cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phenotypically matched vs. traditional screen method for preparing red blood cell units in patients with abnormal placentation: a decision analysis approach

Background Patients with abnormal placentation are hospitalized approximately 21 days prior to scheduled delivery due to risk of peri-partum bleeding. It is required to have at least one red blood cell (RBC) unit ready throughout hospitalization. This can be accomplished by performing a type and cross (T&C) every 72 h (traditional method) or providing phenotypically matched RBC units (alternative method). Methods A Markov-based model was created to compare the cost-benefits between these two methods. A patient either undergoes the traditional or alternative method. If the patient already made an antibody and/or has rare phenotypes requiring frozen RBC unit at admission, then she can only enter the traditional method. All patients receive a T&C at the end of the 21st day in order to prepare RBC units for scheduled delivery. Model parameters are derived from literature and institutional experiences. Results Simulation was run for modelling of the 21-day hospitalization of each patient. The expected cost per RBC unit of the traditional method is significantly higher than the alternative method (876·59 vs. 608·32 USD, P-value <0·01). For each RBC unit, 4·85 h of technician working time is saved by the alternative method. However, to be cost-beneficial, the alternative method should be used only if the total cost of a RBC unit is <857·67 USD. Conclusion Our model demonstrated that preparing phenotypically matched RBC units at admission is more cost-beneficial comparing to the traditional method of T&C every 72 h if the cost for the matched unit is <857·67 USD.
Short-Term Functional Outcomes of Long-Term Care Residents with Pneumonia Treated with and without Hospital Transfer

OBJECTIVE: To determine 2-month mortality and functional status outcomes after resolution of pneumonia in older long-term care facility (LTCF) patients treated with and without hospital transfer. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged, a 725-bed LTCF affiliated with an academic medical center, whose residents are cared for by staff physicians and geriatric fellows. PATIENTS: LTCF residents with an acute episode of pneumonia, defined as a new respiratory sign or symptom and a new infiltrate on chest radiograph. MEASUREMENTS: Functional decline or death in the 2 months after the resolution of pneumonia. RESULTS: Of 312 cases of pneumonia, 246 (79%) were treated in the LTCF and 66 (21%) were treated in the hospital. Equal proportions of patients died of their pneumonia (13% vs 12%), but a larger proportion of those hospitalized had either worsening in their functional status or had died at 2 months (P = .005, Mantel-Haenszel trend test). In a logistic regression model controlling for differences between patients treated at the two sites, hospital treatment remained associated with poorer 2-month outcome (AOR 3.02, 95% CI 1.32, 7.22), with a significant interaction between respiratory rate and treatment site. LTCF treatment was associated with better 2-month outcomes only among patients with a lower respiratory rate. For these patients, the difference in outcome between LTCF treatment and hospital treatment was greatest for patients who were independent or mildly dependent at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: In this academic LTCF, treatment for pneumonia without hospital transfer resulted in better 2-month outcomes compared with hospital treatment. Although the difference in outcome may be explained in part by differences between patients treated with and without hospital transfer, it persisted after correcting for these differences. The benefits of LTCF treatment appear to be greatest for those with less severe pneumonia and more independent functional status.
A New Standard of Spectral Irradiance

The National Bureau of Standards has made available a new standard of spectral irradiance in the form of a 200-W quartz-iodine lamp with a coiled-coil tungsten filament operating at about 3000°K and calibrated over the spectral range of 0.25 to 2.6 μ. The calibration of this standard is based upon the radiance of a blackbody as defined by the Planck law of radiation, since it was done by comparisons with the NBS standards of spectral radiance, of luminous intensity, and of total irradiance, each of which was established through the use of blackbodies. This standard is used without auxiliary optics. Because of its small physical size and high operating temperature, relatively high spectral irradiances may be obtained through its use.
Ruptured retinal arterial macroaneurysm associated with a stage IV macular hole

Abstract Purpose To report a case of stage IV macular hole associated with ruptured retinal arterial macroaneurysm. Design Observational case report. Methods The patient’s clinical, angiographic, and ophthalmic coherent tomography data were reviewed. Results A stage IV macular hole was observed in association with a ruptured retinal arterial macroaneurysm in a 79-year-old patient. After vitrectomy surgery, the macular hole closed and vision improved from counting fingers to 20/100. Conclusion Macular hole associated with ruptured retinal macroaneurysm can be closed successfully to result in improved vision.
Characteristics of Baroclinic Wave Packets during Strong and Weak Stratospheric Polar Vortex Events

Abstract This study tested a numerical and theoretical prediction that the stratosphere and troposphere are coupled through the effect of stratospheric vertical wind shear on baroclinic waves. Wavelengths, phase speeds, and background quasigeostrophic potential vorticity gradients were analyzed over the Pacific and Atlantic during strong and weak stratospheric polar vortex events and interpreted in terms of the counterpropagating Rossby wave perspective on baroclinic instability. Effects of zonal variations in the background flow were included in the analysis of phase speeds. Observed changes in wave packet average wavelength and phase speed support the vertical shear hypothesis for stratosphere–troposphere coupling; however, changes in the intrinsic phase speed contradict the hypothesis. This inconsistency was resolved by considering the change in zonal wind speed in the lower stratosphere, which accounts for most of the change in phase speeds during strong and weak vortex events. Changes in the average ...
Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Here We Are, Where Must We Go?

ABSTRACTObjective: To present the current state of knowledge of myofascial pain syndrome [MPS] and to point the direction for new research.Findings: MPS was first defined clinically by Janet Travell, MD, and later by David Simons, MD. Pain neurophysiology has only recently provided the basis for understanding the sensorimotor manifestations of MPS. This article reviews the current state of knowledge concerning MPS. MPS is a form of myalgia characterized by local regions of muscle hardness and tenderness that cause referred pain. The signature feature is the trigger point, a tender, taut band of muscle that can be painful spontaneously or when stimulated. The active trigger point has identifiable pathophysiologic changes. Levels of substance P, calcitonin gene related peptide, bradykinin, and assorted cytokines, are elevated, indicating a chemical inflammation. Trigger point milieu pH is low, about pH 5, consistent with hypoxia and ischemia. Persistent, low-amplitude, high-frequency electrical discharges t...
Energy Losses in Electrical Power Systems

Today's power systems engineer is perplexed by the pressure to ``do something'' about wasted energy. He needs to know where losses exist in system components, If he can measure them, what are the theoretical savings, and what he can do about them. An Introduction to this continuing subject is given, typical loss data on electrical equipment are provided, and measurement problems are discussed. System design criteria for reducing losses are considered. A checklist for decreasing losses is provided, and operating losses and future savings and trends are discussed.
Characterization of fresh and decomposed dissolved organic matter using excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy and multiway analysis.

Fresh and decomposed dissolved organic matter (DOM) derived from 13 plant biomass and animal manure sources was characterized using multidimensional fluorescence spectroscopy with parallel factor a...
The Shannon sampling theorem&#8212;Its various extensions and applications: A tutorial review

It has been almost thirty years since Shannon introduced the sampling theorem to communications theory. In this review paper we will attempt to present the various contributions made for the sampling theorems with the necessary mathematical details to make it self-contained. We will begin by a clear statement of Shannon's sampling theorem followed by its applied interpretation for time-invariant systems. Then we will review its origin as Whittaker's interpolation series. The extensions will include sampling for functions of more than one variable, random processes, nonuniform sampling, nonband-limited functions, implicit sampling, generalized functions (distributions), sampling with the function and its derivatives as suggested by Shannon in his original paper, and sampling for general integral transforms. Also the conditions on the functions to be sampled will be summarized. The error analysis of the various sampling expansions, including specific error bounds for the truncation, aliasing, jitter and parts of various other errors will be discussed and summarized. This paper will be concluded by searching the different recent applications of the sampling theorems in other fields, besides communications theory. These include optics, crystallography, time-varying systems, boundary value problems, spline approximation, special functions, and the Fourier and other discrete transforms.
Decision Processes in Children's Recognition Memory.

Abstract Kindergarteners and third graders were given a continuous recognition memory task involving two-digit numbers. In addition, a rating scale consisting of photographs of various facial expressions was used to obtain confidence judgments from the Ss. Conventional analyses as well as signal detection analyses of the data revealed the following results: (a) the overall performance of the third graders was superior to that of the kindergarteners; (b) memory strength decreased as the number of intervening items increased; (c) there was no difference in the forgetting rates of the two grade levels; (d) the third graders exhibited a more liberal response bias than the kindergarteners; (e) both the hit rate (probability of correctly labeling an old stimulus as old) and the false-alarm rate (probability of incorrectly labeling a new stimulus as old) increased across blocks of items; (f) the increases in the hit rate and the false-alarm rate over blocks were due to a change in criterion from a relatively conservative level to a more lenient one; (g) the lower the S's level of confidence in judging an item as old, the lower was the probability of that item actually being old; (h) the third graders were better than the kindergarteners at gauging the accuracy of their recognition responses. It was concluded that with respect to recognition memory, chidren as young as 5 1 2 years old are capable, to some extent, of monitoring their own memory states.
Preparing teachers to work with children of gay and lesbian parents

Ces dernieres annees, une nouvelle forme de famille est nee: la famille de parents gays ou lesbiennes et le programme d'enseignement des enseignants doit s'adapter en consequence. Le programme propose dans cet article derive des theories de l'education multiculturelle: le respect des differences. Le but est que l'enfant vivant dans une famille d'homosexuels ne se sente pas different des autres et puisse se sentir a l'aise dans son milieu scolaire
Visualizing volume data using physical models

Visualization techniques enable scientists to interactively explore 3D data sets, segmenting and cutting them to reveal inner structure. While powerful, these techniques suffer from one serious flaw-the images they create are displayed on a flat piece of glass or paper. It is not really 3D-it can only be made to appear 3D. We describe the construction of 3D physical models from volumetric data. Using solid freeform fabrication equipment, these models are built as separate interlocking pieces that express in physical form the segmentation and cutting operations common in display-based visualization.
Arrest Clearances for Homicide

At the time Wolfgang (1958) completed his classic research on homicide, arrest clearances for criminal homicide in Philadelphia were 94%. Of the 588 criminal homicides between 1948 and 1952, only 38 cases were listed as uncleared. On the basis of police reports requested by Wolfgang from 18 U.S. cities, percent cleared by arrest ranged from 84.1% in Seattle to 98.8% in Buffalo, except for Pittsburgh (1949–1953), the period covered by the clearance statistics was from 1948–1952. Although the number of cases was small, Wolfgang did a simple analysis comparing cleared and uncleared homicides in a short (10 pages) chapter.
Through‐growth by Pseudotsuga menziesii: A mechanism for change in forest composition without canopy gaps

. The currently prevailing view is that saplings require gaps or larger disturbances in order to grow into the canopy. This study documents an exception. In California's Pseudotsuga-mixed hardwood forests, crowns of Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas fir) are within those of angiosperm trees (Arbutus menziesii and Quercus species). In the forests we examined, every Pseudotsuga was younger and all but one were growing more rapidly in girth than the Arbutus or Quercus whose crown it had penetrated. Furthermore, as saplings, the Pseudotsuga had grown at rates between those of suppressed saplings and canopy dominants. The recruitment of emergent Pseudotsuga substantially alters these canopies because of the large size Pseudotsuga attains. Given the density of Pseudotsuga growing in canopy crowns, such recruitment is likely. As a mechanism of recruitment, this through-growth differs from gap recruitment in that the turnover of canopy trees is determined by an understory species' growth rate rather than the overstory species' longevity, and community attributes may change rapidly by replacement of canopy dominants with a dissimilar species. Pseudotsuga could grow through the canopy because of its greater potential height (> 60m vs. 20–40m for the angiosperms), narrower crown and its branches suffering less mechanical damage than those of the angiosperms. In general, resource levels in the understory, canopy height, and interspecific differences in maximum height and crown architecture all influence the likelihood of through-growth. Therefore, for vegetation types whose dominants differ substantially in growth form, through-growth may be a mechanism for rapid ecosystem change.
Pyridostigmine in the treatment of postural orthostatic tachycardia: a single-center experience.

Background: The long-term efficacy of pyridostigmine, a reversible acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor, in the treatment of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) patients remains unclear. We report our retrospective, single-center, long-term experience regarding the efficacy and adverse effect profile of pyridostigmine in the treatment of POTS patients. Methods: This retrospective study included an extensive review of electronic charts and data collection in regards to patient demographics, orthostatic parameters, side-effect profile, subjective response to therapy, as well as laboratory studies recorded at each follow-up visit to our institution’s Syncope and Autonomic Disorders Center. The response to pyridostigmine therapy was considered successful if patient had both symptom relief in addition to an objective response in orthostatic hemodynamic parameters (heart rate [HR] and blood pressure). Three hundred patients with POTS were screened for evaluation in this study. Of these 300, 203 patients with POTS who received pyridostigmine therapy were reviewed. Of these 203 patients, 168 were able to tolerate the medication after careful dose titration. The mean followup duration in this group of patients was 12 ± 3 (9‐15) months. Pyridostigmine improved symptoms of orthostatic intolerance in 88 of 203 (43%) of total patients or 88 of 172 (51%) who were able to tolerate the drug. The symptoms that improved the most included fatigue (55%), palpitations (60%), presyncope (60%), and syncope (48%). Symptom reduction correlated with a statistically significant improvement in upright HR and diastolic blood pressure after treatment with pyridostigmine as compared to their baseline hemodynamic parameters (standing HR 94 ± 19 vs 82 ± 16, P < 0.003, standing diastolic blood pressure 71 ± 11 vs 74 ± 12, P < 0.02). Gastrointestinal problems were the most common adverse effects (n = 39, 19%) reported. The overall efficacy of pyridostigmine in our study was seen in 42% of total patients or 52% of patients who could tolerate taking the drug. Conclusion: The subgroup of POTS patients who can tolerate oral pyridostigmine may demonstrate improvement in their standing HR, standing diastolic blood pressure, and clinical symptoms of orthostatic intolerance. (PACE 2011; 1‐6) pyridostigmine, orthostatic intolerance, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
Building Intercultural Benevolence: Cultural Strategies and Their Receptivity

In the context of Japanese parent country national (PCN) expatriation in the USA, I study the strategies which have been identified in the literature as building intercultural relationships. I posit and find support for a positive association between PCN expatriate cultural adaptation and local assessments of PCN expatriate benevolence. Diverging from past work, I posit and find support for a negative relationship between cultural coaching and local assessments of PCN expatriate benevolence. Under the title of receptivity, I further explore how certain individual attributes lead local colleagues to be more or less receptive to these strategies. In line with my hypothesizes, I find that a local’s prior visit to Japan strengthens the positive effect of PCN expatriate cultural adaptation while a local’s endorsement of an essentialist theory of race weakens the negative effect of PCN expatriate cultural coaching. I test my hypothesises with random coefficient modeling using data collected from 53 Japanese PCN...
p53 Family Members Regulate Phenotypic Response to Aurora Kinase A Inhibition in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis. Advances in the treatment of TNBC have been hampered by the lack of novel effective targeted therapies. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of targeting Aurora kinase A (AurA), a key regulator of mitosis, in TNBC models. A secondary objective was to determine the role of the p53 family of transcriptional regulators, commonly mutated in TNBC, in determining the phenotypic response to the AurA inhibitor alisertib (MLN8237). Alisertib exhibited potent antiproliferative and proapototic activity in a subset of TNBC models. The induction of apoptosis in response to alisertib exposure was dependent on p53 and p73 activity. In the absence of functional p53 or p73, there was a shift in the phenotypic response following alisertib exposure from apoptosis to cellular senescence. Additionally, senescence was observed in patient-derived tumor xenografts with acquired resistance to alisertib treatment. AurA inhibitors are a promising class of novel therapeutics in TNBC. The role of p53 and p73 in mediating the phenotypic response to anti-mitotic agents in TNBC may be harnessed to develop an effective biomarker selection strategy in this difficult to target disease.
Hypersensitivities for acetaldehyde and other agents among cancer cells null for clinically relevant Fanconi anemia genes

Large-magnitude numerical distinctions (>10-fold) among drug responses of genetically contrasting cancers were crucial for guiding the development of some targeted therapies. Similar strategies brought epidemiological clues and prevention goals for genetic diseases. Such numerical guides, however, were incomplete or low magnitude for Fanconi anemia pathway (FANC) gene mutations relevant to cancer in FANC-mutation carriers (heterozygotes). We generated a four-gene FANC-null cancer panel, including the engineering of new PALB2/FANCN-null cancer cells by homologous recombination. A characteristic matching of FANCC-null, FANCG-null, BRCA2/FANCD1-null, and PALB2/FANCN-null phenotypes was confirmed by uniform tumor regression on single-dose cross-linker therapy in mice and by shared chemical hypersensitivities to various inter-strand cross-linking agents and γ-radiation in vitro. Some compounds, however, had contrasting magnitudes of sensitivity; a strikingly high (19- to 22-fold) hypersensitivity was seen among PALB2-null and BRCA2-null cells for the ethanol metabolite, acetaldehyde, associated with widespread chromosomal breakage at a concentration not producing breaks in parental cells. Because FANC-defective cancer cells can share or differ in their chemical sensitivities, patterns of selective hypersensitivity hold implications for the evolutionary understanding of this pathway. Clinical decisions for cancer-relevant prevention and management of FANC-mutation carriers could be modified by expanded studies of high-magnitude sensitivities.
Postauricular and superior auricular reflex modulation during emotional pictures and sounds

The postauricular reflex is a relatively new psychophysiological measure of appetitive emotional processing during picture viewing. However, the degree to which other auricular (i.e., superior and anterior auricular) muscles might exhibit reflexive activity congruent with that found in the postauricular muscle has not been investigated, nor has the robustness of postauricular reflex modulation across stimulus modality. In this study, postauricular reflexes were the only reflexes that showed consistent emotional modulation across ears and genders. Additionally, postauricular reflexes were significantly modulated for both emotional pictures and sounds; in both cases, postauricular reflexes were greatest during pleasant stimuli.
Functional Antagonism Between CELF and Mbnl Proteins in the Cytoplasm

The conserved CUGBP1, Elav-like (CELF) family of RNA binding proteins contribute to heart and skeletal muscle development and are implicated in myotonic dystrophy (DM). To understand genome-wide functions of CELF proteins, we analyzed transcriptome dynamics following induction of CELF1 or CELF2 in adult mouse heart or CELF1 in muscle by RNA-seq, complemented by crosslinking/immunoprecipitation-sequencing (CLIP-seq) analysis of mouse cells and tissues to distinguish direct from indirect regulatory targets. Analysis of expression and mRNA binding data revealed hundreds of mRNAs bound in their 3' UTRs by both CELF1 and and the developmentally induced Mbnl1 protein, 3-fold more than expected. The relative extent of CELF1 and Mbnl1 binding in 3' UTRs predicted the extent of repression or stabilization, respectively, following CELF induction. These findings support a ?Cytoplasmic Competition? model in which CELF and Mbnl proteins compete to specify degradation or membrane localization/stabilization, respectively, of an overlapping set of targets. Several hundred messages contained proximal CELF1 and Mbnl1 binding sites (within 50 bases), and were more strongly repressed by CELF1 than messages with distal sites. Messages with different spacing of CELF and Mbnl sites in their 3' UTRs exhibited different developmental dynamics, suggesting that spacing is used to tune cytoplasmic competition between these factors to specify the timing of developmental induction. CELF1 also shared dozens of splicing targets with Mbnl1, most regulated oppositely, confirming a phenomenon observed in smaller scale studies but not previously supported by genome-wide methods, which also appears to enhance developmental transitions.
Chronic Airway Infection/Inflammation Induces a Ca2+i-dependent Hyperinflammatory Response in Human Cystic Fibrosis Airway Epithelia

Hyperinflammatory responses to infection have been postulated as a component of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. Studies have linked intracellular calcium (Ca2+i) mobilization with inflammatory responses in several systems. We have reported that the pro-inflammatory mediator bradykinin (BK) promotes larger Ca2+i signals in CF compared with normal bronchial epithelia, a response that reflects endoplasmic reticulum (ER)/Ca2+ store expansion induced by chronic luminal airway infection/inflammation. The present study investigated whether CF airway epithelia were hyperinflammatory and, if so, whether the hyperinflammatory CF phenotype was linked to larger Ca2+ stores in the ER. We found that ΔF508 CF bronchial epithelia were hyperinflammatory as defined by an increased basal and mucosal BK-induced interleukin (IL)-8 secretion. However, the CF hyperinflammation expressed in short-term (6–11-day-old) primary cultures of ΔF508 bronchial epithelia was lost in long-term (30–40-day-old) primary cultures of ΔF508 bronchial epithelia, indicating this response was independent of mutant cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. Exposure of 30–40-day-old cultures of normal airway epithelia to supernatant from mucopurulent material (SMM) from CF airways reproduced the increased basal and mucosal BK-stimulated IL-8 secretion of short-term CF cultures. The BK-triggered increased IL-8 secretion in SMM-treated cultures was mediated by an increased Ca2+i mobilization consequent to an ER expansion associated with increases in protein synthesis (total, cytokines, and antimicrobial factors). The increased ER-dependent, Ca2+i-mediated hyperinflammatory epithelial response may represent a general beneficial airway epithelial adaptation to transient luminal infection. However, in CF airways, the Ca2+i-mediated hyperinflammation may be ineffective in promoting the eradication of infection in thickened mucus and, consequently, may have adverse effects in the lung.
Application of electromagnetics formalism to quantum-mechanical electron-wave propagation in semiconductors

The formalism of electromagnetics can be applied to describe collisionless (ballistic) propagation, reflection, refraction, interference, and diffraction of electron waves in semiconductor crystals. This technique is complementary to applying the formalism of quantum-mechanical solid-state electronics to electromagnetic propagation in periodic dielectric structures as is done in photonic band structure research.
Frequency of food allergy in a pediatric population from Spain

We evaluated the prevalence and characteristics of the principal foods implicated in 355 children diagnosed with IgE-mediated food allergy. Diagnosis was established on the basis of positive clinical history for the offending food, positive specific IgE by skin prick test and RAST, and open food challenge. Our results showed the principal foods involved in allergic reactions are: eggs, fish, and cow's milk. These are followed in frequency by fruits (peaches, hazelnuts and walnuts), legumes (lentils, peanuts and chick peas) and other vegetables (mainly sunflower seeds). The legumes demonstrated the highest degree of clinical cross-reactivity. Most patients with food allergy reacted to one or two foods (86.7%). Only 13.3% of patients reacted to 3 or more foods, mostly to legumes and fruits. We found that food allergy begins most frequently in the first (48.8%) and second (20.4%) years of life. Allergy to proteins of cow's milk, egg, and fish begins predominantly before the second year, demonstrating a clear relationship with the introduction of these foods into the child's diet. Allergy to foods of vegetable origin (fruits, legumes and other vegetables) begins predominantly after the second year.;
Elevated energy intake is correlated with hyperresponsivity in attentional, gustatory, and reward brain regions while anticipating palatable food receipt

Background: Obese compared with lean individuals show greater attention-, gustatory-, and reward-region responsivity to food cues but reduced reward-region responsivity during food intake. However, to our knowledge, research has not tested whether an objectively measured caloric intake is positively associated with neural responsivity independent of excess adipose tissue. Objective: We tested the hypothesis that objectively measured energy intake, which accounts for basal needs and the percentage of body fat, correlates positively with the neural response to anticipated palatable food intake but negatively with a response to food intake in healthy-weight adolescents. Design: Participants (n = 155; mean ± SD age: 15.9 ± 1.1 y) completed functional magnetic resonance imaging scans while anticipating and receiving palatable food compared with a tasteless solution, a doubly labeled water assessment of energy intake, and assessments of resting metabolic rate and body composition. Results: Energy intake correlated positively with activation in the lateral visual and anterior cingulate cortices (visual processing and attention), frontal operculum (primary gustatory cortex) when anticipating palatable food, and greater striatal activation when anticipating palatable food in a more-sensitive region of interest analysis. Energy intake was not significantly related to neural responsivity during palatable food intake. Conclusions: Results indicate that objectively measured energy intake that accounts for basal needs and adipose tissue correlates positively with activity in attentional, gustatory, and reward regions when anticipating palatable food. Although hyperresponsivity of these regions may increase risk of overeating, it is unclear whether this is an initial vulnerability factor or a result of previous overeating. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01807572","term_id":"NCT01807572"}}NCT01807572.
The development of a reinforcer choice assessment scale for persons with severe and profound mental retardation

Reinforcement is a cornerstone for treating adaptive skills and eliminating problem behaviors for persons evincing mental retardation. To effectively use reinforcement, professionals must find reinforcers that are most effective for each individual. Establishing reinforcers is particularly important for persons functioning in the severe and profound ranges of mental retardation as reinforcers are often difficult to identify in this population. The current study aimed at developing a reinforcer rating scale that-would have applicability on a broad clinical basis, looking specifically at the psychometric properties of the scale.
Is the serial-position curve invariant?

The evidence presented by McCrary & Hunter and later researchers, which suggests that the form of the serial-position curve is constant throughout variations in a large number of factors that affect rate of learning, has been found inadequate to answer the question of the curve's invariance. Differences in percentage of total errors in serial learning data obtained under different experimental conditions would lead to the conclusion that the serial-position curve is not invariant under all the conditions for which invariance has been claimed. Serial learning data may be analysed into three components—difficulty (number of trials to criterion), efficiency (percentage of errors), and relative difficulty of learning each position, i.e. the so-called serial-position effect. The main methodological inadequacy in studies of the serial-position effect is that the serial-position curve has always been confounded with either one or two of the other components, making it impossible properly to compare various serial curves based on data which differ either in difficulty or in efficiency. Plotting the serial curves simply in terms of the percentage of total errors at each position does not solve the problem; this method tends to eliminate the difficulty component but still leaves the curves confounded with the efficiency component. An index of Relative Difficulty was proposed as a method of representing the serial-position effect. It has the advantages of not being confounded with the other components and of being the same shape whether it is based on errors or on correct responses. It results in what might be called a ‘pure’ serial-position curve and permits the direct comparison of serial-position curves obtained under various conditions. The Index is recommended as the only satisfactory method for comparing different serial-position curves. It is especially important in comparing serial-position effects in sets of data having different total error percentages. It is urged that future research on the serial-position effect adopt the proposed Index.
Adaptive Sampling for Network Management

High-performance networks require sophisticated management systems to identify sources of bottlenecks and detect faults. At the same time, the impact of network queries on the latency and bandwidth available to the applications must be minimized. Adaptive techniques can be used to control and reduce the rate of sampling of network information, reducing the amount of processed data and lessening the overhead on the network. Two adaptive sampling methods are proposed in this paper based on linear prediction and fuzzy logic. The performance of these techniques is compared with conventional sampling methods by conducting simulative experiments using Internet and videoconference traffic patterns. The adaptive techniques are significantly more flexible in their ability to dynamically adjust with fluctuations in network behavior, and in some cases they are able to reduce the sample count by as much as a factor of two while maintaining the same accuracy as the best conventional sampling interval. The results illustrate that adaptive sampling provides the potential for better monitoring, control, and management of high-performance networks with higher accuracy, lower overhead, or both.
Commentary on “A Study of the Workforce in Emergency Medicine”☆☆☆★

Abstract [Cydulka RK, Schneider S, on behalf of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine: Commentary on "A Study of the Workforce in Emergency Medicine." Ann Emerg Med May 1999;33:558-561.]
Anatomy of the central neural pathways controlling the lower urinary tract.

Objectives: This paper will review the central nervous control of the lower urinary tract. Methods: Neuroanatomical, electrophysiological and pharmacological tech
Genome-wide Association Study Implicates a Chromosome 12 Risk Locus for Late-Onset Alzheimer Disease

Only Apolipoprotein E polymorphisms have been consistently associated with the risk of late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD), but they represent only a minority of the underlying genetic effect. To identify additional LOAD risk loci, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 492 LOAD cases and 498 cognitive controls using Illumina's HumanHap550 beadchip. An additional 238 cases and 220 controls were used as a validation data set for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that met genome-wide significance. To validate additional associated SNPs (p < 0.0001) and nominally associated candidate genes, we imputed SNPs from our GWAS using a previously published LOAD GWAS1 and the IMPUTE program. Association testing was performed with the Cochran-Armitage trend test and logistic regression, and genome-wide significance was determined with the False Discovery Rate-Beta Uniform Mixture method. Extensive quality-control methods were performed at both the sample and the SNP level. The GWAS confirmed the known APOE association and identified association with a 12q13 locus at genome-wide significance; the 12q13 locus was confirmed in our validation data set. Four additional highly associated signals (1q42, 4q28, 6q14, 19q13) were replicated with the use of the imputed data set, and six candidate genes had SNPs with nominal association in both the GWAS and the joint imputated data set. These results help to further define the genetic architecture of LOAD.
THE ROLE OF MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY ANTIGENS IN CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNITY TO VIRUS INFECTIONS

ABSTRACT–Murine thymus-derived lymphocytes (T cells) generated in response to virus infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis- or pox virus in vivo can specifically lyse virus-infected target cells in vitro only when both are compatible for the K and/or D regions of the major histocompatibility complex (H-2). Also in vivo adoptive induction of immunopathology and adoptive transfer of anti-viral protection or of delayed-type hypersensitivity are restricted to H-2K or H-2D compatible donor-recipient combinations. This unexpected association of major transplantation antigens and viruses in defining the antigenic specificity of T cells is unexplained. Two hypotheses have been proposed: 1) Physiological interaction model ––T cells specifically recognize viral antigens on the surfaces of infected cells, but for the lytic interaction to occur a second, self-selflike interaction is necessary; 2) Altered self model –T cells are sensitized to H-2K or H-2D coded cell surface structures which are altered by influence of the viral genome in an as yet unexplained way. The summarized evidence derived from cold target competition experiments with H-2 recombinant, with H-2 mutant and with chimeric mice in vivo and in vitro is more compatible with the altered self concept, but cannot exclude the physiological interaction model completely. The altered self concept yields a speculative explanation for the polymorphism and the biological role of major transplantation antigens and a general concept for T cell reactivity.
In Cylinder Augmented Mixing Through Controlled Gaseous Jet Injection

An investigation was performed on a direct injection diesel engine equipped with a gaseous injector to determine the effects of augmented mixing on emission characteristics. The gaseous injector introduced a jet of gas of particular composition in the cylinder during the latter portion of diesel combustion. This injector was controlled to inject the gas at specific engine timings and at various injection pressures. Engine experiments were done on a Labeco/Tacom single cylinder, direct injected, 1.2 liter, four stroke diesel engine. This engine was operated at 1,500 rpm at an equivalence ratio of 0.5 with simulated turbocharging. The fuel injection timing was changed for some cases to accommodate the gaseous injection. Exhaust particulate emissions were measured with a mini-dilution tunnel. All other emissions data were measured on a REGA 7000 Real-Time Exhaust Gas Analyzer Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) system. Industrial grade nitrogen was injected at high pressures and at various crank angles to observe the nitrogen`s effects on emissions under different operating conditions. For an advanced diesel fuel injection timing, particulate emissions decreased to a minimum then increased as the auxiliary nitrogen injection occurred later in the combustion period. For retarded fuel timing, the effects of gas jets of different nitrogenmore » injection pressures were investigated. Again, a reduction in particulates was observed. Carbon dioxide was injected to investigate the effects of gas composition on soot oxidation. In this study, the carbon dioxide injection was detrimental to soot oxidation. Additionally, quantitative analyses were performed on the gaseous jet outside of the engine to show the relationship between momentum introduced by the jet and its effect on turbulent mixing and emissions.« less
An improved method to construct basic probability assignment based on the confusion matrix for classification problem

The determination of basic probability assignment (BPA) is a crucial issue in the application of Dempster-Shafer evidence theory. Classification is a process of determining the class label that a sample belongs to. In classification problem, the construction of BPA based on the confusion matrix has been studied. However, the existing methods do not make full use of the available information provided by the confusion matrix. In this paper, an improved method to construct the BPA is proposed based on the confusion matrix. The proposed method takes into account both the precision rate and the recall rate of each class. An illustrative case regarding the prediction of transmembrane protein topology is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Photochemical reaction cycle transitions during anion channelrhodopsin gating

A recently discovered family of natural anion channelrhodopsins (ACRs) have the highest conductance among channelrhodopsins and exhibit exclusive anion selectivity, which make them efficient inhibitory tools for optogenetics. We report analysis of flash-induced absorption changes in purified wild-type and mutant ACRs, and of photocurrents they generate in HEK293 cells. Contrary to cation channelrhodopsins (CCRs), the ion conducting state of ACRs develops in an L-like intermediate that precedes the deprotonation of the retinylidene Schiff base (i.e., formation of an M intermediate). Channel closing involves two mechanisms leading to depletion of the conducting L-like state: (i) Fast closing is caused by a reversible L⇔M conversion. Glu-68 in Guillardia theta ACR1 plays an important role in this transition, likely serving as a counterion and proton acceptor at least at high and neutral pH. Incomplete suppression of M formation in the GtACR1_E68Q mutant indicates the existence of an alternative proton acceptor. (ii) Slow closing of the channel parallels irreversible depletion of the M-like and, hence, L-like state. Mutation of Cys-102 that strongly affected slow channel closing slowed the photocycle to the same extent. The L and M intermediates were in equilibrium in C102A as in the WT. In the position of Glu-123 in channelrhodopsin-2, ACRs contain a noncarboxylate residue, the mutation of which to Glu produced early Schiff base proton transfer and strongly inhibited channel activity. The data reveal fundamental differences between natural ACR and CCR conductance mechanisms and their underlying photochemistry, further confirming that these proteins form distinct families of rhodopsin channels.
Is care a virtue for health care professionals

Care is widely thought to be a role virtue for health care professionals (HCPs). It is thought that in their professional capacity, HCPs should not only take care of their patients, but should also care for their patients. I argue against this thesis. First I show that the character trait of care causes serious problems both for caring HCPs and for cared-for patients. Then I show that benevolence plus caring action causes fewer and less serious problems. My surprising conclusion is that care is a vice rather than a virtue for HCPs. In their professional capacity HCPs should not care for their patients. Instead HCPs should be benevolent and act in a caring manner toward their patients.
Interactive search for action and motion planning with dynamics

This paper proposes an interactive search approach, termed INTERACT, which couples sampling-based motion planning with action planning in order to effectively solve the combined task and motion planning problem. INTERACT is geared towards scenarios involving a mobile robot operating in a fully known environment consisting of static and movable objects. INTERACT makes it possible to specify a task in the planning domain definition language (PDDL) and automatically computes a collision-free and dynamically feasible trajectory that enables the robot to accomplish the task. The coupling of sampling-based motion planning with action planning is made possible by expanding a tree of feasible motions and partitioning it into equivalence classes based on the task predicates. Action plans provide guidance as to which a equivalence class should be further expanded. Information gathered during the motion tree expansion is used to adjust the action costs in order to effectively guide the expansion towards the goal. Th...
Effect of prolonged feeding of raw carrots on vitamin A content of liver and kidneys in the dog.

SummaryThe vitamin A content of the liver and kidneys of dogs fed fresh carrots is greater than that found in dogs on a meat and boiled rice diet. The level of the vitamin A concentration in the li...
Can Political Science History be Neutral

In the December 1988 issue of this Review, John Dryzek and Stephen Leonard argued the need for “context-sensitive” histories of the discipline of political science. In their view, disciplinary history must guide practical inquiry if it is to be most useful. The course of their argument draws the criticisms of three political scientists concerned about the history of political science—James Farr, John Gunnell, and Raymond Seidelman. Dryzek and Leonard respond to their critics and underscore their own rationale for enhanced interest in the history of the discipline.
Crystal structure of a new compound, CuZnCl(OH)3, isostructural with botallackite

A new compound, ideally CuZnCl(OH) 3 , was found on a metallic mining artifact of copper composition at the Rowley mine, Maricopa County, Arizona, U.S.A., and studied with electron microprobe analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. It is isostructural with botallackite [Cu 2 Cl(OH) 3 ] with space group P 2 1 / m and unit-cell parameters a = 5.6883(5), b = 6.3908(6), c = 5.5248(5) A, β = 90.832(2)°, V = 200.82(3) A 3 . The crystal structure of CuZnCl(OH) 3 , refined to R 1 = 0.018, is characterized by brucite-type octahedral sheets made of two distinct and considerably distorted octahedra, M1 and M2, which are coordinated by (5OH + 1Cl) and (4OH + 2Cl), respectively. The octahedral sheets are parallel to (100) and connected by O–H···Cl hydrogen bonding. The major structural difference between CuZnCl(OH) 3 and botallackite is the complete replacement of Cu 2+ in the highly angle-distorted M1 site by non-Jahn-Teller distorting Zn 2+ . The CuZnCl(OH) 3 compound represents the highest Zn content ever documented for the atacamite group of minerals, in conflict with all previous reports that botallackite (like atacamite) is the most resistant, of all copper hydroxylchloride Cu 2 Cl(OH) 3 polymorphs, to the substitution of Zn 2+ for Cu 2+ , even in the presence of large excess of Zn 2+ . Its discovery, along with the recently described new mineral iyoite, CuMnCl(OH) 3 , implies that more botallackite-type compounds or minerals with the chemical formula Cu M Cl(OH) 3 ( M = Ni 2+ , Co 2+ , Fe 2+ , Mn 2+ , Cd 2+ , and Mg 2+ ) may be synthesized or found in nature.
Battery group technology and application of energy storage system

Large-scale Li-ion battery energy storage system has a huge potential in the power system. In China,the manufacturing of cell is relatively mature,but battery group assembly theory has not been thorough at now. The problems after group such as performance attenuation and security issue are still to be resolved. Based on the characteristic of battery energy storage system,the factors of battery performance in group applications were summarized. In a view of application,the domestic status of battery group technology was presented. Moreover,the key issues of group and integration technology in battery energy storage system were pointed out,and the developing trend of battery group technology was proposed in the future energy storage system.
Short-Term Morbidity & Employment Guarantee Scheme: Evidence from India

Health inequality across various social groups has profound implications for understanding and lessening of socioeconomic inequality. This study is an endeavor in that regard and attempts to investigate the role of Employment Guarantee Schemes (EGS) in influencing health inequality. Using a nationally representative survey data from India and employing Propensity Score Matching, this paper finds that short-term morbidity such as illness, fever and cough were higher for the adults from the households that participated in jobs under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act relative to the statistical control group.