cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toll pathway is required for wound-induced expression of barrier repair genes in the Drosophila epidermis.

Abstract The epidermis serves as a protective barrier in animals. After epidermal injury, barrier repair requires activation of many wound response genes in epidermal cells surrounding wound sites. Two such genes in Drosophila encode the enzymes dopa decarboxylase (Ddc) and tyrosine hydroxylase (ple). In this paper we explore the involvement of the Toll/NF-κB pathway in the localized activation of wound repair genes around epidermal breaks. Robust activation of wound-induced transcription from ple and Ddc requires Toll pathway components ranging from the extracellular ligand Spatzle to the Dif transcription factor. Epistasis experiments indicate a requirement for Spatzle ligand downstream of hydrogen peroxide and protease function, both of which are known activators of wound-induced transcription. The localized activation of Toll a few cell diameters from wound edges is reminiscent of local activation of Toll in early embryonic ventral hypoderm, consistent with the hypothesis that the dorsal–ventral patterning function of Toll arose from the evolutionary cooption of a morphogen-responsive function in wound repair. Furthermore, the combinatorial activity of Toll and other signaling pathways in activating epidermal barrier repair genes can help explain why developmental activation of the Toll, ERK, or JNK pathways alone fail to activate wound repair loci.
Bayesian System Identification using auxiliary stochastic dynamical systems

Bayesian approaches to statistical inference and system identification became practical with the development of effective sampling methods like Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). However, because the size and complexity of inference problems has dramatically increased, improved MCMC methods are required. Dynamical systems based samplers are an effective extension of traditional MCMC methods. These samplers treat the posterior probability distribution as the potential energy function of a dynamical system, enabling them to better exploit the structure of the inference problem. We present an algorithm, Second-Order Langevin MCMC (SOL-MC), a stochastic dynamical system based MCMC algorithm, which uses the damped second-order Langevin stochastic differential equation (SDE) to sample a posterior distribution. We design the SDE such that the desired posterior probability distribution is its stationary distribution. Since this method is based upon an underlying dynamical system, we can utilize existing work to develop, implement, and optimize the sampler's performance. As such, we can choose parameters which speed up the convergence to the stationary distribution and reduce temporal state and energy correlations in the samples. We then apply this sampler to a system identification problem for a non-linear hysteretic structure model to investigate this method under globally identifiable and unidentifiable conditions.
Dispersion-engineered silicon nitride supercontinuum for frequency comb metrology at the 10 −15 level

Supercontinuum generation in dispersion engineered silicon nitride waveguides is used to perform frequency comb metrology by measuring the relative stability of two cavity-referenced optical clock lasers at 3.8×10−15 at τ = 2 seconds.
Do Black Lives Matter? A Psychoanalytic Exploration of Racism and American Resistance to Reparations

Psychoanalysts assert that when wrongs have been done to others the impulse to apologize and forgive is natural, although in reality efforts toward interpersonal and social repair are often frustrated. This chapter assesses current debates on reparations for African Americans, applying psychoanalytic ideas to account for American resistance to engage in a process of reconciliation. Contemporary authors claim that racial repair requires a moral and ethical acknowledgment of and responsibility for harms committed to African Americans. This chapter demonstrates, in addition, reparations as a psychological necessity. Racism, however, emphasizing the reality of racial difference, continues, as always, to serve as a powerful defense thwarting the reparative impulse. The result has been the securing of physical separation between Whites and Blacks and the persistence of psychic enmeshment. Absent the implementation of a politics of reparations, African Americans will never achieve externality, or independence, from the White mind.
Mortality and the HIV/AIDS Epidemic

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is an exceptional event that emerges precisely at the end of a century that saw unparalleled gains in human survival. The epidemic can adopt several patterns but the one with the largest impact in human mortality is close to the one that emerges in sub-Saharan Africa. Here the epidemic has already produced a formidable impact. Effects on mortality are large and the setback to past trends in gains in life expectancy quite visible. The overall human toll, however, may be larger than what mortality trends alone can convey.
Intellectual Characteristics of University Students in Remedial Programs

Individual intelligence tests were administered to 52 students in remedial programs in a university setting. The individual profiles contained significantly greater variability than would be expected.
Job strain associated with increases in ambulatory blood and pulse pressure during and after work hours among female hotel room cleaners.

BACKGROUND Previously documented elevated hypertension rates among Las Vegas hotel room cleaners are hypothesized to be associated with job strain. METHODS Job strain was assessed by questionnaire. Ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) was recorded among 419 female cleaners from five hotels during 18 waking hours. Multiple linear regression models assessed associations of job strain with ABP and pulse pressure for 18-h, work hours, and after work hours. RESULTS Higher job strain was associated with increased 18-h systolic ABP, after work hours systolic ABP, and ambulatory pulse pressure. Dependents at home but not social support at work attenuated effects. Among hypertensive workers, job strain effects were partially buffered by anti-hypertensive medication. CONCLUSIONS High job strain is positively associated with blood pressure among female hotel workers suggesting potential for primary prevention at work. Work organizational changes, stress management, and active ABP surveillance and hypertension management should be considered for integrated intervention programs.
Quality of life after esophageal resection.

Introduction Esophageal resection is the primary treatment for malignant esophageal disease and the last resort for benign end-stage esophageal disease. There is a paucity of research comparing the long-term quality of life (QoL) following surgery among these two populations. The aim of this study was to examine the patient reported QoL after esophageal resection using questionnaires focusing on general well-being and esophageal-specific symptoms. Methods A prospectively maintained database of post-operatively administered European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) with supplemental esophageal cancer-specific questionnaires (OES-18) was queried after institutional review board approval through Creighton University School of Medicine. Inclusions were made if patients received an esophageal resection for benign or malignant esophageal disease. Emergency procedures, delayed reconstructions, and stage IV disease were excluded. Student's t-test was used for domains of function, symptoms, QoL, and esophageal-specific complaints to compare the groups with each other and with the general population. Results A total of 39 out of 248 patients with malignant disease and 24 out of 46 with benign disease completed the questionnaire. A mean post-operative follow-up of 53 months with a response rate of 40% was obtained. There was no difference in physical (p=0.81), role (p =0.37), conditional (p=0.73), emotional (p=0.06), or social functions (p=0.42) between the general population and the esophageal resection groups. There was also no significant difference in generalized pain (p=0.86), nausea/vomiting (p=0.27), fatigue (p=0.86), swallowing (p=0.35), or esophageal pain (p=0.12). The malignant cohort had better outcomes than the benign cohort with respect to eating (p=0.04), indigestion (p=0.04), and QoL (p= Discussion The underlying disease between these cohorts is drastically different, but postoperative functional status, generalized symptoms, swallowing ability, and esophageal pain were similar. There was no difference in functional status between the general population and the esophageal resection cohorts. Patients with malignant disease reported less problems with eating and a better QoL than their benign counterparts.
FIVE-YEAR SURVEY OF SCLERODERRIS CANKER IN YOUNG RED PINE PLANTATIONS

Thirteen permanent plots containing 5,245 red pine trees (1520 years) were surveyed each spring from 1978 to 1982 for Scleroderris canker. During this time, four of the plots had negative disease increase rates (-.04 to -.48; based upon percent trees infected) and three plots had negative rates (-.21 to -.39; based upon percent branches infected). Associated vegetational data were also collected and correlated with disease intensification. Positive correlations were found between amount of Spiraea cover and percent trees infected (R =.65 to.78; P <.01) and percent branches infected (R =.41 to.74; P <.08). Low correlations were found between disease rates and other associated vegetation. These data show the intensification of Gremmeniella abietina in these plantations has markedly decreased and some plantations are showing signs of recovery.
Nonneurotropic adenovirus: a vector for gene transfer to the brain and gene therapy of neurological disorders.

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the vectors available for gene transfer into the brain. The chapter explores the potential application of replication deficient adenovirus vectors as vehicles for gene delivery into the central nervous system (CNS). A significant feature of adenovirus as a potential vector for DNA delivery in human gene therapy protocols is that a live (replication-competent) vaccine, to provide protection against natural adenovirus infections. Similar replication-competent adenovirus recombinants encoding defined immunogens have also been used in human vaccine trials, or as replication-competent vectors with or without additional anticancer genes to induce tumor cell killing. There are protocols and methodologies involved in constructing and utilizing adenovirus vectors for gene transfer to cells of the brain both in vitro and in vivo . The chapter focuses on progress in the application of vectors for their exploitation for neurobiology and discusses potential future developments in this field. The main advantages of adenovirus-derived vectors includes a capacity to transduce both immature neonatal and mature neurons, their use to elucidate neuronal morphology and connectivity and an ability to achieve multiple infections of a single target cell with separate vector virions.
Summary of Developmental Assessment

When infants and young children are referred for evaluation of a suspected developmental disorder, the physician must consider a variety of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. An appreciation of “normal” behavior and development is essential in order to identify that which is “abnormal.”
Per-Channel Energy Normalization: Why and How

In the context of automatic speech recognition and acoustic event detection, an adaptive procedure named per-channel energy normalization (PCEN) has recently shown to outperform the pointwise logarithm of mel-frequency spectrogram (logmelspec) as an acoustic frontend. This letter investigates the adequacy of PCEN for spectrogram-based pattern recognition in far-field noisy recordings, both from theoretical and practical standpoints. First, we apply PCEN on various datasets of natural acoustic environments and find empirically that it Gaussianizes distributions of magnitudes while decorrelating frequency bands. Second, we describe the asymptotic regimes of each component in PCEN: temporal integration, gain control, and dynamic range compression. Third, we give practical advice for adapting PCEN parameters to the temporal properties of the noise to be mitigated, the signal to be enhanced, and the choice of time-frequency representation. As it converts a large class of real-world soundscapes into additive white Gaussian noise, PCEN is a computationally efficient frontend for robust detection and classification of acoustic events in heterogeneous environments.
Association between perceived public stigma and suicidal behaviors among college students of color in the U.S.

Abstract Background Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among college students and 10 to 34-year-olds in the U.S. While rates of suicide among young people of color have increased, less is known about factors that contribute to suicidality among racial minority students who are sorely underrepresented within existing research. Thus, we sought to explore the association between perceived public stigma of receiving mental health treatment and suicidality among Black, Asian Domestic, Asian International, Latinx, Multiracial, Arab/Arab American, American Indian/Alaska Native, and White college students. Methods We analyzed cross-sectional survey responses from racially diverse sample of 153, 635 college students who participated in the Healthy Minds Study from years 2007–2018. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations between perceived public stigma and suicide ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempt. Results Perceived public stigma was significantly associated with greater odds of suicide ideation, planning, and attempt. Odds of having attempted suicide within the past year were significantly greater among Asian International and Black college students. Sexual minority students broadly, and bisexual students specifically, were also at elevated risk for suicidal behavior. Limitations Cross-sectional survey responses were assessed and causality cannot be determined. Conclusions Students who endorsed more perceived public stigma also reported significantly greater odds of having experienced suicide ideation, planning, and attempt within the past 12 months. Subsequent interventions should account for concerns surrounding public perceptions of stigma when working to prevent suicide among students of color.
The Quality of Pediatric Healthcare: What Are We Measuring?

Objective Defining quality healthcare is an important topic, particularly within the context of emerging payment reforms. Reviews of adult quality metrics have demonstrated an overabundance of process measures intended to address underuse of services. It has been suggested that the preponderance of such measures skews our definition of quality care and may contribute to unnecessary utilization in an already financially burdened healthcare system. Our specific aim was to systematically review and characterize available …
On the quantification of aleatory and epistemic uncertainty using Sliced-Normal distributions

Abstract This paper proposes a means to characterize multivariate data. This characterization, given in terms of both probability distributions and data-enclosing sets, is instrumental in assessing and improving the robustness properties of system designs. To this end, we propose the Sliced-Normal (SN) class of distributions. The versatility of SNs enables characterizing complex parameter dependencies with minimal modeling effort. A polynomial mapping which injects the physical space into a higher dimensional (so-called) feature space is first defined. Optimization-based strategies for the estimation of SNs from data in both physical and feature space are proposed. The non-convex formulations in physical space yield SNs having the best performance. However, the formulations in feature space either admit an analytical solution or yield a convex program thereby facilitating their application to high-dimensional datasets. The semi-algebraic form of the superlevel sets of a SN, form which a tight data-enclosing set can be readily identified, makes them amenable to rigorous worst-case based approaches to robustness analysis and robust design. Furthermore, we propose a chance-constrained optimization framework for identifying and eliminating the effects of outliers in the prescription of such a set. In addition, the distribution-free and non-asymptotic Scenario Theory framework is used to rigorously bound the probability of unseen data falling outside the identified data-enclosing set.
Sleep Deprivation in the Intensive Care Patient

Topic Sleep deprivation in the intensive care unit setting. Clinical relevance The Society of Critical Care Medicine has identified sleep deprivation as a significant contributor to the development of delirium in adult patients in the intensive care unit. Thus, preventing and managing sleep deprivation is important in reducing the incidence of delirium in this patient population. A multifaceted and multidisciplinary approach to promoting sleep in the intensive care unit setting that includes sleep hygiene routines, nursing care plans, and appropriate medication regimens may improve patient outcomes, including reducing delirium. Purpose of article To review the current literature on sleep deprivation in the intensive care unit setting and present care guidelines in a concise format. This information may be helpful in the development of clinical tools and may guide future quality improvement projects aimed at reducing delirium through sleep promotion in critical care patients. Content covered A review of current literature and national organization recommendations revealed consistent themes in addressing the problem of sleep deprivation in the intensive care unit. Modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors included frequent care interactions, light, noise, medication effects, and preexisting sleep problems.
Low-energy physics of isotropic spin-1 chains in the critical and Haldane phases

Using a matrix product state algorithm with infinite boundary conditions, we compute high-resolution dynamic spin and quadrupolar structure factors in the thermodynamic limit to explore the low-energy excitations of isotropic bilinear-biquadratic spin-1 chains. Haldane mapped the spin-1 Heisenberg antiferromagnet to a continuum field theory, the nonlinear sigma model ($\mathrm{NL}\ensuremath{\sigma}\mathrm{M}$). We find that the $\mathrm{NL}\ensuremath{\sigma}\mathrm{M}$ fails to capture the influence of the biquadratic term and provides only an unsatisfactory description of the Haldane phase physics. But several features in the Haldane phase can be explained by noninteracting multimagnon states. The physics at the Uimin-Lai-Sutherland point is characterized by multisoliton continua. Moving into the extended critical phase, we find that these excitation continua contract, which we explain using a field-theoretic description. New excitations emerge at higher energies and, in the vicinity of the purely biquadratic point, they show simple cosine dispersions. Using block fidelities, we identify them as elementary one-particle excitations and relate them to the integrable Temperley-Lieb chain.
Quantitative Variable Assessment of Patellar Instability: An MRI-Based Study

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reproducibility of three quantitative MRI parameters associated with patellar instability and to determine whether they measure anatomic predisposition to patellar instability individually or in combination with the other parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS. In this retrospective study, 100 patients diagnosed with a patellar dislocation injury and 100 age- and sex-matched control patients were examined using MRI. The distance between the tibial tubercle and posterior cruciate ligament (TT-PCL), distance between the tibial tubercle and trochlear groove (TT-TG), and TG depth (trochlear dysplasia) were measured independently by three fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess intraobserver and interobserver reliability. The parameters in both groups were tested for interdependence on each other and were compared for prevalence and association with patellar instability. RESULTS. All three parameters showed almost perfect intraobserver (TT-PCL ICC, ≥ 0.88; TT-TG ICC, 0.96; trochlear dysplasia ICC, ≥ 0.92) and interobserver (TT-PCL ICC, 0.82; TT-TG ICC, 0.94; trochlear dysplasia ICC, 0.91) reliability and were significantly more common in the patellar instability group. Trochlear dysplasia had the highest association with patellar instability, both as a unique parameter and in pairwise combination with an abnormal TT-TG. Optimal cutoff thresholds for normal TT-TG and TT-PCL were 15.00 mm or less and 21.30 mm or less, respectively. The optimal normal cutoff threshold for evaluating trochlear dysplasia via trochlear depth was 4.95 mm or more. CONCLUSION. Patellar instability is multifactorial. Highly reproducible parameters derived from MRI reveal both unique and overlapping anatomic predispositions, and considering all parameters together may help individualize patient management when selecting orthopedic procedures.
A Safe and Simple Method for Ambulatory Iabp Placement Using Left Axillary-radial Technique

In patients with severe heart failure, a percutaneous axillary intra-aortic balloon pump (axIABP) may permit ambulation while awaiting destination therapy. Traditionally, an “axillary-femoral” approach has been used with femoral access for axillary angiography during insertion. Here we describe an “axillary-radial” technique for axIABP insertion and removal using left radial artery for second access. Insertion: Draping is performed to allow access to left axillary and radial arteries. A 5 Fr sheath is placed in the radial artery. Heparin is withheld until axillary access is obtained. Left distal subclavian angiography is performed via 4 French Pigtail to identify optimal IABP sheath insertion site avoiding major branches (Fig 1). A 0.018” wire via the radial sheath aids target artery identification with US (Fig 2A and B). A 5 Fr sheath is inserted into the axillary artery and the J-tipped 0.032” IABP guidewire is then advanced into the descending aorta using a JR4 diagnostic catheter to navigate the aortic arch. Sequential dilations allow easy insertion of the 8 Fr sheath. The proximal tip of the axIABP is placed near the level of the carina (Fig 4); a lower position may be considered if significant subclavian tortuosity is present. The external device is stabilized to the forearm with mild slack allowed to limit displacement during restricted arm movement. Anticoagulation is started after radial hemostasis is achieved. Removal: The axIABP is manually removed through the sheath, which remains in place, to simplify site sterilization. A 6 Fr sheath is placed in the left radial artery and an uninflated 7 mm x 40 mm balloon is positioned proximal to axillary sheath. If required, the balloon is repositioned over the arteriotomy and low-pressure inflation performed, assisting hemostasis should standard techniques fail. A Perclose device is deployed, and if successful, no balloon inflation is required. Final angiography through the balloon wire lumen is needed to confirm hemostasis without vascular complication. Generally, A 50cc Maquet Sensation Plus IABP is removable through the 8 Fr sheath. However, the 40cc IABP requires insertion of an 0.018” guidewire to maintain arterial access because the IABP cannot be easily removed through the 7.5 Fr sheath and they are often removed as a unit. Prior wire placement allows insertion of an 8 Fr sheath prior to suture closure. Periprocedural antibiotics are recommended in this instance. Conclusion: The left “axillary-radial” technique described here simplifies axIABP placement, post procedure hemostasis, overall procedural ergonomics and facilitates immediate ambulation.
Adipocyte deletion of the RNA binding protein HuR induces cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis

Adipose tissue continues to gain appreciation for its broad role as an endocrine organ, and disruptions in adipose tissue homeostasis plays a central role in cardiovascular physiology. We have previously shown that expression of the RNA binding protein HuR in adipose tissue mediates energy expenditure, but the potential cardiovascular impacts of this finding have not been explored. We show here that adipose tissue-specific deletion of HuR (Adipo-HuR-/-) is sufficient to induce the spontaneous development of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Hearts from Adipo-HuR-/- mice have increased left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, rate of pressure generation, and LV posterior wall thickness that is accompanied by an increase in LV/body weight ratio and hypertrophic gene expression. Furthermore, Adipo-HuR-/- hearts display increased fibrosis by picrosirius red staining and periostin expression. To identify underlying mechanisms, we applied both RNA-seq and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to define HuR-dependent changes in gene expression as well as significant relationships between adipose tissue gene expression and LV mass. RNA-seq results demonstrate a significant increase in pro-inflammatory gene expression in the subcutaneous white adipose tissue (scWAT) from Adipo-HuR-/- mice that is accompanied by an increase in serum levels of both TNF- and IL-6. WGCNA identified a significant enrichment in inflammation, apoptosis/cell death, and vesicle-mediated transport genes among those whose expression most significantly associated with CVD in Adipo-HuR-/-. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the loss of HuR expression in adipose tissue promotes the development of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, potentially through modulation of inflammation and vesicle-mediated transport in scWAT. NEW AND NOTEWORTHYThis work demonstrates the spontaneous development of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis upon adipose tissue-specific deletion of the RNA binding protein HuR that appears to be mechanistically driven by HuR-dependent changes in inflammatory and extracellular vesicle transport mediating genes in the subcutaneous white adipose tissue. These results suggest that loss of HuR expression in adipose tissue in obesity, as demonstrated in mouse and humans by our group and others, may contribute to obesity-mediated CVD.
High energy (0.8 J) mechanically Q-switched Er:YAG laser

We report mechanically Q-switched 2.94 µm Er:YAG laser based on spinning mirror with 805 mJ output energy in a single 61 ns pulse at 1 Hz repetition rate and 670 Hz rotational rate of the spinning mirror. This record output energy was achieved with the use of 300 mm long MQS Er:YAG laser cavity consisted of 70% output coupler, 7x120 mm AR coated Er(50%):YAG crystal and spinning HR mirror. The maximum output energy was limited by the optical damage of the Er:YAG AR coatings.
Whole-brain 3D MR fingerprinting brain imaging: clinical validation and feasibility to patients with meningioma

MR fingerprinting (MRF) is a MR technique that allows assessment of tissue relaxation times. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical application of this technique in patients with meningioma. A whole-brain 3D isotropic 1mm3 acquisition under a 3.0T field strength was used to obtain MRF T1 and T2-based relaxometry values in 4:38 s. The accuracy of values was quantified by scanning a quantitative MR relaxometry phantom. In vivo evaluation was performed by applying the sequence to 20 subjects with 25 meningiomas. Regions of interest included the meningioma, caudate head, centrum semiovale, contralateral white matter and thalamus. For both phantom and subjects, mean values of both T1 and T2 estimates were obtained. Statistical significance of differences in mean values between the meningioma and other brain structures was tested using a Friedman’s ANOVA test. MR fingerprinting phantom data demonstrated a linear relationship between measured and reference relaxometry estimates for both T1 (r2 = 0.99) and T2 (r2 = 0.97). MRF T1 relaxation times were longer in meningioma (mean ± SD 1429 ± 202 ms) compared to thalamus (mean ± SD 1054 ± 58 ms; p = 0.004), centrum semiovale (mean ± SD 825 ± 42 ms; p < 0.001) and contralateral white matter (mean ± SD 799 ± 40 ms; p < 0.001). MRF T2 relaxation times were longer for meningioma (mean ± SD 69 ± 27 ms) as compared to thalamus (mean ± SD 27 ± 3 ms; p < 0.001), caudate head (mean ± SD 39 ± 5 ms; p < 0.001) and contralateral white matter (mean ± SD 35 ± 4 ms; p < 0.001) Phantom measurements indicate that the proposed 3D-MRF sequence relaxometry estimations are valid and reproducible. For in vivo, entire brain coverage was obtained in clinically feasible time and allows quantitative assessment of meningioma in clinical practice.
Influence of ZnO Nanoparticles on the Light Absorption Spectrum of PMMA for Ablation Dominated Arc Interruption

Ablative materials are urgently needed for arc extinction cases like switchgears and breakers. Optical radiation is one of the major ways to dissipate the energy of the arc. It has been claimed that using extremely small sized particles could shift the absorption spectrum of the base material providing a potential way/method to manufacture polymer based ablative materials. PMMA has excellent transmittance and can be easily made into film by solution casting. Besides, PMMA doped with nanocomposites could be coated on other materials to form an ablation resistance coating layer. Nanoscale ZnO was adopted as the filler. The ZnO nanoparticles were dispersed in PMMA/solvent solution before the casting. SEM was used to check the dispersion of the filler. And spectrums from 150 nm to 500 nm of the films with/without quantum dots were measured respectively, to explore the shifting effect of optical property. The formation conditions and dispersion of ZnO nanoparticles in PMMA film was derived. Spectrums of PMMA films with different contents of ZnO were measured. Also, the polymer sample with a coating of PMMA-ZnO nanocomposite was prepared. Based on the results, the ZnO nanoparticles shows an impressive improvement on the ability of optical absorption. And the size of nanoparticle has a significant influence on the absorption characteristic. Considering the agglomeration problem we found, additional procedures must be taken to get a better dispersion including ultrasonic dispersion and using other chemicals. A new testing system with corresponding simulation method to evaluate/investigate the ablative properties of the samples/polymer was also introduced/come up with.
Race, religious identities, and environmental activism.

We employ three national representative samples to examine the moderating effect race has on the relationship between religious identities and environmental identities and behaviors. By and large, ...
Elbow Imaging with an Emphasis on Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The elbow is a complex joint made up of three separate articulations within a common capsule. The proximal ulna articulates with the trochlea and functions as a hinge joint, while the proximal radioulnar joint provides for rotational movement of the forearm. The radiocapitellar joint allows for both hinge and rotational movement. Together, these allow for flexion and extension of the arm and, in conjunction with the distal radioulnar joint at the wrist, pronation and supination.
Marek's Disease Herpesviruses II. Purification and Further Characterization of Marek's Disease Herpesvirus A Antigen

Abstract Marek's disease herpesvirus A antigen was purified greater than 200-fold with a 24% recovery by ion exchange column chromatography, isoelectric focusing, and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The antigen had an isoelectric point of 6.68 ± 0.03 in the presence of 1 M urea and 0.05% Brij 35, a nonionic detergent, and approximately 6.5 in the absence of dissociating agents. When analyzed by electrophoresis on analytical polyacrylamide gels, the purified antigen migrated as a single broad band which stained for both protein and carbohydrate, suggesting that it was a highly purified heterogeneous glycoprotein. However, the antigen was not purified to homogeneity as determined by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and by immunodiffusion analysis. Antibody to Marek's disease herpesvirus A antigen was prepared in a rabbit, and antibody to two contaminating antigens was removed by adsorption to yield monospecific antisera.
The Effects of Breast Cancer on the Family

The literature was reviewed to identify coping issues and factors associated with family functioning when a family member has cancer and to related these to specfic issues that arise when breast cancer occurs. The approaches to assessment and intervention also were examined. Most studies placed primary emphasis on the patient's problems rather than on the family's, and assessment and intervention models were generally aimed toward chronic illness and all cancers. There is a need to understand how the specific factors affect families and to identify high-risk families who cannot adjust successfully. Further research should compare families who enhance their lives by coping well with those who cope dysfunctionally.
Psychosocial determinants of food purchasing and preparation in American Indian households

Abstract Objective Obesity and other diet-related chronic diseases affect American Indians at high rates, yet little is known about food use behaviors in this population, or of psychosocial factors that influence these behaviors. The study objective was to address this gap. Design Cross-sectional; part of baseline collection for an intervention trial. Setting White Mountain and San Carlos Apache reservations, Arizona. Participants Main household food shoppers and preparers of 270 randomly selected households on two American Indian reservations. Analysis Multivariate linear regression. Variables Measured Primary independent variables were healthy food knowledge, self-efficacy and intentions, assessed using multi-question scales. Dependent variables were frequency of purchasing healthy foods and a healthiness of cooking methods score. Results Higher-fat and/or higher-sugar items were commonly purchased, with limited purchasing of healthier alternatives. Pre-prepared foods are a substantial component of the diet. Cooking methods which add or have little impact on the fat content of foods were more commonly employed than methods which reduce fat. Food acquisition and use behaviors were predicted by food use intentions. Food intention scores were predicted by food self-efficacy; food self-efficacy by food knowledge. Conclusions and Implications These findings support the use of food knowledge, self-efficacy, and intentions in understanding food-related behavior in this setting.
Exploring the latent structure of two cognitive components of social anxiety: taxometric analyses of fears of negative and positive evaluation.

Background: Recent evidence suggests that social anxiety disorder is best characterized as having a dimensional latent structure. Methods: In this study, we examined the latent structure of two cognitive components of social anxiety, fear of negative evaluation (FNE) and fear of positive evaluation (FPE), in a large undergraduate sample. Two taxometric procedures (MAMBAC, Mean Above Minus Below a Cut and MAXEIG, MAXimum EIGenvalue) were performed with indicator sets drawn from self-report measures of FNE and FPE. Results and conclusions: Taxometric analyses, as well as comparison analyses utilizing simulated dimensional and taxonic datasets, yielded converging evidence that both FNE and FPE have a dimensional latent structure. Depression and Anxiety, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Oxidation of the Martian surface: Constraints due to chemical processes in the atmosphere

Dissociation of water in the Martian atmosphere may supply oxygen to the surface and may result in the formation of minerals such as goethite, as proposed by Huguenin. The supply rate is limited by chemical processes in the atmosphere which regulate the abundance of O2. The net surface sink for atmospheric oxygen can be as large as 33 million atoms per sq cm per sec which compares to the escape rate of 60 million atoms per sq cm per sec.
Managing the Unmanageable: Elderly Russian Jewish Émigrés and the Biomedical Culture of Diabetes Care

In this article, we examine the apparent resistance of elderly Russian Jewish emigres to the dominant U.S. biomedical model of diabetes treatment. Cultural competence on the part of medical professionals who make assumptions about Russian culture tends to be based on particularly American values of self-control and individual agency. The American consumer model of health care incorporating risk, individual responsibility, autonomy, and choice, when applied to elderly Russian Jewish emigres, results in a reading of different values and choices as failed self-management or noncompliance. This article argues for a more reflexive understanding of U.S. biomedical culture as a replacement for the current “sound bite” model of cultural diversity.
Timentin versus piperacillin in the treatment of hospitalized patients with urinary tract infections

The efficacy and safety of Timentin (ticarcillin plus potassium clavulanate) and piperacillin were compared in a clinical trial of 78 hospitalized patients with urinary tract infections. There were 37 evaluable patients in the Timentin-treated group and 39 in the piperacillin-treated group. The 43 infection sites in each group were primarily complicated pyelonephritis or complicated cystitis; six patients in the Timentin-treated group and four in the piperacillin-treated group also had septicaemia. Both ticarcillin (3 g) plus potassium clavulanate (200 mg) and piperacillin (125-200 mg/kg per day) were administered intravenously. The 43 most common pathogens in each treatment group were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the urinary tract and E. coli from the blood. Nine pathogens in the Timentin-treated group and 11 in the piperacillin-treated group were resistant to ticarcillin in vitro. Eradication was achieved for 39 of the 43 (91%) pathogens in the Timentin group, including all six organisms isolated from the blood, and eight (89%) of the ticarcillin-resistant pathogens. In the piperacillin-treated group, 33 of the 43 (77%) pathogens were eradicated, including three of the four blood isolates, but only eight (73%) of the ticarcillin-resistant pathogens. Clinical cure or improvement occurred in 97% of the patients in each group. Mild and transient increases in levels of liver enzymes or eosinophils were reported for 11 patients in the Timentin group and seven in the piperacillin group. In one patient in the Timentin group, a drug-related rash and nausea developed, and treatment was discontinued.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Comprehensive Identification of Tibiofemoral Joint Anatomy and Mechanical Response: Pathway to Multiscale Characterization

The human knee joint is a complex multi-body structure, whose substructures greatly affect its mechanical response. An understanding of the multiscale mechanics of the joint is essential for the prevention and treatment of knee joint injuries and pathologies. Due to the limitations associated with in vivo experimentation, mechanical characterization of the knee joint has commonly relied on in vitro experimentation [1,2]. Predictive and descriptive studies of the mechanical function of the knee and its substructures have commonly employed computational modeling, in particular finite element (FE) analysis, which can be driven by experimental data. With the recent focus on the use of FE models of the knee joint for scientific and clinical purposes [3–5], data for model development, verification, and validation became increasingly important, especially when relying on FE analysis for decision making. An adequate representation of a joint not only depends on the specimen-specific anatomy but may also need to be informed by specimen-specific tissue properties for model development, and specimen-specific joint/tissue response to confirm model response.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Values for optimum reject allowances

Abstract : Industrial situations exist where it is necessary to estimate the optimum number of parts to start through a manufacturing process in order to obtain a given number of completed good items. The solution to this problem is not straightforward when the expected number of rejects from the process is a random variable and when there are alternative penalties associated with producing too many or too few items. This paper discusses various aspects of this problem as well as some of the proposed solutions to it. In addition, tables of optimum reject allowances based on a comprehensive model are presented. (Author)
Associations among Aspects of Interpersonal Power and Relationship Functioning in Adolescent Romantic Couples.

This study used a multidimensional assessment of interpersonal power to examine associations between indices of relationship power and relationship functioning in 92 adolescent romantic couples recruited from rural communities in the Rocky Mountain region of the USA. Significant differences emerged between girlfriends and boyfriends in their reports of decision making authority, perceptions of humiliating behaviors by the partner, and ratings of themselves giving-in to their partners in a videotaped interaction task. In addition, indices of interpersonal power were associated with dating aggression and relationship satisfaction for both girlfriends and boyfriends, although gender differences emerged in the patterns of association between power and outcomes. Results are discussed in light of current developmental, feminist, and social psychological theories of interpersonal power in romantic relationships.
Cycloadditions and annulations of transition metal carbene complexes

Abstract The synthetic aspects of several reactions from the multifaceted chemistry of Fischer carbene complexes are examined. Their benzannulation reactions with acetylenes are utilized in the synthesis of anthracyclinones via two approaches which differ by beginning at opposite ends of the molecule with either an aryl or an alkenyl substituted chromium carbene complex. The latter has been employed in a formal synthesis of daunomycinone. The Diels-Alder reactions of α,β-acetylenic chromium carbene complexes provide for a facile entry into substituted cyclohexenyl chromium carbene complexes that are subsequently employed in benzannulation reactions. These tandem cycloaddition/annulation reactions are incorporated into model studies for the synthesis of anthracyclinones and wentilactone A. Their potential is also demonstrated for coupling to yet a third reaction of organochromium compounds ; aromatic nucleophilic substitutions on arene chromium tricarbonyl complexes. The annulations of β,β-disubstituted alkenyl complexes provides for a regio- and stereoselective synthesis of 2,4-cyclohexadienones under neutral conditions at near ambient temperatures.
Modified mitosis in the chick embryo

A study of cell division in the chick embryo has revealed in striated muscle and in the early stages of all the principal tissues and organs a process, followed by the greater percentage of the dividing nuclei, which resembles amitosis, but is undoubtedly a highly modified form of mitosis. This process is designated ‘modified mitosis’. The belief that this is essentially mitotic rests upon the fact that a number of discrete bodies may be distinguished in the one or two chromatin masses of each nucleus. These masses, or ‘mulberries’, might easily be mistaken for nucleoli or karyosomes were it not that they exhibit division by elongation and constriction. These structures probably represent masses of minute and closely clumped chromosomes in somatic number dividing in a qualitative and a quantitative fashion. As additional evidence there are present between the dividing mulberries exceedingly fine fibers which possibly represent an attempt at spindle fibers. Neither centrosomes nor asters are present, but since, if present, they would have to be of the intranuclear variety (the nuclear membrane never disintegrating) their absence is immaterial. The nucleus divides not by constriction, but by the formation of a nuclear plate. This process of modified mitosis is probably a device which favors the speed of nuclear proliferation necessary to such rapidly growing tissues.
The effect of CPR on plasma diltiazem concentrations in dogs

Study objective: To determine the effect of cardiac arrest with CPR on diltiazem concentrations in dogs. Design: Prospective, double-blind, randomized trial. Setting: Laboratory at a large university-affiliated medical center. Type of participants: Twenty mongrel dogs. Interventions: Following administration of anesthesia, catheters were placed in the pulmonary artery, aortic arch, left ventricle, and right ventricle. Dogs were randomized to receive diltiazem (0.5 mg/kg) either 60 minutes before or during cardiac arrest with CPR. After 13 minutes of cardiac arrest, defibrillation was attempted. Measurements and main results: Frequent blood samples for diltiazem concentrations were obtained before, during, and after cardiac arrest. The mean diltiazem concentration rose 70% during CPR in the group that received diltiazem before cardiac arrest. The group that received diltiazem during CPR had concentrations five times greater than expected during sinus rhythm. Conclusion: Increased diltiazem concentrations are observed during CPR and are probably related to altered distribution encountered during CPR.
Dominance matrices for determining winners of debate tournaments

(1966). Dominance matrices for determining winners of debate tournaments. The Speech Teacher: Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 295-298.
Effects of primary alveolar bone grafting on maxillofacial development in the rabbit.

Abstract Unilateral maxillary clefts were created in 4-week-old rabbits by removing premaxillary-maxillary sutures. Four groups, five animals per group, were formed. Control animals (Group I, no clefts) helped determine normal values for facial growth. In Group II the clefts were unrepaired. In Group III each had a rib graft harvested and placed into the alveolar defect only. In Group IV the cleft was completely grafted with multiple ribs to the nose. At six months postoperatively skeletons of all animals were directly measured and an orthogonal coordinate analysis compared maxillary and palatal growth among groups. Greatest deviations in growth were seen when the entire cleft was grafted; shortened maxillary development and nasal deflection to the clefted side occurred. Unrepaired clefts and grafts limited to the alveolus had maxillofacial development similar to that in unoperated controls. The location of grafts in clefts in infancy appears critical to avoid retarded maxillary growth.
Supercurrent conservation in the lattice Wess-Zumino model with Ginsparg-Wilson fermions

We study supercurrent conservation for the four-dimensional Wess-Zumino model formulated on the lattice. The formulation is one that has been discussed several times, and uses Ginsparg-Wilson fermions of the overlap (Neuberger) variety, together with an auxiliary fermion (plus superpartners), such that a lattice version of $U(1{)}_{R}$ symmetry is exactly preserved in the limit of vanishing bare mass. We show that the almost naive supercurrent is conserved at one loop. By contrast we find that this is not true for Wilson fermions and a canonical scalar action. We provide nonperturbative evidence for the nonconservation of the supercurrent in Monte Carlo simulations.
Experimental Study on the Durability Performance of PPS Filter Media

The durability performance of PPS filter media is experimentally studied in the paper. It is found that, under 200°C and atmospheric condition, both machine direction strength and transverse direction strength of PPS increase at the beginning and then gradually decrease with the increase of duration time. The transverse direction change for both strength and elongation is higher than the machine direction. The melting point of PPS decreases with the increase of duration time. And the melting point can be taken as one of durability index for the PPS filter media.