cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Miconazole: a cost-effective antifungal genitourinary irrigant.

Abstract Miconazole was used as a fungistatic genitourinary irrigant in the management of 10 patients with persistent candiduria. All patients were in the older age group, with a mean age of 77.6 years, and they were debilitated by a variety of medical problems, including major surgery, neoplasia, recurrent bacterial infection, diabetes or other metabolic dysfunction. Miconazole at a concentration of 50 mcg. per ml. was administered continuously during 24 hours for 5 consecutive days via a urethral catheter. Candiduria resolved in 8 of the 10 patients, with 1 requiring a second course of miconazole at a concentration of 100 mcg. per ml. Two patients manifested other foci of infection, necessitating intravenous and intravesical amphotericin B. Stability studies showed that the miconazole irrigation solutions maintain their antifungal activity for 11 days at room temperature. The 5-day cost (drug and materials) of the miconazole irrigation at 50 mcg. per ml. was $17.75 versus $76.75 for an equal course of therapy with amphotericin B. In addition, compared to amphotericin B as an antifungal genitourinary irrigant, miconazole is prepared more easily, requires less labor and preparation time, and does not require refrigeration or protection from light. These clinical observations indicate that miconazole is cost-effective antifungal genitourinary irrigant.
Bilateral nephrectomy for Wilms tumor.

AbstractBilateral nephrectomy was performed in 4 patients with bilateral Wilms tumor. The current philosophy regarding the need to preserve maximum renal parenchyma is discussed. New guidelines suggested by the National Wilms Tumor Study group discourage unilateral nephrectomy and partial nephrectomy at initial exploration for bilateral Wilms tumor. Alternatively, it is recommended that continued treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy followed by second and third-look operations to maximize preservation of renal parenchyma be done with bilateral nephrectomy as a last resort option.
The effect of massive transfusion protocol implementation on pediatric trauma care.

BACKGROUND Massive transfusion protocols (MTPs) to address hemorrhage are understudied in children. The objective was to determine the effect of MTP implementation on outcomes of injured children. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS This was a retrospective comparison of injured children before and after MTP implementation for children less than 18 years old who presented in 2005 to 2014 and received red blood cells (RBCs) within 24 hours of arrival. Children were divided into groups based on pre-/post-MTP implementation and subgrouped based on receipt of massive transfusion (≥40 mL/kg RBCs or ≥80 mL/kg total blood products at 24 hr from arrival). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and secondary outcomes were total blood product use, intensive care unit/ventilator/pressor-free days, composite morbidity, and Glasgow Outcome Score. RESULTS A total of 11,995 children presented for trauma care over 9 years; 235 received RBCs. A total of 120 were in the pre-MTP group and 115 in the post-MTP, of whom 26 and 17 received massive transfusion in the pre- and post-MTP groups, respectively; 11 had MTP activations. Children massively transfused after MTP received mean plasma:RBC and platelet (PLT):RBC ratios greater than 1:1 at both 6 and 24 hours with no significant difference in total admission blood product use. There was no difference in in-hospital mortality between pre- and post-MTP groups (24% vs. 19%) or massive transfusion subgroups (54% vs. 47%). There were no differences in secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS While we were not able to show improvements in outcome, MTP implementation led to higher plasma and PLT:RBC ratios without an associated change in blood product use or composite morbidity.
β-Blockade in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: Does Heart Rate Control Influence Readmissions?

Background:Raised resting heart rate (HR), >70 beats per minute (bpm), has been shown to be a risk factor for adverse cardiovascular outcomes and hospital readmissions, specifically in patients wit...
Development of the Experiences of Humility Scale

In three studies, we developed the Experiences of Humility Scale (EHS). In Study 1, we used exploratory factor analysis to determine the factor structure and to reduce items in a sample of undergra...
Novel integration and packaging concepts of highly miniaturized inductively powered neural implants

This work proposes solutions to the current bulky packaged neural implants. We describe the next generation of miniaturized wirelessly powered neural interface that are distributed and free floating in the nervous system. This paper focuses on the microassembly, hermetic packaging and its effect on the inductive power link.
Traditional Police Culture, Use of Force, and Procedural Justice: Investigating Individual, Organizational, and Contextual Factors

Traditional police culture (TPC) is a set of attitudes and values, developed as coping mechanisms for police work’s unique and inherent strains, that fosters distrust toward, and isolation from, ci...
Advancing coil design in micromagnetic brain stimulation

Micromagnetic stimulation (μMS) has several advantages over electrical stimulation. First, μMS does not require charge-balanced stimulation waveforms as in electrical stimulation. In μMS, neither sinks nor sources are present when a current is induced by the time-varying magnetic field, thus μMS does not suffer from charge buildup as can occur with electrical stimulation. Second, magnetic stimulation via μMS is capable of activating neurons with specific axonal orientations. Moreover, as the probes can be completely insulated from the brain tissue, we expect to significantly reduce the problem of excessive power deposition into the tissue during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). μMS technology was first developed in our laboratory and is entirely based on commercial components off the shelf, which are readily available to researchers. However, commercial inductors are designed to maximize efficiency (Q-factor), which consists in trapping the generated magnetic field to minimize its losses. Furthermore, they do not allow for multiple coil design in small and complex 3D geometries as it is often needed in neuroscience applications. In this work we will fabricate and test nanoscale coil structures for next generation μMS devices. Such devices could potentially become the brain and heart stimulators of the future with their contactless ability to deliver the neuronal stimulation needed for therapeutic efficacy in patients in need of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators or pace-makers, or patients with Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and etc.
Cross-Sectional Analysis of Longitudinal Mediation Processes

Statistical mediation analysis can help to identify and explain the mechanisms behind psychological processes. Examining a set of variables for mediation effects is a ubiquitous process in the social sciences literature; however, despite evidence suggesting that cross-sectional data can misrepresent the mediation of longitudinal processes, cross-sectional analyses continue to be used in this manner. Alternative longitudinal mediation models, including those rooted in a structural equation modeling framework (cross-lagged panel, latent growth curve, and latent difference score models) are currently available and may provide a better representation of mediation processes for longitudinal data. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, we provide a comparison of cross-sectional and longitudinal mediation models; second, we advocate using models to evaluate mediation effects that capture the temporal sequence of the process under study. Two separate empirical examples are presented to illustrate differences in the conclusions drawn from cross-sectional and longitudinal mediation analyses. Findings from these examples yielded substantial differences in interpretations between the cross-sectional and longitudinal mediation models considered here. Based on these observations, researchers should use caution when attempting to use cross-sectional data in place of longitudinal data for mediation analyses.
A pilot study: locus of control and spiritual beliefs in alcoholics anonymous and smart recovery members.

To investigate whether Alcoholics Anonymous' (AA's) “higher power” concept encourages externally dependent behavior, this pilot study tested whether AA and Self Management and Recovery Training (SR) members are equal on measures of external locus of control. The AA sample (N = 48) and SR sample (N = 33) were similar in age, gender, and education levels, and both required a minimum of 8 weeks group involvement. A modified spiritual beliefs questionnaire (SBQ) was first administered to each sample to compare them on spiritual beliefs, and the drinking-related locus of control scale (DRIE) was then conducted to compare each sample on locus of control. Significant differences were found between both samples on five out of seven spiritual measures, with the AA group scoring consistently higher on these factors (p < .01). In addition, the AA sample was significantly more external on the DRIE scale than the SR sample (p = .00003). These findings suggest that AA members are generally more spiritually oriented and exhibit greater external locus of control relative to SR members. Future controlled trials are necessary to confirm whether these results are caused by particular programs or primarily due to a self-selective process.
Nutraceuticals and Bone Health

The use of dietary supplement or nutraceutical in the past month exceeded 50 % in US adults with higher rates in individuals with chronic disease. Although calcium and vitamin D are important, various other nutrients may also provide benefit to the skeleton. The relationship between soy compounds and skeletal health is inconclusive. Dehydroepiandrosterone has not been shown to benefit the skeleton even in elderly with low serum levels. There is no clear skeletal benefit from various antioxidants, flavonoids, carotenoids, omega-3-fatty acids, and various vitamins with only limited observational data and small clinical trials. In addition, in some cases pharmacologic doses have been investigated. High homocysteine may relate to fracture risk, but whether this risk is reduced by any B vitamins is unclear. There is no clear relationship between bone health and nutritional intake of magnesium, boron, strontium, silicon, and phosphorus.
An extensible language interfacefor robot manipulation

This paper describes our Extensible Language Interface (ELI) for robots. The system is intended to interpret far-field speech commands in order to perform fetch-and-carry tasks, potentially for use in an eldercare context. By "extensible" we mean that the robot is able to learn new nouns and verbs by simple interaction with its user. An associated video [1] illustrates the range of phenomena handled by our implemented real-time system.
Sex differences in incentive-sensitization produced by intermittent access cocaine self-administration

Intermittent Access (IntA) cocaine self-administration, which models intermittent patterns of cocaine use in humans during the transition to addiction, is especially effective in producing incentive-sensitization and other addiction-like behavior in male rats. However, female rats show more robust psychomotor sensitization than males, and following initial use, women develop problematic patterns of drug use more readily than men. We hypothesized, therefore, that female rats might be more susceptible to the incentive-sensitization produced by IntA experience. To assess changes in motivation for cocaine, using a behavioral economic indicator of cocaine demand (“elasticity” of demand curves), and other addiction-like behavior, as a function of IntA cocaine self-administration experience in male and female rats. IntA experience produced a progressive increase in motivation for cocaine in both males and females, as indicated by a decrease in the elasticity of cocaine demand curves, and this persisted undiminished following 14 days of abstinence. However, IntA produced a more rapid and greater increase in motivation for cocaine (incentive-sensitization) in females than males. Females also consumed more cocaine than males, although this did not predict changes in motivation. On the other hand, there were no sex differences in the preferred level of cocaine consumption when cost was low (Q0), nor in cocaine- or cue-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior. The observation that females are more susceptible to incentive-sensitization when intermittently exposed to cocaine may provide a mechanism for the more rapid development of problematic drug use in females (“telescoping effect”) reported in clinical studies.
PEAK) WALL STRESS AS AN INDICATOR OF ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM SEVERITY

Abdominal aortic aneurysms, which consist of dilatations of the infra-renal aorta by at least 1.5 times of its normal diameter, are becoming a leading cause of death worldwide. Rupture often occurs unexpectedly, before a repair procedure is conducted. The AAA maximum diameter has been used as a clinical criterion to monitor AAA severity. However, assessment of AAA rupture risk requires knowledge of wall stress and wall strength at the potential rupture location. We conducted a study on 37 patient specific CT datasets to investigate the benefits of using peak wall stress instead of D max for AAA rupture severity. Correlation between PWS and 24 geometric indices and biomechanical factors was studied where eleven of them showed a statistically significant correlation with PWS. A Finite Element Analysis Rupture Index was used to conclude that the use of D max as a single predictor of AAA behavior and severity may be insufficient based on our patient population with a D max smaller than the 5.5 cm, clinically recommended repair threshold.
Direct write of photonics using a filament-fed laser-heated process

Additive Manufacturing (AM) of low-profile 2.5D glass structures is demonstrated using a fiber-fed laser-heated process. In this process, glass single mode optical fibers with diameters 90-125 μm are fed into the intersection of a workpiece and CO 2 laser beam. The workpiece is positioned by a four-axis CNC stage. Issues unique to the process are discussed, including the thermal breakdown of the glass and index inhomogeneity. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that the core/cladding structure of the fiber remains intact during printing and can be used to guide light for photonic applications.
Pastors’ Perceptions of the Black Church’s Role in Teen Pregnancy Prevention:

Objective. To identify pastors' perceptions of the Black Church's role in promoting adolescent sexual health and preventing teen pregnancy. The Black Church and pastor are important partners in addressing health disparities in the Black community, especially those addressing sensitive issues as teen pregnancy. Methods. Semistructured interviews (n = 31) were conducted with Black Church pastors in two southwestern U.S. cities from September 2014 to July 2015. The question path was developed based on interviews with local leaders, literature searches, and key informant pastor interviews. Questions included knowledge/beliefs about sexuality education, church's role in preventing teen pregnancy, and implementation obstacles. Interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed. Results. (1) All pastors believed that the Black Church should address teen pregnancy with parents and congregants. (2) Two major obstacles emerged: (a) all pastors perceived social consequences, including resistant parents and (b) discomfort discussing contraceptives/condoms. (3) All pastors were willing to partner with organizations, but most had reservations based on conflicting missions/values. Conclusions. Black Church pastors support teen pregnancy prevention programs in the church; however, public health partners must be willing to address the church's unique needs and mission.
The Gandhian Way to Healthy Living

AbstractThis article is a succinct account of the ideas of Gandhi on health and illness. Gandhi was an ardent follower of nature cure. He propagated the ideas of naturopathy not only in his own lif...
Brain aging in temporal lobe epilepsy: Chronological, structural, and functional.

Abstract The association of epilepsy with structural brain changes and cognitive abnormalities in midlife has raised concern regarding the possibility of future accelerated brain and cognitive aging and increased risk of later life neurocognitive disorders. To address this issue we examined age-related processes in both structural and functional neuroimaging among individuals with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE, N = 104) who were participants in the Epilepsy Connectome Project (ECP). Support vector regression (SVR) models were trained from 151 healthy controls and used to predict TLE patients’ brain ages. It was found that TLE patients on average have both older structural (+6.6 years) and functional (+8.3 years) brain ages compared to healthy controls. Accelerated functional brain age (functional – chronological age) was mildly correlated (corrected P = 0.07) with complex partial seizure frequency and the number of anti-epileptic drug intake. Functional brain age was a significant correlate of declining cognition (fluid abilities) and partially mediated chronological age-fluid cognition relationships. Chronological age was the only positive predictor of crystallized cognition. Accelerated aging is evident not only in the structural brains of patients with TLE, but also in their functional brains. Understanding the causes of accelerated brain aging in TLE will be clinically important in order to potentially prevent or mitigate their cognitive deficits.
Neonatal hypoglycemia after initiation of late preterm antenatal corticosteroids.

To compare the frequency and severity of neonatal hypoglycemia in pregnancies treated with and without late preterm antenatal corticosteroids. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of late preterm deliveries at LAC + USC (2015–2018). Neonatal outcomes were compared between pregnancies treated with and without corticosteroids. 93 pregnancies (39.9%) received corticosteroids and 140 (60.1%) did not. Neonates born to women given corticosteroids were more likely to be hypoglycemic (47.3 vs. 29.3%, ORadj 2.25, padj = 0.01). The mean initial glucose (45.6 mg/dL vs. 51.9 mg/dL, p = 0.01) and glucose nadir (39.1 mg/dL vs. 45.4 mg/dL, p < 0.001) were significantly lower if the neonates received corticosteroids. Neonates admitted to the NICU solely for hypoglycemia were more likely to be born to women treated with corticosteroids (ORadj 4.71, padj = 0.01). Administration of late preterm corticosteroids was associated with an increased incidence and severity of neonatal hypoglycemia.
Initial multicenter experience with nitrous oxide cryoballoon for treatment of flat duodenal adenomas (with video)

Background and Aims EMR is the preferred endoscopic therapy for duodenal adenomas (DAs) but is associated with an overall adverse event rate of 26%. Cryotherapy using a Cryoballoon Focal Ablation System (CbFAS) can safely and effectively eradicate esophageal intestinal metaplasia. We report our first experience with cryoballoon ablation for treatment of flat DAs. Methods This was an American, multicenter, retrospective study involving 5 centers. DAs (Paris 0-IIa and 0-IIb) were treated with nitrous oxide for 5 to 12 seconds using CbFAS. Follow-up EGD was performed at 3 to 12 months. Results Seventeen DAs (mean size, 22.7 ± 14.3 mm; 12 tubular, 5 tubulovillous) from 13 patients (mean age, 66.5 ± 9.99 years; 61.5% males) were included in the study. Thirteen of 17 DAs (76.5%) had failed previous treatment, and 4 of 17 (23.5%) were treatment naIve. All procedures were technically successful and achieved a >50% decrease in size after cryoballoon ablation There was no increase in size or progression of disease for any lesions. Overall, treatment was completed in 15 of 17 patients, and recurrence-free survival was achieved in 12 of 17 (71%) after a median follow-up of 15.5 months (interquartile range [IQR], 6.8-19.4). The median cryoablation time per polyp was 4 minutes (IQR, 1-7.5 minutes), and the median total procedure time was 25 minutes (IQR, 22-30.5 minutes). There were no intra- or postprocedural adverse events. Conclusions Nitrous oxide cryoballoon ablation of nonpolypoid DAs is feasible, with promising safety and efficacy.
Organic chemistry as representation

Electron redistribution is the cornerstone of our understanding of chemical reactivity. For the vast majority of organic reactions electrons are assumed to move in pairs providing explanatory mechanisms through the generation of intermediate structures. But for many transformations these discrete steps are idealized constructs, involving intermediates assumed but not empirically justified. This unitary perspective predicated on the curved arrow formalism has resulted in the scenario where for many organic transformations our supposed understanding far surpasses our growing knowledge. Reformulating organic mechanisms to include single electron transfer (SET) as a component of, or an alternative to, the prevailing iconic descriptions can provide for a more empirically adequate mechanistic description. In addition using the language of SET presents an opportunity to unify mechanistic concepts under a common donor/acceptor framework.
Educational Attainment and Prevalence of Cardiovascular Health (Life's Simple 7) in Asian Americans.

Asian Americans have a high burden of cardiovascular disease, yet little is known about the social patterning of cardiovascular health (CVH) in this population. We examined if education ( 10+ years, and 15.9% for the U.S.-born. All models showed that low education compared to high education was associated with lower odds of having ideal CVH. This pattern remained in adjusted models but became non-significant when controlling for nativity (odds ratio = 0.34, 95% confidence interval: 0.10, 1.13). Models stratified by time in the U.S. were less consistent but showed similar education gradients in CVH. Low education is a risk factor for attaining ideal cardiovascular health among Asian Americans, regardless of time in the U.S.
The Balance of Payments

A country’s balance of payments tells whether it saves enough to pay for its imports. The BoP is divided into three main categories: the current account, the capital account, and the financial account. Within these three categories are subdivisions, each of which accounts for a different type of international monetary transaction. In accordance with the general principle of double-entry business accounting, every increase in an asset must be offset by a decrease in another asset or by an increase in a liability, and a decrease in an asset must be offset by an increase in another asset or by a decrease in a liability.
The Role of the Family in Alcohol Use Disorder Recovery for Adults

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and family functioning are inextricably bound, and families are impacted negatively by AUD, but families show substantial improvements with AUD recovery. Family members can successfully motivate a person with AUD to initiate changes in drinking or to seek AUD treatment. During recovery, family members can provide active support for recovery. Several couple- or family-involved treatments for AUD have been developed and tested in rigorous efficacy trials. Efficacious treatments based in family systems theory or cognitive behavioral approaches focus on the concerned family member alone, or they engage the couple or family as a unit in the treatment. However, most treatments have been studied in fairly homogeneous, heterosexual, White, non-Hispanic populations, limiting the potential generalizability of these treatments. Substantial gaps remain in our understanding of family processes associated with the initiation and maintenance of AUD recovery among adults. This review outlines the existing literature and describes opportunities for future research to address knowledge gaps in understanding the mechanisms by which these treatments are efficacious, use of family-based treatments with diverse populations, integration of pharmacotherapies with family-involved treatment, role of families in recovery-oriented systems of care, and how to improve treatment development and dissemination.
A common measure of prey immune function is not constrained by the cascading effects of predators

Simultaneously defending against predators, stymieing competitors, and generating immune responses can impose conflicting demands for host species caught in the entanglement of a food web. Host immunity is not only shaped by direct interactions among species, but also many indirect cascading effects. By reducing competition, predators in particular can affect resource acquisition necessary for hosts to mount energetically costly immune responses. However, identifying the links between predators and host immune responses determined by resource acquisition is a complex affair, because predators can (1) reduce host density and thus competition among hosts, (2) exert non-consumptive trait-mediated effects on host resource acquisition behavior, and (3) generate natural selection on host resource acquisition behavior. To examine the relative contributions of these potential predator driven density- and trait-mediated effects on a key aspect of immune function (total phenoloxidase activity, total PO), we conducted mesocosm and field experiments with larval damselflies (Enallagma signatum) and their dominant fish predator (Lepomis macrochirus). Although we expected to observe declines in total PO activity with increases in damselfly density, we found no relationship between density and total PO activity. We also found no support for the prediction that total PO activity would vary as a result of either non-consumptive trait-mediated effects or selection on damselfly foraging activity underlying resource acquisition. Despite the lack of trait- or density-mediated effects, we did find that total PO activity increased with damselfly prey density among lakes, implying resource limitation for this aspect of immune function. These unexpected results point to the need to better understand the ecological conditions whereby predators and competitors constrain immune functions necessary for species to defend themselves in complex food webs.
Tres paradojas educativas en América Latina: Sobre la necesidad de ideas públicas para impulsar las oportunidades educativas

En este ensayo identifico tres paradojas sobre la relacion entre educacion y cambio social en America Latina. La primera es que las escuelas son simultaneamente parte del problema y parte de la solucion a los desafios que confronta esa area. La segunda paradoja es que una evaluacion de la historia de los sistemas educativos de la region permite concluir que mucho y poco ha cambiado. La tercera consiste en los magros resultados de los enormes esfuerzos de reforma educativa de las ultimas decadas. Argumento luego que es necesario desarrollar ideas publicas sobre como avanzar en las oportunidades educativas. Estas ideas requieren claridad sobre las razones por las que es necesario hacer de la igualdad de oportunidades educativas una prioridad, una identificacion de los principales desafios para lograr dichas oportunidades, y un reconocimiento de las acciones para atender a dichos desafios. Su caracter de publicas requiere un dialogo democratico informado que permita movilizar coaliciones amplias en apoyo de las mismas.
Viscosity of γ‐globulins

The viscosities of a number of γ-globulins from various sources were studied. It was found that the dependence of the reduced specific viscosity on concentration of the globulins is a linear function. The slopes of the regression lines were positive, and they varied in the range of 0.0015–0.017. The intrinsic viscosity values of the native γ-globulins varied in the range of 0.048–0.083 (at ionic strength 0.1 and PH 5,8–7,7). The viscosity of various γ-pseudoglobulin samples was found to be generally the same as the viscosity of the whole γ-globulin fraction. The results also showed that the viscosity differences between various preparations are due partially to artifact formation (aggregation) during isolation. The possibility of individual shape and other differences, however, is not excluded. The flow properties of the γ-globulins which were denatured by guanidine thiocyanate and by Aerosol OT also were studied. Die Viskositat von Losungen verschiedener γ-Globuline wurde studiert. Es wurde gefunden, das die reduzierte spezifische Viskositat eine lineare Funktion der Konzentration des Proteins darstellt. Die Neigung der Geraden ist schwach positiv (0.0015–0.017). Die extrapolierten Viskositatszahlen der nativen γ-Globuline variierten im Bereich zwischen 0.048–0.083 (Konzentration in g/100 ml, Ionenstarke 0.1, pH 5.8–7.7). Die Pseudoglobuline hatten allgemein die gleiche Viskositat wie die gesamte γ-Globulin-Fraktion. Die Viskositatsunterschiede zwischen verschiedenen Globulinproben sind teilweise durch Aggregierungseffekte bestimmt. Die Moglichkeit individueller Form und anderer Unterschiede wird nicht ausgeschlossen. Die Viskositat von denaturierten γ-Globulinen wurde studiert, und es wurde gefunden, das die Denaturierung mit einer Viskositatserhohung verbunden ist. Zeitliche Anderungen der Viskositat der alkalischen Losungen der denaturierten Proteine wurden beschrieben.
Techno‐social Life: The Internet, Digital Technology, and Social Connectedness

This essay explores what it means to be socially connected in a techno-social world. It describes how a “triple revolution” in social connectedness has been catalyzed by the ever-increasing use of the Internet, mobile communication, and social media networking (Rainie and Wellman 2012). It argues for the usefulness of the concepts of the community and the network in understanding how social connectedness is created and experienced in the use of digital (computerized) communication technology. It examines some of the consequences – both benefits and hazards – of being near-continuously available to one another via the Internet, mobile phones, and social media. And it describes how digital (online) and face-to-face (offline) spaces become fully integrated and experienced as a single, enmeshed reality. The article concludes that people's use of digital communication technology tends to strengthen social connectedness and prompt, not deter, face-to-face interaction and local community ties.
Reduced Brain Norepinephrine Metabolism in Obese (ob/ob) Mice is Not Normalized by Tyrosine Supplementation

Five-week-old female lean and obese (ob/ob) mice were fed a 20% protein diet (1.1% tyrosine) or a 20% protein diet supplemented with tyrosine (4% tyrosine). On d 4 of supplementation, brain norepinephrine (NE) synthesis rate and brain efflux of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (MHPG), a major metabolite of NE in mouse brain, were measured after administration of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor pargyline. Control obese mice had a lower rate of NE synthesis and a lower MHPG efflux than lean controls. Tyrosine supplementation elevated brain tyrosine concentration twofold, but had no effect on NE synthesis rate or MHPG efflux in either group. Likewise, tyrosine supplementation for up to 1 mo had no effect on food intake, oxygen consumption or body weight in obese mice and only a transient effect in lean mice, in which oxygen consumption was higher on d 2 and 3 and food intake was higher on d 3 and 4 compared with nonsupplemented lean mice. We conclude that tyrosine availability is not a limiting factor in the reduced brain noradrenergic activity of obese mice.
Investigation of Microcrack Growth in [0/90]s Composite Laminates

Techniques such as optical microscopy and X-radiography have provided useful information regarding damage in composite laminates, particular in therms of microcracking behavior in individual plies. This focuses on the investigation of microcracking and damage evolution in loaded composite laminates via X-ray computed microtomography. The main advantage in the use of such a technique is that damage within the composite can be assessed in three-dimensions without destruction of the composite. In this work, IM7/977–2, IM7/5555, and IM7/5276-1 coupons were uniaxially tested in a tensile substage, Graphs that convey microcracking density information as a function of applied load were created for [0/90/90/0] laminates. The three dimensional geometry and connectivity of microcracks and other damage in these samples were investigated through microtomographic reconstruction.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Portugal and Spain in the EU: paths of economic divergence (2000-2007)

This paper examines the integration experiences of Portugal and Spain in the European Union in order to study how it has affected their economic structures and economic performance. It analyzes the relationship between regional integration, economic growth, and economic reforms, draws some lessons based on their EU integration experience, and looks at the impact of European Monetary Union (EMU) integration in the Portuguese and Spanish economies. While the overall benefits of EU/EMU membership are undeniable in both countries, their economic performance diverged starting in 2000. In particular, the paper will examine the reasons for this divergence during the 2000-2007 period. The examination of these cases will show that the process of economic reforms has to be a domestic process led by domestic actors willing to carry them out.
Adaptive Wing Camber Optimization: A Periodic Perturbation Approach

Available redundancy among aircraft control surfaces allows for effective wing camber modifications. As shown in the past, this fact can be used to improve aircraft performance. To date, however, algorithm developments for in-flight camber optimization have been limited. This paper presents a perturbational approach for cruise optimization through in-flight camber adaptation. The method uses, as a performance index, an indirect measurement of the instantaneous net thrust. As such, the actual performance improvement comes from the integrated effects of airframe and engine. The algorithm, whose design and robustness properties are discussed, is demonstrated on the NASA Dryden B-720 flight simulator.
Abstract LB-298: The multiple-myeloma associated snoRNA, ACA11 increases oxidative stress and cell proliferation

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable malignancy of antibody secreting plasma B cells. The t(4;14) translocation is detected in 20% of MM and is associated with shortened patient survival. Although the t(4;14) is known to up regulate the MMSET proteins, its role in MM remains unclear. Previously, we identified a novel orphan box H/ACA class small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA), that is located within intron 19 of MMSET, and is expressed in MM cells harboring the t(4;14) translocation. H/ACA small RNAs are an evolutionarily conserved class of abundant noncoding RNAs (ncRNA) involved in a diverse range of processes including posttranslational modifications of functional RNAs, preribosomal RNA processing, and telomere maintenance, yet their contribution to human disease remains largely unexplored. In this study, t(4:14) positive and negative MM patient tumor cells were analyzed by RNA sequencing. This revealed a unique signature of up regulated genes involved in mitochondrial respiration and oxidative stress. Our hypothesis is ACA11 plays critical role in MM cell proliferation and cell transformation by increasing oxidative stress. We found that acute ACA11 overexpression leads to the increased oxidative stress in primary splenic B-cells, established myeloma cell lines, as well as embryonic fibroblasts. In particular, cells overexpressing ACA11 showed enhanced proliferation, significantly larger colony sizes in soft agar assays, and elevated ERK1/2 phosphorylation, a downstream consequence of oxidative stress. In addition, we found that the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which regulates anti-oxidant signaling, dissociated from Keap1 and translocated to the nucleus, but failed to activate anti-oxidant downstream targets in ACA11 overexpressing cells. Furthermore, ACA11 up regulated TXNIP, which encodes an inhibitor of ROS scavenger thioredoxin. In conclusion, we propose that acute overexpression of ACA11 up regulates TXNIP and suppresses the ability of Nrf2 to induce target anti-oxidants genes, resulting in increased oxidative stress and cell proliferation. These changes may be critical events in the development and/or progression of multiple myeloma. Citation Format: Nitin Mahajan, Leonard B. Maggi, Michael H. Tomasson, Jason D. Weber. The multiple-myeloma associated snoRNA, ACA11 increases oxidative stress and cell proliferation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-298. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-LB-298
Particle Acceleration in Reconnecting Current Sheets in Impulsive Electron-Rich Solar Flares

Electron and proton acceleration in reconnecting current sheets in electron-rich solar flares is considered. A significant three-dimensional magnetic field is assumed in the current sheet where the particles are accelerated by the DC electric field. The tearing instability of a pre-flare current sheet leads to the formation of multiple singular lines of magnetic field where the electric and magnetic fields are coaligned. Magnetized electrons are shown to be accelerated to a few tens of MeV before they leave the vicinity of a singular line. The acceleration time is estimated to be less than 10−3 s. By contrast, much heavier protons are unmagnetized and their energy gain is more modest. The model explains a high electron-to-proton ratio and the unusually intense gamma-ray continuum above 1 MeV observed in the electron-rich flares.
The effect of acoustic transmission errors on reduced bandwidth image data

In attempting to acoustically transmit high data rate information such as video from an untethered vehicle a few problems are encountered. While redundancy reduction techniques are quite successful at minimizing the data transferred they often leave the data more vulnerable to serious corruption by channel errors. For this reason it is necessary to take a unified approach to the transmission of visual data through the water. The design of a practical system must allow for compatible operation of bandwidth reduction and error correction coding algorithms. This is needed since ultimate image quality is a function of image compression, channel noise and system error recovery. This paper will present tradeoffs between operation of various bandwidth reduction schemes and the feasibility of protecting the data against errors.
On the Generation of Convectively Driven Mesohighs Aloft

Abstract In an attempt to determine the relative contribution of the direct incorporation of cold air (detrainment from overshooting convective cloud tops) to the production of mesohighs in the vicinity of the tropopause, two numerical simulations were performed using a 20 km horizontal resolution, 20-level primitive equation model. One simulation included direct cooling and the other did not. The results showed that including the cooling increased the high-level pressure and wind perturbations by approximately 30 and 40%; respectively. The simulation results also showed that in spite of the omission of the direct cloud cooling, a high-level cold pool was still generated. The cooling was accomplished by adiabatic expansion in response to the lifting by the convectively driven mesoscale vertical circulation. Thus, it appears that the mesoscale adiabatic expansion is the dominant effect in elevated-mesohigh production and the detrainment of overshooting air is an important modifying factor.
Odds of death after glioblastoma diagnosis in the United States by chemotherapeutic era

Bevacizumab (BZM) and temozolomide (TMZ) have been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of patients with glioblastoma. We sought evidence for the benefit of BZM in the general patient population at large. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results SEER database was queried for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma between 2000 and 2009, divided into a pre-TMZ era (January 2000-June 2003), a transitional era (July 2003-March 2005), a TMZ era (April 2005-October 2007), and a BZM-TMZ era (November 2007-December 2009). Binomial logit regression analyzed odds of death, taking into account age at diagnosis, tumor size, gender, race, marital status, radiotherapy, and extensive surgery. Compared with the pre-TMZ era, odds of death were decreased in the TMZ era by 12% (97.5% CI [confidence interval] 3-20%) 6 months after diagnosis and 36% (30-42%) a year after diagnosis; corresponding values for BZM-TMZ were 31% (24-37%) and 50% (45-55%). For era comparisons, decreases in odds of death were larger at 12 than 6 months; the opposite was true for extensive surgery and radiotherapy (P < 0.025, Wald χ(2) test, for each analysis). For both 6 and 12 month comparisons, odds of death in the BZM-TMZ era were lower than in the TMZ era (P < 0.025, Wald χ(2) test, for each analysis). The results provide evidence that TMZ positively impacted survival of glioblastoma patients and that the addition of BZM further improved survival, this lends support to the addition of BZM to the chemotherapeutic armamentarium. Evaluation of odds of death is an attractive alternative to Cox regression when proportional hazards assumptions are violated and follow-up is good.
NEW RECORD OF THE TRIMERELLID BRACHIOPOD GASCONSIA, A RARE SILURIAN LAZARUS TAXON

Gasconsia Northrop, 1939, is a rare trimerellid that appears in the Upper Ordovician (Ashgill) and then reappears in the Upper Silurian (Wenlock/Ludlow) (Hanken and Harper, 1985; Popov and Holmer, 2000). This note is the first documented report of Gasconsia from the type Ludlow of the Welsh Borderland. Gasconsia transversus (Salter) occurs in the Lower Bringewood beds (upper part of Gorstian stage) in a small quarry on the north side of the Holloway to Upper Millichope road, directly opposite the entrance to Millichope Park (grid ref. SO 52748911). The material consists of internal and external molds of one brachial valve and one articulated individual (Fig. 1). This species was described as Obolus Davidsoni var. transversus [Salter MS] by Davidson (1866) from the Wenlock (Homerian stage) of the Dudley and Woolhope areas of the English Midlands …
Multiaxial loading fracture of Al2O3 tubes. I: Experiments

Alumina thin-walled tubes were fractured in axial tension, hoop tension, balanced biaxial tension, balanced tension-compression, and pure torsion using an electrohydraulic mechanical testing apparatus. A slight anisotropy in the axial and hoop uniaxial strengths indicated that the predominant defects were axially oriented, and probably fabrication-related as opposed to machining flaws. A 10% weakening was observed in balanced biaxial tension as compared to uniaxial tension, whereas strength was insensitive to a balanced tension-compression stress state. The strength in pure torsion was 16% higher than the axial strength. Stress state results suggest a weakening due to in-flaw plane tensile stresses and more complex fracture-initiation phenomena for stresses not oriented perpendicular to the dominant defects.
Lithium ion conductors in the system AB(IV)2(PO4)3 (B = Ti, Zr and Hf)

Abstract Lithium ion conductors based on LiB2(PO4)3 (B = Ti, Zr and Hf) type structures have been synthesized by suitable substitution at the B site. Solid solutions of the type LiZr2−xTix(PO4)3, Li1+xScxTi2−x(PO4)3 and Li1+xInxHf2−x(PO4)3 are found to exist for various values of x and their lithium conductivities are determined. The results are discussed in terms of the number of conductors, bottleneck size and stoichiometry.
Spurious photolability of DNA labeled with (14C)-thymidine.

Thymidine labeled in the methyl position with 14C (Lot No. 824-137, Compound NEC-568, New England Nuclear Corporation) was used to label the DNA in V79 Chinese hamster cells and bacteriophage T4. In both cases, abnormally high ultraviolet and near ultraviolet light photolability resulted. A 1–2% contamination with 5-bromodeoxyuridine of the total thymidine in a [3H]-thymidine stock produced an equivalent photolability. Neutron activation analysis showed that Lot No. 824-137 contained 1–2% Br relative to thymidine.
Focused ion-beam tomography

The focused ion beam (FIB) has become an important tool in materials science for studying and modifying materials systems at the micro and nanometer levels. The technique, due to its ability to perform precision in-situ milling, has been extended to studying three-dimensional structural and chemical relationships. With the help of computer algorithms for processing data and graphics packages for display, three-dimensional systems can easily be reconstructed and the structure interrogated to obtain both qualitative and quantitative information. It is possible to study features at spatial resolutions at the tens-of-nanometers level and volumes with dimensions of up to tens of microns. This allows the reconstruction of many systems in the size range important to nanotechnology. Practical aspects of FIB tomography will be presented, emphasizing data collection, image processing, creating three-dimensional volumes, and extracting quantitative information.
The metabolism and deamination of [14C]sulphamethazine in a germ-free pig: the influence of nitrate and nitrite.

Abstract Twenty-four hours after feeding nitrite in combination with [ 14 C]sulphamethazine to a germ-free and a conventional control pig the level of [ 14
Energies and orbital sizes for some Rydberg and valence states of the nitrogen molecule

Abstract Accurate SCF computations are reported on the Rydberg states of N2 of electron configurations ---1π u 3 2π u , ---1π u 3 3σ u , and ---3σg2πg, also on the valence states of the configuration ---1π u 3 1π g . The Rydberg state calculations supplement those of Lefebvre-Brion and Moser. A comparison is made between the ---1π u 3 2π u states and the parallel set of states of the 1π u 3 1π g configuration. This comparison shows a sharp difference in the 1Σ+ states of the two configurations, the 1Σ+ state being very high in the latter but relatively low in the former configuration. Recknagel coefficients are given for the several states of the two configurations; as expected, these are much smaller for the 1π u 3 2π u configuration. Also, the 1Δ state is relatively lower for the latter configuration.
The inverse Sturm–Liouville problem. II

Soit q=(α,β,q)∈(0,π) 2 ×L R 2 [0,1]. Le probleme de Sturm-Liouville −y''+q(x)y=λy, 0≤x≤1, y(0) cos α+y'(0) sin α=0; y(1) cos β+y(1) sin β=0, a un spectre discret de valeurs propres simples ν 0 (q)<ν 1 (q)<... avec des fonctions propres h 0 (x,q), h 1 (x,q),... On fixe p dans (0,π) 2 ×L R 2 [0,1] et soit M(p)={q∈(0,π) 2 ×L R 2 [0,1]: ν n (q)=ν n (p), n≥0} l'espace de tous les points q de meme spectre que p. On etudie M(p) comme une sous-variete de (0,π) 2 ×L R 2 [0,1]