cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Local Government Income and Spending

The two most compelling and important tides moving in Japanese society since the war have been the expansion and development of its private sector economic base, and the flowering of its social expectations and institutions leading to a better quality of life for the average citizen. Until a few years ago, these tides were not seen to be in conflict. The Japanese people seem to recognize, more than the citizens of other countries, how closely their new and attractive society is linked to the innovation and vitality of the private sector. The new wealth of the nation has been diffused with reasonable equity across most of the population, and until about ten years ago, it was hard to find fault with the proportion of this national wealth which flowed into governments at all levels. There was wide consensus behind a whole new social agenda. The Japanese are not given to public bragging, but it seems clear that there is a deep-seated belief that Japan can and should be the equal of any nation in the things which characterize a civilized, advanced society: education, culture, health and well-being, modern public infrastructure, and a democratic and responsive government. The Japanese set in simultaneous motion broad public programs to achieve these objectives, financed by the “miracle” economic development.
The Detection of Tibiofemoral Mal-Rotation Utilising Embedded Sensors to Define Tibiofemoral Contact Points During a Total Knee Replacement

Introduction Optimized tibial tray rotation during a total knee replacement (TKR) is critical for tibiofemoral congruency through full range of motion, as it affects soft tissue tension, stability and patellar tracking. Surgeons commonly reference the tibial tubercle, or the “floating tibial tray,” while testing the knee in flexion and extension. Utilization of embedded sensors may enable the surgeon to more accurately assess tibiofemoral contact points during surgery. Methods The malrotation of the tibiofemoral congruency when utilizing the mid to medial 1/3 of the tibial tubercle for tibial rotation was evaluated in 50 posterior cruciate ligament-retaining TKRs performed by an experienced, high-volume surgeon. Sensors were embedded in the tibial trials; the rotation of the tibial tray was defined, and the femoral contact points in each compartment were captured. The surgical procedure was performed to size and then appropriately rotate the tibial tray. The anterior medial tray was pinned to control anterior-posterior and medio-lateral displacement, and allow internal and external rotation of the tray. With the capsule closed and patella reduced, the knee was reduced with trial implants. The femoral contact points and medial-lateral soft tissue tension were documented. Patellar tracking and changes in soft tissue tension were also documented. Results In 60% (n = 30/50) of cases, further external rotation (average 5 degrees) was required. No further rotation was required in 10% (n = 5/50), and 30% (n = 15/50) required further internal rotation for optimized congruency. Patellar tracking and changes in soft tissue tension based on rotation showed parallel center of load in medio-lateral compartments and equalized intercompartment pressures resulting in optimized balance of the knee. Conclusions Utilizing the tibial tubercle for optimized tibial tray rotation and femoral congruency was only adequate in 10% of cases. The use of sensors to define the femoral contact points on the tibia enabled the surgeon to adjust the tibial tray to optimize tibiofemoral congruency. Mal-rotated trays negatively affected soft tissue tension and patellar tracking.
Defective Axonal Transport and Alzheimer's Disease Correlations: A Molecular Motor Point of View

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the principal factor for dementia during old age; it is characterized by a progressive impairment of cognitive skills. Several genetic and environmental factors contribute for the AD onset. Recently, several evidences were unraveled that correlated defective axonal transport (AT) caused by abnormal axonal swellings to the pathogenesis of AD. AT is an active process that utilizes the cellular cytoskeleton as a road network for the cytoskeletal motor proteins (dyneins and kinesins superfamilies). There are two types of AT: the anterograde and the retrograde axonal transport. Dynein molecular motors support the retrograde transport to cell bodies by walking to the minus end of microtubules while the kinesin motors drive the anterograde axonal transport towards the synapses by walking the microtubules to the plus end. The three major components of the neuronal cytoskeleton are microtubules, actin and intermediate filaments. One major feature about AT that has been challenging scientists is its bidirectional transport character and how it is efficiently organized. It is critical for axonal function the vesicular transport for long distances and this transport occurs mainly through the microtubule (MT) tracks. In this work, we model this bidirectional transport using a variant of TASEP (Totally Asymmetric Simple Exclusion Process) which consists of two parallel one dimensional lattices with periodic boundary conditions (two lanes model). One lane represents the transport through the filament and the other lane mimics a diffusive environment. The filament lane also takes into account the filament dynamics. The results are discussed in terms of the efficiency of the bidirectional transport.
Concluding Thoughts and Marginal Provocations

AbstractRichard Wilk, Professor of Anthropology and Co-Director of the Indiana University Food Institute, provides final comments, placing this collection of articles on less-tasty crops nevertheless of social importance in anthropological and food studies contexts, and drawing out questions for future research.
Histological Composition and the Origin of the Thrombus: A New Diagnostic Assay for Secondary Stroke Prevention?

See related article, p 2206 Between one third and one half of strokes will have no known cause following thorough diagnostic evaluation.1 This complicates effective secondary stroke prevention. In fact, a recent stroke classification validation approach has shown that etiologic classification systems for stroke subtype have between 0.61 (poor) to 0.71 (fair) area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for stroke recurrence within 90 days.1 In light of recent trials showing effective mechanical thrombectomy with complete or near complete removal of the embolus in most cases of emergent large vessel occlusion,2–5 an opportunity has arisen for sensitive and specific assays of the removed clot to determine stroke cause. With expanding interest in the endovascular treatment of stroke, more research emphasis has been placed on the imaging, composition, and mechanical characteristics of the clots causing large vessel occlusions. Early work attempted to compare clot composition with imaging characteristics and examine correlations to treatment response (both intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy).6–9 Although we …
Assessing Attraction of Nematodes to Host Roots Using Pluronic Gel Medium

Nematodes and other organisms perceive and respond to plant root exudates. These exudates are affected by the condition and genetic makeup of the plant. Attraction of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne hapla to roots is altered in plants with mutations affecting ethylene signaling, suggesting that the root exudates to which the nematode responds are modulated by ethylene signaling. Nematode interactions with roots have been difficult to observe directly due to the opaqueness of soil. A medium based on the block copolymer Pluronic F-127 has been useful for studying these interactions. Here, we present protocols for culturing root-knot nematodes, isolating infective juveniles, and measuring their attraction to Arabidopsis seedling roots in this medium.
Intervention research productivity from 2005 to 2014: Faculty and university representation in school psychology journals

The purpose of this study was to identify authors and training programs making the most frequent contributions to intervention research published in six school psychology journals (School Psychology Review, School Psychology Quarterly, Journal of School Psychology, Psychology in the Schools, School Psychology International, and Journal of Applied School Psychology) over the 10-year period from 2005 to 2014. A total of 310 articles were identified as intervention articles; 919 unique authors, representing 289 universities or organizations, contributed to these publications. Top-ranked authors and universities were identified based on authorship rating and total publications, respectively. This evaluation highlights key contributors to the primary intervention research in school psychology, as well as themes of the publications of top-ranked individuals and programs.
Heat-Treatment of Defective UiO-66 from Modulated Synthesis: Adsorption and Stability Studies

Defect engineering in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is an emerging strategy that can be used to control physical or chemical characteristics of MOFs, including adsorption behavior and textural, mechanical, and conductive properties. Understanding the impact of defects on textural properties and chemical stability of MOFs is imperative to the development of MOFs with tunable defect sites. In this work, systematic adsorption measurements were performed with three adsorbate molecules (SO2, benzene, and cyclohexane) to investigate changes in the pore size of defective UiO-66. Compared to the parent UiO-66, the defective UiO-66 shows significant changes in adsorption capacities among the selected adsorbate molecules, demonstrating that pore size is significantly enlarged by the missing cluster defects. BET surface area analysis and DFT calculations were also performed to interrogate the chemical stability of the defective MOFs after exposure to water and acidic environments. This work shows that pore size ca...
Antisense suppression of glial fibrillary acidic protein as a treatment for Alexander disease.

Objective Alexander disease is a fatal leukodystrophy caused by autosomal dominant gain-of-function mutations in the gene for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), an intermediate filament protein primarily expressed in astrocytes of the central nervous system. A key feature of pathogenesis is overexpression and accumulation of GFAP, with formation of characteristic cytoplasmic aggregates known as Rosenthal fibers. Here we investigate whether suppressing GFAP with antisense oligonucleotides could provide a therapeutic strategy for treating Alexander disease. Methods In this study, we use GFAP mutant mouse models of Alexander disease to test the efficacy of antisense suppression and evaluate the effects on molecular and cellular phenotypes and non-cell-autonomous toxicity. Antisense oligonucleotides were designed to target the murine Gfap transcript, and screened using primary mouse cortical cultures. Lead oligonucleotides were then tested for their ability to reduce GFAP transcripts and protein, first in wild-type mice with normal levels of GFAP, and then in adult mutant mice with established pathology and elevated levels of GFAP. Results Nearly complete and long-lasting elimination of GFAP occurred in brain and spinal cord following single bolus intracerebroventricular injections, with a striking reversal of Rosenthal fibers and downstream markers of microglial and other stress-related responses. GFAP protein was also cleared from cerebrospinal fluid, demonstrating its potential utility as a biomarker in future clinical applications. Finally, treatment led to improved body condition and rescue of hippocampal neurogenesis. Interpretation These results demonstrate the efficacy of antisense suppression for an astrocyte target, and provide a compelling therapeutic approach for Alexander disease. Ann Neurol 2018;83:27-39.
New species of Elateridae (Coleoptera) from Sonora, Mexico, with new country and state records, new taxonomic changes and a classificatory checklist

The click beetles (Elateridae) of Sonora, Mexico reported here are based on published historical records and recent sampling efforts in discrete Sky Island mountain ranges in the Madrean Archipelago north of the Sierra Madre Occidental. Sixty-three (63) species are listed from Sonora of which 41 are newly recorded. Anoplischius murrieta new species, Aptopus opata new species, and Aptopus purica new species are described. Aptopus allita Aranda is treated as a new synonym of A. subcarinatus Schaeffer. Conoderus texanus Candeze is removed from synonymy with C. vespertinus (F.) and reinstated as a valid species. Orthostethus caviceps Schaeffer is a new synonym of O. pectinicornis Champion. Aeolus livens (LeConte) is the senior homonym of A. livens Candeze, which is changed to A. ticuna new name . A summary checklist of recorded click beetle taxa from Sonora is provided.
Population-level Outcomes and Cost-Effectiveness of Expanding the Recommendation for Age-based Hepatitis C Testing in the United States.

Background The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend one-time hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing for persons born 1945-1965 and targeted testing for high-risk persons. This strategy targets HCV testing to a prevalent population at high risk for HCV morbidity and mortality, but does not include younger populations with high incidence. To address this gap and improve access to HCV testing, age-based strategies should be considered. Methods We used a simulation of HCV to estimate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of HCV testing strategies: 1) standard of care (SOC) - recommendation for one-time testing for all persons born 1945-1965, 2) recommendation for one-time testing for adults ≥40 years (≥40 strategy), 3) ≥30 years (≥30 strategy), and 4) ≥18 years (≥18 strategy). All strategies assumed targeted testing of high-risk persons. Inputs were derived from national databases, observational cohorts and clinical trials. Outcomes included quality-adjusted life expectancy, costs, and cost-effectiveness. Results Expanded age-based testing strategies increased US population lifetime case identification and cure rates. Greatest increases were observed in the ≥18 strategy. Compared to the SOC, this strategy resulted in an estimated 256,000 additional infected persons identified and 280,000 additional cures at the lowest cost per QALY gained (ICER = $28,000/QALY). Conclusions In addition to risk-based testing, one-time HCV testing of persons 18 and older appears to be cost-effective, leads to improved clinical outcomes and identifies more persons with HCV than the current birth cohort recommendations. These findings could be considered for future recommendation revisions.
The Speed of Earnings Anticipation: Evidence from Daily Analyst Forecasts

Prior to a firm’s earnings announcement, the capital market receives earnings-relevant information from a wide array of sources. While prior research isolates specific incentives that influence the timeliness of particular disclosures, our understanding of how these forces combine to influence the aggregate timeliness of earnings information to the market is limited. In this study, I use daily analyst forecasts to examine the arrival of earnings information to the market and assess how its timeliness varies with the direction and magnitude of the earnings news. Despite managers’ career-driven incentives to leak good news and withhold bad news, I document that the flow of earnings information to the market is significantly more timely for bad news than for good news. This asymmetry, however, is reduced for more extreme earnings news. That is, as the magnitude of the earnings news increases, good news becomes more timely whereas bad news becomes less timely. Collectively, my results are most consistent with a scenario where managers face a tradeoff between current stock price implications and future reporting reputation benefits.
Operative Techniques and Pitfalls in Donor Heart-Lung Procurement.

Abstract Background Heart-lung transplantation is a well-established therapeutic modality for concomitant end-stage heart and lung failure. With growing organ scarcity, the rates of these transplants are declining, and center experience is waning. Methods With over 35 years of experience performing heart-lung transplantation, we describe our procurement protocol herein, as well as offer suggestions to avoid potential pitfalls in order to ensure technical excellence in harvesting these valuable grafts. Results Procurement issues most commonly arise with organ preservation and inadvertent damage to structures that are difficult to fully visualize. Conclusions En-bloc heart-lung procurement can be taught effectively and safely to trainees with an emphasis on avoiding common pitfalls that may compromise graft function.
Tools for culturally effective care gleaned from community-based research.

Discussion of and expansion upon a journal article that explains how community-based research can also teach the researchers lessons in culturally effective health care. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Children Residing in Low-Income Households Like a Variety of Vegetables.

Child vegetable intake falls far below the minimum recommended levels. Knowing which vegetables children may like help those responsible for providing vegetables to children to improve intake. The objective of this study was to measure vegetable liking for a wide variety of vegetables by a racially and ethnically diverse population of 9–12-year old children from low-income families. Children rated their liking of 35 vegetables using a 10-point hedonic scale. We tabulated the number of children that found each vegetable acceptable (ratings of ‘okay’ or above) and the number that found each vegetable unacceptable (ratings below ‘okay’). More than 50% of children who had tried a vegetable considered it acceptable. A large majority of the vegetables had mean ratings in the acceptable range. Corn was the most liked vegetable, closely followed by potatoes, lettuce, and carrots. Artichoke had the lowest mean liking, followed by onion and beets. We found children liked a wide variety of vegetables which offers counter evidence to the commonly held perception that children do not like vegetables.
Engaging the Brown Fedora: Archaeology, Education, and Popular Media

Everyone knows that archaeologists raid tombs, awaken cursed mummies and spend a good deal of time fighting Nazis. We frankly do not know what we would do in the field without our trusted whips and...
Tau-induced nuclear envelope invagination causes a toxic accumulation of mRNA in Drosophila

The nucleus is a spherical dual-membrane bound organelle that encapsulates genomic DNA. In eukaryotes, messenger RNAs (mRNA) are transcribed in the nucleus and transported through nuclear pores into the cytoplasm for translation into protein. In certain cell types and pathological conditions, nuclei harbor tubular invaginations of the nuclear envelope known as the "nucleoplasmic reticulum." Nucleoplasmic reticulum expansion has recently been established as a mediator of neurodegeneration in tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease. While the presence of pore-lined, cytoplasm-filled, nuclear envelope invaginations has been proposed to facilitate the rapid export of RNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, the functional significance of nuclear envelope invaginations in regard to RNA export in any disorder is currently unknown. Here, we report that polyadenylated RNAs accumulate within and adjacent to tau-induced nuclear envelope invaginations in a Drosophila model of tauopathy. Genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of RNA export machinery reduces accumulation of polyadenylated RNA within and adjacent to nuclear envelope invaginations and reduces tau-induced neuronal death. These data are the first to point toward a possible role for RNA export through nuclear envelope invaginations in the pathogenesis of a neurodegenerative disorder and suggest that nucleocytoplasmic transport machinery may serve as a possible novel class of therapeutic targets for the treatment of tauopathies.
STUDIES ON THE USE OF SEWAGE EFFLUENT FOR IRRIGATION OF TRUCK CROPS1,2

Salmonella, Ascaris ova and Endamoeba coli cysts were recovered from more than 50 per cent of irrigation water samples contaminated with either raw sewage or primary-treated, chlorinated effluents. Only one of 97 samples of vegetables irrigated with this water yielded Salmonella, but Ascaris ova were recovered twice from 34 of the vegetable samples. The public health implications of these results are discussed.
Effect of Cobalt Chloride on Fermentation of Alfalfa and Smooth Bromegrass Hays by Horse Cecal Microorganisms.

Abstract Effects of Co on fiber digestibility in horses are largely unknown. Our objective was to evaluate effects of Co chloride on in vitro gas production, VFA production, and dry matter (DM) disappearance (IVDMD) using cecal fluid from 4 cannulated Quarter Horses. Five grams DM of alfalfa or smooth bromegrass hay were provided as substrate with Co added at 0.0, 0.5, 5.0, 25.0, or 50.0 mg/kg substrate DM. Ten milliliters cecal fluid and 140 mL McDougall's buffer were incubated in duplicate, and pH, VFA concentrations, and IVDMD were measured after 48 hours. Gas production, used as an indicator of fermentative activity, was recorded every 15 minutes. Terminal pH was not affected by Co or forage type (P > .19). There was greater IVDMD in cultures containing alfalfa (29.2%) compared with smooth bromegrass hay (19.4%; P .05). While gas production was influenced by Co in cultures containing brome, no effects of Co were observed for pH, VFA, or IVDMD.
Template-free cyclic hexavanadate: Synthesis, characterization, solid-state structure, and solution-state dynamics

Abstract A novel hexavanadate–organic hybrid material of the formula [NH4]2[V6(µ2-O)6(O)4(PDC)6] (PDC = 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate) has been prepared in dilute nitric acid under hydrothermal reaction conditions. The product was characterized by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, FTIR, UV–Vis, Raman, and thermogravimetric analyses in the solid state, and small angle X-ray scattering, ESI-MS, NMR (1H, 13C, 51V), and Raman spectroscopic techniques in aqueous solution. The crystal structure revealed a rare structure type in vanadium chemistry which crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n and consists of a cyclic polyoxovanadate core with edge-capped tetrahedral and octahedral vanadium centers. The “hollow” polyoxovanadate is stabilized by a PDC ligand on each metal center, and ammonium ions charge balance the anionic core and form hydrogen bonding interactions with the hexavanadate units. Solution-state studies showed that the structural unit observed in the solid state hydrolyzes upon dissolution in water, resulting in a symmetric dimer bearing similar ligand sets. Catalytic experiments on the photodecomposition of crystal violet, rhodamine B, methylene blue, and rhodamine 6G showed ≥93% degradation of the dyes under UV light irradiation upon addition of the vanadium complex.
Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in West Africa: A call to action.

In 2016, there were 13.7 million new strokes globally, and stroke was the second leading cause of death (5.5 million) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs; 116.4 million) worldwide.1 However, strides in both stroke prevention and treatment have been made. From 1990 to 2016, age-standardized global stroke incidence decreased by 8.1%, stroke deaths by 36.2%, and DALYs by 34.2%.1
The Ultimate Measure: A Caribbean Woman’s Dream and Journey to Surpass Expectations and Overcome Academic Obstacles

As an immigrant from a small Caribbean island and a first-generation college graduate, a bachelor’s degree was seen as a prized possession. It provides a foundation for the work that is expected in academia, but a much higher level of expectancy is placed on the pursuit of a terminal degree. Making the decision to pursue a terminal degree was frightening as it was to be done concurrently with a full-time K-12 career, which had its own set of challenges. This was an arduous and intense process which required guidance to undertake significant research, engage in high-level academic discourse, as well as successfully completing additional assessments. While the doctoral degree prepares candidates for some aspects of higher education, it often falls short in preparing you for life post-doctorate. In this narrative, the author discusses how growing up in the Caribbean, maintaining a high-pressure career as a full-time K-12 teacher while simultaneously pursuing higher education, impacted completion of the terminal degree. Of significance, is the discussion on her support systems and the necessary guidance which led to her success. In conclusion, this paper discusses implications for mentors and mentees who are preparing to embark on the journey of the terminal degree.
Machine Learning Algorithms in Suicide Prevention: Clinician Interpretations as Barriers to Implementation.

OBJECTIVE Machine learning algorithms in electronic medical records can classify patients by suicide risk, but no research has explored clinicians' perceptions of suicide risk flags generated by these algorithms, which may affect algorithm implementation. The objective of this study was to evaluate clinician perceptions of suicide risk flags. METHODS Participants (n = 139; 68 with complete data) were mental health clinicians recruited to complete online surveys from October 2018 to April 2019. RESULTS Most participants preferred to know which features resulted in a patient receiving a suicide flag (94.12%) and reported that knowing those features would influence their treatment (88.24%). Clinicians were more likely to report that some algorithm features (increased thoughts of suicide) would alter their clinical decisions more than others (age, physical health conditions; χ² = 270.84, P < .001). Clinicians were more likely to report that they would create a safety/crisis response plan in response to a suicide risk flag compared to other interventions (χ² = 227.02, P < .001), and 21% reported that they would complete a no-suicide contract following a suicide risk flag. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians overwhelmingly reported that suicide risk flags in electronic medical records would alter their clinical decision making. However, clinicians' likelihood of acting in response to a suicide risk flag was tied to which features were highlighted rather than the presence of the risk flag alone. Thus, the utility of a suicide risk algorithm will be reduced if clinical features underlying the algorithm are hidden from clinicians or if clinicians do not view the clinical features as intuitively meaningful predictors of suicide risk.
Children's Use of Generic Labels, Discreteness, and Stability to Form a Novel Category.

Children hold rich essentialist beliefs about natural and social categories, representing them as discrete (mutually exclusive with sharp boundaries) and stable (with membership remaining constant ...
Betrayal vs. nonbetrayal trauma: Examining the different effects of social support and emotion regulation on PTSD symptom severity.

OBJECTIVE Betrayal Trauma Theory posits that interpersonal traumas are particularly injurious when the perpetrator is a person that the victim previously trusted and was close to. A relevant protective factor to examine is social support, which may influence PTSD symptomology through its influence on emotion regulation. The aim of the current study was to examine differences in the associations between social support, emotion regulation, and PTSD symptom severity for survivors of betrayal trauma and nonbetrayal trauma. METHOD Two hundred and 73 trauma survivors (age: M = 25.96 years, SD = 9.42 years; 80.2% female; 63.7% White) completed the anonymous, online survey. RESULTS Across both groups, emotion regulation mediated the relationship between social support and PTSD symptom severity. A multiple-samples SEM analysis showed that the betrayal group evidenced a weaker relationship between social support and emotion regulation. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that survivors of high betrayal trauma may not engage with their social support in ways that foster emotion regulation skills. Therefore, for high betrayal trauma survivors specifically, group interventions that involve the survivor and close contact(s), may be particularly beneficial in enhancing emotion regulation and decreasing PTSD symptomology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Shifting to Virtual CBPR Protocols in the Time of Corona Virus/COVID-19

COVID-19 has upended community based participatory research (CBPR) projects across the United States and globally. COVID-19 disproportionately impacts historically disenfranchised communities and c...
Enabling low loss thin glass solutions for 5G / mmWave applications

In this paper, we describe progress in via-formation and processing of thin glass substrates. An advanced temporary bonding approach enables easy handling of thin glass substrates through TGV fill, as well as aggressive downstream processes such as CMP. The formation of TGVs in both aluminoborosilicate and fused silica is discussed, and hermetic, filled vias are successfully demonstrated. Promising simulation results on fused silica validate the usefulness of glass structures in millimeter-wave-frequency antennas.
Development of CT contrast agent for rat pancreas

1544 Objectives Our interest is to study diabetes in the rat model using MicroPET/CT methods. Diabetes is caused by the destruction or loss of islet cells located in the pancreas. In order to anatomically assist PET imaging methods, it is essential to visualize the pancreas using CT contrast agents. Since there are no selective CT contrast agents for the pancreas, our goal has been to develop a CT contrast agent for the pancreas. Methods Based on our studies of amino acids 11C-methionine (MET) which selectively localize in pancreas (Garcia et al., 2010), we synthesized a polyiodinated derivative, where -S11CH3 in MET was replaced with 5-amino-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalyl group to provide a polyiodinated analog of MET (PAA). Studies in Sprague-Dawley rats after iv injection of PAA (80-120 mg/ml of Iodine) using Inveon MicroCT and compared with eXIA 160 (120 mg/ml colloidal solution of Iodine containing reagent, Binitio Biomedical Inc.) for spleen imaging. MicroCT imaging of the abdomen was performed using isoflurane anesthesia. Results Uptake and clearance of PAA was rapid after iv administration. Most of the contrast agent cleared into the urinary bladder with little uptake in the pancreas. This is in contrast to the high uptake seen with MET. The amount of PAA administered is 104-105 compared to 11C-MET and is likely to be too large for the specific amino acid uptake mechanism in the pancreas. Uptake in the spleen using eXIA 160-XL was clearly visualized (Sevrioukov et al., 2010) and follows a different pathway for contrast enhancement with maximum spleen contrast at 30-60min after injection. Conclusions Uptake of PET agents such as 11C-MET in the pancreas occurs avidly, however uptake of the potential CT contrast agent PAA is not evident. The higher mass dose of PAA may be affecting pancreatic uptake and suggests that iodinated amino acids may not be suitable as CT contrast agents for the pancreas
Force in Smoothly Joined Elastic Half-Planes

Problem of elastic half-plane in smooth contact with second half-plane and subjected to concentrated force; formulas are given for components of stress in Cartesian coordinates; examination of properties of normal stress transmitted by interface; it is shown that, if elastic plane loaded by concentrated force is separated into 2 half-planes by smooth cut, normal stress across cut is same as in full plane before cutting.
Basal Ganglia – Cortex Interactions: Regulation of Cortical Function by D1 Dopamine Receptors in the Striatum

This paper reviews recent findings of molecular imaging studies that investigated the role of striatal dopamine in the regulation of basal ganglia output and cortical function. These studies employed immediate-early genes such as c-fos and zif 268 as functional markers to determine the effects of dopamine depletion and local dopamine receptor stimulation in the striatum on cortical function. The results indicate that the D1 receptor-regulated direct striatal output pathway provides widespread activation of the cortex. The various anatomical pathways that could mediate this basal ganglia-cortical regulation are discussed. It is concluded that likely several pathways act in concert, some signaling specific motor commands, others providing more general (and widespread) cortical activation, perhaps related to arousal and attentional states, that is necessary for normal motor functioning. All these basal gangliacortical activating mechanisms appear to be facilitated by striatal dopamine.
Electron diffraction of protein crystals

The use of electron crystallography as a high-resolution structural tool for studying protein crystals is discussed. Topics covered in this chapter include: electron scattering; electron microscopes; data collection embracing specimen preparation and radiation damage; and data processing. Keywords: data collection; data processing; electron crystallography; electron diffraction; electron microscopy; electron scattering; radiation damage; refinement; scattering; structure factors
Spontaneous Retinal Activity Is Tonic and Does Not Drive Tectal Activity during Activity-Dependent Refinement in Regeneration

During development, waves of activity periodically spread across retina to produce correlated activity that is thought to drive activity-dependent ordering in optic fibers. We asked whether similar waves of activity are produced in the retina of adult goldfish during activity-dependent refinement by regenerating optic fibers. Dual-electrode recordings of spontaneous activity were made at different distances across retina but revealed no evidence of retinal waves in normal retina or during regeneration. Retinal activity was tonic and lacked the episodic bursting associated with waves. Cross-correlation analysis showed that the correlated activity that was normally restricted to near neighbors (typically seen across 100–200 μm and absent at >500 μm) was not altered during regeneration. The only change associated with regeneration was a twofold reduction in ganglion cell firing rates. Because spontaneous retinal activity is known to be sufficient to generate refinement during regeneration in goldfish, we examined its effect on tectal activity. In normal fish, acutely eliminating retinal activity with TTX rapidly reduced tectal unit activity by >90%. Surprisingly, during refinement at 4–6 weeks, eliminating retinal activity had no detectable effect on tectal activity. Similar results were obtained in recordings from torus longitudinalis. After refinement at 3 months, tectal activity was again highly dependent on ongoing retinal activity. We conclude that spontaneous retinal activity drives tectal cells in normal fish and after regeneration but not during activity-dependent refinement. The implications of these results for the role of presynaptic activity in refinement are considered.
Energy prices, substitution, and optimal borrowing in the short run : an analysis of adjustment in oil - importing developing countries

This paper builds a normative framework to evaluate three questions: To what extent the increases in indebtedness of developing countries was excessive or simply the result of a perfectly rational strategy? What borrowing strategies can be expected in the future as the developing countries revise their expectations about the length of time between shocks? What is the derived demand to be faced by multilateral institutions providing some amount of concessionary credit. The framework used here consists of a short-term model traded and nontraded goods. Prices are flexible, and the exchange rate is allowed to float. An optimal borrowing rule is derived by maximizing a welfare function over the planning period. That period, defined by the expected number of years of oil price stability after the shock, is short.
Combating Sex Trafficking: A Perpetrator-Focused Approach

Contemporary human trafficking includes forced labor, slavery, and sex trafficking. The global sex trafficking of women and girls is organized and “industrialized.” Operating within and across national borders, it is comprised of legal and illegal business establishments engaging in a range of sexual exploitative activities, from generally legal acts, such as stripping and producing pornography, to generally illegal acts, such as producing child pornography, distributing obscene materials, and prostitution. Some of these activities, such as prostitution and lap dancing, are legal or unregulated in some counties and states in the United States or in counties around the world.
DAG-guided parallel asynchronous variational integrators with super-elements

Physical systems often involve a wide spectrum of time scales, making traditional synchronous time integrators too slow even on the world's fastest supercomputers. Asynchronous variational integrators (AVIs) have recently been introduced to address this challenge for a class of nonlinear elastodynamic problems. In this paper, we introduce a new and efficient parallel algorithm for the AVIs. We propose a new local-minima interpretation of the dependencies in the AVIs. Based on this interpretation, we show that the expected amount of parallelism in the AVIs is proportional to the number of elements of a mesh assuming a uniform distribution of the dependencies. Second, based on the local-minima interpretation, we introduce a parallel algorithm for the AVIs guided by the dependency graph of the computation that avoids using priority queues, thereby improving scalability. Third, we present an efficient multi-threaded implementation of the AVIs and introduce performance-optimization techniques using super-elements. Preliminary experimental results are presented to verify our theoretical analysis and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
Fabrication of Submicrometer High Current Density ${\hbox{ Nb/Al-AlN}}_{\rm x}/{\hbox{ Nb}}$ Junctions

We have developed a sub-mum Nb/Al-AlNx/Nb Josephson junction and integrated circuit fabrication process using deep-UV lithography and inductively coupled plasma etch tools. The baseline process consists of 11 masking steps including ground plane, PdAu resistor, Nb/Al-AlNx/Nb trilayer, and two additional Nb wiring layers. The AlNx tunnel barriers are grown with plasma nitridation. These junctions exhibit low subgap leakage even at current densities exceeding 100 kA/cm2. The critical current spread of a series array of 50- kA/cm2, 0.6 mum diameter junctions is under 3%. For very high current density applications, these junctions are a good candidate to replace Nb/Al-AlOx/Nb junctions particularly in future generations of very high speed, rapid single flux quantum logic circuits. In this paper we discuss our baseline fabrication process and device characterization including junction capacitance extraction from direct measurements of the Josephson plasma frequency.
Predictors of Hemorrhagic Transformation of Acute Ischemic Stroke: Prospective Validation of a Hemorrhage Risk Model (P7.119)

Objective: To determine the validity of our previously developed Hemorrhage Risk Model in predicting hemorrhagic transformation of acute ischemic stroke in patients with an indication for anticoagulation in a unique, prospectively-collected inpatient cohort. Background: Hemorrhagic transformation increases the morbidity and mortality of acute ischemic stroke. It would be useful to be able to predict who is at highest risk when considering initiation of anticoagulation. Using a retrospective cohort, we determined that advanced age, higher infarct volumes, and renal impairment were associated with hemorrhagic transformation. Using multivariate logistic regression, we created a Hemorrhage Risk Model and corresponding Hemorrhage Risk Score. Design/Methods : To validate the model, we prospectively followed a unique cohort of patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke who also had an indication for anticoagulation. Eighty-six patients were included in analysis. For each patient, the predicted odds of hemorrhage was calculated based on the model from our retrospective analysis: Odds of Hemorrhage= exp(-3.82 + (0.01)*(Volume) + (0.59)*(GFR Category) + (0.03)*(Age). The predicted odds of hemorrhage was compared to actual hemorrhage status using ROC analysis. Results: In the independent cohort, the area under the curve comparing predicted odds of hemorrhage (based on retrospective data) to actual hemorrhage status was 0.72. The Pearson’s correlation between the estimated log odds of hemorrhage and the actual log odds of hemorrhage was also high (0.78). Conclusions : In patients with an indication for anticoagulation who present with an acute ischemic stroke, our previously proposed model incorporating age, infarct volume, and renal function was a valid predictor of hemorrhagic transformation in an independent inpatient stroke population. Disclosure: Dr. Marsh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Llinas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hillis has received research support from Allon Pharmaceutical. Dr. Gottesman has nothing to disclose.
Critical Discourse Analysis in Literacy Education: A Review of the Literature.

This article is a critical, integrative literature review of scholarship in literacy studies from 2004 to 2012 that draws on critical discourse analysis (CDA). We discuss key issues, trends, and criticisms in the field. Our methodology was carried out in three stages. First, we searched educational databases to locate literacy-focused CDA scholarship. Second, we completed an analytic review template for each article and encoded this data into a digital spreadsheet to assess macrotrends in the field. Third, we developed schemata to interpret the complexity of issues related to research design. Our examination of 76 literacy-focused empirical studies and theoretical papers in scholarly journals reveals trends in the questions that researchers find interesting enough to pursue, the theories they find useful, and the kinds of interactions that capture their attention. Our findings demonstrate that CDA scholarship has been conducted in many areas of literacy studies, including policy, academic writing, the preparation of literacy teachers, professional development, textbook content, curricular design, assessment, and bilingual education. We explore four foundational areas in the field that are especially ripe for debate and critique: context, reflexivity, social action, and deconstructive–reconstructive stance toward inquiry. In the discussion, we compare the findings of this literature review with an earlier review published in 2005, reflecting on three decades of CDA in literacy studies. We identify directions for future scholarship.
Attack-resistant trust metrics for public key certification

This paper investigates the role of trust metrics in attack-resistant public key certification. We present an analytical framework for understanding the effectiveness of trust metrics in resisting attacks, including a characterization of the space of possible attacks. Within this framework, we establish the theoretical best case for a trust metric. Finally, we present a practical trust metric based on network flow that meets this theoretical bound.
Pion-momentum spectrum from K − absorption in helium

The pion-momentum spectrum from K−-absorption stars in helium is calculated in the impulse approximation. The kaon is assumed to be pseudoscalar and to be captured from the 1s state. A final state consisting of free particles is used. The effect of final bound states is considered and taken into account phenomenologically. All final-state interactions are neglected. It is shown that the shape of the momentum spectrum is determined mainly by kinematics,i.e., the shapes and position of the spectral peaks are quite insensitive to detailed dynamical assumptions such as the nature of the K parity and capture orbit. The effect of final-state interactions is discussed.
Head-cocking and visual perception in primates.

Abstract To examine the phyletic distribution and ontogeny of ‘head-cocking’ (rotating the cranium about the longitudinal body axis while orienting in a fixed direction) in primates, I conducted observations on 229 individuals of 40 different species. Head-cocking in primates typically occurs during visual inspection of objects. The response is primarily characteristic of diminutive species that lack ocular dominance columns in the visual striate cortex (e.g. marmosets, squirrel monkeys), and is most frequently observed during infancy.
C-LOCK (PATENT PENDING): A SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING AND CERTIFYING CARBON EMISSION REDUCTION CREDITS FOR THE SEQUESTRATION OF SOIL CARBON ON AGRICULTURAL LAND

The C-Lock system was developed to address the need for an improved method of quantifying and certifying project-level carbon emission reduction credits (CERC). It was designed to enable individual landowners to efficiently quantify, certify, pool, market and trade CERCs generated by agricultural management practices. We provide a general overview of the C-Lock system as it has been implemented for the USA State of South Dakota. C-Lock is comprised of four linked components: a web interface, a client database, a Geographic Information System (GIS) database of soil, climate and generalized land use history parameters, and the CENTURY soil carbon model. The user-friendly interface elicits generalized land-use and crop history information from the client from 1900 through 1989, then explicit annual information from 1990 onward. A climate-zone level landuse and crop management database is used to fill in gaps in the client-provided data. These data are used to drive the CENTURY model, which estimates annual changes in soil carbon stocks. Monte Carlo simulation is used to estimate uncertainty bounds, and these are applied to the CENTURY outputs in order to provide probabilistic estimates of accrued CERCs in a manner that is transparent and verifiable. In a demonstration application, CERCs are estimated for three different land-use scenarios on a representative field in eastern South Dakota: reduced tillage or conservation (no-till) management of a corn (maize)/wheat/soybean rotation, and enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program, which entails establishing permanent grass cover. The credits are based on a business-asusual scenario of conventional tillage.
Clinically significant changes in nausea as measured on a visual analog scale.

Study objective Our objective is to determine the minimum clinically significant change in nausea as measured on a visual analog scale. Methods This was a prospective, descriptive, convenience sample study of consenting adults presenting to the emergency department with nausea, excluding intoxicated patients and those with mild nausea (measuring Results Eighty-three paired visual analog scale measurements were collected from 50 patients. Fifty-eight percent of patients were women, and the mean age was 41 years. Mean changes in visual analog scale with corresponding qualitative descriptors were "a lot less" in 16 paired measurements (−42.2 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI] −54.9 to −29.5); "a little less" in 34 paired measurements (−15.4 mm; 95% CI −20.0 to −10.8); "no change" in 28 paired measurements (−0.4 mm; 95% CI −5.6 to 4.8); "a little more" in 2 paired measurements (16 mm; 95% CI −86 to 118); and "a lot more" in 3 paired measurements (23.7 mm; 95% CI −5.4 to 52.8). Patients reported "a little more" or "a little less" nausea in 36 paired measurements, with a mean change in visual analog scale of 15.4 mm (95% CI 11.0 to 19.8). Conclusion The minimum clinically significant visual analog scale change in nausea was 15 mm, which is similar to previous studies of other symptoms, and helps in the interpretation of clinical studies reporting changes in nausea.