cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Ambient Temperature and Running Wheel Activity on the Outcome of Pregnancy in CD‐1 Mice

The effect of ambient temperature and running activity on fetal outcome was studied in CD-1 mice. Pregnant mice were allowed to be active in a running wheel at various ambient temperatures (26, 30, 32, 34, or 36 degrees C) for 100 min a day. The dams were killed near term, and various maternal and fetal measures made. Mean deep body temperature (measured using radio-telethermometers implanted in the abdomen) of pregnant dams was raised to 39.5 degrees C while running at an ambient temperature of 36 degrees C. Bred mice, pregnant or not, continued to increase their running activity, but pregnant mice exercised less from mid-pregnancy on. Running up to 1 km/hr had no effect on maternal weight gain, number of implantations, number of live fetuses, fetal body weight, and fetal relative brain weight. However, increasing ambient temperature was effective in decreasing maternal weight gain and fetal body weight and increasing fetal relative brain weight. Even though body temperature can be increased significantly by increasing either running rate or ambient temperature, the body temperature increase caused by running appears to have no significant influence on the outcome of pregnancy. At levels in this study, body temperature per se does not appear to be the variable on which to predict fetal effects. This is because only body temperature raised by higher ambient temperature, and not body temperature raised by increased running, was shown to effect a fetal change.
Effects of Free versus Directed Listening on Duration of Individual Music Listening by Prekindergarten Children

Preschool children's listening time responses to free versus directed listening activities were compared. For the free condition, children were instructed just to “listen as long as you would like....
Genomewide Analysis of Epistatic Effects for Quantitative Traits in Barley

The doubled-haploid (DH) barley population (Harrington × TR306) developed by the North American Barley Genome Mapping Project (NABGMP) for QTL mapping consisted of 145 lines and 127 markers covering a total genome length of 1270 cM. These DH lines were evaluated in ∼25 environments for seven quantitative traits: heading, height, kernel weight, lodging, maturity, test weight, and yield. We applied an empirical Bayes method that simultaneously estimates 127 main effects for all markers and 127(127−1)/2=8001 interaction effects for all marker pairs in a single model. We found that the largest main-effect QTL (single marker) and the largest epistatic effect (single pair of markers) explained ∼18 and 2.6% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. On average, the sum of all significant main effects and the sum of all significant epistatic effects contributed 35 and 6% of the total phenotypic variance, respectively. Epistasis seems to be negligible for all the seven traits. We also found that whether two loci interact does not depend on whether or not the loci have individual main effects. This invalidates the common practice of epistatic analysis in which epistatic effects are estimated only for pairs of loci of which both have main effects.
Enzymatic Hydrolysis to Improve Wetting and Absorbency of Polyester Fabrics

The ability of six hydrolyzing enzymes to improve the hydrophilicity of several polyester fabrics is studied. Five of the six lipases improve the water wetting and absorbent properties of regular p...
Stabilization of discrete-time quantized control systems

This paper considers a discrete-time linear time-invariant feedback control system where an unstable plant is actuated by a quantized controller and the measurements are disturbed by an additive wideband noise in the feedback loop. The quantized control may cause the discrete-time system to be modeled as variable structure under the existence and convergence conditions of a quasi-sliding mode. The control guides the system to the origin via a quasi-sliding mode, however, it may not constrain the system to the origin. Linear stabilizing controllers near the origin are investigated, and in the steady state the performance of the stabilized system is examined via a quadratic performance index. Numerical examples are presented and discussed as an illustration.
Generalized hybrid-orbital method for combining density functional theory with molecular mechanicals.

The generalized hybrid orbital (GHO) method has previously been formulated for combining molecular mechanics with various levels of quantum mechanics, in particular semiempirical neglect of diatomic differential overlap theory, ab initio Hartree-Fock theory, and self-consistent charge density functional tight-binding theory. To include electron-correlation effects accurately and efficiently in GHO calculations, we extend the GHO method to density functional theory in the generalized-gradient approximation and hybrid density functional theory (denoted by GHO-DFT and GHO-HDFT, respectively) using Gaussian-type orbitals as basis functions. In the proposed GHO-(H)DFT formalism, charge densities in auxiliary hybrid orbitals are included to calculate the total electron density. The orthonormality constraints involving the auxiliary Kohn-Sham orbitals are satisfied by carrying out the hybridization in terms of a set of Lowdin symmetrically orthogonalized atomic basis functions. Analytical gradients are formulated for GHO-(H)DFT by incorporating additional forces associated with GHO basis transformations. Scaling parameters are introduced for some of the one-electron integrals and are optimized to obtain the correct charges and geometry near the QM/MM boundary region. The GHO-(H)DFT method based on the generalized gradient approach (GGA) (BLYP and mPWPW91) and HDFT methods (B3 LYP, mPW1PW91, and MPW1 K) is tested-for geometries and atomic charges-against a set of small molecules. The following quantities are tested: 1) the C--C stretch potential in ethane, 2) the torsional barrier for internal rotation around the central C--C bond in n-butane, 3) proton affinities for a set of alcohols, amines, thiols, and acids, 4) the conformational energies of alanine dipeptide, and 5) the barrier height of the hydrogen-atom transfer between n-C4H10 and n-C4H9, where the reaction center is described at the MPW1 K/6-31G(d) level of theory.
School Climate and Implementation of a Preventive Intervention

Although there has been wide dissemination of research-based psychosocial prevention programs, a similarly strong research base to guide program implementation has been lacking. Program implementation has been particularly difficult for schools, due partly to insufficient understanding of how school ecologies interact with these programs. This study examined the effects of multiple dimensions of school climate on level and rate of change in implementation of a violence prevention intervention across three school years. Using multi-level modeling, the study found that teacher-reported support between staff and among teachers and students predicted higher average levels of implementation. Teacher-reported administrative leadership predicted greater growth in implementation across 3 years. Findings offer implications for an ecological model of program implementation that considers school-level contextual effects on adoption and sustainability of new programs in schools.
Design of a Stacked Microstrip Patch Antenna Using HFSS

Impedance matching across a wide bandwidth can be a difficult task to accomplish. We demonstrated the results for a wide-band aperture coupled stacked patch antenna obtained using HFSS. Wide-band impedance matching is facilitated by utilizing the Smith chart tool which provides insight on how to optimize the impedance bandwidth of this antenna. It was very helpful to reduce the complexity of the overall antenna design by first simulating the antenna with a coaxial probe feed and then adapting the design to have an aperture coupled microstrip line feed. It is evident that the impedance bandwidth can be further improved by comparing the Smith Chart results in Figure 5 and Figure 2. The data in Figure 2, for the S-band antenna, has a wider bandwidth than that shown for the L-band antenna. Bandwidth improvements for the L-band antenna will be undertaken in the future.
Improved Method for Determining Partition and Diffusion Coefficients in Human Dermis

Accurate values of partition and diffusion coefficients within the lower skin layers are among the information required to estimate skin concentrations of permeants following topical application. For highly lipophilic compounds these parameters also play a significant role in determining systemic absorption rates. In this study methodology is described for making more accurate in vitro measurements of partition and diffusion coefficients in dermis. Isolated human dermis obtained from surgical reduction was mounted in side-by-side diffusion cells in the presence and absence of a dialysis membrane (5000 MW cut-off) placed between the dermis and the donor solution. Permeation of N,N-diethyltoluamide (DEET) and diclofenac across the composite membrane system, as well as steady-state skin concentrations, were measured by radiochemical techniques. For the highly protein bound compound, diclofenac, dermis permeability, and partition coefficient determined in the presence of the dialysis membrane were significantly higher than those determined in its absence. No significant differences were observed for the moderately protein bound DEET. The results show that, in the absence of a stratum corneum barrier, attention must be given to the diffusion of soluble proteins in order to obtain accurate estimates of transport and partitioning parameters for highly protein bound solutes in dermis.
ECG Feature Elements Identification For Cardiologist Expert Diagnosis

This paper proposes a reliable method for cardiologist expert diagnosis based on ECG elements identification. This method analyzes ECG key features (P wave, QRS complex, T wave). It includes noise purification, sample design for digital ECG, understanding of the HP ECG criteria program, and the extended measurements report. This project report synthesizes the advantages of math, multiple function analysis, database and knowledge base, and expert system to explore the mechanism of "ECG feature elements identification for cardiologist expert diagnosis". This report proposes an integral method of ECG information flow for its area computing and a differential method of ECG information flow for its slope computing and a convolution method for true ECG wave form element extraction even they confuse with each other or incomplete. This method can implement ECG report in real time and provide exact explanations for the diagnostic decision obtained. This method can offer mean (standard) values estimation for parameters and confident interval computing for predictive accuracy (above 85%). This method solved the following problems: noise purification, incomplete and confusing ECG element's key features identification, decision-rule base, and expert diagnosis model - for "cardiologist expert diagnosis" research topic
A MIMO Propagation Channel Model in a Random Medium

Multiple input-multiple output systems have received considerable attention because of their potential to achieve high channel capacity. This paper presents a study of the effects of a random scattering medium on channel capacity. Formulations are given including stochastic Green's functions and mutual coherence functions. Transmitter and receiver characteristics are included and analytical formulation for eigenvalues and channel capacities are given in terms of the medium scattering characteristics, optical depth, frequency, number of transmitter and receiver elements, transmitting power, and noise spectral power. As an example, we show 500 m link at 60 GHz through rain. The eigenvalues and the channel capacity are calculated in terms of SNR and the rain rate representing the optical depth. It is shown that as the rain rate increases, the correlation of waves at antennas decreases and the capacity increases. However, at high rain rate, the capacity tends to decrease due to the absorption and scattering.
The Young Person's Guide to Writing Economic Theory

I formulate recommendations to young authors for writing economic theory well. I state general principles of good writing, and emphasize the role of the different components of a paper and the importance of the structure of one's work being clear. I explain how to choose notation and language, and how to present and illustrate proofs.
Switched order statistics CFAR test for target detection

In this paper we introduce a new switched order statistics CFAR test (SW-OS) for detecting a radar target in the presence of nonhomogeneous clutter and/or multiple interfering targets situation. Whereas a switching CFAR test (S-CFAR) was recently proposed in the literature for addressing a similar background scenario, unlike the S-CFAR test, the test proposed here does not utilize the test cell statistic in classifying the cells surrounding the test cell as homogeneous or not. The SW-OS test has some similarity to the selection and estimation (SE) test, which was co-authored by the second author of this paper, but is simpler to design. Probability of detection performance results obtained for Rayleigh clutter and Rayleigh target indicate that the SW-OS performs nearly as good as an order statistic test (OS) in the homogeneous background condition and performs much better than OS under the presence of many interfering targets. When compared to S-CFAR, SW-OS performs slightly worse in the homogeneous background, but performs better under the condition of many interfering targets.
A Stereotaxic Instrument for Small Birds

Abstract THE accurate localization of specific areas of the brain requires the use of a sterotaxic instrument. Most commercially available instruments 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 employed in neurophysiological studies have been designed for use with the common laboratory rodents, rabbit, dog and cat, sheep and primates. A few 4 , 5 have adapted head holders for the chicken. The stereotaxic instrument described herein was especially designed for use with the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) and other small birds up to the size of a chicken. We have used it in our laboratory for more than a year with excellent satisfaction. DESCRIPTION OF INSTRUMENT A right hand micromanipulator 6 was modified to serve as the electrode carrier, similar to that described by Greer and Howell (1962) for use on the rat. The assembled stereotaxic instrument is shown in Figure 1. The micromanipulator is attached to a 9″×12″×½″ aluminum base plate with a machine screw and the alignment is…
Analog-symbolic memory that tracks via reconsolidation

A fundamental part of a computational system is its memory, which is used to store and retrieve data. Classical computer memories rely on the static approach and are very different from human memories. Neural network memories are based on auto-associative attractor dynamics and thus provide a high level of pattern completion. However, they are not used in general computation since there are practically no algorithms to load an arbitrary landscape of attractors into them. In this sense neural network memory models cannot communicate well with symbolic and prior knowledge. We propose the design of a new memory based on localist attractor dynamics with reconsolidation called Reconsolidation Attractor Network (RAN). RAN combines symbolic and subsymbolic features in a very attractive way: it is based on attractors; enables pattern classification under missing data; and demonstrates dynamic reconsolidation, which is very useful for tracking changing concepts. The perception RAN enables is somewhat reminiscent of human perception due to its context sensitivity. Furthermore, it enables an immediate and clear interface with symbolic memories, including loading of attractors by means of trivial wiring, updating attractors, and retrieving them faster without waiting for full convergence. It also scales to any number of concepts. This provides a useful counterpoint to more conventional memory systems, such as random access memory and auto-associative neural networks. c 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Optical Coherence Tomography in the Diagnosis and Management of Diabetic Macular Edema: Time-Domain Versus Spectral-Domain

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an important imaging modality in the setting of diabetic macular edema (DME). Its use allows more precise evaluation of retinal pathology in DME, including retinal thickness and edema, vitreomacular interface abnormalities, subretinal fluid, and foveal microstructural changes. Additional advantages include its ability to quantitatively monitor response to treatment of DME by laser, intravitreal pharmacotherapies, and vitreoretinal surgery. OCT measurements are now used in all major clinical studies of DME treatment as critical endpoints. This article presents a review of both time-domain and spectral-domain OCT in the diagnosis and management of DME. The authors discuss the various parameters evaluated by the OCT systems and provide an evidence-based evaluation of their accuracy, significance, reliability, and limitations. As the capability of OCT continues to advance, it appears that its use will play an increasingly important role in the understanding, evaluation, and treatment of DME.
The neuroactive steroid pregnenolone sulfate stimulates trafficking of functional N-methyl D-aspartate receptors to the cell surface via a noncanonical, G protein, and Ca2+-dependent mechanism.

N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NMDARs) mediate fast excitatory synaptic transmission and play a critical role in synaptic plasticity associated with learning and memory. NMDAR hypoactivity has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, and clinical studies have revealed reduced negative symptoms of schizophrenia with a dose of pregnenolone that elevates serum levels of the neuroactive steroid pregnenolone sulfate (PregS). This report describes a novel process of delayed-onset potentiation whereby PregS approximately doubles the cell’s response to NMDA via a mechanism that is pharmacologically and kinetically distinct from rapid positive allosteric modulation by PregS. The number of functional cell-surface NMDARs in cortical neurons increases 60–100% within 10 minutes of exposure to PregS, as shown by surface biotinylation and affinity purification. Delayed-onset potentiation is reversible and selective for expressed receptors containing the NMDAR subunit subtype 2A (NR2A) or NR2B, but not the NR2C or NR2D, subunits. Moreover, substitution of NR2B J/K helices and M4 domain with the corresponding region of NR2D ablates rapid allosteric potentiation of the NMDA response by PregS but not delayed-onset potentiation. This demonstrates that the initial phase of rapid positive allosteric modulation is not a first step in NMDAR upregulation. Delayed-onset potentiation by PregS occurs via a noncanonical, pertussis toxin–sensitive, G protein–coupled, and Ca2+-dependent mechanism that is independent of NMDAR ion channel activation. Further investigation into the sequelae for PregS-stimulated trafficking of NMDARs to the neuronal cell surface may uncover a new target for the pharmacological treatment of disorders in which NMDAR hypofunction has been implicated.
Subject Position Affects EEG Magnitudes

EEG (electroencephalography) has been used for decades in thousands of research studies and is today a routine clinical tool despite the small magnitude of measured scalp potentials. It is widely accepted that the currents originating in the brain are strongly influenced by the high resistivity of skull bone, but it is less well known that the thin layer of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) has perhaps an even more important effect on EEG scalp magnitude by spatially blurring the signals. Here it is shown that brain shift and the resulting small changes in CSF layer thickness, induced by changing the subject's position, have a significant effect on EEG signal magnitudes in several standard visual paradigms. For spatially incoherent high-frequency activity the effect produced by switching from prone to supine can be dramatic, increasing occipital signal power by several times for some subjects (on average 80%). MRI measurements showed that the occipital CSF layer between the brain and skull decreases by approximately 30% in thickness when a subject moves from prone to supine position. A multiple dipole model demonstrated that this can indeed lead to occipital EEG signal power increases in the same direction and order of magnitude as those observed here. These results suggest that future EEG studies should control for subjects' posture, and that some studies may consider placing their subjects into the most favorable position for the experiment. These findings also imply that special consideration should be given to EEG measurements from subjects with brain atrophy due to normal aging or neurodegenerative diseases, since the resulting increase in CSF layer thickness could profoundly decrease scalp potential measurements.
Anonymity analysis of mix networks against flow-correlation attacks

Mix networks are designed to provide anonymity for users in a variety of applications, including anonymous Web browsing and numerous E-commerce systems. Such networks have been shown to be susceptible to flow correlation attacks empirically. In this paper, we model the effectiveness of flow correlation attacks. Our results illustrate the quantitative relationship among system parameters such as sample size, noise level, payload flow rate, and detection rate. Our analysis quantitatively predicts how existing flow-based anonymous systems would fail under flow-correlation attacks, thus providing useful guidelines for the design of future anonymous systems.
Charged particle-induced noise in camera systems

When a camera system is operated in a flux of charged particles, it will generate transient signals. The charged particles will impinge on the focal plane array and generate tracks of ionized electron-hole pairs. The charge tracks will diffuse, and some of the charge will be collected as signal and the rest will recombine. Bremsstrahlung radiation will be generated in the structure around the camera, and the Bremsstrahlung photons will generate secondary electrons in the focal plane array. The radiation hits will look like small stars. The charged particles will also make the optics "glow" due to luminescence and Cerenkov radiation. This paper utilizes a charged particle flux found in the open literature for a future spacecraft called Europa Orbiter to show the effects of charged particles on a camera system. A simple focal plane model is constructed based on typical values, and simulations of the transient noise will be discussed. In this specific simulation, the radiation will generate average values of 3600 photoelectrons for impinging electrons, 6000 photoelectrons for Bremsstrahlung-generated secondary electrons in the focal plane, and 15000 photoelectrons for impinging protons. These transient signals mill make it difficult for the camera system to operate under low light conditions.
Computational and cognitive infrastructures of stigma: empowering identity in social computing and gaming

Computing technologies such as games, social networking sites, and virtual environments often reproduce forms of social stigma encountered in everyday real life, as well as introducing new forms of stigma. When users represent themselves via avatars, characters, and profiles, norms for behavior and group affiliations are established that may introduce prejudices, stereotypes, and associated social ills found in the real world. To empower users against these effects, this paper presents technologies designed to: (1) provide dynamic means of identity representation while avoiding stigmatizing norms, and (2) provide for critical reflection on stigmatizing identity infrastructures found in other systems. The theory and technologies developed with these aims is encapsulated under the rubric of the Advanced Identity Representation (AIR) Project that initiated in the Imagination, Computation, and Expression Laboratory (ICE Lab; D. Fox Harrell, Director) at the Georgia Institute of Technology. This work has a basis in the cognitive science foundations of categorization and metaphor-based bias, and study of social classification infrastructures from sociology of science. Using this theoretical framework, this paper provides a model to reveal a set of inadequacies of many current identity infrastructures in social computing and gaming systems for supporting the needs of people in marginalized categories. As results, several social networking systems and games developed in the ICE Lab to empower users in creating computational identities and/or critiquing the phenomenon of stigma in these applications are presented.
Flow Over a Vertical Sill in an Open Channel

An investigation of a particular case of flow over a vertical sill is reported. This flow consists of a definite nonuniform reach between two flow sections, the entrance section upstream of the sill at which a supercritical flow exists and the surface roller of a forced hydraulic jump begins, and the exit section downstream of the sill at which uniform subcritical flow is reached. The flow is described by five dimensionless variables, the Froude number, and four similarity criteria for flow geometry. The relationships among the variables are given by graphs based on experimental data. The boundary values and the similarity concepts for the flow have been defined. The results are applicable to the design of hydraulic jump stilling basins.
Retinoic acid modulates IL-4 receptor alpha chain expression and signaling pathways in intestinal epithelial cells and macrophages (51.3)

We have shown that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) increased mRNA expression of several IL-4-induced chemokines in explanted porcine alveolar macrophages. We now describe that ATRA modulated IL-4-induced signaling pathways in primary macrophages, and several macrophage and epithelial cell lines. ATRA increased epithelial cell mRNA and protein for the IL-4 receptor alpha chain (IL4RA), and IL-4 induced phosphorylation of STAT6 and expression of CLCA1 mRNA in vitro. In primary macrophages and several macrophage cell lines, ATRA-induced IL4RA mRNA and enhanced IL-4-induced expression of DHSR3, MRC1, PLAT, PTPN1, TGM2, and WARS mRNA and facilitated IL-4-inhibited expression of TLR2 and CYBB mRNA. However, ATRA blocked IL-4-induced expression of DHSR9, MAF, SEPP1 and STAT5A mRNA and counteracted IL-4 inhibited expression of BCL2L1, CCL2, NCF4, and PDGFB mRNA. These activities were largely shared by the RAR-a selective retinoid, Am580. ATRA variably affected the expression of a large number of other IL-4-induced mRNAs. These data indicated that ATRA and related retinoids can modulate Th2-related responses through mechanisms that utilize IL-4 and IL-4 receptor signaling pathways.
Limited Uptake of Planned Intrauterine Devices During the Postpartum Period.

Objectives The primary objective of this study was to determine the percentage of women with a documented plan for postpartum intrauterine device (IUD) insertion who had a device inserted within 8 weeks of delivery. The secondary objective was to determine factors associated with successful initiation of postpartum IUDs as planned. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of women who had at least one prenatal visit and delivered a viable pregnancy at our academic medical center. Methods of planned and established postpartum contraceptive methods were recorded, as well as demographic information and documented reasons for failure to initiate planned intrauterine contraception. Results A total of 110 women planned postpartum IUD placement. Of these women, 84 (76%) presented for at least one postpartum appointment. Only 22.6% (95% confidence interval 13.7-31.5) of those presenting for postpartum follow-up underwent IUD placement within 8 weeks of delivery. Women planning postpartum IUD insertion were just as likely as women with no planned postpartum contraceptive method to fail to establish contraception within 8 weeks (P = 0.55). Conclusions Failure to establish planned postpartum intrauterine contraception occurs frequently, even in a setting with a high rate of postpartum follow-up.
Phosphorylation of Membrane Proteins by Protein Kinase in a Smooth Muscle Plasma Membrane Fraction

AbstractProperties of protein kinase and its phosphoprotein substrates associated with a plasma membrane (sarcolemmal) fraction isolated from rat uterine smooth muscle were investigated. The enzyme, a mixture of cAMP-dependent and -independent types, was active against exogenous substrates only in the presence of Triton X-100. In contrast, a few membrane proteins were actively phosphorylated in the absence of detergent. Protein kinase was resistant to trypsin digestion when associated with the plasma membrane but not when solubilized with Triton X-100. Membrane phosphoproteins, on the other hand, were sensitive to proteolysis in their native state. These results suggest the smooth muscle sarcolemmal protein kinase interacts extensively with the membrane lipid bilayer and its intrinsic substrates, though heterogeneous, share a common membrane orientation.
Inhibition of oxytocic responses to oxytocin in pregnant rats by (1-L-penicillamine)oxytocin and (1-beta-mercapto-beta, beta-diethylpropionic acid)oxytocin.

SummaryThe ability of [1-L-pcnicillamine]oxytocin and [1-β-mercapto-β,β-diethyl-propionic acid]oxytocin to suppress the contractions induced by oxytocin in the uteri of 12- to 16-day-pregnant rats has been demonstrated, using a new technique for recording uterine activity in vivo.
Study of the effect of house dust mite injected in neonate rats on airway inflammation and TH subset in late developing stage of life

Objective To study whether early exposure to house dust mite would aggravate airway inflammation as long as the onset of asthma and to explore relevant mechanisms.Methods In 24 hours after being given birth,all neonate Wistar rats in HDM group were injected 0.1ml HDM sub-cutaneously, while in Asthma group and Control group using NS for HDM.From age of 30 days,OVA or NS was used to make model of asthma.Finally serum IgE level(A value) was detected and the percentage of eosinophils from BALF was counted.Results In HDM group,the percentage of EOS and the level of IgE were (37.07±1.10)% and 0.204 ±0.023,respectively,the highest among the three groups.Conclusion Airway inflammation would be aggravated after contact with HDM in early stage of life.
Moral Hazard and Mispriced Systemic Risk in the Lead-Up to the 2007 Subprime Mortgage Crisis in the United States

This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Illinois Wesleyan University via http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/uer/vol12/iss1/17
342 CROSSVALIDATION OF SERUM TO SALIVA RELATIONSHIPS OF CAFFEINE AND TOTAL METHYLXANTHINES IN NEONATES

The relationships of serum (Se) to saliva (Sa) concentrations of Caffeine (Caf) and total methylxanthines (Mx) (Mx = Caf + Theophylline (Theo)) have been established in neonates treated with Caf for apnea (J.Pediatr.96:494,1980). Serum to Sa relationships derived with additional studies have been crossvalidated against the old data. The standard deviations (SD) and correlation coefficients (R) for the Se to Sa relationships are presented below. Data for Mx is presented because of Caf to Theo conversion in neonates. From the high R values for both Caf and Mx it appears that the newly derived relationships crossvalidate well with the old data.
Evaluation of the American college of surgeons thyroid and parathyroid ultrasound course: Results of a web-based survey.

Objectives/Hypothesis The American College of Surgeons Thyroid and Parathyroid Ultrasound Skills-Oriented Course (TPUSC) was designed to teach surgeons how to interpret and perform office-based head and neck ultrasound (HNUS). The objective of this study was to survey attendees of the TPUSC to evaluate the usefulness of the course, to track surgeon performed HNUS practice patterns, and to help identify potential roadblocks to incorporation of HNUS into a surgeon's practice. Study Design Cross-sectional survey. Methods A Web-based survey was sent to 952 surgeons who completed the TPUSC between 2010 and 2014. Questions included surgeon specialty, practice type, Likert scale rating of the TPUSC, competency with different HNUS procedures, and current HNUS practice patterns. Results The response rate was 24%. On a scale from 1 (not useful) to 5 (extremely valuable), the mean course usefulness rating was 4.2. Educational goals were met for 194 (92%) surgeons, and 162 (77%) surgeons reported performing HNUS in their practice. Of 48 surgeons not performing HNUS, 24 (50%) attributed insufficient time in their clinic schedule, and 21 (44%) attributed high equipment costs. Conclusions The TPUSC is a valuable educational experience for surgeons seeking to gain proficiency in HNUS. The majority of TPUSC graduates gain competency with at least one type of HNUS procedure following the course. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope, 2016
Building on Nietzsche's Prelude: Reforming Epistemology for the Philosophy of the Future

Drawing from the "anti-philosophies" of Nietzsche and Wittgenstein, and deploying a methodology which synthesizes critical theory with evolutionary psychology and contemporary cognitive science, our analysis demonstrates: 1. Justifications, in any context, are oriented towards social manipulation and bear no relation to any "cognitive processes." 2. The role of logic is overstated, both with regards to our justifications, and also our cognition. 3. Truth and falsity are socio-linguistic functions which have no bearing on any "objective reality." Insofar as these claims are correct, the methods and aims (both normative and descriptive) of "classical epistemology" are invalidated. We offer up a proposal as to what a more useful/meaningful epistemology might look like, exploring how such a reformulation might affect conceptions of "knowledge" and "rationality."
Revisiting the connection between Solar eruptions and primary headaches and migraines using Twitter.

Many internal and environmental triggers of primary headaches have been proposed, but establishing firm evidence for any of them has proved elusive. Geomagnetic storms, the disturbances of Earth’s magnetic field following Solar eruptions, have been proposed as one such trigger. In this study, we utilized a vast amount of self-reported symptoms from the online social networking service Twitter in order to investigate a purported link between the level of geomagnetic activity and the onset of primary headaches and migraines. We analyzed 63 million keyword-bearing messages posted over the three years covering the maximum of Solar Cycle 24. No correlation has been found despite the large sample size. The simulation reveals that the significant correlation would have emerged even if only 1% of headache (2% of migraine) instances were caused by geomagnetic disturbances, thus placing very low upper limits on the prevalence of this trigger among Twitter users.
What is the role of tortuosity in the Kozeny-Carman equation?

AbstractHydraulic tortuosity is an important parameter in characterizing fluid-flow heterogeneity in porous media. The most basic definition of tortuosity is the ratio of the average flow path length to the sample length. Although this definition seems straightforward, the lack of understanding and the lack of proper ways to measure tortuosity make it one of the most abused parameters in rock physics. Hydraulic tortuosity is often treated merely as a fitting factor, or worse, it is neglected by being combined with a geometric factor in the Kozeny-Carman (KC) equation. Often, the tortuosity is obtained from laboratory measurements of porosity, permeability, and specific surface area by inverting the KC equation. This approach has a major pitfall because it treats tortuosity as a fitting factor, and the inverted tortuosity is often unphysically high. In contrast, we obtained the tortuosity from 3D segmented binary images of porous media using streamlines extracted from a local flux, the output from the latt...
Structural basis of antibody-antigen interactions

Antibody molecules can be regarded as products of a protein engineering system for the generation of a virtually unlimited repertoire of complementary molecular surfaces. This extreme structural heterogeneity is required for recognition of the nearly infinite array of antigenic determinants. This chapter discusses the structures of antibodies and their specific recognition of antigens, the binding energetics of these interactions, the cross-reactivity and specificity of antibody-antigen interactions, the role of conformational flexibility in antigen recognition, and the structural basis of the antibody affinity maturation process.
ACR RADPEER Committee White Paper with 2016 Updates: Revised Scoring System, New Classifications, Self-Review, and Subspecialized Reports.

Abstract The ACR's RADPEER program is currently the leading method for peer review in the United States. To date, more than 18,000 radiologists and more than 1,100 groups participate in the program. The ABR accepted RADPEER as a practice quality improvement in 2009, which can be applied toward maintenance of certification; there are currently over 2,200 practice quality improvement participants. There have been ongoing deliberations regarding the utility of RADPEER, its goals, and its scoring system since the preceding 2009 white paper. This white paper reviews the history and evolution of RADPEER and eRADPEER, the 2016 ACR Peer Review Committee's discussions, the updated recommended scoring system and lexicon for RADPEER, and updates to eRADPEER including the study type, age, and discrepancy classifications. The central goal of RADPEER to aid in nonpunitive peer learning is discussed.
Detection of fault using local measurements at inverter interfaced distributed energy resources

High proliferation of Inverter Interfaced Distributed Energy Resources (IIDERs) into the electric distribution grid results in failure of the traditional overcurrent based fault detection at the point of interconnection (POI) of IIDERs. This paper focuses on other strategies of detection, namely, 1) using the transient content at the inverter output, 2) using zero sequence current magnitude at the high side of interconnecting transformer, and 3) using voltage drop at the POI. These strategies are tested by simulating a 100 kW three-phase Voltage-sourced Inverter connected to the IEEE 13-node distribution feeder in PSCAD environment. Performance of the selected strategies to various faults in the system is documented and evaluated.
Concordance between monetary and sexual delay discounting in men who have sex with men.

Background Delay discounting has been found to be associated with numerous health-related outcomes, including risky sexual behaviour. To date, it is unclear whether delay discounting measured in different domains is associated within individuals. The goal of this study was to assess the concordance of monetary and sexual delay discounting in men who have sex with men. Methods: Participants completed an online survey, including the Monetary Choice Questionnaire and the Sexual Discounting Task. Linear regression models were used to assess the association between monetary and sexual discount rates. Results: Sexual discount rates did not predict monetary discount rates. There was a substantial amount of clustering of sexual discount rates, requiring sexual discounting data to be categorised. Conclusions: Monetary and sexual delay discounting are distinct processes that are not necessarily associated within individuals, and monetary delay discounting is not an appropriate proxy measure for sexual impulsivity. Data from the Sexual Discounting Task are typically rank-transformed for analysis. These data suggest that this might be an invalid method of analysis. Future studies should investigate the distribution of their data to determine if it is appropriate to analyse sexual discounting data as a continuous measure.
Finding Mirror Symmetry via Registration and Optimal Symmetric Pairwise Assignment of Curves

We demonstrate that the problem of fitting a plane of mirror symmetry to data in any Euclidian space can be reduced to the problem of registering two datasets. The exactness of the resulting solution depends entirely on the registration accuracy. This new Mirror Symmetry via Registration (MSR) framework involves (1) data reflection with respect to an arbitrary plane, (2) registration of original and reflected datasets, and (3) calculation of the eigenvector of eigenvalue -1 for the transformation matrix representing the reflection and registration mappings. To support MSR, we also introduce a novel 2D registration method based on random sample consensus of an ensemble of normalized cross-correlation matches. With this as its registration back-end, MSR achieves state-of-the-art performance for symmetry line detection in two independent 2D testing databases. We further demonstrate the generality of MSR by testing it on a database of 3D shapes with an iterative closest point registration back-end. We finally explore its applicability to examining symmetry in natural systems by assessing the degree of symmetry present in myelinated axon reconstructions from a larval zebrafish. Using the MSR-computed plane of symmetry, we introduce techniques for the optimal symmetric pairwise assignment between axon reconstructions and provide visualizations illustrating how neighborhood relationships between nearby axon pairs compare with the relationships between their mirror-reflected counterparts along the anteroposterior axis.
Heterochrony in Rodents

The mammalian order Rodentia is by far the largest order of mammals (approximately 1700 species), and rodents show ranges in body size, body plan, and ecological diversity that far exceed those seen in any other group of mammals, including bats and cetaceans. Living rodents inhabit all continents except Antarctica, and they are found in nearly every terrestrial habitat throughout their geographic range. Rodents usually play integral roles in the terrestrial ecosystems they inhabit, and they are often the most abundant and diverse of all vertebrates in a terrestrial community.
The Clinical Utility of Standardized or Flexible Battery Approaches to Neuropsychological Assessment

Recently, Kane (1991) wrote an extensive review article on the matter of standard and flexible neuropsychological test batteries in which he described the two approaches to assessment, provided the historical backgrounds of both methods, and reviewed a number of tests commonly used in individualized or flexible assessments. In this chapter, I will be dealing with different but complementary matters. For the most part, the chapter will be devoted to a description of the two approaches and an examination of their theoretical foundations. It will be proposed that practice issues are of secondary significance, and that the question of whether one administers the same or different tests to every patient is a relatively trivial matter. It can be stipulated in advance that most practicing clinicians now use a combination of fixed and flexible assessment methods, and that fixed batteries, as strictly defined, are primarily used in research settings in which it is necessary to obtain a large database.
A History of Neuromuscular Block and Its Antagonism

Fifteenth century South American explorers knew of the indian arrowhead poison “ourari” or curare. The eighteenth century physician Bancroft brought samples of crude curare from South America, and in 1808 Brodie showed that it was safe if ventilation continued artificially. In 1846, Bernard demonstrated that curare acted where the nerve impulse reached the muscle, the neuromuscular junction. In 1912, surgeon Lawen used curare for tracheal intubation and surgical procedures. The idea did not catch on. In the 1930s, Gill brought curare from South America to the US. With Squibb chemists, pharmacologist McIntyre purified the crude extract as Intocostrin, which Holaday assayed for potency with the rabbit head drop test. By standardizing the concentration, this allowed Intocostin’s study. In 1939, psychiatrist Bennet reported that Intocostrin prevented compression fractures from convulsive therapy. Cullen then tried Intocostrin in dogs, but because it seemed to cause bronchspasm said it had “no place in anesthesia”.
Historical Style: Fashion and the New Mode of History, 1740–1830. By Timothy Campbell. (Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2016. Pp. 351. $65.00.)

Early in his well‐researched, impressively analytical book, the author quotes Thomas Jefferys, a costume historian of the mid‐eighteenth century, on the significance of fashion: “[T]he Habit is bec...
Social TV, Advertising, and Sales: Are Social Shows Good for Advertisers?

We investigate whether social shows—television programs with high levels of online chatter—are beneficial for advertisers.
Strange “Shamy”: Analyzing communication theory of identity and identity gaps using The Big Bang Theory

Challenges to identity formation often emerge during college experiences as one's world view is confronted by exposure to new social circles, ideas, and cultures. Through the analysis of interpenet...
The ASD Program Evaluation Protocol for Continuous Program Improvement

Increase understanding of the importance of formal program evaluation for purposes of program development and continuous program improvement Increase knowledge of the ASD Program Evaluation Protocol Increase knowledge of how to apply the ASD Program Evaluation Protocol to develop an ASD program model that fits your school and sustains over time
Emerging Multimodality Approaches to Treat Localized Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer has a poor prognosis, with 5-year survival rates ranging from 20% to 35% in the nonmetastatic setting. Despite advances in surgical techniques and optimization of chemoradiotherapy regimens, overall survival benefits have been incremental at best. Esophageal cancer requires a concerted multidisciplinary approach, perhaps more so than any other tumor type given the integral role played by the esophagus in maintaining calorific intake and the propensity for early spread through the lymphatics. This review describes the latest in surgical techniques to minimize postoperative complications and examines previous and ongoing systemic therapy approaches. Strategies that harness a patient's own immune system hold great promise, and shifting checkpoint inhibitors from the metastatic setting to the neoadjuvant/adjuvant setting is currently being evaluated in phase II and III clinical trials. In addition, a much better understanding of the interplay between tumors and their immune microenvironment is clearly needed to better judge how best to engage each patient's immune system, and there will be likely demonstrable differences between early-stage tumors and metastatic disease. This review highlights emerging data, which demonstrate that, in addition to The Cancer Genome Atlas classification of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma having a distinct molecular makeup compared with esophageal adenocarcinoma, there are also differing responses to PD-1 inhibitors. Histology and the underlying immune milieu may have important ramifications for the management of localized disease in the future, above and beyond PD-L1 expression, microsatellite instability status, and tumor mutational burden.