cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relationship between electrostatic shocks and kinetic Alfvén waves

Auroral satellites and sounding rockets frequently observe large electric fields perpendicular to the magnetic field that have a narrow scale length perpendicular to the magnetic field if they are interpreted as spatial structures. These fields have been variously attributed to electrostatic shock structures or to kinetic Alfven waves. These two models can be distinguished by considering the ratio of the magnetic field perturbation to the electric field. This ratio is calculated within the context of the electrostatic approximation, the fully kinetic Alfven wave dispersion relation considered by Lysak and Lotko [1996], and the cold fluid model including ionospheric reflection presented by Lysak [1991, 1993]. Results for this model show that the ratio of the electric to magnetic field is not always equal to the Alfven speed, especially for structures that are very narrow in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field. These narrow structures have electric fields that are enhanced with respect to the Alfvenic value, and thus may appear as electrostatic.
Synthesis and crystallographic analysis of a bicyclic core related to the esperamicin/calichemicin aglycones

Abstract The synthesis and crystallographic analysis of a bicyclic core related to the esperamicin/calichemicin aglycones is reported. A key reaction involves the skeletal rearrangement of a mesylate derived from a type II Diels-Alder cycloadduct.
High-resolution NMR studies of A- and G-containing oligonucleotides.

We report the temperature dependence of the H2 and H8 purine ring proton resonances of oligoriboadenylates up to chain length 11, with or without a single guanosine residue at the 5′-end, second position, or 3′-end. The results suggest the following generalizations: (1) Stacking of the bases in a right-handed single-stranded helix is more extensive in the interior of the chain than at the chain ends. (2) The tendency of the terminal base to unstack is greater at the 5′-end than at the 3′-terminus. (3) G stacks more weakly than A, as evidenced by weak stacking of 3′-terminal G. Anomalies were also observed in the unstacking profile of G at the second position in the chain, indicating a conformational anomaly such as looping out of G, thereby allowing adjacent A's to stack together, or adoption by G of some other alternative structure. (4) The results imply that the environment at a given base is influenced by effects of longer range than nearest- or next-nearest-neighbor. Increasing ion condensation as chain length increases may be responsible for the slow approach of oligomer behavior to the properties of the high polymer.
Development of a Dynamic Skin Permeation System for Long-Term Permeation Studies

AbstractA dynamic skin permeation system was developed aiming to eliminate the deficiencies observed in the apparatus currently available. It consists of two half-cells in mirror image, each contains a stirring platform to permit a starhead magnet to rotate at a synchronous speed. The solution chamber is equipped with a sampling port, which can be tightly closed with glass stopper. The design characteristics of this new system was calibrated, using the commercially available Franz diffusion cell as the reference. The results clearly suggested that this newly developed skin permeation system shows consistently superior than the Franz diffusion cell in terms of the control of skin surface temperature and the efficiency of solution mixing. To investigate the potential effect of environment, the temperature on the stratum corneum surface was varied, while the dermal solution was maintained at constant body temperature, and its effect on the kinetics of skin permeation was studied. The energy requirements for ...
A logic of file systems

Years of innovation in file systems have been highly successful in improving their performance and functionality, but at the cost of complicating their interaction with the disk. A variety of techniques exist to ensure consistency and integrity of file system data, but the precise set of correctness guarantees provided by each technique is often unclear, making them hard to compare and reason about. The absence of a formal framework has hampered detailed verification of file system correctness.We present a logical framework for modeling the interaction of a file system with the storage system, and show how to apply the logic to represent and prove correctness properties. We demonstrate that the logic provides three main benefits. First, it enables reasoning about existing file system mechanisms, allowing developers to employ aggressive performance optimizations without fear of compromising correctness. Second, the logic simplifies the introduction and adoption of new file system functionality by facilitating rigorous proof of their correctness. Finally, the logic helps reason about smart storage systems that track semantic information about the file system.A key aspect of the logic is that it enables incremental modeling, significantly reducing the barrier to entry in terms of its actual use by file system designers. In general, we believe that our framework transforms the hitherto esoteric and error-prone "art" of file system design into a readily understandable and formally verifiable process.
Fermi level pinning of p-type semiconducting indium phosphide contacting liquid electrolyte solutions: rationale for efficient photoelectrochemical energy conversion

Data are reported that show that p-type InP gives a photovoltage E/sub V/, of approx. 0.8 V with respect to solution redox couples where the formal potential of the redox couple, E/sup 0/, can vary over a potential range that significantly exceeds the magnitude of the band gap, E/sub g/, of InP.
Engineering Academic Programs for Hydrophilanthropy: Commonalities and Challenges

: This paper presents four different program models for student participation in international development that are being used by universities throughout the United States with a focus on international water resource projects. These include a service-oriented program (Engineers Without Borders at Johns Hopkins University), a senior design program (Global Design Teams at Purdue University), an extended research program (Long Term Research at the University of Notre Dame), and a graduate program affiliated with the Peace Corps (The Peace Corps Master's International Program in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan Technological University). Differences and commonalities are identified across the four models, as are the critical components, resources, and challenges which must often be addressed for the success of these types of projects. A major conclusion is that, regardless of the program model used for the experience, international experiences continue to have strong, positive impact on the engineering student and, when properly designed, on the in-country stakeholders.
Standard for multimedia databases

The Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) is developing a new standard called the “Multimedia Content Description Interface,” also known as MPEG-7. The goal of MPEG-7 is to enable fast and effective searching and filtering of multimedia content. The effort is being driven by requirements taken from a large number of applications related to multimedia databases, interactive media services (music, TV programs), video libraries, and so forth. MPEG-7 is achieving this goal by developing an XML-Schema based standard for describing features of multimedia content. In this tutorial, we study the emerging MPEG-7 standard and describe the new challenges for MPEG-7 multimedia databases.
Mitogen‐activated protein kinases modulate H2O2‐induced apoptosis in primary rat alveolar epithelial cells

Increasing evidence suggests a role for apoptosis in the maintenance of the alveolar epithelium under normal and pathological conditions. However, the signaling pathways modulating alveolar type II (ATII) cell apoptosis remain poorly defined. Here we investigated the role of MAPKs as modulators of oxidant-mediated ATII cell apoptosis using in vitro models of H2O2-stress. H2O2, delivered either as a bolus or as a flux, lead to time- and concentration- dependent increases in ATII cells apoptosis. Increased apoptosis in primary rat ATII cells was detected at H2O2 concentrationsandproductionratesinthephysiologicalrange(1mM)andpeakedat100mMH2O2.Immortalizedratlung epithelial cells (RLE), in contrast, required millimolar concentration of H2O2 for maximal responses. H2O2-induced apoptosis was preceded by rapid activation of all three classes of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs): ERK, JNK, and p38. Specific inhibition of JNK using antisense oligonucleotides and ERK and p38 using PD98059 or SB202190, respectively, indicated a pro-apoptotic role for JNK pathway and an anti-apoptotic role for ERK- and p38-initiated signaling events. Our data show that the balance between the activation of JNK, ERK, and p38 is a critical determinant of cellfate,suggesting thatpharmacologicalinterventionson theMAPK pathwaysmaybeuseful inthe treatmentofoxidant- related lung injury. J. Cell. Biochem. 92: 502-513, 2004. 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Comparative Effects of First-Person Shooter Video Game Experience and Brain Stimulation on Threat Detection Learning

We have previously shown that 2 mA of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the right inferior cortex improved sensitivity (d’) during learning and 24-hour retention of a complex visual perceptual learning task, independent of changes in response bias (s) (Falcone et al., 2012). Because some participants in that study had video game experience, the current study investigated the effect of three different levels of video game experience on the learning rate for the same perceptual task: non-video game players (NVGPs), gamers with low 1st person shooter gaming expertise (Low-1stVGPs), and gamers with high 1st person shooter gaming expertise (High-1stVGPs). There were graded group differences in d’ but not in s by the end of the training: NVGPs had the lowest sensitivity, Low-1stVGPs intermediate, and High-1stVGPs the highest. The High-1stVGPs group had significantly higher perceptual sensitivity than the NVGPs group and, while not statistically significant, there was a clear trend of a higher pe...
Reduced intestinal colonization of adult beef cattle by Escherichia coli O157:H7 tir deletion and nalidixic-acid-resistant mutants lacking flagellar expression.

The importance of the Escherichia coli O157:H7 translocated intimin receptor (Tir) protein in intestinal colonization and the effect of infection with Tir + strains on protection against subsequent challenge was studied in adult beef cattle. Cattle were orally inoculated (C1) with a Shiga toxin-2 + E. coli O157:H7 strain that was Tir + or Tir − , and 42 days later were re-challenged (C2) with the nalidixic acid (Nal) R parent strain to test whether prior infection had any effect on fecal shedding. During the fi rst 14 days post-C1, the Nal S wildtype (WT) strain was shed at signifi cantly higher levels and for a longer period than the other strains; however, the mean levels of shedding of the Nal R and Δtir complemented strains were not signifi cantly different from that of the Tir − strains. The Δtir, Tir complemented mutant, and Δtir vector control strains inadvertently did not express fl agellin, and did not effectively colonize the intestine. We were unable to determine whether Tir exposure at C1 had any effect on protection. Further, those given an initial inoculation with a non-fl agellated variant of E. coli O157:H7 were more susceptible to a second challenge with motile E. coli O157:H7 than those originally inoculated with motile strains. The cause of the loss of expression of fl agellin was not addressed. We suggest that either the fl agellum or a factor that regulates both its production and that of some other effector has a signifi cant function in colonization.
Bioinformatics librarian: Meeting the information needs of genetics and bioinformatics researchers

Purpose – In the Fall semester of 2001, a new position – Bioinformatics Librarian – was developed jointly by the University of Florida's Health Science Center Libraries (HSCL) and Genetics Institute (UFGI). Aims to give an overview of this post. Design/methodology/approach – This paper describes the development of the position and the services provided. Findings – Funded by the Genetics Institute and housed in the library, this position was created to meet the information needs of the university's faculty, students and staff involved in genetics and bioinformatics research and study. The responsibilities of the position were in part patterned after those performed via the HSCL's existing Liaison Librarian program. Librarians with only an undergraduate degree in the biosciences can still make an important, albeit usually less complete, contribution in this area. Originality/value – The University of Florida's Bioinformatics Librarian position may serve as a model for the Information Specialist in Context (ISIC; Informationist; Bioinformationist) in the research arena.
Planning for Peace: Virginia Gildersleeve at the United Nations Conference on International Organization

Virginia Gildersleeve, the Dean of Barnard College and the former president of the International Federation of University Women, served as the only U.S. woman delegate to the conference that established the United Nations in 1945. President Franklin Roosevelt selected Gildersleeve to attend the conference to placate those women's groups advocating that their gender participate in postwar peace planning. She was chosen over other women, however, primarily due to her interwar leadership of a gender-specific transnational nongovernmental organization. Male delegates to diplomatic conferences typically gained their international experience as politicians, State Department officials, or military officers. Women, who had not made significant inroads into foreign policy decision-making positions after gaining the right to vote, had to attain their diplomatic skills elsewhere. Leadership roles in transnational women's organizations became a springboard for women like Gildersleeve into professional diplomacy.
Visual projections induced into the auditory pathway of ferrets: II. Corticocortical connections of primary auditory cortex

Although the development of corticocortical projections has been well studied, less is known about the role of sensory inputs in the specification of these connections. As part of an ongoing series of studies in our laboratory, we have examined the role of thalamic input modality in the development of corticocortical connections. These studies involve making unilateral lesions and inducing retinal inputs into the auditory thalamus (MGN) during early development in ferrets, thereby conferring visual responsiveness on primary auditory cortex (AI). In this way we can examine the role of input identity in cortical specification in general, and connectivity patterns specifically. A previous paper (Pallas et al. [1990] J. Comp. Neurol. 298:50-68) described the pattern of thalamocortical and corticothalamic connections of auditory cortex in normal and lesioned animals. This study comapres the pattern of auditory corticocortical connections in normal and lesioned animals. We injected neuroanatomical tracers into AI and mapped out the distribution of retrogradely labelled cells in the cortex. We report that the cortical inputs to ferret AI resembled those in cats, and that the pattern of ipsi- and contralateral corticocortical connections of ferret AI with visual input was similar to the normal pattern. Auditory cortex with visual input did not make ectopic connections with visual cortex, but maintained its connections with other auditory cortical areas. These results suggest that the overall corticocortical connections of an area are not influenced by the modality or activity pattern of its inputs. In particular, altering the input activity to a cortical area does not seem to promote the formation of entirely new connections, although small changes in the strength of existing connections are possible (Sur et al. [1990] Trends Neurosci. 13:227-233). © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Myomas and myomectomy.

Uterine leiomyomas (myomas) are benign smooth muscle tumors arising from the myometrium. Most myomas do not cause clinical symptoms and do not require intervention. Nonetheless, the size and location of a myoma are important determinants of its potential to become symptomatic and cause problems ranging from infertility to life-threatening uterine hemorrhage. Historically, symptomatic myomas have been treated surgically, often by hysterectomy. The surgical management of myomas has advanced significantly with newer, less-invasive forms of therapy. Current options for the management of myomas are numerous and allow for individualized treatment depending on the patient’s desires. Despite these advances, there still are considerable controversies and unanswered questions about optimal surgical or medical management of symptomatic and asymptomatic myomas among physicians. There is no consensus as to when surgical interventions are necessary especially when fertility is desired, what type of therapy is safest or most efficacious, and which treatment option carries the least side effects (either systemic or local such as adhesion formation). This is due partly to the lack of randomized, prospective, well-controlled studies looking at the outcome of treatment for myomas. In the clinical setting, surgical resections of myomas are performed by either open (laparotomy) or endoscopic (hysteroscopy [HSY] or laparoscopy) procedures. In this review, we will focus on the current evidenced-based knowledge reflecting the pros and cons of myomectomy by laparotomy versus laparoscopy. Malignant degeneration will not be considered in this review.
The Death Penalty: Constitutional Issues, Commentaries and Case Briefs

"Top Ten" Most Significant Death Penalty Cases 1. The Death Penalty: Past and Present 2. The Foundation Cases: Furman v. Georgia and Gregg v. Georgia 3. Racial Discrimination and the Death Penalty 4. The Mentally Impaired and the Death Penalty 5. Death Penalty for Juveniles 6. Juries, Jurors, and the Death Penalty 7. The Right to Effective Assistance of Counsel and the Death Penalty 8. Due Process and the Death Penalty 9. Aggravating and Mitigating Factors in Death Penalty Cases 10. Appeals, Habeas Corpus, and the Death Penalty 11. Evolving Standards of Decency and the Eighth Amendment's Ban on Cruel and Unusual Punishment 12. Other Issues, Trends, and the Future of the Death Penalty
Construction of a Full Transcription Map of Human Papillomavirus Type 18 during Productive Viral Infection

Human papillomavirus type 18 (HPV18) is the second most common oncogenic HPV genotype, responsible for ∼15% of cervical cancers worldwide. In this study, we constructed a full HPV18 transcription map using HPV18-infected raft tissues derived from primary human vaginal or foreskin keratinocytes. By using 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), we mapped two HPV18 transcription start sites (TSS) for early transcripts at nucleotide (nt) 55 and nt 102 and the HPV18 late TSS frequently at nt 811, 765, or 829 within the E7 open reading frame (ORF) of the virus genome. HPV18 polyadenylation cleavage sites for early and late transcripts were mapped to nt 4270 and mainly to nt 7299 or 7307, respectively, by using 3' RACE. Although all early transcripts were cleaved exclusively at a single cleavage site, HPV18 late transcripts displayed the heterogeneity of 3' ends, with multiple minor cleavage sites for late RNA polyadenylation. HPV18 splice sites/splice junctions for both early and late transcripts were identified by 5' RACE and primer walking techniques. Five 5' splice sites (donor sites) and six 3' splice sites (acceptor sites) that are highly conserved in other papillomaviruses were identified in the HPV18 genome. HPV18 L1 mRNA translates a L1 protein of 507 amino acids (aa), smaller than the 568 aa residues previously predicted. Collectively, a full HPV18 transcription map constructed from this report will lead us to further understand HPV18 gene expression and virus oncogenesis.
Resource regulation by a twig-girdling beetle has implications for desertification

Resource regulation by insects is the phenomenon by which herbivory enhances resources for the progeny of the herbivore. This report provides an example of resource regulation with implications for desertification in the Chihuahuan Desert of North America. 2. Female Oncideres rhodosticta beetles chew girdles around mesquite ( Prosopis glandulosa ) stems before ovipositing in those stems. The mesquite plants respond by producing compensatory stems below the girdle. Mesquite volume was significantly correlated with the total number of beetle girdles across a suite of low shrub density grassland and high shrub density dune sites, and plants in dune sites had more old and new girdles than mesquite in grasslands. 3. Smaller, younger shrubs in grassland responded more vigorously to girdling than did larger, older shrubs in dune landscapes. Stems on shrubs within grassland produced significantly more and longer compensatory stems per girdle than stems on shrubs in dunes. Soil capture by individual plants positively correlated with stem density, and stem density is increasing in the younger plants as a response to beetle damage. 4. This study suggests that the interaction between O. rhodosticta and mesquite is an example of resource regulation that increases the stem density and soil capture ability of mesquite. Because the conversion of productive grasslands to mesquite dune landscapes is one of the most important drivers of desertification in the Chihuahuan Desert, feedbacks between organisms that promote an increase in the size and soil capture ability of mesquite may exacerbate desertification.
Measuring Expressive Language Growth in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

This study explored the use of the Picture Naming Individual Growth and Development Indicator (Picture Naming IGDI; Early Childhood Research Institute on Measuring Growth and Development [ECRI-MGD], 1998) with 11 preschoolers who have autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Children completed the Picture Naming IGDI on 7 occasions in 12 weeks. Results indicated Picture Naming was both a valid and reliable measure of language skills for young children with ASD. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed Picture Naming was sensitive to growth for children with ASD between 39 and 69 months old. A discussion of future research and application of the Picture Naming IGDI, as well as implications for practice, concludes the article.
Establishing darknet connections: an evaluation of usability and security

In many applications, hosts in a peer to peer network may wish to maintain their anonymity or the privacy of their queries. In some applications, an even stronger guarantee is desirable: hosts would like to prevent others from determining whether they participate in the network at all. Darknets, or friend-to-friend networks, are one approach to preventing the discovery of hosts within a peer to peer network [1]. In such a network, hosts only form Internet connections with and directly communicate with a small set of hosts whose operators are known and trusted a priori. That is, each user only connects to her friends, trusting that her friends will not reveal her identity or existence in the network.
Expression of interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-6 in human peripheral blood leukocytes exposed to human granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent or recombinant major surface protein P44.

Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) is an emerging febrile systemic disease caused by the HGE agent, an obligatory intracellular bacterium of granulocytes. The pathogenicity- and immunity-related mechanisms of HGE are unknown. In this study, several cytokines generated in human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) incubated with the HGE agent or a recombinant 44-kDa major surface protein (rP44) of the HGE agent were examined by reverse transcription-PCR and a capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The HGE agent induced expression of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and IL-6 mRNAs and proteins in PBLs in a dose-dependent manner to levels as high as those resulting from Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide stimulation. The kinetics of induction of these three cytokines in PBLs by rP44 and by the HGE agent were similar. Proteinase K treatment of the HGE agent or rP44 eliminated the ability to induce these three cytokines. Induction of these cytokine mRNAs was not dependent on superoxide generation. These results suggest that P44 proteins have a major role in inducing the production of proinflammatory cytokines by PBLs. Expression of IL-8, IL-10, gamma interferon, transforming growth factor beta, and IL-2 mRNAs in response to the HGE agent was not remarkable. Among PBLs, neutrophils and lymphocytes expressed IL-1beta mRNA but not TNF-alpha or IL-6 mRNA in response to the HGE agent, whereas monocytes expressed all three of these cytokine mRNAs. These observations suggest that induction of proinflammatory-cytokine gene expression by the major outer membrane protein of the HGE agent in monocytes, which are not the primary host cells of the HGE agent, contributes to HGE pathogenesis and immunomodulation.
Exact minimax strategies for predictive density estimation, data compression and model selection

For location and scale families of distributions and related settings of linear regression, we determine minimax procedures for predictive density estimation, for universal data compression, and for the minimum description length (MDL) criterion for model selection. The analysis gives the best invariant and indeed minimax procedure for predictive density estimation by directly verifying extended Bayes properties or, alternatively, by general aspects of decision theory on groups which are shown to simplify in the case of Kullback-Leibler loss. An exact minimax rule is generalized Bayes using a uniform (Lebesgue measure) prior on the location and log-scale parameters, which is made proper by conditioning on an initial set of observations.
A Statistical Framework for Modeling HLA-Dependent T Cell Response Data

The identification of T cell epitopes and their HLA (human leukocyte antigen) restrictions is important for applications such as the design of cellular vaccines for HIV. Traditional methods for such identification are costly and time-consuming. Recently, a more expeditious laboratory technique using ELISpot assays has been developed that allows for rapid screening of specific responses. However, this assay does not directly provide information concerning the HLA restriction of a response, a critical piece of information for vaccine design. Thus, we introduce, apply, and validate a statistical model for identifying HLA-restricted epitopes from ELISpot data. By looking at patterns across a broad range of donors, in conjunction with our statistical model, we can determine (probabilistically) which of the HLA alleles are likely to be responsible for the observed reactivities. Additionally, we can provide a good estimate of the number of false positives generated by our analysis (i.e., the false discovery rate). This model allows us to learn about new HLA-restricted epitopes from ELISpot data in an efficient, cost-effective, and high-throughput manner. We applied our approach to data from donors infected with HIV and identified many potential new HLA restrictions. Among 134 such predictions, six were confirmed in the lab and the remainder could not be ruled as invalid. These results shed light on the extent of HLA class I promiscuity, which has significant implications for the understanding of HLA class I antigen presentation and vaccine development.
Asymmetries in Attachments to Groups and to their Members: Distinguishing between Common-Identity and Common-Bond Groups

Two studies sought to validate the distinction between common-identity groups, which are based on direct attachments to the group identity, and common-bond groups, which are based on attachments among group members. Study 1 focused on members of selective and nonselective university eating clubs. Study 2 focused on members of a diverse sample of campus groups. Both studies revealed asymmetries in group and member attachments: Individuals in common-identity groups were more attached to their group than to its members, whereas individuals in common-bond groups were as attached to the members as to the group (or more so). Study 2 also demonstrated that attachment to the group was more strongly related to various evaluations of individual group members in common-bond than in common-identity groups. The authors discuss the implications of these results for the development of groups over time and speculate on how the dynamics of the two types of groups might differ.
Gene expression in honey bee (Apis mellifera) larvae exposed to pesticides and Varroa mites (Varroa destructor)

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) larvae reared in vitro were exposed to one of nine pesticides and/or were challenged with the parasitic mite, Varroa destructor. Total RNA was extracted from individual larvae and first strand cDNAs were generated. Gene-expression changes in larvae were measured using quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting transcripts for pathogens and genes involved in physiological processes, bee health, immunity, and/or xenobiotic detoxification. Transcript levels for Peptidoglycan Recognition Protein (PGRPSC), a pathogen recognition gene, increased in larvae exposed to Varroa mites (P < 0.001) and were not changed in pesticide treated larvae. As expected, Varroa-parasitized brood had higher transcripts of Deformed Wing Virus than did control larvae (P < 0.001). Varroa parasitism, arguably coupled with virus infection, resulted in significantly higher transcript abundances for the antimicrobial peptides abaecin, hymenoptaecin, and defensin1. Transcript levels for Prophenoloxidase-activating enzyme (PPOact), an immune end product, were elevated in larvae treated with myclobutanil and chlorothalonil (both are fungicides) (P < 0.001). Transcript levels for Hexameric storage protein (Hsp70) were significantly upregulated in imidacloprid, fluvalinate, coumaphos, myclobutanil, and amitraz treated larvae. Definitive impacts of pesticides and Varroa parasitism on honey bee larval gene expression were demonstrated. Interactions between larval treatments and gene expression for the targeted genes are discussed.
MR Imaging of Myocardial Infarction

MR imaging plays an important role in evaluation of myocardial infarction, particularly in the areas of diagnosis, risk stratification, prognosis, and assessment of complications.
Reaching the Poor: Human Sexuality Education in Costa Rica

In Costa Rica the desire to solve the population problem right away has caused little attention to be paid to the teaching of basic principles which in the long run would be the best means to achieve the goal. COF (Centro de Orientacion Familiar) sponsored and initiated in 1968 a daily radio program called Dialogo devoted to integral sex education. In the space of 12 years COF produced 2955 Dialogo radio programs which proved to have enormous following among the Costa Rican population. A nationwide survey conducted in 1978 among urban and rural residents showed that the programs penetration of the rural low-income poorly schooled population was unique and that regular Dialogo listeners were significantly more knowledgeable about human sexuality than nonlisteners. Listeners overwhelmingly felt that Dialogo had a useful and necessary role and that it was helping individuals and families to live better lives.
The Role of Translational Regulation in Survival after Radiation Damage; an Opportunity for Proteomics Analysis

In this review, we will summarize the data from different model systems that illustrate the need for proteome-wide analyses of the biological consequences of ionizing radiation (IR). IR remains one of three main therapy choices for oncology, the others being surgery and chemotherapy. Understanding how cells and tissues respond to IR is essential for improving therapeutic regimes against cancer. Numerous studies demonstrating the changes in the transcriptome following exposure to IR, in diverse systems, can be found in the scientific literature. However, the limitation of our knowledge is illustrated by the fact that the number of transcripts that change after IR exposure is approximately an order of magnitude lower than the number of transcripts that re-localize to or from ribosomes under similar conditions. Furthermore, changes in the post-translational modifications of proteins (phosphorylation, acetylation as well as degradation) are profoundly important for the cellular response to IR. These considerations make proteomics a highly suitable tool for mechanistic studies of the effect of IR. Strikingly such studies remain outnumbered by those utilizing proteomics for diagnostic purposes such as the identification of biomarkers for the outcome of radiation therapy. Here we will discuss the role of the ribosome and translational regulation in the survival and preservation of cells and tissues after exposure to ionizing radiation. In doing so we hope to provide a strong incentive for the study of proteome-wide changes following IR exposure.
An exploration of secondary sex ratios among women diagnosed with anxiety disorders

background: Theory suggests that natural selection conserved reactivity in part because highly reactive women spontaneously abort less fit conceptuses, particularly small males. Other literature argues that high reactivity manifests clinically as anxiety disorders. If true, births to women diagnosed with anxiety disorders should exhibit a low secondary sex ratio (i.e. ratio of male to female births). We explored whether births to women diagnosed with anxiety disorders exhibit a lower sex ratio than births to women diagnosed with other psychiatric disorders, or to women without mental health diagnoses. methods: We performed a case –control comparison of the secondary sex ratios among groups of women categorized by mental health diagnosis using birth records linked to data from California County Mental Health system records. We compared sex ratios among 5994 deliveries to mothers diagnosed with anxiety disorders, 23 443 deliveries to mothers diagnosed with other psychiatric disorders and 1 099 198 ‘comparison’ births. results: Although comparison births exhibited a higher sex ratio than births to women diagnosed with anxiety disorders or with other diagnoses, differences were not statistically significant. Births to African American women diagnosed with anxiety disorders, however, exhibited sex ratios significantly lower than comparison births among African Americans (OR ¼ 0.89, P ¼ 0.038) or births to African American women with other mental health diagnoses (OR ¼ 0.88, P ¼ 0.042). conclusions: We found that infants born to African American women diagnosed with anxiety disorders exhibited a significantly lower secondary sex ratio than reference groups. We urge confirmatory tests of our findings and discuss implications of the reactivity/anxiety hypothesis for psychiatry, obstetrics and public health.
XD-GRASP: Golden-angle radial MRI with reconstruction of extra motion-state dimensions using compressed sensing.

Purpose To develop a novel framework for free-breathing MRI called XD-GRASP, which sorts dynamic data into extra motion-state dimensions using the self-navigation properties of radial imaging and reconstructs the multidimensional dataset using compressed sensing. Methods Radial k-space data are continuously acquired using the golden-angle sampling scheme and sorted into multiple motion-states based on respiratory and/or cardiac motion signals derived directly from the data. The resulting undersampled multidimensional dataset is reconstructed using a compressed sensing approach that exploits sparsity along the new dynamic dimensions. The performance of XD-GRASP is demonstrated for free-breathing three-dimensional (3D) abdominal imaging, two-dimensional (2D) cardiac cine imaging and 3D dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI of the liver, comparing against reconstructions without motion sorting in both healthy volunteers and patients. Results XD-GRASP separates respiratory motion from cardiac motion in cardiac imaging, and respiratory motion from contrast enhancement in liver DCE-MRI, which improves image quality and reduces motion-blurring artifacts. Conclusion XD-GRASP represents a new use of sparsity for motion compensation and a novel way to handle motions in the context of a continuous acquisition paradigm. Instead of removing or correcting motion, extra motion-state dimensions are reconstructed, which improves image quality and also offers new physiological information of potential clinical value. Magn Reson Med 75:775–788, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Work in progress - improving K-12 students’ problem-solving skills via innovative teacher training

Building on the findings of our recent SoTL research project which investigated teacherspsila attitudes towards technology in a graduate-level educational research and technology course, this work in progress is a creative pilot program comprised of innovative teacher training modules designed to improve instruction at the K-12 level. Unified modeling language (UML) represents the ldquovehiclerdquo through which we propose to improve studentspsila problem-solving and critical thinking skills. This project focuses on improving studentspsila analytical and problem-solving skills by working with in-service teachers who are graduate students in education courses.
Feedback Control of the Bending Response of Ionic Polymer Actuators

Ionic polymers are a class of active material that exhibit large bending deflections under the application of an electric field. Previous research has demonstrated that the response of an actuator in air is characterized by a large initial deflection and a relaxation to a steady-state value. The time constant of the relaxation is of the order 5–20 s and the overshoot of the step response is typically greater than 100%. These aspects of the step response limit the actuation bandwidth of the material. In this work we explore the use of feedback control techniques to eliminate the large overshoot and reduce the settling time of cantilevered ionic polymer actuators. Control models are developed from measurements of the actuator response to a step change in the applied voltage. The models demonstrate that the dynamics relevant to the control problem can be separated into a low-frequency ( 10 Hz) cha...
Computer-Based Study of Secondary Emission Cell (SEC) Efficiency Compared to That of a Vacuum-Type Direct Collection Cell

The concept of directly collecting secondary electrons created by beta emission through an electrical insulator has been proposed as an attractive low-voltage nuclear battery termed a secondary emission cell (SEC). In this paper, a MATLAB computer simulation of an SEC is conducted using Mott scattering, the Penfold-Katz slowing approximation, Bethe's ionization loss expression, and energy and momentum conservation. The goal of the simulation is to compare the efficiency of an SEC to that of a vacuum direct collection cell. It is found that the SEC efficiency is typically les1%. Energy losses in the insulator prevent it from having an efficiency advantage over a vacuum direct collection cell which offers higher efficiencies, especially at high voltages. However, operational simplicity and ease of construction still make the SEC attractive for some applications.
Bargaining with Optimism

Excessive optimism is a prominent explanation for bargaining delays. Recent results demonstrate that optimism plays a subtle role in bargaining, and its careful analysis may shed valuable insights into negotiation behavior. This article reviews some of these results, focusing on the following findings. First, when there is a nearby deadline, optimistic players delay the agreement to the last period before the deadline, replicating a broad empirical regularity known as the deadline effect. Second, there cannot be a substantial delay under persistent optimism; i.e., excessive optimism alone cannot explain delays. Third, when optimistic players are expected to learn during the negotiation, they delay the agreement in order to persuade their opponents. The delays in these results can be quite costly, Pareto inefficient, and common knowledge at the beginning of the game.
Phase-change Memory

This paper reviews the current development status of phase-change memory (PCM), discusses advanced scaling of this technology along with a scaling demonstration. A probable development road map and a prospective view of future possible applications of PCM will also be presented.
Prevalence of depressive symptoms in new Mexico Hispanic and non-Hispanic white elderly.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence rates, risk factors, and pattern of depressive symptoms in elderly Hispanic and non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs). METHODS This survey was a community-based, cross-sectional survey of randomly selected Medicare recipients living in Bernalillo County (Albuquerque, New Mexico). The survey's objective was to examine the health and health-related issues of Hispanic and NHW elderly persons (> or =65 years of age). As part of the survey, participants were administered the Geriatric Depression Scale-short form (GDS). RESULTS Complete data were available on 798 subjects with a mean age of 73.7 years, age range 65-96. The prevalence of a GDS score > or =6 was: Hispanic males, 9.5%; Hispanic females, 19.2%; NHW males, 5.4%; and NHW females, 8.7%. Hispanics (P=.001) and women (P=.003) had higher prevalence rates. Sociodemographic variables, health, social support, and the activities of daily living (ADLs) were significantly related to symptoms. English skills (P<.0001) and birthplace (P=.011) were associated with symptoms in Hispanics. Significant differences were found in the response patterns between Hispanics and NHWs. Logistic regression analyses showed that ethnic differences were largely explained by differences in the level of education and income among Hispanics and NHWs. CONCLUSION A difference was seen in the prevalence rates of depressive symptoms between Hispanic and NHW elderly persons and between men and women. In addition to the traditional risk factors for depressive symptoms, we found that ethnic differences in prevalence rates can be largely explained by education and income differences in the two groups.
MP15-11 AGE-STRATIFIED RETURN OF URINARY AND SEXUAL FUNCTION FOLLOWING RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY: OLDER MEN DO NOT DO WORSE

than 5 years. Simultaneously, the questionnaire was sent to 120 men in 2012 who completed our 5-year outcome study. HRQOL outcomes were assessed using Short Form 36-Item Health Survey, UCLA Prostate Cancer Index and International Prostate Symptom Score. RESULTS: Of the 120 subjects, 91 (73%) responded at a median follow up time of 102 (range: 85-123) months. There was tendency that physical component summary decreased beyond 5 years compared with baseline level (p1⁄40.049). Mental component summary and role component summary showed no significant difference between baseline and any of the follow up periods. At the final survey, no significant differences were noted in any of the eight domain scores between prostate cancer survivors in our study and age-matched average score of Japanese population (Fig-A). Summary scores in the urinary function domain attained a nadir 3 months after RP but steadily increased through 24 months with little change at the follow up of more than 5 years. There was a trend of decrease in urinary function scores beyond 5 years postoperatively, but the difference was not significant compared with 5 years (p1⁄40.210) (Fig-B). The sexual function summary score showed a substantially lower score just after RP and remained at a deteriorated level (p < 0.001) (Fig-C). Even beyond 5 years following RP, the subjects in whom bilateral nerve sparing or sural nerve graft interposition was attempted were more likely to report better sexual function scores than those who underwent unilateral nerve sparing surgery (Fig-D). Responders at final survey were more likely to report favorable general, urinary and sexual HRQOL outcomes at 60 months compared to non-responders. CONCLUSIONS: Despite persistent sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence post-operatively, general and disease-specific HRQOL remained relatively stable during the extended follow up. The subjects with favorable HRQOL in the first 5 years after RP maintained favorable outcomes thereafter.
Thermodynamics of Standard Cells of the Saturated Cadmium Sulfate Type.

This paper gives data on the thermodynamic functions of standard cells of the saturated cadmium sulfate type, as obtained from calorimetric and equilibrium data at 25 °C or from the electromotive forces (emfs) and emf-temperature coefficients of the cell for the temperature range of 0 to 43.6 °C. The functions considered are the changes in Gibbs energy, enthalpy, entropy, and heat capacity for the cell reaction. The electromotive forces are expressed on the V69 volt and the t68 temperature scale. Results are expressed on the SI and for comparisons with literature data in terms of the defined thermochemical calorie. The effect of expressing the emf-temperature coefficient as a function of temperature in different ways on the values for the changes in entropy and heat capacity for the cell reaction is discussed. Finally, the observed emf of the standard cell at 25 °C is compared with emfs calculated from various values reported for the standard potentials of the cadmium-amalgam and mercury-mercurous sulfate electrodes and the activity coefficient of cadmium sulfate in saturated aqueous solution.
Effect of Anatomical Brain Development on Induced Electric Fields During Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is increasingly becoming an established method for the treatment of drug-resistant major depressive disorder. It is also widely used in cognitive neuroscience and psychology to map brain function and modulate brain activity. The majority of studies utilizing TMS are performed with adult patients, but the method may also be of use for a variety of purposes for pediatric patients. To study the safety implications of performing TMS on patients of various ages, the induced electric field in the brain has been calculated with numerical methods with a variety of anatomically realistic human body models of different ages. The results of this paper show that large differences in induced electric field occur in patients of different ages and consideration of these differences must be taken into account to achieve the desired neurological effect.
Reliability Based Structural Design using Continuum Sensitivity Analysis

Reliability based design of structural systems is necessary to account for the randomness in loads, structural geometry, material properties, manufacturing processes, and operational environment. Probabilistic methods are commonly used for reliability based design. Gradients of the objective and limit state functions that are required during stochastic optimization procedure are almost always calculated using finite difference method. However, calculating gradients in this way is very computationally expensive. In this paper, we propose a stochastic optimization procedure, which makes use of continuum sensitivity analysis for obtaining gradients. It is expected that this would not only result in significant savings in computational efforts, but also accurate design derivatives than those obtained with other numeric design sensitivity analysis methods. Another part of the current work is to investigate the most appropriate polynomial family and order of expansion to use for polynomial chaos expansion. The use of Jacobi and Hermite polynomials is compared. It is seen that if the input variables follow a beta distribution, then second order Jacobi polynomials give the best stochastic optimization result.
Nonlinear Interactions in Optical Lattice Systems

Photonic lattices provide a versatile classical platform for observing a host of nonlinear processes. In this talk we provide an overview of recent activities in such arrangements with a special emphasis on quantum-inspired systems.