cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tactile Cueing Improves Motor Performance and Motor-Cognitive Integration in Parkinson’s Disease (P3.064)

OBJECTIVE: Objectives of this study conducted on 10 Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients (71±9 years) and 10 healthy controls (69±7 years), were to investigate the efficacy of tactile cueing (TC) in: (1) modulating simple and complex motor tasks over a range of cueing intervals; (2) improving gait performance; (3) improving motor-cognitive performance on complex gait tasks. BACKGROUND: Tactile sensory cues are processed faster than audiovisual cues and with lower attention demand. No previous studies have systematically investigated the efficacy and limitations of TC for modulating motor-cognitive performance of PD patients. DESIGN/METHODS: TC was delivered on the participants9 upper arm using a smart phone. Experiment #1: participants were seated and tapped their heel in cadence with TC. Experiment #2: participants walked in a straight line and were required to step in cadence with TC. Experiment #3: participants performed complex gait tasks - straight line walking and turning corners - with and without TC. TC was delivered at a range of intervals above and below the comfortable stepping cadence. Some trials included a secondary task: holding tray with 2 cups of water. RESULTS: (1) PD patients and healthy individuals were able to use TC to modulate performance on seated heel tapping (inter tap interval accuracy, p < 0.001; group differences n.s.); (2) increased task complexity (walking vs. heel tapping) and shortening of TC intervals reduced performance accuracy: PD patients were able to modulate performance at a narrower range of TC intervals (R^2=0.56) than healthy individuals (R^2=0.84); (3) TC improved patients’ turn cadence (p=0.017) and turn times (p=0.005) in complex dual task trials; (4) patients used TC opportunistically when their motor-cognitive resources are highly challenged (turning while carrying a tray with cups of water; p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides novel insight about the role of TC in PD movement modulation and suggests that TC is a useful method for modulation of functional movements, gait, and motor-cognitive integration in PD patients performing challenging motor-cognitive tasks. Disclosure: Dr. Ivkovic has nothing to disclose. Dr. Fisher has nothing to disclose. Dr. Paloski has nothing to disclose.
Brain death determination in the newborn.

This commentary is addressed to the determination of brain death in the newborn and young infant and in particular is meant to elaborate the rationale for two aspects of the guidelines established by the Task Force on Brain Death in Children.1 The two aspects are (1) the application of the guidelines to term infants seven days of age or older and (2) the recommendation of an observation period of at least 48 hours in infants between seven days and 2 months of age. The two essential requirements for the diagnosis of brain death are, first, the establishment of cessation of all brain functions, ie, cerebral and brainstem functions, and second, the demonstration that cessation of these functions is irreversible.
Linguistics research articles written in English: comparing native English speakers and Polish writers

This paper addresses the issue of writing for publication in English to elucidate, on the one hand, how writing styles of scholars from two cultural regions – Polish and Anglo-American – differ at the level of article structure. On the other, it explores the extent to which internationalizing forces inside one discourse community (specialists in linguistics) can override differences. For this purpose, a qualitative, cross-linguistic and cross-cultural study was conducted to compare texts written in English by native speakers with such articles by Polish authors. The issue is increasingly significant because current scientific progress and globalization has stimulated the need to share research findings in all fields of science using English as the main language of international publication.
Descending monoaminergic pain modulation: bidirectional control and clinical relevance.

GLOSSARY: CGRP = calcitonin gene-related peptide; DAT = dopamine transporter; GABA = γ-aminobutyric acid; NET = norepinephrine transporter; NRM = nucleus raphe magnus; PAG = periaqueductal gray; RLS = restless legs syndrome; RVMM = rostral ventromedial medulla; SERT = serotonin transporter; SNRI = serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor; SSRI = selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; STT = spinothalamic tract.
Role of Leydig cells and endogenous inhibin in regulating pulsatile gonadotropin secretion in the adult male rat.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the parameters of pulsatile gonadotropin secretion in the adult male rat that are regulated by the suppressive feedback influences provided by factors originating in the Leydig cells or by endogenous inhibin, or both. This was achieved by examining the changes in the secretion parameters of FSH and LH that result from selectively destroying the Leydig cells using the toxicant ethane dimethane sulfonate (EDS) or passively iramunoneutralizing endogenous inhibin using high-titer anti a-inhibin subunit serum, or both. Both FSH and LH were secreted in a pulsatile manner in intact male rats as determined using two different pulse-detection methods. Destruction of the Leydig cells with EDS 6 days before sampling significantly increased basal FSH secretion without affecting pulsatile FSH secretion. Injection of anti-inhibin serum into intact (vehicle treated) males 18 h before sampling produced no observable alteration in any parameter of FSH secretion. Either adm...
A Method for Distributed Optimization for Task Allocation

Allocation of a large number of resources to tasks in a complex environment is often a very challenging problem. This is primarily due to the fact that a large number of resources to be allocated results into an optimization problem that involves a large number of decision variables. Most of the optimization algorithms suffer from this issue of non-scalability. Further, the uncertainties and dynamic nature of environment make the optimization problem quite challenging. One of the techniques to overcome the issue of scalability that have been considered recently is to carry out the optimization in a distributed or decentralized manner. Such techniques make use of local information to carry out global optimization. However, such techniques tend to get stuck in local minima. Further, the connectivity graph that governs the sharing of information plays a role in the performance of algorithms in terms of time taken to obtain the solution, and quality of the solution with respect to the global solution. In this paper, we propose a distributed greedy algorithm inspired by market based concepts to optimize a cost function. This paper studies the effectiveness of the proposed distributed algorithm in obtaining global solutions and the phase transition phenomenon with regard to the connectivity metrics of the graph that underlies the network of information exchange. A case study involving resource allocation in wildland firefighting is provided to demonstrate our algorithm.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
A Three-dimensional Dynamical Model of Current Sheet Formation in a Coronal Loop

We develop a three-dimensional model for the time evolution of a slender coronal loop anchored in multiple isolated photospheric flux elements. As a result of the composite photospheric boundaries, the coronal field comprises multiple flux domains. The model shows that motion at the footpoints results in current singularities developing along separators between domains. Motion at one end of the loop creates a nonsingular Alfvenic pulse. Repeated reflections from the complex photospheric boundaries change the pulse's current into a surface singularity traveling along the separator ribbon. Final relaxation leads to an equilibrium that is current-free within all of the coronal domains and contains a separator current sheet. The relation of the equilibrium current to the footpoint displacements confirms previous quasi-static models of three-dimensional separator current sheets.
S-R-T Flip-Flop

Two different definitions for the operating characteristics of the S-R-T flip-flop exist in the literature. These two definitions are discussed, and it is argued that one definition is unnecessarily restrictive while the second is not only more logically correct but leads to more economical circuitry.
Lifestyle-technology fit

Adoption studies focus on technological drivers of use intention.We examine user characteristics and lifestyle as additional drivers of cloud adoption.Cloud non-adopters perceive high risk and low trialability/observability.Cluster analysis reveals three lifestyles among cloud adopters and non-adopters.Only one lifestyle group represents a "cloud lifestyle" and intends to adopt. Sociology and modernist theories have long emphasized the central role of lifestyle in processes of self-identity and attitude formation. Furthermore, lifestyle has been used to great effect in marketing and health research to predict attitudes, cognitions, and behaviors, but has largely been ignored in the IS field. In this study, we demonstrate the potential usefulness of incorporating lifestyle into IS research by using lifestyle cluster segmentation in the context of technology adoption. Based on a U.S. national random sample of 402 non-cloud service users, we propose, analyze, and validate a multi-faceted model of cloud technology adoption that integrates technology attributes-the dominant predictors in IS adoption and acceptance models-with a range of demographic, domestic, leisurely and professional variables for providing a holistic theoretical understanding of and practical insights into the technology adoption process.
Pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy of pediatric depression

Importance of the field: Depressive disorders in children and adolescents are prevalent and impairing. Current available treatments of childhood depression have advanced over the years but still leave many patients with residual symptoms.Areas covered in this review: We here review the pharmacotherapy and psychoptherapy of pediatric major depressive disorder. We conducted a Pubmed review on this topic covering the last 30 years.What the reader will gain: The reader will learn about the current evidence on the efficacy and safety of the different pediatric depression treatment modalities. We review evidence-based treatments, namely cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and antidepressant treatments. We critically review the extant clinical trials for these treatments, and discuss both antidepressants efficacy and adverse events, including risk for suicidal events.Take home message: Current treatments lead to a sustained response rate of up to 80% and a remission rate of 60% by 6 months, but ...
Patients’ preferences for selection of endpoints in cardiovascular clinical trials

Background: To reduce the duration and overall costs of cardiovascular trials, use of the combined endpoints in trial design has become commonplace. Though this methodology may serve the needs of investigators and trial sponsors, the preferences of patients or potential trial subjects in the trial design process has not been studied. Objective: To determine the preferences of patients in the design of cardiovascular trials. Design : Participants were surveyed in a pilot study regarding preferences among various single endpoints commonly used in cardiovascular trials, preference for single vs. composite endpoints, and the likelihood of compliance with a heart medication if patients similar to them participated in the trial design process. Participants: One hundred adult English-speaking patients, 38% male, from a primary care ambulatory practice located in an urban setting. Key results: Among single endpoints, participants rated heart attack as significantly more important than death from other causes (4.53 vs. 3.69, p =0.004) on a scale of 1–6. Death from heart disease was rated as significantly more important than chest pain (4.73 vs. 2.47, p<0. 001), angioplasty/PCI/CABG (4.73 vs. 2.43, p<0. 001), and stroke (4.73 vs. 2.43, p<0. 001). Participants also expressed a slight preference for combined endpoints over single endpoint (43% vs. 57%), incorporation of the opinions of the study patient population into the design of trials (48% vs. 41% for researchers), and a greater likelihood of medication compliance if patient preferences were considered during trial design (67% indicated a significant to major effect). Conclusions: Patients are able to make judgments and express preferences regarding trial design. They prefer that the opinions of the study population rather than the general population be incorporated into the design of the study. This novel approach to study design would not only incorporate patient preferences into medical decision making, but it also has the potential to improve compliance with cardiovascular medications. Keywords: Patient preferences; combined endpoints; clinical trial design; composite outcomes (Published: 17 February 2014) To access the supplementary material to this article, please see Supplementary files in the column to the right (under Article Tools) Citation: Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives 2014, 4 : 22643 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jchimp.v4.22643
How do corporate websites contribute to the information environment? Evidence from the U.S. and Taiwan

Abstract We study corporate website disclosures in the U.S. and Taiwan, two countries with different regulatory and market environments, to provide insights into the uniformity of website content and its contribution to the information environment. We observe significant variation in content both within and between the two countries. U.S. firms with higher analyst following tend to create more transparent financial information environments and provide disclosures that are complementary to analysts’ analyses through their corporate websites. They also tend to provide easier access to investor relations (IR) services if analyst coverage is light or nonexistent. However, neither effect is true in Taiwan where the securities analysis industry is less mature. Individual investors have greater ownership share in U.S. firms with more information about IR services on their websites; however, their ownership share drops as financial disclosure on the firm’s website increases, consistent with institutions diluting individual ownership in firms with more transparency in financial reporting. In Taiwan, however, institutions dilute individual ownership share in firms with less financial information and more trading information on their websites. These results are consistent with Barber et al.’s (2009) findings that institutions find Taiwan firms that attract the aggressive, speculative trading of individuals to be extremely profitable investments. Website disclosures in both countries have some effect on the stock-price response to mandatory earnings releases, but their impact is greater in the U.S. Our findings indicate that website disclosures contribute to the information environment and are related to the degree of interest in the firm by sophisticated market participants. Thus, they provide insights to regulators of both countries as they seek to improve disclosure and “level the information playing field.”
A combination immunoblot for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of HIV-1 and HIV-2

Abstract We have developed a combination immunoblot (combi-blot) for simultaneous detection and differentiation of HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies using HIV-1 lysate and HIV-1 and HIV-2 synthetic peptide antigens in a single assay. Minimal modification in antigen strip preparation and no modification in assay procedure of the current HIV-1 Western blot protocol was required. Implementation of this combi-blot following the use of the combination HIV-1/-2 enzyme immunoassay would simplify the current HIV testing algorithm and increase the accuracy of HIV-2 surveillance.
Ring Laser Gyro Program At Rockwell

The potential promise of ring laser gyro technology for low cost strapdown inertial rate sensing has attracted very significant research and development investments. The results of these investments are now becoming available in a wide range of gyro products showing applicability to many sensing requirements. The Rockwell program in the ring laser gyro technology has been directed toward understanding of the basic limitations on sensor performance, particularly under severe environments, and development of a family of sensors for applications ranging from tactical missile guidance to inertial navigation systems and re-entry vehicle guidance. This paper described the progress toward these objectives and identifies the significant limitations in performance for the current sensor candidates.
Precise process definitions for activities of daily living: a basis for real-time monitoring and hazard detection

The dramatically increasing population of disabled people and adults who are 65 years old and over will increase financial burdens for assisted living care in the United States and more generally on a global basis. To mitigate these costs, increasing numbers of disabled and elderly people (our clientele) will live alone at home. This paper suggests that the safety of such disabled and elderly people might be increased by using precise process definitions of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) as the basis for guiding and monitoring their activities. We propose to model ADLs using Little-JIL, a language that supports ADL definitions that are distinguished from other ADL definitions in the literature by their use of such features as concurrency, exception handling, reaction control, and channel communication, all of which are important for monitoring ADLs at appropriately low levels of detail.This paper uses making tea, making a sandwich and answering a phone, as example ADLs for process definition. It suggests how a client can be monitored in real-time to detect unsafe ADL performance deviations that may lead to hazards. It also suggests how monitoring histories can be used for automated assessments that can provide care providers/specialists with key information about trends.
Insects running on elastic surfaces

SUMMARY In nature, cockroaches run rapidly over complex terrain such as leaf litter. These substrates are rarely rigid, and are frequently very compliant. Whether and how compliant surfaces change the dynamics of rapid insect locomotion has not been investigated to date largely due to experimental limitations. We tested the hypothesis that a running insect can maintain average forward speed over an extremely soft elastic surface (10 N m −1 ) equal to 2/3 of its virtual leg stiffness (15 N m −1 ). Cockroaches Blaberus discoidalis were able to maintain forward speed (mean ± s.e.m., 37.2±0.6 cm s −1 rigid surface versus 38.0±0.7 cm s −1 elastic surface; repeated-measures ANOVA, P =0.45). Step frequency was unchanged (24.5±0.6 steps s −1 rigid surface versus 24.7±0.4 steps s −1 elastic surface; P =0.54). To uncover the mechanism, we measured the animal9s centre of mass (COM) dynamics using a novel accelerometer backpack, attached very near the COM. Vertical acceleration of the COM on the elastic surface had a smaller peak-to-peak amplitude (11.50±0.33 m s −2 , rigid versus 7.7±0.14 m s −2 , elastic; P =0.04). The observed change in COM acceleration over an elastic surface required no change in effective stiffness when duty factor and ground stiffness were taken into account. Lowering of the COM towards the elastic surface caused the swing legs to land earlier, increasing the period of double support. A feedforward control model was consistent with the experimental results and provided one plausible, simple explanation of the mechanism.
Marketplace issues in software planning and design

Software management and project decisions must consider many factors. The most recognized return-on-investment drivers include the value to users; the cost of development, maintenance, upgrades, and customer support; and the risks of project failure, budget overrun, and revenue shortfall. We focus on other ROI issues related to positioning software in the marketplace, which serves as an intermediary between a software supplier organization and its customers. Rather than discuss contracted software development for specific customers or open-source software efforts, we emphasize the uncertainties and strategic issues that suppliers encounter in selling or licensing software in the general marketplace. We categorize these issues by the standard ROI measures of revenue, cost, and risk.
Numerical studies of hot-phonon effects in quantum well lasers

It has recently become apparent that a comprehensive quantum well (QW) laser design strategy must address the complicated distribution of carriers both in real and in momentum space throughout the laser structure. Therefore, in addition to appropriate material systems, optimized QW width, and proper light guiding structures, one must carefully optimize the width and the doping of the separate confinement heterostructure (SCH), and tailor the cladding layer/SCH and the SCH/QW bandgap discontinuities. In this talk, we describe new simulation techniques to address these issues and illustrate the importance of optimizing bandgap discontinuities through a study of hot phonon effects on laser performance.
Ab initio calculations and X-ray structure determinations of dichloro(O-O′-O″-1,3,5-cyclohexanetriol)copper(II) and bis(O-O′-O″-1,3,5-hexanetriol)nickel(II)

The structures of CuC 6 H 12 O 3 Cl 2 , ( I ) and NiC 12 H 24 O 6 Cl 2 , ( II ) were determined using X-ray single crystal methods and Hartree–Fock SCF calculations. The copper(II) ion is coordinated to the three oxygen atoms of the cyclohexanetriol ligand and two chloride ions in a slightly distorted trigonal bipyramidal arrangement. One chloride ion and one of the three triol oxygen atoms occupy axial positions and the remaining two oxygen atoms and the second chloride ion occupy equatorial positions. In the nickel compound the two triol molecules act as tridentate ligands forming an octahedral complex ion with the chloride ions serving as counter ions.
Cl Insertion on Si(100)-(2×1): Etching Under Conditions of Supersaturation

We use scanning tunneling microscopy to show that Cl2 dosing of Cl-saturated Si(100)-(2x1) surfaces at elevated temperature leads to uptake beyond "saturation" and allows access to a new etching pathway. This process involves Cl insertion in Si-Si dimer bonds or backbonds, diffusion of the inserted Cl, and ultimately desorption of SiCl2. Investigations into the etch kinetics reveal that insertion occurs via a novel form of Cl2 dissociative chemisorption that is mediated by dangling bond sites. Upon dissociation, one Cl atom adsorbs at the dangling bond while the other can insert.
A genetic strategy to identify targets for the development of drugs that prevent bacterial persistence

Antibacterial drug development suffers from a paucity of targets whose inhibition kills replicating and nonreplicating bacteria. The latter include phenotypically dormant cells, known as persisters, which are tolerant to many antibiotics and often contribute to failure in the treatment of chronic infections. This is nowhere more apparent than in tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a pathogen that tolerates many antibiotics once it ceases to replicate. We developed a strategy to identify proteins that Mycobacterium tuberculosis requires to both grow and persist and whose inhibition has the potential to prevent drug tolerance and persister formation. This strategy is based on a tunable dual-control genetic switch that provides a regulatory range spanning three orders of magnitude, quickly depletes proteins in both replicating and nonreplicating mycobacteria, and exhibits increased robustness to phenotypic reversion. Using this switch, we demonstrated that depletion of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide synthetase (NadE) rapidly killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis under conditions of standard growth and nonreplicative persistence induced by oxygen and nutrient limitation as well as during the acute and chronic phases of infection in mice. These findings establish the dual-control switch as a robust tool with which to probe the essentiality of Mycobacterium tuberculosis proteins under different conditions, including those that induce antibiotic tolerance, and NadE as a target with the potential to shorten current tuberculosis chemotherapies.
Stress reduction tests on Nb-1wt.%Zr at 1300 K

Abstract The objective of this paper is to analyze the stress reduction behavior of b.c.c. Nb-1wt.%Zr at 1300 K (0.47 of the melting point T m ). After small reductions in stress an increasing strain rate was observed, while after large stress reductions a decreasing strain rate was observed. The reduced strain rate normalized by the intial strain rate plotted semi-logarithmically as a function of the reduced stress normalized by the initial stress showed two branches ( i.e. a low and high stress sensitivity region) indicating that two different dislocations mechanisms are operating. From the high stress sensitivity branch a true activation area was calculated, which was in the range of the true activation area for cutting of forest dislocations. The normalized true activation area was found to be less than the empirically predicted dislocation spacing in the subgrain interior. Similar behavior was observed for aluminum and Al-5at.%Zn. Extrapolating the low stress sensitivity branch to σ/σ 0 equaling one shows that 10% of the total strain rate is owing to the dislocation mechanism operating at the low stress sensitivity region. The mechanism operating at the low stress sensitivity region was assumed to be subgrain boundary migration.
Predicting Difficulties in Youth's Friendships: Are Anxiety Symptoms as Damaging as Depressive Symptoms?

Youth's friendships serve important functions in development; however, internalizing symptoms may undermine these relationships. Two studies are presented that examine the association of depressive and anxiety symptoms with friendship adjustment. Study 1 tested concurrent effects and Study 2 tested prospective effects over 6 months. Like past studies, depressive symptoms predicted greater problems in friendships. However, anxiety symptoms generally did not and, in some cases, actually predicted positive friendship adjustment. The results suggest that the friendships of youth with depressive symptoms should be targeted for intervention, but that incorporating the friendship strengths of anxious youth in interventions could be helpful for reducing these youth's anxiety. The results also caution researchers studying the interplay between friendships and internalizing symptoms against collapsing across assessments of depressive and anxiety symptoms.
Beginning to talk at 20 months: early vocal development in a young cochlear implant recipient.

Early vocal development, consonant production, and spoken vocabulary were examined in a deaf toddler whose multichannel cochlear implant was activated at 20 months. Parent-child interactions were recorded before implantation and at monthly intervals during the first year of implant use. The child's utterances were classified according to developmental levels from the Stark Assessment of Early Vocal Development. The emergence of consonant types and consonant features were documented through listener transcription. Parent reports were used to monitor oral vocabulary growth. A large increase in canonical and postcanonical utterances was observed after 5 months of implant use, and these advanced prelinguistic forms were dominant in all subsequent recording sessions. Increases in the diversity of consonant types and features suggested that auditory information was used to increase phonetic diversity. It was reported that the child understood almost 240 words and spoke approximately 90 words after one year of i...
Theory of electrical spin injection: Tunnel contacts as a solution of the conductivity mismatch problem

Theory of electrical spin injection from a ferromagnetic (FM) metal into a normal (N) conductor is presented. We show that tunnel contacts (T) can dramatically increase spin injection and solve the problem of the mismatch in the conductivities of a FM metal and a semiconductor microstructure. We also present explicit expressions for the spin-valve resistance of FM-T-N- and FM-T-N-T-FM-junctions with tunnel contacts at the interfaces and show that the resistance includes both positive and negative contributions (Kapitza resistance and injection conductivity, respectively).
Three (or More) Alcohol-Dependence Symptoms but Not Clustered in the Same 12 Months: Diagnostic Orphans From a Longitudinal Perspective*

Objective:The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), currently uses a polythetic classification system for defining alcohol use disorders (AUD; alcohol abuse and dependence). This classification results in individuals who are subthreshold for an official AUD diagnosis but still endorse one or two criteria of dependence: so-called “diagnostic orphans.” To our knowledge, however, there has been no attention given to diagnostic orphans from a lifetime perspective. The goal of the current article was to compare various diagnostic groups based on lifetime reports of abuse and dependence symptoms on a range of outcomes.Method:Data taken from the National Epidemiological Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions study were used to form seven mutually exclusive diagnostic groups based on lifetime abuse and dependence symptomatology.Results:Diagnostic groups that experienced extensive dependence symptoms, regardless of past-12-month clustering (i.e., formal diagnostic criter...
Fourier Transform Fluorescence Excitation Spectroscopy in a Supersonic Jet

Laser analytical methods are usually preferred for supersonic jet spectroscopy since a high photon flux across a narrow spectral region is required for sensitive detection. Lamp sources have been used for fluorescence excitation, but their performance has been poor due to low photon fluxes. The major problems associated with lamp excitation lie not in the radiant output of the lamp but in the ability to transfer the radiation to the experiment. For example, commercial 1000-W xenon arc lamp systems can deliver up to 40 mW/nm in a
Thirty-day morbidity and mortality rates for carotid artery intervention by surgeons who perform both carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery angioplasty and stent placement

Object There is no known standard 30-day morbidity and mortality rate for high-risk patients undergoing carotid artery (CA) angioplasty and stent (CAS) placement. The high-risk registries and the Stenting and Angioplasty with Protection in Patients at High Risk for Endarterectomy, Carotid Revascularization using Endarterectomy or Stenting Systems, and European Long-term Carotid Artery Stenting trials report different rates of morbidity and mortality, and each high-risk cohort has a different risk profile. The applicability of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) results from North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial/Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study (NASCET/ACAS) remains uncertain, as most clinical CAS placement series reported to date typically included patients who would not have qualified for those studies. At the University at Buffalo, the same neurosurgeons perform triage in patients with CA disease and perform both CEA and CAS insertion. The authors review morbidity and mortality rate...
Neuroimaging of the Brain-Gut Axis: From Basic Understanding to Treatment of Functional GI Disorders

e are enthusiastic in the introduction of a new monthly review article series, entitled “Reviews in Basic and Clinical Gastroenterology.” ritten by authorities in their respective fields, the objective of each review article is to provide an overview of a particular theme or topic or the broad scientific and clinical readership. Within a given topic, both basic and clinical aspects will be covered, accompanied by key gures and relevant references. The reader will also appreciate that topics will be interwoven from month to month as well. We hope you njoy this section.—David C. Metz, MD, Wafik El-Deiry, MD, PhD, and Anil K. Rustgi, MD
Perspective: Miles to go before we sleep

New drugs are generating much excitement, but a cure for all will take generations of therapies, argues Charles Rice
Ly-5. A new t-lymphocyte antigen system.

Ly-5 is a third genetic locus of the type so far represented in the mouse byLy-1 andLy-2/Ly-3; it specifies antithetical alloantigens, one of which is present exclusively on T lymphocytes of every mouse. The chromosomal locus ofLy-5 has not been established, but it is not closely linked toLy-1 orLy-2/Ly-3. Like other T-lymphocyte surface markers, expression of Ly-5 antigens on T-lymphocyte precursor cells can be initiated in vitro by inducers of T-cell differentiation.
Transformations between discrete-time and continuous-time algebraic Riccati equations☆

We introduce a transformation between the discrete-time and continuous-time algebraic Riccati equations. We show that under mild conditions the two algebraic Riccati equations can be transformed from one to another, and both algebraic Riccati equations share common Hermitian solutions. The transformation also sets up the relations about the properties, commonly in system and control setting, that are imposed in parallel to the coefficient matrices and Hermitian solutions of two algebraic Riccati equations. The transformation is simple and all the relations can be easily derived. We also introduce a generalized transformation that requires weaker conditions. The proposed transformations may provide a unified tool to develop the theories and numerical methods for the algebraic Riccati equations and the associated system and control problems.
A feminist revisiting of the insider/outsider debate : The outsider phenomenon in rural Iowa

This article draws upon findings from an ethnographic study of two towns in rural Iowa to examine the adequacy of the insider/outsider distinction as a guideline for evaluating and conducting ethnographic research. Utilizing feminist standpoint and materialist feminist theories, I start with the assumption that, rather than one “insider” or “outsider” position, we all begin our work with different relationships to shifting aspects of social life and to particular knowers in the community and this contributes to numerous dimensions through which we can relate to residents in various communities. “Outsiderness” and “insiderness” are not fixed or static positions, rather they are ever-shifting and permeable social locations illustrated in this case study by the “outsider phenomenon.” Community processes that reorganize and resituate race-ethnicity, gender and class relations form some of the most salient aspects of the “outsider phenomenon.” These dynamic processes shaped our relationships with residents as ethnographic identities were repositioned by shifts in constructions of “community” that accompanied ongoing social, demographic, and political changes.
Evolution of genomic imprinting with biparental care: implications for Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes

The term “imprinted gene” refers to genes whose expression is conditioned by their parental origin. Among theories to unravel the evolution of genomic imprinting, the kinship theory prevails as the most widely accepted, because it sheds light on many aspects of the biology of imprinted genes. While most assumptions underlying this theory have not escaped scrutiny, one remains overlooked: mothers are the only source of parental investment in mammals. But, is it reasonable to assume that fathers' contribution of resources is negligible? It is not in some key mammalian orders including humans. In this research, I generalize the kinship theory of genomic imprinting beyond maternal contribution only. In addition to deriving new conditions for the evolution of imprinting, I have found that the same gene may show the opposite pattern of expression when the investment of one parent relative to the investment of the other changes; the reversion, interestingly, does not require that fathers contribute more resources than mothers. This exciting outcome underscores the intimate connection between the kinship theory and the social structure of the organism considered. Finally, the insight gained from my model enabled me to explain the clinical phenotype of Prader-Willi syndrome. This syndrome is caused by the paternal inheritance of a deletion of the PWS/AS cluster of imprinted genes in human Chromosome 15. As such, children suffering from this syndrome exhibit a striking biphasic phenotype characterized by poor sucking and reduced weight before weaning but by voracious appetite and obesity after weaning. Interest in providing an evolutionary explanation to such phenotype is 2-fold. On the one hand, the kinship theory has been doubted as being able to explain the symptoms of patients with Prader-Willi. On the other hand, the post-weaning symptoms remain as one of the primary concern of pediatricians treating children with Prader-Willi. In this research, I reconcile the clinical phenotype of Prader-Willi syndrome with the kinship theory, contending that paternal investment relative to maternal investment increases after weaning. I also propose a genetic composition of the PWS/AS cluster, discuss the effects of new types of mutations, and contemplate the potential side effects of reactivating silent genes for medical purposes.
Cutaneous periarteritis nodosa: a clinicopathological study of 79 cases

Cutaneous periarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a well-recognized entity characterized by tender subcutaneous nodules and livedo that may ulcerate. The pathogenesis of cutaneous PAN is not known. The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical and histological features of 79 cases of cutaneous PAN and to investigate any clinical, pathological and immunological differences that may distinguish those cases likely to have a prolonged course. A retrospective analysis of 79 cases was conducted. Thirty-nine patients had ulcers during the course of their illness. Women were affected more than men. Painful nodules on the lower extremities, with oedema and swelling, were the most common clinical finding; 22% of patients had some evidence of neuropathy. Most of the laboratory findings were non-specific. There was no evidence for hepatitis B infection and hepatitis C infection was present in only one patient. Most patients (60%) had no associated medical condition. The disease course was prolonged but benign, and systemic PAN did not develop in any patient. Corticosteroids given systemically induced remission in most acute cases. The ulcerative form of disease was more prolonged and frequently associated with neuropathy.
The Significance of Parental Depressed Mood for Young Adolescents' Emotional and Family Experiences:

Drawing from a larger longitudinal investigation, the links between young adolescents' everyday experiences and parental depressed mood were examined in 201 primarily Caucasian family groups. The c...
The history of noise

"Noise" had a glorious birth. While there were rumblings before 1905, it was Einstein's explanation of Brownian motion that started the field. His motivation was not the mere explanation of the erratic movement of pollen, but much bigger: that noise could establish the existence of atoms. Immediately after Einstein there was an incredible flurry of ideas of the most profound kind that continues to this day. But noise, considered by many as unwanted, and mistakenly defined as such by some, has little respectability. The term itself conjures up images of rejection. Yet, it is an idea that has served mankind in the most profound ways. It would be a dull gray world without noise. The story of noise is fascinating and while in its early stages its story was clearly told, its subsequent divergence into many subfields has often resulted in a lack of understanding of its historical origins and development. We try to give it some justice. We discuss who did what, when, and why, and the historical misconceptions. But most importantly, we aim to show that the story of noise is an exciting story worth telling.
Decreased Opsin mRNA and Immunoreactivity in Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (prcd): Cytochemical Studies of Early Disease and Degeneration

Opsin mRNA level and immunoreactivity were examined by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry in normal and progressive rod cone degeneration (prcd)-affected dogs. In situ hybridization used 35S- and/or 3H-labeled bovine opsin cRNA probes; immunocytochemistry used six monoclonal mouse anti-bovine opsin antibodies (MAb1) that are specific to different regions of the N-terminal, loop v-vi and the C-terminal domains. Optimal labeling and histological resolution at the single cell level were achieved with semi-thin sections of DGD wax-embedded tissues; it was possible to correlate the cytochemical observations with the disease staging in topographically defined regions that exhibited different disease severity. In early disease (stages 0-1), opsin mRNA levels and immunoreactivity were normal. During the transition from disease to degeneration (stage 2), however, opsin mRNA was reduced sharply; it then rapidly became undetectable in late stages of degeneration (stages 3, 4). Reduction of immunoreactivity was seen with all the MAbs in stages 2 and 3, but the degree of reduction varied remarkably in different regions of the protein molecule; immunoreactivity was reduced more in the cytoplasmic regions, particularly in the phosphorylation sites and the far end of the C-terminal domain. In contrast, the epitopes of the N-terminal domain that are located in the intradiscal compartment were better preserved. It is noteworthy that, in stages 2 and 3, many rod cells still survived despite the decrease in the mRNA level and immunoreactivity. The results indicate that early disease in prcd-affected rods is not initiated by a reduction of opsin mRNA or the protein quantity. However, opsin expression disappears in early degeneration and before cell death. The differences in immunoreactivity with disease may result either from alterations in the protein structure or configuration, or from selective loss of epitopes located in the cytoplasmic domains of the molecule.
Relationship of inferior olive-climbing fibers to p,p′-DDT-induced myoclonus in rats

Abstract The effects of 3-acetylpyridine (3-AP), which destroys the inferior olive, and harmaline, which stimulates inferior olive-climbing fiber activity, on DDT-induced myoclonus, were studied in rats. 3-AP shortened and harmaline delayed the time of onset of myoclonus after intragastric administration of DDT. 3-AP also counteracted the antimyoclonic action of l -5-hydroxytryptophan plus chlorimipramine, clonazepam and phenoxybenzamine in this animal model. The results suggest that these antimyoclonic agents require an intact olivocerebellar pathway for their action.
Technical trading rules for nonlinear dynamics of stock returns: evidence from the G-7 stock markets

This paper explores a possible link between an asymmetric dynamic process of stock returns and profitable technical trading rules. Using the G-7 stock market indexes, we show that the dynamic process of daily index returns is better characterized by nonlinearity arising from an asymmetric reverting property. The asymmetric reverting property of stock returns is exploitable in generating profitable buy and sells signals for technical trading strategies. The bootstrap analysis shows that not all nonlinearities generate profitable buy and sell signals, but rather only the nonlinearities generating a consistent asymmetrical pattern of return dynamics can be exploitable for the profitability of the trading rules. The significant positive (negative) returns from buy (sell) signals are a consequence of trading rules that exploit the asymmetric nonlinear dynamics of the stock returns that revolve around positive (negative) unconditional mean returns under prior positive (negative) return patterns. Our results corroborate the arguments for the usefulness of technical trading strategies in stock market investments.
Method for separating intramolecular and intermolecular interactions which influence polymer glass temperatures

It is shown that the glass temperature (Tg) for homopolymers of the type CH2CXYcan be expressed by a simple additive equation involving two terms: (1) a parameter E which is directly related to the molar cohesion energy and (2) a parameter Es* which is a measure of restricted rotation about valence bonds. Es*, at least for a large number of polymers, is related to the Mark-Houwink Kθ value (as measured in θ solvents at Tθ) via anti-log Es* ∝ 1/Kθ2/3. It is also shown that for homologous series [e.g., poly(n-alkyl methacrylates)], there is a constant relationship between E and antilog Es*. The Tg values for copolymers may be estimated by a simple weighted (via mole fraction) summation of the E and Es* values of the components. When used in this form, a linear variation between Tg and composition is assumed, which may not be strictly correct but still yields useful approximations.
Fabrication Strategies and Thermal Conductivity Assessment of High Density UO2 Pellet Incorporated with SiC

Enhanced thermal conductivity oxide fuels offer increases in both safety and efficiency of commercial light water reactors. Low-temperature oxidative sintering and Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) techniques have been used to produce UO2-SiC composite pellets. Oxidative sintering performed for 4 hours at 1200∼1600°C and SPS was employed only for 5 mins at the same temperature. While oxidative sintering failed to achieve enhanced thermal conductivity, the SPS sintered pellet obtained promising features such as higher density, better interfacial contact, and reduced chemical reaction. Thermal conductivity measurement at 100°C, 500°C, and 900°C revealed maximum 62% higher thermal conductivity value, when compared to UO2 pellets, in SPS sintered UO2-10vol% SiC composite pellet. The result shows that the SPS technique is required to sinter UO2-SiC nuclear fuel pellets with a high value of thermal conductivity.
Comment on genetic similarity theory

Genetic similarity theory, a purported extension of the concept of inclusive fitness, is not only unnecessary, but also logically flawed. In this paper, the author (1) discusses the definition of inclusive fitness; (2) identifies the major logical flaw of genetic similarity theory; and (3) refers readers to earlier, more thorough discussions of several common mis-understandings of kin selection and assortment.
Gene therapy for hemophilia B in dogs: finally prevention of bleeding, but concerns about inhibitors remain

High and colleagues (page [2670][1]) report complete prevention of spontaneous bleeding in 3 dogs with hemophilia B that were treated with liver-directed gene therapy with an adenovirus-associated virus (AAV) vector. The utilization of a strong liver-specific promoter was what allowed them to
Understanding Hope and Its Implications for Consumer Behavior: I Hope, Therefore I Consume

Introduction What is Hope? What Do Consumers Hope For? Consumer Relevant Consequences of Hope Are Marketers Purveyors of Hope? How Can Hope Be Measured? Discussion References