cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Non-invasive pre-clinical MR imaging of prostate tumor hypoxia for radiation therapy prognosis

Purpose: To investigate the usefulness of Oxygen-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (OE-MRI) changes in signal intensity related to oxygen challenge for predicting tumor response to radiation therapy. Methods : Dynamic MR signal changes were acquired using Varian 4.7T small animal MR scanner prior to image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) of small ( n = 6) and large subcutaneous ( n = 5) prostate tumors in adult male rats. An interleaved blood-oxygen level dependent (BOLD) and tissue-oxygen level dependent (TOLD) data acquisition or (IBT) was performed using a baseline of medical air as positive control and using medical oxygen as a breathing challenge. BOLD used a 2-D multi-slice spoiled gradient-echo with multi-echo sequence. TOLD used a 2-D multi-slice spoiled gradient-echo sequence. Voxel changes in signal intensity were determined by a correlation coefficient mapping technique. Irradiation technique planned consisted of 1F × 15 Gy AP/PA or 2F × 7.5 Gy AP/PA to the gross tumor volume (GTV). Tumor growth measurements were recorded over time to assess the response to IGRT. Results: BOLD and TOLD signals variously illustrated positive or negative impulse responses in the tumor ROI due to inhaling medical oxygen. Correlation coefficient mapping demonstrated heterogeneity in tumors after inhaling medical oxygen. BOLD and TOLD signals exhibited increased changes in signal intensities after the first fraction of dose. Multi-fractionation had minimum effect until the second fraction of dose was applied. Tumor growth delays were observed when inhaling medical oxygen during IGRT. Conclusion : OE-MRI is a non-invasive imaging modality that can provide insight to the oxygen status of tumors. Observed increase percent changes in BOLD and TOLD signal intensities after the first fraction of dose suggest tumors experienced reoxygenation. OE-MRI could be used for predicting tumor response to IGRT when using medical oxygen for increasing GTV radiosensitivity, suggesting patient stratification for clinical implementation. ------------------------------ Cite this article as: White DA, Mason RP. Non-invasive pre-clinical MR imaging of prostate tumor hypoxia for radiation therapy prognosis. Int J Cancer Ther Oncol 2014; 2(2):020243. DOI: 10.14319/ijcto.0202.43
Late-blooming societies can be stimulated by information technology

Abstract About 50 societies in the world have been unable to make significant progress toward development over the last several decades, despite various kinds of assistance. Information technology is a powerful new tool that has not yet been applied. It can strongly reinforce and redirect more familiar programs, and expedite others, such as education, micro-enterprise formation, community-oriented non-government organizations, family size limitation, social communications, financial management and stabilization of politics. Introducing much more information makes possible efficient consumption. A good, sustainable quality of life, with minimal consumption of natural resources, seems to be a superior goal for development. Here it is proposed that the target conditions should be ‘happiness’, ranging from serenity (achieving order, internal calm to delight) to spontaneous, infectious forms (well-being, fun and joy). Sociologists have developed quite robust measures over the last several decades. Happiness comes cheaply, because it need not involve massive infrastructure, fuel or other expensive inputs. Accelerated progress will require some new institutions using information appropriately. The outlook for funding from foundations created by the information technology billionaire entrepreneurs is promising after current risks of loss have diminished. The same technology would enable affluent people to adopt lives of voluntary simplicity. Consumption at a quarter of Euro–American levels requires only a little planning, and a tenth of those levels seems possible with careful organization and discipline. Then people would be able to move easily to late-blooming societies which accelerated progress through their choice of the happiness path to development. Simultaneously, some talented, energetic individuals who started poor could use the Internet to gain entry into the circle of world servers within a lifetime.
Enhanced osteocalcin expression by osteoblast-like cells (MC3T3-E1) exposed to bioactive coating glass (SiO2–CaO–P2O5–MgO–K2O–Na2O system) ions

This study tested the hypothesis that bioactive coating glass (SiO(2)-CaO-P(2)O(5)-MgO-K(2)O-Na(2)O system), used for implant coatings, enhanced the induction of collagen type 1 synthesis and in turn enhanced the expression of downstream markers alkaline phosphatase, Runx2 and osteocalcin during osteoblast differentiation. The ions from experimental bioactive glass (6P53-b) and commercial Bioglass(TM) (45S5) were added to osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 subclone 4 cultures as a supplemented ion extract (glass conditioned medium (GCM)). Ion extracts contained significantly higher concentrations of Si and Ca (Si, 47.9+/-10.4 ppm; Ca, 69.8+/-14.0 for 45S5; Si, 33.4+/-3.8 ppm; Ca, 57.1+/-2.8 ppm for 6P53-b) compared with the control extract (Si<0.1 ppm, Ca 49.0 ppm in alpha-MEM) (ANOVA, p<0.05). Cell proliferation rate was enhanced (1.5x control) within the first 3 days after adding 45S5 and 6P53-b GCM. MC3T3-E1 subclone 4 cultures were then studied for their response to the addition of test media (GCM and control medium along with ascorbic acid (AA; 50 ppm)). Each GCM+AA treatment enhanced collagen type 1 synthesis as observed in both gene expression results (day 1, Col1alpha1, 45S5 GCM+AA: 3x control+AA; 6P53-b GCM+AA: 4x control+AA; day 5, Col1alpha2, 45S5 GCM+AA: 3.15x control+AA; 6P53-b GCM+AA: 2.35x control+AA) and in histological studies (Picrosirius stain) throughout the time course of early differentiation. Continued addition of each GCM and AA treatment led to enhanced expression of alkaline phosphatase (1.4x control+AA after 5 days, 2x control+AA after 10 days), Runx2 (2x control+AA after 7 days) and osteocalcin gene (day 3, 45S5 GCM+AA: 14x control+AA; day 5, 6P53-b GCM+AA: 19x control+AA) and protein expression (40x-70x control+AA after 6 days). These results indicated the enhanced effect of bioactive glass ions on key osteogenic markers important for the bone healing process.
Hollow laser self-confined plasma for extreme ultraviolet lithography and other applications

Laser-produced plasma (LPP) devices are being developed as a light source for the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography applications. One concern of such devices is to increase the conversion efficiency of laser energy to EUV light. A new idea based on the initiation and confinement of cumulative plasma jet inside a hollow laser beam is developed and simulated. The integrated computer model (HEIGHTS) was used to simulate the plasma behavior and the EUV radiation output in the LPP devices. The model takes into account plasma heat conduction and magnetohydrodynamic processes in a two-temperature approximation, as well as detailed photon radiation transport in 3D Monte Carlo model. The model employs cylindrical 2D version of a total variation-diminishing scheme (for the plasma hydrodynamics) and an implicit scheme with the sparse matrix linear solver (to describe heat conduction). Numerical simulations showed that the EUV efficiency of the proposed hollow-beam LPP device to be higher than the current standard devices.
The tanh method and a variable separated ODE method for solving double sine-Gordon equation

We use the tanh method and a variable separated ODE method for solving the double sine-Gordon equation and a generalized form of this equation. Several exact travelling wave solutions are formally derived. The two methods provide distinct solutions of different physical structures.
Optimization of a Biomimetic Transamination Reaction

For a range of protein substrates, N-terminal transamination offers a convenient way to install a reactive ketone or aldehyde functional group at a single location. We report herein the effects of the identity of N-terminal residues on the product distribution generated upon reaction with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP). This study was accomplished through the combination of solid-phase peptide synthesis with detailed liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Many N-terminal amino acids provided high yields of the desired transaminated products, but some residues (His, Trp, Lys, and Pro) generated adducts with PLP itself. N-terminal Cys and Ser residues were observed to undergo beta-elimination in addition to transamination, and the transamination product of N-terminal Gln was resistant to subsequent oxime formation attempts. The information generated through the screening of peptide substrates was successfully applied to a protein target, changing an initially unreactive terminus into one that could be modified in high (70%) yield. Thus, these studies have increased our predictive power for the reaction, both in terms of improving conversion and suppressing reaction byproducts. An initial set of guidelines that may be used to increase the applicability of this reaction to specific proteins of interest is provided.
Opioids increase potassium conductance in submucous neurones of guinea-pig caecum by activating δ-receptors

Abstract Intracellular records were made from neurones in the submucous plexus of the guinea-pig caecum. [Met5]enkephalin, [Leu5]enkephalin, [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE) and [D-Ser2,Leu5]enkephalin-Thr (DSLET) hyperpolarized the membrane when applied in concentrations of 30 nm-10 microM. Normorphine, [D-Ala2, MePhe4,Gly5]enkephalin-ol (DAGO), [D-Ala2,MePhe4,Met(0)5]enkephalin-ol (FK33824), dynorphin A and tifluadom had no effect at concentrations up to 10 microM. The hyperpolarization resulted from an increase in the membrane potassium conductance. Hyperpolarizations induced by [Met5]enkephalin were antagonized competitively by naloxone and by N-bisallyl[aminoisobutyrate2,3, Leu5]enkephalin (ICI 174864). The Schild plots for these antagonisms had slopes not different from one, and the dissociation equilibrium constants among individual neurones were 5-50 nM for naloxone and 5-60 nM for ICI 174864. The results indicate that the opioid receptors on guinea-pig submucous neurones which are coupled to potassium channels are of the delta-type.
THE PRIMARY IMMUNE RESPONSE IN MICE II. CELLULAR RESPONSES OF LYMPHOID TISSUE ACCOMPANYING THE ENHANCEMENT OR COMPLETE SUPPRESSION OF ANTIBODY FORMATION BY A BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN

The effects of a single injection of a bacterial endotoxin on the cellular changes of a primary immune response to a standard dose of sheep red blood cells were studied in the spleens and mesenteric lymph nodes of mice. Daily histological comparisons of these organs in mice, injected with endotoxin, or with antigen, or both, showed that endotoxin given simultaneously with sheep red blood cells, as antigen, significantly enhanced all of the cellular changes that appear in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleens of mice that form antibody when that antigen is given alone. First, in the white pulp of the spleens and cortical regions of the nodes, there appeared an early and excessive proliferation of the large pyroninophilic cells which seems to be responsible for the earliest formation of antibody, as judged by this work and that of others cited in the body of the paper. Polymorphonuclear cells invaded the spleens of these animals early after simultaneous challenge with antigen and endotoxin, and in far greater numbers than have ever been seen in mice given the same antigen without endotoxin. "Activated" germinal centers formed in the lymphoid tissue either 1 day before the appearance of antibody in the blood stream or on the same day, and they became larger than in the mice given antigen only. On the other hand, these specific and characteristic cellular changes failed to appear in mice prevented from forming any antibody at all by injections of endotoxin given 2 days before the antigenic challenge. These findings are discussed in the light provided by data from recent reports of others as well as in the light of the accompanying paper (1) which demonstrated not only the enhancement of antibody formation following simultaneous injections of antigen and endotoxin, as already known, but a totally unexpected, complete suppression of its formation when endotoxin was given 2 days before antigen.
Transgenic canola and soybean seeds with increased lysine.

We have increased the lysine content in the seeds of canola and soybean plants by circumventing the normal feedback regulation of two enzymes of the biosynthetic pathway, aspartokinase (AK) and dihydrodipicolinic acid synthase (DHDPS). Lysine-feedback-insensitive bacterial DHDPS and AK enzymes encoded by the Corynebacterium dapA gene and a mutant E. coli lysC gene, respectively, were linked to a chloroplast transit peptide and expressed from a seed-specific promoter in transgenic canola and soybean seeds. Expression of Corynebacterium DHDPS resulted in more than a 100-fold increase hi the accumulation of free lysine in the seeds of canola; total seed lysine content approximately doubled. Expression of Corynebacterium DHDPS plus lysine-insensitive E. coli AK in soybean transformants similarly caused several hundred-fold increases in free lysine and increased total seed lysine content by as much as 5-fold. Accumulation of α-amino adipic acid (AA) in canola and saccharopine in soybean, which are intermediates in lysine catabolism, was also observed.
Experiments on the spelling-to-sound regularity effect in word recognition

University of California, San Diego, California 92037 Subjects responded faster to words with regular spelling-to-sound correspondences than to words with irregular correspondences in both a naming task and a lexical decision task. The locus of the small, but significant, regularity effect was investigated in further experiments. When subjects were forced to respond faster than usual, via a response-deadline technique, no regularity effect was apparent in either their reaction times or error rates. In another experiment, no Regularity by Stimulus Quality interaction was obtained. It was concluded that the phonological recoding implied by the existence of the regularity effect takes place subsequent to lexical access.
In vivo MRS measurement of liver lipid levels in mice

A magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) procedure for in vivo measurement of lipid levels in mouse liver is described and validated. The method uses respiratory-gated, localized spectroscopy to collect proton spectra from voxels within the mouse liver. Bayesian probability theory analysis of these spectra allows the relative intensities of the lipid and water resonances within the liver to be accurately measured. All spectral data were corrected for measured spin-spin relaxation. A total of 48 mice were used in this study, including wild-type mice and two different transgenic mouse strains. Different groups of these mice were fed high-fat or low-fat diets or liquid diets with and without the addition of alcohol. Proton spectra were collected at baseline and, subsequently, every 4 weeks for up to 16 weeks. Immediately after the last MRS measurement, mice were killed and their livers analyzed for triglyceride level by conventional wet-chemistry methods. The excellent correlation between in vivo MRS and ex vivo wet-chemistry determinations of liver lipids validates the MRS method. These results clearly demonstrate that in vivo MRS will be an extremely valuable technique for longitudinal studies aimed at providing important insights into the genetic, environmental, and dietary factors affecting fat deposition and accumulation within the mouse liver.
The Balkan Merchants: Changing Borders and Informal Transnationalization

Abstract In the Balkans transnationalism is currently associated with foreign interventions and organized crime. In between these extremes, rests a vast area of informal or ‘grey’ economy. This burgeoning transnational activity, which eludes official statistics, invites comparisons with the Balkan's last truly transnational period: the merchant-based economy of the late Ottoman Empire. Against such a historical backdrop contemporary informal and illicit trade in the Balkans proves to be an integral part of the world economy, a local response to the rise of global merchant networks, and a zone of sovereign exception which has affirmed and enabled the continuing existence of the international state system through a period of significant economic and political turbulence.
Effects of a Story Map on Accelerated Reader Postreading Test Scores in Students With High-Functioning Autism

In this study, three elementary-aged boys with high-functioning autism (HFA) were taught to use a graphic organizer called a Story Map as a postreading tool during language arts instruction. Students learned to accurately complete the Story Map. The effect of the intervention on story recall was assessed within the context of a multiple-baseline design across participants as measured by performance on modified Accelerated Reader quizzes. Positive effects were achieved quickly and maintained throughout the study. During choice and maintenance conditions, two participants rarely chose to use the graphic organizer, a visual prompt that may have been self-faded during intervention. Results show that a Story Map may be a useful graphic organizer for elementary schoolteachers who have children with HFA in their classrooms.
Ultrafast Photoionization Dynamics of Indole in Water

Indole in aqueous solution is photoionized near threshold following single photon absorption from a femtosecond laser pulse at 260 nm. Transient absorption measurements are performed using a white-light continuum probe pulse. Excited state absorption of neutral indole molecules is characterized accurately in 1-propanol where photoexcitation at 260 nm does not lead to photoionization. The presence of 0.75 M carbon tetrachloride in a solution of indole/1-propanol leads to the formation of indole radical cations on a picosecond time scale. While solvated electrons are formed in aqueous indole within our time resolution of 200 fs, measurements of the transient absorbance out to 100 ps are flat and indicate that geminate recombination is insignificant on this time scale. This result contrasts sharply with the geminate recombination dynamics observed following the photoionization of neat water. This indicates that the bimolecular reaction between indole radical cations and solvated electrons is considerably slo...
Hyperthermic response of the cat to intraventricular injection of the opioid delta-receptor agonist D-Ala2D-Leu5enkephalin

Abstract The δ opioid receptor agonist D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin was injected into the third cerebral ventricle of cats to determine its effects on core temperature for comparison with other peptide and non-peptide opioids that act on a variety of receptors to alter thermoregulation. Like other opioid peptides that have been studied in this species, D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin (5–25 μg) induced a dose-related hyperthermia. This response was undiminished in cats tolerant to morphine and was found to consist of two components. One component of the hyperthermic response was inhibited by pretreatment with low doses of opioid antagonists (25μg naloxone; 5–15μg naltrexone) and may be mediated by the v2-receptor that mediates this response to D-Ala2-Met-enkephalinamide. The other component, which was prevented by 100μg naltrexone but still only partially inhibited by 250 μ naloxone, is attributed to δ-receptor stimulation. In tests over a range of environmental temperatures, the hyperthermic response to 10μg D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin was less in a 4°C environment than at the usual laboratory temperature of 22°C. Responses in 22 and 34°C environments were similar. No increase in respiratory rate occurred to indicate activation of compensatory heat-loss mechanisms so that the hyperthermia was indicative of an increase in the level about which body temperature is regulated.
Getting the Point: Empathic Understanding in Nondirective Client-Centered Therapy / Das Wesentliche erfassen: Empathisches Verstehen in der Nicht-Direktiven Klientenzentrierten Therapie / Apuntando a dos metas: comprensión empática en la terapia no-directiva centrada en el cliente / Comprendre l'essence: la compréhension empathique dans la thérapie non-directive centrée sur le client / Descodificando o sentido: a compreensão empática na terapia não-directiva centrada no cliente /

Abstract This paper examines two targets of empathic understanding—experiences and communications—and argues that only intended communications or points are proper targets in nondirective (classical) client-centered therapy. It also describes a superordinate structure of empathy that is a basis for comparing conceptions of empathy and shares suggestions for improving empathic understanding. The larger goals of the paper are to show how a commitment to an ethical principle can have very specific implications for practice, infiltrating, as it were, territory typically left to clinical judgment, tradition, or research, and to advance an approach to training students in empathic understanding based on language use.
The Coal Miners: A Study of Union Control

Introduction, 415. — I. The structure of control, 416. — II. Appraisal of the union and of Lewis, 419. — III. Attitudes toward provisionalism, 424. — IV. The calling of strikes, 427. — V. Conclusions, 432.
A study of carbon formation and prevention in hydrocarbon-fueled SOFC

Abstract The formation and removal of the carbonaceous deposits formed by n-butane and liquid hydrocarbons, such as n-decane and proprietary light and heavy naphthas, between 973 and 1073 K on YSZ and ceria–YSZ, has been studied to determine conditions for stable operation of direct-utilization SOFC. First, it is shown that deactivation of SOFC with Cu–ceria–YSZ anodes operating on undiluted n-decane, a mixture of 80% n-decane and 20% toluene, or light naphtha at temperatures above 973 K is due to filling of the pores with polyaromatic compounds formed by gas-phase, free-radical reactions. Formation of these compounds occurs at a negligible rate below 973 K but increases rapidly above this temperature. The rate of formation also depends on the residence time of the fuel in the anode compartment. Because steam does not participate in the gas-phase reactions, carbonaceous deposits could form even at a H2O:C ratio of 1.5, a value greater than the stability threshold predicted by thermodynamic calculations. Temperature programmed oxidation (TPO) measurements with 20% H2O in He demonstrated that carbon deposits formed in pure YSZ were unreactive below 1073 K, while deposits formed on ceria-YSZ could be removed at temperatures as low as 923 K. Based on these results, we discuss strategies for avoiding carbon formation during the operation of direct-utilization anodes on oil-based liquid fuels.
Statistical models of discrete choice processes

Abstract A number of problems studied in the transportation literature, such as automobile choice, motorist route choice, and transportation mode choice, involve an agent who makes a series of discrete choices over time. This paper presents statistical models and estimation methods for such discrete choice processes , and illustrates potential applications of these methods to the transportation literature.
The role of surface defects in chemisorptive molecular dissociation — Enhancement of halocarbon reactions on Fe(110)

Specific bond breaking reactions are observed on surface defects on Fe(llO) when adsorbed layers of CCl4 or CCl2F2 are heated. For CCl2F2, CF bonds are broken at defect sites, producing FeF2 species and the: CCl2 diradical. For CC14, FeCl2species a : CCl2 species are produced at defect sites. It is shown that the yield of both: CCl2 and the corresponding iron dihalide may be enhanced by using Ar+ bombardment to produce surface defects (in a controlled manner) prior to halocarbon adsorption and reaction. Evidence for iron dihalide surface migration to produce clusters on defect sites is presented. Annealing experiments show that defects produced by Ar+ bombardment may be annealed away at temperatures below 400 K, while the defects which are naturally present on the crystal cannot be removed by annealing to T #62; 800 K.
On the Reliability of a Worst Case Designed Nonredundant Circuit

A worst case designed circuit is defined and, based on observed component failure modes, a mathematical model for circuit reliability is obtained. A special case of the general model is then considered by assuming all the component failure rates to be equal. Using this simplified model it is established that a worst case designed nonredundant circuit is more reliable than the product of the reliabilities of its components. The mean time to failure (MTTF) is computed and it is shown that, for particular extreme values of the parameter p, the MTTF assumes the classical forms more frequently seen in the literature.
Frequency distribution signatures and classification of within-object pixels

The premise of geographic object-based image analysis (GEOBIA) is that image objects are composed of aggregates of pixels that correspond to earth surface features of interest. Most commonly, image-derived objects (segments) or objects associated with predefined land units (e.g., agricultural fields) are classified using parametric statistical characteristics (e.g., mean and standard deviation) of the within-object pixels. The objective of this exploratory study was to examine the between- and within-class variability of frequency distributions of multispectral pixel values, and to evaluate a quantitative measure and classification rule that exploits the full pixel frequency distribution of within object pixels (i.e., histogram signatures) compared to simple parametric statistical characteristics. High spatial resolution Quickbird satellite multispectral data of Accra, Ghana were evaluated in the context of mapping land cover and land use and socioeconomic status. Results show that image objects associated with land cover and land use types can have characteristic, non-normal frequency distributions (histograms). Signatures of most image objects tended to match closely the training signature of a single class or sub-class. Curve matching approaches to classifying multi-pixel frequency distributions were found to be slightly more effective than standard statistical classifiers based on a nearest neighbor classifier.
Propagation-Invariant Classification of Signals in Channels with Dispersion and Damping

We consider the classification utility of time- domain moment-like features of a wave that are invariant to dispersion and damping. Simulations of the sonar backscatter from metallic shells in a dispersive, damped waveguide are conducted for single mode and multi-mode propagation. Random variations in the waveguide parameters are also investigated. Results show our invariant moment features have greater discriminability, as quantified by ROC curves, at low false alarm rates when compared to ordinary temporal moments, and the invariant features perform best for single mode propagation.
Heterogenous effects of exogenous lymphokines on lymphoproliferation of elderly subjects

Abstract Although the ability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a population of elderly subjects (mean age 85.3) to proliferate in response to the T cell mitogens phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A) is significantly reduced compared to young subjects (mean age 24.7), the response of the elderly subjects is heterogenous. While 47% of the elderly subjects responded at about half the level of young controls, 15% responded at less than 20% the level and the remaining 38% responded comparably to young controls. Similar heterogeneity was observed in lymphokine production. However, there was no significant correlation between the level of proliferative response and production of either interleukin 2 (IL-2) or interferon gamma (IFN-g). In an effort to further explore the role of lymphokines in the decreased proliferative response of elderly subjects, various concentrations of exogenous IL-2 and/or IFN-γ were added at the initiation of the mitogen stimulated cultures. Similar increases in both the level of response and the number of subjects demonstrating an increase was observed for both young and elderly subjects upon addition of either IL-2 or IFN-γ. However, addition of a combination of IL-2 and IFN produced more pronounced effects in the elderly subjects. Approximately 1 3 of the elderly subjects who demonstrated decreased PHA-induced proliferation doubled their PHA induced proliferative response upon addition of a combination of lymphokines. The amounts of IL-2 and IFN-γ required for this increase varied for each individual. These results indicate that lymphokines can restore the proliferative response of only some elderly subjects and that the concentrations of lymphokines required for this effect need to be determined for each individual.
SELF-PRESENTATION STRATEGIES ON THE NEO-FIVE FACTOR INVENTORY: IMPLICATIONS FOR DETECTING FAKING

The vulnerability of the NEO-Five Factor Inventory to self-presentation strategies was assessed through manipulation of instructional set. Research participants were randomly assigned to one of fiv...
Female Trouble: The Menstrual Self-Evaluation Scale and Women's Self-Objectification:

Strong cultural messages are sent to women that their bodies are unacceptable as they are, thus encouraging engagement in a variety of body-altering practices. It seems that one of the obligations that women have in a culture that sexually objectifies their bodies is to conceal their bodies' more physical functions, such as menstruation. A new scale was constructed to measure women's attitudes and emotions toward menstruation. A study was conducted to test the relationship between self-objectification and women's menstrual self-evaluations. Results showed that women who internalize a more sexually objectified view of their physical selves have more negative attitudes and emotions, including disgust and shame, toward their own menstrual cycles.
Pediatric trauma: enabling factors, social situations, and outcome.

OBJECTIVES: 1) To determine, for severely injured pediatric patients, which enabling factors and social situations are associated with the most severe and costly injuries; 2) to determine which subsets of patients are affected by particular enabling factors; and 3) to determine which enabling factors are associated with death. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients included in a pediatric trauma registry at a level I trauma center, plus review of medical examiner reports for deaths declared at the scene for one year. Abstracted data included age, gender, enabling factors (e.g., abuse/assault, neglect, endangerment, and nonuse of safety measures), mechanisms of injury, Injury Severity Scale (ISS) score, length of stay, need for intensive care unit (ICU) care, and expense. RESULTS: Records were reviewed for 336 identified children. There was a 2:1 male-to-female ratio; 9.5% died, 3.5% at the scene. Active endangerment or neglect was associated with death (p = 0.0004). However, the nonuse of safety devices was more common and resulted in a higher absolute number of deaths. Similarly, while inadvertent gunshot wounds, intentional injury, and environmental mishaps were more commonly lethal, motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) were more common and claimed the most lives. Cost was highest for the patients aged 14-16 years, in part reflecting the larger number of MVCs. CONCLUSION: The severity of pediatric trauma is largely influenced by the mechanism of injury. Our data highlight the importance of enabling factors for such injuries overall and as a function of age group (reflecting developmental status). While injury prevention education for caregivers is necessary, the incorporation of passive safety measures also is vital for decreasing injuries and their severity. Language: en
Calcium · calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and calcium · phospholipid-dependent protein kinase activities in rat tissues assayed with a synthetic peptide

Rat tissue levels of Ca2+ · calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (protein kinase II) and Ca2+ · phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) were selectively assayed using the synthetic peptide syntide-2 as substrate. The sequence of syntide-2 (proleualaargthrleuservalalaglyleuprogly lyslys) is homologous to phosphorylation site 2 in glycogen synthase. The relative VmaxKm ratios of the known Ca2+-dependent protein kinases for syntide-2 were determined to be as follows: protein kinase II, 100; protein kinase C, 22; phosphorylase kinase, 2; myosin light chain kinase, 0.005. Levels of protein kinase II were highest in cerebrum (3.36 units/g tissue) and spleen (0.85 units/g) and lowest in testis (0.05 units/g) and kidney (0.04 units/g). Protein kinase II activity was localized predominantly in the 100,000g particulate fraction of cerebrum and testis, in the supernatant fraction of heart, liver, adrenal, and kidney, and about equally distributed between particulate and supernatant in spleen and lung. Likewise, protein kinase C activity was highest in cerebrum (0.56 units/g) and spleen (0.47 units/ g), and the majority of activity was present in the cytosolic fraction for all tissues measured except for cerebrum and testis in which the kinase activity was equal in both fractions. Finally, the ratios of protein kinase II to protein kinase C were different in various rat tissues and between particulate and supernatant fractions. These results suggest somewhat different functions for these two Ca2+-regulated, multifunctional protein kinases.
Shape transitions in 188Os

Abstract The finite-temperature HFB cranking equation is solved for 188Os. The phase diafram in the temperature-spin plane has several phases: cool rotating triaxial shapes, warm oblate shapes rotating about a nonsymmetry axis, and hot prolate shapes rotating about a symmetry axis. At higher temperatures there should be oblate shapes rotating about a symmetry axis. Shape fluctuations do not wash out the hot prolate noncollective phase.
Approximation Methods for Linear and Nonlinear Diffusion-Reaction Equations with Discontinuous Boundary Conditions

The least-square method of weighted residuals, an integral equation method and the finite element method are used to obtain approximate solutions to diffusion-reaction equations in two-space dimensions having discontinuous boundary conditions. It is shown through an important example from catalysis that all three methods give similar results for regular geometry and linear reaction rates. Application of the finite element method to nonlinear power-law reaction rates is also illustrated.
Carbonate geochemistry and the concentrations of aqueous Mg2+, Sr2+ and Ca2+: Western north coast of the Yucatan, Mexico

Abstract We have measured concentrations of major cations, Sr 2+ and alkalinity in groundwater, pore-water and surface-water samples collected from the western north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Thermodynamic calculations indicate that almost all water samples from the study area are supersaturated with respect to calcite, aragonite, high-Mg calcite (HMC) and dolomite. Analysis of the data suggests that the geochemical processes controlling Mg 2+ , Sr 2+ and Ca 2+ concentrations differ in different environments. Mass-balance modeling has been used to calculate the amount of dissolution and/or precipitation of aragonite, low-Mg calcite (LMC) and HMC (and/or dolomite) required to produce waters with the observed Mg 2+ , Sr 2+ and Ca 2+ concentrations. Mass-balance calculations indicate that HMC and aragonite are dissolving, whereas LMC is precipitating from most groundwater and inland surface waters. The chemistry of surface waters from an extensive saline coastal swamp suggests that LMC and aragonite in surficial swamp sediments are converted to HMC or dolomite while swamp pore-water chemistry suggests that HMC is dissolving and LMC and aragonite are precipitating in deeper swamp sediments. The chemistry of pore waters suggests that they are derived from saline surface waters and that fresh to brackish groundwater from the shallow confined aquifer does not flow into swamp sediments.
The nonsteady flow of fluids through expansible tubes

A digital computer solution of the equations of fluid motion predicts the pressures in an expansible tube through which liquid is flowing. To obtain a stable solution, it is necessary to assume that the rate of change of area with time is proportional to the rate of change of velocity with time. This assumption is shown to be a reasonable one. Calculations for the rate of travel of pressure pulses are in good agreement with experimental results.
Science- and Engineering-Related Ethics and Values Studies: Characteristics of an Emerging Field of Research

During the past decade, studies of ethical and value aspects of the interactions between science, technology, and society have begun to develop as a research area. The intellectual impetus behind this development is clear. As with all human endeavors, science and engineering involve management, and managing human endeavors requires making decisions wjth implications for human values and norms. The objective of this article is to describe and comment on the characteristics of this emerging research field. The main source of evidence is proposals funded since the mid-1970s by Ethics and Values Studies (EVS; formerly Ethics and Values in Science and Technology - EVIST) at the National Science Foundation.
Carotid angioplasty and stenting in anatomically high-risk patients: Safe and durable except for radiation-induced stenosis

Objective Carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) is used in patients considered high-risk for carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Patients qualify as high-risk because of medical comorbid conditions or for anatomic considerations (previous CEA, radical neck dissection, radiation). We compared the technical feasibility and durability of CAS in medically high-risk patients (MED) vs anatomically high-risk patients (ANAT). Methods A retrospective review was performed of all consecutive patients undergoing CAS by a single vascular surgery group. All patients were high risk and evaluated with duplex ultrasound imaging and angiography. Primary end points were technical success, 30-day stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), death, and in-stent restenosis. Standard statistical analysis included Kaplan-Meier life tables. Results From January 2003 to December 2007, 230 CAS (98 ANAT, 132 MED) procedures were attempted. The ANAT cohort comprised 84 patients with a single anatomic risk factor: 71 with a previous ipsilateral CEA, 6 high lesions, 6 history of neck radiation, and 1 with a tracheostomy. Ten patients had two or three anatomic risk factors: nine with radical neck dissection and radiation and one with neck radiation and ipsilateral CEA. The mean age was 71.1 years for ANAT vs 73.9 years for MED ( P = .021). Technical success rates were 98% in ANAT and 98.5% in MED ( P = .76). Thirty-day stroke rate was 1.0% in ANAT and 5.3% in MED ( P = .14); the mortality rate was 2.0% in ANAT and 0.8% in MED ( P = .79). The 2-year survival free from stroke was MED, 93.6% and ANAT, 98.9% ( P = .118); and from restenosis was MED, 91.9%; and ANAT, 91.0% ( P = .98). Two-year overall survival was significantly better in ANAT (84.6%) vs MED (70.1%; P = .026). Four of the seven restenoses in the ANAT group occurred in patients with previous neck radiation. The restenosis rate for radiation-induced (RAD) stenosis treated with CAS was significantly higher at 22.2% (4 of 18) compared with 3.8% (3 of 78) in ANAT group patients without a history of radiation (non-RAD; P = .028). The 2-year restenosis-free survival was 72.7% in the RAD group vs 95.9% in the non-RAD group ( P = .017). Conclusion CAS is as technically feasible, safe, and durable in anatomically high-risk patients as in medically high-risk patients, with similar rates of periprocedural stroke and death and late restenosis. However, patients with radiation-induced stenosis appear to be at an increased risk for restenosis.
CRISP: collusion-resistant incentive-compatible routing and forwarding in opportunistic networks

In opportunistic environments, tasks such as content sharing and service execution among remote devices are facilitated by relays (devices with short-range wireless connectivity) that receive data, move around, and then forward the data. To achieve high throughput, it is important to secure forwarding and provide incentives for participation by relays. However, it is extremely challenging to monitor the behavior of relays in an opportunistic network due to sparse connectivity. Existing schemes do not work when selfish/malicious relays collude with each other to forge routing metrics, drop useful data, flood the network, or earn extra reward.The credit scheme presented in this paper is the first in which routing as well as forwarding are incentive compatible. To design the scheme, the data transfer and loss in an opportunistic network are modeled as a non-linear generalized flow network. Then, optimality conditions for flow maximization describe the optimal behavior of a relay. This optimal behavior is made incentive compatible by requiring a relay to make a specific payment upon receiving the data and earn reward on forwarding the data. A cryptographic technique is used to make the scheme collusion resistant. Finally, a framework is proposed to implement CRISP in a completely distributed and opportunistic environment. Simulations on real and synthetic mobility traces validate a significant gain in throughput when compared with the existing credit schemes that are not incentive compatible.
Mitral Regurgitation Associated with Mitral Annular Dilation in Patients with Lone Atrial Fibrillation: An Echocardiographic Study

Background Whether and how lone atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with functional mitral regurgitation (MR) remain unclear. Method We studied 12 lone AF patients without left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and/or dilatation, who underwent mitral valve annuloplasty for functional mitral regurgitation (MR). Ten lone AF patients without MR served as controls. Results Lone AF Patients with MR had a greater mitral valve annular area and left atrial area than those without MR. There were no differences in LV volumes or LV ejection fraction. Conclusions Therefore, we concluded that left atrial dilation and corresponding mitral annular dilation may cause MR in lone AF patients without LV dysfunction and/or dilatation.
Clinical measurement of saturation discrimination

In this paper, we describe how a circular reflective neutral-density wedge can be used to construct an apparatus which provides a relatively rapid procedure for the clinical measurement of saturation discrimination. Subsequent to an initial measurement of the patient’s relative luminosity function, the patient need only turn a single control which varies the calorimetric purity of a test field which remains luminance matched to a white light reference field.
Further studies on using multiple-cross mapping (MCM) to map quantitative trait loci

We have completed whole-genome scans for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with acute ethanol-induced activation in the six F(2) intercrosses that can be formed from the C57BL/6J (B6), DBA/2J (D2) , BALB/cJ (C), and LP/J (LP) inbred strains. The goal was to test the hypothesis that given the relatively simple structure of the laboratory mouse genome, the same QTLs will be detected in multiple crosses which in turn will provide support for the strategy of multiple-cross mapping (MCM). QTLs with LOD scores greater than 4 were detected on Chrs 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 13, 14, and 16. Only for the QTL on distal Chr 1 was there convincing evidence that the same or at least a very similar QTL was detected in multiple crosses. We also mapped the Chr 2 QTL directly in heterogeneous stock (HS) animals derived from the four inbred strains. At G(19) the QTL was mapped to an approximately 3-Mbp interval and this interval was associated with a haplotype block with a largely biallelic structure: B6-L:C-D2. We conclude that mapping in HS animals not only provides significantly greater QTL resolution, at least in some cases it provides significantly more information about the QTL haplotype structure.
The role of epistemic uncertainty of contact models in the design and optimization of mechanical systems with aleatoric uncertainty

Epistemic uncertainty, the uncertainty in the physical model used to represent a phenomenon, has a significant effect on the predictions of simulations of mechanical systems, particularly in systems with impact events. Impact dynamics can have a significant effect on a system’s functionality, stability, wear, and failure. Because high-fidelity models of systems with impacts often are too computationally intensive to be useful as design tools, rigid body dynamics and reduced order model simulations are used often, with the impact events modeled by ad hoc methods such as a constant coefficient of restitution or penalty stiffness. The choice of impact model, though, can have significant ramifications on design predictions. The effects of both epistemic and aleatoric (parametric) uncertainty in the choice of contact model are investigated in this paper for a representative multiple-degree of freedom mechanical system. Six contact models are considered in the analysis: two different constant coefficient of restitution models, a piecewise-linear stiffness and damping (i.e., Kelvin–Voight) model, two similar elastic-plastic constitutive models, and one dissimilar elastic-plastic constitutive model. Results show that the optimal mechanism design for each contact model appears extremely different. Further, the effects due to epistemic uncertainty are differentiated clearly in the response from the effects due to aleatoric uncertainty. Lastly, when the mechanisms are optimized to be robust against aleatoric uncertainty, the resulting designs show some robustness against epistemic uncertainty.
Studies in the pendulous-flowered species of Rustia (Rubiaceae, Condamineeae), including a new species, Rustia schunkeana

During a revision of the genusRustia, the two pendulous-flowered taxa,R. secundiflora andR. splendens, are here lectotypified and found to be synonymous. Examination of specimens identified asR. secundiflora have revealed an additional pendulous-flowered species:R. schunkeana. A key to the four species ofRustia with pendulous flowers is provided.