cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multimodal Interfaces and Sensory Fusion in VR for Social Interactions

Difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communications as well as repetitive and atypical patterns of behavior, are typical characteristics of Autism spectrum disorders ASD. Advances in computer and robotic technology are enabling assistive technologies for intervention in psychiatric disorders such as autism spectrum disorders ASD and schizophrenia SZ. A number of research studies indicate that many children with ASD prefer technology and this preference can be explored to develop systems that may alleviate several challenges of traditional treatment and intervention. The current work presents development of an adaptive virtual reality-based social interaction platform for children with ASD. It is hypothesized that endowing a technological system that can detect the feeling and mental state of the child and adapt its interaction accordingly is of great importance in assisting and individualizing traditional intervention approaches. The proposed system employs sensors such as eye trackers and physiological signal monitors and models the context relevant psychological state of the child from combination of these sensors. Preliminary affect recognition results indicate that psychological states could be determined from peripheral physiological signals and together with other modalities including gaze and performance of the participant, it is viable to adapt and individualize VR-based intervention paradigms.
On the equation Δψ = κ 2 sinh ψ and its applications

The Poisson-Boltzmann equation with two unequal spheres and fixed positive surface potentials is analyzed. The electrostatic energy is computed, and the fact that a fraction of the surface maybe attractive while the rest is repulsive is obtained. This is a new concept, counter intuitive and observed by experiments.
Spin Dynamics and Dimensionality in Magnetic Semiconductor Quantum Structures

Complementary sets of low temperature magneto-optical experiments have been performed on a series of diluted magnetic semiconductor heterostructures in order to explore the effects of quantum confinement and reduced dimensionality on fundamental electronic and magnetic spin dynamics. In the first set, femtosecond time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy was used on a series of Zn1-xMnxSe/ZnSe spin superlattice structures to directly probe the spin-dependent dynamics as the carriers’ confining potential was systematically controlled by a magnetic field. Exciton lifetimes and spin relaxation are found to be strongly dependent on both the energy and location of spin states in the heterostructures. In the second set of experiments, a variety of nonmagnetic Zn1-yCdySe/ZnSe double quantum well heterostructures coupled by a thin diluted magnetic semiconductor barrier were studied by magneto-luminescence measurements. Spin splitting of the quantum confined ground state and the resulting large luminescence polarization were observed by tuning the barrier potential with a magnetic field. In the third set of experiments, femtosecond spectroscopic measurements of optically induced magnetization performed on ZnTe/Cd1-xMnxSe heterostructures reveal the formation and evolution of electron-based bound magnetic polarons. The magnetic spin dynamics on ultrashort time scales was found to vary dramatically with the degree of electron confinement. These experiments demonstrate the potential of spin-engineering to explore new carrier dynamics that are highly dependent on confinement and applied magnetic fields as well as the magnetic state of the host.
Eomesodermin driven IL-10 production in effector CD8+ T cells promotes a memory phenotype.

Abstract CD8+ T cell differentiation is controlled by the transcription factors T-bet and Eomesodermin, in concert with the cytokines IL-2, IL-10 and IL-12. Among these pathways, the mechanisms by which T-box proteins and IL-10 interact to promote a memory T cell fate remain poorly understood. Here, we show that Eomes and IL-10 drive a central memory phenotype in murine CD8+ T cells. Eomes expression led to increased IL-10 expression by the effector CD8+ T cells themselves as well as an increase in the level of the lymph node homing selectin CD62L. Furthermore, exposure of effector CD8+ T cells to IL-10 maintained CD62L expression levels in culture. Thus, Eomes promotes a step-wise transition of effector T cells towards a memory phenotype, synergizing with IL-10 to enhance the expression of CD62L. The early augmentation of lymph node homing markers by Eomes may facilitate the retention of effector T cells in the relatively low inflammatory milieu of the secondary lymphoid organs that promotes central memory development.
Noise Trading: An Ad-based Measure

This paper proposes a novel measure of noise trading that aims to capture uninformed retail trading. The measure, an indicator of whether the firm placed advertisement(s) in the Wall Street Journal seven calendar days earlier, is motivated by evidence that retail trading spikes seven days after ad days, that firms regularly place ads at weekly intervals, and that weekly ads frequently contain duplicate images. This ad-based measure is positively associated with informed trading and stock price volatility. Collectively, our results provide broad support for the theoretical predictions of Collin-Dufresne and Fos (2016, Econometrica).
Abstract TP254: Frequent Flyers: Retrospective Review of Repeat Stroke Codes

Introduction: A stroke code is a standardized pathway for rapidly assessing patients with possible stroke. Inpatients with neurological deficits often trigger repeat stroke codes, even if the etiol...
Rapid changes in morphogen concentration control self-organized patterning in human embryonic stem cells

During embryonic development, diffusible signaling molecules called morphogens are thought to determine cell fates in a concentration-dependent way. Yet, in mammalian embryos, concentrations change rapidly compared to the time for making cell fate decisions. Here, we use human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to address how changing morphogen levels influence differentiation, focusing on how BMP4 and Nodal signaling govern the cell-fate decisions associated with gastrulation. We show that BMP4 response is concentration dependent, but that expression of many Nodal targets depends on rate of concentration change. Moreover, in a self-organized stem cell model for human gastrulation, expression of these genes follows rapid changes in endogenous Nodal signaling. Our study shows a striking contrast between the specific ways ligand dynamics are interpreted by two closely related signaling pathways, highlighting both the subtlety and importance of morphogen dynamics for understanding mammalian embryogenesis and designing optimized protocols for directed stem cell differentiation. Editorial note This article has been through an editorial process in which the authors decide how to respond to the issues raised during peer review. The Reviewing Editor's assessment is that all the issues have been addressed (see decision letter).
Effect of Protease Inhibitors in Healing of the Vaginal Wall.

Impaired elastogenesis and increased degradation of elastic fibers has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pelvic organ prolapse. Loss of the elastogenic organizer, fibulin-5 (FBLN5), leads to pelvic organ prolapse in mice. The objective of this study was to investigate the regulation of FBLN5 after surgical injury of the vaginal wall using the rat as a preclinical animal model. Both endogenous and recombinant FBLN5 were degraded after surgical injury. Estrogen did not alter the dramatic loss of vaginal FBLN5 in the acute phase after injury (12–48 h), but resulted in rescue of the poor recovery of FBLN5 levels in the late phase (7 d) of healing in ovariectomized animals. In contrast with estrogen, the general MMP inhibitor, actinonin, abrogated injury-induced degradation of FBLN5 significantly. Further, actinonin rescued the negative effects of injury on biomechanics, histomorphology, and elastic fibers. Control of excessive matrix degradation by local application of actinonin at the time of surgery may lead to improved elastic fiber regeneration and wound healing, thereby potentially enhancing pelvic floor recovery after reconstructive surgery for prolapse.
Toward Decoding the Relationship between Domain Structure and Functionality in Ferroelectrics via Hidden Latent Variables.

Polarization switching mechanisms in ferroelectric materials are fundamentally linked to local domain structure and the presence of the structural defects, which both can act as nucleation and pinn...
Valuation Effect of Emotionality in Corporate Philanthropy

Despite receiving a great deal of research attention, the effect of corporate philanthropy on shareholder value remains inconclusive. To address this issue, the present paper examines emotionality as an important factor based on which investors infer about the firm’s motive as well as the beneficiary’s worthiness and react accordingly. Consistent with attribution theory, our event study shows that announcements with more emotional expressions are associated with higher cumulative abnormal stock returns and the effect is stronger when investor attention is greater. We further find that the positive interaction effect between emotionality and investor attention is more pronounced for scandal-free firms than for firms with corporate social irresponsibility (CSI). The empirical evidence remains consistent under various robustness tests. The paper concludes with implications for future research and managerial practices.
Comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder are associated with asthma morbidity among World Trade Center workers.

Abstract Background World Trade Center (WTC) rescue and recovery workers have a high burden of asthma, comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). PTSD is associated with worse asthma outcomes. Objective In this study, we evaluated whether the relationship between PTSD and asthma morbidity is modified by the presence of MDD. Methods We used data from a cohort of WTC workers with asthma. Asthma control (asthma control questionnaire), resource utilization, and quality of life (asthma quality of life questionnaire) were evaluated. We used regression analyses to evaluate the adjusted association of PTSD and MDD with asthma control, resource utilization, and quality of life. Results Of the study cohort of 293 WTC workers with asthma, 19% had PTSD alone, 2% had MDD alone, and 12% had PTSD and MDD. Adjusted mean differences (95% confidence interval) in asthma control questionnaire scores were 1.32 (0.85-1.80) for WTC workers with PTSD and MDD, 0.44 (0.03-0.84) for those with PTSD alone, and 0.50 (−0.38 to 1.38) for workers with MDD alone compared with those without MDD or PTSD. WTC workers with PTSD and MDD, PTSD alone, and MDD alone had mean (95% confidence interval) adjusted differences in asthma quality of life questionnaire scores of −1.67 (−2.22 to −1.12), −0.56 (−2.23 to −1.12), and −1.21 (−2.23 to −0.18), respectively, compared with workers without MDD or PTSD. Similar patterns were observed for acute resource utilization. Conclusion PTSD and MDD seem to have a synergistic effect that worsens asthma control and quality of life. Efforts to improve asthma outcomes in this population should address the negative impacts of these common mental health conditions.
Age Specific Months of Mortality (MOMa) from Endemic and Pandemic (Covid 19) diseases

ABSTRACT People do not naturally understand risk. We fear things that happen rarely like kidnapping while ignoring common risks like motor vehicle crashes. We also do not fully comprehend the large effect that age has on risk. In this paper, I introduce a concept that I call age specific months of mortality, abbreviated MOMa, a statistic that will allow people to understand their risk of death within their age group. In a year without excess mortality, i.e. no pandemic, individual causes of death will add up to a total of 12 MOMa. Excess mortality, e.g. a pandemic, adds MOMa beyond 12. For people in their 20s, the MOMa is 5 for accidents, 1.9 for suicide, 1.6 for homicide, and 1.2 for Covid-19. For people in their 60s, the MOMa is 12 for Covid-19, 4 for cancer, 2.6 for coronary heart, and treatment of Covid-19 with dexamethasone reduces MOMa from 12 to 7 months.
The creation and validation of a Jazz Theory Measure: Implications for improvisation education:

The purpose of this study was to create and validate a measure for jazz theory knowledge assessment. The Jazz Theory Measure (JTM) was created by exploring publications on jazz improvisation instru...
Shock-Tube Studies of Transonic Flow over Wedge Profiles

The position of the sonic line and the pressure distribution over the wedge have been calculated from the density fields measured with a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. For a given wedge, identical pressure distributions are found over a considerable range of supersonic flows. These results suggest simple formulas giving the drag coefficient for each wedge angle which are expected to hold in most of the transonic speed range.
Antimicrobial activity of sugar beet lignocellulose films containing tung oil and cedarwood essential oil

Several studies have been reported on the use of cellulose, lignocellulose, chitin and other biological macromolecules for food packaging. One of the major drawbacks limiting their wide uses is their limited antimicrobial and water vapor barrier properties. In this study, cedarwood (Thuja occidentalis) essential oil (CWO), known to contain terpenes, polyphenols and tung oil, known to contain fatty acids, were used as additives to improve water vapor barrier, antimicrobial, and physical properties of laboratory cast lignocellulose films. Physicochemical and mechanical properties were tested to evaluate the impact of the addition of oils in the films formulations. The addition of 15 % CWO and tung oils improved water vapor permeability by more than 25 % as also evidenced by the increase of contact angle between water and film by 134 % from 38.98° to 89.36° with 15 % tung oil. FTIR was used to monitor the presence of hydrophobic groups at 1463 and 1741 cm−1 from the oil on the film spectra confirming the improvement of film hydrophobicity from oils interactions. However, the addition of 15 % hydrophobic oils promoted a significant decrease in tensile properties of films (p ≤ 0.05) by 40 % for CWO and 32 % for tung oil, respectively, due to a partial incompatibility between hydrophilic lignocellulose and hydrophobic oils. The use of a tailored coupling agent to reduce the incompatibility and to improve the load charge transfer between hydrophobic and hydrophilic group might reduce the decrease of the tensile properties with the addition of hydrophobic compounds. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed on the thermal stability of films using TGA. The antimicrobial effects of lignocellulose films against bacteria namely Listeria innocua, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enterica was tested by disk inhibition zone method and showed an improvement with the addition of 5 % CWO in the film. The Microbe Growth Index of the lignocellulose cellulosic films containing 20 % w/w of CWO decreases by 80 %. CWO and tung oil are good candidates to control microbial growth and water vapor permeability in flexible films. Future work will focus on the olfactory and tensile properties for applications in food packaging.
Scattering of Ultrasonic Waves by Cracks

Mathematical techniques to analyze scattering of ultrasound are discussed. Particular attention is devoted to scattering by cracks. Results are presented for time-domain finite difference calculations and for the ray method. The derivation of a boundary integral equation for the crack-opening-displacement according to rigorous elastodynamic theory and the numerical solution of this equation by the boundary element method are discussed in some detail. When the crack-opening-displacement is known, the scattered field can be obtained by the use of an integral representation.
Polycide/metal capacitors for high precision A/D converters

The authors present a novel metal-to-silicide-polysilicon capacitor and compare it with metal-to-polysilicon capacitors and conventional polysilicon-to-polysilicon capacitors. Voltage coefficient data for these capacitor structures with oxide, oxide/nitride, oxide/nitride/oxide, and nitride dielectrics are also discussed. It is shown that when metal-to-silicided polysilicon capacitors are used, voltage coefficients of less than 4 p.p.m./V can be attained, which is considerably less than that obtained when metal-to-poly or conventional poly-to-poly capacitors are used. For high-precision A/D converters, this value will make possible accuracies of up to 18 bits through self-calibration. >
The Continental Record of Stage 11: a Review

The review of terrestrial records of marine isotope stage 11 indicates that they are mostly yielded by pollen and loess sequences. They occur in different localities around the world and show different time resolution and environmental conditions. Other records are discussed which correspond to more particular conditions, i.e., the Lake Baikal deposits, or the terrestrial malacofauna from tufa deposits in Western Europe. If almost all the records indicate moister conditions than present, the temperature estimates vary from similar to the present, to warmer from place to place. Another problem related to the interpretation of terrestrial deposits of stage 11 is the time resolution and the sampling interval of the related deposits that makes correlation with other proxies even more difficult due to the long duration of this interglacial. However, a scenario is proposed to link the different reviewed record based on a general warm climate of MIS 11.
Fibers and Fibrous Materials

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of the structure and properties of the natural and synthetic fibers used in the production of textile materials, including woven, knitted, and nonwoven products. The principal fiber types, including the cellulosics, acrylics, polyamides, polyesters, and polyolefins are discussed. The chapter focuses on numerous specialty fibers that are used in absorption applications, which include alloy rayon fibers, modified cellulose fibers, acrylic and polyester fibers, and superabsorbent fibers. The chapter also discusses methods of formation and the important structural characteristics of fibrous materials produced from fibers, including yams, woven and knitted fabrics, and nonwoven products. The physical properties of fibrous materials depend on two separate but somewhat interdependent factors. The first involves the individual component fibers constituting the fibrous material in question. The second factor which influences the physical properties of fibrous materials is the geometric arrangement of the component fibers. In attempting to understand sorption characteristics in terms of fiber properties, one must distinguish to a certain extent among the sorption of liquids and that of vapors and gases. Adsorption and absorption of vapors and gases take place by the fibers themselves. Textile yarns are produced from staple (finite length) fibers by a combination of processing steps referred to collectively as "yarn spinning".
T Cells Lacking Immunoproteasome Subunits MECL-1 and LMP7 Hyperproliferate in Response to Polyclonal Mitogens

Immunoproteasomes comprise a specialized subset of proteasomes that is defined by the presence of three catalytic immunosubunits: LMP2, MECL-1 (LMP10), and LMP7. Proteasomes in general serve many cellular functions through protein degradation, whereas the specific function of immunoproteasomes has been thought to be largely, if not exclusively, optimization of MHC class I Ag processing. In this report, we demonstrate that T cells from double knockout mice lacking two of the immunosubunits, MECL-1 and LMP7, hyperproliferate in vitro in response to various polyclonal mitogens. We observe hyperproliferation of both CD4 + and CD8 + T cell subsets and demonstrate accelerated cell cycling. We do not observe hyperproliferation of T cells lacking only one of these subunits, and thus hyperproliferation is independent of either reduced MHC class I expression in LMP7 −/− mice or reduced CD8 + T cell numbers in MECL-1 −/− mice. We observe both of these latter two phenotypes in MECL-1/LMP7 −/− mice, which indicates that they also are independent of each other. Finally, we provide evidence of in vivo T cell dysfunction by demonstrating increased numbers of central memory phenotype CD8 + T cells in MECL-1/LMP7 −/− mice. In summary, this novel phenotype of hyperproliferation of T cells lacking both MECL-1 and LMP7 implicates a specific role for immunoproteasomes in T cell proliferation that is not obviously connected to MHC class I Ag processing.
An unusual presentation of congenital heart disease.

We describe an unusual presentation of congenital heart disease mimicking preeclampsia in a young, gravid girl. The diagnosis of Shone's complex was confirmed by echocardiography. This complex is manifested by multiple levels of obstruction involving the left side of the heart and the systemic circulation. It is extremely rare, especially in pregnant adolescents. We briefly describe the patient's clinical history, physical examination, and treatment, as well as our clinical decisions regarding her case. The discussion focuses on the spectrum of findings in Shone's complex and the physiologic impact of therapy on this patient. (Tex Heart Inst J 2003;30:214–7)
Budd-Chiari syndrome recurring in a transplanted liver

Abstract A patient with Budd-Chiari syndrome who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation and developed recurrent disease is described. The immediate postoperative period was complicated by multiple thrombotic episodes, followed by a period of apparent remission associated with the initiation of coumadin and persantine therapy. After discontinuation of such antithrombotic therapy in order to biopsy the liver, the patient experienced another series of clinically overt vascular thromboses and ultimately died of sepsis 15 mo posttransplantation after a prolonged and complicated terminal hospital course. At autopsy, recurrent Budd-Chiari syndrome as well as thromboses in numerous other organs was demonstrated.
Mama Lola: A Vodou Priestess in Brooklyn

Karen McCarthy Brown Mama Lola:. Vodou Priestess in Brooklyn Berkeley: University of California Press, 1991. ISBN 0-520-07073-9. Hardcover, $24.95. Pp. x+405.
Capturing complex, distributed activities: video-based interaction analysis as a component of workplace ethnography

Organizations increasingly carry out their work by relying on complex, distributed activities supported by a wide range of technologies for synchronous and asynchronous communication and collaboration. How do we capture complex, distributed activities? What tools do we use in settings where even a team of trained ethnographers could not comprehend, much less record, all the interplays between team members, the subtleties of a look or tone, the shifts in orientation to people or objects in the workspace? In this paper, we explore the use of video-based Interaction Analysis to extend the ability of traditional ethnographic methods for data collection and analysis. We draw on a study of a distributed organization’s use of remote meeting technologies to illustrate how this approach contributes to the depth of insights to be garnered from workplace ethnography.
Region-Guided and Sampling-Based Tree Search for Motion Planning With Dynamics

This paper presents a motion planner, termed Guided Sampling Tree (GUST), geared toward mobile robots with nonlinear dynamics and nonholonomic constraints operating in complex environments. GUST expands a tree of collision-free and dynamically feasible motions and uses a workspace decomposition to partition the motion tree into groups. GUST relies on shortest path distances in the workspace decomposition and penalty factors to identify candidate groups, which could result in rapid expansions of the motion tree toward the goal. The initial workspace decomposition and the partition of the motion tree are further refined during the search in order to improve the group selection and the motion-tree expansion. Experimental validation is provided using ground and aerial-vehicle models operating in complex environments. Comparisons with related work show statistically significant speedups with large effect sizes.
Measuring Multivalent Binding Interactions by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry

Multivalent glycoconjugate-protein interactions are central to many important biological processes. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) can potentially reveal the molecular and thermodynamic basis of such interactions. However, calorimetric investigation of multivalency is challenging. Binding of multivalent glycoconjugates to proteins (lectins) often leads to a stoichiometry-dependent precipitation process due to noncovalent cross-linking between the reactants. Precipitation during ITC titration severely affects the quality of the baseline as well as the signals. Hence, the resulting thermodynamic data are not dependable. We have made some modifications to address this problem and successfully studied multivalent glycoconjugate binding to lectins. We have also modified the Hill plot equation to analyze high quality ITC raw data obtained from multivalent binding. As described in this chapter, ITC-driven thermodynamic parameters and Hill plot analysis of ITC raw data can provide valuable information about the molecular mechanism of multivalent lectin-glycoconjugate interactions. The methods described herein revealed (i) the importance of functional valence of multivalent glycoconjugates, (ii) that favorable entropic effects contribute to the enhanced affinities associated with multivalent binding, (iii) that with the progression of lectin binding, the microscopic affinities of the glycan epitopes of a multivalent glycoconjugate decrease (negative cooperativity), (iv) that lectin binding to multivalent glycoconjugates, especially to mucins, involves internal diffusion jumps, (bind and jump) and (v) that scaffolds of glycoconjugates influence their entropy of binding.
Ethic of Care: Guiding Principles for Engineering Teaching & Practice

Engineering draws guidance from many disciplines for its teaching and practice. The evolution of engineering as a response to societal and personal needs has created, together with technical challenges, ethical dimensions akin to more service-oriented professions. Several frameworks of ethics have been suggested to incorporate and address these dimensions. In this paper, the ethic of care is singled out due to the natural analogy between engineering and care: they both respond to a need and are oriented towards action. The suitability of care to provide guiding principles is supported by highlighting the distinguishing features that make the ethic of care especially relevant to engineering. Finally, it is shown through examples that the benefits from applying principles of the ethic of care vary from helpful reminders to valuable insights and guidelines in teaching and practicing engineering.
The effect of N-acetylcysteine on theviscosity of tracheobronchial secretions in cystic fibrosis of the pancreas

N-acetylcysteine reduces the viscosity of tracheobronchial secretions apparently through a specific sulfhydryl-disulfide interchange reaction. Additional mucolysis is achieved by its salt effect on the desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) present. Pulmonary diseases in which the viscosity of tracheobronchial secretions is responsible for their pathophysiology may be benefited by nebulization of concentrated solutions of N-acetylcysteine. Viscosity measurements were determined on secretions obtained per tracheostomy from 2 patients with cystic fibrosis with the use of N-acetylcysteine as an aerosol. N-acetylcysteine produced a greater fall in the viscosity of the secretions than did 2 control aerosols.
Conceptions of Time and Events in Social Science Methods: Causal and Narrative Approaches

(1990). Conceptions of Time and Events in Social Science Methods: Causal and Narrative Approaches. Historical Methods: A Journal of Quantitative and Interdisciplinary History: Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 140-150.
Interatrial-pressure relationships after closure of atrial septal defects in man.

Manifestations of left ventricular failure have been reported in the literature in some patients after surgical closure of atrial septal defects. The authors present their experience in their series of 85 cases and detailed hemodynamic measures in 16 patients.
Vesico-ureteral reflux and the adult male

SUMMARY 1 Seventeen adult males with reflux, ranging in age from 21 to 75 years, are presented. Those patients with reflux secondary to neurogenic bladder or after partial cystectomy are excluded. 2 The etiological factors associated with reflux may be congenital as well as acquired. 3 In males under 45, reflux is usually due to lower urinary tract obstruction associated with chronic cystitis. The obstruction may be congenital and of such a low-grade nature that only when associated with a secondary infection does the condition become evident. Operative repair for reflux in association with a revision of the bladder neck is the recommended form of treatment. 4 In patients with reflux due to prostatic obstruction or after iatrogenic injury of the intramural ureter, in whom reflux persists despite elimination of obstruction, conservative therapy should be initially attempted. An anti-reflux procedure is indicated to prevent further deterioration of the kidney if continued renal destruction occurs.
Chronic Pain in Torture Victims

Torture is widely practiced throughout the world. Recent studies indicate that 50% of all countries, including 79% of the G-20 countries, continue to practice systematic torture despite a universal ban. It is well known that torture has numerous physical, psychological, and pain-related sequelae that can inflict a devastating and enduring burden on its victims. Health care professionals, particularly those who specialize in the treatment of chronic pain, have an obligation to better understand the physical and psychological effects of torture. This review highlights the epidemiology, classification, pain sequelae, and clinical treatment guidelines of torture victims. In addition, the role of pharmacologic and psychologic interventions is explored in the context of rehabilitation.
996-13 Inflammation Following Adenovirus-mediated Direct Gene Transfer into Porcine Coronary Arteries and Strategies for Its Control

The vascular response to any given combination of gene transfer vector and catheter delivery system is an important factor to consider in developing gene therapy strategies for preventing coronary restenosis. In order to study the vascular response to adenoviral (Ad5) vectors following transluminal delivery by perforated balloon catheter, we constructed a replicationdeficient Ad5 expressing a nuclear-localized, β -galactosidase and deployed it in porcine coronary arteries using Wolinsky Infusion Catheters (USCI, Billerica, MA). Viral infections were performed under fluoroscopy by infusing 4 ml (2 × 10 10 pfu) of the virus into the coronary arteries of intubated swine at 8 atm of pressure. Three days later, the arteries were removed and fixed prior to a 6 hr incubation in X-gal. The nuclear localization of the indigo reaction product provided for unambiguous detection of Ad5-infected smooth muscle cells in the media; however, specific staining of cells in the near adventitia was also noted suggesting distribution of virus by the vasa vasorum. The endothelial denudation and medial disorganization observed in Ad5-infected arteries were similar to that found in balloon-injured and vehicle-infused control arteries. The most remarkable histologic finding was a pronounced cellular infiltrate in the adventitia and periadventitia of the Ad5-infected arteries that was absent in the vehicle-infused controls. Immunohistochemical staining of arterial cross-sections using a monoclonal antibody directed against the porcine lymphocyte homing receptor (CD44) identified the infiltrating cells as leukocytes. These results suggest that Ad5-mediated gene transfer to the coronary arteries of Hanford miniature swine elicits an inflammatory response mediated by cytotoxic T-cells, monocytes/macrophages, andlor natural killer cells. The natural response of the host to viral infection may therefore contribute to the precipitous decline in Ad5-mediated gene expression observed in this animal model and others. Potential strategies for controlling the inflammatory response to Ad5 vectors will be discussed, including immunosuppression of the host. modifications to the Ad5-genome, and the long-term possibility of using synthetic complexes to emulate vital gene transfer without eliciting inflammation.
Design, fabrication and testing of a smart robotic foot

Abstract A miniature smart robotic foot (SRF), equipped with an integrated vacuum pump, a suction cup, a pressure sensor and a micro-valve, was designed, fabricated and tested. A mock-up robot equipped with the SRF was used to study the load-carrying potential of the system. The SRF weighs 35 g and it can, with a 40 mm suction cup, support weights in the range of 1.2–3.5 kg under various test conditions and surfaces. A next generation SRF is also built, which is equipped with a micro-controller, a video micro-camera, a wireless interface and a thin film battery.
Defining Potency: A Comparison of the International Index of Erectile Function Short Version and the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite

BACKGROUND. Both the 5-item short version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) have been used to assess erectile function. In this study, the authors compared various definitions of potency according to the IIEF-5 and the EPIC. METHODS. Patients with prostate cancer who had completed the IIEF-5 and the EPIC within 7 days of each other were included. The Spearman correlation coefficient (rho) was calculated to assess the relation between IIEF-5 and EPIC sexual domain scores. Concordance of potency rates by IIEF-5 and EPIC was assessed in cross-tabulations. By calculating the area under the receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve (AUC), the authors ascertained the discriminative ability of the IIEF-5 score to identify potent men as defined by the EPIC. RESULTS. Analyzing 102 questionnaire pairs, IIEF-5 and EPIC domain scores were found to be highly correlated (rho = 0.776). EPIC sexual domain scores ≥60 had high concordance with IIEF-5 scores ≥17 (98%) and with nearly all single-item definitions of potency (≥71%). However, an EPIC sexual domain score ≥80 was a very strict definition of potency, and only 54% of patients with IIEF-5 scores ≥22 met this threshold. On the basis of ROC analysis (AUC = 0.90), an IIEF-5 score ≥20 was identified as the ideal cutoff for defining potency and corresponded with an EPIC sexual domain score ≥60. CONCLUSIONS. IIEF-5 and EPIC scores were highly correlated, but potency rates varied widely, depending on the definition of potency. The current results help with the interpretation of sexual function outcomes data in patients with prostate cancer. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Soil Biochemical Properties as Affected by Land Leveling in a Clayey Aquert

Land leveling or precision grading is an agricultural practice subsidized by the United States Government for water conservation purposes and is common in the Mississippi River Delta region of the mid-southern United States. Though undertaken to more uniformly deliver irrigation water, land leveling represents a severe soil disturbance that alters near-surface soil biogeochemical properties. The objectives of this study were to characterize the short-term impacts of land leveling on the magnitude, variance, and spatial variability and distributions of soil chemical properties and to evaluate the impact of land leveling on the relationships among soil chemical and biological properties in a Sharkey clay (very-fine, smectitic, thermic Chromic Epiaquert) used for irrigated soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and rice (Oryza saliva L.) production in the Mississippi Delta region of northeast Arkansas. Soil pH, EC, and Mehlich-3 extractable soil K, Ca, Mg, Na, S, Fe, and Cu contents in the top 10 cm increased, while soil OM, total N and C concentrations, C/N ratio, and extractable soil P and Mn contents decreased following land leveling. Variances for soil pH, and extractable soil P, K, Na, S, Mn, Cu and Zn contents increased after leveling. Spatial variability and distributions of soil chemical properties were noticeably altered and many correlations among soil biochemical properties changed significantly after leveling. Increased variations in soil biogeochemical properties as a result of any soil disturbance will make uniform field and crop management more difficult. Precision agricultural technologies may aid in the restoration of uniform productivity and soil fertility to predisturbance levels.
Arterialization of reversed autogenous vein grafts: Quantitative light and electron microscopy of canine jugular vein grafts harvested and implanted by standard or improved techniques

Abstract To provide sequential, quantitative analysis of the cellular events occurring in reversed autogenous vein grafts after implantation and potential modifications of these events, two groups of veins were evaluated. Veins prepared by standard techniques of unmonitored pressure distension with cold heparinized saline solution, tributary ligation adjacent to the wall, and storage at 4° C were morphometrically compared with veins harvested by means of a modified protocol of papaverine irrigation, tributary ligation away from the graft wall, pressure distension to 100 mm Hg with heparinized blood containing papaverine at body temperature, storage in identical solution at 4° C, and implantation while distended. Unilateral jugular veins harvested from dogs with the modified technique (IRJV, N=9) or standard technique (SRJV, N=9) were implanted into carotid arteries, retrieved at 30 minutes, 2 days, and 10 days postoperatively along with the contralateral control vein after perfusion fixation in situ, and examined microscopically to quantitate intimal-medial thickness and endothelial damage (denudation and ultrastructural alterations). All IRJVs remained endothelialized, whereas SRJVs had 19% and 40% endothelial denudation at 30 minutes and 2 days, respectively, as well as massive neutrophil, platelet, and monocyte involvement. In contrast, IRJVs had only a modest infiltration of monocytes beginning early after implantation and culminating in their localization beneath endothelial cells; these endothelial cells increased in number during the 10-day period. Although SRJVs exhibited nearly complete reendothelialization over the luminal surface of macrophages by 10 days, endothelial damage was consistently higher than that of IRJVs at all periods and intimal-medial thickness was significantly greater at 10 days (65 ± 0 vs. 57 ± 0 μm, respectively; p
Psychology of the Scientist: XXV. Experimenter Bias and Tails of Pascal

Responding to a commentary by Rosenthal (1967) on Ingraham and Harrington (1966), it is suggested that interest has centered on the existence of experimenter bias to such an extent as to obscure questions of relevant variables. Some surprisingly neglected aspects of statistical procedures and critical variables are examined.
Seasonal Prediction of Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies Using a Suite of 13 Coupled Atmosphere–Ocean Models

Abstract Improved seasonal prediction of sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies over the global oceans is the theme of this paper. Using 13 state-of-the-art coupled global atmosphere–ocean models and 13 yr of seasonal forecasts, the performance of individual models, the ensemble mean, the bias-removed ensemble mean, and the Florida State University (FSU) superensemble are compared. A total of 23 400 seasonal forecasts based on 1-month lead times were available for this study. Evaluation metrics include both deterministic and probabilistic skill measures, such as verification of anomalies based on model and observed climatology, time series of specific climate indices, standard deterministic ensemble mean scores including anomaly correlations, root-mean-square (RMS) errors, and probabilistic skill measures such as equitable threat scores for seasonal SST forecasts. This study also illustrates the Nino-3.4 SST forecast skill for the equatorial Pacific Ocean and for the dipole index for the Indian Ocean. Th...
Training Environments, Work Attitudes, and Turnover Intention

A recent and extensive review of research concluded that worker age–viewed both chronologically and in terms of career stage–was a decisive determinant of work attitudes including turnover intention, i.e., intention to remain in an occupation or to leave it. This paper reports a study of work attitudes among 732 American, British, and Spanish students undergoing training as merchant marine engineering officers. All were of the same age and were at the same point in their careers. Wide differences were shown in terms of attitudes toward the occupation including turnover intention. The single most important variable was the national context in which training was taking place: The Americans exhibited the most negative work attitudes and the higher turnover intention; the Spanish had the most positive attitudes and the lowest turnover intention; the British tended to fall in the middle. Social class origin had some, though irregular, effects. The national differences are explained in terms of the training environments existing in the schools as well as structural features surrounding the merchant marine industry and the organization of training for the occupation in each country. Hence, though age may be a decisive element in work attitudes, this study suggests that the social organization within which age factors are located may determine the scope and forms of its effects.
Computer Programs for Calculating Meta-Analysis Statistics:

Computer programs to calculate meta-analysis statistics are described. The programs provide several statistics for the meta-analysis of Pearson correlation coefficients and of d effect sizes. Obser...
Dynamics of Cerebrospinal Fluid in the Subrachnoid Space Within Spinal Cavity

In this paper, a computational study was carried out to investigate the CSF dynamics in the spinal cavity. A theoretical and computational model was developed to simulate the pulsatile CSF flow and the deformation of the spinal cavity that results from transmission of the CSF pulse wave from the cranial cavity. Under a pulsatile pressure gradient, the velocity profile of the flow is blunt for large Womersley numbers, while for small Womersley numbers the velocity profile is parabolic. The phase relationship between the pressure and the velocity is also related to Womersley number. This is the first step to understand the pulsatile dynamics of the CSF in the spinal cavity and will help explain the cause of related diseases and improve the clinical treatment.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Abstract 2992: Transcriptional silencing of amplicons by histone deacetylase inhibition

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Inhibition of cancer cell growth by histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors has been observed in a number of malignancies. Multiple mechanisms have been proposed to explain the cancer-specific cytotoxic effect of HDAC inhibition, including transcriptional activation of pro-apoptotic and differentiation programs that become epigenetically silenced during tumorigenesis. Here, we report a direct transcriptional repression mechanism of histone deacetylase inhibition that selectively targets genomic amplicons, providing genetic and epigenetic alterations as a basis for the cancer selective cytotoxicity of these drugs. Our study implicates distinct epigenetic structures at the oncogenic amplicons that might be targeted for cancer drug development. Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2992.
Preliminary experience in the use of ultrafast computed tomography to diagnose aortic valve stenosis.

Abstract Eight patients, mean age 72 years, with aortic valve stenosis were studied by ultrafast CT 1 day after cardiac catheterization. After injection of radiographic contrast material through a peripheral vein, two contiguous eight-level R wave-triggered cine mode scans in the short axis were acquired, starting above the aortic valve and continuing through the apex of the left ventricle. Seven of eight patients, all with calcified aortic valves, had a detectable central orifice. Catheterization-derived aortic valve areas were within 0.25 cm 2 of the CT valve areas in six of seven. LV mass was measured by ultrafast CT in the eight patients with aortic valve stenosis (121.6 ± 18.2 gm/m 2 ) and was found to be significantly higher ( p 2 ). It is concluded that in selected cases ultrafast CT can contribute to the assessment of severity of calcific aortic stenosis by measurement of LV mass and valve area.
Recurrence times and rates of mixing

The setting of this paper consists of a map making “nice” returns to a reference set. Criteria for the existence of equilibria, speed of convergence to equilibria and for the central limit theorem are given in terms of the tail of the return time function. The abstract setting considered arises naturally in differentiable dynamical systems with some expanding or hyperbolic properties.
Endocytosis of parotid salivary proteins by striated duct cells in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

Salivary gland striated duct cells play an important role in the modification of primary saliva by secretion and reabsorption of electrolytes, and secretion of glycoproteins. Recent observations have shown that in the rat parotid gland these cells are able to internalize exogenous proteins, e.g., horseradish peroxidase and ferritin, from the ductal lumen. In rats made diabetic by injection of streptozotocin, dense vacuoles and crystalloids are present in the apical cytoplasm of parotid striated duct cells. In this study we utilized electron microscopic immunocytochemistry to determine if these vacuoles and crystalloids contain acinar secretory proteins. At various times after induction of diabetes by streptozotocin (65 mg/kg), the parotid glands were fixed in a glutaraldehyde-formaldehyde mixture, postfixed in OsO4, and embedded in epoxy resin. Thin sections were immunolabeled with antibodies to protein B1 (Ball et al., 1988) and alpha-amylase (Baum et al., 1982) using a modification of the Protein A-gold technique (Bendayan and Duhr, 1986). With antibody to B1, label was localized in the secretory granules of acinar and intercalated duct cells of both normal and diabetic rats. In striated duct cells of diabetic rats, label was present over the electron-dense vacuoles but not over the crystalloids. Since crystalloids appear to form within the vacuoles, their lack of reactivity may indicate degradation of the internalized protein. The same distribution of label was found with antibody to amylase except for the intercalated duct granules, which were unlabeled in both control and diabetic animals. These results demonstrate that striated duct cells take up salivary proteins from the lumen and that the endocytosis of some secretory proteins from the saliva may be a significant function of these cells in certain pathological conditions.