cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding relationships between global health indicators via visualisation and statistical analysis

Several agencies such as World Bank, United Nations and UNESCO are disseminating a large amount of socio-economic data at national level. Various websites such as UC Atlas, Gapminder, CIESIN and NationMaster are attempting to provide general users visualisation tools to display this data. Typical visualisation methods include line graphs, bar graphs, scatter plots, colour-coded glyphs (such as circles) and world maps. In addition to the general public, there is great interest in educational, research and public policy institutes to try to understand the relationships between these socio-economic indicators. In this paper, we juxtapose two techniques to investigate the relationships between global health indicators. The first approach employs sophisticated statistical techniques to develop a causality model between various global health indicators. The second approach, typically employed by the visualisation users of the various websites mentioned above, is to utilise a bivariate display between the health indicators in order to discover relationships between these variables. This visualisation approach is perhaps closest to a bivariate regression or correlation. Therefore, we employ these simple statistical techniques and associated visualisations as well. In this work, we analyse the two approaches using two specific examples related to health indicators. We find that the two approaches sometimes agree strengthening the conclusions or may provide different perspectives that require more careful analysis of the conclusions and need for further research. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mapping of hippocampal gene clusters regulated by the amygdala to nonlinkage sites for schizophrenia

A recent study using a ‘partial’ rodent model of schizophrenia has employed amygdalar activation to induce reported changes in the expression of hippocampal genes associated with metabolic and signaling pathways in response to amygdalar activation. The amygdalo–hippocampal pathway plays a central role in the regulation of the stress response and emotional learning. In the current study, we have performed a chromosome mapping analysis to determine whether genes showing changes in response to environmental stress may form clusters and, if so, whether they might show a topographical association with linkage sites for schizophrenia. When the hippocampal genes showing changes in expression were topographically mapped on specific rat chromosomes, significant clustering was observed on chromosomes 1, 4 and 8, although chromosome 1 showed the largest amount of clustering. When these same rodent genes were mapped to human chromosomes, most of the genes found on chromosome 1 in rat mapped to chromosome 11 in human. The vast majority of the genes showing changes in regulation were excluded from known linkage sites for schizophrenia. Based on these findings, we postulate that environmental factors may contribute to the endophenotype for schizophrenia through the activation and/or deactivation of specific genetic clusters, ones that do not appear to be directly associated with susceptibility genes for this disorder.
The fellowship effect: how the establishment of a fellowship in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery affected resident vaginal hysterectomy training

Objective We report on trends in resident-performed vaginal hysterectomies before and after the establishment of a female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Study Design We examined medical records and resident self-reports concerning all hysterectomies at our institution in an 8-year period: 4 years before fellowship and 4 years after. Route of hysterectomy, resident and fellow involvement, and division of attending surgeon were recorded from the electronic medical record. Resident Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) case log data were used to estimate the number of hysterectomies where residents reported themselves as the primary surgeon. Results During the 8-year period of this study, 3317 hysterectomies were performed at our institution, 41% (1371) before and 59% (1946) after fellowship. Prior to fellowship, 29% (393) were vaginal, 56% (766) were abdominal, and 15% (212) were laparoscopic/robotic. After addition of fellowship, 23% (449) were vaginal, 31% (597) were abdominal, and 46% (900) were laparoscopic/robotic. Of the total vaginal hysterectomies (TVH), there was resident involvement in 98.0% (385) cases before fellowship and 98.2% (441) cases after fellowship. From the ACGME case log data, the resident identified himself/herself as the primary surgeon in 388 cases before and 393 cases after fellowship. During this time period, medical records indicate a fellow was involved in 42% (189) of TVH, with resident involvement in all but 5 of these procedures. Conclusion Frequency of resident involvement in TVH cases, either as primary surgeon or team member, remained constant after the addition of the female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery fellowship.
Vascular Access and Patient Outcomes in Hemodialysis: Questions Answered in Recent Literature

Hemodialysis is not possible without access to the vascular system to provide an adequate and reliable source of blood flow through the hemodialyzer. Since maintenance hemodialysis therapy became a reality in the latter half of the twentieth century, no vascular access has exceeded the success and reliability of arteriovenous fistulae (AVF). They have the lowest infection and thrombosis rates, have the longest patency rates, and are associated with the best morbidity and mortality outcomes of any access modality. In the United States, the majority of patients starting hemodialysis do not have a primary AVF, which may explain why vascular access complications represent almost 20% of the total spending for hemodialysis. In addition, as much as 50% of hospitalization costs for end-stage renal disease are related to access issues. Every effort must be directed in the U.S. as well as elsewhere to promote the use of AVF whenever possible. In some European countries, more than 90% of patients have AVF as their hemodialysis access when nephrologists perform placement of vascular access. Already, some programs in the U.S. have recognized the need for trained nephrologists to provide these services. U.S. interventional nephrologists should be given the opportunity to learn AVF placement procedures to emulate their European counterparts, and thus improve U.S. dialysis outcomes.
Discrete Event Simulation of Molecular Dynamics with Configurable Logic

Molecular dynamics simulation based on discrete event simulation (DMD) is emerging as an alternative to time-step driven molecular dynamics (MD). DMD uses simplified discretized models, enabling simulations to be advanced by event, with a resulting performance increase of several orders of magnitude. Even so, DMD is compute bound. Moreover, unlike MD, causality issues make DMD difficult to scale, with O(radicp) being the best so far achieved. We find that FPGAs are extremely well suited to accelerating DMD. The chaotic execution, which results in there being virtually no prediction window, is overcome with a long processing pipeline augmented with associative structures analogous to those used in CPU reorder buffers. Our primary result is a microarchitecture for DMD that processes events with a throughput equal to a small multiple of the FPGA's clock, resulting in a hundred-fold speed-up over serial implementations.
Myelodysplasia associated with Turner syndrome.

Purpose This study reports the association of myelodysplasia with Turner syndrome. Patient and methods An 11-year-old girl with Turner syndrome was found to have mild macrocytic anemia that persisted during 2 years. Results Examination of the bone marrow revealed dyserythropoietic features with multinucleation consistent with refractory anemia. Levels of hemoglobin F were also markedly elevated (57%). She also had transient neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, as well as abnormal platelet function studies. The hematopoietic abnormalities were mild and may have been missed were she not followed for her hypertension and aortic coarctation. Conclusions Myelodysplastic syndromes in children are frequently associated with chromosomal abnormalities, but an association with Turner syndrome has not been previously described. This could be due to the fact that mild hematopoietic abnormalities in these patients may not be investigated.
Detectors of radiation

Abstract The perfect radiation detector gives a signal for every quantum in the incident radiation. These quanta will arrive with random spacing. The resulting statistical uncertainty in the measurement of light will ordinarily appear as noise in the measuring process. In this review paper some of the connotations of this point of view are developed and it is shown that most radiation detectors now in use exhibit the radiation noise which would be predicted if they were seeing individual photons. The relatively poor performance of heat receivers is shown to be due to their sensitivity to the infrared photons from their environment when operated at room temperature. Some of the existing radiation detectors are described briefly with comments on their operation.
Submuscular Plating of Pediatric Femur Fracture

Currently, surgical management of pediatric femur fracture consists of intramedullary nailing with flexible nails or rigid trochanteric entry nails. Rigid trochanteric entry nails are the implant of choice for femoral fractures in adolescents, whereas titanium elastic nails are popular for the management of length-stable diaphyseal femoral fractures in school-age children. However, higher complication rates have been reported in children with length-unstable diaphyseal femoral fractures treated with titanium elastic nails. These complications may require unplanned surgery. Fracture shortening or angulation can lead to nail prominence or exposure that may require nail shortening or removal. Recently, submuscular plating has been found to be a successful alternative option for management of length-unstable femoral fractures in school-age children. Submuscular plating can also be used in older and/or heavier children who have a femoral canal that is too small to accommodate a rigid intramedullary nail.
En bloc esophageal mucosectomy for concentric circumferential mucosal resection (with video).

Background With conventional EMR, specimens are fragmented, metaplasia may be left behind, and invasive lesions could be missed because of incomplete sampling. Concentric subtotal esophageal mucosectomy would address these limitations. Objective To examine en bloc esophageal mucosectomy (EEM). Design A prospective case series. Setting An academic hospital. Subjects Nine swine. Interventions Conventional EMR was performed in the proximal esophagus. The submucosal space was entered, and the distal two thirds of the esophageal mucosa was freed with blunt dissection. A snare was threaded over the column of mucosa to the gastroesophageal junction. The column was resected, and the mucosa was retrieved. Main Outcome and Measurements Clinical examination, follow-up endoscopy, necropsy, and gross and histopathologic examination. Results EEM permitted subtotal esophageal mucosectomy in 9 of 9 swine (tissue specimens removed ranged 9-15 cm in length). The mean procedure duration was 110 minutes. In the survival series, 4 of 4 swine thrived after surgery, for 9 to 13 days. At 9 days, there was no evidence of a perforation, stricture, or leak. At 13 days, 2 swine had a mild proximal stricture, which was easily traversed with a 9.8-mm gastroscope. On necropsy, the mediastinal and thoracic cavities were unremarkable in 3 of 4 swine. One swine was found to have a contained abscess containing cellulose, presumably secondary to ingestion of wood-chip bedding material postoperatively. Reepithelialization was present on histologic examination. Limitations An animal study. Conclusions EEM is feasible and enabled concentric subtotal esophageal mucosal resection. The technique could completely and circumferentially excise intramucosal lesions. Longer follow-up and larger studies are needed to evaluate infection, stricture, and safety.
Global uniqueness for a coefficient inverse problem for the non-stationary transport equation via Carleman estimate

Abstract A coefficient inverse problem for the non-stationary single-speed transport equation for t ∈ ( 0 , T ) with the lateral boundary data and initial condition at t = 0 is considered. Global uniqueness result is obtained by the method of Carleman estimates.
SU-E-T-13: Comparison of Dose Rates with and without Gold Backing of USC #9 Radioactive Eye Plaque Using MCNP5.

Purpose: To show the effect of gold backing on dose rates for the USC #9 radioactive eye plaque. Methods: An I125 source ( IsoAid model IAI‐125A) and gold backing was modeled using MCNP5 Monte Carlo code. A single iodine seed was simulated with and without gold backing. Dose rates were calculated in two orthogonal planes. Dose calculation points were structured in two orthogonal planes that bisect the center of the source. A 2×2 cm matrix of spherical points of radius 0.2 mm was created in a water phantom of 10 cm radius. 0.2 billion particle histories were tracked. Dose differences with and without the gold backing were analyzed using Matlab. Results: The gold backing produced a 3% increase in the dose rate near the source surface (<1mm) relative to that without the backing. This was presumably caused by fluorescent photons from the gold. At distances between 1 and 2 cm, the gold backing reduced the dose rate by up to 12%, which we attribute to a lack of scatter resulting from the attenuation from the gold. Dose differences were most pronounced in the radial direction near the source center but off axis. The dose decreased by 25%, 65% and 81% at 1, 2, and 3 mm off axis at a distance of 1 mm from the source surface. These effects were less pronounced in the perpendicular dimension near the source tip, where maximum dose decreases of 2% were noted. Conclusions: I 125 sources embedded directly into gold troughs display dose differences of 2 – 90%, relative to doses without the gold backing. This is relevant for certain types of plaques used in treatment of ocular melanoma. Large dose reductions can be observed and may have implications for scleral dose reduction.
Immersion-electrode method for the determination of the point of zero charge of solid metals

Summary A method is described whereby the area of a solid metal-electrolyte interface is varied, and the point of zero charge of the metal is determined from the variations of the charging current with time during immersion. A simple treatment is given for current-time curves obtained at constant total applied voltage. Examples are given.
Characterization and Differential Gene Expression between Two Phenotypic Phase Variants in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain 798 has previously been shown to undergo phenotypic phase variation. One of the phenotypes expresses virulence traits such as adhesion, while the other phenotype does not. Phenotypic phase variation appears to correlate with the ability of this strain to cause persistent, asymptomatic infections of swine. A new method to detect cells in either phenotypic phase was developed using Evans Blue-Uranine agar plates. Using this new assay, rates of phenotypic phase variation were obtained. The rate of phase variation from non-adhesive to adhesive phenotype was approximately 10−4 per cell per generation while phase variation from the adhesive to the non-adhesive phenotype was approximately 10−6 per cell per generation. Two highly virulent S. Typhimurium strains, SL1344 and ATCC 14028, were also shown to undergo phase variation. However, while the rate from adhesive to non-adhesive phenotype was approximately the same as for strain 798, the non-adhesive to adhesive phenotype shift was 37-fold higher. Differential gene expression was measured using RNA-Seq. Eighty-three genes were more highly expressed by 798 cells in the adhesive phenotype compared to the non-adhesive cells. Most of the up-regulated genes were in virulence genes and in particular all genes in the Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 were up-regulated. When compared to the virulent strain SL1344, expression of the virulence genes was approximately equal to those up-regulated in the adhesive phenotype of strain 798. A comparison of invasive ability demonstrated that strain SL1344 was the most invasive followed by the adhesive phenotype of strain 798, then the non-adhesive phenotype of strain 798. The least invasive strain was ATCC 14028. The genome of strain 798 was sequenced and compared to SL1344. Both strains had very similar genome sequences and gene deletions could not readily explain differences in the rates of phase variation from non-adhesive to the adhesive phenotype.
Methylprednisolone treatment of experimental spinal cord injury

UNLABELLED Lipid peroxidation has been identified as a deleterious consequence of contusive spinal cord trauma and of thermal injury. The L3-L6 spinal cord segment was thermally injured using a radiofrequency heating chamber mounted on the vertebral column of anesthetized rats. Hind limb function was assessed 2 hours later. A bolus of methylprednisolone (MP, 30 mg/kg) was then given intravenously, followed by 5.4 mg/kg/hr MP for 6 or 24 hours. Cord water content and regional spinal cord blood flow (RSCBF, 14C-butanol distribution) were measured at seven cord levels after function had been reassessed following treatment. Untreated rats were given vehicle. The study was randomized and blinded. RESULTS Edema in heated segments was progressive over 24 hours, but was the same in treated vs untreated rats. RSCBF in heated segments was the same in treated vs uninjured controls at 6 and 24 hours. In untreated rats, RSCBF in the heated segment was elevated by 30% at 6 hours, but was the same as uninjured control by 24 hours. In the unheated segments of untreated rats, RSCBF was elevated at 24 hours. At 24 hours, RSCBF was lower in treated vs untreated rats at all levels, including the heated one. Limb function deteriorated equivalently in both groups. CONCLUSION MP obviated the early rise in RSCBF in heated segments and the elevations in RSCBF in uninjured segments, but had no effect on cord edema or on limb function.
Effect of ambient carbon dioxide on salt permeability and sorption measurements in ion-exchange membranes

Abstract Characterizing ion sorption and transport properties in charged polymers is critical for developing fundamental understanding necessary to prepare high performance membranes. The presence of dissolved CO 2 from the atmosphere in aqueous solutions can interfere with measurements of salt permeability and sorption in ion-exchange membranes, frustrating characterization of ion transport properties. In water or aqueous saline solutions, CO 2 speciates to form ions such as H + and HCO 3 − . NaCl or other salt permeability experiments are often performed by exposing a membrane to two salt solutions of different concentrations in a conventional diffusion cell and monitoring the conductivity rise with time in the receiving chamber (i.e., the chamber containing the lower salt concentration). H + and HCO 3 − ions in the external solutions on either side of the membrane undergo ion exchange with counter-ions in cation- and anion-exchange membranes, respectively. This CO 2 -induced ion exchange interferes with conductivity measurements designed to measure receiver salt concentration change with time due to ion permeation through the polymer from the higher salt concentration chamber (i.e., the donor chamber). This phenomenon results in non-linear changes in downstream conductivity with time, which is most pronounced at low donor cell NaCl concentrations, especially for anion-exchange membranes. Furthermore, this effect is absent when an anion-exchange membrane in the HCO 3 − form is tested using NaHCO 3 rather than NaCl for permeability measurements. The effect of CO 2 on NaCl permeability measurements can be significantly reduced when ultra-high purity N 2 gas is bubbled through the donor and receiver solutions in the diffusion cell during the experiment, making it possible to obtain true NaCl permeability values. During NaCl sorption experiments, when an ion-exchange membrane was equilibrated with a NaCl solution of 0.1 M or lower, the amount of desorbed mobile counter-ions was significantly greater than the amount of desorbed mobile co-ions. The desorption of unequal amounts of ions can also be attributed to ion exchange between the membrane and solution phase and has implications for determining the mobile NaCl sorption coefficient. Procedures for addressing these issues are described.
Integrating genomes, brain and behavior in the study of songbirds.

Songbirds share some essential traits but are extraordinarily diverse, allowing comparative analyses aimed at identifying specific genotype–phenotype associations. This diversity encompasses traits like vocal communication and complex social behaviors that are of great interest to humans, but that are not well represented in other accessible research organisms. Many songbirds are readily observable in nature and thus afford unique insight into the links between environment and organism. The distinctive organization of the songbird brain will facilitate analysis of genomic links to brain and behavior. Access to the zebra finch genome sequence will, therefore, prompt new questions and provide the ability to answer those questions.
Metal‐chelating affinity hydrogels for sustained protein release

Affinity hydrogels based on poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate and a metal-ion-chelating ligand, glycidyl methacrylate-iminodiacetic acid, have been developed to systematically decrease protein release rates from hydrophilic tissue engineering scaffolds formed in situ. In the current work, tunable and sustained release of a model protein, hexa-histidine tagged green fluorescence protein (hisGFP), is accomplished by judiciously increasing ligand:protein ratio or replacing low-affinity nickel ions with high-affinity copper ions. Agreement between theoretical predictions of a reaction-diffusion model and experimental measurements confirm metal- ion-mediated sustained protein release from these affinity hydrogels is governed by equilibrium protein-ligand binding affinity (dissociation constant, Kd) as well as protein-ligand dissociation kinetics (protein debinding rate constant, k off). The former dictates the release rate in the early period of protein release while the latter determines the long-term sustained release effect. While metal-ion affinity binding has been widely used for various purposes including protein purification and surface patterning, this is the first report describing its application in systematically controlling protein release from hydrophilic PEG networks suitable for cell encapsulation. By using ligands with proper binding kinetic constants (Kd and k off), localized protein delivery can be sustained over clinically relevant timescales while maintaining a favorable environment for cell encapsulation and viability.
A One-Step Enzymatic Assay for Sucrose with Sucrose Phosphorylase'

A one-step, enzymatic assay for sucrose using sucrose phosphorylase is described. Sucrose phosphorylase, which is now commercially available, was isolated from Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain B-1200 and partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation. Samples containing 5 to 80 nmol of sucrose are mixed with potassium phosphate, NAD, sucrose phosphorylase, and two commercial enzymes, phosphoglucomutase and NAD-accepting glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. After 30 min incubation at room temperature, absorbance at 340 nm is proportional to initial sucrose content. A 20-fold molar excess of glucose or a twofold excess of fructose have no effect on the assay, while a fourfold excess of fructose interferes with the assay by decreasing absorbance ca. 20%. This assay was designed to provide a rapid method for determining sucrose in studies of sugar transport by plants. To test the assay, corn pedicel extracts were assayed enzymatically and by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Estimates of sucrose content made by the two methods were equivalent, and exogenous addition of sucrose to these samples resulted in the expected increase in apparent sucrose content.
Synthesis, characterization and biodegradation of poly(ester amide)s based hydrogels

Abstract A series of new biodegradable hybrid hydrogels were designed and fabricated from a new family of amino acid-based functional poly(ester amide) (PEA-AG) and commercial poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG-DA) or Pluronic diacrylate (Pluronic-DA) by UV photocrosslinking. These biodegradable hybrid hydrogels were characterized in terms of equilibrium swelling ratio (Qeq), compression modulus by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and interior morphology by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Both the precursors’ chemical structures and feed ratio had significant effect on the properties of the hybrid hydrogels. All these hybrid hydrogels had a three-dimensional porous network structure. The hydrophobicity, crosslinking density and mechanical strength of the hybrid hydrogels increased with an increase in allylglycine (AG) content in the PEA-AG, but the swelling and pore size of the hybrid hydrogels decreased. The biodegradation rate of these hybrid hydrogels in an enzyme (α-chymotrypsin) solution was faster than in a pure PBS buffer control, and the biodegradation rate increased with an increase in α-chymotrypsin concentration and allylglycine content.
EUS antegrade pancreatography with gastropancreatic duct stent placement: review of two cases

Abstract Background Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography is an established procedure for palliation of patients with pain caused by chronic pancreatitis associated with pancreatic ductal stricture. Some patients may not be candidates for endoscopic retrograde pancreatography because of surgically altered anatomy. Two cases are presented in which endoscopic retrograde pancreatography was unsuccessful and EUS-guided antegrade pancreatography with gastropancreatic stent placement was performed. Methods EUS-guided antegrade pancreatography was performed in both patients by creating a gastropancreatic fistula through which dilation and stent placement were performed over a guidewire. Results Stent insertion was successful in both cases. Both patients experienced rapid improvement in symptoms. Conclusions EUS-guided antegrade pancreatography with stent placement may be an alternative to endoscopic retrograde pancreatography when surgical reconstruction precludes access to the major and minor papillae.
Impact of the 2008–2009 Twin Economic Crises on the Philippine Labor Market

Summary This study examines how the 2008–2009 surges in international food and fuel prices and the coinciding global financial crisis impacted the Philippine labor market. Regression estimates using repeated quarterly waves of the Labor Force Survey indicate small declines in employment probabilities, while real wages fell more dramatically: about 6% during the price surges and 3–4% during the financial crisis. Men experienced slightly larger wage declines and women marginally greater employment cuts. Workers across education and age groups experienced wage drops, especially less educated men, women with high school degrees, and older workers.
Pedestrian Tracking and Navigation Using Neural Networks and Fuzzy Logic

The main goal of the research presented here is to develop theoretical foundations and implementation algorithms, which integrate GPS, micro-electro-mechanical inertial measurement unit (MEMS IMU), digital barometer, electronic compass, and human pedometry to provide navigation and tracking of military and rescue ground personnel. This paper discusses the design, implementation and the initial performance analyses of the personal navigator prototype1, with a special emphasis on dead-reckoning (DR) navigation supported by the human locomotion model. To facilitate this functionality, the adaptive knowledge system, based on the Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Fuzzy Logic, is trained during the GPS signal reception and used to maintain navigation under GPS-denied conditions. The human locomotion parameters, step frequency (SF) and step length (SL) are estimated during the system calibration period, then the predicted SL, together with the heading information from the compass and gyro, support DR navigation. The current target accuracy of the system is 3-5 m CEP (circular error probable) 50%.
Tailored resonator coupling for modifying the terahertz metamaterial response

We experimentally and numerically study the nature of coupling between laterally paired terahertz metamaterial split-ring resonators. Coupling is shown to modify the inductive–capacitive (LC) resonances resulting in either red or blue-shifting. Results indicate that tuning of the electric and magnetic coupling parameters may be accomplished not by changing the orientation or density of SRRs, but by a design modification at the unit cell level. These experiments illustrate additional degrees of freedom in tuning the electromagnetic response, which offers a path to more robust metamaterial designs.
Specificity of cue to consequence in aversion learning in the rat: Control for US-induced differential orientations

In four experiments, each using a single conditioning trial, rats avoided a light more than a saccharin solution after these stimuli had been paired with footshock, whereas saccharin was avoided more than the light after these stimuli had been paired with lithium injection. The use of a single conditioning trial precludes possible US-induced differential orientations from influencing which stimuli will be associated on the conditioning trial. This cue-consequence specificity effect was obtained even when subjects conditioned with lithium received a non­ contingent footshock prior to the test session, and when subjects conditioned with footshock received a noncontingent lithium injection before testing (Experiments 2-4l. Weak aversions to the light in rats given a light-lithium pairing and noncontingent footshock and to the sac­ charin in subjects that received a saccharin-footshock pairing and noncontingent lithium ad­ ministration were obtained in Experiment 2. However, these weak aversions were not ob­ tained when subjects were given three nonreinforced exposures to the test chamber before the test session (Experiments 3 and 4l. These results indicate that US-induced differential orientations do not mediate the cue-consequence effect in aversion learning.
UD dropbox 2.0: collaboration magic

Project collaborators quickly realize that using e-mail attachments to exchange large amounts of information is less than optimal. Exhausted quotas and stringent attachment filtering can lead to e-mail messages' being rejected by mail servers. At the same time, users become frustrated with lengthy transmission times and the inefficient handling of massive attachments due to e-mail protocols and client storage schemes. Alternative internet applications, such as anonymous ftp or web publishing, create additional problems for systems and collaborators such as security issues, access control, and overall inconvenience of use. To provide an easy-to-use, secure and efficient solution for sharing information with users across the internet, Network and Systems Services (NSS) at the University of Delaware developed the UD Dropbox 2.0 service. It allows a user to upload files and specify recipient e-mail addresses from a web browser. An e-mail message is sent to each recipient in lieu of the actual files and contains the information necessary to download the files via a web browser. The UD Dropbox 2.0 service software package is distributed by the University of Delaware under the GNU General Public License (GPL) and requires a web server with PHP5 support. This paper will explain the details of the UD Dropbox 2.0 service and why it is collaboration magic.
Operational Characteristics of 11C-Choline Positron Emission Tomography/Computerized Tomography for Prostate Cancer with Biochemical Recurrence After Initial Treatment

Purpose: We examined the performance of 11C-choline positron emission tomography/computerized tomography for its ability to delineate prostate cancer distribution and extent after initial therapy.Materials and Methods: A consecutive series retrospective review was performed of all patients with prostate cancer who were evaluated using 11C-choline positron emission tomography/computerized tomography from September 2007 to November 2010 at the Mayo Clinic. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and prostate specific antigen threshold for the detection of recurrent lesions.Results: In the study period 176 patients with biochemical recurrence after primary treatment failure underwent 11C-choline positron emission tomography/computerized tomography. Using patient based analysis 11C-choline positron emission tomography yielded a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 93%, 76%...
The acceleration of degradation-controlled drug delivery from polyester microspheres

Abstract The series of four bases: methadone, naltrexone, promethazine and meperidine, was used to study the factors responsible for the catalysis of the rates of hydrolytic chain scission of poly( l -lactic acid), PLLA, and poly(glycolic acid-co- l -lactic acid), PGLA, by tertiary amines. The induction periods prior to release of these amines from PLLA microspheres in vitro were inversely related to their ability to increase the rate of polyester hydrolysis. The order of effectiveness of the amines: meperidine > methadone > promethazine > naltrexone did not correlate with the pK a or log P oct of the amines. The acceleration of PLLA hydrolysis by naltrexone, and the release of this base from PLLA microspheres, were negligible. However, incorporation of a second amine, methadone, in the microspheres effected rapid release of both naltrexone and methadone. PGLA with 20 mol% glycolide was more susceptible to amine-catalyzed hydrolysis and a practical rate of release of naltrexone from microspheres of this polymer was observed.
The pharmacological activity of the fatty acid conjugate 11-palmitoyloxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol

A long-retained cannabinoid metabolite has been detected in rat tissue after intravenous administration of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and has been identified as a fatty acid conjugate of psychoactive 11-hydroxy-delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-delta 9-THC) and palmitic acid. The objective of these studies was to determine if this compound, 11-palmitoyloxy-delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-palm-delta 9-THC) is pharmacologically active. Intravenously injected 11-palm-delta 9-THC decreased thermal sensitivity and induced catalepsy in rats, responses similar to those produced by 11-OH-delta 9-THC, but less pronounced and more delayed. To further characterize the response, animals were intracisternally injected with 11-OH-delta 9-THC or 11-palm-delta 9-THC. Catalepsy and decreased thermal sensitivity were seen in the 11-OH-delta 9-THC and 11-palm-delta 9-THC groups, and again, 11-OH-delta 9-THC appeared to be the more potent of the two cannabinoids. In contrast to the intravenous study, 11-palm-delta 9-THC-induced effects were seen soon after treatment and appeared to be fully developed by the first test time (15 min). The intracisternal results suggest that 11-palm-delta 9-THC itself is active; however, since it is known that the fatty acid conjugate is hydrolyzed in vivo to 11-OH-delta 9-THC in the rat, the possibility remains that the effects of 11-palm-delta 9-THC are due to metabolic conversion to 11-OH-delta 9-THC.
Stabilization of KirBac1.1 Tetramer by Blocking Ions

Potassium channels are tetrameric proteins that mediate K+ selective transmembrane diffusion. For the prototypic potassium channel KcsA, interactions between ions and the channel pore can modulate the stability of the tetrameric structure of KcsA, where permeant and strongly blocking ions increase stability, and impermeant or weakly blocking ions tend to decrease stability. Because of the structural similarity between the transmembrane regions of KirBac1.1 and KcsA, we examined the role of blocking ions on KirBac1.1 tetramer stability. In 150 mM KCl, purified KirBac1.1 protein migrates as a monomer (∼40kD) on SDS-PAGE. Addition of Ba2+ (K1/2 ∼ 50 μM) prior to loading results in an additional tetrameric band (∼160 kD). Mutation A109C, at a residue located near the expected Ba2+ binding site, decreased tetramer stabilization by Ba2+ (K1/2 ∼300 μM), while I131C, located nearby, stabilized tetramers in the absence of Ba2+. Neither mutation affected Ba2+ block of channel activity (using 86Rb+ flux assay). In contrast to Ba2+, Mg2+ had no effect on tetramer stability (even though Mg2+ was a potent blocker). Many studies have shown Cd2+ block of K channels as a result of introduced cysteines in the cavity-lining M2 (S6) residues, with the implicit interpretation that coordination of a single ion by cysteine side-chains along the central axis effectively blocks the pore. We examined blocking and tetramer stabilizing effect of Cd2+ on KirBac1.1 with cysteine substitutions in M2. Cd2+ block potency followed an alpha-helical pattern consistent with the crystal structure. Significantly, Cd2+ strongly stabilized tetramers of I138C, located in the center of the inner cavity. This stabilization was additive with the effect of Ba2+, consistent with both ions simultaneously occupying the channel; Ba2+ at the selectivity filter entrance and Cd2+ coordinated by I38C side-chains in the inner cavity.
Tapered and noncircular hollow glass waveguides

Linearly tapered hollow-glass waveguides (HGW) were fabricated using tapered silica glass tubing and wet chemistry techniques. Attenuation constants for these tapered HGWs were found to be higher than for similarly sized non-tapered HGWs, but the tapered guides showed reduced loss on bending. HGWs with rectangular and square cross-sections were also fabricated from non-circular bore silica glass tubing using wet chemistry techniques. These guides were able to maintain linear polarization of CO 2 laser light better than circular bore HGWs fabricated by the same methods, with as high as 97 % of the input polarization preserved for a 227 μm × 1253 μm bore guide. The non-circular bore HGWs had higher attenuation constants than similarly sized circular bore HGWs and sacrificed some spatial purity of the output beam.
Hypomanic reaction to amitriptyline in a depressed child

Tricyclic antidepressants enjoy widespread use by psychiatrists and pediatricians for a variety of disorders in children, inclutling enuresis, school phobia, hyperkinesis and depression. I Currently, the most widely employed are imipramine and amitriptyline. A review of the literature reveals that a variety ofinvestigators have used amitriptyline in children; some of the reports have included side-effects. For instance, Frommer2 used amitriptyline (up to 100 mgl24· hours) in children; side-effects included sleepiness, nausea, constipation, and hysterical behavior. Lucas and associates3 in a double-blind study using amitriptyline (30 and 50 mgl day in younger and older children, respectively), reported marked drowsiness in one of the older patients after each 50-mg dose. However, on dosage reduction to 30 mg/day, the side-effect promptly disappeared. Although hypomanic reactions to tricyclic antidepressants have been reported in the adult literature,4 to our knowledge there have been no similar episodes reported in depressed children treated with amitriptyline.
Annealing studies on a fully cured epoxy resin: Effect of thermal prehistory, and time and temperature of physical annealing

Abstract : The dynamic mechanical behavior at about 1 Hz of a fully cured epoxy resin (maximum glass transition temperature, T ca. 170 C) has been studied during and after isothermal annealing in terms of the influence of thermal prehistory, time of annealing, and temperature of annealing (Ta). Annealing temperatures ranged from Tg-15 Tg-130 C. The rate of isothermal annealing was observed to decrease by a decade for each decade increase of annealing time when the material was far from equilibrium. Annealing at high temperatures did not measurably affect the material properties during cooling; similarly the effect of annealing at lwo temperatures was not measurable during heating. Keywords: Cure; Vitrification; Glass transition; Annealing; Thermal prehistory; Epoxy; Dynamic mechanical.
Art history: a guide to basic research resources

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present basic resources and practical strategies for undergraduate art history research.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on the author's experience as both an art librarian and instructor for a core requirement art history course.Findings – The plan detailed in this paper covers every step of the research process, from exploring the topic to citing the sources. The resources listed, which include subscription databases as well as public web sites, are deliberately limited to a manageable number. Additional topics include defining the scope of inquiry and making appropriate use of internet resources such as Wikipedia.Originality/value – The paper provides the academic librarian with clear guidance on basic research resources in art history.
LTPSK: simple, bandwidth efficient modulation for multi-rate satellite channels

A constant envelope modulation called linear-transition phase shift keying (LTPSK) is examined as a candidate for use as a bandwidth and power efficient modulation on nonlinear satellite channels. This modulation is similar to differential phase shift keying (DPSK), but with phase transitions realized as a linear phase ramp between symbols to decrease spectral occupancy without introducing amplitude variation. The ratio of phase-transition time to symbol duration is referred to as the LTPSK mode. Spectral occupancy and BER performance with differential detection vary between that of DPSK and differential minimum shift keying (MSK), depending on the mode selected. By making the LTPSK mode proportional to the data rate, a simple LTPSK modulator and differential demodulator can support multiple data rates without the need for a bank of filters. The highest rate supported has the lowest ratio of spectral occupancy to data rate, and spectral occupancy is approximately constant for all rates, allowing efficient spectrum allocation with fixed frequency assignments. >
A novel mechanism for Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin inhibition.

Clostridium botulinum neurotoxins are zinc endopeptidase proteins responsible for cleaving specific peptide bonds of proteins of neuroexocytosis apparatus. The ability of drugs to interfere with to...
Decision Conferencing A Unique Approach to the Behavioral Aggregation of Expert Judgment

Judgment is an inferential cognitive process by which an individual draws conclusions about unknown quantities or qualities on the basis of available information. The flaws in an individual’s cognitive process leading to inaccurate judgment have been explored widely (Hammond, Stewart, Brehmer, & Steinmann, 1986; Hogarth, 1987; Kahneman, Slovic, & Tversky, 1982; Simon, 1945, Simon, 1960). The earliest research on group judgment led to some confidence that the mathematical aggregation of judgments from several individuals (collected as a “statistized,” “nominal,” or “noninteracting” group) usually would be better than the accuracy expected by randomly selecting a single individual from the population of all prospective group members (Bruce, 1935; Gordon, 1924; Knight, 1921).
A New Approach to Blade Design With Constant Rake and Relief Angles for Face-Hobbing of Bevel Gears

Face-hobbing is a productive process to manufacture bevel and hypoid gears. Due to the complexity of face-hobbing, few research works have been conducted on this process. In face-hobbing, the cutting velocity along the cutting edge varies because of the intricate geometry of the cutting system and the machine tool kinematics. Due to the varying cutting velocity and the specific cutting system geometry, working relief and rake angles change along the cutting edge and have large variations at the corner which cause the local tool wear. In this paper, a new method to design cutting blades is proposed by changing the geometry of the rake and relief surfaces to avoid those large variations while the cutting edge is kept unchanged. In the proposed method, the working rake and relief angles are kept constant along the cutting edge by considering the varying cutting velocity and the machine tool kinematics. By applying the proposed method to design the blades, the tool wear characteristics are improved especially at the corner. In addition, in this paper, complete mathematical representations of the cutting system are presented. The working rake and relief angles are measured on the computer-aided design (CAD) model of the proposed and conventional blades and compared with each other. The results show that, unlike the conventional blade, in case of the proposed blade, the working rake and relief angles remain constant along the cutting edge. In addition, in order to validate the better tool wear characteristics of the proposed blade, finite element (FE) machining simulations are conducted on both the proposed and conventional blades. The results show improvements in the tool wear characteristics of the proposed blade in comparison with the conventional one.
Gas—Liquid Chromatography of Phenylalanine Metabolites in Urine and Sera of Hyperphenylalaninemic and Phenylketonuric Patients

Gas—liquid chromatographic methods are described for measuring phenylalanine metabolites in urine and serum. These were studied in controls and in various types of hyperphenylalaninemics. The plasma phenyllactic acid concentration increased as the serum phenylalanine concentration increased. The 24-h urinary excretion of both phenylalanine and phenyllactic acid depends upon their respective concentrations in serum.
Hypoxia induces differentiation of pulmonary artery adventitial fibroblasts into myofibroblasts.

Activation of the α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) gene during the conversion of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts is an essential feature of various fibrotic conditions. Microvascular compromise and th...
Review of the Quinolone Family

Quinolones are a class of potent, broad-spectrum synthetic agents with good bioavailability, oral and intravenous formulations, high serum and tissue levels, and a generally low incidence of side effects. Such desirable properties led to increasing use, which has been predictably followed by increasing quinolone resistance, abetted by the emergence of several mechanisms of plasmid-mediated resistance. Initially employed mainly in the treatment of urinary tract infections, newer fluoroquinolones have sufficient activity for treatment of systemic gram-negative infections and treatment of gram-positive infections of the respiratory tract as well. Other indications include treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, gastrointestinal and abdominal infections, bone and joint infections, and skin and soft-tissue infections.
Detection of uranium in solids by using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy combined with laser-induced fluorescence

Detection of uranium in solids by using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy has been investigated in combination with laser-induced fluorescence. An optical parametric oscillator wavelength-tunable laser was used to resonantly excite the uranium atoms and ions within the plasma plumes generated by a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. Both atomic and ionic lines can be selected to detect their fluorescence lines. A uranium concentration of 462 ppm in a glass sample can be detected by using this technique at an excitation wavelength of 385.96 nm for resonant excitation of U II and a fluorescence line wavelength of 409.0 nm from U II.