cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Flow and changes in appearance

An important, largely unexplored area of computer image generation is the simulation of weathering and its effects on appearance. Weathering results from the interaction of the environment with the materials in the world. The flow of water is one of the most pervasive and important natural forces involved in the weathering of materials, producing a distinctive set of patterns of washes and stains. This paper presents an intuitive phenomenological model for the flow of water over surfaces that is capable of generating such changes in appearance.We model the flow as a particle system, each particle representing a "drop" of water. The motion of the water particles is controlled by parameters such as gravity, friction, wind, roughness, and constraints that force the particles to maintain contact with the surface. The chemical interaction of the water with the surface materials is governed by a set of coupled differential equations describing both the rate of absorption of water by the surface and the rate of solubility and sedimentation of deposits on the surface. To illustrate the power of this simple model, we show examples of flows over complex geometries made from different materials; the resulting patterns are striking and very difficult to achieve using traditional texturing techniques.
Cytopathology of asbestos-associated pulmonary disease

The goal of this investigation was to determine the practical role of cytopathology in the clinical and laboratory diagnosis of asbestos-related pulmonary diseases. For this purpose, sputum, bronchial washings, lung tissues, and pleural fluids were obtained from asbestos workers and controls. The asbestos-associated pulmonary diseases studied were: (1) asbestosis, (2) carcinoma, and (3) mesothelioma. The cytology smears were prepared with both Papanicolaou and iron stains. Lung tissues were digested by the Chlorox (5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution) technique for quantitation of asbestos bodies. Asbestos bodies within the sputum were found to be highly specific markers for past asbestos exposure, indicating a heavy residual pulmonary asbestos load (greater than 900 asbestos bodies/g wet lung weight). Asbestos bodies in sputum were also found to have a highly significant relationship (P less than 0.001) with the degree of accompanying atypia of bronchial epithelial cells. Bronchial washings appeared to be more sensitive than sputum for the detection of asbestos bodies. Asbestos bodies were not found within the pleural fluids of malignant mesotheliomas. It is concluded that sputum cytology screening represents a practical, noninvasive, and inexpensive approach to the diagnosis and study of asbestos exposure.
Teaching Notes: Reframing Multicultural Education--Teaching White Privilege in the Social Work Curriculum.

This article proposes a model of teaching diversity in social work education that includes significant content on White privilege. The authors first discuss some limitations of social work's current multicultural framework. Next, they introduce concepts and pedagogical strategies concerning White identity and privilege that are drawn from multicultural teacher training programs. Based on this literature, the authors argue that teaching about White privilege is fundamental to understanding the systematic oppression of people of color and raising self-awareness about social workers' roles and responsibilities with culturally diverse clientele. Concrete suggestions are offered for infusing this material across the curriculum and grappling with student resistance.
MATCHMOL, an interactive computer graphics procedure for superposition of molecular models

Abstract A procedure that facilitates the interactive superposition of computer models of molecules was written. This procedure, a rigid body fit, used a fitting algorithm described by McLachlan and the molecular graphics facilities provided by the NIH - PROPHET system. The flexibility of the PROPHET molecule data type allows easy generation of hypothetical atoms (pseudo-atoms) which can serve as positional descriptors of putative pharmacophores. Definition of pseudoatoms which represent the centre of polycyclic aromatic chromophores and the superposition of two DNA binding compounds is used as an example of an application of the MATCHMOL procedure.
Comparison of octopine, histopine, lysopine, and octopinic acid synthesizing activities in sunflower crown gall tissues☆

Abstract Extracts of sunflower crown gall tissues induced by Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain B6 catalyze the synthesis of octopine, histopine, lysopine and octopinic acid. These compounds are not synthesized either in extracts of crown gall tissues induced by strains AT1 and C58 or in extracts of habituated sunflower callus. All four synthetic activities require NADPH or NADH, pyruvate, and the appropriate basic amino acid. Incorporation of radioactivity from any one of the four labeled, basic amino acids into its product is inhibited by the other three basic amino acids. All the reactions are inhibited by e-aminocaproic acid but none are inhibited by the neutral amino acids alanine and phenylalanine.
A Nanoadhesive Composed of Receptor-Ligand Bonds

A gap exists in the adhesive landscape for adhesives that bind strongly, yet reversibly in aqueous environments such as those found at tissue surfaces. Many cells and organisms such as the bacteria Escherichia coli have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to achieve just this ability. In this paper, we begin to investigate whether E. coli's mannose-binding FimH receptor and associated fimbrial linkage can be harnessed to create a reversible wet adhesive. Atomic force microscopy is used to measure adhesive interactions between a polystyrene sphere coated with a thin film containing mannose and a planar polystyrene surface coated with a thin film containing FimH. Adhesion maintained 70% of its original strength through 200 consecutive interactions at the same location. The adhesive was also non-fouling as demonstrated by the return of adhesion after addition and removal of a soluble inhibitor. Incorporation of the fimbrial linkages into the adhesive surfaces allowed adhesion to scale better to larger sizes and...
Correctional Milieu: The Key to Quality Outcomes

Abstract Counselor rapport is a significant factor affecting positive outcomes from treatment services. Within the criminal justice literature, increasing attention has been given to the working alliance between criminal justice actors and offenders (clients). A review of the literature finds that a growing body of work is measuring this construct within justice settings, and finding that the nature of the relationship affects outcomes either directly or as a mediating factor. Perceptions of fairness and care appear to create positive outcomes, and when offenders perceive that they have a voice in decisions, more positive outcomes are likely to occur. This paper will review the literature on therapeutic alliance factors for criminal justice actors (e.g., judges, correctional officers, probation officers, special counselors, etc.) and then highlight the implications for advancing practice in the correctional arena. Four points will be raised about policy implications affecting the concept of punishment, ro...
On the Mechanisms Affecting Fluidic Vectoring Using Suction

Suction was applied asymmetrically to the exhaust of a rectangular subsonic jet creating a pressure field capable of vectoring the primary flow at angles up to 15 deg. The suction simultaneously creates low pressures near the jet exhaust and conditions capable of drawing a secondary flow along the jet shear layer in the direction opposite to the primary jet. This countercurrent shear layer is affected both by the magnitude of the suction source as well as the proximity of an adjacent surface onto which the pressure forces act to achieve vectoring. This confined countercurrent flow gives rise to elevated turbulence levels in the jet shear layer as well as considerable increases in the gradients of the turbulent stresses. The turbulent stresses are responsible for producing a pressure field conducive for vectoring the jet at considerably reduced levels of secondary mass flow than would be possible in their absence.
Gastric trichobezoar and Rapunzel syndrome.

16-year-old woman with a history of depression presented with a -day history of increasing pain in the left upper quadrant, followed y 4 days of nausea and vomiting. She denied fever, chills, weight oss, or diarrhea. On examination, the patient was afebrile, hemodyamically stable, with a large abdominal mass primarily in the left pper quadrant. Her white blood cell count was 14,700/ L. CT can of the abdomen revealed a heterogeneous, hypodense mass, 6 1 cm in greatest axial diameter, filling a markedly dilated stomach A). There was a similar intraluminal mass, with imagingharacteristic entrapped air, in the proximal jejunum measuring 4 cm in axial diameter with a total extension of 10 cm, and evidence f proximal duodenal dilation. At operative exploration, a massively enlarged, firm stomach as encountered. An 8-cm gastrotomy revealed a large castlike richobezoar, which was removed in toto (B). The specimen was 7 10 9 cm in size and weighed 617 grams. There was a ejunal extension with several associated areas of full-thickness ecrosis; jejunal resection of 15 cm was performed with primary nastomosis (C). Postoperatively the patient had a prolonged leus, and an extensive psychiatric evaluation. She was tolerating regular diet at discharge on postoperative day 14. Trichobezoars are the most common type of bezoar encounered in patients younger than 30 years old, and are impactions of air most often seen in the stomach. These foreign bodies may nlarge to incredible sizes because of the accumulation of nonaborbable material. The Rapunzel syndrome, first described by aughn and coauthors in 1968, is a rare form of gastric trichobzoar with a tail-like extension into the duodenum or proximal mall intestine. Patients with bezoars usually present with nonspecific gastrontestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, anorexia, and vomting. Serious clinical complications like obstruction, bleeding, nd perforation can occur. Treatment focuses on chemical or echanical fragmentation.
Structured variational methods for distributed inference in wireless ad hoc and sensor networks

In this paper, a variational message passing framework is proposed for Markov random fields, which is computationally more efficient and admits wider applicability compared to the belief propagation algorithm. Based on this framework, structured variational methods are explored to take advantage of both the simplicity of variational approximation (for inter-cluster processing) and the accuracy of exact inference (for intra-cluster processing). Its performance is elaborated on a Gaussian Markov random field, through both theoretical analysis and simulation results.
Supporting the Formal Analysis of Software Designs

Software engineering is the science of designing complex software systems using engineering and design techniques to produce good quality systems. Though formal methods are among the techniques that facilitate the creation of high quality systems, they are frequently not taught to students; mainly due to the complexity of the topic and the lack of textbooks and supporting materials/tools that are appropriate for a student to learn and use them throughout the development of their software. This paper outlines a classroom experience using a tool, advanced design employing pattern templates (ADEPT), that aids in establishing that a system design satisfies its specification. Usage of ADEPT supports the formal analysis of designs in conjunction with the use of design patterns.
Population Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Caspofungin in Pediatric Patients

We describe the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of caspofungin, an echinocandin antifungal, administered once daily as a 1-hour intravenous infusion in children and adolescents (ages, 3 months to 17 years), based on pooled data from four prospective pediatric studies. Caspofungin dosing was body-surface-area (BSA) based (50 mg/m2 daily after 70 mg/m2 on day 1). The area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to 24 h (AUC0-24), the concentration at the end of infusion (1 h after the start of infusion; C1), and the trough concentration (24 h after the start of infusion; C24) were obtained for 32 pediatric patients with invasive candidiasis, 10 with invasive aspergillosis, and 82 in the setting of empirical therapy with fever and neutropenia. Exposures were modestly higher (93 to 134% for C1, 45 to 78% for C24, ∼40% for AUC0-24) in pediatric patients than in adults receiving the standard 50-mg daily dose. The potential for covariates (age, gender, weight, race, renal status, serum albumin level, and disease state) to alter PKs was evaluated with a multiple-linear-regression model. Weight and disease state had statistically significant (P<0.05) yet small effects on caspofungin PKs in pediatric patients. Concomitant use of dexamethasone (a cytochrome p450 inducer) was associated with a statistically significant reduction (44%) in C24 in a limited number of patients (n=4). Odds ratios were estimated for the association between log-transformed PKs and treatment outcome or adverse events. No PK parameter or hybrid parameter (AUC/MIC, C1/MIC, and C24/MIC) was significantly correlated with treatment outcome or adverse events in the setting of similar response levels as adults, which suggests that the concentrations examined fall within the therapeutic window for caspofungin in pediatric patients. These results support a 50-mg/m2 daily dosing regimen (after a 70-mg/m2 loading dose) in children ages 3 months to 17 years.
Mobility, Indexicality, and the Enregisterment of “Pittsburghese”

This article explores the sociolinguistic history of a U.S. city. On the basis of historical research, ethnography, discourse analysis, and sociolinguistic interviews, the authors describe how a set of linguistic features that were once not noticed at all, then used and heard primarily as markers of socioeconomic class, have come to be linked increasingly to place and “enregistered” as a dialect called “Pittsburghese.” To explain how this has come about, the authors draw on the semiotic concept of “orders of indexicality.” They suggest that social and geographical mobility during the latter half of the twentieth century has played a crucial role in the process. They model a particularistic approach to linguistic and ideological change that is sensitive not only to ideas about language that circulate in the media but also to the life experiences of particular speakers; and they show how an understanding of linguistic variation, language attitudes, and the stylized performance of dialect is enhanced by expl...
A high-throughput multiplexed screening assay for optimizing serum-free differentiation protocols of human embryonic stem cells

Serum-free differentiation protocols of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) offer the ability to maximize reproducibility and to develop clinically applicable therapies. We developed a high-throughput, 96-well plate, four-color flow cytometry-based assay to optimize differentiation media cocktails and to screen a variety of conditions. We were able to differentiate hESCs to all three primary germ layers, screen for the effect of a range of activin A, BMP4, and VEGF concentrations on endoderm and mesoderm differentiation, and perform RNA-interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of a reporter gene during differentiation. Cells were seeded in suspension culture and embryoid bodies were induced to differentiate to the three primary germ layers for 6 days. Endoderm (CXCR4(+)KDR(-)), mesoderm (KDR(+)SSEA-3(-)), and ectoderm (SSEA-3(+)NCAM(+)) differentiation yields for H9 cells were 80 ± 11, 78 ± 7, and 41 ± 9%, respectively. Germ layer identities were confirmed by quantitative PCR. Activin A, BMP4, and bFGF drove differentiation, with increasing concentrations of activin A inducing higher endoderm yields and increasing BMP4 inducing higher mesoderm yields. VEGF drove lateral mesoderm differentiation. RNAi-mediated knockdown of constitutively expressed red fluorescent protein did not affect endoderm differentiation. This assay facilitates the development of serum-free protocols for hESC differentiation to target lineages and creates a platform for screening small molecules or RNAi during ESC differentiation.
Variation in hospital discharges for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions among children.

Objective. Ambulatory Care-Sensitive Conditions (ACSCs), conditions for which ambulatory care may reduce, though not eliminate, the need for hospital admission, have been used as an index of adequate primary care. However, few studies of ACSC have focused on children. We estimated national hospitalization rates for ACSC among children and examined the behavior of the index between subgroups of children. Methods. We used data from the 1990–1995 National Hospital Discharge Surveys (NHDS), the US census, and the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to calculate hospital discharge rates. Rates were estimated as the number of condition-specific hospital discharges from the NHDS divided by the population at risk, as estimated from the US census and NHIS. Results. Predictably, ACSC hospitalization rates were significantly higher among children who were younger, black, had Medicaid insurance, and lived in poorer areas compared with their counterparts. However, the relationship between ACSCs and income and the distributions of conditions within the index varied significantly between children. Conclusions. ACSCs may indicate disparities in access and utilization of health care, however, the differing behavior of the index between subgroups suggests that inferences from examining rates of ACSCs may not be comparable for all children.ambulatory care-sensitive conditions, hospitalization rates.
The Role of Alcohol Policies in Preventing Intimate Partner Violence: A Review of the Literature

Objective:This article summarizes existing research on the relationship between alcohol policies and intimate partner violence (IPV). Because alcohol use represents an important risk factor for IPV, interventions and policies aimed at decreasing problem drinking may also lead to reductions in IPV.Method:Electronic databases were searched to identify relevant peer-reviewed journal articles on alcohol policies and IPV, as well as reference sections of appropriate articles. Only policies that have been studied specifically for their impact on IPV were included.Results:Three alcohol policy areas (outlet density, hours and days of sale, and pricing/taxation) have been studied in relation to IPV outcomes. Research on outlet density has the most consistent findings, with most studies indicating that higher densities of alcohol outlets are associated with higher rates of IPV. Fewer studies have been conducted on pricing policies and policies restricting hours/days of sale, with most studies suggesting no impact o...
Volatile organic compound emissions from Larrea tridentata (creosotebush)

Abstract. We present results from the CREosote ATmosphere Interactions through Volatile Emissions (CREATIVE 2009) field study in southern Arizona aimed at quantifying emission rates of VOCs from creosotebush (Larrea tridentata) during the summer 2009 monsoon season. This species was chosen because of its vast distribution in North and South American deserts and because its resins have been reported to contain a rich set of volatile organic compounds (VOC). While a variety of ecosystems have been investigated for VOC emissions, deserts remain essentially unstudied, partially because of their low biomass densities and water limitations. However, during the North American monsoon, a pronounced increase in rainfall from an extremely dry June ( 80 mm) occurs over large areas of the Sonoran desert in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. We observed a strong diurnal pattern of branch emissions and ambient concentrations of an extensive suite of VOCs with maxima in early afternoon. These include VOCs typically observed in forest sites (oxygenated VOCs and volatile isoprenoids) as well as a large number of other compounds, some of which have not been previously described from any plant including 1-chloro-2-methoxy-benzene and isobutyronitrile. Although generally considered to be derived from anthropogenic sources, we observed emissions of aromatic compounds including benzene, and a broad range of phenolics. Dimethyl sulfide emissions from creosotebush were higher than reported from any previously studied plant suggesting that terrestrial ecosystems should be reconsidered as an important source of this climatically important gas. We also present direct, primary emission measurements of isoprene and its apparent oxidation products methyl vinyl ketone, methacrolein, and 3-methyl furan (the later three compounds are typically assumed to form from secondary reactions within the atmosphere), as well as a group of compounds considered to be fatty acid oxidation products. These results suggest that one important function of some VOCs in creosotebush is as an antioxidant. We also find that emissions of nitriles from creosotebush could represent a significant but previously unaccounted nitrogen loss from this arid ecosystem. Our results demonstrate the richness of creosotebush volatile emissions and highlight the need for further research into their atmospheric and ecological impacts.
An analog MOS implementation of the synaptic weights for feedforward/feedback neural nets

An all-MOS realization of the linear synaptic weight for neural nets is described. The realization is achieved via an adaptation of continuous-time analog multipliers where the weights are assigned as positive or negative voltage levels. Using only a single newly designed CMOS operational amplifiers, each analog multiplier is capable of realizing the scalar product Sigma W/sub ij/X/sub j/, j=1, . . ., n, and i is fixed, where X/sub j/ is an external input or an output of neuron j and W/sub ij/ is the externally assignable positive or negative weight. The artificial neural network would then be realized by double inverters interconnected to the designed analog multipliers. Two designs are described, and the resulting (SPICE) simulations of all-MOS multiplier circuits for feedforward neural networks are presented. >
Perceived Social Support and Attributions for Failed Support

Global perceptions of social support are as stable as personality characteristics, although people occasionally must experience support that violates their expectations. To help understand this phenomenon, two studies investigated perceived support and attributions for when support is needed but not received. The authors hypothesized that persons with high perceived social support would explain that ineffective support resulted from unstable and specific factors. In contrast, low perceived social support persons were expected to make more negative attributions. In Study 1, low versus high perceived social support people made more negative attributions for hypothetical situations in which individuals needed support but did not get it. In Study 2, women described actual failed support experiences. Again, women low in social support made more negative attributions for failed support, compared to those with high support. In both studies, the relation between support and attributions could not be explained by ...
Aircraft and balloon in situ measurements of methane and hydrochloric acid using interband cascade lasers

Aircraft and balloon in situ measurements of CH4 and HCl using cw distributed feedback (DFB) interband cascade (IC) lasers are reported. In the stratosphere and upper troposphere, sensitivity toward CH4 and HCl is better than 10 ppbv (1 s) and 90 pptv (50 s), respectively. These are the first flight measurements of trace gas-phase species using cw DFB IC lasers.
Stimulation of Growth Hormone Release by Microinjection of Norepinephrine into Hypothalamus of Baboons1

Serum growth hormone (GH) rose after norepinephrine (NE) was microinjected into or in the vicinity of the ventromedial nucleus (VMN) of the hypothalamus of three conscious baboons. Microinjections of NE (10 μg in 10 μl) elevated GH from control level of 4 ± 1 ng/ml to 22 ± 5 ng/ml (SEM) at 25 min (P < 0.025) and to 29 ± 10 ng/ml at 40 min (P < 0.010). GH thereafter declined exponentially (N = 6). Plasma 17-OHCS also rose significantly over the same time course, indicating pituitary ACTH release by NE injection into the VMN. The absence of concurrent changes in blood pressure, heart rate, plasma glucose, insulin, or glycerol indicates that the GH elevation was not a response to nonspecific stress or to alterations in circulating substrates. Rather, the data suggest that NE acts on the VMN to directly stimulate hypothalamic mechanisms regulating GH secretion. (Endocrinology 90: 895, 1972)
Effects of psyllium therapy on stool characteristics, colon transit and anorectal function in chronic idiopathic constipation

SUMMARY Background: Psyllium is widely used in the symptomatic therapy of constipation. Its effects on colonic function and their correlation with symptomatic response have not been defined. Methods: After a 4-week baseline, placebo, run-in phase, 22 subjects with idiopathic constipation confirmed by prospectively administered stool diaries were randomly assigned to receive either psyllium (5 g b.d., 11 patients) or placebo (11 patients) for 8 weeks, followed by another 4-week wash-out, placebo phase. A colon transit study and anorectal manometry were performed at the beginning and at the end of each study phase. Subjects recorded, in diaries, their daily stool frequency, difficulty with defecation and weekly stool weight. Results: Stool frequency increased significantly after 8 weeks of psyllium treatment (3.8 ± 0.4 vs. 2.9 ± 0.1 stools/week, P < 0.05) as did stool weight (665.3 ± 95.8 g vs. 405.2 ± 75.9 g, P < 0.05). Subjects also reported an improvement in stool consistency (stool consistency score: 3.2 ± 0.2 vs. 3.8 ± 0.2, P < 0.05) and pain on defecation (pain score: 2.0 ± 0.4 vs. 2.6. ± 0.5, P < 0.05) on psyllium. Colon transit and anorectal manometry parameters were unchanged on psyllium. Subjects treated with placebo did not show any change in either subjective or objective measures of constipation. Conclusions: Psyllium increases stool frequency and weight and improves stool consistency in idiopathic constipation. These effects are not associated with significant changes in either colonic or rectal motor function. We suggest that the beneficial effects of psyllium in constipation are primarily related to a facilitation of the defecatory process.
Decreased neurokinin-1 (substance P) receptor binding in patients with panic disorder: positron emission tomographic study with [18F]SPA-RQ.

Background Positron emission tomography (PET) can localize and quantify neurokinin-1 (NK 1 ) receptors in brain using the nonpeptide antagonist radioligand, [ 18 F]SPA-RQ. We sought to determine if patients with panic disorder have altered density of NK 1 receptors in brain because of their history of recurrent panic attacks. We also sought to determine if a drug-induced panic attack releases substance P in brain, as measured by decreased binding of [ 18 F]SPA-RQ. Methods Positron emission tomography scans with [ 18 F]SPA-RQ were performed in 14 patients with panic disorder and 14 healthy subjects. Of these two groups, 7 patients and 10 healthy subjects were scanned twice, once at baseline and once after injection of doxapram, a drug that induces panic attacks. Results NK 1 receptor binding in patients ( n = 14) compared with that in healthy subjects ( n = 14) was significantly decreased by 12% to 21% in all brain regions. Doxapram effectively produced panic attacks in 6 of 7 patients with panic disorder but only 2 of 10 healthy subjects. Doxapram caused no significant change of [ 18 F]SPA-RQ binding in either patients or healthy subjects. Conclusions Although induction of a panic attack has no significant effect on [ 18 F]SPA-RQ binding to NK 1 receptors, patients with panic disorder have widespread reduction of NK 1 receptor binding in brain.
A perspective on multi-band, multi-mission radios

As the first generation of multi-band, multi-mission radios (MBMMR) have been deployed, the benefits and advantages of the technology for the battlefield communicator are becoming well known. For the first time, radios can be tailored to the mission rather than tailoring the mission to the radio. Continuing advancement of the underlying technologies coupled with the evolution and expansion of the operational role of these radios are resulting in the development of second generation products with greatly enhanced capabilities. This paper discusses some lessons learned from first generation MBMMR products, the direction of second generation developments, some of the underlying technologies and their application to increasing the operational effectiveness of these radios. The AN/PRC-117D(C) multi-band, multi-mission radio is one example of such a design. The capabilities of this radio include frequency coverage from 30-420 MHz, NSA endorsed VINSON compatible communications security (COMSEC), SINCGARS frequency hopping, AM and FM modulations as well as tactical satellite (TACSAT) operation.
Vibrational dynamics of aqueous hydroxide solutions probed using broadband 2DIR spectroscopy

We employed ultrafast transient absorption and broadband 2DIR spectroscopy to study the vibrational dynamics of aqueous hydroxide solutions by exciting the O–H stretch vibrations of the strongly hydrogen-bonded hydroxide solvation shell water and probing the continuum absorption of the solvated ion between 1500 and 3800 cm−1. We observe rapid vibrational relaxation processes on 150–250 fs time scales across the entire probed spectral region as well as slower vibrational dynamics on 1–2 ps time scales. Furthermore, the O–H stretch excitation loses its frequency memory in 180 fs, and vibrational energy exchange between bulk-like water vibrations and hydroxide-associated water vibrations occurs in ∼200 fs. The fast dynamics in this system originate in strong nonlinear coupling between intra- and intermolecular vibrations and are explained in terms of non-adiabatic vibrational relaxation. These measurements indicate that the vibrational dynamics of the aqueous hydroxide complex are faster than the time scales reported for long-range transport of protons in aqueous hydroxide solutions.
Effect of acrolein on human alveolar macrophage NF-κB activity

Acrolein is an environmental pollutant that is known to suppress respiratory host defense against infections; however, the mechanism of the decrease in host defense is not yet clear. We have previo...
PET-CT image segmentation: An inevitable step in translational medical imaging research

1238 Learning Objectives To review the influence of different segmentation methods on PET/CT image quantification, their performance characteristics, and potential clinical applications for clinicians and researchers. For many years, structural imaging has been used to delineate normal structures and lesion volumes for diagnostic and treatment purposes. Combined structural and molecular imaging modalities such as PET-CT/MR provide additional information about assessment of regional and global activity for normal and abnormal structures. However, because of its limited spatial resolution, accurate disease delineation and measurement with PET is challenging. As such, a wide variety of image segmentation techniques have been proposed, which will be adopted for routine applications in the field. Given the important role of novel segmentation methods, in this presentation, we will review the state-of-the-art techniques used for this purpose. The following subjects will be reviewed: 1) Importance of imaging biomarkers in medicine 2) Segmentation for accurate PET/CT quantification 3) Similarities and differences in image segmentation methods: PET versus structural imaging 4) Current methods of PET/CT image segmentation (Imaging Science for Clinicians): a)Thresholding b)Active contouring c)Fuzzy clustering-based (FCM) d)Spatial wavelet-based algorithm (FCM-SW) e)Fuzzy-connected f)Graph Cut 5) Diagnostic and therapeutic applications of segmentation in PET/CT
IMPACT OF EARLY PALLIATIVE CARE INTERVENTION ON MATERNAL STRESS IN MOTHERS OF INFANTS PRENATALLY DIAGNOSED WITH SINGLE VENTRICLE HEART DISEASE: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Children with single ventricle (SV) cardiac defects requiring staged palliation have a high risk of mortality and receive invasive and complex care, resulting in significant maternal stress. In other complex, life-limiting illnesses among children, pediatric palliative care (PPC) may mitigate
Bilateral traumatic diaphragmatic hernia

Abstract A case of bilateral traumatic hernia of the diaphragm is presented with operative and autopsy findings, in which herniation of the stomach, omentum, and transverse colon occurred into the pericardial cavity on the left side through a defect of approximately 12 cm. and in which herniation of the dome of the liver occurred into the pleural cavity on the right side through a defect approximately 15 cm. in diameter.
Infrared Study of Strongly and Weakly Adsorbed CO2 on Fresh and Oxidatively Degraded Amine Sorbents

CO2 adsorption on fresh and oxidatively degraded tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG-200) supported on amorphous silica (SiO2) was studied by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). Fresh TEPA sorbents adsorb CO2 in the form of ammonium ions, carbamates, and carbamic acid of which infrared features and binding strength strongly depend on the type of amine sites (i.e., primary or secondary) and their densities. CO2 adsorbed on the primary amine sites exhibited a strong IR intensity of carbamate in the 1680–1200 cm–1 region, and CO2 adsorbed on the secondary amine sites showed a high IR intensity of ammonium ion in the 2800–2100 cm–1 region. Oxidative degradation of the fresh sorbents in the presence of air at 100 °C for 12 h converted a high fraction of secondary amines in TEPA to amide and imide species, isolating the primary amine sites and decreasing the overall density of amines in the sorbent. The isolated primary amine sites of the degraded sorbent...
Analysis of Volatile Aroma Components in American Almonds by SPME-GC-MS

Volatile aroma components in American almonds were extracted by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HSSPME) and were identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). SPME was carried out using a DVB/CAR/PDMS fiber at 80 ℃ for 15 min, and the split ratio used was 5:1. Thes optimized method was applied to analyze almonds. The results indicated that 44 and 57 volatile compounds were identified in raw almonds and roasted almonds, respectively. The major volatile aroma components in raw almonds were 1-hexanol, heptanol, 1-pentanol, 1-nonanol, ethyl acetate, acetic acid, butyl ester and toluene. As for roasted almonds, in addition to the six substances, other components such as acetic acid, butanal, 3-methyl-, hexanal, furfural, benzaldehyde, benzeneacetaldehyde, nonanal, 2,5-dimethyl-pyrazine, and 2-pentyl-furan were also detected.
Genomic Biomarkers for Breast Cancer Risk

Clinical risk assessment for cancer predisposition includes a three-generation pedigree and physical examination to identify inherited syndromes. Additionally genetic and genomic biomarkers may identify individuals with a constitutional basis for their disease that may not be evident clinically. Genomic biomarker testing may detect molecular variations in single genes, panels of genes, or entire genomes. The strength of evidence for the association of a genomic biomarker with disease risk may be weak or strong. The factors contributing to clinical validity and utility of genomic biomarkers include functional laboratory analyses and genetic epidemiologic evidence. Genomic biomarkers may be further classified as low, moderate or highly penetrant based on the likelihood of disease. Genomic biomarkers for breast cancer are comprised of rare highly penetrant mutations of genes such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, moderately penetrant mutations of genes such as CHEK2, as well as more common genomic variants, including single nucleotide polymorphisms, associated with modest effect sizes. When applied in the context of appropriate counseling and interpretation, identification of genomic biomarkers of inherited risk for breast cancer may decrease morbidity and mortality, allow for definitive prevention through assisted reproduction, and serve as a guide to targeted therapy .
Multivariate Behavioral Genetic Analysis of Parenting in Early Childhood

SYNOPSISObjective. Caregivers play an important role in child development; in addition to instilling their norms and values in their children through socialization, caregivers modify their parenting practices in response to children’s characteristics. Previous studies have documented child genetic effects on parenting behaviors, but multivariate behavioral genetic examinations of parenting are scarce. Design. The current study examined the multivariate structure of child genetic and environmental influences on parenting in a sample of 236 individual twins aged 0–5 years, providing a total of 542 observations. Results. “Shared environments” (between-family environmental differences that are shared by twins reared in the same home, including parental characteristics, family socioeconomic status, and neighborhood characteristics) account for the majority of variation in parenting practices, whereas child genetic effects are more modest and occur more on specific parenting practices. Conclusion. Caregivers ge...
Characterizing Teamwork in Cardiovascular Care Outcomes: A Network Analytics Approach.

Background— The nature of teamwork in healthcare is complex and interdisciplinary, and provider collaboration based on shared patient encounters is crucial to its success. Characterizing the intensity of working relationships with risk-adjusted patient outcomes supplies insight into provider interactions in a hospital environment. Methods and Results— We extracted 4 years of patient, provider, and activity data for encounters in an inpatient cardiology unit from Northwestern Medicine’s Enterprise Data Warehouse. We then created a provider–patient network to identify healthcare providers who jointly participated in patient encounters and calculated satisfaction rates for provider–provider pairs. We demonstrated the application of a novel parameter, the shared positive outcome ratio, a measure that assesses the strength of a patient-sharing relationship between 2 providers based on risk-adjusted encounter outcomes. We compared an observed collaboration network of 334 providers and 3453 relationships to 1000 networks with shared positive outcome ratio scores based on randomized outcomes and found 188 collaborative relationships between pairs of providers that showed significantly higher than expected patient satisfaction ratings. A group of 22 providers performed exceptionally in terms of patient satisfaction. Our results indicate high variability in collaboration scores across the network and highlight our ability to identify relationships with both higher and lower than expected scores across a set of shared patient encounters. Conclusions— Satisfaction rates seem to vary across different teams of providers. Team collaboration can be quantified using a composite measure of collaboration across provider pairs. Tracking provider pair outcomes over a sufficient set of shared encounters may inform quality improvement strategies such as optimizing team staffing, identifying characteristics and practices of high-performing teams, developing evidence-based team guidelines, and redesigning inpatient care processes.
Ultralow oxygen treatment for postharvest control of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), on iceberg lettuce II. Effects of pre-treatment storage on lettuce quality

Abstract Iceberg lettuce stored under normal atmosphere and controlled atmosphere (CA) with about 3% oxygen at low temperature for 1 week was compared with fresh lettuce for their response to 2 d ultralow oxygen (ULO) treatment with 0.003% oxygen at 10 °C for control of western flower thrips. Lettuce which had been stored for 1 week under normal or CA tolerated ULO treatment while over 30% of fresh lettuce sustained minor injury to heartleaves. Therefore, pre-treatment storage at low temperature enhanced tolerance of lettuce to the subsequent insecticidal ULO treatment. A sequential combination of CA storage and ULO treatment was demonstrated to be effective against western flower thrips and lettuce aphid and safe to all seven lettuce cultivars tested. The study indicated that ULO treatment can be made safer to lettuce through pre-treatment storage to increase lettuce tolerance.
Brahmin Jesters and Sufi Wise Fools

This chapter traces two divergent religio-cultural genealogies for the bhānd in the Brahmin jester of Sanskrit drama (vidusaka and viṭa), and the Sufi wise fool of history and popular literature (Ash’ab, Bahlul and Mullah Nasruddin). The author explores these comic convergences during Muslim rule in South Asia (1206–1858) in the pairings of bold jesters and powerful rulers, such as Tenali Rama with Vijayanagar King Krsnadevaraya (1509–29), and Raja Birbal (Mahesh Das ca. 1528–1586) with Emperor Akbar (1556–1605), in both the popular imagination and in historical records. In this first scholarly attempt to understand the relationship between these Hindu and Muslim comic paradigms, the author describes a dynamic fusion of Hindu and Sufi materials, mundane and divine institutions, popular imagination and history, that flow into the work of the bhānd.
Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Famine in Southern India before the Famine Codes

Differences in scale and origin of source materials allow varying levels of historical analysis. Spatial and temporal patterns of famine in Madras Presidency before 1880, in particular those recorded in the Jamabandi or Annual Settlement Reports in Salem District, are examined. Improved understanding of contemporary famine vulnerability, the operation of famine warning systems, together with relief and rehabilitation strategies, may be possible from this archival data at the local level.
Publication Rates in Podium and Poster Presentations at the 2012-2014 American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Annual Meetings.

Abstract Background Subspecialty conferences are an important forum for disseminating the latest research relevant to clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to identify publication rates in podium and poster abstracts for the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) Annual Meeting and to identify the most common journals of publication and the reasons for nonpublication. Methods Six hundred ten accepted abstracts (182 podium presentations, 428 posters) from the 2012-2014 AAHKS meetings were searched using Google, Google Scholar, and PubMed. If an abstract could not be found after efforts by multiple searchers, the first author was emailed to determine where the research was published or why it was not published. For articles that were published, the journal, time to publication, and journal impact factor were noted. Results The overall rate of publication was 71% (436/610). Podium presentations (164/182, 90%) were published at a higher rate than posters (271/428, 63%). The most common journal of publication was the Journal of Arthroplasty (218/436, 50%), followed by Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (77/436, 18%) and The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (40/436, 9%). Average time to publication was 14.5 months (range, −4 to 44 months) from the date of the conference in which it was presented. Conclusion Presentations at the AAHKS annual meeting have an impressive rate of publication. The research presented at the meeting is impactful and high quality, warranting consideration for future publication.
Remarks on Stoic deduction

The purpose of this note is to raise and clarify certain questions concerning deduction in Stoic logic. Despite the fact that the extant corpus of relevant texts is limited, it may nevertheless be possible to answer some of these questions with a considerable degree of certainty. Moreover, with the answers obtained one might be able to narrow the range of possible solutions to other problems concerning Stoic theories of meaning and inference.
Does self-help increase rates of help seeking for student mental health problems by minimizing stigma as a barrier?

Objective: This study examined whether self-help (books, websites, mobile apps) increases help seeking for mental health problems among college students by minimizing stigma as a barrier. Participa...
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation as Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract Although the exact pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains unknown, it is thought to be caused by dysregulated immune response to gut microbiota in genetically predisposed individuals. Given the proposed theory that intestinal dysbiosis can drive inflammation in IBD, there is a great interest in therapy that can manipulate the gut microbiome. Fecal microbiota therapy (FMT) is the process of transferring stool from a healthy donor individual into a recipient with a specific disease that is thought to be secondary to altered microbiome. Treatment with FMT may increase gut microbial diversity and restore a healthy balance of gut flora, which could prove to be beneficial for the treatment of IBD and other conditions. This chapter reviews the currently available literature on the use of FMT in IBD and discusses practical considerations for FMT.
Unmanned aerial and ground vehicle (UAV-UGV) system prototype for civil infrastructure missions

This paper develops notional technical design requirements for a team of autonomous air and ground vehicles for civil infrastructure inspection. Such a heterogeneous robot team can produce augmented maps of regions of interest with wider coverage and reduced uncertainty compared to mapping done by either platform alone because of the ability to exploit drastically different vantage points. In cases where visual scanning provides insufficient data, the aerial vehicle can deliver a ground vehicle equipped with additional sensors for nondestructive testing. State-of-the-art implementations support the validity of such a system, and preliminary testing suggests future work.
Derivation of the Lorentz Transformations from the Constancy of the Speed of Light

L'A. montre que la these selon laquelle les transformations de Lorentz peuvent etre derivees necessairement du principe de la relativite speciale et de la constance de la vitesse de la lumiere est incorrecte| la derivation repose sur des hypotheses d'arriere-plan, et peut etre faite a partir du seul principe de constance de la vitesse de la lumiere.
A discourse-aware graph-based content-selection framework

This paper presents an easy-to-adapt, discourse-aware framework that can be utilized as the content selection component of a generation system whose goal is to deliver descriptive texts in several turns. Our framework involves a novel use of a graph-based ranking algorithm, to iteratively determine what content to convey to a given request while taking into account various considerations such as capturing a priori importance of information, conveying related information, avoiding redundancy, and incorporating the effects of discourse history. We illustrate and evaluate this framework in an accessibility system for sight-impaired individuals.
Association Between Organizational Capacity and Scope Among Lebanese Nonprofits

Nonprofits’ capacity and scope can impact organizational performance, separately and jointly. Yet, the relationship between the two constructs remains unexplored. In this article, we examine the as...