cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A gain-of-function voltage-gated sodium channel 1.8 mutation drives intense hyperexcitability of A- and C-fiber neurons

Therapeutic use of general sodium channel blockers, such as lidocaine, can substantially reduce the enhanced activity in sensory neurons that accompanies chronic pain after nerve or tissue injury. However, because these general blockers have significant side effects, there is great interest in developing inhibitors that specifically target subtypes of sodium channels. Moreover, some idiopathic small-fiber neuropathies are driven by gain-of-function mutations in specific sodium channel subtypes. In the current study, we focus on one subtype, the voltage-gated sodium channel 1.8 (Nav1.8). Nav1.8 is preferentially expressed in nociceptors, and gain-of-function mutations in Nav1.8 result in painful mechanical hypersensitivity in humans. Here, we used the recently developed gain-of-function Nav1.8 transgenic mouse strain, Possum, to investigate Nav1.8-mediated peripheral afferent hyperexcitability. This gain-of-function mutation resulted in markedly increased mechanically evoked action potential firing in subclasses of Aβ, Aδ, and C fibers. Moreover, mechanical stimuli initiated bursts of action potential firing in specific subpopulations that continued for minutes after removal of the force and were not susceptible to conduction failure. Surprisingly, despite the intense afferent firing, the behavioral effects of the Nav1.8 mutation were quite modest, as only frankly noxious stimuli elicited enhanced pain behavior. These data demonstrate that a Nav1.8 gain-of-function point mutation contributes to intense hyperexcitability along the afferent axon within distinct sensory neuron subtypes.
Large amplitude primary and superharmonic resonances in the Duffing oscillator

Second order perturbation analyses are presented of the order three superharmonic resonance in a Duffing oscillator, u+δu˙+u3 = P cos ϯt and of the primary resonance in a Duffing oscillator with softening non-linearity, u+δu˙-u3 = P cos ϯt. It is found in the former case that it is necessary to go to the second order to obtain realistic steady state stability results. In the latter problem, however, the second order solution gives little or no improvement on the first order result. Also presented, for the latter problem, is what is thought to be the first example of a “double jump” phenomenon for single degree of freedom, harmonically excited oscillators.
Autophotographic Individuality Predicts Creativity: A Seven-Year Follow-Up.

Approximately seven years after completing a photographic essay about the self, 44 adults were surveyed about their lives, current creative activities, and their work values. In accord with prediction, those who devised richer, more multidimensional and creative photo essays-the more individualistic — were engaged in more creative lifestyles as adults and rated creativity as a job value higher than their less individualistic peers. Thus, unique self-portrayals through photography were shown to have impressive predictive validity well beyond the college years.
Ruminal degradability and lysine bioavailability of soybean meals and effects on performance of dairy cows.

Abstract Evaluations of 4 soybean meal (SBM) products were conducted in 3 experiments. The 4 products were 1) solvent SBM (SSBM), 2) SSBM treated with 0.05% baker's yeast and toasted at 100°C (YSBM), 3) expeller SBM (ESBM), and 4) lignosulfonate-treated SBM (LSBM). Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 32; 152±63 d in milk; body weight=708±77kg; producing 41±7 kg/d of milk at the beginning of the study) were used in a 4×4 Latin square design with 28-d periods to investigate cow responsiveness to supplemental ruminally undegradable protein (RUP) from the SBM products. Dietary treatments were formulated by substituting all of the SSBM and part of the ground corn with YSBM, ESBM, or LSBM to yield isonitrogenous diets. Diets were formulated to provide adequate ruminally degradable protein, but deficient RUP and metabolizable protein supplies. No differences among dietary treatments were observed for dry matter intake, body weight gain, milk and component yields, or efficiency of milk production. The lack of response to changes in SBM source was likely due to an adequate RUP and metabolizable protein supply by all the diets. In situ ruminal degradations of YSBM and LSBM were slower than those of SSBM or ESBM; thus, RUP contents of YSBM and LSBM were greater than those of SSBM or ESBM. The RUP of all SBM products had similar small intestinal digestibility. Available Lys contents, estimated chemically or by using a chick growth assay, were less for YSBM and LSBM than for SSBM or ESBM, suggesting deleterious effects of processing on Lys availability in YSBM and LSBM.
Software product assurance at the jet propulsion laboratory

Abstract The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is responsible to NASA for conducting scientific investigations of the solar system using automated spacecraft. In recognition of the growing dependence of JPL missions on computer software, a new software product assurance (SPA) organization has been created. The paper describes the SPA organization and the novel approach to assuring safety, reliability, and efficiency of software that is being pursued by the SPA group. Activities, results to date, and lessons learned are presented.
American Pediatric Society Presidential Address 2008: Research in Early Life: Benefit and Promise

Members of the American Pediatric Society (APS) and guests: It is my pleasure to address this APS Presidential Plenary Session in this 120th year of our society. I want to thank the members of the APS for granting me the privilege to serve as your president this year, a truly wonderful honor that I will cherish forever.
A Quick Change Axial Cold Cathode Ion Source

An axial cold cathode heavy ion source has been built and successfully operated on the Michigan State University Cyclotron. This ion source was designed to minimize the time to change cathodes and thereby increase the cyclotron efficiency. The ion source change time (i.e. the time to change the cathode and restrike the arc) can be less than 15 minutes. In particular, all source parts that need to be cleaned at the end of a source lifetime are easily removed and clean pieces substituted. No internal ion source vacuum and water seals are broken. The ion source operates at gas flows less than 1 cc/min. and typically at 1/2 cc/min. This reduced gas usage results in a good accelerating chamber pressure and small attenuation of the accelerated beam to the external beam stop. The external ion beam intensity for a given particle and charge state are comparable to the intensity obtained from Oak Ridge and Berkeley.
An improved design for dynamically-loaded, threaded interfaces☆

Abstract An improved thread design for dynamically-loaded, threaded interfaces is presented. Maximum stress is generally located in the thread relief region or the root of the first thread of a threaded interface under load. Consequently, a non-uniform stress distribution exists throughout the thread. The improved thread design presented in this paper provides for an alternate load path resulting in a uniform stress distribution and elimination of the thread root and relief stress concentration. Whitworth and ACME type threads have been examined using hydrodynamic finite-element analysis techniques. Correlation with experimental results is good. The new thread design has been successfully implemented in the high velocity augmented kinetic energy penetrator.
Amino acid incorporation into ribonucleoprotein particles prepared from rabbit mammary glands during pregnancy and lactation.

Abstract 1. 1. Systems incorporating [ 14 C]leucine into acid-insoluble protein in vitro were prepared from the mammary glands of late-pregnant and lactating rabbits. In these systems ribonucleoprotein particles were incubated with a supernatant fraction. 2. 2. The optimal concentrations of the components of the system were determined. [ 14 C]Leucine incorporation was highly dependent on the presence of ATP and GTP. 3. 3. [ 14 C]Leucine incorporation was directly proportional to the quantity of particulate fraction present, but was less sensitive to the quantity of supernatant fraction present. 4. 4. [ 14 C]Leucine incorporation was found to be higher in systems prepared from lactating rabbits than in systems prepared from late-pregnant rabbits and to increase further as lactation progressed. The difference in the level of incorporation in late-pregnant and lactating systems appeared to be due to changes occurring in both the particulate and supernatant fractions. Changes in the particulate fraction included an increase in the total quantity and in the specific activity of the ribonucleoprotein particles. The nature of the change in the supernatant fraction was not determined but the increased activity of this fraction was retained in part after dialysis or Sephadex G-25 treatment.
The β subunit of Oxytricha telomere-binding protein promotes G-quartet formation by telomeric DNA

Telomeres, the ends of linear chromosomes, typically consist of tandem repeats of simple G-rich sequences. At high concentrations, single-stranded telomeric DNA can form dimers and tetramers involving G-quartets. We show that under physiological conditions, the beta subunit of the Oxytricha telomere-binding protein greatly accelerates G-quartet formation. The reaction occurs with oligonucleotides ending in the Oxytricha (T4G4T4G4) and Tetrahymena (T2G4T2G4) telomeric sequences; the sequence preceding these telomeric repeats can be nontelomeric, single-, or double-stranded. Protein deletion analysis indicates that the carboxy-terminal highly basic domain of the beta subunit, which is dispensible for telomeric complex formation, is sufficient for mediating G-quartet formation. The finding that a telomeric protein acts as a molecular chaperone for G-quartet formation provides a strong argument that such DNA structures exist in vivo at chromosome telomeres.
A proposed methodology for estimating transient engine-out temperature and emissions from steady-state maps:

AbstractMany vehicle systems simulations utilize engine maps constructed from steady-state dynamometer measurements to estimate exhaust temperature and emissions as functions of engine speed and lo...
Advanced control circuit for intermediate bus converter

Power systems employing intermediate bus architecture (IBA) are lower cost and superior power quality solution versus the centralized power supply or distributed isolated DC-DC converters. The advantage of IBA depends heavily on highly efficient and power dense unregulated intermediate bus converter (IBC). This isolated IBC generates intermediate bus voltage in the range from 8 V to 14 V to supply local point-of-load regulators. The paper describes advanced control approach for the intermediate bus converter specifically addressing its key requirements. The new controller includes load current dependent off time control for improved efficiency, special means to address potential oscillating of synchronous self-driven MOSFET rectifiers and frequency control circuit to minimize the size of output inductor. Efficiency and performance improvement of IBC using described controller is verified by test results of the module with nominal input voltage 48 V and output power up to 600 W.
Plains Harvest Mice in Tallgrass Prairie: Abundance, Habitat Association and Individual Attributes

The plains harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys montanus) inhabits grasslands in the Great Plains, but little is known about its ecology and natural history in native tallgrass prairie. We sampled native tallgrass prairie in spring and autumn by standard traplines on the Konza Prairie Biological Station during autumn 1981-spring 2013 and for shorter time periods in woodlands and brome fields. In addition to our long-term research, we studied small mammals on a large Prairie Grid (∼13 ha) that was trapped intensively (about every 2 weeks except in winter) during 1984–1987. Plains harvest mice (n = 39) were captured in native prairie but not in brome fields or wooded habitats. In all prairie sites, they were found to be rare (1.1 individuals/10,000 trap nights [TN]); in 14 Core Sites sampled for 32 years, abundance was higher in autumn (1.95/10,000 TN) than in spring (0.70/10,000 TN). It was not apparent that these low abundances were related to precipitation or another weather feature. On the Prairie Grid, plain...
Economic model for 2-hop relaying cellular networks

This paper discusses the economic model for two hop relaying cellular networks. The benefit and cost of relaying is modeled in term of a utility function, which is based on error free data transmission. The benefit takes into account the power spent while the relay is carrying. Use of relays lowers the power in the cellular system, thereby lowering the signal to interference ratio. The benefit also involves overcoming dead spots due to relays. Finally for mobile and relay, choice of model parameters formulates a non-collaborative game to maximize their utility and their strategy gives Nash equilibrium. The utility function can also be used as a criterion to choose relays.
Effective compression ratio estimation in engines with flexible intake valve actuation

The ability to modulate the effective compression ratio (ECR) of an engine is a key enabler of advanced combustion strategies. ECR is a measure of the effective in-cylinder compression of gases above intake manifold conditions. An engine's ECR is usually computed from in-cylinder pressure data, requiring reliable in-cylinder pressure sensors that are not typically found on production engines. As such, a method is needed for determining the effective compression ratio using only information available from stock engine sensors, including manifold pressures and temperatures and air flows. The work outlined here presents a strategy for estimating the ECR without need for in-cylinder pressure data. The estimation scheme was transiently tested and compared to experimental engine data from a unique diesel engine test bed with flexible intake valve actuation, and was able to converge within 3 engine cycles after a transient event with less than 6% average steady-state error compared to experimental engine data.
Determination of isokinetic ratios necessary for equimolar incorporation of carboxylic acids in the solid-phase synthesis of mixture-based combinatorial libraries

The methods used to study the relative reaction rates of 45 different aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids when coupled to resin-bound amino acid amides is described. Competition experiments involving the coupling of incoming carboxylic acids to resin-bound amino acid amides were performed. The relative composition of each N-acylated amino acid amide in the resulting mixtures was compared to controls prepared by physically mixing equal aliquots of individual compounds in order to study the relative reaction rates of the incoming carboxylic acids. The ratios of the incoming carboxylic acids were then iteratively adjusted to yield as close to equimolar products as possible. As expected, the steric and electronic nature of the incoming carboxylic acids was found to influence their relative reaction rates. The steric hindrance of the resin-bound amino acid appears to have a proportional effect on the reaction rates of the incoming carboxylic acids. N-acylated amino acid amides in the final mixtures, prepared using the final isokinetic ratios, were found to be approximately equimolar.
Chromosome Segregation Proteins of Vibrio cholerae as Transcription Regulators

ABSTRACT Bacterial ParA and ParB proteins are best known for their contribution to plasmid and chromosome segregation, but they may also contribute to other cell functions. In segregation, ParA interacts with ParB, which binds to parS centromere-analogous sites. In transcription, plasmid Par proteins can serve as repressors by specifically binding to their own promoters and, additionally, in the case of ParB, by spreading from a parS site to nearby promoters. Here, we have asked whether chromosomal Par proteins can likewise control transcription. Analysis of genome-wide ParB1 binding in Vibrio cholerae revealed preferential binding to the three known parS1 sites and limited spreading of ParB1 beyond the parS1 sites. Comparison of wild-type transcriptomes with those of Δ parA1 , Δ parB1 , and Δ parAB1 mutants revealed that two out of 20 genes (VC0067 and VC0069) covered by ParB1 spreading are repressed by both ParB1 and ParA1. A third gene (VC0076) at the outskirts of the spreading area and a few genes further away were also repressed, particularly the gene for an outer membrane protein, ompU (VC0633). Since ParA1 or ParB1 binding was not evident near VC0076 and ompU genes, the repression may require participation of additional factors. Indeed, both ParA1 and ParB1 proteins were found to interact with several V. cholerae proteins in bacterial and yeast two-hybrid screens. These studies demonstrate that chromosomal Par proteins can repress genes unlinked to parS and can do so without direct binding to the cognate promoter DNA. IMPORTANCE Directed segregation of chromosomes is essential for their maintenance in dividing cells. Many bacteria have genes ( par ) that were thought to be dedicated to segregation based on analogy to their roles in plasmid maintenance. It is becoming clear that chromosomal par genes are pleiotropic and that they contribute to diverse processes such as DNA replication, cell division, cell growth, and motility. One way to explain the pleiotropy is to suggest that Par proteins serve as or control other transcription factors. We tested this model by determining how Par proteins affect genome-wide transcription activity. We found that genes implicated in drug resistance, stress response, and pathogenesis were repressed by Par. Unexpectedly, the repression did not involve direct Par binding to cognate promoter DNA, indicating that the repression may involve Par interactions with other regulators. This pleiotropy highlights the degree of integration of chromosomal Par proteins into cellular control circuitries.
Beta-blocker eyedrops and nocturnal arterial hypotension.

Abstract PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of topical beta-blocker eyedrops on nocturnal arterial hypotension and heart rate and on visual field deterioration. METHODS: We prospectively investigated 275 white patients, 161 with glaucomatous optic neuropathy and 114 with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and diurnal curve of intraocular pressure, in addition to detailed ophthalmic evaluation. Of the patients with glaucomatous optic neuropathy, 131 had normal-tension glaucoma and 30 had primary open-angle glaucoma. Of the 275 patients, 114 were using topical beta-blocker eyedrops twice daily (76 with normal-tension glaucoma, 26 with primary open-angle glaucoma, and 12 with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy). RESULTS: Hourly average blood pressure data analyses showed overall a drop in blood pressure as well as heart rate during sleep, and a significantly greater drop in mean diastolic blood pressure ( P = .009) at night in normal-tension glaucoma than in anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Also, patients using beta-blocker eyedrops experienced a significantly greater percentage drop in diastolic blood pressure at night ( P = .028), lower minimum nighttime diastolic blood pressure ( P = .072), and lower minimum nighttime heart rate ( P = .002) than did those not using them. In normal-tension glaucoma, eyes receiving beta-blocker eyedrops showed visual field progression significantly ( P = .0003) more often than those not receiving beta-blockers. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our studies, as well as those of others, suggest that any factor that increases nocturnal arterial hypotension is a potential risk factor in vulnerable individuals with glaucomatous optic neuropathy or anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. The present study suggests that the use of beta-blocker eyedrops, by aggravating nocturnal arterial hypotension and reducing the heart rate, may be a potential risk factor in susceptible individuals.
Utility-driven proactive management of availability in enterprise-scale information flows

Enterprises rely critically on the timely and sustained delivery of information. To support this need, we augment information flow middleware with new functionality that provides high levels of availability to distributed applications while at the same time maximizing the utility end users derive from such information. Specifically, the paper presents utility-driven ‘proactive availability-management' techniques to offer (1) information flows that dynamically self-determine their availability requirement based on high-level utility specifications, (2) flows that can trade recovery time for performance based on the ‘perceived' stability of and failure predictions (early alarm) for the underlying system, and (3) methods, based on real-world case studies, to deal with both transient and non-transient failures. Utility-driven ‘proactive availability-management' is integrated into information flow middleware and used with representative applications. Experiments reported in the paper demonstrate middleware capability to self-determine availability guarantees, to offer improved performance versus a statically configured system, and to be resilient to a wide range of faults.
Antimicrobial resistance among isolates causing invasive pneumococcal disease before and after licensure of heptavalent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine.

Background The impact of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) on antibiotic resistance among pneumococcal strains causing invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) has varied in different locales in the United States. We assessed trends in IPD including trends for IPD caused by penicillin non-susceptible strains before and after licensure of PCV-7 and the impact of the 2008 susceptibility breakpoints for penicillin on the epidemiology of resistance.
The genetics of essential metal homeostasis during development

The essential metals copper, zinc, and iron play key roles in embryonic, fetal, and postnatal development in higher eukaryotes. Recent advances in our understanding of the molecules involved in the intricate control of the homeostasis of these metals and the availability of natural mutations and targeted mutations in many of the genes involved have allowed for elucidation of the diverse roles of these metals during development. Evidence suggests that the ability of the embryo to control the homeostasis of these metals becomes essential at the blastocyst stage and during early morphogenesis. However, these metals play unique roles throughout development and exert pleiotropic, metal-specific, and often cell-specific effects on morphogenesis, growth, and differentiation. Herein, we briefly review the major players known to be involved in the homeostasis of each of these essential metals and their known roles in development.
Learning the Architecture of Sum-Product Networks Using Clustering on Variables

The sum-product network (SPN) is a recently-proposed deep model consisting of a network of sum and product nodes, and has been shown to be competitive with state-of-the-art deep models on certain difficult tasks such as image completion. Designing an SPN network architecture that is suitable for the task at hand is an open question. We propose an algorithm for learning the SPN architecture from data. The idea is to cluster variables (as opposed to data instances) in order to identify variable subsets that strongly interact with one another. Nodes in the SPN network are then allocated towards explaining these interactions. Experimental evidence shows that learning the SPN architecture significantly improves its performance compared to using a previously-proposed static architecture.
An Attributional Analysis of Reactions to Magic Johnson1

Principles from attribution theory were used to analyze public reactions to the health status of Magic Johnson. An experimental study containing two distinct samples (college students and African-American adults) together with supplemental reports from local and national media confirm the value of this approach. The findings show that inferences about causal responsibility are related to affective reactions of sympathy and anger toward Magic Johnson. Implications for attribution theory, as well as for future attitudes toward Magic Johnson, are discussed.
Novel technique for repair of severed peripheral nerves in rats using polyurea crosslinked silica aerogel scaffold.

ABSTRACTPurpose/Aim: To design, synthesize, and test in vivo an aerogel-based top-open peripheral nerve scaffold to simultaneously support and guide multiple completely severed peripheral nerves in a rat model. Also, to explore options for immobilizing severed nerves on the aerogel material without the use of sutures resulting in reduced surgical time. Materials and Method: A novel material and approach was developed for the reattachment of severed peripheral nerves. Nerve confinement and alignment in this case relies on the surface properties of a lightweight, highly porous, polyurea crosslinked silica aerogel scaffold. The distal and proximal ends of completely transected nerve terminals were positioned inside prefabricated “top-open” corrugated channels that cradled approximately two thirds of the circumference of the nerve trunk and connectivity of the severed nerves was evaluated using sciatic function index (SFI) technique for five months post-surgery on 10 female Sprague–Dawley rats then compared w...
VIA design rule consideration in multi-layer maze routing algorithms

Maze routing algorithms are widely used for finding an optimal path in detailed routing for very large scale integra- tion, printed circuit board and multichip modules In this paper, we show that finding an optimal route of a two-pin net in a mul- tilayer routing environment under practical via design rules can be surprisingly difficult. A straightforward extension to the maze routing algorithm that disallows via-rule incorrect routes may ei- ther cause a suboptimal route to be found, or more seriously, cause the failure to find any route even if one exists. We present a refined heuristic to this problem by embedding the distance to the most re- cently placed via in an extended connection graph so that the maze routing algorithm has a higher chance of finding a via-rule cor- rect optimum path in the extended connection graph. We further present efficient data-structures to implement the maze routing al- gorithm without the need to preconstruct the extended connection graph. Experimental results confirmed the usefulness of our algo- rithm and its applicability to a wide range of CMOS technologies.
Differences between Nonprecipitating Tropical and Trade Wind Marine Shallow Cumuli

AbstractMarine nonprecipitating cumulus topped boundary layers (CTBLs) observed in a tropical and in a trade wind region are contrasted based on their cloud macrophysical, dynamical, and radiative structures. Data from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) observational site previously operating at Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, and data collected during the deployment of ARM Mobile Facility at the island of Graciosa, in the Azores, were used in this study. The tropical marine CTBLs were deeper, had higher surface fluxes and boundary layer radiative cooling, but lower wind speeds compared to their trade wind counterparts. The radiative velocity scale was 50%–70% of the surface convective velocity scale at both locations, highlighting the prominent role played by radiation in maintaining turbulence in marine CTBLs. Despite greater thicknesses, the chord lengths of tropical cumuli were on average lower than those of trade wind cumuli, and as a result of lower cloud cover, the hourly averaged (cloudy ...
Disorders of Male External Genitalia: Circumcision

The prepuce is apparent prenatally at 8 weeks of gestation as a ridge of thickened epithelium. The prepuce grows forward over the glans to completion by 16 weeks of gestation. Early in gestation there is no separation between the epithelium lining the prepuce and glans. Preputial adhesions are a characteristic of normal development with initiation of spontaneous separation by desquamation late in gestation. The rate of preputial separation after birth is variable with up to 70% of boys having some degree of preputial adherence at 5 years of age. Consequently a “non-retractile foreskin” or more appropriately described “physiologic phimosis” at birth is normal. The majority of boys will have a fully and easily retractable foreskin by physical maturity.
The full translational spectrum of prevention science: facilitating the transfer of knowledge to practices and policies that prevent behavioral health problems

A broad-span, six-stage translational prevention model is presented, extending from the basic sciences-taking a multi-level systems approach, including the neurobiological sciences-through to globalization. The application of a very wide perspective of translation research from basic scientific discovery to international policy change promises to elicit sustainable, population-level reductions in behavioral health disorders. To illustrate the conceptualization and actualization of a program of translational prevention research, we walk through each stage of research to practice and policy using an exemplar, callous-unemotional (CU) traits. Basic science has identified neurobiological, psychophysiological, behavioral, contextual, and experiential differences in this subgroup, and yet, these findings have not been applied to the development of more targeted intervention. As a result, there are currently no programs considered especially effective for CU traits, likely because they do not specifically target underlying mechanisms. To prevent/reduce the prevalence of conduct disorder, it is critical that we transfer existing knowledge to subsequent translational stages, including intervention development, implementation, and scaling. And eventually, once resulting programs have been rigorously evaluated, replicated, and adapted across cultural, ethnic, and gender groups, there is potential to institutionalize them as well as call attention to the special needs of this population. In this paper, we begin to consider what resources and changes in research perspectives are needed to move along this translational spectrum.
X-ray and neutron structure determination and magnetic properties of new quaternary phases RE0.67Ni2Ga5+n-xGex and RE0.67Ni2Ga5+n-xSix (n = 0, 1; RE = Y, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm) synthesized in liquid Ga

Liquid Ga was used as a solvent to explore the phase formation between rare-earth metals (REs), Ni, and a tetrelide (Tt = Si, Ge). The reactions were performed in excess liquid Ga at 850 °C. Two new phases of general formulas RE 0.67 Ni 2 Ga 5-x Tt x and RE 0.67 Ni 2 Ga 6-x Tt x were found and structurally characterized. The Co analogues of the latter RE 0.67 Co 2 Ga 6-x Ge x (RE = Y, Gd) were also prepared. Single-crystal X-ray data: The first group of compounds RE 0.67 Ni 2 Ga 5-x Tt x crystallizes in the hexagonal space group P6 3 /mmc with a structure related to the RE 2-x Pt 4 Ga 8+y type (Sm 0.53 Ni 2 Ga 5-x Ge x , a = 4.1748(7) A, c = 16.007(4) A, V = 241.61(8) A 3 , Z = 2; Y 0.59 Ni 2 Ga 5-x Ge x , a = 4.1344(11) A, c = 15.887(6) A, V = 235.18(12) A 3 , Z = 2; Tb 0.67 Ni 2 Ga 5-x Si x , a = 4.1415(11) A, c = 15.843(6) A, V = 235.33(12) A 3 , Z = 2; Ho 0,67 Ni 2 Ga 5-x Ge x , a = 4.1491(4) A, c = 15.877(2) A, V = 236.71(5) A 3 , Z = 2). The second group RE 0.67 Ni 2 Ga 6-x Tt x crystallizes inP6m2 (Gd 0.67 Ni 2 Ga 6-x Ge x , a = 4.1856(10) A, c = 9.167(3) A, V = 139.08(7) A 3 , Z = 1; Sm 0.67 Ni 2 Ga 6-x Si x , a = 4.1976(8) A, c = 9.159(3) A, V = 139.76(5) A 3 , Z = 1) in a structure related to the ErNi 3 Al 9 structure type with disorder in the RE-Ga plane. Dy 0.67 Ni 2 Ga 6-x Ge x crystallizes in space group P31c (a = 7.2536(8) A, c = 18.308(3) A, V = 834.21(2) A 3 , Z = 6) with partial disorder in the RE-Ga plane. The structures of these two groups of compounds are related to each other and contain similar building motifs, namely Ga n [NiGa 2-x/2 Ge x/2 ] 2 slabs and RE 0.67 Ga monatomic layers which alternate along the c-direction, forming a 3D structure. The parameter x and the position of the tetrelide in the structure were determined by single-crystal neutron diffraction. Complete or partial disorder of the RE and Ga atoms is observed in the RE-Ga plane. The origin of the disorder lies in the extensive and random stacking faults of ordered RE-Ga planes, which apparently slide easily in the ab plane and create an averaged disordered picture. Electrical conductivity and thermopower measurements indicate that these compounds are metallic conductors. The magnetic measurements show antiferromagnetic ordering at ∼3-4 K and Curie-Weiss behavior at higher temperatures with the values of μ eff close to those of RE 3+ free ions. Strong 2-fold crystal field anisotropy is observed for the heavy RE analogues. The anisotropy constants K 2 para calculated from the Weiss constant anisotropy for heavy RE analogues are reported.
Management in Perspective

Comments on several issues on management as of December 1960. Problem of executive power insolvency; Demands for brain power; Information on starting-pay statistics; Need for a reservoir of reflect...
First citation speed for articles in Psychology of Music

This study examined the speed of initial research impact and dissemination for 619 articles published in Psychology of Music (POM) from 1973 to 2012. A computer script calculated the time elapsed from publication to receiving a first-citation from a referencing journal and discipline. Journal references (n = 7,969) to POM were extracted from Google Scholar and divided into business, education, medical, music, music education, natural science, psychology, social science, and technology collections. Stratified plots revealed that journals in the disciplines of music education and psychology cited POM articles more quickly than other fields; music psychology journals cited POM more quickly than music education journals from US and worldwide sources, and POM articles published from 1973–1992 were more quickly cited by journals in music education, while articles from 1993–2012 by those in music psychology. Cox regression indicated research-uptake accelerated with later decades, publishers, editor eras, and inc...
Effect of Cochleovestibular Malformation on Surgical and Auditory Outcomes in Pediatric Cochlear Implant Recipients: A Retrospective Study Using a Web-Based Database

Purpose Prior studies have suggested that cochleovestibular malformation (CM) may have an influence on surgical and auditory outcomes in pediatric cochlear implant (CI) recipients. The present stud...
Neuroimaging and Neural Bases of Learning and Memory

The use of positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies in identifying brain regions involved with learning and memory is reviewed from the University of Alberta, Canada, and the Umea University, Sweden.
Looking in the Wrong (La)place? The Promise and Perils of Becoming Big Data:

Laplace once argued that if one could “comprehend all the forces by which nature is animated,” it would be possible to predict the future and explain the past. The advent of analysis of large-scale...
Quantitative PET Myocardial Blood Flow: "Trust, But Verify".

Noninvasive quantification of absolute hyperemic myocardial blood flow and flow reserve with positron emission tomography (PET) imaging is an elite tool for coronary artery disease (CAD) detection and could offer a paradigm shift in CAD management. It extends the scope of conventional single-photon
Acute administration of catalase targeted to ICAM-1 attenuates neuropathology in experimental traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) contributes to one third of injury related deaths in the US. Treatment strategies for TBI are supportive, and the pathophysiology is not fully understood. Secondary mechanisms of injury in TBI, such as oxidative stress and inflammation, are points at which intervention may reduce neuropathology. Evidence suggests that reactive oxygen species (ROS) propagate blood-brain barrier (BBB) hyperpermeability and inflammation following TBI. We hypothesized that targeted detoxification of ROS may improve the pathological outcomes of TBI. Following TBI, endothelial activation results in a time dependent increase in vascular expression of ICAM-1. We conjugated catalase to anti-ICAM-1 antibodies and administered the conjugate to 8 wk old C57BL/6J mice 30 min after moderate controlled cortical impact injury. Results indicate that catalase targeted to ICAM-1 reduces markers of oxidative stress, preserves BBB permeability, and attenuates neuropathological indices more effectively than non-targeted catalase and anti-ICAM-1 antibody alone. Furthermore, the study of microglia by two-photon microscopy revealed that anti-ICAM-1/catalase prevents the transition of microglia to an activated phenotype. These findings demonstrate the use of a targeted antioxidant enzyme to interfere with oxidative stress mechanisms in TBI and provide a proof-of-concept approach to improve acute TBI management that may also be applicable to other neuroinflammatory conditions.
An Explicit Form for the Fourier-Plancherel Transform over Locally Compact Abelian Groups

In [11] we have pointed out the importance of basic orthogonally scattered measures in the study of analytic and stochastic problems involving Hilbert spaces in which discreteness is absent and no orthogonal basis appears naturally. We also announced that such basic measures provide a natural foundation on which to build the Fourier analysis of L 2 functions over any locally compact abelian (l.c.a.) group X, and in [11’, §10] we gave this construction for the case X=R. In the present paper we shall carry over this construction for any l.c.a. group X.
GMR-based single-domain magnetic sensor for 500nm single particle detection

GMR-based magnetic sensors remain to be one of the best candidates to detect biomolecules since it was first introduced by the Naval Research Laboratory group in 1998 [1].
Predictors of Swimming Ability among Children and Adolescents in the United States

Swimming is an important source of physical activity and a life skill to prevent drowning. However, little research has been conducted to understand predictors of swimming ability. The purpose of this study was to understand factors that predict swimming ability among children and adolescents in the United States (US). This was a cross-sectional survey conducted between February and April of 2017 across five geographically diverse cities. Participants were accessed through the Young Christian Men’s Association (YMCA) and included parents of children aged 4–11 years old and adolescents aged 12–17 years old. Independent t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. Several factors were significant (p ≤ 0.05) predictors of swimming ability and explained 53% of the variance in swimming ability. Variables that were positively associated with swimming ability included: ability of parent(s) to swim, child/adolescent age, a best friend who enjoys swimming, water-safety knowledge, pool open all year, and encouragement to swim from parent(s). Variables that were negatively associated with swimming ability included: fear of drowning, being African American, and being female. Interventions and programs to improve the swimming ability of children and adolescents could be developed with these predictors in mind.
Case Note: The Achughbabian Case: Impact of the Return Directive on National Criminal Legislation

Case note on the Achughbabian judgment of the ECJ (C-329/11) and on the impact of the Returns Directive on national criminal legislation.
Platelet antithrombin defect in malignancy: platelet protein alterations

Sixty-eight patients with malignant disease were divided into two groups based on the results of the platelet antithrombin test (PAT). The normal group had a PAT clotting time ranging from 21.4 to 29.8 seconds, which was equivalent to 25% to 65% inactivation of the 2 U of thrombin added to the test system. The other group showed abnormal PAT clotting time, less than 21.4 seconds or less than 25% thrombin inactivation. The polypeptide composition of platelets from the two patient groups was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)- electrophoresis on 7.5% polyacrylamide gels. A polypeptide of 180,000 apparent mol wt was decreased or absent in both Coomassie blue- and Alcian blue-stained gels of the platelets from patients whose PAT was abnormal; this polypeptide comigrated with purified platelet thrombospondin. Tritium labeling of platelet surface glycoproteins by the periodate-borohydride method followed by two-dimensional electrophoresis was performed on platelets of seven patients with abnormal PAT. When they were compared with ten patients with normal PAT, a glycoprotein of 140,000 apparent mol wt with a pl of 4.5 to 5.2 was decreased in platelets of all seven patients with abnormal PAT. Nitrocellulose replicas of one-dimensional gels of platelets from 13 of 14 patients with abnormal PAT showed decreased reaction with an anti- human platelet glycocalicin antiserum. Platelets of these same patients also showed a decreased or absent platelet agglutination induced by ristocetin. Patients with normal PAT had a mean agglutination slope of 1.25 +/- 0.6 (n = 26) as compared with 0.37 +/- 0.34 (n = 26) for the abnormal PAT group (P less than .001). Results indicate that platelets from a subpopulation of tumor patients characterized by decreased platelet antithrombin activity have alterations in two platelet glycoproteins, identified as GPIb and thrombospondin.
Teacher-perceived distributed leadership, teacher self-efficacy and job satisfaction: A multilevel SEM approach using the 2013 TALIS data

Abstract Authors in this study argued that research most often examined how school principals approached distributed leadership, but few studies were focused on how teachers perceived it and on what relationships might be between distributed leadership, teacher self-efficacy and job satisfaction. Utilizing a multilevel SEM research methodology, this study analyzed the 2013 TALIS data in attempts to expand understanding of distributed leadership through lenses of teachers and to examine whether, and to what extent, teacher perceived distributed leadership is associated with teacher self-efficacy and their job satisfaction. The findings indicated that distributed leadership at both the teacher and school levels presented significant, positive, and direct and indirect effects on teacher job satisfaction and the indirect effect on the job satisfaction was mediated by teacher self-efficacy.
National rate of tobacco and substance use disorders among hospitalized heart failure patients

Abstract Background Several cardiotoxic substances impact heart failure incidence. The burden of comorbid tobacco or substance use disorders among heart failure patients is under-characterized. We describe the burden of tobacco and substance use disorders among hospitalized heart failure patients in the United States. Methods We calculated the proportion of primary heart failure hospitalizations in the 2014 National Inpatient Sample with tobacco or substance use disorders accounting for demographic factors. Results Of 989,080 heart failure hospitalizations, 15.5% (n = 152,965) had documented tobacco (n = 119,285, 12.1%) or substance (n = 61,510, 6.2%) use disorder. Female sex was associated with lower rates of tobacco (odds ratio [OR] 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70-0.74) and substance (OR 0.37; 95% CI, 0.36-0.39) use disorder. Tobacco and substance use disorder rates were highest for hospitalizations Conclusions Tobacco and substance use disorders affect vulnerable heart failure populations, including those of male sex, younger age, lower socioeconomic status, and racial/ethnic minorities. Enhanced screening for tobacco and substance use disorders in hospitalized heart failure patients may reveal opportunities for treatment and secondary prevention.
Genetic and Biochemical Determinants of Phenazine Antibiotic Production in Fluorescent Pseudomonads that Suppress Take-All Disease of Wheat

Biological control of take-all by Pseudomonas fluorescens strain 2–79 and P. aureofaciens 30–84 depends largely on the production of one or more phenazine compounds with broad spectrum antibiotic activity. Phenazine compounds are derived via the shikimic acid pathway, with chorismic acid as the probable branchpoint intermediate. Anthranilic acid is a phenazine precursor in P. aeurginosa and can accumulate in iron-deprived cultures of strain 2–79 that also exhibit reduced phenazine production. We have now shown that the tryptophan pathway is unlikely to provide anthranilate for phenazine synthesis in strain 2–79; inactivation of trpE, which encodes the large subunit of anthranilate synthase, caused auxotrophy for tryptophan but did not eliminate phenazine production. We also show that two loci, phzP in strain 2–79 and phzA in P. aureofaciens strain 30–84, are required for phenazine production. PhzA is linked to and divergently transcribed from the structural locus for phenazine production in strain 30–84, whereas phzP, previously identified in the mutant strain 2–79.B46, is not closely linked to the structural locus and has a pleiotropic phenotype. The biosynthetic locus is strongly homologous in strains 2–79 and 30–84 and is expressed in nonproducer pseudomonads, resulting in phenazine production. The reporter gene lacZ was fused to the biosynthetic loci from both strains and used to analyze their structure, kinetics of expression, and responses to environmental stimuli.
Dementia risk genes engage gene networks poised to tune the immune response towards chronic inflammatory states

Abstract An emerging challenge in neurodegenerative dementia is understanding how immune-associated genes and pathways contribute to disease. To achieve a refined view of neuroinflammatory signaling across neurodegeneration, we took an integrative functional genomics approach to consider neurodegeneration from the perspective of microglia and their interactions with other cells. Using large-scale gene expression and perturbation data, regulatory motif analysis, and gene knockout studies, we identify and characterize a microglial-centric network involving distinct gene co-expression modules associated with progressive stages of neurodegeneration. These modules, which are conserved from mouse to human, differentially incorporate specific immune sensors of cellular damage and pathways that are predicted to eventually tune the immune response toward chronic inflammation and immune suppression. Notably, common genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) resides in specific modules that distinguish between the disorders, but also show convergence on pathways related to anti-viral defense mechanisms. These results suggest a model wherein combinatorial microglial-immune signaling integrate specific immune activators and disease genes that lead to the establishment of chronic states of simultaneous inflammation and immunosuppression involving type 1 interferon in these dementias.
Fast Approximation of Non-Negative Sparse Recovery via Deep Learning

Non-negative sparse recovery refers to recovering non-negative sparse source signals from linear observations. This model arises naturally in many image processing applications such as super-resolution and image inpainting. In this paper, we propose two efficient neural networks for fast approximation of non-negative sparse recovery. We also derive upper bounds on network sizes measured by the numbers of layers and neurons to achieve a specified approximation error. Numerical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed networks and show their potential in solving more complicated signal recovery problems with non-stationary transformation process and noisy observation.