cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impairments of Speech Production and Speech Perception in Aphasia

The basis of speech production and speech perception deficits in aphasia relates to implementation and access rather than to the underlying representation or knowledge base of the sound structure of language. Speech production deficits occur on the phonological level in which the incorrect phonological form of the word is selected but is implemented correctly, and the phonetic level in which the correct sound segments are selected but articulatory implementation is impaired. Phonological deficits emerge regardless of lesion site, whereas phonetic deficits have a specific localized neuroanatomical substrate. Phonetic deficits are not linguistic but affect particular articulatory movements. Speech perception impairments emerge in nearly all aphasic patients, suggesting that the neural basis for speech perception is broadly distributed in the language hemisphere. The impairment reflects the misperception of phonetic features rather than a deficit in the auditory processing of speech and emerges particularly as the sound properties of speech contact the lexicon.
Publishing Women: Salons, the Presses, and the Counter-Reformation in Sixteenth-Century Italy – By Diana Robin

In this rich and important book, the author explores why there was a surge in the publication of women writers in mid‐sixteenth‐century Italy [1530–1570]. Her aim is to unite the fields of the hist...
Altered cGMP Dynamics at the Plasma Membrane Contribute to Diarrhea in Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) belongs to inflammatory bowel disorders, a group of gastrointestinal disorders that can produce serious recurring diarrhea in affected patients. The mechanism for UC- and inflammatory bowel disorder-associated diarrhea is not well understood. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane-conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel plays an important role in fluid and water transport across the intestinal mucosa. CFTR channel function is regulated in a compartmentalized manner through the formation of CFTR-containing macromolecular complexes at the plasma membrane. In this study, we demonstrate the involvement of a novel macromolecular signaling pathway that causes diarrhea in UC. We found that a nitric oxide-producing enzyme, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), is overexpressed under the plasma membrane and generates compartmentalized cGMP in gut epithelia in UC. The scaffolding protein Na + /H + exchanger regulatory factor 2 (NHERF2) bridges iNOS with CFTR, forming CFTR-NHERF2-iNOS macromolecular complexes that potentiate CFTR channel function via the nitric oxide-cGMP pathway under inflammatory conditions both in vitro and in vivo . Potential disruption of these complexes in Nherf2 −/− mice may render them more resistant to CFTR-mediated secretory diarrhea than Nherf2 +/+ mice in murine colitis models. Our study provides insight into the mechanism of pathophysiologic occurrence of diarrhea in UC and suggests that targeting CFTR and CFTR-containing macromolecular complexes will ameliorate diarrheal symptoms and improve conditions associated with inflammatory bowel disorders.
Significance of Vehicle Composition II: Prediction of Optimal Vehicle Composition

Abstract Terms from the flux equation describing the passive transport of two steroids across a membrane were shown to be useful in predicting the optimal vehicle composition of gels. Calculations based on the increase in lag time for steady‐state penetration with vehicle composition were made to explore the possible effects of vehicle composition on barrier permeability and drug binding within the barrier. Additional penetration studies were done to determine solvent effects on barrier permeability. These combined results indicated that the variation in barrier permeability was associated with a vehicle effect rather than binding.
Increased Expression of Monocyte CD44v6 Correlates with the Development of Encephalitis in Rhesus Macaques Infected with Simian Immunodeficiency Virus

In people infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the accumulation of macrophages in the brain correlates with encephalitis and dementia. We hypothesized that a pattern of surface marker expression in blood monocytes may serve as a marker for central nervous system (CNS) disease. Using the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-rhesus monkey model, we analyzed functionally relevant surface markers on monocytes and macrophages from the blood and brain in animals that did or did not develop SIV encephalitis. At necropsy, multiple markers (CD44v6, CCR2, and CCR5 on blood monocytes and brain microglia and/or macrophages, and CX3CR1 on blood monocytes) allowed us to distinguish animals with encephalitis from those without. Furthermore, the level of expression of CD44v6 on the 2 main populations of blood monocytes--those that express either low or high levels of CD16--was significantly increased in animals with encephalitis. A longitudinal analysis of blood monocyte markers revealed that as early as 28 days after inoculation, CD44v6 staining could distinguish the 2 groups. This provides a potential peripheral biomarker to identify individuals who may develop the HIV-induced CNS disease. Furthermore, given its role in cellular adhesion and as an osteopontin receptor, CD44v6 upregulation on monocytes offers functional clues to the pathogenesis of such complications, and provides a target for preventative and therapeutic measures.
Core-Lexicon and Main-Concept Production During Picture-Sequence Description in Adults Without Brain Damage and Adults With Aphasia

Purpose We sought to identify the core lexicon of a picture-description task using transcripts from the AphasiaBank database and to determine differences in core-lexicon usage between control speakers and persons with aphasia (PWAs). We also investigated the relationship between core lexicon and an established discourse measure, main-concept analysis. Method A core lexicon was developed by identifying lemmas produced by 92 control speakers. Transcripts were scored—165 control transcripts and 238 PWA transcripts—using the core lexicon and a recently developed main-concept list. Median tests examined differences between controls, PWAs, and aphasia subtypes. Spearman's correlations assessed the relationship between core-lexicon and main-concept performance. Results A 24-item core lexicon was identified. Significant differences were found between control speakers and PWAs, and between aphasia subtypes, for core-lexicon and main-concept scores. Core-lexicon and main-concept performance was significantly and po...
Individual differences in infant orienting and autonomic conditioning

Conditioned discrimination and discrimination reversal of the skin potential response was attempted and subsequently demonstrated in 3-month-old infants. Analysis of individual subject data indicated individual differences in conditionability, as well as a significant relation between orienting response magnitude and conditionability. In general, high-magnitude orienters discriminated; low-magnitude orienters did not. Behavioral ratings of state, sex of subject, and stimulus order were not related to orienting or to conditionability.
Collaborative teleoperation using networked spatial dynamic voting

We describe a networked teleoperation system that allows groups of participants to collaboratively explore live remote environments. Participants collaborate using a spatial dynamic voting (SDV) interface that allows them to vote on a sequence of images via a network such as the Internet. The SDV interface runs on each client computer and communicates with a central server that collects, displays, and analyzes time sequences of spatial votes. The results are conveyed to the "tele-actor", a skilled human with cameras and microphones who navigates and performs actions in the remote environment. This paper formulates analysis in terms of spatial interest functions and consensus regions, and presents system architecture, interface, and algorithms for processing voting data.
Configurable Middleware for Distributed Real-Time Systems with Aperiodic and Periodic Tasks

Different distributed real-time systems (DRS) must handle aperiodic and periodic events under diverse sets of requirements. While existing middleware such as Real-Time CORBA has shown promise as a platform for distributed systems with time constraints, it lacks flexible configuration mechanisms needed to manage end-to-end timing easily for a wide range of different DRS with both aperiodic and periodic events. The primary contribution of this work is the design, implementation, and performance evaluation of the first configurable component middleware services for admission control and load balancing of aperiodic and periodic event handling in DRS. Empirical results demonstrate the need for, and the effectiveness of, our configurable component middleware approach in supporting different applications with aperiodic and periodic events, and providing a flexible software platform for DRS with end-to-end timing constraints.
A low complexity adaptive beamformer for OFDM

Because of ease of implementation and robustness to multipath delay spread, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing is an increasing popular technology for ad hoc networks. Unfortunately, OFDM performs poorly in the presence of cochannel interference, which degrades network capacity. In this paper, we develop beamforming techniques which minimize cochannel interference to allow spatial division multiple access. The standard approaches in the literature develop a separate beamformer for each narrowband carrier, with perhaps some grouping based on coherence across frequencies. This approach is both computationally complex and, as shown in this paper, difficult in an outdoor environment with expected Doppler spread. Here, we develop a time domain beamformer with low complexity and more robustness to a changing channel. Performance is demonstrated with multipath angular and Doppler spreads typical of mobile uplinks.
Orographic Precipitation and Water Vapor Fractionation over the Southern Andes

The climatological nature of orographic precipitation in the southern Andes between 40° and 48°S is investigated primarily using stable isotope data from streamwater. In addition, four precipitation events are examined using balloon soundings and satellite images. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images taken during precipitation events reveal complex patterns of upstream open-cell convection over the ocean, stratus and/or convective clouds over the mountains, and sharp leeside clearing and roll convection over the steppe. Using the water vapor bands on MODIS reveals a sharp drop in column water vapor from about 1.4 to 0.7 cm across the mountain range. Seventy-one water samples from streams across the southern Andes provide deuterium and oxygen-18 isotope data to determine the drying ratio (DR) of airstreams crossing the mountain range and to constrain free parameters in a mathematical model of orographic precipitation. From the strong isotope fractionation associated with orographic precipitation, it is estimated that DR is 50%, the highest value yet found for a mountain range. The cloud delay parameters in a high-resolution linear precipitation model were optimized to fit the streamwater isotope data. The model agrees well with the data when the cloud delay time (i.e., elapsed time from condensation to precipitation) is about 1700 s. The tuned model is used to discuss the small-scale spatial pattern of precipitation. The isotope data from streams are also compared with data from sapwater. The good agreement suggests that future isotope mapping could be done using trees.
An undergraduate full-custom CMOS VLSI design course: CAD tools, fabrication, at MOSIS, and project examples

Bucknell University has developed a senior-design course using a combination of CAD tool familiarization, and presentations on specific and group topics that are critical to various aspects of IC design. Students complete a full-custom CMOS VLSI design and in some cases submit their design for fabrication at MOSIS. >
Gaia: automated quality assessment of protein structure models

Motivation: Increasing use of structural modeling for understanding structure–function relationships in proteins has led to the need to ensure that the protein models being used are of acceptable quality. Quality of a given protein structure can be assessed by comparing various intrinsic structural properties of the protein to those observed in high-resolution protein structures. Results: In this study, we present tools to compare a given structure to high-resolution crystal structures. We assess packing by calculating the total void volume, the percentage of unsatisfied hydrogen bonds, the number of steric clashes and the scaling of the accessible surface area. We assess covalent geometry by determining bond lengths, angles, dihedrals and rotamers. The statistical parameters for the above measures, obtained from highresolution crystal structures enable us to provide a quality-score that points to specific areas where a given protein structural model needs
An algorithm for conflict/collision detection in dense traffic

• Introduced the PAZ, a concept of dynamic hazardous cylinder • ADS-B enables the generation of more accurate trajectory prediction • Using a constant turn rate and constant vertical velocity propagation outperforms the classical constant velocity propagation • Compared to classical trajectory propagation: — Increased average time between alert and CAZ violation — Reduced variability in alert triggering time • Algorithm robust to message delays (details in paper)
Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie Parker

Jazz comes in two flavors: the kind that came before World War II and the kind that came after. Although this might seem a gross simplification, it's probably the closest we can come to appreciatin...
Electrophoretic Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

In the following sections we review the principles of ENMR, practical considerations, and applications. We place special emphasis on present limitations and possibilities for improving the method
Fair Balance and Adequate Provision in Direct-to-Consumer Prescription Drug Online Banner Advertisements: A Content Analysis

Background: The current direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) guidelines were developed with print, television, and radio media in mind, and there are no specific guidelines for online banner advertisements. Objective: This study evaluates how well Internet banner ads comply with existing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for DTCA in other media. Methods: A content analysis was performed of 68 banner advertisements. A coding sheet was developed based on (1) FDA guidance documents for consumer-directed prescription drug advertisements and (2) previous DTCA content analyses. Specifically, the presence of a brief summary detailing the drug’s risks and side effects or of a “major statement” identifying the drug’s major risks, and the number and type of provisions made available to consumers for comprehensive information about the drug were coded. In addition, the criterion of “fair balance,” the FDA’s requirement that prescription drug ads balance information relating to the drug’s risks with information relating to its benefits, was measured by numbering the benefit and risk facts identified in the ads and by examining the presentation of risk and benefit information. Results: Every ad in the sample included a brief summary of risk information and at least one form of adequate provision as required by the FDA for broadcast ads that do not give audiences a brief summary of a drug’s risks. No ads included a major statement. There were approximately 7.18 risk facts for every benefit fact. Most of the risks (98.85%, 1292/1307) were presented in the scroll portion of the ad, whereas most of the benefits (66.5%, 121/182) were presented in the main part of the ad. Out of 1307 risk facts, 1292 were qualitative and 15 were quantitative. Out of 182 benefit facts, 181 were qualitative and 1 was quantitative. The majority of ads showed neutral images during the disclosure of benefit and risk facts. Only 9% (6/68) of the ads displayed positive images and none displayed negative images when presenting risks facts. When benefit facts were being presented, 7% (5/68) showed only positive images. No ads showed negative images when the benefit facts were being presented. Conclusions: In the face of ambiguous regulatory guidelines for online banner promotion, drug companies appear to make an attempt to adapt to regulatory guidelines designed for traditional media. However, banner ads use various techniques of presentation to present the advertised drug in the best possible light. The FDA should formalize requirements that drug companies provide a brief summary and include multiple forms of adequate provision in banner ads. [J Med Internet Res 2016;18(2):e33]
Mimicry in Fadia Faqir’s The Cry of the Dove

Disorientation is not a pleasant experience for the characters of these novels and it is understandable that they fantasise about ways of ending or avoiding it. At one point in Brick Lane, Nazneen starts wondering whether she could magically transform herself into a Westerner by altering her clothes: Suddenly, she was gripped by an idea that if she changed her clothes her entire life would change as well. If she wore a skirt and a jacket and a pair of high heals, then what else would she do but walk around the glass palaces on Bishopsgate and talk to a slim phone and eat lunch out of a bag? If she wore trousers and underwear, like the girl with the big camera on Brick Lane, then she would roam the streets fearless and proud. […] For a glorious moment it was clear that clothes, not fate, made her life. (Ali 228)
Differential Response to Methylphenidate in Inattentive and Combined Subtype ADHD.

Objective: To examine response to methylphenidate (MPH) assessed by direct observation of ecologically valid behaviors in boys with ADHD with high hyperactivity-impulsivity (HI) and those with pred...
Stochastic electromagnetic beams for sensing and free-space communications

Stochastic and vectorial (electromagnetic) nature of the optical beams can improve communication links and can be effectively used for sensing of objects when the propagation channels involve atmospheric turbulence.
Through the eyes of the Informationist: Identifying information needs of the Breast Imaging Service at a tertiary medical center specializing in cancer:

The information services offered by Embedded Librarians over the years have led to the more modern-and domain knowledge-specific-role of the Informationist. A 10-point questionnaire was developed and used to interview 12 attending physicians and three fellows chosen at random. The participants are either on the research track (n = 3) or the clinical track (n = 9). A two-part schematic was also created to capture more detailed feedback about the information needs and information-seeking behavior of clinicians regarding patient care (clinical) and research activities. Bibliographic management tool use and time-related factors were also captured in the interviews and written schematics. The role of the Informationist is an emerging, yet valuable one to assigned clinical groups. Clinician's knowledge-base, current awareness, productivity, and evidence-based care can be improved by use of Informationist services.
28 THE REGULATION OF NEURONAL OUTGROWTH AND RETRACTION BY SEROTONIN RECEPTORS 5-HT4a AND 5-HT7: THE ROLE OF LIM KINASE 1.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter with a prominent role in the central nervous system. The higher mammals express seven families of serotonin receptors. Functions of only some of the receptors have been determined. Most of the 5-HT functions are mediated through G protein-coupled receptors. We have shown that 5-HT4a serotonin receptor couples GaS and Ga13 protein, causing RhoA-dependent neurite retraction and cell rounding (Ponimaskin et al, 2002). We also found that 5-HT7 serotonin receptor couples to Gas and Ga12 protein. 5-HT7 receptor-Ga12 protein pathway induces activation of two small GTPases, RhoA and Cdc42, leading to pronounced cell rounding and filopodia formation, respectively (Kwachnina et al, 2005). LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1) is a serine-threonine kinase that negatively regulates function of actin depolymerizing protein cofilin. Therefore, activation of LIMK1 leads to actin polymerization. The small GTPases of Rho family are shown to stimulate LIMK1. In the present study, we are showing for the first time that 5-HT4a and 5-HT7 receptor phosphorylate LIMK1. Therefore, this could be mechanism for regulation of cytoskeleton of cells transfected with 5-HT4a and 5-HT7 receptors. When we down-regulated endogenous LIMK1 using siRNA technology we almost totally lost rounded cells. Also, when we cotransfected 5-HT4aR and 5-HT7 receptor with LIMK1-siRNA, we observed that the 5-HT7 receptor led to an increase in the number of rounded cells and a decrease in the number of process-bearing cells. We are suggesting here that LIMK1 influences activity of small GTPases through the feedback loop between LIMK1 and small GTPases. This mechanism is important for precise control of LIMK1 activity in cells transfected with 5-HT4a and 5-HT7 receptors. Our data give a new insight into serotonin, not only as a well-known neurotransmitter but also as a modulator of neuronal plasticity.
Staging a mutiny: competitive role-playing on the Rhine (Annals 1.31-51)

Discussions of Tacitus' use of theatricality or dramatic episodes are nothing new, but these studies have primarily focused on the Neronian books, where they are seen as particularly appropriate. The notions of performativity and pageantry, however, pervade all of Tacitus' historical writing, even in places where they have not previously been sought. I focus in this article on how Germanicus' conduct while quelling the Rhine mutiny of 14 CE dangerously assimilates him to the German soldiers insofar as both treat the uprising as an opportunity to display their most flamboyant behaviours in an attempt to frame the mutiny in their own terms. I see each party as staging performances designed to carry weight with their audience and so render the actors' claims to truth more persuasive.But first a distinction must be drawn between acts that are merely extravagant (e.g. the ‘dramatic gesture’) and those which, whether extravagant or not, happen in front of a group that is thereby constituted as the audience to a performance; only the latter will be of interest here. Nearly all forms of public discourse in Roman society aim at persuasion, and the scholarship on the subject often encourages slippage between dramatic, theatrical and performative acts: not everything that happens on a stage is performative, and not everything done with an eye to effect is theatrical. I therefore, with some hesitation, use throughout this piece the designation ‘performative’ to indicate those behaviours reminiscent of things that happen on stage (or, sometimes, in oratorical contexts), and which, because of their already familiar nature, seek to construct the audience to them specifically as a passive audience, i.e. to create a ‘script’ for the situation that requires a certain kind of response. So, to take an example from Old Comedy, the use in Aristophanes' Thesmophoriazousae by the character Euripides of scenes taken from his own tragic plots seeks to persuade the audience-within-the-play that his relative must be rescued; it is thus both performative and persuasive.
The nervous system uses internal models to achieve sensory integration

All linear accelerometers measure gravito-inertial force, which is the sum of gravitational force (tilt) and inertial force due to linear acceleration (translation). Neural strategies must exist to elicit tilt and translation responses from this ambiguous cue. To investigate these neural processes, we developed a model of human responses and simulated a number of motion paradigms used to investigate this tilt/translation ambiguity. In this model, the separation of GIF into neural estimates of gravity and linear acceleration is accomplished via an internal model made up of 3 principal components: 1) the influence of rotational cues (e.g., semicircular canals) on the neural representation of gravity, 2) the resolution of gravito-inertial force into neural representations of gravity and linear acceleration, and 3) the neural representation of the dynamics of the semicircular canals. By combining these simple hypotheses within the internal model framework, the model mimics human translation and tilt responses for preliminary data from one human subject. These modeled response characteristics are consistent with preliminary data and with the hypothesis that the nervous system uses internal models to estimate tilt and translation in the presence of ambiguous sensory cues.
Validation of cognitive models for collaborative hybrid systems with discrete human input

We present a method to validate a cognitive model, based on the cognitive architecture ACT-R, in dynamic human-automation systems with discrete human input. We are inspired by the general problem of K-choice games as a proxy for many decision making applications in dynamical systems. We model the human as a Markovian controller based on gathered experimental data, that is, a non-deterministic control input with known likelihoods of control actions associated with certain configurations of the state-space. We use reachability analysis to predict the outcome of the resulting discrete-time stochastic hybrid system, in which the outcome is defined as a function of the system trajectory. We suggest that the resulting expected outcomes can be used to validate the cognitive model against actual human subject data. We apply our method to a two-choice game in which the human is tasked with maximizing net coverage of a robotic swarm that can operate under rendezvous or deployment dynamics. We validate the corresponding ACTR cognitive model generated with the data from eight human subjects. The novelty of this work is 1) a method to compute expected outcome in a hybrid dynamical system with a Markov chain model of the human's discrete choice, and 2) application of this method to validation of cognitive models with a database of actual human subject data.
Rapid-scan EPR imaging

In rapid-scan EPR the magnetic field or frequency is repeatedly scanned through the spectrum at rates that are much faster than in conventional continuous wave EPR. The signal is directly-detected with a mixer at the source frequency. Rapid-scan EPR is particularly advantageous when the scan rate through resonance is fast relative to electron spin relaxation rates. In such scans, there may be oscillations on the trailing edge of the spectrum. These oscillations can be removed by mathematical deconvolution to recover the slow-scan absorption spectrum. In cases of inhomogeneous broadening, the oscillations may interfere destructively to the extent that they are not visible. The deconvolution can be used even when it is not required, so spectra can be obtained in which some portions of the spectrum are in the rapid-scan regime and some are not. The technology developed for rapid-scan EPR can be applied generally so long as spectra are obtained in the linear response region. The detection of the full spectrum in each scan, the ability to use higher microwave power without saturation, and the noise filtering inherent in coherent averaging results in substantial improvement in signal-to-noise relative to conventional continuous wave spectroscopy, which is particularly advantageous for low-frequency EPR imaging. This overview describes the principles of rapid-scan EPR and the hardware used to generate the spectra. Examples are provided of its application to imaging of nitroxide radicals, diradicals, and spin-trapped radicals at a Larmor frequency of ca. 250MHz.
Calibration of Freeway Incident Detection Algorithms

Abstract Two primary measures of performance for algorithms designed to detect accidents and other incidents which obstruct the flow of traffic on freeways are the detection rate--percentage of incidents which are detected--and the taise alarm rate--percentage of tests in incident-free conditions which produce false signals. Calibration of these alqorithms involves the choice of several parameters, or thresholds, to achieve hiqh detection rates and low false alarm rates. This can be achieved by solution of a set of optimization problems.
Opportunistic Neurologic Infections in Patients Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Neurologic opportunistic infections in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus remain significant causes of morbidity and mortality despite the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy. These pathogens are generally ubiquitous or are very commonly acquired by humans but reactivate during periods of profound immunosuppression. Diagnosis can be very challenging, relying on a combination of recognition of clinical syndromes, radiographic findings, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Newer molecular tests provide means for diagnosis at times when culture-based diagnosis is limited. With experience, guidance in treating these infections has been published focusing on therapies and immune reconstitution utilizing antiretroviral therapy. Prevention of these neurologic infections relies mostly on restoring or preserving cell-mediated immunity but can be enhanced in a few by avoidance of primary infection, treatment, or suppression of infection and at times screening for early detection and treatment.
Examining characteristics associated with quitting smoking during pregnancy and relapse postpartum.

Abstract Introduction Smoking during pregnancy is a significant public health concern that can cause adverse health outcomes for both the mother and fetus. Studies have shown only 40% of women quit smoking during pregnancy, with more than half relapsing within 6 months, and up to 90% relapsing within one year. This study investigates differences in demographics and smoking-related symptomatology between pregnant smokers and pregnant quitters, as well as factors associated with postpartum relapse. Methods Data on pregnant smokers and pregnant quitters were obtained from two separate parent studies. Data on smoking demographics and smoking-related symptomatology were collected at screening visits. Results Compared to pregnant smokers, pregnant quitters had more favorable smoking characteristics (e.g., smoked fewer cigarettes per day, reported higher motivation for abstinence and less dependency). They also had more favorable relationship characteristics (e.g., were more likely to be married, less likely to have a significant other who smokes) and had less reproductive liability (e.g., fewer pregnancies, fewer children). In terms of symptomatology, pregnant quitters reported more positive affect, negative affect, physical symptoms and withdrawal but less craving. Predictors of postpartum relapse included increased maternal age, having a significant other who smokes and an increased likelihood of returning to smoking after pregnancy (self-reported prior to delivery). Conclusions Several demographics and smoking-related symptomatology were significantly different between pregnant quitters and pregnant smokers. In addition, multiple factors predicting postpartum relapse were identified. This information can inform personalized interventions for high risk pregnant smokers and pregnant quitters at risk for postpartum relapse.
Transparent Social Inquiry: Implications for Political Science

Political scientists use diverse methods to study important topics. The findings they reach and conclusions they draw can have significant social implications and are sometimes controversial. As a result, audiences can be skeptical about the rigor and relevance of the knowledge claims that political scientists produce. For these reasons, being a political scientist means facing myriad questions about how we know what we claim to know. Transparency can help political scientists address these questions. An emerging literature and set of practices suggest that sharing more data and providing more information about our analytic and interpretive choices can help others understand the rigor and relevance of our claims. At the same time, increasing transparency can be costly and has been contentious. This review describes opportunities created by, and difficulties posed by, attempts to increase transparency. We conclude that, despite the challenges, consensus about the value and practice of transparency is emerg...
The Low Pressure Urethra

Patients maintain urinary continence by having adequate intrinsic sphincteric activity and tone, as well as, equal or positive pressure transmission to the proximal urethra during increases in intra-abdominal pressure. Most patients with genuine stress incontinence have a condition where there is urethral hypermobility which results in decreased pressure transmission to the proximal urethra. This deficit in the extrinsic continence mechanism may be corrected by surgery and compensated for by some non-surgical treatments. However, deficits in the intrinsic urethral resistance and sphincteric function are not usually corrected by routine, anti-incontinence operations. The intrinsic urethral resistance or sphincteric function is maintained by a number of different factors. Intrinsic skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, elastic and collagenous tissues contribute to the resting intraurethral pressure and tone. In addition, the periurethral vasculature and periurethral skeletal muscle add to the intrinsic urethral resistance.
One-Dimensional Fourth-Order Equation

For problems involving beams with different types of supports and boundary conditions we use the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. The governing equation for the transverse deflection u of a beam of length L is $$ \frac{{d^2 }} {{dx^2 }}\left( {b\frac{{d^{^2 } }} {{dx^{^2 } }}} \right) = f(x), 0 < x < L, $$ (4.1) where b(x) and f(x) are known functions. For a constant value of b we often use the flexural rigidity EI, where E is the modulus of elasticity and I the moment of inertia of the beam. The boundary conditions depend on the type of support system used for beams and frames and will be discussed in §4.2.
The attack of the backstories (and why they won't win).

This essay adopts a formal model of play as semiosis [18] to explore the often dysfunctional role of backstories within computer game design and play. Within this model, backstories indicate an extended play of contextualization. This definition raises questions concerning the appropriateness of backstories as currently implemented within many computer game designs. For instance, backstories are clearly not critical to all computer game play. And, even when limiting analysis solely to role-playing games, the use of backstories as design tools (as opposed to marketing devices or play supplements) remains problematic. Conclusions concern "pre-narrative" aspects of play--particularly when narrative is defined (e. g., within narrative psychology) as a folk theory of causes.
Electron Transfer and Spectral Changes in Cytochrome b Studied in Mitochondria from Coenzyme Q-Deficient Mutants of the Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Reconstituted with Coenzyme Q Analogues

Mitochondria isolated from coenzyme Q-deficient yeast cells had no detectable NADH: or succinate: cytochrome c reductase activity, but contained control amounts of cytochromes b and c 1 by spectral analysis. Addition of the exogenous coenzyme Q derivatives Q2, Q6 and the decyl analogue (DB)1 restored the rate of antimycin-sensitive reductase activity to the levels observed with the wild type. Addition of these same analogues to wild type mitochondria increased 2-3 fold the rate of cytochrome c reduction suggesting that the pool of coenzyme Q in the membrane is limiting for electron transport in the respiratory chain.
Inertial Velocity and Attitude Estimation for Quadrotors

This work addresses the design and implementation of a filter that estimates the orientation of the body-fixed $z$ axis and the velocity of a quadrotor UAV from the inertial measurement unit (IMU)given a known yaw. The velocity and attitude estimation is possible since the filter employs a linear drag model measuring the drag forces on the quadrotor through the IMU. These forces are functions of the robot's velocity and attitude. In addition, the filter estimates the linear drag parameters and thrust coefficient for the propellers. These parameters may be fed back into a controller to improve tracking performance. Experimental results are used to validate the proposed approach.
Windowed quantum arithmetic

We demonstrate a technique for optimizing quantum circuits that is analogous to classical windowing. Specifically, we show that small table lookups can allow control qubits to be iterated in groups instead of individually. We present various windowed quantum arithmetic circuits, including a windowed modular exponentiation with nested windowed modular multiplications, which have lower Toffoli counts than previous work at register sizes ranging from tens of qubits to thousands of qubits.
Organizational Opportunities to Enhance Physician Learning

A career in medicine requires a commitment to lifelong learning. In order to promote excellence, hospitals, clinics, and medical settings would do well to consider their offerings for busy physicians who often struggle to stay abreast of recent developments in their respective subspecialty due to time limitations. The author outlines a variety of learning resources and mechanisms of delivery that can be used in community, academic, and clinical settings for physicians, and that help fulfill the Medicus Integra© award requirements for physician learning and continuing education.
Melatonin for the prevention of postoperative delirium in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Older surgical patients are at high risk of developing postoperative delirium. Non-pharmacological strategies are recommended for delirium prevention, but no pharmacological agents have compelling evidence to decrease the incidence of delirium. The purpose of this study was to assess whether perioperative melatonin decreases the incidence of delirium in older adults undergoing surgical procedures. A systematic search using PubMed/Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and references of identified articles published in English between January 1990 and October 2017 was performed. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts, and then extracted data following a full-text review of included articles with consensus generation and bias assessment. Studies reporting outcomes for melatonin or ramelteon use to prevent delirium in postoperative hospitalized patients (mean age ≥ 50 years) were eligible for inclusion. Data were pooled using a fixed-effects model to generate a forest plot and obtain a summary odds ratio for the outcome of interest (delirium incidence). Cochran’s Q and I2 values were used to investigate heterogeneity. Of 335 records screened, 6 studies were selected for the qualitative analysis and 6 were included in the meta-analysis (n = 1155). The mean age of patients in included studies ranged from 59 to 84 years. Patients in intervention groups typically received melatonin or ramelteon at daily doses of two to eight milligrams around cardiothoracic, orthopedic, or hepatic surgeries for one to nine days, starting on the evening before or the day of surgery. The incidence of delirium ranged from 0 to 30% in the intervention groups versus 4–33% in the comparator groups, and was significantly reduced in the melatonin group, with a summary effect of the meta-analysis yielding an odds ratio of 0.63 (95% CI 0.46 to 0.87; 0.006; I2 = 72.1%). A one study removed analysis reduced overall odds ratio to 0.310 (95% CI 0.19 to 0.50), while reducing heterogeneity (Cochran’s Q = 0.798, I2 = 0.000). Perioperative melatonin reduced the incidence of delirium in older adults in the included studies. While optimal dosing remains an unanswered question, the potential benefit of melatonin and melatonin receptor agonists may make them a reasonable option to use for delirium prevention in older adults undergoing surgical procedures.
Inflammatory pseudotumor associated with HSV infection of rectal vascular endothelium in a patient with HIV: a case report and literature review

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) typically infects oral or anogenital squamous epithelium and causes blisters and ulcerations. Here we reported an unusual case of HSV induced exuberant rectal inflammatory pseudotumor with vascular endothelial involvement. A 52-year old man with HIV presented with abdominal pain, rectal drainage and constipation. Proctoscopy and CT scans revealed an 8 × 5 × 4 cm circumferential, mid-lower rectal mass that was concerning for malignancy. PET-CT showed mild to moderate FDG uptake of the rectal mass. Repeated biopsies showed exuberant lymphoplasmacytic inflammation with rich eosinophils and necrosis in the submucosa and scattered single or multi-nucleated viral inclusions in vascular endothelial cells that were positive for HSV by immunostains. There was no evidence of malignancy on histology or by immunostains. The patient started valacyclovir for three weeks and symptoms resolved after the antiviral therapy. Follow-up CT and sigmoidoscopy with biopsy revealed no rectal mass or drainable collection. HSV may present as proctitis with exuberant inflammatory response and mass-like lesion, and damages vascular endothelial cells in patients with HIV. The HSV-associated mass-like lesion can be effectively treated by 3-week valacyclovir.
Perioperative Dexmedetomidine for outpatient cataract surgery: a systematic review

Cataract surgery is one of the most common procedures performed worldwide in the elderly. Various medications can provide effective anesthesia and analgesia for cataract surgery, but undesirable side effects limit the utility of each medication or combination of medications. Dexmedetomidine may serve as an anesthesia adjunct for outpatient cataract surgery in the elderly. Searches were conducted in Cochrane, Embase, and PubMed for randomized clinical trials investigating the use of dexmedetomidine in adult patients undergoing outpatient, or ambulatory, cataract surgery with sedation and topical or peribulbar block. Ninety-nine publications were identified, of which 15 trials satisfied the inclusion criteria. A total of 914 patients were included in this review. The following data were collected: American Society of Anesthesiologists’ (ASA) physical status and age of study patients; method of blinding and randomization; medication doses and routes of administration; and intraoperative levels of sedation. We also recorded statistically significant differences between dexmedetomidine and other study medications or placebo with respect to the following outcomes: hemodynamic and respiratory parameters; pain; sedation; post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV); discharge from post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) or recovery times; patient satisfaction; surgeon satisfaction; and effects on intraocular pressure (IOP). Hypotension with or without bradycardia was reported following bolus doses of dexmedetomidine ranging from 0.5–1.0 mcg/kg with or without a continuous dexmedetomidine infusion. Delayed PACU discharge times were associated with the use of dexmedetomidine, but no clear association was identified between delayed recovery and higher levels of intraoperative sedation. Better analgesia and higher patient satisfaction were commonly reported with dexmedetomidine as well as reductions in IOP. Overall, this review demonstrates better analgesia, higher patient satisfaction, and reduced IOP with dexmedetomidine for outpatient cataract surgery when compared to traditional sedatives, hypnotics, and opioids. These benefits of dexmedetomidine, however, must be weighed against relative cardiovascular depression and delayed PACU discharge or recovery times. Therefore, the utility of dexmedetomidine for outpatient cataract surgery should be considered on a patient-by-patient basis.
Contrast enhanced colostography: New applications in preoperative evaluation of anorectal malformations.

Abstract Introduction Understanding details of anatomic relationships between the colon and surrounding structures is a critical piece of preoperative planning prior to surgical repair of anorectal malformations (ARMs). Traditional imaging techniques involve ionizing radiation, distention of the rectum with supraphysiologic intraluminal pressures, and sometimes require sedation. Recent developments in the field of contrast agents have allowed the emergence of an ultrasound-based technique that can avoid these requirements while continuing to provide high resolution structural information in three dimensions. Methods Fourteen children (13 male, 1 female, age 1–11 months) with ARMs underwent contrast enhanced colostography (ceCS) in addition to traditional preoperative imaging techniques to delineate anatomic relationships of pelvic structures. Results ceCS and traditional imaging yielded concordant anatomic information, including structural relationships and fistulous connections, in 10/14 patients (71%). ceCS detected fistulous connection in 2/13 patients (15%) that were not seen by traditional imaging. Ultrasonography failed to detect the fistulous connection in one patient. Conclusions ceCS is a safe, effective and flexible method for defining important structural information in ARM patients. When compared with traditional methods, it provided equivalent or superior results 93% of the time and bears consideration as a standard tool in preoperative planning for this population. Type of Study Retrospective Comparative Study. Level of Evidence Level III.
Los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible en Europa y su Intersección con el Marco de los Negocios y los Derechos Humanos (Sustainable Development Objectives in Europe and its intersection with the framework of Business and Human Rights)

Spanish Abstract: El estado de la implementacion de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) en la Union Europea (UE) en el contexto del Marco de los Negocios y los Derechos Humanos de la UE merece consideracion. Este capitulo sigue una aproximacion verticalista: explora los marcos legales y politicos relevantes de la UE, tiene en cuenta la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible de la Comision Europea y los ODS y los avances relacionados tanto en la UE como a un nivel internacional mas amplio, asi como la estrategia de la Comision Europea concerniente a la responsabilidad social corporativa (RSC) y las cuestiones relacionadas con ella, con el objetivo de examinar su compatibilidad y, eventualmente, sugerir propuestas integradoras. English Abstract: The state of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the European Union (EU) in the context of the EU framework governing business and human rights (B&HR) is worthy of consideration. This chapter follows the top-down approach: it explores the relevant EU legal and policy framework, takes into account the overarching European Commission’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs and related developments at the EU and broader international level, as well as the European Commission’s strategy concerning corporate social responsibility (CSR) and issues related therewith, aiming at examining their compatibility and, eventually, suggesting integrating proposals