cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Serotonin 1A or 1B Receptor Agonists on Social Aggression in Male and Female Syrian Hamsters

Numerous studies have demonstrated that activation of serotonin 5-HT1A or 5-HT1B receptor decreases aggression in male mammals. To determine whether female mammals also show decreased aggression in response to 5-HT1A or 5-HT1B activation, we assessed the effects of the serotonin receptor agonists 8-OH-DPAT (5-HT1A) and CGS-12066A (5-HT1B) on aggression in female Syrian hamsters. Female Syrian hamsters were tested for interfemale aggression 2 days before and 15 min after receiving intracerebroventricular infusions of 8-OH-DPAT (5, 10, 20 microg) or CGS-12066A (5, 10, 20 microg). Neither drug affected aggression as measured by the latency and frequency of attacks or uprights, although the highest dose of 8-OH-DPAT increased general activity. For male hamsters, intraventricular infusions of 10 microg of 8-OH-DPAT essentially eliminated aggression, whereas 5 microg of 8-OH-DPAT or 20 microg of CGS-12066A were without effect. Systemic treatment with 8-OH-DPAT (1 mg/kg body weight) did reduce aggression in females, although there was an attendant increase in symptoms of nonspecific serotonergic activity. There were no behavioral effects of systemic CGS-12066A (4 mg/kg body weight) on female hamsters. These results indicate that there may be sex differences in the neurochemical regulation of aggression and point to a need for more studies directed at this issue.
A graphical computer simulator for systems programming courses

xSICSIH is an X-based graphical interface for the SICSIM computer simulation tool. Its graphical portrayal of register-level components tmwforms the ‘black box” SICSIM machine into a ‘visual computer”, helping students understand how computers work. Single step, fast-ezecution, and breakpoints are among the control features helpful for debugging assembly language programs. Automatic disassembly and format conversions and displays for comparing expected to actual execution reduce fiwstmtion in debugging loader, macro processor, and assembler projects.
Proteomics for cell protein expression profiling.

Our understanding of cell physiology and signaling is hampered by the intricate, often subtle, changes in cell phenotypes. Complex cell functions are difficult to study with the commonly used reporter constructs and immunological techniques designed to examine individual pathways. These studies generally show two types of "read-out" for the activation of a signaling pathway: (i) a phenotypic change, such as altered motility or anchorage-independent growth, or (ii) activation or induction of a specific RNA or protein or small number of RNAs or proteins. However, phenotype changes are not easily quantified, and the relationship between the phenotype and the targeted signaling pathway is not usually obvious. The choice of protein(s) or RNA(s) for analysis cannot help but be biased by the prevailing signaling model and availability of vectors or antibodies. In order to better understand cells on a systems level, broader, unbiased methods of assaying molecular changes are required.
Are type II endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair endograft dependent

Purpose Most clinical end points after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) are endograft-specific, but type II endoleaks have been assumed to be an unavoidable consequence of the repair method and independent of the type of endograft used. Some recent data have suggested that the rate of type II endoleaks may also be graft-dependent. We reviewed a large clinical experience with six endografts to determine the behavior of type II endoleaks and whether they are graft-specific. Methods All elective EVAR cases from five university institutions from 1996 to 2003 were retrospectively analyzed. Endografts used in Results During the study period, 1909 patients underwent elective EVAR and had an adequate imaging follow-up at one of the specified time points. At 1 month, the overall rate of type II endoleak was 14.0% (range, 9.8% to 25.2%.) The Excluder had a significantly higher incidence of type II endoleaks at 1 month but was similar to most other grafts during longer follow-up. At 6 months, the overall rate of type II endoleak was 16.3% (range, 8.3% to 16.8%). The Talent and Lifepath had an apparent lower initial rate of type II leaks, but this was only significant for the Talent at 6 months compared with Excluder, Zenith, and Ancure, and at 1 year compared with Excluder and Zenith. No graft had a long-term statistically significant difference in the rate of type II endoleak formation. Intervention rates varied by institution and graft type but in general were quite low. Of 25 successful interventions (Ancure, 12; AneuRx, 8; Excluder, 2; Lifepath, 2; Zenith, 1; Talent, 0), 21 were performed during the first year. Interim spontaneous resolution, defined as a negative CT scan after a CT positive for endoleak, was high, especially in the first year. Resolution of type II endoleaks occurred in 54 (33%) of 164 between 1 and 6 months, in 37 (33%) of 112 between 6 and 12 months, in 20 (35%) of 57 from 12 to 24 months, and in 5 (20%) of 25 between 24 and 36 months. The various grafts had a nearly identical pattern, but the rates were highest for the Talent. Late appearing endoleaks, defined as a positive CT after a negative CT, were frequent. At 6 months, 44 (30%) of 147 type II endoleaks were newly diagnosed. The rates were 37 (35%) of 107 at 12 months, 15 (27%) of 56 at 2 years and 5 (25%) of 20 at 3 years. No conversions to open repair for type II endoleaks were noted in the first 4 years. The thrombus burden could not be determined in this analysis. Conclusions Type II endoleaks occur in nearly 15% of patients treated by EVAR. The early incidence varies only slightly with graft type. The long-term prevalence and clinical significance are masked by different treatment patterns, spontaneous resolution, newly evident endoleaks, and aneurysm size at initial treatment.
Long-term intrathecal catheterization in the rat.

We report an intrathecal (i.t.) catheter system that permits repeated administration of volumes of 10 microl or more in the awake rat over many months. A small skin incision is made and a 32 ga polyurethane catheter is inserted in the sacral subarachnoid space using a modified 22 ga needle. The other end of the catheter is tunneled subcutaneously to the flank and exteriorized through a titanium port. The device is well tolerated, does not cause sensory or motor deficits, and does not interfere with behavioral testing. Rats equipped with this device can be housed with other rats. Over the 9 month observation period the function of the catheter was verified by repeated injection of 15 microl of 2% lidocaine that caused temporary paraplegia. Out of 12 implanted rats, the number of fully functional catheters was 10 at 3 months, seven at 6 months, and six at 9 months. At 3 months, i.t. injection of anti-dopamine-beta-hydroxylase antibodies conjugated to saporin (DBH-SAP, 5 microg/10 microl) resulted in noradrenergic denervation of the spinal cord in all rats (n=10). We propose that intrathecal catheterization is well suited for long term behavioral and pharmacological studies.
Effect of bone thickness on alveolar bone-height measurements from cone-beam computed tomography images.

Introduction Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been used to assess alveolar bone changes after rapid palatal expansion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of alveolar bone-height measurements from CBCT images with varied bone thicknesses and imaging resolutions. Methods Eleven maxillary specimens from 6-month-old pigs were measured for alveolar bone height (distance between drilled reference holes and alveolar crests) at 6 locations with a digital caliper, followed by CBCT scanning at 0.4-mm and 0.25-mm voxel sizes. Buccal alveolar bone of these locations was then reduced approximately by 0.5 to 1.5 mm, followed by CBCT rescanning with the same voxel sizes. The CBCT images were measured by using 3-dimensional software to determine alveolar bone height and thickness in buccolingual slices by independent, blinded raters. The specimens were subsequently cut into buccolingual sections at reference-hole levels, and direct bone height and thickness were measured from these sections. Intrarater and interrater repeatability and the differences between CBCT and direct measurements were assessed. Results Excellent intrarater (intraclass correlations, r=0.89-0.98) and good interrater (r = 0.64-0.90) repeatability values were found for alveolar bone-height measurements from the CBCT images. Before alveolar bone reduction, the thickness was much greater than the CBCT voxel size (0.4 mm), and bone-height measurements from the CBCT images were 0.5 to 1 mm more than the direct measurements (paired t tests, P t tests, P Conclusions Alveolar bone-height measurements from conventional clinical 0.4-mm voxel size CBCT images might overestimate alveolar bone-height loss associated with rapid palatal expansion.
Traditional and Rights-Informed Talk about Violence: High School Educators’ Discursive Production of Student Violence

By examining discursive practices of educators in two New England high schools, the author shows how educators' claims of student violence were formed in relation to two discursive fields found in professional academic texts on the subject: a traditional and a rights-informed discourse. These discourses were distinct from one another in terms of how they constituted violent acts and accounted for violent subjects or perpetrators and victims. The analysis shows that educators described student acts to obey one or the other discourse's extra locally derived meaning but also, at times, incorporated one discourse's beliefs and ideas into the other or slipped from one to the other's language and related meanings as they spoke. These findings call attention to the complex ways power relations mediate claims and are embedded and critical to the simultaneous production of students and their actions at school.
Effects of Acute and Chronic Alprazolam Treatment on Cerebral Blood Flow, Memory, Sedation, and Plasma Catecholamines

Effects of Acute and Chronic Alprazolam Treatment on Cerebral Blood Flow, Memory, Sedation, and Plasma Catecholamines
On-chip characterization of the mass diffusivity of binary mixtures using Brownian microscopy

We report a technique based on Brownian microscopy for on-chip characterization of the mass diffusivity of binary mixtures. Brownian microscopy tracks the motions of microbeads of precisely known diameter to simultaneously determine local concentration and velocity fields in microchannel flows. We characterize the convective and diffusive mass transports in an H-type microfluidic mixer and extract the diffusivity by analyzing experimentally obtained local concentration and velocity fields. The technique is advantageous for samples that are ill-suited for fluorescence microscopy and for flow conditions that involve significant coupling between convective and diffusive mass transport. The technique is validated for glycerin/water mixtures, which are a model system studied extensively in the past. We also report a detailed uncertainty analysis to help determine the applicability and accuracy of the technique under various sample and flow conditions.
Incentive Shift and Post-Reinforcement Delay in the Runway:

Food-deprived rats (n = 32) received 55 straight runway trials for 1 or 12 pellet rewards combined factorially with 0- or 20-sec. post-reinforcement delays. The 12-pellet groups were then run for an additional 55 trials at 1 pellet while the 1-pellet groups were run for 86 trials and then shifted to 12 pellets for an additional 24 trials. The result of importance was the absence of differences between delay and no-delay groups following reward reduction. These data were contrasted with effects of post-reinforcement delay on extinction.
Impact of the Globalization of Capital on Human Rights

The globalization of capital has had both positive and negative impacts on human rights. On the positive side are improved health and physical well-being for massive numbers of people. On the negative side are: the oppression of millions as a consequence of the leverage international capital has over government policies and the right of workers; and the growing gap between the haves and have nots, both within and between countries.
Recent findings in evolution and function of insect innexins

The past decade has seen significant advances in the field of innexin biology, particularly in the model invertebrate organisms, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the fly Drosophila melanogaster. However, advances in genomics and functional techniques during this same period are ushering in a period of comparative innexin biology. Insects are the most diverse metazoan taxa in terms of species number, as well as in developmental, physiological, and morphological processes. Combined with genomics data, the study of innexins should rapidly advance. In this review, we consider the current state of knowledge regarding innexins in insects, focusing on innexin diversity, both evolutionary and functional. We also consider an unusual set of innexins, known as vinnexins, that have been isolated from mutualistic viruses of some parasitoid wasps. We conclude with a call to study insect innexins from a broader, evolutionary perspective. Knowledge derived from such comparative studies will offer significant insight into developmental and evolutionary physiology, as well as specific functional processes in a taxon that has huge biomedical and ecological impact on humans.
Conventional machining methods for rapid prototyping and direct manufacturing

The material and product accuracy limitations of rapid prototyped products can often prevent the use of rapid prototyping (RP) processes for production of final end-use products. Conventional machining processes are well-developed technologies with the capability of employing a wide range of materials in the creation of highly accurate components. This paper presents an overview of how conventional machining processes can be used for RP and direct manufacturing processes. The methodologies of computer numerical control machining for rapid prototyping (CNC-RP) and wire electronic discharge machining for rapid prototyping (WEDM-RP) are presented in this paper. A general discussion of selection criteria and cost comparisons among both current additive RP and conventional machining approaches to rapid manufacturing are also presented.
The Serologic Character of Cholera Vibrio Mucinase

Burnet and Stone (1947a) described an activity present in cultures of Vibrio cholerae that produced a desquamation of the intestinal mucosa of the guinea pig. They regarded this activity as enzymatic in nature and showed that it was distinct from the receptor destroying enzyme (RDE) also produced by the cholera vibrio. The authors referred to this new enzyme as mucinase. They found that vibrio mucinase could be
Matrix exponential: Approximation by truncated power series

The solution of the linear, autonomous vector differential equation x = Fx at t = mT, where m is an integer, may be expressed in terms of the matrix exponential eFT. The matrix exponential may be approximated conveniently by truncating its defining power series. A criterion for selecting the number of terms to be retained in the truncation is proposed. This criterion eliminates difficulties encountered in applying other recently proposed criteria.
Weighted estimating equations for longitudinal studies with death and non‐monotone missing time‐dependent covariates and outcomes

We propose a marginal modeling approach to estimate the association between a time-dependent covariate and an outcome in longitudinal studies where some study participants die during follow-up and both variables have non-monotone response patterns. The proposed method is an extension of weighted estimating equations that allows the outcome and covariate to have different missing-data patterns. We present methods for both random and non-random missing-data mechanisms. A study of functional recovery in a cohort of elderly female hip-fracture patients motivates the approach.
Wavelet packets for fast solution of electromagnetic integral equations

This paper considers the problem of wavelet sparsification of matrices arising in the numerical solution of electromagnetic integral equations by the method of moments. Scattering of plane waves from two-dimensional (2-D) cylinders is computed numerically using a constant number of test functions per wavelength. Discrete wavelet packet (DWP) similarity transformations and thresholding are applied to system matrices to obtain sparsity. If thresholds are selected to keep the relative residual error constant the matrix sparsity is of order O(N/sup P/) with p<2. This stands in contrast with O(N/sup 2/) sparsities obtained with standard wavelet transformations. Numerical tests also show that the DWP method yields faster matrix-vector multiplication than some fast multipole algorithms.
Omniscience Principles and Functions of Bounded Variation

A very weak omniscience principle is formulated, related omniscience principlesare considered, and the theorem that a function of bounded variation is the difference of two increasing functions is shown to be equivalent to the omniscience principle WLPO. It is a so shown that an arbitrary function (not necessarily strongly extensional) with located variation on an interval is the difference of two increasing functions.
A robust spike and wave algorithm for detecting seizures in a genetic absence seizure model

Animal Models are used extensively in basic epilepsy research. In many studies, there is a need to accurately score and quantify all epileptic spike and wave discharges (SWDs) as captured by electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings. Manual scoring of long term EEG recordings is a time-consuming and tedious task that requires inordinate amount of time of laboratory personnel and an experienced electroencephalographer. In this paper, we adapt a SWD detection algorithm, originally proposed by the authors for absence (petit mal) seizure detection in humans, to detect SWDs appearing in EEG recordings of Fischer 334 rats. The algorithm is robust with respect to the threshold parameters. Results are compared to manual scoring and the effect of different threshold parameters is discussed.
Style-Based Ballot Mark Recognition

The push toward voting via hand-marked paper ballots has focused attention on the limitations of current optical scan systems. Discrepancies between human and machine interpretations of ballot markings can lead to a loss of trust in the election process. In this paper, a style-based approach to ballot recognition is proposed in which marks are recognized collectively rather than in isolation. The consistency of a voter's style is leveraged to improve the overall accuracy of the system. We compare style-based recognition to various kinds of singlet classifiers and show that it outperforms them by a substantial margin.
A non‐Fickian model of packed‐bed reactors

A model for packed-bed reactors with dispersion is derived rigorously via the volume averaging approach. Though it is quantitatively more consistent with experimental data, it requires less computational efforts than the prevalent Fickian model. The adverse effects of dispersion on conversion are demonstrated both numerically and analytically using the new model.
Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling-3 Is a Glucagon-inducible Inhibitor of PKA Activity and Gluconeogenic Gene Expression in Hepatocytes

SOCS3 is a cytokine-inducible negative regulator of cytokine receptor signaling. Recently, SOCS3 was shown to be induced by a cAMP-dependent pathway involving exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac). We observed in livers of fasted mice that Socs3 mRNA was increased 4-fold compared with refed mice, suggesting a physiologic role for SOCS3 in the fasted state that may involve glucagon and Epac. Treating primary hepatocytes with glucagon resulted in a 4-fold increase in Socs3 mRNA levels. The Epac-selective cAMP analog 8–4-(chlorophenylthio)-2′-O-methyladenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate, acetoxymethyl ester (cpTOME) increased Socs3 expression comparably. In gain-of-function studies, adenoviral expression of SOCS3 in primary hepatocytes caused a 50% decrease in 8-br-cAMP-dependent PKA phosphorylation of the transcription factor CREB. Induction of the gluconeogenic genes Ppargc1a, Pck1, and G6pc by glucagon or 8-br-cAMP was suppressed nearly 50%. In loss-of-function studies, hepatocytes from liver-specific SOCS3 knock-out mice responded to 8-br-cAMP with a 200% greater increase in Ppargc1a and Pck1 expression, and a 30% increase in G6pc expression, relative to wild-type cells. Suppression of SOCS3 by shRNA in hepatocytes resulted in a 60% increase in cAMP-dependent G6pc and Pck1 expression relative to control cells. SOCS3 expression also inhibited cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of the IP3 receptor but did not inhibit nuclear localization of the catalytic subunit of PKA. Using an in vitro kinase assay, cAMP-dependent PKA activity was reduced by 80% in hepatocytes expressing ectopic SOCS3. These data indicate that cAMP activates both the PKA and Epac pathways with induction of SOCS3 by the Epac pathway negatively regulating the PKA pathway.
Run-Time Reconfigurable System-on-Chip

This paper introduces a novel architecture that is targeted for adaptive embedded system applications, such as telerobotics, space navigation and wireless hot-spot access points. All these applications consist of static (i.e. known) hard and soft realtime constraints, as well as dynamic (i.e. unknown and unpredictable) environment conditions, hence require the predictability of fixed hardware resources, along with the adaptability of programmable hardware devices. The proposed embedded system consists of a soft-core fixed microprocessor and a reconfigurable co-processor. The latter utilizes Run-Time Reconfiguration (RTR) functionality in order to respond to the changing environment inputs, while the former guarantees meeting soft and hard deadlines in order to achieve the intended system functionality. The Reconfigurable Processor Unit (RPU) allows for the simultaneous execution of multiple hardware functional units, by exploiting a Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler in order to maintain hardware and software flow synchronization. However, the JIT compiler description is outside the scope of this paper
Clinical Skills Assessment with Standardized Patients in High-Stakes Tests: A Framework for Thinking about Score Precision, Equating, and Security.

Over the past decade, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of standardizedpatients (SPs) for assessment of clinical skills in high-stakes testing situations.This paper provides a framework for thinking about three inter-related issues thatremain problematic in high-stakes use of SP-based tests: methods for estimatingthe precision of scores; procedures for placing (equating) scores from different testforms onto the same scale; and threats to the security of SP-based exams. Whilegeneralizability theory is now commonly employed to analyze factors inﬂuencingthe precision of test scores, it is very common for investigators to use designsthat do not appropriately represent the complexity of SP-based test administration.Development of equating procedures for SP-based tests is in its infancy, largelyutilizing methods adapted from multiple-choice testing. Despite the obvious impor-tance of adjusting scores on alternate test forms to reduce measurement error andensure equitable treatment of examinees, equating procedures are not typicallyemployed. Research on security to date has been plagued by serious methodo-logical problems, and procedures that seem likely to aid in maintaining securitytend to increase the complexity of test construction and administration, as well asthe analytic methods required to examine precision and equate scores across testforms. Recommendations are offered for improving research and use of SP-basedassessment in high-stakes tests.Over the past decade, the use of standardized patients (SPs) for assessment ofclinical skills has increased dramatically. In North America, it is now common forSPs to be used in high-stakes tests. Dozens of medical schools have now instituted“Clinical Practice Exams” that students take during their senior year (Associationof American Medical Colleges, 1998). At many of these schools students mustpass these exams to graduate; those who fail are typically assigned to remedialwork before retesting.
An Operational Concept and Evaluation of Airline Based En R oute Sequencing and Spacing

** This paper describes an operational concept for airline operations centers (AOC) to implement desire d arrival sequences and spacing over an en route arrival merge fix . The paper reports the results of an initial field -test. The operational concept is termed Airline Based En route Sequencing and Spacing (ABESS). ABESS allows the AOC to set up arrival fl ows for transition into advanced flight procedures such as Continuous Descent Arrivals (CDAs) or Flight Deck -Based Merging and Spacing (FDMS) using flight -deck equipage with ADS -B capabilities. ABESS allows the AOC to shape arrival stream and spacings via an up link of direct speed advisories. This operational concept received an initial evaluation during a field test at the UPS AOC in Louisville Kentucky in October 2006. The results of this initial evaluation indicate the feasibility of the procedures an d identify software, accuracy, and procedural requirements for concept implementation.
Titanium-based dielectrophoresis devices for microfluidic applications

To date, materials selection in microfluidics has been restricted to conventional micromechanical materials systems such as silicon, glass, and various polymers. Metallic materials offer a number of potential advantages for microfluidic applications, including high fracture toughness, thermal stability, and solvent resistance. However, their exploitation in such applications has been limited. In this work, we present the application of recently developed titanium micromachining and multilayer lamination techniques for the fabrication of dielectrophoresis devices for microfluidic particle manipulation. Two device designs are presented, one with interdigitated planar electrodes defined on the floor of the flow channel, and the other with electrodes embedded within the channel wall. Using these devices, two-frequency particle separation and Z-dimensional flow visualization of the dielectrophoresis phenomena are demonstrated.
Object-oriented fusion-diffusion mechanism to handle crisp and linguistic information for better human-system interface

To integrate computing with words (CW) (L.A. Zadeh, 1996) and ordinary computation, an object oriented fusion-diffusion mechanism is developed and proposed with respect to an object oriented system analysis and design framework. The object type fusion is used to glue a set of linguistically defined object types to create a new object type that transforms crisp information into linguistic and primitive format. The object type diffusion is used to unglue a linguistic object type, given as the opposite of the fusion mechanism. It transforms a linguistic format of the input and results in a constituent crisp and primitive format. The bra-ket (R.P. Feynann et al., 1965) and left-right parenthesis notation are introduced to formulate the mechanisms. It is shown that analyzing and designing the human user interface of a sophisticated information system is aided by this method. Accordingly, we give an outline of our new analysis and design method influenced by the fusion-diffusion mechanism. A multimedia system, data warehouse, and teleportation system are briefly examined as examples.
Parallel granular neural networks for fast credit card fraud detection

A parallel granular neural network (GNN) is developed to speed up data mining and knowledge discovery process for credit card fraud detection. The entire system is parallelized on the Silicon Graphics Origin 2000, which is a shared memory multiprocessor system consisting of 24-CPU, 4G main memory, and 200 GB hard-drive. In simulations, the parallel fuzzy neural network running on a 24-processor system is trained in parallel using training data sets, and then the trained parallel fuzzy neural network discovers fuzzy rules for future prediction. A parallel learning algorithm is implemented in C. The data are extracted into a flat file from an SQL server database containing sample Visa Card transactions and then preprocessed for applying in fraud detection. The data are classified into three categories: first for training, second for prediction, and third for fraud detection. After learning from training data, the GNN is used to predict on a second set of data and later the third set of data is applied for fraud detection. GNN gives fewer average training errors with larger amount of past training data. The higher the fraud detection error is, the greater the possibility of that transaction being actually fraudulent.
Hypertension Following Bilateral Nephrectomy of the Dog The Influence of Dietary Protein on Its Pathogenesis with Emphasis on Its Development in the Absence of "Extracellular Fluid" Expansion

Hypertension following bilateral nephrectomy of dogs has been obtained consistently in association with sodium balance and in the absence of expansion of the extracellular fluid volume as ordinarily measured. An enhanced dietary protein intake appears to be involved in the genesis of the hypertension under these conditions. Alterations in protein and potassium metabolism are described. The present, as well as former studies on the hypertension following nephrectomy, suggest that multiple factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of the hypertension. These factors are discussed.
ReaxFF: A Reactive Force Field for Hydrocarbons

To make practical the molecular dynamics simulation of large scale reactive chemical systems (1000s of atoms), we developed ReaxFF, a force field for reactive systems. ReaxFF uses a general relationship between bond distance and bond order on one hand and between bond order and bond energy on the other hand that leads to proper dissociation of bonds to separated atoms. Other valence terms present in the force field (angle and torsion) are defined in terms of the same bond orders so that all these terms go to zero smoothly as bonds break. In addition, ReaxFF has Coulomb and Morse (van der Waals) potentials to describe nonbond interactions between all atoms (no exclusions). These nonbond interactions are shielded at short range so that the Coulomb and van der Waals interactions become constant as Rij → 0. We report here the ReaxFF for hydrocarbons. The parameters were derived from quantum chemical calculations on bond dissociation and reactions of small molecules plus heat of formation and geometry data for...
Analyzing large free-response qualitative data sets — a novel quantitative-qualitative hybrid approach

Qualitative analysis tends to be unwieldy for large data sets yet is an indispensable tool for understanding how and why phenomena occur. Consequently, the goal of this study was to develop a method that is credible yet economical for large, specific, qualitative data sets. The strength of our hybrid, qualitative-quantitative method comes from using automated text analysis techniques to focus resource-intensive coding efforts on a small, carefully selected subset of data. This paper details the hybrid method as applied to a previously analyzed set of free-response data and argues for the methodpsilas validity by comparing results from the hybrid analysis with the previous traditional qualitatively analyzed method. With this data set, the hybrid method yielded comparable results with substantially less manual coding and in less than a third of the time required for the original analysis method. This hybrid analysis provides a more economical alternative for a ldquocoarse-cutrdquo qualitative analysis and observation of long-term trends, providing insight to practitioners, assessors, and researchers ranging from individual course evaluations to large-scale studies. Short, focused, open-ended survey questions are good candidates for this type of analysis.
The Classical-map Hyper-Netted-Chain (CHNC) technique for inhomogeneous electron systems. Application to quantum dots

The Classical-map Hyper-Netted-Chain (CHNC) technique is a simple method of calculating quantum pair-distribution functions, spin-dependent energies, etc., of strongly interacting uniform systems. We present CHNC calculations of charge densities and energies of non-uniform systems, viz., quantum dots, and compare with quantum Monte Carlo and density-functional results. Results for up to 210 electrons are reported.
The Importance of Prognosis in Cancer Screening in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

The high mortality of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) suggests that general cancer screening in this population is costly and of little value. Patients with ESRD awaiting transplantation and those who have been successfully transplanted require cancer screening because of their higher expected survival and increased cancer risk. If shared decision-making is to guide cancer screening protocols that are individualized based on cancer risk, transplantation status, and expected survival, it is incumbent upon nephrologists to discuss overall expected survival with their patients with ESRD. Most nephrologists are poorly trained in the communication skills needed to address these issues and feel uncomfortable engaging in such discussions. The revised clinical practice guideline, "Shared Decision-Making in the Appropriate Initiation of and Withdrawal from Dialysis," is a useful resource which nephrologists may consult when facing such situations.
Resources, repositories and rewards.

> By establishing the Resource Article section and stronger policies for materials-sharing and citation, we hope to encourage and properly reward the development and sharing of resources, thereby accelerating research using model organisms to advance human health Scientific communities prosper on
Using social microvolunteering to answer visual questions from blind users

Advances in technology have proven uniquely useful for blind people, but some visual questions they encounter still require human assistance to answer. We developed VizWiz, a smartphone application that connects blind people with visual questions to sighted workers who can provide answers. In order to make this app more sustainable and scalable, and keep costs from being passed directly to the users, we propose social microvolunteering, which allows people to donate their own time as answerers, but also access to a larger pool of answerers through their friends on social networking sites.
A trans-acting Variant within the Transcription Factor RIM101 Interacts with Genetic Background to Determine its Regulatory Capacity

Most genetic variants associated with disease occur within regulatory regions of the genome, underscoring the importance of defining the mechanisms underlying differences in regulation of gene expression between individuals. We discovered a pair of co-regulated, divergently oriented transcripts, AQY2 and ncFRE6, that are expressed in one strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, ∑1278b, but not in another, S288c. By combining classical genetics techniques with high-throughput sequencing, we identified a trans-acting single nucleotide polymorphism within the transcription factor RIM101 that causes the background-dependent expression of both transcripts. Subsequent RNA-seq experiments revealed that RIM101 regulates many more targets in S288c than in ∑1278b and that deletion of RIM101 in both backgrounds abrogates the majority of differential expression between the strains. Strikingly, only three transcripts undergo a significant change in expression after swapping RIM101 alleles between backgrounds, implying that the differences in the RIM101 allele lead to a remarkably focused transcriptional response. However, hundreds of RIM101-dependent targets undergo a subtle but consistent shift in expression in the S288c RIM101-swapped strain, but not its ∑1278b counterpart. We conclude that ∑1278b may harbor a variant(s) that buffers against widespread transcriptional dysregulation upon introduction of a non-native RIM101 allele, emphasizing the importance of accounting for genetic background when assessing the impact of a regulatory variant.
P-selectin expression by endothelial cells is decreased in neonatal rats and human premature infants.

Decreased adhesion of neutrophils to endothelial cells and delayed transendothelial cell migration of neutrophils have been consistently reported in neonatal animals and humans and contribute to their susceptibility to infection. The delayed transmigration of neutrophils is especially prevalent in premature neonates. To define the nature of this defect, we used an in vivo animal model of inflammation and found that radiolabeled leukocytes from adult rats transmigrated into the peritoneum of other adult rats 5 times more efficiently than they did in neonatal rats (P = .05). This indicated that defects in neonatal neutrophils could not completely account for the delayed transmigration. Delayed transmigration in the neonatal rats correlated with a defect in the expression of P-selectin on the surface of their endothelial cells. We found a similar P-selectin deficiency in endothelial cells lining mesenteric venules and umbilical veins of human premature infants when compared with term human infants. The decreased P-selectin in premature infants was associated with decreased numbers of P-selectin storage granules and decreased P-selectin transcription. Decreased P-selectin expression on the surface of endothelial cells in preterm infants may contribute to delayed neutrophil transmigration and increased susceptibility to infection.
In her mother's voice: reflections on "femininity" and the superego.

For some female analysands the anxiety generated by superego conflict stimulated by aggressive and creative wishes may be warded off by invoking representations of the archaic all-powerful, limit-setting mother. To understand this clinical phenomenon in terms of a specific kind of female superego vulnerability is to miss the possibility that the fantasy of being mother's good little girl may be employed in the service of concealing the analysand's wishes and capacity for creative and destructive power. In the analytic hour we see transformed aspects of the analysand's past that are useful to the mind in its current operations. Representations of the mother and the archaic maternal imago are neither reflections of the past as it was, nor are they monolithic. These maternal representations may reverberate with adult memories of the past, but that remembered experience is a constructed one, constructed to serve particular mental operations. As these apparently remembered constructions arise in the current hour we need to remember that the present is the present, with its immediate desires and conflicts that the mind is attempting to represent. The past as it appears in the present is a new creation and, like the transference, a mutual creation of the analysand with her analyst. Language: en
Evaluation of Preoperative Chest Imaging in Low-Risk Endometrial Cancer Patients.

Objective Current national guidelines recommend preoperative thoracic imaging for all patients undergoing surgery for endometrial cancer. The objective of this project was to report the incidence of pulmonary metastasis in endometrial cancer patients and describe tumor and patient characteristics to better identify a low-risk population for thoracic involvement. We evaluated the ideal modality of preoperative imaging for both low-risk and high-risk populations based on the risk of pulmonary involvement. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study of patients undergoing surgical evaluation for endometrial cancer at a single institution from 2010 to 2014 was performed. Low-risk patients were defined as having a preoperative pathology sample showing grade 1 or 2 endometrioid endometrial cancer and a physical examination not concerning for extrauterine disease spread. Results A total of 352 patients were evaluated, of which 327 (92.9%) had preoperative thoracic imaging. Twenty-six patients had benign pathology or no preoperative sampling, leaving 301 patients for analysis. There were 228 (75.7%) of 301 patients classified as low-risk by our criteria. There were 20 (8.8%) of 228 low-risk patients with initial imaging concerning for pulmonary metastasis, but follow-up showed no evidence of disease. No low-risk patients (0/228; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0%–0.02%) had pulmonary metastasis. There were 4 (1.3%) of 301 (95% CI, 0%–0.04%) patients diagnosed with pulmonary metastasis based on preoperative imaging, and 4 (1.3%) of 301 (95% CI, 0.01%–0.04%) patients with recurrent pulmonary disease. Median time to pulmonary recurrence was 20 months. Conclusions The incidence of pulmonary metastasis found on preoperative imaging is exceptionally low in our defined low-risk population. All of the patients with pulmonary involvement either initially or upon recurrence had high-risk features. Given our findings, we would recommend that providers consider chest x-ray as the appropriate screening modality for the low-risk population and chest computed tomography for the high-risk population.
Attraction Toward and Penetration of Polyporus Dryophilus Var. Vulpinus Basidiospores by Hyphae of the Same Species

Hyphae of P. dryophilus grow toward and penetrate the basidiospores of this same species. Penetration occurred through the pore from which a germ tube would normally arise, except in one of the four isolates in which penetration occurred through the side of the spore. Growth of hyphae toward, and penetration of spores occurred with 15 single spore isolates and with mass cultures from four different isolates in all possible combinations.
Damage and Failure Mechanism of Tunnels in Jointed Rock Mass

In consideration of the the variation of mesoscopic patterns of joints,the damage process of surrounding rock of an underground opening in jointed rock mass was numerically simulated,and the failure mechanism of surrounding rock was investigated.The effect of the dip angles of joints on the stability of surrounding rock was examined.The results showed that the tensile stress causes mainly the initiation and propagation of the cracks,and the propagation direction of the cracks is roughly normal to the joint surface.The tensile cracks normal to the joint surface are the dominant fracture behaviors around the opening in the rock model with a low joint dip angle,while,the joint sliding are the dominant in the model with a high joint dip angle.The dip angle of joint surfaces also affects the fragility of rock mass.With the initiation of microfracture before the rock failure,a lot of energy will be released as acoustic emission.By using micro-seismic monitoring technology to get the information of energy release,the collapses,roof falling,rock burst and other disasters can be possibly forecasted,thus the supporting measures could be taken in advance to keep staff and equipment safe.
Reaction mechanism at interface of HTPB/TDI liner-NEPE propellant

The active group on the surface of precure HTPB/TDI liner and the reaction speed of different —NCO group with different —OH group were studied by using FTIR and FTIR/ATR.The results show that there are many —NCO groups on the surface of precure HTPB/TDI liner,and the reaction speed of the cross reaction of —OH group with —NCO group in the binders of HTPB/TDI liner and NEPE propellant is much faster than that of NEPE propellant.The chemical reaction mechanism at the interface of HTPB/TDI liner-NEPE propellant is the cross reaction of —OH group with —NCO group in the binders.The reaction speed of the TDI—NCO group in liner with the PEG—OH group is slightly faster than that of the N100—NCO group in NEPE propellant with the HTPB—OH group.At the interface,chemical bonding is formed through urethane bond between HTPB/TDI liner and NEPE propellant.
The role of reported primary race on health measures for multiple race respondents in the National Health Interview Survey.

SYNOPSIS Objectives. As data for multiple race groups have only recently been collected and tabulated, the current understanding of the health of multiple race groups is not well developed. In the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), survey respondents who report more than one race are asked to identify a primary race. This report compares selected health and demographic measures by the response to the primary race question and compares estimates for specific primary race groups to corresponding estimates for single race groups. Methods. Using 1997-2003 NHIS data, several demographic and health measures were compared by reported primary race within the four largest multiple race groups. Then estimates by primary race for these four multiple race groups were compared to those for their single race counterparts. Results. There were few statistically significant associations between reported primary race and health or demographic variables within the four multiple race groups. This lack of association may be due to the small number of multiple race respondents (which results in large standard errors) rather than similarity of point estimates among the subgroups. A greater number of differences between estimates for single race groups and for multiple race respondents who reported the same single race as their primary race were identified. Conclusions. The apparent lack of association between primary race within a multiple race group and health outcomes suggests that tabulating multiple race responses by primary race is unnecessary for valid health estimates for multiple race groups, at least with available statistical power. However, differences between single race and primary race estimates within a multiple race group suggest that inferences for multiple race respondents using single race estimates may be imprecise for some outcomes.
The Mongolization of Student-Centered Learning

In June 2001, we visited a school in the province of Khovd that for the past three years had been experimenting with student-centered learning (Steiner-Khamsi 2001). This particular visit is memorable because it inspired us to want to understand better the structure and culture of the Mongolian classroom.
Site and extent of apparent magnesium absorption by lambs fed different sources of magnesium.

Ten abomasally cannulated crossbred wether lambs (avg wt, 33 kg) were used in a replicated 5 x 5 latin square design to determine the site and extent of apparent absorption of Mg when fed different sources of Mg. Lambs were fed twice daily 220 g of chopped mixed grass hay and 180 g of a corn-based supplement (control; .13% mg, DM basis), or the control diet supplemented with Mg (.26% Mg, DM basis) from MgO, magnesium citrate (MgC), smectite-vermiculite (Mg-Mica) or MgOH. Lambs were maintained in metabolism stalls during each of the five experimental periods. Each period consisted of a 7-d dietary adjustment followed by a 3-d collection of abomasal samples, feces and urine. Abomasal contents were sampled four times daily during the 3-d collection period. The diet contained .5% chromium oxide as a digestion marker. Apparent absorption of Mg was .17, .55, .85, .78 and .82 g/d for lambs fed the control, MgO, MgC, Mg-Mica and MgOH diets, respectively. Apparent absorption of Mg (g/d) was similar (P greater than .05) in the lambs fed the supplemented diets and greater (P less than .05) than in those fed the control diet. Preintestinal absorption of Mg was .21, .57, 1.08, .14 and .92 g/d when the control, MgO, MgC, Mg-Mica and MgOH diets were fed. Lambs fed the control and Mg-Mica diets absorbed similar (P greater than .05) quantities of Mg in the preintestinal region and less (P less than .05) than lambs fed the MgO, MgC and MgOH diets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)