cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two-Stage Perishable Inventory Models

In this paper we consider perishable inventory systems with two types of demand. Demand may be for either fresh items or for somewhat older items. We model the system with two inventory stages. The first stage holds fresh items and the second stage holds the older items. We approximate the performance of the two-stage inventory system and compare two managerial policies.
Using a fuzzy logic control system for an Xpilot combat agent

Fuzzy logic controllers provide a means of reasoning in uncertain and non-specific situations. By abstracting input values into membership sets, linguistic rule sets can be applied to reason with the information. In the space combat game Xpilot, it is reasonable to use a crisp, rule-based system for an autonomous controller, but such controllers can be outperformed by fuzzy systems. In this paper, we use fuzzy logic to develop a more versatile controller that can deal with complicated situations effectively. Previous artificial intelligence research in Xpilot-AI has not yet made use of fuzzy systems for agent control.
Preparation of 0.95Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3·0.05BaTiO3 Ceramics by an Aqueous Citrate‐Gel Route

This report details development of a route to solution-derived (1-x)Bi 1/2 Na 1/2 TiO 3 .xBaTiO 3 powders. The method developed was the citrate-gel method-an evaporative, aqueous technique. When applied to 0.95Bi 1/2 Na 1/2 TiO 3 .0.05BaTiO 3 , (BNBT-5), the method produced perovskite phase powders that readily densified in the temperature range of 1000°C. The grain size of the sintered materials was on the order of 1 μm, and the weak-field dielectric properties at 1 MHz were similar to those reported for conventionally prepared materials sintered at higher temperatures (e.g., 1200°C).
Behavioral Correlates of Political Support

Theories of the behavioral consequences of political support coincide in the prediction that political support will correlate positively with indices of conventional behavior, negatively with indices of unconventional behavior. Survey data drawn from three communities in the Federal Republic of Germany show that an index of support for the structure of political authority is negatively correlated both with an index of actual participation in aggressive political behavior and with an index of participation in conventional electoral/pressure-group politics. Since the political behavior indices are themselves positively correlated, it is useful to construct a typology which differentiates between “pure” types – no participation, participation only in conventional, participation only in aggressive – and “mixed” types – participation in conventional and moderately aggressive, participation in conventional and highly aggressive. When the relationship between political support and the political-action type index is examined, it turns out that two of the types are associated with medium political support, while four of them occur at low support. To achieve more accurate explanation of types of political behavior, a model for prediction of each action type is proposed, taking into account interaction between political support, sense of personal political influence, and belief in the efficacy of past collective political aggression. The test of the model yields positive results, suggesting that it represents a fruitful beginning toward development of a theory of behavioral consequences of political support.
Optic disc topographic measurements after pupil dilation.

Abstract Purpose To determine the effect of pupil dilation on topographic optic disc parameters measured with confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. Design Prospective, comparative, observational case series. Participants Thirty-eight subjects (25 glaucoma patients, 5 glaucoma suspects, and 8 normal subjects) representing a range of lens opacities participated in this study. Methods Topographic optic disc parameter measurements were obtained before and after pupil dilation with a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (Heidelberg Retina Tomograph). Cataract severity was measured with the LOCS III grading system. Image quality was assessed using the standard deviation of the mean topography image and an image quality score. Multiple regression techniques were used to evaluate the effect of image quality, cataract density, and pupil size on the change in topographic parameters after dilation. Main outcome measures Topographic optic disc parameter measurements. Results With dilation, mean change in most topographic optic disc parameters was not significantly different from zero. Changes in topographic optic nerve parameters tended to be relatively small when undilated images were of good quality and larger in images of relatively poor quality. The strongest predictor of the absolute value of change in topographic optic disc parameters was the standard deviation of the undilated mean topography image. Conclusions When confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope images are of good quality, topographic optic disc parameter measurements obtained with a dilated pupil are similar to those obtained with an undilated pupil. However, caution should be exercised when interpreting information from poor quality confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopic images.
Traumatic Brain Injury Induces Rapid Enhancement of Cortical Excitability in Juvenile Rats

Summary Aims Following a traumatic brain injury (TBI), 5–50% of patients will develop posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) with children being particularly susceptible. Currently, PTE cannot be prevented and there is limited understanding of the underlying epileptogenic mechanisms. We hypothesize that early after TBI the brain undergoes distinct cellular and synaptic reorganization that facilitates cortical excitability and promotes the development of epilepsy. Methods To examine the effect of pediatric TBI on cortical excitability, we performed controlled cortical impact (CCI) on juvenile rats (postnatal day 17). Following CCI, animals were monitored for the presence of epileptiform activity by continuous in vivo electroencephalography (EEG) and/or sacrificed for in vitro whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. Results Following a short latent period, all animals subjected to CCI developed spontaneous recurrent epileptiform activity within 14 days. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of layer V pyramidal neurons showed no changes in intrinsic excitability or spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) properties. However, the decay of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) was significantly increased. In addition, CCI induced over a 300% increase in excitatory and inhibitory synaptic bursting. Synaptic bursting was prevented by blockade of Na+-dependent action potentials or select antagonism of glutamate or GABA-A receptors, respectively. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that CCI in juvenile rats rapidly induces epileptiform activity and enhanced cortical synaptic bursting. Detection of epileptiform activity early after injury suggests it may be an important pathophysiological component and potential indicator of developing PTE.
A case of verrucous carcinoma (epithelioma cuniculatum) of the heel mimicking infected epidermal cyst and gout.

Verrucous carcinoma is a rare variant of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. It usually occurs in the oral cavity, genital area, and sole. Verrucous carcinoma of the sole, also called epit...
Changing Rules, Changing Practices: The Direct and Indirect Effects of Tight Coupling in Figure Skating

In this article, I examine the effects of tight coupling on organizational activities through a case study of the judging changes in figure skating following the 2002 Olympic judging scandal, which have transformed skating. In keeping with research that has called for a more complete understanding of the relationship between organizational structures and daily activities, I argue that institutional theory has treated coupling too broadly and that we need a better understanding of what tight coupling looks like at the micro level. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach, I contribute to this agenda by highlighting the direct and indirect effects of a specific type of tight coupling: one that arises from rule changes and is based on quantification. In doing so, this article also underscores how members of organizations actively shape their fields through their everyday practices and contributes to our understanding of the microfoundations of institutions.
Smart flight control surfaces with microelectromechanical systems

Pitch, roll, and yaw moments can be developed by deflecting and changing the geometry of control surfaces. In this paper, smart flight control surfaces are designed using multi-node microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to displace control surfaces and change the surface geometry. These MEMS augment translational motion microstructures (actuators-sensors), controlling/signal processing integrated circuits (ICs), radiating energy devices and antennas. The desired pitch, roll, and yaw moments are produced, drag can be reduced, and unsteady aerodynamic flows are controlled by smart flight control surfaces. That is, we achieve aerodynamic moment and active flow control capabilities. The major objective here is to report fundamental and applied research in design of smart flight control surfaces with MEMS-based actuator-sensor-IC arrays controlled by hierarchical distributed systems. We demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the application of smart flight control surfaces for coordinated longitudinal and lateral vehicle control.
Racial Attitudes in the New Millennium: Cool Feelings in Hot Times

In The Declining Significance of Race, William Julius Wilson (1980) stated social class was more influential than race in determining social outcomes for Blacks. This thesis remains a controversial centerpiece among race scholars. This paper examines one part of the overall puzzle of American race relations: white racial attitudes since September 11, 2001. Using Wilson’s declining significance of race thesis, I question if white racial attitudes toward Blacks declined significantly from 2002 to 2004. If social class exerts greater influence on social indicators than race in the coming years, will racial prejudice, particularly toward Blacks, also decline in significance? What happens to white racial prejudice toward Blacks when a highly racialized national crisis occurs? Does racial prejudice heighten and become more significant or, as Wilson suggested, does it decline?
Brain Development, Early Childhood, and Brain-Based Education: A Critical Analysis

This chapter compares recent educational curricula that purport to utilize research findings from neuroscience to promote improved learning and retention with the actual neuroscience findings. The authors note that much of the reasoning behind these new curricula is based on misinterpretation or oversimplification of neuroscience findings and/or are just not supported by the actual data. Examples include left-brain/right-brain curricula, learning styles curricula, and the emphasis on early childhood while ignoring the important changes in the brain that occur throughout childhood and into adulthood. Importantly, the chapter demonstrates that neuroscience does have much to say about the developing brain and how it learns. Indeed, recent neuroscience research demonstrates the complexity of the dance between the learning environment and brain development as a child learns. However, the authors point out the dangers of oversimplification of these complex findings and inappropriate extensions of the results into ineffective, inappropriate, and even potentially damaging curricula in our schools. The implications of poor implementation and resulting deleterious results for both education and neuroscience are discussed, as are ways to better foster an understanding of neuroscience research and its potential for application to educational curricula.
GRACE Time-Variable Gravity Field Recovery Using an Improved Energy Balance Formalism

This Report was prepared for and submitted to the Graduate School of the Ohio State University as a dissertation in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the PhD degree.
A New Four-Toed Anteater from Mexico

In the course of a biological reconnaissance of the Mexican state of Guerrero now under way in cooperation with the Mexican Department of Game, several forms that appear to be new to science have been collected by our field parties. One of them is a four-toed anteater, Tamandua tetradactyla , which heretofore has not been recorded from western Mexico north of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Two of the specimens we have are females, as judged by the presence of pectoral mammae. These specimens were shot at night by a local hunter in a deep canyon supporting vegetation with tropical affinities east of the village of Acahuizotla, about 35 kilometers south of Chilpancingo, on the Pacific slope of the Sierra Madre del Sur. The third, a skin only, was taken a few years ago near Chapalapa and partially mounted by a local hunter. This part of Mexico is a region of high endemism as attested by the large number of kinds of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and …
Cartesianism And Port-Royal

One of the more prevalent misunderstandings in the history of early modern thought concerns the relationship between Cartesian philosophy and the Jansenist community at Port-Royal. There is a tendency, both in the seventeenth century and in recent scholarship, to treat Port-Royal as a bastion of Cartesianism and to see Jansenists generally as enthusiastic pro ponents of Descartes' thought. For example, the orthodox Protestant theologian Pierre Jurieu, in his La politique du clerg? de France (1681), in sists that "the theologians of Port-Royal are as devoted to Cartesianism as they are to Christianity," and notes (with glee) that they are thus no more able to account for Eucharistie transubstantiation than Descartes himself.1 Likewise, Pierre Daniel, in the Voyage du Monde de M. Descartes (1690), claims that "there are very few Jansenists who are not Cartesians."2 In the nineteenth century, the usually reliable Francisque Bouillier, in his monumental study of la philosophie cart?sienne, finds "a natural alliance between the doctrines of Jansenius and those of Descartes . . . thus, the Cartesian sympathies of Port-Royal are well known ... In fact, we can place Port-Royal immediately after the Oratory among the religious societies inclined towards the philosophy of Descartes."3 More recently, Marjorie Grene writes uncritically that "Cartesianism became, we are told, up to a point the official doctrine of Port-Royal."4 In this paper, I present some evidence which corrects this longstanding misinterpretation and show that, far from being "contaminated" by Carte sian principles, Port-Royal was, in fact, a center of opposition to Descartes.5 To be sure, the Cartesian philosophy was a frequent and popular topic for discussion at Port-Royal; and one will certainly find that the degree of antipathy among Jansenists for Cartesianism varies greatly between individuals. But of all the Port-Royalists of the seventeenth cen tury, only Antoine Arnauld can rightfully be called a "Cartesian."6 If one looks closely at the writings and comments of some of the more prominent and important associates of Port-Royal, one finds a strong bias against Cartesianism, a bias based on a variety of philosophical and theological reasons, as well as an evident disdain for the general kind of philosophical activity such a system represents to these extremely pious individuals.
Abstract 757: Transfection of dendritic cells with IL-21 mRNA gives rise to CD8+ effector T cells with a higher proliferation rate and increased cytotoxic capacity

Interleukin -21, mainly produced by activated CD4+ T cells, has been shown to play a central role in the differentiation and proliferation of B and T cells. Here, we investigated the utility of IL-21 to generate high numbers of functional CD8+ effector T cells for the immunotherapy of cancer. To this end, we made use of IL-21 mRNA transfected dendritic cells (DCs) to prime and activate CD8+ T cells recognizing the melanoma antigen Mart-1. Expansion rates and functional avidity were assessed. mRNA was transcribed in vitro from pGEM encoding eGFP/2A/IL-21 or IL-21. IL-21 transfection of cytokine-matured DCs was performed, which did not alter the expression of co-stimulatory markers (CD40, CD80, CD83 and CD86). Translation of the mRNA and secretion of the IL-21 protein were confirmed by ELISA. Initially, CD28+ T cell bulks were stimulated with allogeneic DCs transfected with IL-21 or eGFP (i.e. negative control) mRNA. The T cells primed in the presence of IL-21 showed a higher proliferation rate and cytotoxic capacity (by Granzyme B expression) than controls. Subsequently, IL-21 mRNA was co-transfected with mRNA encoding a MART-1 minigene, consisting of four copies of the MART-126L-35 immunodominant epitope preceded by a Ubiquitin sequence, into mature DCs. These DCs were used for the priming of isolated autologous CD8β+ T cells. After two rounds of stimulation, a slight, but not significant, increase in the frequencies of HLA-A2-tetramer binding T cells was observed for the MART-126L-35 epitope in comparison to control cultures with MoDCs transfected with the Ubi-MART-1 minigene mRNA without IL-21 mRNA. Of note, these specifically primed tetramer+ T cells displayed an equivalent functional avidity by IFNγ release as compared to their counterparts in control cultures, but did express significantly higher levels of Granzyme-B (P=0.05), indicative of a higher cytotoxic capacity. To assess the effects of IL-21 stimulation on effector-memory T cells, we made use of an established MART-126L-35 specific T cell clone. In multiple parallel cultures, significantly increased proliferation rates and Granzyme-B expression levels were observed when the T cells were stimulated by MoDCs co-transfected with both Ubi-MART-1 and IL-21 mRNA, as compared to Ubi-MART-1 mRNA only. We conclude that the inclusion of IL-21 in active vaccination approaches, such as mRNA-based DC vaccines, or indeed in adoptive T cell therapies, may increase their efficacy through the accelerated expansion of anti-tumor CD8+ effector T cells with increased cytolytic potential. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 757. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-757
Marathoner Louis Tewanima and the Continuity of Hopi Running, 1908–1912

In January 1907, Louis Tewanima, from the Hopi Reservation in northeastern Arizona, enrolled at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania. While at Carlisle, Tewanima joined the school's cross-country team. He won numerous races and earned the opportunity to compete in the 1908 and 1912Summer Olympic Games. Tewanima's story represents his ability to redefine Hopi running in the twentieth century and shows how he maneuvered within American and European perceptions of Natives and sports. His participation in running events recalls a time when white Americans situated indigenous people on the fringes of U.S. society but embraced them when they brought honors to the country by representing the nation in athletic competitions at home and abroad. Furthermore, Tewanima's involvement in marathons and Olympic races demonstrates the ways Americans used his success to further the ideals of U.S. nationalism, as he simultaneously continued the long tradition of running among his people.
Choline and one-carbon metabolite response to egg, beef and fish among healthy young men: A short-term randomized clinical study

Summary Background Homeostatic mechanisms that regulate long-term circulating concentrations of choline and one-carbon metabolites can obscure the relationship between diet and nutritional response. As such, we sought to determine the acute response of one-carbon metabolites to animal source foods enriched in one-carbon nutrients. Methods As part of a crossover feeding trial with one-week washout intervals, healthy young men (n = 40) were randomized to animal food sources of choline (eggs, beef and fish) and a fruit control. A panel of one-carbon metabolites was measured in blood and urine samples collected at baseline and throughout the 6-h study period. Results Consumption of the test foods yielded 1.1–2.7 times higher (P Conclusion Consumption of animal source foods of choline improves circulating concentrations of choline and other one-carbon metabolites in a manner that is influenced by time and the FMO3 G472A genotype. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02558673.
Novel delivery technique for atrial septal defect closure in young children utilizing the GORE® CARDIOFORM® septal occluder

Objectives To develop a novel delivery technique to overcome vascular size limitations for device closure of a secundum ASD in the young patient. Background The efficacy, clinical utility, and safety of transcatheter closure in comparison to surgical closure are well established; however, access vessel size remains a potential limitation to device selection in the young patient. Methods A retrospective medical record review of all cases of secundum ASD closure between April 2015 and April 2016 utilizing a novel delivery method described herein at two separate academic institutions. The device is disassembled allowing the delivery sheath to serve as the introducer. It is advanced to the RA with re-introduction of the device allowing for deployment in the standard fashion. Results Overall, 10 patients underwent secundum ASD closure via this novel delivery technique. There were six females (60%) and the average age at time of the procedure was 4.2 years ± 1.6 years (range 2–6 years). The majority of patients had an isolated secundum ASD (70%) with the primary indication for closure being right ventricular volume overload (90%). All patients had successful placement of a GORE® CARDIOFORM® Septal Occluder (GCSO) with no or trivial residual shunt. No patients had vascular complications related to the procedure. Conclusions We describe a novel technique for ASD closure using the GCSO delivery sheath as the access sheath, which reduces the vascular access size requirement by 25%, thus addressing one common limitation for percutaneous device closure of a secundum ASD in young patients. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A two-step laser-sustained plasma nitriding process for deep-case hardening of commercially pure titanium

Abstract A two-step, laser-sustained plasma (LSP) process was developed to form deep, hard, nitrided cases on commercially pure titanium. A laser-sustained plasma is plasma generated in a gaseous atmosphere that can be sustained indefinitely by the laser beam away from any potentially interacting surface. The first step utilized a nitrogen LSP associated with a defocused CO 2 laser beam in pure nitrogen gas flow to melt and nitride the titanium surface. The second step used an argon LSP to remelt and refine the nitrided layer. Twenty experimental cases with varying nitriding and remelting speeds were studied. Optical and scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, optical profilometry, and x-ray diffraction were used to characterize the remelted nitrided layer. An analytical moving heat source solution was used to model the heat transfer in the melt pool during the nitriding and remelting processes. The mass flux of nitrogen into the melt pool and the efficiency of nitrogen intake were estimated. The remelting treatment was found to eliminate the surface cracks formed during nitriding, decrease the surface roughness of the nitrided trail, homogenize the hardened surface layer, and refine the microstructure. The microstructures and hardness of the nitrided layers could be tailored by changing the combination of LSP nitriding and remelting scan speeds. Case depths of up to 0.8 mm and average case hardness values in the range of 475–729 HV 0.3 were achieved in this study.
The effect of filtered speech on speaker race and sex identifications

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to determine the relative importance of portions of the broadband speech spectrum in speaker height and weight identification in an attempt to provide more evidence on the specific acoustic cues that function in such identification tasks. A total of 30 speakers, 15 females and 15 males, recorded a standard prose passage. Three master tapes were constructed from these recordings, representing the three experimental conditions in the study: unfiltered, 255 Hz low-pass filtered, and 255 Hz high-pass filtered tapes. A total of 30 judges participated in three sessions, one for each of the three master tapes. In each session they were asked to make direct estimations of the height and weight of each speaker as well as to indicate the overall confidence for their height and weight judgments at the end of each session by means of a seven-point confidence rating scale. The order of presentation of the tapes was counterbalanced so that six orders were used, with five judges assigned to each of the six order groups, Results indicate that speaker height and weight identification accuracy is not significantly affected by filtering of the speech signal. Implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Mechanisms of the Formation of Adenine, Guanine, and Their Analogues in UV-Irradiated Mixed NH3:H2O Molecular Ices Containing Purine

We investigated the formation mechanisms of the nucleobases adenine and guanine and the nucleobase analogues hypoxanthine, xanthine, isoguanine, and 2,6-diaminopurine in a UV-irradiated mixed 10:1 H2O:NH3 ice seeded with precursor purine by using ab initio and density functional theory computations. Our quantum chemical investigations suggest that a multistep reaction mechanism involving purine cation, hydroxyl and amino radicals, together with water and ammonia, explains the experimentally obtained products in an independent study. The relative abundances of these products appear to largely follow from relative thermodynamic stabilities. The key role of the purine cation is likely to be the reason why purine is not functionalized in pure ammonia ice, where cations are promptly neutralized by free electrons from NH3 ionization. Amine group addition to purine is slightly favored over hydroxyl group attachment based on energetics, but hydroxyl is much more abundant due to higher abundance of H2O. The amino group is preferentially attached to the 6 position, giving 6-aminopurine, that is, adenine, while the hydroxyl group is preferentially attached to the 2 position, leading to 2-hydroxypurine. A second substitution by hydroxyl or amino group occurs at either the 6 or the 2 position depending on the first substitution. Given that H2O is far more abundant than NH3 in the experimentally studied ices (as well as based on interstellar abundances), xanthine and isoguanine are expected to be the most abundant bi-substituted photoproducts. Key Words: Astrophysical ice-Abiotic organic synthesis-Nucleic acids-Origin of life-RNA world. Astrobiology 17, 771-785.
CTR: Cluster based topological routing for disaster response networks

Large scale disasters require prompt rescue and relief operations to restrict further casualties. To carry out such operations, it is essential to have a communication infrastructure between survivors and responders, which is often impaired due to the disaster. Off-the-shelf wireless devices such as smartphones, PDAs and Laptops offer an effective solution towards the establishment of makeshift communication infrastructure. However, in the absence of bonafide power sources, it becomes imperative to judiciously utilize energy (battery power) of such devices such that the network is functional until primary infrastructure is restored. This paper proposes a novel approach, called Cluster based Topological Routing (CTR) that prolongs the longevity of the network by exploiting the natural gathering of survivors in shelter points. In particular, the clustering algorithm identifies such survivor groups combined with a data forwarding approach, to minimize the number of data transmissions yet guaranteeing the required packet delivery and network latency. Our extensive simulation study shows that CTR yields twice the network lifetime than existing routing approaches in disaster response networks, while ensuring comparable packet delivery and network latency.
A single-stage bidirectional dual-active-bridge AC-DC converter based on enhancement mode GaN power transistor

This paper presents a high step-down ratio single-stage AC-DC converter based on GaN HEMT and dual-active-bridge (DAB) topology. The dual-phase-shift (DPS) modulation and variable-frequency (VF) modulation control strategy are adopted to realize zero voltage switching (ZVS) over wide input voltage range and load conditions. Compared with conventional two-stage AC-DC converter, the elimination of DC link capacitor, protective relay and single power conversion stage enables a high efficiency and higher power density solution for energy storage applications. In addition, ZVS range of both buck and boost mode is fully analyzed in this paper. A 240 V rTOS AC-48V DC, 80–250 kHz prototype was developed to verify the novel converter.
RORα: An Orphan Nuclear Receptor on a High-Cholesterol Diet

A high-resolution X-ray crystal structure of the retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor (RORalpha; NR1F1), which reveals a molecule of cholesterol within the ligand binding pocket, is a breakthrough in functional analysis of this orphan nuclear receptor.
Mode of Opioid and Catecholamine Involvement in Regulating LH Secretion

Since the recent discovery of opioid peptides, numerous investigators have demonstrated that these peptides occur in the pituitary as well as in several discrete regions of the diencephalon and that they are secreted into the hypophyseal portal veins (Hughes et al., 1975; Guillemin et al., 1976; Bloom et al., 1978; Goldstein et al., 1979; Larsson et al., 1979; Snyder, 1980; Uhl et al., 1978; Wamsley et al., 1980; Wardlaw et al., 1980). Recent research efforts have been focused on demonstrating the endocrine effects of opiates and endogenous ligands of opiate receptors—the endorphins and enkephalins (Meites et al., 1979; Kalra et al., 1981b; Van Vugt and Meites, 1980). Although these peptides alter the secretion of several pituitary hormones, few studies have attempted to understand their mode of action (Meites et al., 1979; Muraki et al., 1978; Cicero et al., 1980; Kalra et al., 1981b). In this paper, we will review our recent investigations on the effects of opiates and opiate antagonists on pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) release. We have attempted to examine the nature of the functional link between steroid feedback and opiate action on LH release and how catecholaminergic transmission may serve as an important mediator for these interactions.
HYDRIDE-TRANSFER REACTIONS OF CARBON BLACK

Cationic surface sites have been identified on both production and vacuum heat treated carbon blacks, after oxidation in the presence of acid. Reduction of the electron deficient (oxidized) carbon surface by hydride-transfer mechanisms is described. Acid chemisorption in an oxygen atmosphere has been quantitatively related to the reduction of oxidized surface sites by hydride ion donation in concentrated formic acid. The anion exchange properties of oxidized carbons are discussed in terms of displacement reactions in water and aqueous base. The apparent stability of charged surface structures is attributed to aromatic resonance in the graphitic layer planes of microcrystalline carbons.
Implementing Hostility and Acceptance: LGBTQ Persecution, Rights, and Mobility in the Context of Western Moral Entrepreneurship

Contemporary queer migration is shaped by regional and cultural attitudes toward sexual and gender minorities, a fact that is well known in both academic and activist spheres. Much less is mentioned about the ways that homophobic and discriminatory attitudes came to pervade certain regions, while others became the champions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) rights. This chapter employs Becker’s theory of moral entrepreneurship to examine Western influence over gender ideologies and the treatment of sexual and gender minorities across the globe, and seeks to explain why non-Western societies that once accepted sexual and gender minorities are now resistant to Western-led LGBTQ rights movements. Focusing on two case studies of imperials and their relationships with their colonies, the chapter discusses the acceptance of sexual minorities by non-Western societies prior to Western contact, and the ways that imperials controlled gender roles and behavior as an exercise of colonial rule. Next, it discusses how restrictive social and legal policies were retained in non-Western colonies, despite the shift to a more permissive stance in the Western countries themselves. In the postcolonial period, many non-Western societies held the antipathy toward sexual minorities as a way to differentiate themselves and resist Western influence, a theme that continues to appear in today’s landscape of LGBTQ rights and oppression.
Methods to account for uncertainties in exposure assessment in studies of environmental exposures

Accurate exposure estimation in environmental epidemiological studies is crucial for health risk assessment. Failure to account for uncertainties in exposure estimation could lead to biased results in exposure-response analyses. Assessment of the effects of uncertainties in exposure estimation on risk estimates received a lot of attention in radiation epidemiology and in several studies of diet and air pollution. The objective of this narrative review is to examine the commonly used statistical approaches to account for exposure estimation errors in risk analyses and to suggest how each could be applied in environmental epidemiological studies. We review two main error types in estimating exposures in epidemiological studies: shared and unshared errors and their subtypes. We describe the four main statistical approaches to adjust for exposure estimation uncertainties (regression calibration, simulation-extrapolation, Monte Carlo maximum likelihood and Bayesian model averaging) along with examples to give readers better understanding of their advantages and limitations. We also explain the advantages of using a 2-dimensional Monte-Carlo (2DMC) simulation method to quantify the effect of uncertainties in exposure estimates using full-likelihood methods. For exposures that are estimated independently between subjects and are more likely to introduce unshared errors, regression calibration and SIMEX methods are able to adequately account for exposure uncertainties in risk analyses. When an uncalibrated measuring device is used or estimation parameters with uncertain mean values are applied to a group of people, shared errors could potentially be large. In this case, Monte Carlo maximum likelihood and Bayesian model averaging methods based on estimates of exposure from the 2DMC simulations would work well. The majority of reviewed studies show relatively moderate changes (within 100%) in risk estimates after accounting for uncertainties in exposure estimates, except for the two studies which doubled/tripled naive estimates. In this paper, we demonstrate various statistical methods to account for uncertain exposure estimates in risk analyses. The differences in the results of various adjustment methods could be due to various error structures in datasets and whether or not a proper statistical method was applied. Epidemiological studies of environmental exposures should include exposure-response analyses accounting for uncertainties in exposure estimates.
Medical Ramifications of Failing to Acknowledge Amerindian Warfare, Violence, Social Inequality, and Cultural Enigmas

Recognizing and acknowledging the universality of human behaviors, including frailties, in Amerindian populations is an essential step in developing effective, basic healthcare delivery programs. The author discusses tribal warfare, violence, social inequality and cultural enigmas and argues that suppressing scholarly data on unflattering realities of indigenous life and reliance on bowdlerized accounts undermines the accuracy of needs assessment in project development which may, in turn, compromise optimal healthcare delivery.
O LOUVOR MUSICAL: O NOVO SACRAMENTO? O significado contemporâneo do momento de louvor musical nas igrejas evangélicas no Brasil

RESUMO A musica ja faz parte do culto cristao desde os primeiros dias da igreja. Ela e intencionalmente integrada as praticas liturgicas, as vezes refletindo praticas usadas durante a antiga alianca (a de Moises), e outras vezes adotando outros formatos. O significado e o poder da musica tambem foram avaliados de formas variadas pelos teologos e leigos ao longo dos seculos. Em certos segmentos do Cristianismo, a musica ate desenvolveu um relacionamento teologico com conceitos de sacramento. Este entrelacamento e refletido no “momento de louvor e adoracao”, na parte final do seculo 20, e tornou-se normativo para um grande numero de crentes. A evidencia demonstra que e isso que ocorreu entre as igrejas evangelicas brasileiras. Este artigo examina o desenvolvimento de um significado sacramental atribuido ao louvor. Apesar do foco das observacoes estar dentro do âmbito de igrejas Batistas brasileiras, esta analise trata de um fenomeno comum em multiplas denominacoes evangelicas contemporâneas. Palavras-chaves : Louvor. Adoracao. Musica. Igreja. Culto. Musical Worship: the New Sacrament? The contemporary meaning of the Musical Worship Moment among Brazilian Evangelical Churches ABSTRACT Music has played a role in Christian worship since the first days of the Church. It is intentionally integrated into liturgical practices, sometimes reflecting practices used under the old covenant (of Moses), and at other times adopting new formats. The significance and the power of music have been addressed in various ways by theologians and laymen throughout the centuries. In certain segments of Christianity, music developed even a theological relationship with concepts of sacrament. This interweaving is reflected in the “praise and worship moment” developed in the latter part of the twentieth century and has become normative for a great number of believers. The evidence demonstrates that this is what has occurred among Brazilian evangelical churches. This article examines the development of a sacramental meaning in the louvor (worship moment in the corporate assembly). Although the focus of observations is within the environment of Brazilian Baptist churches, this analysis deals with a phenomenon common in multiple contemporary evangelical denominations. Keywords : Praise. Worship. Music. Church. Cult.
Theoretical principles of deep brain stimulation induced synaptic suppression.

Abstract Background Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a successful clinical therapy for a wide range of neurological disorders; however, the physiological mechanisms of DBS remain unresolved. While many different hypotheses currently exist, our analyses suggest that high frequency (∼100 Hz) stimulation-induced synaptic suppression represents the most basic concept that can be directly reconciled with experimental recordings of spiking activity in neurons that are being driven by DBS inputs. Objective The goal of this project was to develop a simple model system to characterize the excitatory post-synaptic currents (EPSCs) and action potential signaling generated in a neuron that is strongly connected to pre-synaptic glutamatergic inputs that are being directly activated by DBS. Methods We used the Tsodyks-Markram (TM) phenomenological synapse model to represent depressing, facilitating, and pseudo-linear synapses driven by DBS over a wide range of stimulation frequencies. The EPSCs were then used as inputs to a leaky integrate-and-fire neuron model and we measured the DBS-triggered post-synaptic spiking activity. Results Synaptic suppression was a robust feature of high frequency stimulation, independent of the synapse type. As such, the TM equations were used to define alternative DBS pulsing strategies that maximized synaptic suppression with the minimum number of stimuli. Conclusions Synaptic suppression provides a biophysical explanation to the intermittent, but still time-locked, post-synaptic firing characteristics commonly seen in DBS experimental recordings. Therefore, network models attempting to analyze or predict the effects of DBS on neural activity patterns should integrate synaptic suppression into their simulations.
The H-Word: The Peripeteia of Hegemony

In recent years scholars and activists have used the concept of hegemony to describe the cultural dominance of the ruling class, or a dominant idea in general. In this short but difficult book, Per...
Real-time Policy Distillation in Deep Reinforcement Learning

Policy distillation in deep reinforcement learning provides an effective way to transfer control policies from a larger network to a smaller untrained network without a significant degradation in performance. However, policy distillation is underexplored in deep reinforcement learning, and existing approaches are computationally inefficient, resulting in a long distillation time. In addition, the effectiveness of the distillation process is still limited to the model capacity. We propose a new distillation mechanism, called real-time policy distillation, in which training the teacher model and distilling the policy to the student model occur simultaneously. Accordingly, the teacher's latest policy is transferred to the student model in real time. This reduces the distillation time to half the original time or even less and also makes it possible for extremely small student models to learn skills at the expert level. We evaluated the proposed algorithm in the Atari 2600 domain. The results show that our approach can achieve full distillation in most games, even with compression ratios up to 1.7%.
Electrolyte Abnormalities in CF

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients have unique physiology predisposing them to critical electrolyte abnormalities, specifically sodium, potassium, and chloride. Appropriately evaluating patients is imperative to treatment and prevention of long-term sequelae. Once hyponatremia is diagnosed, volume status is assessed to determine etiology. Patients with acute hyponatremia and severe neurologic findings are admitted to the hospital and have rapid sodium correction with 3% sodium chloride. Raising serum sodium by 4–6 mmol/L will reverse and prevent severe neurologic complications. Patients with chronic hyponatremia and mild–moderate symptoms should have serum sodium corrected slowly to avoid osmotic demyelination syndrome, a potentially fatal neurologic complication of overly rapid correction. Patients with cystic fibrosis are predisposed to hyponatremia due to increased sodium loss in sweat. Major electrolyte and volume changes can be prevented by proper instruction regarding fluid and sodium replacement during periods of exertion or prolonged heat exposure.
Flourishing through Leisure Practice Model, Capabilities Approach, and MacIntyre’s Theory of Flourishing: Compatible and Interrelated

Flourishing is a burgeoning concept in therapeutic recreation (TR) with some authors arguing for it to be a principal goal of the profession. However, there are three conceptualizations in the literature raising questions of compatibility and interrelationship. Are the Capabilities Approach (Nussbaum, 2006), MacIntyre’s (2007) theory of flourishing, and the Flourishing through Leisure: An Ecological Extension of the Leisure and Well-Being Model (FTL; Anderson & Heyne, 2012a) compatible, and if so, how are they interrelated? An investigation revealed the conceptualizations are harmonious and nested according to level of generality. The Capabilities Approach is the most abstract and serves as a foundation that accommodates MacIntyre’s theory which, in turn, details multiple capabilities and their contributions to flourishing. The FTL model links both to service recipients by transforming theoretical rhetoric into specific actions professionals take to facilitate flourishing. Considered jointly, the complementary entities serve at least two functions. They mutually support flourishing as a principal goal and supply clear guidelines on how to help people live well. Subscribe to TRJ
Lactic acidosis incidence with metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: A retrospective nested case-control study.

Objective Compare rates of lactic acidosis (LA) among metformin-exposed and unexposed patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and varying degrees of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Research design and methods Retrospective, nested case-control study using data from national VA Corporate Data Warehouse. All adult patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD newly dispensed any antihyperglycaemic medication during FY 2003-13 were included. The outcome was LA hospitalization or serum lactate >5 mEq/L. Exposure to metformin was evaluated in the three months prior to event. Estimates were adjusted for 31 covariates, including demographics, comorbidities and medications. Results Overall, 320 882 patients were included, contributing a total of 1 331 784 person-years of follow-up. LA occurred in 2 665 patients, generating an overall incidence rate of 2.00 (95% CI 1.93-2.08) per 1000 person-years. Metformin exposure in the prior 3 months was associated with an elevated adjusted hazard of LA (HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.69-2.29). No association was evident in patients with CKD stage 1 or 2 (HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.71-1.57), but associations were present and progressively greater in patients with CKD stage 3a through 5: HR 3.09, 95% CI 2.19-4.35 in CKD 3a, HR 3.34, 95% CI 1.95-5.72 in CKD 3b, HR 7.87, 95% CI 3.51-17.61 in CKD stage 4&5. Conclusion Metformin was not associated with an elevated risk of LA in persons with stage 1-2 CKD, but was associated with a progressively higher risk at more advanced stages of CKD.
Globally optimal passive compliance control for tasks having multiple homotopy classes

Abstract Redundant serial manipulators with variable stiffness actuators (VSAs) are capable of passive compliance control, in which the elastic behavior of the end-effector is controlled for robust interaction with a stiff environment. This paper addresses the problem of finding the globally optimal joint manipulation path (sequence of joint positions and compliances) that yields a desired task manipulation path (sequence of end-effector positions and compliances) when there is one degree of redundancy. The space of admissible joint paths can be very complex, with multiple bifurcations resulting in multiple homotopy classes of joint paths. Bifurcations due to singularities in the combined kinematic and compliance joint space are quickly identified using geometric conditions and root-finding. Bifurcations due to joint limits are identified using a novel path planner that traces the solution space boundary edges. With the bifurcations located, joint paths in all homotopy class are generated and deformed into locally optimal paths. The best of these is very likely the globally optimal joint path. Concepts are illustrated in a case study for particle-planar passive compliance control with a 3R-VSA manipulator.
Demagnetization Protocols for Frustrated Interacting Nanomagnet Arrays

We report a study of demagnetization protocols for frustrated arrays of interacting single domain permalloy nanomagnets by rotating the arrays in a changing magnetic field. The most effective demagnetization is achieved by not only stepping the field strength down while the sample is rotating, but by combining each field step with an alternation in the field direction. By contrast, linearly decreasing the field strength or stepping the field down without alternating the field direction leaves the arrays with a larger remanent magnetic moment. These results suggest that non-monotonic variations in field magnitude around and below the coercive field are important for the demagnetization process.