cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A conformable microelectrode array (cMEA) with integrated electronics for peripheral nerve interfacing

A high-resolution PDMS-based conformable microelectrode array (cMEA) with integrated electronics is implemented. The cMEA is incorporated into individual layers of a nanofiber-based nerve regeneration scaffold to create a novel regenerative electrode scaffold (RES) capable of establishing a stable, high-resolution peripheral nerve interface. The device features a compact size with an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), as required by implantation applications. Preliminary characterizations of the device are performed using in vitro experimentations, including impedance spectroscopy and neural culturing.
Evaluation of 64Cu(DO3A-xy-TPEP) as A Potential PET Radiotracer for Monitoring Tumor Multidrug Resistance

In this study, we evaluated the potential of 64Cu(DO3A-xy-TPEP) (DO3A-xy-TPEP = (2-(diphenylphosphoryl)ethyl)diphenyl(4-((4,7,10-tris(carboxymethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecan-1-yl)methyl)benzyl)phosphonium) as a PET (positron emission tomography) radiotracer for noninvasive monitoring of multidrug resistance (MDR) transport function in several xenografted tumor models (MDR-negative: U87MG; MDR-positive: MDA-MB-435, MDA-MB-231, KB-3-1, and KB-v-1). It was found that 64Cu(DO3A-xy-TPEP) has a high initial tumor uptake (5.27 ± 1.2%ID/g at 5 min p.i.) and shows a steady uptake increase between 30 and 120 min p.i. (2.09 ± 0.53 and 3.35 ± 1.27%ID/g at 30 and 120 min p.i., respectively) in the MDR-negative U87MG glioma tumors. 64Cu(DO3A-xy-TPEP) has a greater uptake difference between U87MG glioma and MDR-positive tumors (MDA-MB-231: 1.57 ± 0.04, 1.00 ± 0.17, and 0.93 ± 0.15; MDA-MB-435: 1.15 ± 0.19, 1.12 ± 0.20, and 0.81 ± 0.11; KB-3-1: 1.45 ± 0.31, 1.43 ± 0.16, and 1.08 ± 0.19; and KB-v-1: 1.63 ± 0.47, 1.81...
Shaping biodegradable polymers as nanostructures: Fabrication and applications.

The interest in micro- and nano-devices based on biodegradable polymers for in vivo applications is growing rapidly and the key to these applications lies in the fashioning of features analogous to the size of cells. This paper presents fabrication techniques for leveraging micro- and nanostructures on biodegradable polymers. Innovative approaches such as replication molding, laser interference lithography, nanosphere lithography, and block copolymer lithography are discussed. These techniques demonstrate excellent potential for fabricating biodegradable polymeric devices in both a laboratory and industry scale.
Transgenic and knockout rodents: Novel insights into mechanisms of body weight regulation

Abstract Transgenic animals that over- or underexpress a protein of interest have been used to study obesity development, prevention, and susceptibility to diet-induced obesity such as a high-fat diet. Several transgenic models are resistant to diet-induced obesity including those that overexpress the insulin-sensitive glucose transporter, GLUT4, in adipose tissue only. In this animal there is increased adipose tissue mass but the animal maintains its insulin sensitivity. The overexpression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in skeletal muscle and the elimination of a protein kinase A subunit both resulted in lean and obesity resistant animals. By directing the production of the diphtheria toxin A chain to adipose tissue only the resulting animals not only had less adipose tissue mass but were resistant to MSG-induced obesity. Conversely, transgenic models with decreased brown adipose tissue or its function have all resulted in obese animals, highlighting the importance of thermoregulation in body weight maintenance. The use of transgenic technology in the field of obesity has emphasized the regional differences among fat pads as well as the dissimilarity between genders in fuel metabolism. Several transgenic models have separated obesity from insulin resistance allowing the importance of each state to be studied individually. Results using transgenic animals have re-emphasized that obesity is a polygenic disease.
Impact of near-lossless and lossy coding on information extraction from hyperspectral data

We study the ability to derive meaningful information from decompressed imaging spectrometer data. Each hyperspectral band is linearly predicted by a previously transmitted band. The residual, formed by subtracting the prediction from the original data is compressed either with a near-lossless bit plane coder or with the lossy JPEG2000 algorithm. We investigate the effects of these two compression methods on hyperspectral image processing using whole- and mixed-pixel analysis techniques. Surprisingly, the lossy coder outperforms near-lossless method in terms of its impact on final hyperspectral data applications.
Cross-linguistic pause and rate phenomena in adults and adolescents.

Three groups of 40 Ss (German adolescents and American adults and adolescents) read two passages and retold them. In confirmation of O'Connell Kowal, and Hormann (1969) for German adults, a number of pause and rate measures were significantly different for semantically ordinary or unusual passages. Comparisons among the four experiments manifested different patterns of pauses and rate across the two languages and age brackets.
Computing environments for spatial data analysis

This paper describes the functionality and architecture of SpaceStat, the SpaceStat Extension for ArcView and the DynESDA Extension for ArcView. It compares the features of these packages to five other software implementations for spatial data analysis. Some ideas are formulated on generic requirements and future directions pertaining to computing environments for spatial data analysis.
Repairing relationship conflict: how Violation types and culture influence The effectiveness of restoration Rituals

Building on Goffman's (1967) notion of interaction rituals, we propose a process model, a causal model, and several propositions about effective relationship restoration behavior following relationship conflict. We conceptualize relationship restoration as a ritualistic process triggered by a violation. We identify two types of relationship violations and show how they are linked to different restoration processes. We also argue that culture governs restoration rituals for different violations. Therefore, effective relationship restoration results from an interaction of the disputants’ cultures, the violation type, and the type of restoration mechanism offered.
Expression of antioxidant enzymes in human prostatic adenocarcinoma

Background Antioxidant enzymes (AEs), which catalyze the conversion of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to water, include catalase (CAT), manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), and copper and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD). Previous work has indicated that MnSOD, CAT, and CuZnSOD levels are nearly always low in cancer cells. Methods Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from 31 radical prostatectomy specimens was immunohistochemically stained with polyclonal antibodies to CAT, MnSOD, and CuZnSOD. Results Malignant glands are typically stained with less intensity than benign/ hyperplastic glands. Marked heterogeneity of staining intensity was seen in the malignant glands for each of the three enzymes. A similar, though less marked, spectrum of heterogeneity of staining intensity was observed in the benign/hyperplastic epithelium contained in the specimens. No statistically significant correlation was found between intensity of staining for any of the three antioxidant enzymes and Gleason score, tumor stage, or preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Conclusions Cellular levels of CAT, MnSOD, and CuZnSOD in prostatic adenocarcinoma reveal that many tumors appear to have decreased levels of expression. The finding that malignant prostate epithelium may have lowered expression of AEs suggests that further study of the role of AEs in malignant transformation in the prostate is warranted.
Feedback control of polymer flooding process considering geologic uncertainty

Polymer flooding is economically successful in reservoirs where the water flood mobility ratio is high, and/or the reservoir heterogeneity is adverse, because of the improved sweep resulting from mobility-controlled oil displacement. The performance of a polymer flood can be further improved if the process is dynamically controlled using updated reservoir models and by implementing a closed-loop production optimization scheme. However, the formulation of an optimal production strategy should be based on uncertain production forecasts resulting from uncertainty in for example spatial representation of reservoir heterogeneity, geologic scenarios, inaccurate modeling, scaling, and other factors. Assessing the uncertainty in reservoir modeling and transferring it to uncertainty in production forecasts is crucial for efficiently controlling the process. This paper presents a feedback control framework that (1) assesses uncertainty in reservoir modeling and production forecasts, (2) updates the prior uncertainty in reservoir models by integrating continuously monitored production data, and (3) formulates optimal injection/production rates for the updated reservoir models. This approach focuses on assessing uncertainty in reservoir modeling and production forecasts originated mainly by uncertain geologic scenarios and heterogeneity. This uncertainty is mapped in a metric space created by comparing multiple reservoir models and measuring differences in effective heterogeneity related to well connectivity and well responses characteristic of polymer flooding. Continuously monitored production data are used to refine the prior uncertainty scores using a Bayesian inversion algorithm. In contrast to classical approach of history matching by model perturbation, a model selection problem is implemented where highly probable reservoir models are selected to represent the posterior uncertainty in production forecasts. The model selection procedure yields the posterior uncertainty associated with the reservoir model. The production optimization problem is solved using the posterior models and using a proxy model of polymer flooding to rapidly evaluate the objective function and response surfaces to represent the relationship between well controls and an economic objective function. The value of the feedback control framework is demonstrated with a synthetic example of polymer flooding where the economic performance was maximized.
Development of hyporesponsiveness to augmentation of natural killer cell activity after multiple doses of maleic anhydride divinyl ether: association with decreased numbers of large granular lymphocytes

Abstract A single injection of mice with maleic anhydride divinyl ether (MVE-2) resulted in significantly augmented natural killer (NK) activity. However, multiple injections with MVE-2 led to a hyporesponsive to boosting of NK activity. Stimulation of prostaglandin E secretion of induction of suppressor macrophages (Mo) or lymphocytes were shown not to be responsible for the depressed NK cell responses. Rather the hyporesponsiveness to NK boosting was associated with a decreased number of large granular lymphocytes (LGLs). Percoll discontinuousdensity-gradient studies showed that the augmented NK activity of spleen cells after a single injection with MVE-2 was associated with an increase in the percentage of LGLs in the lowerdensity fractions (Fraction 1 and 2). In contrast, the NK activity and percentage of LGLs in the lower-density fractions were markedly decreased after multiple injections with MVE-2. Polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid stabilized with poly( l -lysine) in carboxymethylcellulose, another BRM capable of augmenting NK activity, was able to substantially augment NK activity in mice hyporesponsive to MVE-2 and this was accompanied by an increase in the percentage of LGLs in the lower-density Percoll fractions.
A Heuristic Model for the Human Vergence Eye Movement System

A heuristic feedback system model for the human disparity-vergence eye movements is described. The system has been modeled as a continuous negative feedback system with a modified integral-derivative controller, a time-delay element, and a third-order plant. Simulation studies of the model responses for both step and sinusoidal responses fit the experimentally obtained results.
Lower extremity biomechanics during the landing of a stop-jump task.

Abstract Background Literature shows that landing with great impact forces may be a risk factor for knee injuries. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among selected lower extremity kinematics and kinetics during the landing of a stop-jump task. Methods Landmark coordinates and ground reaction forces during a stop-jump task were collected. Lower extremity joint angles and resultants were reduced. Pearson correlation coefficients among selected lower extremity kinematics and kinetics were determined. Findings The hip flexion angular velocity at the initial foot contact had significant correlation with peak posterior and vertical ground reaction forces ( r = −0.63, P r = −0.48, P r = −0.49, P r = −0.06, P r > 0.51, P Interpretation A large hip and knee flexion angles at the initial foot contact with the ground do not necessarily reduce the impact forces during the landing of the stop-jump task, but active hip and knee flexion motions do. Hip joint motion at the initial foot contact with the ground appears to be an important technical factor that affects anterior cruciate ligament loading during the landing of the stop-jump task.
An Architectural Comparison of Dataflow Systems

A Distributed Computer System, or DCS, based on the dataflow model of computation has the potential to concurrently execute a large number of tasks employing potentially thousands of processors. Since control has to be distributed and asynchronous in such a DCS, several new challenges appear in the design of processors, momory, and interconnection networks. Some of the challenges in the design of processors is presented in this article. An architectural comparison of seven dataflow processors based on sixteen criteria forms the major part of the article.
Weak genetic structuring indicates ongoing gene flow across White-ruffed Manakin (Corapipo altera) populations in a highly fragmented Costa Rica landscape

We explored the effects of recent forest fragmentation on fine-scale patterns of population structuring and genetic diversity in populations of White-ruffed Manakins (Corapipo altera) inhabiting premontane forest fragments of varying size in southwestern Costa Rica. Habitat fragmentation is a major conservation concern for avian populations worldwide, but studies of the genetic effects of fragmentation on Neotropical birds are limited. We sampled 159 manakins from nine forest fragments of varying size within an 18 km radius, and genotyped these birds at 13 microsatellite loci. Bayesian clustering methods revealed that birds from all fragments comprised a single genetic population, and an MCMC approach showed that the fragments were likely to be at migration-drift equilibrium. F-statistics showed only modest levels of differentiation between forest fragments. We calculated allelic diversity indices for each fragment but found no correlation between genetic diversity and fragment size. These results suggest that manakins may retain substantial connectivity via inter-fragment dispersal despite habitat fragmentation.
Dietary selenium and selenoprotein function

Selenium is a trace mineral and an essential nutrient in the human diet. Selenium is found in soil and water and consequently enters the food chain through the root ways of plants and aquatic organisms. Some areas of the world are low in soil selenium resulting in a selenium deficient population and the appearance of an associated heart disease and bone disorders that can be corrected with dietary selenium. Indeed the requirement for dietary selenium was established by these observations and while selenium deficiency is rare in the West, patients requiring long-term intravenous feedings have also show heart disease associated with a deficiency of selenium in the feeding fluids. Subsequently, it has been established that dietary selenium can improve a wide range of human health conditions even in areas with soil replete in selenium.
A mutant CHS3 protein with TIR-NB-LRR-LIM domains modulates growth, cell death and freezing tolerance in a temperature-dependent manner in Arabidopsis.

*SUMMARY Low temperature is one of environmental factors that restrict plant growth homeostasis and plant–pathogen interactions. Recent studies suggest a link between temperature responses and defense responses; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, the chilling sensitive 3 (chs3-1) mutant in Arabidopsis was characterized. chs3-1 plants showed arrested growth and chlorosis when grown at 16� Co r when shifted from 22 to 4� C. chs3-1 plants also exhibited constitutively activated defense responses at 16� C, which were alleviated at a higher temperature (22� C). Map-based cloning of CHS3 revealed that it encodes an unconventional disease resistance (R) protein belonging to the TIR-NB-LRR class with a zinc-binding LIM domain (Lin-11, Isl-1 and Mec-3 domains) at the carboxyl terminus. The chs3-1 mutation in the conserved LIMcontaining domain led to the constitutive activation of the TIR-NB-LRR domain. Consistently, the growth and defense phenotypes of chs3-1 plants were completely suppressed by eds1, sgt1b and rar1, partially by pad4 and nahG, but not by npr1 and ndr1. Intriguingly, chs3-1 plants grown at 16� C showed enhanced tolerance to freezing temperatures. This tolerance was correlated with growth defect and cell death phenotypes caused by activated defense responses. Other mutants with activated defense responses, including cpr1, cpr5 and slh1 also displayed enhanced freezing tolerance. These findings revealed a role of an unconventional mutant R gene in plant growth, defense response and cold stress, suggesting a mutual interaction between cold signaling and defense responses.
Theorizing the Americanist Tradition.

Theorizing the Americanist Tradition. Lisa Phillips Valentine and Regna Darnell. eds. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1999. 398 pp.
The Better Quality Information to Improve Care for Medicare Beneficiaries Project: Exploring Approaches to Physician Performance Measurement

On August 22, 2006, President Bush issued an Executive Order calling on all federal agencies and those who do healthcare business with the government to engage in collaborative efforts to incorporate the 4 cornerstones of value-driven healthcare: health information technology standards, quality standards, price standards, and incentives. The Department of Health and Human Services has embarked on a campaign to make these 4 cornerstones a reality by encouraging the public and private sectors to work collaboratively at the local level. In support of this campaign, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services launched a project in late 2006 that leverages local collaboratives as a means to explore a national approach to physician performance measurement. This project, which is known as the Better Quality Information to Improve Care for Medicare Beneficiaries Project, aims to test methods to aggregate Medicare administrative data with data from commercial health plans and, in some cases, Medicaid, in 6 local collaboratives to calculate and report quality measures for physician groups and for some individual physicians.
DUCTILE REGIME SINGLE POINT DIAMOND TURNING OF QUARTZ RESULTING IN AN IMPROVED AND DAMAGE-FREE SURFACE

Quartz (fused silica) is one of the advanced engineered ceramic materials designed to operate in extreme environments. The mechanics of material removal in glass (Quartz) can be classified into two categories; brittle fracture and ductile plastic deformation. Good optical quality surfaces can be achieved by removing the material in a ductile manner. The strength, hardness and fracture toughness of the workpiece material are the governing factors that control the extent of brittle fracture. The main goal of the subject research is to improve the surface quality of Quartz to be used as an optic device (mirrors and windows) via single point diamond turning (SPDT). Sub-surface damage analysis was carried out on the machined sample using Scanning Acoustic Microscopy (SAcM). Surface roughness (Ra) values of less than 45 nm without sub surface damage were obtained. Tool wear was also investigated.
L-type calcium current recovery versus ventricular repolarization: preserved membrane-stabilizing mechanism for different QT intervals across species

Background Long QT syndrome is associated with early afterdepolarization (EAD) that may result in torsade de pointes (TdP). Interestingly, the corrected QT interval seems to be proportional to body mass across species under physiologic conditions. Objective The purpose of this study was to test whether recovery of L-type calcium current (I Ca,L ), the primary charge carrier for EADs, from its inactivated state matches ventricular repolarization time and whether impairment of this relationship leads to development of EAD and TdP. Methods Transmembrane action potentials from the epicardium, endocardium, or subendocardium were recorded simultaneously with a transmural ECG in arterially perfused left ventricular wedges isolated from cow, dog, rabbit, and guinea pig hearts. I Ca,L recovery was examined using action potential stimulation in isolated left ventricular myocytes. Results The ventricular repolarization time (action potential duration at 90% repolarization [APD 90 ]), ranging from 194.7 ± 1.8 ms in guinea pig to 370.2 ± 9.9 ms in cows, was linearly related to the thickness of the left ventricular wall among the species studied. The time constants (τ) of I Ca,L recovery were proportional to APD 90 , making the ratios of τ to APD 90 fall into a relatively narrow range among these species despite markedly different ventricular repolarization time. Drugs with risk for TdP in humans were shown to impair this intrinsic balance by either prolongation of the repolarization time and/or acceleration of I Ca,L recovery, leading to the appearance of EADs capable of initiating TdP. Conclusion An adequate balance between I Ca,L recovery and ventricular repolarization serves as a "physiologic stabilizer" of ventricular action potentials in repolarization phases.
Studies of the onset and persistence of medical concerns in search logs

The Web provides a wealth of information about medical symptoms and disorders. Although this content is often valuable to consumers, studies have found that interaction with Web content may heighten anxiety and stimulate healthcare utilization. We present a longitudinal log-based study of medical search and browsing behavior on the Web. We characterize how users focus on particular medical concerns and how concerns persist and influence future behavior, including changes in focus of attention in searching and browsing for health information. We build and evaluate models that predict transitions from searches on symptoms to searches on health conditions, and escalations from symptoms to serious illnesses. We study the influence that the prior onset of concerns may have on future behavior, including sudden shifts back to searching on the concern amidst other searches. Our findings have implications for refining Web search and retrieval to support people pursuing diagnostic information.
Delaying Treatment of Ocular Hypertension The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study

Results: The cumulative proportion of participants in the original observation group who developed POAG at 13 years was 0.22 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.190.25), vs 0.16 (95% CI, 0.13-0.19) in the original medication group (P=.009). Among participants at the highest third of baseline risk of developing POAG, the cumulative proportion who developed POAG was 0.40 (95%CI,0.33-0.46)intheoriginalobservationgroupand 0.28(95%CI,0.22-0.34)intheoriginalmedicationgroup. There was little evidence of increased adverse events associated with medication.
Coronary artery aneurysm: case report

Aneurysms of the left main coronary artery are rare with an incidence of 0.1% in large angiographic series. The majority are atherosclerotic in origin. Other causes include connective tissue disorders, trauma, vasculitis, congenital, mycotic and idiopathic. The primary complication is myocardial ischemia or infarction, with rupture being rare. Treatment options include anticoagulation, custom made covered stents, reconstruction, resection, and exclusion with bypass. A 66 year-old man was referred for evaluation of a 2 × 2 centimeter saccular aneurysm originating from the distal left main coronary artery. There was associated calcification and mild stenosis of the LM. The workup was prompted by a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction suffered following a laparotomy for a ruptured appendix. The past medical history was pertinent for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and a left carotid endarterectomy. Cardiopulmonary bypass with hyperkalemic cardioplegic arrest was utilized. The aneurysm was exposed in the atrioventricular groove. The aneurysm was resected and oversewn. Calcification precluded patch angioplasty. The patient then underwent coronary bypass grafting with the left internal thoracic artery placed to the left anterior descending artery and a reversed greater saphenous vein graft to an obtuse marginal branch of the circumflex artery. The postoperative course was uneventful and discharge to home occurred on the fourth postoperative day. Surgical pathology confirmed an atheromatous coronary artery aneurysm. Left main coronary artery aneurysms in adult patients are predominantly atherosclerotic in origin. The clinical presentation is that of myocardial ischemia, likely from associated embolism. Rupture is rare. Operative treatment is exclusion and revascularization.
Vitamin E Prevents Alzheimer's Amyloid ß-Peptide (1-42)-Induced Neuronal Protein Oxidation and Reactive Oxygen Species Production

Amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) is a 42-43 amino acid peptide known to accumulate in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. We previously reported that the neurotoxicity caused by Abeta is a result of its associated free radicals, which can play an important role in generating oxidative stress. Abeta(25-35)-associated oxidative stress-induced neuronal death in vitro is well established by many laboratories, including ours. However, the oxidative stress-induced by the full-length [Abeta(1-42)] peptide is not well investigated. The protective effect of antioxidant vitamin E in full-length peptide-induced oxidative stress also has not been reported. Here, we report that the increased protein oxidation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and neurotoxicity induced by Abeta(1-42) in primary rat embryonic hippocampal neuronal culture are prevented by the free radical scavenger and antioxidant vitamin E. To test the hypothesis that vitamin E's protective effect may be due to inhibition of fibril formation, electron microscopy studies were undertaken. Vitamin E does not inhibit Abeta(1-42) fibril formation, suggesting that the neuroprotection afforded by this molecule stems from other processes, most probably through the scavenging of Ab-associated free radicals. These results may have implications on the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Translocon “Pulling” of Nascent SecM Controls the Duration of Its Translational Pause and Secretion-Responsive secA Regulation

SecA is an ATPase and motor protein that drives protein translocation across the bacterial plasma membrane. In Escherichia coli SecA levels are regulated by the secretion needs of the cell utilizing secM, which encodes a secreted protein. Previous studies demonstrated that this regulation requires a translational pause within secM, whose duration regulates the accessibility of the secA Shine-Dalgarno sequence on secM secA mRNA. Here we provide evidence that translocon “pulling” of nascent SecM is what regulates the duration of the secM translational pause, and thus secA expression levels, thereby providing direct support for this model.
Regulator dependence of the proposed UV completion of the ghost condensate

Recently, it was shown that a renormalizable theory of heavy fermions coupled to a light complex boson could generate an effective action for the boson with the properties required to violate Lorentz invariance spontaneously through the mechanism of ghost condensation. However, there was some doubt about whether this result depended on the choice of regulator. In this work, we adopt a non-perturbative, unitary lattice regulator and show that with this regulator the theory does not have the properties necessary to form a ghost condensate. Consequently, the statement that the theory is a UV completion of the Higgs phase of gravity is regulator dependent.
Calcitonin and ultimobranchial glands in fishes.

Ultimobranchial bodies in fishes contain follicles or cords of cells which show features of endocrine secretion. Hypocalcemic activities are present in the ultimobranchial bodies of sharks, bony fish and lungfish. Amino acid sequence of salmon calcitonin has been revealed and this hormone has been synthesized in vitro. Administration of mammalian and fish calcitonins has no effect on serum calcium levels of sharks, channel catfish, killifish and coho salmon. Mammalian and fish calcitonins elicit hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia in fresh water eels but not in sea water eels. Glandular hyperactivity can be related to calcium metabolism only in some cases. An osmoregulatory function of the gland has been suggested. The activity of this gland seems to be under pituitary control.
Veterans in the Criminal Justice System and the Role of Social Work

Veterans, particularly those who were involved in combat, experience difficulty readjusting to civilian life after deployment. Difficulties in adjustment postdeployment can contribute to involvement in the criminal justice system for some veterans. Interventions for veterans in the criminal justice system (e.g., veteran courts) are expanding as stakeholders become more aware of the risks that veterans face in corrections. The social work profession is especially suited to play a unique and critical role in veteran interventions through direct practice, advocacy, administration, and research. This article discusses the role of social work practice with veterans in corrections and the implications for the social work profession in veteran-related policy and research. This article includes an overview of the research on veterans in the criminal justice system, a discussion of one rapidly expanding intervention for veterans, and a focused discussion on the multiple roles for social workers in practice, policy...
Solar cycle variations of stratospheric ozone and temperature in simulations of a coupled chemistry-climate model

J. Austin’s research was supported by the Visiting Scientist Program at the NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, administered by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.
Going Beyond Mixed Methods to Mixed Approaches: A Systems Perspective for Asking the Right Questions

An impact evaluation's primary task is to determine which impacts were caused by an intervention, distinguishing them from those produced by other causes. However, in complex systems, interventions may contribute towards less apparent forms of impact (such as negative, unintended, indirect and secondary) that are no less significant, but which require a different way of asking questions. Rather than advocating for a particular evaluation approach or methodology, we propose that (1) beyond the intervention's theory of change (TOC), the complex system within which the intervention has taken place and intends to make an impact must also be examined, and (2) specific elements of an intervention's TOC and the larger system must be understood to have a systematic basis for determining what evaluation questions need to be asked. Only then can the appropriate evaluation approaches and methods be identified, and adapted as this understanding increases over the course of the evaluation.
A Helicase Assay Based on the Displacement of Fluorescent, Nucleic Acid-Binding Ligands

We have developed a new helicase assay that overcomes many limitations of other assays used to measure this activity. This continuous, kinetic assay is based on the displacement of fluorescent dyes from dsDNA upon DNA unwinding. These ligands exhibit significant fluorescence enhancement when bound to duplex nucleic acids and serve as the reporter molecules of DNA unwinding. We evaluated the potential of several dyes [acridine orange, ethidium bromide, ethidium homodimer, bis-benzimide (DAPI), Hoechst 33258 and thiazole orange] to function as suitable reporter molecules and demonstrate that the latter three dyes can be used to monitor the helicase activity of Escherichia coli RecBCD enzyme. Both the binding stoichiometry of RecBCD enzyme for the ends of duplex DNA and the apparent rate of unwinding are not significantly perturbed by two of these dyes. The effects of temperature and salt concentration on the rate of unwinding were also examined. We propose that this dye displacement assay can be readily adapted for use with other DNA helicases, with RNA helicases, and with other enzymes that act on nucleic acids.
Development and implementation of a 25 kW virtual induction machine test bed utilizing the power-hardware-in-the-loop concept

Experimental validation of motor drives to ensure appropriate efficiency and performance is essential to such sectors as: industrial; aerospace, naval and land propulsion devices; and utilities. For low power machines, this is typically a non-issue since test beds are relatively inexpensive and accessible. However, as power levels increase into the upper kilowatt and megawatt range, validation of prototype machines and drives becomes costly. These costs are primarily: materials, transportation, and test site development and operation. The Virtual Machine (VM) concept provides a solution for de-risking these costs by utilizing the power-hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) concept in conjunction with high-fidelity machine models and detailed load dynamics. The VM and load dynamics are simulated with a real-time digital simulator which generates appropriate control commands to a power electronics based voltage amplifier that interfaces via a cascaded LC-LC type filter to a variable speed drive (VSD). The controlled voltage amplifier, in conjunction with the LC-LC type filter, acts as a current sink to the VSD. Provided the voltage amplifier has sufficient bandwidth, the VM will closely represent the terminal characteristics of a real machine and load, with respect to the VSD. This paper addresses the establishment of a 25 kW virtual machine test bed and associated issues.
Microbial transmission from mothers with obesity or diabetes to infants: an innovative opportunity to interrupt a vicious cycle

Maternal obesity and diabetes dramatically increase the long-term risk for obesity in the next generation, and pregnancy and lactation may be critical periods at which to aim primary prevention to break the obesity cycle. It is becoming increasingly clear that the gut microbiome in newborns and infants plays a significant role in gut health and therefore child development. Alteration of the early infant gut microbiome has been correlated with the development of childhood obesity and autoimmune conditions, including asthma, allergies and, more recently, type 1 diabetes. This is likely to be due to complex interactions between mode of delivery, antibiotic use, maternal diet, components of breastfeeding and a network of regulatory events involving both the innate and adaptive immune systems within the infant host. Each of these factors are critical for informing microbiome development and can affect immune signalling, toxin release and metabolic signals, including short-chain fatty acids and bile acids, that regulate appetite, metabolism and inflammation. In several randomised controlled trials, probiotics have been administered with the aim of targeting the microbiome during pregnancy to improve maternal and infant health but the findings have often been confounded by mode of delivery, antibiotic use, ethnicity, infant sex, maternal health and length of exposure. Understanding how nutritional exposure, including breast milk, affects the assembly and development of both maternal and infant microbial communities may help to identify targeted interventions during pregnancy and in infants born to mothers with obesity or diabetes to slow the transmission of obesity risk to the next generation. The aim of this review is to discuss influences on infant microbiota colonisation and the mechanism(s) underlying how alterations due to maternal obesity and diabetes may lead to increased risk of childhood obesity.
Characterization of Healing of Asphalt Mixtures Using Creep and Step-Loading Recovery Test

Healing of asphalt mixtures has been proven to be significant, and different approaches exist to characterize it, such as the phenomenological methods, mechanism-based, and mechanics-based methods. To target the actual causal relationship for healing in asphalt mixtures, a new test called the creep and step-loading recovery (CSR) test, along with a new mechanistic method termed the energy-based mechanistic (EBM) approach, was previously developed by the authors. This paper aimed at examining the applicability of the CSR test with the EBM approach in characterizing healing of asphalt mixtures. A variety of asphalt mixtures were selected and subjected to the CSR test in this study. The internal stress measured by the CSR test was used in the EBM approach to generate a damage density progression curve, which directly reflected how the damage developed and healed in the tested material. Based on this curve, the normalized extent of healing was defined as a direct measure of healing, and the healing curve (the normalized extent of healing versus the rest time) was defined as a straightforward tool to qualitatively evaluate the healing ability of asphalt mixtures. To further achieve a quantitative description of the healing ability, a healing model based on the Ramberg-Osgood equation was developed to simulate the healing curve. The parameters in the healing model represent the healing speed at different stages of healing (the initial healing rate and ultimate healing rate) and the overall ability of the material to heal (the healing scale). Both the healing curves and healing parameters can discern the difference in the healing ability caused by the air void content, aging, temperature, and the type of asphalt binder. In other words, the CSR test, along with the EBM approach, was able to produce a reasonable and consistent prediction of healing for asphalt mixtures.
A Game Theoretic Predictive Modeling Approach to Reduction of False Alarm

False alarm is one of the main concerns in intensive care units which could result in care disruption, sleep deprivation, insensitivity of care---givers to alarms and so on. Many approaches such as improving the quality of physiological signals by filtering and developing more accurate sensors have been proposed in the last two decades to suppress the rate of false alarm. Moreover, some multi---parameter/feature methods have been developed to classify the alarms more accurately. One of the main problems facing these methods is that they neglect those features that individually have low impact on the accuracy. In this paper, we propose a model based on coalition game that considers the inter---features mutual information which results in gaining the accuracy of the classification. Simulation results on a database produced by four hospitals shows the superior performance of the proposed method compared to other existing methods.
3 – Trends in the Occupational Mobility of U.S. Men, 1962–1972

Age-specific shifts in the male occupation distribution of the U.S. from 1962 to 1970 are like those of the past several decades. There were shifts toward the ranks of salaried professionals and managers and skilled workers and away from the ranks of proprietors, laborers and farmers. These changes may be described as a shift from manual to nonmanual occupations combined with shifts from lower to higher status occupations within both the manual and nonmanual groups. Changing occupational origins accounts for a modest upgrading of the occupation distribution, while changes in mobility to first jobs have no systematic effect. The largest component of intercohort shifts in the occupation distribution is change in mobility patterns from first to current occupations. The historical trend of upward mobility among U.S. men is neither uniform nor inevitable. There was more change in occupational mobility patterns in 1962-1970 than in 1952-1962, but less than in 1942-1952. The continuation of historical trends of occupational mobility is strictly limited by the depletion of occupation groups-service workers, laborers and farmers-which have earlier served as sources of recruitment into higher status occupations.
Assessment of Pulsatile Blood Flow Models for the Descending Aorta Using CFD

The objective of this research is to develop a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of a healthy human aorta from the aortic arch to the femoral arteries to allow for a better understanding of blood flow characteristics in this significant vessel. The increasing number of patients suffering from vascular diseases has accelerated the research in this field. Pulsatile blood flow through the descending aorta has numerous mechanisms that influence the flow characteristics, including non-Newtonian fluid effects, transient effects of the cardiac cycle, and geometries within the aortic vessel, among others. Although CFD has been used to predict flow effects of rather complicated systems, the use of CFD in vascular flow is still largely not understood. This paper compares non-Newtonian fluid effects in the flow of a natural aorta as well as flow effects within the descending aorta, including the ostium flow diverter, which regulates blood flow from the aorta to the renal arteries and was discovered within the last five years. Utilizing Creo Parametric, a 3-dimensional representation of the aorta was created including physical portrayals of the renal, superior mesenteric, common iliac and celiac arteries. This geometry was imported, meshed, and analyzed using a commercially available CFD solver. Using fluid properties of blood previously characterized in prior research, pulsatile flow models were investigated using constant viscosity and the Carreau-Yasuda Non-Newtonian viscosity model. This research compares the Oscillating Shear Index results of the constant viscosity model versus non-Newtonian. Shear stress and velocity profiles are used to study the effects of each assumption on the flow of blood through the descending aorta. This will be done by using a scalar result of the shear stress and the calculated Oscillating Shear Index. Based on previous work, the boundary layers created at the entrance of the renal arteries should be reduced by the presence of the ostium flow diverter. The model with the ostium flow diverter is used in both simulations. Ultimately, the simulation may predict the effects of changes or interventions to the descending aorta caused by assuming constant viscosity or non-Newtonian.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Rivastigmine transdermal patch: role in the management of Alzheimer's disease.

Objective To assess the potential role of a new transdermal (TD) formulation of rivastigmine in the management of Alzheimer's disease. Data source MEDLINE/PUBMED and EMBASE searches (1986-February 2008) were conducted to identify pertinent English-language studies of TD rivastigmine. Study selection and data extraction All studies evaluating any aspect of TD rivastigmine, including in vivo animal experimentation. Data synthesis Rivastigmine is the first acetylcholinesterase inhibitor to be marketed in a TD formulation. This formulation was marketed to potentially improve patient/caregiver adherence and ameliorate the gastrointestinal (GI) intolerance of the oral product. The TD formulation significantly reduces GI intolerance (manifested as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain/cramping, anorexia, and weight loss) as compared with oral doses producing the same degree of systemic exposure, as a result of the lower peak plasma concentration, lower degree of peak-trough concentration fluctuation, and prolonged time to peak concentration achieved with the TD formulation. Conclusion Despite the advantages of TD rivastigmine just described, a number of questions still exist with this formulation. The effects of environmental factors on drug pharmacokinetics are unknown (e.g., febrile disease states, skin abrasions/tears). The TD formulation has not eliminated the need for titration to the target dose. The true effect of this formulation on adherence is unknown (consider the dexterity necessary to access the patch from its packaging and apply it and the complexities of rotating application sites). If the patient removes the patch inappropriately, the number of available application sites falls substantially, making site rotation difficult. For patients with swallowing difficulties, oral liquid formulations of donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine may be easier alternatives to TD rivastigmine. Unique advantages of TD rivastigmine have not been convincingly established.
Cultural transmission, disproportionate prior exposure, and the evolution of cooperation

Why is human cooperation so prevalent? This paper identifies one potential reason for the prevalence of cooperation in human populations. People acquire social behaviors-cooperative or exploitative-from other people through cultural transmission. There is a previously unrecognized characteristic of cultural transmission-disproportionate prior exposure-that creates an evolutionary force toward cooperation: Individuals who have acquired a cooperative or exploitative behavior through cultural transmission tend disproportionately to have been targets of that behavior prior to acquiring it. Thus, individuals who have acquired cooperative behavior through cultural transmission have disproportionately benefited from the cooperative behavior of others, while individuals who have acquired exploitative behavior through cultural transmission have disproportionately been hurt by the exploitative behavior of others. Because the benefits of being a target of cooperative behavior tend to make a person more influential as a behavioral model (i.e., tend to increase that person's cultural fitness), the disproportionate prior exposure inherent in cultural transmission creates an evolutionary force toward cooperation. A simple formal analysis reveals an evolutionary force toward cooperation under a minimal set of conditions previously believed to make the evolution of cooperation impossible-one-shot prisoner's dilemmas with no option to exit played between strangers in a large, randomly mixing population. Attention to this evolutionary force is likely to advance our understanding of the prevalence of cooperation
Applied Semiotics in International Communication

This article cites additional evidences to support the argument that "the Communist Party of China" mismatch in meaning what it purports to translate,Zhongguo Gongchandang,therefore a mistranslation.Further,the article uses this example to illustrate a theory that the authors call "applied semiotics." The theory criticizes the commonly practiced "word-character interpretation" and advocates "communicative interpretation." The article also traces some elements of the applied semiotics to a reinterpreted version of some Confucius' and Lao Zi's writings,and the more recent principles of Chinese translators,Xin Da Ya.