cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EDISON: a web application for computational health informatics at scale

SPublic health issues, from virus and disease transmission, to the spread of unhealthy behaviors (such as smoking and obesity) are global priorities. They can lead not only to fatalities, but also to decreased quality of life, large expenditures for health care, and the onset of other ailments. Here we present EDISON: a web-based modeling environment that can be used to perform complex computational experiments involving very general (epidemiological) contagion processes over social networks. EDISON is publicly accessible by scientists and domain experts interested in carrying out in-silico social and epidemiological experiments. EDISON is unique in that: (i) the experiments can be carried out at scale (populations may range from a few hundred to millions of agents), (ii) it is web-based with an easy to use UI---it is specifically designed for use by epidemiologists, social scientists, and (government) practitioners who are not computing experts, and (iii) it has a digital library that contains a large number of open source social networks and many behavior models. EDISON has been used for a number of theoretical studies. We illustrate its utility through case studies of disease and behavioral contagion transmission.
The Illusory Transparency of Intention: Does June Understand What Mark Means Because He Means It?

Keysar (1994) reported a perplexing phenomenon: Readers treated communicative intentions as transparent. When a protagonist experienced a negative event and left a sarcastic message, readers thought the addressee would perceive sarcasm more than when the event was positive and the same message sincere. This occurred even when the addressee did not know the protagonist's attitude. Gerrig, Ohaeri, and Brennan (this issue) argue that this phenomenon is methodologically and theoretically flawed. Here I argue that their criticism is unfounded. I explain how the design firmly supports the phenomenon and the theoretical challenges that the phenomenon poses. As I argued before, the phenomenon can be explained by the standard view and by a simpler theory. The challenge is to discover which theory correctly accounts for the phenomenon and more adequately describes language use. I conclude that such nontrivial phenomena should not be shunned but welcomed as useful vehicles for theory evaluation.
Coupled oxidation of carotene by lipoxygenase requires two isoenzymes.

Abstract The coupled bleaching of carotene observed during the lipoxygenase-catalyzed hydroperoxidation of polyunsaturated fats had previously been shown in our laboratory to be very poorly catalyzed by pure lipoxygenase-1 of soybean. It has now been shown that the other two major isoenzymes in soybean, lipoxygenase-2 and -3, are also individually poor catalysts for the bleaching. However, a combination of lipoxygenase-1 plus lipoxygenase-3, or lipoxygenase-2 plus lipoxygenase-3 are effective in promoting the concomitant oxidation of carotene. Preformed 13-hydroperoxy-9- cis -11- trans octadecadienoate obtained by the action of lipoxygenase-1 on linoleic acid or its ester can replace lipoxygenase-1, when lipoxygenase-3 is present. However, the 9-hydroperoxy-10- trans -12- cis -isomer produced enzymatically with potato lipoxygenase is relatively ineffective.
Differentiation of roles of chemosensory organs in food discrimination among host and non-host plants by larvae of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

ABSTRACT. The contributions of olfactory and gustatory organs in food plant discrimination were examined in larvae of Manduca sexta (Johan.) (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae). Larvae, from which various chemosensory organs had been removed surgically, were tested for feeding preferences for a host, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum); a weakly acceptable non-host, rape (Brassica napus); and an unacceptable non-host canna (Canna generalis), using a two-choice disc bioassay. Removal of all known chemosensory organs resulted in failure to show discriminatory behaviour in a strictly chemosensory bioassay, indicating that all external chemosensory organs have been accounted for. The involvement of non-chemosensory organs results in residual discrimination for leaves by individuals with total chemosensory ablations. Larvae possessing either olfactory or gustatory organs still exhibit normal preferences for tomato over rape. Gustatory (but not olfactory) organs are required for larvae to show normal preferences for tomato over canna; in fact, olfactory organs do not appear to participate in this decision. To examine which if any of the plant species is being selected in two-choice tests, larvae were given a choice between each leaf species and a ‘neutral’ substance (wet filter paper). Both olfactory and gustatory organs are required for normal preferences for tomato, but either alone will suffice for rape. Only gustation is needed to select canna, and participation of either the epipharyngeal sensilla or a single medial sensillum styloconicum is sufficient to elicit complete rejection behaviour. We conclude that, in larvae of M. sexta, the complement of chemosensory organs needed for food plant discrimination varies with the plant species sampled. Evidence is presented exposing a potential artefact of ablation experiments; extirpation of one sensory organ may affect the functioning of others nearby, even though they may appear normal by visual inspection.
Prospect for the Future Internet: A Study Based on TCP/IP Vulnerabilities

With the popularity of Internet, people increasingly relies on Internet. At the same time, however, malicious persons conduct unscrupulous invasion on Internet by exploring the vulnerabilities of TCP/IP protocols. TCP/IP protocols, which once acted as the cornerstone of Internet, have been unable to provide a secure platform for communications. This paper identifies vulnerabilities of TCP/IP protocols in a set of lab experiments that make Internet inherently exposed to attacks. Based on the analysis of the lab results, this paper further discusses that just patching the security holes will not help to build an entirely secure Internet architecture. Completely re-designing a brand new architecture with the security considered at the very beginning is suggested. Three functionalities: effective identity authentication, controllability and manageability, and moving target defense are discussed as the future Internet model.
Execution characteristics of SPEC CPU2000 benchmarks: Intel C++ vs. Microsoft VC++

Modern processors include features such as deep pipelining, multi-level cache hierarchy, branch predictors, out of order execution engine, and advanced floating point and multimedia units. To successfully exploit these features, architecture-aware compilers that can produce target-specific optimal codes for the applications are needed. Using the knowledge about the architectural features, the compilers can contribute to maximizing the application performance through effective pipeline scheduling, memory penalty minimization and path length reduction. A study of the execution characteristics for the binaries generated by the various compilers can provide insights about the effectiveness of the optimization options used in the compilers. The in-built performance monitoring hardware found in present day processors can be used to collect the performance metrics for the study of execution characteristics. In this paper, we compare the Intel C++ and Microsoft VC++ compilers by studying the execution characteristics of SPEC CPU 2000 benchmarks run on a Pentium IV processor. The benchmarks were compiled with identical optimization switches in both compilers and the performance metrics were collected using Intel's VTune Performance Analyzer. The analyses of results showed that the Intel C++ compiler performed better than VC++ for all considered applications and significantly better for computer visualization and graphical applications.
SPATIOTEMPORAL PATTERNS AND NONCLASSICAL KINETICS OF COMPETING ELEMENTARY REACTIONS : CHROMIUM COMPLEX FORMATION WITH XYLENOL ORANGE IN A CAPILLARY

An experimental investigation of chemical reaction fronts, created by an initial separation of reactants, is reported for a system of two competing reactions. Spatiotemporal patterns are observed experimentally for the competing reaction front and are accounted for quantitatively by a reaction-diffusion model. We use the reaction of xylenol orange with Cr3+ in aqueous solution. Different oligomers of Cr3+ provide the two kinetically different species that react competitively with xylenol orange. The parameters that determine whether pattern formation is observable at the front are the ratios of (1) the microscopic reaction constants of the competing reactions and (2) the concentrations of the competing species. Under the parameter values studied, which allowed clear spatiotemporal separation of the two competing reactions, we find that the behavior of the reaction front at early times follows a perturbation theory developed for a simple elementary A + B → C reaction with initially separated reactants. The...
Vascular calcium channels and high blood pressure: pathophysiology and therapeutic implications.

Long-lasting Ca2+ (CaL) channels of the Cav1.2 gene family are heteromultimeric structures that are minimally composed of a pore-forming α1C subunit and regulatory β and α2δ subunits in vascular smooth muscle cells. The CaL channels are the primary pathways for voltage-gated Ca2+ influx that trigger excitation–contraction coupling in small resistance vessels. Notably, vascular smooth muscle cells of hypertensive rats show an increased expression of CaL channel α1C subunits, which is associated with elevated Ca2+ influx and the development of abnormal arterial tone. Indeed, blood pressure per se appears to promote CaL channel expression in small arteries, and even short-term rises in pressure may alter channel expression. Membrane depolarization has been shown to be one stimulus associated with elevated blood pressure that promotes CaL channel expression at the plasma membrane. Future studies to define the molecular processes that regulate CaL channel expression in vascular smooth muscle cells will provide a rational basis for designing antihypertensive therapies to normalize CaL channel expression and the development of anomalous vascular tone in hypertensive pathologies.
Malnutrition in the ICU Patient Population

Malnutrition has been identified as a cause for disease as well as a condition resulting from inflammation associated with acute or chronic disease. Malnutrition is common in acute-care settings, occurring in 30% to 50% of hospitalized patients. Inflammation has been associated with malnutrition and malnutrition has been associated with compromised immune status, infection, and increased intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay. The ICU nurse is in the best position to advocate for appropriate nutritional therapies and facilitate the safe delivery of nutrition.
Kaon condensation in dense matter

Abstract We show that one may expect a charged kaon condensate to form in matter at several times nuclear density. The condensate is driven to a large extent by the “sigma term Interaction” between mesons and baryons — a symmetry breaking effect proportional to the strange quark mass. Using the SU(3) × SU(3) chiral Lagrangian to model meson-baryon interactions, we show that as density increases to three or four times nuclear density, baryonic matter acquires a strangeness-to-baryon ratio approaching unity. The relevance of kaon condensation as a route to strange quark matter is discussed.
Comparison of cholesterol-phospholipid interaction in bilayers of liposomes and the red cell membrane

Abstract The energetics of interactions of cholesterol with phospholipid in simple liposome bilayers were compared with those in the bilayer of the human erythrocyte membrane, by measuring cholesterol distribution between erythrocytes and liposomes prepared from their whole phospholipid extract. With liposomes of a range of initial cholesterol contents, the equilibrium value for r , the ratio of cholesterol/phospholipid in the liposomes to that in the cells, is in the range 1.1–1.2. The closeness of this value to 1.0 indicates that overall cholesterol-phospholipid interaction in the cell membrane is similar to that in liposomes. However, while the deviation from 1.0 is small, and could arise from average cholesterol-phospholipid interactions in the membrane being only 0.06 to 0.1 kcal · mol−1 weaker than in liposomes, it could also result from 10 to 20% of the cell membrane phospholipid being unavailable to mix with cholesterol.
Preparation of 5-(2-Methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)oxazole: A Key Intermediate for the Construction of VX-497

A process for the multigram preparation of 5-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)oxazole, a key intermediate for the preparation of the hepatitis C drug candidate VX-497 (merimepodib), has been achieved in good yield from a commercially available dye. Early studies focused on the preparation of the requisite aldehyde by the Beech reaction. A second approach utilized a palladium (0)-catalyzed formylation of an aryl diazonium species, which was followed by condensation of the aldehyde with tosylmethyl isocyanide (TosMIC) to provide the required oxazole. This two-step method has been carried out to provide multigram samples of this key intermediate in 75% overall yield and >95% purity from the commercially available Fast Red B tetrafluoroborate salt.
Effect of random clustering on surface damage density estimates

Identification and spatial registration of laser-induced damage relative to incident fluence profiles is often required to characterize the damage properties of laser optics near damage threshold. Of particular interest in inertial confinement laser systems are large aperture beam damage tests (>1cm 2 ) where the number of initiated damage sites for Φ >14J/cm 2 can approach 10 5 -10 6 , requiring automatic microscopy counting to locate and register individual damage sites. However, as was shown for the case of bacteria counting in biology decades ago, random overlapping or 'clumping' prevents accurate counting of Poisson-distributed objects at high densities, and must be accounted for if the underlying statistics are to be understood. In this work we analyze the effect of random clumping on damage initiation density estimates at fluences above damage threshold. The parameter ψ =a ρ = ρ / ρ 0 , where a = 1 / ρ 0 is the mean damage site area and ρ is the mean number density, is used to characterize the onset of clumping, and approximations based on a simple model are used to derive an expression for clumped damage density vs. fluence and damage site size. The influence of the uncorrected ρ vs. Φ curve on damage initiation probability predictions is also discussed.
Initiation of protein synthesis by the eukaryotic translational apparatus on circular RNAs

The ribosome scanning model predicts that eukaryotic ribosomal 40S subunits enter all messenger RNAs at their 5' ends. Here, it is reported that eukaryotic ribosomes can initiate translation on circular RNAs, but only if the RNAs contain internal ribosome entry site elements. Long-repeating polypeptide chains were synthesized from RNA circles with continuous open reading frames. These results indicate that ribosomes can translate such RNA circles for multiple consecutive rounds and that the free 5' end of a messenger RNA is not necessarily the entry point for 40S subunits.
Using self organizing maps to find good comparison universities

Colleges and universities do not operate in a vacuum and they do not have a lock on "best practices". As a result it is important to have other schools to use for "benchmark" comparisons. At the same time schools and their students change. What might have been good "benchmarks" in the past might not be appropriate in the future. This research demonstrates the viability of Self Organizing Maps (SOMs) as a means to find comparable institutions across many variables. An example of the approach shows which schools in the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges might be the best "benchmarks" for Fort Lewis College.
What Is Positive Neuropsychology

While the field of positive psychology has gained considerable momentum and empirical support over the past decade, related principles have not been adopted broadly by clinical or academic neuropsychologists. For example, despite significant growth in the neuropsychological literature during the same period, few studies seem to address the study, promotion, and enhancement of cognitive health. In the present chapter, I discuss reviews of three prominent neuropsychological journals over a 10-year period to clarify broad research themes and the relative frequency of studies that address cognitive health. These reviews indicated that the majority of published studies documented cognitive deficits in neuropsychiatric populations, and few studies examined methods to promote cognitive functioning. Further, research on cognitive health has generally not increased over time. Based in part on these findings, the present chapter offers and defines an overarching orientation to neuropsychological research and practice—positive neuropsychology—that incorporates positive psychology principles and aims to promote cognitive health through various means. Areas within positive neuropsychology are briefly summarized here and are explored in more detail throughout this volume.
Development of an inhalation system for the simultaneous exposure of rat dams and pups during developmental neurotoxicity studies

Due to mass flux constraints, the exposure of pups along with dams to particles cannot be easily done in traditional whole-body inhalation systems. Typical inhalation developmental neurotoxicity studies rely on maternal separation during exposure, resulting in pup stress that may alter behavioral development, thereby confounding study results. We developed an individual-rat, whole-body inhalation exposure cylinder that allows for the simultaneous exposure of rat dams and their pups to vapors, aerosols, and particles. We evaluated pup growth and development following gestational and lactational 6-h/ day exposures to HEPA-filtered air using the novel exposure cylinder, in which dams and pups were maintained together, versus rat pups for which only the dams were exposed or control animals that remained in the domiciliary cage with the dams. Rat pups that were separated from their dams during neonatal exposure to HEPA-filtered air demonstrated significant delays in several developmental landmarks such as surf...
Evaluating Bufferless Flow Control for On-chip Networks

With the emergence of on-chip networks, the power consumed by router buffers has become a primary concern. Bufferless flow control addresses this issue by removing router buffers, and handles contention by dropping or deflecting flits. This work compares virtual-channel (buffered) and deflection (packet-switched bufferless) flow control. Our evaluation includes optimizations for both schemes: buffered networks use custom SRAM-based buffers and empty buffer bypassing for energy efficiency, while bufferless networks feature a novel routing scheme that reduces average latency by 5%. Results show that unless process constraints lead to excessively costly buffers, the performance, cost and increased complexity of deflection flow control outweigh its potential gains: bufferless designs are only marginally (up to 1.5%) more energy efficient at very light loads, and buffered networks provide lower latency and higher throughput per unit power under most conditions.
Some recent advances in understanding the mineralogy of Earth's deep mantle

Understanding planetary structure and evolution requires a detailed knowledge of the properties of geological materials under the conditions of deep planetary interiors. Experiments under the extreme pressure–temperature conditions of the deep mantle are challenging, and many fundamental properties remain poorly constrained or are inferred only through uncertain extrapolations from lower pressure–temperature states. Nevertheless, the last several years have witnessed a number of new developments in this area, and a broad overview of the current understanding of the Earth’s lower mantle is presented here. Some recent experimental and theoretical advances related to the lowermost mantle are highlighted. Measurements of the equation of state and deformation behaviour of (Mg,Fe)SiO3 in the CaIrO3-type (post-perovskite) structure yield insights into the nature of the core–mantle boundary region. Theoretical studies of the behaviour of MgSiO3 liquids under high pressure– temperature conditions provide constraints on melt volumes, diffusivities and viscosities that are relevant to understanding both the early Earth (e.g. deep magma oceans) and seismic structure observed in the present Earth (e.g. ultra-low-velocity zones).
Computed Tomography-Based Clinical Diagnostic Pathway for Acute Appendicitis: Prospective Validation

Background Despite our regular use of CT for suspected appendicitis, a recent study at our institution demonstrated a negative appendectomy (NA) rate similar to our rate 15 years earlier. Based on analysis of this data, a diagnostic pathway was implemented prospectively for adult patients with possible appendicitis. Study design Rates of CT, NA, and perforation for nonpregnant patients over 14 years of age undergoing appendectomy between August 2001 and August 2002 (PRE) were compared with prospectively collected pathway data (PATH, August 2004 to August 2005). All PATH patients were evaluated by a surgeon before CT. All females underwent CT. CT was obtained in male patients with low suspicion or pain for longer than 48 hours. After negative CT, patients were discharged from the emergency department or admitted for observation. Results There was a substantial decrease in NA rate after implementation of the pathway (4% PATH [8 of 183] versus 16% PRE [31 of 196], p Conclusions Frequent appendiceal CT alone does not ensure surgical diagnostic accuracy. CT need not be used in all patients to achieve very low NA rates. An evidence-based diagnostic algorithm incorporating early surgical evaluation, objective criteria for preoperative CT, deterrence of early operation after negative CT, and use of CT to facilitate safe discharge led to substantial improvements in the care of our adult population presenting with possible appendicitis.
The Economic Surplus as a Fund for Social Change and Postneoliberal Governance

The central problem in capitalism today is not one of scarce resources clashing against innate, insatiable wants. Rather, the modern problem of monopoly capitalism is one of abundance of production clashing against scarcity of consumers. Indeed, sustaining growth while fighting against excess capacity proves to be the biggest battle in business today, fought by the capitalist power structure with the tools of neoliberalism and globalization. The economic surplus, roughly sketched, represents that gap between productive resources and consumption, and thus represents the abundance that is possible given current technology. The argument set forth is that the economic surplus remains a powerful tool in describing economic relationships and social justice issues within the context of the Great Capitalist Restoration, but more importantly, that the economic surplus represents a tool for social change. The potential for socially just amelioration and change within post-neoliberal governance is explored with explicit reference to the qualitative and instrumental framework proposed by Ron Stanfield in his somewhat overlooked but incredibly important piece, “The Fund for Social Change” (1992).
The structure of derivatives exchanges : lessons from developed and emerging markets

The authors examine the architecture, elements of market design, and the products traded in derivatives exchanges around the world. The core function of a derivatives exchange is to facilitate the transfer of risk among economic agents by providing mechanisms to enhance liquidity and facilitate price discovery. They test the proposition that organizational arrangements necessary to perform this function are not the same across markets. They also examine the sequencing of products introduced in derivatives exchanges. Using a survey instrument, they find that: a) Financial systems perform the same core functions across time and place but institutional arrangements differ. b) The ownership structure of derivatives exchanges assumes different forms across markets. c) The success of an exchange depends on the structure adopted and the products traded. d) Exchanges are regulated directly or indirectly through a government law. In addition, exchanges have their own regulatory structure. e) Typically (but not always) market-making systems are based on open outcry, with daily mark-to-market and gross margining -- but electronic systems are gaining popularity. f) Several (but not all) exchanges own clearing facilities and use netting settlement procedures. As for derivative products traded, they find that: i) Although most of the older exchanges started with (mainly agricultural) commodity derivatives, newer exchanges first introduce financial derivative products. ii) Derivatives based on a domestic stock index have greater potential for success followed by derivatives based on local interest rates and currencies. iii) The introduction of derivatives contracts appears to take more time in emerging markets compared with developed markets, with the exception of index products.
Haplotypic divergence coupled with lack of diversity at the Arabidopsis thaliana alcohol dehydrogenase locus: roles for both balancing and directional selection?

We designate a region of the alcohol dehydrogenase locus (Adh) of the weedy crucifer, Arabidopsis thaliana, as ``hypervariable'' on the basis of a comparison of sequences from ecotypes Columbia and Landsberg. We found eight synonymous and two replacement mutations in the first 262 nucleotides of exon 4, and an additional two mutations in the contiguous region of intron 3. The rest of the sequence (2611 bp) has just three mutations, all of them confined to noncoding regions. Our survey of the hypervariable region among 37 ecotypes of A. thaliana revealed two predominant haplotypes, corresponding to the Columbia and Landsberg sequences. We identified five additional haplotypes and 4 additional segregating sites. The lack of haplotype diversity is presumably in part a function of low rates of recombination between haplotypes conferred by A. thaliana's tendency to self-fertilize. However, an analysis in 32 ecotypes of 12 genome-wide polymorphic markers distinguishing Columbia and Landsberg ecotypes indicated levels of outcrossing sufficient at least to erode linkage disequilibrium between dispersed markers. We discuss possible evolutionary explanations for the coupled observation of marked divergence within the hypervariable region and a lack of haplotype diversity among ecotypes. The sequence of the region for closely related species argues against the possibility that one allele is the product of introgression. We note (1) that several loss of function mutations (both naturally and chemically induced) map to the hypervariable region, and (2) the presence of two amino acid replacement polymorphisms, one of which causes the mobility difference between the two major classes of A. thaliana Adh electrophoretic alleles. We argue that protein polymorphism in such a functionally significant part of the molecule may be subject to balancing selection. The observed pattern of extensive divergence between the alleles is consistent with this explanation because balancing selection on a particular site maintains linked neutral polymorphisms at intermediate frequencies.
Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy

Social relationships—both quantity and quality—affect mental health, health behavior, physical health, and mortality risk. Sociologists have played a central role in establishing the link between social relationships and health outcomes, identifying explanations for this link, and discovering social variation (e.g., by gender and race) at the population level. Studies show that social relationships have short- and long-term effects on health, for better and for worse, and that these effects emerge in childhood and cascade throughout life to foster cumulative advantage or disadvantage in health. This article describes key research themes in the study of social relationships and health, and it highlights policy implications suggested by this research.
Petroleum tricyclic terpanes: predicted physicochemical behavior from molecular mechanics calculations

Abstract Petroleum contains a diastereomeric doublet for each of the C25 to C29 tricyclic terpanes due to stereoisomerization at C-22, where the elution order of the 22S and 22R epimers is unknown. Geometry-optimized molecular mechanics models for each pair of epimers show similar calculated total energies, indicating similar thermal stability. Similar stability explains the nearly equivalent size of the 22S and 22R chromatographic peaks for each doublet in nonbiodegraded petroleum. Molecular mechanics MM+ and COMPASS force-field calculations indicate an abrupt conformational change between the C28 and C29 tricyclic terpanes, corresponding to a discontinuity on plots of molecular mass versus log of gas chromatographic retention time. The second-eluting peak in each C26 to C29 doublet is more readily biodegraded, with (Alberdi, M., Moldowan, J.M., Peters, K.E., Dahl, J.E., 2000. Stereoselective biodegradation of tricyclic terpanes in heavy oils from Bolivar Coastal Fields, Venezuela. Submitted to Organic Geochemistry) or without microbial demethylation to form 17-nor-tricyclic terpanes. Factors controlling the chromatographic elution order of epimers are not fully understood. However, elution order can be inferred if one assumes that epimers with greater calculated surface areas are more susceptible to microbial attack, as for the extended hopanes where C-22 epimer elution order is known. Surface areas of 22R epimers exceed 22S for C25 to C29 tricyclic terpanes, suggesting that the 22R epimers elute after 22S. Proof of elution order will require co-injection of authentic standards. Four epimers are possible for each of the C30 and C31 tricyclic terpanes. Molecular mechanics and high-resolution chromatography suggest that all four peaks occur in petroleum, but only two are normally observed due to co-elution. Complete resolution of these epimers will require improved chromatographic methods.
Extended Virulence Genotypes of Escherichia coli Strains from Patients with Urosepsis in Relation to Phylogeny and Host Compromise

Among 75 urosepsis isolates of Escherichia coli, 29 virulence factor (VF) genes were detected by use of a novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Compared with probe hybridization, the PCR assay's specificity was 100% and sensitivity 97.1%. fyuA (yersiniabactin: overall prevalence, 93%), traT (serum resistance, 68%), and a pathogenicity-associated island marker (71%) occurred in most strains from both compromised and noncompromised hosts. Present in <20% of strains each were sfaS, focG (F1C fimbriae), afa/dra, bmaE (M fimbriae), gafD (G fimbriae), cnf1, cdtB (cytolethal distending toxin), cvaC (colicin V), and ibeA (invasion of brain endothelium). Different VFs were variously confined to virulence-associated phylogenetic group B2 (as defined by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis); concentrated in group B2, but with spread beyond; or concentrated outside of group B2. These findings provide novel insights into the VFs of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli and demonstrate the new PCR assay's utility for molecular epidemiological studies.
Noise characterization of combined Bellini-type attenuation correction and frequency-distance principle restoration filtering [SPECT]

We investigate how successive processing of the projection data with Bellini-type (BT) attenuation correction, frequency distance principle (FDP) restoration filtering, and filtered-backprojection (FBP) reconstruction propagates noise into the reconstructed image. The BT methods, which are Fourier-domain correction techniques, are all exact solutions to the attenuated Radon transform under the constraints of uniform attenuation and a convex object contour. The FDP states that points in the object at a specified distance from the center-of-rotation will contribute predominantly to particular regions of the Fourier transform-series expansion of the sinogram. Using this frequency-distance information, the nonstationary response of the collimator can ideally be deconvolved using an inverse filter. In the presence of noise, however, the FDP filter needs to be regularized in order to control noise amplification caused by the deconvolution. The noise is characterized by calculating the population covariance matrix of the projection data after successive processing with BT attenuation correction and FDP filtering and of the reconstructed image after FBP reconstruction. This is done for a simulated point-source located near the edge of an elliptical, uniformly attenuating medium. In our study, we consider the two implementational combinations of BT correction and FDP filtering that allow for sequential processing of the projection data, which we call mirroring and no mirroring. The results show that the mirroring strategy introduces local positive angular noise correlations in the processed sinogram that are caused by smoothing of the data in the projection angular direction. Furthermore, mirroring highly correlates the noise in opposing projection views. The impact on the image covariance is the presence of positive angular (arc-like) noise correlations. In contrast, the no mirroring strategy yields local positive and negative noise correlations with negative side-lobes in the processed sinogram. Also, no mirroring does not correlate noise in opposing projection views. The result on the image covariance structure is the presence of positive and negative angular correlations with negative side-lobes. It was also noted that the no mirroring scenario produces a much higher noise variance relative to the mirroring implementation of BT attenuation correction and FDP filtering.
MONEY WELL SPENT? An Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Advertorials on Citizen Opinion

Organized interests employ a number of tactics to get what they want. One of the least understood of these tactics is running advertorials—issue advocacy advertisements that are designed to influence citizen opinion. Using a pretest-posttest control group experimental design, the authors examine the effects of advertorials on individual opinions. The authors find that advertorials have an effect on individual opinions but that their effects are different than those of traditional advertisements. Specifically, after examining the effects of an actual ExxonMobil advertorial that appeared on the pages of The New York Times, the authors find that advertorials substantially affect levels of individual issue salience but do not affect individual perceptions of the organized interests that run them. The authors also find that those with relatively high levels of trust in the media are more likely than those with lower levels of trust to be influenced by advertorials.
Evaluation of promoter hypermethylation detection in body fluids as a screening/diagnosis tool for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Purpose: To evaluate aberrant promoter hypermethylation of candidate tumor suppressor genes as a means to detect epigenetic alterations specific to solid tumors, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Experimental Design: Using promoter regions identified via a candidate gene and discovery approach, we evaluated the ability of an expanded panel of CpG-rich promoters known to be differentially hypermethylated in HNSCC in detection of promoter hypermethylation in serum and salivary rinses associated with HNSCC. We did preliminary evaluation via quantitative methylation-specific PCR (Q-MSP) using a panel of 21 genes in a limited cohort of patients with HNSCC and normal controls. Using sensitivity and specificity for individual markers as criteria, we selected panels of eight and six genes, respectively, for use in salivary rinse and serum detection and tested these in an expanded cohort including up to 211 patients with HNSCC and 527 normal controls. Results: Marker panels in salivary rinses showed improved detection when compared with single markers, including a panel with 35% sensitivity and 90% specificity and a panel with 85% sensitivity and 30% specificity. A similar pattern was noted in serum panels, including a panel with 84.5% specificity with 50.0% sensitivity and a panel with sensitivity of 81.0% with specificity of 43.5%. We also noted that serum and salivary rinse compartments showed a differential pattern of methylation in normal subjects that influenced the utility of individual markers. Conclusions: Q-MSP detection of HNSCC in serum and salivary rinses using multiple targets offers improved performance when compared with single markers. Compartment-specific methylation in normal subjects affects the utility of Q-MSP detection strategies.
Surgical Cardiac Ablation devices: Numerical model study

Numerical Finite Element Method models were used to compare and contrast bipolar and monopolar RF electrode geometries used for open chest surgical Cardiac Ablation in a modified Maze procedure. The models included electrical, thermal and cardiac muscle damage fields with irreversible thermal alteration in the form of loss of native state birefringence in cardiac muscle as the standard of comparison. Kinetic rate coefficients for these models were: A = 2.94 × 1039 (1/s) and E = 2.596 × 105 (J/mole), from literature. Model results show the spatial development of thermal damage relative to the transient thermal field. Numerical methods may be used to compare and contrast transient temperature field histories and damage extent in the RF electrode design process.
A comparison of methods and materials for the analysis of leaded wipes

The purposes of this study are: (1) to determine whether proficiency analytical test (PAT) materials from the American Industrial Hygiene Association can be used to provide quality data for portable X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) of lead in dust wipe surface samples; (2) to provide data to determine whether the on-site analysis of field dust wipe samples by XRF and the laboratory method of inductively coupled plasma emission analysis (ICP) are comparable; and (3) to determine if differences exist between different wipe materials. Several wipes meet the ASTM E1792 performance requirements of lead background level less than 5 µg per wipe, be only one layer thick, yield recovery rates of 80–120% from spiked samples, remain damp throughout the sampling procedure, and do not contain aloe. The wipes used in this study were Pace Wipes, which are used for the PAT materials, and, for the field samples, Palintest Wipes, which were supplied by the instrument manufacturer, and Ghost Wipes, which are popular because they digest in hot, concentrated acid, so that chemical analysis is simplified. Twenty PAT wipe samples were obtained from four different proficiency test rounds. Surface wipe samples were taken at three different locations representing different industry types. All samples were analyzed using a portable XRF spectrometer and by ICP. Strong linear relationships were found for the analysis of wipe samples by ICP and by portable XRF. For the PAT samples, the results from the ICP and XRF analysis were not statistically equivalent, which indicates a bias in the ICP analysis. The bias was not excessive, since all ICP analyses fell within the acceptable range for the proficiency samples. The good correlation between the proficiency sample reference values and the XRF determinations is not surprising considering similar proficiency samples were used to calibrate the instrument response. Users of this portable XRF analyzer could enroll in the proficiency test program as part of their quality assurance program. For field samples, the relationship was strongest for Palintest wipes, and the values found for all three industries could be combined. However, the results from the ICP and XRF analysis were not statistically equivalent using the correction factor in the calculation algorithm as supplied with the instrument, and a new coefficient was derived. The mean relative error for the XRF analysis versus the ICP analysis was greater than 25%, such that the method falls within the realm of screening procedures. For Ghost Wipe samples, the precision was different for different industries, and the results could not be pooled. Differences between the two wipe materials may be related to the number of folds required for analysis.
Invasion by Non-Native Annual Grasses: The Importance of Species Biomass, Composition, and Time Among California Native Grasses of the Central Valley

The Central Valley of California is noted for its dearth of remnant native grass populations and for low native grass seedling establishment within grasslands now dominated by non-native annual species. In contrast, remnant populations are common along the coast, and studies have shown an ability for seedlings and adults to compete with nonnative annual grasses. The invasibility of well-established populations of native grasses in the Central Valley remains unclear. The objectives of this study were to compare the invasibility of native grasses differing in density and species composition and, given the species in this study, to assess the ability of mixes with greater species richness to resist invasion relative to their abilities in monoculture. In the Sacramento Valley of California, six species of native grasses were planted at three densities in monospecific and mixed-species plots. Percent cover of native perennial and non-native annual grasses was measured in years 2 and 3, and biomass was sampled in year 5. Native grass biomass and, to a lesser extent, species composition were important in explaining variation in non-native grass invasibility in the fifth year. Species-rich treatments did not experience less invasion than would be expected by the proportional invasibility of each species in monoculture. However, invasibility of plots consisting of slower growing, shorter statured species decreased over time, suggesting a successional benefit to diverse communities. This study demonstrates that established stands of native grasses in the Sacramento Valley can resist invasion by non-native annual grasses and that stand biomass is a particularly important factor in determining invasibility.
Cognitive Interventions Targeting Brain Plasticity in the Prodromal and Early Phases of Schizophrenia

Several important paradigm shifts have occurred in the field of schizophrenia treatment, including an increased focus on early detection, the development of preemptive interventions, and the view of schizophrenia as a neurodevelopmental disease characterized by decreased efficiency and abnormal connectivity in cortical and subcortical neural networks. In this review, we briefly describe some of the neural impairments that contribute to the development of schizophrenia, with an emphasis on the impact of stress and trauma on cognitively vulnerable neural systems. We then present current data on two behavioral interventions that target these critical risk factors and that aim to preempt the onset of schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals or improve the clinical course in recent-onset schizophrenia: cognitive therapy and computerized cognitive training.
Deicing of solids using radiant heating

This paper considers removing ice adhering to a solid substrate by irradiating the free surface of the ice layer. An acrylic and a metal are used as solids, and an array of quartz halogen dichroic lamps having a large fraction of their spectral energy in the visible and near-infrared spectrum are employed as the radiation source. The effects of ice layer thickness, radiation properties of the substrate surface, and the magnitude of the incident radiation flux are studied. A transient one-dimensional heat-conduction/radiation analysis is used to compare the model predictions with measurements. The results show that, for otherwise identical conditions, ice is more readily removed from an opaque metal than from a semitransparent acrylic substrate.
Selenium supplementation has beneficial and detrimental effects on immunity to influenza vaccine in older adults

Summary Background & aims Mortality resulting from influenza (flu) virus infections occurs primarily in the elderly through declining immunity. Studies in mice have suggested beneficial effects of selenium (Se) supplementation on immunity to flu but similar evidence is lacking in humans. A dietary intervention study was therefore designed to test the effects of Se-supplementation on a variety of parameters of anti-flu immunity in healthy subjects aged 50–64 years. Methods A 12-week randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00279812) was undertaken in six groups of individuals with plasma Se levels n = 20), 50 μg Se/d (SeY-50/d; n = 18), 100 μg Se/d (SeY-100/d; n = 21) or 200 μg Se/d (SeY-200/d; n = 23). Two groups were given onion-containing meals with either n = 17) or 50 μg Se/d (SeO-50/d; n = 18). Flu vaccine was administrated at week 10 and immune parameters were assessed until week 12. Results Primary study endpoints were changes in cellular and humoral immune responses. Supplementation with SeY and SeO affected different aspects of cellular immunity. SeY increased Tctx-ADCC cell counts in blood (214%, SeY-100/d) before flu vaccination and a dose-dependent increase in T cell proliferation (500%, SeY-50/100/200/d), IL-8 (169%, SeY-100/d) and IL-10 (317%, SeY-200/d) secretion after in vivo flu challenge. Positive effects were contrasted by lower granzyme B content of CD8 cells (55%, SeY-200/d). SeO (Se 50 μg/d) also enhanced T cell proliferation after vaccination (650%), IFN-γ (289%), and IL-8 secretion (139%), granzyme (209%) and perforin (190%) content of CD8 cells but inhibited TNF-α synthesis (42%). Onion on its own reduced the number of NKT cells in blood (38%). These effects were determined by comparison to group-specific baseline yeast or onion control groups. Mucosal flu-specific antibody responses were unaffected by Se-supplementation. Conclusion Se-supplementation in healthy human adults with marginal Se status resulted in both beneficial and detrimental effects on cellular immunity to flu that was affected by the form of Se, supplemental dose and delivery matrix. These observations call for a thorough evaluation of the risks and benefits associated with Se-supplementation.