cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Review of: A dynamic and synthesized review of brain-behavior research in children: Human Behavior, Learning, and the Developing Brain: Atypical Development. Donna Coch, Geraldine Dawson, and Kurt W. Fischer (Eds.). 2007. New York: Guilford Press. 378 pp. ISBN 978-1-59385-137-8. £34.00/$50.00 (hbk).

In the book Human Behavior, Learning, and the Developing Brain: Atypical Development the authors set out to provide a comprehensive examination of relevant transdisciplinary scientific research wit...
Intraoperative diagnosis of a ruptured intra-aortic balloon in a child undergoing thoracic surgery.

t t g w ROPHYLACTIC INTRA-AORTIC BALLOON counterpulsation (IABC) has been shown to be useful in patients ith significant left ventricular dysfunction undergoing highisk noncardiac surgery.1-3 The beneficial effects of IABC inlude increased coronary perfusion because of diastolic augentation and improved ventricular ejection because of ecreased impedance during systole.3 Although IABC produces favorable conditions by improvng external cardiac work and reducing internal energy exenditure, its use is not without risks. Common complicaions with this procedure include lower extremity ischemia, hromboembolism, bleeding, arterial dissection, and infecion.4,5 Intra-aortic balloon rupture is relatively uncommon ut carries the risk for significant consequences, such as rterial gas embolism or balloon entrapment.6,7 The diagnois of intra-aortic balloon (IAB) rupture in anesthetized atients can be challenging for the anesthesiologist. Because arly recognition and removal of the balloon are the keys to void serious sequelae, some familiarity with the early signs f IAB rupture is essential. A case in which rapid intraoprative recognition of IAB rupture in a child led to immeiate removal and avoidance of potentially lethal sequelae is eported.
Wire spark chamber readout using capacitors and field effect transistors

Abstract A wire spark chamber readout that is insensitive to magnetic fields, and capable of detecting very weak discharges is described. A capacitor in series with each wire of the spark chamber serves as the memory element. This memory is readout by discharging it with a field effect transistor into a data bus. Operation of an experimental chamber is described.
Selective Targeting of ER Exit Sites Supports Axon Development

During neuron development, the biosynthetic needs of the axon initially outweigh those of dendrites. However, although a localized role for the early secretory pathway in dendrite development has been observed, such a role in axon growth remains undefined. We therefore studied the localization of Sar1, a small GTPase that controls ER export, during early stages of neuronal development that are characterized by selective and robust axon growth. At these early stages, Sar1 was selectively targeted to the axon where it gradually concentrated within varicosities in which additional proteins that function in the early secretory pathway were detected. Sar1 targeting to the axon followed axon specification and was dependent on localized actin instability. Changes in Sar1 expression levels at these early development stages modulated axon growth. Specifically, reduced expression of Sar1, which was initially only detectable in the axon, correlated with reduced axon growth, where as overexpression of Sar1 supported the growth of longer axons. In support of the former finding, expression of dominant negative Sar1 inhibited axon growth. Thus, as observed in lower organisms, mammalian cells use temporal and spatial regulation of endoplasmic reticulum exit site (ERES) to address developmental biosynthetic demands. Furthermore, axons, such as dendrites, rely on ERES targeting and assembly for growth.
Initiation of an intestinal transplant program: the Indiana experience.

Introduction. Establishment of a new intestinal transplant (Itx) program in the United States entails significant programmatic costs and a steep learning curve. We report results of the first 4 years of the program at Indiana University. Methods. Forty-six intestinal and multivisceral transplants (MVtx) were performed between 2003 and 2007. All organ procurements were performed by our team. Immunosuppression included an induction protocol combined with maintenance tacrolimus monotherapy. Scheduled rejection surveillance was with magnification endoscopy. Results. Forty-three patients (13 children and 30 adults) received 10 Itx (22%), 5 modified MVtxs (11%), and 31 (MVtx, 67%). Recipient ages ranged from 3 months to 66 years, with median follow-up time of 15 months. Thirty-five patients are currently alive (81%). Patient and graft survival at 30 days was 85%/86% in pediatric and 93%/91% in adult; overall survival was 69%/64% in pediatric and 87%/75% in adult. Thirty patients (69%) experienced episodes of rejection. Multivisceral transplanted patients experienced less episodes of severe rejection (2/31, 6%) when compared with patients with isolated Itx and modified MVtxs. Retransplantation was performed in three patients with nonresponsive severe acute rejection. Conclusion. The Indiana University Intestinal and Multivisceral Transplant program experienced significant early graft loss and mortality among pediatric patients, but not among adults. This discrepancy resolved within 2 years of program initiation. After 4 years, adult and pediatric graft and patient survival statistics are similar to those at other programs.
Use of the signal peptide of Pisum vicilin to translocate β-glucuronidase in Nicotiana tabacum

Abstract A hybrid protein system was used for the study of protein transport in plant cells. A nucleotide sequence ( vic ) encoding a putative signal peptide of 15 amino acid residues, derived from the published aa sequence of one Pisum vicilin, was synthesized and fused in frame to the gus gene encoding a bacterial cytosolic β-glucuronidase (GUS). When the hybrid vic::gus gene was expressed in tobacco cells using the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, the hybrid GUS protein was targeted to, and glycosylated inside the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Glycosylation could be blocked with the antibiotic tunicamycin. The study of transient expression in protoplasts showed that extracellular secretion efficiency was low, which may be due to the nature of the GUS protein.
The effects of gabaculine in vivo on the distribution of GABA-like immunoreactivity in the rat retina.

Abstract γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory transmitter found in the retinae of mammals largely within certain amacrine cells. In previous studies from this laboratory, subcutaneous administration to rats of gabaculine, an enzyme-activated irreversible inhibitor of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-transaminase, produced large, rapid and long-lasting increases in levels of retinal GABA. We employed immunocytochemistry to determine whether such changes in the levels of retinal GABA are accompanied by changes in the cellular distribution of GABA. Using a recently developed antiserum to a GABA-protein conjugate, and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method, we examined retinae from control rats and from rats 2 or 8 h after administration of 10mgg/kg gabaculine. From previous work, retinal levels of GABA were respectively elevated 3- or 6-fold at those postgabaculine times. In the present study, marked changes in the distribution of GABA-like immunoreactivity (GABA-LIR) were apparent by 2 h after injection of gabaculine, and were more striking at 8 h postgabaculine. The pattern of staining for GABA-LIR strongly suggested that much of the GABA in gabaculine-treated retinae was within Mu¨ller glial cells. That observation provides evidence for the importance of those cells in the uptake and degradation of GABA after its release from retinal neurons.
Arbitration of many thousand flows at 100G and beyond

Network devices supporting above-100G links are needed today in order to scale communication bandwidth along with the processing capabilities of computing nodes in data centers and warehouse computers. In this paper, we propose a light-weight, fair scheduler for such ultra high-speed links, and an arbitrarily large number of requestors. We show that, in practice, our first algorithm, as well its predecessor, DRR, may result in bursty service even in the common case, where flow weights are approximately equal, and we identify applications where this can damage performance. Our second contribution is an enhancement that improves short-term fairness to deliver very smooth service when flow weights are approximately equal, whilst allocating bandwidth in a weighted fair manner.
Waveforms in virtual tomographic arrays

Distributed sensing systems incorporating RF tomography allow a trade-off between spatial and spectral diversity, however a large number of widely spaced sensors is conventionally thought to be required. A practical method of reducing the number of sensor nodes is introduced via the concept of the virtual tomographic array. Furthermore, the geometry of this virtual array is electronically reconfigurable. Optimal resource allocation is accomplished instantaneously, with dynamic control based upon matching sensing modalities to site specific target and clutter observables.
Chemical transport in nonconvective systems

Many practical chemical vapor transport systems are gaseous diffusion limited. For a single-reaction system under moderate supersaturations, the diffusive transport rate is readily expressed in a form which enables the effect of surface kinetic limitations to be included. Attempts to observe surface limitations in a closed-tube experiment are described together with experiments which confirm the diffusion theory. The treatment of multireaction systems is briefly discussed.
Disruption of GABAA in the Insect Antennal Lobe Generally Increases Odor Detection and Discrimination Thresholds

Studies of olfactory function show that disruption of GABAA receptors within the insect antennal lobe (AL) disrupts discrimination of closely related odors, suggesting that local processing within the AL specifically enhances fine odor discrimination. It remains unclear, however, how extensively AL function has been disrupted in these circumstances. Here we psychophysically characterize the effect of GABAA blockade in the AL of the moth Manduca sexta. We used 2 GABAA antagonists and 3 Pavlovianbased behavioral assays of olfactory function. In all cases, we used matched saline-injected controls in a blind study. Using a stimulus generalization assay, we found that GABAA disruption abolished the differential response to related odors, suggesting that local processing mediates fine odor discrimination. We then assessed the effect of GABAA antagonist on discrimination thresholds. Moths were differentially conditioned to respond to one odor (reinforced conditioned stimulus [CS+]) but not a second (unreinforced conditioning stimulus [CS]) then tested for a significant differential conditioned response between them across a series of increasing concentrations. Here, GABAA blockade disrupted discrimination of both similar and dissimilar odor pairs as indicated by generally increased discrimination thresholds. Finally, using a detection threshold assay, we established that GABAA blockade also increases detection thresholds. Because detection is a prerequisite of discrimination, this later finding suggests that disrupted discrimination may be due to impairment of the ability to detect. We conclude that the loss of ability to detect and subsequently discriminate is attributable to a loss of ability of the AL to provide a clear neural signal from background.
Optimization of a midinfrared high-resolution difference-frequency laser spectrometer

Improved performance of a continuous-wave (cw) laser spectrometer for Doppler-limited infrared spectroscopy of molecules based on difference-frequency generation (DFG) in AgGaS2 has been achieved. The spectrometer was configured to generate continuous scans of up to 1 cm−1 from 1550 to 2100 cm−1. An absolute precision of ∼6 × 10−3 cm−1 with a resolution of better than 1.0 MHz (3.3 × 10−5 cm−1) was achieved. Infrared powers of ∼20 μW were obtained by employing 90° Type I phase matching in a 45-mm-long AgGaS2 crystal. The high-resolution characteristics of the DFG spectrometer were evaluated by using H2O and N2O spectra. Preliminary infrared kinetic spctroscopy results involving the detection of transient CO radicals from 193-nm acetone photodissociation are also reported.
Implications of Design Assumptions on Capacity Estimates and Demand Predictions of Multispan Curved Bridges

The paper presents a detailed seismic performance assessment of a complex bridge designed as a reference application of modern codes for the Federal Highway Administration. The assessment utilizes state-of-the-art assessment tools and response metrics. The impact of design assumptions on the capacity estimates and demand predictions of the multispan curved bridge is investigated. The level of attention to detail is significantly higher than can be achieved in a mass parametric study of a population of bridges. The objective of in-depth assessment is achieved through investigation of the bridge using two models. The first represents the bridge as designed (including features assumed in the design process) while the second represents the bridge as built (actual expected characteristics). Three-dimensional detailed dynamic response simulations of the investigated bridge, including soil-structure interaction, are undertaken. The behavior of the as-designed bridge is investigated using two different analytical...
Return of the Great Writ: Judicial Review, Due Process, and the Detention of Alleged Terrorists as Enemy Combatants

The paper analyzes the fundamental constitutional questions left unresolved by the June 2004 trio of United States Supreme Court opinions in Hamdi v. Rumsfeld, Rumsfeld v. Padilla, and Rasul v. Bush. It evaluates the proper role of judicial review, through the procedure of a petition for the writ of habeas corpus, of the detention of a United States citizen as an "enemy combatant" under the laws of war based on the government's allegation that the individual is a terrorist. The President's classification of a citizen as an enemy combatant rather than an ordinary criminal has consequences of tremendous significance, including the deprivation of numerous constitutional rights and confinement in military rather than civilian custody. Despite the significance of the issues at stake, however, the role of judicial review in this context is surprisingly unclear. In fact, the courts have yet to reach, much less resolve, many of the most basic constitutional questions. The paper confronts those questions, and proposes answers to them, from the perspective of structural constitutional analysis of criminal procedure and due process principles. The manuscript concludes that the Due Process Clause mandates that the government surpass substantial procedural requirements before imposing the significant deprivations of liberty caused by an enemy combatant detention. A citizen may be detained in military custody as an enemy combatant only if the government can prove that the individual is in fact a belligerent engaged in armed conflict against the United States within the terms of the laws of war. This requires proof not only of active present membership in a terrorist organization but also specific intent to carry out imminent acts of terrorism. Furthermore, the Due Process Clause requires that the government prove its claims by clear and convincing evidence and that the petitioner be given a number of important procedural protections in the hearing, including the right of access to counsel and the right to challenge the government's evidence. Only if the government can carry its burden under these rigorous procedures may it detain a citizen as an enemy combatant.
What DNA Viral Genomic Rearrangements Tell Us about Persistence

ABSTRACT Understanding the life cycle and pathogenesis of animal viruses requires that we have systems in which the viruses can replicate and cause disease. For the latter, we rely upon animal models or information that we can obtain from studying natural infections of humans and other animals. For the former, however, we are largely dependent on the availability of cell culture systems in which viruses can be propagated to investigate the molecular mechanisms of viral replication. For many years, it was assumed that replication in culture provided an accurate description of the life cycle of the organism. In this Gem, we will discuss two viruses, polyomavirus and cytomegalovirus, in which cell culture systems have accidentally provided unique potential insights into viral replication and persistence in their hosts.
Markov Chain Monte Carlo: The Gibbs Sampler and the Metropolis Algorithm

To motivate the Gibbs sampler, we consider a modification of data augmentation which we will refer to as chained data augmentation. The Gibbs sampler turns out to be a multivariate extension of chained data augmentation.
Some effects of molecular weight distribution on the melt rheology of high density polyethylene

Using a high shear rate capillary viscometer, the melt viscosities of a series of high density linear polyethylenes ranging in weight average molecular weight from 70,000 to 160,000 have been measured from shear rates of 2 to 200 sec−1 and from 190° to 240°C. The data, corrected for elastic end effects are described by an empirical relationship except for the temperature term which is fitted to the Williams-Landel-Ferry equation. Over the range measured the viscosity is given approximately by a power law in relation to shear rate with an exponent dependent upon molecular weight. The effects of distribution were examined by measuring the viscosity-shear rate relationships for not only the above series, which varied in Mw/Mn from 23 to 10, but also for blends of polyethylenes of varying molecular weights or of fractions, and other polyethylenes obtained by removal of the high molecular weight tail. In general, the broader the distribution, the more sensitive is the viscosity to the rate of shear. The end correction, a measure of the elastic energy, does not vary much with shear stress or temperature in the case of high density polyethylene.
A hypertext based decision support system to support team decision making

Some mathematical descriptions for multiperson, multiattribute decision making (MPMADM) are described, and why they are unlikely to be amenable to a single, universal solution approach is discussed. The special case in which the persons form a team is examined. Under the definition of the team formulated, models exist for computer assistance of the decision-making process. The original House of Quality, a manual framework for explicitly recording tradeoff analysis, and how the H/sup 2/ computer implementation using hypertext is an effective adjunct for team decision making are described. The implications of the development of the H/sup 2/ system and some directions for further research are explored. >
SWIR/MWIR InP-Based p-i-n Photodiodes With InGaAs/GaAsSb Type-II Quantum Wells

This paper presents the performance characteristics of InP-based p-i-n photodiodes with strain-compensated and lattice-matched InGaAs/GaAsSb type-II multiple quantum well (MQW) absorption regions. The results show that photodiodes with strain-compensated and lattice-matched absorption regions have optical response out to 3.4 and 2.8 μm with dark current densities of 9.7 and 1.66 mA cm-2,respectively, at 290 K under -0.5 V reverse bias. The carrier transport mechanism responsible for the difference in responsivity and detectivity between strain-compensated and lattice-matched InGaAs/GaAsSb MQWs is discussed.
Hemoglobin Regulates Expression of an Activator of Mating-Type Locus α Genes in Candida albicans

Phenotypic switching from the white to the opaque phase is a necessary step for mating in the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. Suppressing switching during vascular dissemination of the organism may be advantageous, because opaque cells are more susceptible to host defenses. A repressor of white-opaque switching, HBR1 (hemoglobin response gene 1), was identified based on its specific induction following growth in the presence of exogenous hemoglobin. Deletion of a single HBR1 allele allowed opaque phase switching and mating competence, accompanied by a lack of detectable MTL α1 and α2 gene expression and enhanced MTLa1 gene expression. Conversely, overexpression of Hbr1p or exposure to hemoglobin increased MTLα gene expression. The a1/α2 repressed target gene CAG1 was derepressed in the same mutant in a hemoglobin-sensitive manner. Regulation of CAG1 by hemoglobin required an intact MTLa1 gene. Several additional Mtlp targets were perturbed in HBR1 mutants in a manner consistent with commitment to an a mating phenotype, including YEL007w, MFα, HST6, and RAM2. Therefore, Hbr1 is part of a host factor-regulated signaling pathway that controls white-opaque switching and mating in the absence of allelic deletion at the MTL locus.
Does rapid adaptation to a poor-quality host by Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) cause cross-adaptation to other legume hosts?

Initial assays indicated that lentil is a very poor host for an Asian population of the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). Larval survival was near zero, and females laid few or no eggs on lentil seeds. However, mass selection in the laboratory consistently produced a rapid increase in survival (from 80% in <20 generations) as well as a moderate increase in host acceptance. We investigated whether adaptation to lentil simultaneously causes cross-adaptation to other grain legumes, particularly those closely related to lentil. After 30 generations of selection, survival in lentil exceeded 90% in the lentil line, but remained near zero in a line maintained on the ancestral host, mung bean. Despite this extreme divergence in performance in lentil, the lines did not differ in their survival on eight other legume hosts, including two hosts (pea and fava bean) that belong to the same tribe (Vicieae) as lentil. Similarly, females from the lentil line laid more than three times as many eggs on lentil as females from the mung bean line did, but the lines exhibited only minor differences in their acceptance of eight alternative hosts. Lentil-line females did not show greater acceptance of artificial seeds (glass balls), as might be expected if increased egg-laying on lentil was simply due to a reduction in the overall threshold for oviposition. We conclude that the changes in larval physiology and adult behavior that permitted rapid colonization of a marginal host were largely specific to that host, and not likely to promote a further expansion of the beetle's host range.
Graph Theoretical Analysis and Design of Multistage Interconnection Networks

This paper introduces two graph theoretic models that provide a uniform procedure for analyzing 2n-input/2n-output Multistage Interconnection Networks (MIN's), implemented with 2-input/2-output Switching Elements (SE's) and satisfying a characteristics called the "buddy property." These models show that all such n-stage MIN's are topologically equivalent and hence prove that one MIN can be implemented from integrated circuits designed for another MIN. The proposed techniques also allow identical modeling and comparison of permutation capabilities of n-stage MIN's and other link-controlled networks like augmented data manipulator and SW Banyan Network and hence, allows comparison of their permutation. In the case of any conflict in the MIN, an upper bound for the required number of passes has been obtained.
FlexRay in aerospace and safety-sensitive systems

The FlexRay field bus has potential for integrating existing networks and as a shared local sub-system network in the next generation of airplanes - leveraging a low-cost, dependable bus designed for the automotive domain. Herein, we present an overview of FlexRay and investigate FlexRay's dependability for use as a field bus in the aerospace domain. FlexRay supports all major requirements for integrating systems on a single network, if controllers are deployed with a guardian to achieve good hardware fault coverage. Despite including a guardian, some vulnerability may remain, such as software-induced failures and physical layer properties.
Dynamic Voltage Restorer Utilizing a Matrix Converter and Flywheel Energy Storage

A new series power conditioning system using a matrix converter with flywheel energy storage is proposed to cope with voltage sag problem. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of providing adequate energy storage in order to compensate for deep voltage sags of long durations in weak systems. With the choice of flywheel as a preferred energy storage device, the proposed solution utilizes a single ac/ac power converter for the grid interface as opposed to a more conventional ac/dc/ac converter, leading to higher power density and increased system reliability. The paper develops the dynamic model for the complete system including the matrix converter in dual synchronous reference frames coupled to the flywheel- machine and the grid, respectively. The dynamic model is used to design a vector control system that seamless integrates functions of compensating load voltage and managing energy storage during voltage sag and idling modes. The numerical simulation results and experimental results from a laboratory-scale hardware prototype are presented to verify system performance.
Are Constructs Personal

Mancuso (1996) accurately identifies some similarities between personal construct psychology and social constructionism. These two traditions agree that experience is mediated, and that humans have no access to the absolute truth about themselves or the world. Against Mancuso, however, I argue that the two traditions have different accounts of what is constructed and how it is constructed. Mancuso's proposed synthesis stays too close to traditional cognitive psychology, by focusing on individuals' cognitions and by ignoring the social and relational context in which meaning is constructed.
A Quality Improvement Project to Improve the Rate of Early Breast Milk Expression in Mothers of Preterm Infants

Providing breast milk is challenging for non-nursing mothers of premature infants. Early breast milk expression results in successful and longer lactation in mothers of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. This quality improvement initiative sought to increase the rate of early milk expression in mothers of VLBW infants and increase the proportion of infants receiving maternal breast milk (MBM) at 28 days of age and at discharge. Phase 1 (n = 45) occurred between April 1, 2012, and August 31, 2012. Phase 2 (n = 58) occurred between September 1, 2012, and February 28, 2013. Pre-phase 2 actions included increased lactation consultant workforce, early lactation consultation, tracking of MBM supply, and physician education. Inborn infants < 1500 grams were eligible. Primary outcomes were the time of first maternal milk expression (TFME) and infant feeding type at 28 days of age and at discharge. The median TFME decreased from 9 (25th, 75th percentile; 6, 16) hours to 6 (5, 11) hours after implementation (P = .06). The proportion of infants receiving exclusive MBM at 28 days and at discharge was 64% and 74%, respectively (P = .40), and the proportion of infants receiving exclusive MBM at discharge increased from 37% to 59% (P = .046). In conclusion, a multidisciplinary initiative aimed at improving the rate of early milk expression was associated with more VLBW infants receiving exclusive MBM at discharge.
Globalization, Veto Players, and Welfare Spending

This article examines the role of globalization and its interaction with domestic political institutions (veto players) in shaping welfare spending in 18 advanced industrial countries from 1960 to ...
Areal Sorting of Bed-Load Material: The Hypothesis of Velocity Reversal

The hypothesis of velocity reversal seems adequate to explain the areal sorting of channel material, that is, relatively large material in riffles and finer material in pools. The hypothesis is based primarily on the measured observations that, with increasing discharge, the average bottom velocity of a pool increases faster than that of a riffle until at relatively high flow the average bottom velocity of the pool exceeds that of a riffle. The areal sorting produced by the velocity reversal occurs at flows of moderate frequency.
Two-dimensional hexagonal digital recursive filters

It is known that band-limited two-dimensional (2D) signals can be sampled and processed using different periodic sampling strategies, the most common and perhaps well known approach being rectangular sampling. Recently, it has been pointed out that sampling techniques such as hexagonal sampling can offer substantial savings in terms of sampling density and computation time as compared to rectangular sampling. In this paper, we examine in detail, the design of recursive systems for processing of such hexagonally sampled 2D signals. It is shown that a method previously developed by the author for the design of rectangular recursive filters can be used for hexagonal recursive filter design, as well. The method guarantees the stability of the filters designed. Examples of hexagonal recursive filters designed using this method are given.
The Kinetics of Myelin Antigen Uptake by Myeloid Cells in the Central Nervous System during Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in susceptible animals requires reactivation of encephalitogenic CD4(+) T cells by APCs in the CNS. However, it has remained unresolved from where APCs in the CNS acquire myelin Ag for T cell activation and under which conditions, that is, whether only during EAE or also in the naive CNS. In this study, we investigated the kinetics of myelin Ag uptake by CNS APCs during EAE and in the naive CNS. Our results show that during EAE CX3CR1(+)CD11b(+) microglia were the first APCs in the CNS to contain myelin Ag upon induction of disease, albeit in very small numbers. Dendritic cells (DCs) arrived in the CNS in sizable numbers significantly later (day 5 postimmunization), without detectable myelin Ag, but acquired it by day 7 postimmunization. Furthermore, a sharp increase in neuroantigen-containing DCs coincided with the onset of EAE symptoms. Importantly, in naive mice a low but consistent number of microglia contained myelin Ag, suggesting release by oligodendrocytes under steady state conditions. Although microglia isolated from naive brain and spinal cord did not elicit a strong CD4(+) T cell response in vitro, myelin Ag-containing microglia may still play a local role in modulating encephalitogenic CD4(+) T cell responses in early EAE prior to the arrival of other professional APCs, such as DCs. Finally, newly arriving DCs in the CNS not yet loaded with myelin Ag before the onset of EAE may be a potential therapeutic target.
Prediction of functional specificity determinants from protein sequences using log-likelihood ratios

Motivation: A number of methods have been developed to predict functional specificity determinants in protein families based on sequence information. Most of these methods rely on pre-defined functional subgroups. Manual subgroup definition is difficult because of the limited number of experimentally characterized subfamilies with differing specificity, while automatic subgroup partitioning using computational tools is a non-trivial task and does not always yield ideal results. Results: We propose a new approach SPEL (specificity positions by evolutionary likelihood) to detect positions that are likely to be functional specificity determinants. SPEL, which does not require subgroup definition, takes a multiple sequence alignment of a protein family as the only input, and assigns a P-value to every position in the alignment. Positions with low P-values are likely to be important for functional specificity. An evolutionary tree is reconstructed during the calculation, and P-value estimation is based on a random model that involves evolutionary simulations. Evolutionary log-likelihood is chosen as a measure of amino acid distribution at a position. To illustrate the performance of the method, we carried out a detailed analysis of two protein families (LacI/PurR and G protein α subunit), and compared our method with two existing methods (evolutionary trace and mutual information based). All three methods were also compared on a set of protein families with known ligand-bound structures. Availability: SPEL is freely available for non-commercial use. Its pre-compiled versions for several platforms and alignments used in this work are available at ftp://iole.swmed.edu/pub/SPEL/ Contact:grishin@chop.swmed.edu. Supplementary information: Supplementary materials are available at ftp:/iole.swmed.edu/pub/SPEL/
Disk Diffusion Susceptibility Testing of Nocardia Species

The effectiveness of 13 antimicrobial agents against 51 clinical isolates of Nocardia was determined with use of agar dilutions and disk diffusion method. Amikacin inhibited less than 90% of isolates and, like the other aminoglycosides, showed good correlation between minimal inhibitory concentrations and sizes of zones of inhibition around the disks. Both sulfisoxazole and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole were very active, although they required a 2- to 3-log lower inoculum for demonstration of susceptibility. Results with the two sulfa disks were variable, but they did allow distinction between sensitive and intermediate strains. All of the isolates of Nocardia were inhibited by 6.3 microng of minocycline; however, the degree of susceptibility could not be determined by zone diameters. Only two-thirds of these clinical isolates of Nocardia grew rapidly enough to be assayed by either susceptibility method.
Applying the Extended Technology Acceptance Model to the Use of Clickers in Student Learning: Some Evidence from Macroeconomics Classes

This paper applies the extended technology acceptance model (exTAM) in information systems research to the use of clickers in student learning. The technology acceptance model (TAM) posits that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of technology influence users’ attitudes toward using and intention to use technology. Research subsequent to TAM has added perceived enjoyment as a factor in predicting attitude and behavioural intentions. This study tests the validity of this extended TAM model while applied to clickers via data collected from three macroeconomics classes. Path analytic results show that most of the hypotheses are supported in the expected directions, providing evidence that exTAM is applicable to examining factors influencing learner attitude and behaviour in relation to the use of interactive learning technologies, such as clickers in the classroom.
On periodic time-varying bilinear processes: structure and asymptotic inference

This paper is devoted to the bilinear time series models with periodic-varying coefficients $$\left( { PBL}\right) $$ . So, firstly conditions ensuring the existence of periodic stationary solutions of the $${ PBL}$$ and the existence of higher-order moments of such solutions are given. A distribution free approach to the parameter estimation of $${ PBL}$$ is presented. The proposed method relies on minimum distance estimator based on the first and second order empirical moments of the observed process. Consistency and asymptotic normality of the estimator are discussed. Examples and Monte Carlo simulation results illustrate the practical relevancy of our general theoretical results are presented.
Beyond the Hashtags: #Ferguson, #Blacklivesmatter, and the Online Struggle for Offline Justice

In 2014, a dedicated activist movement — Black Lives Matter (BLM) — ignited an urgent national conversation about police killings of unarmed Black citizens. Online tools have been anecdotally credited as critical in this effort, but researchers are only beginning to evaluate this claim. This research report examines the movement’s uses of online media in 2014 and 2015. To do so, we analyze three types of data: 40.8 million tweets, over 100,000 web links, and 40 interviews of BLM activists and allies. Most of the report is devoted to detailing our findings, which include: *Although the #Blacklivesmatter hashtag was created in July 2013, it was rarely used through the summer of 2014 and did not come to signify a movement until the months after the Ferguson protests.*Social media posts by activists were essential in spreading Michael Brown’s story nationally.* Protesters and their supporters were generally able to circulate their own narratives on Twitter without relying on mainstream news outlets.* There are six major communities that consistently discussed police brutality on Twitter in 2014 and 2015: Black Lives Matter, Anonymous/Bipartisan Report, Black Entertainers, Conservatives, Mainstream News, and Young Black Twitter.* The vast majority of the communities we observed supported justice for the victims and decisively denounced police brutality.* Black youth discussed police brutality frequently on Twitter, but in ways that differed substantially from how activists discussed it.* Evidence that activists succeeded in educating casual observers on Twitter came in two main forms: expressions of awe and disbelief at the violent police reactions to the Ferguson protests, and conservative admissions of police brutality in the Eric Garner and Walter Scott cases.* The primary goals of social media use among our interviewees were education, amplification of marginalized voices, and structural police reform.In our concluding section, we reflect on the practical importance and implications of our findings. We hope this report contributes to the specific conversation about how Black Lives Matter and related movements have used online tools as well as to broader conversations about the general capacity of such tools to facilitate social and political change.
Single Domain Magnetic Particles: Magnetic Alignment and Evidence for Verwey Transition from Low Temperature Measurements

In order to make a careful study of ferrofluids of single domain particles of magnetite at low temperatures it is essential to know whether the Verwey transition has taken place. We report the first clearcut evidence for its occurrence as exhibited by the magnetization of a sample cooled down from room temperature to 1K in the presence of an applied field of 8T. Removal of the field leads to a drop in the magnetization associated with a change in the direction of the easy axes in conjunction with the Verwey transition. Previous evidence, based upon the temperature dependence of Mossbauer spectra was quite weak.
Emigration and Power: A Study of Sects in Lebanon, 1860–2010

How does emigration affect access to and struggles for power in sending states? For competing groups in the homeland, emigration presents a contradiction: demographic losses but possible economic g...
Causes of Career-Defining Moments Development of a Typology

The purpose of this research was to develop a typology of career-defining moments in order to better understand the nature of this phenomenon. A career-defining moment is a point in time that substantially alters the trajectory of one’s career. We conducted interviews with a diverse group of 18 executives to learn about their career-defining moments. A typology of five distinct categories of career-defining moments and their respective subthemes emerged from the interviews. The five major types of career-defining moments are as follows: (a) anticipated transition events, (b) unanticipated transition events, (c) insight experiences, (d) relationship experiences, and (e) spiritual experiences. This study adds to the theoretical understanding of career experiences and provides a foundation for a largely untapped stream of inquiry for future researchers. Career-defining moments are important as they influence future career decisions and have a tremendous impact on the individuals making those decisions and th...
Distribution of Virus-Like Particles in the Lymphatic Tissues of “Nonleukemic” CFWW Conventional Mice.

SummaryA study was made on the “non-leukemic” conventional CFWW mice which show a 29% incidence of spontaneous leukemia by 24 months of age. An estimate on the presence of virus particles in the thymus showed 61% with C type particles and 28% with A2 particles. In addition, 22% of the spleens and 17% of the lymph nodes examined contained C type particles. The C type particles in the thymus were associated with epthelial cells while the A2 particles were within lymphocytes. This particle concentration within certain cell types, as it may relate to sampling error, was discussed. The implication of the thymus as a source of virus was discussed, including the possible role of the thymic blood barrier and epithelial cells in the “release” of particles to other lymphatic tissues.
Polarization rotation with ultra-thin bianisotropic metasurfaces

Controlling the polarization of light with efficient and ultra-thin devices is desirable for a myriad of optical systems. Bianisotropic metasurfaces offer a promising alternative to conventional optical components due to their ability to provide extreme wavefront and polarization control within a low profile. However, metasurfaces have typically suffered from poor efficiencies and extinction ratios due to the lack of systematic design procedures. Here, the first, to the best of our knowledge, impedance-matched polarization rotator with a subwavelength thickness that operates at optical frequencies is reported. The bianisotropic response needed for polarization rotation is systematically designed using cascaded plasmonic sheets. The metasurface is fabricated using straightforward nanolithography processes. Measurements demonstrate an efficiency of 45% and extinction ratio of 115 (20.6 dB) at the operating wavelength of 1.56 μm. This work experimentally demonstrates that a wide range of near-optimal bianisotropic responses can be designed and fabricated at optical frequencies. In the future, these surfaces could be utilized to develop high-performance, ultra-compact optical systems.
Imaging of Liver Tumors Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Nanoparticles

Complete surgical resection is the ideal first-line treatment for most liver malignancies. This goal would be facilitated by an intraoperative imaging method that enables more precise visualization of tumor margins and detection of otherwise invisible microscopic lesions. To this end, we synthesized silica-encapsulated surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanoparticles (NPs) that act as a molecular imaging agent for liver malignancies. We hypothesized that, after intravenous administration, SERS NPs would avidly home to healthy liver tissue but not to intrahepatic malignancies. We tested these SERS NPs in genetically engineered mouse models of hepatocellular carcinoma and histiocytic sarcoma. After intravenous injection, liver tumors in both models were readily identifiable with Raman imaging. In addition, Raman imaging using SERS NPs enabled detection of microscopic lesions in liver and spleen. We compared the performance of SERS NPs to fluorescence imaging using indocyanine green (ICG). We found that SERS NPs delineate tumors more accurately and are less susceptible to photobleaching. Given the known advantages of SERS imaging, namely, high sensitivity and specific spectroscopic detection, these findings hold promise for improved resection of liver cancer.
Uncertainty, Humility, and Engagement in Pregnancy Care.

Cases in which patients hold idiosyncratic beliefs that are at odds with the beliefs and practices of the health care provider are often challenging. Getting help from another perspective is useful...
Bladder cancer diagnosis with fluorescence-image-guided optical coherence tomography

A fluorescence-image-guided OCT (FIG-OCT) system is described, and its ability to enhance the sensitivity and specificity is examined in an animal bladder cancer model. Total 97 specimens were examined by fluorescence imaging, OCT and histological microscopy. The sensitivity and specificity of FIG-OCT is 100% and 93% respectively, compared to 79% and 53% for fluorescence imaging, while the OCT examination time has been dramatically decreased by 3~4 times. In combination of endoscopic OCT, FIG-OCT is a promising technique for effective early bladder cancer diagnosis.
The Promise of the Organizational Ecosystem Metaphor: An Argument for Biological Rigor:

Organizational scholars often adopt biological models to explain the emergence and evolution of organizations and human systems. One recent example of such adoption is the organizational ecosystem ...
Normothermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy long term (NIPEC-LT) in the management of peritoneal surface malignancy, an overview

Background Peritoneal metastases from gynecologic and gastrointestinal cancer is of increasing interest to surgical and medical oncologists because of newly recognized benefits of treatment. In contrast to prior outcomes, prolonged disease-free survival and cure have been reported. Methods To date, the benefits are to use complete surgical removal of the peritoneal metastases combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) delivered in the operating room. To supplement the local-regional control, normothermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy used long term (NIPEC-LT) and delivered by an intraperitoneal port has been explored. Results In three high grade malignancies with the preponderance of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and HIPEC treatment failures within the peritoneal space, NIPEC-LT has been favorably reported in the oncology literature. In ovarian cancer and malignant peritoneal mesothelioma the NIPEC-LT is used an adjuvant treatment in an attempt to preserve a surgical complete response of CRS. In gastric cancer, NIPEC-LT is given as a neoadjuvant treatment with responders going on to radical surgical resection. Responses are monitored by laparoscopy. Conclusions This overview highlights benefits of NIPEC-LT in three diseases where benefits from CRS and HIPEC have been recognized but that local-regional failures persist. Improved results with NIPEC-LT have been reviewed for ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, and peritoneal mesothelioma.
Effect of seasons and irrigation regimes on plant growth and water-use of container-grown Photinia X fraseri

Abstract Water-use and plant growth of Fraser photinia (Photinia × fraseri Dress) were studied under varying irrigation regimes during 2 different growing seasons, winter and summer. Rooted cuttings were transplanted into 7.57 1 (2 gal) plastic containers containing Metro-mix 500 and greenhouse-grown under 2 irrigation frequencies (3.5 or 7-day intervals) and 3 replacement amounts (100%, 75% or 50% replacement of actual water-use). Increased irrigation frequency significantly reduced plant growth parameters of winter-grown plants, including shoot growth, leaf number, leaf area and shot dry weight. Decreased irrigation amount significantly increased root dry weight. Significant differences were not detected in growth measurements of summer-grown plants suggesting differences between experiments are seasonal in nature. Frequent irrigation resulted in poor plant pelformance under winter growing conditions of lower evapotranspiration (ET); however under summer growing conditions, frequent irrigation did not s...
Maxwell Stress and Force on Current-Carrying Conductor:

This article contains a new derivation of the formula, BLi, for a force on a current-carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field. This derivation uses the concept of Maxwell stress. The conductor...
Preoperative Evaluation of Extremity Sarcomas

The preoperative evaluation of extremity sarcomas is necessary to give the surgical oncologist the information necessary to surgically stage the lesion to plan his surgical procedure. Flow cytometry, tumor markers, etc. will not be discussed, rather, the rationale for surgical preoperative evaluation.