cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Everyday Impact of Cognitive Interventions in Mild Cognitive Impairment: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cognitive interventions in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) seek to ameliorate cognitive symptoms in the condition. Cognitive interventions may or may not generalize beyond cognitive outcomes to everyday life. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to assess the effect of cognitive interventions compared to a control group in MCI on generalizability outcome measures [activities of daily living (ADLs), mood, quality of life (QOL), and metacognition] rather than cognitive outcomes alone. PRISMA guidelines were followed. MEDLINE and PsychInfo were utilized as data sources to locate references related to cognitive interventions in individuals with MCI. The cognitive intervention study was required to have a control or alternative treatment comparison group to be included. Thirty articles met criteria, including six computerized cognitive interventions, 14 therapist-based interventions, and 10 multimodal (i.e., cognitive intervention plus an additional intervention) studies. Small, but significant overall median effects were seen for ADLs (d = 0.23), mood (d = 0.16), and metacognitive outcomes (d = 0.30), but not for QOL (d = 0.10). Computerized studies appeared to benefit mood (depression, anxiety, and apathy) compared to controls, while therapist-based interventions and multimodal interventions had more impact on ADLs and metacognitive outcomes than control conditions. The results are encouraging that cognitive interventions in MCI may impact everyday life, but considerably more research is needed. The current review and meta-analysis is limited by our use of only PsychInfo and MEDLINE databases, our inability to read full text non-English articles, and our reliance on only published data to complete effect sizes.
Rapamycin Does Not Impede Survival or Induction of Antibody Responses to Primary and Heterosubtypic Influenza Infections in Mice

Abstract Impairment of immune defenses can contribute to severe influenza infections. Rapamycin is an immunosuppressive drug often used to prevent transplant rejection and is currently undergoing c...
Enduring the Curse: The Legacy of Intergenerational Trauma in Junot Díaz’s The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

This chapter examines the trauma experienced by each generation of the Cabral family ensuing from violence enacted during postcolonial and neocolonial events. Diaz portrays the ramifications of colonialism including slavery, sexual violence, tyrannical governance, and diaspora as being so traumatic that the resulting trauma is inherited by each generation of the Dominican people. Diaz explains this phenomenon as a curse, or fuku, that is passed down intergenerationally and manifested bodily and psychically as relived memories of that traumatic past. Although Diaz names his novel after the male protagonist, the curse must ultimately be broken by a daughter of the succeeding generation of female relatives who directly inherits the traumatic lineage of sexual violation experienced by her predecessors.
Preservation, identification, and use of emotion in a text-to-speech system

We are interested in the ability of a text-to-speech system to convey emotion. Towards that end, we examine the ability to preserve the underlying emotion present in a training corpus. We consider the emotions "lively", "sad", and "angry", and compare the ability to convey each of these in synthesized speech with the neutral speech baseline. We also look at the confusion rates encountered when listeners are asked to identify the emotional state in which the speaker appears to have been. We conclude from our experiments that a viable method for building a text-to-speech system which conveys a certain emotion is simply to collect data spoken in that emotional state. However, our experiments show that in order for us to achieve a given level of emotion perceived in the synthetic speech, we must record natural speech which has a higher level than that desired in the synthetic output. Finally, we discuss how an emotional TTS system might be used.
From Working Group to Community of Practice: The Patch Burn-Grazing Community

ABSTRACT: Grassland conservation efforts in the central United States are challenging because much of the land is privately held. The Patch Burn-Grazing Working Group was formed by a small group of professionals in an effort to share information and resources related to the practice of patch burn-grazing and creation of heterogeneity in grasslands. After a decade of collaboration, the group has developed into a diverse community of professionals and private producers that come together to learn from each other. We developed a survey to assess the impact of this group on grassland conservation after a decade of existence. Our results indicate this grass roots organization has impacted the management of a substantial number of grassland acres in the United States. As we recounted the history of this group, we discovered that it has transitioned into what we propose is a community of practice rather than a working group.
An Integrated Characterization Model and Multiobjective Optimization for the Design of an EV Charger’s Circular Wireless Power Transfer Pads

A good magnetic design of a wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging system requires accurate characterization of the equivalent circuit parameters. This is while considering the effect of the magnetic core and the conductive shielding layers. In the literature, such an analysis is done using 3-D finite element analysis, which makes the design and optimization process time-consuming and computationally expensive. In this paper, an integrated analytical model for the characterization of a circular wireless power transfer EV pads is utilized. This analytical model provides a valuable tool to optimize the design process. This model is utilized when evaluating the objective function for each individual in the multiobjective Pareto Optimality optimization algorithm. The objective is optimizing the pads with three decision variables and four constraints.
Exploring nurse leader fatigue: a mixed methods study.

Aim To describe hospital nurse leaders’ experiences of fatigue. Background Fatigue is a critical challenge in nursing. Existing literature focuses on staff nurse fatigue, yet nurse leaders are exposed to high demands that may contribute to fatigue and associated risks to patient, nurse and organisational outcomes. Methods A mixed method approach comprising semi-structured interviews and the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion Recovery scale with 21 nurse administrators (10 nurse managers and 11 nurse executives) from hospitals in a Midwestern state. Results Most nurse leaders experience fatigue; nurse managers reported higher levels of chronic fatigue. Participants identified multiple sources of fatigue including 24 h accountability and intensity of role expectations, and used a combination of wellness, restorative, social support and boundary setting strategies to cope with fatigue. The consequences of nurse leader fatigue include an impact on decision-making, work–life balance and turnover intent. Conclusions The high prevalence of nurse leader fatigue could impact the turnover intent of nurse administrators and quality of care. Implications for nursing management This study highlights the significance and consequences of nurse leader fatigue. As health care organisations continue to raise awareness and establish systems to reduce nurse fatigue, policies and programmes must be adapted to address nurse leader fatigue.
(Z)-4-Chloro-N-{3-[(4-chloro­phen­yl)sulfon­yl]-2,3-di­hydrobenzo[d]thia­zol-2-yl­idene}benzene­sulfonamide

The title compound, C19H12Cl2N2O4S3, is related to a di­tosyl­ated 2-imino­benzo­thia­zole with the two methyl groups on the two phenyl rings replaced by chlorine. There is a weak intra­molecular π–π contact between the two phenyl rings, with a centroid-to-centroid distance of 4.004 (2) A. The dihedral angle between the rings is 9.96 (13)°. An intra­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bond stabilizes the mol­ecular conformation.
Attention! Cosmopolitans ahead – They may not be as creative as they think!

Research on cosmopolitanism and creativity has received significant attention in recent years; however, the connections between these constructs are still ill‐defined. This study uses the creative cognition model to explore the relationship between cosmopolitanism and creativity using both self‐report and expert ratings of a qualitative task. Quantitative data support the assertion that cosmopolitanism is significantly and positively related to self‐expectations of creativity and creative work involvement. However, creative performance on a productive solutions task coded by creativity experts failed to replicate the self‐reported findings. We describe the practical and theoretical implications of these results for future research into cosmopolitanism and creativity.
Modelling with flexibility through the business cycle: using a panel smooth transition model to test for the lipstick effect

Consumer spending typically declines during periods of economic distress, but observers have noted that lipstick purchases appear to increase during recessions, which is often referred to as the li...
Evaluating Safety of Awake, Bilateral Injection Laryngoplasty for Bilateral Vocal Fold Atrophy.

Summary Objective Office-based injection laryngoplasty (IL) has emerged as a useful procedure for otolaryngologists to correct glottic insufficiency while avoiding the costs and risks of general anesthesia. This is the first study focused on addressing the safety of bilateral IL for bilateral vocal fold (VF) atrophy. Methods Patient records were reviewed from Emory University Hospital Midtown during the period of 2005 to 2017. Patients who underwent awake, bilateral transthyrohyoid, transoral, transcricothyroid, or transthyroid cartilage IL for bilateral VF atrophy were analyzed. All procedures, including repeat injections, were bilateral. Complication rate was used to evaluate safety. Patients with vocal cord paralysis, paresis, scar, and sulcus were excluded from the study. Results Total 174 procedures met inclusion criteria. There were four complications, yielding a complication rate of 2.3%. Complications included aborted cases for difficult anatomy or poor patient tolerance, injection material not resorbing, and a VF hematoma. No patients had any airway emergencies or required admission to the hospital or evaluation in the emergency room. Conclusions This study illustrates a low complication rate for awake, bilateral IL in treating bilateral VF atrophy. This supports other studies that promote the safety of this procedure in the awake setting. Complications were associated with patient tolerance, unique anatomy, and in one case, anticoagulant medication. The low complication rate supports the conclusion that bilateral medialization IL is safe to perform in the office-based, awake setting.
A Structural Model to Systematically Understand Nasal Framework: The Rhinoplasty Compass™

This chapter discusses using a prism-shaped model how the key structure in external nasal anatomy and the nasal airway is the nasal framework. The nasal framework consists of the anterior and inferior septum and the nasal bones superiorly. Superficially located to the framework is the canopy layer consisting of the paired alar cartilages and the skin and soft-tissue layer. Supporting the framework is the foundation layer, or substrate, consisting of the septal bones and pyriform aperture. Using the prism model, this key chapter analyzes the variations of framework external extrusion, from supero-inferior excess and deficiency (SI+/−) to antero-posterior excess and deficiency (AP+/−), and how combinations of these variations can be visualized on a compass-like structure, we call the Rhinoplasty Compass™. By categorizing patients on this compass, predictable esthetic, deviation, and functional phenotypes can be better understood.
The Role of HIF-1α in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the top leading causes of death around the world, with more than 800,000 individuals diagnosed on a yearly basis. There are many factors that contribute to the development of HCC and a strong risk factor includes chronic liver diseases or diseases that cause damage to the liver. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) alpha or HIF-1α subunit has shown to play a role in many types of cancers, including HCC. Understanding the role of this subunit in HCC will take us a step closer in finding strong therapies and treatment options for patients diagnosed with HCC and possibly with other cancers. The hypoxia-inducible factor is a transcription factor that consists of two subunits, HIF-1α and HIF-1 beta (HIF-1β). In normal conditions, when oxygen is readily available, the HIF-1α subunit degrades and the beta subunit translocates to the nucleus to exert its transcriptional function (Fig. 15.1). However, during time of hypoxia, when oxygen levels have significantly decreased, HIF-1α stabilizes and also translocates in the nucleus with the beta subunit. Expression of this heterodimer plays a major role in cellular response during hypoxia. However, over-expression of this heterodimer can lead to the promotion of tumorigenesis in many parts of the body, including the HCC (Fig. 15.2). Understanding the link between HIF-1α and HCC can allow researchers to potentially construct therapeutic options that focus on manipulating the HIF-1α pathway to decelerate the rate of cancer or even reverse its effects. In this chapter, we explore the pathophysiology of liver cancer and the role that HIF-1α plays and more importantly, focus on current investigations researching therapies associated with HIF-1α.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Inhaler Use Among COPD Patients via Recording and Processing Cough and Breath Sounds from Smartphones

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major health concern for elders today. Chronic cough and wheezing, which occur in the lungs as a result of mucus buildup are the main symptoms of COPD. COPD patients are advised to regularly medicate themselves via an inhaler, which delivers medicine to the lungs to break down mucus and relieve wheezing. Unfortunately, many patients do not use their inhaler devices correctly, resulting in no improvement of COPD symptoms, and worsened health. In this paper, we design machine learning (Support Vector Machine) algorithms operating on Mel-frequency Cepstral Coefficients of cough and breath sounds of patients (recorded via smartphones before and after inhaler usage) to detect the effectiveness of inhaler usage. Using a cohort of 55 clinically diagnosed COPD patients, spread across both genders, we evaluate our system from multiple metrics, including Precision, Recall, Sensitivity and Specificity. Our system achieved accuracies close to 80% in detecting effectiveness of inhaler usage. Our proposed system can aid COPD patients in improved selfcare routines, and also reduce the rate of re-hospitalizations caused by exacerbated symptoms.
$\text{CdSe}_{\mathrm{x}}\text{Te}_{1-\mathrm{x}}/\text{CdTe}$ Devices with Reduced Interface Recombination Through Novel Back Contacts and Group-V Doping

Since excellent carrier lifetimes and front interface electronic quality are now achieved, rear interface recombination can limit V OC in $\text{CdSe}_{\mathrm{x}}\text{Te}_{1-\mathrm{x}}/\text{CdTe}$ solar cells. Several back-contact structures for devices were fabricated using combinations of tellurium, aluminum oxide, amorphous silicon, and indium tin oxide (ITO). Time-resolved photoluminescence was used to characterize such structures. We show increasingly improved interface passivation through the subsequent use of aluminum oxide, amorphous silicon, and ITO. Additionally, we show that arsenic-doped absorbers form a more passive interface with numerous back contact structures.
Teaching Qualitative Research: Concept Mapping as an Instructional Strategy

This article discusses and elaborates on how concept mapping as a specific instructional strategy helps students to externalize and transform their understanding of qualitative research; and helps ...
Translating Science into Policy: the US Congress Perspective

This presentation will discuss how scientists can conduct, translate, and communicate their science to be most impactful for policymakers. Specifically, it will emphasize what policymakers seek in ...
Fixing the Delta: History and the Politics of Hydraulic Infrastructure Development and Conservation in the Mekong Delta

Historians and many other writers have widely acknowledged the political ­importance of flood control and land reclamation in river deltas. Whether one is considering ancient dikes on the Red River near Hanoi – works first planned 1,000 years ago by Emperor Ly Thai To following the hoof prints of a magical white horse – or modern levees on the Mississippi River in New Orleans – works built by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers following a mantra of rationalization and efficiency – the importance of these works to the states that maintain them is clear. The fortunes of Vietnamese emperors and American presidents have risen and fallen with the successes and failures of flood control. With the global spread of environmentalist movements and increasing concerns, especially in river deltas, about rising sea levels, political debates about building or maintaining infrastructure have become more complicated with concerns about environmental impacts.
Hull Classses of Archimedean Lattice-Ordered Groups with Unit: A Survey

This is a survey of the literature on hull classes of archimedean lattice-ordered groups with a designated unit. There has been a substantial amount of activity in this specialty in the last decade, and the goal here is to put the subj ect in some perspective, with an account of some of the history of accomplishments, as well as of the most recent progress.
Availability and Reliability Issues in Distributed Databases Using Optimal Horizontal Fragmentation

In this paper, a horizontal fragmentation algorithm and a replication protocol that increases the availability and reliability are proposed and proven for a distributed database system. The first implements a previously proven vertical transaction-based algorithm that yields to an optimal number of fragments. The proposed horizontal algorithm substitutes the concept of attributes in the vertical problem by the predicates. The second algorithm, increases the availability and reliability by using a matrix log replicated at each site. Further, the system is fully maintained even during network partitioning and it remains operational as long as there is one available replica of an object. The latter algorithm minimizes the number of object replicas using an adaptive algorithm, and hence reduces the costs of message transfer, updates and storage.
From Pride to Cowardice: Obstacles to the Dialogical Classroom

Drawing on his own work in educational theory as well as his classroom experience, the author identifies important dialogical vices that he finds in his students: pride and cowardice. These vices are put both in the theoretical context of a greater understanding of the role of dialogue in learning and in the social context of the contemporary multicultural ethos from which the students come. In opposition to the vices, the author proposes dialogical virtues (humility, charity, and courage) and a concept of tolerance that help us to avoid pride and cowardice. In this way, we achieve genuine dialogue and multiculturalism and avoid what the author calls a pernicious multiculturalism
A new approach for computing canonical correlations and coordinates

Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) is an extremely useful technique in many applications that involve simultaneous analysis of a large number of variables of distinct types. In this paper, we present new methods of performing correlation analysis using gradient descent where canonical and variates and correlations are computed serially. The CCA is formulated as a solution of constrained and non-constrained optimization problems. Simulations are also provided to demonstrate the performance of the proposed techniques.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the visual pathways in human albinos.

Abstract Neuroanatomical and electrophysiological studies of albino visual pathways have demonstrated that retinogeniculate axons arising from the temporal retina decussate abnormally in the optic chiasm to synapse in the contralateral lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). Anomalies in the LGN secondarily disrupt normal geniculo-cortical and interhemispheric cortico-cortical (callosal) visual connections. It is not known whether retinogeniculate misrouting affects the size or configuration of the afferent visual pathways in human albinos. We used T1-weighted coronal and sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine the prechiasmatic intracranial optic nerves, optic chiasm, and corpus callosum in 10 human albinos. In all subjects, these structures were normal in size and configuration. Despite the complex cascade of aberrant central neuronal connections, the human albino visual pathways and their interhemispheric connections appear normal in size and configuration when viewed with MRI.
Report construction: Tables

The basic principles of `patterning' numerical data into tables are explained and illustrated with examples. The use of similarities between tables and graphs can help in visualizing the table's structural framework. Grouping information to bring out relationships can allow the significance of the data to be grasped more quickly by the reader. Other key requirements for clarity include 1) choosing concise, complete, and unambiguous headings and 2) eliminating redundancy.
Frequency dependence of behavioral modulation by hippocampal electrical stimulation

Electrical stimulation offers the potential to develop novel strategies for the treatment of refractory medial temporal lobe epilepsy. In particular, direct electrical stimulation of the hippocampus presents the opportunity to modulate pathological dynamics at the ictal focus, although the neuroanatomical substrate of this region renders it susceptible to altering cognition and affective processing as a side effect. We investigated the effects of three electrical stimulation paradigms on separate groups of freely moving rats (sham, 8-Hz and 40-Hz sine-wave stimulation of the ventral/intermediate hippocampus, where 8- and 40-Hz stimulation were chosen to mimic naturally occurring hippocampal oscillations). Animals exhibited attenuated locomotor and exploratory activity upon stimulation at 40 Hz, but not at sham or 8-Hz stimulation. Such behavioral modifications were characterized by a significant reduction in rearing frequency, together with increased freezing behavior. Logistic regression analysis linked the observed changes in animal locomotion to 40-Hz electrical stimulation independently of time-related variables occurring during testing. Spectral analysis, conducted to monitor the electrophysiological profile in the CA1 area of the dorsal hippocampus, showed a significant reduction in peak theta frequency, together with reduced theta power in the 40-Hz vs. the sham stimulation animal group, independent of locomotion speed (theta range: 4–12 Hz). These findings contribute to the development of novel and safe medical protocols by indicating a strategy to constrain or optimize parameters in direct hippocampal electrical stimulation.
Junior faculty's perspectives on mentoring.

ABSTRACT The prevalence and characteristics of mentorship among junior faculty in clinician–scientist and clinician–educator tracks were evaluated. Comprehensive improvement strategies are needed.
Ancient memory arts and modern graphics

The characteristics of the classical art of memory and the history of its use suggest theoretical and practical applications for modern graphics which are illustrated in this article.
Fetal protection: law, ethics and corporate policy.

Corporate fetal protection policies are designed to protect unborn children from exposure to harmful substances in the workplace. In recent years, a number of corporations have instituted fetal protection policies which excluded all fertile female employees from jobs which exposed them to hazardous substances. Critics argued that these policies discriminated against women, and several lawsuits were filed. The United States Supreme Court recently decided a case involving the fetal protection policy of Johnson Controls, Inc. This article will analyze the impact of the Supreme Court decision from a legal and ethical perspective. Practical guidelines for policies which protect the unborn and comply with the law will also be addressed.
Varrier autostereographic display

The goal of this research is to develop a head-tracked, stern virtual reality system utilizing plasma or LCD panels. This paper describes a head-tracked barrier auto-stereographic method that is optimized for real-time interactive virtual reality systems. In this method, virtual barrier screen is created simulating the physical barrier screen, and placed in the virtual world in front of the projection plane. An off- axis perspective projection of this barrier screen, combined with the rest of the virtual world, is projected from at least two viewpoints corresponding to the eye positions of the head- tracked viewer. During the rendering process, the simulated barrier screen effectively casts shadows on the projection plane. Since the different projection points cast shadows at different angles, the different viewpoints are spatially separated on the projection plane. These spatially separated images are projected into the viewer's space at different angles by the physical barrier screen. The flexibility of this computational process allows more complicated barrier screens than the parallel opaque lines typically used in barrier strip auto-stereography. In addition this method supports the focusing and steering of images for a user's given viewpoint, and allows for very wide angles of view. This method can produce an effective panel-based auto-stereo virtual reality system.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Computer Simulation Comparing the Incentive Structures of Dictatorships and Democracies

The draw of simulations is that by replicating a simplified version of reality they can illustrate the repercussions that individual choices create. Students can play the role of a judge, an ambassador, or a parliamentarian and can experience first hand how their decisions play out. As a discipline, we assume that such practices are an improvement over textbook-based lectures. However, sometimes the difficulty implicit in designing and implementing large-scale or semester-long simulations can be a tangible drawback to their adoption. This article discusses the use of simple, small-scale computer-based simulations or games and argues that they can be used as an uncomplicated way of implementing active learning goals. The authors argue that small-scale simulations can be used as a discreet, one-time game that assists student comprehension of complex theoretical concepts. In order to assess the effectiveness of the simulation, the authors conducted a randomized experiment where participants were assigned to ...
Hepatitis A post‐viral encephalitis

We report a seven-year-old girl who developed a hepatitis A viral infection and encephalitis. The patient developed fever, abdominal pains and jaundice. Five days later she became delirious, combative, and did not respond to verbal commands. Laboratory studies showed elevated liver enzymes and elevated serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to hepatitis A virus. Cerebrospinal fluid contained IgG antibodies to hepatitis A virus but not IgM antibodies. Polymerase chain reaction, which amplifies a portion of the hepatitis A virus genome, did not demonstrate viral nucleic acid in cerebrospinal fluid. These studies suggest that the patient may have suffered from a post-viral hepatitis A encephalitis from which she fully recovered.
Mixed-phase dynamics in colossal magnetoresistive manganites

Our temperature dependent optical-pump terahertz-probe experiments on mixed-valence manganites reveal that the high temperature dynamics, characteristic of paramagnetic polarons, persist well into the nominally ferromagnetic metal state in these tecnologically relevant materials.
The corrosion product morphology found on sacrificial zinc anodes

Abstract The morphology of anodic deposits on zinc was studied by scanning electron microscopy and potentiostatic techniques. The anodic film structure for zinc-steel couples in sea water is a porous three-dimensional network of discrete single crystal plates of ZnO. The individual ZnO crystals observed are 10–100 μm dia., with 108 plates/cm2 of anode surface. The crystallites develop with hexagonal basal planes parallel to broad plate surfaces, as the result of an apparent dissolution-precipitation mechanism, with limited electrochemical effects on the basic morphology. Details of the plate morphology and implications regarding defect structure and growth mechanisms are discussed.
Phase pulling in transient Raman amplifers

We have studied phase pulling and phase locking of an injected Stokes pulse in a transient Raman amplifier both theoretically and experimentally. Our experimental results show that the phase of the injected Stokes pulse is pulled into synchronism with the pump phase (apart from a constant offset) when either the Raman amplification is low (of the order of 1–10) or the process is driven into saturation. However, when the amplification is moderate to high (103 or greater in our experiments) but the pump is not depleted, no evidence of phase pulling is observed. Under certain conditions a rapid phase change of π is observed near the beginning of the Stokes pulse. The observations of phase pulling at low gain and under saturated conditions are in agreement with the simple plane-wave transient theories of stimulated Raman scattering. The rapid π phase changes can also be explained within the context of these theories in terms of absorption of the injected Stokes pulse, followed by growth of a Stokes pulse with the opposite sign. The failure to observe phase pulling under conditions of high, unsaturated gain is not currently explained by the simple theories and may be an indication of more complicated processes.
Two Approaches to Handling Late Essential/Necessary Patent Claims Against Standards

The author considers the question: what if a member of an IEEE SA Working Group either has a granted or pending essential patent (or personally knows that his/her employer owns such a patent), and keeps that information secret despite the regular "calls for essential patents" made at the start of each Working Group meeting? The brief answer in the IEEEs case is that such deviant behavior is grounds for suspension or expulsion from the IEEE-SA for an individual, a representative of an entity or the entity itself depending on how widespread the deception itself. The case can also be referred by PatCom with a recommendation to the IEEE Standards Association Standards Board for appropriate action. Si2, another standards setting organization (SSO), has a different way of handling such a case, which the author describes using a flow chart of its patent policy flow. It is seen that any Si2 member that tried to subvert the system by not disclosing an necessary patent claim until after an Si2 standard was approved and published, will have necessary already agreed to issue a "Reasonable and Nondiscriminatory" (RAND) license on the necessary patents.
The Effectiveness of Subgingival Scaling and Root Planing in Calculus Removal

The study presents an evaluation of the effectiveness of subgingival scaling and root planing related to depth of pocket and type of teeth. A total of 199 teeth in 25 patients were selected; 62 were scaled and 57 were used as controls. All teeth were initially scored using the calculus index of the P.D.I. (Ramfjord). Six surface locations were probed to determine pocket depth. The levels of the gingival margin were marked on the teeth to locate supra and subgingival calculus after extraction. The experimental teeth then were scaled. Both scaled and unscaled teeth were extracted immediately after the experimental procedures. The teeth were washed with water and stained with methylene blue. They were viewed under a stereomicroscope which had a tenth grid on its eyepiece. Percent of surface covered by calculus was assessed on both scaled and unscaled teeth. The results demonstrated a high correlation between percent of residual calculus and pocket depth. It was shown that pockets less than 3 mm were the easiest sites for scaling and root planing. Pocket depths between 3 to 5 mm were more difficult to scale and pockets deeper than 5 mm were the most difficult. Tooth type did not influence the results.
The steep-front, short-duration pulse characteristics of distribution insulators with wood

Results are presented of a study of the flashover voltage characteristics under steep-front, short-duration, pulse application to single-distribution-class insulators, wood crossarms, and certain combinations of insulators and wood crossarms under dry and wet conditions with both positive and negative polarities. A discussion of the results follows the data, and a comparison with CFO (critical flashover) voltage for lightning impulses is given. The role of wood in composite insulation for steep-front is shown. >
Macrocyclic trichothecene production and sporulation by a biological control strain of Myrothecium verrucaria is regulated by cultural conditions

Myrothecium verrucaria is a pathogen of several invasive weed species, including kudzu, and is currently being evaluated for use as a bioherbicide. However, the fungus also produces macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxins. The safety of this biological control agent during production and handling would be improved if an inoculum could be produced without concomitant accumulation of macrocyclic trichothecenes. Sporulation and trichothecene production by M. verrucaria was evaluated on standard potato dextrose agar (PDA) and a series of complex and defined media. Sporulation on PDA and on agar media with nitrogen as ammonium nitrate or potassium nitrate was more than ten-fold greater then sporulation on the medium with ammonium sulphate as the nitrogen source. Accumulation of macrocyclic trichothecenes was strongly affected by the media composition, with higher levels often associated with higher carbon content in the media. Overall, incubation in continuous darkness resulted in higher macrocyclic trichothecene...
Sleep phenotype characterization of peripheral and central mouse models of myotonic dystrophy

Introduction Excessive daytime sleepiness and associated alterations in REM sleep patterns are among the most characteristic non-muscular features of myotonic dystrophy (DM). The symptoms of DM are caused by an expanded C (C) UG repeat that sequesters muscleblind-like protein 1 (MBNL1) and MBNL2, proteins that regulates alternative splicing required for fetal to adult developments. A recent study strongly suggests that major pathological changes in the DM brain are attributable to MBNL2 sequestration by toxic RNAs and dysregulation of specific alternative splicing events required for normal adult CNS function. We thus performed sleep EEG/EMG evaluations on Mbnl1 and Mbnl2 knockout (KO) mice. Materials and methods Adult wild and KO mice of Mbnl1 or Mbnl2 at 6 month of age (Mbnl1; n = 7, Mbnl2; n = 8) were implanted with EEG and EMG electrodes along with E-mitters. Sleep deprivation was performed for 6 h after one full day of baseline by gentle handling. Results Mbnl1 and Mbnl2 KOs had normal amounts, and natural diurnal distributions, of wakefulness and NREM sleep in the 12:12 LD condition. Shorter sleep latency and modest wake fragmentation during dark periods (frequent/shorter wake episodes) were observed in the Mbnl2 KO mice. However, the most profound sleep phenotypes observed in the Mbnl2 KO mice were an increase in REM sleep amounts, associated with increased numbers of REM sleep episodes, and increased EEG theta power. This change was most notable during the dark/active period. No direct transition from Wake to REM sleep, an EEG/EMG phenotype equivalent to behavioral cataplexy, was seen in either WT or Mbnl2 KO mice. A change in REM sleep in Mbnl2 KOs was also observed during rebound sleep after a 6-h sleep deprivation period initiated at ZT 0, where a more profound REM sleep rebound was observed in Mbnl2 KO mice, compared to WT mice. These REM specific changes were not observed in the Mbnl1 KO mice. Conclusion Our results indicate that Mbnl2, but not Mbnl1, KO mice exhibit increased REM sleep propensity, suggesting REM-associated sleep abnormality in Mbnl2 KO are caused by dysregulation of specific alternative splicing events in the brain, and this may be one of the most important sleep abnormalities in DM. REM sleep characteristics in DM might be a residual of infant-type REM sleep, as infants of altricial species, including human and mice, spend large majority of time in REM sleep.
Sustainability Assessment of U.S. Construction Sectors: Ecosystems Perspective

AbstractThe U.S. construction industry accounts for approximately 4% of the gross domestic product. Although quantifying and analyzing the cumulative ecological resource consumption of the construction industry is of great importance, it has not been studied sufficiently. This paper aims to account for the total ecological resource consumption of the construction industry, including its supply chains. This analysis is achieved by using an ecologically based life-cycle assessment model. The impacts on the ecosystem were calculated on the basis of the economic data in terms of cumulative mass, energy, industrial exergy, and ecological exergy. U.S. construction sectors are holistically evaluated by using various sustainability metrics, such as resource intensity, efficiency ratio, and loading ratio. Total ecological exergy values were generally found to be larger for the sectors with higher economic output values. Heavy construction industry sectors, including construction and maintenance of highways, bridge...
Residual stress in the adult mouse brain

This work provides direct evidence that sustained tensile stress exists in white matter of the mature mouse brain. This finding has important implications for the mechanisms of brain development, as tension in neural axons has been hypothesized to drive cortical folding in the human brain. In addition, knowledge of residual stress is required to fully understand the mechanisms behind traumatic brain injury and changes in mechanical properties due to aging and disease. To estimate residual stress in the brain, we performed serial dissection experiments on 500-mum thick coronal slices from fresh adult mouse brains and developed finite element models for these experiments. Radial cuts were made either into cortical gray matter, or through the cortex and the underlying white matter tract composed of parallel neural axons. Cuts into cortical gray matter did not open, but cuts through both layers consistently opened at the point where the cut crossed the white matter. We infer that the cerebral white matter is under considerable tension in the circumferential direction in the coronal cerebral plane, parallel to most of the neural fibers, while the cerebral cortical gray matter is in compression. The models show that the observed deformation after cutting can be caused by more growth in the gray matter than in the white matter, with the estimated tensile stress in the white matter being on the order of 100-1,000 Pa.
INDUCTION OF ALVEOLAR ICAM-1 IN THE DEVELOPING LUNG ▴ 324

ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1) is an adhesion protein involved in immune and inflammatory cell recruitment and activation. In uninflamed adult rat lung, ICAM-1 is expressed at high levels on type I alveolar epithelial cells and minimally on type II cells. ICAM-1 expression by alveolar epithelial cells in vitro is a function of the state of cellular differentiation. We hypothesized that ICAM-1 expression by fetal lung epithelial cells is developmentally regulated. To investigate this hypothesis the relative expression of ICAM-1 mRNA and protein were determined in lungs from gestational day 18 and 21 fetuses (F18, F21), from day 3 and 8 neonatal rats (N3, N8) and from adult rats. Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissues from rats at the same time points were used for immunohistochemical localization of ICAM-1 in the developing lung. By Western blot analysis of extracted lung, ICAM-1 protein was detected at a very low level at day 18 of fetal life. ICAM-1 expression increased progressively during development, with the greatest increase at N8. Relative expression of ICAM-1 protein was maximal in adult lung. Expression of ICAM-1 mRNA (by Northern blot analysis) paralleled that of ICAM-1 protein, with increased expression during development and maximal increase during the period of alveolarization. Immunhistochemistry was used to localize ICAM-1 protein in the developing alveolar space. In F18 lung, ICAM-1 was initially detected on the columnar and cuboidal epithelial lining of the forming airways and respiratory chambers. By N8, increased ICAM-1 expression was present along thin squamous alveolar lining cells. Heaviest staining was observed on type I cells in the normal adult lungs. Thus, relative ICAM-1 expression progressively increased during lung development. ICAM-1 expression is correlated with the increase in surface area as alveolar structures develops and epithelial differentiation from type II to type I cells occurs. In contrast to other cell types, these data suggest that, alveolar epithelial cell ICAM-1 expression is developmentally regulated.
A computational method to identify interstitial sites in complex materials

We propose a general computational method to replace the current practice of identifying interstitial sites through visual inspection and symmetry consideration. Our method employs a repulsive pair potential to model interatomic interactions between an interstitial atom and its neighboring host lattice atoms, and can be used to systematically determine interstices in materials with arbitrary symmetry and complexity. We demonstrate the usefulness of our method using alpha-uranium and cementite (Fe 3 C) as examples.
Identification of potent, selective, and metabolically stable peptide antagonists to the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a 37-residue neuropeptide that can be converted to a CGRP1 receptor antagonist by the truncation of its first seven residues. CGRP(8−37), 1, has a CGRP1 receptor Ki = 3.2 nM but is rapidly degraded in human plasma (t1/2 = 20 min). As part of an effort to identify a prolonged in vivo circulating CGRP peptide antagonist, we found that the substitution of multiple residues in the CGRP peptide increased CGRP1 receptor affinity >50-fold. Ac-Trp-[Arg24,Lys25,Asp31,Pro34,Phe35]CGRP(8−37)-NH2, 5 (Ki = 0.06 nM) had the highest CGRP1 receptor affinity. Using complimentary in vitro and in vivo metabolic studies, we iteratively identified degradation sites and prepared high affinity analogues with significantly improved plasma stability. Ac-Trp-[Cit11,18,hArg24,Lys25,2-Nal27,37,Asp31,Oic29,34,Phe35]CGRP(8−37)-NH2, 32 (Ki = 3.3 nM), had significantly increased (>100-fold) stability over 1 or 5, with a cynomolgus monkey and human in vitro plasma half-life of 38 and 68 h, respec...
Optimization of magneto-hydrodynamic control of diffuser flows using micro-genetic algorithms and least-squares finite elements

Abstract In this paper we consider the problem of multidisciplinary design and optimization (MDO) of a diffuser for a steady, incompressible magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow. Given a fixed diffuser shape, the optimizer should find the distribution of the wall magnets that will maximize the static pressure increase from inlet to outlet. This design problem is solved through the use of a genetic algorithm based optimization program coupled with a finite element based MHD simulation program. For MHD simulation, a least-squares finite element method (LSFEM) based program has been developed. The use of LSFEM allows the use of equal order approximation functions for all unknowns and is stable for high Reynolds numbers. Optimization was accomplished using a micro-genetic algorithm (GA) based program. The micro-GA is capable of searching the design space with a population much smaller than that required by classical GA. The optimization was performed on a parallel computer composed of commodity PC components. Results show that an applied magnetic field with the proper strength and distribution can significantly improve the static pressure rise over the case of no magnetic field.
Human sepsis increases lymphocyte intracellular calcium.

ObjectiveTo determine whether free intracellular calcium is increased during human bacterial sepsis.DesignProspective controlled study of lymphocyte free intracellular calcium concentrations from patients with sepsis compared with critically ill nonseptic patients and healthy subjects.SettingA large
Molecular geometry and boiling related thermodynamic properties

Abstract Boiling related thermodynamic properties are important parameters in research. In this study, a model integrating both additive groups and non-additive molecular geometric factors has been developed for the calculation of boiling enthalpy, entropy and temperature. The calculated values are in good agreement with the measured values of 470 compounds. This model provides a simple and accurate estimation of enthalpy of boiling, entropy of boiling and boiling temperatures with absolute average errors of 0.62 kJ/mol, 1.15 J/K · mol and 7.13 K respectively.
Disrupted G1 to S phase clearance via cyclin signaling impairs liver tissue repair in thioacetamide-treated type 1 diabetic rats.

Abstract Previously we reported that a nonlethal dose of thioacetamide (TA, 300 mg/kg) causes 90% mortality in type 1 diabetic (DB) rats because of irreversible acute liver injury owing to inhibited hepatic tissue repair, primarily due to blockage of G0 to S phase progression of cell division cycle. On the other hand, DB rats receiving 30 mg TA/kg exhibited equal initial liver injury and delayed tissue repair compared to nondiabetic (NDB) rats receiving 300 mg TA/kg, resulting in a delay in recovery from liver injury and survival. The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that impaired cyclin-regulated progression of G1 to S phase of the cell cycle may explain inhibited liver tissue repair, hepatic failure, and death, contrasted with delayed liver tissue repair but survival observed in the DB rats receiving 300 in contrast to 30 mg TA/kg. In the TA-treated NDB rats sustained MAPKs and cyclin expression resulted in higher phosphorylation of retinoblastoma (pRb), explaining prompt tissue repair and survival. In contrast, DB rats receiving the same dose of TA (300 mg/kg) exhibited suppressed MAPKs and cyclin expression that led to inhibition of pRb, inhibited tissue repair, and death. On the other hand, DB rats receiving 30 mg TA/kg exhibited delayed up regulation of MAPK signaling that delayed the expression of CD1 and pRb, explaining delayed stimulation of tissue repair observed in this group. In conclusion, the hepatotoxicant TA has a dose-dependent adverse effect on cyclin-regulated pRb signaling: the lower dose causes a recoverable delay, whereas the higher dose inhibits it with corresponding effect on the ultimate outcomes on hepatic tissue repair; this dose-dependent adverse effect is substantially shifted to the left of the dose response curve in diabetes.