cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A timeline of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) research: From environmental toxin to biological mediator

Abstract The history of H2S – as an environmental toxin – dates back to 1700, to the observations of the Italian physician Bernardino Ramazzini, whose book “De Morbis Artificum Diatriba” described the painful eye irritation and inflammation of “sewer gas” in sewer workers. The gas has subsequently been identified as hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and opened three centuries of research into the biological roles of H2S. The current article highlights the key discoveries in the field of H2S research, including (a) the toxicological studies, which characterized H2S as an environmental toxin, and identified some of its modes of action, including the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration; (b) work in the field of bacteriology, which, starting in the early 1900s, identified H2S as a bacterial product – with subsequently defined roles in the regulation of periodontal disease (oral bacterial flora), intestinal epithelial cell function (enteral bacterial flora) as well as in the regulation of bacterial resistance to antibiotics; and (c), work in diverse fields of mammalian biology, which, starting in the 1940s, identified H2S as an endogenous mammalian enzymatic product, the functions of which – among others, in the cardiovascular and nervous system – have become subjects of intensive investigation for the last decade. The current review not only enumerates the key discoveries related to H2S made over the last three centuries, but also compiles the most frequently cited papers in the field which have been published over the last decade and highlights some of the current ‘hot topics’ in the field of H2S biology.
A silicon based fdNIRS system with integrated tDCS on chip for non-invasive closed-loop neuro stimulation

A silicon based frequency domain near infrared spectroscopy (fdNIRS) with integrated transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) on chip is designed to enable non-invasive closed-loop brain stimulation for neuro diseases treatment and cognitive performance enhancement. The dual channel fdNIRS system amplifies, filters, and downconverts the received photocurrent in a heterodyning scheme with a dynamic range of 10nA to 450nA and a detectable phase shift down to 0.2°. Each channel provides a transimpedance gain of 120dBΩ at 80MHz with a power consumption of 30mW while tolerating up to 8pF input capacitance. The on chip programmable stimulator can support a stimulating current from 0.6mA to 2.2mA with 1% accuracy, which covers the required current range of tDCS. A time-multiplexer is also embedded to support multi-distance fdNIRS measurements. The chip is fabricated in a standard 130nm CMOS process and occupies an area of 2.25mm2.
Far-field Lorenz–Mie scattering in an absorbing host medium: Theoretical formalism and FORTRAN program

Abstract In this paper we make practical use of the recently developed first-principles approach to electromagnetic scattering by particles immersed in an unbounded absorbing host medium. Specifically, we introduce an actual computational tool for the calculation of pertinent far-field optical observables in the context of the classical Lorenz–Mie theory. The paper summarizes the relevant theoretical formalism, explains various aspects of the corresponding numerical algorithm, specifies the input and output parameters of a FORTRAN program available at https://www.giss.nasa.gov/staff/mmishchenko/Lorenz-Mie.html , and tabulates benchmark results useful for testing purposes. This public-domain FORTRAN program enables one to solve the following two important problems: (i) simulate theoretically the reading of a remote well-collimated radiometer measuring electromagnetic scattering by an individual spherical particle or a small random group of spherical particles; and (ii) compute the single-scattering parameters that enter the vector radiative transfer equation derived directly from the Maxwell equations.
Incentive for Aggression in American Football

This chapter focuses on the United States’ National Football League (NFL) and the continuing attempt to control the level of violence inherent in the game. The study uses data from 1995 to 2009 to analyze the effect of violence and aggression on the success of a team and on fan attendance. Results show that penalties are negatively associated with wins from 1995 through 2005; after 2005, this relationship is statistically insignificant, although trends apparent in the data make it essential to watch the progression of this relationship. In addition, data suggest a correlation between attendance and more egregious rule infractions over the past five seasons; however, such correlation is not found to be statistically significant.
Data and Statistics

Statistics is the field of study whose objective is the transformation of data (usually sets of numbers along with identifying characteristics) into information (usually in the form of tables, graphs, and written and verbal summaries) that can inform sound policy decisions. We give examples of applications of statistics to many fields in Chapter 1 Here we focus on the general concepts describing the collection and arrangement of the numbers themselves.
The Influence of Political Capital on Academic Library Leadership

Given the extremely rapid state of change occurring in academic libraries due to funding cuts, shifts from physical to digital collections, changes in the use of physical spaces, changing information-seeking patterns and information use by faculty and students, the ability of library directors to advance their vision for the library becomes crucial. This is not to say that library directors are without decision-making power or the ability to establish vision, set agendas, and implement plans. However, in many cases, the provost, budget director, building and grounds manager, vice presidents, and the president offer support for activities depending upon their level of interest, oversight, and buy-in. As library directors seek support for initiatives, alignment with those having political capital becomes increasingly important.
Nature of Heat and Thermal Energy: From Caloric to Carnot's Reflections, to Entropy, Exergy, Entransy and Beyond

The nature of thermal phenomena is still elusive and sometimes misconstrued. Starting from Lavoisier, who presumed that caloric as a weightless substance is conserved, to Sadi Carnot who erroneously assumed that work is extracted while caloric is conserved, to modern day researchers who argue that thermal energy is an indistinguishable part of internal energy, to the generalization of entropy and challengers of the Second Law of thermodynamics, the relevant thermal concepts are critically discussed here. Original reflections about the nature of thermo-mechanical energy transfer, classical and generalized entropy, exergy, and new entransy concept are reasoned and put in historical and contemporary contexts, with the objective of promoting further constructive debates and hopefully resolve some critical issues within the subtle thermal landscape.
Path Selection with Amplify and Forward Relays in mmWave Backhaul Networks

This paper focuses on the problem of path selection with amplify-and-forward (AF) relays for long-range ultra-high-speed millimeter wave (mmWave) backhaul networks in urban environments. Relays are selected between a pair of source and destination nodes to achieve the highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the destination. We first derive an equation for the end-to-end SNR of a relay path in a setting that approximates the urban mmWave backhaul environment. Based on the derived equation, we transform the maximum throughput relay selection problem to the shortest path problem in graphs. Dijkstra's algorithm can then be used to find maximum throughput relay paths, which however are shown to require a large number of relays. To address this, we propose a dynamic programming algorithm to find a highest throughput path with a given number of hops. Simulation results based on 3-D models of a section of downtown Atlanta show that these algorithms can be combined to find relay paths with a small number of hops and very high throughput.
Quantum operator entropies under unitary evolution.

For a quantum state undergoing unitary Schrodinger time evolution, the von Neumann entropy is constant. Yet the second law of thermodynamics, and our experience, show that entropy increases with time. Ingarden introduced the quantum operator entropy, which is the Shannon entropy of the probability distribution for the eigenvalues of a Hermitian operator [R. S. Ingarden, Quantum information theory, Rep. Math. Phys. 10, 43 (1976)RMHPBE0034-487710.1016/0034-4877(76)90005-7]. These entropies characterize the missing information about a particular observable inherent in the quantum state itself. The von Neumann entropy is the quantum operator entropy for the case when the operator is the density matrix. We examine pure state unitary evolution in a simple model system composed of a set of highly interconnected topologically disordered states and a time-independent Hamiltonian. An initially confined state is subject to free expansion into available states. The time development is completely reversible with no loss of quantum information and no course graining is applied. The positional entropy increases in time in a way that is consistent with both the classical statistical mechanical entropy and the second law.
Uptake and Metabolism of β-apo-8′-carotenal, β-apo-10′-carotenal, and β-apo-13-carotenone in Caco-2 cells

β-Apocarotenoids are eccentric cleavage products of carotenoids formed by chemical and enzymatic oxidations. They occur in foods containing carotenoids and thus might be directly absorbed from the diet. However, there is limited information about their intestinal absorption. The present research examined the kinetics of uptake and metabolism of β-apocarotenoids. Caco-2 cells were grown on 6-well plastic plates until a differentiated cell monolayer was achieved. β-Apocarotenoids were prepared in Tween 40 micelles, delivered to differentiated cells in serum-free medium, and incubated at 37°C for up to 8 h. There was rapid uptake of β-apo-8′-carotenal into cells, and β-apo-8′-carotenal was largely converted to β-apo-8′-carotenoic acid and a minor metabolite that we identified as 5,6-epoxy-β-apo-8′-carotenol. There was also rapid uptake of β-apo-10′-carotenal into cells, and β-apo-10′-carotenal was converted into a major metabolite identified as 5,6-epoxy-β-apo-10′-carotenol and a minor metabolite that is likely a dihydro-β-apo-10′-carotenol. Finally, there was rapid cellular uptake of β-apo-13-carotenone, and this compound was extensively degraded. These results suggest that dietary β-apocarotenals are extensively metabolized in intestinal cells via pathways similar to the metabolism of retinal. Thus, they are likely not absorbed directly from the diet.
Governance of marine aquaculture: Pitfalls, potential, and pathways forward

Abstract Marine aquaculture is a rapidly growing industry that presents both opportunities and risks for the environment and society. Whether aquatic farming (bivalves and finfish) in the ocean can mitigate food security concerns and be done without significant ecological impact depends in large part on the governance infrastructure of the sector. This study assesses the relationships at the nation-state level between existing aquaculture policy determined by survey and literature review, indicators of the quality of governance, and assessments of the ecological potential for highly productive aquaculture. The possible socio-ecological implications of Blue Growth for nations around the world are then discussed. There are numerous unexploited opportunities for countries, like those in the Pacific and Caribbean, with good governance and growth potential to pursue marine aquaculture, particularly to potentially alleviate local food security concerns. In comparison, countries already producing marine aquaculture do not have the most biologically suitable waters (e.g., China), but are more closely aligned with private capital – showing production is clearly possible, but may be less sustainable or optimal. Notably, many countries active in the marine aquaculture space appear to have some level of associated regulation and environmental oversight, but appear to lack clear frameworks for emerging growth in the sector, particularly offshore production. This study provides one of the first global evaluations of sustainable aquaculture potential under current governance, policy, and capital patterns.
Modeling electric vehicle adoption considering a latent travel pattern construct and charging infrastructure

Abstract This paper presents a behavioral model of public, revealed preferences (RP) for various types of electric vehicles (EVs) while accounting for a latent (green) travel pattern construct and charging infrastructure characteristics. Specifically, a two-level nested logit (NL) model is estimated to explain households’ fuel type choice among five alternatives and three nests: (1) battery electric vehicles (BEVs); (2) hybrid vehicles including hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in HEVs (PHEVs); and (3) conventional vehicles including gasoline and diesel vehicles. Further, a latent travel pattern construct which captures a week-long number of trips by non-vehicle travel modes as well as daily vehicle and tollway use is estimated in a structural equation setting and subsequently fed into the NL model. Using a recent RP dataset from the California Household Travel Survey, we identify market segments for alternative fuel types based on households’ socio-economic characteristics, built environment factors concerning public plug-in EV (PEV) charging infrastructure characteristics, latent and observable travel behavior factors of a household vehicle’s principal driver, and vehicle attributes. The results highlight that the number of public PEV charging stations is only significant for households choosing PHEVs and interestingly insignificant in the BEV utility. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis of the findings reveals that PHEV users are elastic with respect to household vehicle ownership ratio and the latent green travel pattern construct, while BEV users are inelastic to any explanatory variable.
Exploring End-of-Life Care Team Communication: An Interprofessional Simulation Study:

Effective team communication is necessary for the provision of high-quality health care. Yet, recent graduates from diverse health-care disciplines report inadequate training in communication skill...
A combined morphometric and statistical approach to assess non-monotonicity in the developing mammary gland of rats in the CLARITY-BPA study

Abstract Background CLARITY-BPA is a rare collaboration of guideline-compliant (core) studies and academic hypothesis-based studies to assess the effects of bisphenol A (BPA). Objectives 1) determine BPA’s effects on the developing rat mammary gland using new quantitative and established semi-quantitative methods in two labs, 2) develop a software tool for semi-automatic evaluation of quantifiable aspects of the mammary ductal tree, and 3) compare those methods. Methods Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to BPA, vehicle, or positive control (ethinyl estradiol, EE2) by oral gavage beginning on gestational day 6 and continuing with direct dosing of the pups after birth. There were two studies; sub-chronic and chronic. The latter used two exposure regimes, one stopping at PND21 the other continuing until tissue harvest. Glands were harvested at multiple time points; whole mounts and histological specimens were analyzed blinded to treatment. Results The subchronic study’s semiquantitative analysis revealed no significant differences between control and BPA dose groups at PND21; whereas at PND90 there were significant differences between control and the lowest BPA dose and between control and the lowest EE2 dose in animals in estrus. Quantitative, automatized analysis of the chronic PND21 specimens displayed non-monotonic BPA effects with a breaking point between the 25 and 250μg/kg/day doses. This breaking point was confirmed by a global statistical analysis of chronic study animals at PND90 and 6 months analyzed by the quantitative method. The BPA response was different from the EE2 effect for many features. Conclusions Both the semiquantitative and the quantitative methods revealed non-monotonic effects of BPA. The quantitative unsupervised analysis used 91 measurements and produced the most striking non-monotonic dose-response curves. At all-time points, lower doses resulted in larger effects, consistent with the core study which revealed a significant increase of mammary adenocarcinoma incidence in the stop-dose animals at the lowest BPA dose tested.
Sustaining the Immortelle: “You Have to Love What You Do”

Painting an ethnographic portrait of the Immortelle Children’s Centre today, this chapter highlights the strong emphasis on personal relationships and community values that mark the character of the school. The current teachers describe being motivated by love of the children, while struggling to meet challenges of low salaries, curriculum adaptation, and limited personnel and material resources. The chapter includes teachers’ narratives and detailed ethnographic illustrations of classroom practices and teacher-student interactions.
Making the economic value proposition for pharmacist comprehensive medication management (CMM) in primary care: A conceptual framework.

Abstract Introduction Comprehensive medication management (CMM) is a patient care process provided by clinical pharmacists in primary care settings that ensures optimal use of medications with timely follow-up. Despite widespread evidence that shows CMM improves clinical and medication-related outcomes, pharmacist-delivered CMM services often fail to be adopted into U.S. primary care settings. Objective This study presents a conceptual framework linking outcomes of pharmacist-delivered CMM services in primary care settings to financial benefits for health plans providing coverage of CMM services and primary care practices investing and implementing CMM. Methods A critical review of the literature was performed in PubMed and the gray literature to identify financing opportunities that justify the coverage of CMM by third-party health plan administrators or the implementation of CMM by primary care practices. Financing elements that could be impacted by pharmacist-led CMM outcomes, namely higher achievement of medication-related quality measures and reduction of total costs of care, were recorded and utilized to develop the conceptual framework. Results The framework suggests that CMM provides economic benefits to both health plans and primary care practices by increasing market competitiveness, direct revenue, and quality bonuses. Health plans may benefit from higher plan quality ratings, lower premiums and plan bids, increased shared savings, and quality bonus payments. Primary care practices may achieve increased negotiating power through accreditation recognition and patient satisfaction, increased revenue through shared savings and fee-for-service reimbursement, and achievement of quality bonus payments. Conclusions The alignment of economic benefits from CMM advances a strong value proposition for greater adoption of CMM coverage by health plans and implementation in the U.S. primary care system. Through broader CMM implementation, pharmacists can work alongside physicians in advanced care models and play a vital role in shaping the primary care practice transition to value-based care.
Remarks on second-grade elasticity in plastically deformed crystals

Abstract We discuss the theory of second-grade elasticity for crystalline materials that have undergone prior plastic deformation. An attempt is made to unify various ideas in the field originating in the works of early and contemporary contributors.
Unstable Brownian Motion of a Bus Trip

As a bus travels along a route, its trip time between successive bus stops is subject to random fluctuations. If the bus should fall behind schedule because of this, then some excess passengers will have arrived at the bus stops during the late time and it will take the bus longer to load passengers. A bus, therefore, tends to travel slower and falls even further behind schedule. To compensate for this, the usual strategy of control used by bus operators is to provide some slack time in the schedule so that, normally, a bus can gain some time. The bus then operates under a rule that it may not leave a bus stop ahead of schedule, but will leave immediately if it is late. Actually, this control is not completely stable; if a bus falls so far behind schedule that the extra loading time generated by the lateness exceeds the slack time, the bus will still fall progressively further behind schedule.
Impact of MnSOD and GPx1 Genotype at Different Levels of Enteral Nutrition Exposure on Oxidative Stress and Mortality: A Post hoc Analysis From the FeDOx Trial

Background Converting nutrition support to energy results in free radical production from the electron chain transport, possibly increasing oxidative stress. Highly prevalent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) exist for the genes encoding antioxidant enzymes responsible for the detoxification of reactive oxygen species. Objective Our objective was to explore the interaction between nutrition support and genetic polymorphisms for two anti-oxidant proteins (rs4880 SNP for manganese superoxide dismutase and rs1050450 SNP for glutathione peroxidase 1) on oxidative stress and secondarily on ICU mortality. Design We performed a post-hoc analysis on 34 mechanically ventilated sepsis patients from a the FeDOX trial. Participants were dichotomized into those who carried both the rs4880 and the rs1050450 at-risk alleles (Risk Group) versus all others (Non-Risk Group). We explored the interaction between genotype and the percent time spent in the upper median of calorie exposure on oxidative stress and ICU mortality. Results Adjusting for confounders, the slope of log F2-isoprostane levels across percentage of days spent in the upper median of daily kcal/kg was 0.01 higher in the Risk Group compared to the Non-Risk Group (p = 0.01). Every every 1 percent increase in days spent in the upper median of daily Kcals/kg was associated with an adjusted 10.3 percent increased odds of ICU mortality amongst participants in the Risk Group (OR = 1.103, p = 0.06) but was highly insignificant in the Non-Risk group (OR = 0.991, p = 0.79). Conclusions Nutrition support may lead to increased oxidative stress and worse clinical outcomes in a large percent of ICU patients with an at-risk genotype. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Extracorporeal life support for cardiogenic shock during pregnancy and postpartum: a single center experience.

Background:The use of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) for cardiogenic shock in pregnant and postpartum patients remains limited by concerns of bleeding, hemolysis, and f...
Development of Multistage RFE-SVR Model to Predict Radiation Sensitivity

As radiation therapy (RT) has been in usage as a universal part of cancer patient treatment, the correlation between RT and patient profiles have become of interest to the research scholars and clinicians. There have been many studies which suggest a strong relation between radiation therapy and the genomic expression profiles of the patients. The analysis of the gene expression profiles poses a huge challenge due to the high dimensionality and the class imbalance problem. Identifying the best useful genes and eliminating the redundant ones is one of the key factors when analyzing genomic data. In our study, we have established a prediction model which identifies the radiation sensitivity index for the patients. For our study we have used SF2 (surviving fraction following irradiation with 2 GY) as the radiation sensitivity index. This multistage RFE-SVR model identifies the most useful features to predicts the SF2 value. We eliminate features step-by-step from the original set of features with a combination of filter and embedded method to avoid the loss of function.
Proposed Amendment to the Federal Civil Procedure Rule 27(c): Federal Presuit Information Preservation Orders

Professor Jeffrey A. Parness submitted a proposed amendment to Federal Civil Procedure Rule 27(c) on November 13, 2020. It urged that federal civil procedure laws allowing presuit information preservation orders should be expanded in order to promote greater uniformity across the country and greater compliance with current substantive and procedural laws on the preservation duties involving civil litigation information. These new laws were said to be best placed in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The proposal includes the rationales, some guidelines, and suggested language for a new FRCP 27(c). In particular, the proposal suggests the following language (additions underlined): "This rule does not limit a court's power to entertain an action to perpetuate testimony and an action involving presuit information preservation when necessary to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive resolution of a possible later federal civil action."
Congressional Policymaking in Sino-U.S. Relations during the Post-Cold War Era

1. Introduction, 2. International Politics of Congressional Policymaking toward China, 3. Weapons Proliferation, 4. Cross-Strait Relations, 5. Human Rights, 6. Trade, 7. Conclusions
A Rejoinder to Cyril M. Franks

Franks’s response to my presentation seems to be somewhat at odds with his dictum of a dialogue with psychodynamic theorists. On the one hand, he asserts that my piece did not characterize contemporary behavior therapy. However, although clarifying some errors, he fails to touch on the essential issues of “symptoms and diseases” that he denies but in fact continues to deal with in the therapeutic process. He makes no attempt to answer my specific concerns about behavioral theory’s limited role in understanding and altering the complexities of human functioning. Franks is guilty of the psychoanalytic canard that denies any criticism on the grounds that the critic was not psychoanalyzed. He asserts that no one can truly understand behavioral therapy who is not a committed, practicing behaviorist.
The Effects of National and Local Funding on Judicial Performance: Perceptions of Russia's Lawyers

Courts that perform well are the cornerstone of the rule of law and democratic development. When courts are perceived as legalistic, fair, impartial, and independent of the influence of extrajudicial actors, aggrieved individuals are more likely to pursue litigation over other, potentially unlawful, alternatives. Using original data from surveys of more than 1,800 randomly sampled lawyers in 12 Russian cities, we investigate the effects of perceived government funding and power diversification on a variety of indicators of perceived judicial performance. We find that, according to lawyers, financial dependence on the national government has no independent effect on judicial performance, but financial dependence on local governments has consistently significant negative effects. We also find that diversified political power has consistently significant positive effects on perceived judicial performance, probably because the diversification makes courts seem less vulnerable to unified pressure from political actors.
Prevalence of canine infectious respiratory pathogens in asymptomatic dogs presented at US animal shelters

OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of nine canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD) pathogens in asymptomatic dogs presented at animal shelters across the United States. METHODS Ocular and oronasal swabs from asymptomatic dogs (n = 503) were tested using qPCR assay for Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2), canine distemper virus (CDV), canine herpesvirus type 1 (CHV), canine influenza virus (CIV), canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV), canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV), Mycoplasma cynos and Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus. RESULTS A total of 240 (47 · 7%) asymptomatic dogs were PCR-positive for at least one CIRD pathogen. Prevalence of two-, three-, four-, and five-pathogen cases was 12 · 7, 3 · 8, 1 · 8, and 0 · 4%, respectively. Mycoplasma cynos (29 · 2%), B. bronchiseptica (19 · 5%), CAV-2 (12 · 5%), CDV (7 · 4%) and CPIV (3 · 2%) were the most commonly detected pathogens. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The prevalence of traditional and newly emerging pathogens associated with CIRD is poorly defined in clinically healthy dogs. This study determined that a high percentage of asymptomatic shelter dogs harbor CIRD pathogens, including the newly emerging pathogen M. cynos and the historically prevalent pathogen B. bronchiseptica.
The Economics of Bankruptcy: An Introduction to the Literature

This essay surveys important contributions to the economics of bankruptcy. It is an introductory chapter for a forthcoming volume (from Edward Elgar Press) that compiles the work of legal scholars as well as economists working in the field of corporate finance. The essay begins with the foundational theories of Baird, Jackson, and Rea and then collects scholarly work extending, testing, or revising those theories. At various points I identify questions that merit further study, particularly empirical testing.
Class noise vs attribute noise: their impacts, detection and cleansing

Noise handling is an essential task in data mining research and applications. There are three issues in dealing with noisy information sources: noise identification, noise profiling, and noise tolerant mining. During noise identification, erroneous data records are identified and ranked according to their impact or some predefined measures. Class noise and attribute noise can be distinguished at this stage. This identification allows the users to process their noisy data with different priorities based on the data properties. Noise profiling discovers patterns from previously identified errors that can be used to summarize and monitor these data errors. In noise tolerant mining, we integrate the noise profile information into data mining algorithms and boost their performances from the original noisy data. In this talk, I will present our existing and ongoing research efforts on these three issues.
Factors Affecting the Algicidal and Algistatic Properties of Copper

Data from laboratory studies are presented to show that, whereas five different sources of copper appear to be equally effective as toxic agents for algae, the medium in which toxicity tests are carried out has a great influence on the toxicity of copper. A technique of subculture is described for determining whether a concentration of a chemical is algicidal, algistatic, or nontoxic in action against a specific alga, and demonstrations are given of tests with algae illustrating each class of action. Images
Exploratory and exploitative knowledge learning by investment analysts

The article of record as published may be located at http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1304128
Adverbs of Quantification and Sequence-of-Tense Phenomena

This paper discusses how tense morphemes and so-called adverbs of quantification such as a/ways and often interact In particular, I will pay attention to the relationship between temporal adverbial clauses and adverbs of quantification. I proposed in my earlier work (Ogihara 1989, ms.) that English (but not Japanese) has an optional syntactic rule that serves to delete tenses under identity with locally c-commanding tenses. Let us refer to the rule as the sequence-of-tense (SOT) rule. Regarding the interpretation of tenses, I argued that their relative structural positions at LF indicate the scope relationships among them. For example, if tense A locally c-commands tense B at LF, then B is in the scope of A. To be more precise, the semantic contribution of B is determined in relation to the time of the episode that is described by the clause in which A occurs. I made these claims based on the behavior of tenses in verb complement clauses and relative clauses. I will propose in this paper that these claims extend to temporal adverbial clauses. With regard to the interaction between tenses and adverbs of quantification (e.g. , always), I will claim that matrix clause tenses have . scope over quantificational adverbs. In the tradition of formal semantics, past tense was assumed to induce existential quantification over past times (Prior 1967, Montague 1 973, Needham 1 975, Dowty 1 979, Stump 1 985, among others). Let us refer to this type of analysis as a quantificational theory of tense. Prior and Montague adopt sentential operators to symbolize tense morphemes, whereas Needham, Dowty and Stump employ a variant of intensional logic that uses constants and variables for times in the object language along with those for "normal" individuals. I will adopt the latter notation because of its flexibility) For example, (1a) is symbolized as (lb) in this notation:
Sonographic diagnosis of bilateral pneumothorax following an acupuncture session

We present the case of a 57-year-old woman who presented with the acute onset of chest pain and dyspnea, which started while undergoing acupuncture for neck pain. A bedside ultrasound revealed bilateral pneumothoraces, which were confirmed radiographically. We discuss the details of the case, the sonographic features of pneumothorax, and the role of bedside ultrasonography in the assessment of an acutely dyspneic patient. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42:27–29, 2014
The History of the World Federation of Neurology: The First 50 Years by Johan A. Aarli

This book reviews the history of the first 50 years of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN), which was officially founded in 1957. One question immediately comes to mind: Why 1957? There may be ...
Saying Good-Bye, Keeping My Keys.

ABSTRACT A writer and teaching artist reflects on continuity, discontinuity and artistic space in prison.
Synthesis, conformation and T-helper cell stimulation of an O-linked glycopeptide epitope containing extended carbohydrate side-chains.

To answer the question whether or not T cells to immunodominant protein fragments recognize glycosylated antigens, we synthesized a series of glycopeptides corresponding to peptide 31D, a major T-helper cell epitope of the rabies virus nucleoprotein. Thr4 of the epitope is known to allow mono- or disaccharide side-chain substitutions in either alpha- or beta-anomeric configuration without interfering with MHC-binding. To model naturally occurring glycoprotein fragments that carry extended sugar chains, we prepared Fmoc-Ser/Thr-OPfp building blocks containing alpha- and beta-linked linear tri- and heptasaccharides. Peptide 31D was synthesized with the complex carbohydrates attached to Thr4, and the T-helper cell activity of the glycopeptides was determined. Addition of alpha-linked carbohydrates, that mimic most of the natural O-linked glycoproteins, resulted in a major drop in the T-cell stimulatory ability in a sugar length-dependent manner. In contrast, the cytosolic glycoprotein mimicking beta-linked glycopeptides retained their T-cell stimulatory activity, with the trisaccharide-containing analogue being almost as potent as the unglycosylated peptide. When the peptides were preincubated with diluted human serum, all peptides lost their ability to stimulate the 9C5.D8-H hybridoma. These findings indicated that (i) in contrast to cytosolic glycosylation, incorporation of long O-linked carbohydrates into T-helper cell epitopes abrogates the antigenicity of these protein fragments, and (ii) glycosylation is not a viable alternative to improve the immunogenic properties of subunit peptide vaccines. Glycosylation with all four carbohydrate moieties similarly destroyed the inducible alpha-helical structure of peptide 31D as detected by CD, indicating that the differences in the T-cell activity were not due to different peptide conformations.
Use of filter paper mounting for determination of the specific activity of gluconate-C14 by liquid scintillation assay

A simple technique is described for the assay of radioactivity in C14-labeled gluconate by the liquid scintillation method. The method provides a reliable means of determining the C14 activity of milligram quantities of a substance not readily soluble in the liquid phosphors in use for scintillation counting.
Blood pressure dipping: ethnicity, sleep quality, and sympathetic nervous system activity.

Background Blunted blood pressure dipping is an established predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Although blunted blood pressure dipping is more common in African Americans than whites, the factors contributing to this ethnic difference are not well understood. This study examined the relationships of blood pressure dipping to ethnicity, body mass index, sleep quality, and fall in sympathetic nervous system activity during the sleep-period.
Asylum psychiatry, neurology, social work, and mental hygiene: an exploratory study in interprofessional history.

The author proposes that an adequate appreciation of the American mental health movement will require, ultimately, an appreciation of the concurrent developments in the histories of related professions (e.g., asylum psychiatry, neurology, social work, and public mental health). In this exploratory review, the author demonstrates some reciprocal influences between these professions which were significant determinants for their present positions. Suggestions are offered for other needed interprofessional historical studies in this area.
Scalar self-interactions loosen constraints from fifth force searches

The mass of a scalar field mediating a fifth force is tightly constrained by experiments. We show, however, that adding a quartic self-interaction for such a scalar makes most tests much less constraining: the nonlinear equation of motion masks the coupling of the scalar to matter through the chameleon mechanism. We discuss consequences for fifth force experiments. In particular, we find that, with quartic coupling of order unity, a gravitational strength interaction with matter is allowed by current constraints. We show that our chameleon scalar field results in experimental signatures that could be detected through modest improvements of current laboratory set-ups.
Understanding sexual activity and Chlamydia testing rate based on linked national survey and Medicaid claims data.

Background Monitoring adherence to national recommendations for annual chlamydia screening of female adolescents and young adult women is important for targeting quality improvement interventions to improve low screening rates. However, accurate measurement of rates may vary depending on the data source used to determine eligible sexually-active women. Methods The 2001–2004 NHANES data linked with Medicaid administrative data by respondent’s unique identifier, the 2011–2012 NHANES data, and the 2004 and 2010 Medicaid data were used in this cross-sectional analysis. We defined self-reported sexual activity by self-reported sexual behaviors, claim-identified sexual activity by reproductive-related claims among women who had ≥ one healthcare claim, HEDIS-defined sexual activity by reproductive-related claims among women who were enrolled in Medicaid for ≥330 days and had ≥ one healthcare claim, and chlamydia tests by claims submitted in the 12 months prior to the survey interview. Results Of Medicaid women aged 18–25 years, 91.5% self-reported to be sexually-active. Of self-reported sexually-active women aged 18–25 years, 92.0% had ≥ one healthcare claim in the 12 months prior to the survey interview; of this subpopulation, only 58.8% were enrolled in Medicaid for ≥ 330 days in the 12 months prior to the survey interview; of this further subpopulation, 74.1% had healthcare claims identifying them as sexually-active in the 12 months prior to the survey interview. Of HEDIS-defined sexually-active women, 42.4% had chlamydia testing. Conclusion Our study suggests that the number of sexually-active women aged 18–25 years used as the denominator in the chlamydia testing measure could be significantly different, depending upon the definition applied and the data used. Our data highlight the limited representativeness of Medicaid population in the current HEDIS measure on chlamydia testing when a high proportion of women who were enrolled in Medicaid for <330 days had been excluded from the measure. The interventions that can improve the proportion of women who were enrolled in Medicaid for ≥ 330 days among all young Medicaid women are needed not only for improving health care services, but also for measuring quality of healthcare.
PM-06DIFFERENTIAL SPLICING OF PYRUVATE KINASE REGULATES PROGENITOR CELL CYCLE AND MEDULLOBLASTOMA TUMORIGENESIS.

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown that aerobic glycolysis, a hallmark of cancer metabolism, plays a physiological role in postnatal neurogenesis and is co-opted in medulloblastoma. Medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in children, arises from cerebellar progenitors that normally proliferate in the first year of life then exit the cell cycle. Processes that regulate the developmental proliferation of neural progenitors may facilitate tumorigenesis when activated aberrantly. We have identified Pyruvate kinase isoform M2 (PKM2) as a developmentally-regulated enzyme that accelerates medulloblastoma tumorigenesis in a mouse model and is a potential target for novel cancer therapies. METHODS: We examined metabolism and proliferation in mice with and without a conditional deletion of PkM2 using NMR-based metabolomics, immunohistochemistry and Western blot. We examined the importance of PkM2 in medulloblastoma tumorigenesis by analyzing the survival of medulloblastoma-prone ND2: SmoA1 mice with and without PkM2 deletion. RESULTS: Brain progenitors specifically splice the PkM gene into the less catalytically active PkM2 isoform, while differentiated neurons uniformly express the constituently active isoform PkM1. Deletion of PkM2 altered energy metabolism, reducing lactic acid production and increasing glutamine consumption. Despite reduced aerobic glycolysis, PkM2-deleted progenitors proliferated more rapidly. In tumor-prone mice, PkM2 deletion accelerated medulloblastoma tumorigenesis and shortened survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings of increased tumorigenesis in PkM2-deleted mice demonstrate that PkM2 activity is not required for tumor formation. Further, the generation of lactic acid, per se, does not enhance tumorigenesis. Rather, we propose that PkM2 functions as a less active Pyruvate Kinase isozyme that channels glycolytic intermediates into alternative metabolic fates to support proliferation. Accordingly, splicing PkM into the PkM2 isoform reduces PkM activity in progenitors, and PkM2 deletion enhances this phenotype, accelerating tumor formation in ND2:SmoA1 mice. Strategies that increase PkM2 enzymatic activity may conversely inhibit medulloblastoma growth, providing a novel, metabolic approach to anti-tumor therapy.
Development of a hepatitis C support group.

Patient support groups exist for a range of chronic diseases, including but not limited to epilepsy,[1][1] diabetes mellitus,[2][2] cancer,[3][3],[4][4] arthritis,[5][5] and hepatitis C.[6][6],[7][7] Personal accounts of the positive influence that support groups have on patients’ well-being are
Chronic and transient poverty in the Russian Federation

This article examines poverty dynamics in the Russian Federation from 1994 through the financial crisis in the late 1990s and into the more recent economic recovery. The severity of poverty in the Russian Federation is found to stem largely from transient, rather than chronic, spells of economic hardship. Exposure to transient poverty is strongly influenced by household levels of workforce participation, educational assets and physical assets, as well as by local economic conditions. Workforce participation and physical assets also mitigate exposure to chronic poverty. The importance of these determinants of transient and chronic poverty appears to change in the pre-crisis and post-crisis periods. But the severity of chronic poverty does not increase, suggesting that the combined movement towards a market economy and the financial crisis did not generate a new underclass of chronically poor households.
Adrenocortical Dysfunction Following Etomidate Induction in Emergency Department Patients

Objective To assess adrenocortical function following intravenous etomidate use in emergency department (ED) patients requiring intubation. Methods This was a prospective, randomized, controlled trial of consecutive patients presenting to the ED requiring intubation. Patients were randomized to receive a single bolus induction dose of either 0.05-0.1 mg/kg midazolam (control group) or 0.3 mg/kg etomidate (etomidate group) during a standardized rapid-sequence intubation (RSI) with succinylcholine. The primary outcome variable was adrenocortical function at 4, 12, and 24 hours post-induction as assessed by measured serum cortisol response to exogenous cosyntropin (cosyntropin stimulation test, CST). Fisher's exact test was used to compare CST results between groups. Results Thirty-one patients were enrolled: 8 control, 10 etomidate, and 13 excluded from analysis for either incomplete data or steroid use during the study period. The 4-hour CST results were significantly different between study groups, with a normal response in 100% of control patients vs 30% of etomidate patients (p = 0.004). The 12- and 24-hour CSTs did not differ significantly between groups: normal CST in 100% of control patients at 12 and 24 hours vs 100% and 90% among etomidate patients at 12 and 24 hours, respectively (p = 1.0 at 12 and 24 hours). Measured cortisol levels of patients with abnormal CSTs remained within normal laboratory reference ranges. Conclusion Use of etomidate in ED patients requiring RSI results in adrenocortical dysfunction. However, cortisol levels remain within normal laboratory levels during this period of dysfunction. Adrenocortical dysfunction appears to resolve within 12 hours of a single bolus dose of 0.3 mg/kg etomidate.
Women and minorities on network television news: An examination of correspondents and newsmakers

Over 20 years have passed since the Kerner Commission's Report revealed the shortcomings of mass media portrayals of minorities and called for increased minority hiring. This study examined the race and sex of correspondents on network newscasts, the topics of the stories they cover, and the role of newsmakers presented in the news. The results revealed little change in the presentation of women and minorities on network news, although demographics project a steady increase of minorities in the general population by the 21st century.
Planar ion microtraps.

Planar quadrupole ion traps have been analyzed through numerical and analytic solutions of Laplace's equation. These involve either one or more conducting rings or their analogs, a hole in one or more conducting sheets. The leading terms in the potential are harmonic, corresponding to the Paul trap, but with coefficients that reduce their efficiency and for some traps, the anharmonic terms can be suppressed to eighth-order. Stable ion trapping is predicted for all electrode configurations possessing radial and axial symmetry. A three-hole microtrap with an inner hole radius of 80 \ensuremath{\mu}m trapped from one to many (dense clouds) laser-cooled ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{+}$ ions where the two-ion distance is compressed to 1 \ensuremath{\mu}m, allowing new experiments in quantum optics. Also, arrays of traps for optical clocks are contemplated using photolithographic fabrication.