cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pain and impairment beliefs in chronic low back pain: validation of the Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale (PAIRS)

Few validated instruments are available to assess beliefs and attitudes that patients have regarding pain, or ability to function despite discomfort. The Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale (PAIRS) was developed to tap these important beliefs and attitudes in chronic pain patients. Preliminary data indicate that the PAIRS is internally consistent and significantly related to impairment in a highly selected pain clinic sample of patients, including some chronic low back pain patients. The present study was designed to extend the validation of the PAIRS to a more general sample of chronic benign low back pain patients. Furthermore, additional tests supported the discriminant, convergent and divergent validity, as well as the reliability and relative independence from favorable self-report response bias of the PAIRS, by respectively demonstrating that: (1) the impairment beliefs assessed with the PAIRS were more prominent in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients than in matched non-pain, healthy controls; (2) scores on the PAIRS were significantly related to measures of physical impairment, but not to physicians ratings of disease severity; (3) the impairment beliefs assessed with the PAIRS are readily distinguishable from cognitive distortions and emotional distress; (4) PAIRS scores for chronic low back pain patients are relatively consistent over time; and (5) PAIRS scores are not significantly associated with measures of favorable self-report response bias. We conclude that the PAIRS has demonstrated at least preliminary utility for applications by researchers and clinicians interested in chronic pain.
1,2-Diaza-2,4,6,8-cyclooctatetraene

1,2-Diazocine is prepared from 7,8 diazatetracyclo[3.3.0.0 2.4 .0 3.6 ]oct-7-ene by four methods that excite the precursor into its tripl etstate of lowest energy. The 1 H NMR spectrum shows its structure to be 2 and not 2a and its conformation to be 12. When heated it gives benzene and pyridine, and when irradiated with ultraviolet light it gives only benzene. Reasons are discussed why pyridine is formed in the one reaction and not in the other. The kinetics are recorded for the thermal reaction. Evidence that its double-bond and valence isomers are destabilized because lone pairs of electrons on adjacent nitrogens repel each other is sought in 2's reduction potential, but it can- not be recognized. Valence tautomers 7-11 are not detected in 2 by NMR spectroscopy.
MOLECULAR BASIS FOR THE ROLE OF IRON IN EXPERIMENTAL ALCOHOLIC LIVER INJURY

Summary The role of hepatic macrophage-derived cytokines such as TNFα in the pathogenesis of ALD is plausible. However, the mechanism of TNFα upregulation is not well understood. Our studies to date offer a unique hypothesis that liver injury, induced by ethanol and a high-fat diet in the intragastric infusion model, primes hepatic macrophages for NF-κB activation and expression of TNFα, other cytokines, and chemokines, which are under the transcriptional regulation of this factor via enhanced heme turnover and nonheme iron storage by these cells.
What is Wrong with “What is Wrong with Rational Suicide”

In “What is Wrong with Rational Suicide,” Pilpel and Amsel develop a counterexample that allegedly confounds attempts to condition the moral permissibility of suicide on its rationality. In this counterexample, a healthy middle aged woman with significant life accomplishments, but no dependents, disease, or mental disorder opts to end her life painlessly after reading philosophical texts that persuade her that life is meaningless and bereft of intrinsic value. Many people would judge her suicide “a bad mistake” despite its meeting “robust” conditions for rationality. Hence, Pilpel and Amsel conclude, even robust conditions for the rationality of suicide “fail to do their job: to exclude intuitively unacceptable suicides from being permissible.” I argue here that this counterexample fails to cast doubt on philosophical attempts to account for the moral permissibility of suicide in terms of its rationality.
Reduced intimal injury to canine arteries with controlled application of vessel loops

Arterial intimal damage caused by elastic vessel loops was quantitated to determine (1) if they produce intimal injury, (2) if the injury is proportional to the force applied, and (3) if the injury is less than that produced by vascular clamps. Vessel loops were wrapped around 30 canine artery segments (5 mm in diameter) and a gram scale was connected to each to measure the force applied. The minimal occlusive force (MOF) and 150, 200, and 250 g force were applied for 30 min. For comparison, a Fogarty vascular clamp was applied at MOF for 30 min. Arteries were then reperfused for 30 min. Half was immediately harvested (group I); the remaining half was harvested at 2 weeks (group II). Scanning electron micrographs were made of each artery's intimal surface and graded from 0 (no injury) to 5 (severe intimal fracture). Mean injury grades were calculated. The MOF for vessel loops was 99 g. In group I, arteries subjected to less than 200 g force had a mean injury grade of 1.0 ± 0.4; while those exposed to 200–250 g force had an injury grade of 3.5 ± 0.7. The severity of injury was linearly correlated with the force applied (r = 0.72, P < 0.009). In group II, the injury grade of 0.4 ± 0.5 in arteries at MOF was significantly less than the injury grade of 2.8 ± 0.5 in those at 200–250 g force, (P < 0.0005). Injury grades of 3.7 and 3 were seen in groups I and II, respectively, when Fogarty clamps were applied. We conclude that vessel loops applied at MOF produce minimal injury. At greater occlusive forces, the injury is proportional to the force applied approaching that of a Fogarty clamp. Intimal injuries may be minimized when vessel loops are applied at MOF.
Exposure of Residues in the Cyclic Nucleotide–Gated Channel Pore: P Region Structure and Function in Gating

Abstract In voltage-gated ion channels and in the homologous cyclic nucleotide–gated (CNG) channels, the loop between the S5 and S6 transmembrane segments (P region) is thought to form the lining of the pore. To investigate the structure and the role in gating of the P region of the bovine retinal CNG channel, we determined the accessibility of 11 cysteine-substituted P region residues to small, charged sulfhydryl reagents applied to the inside and outside of membrane patches in the open and closed states of the channel. The results suggest that the P region forms a loop that extends toward the central axis of the channel, analogous to the L3 loop of bacterial porin channels. Furthermore, the P region, in addition to forming the ion selectivity filter, functions as the channel gate, the structure of which changes when the channel opens.
Myelofibrosis in children.

Patients with primary myelofibrosis were treated with megadose methylprednisolone (MDMP; daily, 30 mg/kg for 3 days, 20 mg/kg for 4 days, subsequently 10,5, and 2 mg/kg doses for a week each, followed by 1 mglkg doses until hemoglobin level reached 12 gfdl). Each dose was given intravenously or more recently orally within 2 to 5 minutes before 9 AM. Treatment with both children and adults was successful [2,3,6, 71. Most cases of childhood myelofibrosis occurring in early infancy are due to rickets (as in our cases), which can be treated with cholecalciferol or ergocalciferol [5]. I believe the patients reported mostly from central Europe before 1940 under the title of “pseudoleukemia infantum” or Hayem-Luzette syndrome were most likely myelofibrosis cases related to rickets, which disappeared following cholecalciferol or ergocalciferol prophylaxis. I believe the findings in Ray et al.3 patients are more compatible with the diagnosis of preleukemia rather than idiopathic myelofibrosis. As stated by the authors, “lack of splenomegaly, tear drop poikilocytosis in the peripheral blood, and increased number of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow” make the diagnosis very doubtful. Although an increased reticulin score of 4 + of the bone marrow was seen by the authors, the presence of increased collagen and osteoblasts in the bone marrow and increased number of white cells and megakaryocyte precursors in the peripheral blood have been emphasized more for the diagnosis [8, 93. The pictures of bone marrow in Ray et al.3 case were not very compatible [ 2-51.
Routing in Degree-Constrained FSO Mesh Networks

This paper addresses the routing problem in degree-constrained free-space optical (FSO) mesh networks. FSO mesh networks are emerging as broadband communication networks because of their high bandwidth (up to Gbps), low cost, and easy installation. Physical layer topology design of degree-constrained FSO mesh networks has been studied in a recent communication [1]. In this paper, we propose four different routing algorithms, and evaluate their performances through simulations for a number of FSO mesh networks with different topologies and nodal degrees. The performance parameter against which we evaluate these algorithms is the mean end-to-end delay. Our proposed least cost path (LCP) routing algorithm, which is based on minimizing the end-to-end delay, is considered as the bench mark. The performance of each of other three proposed algorithms is evaluated against the bench mark. Our proposed minimum hop count with load-balancing (MHLB) routing algorithm is based on the number of hops between the source and the destination node to route the traffic. Simulations show that the MHLB routing algorithm performs best in most cases compared with the other two. It results in minimum average delay and least blocked traffic.
Hannah Arendt on Kant, Truth and Politics

Hannah Arendt is right to give prominence to Kant's Critique of Judgment—for that work contains Kant's fullest treatment of ‘ends' and purposes, and Kantian politics (embracing universal republican...
Acquired ocular motor apraxia due to bifrontal haemorrhages

A 52-year-old man, with metastatic melanoma deposits in the frontal lobes bilaterally (figure 1A), developed acute headache and impaired voluntary eye movements in all directions of gaze. On examination (supplementary online video), voluntary saccades were severely hypometric, and smooth pursuit was absent. However, ductions were full with vestibular …
An Image Analysis Technique For Assessing Particle Size And Agglomeration Tendency Of Slurries

Understanding the time-dependent behavior and size of particulate systems, specifically, particles in abrasive slurries, is a key part of chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). Microscopy and image analysis enables both qualitative and quantitative analysis of particle interaction behavior in diluted samples of such particulate suspensions. A technique using microscopy and image analysis has been developed specific to the analysis of suspensions of, micron size or larger, abrasive particle slurry systems. This technique has been applied to aluminum oxide (Al2O3) slurries and measurements of particle size and stability have been obtained with good accuracy and precision.
Evaluation of Light Diagnostics SimulFluor HSV/VZV Immunofluorescence assay

Abstract In this study, we evaluated the Light Diagnostics SimulFluor TM HSV/VZV Immunofluorescence (SIM) assay. A total of 167 specimens yielded 21 VZV and 55 HSV true positive test results. The sensitivity/specificity of the SIM assay for VZV and HSV were, respectively, 100/98 and 62/99. These results were comparable to the results for the predicate devices used in this study. The SIM assay offers the potential for the simultaneous, direct detection of HSV and VZV from a single slide well.
A Secure Hierarchical Routing Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

One of the challenges in wireless sensor networks is the design of scalable, energy-efficient secure routing protocols. This paper describes SHEER, Secure Hierarchical Energy-Efficient Routing protocol, which provides secure communication at the network layer. SHEER uses a probabilistic broadcast mechanism and a three-level hierarchical clustering architecture to improve the network energy performance and increase its lifetime. To secure the routing mechanism from the inception of the network, SHEER implements HIKES [1], a hierarchical key management and authentication scheme. Simulation studies compare SHEER and a secure version of LEACH using HIKES. The simulation results show that SHEER is more energy-efficient than the secure LEACH and has better scalability.
Psychometric properties of the Civilian version of the Mississippi PTSD scale

The psychometric properties of the Civilian Mississippi Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Scale were explored. The Mississippi is internally consistent (α ≅ .89, split-half r ≅ .80), and it can discriminate between traumatized and nontraumatized respondents. However, its relationship with measures of PTSD was weaker than its relationship with measures of depression and anxiety, suggesting that it may be more of a general measure of distress. The results of a series confirmatory factor analyses provided mixed results. These findings were discussed along with recommendations for use of this instrument.
On the Stopping Redundancy of MDS Codes

The stopping redundancy of a linear code is defined as the minimum number of rows in its parity-check matrix such that the smallest stopping sets have size equal to the minimum distance of the code. We derive new upper bounds on the stopping redundancy of maximum distance separable (MDS) codes, and show how they improve upon previously known results. The new bounds are found by upper bounding the stopping redundancy by a combinatorial quantity closely related to Turan numbers. (The Turan number, T(v, k, t), is the smallest number of t-subsets of a v-set, such that every k-subset of the v-set contains at least one of the t-subsets.) Asymptotically, we show that the stopping redundancy of MDS codes with length n and minimum distance d > 1 is T(n, d -1, d - 2)(1 + O(n-1)) for fixed d, and is at most T(n, d - 1, d - 2)(3 + O(n-1)) for fixed code dimension k = n - d + 1. For d = 2,3,4, we prove that the stopping redundancy is equal to T(n, d - 1, d - 2). For d = 5, we show that the stopping redundancy is either T(n, 4, 3) or T(n, 4, 3) + 1
Comments on Bayesian and frequentist analysis and interpretation of clinical trials.

In this commentary I will advance opinions about the role and usefulness of Bayesian statistical methods in randomized clinical trials (RCTs). This commentary deals with RCTs to establish the efficacy of a treatment-what are often categorized as phase III trials in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory setting. Both frequentist and Bayesian trial designs represent “moving targets”; furthermore, the meaning of frequentist or Bayesian methods has different meanings to different individuals. I shall use the term Bayesian here to refer to methods that use the subjective probability assessments of individuals (often based on considerable data). Thus I will not be speaking to any proposals that would (1) use empirical Bayes prior distributions or (2) use standardized diffuse, improper, minimum information or “noninformative” prior distributions. Such methods of analysis I will call “stylized Bayesian methods” and will address briefly at the end of this commentary. Savage [ll presents a compelling argument that humans should behave in a Bayesian fashion unless (when forced to make bets) one wants to be in a losing position for every possible true state of affairs (i.e., a “state of nature”). Such Bayesian behavior is “coherent“ in Savage’s terminology. Otherwise behavior is “incoherent.” The psychological literature (which is referenced somewhat in the following) refers to “normative” behavior. Here normative means “of, relating or conforming to, or prescribing norms or standards” [21. For reasoning involving probabilities the norm used is that of the usual calculus of probability. In a situation with prior distributions the norm involves an appropriate use of Bayes’s theorem. Speck, quoted above, apparently does not believe that humans follow this normative behavior.
Carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx.

Retrospective review of 160 patients with carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx was accomplished for the period 1964 to 1974. The majority were treated by low dose preoperative radiation and conservation surgery and the rest by preoperative radiation and total laryngectomy or radiation alone. Relapse-free and actuarial 5 year survival for all patients was 71% and 45%, respectively. Of primary and neck failures, 85% occurred within 2 years. Primary, nodal, and distant failures occurred in 11%, 21%, and 14% of all patients, respectively. Of 40 T and/or N failures, 33 (83%) occurred in the neck and three T and six N failures (23%) were surgically salvaged. Voice was preserved in 71% of the patients. Major complications were noted in 16% and minor complications in 26% of surgically managed patients; operative mortality was 4%. The presence of microscopic lymph node metastases best predicted those who would later develop T and/or N failure and distant metastases. Second primary tumors occurred in 26% and the le...
Identifying significant covariates for anti-HIV treatment response : Mechanism-based differential equation models and empirical semiparametric regression models

In this paper, the mechanism-based ordinary differential equation (ODE) model and the flexible semiparametric regression model are employed to identify the significant covariates for antiretroviral response in AIDS clinical trials. We consider the treatment effect as a function of three factors (or covariates) including pharmacokinetics, drug adherence and susceptibility. Both clinical and simulated data examples are given to illustrate these two different kinds of modeling approaches. We found that the ODE model is more powerful to model the mechanism-based nonlinear relationship between treatment effects and virological response biomarkers. The ODE model is also better in identifying the significant factors for virological response, although it is slightly liberal and there is a trend to include more factors (or covariates) in the model. The semiparametric mixed-effects regression model is very flexible to fit the virological response data, but it is too liberal to identify correct factors for the virological response; sometimes it may miss the correct factors. The ODE model is also biologically justifiable and good for predictions and simulations for various biological scenarios. The limitations of the ODE models include the high cost of computation and the requirement of biological assumptions that sometimes may not be easy to validate. The methodologies reviewed in this paper are also generally applicable to studies of other viruses such as hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus.
Three Factors to Sustainable Service System Excellence: A Case Study of Service Systems

Prior service science work defines a service system as dynamic configuration of people, technology, organizations, and shared information from both service providers and clients that co-creates value [1]. Although such an abstraction is important, it does not directly address core issues we face in today's service industry, such as sustainable service excellence. This paper expands such prior service science work by analyzing how service systems evolve over time and what factors are critical to sustain service excellence. The paper identified and analyzed three factors attributing to the service system health throughout its lifecycle phases: the instilling of the value co-creation concept in the service system, the balancing of innovation and commoditization dynamics, and the configuration of core resources in the service system, i.e., people, technology, organization, and shared information. The analysis is derived from many real-world case studies in the information analytics service area. Key recommendations and lessons learned are presented as well.
Triggering and Augmentation Mechanisms, Granule Pools, and Biphasic Insulin Secretion

The insulin secretory response by pancreatic beta-cells to an acute "square wave" stimulation by glucose is characterized by a first phase that occurs promptly after exposure to glucose, followed by a decrease to a nadir, and a prolonged second phase. The first phase of release is due to the ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channel-dependent (triggering) pathway that increases [Ca(2+)](i) and has been thought to discharge the granules from a "readily releasable pool." It follows that the second phase entails the preparation of granules for release, perhaps including translocation and priming for fusion competency before exocytosis. The pathways responsible for the second phase include the K(ATP) channel-dependent pathway because of the need for elevated [Ca(2+)](i) and additional signals from K(ATP) channel-independent pathways. The mechanisms underlying these additional signals are unknown. Current hypotheses include increased cytosolic long-chain acyl-CoA, the pyruvate-malate shuttle, glutamate export from mitochondria, and an increased ATP/ADP ratio. In mouse islets, the beta-cell contains some 13,000 granules, of which approximately 100 are in a "readily releasable" pool. Rates of granule release are slow, e.g., one every 3 s, even at the peak of the first phase of glucose-stimulated release. As both phases of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion can be enhanced by agents such as glucagon-like peptide 1, which increases cyclic AMP levels and protein kinase A activity, or acetylcholine, which increases diacylglycerol levels and protein kinase C activity, a single "readily releasable pool" hypothesis is an inadequate explanation for insulin secretion. Multiple pools available for rapid release or rapid conversion of granules to a rapidly releasable state are required.
Biology and Impacts of Pacific Island Invasive Species. 5. Eleutherodactylus coqui , the Coqui Frog (Anura: Leptodactylidae)

Abstract: The nocturnal, terrestrial frog Eleutherodactylus coqui, known as the Coqui, is endemic to Puerto Rico and was accidentally introduced to Hawai‘i via nursery plants in the late 1980s. Over the past two decades E. coqui has spread to the four main Hawaiian Islands, and a major campaign was launched to eliminate and control it. One of the primary reasons this frog has received attention is its loud mating call (85–90 dB at 0.5 m). Many homeowners do not want the frogs on their property, and their presence has influenced housing prices. In addition, E. coqui has indirectly impacted the floriculture industry because customers are reticent to purchase products potentially infested with frogs. Eleutherodactylus coqui attains extremely high densities in Hawai‘i, up to 91,000 frogs ha-1, and can reproduce year-round, once every 1–2 months, and become reproductive around 8–9 months. Although the Coqui has been hypothesized to potentially compete with native insectivores, the most obvious potential ecolog...
Quantitation of thiol metabolites from mammalian cells using fluorous tagging and HILIC-MS

Oxidative stress diminishes reduced thiols by decreasing their production or by forming disulfide bonds. This instigates an equilibrium shift in further downstream metabolic pathways. The goal of this work is to develop a rapid and selective fluorous labeling strategy for improved sensitivity in LC-MS analysis of reduced thiols in biological samples. Fluorous tagging is used to augment the MS signal and has limited stationary phase interactions. Thiol standards were reacted with a fluorous maleimide at a ratio of 100 : 1 in an 80% acetonitrile buffer containing 5 mM ammonium formate at pH 8. The reaction time and temperature were optimized. The mixture of thiol metabolites was then separated using a cyano HILIC column with a linear gradient from 90% to 70% acetonitrile. Signal intensity from fluorous-tagged thiols was improved over the untagged thiols by at least four fold. This demonstrates a quick method that can be used to compare levels of reduced thiols in diabetic and normal mammalian endothelial cells. Human tissue was also analyzed using this tagging method. This method will further elucidate the impact of oxidative stress on thiol metabolism and therefore help identify therapeutic targets for the treatment of diabetic complications.
Developing and tailoring mental health technologies for child welfare: The Comprehensive Assessment and Training Services (CATS) project

This article describes the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Assessment and Training Services Project, a multidisciplinary center designed to prevent children from lingering in the foster care system and to provide early interventions to prevent lifelong problems. This article outlines the conditions that led to the identified need for such a program; the conceptual model used to guide protocol development and refinement: the methodological approach to evaluation, intervention, and technology transfer; specific program components; and, finally, the challenges and barriers to success.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in BeWo Trophoblastic Cells after 12 Years in Continuous Culture: Retention of Intact Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Secretion in Mechanically Versus Enzyme-Dispersed Cells

Gel filtration and radioimmunological studies were used to demonstrate that BeWo malignant trophoblastic cells, subcultured for more than 12 yr as roller tube colonies using dissection by scalpel, retained the ability to secrete large quantities of intact hCG. By contrast, BeWo cells that had been subcultured weekly for 12 yr using proteolytic enzyme dispersion lost their ability to secrete intact hCG. Rather, a large form of hCG-α was the major secretory product, along with lesser amounts of heterogeneous low molecular weight forms of hCG-β. The gradual loss of hormone secretory ability and fidelity of hormone product by cells in continuous culture is a well known phenomenon. Our results suggest that,the habituaj use of trypsin-EDTA to subculture cells may accelerate this process.
R-Matrix Evaluation of 16O Neutron Cross Sections up to 6.3 MeV

We have evaluated {sup 16}O neutron cross sections in the resolved resonance region with the multilevel Reich-Moore code SAMMY. Resonance parameters were determined by a consistent analysis, including both Doppler and resolution broadening effects. To properly treat the {alpha} particle exit channel, an algorithm to calculate charged particle penetrabilities and shifts was incorporated into SAMMY.
Inference for Continuous Semimartingales Observed at High Frequency

The econometric literature of high frequency data often relies on moment estimators which are derived from assuming local constancy of volatility and related quantities. We here study this local-constancy approximation as a general approach to estimation in such data. We show that the technique yields asymptotic properties (consistency, normality) that are correct subject to an ex post adjustment involving asymptotic likelihood ratios. These adjustments are derived and documented. Several examples of estimation are provided: powers of volatility, leverage effect, and integrated betas. The first order approximations based on local constancy can be over the period of one observation or over blocks of successive observations. It has the advantage of gaining in transparency in defining and analyzing estimators. The theory relies heavily on the interplay between stable convergence and measure change, and on asymptotic expansions for martingales.
Investigation of blueshift of photoluminescence emission peak in InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells

We have observed peculiar behaviors on the dependence of photoluminescence emission peak on excitation fluence in InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells.
Delineating the horizontal plume extent and CO2 distribution at geologic sequestration sites

Abstract Geologic carbon sequestration is the process of injecting carbon dioxide captured from an industrial source into the subsurface for long-term storage. An Area of Review (AoR) evaluation is one of the requirements for obtaining a Class VI permit under the Underground Injection Control Program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Class VI rule requires that multi-phase computational modeling be used to delineate the Area of Review, based on the horizontal extent of the separate-phase CO2 plume. A new approach is presented to quantify the plume extent of CO2 based on the vertically integrated mass per area (VIMPA). The distribution of CO2 mass in a horizontal plane is described as VIMPA contour lines. The plume extent can be defined by either a contour line of a pre-defined VIMPA value or a contour line within which a certain percentage of CO2 mass is contained. The method was demonstrated by a hypothetical injection of CO2 into a deep saline aquifer. The results indicate that the VIMPA decreases with distance in an exponential manner and hence, most of the injected CO2 resides in a much smaller area near the injection wells. The VIMPA approach for determining the plume extent applies to all injection scenarios regardless of the spatial variability of the properties of the injection zone and allows for the calculation of the CO2 plume extent to be standardized for injection permit applications.
Relationship between placebo response rate and clinical trial outcome in bipolar depression

The aim of this work is to investigate the impact of placebo response rates on the relative risk of response to drug versus placebo in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials of pharmacological therapy in Bipolar Depression (BPD). Medline/PubMed publication databases were searched for randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of oral drugs used as monotherapy for the treatment of BPD. The search was limited to articles published between January 1980 and September 2015. Data extracted from 12 manuscripts and one poster with yet unpublished results, representing a total of 17 clinical trials were pooled (n = 6578). Pooled response rates for drug and placebo were 55.1% and 39.2%, corresponding to a risk ratio (RR) for responding to active treatment versus placebo of 1.29 (p 30 were 55.0% versus 41.6%. These results suggest that the relative efficacy of the active drug compared to placebo in clinical trials for BPD is highly heterogeneous across studies with different placebo response rates, with a worse performance in showing a superiority of the drug versus placebo for studies with placebo response rates >30%. It is important to maintain placebo response rates below this critical threshold, since this is one of the most challenging obstacles for new treatment development in BPD.
Revealing Behavioral Learning Deficit Phenotypes Subsequent to In Utero Exposure to Benzo(a)pyrene

To characterize behavioral deficits in pre-adolescent offspring exposed in utero to Benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P], timed-pregnant Long Evans Hooded rats were treated with B(a)P (150, 300, 600, and 1200 µg/kg BW) or peanut oil (vehicle) on E14, 15, 16, and 17. Following birth, during the pre-weaning period, B(a)P metabolites were examined in plasma and whole brain or cerebral cortex from exposed and control offspring. Tissue concentrations of B(a)P metabolites were (1) dose-dependent and (2) followed a time-dependence for elimination with ∼60% reduction by PND5 in the 1200 µg/kg BW experimental group. Spatial discrimination-reversal learning was utilized to evaluate potential behavioral neurotoxicity in P40-P60 offspring. Late-adolescent offspring exposed in utero to 600 and 1200 µg/kg BW were indistinguishable from their control counterparts for ability to acquire an original discrimination (OD) and reach criterion. However, a dose-dependent effect of in utero B(a)P-exposure was evident upon a discrimination reversal as exposed offspring perseverated on the previously correct response. This newly characterized behavioral deficit phenotype for the first reversal was not apparent in either the (1) OD or (2) subsequent reversal sessions relative to the respective control offspring. Furthermore, the expression of activity related-cytoskeletal-associated protein (Arc), an experience-dependent cortical protein marker known to be up-regulated in response to acquisition of a novel behavior, was greater in B(a)P-exposed offspring included in the spatial discrimination cohort versus home cage controls. Collectively, these findings support the hypothesis that in utero exposure to B(a)P during critical windows of development representing peak periods of neurogenesis results in behavioral deficits in later life.
Recognition of Physiological Data for a Motivational Agent

Developments in sophisticated mobile physiological sensors have presented many novel opportunities for monitoring coaching of individuals. In this work, we investigate the ability to utilize physiological data to recognize the state ofa user while exercising. We discuss recognition of user state using data suchas heart rate, respiration rate, and activity level. We also discuss the development of a motivational agent which utilizes the physiological data to help encourage a user during an exercise routine.
The Effects of an Isometric Quarter Squat on Countermovement Jump Performance

iv Acknowledgements v List of Tables xi List of Appendices xii CHAPTER I THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE Introduction 1 Purpose of the Study 3 Experimental Hypothesis 3 Significance of the Study 4 Limitations of the Study 4 Definition of Terms 5 CHAPTER II REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE Introduction 7 Twitch Potentiation and its relation to Postactivation Potentiation 7 History of Twitch Potentiation 9
Difficulties with multi-sensory fear conditioning in individuals with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract Background Classical conditioning represents a fundamental aspect of learning, allowing us to infer relationships between coinciding events in our environment. However, recent evidence has suggested this fundamental form of learning may be compromised in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present study utilized galvanic skin responses to examine classical conditioning in individuals with ASD across sensory modalities. Method Fifteen individuals diagnosed with ASD and 16 age-, gender-, and IQ-matched individuals with typical development participated in this study. Using a differential fear conditioning paradigm, participants were presented with a series of colors and sounds. A subset of these colors and sounds was paired with an aversive loud noise. Learning the contingency between the color and/or sound and the aversive noise was measured by changes in skin conductance. Following this task, an explicit-knowledge test probed participant’s awareness of these contingencies. Results Results indicated that individuals with ASD had a general impairment in fear conditioning compared to individuals with typical development. Additionally, participants with ASD who showed greater explicit awareness of the contingencies showed conditioned responses more similar to participants with typical development. Conclusions Implications for theories of the neurobiological mechanisms associated with learning and social impairments in ASD are discussed.
Neurosciences and Adult Health Behaviors: Recent Findings and Implications for Counseling Psychology

The current review comprehensively examines recent advances in 2 innovative areas of neuroscience research on healthy adults regarding neuropsychosocial interactions on human cognition and behavior, as well as implications for counseling psychologists conducting research and in practice. Advances in how oxytocin influences prosocial behavior and the mitigation of social stress, and the influence of environmentally mediated gene expressions on the development of attachment disorders are surveyed and discussed in terms of how counseling psychologists might best integrate recent neuroscience research into a framework for therapeutic intervention.
Revision of an Instrument for Measurement of Knowledge of Human Behavior

THE EARLIER versions of The Case of Mickey Murphy (1) were published without much information being given about such matters as the validity of the scores, the reliability of the several measures, and the spread of perform ance on the part of different groups of respondents. A thorough re-assess ment of Mickey Murphy has been undertaken. The account of this revision is the substance of this report.
Current Production Situation and Suggestion for Development of Livestock Industry in China

Modern livestock industry is an important component in modern agriculture of China.Based on summing up the main achievements gained during "The Tenth Five-year Plan" period,this paper analyzes the major restrictive factors for animal husbandry development,and puts forward several strategic measures for constructing modern livestock industry.
Revisiting and Extending the Item Difficulty Effect Model.

Data collected by learning environments and online courses contains many potentially useful features, but traditionally many of these are ignored when modeling students. One feature that could use further examination is item difficulty. In their KT-IDEM model, Pardos and Heffernan proposed the use of question templates to differentiate guess and slip rates in knowledge tracing based on the difficulty of the templatehere, we examine extensions and variations of that model. We propose two new models that differentiate based on templateone in which the learn rate is differentiated and another in which learn, guess, and slip parameters all depend on template. We compare these two new models to knowledge tracing and KT-IDEM. We also propose a generalization of IDEM in which, rather than individual templates, we differentiate between multiple choice and short answer questions and compare this model to traditional knowledge tracing and IDEM. We test these models using data from ASSISTments, an open online learning environment used in many middle and high school classrooms throughout the United States.
Performance scaling of the quantum Fourier transform with defective rotation gates

Addressing Landauer's question concerning the influence of static gate defects on quantum information processor performance, we investigate analytically and numerically the case of the quantum Fourier transform (QFT) with defective controlled rotation (CROT) gates. Two types of defects are studied, separately and in combination: systematic and random. Analytical scaling laws of QFT performance are derived with respect to the number of qubits n, the size δ of systematic defects, and the size e of random defects. The analytical results are in excellent agreement with numerical simulations. In addition, we present an unexpected result: The performance of the defective QFT does not deteriorate with increasing n, but approaches a constant that scales in e. We derive an analytical formula that accurately reproduces the e scaling of the performance plateaus. Overall, we observe that the CROT gates may exhibit static and random defects of the order of 30% and larger, and still result in satisfactory QFT performance. Thus we answer Landauer's question in the case of the QFT: far from being lethal, the QFT can tolerate tremendous static gate defects and still perform its function. The extraordinary robustness of the QFT with respect to static gate defects displayed in our numerical and analytical calculations should be a welcome boon for laboratory and industrial realizations of quantum circuitry.
Meiotic pairing as an indicator of genome composition in polyploid prairie cordgrass ( Spartina pectinata Link)

The existence of neopolyploidy in prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata Link) has been documented. The neohexaploid was discovered coexisting with tetraploids in central Illinois, and has been reported to exhibit competitiveness in the natural environment. It is hypothesized that the natural tetraploid cytotype produced the hexaploid cytotype via production of unreduced gametes. Meiosis I chromosome pairing was observed in tetraploid (2n = 4x = 40), hexaploid (2n = 6x = 60), and octoploid (2n = 8x = 80) accessions and the percentage of meiotic abnormality was determined. Significant differences in meiotic abnormality exist between tetraploid, hexaploid, and octoploid cytotypes. An elevated incidence of abnormal, predominantly trivalent pairing in the neohexaploid suggests that it may possess homologous chromosomes in sets of three, in contrast to the tetraploid and octoploid cytotypes, which likely possess homologous chromosomes in sets of two. Abnormal chromosome pairing in the hexaploid may result in unequal allocation of chromosomes to daughter cells during later stages of meiosis. Chromosome pairing patterns in tetraploid, hexaploid, and octoploid cytotypes indicate genome compositions of AABB, AAABBB, and AABBA′A′B′B′, respectively.
A qualitative examination of physiotherapist led community-based yoga for individuals with Huntington's disease.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine community-based yoga, led by a physiotherapist, for individuals affected by Huntington's disease (HD). Methods Qualitative case study methodology was used to examine the Hatha yoga led by a certified yoga instructor who was a neurologic physiotherapist. Data collection included participant observations, semi-structured interviews with the instructor, and structured participant surveys. Data were coded and thematically analyzed. Strategies for rigor included field engagement, triangulation, member checks, and reflexivity. Outcomes Five major themes emerged regarding the value and role of yoga for individuals affected by HD: [1] Emphasis on mindfulness, [2] Yoga is modifiable and accessible, [3] Precise communication, [4] Yoga fosters a sense of community, and [5] Poses tailored to HD-specific deficits. Conclusions Yoga led by a physiotherapist can be tailored to enable participation by those affected by HD, addresses HD-specific deficits, and promotes a sense of community to supplement traditional physiotherapy.
Riemannian, Pseudo-Riemannian, and Affinely Connected Manifolds

The subject of this chapter is the geometry of a manifold that has a metric, a pseudometric, or an affine connection defined on it. The dividing line between the preceding chapter and this may seem rather fine and arbitrary, since the last topic in that chapter was geodesics, and the first in this is geodesic coordinates. However, there is a fundamental difference between the two. The preceding chapter was mainly analytic, the only geometric notion being that of the distance between two points, whereas this one is mainly geometric, and even in the sense of Euclid, except that the concepts are somewhat extended and the formulation is analytic. The fundamental concepts, such as parallelism, length, curvature, and angle, are really geometric, and must be so regarded. The use of analytic methods does not detract from the geometric nature of those concepts any more than did the introduction of numerical coordinates into Euclidean geometry by Descartes. From that point of view, one of the main results of the preceding chapter, Whitehead’s theorem, serves the same purpose as Euclid’s postulate that through any two distinct points there can be drawn one and only one straight line, even though, in Whitehead’s theorem, the two points must not be too far apart.
Elementary school teachers’ noticing of essential mathematical reasoning forms: justification and generalization

Justifying and generalizing are essential forms of mathematical reasoning, yet, teachers struggle both to produce and identify justifications and generalizations. In comparing elementary school teachers’ self-reported levels of noticing justifying and generalizing in their own classrooms and the levels researchers observed in two consecutive lessons in those classrooms, we found significant discrepancies. In applying a framework we developed to characterize the teachers’ noticing in terms of mathematical content and reasoning form, we found that teachers rarely attended to justifying and generalizing in a manner consistent with the mathematics education community’s view and that their lenses for noticing these activities may account for discrepancies between the teachers’ reports and the researchers’ observations. We conclude by reflecting on the complexity of asking teachers to attend to justifying and generalizing and how these results may affect teacher professional development.
Deep inelastic scattering on a nucleus using holography

We consider deep inelastic scattering (DIS) on a nucleus described using a density expansion. In leading order, the scattering is dominated by the incoherent scattering on individual nucleons distributed using the Thomas-Fermi approximation. We use the holographic structure functions for DIS scattering on single nucleons to make a nonperturbative estimate of the nuclear structure function in leading order in the density. Our results are compared to the fits from data in the large-x regime.
Ventral hernia repair outcomes predicted by a 5-item modified frailty index using NSQIP variables.

Frailty is a decrease in physiologic reserve that is separate from the normal aging process. Previously, an 11-item modified frailty index (mFI) using NSQIP variables predicted outcomes for surgical patients. We aim to validate a condensed 5-item mFI in ventral hernia patients and determine outcomes and the relative impact of each frailty variable. The NSQIP database was queried from 2011 to 2016 for patients undergoing VHR. Spearman’s rho correlation was used to determine the degree of correlation between 11-item and 5-item mFI raw frailty scores. Chi squared testing was used to determine odds ratios (95% CI) for accumulating frailty variables in both indices with regard to complications vs a baseline of zero variables present on the 11-item scale. Complications were defined by the Clavien–Dindo (CD) classification. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed on each frailty variable to determine their relative weighted impacts on outcomes. 97,905 patients (99.45%) had all five frailty variables recorded. Only 11,549 patients (11.73%) had all variables from the 11-item mFI. No difference existed between groups for the five mutually shared frailty variables, BMI, emergent vs non-emergent procedures, operative time, or operative approach. For accumulating variables in both indices, the 5-item mFI predicts incidence of any complications, major complications, and discharge not to home similarly to the 11-item mFI. The most significantly weighted variable for complications and discharge not to home is functional status. A 5-item mFI accurately predicts outcomes similar to the validated 11-item mFI and captures more patients for analysis.
Establishment of reliable methods of in vitro pollen germination and pollen preservation of Brassica rapa (syn. B. campestris)

A simple and reliable method for evaluating the viability of Brassica pollen was established in which the in vitro germination rate of pollen was adopted as the index of the viability of pollen grains. Pollen grains were preincubated in an atmosphere in which the relative humidity (RH) was fixed to 52% or 66% at 20 °C for 5 hours. They were cultured for 16 hours at 25 °C in a liquid Kwack's medium (1964) supplemented with 20% sucrose, and the pH was adjusted to 8.0. They were then observed under a microscope and the number of germinating and unchanged pollen grains were counted. The germination rate of pollen was improved and stabilized by preincubation and the use of a high pH medium. More than 90% of the freshly harvested pollen grains of Brassica rapa (syn. B. campestris) germinated constantly in these conditions Undehisced anthers were collected from flowers at anthesis and dehydrated by incubation at 20 °C for 16–24 hours in an atmosphere where the RH was fixed to 15% or 32%. They were put into a plastic vial and preserved in a freezer at -20 °C. The germination percentage of the preserved pollen was scored at intervals during preservation. The germination rate of the pollen grains preserved at -20°C for 1 year was higher than 50% and the pollen proved to be efficient for seed set. Most of the seeds germinated normally.