cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reversal of Global Ischemia-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction by Delayed Inhibition of TRPM2 Ion Channels

Hippocampal injury and cognitive impairments are common after cardiac arrest and stroke and do not have an effective intervention despite much effort. Therefore, we developed a new approach aimed at reversing synaptic dysfunction by targeting TRPM2 channels. Cardiac arrest/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CA/CPR) in mice was used to investigate cognitive deficits and the role of the calcium-permeable ion channel transient receptor potential-M2 (TRPM2) in ischemia-induced synaptic dysfunction. Our data indicates that absence (TRPM2-/-) or acute inhibition of TRPM2 channels with tatM2NX reduced hippocampal cell death in males only, but prevented synaptic plasticity deficits in both sexes. Remarkably, administration of tatM2NX weeks after injury reversed hippocampal plasticity and memory deficits. Finally, TRPM2-dependent activation of calcineurin-GSK3β pathway contributes to synaptic plasticity impairments. These data suggest persistent TRPM2 activity following ischemia contributes to impairments of the surviving hippocampal network and that inhibition of TRPM2 channels at chronic time points may represent a novel strategy to improve functional recovery following cerebral ischemia that is independent of neuroprotection.
Monsters, Meaning, and the Music of Chopin in American Horror Cinema of the 1930s and ’40s

Classic Hollywood horror films, even when produced at rival studios, demonstrate a surprising degree of consistency in their use of the music of Frederic Chopin as a musical signifier. While as a g...
Examination of use and barriers for five sun protection strategies in parents and their children.

Background/objectives Sun protection starting in childhood is an important means of skin cancer prevention. Factors associated with sunscreen use have been previously described. However, less is known about factors associated with children's utilization of non-sunscreen sun protection strategies. We sought to examine parent and child characteristics, parental use of sun protection, and barriers associated with children's use of five sun protection strategies: sunscreen, shirts with sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and shade. Methods A cross-sectional survey of parents of children entering kindergarten through grade 8. Survey participants were recruited at the 2016 Minnesota State Fair. Results A total of 409 parents were surveyed. The most common sun protection strategies parents reported for their child were wearing a shirt with sleeves (69.9%) and using sunscreen (61.9%), while protection via shade, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses were reported by less than one-quarter of parents. For each individual strategy, parents' own use of that strategy was strongly associated with that strategy in their children. Lack of child cooperation was associated with decreased use of sunscreen, shirts with sleeves, and wide-brimmed hats. Conclusion Significant room for improvement exists in childhood sun protection. Parents should especially be encouraged to use shade, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses as methods of protection for their children. Advising parents to model seeking shade, applying sunscreen, and choosing appropriate clothing and hats may improve sun safety practices.
Everyday Emotional Experiences in Current and Remitted Major Depressive Disorder: An Experience-Sampling Study:

The emotional experiences of people with major depressive disorder (MDD) are characterized by emotional disturbances. We examined whether these patterns characterize people with MDD in remission. P...
Guillain-Barre Syndrome Secondary to SARS-CoV-2

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an acute autoimmune disorder that is provoked by a preceding infection. It is characterized by progressive, ascending, symmetrical muscle weakness accompanied by hyporeflexia or areflexia. We describe two cases of GBS associated with COVID-19. 36-year-old Hispanic female presented ten days after diagnosis of COVID-19 with symptoms of headache, bilateral leg and facial weakness, and facial paresthesias for five days. Within 24 hours of admission, she developed areflexia and progressive bulbar and appendicular weakness. Nerve conduction study and electromyography were consistent with demyelinating form of GBS. Due to difficulty with clearing oral secretions, patient was intubated two times during the hospitalization. 79-year-old Caucasian female presented with progressive weakness, weight loss and fevers. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 on the day of admission. She had paralysis of all four extremities with dysphagia and required intubation. She was extubated and re-intubated two more times due to worsening hypoxia and stridor which led to placement of a tracheostomy tube. Both our patients developed features of dysautonomia, including hypotension and tachycardia. Severe respiratory muscle weakness and dysphagia led to recurrent intubations. Their CT head and MRI brains were negative for facial nerve enhancement. Lumbar punctures in both revealed albuminocytologic dissociation. Plasma exchange was initiated in both females immediately after first intubation for total duration of five days. Upon outpatient follow up, they had significant improvement in motor function. Common precipitants of GBS are Campylobacter jejuni, EBV, CMV, HIV and Zika virus. Clearly, GBS is an infrequent complication of COVID-19. It is possible that SARS-CoV-2 evokes an immune response against peripheral nerve components leading to acute polyneuropathy of heterogenous presentation. Typically, demyelinating and axonal forms of GBS have been described. However, in our cases, both had demyelinating features including symmetric weakness with predominant bulbar symptoms of dysphagia and dysphonia. These cases highlight that GBS is a potential neurological complication of COVID-19 that physicians must be aware of. Thorough daily neurological exam is critical, and early recognition of GBS symptoms may prompt regular evaluation of negative inspiratory force and vital capacity. This may lead to early initiation of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or plasma exchange leading to improvement in motor symptoms thus avoiding ventilatory support. Plasma exchange should be considered as a first line treatment in COVID-19 patients since high concentrations of IVIG can lead to increased blood viscosity in these patients who are already at increased risk for thrombotic complications.
Vergleichende Soziologie, kritischer Realismus und Reflexivität

Der Beitrag beschaftigt sich mit soziologischen Herangehensweisen an den Vergleich und schlagt dazu eine postpositivistische Alternative vor. Der erste Teil behandelt den Vergleich als einen allgemeinen Aspekt der kognitiven Tatigkeit und der sozialen Existenz des Menschen. Der zweite Teil konzentriert sich auf die beiden bislang einflussreichsten Konzepte des Vergleichs, die beide aus den Praktiken des sozialen oder alltaglichen Vergleichs entsprungen sind. Die sogenannte komparative Methode (und die Modernisierungstheorie nach 1945) ging aus den Praktiken der wechselseitigen Beobachtung von Kulturen, Staaten und Imperien hervor. Sie bestand ublicherweise darin, das europaische Modell auf den „Rest der Welt“ anzuwenden und postulierte allgemeine Gesetze der sozialen Evolution. Die zweite Herangehensweise war die sogenannte Mill’sche Methode, die die qualitative vergleichende Soziologie in den 1980er-Jahren dominierte. Sie ersetzte den Evolutionismus durch eine neopositivistische Epistemologie, die Kausalgesetze zu identifizieren suchte. Auch dieser Zugriff entstand aus Kontexten des sozialen Vergleichs, namlich aus den kompetitiven und vergleichenden Interaktionen innerhalb der zunehmend feldahnlichen Disziplinen der Soziologie und Politikwissenschaft. Im dritten Teil pladiere ich fur ein alternatives Konzept des soziologischen Vergleichs, das sich auf den Kritischen Realismus stutzt. Dieser bricht mit zwei philosophischen Doktrinen, die im Commensense, der empirizistischen Ontologie und der positivistischen Epistemologie wurzeln. Abschliesend schlage ich vor, diesen Beitrag als eine Form wissenschaftlicher Reflexivitat in der Lesart von Pierre Bourdieu zu verstehen, namlich als einen Bruch mit den Kategorien des Commensense und mit der Doxa des Faches. Bourdieus Zugang eroffnet einen Weg zuruck zum wissenschaftlichen und zum sozialen Commonsense. Wie sich zeigt, ist ein vergleichender Commonsense dem kritischen Realismus oftmals naher als andere Vergleichstheorien.
Cross-Sector Monitoring and Evaluation Framework: Social, Economic, and Health Conditions Impacted During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Public Health 3.0 approaches are critical for monitoring disparities in economic, social, and overall health impacts following the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated policy changes to slow commun...
Hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome

Hyperparathyroidism–jaw tumor syndrome (HPT–JT) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the development of parathyroid tumors, ossifying fibromas of the mandible and maxilla, cystic and neoplastic renal abnormalities, and uterine tumors. One of its unique characteristics is its association with a high prevalence of atypical parathyroid adenomas and carcinomas.
Increased Fracture Incidence in Middle-Aged HIV-Infected and HIV-Uninfected Women: Updated Results From the Women's Interagency HIV Study.

BACKGROUND We previously reported that fracture incidence rates did not differ by HIV status among predominantly premenopausal Women's Interagency HIV Study participants. We now conduct a follow-up study with 5 additional observation years to further characterize fracture risk associated with HIV infection in women as they age. METHODS We measured time to first new fracture at any site in 2375 (1713 HIV-infected and 662 HIV-uninfected) Women's Interagency HIV Study participants, with median 10-year follow-up. Fractures were self-reported semiannually. Proportional hazards models assessed predictors of incident fracture. RESULTS At index visit, HIV-infected women were older [median age of 40 years (IQR: 34-46) vs. 35 (27-43), P < 0.0001] and more likely to be postmenopausal, hepatitis C virus infected, and weigh less than HIV-uninfected women. Among HIV-infected women, mean CD4 count was 480 cells per microliter and 63% were taking highly active antiretroviral therapy. Unadjusted incidence rates of any fracture were higher in HIV-infected than in HIV-uninfected women [2.19/100 person-years (py) vs. 1.54/100 py, P = 0.002]. In multivariate models, HIV status, older age, white (vs. black) race, prior fracture, history of cocaine use, and history of injection drug use were significant predictors of incident fracture. Among HIV-infected women, age, white race, prior fracture, smoking, and prior AIDS were predictors of new fracture. CONCLUSIONS Middle-aged HIV-infected women had a higher adjusted fracture rate than HIV-uninfected women. Cocaine use and injection drug use were also associated with a greater risk of incident fracture. Further research is needed to understand whether the risk of fracture associated with cocaine use relates to increased rate of falls or direct effects on bone metabolism.
Temporal shape analysis via the spectral signature

In this paper, we adapt spectral signatures for capturing morphological changes over time. Advanced techniques for capturing temporal shape changes frequently rely on first registering the sequence of shapes and then analyzing the corresponding set of high dimensional deformation maps. Instead, we propose a simple encoding motivated by the observation that small shape deformations lead to minor refinements in the spectral signature composed of the eigenvalues of the Laplace operator. The proposed encoding does not require registration, since spectral signatures are invariant to pose changes. We apply our representation to the shapes of the ventricles extracted from 22 cine MR scans of healthy controls and Tetralogy of Fallot patients. We then measure the accuracy score of our encoding by training a linear classifier, which outperforms the same classifier based on volumetric measurements.
An In Vitro Comparison of Fracture Load of Zirconia Custom Abutments with Internal Connection and Different Angulations and Thickness: Part I

Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the fracture load of one-piece zirconia custom abutments with different thicknesses and angulations. Materials and Methods Forty zirconia custom abutments were divided into four groups. Group A-1 and group B-1 simulated a clinical situation with an ideal implant position, which allows for the use of straight zirconia custom abutments with two thicknesses (0.7 and 1 mm). Groups A-2 and B-2 simulated a situation with a compromised implant position requiring 15° angulated abutments with different thicknesses (0.7 and 1 mm). Implant replicas were mounted in self-cure acrylic jigs to support the abutments in all groups. The zirconia custom abutments were engaged in the implant replicas using a manual torque wrench. Each jig was secured and mounted in a metallic vice 30° relative to a mechanical indenter. All groups were subjected to shear stress until failure using a universal testing machine with a 0.5 mm/min crosshead speed with the force transferred to the lingual surface of the zirconia custom abutments 2 mm below the top surface. The universal testing machine was controlled via a computer software system that also completed the stress-strain diagram and recorded the breaking fracture load. The fracture loads were recorded for comparison among the groups and subjected to statistical analysis (two-way ANOVA). Results The mean fracture load of zirconia custom abutments across the groups (A-1 through B-2) ranged from 160 ± 60 to 230 ± 95 N. The straight zirconia custom abutment exhibited the highest fracture load among the groups (p = 0.009); however, the thickness of the zirconia custom abutment had no influence on the strength of any of the specimens (p = 0.827). Conclusions There was no statistically significant difference in fracture strength between the 0.7 and 1.0 mm groups; however, angulated zirconia custom abutments had the lowest fracture load. Clinical Implication The results of this in vitro study will help dental practitioners with their decision-making process in selecting the type of custom abutment to be used clinically.
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and Possible Implications for Gifted Education

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, instituted in the fall of 1987, was formed from a recommendation of the Carnegie Forum on Education and the Economy through its report, A Nation Prepared. The Board's task is to establish a voluntary certification program for experienced teachers to be certified to a high standard of excellence. This certification process is being undertaken in order to help create a true profession of teaching where the teachers themselves control standards and how teachers are assessed. In this case teachers will be assessed using a wide variety of sources including data from portfolios, attestations, and simulations, as well as more traditional measures. Since both teachers of the gifted and regular classroom teachers who teach gifted students will be voluntarily participating in the certification process, there are implications for the field of gifted education. Among these issues are the determination of the nature of competencies for both teachers of the gifted...
Topological quantum field theories on manifolds with a boundary

We consider a class of exactly soluble topological quantum field theories on manifolds with a boundary that are invariant on-shell under diffeomorphisms which preserve the boundary. After showing that the functional integral of the two-point function with boundary conditions yields precisely the linking number, we use it to derive topological properties of the linking number. Considering gauge fixing, we obtain exact results of the partition function (Ray-Singer torsion of manifolds with a boundary) and theN-point functions in closed expressions.
George W. Wetherill (1925–2006)

George West Wetherill, a pioneer of geochronolgy and planetary science, passed away from heart failure at his home in Washington, D.C., on 19 July 2006, one month short of his 81st birthday Wetherill, director emeritus of the Carnegie Institution of Washington's Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, made major contributions to a wide variety of fields, including geochronology and the formation of the planets. Wetherill was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on 12 August 1925. After service in the U.S. Navy in World War II, where he taught radar at the Naval Research Laboratory, he entered the University of Chicago on the G.I. Bill. Wetherill obtained four degrees, culminating in his Ph.D. in physics in 1953. He began work at Carnegie's Department of Terrestrial Magnetism in 1953 and became part of its geochronology group, working with Thomas Aldrich, George Tilton, and Gordon Davis.
Effects of Heater Orientation and Confinement on Liquid Nitrogen Pool Boiling

HIS study is concerned with the effects of the orientation and cone nement of heated surfaces on critical heat e ux (CHF) from the surfaces. This has implications for the design of high- performance, high-power electronic devices. 1i 3 The effects of heater orientation are also important when the direction and magni- tude of the gravitational e eld change. Small spacing, if a compact design is desirable, will restrict the motion of the nucleating vapor bubbles and lead to the premature onset of dryout and lower CHFs. The combined effects of orientation and cone nement are expected tobecomplex.Severalstudieshaveconcentratedeitheroneffectsof orientation ofuncone ned heatersoroncone ned heatersthatare ver- tically oriented only. 4i 9 However, the combined effects have been Engineering. top of it, resulting in self-cooling. Therefore, the boiling took place under saturation conditions at 77.3 K. The heater module is an acrylic block, serving as the base for the heater and an insulator. The heater was made of copper, and its con- struction is shown in Fig. 1a. The heater is rectangular in shape and has the dimensions2 .0 £ 1.0 £ 0.25 cm. It was e ush mounted to the heatermodule.Athermocouple (typeE)wasinsertedthroughahole 1 mm beneath the center of the heater surface; its bead was glued to the copperinteriorusingOmegaBondepoxy. The copperheater was heated by a thin-e lm, nickel -chromium heating element. The e lm wascoatedononesideofaceramicsubstrateusingachemicalvapor deposition technique. The other side of the substrate was glued to the bottomof the copper block, also using OmegaBond epoxy. Both the ceramic substrate and the epoxy have high values of thermal conductivity. The downward-facing side of the thin-e lm heater was insulated using a silicon sealant. As a result, the heat transfer was directed from the thin resistor e lm to the copper surface that was exposed to LN 2 during the experiment, with negligible heat loss to all other sides of the heater. The uncertainty in determining heat e ux was dependent on the heater surface area and the power mea- surements and was estimated to be about 0.50%. The thermocouple has a manufacturer-specie ed uncertainty of 1.5 K and was found to be repeatable within 1.0 K at the LN 2 temperature. The surface temperature Tw was calculated using Tw = T + q 0 0 t/ k, where T is the measured temperature at the distance beneaththeheater surface, t the distance between the thermocouple and the heater surface, k the thermal conductivity of copper,and q 0 0 theheatinput.Theheater
Laparoscopic appendectomy for Amyand's hernia: a modern approach to a historic diagnosis.

Objectives This study seeks to discuss the management and diagnosis of Amyand’s hernia, an exceedingly rare diagnosis.
Comparison of open live donor nephrectomy, laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy, and hand-assisted live donor nephrectomy: a cost-minimization analysis.

Abstract Background Live donor kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease. Open donor nephrectomy (ODN) was the standard until the introduction of the laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) in 1995. Hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN) was added shortly thereafter. The laparoscopic techniques are associated with increased operating room times and equipment costs; however, these techniques speed patient return to normal activity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the cost of these techniques. Materials and Methods A decision analysis model was developed to simulate outcomes for donors undergoing ODN, LDN, and HALDN. Outcomes were simulated from both the institutional perspective (IP) and the societal perspective (SP). Baseline values and ranges were determined from a systematic review of the literature. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to test model strength. Results From the IP, ODN is the least costly strategy with a cost of $11,000, while the cost is $15,200 for HALDN and $15,800 for LDN. From the SP, HALDN is the least costly strategy costing $27,800, while the cost for LDN is $29,000 and for ODN is $41,000. In sensitivity analysis, ODN only became the dominant strategy if the days till return to work exceeded 58 in the HALDN strategy. LDN and HALDN were nearly equivalent as the rate of open conversion of LDN approached zero. Conclusions HALDN is the least costly donor nephrectomy strategy, especially from the SP. The primary determinants of cost in this model are conversion to open and days till return to work.
On similarity solutions of a boundary layer problem with an upstream moving wall

The problem of a boundary layer on a flat plate which has a constant velocity opposite in direction to that of the uniform mainstream is examined. It was previously shown that the solution of this boundary value problem is crucially dependent on the parameter which is the ratio of the velocity of the plate to the velocity of the free stream. In particular, it was proved that a solution exists only if this parameter does not exceed a certain critical value, and numerical evidence was adduced to show that this solution is nonunique. Using Crocco formulation the present work proves this nonuniqueness. Also considered are the analyticity of solutions and the derivation of upper bounds on the critical value of wall velocity parameter.
Influences of composition and grain size on creep–rupture behavior of Inconel® alloy 740

Abstract Creep–rupture experiments were conducted on multiple heats of the nickel-based superalloy Inconel® 740 at temperatures between 923 and 1123 K (650 and 850 °C). The interactions between chemistry, microstructure, and creep performance were evaluated by analysis of creep data, optical microscopy, electron microscopy, and computational thermodynamics. The data show that grain size has a modest effect on the creep–rupture strength. Computational thermodynamics verified experimental observations of the formation of eta phase as a function of temperature and alloy chemistry, but the kinetics for the precipitation of eta phase did not agree with the experimental findings. Despite the formation of eta phase and the concomitant reduction in volume fraction of gamma prime, the creep resistance of the alloy is insensitive, within the range of chemistries tested, to the volume fraction of gamma prime. The creep ductility was found to increase with test temperature. Precipitation of a large volume fraction of eta phase (greater than 7%) appears to reduce the creep–rupture ductility, but smaller amounts do not produce adverse effects.
Histological evaluation of polyesterimide-insulated gold wires in brain

Polyesterimide-coated gold wires were implanted subdurally on the parietal cortex of rabbits for 16 weeks. Light microscope examination of the implant sites showed no evidence of toxicity. There was no inflammatory response of the adjacent parenchyma. Gliosis in the molecular or neuronal layers was only slight to moderate. Overall, the polymer demonstrated good biocompatibility at 16 weeks after implantation. Future, long-term biocompatibility studies of this material are indicated, including evaluation of tumourigenic properties.
Hospice Comics: Representations of Patient and Family Experience of Illness and Death in Graphic Novels

Non-fiction graphic novels about illness and death created by patients and their loved ones have much to teach all readers. However, the bond of empathy made possible in the comic form may have special lessons for healthcare providers who read these texts and are open to the insights they provide.
A simulation study of agonist-antagonist muscle action in the human arm during constrained movements

We simulate the dynamic interaction between the human arm and a machine that imposes a continuous constraint on the arm. Results indicate oscillatory behavior of the system when disturbances are applied to the arm at high co-contraction levels. The modeling presented here is useful in the areas of design and control of exercise and rehabilitation machines that are to interact with the human via control signals as well as power.
The liaison psychiatrist and the outpatient hemodialysis unit. Part II: Clinical psychiatric-liaison issues.

A brief review of the literature is presented followed by a discussion of three main groups of liaison problems on a dialysis service: patient non-compliance, inter-staff disputes, and patient-staff emotional involvements. Clinical vignettes are used to illustrate the discussion and suggested guidelines for intervention are offered . Basic principles underlying a "liaison stance" are outlined.
Norepinephrine microinjections in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus increase extracellular dopamine and decrease acetylcholine in the nucleus accumbens : Relevance to feeding reinforcement

Norepinephrine (NE) was microinjected into the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), while microdialysis was used to monitor extracellular dopamine (DA) and acetylcholine (ACh) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The PVN is a site where exogenously administered NE can act through alpha 2 receptors to elicit eating behavior and preference for carbohydrates. It was hypothesized that NE in the PVN acts on a behavior reinforcement system by altering the DA/ACh balance in the NAc. NE microinjections (80 nmol in 0.3 microliter), which effectively elicited feeding in satiated rats in a separate test, caused a significant increase in extracellular DA (109%) and decrease in ACh (-27%) when the same animals were tested in the absence of food. In contrast when the food was available and ingested, ACh increased (51%) instead of decreasing. These results support the hypothesis that a functional link exists between the PVN and the NAc in which DA helps initiate and ACh helps stop appetitive behavior involved in the reinforcement of eating.
Factors influencing uranium reduction and solubility in evaporation pond sediments

Evaporation ponds in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV), CA, USA that are used for the disposal of irrigation drainage waters, contain elevated levels of U that may be a threat to pond wildlife. The ponds support euryhaline algae, which become incorporated in the sediments as depositional organic matter (OM) — facilitating reducing conditions. Our earlier studies have shown that U in one SJV sediment was primarily present as the highly soluble U(VI) species (as opposed to the less soluble U(IV) species), despite the presence of volatile sulfides. In this research, we investigated the effects of native pond algae (Chlorella) and potential reducing agents on U redox chemistry of SJV pond sediments. San Joaquin Valley pond sediments were equilibrated with natural and synthetic pond inlet waters containing approximately 10 mg U(VI) L−1 to which reducing agents (acetate, sucrose, and alfalfa shoot) were added. The equilibrations were done under oxic (Chlorella only) and O2-limiting conditions (remaining treatments). Sediments were examined for changes in average U oxidation state by X-ray near-edge absorption structure (XANES) spectroscopy and U concentration by ICP-MS. For the alfalfa treatments, a 95 percent loss of U(VI) from solution, the presence of sulfides, and results from the XANES studies suggest U(VI) was reduced to U(IV). Upon exposure to air, the precipitated U was readily oxidized, suggesting the reduced U is susceptible to oxidation. Much less reduction of U(VI) was observed in the other 3 treatments and the solid phase was dominated by U(VI) as in the natural pond sediments. A second study was conducted with pond sediment-water suspensions to determine the effects of controlled PCO2 and low redox potential (Eh) on U solubility. These suspensions were equilibrated at 0.22 and 5.26 kPa PCO2 and allowed to “free-drift” from an oxidized to a reduced state. At high Eh and high PCO2, dissolved U concentrations were higher than in the low PCO2 systems due to greater complexation with CO3. Dissolved U concentrations decreased only under intense sulfate reducing conditions, even at low Eh conditions. It appears that U reduction occurred by chemical reduction via sulfide ion. Comparing the XANES data of the pond sediments with the laboratory-produced solids we conclude that biosorption by algae and bacteria is the dominant mechanism depositing U in the sediments. Even though there are organisms that can use U(VI) as a terminal electron acceptor, we found that sulfate reduction was preferred in these high-SO4 waters. Mixed oxidation state U-solids were preferentially formed in the pond sediments and in the lab except under intense SO4 reducing conditions.
Interdependence between mitochondrial matrix volume and the extramitochondrial ratio of [ATP]/[ADP] [inorganic phosphate].

Abstract ATP or combinations of ATP with EDTA and EGTA can act as chelators to support succinate-driven, phosphate-requiring expansion of mitochondrial inner membrane-matrices. Contraction of these swollen mitochondria can be induced with antimycin, MgCl 2 and ADP. The magnitude of ADP-induced contraction of mitochondria, swollen in the presence of ATP, is dependent on [ADP] and may be altered by the extramitochondrial concentrations of both P i and ATP. In fact, the extent of contraction (+ΔA 520 ) is a linear function of the thermodynamic parameter, −ΔGp (free energy of hydrolysis of ATP), provided excessive concentrations of reactants are not present and the extents of matrix swelling are similar ( e.g. ΔA 520 is about 0.250) before starting contraction with ADP.
Ectosymbionts of the non‐indigenous Asian shore crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus (Decapoda: Varunidae), in the western north Atlantic, and a search for its parasites

Over 560 Asian shore crabs, Hemigrapsus sanguineus, collected mainly in the spring of 2005 and 2006 from rocky intertidal locations in southern New Jersey, were examined for epibionts. Small numbers of the sympatric green crab, Carcinus maenas, and the Atlantic mud crab, Panopeus herbstii, were examined for epifauna to compare with H. sanguineus. Blue mussel spat, Mytilus edulis, and the encrusting, cheilostome bryozoan, Conopeum tenuissimum, were the dominant ectosymbionts of the shore crab, with prevalences of 22.2 and 32.1%, respectively; ranges of intensity were 1–146 spat/crab and 1–31 colonies/crab. Both species are incidental symbionts. Larger crabs had higher prevalences and intensities of C. tenuissimum colonies, and these colonies displayed a distinct pattern of attachment to the carapace which seemed to be related to crab morphology and habitat. Much less common was the encrusting, ctenostome bryozoan Alcyonidium albescens, a facultative symbiont species with a prevalence of 3.4%. Other epibion...
Notes on Testing Equality in Dichotomous Data with Matched Pairs

In attempting to improve the efficiency of McNemar's test statistic, we develop two test procedures that account for the information on both the discordant and concordant pairs for testing equality between two comparison groups in dichotomous data with matched pairs. Furthermore, we derive a test procedure derived from one of the most commonly-used interval estimators for odds ratio. We compare these procedures with those using McNemar's test, McNemar's test with the continuity correction, and the exact test with respect to type I error and power in a variety of situations. We note that the test procedures using McNemar's test with the continuity correction and the exact test can be quite conservative and hence lose much efficiency, while the test procedure using McNemar's test can actually perform well even when the expected number of discordant pairs is small. We also find that the two test procedures, which incorporate the information on all matched pairs into hypothesis testing, may slightly improve the power of using McNemar's test without essentially losing the precision of type I error. On the other hand, the test procedure derived from an interval estimator of adds ratio with use of the logarithmic transformation may have type I error much larger than the nominal α-level when the expected number of discordant pairs is not large and therefore, is not recommended for general use.
Depressive symptoms in clinical and incipient Alzheimer's disease

SUMMARY The updated diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) distinguish three stages: dementia, symptomatic predementia (i.e., mild cognitive impairment) and asymptomatic predementia. Although AD is primarily associated with cognitive deficits, comorbid depressive symptoms frequently occur at each stage. Depression in AD dementia is qualitatively different from depression in cognitively intact and/or younger populations, and may be less responsive to established interventions. In mild cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms are associated with higher rates of progression to dementia, and may identify a subset of individuals that are more responsive to acetylcholinesterase inhibitor treatment. Clinical and subsyndromal depressive symptoms in cognitively normal elderly individuals represent a risk factor and/or prodrome for dementia due to AD; however, sustained antidepressant therapy may be able to modulate this risk.
A combined finite element and optimization investigation of lumbar spine mechanics with and without muscles

A combined finite element and optimization approach to study the effects of muscles on the biomechanics of the lumbar spine was initiated. Briefly, a three-dimensional, nonlinear, finite element model of a ligamentous L3-4 motion segment was formulated (LIG model) for the predictions of stresses, etc., in the motion segment. A separate, biomechanical optimization-based force model with experimental input was developed to predict the forces in muscles and disc across the L3-4 segment in response to a person holding 90 N in his hands with spine flexed 30 degrees, and knees straight. The predicted muscle forces from the optimization model were then incorporated into the L3-4 finite element model as nodal forces to simulate the muscle action (MUS model). The predicted responses from the muscles active (MUS) finite element model were compared to the corresponding results from the ligamentous (LIG) finite element model subjected to an equivalent load. The biomechanical parameters compared were: translation and rotation of L3, disc bulge, intervertebral foramen gap, intradiscal pressure, facet loading, ligament tension, compressive disc load, and stresses in the vertebral body. The addition of muscular forces in the MUS model led to a decrease in the anteroposterior translation and flexion rotation (displacements in the sagittal plane) of the segment compared to the corresponding LIG model predictions. Thus, the muscles imparted stability to the ligamentous segment. The presence of muscles also led to a decrease in stresses in the vertebral body, the intradiscal pressure and other mechanical parameters of importance. However, the load bearing of the facets increased compared to the ligamentous model. Thus, facets play a significant role in transmitting loads in a normal intact spine. These results, for the first time, provide quantitative data on the stabilizing effects of muscles on the mechanics of a ligamentous spine. The results also provide a scientific explanation in support of the "degenerative cascade" concept proposed in the literature. The model predictions, in conjunction with the degenerative cascade concept, also support the observation that the osteoarthritis of facets may follow disc degeneration. Future research directions based on the current model are presented.
Object recognition with hierarchical kernel descriptors

Kernel descriptors [1] provide a unified way to generate rich visual feature sets by turning pixel attributes into patch-level features, and yield impressive results on many object recognition tasks. However, best results with kernel descriptors are achieved using efficient match kernels in conjunction with nonlinear SVMs, which makes it impractical for large-scale problems. In this paper, we propose hierarchical kernel descriptors that apply kernel descriptors recursively to form image-level features and thus provide a conceptually simple and consistent way to generate image-level features from pixel attributes. More importantly, hierarchical kernel descriptors allow linear SVMs to yield state-of-the-art accuracy while being scalable to large datasets. They can also be naturally extended to extract features over depth images. We evaluate hierarchical kernel descriptors both on the CIFAR10 dataset and the new RGB-D Object Dataset consisting of segmented RGB and depth images of 300 everyday objects.
Virus-like particles in association with a microorganism from human gingival plaque

Abstract Particles or inclusion bodies associated with an oral microorganism found in human gingival plaque are described. These particles are of uniform size, hexagonal in shape and about 50 nm in diameter. They stain intensely with ruthenium red-osmium, uranium and lead. Electron-microscopic evidence suggests that the particles are a type of bacteriophage produced within the cell of a specific organism and sometimes released to the exterior by lysis. The importance of the findings in relation to the oral microflora is discussed.
Rapid determination of the rate constant of agonist-induced association of single platelets

We have developed a rapid and convenient method for determining the rate constant of association of single platelets. Using the concentration of single platelets prior to activation and that 0.25 min (15 s) after activation, this rate constant can be determined accurately without concern for reversibility of the aggregation process or need for statistical analysis. A linear relationship between initial platelet concentration and the rate constant of association is defined. The clinical utility of this association parameter is discussed.
Processing and structural evolution of (xLi2O·(1−x)Na2O)·Al2O3·2SiO2 gels

Abstract Beta eucryptite can be prepared by the sol-gel technique, using a methanolic solution of the metal organic precursors. The crystalline phases appear rapidly and incubation time is very short (less than 10 min). Eucryptite develops very slowly once it has appeared: 1% per h. The amount of eucryptite can be controlled by substituting Na for Li. The crystallazation of the samples strongly affects the magnitude of the textural characteristics of the gels.
The impact of underutilization of education on productivity: A case study of the U.S. Bell companies

Abstract This paper presents an empirical study of the impact of the Underutilization of workers' educational skills (or simply “overeducation”) on the production of output of a firm. The study is based on an application of the Tsang-Levin model of production. According to this model, overeducation affects firm output through its influence on worker job satisfaction which is related to firm output. The major hypothesis to be tested is that a firm which does not fully utilize the educational skills of its workers would suffer a loss in output. Using firm-level production data and individual-level data for Bell employees, the study estimated a production function for twenty-two U.S. Bell companies for the period 1981–1982. The study found that overeducation was negatively and significantly related to firm output, thus supporting the major hypothesis. Moreover, the negative impact of overeducation on firm output was quite strong: a one-year increase in overeducation was related to an 8.35% drop in firm output for the Bell companies. The policy implications of the study are discussed and two strategies for reducing this drag on output in the workplace are compared.
The creation of a minor in cyber security: the sequel

In October 2010, the paper "Curriculum and Pedagogical Effects of the Creation of a Minor in Cyber Security" was presented at InfoSecCD 2010. It described the issues related to the creation of a minor in Cyber Security at Armstrong Atlantic State University (AASU, and its effects on the curriculum of AASU's Information Technology major. The conclusion of that paper left the fate of the minor in doubt, stating that "there is a lot of curriculum committee work to be done before the minor is either removed or properly and fully supported." [4] Not only was the minor saved, but an online graduate certificate in Cyber Security was created as well. This paper describes how this was accomplished, and based on the results of pre- and post- surveys, compares the attainment of various learning outcomes in Cyber Security between face-to-face Information Technology students and online graduate certificate students. This paper also correlates these results to actual student grades.
Regulation of Increased Blood Flow (Hyperemia) to Muscles During Exercise: A Hierarchy of Competing Physiological Needs

This review focuses on how blood flow to contracting skeletal muscles is regulated during exercise in humans. The idea is that blood flow to the contracting muscles links oxygen in the atmosphere with the contracting muscles where it is consumed. In this context, we take a top down approach and review the basics of oxygen consumption at rest and during exercise in humans, how these values change with training, and the systemic hemodynamic adaptations that support them. We highlight the very high muscle blood flow responses to exercise discovered in the 1980s. We also discuss the vasodilating factors in the contracting muscles responsible for these very high flows. Finally, the competition between demand for blood flow by contracting muscles and maximum systemic cardiac output is discussed as a potential challenge to blood pressure regulation during heavy large muscle mass or whole body exercise in humans. At this time, no one dominant dilator mechanism accounts for exercise hyperemia. Additionally, complex interactions between the sympathetic nervous system and the microcirculation facilitate high levels of systemic oxygen extraction and permit just enough sympathetic control of blood flow to contracting muscles to regulate blood pressure during large muscle mass exercise in humans.
Potential time savings by prehospital administration of activated charcoal

Objective. Activated charcoal (AC) has been proven useful in many toxic ingestions. Theoretically, administration of AC in the prehospital environment could save valuable time in the treatment of p...
The failure strengths of perfect diamond crystals

Finite elasticity analysis is extended to the 110 direction, where off axis strain symmetry is not present, and the third order elastic data are obtained for diamond. The compressive yield strengths of perfect diamond crystals loaded in the 100, 110, and 111 directions are predicted to be 2.2, 5.6, and 2.8 Mbars, respectively, while the corresponding tensile fracture strengths are 1.0, 0.5, and 0.5 Mbars. From these results and from Hertz theory it is predicted that ring fracture of spherically tipped diamonds pressed against a flat will occur at pressures of 1.8-1.9 Mbars, substantially below the yield pressure (above 3 Mbars). Modification of the tip shape leads to a predicted increase in the pressure at which fracture occurs.
ATPase Cycle of the Nonmotile Kinesin NOD Allows Microtubule End Tracking and Drives Chromosome Movement

Segregation of nonexchange chromosomes during Drosophila melanogaster meiosis requires the proper function of NOD, a nonmotile kinesin-10. We have determined the X-ray crystal structure of the NOD catalytic domain in the ADP- and AMPPNP-bound states. These structures reveal an alternate conformation of the microtubule binding region as well as a nucleotide-sensitive relay of hydrogen bonds at the active site. Additionally, a cryo-electron microscopy reconstruction of the nucleotide-free microtubule-NOD complex shows an atypical binding orientation. Thermodynamic studies show that NOD binds tightly to microtubules in the nucleotide-free state, yet other nucleotide states, including AMPPNP, are weakened. Our pre-steady-state kinetic analysis demonstrates that NOD interaction with microtubules occurs slowly with weak activation of ADP product release. Upon rapid substrate binding, NOD detaches from the microtubule prior to the rate-limiting step of ATP hydrolysis, which is also atypical for a kinesin. We propose a model for NOD's microtubule plus-end tracking that drives chromosome movement.
Application of the discrete variational method to the electronic structure of LiF

The discrete variational method, which has been successfully applied previously to several covalent crystals, has been used to calculate the energy bands and charge density of the ionic crystal LiF, using various crystal potential models. The great sensitivity of the energy bands to the atomic configuration used to construct the potential and to the scaling of the statistical exchange is explained in terms of differences in the spatial properties of the crystal wave functions. The excited bands are found to be characterized by diffuse orbitals which are converged by using a mixed basis of Bloch atomic-like functions and symmetrized plane waves. Basis convergence problems posed by ionic systems for linear variational techniques are discussed in the conclusion.
Assessment of the Role of Electrostatics in the Assembly of Reaction Center-Cytochrome C Electron Transfer Complexes

Abstract Electrostatic forces drive the spontaneous assembly of electron transfer complexes between the photosynthetic reaction center from Rhodobacter sphaeroides and water soluble c-cytochromes. The existence of multiple configurations for the reaction center – cytochrome c complex is reflected in multiphasic electron transfer kinetics. We have measured the electron transfer properties for a series of structurally homologous c–cytochromes. A comparison of electron transfer and electrostatic properties of the cytochromes provides a means of evaluating the role of charged amino acid residues in the assembly of these complexes. These experiments establish that i) the conserved cluster of lysine residues around the exposed heme edge is a necessary but not sufficient condition for formation of an efficient electron transfer complex with the reaction center, and ii) a specific amino acid sequence or “lock and key” mechanism is not responsible for formation of reaction center–cytochrome c electron transfer com...