cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
S-wave splitting: Key to earthquake prediction?

This paper presents a detailed analysis of S-wave data for two areas in western Nevada. Some of these data were used by Gupta as the basis for his claim that large premonitory changes in the extent of stress-induced S-wave splitting are observed for moderate-sized earthquakes in Nevada. Analysis of particle motion for an earthquake sequence near Slate Mountain indicates that changes in S-wave splitting did not occur during that sequence. For the Mina area, comparison of S-wave signatures for 158 events occurring over a 3-year period resulted in the identification of numerous events that would be considered anomalous by Gupta's criteria, but these were not followed by larger earthquakes. The present state of knowledge on crustal structure and seismic source parameters in the western Basin and Range province is not sufficient to discriminate between stress-induced velocity anisotropy and the many other factors that contribute to the complexity of S-wave signatures.
Clinical Testing Patterns and Cost Implications of Variation in the Evaluation of CKD Among US Physicians

Background Clinical practice guidelines were established to improve the diagnosis and management of chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the extent, determinants, and cost implications of guideline adherence and variation in adherence have not been evaluated. Study Design Cross-sectional survey. Settings & Participants The questionnaire was sent (on paper or through the internet) to a nationally representative sample of 1,200 US primary care physicians and nephrologists. Predictor Provider and patient characteristics. Outcomes & Measurements Guideline adherence was assessed as present if physicians recommended at least 5 of 6 clinical tests prescribed by the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Disease Outcomes and Quality Initiative guidelines for a hypothetical patient with newly identified CKD. We also assessed patterns and costs of additional nonrecommended tests for the initial clinical evaluation of CKD. Results Of the 301 (86 family medicine, 89 internal medicine, and 126 nephrology) eligible physicians who responded to the survey (response rate, 32%), most practiced longer than 10 years (54%), were in nonacademic practices (76%), spent greater than 80% of their time performing clinical duties (77%), and correctly estimated kidney function (73%). Overall, 35% of participants were guideline adherent. Compared with nephrologists, internal medicine and family physicians had lower odds of adherence for all recommended testing (odds ratio, 0.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.3 to 1.1; and odds ratio, 0.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.1 to 0.6, respectively). Participants practicing longer than 10 years had lower odds of ordering all recommended testing compared with participants practicing fewer than 10 years (odds ratio, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.3 to 0.9). Eighty-five percent of participants recommended additional tests, which resulted in a 23% increased total per-patient cost of the clinical evaluation. Limitations Recommendations for a hypothetical case scenario may differ from those of actual patients. Conclusions Adherence to recommended clinical testing for the diagnosis and management of CKD was poor, and additional testing was associated with substantially increased cost of the clinical evaluation. Improved clarity, dissemination, and uptake of existing guidelines are needed to improve quality and decrease costs of care for patients with CKD.
High‐Temperature Rheology of Calcium Aluminosilicate (Anorthite) Glass‐Ceramics under Uniaxial and Triaxial Loading

The high-temperature creep behavior of two fine-grained (∼3 μm) anorthite-rich glass-ceramics was characterized at ambient pressure and under a confining pressure of ∼300 MPa. Experiments were done at differential stresses of 15–200 MPa and temperatures of 1200°–1320°C. Of the two materials, one had a tabular (lathlike) grain structure with finely dispersed second phase of mullite, mostly in the form of ∼3–5 μm grains comparable to that of the primary anorthite phase, whereas the other had an equiaxed grain morphology with fine (∼400 nm) mullite precipitates concentrated at the anorthite grain boundaries. The results of creep experiments at ambient pressure showed that the material with the tabular grain structure had strain rates at least an order of magnitude faster than the equiaxed material. Creep in the tabular-grained material at ambient pressure was accompanied by a significant extent of intergranular cavitation: pore-volume analysis before and after creep in this material suggested that >75% of the bulk strain was due to growth of these voids. The equiaxed material, in contrast, showed a smooth transition from Newtonian (n= 1) creep at low stresses to non-Newtonian behavior at high stresses (n > 2). Under the high confining pressure, the microstructures of both materials underwent significant changes. Grain-boundary mullite precipitates in the undeformed, equiaxed-grain material were replaced by fine (∼100 nm), intragranular precipitates of silliminate and corundum because of a pressure-induced chemical reaction. This was accompanied by a significant reduction in grain size in both materials. The substantial microstructural changes at high confining pressure resulted in substantially lower viscosities for both materials. The absence of mullite precipitates at the grain boundaries changed the behavior of the equiaxed material to non-Newtonian (n= 2) at a pressure of ∼300 MPa, possibly because of a grain-boundary sliding mechanism; the tabular-grained material showed Newtonian diffusional creep under similar conditions.
An Automated Two-Dimensional Optical Force Clamp for Single Molecule Studies

We constructed a next-generation optical trapping instrument to study the motility of single motor proteins, such as kinesin moving along a microtubule. The instrument can be operated as a two-dimensional force clamp, applying loads of fixed magnitude and direction to motor-coated microscopic beads moving in vitro. Flexibility and automation in experimental design are achieved by computer control of both the trap position, via acousto-optic deflectors, and the sample position, using a three-dimensional piezo stage. Each measurement is preceded by an initialization sequence, which includes adjustment of bead height relative to the coverslip using a variant of optical force microscopy (to 4 nm), a two-dimensional raster scan to calibrate position detector response, and adjustment of bead lateral position relative to the microtubule substrate (to 3 nm). During motor-driven movement, both the trap and stage are moved dynamically to apply constant force while keeping the trapped bead within the calibrated range of the detector. We present details of force clamp operation and preliminary data showing kinesin motor movement subject to diagonal and forward loads.
Architecture-based self-adaptation in the presence of multiple objectives

In the world of autonomic computing, the ultimate aim is to automate human tasks in system management to achieve high-level stakeholder objectives. One common approach is to capture and represent human expertise in a form executable by a computer. Techniques to capture such expertise in programs, scripts, or rule sets are effective to an extent. However, they are often incapable of expressing the necessary adaptation expertise and emulating the subtleties of trade-offs in high-level decision making. In this paper, we propose a new language of adaptation that is sufficiently expressive to capture the subtleties of choice, deriving its ontology from system administration tasks and its underlying formalism from utility theory.
Marriage and Mental Health among Young Adults

Marriage is widely thought to confer mental health benefits, but little is known about how this apparent benefit may vary across the life course. Early marriage, which is nonnormative, could have no, or even negative, mental health consequences for young adults. Using survey data from waves 1 and 3 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (n = 11,695), I find that married young adults exhibit levels of psychological distress that are similar to those of young adults in any kind of romantic relationship. Married and engaged young adults also report lower frequency of drunkenness than those who are not in a romantic relationship. Married young adults, especially those who first married at ages 22 to 26, report higher life satisfaction than those in other type of romantic relationships,those in no romantic relationship, and those who married prior to age 22. Explanations for these findings are examined, and their implications are discussed.
Sexual Function in Female Veterans: A Review

Women comprise a significant proportion of the veteran population. Much research has been devoted to physical and mental health outcomes in veterans, both of which show significant decreases in quality of life. However, little is known about the effects of female veterans' unique military experience on sexual function. In particular, military sexual trauma, general military stressors, mental health diagnoses, and other vulnerability factors contribute to sexual dysfunction, dissatisfaction, and decreases in mental health-related quality of life. We propose a model whereby all of these factors interact and contribute to sexual dysfunction in female veterans, and areas for growth in assessment and treatment are discussed.
On the Solution of Diffusion Problems Involving Concentration-Dependent Diffusion Coefficients

This paper contains solutions of the differential equation of diffusion in binary alloys if the diffusion coefficient is an exponential function of the concentration of one of the components.
Image guided volumetric response during chemoradiotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma as a predictor of disease outcomes

Abstract Purpose The goal of this study was to correlate volumetric image guided disease response to clinical outcomes in patients receiving chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Materials and methods Thirty four patients completing definitive CRT for locally advanced HNSCC with megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT) guided tomotherapy IMRT were retrospectively reviewed for volumetric response. Grossly identifiable primary tumor (PT) and nodal disease (ND) response was evaluated by weekly MVCT regression. Percent end-of-treatment (EOT) residual volumes and regression rates were correlated with risk of local failure (LF), progression free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Results A total of 7 LFs were identified in 6 patients at a median follow-up of 8 months. The mean percent EOT residual volumes for PT and ND in patients with and without LF were 20% vs. 5% ( p = 0.005) and 47% vs. 6% ( p = 0.0001), respectively. The PT and ND volume regression rates for patients with and without LF were 12.7% per week vs. 15.9% per week ( p = 0.04) and 3.4% per week vs. 10.5% per week ( p p = 0.03) and 25 ( p = 0.001), respectively. Patients found with PT and/or ND residual volumes p = 0.0023) and PFS of 87% vs. 17% ( p /= 25% at EOT. Conclusion Patients with locally advanced HNSCC who have significant MVCT volume reduction over the course of definitive CRT tend to have favorable clinical outcomes.
Organizations and Integration in International Systems

In this paper, I propose to develop a research design in an attempt to facilitate theory-building in the study of international organizations. Having done this I will describe some applications of this approach in teaching. I have proceeded in this particular way because I am concerned that most, though not all, of the seminars with which I am familiar, and most of the textbooks in international organization which are still being written, reflect a disproportionate emphasis on only a few of the organizations which make up the United Nations and, to a lesser extent, the League of Nations.1 There are at the last official count,2 2,134 intergovernmental (IGO's) and nongovernmental (NGO's) international organizations in existence, and this does not
The Focus Locus Problem and Toric Sections

SummaryWe investigate curves (foci loci) traced by the foci of one-parameter families of ellipses. The elliptical families are shadows cast by a circle. The focal paths turn out to be cross section...
Associations between self-rated health and personality.

Objective : The goal of our study was to examine how Big Five personality factors predict variability in self-rated health in a sample of older African Americans from the Baltimore Study of Black Aging. Methods: Personality was measured by the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised, and self-rated health was assessed by the Health Problems Checklist. Participants: The study sample had 202 women and 87 men. Ages ranged from 49 to 90 years (M=67.2 years, SD=8.55), and average years of formal education was 10.8 (SD=3.3). Results: Multiple linear regressions showed that neuroticism and extraversion were significant regression predictors of self-rated health, after controlling for demographic factors. Conclusions: These findings suggest individual personality traits may influence health ratings, behaviors, and decision-making among older African Americans. ( Ethn Dis. 2014;24[4]:418– 422)
Variability in Human Response Time Reflects Statistical Learning and Adaptive Decision-Making.

Response time (RT) is an oft-used but ”noisy” behavioral measure in psychology. Here, we combine modeling and psychophysics to examine the hypothesis that RT variability may reflect ongoing statistical learning and consequent adjustment of behavioral strategy. We utilize the stop-signal task, in which subjects respond to a go stimulus on each trial, unless instructed not to by a subsequent, rare stop signal. We model across-trial learning of stop signal frequency (P(stop)) and stop-signal onset time (SSD) with a Bayesian hidden Markov model, and within-trial decision-making as optimal stochastic control. The model predicts that RT should increase with expected P(stop) and SSD, a prediction borne out by our human data. Thus, it appears that humans continuously monitor environmental statistics and adjust behavioral strategy accordingly. More broadly, our approach exemplifies the use of ”noisy” RT measures for extracting insights about cognitive and neural processing.
Differential Growth Factor Content of Uterine Luminal Fluids from Large White and Prolific Meishan Pigs during the Estrous Cycle and Early Pregnancy

Uterine luminal fluids (ULF) from Large White (LW) and prolific Chinese Meishan (MS) gilts were compared with respect to their peptide growth factor content during an estrous cycle and early pregnancy. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) was quantitated by RIA; in vitro growth promoting properties of uterine luminal fluid mitogen (ULFM) were measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA of quiescent AKR-2B fibroblastic cells in culture. Peak concentrations (pg/microgram ULF protein) of IGF-I in ULF of Large White and Meishan gilts, respectively, were: estrous cycle, 9.8 +/- 1.4 (on d 10) and 39.7 +/- 7.8 (on d 12); gestation, 13.1 +/- 3.2 (on d 8 and 10) and 11.9 +/- 2.1 (on d 12), with differences among days (except d 10, P greater than .5) being affected by breed (P less than .10). For both breeds, there was a rapid decline in IGF-I concentrations by d 14 of the cycle and of pregnancy. Uterine luminal fluid mitogen activity was greater (P less than .01) for LW than for MS gilts on d 10 to 14 of an estrous cycle and gestation and diminished in a time-dependent manner in both breeds. No correlation was observed between IGF-I concentrations and uterine weights for either breed. In contrast, a negative correlation between uterine weight and ULFM activity was detected for cyclic (MS: r = -.855, P less than .10; LW: r = -.834, P less than .05) and pregnant (MS: r = -.806, P less than .10; LW: r = -.928, P less than .05) gilts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Predicting Academic Achievement in Clinical Chemistry Courses

Medical technology educators often must evaluate students to correlate their achievement in course work prior to formal medical technology education (preprofessional) and their achievement in medical technology (professional) courses. Such evaluation is a useful indicator of how well future students may be expected to perform in a medical technology program and in the profession after graduation. Chemistry, which constitutes a significant proportion of the preprofessional curriculum at many schools of medical technology, is often considered by students to be the most difficult subject in their professional education. Therefore, preprofessional achievement in chemistry courses, success in clinical chemistry courses, and achievement on chemistry sections of certification examinations were studied. Correlations were evaluated and equations to predict achievement levels of students were derived.
An Ensemble Approach to Weak-constraint Four-dimensional Variational Data Assimilation

This article presents a framework for performing ensemble and hybrid data assimilation in a weak-constraint four-dimensional variational data assimilation system (w4D-Var). A practical approach is considered that relies on an ensemble of w4D-Var systems solved by the incremental algorithm to obtain flow-dependent estimates to the model error statistics. A proof-of-concept is presented in an idealized context using the Lorenz multi-scale model. A comparative analysis is performed between the weak- and strong-constraint ensemble-based methods. The importance of the weight coefficients assigned to the static and ensemble-based components of the error covariances is also investigated. Our preliminary numerical experiments indicate that an ensemble-based model error covariance specification may significantly improve the quality of the analysis.
Human/Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission and Infection at Mucosal Sites

Abstract The major routes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or simian immunodeficiency virus transmission, except for blood-borne infection, are all through mucosal surfaces, genital, gastrointestinal, or oral. The gastrointestinal mucosa also serves as a major reservoir for virus replication, seeding the bloodstream, and is one of the first sites to experience depletion of CD4 + T cell loss of integrity of associated lymphoid tissues. These mucosal tissues have multiple barriers to infection, including physical barriers, such as mucus; innate antiviral molecules and cells; and adaptive immune cells, T and B cells, and antibodies. Together, these greatly reduce the risk of transmission and create a bottleneck in which often only one founder virus is transmitted, if any. However, the barriers vary among the different types of mucosa. Understanding these natural mechanisms of protection is key to designing effective vaccines and microbicides to prevent mucosal HIV transmission.
Stress in Emergency Personnel

Abstract Police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency communications personnel, emergency department and critical care workers, and military personnel involved in life-saving missions are in high intensity and high-risk professions. From the alert tones to the direct efforts to serve and save others, emergency operations personnel contend with a great deal of stress. The rates of posttraumatic stress disorder in emergency personnel rival, and sometimes, surpass those of combat veterans. Stress impacts their personal and professional lives. Frequent exposure to traumatic stress contributes to marital and relationship discord, premature retirements, and excessive use of sick time. The psychological impacts of emergency services stress can also produce alterations in personality, chronic emotional distress, panic attacks, substance abuse and stress-related disorders. There is obviously a need to provide a comprehensive, integrative, systematic, and multicomponent staff support program to alleviate distress in these populations.
Bioresorbable polymer microparticles in the medical and pharmaceutical fields

Abstract Bioresorbable microparticles have been used widely in the pharmaceutical and medical field for applications such as the delivery of therapeutics and cells for tissue engineering and cancer therapy, for imaging and diagnostics, and for the delivery of vaccines. There are many properties of bioresorbable microparticles that can be tailored for a specific application by altering the type of polymer, fabrication technique, and parameters used to synthesize the particles. These properties, such as particle size, size distribution, porosity, percentage of drug loading, and entrapment efficiency, are important in determining drug release kinetics. Microparticles can be delivered systemically through oral or pulmonary delivery and can also be delivered to a site of interest via injection or implantation in a scaffold system. Research is ongoing to develop particles that can better target and interact with specific cells and that have optimal drug loading and release kinetics.
Development and Validation of the Transgender Inclusive Behavior Scale (TIBS).

Transgender-inclusive behaviors are actions and communication supporting transgender individuals. Examples include using language not reinforcing the gender binary, asking for and using correct pro...
Conductance of Junctions with Acetyl-Functionalized Thiols: A First-Principles-Based Analysis

Thiol-based contacts are widely used in fabrication of molecular junctions but are associated with several drawbacks due to their chemical reactivity. In particular, their tendency to dimerize by forming sulfur–sulfur bonds is viewed as a barrier for large scale bridge fabrication. Instead, the use of functionalized sulfur end groups in the fabrication of the junctions is promoted. We analyze the effects of thiol functionalization by acetyl on the transport properties of porphyrin based bridges. In scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) experiments, where the conductance is measured as the tip is retracted, we observe molecular conductance steps due to junctions with acetyl protected thiols that are significantly lower than observed for junctions with deprotected thiols (by a factor of ≈5). Using a first-principles based computational approach, we explain the lower conductance of junctions with acetyl functionalized thiol and associate it to chemical changes of the sulfur, where essentially a tunneling barri...
Supervisory Control Project of a Copper Solvent Extraction Pilot Plant

Abstract The experience developing a supervisory control and information systems in a SX pilot plant is presented. The plant is located at the Process Control Laboratory, Santa Maria University, in Chile. The control system is organized at three levels, local, hydrodynamic and metallurgic supervisory controls, in an architecture including field controllers, PLC and PC networks. The main objectives are to develop and test intelligent techniques in a hybrid system, and to study measurement and supervisory control problems. It is expected to produce reliable results that will contribute to improve the efficiency of this emerging and important process.
A course in prosthetics for the developing world: Merging education, research, and industry to teach biomedical design for social impact

Under the auspices of the MIT D-Lab, a team of graduate students has instructed a course since 2008 that centers around teaching low-cost prosthetic design for resource-constrained environments. Recently, the course has evolved into a fully immersive design experience that pairs student teams with real-life international stakeholders and industry partners. Following this structure, projects initiated as part of the course have been tested at field sites around the world, stimulated further research, advanced student careers, raised additional grant money, and generated peer-reviewed publications and intellectual property.
How character customization affects learning in computational thinking

The ability to select or customize characters in educational applications and games has been shown to influence factors related to learning effects such as transfer, self-efficacy, and motivation. Most previous conclusions on the perception of virtual characters and the effect of character assignment in interactive applications have been reached through short, one-task experiments. To investigate more long-term effects of assigning versus customizing characters as well as explore perceptions of personal character appearance, we conduct a study in which sixth and seventh grade students are introduced to programming concepts with the software VEnvI (Virtual Environment Interactions) in seven one-hour sessions over two weeks. In VEnvI, students create performances for virtual characters by assembling blocks. With a between-subjects design, in which some of the students can alter their character and others are not given that possibility, we examine the influence of the presence or absence of character choice options on learning. We hypothesize that students have higher learning outcomes when they can choose and customize how their character looks compared to when they are assigned a character. We confirm this hypothesis for a category of learning (Remember and Understand) and give insights on students' relationships with their character.
Pharmacologic and clinical assessment of kratom.

Purpose This article reviews the pharmacology, clinical utility, adverse effects, and abuse potential of kratom. Summary The leaves of M. speciosa contain the biologically active alkaloids of kratom. Kratom exerts opioid and α-2 receptor agonistic effects as well as antiinflammatory and parasympathetic-impeding effects. There are no published human pharmacologic, pharmacokinetic, or drug interaction studies on kratom or mitragynine, making it virtually impossible to fully understand kratom’s therapeutic potential and risks and the populations most likely to benefit or experience harm from its use. Kratom has been used to ameliorate opioid withdrawal symptoms but also induces withdrawal. Human pharmacologic, pharmacokinetic and clinical data are of low quality precluding any firm conclusions regarding safety and efficacy. Respiratory depression has not been commonly reported but kratom does cause a host of adverse effects without clear guidance for how they should be treated. There are numerous assessments where people have been unable to stop using kratom therapy and withdrawal signs and symptoms are problematic. Kratom does not appear in normal drug screens and, when taken with other substances of abuse, may not be recognized. Thirty-six deaths have been attributed to kratom, and the Food and Drug Administration issued a public health warning about the substance in November 2017. Conclusion Kratom exerts opioid and α-2 receptor agonistic effects as well as antiinflammatory and parasympathetic-impeding effects. Human pharmacologic, pharmacokinetic, and clinical data are of low quality precluding any firm conclusions regarding safety and efficacy.
Fellows' perspective of HPB training programs in North America: results of a survey.

Abstract Background Sixteen hepatopancreatobiliary fellowship programs in North America are accredited by the Fellowship Council. This study aims to assess fellows' perceptions of their training program. Methods A multiple-choice questionnaire was sent to 35 fellows to assess how they perceived their training: academics, research, operative experiences, autonomy, mentorship, program quality and weaknesses. The survey was developed using the SurveyMonkey® tool. Results Twenty-four of 35 fellows completed the survey. Sixteen fellows reported structured didactics; 10 reported mandatory research. As to operative experiences; 9 fellows reported exposure to minimally-invasive liver surgery; 5 reported exposure to robotics. Fourteen fellows reported using ablation; 5 reported using ablation laparoscopically; 8 reported using mostly radiofrequency ablation; 1 reported using irreversible electroporation. Eighteen fellows reported excellent training; 20 reported mentorship; 19 reported operative autonomy. Limited exposure to medical oncology/multidisciplinary care, portal hypertension surgery, and robotics surgery were perceived as program weaknesses by 7, 9, and 7 fellows, respectively. Conclusion Most fellows ranked their program quality and academic content as excellent, but they perceived a need for more exposure to medical oncology, portal hypertension surgery, and minimally-invasive surgery, with an emphasis on robotics. Fellowship training may need to integrate fellows' desires for enhanced proficiency in these clinical areas.
The Natural History of Genital Herpes Simplex Virus

Genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection has emerged as a disease of public health importance. The morbidity of the illness, its frequent recurrence, its complications such as aseptic meningitis and neonatal transmission, and its epidemiologic association with cervical carcinoma have made this entity of great concern to patients and health care providers. In the last three decades major advances in the understanding of the natural history and epidemiology of this entity have occurred. However, major gaps in our knowledge of the epidemiology, clinical course, and immunology of this infection still remain. Much is yet to be learned before we can expect to develop and test effective methods to control recurrences and prevent the transmission of disease.
The first 6 months: developing a user-informed anticipatory counselling video about the levonorgestrel intrauterine system.

Background The levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) is a contraceptive method that can cause irregular bleeding and cramping during the first 6 months of use. Expected side effects are common reasons given for LNG-IUS device discontinuation within 12 months of use. Anticipatory counselling regarding expected LNG-IUS side effects may reduce method discontinuation and improve patient satisfaction. Educational videos could improve anticipatory counselling for LNG-IUS users; however, none have been developed. This article describes the process of developing an anticipatory counselling video with input from women in the first 6 months of LNG-IUS use and from family planning (FP) experts. Methods We used a participatory, iterative process to develop an anticipatory counselling video about the first 6 months of LNG-IUS use. We developed a preliminary draft using evidence from the published literature. We sought feedback from 11 FP experts and 49 LNG-IUS users to revise the script before creating the final video. Results FP experts suggested balancing negative with positive information and using colloquial language. LNG-IUS users requested more detailed information on the LNG-IUS mechanism of action and expected side effects in the form of statistics, infographic animations, testimonials from LNG-IUS users, and technical as opposed to colloquial language. The final video is 6 min in length and features seven LNG-IUS users, three physicians, and infographic animations. Conclusion Including input from FP experts and LNG-IUS users in the development process resulted in a 6-min anticipatory counselling video that will be piloted among patients on the day of their LNG-IUS insertion.
CHARACTERIZATION OF HUMAN NK CELLS IDENTIFIED BY THE MONOCLONAL HNK-1 (Leu-7) ANTIBODY

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the characterization of human natural killer (NK) cells identified by the monoclonal HNK-1 (Leu-7) antibody. The monoclonal antibody, HNK-1, was produced against the cultured cell line, HSB-2, using the hybridoma technique introduced by Kohler and Milstein. Although HSB-2 cells have been considered to be of T-cell origin, they lack T-cell-associated antigens identified by the monoclonal antibodies, OKT1, T3, T4, T5, and T8. In a study described in the chapter, when the HNK-1 antibody was tested against cultured lymphoid cell lines, it reacted with some T-cell lines (HSB-2 and MOLT-4) but not with any other T-cell line (MOLT-3), with any B-cell lines, or with cultured phagocytic cells. When human blood mononuclear cells were examined by immunofluorescence, the HNK-1 antibody reacted solely with a morphologically distinct population of granular lymphocytes with NK- and K-cell function. The results suggested that a differentiation antigen identified by the monoclonal HNK-1 antibody is exclusively expressed on human NK and K cells. The HNK-1 antibody also distinguishes the classically defined NK cell from its analogues.
Dislocation Network Dynamics During Creep Deformation of Monocrystalline Sodium Chloride

ABSTRACT A method of measuring the distribution of dislocation link lengths from etch-pit photographs is developed and applied to monocrystalline NaCl samples deformed in creep under compressive stresses of 0.39, 0.59 and 0.78 MPa at 650 and 700°C. Examples of the dislocation link-length distributions are presented for transient and steady state creep. During primary creep the distributions behave as expected, consistent with a decrease in the free dislocation density with time or strain. Suitably normalized distributions are compared for NaCl and MgO, the latter measured independently from thin foils examined in the transmission electron microscope. The normalized distributions are nearly identical, providing considerable confidence in the method of measurement. The implications of these measurements are discussed.
Key drivers of physician decision-making in utilizing next generation sequencing results to guide cancer therapy.

e18101Background: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has led to a rapid and substantial increase in the understanding of cancer molecular biology. However, for NGS to successfully impact treatment de...
Neoliberal regime change and the remaking of global health: from rollback disinvestment to rollout reinvestment and reterritorialization

This article examines the impacts of two interconnected but distinct regimes of neoliberalism on global health. The first is the ‘rollback’ regime associated most commonly with the 1980s and 1990s ...
‘Enabling Periphereality’: Artistic Trajectories in a Peripheral City:

The common perspective on centre–periphery power relations views central cities as the source of cultural authority and legitimacy, the influence of which peripheral cities passively accept. By fol...
Correlates of Pregnant Women’s Participation in a Substance Use Assessment and Counseling Intervention Integrated into Prenatal Care

Screening and referral for substance use are essential components of prenatal care. However, little is known about barriers to participation in substance use interventions that are integrated within prenatal care. Our study examines demographic and clinical correlates of participation in an initial assessment and counseling intervention integrated into prenatal care in a large healthcare system. The sample comprised Kaiser Permanente Northern California pregnant women with a live birth in 2014 or 2015 who screened positive for prenatal substance use via a self-reported questionnaire and/or urine toxicology test given as part of standard prenatal care (at ~ 8 weeks gestation). Of the 11,843 women who screened positive for prenatal substance use (median age = 30 years; 42% white; 38% screened positive for alcohol only, 20% for cannabis only, 5% nicotine only, 17% other drugs only, and 19% ≥ 2 substance categories), 9836 (83%) completed the initial substance use assessment and counseling intervention. Results from multivariable logistic regression analyses indicated that younger age, lower income, single marital status, and a positive urine toxicology test predicted higher odds of participation, while other/unknown race/ethnicity, greater parity, receiving the screening later in pregnancy, and screening positive for alcohol only or other drugs only predicted lower odds of participation (all Ps < .05). Findings suggest that integrated substance use interventions can successfully reach vulnerable populations of pregnant women (e.g., younger, lower income, racial/ethnic minorities). Future research should address whether differences in participation are due to patient (e.g., type of substance used, perceived stigma) or provider factors (e.g., working harder to engage traditionally underserved patients).
A new all-sky catalog of stars with large proper motions

A new all-sky catalog of stars with proper motions μ > 0.15″ yr −1 is presented. The catalog is largely a product of the SUPERBLINK survey, a data-mining initiative in which the entire Digitized Sky Surveys are searched for moving stellar sources. Findings from earlier proper motions surveys are also incorporated. The new all-sky catalog supersedes the great historic proper motion catalogs assembled by W. J. Luyten (LHS, NLTT), and provides a virtually complete > 98% census of high proper motion stars down to magnitude R = 19.
Blockade of TRPC Channels Limits Cholinergic-Driven Hyperexcitability and Seizure Susceptibility After Traumatic Brain Injury.

We investigated the contribution of excitatory transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) cation channels to posttraumatic hyperexcitability in the brain 7 days following controlled cortical impact model of traumatic brain injury (TBI) to the parietal cortex in male adult mice. We investigated if TRPC1/TRPC4/TRPC5 channel expression is upregulated in excitatory neurons after TBI in contribution to epileptogenic hyperexcitability in key hippocampal and cortical circuits that have substantial cholinergic innervation. This was tested by measuring TRPC1/TRPC4/TRPC5 protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, assays of cholinergic function, neuronal Ca2+ imaging in brain slices, and seizure susceptibility after TBI. We found region-specific increases in expression of TRPC1, TRPC4, and TRPC5 subunits in the hippocampus and cortex following TBI. The dentate gyrus, CA3 region, and cortex all exhibited robust upregulation of TRPC4 mRNA and protein. TBI increased cFos activity in dentate gyrus granule cells (DGGCs) and layer 5 pyramidal neurons both at the time of TBI and 7 days post-TBI. DGGCs displayed greater magnitude and duration of acetylcholine-induced rises in intracellular Ca2+ in brain slices from mice subjected to TBI. The TBI mice also exhibited greater seizure susceptibility in response to pentylenetetrazol-induced kindling. Blockade of TRPC4/TRPC5 channels with M084 reduced neuronal hyperexcitation and impeded epileptogenic progression of kindling. We observed that the time-dependent upregulation of TRPC4/TRPC5-containing channels alters cholinergic responses and activity of principal neurons acting to increase proexcitatory sensitivity. The underlying mechanism includes acutely decreased acetylcholinesterase function, resulting in greater G q/11-coupled muscarinic receptor activation of TRPC channels. Overall, our evidence suggests that TBI-induced plasticity of TRPC channels strongly contributes to overt hyperexcitability and primes the hippocampus and cortex for seizures.
Gene-level analysis of rare variants in 379,066 whole exome sequences identifies an association of GIGYF1 loss of function with type 2 diabetes.

Sequencing of large cohorts offers an unprecedented opportunity to identify rare genetic variants and to find novel contributors to human disease. We used gene-based collapsing tests to identify genes associated with glucose, HbA1c and type 2 diabetes (T2D) diagnosis in 379,066 exome-sequenced participants in the UK Biobank. We identified associations for variants in GCK, HNF1A and PDX1, which are known to be involved in Mendelian forms of diabetes. Notably, we uncovered novel associations for GIGYF1, a gene not previously implicated by human genetics in diabetes. GIGYF1 predicted loss of function (pLOF) variants associated with increased levels of glucose (0.77 mmol/L increase, p = 4.42 × 10–12) and HbA1c (4.33 mmol/mol, p = 1.28 × 10–14) as well as T2D diagnosis (OR = 4.15, p = 6.14 × 10–11). Multiple rare variants contributed to these associations, including singleton variants. GIGYF1 pLOF also associated with decreased cholesterol levels as well as an increased risk of hypothyroidism. The association of GIGYF1 pLOF with T2D diagnosis replicated in an independent cohort from the Geisinger Health System. In addition, a common variant association for glucose and T2D was identified at the GIGYF1 locus. Our results highlight the role of GIGYF1 in regulating insulin signaling and protecting from diabetes.
Satellite studies of magnetospheric substorms on August 15, 1968. I - State of the magnetosphere.

The state of the magnetosphere on August 15, 1968, as defined by magnetic indices and ground magnetograms, is described. Onset times of various phases of two magnetospheric substorms are determined. These substorms occurred while the OGO 5 satellite was inbound on the midnight meridian through the cusp region of the geomagnetic tail. It is concluded that at least two worldwide substorm expansions were preceded by growth phases.
Structural Aspects of Lysyl Oxidase

Lysyl oxidase is unusual amongst the copper-containing amine oxidases. It is much smaller (29kDa) and has a high cysteine content, with ten conserved cysteines. Quantitative NTSB assays show that lysyl oxidase contains five disulfide links and no free cysteines. Thus lysyl oxidase has six covalent cross-links (including one on the cofactor) that provide constraints for molecular modeling studies directed at elucidating the secondary structure of lysyl oxidase and clarifying the geometry of the active site. Computer modeling of a 34-residue, histidine-rich section of lysyl oxidase implicated as a copper-binding region indicates that this region alone does not account for the known properties of the copper-binding site, so we are now extending modeling to the 140-amino acid C-terminal region.
EFFECTS OF LOCAL CRYSTALLOGRAPHY ON STRESS-INDUCED VOIDING IN PASSIVATED COPPER INTERCONNECTS*

We have measured local variations in microtexture and grain boundary misorientation in narrow, passivated copper interconnects, using electron backscatter diffraction. This allowed us to differentiate between the local crystallography associated with voids and that associated with regions remaining intact during thermal treatment, all within the same lines. In general, grain boundaries intersecting voids exhibited structures that provided more favorable kinetic pathways for atom migration than those boundaries present within intact regions of the same line. Specifically, grains near voids showed a locally weaker texture than those in unvoided regions. Boundaries between such grains were more likely to be of twist character and of higher angle character than those in unvoided regions. Such boundaries, when of tilt character, were more likely to have misorientation axes parallel to the film plane. Local variations in crystallography are shown to play an important role in determining interconnect reliability.
General purpose computing using polarization-encoded optical shadow casting

A memory-efficient multioutput arithmetic logic unit has been designed using a polarization-encoded optical shadow casting scheme. The authors expand the scope of special-purpose optical digital computing to more general-purpose computing. Consequently, a novel design of an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) is proposed which is capable of performing both arithmetic and logical operations. A conventional ALU architecture is followed, where the output of the ALU are generated separately. Normally, all the outputs of an ALU are not required at the same time. Thus sequential output generation is not a bottleneck. The design algorithms for identifying the source patterns, input encoding, and output mask are presented. >
Network Tomography through End-to-End Measurements

The Internet is currently composed of thousands of networks (autonomous systems) containing several hundred thousand routers. It increases in size at an exponential pace and in a decentralized, adhoc manner. This combination of size, rapid growth and decentralization poses tremendous challenges to an outside observer attempting to understand the internal behavior of the Internet. As the observer will have access to only a very small fraction of components in the interior of the network, it is crucial to develop methodologies for network tomography. i.e., identifying internal network performance characteristics based on end-to-end measurements. In this talk, we overview the nascent field of network tomography. We illustrate problems and issues with examples taken from our MINC (multicast inference of network characteristics) project [1]. Briefly, the MINC project relies on the use of end-to-end multicast loss and delay measurements for a sequence of active probes to infer loss and delay characteristics on the distribution tree between a sender and a set of receivers. Thus, given a set of potential senders and receivers, two ingredients are required. The first, statistical in nature, is a methodology for inferring the internal characteristics of the distribution tree for a single sender and set of receivers. The second, algorithmic in nature, is a methodology for choosing an optimal set of trees that can be used to infer the internal characteristics of the network. Last, we will attempt to identify challenging algorithmic problems throughout the talk and the rich set of avenues available for investigate the implementation and performance of different network tomography algorithms through experiments over the Internet.
Simultaneous coupling of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors to two G-proteins with opposing effects. Subtype-selective coupling of alpha 2C10, alpha 2C4, and alpha 2C2 adrenergic receptors to Gi and Gs.

Coupling of the three alpha 2-adrenergic receptor (alpha 2AR) subtypes to Gi and Gs was studied in membranes from transfected CHO cells. We observed that in the presence of low concentrations of the alpha 2AR agonist UK-14304, alpha 2C10 mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity, whereas at high concentrations of agonist, alpha 2C10 mediated stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity. We considered that this biphasic response was due to the coupling of alpha 2C10 to both Gi and Gs. To isolate functional Gs and Gi coupling, cells were treated with pertussis toxin or cholera toxin in doses sufficient to fully ADP-ribosylate the respective G-proteins. Following treatment with cholera toxin, agonists elicited only alpha 2C10-mediated inhibition (approximately 50%) of adenylyl cyclase while after pertussis toxin treatment, agonists elicited only alpha 2C10-mediated stimulation (approximately 60%) of adenylyl cyclase. Incubation of membranes with antisera directed against the carboxyl-terminal portion of Gs alpha blocked this functional alpha 2AR.Gs coupling to the same extent as that found for beta 2AR.Gs coupling. In addition to functional Gs coupling, we also verified direct, agonist-dependent, physical coupling of alpha 2AR to Gs alpha. In agonist-treated membranes, an agonist-receptor-Gs alpha complex was immunoprecipitated with a specific alpha 2C10 antibody, and the Gs component identified by both western blots using Gs alpha antibody, and cholera toxin mediated ADP-ribosylation. Due to the differences in primary amino acid structure in a number of regions of the alpha 2AR subtypes, we investigated whether G-protein coupling was subtype-selective, using UK-14304 and cells with the same alpha 2AR expression levels (approximately 5 pmol/mg). Coupling to Gi was equivalent for alpha 2C10, alpha 2C4, and alpha 2C2: 53.4 +/- 8.8% versus 54.9 +/- 1.0% versus 47.6 +/- 3.5% inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, respectively. In marked contrast, distinct differences in coupling to Gs were found between the three alpha 2AR subtypes: stimulation of adenylyl cyclase was 57.9 +/- 6.3% versus 30.7 +/- 1.1% versus 21.8 +/- 1.7% for alpha 2C10, alpha 2C4, and alpha 2C2, respectively. Thus, alpha 2AR have the potential to couple physically and functionally to both Gi and Gs; for Gi coupling we found a rank order of alpha 2C10 = alpha 2C4 = alpha 2C2, while for Gs coupling, alpha 2C10 greater than alpha 2C4 greater than alpha 2C2.