cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relevance of the Nuclear Structure of the Stable Ge Isotopes to the Neutrino-less Double-Beta Decay of 76Ge

Gamma-ray detection following the inelastic neutron scattering reaction on isotopically enriched material was used to study the nuclear structure of 74 Ge. From these measurements, low-lying, low-spin excited states were characterized, new states and their decays were identified, level lifetimes were measured with the Doppler-shift attenuation method (DSAM), multipole mixing ratios were established, and transition probabilities were determined. New structural features in 74 Ge were identified, and the reanalysis of older 76 Ge data led to the placement of the 2+ member of the intruder band. In addition, a number of previously placed states in 74 Ge were shown not to exist. A procedure for future work, which will lead to meaningful data for constraining calculations of the neutrinoless double-beta decay matrix element, is suggested.
Feasibility of Short-Term PrEP Uptake for Men Who Have Sex With Men With Episodic Periods of Increased HIV Risk.

Background Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is efficacious in reducing HIV acquisition. For some gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), daily ongoing PrEP may be unsuitable for use as a long-term prevention strategy because of episodic risk, cost issues, or concerns about the biological consequences of medication. Setting This study evaluated the feasibility of short-term, fixed-interval episodic PrEP (Epi-PrEP) for use among vacationing MSM. We describe the feasibility of implementing a clinic-based Epi-PrEP pilot program for 48 MSM who reported occasional condomless sex and anticipated a defined high-risk time. Methods This was a nonrandomized naturalistic study of an observational clinical intervention. The primary outcome assessed was adherence, as measured by self-report and plasma tenofovir levels. Results Of 54 MSM who enrolled in the study, 48 completed the 3-month visit. The majority (93.7%) had tenofovir concentrations consistent with daily use on returning from vacation. Almost 3/4 reported condomless sex during vacation, and about 1/3 reported recreational drug use. During the 3-month follow-up, 1 participant had become HIV-infected because of a lapse in continued access to the PrEP after study. Although adverse events were common, none were serious. More than 70% of participants indicated an interest in daily ongoing PrEP use. Conclusions Epi-PrEP was well tolerated by at risk MSM in this study, with high levels of medication adherence. Many participants felt the experience of initiating PrEP while on vacation could be a means for transition to long-term PrEP use.
Website Representations of Physical Education and Physical Activity: Comparison of Public Charter and Private Schools.

Purpose: Health authorities recommend schools play a major role in providing and promoting physical activity (PA). School choice legislation has led to increases in both public charter schools and ...
Managing the tensions between service and advocacy: The case of the AJEEC Social Change Service Organization, Naqab, Israel

The tension between providing services to marginalized groups and organizing them for advocacy to challenge power structures is a fundamental dilemma for Social Change Service Organizations (SCSO). This dilemma exists in many civil society organizations, especially those that work with indigenous communities, such as the Bedouin in Israel, where providing immediate services and advocating for policy change are crucial. Literature shows the tensions that arise from combining service provision and advocacy. However, there are very few studies showing how these organizations manage and overcome these tensions sustainably. The present study is an exploratory case study using the AJEEC (Arab‐Jewish Center for Empowerment, Equality, and Cooperation) in the Naqab as an instrumental single case. It provides an in‐depth understanding of the tensions AJEEC is facing and reveals AJEEC’s unique approach and strategies for managing these tensions effectively and sustainably within the social, political, and cultural contexts. It presents implications for research, policy, and practice.
Preliminary respirometer studies for the bioremediation of PAH contaminated soils

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a major source of environmental contamination. The origin of PAH contaminated soil includes abandoned manufactured gas sites, leaking underground storage tanks, wood treatment sites and current industrial processes [1–4]. Due to the carcinogenic and recalcitrant nature of many of these compounds, there is considerable concern over this widespread contamination [5].
Challenges for Large-Scale Cortical Interfaces.

Summary This Perspective examines the status of large-scale cortical interfaces through the lens of potential applications to active implants for brain-machine interfaces. Examples of research and development in a still embryonic field are discussed from a neuroengineer’s perspective, touching on the design of scalable electrophysiological sensors with the ambition to access thousands of cortical points at near-cellular-level resolution. Important issues include microscale geometry of neural probes, design of implantable ultra-low-power electronics, implementation of high-data-rate wireless telemetry, and compatible device packaging—all requiring advanced solutions along a translational path for chronic human use.
Taxing Consumption or Income: Just More of the Same? (Imposer La Consommation Ou Le Revenu: Du Pareil Au Même?)

English Abstract: Income and consumption comprise the two main tax bases in most countries, leaving many governments with the perennial dilemma of deciding which ought to be the focus of fiscal policy. However, in Canada the situation is much less ambiguous; the existing Canadian tax regime disproportionately favours direct, income-based taxation, deriving over two-thirds [this includes property tax revenue] of tax revenues from this stream. This paper argues that Canada’s narrow focus on direct taxation leads governments to miss out on the revenuestabilizing effects that a greater emphasis on consumption taxes would bring. Tilting the balance toward indirect consumption taxes like the GST would benefit public revenues because: i) demand fluctuates less than income; ii) consumption is largely local, reducing tax avoidance; and iii) the GST is less amenable to being co-opted for market-distorting political purposes. As income and consumption taxes are broadly similar in their effects, a shift from the former to the latter would have few consequences for Canadian employment, investment and saving. The author provides a summary of income and consumption tax structures in several Western countries with consumption-oriented tax structures to contend that it’s time Canadian governments embraced meaningful tax reform. French Abstract: L’impot sur le revenu et les taxes a la consommation constituent les deux principales assiettes fiscales dans la plupart des pays, si bien que de nombreux gouvernements sont confrontes en permanence au dilemme de determiner sur laquelle de ces deux solutions concentrer leurs politiques fiscales. Toutefois, au Canada, la situation est beaucoup moins floue; le regime fiscal canadien favorise de facon disproportionnee l’impot direct sur le revenu et tire de cette source plus des deux tiers de ses recettes fiscales (cela comprend les impots fonciers). On soutient ici que le Canada fonde une trop grande part de ces recettes sur l’impot direct et prive ainsi le pays des effets stabilisateurs sur le revenu que pourraient avoir des politiques davantage axees sur les taxes a la consommation. En faisant pencher la balance du cote des taxes indirectes a la consommation, par exemple la TPS, on produirait un effet benefique sur les recettes publiques parce que : i) la demande fluctue moins que le revenu; ii) la consommation est locale dans une large mesure et permet de reduire l’evitement fiscal; iii) la TPS est moins susceptible d’etre instrumentalisee a des fins politiques, ce qui fausse le marche. Etant donne que l’impot sur le revenu et les taxes a la consommation ont des effets largement similaires, le choix de cette deuxieme option aurait peu de consequences sur l’emploi, l’investissement et l’epargne au Canada. L’auteur propose une synthese des deux structures d’imposition dans plusieurs pays occidentaux qui privilegient les taxes a la consommation, et soutient qu’il est temps pour les gouvernements canadiens d’opter pour une reforme fiscale substantielle.
Use of Off-Label Nasal Steroid Irrigations in Long-Term Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

Objective:Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammatory disease of the paranasal sinuses and mucosa. Topical nasal corticosteroids are a mainstay treatment for CRS by reducing sinonasal inflammat...
Understanding ADHD: Toward an Innovative Therapeutic Intervention.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a pervasive condition affecting persons across all age groups, although it is primarily diagnosed in children. This neurological condition affects behavior, learning, and social adjustment and requires specific symptomatic criteria to be fulfilled for diagnosis. ADHD may be treated with a combination of psychological or psychiatric therapeutic interventions, but it often goes unattended. People with ADHD face societal bias challenges that impact how they manage the disorder and how they view themselves. This paper summarizes the present state of understanding of this disorder, with particular attention to early diagnosis and innovative therapeutic intervention. Contemporary understanding of the mind–brain duality allows for innovative therapeutic interventions based on neurological stimulation. This paper introduces the concept of neurostimulation as a therapeutic intervention for ADHD and poses the question of the relationship between patient adherence to self-administered therapy and the aesthetic design features of the neurostimulation device. By fabricating devices that go beyond safety and efficacy to embrace the aesthetic preferences of the patient, it is proposed that there will be improvements in patient adherence to a device intended to address ADHD.
High-Fidelity Models and Fast EMT Simulation Algorithms for Isolated Multi-port Autonomous Reconfigurable Solar power plant (MARS)

The integration of hybrid photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage system (ESS) based plants has become a promising way of solving the intermittency of PV plants and providing frequency support to the power grid. The multi-port autonomous reconfigurable solar power plant (MARS) can integrate the PV systems and ESSs to an ac grid and dc lines. The proposed isolated MARS incorporates an isolated converter that connects to the PV arrays and is based on the dual active bridge (DAB) converter. The high frequency switching in the DAB and the means to control the DAB converter using delays between switching signals lead to the need for a small timestep in simulations. Moreover, several hundreds of modules that include a DAB converter are present in the MARS. The small timestep and the presence of several hundreds of modules lead to a significant rise in the overall simulation time. To address this issue, simulation algorithms like numerical stiffness-based hybrid discretization and the hysteresis relaxation technique are applied to the switched system model of isolated MARS. Additionally, an event-driven interpolating method is introduced to help increase the minimum timestep to simulate the conventional DAB converter model while maintaining high accuracy in the simulation results. The developed model is validated by comparison with its reference model built in the PSCAD/EMTDC and MATLAB software environments using library components.
Clinical laboratory tests associated with survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: A Laboratory Wide Association Study (LWAS).

Abstract Background Prognostic models for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) include select laboratory values. These models have important limitations, including reliance on a limited array of laboratory tests, and use of dichotomous (“high-low”) cutoffs. We applied a Laboratory-Wide Association Study (LWAS) framework to systematically evaluate common clinical laboratory results associated with survival for patients diagnosed with mRCC. Methods We used laboratory data for 3,385 patients diagnosed with mRCC from 2002 to 2017. We developed a LWAS framework, to examine the association with 53 common clinical laboratory tests results (641,712 measurements) and overall survival. We employed false-discovery rate to test the association of multiple laboratory tests with survival, and validated these results using 3 separate cohorts to generate a standardized hazard ratio (sHR), reported for a 1 standard deviation unit change in each laboratory test. Results The LWAS approach confirmed the association of laboratory values currently used in prognostic models with survival, including calcium (HR 1.35, 95%CI 1.24–1.48), leukocyte count (HR 1.40, 95%CI 1.30–1.51), platelet count (HR 1.36, 95%CI 1.27–1.51), and hemoglobin (HR 0.79, 95%CI 0.72–0.86). Use of these tests as continuous variables improved model performance. LWAS also identified acute phase reactants associated with survival not typically included in prognostic models, including serum albumin (HR 0.66, 95%CI 0.61–0.72), ferritin (HR 1.25, 95%CI 1.08–1.45), alkaline phosphatase (HR 1.31, 95%CI 1.23–1.40), and C-reactive protein (HR 1.70, 95%CI 1.14–2.53). Conclusions Routinely measured laboratory tests can refine current prognostic models, facilitate comparisons across clinical trial cohorts, and match patients with specific systemic therapies.
MOLEGA: modeling language for educational card games

Domain-specific modeling languages abstractly represent domain knowledge in a way that users can more easily understand the model content without technical expertise. These languages can be created for any domain, provided the necessary knowledge is available. This research uses educational game design as a demonstration of the power of domain-specific modeling. Games are useful tools in supplementing the traditional education of students, however, many educators often do not possess the design or technical skills to develop a custom game for their own use. MOLEGA (the Modeling Language for Educational Card Games) is a domain-specific modeling language that provides a guided model design environment for these users. Using MOLEGA, users can create visual models, inspired by UML class diagrams, to represent their desired card game, based on two selected variants. User models are then used to generate executable source code for a mobile-compatible, browser-based game that can be deployed on a server by following the provided instructions. MOLEGA is evaluated for validity and correctness using a suite of example models.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Gastrointestinal Cancer Diagnosis and Resection: An Observational Study

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine screening for and treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. We analyzed changes in GI cancer pathology specimens resulting from diagnostic and therapeutic procedures at a single academic center in the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our aim was to determine which cancer types, procedures, and patients were impacted by the pandemic. Methods This was a retrospective, cohort study of patients identified based on carcinoma containing pathologic specimens reviewed by Mount Sinai Pathology Department resulting from diagnostic or resective procedures. Pathology and medical records of patients with GI and liver carcinoma and high-grade dysplasia were reviewed from February 1 to April 30 in 2018, 2019 and 2020. We used March 16, 2020 to delineate the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 period in 2020. Chi-squared analyses or t-tests, as appropriate, were used to compare these time periods in each year. Mann Kendall test was used to test for trend in volume. ANCOVA was used to compare differences across years. Results A total of 1028 pathology samples from 949 unique patients were identified during the study period. There was a 57% drop in samples within 2020 (p=0.01) that was not present in either 2018 or 2019 (p Conclusions In our institution, there was a significant drop in diagnostic and resection specimens of GI cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic, disproportionately affecting colorectal cancer patients.
Induction of experimental autoimmune keratitis by adoptive transfer of human corneal antigen-specific T-cell line.

PURPOSE. To establish a permanent human corneal antigen (HuCOAg)-specific T-cell line and to determine whether line cells are capable of inducing inflammatory keratitis by adoptive transfer. METHODS. Lymphoid cells harvested from HuCOAg-immunized Lewis rats were expanded to a permanent T-cell line by repetitive cycles of restimulation with HuCOAg and irradiated antigen-presenting cells and propagation in interleukin 2-containing medium. The phenotype and epitope specificity of the line cells were determined. Adoptive transfer was performed after seven cycles by intraperitoneal injection of activated T cells into irradiated recipient rats. RESULTS. A panel of 11 overlapping synthetic HuCOAg peptides to identify T-cell epitopes recognized by the line cells was used. The cells responded selectively to a synthetic peptide containing an immunodominant epitope of HuCOAg (peptides 69 - 83). Line cells bore the surface phenotype of the T-helper/inducer marker (W 3/25 + or CD4 + ). Intraperitoneal inoculation of naive rats with 5 X 10 7 activated line cells led to maximal clinical signs of stromal keratitis 7 to 9 days after transfer, characterized by corneal haze, conjunctival and episcleral injection, corneal infiltrates, and neovascularization. Histopathologic examination of the tissues revealed numerous lymphocytes and macrophages and some polymorphonuclear leukocytes along with neovascularization. The pathologic lesions were confined to the peripheral corneal stroma. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that the overwhelming majority of the inflammatory cells were CD4 + T lymphocytes and macrophages; an upregulation of major histocompatibility complex class II antigen expression was also noted. CONCLUSIONS. A long-term, rat T-cell line of CD4 + phenotype specific for HuCOAg that can induce autoimmune keratitis by adoptive transfer of the line cells to naive syngeneic recipients is described. With the development of this cell line, the mechanisms by which T cells exert their immunopathologic effects in experimental autoimmune keratitis models can be studied.
Marx's appreciation of James Steuart: A theory of history and value

This paper argues that despite a growing body of scholarly literature on Sir James Steuart, his theory of history and influence on Marxian political economy has been largely ignored. The approach of this paper is motivated, in part, by Marx’s sympathetic treatment of Steuart found in the opening of his Theories of Surplus Value, and in scattered asides throughout the remainder of his work. We argue that Steuart’s importance to students of the history of political economy is three-fold: First, following Marx, we consider the unique and dynamic role played by history in Steuart’s system. Steuart appears to have been the first thinker in political economy to both recognize the historical specificity of capitalism, and to conspicuously incorporate that realization into his system. Secondly, in Steuart’s approach to the question of value and profit we find conceptions that defy easy classification. Steuart is seen to plainly abandon the mercantilist understanding of profit as determined in the sphere of exchange alone, and to treat what he calls the real value of a commodity as intimately related to its necessary labor time. Finally, we argue that Steuart’s contemporary notoriety made him far more influential than is commonly recognized. In particular, we contend that Steuart, via Hegel, may have exercised an indirect influence on Marx’s own theory of history, in ways that Marx could not have recognized.
Viral IL-10 and Soluble TNF Receptor Act Synergistically to Inhibit Collagen-Induced Arthritis Following Adenovirus- Mediated Gene Transfer

Viral IL-10 (vIL-10) and soluble TNF receptor (sTNFR) are anti-inflammatory proteins that can suppress collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). These and related proteins have shown efficacy in the treatment of human rheumatoid arthritis; however, neither alone is able to completely suppress disease. Furthermore, they have short half-lives, necessitating frequent administration. To determine the ability of these proteins to act synergistically following gene transfer, arthritis was induced in DBA/1 male mice by immunization with type II collagen on days 0 and 21. Mice were injected i.v. either before disease onset (day 20) or after disease onset (day 28) with 1010 particles of adenovirus encoding vIL-10, a soluble TNF receptor-IgG1 fusion protein (sTNFR-Ig), a combination of both vectors, or a control vector lacking a transgene. Significant synergism was observed with the combination of vIL-10 and sTNFR-Ig, with a substantial reduction in both the incidence and severity of disease as well as inhibition of progression of established disease. sTNFR-Ig alone had no effect on CIA. vIL-10 alone inhibited disease when given before disease onset, but had minimal effect on established disease. Both proteins inhibited spleen cell proliferation and IFN-γ secretion in response to stimulation with type II collagen, but only vIL-10 reduced the synovial mRNA levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. These findings demonstrate that vIL-10 and sTNFR-Ig act synergistically in suppressing CIA and suggest that gene transfer offers a potential therapeutic modality for the treatment of arthritis.
The emergence of reproductive division of labor in forced queen groups of the ant Pogonomyrmex barbatus

One of the defining features of advanced eusocial groups is reproductive division of labor, where one or a few individuals specialize on reproduction while others perform strictly nonreproductive tasks such as brood care, defense and foraging. Recent theoretical work suggests that the rudiments of division of labor may originate spontaneously during initial group formation as an emergent property, rather than requiring a secondary adaptation. Empirical studies on nonreproductive tasks support the emergence hypothesis, but it is unclear whether this mechanism also extends to reproduction. To test whether reproductive division of labor can be produced as an emergent property, we assessed the extent and mechanisms of both nonreproductive and reproductive division of labor in forced associations of normally solitary queens of the harvester ant Pogonomyrmex barbatus. We find that division of labor in both types of tasks can be induced in groups of individuals with no evolutionary history of social cooperation. Specialization in excavation behavior was more pronounced than reproduction, which tended to be incomplete although significantly skewed. In addition to reproductive division of labor, enhanced productivity in forced pairs relative to solitary queens suggests that both queens contributed cooperatively to brood care despite unequal maternity. Thus, two of the three defining features of eusociality may have originated through self-organizing mechanisms concurrently with the evolution of grouping, exposing these social strategies to selection early on in the evolution of social life.
Speech spectrum quantization using Gaussian mixture models and multi-dimensional companding

A low complexity, high quality, quantization scheme using Gaussian mixture models and multi-dimensional companding is presented for speech spectrum quantization. As in past work (Subramaniam and Rao 2000), the probability density function (pdf) of the source is modeled as a Gaussian mixture model whose parameters are estimated using the EM algorithm. The novelty of the approach lies in the development of a more efficient mapping from the density to the codebook vectors. The individual Gaussian component densities are quantized using an optimal multidimensional compressor function followed by a lattice vector quantizer (LVQ). For the purpose of speech spectrum quantization, the E/sub 8/ lattice is used for lattice quantization. Low complexity encoding and index assignment algorithms are presented and the performance is compared and shown to be better than that of PDF optimized parametric VQ.
Three-dimensional surface reconstruction of optical Lambertian objects using cone-beam tomography

We develop an approach to the determination of 3-D structure and reflectivity of Lambertian objects using a modification of cone-beam tomography. Like other tomographic imaging methods, our approach is entirely numerical and does not rely on heuristics. Furthermore, it requires only ambient illumination.
Fanon and Feminism

This essay explores the affinities between the work of Frantz Fanon and autonomist Italian feminism. In particular, I argue that theorists like Silvia Federici, Mariarosa Dalla Costa, Giovanna Franca Dalla Costa and Leopoldina Fortunati mobilize Fanon's singular account of colonization in service of the project of feminist liberation. This essay explores the influence, both explicit and implicit, that Fanon's account of the psychosocial effects of colonization bears on the content, scope and frame of autonomist Italian feminism's analysis of social reproduction. I also chart the developments and changes in the work of these thinkers over the past four decades, arguing that their turn towards considering a Marxist–feminist project inside the global movement of capital can be traced to a profound reconsideration of Fanon's work. In doing so, I hope to reposition the debate around Fanon's deeply complicated and problematic analysis of women in his writings, highlighting the ways in which his texts offer crit...
Approximately self-consistent calculation of the rho meson

An approximately self-consistent calculation of theI=1 channel (rho-meson) of the pi-pi system is made. TheI=0 channel is put in from experiment, while the rho channel is described by a three-parameter trajectory and two-parameter distribution function in a onetrajectory modified Cheng representation. An attempt to determine the five free parameters from the crossing relations yields a mass and width of the rho of 762 MeV and 120 MeV, respectively.
Role of tyrosine kinase and membrane-spanning domains in signal transduction by the platelet-derived growth factor receptor.

Abstract Three types of mutations were introduced into the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor to cause a loss of PDGF-stimulated tyrosine kinase activity: (i) a point mutation of the ATP-binding site, (ii) a deletion of the carboxyl-terminal region, and (iii) replacement of the membrane-spanning sequences by analogous transmembrane sequences of other receptors. Transfectants expressing mutated receptors bind, 125I-labeled PDGF with a high affinity but had no PDGF-sensitive tyrosine kinase activity, phosphatidylinositol turnover, increase in the intracellular calcium concentration, change in cellular pH, or stimulation of DNA synthesis. However, PDGF-induced receptor down regulation was normal in the mutant cells. These results indicate that the transmembrane sequence has a specific signal-transducing function other than merely serving as a membrane anchor and that the receptor kinase activity is necessary for most responses to PDGF but is not required for receptor down regulation.
Central anticholinergic syndrome following dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography

We present a case of central anticholinergic syndrome following dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography in an elderly female. Although atropine toxicity is a recognized complication of stress echocardiography, no case reports are currently available. The central nervous system side effects of atropine are varied in severity (mild cognitive impairment to severe coma) and spectrum (agitation or somnolence), and thus are often overlooked. Management includes prompt recognition, stopping the offending agent, providing supportive care, and consideration of physiostigmine. Atropine is used in up to 60% of dobutamine stress echocardiograms, and has the potential to cause morbidity.
Ontology-based disassembly information system for enhancing disassembly planning and design

Disassembly, as one of the core steps in the end of life (EOL) activities, has been a popular topic both in industrial and academic areas. Unlike assembly, any practical disassembly process planning, which is very important for material recycling or component reuse, is still a topic of active research. One major obstacle in developing an optimal disassembly process planning system is the uncertain characteristics of the EOL products (uncertain information), such as the quality and quantity of the components and parts, which normally make a deterministic disassembly process planning impossible. How to represent and further use such uncertain information in reasoning about a realistic optimal disassembly process sequence are the most important research issues. This paper addresses these issues by developing a disassembly information framework which consists of both an ontology-based information model (domain semantics and rules) and a computational model (process planning generation methodology). The explicit domain concepts, relationships, or rules developed in the ontology-based information enhance the process planning generation methodology (computational model) and thus make the planning process efficient and more realistic. Examples are used in the end to illustrate the use of the proposed framework and methodology.
Comparative investigation of disposition of 3,4-(methylenedioxy)methamphetamine (MDMA) in the rat and the mouse by a capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry assay based on perfluorotributylamine-enhanced ammonia positive ion chemical ionization

A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry assay based on perfluorotributylamine-enhanced ammonia positive ion chemical ionization has been developed for MDMA and three of its primary metabolites in biological specimens; the assay is linear from 2 to 1000 ng ml-1. Quantitatively, more of an administered dose of 10 mg kg-1 MDMA was excreted by the mouse (72%) than by the rat (35%); most in both species was excreted in urine and within 24 h. The difference in per cent excretion is entirely due to proportionally greater excretion of the parent drug by the mouse. 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMM) is the major urinary metabolite in both species. HMM and another primary metabolite, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyamphetamine (HMA), were excreted mainly as glucuronide and sulphate conjugates (> 85%).
Wave motion over a group of submerged horizontal plates

Abstract Wave reflection and transmission over a group of submerged horizontal plates is investigated analytically based on the linear potential wave theory. The velocity potential in each fluid domain is formulated and the unknown coefficients are determined from the matching conditions using three sets of orthogonal eigenfunctions. The reflection and transmission coefficients are obtained to evaluate the performance of the multiple plates as a breakwater. The variations of reflection and transmission coefficients vs the plate length, incident wave length, submergence of the top plate and the gap between plates are examined and discussed.
The Design of a Desensitized Controller - A Sensitivity Function Approach

A desensitized controller, using a quadratic sensitivity function approach, is developed to maintain a desired performance in the presence of process parameter variations. This controller is based on a perturbation sensitivity measure which is a combination of the trajectory sensitivity and the cost sensitivity. The theoretical results are presented and the design procedure is outlined. In an example, the controller is evaluated and the result is compared with that of a cost sensitivity approach and a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) design.
Chaetotaxy of larval Histeridae (Coleoptera: Hydrophiloidea) based on a description of Onthophilus nodatus LeConte

Both instars of the relatively generalized histerid Onthophilus nodatus J. E. LeConte, are described and illustrated. This is the first larval description for the genus Onthophilus and is the first study of chaetotaxy of histerid larvae. Setae of the thorax and abdomen are serially homologized to develop a setal nomenclature for the first instar. This system is easily applied to other histerid genera.
Brugada Syndrome Presenting As an “Acute Myocardial Infarction”

Abstract Brugada syndrome is believed to be the cause of up to 50% of sudden cardiac death (SCD) cases due to ventricular dysrhythmias in young healthy individuals with no structural heart disease. This syndrome was first reported in 1992 and is rarely seen in the Emergency Department (ED). Given the life-threatening nature of Brugada syndrome, we hope to increase awareness in Emergency Medicine practitioners. We report the case of a 22-year-old man who was referred to the ED with a history of intermittent palpitations, near-syncope and electrocardiogram findings of RSR′ and ST elevation in V 1 –V 2 characteristic of Brugada syndrome. It is crucial that emergency physicians search for this diagnosis, as an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is the only recognized life-saving intervention, and the risk of SCD is high if the diagnosis is missed.
Pheochromocytoma presenting as musculoskeletal pain from bone metastases

Six patients presented with musculoskeletal pain resulting from destructive bone lesions. These patients were ultimately shown to have metastatic pheochromocytoma. None of the cases exhibited typical symptoms of metastatic pheochromocytoma, nor was it suspected at the time of presentation. In three patients, hypertension caused pheochromocytoma to be considered as a diagnosis. The three remaining patients, all of whom had documented hypertension in the past, underwent bone biopsy. Two of these patients became markedly hypertensive in the postoperative period. Malignant pheochromocytoma may present with metastatic skeletal disease in some patients in whom the presence of hypertension as well as a carefully elicited history may suggest the diagnosis. In such patients, the possibility of pheochromocytoma should be taken into account, as biopsy may trigger a hypertensive crisis in patients not under adrenergic blockade.
Spontaneous reproductive tract leiomyomas in aged guinea-pigs.

Abstract Seven of 83 female guinea-pigs were found to have reproductive tract leiomyomas at necropsy. Sixty-three of these guinea-pigs also had cystic rete ovarii. Eleven separate leiomyomas were identified, the most common site of formation being the uterine body or horn. The tumours contained histological evidence of smooth muscle, abundant fibrous connective tissue and occasional foci of fibrocartilage and bone. Mitotic figures were identified in only one tumour. The mean age of guinea-pigs with leiomyomas was 47·6 months, and the mean age of the study population was 33·1 months. Two other reproductive tract tumours identified in the 83 guinea-pigs were an ovarian teratoma and a cavernous haemangioma. These data indicate that leiomyomas are the most common reproductive tract tumour in this colony of aged female guinea-pigs and that they are frequently seen in conjunction with cystic rete ovarii.
Peripheral projections of nerve fibres in the human median nerve

Elementary sensations of definable quality were evoked by intraneural electrical stimulation of sensory units through tungsten microelectrodes inserted in the median nerve of awake human subjects. The most commonly reported sensations were tapping, pressure, dull pain and sharp pain, which correlated with recording from RA units, SA I units, C nociceptors and Aδ nociceptos, respectively. All sensations were projected more often to the fingertips than to the palm. The multifocal projections of sensations recruited by excitation of small groups of neighbouring nerve fibres were significantly more scattered in space than anticipated if these fibres had preserved an orderly intraneural map, implying lack of somatotopy in the nerve. Mean projected field sizes were 3.4 mm2 for sharp pain, 9.2 mm2 for tapping/vibration, 29.3 mm2 for pressure and 35.4 mm2 for dull pain, and in addition the latter two showed a rising size gradient from fingertip to palm. Consideration of projected field size as a variable in discriminative touch suggests that input from RA units and Aδ nociceptors may be of importance in stimulus localization, while SA I units may play an additional role in two point discrimination.
Black-dot tinea capitis. Patchy hair loss is common in pediatric patients.

A 4-year-old African American boy was seen because of an itchy, scaly scalp and patches of hair loss. Several months earlier, another A physician had diagnosed the problem as ringworm of the scalp and initiated treatment with a topical antifungal cream and ketoconazole 2% shampoo (Nizoral), which had limited success. Physical examination revealed about 12 dime- to quarter-sized patches of hair loss and a scaly scalp studded with multiple "black dots" (figure 1). Microscopic examination of a potassium hydroxide preparation of scalp scrapings demonstrated large-spore endothrix fungus within hair shafts diagnostic of tinea capitis (figure 2).
Being the boss is not what itused to be

Mentoring has a long and varied history. It was a method for helping peoplegrow to competence in a supportive environment. As being a boss continues to have less and less real power associated with the role, the idea of approaching employees as partners in getting the work accomplished makes the concept of mentoring applicable to today's workplace and today's workforce.
Demystifying Social Media

Recently, it has been speculated that higher education has neither kept abreast of changing technologies nor taken advantage of the opportunities they offer for use on the college campus (Fischman, 2010). We suggest that social media offers higher education professionals an opportunity to catch up. To this end, we offer an approach to these a la carte technologies that can be adapted and integrated to achieve many productive outcomes for professionals in the academy.
Peritoneal fluid cytokine and eicosanoid levels and their relation to the incidence of peritoneal adhesion.

OBJECTIVE To determine the peritoneal fluid content of several cytokines and eicosanoids with inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and fibrotic activities, and to assess the relationship of these levels with the incidence of peritoneal adhesions. METHODS Peritoneal fluids were collected from 30 subjects with adhesions (n = 22) or with normal pelvic anatomy (n = 8), and the level of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta 1), granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and radioreceptor assay. RESULTS The peritoneal fluid content of these factors varied considerably, with low levels of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, IL-10, IFN-gamma, and GM-CSF. Only IFN-gamma levels were significantly lower in subjects with adhesions compared with the normal group (P < .05). The levels of total (latent + active) and active TGF-beta 1 were higher than those of other cytokines assayed and were significantly higher in subjects with adhesions compared with the normal group (P < .05). The peritoneal fluid content of PGE2, TXB2, and LTB4 was significantly higher than that of the cytokines and was higher, but not significantly so, in subjects with adhesions compared with normal subjects (P = .06). CONCLUSION Although the effect of length of time since the adhesions were formed is not known, the results indicate that peritoneal fluid content of these cytokines and eicosanoids, with the exception of IFN-gamma and TGF-beta 1, does not correlate with the presence of peritoneal adhesions.
Magnetic resonance microscopy‐based analyses of the brains of normal and ethanol‐exposed fetal mice

Background The application of magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) to the study of normal and abnormal prenatal mouse development has facilitated discovery of dysmorphology following prenatal ethanol insult. The current analyses extend this work, providing a regional brain volume-based description of normal brain growth and illustrating the consequences of gestational day (GD) 10 ethanol exposure in the fetal mouse.
SU-E-T-449: Dosimetric Comparison of Beam Arrangements for Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy of Lung Lesion.

Purpose:Dosimetric comparison of beam arrangements of coplanar, non‐ coplanar and conformal arc for Stereotactic body radiotherapy of lung lesion. Methods: Four spherical targets with diameters of 2, 4, 6 and 7cm are contoured in the geometric center of right lung of a selected SBRTCT scan. For each target, treatment plans of optimized 7, 9 and 11 coplanar, non‐ coplanar and conformal arc beam arrangements are generated in Pinnacle (Pinnacle Version 9.0, Philips RadiationOncology Systems, WI). Prescription isodoses are chosen to cover at least 95% of target volumes. The volumes enclosed by the prescription and 50% of prescription isodose surfaces are computed. Conformality index (CI) and effective dose fall off gradient are computed for dosimetric comparison. Results: All plans with optimized coplanar and conformal arc beam arrangements have similar CIs while optimized non‐coplanar beam arrangements have the smallest CIs. For each target size, optimized 7 and 9 coplanar beam arrangements have the largest half prescription isodose volumes while optimized 11 coplanar beam arrangements have slightly less half prescription isodose volumes than conformal arc plans. All 3 optimized non‐coplanar beam arrangements Result in faster dose gradient than conformal arcs except for the smallest target cases, for a 2cm diameter target, 9 or 11 non‐coplanar beams are needed to achieve better dose gradient than their rival conformal arc plan. Conclusions:Treatment plans using optimized 9 and 11 non‐coplanar beam arrangements are superior to conformal arc plans for SBRT of lung lesions based on dosimetric comparison. To achieve a superior plan for small lesions, 11 or more optimized coplanar beams may be required.
Outsourcing and productivity growth in services

Abstract Outsourcing from manufacturing firms has fueled some of the service sector's rapid growth. We model the firm's decision to outsource and show that increases in outsourcing may explain part of the increase in the divergence in productivity growth between manufacturing and services. We also analyze the implications of outsourcing for output and productivity growth of service industries. Our findings indicate that it has reduced service sector productivity in the short run. In contrast to earlier work on services (Baumol, W.J., 1967. American Economic Review 57, 415–426. Baumol, W.J., Blackman, A.B., Wolff, E.N., 1985. American Economic Review 75, 806–817), we project that productivity growth in services is likely to increase, once demand growth from manufacturing due to outsourcing subsides.
Statistical investigations of multiscale image structure (Proceedings Only)

This artificial visual system (AVS) is a computational framework for computer vision based on spatial filtering and statistical pattern recognition. Computer vision tasks are often poorly defined; the AVS clarifies the kinds of visual tasks that can be defined and what constitutes a well-defined task. `Segmentation'' is not a well-defined task. Edge detection is revealed to be an absurd task. A filter set composed of multiscale Gaussians alone captures the structure of Koenderink''s generic neighborhood operators when a pattern is constructed from the responses at a pixel and neighboring locations, where the distance to the selected neighbors increases with larger scale. Prior studies of the feature space formed by multiscale Gaussians reveal surprising power in the multiscale Gaussians alone. New studies support this observation. Contrary to common belief, we show how nonlocal, spatial, geometric structure can be captured using statistical pattern recognition operations in the AVS framework. A procedure is defined for deriving a single composite filter providing optimal separation of two clusters in feature space.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Plant pest destruction goes viral

Fusion of a viral coat protein to an insect-specific neurotoxin delivers the molecule into aphids where it is insecticidal.
Candida endophthalmitis in the premature infant

An attempt was made to determine the incidence and natural history of Candida endophthalmitis in the premature infant with systemic candidiasis. Each of eight premature infants were examined by indirect ophthalmoscopy withib one week of their diagnosis. At this stage, four infants had multiple fluffy white lesions on both the retina and the vitreous, together with a diffuse vitreous haze. Three of the infants had interlesional and lesional-retinal vitreous strands. Three infants treated with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine showed gradual disappearance of the lesions. The fourth infant died early in the course of antifungal therapy, when the eye lesions were progressing. Candida sepsis was particularly prevalent in the very low-birth-weight infant with a prolonged hospital course and treated with multiple broad-spectrum antibiotics. The course of the eye lesions indicates a good prognosis for Candida endophthalmitis, although further follow-up is necessary.
Computational and Statistical Limits to Palm, Storm, and Related Sub-Diffraction Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques

Techniques such as PALM and STORM enable fluorescence microscopy with subwavelength resolution, using molecules that can be activated from a dark state to a fluorescent state. Only a small fraction of the molecules are activated at any given time; giving a very low probability of nearby molecules being simultaneously activated and forming overlapping blurs in the image. The fluorescent molecules are imaged individually, their positions are determined from the images, and then a new set of molecules is activated to the fluorescent state. However, there is a tradeoff between image quality (improved by minimizing the activation probability per molecule, for fewer overlapping blurs) and speed (improved by increasing the activation probability per molecule, to reduce the risk of image cycles with zero activated molecules). One method of dealing with this tradeoff is to increase the activation probability and use algorithms (called rejection algorithms) that identify and remove spots formed by overlapping blurs from more than 1 molecule.We performed a theoretical analysis to relate rejection algorithm performance with achievable resolution and image acquisition speed. We predict the existence of a minimum acquisition time independent of algorithm performance, and an algorithm-dependent maximum error rate. We have characterized the performance of commonly-used procedures for identifying multi-molecule spots via their shape (including linear and non-linear curve fitting), and show that procedures of widely varying complexity and speed have comparable performance, pointing to ways of reducing acquisition and post-processing time with optimized rejection algorithms. Additionally, we analyzed errors when molecules produce overlapping blurs and are then bleached. With proper control of activation probability and the photobleaching rate, bleaching can actually be used to enable faster acquisition of an image with subwavelength resolution, with implications for the design of photoswitchable fluorescent proteins.