cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relation Between Crystal-Lattice Configuration and Swelling of Montmorillonites

Prompted by Foster’s observation that free swelling is related to octahedral substitution, the authors determined the free swelling of six Na-montmorillonites with different amounts of octahedral and tetrahedral substitution. They found that the montmorillonites exhibited marked differences in free swelling. These differences were not related to differences in cation exchange capacity. Nor were they related to differences in ζ potential, which is a criterion of cation dissociation. Further, calculations indicated that they could not be accounted for by differences in double-layer repulsion or van der Waals attraction. Therefore, to see if dimensional changes produced by isomorphous substitution were responsible, free swelling was plotted against the b-dimension of the clay structure, which was calculated from its mineralogical composition. The result was a straight line with a negative slope. A similar result was obtained with Foster’s data. In addition, free swelling was plotted against the degree of tetrahedral rotation in the clay structure, which was also calculated from its mineralogical composition. The result was a family of nearly parallel straight lines that were distinguished from each other by the amount of tetrahedral Al3+ in the clays identified with them. These results led to the proposal that the clay surface acts as a template for the structure of the adjacent water and that, as the configuration of the surface changes, the water structure changes accordingly. This causes a change in the free energy of the water and, hence, in the swelling of the clay.
Documenting Nineteenth-Century Quartz Mining in Northern California

Documentation strategies have been suggested as tools aiding in identification of contemporary records of historical value. They might also be fruitfully applied to historical topics. Quartz mining for gold in California during the nineteenth century provides an example of the potential for retrospective application of documentation strategy. The article describes the historical phenomenon, discusses the importance of a theoretical framework that views organizations as parts of complex networks, analyzes the range of potentially available documentation, and suggests a means of implementation.
Prewinter management affects Megachile rotundata (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) prepupal physiology and adult emergence and survival

The alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata F. (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), is widely used as a pollinator for production of alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., seed, and populations of these bees can be maintained by alfalfa seed growers or can be purchased from mostly Canadian bee providers. M. rotundata raised in Canada have higher survival rates during the incubation that occurs after winter storage than do bees produced in the northwestern United States, but no reason has been found for this difference. We investigated whether storing immature M. rotundata for various time periods at a warm temperature (16°C) before winter or allowing them to remain unmanaged at ambient temperatures affects physiological aspects of prepupae during the winter as well as the survival and longevity of adult bees after spring or summer incubation. Our results show that the timing of the onset of winter storage and incubation does affect prepupal weights, prepupal lipid and water contents, adult emergence, and adult female longevity. Winter storage of prepupae in November or December with a late June incubation resulted in heavier adults that emerged more readily than bees incubated in late May. However, adult females incubated in May thrived longer than June-incubated bees if fed a honey-water diet. Thus, some prewinter management regimes for M. rotundata commercial stocks may be more effective than others for achieving optimal adult emergence synchrony, as well as adult survival and longevity for pollination of a summer crop.
Perceived gender inequality reflected in Zulu proverbs : a feminist approach.

Many scholars have done research about the significance of Zulu proverbs in the society. While most studies have concluded that proverbs play a significant role in instilling positive behaviour in the society (cf. Mathonsi, 2004; Magwaza, 2004, etc.), this paper seeks to show negative emotions (gender inequities) reflected on the some selected Zulu proverbs. Adopting a radical feminist perspective, this paper presents a discussion of Zulu proverbs referring to the role and position of men in the society and those which are associated with women and marriage. The discussion in the article centres around the rigidity of Zulu proverbs vis-A -vis prevalent changes in the society
Structure and Function Reveal Insights in the Pharmacology of 5-HT Receptor Subtypes

The purpose of this review is to examine experimental information concerning the structure and function of the G protein-coupled serotonin receptors in the three-dimensional context provided by the structure of rhodopsin. A critical examination of the suitability of rhodopsin as a template for serotonin receptor modeling from the level of sequence alignment to interpretation of biochemical experiments of relevance to the issues of structure-function relationships is presented.
A High Temp standalone 4MByte Flash memory with SPI Interface for 210C applications

This paper covers the internal architecture, testability & performance characterization of Texas Instruments ™ High-Temp 210C 4MByte standalone Flash storage device. It will be available in a 14-pin ceramic dual Flat pack package as well as a Known Good Die (KGD) option. The device is manufactured in TI's 180nm 1.8V flash process with 3.3V IOs. The design implements 8 banks of flash organized into 2M × 16 bits surrounded by a SPI controller. The SPI controller interfaces asynchronously with an internal flash controller. The flash controller is clocked by FCLK, and controls the flash charge pump to access & operate the flash to program, read, erase, validate etc. The SPI controller is responsible for translating and executing the high level SPI protocol commands to the internal flash controller & its registers. A simple and flexible protocol was developed to access the flash array via the SPI supporting various commands and configuration capabilities. Testability of critical parameters for reliable 210C fl...
When Knowledge Isn't Power: Asymmetric Information, Probabilistic Deceit Detection and Threats in Ultimatum Bargaining

We find that probabilistic deceit detection and cheap-talk threats enhance the fairness and honesty of a bargainer who possesses advantageous information and has the opportunity to be deceitful. In our ultimatum game, only proposers know the size of the pie. Proposers, therefore, have the option to understate the pie size and make their offer appear fairer than it really is. The separate and interactive effects of probabilistic deceit detection and cheap-talk threats have implications for how exchange can be facilitated by mechanisms that detect deceit and/or enable buyer communication in markets where sellers have informational advantages.
METHODS OF CHARACTERIZING CLOUD DROP SPECTRA SPATIAL VARIATION

Cloud liquid water content (LWC), particle concentration, median volume droplet diameter (MVD), mixed-phase conditions, and spectra of drop and particle sizes vary in space and time. Aircraft traversing clouds accumulate ice as a function of the spatially changing microphysical conditions within the clouds. Remote sensing system performance also varies as cloud microphysical conditions change, thus potentially affecting information provided to pilots. Since remote sensing devices operating in millimeter wave (MMW) frequencies have some ability to operate within or through clouds, it is essential that a better understanding be developed of the fluctuation of cloud microphysical properties for modeling and simulation. This report investigates and evaluates three methods of quantifying the spatial variation of cloud drop spectra: 1) Drop Size Correlation, 2) Constrained Clustering, and 3) Spectral Shape Analysis. The three methodologies were evaluated against timeseries of natural cloud measurements. The three techniques show promise as methods of quantitatively evaluating spatial fluctuation of drop size spectra. However, they vary considerably in ease of use and interpretation, and in the type and quality of information provided. Theory and examples of each are demonstrated and evaluations of the potential of each are presented.
Selective bronchial catheterization for the study of experimental lung damage in the rabbit.

SummaryA nonsurgical rabbit model is described for study of selected lung segments. The technique is easily learned and does not require unusual dexterity. The method utilizes intrabronchial catheterization through a plastic endotracheal tube. The remainder of the lung may serve then as a control.
Digitization and Digital Learning

The theoretical and practical issues on modern education,learning concept,modern info-tech,network,multimedia and educational technology are inevitably involved in the exploration and development of digitized learning community construction.As an important factor in modern lifestyle and life attitude and a technical support in modern information,network and media,"digitization" has naturally become the issue that we must first clarify and cognize in the course of building digital learning community.The paper makes a preliminary discussion and research in digitization,being digital,the concept and characteristics of digital learning for better construction of digital learning community based on theoretical studies.
Calcium and Calmodulin Control of Neurotransmitter Synthesis and Release

Calcium ions play a major role in the activity and function of nervous tissue (Rubin 1972; Rasmussen and Goodman 1977). One of the most widely recognized roles of Ca2+ in synaptic function is its action in synaptic modulation and neurotransmission. Earlier studies demonstrated that the relase of neurotransmitter substances by vertebrate neuromuscular junctions was dependent on the Ca2+ ion concentration in the media (Rubin 1972; DelCastillo and Stark 1952). Studies at the synaptic level showed that the effects of Ca2+ on neurotransmission were not secondary to effects of Ca2+ on the presynaptic action potential, but were directly dependent on the entry of Ca2+ into the nerve terminal (Katz and Miledi 1969, 1970; Miledi and Slater 1966; Miledi 1973). The role of Ca2+ in stimulus-secretion coupling has also been demonstrated in a variety of tissues (Douglas 1968).
How good are my grades

Currently no index exists for quantifying the grading effectiveness of tests or evaluation systems. The existing literature in educational measurement is suggestive of solutions; however, many of the techniques are only applicable in special cases and the theoretical and computational foundations are difficult. An alternative, the Qa statistic, is proposed. This statistic is the estimated proportion of correctly graded students. It is an extension of the standard error of measurement and takes into account student observed scores, reliability of available score data, and instructor-determined grade cutoffs. A one-page, computer-generated Qa report is analyzed and implications for its use are discussed. Data are presented from a sample of 60 grading situations showing that increased testing produces small marginal increases in proportion of correctly graded students.
Analytical Vector Geometry

This chapter discusses the analytic vector geometry. It develops and tests one's skill at using position vectors to formulate geometric problems analytically. The chapter presents formulas that allow translating geometric ideas into algebra and algebraic ideas into geometry. It explains the parametric line and implicit plane in detail.
The Foundations of Democracy: U.S. Foundation Support for Civil Society in South Africa, 1988–96

This paper analyzes the grantmaking to South African civil society of six major U.S. foundations between 1988 and 1996. It answers four related questions: (1) How did these foundations understand civil society, and did they think there was a link between it and democracy? (2) How significant was their support for civil society from 1988 to 1996? (3) How did South Africa's democratization affect their grantmaking patterns? (4) Did the foundations favor professionalized NGOs over grassroots and decentralized organizations, and if so, was this the right approach? The empirical analysis of the South African case contributes to the general debate about the link between civil society and democracy, and the role of funders in supporting both.
Managing antithrombotic agents during endoscopy.

Antithrombotic agents are used widely to reduce the risks of thromboembolic events in patients with a variety of cardiovascular and other conditions. This review focuses on the management of patients undergoing endoscopic procedures who are taking antithrombotic medications, and includes specific information and recommendations.
Abstract 77: MiR-125b Regulates Myofibroblast Transition and Cardiac Fibrosis

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition (FMT) is a critical determinant of cardiac fibrosis. However, the contribution of microRNAs leading to TGF-β-induced FMT and cardiac fibrosis are not well-understood. Our results elucidate that blocking the canonical TGF-β pathway protects from FMT in primary cultures of human cardiac fibroblasts and that miR-125b is significantly upregulated during cardiac FMT. Furthermore, we observed significant upregulation of miR-125b in fibrotic human myocardium and two murine models of cardiac fibrosis. Importantly, we discovered that miR-125b is sufficient to induce cardiac FMT. In contrast, the knockdown of miR-125b using an antagomir approach attenuated TGF-β-induced FMT. In silico analysis and biochemical analysis revealed that miR-125b directly targets multiple anti-fibrotic mediators including p53 and apelin. In addition, miR-125b also plays a potent role in the regulation of fibroblast proliferation, an important cause of cardiac fibrosis. Finally, miR-125b was successfully inhibited in vivo by the systemic delivery of locked nucleic acid (LNA) targeted against miR-125b both in the presence and absence of Angiotensin II (Ang II). These results demonstrated that LNA-125b protected against Ang II-induced proliferation and fibrosis in the mouse heart in vivo. We conclude that TGF-β-induced miR-125b is an important regulator of both fibroblast proliferation and FMT, and miR-125b inhibits key anti-fibrotic mediators to promote cardiac fibrosis. We propose that miR-125b may serve as a novel therapeutic target for the preventative therapy for fibrosis.
Adjoint of Generalized Outflow-Based Functionals Applied to Hypersonic Inlet Design

The continuous adjoint method for the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations offers an efficient approach for computing gradients of a functional, particularly in high-dimensional design ...
Group Therapy for Addictions: An Interpersonal Relapse Prevention Approach

Devin Ashwood, Jax Beatty, and Tim Leighton have been engaged in group psychotherapy in the United Kingdom with people in early recovery from substance use struggles for many years, and they lament...
Stabilization of nonholonomic system in chained form via super twisting sliding mode control

In this article, a new solution to the stabilization problem of the nonholonomic systems in chained form is presented, which is based on super twisting sliding mode control. The nonholonomic system in chained form is decomposed into two subsystems. The first subsystem consists of the single state variable, while the second subsystem comprises of the remaining state variables. Firstly, the second subsystem is stabilized by using super twisting sliding mode control, while applying the first subsystem constant input. Secondly, after the stabilization of the second subsystem, the first subsystem is stabilized by using Signum function. The proposed algorithm is tested on a nonholonomic front wheel car model. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Methylation Analysis by Microarray

Differential Methylation Hybridization (DMH) is a high-throughput DNA methylation screening tool that utilizes methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes to profile methylated fragments by hybridizing them to a CpG island microarray. This array contains probes spanning all the 27,800 islands annotated in the UCSC Genome Browser. Herein we describe a DMH protocol with clearly identified quality control points. In this manner, samples that are unlikely to provide good read-outs for differential methylation profiles between the test and the control samples will be identified and repeated with appropriate modifications. The step-by-step laboratory DMH protocol is described. In addition, we provide descriptions regarding DMH data analysis, including image quantification, background correction, and statistical procedures for both exploratory analysis and more formal inferences. Issues regarding quality control are addressed as well.
Continuing versus New Antidepressant Use in Older Adults: US Prescribing Trends from 2006 to 2015.

Antidepressant use has increased in older adults recently. This study examines the trends of antidepressant prescribing by prescription status (continuing vs. new prescriptions). Data were collected from 2006 to 2015 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS), a nationally representative sample of office-based outpatient visits. I limited the sample to adults aged 65 or older (n = 10,708 unweighted). Using a repeated cross-sectional design with survey sampling techniques, prevalence rates of antidepressant prescriptions were estimated by prescription status. Stratified analyses were also performed by key variables (e.g., age, gender, and race/ethnicity). Continuing antidepressant prescriptions increased over time significantly (OR = 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03–1.11), and no temporal trend was found in new antidepressant prescriptions. In stratified analyses, the increasing trends of continuing antidepressant prescriptions were pronounced in visits to primary care physicians (OR = 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01–1.12). Increasing antidepressant prescribing trends were found in continuing prescriptions. Continued antidepressant prescribing among older adults should be monitored for appropriate use.
Abstract 62: Effect of cancer cell-derived exosome on energy metabolism associated with macrophage activation

Macrophage is a critical microenvironmental component which can control tumor progression, and dynamic changes in cellular metabolism accompany the polarization. As well as other immune cells, the activation of macrophages can be modulated by cancer cells. Cancer-derived exosome is a newly emerging microenvironmental factor enables cancer cells to communicate with macrophages. In this study, examined were the activation-associated bioenergetic changes and the effect of cancer cell-derived exosome on the changes by a) monitoring the early metabolic kinetics and b) profiling bioenergetic phenotype resulted. In vitro activation of RAW264.7 macrophage cell line by injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon γ (IFNγ) in a Seahorse XF analyzer induced an immediate early increase in glycolytic rate. It also showed a delayed down-regulation of mitochondrial respiration, which resulted in a secondary elevation of glycolytic rate. This secondary glycolytic response was only obtained by LPS-IFNγ co-stimulation and mediated by induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) signaling. In contrast to the dynamic changes in metabolic phenotype, the total ATP production rate appeared to be stably maintained according to the XF data normalized by cell number. However, macrophage activation significantly increased glycolysis-dependent portion of ATP production. ATPs were generated almost solely by glycolysis after the delayed mitochondrial down-regulation by iNOS. Co-injection of cancer cell-derived exosomes with LPS slightly but significantly accelerated the immediate early glycolytic response as well as the delayed mitochondrial down-regulation. Furthermore, exosomes induced the immediate early glycolytic response even in the absence of LPS. These results imply that presence of cancer cell-derived exosomes may promote macrophage activation and accelerate pro-inflammatory immune response in a tumor microenvironment. Citation Format: Yoonseok Kam, Brian P. Dranka. Effect of cancer cell-derived exosome on energy metabolism associated with macrophage activation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 62.
High-throughput cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibition screening via cassette probe-dosing strategy. II. Validation of a direct injection/on-line guard cartridge extraction-tandem mass spectrometry method for CYP2D6 inhibition assessment.

Abstract A highly efficient direct injection/on-line guard cartridge extraction–tandem mass spectrometry (DI/GCE–MS–MS) method has been validated for high-throughput evaluation of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 inhibition potential using human hepatic microsomes and 96-well microtiter plates. Microsomal incubations were terminated with formic acid, centrifuged, and the resulting supernatants were injected for DI/GCE–MS–MS analysis. Due to the novel use of an extremely short C 18 guard cartridge, this method exhibits several advantages, such as no sample preparation, excellent on-line extraction, short run time (2.5 min), and minimized source contamination and performance deterioration. The DI/GCE–MS–MS method demonstrates acceptable accuracy and precision for the quantification of dextrorphan, a marker metabolite of dextromethorphan mediated by CYP2D6, in microsomal incubations. The CYP2D6 inhibition assay has been validated using quinidine as a known selective inhibitor of the isoform. The IC 50 value (0.20 μ M ) measured by the new method is in good agreement with the literature value (0.22 μ M ).
Architectural Acoustics for Practitioners

While much ink has been spilled over the benefits of intelligent models, information flow in the design process and the authoring of data sets there has been, in our opinion, little impact on the day-to-day practice of most architects. This paper discusses work by a team of graduate researchers to develop acoustic software tools that embody engineering fundamentals in support of the architectural design process.
The Neuropsychology of Huntington’s Disease: Problems of Clinical-Pathological Correlation in a Progressive Brain Illness

Neuropsychology has traditionally focused on circumscribed brain lesions and their behavioral consequences, Huntington’s disease (HD), like other progressive dementing disorders, is a dynamic, evolving constellation of symptoms where clinical and research questions are inevitably confounded by problems such as stage of illness, rate of progression, and the interplay of one neuropsychological dysfunction with another. Qualitative and quantitative studies of the neuropsychological impairment in HD struggle to capture this dynamism.
Investigating tarps to facilitate organic no-till cabbage production with high-residue cover crops

High-residue cover crops can facilitate organic no-till vegetable production when cover crop biomass production is sufficient to suppress weeds (>8000 kg ha−1), and cash crop growth is not limited by soil temperature, nutrient availability, or cover crop regrowth. In cool climates, however, both cover crop biomass production and soil temperature can be limiting for organic no-till. In addition, successful termination of cover crops can be a challenge, particularly when cover crops are grown as mixtures. We tested whether reusable plastic tarps, an increasingly popular tool for small-scale vegetable farmers, could be used to augment organic no-till cover crop termination and weed suppression. We no-till transplanted cabbage into a winter rye (Secale cereale L.)-hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) cover crop mulch that was terminated with either a roller-crimper alone or a roller-crimper plus black or clear tarps. Tarps were applied for durations of 2, 4 and 5 weeks. Across tarp durations, black tarps increased the mean cabbage head weight by 58% compared with the no tarp treatment. This was likely due to a combination of improved weed suppression and nutrient availability. Although soil nutrients and biological activity were not directly measured, remaining cover crop mulch in the black tarp treatments was reduced by more than 1100 kg ha−1 when tarps were removed compared with clear and no tarp treatments. We interpret this as an indirect measurement of biological activity perhaps accelerated by lower daily soil temperature fluctuations and more constant volumetric water content under black tarps. The edges of both tarp types were held down, rather than buried, but moisture losses from the clear tarps were greater and this may have affected the efficacy of clear tarps. Plastic tarps effectively killed the vetch cover crop, whereas it readily regrew in the crimped but uncovered plots. However, emergence of large and smooth crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) appeared to be enhanced in the clear tarp treatment. Although this experiment was limited to a single site-year in New Hampshire, it shows that use of black tarps can overcome some of the obstacles to implementing cover crop-based no-till vegetable productions in northern climates.
Frequency Resolution Measured by Adaptively Varying the Notchwidth: Results from Normals and Hearing Impaired

It is now clear that a degradation in frequency resolution represents a major consequence of sensorineural hearing loss (Hoekstra and Ritsma, 1977; Pick, Evans and Wilson, 1977; Zwicker and Schorn, 1978; Florentine et al., 1980; Tyler, Wood and Fernandes, 1982; Hall, Tyler and Fernandes, 1984; Moore, 1985). This degradation may contribute to the poor speech recognition in some hearing-impaired patients (Tyler, 1979; Dreschler and Plomp, 1980; Gorga and Abbas, 1981; Festen and Plomp, 1983; Stelmachowicz et al., 1985a). Several studies have observed correlations between poor word recognition in noise and impaired frequency resolution.
Uniform Building Code-1994 Dynamic Method

In Chapter 8, we introduced the concept of response spectrum as a plot of the maximum response (spectral displacement, spectral velocity, or spectral acceleration) versus the natural frequency or natural period of a single degree-of-freedom system subjected to a specific excitation. In the present chapter, we will use seismic response spectra for earthquake resistant design of buildings modeled as discrete systems with concentrated masses at each level of the building.
Where Will We Draw the Line? Public Opinions of Human Gene Editing:

The application of gene editing technologies to prevent or mitigate genetic disease in humans is considered one of its most promising applications. However, as the technology advances, it is imperative to understand the views of the broader public on how it should be used. We conducted focus groups to understand public views on the ethical permissibility and governance of gene editing technologies in humans. A total of 50 urban and semirural residents in the upper Midwest took part in six focus groups. Participants expressed multiple concerns about nonmedical uses of gene editing and its potential for unknown harms to human health, and were divided as to whether the individual patient or "medical experts" should be charged with overseeing the scope of its application. As potential stakeholders, the perspectives from the general public are critical to assess as genome editing technologies advance toward the clinic.
Confirmatory factor analysis of two computerized neuropsychological test batteries: Immediate post-concussion assessment and cognitive test (ImPACT) and C3 logix.

Introduction: Tests of memory and speed of cognitive and motor responses have been the primary foci in sports-related concussion assessment. This study sought to assess the construct validity of neuropsychological tests within C3 Logix. Method: Results of both baseline C3 Logix and the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) computerized tests from 86 Division I collegiate athletes were submitted to a two-factor confirmatory analysis using structural equation modeling. The two factors of Speed and Memory have been confirmed in previous studies of ImPACT. Results: Results confirmed the two-factor model of ImPACT, whereas C3 Logix did not conform to a pure two-factor model. Instead, along with additional error terms, a cross-loading was required between Speed and Memory factors in order to obtain the best model fit (χ2 = 22.91, p= 0.12, CFI = 0.94, TLI = .90, RMSEA = 0.07 (90% CI [0.00, 0.13], SRMR = .06)): all factor loadings exceeded 0.30. Conclusions: The final model suggested C3 Logix employs three pure indicators of Speed and one indicator of both Speed and Memory. The lack of a pure indicator of Memory in C3 Logix raises a concern about its specificity and ultimately, its sensitivity to a sports-related concussion.
The neuropathological diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease most often associated with memory deficits and cognitive decline, although less common clinical presentations are increasingly recognized. The cardinal pathological features of the disease have been known for more than one hundred years, and today the presence of these amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are still required for a pathological diagnosis. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia globally. There remain no effective treatment options for the great majority of patients, and the primary causes of the disease are unknown except in a small number of familial cases driven by genetic mutations. Confounding efforts to develop effective diagnostic tools and disease-modifying therapies is the realization that Alzheimer’s disease is a mixed proteinopathy (amyloid and tau) frequently associated with other age-related processes such as cerebrovascular disease and Lewy body disease. Defining the relationships between and interdependence of various co-pathologies remains an active area of investigation. This review outlines etiologically-linked pathologic features of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as those that are inevitable findings of uncertain significance, such as granulovacuolar degeneration and Hirano bodies. Other disease processes that are frequent, but not inevitable, are also discussed, including pathologic processes that can clinically mimic Alzheimer’s disease. These include cerebrovascular disease, Lewy body disease, TDP-43 proteinopathies and argyrophilic grain disease. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of Alzheimer’s disease pathology, its defining pathologic substrates and the related pathologies that can affect diagnosis and treatment.
Predicted lean body mass, fat mass and risk of lung cancer: prospective US cohort study

An inverse association between body mass index (BMI) and risk of lung cancer has been reported. However, the association of body composition such as fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM) with risk of lung cancer has not been fully investigated. Using two large prospective cohort studies (Nurses’ Health Study, 1986–2014; Health Professionals Follow-up Study, 1987–2012) in the United States, we included 100,985 participants who were followed for occurrence of lung cancer. Predicted FM and LBM derived from validated anthropometric prediction equations were categorized by sex-specific deciles. During an average 22.3-year follow-up, 2615 incident lung cancer cases were identified. BMI showed an inverse association with lung cancer risk. Participants in the 10th decile of predicted FM and LBM had a lower risk of lung cancer compared with those in the 1st decile, but when mutually adjusted for each other, predicted FM was not associated with lung cancer risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72–1.35; P(trend) = 0.97) whereas predicted LBM had an inverse association (aHR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.53–1.00; P(trend) = 0.03), especially among participants who were current smokers or had smoked in the previous 10 years (aHR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.36–0.84; P(trend) = 0.008). In conclusion, BMI was inversely associated with lung cancer risk. Based on anthropometric prediction equations, low LBM rather than low FM accounted for the inverse association between BMI and lung cancer risk.
Single Shot T1ρ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Of Metabolically Generated Water In Vivo

The use of Oxygen-17 MRI provides great promise for the clinically-useful quantification of metabolism. To bring techniques based on 17O closer to clinical application, we demonstrate imaging of metabolically generated H2 17O in pigs after 17O2 delivery with increased temporal resolution T1ρ-weighted imaging and precision delivery of 17O2 gas. The kinetics of the appearance of H2 17O in pig brains are displayed with one to two minutes of 17O2 delivery, the shortest delivery times reported in the literature. It is also shown that H2 17O concentrations can be quantified with single shot T1ρ imaging based on a balanced steady state free precession readout, and that with this strategy pausing to reduce T1 saturation increases sensitivity to H2 17O over acquisition in the steady state. Several additional considerations with this sequence, which can be generalized to any pre-encoding cluster, such as energy deposition are considered.
Adaptive Beamforming Based on Interference Covariance Matrix Estimation

In this paper, we propose a robust adaptive beam-forming algorithm, where the interference-plus-noise covariance matrix is estimated by identifying and removing the desired signal component from the sample covariance matrix. For this purpose, we construct a desired signal subspace and its orthogonal subspace to identify the eigenvector of the sample covariance matrix corresponding to the desired signal. The adaptive beam-former is then designed using the estimated interference-plus-noise covariance matrix and the identified signal eigenvector. Because both are independent of the knowledge of the array geometry, the proposed adaptive beamformer is robust to array model mismatch. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed robust adaptive beamforming algorithm.
Social value shift in favour of biodiversity conservation in the United States

Global biodiversity loss is indicative of the massive influence of human activity that defines the Anthropocene. Some scholars argue that changes in behaviour at the scale necessary to address this crisis will require wholesale change in cultural values. However, evidence is lacking on whether values are shifting. To better understand this phenomenon, we analysed long-term, large-scale trend data regarding wildlife values in the United States, collected through a 19-state survey in 2004 (n = 12,673) and 2017–2018 (n = 20,674). Findings confirmed an increased endorsement of mutualism values (seeing wildlife as part of one’s social community and deserving of rights like humans) accompanied by a decline in values emphasizing domination (treating wildlife as resources to be used for human benefit), a trend further visible in cross-generational cohort analysis. We also found strong associations between state-level values and trends in urbanization, connecting the shift to macro-level socioeconomic factors. Results suggest positive outcomes for conservation but the field’s ability to adapt will be critical to realizing those outcomes. A large survey in 19 US states covering just over a decade shows that values regarding wildlife are shifting toward seeing it as one’s community, as opposed to a resource to use for human benefit.
Improve Phase: I Is for Improve

The Improve phase aims to identify ways to improve the outcomes of the process and system and minimize the variation throughout the system. In other words, the Improve phase aims for the identification and development of multiple alternatives for increasing performance and for selecting and implementing best alternative/s for improvement. The Six Sigma team focuses on specific changes that may have the desired impacts on the relevant processes by redesigning the process, eliminating NVA activities and wastes, and testing them using such methods as simulation, optimization, Design of Experiment (DOE), lean implementation, and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA).
Performance of an Advanced Interferon-Gamma Release Assay for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Detection

Background The LIAISON® QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) assay, a fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) system, has recently received FDA approval for the detection of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) on the LIAISON XL analyzer. Here, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of the LIAISON's CLIA method in comparison to the widely used ELISA method using the Qiagen QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus Blood Collection Tubes. Methods Heparinized blood samples from 329 participants were categorized into 3 cohorts, including 15 with confirmed tuberculosis (TB) (active TB cohort), 129 non-TB (low-risk cohort), and 185 potential TB (mixed risk cohort). Samples were analyzed with both assays and results were interpreted according to the manufacturers' criteria. Results The LIAISON CLIA assay showed an overall agreement with the Qiagen ELISA assay in 13/14 (92.8%) samples among the active cohort, 93/95 (97.9%) among the low-risk cohort, with a Cohen's kappa value of 0.76 and 0.74, respectively. Test results for 185 mixed risk cohort participants showed 97.8% agreement between the LIAISON and the Qiagen, with 17 positive, 163 negative, and 1 indeterminate. Four samples were discrepant; 3 of these were negative on the ELISA but positive on the CLIA assay. Conclusion Overall, the results were comparable (>92% agreement) in our study cohorts. In addition, our mixed risk cohort results showed an excellent agreement of 0.88 (Cohen's kappa value) between the 2 assays. These findings suggest that the automated LIAISON QFT-Plus assay has a comparable diagnostic performance to the Qiagen assay and can be used for latent TB infection (LTBI) diagnosis.
Direct comparison of median and ulnar repetitive nerve stimulation in generalized myasthenia gravis.

Introduction/aims Ulnar nerve repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) has been traditionally used in the electrophysiological evaluation of myasthenia gravis (MG). However, its low diagnostic sensitivity remains a limitation. Existing data may suggest that median nerve RNS outperforms that of the ulnar nerve, but a direct comparison is currently lacking. The aim of this study was to directly compare the diagnostic yields between median and ulnar nerve RNS in patients with generalized MG. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with MG who underwent median and ulnar nerve RNS at a single tertiary center. Results RNS studies of median nerve recording from the abductor pollicis brevis and ulnar nerve recording from the adductor digiti minimi were completed in 28 patients with generalized MG. Abnormal RNS was more frequently observed in the median compared with the ulnar nerve (60.7% vs 35.7%, P = .046). The average magnitude of decrement was higher in the median nerve compared with the ulnar nerve (17.3% vs 9.6%, P = .017). Differences between the median and ulnar nerve RNS studies were restricted to patients with mild manifestations (Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America class II). Discussion Median nerve RNS has superior diagnostic sensitivity as compared with ulnar nerve RNS in the assessment of mild generalized MG.
Hypervelocity Spherically-Blunted Cone Flows in Mars Entry Ground Testing

Bow-shock standoff distances over sphere and spherically-blunted cone geometries were examined through experiments in two facilities capable of high-stagnation enthalpy hypersonic flows simulating ...
Morphological Changes in the Aging Mammalian Pancreas

A comprehensive description of morphological and cytological changes in the aging mammalian pancreas has not been reported. What works have been published consist of light microscopic descriptions of a variety of histopathologic lesions in both the aging exocrine and endocrine pancreas. While this chapter deals specifically with the area of age-related cytomorphologic changes in the mammalian pancreas, emphasis will be placed on a description of the endocrine pancreas. This is not difficult to understand in light of the relationship of the endocrine pancreas to diabetes mellitus, a disease mainly of the aged population.
A comparative study of the inhibitory effects of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist following administration as a recombinant protein or by gene transfer

Anakinra, the recombinant form of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), has been approved for clinical use in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis as the drug Kineret™, but it must be administered daily by subcutaneous injection. Gene transfer may offer a more effective means of delivery. In this study, using prostaglandin E2 production as a measure of stimulation, we quantitatively compared the ability of anakinra, as well as that of IL-1Ra delivered by gene transfer, to inhibit the biologic actions of IL-1β. Human synovial fibroblast cultures were incubated with a range of doses of anakinra or HIG-82 cells genetically modified to constitutively express IL-1Ra. The cultures were then challenged with recombinant human IL-1β either simultaneously with addition of the source of IL-1Ra or 24 hours later. In a similar manner, the potencies of the two sources of IL-1Ra were compared when human synovial fibroblasts were challenged with IL-1β produced constitutively by genetically modified cells. No significant difference in inhibitory activity was observed between recombinant protein and IL-1Ra provided by the genetically modified cells, under static culture conditions, even following incubation for 4 days. However, under culture conditions that provided progressive dilution of the culture media, striking differences between these methods of protein delivery became readily apparent. Constitutive synthesis of IL-1Ra by the genetically modified cells provided sustained or increased protection from IL-1 stimulation over time, whereas the recombinant protein became progressively less effective. This was particularly evident under conditions of continuous IL-1β synthesis.
Amperometric biosensors and potentiometric pH-microsensors integrated into AFM tips

Summary form only given. Scanning electrochemical microsensors offer unique advantages by combining laterally resolved information on electroactive surface processes with high sensitivity and selectivity. In order to position and scan nano- and microsensors at a constant distance across the sample surface, we developed combined scanning probes by integrating micro- and nanoelectrodes into AFM tips using microfabrication and focused ion beam (FIB) techniques. Further modification of the integrated electroactive area enables the implementation of microbiosensors by immobilizing a biological recognition element or by integrating a potentiometric pH sensor using a metal/metal oxide layer such as iridium/iridium oxide. The presented approach allows laterally resolved imaging of ATP concentrations above epithelial cells during AFM imaging and monitoring cellular ATP release. pH-changes in microenvironments can be laterally resolved with integrated AFM-pH nanosensors.
Enzymic and immunochemical properties of lysozyme. X. Conformation, enzymic activity and immunochemistry of lysozyme reduced at two carboxyl groups.

Abstract Reduction of lysozyme by diborane, followed by air oxidation of the reduced disulfides and chromatography on CM-cellulose, yielded a homogeneous derivative. In the derivative, the carboxyl groups of aspartic acid 119 and the end-chain leucine residue were reduced to their corresponding alcohols. Correct re-forming of the disulfide bonds was demonstrated by peptide mapping of the tryptic hydrolysates of the derivative and lysozyme without breaking the disulfide bonds, followed by identification of the disulfide-containing peptides. Correct disulfide pairing in the two-disulfide peptide in the tryptic hydrolysate was established from its immunochemical behavior. Preparations of the two-disulfide fragment from lysozyme and derivative had equal inhibitory activities (26 or 32%) of the reaction of lysozyme with two homologous antisera. In ORD measurements, lysozyme and the derivative had equal rotatory powers at neutral pH. However, the b 0 value for the derivative decreased by about 10%. Below pH 6.4 and above pH 8.0, the derivative was less rotatory than native lysozyme. In CD measurements at neutral pH, the negative ellipticity bands at 220 and 208 nm showed little or no decrease in the derivative relative to the native protein. Although conformational differences between the derivative and its parent protein were almost undetectable by ORD and CD measurements, they were readily detected by chemical monitoring of the conformation. In the derivative, both accessibility to tryptic hydrolysis and reducibility of the disulfide bonds increased markedly. The enzymic activity of the derivative was decreased but retained the same pH optimum. With antisera to lysozyme or antisera to the derivative, lysozyme and its derivative possessed equal antigenic reactivities. The immunochemical findings further confirm the correct refolding of the disulfides. Also, they indicate that aspartic acid 119 and the C-terminal leucine residue are not part of an antigenic reactive region in lysozyme.
The Tempest: Shady Grove Orthopedic Associates, P.L. v. Allstate Insurance Co.: The Rules Enabling Act Decision that Added to the Confusion -- But Should Not Have

The Justices of the Supreme Court cannot agree on the effect and interpretation of the Rules Enabling Act with respect to what it means to "abridge, enlarge or modify" substantive law. This article argues that this has occurred because the Court looks at the Act out of the historical and legal context in which Congress enacted it. In giving the Court the power to promulgate the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Congress inserted the substantive-law clause so that the Court could not trench upon Congress's role as a source of substantive federal policy. It is highly unlikely that anyone in Congress was thinking about the effects of the Federal Rules on state substantive law because in 1934, when Congress passed the Rules Enabling Act, Erie Railroad v. Tompkins lay four years in the future, and it is fair to say that few people anticipated the abandonment of Swift v. Tyson that Erie accomplished. The Court's failure to appreciate that Congress did not foresee the demise of Swift has led it into a needless thicket.
Arsenic intoxication as a cause of megaloblastic anemia

We have described a case of chronic arsenic intoxication associated with pancytopenia and megaloblastic erythropoiesis. The patient had the typical laboratory manifestations of effective erythorpoiesis due to a megaloblastic process, including macroovalocytes, mild pancytopenia, low reticulocyte index, increased marrow cellularity with erythroid hyperplasia, and morphologic evidence of megaloblastic maturation in the marrow. The patient's serum folate and vitamin B12 were normal, and the anemia regressed without therapy. Our case suggests that the combination of megaloblastosis with normoblastic or megaloblastic karyorrhexis,should raise the suspicion of arsenic intoxication in the mind of the observer. In addition, arsenic should be added to the list of agents causing a reversible megaloblastic anemia.