cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Age, growth, and long-distance dispersal in the western North Atlantic of vexillifer larvae of the pearlfish, Echiodon dawsoni, with notes on Carapus bermudensis (Ophidiiformes: Carapidae)

We examined 120 vexillifer larvae of Echiodon dawsoni and 40 of Carapus bermudensis collected from the continental shelf and slope of the Gulf of Mexico and the western North Atlantic to Nova Scotia. Age was estimated for a subset of vexillifers, from which otoliths (sagittae) were excised and growth increments were recognizable, and a linear, estimated age at length relation was con- structed. Spawning appeared to be year round for both species across their range. All estimated age classes of Ec. dawsoni were collected south of 35 N, but north of 35 N all vexillifers of Ec. dawsoni were older than 55 days. Only one C. bermudensis was collected north of 35 N. The occurrence of vexillifers of Ec. dawsoni north of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, USA, indicates long-distance dispersal to inhospitable habitats and might be related to their spawning farther offshore than C. bermudensis ,i n regions where their vexillifers are more likely to be entrained into the Gulf Stream and transported northeastward.
Faith and Evidence

As traditionally understood, faith rests on an interior illumination which makes the believer certain that the doctrine proposed for belief is true. St Thomas calls this illumination ‘the light of faith’, and Calvin, ‘the interior testimony of the Holy Spirit.’ The claim of certainty encounters some serious difficulties, however, and it seems tome we have to accept an interpretation of the ‘light of faith’ in which some doubts are left unresolved. Faith turns out not to be a simple state at all, but is composed of three distinct elements. The first element is an intuition that what is proposed for belief is true, which is accompanied by hesitation and fear of error. The second element is the infusion of a doubt-free state, in which doubts, while not resolved, are removed to the periphery of consciousness, and lose their power to cause anxiety. The third element is an intuition which makes the believer certain that he is morally required to allow this state to continue. Although many of the sources I will be discussing use ‘faith’ in an exclusively Christiansense, I believe my conclusions will hold for theistic faith in general.
Naratriptan: An Alternative for Migraine

OBJECTIVE:To critically evaluate the literature regarding naratriptan's clinical pharmacology, efficacy, safety, and indications.DATA SOURCE:A MEDLINE search was conducted for the period from January 1990 to June 1998. Key words used included naratriptan, triptan, serotonin agonists, migraine, and migraine therapy. In addition, pertinent references cited in articles obtained from MEDLINE and product information for triptans were reviewed.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:All original and review articles and abstracts pertaining to naratriptan were reviewed, as were product information extracts. Clinical trials of naratriptan were critically reviewed and compared with pertinent clinical trials of other oral triptans.DATA SYNTHESIS:The treatment of migraine has been dramatically improved with the use of sumatriptan, other triptans, and serotonin-receptor subtype 1B and 1D agonists. Drawbacks to these medications, however, have included poorly tolerated adverse effects and the recurrence of the migraine. N...
Proprioception variables as determiners of anticipatory timing behavior.

Anticipatory timing, where the human operator initiates an accurate response before the actual occurrence of the environmental event, is one of the most striking and least studied aspects of skilled motor performance. An experiment was performed on temporal and control system variables that could influence the timing of responses in a tracking task. Verification was sought for a proprioceptive trace hypothesis that holds the time-varying proprioceptive after-effects of movements to be the internal trace that persists in time and cues the occurrence of a future response. Ninety-six subjects participated. A 2×2×2 randomized factorial design used two values each of movement amplitude, spring loading, and signal duration as a means of manipulating proprioceptive stimuli and their time trace. Results supported the hypothesis. Signal duration and spring loading of the control induced significant effects for the number of beneficial anticipations, but movement amplitude had no significant effect. It was conclude...
Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA Analysis of Starved and Viable but Nonculturable Vibrio vulnificus Cells

Vibrio vulnificus is an estuarine bacterium capable of causing a rapidly fatal infection in humans. Because of the low nutrient levels and temperature fluctuations found in the organism's natural habitat, the starvation state and viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state are of particular interest. A randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR protocol was developed previously for the detection of V. vulnificus strains grown in rich media and has been applied to starved and VBNC cells of V. vulnificus in the present study. As cells were subjected to starvation in artificial seawater, changes in the RAPD profile were detected as early as 15 min into the starvation period. Most noticeable was a uniform loss of RAPD amplification products. By 4 h of starvation, the cells were undetectable by the RAPD method. Cells that had been starved for up to 1 year again became detectable by the RAPD method when nutrients were added to the starvation microcosm. The same loss of signal, but at a lower rate, was also seen as cells entered the VBNC state. VBNC cells were resuscitated by a temperature upshift and were once again detectable by the RAPD method. The addition of chloramphenicol prevented the RAPD signal from being lost in both the starvation and VBNC states. This suggests that DNA binding proteins produced during starvation and entrance into the VBNC state may be responsible for the inability of the RAPD method to amplify V. vulnificus DNA in these states.
Smoking Cessation and Stress Among Teenagers

The authors describe the experience of quitting smoking, focusing on the obstacles youth struggle with, based on individual interviews and focus groups with 54 teenagers in New York City. A major obstacle was the belief that people should stop smoking forever. The youth had to cope with temptation, frequent and often intense urges or cravings for cigarettes, and lack of social support from their family and friends. The young participants not only had to cope with general life stresses without being able to use cigarettes to reduce tensions but also had to contend with new stressful situations, such as friends who put them down for not smoking. In addition, the teens had to give up things that were important to them, such as friendships, during their quit attempts. The study describes how quitting can be a much more stressful experience for youth than research typically acknowledges. The authors discuss public health implications.
Cumulative Incidence of Secondary Neoplasms as a First Event After Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

ContextLittle is known about the incidence of secondary neoplasms after 15 to 20 years in children and adolescents who were treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.ObjectivesTo investigate the cumulative incidence of secondary neoplasms in pediatric patients treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia over 30 years and to characterize late-occurring tumors.Design, Setting, and PatientsRetrospective study of 2169 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated between 1962 and 1998 at St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn, who achieved complete remission and had a median follow-up time of 18.7 years (range, 2.4-41.3 years).Main Outcome MeasuresCumulative incidences of secondary neoplasms in first remission and standard incidence ratios of observed rates compared with rates of cancer development in the general US population.ResultsSecondary neoplasms developed as the first event in 123 patients and comprised 46 myeloid malignancies, 3 lymphomas, 14 basal cell carcinomas, 16 other carcinomas, 6 sarcomas, 16 meningiomas, and 22 other brain tumors. The cumulative incidence of secondary neoplasm was 4.17% (SE, 0.46%) at 15 years and increased substantially after 20 years, reaching 10.85% (SE, 1.27%) at 30 years. When meningiomas and basal cell carcinomas were excluded, the overall cumulative incidence was 3.99% (SE, 0.44%) at 15 years and 6.27% (SE, 0.83%) at 30 years, representing a 13.5-fold increase in overall risk compared with the general population. The cumulative incidence of each tumor type at 30 years was 2.19% (SE, 0.32%) for myeloid malignancy, 0.17% (SE, 0.10%) for lymphoma, 3.00% (SE, 0.59%) for brain tumor, 4.91% (SE, 1.04%) for carcinoma, and 0.57% (SE, 0.37%) for sarcoma.ConclusionsThe cumulative incidence of secondary neoplasms increases steadily over 30 years after treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Although the majority of the late-occurring secondary neoplasms are low-grade tumors, the increase in incidence of more aggressive malignant neoplasms is significantly higher than expected in the general population. These results suggest that lifelong follow-up of acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors is needed to ascertain the full impact of treatment and other leukemia-related factors on secondary neoplasm development.
Analysis of Seasonal Fluctuations of Reproductive Performance in Dairy Cows

Summary An analysis of the effect of month of calving on length of subsequent calving interval was conducted, using 2,514 records for a 10-yr period from six Holstein herds of the North Carolina Institutional Breeding Program. The average calving interval ranged from 397 to 422 days for calvings in October to May, respectively. Differences in this interval were highly significant (P A more detailed study was conducted with 391 records from three herds. Results showed that days open are associated with variations in three factors: interval from 70 days postpartum to subsequent estrus, length of estrous cycle preceding successful mating, and services per successful mating. Days open was correlated with each of these independent variables (0.18, 0.81, and 0.26, respectively). On a within herd-year-month and among herd-year-month basis, 76 and 90%, respectively, of the total variation in days open was attributable to the multiple regression of days open on the above independent variables. Following adjustment for all three of these variables, by analysis of multiple covariance, among year-month differences within herds in days open were not significant (P > 0.05). It is suggested that part of the variation is caused by nonphysiological factors (e.g., management), as well as season-herd influences. The large percentages of estrous cycles ending in successful mating, which were of multiple integrals of normal length (17–24 days), also suggest the existence of an estrus-detection problem which varied in intensity among the three herds studied.
Asymmetric Information and the Choice of Corporate Governance Arrangements

This paper analyzes how asymmetric information affects which corporate governance arrangements firms choose when they go public. It is shown that such asymmetry might lead firms to adopting – through the design of securities and corporate charters -- corporate governance arrangements that are known to be inefficient both by public investors and by those taking firms public. When assets with higher value produce opportunities for higher private benefits of control, asymmetric information about the asset value of firms going public will lead some or all such firms to offer a sub-optimal level of investor protection. The results can help explain why charter provisions cannot be relied on to provide optimal investor protection in countries with poor investor protection, why companies going public in the US commonly include substantial antitakeover provisions in their charters, and why companies rarely restrict self-dealing or the taking of corporate opportunities more than is done by the corporate laws of their country. The analysis also identifies a potentially beneficial role that mandatory legal rules might play in the corporate area.
ethnicity, cultural discontinuity and power brokers in northern Iraq: the case of the Shabak1

This article examines some aspects of the social organization of a marginal Kurdish-speaking group in north Iraq. The Shabak provide an example of a special type of social adaptation within an historically specific sociopolitical context where ethnicity and its attendant patronage system represented an organizational solution through which weak, special interest groups managed to protect their identities and insure their survival.
Differential Dynamics of α5 Integrin, Paxillin, and α-Actinin during Formation and Disassembly of Adhesions in Migrating Cells

To investigate the mechanisms by which adhesions form and disperse in migrating cells, we expressed α5 integrin, α-actinin, and paxillin as green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions. All localized with their endogenous counterparts and did not perturb migration when expressed at moderate levels. α5-GFP also rescued the adhesive defects in CHO B2 cells, which are α5 integrin deficient. In ruffling cells, α5-GFP and α-actinin–GFP localized prominently at the leading edge in membrane protrusions. Of the three GFP fusion proteins that we examined, paxillin was the first component to appear visibly organized in protrusive regions of the cell. When a new protrusion formed, the paxillin appeared to remodel from older to newer adhesions at the leading edge. α-Actinin subsequently entered adhesions, which translocated toward the cell center, and inhibited paxillin turnover. The new adhesions formed from small foci of α-actinin–GFP and paxillin-GFP, which grew in size. Subsequently, α5 integrin entered the adhesions to form visible complexes, which served to stabilize the adhesions. α5-GFP also resided in endocytic vesicles that emanated from the leading edge of protrusions. Integrin vesicles at the cell rear moved toward the cell body. As cells migrated, α5 vesicles also moved from a perinuclear region to the base of the lamellipodium. The α5 vesicles colocalized with transferrin receptor and FM 4-64 dye. After adhesions broke down in the rear, α5-GFP was found in fibrous structures behind the cell, whereas α-actinin–GFP and paxillin-GFP moved up the lateral edge of retracting cells as organized structures and then dissipated.
Investigation of SOI-like I-V characteristics for a 64-Mb DRAM SCC MOSFET with a buried drain

The MOSFET structure of a surrounding-high-capacitance cell (SCC) trench cell with a buried drain scaled down for 64-Mb DRAM applications has been studied using the device simulator MINIMOS. For this cell design, the depletion zones of the buried drain can pinch off the substrate at a sufficiently high drain bias. The resulting floating substrate causes sharply increased avalanche carrier generation similar to (but more severe than) the kink effects found in SOI structures. These effects limit the utility of this structure for small-geometry DRAM structures. The mechanism for the enhanced avalanche generation and its dependence on bias conditions and geometry have been studied, and pertinent design rules for punchthrough and pinchoff by the buried drain have been established. >
Biomechanical Analysis of Cement Augmentation Techniques on Pedicle Screw Fixation in Osteopenic Bone: A Cadaveric Study.

Abstract Study Design Three techniques for cement injection into osteopenic pedicles for screw augmentation were compared in a cadaver model. Objectives To compare the safety and efficacy of 3 techniques for cement augmentation of pedicle screws in a cadaver model. Background Cement augmentation of pedicle screws improves fixation in osteopenic spines. Some investigators have used kyphoplasty osteo introducers to inject viscous cement into the pedicle. In addition, a novel fenestrated tapping system was studied that leaves a threaded cement tract for final pedicle screw insertion. Methods This 3-phase biomechanical study compared cement augmentation effects on the cephalocaudal toggle of pedicle screws within 34 fresh osteopenic human cadaveric vertebrae. Phase 1 compared injection through a fenestrated tap to a direct injection. Phase 2 evaluated the fenestrated tap versus injection of more viscous cement using a kyphoplasty osteo inducer. Phase 3 compared kyphoplasty and direct injection techniques. Each vertebral body was prepared with each of the 2 techniques. The pedicle screws were subjected to 10,000 cycles of cephalocaudal toggling, and total vertical displacement of each screw head was measured. Results In a combined analysis, overall displacement was 2.26 ± 0.57 mm for the direct injection, 2.88 ± 0.56 mm for the kyphoplasty technique, and 3.74 ± 0.59 mm for the fenestrated tap (p Conclusions The novel fenestrated tap system provided less resistance to toggle than either of the other 2 techniques but provided a lower incidence of cement extravasation. More viscous cement injected using kyphoplasty technique provides a combination of safety and efficacy.
Effect of nucleation period on the physical properties of InN epilayers

The influence of structural and optoelectronic properties of InN epilayers on the duration of initial nucleation has been studied. High pressure chemical vapor deposition (HPCVD) has been utilized to deposit InN epilayers on GaN/sapphire (0001) templates at a reactor pressure of 15 bar. The initial nucleation period was varied between 10 s and 60 s, leaving all other growth parameters constant. The structural properties of the grown samples have been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The optoelectronic properties were analyzed by Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy. The layer thickness, free carrier concentration and void fraction were obtained by simulating IR spectra, using multi-layer stack model for epilayers and Lorentz-Drude model for dielectric function. Raman, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and void fraction calculation results suggest that the optimum nucleation time is between 10 - 20 s. However, simulation results revealed that the free carrier concentration of the bulk layer does not show any significant dependency on the duration of initial nucleation.
Fracture Toughness of Stoichiometric, Non-Stoichiometric and Ternary-Alloyed Al2Ti

Polycrystalline stoichiometric Al{sub 2}Ti was produced via casting or powder metallurgy and further processed yielding material in six conditions. The fracture toughness of the six material conditions was determined from the critical load to initiate cracks with a Vickers indenter. The results show a strong dependence on material condition. Powder processed Al{sub 2}Ti exhibits the highest fracture toughness value among the material conditions studied. Polycrystalline non-stoichiometric Al{sub 2{+-}y}Ti{sub 1{+-}y} and ternary-alloyed Al{sub 2}Ti + X were prepared in as-cast and cast and annealed conditions. Each material condition exhibited a multiphase microstructure. The composition of the phases present in each alloy was analyzed with SEM/EDS. Fracture toughness values of cast and annealed stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric binary alloys are 20--30% greater than as-cast stoichiometric Al{sub 2}Ti. For the ternary alloys, the fracture toughness values show a strong dependence on the ternary element used and heat treatment condition. The fracture toughness values of three hot forged ternary alloys were also determined.
Quaternary Structure, Protein Dynamics, and Synaptic Function of SAP97 Controlled by L27 Domain Interactions

Single-particle electron microscopy (EM) combined with biochemical measurements revealed the molecular shape of SAP97 and a monomer-dimer transition that depended on the N-terminal L27 domain. Overexpression of SAP97 drove GluR1 to synapses, potentiated AMPA receptor (AMPAR) excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs), and occluded LTP. Synaptic potentiation and GluR1 delivery were dissociable by L27 domain mutants that inhibit multimerization of SAP97. Loss of potentiation was correlated with faster turnover of monomeric SAP97 mutants in dendritic spines. We propose that L27-mediated interactions of SAP97 with itself or other proteins regulate the synaptic delivery of AMPARs. RNAi knockdown of endogenous PSD-95 depleted surface GluR1 and impaired AMPA EPSCs. In contrast, RNAi knockdown of endogenous SAP97 reduced surface expression of both GluR1 and GluR2 and inhibited both AMPA and NMDA EPSCs. Thus SAP97 has a broader role than its close relative, PSD-95, in the maintenance of synaptic function.
A comparative study of fatigue damage sensing in aluminum alloys using electrical impedance and laser ultrasonic methods

Fatigue damage sensing and measurement in aluminum alloys is critical to estimating the residual useful lifetime of a range of aircraft structural components. In this work, we present electrical impedance and ultrasonic measurements in aluminum alloy 2024 that has been fatigued under high cycle conditions. While ultrasonic measurements can indicate fatigue-induced damage through changes in stiffness, the primary indicator is ultrasonic attenuation. We have used laser ultrasonic methods to investigate changes in ultrasonic attenuation since simultaneous measurement of longitudinal and shear properties provides opportunities to develop classification algorithms that can estimate the degree of damage. Electrical impedance measurements are sensitive to changes in the conductivity and permittivity of materials - both are affected by the microstructural damage processes related to fatigue. By employing spectral analysis of impedance over a range of frequencies, resonance peaks can be identified that directly reflect the damage state in the material. In order to compare the impedance and ultrasonic measurements for samples subjected to tension testing, we use processing and classification tools that are matched to the time-varying spectral nature of the measurements. Specifically, we process the measurements to extract time-frequency features and estimate stochastic variation properties to be used in robust classification algorithms. Results are presented for fatigue damage identification in aluminum lug joint specimens.
Adverse effect of paroxetine on sperm

Objective To assess the effects of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor on semen parameters. Design Prospective study. Setting Academic medical center. Patient(s) Thirty-five healthy male volunteers, 18–65 years old. Intervention(s) Paroxetine administration for 5 weeks. Main Outcome Measure(s) Serum hormone levels, semen analyses, percent sperm DNA fragmentation, and questionnaire assessment of sexual function assessed before, during, and 1 month after drug administration. Result(s) Mean sperm DNA fragmentation was significantly higher for men while on paroxetine (30.3%) versus baseline (13.8%). Before paroxetine, 9.7% of patients had a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) score ≥30% compared with 50% at week 4 of treatment. The odds ratio (OR) of having abnormal DNA fragmentation while taking paroxetine was 9.33 (95% confidence interval, 2.3–37.9]. Multivariate logistic regression correcting for age and body mass index confirmed this correlation (OR, 11.12). Up to 35% of men noted significant changes in erectile function and up to 47% of men reported ejaculatory difficulties on medication. Recovery to near-normal sexual function was noted after stopping treatment. Standard semen parameters were not significantly altered during paroxetine treatment. Conclusion(s) In men with normal semen parameters, paroxetine induced abnormal sperm DNA fragmentation in a significant proportion of subjects, without a measurable effect on semen parameters. The fertility potential of a substantial number of men on paroxetine may be adversely affected by these changes in sperm DNA integrity.
Testing of a new prototype surgical stapler that automates the rollover sleeve technique for venous anastomoses

The creation of successful vascular anastomoses is of primary importance in many surgical fields. Numerous attempts to automate this process have been made. These techniques have slowly gained acceptance, but their use is still limited. This report details feasibility testing of a new prototype stapler that automates the rollover sleeve technique for venous vascular anastomoses. Male and female mongrel dogs (n=7) (25-32 kg) were used. A segment of the right (n=5) or left (n=2) iliac vein was harvested for interposition grafts after the contra lateral side was transected. In each dog, two end-to-end venous anastomoses at the interposition grafts were performed. The standard anastomosis employed continuous mattress sutures. The experimental anastomosis was performed with a new prototype surgical stapler. The stapled anastomosis was proximal and the sutured was distal. In all experiments, it was possible to perform the experimental anastomosis with the stapler. Complications included two small leaks, one due to misfiring of a single pin in one experimental site. These leaks required suture reinforcement. One dog died of hemorrhage due to a slipped suture at the vein harvest site. One vein had thrombus seen at the sutured site although no technical abnormalities at either of the anastomoses could be found. After two weeks, grafts were inspected grossly and histologically. Healing appeared normal. There was a trend for less inflammatory cells infiltrating stapled sites; however, this was not statistically significant. The experiments demonstrate that this device can automate the rollover sleeve technique for venous anastomoses.
Violent Family Heritage, the Transition to Adulthood, and Later Partner Violence:

This article applies the age-graded theory of informal social control, an influential theory in the field of criminology, to explain continuity and change in the effect of violent family origins on later partner violence. The theory is tested on a sample of married and/or cohabiting men and women from a nationally representative panel study, in other words, the National Youth Survey. Path analysis indicates that among men, commitment to their partner and work during young adulthood mediates the effect of violent family heritage on later partner violence. Thus, these commitments represent the possibility of change for those on violent pathways. Regarding continuity in intergenerational transmission, the effects of adolescent violence on later partner violence are particularly strong for men. Among women, however, such evidence of behavioral continuity and change is limited. Implications for research and policy are discussed.
High-power low-noise VCSEL seed laser for fiber laser applications

The properties of high-power and low-noise seed lasers are key for high performance master oscillator-power amplifier (MOPA) fiber-lasers. We have successfully demonstrated high-power and low-noise seed lasers using our VCSEL technology. We used an external-cavity configuration with optimum cavity design for single-mode control, and the mode-beating problem can be fully avoided compared to the edge-emitter seed lasers. The external-cavity VCSEL achieved high-power single-mode pulsed operation with good mode quality that allowed it to be efficiently coupled into a single-mode PM or non-PM fiber. Using high-speed driving electronics, optical pulse widths of 12ns and shorter were obtained with repetition rates of up to 1 MHz. The optical output peak power obtained is over 10 W. We have also demonstrated a CW version of this high-power VCSEL seed laser achieving single transverse and longitudinal mode with an output power of greater than 0.5 W. The high-power external cavity VCSELs were operated in single longitudinal mode demonstrating narrow spectral line-width of 200kHz, and having very low RIN of -155 dBc/Hz at 1MHz, which was even lower at higher frequencies.
Ownership: An Overview1

This paper focuses on the interaction between public and private land ownership as a backdrop to future tenure research. It challenges various myths about land ownership in both sectors and emphasizes the problems in expanding tenure terms of reference to include the socalled “new property.” It concludes with an examination of macro-sociological forces influencing the changing distribution of public and private ownership in the United States.
Cost-Effectiveness of Routine Surveillance Endomyocardial Biopsy After 12 Months Post–Heart Transplantation

Background—Despite low risk of late rejection after heart transplant (HT), surveillance endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs) are often continued for years. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of routine EMB after 12 months post-HT. Methods and Results—Markov model compared the following surveillance EMB strategies to baseline strategy of stopping EMB 12 months post-HT: (1) every 4 months during year 2 post-HT, (2) every 6 months during year 2, (3) every 4 months for years 2 to 3, and (4) every 6 months for years 2 to 3. Patients entered the model 12 months post-HT and were followed until 36 months. In all strategies, patients had EMB with symptoms; in biopsy strategies after 12 months, EMB was also performed as scheduled regardless of symptoms. One-way and Monte Carlo sensitivity analyses were performed. Stopping EMB at 12 months was dominant (more effective, less costly), saving $2884 per patient compared with the next best strategy (every 6 months for year 2) and gaining 0.0011 quality-adjusted life-years. Inc...
Chronic rhinosinusitis pathogenesis

There are a variety of medical conditions associated with chronic sinonasal inflammation, including chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and cystic fibrosis. In particular, CRS can be divided into 2 major subgroups based on whether nasal polyps are present or absent. Unfortunately, clinical treatment strategies for patients with chronic sinonasal inflammation are limited, in part because the underlying mechanisms contributing to disease pathology are heterogeneous and not entirely known. It is hypothesized that alterations in mucociliary clearance, abnormalities in the sinonasal epithelial cell barrier, and tissue remodeling all contribute to the chronic inflammatory and tissue-deforming processes characteristic of CRS. Additionally, the host innate and adaptive immune responses are also significantly activated and might be involved in pathogenesis. Recent advancements in the understanding of CRS pathogenesis are highlighted in this review, with special focus placed on the roles of epithelial cells and the host immune response in patients with cystic fibrosis, CRS without nasal polyps, or CRS with nasal polyps.
Complete monitors for behavioral contracts

A behavioral contract in a higher-order language may invoke methods of unknown objects. Although this expressive power allows programmers to formulate sophisticated contracts, it also poses a problem for language designers. Indeed, two distinct semantics have emerged for such method calls, dubbed lax and picky. While lax fails to protect components in certain scenarios, picky may blame an uninvolved party for a contract violation. In this paper, we present complete monitoring as the fundamental correctness criterion for contract systems. It demands correct blame assignment as well as complete monitoring of all channels of communication between components. According to this criterion, lax and picky are indeed incorrect ways to monitor contracts. A third semantics, dubbed indy, emerges as the only correct variant.
Fluconazole susceptibility in Cryptococcus gattii is dependent on the ABC transporter Pdr11

Cryptococcus gattii isolates from the Pacific Northwest have exhibited higher fluconazole MICs than isolates from other sites. The mechanism of fluconazole resistance in C. gattii is unknown. We sought to determine the role of the efflux pumps Mdr1 and Pdr11 in fluconazole susceptibility. Using biolistic transformation of the parent isolate, we created a strain lacking Mdr1 (mdr1Δ) and another strain lacking Pdr11 (pdr11Δ). Phenotypic virulence factors were assessed by standard methods (capsule size, melanin production, growth at 30 and 37 °C). Survival was assessed in an intranasal murine model of cryptococcosis. Antifungal MICs were determined by the M27-A3 methodology. No differences in key virulence phenotypic components were identified. Fluconazole susceptibility was unchanged in the Mdr1 knockout or reconstituted isolates. However, fluconazole MICs decreased from 32 μg/ml for the wild-type isolate to <0.03 μg/ml for the pdr11Δ strain and reverted to 32 μg/ml for the reconstituted strain. In murine models, no difference in virulence was observed between wild-type, knockout, or reconstituted isolates. We conclude that Pdr11 plays an essential role in fluconazole susceptibility in C. gattii. Genomic and expression differences between resistant and susceptible C. gattii clinical isolates should be assessed further in order to identify other potential mechanisms of resistance.
Dysfunctional error-related processing in incarcerated youth with elevated psychopathic traits.

Adult psychopathic offenders show an increased propensity towards violence, impulsivity, and recidivism. A subsample of youth with elevated psychopathic traits represent a particularly severe subgroup characterized by extreme behavioral problems and comparable neurocognitive deficits as their adult counterparts, including perseveration deficits. Here, we investigate response-locked event-related potential (ERP) components (the error-related negativity [ERN/Ne] related to early error-monitoring processing and the error-related positivity [Pe] involved in later error-related processing) in a sample of incarcerated juvenile male offenders (n = 100) who performed a response inhibition Go/NoGo task. Psychopathic traits were assessed using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV). The ERN/Ne and Pe were analyzed with classic windowed ERP components and principal component analysis (PCA). Using linear regression analyses, PCL:YV scores were unrelated to the ERN/Ne, but were negatively related to Pe mean amplitude. Specifically, the PCL:YV Facet 4 subscale reflecting antisocial traits emerged as a significant predictor of reduced amplitude of a subcomponent underlying the Pe identified with PCA. This is the first evidence to suggest a negative relationship between adolescent psychopathy scores and Pe mean amplitude.
Fragile X Syndrome and Autism

Fragile X syndrome [FXS] is the most common inherited form of intellectual impairment. FXS is the result of an expansion of a trinucleotide repeat sequence [cytosine-guanine-guanine; CGG] within the untranslated region of the FMR1 [fragile X mental retardation 1] gene on the X chromosome (Verkerk et al. 1991). This expansion leads to hypermethylation and silencing of the gene such that it cannot correctly encode for the protein product, fragile X mental retardation protein [FMRP]. In a neurotypical individual, the FMR1 gene contains between 5 and 44 CGG repeats, and these repeats are typically stably transmitted to offspring. The FMR1 “grey zone” allele contains between 45 and 54 CGG repeats, the “premutation” allele contains between 55 and 200 CGG repeats, and the full mutation contains 200 or more CGG repeats. These expanded alleles are unstable and can undergo further expansion, most commonly during maternal transmission. CGG repeat instability across generations is related to CGG repeat length such that the full mutation allele is more likely to expand intergenerationally than the premutation allele (Fu et al. 1991). The FXS full mutation results in the absence or near absence of FMRP, an RNA-binding protein that regulates the production of proteins involved in key aspects of neurodevelopment such as synaptic plasticity, neuronal migration, and neurogenesis. FMRP is present throughout the neuron, including in dendritic spines at synapses (Feng et al. 1997; Weiler et al. 1997) and in axons (Antar et al. 2004; Hengst et al. 2006). The most common neuropathologic
Human Trafficking and Psychiatric Education: A Call to Action

Human trafficking, including labor and sex trafficking, is an enormous global health problem involving severe forms of abuse and human rights violations. Human trafficking is defined as “the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power.... for the purpose of exploitation” ([1], p. 42). Exploitation includes “the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery” ([1], p. 42). The illegal worldwide profits of forced labor amount to an estimated $150 billion per year [2]. Although determining the numbers of victims is methodologically challenging, by one estimate, 35.8 million people are victims [3]. In the USA alone, an estimated 60,000 victims [3] can be found in cities, suburbs, and rural areas in all 50 states [4]. Enslavement of individuals occurs through the use of a combination of psychological tactics including isolation, manipulation of perception, induced disability and exhaustion, threats, occasional indulgences, demonstration of omnipotence, degradation, and enforcing trivial demands [5]. Although anyone can become a trafficking victim, approximately half of all detected trafficking victims are adult women [6], and women comprise the vast majority of detected victims who were trafficked for sexual exploitation [6]. Globally, children now comprise nearly one third of all trafficking victims [6], and runaway children are particularly vulnerable to becoming trafficked [4]. The complex interplay of poverty, gender, education, age, and relevant policy deeply affect the vulnerability of women and children to trafficking [7]. Common adverse psychological consequences of trafficking include anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression [8–11]. Psychiatrists therefore have an especially important opportunity to identify and help victims as well as to prevent vulnerable persons from becoming victims of trafficking. Recognizing victims is challenging because many may not avail themselves of services when prevented by the traffickers from doing so [5] or when fearful or ashamed [5]. We could not find, however, any formal requirements for psychiatrists to educate on human trafficking. Nor has Academic Psychiatry previously addressed this topic area. Nor are we aware of any published survey of psychiatric training programs that informs about what or how topics related to human trafficking are taught. At the same time, there is a need for medical students, residents, and health care providers across disciplines to be informed about human trafficking. * John Coverdale jhc@bcm.edu
On the existence of magnetic monopoles

By the Bohm-Aharonov effect, the flux within a long slender solenoid is observable unless it is a multiple of $\mathrm{hc}/\mathrm{e}$. In this case only the ends of the solenoid produce any physical effect and they behave as magnetic monopoles with strength quantized according to Dirac.
Inoculative Releases of Phytoseiids (Acari) for the Biological Control of Spider Mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) in Corn

Phytoseiulus persimilis and Amblyseius californicus were released into commercial field corn in the Texas High Plains in 1982 and 1983. Both predators significantly reduced spider mite infestations and maintained these infestations below economically damaging levels. Timing of releases was critical to the efficacy of the phytoseiids. Plots treated with P. persimilis generally had lower spider mite densities than did plots treated with A. californicus , though statistically significant differences were detected on only one occasion.
Quantifying the Whole Life Benefit of Preserving Concrete Pavements Using Silicon Reactive Lithium Densifier and Shotblasting – A Promising New Technology

This paper explores the use of lithium based concrete densifier applied over shotblasting as a concrete pavement preservation treatment for locations that are subject to wear due to studded tires, snow chains and snow plowing. The lithium-based treatment was initially developed for anti-scaling and wear resistance properties on concrete pavements to preserve, densify and harden the cement matrix by reacting with the free lime calcium hydroxide to form an insoluble bond calcium silicate hydrate. This study combines laboratory and field tests in California, Delaware, Oklahoma, and Washington, which found that shotblasting the pavement surface and then treating it with the concrete densifier reduces wear/rutting due to abrasion and maintains safe skid numbers for periods of up to 3 years. A stochastic life cycle cost analysis shows this treatment to be a cost effective pavement preservation tool to extend the life of concrete pavements on roads prone to rutting caused by studded snow tires and snow chains. It also finds that the treatment retards the loss of microtexture from aggregate polishing. Finally, the paper does an analysis of the environmental footprint of this form of concrete pavement preservation as compared to current treatment options and finds that the use of lithium based concrete densifier applied over shotblasting is a highly sustainable option for the preservation of concrete pavements in urban areas with significant volumes of traffic.
The World Bank and organized hypocrisy? A cross-national analysis of structural adjustment and forest loss

We analyze data for a sample of 61 low- and middle-income nations from 1990 to 2010 using ordinary least squares regression to test the ideas from the theory of organized hypocrisy. In doing so, we find support for the theory with the World Bank does not pursue a coherent lending agenda but rather different and contradictory agendas in terms of its structural adjustment lending. The results reveal that World Bank structural adjustment lending in the forestry and agricultural sectors is associated with higher rates of forest loss while World Bank structural adjustment lending in the environmental sector is associated with lower rates of forest loss. We conclude by talking about the theoretical implications, methodological implications, policy suggestions, and directions for future research.
Default mode network differences between rigidity- and tremor-predominant Parkinson's disease.

Abstract Background Parkinson's disease (PD) traditionally is characterized by tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia, although cognitive impairment also is a common symptom. The clinical presentation of PD is heterogeneous and associated with different risk factors for developing cognitive impairment. PD patients with primary akinetic/rigidity (PDAR) are more likely to develop cognitive deficits compared to those with tremor-predominant symptoms (PDT). Because cognitive impairment in PD appears to be related to changes in the default mode network (DMN), this study tested the hypothesis that DMN integrity is different between PDAR and PDT subtypes. Method Resting state fMRI (rs-fMRI) and whole brain volumetric data were obtained from 17 PDAR, 15 PDT and 24 healthy controls (HCs) using a 3T scanner. PD patients were matched closely to HCs for demographic and cognitive variables, and showed no symptoms of dementia. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to examine brain gray matter (GM) volume changes between groups. Independent component analysis (ICA) interrogated differences in the DMN among PDAR, PDT, and HC. Results There was decreased activity in the left inferior parietal cortex (IPC) and the left posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) within the DMN between PDAR and both HC and PDT subjects, even after controlling for multiple comparisons, but not between PDT and HC. GM volume differences between groups were detected at a lower threshold (p Conclusion This is the first study to demonstrate DMN differences between cognitively comparable PDAR and PDT subtypes. The DMN differences between PD and HC appear to be driven by the PDAR subtype. Further studies are warranted to understand the underlying neural mechanisms and their relevance to clinical and cognitive outcomes in PDAR and PDT subtypes.
Changes of IL-18 levels in plasma of neonatal rats after sequential injury with oleic acid and lipopolysaccharide

Objective: To study the changes of pro-inflammatory interleukin-18(IL-18) levels and evaluate the role of IL-18 on acute lung injury(ALI) after sequential injury with oleic acid and lipopolysaccharide. Methods: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to determine the protein concentrations of IL-18 in the plasma of neonatal rats after sequential injury with oleic acid and lipopolysaccharide. Results: The plasma IL-18 level was highest in neonatal rats after sequential injury with oleic acid and lipopolysaccharide than that in neonatal rats hit with lipopolysaccharide(P 0.01). Conclusion: IL-18 is an early proinflammatory cytokine and may play an important role in the development of ALI.
Persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy: a clinical and pathological study of 19 cases in a single institution.

OBJECTIVE To study the clinical and pathological features of persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy. METHOD The clinical and pathological data of 19 cases of persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy were retrieved and reviewed from the medical records in Children's Hospital of Fudan University. RESULTS There were 13 boys and 6 girls. The age interval was from 16 days to 7 months, and the average age was 2.71 ± 2.23 months. The blood glucose concentrations ranged from 0.57 to 3.0 mmol/L (average value 1.60 ± 0.75 mmol/L) and the serum insulin concentrations ranged from 3.1 to 79.4 uIU/ml (average value 27.89 ± 21.81 uIU/ml) at the time of one week before operation. The size of lesion was between 2 cm to 6.5 cm in maximum diameter (average value 4.04 ± 1.18 cm). 19 cases were divided into three types according to the pathological classification criteria: focal type (1 case), diffuse type (17 cases) and atypical type (1 case). The enucleation of the nodule was given for the patient of focal type and subtotal pancreatectomy was administrated for diffuse and atypical type patients. The blood glucose concentrations ranged from 3.0 to 12.4 mmol/L (average value 6.21 ± 2.69 mmol/L) at the time of one month after operation. The difference between the preoperative blood glucose concentrations and the postoperative blood glucose concentrations was statistically significant (1.6037 ± 0.7458 mmol/L vs. 6.2105 ± 2.6882 mmol/L, P<0.05). Insulin was positive for the multiple pancreatic islets, and the ki-67 index was between 5% and 8%. P57(kip2) was negative. 19 patients were followed up for a period of 2 to 38 months. 13 cases recovered well without any complications, and 6 cases had postoperative hyperglycemia and need a medication to control the blood glucose concentrations. CONCLUSION Persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy mainly occurred in infants. Boys had the predominance and the most common pathological type was the diffuse type. The different surgical methods (focal type with lesion enucleation, diffuse and atypical type with subtotal pancreatectomy), were effective for different patients, and most of patients had a good prognosis. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment to maintain euglycemia remained the mainstay of management to prevent postoperative complications. Therefore, the correct pathological classification could help clinicians to find effective treatment and improve the outcome.