cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
6.4 Structural and Functional Brain Abnormalities Associated With Distinct Dimensions of Subthreshold Psychosis in Youth

Abstract Background: Neuroimaging in population-based studies of youth can help identify neurodevelopmental abnormalities associated with psychosis-spectrum symptoms and risk. To date, little work has examined specific dimensions of psychosis spectrum symptoms in this population, a gap we sought to address here in the large Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort (PNC). Methods: In the PNC, ~20% of youth were categorized as psychosis spectrum (PS) based on elevations in positive or negative/disorganized symptoms. Baseline multimodal imaging data were acquired from 1601 youth from the PNC, aged 8–23 years, 452 of whom were identified as PS. Dimensional subclinical positive and negative/disorganized were derived from factor analysis of a structured clinical interview; cognition was measured with the Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery. Results: Subthreshold positive and negative symptom severity was moderately correlated (r = .37); reduced cognitive performance was modestly associated with both positive (r = −.14) and negative (r = −.17) domains. These 3 domains showed distinctive associations with functional and structural imaging. In the working memory fMRI task, PS showed reduced activation in executive control circuitry, which correlated with cognitive deficits (r = .32) but not positive or negative symptoms. During emotion identification fMRI, PS demonstrated elevated amygdala responses to threatening facial expressions, which correlated selectively with positive symptom severity (r = .16). Structural imaging revealed gray matter volume reductions in hippocampus associated with positive symptom severity (r = −.15). In contrast, unmodulated gray matter density was selectively reduced in the bilateral nucleus accumbens in association with negative symptom severity (r = −.16). Conclusion: These findings extend support for the continuum view of psychosis by demonstrating that specific circuit–symptom correlations found in schizophrenia are also evident in youth with subthreshold symptoms. Complementing the more common categorical focus, dimensional examination of specific illness domains may identify neurodevelopmental abnormalities within key brain circuits. This in turn can help parse clinically-relevant heterogeneity within the at-risk population and facilitate the development of early diagnostic and prognostic tests and novel treatments designed to target-specific symptom domains.
The arithmetic of Weierstrass points on modular curves X0 (p)

The purpose of this paper is to describe some recent results regarding the arithmetic properties of Weierstrass points on modular curves X 0 (p) for primes p. We begin with some generalities; most of these can be found, for example, in the book of Farkas and Kra [F-K]. Suppose that X is a compact Riemann surface of genus g ≥2. If γ is a positive integer, then let H r (X) denote the space of holomorphic r-differentials on X. Each H r (X) is a finite-dimensional vector space over ℂ; we denote its dimension by d r (X). A point Q ∈ X is called an r-Weierstrass point if there exists a non-zero differential w ∈ H r (X) such that $${\operatorname{ord} _{Q\omega }} \geqslant {d_r}\left( X \right)$$
When couples’ hearts beat together: Linkages in heart rate variability during conflict predict heightened inflammation throughout the day

An unhappy marriage increases disease and mortality risks. Discordant couples exhibit stronger links to their partner’s autonomic fluctuations–that is, stronger covariation–than do satisfied couples, but whether this physiological signature plays a role in marriage’s health effects is unknown. To examine associations between couples’ heart rate variability (HRV) covariation during conflict and their inflammation levels, 43 married couples engaged in a marital problem discussion while wearing heart rate monitors and provided blood samples throughout the day. Multilevel models treated log-transformed interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated IL-6 and TNF-alpha, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) as outcomes, accounting for morning baseline HRV levels, age, gender, trunk fat, marital satisfaction, hostility observed during the problem discussion, and study design features. Couples whose moment-to-moment HRV changes tracked more closely together during conflict had higher serum IL-6 ( p = 0.04), LPS-stimulated IL-6 ( p = 0.02), VCAM- 1 ( p = 0.01), and at a trend level, LPS-stimulated TNF-alpha ( p = 0.06) across the day. Thought to result in part from couples’ exchange of negative emotion during disagreement, stronger HRV covariation predicted a heightened inflammatory profile beyond the roles of general marital quality and observed negativity. These data highlight partners’ conflict-related HRV linkage as a novel social-biological mechanism explaining marital discord’s connection to inflammation-related disease.
Two pulses of seasonal activity in martian southern mid-latitude recurring slope lineae (RSL)

Abstract Recurring slope lineae (RSL) are narrow dark features that incrementally lengthen down steep low-albedo slopes when temperatures are warm, subsequently fade, and reoccur annually. RSL could be caused by wet, wet-triggered debris, or dry granular flow mechanisms. We have classified 190 candidate and confirmed southern mid-latitude (SML) RSL sites using six Mars years of high-resolution imagery to provide new constraints on RSL flow mechanisms. We demonstrate that at least three confirmed SML RSL sites have at least two pulses of active lengthening. We have also confirmed that RSL start much earlier than previously thought. The first SML RSL pulse occurs from solar longitude (Ls) 187° ± 6° to 226° ± 14° or 62 ± 32 sols, while the second pulse occurs from Ls 260° ± 26° to 329° ± 29° or 113 ± 89 sols. Even with the newly observed early pulse, the total SML RSL active duration is still shorter than RSL found elsewhere on the planet. No significant seasonal variations exist between the dominant (N, NW, W) slope-face orientations. The central peak of Hale crater appears to be anomalous in that it has a third pulse that rejuvenates RSL late in the southern summer (Ls 330° ± 1° to 348° ± 19° or 48 ± 26 sols). These additional RSL pulses of activity add increased complexity to RSL behavior. Follow-up missions may be needed to unambiguously discriminate between RSL mechanisms.
Carbon Flux Phenology from the Sky: Evaluation for Maize and Soybean

AbstractCarbon flux phenology is widely used to understand carbon flux dynamics and surface exchange processes. Vegetation phenology has been widely evaluated by remote sensors; however, very few studies have evaluated the use of vegetation phenology for identifying carbon flux phenology. Currently available techniques to derive net ecosystem exchange (NEE) from a satellite image use a single generic modeling subgroup for agricultural crops. But, carbon flux phenological processes vary highly with crop types and land management practices; this paper reexamines this assumption. Presented here are an evaluation of ground-truth remotely sensed vegetation indices with in situ NEE measurements and an identification of vegetation indices for estimating carbon flux phenology metrics by crop type. Results show that the performance of different vegetation indices as an indicator of phenology varies with crop type, particularly when identifying the start of a season and the peak of a season. Maize fields require ve...
The Wave Antenna

The excitation of lateral waves along the boundary between two electrically different media like air and earth or sea or the oceanic crust and the sea is effectively achieved with horizontal antennas in the earth or sea close to the boundary with the air or the sea floor. These are usually insulated terminated antennas, often of the traveling-wave type, such as described in Chapter 17. An alternative to the antenna in the sea or earth is the antenna in the air—it is clearly impractical to insert an antenna in the rock of the sea floor. An example described in Chapter 4 is the vertical monopole erected on the surface of the earth for AM radio broadcasting (Section 4.2) or for communicating with submarines (Section 4.5). Although the vertical dipole is an effective generator of lateral waves, it is difficult at low frequencies to construct one that is not electrically very short and requires very large currents to provide an adequate electric moment. An alternative is the horizontal antenna discussed in Chapter 17 for subsurface use.
Microscopy Imaging Methods for the Detection of Silver and Titanium Nanoparticles Within Cells

Scientific evaluation of potential environmental hazards resulting from man-made nanomaterials has been hampered by the inability to optimally detect cell-associated nanoparticles. We have successfully imaged TiO(2) nanoparticles in ARPE-19 cells using different light microscope modalities commonly available to investigators including fluorescence, dark field, phase, interference, and confocal. In this report, we describe different optical and lighting conditions necessary for optimal nanoparticle imaging in ARPE-19 cells.Microscopic examinations involved an E-800 Nikon microscope connected to a xenon light source along with special dark field objectives. For microscopy analyses, ARPE-19 cells were fixed in situ in cultured chamber slides or collected from T-25 flasks and then fixed in suspension. At the lowest concentrations of TiO(2) (0.1-0.3 μg/mL), it was possible to detect as few as 5-10 nanoparticles per cell due to intense light scattering by TiO(2). The degree of brightness detected indicated that the uptake of nanoparticles within ARPE-19 cells could be monitored using dark field microscopy. This report details how wide-field microscopy can be effectively used to detect nanoparticle uptake as well as to assess cellular health in ARPE-19 cell cultures.
Actions and Strategies: A Verbal Data Analysis of Phishing Emails

This poster session examines the viability of verbal data analysis for phishing detection research. A verbal data analysis was conducted on both phishes and legitimate emails to identify differences in actions requested and influence strategies employed. The findings suggest that this methodology could be used to inform both user education and software enhancement phishing detection solutions.
Impact of pre-diagnosis major depressive disorder and health-related quality of life on treatment choice for ductal carcinoma in situ in older women.

6526Background: Limited data exists regarding how pre-diagnosis self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and mood disorders may impact treatment decisions for DCIS. Methods: We used the...
AutoCAD 2015 Beginning and Intermediate

This book is the most comprehensive book you will find on AutoCAD 2015  2D Drafting. Covering all of the 2D concepts, it uses both metric and imperial units to illustrate the myriad drawing and editing tools for this popular application. Use the CD to set up drawing exercises and projects and see all of the books figures in color. AutoCAD® 2015 Beginning and Intermediate includes over 100 exercises or mini-workshops, that complete small projects from concept through actual plotting. Solving all of the workshops will simulate the creation of three projects (architectural and mechanical) from beginning to end, without overlooking any of the basic commands and functions in AutoCAD 2015.
Joint Computation and Communication Resource Allocation for Energy-Efficient Mobile Edge Networks

In this paper, an ultra-dense mobile edge network is studied, where base stations (BSs) are equipped with computation resources to execute users' offloaded tasks. Although an ultradense BS deployment provides seamless coverage and reduced computation latency of the offloaded tasks, the cost of network power consumption is increased. We formulate an optimization problem to jointly optimize active BSs set, uplink and downlink beamforming vector selection, and computation resource allocation in order to tackle the power consumption and latency tradeoff. To efficiently solve this problem, we propose a sequential solution framework. Specifically, we first select the active BSs based on communication and computation power-aware selection rule. The computation resources and dual-link beamformers are subsequently optimized for the satisfaction of task computation deadline, network energy savings and improved coverage. Simulation results show that the proposed joint optimization framework significantly reduces the network power consumption.
An acute bleomycin inflammatory and fibrotic mouse model of morphea is dependent upon CXCL9 and CXCR3

Abstract Morphea, or localized scleroderma, is characterized by an inflammatory phase followed by cutaneous fibrosis, which may lead to disfigurement and/or disability. Previous work from our group showed that the CXCR3 ligands CXCL9 and CXCL10 are highly upregulated in lesional skin of morphea patients. Here, we used an acute inflammatory and fibrotic bleomycin mouse model of morphea to examine the role of the CXCR3 chemokine axis in pathogenesis. We first characterized which cells produce the CXCR3 ligands in the skin using the Reporter of Expression of CXCR3 ligands mouse (REX3). We found that fibroblasts contribute the bulk of CXCL9 and CXCL10, whereas endothelial cells are key dual chemokine producers. Macrophages, which have high MFI of chemokine expression, upregulated CXCL9 production over time, fibroblasts CXCL10 production, and T cells dual chemokine expression. To determine whether bleomycin treatment could directly induce expression of these chemokines, we treated cultured REX3 mouse dermis monolayers in vitro with bleomycin or IFNγ with TNF and found that bleomycin could induce low amounts of CXCL9 directly in fibroblasts, whereas the cytokines were required for optimal CXCL9 and CXCL10 production. To determine whether these chemokines are mechanistically involved in pathogenesis, we induced fibrosis in CXCL9, CXCL10, or CXCR3 deficient mice and found that fibrosis is dependent on CXCL9 and CXCR3. Addition of recombinant CXCL9, but not CXCL10, to cultured mouse fibroblasts induces collagen 1a1 mRNA expression, indicating the chemokine itself can contribute to fibrosis. Taken together, our studies provide evidence that acute intradermal bleomycin administration in mice can model inflammatory morphea, and that CXCL9 and its receptor CXCR3 are mechanistically involved in pathogenesis. One Sentence Summary CXCL9 drives acute morphea pathogenesis in mice.
Improving Diabetes Care with Technology and Information Management

Patients and physicians in the 21st century require new tools to manage the growing burden of chronic illness. For providers responsible for the care of diabetic patients, developments in information management, real-time health education and feedback, and new approaches to self-monitoring and insulin delivery hold great promise to improve the quality and safety of diabetes care. This article will briefly highlight some of the major developments in the field, and the ways these technologies can be integrated into a typical practice.
High risk of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis following measles outbreaks in Georgia.

Abstract Objective To describe cases and estimate subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) risk following large-sale measles outbreaks in Georgia. A rare, fatal late complication of measles, SSPE is often overlooked in assessments focused on the acute illness. Georgia had 8377 and 11,495 reported measles cases during the 2004–2005 and 2013–2015 outbreaks, respectively, but SSPE burden has not been assessed. Methods SSPE cases diagnosed during 2008–2017 were identified from hospitalization registries in major neurological departments likely to admit SSPE patients. Information on reported measles cases and deaths was obtained from the national measles surveillance system and published reports. The risk of SSPE (number of measles cases per one SSPE case) was calculated for cases associated with the 2004–2005 outbreak. Crude estimates were adjusted to account for potential under-reporting of measles, using 50%, 25% and 10% estimates of completeness of reporting. Results Sixteen SSPE cases diagnosed during 2008–2017 were identified. Eleven (92%) of 12 SSPE cases with a known history of measles had infection at ≤2 years and one (8%) at 3 years of age. Crude estimate of SSPE risk for the 2004–2005 outbreak was 1:1396. Adjusted estimates were 1:2792, 1:1:5584 and 1:13 960, assuming 50%, 25% and 10% completeness of reporting measles cases, respectively. Conclusions The review demonstrated substantial risk of SSPE in Georgia, supporting recent data suggesting that risk of SSPE following measles infection is higher than previously thought. To prevent SSPE in Georgia, very high timely immunization coverage for measles should be achieved among children, and immunity gap among adults should be closed.
Just-in-time and stockless programs for hospitals: fad or trend?

The JIT and stockless approach to provider-supplier relationships has proven to be a win-win proposition for the partners that have implemented it in many manufacturing industries and health care organizations as well. This strategy will fundamentally impact the entire cost structure within the hospital supply distribution chain. rewards have proven attainable and more comprehensive than had been hoped in the health care applications. The sweeping changes the health care industry experienced during the 1980s are leading creative materiel managers to seize the initiative to improve the current operating costs of their hospitals. They do not want to be left behind "holding the inventory."
Symptomatic Brain Hemorrhages from Cavernous Angioma After Botulinum Toxin Injections, a Role of TLR/MEKK3 Mechanism? Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Background Cavernous angiomas (CAs) are vascular malformations that may result in stroke. Case Description Herein, we evaluate a CA patient with chronic migraine who experienced 2 documented symptomatic hemorrhages after receiving respective high doses of botulinum toxin (Btx). Conclusions Recently, bacterial lipopolysaccharide has been reported to contribute to CA development through Toll-like receptor signaling, causing hemorrhagic angiogenic proliferation. Lipopolysaccharide and Btx share a common intracellular signaling pathway driving CA development and hemorrhage. Significance of these observations is demonstrated by previous works on plasma molecules showing prognostic associations with symptomatic hemorrhages in human CA, related to the same canonical pathways. Authors suggest careful tracking of the association of Btx and hemorrhage in CA patients.
Loss of Schlafen3 influences the expression levels of Schlafen family members in ileum, thymus, and spleen tissue.

Background The Schlafen (Slfn) family proteins are important for regulation of cell growth, cell differentiation and cell cycle progression. We sought to distinguish Slfn family expression in Slfn3 knockout (KO) mice after RNA sequencing analysis of Slfn3KO vs. wildtype (WT) mice revealed varying expressions of Slfn family in ileal mucosa. Methods Quantitative PCR analysis of Slfn members was evaluated in ileal mucosa, thymus and spleen tissue since Slfn family members have roles in differentiating intestinal and immune cells. Results Ileal mucosa of Slfn3KO mice displayed a decrease in Slfn3, 4, 8 and 9 while Slfn1 and 5 increased in mRNA expression vs. WT mice. Thymic tissue had a Slfn9 increase and a Slfn4 decrease while splenic tissue had a Slfn8 and Slfn9 increase in Slfn3KO mice vs. WT mice. These differential expressions of Slfn members could indicate a feedback regulatory mechanism within the Slfn family. Indeed, MATCH™ tool from geneXplain predicted that all Slfn members have regions in their promoters for the Kruppel-like factor-6 transcription factor. In addition, NFAT related factors, ING4, ZNF333 and KLF4 are also predicted to bind in up to 6 of the 8 Slfn promoters. This study further describes a possible autoregulatory mechanism amongst the Slfn family members which could be important in how they regulate the differentiation of various cell types.
Sensory modalities and novel features of perceptual experiences

Is the flavor of mint reducible to the minty smell, the taste, and the menthol-like coolness on the roof of one’s mouth, or does it include something over and above these—something not properly associated with any one of the contributing senses? More generally, are there features of perceptual experiences—so-called novel features—that are not associated with any of our senses taken singly? This question has received a lot of attention of late. Yet surprisingly little attention has been paid to the question of what it means to say that a feature is associated with a sensory modality in the first place. Indeed, there is only one fully developed proposal in the literature, due to Casey O’Callaghan. I argue that this proposal is too permissive to inform the debate over novel features. I go on to argue that all attempts to formulate a better proposal along these lines fail. The corollary of my arguments is that the question of the existence of novel features is poorly formed. Furthermore, the problem generalizes, with the result that we should not rely on our pre-theoretical notions of the senses as the basis of theorizing about the features (contents and phenomenal character) of perceptual experiences.
Chemical IN04 Inhibits the Kinase Domain not the ROC Domain of LRRK1: Results from Homology Modeling and Molecular Docking.

Background Bone loss is the most common reason for broken bones among the elderly. An ideal agent for treatment of bone loss should have both osteoclast inhibitory and osteoblast stimulatory functions. Leucine rich repeat kinase 1 (LRRK1) is a novel target for alternative anti-resorptive drugs to treat osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures. Recently a chemical IN04, Methyl 3-[({([5-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]-thio}-acetyl)-amino]-benzoate, has been identified as a potential LRRK1 inhibitor. Objective The aim of this work is to investigate how the chemical IN04 interacts with LRRK1 and inhibits its activity. Methods A structural model of LRRK1 kinase domain was constructed with SWISS-MODEL. The human protein kinase ROCO4 (PDB ID: 4YZN) was chosen as the template based on sequence homology, structural and phylogenetic analysis. In addition, a homology model of the LRRK1 ROC domain was also prepared based on the LRRK2 ROC domain structure (PDB ID: 2ZEJ). The interactions of IN04 with the active sites in the LRRK1 kinase domain and ROC domain were investigated by SwissDock. Results IN04 was docked into the active site of the LRRK1 kinase domain with similar interactions as ATP comparable to the ligand bound to homologous kinases. Many rational binding modes of IN04 to LRRK1 kinase domain were investigated and the most likely binding pose containing multiple hydrogen bonds and a salt bridge was discovered. However, IN04 cannot fit into the GDP-binding site of the ROC domain. Conclusion Chemical IN04 inhibits LRRK1 by binding to the active site of the kinase domain but not the ROC domain.
Effective Theory of the Color-Flavor-Locked Phase

We explain how an effective theory of the CFL phase can be used to study the effect of the strange quark mass on the ground state and the excitation spectrum. We also apply the effective theory to the problem of neutrino emission from a CFL quark core inside a neutron star.
The influence of physiologic and atmospheric variables on spasticity after spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND A number of physiological and atmospheric variables are believed to increase spasticity in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) based on self-reported measures, however, there is limited objective evidence about the influence of these variables on spasticity. OBJECTIVE We investigated the relationship between physiological/ atmospheric variables and level of spasticity in individuals with SCI. METHODS In 53 participants with motor-incomplete SCI, we assessed the influence of age, time since injury, sex, injury severity, neurological level of injury, ability to walk, antispasmodic medication use, temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure on quadriceps spasticity. Spasticity was assessed using the pendulum test first swing excursion (FSE). To categorize participants based on spasticity severity, we performed cluster analysis. We used multivariate stepwise regression to determine variables associated with spasticity severity level. RESULTS Three spasticity groups were identified based on spasticity severity level: low, moderate, and high. The regression analysis revealed that only walking ability and temperature were significantly related to spasticity severity. CONCLUSIONS These outcomes validate the self-reported perception of people with SCI that low temperatures worsen spasticity. The findings refine prior evidence that people with motor-incomplete SCI have higher levels of spasticity, showing that those with sufficient motor function to walk have the highest levels of spasticity.
Re-entry into mitosis and regeneration of intestinal stem cells through enteroblast dedifferentiation in Drosophila midguts

Many adult tissues and organs including the intestine rely on resident stem cells to maintain homeostasis. In mammalian intestines, upon ablation of resident stem cells, the progenies of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) such as secretory cells and tuft cells can dedifferentiate to generate ISCs to drive epithelial regeneration, but whether and how the ISC progenies dedifferentiate to generate ISCs under physiological conditions remains unknown. Here we show that infection of pathogenic bacteria induces enteroblasts (EBs) as one type of ISC progenies to re-enter the mitotic cycle in the Drosophila intestine. The re-entry into mitosis is dependent on epithermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-Ras signaling and ectopic activation of EGFR-Ras signaling in EBs is sufficient to drive EBs cell-autonomously to re-enter into mitosis. In addition, we examined whether EBs gain ISC identity as a prerequisite to divide, but the immunostaining with stem cell marker Delta shows that these dividing EBs do not gain ISC identity. After employing lineage tracing experiments, we further demonstrate that EBs dedifferentiate to generate functional ISCs after symmetric divisions of EBs. Together, our study in Drosophila intestines uncovers a new role of EGFR-Ras signaling in regulating re-entry into mitosis and dedifferentiation during regeneration and reveals a novel mechanism by which ISC progenies undergo dedifferentiation through a mitotic division, which has important implication to mammalian tissue homeostasis and tumorigenesis.
Scientific datasets for international stability and global security: The “interstate conflict datasets catalog” (ICDC)1

Abstract In recent decades social scientists have made considerable progress in the reliable, systematic recording of conflict among nations in the international system. The scientific effort of eight leading datasets, funded in part through a recent grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation, is described and illustrated in order to increase communication with the systems and cybernetics community with an interest in international stability and global security (e.g. IFAC/SWIIS, NAMIS, etc.). The «Interstate Conflict Datasets Catalog» (ICDC) provides a full description and a preliminary comparative analysis of the eight datasets. These datasets are instrumental for scientifically assessing international stability and global security conditions (international systems reliability) in empirical, realworld terms, and for testing mathematical models and hypotheses that may better inform international policy in this critical area.
Energy Balance in Young Athletes

Very little is known about the energy needs of young athletes. Recent studies using the doubly labeled water method have shown that the recommended dietary allowances for energy may be too high for normally active children and adolescents living in affluent societies. No studies of energy balance in young athletes have been published. Self-report dietary records of young athletes indicate that energy, carbohydrate, and select micronutrient intakes of certain athletic groups and individual athletes may be marginal or inadequate. Potential consequences of inadequate energy and nutrient intakes in young athletes include poor bone health, fatigue, limited recovery from injuries, menstrual dysfunction in female athletes, and poor performance. Studies of energy balance and nutrient status in young athletes are needed to better understand the nutritional needs of this group.
Human esophageal secretion: Mucosal response to luminal acid and pepsin

Abstract Background/Aims: Although esophageal histology in humans reveals numerous submucosal mucous glands, their secretion has never been explored. Therefore, we have studied the chemical composition and physical characteristics of esophageal secretion under the impact of luminal saline, acid, and acid/pepsin solutions. Methods: The esophageal lumen in 21 healthy volunteers was continuously perfused with saline, HCl, or HCl/pepsin. Perfusates were assayed for mucin, protein, and viscosity. In addition, analysis of amino acid and sugar composition of purified esophageal mucin was performed. Results: Esophageal perfusion with saline resulted in luminal release of mucin at the rate of 0.23 ± 0.03 mg·cm −2 min −1 . Acid/pepsin solution significantly enhanced luminal release of mucin (0.32 ± 0.03 mg·cm −2 ·min −1 ; P P P Conclusions: Luminally released esophageal mucin, shown for the first time in humans, contributes significantly to maintaining the high viscosity of esophageal secretions. Significant increase in the luminal release of mucin under the impact of acid and pepsin, with subsequent decline of the perfusate viscosity, may indicate that mucin is the major target for gastric acid and pepsin, absorbing the deleterious impact of the gastroesophageal refluxate.
Handbook for the Treatment of Abused and Neglected Children by P. F. Talley

In addition to immediate physical effects, child abuse and neglect have myriad psychological effects, which can be varied, profound, and resistant to intervention. Providing treatment for maltreate...
Intended models, circumscription and commonsense reasoning

We describe a new method of formalizing commonsense reasoning : Instead of minimizing extensions of predicates we formalize common sense as "truth in intended models", and we give a mathematical formulation of the proposed method by defining a class of intended models based on preferences in interpretations. We propose to use problem independent natural language constraints to exclude interpretations that contradict common sense. For this reason we augment the usual, two-part formal structures consisting of a metalevel and an object level, with a third level - a referential level. We show that such a model is an adequate tool for generating intended interpretations, and also for problems that cannot be satisfactorily solved by circumscription. We argue that the criticism of Hanks and McDermott (1986) does not apply to the formalization of commonsense reasoning by intended models. Namely, it is not necessary to know the consequences of the intended theory to find the right interpretation, neither needed are complex and problem specific policy axioms, which exclude some possible interpretations.
Successes and failures in the search for antibiotics.

Publisher Summary Millions of human lives are being saved annually throughout the world because of antibiotics. The discoveries that have led largely to the development of the antibiotics program were made in two small laboratories. Of the first two most important antibiotics, one (penicillin) was discovered in a small laboratory in a British medical school; the other (streptomycin) was a result of a long-term program of a study of soil-inhabiting microorganisms, carried out in one of the American agricultural experiment stations. The chapter starts with a brief introduction on the successes and failures in the search for antibiotics. In the next parts, it discusses the historical facets of research on various types of antibiotics, including those produced by bacteria, antibiotics produced by fungi, and antibiotics produced by actinomycetes. The future potential developments in the field of antibiotics are also discussed in the chapter. The last part of the chapter encompasses topics such as the search for antiviral and antitumor agents and recognition of antibiotics as therapeutic agents.
Myxomatous Mitral Valve Repair: Loop Neochord Technique

Surgical repair techniques for myxomatous mitral regurgitation have evolved over time, with multiple different methods in current use. The loop neochord technique provides a versatile and reproducible method that can be used for anterior, posterior, or bileaflet prolapse, as well as Barlow's disease. Preoperative planning and careful intraoperative valvular assessment are used to determine the appropriate loop length. Prefabricated commercial loops are available, but loops can also be created at the time of operation with polytetrafluroethylene 4-0 sutures and pledgets. We describe specific leaflet and subvalvular landmarks and suture placement techniques to ensure an accurate and durable mitral valve repair. Although these principles can be applied via a full sternotomy, we illustrate our preferred approach using the loop technique via a right minithoracotomy and femoral cardiopulmonary bypass.
Stabilization of external kink modes by means of a limiter

It is shown that poloidal ring limiters are very effective in stabilizing ideal external kink modes in a tokamak. With one poloidal limiter all external modes are stable for ${q}_{a}g1$. However, toroidal limiters have negligible influence on stability. Reversed-field pinches require a finite number of poloidal limiters (typically six) to stabilize the strong external kink modes that would result if the conducting wall were removed.
Transmission of porcine encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) to mice by transplanting EMCV-infected pig tissues

We recently demonstrated that pigs infected with porcine encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) develop a persistent infection (up to 90 days post-infection (PI)) in the heart and brain that is accompanied by virus-induced pathologic changes, and that EMCV productively infects human cardiomyocytes in vitro, suggesting that EMCV may pose a risk to humans following transplantation of pig tissues to humans (Brewer et al. J Virol 2001; 75: 11621-11629). In this report, we demonstrate that intra-abdominal of myocardial or pancreatic sections from acutely-EMCV infected pigs (2 days PI) in either non-mutant C57BL/6 or C57BL/6-RAG-1-/- mice that lack B or T lymphocytes, resulted in transmission of the virus and acute fatal disease in all mice. In recipient RAG-1-/- mice, fatal EMCV disease occurred within 2 days post-transplantation, and it was accompanied by high virus titers in brain, heart, liver, spleen, kidneys and skeletal muscle, whereas in non-mutant C57BL/6 mice, disease occurred 5 to 6 days post-transplantation and was accompanied by lower virus titers. Transplantation of myocardial or pancreatic tissues from chronically EMCV-infected pigs (21 and 50 days PI) did not induce clinical disease, but resulted in detection of EMCV RNA in the brain of recipient RAG-1-/- mice, no viral RNA was detected in non-mutant C57BL/6 mice. Intra-abdominal transplantation of uninfected porcine myocardial tissues into RAG-1-/- mice followed by intramuscular inoculation with EMCV induced acute clinical disease but did not result in transmission of virus to the xenograft. These results show that EMCV can be efficiently transmitted from pig myocardial and pancreatic tissues to mice, providing a model of pig-to-human viral xenozoonosis that can be used to develop and test prophylactic and therapeutic measures against such infection.
KILO-SCALE SYNTHESIS PROCESS FOR 2′- O -(2-Methoxyethyl)-Pyrimidine DERIVATIVES

We describe an improved process to produce 2'-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-pyrimidines. Starting with commercially available O-2,2'-anhydro-5-methyluridine and tris-(2-methoxyethyl)borate, we modified the ring-opening reaction conditions and changed to a continuous extraction purification method to give 2'-O-(2-methaxyethyl)-5-methyluridine. The dimethoxytritylation 5'/3' ratios and yield were improved by the use of 2,6-lutidine as the base. Conditions to convert to the 5'-methylcytidine analog and its isolation by crystallization were optimized. Final benzoylation was improved by developing a method to selectively hydrolyze benzoyl ester impurities.
Drive times habit in human eyelid conditioning

The theory that drive multiplies with habit implies that performance differences between two groups with different drive should increase across trials, and that variances should be greater with increased drive. Data from human eyelid conditioning analyzed in the units of the theory did not support either prediction.
Hierarchical battery electrodes based on inverted opal structures

The synthesis of a novel battery electrode architecture based on an ordered arrangement of interconnected macropores is reported; the mesoporous vanadium oxide electrode is designed to have a hierarchical architecture, which is beneficial for mass transport and should reduce polarization accordingly.
Phosphorylation of the N-terminal region of Caenorhabditis elegans paramyosin☆

Abstract Paramyosin from Caenorhabditis elegans was examined for post-translational modification by phosphorylation. Paramyosin purified from populations of mixed-age animals contained 0.7 to 2.0 moles of phosphate per mole of paramyosin. Paramyosin was also phosphorylated in vitro by an endogenous kinase in the particulate fraction. Analysis of the in vitro phosphorylated paramyosin in comparison with the DNA sequence of the unc-15 paramyosin gene of C. elegans shows that serine residues in the non-α-helical N-terminal region are the targets of the kinase. The N-terminal region of paramyosin has significant similarity to the non-helical C-terminal region of the two body wall myosin heavy chains of C. elegans. All three regions contain three copies of a Ser-∗-Ser-∗-Ala motif, the most likely target for phosphorylation in paramyosin, suggesting that these regions may be modified by the same kinase.
Implications for logarithmic-singularity contribution to e + e - -->π + π - γ reaction at Q 2 =0.9 GeV 2 from bremsstrahlung background

The recent intriguing suggestion of Anisovich, Gerasjuta, Dakhno, and Kobrinsky concerning the effect of the logarithmic singularity in the reaction ${e}^{+}$${e}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$\ensuremath{\gamma} via an intermediate triangle graph involving ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{0}$${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ (and ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$) is analyzed further for backgound effects. A detailed calculation of bremsstrahlung background suggests that this is larger than the singularity by at least a factor of 16 for photon emission angles (relative to the ${e}^{+}$-${e}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ axis) all the way up to 85\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. This appears to make the experimental detection of the logarithmic-singularity effect rather difficult.
Resurrecting the Dismal Parson: Malthus, Ecology, and Political Thought

Although a familiar figure in the history of ideas, Malthus has been trivialized, misunderstood and ignored, particularly as a political thinker. Yet his most famous work, the Essay on Population, was conceived and gained recognition as a contribution to a passionate political debate. His major feat—the powerful introduction of an ecological viewpoint into political and social theory—was later over-shadowed by the theory of evolution and the eventual decline of biologically oriented ideology. With the current resurgence of biology as a basis for social science and political ideology his work has a new relevance. In its content and development Malthus's thought is both rich and complex, while his argument provides a useful eighteenth-century parallel to the modern ‘ecological’ debate. The ‘dismal parson’ deserves resurrection as a major figure in the history of political theory.
The “Facilitated Transition” hypothesis as an explanation for the gemdialkyl effect

Abstract A new technique of searching the conformational space of transition states was used to explore the cause of the rate acceleration in the gem-dialkyl effect in intramolecular cyclization reactions. Several previous hypotheses were discarded and a new hypothesis was advanced based on this new data. This hypothesis, the “Facilitated Transition” hypothesis, states that increased steric hindrance reduces the overall activation energy by facilitating rotation through the transition state. The older “Reactive Rotamer” hypothesis was eliminated by generating all conformations of the starting materials using the wizard and MM2 computer programs and demonstrating that no relationship is found between rate increase and a change in the concentration of “reactive rotamers”.
A Modular Approach to Real-Time Supersystems

This paper will present a description of the concepts, hardware modules, and architectures developed to allow the configuration of supersystems meeting the challenge of real-time embedded systems such as those required for missile and space borne defense applications.
Evaluation of bird repellent additives to a simulated pesticide carrier formation

Abstract No-till agriculture involves the use of pelleted and granular pesticides and chemically treated seeds. Some of these products kill birds. The present experiments were designed to investigate whether four candidate repellents (methyl anthranilate, ortho-aminoacetophenone, d-pulegone, and pine oil) would reduce consumption by European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) of clay particles similar in size and shape to particles normally used for pesticide delivery. All substances reduced consumption (P
Metalloporphyrins inhibit β-hematin (hemozoin) formation

Metal-substituted protoporphyrin IXs (Cr(III)PPIX (1), Co(III)PPIX (2), Mn(III)PPIX (3), Cu(II)PPIX (4), Mg(II)PPIX (5), Zn(II)PPIX (6), and Sn(IV)PPIX (7)) act as inhibitors to beta-hematin (hemozoin) formation, a critical detoxification biopolymer of malarial parasites. The central metal ion plays a significant role in the efficacy of the metalloprotoporphyrins to inhibit beta-hematin formation. The efficacy of these compounds correlates well with the water exchange rate for the octahedral aqua complexes of the porphyrin's central metal ion. Under these in vitro reaction conditions, metalloporphyrins 5, 6 and 7 are as much as six times more efficacious than the free ligand protoporphyrin IX in preventing beta-hematin formation and four times as efficacious as chloroquine, while metalloporphyrins 3 and 4 are three to four times more effective at preventing beta-hematin formation than the free protoporphyrin IX base. In contrast, the relatively exchange inert metalloporphyrins 1 and 2 are only as efficacious as the free ligand and only two-thirds as effective as chloroquine. Aggregation studies of the heme:MPPIX using UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopies are indicative of the formation of pi-pi hetero-metalloporphyrin assemblies. Thus, hemozoin inhibition is likely prevented by the formation of heme:MPPIX complexes through pi-stacking interactions. The ramifications of such hetero-metalloporphyrin assemblies, in the context of the emerging structural picture of hemozoin, are discussed.
Head Loss Through Fibrous Beds Generated on Different Types of Containment Sump Strainers

During a Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA), the high energy jet from the break may impinge on surrounding surfaces and materials, producing a relatively large amount of fibrous debris (mostly insulation materials). The debris may be transported through the reactor containment and reach the sump strainers. Accumulation of such debris on the strainers’ surface can cause a loss of Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) and negatively affect the Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) capabilities. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (U.S.NRC) initiated the Generic Safety Issue (GSI) 191 to understand the physical phenomena involved in this type of event, and help develop the tools to prove the safety and reliability of the existing Light Water Reactors (LWR) under these conditions. Some nuclear power plants have already adopted countermeasures in an attempt to limit the effect of the debris accumulation on the ECCS performance, by replacing or modifying the existing strainer configurations. In this paper, two different strainer designs have been considered and sensitivity analysis was conducted to study the effect of the approach velocity on the pressure drop at the strainer caused by the debris accumulation. The development of the fibrous beds was visually recorded in order to correlate the head loss, the approach velocity, and the thickness of the fibrous bed. The experimental results were compared to semi-empirical models and theoretical models proposed by previous researchers.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
New designs for phase 2 clinical trials

Conventional phase 2 clinical trials are typically single-arm experiments, with outcome characterized by one binary "response" variable. Clinical investigators are poorly served by such conventional methodology. We contend that phase 2 trials are inherently comparative, with the results of the comparison determining whether to conduct a subsequent phase 3 trial. When different treatments are studied in separate single-arm trials, actual differences between response rates associated with the treatments, "treatment effects," are confounded with differences between the trials, "trial effects." Thus, it is impossible to estimate either effect separately. Consequently, when the results of separate single-arm trials of different treatments are compared, an apparent treatment difference may be due to a trial effect. Conversely, the apparent absence of a treatment effect may be due to an actual treatment effect being cancelled out by a trial effect. Because selection involves comparison, single-arm phase 2 trials thus fail to provide a reliable means for selecting which therapies to investigate in phase 3. Moreover, reducing complex clinical phenomena, including both adverse and desirable events, to a single outcome wastes important information. Consequently, conventional phase 2 designs are inefficient and unreliable. Given the limited number of patients available for phase 2 trials and the increasing number of new therapies that must be evaluated, it is critically important to conduct these trials efficiently. These concerns motivated the development of a general paradigm for randomized selection trials evaluating several therapies based on multiple outcomes. Three illustrative applications of trials using this approach are presented.
Lymphocyte subsets and adhesion molecule expression in milk and blood of periparturient dairy cattle.

Fifteen Holstein dairy cattle were monitored for lymphocyte subsets and expression of adhesion molecules on cells in milk and blood at parturition and at intervals up to 21 days post-partum. Using flow cytometry, we determined percentages of T cells (CD4+, CD8+, γδ) and B cells from milk and blood of these cows. We also measured expression of adhesion molecules (CD62L, LFA-1, LPAM-1, and CD44) on lymphocytes in milk and blood. Significantly higher percentages of CD8+ cells were found in milk than in blood at all time points while significantly higher percentages of B cells were found in blood than in milk at all time points. There were minimal to no significant differences in percentages of CD4+ or γδ+ cells between milk and blood. Expression of adhesion molecules was consistently higher on all subsets of milk lymphocytes compared with blood lymphocytes. These differences were most pronounced and statistically significant at calving and in the first week following calving. CD62L, LPAM-1 and CD44 were expressed on a significantly higher percentage of lymphocytes in milk at calving than in milk at subsequent sampling times, while LFA-1 expression on lymphocytes in milk was significantly lower at calving than at subsequent times.