pathways associated with self-renewal: the Wnt and Hedgehog (Hh) pathways. The important roles of these pathways in normal progenitor self-renewal, and mutations found in CNS malignancies, suggest that their deregulation may contribute to MB and GBM tumorigenesis. To assess the state of intracellular Hh or Wnt pathway stimulation, specific intracellular reporters were generated, in which GFP reporter gene expression is dependent on pathway-activated transcription. Conserved elements responsive to either Gli or beta-catenin were placed upstream of a GFP gene to report the activity level of the Hh or Wnt pathways, respectively. These cassettes were inserted into Lentiviral vectors, with which we have achieved high efficiency of transdcution into primary human tumor cells. These specific intracellular reporters for the Wnt and Hedgehog pathways were used to isolate primary human Medulloblastoma cell populations based on the level of activity. The relevance of these signaling pathways to tumor initiation was then tested in in vitro clonogenic assays as well as in vivo tumor transplantation experiments. Future experiments will assess the direct effect of specific pathway inhibitors on the growth of brain tumor stem cells. The purification of BTSC will be followed by the characterization of mutations, chromosomal aberrations, active signaling pathways and unique surface antigens. This knowledge will guide the development of highly specific and more effective anti-brain cancer therapies.
Lead Angle Matters: Side Effects of Deep Brain Stimulation Improved With Adjustment of Lead Angle.

Background Targeting the subthalamic nucleus (STN) for deep brain stimulation (DBS) using standard stereotactic coordinates in conjunction with high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) generally results in effective symptomatic relief for the cardinal motor features of Parkinson's disease (PD). The angle of approach, however, influences the resultant field of stimulation and can lead to undesired side effects. Methods We review a case where symptomatic improvement was accompanied by significant side effects despite reasonable STN stereotactic base coordinates. Revision of the lead using similar base coordinates but a significantly different angle of approach greatly improved the outcome. Results Stimulation ventromedial to the STN improved tremors but brought about dysarthria and dystonia. Computer-based stimulation field modeling helped understand the regions associated with the side effects and illustrate the difference between pre- and post-revision stimulation fields. Conclusion Lead angle can impact DBS outcome and should be taken into consideration.
Cerebral Hemiatrophy: Etiology and Pathology

Two types of cerebral hemiatrophy are reported from the Institute of Neuropathology at the University of Giessen, Arndtstrafse FRG.
Contact networks in the emergency department: Effects of time, environment, patient characteristics, and staff role

Emergency departments play a critical role in the public health system, particularly in times of pandemic. Infectious patients presenting to emergency departments bring a risk of cross-infection to other patients and staff through close proximity interactions or contacts. To understand factors associated with cross-infection risk, we measured close proximity interactions of emergency department staff and patients by radiofrequency identification in a working emergency department. The number of contacts (degree) is not related to patient demographic characteristics. However, the amount of time in close proximity (weighted degree) of patients with ED personnel did differ, with black patients having approximately 15 min more contact with staff than non-white patients. Patients arriving by EMS had fewer contacts with other patients than patients arriving by other means. There are differences in the number of contacts based on staff role and arrival mode. When crowding is low, providers have the most contact time with patients, while administrative staff have the least. However, when crowding is high, this differential is reversed. The effect of arrival mode is modified by the extent of crowding. When crowding is low, patients arriving by EMS had longer contact with administrative staff, compared to patients arriving by other means. However, when crowding is high, patients arriving by EMS had less contact with administrative staff compared to patients arriving by other means. Our findings should help designers of emergency care focus on higher risk situations for transmission of dangerous pathogens in an emergency department. For instance, the effects of arrival and crowding should be considered as targets for engineering or architectural interventions that could artificially increase social distances.
Abstract P110: Low Dose Minocycline Lowers BP and Improves Inflammatory Status in Patients with Treatment Resistant Hypertension

Background: About 15% of hypertensive patients have treatment resistant hypertension (TRH), which substantially increases mortality risk. Based on our previous studies and evidence from literature, we have proposed that systemic and neuro-inflammation is crucial in development and establishment of TRH. This study was to test the hypothesis that minocycline (Mino), an anti-inflammatory antibiotic, would lower BP and inflammatory markers in patient with TRH. Selection of Mino was based on our preliminary studies showing that Mino can inhibit systemic inflammation and penetrate the blood brain barrier to attenuate neuroinflammation in addition to its antibiotic effects. Methods: A total of 29 subjects was recruited for this study. Exclusion and inclusion criteria are described at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02133872). Office and ambulatory BP measurements (ABPM) were used to confirm TRH diagnosis and subsequently measured 30d and 60 d after Mino administration (50mg/d). If BP failed to decline after 60 d Mino treatment (50mg/d), Mino was increased to 100mg/d and patients were monitored at 60 d. Circulating high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), and Th17 levels were measured. Results: Average BP of TRH patients was 149.5/78.5mmHg, 67% responded to 50mg/d Mino and 33% to 100mg/d. ABPM 24h average BP for all m-TRH was Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a low dose Mino has a significant antihypertensive effect and lowers inflammatory markers in TRH patients. Thus, Mino could be considered a promising therapeutic option for TRH patients.
RESTING AMYGDALAR ACTIVITY ASSOCIATES WITH FUTURE CHANGES IN ADIPOSITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR ATHEROSCLEROTIC DISEASE

Background: Although epidemiological studies link emotional stress, obesity and increased cardiovascular disease risk, the mechanisms mediating those links remain unclear. We imaged the amygdala, a brain region critically involved in stress, to assess the relationship between regional brain activity
Setting and Language Attitudes in a Creole Context

This article reports on a set of language attitude experiments undertaken in Belize in 2013–2014. The experiments tested attitudes toward Belizean Kriol in two different situational settings among 96 Belizean university students, exploring the extent to which experimental ‘setting’ had an effect on survey results. We administered verbal guise tests to 48 university students in classroom settings at the University of Belize campuses in Belize City and Punta Gorda. We then administered the same tests to 48 students in non-classroom settings in these same two cities. We found significant differences in both sets of results, with classroom participants registering stronger preferences for Belize City Kriol in status and solidarity traits. Our results add to a small but important body of literature in which setting is shown to influence language attitudes, and they provide support for an understanding of the quantitative survey as a meaning-making activity.
Anticoagulation management following left ventricular assist device implantation is similar across all provider strategies.

Objectives Thromboembolic and bleeding events are potential complications following left ventricular assist device implantation. A tight control of the international normalized ratio (INR) is believed to be crucial in the reduction of postimplant complications. There is significant variability among institutions as to whether a device implanting centre should be managing the INR. In this study, we evaluated the effect of INR management strategies in maintaining a therapeutic INR. Methods A retrospective review was utilized to identify patients implanted with either the HeartMate II or the HeartWare HVAD between January 2011 and February 2016. Patients were stratified into 4 groups based on the post-discharge INR management strategy: outside hospital system anticoagulation clinic, outside hospital primary care provider, implanting centre anticoagulation clinic or implanting centre ventricular assist device office. The INR data were collected and analysed for both the early (discharge, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days) and late (3, 6, 9 and 12 months) postoperative periods. Results There were 163 patients identified during the study period who met the study inclusion criteria: 49 (30%) patients were managed by an outside hospital system anticoagulation clinic, 59 (36.2%) patients by an outside hospital physician/primary care provider, 22 (13.5%) patients by the implanting centre anticoagulation clinic and 33 (20.2%) patients by the implanting centre ventricular assist device office. There were no statistically significant differences found between management strategies across all time points. Conclusions There was no statistically significant difference found between the management strategies examined. Regardless of the chosen INR management strategy, patients have similar INR values and postoperative outcomes.
Effect of cattle exclosures on Columbia Spotted Frog abundance

Livestock grazing is an important land use in the western USA and can have positive or negative effects on amphibians. Columbia Spotted Frog (Rana luteiventris) often use ponds that provide water for cattle. We conducted a long-term manipulative study on US Forest Service land in northeastern Oregon to determine the effects of full and partial exclosures that limited cattle access to ponds used by frogs. We found weak evidence of a short-term increase in abundance that did not differ between full and partial exclosures and that diminished with continuing exclusion of cattle. The benefit of exclosures was small relative to the overall decline in breeding numbers that we documented. This suggests that some protection can provide a short-term boost to populations.
Quantity–quality trade-off of children and school finance

Abstract To understand income inequality and intergenerational mobility of income, it is essential to account for the fertility differential between the poor and the rich because it affects the human capital investment through the quantity–quality trade-off of children. We develop a dynamic general equilibrium in which parents choose the quantity of children, transfer a preschool ability to their children, determine the quality of children by choosing private expenditures on basic education (in addition to public expenditures), and leave a bequest that could be used to finance college education. We find that incorporating fertility behavior, especially differential fertility is crucial to capture human capital formation in the U.S. economy. We also analyze the impact of basic education subsidies and college subsidies on welfare, inequality, and intergenerational mobility.
EGR1 interacts with TBX2 and functions as a tumor suppressor in rhabdomyosarcoma

EGR1, one of the immediate-early response genes, can function as a tumor suppressor gene or as an oncogene in cancer. The function of EGR1 has not been fully characterized in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a pediatric cancer derived from the muscle linage. We found that EGR1 is downregulated in the alveolar RMS (ARMS) subtype but expressed at levels comparable to normal skeletal muscle in embryonal RMS (ERMS). We found that overexpression of EGR1 in ARMS significantly decreased cell proliferation, mobility, and anchorage-independent growth while also promoting differentiation. We found that EGR1 interacts with TBX2, which we have shown functions as an oncogene in RMS. The interaction inhibits EGR1 dependent gene expression, which includes the cell cycle regulators p21 and PTEN as well as other important cell growth drivers such as NDRG1 and CST6. We also found that EGR1 induced apoptosis by triggering the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. EGR1 also activated two pro-apoptotic factors, BAX and dephosphorylated BAD, which are both located upstream of the caspase cascades in the intrinsic pathway. EGR1 also sensitized RMS cells to chemotherapeutic agents, suggesting that activating EGR1 may improve therapeutic targeting by inducing apoptosis. Our results establish the important role of EGR1 in understanding RMS pathology.
Roles of Hydrogen Bonding in Proton Transfer to κP,κN,κP-N(CH2CH2PiPr2)2-Ligated Nickel Pincer Complexes

The nickel PNP pincer complex ( i PrPNP)NiPh ( i PrPNP = κP,κN,κP-N(CH2CH2P i Pr2)2) was prepared by reacting ( i PrPNP)NiBr with PhMgCl or deprotonating [( i PrPNHP)NiPh]Y ( i PrPNHP = κP,κN,κP-HN(CH2CH2P i Pr2)2; Y = Br, PF6) with KO t Bu. The byproducts of the PhMgCl reaction were identified as [( i PrPNHP)NiPh]Br and ( i PrPNP')NiPh ( i PrPNP' = κP,κN,κP-N(CH=CHP i Pr2)(CH2CH2P i Pr2)). The methyl analog ( i PrPNP)NiMe was synthesized from the reaction of ( i PrPNP)NiBr with MeLi, although it was contaminated with ( i PrPNP')NiMe due to ligand oxidation. Protonation of ( i PrPNP)NiX (X = Br, Ph, Me) with various acids, such as HCl, water, and MeOH, was studied in C6D6. Nitrogen protonation was shown to be the most favorable process, producing a cationic species [( i PrPNHP)NiX]+ with the NH moiety hydrogen-bonded to the conjugate base (i.e., Cl-, HO-, or MeO-). Protonation of the Ni-C bond was observed at room temperature with ( i PrPNP)NiMe, whereas at 70 °C with ( i PrPNP)NiPh, both resulting in [( i PrPNHP)NiCl]Cl as the final product. Protonation of ( i PrPNP)NiBr was complicated by site exchange between Br- and the conjugate base and by the degradation of the pincer complexes. Indene, which lacks hydrogen-bonding capability, was unable to protonate ( i PrPNP)NiPh and ( i PrPNP)NiMe, despite being more acidic than water and MeOH. Neutral and cationic nickel pincer complexes involved in this study, including ( i PrPNP')NiBr, ( i PrPNP)NiPh, ( i PrPNP')NiPh, ( i PrPNP)NiMe, [( i PrPNHP)NiPh]Y (Y = Br, PF6, BPh4), [( i PrPNHP)NiPh]2[NiCl4], [( i PrPNHP)NiMe]Y (Y = Cl, Br, BPh4), [( i PrPNHP)NiBr]Br, and [( i PrPNHP)NiCl]Cl, were characterized by X-ray crystallography.
Investigation of Deformation Mechanisms in High Purity Columnar Aluminum

Predictive modeling of structural metallic alloys, including the ability to tailor materials for energy-efficient use in advanced applications, is hindered by a limited understanding of the interactions between deformation mechanisms and microstructural features. Deformation mechanisms such as dislocation slip and grain boundary sliding are largely treated as independent events, irrespective of indications that they may be synergistic. Limited experimental data makes it difficult to accurately predict damage localization. In this work, new experimental approaches are used to characterize mechanism-mechanism relationships and the effect of local microstructure in oligocrystalline, high purity aluminum. Using SEM-DIC and EBSD, high-resolution displacement fields and grain orientations are captured and analyzed to identify deformation trends with respect to local microstructure. Results are integrated with a parallel crystal plasticity model to improve predictions of damage-inducing strain localization, with the ultimate goal of improving the capability to develop materials with greater resistance to failure.
Interactions of a Polypeptide with a Protein Nanopore Under Crowding Conditions.

Molecular crowding, a ubiquitous feature of the cellular environment, has significant implications in the kinetics and equilibrium of biopolymer interactions. In this study, a single charged polypeptide is exposed to competing forces that drive it into a transmembrane protein pore versus forces that pull it outside. Using single-molecule electrophysiology, we provide compelling experimental evidence that the kinetic details of the polypeptide–pore interactions are substantially affected by high concentrations of less-penetrating polyethylene glycols (PEGs). At a polymer concentration above a critical value, the presence of these neutral macromolecular crowders increases the rate constant of association but decreases the rate constant of dissociation, resulting in a stronger polypeptide–pore interaction. Moreover, a larger-molecular weight PEG exhibits a lower rate constant of association but a higher rate constant of dissociation than those values corresponding to a smaller-molecular weight PEG. These out...