cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparative analysis of MMPI-2 malingering detection models among inmates.

There are several strategies, or models, for combining the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) validity indicators to detect malingered psychiatric symptoms. Some scholars have recommended that an elevated F (Infrequency) score should be followed by the inspection of Fp (Infrequency—Psychopathology), whereas a recent meta-analysis indicated that Fp and Ds (Gough’s Dissimulation Scale) should be examined. For correctional settings, one model of malingering suggests that F, Fp, and F - K (Gough’s Dissimulation Index) should be inspected for one or more elevated scores. Although a large body of research has examined malingering detection with the MMPI-2, this research has typically focused on the contributions of individual validity indicators to differentiate malingered from genuine psychiatric symptoms. Therefore, the current study compared these models of malingering detection on the MMPI-2. Inmate simulators were contrasted with inmates who were hospitalized for psychiatric treatment. ...
Mucin-type O-glycans in tears of normal subjects and patients with non-Sjögren's dry eye.

PURPOSE. O-linked carbohydrates (O-glycans) contribute to the hydrophilic character of mucins in mucosal tissues. This study was conducted to identify the repertoire of O-glycans in the tear film and the glycosyltransferases associated with their biosynthesis, in normal subjects and patients with non- Sjogren's dry eye. METHODS. Human tear fluid was collected from the inferior conjunctival fornix. O-glycans were released by hydrazinolysis, labeled with 2-aminobenzamide, and analyzed by fluorometric, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with exoglycosidase digestions. O-glycan structures identified in tears were related to potential biosynthetic pathways in human conjunctival epithelium by using a glycogene microar- ray database. Lectin-binding analyses were performed with agglutinins from Arachis hypogaea, Maackia amurensis, and Sambucus nigra. RESULTS. The O-glycan profile of human tears consisted primar- ily of core 1 (Gal1-3GalNAc1-Ser/Thr)-based structures. Mono-sialyl O-glycans represented approximately 66% of the glycan pool, with 2-6-sialyl core 1 being the predominant O-glycan structure in human tears (48%). Four families of glycosyltransferases potentially related to the biosynthesis of these structures were identified in human conjunctiva. These included 13 polypeptide-GalNAc-transferases (GALNT), the core 1 -3-galactosyltransferase (T-synthase), three 2-6-sialyl- transferases (ST6GalNAc), and two 2-3-sialyltransferases (ST3Gal). No significant differences in total amount of O-gly- cans were detected between tears of normal subjects and patients with dry eye, by HPLC and lectin blot. Likewise, no differences in glycosyltransferase expression were found by glycogene microarray. CONCLUSIONS. This study identified the most common mucin- type O-glycans in human tears and their expected biosynthetic pathways in ocular surface epithelia. Patients with non- Sjogren's dry eye showed no alterations in composition and amount of O-glycans in the tear fluid. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009;50:4581-4587) DOI:10.1167/iovs.09-3563
Characteristics of high energy Kα and Bremsstrahlung sources generated by short pulse petawatt lasers

We have measured the characteristics of high energy Kα sources created with the Vulcan Petawatt laser at RAL and the JanUSP laser at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. High energy x-ray backlighters will be essential for radiographing high energy-density experimental science targets for NIF projects especially to probe implosions and high areal density planar samples. Hard Kα x-ray photons are created through relativistic electron plasma interactions in the target material after irradiated by short pulse high intensity lasers. For our Vulcan experiment, we employed a CsI scintillator charge coupled device (CCD) camera for imaging and a CCD camera for single photon counting. We have directly measured the 22 keV Ag Kα source size using the RAL petawatt laser and performed knife-edge measurements of a 40 keV Sm Kα source using the JanUSP laser. The measured source sizes are both ∼60 μm full width half maximum. We have also measured the Ag Kα conversion efficiencies. At laser intensities of 1×1018 W/cm2 range, the conversion efficiency at 22 keV is ∼1×10−4.
Knowledge of results and motor learning in preschool children.

To assess the role of qualitative knowledge of results (KR) in children's motor learning, four-year-old subjects performed a linear positioning task. Children were divided into three groups, each varying on KR precision. A significant reduction in variable error (p < .05) over trials seemed to indicate that children can utilize KR to become more consistent in learning. No significant differences were found among the three KR groups; however, the most precise KR condition tended to show fewer errors than the least precise KR condition. Some recommendations for future research are discussed.
An inner-city school-based program to promote early awareness of risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome

Adolescent, nonwhite women with less than high school education have infants at higher risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) but face barriers to risk reduction education. We implemented a novel school-based health education program (grades 4 to 12) and found an association between exposure and awareness of risk factors.
Currents as Dynamical Variables

A dynamical theory of currents is presented. For each current there are a complete set of field equations and a complete set of equal-time commutators. These are related by expressing the energy-momentum tensor solely in terms of the currents and not of derivatives of the currents. The requirements of Lorentz covariance place severe restrictions on the commutators. Several models with and without internal symmetry are discussed.
The Uncertain Nature of Cometary Motions

The number of active short- and long-periodic comets crossing the Earth's orbit each year is less than 10 percent of the corresponding number of asteroids crossing the Earth's orbit. However, the higher relative velocities of comets with respect to the Earth and the uncertainties associated with accurately computing their future trajectories can cause considerable problems when assessing the risks of Earth-crossing objects. Unlike asteroids, the motions of active comets are often affected by so-called nongravitational (outgassing) forces that are imperfectly modeled. In addition, the astrometric optical observations that are used to refine a comet's orbit are often imprecise because a comet's center of mass can be hidden by atmospheric gas and dust. For long-period comets, there is the additional problem of having to base orbital solutions on relatively short observational data intervals. Long-term numerical integrations extending two centuries into the future have been carried out to investigate upcoming Earth-close approaches by known periodic comets. Error analyses and impact probabilities have been computed for those comets that will pass closest to the Earth. Although there are no known comets that will make dangerously close Earth approaches in the next two centuries, there are a few objects that warrant future monitoring.
Small-molecule modulators of inward rectifier K+ channels: recent advances and future possibilities

Inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels have been postulated as therapeutic targets for several common disorders including hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias and pain. With few exceptions, however, the small-molecule pharmacology of this family is limited to nonselective cardiovascular and neurologic drugs with off-target activity toward inward rectifiers. Consequently, the actual therapeutic potential and ‘drugability’ of most Kir channels has not yet been determined experimentally. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of publicly disclosed Kir channel small-molecule modulators and highlight recent targeted drug-discovery efforts toward Kir1.1 and Kir2.1. The review concludes with a brief speculation on how the field of Kir channel pharmacology will develop over the coming years and a discussion of the increasingly important role academic laboratories will play in this progress.
Ammonia removal in selected aquaculture water reuse biofilters

Four fixed-film biological filters (rotating biological contactor, biodrum, trickling filter, and a submerged anaerobic filter) were tested for the removal of ammonia using a simulated warmwater fish and invertebrate culture water supply. Filter design may be determined based on the results of ammonia removal efficiency over a wide range of hydraulic loads. The rotating biological contactor (RBC) provided the best ammonia removal (over 90%) up to about 0·06 m3 m−2 day−1 (1·2 gpd ft−2). The biodrum removed over 80% of the ammonia to a hydraulic load of 0·05 m3 m−2 day−1 (0·9 gpd ft−2). The trickling filter removed 50% of the ammonia at a hydraulic loading of 0·012 m3 m−2 day−1 (0·3 gpd ft−2).
Intimate Partner Violence and Women's Sexual Health: Implications for Couples Therapists

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects approximately one in four women every year and approximately one third of all female victims of homicide are killed by an intimate partner. The negative physical and mental outcomes of IPV and the sexual manifestations of these outcomes are identified. Furthermore, the implications of these outcomes for couples therapists are identified.
Knowledge and Power in Adult Education: Beyond Freire and Habermas:

The incorporation of work by Freire and Habermas into adult education theory has contributed to the development of concepts such as "communicative competence" and "transformative education." This c...
Electron transport via polaron hopping in bulk Ti O 2 : A density functional theory characterization

In this work we describe our use of Marcus theory to model the electron transfer process in TiO2. Electron transport is described by a polaron model, whereby a photo-excited electron is localized at a Ti4+ site and hops to an adjacent Ti4+ site. We obtained the relevant parameters in Marcus theory (namely the activation energy ΔG*, the reorganization energy λ, and the electronic coupling matrix elements Vab) for selected crystallographic directions in rutile and anatase, using periodic DFT+U and Hartree-Fock cluster calculations. The DFT+U method was necessary to correct for the ubiquitous electron self-interaction problem? in DFT. Our results give non-adiabatic activation energies of similar magnitude in rutile and anatase, all near 0.3 eV. The electronic coupling matrix element, Vab, was determined to be largest for electron transfer parallel to the c direction in rutile, with a value of 0.20 eV, while the other directions investigated in both rutile and anatase gave Vab values near 0 eV. The results are indicative of adiabatic transfer (thermal hopping mechanism) in rutile and of diabatic transfer (tunneling mechanism) in anatase. This work was supported by the Office of Basic Energy Sciences of the Department of Energy, in part by the Chemical Sciences programmore » and in part by the Engineering and Geosciences Division. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is operated by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy.« less
Rise of echinoderms in the Paleozoic evolutionary fauna: Significance of paleoenvironmental controls

Echinoderms were a major enduring component of Paleozoic marine faunas beginning with the rapid diversification of crinoids and other classes in the Early Ordovician. This diversification was triggered by increased availability of habitable areas accompanying sea-level rise and changed sedimentation styles. Newly collected Early Ordovician echinoderms facilitate determination in detail of life modes and important adaptations during this transition interval. Substrate consistency and stability were crucial spatial limiting factors that resulted in heterogeneous distribution patterns for echinoderm classes. Crinoids were overwhelmingly large-food-groove suspension feeders with relatively open filtration fans attached by small discs to hard-ground surfaces in shallow water. They were preadapted for this life mode. Rhombiferans were mobile small-food-groove suspension feeders; they lived on soft substrates at various depths. Several important crinoid clades underwent a second phase of diversification during the Middle Ordovician by developing holdfasts adapted to soft substrates and densely pinnulate arms with small food grooves, leading to dominance of this class among Paleozoic echinoderms. Our findings are in basic agreement with the overall onshore diversification pattern of most Paleozoic benthic invertebrates, but we argue for an extrinsic environmental control (substrate availability) for the observed echinoderm distribution.
Parallel linear congruential generators with prime moduli

Abstract Linear congruential generators (LCGs) remain the most popular method of pseudorandom number generation on digital computers. Ease of implementation has favored implementing LCGs with power-of-two moduli. However, prime modulus LCGs are superior in quality to power-of-two modulus LCGs, and the use of a Mersenne prime minimizes the computational cost of generation. When implemented for parallel computation, quality becomes an even more compelling issue. We use a full-period exponential sum as the measure of stream independence and present a method for producing provably independent streams of LCGs in parallel by utilizing an explicit parameterization of all of the primitive elements modulo a given prime. The minimization of this measure of independence further motivates an algorithm required in the explicit parameterization. We describe and analyze this algorithm and describe its use in a parallel LCG package.
Thermal emission spectra of the Earth and atmosphere from the Nimbus 4 Michelson interferometer experiment.

Earth and atmosphere thermal emission spectra via Nimbus 4 Michelson interferometer, obtaining atmospheric temperature, humidity and ozone profiles
The Development and Validation of the Macro-Practice Social Work Knowledge Test

The purpose of the study was to construct and to provide initial evidence of reliability and of content and concurrent validity for the Macro-Practice Social Work Knowledge Test which measures cognitive learning of Social Work students in the subject areas of policy, administration, research, and evaluation. The total (the Allitem) scale which measures overall knowledge in these areas was divided into subscales representing policy-administration and research-evaluation. The Allitem scale was also divided into subscales measuring recall of factual knowledge and knowledge of more complex cognitive processes. Test items were administered to 80 Master of Social Work students at Michigan State University. The five scales exhibited Cronbach alpha coefficients ranging from.73 to .85, and a mean index of discrimination ranging from 24 to 28. Initial supporting evidence for the validity of the test is reported.
Freezing transitions and order-disorder processes in multilayer xenon films on graphite.

Combined results from simultaneous x-ray scattering and vapor-pressure isotherm measurements of multilayer xenon on graphite show directly that the first-order growth steps which reappear at temperatures above the layering critical point (${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$) represent transitions from a film of (n-1) layers of solid plus one layer of fluid to an n-layer solid. The data also indicate that the disordering process of films above ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ involves more than just the topmost layer. The interplay between the disordering of the top layer and its coupling to the underneath layers produces interesting disordering and reordering processes as the temperature is raised.
System Effectiveness Simulation Model with Nonparametric Dependability

Abstract The simulation model presented here is a useful extension of WSEIAC's system's effectiveness methodology. This model accepts information regarding uncertainty with the parametric estimates of the system's attributes. One of the system's attributes, defined as “dependability,” requires Markovian State Transition Process. Time-dependent queueing process and renewal theory application for this dependability matrix are avoided by resorting to a simulation technique. This dependability matrix requires reliability and repairability estimates, which are obtained based on a non-parametric approach. This approach is based on a test program with a very realistic environment where n identical units are placed on test for a mission duration T. At the end, the number of failed units r is noted. Units failed are not replaced. Times of failed units before failure are unknown. Based on these, the dependability matrix is generated, which results ultimately in generating a sampling distribution of system effective...
Acceleration of acrosome reaction in hamster spermatozoa by lysolecithin.

When hamster spermatozoa were preincubated for 1–2 hr in Ca2+-containing medium and then exposed to lysolecithin (LC), large proportions of the spermatozoa underwent acrosome reactions within 15 min. These acrosome-reacted spermatozoa were capable of fertilizing eggs. The earliest visible sign of the reaction, wrinkling of the acrosomal cap, seen by 30 sec after exposure to LC. The reaction in many spermatozoa was completed within the next 30 sec.
Increasing utilization and predictors of hematopoietic growth factors in patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer: findings from a large national population-based cohort in the USA, 1992–2009

None of previous studies has provided the detailed pattern, variation, and temporal trend in the use of growth factors for patients with colorectal cancer. The aim of the study was to examine the temporal trend and predictors of receiving hematopoietic growth factors in a large nationwide and population-based cohort of patients with colorectal cancer in the USA from 1992 to 2009. We studied 50,768 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age 65-89 years in 1992-2009 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results areas who received chemotherapy as part of initial therapy within 12 months of diagnosis according to Medicare data. Growth factors were identified for colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) and for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). Overall, 16.3% received CSFs and 26.5% received ESAs with an increase from 0.8 and 1.5% in 1992 to 29.4 and 14.1% in 2009, respectively. Compared with patients diagnosed in 1992-1994, those diagnosed in 1995-1997 were >2 times more likely to receive CSFs and ESAs, whereas patients diagnosed recently in 2007-2009 were >22 times and 4 times to receive CSFs and ESAs, respectively. Gender, marital status, comorbidity scores, geographic area, year of diagnosis, tumor stage, number of lymph nodes, and risk profile for febrile neutropenia were statistically significant predictors of using CSFs and ESAs. There were substantial temporal and geographic variations in the use of hematopoietic growth factors in patients with colorectal cancer following chemotherapy. More studies would be needed to explore the effectiveness of hematopoietic growth factors in preventing and treating neutropenia, anemia, and infection.
Effects of surface viscosity on the finite deformation of a liquid drop and the rheology of dilute emulsions in simple shearing flow

Abstract The deformation of a liquid drop with constant isotropic surface tension and finite surface viscosity, evolving under the action of a simple shearing flow, is considered. The evolution of the drop from the spherical shape is computed using a novel implementation of the boundary integral method that incorporates the effects of interfacial rheology in an efficient manner. The numerical results confirm that surface viscosity acts to suppress the interfacial motion and reduce the magnitude of drop deformation. When the surface viscosity is sufficiently large, the drops maintain a compact shape at all capillary numbers. The effect of surface viscosity on the rheology of a dilute emulsion is considered, and it is found that, in all cases, a dilute emulsion behaves like a shear-thinning medium with some elastic properties.
The information framework for material behavior representation

The paper provides details on the information structure and implementation of the material's behavioral model. An example has been included that illustrates the suggested approach to model the behavior. The intent of the paper is to provide an informational tool to the designers and other stakeholders at different lifecycle phases of a product to assist them in making rational decisions about material behavior and its usage.
Negative persuasion via personal insult

Abstract A controlled experiment was performed in a field situation to test the hypothesis that an individual directly insulted by a communicator attempting to persuade him will show a “boomerang effect” by increasing the extremity of his initial attitude position. The field situation consisted of a park-bench discussion of a topical social issue, arranged by a public-opinion interviewer. Prepared experimental variations were introduced by one of the discussion partners, a confederate of the interviewer. In the critical variation, the confederate insulted the subject during discussion. In other variations, he tried to persuade but did not insult, or else simply gave certain arguments without intent to persuade. Attitude-change results supported the hypothesis of negative change in the insult condition. Other experimental variations were whether the insulter stayed or left following his last argument, and whether or not a crowd hostile to the insulter was present. No significant differences in attitude change were attributable to these variations. The mechanism for the obtained “boomerang effect” remains unexplained, although a “social equity” explanation has some plausibility.
Cytochrome b5 and P-450 in liver cell fractions

The contiguous membranes of liver, i.e. nuclei, rough and smooth microsomes, plasma membranes, and Golgi vesicles, were analyzed for cytochromes and P-450 content. Only cytochrome b5 and P-450 were detectable. The highest cytochrome b5 and P-450 content was in the microsome fraction. The Golgi vesicle contains cytochrome b5 but there is little or no P-450. Thus P-450 levels can be used to discriminate between microsomes and Golgi comples. The plasma membrane is practically devoid of cytochromes.
Sensor Location for Stable Nonlinear Dynamic Systems: Multiple Sensor Case

This paper presents a new technique for placing sensors on processes described by stable nonlinear dynamic systems. The methodology can compute locations for individual sensors as well as networks of sensors where a tradeoff between process information, sensor cost, and information redundancy is taken into account. The novel features of the approach are (1) that the nonlinear behavior that a process can exhibit over its operating region can be taken into account, (2) that the technique reduces to already established methods, if the system is linear and only some of the objectives are looked at, (3) that the results obtained from the procedure can be easily interpreted, and (4) that the resulting optimization problem can be decomposed resulting in a significant reduction of the computational effort required for its solution. The tradeoff between the different objectives is achieved by formulating a mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem. While computation of process information and information redunda...
The recognition potential and the word frequency effect at a high rate of word presentation.

The short latency of the recognition potential (RP) suggests that it might be evoked at a high rate, which could speed noise reduction through averaging. Words were presented at 800 ms intervals. Mean RP latency for 16 subjects was 266 ms for high and 292 ms for low frequency words. The difference was statistically significant. The data suggest that word frequency affects an early stage of processing, which operates by the time the RP is evoked.
A systematic approach to intelligent systems design— I. Concepts

Abstract The prevalence of intelligent systems underscores the need for a systematic approach to their design. Previous work in this area has resulted in a framework for intelligent entities, which may be classified by arena into natural and artificial types, by phase into analysis and synthesis issues, and by aspect into practical and theoretical concerns. They may also be evaluated by attribute into the following categories: purpose, space, structure, time, process, and efficiency. This paper proposes a number of principles which relate to the design of intelligent sytems.
Customer Evaluation of Products in a Global Market

Marketing scholars' interest in the influence of source countries on product evaluations has intensified during the past twenty-five years. As this research tradition has evolved, the literature has gradually gained more depth and sophistication. Nevertheless, research in this area lacks a common conceptual framework. Furthermore, research priorities with regard to the role of this area of inquiry within the broader field of consumer behavior, marketing and general business decisions have not been made clear. This article rationalizes the buying decision processes within the context of source-country influences and offers a conceptual framework for further development. In addition, it links country-level considerations to firm-level decisionmaking, thus providing a foundation for meaningful managerial decisions.
Update on human cytomegalovirus in destructive periodontal disease

Aim: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a herpesvirus, is discussed in this review as it relates to destructive periodontal disease in humans. Results: HCMV genomic sequences, detected by polymerase chain reaction identification, occur with elevated frequency in severe adult periodontitis, localized and generalized aggressive (juvenile) periodontitis, Papillon–Lefevre syndrome periodontitis, acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, and periodontal abscesses. Discussion: Herpesviruses establish lifelong persistent infections. HCMV infection involves an asymptomatic latent phase interrupted by periods of recrudescence where viral replication and possibly clinical disease become manifest. HCMV reactivation is triggered by a number of immunosuppressive factors, some of which have been shown also to be risk factors/indicators of periodontitis. HCMV periodontal infection may cause release of tissue-destructive cytokines, overgrowth of pathogenic periodontal bacteria, and initiation of cytotoxic or immunopathologic events. Conclusions: A growing body of data supports the concept that HCMV contributes to severe types of periodontal disease. HCMV infection of the periodontium may alter the immune control of resident microorganisms and be important in a multistage pathogenesis of periodontitis involving viral activation, periodontopathic bacteria, and host immune responses. Understanding the significance of HCMV and other herpesviruses in the development of periodontal disease may have important therapeutic implications. Vaccines against HCMV, which are in various stages of development, need to be evaluated for their ability to decrease the incidence of destructive periodontal disease.
Menopause across cultures: a review of the evidence.

AbstractObjective:To review the cross-cultural evidence on menopausal symptoms to assess the extent of variability in symptomatology and the relative weight of hormonal and social factors.Design:Literature review and critical summaries of available studies.Results:Symptoms related to menopause are f
A Velocity Adaptive MTI Filter

A method is presented for adaptively adjusting the parameters of a double MTI canceller to minimize the effects of frequency-shifted clutter spectra. The technique is implicitly gain normalized, such that changing power levels do not affect system performance. The use of ?look ahead? methods and ?fading memory? filtering allows for real-time tracking of the center frequency of the clutter spectra.
The Power-Load-Margin Formula of Howard Y. McClusky as the Basis for a Model of Teaching

This paper examines relevant writings of Howard McClusky and his power-load-margin (PLM) formula as the nucleus for a teaching-learning model. A teaching model is defined as a pattern or plan which...
Differentiating Diversities: Moral Diversity Is Not Like Other Kinds1

Diversity is widely celebrated in American society. But from a social psychological point of view, diversity ought to cause a number of problems, such as divisiveness and conflict. A resolution of this paradox is proposed: There are several kinds of diversity, with different profiles of costs and benefits. In particular, moral diversity is identified as being problematic and even self-contradictory. Three studies of attitudes and desires for interaction among college students confirmed that moral diversity reduces desires for interaction more than does demographic diversity, and that both kinds of diversity are valued more in a classroom than in other social settings. These findings have important implications for discussions of diversity, multiculturalism, affirmative action, identity politics, and immigration policy.
Circular involute stage

We report the design and testing of a circular involute stage for high-repetition-rate (hundreds of hertz), fine temporal resolution (better than 10 fs), and long delay range (as great as nanoseconds) time-resolved optical experiments. This stage uses a reflector with the involute profile of a circle as well as a pair of optical mirrors mounted upon a rotating plate to guide the optical beam, following the tangent of the circle. This circular involute stage provides unprecedented performance for optical interference, high-resolution terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, and general optical pump-probe experiments.
Comparison of wavelet scalar quantization and JPEG for fingerprint image compression

An overview of the wavelet scalar quantization (WSQ) and Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) image compression algorithms is given. Results of application of both algorithms to a database of 60 fingerprint images are then discussed. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) results for WSQ, JPEG with quantization matrix (QM) optimization, and JPEG with standard QM scaling are given at several average bit rates. In all cases, optimized-QM JPEG is equal or superior to WSQ in SNR performance. At 0.48 bit/pixel, which is in the operating range proposed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), WSQ and QM-optimized JPEG exhibit nearly identical SNR performance. In addition, neither was subjectively preferred on average by human viewers in a forced-choice image-quality experiment. Although WSQ was chosen by the FBI as the national standard for compression of digital fingerprint images on the basis of image quallty that was ostensibly superior to that of existing internationalstandard JPEG, it appears possible that this superiority was due more to lack of optimization of JPEG parameters than to inherent superiority of the WSQ algorithm. Furthermore, substantial worldwide support for JPEG has developed due to its status as an international standard, and WSQ is significantly slower than JPEG in software implementation. Still, it is possible that WSQ enhanced with an optimal quantizer-design algorithm could outperform JPEG. This is a topic for future research.
The Role of Private Adoption Agencies in Facilitating African American Adoptions

The authors compare a sample of African American families who adopted from two private African American agencies in California with a sample of African American families who adopted from public California child welfare agencies. Findings show clear distinctions between the private and public adopters. The authors also present results from a questionnaire that asks about the adoption process and the families' adoptive history. Strikingly, 70% of the private agency adopters had attempted to first adopt through (primarily) public agencies, and the majority of those had been unsuccessful. Nearly 90% of the families who responded to a question of how important a private African American adoption agency was in their decision to adopt indicated that it was very important or important.
Molecular Insights into Congenital Disorders of the Digestive System

Recent work is providing new insights into molecular mechanisms of digestive system development and their alteration in clinically significant disorders. An understanding of these mechanisms has largely been gained through the use of animal models, because many of the basic processes required in embryogenesis are functionally conserved among species. Such conserved factors include cell-cell signaling pathways and the regulation of gene expression. Disruption of these pathways have been implicated in several congenital disorders of the digestive system, including Hirschsprung disease, malrotation, altered sphincter development, Meckel diverticulum, biliary atresia, Alagille syndrome, pancreatic heterotopias, and pancreatic agenesis. In this review, we highlight recent studies in digestive system development, which elucidate mechanisms underlying congenital disorders of the human digestive system.
Checking the Time: Bill T. Jones's American Utopia

The lush velvet curtain parts to reveal a bare stage, adorned only by the provocative image at the center of its backdrop. With no dancing bodies to anchor our gaze downstage, we are inescapably riveted to the image: Black Suzanne herself. This big, strangely ominous figure is a goofy flower, a plump red daisy, its petals outlined in sleek and utterly cool black lines. At its center is the newly hybridized "happy face"-part Japanese cartoon, part jack-o-lantern, part minstrel mask. It is an image that evokes a giddy mix of emotions: it mocks, it confuses, and it guilelessly welcomes us into a January 2002 landscape that coyly seems to ask, What time is this place? After a few beats that allow us to register all this, the space gradually fills with dancers who walk onstage and proceed with the labor of laying down red puzzleshaped pieces of floor matting. They are dressed in costumes modeled on Chinese army diving costumes: tightly padded red leotards that look hi-tech and suggest combat and wrestling. The dancers' actions are deliberate, yet strained by a sense of urgency. They make way for something, and then move nearer to the wings, arms akimbo and legs anchored in an open second-position stance, as two women (dancers Toshiko Oiwa and Ayo Janeen Jackson) position themselves at center stage. We soon learn that they have positioned themselves here purposefully and that we are about to witness an unspoken and violent sort of contest, a race. Throughout the piece, these two frequently come within each other's orbit as if they are moving within some magnetic force-field that draws them near and then quickly flings them apart. In one motif, they approach each other from opposite sides of the stage while held four feet off the floor. Stepping on the raised, cupped hands of their teammates below them, they haltingly walk toward each other. When they meet, they embrace. Just as quickly the momentum of the dance pulls them apart and they tumble into the arms of the other dancers, who help them to recover from these risky moves and prop them up in preparation for whatever might come next: the petite Ayo Janeen Jackson becomes a human missile, hurled through space by her teammates; Toshiko Oiwa takes our breath away as she fearlessly falls from the heights of precarious lifts. In between the fleeting moments of intimacy suggested by the two women, the stage is consumed by the ensemble work of the entire group of eight dancers who catapult themselves and each other through the space, for they too are at the mercy of this dance's momentum. In unison they lunge, leap, and somersault over each other, spinning 'round themselves and each other like helicopters and hum-
312-nanometer Ultraviolet B Light (Narrow-Band UVB) Induces Apoptosis of T Cells within Psoriatic Lesions

Narrow-band (312 nm) ultraviolet B light (UVB) is a new form of therapy for psoriasis, but its mechanism of action is unknown. In a bilateral comparison clinical study, daily exposure of psoriatic plaques to broad-band UVB (290–320 nm) or 312-nm UVB depleted T cells from the epidermis and dermis of psoriatic lesions. However, 312-nm UVB was significantly more depleting in both tissue compartments. To characterize the mechanism of T cell depletion, assays for T cell apoptosis were performed on T cells derived from UVB-irradiated skin in vivo and on T cells irradiated in vitro with 312-nm UVB. Apoptosis was induced in T cells exposed to 50–100 mJ/cm2 of 312-nm UVB in vitro, as measured by increased binding of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)–Annexin V to CD3+ cells and by characteristic cell size/granularity changes measured by cytometry. In vivo exposure of psoriatic skin lesions to 312-nm UVB for 1–2 wk also induced apoptosis in T cells as assessed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) reaction in tissue sections, by binding of FITC–Annexin V to CD3+ T cells contained in epidermal cell suspensions, and by detection of apoptosis-related size shifts of CD3+ cells. Induction of T cell apoptosis could be the main mechanism by which 312-nm UVB resolves psoriasis skin lesions.
Drawing From Available Means: Assessing the Rhetorical Dimensions of Facebook Practice

A company’s presence on Facebook plays an important role in engaging its customer base. However, little empirical work has fully examined the nature and impact of corporate Facebook posts on engage...
Guanabenz Treatment Accelerates Disease in a Mutant SOD1 Mouse Model of ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of motor neurons. The mechanisms leading to motor neuron degeneration in ALS are unclear. However, there is evidence for involvement of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR) in ALS, notably in mutant SOD1 mediated models of ALS. Stress induced phosphorylation of the eIF2 alpha subunit by eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2-alpha kinase 3 Perk activates the UPR. Guanabenz is a centrally acting alpha2 adrenergic receptor agonist shown to interact with a regulatory subunit of the protein phosphatase, Pp1/Gadd34, and selectively disrupt the dephosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eif2alpha). Here we demonstrate that guanabenz is protective in fibroblasts expressing G93A mutant SOD1 when they are exposed to tunicamycin mediated ER stress. However, in contrast to other reports, guanabenz treatment accelerated ALS-like disease progression in a strain of mutant SOD1 transgenic ALS mice. This study highlights challenges of pharmacological interventions of cellular stress responses in whole animal models of ALS.
Petrology and chemistry of mesosiderites—II. Silicate textures and compositions and metal-silicate relationships☆

Abstract The mineral compositions of all members of the mesosiderite group are similar, consisting of roughly equal parts by weight of Ni-Fe metal and silicates, the latter including orthopyroxene and calcic-plagioclase, with minor pigeonite and olivine and accessory tridymite. Heterogeneous mineral distribution and textural variation within individual mesosiderites are common. Silicate brecciation is characteristic, though cataclastic textures are variably obscured by partial recrystallization. Microprobe analyses reveal grain-to-grain silicate compositional variations indicating a variety of original environments and a general lack of equilibrium among phases. Metal-silicate textures indicate that kamacite-taenite structures formed in situ , after the presently observed physical relationships were established by mixing of solid silicates and metal. Metal structures and compositional inhomogeneities indicate extremely slow cooling (~0.1°C/ 10 6 yr) in the temperature range 500-350°C. New chemical analyses reveal a general similarity between silicate portions of mesosiderites and howardites. Previous theories of mesosiderite genesis involving pallasite-achondrite mixing are found to be untenable on the basis of olivine and metal compositions, although mesosiderites do appear to be genetically related to eucrites and howardites. The genetic history of mesosiderites is very complex and includes a significant change in cooling environment. An evolutionary model is described which includes magmatic differentiation, followed by brecciation, metal-silicate mixing, insulation by burial, metamorphism, and, ultimately, removal from the parent body. Mesosiderites are a distinct group, which, aside from the similarities and genetic relationship to Ca-rich achondrites, appear to have no affinities to other meteorite types.
Measuring cellular forces using bis-aliphatic hydrazone crosslinked stress-relaxing hydrogels

Studies focused on understanding the role of matrix biophysical signals on cells, especially those when cells are encapsulated in hydrogels that are locally remodelled, are often complicated by appropriate methods to measure differences between the bulk and local material properties. From this perspective, stress-relaxing materials that allow long-term culture of embedded cells provide an opportunity to elucidate aspects of this biophysical signalling. In particular, rheological characterization of the stress relaxation properties allows one to link a bulk material measurement to local aspects of cellular functions by quantifying the corresponding cellular forces that must be applied locally. Here, embryonic stem cell-derived motor neurons were encapsulated in a well-characterized covalently adaptable bis-aliphatic hydrazone crosslinked PEG hydrogel, and neurite outgrowth was observed over time. Using fundamental physical relationships describing classical mechanics and viscoelastic materials, we calculated the forces and energies involved in neurite extension, the results of which provide insight to the role of biophysical cues on this process.
Outcome in patients who require venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support after cardiac surgery.

Objective The authors analyzed hospital mortality in adult cardiac surgery patients who required postoperative venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for circulatory failure and identified perioperative patient variables associated with hospital mortality in these patients. Design A retrospective study. Setting A single institution, tertiary academic center. Participants Adult patients requiring venoarterial ECMO support after cardiac surgery from January 1995 to December 2005 were identified from the Anesthesiology Institute Patient Registry. Twenty-two preselected patient variables were entered into a logistic regression model of hospital death. Interventions None. Results Two hundred thirty-three of 40,116 (0.58%) adult cardiac surgery patients required postoperative venoarterial ECMO, and among these, 149 (64%) died in the hospital. In an unadjusted analysis, older age, higher preoperative albumin, diabetes history, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and longer total cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time were associated with increased hospital mortality, and a history of cardiogenic shock was associated with decreased mortality. In an adjusted logistic regression analysis, a history of cardiogenic shock and younger age were associated with decreased hospital mortality. The overall use of postoperative venoarterial ECMO in this patient population decreased since its peak in 1996. Conclusion Venoarterial ECMO support after cardiac surgery was required in a small fraction of patients and was associated with very high hospital mortality; but among those requiring ECMO, mortality in these patients was lower in younger, nondiabetic patients with cardiogenic shock who had shorter CPB times. The mortality associated patient variables identified are not easily modifiable and do not appear sufficiently robust to define which patients should be selected for this potentially life-saving therapy.
Medicolegal aspects of error in pathology.

Abstract Objective.—To discuss the various ways error is defined in surgical pathology. To identify errors in pathology practice identified by an analysis of pathology malpractice claims. Design.—Three hundred seventy-eight pathology malpractice claims were reviewed. Nuisance claims and autopsy claims were excluded; 335 pathology claims remained and were analyzed to identify repetitive patterns of specimen type and diagnostic category. Setting.—All pathology malpractice claims reported to The Doctors Company of Napa, Calif, between 1998 and 2003. Results.—Fifty-seven percent of malpractice claims involved just 5 categories of specimen type and/or diagnostic error, namely, breast specimens, melanoma, cervical Papanicolaou tests, gynecologic specimens, and system (operational) errors. Sixty-three percent of claims involved failure to diagnose cancer, resulting in delay in diagnosis or inappropriate treatment. Conclusion.—A false-negative diagnosis of melanoma was the single most common reason for filing a m...
Computed tomography of head injury.

• Transtentorial herniation • Epidural hematoma • Subdural hematoma • Intracerebral hematoma • Hemorrhagic contusion • Intraventricular hemorrhage • Subarachnoid hemorrhage • Pneumocephalus • Edema • Midline shift Recent investigations identified a high frequency of neurologic injury concomitant to facial trauma (2.0%–17.5%) [3–9]. The authors found that CHI occurred with facial fractures in 17.5% of cases, with 10% of patients suffering severe cranial injury. In addition, there was a direct relationship between some forms of facial trauma and death caused by neurologic injury [10]. It is therefore important that craniomaxillofacial surgeons (oral and maxillofacial surgeons, otolaryngologists, head and neck surgeons, neurologic surgeons, and plastic and reconstructive surgeons) be familiar with the diagnosis and management of patients with CHI. This includes having a working knowledge of the signs and symptoms that are manifested by these patients, and familiarity with the classic imaging appearance of associated lesions. Moreover, craniomaxillofacial surgeons must have a close working relationship with their neurosurgical and radiologic colleagues to best care for this group of patients. This article provides craniomaxillofacial surgeons and radiologists with a simple guide to the various intracranial lesions found in patients with facial fractures. It is meant to be highly visual, with representative images of the common lesions seen with head injury. Although the article provides a brief review of the signs, symptoms, and management of patients with CHI, it is not meant to be a definitive treatise on head injury but a guide to point surgeons quickly in the right direction when they encounter these problems. Since 1972, CT has been the preferred means for the imaging of patients with head injury. As technology has improved, scanning times for each slice have diminished from a few minutes to, in some cases, as little as a second. Although the inability to demonstrate blood-brain barrier disruption was at one time a limitation of CT, the introduction of injectable contrast media
Optical and structural characterization of InAsP/InGaP strain compensated multiple quantum wells grown by GSMBE

High-quality InAsP/InP (3ML)/InGaP SC-MQWs with zero net strain up to 40 periods were grown by GSMBE. Compared with uncompensated InAsP/InP strained MQWs and InAsP/lnGaP SC-MQWs without the InP insertion layers, much sharper and symmetric satellite peaks in double-crystal X-ray diffraction and excellent photoluminescence was obtained from SC-MQWs with the InP insertion layers.