cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparing Harvest Productivity of the Filamentous Alga Oedogonium with Microalgae

As the planet is faced with depletion of its natural resources, alternative and sustainable energy sources are becoming increasingly sought after. Research on the growth of algae has revealed their potential for carbon capture to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and for conversion into a fuel source for bioenergy applications. Filamentous algae have attracted recent attention as an optimal species due to their ease of harvest and dominance over other species. To determine the most suitable species for future biomass applications, a 1000-L open raceway pond was inoculated with the freshwater filamentous alga, Oedogonium . The pond culture was harvested weekly to determine the effects of CO 2 addition on culture density (mg VSS/L) and harvest productivity (g VSS/m 2 -day). An additional two 1000-L raceway ponds with established cultures of microalgae already receiving CO 2 were used as a comparison to the growth of Oedogonium . After 3 weeks, Oedogonium harvest productivity exceeded both microalgal ponds at 13.7 (± 0.2) g VSS/m 2 -day compared to 9.3 (± 0.7) and 9.5 (± 0.3) g VSS/m 2 -day for the microalgae.
PNAG-specific equine IgG1 mediates significantly greater opsonization and killing of Prescottella equi (formerly Rhodococcus equi) than does IgG4/7.

Prescottella equi (formerly Rhodococcus equi) is a facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen that causes severe pneumonia in foals 1–6 months of age, whereas adult horses are highly resistant to infection. We have shown that vaccinating pregnant mares against the conserved surface polysaccharide capsule, β-1 → 6-linked poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (PNAG), elicits opsonic killing antibody that transfers via colostrum to foals and protects them against experimental infection with virulent. R. equi. We hypothesized that equine IgG1 might be more important than IgG4/7 for mediating protection against R. equi infection in foals. To test this hypothesis, we compared complement component 1 (C1) deposition and polymorphonuclear cell-mediated opsonophagocytic killing (OPK) mediated by IgG1 or IgG4/7 enriched from either PNAG hyperimmune plasma (HIP) or standard plasma. Subclasses IgG1 and IgG4/7 from PNAG HIP and standard plasma were precipitated onto a diethylaminoethyl ion exchange column, then further enriched using a protein G Sepharose column. We determined C1 deposition by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and estimated OPK by quantitative microbiologic culture. Anti-PNAG IgG1 deposited significantly (P < 0.05) more C1 onto PNAG than did IgG4/7 from PNAG HIP or subclasses IgG1 and IgG4/7 from standard plasma. In addition, IgG1 from PNAG HIP mediated significantly (P < 0.05) greater OPK than IgG4/7 from PNAG HIP or IgG1 and IgG4/7 from standard plasma. Our findings indicate that anti-PNAG IgG1 is a correlate of protection against R. equi in foals, which has important implications for understanding the immunopathogenesis of R. equi pneumonia, and as a tool for assessing vaccine efficacy and effectiveness when challenge is not feasible.
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a premalignant plasma cell dyscrasia that consistently precedes multiple myeloma (MM) with a 1% risk of progression per year. Recent advances have improved understanding of the complex genetic and immunologic factors that permit progression from the aberrant plasma cell clone to MGUS and overt MM. Additional evidence supports bidirectional interaction of MGUS cells with surrounding cells in the bone marrow niche that regulates malignant transformation. However, there are no robust prognostic biomarkers. Herein we review the current body of literature on the biology of MGUS and provide a rationale for the improved identification of high-risk MGUS patients who may be appropriate for novel clinical interventions to prevent progression or eradicate premalignant clones prior to the development of overt MM.
The Private Equity Boom: Is it Over, is it Sustainable, and What is its Long Term Economic Impact?

Despite private equity's record growth, signs of a slow down are surfacing. In this Roundtable, participants highlighted some of the current and systemic issues facing the private equity industry.
Assessing and improving performance for a small contact centre

Contact centres are an increasingly important part of today's economy and most of the contact centres in the USA are small ones employing less than 100 agents. This paper provides a case study of applying quantitative techniques to improve operations performance for a small contact centre affiliated with a water plant in the USA. By establishing a regression-adjusted queuing model-based virtual benchmarking contact centre, the research focuses on investigating efficiency losses the small contact centre was facing. The study suggests that the overwhelming majority of the efficiency loss at the small contact centre was related to agent shrinkage (unavailable while logged-in or did not log-in). Surprisingly, forecasting and scheduling errors only resulted in a fairly small portion of the overall efficiency loss, which contradicts the traditional belief of 'scheduling dominating call centre performance'. The article offers managerial insights catering to these small contact centres which can help them eliminate waste, reduce operating costs and improve service quality.
PAULA's Test for Lung Cancer Screening.

Because of insufficient evidence of benefit, no recommendations can be made regarding PAULA's test. Prospective cohort studies of a screening population and randomized controlled trials comparing cancer mortality outcomes using PAULA's test vs. low-dose CT and no screening are needed before the test can be recommended as a screening option.
The Gender Gap in Surgical Residencies.

This cross-sectional study identifies surgical specialties with the greatest gender inequities among resident physicians and examines how long it will take for women in these specialties to reach parity with the overall resident and US population.
Impact of Additional Anomalies on Postnatal Outcomes in Congenital Lung Malformations.

Abstract Background Approximately 20% of fetuses diagnosed with congenital lung malformations (CLMs) are found to have additional anomalies. We aim to determine if additional anomalies have an impact on postnatal outcomes for patients with CLMs. Methods After institutional review board approval, we performed a retrospective review of live-born patients with CLMs from 2008 to 2018. All patients were prenatally diagnosed with CLMs. Clinical information pertaining to additional congenital anomalies and outcomes was collected from the electronic health record and analyzed. Results Of the 88 patients who had a prenatal diagnosis of CLMs, 20.5% had additional anomalies. Ten of the 18 patients (56%) were considered to have a major anomaly in addition to CLMs. Outcomes for patients electing nonoperative management of CLMs were similar between those with and without an additional anomaly. Although patients with an additional anomaly were more likely to have perinatal respiratory complications (44% versus 17%, P = 0.03), the number of preoperative clinic and emergency department visits, age at surgery, minimally invasive approach to surgical resection of CLM, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, intubation, duration of intubation, 30-day postoperative complications, and long term sequelae were not statistically different. This held true when stratified for major versus minor anomalies. Conclusions Twenty percent of fetuses diagnosed with CLM in our population have additional anomalies. Newborns with additional anomalies have a higher risk of pre-excision pulmonary complications. However, the overall outcomes of all patients with CLMs are similar.
The Growth of Scientific Knowledge through the Social Computing Networks

While scholarly attention has been paid to the business impact of social computing, the effect of social computing on the growth of scientific knowledge itself demands further scholarly scrutiny. This paper analyzes the rapid development of open-source statistical learning and the increasingly dominant role played by social computing giants in the high-tech world exemplified by GitHub. Using the OLS regression diagnosis tools as a case study, this paper demonstrates how the growth of scientific knowledge is made possible in the causal chains of R statistical software development, R-package refinements and the application needs in the massive network of social computing.
Capturing the Rest: Inpatient Mammography for Nonadherent Hospitalized Women

Introduction More than a third of hospitalized women are overdue or nonadherent to breast cancer screening guidelines, and almost a third of them are also at high risk for developing breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of coordinating inpatient breast cancer screening mammography for these women before their discharge from the hospital. Methods A prospective intervention study was conducted among 101 nonadherent women aged 50–74 years who were hospitalized to a general medicine service. Sociodemographic, reproductive history, family history of breast cancer, and medical comorbidities data were collected for all patients from January 2015 to October 2016. The data were analyzed in March 2018. Fisher's exact tests and unpaired t-tests were utilized to compare the characteristics of the study population. Results Of the 101 women enrolled who were nonadherent to breast cancer screening recommendations, their mean age was 59.3 (SD=6) years, the mean 5-year Gail risk score was 1.63 (SD=0.69), and 29% of the women were African American. Almost 80% (n=79) underwent inpatient screening mammography. All women who underwent screening mammography during their inpatient stay were extremely satisfied with the experience. The convenience of having screening mammography while hospitalized was reported to be a major facilitator of completing the overdue screening. All nurses (100%) taking care of these women believed that this practice should become part of the standard of care, and most hospitalist physicians (66%) agreed that this practice is feasible. Conclusions This study shows that it is possible to coordinate mammography for hospitalized women who were overdue for screening and at high risk for developing breast cancer. Trial registration This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT04164251.
Liver Transplantation for Acute Liver Injury in Asians is More Likely due to Herbal and Dietary Supplements.

Drug induced liver injury (DILI) due to medications and herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) is a major cause of acute liver injury leading to liver transplantation (LT). This study used United Network for Organ Sharing LT data to analyze severe HDS induced acute liver injury in the United States. By convention, patients with acute DILI are listed as "Acute Hepatic Necrosis" (AHN) under the subheading "AHN: Drug Other Specify". All patients waitlisted from 1994 to 2020 were divided into 3 subgroups: "HDS DILI", "Non-HDS DILI", and "AHN: unknown drug. Analyses were performed to identify epidemiologic differences between HDS DILI and Non-HDS DILI patients. Sub-analysis was performed for transplanted patients, including longitudinal changes. Of 1875 patients waitlisted for LT, 736 (39.2%) underwent LT. The proportion of Asian patients in the HDS DILI group was significantly higher compared to the non-HDS DILI group (17.4% v. 3.8%, p < 0.001). Excluding acetaminophen cases, the proportion of Black patients in the HDS DILI v. non-HDS group was significantly lower (8.7% v. 25.3%, p < 0.001). Waitlisted HDS DILI patients were significantly older (median age 38 y for HDS DILI vs 31 y for non-HDS DILI, p=0.03). Lastly, the number of patients requiring LT due to HDS DILI increased significantly over time with more than 70 % of cases occurring in the last 10 years (2010-2020) compared to the prior 15 years (1994-2009) (Ptrend =0.001). CONCLUSION: Ethnicity may help in identifying the cause of severe acute DILI, a growing problem as more patients experiment with HDS.
Early American Judicial Pragmatism, 1793-1949

After the writings of Charles S. Peirce and William James became popular among intellectuals in the early twentieth century, American judges started to use pragmatic parlance to decide cases. Starting with a trilogy of opinions by Supreme Court of Florida Justice Thomas M. Shackelford, a variety of prominent jurists deployed pragmatic analysis in their opinions. These judges included Benjamin Cardozo, Learned Hand, Robert Jackson, and Jerome Frank. American judicial theorists can learn a lot from this early use of pragmatism language in judicial opinions written before 1950.
Pyorrhea alveolaris: Importance of proper functioning of the jaws—Vincent's disease of the gums—What constitutes a thorough dental examination—Oral hygiene during chronic illeness*

Summary 1. It is important that the infant use its sucking muscles vigorously and that the growing individual overcome resistance in masticating food. 2. The treatment of the peridental lesions requires a consideration of a possible predisposing systemic condition and infection with ameb˦ or fusiform bacilli and spirochetes in addition to the usual local injuries and bacterial infection. 3. Vincent's disease of the gums, because of its highly probable increase upon the return of the soldiers from overseas duties, and because there are more cases of this disease occurring in the civilian population than is generally suspected, should be borne in mind when cases of diseased gums and peridental membranes present themselves for treatment. 4. A complete dental examination should be insisted upon when a dental lesion is suspected as a causative factor in some other pathologic condition. The roentgen ray or any other means of examination is not infallible in every case. 5. The importance of oral hygiene in illness should be kept in mind. Patients suffering from a long disease should not develop septic dental lesions when at the beginning of the illness the teeth are healthy. Patients suffering from chronic systemic disturbances should have any septic dental lesions present eliminated.
Isolation and culture of skeletal muscle myofibers as a means to analyze satellite cells

Multinucleated myofibers are the functional contractile units of skeletal muscle. In adult muscle, mononuclear satellite cells, located between the basal lamina and the plasmalemma of the myofiber, are the primary myogenic stem cells. This chapter describes protocols for isolation, culturing, and immunostaining of myofibers from mouse skeletal muscle. Myofibers are isolated intact and retain their associated satellite cells. The first protocol discusses myofiber isolation from the flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscle. These short myofibers are cultured in dishes coated with PureCol collagen (formerly known as Vitrogen) using a serum replacement medium. Employing such culture conditions, satellite cells remain associated with the myofibers, undergoing proliferation and differentiation on the myofiber surface. The second protocol discusses the isolation of longer myofibers from the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. Different from the FDB preparation, where multiple myofibers are processed together, the longer EDL myofibers are typically processed and cultured individually in dishes coated with Matrigel using a growth factor rich medium. Under these conditions, satellite cells initially remain associated with the parent myofiber and later migrate away, giving rise to proliferating and differentiating progeny. Myofibers from other types of muscles, such as diaphragm, masseter, and extraocular muscles can also be isolated and analyzed using protocols described herein. Overall, cultures of isolated myofibers provide essential tools for studying the interplay between the parent myofiber and its associated satellite cells. The current chapter provides background, procedural, and reagent updates, and step-by-step images of FDB and EDL muscle isolations, not included in our 2005 publication in this series.
Hemisynthesis of 132,173-cyclomesopheophorbide-a-enol

Abstract Cyclopheophorbides are often major chlorophyll-a degradation products in biogeochemical situations. Authentic standards are unavailable and facile generation of pure compounds is required. 132,173-Cyclomesopheophorbide-a-enol (mesoCYCLO) was prepared in moderate yields via a known Dieckmann-like condensation of mesopyropheophorbide-a methyl ester (mpPBIDaME). MesoCYCLO was purified by flash chromatography over a polymeric reversed phase (PRP-1™) material, negating the requirement for a crystallization step. Structural verification included ultraviolet-visible spectrometry, high resolution matrix (sulfur/CS2) assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance.
An Investigation of Shaft Dynamic Effects on Gear Vibration and Noise Excitations

Transmission error has long been identified to be the main exciter of gear whine noise. This research effort seeks to investigate the mechanisms and principal controlling factors that affect the actual noise generation from a typical gearbox housing due to transmission error excitations. The insight gained is expected to help in identifying possible noise control procedures in typical gearing applications. The example gearbox of this paper is an aircraft auxiliary-drive idler gearbox run at low load so that transmission error is the primary mesh excitation. A limited set of dynamic noise and vibration data are collected in transient speed run-ups. A contact-mechanics gear-tooth model is used to predict the static transmission error at each mesh. A finite-element model of the shafting that incorporates complex shaft and bearing data is used to predict the shaft dynamics with the static transmission error at the gear mesh(es) as the sole excitation. The dynamic bearing forces that thus arise and excite the housing are predicted. A frequency-response based model is developed to model the intermediate stages between the bearing force excitation and the final sound radiation from the gearbox. Comparisons are made between the model predictions and experimental measurements. The major shaft modes are identified and parametric studies are performed to identify the effect of the major controlling factors in the noise generation process. In addition, the effect of mesh phasing on the shaft dynamics is studied to investigate the possibility of noise reduction through the selection of suitable phasing between the two meshes of the system.
Periferie partecipate. Cinque casi di riqualificazione urbana a Torino

espanolDesde mediados del siglo XIX hasta 1960, aproximadamente, la ciudad de Turin (Italia) se industrial izo intensamente, lo que produjo un gran crecimiento periferico de barrios de residencia obrera. La crisis economica de finales del siglo XX se tradujo en un fuerte declive de estos barrios y, para hacer frente a esta situacion (generalizada en las ciudades italianas), se crearon una serie de instrumentos legales -programas integradospara la recualificacion urbanistica, edificatoria y ambiental. Estos programas han tenido un importante desarrollo en Turin, donde, desde 1997, se ha acometido la recualificacion de 13 areas urbanas con un presupuesto de 500 millones de euros. El articulo describe cinco proyectos urbanos llevados a cabo en esta ciudad entre 1995 y 2004 Y destaca la importancia radical de la participacion ciudadana en este tipo de intervenciones EnglishSince half of the XIXth century to 1960, approximately, the city of Turin suffered a very intense degree of industrialization. The economic crisis of the end of the XXth century produced a strong decline in these areas, in order to face this situation (generalized all around Italy) many legal instruments were created - integrated programs aimed to get urban, environmental and building requalifications. These programs have been very important for the development of Turin, where, since 1997, 13 urban areas were requalified, with an approximately cost of 500 million euros. The article describes five urban projects executed in this town between 1995 and 2004 and remarks the importance of town people participation in these kind of events
Body composition changes resulting from fluid ingestion and dehydration.

Abstract In order to ascertain the effects of altered state of hydration on body composition measurements, ten subjects were compared before and after water ingestion and dehydration. As a result of an average ingestion of 1.81 liters of water, body weight increased by 1.77 kg (2.4%). Since underwater weight and residual lung volume were essentially unchanged, the calculation of body fat increased 1%. A week later the subjects were placed in a sauna for 35 min at a temperature of approximately 170° F. Average weight loss due to sweating was .98 kg, which resulted in a calculated .7% decrease in body fat. The changes in body weight, density, and percent fat in both conditions were statistically significant (p < .01). It was found that the resultant error in body fat calculation from the hyperhydrated to the dehydrated state could amount to 20% (2% in actual body fat). It is recommended that when obtaining measures of body density by hydrostatic weighing the subject's normal level of hydration be ascertained.
Assessment of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Using Optical Coherence Tomography and Scanning Laser Polarimetry in Progressive Glaucomatous Optic Neuropathy

Purpose To describe a case of progressive glaucomatous optic neuropathy using scanning laser polarimetry with fixed (SLP-FCC) and variable corneal compensation (SLP-VCC) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Design Observational case report. Methods A 21-year-old male with juvenile primary open-angle glaucoma developed progression because of noncompliance with therapy. The patient underwent dilated stereoscopic examination and photography of the optic disk, standard automated perimetry (SAP), OCT, and SLP imaging with FCC and VCC at the baseline examination and after four years of follow-up. Results Optic disk, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) atrophy, and SAP progression was observed. Reduction in mean RNFL thickness (average, superior, inferior) was 18, 18, and 27 microns (OCT); 22, 40, and 17 microns (SLP-FCC); and 6, 12, and 12 microns (SLP-VCC), respectively. Conclusions This case demonstrates that digital imaging of the peripapillary RNFL is capable of documentation and measurement of progressive glaucomatous RNFL atrophy.
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in children.

Purpose of reviewAutosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary renal disease, affecting one in 500 individuals. The cardinal manifestation of ADPKD is progressive cystic dilatation of renal tubules with kidney enlargement and progression to end-stage renal diseas
Antinuclear antibodies and nuclear antigens in NZB myeloma ascitic fluids.

Abstract Approximately 5–10% of ascitic fluids from 411 NZB myeloma tumors were found to possess either antinuclear (ANA) or Coombs antibodies. Some fluids showed anti-Sm specificity, which is thought to be unique to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In addition, the ascitic fluids were found to contain large amounts of DNA and Sm autoantigens. Further passage of ANA-positive myelomas indicated that the autoantibodies were not products of the myeloma cells themselves. The sporadic appearance of unsuspected autoantibodies in ascitic fluids may cause confusion when working with myeloma or with hybridoma reagents. Furthermore, the development of SLE-specific anti-Sm antibodies in this context suggests parallels between myeloma development and autoimmunity.
Uptake and removal of dimethyl sulfoxide in rabbit and human corneas during cryopreservation.

Abstract The uptake of DMSO by the cornea does not reach equilibrium during 40 min of incubation in the cryoprotective solutions which precede controlled rate freezing of the tissue. A postthaw incubation in 25% albumin for 10 min at 4 °C removed 65% of the DMSO. The residual DMSO within the cornea diffuses into the aqueous humor following transplantation. Residual DMSO can be removed from the cornea prior to transplantation by increasing the time of postthaw incubation in the albumin solution or by incubation in Kinsey medium.
Dendrimer-assisted low-temperature growth of carbon nanotubes by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

Using a shielded growth approach and N2-annealed, nearly monodispersed Fe2O3 nanoparticles synthesized by interdendritic stabilization of Fe3+ species within fourth-generation poly(amidoamine) dendrimers, carbon nanotubes and nanofibers were successfully grown at low substrate temperatures (200-400 degrees C) by microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition.
Characteristics of patients with abnormal glucose challenge test and normal oral glucose tolerance test results: comparison with normal and gestational diabetic patients.

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients who had abnormal glucose challenge test results and subsequent normal oral glucose tolerance test results and to assess whether such patients are at a greater risk than normal pregnant patients for adverse perinatal outcome. Study design In this retrospective cohort study that was conducted between June and December 2003, 101 pregnant women (group A) had an abnormal glucose challenge test result and a normal oral glucose tolerance test result. Data were also collected on 2 control groups: 100 pregnant women with normal glucose challenge test results (group B) and all 76 pregnant women who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus during this period of time (group C). Patients with multiple pregnancies, chronic hypertension, pregestational diabetes mellitus, or any other maternal or fetal problems that were diagnosed before 24 weeks (when the glucose challenge test was performed) were excluded from the study groups. The following data were collected and analyzed: maternal age, maternal weight and height, parity and gravidity, diabetes mellitus in first-degree relatives, medical and obstetric history, ethnicity, complications during the third trimester of pregnancy, birth weight, gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery, Apgar scores, cord blood gas results, maternal complications of labor and during the postpartum period, and infant admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. For comparison between groups, we used the Student t test, 1-way analysis of variance, the chi-square test, and stepwise logistic regression. Results Patients in groups A and C were significantly older compared with group B (29.2 ± 5.6 years and 30.4 ± 5.5 years, respectively, vs 24.8 ± 5.5 years; P P 2 and 31.3 ± 6 kg/m 2 , respectively, vs 29.2 ± 4.4 kg/m 2 ; P P P Conclusion Patients with an abnormal glucose challenge test result and a subsequent normal oral glucose tolerance test result have different maternal characteristics and backgrounds compared with patients in whom both test results are normal, yet both groups have normal outcomes. We should continue to consider patients who have an abnormal glucose challenge test result and subsequent normal oral glucose tolerance test result as low-risk; however, these findings may represent an indication of an increased likelihood for the development of overt diabetes mellitus later in life.
Withdrawal from Chronic Cocaine Administration Induces Deficits in Brain Reward Function in C57BL/6J Mice

Anhedonia is a major symptom of cocaine withdrawal, whereas euphoria characterizes the effects of acute administration of this drug in humans. These mood states can be measured quantitatively in animals with brain reward thresholds obtained from the intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) procedure. Studies have previously reported the reward-enhancing effects of acute cocaine administration using the ICSS procedure in mice, but the effects of chronic cocaine administration and withdrawal on brain reward thresholds have not been widely investigated in this species. Cocaine withdrawal was induced in C57BL/6J mice by removal of intraperitoneal osmotic minipumps that delivered cocaine (90 or 180 mg/kg/day, salt) for 72 h. Mice were tested in the ICSS procedure 3–100 h post-pump removal. Anxiety-like behavior was assessed in the light-dark box 24 h post-pump removal. After an 18-day washout period, tolerance and sensitization to the reward-enhancing effects of cocaine were assessed by injecting bolus cocaine intraperitoneally (0, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg). The results indicated that 72 h administration of 90 and 180 mg/kg/day cocaine significantly lowered brain reward thresholds. Withdrawal from 90 and 180 mg/kg/day of cocaine administration elevated ICSS thresholds to similar extents. No anxiety-like behavior was observed in the light-dark box during withdrawal from chronic cocaine administration, although the number of transitions between compartments and locomotion in the dark compartment markedly decreased. Chronic cocaine administration did not induce tolerance or sensitization to the reward-enhancing effects of acute cocaine. In conclusion, alterations in mood states induced by cocaine administration and withdrawal in mice can be measured using the ICSS procedure.
Discovery of INCB8761/PF-4136309, a Potent, Selective, and Orally Bioavailable CCR2 Antagonist.

We report the discovery of a new (S)-3-aminopyrrolidine series of CCR2 antagonists. Structure–activity relationship studies on this new series led to the identification of 17 (INCB8761/PF-4136309) that exhibited potent CCR2 antagonistic activity, high selectivity, weak hERG activity, and an excellent in vitro and in vivo ADMET profile. INCB8761/PF-4136309 has entered human clinical trials.
Education and Training: Two Paths or One?

(1985). Education and Training: Two Paths or One? PLET: Programmed Learning & Educational Technology: Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 75-77.
The pterional approach

The pterional craniotomy is one of the most versatile approaches in neurosurgery. It is suited not only for vascular pathology arising from the circle of Willis but also for lesions located in or around the cavernous sinus, the sella, and the parasellar and subfrontal regions. When used with other skull base surgical adjuncts, including orbitozygomatic osteotomies and intradural and extradural removal of the clinoid, or combined with other approaches (temporal craniotomy, petrosectomy), a wider area as well as additional structures become accessible. The variations and idiosyncrasies of the pterional craniotomy are many. This article reviews the senior author's techniques for performing this approach.
Scanning pentaprism test for the GMT 8.4-m off-axis segments

The scanning pentaprism system for testing the 8.4 m off-axis segments for the Giant Magellan Telescope has recently been completed. The system uses a fiber source and a carriage mounted pentaprism to scan a 40 mm collimated beam across the surface of the segment under test. Since the scanning beam is parallel to the optical axis of the parent mirror, it comes to focus on a detector at the telescope's prime focus, where displacement of the spot is proportional to the slope error. A second collimated beam from a stationary reference pentaprism is used to compensate for any changes in the relative positions of the optical components during testing. The optical components are suspended over the mirror on a rail system that can be rotated so that scans can be made across any diameter of the segment. The test is capable of measuring wavefront slope errors to 1 μrad rms, adequate to verify that power, astigmatism, coma, and other low-order aberrations are small enough to be corrected easily at the telescope with the segment's active support system.
Clinical efficacy and potential mechanisms of neurofeedback

Although many psychological disorders have significant basis in neurobiological dysfunction, most treatment approaches either neglect biological aspects of the problem, or approach dysfunction through pharmacological treatment alone, which may expose individuals to negative side effects. In recent decades, neurofeedback has been promoted as an alternative approach to treating neurobiological dysfunction. Neurofeedback helps individuals gain control over subtle brain activity fluctuations through real-time rewards for pre-established target brainwave frequencies at specific cortical locations. This paper reviews the effectiveness of neurofeedback in a range of conditions, including ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, substance use, PTSD, and learning difficulties. Neurofeedback has emerged as superior or equivalent to either alternative or no treatment in many of the examined studies, suggesting it produces some effects worthy of further examination. In light of its potential to address neurobiological dysfunction directly, future research is suggested in order to refine protocols, as well as to establish effectiveness and efficacy. Potential mechanisms of neurofeedback are discussed, including global connectivity, neuroplasticity, and reinforcement of the default mode network, central executive network, and salience network.
Partial likelihood for online order selection

Partial likelihood (PL) is a flexible framework for adaptive nonlinear signal processing allowing the use of a wide class of nonlinear structures--probability models--as filters. PL maximization has been shown to be equivalent to relative entropy minimization for the general case of time-dependent observations and its large sample properties have been established. In this paper, we use these properties to derive an information-theoretic criterion for order selection-- the penalized partial likelihood (PPL) criterion,--for the general case of dependent observations. We then consider nonlinear signal processing by conditional finite normal mixtures as an example, a problem for which true order selection is particularly important. For this case, in which the PL coincides with the usual likelihood formulation, we present a formulation for online order selection by eliminating the need to store all data samples up to the current time. We demonstrate the successful application of the PPL criterion and its online implementation for the equalization problem by simulation examples.
Communities adjust their temperature optima by shifting producer-to-consumer ratio, shown in lichens as models I. hypothesis

An apparent paradox exists in the ecology of Antarctic lichens: their net photosynthetic temperature optimum (around 0 degrees C) lies far below the temperature optima of their constituent algae and fungi (around 20 degrees C). To address this paradox, we consider lichens as microbial communities and propose the "community adaptation" hypothesis, which posits that in each thermal regime there is an equilibrium between photosynthetic primary producers (photobionts), and heterotrophic consumers (mycobiont and parasymbiont fungi). This equilibrium, expressed as the producer/consumer ratio (R(p/c)), maximizes the fitness of the community. As respiration increases with temperature, more rapidly than does photosynthesis, R(p/c )will shift accordingly in warm habitats, resulting in a high-growth temperature optimum for the community (the lichen). This lends lichens an adaptive flexibility that enables them to function optimally at any thermal regime within the tolerance limits of the constituent organisms. The variable equilibrium of producers and consumers may have a similar role in thermal adaptation of more complex communities and ecosystems.
Capacitance measurement based on an operational amplifier circuit: error determination and reduction

Errors introduced in an operational-amplifier-based sine-wave oscillator applied in capacitance measurement are considered. The errors due to the nonideal characteristics of the operational amplifier are addressed. The oscillator circuit was simulated using the SPICE program, and gives the opportunity to study the behavior of the circuit under nonideal conditions, and to estimate the errors introduced in the measured capacitance and the frequency of oscillation. It is shown that major sources of error are the gain-bandwidth product and the output resistance of the operational amplifier. Compensation techniques to reduce errors related to the gain-bandwidth product are presented. Experimental results confirming the error reduction are included. >
Calibration of a 3D surface contouring and ranging system

A new 3D surface contouring and ranging system based on a digital fringe projection and phase shifting technique is described. In this system, three phase-shifted fringe patterns and a centerline pattern are used to determine the absolute phase map of the object. This phase map is then converted to the absolute x, y, and z coordinates of the object surface by a transformation algorithm. To determine the accurate values of the system parameters as required by the transformation algorithm, a two-step calibration procedure was developed. First the parameters were indirectly measured through experiments to determine their approximate values. Second, a calibration plate whose features were calibrated by a coordinate measuring machine was measured by the system at various positions. An iteration algorithm was then used to estimate the system parameters. Measurements of the calibration plate, a sheet- metal panel, and a Ford master gauge showed results consistent with the actual surface contours of the objects.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Performance relighting and reflectance transformation with time-multiplexed illumination

We present a technique for capturing an actor's live-action performance in such a way that the lighting and reflectance of the actor can be designed and modified in postproduction. Our approach is to illuminate the subject with a sequence of time-multiplexed basis lighting conditions, and to record these conditions with a high-speed video camera so that many conditions are recorded in the span of the desired output frame interval. We investigate several lighting bases for representing the sphere of incident illumination using a set of discrete LED light sources, and we estimate and compensate for subject motion using optical flow and image warping based on a set of tracking frames inserted into the lighting basis. To composite the illuminated performance into a new background, we include a time-multiplexed matte within the basis. We also show that the acquired data enables time-varying surface normals, albedo, and ambient occlusion to be estimated, which can be used to transform the actor's reflectance to produce both subtle and stylistic effects.
Determination of linear filters for predicting Ap during Jan. 1997

The Ap index is a daily average of the range of magnetic disturbance in each three-hour UT interval. It is the only global magnetic index routinely forecast. Predictions of Ap are subjective estimates made on the basis of past behavior of Ap and events at the Sun. The predicted variance in present forecasts is only 30%. Here we develop a set of linear filters for Ap forecasting. We show that auto regressive filters with constant coefficients do as well as human forecasters. Filters with time varying coefficients predict 37% of the variance. If we assume Ap is driven by solar wind velocity through an auto regressive moving average we predict 47% of the variance. However, this filter requires today's average solar wind velocity to predict today's Ap. Only with remote sensing of the solar wind a day in advance would it be possible to implement this model. We apply our filters to data for January 1997 determining whether effects of the January 6–11 magnetic cloud can be predicted. The filters do not predict CME related activity, but they do predict activity later in January obtaining a monthly average prediction efficiency of 59% that should be compared SEC results of 40%.
SU‐GG‐T‐137: Similarities between Static and Rotational Intensity Modulated Plans

Purpose: To explore similarities between intensity modulated radiotherapy(IMRT) and intensity modulated arc therapy (IMAT) techniques in the context of the number of multi‐leaf collimator(MLC) segments required to achieve plan objectives, the major factor influencing plan quality. Materials and Methods: Three clinical cases with increasing complexity were studied: (a) prostate only, (b) prostate and seminal vesicles, (c) prostate and pelvic lymph nodes. Initial “gold‐standard” plans with the maximum possible organ‐at‐risk sparing were generated for all three cases. For each case, multiple IMRT and IMAT plans were generated with varying intensity levels (IMRT) and arc control points (IMAT), which translates to varying MLC segments in both modalities. The IMAT/IMRT plans were forced to mimic the organ‐at‐risk sparing and target coverage in the gold‐standard plans, thereby only allowing the target dose inhomogeneity to be variable. A higher target dose inhomogeneity (quantified as D5 — dose to the highest 5% of target volume) implies that the plan is less capable of modulation. Results: For each case, given a similar number of MLC segments, both IMRT and IMAT plans exhibit similar target dose inhomogeneity, indicating there is no difference in their ability to provide dose painting. Target dose inhomogeneity remained approximately constant with decreasing segments, but sharply increased below a specific critical number of segments (70, 100, 110 for cases a, b, c, respectively). Conclusions: For the cases studied, IMAT and IMRT plans are similar in their dependence on the number of MLC segments. A minimum critical number of segments is required to ensure adequate plan quality. Future studies are needed to establish the range of minimum critical number of segments for different treatment sites and target‐organ geometries. Acknowledgment: Research supported in part by a master research grant from Varian Medical Systems.
Bootstrapping and hypothesis testing in non-stationary panel data

This paper uses the wild bootstrap to compute empirically relevant critical values for the test statistics proposed by Emerson and Kao (2001). Monte Carlo simulations were then performed to evaluate the size and power properties of the bootstrapped tests.
Teacher Support as a Buffer between Interparental Conflict and Child Social Skills.

This study, conducted in 2004, investigated the direct effect of interparental conflict (IPC) about child‐raising issues on the social skills of middle‐class US children who attended a suburban preschool and the buffering effect of teacher support (n = 170). Findings indicated that greater IPC was associated with poorer child social skills. The prediction that teacher support buffers the association between such conflict and social skills was not supported. However, using a 3 × 3 two‐way between subject ANOVA, the results showed that children with low‐conflict versus high‐conflict parents had significantly higher social skills scores, as predicted by the emotional security theory. Exploratory analyses found that conflict and teacher support significantly affected children’s social skills when controlling for child gender. Girls’ social skills scores exceeded boys’ scores at every level of conflict and teacher support.
Imaging horse tendons using multimodal 2-photon microscopy

Abstract Injuries and damage to tendons plague both human and equine athletes. At the site of injuries, various cells congregate to repair and re-structure the collagen. Treatments for collagen injury range from simple procedures such as icing and pharmaceutical treatments to more complex surgeries and the implantation of stem cells. Regardless of the treatment, the level of mechanical stimulation incurred by the recovering tendon is crucial. However, for a given tendon injury, it is not known precisely how much of a load should be applied for an effective recovery. Both too much and too little loading of the tendon could be detrimental during recovery. A mapping of the complex local environment imparted to any cell present at the site of a tendon injury may however, convey fundamental insights related to their decision making as a function of applied load. Therefore, fundamentally knowing how cells translate mechanical cues from their external environment into signals regulating their functions during repair is crucial to more effectively treat these types of injuries. In this paper, we studied systems of tendons with a variety of 2-photon-based imaging techniques to examine the local mechanical environment of cells in both normal and injured tendons. These tendons were chemically treated to instigate various extents of injury and in some cases, were injected with stem cells. The results related by each imaging technique distinguish with high contrast and resolution multiple morphologies of the cells’ nuclei and the alignment of the collagen during injury. The incorporation of 2-photon FLIM into this study probed new features in the local environment of the nuclei that were not apparent with steady-state imaging. Overall, this paper focuses on horse tendon injury pattern and analysis with different 2-photon confocal modalities useful for wide variety of application in damaged tissues.
Simple method for computer-aided analysis of echocardiograms

The use of echocardiography in the diagnosis and assessment of heart disease is increasing as greater familiarity is obtained with this noninvasive procedure. Quantitative evaluation of echocardiographic studies has heretofore required time-consuming manipulation of mathematical formulas. A simple method utilizing a sonic digitizing tablet has been developed for computer-aided analysis of M-mode echocardiograms. This device can convert a point located manually with a digitizing pen into X and Y coordinates and with use of the standard telephone network can communicate on a time-shared basis with a DECSYSTEM-10 computer. A program has been written to compute and type the results of standard calculations involving mitral valve motion and left ventricular function. The information can also be stored on disk by the computer for future use. This simple, relatively inexpensive system is valuable because of the ease with which it permits usually laboriously obtained information to be extracted from the standard echocardiogram.
The Myoelectric Signal of Electrically Stimulated Muscle During Recruitment: An Inherent Feedback Pareter for a Closed-Loop Control Scheme

The myoelectric profile of an electrically stimulated muscle with separate and simultaneous control of firing rate and recruitment was determined. The signal consists of low amplitude, desynchronous discharge at low recruitment levels and exhibits monotonic, distinct compound action potentials at moderate to full recruitment. The myoelectric signal-force model is described by sigmoidal function when the signal is represented by its median frequency (MF), rms, or mean absolute value (MAV) at firing rates inducing just above fused force response (~28 pps). At firing rates corresponding to the maximal tetanic force of the muscle (~51 pps) the MES-force model is represented by a second-order polynomial for MF, rms, and MAV. Dynamic tracking of force induced by a sinusoidal recruitment/derecruitment of the muscle's motor unit pool at frequencies in the range of 0-1 Hz show that the MAV is independent, whereas the rms and MF are dependent on tracking frequency. The linearized MAV-force model was found superior for use as a sensorless force feedback measurement in a closed-loop control scheme aimed at restoration of regulated movement to a paralyzed limb joint.
Return Migration of the Elderly in the United States: Recent Trends

Patterns of return migration among the elderly in the United States during 1975-1980 were researched and updated. Regional trends are compared to those from previous decades. Differences in elderly...