cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid CT diagnosis of acute appendicitis with IV contrast material

The purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of computed tomography (CT) without administration of oral contrast in confirming suspected acute appendicitis. One hundred seventy-three patient studies were retrieved by a computer-generated search for the word "appendicitis" in radiology reports. Patients presenting to the emergency department over an 8-month period were examined for acute abdominal pain or suspected acute appendicitis. IV-contrast-enhanced CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis were obtained without oral or rectal contrast. Criteria for diagnosis of acute appendicitis included a dilated appendix (>6 mm), periappendiceal inflammation, or abscess. Final diagnoses were established with surgical/clinical follow-up, histopathological analysis or both. The standard time (1 h) for the administration of oral contrast prior to the CT scan was eliminated. Fifty-nine CT diagnoses were made of acute appendicitis, 56 of which were histologically verified and three of which resulted in another diagnosis. One hundred fourteen CT diagnoses were negative for appendicitis. This corresponds to a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 97%, a positive predictive value of 95%, and a negative predictive value of 100%. CT with IV contrast is sensitive and specific for the confirmation or exclusion of acute appendicitis. By eliminating the time required to administer oral contrast, the diagnosis might be made more rapidly.
William Holman Hunt: Layered Belief in the Art of a Pre-Raphaelite Realist

Abstract The essay is concerned with the evolving religious beliefs of the British Pre-Raphaelite painter, William Holman Hunt (1827–1910). Hunt’s faith was forged by his early connection and friendships with members and patrons of the High Anglican Oxford Movement and transformed by his repeated trips to the fraught religious environment of nineteenth-century Syria, the name generally used at the time to denote modern Israel. His contacts with urban and agrarian Jews, Christians, and Muslims, with officials in the Anglican, Byzantine, and Lutheran Churches, and with British colonial officials turned both him and his art in more universalistic directions from his former parochial British colonial/elitist global understanding.
Instantons for vacuum decay at finite temperature in the thin wall limit.

In N+1 dimensions, false vacuum decay at zero temperature is dominated by the O(N+1)-symmetric instanton, a sphere of radius ${\mathit{R}}_{0}$, whereas at temperatures T\ensuremath{\gg}${\mathit{R}}_{0}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$, the decay is dominated by a ``cylindrical'' (static) O(N)-symmetric instanton. We study the transition between these two regimes in the thin wall approximation. Taking an O(N)-symmetric ansatz for the instantons, we show that for N=2 and N=3 new periodic solutions exist in a finite temperature range in the neighborhood of T\ensuremath{\sim}${\mathit{R}}_{0}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. However, these solutions have a higher action than the spherical or the cylindrical one. This suggests that there is a sudden change (a first order transition) in the derivative of the nucleation rate at a certain temperature ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathrm{*}}$, when the static instanton starts dominating. For N=1, on the other hand, the new solutions are dominant and they smoothly interpolate between the zero temperature instanton and the high temperature one, so the transition is of second order. The determinantal prefactors corresponding to the ``cylindrical'' instantons are discussed, and it is pointed out that the entropic contributions from massless excitations corresponding to deformations of the domain wall give rise to an exponential enhancement of the nucleation rate for T\ensuremath{\gg}${\mathit{R}}_{0}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$.
Peripheral Blood from Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Patients Displays Diminished T Cell Generation Capacity

An organ culture chimera system was used to assess the effect of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection on the T cell-generation capacity of precursors derived from human peripheral blood. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HIV-1-infected patients and uninfected controls were placed on fetal thymus lobes of NOD/LtSz-scid/scid mice. Blood from the HIV-1-infected patients consistently produced fewer CD4 and CD8 cells compared with blood from controls (P < .01). Addition of zidovudine to the cultures did not alter this profile. Limit dilution experiments suggested that there were fewer functional precursors in the infected patients. These results were not dependent on the patient's level of peripheral CD4 cells; even samples from patients with normal CD4 cell counts were unable to generate T cells in organ cultures. The results are consistent with a loss in the capacity of HIV-1-infected patients to produce functional T cell progenitors in their peripheral blood.
Is hemispheric specialization important to scholastic achievement

Scholastic achievement in both reading and mathematics were examined as a function of hemispheric specialization for visually presented words and pictures. Two groups of subjects (mean ages = 8.8 and 13.3) were included so that hemispheric specialization at an early and later phase of reading sophistication could be monitored. The results indicated that a lack of specialization for words is associated with higher reading achievement in both age groups and that right hemispheric specialization for words is likely to be accompanied by less reading skill. The results were discussed in terms of developmental changes in hemispheric processing and the need to investigate a variety of hemispheric specialization patterns and a variety of acquired skills (music, mathematics, art).
Hough transform based ellipse detection algorithm

Abstract A new ellipse detection algorithm based on the straight line Hough transform (SLHT) is presented. A parameter space to image space Hough transform locating ellipse centers is developed. The remaining parameters are found from the edge image of the scene. The average time complexity of the algorithm is O(N2).
Effect of heat treatment of bovine colostrum on bacterial counts, viscosity, and immunoglobulin G concentration

A study was conducted to identify the optimal temperature and time at which heat treatment of bovine colostrum would least change viscosity and IgG concentrations yet reduce bacterial count. First-milking colostrum with >50g of immunoglobulins/L (measured by colostrometer) was collected from 30 Holstein cows. Aliquots of colostrum were heated for 0, 30, 60, or 90min at 57, 60, or 63 degrees C in a water bath. Samples were examined for viscosity, IgG(1), and IgG(2) concentrations, standard plate count, coagulase-negative staphylococci, environmental streptococci, coliform, gram-negative noncoliform, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Staphylococcus aureus counts. All heat treatments reduced counts of all bacteria groups measured compared with untreated colostrum samples. Heat treatment at >or=60 degrees C denatured IgG(1) compared with untreated colostrum; however, colostral IgG(2) levels were not reduced when temperature was held at 60 degrees C for <60min. Viscosity was not affected when temperature was held at 60 degrees C for <60min. In this study, heat treatment of bovine colostrum at 60 degrees C for 30 or 60min reduced bacterial count, slightly reduced IgG concentration, and did not affect viscosity.
Three-dimensional vectorial analysis of an electromagnetic non-diffracting high-order Bessel trigonometric beam

Abstract The vector wave analysis of a new type of non-diffracting electromagnetic beam, termed as a high-order Bessel trigonometric (non-vortex) beam, that satisfies the three-dimensional Helmholtz equation in free space, is presented stemming from the vector Maxwell’s equations and Lorenz’ gauge condition. Particular emphasis is made for the cases where the ratio of the wave number over its transverse component k / k R approaches to unity and largely exceeds it. Computed cross-sectional beam profiles demonstrate the significant differences for the components of the electric and magnetic fields in those two limits. The results are of particular importance in the study of electromagnetic wave scattering and radiation forces of this category of trigonometric beams by particles.
Integrating a prospective surveillance model for rehabilitation into breast cancer survivorship care

At some point during or after treatment, breast cancer may be considered a chronic illness, presenting many choices for managing the disease, its adverse treatment-related effects, other medical comorbidities as well as the biobehavioral burden of having a life-threatening disease, even for individuals with potentially curable breast cancer. Health care models, such as the chronic care model, the medical home, and the shared care model, provide a context for building survivorship health care models. Goals and characteristics of recently proposed shared care models for cancer survivorship health care delivery closely align with the goals and concepts of the prospective surveillance model (PSM) proposed elsewhere in this supplement to the journal Cancer. Given these similarities, along with the growth and expansion of survivorship care models and impending mandates for delivery, there is merit to considering how implementation of the PSM can be integrated with models of survivorship care delivery. The PSM model will likely face many similar challenges and barriers that have impeded widespread dissemination of other survivorship models of care. There exist opportunities to integrate lessons learned as well as to align efforts to achieve greater impact on the shared goal of improving health outcomes for breast cancer survivors.
The modified anti-ghost insertion rule and the string emission vertex operator

Abstract Implications of the modified anti-ghost insertion rule proposed recently by Polchinski are discussed from the viewpoint of the off-shell “string emission” vertex operator in the path integral method. It is argued that the modified insertion rule is a crucial element to derive (linearized) string field theory equations of motion ( Q Ψ=0) from the Weyl invariance of the string emission vertex.
Functional variants in TAS2R38 and TAS2R16 influence alcohol consumption in high-risk families of African-American origin

Background A novel family of G protein-coupled receptors, TAS2Rs, has recently been characterized and linked to sensitivity to bitter taste compounds. We have previously reported that a missense mutation in the TAS2R16 gene reduces the sensitivity of the receptor to bitter-taste stimuli and that it is associated with risk for alcohol dependence. Other family-based studies on the genetic transmittance of taste perception have previously demonstrated a correlation between genetic variation in TAS2R38 and sensitivity to bitter-taste compounds such as phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP). Haplotypes resulting from 3 common nonsynonymous coding single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the TAS2R38 gene have been shown to alter receptor functions and taste sensitivity to PTC and PROP. The perceived bitterness of PROP has also been associated with oral sensation and drinking behaviors. Methods We used family-based association methods to test for association between TAS2R38 haplotypes and alcohol dependence as well as a measure of alcohol consumption (Maxdrinks) and age of onset of drinking behaviors in a sample of families densely affected with alcoholism. We have also extended our analysis of TAS2R16 to include the Maxdrinks phenotype. Results A positive correlation was observed between TAS2R38 haplotypes and Maxdrinks in Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) high-risk women of African-American origin. The common taster haplotype is significantly associated with a lower mean Maxdrinks compared with the other haplotypes. Similarly, the allele of TAS2R16 that is associated with a lower risk for alcohol dependence is also associated with lower mean Maxdrinks scores in African-American families. In contrast to the previously reported significant association between TAS2R16 and alcohol dependence, we found no evidence that TAS2R38 haplotypes influence alcohol dependence in the COGA dataset. Conclusion Functional variants in both TAS2R16 and TAS2R38 correlate with alcohol consumption in African-American families.
The effect of longitudinal vibration on poiseuille flow in a non-circular pipe

The effect is discussed of a superposed longitudinal sinusoidal vibration on the flow, under a constant pressure gradient, of a slightly non-Newtonian fluid in a straight pipe of non-circular cross-section. It is found that a flow in transverse planes is produced. This is the superposition of steady and sinusoidal flows. The stream-function corresponding to the steady flow is obtained in the case when the pipe has a rectangular cross-section. The discussion is based on a Rivlin-Ericksen constitutive equation in which only “second-order” non-Newtonian terms are present.
Safety of electrical cardioversion in patients with previous embolic events.

Objective To assess thromboembolic complications in cardioversions in patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter and a previous embolic event. Patients and Methods The study population consisted of 104 patients with previous embolic events who underwent 128 electrical cardioversions for termination of atrial fibrillation or flutter. The primary outcome measure was successful cardioversion. Results Anticoagulants were administered in 118 procedures (92%). Cardioversion was successful in 108 (84%) of the 128 procedures. Only 1 embolic event occurred within 30 days after cardioversion (incidence, 0.9% of successful procedures; 95% confidence interval, 0.02%-5.3%). The single embolic event was a transient neurologic deficit occurring 22 days after cardioversion in a patient with previous atrial fibrillation. This patient had a sub-therapeutic level of anticoagulation. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed no spontaneous echo contrast or thrombi before the procedure. No thromboembolism was noted in patients who had therapeutic anticoagulation or in those with failed cardioversion. Conclusion Patients with previous embolism are not at additional risk of thromboembolic complications after cardioversion if anticoagulation is adequate.
Secondary School Choral Conductors’ Self-Reported Beliefs and Behaviors Related to Fundamental Choral Elements and Rehearsal Approaches

Secondary school choral conductors from the United States were invited to complete a 10-minute electronic survey about their choral rehearsal priorities and approaches. Respondents (N = 239) reported (a) rehearsal priorities on fundamental choral elements (balance/blend, diction, dynamics, intonation, interpretation/musicianship, rhythm, technique, and tone quality), (b) rehearsal approaches (micro–macro/macro–micro), and (c) primary professional development influences. Choral elements most frequently cited as rehearsal priorities were intonation and tone quality. Differences were discovered in rehearsal approaches as a function of teaching experience with those who taught for 10 or more years reporting a macro–micro approach. Observing other conductors/ensembles at conferences and continuing education were primary influences cited. Though there were no statistically significant differences (p > .05) between high school and middle school choral directors’ choices of rehearsal priorities or approaches, not...
Openness and capital flow volatility: comparisons between transition economies and Latin America

The transition economies of Eastern Europe, much like Latin America, have attracted a great deal of capital and thus become vulnerable to external crises. As a result, assessing the volatility of capital movements, and distinguishing between stable and transitory flows, is particularly important. This study looks at nine transition and six Latin American countries individually, modelling Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), portfolio and other inflows separately as functions of macroeconomic variables that include economic openness. Cointegration analysis shows that Latin American flows seem to experience more of a reduction in volatility due to increased openness, suggesting that this region enjoys more risk-sharing as a result of financial integration than do transition economies.
44 GHz hybrid HEMT power amplifiers

Doped-channel, 0.25- mu m-gate-length, InGaAs pseudomorphic HEMTs (high electron mobility transistors) have been developed which exhibit state-of-the-art power performance at millimeter-wave frequencies, with output power density of 0.93 W/mm and power-added efficiency of 41% at 44 GHz. Using these devices, two Q-band hybrid power amplifiers have been developed. A two-stage design has produced 108 mW output power gain with 9.5 dB and 26.5% power-added efficiency. A three-stage design produced 251 mW output power with 13.6 dB of gain and 26.8% power-added efficiency. The peak efficiency of the three-state amplifier was 31.3% when biased differently. The linear gain of these amplifiers was 12 and 20 dB respectively. It is concluded that these amplifiers are an attractive alternative for designers of future millimeter-wave transmitters. >
Fault diagnosis and reconfiguration for reliable VLSI arrays

An online fault-tolerant strategy is proposed; it is composed of two phases: testing and locating faults, and reconfiguration. In the first phase, an online testing technique is used, which is a compromise between the commonly used techniques of time and space redundancy. It is capable of detecting permanent as well as transient faults. The reconfiguration phase is realized by using a global control. Switches are used to bypass the faulty processing element (PE). Backtracking is introduced into the algorithm for maximizing the processor utilization, at the same time keeping the complexity of the interconnection circuitry as simple as possible. >
Expanding Proteome Coverage with Orthogonal-specificity α-Lytic Proteases

Bottom-up proteomics studies traditionally involve proteome digestion with a single protease, trypsin. However, trypsin alone does not generate peptides that encompass the entire proteome. Alternative proteases have been explored, but most have specificity for charged amino acid side chains. Therefore, additional proteases that improve proteome coverage through cleavage at sequences complementary to trypsin's may increase proteome coverage. We demonstrate the novel application of two proteases for bottom-up proteomics: wild type α-lytic protease (WaLP) and an active site mutant of WaLP, M190A α-lytic protease (MaLP). We assess several relevant factors, including MS/MS fragmentation, peptide length, peptide yield, and protease specificity. When data from separate digestions with trypsin, LysC, WaLP, and MaLP were combined, proteome coverage was increased by 101% relative to that achieved with trypsin digestion alone. To demonstrate how the gained sequence coverage can yield additional post-translational modification information, we show the identification of a number of novel phosphorylation sites in the Schizosaccharomyces pombe proteome and include an illustrative example from the protein MPD2 wherein two novel sites are identified, one in a tryptic peptide too short to identify and the other in a sequence devoid of tryptic sites. The specificity of WaLP and MaLP for aliphatic amino acid side chains was particularly valuable for coverage of membrane protein sequences, which increased 350% when the data from trypsin, LysC, WaLP, and MaLP were combined.
Fourth Annual Conference of the American Society for Nanomedicine

The 4th Conference of the American Society for Nanomedicine is being held March 28-30, 2014 at the Universities at Shady Grove, Rockville, Maryland. The meeting's theme is on defining the role of nanomedicines for nervous system diagnostics and disease but balanced by broad and timely topics for nanotechnology. Nanoneuromedicine, as defined by the development of small drug formulations for the diagnosis and treatment of degenerative, inflammatory, infectious, vascular, addictive, behavioral and metabolic disorders of the nervous system, will provide a focus for each of the scientific sessions. This research is interdisciplinary and it's in its infancy. The hurdles that preclude translation from bench to bedside would include its delivery across the blood brain barrier, limiting nervous system toxicities, and improving drug targeting to diseased brain subregions. These all pose challenges. Multidisciplinary works in neuroscience (neurobiology, neurochemistry, neurophysiology, and neuroinflammation), bioimaging, and polymer chemistry to facilitate outcomes for formulation manufacture will be vigorously discussed. How drugs reach sites of action need include neural cell specific subcellular compartments. The ASNM meeting will showcase nanoneuromedicine research from leading investigators of divergent scientific backgrounds who define this new field. It will also serve as an incubator for developing investigators and broad new field discoveries. Welcome to the conference and enjoy!
Belief Propagation Estimation of Protein and Domain Interactions Using the Sum–Product Algorithm

In this paper, a novel framework is presented to estimate protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and domain-domain interactions (DDIs) based on a belief propagation estimation method that efficiently computes interaction probabilities. Experimental interactions, domain architecture, and gene ontology (GO) annotations are used to create a factor graph representation of the joint probability distribution of pairwise protein and domain interactions. Bound structures are used as a priori evidence of domain interactions. These structures come from experiments documented in iPfam. The probability distribution contained in the factor graph is then efficiently marginalized with a message passing algorithm called the sum-product algorithm (SPA). This method is compared against two other approaches: maximum-likelihood estimation (MLE) and maximum specificity set cover (MSSC). SPA performs better for simulated scenarios and for inferring high-quality PPI data of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This framework can be used to predict potential protein and domain interactions at a genome wide scale and for any organism with identified protein-domain architectures.
Stereo photography of neutral density He-filled bubbles for 3-D fluid motion studies in an engine cylinder

A new technique has been developed for studies of fluid motion within the cylinder of a reciprocating piston engine during the air induction process. Helium-filled bubbles, serving as neutrally buoyant flow tracer particles, enter the cylinder along with the inducted air charge. The bubble motion is recorded by stereo cine photography through the transparent cylinder of a specially designed research engine. Quantitative data on the 3-D velocity field generated during induction is obtained from frame-to-frame analysis of the stereo images, taking into account refraction of the rays due to the transparent cylinder. Other applications for which this technique appears suitable include measurements of velocity fields within intake ports and flow-field dynamics within intake manifolds of multicylinder engines.
Neoplasia and Granulomas Surrounding Microchip Transponders in Damaraland Mole Rats (Cryptomys damarensis)

Damaraland mole rats (Cryptomys damarensis) are among the longest-living rodents, with a maximum longevity of approximately 16 years. As one of the few mammals termed eusocial, these animals have been used in behavioral, genetic, metabolic, and physiologic research at the University of Connecticut since 1997. For individual identification at 3 to 4 months of age, mole rats were subcutaneously implanted with microchip transponders (11 mm in length) in the dorsal cervical region. In 2007, 2 of the 90 implanted adults, 10-year-old and 9-year-old females, developed subcutaneous masses at the site of the implant. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations revealed amelanotic melanoma and fibrosarcoma, respectively, with metastasis of the amelanotic melanoma. In 2008, a total of 3 adult males were castrated as part of a sex behavior study; 3 months later, all 3 castrated males developed subcutaneous masses around their implants, whereas none of the noncastrated males had masses. After an additional 9 months, these masses were found to be granulomas. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of neoplasia in this species. Both the tumors and the granulomas surrounded the microchip transponder.
Linear tunable COMFET transconductor

A linear tunable transconductor is designed with the use of linear COMposite n-channel MOSFETs (COMFETs) and CMOS COMposite FETs as basic cells. With crosscoupling, a differential linear relation is achieved with a THD at 1 kHz of 0.776% for a differential voltage of +or-4 V. The design of the transconductor demonstrates that COMFET devices can be successfully used as standard cells in modulator analogue VLSI circuits. The transconductor performance at subthreshold is also discussed.< >
An exploration of Iranian communication to multiple target audiences

State-controlled media use similar message techniques to target specific publics that counterparts in democratic societies use. We explore talking points (attributes) and themes (frames) through content analysis in state-produced propaganda directed at two different audiences. Domestic and internationally targeted propaganda (N = 1491) from Iran regarding the issue of regional security was reviewed. Results indicated Iran emphasized different attributes and frames based on audiences. Themes about enemy correlated, and relationships between officials and themes were explored.
Density Estimation under Independent Similarly Distributed Sampling Assumptions

A method is proposed for semiparametric estimation where parametric and non-parametric criteria are exploited in density estimation and unsupervised learning. This is accomplished by making sampling assumptions on a dataset that smoothly interpolate between the extreme of independently distributed (or id) sample data (as in nonparametric kernel density estimators) to the extreme of independent identically distributed (or iid) sample data. This article makes independent similarly distributed (or isd) sampling assumptions and interpolates between these two using a scalar parameter. The parameter controls a Bhattacharyya affinity penalty between pairs of distributions on samples. Surprisingly, the isd method maintains certain consistency and unimodality properties akin to maximum likelihood estimation. The proposed isd scheme is an alternative for handling nonstationarity in data without making drastic hidden variable assumptions which often make estimation difficult and laden with local optima. Experiments in density estimation on a variety of datasets confirm the value of isd over iid estimation, id estimation and mixture modeling.
What's in a Name? A Critical Review of Definitions of Quantitative Literacy, Numeracy, and Quantitative Reasoning

This article aims to bring together various threads in the eclectic literature that make up the scholarship around the theme of Quantitative Literacy. In investigating the meanings of terms like "quantitative literacy," "quantitative reasoning," and "numeracy," we seek common ground, common themes, common goals and aspirations of a community of practitioners. A decade ago, these terms were relatively new in the public sphere; today policy makers and accrediting agencies are routinely inserting them into general education conversations. Having good, representative, and perhaps even compact and easily digestible definitions of these terms might come in handy in public relations contexts as well as in other situations where practitioners need to measure and evaluate their own success or communicate their goals and practice to others. Finding such definitions is, as expected, a difficult task. We offer through our analysis a clarifying framework for practitioners looking to sharpen their definitions and for others who are not keen on finalizing definitions. More specifically, we argue that there is indeed a common thread among all the terms involved, that of a competence in interacting with myriad mathematical and statistical representations of the real world, in the contexts of daily life, work situations, and the civic engagement. Furthermore we propose that the knowledge content captured by the individual terms can be placed on a continuum (statistics-data-arithmetic-
A Case of Juxtaglomerular Cell Tumor, or Reninoma, of the Kidney Treated by Retroperitoneoscopy-Assisted Nephron-Sparing Partial Nephrectomy Through a Small Pararectal Incision

Abstract A 15-year-old girl was found to be hypertensive (230–270/140–170 mm Hg) without any subjective symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of a well-defined 22 mm hypodense lesion in the lower pole of the left kidney, located close to the renal hilum. Plasma rennin activity was elevated (75 ng/mL/h), and reninoma was diagnosed. Retroperitoneoscopy-assisted nephron-sparing surgery was planned. The retroperitoneum was accessed through a 4 cm left pararectal upper abdominal incision. Following blunt dissection, the abdominal wall was elevated with a lifting bar and lifting retractor, inserted below the 12th rib in the anterior axillary line to create sufficient working space in the retroperitoneal cavity without the need for pneumoperitoneum. Three 5 mm trocars were introduced above the superior iliac crest for the camera and the assistant. Gerota's fascia was opened and the kidney exposed. The surgeon dissected the left kidney through the minilaparotomy incision under both direct vi...
Nanoscratching of Optical Glass Surfaces Near the Elastic–Plastic Load Boundary to Mimic the Mechanics of Polishing Particles

The nanomechanical deformations on glass surfaces near the elastic–plastic load boundary have been measured on various glasses by nanoscratching using an atomic force microscope (AFM) to mimic the mechanical interactions of polishing particles during optical polishing. Nanoscratches were created in air and aqueous environments using a 150-nm radius diamond-coated tip on polished fused silica, borosilicate, and phosphate glass surfaces; the topology of the nanoscratches were then characterized by AFM. Using load ranges expected on slurry particles during glass polishing (0.05–200 μN), plastic-type scratches were observed with depths in the nm range. Nanoscratching in air generally showed deeper & narrower scratches with more pileup compared to nanoscratching in water, especially on fused silica glass. The critical load needed to observe plastic deformation was determined to range from 0.2–1.2 μN for the three glasses. For phosphate glass, the load dependence of the removal depth was consistent with that expected from Hertzian mechanics. However, for fused silica and borosilicate glass in this load range, the deformation depth showed a weak dependence with load. Using a sub-Tg annealing technique, material relaxation was observed on the nanoscratches, suggesting that a significant fraction of the deformation was due to densification on fused silica and borosilicate glass. Repeated nanoscratching at the same location was utilized for determining the effective incremental plastic removal depth. The incremental removal depth decreased with increase in number of passes, stabilizing after ~10 passes. In water, the removal depths were determined as 0.3–0.55 nm/pass for fused silica, 0.85 nm/pass for borosilicate glass, and 2.4 nm/pass for phosphate glass. The combined nanoscratching results were utilized to define the composite removal function (i.e., removal depth) for a single polishing particle as a function of load, spanning the chemical to the plastic removal regimes. This removal function serves as an important set of parameters in understanding material removal during polishing and the resulting workpiece surface roughness.
Spirituality and Religiousness are Associated With Fewer Depressive Symptoms in Individuals With Medical Conditions

Background The increased prevalence of depressive symptoms among adults diagnosed with chronic health issues has been largely documented. Objectives Research is needed to clarify the effect of religiousness/spirituality in relation to chronic health conditions and depression, to establish whether these variables can serve as protective factors. Methods Self-report data from a nationwide study of spirituality and health were used. Individuals with at least 1 chronic illness ( N = 1696) formed the subsample for this study. Religiousness/spirituality variables included frequency of church attendance, prayer, religious meaning, religious hope, general meaning, general hope, peace, and view of God. Other variables included depressive symptoms and demographics (age, gender, ethnicity, and education). Results A series of hierarchical regression analyses revealed that chronic conditions were consistently associated with more depressive symptoms. Greater religiousness/spirituality was significantly associated with fewer depressive symptoms, contributing 16% of the variance above demographics and the number of chronic illnesses. The religiousness/spirituality variables conferring the greatest protection against depression were psychospiritual variables (general meaning and general hope, followed by peace). Also significant but making a smaller contribution to less depression were church attendance, religious meaning, religious hope, and positive view of God. Only prayer did not relate significantly to less depression. Conclusion Maintaining a sense of spirituality or religiousness can benefit well-being of individuals diagnosed with a chronic health condition, especially having meaning, maintaining hope, and having a sense of peace. Patients could potentially benefit from being offered the resources that support their spiritual/religious practices and beliefs as they cope with chronic illness.
Low Temperature Selective Si Epitaxy Using Si2H6 and Cl2: Investigations into Selectivity Robustness and Epitaxial Film Quality

In this paper, we explore selective Si epitaxy by UltraHigh Vacuum Rapid Thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition (UHV-RTCVD) using Si2H6, H2, and Cl2 with particular emphasis on selectivity robustness. Two key parameters considered in this study were partial pressures of Si2H6 and H2. It was found that excessive increases in either partial pressure could lead to selectivity degradation. The two mechanisms by which the observed selectivity degradation can be explained are as follows: A higher Si2H6 partial pressure provides a larger flux of Si atoms which directly influences the probability of reaching the critical nuclei size for stable nuclei formation while an increase in H2 partial pressure reduces the desorption rate of Si adatoms from the insulator surface by reducing the available Cl in the gas phase for SiCl2 formation. The impact of process parameters on epitaxial defect density was also evaluated using darkfield imaging. The results clearly indicate increasing defect density upon increases in both the chlorine flow rate and the level of contamination introduced through the silicon source gas.
Using empirical data to investigate the likelihood of brands being admitted or readmitted into an established evoked set

Empirical data is used to follow the maturation and change an evoked set exhibits as the decision-maker proceeds to a final choice. Results indicate that after an evoked set has been established, a subject is more likely to include newly found brands in his evoked set versus previously rejected brands even though additional positive information had been received for the previously rejected brands.
Skin manifestations of internal malignancy.

Skin may be invaded by metastases from nearly any internal malignancy. The entire skin surface should be carefully inspected when an internal malignancy is suspected. Skin changes common to many diseases including malignancy are considered, as well as syndromes or entities which occur often enough with internal malignancy to warrant consideration of this possibility. The effects of hormone-secreting tumors are also discussed.
Self-directed learning in health professions education.

Introduction Self-directed learning has been recommended as a promising methodology for lifelong learning in medicine. However, the concept of self-directed learning continues to be elusive, with students and educators finding difficulty in defining it and agreeing on its worth. Methods In this paper we review the literature of self-directed learning in health professions education and present a framework based on Malcolm Knowles' key components of self-directed learning. Results The key components of self-directed learning are: the educator as a facilitator, identification of learning needs, development of learning objectives, identification of appropriate resources, implementation of the process, commitment to a learning contract and evaluation of learning. Several but not all of these components are often described in the published literature. Conclusion Although the presented framework provides some consistency for educators interested in applying SDL methods, future studies are needed to standardise self-directed learning curricula and to determine the effectiveness of these components on educational outcomes.
Mitochondrial Division in Caenorhabditis elegans

The study of mitochondrial division proteins has largely focused on yeast and mammalian cells. We describe methods to use Caenorhabditis elegans as an alternative model for studying mitochondrial division, taking advantage of the many wonderful resources provided by the C. elegans community. Our methods are largely based on manipulation of gene expression using classic and molecular genetic techniques combined with fluorescence microscopy. Some biochemical methods are also included. As antibodies become available, these biochemical methods are likely to become more sophisticated.
IDENTIFYING VULNERABILITIES IN SCADA SYSTEMS VIA FUZZ-TESTING

Security vulnerabilities typically arise from bugs in input validation and in the application logic. Fuzz-testing is a popular security evaluation technique in which hostile inputs are crafted and passed to the target software in order to reveal bugs. However, in the case of SCADA systems, the use of proprietary protocols makes it difficult to apply existing fuzz-testing techniques as they work best when the protocol semantics are known, targets can be instrumented and large network traces are available. This paper describes a fuzz-testing solution involving LZFuzz, an inline tool that provides a domain expert with the ability to effectively fuzz SCADA devices.
10 – Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction

This chapter describes the methods for multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR). M-PCR is the simultaneous detection of more than one target sequence. The first reports appearing in the literature that used M-PCR involved the diagnosis of inherited genetic diseases. The majority of M-PCR studies have involved the detection of mutations in the dystrophin gene and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulatory gene. The first infectious disease application of M-PCR was for the detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) using either degenerate primers or consensus primers. In a study, degenerate primers containing deoxyinosine were used at the variable base locations and it was shown that these consensus primers could detect all the HPV genotypes tested. Pre- and post-sterilization measures have been described for preventing PCR false positive results due to carryover contamination with pre-amplified sequences. Procedural controls for M-PCR are similar to controls that should be used for conventional PCR. These consist of both positive and negative controls that are designed to monitor the sensitivity and specificity of each amplification run, respectively.
A Simple Method for NMR t1 Noise Suppression

t1 noise appears as random or semi-random spurious streaks along the indirect t1 (F1) dimension of a 2D or nD NMR spectrum. It can significantly downgrade spectral quality, especially for spectra with strong diagonal signals such as NOESY, because useful and weak cross-peaks can be easily buried under t1 noise. One of the significant contributing factors to t1 noise is unwanted and semi-random F2 signal modulation during t1 acquisition. As such, t1 noise from different acquisitions is unlikely to correlate with each other strongly. In the case of NOESY, co-addition of multiple spectra significantly reduces t1 noise compared with conventional acquisition with the same amount of total acquisition time and resolution.
Individual differences in the production of nasal coarticulation and perceptual compensation

Abstract The current study investigates correlations between individual differences in the production of nasal coarticulation and patterns of perceptual compensation in American English. A production study (Experiment 1) assessed participants’ nasal coarticulation repertoires by eliciting productions of CVC, CVN and NVN words. Stimuli for two perception tasks were created by cross-splicing oral vowels (from C_C words), nasal vowels (from C_N words), and hypernasal vowels (from N_N words) into C_C, C_N, and N_N consonant contexts. Stimuli pairs were presented to listeners in a paired discrimination task (Experiment 2), where similarity of vowels was assessed, and a nasality ratings task (Experiment 3), where relative nasalization of vowels was judged. In the discrimination task, individual differences in produced nasal coarticulation predicted patterns of veridical acoustic perception. Individuals who produce less extensive anticipatory nasal coarticulation exhibit more veridical acoustic perception (indicating less compensation for coarticulation) than individuals who produce greater coarticulatory nasality. However, in the ratings task, listeners’ produced nasal coarticulation did not predict perceptual patterns. Rather, more veridical perceptual response patterns were observed across participants in context-inappropriate coarticulatory conditions, i.e., for hypernasal vowels in C_N contexts (e.g. ben) and nasal vowels in N_N contexts (e.g. mẽn). The results of this study suggest a complex and multifaceted relationship between representations used to produce and perceive speech.
Designing next generation marketplace: The effect of 3D VR store interface design on shopping behavior

The medium of virtual reality enables new opportunities for the experience products and shopping environment that may combine best features of both physical and digital market place. As little is known on how best to create virtual reality marketplace, the current research aims to explore required features for VR market user interface and its impact on shopping behavior. As a first step toward endeavor, we will empirically test three different user interfaces; 2D interface style, 3D skeuomorphic interface style and interface that combines features of both 2D and 3D interaction techniques.
Dystonic storm: a practical clinical and video review.

Dystonic storm is a frightening hyperkinetic movement disorder emergency. Marked, rapid exacerbation of dystonia requires prompt intervention and admission to the intensive care unit. Clinical features of dystonic storm include fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypertension, sweating and autonomic instability, often progressing to bulbar dysfunction with dysarthria, dysphagia and respiratory failure. It is critical to recognize early and differentiate dystonic storm from other hyperkinetic movement disorder emergencies. Dystonic storm usually occurs in patients with known dystonia, such as DYT1 dystonia, Wilson’s disease and dystonic cerebral palsy. Triggers such as infection or medication adjustment are present in about one-third of all events. Due to the significant morbidity and mortality of this disorder, we propose a management algorithm that divides decision making into two periods: the first 24 h, and the next 2–4 weeks. During the first 24 h, supportive therapy should be initiated, and appropriate patients should be identified early as candidates for pallidal deep brain stimulation or intrathecal baclofen. Management in the next 2–4 weeks aims at symptomatic dystonia control and supportive therapies.
The genetic control of breast cancer metastasis

Metastasis of breast cancer is a complex event involving coordinated cross-talk of several proteins. Genes that control the resultant metastasis can be broadly classified as metastasis promoter genes (MPGs) and metastasis suppressor genes (MSGs). There is an explosion of information in the studies that focus on these genes; however, thus far, a very few of them are actually tested clinically and/or in vivo functionally. In this chapter we will focus on the metastasis controlling genes that have been tested for clinical relevance or functional properties in breast cancer metastasis models.
Benchmarking the Embodied Carbon of Buildings

Greenhouse gas emissions from extracting and manufacturing building materials, often termed “embodied carbon,” are produced before buildings are occupied and are more critical to meeting global cli...
Southern Looks? A History of African American Missionary Photography of Africa, 1890s–1930s

This article traces and analyzes the missionary photography of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), the most important independent black American institution that began to operate in colonial South Africa at the onset of the politics of racial segregation in the 1890s. It argues that AME missionary photography presents a neglected archive, from which a history of black photographic encounters and a subaltern perspective on the dominant visual cultures of European imperialism and Christian missions in Africa can be retrieved. Focussing in particular on how AME missionaries deployed tropes of the culturally refined “New Negro” and the US South in their visual description of South Africa, this article demonstrates that photography was an important tool for black subjects to define their image beyond the representations of black inferiority that established visual traditions constructed.
Commensal Bacteria Suppress Vitamin A Metabolism in the Intestinal Epithelium to Modulate IL-22 Activity in the Gut.

Antimicrobials secreted by the intestinal epithelium are critical for regulating host-microbe interactions in the gut. However, certain pathogens can exploit excessive antimicrobial response during infection to outcompete commensal bacteria. We have uncovered a novel intestinal epithelial cell intrinsic mechanism by which commensal bacteria modulate Interleukin (IL)-22 induced antimicrobials to provide colonization resistance against pathogens. Vitamin A metabolite, retinoic acid (RA), is critical for coordinating multiple immune responses in the intestine, including IL-22 production, yet, we barely understand how conversion of vitamin A into RA is regulated in the intestinal tissue. Our work shows that commensal bacteria limited RA by suppressing expression of retinol dehydrogenase 7 ( rdh7 ) in the intestinal epithelium. Deletion of rdh7 resulted in reduced RA signaling in immune cells, lower levels of IL-22, and an enhanced resistance to colonization by pathogen that exploits IL-22 induced antimicrobials to thrive in the gut. Supplementing mice deleted for rdh7 with RA reversed the colonization resistance, revealing the significance of downregulation of rdh7 by commensal bacteria. Our findings thus provide a novel insight into molecular mechanism by which commensal bacteria promote resistance to colonization by pathogenic bacteria. More importantly, we are demonstrating for the first time that bacterial regulation of RA provides a crucial feedback loop to curb excessive IL-22 activity in the gut.