cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linear Optimization for Memristive Device in Neuromorphic Hardware

Memristors offer advantages as a hardware solution for neuromorphic computing, however, their nonlinear property makes the weight update difficult and reduces the accuracy of a neural network. A piecewise linear (PL) method is proposed in this paper to mitigate the nonlinear effect of memristors by calculating the weight update parameters along a piecewise line, which reduces errors in the weight update process. It is a simple but efficient method for the nonlinearity mitigation without reading the current conductance of the memristor in each updating, thereby avoiding complex peripheral circuits. The PL methods with respectively with 2-segment, 3-segment, and 4-segment models in two split points selection strategies are investigated, and the results show that under different nonlinearity, the PL method improves the recognition accuracy of MNIST handwriting digits to 87.87%-95.05%, as compared to 10.77%-73.18% of the cases without PL method. Finally, it concludes that the more segments in PL methods, the less weight deviation caused by the non-linearity of the synapse device.
CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTCOMES OF VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM DURING PREGNANCY AND PUERPERIUM INSIGHTS FROM A MULTICENTER REGISTRY

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of maternal mortality. There are few data on VTE during pregnancy and puerperium. Using data from the international RIETE (Registro Informatizado Enfermedad Trombo Embolica) registry pregnant women with VTE were matched with a cohort of non-pregnant
Investigating the efficacy of a self-directed parenting intervention to reduce risky behaviors among college students: Study protocol for a multi-arm hybrid type 2 randomized control trial.

Abstract Background Early adulthood is a critical developmental period when many youth transition from living at home to the relative autonomy of college. This transition results in increased opportunity for positive growth and identity development – and for risky substance use and sexual behaviors. Parents continue to influence young adult behavior even from a distance; however, few studies have rigorously tested parent-college student interventions. Methods This multi-arm hybrid type 2 trial tests the short- and long-term efficacy of a self-directed handbook for parents of first-year college students. In the summer before college, parent-student dyads are randomly assigned to one of three conditions: control, Parent Handbook, or Parent Handbook Plus. Handbook parents receive encouragement via phone calls to read the handbook and complete activities with their student before leaving for college. Handbook Plus parents also receive booster messages targeted at risky or stressful times. Participants complete surveys of intervention-targeted knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors at baseline and four months after baseline. Students complete three additional surveys at nine, 16, and 21 months after baseline. Dyads in the intervention conditions also reported on handbook utilization, perceived usefulness, and engagement with intervention materials. Discussion Self-directed family interventions may be a feasible strategy for involving parents of college students. This trial aimed to determine: 1) the efficacy of a self-directed handbook intervention for parents of first-year college students, including whether the addition of periodic booster messages enhanced efficacy; and 2) how variations in handbook utilization, perceived usefulness, and engagement were linked to student outcomes.
Bond Pricing and Business Cycles with Central Bank Asset Purchases

This paper studies two household specifications that introduce long-term debt into a New Keynesian model with financial intermediation. The first specification is a reduced form of life-cycle consumption dynamics. The second introduces a loan-in-advance constraint on particular expenditures. I show that the latter specification generalizes the former and estimate the model under each specification. The loan-in-advance specification matches empirical measures of the term premium without introducing relative impatience in the model. The life-cycle specification indicates QE program effects on GDP at peak were over three times that of estimates using the loan-in-advance specification. QE programs flattened the yield curve by over 1% at peak, highlighting the policy dependence of the yield curve's recession indicator properties. Furthermore, the model specification has significant effects on monetary transmission and forward guidance.
A high-fidelity simulation of double-sided incremental forming: Improving the accuracy by incorporating the effects of machine compliance

Abstract Double-Sided Incremental Forming (DSIF) is a technology for the rapid, flexible manufacturing of sheet metal parts. DSIF is highly nonlinear, requiring the use of complex finite element (FE) models to optimize and control the process in order to meet geometric accuracy and sheet thinning design criteria. Current FE models do not properly take into account the effects of machine compliance, which reduces their accuracy and hinders their use for optimization and control. The aim of this work is to create a greatly improved FE model of DSIF by taking a novel approach of modeling the aggregate effects of machine and tool compliance. The accuracy of the new model was extensively validated using the local geometry, thickness distribution, principal strains, and forming forces from a funnel experiment. The validated model was used to accurately predict the spatial distribution and time-histories of the equivalent plastic strain, von Mises equivalent stress, stress triaxiality, and Lode angle parameter across and along the sheet metal. The stress state was found to rapidly change through the sheet thickness, from highly compressive between the tools and the sheet, to a mixture of generalized shear and plane strain elsewhere. Moreover, the compressive regions between the two DSIF tools created a constrained deformation zone, which likely aids in prolonging the onset of excessive thinning. This improved FE model can now be used to quantitatively characterize the nonlinear local deformation mechanisms inherent to the DSIF process, thereby providing a solid foundation for future advances in process control.
Nevada Department of Human Resources v. Hibbs: Universalism and Reproductive Justice

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was the first bill signed into law by President Bill Clinton — just two weeks after he took office. Enactment of the statute was a longstanding goal of the Democratic Party. It also represented a legislative victory for what I will call feminist universalism — the notion that sex equality is best served by rules and policies that reject differentiation between women and men. Ten years after Congress enacted the FMLA, the Supreme Court upheld the statute against a constitutional challenge in Nevada Department of Human Resources v. Hibbs. The Hibbs Court, in a surprising opinion by Chief Justice Rehnquist, relied heavily on feminist universalist arguments. Even at the time of Hibbs, though, evidence was accumulating that the FMLA’s universalist approach was not sufficient to achieve the underlying goals of feminist lawyers and activists: disestablishing gender-role stereotypes and promoting equal opportunities for women and men throughout society. Hibbs thus represents the triumph of feminist universalism, even as it highlights the limitations of the feminist universalist project.
Yy1 Depletion in Pancreatic Beta Cells Leads to Energy Source Switch From Glycolysis to Oxidative Phosphorylation

Background: Gene expression is determined by structural interactions in between transcription factors, cofactors and enhancer elements, as well as enhancer-promoter interactions (1). Both YY1 and CTCF are essential, zinc finger proteins that bind hypo-methylated DNA sequences, form homodimers, and thus facilitate DNA loop formation (1). ​However, YY1 preferentially occupies interacting enhancers and promoters, whereas CTCF preferentially occupies sites distal from these regulatory elements, forming larger loops and participating in insulation (1). A sequencing study of spontaneous functional insulinomas in a Chinese cohort identified a somatic a hotspot mutation in YY1 (c.C1115G/p.T372R) in 30% of the cases, associated with increased YY1 activity (2). YY1 is a critical transcription factor involved in the regulation of proliferation and metabolism (2). Hypothesis: YY1 loss-of-function alters energy source preference in pancreatic β-cells. Methods: YY1 stable loss-of-function in mouse insulinoma cell lines was achieved by shRNA lentiviral transduction. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was measured via flow cytometry of aggregated mitochondria to monomeric mitochondria ratio. Mitostress and complex-substrate controlled respiration were measured by Seahorse analyzer. Mitochondrial copy number was assessed by mitochondrial to nuclear DNA ratio. Quantitative qPCR and Western blotting were used to assess mitochondrial gene and protein expression. Results: Our data indicated that YY1 deficient β-cells showed increased MMP and maximal respiration. No significant differences were found in basal respiration, ATP production, proton leak, non-mitochondrial oxygen consumption or coupling efficiency. We also found that YY1 deficient β-cells exhibited reduced glycolytic capacity and decreased ETC complex IV activity, with concurrent increased complex I and II activity. In addition, YY1 deficient β-cells exhibited elevated mitochondrial copy number​ and increased quantitative mRNA of mitochondrial gene expression, which could be correlated with increased PGC1-α expression. Conclusions: YY1 is critical in the metabolic regulation of β-cells, particularly in the facilitation of glycolytic metabolism. YY1 activating mutations in functional spontaneous insulinoma cells can lead to a proliferation dysregulation accompanied by a metabolic switch that favors glycolysis, while the opposite occurs in YY1 deficient β-cells. References: (1) Weintraub AS et al, Cell 2017 Dec 14; 171:1573–1588 (2) Cao Y et al, Nat Commun 2013 Dec 10; 4:2810
Examining changes in drinking motives and their influence on drinking behaviors among heavy drinkers during their first year of college.

Abstract Drinking motives are robustly related to alcohol use behavior from adolescence through young adulthood. Yet, examination of changes in motives during the first year of college, a transitional time associated with both onset of and increases in heavy drinking has been understudied. We examined (a) whether drinking motives change, (b) time-varying effects of motives on alcohol use and consequences, and (c) change in the strength of the association between motives and use and motives and consequences over the first year of college. A sample of 121 heavy drinking first-year students (50% female, 58% Caucasian) completed three assessments (baseline, 3 months, 6 months). Endorsement of social motives declined from 0 to 3 months, while endorsement of coping, enhancement, and conformity motives declined from 3 to 6 months. Social motives were positively associated with alcohol use and consequences across assessments. When motive × time interactions were tested in separate models, the strength of effects of coping motives on drinks per week increased from 0 to 3 months. The strength of the effect of coping and conformity motives on consequences increased from 0 to 3 months and then decreased from 3 to 6 months. Identifying how drinking motives evolve and relate to trajectories of alcohol use may help to understand the development of risky drinking behavior and inform intervention efforts.
The serotonergic system inTetrahymena pyriformis

Assays were performed to determine the presence of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) inTetrahymena pyriformis GL in two different media using two different assay procedures. Serotonin was present in quantities consistent with those observed in other varieties of protozoa. The serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) was also present, suggesting that the enzyme, monoamine oxidase (MAO), provides for serotonin deamination. Inhibition of MAO inTetrahymena was apparent due to resulting accumulation of serotonin and decreased levels of 5-HIAA. The data suggest that serotonin mediates a functional role inTetrahymena pyriformis GL and that its metabolism may be relevant to such functions.
The efficacy of weekly and bi-weekly heat training to maintain the physiological benefits of heat acclimation.

Objectives To examine the efficacy of weekly and bi-weekly heat training to maintain heat acclimatization (HAz) and heat acclimation (HA) for 8 weeks in aerobically trained athletes. Design Randomized, between-group. Methods Twenty-four males (mean [m ± standard deviation [sd]; (age, 34 ± 12 y; body mass, 72.6 ± 8.8 kg, VO2peak, 57.7 ± 6.8 mL·kg-1·min-1) completed five trials (baseline, following HAz, following HA (HAz + HA), four weeks into heat training [HTWK4], and eight weeks into HT [HTWK8] that involved 60 min of steady-state exercise (59.1 ± 1.8% vVO2peak) in an environmental laboratory (wet bulb globe temperature [WBGT], 29.6 ± 1.4 °C) on a motorized treadmill. Throughout exercise, heart rate (HR) and rectal temperature (Trec) were recorded. Following HAz + HA, participants were assigned to three groups: control group (HT0), once per week heat training (HT1), and twice per week heat training (HT2). HT involved heated exercise (WBGT, 33.3 ± 1.3 °C) to achieve hyperthermia (38.5-39.75 °C) for 60 min. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to determine differences. Results HAz + HA resulted in significant improvements in HR (p Conclusions Bi-weekly HT provided clear evidence for the ability to maintain physiological adaptions for 8 weeks following HA.
A Re-Examination of Brillouin Flow in a Crossed-Field Diode

The Brillouin flow is widely considered the preferred equilibrium state in a magnetically insulated diode, when the magnetic field, B, exceeds the Hull cutoff magnetic field, BH. The Buneman-Hartree condition for a cylindrical magnetically insulated line oscillator (MILO) was derived, for the first time, using the Brillouin flow model [1] . Recent experiments at the University of Michigan [2] , [3] showed that MILOs tend to operate close to Hull cutoff, i.e., B/BH close to unity. They even showed that MILOs might operate at a current level slightly less than that required at Hull cutoff. The latter is a peculiar property also noted in our recent Brillouin flow theory [1] . Crossed-field flow is known to be particularly difficult to characterize in the transition regime, where B/BH ~ 1 [4] . The presence of a slow wave structure in a MILO thus likely leads to additional uncertainties in the flow characterization. This paper presents our ongoing investigations into the Brillouin flow, using high-fidelity 1D and 2D simulation codes, as well as analytic modeling. Various issues will be addressed.
Synchronization of vortex-based spin torque nano-oscillators by magnetostatic coupling

Abstract Synchronization of two nanopillar oscillators driven by spin torque and coupled through the magnetic dipolar interaction. The dominant mode in each oscillator is gyrotropic motion of the vortex core in an elliptical orbit about the free layer disk center. The dynamic properties of this mode is investigated by solution the coupled Thiele equations with both nanopillar oscillators having identical dimensions, but with a current mismatch. It is noticed that there is a range in the current difference where the oscillators will be synchronized where the vortex gyrotropic motion will be frequency-locked with the radii of gyrotropic motion equal for both disks. There is, however, a phase shift between the gyrotropic motion with the smaller current disk lagging the higher current disk by a few degrees.
A Fast Parallel Graph Partitioner for Shared-Memory Inspector/Executor Strategies

Graph partitioners play an important role in many parallel work distribution and locality optimization approaches. Surprisingly, however, to our knowledge there is no freely available parallel graph partitioner designed for execution on a shared memory multicore system. This paper presents a shared memory parallel graph partitioner, ParCubed, for use in the context of sparse tiling run-time data and computation reordering. Sparse tiling is a run-time scheduling technique that schedules groups of iterations across loops together when they access the same data and one or more of the loops contains indirect array accesses. For sparse tiling, which is implemented with an inspector/executor strategy, the inspector needs to find an initial seed partitioning of adequate quality very quickly. We compare our presented hierarchical clustering partitioner, ParCubed, with GPart and METIS in terms of partitioning speed, partitioning quality, and the effect the generated seed partitions have on executor speed. We find that the presented partitioner is 25 to 100 times faster than METIS on a 16 core machine. The total edge cut of the partitioning generated by ParCubed was found not to exceed 1.27x that of the partitioning found by METIS.
Neural Mechanisms of Attention

Much of our current knowledge of the neural substrates of attention has come from neurophysiological investigations that initially focused on characterizing how sensory and motor system of the brain function. Studies of the neural bases of conditioning have provided a second important source of information. Only recently have direct neurophysiological investigations of attention been attempted, generally by extending findings obtained from sensory, motor, or conditioning paradigms. In this chapter, some experimental evidence regarding the neural basis of attention from three areas of neuroscientific research will be reviewed, including (1) sensory physiology and conditioning, (2) facilitatory and inhibitory control processes, and (3) specialized neural systems for attention.
Heavy doping considerations and measurements in high-efficiency cells

Theoretical work on heavily doped silicon was described. Heavily doped polysilicon was used as a back-surface passivant replacing the usual back-surface field (BSF). Very good first results were achieved and there is the promise of a simple, low temperature deposition process. Short-circuit current-decay measurement methods were also covered.
The Arginyl Transfer Ribonucleic Acid Synthetase of Escherichia coli

Abstract The arginyl transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) synthetase of Escherichia coli has been purified over 500-fold. Its kinetic properties are similar to those of other amino acid-activating enzymes; it has a pH optimum near 8 and does not react with amino acids that occur in proteins other than arginine, but the analogues homoarginine and canavanine are competitive inhibitors, and canavanine can be esterified with tRNA. The ATP-pyrophosphate exchange reaction is not catalyzed in the presence of arginine unless arginyl-tRNA is also present.
Gravitational Deflection of the Leighton Telescopes

The gravitational deflection of the 10.4 meter telescopes used for the Owens Valley Radio Observatory millimeter-interferometer array have been measured using radio holographic techniques. The measurements show that the telescopes are very stiff with less than 20 microns RMS deviation from homology over the zenith angle range from 15 to 70 degrees.
Dymo: tracking dynamic code identity

Code identity is a primitive that allows an entity to recognize a known, trusted application as it executes. This primitive supports trusted computing mechanisms such as sealed storage and remote attestation. Unfortunately, there is a generally acknowledged limitation in the implementation of current code identity mechanisms in that they are fundamentally static. That is, code identity is captured at program load-time and, thus, does not reflect the dynamic nature of executing code as it changes over the course of its run-time. As a result, when a running process is altered, for example, because of an exploit or through injected, malicious code, its identity is not updated to reflect this change. In this paper, we present Dymo, a system that provides a dynamic code identity primitive that tracks the run-time integrity of a process and can be used to detect code integrity attacks. To this end, a host-based component computes an identity label that reflects the executable memory regions of running applications (including dynamically generated code). These labels can be used by the operating system to enforce application-based access control policies. Moreover, to demonstrate a practical application of our approach, we implemented an extension to Dymo that labels network packets with information about the process that originated the traffic. Such provenance information is useful for distinguishing between legitimate and malicious activity at the network level.
Asymptotic analysis of A* maximum-likelihood decoding with reliability reordering

We investigate the computational complexity of the A* algorithm with reliability reordering, applied to maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding of block codes. Extensive computer simulations show that A* decoding with reliability reordering offers good average computational performance, but up to date there is no accurate analytical description of the decoding complexity. By using the theory of order statistics, we derive asymptotic bounds for the maximum decoding complexity as well as approximations for the average decoding complexity of the algorithm for large noise levels. The analysis shows that reordering is a key feature of the algorithm that allows for substantial computational savings.
Drug delivery and transport to solid tumors.

Purpose. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the principles of and barriers to drug transport and delivery to solid tumors.
Power : A first class design constraint for future architectures

In many mobile and embedded environments power is already the leading design constraint. This paper argues that power will also be a limiting factor in general purpose high-performance computers too. It should therefore be considered a “first class” design constraint on a par with performance. A corollary of this view is that the impact of architectural design decisions on power consumption must be considered early in the design cycle at the same time that their performance impact is considered. In this paper we summarize the key equations governing power and performance, and use them to illustrate some simple architectural ideas for power savings. The paper then presents two contrasting research directions where power is important. We conclude with a discussion of the tools needed to conduct research into architecture-power trade-offs.
Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on arm function and decreasing unilateral spatial neglect in subacute stroke: a randomized controlled trial

Objective:The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the functional recovery of stroke patients with unilateral neglect.Design:Randomized controlled experimental study.Setting:Outpatient rehabilitation hospital.Subjects:Thirty patients with stroke were randomly assigned to two groups: an rTMS group (experimental) and a control group.Interventions:Stroke patients in the experimental group underwent comprehensive rehabilitation therapy and rTMS. Stroke patients in the control group underwent sham therapy and comprehensive rehabilitation therapy. Participants in both groups received therapy 5 days per week for 4 weeks.Main measures:Line bisection, Albert, Box and block and Grip strength tests were assessed before and after the four-week therapy period.Results:A significant difference in the post-training gains in Line bisection (16.53 SD 9.78 vs. 3.60 SD 5.02), Albert (14.13 SD 4.92 vs. 3.26 SD 2.01), Box and block (15.06 SD 9.68 vs. 6.9...
The Pathology of Pulmonary Disorders Due to Aspergillus spp

Diagnosing the range of pulmonary disorders caused by Aspergillus spp can be challenging. In instances of hypersensitivity responses to Aspergillus spp (ie, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, bronchocentric granulomatosis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis), the surgical pathologist must be cognizant of their relationship to infection, as fungal organisms may be rare or absent from the biopsy specimens. Within the spectrum of opportunistic infection, it is critical to distinguish Aspergillus spp from other fungal mimics, as well as to discern whether infection is limited, progressive, or immanently life threatening. However, the surgical pathologist who establishes expertise in this area will be rewarded by the satisfaction of having contributed primarily to an important area of patient care. This article reviews the spectrum of pulmonary disorders due to infection by Aspergillus spp, with emphasis on the clinical implications of diagnosis.
SUPPORTING POSITIVE PARENTING IN COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS: THE ACT RAISING SAFE KIDS PROGRAM

The present study involves an evaluation of the effect of the American Psychological Association's ACT Raising Safe Kids (RSK) program on parenting outcomes for families served by Community Health Centers. The ACT-RSK program is a primary family violence and child physical abuse prevention program for parents of young children. Parents were trained in effective parenting including nonviolent discipline, child development, anger management, social problem-solving skills, effects of violent media on children, and methods to protect children from exposure to violence. Results indicate improved nurturing and positive parenting behaviors and lower rates of psychologically and physically aggressive behavior toward children. These improvements occurred independent of children's age and prior levels of aggression. Use of this model within healthcare settings has the potential to more effectively address parents’ needs for parenting guidance while reducing the likelihood of child maltreatment.
The CORE Scan: Concentrated Overview of Resuscitative Efforts

Abstract Critically ill patients require rapid, accurate assessments and appropriate therapeutic interventions to maximize their chances of recovery. Often the cause of a patient's decompensation is not readily apparent based solely on history and physical examination findings. The Concentrated Overview of Resuscitative Efforts (CORE scan) is a compilation of targeted bedside ultrasound exams that should be performed during the assessment and management of critically ill patients. The CORE scan can be used to help make critical diagnoses and guide resuscitation efforts in patients with undifferentiated deterioration.
Structural and Morphological Investigation of Poly (Gly-Ala-Pro)

POLYPEPTIDES containing glycine and proline have been widely studied as models for collagen. As part of a general study1 on the solution and solid state properties of collagen, we have examined the ultrastructure of a synthetic heteropolypeptide based on the tripeptide Gly-Ala-Pro. We report here electron microscopy findings on poly (Gly-Ala-Pro) (PGAP).
Velocity fluctuations and Johnson noise in quantum wires: the effect of phonon confinement

We have theoretically studied electron velocity fluctuations and the resulting Johnson (thermal) noise in a free-standing GaAs quantum wire at low and intermediate driving electric fields. One-dimensional confinements of electrons and phonons have been taken into account. Acoustic phonon confinement introduces infrared frequency peaks in the noise power spectrum which are an unmistakable signature of phonon confinement and provide an experimental `handle' to use in assessing the importance of such confinement. Phonon confinement also suppresses the dc component of the noise spectral density (and the hot-carrier diffusivity) by several orders of magnitude. When a transverse magnetic field is applied to the quantum wire, it introduces three remarkable features: (i) it reduces the temporal decay rate of the velocity autocorrelation function and increases the dc component of diffusivity, (ii) it promotes prolonged and persistent oscillations in the velocity autocorrelation function which is indicative of a long memory of the electron ensemble, and finally (iii) it red-shifts the peaks in the noise power spectrum by increasing the length of an electron's trajectory in momentum space between two successive phonon scattering events.
Endocrine studies of the untreated progeny of thyroidectomized rats.

Extract: Experiments were conducted to assess late and persistent endocrine changes in the progeny of rats born of and/or nursed by thyroidectomized (Tx) dams. Forty-five female rats were radiothyroidectomized several weeks before mating with normal males, and compared with the progeny of 26 control females. In all, 248 progeny were studied when adult. Tx dams had significantly reduced fertility (87% of controls), increased pup (11% versus 0) and maternal mortality (27% versus 0), and smaller litters (6.5 versus 11.8 pups/litter). It was shown that the offspring of thyroidectomized female rats had delayed eye opening (15.3 versus 14.3 days), smaller weaning (40.4 versus 54.4 g) and adult body weights (230 versus 260 g), smaller pituitary glands (12.2 versus 14.0 mg), and enlarged thyroid glands (14.2 versus 12.4 mg). Ovarian and testicular weights were decreased (73.9 versus 83.7 mg and 3.2 versus 3.6 g, respectively). The serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations were increased from 53.8 to 84.4 μU/ml in the males. The pituitary TSH contents were not significantly altered, and the serum TSH response to thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) was normal. These persistent effects differed from the late effects of both fetal and neonatal hypothyroidism and neonatal underfeeding. Cross-fostering experiments showed that the diminished weaning weights were the result of the pups being nursed by the hypothyroid dams. The increased nursing mortality and the pituitary and thyroidal changes were the result of prenatal influences produced by the hypothyroid dams, since being nursed by a normal foster dam did not prevent them. The persistently enlarged thyroid glands and the elevated serum TSH in the male offspring of thyroidectomized dams suggested a permanent alteration in the set point of pituitary-thyroid regulation as the consequence of maternal hypothyroidism. Speculation: It is speculated that the intrauterine environment provided by the pregnant hypothyroid mother produces permanent alterations in endocrine regulatory mechanisms in the offspring. It is suggested that the transplacental transfer of fetal thyroxine (T4) to the hypothyroid mother places a burden on the fetal pituitary-thyroid axis that permanently alters its function in these progeny. We have shown previously that during a critical perinatal period, T4 excess or deficiency can permanently alter hypothalamo-pituitary regulatory function in the offspring.
Exercise-induced left bundle branch block accompanied by chest pain: Correlation with coronary artery disease

A case of a 25-year-old woman with familiar hypercholesterolemia, who was admitted complaining for chest pain on exertion, is presented. She underwent a treadmill stress test and during the exercise left bundle branch block with concomitant chest pain in low heart rate (105/min) was demonstrated. After these findings TL-201 scintigraphy with dipyridamole infusion was performed: Chest pain and left bundle branch block appeared again during the test, and the stress TL-201 tomographic images showed reversible defect in the anterior wall. Finally, the young woman underwent coronary arteriography, which showed normal coronary vessels. The ergonovine test for coronary spasm was negative.
MDCT angiography of living laparoscopic renal donors

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy has become the accepted method of harvesting the kidney at many institutions because of multiple advantages over open donor nephrectomy. Spiral computed tomographic (CT) angiography provides accurate information of renal vascular anatomy and has become an accepted method of preoperative evaluation of potential laparoscopic renal donors. More recently, multidetector CT (MDCT) provides more detailed datasets compared with single-detector spiral CT and has been used for preoperative evaluation of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy to provide accurate anatomic information. MDCT (especially 16- and 64-slice MDCT) angiography has advantages over single-detector helical CT due to rapid scan time that allows coverage of a large volume of interest with higher spatial and temporal resolutions. In this article, we review the current status of MDCT angiography in the evaluation of laparoscopic renal donors and potential advantages of using this technology.
Vocalization and breathing during the first year of life

Vocalization and breathing were studied in 40 healthy infants, including five boys and five girls each at ages 5 weeks, 2.5 months, 6.5 months, and 12 months. Breathing was monitored through the use of a variable inductance plethysmograph that enabled estimates of the volume changes of the rib cage, abdomen, and lung, as well as estimates of selected temporal features of the breathing cycle. Four vocalization types were studied intensively. These included cries, whimpers, grunts, and syllable utterances. Breathing behavior was highly variable across the four vocalization types, demonstrating the degrees of freedom of performance available to the infant to accomplish the aeromechanical drive required. Such behavior was influenced by body length, body position, and age, but not by vocalization type and sex. The protocol established is a useful tool for observing the natural course of the emergence of vocalization and breathing during the first year of life.
Modeling yarn slip in woven fabric at the continuum level: Simulations of ballistic impact

Abstract Woven fabric is used in a wide variety of military and commercial products—both in neat form and as the reinforcement phase of composites. In many applications, yarn slip, the relative sliding of the yarns composing the weave, is an important mode of deformation or failure. Yarn slip can significantly change the energy absorption capacity and yarn density of the fabric and also cause yarns to unravel from the weave. Virtually all existing models for woven fabric that allow yarn slip are discrete in nature. They simulate every yarn in the weave and are therefore computationally expensive and difficult to integrate with other material models. A promising alternative to discrete models is the mesostructure-based continuum technique. With this technique, homogenized continuum properties are determined from a deforming analytic model of the fabric mesostructure at each material point. Yarn-level mechanisms of deformation are thus captured without the computational cost of simulating every yarn in the fabric. However, existing mesostructure-based continuum models treat the yarns as pinned together at the cross-over points of the weave, and an operative model that allows yarn slip has not been published. Here, we introduce a mesostructure-based continuum model that permits yarn slip and use the model to simulate the ballistic impact of woven fabric. In our approach, the weave is the continuum substrate on which the model is anchored, and slip of the yarns occurs relative to the weave continuum. The cross-over points of the weave act as the material points of the continuum, and the evolution of the local weave mesostructure at each point of the continuum is represented by state variables. At the same time, slip velocity fields simulate the slip of each yarn family relative to the weave continuum and therefore control the evolution of the yarn pitch. We found that simulating yarn slip significantly improves finite element predictions of the ballistic impact of a Kevlar ® woven fabric, in particular by increasing the energy absorbed at high initial projectile velocities. Further simulations elucidate the micromechanisms of deformation of ballistic impact of woven fabric with yarn slip. Our findings suggest ways to improve the performance of flexible armor and indicate that this approach has the potential to simulate many other types of woven fabric in applications in which yarn slip occurs.
Factor Structure of Cognitive Ability Measures in Older African Americans

This study examined the fluid-crystallized distinction of cognitive abilities in African Americans. We analyzed the factorial invariance of a battery of cognitive ability measures in a sample of 197 community-dwelling African American elders. Specifically, factorial invariance was tested in groups of African American elders differing in age (50-61 years, 62-79 years) and education (low, high). Using a partial invariance approach, if non-invariance was found between two groups, we explored the specific model parameters that contributed to the overall lack of invariance. The results indicated that the factor structure was confirmed in the sample as a whole. Evidence of strict invariance was found between age groups. However, a lack of invariance of specific factor loadings, intercepts, and uniqueness terms was found between education groups. The importance of highlighting idiosyncrasies in cognitive performance among African Americans is shown using a within group variation approach.
On turbulence in fractal porous media

We examine three fundamental equations governing turbulence of an incompressible Newtonian fluid in a fractal porous medium: continuity, linear momentum balance and energy balance. We find that the Reynolds stress is modified when a local, rather than an integral, balance law is considered. The heat flux is modified from its classical form when either the integral or local form of the energy density balance law is studied, but the energy density is always unchanged. The modifications of Reynolds stress and heat flux are expressed directly in terms of the resolution length scale, the fractal dimension of mass distribution and the fractal dimension of a fractal’s surface. When both fractal dimensions become integer (respectively 3 and 2), classical equations are recovered.
Transactivation of the human apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter gene by human serum

Abstract Using a luciferase reporter assay we found that human serum transactivated the ileal apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) promoter three to fourfold. Confirming this effect, addition of human serum to both Caco-2 cells and fresh human ileal biopsies caused an approximate 2.0-fold increase in endogenous ASBT mRNA production. Alteration of non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) content and cortisol content did not affect the transactivation potential of serum. Site-directed mutagenesis of response elements for corticosteroid, peroxisome proliferation-activated α (PPARα), hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1α), and retinoic acid (RAR/RXR) did not affect transactivation potential of serum. Three putative serum response elements (SRE) were identified on the promoter, but all were determined inactive using site-directed mutagenesis and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Promoter deletion analysis demonstrated that >80% of the response to serum was located within the last 273 bp of the 5′-UTR, an area containing one of two activate protein 1 (AP-1) response elements. Site-directed mutagenesis of this downstream AP-1 response element reduced the effect of serum on the promoter by about 50% while full deletion of the response element completely eliminated the effect of serum. These studies demonstrate that one or more constituents of human stimulate ASBT gene expression largely via the down-stream AP-1 response element.
Passive vacuum solar flash desalination

A model for a sustainable desalination process has been developed. The simulated process consists of pumping seawater through a solar heater before flashing it under a passively created vacuum in an elevated chamber. The vacuum enhances evaporation and is maintained by the balance between the hydrostatic pressure inside the elevated flash chamber and the atmospheric pressure. The developed model uses theoretical thermodynamic relations to describe the process setting it apart from previous empirical correlations. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Excitability Changes in Cat Lateral Geniculate Cells during Saccadic Eye Movements

The excitability of lateral geniculate cells to orthodromic volleys decreased during saccadic eye movements. This decrease was caused by retinal impulses generated by a quick displacement of the image of the visual field associated with eye movements. This may be a mechanism for saccadic suppression.
Effects of Crystallinity in Spin-On Pure-Silica-Zeolite MFI Low-Dielectric-Constant Films†

Low-dielectric-constant (low-κ) materials are a critical requirement for future generations of computer microprocessors. As a unique class of porous silicas, pure silica zeolites (PSZs) have been shown to be a promising low-κ material with excellent mechanical strength (e.g., elastic modulus of 16–18 GPa) due to their crystalline nature. In the present study, we show for the first time that higher crystallinity of spin-on PSZ MFI films leads to lower κ values and less moisture sensitivity—two critical properties of a porous low-κ material. We have also advanced the two-stage synthesis method to produce zeolite nanoparticles with high yield (77 %) and a small diameter (&n60; 80 nm). A κ value of 1.6 is obtained from the silylated highly crystalline PSZ MFI film and the κ value only increases by 12.5 % after exposure to ambient conditions for a period of 24 h.
The Feasibility Research on the New Material Used in Electrical Fittings

Based on the requirements of The Twelfth Five Years development planning of State Grid and the development of electrical fitting, State Grid will enlarge the change of rural power network and power distribution market, which will make the coverage of rural power network and power distribution to be larger so that reducing the loss of the power transmission line will become an important task research. To reduce or replace the high energy consumption steel fittings and the high price aluminum fittings, this article make feasibility analyses for a new material used in electrical fittings to protect the environment and economy energy source, by analyzing the performance and test property of the new material.
Polymer welding relations investigated by a lap shear joint method

A lap shear joint method was used to study strength development during welding of polystyrene surfaces- The surfaces previously had not been in contact and care was taken to insure rapid wetting of the interface. The shear stress at failure, τf was measured at room temperature as a function of contact time, t, at constant welding temperatures up no 20°C above the glass transition temperature, Tg. The time dependence of welding could be well described by τfαt1/4. This result is in agreement with predictions of the reptation molecular dynamics model applied to inter-diffusion at a symmetric amorphous polymer-polymer interface. The activation energy for the thermally activated increase in strength development was determined as E = 96 kcal/mol at T = 113.5°C, which compares with E = 93,2 kcal/mole as predicted by the W-L-F theory using C1 = 13.7, C2 = 50 and Tg = 100°C. The polystyrene samples had molecular weights, Mn = 143,000 and Mw = 262.000. The time to achieve complete healing, t∞ ≈ 256 min at 118°C, was found to be of the same order of magnitude as the viscoelastic relaxation time and also with the time required for a polymer chain to diffuse a distance equal to its root mean square end-to-end vector.
Purification and partial characterization of an entomopoxvirus (DLEPV) from a parasitic wasp of tephritid fruit flies.

An insect poxvirus [entomopoxvirus (EPV)] occurs in the poison gland apparatus of female Diachasmimorpha longicaudata, a parasitic wasp of the Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa and other tephritid fruit flies. The DlEPV virion is 250–300 nm in diameter, has a “bumpy” appearance and a unipartite double stranded DNA genome of 290–300 kb. DlEPV DNA restriction fragment profiles differed from those reported for Amsacta moorei EPV (AmEPV) and Melanoplus sanguinipes EPV (MsEPV), the only two EPVs whose genomes have been sequenced, and from those reported for vaccinia (Vac), a vertebrate poxvirus (chordopoxvirus, ChPV). Blast search and ClustalW alignment of the amino acids deduced from the 2316 nucleotides of a DlEPV DNA fragment cloned from an EcoR1 genomic library revealed 75–78% homology with the putative DNA-directed RNA polymerases of AmEPV, MsEPV, and two ChPV homologs of the Vac J6R gene. Of the deduced 772 amino acids in the DlEPV sequence, 28.4% are conserved/substituted among the four poxviruses aligned, 12.9% occur in at least one EPV, 6.5% in at least one ChPV, 3.1% in at least one EPV and one ChPV, and 49.1% occur only in DlEPV. Although the RI-36-1 fragment represents a portion of the gene, it contains nucleotides that encode the NADFDGDE consensus sequence of known DNA-directed RNA polymerases. Western blots using a mouse polyclonal anti-DlEPV serum recognized six major protein bands in combined fractions of sucrose-purified DlEPV, at least one band in homogenates of male and female wasps, and at least two bands in host hemolymph that contained DlEPV virions. A digoxigenin-labeled DlEPV genomic DNA probe recognized DNA in dot-blots of male and female wasps. These results confirm that DlEPV is a true EPV and probably a member of the Group C EPVs. Unlike other EPVs, DlEPV does not express the spheroidin protein. Since it also replicates in both the wasp and fly, members of two different insect Orders, DlEPV may represent a new EPV Group, or a subgroup of the Group C viruses.
The Impact of Intralesional Interferon α‐2b Injection Therapy on Penile Hemodynamics in Men with Peyronie's Disease

ABSTRACT Introduction Penile duplex Doppler ultrasound (PDDU) is currently the preferred method for the functional evaluation of penile hemodynamics. PDDU may be used to monitor objectively changes in penile vascular parameters in men who undergo treatment for Peyronie's disease (PD), including intralesional interferon alpha‐2b (IFN α‐2b). Aim To investigate the impact of intralesional IFN α‐2b therapy for PD on penile hemodynamics by using PDDU and to assess the objective role of PDDU in monitoring treatment outcomes. Materials and Methods Thirty‐nine patients (20 in the placebo and 19 in the IFN α‐2b treatment arm) were enrolled in this prospective, placebo‐controlled, parallel study. Patients received either 10 mL saline or 5 × 10 6 units of IFN α‐2b intralesional injections every other week for a total of six injections. Patients in each group were evaluated at baseline and after completion of treatment regarding changes in penile hemodynamic parameters, penile curvature, plaque size and density, pain on erection, and erectile function. Specific published criteria were used for PDDU measurements. Outcomes were statistically compared between each group by using Mann–Whitney U and chi‐square tests. Results The mean age of the patients and the duration of PD were similar in both groups. The improvement in penile blood flow was significantly greater in IFN α‐2b‐treated patients than those in the placebo group. The number with the nonvascular classification increased significantly in the IFN α‐2b arm from 31.5% to 57.8%. Additionally, improvements in penile curvature, plaque size and density, and pain on erection were better in the IFN α‐2b group compared with the control. No significant improvement was observed in the erectile function domain in either group. Conclusion This study reveals that intralesional IFN α‐2b injections have a significant benefit on penile hemodynamic parameters. Moreover, intralesional IFN α‐2b is an effective, minimally invasive treatment for PD, and PDDU is a useful adjunct to monitor objectively changes in penile vascular parameters. Kendirci M, Usta MF, Matern RV, Nowfar S, Sikka SC, and Hellstrom WJG. The impact of intralesional interferon α‐2b injection therapy on penile hemodynamics in men with Peyronie's disease. J Sex Med 2005;2:709–715.