cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acoustic micro-resonator utilizing hemispherical air cavity for sensitivity enhancement

We report the modelling, feasibility study, parametric design, fabrication approach, and measurements of a mechanical transducer with sensitivity amplified by an air cavity exhibiting the Helmholtz resonance effect. The device features a cantilever with sputtered zinc oxide for piezoelectric sensing coupled to a microfabricated hemispherical chamber. A model was developed and assessed using FEM simulations, and the resulting model was applied to generate a set of device parameters to provide up to 41 dB in sensitivity enhancement. Two devices were fabricated and tested, and showed improvements in sensitivity by factors of 11.14 and 13.9, experimentally demonstrating the feasibility of this approach.
The use of spreadsheets in modelling accidental releases of toxic chemicals

Many hazardous industrial chemicals are stored as liquidfied compressed gases. To evaluate the possible consequences of a pipeline rupture, hose break, or tank puncture, the safety or process engineer needs a means to estimate the two-phase (liquid and gas) flow rate. Recent technical advances by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Design Institute of Emergency Relief Systems (DIERS) have produced methods that can be used to compute the two-phase flow rate. These methods are simple and can be completed using a personal computer and a standard spreadsheet program such as Excel (Macintosh) or Lotus (DOS based). This paper presents the two-phase flow rate calculation method and shows how spreadsheets can be used for these calculations.
Control of the Beam Spill at the PPA

The PPA machine operates on a 20 cycle per second machine rate and is not flat topped. Due to these two factors spill lengths in the region of 5 - 10 milliseconds are not only "long" but contain up to 10% energy modulations. Conversely "short" spills are those occuring in less than a few hundred microseconds. Another unusual feature of the PPA machine is the one to two nanosecond rf bunch width at spill time. This feature was inherent with the first spill techniques and has proven invaluable to experimenters doing time of flight measurements in neutral secondary beams and separating K's from ?'s.
Velocity Invariance of Receptive Field Structure in Somatosensory Cortical Area 3b of the Alert Monkey

This is the second in a series of studies of the neural representation of tactile spatial form in cortical area 3b of the alert monkey. We previously studied the spatial structure of 330 area 3b neuronal receptive fields (RFs) on the fingerpad with random dot patterns scanned at one velocity (40 mm/sec; [DiCarlo et al., 1998][1]). Here, we analyze the temporal structure of 84 neuronal RFs by studying their spatial structure at three scanning velocities (20, 40, and 80 mm/sec). As in the previous study, most RFs contained a single, central, excitatory region and one or more surrounding or flanking inhibitory regions. The mean time delay between skin stimulation and its excitatory effect was 15.5 msec. Except for differences in mean rate, each neuron’s response and the spatial structure of its RF were essentially unaffected by scanning velocity. This is the expected outcome when excitatory and inhibitory effects are brief and synchronous. However, that interpretation is consistent neither with the reported timing of excitation and inhibition in somatosensory cortex nor with the third study in this series, which investigates the effect of scanning direction and shows that one component of inhibition lags behind excitation. We reconcile these observations by showing that overlapping (in-field) inhibition delayed relative to excitation can produce RF spatial structure that is unaffected by changes in scanning velocity. Regardless of the mechanisms, the velocity invariance of area 3b RF structure is consistent with the velocity invariance of tactile spatial perception (e.g., roughness estimation and form recognition). [1]: #ref-8
Autoimmune chorea in adults.

Objectives: To determine the characteristics of adult-onset autoimmune chorea, and compare paraneoplastic and idiopathic subgroups. Methods: Thirty-six adults with autoimmune chorea were identified at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) from 1997 to 2012. Medical record and laboratory data were recorded. Nonparaneoplastic (n = 22) and paraneoplastic cases (n = 14) were compared. Results: Women accounted for 21 patients (58%). Median age at symptom onset was 67 years (range 18–87 years). We estimated the incidence for Olmsted County was 1.5 per million person-years. Symptom onset was subacute in all. Chorea was focal (20 patients) or generalized (16 patients). Although chorea predominated, other neurologic disorders frequently coexisted (29 patients); abnormal eye movements were uncommon (4 patients). No patient had NMDA receptor antibody or any immunoglobulin (Ig)G yielding a detectable immunofluorescence binding pattern restricted to basal ganglia. Two had synaptic IgG antibodies novel to the context of chorea (GAD65, 1; CASPR2, 1). In the paraneoplastic group, 14 patients had evidence of cancer. Of 13 with a histopathologically confirmed neoplasm, small-cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were most common; 6 patients had a cancer-predictive paraneoplastic autoantibody, with CRMP-5–IgG and ANNA-1 being most common. In the idiopathic group, 19 of the 22 patients had a coexisting autoimmune disorder (most frequently systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome); autoantibodies were detected in 21 patients, most frequently lupus and phospholipid specificities (19 patients). The paraneoplastic group was older ( p = 0.001), more frequently male ( p = 0.006), had more frequent weight loss ( p = 0.02), and frequently had peripheral neuropathy ( p = 0.008). Conclusions: Autoimmune chorea is a rare disorder with rapid onset. Male sex, older age, severe chorea, coexisting peripheral neuropathy, and weight loss increase the likelihood of cancer.
An SVD study of truncated transmission data in SPECT

Even though a noiseless, band-limited function is uniquely determined by its values in a local region, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) projections are not band-limited, and unmeasured projections may not be possible to be exactly estimated from the measured data. Projections from all views should be considered simultaneously and are modeled as a set of linear equations. The singular value decomposition (SVD) method is used to analyze and solve the equations. It is shown that truncation does not always result in an underdetermined problem, yet the problem may be ill-conditioned. An inaccurate pixel model may cause reconstruction artifacts via mismatch between the measured data and the modeled projections.
Augmentation of natural cell-mediated cytotoxic activity by supernatant from in vitro mitogen-stimulated, in vivo hormone-treated lymphocytes in immature male (K strain) chickens.

Newly hatched White Leghorn male chicks were used in this study. Triiodothyronine (T3; 0.1 or 1 ppm) and Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone (TRH; 1 or 5 ppm) were added to the feed for an 8-week period starting at hatch. A fifth group received the unsupplemented diet and served as controls. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from each treatment group were cultured in vitro with or without different mitogens (PHA, Con-A, or LPS), and the culture supernatants were tested for the presence of lymphokines (LK). The natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity (NCMC) assay was carried out with or without supernatant using the standard chromium (Cr51) release assay. Control untreated chicks were used as donors for effector cells and the P815 mouse mastocytoma was used as a target. Supernatant from in vivo 1 ppm T3- or 5 ppm TRH-treated lymphocytes significantly suppressed NCMC (or cells mediating NCMC, e.g., NK cells). However, supernatant from 1 ppm T3-treated, PHA-stimulated lymphocytes significantly enhanced NK cells cytotoxicity, while supernatant from 5 ppm TRH-treated lymphocytes with PHA stimulation tended to suppress cytotoxicity. These results provide evidence supporting a regulatory role of the hypothalamo-pituitary thyroid axis on lymphokine (LK) production. The results also suggest that these hormones act on different subpopulation of lymphocytes, and therefore, the mediators released by them.
Compositional Determinants of Prion Formation in Yeast

Numerous prions (infectious proteins) have been identified in yeast that result from the conversion of soluble proteins into β-sheet-rich amyloid-like protein aggregates. Yeast prion formation is driven primarily by amino acid composition. However, yeast prion domains are generally lacking in the bulky hydrophobic residues most strongly associated with amyloid formation and are instead enriched in glutamines and asparagines. Glutamine/asparagine-rich domains are thought to be involved in both disease-related and beneficial amyloid formation. These domains are overrepresented in eukaryotic genomes, but predictive methods have not yet been developed to efficiently distinguish between prion and nonprion glutamine/asparagine-rich domains. We have developed a novel in vivo assay to quantitatively assess how composition affects prion formation. Using our results, we have defined the compositional features that promote prion formation, allowing us to accurately distinguish between glutamine/asparagine-rich domains that can form prion-like aggregates and those that cannot. Additionally, our results explain why traditional amyloid prediction algorithms fail to accurately predict amyloid formation by the glutamine/asparagine-rich yeast prion domains.
Meeting the need for more formalized education in paediatrics.

The information explosion, the plethora of continuing medical education activities, the complexities and fragmentation of graduate and postgraduate training and the need for cost containment and faculty development all contributed to the decision to create an office of paediatric medical education (OPME) at the Children's Hospital National Medical Center. To plan and prepare strategies for this office, we surveyed all 150 moderate—to—large US paediatric programmes to elicit information about the educational organization of paediatric departments, including administration, staffing, funding, responsibilities, and level of involvement; and the current needs in paediatric medical education. The results suggest that there is a trend towards formalizing education in paediatrics. Thirty—eight per cent (33) of those responding reported OPMEs, with most (86 per cent) of the OPMEs evolving within the last decade and 50 per cent within the last five years. Respondents cited as a priority the need for better organiz...
Editing Data Structures

Text is not the only data that needs editing. For example, interactive debuggers edit data structures internal to running programs. This paper describes eds, a generalized editor that allows users to edit arbitrary data structures. Examples show eds maintaining simple databases, editing LISP S-expressions, debugging SNOBOL4 programs, and creating and modifying data structures for a computer graphics system.
CHANGES IN THE INDICES OF REFRACTION AND LIQUIDUS OF A BARIUM CROWN GLASS PRODUCED BY THE PARTIAL SUBSTITUTION OF SOME OXIDES

Optical glasses with high indices of refraction and Abbe values are very desirable for wide angle lenses. In order to determine the range of compositions in which glasses of this type could be produced, oxides of lithium, beryllium, calcium, boron, lanthanum, or thorium were substituted for barium oxide or silica in a three-or-four component base glass. Substitutions were made on a mole-for-mole basis. The indices of refraction for the C, D, F, and G lines and the liquidus were determined for each glass. Experimental glasses with indices of refraction (nD) and Abbe values from 1.600 to 1.714 and 62.2 to 52.7, respectively, were made in small platinum crucibles.
Visualizing the interaction between the transmission system and power markets

Power system analysis software is undergoing a rapid evolution to meet new data visualization challenges. This paper addresses several methods of visualization for helping users extract useful information associated with grid operation from the tidal wave of power system data. These techniques include animation of power system flow values, contouring of bus and transmission line flow values and 3D visualization.
Merging maps via Hough transform

We present a recently developed algorithm for merging multiple occupancy grid maps computed by multiple robots independently exploring a shared indoor environment. The algorithm exploits the well known Hough transform in a novel way in order to produce a set of ranked roto-translations aimed to overlap the partial maps provided as input. In this paper, after having briefly summarized such method, we investigate the impact on the performance of different variations of the Hough transform. In particular, we are interested in determining the repercussions in terms of accuracy and computational time when only a subset of points is used to compute the transformation. Results are analyzed while merging maps produced by two robots exploring an indoor environment, and also using public available data sets. It turns out that the proposed method is robust and positively influenced by the use of more refined approaches to compute the Hough transform.
The search for energy-efficient building blocks for the data center

This paper conducts a survey of several small clusters of machines in search of the most energy-efficient data center building block targeting data-intensive computing. We first evaluate the performance and power of single machines from the embedded, mobile, desktop, and server spaces. From this group, we narrow our choices to three system types. We build five-node homogeneous clusters of each type and run Dryad, a distributed execution engine, with a collection of data-intensive workloads to measure the energy consumption per task on each cluster. For this collection of data-intensive workloads, our high-end mobile-class system was, on average, 80% more energy-efficient than a cluster with embedded processors and at least 300% more energy-efficient than a cluster with low-power server processors.
Improving Sleep Quality in Older Adults with Moderate Sleep Complaints: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Tai Chi Chih

participants: Volunteer sample of 112 healthy older adults, aged 59 to 86 years. intervention: Random allocation to Tai Chi Chih or health education for 25 weeks. results: Among adults with moderate sleep complaints, as defined by PSQI global score of 5 or greater, subjects in the Tai Chi Chih condition were more likely to achieve a treatment response, as defined by PSQI less than 5, compared to those in health education (P < 0.05). Subjects in the Tai Chi Chih condition with poor sleep quality also showed significant improvements in PSQI global score (P < 0.001) as well as in the sleep parameters of rated sleep quality (P < 0.05), habitual sleep efficiency (P < 0.05), sleep duration (P < 0.01), and sleep disturbance (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Tai Chi Chih can be considered a useful nonpharmacologic approach to improve sleep quality in older adults with moderate complaints and, thereby, has the potential to ameliorate sleep complaints possibly before syndromal insomnia develops. Clinical Trials registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00118885
Is the Demand for Experiment Station Personnel Declining

Demand functions for teaching, research, and extension (TRE) personnel in U.S. agricultural experiment stations and associated colleges are estimated from panel data, decennial observations, 1950 to 1987. The results suggest that the TRE staffing during the 1950's and 1960's was smaller than predicted, but that the catching up process was in large part completed during the 1970's. Except for a decline in the 1970's, academic salaries maintained a rough parity with salaries of all private employees in the economy during the 1950–87 period. Although there is no sign of an unexplained decrease in TRE demand during the 1980's, prospects of zero growth during the 1990's imply a substantial reduction in demand for new Ph.D.'s compared to earlier times. Zero growth has implications for the design of Ph.D. programs since the majority of future graduates will have to find employment outside of experiment stations and associated colleges.
A 5.7mW/Gb/s 24-to-240Ω 1.6Gb/s thin-oxide DDR transmitter with 1.9-to-7.6V/ns clock-feathering slew-rate control in 22nm CMOS

The signal integrity (SI) of double data rate (DDR) memory links is affected by signal reflections due to the multi-drop configuration of heavily loaded memory busses. Variable-impedance drivers, on-die termination (ODT), feed-forward equalization (FFE) and slew-rate (SR) control are typically implemented in DDR transmitters to address SI issues. In particular for multi-module, multi-rank configurations where speed throttling must be applied, SR control turns out to be most effective to combat reflections and crosstalk. Slewed signal edges reduce the spectral content above the bit rate frequency, whereas FFE dampens lower frequencies to compensate for channel loss, which may, however, be less of a problem at throttled data rates.
The Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: A Neurocardiogenic Variant Identified During Head‐Up Tilt Table Testing

Head upright tilt table testing has emerged as an accepted modality for identifying an individual's predisposition to episodes of autonomically mediated hypotension and bradycardia that are sufficiently profound so that transient loss of consciousness ensues (neurocardiogenic syncope). However it has also become apparent that less dramatic falls in blood pressure, while not sufficient to cause full syncope, may produce symptoms such as near syncope, vertigo, dizziness, and TIA-like episodes. We have identified a subgroup of individuals with a mild form of autonomic dysfunction with symptoms of postural tachycardia and lightheadedness, disabling fatigue, exercise intolerance, dizziness, and near syncope. During baseline tilt table testing these patients demonstrated a heart rate increase of > or = 30 beats/min (or a maximum heart rate of 120 beats/min) within the first 10 minutes upright (unassociated with profound hypotension), which reproduced their symptom complex. In addition these patients exhibit an exaggerated response to isoproterenol infusions. Similar observations have been made by others who have dubbed this entity the Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). We conclude that POTS represents a mild (and potentially treatable) from of autonomic dysfunction that can be readily diagnosed during head upright tilt table testing.
Mutation in glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1 like gene (GPD1-L) decreases cardiac Na+ current and causes inherited arrhythmias

Background— Brugada syndrome is a rare, autosomal-dominant, male-predominant form of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation characterized by a right bundle-branch block and ST elevation in the right precordial leads of the surface ECG. Mutations in the cardiac Na+ channel SCN5A on chromosome 3p21 cause ≈20% of the cases of Brugada syndrome; most mutations decrease inward Na+ current, some by preventing trafficking of the channels to the surface membrane. We previously used positional cloning to identify a new locus on chromosome 3p24 in a large family with Brugada syndrome and excluded SCN5A as a candidate gene. Methods and Results— We used direct sequencing to identify a mutation (A280V) in a conserved amino acid of the glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1–like (GPD1-L) gene. The mutation was present in all affected individuals and absent in >500 control subjects. GPD1-L RNA and protein are abundant in the heart. Compared with wild-type GPD1-L, coexpression of A280V GPD1-L with SCN5A in HEK cells reduced in...
An Interactive Framework for Personalized Computer-Assisted Neurorehabilitation

This paper presents the implementation of a framework for computer-assisted neurorehabilitation that intends to address the need for more personalized healthcare technologies. This framework called UniTherapy is applied to home neurorehabilitation for individuals with stroke-induced disability. It supports interactive upper limb assessment and therapy that makes use of mass-marketed force-reflecting joysticks and wheels, as well as some customized therapeutic devices. A novel service-oriented technical infrastructure is presented, which includes a rich menu of performance assessment capabilities and support features that include telerehabilitation links, protocol design, and data analysis tools. Results are presented that demonstrate its potential as a sensor-based assessment tool. User feedback is summarized.
Launching Reappraisal: It's Less Common Than You Might Think

Cognitive reappraisal is thought to be ubiquitous. However, no studies have quantified how frequently people reappraise (vs. letting their emotional response go unregulated). To address this issue, the authors created a laboratory decision context in which participants watched a series of negatively valenced images, and in each case had the option of electing to reappraise to decrease negative affect. Given the many benefits and few costs associated with reappraisal, we expected that most images would be reappraised. However, to our surprise, participants implemented reappraisals for only 16% of images (Study 1). Regulatory rates remained low for both low- and high-intensity images, even when another regulatory option (i.e., distraction) was available (Study 2). The authors hypothesized that participants did not proactively reappraise because there were hidden costs associated with reappraisal. They considered 2 classes of costs: overcoming default bias and cognitive effort, and they measured the percentage of trials for which participants chose to reappraise using a fully crossed 2 × 2 design that examined the effects of removing defaults and of providing support in creating reappraisals. Removing defaults, but not providing reappraisal support, increased rates of reappraisal (Study 3). Everyday decision-making frequently involves default options. These results suggest that contextual variables (such as the presence of defaults) may play a large role in the decision to regulate emotions.
Teaching family medicine residents brief interventions for alcohol misuse

Across the lifespan, alcohol misuse affects a large percentage of patients seen in primary care clinics. It can lead to alcohol use disorders, ranging from risky use to alcohol dependence. Alcohol use disorders frequently complicate acute and chronic illnesses of patients seen in FM clinics. Screening patients for alcohol and substance use has become a standard of practice in most primary care settings. This report describes how a family medicine residency program solidified a residency curriculum in substance abuse screening, assessment, and brief intervention by merging three presentation-style didactics into a blended approach. The curriculum combines didactic teaching, motivational interviewing, and behavioral rehearsal of clinical practice skills. Qualitative feedback suggests that the curriculum has been successful in exposing residents to a variety of practical assessment methods and, through rehearsal, has improved resident confidence in addressing alcohol use and misuse in a primary care population.
The Modification of Al-Si Casting Alloys: Important Practical and Theoretical Aspects

A review is given of the modification of aluminum-silicon casting alloys. The mechanisms involved and important practical aspects are described. While a number of IA and IIA elements and several lanthanides produce a modified eutectic, only strontium and sodium have found significant commercial application. They react with and remove aluminum phosphide (AlP), an effective nucleant for silicon, and produce a fine fibrous eutectic. The resulting as-cast structure has improved ductility. In heat treated castings it is possible to reduce the solution time when a modifier is employed. The result is a significant cost saving—usually ten or more times the cost of the modifier addition. Modification may change the relative formation of porosity and shrinkage in a casting. This subject has been the subject of a great deal of controversy and confusion in the past, but recent research in Australia has clarified the mechanisms involved. This work is summarized and practical guidelines are offered for the foundryman. The modifiers strontium and sodium are poisoned by phosphorus, antimony and bismuth. Consequently, the levels of these impurities should be monitored carefully in secondary alloys.
A Clinical Decision Support System for Preventing Adverse Reactions to Blood Transfusion

During 2011 approximately 21 million blood components were transfused in the United States, with roughly 1 in 414 resulting in complication. For Americans, the two leading causes of transfusion-related death are the respiratory complications Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) and Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO). Each of these complications results in significantly longer ICU and hospital stays as well as significantly greater rates of mortality. We have developed a set of machine learning models for predicting the likelihood of these adverse reactions in surgical populations. Here we describe deploying these models into a perioperative critical care environment via a continuous monitoring and alerting clinical decision support system. The goal of this system, which directly integrates our suite of machine learning models running in the R statistical environment into a traditional health information system, is to improve transfusion-related outcomes in the perioperative environment. By identifying high-risk patients prior to transfusion, the clinical team may be able to choose a more appropriate therapy or therapeutic course. Identifying high-risk patients for increased observation after transfusion may also allow for a more timely intervention, thereby potentially improving care delivery and resulting patient outcome. An early prototype of this system is currently running in two Mayo Clinic perioperative environments.
When Beauty Brings Out the Beast: Female Comparisons and the Feminine Rivalry

Research on competition amongst women has largely focused on relational aggression amongst adolescents, but less explored are women’s understandings of the origins of competition as it relates to comparisons amongst women and feminine ideals. Drawing on semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 30 collegiate women, we find young women’s stories constructed comparisons and competition amongst women as never-ending and seemingly natural, although they point to restricted societal expectations of femininity as its origin. Women drew from the interrelated topics of perfection-seeking, media portrayals, relationships, and consumerism to explain how they and other women negotiated feminine ideals. Even if participants understood these actions as ultimately undermining their self-image, they still perceived achieving goals of femininity as connected with perfection and happiness. We define such ongoing comparisons and competition as a feminine rivalry, as women perceived other women as direct competitors and thus understanding of the nature of the competition. We conclude by considering how college-aged women’s negotiations of feminine ideals to seemingly bolster or secure their social positioning in a hierarchy of femininity, at times in contradictory ways, offers additional insight into connections between interpersonal dynamics, expectations, and stereotypes of women.
Optical nanosensor platform operating in near-physiological pH range via polymer-brush-mediated plasmon coupling.

The nanosensors’ platform made of a stimuli-responsive polymer/noble metal nanoparticle composite thin film exploits the combination of the swelling−shrinking transition in a poly(N,N′-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) brush and the localized surface plasmon resonance in metal nanoparticles to enable the transduction of changes in the solution pH in the near-physiological range into a pronounced optical signal.
Macrocyclizations for medicinal chemistry: synthesis of druglike macrocycles by high-concentration Ullmann coupling.

Conditions have been identified for the efficient Ullmann macrocyclization of phenol and imidazole nucleophiles with aryl iodides at high reaction concentrations of up to 100 mM and using 5–10 mol % loading of an inexpensive copper catalyst. A range of substitution patterns and ring sizes are tolerated, and the method has been exemplified by the synthesis of a set of druglike macrocycles.
Disorders of lipid metabolism in nephrotic syndrome: mechanisms and consequences

Nephrotic syndrome results in hyperlipidemia and profound alterations in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. Serum cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B (apoB)–containing lipoproteins (very low-density lipoprotein [VLDL], immediate-density lipoprotein [IDL], and low-density lipoprotein [LDL]), lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]), and the total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio are increased in nephrotic syndrome. This is accompanied by significant changes in the composition of various lipoproteins including their cholesterol-to-triglyceride, free cholesterol–to-cholesterol ester, and phospholipid-to-protein ratios. These abnormalities are mediated by changes in the expression and activities of the key proteins involved in the biosynthesis, transport, remodeling, and catabolism of lipids and lipoproteins including apoproteins A, B, C, and E; 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase; fatty acid synthase; LDL receptor; lecithin cholesteryl ester acyltransferase; acyl coenzyme A cholesterol acyltransferase; HDL docking receptor (scavenger receptor class B, type 1 [SR-B1]); HDL endocytic receptor; lipoprotein lipase; and hepatic lipase, among others. The disorders of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in nephrotic syndrome contribute to the development and progression of cardiovascular and kidney disease. In addition, by limiting delivery of lipid fuel to the muscles for generation of energy and to the adipose tissues for storage of energy, changes in lipid metabolism contribute to the reduction of body mass and impaired exercise capacity. This article provides an overview of the mechanisms, consequences, and treatment of lipid disorders in nephrotic syndrome.
SUBCORTICAL CONNECTIONS OF THE PERIRHINAL, POSTRHINAL, AND ENTORHINAL CORTICES OF THE RAT. II. EFFERENTS

This is the second of two studies detailing the subcortical connections of the perirhinal (PER), the postrhinal (POR) and entorhinal (EC) cortices of the rat. In the present study, we analyzed the subcortical efferents of the rat PER areas 35 and 36, POR, and the lateral and medial entorhinal areas (LEA and MEA). Anterograde tracers were injected into these five regions, and the resulting density of fiber labeling was quantified in an extensive set of subcortical structures. Density and topography of fiber labeling were quantitatively assessed in 36 subcortical areas, including olfactory structures, claustrum, amygdala nuclei, septal nuclei, basal ganglia, thalamic nuclei, and hypothalamic structures. In addition to reporting the density of labeled fibers, we incorporated a new method for quantifying the size of anterograde projections that takes into account the volume of the target subcortical structure as well as the density of fiber labeling. The PER, POR, and EC displayed unique patterns of projections to subcortical areas. Interestingly, all regions examined provided strong input to the basal ganglia, although the projections arising in the PER and LEA were stronger and more widespread. PER areas 35 and 36 exhibited similar pattern of projections with some differences. PER area 36 projects more heavily to the lateral amygdala and much more heavily to thalamic nuclei including the lateral posterior nucleus, the posterior complex, and the nucleus reuniens. Area 35 projects more heavily to olfactory structures. The LEA provides the strongest and most widespread projections to subcortical structures including all those targeted by the PER as well as the medial and posterior septal nuclei. POR shows fewer subcortical projections overall, but contributes substantial input to the lateral posterior nucleus of the thalamus. The MEA projections are even weaker. Our results suggest that the PER and LEA have greater influence over olfactory, amygdala, and septal nuclei, whereas PER area 36 and the POR have greater influence over thalamic nuclei. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Preliminary Study on Prokaryotic Expression of TAT and It's Cell-penetrating Effect

In order to further establish buffalo protein-induced pluripotent stem cells system and study the cell-penetrating effect of TAT,cell-penetrating peptide TAT and labelled protein EGFP were fusingly expressed with additional nuclear localization signal sequence,and purified protein were supplemented into cell culture medium.First,the pET-EGFP and pET-NLS-EGFP-TAT vector were structured through PCR amplification,double digestion and T4 linking.It was transformed into E.coli BL21(DE3) and the fusion protein was expressed with induction of IPTG.SDS-PAGE analysis was performed to detect the fusion protein.And then the recombinant EGFP protein and NLS-EGFP-TAT protein were separately supplemented into buffalo fibroblast culture medium,which were isolated and purified by HisTrap HP chromatographic column.The results showed that the fusion protein EGFP(47.3ku)and NLSEGFP-TAT(50.1ku)successfully expressed.At 5 to 8 hours after the purified protein were supplemented into buffalo fibroblast culture medium,we observed that protein EGFP could not penetrate into cells,protein NLS-EGFP-TAT could penetrate into cells by TAT,but lack of significant positioning to the cell nucleus.
Pentostatin treatment for hairy cell leukemia patients who failed initial therapy with recombinant alpha-interferon: a report of CALGB study 8515.

Eighty-five hairy cell leukemia (HCL) patients who had failed initial therapy with recombinant alpha interferon were enrolled for pentostatin therapy. All had HCL confirmed by central pathology review and were eligible for evaluation. The median age was 55 years (range 31 -83 years). Fifteen patients were between 31- and 40-years-old. There were 72 males (85%) and 13 females (15%). Fifty-four patients (64%) had prior splenectomy. All had been previously treated with interferon; nine had achieved a complete response (CR), 36 had a partial response (PR), 35 had stable disease (SD), and five patients had progressive disease. Patients with a CALGB performance status (PS) of 0-2 (78 patients) received 4 mg/m 2 i.v. on days 1 and 15, repeated every 4 weeks. Patients with a performance status of 3 or 4 (seven patients) were started at 2 mg/m 2 i.v. In the absence of grade 3 toxicity, the dose was escalated. Complete responses were seen in 36 patients (42.4%) and 35 patients had partial responses (41.2%) for an overall response rate of 83.6%. Median time to best response was 6.5 months. Eight patients had stable disease, and one patient had progressive disease. Three patients died early during the treatment phase and two were not evaluable due to treatment violations. Of seven patients with a CALGB performance status of 3 or 4, there were no CRs and only two PRs. Of 31 evaluable PS 0-2 patients who had previously achieved only stable disease on interferon, 13 had a CR on pentostatin and 12 had a PR. Based on PS 0-2 patients, the median follow-up is 44 months and 36 month remission duration and survival rates and 95% confidence intervals are 84% (CI 68-93%) and 91% (CI 81-96%). The 36 month survival rate was 29% (CI 10-58%) for PS 3-4 patients. Drug dosage was modified in 39 (51%) of 76 evaluable patients. Leukopenia and/or infection were the most frequent toxicities leading to a dose modification. Pentostatin is an effective agent and induces an excellent response in relapsed HCL patients previously treated with alpha-interferon (α-IFN)
Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the management of gastrointestinal cancers with peritoneal metastases: Progress toward a new standard of care

Peritoneal metastases from gastrointestinal cancer was, in the past, accepted as an inevitable component of the natural history of these diseases. It is a major cause of intestinal obstruction, fistula formation, and bowel perforation as the recurrent malignancy progresses to a terminal condition. Peritoneal metastases may be caused by full thickness penetration of the bowel wall by the primary cancer or by spilled cancer cells released into the peritoneal space by surgical trauma. Two new surgical technologies that have evolved to manage peritoneal metastases are cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). This combined treatment strategy uses peritonectomy procedures and visceral resections to reduce the disease in the abdomen and pelvis to a macroscopic volume. Then, HIPEC is used to preserve the complete cytoreduction by controlling the minimal residual disease. Since the extent of peritoneal metastases, as measured by the peritoneal cancer index (PCI), is crucial to a favorable outcome, prognostic indicators are used to select patients for treatment. The combined treatment may be used to prevent peritoneal metastases in gastrointestinal cancer patients having a resection of the primary malignancy. This is especially important in gastric cancer patients with serosal invasion. The combined treatment may be used synchronously with the primary cancer resection if peritoneal metastases are already apparent. The treatment is most frequently used with metachronous peritoneal metastases diagnosed in follow-up. Cure of peritoneal metastases is an option in selected patients and its knowledgeable use is progressing towards a new standard of care.
Simple Materials for Teaching Early Number Concepts to Trainable-Level Mentally Retarded Pupils.

As a part of a project designed to teach early number concepts to trainable-level mentally retarded pupils, a step-by-step series of materials was developed. The materials were characterized by being ( 1 ) sequential, (2) easily utilized by pupils of low-level motorie, cognitive, and verbal skills, and (3) easily constructed with inexpensive materials that are readily available to most classroom teachers.
Preparing to Meet Proposed CDC Guidelines for HIV Testing: Transition From 3rd to 4th Generation Screening and From Western Blot to BioRad Multispot Confirmation With HIV-1/2 Differentiation

With the goals of detecting acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection as soon after exposure as possible and identifying difficult-to-treat HIV-2 infections, the proposed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines recommend (1) the use of a combined antibody and antigen (4th generation) screen rather than an antibody-only (3rd generation) screening test (both detect but do not differentiate HIV-1 …
Organelle transport during mouse oocyte differentiation in germline cysts

During mammalian oogenesis, germ cells undergo oocyte differentiation and oocyte development to form mature oocytes that contain essential components for supporting early embryogenesis. However, only a small fraction of germ cells become mature oocytes and the mechanism of this massive germ cell loss has been unclear. Our recent studies suggested that the formation of functional oocytes and germ cell loss are interlinked by a ‘nursing’ process in germline cysts during oocyte differentiation in mouse fetal ovaries. 80% of the fetal germ cells sacrifice themselves by donating their cytoplasmic contents to the remaining sister germ cells that differentiate into primary oocytes with augmented developmental potential. In this review, we will summarize the process of mouse oocyte differentiation with a particular focus on organelle transport in germline cysts.
Deformation at Middleton Island, Alaska, during the decade after the Alaska earthquake of 1964

Comparison of precise leveling done on Middleton Island in the Gulf of Alaska in 1966, 1974, and 1975 indicates that between 1974 and 1975 the island was tilting down to the northwest at a rate of 5.0 ± 0.8 µrad/year. The direction of tilt is normal to the axis of the Aleutian Trench 60 km to the southeast. The data are inadequate to determine variations in the rate since the earthquake, but suggest that it has been higher. A simple model for slip on the near-surface projection of the fault surface that ruptured in 1964 suggests that on the order of 2 1 2 meters/yr of slip would be required to account for the observed tilt.
Post‐operative reflux – a surgeon's perspective

Summary Post-operative ileus (POI) is a well-recognised complication of colic surgery that accounts for a high proportion of post-operative deaths. Although much has been written about the pathophysiology and management of POI in horses, most studies seem to apply research findings to the clinical case without full regard for the clinical evidence. Although much attention has focused recently on the role of inflammation, this narrow focus might explain our failure to make important advances in managing horses with this complication. This commentary is offered to redirect our current thinking about POI away from an approach that predominantly emphasises a functional disorder and medical management, to one that addresses surgical prevention.
Visions of Quality Assurance in Online MBA Programs

Online MBA programs have undergone significant growth in recent years. However, quality assurance measures have not kept pace with this growth. The purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize aspects of quality assurance specific to AACSB-accredited online MBA programs. The Delphi methodology was used to facilitate a group conversation between expert administrators, faculty, and instructional designers around the topic of quality assurance for online MBA programs over the next 3-5 years. This paper reports the results of this study and how they will help to direct the efforts of those involved in the delivery of a quality online MBA program.
Circulating extracellular DNA levels are acutely elevated in ischaemic stroke and associated with innate immune system activation.

ABSTRACTObjective: The objective of this work was to assess the ability of peripheral blood cell-free DNA (cfDNA) levels to identify ischaemic stroke early in the acute phase of care, as well as to examine the relationship between peripheral blood cfDNA levels and stroke-induced innate immune system activation. Methods: Upon emergency department admission, peripheral blood samples were obtained from 43 patients experiencing acute ischaemic stroke and 20 patients identified as stroke mimics. Plasma cfDNA levels were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), infarct volume and NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) were used to assess injury severity, and peripheral blood neutrophil count was used as a measure of innate immune system status.Results: Peripheral blood cfDNA levels were significantly elevated in patients suffering stroke relative to those diagnosed as stroke mimics, and could differentiate between groups with 86% (95% CI = 72–95%) sensitivity and 75% (95% CI = 51–91%) specificity. Furthe...
Practical modeling concepts for engineering emergence in systems of systems

Engineering a system with the explicit goal of steering its emergent behavior is a relatively new human endeavor, and demands new ways of thinking about how we model system of systems (SoS) behavior. This paper discusses the definition of a system with an eye towards steering its emergent behaviors, frames negative emergent behaviors as those to be suppressed by engineering design, suggests that human designers are themselves an example of positive emergence, and explains five SoS modeling concepts that are foundational to engineering emergence. Examples and illustrations are provided to make the concepts tangible. The paper concludes with a summary and future work.
Quality assurance for a six degrees-of-freedom table using a 3D printed phantom

Purpose To establish a streamlined end-to-end test of a 6 degrees-of-freedom (6DoF) robotic table using a 3D printed phantom for periodic quality assurance. Methods A 3D printed phantom was fabricated with translational and rotational offsets and an imbedded central ball-bearing (BB). The phantom underwent each step of the radiation therapy process: CT simulation in a straight orientation, plan generation using the treatment planning software, setup to offset marks at the linac, registration and corrected 6DoF table adjustments via hidden target test, delivery of a Winston-Lutz test to the BB, and verification of table positioning via field and laser lights. The registration values, maximum total displacement of the combined Winston-Lutz fields, and a pass or fail criterion of the laser and field lights were recorded. The quality assurance process for each of the three linacs were performed for the first 30 days. Results Within a 95% confidence interval, the overall uncertainty values for both translation and rotation were below 1.0 mm and 0.5° for each linac respectively. When combining the registration values and other uncertainties for all three linacs, the average deviations were within 2.0 mm and 1.0° of the designed translation and rotation offsets of the 3D print respectively. For all three linacs, the maximum total deviation for the Winston-Lutz test did not exceed 1.0 mm. Laser and light field verification was within tolerance every day for all three linacs given the latest guidance documentation for table repositioning. Conclusion The 3D printer is capable of accurately fabricating a quality assurance phantom for 6DoF positioning verification. The end-to-end workflow allows for a more efficient test of the 6DoF mechanics while including other important tests needed for routine quality assurance.
A-mode and B-mode ultrasound measurement of fat thickness: a cadaver validation study.

With technological advances, there has been a resurgence in ultrasound as a method to measure subcutaneous fat thickness. Despite the increased interest in this methodology, research comparing A-mode and B-mode ultrasound devices is lacking. Subcutaneous fat thickness measured by a low resolution (2.5 MHz) A-mode ultrasound and a high resolution (12 MHz) B-mode ultrasound were compared to the actual fat thickness in dissected cadavers. Subcutaneous fat thickness of six cadavers was measured at the abdomen, thigh, triceps, and calf (plus chest for males and suprailiac for females) with both ultrasound devices before the cadavers were dissected and site-specific thickness was measured. Correlations between both ultrasounds and the dissected measurement exceeded 0.90 at all sites with a few exceptions. At the abdomen, the relationship between the ultrasounds was 0.76, and the B-mode and dissected measurement was also 0.76. The correlation between dissection and A-mode was 0.75 for the suprailiac site, but it was not possible to discern the separation of tissue at this site when using the B-mode device. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the devices and the dissected measurement at any of the six sites. The mean difference in fat thickness between A-mode and B-mode was <0.7 mm at all sites except the calf (1.2 mm) With the exception of the suprailiac site, both A-mode and B-mode ultrasound are equally capable of providing measurements of subcutaneous fat thickness with an accuracy of <1 mm at most sites.
Ongoing Challenges in Conceptualizing and Treating Reactive Attachment Disorder

This response to Mercer’s article explores some additional ways of conceptualizing and treating reactive attachment disorder (RAD). The limitations of the DSM descriptive model are explored and alternate empirically supported models are described. One key limitation is DSM’s one person, medical approach, which fits poorly with issues of attachment that are inherently interpersonal and interactive. Differences by age in the presentation of RAD, and in how it is treated are also addressed. The challenges for parents of children who have RAD are explored, and for clinicians who lack solidly research supported treatments for this disorder.