cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reply to "letter to the editor: a return to the venous return controversy: a visual aid for combatants'".

REPLY: We thank Dr. Munis for his letter (2) concerning interpreting Guyton’s model of the circulation. In our opinion, when considering Guyton’s model, it is useful to distinguish three types of questions: 1) Are the statements concerning the model mathematically correct?, 2) Are the interpretations of the model legitimate?, and 3) Is the model adequate to represent the cardiovascular system during hemorrhage, exercise, heart failure, etc.? We agree with much of the content of Dr. Munis’s analysis, particularly his clarifications that right atrial pressure does not act to impede cardiac output. However, we take issue with his application of the concept of mean systemic pressure (PMS). This is a concept that is accurately defined by Guyton’s model but was illegitimately interpreted by Guyton to represent a driving pressure for cardiac output. In Guyton’s model, PMS is the imaginary constant pressure that would exist after cardiac pumping has ceased and flow becomes zero everywhere in the circulation without a change in resistance or capacitance anywhere in the circuit. When there is blood flow, the PMS pressure cannot be measured and exists only as an artifact of a mathematical model. It is an indication of how tightly the blood volume fills the capacitance of the systemic circulation. Simple manipulations of its definition allow us to derive equally valid mathematical expressions where flow is proportional to either PMS or PMS. [See Eqs. A2 and A3 in Beard and Feigl (1)]. It therefore is an error to infer from either of these expressions that PMS is a physical force driving or impeding flow in the circuit. We agree with Dr. Munis when he writes “PMS does not change in an isovolumic situation.” However, we find his statement, “Similarly, the locus of PMS in the veins remains isometric during steady-state flow and is constrained from moving blood,” difficult to interpret. There is no locus of PMS when blood is flowing. It cannot be associated with a physical entity or force when blood is flowing. Remember that the Guyton model only pertains to the steady state when by definition venous return equals cardiac output. The famous Guyton equation for cardiac output flow (F) during steady state [Eq. A2 in Beard and Feigl (1)]
Statistical significance and biological relevance of a sinusoidal pattern detected in translational free energy signals

Interactions of the ribosome with the mRNA constitute the mechanism of translation in bacteria. We hypothesize that a variable free energy pattern arising from repeated hybridizations of the rRNA tail with a moving window of mRNA sequence could encode information required to maintain translational reading frame. If present, this signal should exist in all coding regions and signal processing methods should prove valuable in characterizing and decoding this signal. Our analysis shows that a variable energy pattern does exist and it can be modeled as a discrete sinusoidal signal of frequency 1/3 cycles/base in approximately 65% of verified coding regions. For the remaining 35% of coding regions, a low signal-to-noise ratio is the most likely explanation of the apparent absence of a detectable periodic signal.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Series of Water Soluble Amidomalonato-(lR,2R-Cyclohexanediamine)Platinum(II) Complexes

Abstract A new series of water soluble platinum(II) complexes of the type [Pt(DACH)[R-CH(COO)2]], wherein DACH represents IR,2R-cyclohexanediamine and R represents formamido. acetamido, (penta-O-acctyl-gluconyl)amino, and gluconylamino have been synthesized. The modes of binding of amidodicarboxylic acid derivatives in these complexes have been determined by various spectroscopic techniques: 1H, 13 C, and 195PtNMR; 2D-COSY{1H-1H} and 2D-HETCOSY{1H-13C} NMR, MS(FAB), IR and conductivity measurements.
Activation of Rubisco controls CO(2) assimilation in light: a perspective on its discovery.

CO2 fixation during photosynthesis is regulated by the activity of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco). This conclusion became more apparent to me after CO2-fixation experiments using isolated spinach chloroplasts and protoplasts, purified Rubisco enzyme, and intact leaves. Ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) pools and activation of Rubisco were measured and compared to 14CO2 fixation in light. The rates of 14CO 2 assimilation best followed the changes in Rubisco activation under moderate to high light intensities. RuBP pool sizes regulated 14 2 assimilation only in very high CO2 levels, low light and in darkness. Activation of Rubisco involves two separate processes: carbamylation of the protein and removal of inhibitors blocking carbamylation or blocking RuBP binding to carbamylated sites before reaction with CO2 or O2.
Nature of Incorporated Water in Hydrated Silicate Glasses

Silicate glasses show a wide range of responses to exposure to water or steam at high temperatures and pressure. The response patterns and the factors determining these patterns are discussed. The manner in which water is incorporated in the silicate glasses is elucidated by a study of the near infrared spectra and differential thermogravimetric analysis of hydrated glasses. Factors affecting relative amounts of tightly bonded and loosely bonded water are discussed.
The Social Context of Science: Cancer and the Environment

Science remains an eminently social institution, though the interactions between science and society are often poorly understood. This article addresses the context of recent efforts to identify environmental contributions to cancer. The authors first examine cancer incidence and discuss how incidence patterns may be related to air pollution and occupational and general toxic chemical and xenestrogen exposures. They then discuss the social context in which cancer research and treatment occurs, including the dominating role of the biomedical model and socioeconomic factors, including regulatory strategies that address single chemicals, corporate conflicts of interest, and the manipulation of public opinion. Last, they consider the broad context out of which cancer arises and discuss the merits of applying the precautionary principle to sustainable social policies. Progress in reducing cancer may be fruitfully made by returning our attention to broad-scale factors such as those affecting the quality of air,...
The impact of change in physical activity on change in arterial stiffness in overweight or obese sedentary young adults

Arterial stiffness is associated with cardiovascular events and mortality. Lifestyle factors such as physical activity (PA) may reduce arterial stiffness. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of change in PA on 1-year change in arterial stiffness in 274 overweight/obese sedentary young adults. The Slow Adverse Vascular Effects of excess weight (SAVE) trial was a study evaluating the relationships between weight loss, dietary sodium, and vascular health. PA was measured with the ActiGraph AM7164 accelerometer. Intensity of activity was determined using established cut-points. Arterial stiffness was assessed by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) using an automated device. Analysis of covariance compared changes in total accelerometer counts, minutes/day in light-intensity PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and sedentary time, by categories of change in baPWV. Models were adjusted for time since baseline visit, age, sex, race, homeostatis model of assessment of insulin resistance, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and weight change. Total accelerometer counts and time spent in MVPA increased from baseline to 12 months while time spent in LPA significantly decreased. Mean baPWV was similar at each time point. Those who showed decreased baPWV also showed an increase in total accelerometer counts per day and time spent in MVPA in the fully adjusted models (p<0.001). Changes in sedentary time and time spent in LPA were not associated with changes in baPWV. These results indicate that even modest increases in MVPA can reduce arterial stiffness, a risk factor for future cardiovascular events.
Sample Design-based Methodology for Estimating Delta Smelt Abundance

A sample design-based procedure for estimating pre-adult and adult delta smelt abundance is described. Using data from midwater trawl surveys taken during the months of September, October, November, and December for the years 1990 through 2006 and estimates of size selectivity of the gear from a covered codend experiment, stratified random sample ratio estimates of delta smelt abundance were made per month. The estimation procedure is arguably an improvement over the dimensionless delta smelt indices that have been used historically in that (1) the volume sampled is used in a manner that leads to directly interpretable numbers and (2) standard errors are easily calculated. The estimates are quite imprecise, i.e., coefficients of variation in the range of 100\% occurred. The point estimates are highly correlated with the monthly indices, and conclusions on abundance declines are quite similar. However, both the estimates and indices may suffer from selection biases if the trawl samples are not representative of the true densities. Future work is needed in at least three areas: (1) gathering additional information to determine the validity of assumptions made, in particular determining the possible degree of selection bias; (2) developing procedures that utilize survey data gathered from earlier life history stages, such as larval surveys; (3) embedding a life-history model into the population estimation procedure.
Effects of model-based physiological noise correction on default mode network anti-correlations and correlations

Previous studies have reported that the spontaneous, resting-state time course of the default-mode network is negatively correlated with that of the "task-positive network", a collection of regions commonly recruited in demanding cognitive tasks. However, all studies of negative correlations between the default-mode and task-positive networks have employed some form of normalization or regression of the whole-brain average signal ("global signal"); these processing steps alter the time series of voxels in an uninterpretable manner as well as introduce spurious negative correlations. Thus, the extent of negative correlations with the default mode network without global signal removal has not been well characterized, and it is has recently been hypothesized that the apparent negative correlations in many of the task-positive regions could be artifactually induced by global signal pre-processing. The present study aimed to examine negative and positive correlations with the default-mode network when model-based corrections for respiratory and cardiac noise are applied in lieu of global signal removal. Physiological noise correction consisted of (1) removal of time-locked cardiac and respiratory artifacts using RETROICOR (Glover, G.H., Li, T.Q., Ress, D., 2000. Image-based method for retrospective correction of physiological motion effects in fMRI: RETROICOR. Magn. Reson. Med. 44, 162-167), and (2) removal of low-frequency respiratory and heart rate variations by convolving these waveforms with pre-determined transfer functions (Birn et al., 2008; Chang et al., 2009) and projecting the resulting two signals out of the data. It is demonstrated that negative correlations between the default-mode network and regions of the task-positive network are present in the majority of individual subjects both with and without physiological noise correction. Physiological noise correction increased the spatial extent and magnitude of negative correlations, yielding negative correlations within task-positive regions at the group-level (p<0.05, uncorrected; no regions at the group level were significant at FDR=0.05). Furthermore, physiological noise correction caused region-specific decreases in positive correlations within the default-mode network, reducing apparent false positives. It was observed that the low-frequency respiratory volume and cardiac rate regressors used within the physiological noise correction algorithm displayed significant (but not total) shared variance with the global signal, and constitute a model-based alternative to correcting for non-neural global noise.
Predicting error floors of structured LDPC codes: deterministic bounds and estimates

The error-correcting performance of low-density parity check (LDPC) codes, when decoded using practical iterative decoding algorithms, is known to be close to Shannon limits for codes with suitably large blocklengths. A substantial limitation to the use of finite-length LDPC codes is the presence of an error floor in the low frame error rate (FER) region. This paper develops a deterministic method of predicting error floors, based on high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) asymptotics, applied to absorbing sets within structured LDPC codes. The approach is illustrated using a class of array-based LDPC codes, taken as exemplars of high-performance structured LDPC codes. The results are in very good agreement with a stochastic method based on importance sampling which, in turn, matches the hardware-based experimental results. The importance sampling scheme uses a mean-shifted version of the original Gaussian density, appropriately centered between a codeword and a dominant absorbing set, to produce an unbiased estimator of the FER with substantial computational savings over a standard Monte Carlo estimator. Our deterministic estimates are guaranteed to be a lower bound to the error probability in the high SNR regime, and extend the prediction of the error probability to as low as 10-30. By adopting a channel-independent viewpoint, the usefulness of these results is demonstrated for both the standard Gaussian channel and a channel with mixture noise.
Why, Where, and How to Infuse the Atlanta Sociological Laboratory into the Sociology Curriculum

The Atlanta Sociological Laboratory is the moniker bestowed on scholars engaged in sociological research at Atlanta University between 1895 and 1924. Under the leadership of W. E. B. Du Bois, 1897–1914, this school made substantive yet marginalized contributions to the discipline. Its accomplishments include, but are not limited to, its establishment of the first American school of sociology, the first sociology program to institutionalize the use of the insider researcher, the first sociology program to institutionalize the practice of method triangulation, and the first sociology program to institutionalize the acknowledgment of limitations in its publications. Despite these accomplishments, the Atlanta Sociological Laboratory remains unknown to most professional sociologists. This article examines why the accomplishments of this school should be incorporated into the sociology curriculum, where this school should be incorporated into the sociology curriculum, and how this school can be incorporated int...
Nonspecific, Reversible Inhibition of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels by CaMKII Inhibitor CK59

Investigation of kinase-related processes often uses pharmacological inhibition to reveal pathways in which kinases are involved. However, one concern about using such kinase inhibitors is their potential lack of specificity. Here, we report that the calcium–calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor CK59 inhibited multiple voltage-gated calcium channels, including the L-type channel during depolarization in a dose-dependent manner. The use of another CaMKII inhibitor, cell-permeable autocamtide-2 related inhibitory peptide II (Ant-AIP-II), failed to similarly decrease calcium current or entry in hippocampal cultures, as shown by ratiometric calcium imaging and whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology. Notably, inhibition due to CK59 was reversible; washout of the drug brought calcium levels back to control values upon depolarization. Furthermore, the IC50 for CK59 was approximately 50 μM, which is only fivefold larger than the reported IC50 values for CaMKII inhibition. Similar nonspecific actions of other CaMKII inhibitors KN93 and KN62 have previously been reported. In the case of all three kinase inhibitors, the IC50 for calcium current inhibition falls near that of CaMKII inhibition. Our findings demonstrate that CK59 attenuates activity of voltage-gated calcium channels, and thus provide more evidence for caution when relying on pharmacological inhibition to examine kinase-dependent phenomena.
Real time vergence control

Binocular robots whose camera can be independently directed require some mechanism for aiming both cameras at the same world point. The authors describe a mechanism for verging the cameras of the Rochester Robot in real time. The mechanism consists of a discrete control loop driven by an algorithm that estimates a single disparity from the two cameras. Two algorithms for disparity estimation are presented. The first uses the cepstral-transform approach of Y. Yeshuran and E.L. Schwartz (1987), and it is argued that, in this application, the cepstrum is best understood as autocorrelation with an adaptive filter that acts to sharpen peaks in the autocorrelation image. It is also shown that qualitatively similar filters have similar effects, with the limiting case being equivalent to deconvolution. Efficient real-time implementations of the cepstral and deconvolution approaches are described. >
Superconductivity Due to Negative-U Impurities

We review our recent work on induced superconductivity due to negative-U impurities. Results have been obtained by a new method that combines Monte Carlo simulation with diagrammatic techniques. We discuss their possible relevance for the copper oxide high-Tc materials.
Re-examining the functional diversity–performance relationship: The roles of behavioral integration, team cohesion, and team learning

Abstract The role of cross-functional teams has been a topic of discussion for years. This study develops a theoretical model that extends prior research by exploring how functional diversity influences team performance through team cohesion and team learning. In addition, the model examines the conditions (team behavioral integration) under which the expected negative nonlinear relationship between functional diversity and team cohesion is mitigated. Hypotheses were tested using longitudinal data from 45 teams working on a semester-long simulation. The findings not only supported the moderating role of team behavioral integration in the relationship between functional diversity and team cohesion, but also revealed support for the mediating hypothesis of team learning on the team cohesion–team performance relationship. Overall, this study addresses a prior research gap by clarifying why (the underlying processes) and when (context) functional diversity leads to higher team performance.
Transfer of Lymph Node Cells to Recipient Rabbits Pre-Injected with Blood Leucocytes of Donors.†

SummaryAs observed in previous studies the transfer to irradiated recipient rabbits of donor lymph node cells incubated in vitro with soluble antigenic material derived from Shigella paradysenteriae was followed by the appearance of agglutinins to these bacilli in the sera of the recipients. If, 4–6 days prior to cell transfer, the recipients were injected intradermally with leucocytes obtained from blood or from peritoneal exudates of the donors, agglutinins failed to appear in the recipients' sera, or appeared in low titer. This effect could be brought about consistently with the pre-injection of 106 to 100 × 106 leucocytes; not by the pre-injection of rabbit erythrocytes or of leucocytes of horse, cow and chicken blood; and occasionally by the pre-injection of human blood leucocytes.
The Martial Imagination: Cultural Aspects of American Warfare Jimmy L. Bryan Jr., Editor. College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 2013.

The Martial Imagination: Cultural Aspects of American Warfare Jimmy L. Bryan Jr., Editor. College Station: Texas AM the US Army multicultural advertisements of the 1970s (by Jeremy K. Saucier); the regaling of the Texas Rangers while overlooking the brutality of frontier violence (by Jimmy L. …
Silicon-fluorine chemistry—VIII: The reaction of silicon difluoride with iodine and the properties of some iodofluorosilanes

Abstract The reaction of silicon difluoride with iodine has been studied. The products obtained were iodotrifluorosilane and diiododifluorosilane. The mass spectra, i.r. spectra and NMR spectra of these two compounds have been recorded.
Alterations in neuron morphology in mucopolysaccharidosis type I. A Golgi study.

Morphological changes in neurons with inborn defects of the lysosomal hydrolase, α-l-iduronidase, and with concomitant storage of glycosaminoglycans, were evaluated by Golgi staining in two animal models and compared to a similar study of a child with the same disease. Cortical pyramidal neurons in feline mucopolysaccharidosis type I often displayed axon hillock enlargements (meganeurites) and/or ectopic, secondary neuritic processes sprouting from this same region of the cell. The latter structures were prominent and often appeared longer than similar neurites reported in other neuronal storage discases. Although most meganeurites were aspiny, a few were observed which possessed spine-like processes or neurites. Other than these morphological changes in cortical pyramidal neurons, few other cell types displayed abnormalities demonstrable by Golgi impregnation. In the canine model of this disorder, abnormal Golgi-impregnated cortical neurons resembled more closely those seen in human mucopolysaccharidosis. That is, they possessed meganeurites which typically were aspiny in appearance. Ectopic neurite growth was not observed on any Golgi-impregnated neurons in the cases of canine or human mucopolysaccharidosis used in this study. The latter finding given the advanced ages of these cases, is consistent with the view that ectopic neuritogenesis seen in neuronal storage diseases may be subject to a developmental window, albeit one open well beyond the period of early postnatal maturation.
Calcium-dependent chloride secretion across cultures of human tracheal surface epithelium and glands

Surface epithelium and gland cells from human trachea were cultured on porous-bottom inserts and loaded with fura 2 to permit measurement of the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). Short-circuit current (Isc), an index of transepithelial active ion transport, was measured on cells from the same cultures. Surface epithelial [Ca2+]i of 82 +/- 15 nM was increased transiently by isoproterenol, histamine, and bradykinin with maximal increases of 88 +/- 17, 480 +/- 149, and 978 +/- 214 nM (n = 15), respectively. Baseline [Ca2+]i in cultured gland cells of 68 +/- 11 nM was increased transiently by isoproterenol, histamine, methacholine, and bradykinin with maximal increases of 105 +/- 19, 233 +/- 47, 327 +/- 121, and 634 +/- 151 nM (n = 17-21), respectively. In both cell types, mediators that increased [Ca2+]i also increased Isc with a time course identical to the increase in [Ca2+]i. Pretreatment with the calcium chelator, 1,2-bis-(2-aminophenoxy)ethane N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA-AM), had no effect on basal Isc or transepithelial resistance but markedly inhibited both the Isc and [Ca2+]i responses to agonists. Forskolin (10(-5) M), 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (10(-3) M), dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (10(-3) M), and 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP (10(-3) M) had no or only trivial effects on Isc and [Ca2+]i. We suggest that mediators increase Isc across human airway epithelium by activating Ca-dependent basolateral K channels, resulting in hyperpolarization and an increased driving force for Cl exit through apical membrane Cl channels.
A Pb2+-binding polychelatogen derived from thionated lactide

The synthesis and characterization of a polychelatogen derived from thionated lactide is reported. The four step synthesis from L-LA requires thionation and thia-Diels–Alder steps to afford a highly strained spiro-lactone adduct that is amenable to ring-opening metathesis polymerization. Saponification of the polymer affords a polyanion that exhibits a high affinity for toxic Pb2+ in aqueous solutions, results that we attribute to thioether and hydroxy carboxylate chelating moieties that are integrated into the polymer backbone and residues respectively.
Pediatric Transplant Bone Disease

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the organ-specific epidemiology of pediatric solid-organ transplantation, the skeletal impacts of the underlying disease and subsequent transplant complications. 90% of peak bone mass is established by 18 years of age. This rapid accumulation of bone mass correlates with the rate of growth and requires the coordinated actions of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-I, and sex steroids. Individuals with higher peak bone mass in early adulthood have a protective advantage against fracture when the inexorable decline in bone mass associated with older age or menopause occurs. Pediatric transplant recipients have multiple risk factors for impaired bone development, including pre-existing metabolic bone disease, poor growth, delayed development, malnutrition, decreased weight-bearing activity, chronic inflammation, and immunosuppressive therapies. The impact of these threats to bone health may be immediate, resulting in fragility fractures. The chapter discusses the classification of bone health in children and adolescents and the advantages and disadvantages of available technologies for the assessment of bone in children and adolescents. It reviews selected studies that describe the difficulties in assessing and interpreting bone measures in pediatric transplantation and discusses potential therapies. Currently, the prevention of bone disease is best accomplished by providing adequate, but not excessive, calcium and vitamin D stores, and by encouraging physical activity prior to and after transplantation along with using the minimum effective glucocorticoid dose.
Examining the Relationship Between the Structural Characteristics of Place and Crime by Imputing Census Block Data in Street Segments: Is the Pain Worth the Gain?

The current study proposes unique methods for apportioning existing census data in blocks to street segments and examines the effects of structural characteristics of street segments on crime. Also, this study tests if the effects of structural characteristics of street segments are similar with or distinct from those of blocks. This study compiled a unique dataset in which block-level structural characteristics are apportioned to street segments utilizing the 2010 U.S. Census data of the cities of Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Huntington Beach in Orange County, California. Negative binomial regression models predicting crime that include measures of social disorganization and criminal opportunities in street segments and blocks were estimated. The results show that whereas some of the coefficients tested at the street segment level are similar to those aggregated to blocks, a few were quite different (most notably, racial/ethnic heterogeneity). Additional analyses confirm that the imputation methods are generally valid compared to data actually collected at the street segment level. The results from the street segment models suggest that the structural characteristics from social disorganization and criminal opportunities theories at street segments may operate as crucial settings for crime. Also the results indicate that structural characteristics have generally similar effects on crime in street segments and blocks, yet have some distinct effects at the street segment level that may not be observable when looking at the block level. Such differences underscore the necessity of serious consideration of the issues of level of aggregation and unit of analysis when examining the structural characteristics-crime nexus.
Nanoparticle-Based Targeting and Detection of Microcavities

Although dental caries is the most prevalent oral disease worldwide, currently, many dentists continue to use the traditional mirror and probe (dental explorer) method of caries diagnosis. This method of caries detection has the drawback that it is often difficult to distinguish between active and inactive carious lesions. In this work, novel bio-based nanoparticles are developed to specifically detect active caries in vitro. The nanoparticles are made from a cationic fluorescein-labeled food-grade starch in order to fluoresce when illuminated by a standard dental curing light, and to degrade in the oral cavity into nontoxic compounds after detecting the active carious lesion. When exposed to extracted human teeth, cationic fluorescent (+5.8 ± 1.2 mV) nanoparticles (size 101 ± 56 nm) selectively illuminate active caries, but not the healthy tooth surface. Two-photon microscopy confirms the selective binding and accumulation of cationic fluorescent nanoparticles into microscopic carious pores in enamel. These novel nanoparticles provide a unique method to assist in the early diagnosis of active carious lesions with the potential to directly impact dental treatment.
Data Security and Privacy in Apps for Dementia: An Analysis of Existing Privacy Policies

Introduction Despite tremendous growth in the number of health applications (apps), little is known about how well these apps protect their users' health-related data. This gap in knowledge is of particular concern for apps targeting people with dementia, whose cognitive impairment puts them at increased risk of privacy breaches. In this article, we determine how many dementia apps have privacy policies and how well they protect user data. Methods Our analysis included all iPhone apps that matched the search terms "medical + dementia" or "health & fitness + dementia" and collected user-generated content. We evaluated all available privacy policies for these apps based on criteria that systematically measure how individual user data is handled. Results Seventy-two apps met the above search teams and collected user data. Of these, only 33 (46%) had an available privacy policy. Nineteen of the 33 with policies (58%) were specific to the app in question, and 25 (76%) specified how individual-user as opposed to aggregate data would be handled. Among these, there was a preponderance of missing information, the majority acknowledged collecting individual data for internal purposes, and most admitted to instances in which they would share user data with outside parties. Conclusions At present, the majority of health apps focused on dementia lack a privacy policy, and those that do exist lack clarity. Bolstering safeguards and improving communication about privacy protections will help facilitate consumer trust in apps, thereby enabling more widespread and meaningful use by people with dementia and those involved in their care.
Use of higher-nicotine/tar-yield (regular full-flavor) cigarettes is associated with nicotine dependence and smoking during pregnancy among U.S. women.

Abstract The present study examined full-flavor cigarette use among women of reproductive age to assess whether use is associated with greater nicotine dependence and smoking during pregnancy. We used data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2005–2014). Consecutive years were combined to assure sufficient numbers of pregnant women. We examined whether use of full-flavor cigarettes was associated with greater odds of nicotine dependence using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence and Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale (NDSS), controlling for other smoking characteristics. We next compared prevalence of smoking and use of full-flavor versus lower-yield cigarettes among non-pregnant versus pregnant women and across trimesters. Lastly, we examined whether pregnancy was associated with greater odds of using full-flavor cigarettes after controlling for potential confounders. Use of full-flavor cigarettes was associated with greater adjusted odds of nicotine dependence compared to lower yields among non-pregnant (Fagerstrom: 2.50, 95% CI: 2.32,2.70; NDSS: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.62,1.88) and pregnant (Fagerstrom: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.13,2.05; NDSS: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.12,2.10) smokers. As smoking prevalence decreased among pregnant compared to non-pregnant women (14.31 ± 0.55% versus 22.73 ± 0.17%), prevalence of using full-flavor cigarettes increased (54.82 ± 1.63% versus 38.86 ± 0.35%). Similarly, as smoking prevalence decreased from 1st to 3rd trimester (19.65 ± 1.2%, 12.50 ± 0.84%, 11.3 ± 0.83%), prevalence of using full-flavor cigarettes increased (53.12 ± 2.53%, 50.57 + 2.92%, 63.63 ± 3.19%). Overall, pregnancy was associated with 1.43 (95% CI: 1.22, 1.68) greater adjusted odds of full-flavor cigarette use. These results indicate that users of full-flavor cigarettes have greater nicotine-dependence risk and lower likelihood of quitting smoking during pregnancy, relationships with potential for serious adverse maternal-infant health impacts.
Picking up speed: public participation and local sustainability plan implementation

Although planning scholars often argue that public participation improves implementation outcomes, this relationship is rarely empirically tested. This study investigates how public engagement, during planning and after plan adoption, impacts on the speed of local government sustainability plan implementation. It includes a correlation analysis of quantized in-depth interviews with sustainability planners in 36 American cities. The study finds that individual characteristics of public engagement, both during planning and after plan adoption, had statistically significant relationships to implementation speed, but in some cases this relationship was negative. The correlations imply that sustainability planners can make strategic choices to improve implementation speed through public participation in plan creation and after plan adoption. Alternatively, planners also make choices during participatory planning that slow implementation, a problematic outcome when the ultimate goal of a planning process is on-...
Excess and Withdrawal: Critical Phenomenology and Speculative Realism

This paper takes up the problem of correlationism from a phenomenological perspective. Speculative realists, such as Quentin Meillassoux and Graham Harman, seek to establish new forms of Continental realism largely because, in their view, phenomenology cannot adequately account for the real. To counter these claims, I will use what I call a “critical phenomenological approach”, which critically delimits the real from the intentional relation, and thus makes possible a phenomenological theory of the real. This approach to realism establishes not only that the real is independent from the intentional relation but also that the intentional relation itself is contingent with regard to the real. Furthermore, it also shows that the human being is exposed to the real in an originary way that calls into question the adequacy of Meillassoux’s and Harman’s forms of realism.
Case Study: Caring for a Pakistani Male Who Has Sex with Other Men

This case study presents a male immigrant of Pakistani origin with urinary symptoms. He is married but reluctantly shares that he has occasional unprotected sex with other men. He grew up in a culture where homosexual relationships are condemned as a sin and disclosure could lead to serious consequences. He does not identify as a gay man. Culturally competent strategies for providing care to such patients and recommendations for individual, organizational and community level interventions are included.
Exercise induced arterial hypoxemia: the role of ventilation-perfusion inequality and pulmonary diffusion limitation.

Many apparently healthy individuals experience pulmonary gas exchange limitations during exercise, and the term “exercise induced arterial hypoxemia” (EIAH) has been used to describe the increase in alveolar-arterial difference for oxygen (AaDO2), which combined with a minimal alveolar hyperventilatory response, results in a reduction in arterial PO2. Despite more than two decades of research, the mechanisms of pulmonary gas exchange limitations during exercise are still debated. Using data in 166 healthy normal subjects collated from several previously published studies it can be shown that ∼20% of the variation in PaO2 between individuals can be explained on the basis of variations in alveolar ventilation, whereas variations in AaDO2 explain ∼80%. Using multiple inert gas data the relative contributions of ventilation-perfusion (“\( \dot V_A /\dot Q \) ”) inequality and diffusion limitation to the AaDO2 can be assessed. During maximal exercise, both in individuals with minimal (AaDO2 < 20 Torr, x = 13±5, means ±SD, n = 35) and moderate to severe (AaDO2= 25–40 Torr, x = 33±6, n = 20) gas exchange limitations, \( \dot V_A /\dot Q \) inequality is an important contributor to the AaDO2. However, in subjects with minimal gas exchange impairment, \( \dot V_A /\dot Q \) inequality accounts for virtually all of the AaDO2 (12±6 Torr), whereas in subjects with moderate to severe gas exchange impairment it accounts for less than 50% of the AaDO2 (15±6 Torr). Using this framework, the difficulties associated with unraveling the mechanisms of pulmonary gas exchange limitations during exercise are explored, and current data discussed.
A multi-objective gp-pso hybrid algorithm for gene regulatory network modeling

Stochastic algorithms are widely used in various modeling and optimization problems. Evolutionary algorithms are one class of population-based stochastic approaches that are inspired from Darwinian evolutionary theory. A population of candidate solutions is initialized at the first generation of the algorithm. Two variation operators, crossover and mutation, that mimic the real world evolutionary process, are applied on the population to produce new solutions from old ones. Selection based on the concept of survival of the fittest is used to preserve parent solutions for next generation. Examples of such algorithms include genetic algorithm (GA) and genetic programming (GP). Nevertheless, other stochastic algorithms may be inspired from animals’ behavior such as particle swarm optimization (PSO), which imitates the cooperation of a flock of birds. In addition, stochastic algorithms are able to address multi-objective optimization problems by using the concept of dominance. Accordingly, a set of solutions that do not dominate each other will be obtained, instead of just one best solution. This thesis proposes a multi-objective GP-PSO hybrid algorithm to recover gene regulatory network models that take environmental data as stimulus input. The algorithm infers a model based on both phenotypic and gene expression data. The proposed approach is able to simultaneously infer network structures and estimate their associated parameters, instead of doing one or the other iteratively as other algorithms need to. In addition, a non-dominated sorting approach and an adaptive histogram method based on the hypergrid strategy are adopted to address ‘convergence’ and ‘diversity’ issues in multi-objective optimization. Gene network models obtained from the proposed algorithm are compared to a synthetic network, which mimics key features of Arabidopsis flowering control system, visually and numerically. Data predicted by the model are compared to synthetic data, to verify that they are able to closely approximate the available phenotypic and gene expression data. At the end of this thesis, a novel breeding strategy, termed network assisted selection, is proposed as an extension of our hybrid approach and application of obtained models for plant breeding. Breeding simulations based on network assisted selection are compared to one common breeding strategy, marker assisted selection. The results show that NAS is better both in terms of breeding speed and final phenotypic level.
Antioxidant-Inducible Genes

Publisher Summary Antioxidants inhibit the propagation of free radical reactions. Because of their widespread use as preservatives in processed foods, their biochemical effects have been investigated. Early feeding studies indicated that butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) increased liver weight, induced proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and elevated several hepatic microsomal mono-oxygenase activities typical of phase 1 metabolism. In addition to phase1, antioxidants also induce phase2 xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes. Phase2 enzymes detoxify activated electrophilic metabolites of xenobiotics via conjugation of endogenous substrates such as glutathione (GSH). Antioxidants act to directly terminate the propagation of free radical reactions, and increase the activity of enzymes those readily metabolize and aid in the elimination of potential cytotoxic chemicals. Dietary administration of antioxidants induced phase 2 xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes. Induction of phase 2 enzymes by antioxidants was found in many organs and tissues, such as liver, lung, kidney, small intestine, colon, and spleen, thereby affording protection at many anatomical sites .This chapter presents evidence for several newly identified antioxidant-inducible genes, describes the proposed mechanisms of antioxidant signal transduction leading to enhanced expression of these enzymes, and complements the information presented in related reviews concerning the mechanisms and consequences of induction of phase 2 xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes by antioxidants. The chapter discusses the genes induced by antioxidants—cytochrome P450s, Glutathione, S-transferases, NAD(P)H: quinone reductase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferases, microsomal epoxide hydrolase, aflatoxin BI-aldehyde reductase, dihydrodiol dehydrogenases, aldehyde dehydrogenases, enzymes of glutathione and reduced nicotinamide metabolism, and other proteins and enzymes. The chapter delves into the mechanisms of gene induction by antioxidants—the antioxidant-response element (ARE), proteins binding and signal transduction through the ARE—and the consequences of antioxidant gene induction. The regulation of antioxidant-inducible genes helps understand the signals leading to cellular transformation and carcinogenesis. Antioxidants can be used to decipher the encrypted signal transduction pathways that prevent cell transformation and carcinogenesis.
Keeping up on Current Events! A Case Study of Newcomers to Wikipedia

Online production communities such as Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap play an important role in connecting the public with major events in society. The popularity of a major event, together with the popularity of online communities brings the general public to collaborate on and co-create knowledge about the event. The high level of interest in capturing what draws the attention of society can particularly help online production communities meet one of the essential challenges they face: attracting and retaining newcomers. In this work, we explore how newcomers in such communities respond to knowledge production around major societal events. Analysis of the participation of 506 newcomers to Wikipedia articles related to three highly popular events shows that the popularity of the events attracts a new wave of users to the online community. These newcomers provide valuable contributions to the community, however, at a differing level depending on their initial motivation and experiences. Those participants who joined the online community solely to contribute to one topic or event are more likely to face challenges in contribution and leave Wikipedia after limited contribution. We discuss factors and patterns of newcomers’ early and longer-term participation in Wikipedia in relation to three popular events.
Rotational spectra of the low energy conformers observed in the (1R)-(−)-myrtenol monomer

Abstract The microwave spectrum of the chiral monoterpenol molecule, (1R)-(−)-myrtenol, has been observed using CP-FTMW spectroscopy in the 6–18 GHz region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Transitions linked to three conformers of the primary alcohol group were experimentally observed, while no conformers associated with changes to the bicyclic cage were detected. The most numerous and intense transitions correspond with the global minimum structure predicted by both Density Functional Theory (DFT) and ab initio calculations. The second moments of inertia predicted by DFT were found to agree very well with those determined experimentally for all three conformers. However, an empirical correction for dispersion was required for the DFT calculations before the energetic ordering of the conformers matched those predicted by ab initio calculations. This also placed the ordering in agreement with that suggested by the experimental spectrum.
The Deposition and Alteration History of the Northeast Syrtis Major Layered Sulfates

Ancient stratigraphy on Isidis Basins western margin records the history of water on early Mars. Noachian units are overlain by layered, basaltic-composition sedimentary rocks that are enriched in polyhydrated sulfates and capped by more resistant units. The layered sulfates – uniquely exposed at northeast Syrtis Major – comprise a sedimentary sequence up to 600-m thick that has undergone a multi-stage history of deposition, alteration, and erosion. Siliciclastic sediments enriched in polyhydrated sulfates are bedded at m-scale and were deposited on slopes up to 10o, embaying and thinning against pre-existing Noachian highlands around the Isidis basin rim. The layered sulfates were modified by volume-loss fracturing during diagenesis. Resultant fractures hosted channelized flow and jarosite mineral precipitation to form resistant ridges upon erosion. The structural form of the layered sulfates is consistent with packages of sediment fallen from either atmospheric or aqueous suspension; coupling with substantial diagenetic volume-loss may favor deepwater basin sedimentation. After formation, the layered sulfates were capped by a "smooth capping unit" and then eroded to form paleovalleys. Hesperian Syrtis Major lavas were channelized by this paleotopography, capping it in some places and filling it in others. Later fluvial features and phyllosilicate-bearing lacustrine deposits, sharing a regional base level of ~-2300 m, were superimposed on the sulfate-lava stratigraphy. The layered sulfates suggest surface bodies of water and active groundwater upwelling during the Noachian–Hesperian transition. The northeast Syrtis Major stratigraphy records at least four distinct phases of surface and subsurface aqueous activity spanning from late Noachian to early Amazonian time.
Professional Networks, Early Fundraising, and Electoral Success

The academic literature has generally found the effect of money on election outcomes to be marginal. This is likely because they have looked in the wrong places. The literature has yet to examine the effects of early fundraising on election outcomes in partisan primaries, which are increasingly where candidates are being selected. This paper investigates both the determinants and effects of early fundraising on candidate selection. It finds that professional networks strongly influence early fundraising outcomes, which in turn advantages candidates from certain professions -- particularly lawyers. Given the findings, I discuss the implications for reform and propose funding political scholarships as a mechanism to correct for representational imbalances.