cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of wavelet analysis on transient reflectivity in ultra-thin films

Applications of wavelet analysis in ultra-thin film transient reflectivity (TR) measurements have been investigated. Advantages of utilizing different localized wavelet bases, in position and time, have been addressed on the residual TR signals. Morse wavelets have been used to obtain information from the abrupt oscillatory modes in the signal, which are not distinguishable with conventional methods such as Fourier transforms. These abrupt oscillatory modes are caused by the surface, interface, or any short-lived oscillatory modes which are suppressed in the TR signal in ultra-thin films. It is demonstrated that by choosing different Morse wavelets, information regarding different oscillatory modes in the TR signal of a heterostructure thin film is achievable. Moreover, by performing wavelet analysis on multiferroic heterostructures, oscillatory modes with very close energy ranges are easily distinguishable. For illustration, residuals of the TR signals have been obtained by a pump-probe setup in reflectivity mode on La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/SrTiO3 and BaTiO3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/SrTiO3 samples, where sufficient signal to noise ratios have been achieved by taking multiple scans. The residual signals have been analyzed with Morse wavelets, and multiple oscillatory modes with close energy ranges have been observed and distinguished. This approach can isolate the location of various oscillatory modes at the surface, interface and in the bulk of the heterostructure sample.
Human Locomotion Activity and Speed Recognition Using Electromyography Based Features

Human locomotion recognition methods based on electromyography (EMG) signals have not shown robust and accurate classification performance. This is due to the limitations of EMG signals such as its stochastic nature and sensitivity to placement of the sensors, as well as the number of sensors, feature extraction and classification algorithms. In this paper, a robust classification approach with only two features derived from EMG signals is developed to recognize locomotion activities and detect changing speeds. The root means square (RMS) and energy of the EMG signals are the features adopted in this method. The energy of the EMG signal is extracted using energy kernel method. The proposed approach uses a low number of sensors and features, online unsupervised classification, and is generalizable to different lower-limb muscle groups. To evaluate the benefits of the proposed approach, it is initially tested on a public dataset of five participants with two EMG sensors on biceps femoris and gastrocnemius, doing separate trials on the treadmill at various speeds and slopes. We performed additional experiments on two participants with EMG sensors on vastus laterialis and vastus medialis, as treadmill speeds changed online within each trial. The proposed approach achieved significant classification accuracy (above 90%) using the standard unsupervised K-means clustering, for both locomotion activity and speed recognition with the public dataset and our collected data.
THE PEPTIDE SPECIFICITY OF RECEPTORS FOR ANGIOTENSIN-INDUCED THIRST

Publisher Summary This chapter highlights that angiotensin is the only peptide to be examined thus far which is dipsogenic. Precursors of angiotensin II also produces copious drinking in sated animals, but this drinking is mediated by angiotensin II formed as a result of action by endogenous components of the renin–angiotensin system, mostly the brain isorenin system. Competitive inhibition of the converting enzyme attenuates the drinking stimulated by angiotensin I without reducing the dipsogenic effect of angiotensin II. The chapter discusses that receptor antagonists of angiotensin II block its dipsogenic effect and that of all other components of the renin–angiotensin system. The dipsogenic receptor within the brain, therefore, accommodates only angiotensin II. Structure–activity relationship analysis reveals that the dipsogenic response is similar to the systemically induced pressor response and suggests that the receptor is pharmacologically identical for both effects.
Effectiveness of an Intervention for Improving Treatment Adherence, Service Utilization and Viral Load Among HIV-Positive Adult Alcohol Users.

This study evaluates whether a group intervention that included cognitive remediation improved ART adherence, service utilization, and viral load among HIV-positive adults with a history of alcohol abuse. HIV-seropositive adults (n = 243), recruited from community-based organizations were randomized to the Holistic Health Recovery Program (HHRP-A) or a comparison condition. Both conditions included eight group sessions; outcomes (adherence, service utilization, and viral load) and processes (social support and stress) were measured. Data were collected at baseline, immediately post-intervention, 3 months, and 6 months follow-up. Participants were ≥ 18 and ≤ 60 ($${\bar{\text{X}}} = 4 5. 2$$ years old), 71% male, and 79.6% black. Participants randomized to HHRP-A were more likely to report adequate ART adherence and to report an undetectable viral load at 6 months post-intervention. Participants in the HHRP-A condition showed significantly greater improvement in social support than the comparison group. Providing comprehensive health promotion interventions that incorporate cognitive remediation strategies, could improve health outcomes for HIV-positive substance users.
Impact of secondary and primary particulate matter (PM) sources on the enhanced light absorption by brown carbon (BrC) particles in central Los Angeles.

Abstract In this study, we investigated aerosol chemical composition, spectral properties of aerosol extracts, and source contributions to the aerosol light-absorbing brown carbon (BrC) in central Los Angeles from July 2018 to March 2019, during warm and cold seasons. Spectrophotometric measurements (water and methanol extracts; 200 90% of BC throughout the year. Finally, the solar radiation absorption ratio of BrC to elemental carbon (EC) in the ultraviolet range (300–400 nm) was maximum during the cold season with the annual corresponding values of 13–25% and 17–29% for water- and methanol-soluble BrC, respectively; which provides further evidence of the important effect of BrC light absorption on atmospheric radiative balance.
Potato Price Forecasting with Holt-Winters and ARIMA Methods: A Case Study

In this paper, the first study using exponential smoothing methods and the Box-Jenkins method for forecasting consumer potato prices in Turkey is conducted. The exponential smoothing methods include the Holt-Winters multiplicative (HWM) method and the Holt-Winters additive (HWA) method. This study explores the application of the Holt-Winters approach to time series data of consumer potato prices covering the period from January 1st, 2005 to July 31st, 2019. The data were obtained from the database of the Turkish Statistical Institute. The paper explores and forecasts the trend of potato prices from August to December 2019. The results illustrate that the ARIMA method achieves good consumer potato price forecasting accuracy according to the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), the root mean square error (RMSE) and the mean absolute deviation (MAD). As a result, the forecasted values from August 2019 to December 2019 are calculated in this paper via these methods.
Abstract PR08: Discovery of immune regulators in primary human T cells using genome-wide CRISPR screens

The incredible success of cancer immunotherapies is still only limited to subsets of patients, which has motivated efforts to discover novel therapeutic targets to boost tumor killing by effector T cells. However, the translational potential of these discoveries may be limited by suboptimal correlation between cell line and animal models with human disease. Further, the majority of unbiased screening approaches are performed in cancer cells lines, rather than in the effector T cells themselves. We have developed a novel and flexible screening platform using sgRNA lentiviral infection with Cas9 protein electroporation (SLICE), to perform genome-wide CRISPR screens in primary human T cells at genome-wide scale. We have used this platform to survey the response of primary human CD8+ T cells to TCR stimulation. This screen revealed essential components of TCR signaling and inhibitors/agonists of T-cell proliferation. Targeted deletion of top candidate genes from the screen led to increased proliferation, increased expression of activation markers, and improved tumor killing in in vitro co-culture models. Coupling our screening platform with single-cell RNA-seq identified functional clustering of cell states across perturbations and showed that pooled screens in primary cells can now be analyzed at a single-cell level. In addition to finding ways to boost intrinsic T-cell activation, we also sought to adapt the SLICE screening platform to identify mediators of resistance to immunosuppressive forces in the tumor microenvironment. To model one such suppressive factor, we performed the screen in the presence of a potent adenosine agonist and found known and novel regulators of adenosine signaling in T cells. We are further integrating this platform with a two-cell co-culture system to attempt to find mechanisms of resistance to immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment. This novel platform provides the framework for unbiased, large-scale discovery of immune regulators as potential therapeutic targets in primary human T cells. This abstract is also being presented as Poster A90. Citation Format: Julia Carnevale, Eric Shifrut, Victoria Tobin, Theodore Roth, Jonathan Woo, Christina Bui, Jonathan Li, Morgan Diolaiti, Alan Ashworth, Alexander Marson. Discovery of immune regulators in primary human T cells using genome-wide CRISPR screens [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2018 Nov 27-30; Miami Beach, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2020;8(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PR08.
Transcatheter Treatment of Functional Mitral Regurgitation in Patients with Heart Failure: The COAPT Trial.

Secondary (functional) mitral regurgitation is strongly associated with recurrent heart failure (HF) hospitalizations, poor quality of life, and high rates of mortality. The COAPT trial demonstrated that transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral leaflet repair with the MitraClip device led to a decrease in the severity of secondary mitral regurgitation, a significantly lower rate of hospitalization for heart failure, lower mortality, and better quality of life and functional capacity within 24 months of follow-up compared with medical therapy alone. In this article, the authors review the COAPT trial rationale, design, results, and their clinical implications.
Misfires, Missed Data, Misaligned Treatment: Disconnects in Collaborative Treatment of Eating Disorders

Technology bears important relationships to our health and wellness and has been utilized over the past two decades as an aid to support both self-management goals as well as collaboration among treatment teams.However, when chronic illnesses such as eating disorders (ED) are managed outside of institutionalized care settings, designing effective technology to support collaboration in treatment necessitates that we understand the relationships between patients, clinicians, and support networks. We conducted in-depth, semi-structured, interviews with 9 ED patients and 10 clinicians to understand the ED journey through the lens of collaborative efforts, technology use, and potential detriments. Based on our analysis of these 19 interviews, we present novel findings on various underlying disconnects within the collaborative ED treatment process disconnects among clinicians, between treatment foci, among preferences in tracking, within support networks, and inpatients' own identities. Our findings highlight how these various disconnects are concomitant with and gaps can stem from a lack of collaboration between different stakeholders in the ED journey. We also identify methods of facilitating collaboration in these disconnects through technological mediators.
Complete Genome Resources for Ralstonia Bacterial Wilt Strains UW763 (Phylotype I); Rs5 and UW700 (Phylotype II); and UW386, RUN2474, and RUN2279 (Phylotype III).

We share whole genome sequences of six strains from the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex, a diverse group of Betaproteobacteria that cause plant vascular wilt diseases. Using single-molecule ...
Heartbeat Classification with Spiking Neural Networks on the Loihi Neuromorphic Processor

Neuromorphic processors are attractive for energy-constrained applications as they are designed to emulate the energy-efficient spiking neural networks (SNNs) of the human brain. This research aims to evaluate whether a state-of-the-art SNN design methodology, artificial-to-spiking neural network (ANN-to-SNN) conversion, and a novel neuromorphic processor, Loihi, together provide an accurate and energy-efficient approach for heartbeat classification with neural networks. To perform this evaluation, a 1D-convolutional neural network (1D-CNN) is first trained to classify arrhythmias in the artificial domain. The ANN is then converted to an architecturally identical SNN with the SNN-Toolbox framework. Finally, the performance of the SNN on Loihi is compared to the performance of the ANN on Intel Core i7 CPU, Intel Neural Compute Stick 2 (NCS2), and Google Coral Edge TPU (Edge TPU) devices. Over five classes, the SNN reaches an accuracy and macro-averaged F1 score of 97.8% and 87.9%, respectively, compared to 98.4% and 90.8% for the ANN. In terms of performance, Loihi is found to operate at the lowest dynamic power, but also at the highest latency. Overall, Loihi is estimated to result in a 1.5× and 110× higher energy-delay product versus the NCS2 and Edge TPU, respectively. These results demonstrate other edge neural network devices to be more dynamic energy-efficient for the model tested. Based on the insights gained, this study discusses future directions to enhance neuromorphic computing for energy-constrained applications like heartbeat classification.
The Effects of the PPACA on Small and Medium-Sized American Businesses

The PPACA was designed to bring health insurance to more Americans by expanding access to affordable policies. Unfortunately, this law subjects small and medium-sized businesses to its education problems, perverse growth incentives and lack of health care cost controls. This article discusses these issues and suggests solutions.
Preparation and Properties of a Vi Antigen-Degrading Enzyme

Baker, Edgar E. (Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass.), and Roberta E. Whiteside. Preparation and properties of a Vi antigen-degrading enzyme. J. Bacteriol. 89:1217-1224. 1965.-Vi antigen can be hydrolyzed by an inducible enzyme produced by a microorganism isolated from soil. The organism can be identified as Bacillus sphaericus. The enzyme in the culture supernatant fluid can be concentrated and partially purified by precipitation with ammonium sulfate at 50% of saturation. The partially purified enzyme is relatively stable. Incubation of the enzyme with Vi antigen causes a rapid loss of serological activity, a decrease in viscosity, the loss of ability to precipitate albumin at pH 4.0, and the production of reducing sugar and hexosamine. Optimal conditions for enzyme action on Vi antigen are pH 8.4 and 40 C. The reaction rate is independent of the substrate concentration. Intact protein and calcium activates the Vi antigen-enzyme system. The enzyme is not inhibited by its reaction products.
The inhibition of sugar transport in chick embryo fibroblasts by cytochalasin B. Evidence for a membrane-specific effect.

Abstract The mold metabolites, cytochalasin A and B, have been shown to be potent inhibitors of 2-deoxy-d-glucose uptake in cultured cells (Kletzien, R. F., Perdue, J. F., and Springer, A. (1972) J. Biol. Chem. 247, 2964–2966). Cytochalasin B also inhibits the uptake of d-galactose and d-glucosamine in chick embryo fibroblasts at concentrations similar to those used to inhibit the uptake of 2-deoxy-d-glucose. A concentration of cytochalasin B which inhibited 50% of sugar uptake did not affect the ability of the cells to concentrate 2-deoxy-d-glucose as the phosphorylated sugar nor did the drug inhibit the phosphorylation of 2-deoxy-d-glucose by cellular homogenates. Therefore, the inhibition of sugar uptake by cytochalasin B was due to an inhibition of transport across the plasma membrane. This inhibition was analyzed by three methods and was of the linear competitive type with an apparent dissociation constant (Ki) for the inhibitor-carrier complex of 1.45 x 10-7 m.
Friedrich Adolph Wilhelm Diesterweg (1790–1866)

Diesterweg hat keine „Erziehungslehre“ verfasst. Sein Geschaft ist nicht das eines Gelehrten, sein produktiver Bezugspunkt ist nicht der akademische Diskurs. Er schreibt fur die Volksschullehrer; hat es mit der Organisation und Bildung eines ganzen, noch im Werden begriffenen Berufsstandes zu tun. Er gibt theoretische Denkanregung und praktische Wegweisungen. Was er vor allem mochte ist die Dinge der Erziehung und der Schule moglichst unmittelbar in Bewegung zu bringen.
The Ito Formula

One of the most important results in the theory of stochastic integrals is the rule for change of variables known as the Ito formula, after Ito who first proved it for the special case of integration with respect to Brownian motion. The essential aspects of Ito’s formula are conveyed by the following.
The Constitution's Political Deficit

Professor Levinson has wisely called for an extended conversation regarding the possibility and desirability of a new Constitutional Convention, which might be called so as to correct some of the more glaring failings of our current governing document. Chief among those, in his view, are a handful of doctrines that belie our commitment to democratic self-government, such as the two-senators-per-state makeup of the United States Senate and the Electoral College. Perhaps these provisions once had some rhyme or reason to them, but, as Levinson suggests, it is not at all clear that they do now. They assure that our legislative branch will not be even remotely representative, and that the Executive branch will likewise, at least on occasion, fail to represent the will of the people. This democratic deficit ought to cause us concern. We should at least have the luxury of debating the point.Thus, I think Levinson's claim is essentially right, and I would like to make two friendly amendments to his proposal. There is, indeed, a worrisome democratic deficit in our own constitutional scheme. I suggest, however, that there are two additional problems with our constitutional practices, besides those Levinson has flagged for revision, that also impact detrimentally our democratic commitments. Echoing Levinson's framework, I would call the first of these two additional problems a "political deficit," and the second a "legal deficit." Our current dilemma exists not only because our written Constitution clearly tilts against representative democracy in the way Levinson decries. Our constitutional practices also tilt against politics, democratic or otherwise, and the ordinary law - legislation - that is its product. These political and legal deficits also deserve our critical attention.
Translation of striatal‐enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase (STEP) after β1‐adrenergic receptor stimulation

The β-adrenergic system is implicated in long-term synaptic plasticity in the CNS, a process that requires protein synthesis. To identify proteins that are translated in response to β-adrenergic receptor stimulation and the pathways that regulate this process, we investigated the effects of isoproterenol on the translation of striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase (STEP) in both cortico-striatal slices and primary neuronal cultures. Isoproterenol stimulation induced a rapid dose-dependent increase in STEP expression. Anisomycin blocked the increase in STEP expression while actinomycin D had no effect, suggesting a translation-dependent mechanism. Isoproterenol-induced STEP translation required activation of β1-receptors. Application of the MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor SL327 blocked both isoproterenol-induced activation of pERK and subsequent STEP translation. Inhibitors of PI3K (LY294002) or mTOR (rapamycin) also completely blocked STEP translation. These results suggest that co-activation of both the ERK and PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathways are required for STEP translation. As one of the substrates of STEP includes ERK itself, these results suggest that STEP is translated upon β-adrenergic activation as part of a negative feedback mechanism.
Combining Historical Cost and Fair Value

This study is to examine the economic consequences of asset measurement bases for illiquid, productive assets. We explicitly model both the entrepreneur (the seller) and the investor (the buyer) investment decision in a setting where the entrepreneur’s hidden action (investment decision) and hidden information (future prospects of the asset) are communicated through accounting reports. We derive three main findings. (i) Historical cost rule dominates fair value rule (in terms of securing greater social surplus) if and only if the expected prospects of the asset are sufficiently good. (ii) The lower of cost or fair value rule is welfare improving relative to the two pure measurement bases. (iii) Under the lower of cost or fair value rule, a large amortization rate induces a lower level of investment. However, such interplay between accounting and real decisions varies with the prevailing asset measurement basis.
Diversification, Refocusing and Firm Value: Diversification, Refocusing and Firm Value

At any point in time a firm faces three restructuring choices: diversify, refocus, or do nothing. This study analyses the causes and the consequences of these actions in a unified framework using the appropriate methodologies. Various factors, such as firm's characteristics and multinational nature, its industry's characteristics, its exchange and index inclusion, and divested (or acquired) segment(s)' industry conditions, are considered as the determinants of the diversifying and the refocusing decisions. The estimation results from the corresponding multinomial logit model suggest that refocusing occurs generally due to firm-specific reasons, and diversification due to outside factors, such as industry and economic conditions. Added or dropped segment's industry profitability, its relationship to the core business of the firm, and its relatedness to the businesses of the conglomerate's other segments have a nontrivial effect on either decision. In a related analysis, the paper explicitly models and estimates the valuation consequences that are sustained by the firm after it undertakes a refocusing or a diversification action. To isolate the changes in firm's value that are due to these decisions only, a 2SLS estimation is used to control for endogeneity that arises because the factors that affect a firm's value are likely to have also induced the firm to make the corresponding decision. The novelty of my approach is in its inclusion of variables measuring the consequences due to both actions, the diversification and the refocusing, in the same valuation equation. Contrary to some earlier findings, I find no evidence of ‘diversification discount’ or ‘refocusing premium.’ The choice of this paper to analyse all corporate restructuring decisions in a unified framework yields valuable business insights into the reasons for undertaking such corporate events.
Characterization of Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 7 in Bone Marrow Stem Cells

Changes in the intracellular concentrations of Ca2+ and Mg2+ play a significant role in cell growth and differentiation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from bone marrow are a potential source for tissue repair due to their ability to differentiate into specialized cells, including bone, fat and muscle. However, the molecular signals controlling the differentiation process remains largely unknown. In this study, we examined whether MSCs express Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 7 (TRPM7), a member of the TRP family of ion channels and a key pathway for Ca2+ and Mg2+ entry into cells. By RT-PCR, we identified TRPM7 transcripts with the expected molecular size of 198bp, but not TRPM6 (317bp), a close family member with similar function. Electrophysiological recordings revealed that depletion of intracellular Mg2+ or Mg2+-ATP activated TRPM7, suggesting that the channel is functionally active. Furthermore, treatment of MSCs with 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB 1pM-100μM), a TRPM7 blocker inhibited TRPM7 currents in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that TRPM7 may represent an important pathway for controlling stem cell growth and differentiation by regulating the amount of Ca2+ and Mg2+ entering cells.
Isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode-array detection method for determination of lysine- and arginine-vasopressins and oxytocin in biological samples.

Abstract A simple, isocratic, sensitive (1 ng), and specific high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method based on photodiode-array detection (PAD) is described for simultaneous quantitation of the bioactive peptides, lysine vasopressin (LVP), arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXY). Acidified pig plasma and left ventricular (LV) tissue samples were first extracted with Sep-Pak C18 columns, and the bioactive peptides were eluted with methanol, then dried at 37°C and reconstituted with HPLC mobile phase. The bioactive peptides were separated by HPLC on a Dynamax 3009-A C8 column with a mobile phase of 0.1% trichloroacetic acid—50 mM heptanesulfonic acid—30mM triethylamine—20% acetonitrile in water, pH 2.5 and identified with a Waters 990-PAD system (spectrum index plots in the range 200–400 nm). Standards of LVP, AVP and OXY and their mixtures showed a linear increase in the range 5 to 100 ng and were eluted at 6.1, 6.9 and 4.6 min, respectively. Spectrum analysis showed a distinct absorption peak at 290 nm, corresponding to peptide bonds. The reproducibility of the method coefficient of variation for standards is 6.9, 5.8 and 4.7% for LVP, AVP and OXY, respectively. p ]In plasma and tissue it is much higher: 12.9% (LV tissue) and 18.6% (plasma) for LVP. Pig plasma contains negligible amounts of AVP and OXY; LVP is much higher (0.28 ± 0.19 ng/ml). In pig tissue, LVP predominates (6.95 ng/g wet weight) compared to AVP (1.45) and OXY (1.50). Spectral analysis is necessary to identify the bioactive peptide peaks among interfering substances and to increase the sensitivity four-fold. The method described here is useful for the simultaneous determination of LVP, AVP and OXY in the nanogram range and can be extended to picogram levels by employing PAD spectral analysis techniques.
Rorty y la paradójica relación entre estética y política

Este articulo muestra la paradojica relacion entre estetica y politica en la obra Contingencia, ironia y solidaridad de Richard Rorty. Se sostendra la tesis de que dicha relacion debe ser pensada a la luz de la separacion de los ambitos publico y privado, pues solo a partir de esta dicotomia se puede entender que la estetica y la politica son tanto excluyentes como complementarias. Ademas, se justificara la distincion que lleva a cabo Rorty entre los ambitos privado y publico mostrando el aspecto que cobran las cosas si rechazamos esa dicotomia para el problema de la relacion entre estetica y politica.
Spin-polarized electron tunneling through an aluminum particle in a noncollinear magnetic field

We present measurements of spin-polarized electron tunneling through a nanometer-scale Al particle in contact with two ferromagnets as a function of the direction of the applied magnetic field at 4.2 K. We find that if the magnetizations of the ferromagnets are aligned parallel, the tunnel current has a weak dependence on magnetic-field direction ${I}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}\ensuremath{\uparrow}}\ensuremath{\approx}\text{const}$, while if the magnetizations of the ferromagnets are aligned antiparallel, the current has significant dependence on magnetic-field direction ${I}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}\ensuremath{\downarrow}}(\ensuremath{\alpha})\ensuremath{\approx}{I}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}\ensuremath{\uparrow},0}\text{ }{\text{sin}}^{2}(\ensuremath{\alpha})+{I}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}\ensuremath{\downarrow},0}\text{ }{\text{cos}}^{2}(\ensuremath{\alpha})$, where $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ is the angle between the magnetic field and the magnetizations. Those dependencies are in agreement with the model of spin accumulation by incoherent electron transport via Zeeman-split energy levels of the particle. They demonstrate that the electron spin in the particle at finite current accumulates along the direction of the magnetic field rather than the magnetization direction. In zero magnetic field, the spin-accumulation direction is set by the field of the environment making it possible to study inhomogeneous spin dephasing. A lower limit of 8 ns is found for the inhomogeneous spin-dephasing time.
Multiple opioid receptors mediate feeding elicited by mu and delta opioid receptor subtype agonists in the nucleus accumbens shell in rats

Abstract The nucleus accumbens, and particularly its shell region, is a critical site at which feeding responses can be elicited following direct administration of opiate drugs as well as μ-selective and δ-selective, but not κ-selective opioid receptor subtype agonists. In contrast to observations of selective and receptor-specific opioid antagonist effects upon corresponding agonist-induced actions in analgesic studies, ventricular administration of opioid receptor subtype antagonists blocks feeding induced by multiple opioid receptor subtype agonists. The present study examined whether feeding responses elicited by either putative μ ([ d -Ala2, NMe-Phe4, Gly-ol5]-enkephalin (DAMGO)), δ1 ([ d -Pen2, d -Pen5]-enkephalin (DPDPE)) or δ2 ([ d -Ala2, Glu4]-deltorphin (Deltorphin)) opioid receptor subtype agonists administered into the nucleus accumbens shell were altered by accumbens pretreatment with either selective μ (β-funaltrexamine), μ1 (naloxonazine), δ1 ([ d -Ala2, Leu5, Cys6]-enkephalin (DALCE)), δ2 (naltrindole isothiocyanate) or κ1 (nor-binaltorphamine) opioid receptor subtype antagonists. Similar magnitudes and durations of feeding responses were elicited by bilateral accumbens administration of either DAMGO (2.5 μg), DPDPE (5 μg) or Deltorphin (5 μg). DAMGO-induced feeding in the nucleus accumbens shell was significantly reduced by accumbens pretreatment of μ, δ1, δ2 and κ1, but not μ1 opioid receptor subtype antagonists. DPDPE-induced feeding in the accumbens was significantly reduced by accumbens pretreatment of μ, δ1, δ2 and κ1, but not μ1 opioid receptor subtype antagonists. Deltorphin-induced feeding in the accumbens was largely unaffected by accumbens δ2 antagonist pretreatment, and was significantly enhanced by accumbens μ or κ1 antagonist pretreatment. These data indicate different opioid pharmacological profiles for feeding induced by putative μ, δ1 and δ2 opioid agonists in the nucleus accumbens shell, as well as the participation of multiple opioid receptor subtypes in the elicitation and maintenance of feeding by these agonists in the nucleus accumbens shell.
The Lingua Franca Core: A New Model for Pronunciation Instruction?

syllabus for English as an international language. Applied Linguistics, 23, 83-103. Jenkins, J. (2005). English as a lingua franca: Attitudes and identity. Manuscript in preparation. McLeod, J. (1994). Doing counselling research. London: Sage. Norton, B. (2000). Identity and language learning. London: Longman. Seidlhofer, B. (2004). Research perspectives on teaching English as a lingua franca. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 24, 209-239.
Evaluation of ADHD Typology in Three Contrasting Samples: A Latent Class Approach

Abstract Objective To identify subtypes of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and characterize them as either categorical or continuous, to investigate tamilial resemblance for ADHD among sibling pairs; and to test the robustness of all results by using contrasting data sets. Method Latent class analysis was applied to the ADHD symptom profiles obtained from parents or best informant about their offspring in 3 samples: a population-based set of female adolescent twins (724 monozygotic pairs, 594 dizygotic pairs) and male ( N = 425) and female ( N = 430) child and adolescent offspring ascertained from high-risk alcoholic families. Results Latent class analysis revealed 2 categories of clinically significant ADHD which were replicated in all 3 study groups: a subtype with high endorsements of ADHD inattention symptoms and a second combined type with high endorsements of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity items. Both appeared to be continuous across all 3 data groups. The high-risk families contained a class in which members heavily endorsed the ADHD "fidget" item but not other ADHD items. A large proportion of the monozygotic sibs (80%) versus a smaller proportion of dizygotic sibs (52%) were assigned to the same latent class. Among the high-risk children and adolescents, 51% of the female and 41% of the male siblings were concordant for class membership. Conclusions The pattern of latent classes suggested that ADHD consists of an inattentive and a combined subtype, within each of which lies a dimensional domain. These analyses further support that genetic factors are significant determinants of latent class membership. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 1999. 38(1):25–33.
Have patient pathways for penetrating chest injuries improved since designation as a London major trauma centre

Results 25 cases from April, May and June 2010 (100% male, mean age 28.6 years) and 28 cases from April, May and June 2011 (100% male, mean age 24.1 years) were indentified. In 2010, mean time to CXR was 18.86 minutes, 95% CI (12.97, 24.75) and mean time to CT was 93.10 minutes (61.27, 124.93). In 40% of cases use of eFAST was documented. In total, 91.3% underwent CT scanning of the thorax. In February 2011, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was introduced along with pre-registration of patients prior to arrival, use of a designated trauma CT scanner and increased training of eFAST. In 2011, mean time to CXR was 10.45 minutes, 95% CI (7.55, 13.35) and mean time to CT was 46.94 minutes, 95% CI (26.36, 67.52). In 54% of cases use of eFAST was documented. In total, 60.7% of cases underwent CT scanning of the thorax. Comparing this data over time, both time to CXR (p=0.012) and time to CT (p= 0.000024) have significantly decreased along with increased utilisation of eFAST and reduced use of CT scanning in accordance with the SOP.
Colorectal cancer screening, perceived discrimination, and low-income and trust in doctors: a survey of minority patients.

Completion of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening testing is lower among low-income and minority groups than the population as a whole. Given the multiple cancer screening health disparities known to exist within the U.S., this study investigated the relationship between perceived discrimination, trust in most doctors, and completion of Fecal Occult Blood Testing (FOBT) among a low-income, minority primary care population in an urban setting. We recruited a convenience sample of adults over age 40 (n = 282) from a federally qualified community health center (70% African American). Participants completed a survey which included measures of trust in most doctors, perceived discrimination, demographics and report of cancer screening. Participants reported high levels of trust in most doctors, regardless of sex, race, education or income. High trust was associated with low perceived discrimination (p < 0.01). The trend was for older participants to express more trust (p = 0.09) and less perceived discrimination (p < 0.01). Neither trust nor discrimination was associated with race or education. Trust was higher among participants over 50 who were up-to-date on FOBT screening vs. those who were not (31 vs. 29 (median), p < 0.05 by T-test). Among those over 50, up-to-date FOBT screening was nearly associated with high trust (p < 0.06; 95% CI 0.99, 1.28) and low perceived discrimination (p < 0.01; 95% CI 0.76, 0.96). Nevertheless, in multivariate-modeling, age and income explained FOBT completion better than race, trust and discrimination. Perceived discrimination was related to income, but not race, suggesting that discrimination is not unique to minorities, but common to those in poverty. Since trust in most doctors trended toward being related to age, FOBT screening could be negatively influenced by low trust and perceived discrimination in health care settings. A failure to address these issues in middle-aged, low income individuals could exacerbate future disparities in CRC screening.
Summary of the Advanced Research Projects Agency head-mounted display programs

In 1991, the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) established a head-mounted display (HMD) program as part of their High Definition Systems Program. The goals were to investigate, then develop new display technologies that would overcome the technical challenges of cathode-ray tubes, and satisfy DoD needs for improved HMDs. A Joint Services Working was formed to identify and define display specifications through common program goals. The technologies, Active Matrix Electroluminescent and Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display were selected as the candidate display technologies. The Combat Vehicle Crew-HMD program resulted as the testbed for integrating the new display technologies. Many military systems leveraging the ARPA-developed technologies have emerged as a result of the ARPA HMD program. The dual-use applications of these technologies comply with ARPA and user goals to have HMD systems that will have wide acceptance meeting the requirements of the military, medical, commercial, and consumer markets.
Prefundoplication testing: is manometry needed?

Abstract A prospective, randomized study was conducted to determine whether preoperative esophageal dysmotility affects clinical outcome of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after laparoscopic fundoplication and whether esophageal motor function changes postoperatively. Two hundred patients with chronic GERD referred for laparoscopic fundoplication underwent clinical assessment, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, esophageal manometry, and 24-h pH monitoring. Patients were stratified according to presence or absence of esophageal dysmotility (100 in each group) and randomized to either a 360° (Nissen) or a 270° (Toupet) fundoplication. This resulted in 50 patients with normal motility and 50 patients with dysmotility undergoing Nissen fundoplications and Toupet fundoplications, respectively. Esophageal dysmotility was defined as primary peristalsis of ≤40% and/or mean distal esophageal pressure of Pre-operative dysmotility was associated with more severe and medically refractory GERD with lower resting LES pressures than normal motility. Postoperative clinical outcome and reflux recurrence were similar and independent of preoperative motility. Reflux recurred in 14% of normal motility patients (four Toupet, 10 Nissen) and 21% of dysmotility patients (11 Toupet, 10 Nissen). Postoperative dysphagia was unrelated to preoperative esophageal motor function (30 normal motility, 31 dysmotility) but dependent on the type of fundoplication (44 Nissen and 17 Toupet patients developed dysphagia). Esophageal motility changed from pathological to normal in 10% and normal to pathological in 5%, with the remaining 85% unchanged. The authors concluded that esophageal dysmotility reflects more severe disease, does not affect postoperative clinical outcome, is not corrected by fundoplication, and requires no tailoring of the surgical procedure.
Actin recruitment to the Chlamydia inclusion is spatiotemporally regulated by a mechanism that requires host and bacterial factors.

The ability to exit host cells at the end of their developmental growth is a critical step for the intracellular bacterium Chlamydia. One exit strategy, extrusion, is mediated by host signaling pathways involved with actin polymerization. Here, we show that actin is recruited to the chlamydial inclusion as a late event, occurring after 20 hours post-infection (hpi) and only within a subpopulation of cells. This event increases significantly in prevalence and extent from 20 to 68 hpi, and actin coats strongly correlated with extrusions. In contrast to what has been reported for other intracellular pathogens, actin nucleation on Chlamydia inclusions did not ‘flash’, but rather exhibited moderate depolymerization dynamics. By using small molecule agents to selectively disrupt host signaling pathways involved with actin nucleation, modulate actin polymerization dynamics and also to disable the synthesis and secretion of chlamydial proteins, we further show that host and bacterial proteins are required for actin coat formation. Transient disruption of either host or bacterial signaling pathways resulted in rapid loss of coats in all infected cells and a reduction in extrusion formation. Inhibition of Chlamydia type III secretion also resulted in rapid loss of actin association on inclusions, thus implicating chlamydial effector proteins(s) as being central factors for engaging with host actin nucleating factors, such as formins. In conclusion, our data illuminate the host and bacterial driven process by which a dense actin matrix is dynamically nucleated and maintained on the Chlamydia inclusion. This late stage event is not ubiquitous for all infected cells in a population, and escalates in prevalence and extent throughout the developmental cycle of Chlamydia, culminating with their exit from the host cell by extrusion. The initiation of actin recruitment by Chlamydia appears to be novel, and may serve as an upstream determinant of the extrusion mechanism.
Interstitial loop transformations in FeCr

Abstract We improve the Self-Evolving Atomistic Kinetic Monte Carlo (SEAKMC) algorithm by integrating the Activation Relaxation Technique nouveau (ARTn), a powerful open-ended saddle-point search method, into the algorithm. We use it to investigate the reaction of 37-interstitial 1/2[1 1 1] and 1/2[ 1 ‾ 1 ‾ 1 ] loops in FeCr at 10 at.% Cr. They transform into 1/2[1 1 1], 1/2[ 1 ‾ 1 ‾ 1 ], [1 0 0] and [0 1 0] 74-interstitial clusters with an overall barrier of 0.85 eV. We find that Cr decoration locally inhibits the rotation of crowdions, which dictates the final loop orientation. The final loop orientation depends on the details of the Cr decoration. Generally, a region of a given orientation is favored if Cr near its interface with a region of another orientation is able to inhibit reorientation at this interface more than the Cr present at the other interfaces. We also find that substitutional Cr atoms can diffuse from energetically unfavorable to energetically favorable sites within the interlocked 37-interstitial loops conformation with barriers of less than 0.35 eV.
Malignant neoplasms of the lymphatic and haematopoietic system in circumpolar inuit

Malignancies of the lymphatic and haematopoietic system in Circumpolar Inuit were studied as part of an international collaboration combining results from cancer registries for Alaska, Canada and Greenland. Low risk was observed for all such malignancies, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma and the combined leukaemias. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of non-Hodgkin lymphoma ranged from 0.3 to 0.5 based on comparison populations in Connecticut (USA), Canada and Denmark. SIR of Hodgkins's disease ranged from 0.1 to 0.2. Acute leukaemias accounted for 78% of all microscopically verified leukaemias and chronic leukaemias for 6%. No clear time trends were observed except for increasing rates of the combined leukaemias among women from the first to the second half of the study period. The epidemiology of haematologic and lymphoproliferative malignancies in Inuit is comparable to results from Chinese and Japanese populations in Asia and may reflect protective environmental or genetic factors for these malignancies.
Person-centered approaches to primary prevention in mental health: Situation-focused and competence-enhancement

Situation-focused and competence-enhancement approaches represent different pathways toward a richer person-centered primary prevention in mental health. Each is valid in its own right. The utility of developing both strands rests precisely on the fact that they are different means to a common end. Thus, although the approaches have somewhat different conceptual footings (one is proactive, the other reactive), differ in immediate goals and tactics, and have characteristically different target groups and times of application, they come together around the shared ultimate goal of strengthening people's psychological well-being. How much “good” will accrue from energetic exploration and development of these two strands remains a moot point, around which some skepticism has already been voiced (Rappaport, 1981). The two approaches singly or in combination, do not substitute for the type of social reform and provision of life opportunities (based on the concepts of justice and distribution of power) that Rappaport advocates. Nor do they compete with it. During the long period in which informed social change will remain an ideal, surrounded by uncertainty about procedural steps and outcomes, effective development of the two person-centered primary prevention strategies considered in this article can at least help to achieve a shorter-term objective, i.e., replacing aspects of traditional mental health practice known to have limited potential for advancing psychological wellness.
Seizures: Classification, Etiologies, and Pathophysiology

Epilepsy is a disorder of recurrent seizures that are neural in origin. Partial seizures are usually due to a structural cerebrocortical lesion and may be simple or complex. Brain injuries may alter inherent neuronal properties and neuronal circuits and lead to recurrent excitatory activity. Potentiation of excitatory synapses and depression of inhibitory synapses are probable critical events in epileptogenesis. The pathogenic factors underlying primary or idiopathic generalized seizures are not as well understood. A more diffuse or multifocal state of neuronal excitability may be the result of early congenital events that are magnified over time. The progression of subclinical neuronal excitatory activity to a clinical seizure may relate directly to the phenomenon of cortical plasticity.
Sensory inhibition of flexion producing interneurons in lobster abdomen.

Abstract Mechanosensory stimulation of an abdominal swimmeret initiates a fictive extension which includes flexion inhibition. The role of flexion producing interneurons (FPIs) in this motor program was examined by recording from a pair of FPIs which excite flexor motor neuron f3. The afferent-FPI-f3 pathway includes at least 5 levels of neural activity. Since swimmeret stimulation hyperpolarizes the FPIs, and mechanosensory afferents are not known to be inhibitory, sensory interneurons must connect the afferents with the FPIs. The generalized receptive fields and long latencies of the FPI responses support polysynaptic afferent-FPI connections. The poor correlation between f3FPI spikes and f3 EPSPs they evoke, and the 15 ms delay for initiation of these EPSPs, suggest that additional premotor interneurons are interposed between f3FPI and f3. Since restricted stimulation of swimmeret sensilla generates IPSPs in f3 without affecting f3FPI activity, f3FPI and f3 must be inhibited by different interneurons. Sensory evoked FPI inhibition contributes to the flexion inhibition component of the swimmeret evoked responses since hyperpolarization of f3FPI to block f3FPI spiking during spontaneous flexion activity decreases ongoing f3 spike discharge. Coupling between f3FPI and f3 activities during spontaneously initiated postural flexions supports this conclusion.