cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of in vitro lipid peroxidation on the activity of rat liver microsomal glutathione S-transferase from rats supplemented or deficient in antioxidants.

Abstract Glutathione S-transferases are a group of multifunctional isozymes that play a central role in the detoxification of hydrophobic xenobiotics with electrophilic centers (1). In this study we investigated the effects of in vitro lipid peroxidation on the activity of liver microsomal glutathione S-transferases from rats either supplemented or deficient in both vitamin E and selenium. Increased formation of malondialdehyde (MDA), a by-product of lipid peroxidation, was associated with a decreased activity of rat liver microsomal glutathione S-transferase. The inhibition of glutathione S-transferase occurred rapidly in microsomes from rats fed a diet deficient in both vitamin E and selenium (the B diet) but was delayed for 15 minutes in microsomes from rats fed the same diet but supplemented with these micro-nutrients (B+E+Se diet). Lipid peroxidation inhibits microsomal glutathione S-transferase and this inhibition is modulatted by dietary antioxidants.
The rodent neostriatum: A golgi analysis

In the adult rodent, coronal sections of Golgi impregnations of the neostriatum display a compact segregation of axon fascicles, neuronal clusters, and dendritic bundles thus forming an areolar configuration. Isolated neurons are rarely seen. The dorsomedial region of the neostriatum appears free of axon fascicles and dendritic bundles. Horizontal and sagittal sections of the neostriatum show clusters of cells parallel to axon fascicles. The neurons exhibit spine-laden dendrites with an initial spine-free segment. Neonatal impregnations exhibit a different configuration. Neonatally, cells tend to cluster but there is no bundling of dendrites. Neurons are spine-free or have protospines on the soma and the dendrites, including the initial segment. Transition from neonate to adult configuration is discernible at about 15 days after birth. The neostriatum of carnivores exhibits a different structure from the rodent neostriatum. This difference is associated with a developed anterior limb of the internal capsule in the carnivore. The axon fascicle-free portion of the carnivore neostriatum lacks dendritic bundles and pallisades. Portions near the capsule with axon fascicles appear similar to the rodent neostriatum with dendritic bundlings and pallisading. Such findings emphasize the importance of total neuronal configuration (neuronal-architectonics) in morphologic analyses.
Review of Microbial Fuel Cells for Wastewater Treatment: Large-Scale Applications, Future Needs and Current Research Gaps

There is growing interest in innovative waste water treatment technologies that can utilize the inherent energy-producing potential of organic waste. A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a type of bioreactor that produces electricity by converting energy in the chemical bonds of organic material, through a catalytic reaction of microorganisms under anaerobic conditions. MFCs provide a promising low cost, highly efficient, and renewable energy-producing alternative to conventional wastewater treatments. MFC technology at the laboratory scale has advanced to the point where chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies (RE) over 90% are commonly achieved; however, low coulombic efficiencies (CE) and power densities often result when treating actual industrial and domestic wastewaters. In spite of their low energy recovery and power production, MFCs have been shown to be economically viable when factoring in costs savings from the sale of produced chemical byproducts and reduction of solid waste removal costs. However, further research of large-scale MFC wastewater treatment applications must be performed to determine the extent of their feasibility. This paper reviews several pilot-test MFC systems, addresses promising future industrial applications, and discusses current research gaps in MFC technology for wastewater treatment. Of particular interest in our research program is the use of MFCs to treat liquid-phase organic waste generated at food processing plants. Because of the general scalability of fuel cell systems, there is reason to believe that an MFC treatment system would be better suited to relatively small waste flow rates, unlike other treatment methods (e.g., anaerobic digestion) which typically require large volume to achieve economic viability.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Pseudo-random analog noise generation

An n-input D/A converter fed from an n-bit pseudorandom noise (PN) generator will generate a pseudorandom amplitude noise uniformly distributed and periodic with period N = 2n- 1. By either permuting the D/A inputs or building a longer PN generator, a sequence of length n! (2n- 1) is obtained. The resulting autocorrelations are given.
Hopefulness, self-esteem, and perceived social support among pregnant and nonpregnant adolescents

The concepts of hope, self-esteem, and social support have been identified as important factors in understanding a wide range of adolescent behaviors. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the relationship of perceived hopefulness, self-esteem, and social support with pregnancy status. Employing a cross-sectional design, a sample of pregnant (n = 58) and nonpregnant (n = 91) adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18 completed the Hopefulness Scale for Adolescents (HSA), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire (NSSQ). Multiple regression analyses were used to assess the association of pregnancy status with hopefulness, self-esteem, and social support while controlling for age and socioeconomic status (SES). The effects of pregnancy status on each psychosocial variable were examined independently. Findings revealed pregnancy status was not associated with hopefulness, self-esteem, or perceived social support when age and SES were controlled.
On representations of algebraic-geometry codes

We show that all algebraic-geometric codes possess a succinct representation that allows for list decoding algorithms to run in polynomial time. We do this by presenting a root-finding algorithm for univariate polynomials over function fields when their coefficients lie in finite-dimensional linear spaces, and proving that there is a polynomial size representation, given which the root-finding algorithm runs in polynomial time.
Distinct Attention Networks for Feature Enhancement and Suppression in Vision

Attention biases sensory processing toward neurons containing information about behaviorally relevant events. These attentional biases apparently reflect the combined influence of feature enhancement and suppression. We examined the separate influence of enhancement and suppression in visual processing by determining whether responses to an unattended flicker were modulated when the flicker features matched target features at the attended location, competed with those features, or were neutral. We found that suppression primarily modulated parietal networks with a preferred frequency in the lower alpha band (f2 = 8 Hz), and enhancement primarily influenced parietal networks with a preferred frequency in the upper alpha band (f2 = 12 Hz). These responses were coupled with perception, with large responses to the unattended flicker leading to subsequently detected targets when the target features matched the flicker features (i.e., during enhancement). Our results suggest that enhancement and suppression are...
A central role for nuclear factor-κB pathway in the antiinflammatory and proinflammatory actions of mechanical strain

Mechanical signals play an integral role in bone homeostasis. These signals are observed at the interface of bone and teeth, where osteoblast-like periodontal ligament (PDL) cells constantly take part in bone formation and resorption in response to applied mechanical forces. Earlier, we reported that signals generated by tensile strain of low magnitude (TENS-L) are antiinflammatory, whereas tensile strain of high magnitude (TENS-H) is proinflammatory and catabolic. In this study, we examined the mechanisms of intracellular actions of the antiinflammatory and proinflammatory signals generated by TENS of various magnitudes. We show that both low and high magnitudes of mechanical strain exploit nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB as a common pathway for transcriptional inhibition/activation of proinflammatory genes and catabolic processes. TENS-L is a potent inhibitor of interleukin (IL)-1 beta-induced I-kappaBbeta degradation and prevents dissociation of NF-kB from cytoplasmic complexes and thus its nuclear translocation. This leads to sustained suppression of IL-1beta-induced NF-kappaB transcriptional regulation of proinflammatory genes. In contrast, TENS-H is a proinflammatory signal that induces I-kappaBbeta degradation, nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB, and transcriptional activation of proinflammatory genes. These findings are the first to describe the largely unknown intracellular mechanism of action of applied tensile forces in osteoblast-like cells and have critical implications in bone remodeling.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND SOCIAL CAPITAL IN THREE NEW YORK CITY NEIGHBOURHOODS

This study uses the social capital concept to explain geographical variation in public library use. Applying Putnam's social capital theory, we examine how social capital in three New York City neighbourhoods affects usage of local branch libraries. A survey was conducted to understand differences in public library use and social capital in the neighbourhoods. Diversity and segregation indices were included as additional measures of social capital. The study found that neighbourhoods with higher levels of social capital, especially bridging social capital, tend to have higher public library use.
Physicians’ knowledge and attitudes toward scheduling

Objective: To determine physicians’ knowledge and attitudes of medico-legal issues regarding drug scheduling.Methods: The cross sectional survey was designed to assess attitudes and mailed to 400 randomly selected physicians.Results: A total of 155 (43.8%) of the 354 delivered surveys were returned. Physicians across all groups provided consistent responses suggesting a negative attitude about scheduling, a lack of understanding of scheduling issues and a harmful impact of scheduling on their practice. Physicians who saw 20 or more patients differed significantly from the other groups in 50% (4 of the 8) questions suggesting enhanced dissatisfaction.
A new approach to fast control of r2× r2 3-stage benes networks of r×r crossbar switches

The routing control of Benes networks has proven to be costly. This paper introduces a new approach to fast control of N × N 3-stage Benes networks of r × r crossbar switches as building blocks, where N = r2 and r ≥ 2. The new approach consists of setting the leftmost column of switches to an appropriately chosen configuration so that the network becomes self-routed while still able to realize a given family of permutations. This approach requires that, for any given family of permutations, a configuration for the leftmost column be found. Such a family is called compatible and the configuration of the leftmost column is called the compatibility factor. In this paper, compatibility is characterized and a technique to determine compatibility and the compatibility factor is developed. The technique is used to show the compatibility and find the compatibility factor of O-realizable permutations, the permutations needed to emulate a hypercube, and the families of permutations required by FFT, bitonic sorting, tree computations, multidimensional mesh and torus computations, and multigrid computations. An O(log2N) time routing algorithm for the 3-stage Benes will also be developed. Finally, as only 3 compatibility factors are required by the above families of permutations, it will be proposed to replace the first column by 3 multiplexed connections yielding a self-routing network with strong communication capabilities.
The sex difference in dimensional communalities in Macaca nemestrina

Intra-individual correlations for cranial, mandibular and dental measurements made on lateral skull radiographs of Macaca nemestrina were systematically higher in 30 adult females than in 31 adult males by an average of 0.11 to 0.15, depending upon method of computation. Clearly, for the adult pig-tailed monkey as in Homo during both prenatal and postnatal life, developmental and dimensional communalities are systematically higher in the female indicating a general principle or trend.
Poincaré Duality Embeddings and Fibrewise Homotopy Theory, II

We prove a relative Poincarembedding theorem for maps of pairs into a Poincarpair. This result has applications: it is the engine of the compression theorem of the author's paper in Algebr. Geom. Topol. 2, (2002) 311-336, it yields a Poincarspace version of Hudson's embedding theorem, and it can be used to equip 2-connected Poincar´ e spaces with handle decompositions.
Peak Oxygen Consumption as a Predictor of Death in Patients With Heart Failure Receiving β-Blockers

Background— Peak oxygen uptake (peak Vo2) is a strong predictor of mortality and is commonly used in the evaluation of patients for cardiac transplantation. β-Blockers reduce mortality in patients with heart failure, without influencing peak Vo2, raising the possibility that peak Vo2 is no longer suitable as an indicator of prognosis in these patients. Methods and Results— We analyzed prospectively gathered data on 2105 patients referred for cardiopulmonary testing for all-cause mortality and for occurrence of death or transplantation. Patients receiving β-blockers were younger, more likely to have coronary disease, and had a greater mean ejection fraction but had a similar peak Vo2. There were 555 deaths (26%) and 194 (9%) transplants during a median follow-up of 3.5 years. Peak Vo2 was a predictor of mortality irrespective of β-blocker use; a decrease of 1 mL · kg−1 · min−1 resulted in an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.13 (95% CI 1.09 to 1.17, P<0.0001) in patients not receiving β-blockers and 1.2...
Alterations of sexual behavior in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Abstract Alterations of sexual behavior are frequent and varied in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. They are classified according to whether they occur during, immediately following, or between seizures. Other than control of seizures by anticonvulsants or surgery, no specific treatments have been developed. The author reviews studies of prevalence and treatment and considers the implications of these changes for the understanding of the neurophysiology of sexual behavior.
Reliability centered planning for distributed generation considering wind power volatility

This paper investigates a stochastic planning model to minimize the lifecycle cost of distributed generation (DG) systems under the energy reliability criterion, namely the loss-of-load probability. In particular, our study focuses on the DG system penetrated by renewable wind technology. The optimization is formulated to determine the wind turbine capacity and their placement in the DG system with the intent to minimize the capital, operational and environmental costs. Statistical moments including mean and variance are utilized to characterize the wind power volatility and the load uncertainty. Genetic algorithm combined with heuristic search is used to find the best sitting and sizing of the distributed energy recourses. Our study is among the first attempts in the literature to model and optimize DG system based on continuous probabilistic theory. The moment methods are shown to be effective in characterizing the stochastic behavior of wind power and load dynamics. Case studies are provided to demonstrate the application and performance of the planning method.
Pirate Towns: Reworking Social and Symbolic Infrastructures in Johannesburg and Douala

Through examinations of inner-city street economies in Johannesburg and mechanisms of emigration and political resistance in the Bapenda Omnisport and Mouchouchou quarters of Douala, the paper attempts to explore how notions of piracy might usefully elucidate the everyday practices of African urban residents attempting to operate more resourcefully in underresourced cities. Rather than being rooted in clearly defined familial, territorial and institutional relationships, residents increasingly seek out and manage a wide diversity of engagements within the city without long-term or clearly defined commitments. The key to realising movement within and among cities is to multiply the uses that can be made of resources of all kinds and this means the ability to put together different combinations of people with different skills, perspectives, linkages, identities and aspirations. Such complex and not easily identifiable forms of social organisation constitute a kind of perceptual system, a way of seeing that leads individuals and groups to put objects and experiences to many, otherwise unanticipated uses.
A behavior-based approach towards statistics-preserving network trace anonymization

In modern network measurement research, there exists a clear and demonstrable need for open sharing of large-scale network traffic datasets between organizations. Beyond network measurement, many security-related fields, such as those focused on detecting new exploits or worm outbreaks, stand to benefit given the ability to easily correlate information between several different sources. Currently, the primary factor limiting such sharing is the risk of disclosing private information. While prior anonymization work has focused on traffic content, analysis based on statistical behavior patterns within network traffic has, so far, been under-explored. This thesis proposes a new behavior-based approach towards network trace source-anonymization, motivated by the concept of anonymity-by-crowds, and conditioned on the statistical similarity in host behavior. Novel time-series models for network traffic and kernel metrics for similarity are derived, and the problem is framed such that anonymity and statistics-preservation are congruent objectives in an unsupervised-learning problem. Source-anonymity is connected directly to the group size and homogeneity under this approach, and metrics for these properties are derived. Optimal segmentation of the population into anonymized groups is approximated with a graph-partitioning problem where maximization of this anonymity metric is an intrinsic property of the solution. Algorithms that guarantee a minimum anonymity-set size are presented, as well as novel techniques for behavior visualization and compression. Empirical evaluations on a range of network traffic datasets show significant advantages in both accuracy and runtime over similar solutions.
Internight reliability and benchmark values for computer analyses of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and REM EEG in normal young adult and elderly subjects

Abstract Objective : To determine the reliability of computer measured non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and REM frequency bands in the 0.3–45 Hz range and to provide benchmark data for these measures in young normal (YN) and elderly normal (EN) subjects (Ss). Methods : Sleep EEG was recorded in 19 YN and 19 EN Ss on 4 non-consecutive baseline nights and simultaneously quantified as fast Fourier transform (FFT) power and 3 zero-cross period-amplitude (PA) measures: integrated amplitude, time in band and average wave amplitude. Results : The shapes of both the FFT and PA spectra differed among Ss but were highly consistent within individuals. Inter-night reliability of the separate frequency bands was correspondingly high. Despite substantial age effects, the reliability of computer-measured sleep EEG in the elderly equaled that of the YN Ss. Within both the YN and EN groups, the shapes of the NREM and REM spectral curves differed significantly. The NREM and REM also differed significantly in the two age groups. Conclusions : Computer-measured sleep EEG is highly reliable across non-consecutive nights in both young and elderly normal Ss. The trait-like stability of these measures suggests they are genetically determined. This possibility is supported by twin study data that show strong heritability for FFT-measured waking EEG. The different shapes of NREM and REM spectra add further evidence that these are fundamentally different states of brain organization. The age differences in spectral shape, along with PA data for wave incidence, demonstrate that age effects on sleep EEG are not caused by changes in skull impedance or other non-cerebral factors.
Further Investigation of Genetics and Intimate Partner Violence

We thank Drs. Abbey, Bennett, DeWall, and Way for making truly outstanding points in their thoughtful commentaries. We agree with the feedback and advice from all of these distinguished scientists. Future work on genetics and intimate partner violence (IPV) should, when possible, include a larger number of genetic variants, closely examine gene by environment interactions, and study potential mechanisms explaining the connection between genetics and IPV. As with any research, but particularly with respect to studies on a controversial topic such as genetic correlates of IPV, extreme caution should be taken prior to generalizing results or deriving any practical applications from the data. Clearly, replication and extension of the findings in other populations is essential. Ultimately, we believe that it is worth pursuing this line of work given the possible contributions it may make to understanding the etiology, prevention, and treatment of IPV in the future. Finding solutions to IPV will require the col...
Foodmaps: Tracing Boundaries of ‘Home’ Through Food Relations

This paper aims to explain food mappings as a methodology to research spatial-temporal aspects of food relations as experienced from the cultural perspectives of people in specific communities. It proposes the concept of foodmaps as a useful tool to trace gendered boundaries of home among working class immigrant communities. I ground this discussion through sample foodmaps taken from fieldwork among Dominican communities in New York City and reflections on Dominico-Mexican food alliances. I conclude with some implications of food mappings, suggesting directions for future research on Greater Mexico and “Latino” food studies in the US.
Resistance to Cryptococcus neoformans infection in the absence of CD4+ T cells

Previous studies of Cryptococcus neoformans infection have revealed a role for CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in anticryptococcal resistance in the lungs, but such a role has been revealed only for CD4+ T cells in the brains of experimentally infected mice. In this study, we found that mice genetically engineered to lack CD4+ T cells could be successfully vaccinated to express resistance to a re-challenge with Cryptococcus neoformans, provided the challenge dose was kept to lower than 1000 organisms per mouse. The challenge infection was uniformly lethal for unvaccinated control mice. Depletion of CD8+ T cells weakened this resistance to re-challenge: both naive and vaccinated mice that were treated with antibody raised against CD8+ T cells died significantly earlier than did mice that received an irrelevant control antibody. In vitro, purified CD8+ T cells taken from draining lymph nodes of antigen-experienced mice were less efficient than were identically prepared CD4+ T cells at stimulating the cells of...
A Comparison of Nonlinear Water Wave Models

We compare the numerical evolution of one-dimensional gravity waves in response to a traveling surface pressure pulse using a highly accurate boundary integral method and two relatively efficient approximate models (West et al. and Benney–Luke). In both water of finite-depth and in the deep-water limit, the steady state effect of the decaying pressure ramp is to create a profile which approximates a Stokes wave. Moreover, the transient surface profile appears to evolve through a series of Stokes waves of time-varying amplitude. Results show all three models yield similar predictions for lower amplitude waves, while the West et al. and boundary integral predictions differ from the Benney–Luke model at higher amplitudes.
Evolution of regulated phenotypic expression during a transition to multicellularity

Multicellular organisms coordinate growth and differentiation from single cell starting points with developmental programs. While the evolutionary origins of these programs are unknown, it is likely that they are closely tied to the evolution of regulated—not stochastic—phenotypic expression. To determine how such regulation might arise, we consider experimental populations of Pseudomonas fluorescens which evolved stochastic switching in the lab. This switching is directly coupled with environmental oscillations generated by the bacteria themselves. This unique example of niche construction provides reliable information that organisms may incorporate into regulation of phenotypes. We use mathematical models to investigate the success of two forms of regulation that rely on sensing either external or internal information. We find that both strategies can outcompete stochastic strategies for certain combinations of parameters. In particular, external sensing mechanisms are very effective over a large range of parameter space—including parameters that correspond to poor sensing of the extracellular signal and gradual responses. We show with evolutionary simulations that this robustness makes them more likely to evolve from initially stochastically switching populations rather than internal sensing mechanisms which require more tuning of parameters. These results demonstrate that, within this oscillating system, if regulatory mechanisms can evolve to incorporate environmental information then their selective advantage is sufficient for them to fix in the population.
Opportunistic routing based scheme with multi-layer relay sets in cognitive radio networks

Opportunistic routing schemes have their advantages if applied in cognitive radio networks (CRNs), since the reliability is better ensured. However, it is impractical and inefficient to directly use opportunistic routing protocols in CRNs. In this paper, we propose a framework of applying opportunistic routing in CRNs. Our framework builds the multi-layer relay sets for each sender, instead of one general relay set, as seen in other wireless networks. A relay set on one layer refers to the set of nodes that are able to help relay on one channel. Moreover, to select a data transmission channel, each sender considers the channel quality as well as the potential reliability brought by the corresponding relay set. In order to better adjust to the situations when PUs suddenly become active during data transmission, we have each sender maintain one main relay set and one backup relay set. It effectively reduces the channel switching and relay set reselection cost during data transmission. We also give an effective adaptation scheme for each sender when all the relay sets fail. Finally, the simulation results indicate the superior performance of our scheme.
Seismic forecasting

The mechanism that causes seismic activity and the two types of wave generated are described. The nature of long-, medium-, and short-term prediction is examined. The forecasting of earthquakes by animals, who forecast earthquakes at intervals ranging from three months down to about one minute, is examined, and the physiological factors that could account for it are discussed. >
Influence of fabric variables on clay–water–air capillary meniscus

The mechanical behavior of unsaturated clays is strongly governed by capillary water and the resulting capillary forces. In this paper, the influence of fabric variables on the air–water capillary ...
Magnetic resonance angiography of the neck. Technical issues.

This article reviews the technical issues faced when using any of several methods of MR angiography that are in widespread use today. Both time-of-flight and phase-contrast?based techniques are addressed. Artifacts as a function of echo times, vessel contrast, and vessel contrast enhancement are key issues. Selective visualization of arteries or veins is discussed also.
Substance P: a modulator of neuroendocrine-immune function.

Purification of the substance P receptor gene will dramatically improve our grasp of how sensory neuropeptides modulate diverse neuroendocrine and immune functions. Understanding of receptor stereo...
Retention of the spacing effect with mental practice in hemiparetic stroke

Mental practice (MP) is a promising adjuvant to physical practice that involves many of the same mechanisms and takes on many of the same properties as physical practice. This study compared efficacy of a “massed” MP regimen versus a “distributed” MP regimen on upper extremity (UE) motor impairment and functional limitation. Twenty-seven chronic stroke survivors were administered the UE section of the Fugl-Meyer (FM) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), followed by standardized physical practice and MP regimens. One group was administered “massed” MP (60 min of MP during a single daily session) and a second group administered distributed MP (20 min of MP occurring three times/day). After intervention, changes in FM and ARAT scores of subjects in the distributed condition were significantly higher than those of subjects in the massed condition (FM 3.65, 95 % CI 0.82–6.49, p value = 0.01; ARAT 3.95, 95 % CI 1.24–6.67, p value = 0.006). Likewise, at POST 3, subjects in the distributed group showed significantly higher change in ARAT scores (ARAT 4.90, 95 % CI 0.57–9.22, p value = 0.03); the change in FM scores at POST 3 was 3.18 points higher among subjects in the distributed condition, but only approached significance (95 % CI −1.27 to 7.63, p value = 0.15). Results suggest that a distributed MP schedule is more efficacious in bringing about paretic UE changes than a massed practice schedule, especially in terms of reducing UE functional limitation.
High-Performance Work Systems and Labor Market Structures

Both academic and popular reports suggest that the pace of experimentation with innovative workplace practices has accelerated in recent years (Marchington et al. 1993; Appelbaum and Batt 1994; Osterman 1994; Freeman and Rogers 1995; Lawler, Mohrman, and Ledford 1995; Harley 1999:556–557). However, the notion that new work systems are emerging, in which workers have greater discretion over the work process, is a matter of considerable controversy (Barker 1993; Parker and Slaughter 1993; Graham 1995; Ramsay 1996; Sewell and Wilkinson 1992; Sewell 1998; Knights and McCabe 1998a, 1998b).
Optical Spectroscopy of Recombining Ions in Flowing Afterglow Plasmas

Spectroscopy has been an important tool in studies of dissociative recombination (DR) for many years. The early work by Biondi1 and coworkers established the dissociative nature of the process by demonstrating the Doppler broadening of spectral lines due to the momentum that is imparted to the separating recombination fragments. In more recent work, spectroscopic methods have been used to identify products of DR of diatomic and polyatomic ions and to quantitatively measure yields for specified states of radiating recombination products. The formation of products in radiating states is of potential interest for the interpretation of planetary spectra and perhaps those observed from interstellar clouds, and of course, experimenters hope that identification of product states will lead to new insights into the mechanisms of recombination.
Too good to intervene? Thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion strokes with minimal symptoms: an intention-to-treat analysis

Introduction The minimal stroke severity justifying endovascular intervention remains elusive; however, a significant proportion of patients presenting with large vessel occlusion (LVO) and mild symptoms subsequently decline and face poor outcomes. Objective To evaluate our experience with these patients by comparing best medical therapy with thrombectomy in an intention-to-treat analysis. Methods Analysis of prospectively collected data of all consecutive patients with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≤5, LVO on CT angiography, and baseline modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0–2 from November 2014 to May 2016. After careful discussion with patients/family, a decision to pursue medical or interventional therapy was made. Deterioration (development of aphasia, neglect, and/or significant weakness) triggered reconsideration of thrombectomy. The primary outcome measure was NIHSS shift (discharge NIHSS score minus admission NIHSS score). Results Of the 32 patients qualifying for the study, 22 (69%) were primarily treated with medical therapy and 10 (31%) intervention. Baseline characteristics were comparable. Nine (41%) medically treated patients had subsequent deterioration requiring thrombectomy. Median time from arrival to deterioration was 5.2 hours (2.0–25.0). Successful reperfusion (modified Treatment in Cerebral Infarction 2b−3) was achieved in all 19 thrombectomy patients. The NIHSS shift significantly favored thrombectomy (−2.5 vs 0; p Conclusions Thrombectomy led to a shift towards a lower NIHSS in patients with LVO presenting with minimal stroke symptoms. Despite the overall perception that this condition is benign, nearly a quarter of patients primarily treated with medical therapy did not achieve independence at 90 days.
A retrospective comparison of propofol alone to propofol in combination with dexmedetomidine for pediatric 3T MRI sedation

Background and aim Both propofol and dexmedetomidine have been found to be safe and effective sedation for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Our program experienced an increase in patients arousing and experiencing an adverse airway event during propofol sedation for MRI in the first months of using a new 3T (Tesla) MRI scanner that was found to have a longer reverberation time compared to the previous 1.5 T MRI. In an effort to decrease patient arousal and adverse airway events during MRI, we administered a dexmedetomidine load prior to our standard propofol protocol. The objective was to compare adverse events and other outcome measures of patients sedated with propofol alone (Pro) and propofol preceded by a dexmedetomidine load (D+P). Methods We reviewed a sedation database and medical records for all children undergoing 3T MRI studies while sedated with propofol alone or propofol preceded by a dexmedetomidine load in 2014. Results Two hundred and fifty-six sedations were performed for MRI (87 Pro and 169 D+P). The two groups were comparable with regard to age, weight, gender, and American Society of Anesthesiologists status. Subjects in the D+P cohort had significantly fewer adverse events (10/169 patients (5.9%) vs 23/87 patients (26.4%) [OR 0.18, 95% CI: 0.08–0.39, P < 0.001]), particularly upper airway obstruction. Mean discharge time was longer in the D+P cohort compared to the Pro cohort (87.1, SD 26.3 min vs 69.7, SD 23.6; [mean difference 17.7 min, 95% CI: 10.6–24.8, P < 0.001]). Conclusions The addition of a dexmedetomidine infusion prior to our propofol MRI sedation protocol resulted in fewer sedation-related adverse events, particularly upper airway obstruction. Further studies are needed to evaluate the potential for a reduction on adverse events with this drug combination.
Online Learning â€“ Learning Styles in a Virtual World Addressing student learning styles in a virtual class focusing on the ability to enhance the learning experience for students in the online learning environment

Distance learning is growing at an increasing rate, and instructors of online courses need to be aware of the significance of online courses in the overall learning environment and how the growth of online programs provides increasing educational access to all learners. Online course providers face major challenges in determining the most effective method for constructing and delivering their online course materials. These challenges can be difficult to overcome and can lead to course variation and inconsistency that may have a negative effect on the overall learning experience for the distance learner. Exploring and understanding different methodologies for effectively constructing an online course can help lead to creating a successful learning experience for learners. This paper provides a model for structuring the course materials so that studentsâ€™ learning styles are met. Examples of materials, assignments, projects, and course delivery modes are provided.
Do anti-bullying policies deter in-school bullying victimization?

Abstract Despite the significant increase in the number of anti-bullying laws between 2000 and 2015, there is little evidence on whether such policies can decrease the amount of bullying that occurs on school grounds. In this paper, I evaluate the effectiveness of bullying laws on decreasing the share of students who experience in-school bullying victimization using a difference-in-difference framework. The school-level results show that schools in states with such laws had less reported school bullying incidents (up to 8.4%) compared to schools in states without anti-bullying laws, and these effects are much stronger in states where there is a specific clause in the law defining the term bullying. Falsification tests for other crime-related behaviors, on which the anti-bullying laws should not have an effect, corroborate a causal interpretation of the results.
“Fou Rire Prodromique” as the Presentation of a Left Frontal Ischemic Stroke (P02.040)

OBJECTIVE: To present a rare case of pathological laughter as the first presentation of a left frontal ischemic stroke. BACKGROUND: Pathological laughter is an exaggerated and inappropriate laughter usually unrelated to a true emotion or a congruent mood. “Fou rire prodromique” is a form of prodromal pathological laughter of uncertain pathophysiology that heralds an ischemic neurologic deficit. DESIGN/METHODS: We present the case of a 33 year old woman, 6 days post c-section, with no other medical conditions, who presented with a sudden laughter attack and “confusion”. Her husband described the event as “she was laughing like she was in a comedy club”. Minutes after onset of the symptoms, she developed right upper extremity weakness and stopped talking. On admission, she was intermittently following some simple commands and was unable to repeat, write or read. During the evaluation her behavior was inappropriate, she was intermittently smiling with no clear trigger. She also had a mild right facial droop and a mild right arm weakness evidenced by a pronator drift. Alteplase was held due to the recent surgery and current vaginal bleeding. RESULTS: Brain CT was normal, but brain MRI showed an acute ischemic infarct with petechial hemorrhage compromising the posterior left frontal lobe (Broca's area). The hypercoagulable work up was negative except for slightly low protein S activity. Brain MRA and carotid ultrasound were normal but echocardiogram with bubble study showed a small patent foramen ovale. Subsequent lower extremity doppler ultrasound and MRV pelvis ruled out deep venous thrombosis. With physical and speech therapy the patient improved. CONCLUSIONS: Frontal lobe involvement affecting the Broca's area, as we described in our case, has only been described once. We conclude that the patient's laughter attack was the initial manifestation of the stroke suggesting that an acute infarct of Broca's area is capable of producing this unusual clinical presentation. Disclosure: Dr. Rosales has nothing to disclose. Dr. Garcia-Gracia has nothing to disclose. Dr. Salgado has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity from Belvoir Media Group as Consulting Editor of A Special Report published by the editors of Heart Advisor Cleveland Clinic STROKE: Advances in Prevention and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Disease. Tuesday, March 19 2013, 7:30 am-12:00 pm
High-sensitivity, broadband terahertz detectors based on plasmonic nano-antenna arrays

We present a novel photoconductive terahertz detector, which offers significantly higher detection bandwidths and sensitivities compared to the state-of-the art. The detector is based on 2D plasmonic nano-antenna arrays, which are designed to concentrate a major fraction of an incident terahertz and optical pump beam at the same nanoscale regions in their close proximity. When the optical pump beam excites the detector, a large number of photocarriers are drifted to the plasmonic nano-antennas by the induced terahertz field to form the output current of the detector. The nano-antennas are also designed to offer high terahertz electric field enhancement factors over a broad terahertz frequency range. As a result, high-sensitivity and broadband operation is achieved simultaneously. We experimentally demonstrate pulsed terahertz detection with record-high signal-to-noise ratios as high as 107 dB over a 5 THz frequency range, which is 50 times higher compared to the state-of-the art.
Postoperative Radiotherapy for Surgically Resected ypN2 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background The role of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in patients with clinical stage III-N2 (cIII-N2) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with induction chemotherapy and surgical resection with persistent ypN2 disease is not well established. Methods We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively maintained database for patients with cIII-N2 NSCLC who underwent induction chemotherapy followed by resection (2004–2016). Exclusion criteria included induction radiotherapy, non–biopsy-confirmed cN2 disease, incomplete resection, ypN0/1, and nonanatomic resection. The primary outcome was locoregional recurrence (LR); secondary outcomes were disease-free survival (DFS), lung cancer–specific death (LCSD), and overall survival (OS). Associations between variables and outcomes were assessed using Fine and Gray competing risk regression for LR/LCSD and Cox proportional hazard models for survival. Results Of the 501 patients identified with cIII-N2 disease, 99 met the inclusion criteria. Median follow-up was 25 months (range, 3-137 months). Sixty-nine patients (70%) received PORT. Sixty (61%) developed a recurrence: 3 (5%) with an initial isolated LR and 57 (95%) with an initial distant recurrence. On multivariable analysis, PORT was not associated with LR (HR, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.22-1.21], p = 0.13). PORT was also not associated with DFS (p = 0.6) or LCSD (p = 0.1). PORT was associated with improved 3-year OS (55% [95% CI, 42%-71%]) versus the no-PORT group (50% [95% CI, 34%-74%]) (p = 0.04). Conclusions PORT is not independently associated with decreased LR or improved DFS/LCSD in this patient population. Given that the predominant failure pattern was distant recurrence, future clinical trials should focus on adjuvant systemic therapies, which may decrease distant recurrences in ypN2 patients.
Reporting Cases of Child Maltreatment: Decision-Making Processes of Family Therapists in Illinois

This study advances the research on decision-making concerning child maltreatment by providing descriptions of both the process and outcome of therapist decision-making. Results indicated that decision-making about child maltreatment involves therapist-specific factors such as worldview assumptions, ethical principles, and prior clinical and life experience; situational factors including the type and severity of abuse, the amount of evidence presented, and client characteristics such as age and personal history; and interactional factors including cooperation and willingness on the part of adult clients to comply with the therapist. A contextual framework for decision-making that explicitly involves consideration of therapist-specific, situational, and interactional factors is proposed to enhance therapist decision-making.
Age-Related Changes in Odor Preferences by House Mice Living in Semi Natural Enclosures

Changes in odor preferences with age were assessed in house mice inhabiting a series of eight 0.1-ha outdoor enclosures. The most recent capture in a live trap was assumed to provide the predominant odor in that trap for one week. Data were analyzed for two separate years for females and males and for three age classes within each sex. Initial analyses confirmed the use of the odor baiting technique; significantly more mice than expected entered traps that had captured another mouse in the previous week relative to traps that had not caught a mouse for at least a week. For female mice two predictions were tested. (1) Young female mice avoid traps with odors from adult males. The findings support this prediction. (2) As they mature, female mice will shift their odor preference and enter significantly more traps odorized by adult males. The findings also support this prediction. Two predictions were tested for male mice. (3) Young male mice will avoid odors from adult males. The data do not support this prediction. (4) As they mature, males will shift their preference and enter more traps odorized by female mice. Some, but not all of the data support this hypothesis.
Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy

Since the scintigraphic measurement of gastric emptying uses readily available and now more standardized meals and permits accurate quantification of gastric emptying, it has remained the gold standard for measuring gastric emptying. This chapter reviews the normal physiology of gastric emptying of solids and liquids. It summarizes the most recent consensus recommendations on how to perform gastric emptying studies including: patient preparation, use of a standardized low-fat, egg-white meal, image acquisition, analysis, and results reporting. The value of liquid gastric emptying studies and newer methods to measure fundal accommodation and antral contractions are also reviewed.
Reply to My Critics: A Response to Reviews of Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution

In Darwin's Black Box: The BiochemicalChallenge to Evolution I argued thatpurposeful intelligent design, rather thanDarwinian natural selection, better explainssome aspects of the complexity that modernscience has discovered at the molecularfoundation of life. In the five years since itspublication the book has been widely discussedand has received considerable criticism. Here Irespond to what I deem to be the mostfundamental objections. In the first part ofthe article I address empirical criticismsbased on experimental studies alleging eitherthat biochemical systems I discussed are notirreducibly complex or that similar systemshave been demonstrated to be able to evolve byDarwinian processes. In the remainder of thearticle I address methodological concerns,including whether a claim of intelligent designis falsifiable and whether intelligent designis a permissible scientific conclusion.
Outcomes of distal femur fractures treated with the Synthes 4.5 mm VA-LCP Curved Condylar Plate

Given the recent controversy in the literature and the alarming reports of early mechanical failure associated with the use of the Synthes 4.5 mm VA-LCP Curved Condylar Plate in acute distal femur fractures, the goal of our study was to examine the outcomes and mechanical failure rates of this implant in a larger patient population. Patients 18 years of age and older who underwent plate fixation of their acute distal femoral fracture using the Synthes 4.5 mm VA-LCP Curved Condylar Plate were included in this retrospective study. The study data was collected through a retrospective chart review and review of the existing radiographic studies. Primary outcome measure was mechanical hardware failure while secondary outcome measures included nonunion, malunion, and medical and surgical complications. A total of 74 patients (77 fractures) were included in this study. The fractures were classified according to the OTA/AO classification as 33-A2 (n = 6), 33-A3 (n = 19), 33-C1 (n = 5), 33-C2 (n = 25), and 33-C3 (n = 22). Thirty-two out of 77 fractures presented as open fractures (41.6%). A mechanical failure was observed in 7 patients (9.1%). Twenty additional patients needed a re-operation of the surgical site including two nonunion repairs, one malunion repair, 15 staged treatments of traumatic segmental bone defects, and two soft tissue debridements. In our experience, the Synthes 4.5 mm VA-LCP Curved Condylar Plate is a safe and effective implant with a relatively low mechanical failure rate.