cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Continuous measurement of particulate and sulfur dioxide concentrations in Junk Bay, Hong Kong

Abstract As part of an environmental impact assessment for building a new town in Junk Bay, continuous measurement of SO 2 and particulate concentrations was carried out from October 1981 to June 1982 at three sites in Junk Bay to study the air quality in the area. Flame photometric SO 2 analyzers were used to measure ambient SO 2 level, whereas tape monitors were used to measure the ambient suspended particulate level (in terms of soiling index, or coefficient of haze per 1000 feet). It was found that the mean SO 2 concentrations at the three monitoring sites ranged from 5μg m −3 to 35μg m −3 . Maximum daily values up to about 250 μg m −3 and hourly values up to 800 μg m −3 had been recorded on occasion. Comparison of the hourly meteorological data and the hourly SO 2 concentrations in four high-SO 2 -level days suggested that the ‘sulfur dioxide episodes’ were all associated with very light wind speeds and local sources. The mean coefficient of haze level in Junk Bay was less than one, which corresponded to very slight particulate pollution.
ELECTRON MEAN FREE PATH NEAR 2 keV IN ALUMINUM

Abstract : The mean free path for elastic scattering and for plasmon production was determined from beam attenuation measurements on films of various thicknesses. (Author)
On The Response of Linear Time-Periodic Systems Subjected to Deterministic and Stochastic Excitations

In many situations, engineering systems modeled by a set of linear, second-order differential equations, with periodic damping and stiffness matrices, are subjected to external excitations. It has been shown that the fundamental solution matrix for such systems can be efficiently computed using a Chebyshev polynomial series solution technique. Further, it is shown that the Liapunov-Floquet transformation matrix associated with the system can be computed, and the original time-periodic system can be put into a time- invariant form. In this paper, these techniques are applied in finding the transient response of periodic systems subjected to deterministic and stochastic forces. Two formulations are presented. In the first formulation, the response of the original system is computed directly. In the second formulation, first the original system is transformed to a time-invariant form, and then the response is found by determining the response of the time-invariant system. Both formulations use the convolutio...
An Office-Based Procedure for Hyphema Treatment

Three cases of hyphema in three different eyes were treated in the office using an anterior chamber fluid-gas exchange technique. Hyphemas were associated with complications of underlying systemic and retinal disease and in the postoperative period of vitrectomy procedures. Patients were successfully treated without requiring return to operating room.
Abnormalities of Brain Structure and Function in Schizophrenia: Implications for Aetiology and Pathophysiology

In vivo imaging and post-mortem neuropathology studies have detected a variety of abnormalities in brain function and structure in patients with schizophrenia. Current models of the neural mechanisms involved focus primarily on frontal and medial temporal lobe structures and their interconnections, because deficits in these systems are relatively prominent against a background of generalized cerebral dysfunction, and because individuals with acquired lesions in these areas show many of the symptoms characteristic of schizophrenia. Family and twin studies have demonstrated similar abnormalities in some of the unaffected biological relatives of schizophrenics, indicating that some of these neuropathological changes are mediated in part by genetic predisposition to the disorder. Further, obstetric complications are associated with an increased risk for phenotypic schizophrenia and with greater severity of its neuropathological features in individuals at elevated genetic risk. These latter findings, combined with evidence of heterotopic displacement of neurones in temporolimbic and frontal regions and evidence that cognitive dysfunction during childhood precedes schizophrenia, imply that at least some of these brain abnormalities are neuro-developmental in origin. The view emerging from this work is that schizophrenia is a brain disease the neuropathological features of which result at least in part from the unique and interacting influences of genetic factors and adverse obstetric events in utero.
A Computer Simulation For A Space-Time Satellite Positioning System

This paper concerns the development of an autonomously distributed satellite network synchronization and positioning system. A simulation is developed to study the problem of having the member satellites obtain a system wide space-time coordinate reference system. The simulation models on board clocks for a system of satellites together with transfer via line of sight transmission using an EM signal of time and position data. It accounts for the various errors of measurement together with orbit mechanics that includes relativistic effects. Each satellite keeps a record of the defining equations for the orbits of the other members of the system. The ideal of the simulation is to find an algorithm for transferring timing and position data that will produce much agreement as possible for these records for all the members of the system.
Spectrum separation resolves partial-volume effect of MRSI as demonstrated on brain tumor scans.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) is currently used clinically in conjunction with anatomical MRI to assess the presence and extent of brain tumors and to evaluate treatment response. Unfortunately, the clinical utility of MRSI is limited by significant variability of in vivo spectra. Spectral profiles show increased variability because of partial coverage of large voxel volumes, infiltration of normal brain tissue by tumors, innate tumor heterogeneity, and measurement noise. We address these problems directly by quantifying the abundance (i.e. volume fraction) within a voxel for each tissue type instead of the conventional estimation of metabolite concentrations from spectral resonance peaks. This ‘spectrum separation’ method uses the non-negative matrix factorization algorithm, which simultaneously decomposes the observed spectra of multiple voxels into abundance distributions and constituent spectra. The accuracy of the estimated abundances is validated on phantom data. The presented results on 20 clinical cases of brain tumor show reduced cross-subject variability. This is reflected in improved discrimination between high-grade and low-grade gliomas, which demonstrates the physiological relevance of the extracted spectra. These results show that the proposed spectral analysis method can improve the effectiveness of MRSI as a diagnostic tool. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strategies for the Recovery of Chemicals from Fermentation: A Review of the Use of Polymeric Adsorbents†

Many different compounds can be produced by using microorganisms or enzymes. An important element in the design of a viable biotechnological process is the selection of an economical and efficient separations train. Production of chemicals via biotechnology generally requires isolation and purification from dilute, aqueous solution. A general framework for separation process design relies on exploiting a unique molecular physicochemical property (or properties) for separating the molecule of interest from water and the other species in solution. Important properties that can be utilized for the recovery of low molecular weight polar compounds are molecular charge, hydrophobicity, Lewis acidity or basicity, volatility, and limited solubility. In turn, it can be useful to characterize molecular properties by using separation processes, such as, for example, hydrophobicity by measuring octanol/water partition coefficients. This paper reviews the use of adsorption onto hydrophobic, nonpolar macroreticular polymers and Lewis acid-base complexation by using functionalized polymers for the recovery of amino acids, carboxylic acids, alcohols, and ketones from dilute aqueous solution. The focus will be on utilizing physical and chemical properties to predict uptake capacity. This information will be relevant to separation process development and will help to characterize molecular properties in aqueous solution.
Efficient maintenance of materialized top-k views

We tackle the problem of maintaining materialized top-k views. Top-k queries, including MIN and MAX as important special cases, occur frequently in common database workloads. A top-k view can be materialized to improve query performance, but in general it is not self-maintainable unless it contains all tuples in the base table. Deletions and updates on the base table may cause tuples to leave the top-k view, resulting in expensive queries over the base table to "refill" the view. We propose an algorithm that reduces the frequency of refills by maintaining a top-k' view instead of a top-k view, where k' changes at runtime between k and some k/sub max//spl ges/k. We show that in most practical cases, our algorithm can reduce the expected amortized cost of refill queries to O(1) while still keeping the view small. The optimal value of k/sub max/ depends on the update pattern and the costs of querying the base table and updating the view. Compared with the simple approach of maintaining either the top-k view itself or a copy of the base table, our algorithm can provide orders-of-magnitude improvements in performance with appropriate k/sub max/ values. We show how to choose k/sub max/ dynamically to adapt to the actual system workload and performance at runtime, without requiring accurate prior knowledge.
SAC: a systolic array controller chip

SAC (systolic array controller) is a chip designed for use with an NCR 16-bit fixed-point multiplier/accumulator (MAC) chip to form a two-chip cell in systolic arrays for signal processing applications. The SAC/MAC cell can be used as an inexpensive, flexible building block for either one-dimensional or two-dimensional systolic arrays in either application-specific or general-purpose machines. The SAC provides an interface to other cells via four parallel ports. It routes data to and from the companion high-speed MAC via one 16-bit bidirectional port, controls the MAC, and provides 64 words of scratchpad memory for programs and data. >
The study of FSS surfaces with varying surface impedance and lumped elements

The authors develop a preliminary model for the lump-loaded FSS (frequency selective surface) using simple representations for the lumped elements and their interconnections. The representations are derived by applying the resistive boundary condition to include a general surface impedance in the problem formulation. The surface impedance term is then incorporated in the method-of-moments solution and can be varied in each subdomain. A simple lumped-element model is obtained by considering a surface with this type of varying surface impedance to represent the loading. Comparisons of the surface and lumped-load formulations when applied to a four-legged element are shown. >
Variable-focus lens for ultrasound hyperthermia applications

The authors investigate the characteristics of a variable-focus ultrasonic liquid-lens hyperthermia applicator. This type of lens provides a better dynamic focusing capability for either single-element or linear phased-array transducers. The curvature of the lens is determined by the volume of liquid in the lens. Two types of ultrasonic liquid-lens hyperthermia applicators were investigated. The first type employs a spherical liquid lens and a unfocused square-aperture transducer. The second type combines a linear phased-array transducer with the spherical liquid lens. >
Comparative Evaluation of the Cockcroft-Gault Equation and the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study Equation for Drug Dosing: An Opinion of the Nephrology Practice and Research Network of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy

Accurate assessment of kidney function is an important component of determining appropriate drug dosing regimens. Nearly all manufacturer-recommended dosage adjustments are based on creatinine clearance ranges derived from clinical pharmacokinetic studies performed during the drug development process. The Cockcroft-Gault (CG) equation provides an estimate of creatinine clearance and is the equation most commonly used to determine drug dosages in patients with impaired kidney function. The Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study equation has also been proposed for this purpose. Published studies report that drug dosages determined by the two equations do not agree in 10-40% of cases. However, interpretation and comparison of these studies are complicated by the variable creatinine methods used for calculating CG and MDRD estimates, the patient populations studied, and a lack of outcomes data demonstrating the clinical significance of dosing discrepancies. Moreover, the impact of reporting standardized serum creatinine values on the accuracy of the CG equation and corresponding drug dosing regimens have been questioned. Currently, no prospective pharmacokinetic studies have been conducted with use of the MDRD equation to generate dosing recommendations, and limited data are available to support its use in some patient populations representing demographic extremes. Collectively, these issues have resulted in considerable confusion among clinicians and have fueled a healthy debate on whether or not to use the MDRD equation to determine drug dosages. Each of these issues is reviewed, and a proposed algorithm for using creatinine-based kidney function assessments in drug dosing is provided. Knowledge of the advantages, limitations, and clinical role of each equation will facilitate their safe and effective use in drug dosing.
A new design of microwave interstitial applicators for hyperthermia with improved treatment volume

New 915 MHz microwave interstitial applicators with improved treatment volume have been developed for clinical hyperthermia. The applicators are made from semi-rigid miniature coaxial cables by removing sections of the outer copper conductor to create multiple nodes while preserving the integrity of the teflon dielectric insulators. The homogeneity of the temperature distribution along the longitudinal axis is optimized by empirically adjusting the spacing of the gaps between sections of the outer conductor along the length of the applicator. In vitro and in vivo testing of the two-node and three-node microwave applicators show that the treatment volume can be improved by 100% over that of a one-node microwave applicator.
A Rapid and Automated Fiber Optic-Based Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Salmonella in Spent Irrigation Water Used in the Sprouting of Sprout Seeds

Recent outbreaks of foodborne illness have been linked to the consumption of contaminated sprouts. The spent irrigation water used to irrigate sprouts can carry many microorganisms, including pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica. These pathogens are believed to originate from the seeds. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that sprout producers conduct microbiological testing of spent irrigation water from each production lot at least 48 h after seeds have germinated. Microbial analysis for the detection of Salmonella is labor-intensive and takes days to complete. A rapid and automated e ber-optic biosensor assay for the detection of Salmonella in sprout rinse water was developed in this study. Alfalfa seeds contaminated with various concentrations of Salmonella Typhimurium were sprouted. The spent irrigation water was assayed 67 h after alfalfa seed germination with the RAPTOR (Research International, Monroe, Wash.), an automated e ber optic‐ based detector. Salmonella Typhimurium could be positively identie ed in spent irrigation water when seeds were contaminated with 50 CFU/g. Viable Salmonella Typhimurium cells were also recovered from the waveguides after the assay. This biosensor assay system has the potential to be directly connected to water lines within the sprout-processing facility and to operate automatically, requiring manual labor only for preventative maintenance. Therefore, the presence of Salmonella Typhimurium in spent irrigation water could be continuously and rapidly detected 3 to 5 days before the completion of the sprouting process.
Suppression of the mutual coupling between two adjacent miniaturized antennas utilizing printed resonant circuits

In this paper, a new array of coupling elements to enhance the isolation between two miniaturized antennas is presented. The dimension of the unit cell is λ 0 /20 × λ 0 /75, which can be incorporated with the closely spaced antenna system. Furthermore, the interdigital capacitor and vertical vias solve the fabrication complexity by using the printed circuit technology. Simulations indicate that with Rogers RO-5880 dielectric substrate, this array can achieve the −40 dB of isolation between two antennas at the resonant frequency and improve the isolation level of mutual coupling to −30 dB. Although the array and miniaturized antennas have been physically fabricated and verified, there is a mismatch problem on the antenna. Once this matching has been solved, the final array can be measured for presentation at conference.
Hsc70 negatively regulates epithelial sodium channel trafficking at multiple sites in epithelial cells

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) plays an important role in homeostasis of blood pressure and of the airway surface liquid, and excess function of ENaC results in refractory hypertension (in Li...
A Scalable 5-15Gbps, 14-75mW Low Power I/O Transceiver in 65nm CMOS

This paper presents a scalable low power I/O transceiver in 65 nm CMOS capable of 5-15 Gbps operation over 8" FR4 with power efficiencies between 3-5 mW/Gbps. Nonlinear power-performance tradeoff is achieved by the use of scalable transceiver circuit blocks and joint optimization of the supply voltage, bias currents and driver power. Low power operation is enabled by passive equalization through inductive link termination, active continuous-time RX equalization, global TX/RX clock distribution with on-die transmission lines, and low noise offset-calibrated receivers.
Implications of single-neuron gain scaling for information transmission in networks

Summary:Many neural systems are equipped with mechanisms to efficiently encode sensory information. To represent natural stimuli with time-varying statistical properties, neural systems should adjust their gain to the inputs' statistical distribution. Such matching of dynamic range to input statistics has been shown to maximize the information transmitted by the output spike trains (Brenner et al., 2000, Fairhall et al., 2001). Gain scaling has not only been observed as a system response property, but also in single neurons in developing somatosensory cortex stimulated with currents of different amplitude (Mease et al., 2010). While gain scaling holds for cortical neurons at the end of the first post-natal week, at birth these neurons lack this property. The observed improvement in gain scaling coincides with the disappearance of spontaneous waves of activity in cortex (Conheim et al., 2010).We studied how single-neuron gain scaling affects the dynamics of signal transmission in networks, using the developing cortex as a model. In a one-layer feedforward network, we showed that the absence of gain control made the network relatively insensitive to uncorrelated local input fluctuations. As a result, these neurons selectively and synchronously responded to large slowly-varying correlated input--the slow build up of synaptic noise generated in pacemaker circuits which most likely triggers waves. Neurons in gain scaling networks were more sensitive to the small-scale input fluctuations, and responded asynchronously to the slow envelope. Thus, gain scaling both increases information in individual neurons about private inputs and allows the population average to encode the slow fluctuations in the input. Paradoxically, the synchronous firing that corresponds to wave propagation is associated with low information transfer. We therefore suggest that the emergence of gain scaling may help the system to increase information transmission on multiple timescales as sensory stimuli become important later in development. Networks with one and two layers consisting of hundreds of model neurons were constructed. The ability of single neurons to gain scale was controlled by changing the ratio of sodium to potassium conductances in Hodgkin-Huxley neurons (Mainen et al., 1995). The response of single layer networks was studied with ramp-like stimuli with slopes that varied over several hundreds of milliseconds. Fast fluctuations were superimposed on this slowly-varying mean. Then the response to these networks was tested with continuous stimuli. Gain scaling networks captured the slow fluctuations in the inputs, while non-scaling networks simply thresholded the input. Quantifying information transmission confirmed that gain scaling neurons transmit more information about the stimulus. With the two-layer networks we simulated a cortical network where waves could spontaneously emerge, propagate and degrade, based on the gain scaling properties of the neurons in the network.
Online Reputation Management for Urologists

Abstract Introduction “It takes 20 years to build a reputation; it can be ruined in just five minutes.” --Warren Buffet This article will define online reputation management and outline techniques and steps to easily manage and control your online ratings. You do not want to take your reputation for granted. You want to be proactive in protecting your reputation as it is your most valuable asset. After reading this article you will understand the importance of online reputation management, the risk of ignoring this aspect of your reputation, and how every urologist can and should be involved in controlling his/her reputation. Methods Medical as well as nonmedical publications were reviewed to identify the importance of online reputations of physicians, and what can be done to protect one’s reputation. Results Research indicates that doctors do have control of their online reputations. Conclusions As physicians, professionally we can live and die by our reputations. We need to take action to manage our online reputations before negative reviews appear on online review sites.
Effects of the depth to coral height ratio on drag coefficients for unidirectional flow over coral

We investigated the effects of the ratio of water depth (H) to coral height (h) on the drag coefficient (Cd) for unidirectional flow over the coral species Porites compressa. Cd, measured in a laboratory flume at several different flow rates and depths over a coral canopy, varied from 0 to 1.68 with a clear dependence on H : h. At higher Reynolds numbers Cd was inversely proportional to H : h and showed signs of becoming Re-independent. Cd was dependent on both Re and H : h at lower Reynolds numbers, indicating laminar or transitional flow within the coral canopy. The relationship between Cd and H : h at the highest available Re for each depth ratio is described by the power law: Cd 5 1.01(H : h) 22.77 1 0.01. This result should be applied with caution, however, as different coral species and bottom roughness may cause a deviation from this relationship.
Generating random factored Gaussian integers, easily

We present a (random) polynomial-time algorithm to generate a random Gauss- ian integer with the uniform distribution among those with norm at most N, along with its prime factorization. The method generalizes to finding a random ideal in the ring of integers of a quadratic number field together with its prime ideal factorization. We also discuss the analogous problem for higher degree number fields.
Phosphine exposure from a methamphetamine laboratory investigation

Background: Law enforcement personnel may be exposed to a variety of hazardous materials during investigation of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories. Case Report: A 28-year-old forensic specialist investigating a methamphetamine lab was exposed to phosphine without respiratory protection at approximately 2.7 ppm for 20–30 minutes. Shortly following exposure she developed dizziness, cough, headache, and diarrhea, although initial medical evaluation within 1–2 hours was unremarkable. Pulmonary examination at 4 and 7 days postexposure revealed bilateral rhonchi. The cough was worse with exertion, and persisted despite β-agonist and steroid inhaler treatment. Conclusions: This is apparently the first published case of symptomatic occupational phosphine exposure in a law enforcement officer during investigation of a methamphetamine laboratory. If phosphine exposure is suspected, the possibility of delayed pulmonary toxicity should be recognized.
Natriuretic and renoprotective effect of chronic oral neutral endopeptidase inhibition in acute renal failure.

Neutral endopeptidase (NEP: EC 3.4.24.11) is involved in the degradation of peptides such as atrial natriuretic peptide, angiotensin II (AngII), and endothelin-1 (ET-1). In this study we propose that NEP inhibition provides protection in glycerol-induced acute renal failure (ARF). Renal vascular responses were evaluated in ARF rats where ARF was induced by injecting 50% glycerol in candoxatril, a NEP inhibitor (30 mg/kg, orally; for 3 weeks) pretreated rats. AngII and U46619 (a TxA2 mimetic) vasoconstriction was increased (2- to 4-fold) in ARF while ET-1 vasoconstriction was surprisingly reduced (23 ± 3%; p < 0.05). In ARF, candoxatril paradoxically enhanced ET-1 response (60 ± 20%; p < 0.05) but reduced AngII vasoconstriction (51 ± 11%; p < 0.05) without affecting U46619 response. However, candoxatril treatment was without effect on plasma ET-1 and TxB2 levels in ARF. Candoxatril reduced plasma AngII by 34 ± 4% (p < 0.05) in ARF which was ∼3.5-fold higher compared to control. Candoxatril doubled the nitr...
The Distribution of Convective and Mesoscale Precipitation in GATE Radar Echo Patterns

Abstract Quantitaive radar data have been used to divide individual radar echoes observed in GATE into convective and mesoscale components. Echoes <102 km2 in area were considered, by virtue of their small time and space scales, to be entirely convective. Larger echoes were composed partly of convective regions, characterized by intense fluctuating echo cores, and partly of horizontally uniform mesoscale regions which were less intense and much more slowly varying in structure than the convective regions. The mesoscale regions were apparently associated with widespread precipitating anvil clouds in GATE cloud clusters. About 40% of the total precipitation in GATE fell in these mesoscale regions. The remaining rainfall fell in the convective regions. Only very small amounts of convective rain fell from echoes <5 km in maximum height. Increasing amounts of convective precipitation were associated with echoes of increasing maximum height, from the very small amounts in echoes ≤5 km to a maximum amount from e...
A Role for Formal Methodists

Proving “correctness” of entire systems is not now feasible, nor is it likely to become feasible in the foreseeable future. Establishing that a large system satisfies a non-trivial specification requires a large proof. Without mechanical support, building or checking such a proof is not practical. Even with mechanical support, designing a large proof is at least as difficult as designing a large program. We are barely up to the task of building large and complex systems that almost work; we are certainly not up to building such systems twice — once in a programming language and once in a logic — without any flaws at all.
The Mathematical Exploratorium

In the June/July 1999 issue of the Notices of the AMS, I wrote an article in which I made a suggestion for a concept I called The Mathematical Exploratorium. This idea is closely related to the goals of the Maubeuge Colloquium, so I feel that it is fitting for me to explain here, in more detail than was possible in my Notices article, how I conceive of the Exploratorium, and how I think it might be organized and run.
Appraisal of Farm and Home Development

A PPRAISAL of Farm and Home Development" is an evaluation of its status today, its acceptance by farm families, and its effect on the extension service, present and future. This program has been an activity of importance in Kentucky for nearly eight years. Our experience is used in this paper as a guide. In addition, a selected sample of directors of extension and of heads of agricultural economics departments were contacted for their appraisal.1 Farm and home development is generally traced to "balanced farming" as initiated and carried out successfully in Missouri. Following the pioneer work of Dr. Donald Ibach in complete budgeting of whole farm units, the idea was accepted by J. W. Burch, director of extension, and made to be the core of the extension program for Missouri. Several other states adopted the balanced-farming approach. Some retained the name and others, notably Kentucky, chose to identify it as farm and home development, in which the home was given important consideration. Farm and home development first attained national prominence as a consequence of the federal appropriation to extension for 1953-54. Since that year, many pages have been written about it. It has been tried in 75 percent of the counties in the United States with approximately 56,000 families participating in 1956, or an average of about 24 families per county.2 Let us review pertinent excerpts of the hearings held by the House Agricultural Appropriations Committees of 1953 and of 1954. At the hearings in 1953,3 Dr. C. M. Ferguson, Administrator of the Federal Extension Service, said concerning present-day farming: "It requires a great breadth of knowledge, many skills and high management ability in both production and marketing."
Does the dark side of a calling exist? Examining potential negative effects

The present studies examined the potential dark side of perceiving and living a calling with diverse samples of employed adults. In Study 1, living a calling and life meaning were found to suppress the relation between perceiving a calling and life satisfaction, resulting in these variables being significantly, negatively related. This suggests that perceiving a calling may predict decreased well-being when it is not lived out and does not provide meaning. In Study 2, participants living a calling did not experience greater burnout, workaholism, or organizational exploitation. Additionally, counter to hypotheses, living a calling was found to be a significant buffer in the relation of burnout/exploitation and job satisfaction. Specifically, the slope of the relation between living a calling and job satisfaction was more pronounced with individuals experiencing high levels of burnout/exploitation. These findings suggest that living a calling may help individuals in difficult working conditions maintain job...
Endothelium-derived relaxing factor in pulmonary and renal circulations during hypoxia.

The pulmonary and renal vasculatures, in contrast to the systemic vasculature, constrict during hypoxia. The endothelium has been implicated in mediating these vascular responses to acute hypoxia via the production of endothelium-derived vasoactive factors. The present study, performed in anesthetized dogs, was designed to investigate the role of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) to attenuate the vasoconstrictor response of the pulmonary and renal circulations during acute hypoxia. In response to hypoxia, pulmonary (2.2 +/- 0.3 to 4.5 +/- 0.6 mmHg.l-1.min) and renal (0.60 +/- 0.07 to 0.90 +/- 0.14 mmHg.ml-1.min) vascular resistances increased. Inhibition of endogenous EDRF with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine resulted in similar increases in pulmonary (3.0 +/- 0.1 to 4.8 +/- 0.4 mmHg.l-1.min) and renal (0.67 +/- 0.07 to 0.90 +/- 0.09 mmHg.ml-1.min) vascular resistances as in hypoxia. However, in the presence of both hypoxia and EDRF inhibition, an exaggerated pulmonary vascular response was observed (2.2 +/- 0.2 to 7.4 +/- 0.9 mmHg.l-1.min), in contrast to the renal vascular response to EDRF inhibition during hypoxia (0.61 +/- 0.05 to 0.95 +/- 0.10 mmHg.ml-1.min), which was not different from hypoxia or EDRF inhibition individually. The endothelium-derived contracting factor endothelin, which modestly increased during hypoxia (11.7 +/- 1.9 to 15.6 +/- 2.4 pg/ml), may also contribute to this vasoconstrictive response to hypoxia. This study suggests in the intact animal that EDRF serves to oppose the pulmonary vasoconstrictor response to hypoxia and further characterizes the role of endothelium-derived factors in the regulation of vascular function during hypoxia.
Molecular genetics of androgen insensitivity

Abstract Androgen insensitivity syndromes are the clinical manifestations of end-organ resistance to androgen actions. In this inborn error of sexual differentiation, the most common cause of end-organ resistance is altered androgen receptor function. The clinical features of androgen insensitivity range from phenotypic females with complete androgen insensitivity to minimally affected phenotypic males with partial androgen insensitivity. The mechanism of action of the androgen receptor involves binding of the ligand which promotes conformational changes to overcome the inhibition to dimerization. The receptor is translocated to the nucleus if it is not already located there. The receptor then binds to a specific region of DNA, the hormone response element, eliciting its actions within the target cell. Post-translation modification in terms of phosphorylation may occur. Hydroxyfluta-mide, an antiandrogen, is able to bind to the androgen receptor, but presumably does not achieve the correct conformation to promote DNA binding. Analyzing the abnormal receptor gene in affected families has provided much information regarding the structure and function of the androgen receptor. In contrast to cystic fibrosis in which many affected individuals carry a deletion of phenylalanine at codon 508, the diversity of mutations in androgen insensitivity complicates the development of simple molecular screening tests. Nevertheless, for those instances of partial androgen insensitivity and significant genital ambiguity, phenotype/genotype correlations for previously recognized mutations may be helpful in predicting the natural history, i.e., magnitude of androgen resistance.
Altered Na+ and Cl- flux during diet-induced mixed gallstone formation in the prairie dog.

Recent studies suggest that altered gallbadder absorptive function may be an important and previously unrecognized factor in the pathogenesis of experimentally induced gallstones. The present study was designed to define the specific changes in gallbladder epithelial ion transport that occur during mixed gallstone formation. Fifteen prairie dogs were fed either control or corn-alfalfa chow for six months. No control animals developed gallstones or crystals. Three of eight corn-alfalfa-fed animals had large black stones, and the remaining five had crystals (“pregallstone” group). Corn-alfalfa-fed animals had significant increases in gallbladder bile cholesterol, phospholipids, and calcium as compared to controls. Gallbadders were removed and mounted in a Ussing chamber for electrophysiologic and ion flux studies. Gallbladders from animals fed corn-alfalfa demonstrated significant decreases in short-circuit current and potential difference as compared to controls (P<0.05).22Na and36Cl were used to determine unidirectional ion fluxes. While net ion fluxes were similar in pregallstone animals and controls, stone-forming animals exhibited a significant decrease in net Na+ flux and a significant reversal in the direction of net Cl− flux (from secretion to absorption) as compared to controls (P<0.05). These data indicate that mixed gallstone formation is associated with alterations in gallbladder ion transport. The role of these changes in the pathogenesis of mixed gallstones remains to be determined.
Social-Emotional Learning Program to Promote Prosocial and Academic Skills Among Middle School Students With Disabilities

This 3-year study evaluated the effectiveness of the Second Step–Student Success Through Prevention (SS-SSTP) social-emotional learning program on increasing prosocial behaviors that could serve as protective factors against peer conflict and bullying among students with disabilities. Participants included 123 students with disabilities across 12 schools in Midwest United States. Students labelled with a disability were selected for inclusion. Students completed self-report measures of school belonging, empathy, caring, and willingness to intervene in bullying situations. Report card grades and standardized test scores were collected from school records. Students with disabilities in the intervention schools reported a statistical and clinical significant increase in willingness to intervene in bullying incidents in comparison with students with disabilities in control schools and an increase of half a grade on their report cards in comparison with the control sample. The current study demonstrates the pr...
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) receptor type II expression and AMH activity in bovine granulosa cells

Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) produced by granulosa cells has previously been proposed to play a role in regulating granulosa cell differentiation and follicle selection. Although AMH receptor type II (AMHR2) dimerizes with a type I receptor to initiate AMH signaling, little is known about the regulation of AMHR2 expression in bovine granulosa cells and the role of AMH in follicle development. The primary objectives of this study were to: (1) characterize AMHR2 expression in granulosa cells during follicle development; (2) identify factors that regulate AMHR2 mRNA expression in granulosa cells; and (3) examine the role of AMH signaling in granulosa cell differentiation and proliferation. Bovine granulosa cells were isolated from 5- to 8-mm follicles before selection and deviation, as well as from 9- to 12-mm and 13- to 24-mm follicles after selection. Analyses revealed that expression of AMHR2 was greater in 5- to 8-mm follicles compared with 13- to 24-mm follicles (P < 0.05). Granulosa cells treated with bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) or BMP15, but not BMP2, significantly increased AMHR2 expression when compared with control cultured cells (P < 0.05). In addition, expression of AMH was greater in granulosa cells cultured with BMP2, BMP6, or BMP15 when compared with controls (P < 0.05). Finally, treatment with recombinant human AMH, in vitro, inhibited CYP19A1 expression in a dose-related (10-100 ng/mL) fashion, and reduced granulosa cell proliferation at 48 and 72 hours (P < 0.05). Results from these studies indicate that AMH signaling plays a role in both regulating granulosa cell proliferation and preventing granulosa cells from 5- to 8-mm follicles from undergoing premature differentiation before follicle selection.
Market Valuation of Regulatory Assets in Public Utility Firms

Economic and political events have led to utility regulation decisions which, in turn, provide an impetus for significant changes in industry accounting and reporting practices. The prospect of continuing change in the operating environment for utilities suggests that some deferred assets created by regulatory actions are subject to uncertain recovery. Accounting regulators have responded by imposing additional constraints on the firm's ability to record these so-called "regulatory assets." Our results indicate that investors' valuation of regulatory assets depends on the regulatory environment in which the utility is operating. That is, there are cross-sectional valuation differences arising from the market's assessment of the probability that regulators will ultimately allow for the fully recovery of the deferred costs.
Occurrence and Levels of 5-Hydroxytryptamine in Schistosoma mansoni

The presence of 5-hydroxytryptamine has been demonstrated in the parasitic trematode Schistosoma mansoni . The concentration of this biogenic amine is more than 10 times that of mammalian brain. The localization of 5-hydroxytryptamine is not confined to the central nervous system, and consideration should be given to its possible function as a central or peripheral neurotransmitter.
PATTERNS OF MYCOBACTERIUM LEPRAE INFECTION IN WILD NINE-BANDED ARMADILLOS (DASYPUS NOVEMCINCTUS) IN MISSISSIPPI, USA.

Abstract The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is the only known nonhuman reservoir of Mycobacterium leprae, the causative agent of Hansen's disease or leprosy. We conducted a 6-yr study on a wild population of armadillos in western Mississippi that was exposed to M. leprae to evaluate the importance of demographic and spatial risk factors on individual antibody status. We found that spatially derived covariates were not predictive of antibody status. Furthermore, analyses revealed no evidence of clustering by antibody-positive individuals. Lactating females and adult males had higher odds of being antibody positive than did nonlactating females. No juveniles or yearlings were antibody positive. Results of these analyses support the hypothesis that M. leprae infection patterns are spatially homogeneous within this armadillo population. Further research related to movement patterns, contact among individuals, antibody status, and environmental factors could help address hypotheses related to the...
Application of technology to social communication impairment in childhood and adolescence.

Abstract Social communication impairment has been implicated in various mental health disorders. The primary aim of this review paper is to summarize the extant research on the development and application of technologies to address social communication deficits, conceptualized according to the four constructs outlined by the NIMH’s Research Domain Criteria (RDoC), transdiagnostically in children and adolescents. An exhaustive and systematic search yielded 69 peer-reviewed articles meeting all inclusion criteria (i.e., used technology, applied the technology to target impairment in at least one of four constructs of social communication, included a child or adolescent samples). We found limited use of technology for exploration of impairment in reception of non-facial communication, compared to the other social communication constructs. In addition, there has been an overwhelming focus on social communication impairment in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with relatively few studies evaluating technology application in other clinical populations. Implications for future directions for technological interventions to treat social communication impairments transdiagnostically are discussed.
Social media addiction and psychological adjustment: religiosity and spirituality in the age of social media

Previous research indicates a significant association between social media use and psychological adjustment. The present study investigated whether religiosity/spirituality mediates the relationshi...
Heritable genotype contrast mining reveals novel gene associations specific to autism subgroups.

Abstract Though the genetic etiology of autism is complex, our understanding can be improved by identifying genes and gene-gene interactions that contribute to the development of specific autism subtypes. Identifying such gene groupings will allow individuals to be diagnosed and treated according to their precise characteristics. To this end, we developed a method to associate gene combinations with groups with shared autism traits, targeting genetic elements that distinguish patient populations with opposing phenotypes. Our computational method prioritizes genetic variants for genome-wide association, then utilizes Frequent Pattern Mining to highlight potential interactions between variants. We introduce a novel genotype assessment metric, the Unique Inherited Combination support, which accounts for inheritance patterns observed in the nuclear family while estimating the impact of genetic variation on phenotype manifestation at the individual level. High-contrast variant combinations are tested for significant subgroup associations. We apply this method by contrasting autism subgroups defined by severe or mild manifestations of a phenotype. Significant associations connected 286 genes to the subgroups, including 193 novel autism candidates. 71 pairs of genes have joint associations with subgroups, presenting opportunities to investigate interacting functions. This study analyzed 12 autism subgroups, but our informatics method can explore other meaningful divisions of autism patients, and can further be applied to reveal precise genetic associations within other phenotypically heterogeneous disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Parent Attributions of Ambiguous Symptoms in Their Children: A Preliminary Measure Validation in Parents of Children with Chronic Pain.

How parents attribute cause to their child’s physical symptoms is likely important in understanding how the parent responds to the child, as well as the child’s health outcomes, especially within the context of chronic illness. Here, we adapt the Symptom Interpretation Questionnaire for parent report (SIQ-PR) and provide preliminary validation in a sample of parents of children with chronic pain (N = 311). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the SIQ-PR structure is consistent with the original measure, with three distinct attribution types: psychological (emotional/affective), somatic (illness/disease), and environmental (situational/transient) causes. All three subscales demonstrated satisfactory to good internal consistency, and temporal stability. Parents typically endorsed more than one attribution for each symptom, indicating that parents of children with chronic pain have a multidimensional interpretation of physical symptoms in their children. Further, parent psychological and somatic attributions, but not environmental attributions, were significantly associated with (i) parent protective responses towards their child, and (ii) the child’s self-reported somatic and psychological symptoms, indicating convergent and divergent validity. The SIQ-PR may be a useful measure for future studies investigating intergenerational and interpersonal models of pediatric chronic pain, and more broadly, to examine parent attributions of children’s ambiguous symptoms within the context of childhood chronic illness.
13 – Gender Differences in Epilepsy

This chapter discusses the overall health concerns for people with epilepsy with specific attention to the concerns affecting women with epilepsy and women receiving antiepileptic drugs for other conditions such as bipolar disorder, migraine, and pain. Epilepsy raises special concerns for women, particularly during their reproductive years. The effects of sex steroid hormones alter excitability of neurons of the cerebral cortex as well as the seizure threshold. For many women with epilepsy, seizures are more difficult to control at puberty, at certain times of the menstrual cycle, and during the perimenopausal period. Steroids taken for hormone replacement may aggravate seizures. Some antiepileptic drugs reduce levels of sex steroid hormones. These antiepileptic drug-hormone interactions may reduce the efficacy of contraceptive steroids and reduce physiologic steroids, leading to sexual dysfunction and disruptions in the menstrual cycle. Women with epilepsy have lower birth rates, a greater risk for syndromes associated with infertility such as hypothalamic-pituitary axis disruption, polycystic ovary-like syndrome, and anovulatory cycles.