cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-Energy Neutron Response of the HR-GAGG Scintillation Crystal

We report on the high-energy neutron response of the HR-GAGG crystal. High-energy Resolution (HR) GAGG (Gd 3 Al 2.6 Ga 2.4 O 12 :Ce) is a relatively new scintillation crystal that provides a high density, a high light output, a fast decay time and is not hygroscopic. Aside from its use for gamma-ray spectroscopy, the GAGG scintillator has been investigated for the detection and discrimination of both alpha particles and neutrons. Gamma-ray/alpha-particle discrimination is possible via pulse shape discrimination (PSD) techniques; thermal neutron detection is possible via measurement of the gamma-ray emission associated with thermal neutron capture on stable Gd isotopes from specifically shielded GAGG crystals. To our knowledge, the direct detection of fast neutrons using GAGG, or any variant of GAGG, has yet to be reported. Our results show the ability of the HR-GAGG crystal to perform PSD when irradiated by high-energy neutron beams. We performed these tests at the UC-Davis Crocker Nuclear Laboratory cyclotron. The result of four different endpoint energy neutron beams, ranging from 14.1 MeV - 60.5 MeV, irradiating the HR-GAGG crystal yielded two discernable bands of events attributed to fast neutrons and gamma rays from the cyclotron. Lower energy neutrons - from the beam (1.9 MeV) or using laboratory neutron/gamma-ray sources (e.g., 252Cf) - demonstrates no discernable signature of neutron detection and discrimination. We show results from the low- and high-energy neutrons beams interacting with the HR-GAGG and discuss the isotopes responsible for the high-energy neutron capabilities of this material.
Homologous recombination within repetitive DNA

Many microsatellite DNA sequences are able to form non-B form DNA secondary structures, such as hairpin loops, cruciforms, triplex DNA or G-quadruplexes. These DNA structures can form a significant impediment to DNA replication and repair, leading to DNA nicks, gaps, and breaks, which can be repaired by homologous recombination (HR). Recent work understanding HR at structure-forming repeats has focused on genetic requirements for replication fork restart, break induced replication (BIR) at broken forks, recombination during and after relocalization of breaks or stalled forks to the nuclear periphery, and how repair pathway choice and kinetics are navigated in the presence of a repeat tract. In this review, we summarize recent developments that illuminate the role of recombination in repairing DNA damage or causing tract length changes within repetitive DNA and its role in maintaining genome stability.
All-Dielectric Metamaterials Using III–V Semiconductors

All-dielectric metamaterials consist of arrays of high-index, subwavelength-size Mie resonators that enable manipulation of the electromagnetic permittivity and permeability, but with much lower loss at optical frequencies than their metallic metamaterial counterparts. Most efforts at wavelengths shorter than the mid-infrared, however, have employed silicon, which lacks second-order optical nonlinearities and is not an efficient light emitter. Recently, our group proposed a new class of dielectric metamaterials based upon III–V semiconductors that exhibit strong intrinsic optical nonlinearities and allow for full integration with optoelectronic functionality.
Armed conflict, substance use and HIV: a global analysis

Armed conflict is frequently assumed to be a contributor to the global HIV epidemic, but existing evidence is sparse. We examined the relationship between armed conflict between 2002 and 2008 and HIV disability life years (DALYs) in 2010 among WHO Member States. Using partial least squares analysis we also examined moderation of the armed conflict-HIV link by two susceptibility constructs (background risk, substance use) and one vulnerability mediator (numbers of refugees, people on ART, and total HIV spending). Background risk directly impacted HIV DALYs (p < 0.05), substance use moderated the conflict-HIV relationship (p < 0.01). The vulnerability construct mediated the conflict-HIV association (p < 0.01). Findings underscore the need to align HIV prevention/intervention efforts with pre-existing HIV burden and reduce the impact of natural disasters on the populace in conflict-affected states. Integration of substance prevention/harm reduction programs within national HIV responses, attention to most-at-risk populations and increased surveillance/treatment of drug resistant HIV and TB is warranted.
A ROBUST, PARTICULARIST ETHICAL ASSESSMENT OF MEDICAL TOURISM

Recently, in increasing numbers, citizens of wealthy nations are heading to poorer countries for medical care. They are traveling to the global South as medical tourists because in their home nations either they cannot get timely medical care or they cannot afford needed treatments. This essay offers a robust, particularist ethical assessment of the practice of citizens of richer nations traveling to poorer countries for healthcare.
150–850 MHz High-Linearity Sine-wave Synthesizer Architecture Based on FIR Filter Approach and SFDR Optimization

A low distortion sinusoidal waveform synthesizer architecture is proposed. The synthesizer utilizes 50% duty cycle and differential-mode circuitry to eliminate the even order harmonics, and it also implements a 5-phase 3-amplitude harmonic cancellation technique to suppress the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th order harmonics. The compact system architecture consists of a 12-phase ring oscillator, a weighted resistor summing network, and an RC output filter. Phase shifters are adopted in the ring oscillator to enable the control of an external harmonic cancellation optimization algorithm. The proposed application of the optimization algorithm compensates the errors in the circuit and further improves the linearity of the output waveforms. This synthesizer is fabricated in 180 nm standard CMOS technology, occupies a 0.08 ${\rm mm}^{2}$ silicon area and achieves the spur-free dynamic range (SFDR) of 59 to 70 dBc from 150 to 850 MHz after the optimization procedure. It can operate from a 1 to 1.8 V supply voltage and achieve a power consumption from 9.11 to 57 mW.
Teaching Race: Pedagogical Challenges in Predominantly White Undergraduate Theology Classrooms

While a number of scholars in the field of Christian theology have argued for the importance of teaching diversity and social justice in theology and religious studies classrooms, little has been done to document and assess formally the implementation of such pedagogy. In this article, the authors discuss the findings of a yearlong Scholarship of Multicultural Teaching and Learning (SoMTL) study, which examined student learning and faculty teaching regarding race and white privilege in two theology classrooms. After a brief overview of the study's design and execution, we reflect upon our findings and draw out implications for pedagogical practices. In particular we discuss students' emotional responses to the material and the role of cognitive dissonance in student learning with respect to racial inequality via social structures. See a companion essay in this issue of the journal (Karen Teel, “Getting Out of the Left Lane: The Possibility of White Antiracist Pedagogy”) and responses by the authors of both essays, also published in this issue of the journal (“Responses: Toward an Antiracist Pedagogy”).
Abstract 3798: Shift of Cx43 isoform expression by PQ1 in SW480 human colorectal cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in men and women in the United States. On average, the risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 20 over an individuals' lifetime. Cancer cells exhibit many deficiencies in cell-to-cell communication, particularly gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). GJIC has been reported to diminish as cancer cells progress. Gap junctions are intercellular channels composed of connexin proteins, which mediate the direct passage of small molecules from one cell to the next. They are involved in the regulation of cell cycle, cell differentiation, and cell signaling. Previously, a class of substituted quinolines, known as PQs, demonstrated to increase GJIC in cancer cells and subsequently attenuated tumor growth. The goal of this study is to determine whether the mode of PQ1 is by directly regulating the connexin protein. The results show that the low expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) in SW480 human colorectal cancer cells remains constant in the presence of PQ1. However, PQ1 caused a change in isoform expression of Cx43 in which there was a shift of Cx43 expression from P0 to P1 and P2 isoforms. This suggests that the trafficking of Cx43 from the Golgi to the membrane occurs in the presence of PQ1. Furthermore, the results show that Cx43 interacts with PKCα in SW480 cells; however, PQ1 does not affect the interaction of Cx43 and PKCα, suggesting that the shift in Cx43 isoforms is not due to PKCα phosphorylation. These findings provide in part that the increase of GJIC by PQ1 is due to the shift in Cx43 from P0 to P1 and P2 isoforms in SW480 colorectal cancer cells. Citation Format: Kristina M. Bigelow, Thu Annelise Nguyen. Shift of Cx43 isoform expression by PQ1 in SW480 human colorectal cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3798. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3798
Robust stability and performance in the presence of real parameter perturbation-a unified analysis approach

This study deals with the stability and performance conditions of a closed loop system whose A matrix depends linearly on the magnitude bounded real parameter perturbation. An analysis approach based on the existence of a common solution P=P'>or=0 to the infinite set of Riccati equations corresponding to the perturbed region in the parameter space is discussed. Two methods of transforming that infinite-dimensional problem into a finite-dimensional one are shown. An alternative proof that the method based on the single Riccati equation can be equally conservative as the one based on the small gain theorem is presented. >
Ω, Age, and H0 Implications of Recent Hubble Space Telescope Data in the Coma Cluster*

This paper presents a way of finding mutually consistent values of ΩM, t0, and H0. This approach is illustrated using recent Coma Cluster distance data, together with recent Hipparcos data for RR Lyrae stars. The age of the universe is derived by two completely independent methods, both linked to the RR Lyrae stars. The two methods can be made to yield the same answer by adjustment of the RR Lyrae magnitude zero point. One of these two age determinations is based on stellar evolution in globular clusters, and the other is based on the Hubble constant derived from globular clusters as distance indicators calibrated in the Milky Way. If, for example, RR Lyrae stars are brighter than previously thought, the stellar evolution age is shortened, whereas the Hubble age is increased, so one can determine the RR Lyrae magnitude zero point that would make the stellar evolution age coincide with the Hubble age, and ask whether it is a reasonable value. The answer depends strongly on the mass density of the universe, ΩM, which can therefore be derived simply by demanding that the two age determinations agree. For each straw-man value of ΩM, we find the RR Lyrae zero point MV(RR)0 for which the two age determinations coincide. We then choose the ΩM value for which the implied RR Lyrae zero point best agrees with observations. In the present paper, the mean of six recent Hipparcos values, MV(RR)0 = 0.61 ± 0.15, is used for illustration. For that choice, the coinciding of ages occurs at 12.5 ± 1.5 Gyr. The corresponding value of the Hubble constant is H0 = 61 ± 5 km s-1 Mpc-1. In a zero-Λ universe, the implied mass density is ΩM = 0.41 with only weak constraints on either higher or lower ΩM values. In a flat universe with ΩM + ΩΛ = 1, however, the implied mass density is ΩM = 0.62, and the uncertainty in it is asymmetric. For example, a critical-density universe with ΩM = 1.0 and ΩΛ = 0.0 (for which H0 = 57 km s-1 Mpc-1 and t0 = 11.4 Gyr) differs by only 0.7 σ, and is therefore not strongly negated, whereas a low-density universe with ΩM = 0.1 and ΩΛ = 0.9 (for which H0 = 74 km s-1 Mpc-1 and t0 = 17.0 Gyr) differs by 3 σ, and therefore appears unlikely.
Correlation search method with third-order statistics for computing velocities from ultrasound images (biomechanics application)

The correlation search method yields velocity information by tracking scatter patterns between ultrasound image frames. The displacement vector between a target region and the best-correlated search region indicates the magnitude and direction of the interframe motion of that particular region. However, if the noise sources in the target region and the search region are correlated Gaussian, then the cross-correlation technique fails to work well because it estimates the cross correlation of both signals and noises. A correlation search method is developed to seek the best-correlated third-order statistics between a target and the search region to suppress the effect of correlated Gaussian noise sources. The method yields better estimations of velocity than does the conventional cross-correlation method. >
The Relationship of Time Perspective to Age, Gender, and Academic Achievement among Academically Talented Adolescents:

Time perspective is a useful psychological construct associated with educational outcomes (Phalet, Andriessen, & Lens, 2004) and may prove fruitful for research focusing on academically talented ad...
Left Ventricular T Cell Recruitment Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Heart Failure

Background— Despite the emerging association between heart failure (HF) and inflammation, the role of T cells, major players in chronic inflammation, has only recently begun to be explored. Whether T-cell recruitment to the left ventricle (LV) participates in the development of HF requires further investigation to identify novel mechanisms that may serve for the design of alternative therapeutic interventions. Methods and Results— Real-time videomicroscopy of T cells from nonischemic HF patients or from mice with HF induced by transverse aortic constriction revealed enhanced adhesion to activated vascular endothelial cells under flow conditions in vitro compared with T cells from healthy subjects or sham mice. T cells in the mediastinal lymph nodes and the intramyocardial endothelium were both activated in response to transverse aortic constriction and the kinetics of LV T-cell infiltration was directly associated with the development of systolic dysfunction. In response to transverse aortic constriction, T cell–deficient mice (T-cell receptor, TCRα−/−) had preserved LV systolic and diastolic function, reduced LV fibrosis, hypertrophy and inflammation, and improved survival compared with wild-type mice. Furthermore, T-cell depletion in wild-type mice after transverse aortic constriction prevented HF. Conclusions— T cells are major contributors to nonischemic HF. Their activation combined with the activation of the LV endothelium results in LV T-cell infiltration negatively contributing to HF progression through mechanisms involving cytokine release and induction of cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy. Reduction of T-cell infiltration is thus identified as a novel translational target in HF.
The Army rolls through Indianapolis: Fieldwork at the Virtual Army Experience

This essay takes an ethnographic look at the individuals and institutions associated with the development, production, and implementation of the Virtual Army Experience (VAE), a mobile mission simulator that travels across the United States to venues such as state fairs and air shows. As an explicit aid to Army recruitment and interaction with the public, the VAE is an interesting nexus point that often channels public anxieties surrounding the medium of the video game and its role in the militarization of society. Here, I present my own experience of doing ethnography at this site, describing how it is received by visitors and interpreted by its employees. By means of the example of the VAE, I argue that polarizing media reports and academic criticisms that pit the processes of militarization against critical reflection of those processes are counterproductive and result in silencing more nuanced and thoughtful critical reflection that is already present at sites such as the VAE.
Behavior of metallic coatings in tidal marsh

The characteristic features of tidal marsh from the standpoint of the corrosion-process are marked deficiency of oxygen, extreme acidity, and the presence of sulfides and of sea water. Because of the condition of deoxidation that prevails in tidal marsh, differences of potential on metal surfaces are necessarily small. This is offset, however, by the very low resistance of the corrosion-circuits. The experimental data available for study of corrosion in tidal marsh consist of measurements of loss of weight and depth of pits on specimens of a variety of materials which have been removed biennially from two test-sites over periods of eight to ten years.
Photon avalanche in Pr3+: LaCl3

Abstract The phenomenon of photon avalanche has been studied in Pr3+: LaCl3 with a dopant concentration of 8%. In our experiments, a tunable dye laser is resonant with one of the 3 H 5 → 3 P 0 excited state transitions in the range of 545–550 nm, and the fluorescence from the 3 P J states is monitored. Under the appropriate circumstances, the fluorescence output as a function of incident laser power is nonlinear above a critical threshold value. This effect is due to an efficient cross relaxation between neighboring Pr ions that results in a nonlinear build up of the 3 H 5 population leading to a dramatic increase in the absorption of the laser light and in the fluorescence from the 3 P J levels under continuous wave excitation. In this paper, we will report on the steady-state spectra, temporal evolution near the threshold, and the laser power dependence of the avalanche signal as a function of temperature (80 K to room temperature).
ADIPSIN IS AN ADIPOCYTOKINE DYSREGULATED IN OBESITY/METABOLIC SYNDROME THAT SUSTAINS CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

The increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes has dramatically increased the burden of cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies have highlighted the intimate link between metabolic diseases and adipose tissue inflammation. Interestingly, adipsin/complement factor D is an adipose-specific immune
Gravity anomalies in the galapagos islands area.

In a recent report Case et al. (1) presented a free-air gravity anomaly map of the Galapagos Islands based on 32 gravity stations on the islands. On the basis of their data they stated that the Galapagos Islands are associated with an east-west trending "residual negative anomaly" which is superimposed on a "broader positive anomaly of unknown amplitude and extent." They concluded that "the gravity data can be most readily interpreted in terms of a low-density region related to a hot spot or plume" beneath the islands. We believe, however, that the data of Case et al. in no way support this interpretation. Their observations can, in fact, be explained simply if the Galapagos Islands are in some form of isostatic equilibrium. Any form of isostatic compensation will result in an "edge effect" in the free-air anomaly at the location of a large change in relief. For a relatively narrow feature, the edge effect anomalies over the two "edges" merge, resulting in a large positive anomaly. For a wider feature, the two edge effects become separated, resulting in an area of less positive anomalies over the center of the feature.
Regulation of Proteins by Thyroid Hormone and Glucocorticoid: The Responses of Hepatic α2U-Globulin and Pituitary Growth Hormone Differ in Adult Male Hypothyroid Rats*

To investigate the possibility that a common phenomenon might exist by which glucocorticoids influence responses to thyroid hormones, the cytosol levels of four proteins were measured after 2 days of treatment with L-T3 (T3; 50 μg/100 g-day) and/or cortisone (2 mg/100 g-day) in adult male hypothyroid rats. Pituitary GH was measured by an established RIA. Hepatic α2u-globulin, a hepatic protein whose synthesis is dependent on androgens, thyroid hormones, glucocorticoids, and GH, was measured by a newly devised RIA shown to be sensitive and specific for α2u-globulin. Hepatic malic enzyme and tyrosine aminotransferase were measured by enzyme assay. T3 stimulated pituitary GH, hepatic α2u-globulin, and hepatic malic enzyme, but not hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase. Cortisone stimulated pituitary GH, hepatic 0:211-globulin, and hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase, but not hepatic malic enzyme. The response to T3 and cortisone in combination was equal to or greater than the sum of the responses to each hormone f...
Novel Kinesin Regulators of Gamma-TuRC

Mitotic spindle assembly is a critical control point in eukaryotic chromosome segregation. In fission yeast conserved mitotic kinesin-like proteins (Klps) Kinesin-14 and Kinesin-5 are emerging as novel regulators of the γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC) MTOC. While these Klps typically participate in microtubule roles for spindle assembly, alternatively in fission yeast they localize to γ-TuRC and when co-deleted a bipolar spindle forms. Our analysis by genetics, biochemistry, cell biology and nanotechnology provides new knowledge on mitotic mechanisms in S. pombe. Previous work from our lab and others uncovered a novel functional relationship between Kinesin-14 Pkl1 and all proteins of the γ-tubulin small complex (γ-TuSC). We demonstrated that Pkl1 binds γ-TuRC through Motor and Tail interactions to directly regulate its function. A Pkl1 Tail peptide is sufficient in vitro and disrupts γ-TuRC structure by removal of γ-tubulin subunits (Cell Cycle 2013), an action that is reversible. New data from our lab indicates that the essential Kinesin-5 Cut7 is actually dispensable in the absence of Pkl1 with which it shares an important antagonistic MTOC regulatory relationship. Cut-7 associates with FPLC purified γ-TuRC and binds to γ-tubulin similarly as Pkl1. We demonstrate in vivo that Pkl1 blocks microtubule nucleation from γ-TuRC and additionally influences spindle microtubule numbers and microtubule overlap. Kinetochore-based microtubule motors Klp5 and Klp6 may facilitate spindle organization, since triple mutants of Pkl1, Cut7 and either Kinesin-6 Klp9 or Kinesin-14 Klp2 are viable. Previously we showed in vivo that human Kinesin-14 HSET, but not Drosophila Ncd, functionally replaces Pkl1 and more recently that human γ-TuSC proteins GCP2 and GCP3 replace fission yeast Alp4 and Alp6 (JCS 2013). Our research highlights conserved in vivo functions of γ-TuSC and provides a new model of spindle assembly in S. pombe.
Assessment of Two Portable Real-Time Particle Monitors Used in Nanomaterial Workplace Exposure Evaluations

Background Nanoparticle emission assessment technique was developed to semi-quantitatively evaluate nanomaterial exposures and employs a combination of filter based samples and portable real-time particle monitors, including a condensation particle counter (CPC) and an optical particle counter (OPC), to detect nanomaterial releases. This laboratory study evaluated the results from CPC and OPC simultaneously measuring a polydisperse aerosol to assess their variability and accuracy. Methods and Results Two CPCs and two OPCs were used to evaluate a polydisperse sodium chloride aerosol within an enclosed chamber. The measurement results for number concentration versus time were compared between paired particle monitors of the same type, and to results from the Scanning Mobility Particle Spectrometer (SMPS) which was widely used to measure concentration of size-specific particles. According to analyses by using the Bland-Altman method, the CPCs displayed a constant mean percent difference of −3.8% (95% agreement limits: −9.1 to 1.6%; range of 95% agreement limit: 10.7%) with the chamber particle concentration below its dynamic upper limit (100,000 particles per cubic centimeter). The mean percent difference increased from −3.4% to −12.0% (range of 95% agreement limits: 7.1%) with increasing particle concentrations that were above the dynamic upper limit. The OPC results showed the percent difference within 15% for measurements in particles with size ranges of 300 to 500 and 500 to 1000 regardless of the particle concentration. Compared with SMPS measurements, the CPC gave a mean percent difference of 22.9% (95% agreement limits: 10.5% to 35.2%); whereas the measurements from OPC were not comparable. Conclusions This study demonstrated that CPC and OPC are useful for measuring nanoparticle exposures but the results from an individual monitor should be interpreted based upon the instrument's technical parameters. Future research should challenge these monitors with particles of different sizes, shapes, or composition, to determine measurement comparability and accuracy across various workplace nanomaterials.
Geographic disparity in COPD hospitalization rates among the Texas population

Summary Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality caused by cigarette smoking and other environmental exposures. While variation in exposures may affect COPD morbidity and mortality, little is known about geographic variation, a surrogate of exposures. The objective of this manuscript is to explore the geographic variation in COPD hospitalization rates among the Texas population in 2006. Methods The study population consisted of all Texas residents with COPD hospitalizations in the 2006 Texas Health Care Information Council (THCIC) data. County population estimates stratified by race, age, and gender were linked to THCIC data to calculate county level COPD hospitalization rates per 100,000 admissions. The data were merged with Urban Influence Codes by county, and metropolitan status was determined by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) criteria. Variation in COPD hospitalization rates were analyzed using Poisson Regression. Results Overall, non Hispanic (NH) Whites had the highest rate of hospitalization, followed by NH Blacks (rate ratio = 0.42) and Hispanics (RR = 0.17), the 65+ age category had the highest rates of hospitalization. In the metropolitan counties COPD hospitalization rates were lower than non-metropolitan counties, however in metropolitan counties the rates of hospitalization were significantly higher ( p Conclusions In Texas there is substantial geographic variation in hospitalization rates associated with gender and race/ethnicity. Other factors that may contribute to the variation and require further investigation include differences in smoking and exposure to other environmental risk factors, access to primary care, medical practice patterns, and coding practices.
A Test-Retest Criterion for Isometric Strength Testing:

Isometric strength testing has commonly been used to evaluate human strength capability. Recently it has been proposed by NIOSh as a form of administrative control for injury prevention. Historically, the number of trials used for each person-test combination has been arbitrarily selected and is often undocumented. This paper proposes a criterion for isometric testing and reports some results from using this criterion.
The Solar Flare Soft X-Ray Differential Emission Measure and the Neupert Effect at Different Temperatures

Data from the Yohkoh Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) and Bragg Crystal Spectrometer (BCS) are used to obtain the differential emission measure (DEM) of solar flare soft X-ray plasma. The maximum entropy method is used to obtain the DEM for 80 flares observed by SXT and BCS from 1991 October to 1992 November. We find that it is often difficult to describe the DEM using a monotonically decreasing function; functions with a hump at high temperature are occasionally more useful. From the time history of the DEM, we show that higher temperature plasma peaks earlier and cools faster. We also show that high-temperature plasma (>16.5 MK) is more likely than low-temperature plasma to exhibit the so-called Neupert effect, in which the time derivative of the soft X-ray emission measure is similar to the light curve of the impulsive hard X-ray emission for the flare.
Speech Presentation Cues Moderate Frontal EEG Asymmetry in Socially Withdrawn Young Adults.

Socially withdrawn individuals display solitary behavior across wide contexts with both unfamiliar and familiar peers. This tendency to withdraw may be driven by either past or anticipated negative social encounters. In addition, socially withdrawn individuals often exhibit right frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry at baseline and when under stress. In the current study we examined shifts in frontal EEG activity in young adults (N=41) at baseline, as they viewed either an anxiety-provoking or a benign speech video, and as they subsequently prepared for their own speech. Results indicated that right frontal EEG activity increased, relative to the left, only for socially withdrawn participants exposed to the anxious video. These results suggest that contextual affective cues may prime an individual’s response to stress, particularly if they illustrate or substantiate an anticipated negative event.
Supervised networks that self-organize class outputs

Supervised, neural network, learning algorithms have proved very successful at solving a variety of learning problems; however, they suffer from a common problem of requiring explicit output labels. In this article, it is shown that pattern classification can be achieved, in a multilayered, feedforward, neural network, without requiring explicit output labels, by a process of supervised self-organization. The class projection is achieved by optimizing appropriate within-class uniformity and between-class discernibility criteria. The mapping function and the class labels are developed together iteratively using the derived self organizing backpropagation algorithm. The ability of the self-organizing network to generalize on unseen data is also experimentally evaluated on real data sets and compares favorably with the traditional labeled supervision with neural networks. In addition, interesting features emerge out of the proposed self-organizing supervision, which are absent in conventional approaches.
Digital Analysis of Crime Statistics: Does Crime Conform to Benford’s Law?

Benford’s law suggests that the distribution of leading (leftmost) digits in data of an anomalous nature (i.e., without relationship) will conform to a formula of logarithmic intervals known as the Benford distribution. Forensic auditors have successfully used digital analysis vis-a-vis the Benford distribution to detect financial fraud, while government investigators have used a corollary of the distribution (focused on trailing digits) to detect scientific fraud in medical research. This study explored whether crime statistics are Benford distributed. We examined crime statistics at the National, State, and local level in order to test for conformity to the Benford distribution, and found that National- and State-level summary UCR data conform to Benford’s law. When National data were disaggregated by offense type we found varying degrees of conformity, with murder, rape, and robbery indicating less conformity than other offense types. Some tentative implications of these findings are discussed, as are areas for further research.
Bioavailability of Oil-Based and β-Lactoglobulin-Complexed Vitamin A in a Rat Model

β-Lactoglobulin is capable of binding fat-soluble compounds including vitamin A palmitate and is suggested to specifically enhance intestinal uptake of retinol. In this study, bioavailability of a vitamin-A-retinyl palmitate complex in skim milk and in water-based liquids was investigated in vitamin-A-depleted rats. First, rats were fed a vitamin-A-free pellet diet for 6 wk and were thereafter gavage-fed with vitamin A in oil, vitamin-A-β-lactoglobulin complex, vitamin A in oil
A miniature, rechargeable, cordless electrocautery for neurosurgery.

Abstract A microcautery is described that is cordless, rechargeable, and can be built from readily available, inexpensive parts.
Recombinant expression, purification, and kinetic characterization of chondroitinase AC and chondroitinase B from Flavobacterium heparinum.

Abstract Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are a family of complex polysaccharides involved in a diversity of biological processes, ranging from cell signaling to blood coagulation. Chondroitin sulfate (CS) and dermatan sulfate (DS) comprise a biologically important subset of GAGs. Two of the important lyases that degrade CS/DS, chondroitinase AC (EC 4.2.2.5) and chondroitinase B (no EC number), have been isolated and cloned from Flavobacterium heparinum. In this study, we outline an improved methodology for the recombinant expression and purification of these chondroitinases, thus enabling the functional characterization of the recombinant form of the enzymes for the first time. Utilizing an N-terminal 6× histidine tag, the recombinant chondroitinases were produced by two unique expression systems, each of which can be purified to homogeneity in a single chromatographic step. The products of exhaustive digestion of chondroitin-4SO4 and chondroitin-6SO4 with chondroitinase AC and dermatan sulfate with chondroitinase B were analyzed by strong-anion exchange chromatography and a novel reverse-polarity capillary electrophoretic technique. In addition, the Michaelis–Menten parameters were determined for these enzymes. With chondroitin-4SO4 as the substrate, the recombinantly expressed chondroitinase AC has a Km of 0.8 μM and a kcat of 234 s−1. This is the first report of kinetic parameters for chondroitinase AC with this substrate. With chondroitin-6SO4 as the substrate, the enzyme has a Km of 0.6 μM and a kcat of 480 s−1. Recombinantly expressed chondroitinase B has a Km of 4.6 μM and a kcat of 190 s−1 for dermatan sulfate as its substrate. Efficient recombinant expression of the chondroitinases will facilitate the structure–function characterization of these enzymes and allow for the development of the chondroitinases as enzymatic tools for the fine characterization and sequencing of CS/DS.
Intrastriatal cografts of autologous adrenal medulla and sural nerve in MPTP-induced parkinsonian macaques: Behavioral and anatomical assessment

To examine the effects of autologous sural nerve and adrenal medullary tissue intrastriatal cografts upon voluntary motor performance in parkinsonism, a non-human primate 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) model was employed to quantitatively assess skilled hand movements. Motor performance was studied in normal, MPTP-induced parkinsonian, and then cografted states. Reaction and movement times were prolonged and variability increased in experimental and control animals in the parkinsonian state. Animals undergoing autologous cografts demonstrated improved motor performance whereas the control animal continued in a chronic, stable parkinsonian state. Intrastriatal cografts of autologous adrenal medullary tissue and sural nerve resulted in good to excellent chromaffin cell survival. The mechanism of the restoration of function in the cografted monkeys remains to be determined.
TCF7L2 single nucleotide polymorphisms, cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

Aims/hypothesis We hypothesised that TCF7L2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and that the associations differ in diabetic and non-diabetic persons.
Estrogenic control of uterine enzymes.

Abstract Poly(A)-rich RNA was separated from the mass of uterine RNA by binding it into a polyuridylic acid-sepharose 4B column and then eluting it at pH 9. Uteri from rats injected with estradiol 1 hr previously and incubated in 3H-cytidine for 60 min yielded a poly(A)-rich RNA with a specific activity 2.5-fold greater than that of poly(A)-rich RNA from uteri of rats not given estradiol. The poly(A)-rich RNA from the uteri of estrogen-treated rats, when instilled in amounts of 0.1 μg into the lumen of the uterus of an immature rat, increased protein synthesis and the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and ornithine decarboxylase compared to the contralateral horn instilled with poly(A)-rich RNA from the uteri of control rats. When poly(A)-rich RNA was added to the incubation medium containing explants of immature uteri maintained in organ culture, it increased the incorporation of uniformly labeled amino acids into protein. The mass of RNA not bound by the poly-U column does not increase protein synthesis or enzyme activity when instilled into the uterine lumen.
Effect of Surface Profile Structure on Stability of Friction and Wear

This paper describes the role of surface texture parameters of bodies in contact on friction coefficient and wear rate. Experiments are done on wear friction testing machine that allows dynamically tracking friction coefficient and wear rate of surfaces in contact under heavy-duty boundary lubrication conditions. Experiments based on conforming steel 4340 -bronze SAE 40 friction couple showed the role of profile characteristics of bodies in contact such as skewness and bearing length ratio. Experimental results demonstrated that for surfaces with similar roughness, waviness and profile parameters, a surface with skewness higher than −1.3 invokes instability in test parameters causing fast climb of friction coefficient and increased mass loss.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Line-spring model for surface cracks in a reissner plate

In this paper the line-spring model developed by Rice and Levy for a surface crack in elastic plates is reconsidered. The problem is formulated by using Reissner's plate bending theory. For the plane strain problem of a strip containing an edge crack and subjected to tension and bending new expressions for stress intensity factors are used which are valid up to a depth-to-thickness ratio of 0.8. The stress intensity factors for a semi-elliptic and a rectangular crack are calculated. Considering the simplicity of the technique and the severity of the underlying assumptions, the results compare rather well with the existing finite element solutions.
Innovative design within the lines: an expert critique of the Xbox 360 design process

This panel session is a real-world critique of the design process and the results of a large design project. A team of outside experts from academia and industry will openly critique and discuss with the audience the lessons that can be learned and theories that can be applied to their own work. The primary example will be the Xbox 360, whose team will be describing and showing the intimate details of their work.The goal is to provide audience members a behind-the-scenes look into the actual process used to solve design problems behind the Xbox 360, to hear expert critique of the process and results, and to engage in an open and entertaining question & answer session.
An Accidental Autogenous Transplantation of a Mammary Carcinoma to the Thigh During a Skin-Graft Operation: A Case Report

A review of the literature reveals a paucity of reported instances of distant intentional or non-intentional transplantation of carcinoma in the same patient. Such a phenomenon differs from local recurrence following operation, and also from distant metastasis. Again it is unlike the interesting case, described by Lecene and Lacassagne (1), of a medical student who, while aspirating serum from the wound following a radical mastectomy, accidentally injected some of the fluid into the deep tissues of the palm of his hand. Two years later a carcinoma appeared at the site of the inoculation, and despite the lack of microscopic resemblance, was regarded as being in all probability a transplanted mammary carcinoma. Cornil (2) speaks of an instance where a spindle-cell sarcoma of one breast was transplanted to the opposite breast. When the transplant had attained the size of an almond it was removed and histologically confirmed as the original process. This seems to be the only case on record where such a transplantation was deliberately made. Ewing (3) states: “From the period when vaccine treatment was very widely employed, I have learned of four cases in which tumors grew from injected unkilled cells in the vaccine…. The study of spontaneous tumor metastases removes the necessity of experimental evidence in this field.”
Breastfeeding and Autism Spectrum Disorder in the National Survey of Children's Health.

BACKGROUND Breastfeeding is thought to promote healthy cognitive development. A small number of studies have also reported a protective association between breastfeeding and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The National Survey of Children's Health (2007, 2011), a large nationally representative survey of US children, was examined to determine whether breastfeeding of infants is associated with later development of ASD. METHODS Respondents with a child ages 2-5 years (n = 37,901) were queried about whether their child was currently diagnosed with ASD and about their child's breastfeeding history. Additional information was available about child and family health history and family demographics. Survey-weighted logistic regressions were employed to examine ASD diagnosis as associated with several breastfeeding exposure metrics including a history of partial or exclusive breastfeeding for the first 3 or 6 months, and duration of partial or exclusive breastfeeding. RESULTS Across models, a current diagnosis of ASD (n = 391) was unassociated with any measure of breastfeeding history. Adjusted odds ratios for categorical breastfeeding exposures ranged from 0.68 (confidence interval [CI] = 0.4, 1.3) for any partial breastfeeding to 0.74 (CI = 0.3, 1.7) for 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding. When exposure was measured continuously, adjusted odds ratios were 1.03 (CI = 0.97, 1.10) for each additional month of partial breastfeeding and 1.04 (CI = 0.96, 1.13) for each additional month of exclusive breastfeeding. CONCLUSION These findings call into question the results from the small body of research that has examined this issue to date.
RAIL VEHICLE ENERGY DISSIPATION DUE TO LATERAL VEHICLE TRACK INTERACTIONS

SUMMARY The average resistance of a loaded freight vehicle resulting from contact patch and suspension friction is estimated under a variety of conditions: on tangent and curved track, dry and lubricated rails, AAR and Heumann profiles, and conventional and radial truck designs. Resistance is a strong function of track roughness when running on tangent track; however, above 2 degrees of curve, total losses are nearly independent of track perturbations, particularly on dry rail. Lubricated track reduces both contact patch and total resistance on both curved and straight sections, but suspension losses between sideframe and bolster increase in lubricated curves over that observed on dry rail. It is shown that radial trucks offer significant reductions in frictional losses under a wide range of operating conditions. The tangent track stability is greater than other vehicle combinations considered.
Acetic acid vapor levels associated with facial prosthetics

The use of Silastic Medical Adhesive Type A in the fabrication of facial prostheses may cause health hazards to the patient and the operator because of acetic acid emissions. Caution must be exercised to remove acetic acid vapors from the air and unliberated acetic acid from material applied directly to the skin.
Shock waves in curved beams

The paper investigates the propagation of shock waves in linearly elastic curved beams. The propagation of conditions are determined and the equations which govern their growth and decay are determined. We treat in detail shock waves in an orthotropic, simple curved beam.
Protein-Based Thermoplastic Elastomers

Investigations of high molecular weight recombinant protein triblock copolymers demon- strate unique opportunities to systematically modify material microstructure on both nano- and meso- length scales in a manner not been previously demonstrated for protein polymer systems. Significantly, through the biosynthesis of BAB-type copolymers containing flanking, plastic-like end blocks and an elastomeric midblock, virtually cross-linked protein-based materials were generated that exhibit tunable properties in a manner completely analogous to synthetic thermoplastic elastomers. Through the rational choice of processing conditions that control meso- and nanoscale structure, changes of greater than 3 orders of magnitude in Young's modulus (0.03-35 MPa) and 5-fold in elongation to break (250-1300%) were observed. Extensibility of this range or magnitude has not been previously reported for virtually cross-linked copolymers that have been produced by either chemical or biosynthetic approaches. We anticipate that these versatile protein-based thermoplastic elastomers will find applications as novel scaffolds for tissue engineering and as new biomaterials for controlled drug release and cell encapsulation.
Gene sequence variability of the three surface proteins of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) in Texas.

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) has three surface glycoproteins: small hydrophobic (SH), attachment (G) and fusion (F), encoded by three consecutive genes (SH-G-F). A 270-nt fragment of the G gene is used to genotype HRSV isolates. This study genotyped and investigated the variability of the gene and amino acid sequences of the three surface proteins of HRSV strains collected from 1987 to 2005 from one center. Sixty original clinical isolates and 5 prototype strains were analyzed. Sequences containing SH, F and G genes were generated, and multiple alignments and phylogenetic trees were analyzed. Genetic variability by protein domains comparing virus genotypes was assessed. Complete sequences of the SH-G-F genes were obtained for all 65 samples: HRSV-A = 35; HRSV-B = 30. In group A strains, genotypes GA5 and GA2 were predominant. For HRSV-B strains, the genotype GB4 was predominant from 1992 to 1994 and only genotype BA viruses were detected in 2004-2005. Different genetic variability at nucleotide level was detected between the genes, with G gene being the most variable and the highest variability detected in the 270-nt G fragment that is frequently used to genotype the virus. High variability (>10%) was also detected in the signal peptide and transmembrane domains of the F gene of HRSV A strains. Variability among the HRSV strains resulting in non-synonymous changes was detected in hypervariable domains of G protein, the signal peptide of the F protein, a not previously defined domain in the F protein, and the antigenic site O in the pre-fusion F. Divergent trends were observed between HRSV -A and -B groups for some functional domains. A diverse population of HRSV -A and -B genotypes circulated in Houston during an 18 year period. We hypothesize that diverse sequence variation of the surface protein genes provide HRSV strains a survival advantage in a partially immune-protected community.