cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Shell model study of using an effective field theory for disentangling several contributions to neutrinoless double-β decay

Weak interaction in nuclei represents a well-known venue for testing many of the fundamental symmetries of the Standard Model. In particular, neutrinoless double-$\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay offers the possibility to test beyond Standard Model theories predicting that neutrinos are Majorana fermions and the lepton number conservation is violated. This paper focuses on an effective field theory approach to neutrinoless double-$\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay for extracting information regarding the properties of the beyond Standard Model Lagrangian responsible for this process. We use shell model nuclear matrix elements and the latest experimental lower limits for the half-lives to extract 12 lepton-number-violating parameters of five nuclei of experimental interest and lower limits for the energy scales of the new physics. Using the most stringent limits that we obtain for the values of the lepton-number-violating parameters, we predict new half-life limits for the other nuclei of experimental interest, in the case of 12 neutrino double-$\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay mechanisms. We provide an analysis that could reveal valuable information regarding the dominant neutrinoless double-$\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay mechanism, if experimental half-life data become available for different isotopes.
The diagnosis and treatment of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma: a review

To describe the recent diagnostic and treatment options for the most predominant form of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL), namely diffuse large B cell lymphoma. This is mainly based on the experience at the Mayo Clinic as well as a partial review of the literature. MYD88 L265P mutation is seen in about 80% of cases; therefore, a polymerase chain reaction for this mutation helps in making the diagnosis that has been notoriously difficult to make. Local therapy using intravitreal methotrexate and rituximab has been very helpful in the treatment of the local disease. Systemic high-dose intravenous methotrexate is helpful in treating bilateral disease in conjunction with intravitreal therapy. Whether it is helpful in preventing or delaying the development of central nervous system lymphoma (CNSL) is still in dispute. If there is development of CNSL or recurrent ocular disease, alternatives to high-dose methotrexate under investigation include pomalidomide, stem cell transplantation, or ibrutinib, with or without local therapy. Vitrectomy alone might be helpful as a debulking procedure. Because of the risks of redevelopment of disease, local radiation should be given if other options are not possible. Aqueous levels of IL10 are helpful in following the redevelopment of local disease. Although PVRL is still a difficult disease to diagnose and treat, new advances are helping to make these easier. Larger collaborative studies will be helpful in determining better treatments.
Future of Quantitative Echocardiography for Trainees: Precision, Efficiency, and Other Lessons in Ergonomics.

Since the application of ultrasound technology to the field of cardiovascular diseases in the 1950s, echocardiography has evolved from M-mode to 2-dimensional (2D), Doppler, strain, and 3-dimensional (3D) imaging, providing noninvasive and accurate structural and hemodynamic information.
MEMS enabling space exploration and exploitation

Abstract: This chapter covers the use of MEMS technology for space exploration and exploitation. Most current uses for MEMS in space applications are single devices in place of typically larger mechanical or electronic parts. Future spacecraft systems and instruments will consist of holistically integrated micromechanical and electronic parts. This chapter discusses both the use of MEMs in spacecraft systems and subsystems and in instrument and sensor applications. The chapter concludes with a section on the uniqueness of the space environment and reliability concerns of the space environment. To consider MEMS devices for space flight application, it is important to understand the environmental impacts.
Normal-lung uptake of fluorodeoxyglucose, patient-reported symptoms, and clinician-rated radiation pneumonitis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with chemoradiation.

e20028Background: Radiation pneumonitis (RP) is an inflammatory response of normal lung tissue that causes increased uptake of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) on PET images and clinical symptoms. We exami...
RNA Velocity: Molecular Kinetics from Single-Cell RNA-Seq.

Applying a kinetic model of RNA transcription and splicing, La Manno et al. (2018) predict changes in mRNA levels of individual cells from single-cell RNA-seq data.
Presynaptic chromosome behavior in Lilium

The orientation and movement of chromosomes throughout premeiotic interphase in Lilium speciosum has been studied through three-dimensional reconstruction of electron micrographs of serial thin sections through microsporocyte nuclei. Anthers were chosen based upon the correlation between their length and the stage of the microsporocytes within, and were fixed for light and electron microscopy. A light microscopic survey of both squash preparations and thick sections was done to select the material for electron microscopic analysis. Microsporocytes from the selected anthers were serially sectioned (200–300 consecutive gold sections), stained for electron microscopy, and alternate sections of entire nuclei were photographed. Prints were traced, and these tracings were compiled to produce a composite of each nucleus in which the locations of the centromeres were indicated. The position of the centromeric structures (CeS) in each nucleus was characterized by the average distance between CeSs, the average distance between CeSs and the nuclear envelope, and the coefficients of variation of these distances. A test was made to determine if CeSs were positioned evenly throughout the nucleus. — The results indicate that centromeres do not exhibit extensive movement during PMI in Lilium speciosum cv. Rosemede and that homologous chromosomes do not undergo a prealignment during PMI which facilitates their pairing during later meiotic stages. A model of centromere movement in the interphase nucleus is proposed.
Large orbital polarization in nickelate-cuprate heterostructures by dimensional control of oxygen coordination.

Artificial heterostructures composed of dissimilar transition metal oxides provide unprecedented opportunities to create remarkable physical phenomena. Here, we report a means to deliberately control the orbital polarization in LaNiO3 (LNO) through interfacing with SrCuO2 (SCO), which has an infinite-layer structure for CuO2. Dimensional control of SCO results in a planar-type (P–SCO) to chain-type (C–SCO) structure transition depending on the SCO thickness. This transition is exploited to induce either a NiO5 pyramidal or a NiO6 octahedral structure at the SCO/LNO interface. Consequently, a large change in the Ni d orbital occupation up to ~30% is achieved in P–SCO/LNO superlattices, whereas the Ni eg orbital splitting is negligible in C–SCO/LNO superlattices. The engineered oxygen coordination triggers a metal-to-insulator transition in SCO/LNO superlattices. Our results demonstrate that interfacial oxygen coordination engineering provides an effective means to manipulate the orbital configuration and associated physical properties, paving a pathway towards the advancement of oxide electronics. In correlated materials, physical properties depend on orbital occupancy and polarization. Here, a way to control the oxygen coordination via dimensionality of superlattices is presented that results in the change of orbital occupancy by 30%, which is larger than what has been achieved by other methods.
Physiology and Pharmacology of the Central Nervous System

The maturity of the neonatal animal of any species depends on its rate of development in utero. The young animal requires additional development and integration of behavior before reaching the adult state. The growth and development of the brain, including the attainment of the adult level of various chemical constituents as well as of metabolism, proceeds in generally the same fashion in all species of animals from the time of the appearance of the neural streak until maturity. The chronological relationship of this maturation to physiologic events, e.g., implantation, birth, opening of the eyes, varies in different species of animals. The problem of comparison and the difficulties of drawing generalizations from one species to another have been emphasized by many authors.(40,41) Among the mammalian species, the young at birth may be deemed either relatively mature (precocial), Such as lamb and guinea pig, or relatively immature, such as rat, mouse, and man (nonprecocial)
A control-theoretic perspective on cyber-physical privacy: Where data privacy meets dynamic systems

Abstract A cyber-physical system (CPS) consists of a large number of geographically dispersed entities and distributed data sharing is necessary to achieve network-wide goals. However, distributed data sharing also raises the significant concern that private or confidential information of legitimate entities could be leaked to unauthorized entities. Privacy has become an issue of high priority to address before a certain CPS can be widely deployed. Existing privacy-preserving techniques solely focus on the cyber space but ignore the physical world, and hence they alone may not be adequate to ensure CPS privacy. This paper aims to summarize recent studies on how to develop control-theoretic approaches to complement existing privacy-preserving techniques and ensure CPS privacy.
Structural racism and its influence on the severity of atopic dermatitis in African American children.

Background/objectives Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common skin disease of childhood and is often more severe in African American than white children. The reason for this disparity is unknown, but recent research indicates that it may be due to a combination of environmental and genetic factors. The objective of this article was to explore the relationship between measures of structural racism and residential segregation within pediatric AD. Methods An in-office, online survey consisting of 58 questions spanning 5 domains (demographics, in-home crowding, community crowding, air quality, and litter) was administered to a convenience sample of 201 pediatric AD patients (age 0-18 years). Survey data were geocoded and linked to a measure of structural racism (ie, residential segregation). Results African American children were more likely to live in rented homes, be in lower income families, have caregivers with lower educational attainment, and be exposed to tobacco smoke. The same factors that were associated with worse AD severity in this study were also found in published literature, emphasizing the role of social determinants of health and racial differences in AD severity. Additionally, this study found that living in highly segregated communities was more likely to be associated with severe AD in African American children. Conclusions Consistent with reported literature, socioeconomic status, race, and the physical environment appear to affect AD severity. This investigation adds structural racism as an important community characteristic that likely has significant effects on AD severity for African American Children.
Ultra-Wideband Technology for RF Tags: Concepts, Implementations, and Regulations

UWB RF tag is an ­important technology for non-LOS identification of objects in harsh EM environments. Currently, there is a significant degree of activity in the UWB RF research community to develop UWB tags with robust operational characteristics, features not available with other conventional RF tags.
The rationality of political experimentation

Theorists from John Stuart Mill to Robert Nozick have argued that citizens can gain insight into the demands of justice by experimenting with diverse forms of political life. I consider the rationa...
Weight bias among public health trainees

Objective: To explore explicit beliefs about the controllability of obesity and the internalisation of negative weight-related stereotypes among public health trainees. Design: Cross-sectional online survey assessing explicit beliefs about the controllability of obesity using the Beliefs About Obese Persons Scale (BAOP) and internalisation of weight bias using the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M). Bivariate associations between BAOP and WBIS-M scores and demographic characteristics were examined using t tests or ANOVA with post hoc Tukey’s tests. Setting: School of Public Health at a large, Midwestern University. Participants: Public health students (n 322). Results: Relative to students who identified as male, those who identified as female had a stronger belief that obesity is not within the control of the individual (P = 0·03), yet had more internalisation of weight bias (P < 0·01). Greater weight bias internalisation was also seen among students who perceived themselves to be of a higher weight status (P < 0·001) and those who were at risk for food insecurity (P < 0·01). Conclusions: Public health trainees may be more attuned to the complexities of weight relative to trainees in other health-related fields, but are still susceptible to internalisation of negative weight-related stereotypes.
The Effectiveness of Theraplay® as a Counseling Practice With Mothers and Their Children in a Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Residential Facility:

Substance abuse in parents is damaging to their children and the family system as a whole. If family treatment is paired with substance abuse treatment for the parents, children have the possibilit...
Broadband Active Load-Modulation Power Amplification Using Coupled-Line Baluns: A Multifrequency Role-Exchange Coupler Doherty Amplifier Architecture

Broadband active load-modulation power amplifiers (PAs) are effective to enable multistandard wireless communication systems with high dynamic-range wideband signals and high energy efficiency. Traditional Doherty or outphasing PA architectures support their classic active load-modulation operations but, however, exhibit limited carrier bandwidth. We propose a broadband active load-modulation PA architecture with multifrequency role-exchange coupler-based Doherty amplifier (MF-CDA) operations to cover over-an-octave bandwidth. A proof-of-concept PA has been designed and fabricated in a 45-nm RF CMOS SOI process, which achieves a peak PAE of 41.88%–19.4% with $P_{\mathrm {sat}}$ of over 22.66–19.53 dBm from 26 to 60 GHz. The PA also achieves a 33.75%–10.2% 6-dB PBO efficiency with its best 1.8 $\times $ efficiency enhancement over an ideal Class-B PA. Using a single-carrier 64-QAM signal with 0.8–3 GSym/S (4.8–18 Gb/s), the PA supports an average $P_{\mathrm {out}}$ of 15.8–11.3 dBm with an average PAE of 23.8%–8.5% at −23-dB rms EVM over the entire bandwidth. For a single-carrier 16-QAM signal with 1–2.5 GSym/S (4–10 Gb/s), the PA achieves an average $P_{\mathrm {out}}$ of 18.7–15.6 dBm with an average PAE of 34%–14.8% at $>-$ 20-dB rms EVM over the bandwidth. The PA also supports 5G NR modulation using 5G new radio (NR) FR2 200 MHz 1-CC 64-QAM signals, achieving 16.54%–5.2% average PAE at 12.25–9.34 dBm and average $P_{\mathrm {out}}$ with an rms EVM of −24 dB over 26–60 GHz.
Recent advances in proteolytic stability for peptide, protein, and antibody drug discovery.

Introduction: To discover and develop a peptide, protein, or antibody into a drug requires overcoming multiple challenges to obtain desired properties. Proteolytic stability is one of the challenge...
Delaying initiation of diuretics in critically ill patients with recent vasopressor use and high positive fluid balance

Abstract Background Fluid overload is associated with poor outcomes. Clinicians might be reluctant to initiate diuretic therapy for patients with recent vasopressor use. We estimated the effect on 30-day mortality of withholding or delaying diuretics after vasopressor use in patients with probable fluid overload. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of adults admitted to ICUs of an academic medical centre between 2008 and 2012. Using a database of time-stamped patient records, we followed individuals from the time they first required vasopressor support and had >5 L cumulative positive fluid balance (plus additional inclusion/exclusion criteria). We compared mortality under usual care (the mix of care actually delivered in the cohort) and treatment strategies restricting diuretic initiation during and for various durations after vasopressor use. We adjusted for baseline and time-varying confounding via inverse probability weighting. Results The study included 1501 patients, and the observed 30-day mortality rate was 11%. After adjusting for observed confounders, withholding diuretics for at least 24 h after stopping most recent vasopressor use was estimated to increase 30-day mortality rate by 2.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9–3.6%) compared with usual care. Data were consistent with moderate harm or slight benefit from withholding diuretic initiation only during concomitant vasopressor use; the estimated mortality rate increased by 0.5% (95% CI, –0.2% to 1.1%). Conclusions Withholding diuretic initiation after vasopressor use in patients with high cumulative positive balance (>5 L) was estimated to increase 30-day mortality. These findings are hypothesis generating and should be tested in a clinical trial.
An LLC Converter with Fixed Switching Frequency Operation for Renewable Energy Applications

Renewable energy sources are demanding owning to their environmental friendly characteristic. On the other hand, most renewable resources have wide output voltage profile. Thus, efficient dc/dc converters that suitable for these applications are demanded. The converter efficiency will be degraded in wide range operation. Although LLC resonant converters are favored in these applications, the large switching frequency operation range will make them less attractive. With the input voltage range is from 70 V to 180 V, a phase shifted LLC converter with various operation modes to enlarge the gain range is analyzed in this article. Dual full-bridge, hybrid bridge, and dual half-bridge, exist for the proposed converter and the phase shift between two resonant tanks is regulated. By applying the phase shift control strategy for each operation mode, the converter can be designed and controlled at fixed switching frequency. The operational principles and experimental results are discussed.
SARS-CoV-2 reinfection associates with unstable housing and occurs in the presence of antibodies.

Background The factors associated with severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reinfection remain poorly defined. Methods We identified patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and at least one repeat reverse transcription (RT) - polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result a minimum of 90 days after the initial positive test and prior to January 21, 2021. Those with a repeat positive test were deemed to have reinfection (n = 75), and those with only negative tests were classified as convalescents (n = 1,594). Demographics, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity, and treatment histories were obtained from the Boston Medical Center electronic medical record. Humoral responses were analyzed using SARS-CoV-2 specific enzyme linked immunosorbent assays and pseudovirus neutralizations in subset of reinfection (n = 16) and convalescent samples (n = 32). Univariate, multivariate, and time to event analyses were used to identify associations. Results Individuals with reinfection had more frequent testing at shorter intervals compared to the convalescents. Unstable housing was associated with more than two-fold greater chance of reinfection. Pre-existing comorbidities and COVID-19 severity after the initial infection were not associated with reinfection. SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels and pseudovirus neutralization were not different within the early weeks after primary infection and at a time-point at least 90 days later in the two groups. In the convalescents, but not in those with reinfection, the late as compared to early humoral responses were significantly higher. Conclusions Reinfection associates with unstable housing, which is likely a marker for virus exposure, and reinfection occurs in the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
TU-EF-304-09: Quantifying the Biological Effects of Therapeutic Protons by LET Spectrum Analysis

Purpose: To correlate in vitro cell kill with linear energy transfer (LET) spectra using Monte Carlo simulations and knowledge obtained from previous high-throughput in vitro proton relative biological effectiveness (RBE) measurements. Methods: The Monte Carlo simulation toolkit Geant4 was used to design the experimental setups and perform the dose, dose-averaged LET, and LET spectra calculations. The clonogenic assay was performed using the H460 lung cancer cell line in standard 6-well plates. Using two different experimental setups, the same dose and dose-averaged LET (12.6 keV/µm) was delivered to the cell layer; however, each respective energy or LET spectrum was different. We quantified the dose contributions from high-LET (≥10 keV/µm, threshold determined by previous RBE measurements) events in the LET spectra separately for these two setups as 39% and 53%. 8 dose levels with 1 Gy increments were delivered. The photon reference irradiation was performed using 6 MV x-rays from a LINAC. Results: The survival curves showed that both proton irradiations demonstrated an increased RBE compared to the reference photon irradiation. Within the proton-irradiated cells, the setup with 53% dose contribution from high-LET events exhibited the higher biological effectiveness. Conclusion: The experimental results indicate that the dose-averaged LET may not be an appropriate indicator to quantify the biological effects of protons when the LET spectrum is broad enough to contain both low- and high-LET events. Incorporating the LET spectrum distribution into robust intensity-modulated proton therapy optimization planning may provide more accurate biological dose distribution than using the dose-averaged LET. NIH Program Project Grant 2U19CA021239-35
Dynamic contrast enhanced T1 MRI perfusion differentiates pseudoprogression from recurrent glioblastoma

Pseudoprogression may present as transient new or increasing enhancing lesions that mimic recurrent tumors in treated glioblastoma. The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of dynamic contrast enhanced T1 magnetic resonance imaging (DCE MRI) in differentiating between pseudoprogression and tumor progression and devise a cut-off value sensitive for pseudoprogression. We retrospectively examined 37 patients with glioblastoma treated with radiation and temozolomide after surgical resection that then developed new or increasing enhancing lesion(s) indeterminate for pseudoprogression versus progression. Volumetric plasma volume (Vp) and time-dependent leakage constant (Ktrans) maps were measured for the enhancing lesion and the mean and ninetieth percentile histogram values recorded. Lesion outcome was determined by clinical follow up with pseudoprogression defined as stable disease not requiring new treatment. Statistical analysis was performed with Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Patients with pseudoprogression (n = 13) had Vp (mean) = 2.4 and Vp (90 %tile) = 3.2; and Ktrans (mean) = 3.5 and Ktrans (90 %tile) = 4.2. Patients with tumor progression (n = 24) had Vp (mean) = 5.3 and Vp (90 %tile) = 6.6; and Ktrans (mean) = 7.4 and Ktrans (90 %tile) = 9.1. Compared with tumor progression, pseudoprogression demonstrated lower Vp perfusion values (p = 0.0002) with a Vp (mean) cutoff 3.6 had a 69% sensitivity and 79% specificity for disease progression. DCE MRI shows lower plasma volume and time dependent leakage constant values in pseudoprogression than in tumor progression. A cut-off value with high sensitivity for pseudoprogression can be applied to aid in interpretation of DCE MRI.
Inner mechanics of three-dimensional black holes.

We investigate properties of the inner horizons of certain black holes in higher-derivative three-dimensional gravity theories. We focus on Banados-Teitelboim-Zanelli and spacelike warped anti-de Sitter black holes, as well as on asymptotically warped de Sitter solutions exhibiting both a cosmological and a black hole horizon. We verify that a first law is satisfied at the inner horizon, in agreement with the proposal of Castro and Rodriguez [arXiv:1204.1284]. We then show that, in topologically massive gravity, the product of the areas of the inner and outer horizons fails to be independent on the mass, and we trace this to the diffeomorphism anomaly of the theory.
Latinos/as and White Racial Frame: The Procrustean Bed of Assimilation

When North American slavery was established in the 1600s, an interpretive perspective was developed that sought to justify the institution of African American slavery. This composite perspective, a “white racial frame,” was later extended by whites to other racial groups such as Latinos/as. This racial frame, which has become white “common sense,” includes important racial stereotypes, understandings, images, and inclinations to act. Various forms of this racial framing exist among different U.S. racial groups, but a strong white racial frame has prevailed because whites have long had the power and the resources to impose this reality. A hegemonic situation occurs when people of color consent in various ways to this white racial framing and common sense. This acceptance varies. We discuss four forms of consent to white racial framing that appear in our in-depth interviews in a national sample of Latinos/as. Three forms reference Latinos: acceptance of elements of the racial frame, active enactment of the racial frame, and internalized violence. The fourth use of racial framing is directed by Latinos at African Americans.
CubiST ++ : Evaluating Ad-Hoc CUBE Queries Using Statistics Trees

We report on a new, efficient encoding for the data cube, which results in a drastic speed-up of OLAP queries that aggregate along any combination of dimensions over numerical and categorical attributes. We are focusing on a class of queries called cube queries, which return aggregated values rather than sets of tuples. Our approach, termed CubiST++ (Cubing with Statistics Trees Plus Families), represents a drastic departure from existing relational (ROLAP) and multi-dimensional (MOLAP) approaches in that it does not use the view lattice to compute and materialize new views from existing views in some heuristic fashion. Instead, CubiST++ encodes all possible aggregate views in the leaves of a new data structure called statistics tree (ST) during a one-time scan of the detailed data. In order to optimize the queries involving constraints on hierarchy levels of the underlying dimensions, we select and materialize a family of candidate trees, which represent superviews over the different hierarchical levels of the dimensions. Given a query, our query evaluation algorithm selects the smallest tree in the family, which can provide the answer. Extensive evaluations of our prototype implementation have demonstrated its superior run-time performance and scalability when compared with existing MOLAP and ROLAP systems.
Production and Characterization of a Soluble, Active Form of Tva, the Subgroup A Avian Sarcoma and Leukosis Virus Receptor

The receptor for the subgroup A avian sarcoma and leukosis viruses [ASLV(A)] is the cellular glycoprotein Tva. A soluble form of Tva, sTva, was produced and purified with a baculovirus expression system. Using this system, 7 to 10 mg of purified sTva per liter of cultured Sf9 cells was obtained. Characterization of the carbohydrate modification of sTva revealed that the three N glycosylation sites in sTva were differentially utilized; however, the O glycosylation common to Tva produced in mammalian and avian cells was not observed. Purified sTva demonstrates significant biological activity, specifically blocking infection of avian cells by ASLV(A) with a 90% inhibitory concentration of ∼25 pM. A quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, developed to assess the binding of sTva to ASLV envelope glycoprotein, demonstrates that sTva has a high affinity for EnvA, with an apparent dissociation constant of approximately 0.3 nM. Once they are bound, a very stable complex is formed between EnvA and sTva, with an estimated complex half-life of 6 h. The soluble receptor protein described here represents a valuable tool for analysis of the receptor-envelope glycoprotein interaction and for structural analysis of Tva.
Cystitis glandularis with perivesical lipomatosis

Abstract Review of literature on patients with pelvic lipomatosis showed an increased incidence of proliferative cystitis, notably cystitis glandularis. With the report of 2 of our cases, the incidence appears to be as high as 75 to 80 per cent. The pathologic interrelationship of these two proliferative conditions is discussed.
Arm-positioning accuracy as a function of direction, extent, and presentation.

Abstract Accuracy of horizontal arm-positioning toward the midline of the body was investigated, comparing two methods of presentation of the test position (verbal vs. passive movement) and three extents of angular displacement: large (65° to 75°); medium (40° to 50°); and small (15° to 25°). ANOVA and Simple Effects Analyses indicated significantly (p ≤ .05) greater accuracy under passive movement presentation at the large and medium angles. Larger extents of displacement resulted in significantly greater error, but only under verbal presentation. The findings in the present study were identical to previous results of arm-positioning accuracy away from the midline, indicating that accuracy does not appear to be affected by the direction of movement to the criterion position, but by the extent of movement.
The effect of differences in methodology among some recent applications of shearing quotients.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION In contrast to an expectation established by previousstudies of SQ on lower molars, Winchester et al. (2014)failed to recover a signiﬁcant difference between SQ in asample of folivores and frugivores representing platyr-rhines and “prosimians”. A number of errors and meth-odological differences between their approach and moretraditional SQ computations (e.g., Anthony and Kay,1993) are noted. Correction of errors followed by system-atic modiﬁcation of protocol and re-analysis of the Win-chester et al. (2014) dataset still fails to recoverdifferences between folivores and frugivores. However,removing the postentocristid crest length from the compu-tation of overall shearing crest length does generallyimprove the distinction among different dietary groups(though not for platyrrhines considered in isolation of“prosimians”). Finally, phylogenetic ANOVA run sepa-rately on platyrrhine and prosimian groups suggests thatplatyrrhines exhibit less differentiation than “prosimians”in m2 shearing when comparing folivores and frugivores.We therefore speculate that the most likely explanationfor the surprising lack of distinctiveness between platyr-rhine folivores and frugivores in Winchester et al.’s (2014)dataset is that the authors used the m2 for their analysesinstead of the m1 as in other studies of platyrrhine SQ.This helps justify the assumption of previous studies thatthe functional demands on the platyrrhine m2 are not asconsistent as those on the m1 in contrast to non-platyr-rhines where the m2 has been the tooth of choice. Goingforward, in order to study evolution of dietary signal inthe primate dentition in a more comprehensive way, taxo-nomically comprehensive datasets including shearing andshape measures for both m1 and m2 should be sought.Not only will this allow a more robust model for diet esti-mation for all clades included, it could provide a contextfor answering questions about when in primate evolution-ary history, in which clades, and in association with whatother morphological and environmental changes the maintarget of selection for improved shearing potential shiftedfrom the m2 to the m1.
The hydrographic Doppler sonar system on the Roger Revelle

Turbulent mixing rates in the sea have been found to vary as the fourth power of the fine scale (/spl sim/10 m) vertical shear. The global distribution of shear is poorly known, associated with phenomena which are potentially quite localized in space and time. With the construction of the R/V Roger Revelle it was deemed appropriate to develop an exploration-mounted Doppler sonar system for the global scale mapping of the fine-scale shear and velocity fields. Termed the Hydrographic Doppler Sonar System (RDSS), it consists of nested quartets of 50 and 140 kHz transducers, installed in two 4"/spl times/12' wells, one on either side of the Revelle's keel. Transmitting repeat sequence coded pulses through a 1" polyethylene window, the 50 kHz system profiles to depths of order 600-1000 m, with 18 m depth resolution. The 140 kHz system attains depths of 200-350 in with 4 in depth resolution. The HDSS has played a central role in experiments such as ASIAEX, EPIC and HOME, and has provided background information in a variety of other programs. The routine "steaming data" is enabling us to accumulate a growing picture of the global distribution of shear and associated underlying phenomena.
Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) in a youth population: defining the diagnostic value and cost-utility of brain imaging

Approximately 90% of concussions are transient, with symptoms resolving within 10–14 days. However, a minority of patients remain symptomatic several months post-injury, a condition known as post-concussion syndrome (PCS). The treatment of these patients can be challenging. The goal of our study was to assess the utility and cost-effectiveness of neurologic imaging two or more weeks post-injury in a cohort of youth with PCS. We conducted a retrospective study of 52 pediatric patients with persistent post-concussion symptoms after 3 months. We collected demographics and neuroimaging results obtained greater than 2 weeks post-concussion. Neuroimaging ordered in the first 2 weeks post-concussion was excluded, except to determine the rate of re-imaging. Descriptive statistics and corresponding cost data were collected. Of 52 patients with PCS, 23/52 (44 %) had neuroimaging at least 2 weeks after the initial injury, for a total of 32 diagnostic studies. In summary, 1/19 MRIs (5.3 %), 1/8 CTs (13 %), and 0/5 x-rays (0 %) yielded significant positive findings, none of which altered clinical management. Chronic phase neuroimaging estimated costs from these 52 pediatric patients totaled $129,025. We estimate the cost to identify a single positive finding was $21,000 for head CT and $104,500 for brain MRI. In this cohort of pediatric PCS patients, brain imaging in the chronic phase (defined as more than 2 weeks after concussion) was pursued in almost half the study sample, had low diagnostic yield, and had poor cost-effectiveness. Based on these results, outpatient management of pediatric patients with long-term post-concussive symptoms should rarely include repeat neuroimaging beyond the acute phase.
Nash equilibria of risk-sensitive nonlinear stochastic differential games

This paper considers a class of risk-sensitive stochastic nonzero-sum differential games with parametrized nonlinear dynamics and parametrized cost functions. The parametrization is such that, if all or some of the parameters are set equal to some nominal values, then the differential game either becomes equivalent to a risk-sensitive stochastic control (RSSC) problem or decouples into several independent RSSC problems, which in turn are equivalent to a class of stochastic zero-sum differential games. This framework allows us to study the sensitivity of the Nash equilibrium (NE) of the original stochastic game to changes in the values of these parameters, and to relate the NE (generally difficult to compute and to establish existence and uniqueness, at least directly) to solutions of RSSC problems, which are relatively easier to obtain. It also allows us to quantify the sensitivity of solutions to RSSC problems (and thereby nonlinear H∞-control problems) to unmodeled subsystem dynamics controlled by multiple players.
Convenient syntheses of (2R,3S,4R)-3-(tert-butyldimethylsilanyloxy)-2,4-dimethyl-5-oxopentanoic acid methoxymethylamide from methacrolein. Preparation of C1–C7 and C17–C24 fragments of (+)-discodermolide

Abstract Two new highly stereoselective routes to (2 R ,3 S ,4 R )-3-( tert -butyldimethylsilanyloxy)-2,4-dimethyl-5-oxopentanoic acid methoxymethylamide, an important intermediate in natural product synthesis, are described. Both schemes are considerably shorter and less expensive than methods previously reported. The title compound was then converted to direct precursors of C1–C7 and C17–24 fragments of the potent microtubule stabilizer (+)-discodermolide.
Spirituality and Data: The Need for a New Paradigm

SUMMARY My ministry has meaning for me, and I trust, for others whom I serve. In times past, that meaning was sufficient testimony regarding its significance. Today, however, more scientific evidence seems needed-although I resist it and am skeptical that in the end science can really help us. Yet, the task we face, the central question facing the profession is, “Are there true, definable outcomes that can be validated when our primary task is dealing with matters of the heart and soul?”
Student Personal Services in Colleges and Universities by E. G. Williamson. McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1961; 474 pp.; $7.50

(1962). Student Personal Services in Colleges and Universities by E. G. Williamson. McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1961; 474 pp.; $7.50. The Educational Forum: Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 117-119.
Epithelial apoptosis in the initiation of lung fibrosis

This work was supported by PHS HL‐45136, by the American Heart Association and by the MSU Foundation. Apoptosis in the lung is a relatively new area of research that is receiving increasing attention. A growing body of evidence indicates that apoptosis is controlled in a tissue- and cell type-specific manner; for this reason, the regulation of apoptosis in specific cell types of the lung is currently an area of intensive research 1. This article provides evidence supporting the viewpoint that apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells is a key event in the initiation of fibrotic lesions, and will discuss a working hypothesis to explain possible mechanisms by which epithelial apoptosis can lead to lung fibrogenesis. Recent evidence implicates important roles for apoptosis in animal models of lung injury/repair or remodelling and in lung biopsies from patients with a variety of lung disorders. For example, apoptosis plays a critical role in postnatal lung development 2 and in the normal resolution of lung inflammation by the regulated removal of unneeded cells such as granulocytes, without the release of damaging histotoxins 3. Dexamethasone has been known for many years to induce apoptosis in some leukocyte subsets, and apoptosis is an important mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory action of this and other glucocorticoids 4. Considerable literature now supports a role for apoptosis in the remodelling of lung tissue after acute lung injury, both for the clearance of excess epithelial stem cells after hyperplastic repair 5 and for the normal removal of excess mesenchymal cells from resolving lesions 6. Extensive apoptosis is found in the lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) 7, 8 and in animals of this disease 9, 10. Recent evidence also suggests a role for apoptosis in the tissue remodelling …
Robust indexing for automatic data collection

Improved methods for indexing diffraction patterns from macromolecular crystals are presented. The novel procedures include a more robust way to verify the position of the incident X-ray beam on the detector, an algorithm to verify that the deduced lattice basis is consistent with the observations, and an alternative approach to identify the metric symmetry of the lattice. These methods help to correct failures commonly experienced during indexing, and increase the overall success rate of the process. Rapid indexing, without the need for visual inspection, will play an important role as beamlines at synchrotron sources prepare for high-throughput automation.
Electronic media review

Imaging Atlas of Human Anatomy by Jamie Weir and Peter H. Abrahams. Release 1.1. Windows CD-ROM and Guide, 13 pp, London: Times Mirror International Publishers, Ltd., 1996. $59.95
Corneal blood staining. An animal model.

Abstract Corneal blood staining was established in the rabbit cornea by injecting autologous, citrate-buffered blood in the anterior chamber. Increased intraocular pressure was maintained above 30 mm of Hg by self-sealing translimbal injections repeated every 12 hours. Typically, corneal edema developed in 3 days, followed several days later by a red discoloration that turned brown about 2 days later. Histopathologically, the edematous cornea disclosed endothelial swelling and attenuation with marked stromal edema. Histochemically, the red-stained cornea disclosed only extracellular hemoglobin particles; the brown-stained corneas showed extracellular and intracellular hemoglobin particles as well as intracellular hemosiderin in keratocytes. Spectrophotometric analysis of the keratectomy specimens suggested the presence of porphyrins in all stages of blood staining, including the edematous cornea. Oxyhemoglobin was found in red-stained corneas, while methemoglobin was present in the brown-stained corneas. It was concluded that endothelial degeneration uniformly accompanied corneal blood staining in this model and that keratocytes are actively involved in hemoglobin degradation.
Use of nonprescription medications for perceived cardiovascular health.

Background Nonprescription products (over-the-counter drugs; vitamins/minerals; and nonvitamin, nonmineral supplements) are promoted or advertised for cardiovascular health. The extent of nonprescription products used specifically for perceived cardiovascular health (NONRX-CVH) is unknown. This study aimed to (1) determine prevalence and types of nonprescription medications used for NONRX-CVH, (2) compare the demographics of NONRX-CVH users to persons using nonprescription medications in general, and (3) determine the prevalence of use of NONRX-CVH among those taking a prescription medication for a cardiovascular reason. Methods A cross-sectional survey comprised the probability sample of 3128 adults in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area in the 2000–2002 Minnesota Heart Survey. Trained interviewers collected medication information from participants using a structured medication inventory approach. Results Analysis in 2005 shows that 10% of participants ( n =315) self-reported taking one or more nonprescription medications in the past 2 weeks for a perceived cardiovascular health purpose. Among these individuals, prevalence of use of vitamin/mineral supplements, nonvitamin/nonmineral supplements, and over-the-counter products for a cardiovascular purpose was 37.5%, 21.3%, and 54.6%, respectively. Popular NONRX-CVHs were aspirin (52.1%), vitamin E (24.4%), garlic (9.8%), and omega-3/fish oils/fatty acids (3.8%). NONRX-CVH users were older than general nonprescription users ( p Conclusions Use of NONRX-CVHs, especially aspirin, vitamin E, and herbals, is common, and older patients may use aspirin or dietary supplements for this purpose. Physicians having patients with cardiovascular disease should ask about nonprescription medication usage, as some NONRX-CVHs may be inappropriate.
Addiction as a psychological symptom

Psychodynamic understanding of addiction has advanced greatly in the recent decades. At the same time, there has been a tendency in both popular and academic discussions of addiction to overlook its psychological explanation in favour of a neurobiological view. In this paper I will summarize the understanding of the psychological nature of addiction I have described over the past 20 years, as well as the current state of neurobiological knowledge of addictive behaviour and define where each is clinically applicable. Addictive behaviour can be shown to nearly always be a purely psychological symptom, a type of psychological compulsion. Neurobiological factors can be shown to be operative in impulsive and conditioned behaviours which are also, confusingly, called ‘addictions’. The fact that very different clinical entities share the same name has contributed to the ongoing misunderstanding between psychological and neurobiological views. A blurring of the differences between human psychology and behaviour i...
Lifetime of the P-selectin-carbohydrate bond and its response to tensile force in hydrodynamic flow.

SELECTINS tether to the blood vessel wall leukocytes that are flowing in the bloodstream and support subsequent labile rolling interactions as the leukocytes are subjected to hydrodynamic drag forces1,2. To support this rolling, selectins have been proposed to have rapid bond association and dissociation rate constants, and special mechanical properties linking tensile forces and bond dissociation3-6. We have visualized transient tethering and release of neutrophils in hydrodynamic flow on lipid bilayers containing densities of P-selectin below those required to support rolling. We report here that transient tethers had first-order kinetics and other characteristics suggesting a unimolecular interaction between P-selectin and its glycoprotein ligand (PSGL-1). The unstressed dissociation constant (off rate) was 1 s-1. Hydrodynamic shear stresses of up to 1.1 dyn cm-2, corresponding to a force on the bond of up to HOpN, increased the off rate only modestly, to 3.5 s-1. The data was adequately matched by a proposed equation7 relating off rate to the exponential of tensile force on the bond and the bond interaction distance, and gave a bond interaction distance of 0.5A. This distance is compatible with hydrogen and metal coordination bonds between P-selectin and PSGL-1. Fast on and off rates, together with the high tensile strength of the selectin bond, appear necessary to support rolling at physiological shear stresses.
Peptide Synthesis from Hydrogen Cyanide and Water

Did primitive proteins arise directly from simple inorganic molecules? Experiments show hydrogen cyanide polymers react with water to produce peptides containing at least twelve α-amino-acids.
Requirement for PCNA in DNA mismatch repair at a step preceding DNA resynthesis

Abstract id system was used to screen yeast and human expression libraries for proteins that interact with mismatch repair proteins. PCNA was recovered from both libraries and shown in the case of yeast to interact with both MLH1 and MSH2. A yeast strain containing a mutation in the PCNA gene had a strongly elevated mutation rate in a dinucleotide repeat, and the rate was not further elevated in a strain also containing a mutation in MLH1 . Mismatch repair activity was examined in human cell extracts using an assay that does not require DNA repair synthesis. Activity was inhibited by p21 WAF1 or a p21 peptide, both of which bind to PCNA, and activity was restored to inhibited reactions by addition of PCNA. The data suggest a PCNA requirement in mismatch repair at a step preceding DNA resynthesis. The ability of PCNA to bind to MLH1 and MSH2 may reflect linkage between mismatch repair and replication and may be relevant to the roles of mismatch repair proteins in other DNA transactions.