cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Connected Vehicles in the IoV: Concepts, Technologies and Architectures

A connected car is an essential element of the Internet of Vehicles (IoV) vision that is a highly attractive application of the Internet of Things (IoT). The underlying technologies include Internet of Everything (IoE), artificial intelligence, machine learning, neural networks, sensor technologies, and cloud/edge computing. The connectivity between vehicles is through inter communication between sensors and smart devices inside the vehicles, as well as smart systems in the environment as part of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). In this chapter, the focus is on underlying concepts, architectures and relevant technologies. Types of connectivity and inter communication are also discussed. State of the art is articulated and, in the last sections of the chapter, future vision of vehicles’ connectivity is outlined and conclusions presented. The aim is that this chapter serves as a basis and sets the scene for detailed presentations on various aspects of connected vehicles that appear later in this book.
Action Recognition in Manufacturing Assembly using Multimodal Sensor Fusion

Abstract Production innovations are occurring faster than ever. Manufacturing workers thus need to frequently learn new methods and skills. In fast changing, largely uncertain production systems, manufacturers with the ability to comprehend workers’ behavior and assess their operation performance in near real-time will achieve better performance than peers. Action recognition can serve this purpose. Despite that human action recognition has been an active field of study in machine learning, limited work has been done for recognizing worker actions in performing manufacturing tasks that involve complex, intricate operations. Using data captured by one sensor or a single type of sensor to recognize those actions lacks reliability. The limitation can be surpassed by sensor fusion at data, feature, and decision levels. This paper presents a study that developed a multimodal sensor system and used sensor fusion methods to enhance the reliability of action recognition. One step in assembling a Bukito 3D printer, which composed of a sequence of 7 actions, was used to illustrate and assess the proposed method. Two wearable sensors namely Myo-armband captured both Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and electromyography (EMG) signals of assembly workers. Microsoft Kinect, a vision based sensor, simultaneously tracked predefined skeleton joints of them. The collected IMU, EMG, and skeleton data were respectively used to train five individual Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models. Then, various fusion methods were implemented to integrate the prediction results of independent models to yield the final prediction. Reasons for achieving better performance using sensor fusion were identified from this study.
Caregiving Attitudes and Needs of Later-generation Chinese-American Family Caregivers of Older Adults:

Due to linguistic and cultural adjustments to a new country, first-generation immigrant’s caregiving challenges have been well-documented. However, little is known of U.S.-born, U.S.-educated, Engl...
Unilateral Constraints for Torque-based Whole-Body Control

This work uses quadratic programming to perform torque control on an industrial collaborative robot, while keeping defined constraints. Limits for rotational and translational coordinates are considered at position, velocity and acceleration level. Although the problem of having hardware and safe limitations has been considered before. Solutions usually rely on functions that need a proper tuning. The proposed control scheme is tested to work on a real robot to avoid not only static but also dynamic obstacles without the need of any empirical tuning. The method is tested also under physical human robot interaction (pHRI) showing smooth behaviour of the robot despite of external forces.
Trump Paradox: How Immigration and Trade Affected White Voting and Attitudes:

Donald Trump presented immigration and trade as the cause of the diminished prospects of white working-class voters, the core of his political base. The authors’ research—the first that examines ac...
Disruption of prepulse inhibition is associated with severity of compulsive behavior and nucleus accumbens dopamine receptor changes in Sapap3 knockout mice

Abstract Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with disruption of sensorimotor gating, which may contribute to difficulties inhibiting intrusive thoughts and compulsive rituals. Neural mechanisms underlying these disturbances are unclear; however, striatal dopamine is implicated in regulation of sensorimotor gating and OCD pathophysiology. The goal of this study was to examine the relationships between sensorimotor gating, compulsive behavior, and striatal dopamine receptor levels in Sapap3 knockout mice (KOs), a widely used preclinical model system for OCD research. We found a trend for disruption of sensorimotor gating in Sapap3-KOs using the translational measure prepulse inhibition (PPI); however, there was significant heterogeneity in both PPI and compulsive grooming in KOs. Disruption of PPI was significantly correlated with a more severe compulsive phenotype. In addition, PPI disruption and compulsive grooming severity were associated with reduced dopamine D1 and D2/3 receptor density in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcC). Compulsive grooming progressively worsened in Sapap3-KOs tested longitudinally, but PPI disruption was first detected in high-grooming KOs at 7 months of age. Through detailed characterization of individual differences in OCD-relevant behavioral and neurochemical measures, our findings suggest that NAcC dopamine receptor changes may be involved in disruption of sensorimotor gating and compulsive behavior relevant to OCD.
Substance use, substance use disorders, and treatment in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors—Results from a national survey

BACKGROUND Substance use can exacerbate cancer-related morbidity and mortality in adolescent/young adult (AYA) cancer survivors and place them at increased risk for adverse health outcomes. The objective of this study was to assess substance use, misuse, and substance use disorders [SUDs], as well as receipt of treatment for SUDs, among AYA cancer survivors. METHODS The authors used data from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (2015-2018) to identify a nationally representative sample of AYAs aged 12 to 34 years. Outcomes assessed past-year tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and illicit drug use; misuse of prescription opioids; SUDs; and SUD treatment. Multiple logistic regression was estimated to compare outcomes between 832 AYAs who reported a cancer history (survivors) and 140,826 AYAs who did not, adjusting sequentially for sociodemographic characteristics and health status. RESULTS In regressions adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, survivors were more likely than a noncancer comparison group of peers to use alcohol (6% relative increase; P = .048) and illicit drugs (34% relative increase; P = .012), to misuse prescription opioids (59% relative increase; P < .001), and to have a marijuana (67% relative increase; P = .011), illicit drug (77% relative increase; P < .001), or prescription opioid (67% relative increase; P = .048) SUD. When further adjusting for health status, survivors were still 41% more likely (P < .001) to misuse prescription opioids than noncancer peers. Among those with SUDs, survivors were more likely than peers to receive treatment (unadjusted, 21.5% vs 8.0%; adjusted, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS AYA survivors were as likely as or more likely than noncancer peers to report substance use problems. These findings underscore the importance of interventions to reduce substance use and improve SUD treatment among AYA cancer survivors. LAY SUMMARY The authors assessed substance use, misuse, and substance use disorders, as well as the receipt of treatment for substance use disorders, among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. In a nationally representative AYA sample, cancer survivors, despite their increased risk for morbidity and early mortality, were as likely as or more likely than peers without cancer to experience substance use problems. In particular, survivors had a significantly higher rate of prescription opioid misuse than peers. However, only 1 in 5 AYA survivors who experienced substance use disorders received treatment. These findings underscore the importance of interventions toward reducing substance use and improving access to treatment among AYA survivors.
Concussion Knowledge, Beliefs, and Behaviors among University Students: Implications for Faculty and Staff

Concussion affects one’s ability to function in everyday life, and many students who suffer from related symptoms have difficulty adjusting to the academic and social demands of college. The purpose of this study was to examine college students’ knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors regarding concussion. This cross-sectional study took place at a suburban university in the northeastern United States during fall semester 2019, in a public health elective core curriculum course. A total of 416 students responded (response rate 85%). Regarding having a close experience with concussion, 59.1% of participants had a family member or friend who had sustained a concussion, and 20.7% had a personal history of concussion. Students who reported ever playing a sport were more likely to report a personal history of concussion (p<0.001). Students with a personal or family history of concussion were more likely to report currently playing and having ever played a sport (p≤0.003). Female participants were less likely to report that they engage in contact sports (p<0.001) and more likely to report always being careful with physical activities so as to avoid head injuries (p=0.003). Many students reported never wearing a helmet when engaging in high-risk behaviors, but most students reported they would seek medical treatment for a suspected concussion. Universities would benefit on many levels from an active education and prevention campaign, removing the possible peer stigma associated with admitting to a concussion, and seeking appropriate cognitive, linguistic, and communication treatments and academic accommodations to facilitate ongoing learning.
Characteristics of Online Crowdfunding Campaigns for Urological Cancers in the United States

AbstractIntroduction:We examine the characteristics and financial outcomes of online crowdfunding campaigns for patients with major urological cancers in the U.S.Methods:This cross-sectional study ...
Signal Integration in the Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio cholerae Quorum-Sensing Circuits

The marine animal pathogen Vibrio harveyi and the human pathogen Vibrio cholerae are aquatic bacteria that engage in a process of cell-cell communication called quorum sensing (QS). Autoinducer (AI)-2 is derived from S-adenosylmethionine in three enzymatic steps. First, S-adenosylmethionine serves as a methyl donor for many biochemical processes, and these methyltransferase-dependent reactions yield S-adenosylhomocysteine. Second, S-adenosylhomocysteine is metabolized to adenine and S-ribosylhomocysteine by the enzyme Pfs, and third, S-ribosylhomocysteine is the substrate for the LuxS enzyme. In mixed species consortia, other microbes also have the potential to alter AI-2 levels, and other classes of AIs are clearly manipulated, but the authors have restricted the discussion to AI-2 and how that pertains to Vibrio QS. Appropriate and distinct responses to potentially different communities are possible because of signal integration in the Vibrio circuits. Channel proteins LsrC and LsrD mediate the delivery of the ligand across the membrane. LsrA is an ATPase that supplies the energy required for transport. Rapid Lsr-dependent transport of R-THMF into the cell occurs at high cell densities. Recent studies in V. harveyi show that it possesses five qrr genes, like its closest Vibrio relatives. Examination of their functions reveals that, in stark contrast to V. cholerae, in V. harveyi the quorum-regulatory RNAs (Qrr) sRNAs act additively to control luxR mRNA levels.
Earth's Enigmatic Interface

At the boundary between Earth9s mantle and its core, physical properties such as density change dramatically. In their Perspective, Garnero and Jeanloz discuss the competing models of this boundary9s structure. Distinguishing between the models will require more high-quality seismic data.
The Impact of Export Restraints on Rising Grain Prices

Commodity prices in maize and wheat have risen by more than 50 percent since 2006. While much of this increase reflects increasing demand and some constraints on supply, another factor contributing to the rising prices is the export restraints implemented by major grain exporting countries, such as China, Ukraine, and Argentina. While these measures are intended to keep domestic prices low, they tighten global supply and put upward pressure on prices for importers. This report presents quantitative evidence of the impact of export restrictions on the global agricultural market by evaluating these recent cases of export restraints using available monthly and annual trade data. When an exporting country enacts restrictive measures, their importing partners must often purchase grain from other exporters, causing more intense competition for the remaining available supplies. The impact of export restraints in these cases suggests that governments should use them cautiously.
Sequence of pedal peptide: a novel neuropeptide from the central nervous system of Aplysia

We report the identification of a novel neuropeptide from Aplysia nervous tissue. The peptide was termed Pedal peptide (Pep) because it was predominantly synthesized in the pedal ganglia. Pep was purified and sequenced from pooled extracts of pedal ganglia. The following sequence was proposed: Pro-Leu-Asp-Ser-Val-Tyr-Gly-Thr-His-Gly-Met-Ser-Gly-Phe-Ala. Enzymatic hydrolysis procedures indicated that Pep had a free carboxyl terminal. A peptide with the proposed sequence was synthesized and compared with the native peptide. Chromatographic properties of the 2 peptides under 3 different conditioned were compared and found to be identical. Electrophysiological responses to the 2 peptides were compared on an identified neuron in the abdominal ganglia and found to be qualitatively and quantitatively very similar. Both peptides produced net inward currents that were associated with a decrease in membrane conductance. The results from these 2 procedures confirmed that the proposed Pep sequence was correct. Quantitative measurements of the incorporation of 35S-methionine into Pep suggest that cell bodies that synthesize Pep were present predominantly in the pedal ganglia but should also be found in other central ganglia as well. Pep-like immunoreactive neurons are found predominantly in the pedal ganglia and less frequently in the other ganglia (Pearson and Lloyd, 1989). Quantitatively, Pep constitutes one of the predominant peptides in the nervous system of Aplysia. Pep does not appear to be a member of any other previously identified invertebrate or vertebrate peptide family.
Paradoxes of Democratisation: Environmental Politics in East Asia

How does democratization affect environmental politics? This paper examines four polities in East Asia that run the full spectrum of political regimes from authoritarian (mainland China) to newly democratic (South Korea and Taiwan) to mature democracy (Japan). Surprisingly, the role of civil society and its relationship with government is found to be remarkably similar across the region in spite of the very different forms of government found in each of the four societies. This paper argues that while environmental advocates in democratic countries have access to more opportunities for activism than those in authoritarian countries, the main differences in environmental politics in the four polities has resulted primarily from the timing of their environmental movements. An interesting paradox revealed by the study is that places where environmental movements were linked to democratization movements (South Korea and Taiwan) led to the politicization of environmental politics, often hampering the ability of environmental activists to access government policy makers when compared to countries where there was no link between environmental advocacy and democratization movements (e.g. China and Japan).
DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF ENGINE BEARING SYSTEMS

The "finite element method" of structural analysis and the "mobility method" of bearing analysis are combined for the computation of main bearing load and displacement cycles (together with such secondary performance variables as film thickness and shaft stress). A numerical example for a production engine illustrates problem-dependent discrepancies between results of present and previous computation methods.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and obesity in US males and females, age 8–15 years: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001–2004

Objective To investigate how associations between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and obesity differ by gender and medication use in a nationally representative sample of US youth in which height and weight were measured.
A Note on the Comparative Statics of Pay‐for‐Performance in Health Care

Pay-for-performance (P4P) is a widely implemented quality improvement strategy in health care that has generated much enthusiasm, but only limited empirical evidence to support its effectiveness. Researchers have speculated that flawed program designs or weak financial incentives may be to blame, but the reason for P4P's limited success may be more fundamental. When P4P rewards multiple services, it creates a special case of the well-known multitasking problem, where incentives to increase some rewarded activities are blunted by countervailing incentives to focus on other rewarded activities: these incentives may cancel each other out with little net effect on quality. This paper analyzes the comparative statics of a P4P model to show that when P4P rewards multiple services in a setting of multitasking and joint production, the change in both rewarded and unrewarded services is generally ambiguous. This result contrasts with the commonly held intuition that P4P should increase rewarded activities.
Creating a virtual pharmacology curriculum in a PBL-intensive, integrated learning environment (88.1)

Integrating pharmacology education into a problem-based learning (PBL) curriculum has proven challenging for many medical schools. In response to pharmacology content deficiencies identified during...
Anti‐interleukin‐10R1 monoclonal antibody in combination with bacillus Calmette–Guérin is protective against bladder cancer metastasis in a murine orthotopic tumour model and demonstrates systemic specific anti‐tumour immunity

Effective treatment of bladder cancer with bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) depends on the induction of a T helper type (Th) 1 immune response. Interleukin (IL)-10 down-regulates the Th1 response and is associated with BCG failure. In this study, we investigated whether blocking IL-10 signalling could enhance the BCG-induced Th1 response and anti-tumour immunity in a murine orthotopic tumour model. Treatment with BCG and anti-IL-10 receptor 1 monoclonal antibody (anti-IL-10R1 mAb) increased the interferon (IFN)-γ to IL-10 ratio in both splenocyte cultures and urine. Mice bearing luciferase-expressing MB49 (MB49-Luc) tumours were treated and followed for tumour growth by bioluminescent imaging, bladder weight and histology. Mice treated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (group 1), BCG plus control immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 (group 2) or BCG plus anti-IL-10R1 mAb (group 3) showed 0, 6 and 22% tumour regression, respectively. The mean bladder weight of group 3 mice was substantially lower than those of groups 1 and 2 mice. Remarkably, 36% of group 1 and 53% of group 2 mice but no group 3 mice developed lung metastasis (P = 0·02). To investigate the mechanisms underlying the effect of combination therapy, splenocytes were stimulated with S12 peptide (serine mutation at codon 12 of the K-ras oncogene) known to be expressed in MB49-Luc cells. Induction of ras mutation-specific IFN-γ and cytotoxicity was observed in mice treated with combination therapy. These observations indicate that BCG, in combination with anti-IL-10R1 mAb, induces enhanced anti-tumour immunity that is protective against lung metastasis. Anti-IL-10R1 mAb demonstrates systemic effects and may prove useful in clinical practice for treating bladder cancer in high-risk patients.
Method for Minority Contractor Participation

This paper outlines a method for the creation of a Minority Contractor Participation Program which would link prime contractors to minority firms on construction projects. The writer recommends the means or policies, or both, required to make such a program effective in achieving a substantial improvement in minority entrepreneur involvement.
The Problem of a Terrorist by Any Other Name

'Terrorist' is arguably the most damning and powerful label that may be attached to an individual or group based on society’s perception of their acts. However, often the standard for its application appears to be reduced to, 'I know it when I see it.' The aphorism, 'one man’s terrorist, is another man’s freedom fighter,' reflects the subjective nature of the label’s application. Despite the prevalence of the label 'terrorist,' and its companion term 'terrorism,' in the current socio-political dialogue and the tremendous political and personal ramifications once it attaches to an individual or group, most of the dialogue focuses on the application of the label instead of exploring its ultimate utility.This paper explores the subjectivity and inconsistency in the way the terms 'terrorist' and 'terrorism' are used. First, it briefly looks at some of the various definitions used and proposed, pointing to other works that provide a more detailed treatment. econd, it considers what is at stake in the definitional quest and in how the word 'terrorism' is actually used. Third, it proposes using a construction of social contract as a useful lens to viewing the problem. Fourth, it looks at the problems with using the label of 'terrorism.' Finally, it proposes a different solution to the definitional problem.Currently, there is little agreement or uniform understanding of how to use the labels of 'terrorist' and 'terrorism.' If we do not come to a common, cogent understanding of the labels we use waging the 'war on terror,' we risk establishing a culture of perpetual conflict, solely based on misapprehension and an unwillingness to engage in a self-analysis, damaging the legitimacy of those who apply the label and undermining any attempt to address this international problem.
Improving driver pose estimation

In this paper, we consider the problem of estimating the pose of a driver from video data. We propose extensions to our previous eigenface and Fisherface-based methods to improve classification performance. In particular, a hybrid neural network/nearest neighbor algorithm is formulated for classification of frames. Experimental results show that the hybrid neural network outperforms the nearest neighbor classifier.
Basic Statistical Methods

Statistical analyses involving multiple predictors are generalizations of simpler techniques developed for investigating associations between outcomes and single predictors. Although many of these should be familiar from basic statistics courses, we review some of the key ideas and methods here as background for the methods covered in the rest of the book and to introduce some basic notation.
Observation of polaron dynamics in magnetic quantum wells

Femtosecond spectroscopic measurements of optically induced magnetization are performed on new type-II ZnTe/${\mathrm{Cd}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathit{x}}$Se diluted-magnetic-semiconductor heterostructures consisting of magnetic quantum wells confined by nonmagnetic barrier layers. The formation and evolution of electron-based bound magnetic polarons in the wells is observed through static and time-domain experiments. Energy-dependent magnetic spin dynamics on ultrashort time scales are seen to vary dramatically with the degree of electronic confinement.
Frequency, amplitude of magnetic field and temperature characterization of YBCO using higher harmonics ac susceptibility measurements near Tc

Abstract Analysis on the higher harmonic ac susceptibility of the YBCO samples at fixed temperature near Tc versus frequency (107–1200 Hz) and magnitude (2–8 G) of the applied magnetic field have been done. The pinning potential Up and critical current density Jc have been achieved by comparison of experimental measurement with the numerical analysis of the non-linear magnetic diffusion equation inside the samples.
Unconscious sedation in children: a prospective multi-arm clinical trial.

SummaryBackground: We report the evaluation of six sedative-hypnotic and analgesic combinations administered to children undergoing brief periods of unconscious (or deep) sedation for painful procedures. Methods: In a prospective, open-label, randomized, controlled study of six groups of 27–30 children each, patients were randomly assigned to receive propofol or methohexital for sedation-hypnosis, and one of three incremental doses of fentanyl or remifentanil, respectively. Results: An infusion of methohexital (10 mg·ml−1) combined with remifentanil (6.67 µg·ml−1) provided significantly shorter geometric mean times to initial emergence, to eye-opening and to discharge, and required airway interventions that were not significantly more frequent than all groups sedated with propofol and fentanyl. Conclusions: The combination of methohexital and remifentanil appears to be a satisfactory method for unconcious sedation for short painful procedures in children.
P50 abnormalities in schizophrenia: relationship to clinical and neuropsychological indices of attention

While the P50 component (50-60-ms latency) of the auditory evoked potential has been reported as abnormal in schizophrenia, few studies have examined the relationship between this abnormality and clinical or neuropsychological measures. To examine these possible relationships, mid-latency auditory evoked potentials were recorded at the CZ recording site of 47 patients with schizophrenia in response to binaural clicks presented at three stimulus rates: 1, 5 and 10/sec. A sub-sample of patients were then divided into high- (n = 15) and low-P50 abnormality (n = 16) groups based on a median split of the P50 amplitude at a rate of 10/sec (a greater amplitude at this rate suggests a greater abnormality in recovery) of the entire sample. Only those patients with complete neuropsychological and clinical data and who were reasonably matched on demographic dimensions were included. A multivariate analysis of variance of 11 neuropsychological function profile scores showed a significant group x global score interaction (Hotelling t = 3.97, p < 0.005). The high-abnormality group had relatively greater deficits for attention profile scores than for the remaining neuropsychological measures. An analysis of global subscores for SAPS and SANS clinical measures revealed a significant difference only for the SANS attention subscale (p < 0.05). The high-abnormality group was rated as more severe on the attention measure. These convergent findings across both phenomenological and neuropsychological measures suggest that abnormalities in P50 recovery may be linked to deficits in attention processes in schizophrenia.
Inability of Murine Melanoma Melanosomal "Tyrosinase" (L-Dopa Oxidase) to Oxidize Tyrosine to Melanin in Polyacrylamide Gel Systems

Melanosoinal "tyrosinase" (L-dopa oxidase) was isolated from trypsin digests of B-16 mouse melanoma melanosomes, using polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis. The enzyme was represented by a single band, having characteristics similar to the T, dopa-positive band observed when using supernatants of crude melanoma homogenates as the source. When gels with this band were incubated in solutions containing tyrosine and dopa in varying ratios, there was no enhancement of melanin formation by tyrosine when compared with incubations in corresponding concentrations of dopa alone. These data further support previous studies in our laboratory demonstrating an inability of so-called mammalian "tyrosinase" to convert tyrosine to melanin; since this enzyme readily converts L-dopa to melanin, it seems more reasonable to term this enzyme an L-dopa oxidase.
Some Effects of Perceptual Load on Spoken Text Comprehension.

Investigations of spoken language comprehension often employ subsidiary task paradigms, such as word- and phoneme-monitoring procedures. In the present experiment we investigated what kinds of effects such secondary tasks might have on the course of simultaneous comprehension processing. Subjects listened to texts either without any secondary task demands (i.e., unconstrained comprehension), under word-monitoring instructions, or under phoneme-monitoring instructions. Comprehension was evaluated immediately after the presentation of each text with verification statements probing both the representation of surface structure and, also, the representation of high-level propositions, low-level propositions, and macropropositions from the text's meaning structure. Relative to unconstrained comprehension, we found an overall facilitation of comprehension due to word monitoring, and no effects as a result of phoneme monitoring. Moreover, the pattern of results across propositional levels was consistent with predictions derived from W. Kintsch and T. A. van Dijk's (Psychological Review, 1978, 85, 363-394) theory of text comprehension. This facilitation of simultaneous comprehension processing is inconsistent with the notion of a "fixed-capacity decision mechanism," to which differences in monitoring effects are typically attributed. We argue that subsidiary task paradigms can be used for investigations of spoken text comprehension, but only when accompanied with probes for the well-established characteristics of text representation.
Reference intervals for hematologic and coagulation tests in adult alpacas (Vicugna pacos)

Background Species-specific reference intervals are needed for interpretation of laboratory tests. Reference interval studies of alpacas have been limited by low numbers and use of outdated methods. Objectives The aims of this study were to establish reference intervals for hematologic and coagulation tests in alpacas using a laser-based hematology analyzer and a mechanical clot detection coagulation analyzer, respectively; to compare results for automated and manual differential WBC and platelet counts and fibrinogen concentrations; and to examine the effect of herd and sex on hematologic tests in a population of alpacas. Methods Blood collected from clinically healthy female and male adult alpacas (Vicugna pacos) from 5 herds underwent full CBC analysis using an ADVIA 2120 (n = 65). Blood smears were examined for manual differential WBC counts, platelet estimates, and morphologic examination of blood cells. PCV and plasma protein and heat-precipitable fibrinogen concentration measured by refractometry were also determined. Partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, and clottable fibrinogen concentration were measured using a STA Compact analyzer (n = 13). Reference intervals were established using 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles for hematologic analytes and minimum and maximum values for coagulation tests. Automated and manual differential WBC counts, platelet counts, and fibrinogen concentrations were compared. Results were also evaluated for herd- and sex-associated effects. Results Hematologic reference intervals for alpacas were similar to those reported previously, except for lower RBC-related results, which showed a herd bias. Correlations between automated and manual neutrophil, lymphocyte, eosinophil, and platelet counts were moderate to good, with weak to poor correlations for monocyte and basophil counts and fibrinogen concentrations. Owing to the low number of samples analyzed, reference intervals for coagulation tests should be considered estimated intervals. Conclusions Reference intervals will be useful guides for interpreting hematologic and coagulation results in alpacas, particularly when using the same instrumentation and reagents.
Phenolic antioxidants from clonal oregano (Origanum vulgare) with antimicrobial activity against Helicobacter pylori

Abstract Phenolic phytochemicals consumed via our diet are good sources of natural antioxidants. These phenolic metabolites have beneficial effects on human health, including inhibition of mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. In addition some phenolic phytochemicals have also been shown to have antimicrobial and antifungal activity. Oregano ( Origanum vulgare L.) is an important Mediterranean herb rich in phenolic compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Using tissue culture techniques several high phenolics and rosmarinic acid-containing oregano clonal lines have been isolated with high antioxidant activity with antimicrobial potential. In this investigation the antioxidant activity of phenolic-enriched clonal oregano extracts, and their antimicrobial activity against ulcer-associated Helicobacter pylori have been evaluated. In all cases clonal extracts were compared to commercial oregano from heterogeneous sources. Total phenolics were the highest in 60% ethanol extracts of clonal oregano. Antioxidant activity based on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl-2-radical (DPPH) scavenging activity depended on the physiochemical nature of phenolic phytochemical and percentage inhibition activity based on 3-ethyl benzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS + ) assay correlated to the amount of total phenolics. Thiobarbutyric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and antioxidant protection factor (APF) method using β-carotene linoleic acid system were correlated to lipophilic phenolic phytochemicals. Antimicrobial activity against H. pylori was tested by the standard agar diffusion method. Phenolic profiles in oregano extracts were analyzed using HPLC. The differences in physico-chemical properties of phenolic acids consisting of C 6 -C 1 -COOH, and C 6 -C 3 -COOH structures were hypothesized to play a role in growth inhibition of H. pylori .
Functions and Roles of a Protein-Associated Factor

The divergence of protein (Hedgehog) in different organisms remains an unresolved issue to comprehend how the pathway in Hh signaling evolves. Insights into this question can help one identify the key molecules in Hh signaling. This work proposes a protein-associated factor in cells. The development of a non-reductionist theory of cellular functions in medicine is not sufficient. It is necessary to find the parameters with regards to molecules/genes that can elicit functions. This work shows that molecular interactions of gene products can be accomplished by biophysics logic. Defining the protein-associated factors in molecular activities and identifying its roles in molecular transduction are important. A misregulation in molecular switch can account for complex biomolecular consequences. This work shows the potential of the factor on homo-sapiens and unlocks its implications to gene multi-tasking functionality. The associated factor notion should facilitate the medical development in cancer therapeutics.
A new sign of sympathetic neurocirculatory failure: premature ventricular contraction as a "one-beat Valsalva maneuver"

Sympathetic neurocirculatory failure (SNF) features orthostatic hypotension and abnormal beat-to-beat blood pressure (BP) responses to the Valsalva maneuver. This article describes a new sign of SNF, based on changes in BP after premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). Records of supine beat-to-beat BP at rest were reviewed from 22 patients with SNF and 52 control subjects. Records were also taken during intravenous infusion of the ganglion blocker trimethaphan from 38 control subjects. In all 10 control subjects who had PVCs, after the postextrasystolic beat, mean arterial pressure increased progressively to levels higher than before the PVC, peaking at about the eighth beat. In contrast, in all 13 patients with SNF who had PVCs, after the postextrasystolic beat, BP decreased to less than baseline and then increased gradually back to baseline. In all 3 control subjects who had at least one PVC before trimethaphan infusion and another during trimethaphan infusion, the post-PVC pressure pattern during trimethaphan infusion resembled that in SNF patients. Because of a brief increase in sympathetic cardiovascular outflows, after a PVC, BP increases progressively to greater than pre-PVC values, mimicking the pressure overshoot after release of the Valsalva maneuver. Just as the absence of the overshoot of BP after release of the Valsalva maneuver supports a diagnosis of SNF, so does the absence of the overshoot after a PVC.
Social support for self-management behaviors among people with epilepsy: A content analysis of the WebEase program

Abstract Social support is an important component in managing epilepsy; however little is known about support provided to people with epilepsy. This study examined whom people with epilepsy identify as supportive, and how those individuals support people with epilepsy's self-management efforts. Data come from the WebEase project, an effective online epilepsy self-management program. People with epilepsy who participated in the pilot (n = 35) and efficacy trials (n = 118) were included. A content analysis was conducted on responses to open-ended questions related to support. The majority of participants provided information about their supporters. The number of support providers ranged from 0 to 6, with about 12% indicating no support. Parents and significant others were most commonly listed as supporters. Support providers mainly offer emotional and instrumental support, reminders and aid for taking medication, and support for self-management strategies. These results could be useful for interventions aimed at bolstering support in order to improve self-management.
Simple and sensitive procedure for determining nitrate and nitrite in mixtures in biological fluids.

Abstract This paper describes a technic which has been used to determine both nitrate and nitrite nitrogen in water, whole blood, milk, urine, and from aqueous plant extracts. The technic combines an adaptation of two published methods and obviates some drawbacks of the more popular colorimetric procedures. The useful range of sensitivity for the combined determination is .15 to 1.5 μ /ml for both nitrite and nitrate nitrogen.
Rapid influx and death of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in lymph nodes mediate depletion in acute simian immunodeficiency virus infection.

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) are essential innate immune system cells that are lost from the circulation in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected individuals associated with CD4+ T cell decline and disease progression. pDC depletion is thought to be caused by migration to tissues or cell death, although few studies have addressed this directly. We used precise methods of enumeration and in vivo labeling with 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine to track recently divided pDC in blood and tissue compartments of monkeys with acute pathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection. We show that pDC are lost from blood and peripheral lymph nodes within 14 days of infection, despite a normal frequency of pDC in bone marrow. Paradoxically, pDC loss masked a highly dynamic response characterized by rapid pDC mobilization into blood and a 10- to 20-fold increase in recruitment to lymph nodes relative to uninfected animals. Within lymph nodes, pDC had increased levels of apoptosis and necrosis, were uniformly activated, and were infected at frequencies similar to CD4+ T cells. Nevertheless, remaining pDC had essentially normal functional responses to stimulation through Toll-like receptor 7, with half of lymph node pDC producing both TNF-α and IFN-α. These findings reveal that cell migration and death both contribute to pDC depletion in acute SIV infection. We propose that the rapid recruitment of pDC to inflamed lymph nodes in lentivirus infection has a pathologic consequence, bringing cells into close contact with virus, virus-infected cells, and pro-apoptotic factors leading to pDC death.
Can neurostimulation prevent the risk of Alzheimer's disease in elderly individuals with schizophrenia?

As patients with schizophrenia live longer, because of better medical management, suicide prevention, and appropriate nutrition, we are beginning to face a new phenomenon: elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia developing Alzheimer's disease. In the past two decades several neurostimulation methods have been introduced in psychiatry. These include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), deep brain stimulation (DBS), and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). To date only TMS and tDCS have been used in the treatment of positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia (1). These treatment modalities show promise to decrease the risk of Alzheimer's disease in elderly individuals with schizophrenia, but in order to optimize their benefits it is essential to recognize the differences in the cognitive pathology involved. Since it is possible that specific neurostimulatory modalities or sites of stimulation affect different regions of the brain or domains of neurocognitive pathology in a different manner, it is necessary to have a better understanding of the cognitive deficits in each condition.
Controlled trial of cyclophosphamide in rheumatoid arthritis

Twenty-four patients with severe progressive rheumatoid arthritis were randomly assigned to cyclophosphamide or placebo in a double-blind crossover trial. Eleven patients who completed 9 months on cyclophosphamide (average dose: 1.8 mg/kg/day) demonstrated significant decrease in painful joints, swollen joints, and morning stiffness and increase in grip strength when compared to 11 patients on placebo. After crossover, significant improvement was observed in patients switched to cyclophosphamide, and deterioration within 2 months was observed in most patients changed from drug to placebo. Serum immunoglobulins and rheumatoid factor titers decreased with cyclophosphamide but antibody response to Vi antigen was unaffected. Primary delayed immune response to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene was markedly depressed. Adverse effects were troublesome--hemorrhagic cystitis affected 4 patients and amenorrhea occurred in 3. Despite striking beneficial effect, cyclophosphamide should be prescribed cautiously and only in severe resistant cases of rheumatoid arthritis.
Transient Voltages in Welding Generators

In this paper is given a mathematical analysis of the armature terminal voltage of a d-c welding generator at interruption of the short circuit current, with and without neutralizing transformer. Also, consideration is given to the voltage transients across the field circuit winding of the neutralizing transformer caused by the make and break of the armature circuit. Comparisons are shown between oscillograms and calculations for these transient voltages.
Graphs with linearly bounded Ramsey numbers

Abstract A graph G of order n is p-arrangeable if its vertices can be ordered as v1, v2, ...,vn such that |NLi (NRi (vi))| ≤ p for each 1 ≤ i ≤ n − 1, where Li = {v1, v2, ..., vi}, Ri = {vi+1, vi+2, ..., vn}, and NA(B) denotes the neighbors of B which lie in A. We prove that for each p ≥ 1, there is a constant c (depending only on p) such that the Ramsey number r(G, G) ≤ cn for each p-arrangeable graph G of order n. Further we prove that there exists a fixed positive integer p such that all planar graphs are p-arrangeable.
High-resolution quantitative phase-contrast microscopy by digital holography

Techniques of digital holography are improved in order to obtain high-resolution, high-fidelity images of quantitative phase-contrast microscopy. In particular, the angular spectrum method of calculating holographic optical field is seen to have significant advantages including tight control of spurious noise components. Holographic phase images are obtained with 0.5 μm diffraction-limited lateral resolution and largely immune from the coherent noise common in other holographic techniques. The phase profile is accurate to about 30 nm of optical thickness. Images of SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells display intracellular and intranuclear organelles with clarity and quantitative accuracy.
The effects of levamisole on some functions of mouse macrophages after in vitro and in vivo administration.

In vitro incubation of peritoneal macrophages from normal, peptone-stimulated mice with levamisole (1-100 microM) for 1 and 22 h had no effect on either phagocytosis of particulate material (sheep erythrocytes, zymosan) or cellular levels and release of lysosomal enzymes (beta-D-glucuronidase, cathepsin D). By contrast, levamisole 1 and 5 mM dramatically increased enzyme release while inhibiting phagocytosis. In some experiments, however, these high concentrations of levamisole caused an elevated cell mortality. When incubation was extended to 72 h, a decrease of both phagocytosis and enzyme release was observed. The catabolism of endocytosed antigens (sheep erythrocytes, human gammaglobulin) was not at all or only slightly modified depending upon the antigen. The cellular level of cyclic AMP remained unchanged in all experiments. In vivo exposure of macrophages to levamisole (2.5 and 10 mg/kg/day i.p. for 3 days) produced a dose-dependent increase in processing of endocytosed antigens as shown by an enhanced transfer of initially endocytosed material to the macrophage plasma membrane. The other parameters were not modified. The immunogenicity of erythrocytes, when endocytosed by levamisole-treated macrophages and transferred into unsensitized recipients, was increased in some in vivo experiments.
High-temperature problems of rotating electric equipment for aircraft

This article deals briefly with the systems that tend to make machines “environmental free” and, more specifically, with machines that in themselves tend to respond more slowly to environmental changes. Some of the problems encountered because of temperature and the particular nature of the machines themselves are considered, along with possible solutions.
Calcaneal Tumors and Tumor-like Conditions

Approximately 3% of osseous tumors occur in the foot and ankle. Solitary bone cysts, chondroblastoma, intraosseous lipoma, osteoid osteoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing's sarcoma seem to have a predilection for the calcaneus. Biopsy is often a crucial step in management. Tumor-like conditions, such as cysts, reactive lesions, and osteomyelitis, must be considered during evaluation. Treatment is often observation or curettage of benign lesions and resection or amputation for malignancies.