cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Principles of CT: Radiation Dose and Image Quality

This article discusses CT radiation dose, the measurement of CT dose, and CT image quality. The most commonly used dose descriptor is CT dose index, which represents the dose to a location (e.g., depth) in a scanned volume from a complete series of slices. A weighted average of the CT dose index measured at the center and periphery of dose phantoms provides a convenient single-number estimate of patient dose for a procedure, and this value (or a related indicator that includes the scanned length) is often displayed on the operator's console. CT image quality, as in most imaging, is described in terms of contrast, spatial resolution, image noise, and artifacts. A strength of CT is its ability to visualize structures of low contrast in a subject, a task that is limited primarily by noise and is therefore closely associated with radiation dose: The higher the dose contributing to the image, the less apparent is image noise and the easier it is to perceive low-contrast structures. Spatial resolution is ultimately limited by sampling, but both image noise and resolution are strongly affected by the reconstruction filter. As a result, diagnostically acceptable image quality at acceptable doses of radiation requires appropriately designed clinical protocols, including appropriate kilovolt peaks, amperages, slice thicknesses, and reconstruction filters.
Fault Tolerant Computer Architecture

For many years, most computer architects have pursued one primary goal: performance. Architects have translated the ever-increasing abundance of ever-faster transistors provided by Moore's law into remarkable increases in performance. Recently, however, the bounty provided by Moore's law has been accompanied by several challenges that have arisen as devices have become smaller, including a decrease in dependability due to physical faults. In this book, we focus on the dependability challenge and the fault tolerance solutions that architects are developing to overcome it. The two main purposes of this book are to explore the key ideas in fault-tolerant computer architecture and to present the current state-of-the-art - over approximately the past 10 years - in academia and industry. Table of Contents: Introduction / Error Detection / Error Recovery / Diagnosis / Self-Repair / The Future
Folding cartons with fixtures: a motion planning approach

Packaging products such as telephones and two-way radios after assembly is a common manufacturing task. Carton folding is a packaging operation typically performed by human operators or with fixed automation. We present a flexible method to fold cardboard cartons using fixtures; a carton blank is folded by moving it through a fixture with a robot. This method uses interchangeable fixtures to enable rapid changeovers between product models. We outline an approach to design a fixture given a carton and a folding sequence. We present an implemented motion planning algorithm that generates all folding sequences for a carton by modeling it kinematically as a many degree-of-freedom robot manipulator with revolute joints and branching links. Folding fixtures constrain the carton motion to paths consisting of line segments in its configuration space. We characterize the set of valid paths for these carton robots and generate them using the motion planner. To illustrate the method, we selected a folding sequence for an example carton, designed a fixture, and demonstrated folding of the carton from blanks with an industrial robot.
Validation of the circulating monocyte being representative of the cholesterol-loaded macrophage: biomediator activity.

Abstract Context.—Inflammation is pivotal to atherosclerosis. The monocyte-macrophage, a crucial cell in atherogenesis, is present during all stages of atherosclerosis. However, there is a paucity of data comparing circulating monocytes to cholesterol-laden macrophages (foam cells), with regard to their atherogenic properties, especially in subjects with established risk factors such as hyperlipidemia. Objective.—To determine whether the circulating blood monocyte is representative of the cholesterol-loaded macrophage with regard to its proatherogenicity in healthy controls and hyperlipidemic patients. Design.—Fasting blood was drawn from 32 subjects (n = 16 controls and n = 16 hyperlipidemic patients), and peripheral blood monocytes were obtained. Also, macrophages were cultured and loaded with acetyl low-density lipoprotein on day 10. Day 1 peripheral blood monocytes and day 11 cholesterol-loaded macrophages were assessed for release of superoxide anion and cytokines (interleukin 1, interleukin 6, tumor...
Perceived, not actual, similarity predicts initial attraction in a live romantic context: Evidence from the speed-dating paradigm

The “similarity-attraction” effect stands as one of the most well-known findings in social psychology. However, some research contends that perceived but not actual similarity influences attraction. The current study is the first to examine the effects of actual and perceived similarity simultaneously during a face-to-face initial romantic encounter. Participants attending a speed-dating event interacted with ∼12 members of the opposite sex for 4 min each. Actual and perceived similarity for each pair were calculated from questionnaire responses assessed before the event and after each date. Data revealed that perceived, but not actual, similarity significantly predicted romantic liking in this speed-dating context. Furthermore, perceived similarity was a far weaker predictor of attraction when assessed using specific traits rather than generally.
The Stromal Cell–Derived Factor-1 Chemokine Is a Potent Platelet Agonist Highly Expressed in Atherosclerotic Plaques

Abstract —Chemokines are chemotactic cytokines that activate and direct the migration of leukocytes. However, their role in modulating platelet function has not been shown. We studied the direct effect of chemokines on human platelets and found that of the 16 tested only stromal cell–derived factor (SDF)-1 induced platelet aggregation, accompanied by a rise in intracellular calcium. Platelets expressed the SDF-1 receptor, CXCR4, and an antibody to CXCR4 and pertussis toxin inhibited SDF-1–induced platelet aggregation, confirming that this effect is mediated through CXCR4, a Gαi-coupled receptor. SDF-1–induced platelet aggregation was also inhibited by wortmannin, LY294002, and genistein, suggesting that phosphatidylinositol 3–kinase and tyrosine kinase are likely involved in SDF-1–induced platelet aggregation. Because chemokines are produced from multiple vascular cells and atherosclerotic vessels are prone to develop platelet-rich thrombi, we examined the expression of SDF-1 in human atheroma. SDF-1 protein was highly expressed in smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and macrophages in human atherosclerotic plaques but not in normal vessels. Our studies demonstrate a direct effect of a chemokine in inducing platelet activation and suggest a role for SDF-1 in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and thrombo-occlusive diseases.
Adaptive disturbance accommodating controller for nonlinear stochastic systems

This paper presents the the formulation of an adaptive disturbance accommodating controller for nonlinear stochastic systems with unknown nonlinearities and external disturbances. The disturbance accommodating control scheme presented here utilizes an estimator to determine the corrections to the nominal control input required to minimizes the effects of both unknown system nonlinearities and external disturbances on the controlled system. Similar to the disturbance accommodating controller for linear systems, performance of the nonlinear disturbance accommodating controller depends on the accuracy of the assumed disturbance model. The proposed formulation indicates that an adaptive law can be developed for updating the process noise covariance matrix associated with the disturbance model online so that the controlled system is stable.
The neural basis of chronic pain, its plasticity and modulation

Dysfunction or injury of pain-transmitting primary afferents' central pathways can result in pain. The organism as a whole responds to such injury and consequently many symptoms of neuropathic pain develop. The nervous system responds to painful events and injury with neuroplasticity. Both peripheral sensitization and central sensitization take place and are mediated by a number of biochemical factors, including genes and receptors. Correction of altered receptors activity is the logical way to intervene therapeutically. [berkley; blumberg et al.; coderre & katz; dickenson; mcmahon; wiesenfeld-hallin et al.]
Enhanced Neuronal Expression of Calcitonin Gene–Related Peptide in Mineralocorticoid-Salt Hypertension

Abstract Dorsal root ganglia neuronal cell bodies synthesize the vasodilator neuropeptide calcitonin gene–related peptide and innervate the blood vessels and spinal cord sites (laminae I and II) involved in blood pressure regulation. We previously demonstrated that calcitonin gene–related peptide mRNA content is significantly decreased in dorsal root ganglia and that immunoreactive calcitonin gene–related peptide levels are reduced in laminae I and II of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord in the spontaneously hypertensive rat compared with Wistar-Kyoto control rats. To determine whether neuronal calcitonin gene–related peptide expression is also altered in mineralocorticoid-salt hypertension, we quantified calcitonin gene–related peptide mRNA levels in dorsal root ganglia and protein content in laminae I and II of the spinal cord in rats with mineralocorticoid-salt–induced hypertension. To control for pellet implantation, saline drinking water, and/or uninephrectomy, four normotensive groups were similarly studied. By Northern hybridization analysis, the ratio of calcitonin gene–related peptide mRNA to 18S rRNA was increased approximately fivefold in hypertensive rats (33±7) compared with each of the four normotensive control groups (average of the four groups, 6±0.5; P <.01, mineralocorticoid-salt group versus each group). The density of the peptide, quantified by computer-assisted image analysis, in laminae I and II in the hypertensive rats was also increased (66±1 versus average of the four groups, 46±2 arbitrary units; P <.001, mineralocorticoid-salt group versus each group). In conclusion, neuronal levels of calcitonin gene–related peptide mRNA and protein are increased in mineralocorticoid-salt hypertension. Therefore, increased neuronal synthesis and available stores of this potent vasodilator may be compensatory responses to and thus attenuate the blood pressure elevation in this experimental model of hypertension.
The readability of online breast cancer risk assessment tools

Numerous breast cancer risk assessment tools that allow users to input personal risk information and obtain a personalized breast cancer risk estimate are available on the Internet. The goal of these tools is to increase screening awareness and identify modifiable health behaviors; however, the utility of this risk information is limited by the readability of the material. We undertook this study to assess the overall readability of breast cancer risk assessment tools and accompanying information, as well as to identify areas of suggested improvement. We searched for breast cancer risk assessment tools, using five search terms, on three search engines. All searches were performed on June 12, 2014. Sites that met inclusion criteria were then assessed for readability using the suitability assessment of materials (SAM) and the SMOG readability formula (July 1, 2014–January 31, 2015). The primary outcomes are the frequency distribution of overall SAM readability category (superior, adequate, or not suitable) and mean SMOG reading grade level. The search returned 42 sites were eligible for assessment, only 9 (21.4 %) of which achieved an overall SAM superior rating, and 27 (64.3 %) were deemed adequate. The average SMOG reading grade level was grade 12.1 (SD 1.6, range 9–15). The readability of breast cancer risk assessment tools and the sites that host them is an important barrier to risk communication. This study demonstrates that most breast cancer risk assessment tools are not accessible to individuals with limited health literacy skills. More importantly, this study identifies potential areas of improvement and has the potential to heighten a physician’s awareness of the Internet resources a patient might navigate in their quest for breast cancer risk information.
Seeing the Past: Visual Media in Archaeology

As digital media become increasingly affordable and accessible, visual representation in archaeology is expanding across several dimensions. In this essay, I examine some emerging forms of visual media in archaeology, including online documentaries, maps and photographs, hypermedia, experimental films, and peripatetic video. Visual media offer powerful opportunities for engagement with the public. In addition, archaeologists are finding new ways to use the visual in interpretation, analysis, and critique. Experimental visual works often are self-consciously reflexive, questioning and exposing the ways archaeological knowledge is constructed, represented, and disseminated.
Infinity structure of Poincaré duality spaces

We show that the complex C X of rational simplicial chains on a compact and triangulated Poincare duality space X of dimension d is an A1 coalgebra with1 duality. This is the structure required for an A1 version of the cyclic Deligne conjecture. One corollary is that the shifted Hochschild cohomology HH C d .C X;C X/ of the cochain algebra C X with values in C X has a BV structure. This implies, if X is moreover simply connected, that the shifted homology HC dLX of the free loop space admits a BV structure. An appendix by Dennis Sullivan gives a general local construction of1 structures.
Temporal Aspects of Stimulus-Driven Attending in Dynamic Arrays

Auditory sequences of tones were used to examine a form of stimulus-driven attending that involves temporal expectancies and is influenced by stimulus rhythm. Three experiments examined the influence of sequence timing on comparative pitch judgments of two tones (standard, comparison) separated by interpolated pitches. In two of the experiments, interpolated tones were regularly timed, with onset times of comparison tones varied relative to this rhythm. Listeners were most accurate judging the pitch of rhythmically expected tones and least accurate with very unexpected ones. This effect persisted over time, but disappeared when the rhythm of interpolated tones was either missing or irregular.
Sex of opponent influences response to a potential status signal in house sparrows

We evaluated the possible use of a sexually dimorphic plumage trait as a status signal in inter- and intrasexual social interactions in free-living house sparrows, Passer domesticus. Males with larger black throat patches (bibs) tended to be dominant regardless of the opponent’s sex. This relationship was maintained after controlling for body size and age in multivariate analyses. However, the nature of social interactions varied according to the sex of the opponent and a male’s bib size. Males with larger bibs tended to be less aggressive to male opponents, and received significantly less aggression from those birds, a key predicted benefit of a status signal. However, when the opponent was a female, males with large bibs displayed significantly more aggression than males with small bibs, and this relationship persisted even after controlling for the dominance status of the participants. Females were significantly more aggressive towards male opponents than towards female opponents, and females interacting with two males of known bib size were more aggressive to the one with the larger bib. These results suggest that the bib of male house sparrows may be a signal of status, but that in interactions with females, the bib may also have other functions. Frequent testing by females of the underlying quality being signalled by the bib may be linked to later mate choice, and might be adaptive if the information value of the bib varies among years. Such testing may also contribute to mechanisms for maintaining the bib as a reliable signal of status.  2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Aggressive interactions over resources are common in social species (e.g. Rowell 1974; Piper 1997; Pusey & Packer 1997). These interactions may be beneficial because they can lead to increased access to resources, and costly because of the energy expended and risk of injury involved in fighting. Because of the costs, selection ought to favour traits that limit unnecessary fights. One
Five-Year Retrospective Study of Inpatient Occupational Therapy Outcomes for Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

OBJECTIVE. This study was a retrospective chart analysis spanning 5 yr that investigated associations between occupational therapy interventions and goal-based positive outcomes in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and related disorders at discharge in an urban inpatient rehabilitation setting. METHOD. Using descriptive statistics, we examined demographic characteristics in the first analysis phase. In the second phase, we performed a series of correlational analyses to identify treatment variables associated with positive outcomes. RESULTS. Generally, patients improved in their FIM� scores at discharge. Increasing occupational therapy intensity had a positive effect on functional performance in all categories except feeding, with significant correlations in upper-extremity dressing (r = .153, p < .05) and memory (r = .204, p < .01). CONCLUSION. Occupational therapy was associated with positive functional outcomes for patients with MS. Future treatment protocols should include cognitive skills training, community reintegration, and self-care, because these treatments were found to be significantly correlated with positive changes in FIM scores.
Challenges in Lower-Limb Orthotic Research

Welcome to this special issue of Prosthetics and Orthotics International on lower limb orthotics. While the topic of lower limb orthotics is vast and challenging, this special issue focuses predomi...
2E4/Kaptin (KPTN) – a candidate gene for the hearing loss locus, DFNA4

Stereocilia of the inner ear play an integral role in the mechanotransduction of sound. Their structural support is derived from actin filaments and actin-binding proteins. We have identified a novel actin-binding protein, 2E4-kaptin (KPTN), which appears to be involved in this structural network. Using double label immunofluorescence, we now show that KPTN extends beyond the barbed ends of actin filaments at the tips of stereocilia, and using cloned human cDNA, we mapped KPTN to chromosome 19q13.4. A combination of FISH, radiation hybrid mapping and YAC screening localized KPTN between markers D19S412 and NIB1805, making this gene an excellent functional and positional candidate for DFNA4, a form of autosomal dominant non-syndromic hearing loss. We identified a second family with inherited deafness that also maps to the DFNA4 region. To screen KPTN for deafness-causing mutations, we first determined its genomic structure and then completed a mutational analysis by direct sequencing and SSCP in affected family members. Although no deafness-causing mutations were identified in the coding region, KPTN remains an excellent candidate gene for hearing loss; by synteny, its murine orthologue also remains a candidate gene for the Nijmegan waltzer (nv) mouse mutant, which has vestibular defects and a variable sensorineural hearing loss.
Model Minority Stereotyping, Perceived Discrimination, and Adjustment Among Adolescents from Asian American Backgrounds.

The model minority image is a common and pervasive stereotype that Asian American adolescents must navigate. Using multiwave data from 159 adolescents from Asian American backgrounds (mean age at initial recruitment = 15.03, SD = .92; 60 % female; 74 % US-born), the current study targeted unexplored aspects of the model minority experience in conjunction with more traditionally measured experiences of negative discrimination. When examining normative changes, perceptions of model minority stereotyping increased over the high school years while perceptions of discrimination decreased. Both experiences were not associated with each other, suggesting independent forms of social interactions. Model minority stereotyping generally promoted academic and socioemotional adjustment, whereas discrimination hindered outcomes. Moreover, in terms of academic adjustment, the model minority stereotype appears to protect against the detrimental effect of discrimination. Implications of the complex duality of adolescents’ social interactions are discussed.
Environmental management: An agenda for action

A business agenda for sustainable development is described, where the main thrust is to be the manufacture of durable and recyclable goods by processes which minimize the production of waste and polluting emissions. This is to be achieved through education, research and innovation with a more open dialogue between producers and society.
Microplitis croceipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) development in tobacco budworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae treated with Bacillus thuringiensis and thiodicarb

Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner var. kurstaki and thiodicarb were evaluated in laboratory and field assays to determine the effect on tobacco budworm larvae, Heliothis virescens (F.), and the paras...
The Relationship Between Critical Thinking and Interpersonal Skills

Abstract Research suggests that clinicians who think critically use more effective interpersonal skills. This paper offers clinical supervisors specific guidelines on how to utilize this connection to strengthen supervisees' skills in both areas with an emphasis on how helping supervisees develop greater skill in critical thinking can improve their interpersonal skills of empathy and addressing therapeutic alliance ruptures. Some specific strategies discussed include: modeling, facilitating a supervisory environment that supports exploring different points of view, asking questions that require critical thinking skills, and facilitating supervisees' skills in conceptualizing client communications in thematic terms.
Beneficial Arthropod Behavior Mediated by Airborne Semiochemicals: Source of Volatiles Mediating the Host-Location Flight Behavior of Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a Parasitoid of Heliothis zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The responses of male and female Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to volatiles from Heliothis zea (Boddie)(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae feeding on cowpeas were examined in a flight tunnel. The flight response of ovipositionally experienced female parasitoids to individual components and the removal of individual components (i.e., larvae, leaves, and feces) from the plant-host complex was examined. The flight response to control odors, larval feeding damage, and artificial leaf damage also was studied. Larval feces was the most important component of the plant-host complex in the initiation of flight, oriented flight, and landing on the odor source. Artificial leaf damage had an inhibitory effect on these behaviors. There was no treatment effect on flight durations.
Measurement of the Intensity of Cell Surface Antigen Expression in B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Immunophenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocytes from 95 patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) was performed to estimate surface membrane intensity of the HLA-DR, CD20, and light-chain antigens. Cases were classified as having weak, moderate, or strong intensity by a standard slide immunocytochemical method, and the fluorescence intensity (FI) was measured by flow cytometry in molecules of equivalent soluble fluorescence (MESF). Staining intensity was strongest for HLA-DR; with both methods, 94 cases were classified as strong. For CD20, 67% were weak, 27% moderate, and 6% strong; the mean MESF values were 31.7, 66.4, and 177.4 x 10(3), respectively (P < .001). Thirty-nine percent had weak surface light-chain staining, 50% moderate, and 11% strong; the mean MESF values were 4.9, 7.5, and 16 x 10(3), respectively (P = .005). These results indicate that the FI of cell surface antigens can be estimated and quantified by flow cytometry. Because of the wide overlap of FI values among the three groups, an exact correlation was not found between the two methods of classifying intensity of surface antigen expression. The usefulness of these quantitative measurements needs further analysis in clinical trials.
Acoustic Wave Scattering from Turbulent Premixed Flames

This paper presents measurements of the spectral characteristics of acoustic waves scattered from turbulent, premixed flames. It extends measurements reported in a prior study. These measurements were obtained by directing monchromatic 4 37.5 kHz waves at a pilot stabilized, premixed flame and measuring the scattered wave characteristics. The measured acoustic spectra show a narrow, coherent spectral peak at the driving frequency, with lower amplitude, incoherent sidebands. The bandwidth of these sidebands increases roughly linearly with fdrive. This result suggests that these sidebands arise from a Doppler shift mechanism, likely due to random flame front movement. The spectral dependence of the low frequency sidebands are found to have a nearly universal relationship given by drive drive f f f C e / | | − − , where C is a coefficient with a value of ≈103. The high frequency sidebands have a similar behavior for fdrive − 2. The total power in the scattered incoherent field initially increases exponentially, and then appears to saturate with increase in frequency. An anomalous bump in this dependence is observed at fdrive~10 kHz. These general trends are in agreement with model predictions that treat the flame as a randomly evolving, corrugated front.
Quantitative immunohistochemical assay for hormonal receptors: technical aspects and biological significance.

Abstract Over 250 breast carcinomas were studied in order to establish whether or not quantitative immunohistochemical assays (ICA) for estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) with computer-assisted image analysis could favorably compare with standard cytosolic assays. Initially, variable antigenic preservation secondary to improper tissue fixation and processing led to irregular receptor preservation and unevenly stained areas indistinguishable from true intratumor antigenic heterogeneity. As a direct consequence of the field selections chosen for analysis, assay reproducibility was less than optimal. Proper tissue fixation and handling eliminated most of the irregular staining; selection of fields to analyze became less cumbersome and more reproducible. Differences in staining intensity due to minimal variations in the ICA also resulted in difficult reproducibility. Standardizing the technique and using an automatic stainer notably eliminated that problem. The second and equally important question was to establish if quantitative ER-ICA had relevance as a predictor for prognosis. The Kaplan-Meier product limit estimator for quantitated ER values and Cox regression for risk of mortality and disease progression were performed. The results obtained discriminated high- and low-risk groups for overall survival (p = 0.016) better than the dextran-coated charcoal assay. Elimination of two major obstacles and proof of the predictive value of quantitative ICA has transformed the assay into a valid alternative to cytosolic methods; however, before that takes place it is critical to establish standard procedures for both ICA and quantitation so interlaboratory variability is reduced to a minimum.
112 COMPARING WEIGHT LOSS AND CARDIOVASCULAR BENEFITS AMONG TYPE 2 DIABETICS PRESCRIBED WITH VARIOUS ORAL ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC MEDICATIONS AND HYPOCALORIC DIETS.

This clinical study was conducted to determine which of three types of antihyperglycemic medications is best for overweight/obese insulin-resistant type 2 diabetics in terms of achieving weight loss and cardiovascular benefits: thiazolidenediones (TZDs), sulfonylurea compounds (SUs), or metformin (Met). This is especially important since each drug uses a different mechanism for decreasing blood glucose. Whereas TZDs are insulin sensitizers, SUs are insulin secretogogues and Met is insulin neutral. We hypothesize that for a similar amount of weight loss, the cardiovascular benefits would be greater for those on TZDs. Subjects9 clinical and laboratory data were obtained at baseline, and insulin-mediated glucose uptake was quantified by the previously validated steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) test. Glucose and insulin were infused at concentrations similar in all subjects, and endogenous insulin secretion was suppressed by sandostatin. By steady state (150-180 minutes), plasma insulin concentrations were approximately 60 μU/mL, but glucose concentrations differed, reflecting the ability of the insulin to dispose of the glucose load. Subjects were then randomized to one of the three classes of study drugs. Once blood glucose concentrations were stable, subjects began a hypocaloric diet (−750 kcal/d), with weekly monitoring by study dietitians. After 4 months, the same metabolic measurements were collected, and statistical analysis was performed to compare pre and post values within and among the drug groups. Results demonstrated statistical significance within each class of drug for the weight loss, SSPG, blood pressure, and cholesterol categories (p values were all
Comparative Study of Detecting Influenza A Virus with Real-time Fluorescent PCR and RT-PCR

[Objective]To compare the advantage and disadvantage of real-time fluorescent PCR(GQ-PCR) and RT-PCR in the detection of Influenza A Virus,so as to establish new method for detection and identification of influenza virus from clinical samples simply,rapidly and specially.[Methods]Totally 200 pharyngeal swab samples were tested by FQ-PCR and RT-PCR,the difference between them was compared comprehensively.[Results]96 out of 200 pharyngeal swab samples was positively indentified by FQ-PCR,the positive rate was 48.0%.The test could be completed in 3～3.5 hours from RNA extraction to final results.69 samples were positively indentified by RT-PCR,the positive rate was 34.5%.The test could be completed in 8 hours.[Conclusion] FQ-PCR is rapid,specific and sensitive and possesses great value for practical application in the detection of Influenza A virus.
Assessment of Occupational Hazards Control Effect in An Organic Chemical Industry

[Objective] To assess occupational hazards control effect and put forward measures for further control of occupational hazards in the organic chemical industry.[Methods]Survey of occupational health,occupational hazards detection and occupational health checks were applied for the assessment.[Results] The overall layout of the organic chemical industry and distribution of equipment,preventive facilities against occupational diseases were basically in compliance with the relevant requirements;most of workplace occupational hazards in the concentration(intensity) did not exceed national standards of occupational health;occupational health checks found no occupational contraindication and suspected occupational diseases;a lot of faults existed in occupational health management.[Conclusion] The organic chemical industry was classified as general occupational hazards industry;the control of occupational hazards was effective.
Opportunistic Xanthomonads in Mixed Infections with Pseudomonas Syringae in Tomato and Pepper

Aerobic, gram-negative, rod-shaped, yellow bacteria were isolated in conjunction with Pseudomonas syringae from leaf spots of tomato and pepper and recovered as epiphytic residents from several weeds in Georgia and Florida. Fatty acid composition, pigment analysis, and results from standard bacteriological tests were typical for the genus Xanthomonas. However, all strains were different from X. campestris pv. vesicatoria (XCV) in that they were strongly pectolytic when grown on crystal violet pectate medium. In addition, most pectolytic strains, unlike XCV, did not elicit a hypersensitive response in tobacco. When tomato and pepper were inoculated with the pectolytic strains, they were nonpathogenic or opportunistic and produced restricted leaf spots only in association with wounds. Twenty-five percent of the pectolytic strains were sensitive to bacteriophage that were specific for X. campestris pv. campestris. However, when cabbage was inoculated only one strain induced typical black rot symptoms and several others caused leaf spots only in association with wounds.
“Seeing Their Eyes in the Rearview Mirror”: Identifying and Responding to Students' Challenging Experiences

ABSTRACTThere is a noticeable gap in the educational research literature specifically focused on trauma and documenting effective educator practices. This case study captures the voice and perspectives of Mr. Sellers, an effective Black, male educator who, through making sense of the impact of his students' ecological realities, provides insight about trauma, traumatic experiences, and the ways in which he supports them. I conceptualize and name the experiences of these students as traumatic because this is the language that Mr. Sellers himself used to make sense of his students' situations. It is important to note that I focus on these occurrences not to highlight the negatives or deficits of this community; my point in naming these ecological situations is to point out how structural challenges can influence communities and, ultimately, the people (including students) in those contexts. Despite what established literature suggests about the unpreparedness of educators to respond to student trauma, this ...
Generalized Epilepsy Syndromes of Adolescence

“Idiopathic” generalized epilepsies (juvenile absence epilepsy, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, and epilepsy with generalized tonic–clonic seizures alone) are the most frequent group of epilepsies with onset during adolescence and constitute 15 to 20% of all epilepsies. These syndromes have overlapping clinical features and genetic origins as well as similar electroencephalographic findings. There are primarily three seizure types that occur with these epilepsy syndromes: generalized tonic–clonic, absence, and myoclonic seizures. Standard neurologic examination and neuroimaging studies do not generally reveal any abnormality. Potential precipitating factors are many, including sleep deprivation, fatigue, alcohol use, photic stimulation, and menstruation. The characteristic electroencephalographic abnormality consists of diffuse, bilateral, symmetric, and synchronous 4 to 6 Hz polyspike and wave complexes. Idiopathic generalized epilepsies are generally associated with low mortality and typically respond well to treatment. The most effective antiepileptic drug for these disorders is sodium valproate, but it should be used with caution in adolescent females who are of childbearing age. Levetiracetam, lamotrigine, topiramate, and zonisamide can also be used as effective monotherapy. Carbamazepine, oxcarbamazepine, phenytoin, gabapentin, and vigabatrin may exacerbate myoclonic and absence seizures in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
Corporate Governance: The Jack Wright Series (8) Corporate and Capital Structures (Spanish)

This is a Spanish translation of the May 13, 2011, version of UVA-OM- 1090. This case deals with the issues of the corporation's organizational structure and capital structure. Jack Wright and the Mega Corporation board must consider a proposal to eliminate a large number of subsidiary companies to simplify the organization and another proposal to issue corporate bonds, the proceeds of which would be used to repurchase a large block of the company's outstanding shares. Excerpt UVA-OM-1625 Rev. May 13, 2011 Gobierno CorporativoCaso N.° 8 de la Serie Jack WrightLa estructura corporativa y la estructura de capital Luego de la reunion de directorio realizada en enero, como esperaba, Jack recibio una serie de llamados telefonicos de los directores de mentalidad mas independiente, quienes lo felicitaron por su actuacion en la reunion. Le dijeron que esperaban que su iniciativa marcara el inicio de un funcionamiento mas efectivo del directorio. Jack tambien hablo con John para asegurarse de que comprendiera su posicion. John se mostro muy maduro al respecto y declaro que confiaba en Jack. Jack decidio trabajar con John para evaluar la situacion actual y desarrollar un plan para lidiar con los temas pendientes. Ambos se reunieron varias veces en febrero y marzo, y Jack comenzo a delinear su opinion respecto de lo que habia que hacer. Una vez mas, John se comportaba como un directivo confiable, que trabajaba efectivamente bajo la conduccion de una persona mas fuerte. Jack sentia que estaba mas cerca de bosquejar un plan de accion coherente para recomendar al directorio. Se produjo otro hecho significativo. Bill Monday llamo a Jack para decirle que Sam habia estado pensando en la reunion y habia decidido reducir sus honorarios de Presidente del Directorio a la suma de USD 100.000 por ano. Sam dijo que habia realizado algunas consultas y creia que esa cifra se asemejaba mas a las de otras companias en situaciones similares. Lo que nadie sabia era que Sally lo habia persuadido de que eso era lo que debia hacer: en lugar de mostrar debilidad, ese gesto mostraba liderazgo y constituia una senal positiva para el directorio e, incluso, para los accionistas. . . .
Potential for maternal effects on offspring CO2 sensitivities in the Atlantic silverside (Menidia menidia)

Abstract For marine fish, the influence of maternal provisioning on offspring sensitivity to high carbon dioxide (CO2) conditions remains unknown. We separately reared offspring obtained from five wild-caught Atlantic silverside ( Menidia menidia ) females from fertilization to 16 days post hatch under contrasting CO2 conditions (ambient: ~ 400 μatm, acidified: ~ 2,300 μatm), testing whether average survival during the embryo and larval stage, hatch length, final length, and growth rates were affected by CO2, female identity, or their interaction. Average trait responses did not significantly differ between treatments (CO2 or female identity), however, significant CO2 × female identity interactions indicated that females produced offspring with different average CO2 sensitivities. We then examined whether differential egg provisioning with fatty acids (FA) may partially explain the observed differences in offspring CO2 sensitivities. Concentrations of 27 FAs in the unfertilized eggs of each female were measured. Cumulative absolute FA levels were negatively related to hatch length and to the log-transformed CO2 response ratio of hatch length. Eggs with lower concentrations of 20:1n9 and 22:5n3 resulted in offspring where embryo survival was negatively impacted by high CO2. Eggs with higher concentrations of 18:3n3, 18:4n3, and 22:6n3 produced shorter offspring at hatching under high CO2 conditions. These results indicate that maternal provisioning might be an additional determinant of CO2 sensitivity in fish early life stages. Acidification experiments should therefore utilize large numbers of parents from different natural conditions and, where possible, track heritage.
Development of a Unified Enantioselective, Convergent Synthetic Approach Toward the Furanobutenolide-Derived Polycyclic Norcembranoid Diterpenes: Asymmetric Formation of the Polycyclic Norditerpenoid Carbocyclic Core by Tandem Annulation Cascade

An enantioselective and diastereoselective approach toward the synthesis of the tetracyclic scaffold of the furanobutenolide-derived polycyclic norditerpenoids is described. Focusing on synthetic efforts toward ineleganolide, the synthetic approach utilizes a palladium-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation for the construction of the requisite chiral tertiary ether. A diastereoselective cyclopropanation–Cope rearrangement cascade enabled the convergent assembly of the ineleganolide [6,7,5,5]-tetracyclic scaffold. Investigation of substrates for this critical tandem annulation process is discussed along with synthetic manipulations of the [6,7,5,5]-tetracyclic scaffold and the attempted interconversion of the [6,7,5,5]-tetracyclic scaffold of ineleganolide to the isomeric [7,6,5,5]-core of scabrolide A and its naturally occurring isomers. Computational evaluation of ground-state energies of late-stage synthetic intermediates was used to guide synthetic development and aid in the investigation of th...
How We Think: A Theory of Human Decision-Making, with a Focus on Teaching

Suppose a person is engaged in a complex activity, such as teaching. What determines what that person does, on a moment-by-moment basis, as he or she engages in that activity? What resources does the person draw upon, and why? What shapes the choices the person makes? I claim that if you know enough about a teacher’s knowledge, goals, and beliefs, you can explain every decision he or she makes, in the midst of teaching. In this paper I give examples showing what shapes teachers’ decision-making, and explain the theory.
Diagnosis and treatment of viral STDs in women.

Viral sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a major health problem for women. Over many years the incidence of these infections has increased steadily to epidemic proportions. These infections not only cause short-term morbidity but also have been associated with significant long-term morbidity and mortality. This paper focuses on two of the most common viral STDs-Genital Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) infection and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection of the female. The steady increase in the incidence of HIV infection and subsequent adult immunodeficiency disease (AIDS) among women requires health care providers to assume an active role in detection and treatment in order to avoid transmission, to protect the health of women with HIV/AIDS, and to reduce the risk of maternal-fetal (vertical) transmission. Because treatment with zidovudine has been shown to reduce vertical transmission, routine offering of HIV testing is currently recommended for all pregnant women. The approach to testing nonpregnant patients, i.e., the choice between selective screening or routine testing, rests with the individual clinician. Testing large numbers of patients within a practice may be facilitated by the availability of an oral antibody testing system. The sensitivity and specificity of the oral test is equivalent to blood testing. Serum and oral specimens are tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and confirmatory Western blot assays specifically designed for use with oral samples. Controversies in diagnosis as well as the most updated treatments for these infections are discussed.
HAMR: A Hybrid Multi-Robot Control Architecture

Highly capable multiple robot architectures often resort to micromanagement to provide enhanced cooperative abilities, sacrificing individual autonomy. Conversely, multi-robot architectures that maintain individual autonomy are often limited in their cooperative abilities. This article presents a modified three layer architecture that solves both of these issues. The addition of a Coordinator layer to a three-layered approach provides a platform-independent interface for coordination on tasks and takes advantage of individual autonomy to improve coordination capabilities. This reduces communication overhead versus many multi-robot architecture designs and allows for more straightforward resizing of the robot collective and increased individual autonomy.
Disentangling contributions to small-system collectivity via scans of light nucleus-nucleus collisions

The observation of multiparticle azimuthal correlations in high-energy small-system collisions has led to intense debate on its origin and the possible coexistence from two competing theoretical scenarios: one based on initial-state intrinsic momentum anisotropy, and the other based on final-state interaction model (FSM) collective response to the collision geometry. To complement the previous scan of asymmetric collision systems ($p+\mathrm{Au},\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}d+\mathrm{Au}$, and $\mathrm{He}+\mathrm{Au}$), we propose a scan of small symmetric collision systems at the Brookhaven National Laboratory Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, such as $\mathrm{C}+\mathrm{C}, \mathrm{O}+\mathrm{O}, \mathrm{Al}+\mathrm{Al}$, and $\mathrm{Ar}+\mathrm{Ar}\sqrt{{s}_{\mathrm{NN}}}=0.2\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\mathrm{TeV}$, to provide further insights in disentangling contributions from these two scenarios. These symmetric small systems have the advantage of providing a better controlled initial geometry dominated by the average shape of the overlap region as opposed to fluctuation-driven geometries in asymmetric systems. A transport model is employed to investigate the expected geometry response in the FSM scenario. Different trends of elliptic flow with increasing charge particle multiplicity are observed between symmetric and asymmetric systems, whereas triangular flow appears to show a similar behavior. Furthermore, a comparison of $\mathrm{O}+\mathrm{O}$ collisions at $\sqrt{{s}_{\mathrm{NN}}}=0.2\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\mathrm{TeV}$ and at $\sqrt{{s}_{\mathrm{NN}}}=2.76\ensuremath{-}7\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\mathrm{TeV}$ as proposed at the CERN Large Hadron Collider, provides a unique opportunity to disentangle the collision geometry effects at the nucleon level from those arising from subnucleon fluctuations.
Editors’ introduction: Emerging issues for educational research in East Asia

In recent years, scholars, policy makers, and the popular press have hailed East Asian nations for their impressive educational performance. In China, dramatic expansions in education coincided with a period of dramatic growth in the youth population, setting the stage for a period of unprecedented economic growth (Fang & Wang, 2005; Hannum, Behrman, Wang, & Liu, 2008). Educational expansion in Korea during the past few decades has been remarkable, to the point that now Korea has the highest rate of college graduation in the world among young adult cohorts (Park, 2007). Korea and Japan have achieved some of the highest scores and lowest levels of inequality in comparative tests of achievement, although Japan has fallen in the rankings in recent years (OECD, 2008). The city-states of Hong Kong and Singapore commonly perform well in comparative tests, with Singapore's curriculum for math, in particular, singled out by some scholars and policy makers in the West as a model for emulation (Ginsburg, Leinwand, Anstrom, & Pollack, 2005). The effectiveness of primary and secondary education in East Asia is also reflected in the competitiveness of these students in global higher educational admissions. For example, in the United States, the most frequent destination for international postsecondary educational migration, China, Korea, and Japan alone account for 29.5% of total international student enrollment (Institute of International Education, 2009).