cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Glottal Inverse Filtering in the Presence of Source-Filter Interaction

Abstract The validity of glottal inverse filtering (GIF) to obtain a glottal flow waveform from radiated pressure signal in the presence and absence of source-filter interaction was studied systematically. A driven vocal fold surface model of vocal fold vibration was used to generate source signals. A one-dimensional wave reflection algorithm was used to solve for acoustic pressures in the vocal tract. Several test signals were generated with and without source-filter interaction at various fundamental frequencies and vowels. Linear Predictive Coding (LPC), Quasi Closed Phase (QCP), and Quadratic Programming (QPR) based algorithms, along with supraglottal impulse response, were used to inverse filter the radiated pressure signals to obtain the glottal flow pulses. The accuracy of each algorithm was tested for its recovery of maximum flow declination rate (MFDR), peak glottal flow, open phase ripple factor, closed phase ripple factor, and mean squared error. The algorithms were also tested for their absolute relative errors of the Normalized Amplitude Quotient, the Quasi-Open Quotient, and the Harmonic Richness Factor. The results indicated that the mean squared error decreased with increase in source-filter interaction level suggesting that the inverse filtering algorithms perform better in the presence of source-filter interaction. All glottal inverse filtering algorithms predicted the open phase ripple factor better than the closed phase ripple factor of a glottal flow waveform, irrespective of the source-filter interaction level. Major prediction errors occurred in the estimation of the closed phase ripple factor, MFDR, peak glottal flow, normalized amplitude quotient, and Quasi-Open Quotient. Feedback-related nonlinearity (source-filter interaction) affected the recovered signal primarily when fo was well below the first formant frequency of a vowel. The prediction error increased when fo was close to the first formant frequency due to the difficulty of estimating the precise value of resonance frequencies, which was exacerbated by nonlinear kinetic losses in the vocal tract.
A distinct lineage of Caudovirales that encodes a deeply branching multi-subunit RNA polymerase.

Bacteriophages play critical roles in the biosphere, but their vast genomic diversity has obscured their evolutionary origins, and phylogenetic analyses have traditionally been hindered by their lack of universal phylogenetic marker genes. In this study we mine metagenomic data and identify a clade of Caudovirales that encodes the β and β′ subunits of multi-subunit RNA polymerase (RNAP), a high-resolution phylogenetic marker which enables detailed evolutionary analyses. Our RNAP phylogeny revealed that the Caudovirales RNAP forms a clade distinct from cellular homologs, suggesting an ancient acquisition of this enzyme. Within these multimeric RNAP-encoding Caudovirales (mReC), we find that the similarity of major capsid proteins and terminase large subunits further suggests they form a distinct clade with common evolutionary origin. Our study characterizes a clade of RNAP-encoding Caudovirales and suggests the ancient origin of this enzyme in this group, underscoring the important role of viruses in the early evolution of life on Earth. Viruses have been difficult to position in the Tree of Life using phylogenetic methods. This study uses an ancient enzyme multi-subunit RNA polymerase (RNAP) to reveal a novel viral group, the Caudovirales, and to suggest an ancient origin of RNAP in this group.
Now IT’s Personal: Offshoring and the Shifting Skill Composition of the US Information Technology Workforce

We combine new IT offshoring and IT workforce micro-data to investigate how the availability of an offshore supply of IT workers is affecting the skill composition of the US onshore IT workforce. The analysis is based on the theory that occupations involving tasks which are “tradable,” such as tasks that require little personal communication or hands-on interaction with US-based objects, are vulnerable to being moved offshore. Consistent with this theory, we find that firms that have engaged in offshoring have 8% less of their onshore IT workforce involved in tradable occupations; those that have not engaged in offshoring have increased the proportion of onshore employment in these same occupations by 3%. In addition, we find that hourly IT workers (e.g., IT contractors) are disproportionately employed in tradable jobs, and their onshore employment is 2-3% lower in offshoring firms. These findings persist after considering different measures of employment composition, including controls for human capital, firm performance, domestic outsourcing, and whether firms choose to build or buy software. Instrumental variables and corroborating regressions suggest that our estimates are conservative - the magnitude of the effect generally rises after accounting for reverse causality and measurement error.
Distortions Resulting from Residential Land Use Controls in Metropolitan Areas

Residential land use controls in metropolitan areas are intended to and typically do restrict housing supply and inevitably raise housing prices. This paper estimates the effects of metropolitan area land use controls on housing prices, employing a remarkable data set compiled by Gyourko, Saiz and Summers. We embed the estimates in a four equation model that estimates the effects of the resulting high housing prices on metropolitan population, real incomes and employment.
Pyridyldiimine macrocyclic ligands: Influences of template ion, linker length and imine substitution on ligand synthesis, structure and redox properties

A series of 2,6-diiminopyridine-derived macrocyclic ligands have been synthesized via [2+2] condensation around alkaline earth metal triflate salts. The inclusion of a tert-butyl group at the 4-position of the pyridine ring of the macrocyclic synthons results in macrocyclic complexes that are soluble in common organic solvents, thereby enabling a systematic comparison of the physical properties of the complexes by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, solution-phase UV-Vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Solid-state structures determined crystallographically demonstrate increased twisting in the ligand, concurrent with either a decrease in ion size or an increase in macrocycle ring size (18, 20, or 22 membered rings). The degree of folding and twisting within the macrocycle can be quantified using parameters derived from the Npyr-M-Npyr bond angle and the relative orientation of the pyridinediimine (PDI) and pyridinedialdimine (PDAI) fragments to each other within the solid state structures. Cyclic voltammetry and UV-Vis spectroscopy were used to compare the relative energies of the imine π* orbital of the redox active PDI and PDAI components in the macrocycle when coordinated to redox inactive metals. Both methods indicate the change from a methyl to hydrogen substitution on the imine carbon lowers the energy of the ligand π* system.
Urban Planning Academics: Tweets and Citations

This article discusses the relationship between Twitter usage and scholarly citations by urban planning academics in the U.S. and Canada. Social media and academic publications may be considered separate activities by some, but over the past decade there has been a convergence of the two. Social media and scholarship can be complementary not only when social media is used to communicate about new publications, but also to gather research ideas and build research networks. The analysis presented here explores this relationship for urban planning faculty using data for faculty who had active Twitter accounts between March 2007 and April 2019. Measures of Twitter activity were combined with Google Scholar citation data for 322 faculty with Twitter accounts. As expected, the results highlight that there are different patterns of Twitter activity between junior faculty and senior faculty both in terms of proportions of each rank using Twitter as well as activity levels on the social media platform. The results also suggest that Twitter activity does not have a statistically significant relationship with overall scholarly productivity as measured by citation levels.
Sustainable Utilization of Bio-fuel Co-Product in Roadbed Stabilization

The sustainable utilization of bio-fuel co-products (BCPs) in construction application promises to support the viability of a growing bio economy and provides green construction practices. Biofuel production creates many different co-products depending on the method of biofuel production and co-products recovery technique and the biomass source. Among various BCPs, the industrial application of the BCP containing lignin has been limited although lignin is one of largest fractions of lignocellulosic biomass. This chapter discusses the utilization of BCP containing lignin in geotechnical engineering practices. Special attention is given to the experimental evaluations and pavement damage analysis to demonstrate the BCP containing lignin is a promising soil stabilization material, which can lead to dramatic breakthroughs for improving the durability, efficiency, economy, environmental impact, and sustainability aspects of civil engineering infrastructure systems.
Stress-Path Independent Behavior of Cohesionless Soil

The strains induced in cohesionless soil by changes in stress vary considerably depending on stress level (defined as a stress ratio), confining pressure, and on whether the changes in stress involve primary loading, unloading, or reloading. The nature of stress-path dependency, the principles that govern deformations in cohesionless soil, and prediction of soil response for a variety of stress-paths have been investigated. Based on the results of triaxial tests it was found that except for the maximum previous stress level experienced, the stress history has little influence on the behavior of cohesionless soil. However, for stress-paths involving unloading or reloading, stress-path does have an influence on the strains, and the stress-path with the higher average stress level produces the larger strains. An elastoplastic stress-strain theory was used to calculate the strains for the stress-paths investigated and generally good agreement between calculated and measured strains was obtained. It is shown that the plastic deformations in cohesionless soil can be determined from the state of stress, the increment in stress level, and the increment in total work.
Exploring collaborative work among graduate students through the C5 model of collaboration

Collaborative work among students, while an important topic of inquiry, needs further treatment as we still lack the knowledge regarding obstacles that students face, the strategies they apply, and the relations among personal and group aspects. This article presents a diary study of 54 master's students conducting group projects across four semesters. A total of 332 diary entries were analysed using the C5 model of collaboration that incorporates elements of communication, contribution, coordination, cooperation and collaboration. Quantitative and qualitative analyses show how these elements relate to one another for students working on collaborative projects. It was found that face-to-face communication related positively with satisfaction and group dynamics, whereas online chat correlated positively with feedback and closing the gap. Managing scope was perceived to be the most common challenge. The findings suggest the varying affordances and drawbacks of different methods of communication, collaborative work styles and the strategies of group members.
Afro-Brazilian Religions and Ethnic Identity Politics in the Brazilian Public Health Arena

In this article, I examine the ways in which health activists from Afro-Brazilian religions deploy ethnic identity politics within the Brazilian public health arena to gain recognition and respect for their beliefs and practices, as well as public health goods for their communities. I also discuss the creation and enactment of “culturally competent” healthcare initiatives for members of Afro-Brazilian religions. Finally, I examine the tension between universal particular identity frames that emerges within the political discourses of health activists from Afro-Brazilian religions. Throughout, I place this case study in dialogue with similar scholarship on minority health politics and cultural competence initiatives in other parts of the world.
Exorcising the Exocyst Complex

The exocyst complex is an evolutionarily conserved multisubunit protein complex implicated in tethering secretory vesicles to the plasma membrane. Originally identified two decades ago in budding yeast, investigations using several different eukaryotic systems have since made great progress toward determination of the overall structure and organization of the eight exocyst subunits. Studies point to a critical role for the complex as a spatiotemporal regulator through the numerous protein and lipid interactions of its subunits, although a molecular understanding of exocyst function has been challenging to elucidate. Recent progress demonstrates that the exocyst is also important for additional trafficking steps and cellular processes beyond exocytosis, with links to development and disease. In this review, we discuss current knowledge of exocyst architecture, assembly, regulation and its roles in a variety of cellular trafficking pathways.
The effects of attacker identity and individual user characteristics on the value of information privacy

Past research indicates that people have strong concerns about their information privacy. This study applies multi-attribute utility theory to conceptualize the concern for smartphone privacy and examine how people value smartphone privacy protection. We also investigated how the value of privacy varied by the identity of a privacy attacker and individual user characteristics. Respondents were given a hypothetical choice between an encrypted smartphone and a regular one. The encrypted smartphone increases the level of privacy protection at the cost of lower usability, greater monthly service payments, slower speed, and additional inconvenience. Respondents were asked to simply make binary choices between hypothetical pairs of smartphone configurations. The results show that respondents were willing to make non-trivial sacrifices for smartphone privacy protection. Interestingly, specifying the identity of an attacker collecting information decreased the value of privacy protection compared to not specifying the identity of the attacker. We also observed effects of individual user characteristics, including general privacy concern, age, and self-reported political attitude, on the value of smartphone privacy protection. These results offer greater insight on how people value their privacy. We examined how people value information privacy in a multi-attribute context.We studied how information privacy concern depends on the privacy attacker identity.Respondents were willing to make non-trivial sacrifices for information privacy.Age, political attitude, and privacy concern significantly predicted privacy values.The values of privacy were dependent upon the attacker identity.
An Empirical Investigation of Electronic Groups in the Classroom

Abstract This experimental study investigated how computer-mediated communications influence team process and outcome variables in a classroom assignment. Traditional in-class teams were compared with teams composed of members from different universities who relied on computer-mediated communications for task accomplishment. Results indicate that significant differences existed across the two formats in both process and outcome variables. For example, teams relying on computer-mediated communications were less satisfied as team members and with the project and felt that they gave more individual effort, but they had a higher amount of overall learning compared with traditional in-class teams.
Depsides in Sunflower Leaves

THIS communication reports our finding of neochlorogenic, isochlorogenic, and 3-O-feruloylquinic acids in the leaves of sunflowers, Helianthus annuus, Russian Mammoth variety. The well-known chlorogenic acid (3-O-caffeoylquinic acid) has been previously found in sunflowers by Urban1 and its presence there has been confirmed by Watanabe et al.2
The fluorine magnetic resonance spectrum of poly(vinyl fluoride)

High resolution fluorine magnetic resonance spectra have been obtained for poly(vinyl fluoride) at elevated temperature. Proton noise-decoupling and time-averaging techniques have given new tacticity and sequence information.
Determining the frequency of heteropteran predation on sweetpotato whitefly and pink bollworm using multiple ELISAs

The gut contents of field-collected, predaceous Heteroptera were assayed for the presence of eggs of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) and the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) using multiple enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Of seven species examined, Geocoris species and Orius tristicolor (Say) were the most frequent predators of sweetpotato whitefly with 32–39% of the individuals tested over the whole season scoring positive for whitefly antigens. With the exception of Lygus hesperus Knight, a major insect pest as well as a predator, the frequency of predation on pink bollworm eggs was much lower (0.7–14.3% positive over the season). Relatively few predators tested positive for both antigens (0.3–12.5%).
Benefit-Cost Analysis of StormwaterQuality Improvements.

The major purpose of this paper is to explore the potential value of benefit–cost evaluation for stormwater quality management decisions at a local level. A preliminary benefit–cost analysis (BCA) screening method is used for maximum extent practicable (MEP) analysis, identifying promising management practices, and identifying societal and economic tradeoffs for local stormwater problems. Ballona Creek, a major urban storm drain in Los Angeles, California, USA, is used to illustrate the practicality of the benefit–cost evaluation. The Ballona Creek example demonstrates the economic limits of stormwater management in an urban region and attests to the value of coordinated basinwide management compared to uncoordinated management by individual landowners. Evaluation results suggest that in urban areas, the benefit of stormwater quality improvements might be far greater if accompanied by comprehensive redesign of drainage networks and neighboring land uses. In this case, benefit–cost analysis is found to be useful for evaluating and understanding stormwater management alternatives despite the uncertainties in characterizing stormwater quality and the effects of stormwater management on improving receiving water quality.
The Development of Flavor in American Cheddar Cheese Made from Pasteurized Milk with Streptococcus Faecalis Starter

Summary A strain of Streptococcus faecalis which rapidly fermented lactose was isolated. It was used as a starter for American Cheddar cheese made from pasteurized milk of excellent quality. The S. faecalis starter produced acid in milk somewhat slower than a commerical lactic starter but rapidly enough for cheese making. The cheese made with S. faecalis developed a normal acidity, slightly lower total volatile acidity, and the same water-soluble protein level as did cheese made with a commercial lactic starter. More Cheddar flavor of better quality developed in the cheese made with S. faecalis , and the body of the cheese was more mellow and waxy than the cheese made with lactic starter. American Cheddar cheese with the best flavor of highest intensity was made by using both commercial starter and S. faecalis starter in the same pasteurized milk. The flavor was pronounced, clean, good Cheddar but not snappy. S. faecalis starter hastened the ripening of Cheddar cheese. A well-ripened cheese of medium flavor intensity was produced in 4.5 months at 50° F. and in 2.5 months at 60° F. when S. faecalis starter was used with the usual lactic starter. With commercial lactic starter, the same approximate intensity of flavor, of lower quality, was developed in 7 months at 50° F. and in 4.5 months at 60° F. The results indicate that after these curing periods, the cheese should be held at cold curing temperatures.
Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease: Clinical and molecular genetics

Pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by distinct phenotypic differences compared to adult-onset IBD. This raises the question whether early (pediatric) onset IBD represents the same disease process occurring in adults but merely at an earlier age or does IBD in children have a very different etiology and pathogenesis but with the same clinical presentation as adults. The use of techniques such as whole genome association studies to perform broad, unbiased screening for the contributions of common genetic variations to complex disease has rapidly assisted in the identification of several novel susceptibility loci associated with pediatric-onset Crohn's disease such as IL23R and ATG16L1. These genes join the already confirmed IBD susceptibility genes such as NOD2/CARD15, IBD5, and DLG5. Therefore, there is hope that advances in the field of clinical and molecular genetics will assist in answering the fundamental question of whether pediatric IBD has a different etiology and pathogenesis compared to adult IBD. This review examines the current status of clinical and molecular genetics of pediatric IBD, and highlights the differences between pediatric and adult IBD in disease phenotypes and genotypes. Finally, the future directions of genetic investigations in pediatric IBD are discussed.
Cytochrome c redox reactions induced by photochemical system 1 in sonicated preparations of Anabaena cylindrica.

Abstract Sonicated preparations of Anabaena cylindrica were highly active in cytochrome c redox reaction, though they had negligible activity for 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol-Hill reaction. The anaerobic redox reactions (light oxidation and dark reduction) were observed in the present preparation just as in the previous preparations which retained Hill reaction activity. Hence the hypothetical substance, CRS, which is reduced at the level of photochemical system 1, is retained in the sonicated lamellar preparation. Washing, dialyzing, detergent, or Sephadex treatments did not affect the rates or magnitudes of anaerobic redox reactions, indicating that CRS is tightly bound to the photoreactive lamellar fragments. The heat-stable factor which stimulates anaerobic redox reaction was partially separated from the lamellar fragments by buffer extraction after acetone treatment. The substance is heat-stable and not soluble in acetone, chloroform, or an acetonehexane mixture. Sephadex filtration suggested that the substance is a large molecule.
73 The use of algae to treat wastewater in the berkeley pit

The Berkeley Pit in Butte, Montana is currently filled with 35 billion gallons of water, with 6 million gallons being added daily. The water in the pit contains a number of dissolved metals and other elements. These elements include: aluminum, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, cadmium, magnesium, nickel, calcium, sulfur, and silicon. Also, over 40 different types of small organisms live in the contaminated water. The purpose of this experiment is to examine the uptake potential of elements from Berkeley pit water by highly concentrated algal samples. The algae used are called Chlamydomonas acidophila. Chlamydomonas acidophila's optimum pH is between 3.5 and 4.5 and it may be capable of metal uptake by two mechanisms: absorption and adsorption. Adsorption and absorption are good alternatives to traditional wastewater treatments because algal cells are a naturally abundant renewable resource that can be cheaply produced. Algal cells are also highly selective in terms of removal and recovery of specific heavy metals, they do not require reagents, which typically cause disposal and space problems, and they require a relatively low initial capital investment with low operating costs. The experimental procedure involved using modified acid medium to grow algae from a stock solution to a concentration of 1.6×108 algae cells/mL. The growth medium was then washed from the algae cells. Three initial samples of sterile filtered pit water (SFPW) were set aside as a control. Then, concentrated algae cells were added to three centrifuge tubes. Next, SFPW was added to 3 tubes with algae and three tubes without algae. After 1 hour, a 5 mL sample was taken from each of the centrifuge tubes. After 24 hours, another 5 mL sample was taken from each of the centrifuge tubes. Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis was performed on all the samples. The results from the initial SFPW were compared with those samples containing algae for 1 hour and 24 hours. Total metal uptake in 24 hours was roughly 7.81%.
Two types of triplicated a -globin loci in humans

Abstract DNA from healthy Malaysian newborns was studied on gene maps after digestion with different restriction endonucleases. Of 65 newborns, two were found to be carriers of two different variants of triplicated alpha-globin loci. In variant no. 1, found in an Malay, the three alpha-globin genes are in an elongated DNA fragment on digestion with Eco RI and Bam HI. The third alpha-globin gene was found in a additional 3.7-kb fragment on digestion with Hpa I, Bgl II and Hind III. In variant no. 2, a new type of triplicated alpha-globin loci, found in a Chinese, the three alpha-globin genes reside in an elongated DNA fragment longer than that of variant no. 1 on digestion with Eco RI and Bam HI. The third alpha-globin gene was found in an additional 4.2-kb fragment on digestion with Hpa I and Hind III. Digestion of this variant DNA with Bg1 II produced an abnormal 16.7-kb fragment in addition to the normal 7.0-kb Bgl-II fragment. The locations of the restriction sites in the two types of triplicated alpha-globin loci are compatible with a mechanism of unequal crossing over following two different modes of misalignment.
Retinal Emboli in Patients with Mitral Valve Prolapse

Small fibrin-platelet emboli caused by prolapsed mitral valves may cause retinal occlusive disease with a wide range of ophthalmic manifestations, including amaurosis fugax in young people, retinal or choroidal arteriolar occlusion, and retinal neovascularization (atypical Eales' disease). Six patients with retinal occusive disease underwent extensive noninvasive cardiac and systemic tests and were found to have prolapsed mitral valves. Patients with unexplained ocular emboli should be examined by a cardiologist for possible mitral valve prolapse.
Thermal Enhancement Coatings for Microelectronic Systems

The power densities and heat generation in microelectronic systems have increased dramatically as individual electronic components have been miniaturized. As a result of the growing number of thermally-induced failures in these systems, their thermal performance has become the focus of increasing concern. The use of thermally conducting interstitial coatings within and between electronic components has proven to be one technique suitable for thermal enhancement. This review will address both metallic and non-metallic coatings suitable for thermal enhancement and discuss some of the major areas of application.
Associations of [3H]dihydroalprenolol with biological membranes

Abstract 1. 1. As an approach to distinguishing the partitioning from the binding of β-adrenergic antagonists, a comparative analysis was made of the association of (−) [ 3 H]dihydroalprenolol ([ 3 H]Alp) with human erythrocyte (RBC) membranes and with membranes derived from brain tissue. 2. 2. The data suggest that the [ 3 H]Alp partitions into biological membranes and that the addition of other agents, such as propranolol, which also partition into the membranes alters the membrane to a sufficient degree that the [ 3 H]Alp partition coefficient changes. 3. 3. The ability of “competing agent” to change the [ 3 H]Alp partition coefficient appears to be related to that compound's n-octanol-water partition coefficient and its ability to act as a local anaesthetic. 4. 4. In addition to its ability to mimic displaceable surface binding, the partitioning also can influence adenylate cyclase activity. Membranes from brain tissue contain another class of associations not present in human RBC membranes. Unlike the partitioning (present in both) this class of associations has all the characteristics expected of the association of [ 3 H]Alp interacting with a single set of identical independent sites with a K a of 2.04 × 10 8 M -1 .
Scales of minimal complexity in $${K(\mathbb{R})}$$

Using a Levy hierarchy and a fine structure theory for $${K(\mathbb{R})}$$ , we obtain scales of minimal complexity in this inner model. Each such scale is obtained assuming the determinacy of only those sets of reals whose complexity is strictly below that of the scale constructed.
Beyond cost models: communications satellite revenue models. Integrating cost considerations into a value‐centric mindset

While satellite cost models are pervasive throughout the aerospace industry, revenue models or utility models of space systems are quasi-inexistent. This situation perhaps conveys the false impression that satellites are either cost sinks or expensive artefacts whose value or utility profile over their design lifetime is difficult to quantify. In this paper, we propose that satellites, like any other complex engineering systems, should be perceived as value delivery artefacts, and the value delivered, or the flow of service that the spacecraft delivers over its design lifetime, deserves as much effort to quantify as the system's cost. To this effect, we build, in the case of a GEO communications satellite, revenue models based on (1) statistical analyses of spacecraft loading dynamics and (2) historical trends of market prices for the communications services provided. Results and discussions presented here should prove useful to satellite operators and industry observers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Insights into cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s disease using amyloid PET and structural MRI scans

Positron emission tomography using amyloid binding ligands, labeled with carbon-11 and fluorine-18, (Amyloid PET) has been used to understand the relationship between amyloid deposition in the brain, neurodegeneration and the development of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Structural MRI has been used to identify morphological changes in the brain which may relate to the cause(s) of cognitive impairment, including infarcts, space-occupying lesions, hydrocephalus and the patterns of atrophy which are characteristic of various neurodegenerative diseases. These two imaging biomarkers have also played an important role in revealing the sequence of cerebral amyloid deposition, neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment. Although there may not be a direct relationship between amyloid deposition and brain atrophy or cognitive deficits, the presence of both amyloid deposition on PET and neurodegeneration on MRI has been associated with accelerated cognitive decline. The main focus of this article is to summarize some of the insights gained using these two imaging methods individually and in combination to better understand the biological bases of normal aging and age-associated cognitive impairment.
Resolving membrane and shear locking phenomena in curved shear‐deformable axisymmetric shell elements

A simple two-node axisymmetric shell element with shallowly curved meridian assumptions and the inclusion of shear deformation and rotary inertia is presented. The principal developments include: (a) consistent resolution of the membrane and shear related excessive stiffening (locking) via anisoparametric interpolations of the displacement variables; (b) further upgrading of strain energy by means of a shear relaxation (correction) parameter. The resulting element possesses an improved condition of the stiffness matrix, increased efficiency in explicit time integration and enhanced accuracy in coarse discretizations. Comprehensive vibration examples are carried out to assess the element performance. The numerical results demonstrate a wide applicability range with respect to element slenderness and curvature properties.
Selenium content of millet and dental caries in the rat.

McCLURE reported recently that diets composed essentially of millet (76–94 per cent of the diet), with or without 18 per cent cerelose, when fed to weanling rats for approximately 60 days, proved to be considerably cariogenic1. The reason for the caries-producing property of millet could not be explained.
Effects of Karenia brevis diet on RNA:DNA ratios and egg production of Acartia tonsa

Karenia brevis is a harmful alga associated with deleterious effects on zooplankton, but the exact cause (e.g. toxin, nutritional inadequacy or starvation) of these adverse effects is not clear. RNA:DNA ratios, fecundity and fecal pellet production of Acartia tonsa were measured on mono-algal and mixed-algal culture diets of K. brevis and Peridinium foliaceum to examine the usefulness of RNA:DNA ratios as an indicator of nutrition and to determine if adverse effects of K. brevis are due to the presence of toxins, poor nutritional quality or starvation. RNA:DNA ratios and egg production values were significantly higher for 100% P. foliaceum diet compared to 100% K. brevis diet. Significant differences in egg production, but not RNA:DNA ratios, were found between the various mixed diets, suggesting egg production is a more sensitive indicator of nutritional quality than RNA:DNA ratios. Changes in RNA:DNA ratios, fecundity and fecal pellet production of copepods fed two different toxic K. brevis strains were nearly identical, indicating that the presence of brevetoxins has little affect on A. tonsa. The similarity in RNA:DNA ratios, egg production, percent hatching and fecal production between the 100% K. brevis diet and starved copepods suggests that A. tonsa does not consume K. brevis when offered as its sole food source.
Debating the Controlled Substances Act

In the United States, the basis of modern drug regulation is the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970. The CSA laid out the authority of the federal government and provided a framework within which all existing and new substances could be regulated on their abuse potential, safety, and medical utility. The debates over the CSA centered on several critical issues: where to place the authority to make scheduling designations, the impact of scheduling on drug research, and defining what constituted drug "abuse" for purposes of scheduling. Passage of the CSA was aided by broad language that provided a kind of "big tent" which could accommodate diverse points of view. A retrospective assessment of the CSA shows it to have greatly expanded federal administrative authority over the nation's drug supply, much as its authors intended. Other impacts of the CSA, however, are much less certain. This article concludes by highlighting the issues and questions that should guide future retrospective research on the efficacy of drug control regimes.
Low vitamin D status and suicide: a case-control study of active duty military service members.

Objective Considering that epidemiological studies show that suicide rates in many countries are highest in the spring when vitamin D status is lowest, and that low vitamin D status can affect brain function, we sought to evaluate if a low level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] could be a predisposing factor for suicide. Method We conducted a prospective, nested, case-control study using serum samples stored in the Department of Defense Serum Repository. Participants were previously deployed active duty US military personnel (2002–2008) who had a recent archived serum sample available for analysis. Vitamin D status was estimated by measuring 25(OH) D levels in serum samples drawn within 24 months of the suicide. Each verified suicide case (n = 495) was matched to a control (n = 495) by rank, age and sex. We calculated odds ratio of suicide associated with categorical levels (octiles) of 25(OH) D, adjusted by season of serum collection. Findings More than 30% of all subjects had 25(OH)D values below 20 ng/mL. Although mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations did not differ between suicide cases and controls, risk estimates indicated that subjects in the lowest octile of season-adjusted 25(OH)D (<15.5 ng/mL) had the highest risk of suicide, with subjects in the subsequent higher octiles showing approximately the same level of decreased risk (combined odds ratio compared to lowest octile = 0.49; 95% C.I.: 0.315–0.768). Conclusions Low vitamin D status is common in active duty service members. The lowest 25(OH)D levels are associated with an increased risk for suicide. Future studies could determine if additional sunlight exposure and vitamin D supplementation might reduce suicide by increasing 25(OH) D levels.
Posterior dislocation of the elbow

The patient was a 23-year-old man who was seen in a direct-access capacity by a physical therapist for a chief complaint of severe left elbow pain following a fall on an outstretched left hand 2 hours prior. The physical therapist ordered radiographs of the left elbow, which revealed a posterior dislocation. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2013;43(9):673. doi:10.2519/jospt.2013.0416
Advancing Children's Health Care and Outcomes Through the Pediatric Quality Measures Program

In 2009 Congress passed the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA), which presented an unprecedented opportunity to measure and improve health care quality and outcomes for children. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, in partnership with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, has worked to fulfill a number of quality measurement provisions under CHIPRA, including establishing the Pediatric Quality Measures Program (PQMP). The PQMP was charged with establishing a publicly available portfolio of new and enhanced evidence-based pediatric quality measures for use by Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance Program and other public and private programs and to also provide opportunities to improve and strengthen the Child Core Set of quality measures. This article focuses on the PQMP and provides an overview of the program's goals and related activities, lessons learned, and future opportunities.
The chicken macrophage response to carbohydrate-based irritants: Temporal changes in peritoneal cell populations

Abstract Temporal changes in the recruitment and functional activation of Cornell K strain chicken peritoneal macrophages elicited by starch and dextrans were determined. During a 72-hr period following intraperitoneal injection, Sephadex (cross-linked dextran) elicited a gradually increasing number of peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) which contained ≥78% macrophages in the adherent cell population. In contrast, starch tended to elicit higher numbers of PECs early in the stimulation process, with heterophils comprising a major proportion of the adherent cells. Later in the time course, macrophages were the predominant adherent cell type. Comparisons of PEC recruitment using Sephadex vs. low molecular weight dextrans demonstrated that the low-molecular weight dextrans elicited fewer PECs than did Sephadex; unlike Sephadex, however, the low molecular weight dextrans generated a significant peak of heterophil infiltration that was similar, although delayed, to that produced with starch. Sephadex-stimulated peritoneal macrophages exhibited time-dependent functional acquisitions for 1) the phagocytosis of sheep erythrocytes, 2) the engulfment of opsonized sheep erythrocytes, and 3) opsonin-erythrocyte rosetting. Acquisition of phagocytic activity for uncoated vs. opsonized erythrocytes occurred under very different rates during the time course. The results suggest that both the nature of the irritant and the time point of cell harvest can be appropriately selected to provide the particular cell population and functional status desired for subsequent in vitro analyses.
6Li and 7Li MAS NMR Studies of Lithium Manganate Cathode Materials

6Li MAS NMR has been used to study the lithium local environments and manganese electronic structures of a number of lithium manganese oxides with manganese oxidation states varying from (III) to (IV). Most samples were chosen with compositions within the LiMn2O4−Li2Mn4O9−Li4Mn5O12 phase diagram, but Li2Mn2O4 with Mn(III) was also synthesized for comparison. Despite the presence of unpaired electrons, high-resolution spectra could still be acquired, allowing a number of different local environments to be detected. Assignments of the resonances to different lithium local environments were made by comparing the observed shifts and local structures in a number of lithium manganates. Two 6Li NMR resonances were observed for the spinel phase Li4Mn5O12 at 1980 and 847 ppm, which were assigned to Li+ in the octahedral and tetrahedral sites of the spinel structure, respectively. A shift was observed for Li+ in the tetrahedral site of Li2Mn4O9, which also contains Mn(IV), at 687 ppm. The shifts are ascribed primar...
Communicatively remembering turning points of relational development in heterosexual romantic relationships

This study examines the extent to which romantic partners communicatively remember their relationship's developmental turning points, as identified using the Retrospective Interview Technique. Partners were asked to indicate which turning points were featured in five forms of dyadic traditions: commemorations/celebrations, reminiscences, storytelling to third parties, idiomatic communication, and mementos. Overall, reminiscences between relational partners and third‐party storytelling to social network members emerged as the most frequently reported ways in which turning points were communicatively remembered. The turning points of quality time, passion, get‐to‐know time, and exclusivity were most likely to be communicatively remembered through multiple kinds of dyadic traditions. Couple satisfaction correlated positively with the proportion of agreed‐upon turning points that were communicatively remembered through at least one dyadic tradition.
Effect of RuAl and TiN Underlayers on Grain Morphology, Ordering, and Magnetic Properties of FePt-SiO $_{\rm x}$ Thin Films

The impact of RuAl underlayers and TiN intermediate layers on the microstructure, L1o ordering, and coercivity of granular FePt thin films is evaluated with an emphasis on controlling the FePt grains by using a new underlayer system. The use of the single RuAl/TiN film stacks does not help induce the epitaxial grain pick-up for FePt media due to their overly small grain size and smooth surface morphology. Two-step-deposited RuAl layers are developed to make a more open microstructure. By sputtering the top RuAl layers at low power and high Ar pressure, it is shown that there is a one-to-one grain matching between RuAl/TiN and FePt. It is also found that TiN underlayers are more favorable to the L1o ordering process compared to MgO underlayers.
A direct comparison of the KB™ Basecaller and phred for identifying the bases from DNA sequencing using chain termination chemistry

Relatively recently, the software KB™ Basecaller has replaced phred for identifying the bases from raw sequence data in DNA sequencing employing dideoxy chemistry. We have measured quantitatively the consequences of that change. The high quality sequence segment of reads derived from the KB™ Basecaller were, on average, 30-to-50 bases longer than reads derived from phred. However, microbe identification appeared to have been unaffected by the change in software. We have demonstrated a modest, but statistically significant, superiority in high quality read length of the KB™ Basecaller compared to phred. We found no statistically significant difference between the numbers of microbial species identified from the sequence data.
Neutron Imaging with Bragg Mirrors

Phase-space analysis of neutron optics has revealed that neutron imaging by Bragg reflection from thick bent perfect crystals can be non-dispersive (independent of the neutron wavelength), like with an optical mirror. The corresponding devices, called Bragg mirrors (BM), can be used for neutron imaging at pulsed neutron sources. Using a position sensitive detector (PSD) and time-of-flight analysis (TOF), a BM imaging system will make it possible to collect both real space mapping data and scattering space data simultaneously. Each pixel of PSD will correspond to a point in the sample and will contain a segment of the diffraction pattern (useful for strain, texture or phase analysis), or of an inelastic spectrum. In this paper the resolution and efficiency of BM in TOF diffraction experiments are calculated and compared with the usual sequential method of mapping. Experimental tests performed at steady state neutron sources showed sub-millimeter spatial resolution in the one-dimensional case.
Febuxostat: drug review and update

Introduction: Gouty arthritis and hyperuricemia have ailed humans for centuries. Recent advances in understanding of the mechanism(s) of their development have changed our perception of the disease process. Despite these gains, the treatment options available are limited. The FDA approval of febuxostat for the treatment of hyperuricemia in gout has been a significant step forward. Since its approval in 2009, febuxostat has proven to be safe and efficacious although concerns remain regarding its long-term effects and superiority to other uricosuric agents, such as allopurinol. Areas covered: A comprehensive literature review of PubMed and Ovid examining clinical trials and post-marketing studies yielded congruent findings on efficacy and safety in elderly populations and those with mild-to-moderate renal/hepatic impairment. A lack of literature and clinical studies was found with regard to comparison of febuxostat to FDA-approved high-dose allopurinol (> 300 mg), the safety of febuxostat in the treatment o...
Robot Path Planning with Obstacles, Actuator, Gripper, and Payload Constraints

A method is presented to obtain the time-optimal motions for robotic manipulators. It considers the full nonlinear dynamics of the manipulator, its actuator saturation limits, and gripper and payload constraints. It also accounts for both the presence of obstacles in the work space and restrictions on the motion of the manipulator's joints. The method is computationally practical and has been implemented for the optimal trajectory planning of general six degree-of-freedom manipulators. Examples are presented that demonstrate the substantial improvement in manipulator performance that can be achieved using this method.