cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulation of magnetic recording and playback processes

Recording information on magnetic media (disks, tapes) was first demonstrated almost 100 years ago. Since then many inventions and advancements have been made. Yet, a thorough understanding of the physical mechanisms involved is still lacking. The motivation for modeling the magnetic recording and performance is to gain better understanding of the physical processes so as to better predict the performance of magnetically recorded media. Once accurate models are developed one can turn to the important issues of design and optimization. On January 15, 1993 Robert L. Brott from 3M has described ongoing work on the modeling and simulation of magnetic recording. The model for the recording process is given in terms of complicated nonlinear hysteretic integral equation. The playback process is modeled relatively simply. He described his algorithm, and posed some open problems.
Joint effect of melanocortin-1 receptor genotype and sun exposure on melanoma risk

4596 Objective: Variants in the melanocortin-1 receptor gene ( MC1R ) consistently have been demonstrated to increase risk for melanoma independent of constitutional pigmentation phenotypes. We sought to investigate whether the association of MC1R variants and melanoma differed according to reported measures of sun exposure. Methods: 635 cases with melanoma and 265 friend/spouse controls were enrolled into a molecular epidemiological study of melanoma etiology in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain reported levels of recreational and occupational sun exposure (little or none/average/a lot) and number of painful or blistering sunburns before and after age 18. Direct sequencing was used to genotype MC1R . Based on the results of a published SIFT analysis, MC1R variants were classified as either “higher risk” R- or “lower risk” r-variants (see Kanetsky et al. Cancer Epidem Biomarkers Prev 2004; 13(5):808-819). Results: As expected, elevated odds ratios (OR) for melanoma were observed for total number and type of MC1R variant. After adjustment for age, sex, and hair color and compared to controls, melanoma cases were more likely to have R/R or R/r, R/-, and r/r, but not r/- MC1R genotypes compared to controls (see table). When MC1R ∼melanoma associations were stratified by level of reported recreational sun exposure, adjusted OR (aOR) were not different across levels of exposure (see table). Comparable results were noted for reported occupational sun exposure. In contrast, stratum-specific aOR among participants reporting zero sunburns before age 18 were stronger compared to participant reporting at least one painful sunburn, even after additional adjustment for skin reaction to first intense summer sun (see table). Comparable results were noted for sunburns after age 18. Conclusions: These data suggest that associations between MC1R variants and melanoma may be different according to history of burning, and that MC1R may play a more significant role in melanoma etiology among individuals without a history of painful sunburns. This finding supports the contribution of non-sun exposure related pathways in melanoma etiology.
Optimizing Pre-Exposure Antiretroviral Prophylaxis Adherence in Men Who Have Sex with Men: Results of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of “Life-Steps for PrEP”

Antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been demonstrated to decrease HIV acquisition in multiple efficacy trials, but medication adherence is critical, and was suboptimal in several studies. Fifty HIV-uninfected at risk men who have sex with men (MSM) were randomized to a cognitive behavioral intervention condition or a time and session-matched comparison counseling intervention. The experimental intervention entailed four nurse-delivered initial and two booster sessions based on Life-Steps, an ART treatment adherence intervention. The comparison condition provided information and supportive counseling. The primary analyses compared adherence (Wisepill and tenofovir plasma levels) at 3 and 6 months. Fifty-eight MSM were screened to enroll 50 participants. Median age was 38.2 years old, 86% were white; 64% had completed college. Wisepill adherence was high in both groups, and not statistically different. Plasma tenofovir levels were significantly higher in the intervention group at 6 months using mean substitution analysis (i.e., computing missing variables) (p = 0.037), however, in the completer analyses (i.e., using only those completing all study visits), there were no statistically significant differences between randomization conditions. Medication adherence was high across a cognitive-behavioral (Life-Steps) and time-matched counseling intervention for PrEP adherence, with some evidence suggesting superiority of Life-Steps in this pilot RCT. Further evaluation in a fully powered efficacy trial is warranted to assess the robustness of this intervention.
Social Inhibition of Operant Behavior in Japanese Quail: The Effect of FR And DRL Schedules

Operant key pecking was assessed in Japanese quail during visual exposure to either one male or one female companion under a variety of fixed-ratio (FR) and differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate (DRL) schedules. Experiment 1 tested eight adult male quail on FR-2, FR-10, and FR-20 schedules of food reinforcement. The results indicated that a criterion FR schedule value exists (FR-20) in which stable social inhibition of key pecking breaks down. Social inhibition of responding during FR-2 and FR-10 performance was essentially the same as that obtained for continuous reinforcement (CRF) in earlier studies. Experiment 2 assessed food-reinforced key pecking in another group of eight adult male quail on DRL-2, DRL-4, DRL-8, DRL-12, and DRL-16 schedules of reinforcement. While a weak social inhibition effect was obtained during DRL-12 performance, the criterion concept was not applicable to these findings since the companion effects during DRL schedules were ambiguous. DRL behavior was found to coincide with established response patterns of pigeons showing increased disinhibition of pecking with increased DRL interval. These data begin to establish the limits under which social inhibition of operant key pecking in quail will occur.
PROCEDURE OF THEMATIC LEXIS SELECTION FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES

In article the procedure of selection of thematic lexicon in the educational purposes is considered. For the solution of this methodical task the list of the most important subjects is selected; the classification scheme of thematic units is constituted, thematic lexicon on theme groups according to their internal “subordination” is located: hierarchy, kernel/periphery, genus-species relations; the thematic dictionary taking into account concepts of different types by means of which the reflection of the world in consciousness of the trainee is filled. The author marked out the cognitive and thematic principles of selection of a basic word stock for Kazakh pupils. Special attention is paid to consideration of the all-didactic, linguistic, lexicographic, psychophysiological and methodical principles of selection of lexical material. The thesaurus realizes reflective and accumulative functions of language and represents knowledges of the world therefore the training in lexicon systematized in the form of a picture of the world is urgent.
Insect Vision: Judging Distance with Binocular Motion Disparities.

Summary Praying mantises, like humans, calculate distance by triangulating angular disparities of corresponding image regions between their eyes. New work shows they can do this using just dynamic luminance changes, and thus judge distance in scenes that we see as flat.
Response Time Inconsistencies in Object and Action Naming in Anomic Aphasia

Purpose The effect of repeated naming on both object and action picture naming in individuals with anomic aphasia is explored. We asked whether repeatedly naming the same items leads to improved ac...
A Study of the Impact of Mobile Self-Efficacy and Emotional Attachment on Mobile Device Infusion

Individuals are constantly using their smart phones and tablets as a digital enhancement to their day-to-day activities. The ubiquitous computing ability that individuals now have creates a genuine research interest in understanding how these individuals have integrated mobile devices within their lives. This study aims to explore how an individual’s mobile self-efficacy and emotional attachment impact their perpetual engagement with mobile devices. Through a multi-method research approach, using both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analyses, this research provides several contributions to the dearth of research on this topic in the information systems field.
Positive Completion Problems Over C *-algebras

We study how positive completion problems over matrices with complex entries generalize to the setting of matrices with C*-algebra entries. In particular, it is observed that some C*-algebras have the Toeplitz banded completion property but fail to have the completion property for the complete graph with one undirected edge missing. Positive completions in the framework of multi-level Toeplitz matrices are also studied. Many open problems are formulated.
Mexico’s health diplomacy and the Ventanilla de Salud program

Operating out of all Mexican consulates in the United States, the Ventanilla de Salud (VdS) program provides patients with health information, counseling, and referrals to available local health services. This article deals with the emergence of the VdS as the main component of Mexico’s strategy to promote the health of its citizens abroad. This form of outreach arose in the context of existing efforts by the Mexican government to cultivate its relations with the Mexican diaspora. However, the VdS originated as a project of Latino advocacy organizations and philanthropic donors in the United States, with the Mexican government joining in at the behest of the project leaders. The pilot phase of the VdS program demonstrated to the Mexican government the importance and feasibility of opening up the consular space to local health promotion partners, paving the way for the expansion of the VdS program nationwide and broadening the scope of the health-related activities of the Mexican government.
Brief Report: Challenging Behaviors in Toddlers and Preschoolers with Angelman, Prader–Willi, and Williams Syndromes

Children with neurogenetic syndromes (NGS) experience comorbid challenging behaviors and psychopathology. We examined challenging behaviors in 86 toddlers and preschoolers across three NGS [Angelman syndrome (AS), Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), and Williams syndrome (WS)] and 43 low-risk controls (LRC), using the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1½-5. Challenging behavior profiles differed across NGS, with generally elevated behaviors in AS and WS, but not PWS, relative to LRC. Withdrawn and autism spectrum symptoms were particularly elevated in AS. Although several profiles were similar to those previously reported in older children and adults, we also observed inconsistencies that suggest non-linear developmental patterns of challenging behaviors. These findings underscore the importance of characterizing early challenging behaviors to inform atypical phenotypic development and targeted intervention.
HYDROLYSIS STUDIES OF CHALCOGENOPYRYLIUM TRIMETHINE DYES. 1. PRODUCT STUDIES IN ALKALINE SOLUTION (PH 8) UNDER ANAEROBIC AND AEROBIC CONDITIONS

Hydrolyses of chalcogenopyrylium dyes 1−9 give product distributions that are both heteroatom and oxygen dependent. Under anaerobic or aerobic conditions at pH 8, hydrolyses of dyes 1−4, which each contain a pyrylium ring, give 2-pentene-1,5-diones 10−13, respectively, in >90% yield from addition of hydroxide to the 2-position of the pyrylium ring followed by ring opening and tautomerization. Telluropyrylium dye 8 under anaerobic conditions over the pH range 6.9−11.0 gives a 1:1 mixture of telluropyranylidene aldehyde 14 and tris(telluropyranylidenemethyl)methane 15 derived from addition of hydroxide to the central carbon of the trimethine bridge. Under aerobic conditions, tellurophene 30(Te,Te) and trace amounts of telluropyranone 29 were also produced via oxidative mechanisms with relative yields of 30(Te,Te) increasing with pH over the pH range 6.9−11.0 and with oxygen concentration. Thiopyrylium dye 9, seleno-/thiopyrylium dye 5, selenopyrylium dye 6, and seleno-/telluropyrylium dye 7 gave hydrolysis ...
The Ban and the Borderlands Within: The Travel Ban As a Domestic War on Terror Tool

This Article seeks to address this scholarly and discursive void, and at minimum, commence scholarly investigation into the Travel Ban’s impact beyond the border. It examines the deployment of the Travel Ban as a domestic War on Terror tool, and the counterterror risks it poses for Muslim immigrants, residents and citizens within the U.S. Far beyond airport checkpoints and the jurisdiction of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Travel Ban is wielded by FBI agents and their on-the-ground watchdogs to: (1) brand immigrants from the prohibited states as potential ‘radicals,’ a designation that can prompt their removal or deportation by ICE; and (2) as leverage to intimidate, pressure and subsequently enlist Muslim immigrants to work as community informants by FBI and local enforcement, trading stay from deportation and other incentives in exchange for working within the CVE policing framework. Beyond the effect on immigrants, the Travel Ban’s extreme vetting, and data gathering, of all parties traveling to the restricted states also exposes Muslim citizens and LPR’s to enhanced threat of CVE suspicion and investigation, which circumscribes and chills protected First Amendment activity.
A Single Institution's Experience of Primary Headache in Children With Celiac Disease.

Background:Few studies exist examining the frequency of primary headache in children with celiac disease and the impact of a gluten-free diet on primary headache symptomology. This study explores c...
Magnon-drag thermopower in antiferromagnets versus ferromagnets

The extension of magnon electron drag (MED) to the paramagnetic domain has recently shown that it can create a thermopower more significant than the classical diffusion thermopower resulting in a thermoelectric figure-of-merit greater than unity. Due to their distinct nature, ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) magnons interact differently with the carriers and generate different amounts of drag-thermopower. The question arises of whether the MED is stronger in FM or in AFM semiconductors. Two material systems, namely MnSb and CrSb, which are similar in many aspects except that the former is FM and the latter AFM, were studied in detail, and their MED properties were compared. Three features of AFMs compared to FMs, namely double degeneracy of the magnon modes, higher magnon group velocity, and longer magnon relaxation time, can lead to enhanced first-order MED thermopower. One effect, magnon–electron relaxation, leads to a higher second-order effect in AFMs that reduces the MED thermopower. However, it is generally expected that the first-order effect dominates and leads to a higher drag thermopower in AFMs, as seen in this case study.
Energy Expenditure in Critically Ill Adult Patients With Acute Brain Injury: Indirect Calorimetry vs. Predictive Equations

Introduction: Predictive equations (PE) are used in lieu of indirect calorimetry (IC) due to cost and limited resources; however, these equations may not be as accurate as IC in estimating resting energy expenditure (REE) in critically ill patients, putting them at risk of malnutrition. The purpose of this study is to compare predicted and measured energy expenditure (MEE) in critically ill adults with acute brain injury. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective review of adult patients admitted to the Neurosciences ICU with acute brain injury between May 1st, 2014 and April 1st, 2016 who had IC performed. The Harris Benedict (HBE), Penn State University, and Mifflin St Jeor (MSJ) PE were used in comparison to IC results. Subgroup analyses stratified patients based on BMI and type of acute brain injury. Results: One hundred and forty-four patients met inclusion criteria. Comparing predicted and MEE found no significant difference (p = 0.1). High degrees of interpatient variability were discovered, with standard deviations ranging from 17 to 29% of each PE. Pearson's correlations indicated weak associations when HBE, Penn State, and MSJ were individually compared to MEE (r = 0.372, 0.409, and 0.372, respectively). A significant difference was found between predicted and MEE in patients with a BMI < 30 kg/m2 (p < 0.01) and in those with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (p < 0.01). Discussion: Due to interpatient variability that exists among REE of critically ill patients with acute brain injury, IC should be used when feasible.
Understanding Bovine Behavior for Safe Handling

Understanding the behavior of cattle makes working with them easier, safer and more enjoyable. Reading the cow's body language helps indicate if she is relaxed or stressed, healthy or ill. A cow will remain calmer and easier to work with if she can see you approach her. Stress may be minimized by taking care not to isolate a cow away from other cattle and by minimizing startling or loud noises, including yelling. Cows are individuals; like people, some will remain relatively calm and some will become agitated under the same circumstances. Cows that are handled gently tend to be gentler cows than those that are handled roughly. Keeping the principles of flight zone and point of balance in mind will make moving cattle as quick and calm as possible. When cattle are lined up in a chute or alley, walking through their flight zone in a nose-to-tail direction will cause each animal to step forward as their point of balance is passed. Cattle may become aggressive when they feel threatened, anxious, or protective of a calf. If a cow shows signs such as vocalization, pacing, pawing, or head-shaking, entering her flight zone may cause her to attack. Bulls must always be handled carefully, particularly dairy breed bulls. A bull that displays a broadside threat should be removed from the herd at once.
Chapter 32 – Macrophage Defects

Phagocytes wear many hats and have many responsibilities in the healthy host. Although they are usually thought of as the uneducated grunts of the immune system, they have a dizzying array of responsibilities and activities. They are required to leave the bone marrow, circulate, if only briefly (7 hours for neutrophils, 2–4 days for monocytes), and then exit the circulation. Once out in the tissue, they must follow their “noses” to seek out intruders, using chemokines (IL-8), bacterial products such as fMet-Leu-Phe (fMLP), and host factors such as leukotriene B4 (LB4) and platelet-activating factor (PAF) for chemotactic guidance. Once they encounter a potential pathogen, they must recognize it by means of direct detection (binding to mannose and other motifs on bacteria and fungi), antibody mediated detection (Fc receptors), or binding to deposited complement fragments. Following these tasks comes the real reason for all the previous steps, as the neutrophil or monocyte tries to kill the intruder, using stored products in granules and the generation of toxic oxygen intermediates. In addition, throughout this period, the phagocyte is producing its own cytokines and chemokines, calling in reinforcements. When the neutrophil has completed its work, and ingested and perhaps killed its prey, it is ready to die; macrophages ingest their spent cousins, and clean up the job. These steps are all done without the rearrangement of DNA by cells that are derived from the most ancient of immune systems. Their intrinsic importance is borne out with every neutropenic fever: phagocytes are crucially important to our daily survival.
Severe persistent coronal imbalance following instrumented posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Retrospective case–control study. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) impact of severe (> 4 cm) post-operative coronal imbalance at 2 years following posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Coronal imbalance is an unfavorable outcome following PSF for AIS, though the degree of imbalance in such patients is typically mild. We hypothesize that a small number of patients become and remain severely imbalanced post-operatively, though this phenomenon has not been well studied. Prospectively collected data from a large multicenter registry were reviewed. Patients with severe coronal imbalance (SCIB; > 4 cm) 2 years after PSF were included. Matched controls without SCIB at 2 years were included at a 3:1 ratio. Comparisons were made between demographics, pre-operative radiographic measures, surgical factors, residual post-operative radiographic measures, and 2-year SRS-22 scores. Nine of 954 (0.9%) patients (88.9% females; mean age 14.8 ± 2.3 years) were found to be severely imbalanced at 2 years. These patients had significantly greater pre-operative bending thoracic curve magnitude (45° vs. 33°; p = 0.013), curve flexibility (22.9% vs. 63.3%; p = 0.004), and kyphosis (41° vs. 26.5°; p = 0.034) compared to matched controls. Pre-operative curve flexibility of < 20% was associated with a 23.8 times greater odds of SCIB (95% CI 2.1—250; p = 0.008). With respect to HRQoL, median SRS-22 pain (4.1 vs. 4.8; p = 0.041), self-image (3.9 vs. 4.6; p = 0.013), general function (4.5 vs. 5; p = 0.022), and total (4.1 vs. 4.7; p = 0.012) scores at 2 years were significantly lower in cases compared to controls. In the present study, thoracic curve stiffness was a strong risk factor for severe post-operative coronal imbalance, which was associated with poor HRQoL measures. Increased pre-operative thoracic curve stiffness (< 20% flexibility) should raise surgeon awareness for altering surgical approach to minimize the risk of severe post-operative coronal imbalance. Level III.
Strings and Advanced I/O

This chapter has two major parts. The first expands significantly upon the brief definition of strings given in Chap. 7. Special functions to manipulate the contents of strings are defined and described here, as are the input and output of strings. Other input/output functions specifically defined for use with characters and strings (e.g., putchar(), getchar(), puts() and gets()) are also described and used in this chapter. The second part expands on some features of the printf() function that allows a programmer to better format the output of a program. This second part then proceeds with a treatment of external file I/O, a critical feature of any programming language where data must survive the exit of the program that originally created and/or acquired these data, for later use by other programs.
The Authoritarian Commons: Divergent Paths of Neighborhood Democratization in Three Chinese Megacities

Can a liberal commons emerge in an authoritarian regime? Based on an in-depth investigation of the ongoing self-governance movement among hundreds of millions of homeowners in China, this research examines the tension between authoritarianism and liberal commons for the first time. Empirically this research reveals a striking contrast: in Shanghai, 94% of condominium complexes have established homeowners’ associations, a kind of liberal commons, compared with 41% in Shenzhen, and only 12% in Beijing. It is posited in this paper that the authoritarian commons (i.e., the dynamic interactions between the authoritarian state and homeowners’ efforts to create a liberal commons in their neighborhoods) features multiple equilibria that depend on the state capacity and the risks posed by the self-governance movement. A highly capable state facing an intermediate degree of risk can make the institutional reforms necessary to accommodate the grassroots democracy. This research of the authoritarian commons brings the state back to the economic theories of property rights, and brings property, and more specifically, space and territorial control to the study of authoritarianism. It also deepens our understanding of authoritarianism and development.
Impact of a tiered discharge opioid algorithm on prescriptions and patient-reported outcomes after open gynecologic surgery.

Objective To compare discharge opioid refills, prescribed morphine equivalent dose and quantity, and longitudinal patient-reported outcomes before and after implementation of a tiered opioid prescribing algorithm among women undergoing open gynecologic surgery within an enhanced recovery after surgery program. Methods We compared opioid prescriptions, clinical outcomes, and patient-reported outcomes among 273 women. Post-discharge symptom burden was collected up to 42 days after discharge using the validated 27-item MD Anderson Symptom Inventory and analyzed using linear mixed effects models and Kaplan–Meier curves for symptom recovery. Results Among 113 pre-implementation and 160 post-implementation patients there was no difference in opioid refills (9.7% vs 11.3%, p=0.84). The post-implementation cohort had a significant reduction in median morphine equivalent dose (112.5 mg vs 225 mg, p Conclusions After implementation of a tiered opioid prescribing algorithm, the quantity and dose of discharge opioids prescribed decreased with no change in post-operative refills and without negatively impacting patient-reported symptom burden or interference, which can be used to educate and reassure patients and providers.
On The Number of Copies Per Title In Libraries

Power law distributions have been found in many contexts, including the sizes of skyscrapers. The present paper demonstrates that the relationship between the number of copies per title in several libraries also displays similarity to the power law pattern.
Increased microbial diversity and decreased prevalence of common pathogens in the gut microbiomes of wild turkeys compared to domestic turkeys

Abstract Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) provide a globally important source of protein and constitute the second most important source of poultry meat in the world. Bacterial diseases are common in commercial poultry production causing significant production losses for farmers. Due to the increasingly recognized problems associated with large-scale/indiscriminant antibiotic use in agricultural settings, poultry producers need alternative methods to control common bacterial pathogens. In this study we compared the cecal microbiota of wild and domestic turkeys, hypothesizing that environmental pressures faced by wild birds may select for a disease-resistant microbial community. Sequence analysis of 16S rRNA genes amplified from cecal samples indicate that free-roaming wild turkeys carry a rich and variable microbiota compared to domestic turkeys raised on large-scale poultry farms. Wild turkeys also had very low levels of Staphylococcus, Salmonella and E. coli when compared to domestic turkeys. E. coli strains isolated from wild or domestic turkey cecal samples also belong to distinct phylogenetic backgrounds and differ in their propensity to carry virulence genes. E. coli strains isolated from factory-raised turkeys were far more likely to carry genes for capsule (kpsII, kpsIII) or siderophore (iroN, fyuA) synthesis than those isolated from wild turkeys. These results suggest that the microbiota of wild turkeys may provide colonization resistance against common poultry pathogens. Importance Due to the increasingly recognized problems associated with antibiotic use in agricultural settings, poultry producers need alternative methods to control common bacterial pathogens. In this study we compare the microbiota of wild and domestic turkeys. Results suggest that free ranging wild turkeys carry a distinct microbiome when compared to farm raised turkeys. The microbiome of wild birds contains very low levels of poultry pathogens compared to farm raised birds. The microbiomes of wild turkeys may be used to guide development of new ways to control disease in large scale poultry production.
Principles of Stability: A Re-Examination

(1969). Principles of Stability: A Re-Examination. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 40, No. 2, pp. 419-422.
A visually driven hippocampal place cell model

The firing of place cells in the rodent hippocampus is partly under the control of visual landmarks in the environment (O’Keefe and Conway, 1978). Most place cell models incorporating “visual” input assume noise-free bearing and/or distance information from idealized point objects (e.g., Burgess, Recce, and O’Keefe, 1994; Touretzky and Redish, 1996), rather than attempting to extract landmark information from real-world scenes. This leaves open the question of what kind of visual information is necessary for the hippocampal system to maintain place fields that are stable across trials yet sensitive to landmark position.
Tryptamine-Induced Tryptophanyl-tRNAtrp Deficiency in Neurodifferentiation and Neurodegeneration Interplay: Progenitor Activation with Neurite Growth Terminated in Alzheimer's Disease Neuronal Vesicularization and Fragmentation

Tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS) catalyzes tryptophanyl-tRNAtrp formation. At concentrations exceeding tryptophan, tryptamine inhibits TrpRS. This leads in tryptophanyl-tRNA deficiency and synthesis of aberrant proteins. Tryptamine presents in food and crosses blood-brain barrier. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that tryptamine-induced changes in cell and animal models correlate with Alzheimer's disease (AD) manifestations. Tryptamine prevented growth of human neuroblastoma. Epithelioids recovered growth in tryptamine-free medium, while neuroblasts died. Tryptamine induced epithelioid differentiation forming synaptic vesicles, neuritic contacts, and TrpRS+ axons in stable sublines. A fraction of epithelioids was adhered to satellite cells via trypsin-resistant interdigitating junctions. Tryptamine stimulated satellite division and differentiation into neurons, transitional cell variants and neuroblasts able to repopulate. Both tryptamine-inhibited and hypoxia-downregulated TrpRS translocates into cytoplasmic extensions. TrpRS is secreted into extracellular space as a free protein or within vesicles extended from cytoplasm and then pinched-off from plasma membrane of tryptamine-treated cells. Extracellular vesicles fuse in congophilic TrpRS+ plaques in tryptamine-treated culture and AD brain. TrpRS prominent immunoreactivity is associated with plasma and vesicle membranes of satellites and AD brain degenerated neurons. Tryptamine-modified mouse brain expresses amyloid and abnormal filaments in extracellular and neuronal plasma membrane vesicles. Radiolabeled tryptamine, tryptophan and serotonin uptake was 10-fold lower in tryptamine-resistant compared to tryptamine-sensitive cells. In both variants, tryptamine uptake exceeded tryptophan uptake within 2-h assuring TrpRS inhibition. Here, tryptophanyl-tRNAtrp deficiency implicates in both neurite growth and termination/collapse. Neurite growth termination prompts TrpRS+ vesicularization. TrpRS+ vesicles contribute in neuronal fragmentation and fibrillar-vesicular congophilic plaques in AD brain.
Syntrophic Association by Cocultures of the Methanol- and CO2-H2-Utilizing Species Eubacterium limosum and Pectin-Fermenting Lachnospira multiparus During Growth in a Pectin Medium

Lachnospira multiparus grew very well in an anaerobic 0.2% pectin medium, whereas Eubacterium limosum, which utilizes methanol, H2-CO2, and lactate, did not. Cocultures of the two species grew at a somewhat more rapid growth rate than did L. multiparus alone and almost doubled the amount of growth as measured by optical density. In model experiments with cultures transferred once a day with a 2-day retention time, L. multiparus produced mainly acetate, methanol, ethanol, formate, lactate, CO2, and H2 from pectin. The coculture produced one-third more acetate, and butyrate and CO2 were the only other significant end products. The results are discussed in relationship to microbial metabolic interactions and interspecies hydrogen transfer.
On-Line Interactive Dexterous Grasping

In this paper we describe a system that combines human input and automatic grasp planning for controlling an artificial hand, with applications in the area of hand neuroprosthetics. We consider the case where a user attempts to grasp an object using a robotic hand, but has no direct control over the hand posture. An automated grasp planner searches for stable grasps of the target object and shapes the hand accordingly, allowing the user to successfully complete the task. We rely on two methods for achieving the computational rates required for effective user interaction: first, grasp planning is performed in a hand posture subspace of highly reduced dimensionality; second, our system uses real-time input provided by the human user, further simplifying the search for stable grasps to the point where solutions can be found at interactive rates. We demonstrate our approach on a number of different hand models and target objects, in both real and virtual environments.
Upper Airway Mechanics

Understanding the mechanics of the upper airway is critical to the research on the pathophysiology of upper airway obstruction. This article will review the determinants of upper airway patency including the upper airway dilating muscles, the transmural pressure across the airway, pharyngeal compliance, and craniofacial structure. During sleep, loss of the wakefulness stimulus to breathe results in decreased upper airway caliber and increased resistance. Models that characterize the relationship between pressure and flow of the upper airway during sleep and that explain upper airway collapsibility during sleep will be presented. Finally, a proposed scheme of the pathophysiology of upper airway collapse during sleep will be presented. Keywords: upper airway resistance; collapsiblity; nasopharynx; sleep; upper airway dilators; inspiratory flow limitation; sleep-disordered breathing; Starling resistor
Electoral Systems and the Success of Ethnoregional Parties

Analysis of election results from approximately eighty democratic countries around the world from 1990 through 2007 reveals the importance of measuring ethnoregional group cleavages in light of electoral systems in order to gauge accurately the impact of electoral rules and institutions on ethnoregional party success. Ethnoregional parties thrive in both countries with majoritarian and proportional electoral systems though regional concentration proves crucial to success in the former as does the ability to pass the threshold of exclusion in the latter. Other electoral rules, such as ballot-access requirements and ethnic party bans, may further condition ethnoregional party performance. Decentralization stimulates ethnoregional party success but much of the impact stems from the indirect impact of ethnic conflict on the creation of decentralized institutions.
Pharmacokinetics of 9-Methoxy-N, N-dimethyl-5-nitropyrazolo[3,4,5-kl]acridine-2(6H)-propanamine (PZA, PD 115934, NSC 366140) in Mice: Guidelines for Early Clinical Trials

Pharmacokinetic studies that consisted of measuring the plasma drug profile, tissue drug distribution, and elimination in urine and feces were performed in female C57BL/6 x DBA/2 (hereafter called B6D2F1) and male B6D2F1A/2 and C57BL/6 x CH3 (hereafter called B6C3F1) mice following treatment with a 1-h i.v. infusion of the PZA, PD115934 (NSC 366140). This drug is the first of a new class of cytotoxic agents and was selected for clinical trials because of both its broad antitumor activity in vivo against murine solid tumors and human xenografts, and its in vivo toxicity profile that was predictable based on drug dose and schedule of administration. The pharmacokinetic results obtained here in mice have been used to facilitate the dose escalations during the Phase I trial and to determine pharmacokinetic drug exposure targets for its acute and sub-acute toxic effects. Plasma samples from three to four mice per time point were pooled, and then individual tissue samples from the same mice were collected at specified times following treatment. All samples were prepared using solid-phase extraction and assayed using high pressure liquid chromatography. The acute dose-limiting toxicity was neurological and occurred immediately after treatment at 300 mg/m2. The peak plasma level range at the acute maximum tolerated dose was 1040-1283 ng/ml. Thus, peak plasma levels /=95% protein bound. Preliminary evidence for drug metabolism was found in urine and feces and will be further explored.
Rapid Ischemic Cell Death in Immature Oligodendrocytes: A Fatal Glutamate Release Feedback Loop

Ischemic injury of immature oligodendrocytes is a major component of the brain injury associated with cerebral palsy, the most common human birth disorder. We now report that cultured immature oligodendrocytes [O4(+)/galactoceramide (GC)(-)] are exquisitely sensitive to ischemic injury (80% of cells were dead after 25.5 min of oxygen and glucose withdrawal). This rapid ischemic cell death was mediated by Ca(2+) influx via non-NMDA glutamate receptors. The receptors were gated by the release of glutamate from the immature oligodendrocytes themselves via reverse glutamate transport and included a significant element of autologous feedback of glutamate from cells onto their own receptors. High (> or = 100 microM) extracellular glutamate was protective against ischemic injury as a result of non-NMDA glutamate receptor desensitization. Other potential pathways of Ca(2+) influx, such as voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels, NMDA receptors, or the Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger, did not significantly contribute to ischemic Ca(2+) influx or cell injury. Release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores was also not an important factor. In agreement with previous studies, more mature oligodendrocytes (O4(-)/GC(+)) were found to be less sensitive to ischemic injury than were the immature cells studied here.
Exotic materials and treasured knowledge: the valuable legacy of noblewomen's remedies in early modern Germany

Estate inventories taken after the death of sixteenth- and seventeenth- century German noblewomen occasionally contain itemizations of court apothecaries. These accounts not only portray the pharmacy as squarely under the guidance of the women in question, they also give us a sense of what specific materia medica noblewomen used in their practice. At the same time, this essay argues, inventories are inherently flawed historical documents, because they portray first and foremost what state bureaucrats found most valuable. Inventories of noblewomen's apothecaries thus tend to skew towards foreign and exotic drugs, beautiful containers, and unusual objects – a stark contrast to the more quotidian ingredients that take centre stage in most medicinal recipes. These material remnants of court apothecaries, moreover, tell only part of the story of noblewomen's medicine. In interactions during their lifetimes, noblewomen's children and heirs seemed far more interested in their medical knowledge than in their medical possessions. Some explicitly referred to family books of medicinal recipes as a treasure, or Schatz. Through an examination of these two different kinds of valuable legacies – material and immaterial – we can start to develop a broader picture of the perceived worth of noblewomen's healing.
Symmetry of N-H-N hydrogen bonds in 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene.H+ and 2,7-dimethoxy-1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene.H+.

In solution, are the hydrogen bonds in monoprotonated N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,8-naphthalenediamines single- or double-well? To answer this question, isotopic perturbation of equilibrium is applied to a mixture of -d(0), -d(3), -d(6), -d(9), and -d(12) isotopologs. The N-methyls of the 2,7-dimethoxy analogue show intrinsic isotope shifts from the geminal CD(3) and from only one distant CD(3), an unusual stereochemical effect transmitted across the hydrogen bond. The (13)C NMR splittings and intensities at the various ring carbons of both ions are consistent with perturbation isotope shifts, intrinsic shifts, or a combination of both. The perturbation shifts mean that the protons reside in a double-minimum potential and that each ion is a pair of rapidly interconverting tautomers. The significance of this result for the role of low-barrier hydrogen bonds in enzyme-catalyzed reactions is discussed.
Curve estimation in random fields of associated processes

Consider a random field of real-valued positively or negatively associated random variables over the lattice of points in the d-dimensional Euclidean space with integer numbers as their coordinates, and suppose that the random variables are identically distributed with distribution function F and probability density function f. On the basis of an expanding segment of the underlying random field, the empirical distribution function is constructed, as well as kernel estimates for f, its derivatives, and the associated hazard rate. Under some additional weak conditions, it is shown that the empirical distribution function converges almost surely and uniformly to F, with rates. Similar results are established for the estimates of f, its derivatives, and the hazard rate, provided the support of F is a finite interval in the real line.
The use of intravenous digital subtraction angiography in the evaluation of tetralogy of Fallot

We have previously described the use of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in various forms of congenital heart disease [1]. In this report, we highlight the use of digital subtraction techniques in 16 patients with tetralogy of Fallot.
Antiresorptive Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: Comparison of Study Designs and Outcomes in Large Clinical Trials with Fracture as an Endpoint

Antiresorptive treatments for postmenopausal osteoporosis have been studied extensively, but due to the volume of published data and lack of head-to-head trials, it is difficult to evaluate and compare their fracture reduction efficacy. The objective of this review is to summarize the results from clinical trials that have fracture as an endpoint and to discuss the factors in study design and populations that can affect the interpretation of the results. Although there are numerous observational studies suggesting that estrogen and hormone replacement therapies may reduce the risk of vertebral and nonvertebral fractures, there is no large, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial demonstrating fracture efficacy. The effects of raloxifene, alendronate, risedronate, and salmon calcitonin on increasing bone mineral density (BMD) and decreasing fracture risk have been shown in randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Although the increases in lumbar spine BMD vary greatly in these trials, the decrease in relative risk of vertebral fractures is similar among therapies. However, nonvertebral fracture efficacy has not been consistently demonstrated. Combined administration of two antiresorptive therapies results in greater BMD increases, but the effects on fracture risk are unknown. Direct comparisons of clinical trial results should be considered carefully, given the differences in study design and populations. Differences in study design that may influence the efficacy of fracture risk reduction include calcium and vitamin D supplementation, primary fracture endpoints, definition of vertebral deformity or fracture, discontinuation rates, and statistical power. Factors in the study population that may influence fracture efficacy include the age of the population and the proportion of subjects with prevalent fractures. The use of surrogate endpoints such as BMD to predict fracture risk should be approached with caution, as the relationship between BMD changes and fracture risk reduction with antiresorptive therapies is uncertain. Consideration of these results from clinical trials can contribute to clinical judgment in selecting the best treatment option for postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Formation of the heavy fermion ground state in UPt4M1, M = Au, Ag, Cu

Based on comparisons of the low temperature specific heat and susceptibility of single phase UPt4M1, where M = Au0.5Pt0.5, Au0.7Ag0.3, Au0.5Ag0.5, Au0.7Cu0.3, and Au0.5Cu0.5, it is found that the formation of large m∗ in this system is essentially just as dependent on subtle differences of the electronic properties of Au and Ag as on lattice parameter and Pt versus Au differences.
Characterization of αGal(−) ECM Bioscaffolds: An Indication for Application in Tissue Engineering

Extracellular matrix (ECM) bioscaffolds derived from animal sources, such as porcine small intestine submucosa (SIS) and urinary bladder matrix (UBM), have a successful history for application in clinical and/or experimental settings [1]. In our research center, we have demonstrated that the porcine SIS bioscaffolds could improve the morphological, biochemical, and biomechanical properties of healing ligaments and tendons in different animal models [2, 3].Copyright © 2011 by ASME
CMOS Scaling Implications for Total Dose Radiation

Scaling of CMOS device channel lengths can result in increased threshold voltage shifts after exposure to total dose radiation. An analytical model has been developed in order to predict these threshold voltage changes as a function of gate length and total dose for both gate oxide and parasitic thick field oxide transistors. Measurements show large increases in threshold voltage shifts after irradiation as gate lengths are decreased. The model is proven accurate to a total dose level of 106 rads (SiO2) and gate lengths down to 0.9 um. Scaling of field oxide gate lengths can have a severe impact on total dose hardness.
On one-parameter proofs of almost sure convergence of multiparameter processes

The martingale convergence theorem of R. Cairoli [-4] was proved assuming that the filtration satisfies a conditional independence assumption usualy called (F4). It belongs to the folklore of the subject (see also [-17]) that (F4) can be restated as a condition on commutation of conditional expectation operators. This formulation will allow us to derive Cairoli's theorem from a simple general argument about operators on Orlicz spaces. The advantage is that one obtains a unified proof of multi-parameter versions of several other results: the theorems of Rota, Dunford-Schwartz, Akcoglu, and Stein. H. FNlmer was able to apply Proposition 2.1 below to random fields.
Comparison of the potentials of mean force for alanine tetrapeptide between integral equation theory and simulation

The dielectrically consistent reference interaction site model (DRISM) integral equation theory is applied to determine the potential of mean force (PMF) for an alanine tetramer. A stochastic dynamics simulation of the alanine tetramer using this PMF is then compared with an explicit water molecular dynamics simulation. In addition, comparison is also done with simulations using other solvent models like the extended reference interaction site model (XRISM) theory, constant dielectric and linear distance-dependent dielectric models. The results show that the DRISM method offers a fairly accurate and computationally inexpensive alternative to explicit water simulations for studies on small peptides.
Social Work Evaluation: Enhancing What We Do (2nd Edition), by Dudley, J. R.

Social Work Evaluation: Enhancing What We Do by James R. Dudley is an introductory social work evaluation text designed for semester-long bachelor of social work and master of social work courses. ...