cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quadrature Duobinary Modulation and Detection Achieving 2Bit/s/Hz Spectral Efficiency to Reduce DSP Resource Requirement

In this paper, we use quadrature duobinary coding to significantly reduce the overall FPGA resources required for digital signal processing (DSP) in a frequency-division multiplexed (FDM) optical system while achieving 2bit/s/Hz spectral efficiency. With conventional quadrature phased shift keying (QPSK) scheme, an ideal Nyquist filter with sharp edges has to be used to achieve 2bits/s/Hz spectral efficiency, and the high order digital filter requires tremendous resources in implementation using FPGA. The high spectral concentration of Quadrature Duobinary (QDB) coding greatly relaxes the requirement on the filter frequency selectivity, allowing FIR filter with much lower order to be used to achieve the same spectral efficiency. We compare the performance of QDB with QPSK and we show that with minor changes in transmitter design, 2bit/s/Hz spectral efficiency can be achieved with much reduced resource requirement for digital signal processing.
The isolated perfused liver. a new model using autologous blood and porcine slaughterhouse organs.

Abstract Introduction: Current models of isolated and perfused livers are limited by nonphysiologic perfusates or the need for the use of high numbers of laboratory animals. The present study was performed in order to rectify these difficulties. Methods: To establish a new isolated perfused liver model, a perfusion circuit was developed using normothermic, autologous hemoperfusion and organs obtained from a slaughterhouse. Results: Stable organ function was maintained over 220 min. The organs displayed physiologic values for measured variables, including oxygen consumption which varied from 5.2±1.5 ml/min at 40 min to 5.2±2.4 ml/min at 220 min, and bile production (0.15–0.31 ml/min, respectively). Discussion: The present studies demonstrate a new approach for experimental liver perfusion by combining the optimal perfusion medium of autologous blood and slaughterhouse organs as source material.
Leber hereditary optic neuropathy: how do mitochondrial DNA mutations cause degeneration of the optic nerve?

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is an inherited form of bilateral optic atrophy in which the primary etiological event is a mutation in the mitochondrial genome. The optic neuropathy involves a loss of central vision due to degeneration of the retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve axons that subserve central vision. The primary mitochondrial mutation is necessary—but not sufficient—for development of the optic neuropathy, and secondary genetic and/or epigenetic risk factors must also be present although they are poorly defined at the present time. There is broad agreement that mutations at nucleotides 3460, 11778, and 14484 are primary LHON mutations, but there may also be other rare primary mutations. It appears that the three primary LHON mutations are associated with respiratory chain dysfunction, but the derangements may be relatively subtle. There is also debate on whether there are mitochondrial mutations that have a secondary etiological or pathogenic role in LHON. The specific pattern of the optic neuropathy may arise from a “chokepoint” in the optic nerve in the region of the nerve head and lamina cribosa, and which may be more severe in those LHON family members who become visually affected. It is hypothesized that the respiratory chain dysfunction leads to axoplasmic stasis and swelling, thereby blocking ganglion cell function and causing loss of vision. In some LHON patients, this loss of function is reversible in a substantial number of ganglion cells, but in others, a cell death pathway (probably apoptotic) is activated with subsequent extensive degeneration of the retinal ganglion cell layer and optic nerve.
The role of translanguaging in establishing school belonging for emergent multilinguals

ABSTRACTBilingual education can promote a sense of school belonging for students through a shared valuing of students’ home languages and cultures. This article explores how bilingual education con...
Diagnosis and Management of Anomalous Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery in an Asymptomatic Infant

Anomalous origin of the left anterior descending coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is a rare variant of anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. We report on a seemingly asymptomatic patient with ALADCAPA and a small restrictive muscular ventricular septal defect diagnosed by echocardiogram in the neonatal period. Our patient underwent elective repair at 3.5 months of age after which feeding and growth improved dramatically. Multimodality imaging is helpful to confirm this rare anomaly; however, echocardiographic clues including lack of left coronary branching or an abnormal coronary course should raise suspicion for ALADCAPA. This case provides support for early repair in children with an incidental finding of this anomaly as subclinical ischemia may be under-recognized by available testing but may lead to symptoms later in life.
Conditional Long-Term Survival after Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma.

ABSTRACT Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) is standard therapy for patients with chemosensitive, relapsed, diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We performed a retrospective cohort study to delineate subsequent (conditional) and relative survival in 371 adult patients with DLBCL who underwent AHCT between 2000 and 2014 and had survived for 1, 2, 3, or 5 years after transplant. The probability of overall survival at 10 years after AHCT was 62%, 71%, 77%, and 86%, respectively, for the 4 cohorts, whereas that of progression-free survival (PFS) was 55%, 65%, 72%, and 81%, respectively. The respective cumulative incidence of nonrelapse mortality (NRM) at 10 years after transplantation was 13%, 12%, 11%, and 8%, respectively. In multivariable analysis, older age was associated with greater mortality risk among all but 5-year survivors; relapse within the landmark time was associated with greater mortality risk in all groups. Older age and relapse within the landmark time were associated with worse PFS in all groups. Standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was significantly higher than an age-, gender-, and race-matched general population, with the magnitude of SMR decreasing as the landmark time increased (4.0 for 1-year, 3.0 for 2-year, 2.4 for 3-year, and 1.8 for 5-year survivors). Our study provides information on long-term survival and prognosis that will assist in counseling patients with DLBCL who have received AHCT. Survival improves with longer time in remission post-transplant, although patients continue to remain at risk for NRM, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and prevention of late complications.
The Toxin Cercosporin is a Virulence Factor for Infection of Coffee by Cercospora coffeicola

ABSTRACT Brown eye spot, caused by Cercospora coffeicola, causes significant losses in both quality and quantity of coffee production. As many Cercospora spp. produce the photoactivated toxin cercosporin, this study aimed to determine the role of cercosporin in C. coffeicola pathogenesis by creating disruption mutants unable to produce the toxin. Six C. coffeicola isolates from Brazilian fields, representing organic and conventional production systems in the Minas Gerais state, were evaluated for their ability to produce cercosporin in vitro. Toxin production varied among isolates, ranging from 3.5 – 25.3 µM/ 5 mm mycelial plug; production was undetectable in one isolate. The C. coffeicola homolog of the polyketide synthase gene (CTB1) involved in cercosporin production was amplified using a degenerate primer strategy. The 7044 nt ccCTB1 gene sequence was 90.3% identical to the cnCTB1 gene in Cercospora nicotianae and encoded a putative protein of 2196 amino acids with 98.2% similarity and 97.5% identity to its counterpart in C. nicotianae. Transformation of two isolates of C. coffeicola with a CTB1 disruption construct resulted in the recovery of six ctb1 disruption mutants. All of the ctb1 disruptants were deficient in cercosporin production. Disruption mutants did not differ significantly from the wild type for either growth or sporulation, but were significantly altered in virulence on coffee. As compared to wild type, time to lesion development was significantly increased and numbers of lesions were significantly decreased in coffee plants inoculated with ctb1 disruption mutants. These results show that cercosporin toxin is a virulence factor for C. coffeicola infection of coffee.
Clinical and genetic analysis of a case with atypical ethyl malonate encephalopathy

Objective To delineate the clinical and genetic characteristics of a girl featuring motor retardation, language retardation and regression, and light persisting diarrhea. Methods The patient was clinically examined and tested by tandem mass spectrometry and next generation sequencing. Results The proband could not stand and walk alone, and had light persisting diarrhea. She manifested language development retardation and regression. Laboratory tests were all normal, but the screening of metabolic disorders for urine and blood showed deficiency of short chain coenzyme A dehydrogenase due to elevated ethylmalonic acid and butyryl carnitine. By next generation sequencing, two compound heterozygous mutations of the ETHE1 gene, c. 2T>A and c. 488G>A, were discovered in the proband, which were respectively inherited from her father and mother. Bioinformatics analysis predicted both mutations to be pathogenic. The patient was diagnosed with ethylmalonic encephalopathy. Vitamin B1, B2, Coenzyme Q10, and L-carnitine were prescribed. The patient deteriorated and required liver transplantation at 4-year-1-month. Conclusion Based on the clinical and genetic analysis, the proband was diagnosed with ethylmalonic encephalopathy caused by ETHE1 gene mutation. Next generation sequencing has provided a powerful tool for the diagnosis of such disorders. Key words: Ethylmalonic encephalopathy; ETHE1 gene; Next generation sequencing
The role of physical activity in the obesity epidemic

Abstract Overweight and obesity are significant public health concerns and are associated with numerous health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and some forms of cancer. Obesity develops when calories consumed exceed energy expenditure, but the disease process is complex and different genetic and environmental factors contribute.
Long-Term Physical Health Consequences of Financial and Marital Stress in Middle-Aged Couples.

Objective To examine psychological health as a mechanism linking economic pressure and marital instability in the early middle years to poor physical health in later life. Background Although previous research suggests that sustained stressful marital experience may lead to mental and physical health problems, little is known about how contextual factors, such as economic pressure, impact marital outcomes, and how changes in marital attributes influence health outcomes in a longitudinal and dyadic context. Method Utilizing an actor-partner interdependence model within a latent growth curve approach and prospective data from couples in enduring marriages, we examined the associations between family economic pressure, marital instability, and mental health over their early middle years (1989-1994) and subsequent physical health in later adulthood (2015). Analyses assessed a couple-level pathway and an individual pathway involving within-spouse and between-spouse effects. Results During the middle years, family financial difficulties were linked to reduced marital stability, which was associated with increased mental health challenges. The findings also reinforced the salient role of psychological distress for subsequent physical health outcomes as husbands' and wives' anxiety symptoms over their early middle years contributed to declines in their physical health outcomes in later adulthood. A partner effect was noted between husbands' anxiety and wives' physical health. Conclusion For couples, experiences of financial and marital stress in their early middle years can have long-lasting detrimental impacts on their physical health in later adulthood.
Counting human chromosomes before 1960: preconceptions, perceptions and predilections.

In 1956 the biomedical world was surprised to hear a report that human cells each contained forty six chromosomes, rather than the forty eight count that had been documented since the 1920s. Applic...
Is stressor-evoked cardiovascular reactivity a pathway linking positive and negative emotionality to preclinical cardiovascular disease risk?

Stressor-evoked cardiovascular reactivity, trait positive emotionality, and negative emotionality are all associated with cardiovascular disease. It is unknown, however, whether cardiovascular reactivity may constitute a pathway by which trait positive or negative emotionality relates to disease risk. Accordingly, this study modeled the cross-sectional relationships between trait positive and negative emotionality, stressor-evoked cardiovascular reactivity, and severity of a subclinical vascular marker of cardiovascular risk, carotid artery intima-media thickness (CA-IMT). The sample consisted of healthy, midlife adults free from clinical cardiovascular disease (N = 286; ages 30-54; 50% female). Trait positive and negative emotionality were measured by three questionnaires. Heart rate and blood pressure reactivity were assessed across three stressor tasks. CA-IMT was assessed by ultrasonography. Latent factors of positive and negative emotionality, blood pressure reactivity, heart rate reactivity, and CA-IMT were created using structural equation modeling. Greater negative emotionality was marginally associated with more CA-IMT (β = .21; p = .049), but lower blood pressure reactivity (β = -.19; p = .03). However, heightened blood pressure (β = .21; p = .03), but not heart rate reactivity (β = -.05; p = .75), associated with greater CA-IMT. Positive emotionality was uncorrelated with cardiovascular reactivity (blood pressure: β = -.04; p = .61; heart rate: β = .16; p = .11) and CA-IMT (β = .16; p = .07). Although trait negative emotionality associates with a known marker of cardiovascular disease risk, independent of positive emotionality, it is unlikely to occur via a stressor-evoked cardiovascular reactivity pathway.
Emotion and Political Polarization

Political polarization is a major source of conflict in multiparty democracies, and there is evidence that it is on the rise (Abramowitz and Saunders, The Journal of Politics 70, 542–555, 2008). Polarization can be analyzed as an emotional phenomenon. First, it is governed by negative feelings towards members of opposing political factions (Kimball et al. 2018; Skitka et al., Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 88, 895–917, 2005). Members of opposing political factions regard each other with contempt, fear, and disgust, among other negative feelings. Second, it is associated with ideologies: beliefs that are held with a degree of passion that is disproportionate to the available reasons (Jost and Amodio, Motivation and Emotion 36 (1), 55–64, 2012). Third, and less obviously, polarization relates to moral identity—a construct that has an important relationship to emotions. There is evidence that polarization can be impacted by partisanship above and beyond ideology, and partisanship is linked to construction of the self (Iyengar et al., Public Opinion Quarterly 76, 405–431, 2012; Mason, American Journal of Political Science 59, 128–145, 2015). That is, people who identify with a party sometimes come to see the dictates of that party as authoritative, independent of the political beliefs that happen to hold. Such political identification often comes to be seen as core to one’s personal identity (Prinz and Nichols, Diachronic Identity and the Moral Self. In: Handbook of the Social Mind, ed. J. Kiverstein, 449–464. New York: Routledge, 2016). Self-construction, in turn, is enforced by emotions, including, for example, the anxiety associated with losing one’s identity. Here, links between emotion and polarization are explored, touching on related issues such as echo chambers, moral panics, and xenophobia.
Effects of Cognitive Restructuring and Defusion for Coping with Difficult Thoughts in a Predominantly White Female College Student Sample

Understanding how cognitive processes are naturally used by untrained individuals in the moment to cope with difficult thoughts may help inform effective and efficient interventions. This study investigated self-reported naturalistic use of two evidence-based processes, cognitive restructuring and cognitive defusion, in an untrained, predominantly White female college student sample (n = 194) through ecological momentary assessments over seven days. Cognitive restructuring and defusion had a large positive relationship. Both processes were also positively associated with increased momentary use of suppression and distraction. Only momentary defusion was associated with decreased rumination and negative affect at the same timepoint, while both defusion and restructuring were associated with positive affect and increased values progress at the same timepoint. Momentary defusion predicted later values progress, but only among those with low distress. Overall, results suggest that both cognitive restructuring and cognitive defusion are used in a nonclinical, untrained population, that both processes are overall beneficial when used in the moment, and that defusion may be particularly relevant to certain aims such as lower rumination or values progress across time points. Replication among clinical and more diverse populations is needed.
Acromioclavicular Joint Separation in UEFA Soccer Players: A Matched-Cohort Analysis of Return to Play and Player Performance From 1999 to 2018.

Background:Acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) separation injuries are uncommon in professional soccer players, threatening future performance and team contributions. Data regarding return to play (RTP) ...
Ann and Knowledge-Based Approaches for Microwave Design

Two approaches that are likely play significant roles in the future developments of RF, microwave and millimeter-wave CAD are: (i) modeling and optimization based on artificial neural network (ANN) computing, and (ii) use of knowledge-based techniques for development of initial design and also for design training/instruction activities. This article reviews these two areas as relevant to RF and higher frequency CAD.
Navigating the "Seven C's": Curiosity, Confirmation, Comparison, Changing, Collaborating, Critiquing, and Combinations

It is important for researchers to establish a research posture (i.e., the relationship a researcher wants to have with his or her subject or other) (Wolcott, 1992) and making subsequent methodological choices in which all cohere and are consistent with the ascribed posture. By keeping things plumb in this manner, researchers can greatly increase the chances that their projects will be internally coherent and imminently more do-able than those studies which grow out-of-alignment. A method for assessing research posture, the "Seven C's," is presented and a series of questions are introduced to help researchers match their postures with particular research methodologies. This article is available in The Qualitative Report: http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol4/iss3/8 Navigating the "Seven C's": Curiosity, Confirmation, Comparison, Changing, Collaborating, Critiquing, and Combinations by Ronald J. Chenail The Qualitative Report, Volume 4, Numbers 3 & 4, March, 2000
Search for Higgs Bosons in SUSY Cascade Decays and Neutralino Dark Matter

The minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model (MSSM) is a well-motivated theoretical framework, which contains an extended Higgs sector, including a light Higgs with standard model-like properties in most of the parameter space. Because of the large QCD background, searches for such a Higgs, decaying into a pair of bottom quarks, are very challenging at the LHC. It has been long realized that the situation may be ameliorated by searching for Higgs bosons in supersymmetric decay chains. Moreover, it has been recently suggested that the b{bar b} decay channel may be observed in standard production channels by selecting boosted Higgs bosons, which may be easily identified from the QCD background. Such boosted Higgs bosons are frequent in the MSSM, since they are produced from decays of heavy colored supersymmetric particles. Previous works have emphasized the possibility of observing boosted Higgs bosons in the light Higgsino region. In this work, we study the same question in the regions of parameter space consistent with a neutralino dark matter relic density, analyzing its dependence on the nonstandard Higgs boson, slepton, and squark masses, as well as on the condition of gaugino mass unification. In general, we conclude that, provided sleptons are heaviermore » than the second lightest neutralinos, the presence of boosted Higgs is a common MSSM feature, implying excellent prospects for observation of the light MSSM Higgs boson in the near future.« less
Role of interference thresholds for spectrum management

This paper describes and motivates the application of a harm claim threshold, a means of defining the amount of interference to be tolerated at a receiver. The author propose a method to move this concept from theory to practice through a series of radio experiments combined with economic analysis. The intention of adopting this threshold approach is to establish a more efficient use of the radio spectrum while providing a means for resolving or preventing disputes. Such resolution could include a bargaining process among the associated parties.
Sea Level Change

The level of the oceans has risen and fallen many times in the geological past. Keywords: transgression; regression; eustasy; sequence stratigraphy; greenhouse climate
Preschool Children's Emotional Expressions with Peers: The Roles of Gender and Emotion Socialization.

This study examined whether mothers and fathers reported using different emotion socialization strategies and whether these differences were related to preschoolers' gender and emotional expressiveness during peer play. Ninety percent of the children were Caucasian, 6% were Asian-American, and 4% were Mexican-American. The positive expressive behavior of 82 preschoolers participating in two conflict eliciting situations with two same gender peers were coded. The scores for the two sessions were averaged. All of the mothers and 63 of the fathers were administered three emotion socialization questionnaires. Results revealed that girls expressed more positive emotion than boys. In addition, mothers and fathers also reported using different emotion socialization practices and, in some cases, this was dependent upon their child's gender. The findings also showed that mothers' and fathers' reports of emotion socialization practices were differentially related to children's emotionally expressive behavior during peer play. In addition, fathers' emotion socialization practices accounted for unique variance in children's emotionally expressive behavior over and above that explained by the maternal emotion socialization variables. These findings highlight the importance of mothers' and fathers' emotion socialization practices for preschoolers' emotional competence in emotionally challenging situations with peers.
The effects of asymmetry on TCP performance

In this paper, we study the effects of network asymmetry on end-to-end TCP performance and suggest techniques to improve it. The networks investigated in this study include a wireless cable modem network and a packet radio network, both of which can form an important part of a mobile ad hoc network. In recent literature (e.g., [18]), asymmetry has been considered in terms of a mismatch in bandwidths in the two directions of a data transfer. We generalize this notion of bandwidth asymmetry to other aspects of asymmetry, such as latency and media-access, and packet error rate, which are common in wide-area wireless networks. Using a combination of experiments on real networks and simulation, we analyze TCP performance in such networks where the throughput achieved is not solely a function of the link and traffic characteristics in the direction of data transfer (the forward direction), but depends significantly on the reverse direction as well. We focus on bandwidth and latency asymmetries, and propose and evaluate several techniques to improve end-to-end performance. These include techniques to decrease the rate of acknowledgments on the constrained reverse channel (ack congestion control and ack filtering), techniques to reduce source burstiness when acknowledgments are infrequent (TCP sender adaptation), and algorithms at the reverse bottleneck router to schedule data and acks differently from FIFO (acks-first scheduling).
Two-dimensional left ventricular deformation during systole using magnetic resonance imaging with spatial modulation of magnetization.

BACKGROUNDMyocardial tissue tagging with the use of magnetic resonance imaging allows noninvasive regional analysis of heart wall motion and deformation. However, any evaluation of the effect of disease or treatment requires a baseline reference of normal values and variation. We studied the two-dimensional motion of material points imaged within the left ventricular wall using spatial modulation of magnetization (SPAMM) in 12 normal human volunteers.METHODS AND RESULTSFive parallel short-axis and five parallel long-axis slices were acquired at five times during systole. SPAMM tags were generated at end diastole using a 7-mm grid. Intersection point data were analyzed for displacement, rotation, and torsion, and triangles of points were analyzed for local rotation and principal strains. Short-axis displacement was the least in the septum for all longitudinal levels (P < .001). Torsion about the long axis was uniform circumferentially because of the motion of the centroids used to reference the rotation. I...
The Future Of Online Internet Marketing: A Solution To Behavioral Marketing Using Biometrics

Internet marketing is still an experimental area that continues to grow, evolve and adapt. With the virtual limitlessness space of the WWW, the strategic placement of internet advertisements is much more complex and goes beyond the traditional marketing approach of researching demographics. Several attempts have been made through the fields of technology and marketing to overcome the anonymousness of the computer user’s interests and preferences to move toward a direct behavioral approach to online marketing; more specifically, identifying the users on the internet, collecting profiles of their interests and delivering advertisements that appeal to their specific preferences. This paper reviews the current approaches to Internet behavioral marketing and its shortcomings as well as biometrics and its potential for more effective Internet marketing.
Domestic Politics and U.S. Foreign Policy: A Study of Cold War Conflict Behavior

This study reexamines an empirical claim that is broadly accepted in international relations: during the Cold War U.S. foreign policy belligerence was influenced strongly by domestic factors. We develop a rational expectations theory that produces hypotheses that are at odds with that result. We test our hypotheses and report findings that are both consistent with our rational expectations theory and inconsistent with the “domestic effects” hypothesis. We thus conclude that international politics, rather than domestic politics, was the primary determinant of U.S. foreign policy behavior during the Cold War.
The Utility of Polyester and Cotton as Swabbing Substrates for the Removal of Cellular Material from Surfaces

Keywords:forensic science;forensic DNA typing;DNA swabbing media;cellular removal from surfaces;cotton;polyester Abstract: Various types of cotton and polyester fabrics were tested to ascertain the optimal physical and chemical characteristics of fabrics needed for the removal of cellular material from surfaces. DNA quantitation values obtained on dried saliva stains showed no difference between cotton and polyester across all constructions and solvent conditions. Fabrics used dry and with water yielded higher quantitation values than those used with isopropanol. Quantitation values were also higher for wovens and nonwovens than knits across all solvent conditions. Low thread count fabrics used with water yielded higher quantitation values, but no correlation between thread count and quantitation values was observed with dry fabrics. A low thread count woven fabric, however, outperformed other tested fabrics when swabbing object surfaces in a highly used room. Full DNA profiles from fingerprints on glass surfaces were obtained with low thread count woven and nonwoven fabrics but not with the knit fabric tested.
Transneuronal Labeling of a Nociceptive Pathway, the Spino-(Trigemino-)Parabrachio-Amygdaloid, in the Rat

Transneuronal tracing of a nociceptive pathway, the spino-(trigemino)-parabrachio-amygdaloid pathway, was performed using an alpha-herpes virus, the Bartha strain of pseudorabies virus (PRV). Microinjection of PRV into the central nucleus of the amygdala (Ce) resulted in progressive retrograde and transneuronal infection of a multisynaptic circuit involving neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord as detected immunocytochemically. At short survival (26 hr), retrogradely labeled neurons were concentrated in the external lateral nucleus of the parabrachial complex (elPB) but were absent from both the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC) and the spinal cord. At longer survivals (52 hr), labeled cells were present in lamina I of both the TNC and spinal dorsal horn. Retrograde labeling from the Ce with Fluoro-gold demonstrated that elPB neurons have long dendrites extending laterally into the terminal field of spinal and trigeminal afferents, where transneuronal passage of PRV to these afferents could occur. Even longer survivals (76 hr) resulted in a columnar pattern of cell labeling in the TNC and spinal dorsal horn that extended from lamina I into lamina II. At this longest survival, primary sensory neurons became infected. Bilateral excitotoxic lesions of the elPB blocked almost all viral passage from the Ce to superficial laminae of the TNC and spinal dorsal horn. These results demonstrate that nociceptive input to the amygdala is relayed from neurons in lamina I through the elPB. We propose that this modular arrangement of lamina I and II neurons may provide the basis for spinal processing of peripheral input to the amygdala.
De Manuel Zeno Gandía a Wilfredo Mattos Cintrón: Exploraciones en torno al género negro en Puerto Rico

This article proposes an analysis of Wilfredo Mattos Cintron's seventh noir novel (novela negra), Las dos muertes de Catalino Rios (2012), and a comparison of its poetics with that of Manuel Zeno Gandia's La charca (1894). The article questions the naturalist label often applied to Zeno Gandia's novel and instead views it as a nascent hardcore detective novel (proto novela negra). In comparing the two novels, it validates both Mattos Cintron and Zeno Gandia as initiators of the noir thriller in Puerto Rico.
The temperature dependence of cardioplegic distribution in the canine heart

Abstract Background . Cold cardioplegic arrest can produce cooling contracture and suboptimal myocardial protection. This study examines whether cooling contracture is associated with maldistribution of cardioplegic solution, particularly subendocardial hypoperfusion, which may impair recovery. Methods . Canine hearts were arrested by antegrade cold and warm blood cardioplegia in random order. Cardioplegic distribution was measured using radiolabeled microspheres before and just after induction of each period of arrest. Results . With cold cardioplegia, perfusion of left ventricular subepicardial and midwall regions decreased. Subendocardial to subepicardial perfusion ratios increased significantly in the left ventricle as a whole, the anterior and posterior regions of the left ventricular free wall, and the interventricular septum. With warm arrest, transmural flow distribution was not significantly altered from preceding prearrest values. At constant coronary flow, coronary perfusion pressure was initially similar after induction of arrest at both temperatures, but it rose subsequently during warm cardioplegia. Conclusions . The data suggest that during normothermic arrest, vasomotor tone regulates cardioplegic distribution, and hyperkalemic vasoconstriction is of slow onset. In the absence of beating and with vasomotion inhibited by hypothermia, cardioplegic distribution during cold arrest appears to be primarily dependent on vascular anatomy. There was no evidence of subendocardial underperfusion during cooling contracture.
Refined crystal structure of carboxypeptidase A at 1.54 A resolution.

The crystal structure of bovine carboxypeptidase A (Cox) has been refined at 1•54 A resolution using the restrained least-squares algorithm of Hendrickson & Konnert (1981). The crystallographic R factor (R = Σ||F_o| − |F_c||/Σ|F_o|) for structure factors calculated from the final model is 0•190. Bond lengths and bond angles in the carboxypeptidase A model have root-mean-square deviations from ideal values of 0•025 A and 3•6°, respectively. Four examples of a reverse turn like structure (the “Asx” turn) requiring an aspartic acid or asparagine residue are observed in this structure. The Asx turn has the same number of atoms as a reverse turn, but only one peptide bond, and the hydrogen bond that closes the turn is between the Asx side-chain CO group and a main-chain NH group. The distributions of CO-N and NH-O hydrogen bond angles in the α-helices and β-sheet structures of carboxypeptidase A are centered about 156°. A total of 192 water molecules per molecule of enzyme are included in the final model. Unlike the hydrogen bonding geometry observed in the secondary structure of the enzyme, the CO-O(wat) hydrogen bond angle is distributed about 131°, indicating the role of the lone pair electrons of the carbonyl oxygen in the hydrogen bond interaction. Twenty four solvent molecules are observed buried within the protein. Several of these waters are organized into hydrogen-bonded chains containing up to five waters. The average temperature factor for atoms in carboxypeptidase A is 8 A^2, and varies from 5 A^2 in the center of the protein, to over 30 A^2 at the surface.
Are hERG channel blockers also phospholipidosis inducers

Both pharmacophore models of the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channel blockers and phospholipidosis (PLD) inducers contain a hydrophobic moiety and a hydrophilic motif/positively charged center, so it is interesting to investigate the overlap between the ligand chemical spaces of both targets. We have assayed over 4000 non-redundant drug-like compounds for both their hERG inhibitory activity and PLD inducing potential in a quantitative high throughput screening (qHTS) format. Seventy-seven percent of PLD inducing compounds identified from the screening were also found to be hERG channel blockers, and 96.9% of the dually active compounds were positively charged. Among the 48 compounds that induced PLD without inhibiting hERG channel, 24 compounds (50.0%) carried steroidal structures. According to our results, hERG channel blockers and PLD inducers share a large chemical space. In addition, a positively charged hERG channel blocker will most likely induce PLD, while a steroid PLD inducer is less likely a hERG channel blocker.
Dual Exciplex Formation and Photoinduced Electron Transfer in Pyrene End-Labeled Polynorbornenes

Polynorbornenes substituted with 1-cyano-2-naphthyl and 2,5-dicyanophenyl groups as acceptors and terminated with pyrene as donor have been prepared by ring-opening metathesis polymerization. When excited with monochromatic light, pyrene transfers an electron, producing a radical ion pair with concurrent reduction of the acceptor. In the copolymers with one acceptor block, steady-state emission spectra reveal extensive pyrene fluorescence quenching and exciplex formation between the pyrene and the acceptor. In copolymers with two acceptor blocks, the steady-state emission spectra reveal two intramolecular exciplexes assigned to the cyanonaphthalene−pyrene and dicyanobenzene−pyrene excited-state complexes. Transient absorption spectra display an overlap of the pyrene triplet−triplet and radical cation spectra for all of the polymers. The lifetimes of the transient absorption maxima are dependent upon the identity of the acceptor and the length of the acceptor block.
The power of persuasion: Diphtheria immunization, advertising, and the rise of health education.

James Colgrove, PhD, MPH“The key-note of modern public health work is public healtheducation—not compulsion,” asserted New York state healthcommissioner Hermann Biggs in 1915, explaining to thelegislature why he supported a bill scaling back the use ofcompulsory vaccination in the state. “Success comes fromleading and teaching; not from driving people.”
Progesterone concentration as a predictor of pregnancy normalcy is the most useful when hCG levels are less than 2000 mIU/mL

Objective Measurements of serum progesterone to predict early gestational normalcy have been found to be as predictive as serial hCG titers. Since ultrasound would be the diagnostic tool of choice if hCG was >2000 mIU/ml, the purpose of the present study was to determine the best predictive value of a single progesterone measurement when hCG levels were <2000 mIU/ml.
Phylogenetic clustering of soil microbial communities by 16S rRNA but not 16S rRNA genes

We evaluated phylogenetic clustering of bacterial and archaeal communities from redox-dynamic subtropical forest soils that were defined by 16S rRNA and rRNA gene sequences. We observed significant clustering for the RNA-based communities but not the DNA-based communities, as well as increasing clustering over time of the highly active taxa detected by only rRNA.
Decoupling in linear time-variable systems using output feedback †

For a linear time-variable plant which can be decoupled by state variable feedback, the problem of decoupling by output feedback is discussed. The problem is solved by considering the decoupling problem for a system composed of a compensator in cascade with the plant. The use of the compensator allows decoupling by feedback of the output and its time derivatives. For a special class of compensators, the decoupling can be achieved using only output feedback. Although not of minimal dimension, the compensators used in this paper have the advantage of applicability under very general conditions.
On a dual hybrid queueing system

Abstract This article deals with a hybrid system, in which a single server processes two different queues of units, one called primary and the other one — secondary. The queueing process in the primary system is formed by a Poisson flow of groups of units, while the secondary system is closed. The server’s primary appointment (in hybrid mode I) is to process units in batches until the buffer content drops significantly. In this case, the server takes over a queue in the secondary system (activating hybrid mode II), and he is to complete some minimum amount of jobs (rendered in groups of random sizes during random times). When he is done with this work, he returns to the primary system. If the queue there is not long enough, he waits, thereby activating hybrid mode III. The authors first apply and embellish some techniques from fluctuation theory to find the exit times from respective hybrid modes and queue levels in both systems in terms of their joint functionals. The results are then utilized for the subsequent (semi-regenerative) analysis of the evolution of queueing processes. The authors obtain explicit formulas for the limiting distribution of the queueing process and the mean number of units processed in the secondary system.
DEEP IMAGING SURVEYS OF STAR-FORMING CLOUDS. V. NEW HERBIG-HARO SHOCKS AND GIANT OUTFLOWS IN TAURUS

We report the discovery of new Herbig-Haro shocks in the southeastern portion of the Taurus molecular cloud complex. The embedded protostar IRAS04325+2402, located in the eastern end of the B18 dark cloud in the cloud region known as L1535, drives a parsec-scale outflow with a length of at least 134' (5.5?pc) toward P.A. = 17?/197?? making this the largest protostellar outflow found thus far in Taurus. The southern terminus of this flow located about 65' (~2.7?pc) from the IRAS source consists of a large previously discovered shock, HH 434-436. The northern lobe contains three faint shocks with the most distant being HH 696 located 2.8?pc north of the source. Two smaller shocks, HH 699 and HH 703, are found midway between the IRAS source and HH 434-436. HH 703 has a proper motion of 170 ? 30?km s?1 toward P.A. = 195? ? 10?. Additionally, we report the discovery of a dozen new Herbig-Haro objects tracing outflows and protostellar jets in B18 and near IC 2087, at least two of which have also attained parsec-scale dimensions. These observations demonstrate that some low-mass stars forming from the Taurus clouds drive giant flows which can excite shocks in the inter-cloud medium degrees from their sources, providing further evidence for the generation of large-scale mass motions and turbulence by protostellar outflows.
Weatherability of a steam-rolled oat groat chlorophacinone ground squirrel bait under field and laboratory conditions.

Abstract Investigations of the weatherability of spot-baiting for ground squirrel control in northern CA field studies were conducted with a registered bait consisting of 0.01% chlorophacinone (an anticoagulant rodenticide) on steam-rolled oat groats. For reference purposes, a laboratory test was later conducted in an environmental chamber simulating some of the observed weather conditions. Three weathering plots were established in alfalfa for field tests. Each was baited with rodenticide fortified bait that was handled the same as for a simultaneous control project. Test areas were protected with wire mesh to prevent bait consumption by birds and mammals. Bait samples were collected daily over 7 days, then frozen, and shipped for analysis. Test No. 1 conducted under wet conditions showed a 71% loss of chlorophacinone after 1 week. Test No. 2 demonstrated a 57% loss of chlorophacinone under drier conditions. Test No. 3, a 24 h test under very wet conditions within the alfalfa field irrigated by overhead sprinklers, had a 92% loss of chlorophacinone. Laboratory studies using controlled environmental conditions: light (16 h light:8 h dark), with a mean relative humidity of 98%, and a range of temperature 11.1–27.8°C (52–82°F) showed ≈50% loss of the chlorophacinone. The magnitude was less (37% at 7 days) in the environmental chamber when corrected for water weight gain.
Early cerebral metabolic crisis after TBI influences outcome despite adequate hemodynamic resuscitation.

Optimal resuscitation after traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains uncertain. We hypothesize that cerebral metabolic crisis is frequent despite adequate resuscitation of the TBI patient and that metabolic crisis negatively influences outcome. We assessed the effectiveness of a standardized trauma resuscitation protocol in 89 patients with moderate to severe TBI, and determined the frequency of adequate resuscitation. Prospective hourly values of heart rate, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, intracranial pressure (ICP), respiratory rate, jugular venous oximetry, and brain extracellular values of glucose, lactate, pyruvate, glycerol, and glutamate were obtained. The incidence during the initial 72 h after injury of low brain glucose 25, and metabolic crisis, defined as the simultaneous occurrence of both low glucose and high LPR, were determined for the group. 5 patients were inadequately resuscitated and eight patients had intractable ICP. In patients with successful resuscitation and controlled ICP (n = 76), within 72 h of trauma, 76 % had low glucose, 93 % had elevated LPR, and 74 % were in metabolic crisis. The duration of metabolic crisis was longer in those patients with unfavorable (GOSe ≤ 6) versus favorable (GOSe ≥ 7) outcome at 6 months (P = 0.011). In four multivariate models the burden of metabolic crisis was a powerful independent predictor of poor outcome. Metabolic crisis occurs frequently after TBI despite adequate resuscitation and controlled ICP, and is a strong independent predictor of poor outcome at 6 months.
Sleep-Like States Modulate Functional Connectivity in the Rat Olfactory System

The present study was an examination of state-dependent functional connectivity during spontaneous activity between the piriform cortex and its upstream and downstream connections. Rats were anesthetized with urethan and allowed to spontaneously cycle between fast- and slow-wave states similar to fast- and slow-wave sleep states. Local field potential recordings were made from the olfactory bulb, piriform cortex, dorsal hippocampus, amygdala, and primary visual cortex. The results demonstrate that during slow-wave sleep-like states, when the piriform cortex shows reduced sensitivity to odor input via the olfactory bulb, there is enhanced coherence with other forebrain structures. Granger causality analyses suggest that the link between piriform cortical and hippocampal activity during slow-wave state is in the direction of the hippocampus to the piriform cortex rather than the reverse. The results suggest that slow-wave sleep-like states may provide an opportunity for the transfer and/or consolidation of information related to odor memories, specifically at a time when the piriform cortex is less sensitive to sensory input.
The polypeptides of monkeypox virus: I. Analysis of the polypeptide synthesis of MPV by SDS-PAGE and by two-dimensional electrophoresis.

Abstract The time course synthesis of the polypeptides of monkeypox virus (MPV) in cynomolgus monkey kidney cells was studied by one-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide and by two-dimensional polyacrylamide electrophoresis. Cytosine arabinofuranoside (Ara-C) was used to differentiate early and late proteins. The synthesis of several early polypeptides was shown to continue throughout the time course. The synthesis of late polypeptides was shown to start at the peak of DNA synthesis (5–7 hr postinfection) and to continue throughout the remainder of the time course. Some individual polypeptide bands resolved by one-dimensional SDS-PAGE were shown to consist of multiple polypeptides using two-dimensional electrophoresis. These multiple polypeptide species, i.e., polypeptides of the same molecular weight but different isoelectric points, represented both structural and non-structural viral proteins. About 115 polypeptides are shown to exist in the purified virus by using two-dimensional electrophoresis.
Product Family Architecture Reasoning

Specifying the product platform and family architecture to support product varieties can be a challenging task for companies. Especially when various viewpoints have to be considered which include product variety, materials, manufacturing complexity, assembly complexity, average component count commonality, assembly sequence and late point differentiation. Consequently there is a need for reasoning to balance multiple viewpoints in the case of product families for the development of good architecture. In this paper we present a product family architecture design approach that can be applied to develop efficient product family architectures for a given set of product functions, while considering multiple viewpoints. In order to identify the efficient product family architecture(s) a three phase approach is presented: (1) Generating a set of feasible module architectures of options for each product function; (2) Combining the feasible module architectures and evaluating the product family architectures to identify candidate product family architectures with high evaluation scores; and (3) Improving the selected product family architecture. The product family architecture design approach is demonstrated using a coffeemaker product family.Copyright © 2008 by ASME