cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complete Evaluation of Dementia: PET and MRI Correlation and Diagnosis for the Neuroradiologist

This article will familiarize neuroradiologists with the pathophysiology, clinical findings, and standard MR imaging and PET imaging features of multiple forms of dementia as well as new emerging techniques. Cases were compiled from multiple institutions with the goal of improved diagnostic accuracy and improved patient care as well as information about biomarkers on the horizon. Dementia topics addressed include the following: Alzheimer disease, frontotemporal dementia, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, Lewy body dementia, Parkinson disease and Parkinson disease variants, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multisystem atrophy, Huntington disease vascular dementia, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors on appetite markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract Background and aims Glycosuria induced by sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors leads to weight loss and improved diabetes control, but a significant disparity exists between observed and expected weight loss with these medications, hindering clinical effects. This study investigated whether this discrepancy could be explained by compensatory increases in appetite and associated alterations in appetite-regulating hormones. Methods and results This was a prospective single-center observational pilot study. Adults 18–70 years old newly prescribed an SGLT2 inhibitor through usual care were invited to participate. Fasting and postprandial appetite was assessed immediately before, 1 week after, and 12 weeks after SGLT2 inhibitor initiation. Serum samples were collected at corresponding time points to measure ghrelin, leptin, and peptide tyrosine–tyrosine (PYY). Seven patients were included. At 1 and 12 weeks after SGLT2 inhibitor initiation, self-reported appetite did not change significantly and trended toward a decrease in appetite. There were no significant differences in fasting or postprandial ghrelin, leptin, or PYY. Conclusion Results suggest the discrepancy between expected and observed weight loss with SGLT2 inhibitors cannot be explained by increases in appetite or changes in appetite-regulating hormones. Further studies are needed to investigate alternative metabolic compensatory mechanisms to optimize weight loss with SGLT2 inhibitor use.
Upper limb manual dexterity, strength and blood flow after walking with backpack load.

This study aimed to characterize the effects of walking with backpack load on upper limb function. Fifteen males participated in 3 conditions: no load, 40% body weight loaded backpack (BP) and loaded backpack with simulated rifle (BRC). Pinch strength, grip strength, sensory threshold, blood flow volume, and a manual dexterity test were assessed before and after a 45-min walking trial. Pinch strength in the BP condition was significantly different than the control (p < 0.05). Grooved pegboard times were faster after a seated recovery (p = 0.026) than immediately after walking with load. Blood flow was significantly decreased to <53% of baseline (p ≤ 0.001) in BP and BRC immediately after donning the backpack. No significant changes in grip strength or sensory threshold were measured among conditions or time points. In conclusion, pinch strength, manual dexterity and blood flow were affected by backpack carriage, but other upper limb measures remained unaffected.
Validated Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Method for Simultaneous Quantitation of Tris(4-Chlorophenyl)Methane and Tris(4-Chlorophenyl)Methanol in Rat Plasma and Fetus

Tris(4-chlorophenyl)methane (TCPMe) is a byproduct of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane synthesis. TCPMe and its metabolite tris(4-chlorophenyl)methanol (TCPMOH) are environmentally prevalent and hav...
Generalizable EEG Encoding Models with Naturalistic Audiovisual Stimuli.

In natural conversations, listeners must attend to what others are saying while ignoring extraneous background sounds. Recent studies have used encoding models to predict electroencephalography (EEG) responses to speech in noise-free listening situations, sometimes referred to as “speech tracking.” Researchers have analyzed how speech tracking changes with different types of background noise. It is unclear, however, whether neural responses from acoustically rich, naturalistic environments with and without background noise can be generalized to more controlled stimuli. If encoding models for acoustically rich, naturalistic stimuli are generalizable to other tasks, this could aid in data collection from populations of individuals who may not tolerate listening to more controlled and less engaging stimuli for long periods of time. We recorded noninvasive scalp EEG while 17 human participants (8 male/9 female) listened to speech without noise and audiovisual speech stimuli containing overlapping speakers and background sounds. We fit multivariate temporal receptive field encoding models to predict EEG responses to pitch, the acoustic envelope, phonological features, and visual cues in both stimulus conditions. Our results suggested that neural responses to naturalistic stimuli were generalizable to more controlled datasets. EEG responses to speech in isolation were predicted accurately using phonological features alone, while responses to speech in a rich acoustic background were more accurate when including both phonological and acoustic features. Our findings suggest that naturalistic audiovisual stimuli can be used to measure receptive fields that are comparable and generalizable to more controlled audio-only stimuli. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Understanding spoken language in natural environments requires listeners to parse acoustic and linguistic information in the presence of other distracting stimuli. However, most studies of auditory processing rely on highly controlled stimuli with no background noise, or with background noise inserted at specific times. Here, we compare models where EEG data are predicted based on a combination of acoustic, phonetic, and visual features in highly disparate stimuli—sentences from a speech corpus and speech embedded within movie trailers. We show that modeling neural responses to highly noisy, audiovisual movies can uncover tuning for acoustic and phonetic information that generalizes to simpler stimuli typically used in sensory neuroscience experiments.
Relationship between Behavioral Infant Speech Perception and Hearing Age for Children with Hearing Loss.

(1) Background: Research has demonstrated that early intervention for children who are hard-of-hearing (CHH) facilitates improved language development. Early speech perception abilities may impact CHH outcomes and guide future intervention. The objective of this study was to examine the use of a conditioned head turn (CHT) task as a measure of speech discrimination in CHH using a clinically feasible protocol. (2) Methods: Speech perception was assessed for a consonant and vowel contrast among 57 CHH and 70 children with normal hearing (CNH) aged 5–17 months using a CHT paradigm. (3) Results: Regardless of hearing status, 74% of CHH and 77% of CNH could discriminate /a-i/, and 55% of CHH and 56% of CNH could discriminate /ba-da/. Regression models revealed that both CHH and CNH performed better on /ba-da/ at 70 dBA compared to 50 dBA. Performance by hearing age showed no speech perception differences for CNH and children with mild hearing loss for either contrast. However, children with hearing losses ≥ 41 dB HL performed significantly poorer than CNH for /a-i/. (4) Conclusions: This study demonstrates the clinical feasibility of assessing early speech perception in infants with hearing loss and replicates previous findings of speech perception abilities among CHH and CNH.
Utility of Caenorhabditis elegans for assessing heavy metal contamination in artificial soil.

There is an increasing need for the development of soil bioassay protocols. Currently the only internationally standardized soil test organism is the lumbricid earthworm Eisenia fetida. Many alternate soil test organisms have been proposed. This work compares Caenorhabditis elegans to several other test organisms, including E. fetida, for heavy metals in soil. In this evaluation, such factors as ease of testing and culturing, duration of testing, soil volume needed, and the sensitivity of the organism were considered. Results show that C. elegans is more sensitive than most other organisms evaluated and is similar in response to E. fetida. The second issue compares C. elegans LC50 values to heavy metals criteria specified in the US EPA regulations for land application of sewage sludge. Currently, the regulations are set on total metals in the soil and do not consider bioavailability of the metals. Regulations do not consider soil physiochemical properties, such as organic matter content, clay content, and cation exchange capacity, which have been shown to affect the availability of metals to soil organisms. While the C. elegans LC50 values are above standard values in artificial soil, work in our lab indicates that the LC50s are below regulation values for other soil types. Due to the ease of culturing and testing, good sensitivity, along with the wealth of biological information and ecological relevance, C. elegans is a good organism for use in soil bioassays.
Differential extension of 3′ mispairs is a major contribution to the high fidelity of calf thymus DNA polymerase-α

Abstract The fidelity of DNA polymerase-alpha-primase from calf thymus has been analyzed by measuring mutagenesis in vitro and by site-specific nucleotide misinsertion and mispair extension. Using the phi X174 am3 DNA reversion assay errors are detected at the amber3 site only when both dATP and dCTP are significantly biased during in vitro copying reactions. Analysis of these products on DNA sequencing gels reveals pause sites due to the slow extension of mispaired 3' termini. Measurements of misinsertion rates opposite template A show that the rates of dAMP or dCMP misinsertion are similar and occur 40-50 times more rapidly than dGMP misinsertion. The rate of extension from an A:C mispair is 100- and 400-fold greater than from an A:A mispair and an A:G mispair, respectively. Nucleotide misinsertions to generate all 12 possible mispairs have been measured kinetically on phi X174 DNA templates that contain either A, C, G, or T at position 587. Misinsertion frequencies range from 1/4000 to 1/10(6) depending on the mispairs generated. Extension from all 12 different mispairs was examined by starting with oligonucleotide primers that contain different 3'-terminal mispairs. Rates of extension from mispairs are 10(3) to 10(6) times slower than from correctly paired bases. Extension frequencies were purine:pyrimidine greater than pyrimidine:pyrimidine greater than purine:purine. Lack of extension of misincorporated bases suggests the involvement of exonucleolytic proofreading to enable continued DNA synthesis and to guarantee the high fidelity of eucaryotic DNA replication.
BNP Molecular Forms and Processing by the Cardiac Serine Protease Corin

The cardiac hormone, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), is one of human natriuretic peptides which possesses cardiorenal protective actions and is used as a therapeutic and a biomarker for heart failure (HF). Its prohormone, proBNP1–108, is processed by the proNPs convertases, corin or furin, to inactive NT-proBNP1–76 and active BNP1–32. Paradoxically, circulating NT-proBNP and BNP are elevated in HF leading to the use of BNP as a sensitive and predictive marker of HF. This paradox may be explained by the “nonspecific” nature of conventional assays and/or a relative deficiency state of “active BNP” as characterized by an increase in inactive proBNP1–108 and a decrease in active BNP1–32. Therefore, understanding the regulation of proBNP1–108 processing and the role of the convertase corin may be important in understanding the physiology of HF. Corin is expressed in heart and kidney and may play an important role in regulating blood pressure and remodeling of the heart. The processing of proBNP1–108 by corin may be controlled by O-linked glycosylation of proBNP1–108. A potential impairment of proBNP1–108 processing in HF may be linked to dysregulation of the convertase corin, which may offer therapeutic opportunities to control proBNP1–108 processing and its activation in HF.
Tumor necrosis factor-induced interleukin-8 expression in cultured human airway epithelial cells

The effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression and generation were examined in primary cultured human airway epithelial cells (HAEC) and a human lung epithelial cell line (A549). TNF-alpha increased IL-8 mRNA and protein expression in HAEC in a concentration- and time-dependent manner and these effects were inhibited by dexamethasone (1 microM). There was no change in the stability of IL-8 mRNA, and a nuclear run-on assay confirmed that TNF-alpha increased IL-8 gene transcription. TNF-alpha-induced IL-8 mRNA expression showed a biphasic response in HAEC, with an early increase at 2 h followed by a sustained increase from 8 h, which was abolished by the addition of cycloheximide, suggesting that the synthesis of another protein was involved. A549 cells also increased IL-8 secretion and mRNA after incubation of TNF-alpha, with inhibition by dexamethasone. However, A549 cells showed only an early single peak. A549 cells showed a 250-fold increase in the generation of IL-8 immunoreactivity, whereas primary cultured HAEC showed only a threefold increase, suggesting that HAEC and A549 cells may respond to TNF-alpha in different ways. The sustained increase in IL-8 secretion due to an increase in gene transcription in response to TNF-alpha may be an important amplification step in inflammatory diseases of the airways.
Social Work Management and Leadership: Managing Complexity with Creativity. John Lawler and Andy Bilson

In this thought-provoking book, Lawler and Bison provide a thorough review of, and framework for, management, leadership, and organizational theories for social work scholars and leaders. Their dis...
Massive colonic variceal bleeding secondary to abnormal splenocolic collaterals: Report of a case

Even in the absence of demonstrable esophagogastric varices in the cirrhotic patient, a diagnosis of variceal bleeding from unusual sites should be entertained in the differential diagnosis of massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The varices may reflect the increased pressure in the superior or inferior mesenteric systems or in the splenic system through abnormal splenocolic anastomoses. This case has the unique feature of bleeding from varices interposed between the splenic and inferior mesenteric venous systems, as opposed to the previously described cases of varices draining directly into a portosystemic conduit.
Parallel algorithms for generating the raster representation of straight lines and circles

Abstract This paper presents two parallel algorithms for generating graphics primitives on a raster scan display device. The first algorithm is for drawing straight lines and the second is for drawing circles. The line algorithm requires three integer multiplies and one or two integer divides in its setup and has the same loop as the sequential algorithm, but requires only about 1/P as many iterations of the loop, where P is the number of processors. Its setup is the equivalent of about seven loop iterations. The circle algorithm requires only four integer multiplies in its setup and approaches a speedup of 90% P. Its setup is the equivalent of about one loop iteration.
Real-time knot-tying simulation

The real-time simulation of rope, and knot tying in particular, raises difficult issues in contact detection and management. Some practical knots can only be achieved by complicated crossings of the rope, yielding multiple simultaneous contacts, especially when the rope is pulled tight. This paper describes a graphical simulator that allows a user to grasp and smoothly manipulate a virtual rope and to tie arbitrary knots, including knots around other objects, in real time. A first component of the simulator computes the global configuration of the rope based on user interactions. Another component of the simulator precisely detects self-collisions in the rope as well as collisions with other objects. Finally, a third component manages collisions to prevent penetration, while making the rope slide with some friction along itself and other objects, so that knots can be pulled tight in a realistic manner. An additional module uses recent results from knot theory to identify, also in real time, which topological knots have been tied. This work was motivated by surgical suturing, but simulation in other domains, such as sailing and rock climbing, could also benefit from it.
Formation and Repair of Tobacco Carcinogen-Derived Bulky DNA Adducts

DNA adducts play a central role in chemical carcinogenesis. The analysis of formation and repair of smoking-related DNA adducts remains particularly challenging as both smokers and nonsmokers exposed to smoke are repetitively under attack from complex mixtures of carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and N-nitrosamines. The bulky DNA adducts, which usually have complex structure, are particularly important because of their biological relevance. Several known cellular DNA repair pathways have been known to operate in human cells on specific types of bulky DNA adducts, for example, nucleotide excision repair, base excision repair, and direct reversal involving O6-alkylguanine DNA alkyltransferase or AlkB homologs. Understanding the mechanisms of adduct formation and repair processes is critical for the assessment of cancer risk resulting from exposure to cigarette smoke, and ultimately for developing strategies of cancer prevention. This paper highlights the recent progress made in the areas concerning formation and repair of bulky DNA adducts in the context of tobacco carcinogen-associated genotoxic and carcinogenic effects.
An analysis of research in information systems from the IS executive's perspective

Abstract While it is imperative for IS research to address the issues of concern to practitioners in the field, it is arguable whether this is being adequately done. This paper examines the extent to which research over the past decade has addressed those issues important to practitioners. A list of 26 key issues is used to categorize 858 articles published in four major IS outlets. The amount of research on each issue is then compared with the importance rating of the issue by practitioners over the decade 1977–1986. The study reveals a definite gap between what the IS executives consider important and what is being researched. It also demonstrates that IS researchers tend to concentrate on narrow technical issues rather than broad managerial issues. The implications of this study strongly suggest that IS researchers should pay greater attention to the concerns of practicing managers.
Resolution of Stopped-Flow Kinetic Data for Second-Order Reactions with Rate Constants up to 108 M-1 s-1 Involving Large Concentration Gradients. Experimental Comparison Using Three Independent Approaches

A program has been developed for the implementation of a mathematical treatment which corrects for a concentration gradient within the stopped-flow observation cell for reversible second-order reaction kinetics studied by longitudinal absorbance measurements. This program has been tested using experimental kinetic data for three selected electron-transfer cross reactions with predicted rate constants of 1.1 × 106, 5.8 × 107, and 1.2 × 108 M-1 s-1, respectively. A second gradient-corrected approach has also been applied based on the steady-state absorbance which exists after the flow tube has been filled with the new reaction mixture just prior to the stopping of the flow (a permutation of the continuous-flow method). As a third comparison, the same data were also analyzed using a standard reversible second-order kinetic treatment, without corrections for the concentration gradient, by applying an appropriate time base correction. The experimental kinetic data were obtained using an unmodified commercial s...
Increased neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like immunoreactivity in rat sensory neurons following peripheral axotomy.

Abstract The effects of peripheral axotomy (sciatic nerve transection) on the presence and distribution of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal grey matter were examined using immunocytochemistry. In normal rats and on the sham-operated side of experimental rats, NPY-like immunoreactivity (NPYir) was observed in all laminae of the lumbar spinal cord, with an especially dense concentration of immunostained axons and axonal varicosities in laminae I–II of the dorsal horn. There was no detectable NPYir in L 4 –L 5 DRG cells from normal rats or from the sham-operated side of experimental rats. At 14 days after axotomy, there was a large ipsilateral increase in the density of NPYir axons and varicosities in the lumbar spinal cord on the side of the nerve injury; this was especially apparent in laminae III–V. In the same rats, NPYir was observed in many small, medium, and large neurons in the L 4 –L 5 DRGs on the side of the severed nerve.
A radar and electrical study of tropical hot towers

Abstract Radar and electrical measurements for deep tropical convection are examined for both “break period” and “monsoonal” regimes in the vicinity of Darwin, Australia. Break period convection consists primarily of deep continental convection, whereas oceanic-based convection dominates during monsoonal periods, associated with the monsoon trough over Darwin. Order-of-magnitude enhancements in lightning flash rates for the “break period” regime are associated with 10–20-dB enhancements in radar reflectivity in the mixed-phase region of the convection compared with the monsoonal regime. The latter differences are attributed to the effect of convective available potential energy (CAPE) and its nonlinear influence on the growth and accumulation of ice particles aloft, which are believed to promote charge separation by differential particle motions. CAPE, in turn, is largely determined by the boundary-layer wet-bulb temperature. Modest differences (1°–3°C) in wet-bulb potential temperature between land and s...
Simulation of cotton rat population dynamics and response to rodenticide applications in Florida sugarcane

Abstract Alternative deterministic simulation models were compared to test the management consequences of present uncertainty about the degree of density dependence involved in cotton rat population cycles in southern Florida sugarcane fields. Efficacy of rodenticide applied in different months was explored under six different scenarios of density dependence and independence in two population parameters: fecundity and juvenile survival. Output from the six models differed considerably in the number of rats produced, but was remarkably consistent in the most effective months to apply rodenticide. Since models without density-dependent fecundity were inherently unstable and an inverse relationship between fecundity and population size is apparent in field data, such a population-growth mechanism seems possible in Florida sugarcane fields. The model in which fecundity was density-dependent at all times produced rat densities closest to field data. Output from this model was most sensitive to changes in the amount litter size declines as population size increases. Field tests are necessary to validate the general agreement among the models about the most effective months to apply rodenticide.
A convenient synthesis of 2,2‐disubstituted‐1‐cyclopentanones

The synthesis of 2,2-dimethyl- and 2,2-diphenylcyclopentanone in high yield is reported by the ring expansion of the corresponding 1-(disubstituted carbinol)-1-hydroxycyclobutane in polyphosphoric acid. Modifications of the general synthetic route using reported reactions offers a general route to 2,2-disubstituted-1-cyclopentanones.
Activation of systemic antitumor immunity via TRAIL-induced apoptosis

TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) continues to be intently studied as a cancer therapeutic because of its selective tumoricial activity. We have been interesting in evaluating the ability of TRAIL to induce systemic antitumor immunity through the generation of apoptotic tumor cells. Recent observations suggest that localized administration of TRAIL in combination with CpG ODN generates a systemic antitumor immune response to eliminate the primary tumor and distant metastases.
Hidden-action in multi-hop routing

In multi-hop networks, the actions taken by individual intermediate nodes are typically hidden from the communicating endpoints; all the endpoints can observe is whether or not the end-to-end transmission was successful. Therefore, in the absence of incentives to the contrary, rational (i.e., selfish) intermediate nodes may choose to forward packets at a low priority or simply not forward packets at all. Using a principal-agent model, we show how the hidden-action problem can be overcome through appropriate design of contracts, in both the direct (the endpoints contract with each individual router) and recursive (each router contracts with the next downstream router) cases. We further demonstrate that per-hop monitoring does not necessarily improve the utility of the principal or the social welfare in the system. In addition, we generalize existing mechanisms that deal with hidden-information to handle scenarios involving both hidden-information and hidden-action.
Bilinear Equations and Resonant Solutions Characterized by Bell Polynomials

A class of bilinear differential operators is introduced by assigning specific signs to derivatives. The corresponding bilinear differential equations, containing Hirota bilinear equations as particular examples, are characterized by Bell polynomials. Resonant solutions of exponential waves are analyzed via recognizing the superposition principle using Bell polynomials. Two illustrative examples are computed by an algorithm adopting weights of dependent variables.
Prescription Opioid Use, Misuse, and Diversion among Street Drug Users in New York City

Abstract Objective The use of heroin, cocaine, and other drugs is well researched in New York City, but prescription opioids (POs) have been overlooked. This study documents patterns of PO use, misuse, and diversion among street drug users, and begins to indicate how drug culture practices interact with the legitimate therapeutic goals of PO prescriptions (e.g. pain management). Methods Staff completed interviews inquiring about the reasons for use of POs and illicit drugs with 586 street drug users. Ethnographers wrote extensive field notes about subjects’ complex patterns of PO use. Results Methadone was used (71.9%) and sold (64.7%) at a higher level than OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet, used by between 34% and 38% of the users and sold by between 28% and 41% of the sellers. Recent PO use is associated with the recency of using heroin and cocaine ( p Conclusions POs are an important component of street drug users’ drug-taking regimes, especially those who are Physically Ill Chemical Abusers (PICA). Future research is needed to model PO use, misuse, and diversion among this population.
Magnetism and recoilless fraction in metallic glasses after laser irradiation

Abstract Samples of Fe78B13Si9 (Metglas 2605 TCA) and Fe77Cr2B16Si5 (Metglas 2605 S3A) were exposed to pulsed excimer laser irradiation at repetition rates of 15, 25 and 50 Hz. The occurrence of out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy, changes in the average hyperfine magnetic field and width of the hyperfine field distribution were evidenced by transmission Mossbauer spectroscopy. The variation of the recoilless fraction with laser processing parameters was derived from the simultaneous recording of Mossbauer spectra using a stainless steel etalon as a dual absorber. Conclusions on the onset of long-range magnetic order were formulated.
Urban Tuberculosis: Some Modern Problems

Abstract During a six-month period in 1980, tuberculosis was detected in 70 patients at our municpal hospital. Clinical and epidemiologic features of the disease continue to reflect those noted decades ago. Management of these patients was complicated by difficulty in confirming the diagnosis and relapse in patients resisting chemotherapy, although organisms resistant to antituberculosis drugs were infrequent. The hospital cost of caring for tuberculous patients was high (mean: $1941.36). As tuberculosis today remains a disease of the poor, costs for its care still are borne by the public. At a time when reduction in Federal support for tuberculosis control is being considered, it is important to realize that the disease remains a serious medical problem and financial burden in the United States
Techniques at the intersection of computing and music

Our work on Performamatics aims to enhance students' computational thinking (CT) by engaging them in fundamental concepts that unite computing and music. Our approach leverages students' near universal interest in music as a context for rich CT experiences. The techniques we share are used in a General Education course open to students in any major called Sound Thinking, which is now being offered for the fourth time.
A vehicle for developing standards for simulation programming

The objective of SDDL is to provide an effective communications medium to support the design and documentation of complex software applications. This objective is met by providing (1) a process or which can express design specifications in an intelligible, informative, machine-reproducible document, (2) a design and documentation language with forms and syntax that are simple, unrestrictive, and communicative, and (3) methodology for effective use of the language and processor.The application of SDDL to the specific problems of simulation models is discussed, with emphasis on the potential of SDDL for developing and specifying design and documentation standards for simulation and modeling.
Subcritical crack growth in fine grained polycrystalline graphites

Abstract Subcritical crack growth was measured in four fine grained polycrystalline graphites in air at room temperature. Filler and textural effects were observed at stress intensity factors (KI) near the critical stress intensity (KIc). Scanning electron microscope fractography permitted correlation with processing conditions and microstructure. The results are compared with those for other carbon materials.
Safety of Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Type 2–RPE65 Vector Delivered by Ocular Subretinal Injection

AAV2 delivery of the RPE65 gene to the retina of blind RPE65-deficient animals restores vision. This strategy is being considered for human trials in RPE65-associated Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), but toxicity and dose efficacy have not been defined. We studied ocular delivery of AAV-2/2.RPE65 in RPE65-mutant dogs. There was no systemic toxicity. Ocular examinations showed mild or moderate inflammation that resolved over 3 months. Retinal histopathology indicated that traumatic lesions from the injection were common, but thinning within the injection region occurred only at the two highest vector doses. Biodistribution studies at 3 months postinjection showed no vector in optic nerve or visual centers in the brain and only isolated non-dose-related detection in other organs. We also performed biodistribution studies in normal rats at about 2 weeks and 2 months postinjection and vector was not widespread outside the injected eye. Dose–response results in RPE65-mutant dogs indicated that the highest 1.5-log unit range of vector doses proved efficacious. The efficacy and toxicity limits defined in this study lead to suggestions for the design of a subretinal AAV-2/2.RPE65 human trial of RPE65-associated LCA.
MEMS scanner enabled real-time depth sensitive hyperspectral imaging of biological tissue

We demonstrate a hyperspectral and depth sensitive diffuse optical imaging microsystem, where fast scanning is provided by a CMOS compatible 2-axis MEMS mirror. By using lissajous scanning patterns, large field-of-view (FOV) of 1.2cm x 1.2cm images with lateral resolution of 100µm can be taken at 1.3 frames-per-second (fps). Hyperspectral and depth-sensitive images were acquired on tissue simulating phantom samples containing quantum dots (QDs) patterned at various depths in Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Device performance delivers 6 nm spectral resolution and 0.43 wavelengths per second acquisition speed. A sample of porcine epithelium with subcutaneously placed QDs was also imaged. Images of the biological sample were processed by spectral unmixing in order to qualitatively separate chromophores in the final images and demonstrate spectral performance of the imaging system.
Household mobility in New York City’s regulated rental housing market

Abstract This study analyzes the effect New York City’s rent regulation regime has on household mobility. Using a panel dataset from the New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey, we estimate the costs and benefits to a particular household of remaining in a regulated unit each period; then in a second stage, we include the benefits of regulations (lowered rent) and the corresponding costs (from disequilibrium in consumption) as explanatory variables in two mobility models. Both logit and survival models confirm that larger benefits in one period are associated with a lower probability of moving in a second period. Similarly, larger costs (distortions in housing consumption) in one period are associated with a higher probability of moving later. While these effects are modest, they are statistically significant. The benefit and cost effects are, however, not symmetric; the pro-mobility effects of costs are roughly twice as large as the anti-mobility effects of benefits. This provides limited support for the relative loss aversion hypothesis of behavioral economics. This support is limited due to the lack of robustness of the result.
The (n,2n) excitation function for 50Cr and the (n,2n) and (n,p) excitation functions for 52Cr

The (n,2n) excitation function for 50Cr and the (n,2n) and (n,p) excitation functions for 52Cr have been measured in the energy range 14.2-18.2 MeV. Activation techniques using the mixed-powder method and a Ge(Li) detector gamma-ray spectrometer were utilized in the measurements. Neutrons were produced by the 3H(d,n)4He reaction. Using the 27Al(n, alpha )24Na reaction to monitor the neutron flux, the measured cross section values at the respective neutron energies of 14.2+or-0.2, 15.2+or-0.2, 16.2+or-0.2, 17.2+or-0.2 and 18.2+or-0.2 MeV were found to be 13+or-1, 33+or-3, 56+or-4, 66+or-6 and 78+or-6 mb for the 50Cr(n,2n)49Cr reaction, 285+or-26, 415+or-37, 456+or-40, 456+or-40 and 511+or-48 mb for the 52Cr(n,2n)51Cr reaction and 67+or-6, 63+or-5, 57+or-4, 46+or-5 mb for the 52Cr(n,p)52V reaction. The associated-particle method was also used to determine the neutron flux at 14.2 MeV in order to check the mixed-powder results. The average cross section values for four associated-particle measurements at 14.2 MeV were found to be 14+or-1 mb for the 50Cr(n,2n)49Cr reaction, 284+or-24 mb for the 52Cr(n,2n)51Cr reaction and 70+or-6 mb for the 52Cr(n,p)52V reaction.
Thermodynamic efficiency of information processing in photonic devices

This paper discusses information processing and heat generation in photonic detectors, considered as heat engines. The analysis relates loss of information content (in bits) with heat dissipation by examining saturation in a photonic detector.
Sandia's terminal switching network and fiber optic loop

At Sandia National Laboratories, a data communications architecture — whose major elements include a fiber loop, technical control centers, and a terminal switching network — provides security for data communications. The optical fiber loop supplies the advantages of high bandwidth, negligible crosstalk, immunity to interference, and resistance to tapping. The technical control centers, as elements on the fiber loop, focus regional communications and simplify distribution over the loop. The terminal switching network uses the fiber loop and the control centers' distribution and control capabilities to layer management and security control onto the Sandia network. By designing data communications around this set of trusted elements, Sandia has implemented a robust, secure system without sacrificing performance or responsiveness.
Application of Gibbs-Duhem equations to ternary systems

Abstract A new method is presented for calculating activities, activity coefficients, and other partial molal properties for two components of a ternary system from experimental measurements of this property for the third component. A quantitative relation is derived between tangent intercepts of isoactivity curves for the various components, and this relation is the basis of a graphical procedure of constructing isoactivity curves. The derived relations are used to calculate activities of SiO2, FeO, and O in ternary iron silicate slags.
Addressing Religion in Clinical Supervision: A Model.

Despite the increased interest in and acceptance of religion by many psychologists and the American Psychological Association, it still appears that very few supervisees receive the proper training and supervision necessary to competently address religion in therapy. The authors identify supervisor actions that promote supervisee competence in this area by using 8 domains from C. D. Stoltenberg and U. Delworth’s (1987) integrative developmental model as a template. A set of conceptual guidelines for developing supervisee competence in regard to working with religious clients and issues is presented along with examples of supervisor or therapist actions for each domain.
Endothelial dysfunction as a potential contributor in diabetic nephropathy

The mechanisms that drive the development of diabetic nephropathy remain undetermined. Only 30–40% of patients with diabetes mellitus develop overt nephropathy, which suggests that other contributing factors besides the diabetic state are required for the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Endothelial dysfunction is associated with human diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy, and advanced diabetic glomerulopathy often exhibits thrombotic microangiopathy, including glomerular capillary microaneurysms and mesangiolysis, which are typical manifestations of endothelial dysfunction in the glomerulus. Likewise, diabetic mice with severe endothelial dysfunction owing to deficiency of endothelial nitric oxide synthase develop progressive nephropathy and retinopathy similar to the advanced lesions observed in humans with diabetes mellitus. Additionally, inhibitors of the renin–angiotensin system fail to be renoprotective in some individuals with diabetic nephropathy (due in part to aldosterone breakthrough) and in some mouse models of the disease. In this Review, we discuss the clinical and experimental evidence that supports a role for endothelial nitric oxide deficiency and subsequent endothelial dysfunction in the progression of diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy. If endothelial dysfunction is the key factor required for diabetic nephropathy, then agents that improve endothelial function or raise intraglomerular nitric oxide level could be beneficial in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.
Is stoping a volumetrically significant pluton emplacement process

Magmatic stoping is widely called upon to explain discordant pluton contacts, but several lines of evidence indicate that stoping is not volumetrically significant in the emplacement of most plutons. First, xenoliths rarely make up more than a few percent of most plutons; this sparseness, even on well-exposed pluton floors, argues that few xenoliths make it into plutons. Second, piles of rock fragments have sufficiently high porosities (∼50%) that a significant accumulation of stoped blocks on the floor of a magma chamber would trap much, if not all, of the available magma, producing pluton-scale magmatic breccias that are not observed. Third, although settling calculations show that large (meter-scale or larger) xenoliths could sink rapidly in magma, natural fragmentation processes are likely to produce a fractal distribution of particle sizes, with small particles far more abundant than large ones. The absence of small xenoliths at pluton contacts, where magma cools most rapidly, thus argues against stoping. Fourth, although contamination of magmas by anatectic liquids derived from wall rocks and xenoliths is common, geochemical data from many plutons clearly rule out significant bulk assimilation of local wall rocks. Finally, there is growing evidence that at least some large plutons never were large molten bodies of magma but grew incrementally. Stoping cannot be volumetrically important in incrementally emplaced plutons, because blocks can only fall through the volume that is molten at any given time. Where xenoliths are abundant in plutons, they may commonly represent isolation of wall-rock bodies between successive intrusive increments rather than wall-rock fragments that were engulfed by magma. However, even xenoliths that were engulfed by magma did not necessarily sink from the roof of a magma chamber. Although stoping undoubtedly occurs during the emplacement of some plutons, it is unlikely to be a volumetrically significant process.
A Three-Phase Soft Switching Rectifier Based on a ZCS Zeta Converter

A new three-phase high power factor rectifier based on Zeta converter is presented. A resonant inductor and capacitor are added to the circuit to create zero-current switching condition for the switch. The circuit is operated in the PWM mode by putting a parallel switch and diode in series with the resonant capacitor. Different operating modes of the new topology are presented in detail. The simulation results verify the analysis.
Use of plethysmography in assessing the efficacy of antivirals in a mouse model of pandemic influenza A virus

The recently emerged swine-origin H1N1 influenza A virus (IAV) caused a pandemic outbreak in 2009 with higher risk of severe disease among children and pregnant women in their third trimester (Van Kerkhove et al., 2011), and is continuing to be important seasonal IAV strain. Mice are commonly used in antiviral studies as models of influenza disease, which utilize morbidity and mortality to assess the efficacy of a test compound. Here, we investigated the utility of unrestrained plethysomography to quantify the lung function of IAV-infected BALB/c mice. Administration of a lethal dose (∼30X LD(50)) of pandemic H1N1 IAV resulted in a rapid decline in breath volume, as determined by a significant (P<0.001) decrease in the pressure associated with inspiration and expiration detected as early as 2 days after virus challenge. Severe disease was also accompanied by a significant (P<0.05) increase in breath time on 8 dpi. Plethysmography parameters correlated with weight loss and other parameters of disease such as gross pathology and the weight of the lung. Breath time was reduced in surviving mice challenged with a sublethal dose of virus as compared with normal controls, and is a predictive indicator of outcome in these mice. In antiviral studies, the use of plethysmography resulted in the detection of a clear and rapid treatment response, which was similar to other non-invasive parameters, such as weight change. Oseltamivir and ribavirin significantly (P<0.001) improved parameters of lung function, particularly mean breath volume, as early as 2 dpi and in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, a combination of these two drugs further improved these parameters. Plethysmography provides a sensitive evaluation of lung function in IAV-infected mice in response to antiviral therapy.
Accuracy problems associated with semi-analytical derivatives of static response

The semianalytical method is widely used for calculating derivatives of static response with respect to design variables for structures modeled by finite elements. This paper shows that the method can have serious accuracy problems for shape design variables in structures modeled by beam elements. The problem was first discovered in the analysis of a complex car model which is described. Next, it is shown that the same accuracy problem occurs for the simplest beam structures. Finally, the problem is shown to be associated with a high ratio of rigid body rotation to elastic deformation, and a test is developed to diagnose the severity of the problem in a given structure. Several examples are presented to show the validity of this test.
Eye Disease and the Older Diabetic

Elderly diabetic persons are 1.5 times more likely than age-matched nondiabetic persons to develop vision loss and blindness. Annually, between 12,000 and 24,000 diabetic patients in the United States become legally blind because of complications caused by diabetic retinopathy. Even more diabetic persons experience vision loss caused by comorbid ocular and periocular conditions such as dry eye syndrome, cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. This article discusses the synergy between these conditions and diabetes. Standards of care that slow the progression of vision loss and exciting new research on new strategies of care that may reverse vision loss are presented.
Retinal Pigment Epithelium Tear.

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tear is a potentially vision-threatening complication of retinal pigment epithelial detachment associated with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. RPE tear has been reported to occur spontaneously and after treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents. The current study summarizes the presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of RPE tears.
Effect of heat treatment on UV-laser-induced positive ion desorption in CaHPO 4 .2H 2 O

We have investigated KrF excimer-laser-induced positive ion desorption from single-crystal brushite (CaHPO4·2H2O), a model biomineral containing water, and we show the effect of heat treatment on ion desorption. Time-of-flight peaks of Ca+ desorption from the heated-cleaved surface are similar to those from as-cleaved ones, but the ion intensity is 2 to 4 orders of magnitude larger. In addition to Ca+, desorption of CaO+, PO+, and P+ from the heated surface is also strongly enhanced. The heated-cleaved surface shows rough, platelet-like fine structures due to recrystallization. Surface defects created during recrystallization strongly couple with the 5 eV photons and dramatically enhance ion desorption.
A MODULATED MOLECULAR BEAM STUDY OF THE ENERGY OF SIMPLE GASES SCATTERED FROM PYROLYTIC GRAPHITE

Abstract The energy of rare gases and several diatomic gases after scattering from pyrolytic graphite was determined by molecular beam-phase sensitive detection methods. The angle of incidence of the molecular beam and the angle of sampling of the reflected molecules were both fixed at 45°. The phase shifts induced by changing either the temperature of the incident gas or the solid were utilized to determine an apparent temperature of the scattered molecules. The results showed that the apparent temperature of the reflected molecules was independent of the temperature of the incident gas. With increasing solid temperature, the reflected gas temperature increased up to a limiting value which was dependent on the gas and the surface only. Both the basal and prismatic faces of graphite were investigated. In addition, a prism plane specimen which had not been subjected to high temperature heat treatment was studied. The apparent temperature of the reflected beam did not depend upon the crystallographic face of the graphite but was markedly reduced by high temperature annealing.