cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic modifications in brain and immune cells of multiple sclerosis patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating neurological disease whose onset and progression are influenced by the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Epigenetic modifications, which include post-translational modification of the histones and DNA, are considered mediators of gene-environment interactions and a growing body of evidence suggests that they play an important role in MS pathology and could be potential therapeutic targets. Since epigenetic events regulate transcription of different genes in a cell type-specific fashion, we caution on the distinct functional consequences that targeting the same epigenetic modifications might have in distinct cell types. In this review, we primarily focus on the role of histone acetylation and DNA methylation on oligodendrocyte and T-cell function and its potential implications for MS. We find that decreased histone acetylation and increased DNA methylation in oligodendrocyte lineage (OL) cells enhance myelin repair, which is beneficial for MS, while the same epigenetic processes in T cells augment their pro-inflammatory phenotype, which can exacerbate disease severity. In conclusion, epigenetic-based therapies for MS may have great value but only when cellular specificity is taken into consideration.
Scanning Short-Term Motor Memory

The two purposes for these investigations were: I) to determine whether humans are capable of searching through short-term memory in order to locate movements, and if so. 2) to determine how memory is searched. Six experiments are discussed. The task for all of these experiments was linear positioning. A set of one to five movements were made, a comparison movement was then made and subjects decided whether or not the comparison movement was a member of the set. Reaction time was used as a measure of the time taken to scan memory. For the first three experiments non-significant set size effects were attributed to high error rates, high standard deviations, and scanning unpresented movements instead of those in the memory set. Based on the findings of the last three experiments. humans do search short-term motor memory much as they do when they are searching for letters and digits. Searches were serial and exhaustive for negative responses while they were serial and either exhaustive or self-terminating for positive responses.
Automated generation of creative software requirements: a data-driven approach

Creativity can often be seen in artistic productions when artists use their imagination to create original and novel work. However, the importance of creativity is being broadly recognized in various areas. Recently, the requirements engineering (RE) research community has been paying more attention to the matter of capturing and generating creative requirements as it plays a pivotal role in a software system sustainability. To further advance the literature, in this paper, we propose a automated system to alleviate creative feature generation by using a Hidden Markov Model with requirements data scraped from Google Play. To evaluate the performance of the system, We experiment our system in two settings, generating features from a specific application domain (i.e., Messaging platform) and from a mixed domains of successful applications including Google Chrome and Dropbox. The results offer encouraging insights on how our system can support capturing creative requirements and aid the development of more advanced software feature generators.
The Euler Space

In this chapter, we will discuss music theories from two mathematical perspectives. In the first part, we will explain what is a tuning and how the Euler Space relates to Western tuning systems. We will use Euler’s theory of tuning to explain three typical tunings: equal temperament tuning, Pythagorean tuning, and just tuning. In the second part, we will use a mathematical torus model ℤ3 × ℤ4 and its symmetries to explain counterpoint and its application in the RUBATO® music software.
New physics in GaN resonant tunneling diodes

The outstanding material properties of III-Nitride semiconductors, has prompted intense research efforts in order to engineer resonant tunneling transport within this revolutionary family of wide-bandgap semiconductors. From resonant tunneling diode (RTD) oscillators to quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), III-Nitride heterostructures hold the promise for the realization of high-power ultra-fast sources of terahertz (THz) radiation. However, despite the considerable efforts over last two decades, it is only during the last three years that room temperature resonant tunneling transport has been demonstrated within the III-Nitride family of semiconductors. In this paper we present an overview of our current understanding of resonant tunneling transport in polar heterostructures. In particular we focus on double-barrier III-Nitride RTDs which represents the simplest device in which the dramatic effects of the internal polarization fields can be studied. Tunneling transport within III-heterostructures is strongly influenced by the presence of the intense spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization fields which result from the non-centrosymmetric crystal structure of III-Nitride semiconductors. Advances in heterostructure design, epitaxial growth and device fabrication have led to the first unequivocal demonstration of robust and reliable negative differential conductance. which has been employed for the generation of microwave power from III-Nitride RTD oscillator. These significant advances allowed us to shed light into the physics of resonant tunneling transport in polar semiconductors which had remained hidden until now.
Professional Educators' Access to Knowledge (PEAK): Agricultural Science for Teachers and Extension Agents.

The PEAK (Professional Educatorsi Access to Knowledge) Institute for Science in Agriculture exposed both formal (middle school teachers) and nonformal (county extension agents) educators to contemporary agricultural research. The educators formed networks among themselves and with agricultural research scientists. PEAK was conducted by Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service and the South Carolina Experiment Station System with support from the College of Education. The institute was held during the summers of 1993 to 1995 at the Clemson University Pee Dee Research and Education Center, Florence, SC. Seventy-three educators and 50 scientists were involved in the project. Three hours of graduate credit were earned, and participants studied topics from the following disciplines: agricultural engineering; animal, dairy, and veterinary science; aquaculture, fisheries, and wildlife; entomology; environmental science; food science; genetics; horticulture; nutrition; plant pathology; plant physiology; poultry science; soil science; and telecommunications. Participants expressed a great appreciation for gaining access to resource persons in industry, colleges, universities, and other government agencies. They also learned laboratory skills that could be used in teaching. Their knowledge of both applications and content was increased.
Lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone (Ld) is equivalent to Ld plus autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM): Results of a randomized, phase III trial.

8530 Background: Upfront ASCT is the current standard of care for transplant-eligible NDMM. However, its use has come into question with the emergence of novel agents such as lenalidomide. This ran...
Predictive Analytics in Healthcare for Diabetes Prediction

Diabetes mellitus type 2 is a chronic disease which poses a serious challenge to human health worldwide. Globally, about 8.3% of the population is diagnosed with the disease. The applications of predictive analytics in diagnosis of diabetes are gaining significant momentum in medical research. The aim of this research paper is to aid medical professionals in the early detection and efficient diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. We utilize bioinformatics theory and supervised machine learning techniques for improving the accuracy in predicting diabetes, based on 8 clinical measurements existing in the widely used PIMA dataset. We outline our methodology and highlight the implementation steps, while reviewing prominent past work in the field. Moreover, this paper fully exploits known machine learning algorithms and provides a detailed comparison of the results obtained from each method. The gradient boosting algorithm with parameter tuning proves to be the most successful, having an F1 Score of 0.853 and out of sample accuracy of 89.94%. Our prediction model focuses on computing the probability of the onset of diabetes in an individual based on their clinical data. The most crucial results of using this research within the healthcare sector are its cost-effectiveness and yielding of instant diagnosis. With this work, we intend to improve the process of diagnosing Type 2 diabetes and inspire other researchers to use machine learning based techniques for further inquiry into diabetes prediction.
Complications Associated With the Anesthesia Transport of Pediatric Patients: An Analysis of the Wake Up Safe Database.

Background Transporting patients under anesthesia care incurs numerous potential risks, especially for those with critical illness. The purpose of this study is to identify and report all pediatric anesthesia transport-associated adverse events from a preexisting database of perioperative adverse events. Methods An extract of the Wake Up Safe database was obtained on December 14, 2017, and screened for anesthesia transport-associated complications. This was defined as events occurring during or immediately after transport or movement of a pediatric patient during or in proximity to their care by anesthesiologists, including repositioning and transfer to recovery or an inpatient unit, if the cause was noted to be associated with anesthesia or handover. Events were excluded if the narrative clearly states that an event was ongoing and not impacted by anesthesia transport, such as a patient who develops cardiac arrest that then requires emergent transfer to the operating room. The search methodology included specific existing data elements that indicate transport of the patient, handover or intensive care status preoperatively as well as a free-text search of the narrative for fragments of words indicating movement. Screened events were reviewed by 3 anesthesiologists for inclusion, and all data elements were extracted for analysis. Results Of 2971 events in the database extract, 63.8% met screening criteria and 5.0% (148 events) were related to transport. Events were primarily respiratory in nature. Nearly 40% of all reported events occurred in infants age ≤6 months. A total of 59.7% of events were at least somewhat preventable and 36.4% were associated with patient harm, usually temporary. Of the 86 reported cardiac arrests, 50 (58.1%) had respiratory causes, of which 74% related to anesthesia or perioperative team factors. Respiratory events occurred at all stages of care, with 21.4% during preoperative transport and 75.5% postoperatively. Ninety-three percent of unplanned extubations occurred in patients 6 months and younger. Ten medication events were noted, 2 of which resulted in cardiac arrest. Root causes in all events related primarily to provider and patient factors, with occasional references to verbal miscommunication. Conclusions Five percent of reported pediatric anesthesia adverse events are associated with transport. Learning points highlight the risk of emergence from anesthesia during transport to recovery or intensive care unit (ICU). ICU patients undergoing anesthesia transport face risks relating to transitions in providers, equipment, sedation, and physical positioning. Sedation and neuromuscular blockade may be necessary for transport in some patients but has been associated with adverse events in others.
Influence of polymer topology on crystallization in thin films

We investigate how varying molecular topology of polymers influences crystallization in thin polymer films. In particular, we simulate linear and star polymers of fixed mass having a progressively increasing number of arms (f ≤ 16) in a system where the linear polymer exhibits crystallization in a thin film geometry, but no apparent crystallization in the corresponding bulk material. The degree of crystallization of the polymer film at long times decreases progressively with increasing f, and no crystallization is observed beyond f = 8. Crystallization for smaller values of f develops as a sigmoidally shaped wavefront initiating from the supporting crystalline interface. We suggest that large shape fluctuations and the competition of length scales of star polymers with high f lead to inhibited crystallization.
Preliminary evaluation of effect of two visual aid devices on navigation in blind dogs.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate two visual aid devices in blind dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Transit time and number of collisions through a maze were recorded for 12 chronically and irreversibly blind dogs. Each dog repeated the maze while fitted with a BlindSight® echolocation device, or Muffin's Halo® physical barrier. They then repeated another maze test after a 30-day device acclimation period at home. RESULTS All dogs had fewer collisions when wearing the halo device versus their baseline with no device. Dogs ≤11.8 kg had fewer collisions when acclimated to the halo versus their baseline with no device or when acclimated to the BlindSight®. For dogs >11.8 kg, maze completion time was faster when acclimated to the BlindSight® versus their baseline with no device or when acclimated to a halo. Owner surveys indicated no noticeable improvement in quality of life or dog navigation at home with either device. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE This study demonstrates the utility of commercially available visual aid devices in aiding blind dogs' navigation and may help veterinarians make recommendations to owners of blind dogs regarding the purchase of these devices.
A Dramatic Presentation of Pulmonary Edema Due to Renal Failure.

Pulmonary edema is a common cause of dyspnea and a leading reason for inpatient admission. Pulmonary edema results from accumulation of fluid or proteins in the alveoli, resulting in a ventilation perfusion mismatch, hence resulting in shortness of breath.1 The principal mechanisms underlying formation of pulmonary edema are transudation of protein poor fluid into the pulmonary interstitial and alveolar spaces, as happens in cardiogenic pulmonary edema; and increased permeability of the pulmonary endothelium as happens in non-cardiogenic causes such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).1–3 Pulmonary edema etiology can be divided into cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic classes. By far, heart diseases are the leading cause of pulmonary edema in inpatient services.2 Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema commonly is associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary embolism.4 Distant organ dysfunction such as renal failure is emerging as a cause of pulmonary edema, especially with widespread access to hemodialysis services and enhanced survival.5 Noncompliance with this lifesaving procedure, as is common with many medical prescriptions, is the leading reason for this association. This case report detailed a dramatic presentation of pulmonary edema due to noncompliance with hemodialysis.
Clinical and Neural Correlates of Reward and Relief Drinking.

Background Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is heterogenous. One approach to parsing this heterogeneity is to phenotype individuals by their underlying motivation to drink, specifically drinking for reward (i.e., positive reinforcement) or for relief (i.e., negative reinforcement/normalizing). Reward- versus relief-motivated behavior is thought to be associated with a shift from ventral to dorsal striatal (DS) signaling. The present study examined whether reward and relief drinking were differentially associated with other clinical characteristics and with alcohol cue-elicited activation of the ventral and dorsal striatum. Methods Non-treatment-seeking heavy drinkers (N = 184; 61 female, 123 male) completed the UCLA Reward, Relief, Habit Drinking Scale (RRHDS) and the Reasons for Heavy Drinking Questionnaire (RHDQ), to categorize drinking motivation. Measures of alcohol use, alcohol problems, mood, and craving were also collected. A subset of participants (N = 45; 17 female, 28 male) also completed a functional neuroimaging alcohol cue reactivity task. Results RRHDS-designated relief/habit drinkers scored lower than reward drinkers on the RHDQ Reinforcement subscale (p = 0.04) and higher on the RHDQ Normalizing subscale (p = 0.004). Relief/habit drinkers also demonstrated greater AUD severity on a host of clinical measures. Relief/habit drinkers displayed higher cue-elicited DS activation compared with reward drinkers (p = 0.04), while ventral striatal cue-elicited activation did not significantly differ between groups. Conclusions Our findings support and extend the differentiation of reward from relief/habit-motivated drinking and suggest that differences in DS response to conditioned alcohol cues may underlie this distinction. Elucidating neurobiological and clinical differences between these subtypes may facilitate treatment matching and precision medicine for AUD.
Localization of Nonblinking Point Sources Using Higher-Order-Mode Detection and Optical Heterodyning: Developing a Strategy for Extending the Scope of Molecular, Super-resolution Imaging.

While the stochastic, "blinking" nature of fluorescent systems has enabled the super-resolution of their localization by the fitting of their point-spread functions (PSFs), this strategy cannot be exploited for similar resolution of "nonblinking" systems, such as those that might be encountered in a coherent Raman experiment. An alternative method for subdiffraction-limited imaging lies in the exploitation of optical heterodyning. For example, if a Gaussian PSF (a TEM00 mode) of a point emitter is displaced with respect to the origin of the optical system, photons in the higher-order TEM modes carry information about that displacement. Information concerning the displacement can be extracted from photons in these higher-order modes. These photons can be collected by optical heterodyning, which exploits the large gain in a detector's response to an optical signal from an emitter coupled to a local oscillator, which is prepared in the TEM of interest, e.g., TEM10. We have generalized and developed the heterodyning technique to localize point emitters via the detection of higher-order spatial modes. We have developed a theoretical approach to find a practical estimation limit of the localization parameters using a realistic model that accounts for shot noise, background noise, and Gaussian noise. To demonstrate the applicability of the method, we designed experiments in which a laser is a surrogate for one and two point emitters. Using the Fisher information and its accompanying Cramer-Rao lower bound, we demonstrate super-resolution localization in these cases: we show that objects can be localized to roughly 2-3 orders of magnitude of their point-spread function's size for a given optical system. Finally and most importantly, it is suggested that the results will ultimately be generalizable to multiple emitters and, most importantly, to "nonblinking" molecular systems, which will be essential for broadening the scope of super-resolution measurements beyond the limits of fluorescence-based techniques.
Donor-derived Cryptococcus gattii sensu stricto infection in two kidney transplant recipients, southeastern United States.

Cryptococcus gattii infection is a rare cause of severe pulmonary disease and meningoencephalitis that has only recently been detected in the southeastern United States. We describe an organ transplant-associated outbreak of C. gattii infection involving an HIV-negative immunosuppressed donor in this region who died following new-onset headache and seizure of unknown cause. Retrospective cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) testing of donor serum was positive. Two of the three transplant recipients developed severe C. gattii infection 11 and 12 weeks following transplantation. One recipient died from severe pulmonary infection, identified on autopsy, and the other ill recipient survived following treatment for cryptococcal meningitis. This outbreak underscores the importance of considering cryptococcosis in patients with clinical findings suggestive of subacute meningitis or other central nervous system (CNS) pathology, and the potential benefit of routine pre-transplant donor CrAg screening using lateral flow assay to guide recipient antifungal prophylaxis. The case also adds to emerging evidence that C. gattii is a potential threat in the southeastern United States.
Schools Alone Cannot Educate Refugees, It Takes a Community

This chapter explores how a refugee support organization in the Midwestern United States supports the educational experiences of refugee-background learners from various countries in Africa and Asia. Researchers spent over a year as both observers and volunteers in a refugee support organization that directly interacted with students who were refugees. The study found that because refugee support organizations interacted directly with refugee families, parents, and students, they were well equipped to identify struggles students faced and assisted them in resolving those issues. The scholarship on the education of children who are refugees is centered on examining how school climate, pedagogy, and school resources can enhance the experiences of these refugees. There are missed opportunities with this focus because it overlooks how community-based organizations can and are already helping to improve the educational opportunities of children who are refugees. In this chapter we argue that schools, working collaboratively with community-based organizations, can create safe learning spaces for refugee-background students that improve their language learning and educational experiences.
Rehabilitation of patients with hallervorden-spatz syndrome

Hallervorden-Spatz Syndrome is an infrequently occurring disorder involving pigmentary degeneration of the globus pallidus, red nucleus, and substantia nigra. Resultant corticospinal and extrapyramidal signs and symptoms predominate early in the course of the disease, with concomitant intellectual deterioration paralleling the developing muscular disorder. To date, there have been no reports in the literature of rehabilitative intervention in patients with this disabling pathology. We report the case of a 43-year-old man whose illness spanned 20 years. He was referred for rehabilitation after a precipitous decline in function over the course of six months. An interdisciplinary team approach was implemented and various medical strategies were used, including the initiation of carbidopa-levodopa. An improvement in functional skills, communication, and the ability to use cognitive strategies was observed. We conclude that a multidisciplinary team approach and in selected cases, the use of carbidopa-levodopa are valid methods for the rehabilitation of patients with Hallervorden-Spatz Syndrome.
F-16 Flutter Suppression System Investigation Feasibility Study and Wind Tunnel Tests

A study was conducted to determine the feasibility of employing active controls on the F-16 to suppress wing- store flutter for several external store configurations. It was determined that the existing flaperons, with modifications to the integrated servoactuators, were effective in suppressing flutter. The F-16 flutter model was tested with active flaperons. Open-loop frequency response functions (FRF's) were successfully measured in the wind tunnel environment both with the feedback loop physically opened and with the loop closed. These measurements provided guidance in the selection of sensor locations and feedback control laws to suppress flutter. Control law variations were made to obtain the desired FRF characteristics. A 100% increase in dynamic pressure above the flutter dynamic pressure was demonstrated. IGHTER aircraft are required to carry a very large number of external store configurations. The probability is high that at least a small subset of these configurations will flutter within the desired operational envelope of the airplane. This probability is further increased as new stores are added to the operational airplane inventory. When wing-store flutter problems occur, the solution requires a modification of the airplane (usually a change in stiffness and weight) and/or a speed restriction which reduces the operational envelope of the airplane. Flutter suppression with active controls is another solution which has been investigated in recent years. Several approaches have been taken to design these sys- tems.1-3 One of the more promising approaches to the design of calibrated active control systems is the frequency response method. This approach is attractive because of the state of development of methods for computing oscillatory aerodynamic pressure distributions, because frequency response functions (FRF's) are experimentally measurable, and because the military specification for the stability of aeroservoelastic systems is based on the Nyquist criteria. This method was applied in a flutter suppression system (FSS) feasibility study4 for the F-4. The results of this study indicate that the milder flutter modes and the lower flutter frequencies associated with wing-store configurations could be relatively easily suppressed with active controls. The initial design approach for the active control system for the YF-17 semispan flutter model was the root locus method.5 However, a modified Nyquist approach was subsequently used.6 The Nyquist stability criteria has been applied extensively by Turner.7 The Nyquist criteria was employed as the principal design tool in the F-16 FSS investigations. For the system with negative feedback shown in Fig. 1, the transfer function for the closed loop system is
Transport Phenomena for Chemical Reactor Design

Preface.PART I: ELEMENTARY TOPICS IN CHEMICAL REACTOR DESIGN.Multiple Chemical Reactions in Plug Flow Tubular Reactors and Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors.Start Up Behaviour of a Series Configuration of Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors.Adiabatic Plug-Flow Tubular Reactor That Produces Methanol Reversibly in the Gas Phase from Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen.Coupled Heat and Mass Transfer in Nonisothermal Liquid-Phase Tubular Reactors with Strongly Exothermic Chemical Reactions.Multiple Stationary States in Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors.Coupled Heat and Mass Transfer with Chemical Reaction in Batch Reactors.Total Pressure Method of Reaction-Rate Data Analysis.PART II: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA: FUNDAMENTALS AND APPLICATIONS.Applications of the Equations of Change in Fluid Dynamics.Derivation of the Mass Transfer Equation.Dimensional Analysis of the Mass Transfer Equation.Laminar Boundary Layer Mass Transfer around Solid Spheres, Gas Bubbles, and Other Submerged Objects.Dimensional Analysis of the Equations of Change for Fluid Dynamic s Within the Mass Transfer Boundary Layer.Diffusion and Chemical Reaction Across Spherical Gas-Liquid Interfaces.PART III: KINETICS AND ELEMENTARY SURFACE SCIENCE.Kinetic Mechanisms and Rate Expressions for Heterogeneous Surface-Catalyzed Chemical Reactions.PART IV: MASS TRANSFER AND CHEMICAL REACTION IN ISOTHERMAL CATALYTIC PELLETS.Diffusion and Heterogeneous Chemical Reaction in Isothermal Catalytic Pellets.Complete Analytical Solutions for Diffusion and Zeroth-Order Chemical Reactions in Isothermal Catalytic Pellets.Complete Analytical Solutions for Diffusion and First-Order Chemical Reactions in Isothermal Catalytic Pellets.Numerical Solutions for Diffusion and nth-Order Chemical Reactions in Isothermal Catalytic Pellets.Numerical Solutions for Diffusion and Hougen-Watson Chemical Kinetics in Isothermal Catalytic Pellets.Internal Mass Transfer Limitations in Isothermal Catalytic Pellets.Diffusion Coefficients and Damkohler Numbers Within the Internal Pores of Catalytic Pellets.PART V: ISOTHERMAL CHEMICAL REACTOR DESIGN.Isothermal Design of Heterogeneous Packed Catalytic Reactors.Heterogeneous Catalytic Reactors with Metal Catalyst Coated on the Inner Walls of the Flow Channels.Designing a Multicomponent Isothermal Gas-Liquid CSTR for the Chlorination of Benzene to Produce Monochlorobenzene.PART VI: THERMODYNAMICS AND NONISOTHERMAL REACTOR DESIGN.Classical Irreversible Therodynamics of Multicomponent Mixtures.Molecular Flux of Thermal Energy in Binary and Multicomponent Mixtures Via the Formalism of Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics.Thermal Energy Balance in Multicomponent Mixtures and Nonisothermal Effectiveness Factors Via Coupled Heat and Mass Transfer in Porous Catalysts.Statistical Thermodynamics of Ideal Gases.Thermodynamic Stability Criteria for Single-Phase Homogeneous Mixtures.Coupled Heat and Mass Transfer in Packed Catalytic Tubular Reactors That Account for External Transport Limitations.References.Index.
Social-psychological adjustment to multiple sclerosis: A longitudinal study

Abstract This study employs a longitudinal design to analyze the adjustment process of 103 people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and in the middle and later stages of their illness careers. The mean age of the sample at Time 2 is 52 years, and mean duration since diagnosis is 17 years. A highly reliable self concept measure is the indicator of adjustment and changes in adjustment from T1 (1974) to T2 (1981). Four sets of variables are analyzed in their relationship to adjustment: (1) socio-demographic; (2) disease-related; (3) medical; and (4) social-psychological. Females are more likely than males to show positive adjustment (improving self concepts). Hours of employment and living arrangement are also related to the adjustment process. The vast majority of respondents show only slight decline in mobility, but among the disease related variables, number of episodes (exacerbations) in past seven years is the strongest predictor of changes in adjustment. Nearly half the respondents seek medical attention for their M.S. once a year or less, and the choice of health care professional is related to changes in the course of the disease. Subjects with an internal locus of control have more positive adjustment scores. Those who say they cope through acceptance of the disease show improvements in self concept while those reporting religion or family as major coping strategies have decreasing self concepts. Results indicate that the majority make satisfactory adjustment as indicated by maintenance of positive self concepts over the 7 year period, although the disease is chronic and progressive. For patients in the middle and later stages of illness careers, the data suggest comprehensive rehabilitation efforts that enhance autonomy and develop the social-psychological resources of the lifestyle.
Temporally Dynamic Resting-State Functional Connectivity Networks for Early MCI Identification

Resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (R-fMRI) scan provides a rich characterization of the dynamic changes or temporal variabilities caused by neural interactions that may happen within the scan duration. Multiple functional connectivity networks can be estimated from R-fMRI time series to effectively capture subtle yet short neural connectivity changes induced by disease pathologies. To effectively extract the temporally dynamic information, we utilize a sliding window approach to generate multiple shorter, yet overlapping sub-series from a full R-fMRI time series. Whole-brain sliding window correlations are computed based on these sub-series to generate a series of temporal networks, characterize the neural interactions between brain regions at different time scales. Individual estimation of these temporal networks overlooks the intrinsic temporal smoothness between successive overlapping R-fMRI sub-series. To handle this problem, we suggest to jointly estimate temporal networks by maximizing a penalized log likelihood via a fused lasso regularization: 1) l 1-norm penalty ensures a sparse solution; 2) fused regularization preserves the temporal smoothness while allows correlation variability. The estimated temporal networks were applied for early Mild Cognitive Impairment (eMCI) identification, and our results demonstrate the importance of including temporally dynamic R-fMRI scan information for accurate diagnosis of eMCI.
JAMA Neurology Clinical Challenge Call for Papers

JAMA Neurology has officially started its new journal feature, the Clinical Challenge. This section, which is under the editorship of Lawrence S. Honig, MD, PhD, had its first article published online March 30, 2015.1 This article type will be initially published 4 times per year, with a planned expansion to 6 times per year. The goal of this feature is to assist the busyphysicianwith a short but diagnostically challenging case, allowing the physician toneurologically reasontheanswer.Readerswillbechallengedtoarriveat thecorrectdiagnosis for thecase fromasmall dataset, including case narratives and imaging. Readers will see a short clinical synopsis and relevant images and laboratory information, permitting them to exercise their diagnostic skills. The correct diagnostic answerwill not simply be the thought of the physician author but will, in all cases, be a definitive diagnosiswith confirmationby genetic, laboratory, or biopsy or autopsy pathological information. The feature will be published online, allowing the physician to take the challenge and then have immediate access to the answer, the actual diagnosis, and an accompanying brief discussion of how itwas reasonable to come to that diagnosis from the case synopsis. In the online version, the physician will be able to see, as in prior online quizzes, which answers colleagues favored. In the print version, the answer and discussion will be available toward the end of the pages in the same journal issue. The overall format of this section will continue to be like that of its online quiz predecessor, the successful feature, What is Your Diagnosis?, which was published only in online form on a quarterly basis from January 2011 through July 2014. The Clinical Challenge is the successor to this feature but is an integral journal section, alternatively viewable interactively online from a computer or mobile device or in the print version of the journal. It will be indexed like other articles. JAMA Neurology invites the submission of papers to this section. Any submission should include a maximum of as many as 3 authors and should adhere to the following format: an introductory paragraph introducing and describing the clinical case (nomore than 250 words); 1 to 3 figures including imaging, electrophysiological, and/or other laboratory data; 4 multiple choice potential answers for diagnosis; and a paragraph of discussion (no more than 600 words) disclosing the correct diagnosis and including as many as 10 references. We invite papers through the standard JAMA Neurology submissions process and anticipate a rapid review and publication process. All JAMA Neurology Clinical Challenges will be included intheJAMANetworkChallenge,apeer-reviewedmedicalgame provided forwide circulation. Access can be reached through the following link: http://mobile.jamanetwork.com/challenge .html. Instructions to authors for guidelines in preparing the Clinical Challenge can be found at: http://archneur .jamanetwork.com/public/instructionsForAuthors.aspx #SecJAMANeurologyClinicalChallenge.
Extraterrestrial Life, Searching for

Since at least the beginning of recorded history, humans have looked up at the sky and wondered whether or not we are alone. Traditionally, we have consulted philosophers and religious figures for guidance in answering this question. In every age and in every culture, these leaders have responded according to the particular belief system that they embraced at the time. Today, we live in a very special time. Beginning at the end of the twentieth century, humans acquired the knowledge and technological capability to try to answer this old and important question by doing experiments. As we begin the twenty-first century, scientists and the engineers may, in the near future, be able to present us with the first examples of life off planet Earth. At one extreme, we may be able to discern at a distance only some very suggestive biomarkers, without knowing whether they reveal the presence of microbes or minds. At the other extreme, it may be possible to discover another technologically advanced civilization and engage in some form of communication with it. In the middle ground, we may be able to acquire actual samples of biology from another world within our solar system and by returning them to our labs, unambiguously determine whether they represent an independent genesis of life. Or, to the contrary, whether all life on Earth can be traced to a distant place of origin. Within this century, perhaps within our own lifetimes, we may know whether the laws of physics and chemistry, operating throughout the universe, routinely produce biology. Liquid water is the key to all life as we know it. Water chauvinism will inevitably guide (and even bias) our search for habitable domains and life off Earth. This article discusses the various searches for inhabited/inhabutable planets. The SETI project (search for extraterrestrial intelligence today and its future are discussed). SETI tomorrow is also explored as is what to do if the search succeeded. Who will speak for earth and what they will say rounds out the discussion. Keywords: SETI; habitable worlds; biomarkers; Pluto/Kuiper Express; inhabited planets; interstellar travel; water; intelligent life
Differential cardioprotection with selective inhibitors of adenosine metabolism and transport: Role of purine release in ischemic and reperfusion injury

In a previous report, we have demonstrated that simultaneous inhibition of nucleoside transport and adenosine deaminase accumulates endogenous adenosine and protects the myocardium against stunning. The differential cardioprotective effects of erythro-9(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)-adenine (EHNA), a potent inhibitor of adenosine deamination but not transport, and p-nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR), a selective blocker of adenosine and inosine transport, are not known.
An Evaluation of Money Market Fund Reform Proposals

U.S. money market mutual funds (MMFs) are an important source of dollar funding for global financial institutions, particularly those headquartered outside the United States. MMFs proved to be a source of considerable instability during the financial crisis of 2007–09, resulting in extraordinary government support to help stabilize the funding of global financial institutions. In light of the problems that emerged during the crisis, a number of MMF reforms have been proposed, which are analyzed in this paper. The paper assumes that the main goal of MMF reform is safeguarding global financial stability. In light of this goal, reforms should reduce the ex ante incentives for MMFs to take excessive risk and increase the ex post resilience of MMFs to system-wide runs. The analysis suggests that requiring MMFs to have subordinated capital buffers could generate significant financial stability benefits. Subordinated capital provides MMFs with loss absorption capacity, lowering the probability that an MMF suffers losses large enough to trigger a run, and reduces incentives to take excessive risks. Other reform alternatives based on market forces, such as converting MMFs to a floating net asset value, may be less effective in protecting financial stability. The analysis sheds light on the fundamental tensions inherent in regulating the shadow banking system.
Isolines in Population Density Mapping

(1958). Isolines in Population Density Mapping. The Professional Geographer: Vol. 10, No. 5, pp. 14-15.
Apparent Recovery and Physiological Efficiency of Nitrogen in Sesbania Incorporated before Rice

Nitrogen uptake was linearly related to extractable NH 4 + -N determined 7 d after green manure incorporation. As N uptake increased, however, physiological efficiency declined. Dry-season rice recovered only 6% of the green manure N not recovered by wet-season rice. Because both apparent recovery and physiological efficiency are low, and residual green manure N recovery is minor, the advantage to growing Sesbania sp. for more than 48 d to accumulate N in excess of 100 kg ha −1 is limited
Abstract 4558: Resveratrol alters the kinase activity of PKG-Iα and Src family in A2780cp cells (ovarian cancer cell line with mutated p53) resulting in growth inhibition

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Epithelial ovarian cancer is a leading cause of death in gynecological cancer patients. One major hurdle in treating ovarian cancer is drug resistance to commonly-used chemotherapy like cisplatin. Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a natural polyphenol found in foods/drinks like grapes, berries, peanuts and red wine, can inhibit tumor growth. Our lab has previously shown that resveratrol down-regulates expression of protein kinase G type-I (PKG-I) in cancer cells, which correlated with decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. For the present study, we used A2780cp cells, which are cisplatin-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer cells with mutated p53. Our data show that resveratrol did not induce apoptosis even at a higher concentration of 500 µM. However, resveratrol caused concentration-dependent decreases (down to 50% of control levels at 100 µM) of both DNA synthesis and cell adhesion. We also observed a concentration-dependent increase in protein expression levels of PKG-I to 3 times of control levels at 50 µM resveratrol, but a drop at 100 µM resveratrol. Though total Src remained fairly unchanged, pSrcY416 (phosphorylation at tyrosine-416) and pSrcS17 (phosphorylation at serine-17), indicators of Src activation, decreased at 50 and 100 µM resveratrol [assessed by ultrasensitive quantitative NanoPro 1000 (ProteinSimple), a new state-of-the-art capillary electrophoresis-based protein analysis system]. Decreased pSrcY416 levels (44% of control levels at 100 µM resveratrol) suggest that the kinase activity of Src family kinases are decreased at the higher concentrations of resveratrol that cause inhibition of ovarian cancer cell proliferation. These results suggest that resveratrol can be effective in decreasing cell proliferation in chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells and that the mechanism of action of resveratrol may involve a down-regulation of the protein expression levels of PKG-I and the typrosine-kinase activity of Src family of kinases. Citation Format: Priyatham Gorjala, Janica C. Wong, Benjamin F.b Constantino, Mary G. Johlfs, Renee Coffman, Harry Rosenberg, Ronald Fiscus. Resveratrol alters the kinase activity of PKG-Iα and Src family in A2780cp cells (ovarian cancer cell line with mutated p53) resulting in growth inhibition. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4558. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4558
A silicone delivery system for producing binge and continuous ethanol intoxication in rats

A silicone delivery system for administering large quantities of ethanol (ETOH) to rats is described. When implanted subcutaneously and filled with 95% ETOH (v/v), lethal quantities can be administered within 5 days. Two different models are described: a rapid release thin-walled silicone pillow which can be filled with 95% ETOH for 3 hours daily so as to induce binge-like, transient high blood ETOH levels and motor impairment, and a thicker pillow which can be filled daily with 84% ETOH (v/v) so as to produce continuous ETOH administration. When different groups of rats administered similar amounts of ETOH using these two different regimens were compared, it was found that caloric intake (food + ETOH) and body weight were reduced in the Binge group whereas the Continuous group gained weight although their total caloric intake was similar to Controls. This delivery system can deliver appreciable amounts of ETOH to rats in the absence of gustatory stimulation and in two intake patterns which have been reported to occur in alcoholics.
A New Look at Models of Visual Performance

In this paper the authors argue that performance-visibility models are meaningless if “performance” is not strictly defined. The authors argument implies that there are serious conceptual problems in the new CIE visual performance model (CIE 19/2). They analyzed 1) optimization of performance with respect to time, 2) the problem of multiple tasks, and 3) the significance of ambiguous targets. The performance-visibility fits presented in CIE 19/2 are not correctly based on a physical model, and therefore in their present form should not be used as a basis for lighting recommendations.
Phase synchronized triggering: A method for coherent noise elimination in evoked potential recording

While standard evoked potential recording techniques reliably attenuate gaussian and white noise, they are not similarly effective in reducing coherent noise such as that induced by power lines. We have presented a technique that will effectively eliminate coherent noise. This technique is especially appealing for clinical settings where 60 Hz artifact and a few discrete frequencies are most troublesome, such as in operating rooms or intensive care units. An added advantage of the technique is that it is especially well suited to applications requiring small sample sizes.
Noise reduction in a statistical approach to text categorization

This paper studies noise reduction for computational efficiency improvements in a statistical learning method for text categorization, the Linear Least Squares Fit (LLSF) mapping. Multiple noise reduction strategies are proposedand evaluated, including: an aggressive removal of “non-informative words” from texts before training; the use of a truncated singular value decomposition to cut off noisy “latent semantic structures” during training; the elimination of non-influential components in the LLSF solution (a word-concept association matrix) after training. Text collections in different domains were used for evaluation. Significant improvements in computational efficiency without losing categorization accuracy were evident in the testing results.
Future Needs For Semiconductor Characterization

Semiconductor technology requires probably more sophisticated characterization tech-niques than any other modern technology. For example, many applications require atomic sensitivities of 1 ppb or less and we may be interested in analyzing a volume 10-16 cm3 (hopefully not at the same time). In addition to chemical analysis of very small volumes, determination of the chemical state (oxidation state, etc.) of the constituents is many times critical. Of equal importance, especially for the high density of devices contemplated for very large scale integration, is the detection and characterization of defects present in the wafer starting materials. In addition to the optical techniques, which are the subject of this conference, many other techniques including X-ray topography, electron beam induced current, Auger electron spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectros-copy, Rutherford backscattering, and secondary ion mass spectrometry have been applied to these problems. This paper will be broken into two parts. First I will discuss some of our future needs in semiconductor characterization emphasizing requirements for sub-micron devices in silicon and potential materials problems in non-silicon technology. Next I will review the capabilities and limitations of some of the non-optical techniques mentioned above to indicate specifically where additional capabilities are necessary.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.