cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Questioning the Rule of Thumb: Can Verbal Tasks be Administered During the CVLT-II Delay Interval?

In the manual for the California Verbal Learning Test - II (CVLT-II), the authors suggest that nonverbal, rather than verbal, tasks be administered during the delay interval between administrations of the Short- and Long-Delay Recall trials of this test. They contend that this method minimizes the retroactive interference produced by intervening tasks. The purpose of the current study was to compare the extent to which verbal and nonverbal intervening tasks produce retroactive interference on CVLT-II List A recall following the long-delay. Participants in the present study were 120 undergraduate students. All participants completed the CVLT-II, and were randomly assigned to a group in which they were administered either a verbal (WAIS-III Vocabulary or Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test - IIIB) or nonverbal (Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices or WAIS-III Block Design) intervening task during the long-delay interval of the CVLT-II. Statistical analyses revealed that regardless of the type of intervening task given, participants in all groups recalled the same number of words and produced a similar number of intrusions during the CVLT-II recall trials. This indicates that not all verbal tasks produce retroactive effects beyond those produced by nonverbal tasks.
Spin-Wave Spectrum and Magnon Contribution to the Specific Heat of EuTe

Measurements of the specific heat of EuTe at low temperatures are analyzed in conjunction with results of antiferromagnetic resonance experiments to determine first- and second-neighbor exchange parameters ${J}_{1}=(0.07\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02)$ \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and ${J}_{2}=\ensuremath{-}(0.21\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02)$ \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K.
Multimodal optical studies of single and clustered colloidal quantum dots for the long-term optical property evaluation of quantum dot-based molecular imaging phantoms

Understanding the optical properties of clustered quantum dots (QDs) is essential to the design of QD-based optical phantoms for molecular imaging. Single and clustered core/shell colloidal QDs of dimers, trimers, and tetramers are self-assembled, separated, and preferentially collected using electrospray differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA) with electrostatic deposition. Multimodal optical characterization and analysis of their dynamical photoluminescence (PL) properties enables the long-term evaluation of the physicochemical and optical properties of QDs in a single or a clustered state. A multimodal time-correlated spectroscopic confocal microscope capable of simultaneously measuring the time evolution of PL intensity fluctuation, PL lifetime, and emission spectra reveals the long-term dynamic optical properties of interacting QDs in individual dimeric clusters of QDs. This new method will benefit research into the quantitative interpretation of fluorescence intensity and lifetime results in QD-based molecular imaging techniques. The process of photooxidation leads to coupling of the QDs in a dimer, leading to unique optical properties when compared to an isolated QD. These results guide the design and evaluation of QD-based phantom materials for the validation of the PL measurements for quantitative molecular imaging of biological samples labeled with QD probes.
Subjective, psychomotor, and physiological effects of oxycodone alone and in combination with ethanol in healthy volunteers.

Rationale Nonmedical use of prescription opioids is sometimes accompanied by the ingestion of ethanol. Whether ethanol increases the abuse liability-related effects of prescription opioids has not been determined.
Multiple Carboxymethylation of Histidines in Bovine Ribonuclease A

Reaction of RNAase A with bromoacetate at pH 5.5 for 1–42 days results in multiple reactions. Alkylation of residues proceeds in the sequence: (1) N-1 of histidine-119; (2) methionine (probably methionine-30); (3) N-3 of histidine-12; (4) N-3 of histidine-105 and N-3 of 1-carboxy-methyl histidine-119; and (5) lysine-1. Both histidine-12 and histidine-119 of the same active site are carboxymethylated. A derivative carboxymethylated at both active site histidines is obtained in 1 day and probably some of this derivative is obtained in short reaction times. This is contrary to the conclusions of earlier investigations. Histidine-48 undergoes little or no reaction. The results are in accord with the X-ray structure of RNAase.
Induction of influenza type A virus-specific resistance by immunization of mice with a synthetic multiple antigenic peptide vaccine that contains ectodomains of matrix protein 2.

Abstract Matix protein 2 (M2) is a transmembrane protein of influenza type A virus. It contains a 23 aa long ectodomain (M2e) that is highly conserved amongst human influenza type A viruses. M2e-specific antibodies have been shown to restrict virus growth in vitro and in vivo and thus have the potential of providing cross-reactive resistance to influenza type A virus infection. We attempted to induce M2e-specific protection with synthetic multiple antigen peptide (MAP) constructs that contained covalently linked M2e- and Th-determinant peptides. Mice, vaccinated twice by the intranasal (i.n.) route with adjuvanted M2e–MAPs exhibited significant resistance to virus replication in all sites of the respiratory tract. Compared to mice primed by two consecutive heterosubtypic infections, resistance was of similar strength in nasal and tracheal tissue but lower in pulmonary tissue. Importantly, the protection in M2e–MAP- and infection-immunized mice appeared to be mediated by distinct immune mechanisms. This suggests that stronger protection may be achievable by combining both protective activities.
JC virus-induced changes in cellular gene expression in primary human astrocytes.

Cell-type-specific transcription of the JC virus (JCV) promoter in glial cells initiates a series of events leading to viral replication in the brain and the development of the fatal demyelinating disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in patients with neurologic complications due to infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1. Here we employed an in vitro infection of primary cultures of human astrocytes to compare the transcriptional profile of cellular genes after JCV infection by using an oligonucleotide-based microarray of 12,600 genes. Transcription of nearly 355 genes was enhanced and expression of 130 genes was decreased to various degrees. Many transcripts that were increased upon JCV infection were found to encode proteins with properties that suggest their involvement in cell proliferation, including cyclin A and cyclin B1; signaling pathways, such as transforming growth factor β receptor 1, platelet-derived growth factor receptor and fibroblast growth factor family receptor; and other regulatory events, such as inflammatory responses, including cyclo-oxygenase-2 (Cox-2). Microarray-based data for several cell cycle-regulatory genes were further examined by using Western blot analysis of in vitro infected astrocytes harvested early and late during the infection. Results demonstrate that protein levels of all upregulated genes were found to increase at some point during the infection time course. In parallel, immunohistochemical assessment of cell cycle proteins, including cyclins A, B1, E, and Cdk2, showed positive staining of astrocytes within PML lesions of brain tissue from patients with neuro-AIDS. Microarray analysis was found to be a useful predictor of gene expression in infected cells; however, it may not directly correlate with protein levels during infection with JCV.
Promoting Stability or Instability? Arms Transfers and Regional Rivalries,1950–1991

There has not been much formal or empirical research on the impact of Cold War–era arms transfers on regional subsystems, and the work that has been undertaken is inconclusive: arms transfers appear, in some cases, to promote stability, but in other situations they are shown to be destabilizing. This study confronts the issue directly by developing and testing both stability and instability models of Superpower (U.S. and USSR) and third-country arms transfers. The models examine the effects of exported arms on the political and military relationships between three sets of rival importers—India-Pakistan, Iran-Iraq, and Ethiopia-Somalia—during the 1950–1991 period. Tests of the models with recently released arms trade data reveal that the weapons shipments of the U.S. and USSR were profoundly destabilizing, while those of third parties generally had little impact on subsystem political and military relationships. An intriguing exception to these patterns is the weapons transfers of the PRC, specifically to Pakistan: these are found to have lessened the military imbalance between Pakistan and India, suggesting that the PRC's reputation as an irresponsible exporter deserves further review.
Recent epic code developments for high velocity impact: 3D element arrangements and 2D fragment distributions

Abstract This paper presents recent developments in the three-dimensional EPIC-3 code and the two-dimensional EPIC-2 code. The EPIC-3 work provides a new symmetric arrangement of tetrahedral elements which is more accurate than the traditional non-symmetric arrangement. The EPIC-2 work provides an algorithm and examples of fragment distributions which occur after impact. Included are numbers of fragments for various sizes, masses, momenta, and kinetic energies.
Fluctuation conductivity near a Peierls lattice distortion

Abstract There have been a number of recent theories for the fluctuation conductivity due to phonon softening near a one-dimensional Peierls lattice distortion. In these, the conductivity is evaluated for one or more Feynman response diagrams, with a resulting fluctuation conductivity which is positive, negative, or negligible. We calculate the conductivity using a conserving response theory which derives all of the response diagrams for any particular approximation to the electron propagator for the solid in thermodynamic equilibrium. Using this method in the mean-field theories to date, valid in principle for sufficiently high temperatures, the fluctuation conductivity due to phonon softening is positive and proportional to ( T - T p ) - 3 2 , where T p is the mean-field temperature scale in the one-dimensional Peierls system. This conductivity contribution is not due to the Frohlich sliding mode.
Book Review: Neuronal Tolerance to O2 Deprivation in Drosophila: Novel Approaches Using Genetic Models

In spite of many advances in monitoring oxygenation and preventing cerebro-vascular accidents, there is still considerable morbidity and mortality from conditions with cerebral blood flow impairment and O2 deprivation leading to hypoxic/ischemic brain injury. Part of this failure is related to the complexity of the cascade of events that ensue after hypoxia or ischemia, but also part of it may be related to the fact that most research in the previous few decades has focused, justifiably, on cerebral vessel disease. However, an important aspect of the cascade is dependent on many factors that are inherent to the nature and response of the tissue itself. Hence, there is more need now for a two-pronged approach to hypoxic/ischemic brain injury, one focusing on vessel disease, its prevention, and treatment, and the other centering on the brain tissue itself and the factors that render neurons and glia more susceptible or more tolerant to a lack of oxygenation. In the past several years, a number of methods, techniques, and animal models have been used to address the response of neurons and glia to lack of oxygen. In this review, we highlight some novel ideas and some results that we and others have obtained, mostly pertaining to the genetic endowment and responses of the central nervous system to O2 deprivation. The role and importance of genetic models, such as the Drosophila melanogaster, are discussed, and an example illustrating how to harness the power of Drosophila genetics is detailed.
Diagnosis of herpes simplex virus in the era of polymerase chain reaction.

Although human herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are very common, their most extreme manifestations, neonatal HSV and herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), are quite rare. Currently neonatal HSV disease in the United States occurs in ∼1 in 3200 deliveries,1 resulting in an estimated 1500 cases annu
An efficient technique for reliability analysis of power systems including time dependent sources

A method of reliability analysis of electric power systems with time-dependent sources, such as photovoltaic and wind generation is introduced. The fluctuating characteristic of unconventional generation units affects the reliability of the generation system in a different manner than the conventional units. The method proposed by the authors groups the units into several subsystems. One subsystem contains the conventional units and the remaining subsystem consist of unconventional units. A generation system model is built for each subsystem. The outputs for the unconventional units and the load are treated as correlated random variables. Using a clustering procedure states are identified wherein for a given value of load there are specific mean values of the outputs of the unconventional units. Reliability analysis is performed by combining the conventional subsystem with the unconventional subsystems in each state. The output from all the states is combined to compute the loss of load expectation and expected unserved energy. >
Hypothalamic–Pituitary Function in Brain Death: A Review

The Uniform Determination of Death Act (UDDA) states that an individual is dead when "all functions of the entire brain" have ceased irreversibly. However, it has been questioned whether some functions of the hypothalamus, particularly osmoregulation, can continue after the clinical diagnosis of brain death (BD). In order to learn whether parts of the hypothalamus can continue to function after the diagnosis of BD, we performed 2 separate systematic searches of the MEDLINE database, corresponding to the functions of the posterior and anterior pituitary. No meta-analysis is possible due to nonuniformity in the clinical literature. However, some modest generalizations can reasonably be drawn from a narrative review and from anatomic considerations that explain why these findings should be expected. We found evidence suggesting the preservation of hypothalamic function, including secretion of hypophysiotropic hormones, responsiveness to anterior pituitary stimulation, and osmoregulation, in a substantial proportion of patients declared dead by neurological criteria. We discuss several possible explanations for these findings. We conclude by suggesting that additional clinical research with strict inclusion criteria is necessary and further that a more nuanced and forthright public dialogue is needed, particularly since standard diagnostic practices and the UDDA may not be entirely in accord.
Protocol-level reconfigurations for autonomic management of distributed network services

The paper describes a service model for the autonomic management of distributed networked systems. In this model, a service provider (SP) maintains multiple protocol modules to exercise the infrastructure resources under various environment conditions. Each protocol exhibits a certain degree of performance optimality and service resilience in distinct operating regions of the network infrastructure and the environment. During run-time, the SP selects one of the protocol modules that can meet the application-requested Quality of Service (QoS) obligation against the prevailing operating conditions. Under normal conditions when the external disturbances are benign (e.g., low packet loss in the network), an optimal usage of the network resources is important. Under adverse conditions however (such as prolonged sub-system outages and failures), a sustained access to the network service at some minimum acceptable level becomes more important than a resource-optimal service offering. Often, a resilient protocol incurs more resource usage to tackle the hostile environment conditions than a performance-conscious protocol tuned for the normal case operations (‘a single shoe does not all sizes’ !!). Accordingly, a protocol selection by the SP considers the trade-off between ‘service availability’ under extreme operating conditions and ‘resource optimality’ under normal operations. Our model allows a ‘dynamic switching’ from one protocol module to another at run-time based on the changing environment conditions. The paper advocates ‘protocol switching’ as a foundation for building autonomic network services with the twin goals of service-level availability and performance.
Two stage fixed width confidence intervals for the common location parameter of several exponential distributins

Two stage sampling schemes are introduced for use in estimating the common location parameter (guarantee time) of two or more exponential distributions with a confidence interval of prespecified width whose coverage probability is at least a given nominal value. Exact expressions for all moments of order r ≥ 1 of the associated two stage sample sizes and for the actual coverage probabilities are derived. The performance of the procedures in a variety of two population, moderate fixed sample size cases is examined via numerical studies involving both exact calculations and Monte Carlo simulations. No new tables are needed to implement any of the proposed methods. A modified two stage procedure is recommended for practical use
MODELING LEAN, AGILE, AND LEAGILE SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGIES

Many companies are using lean management and agility strategies to reduce costs, improve customer service and advance their competitive position. Lean thinking emphasizes the elimination of waste while agility stresses flexible, timely action in response to rapidly changing demand. While lean and agile supply chain strategies are often viewed as opposites, this paper supports the view that they do not necessarily compete and in fact can be employed simultaneously through a so-called "leagile" approach. Lean, agile and leagile strategies are illustrated by modeling their respective applications at a tier-1 supplier to the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning industry. Simulation analyses indicate that the lean system improves customer service performance while the leagile system results in lower enterprise-wide inventory levels under modeled circumstances. Analyses of the model output with regard to enterprise-wide costs and the sensitivity of the strategies to varying cost conditions suggests that tradeoffs exist among the three systems.
Oxygen inhalation—induced transcutaneous PO2 changes as a predictor of amputation level

Abstract Noninvasive transcutaneous PO 2 (TcpO 2 ) determination have been developed to study peripheral arterial occlusive disease. To evaluate this technique as a predictor of amputation outcome, a blind, prospective study of 101 patients undergoing 119 amputations (23 above-knee [AK], 57 below-knee [BK], and 39 forefoot) was performed. TcpO 2 measurements were obtained from the dorsum of the foot and 10 cm distal to the patella, both prior to and 10 minutes after inhalation of 100% oxygen. On the basis of preliminary results, initial TcpO 2 values >10 mm Hg or an increase >10 mm Hg after oxygen inhalation were considered to predict a successful outcome, whereas failure was predicted when the initial TcpO 2 value was 2 determination coupled with the response to 100% oxygen inhalation as an excellent predictor of the outcome of lower extremity amputations. (J VASC SURG 1985;2:220-7.)
Improving supervised classification accuracy using non-rigid multimodal image registration: Detecting Prostate Cancer

ABSTRACT Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems for the detection of cancer in medical images require precise labelingof training data. For magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (MRI) of the prostate, training labels dene the spatialextent of prostate cancer (CaP); the most common source for these labels is expert segmentations. Whenancillary data such as whole mount histology (WMH) sections, which provide the gold standard for cancerground truth, are available, the manual labeling of CaP can be improved by referencing WMH. However, manualsegmentation is error prone, time consuming and not reproducible. Therefore, we present the use of multimodalimage registration to automatically and accurately transcribe CaP from histology onto MRI following alignmentof the two modalities, in order to improve the quality of training data and hence classier performance. Wequantitatively demonstrate the superiority of this registration-based methodology by comparing its results tothe manual CaP annotation of expert radiologists. Five supervised CAD classiers were trained using the labelsfor CaP extent on MRI obtained by the expert and 4 dierent registration techniques. Two of the registrationmethods were ane schemes; one based on maximization of mutual information (MI) and the other methodthat we previously developed, Combined Feature Ensemble Mutual Information (COFEMI), which incorporateshigh-order statistical features for robust multimodal registration. Two non-rigid schemes were obtained bysucceeding the two ane registration methods with an elastic deformation step using thin-plate splines (TPS).In the absence of denitive ground truth for CaP extent on MRI, classier accuracy was evaluated against 7ground truth surrogates obtained by dierent combinations of the expert and registration segmentations. For26 multimodal MRI-WMH image pairs, all four registration methods produced a higher area under the receiveroperating characteristic curve compared to that obtained from expert annotation. These results suggest that inthe presence of additional multimodal image information one can obtain more accurate object annotations thanachievable via expert delineation despite vast dierences between modalities that hinder image registration.Keywords: registration, prostate cancer, CAD, dimensionality reduction, mutual information, thin plate splines,non-rigid, COFEMI, histology, MRI, multimodal, independent component analysis, Bayesian classier
Neuromuscular and biomechanical characteristics do not vary across the menstrual cycle

Research examining the menstrual cycle and its relationship to ACL injury has focused on determining the incidence of ACL injury during the different phases of the menstrual cycle and assessing the changes in neuromuscular and biomechanical characteristics between these phases. Conflicting results warrant further investigation to determine if neuromuscular and biomechanical characteristics respond in a similar pattern to the fluctuating estradiol and progesterone. The purpose of this study was to determine if changes in the levels of estradiol and progesterone significantly altered fine motor coordination, postural stability, knee strength, and knee joint kinematics and kinetics between the menses, post-ovulatory, and mid-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Ten healthy and physically active females (Age: 21.4 ± 1.4 years, Height: 1.67 ± 0.06 m, Mass: 59.9 ± 7.4 kg), who did not use oral contraceptives, were recruited from the local university population. Single-leg postural stability, fine motor coordination, knee strength, knee biomechanics, and serum estradiol and progesterone were assessed at the menses, post-ovulatory, and mid-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Levels of estradiol were significantly higher during the post-ovulatory (P = 0.016) and mid-luteal phases (P < 0.001) compared to the menses phase. Levels of progesterone were significantly lower during the menses (P < 0.001) and post-ovulatory phases (P < 0.001) compared to the mid-luteal phase. No significant differences existed between phases of the menstrual cycle for fine motor coordination (P = 0.474), postural stability (P = 0.707), hamstring – quadriceps strength ratio at 60°s−1 (P = 0.748) or 180°s−1 (P = 0.789), knee flexion excursion (P = 0.6), knee valgus excursion (P = 0.899), peak proximal tibial anterior shear force (P = 0.797), flexion moment at peak proximal tibial anterior shear force (P = 0.698), or valgus moment at peak proximal tibial anterior shear force (P = 0.924). The results of the current study suggest neuromuscular and biomechanical characteristics are not influenced by estradiol and progesterone fluctuations. All neuromuscular and biomechanical characteristics remained invariable between testing sessions despite concentration changes in estradiol and progesterone.
Helping Her Heal: a pilot study of an educational counseling intervention for spouses of women with breast cancer

Breast cancer is known to cause substantial anxiety, depressed mood, and diminished marital functioning in the diagnosed woman's spouse. Despite the scope and magnitude of these issues, few intervention studies have included spouses or addressed the causes of their lower functioning. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the short-term impact of a 5-session, clinic-based, educational counseling intervention for spouses whose wife was recently diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. The goals of the intervention were to enhance spouses' skills and confidence to communicate and interpersonally support his wife about the breast cancer as well as improve spouses' self-care, depressed mood, anxiety, and marital adjustment. Pre–post-test results obtained from 20 spouses from valid and reliable standardized questionnaires showed significant improvements in spouses' depressed mood, anxiety, skills, self-confidence, and self-care. Confidential post-intervention interviews with spouses and wives included detailed examples of positive changes in the spouse's communication and support to his wife about the breast cancer, diminished tension in the spouse, and improved quality in the couple's relationship. Further evaluation of the Helping Her Heal Program is warranted within a clinical trial. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Understanding Organizational Learning Capability

This paper presents data on how learning takes place in four organizations, what gets learned, and the factors and processes that facilitate or impede learning. Seven orientations for describing organizational learning capability and understanding learning styles are identified. Each of these orientations is conceived as a bi-polar continuum that reflect learning processes. Knowledge source is defined as the extent to which an organization prefers to develop new knowledge internally versus the extent to which it is more likely to seek inspiration in ideas developed externally. Product-process focus refers to a preference for the accumulation of knowledge related to product and service outcomes versus a preference to invest in knowledge about basic processes that support products. Documentation mode refers to attitudes as to what constitutes knowledge and to the repositories of knowledge that are supported. Dissemination mode pertains to the difference between establishing an atmosphere in which learning evolves and one in which a more structured, controlled approach is taken to induce learning. Learning focus has to do with whether learning is concentrated on methods and tools to improve what is already being done versus testing the assumptions underlying what is being done. Value-chain focus indicates which functional, core competencies are valued and supported. Skill development focus involves the orientation toward individual versus collective learning. Organizational learning may be increased by building on existing capabilities or developing new ones. the latter involves a change in culture, the former involves improving current capabilities. Organizations can enhance their learning capability through either approach.
State persistence: a property for guiding test generation

We study a property of circuit states referred to as persistence. The persistence pi(s) of a state s is the number of next-state variables whose values are specified (0 or 1) when a fully-unspecified primary input vector is applied to the circuit in state s. When a next-state variable Yi is specified under a fully-unspecified primary input vector, there are faults in the input cone of Yi that cannot be detected on Yi. We demonstrate through experimental results that when lower-persistence states are used as scan-in states, the resulting tests detect larger numbers of faults. Low-persistence states are thus preferable as scan-in states during test generation. We also discuss the computation of low-persistence states.
Allele frequency of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1ab corn in Louisiana populations of sugarcane borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae).

Transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn, Zea mays L., has been widely used to manage a corn borer complex in the mid-southern region of the United States. The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), has become a dominant cornstalk boring species in some areas of this region, especially in Louisiana. Therefore, management of sugarcane borer resistance to Bt corn is critical to ensure the long-term sustainability of Bt corn for the region. This study screened 280 two-parent family-lines of sugarcane borer from four geographical populations in Louisiana during 2005 to determine whether Bt resistance allele frequency in sugarcane borer is sufficiently low to meet the rare resistance assumption of the current “high dose/refuge” resistance management strategy for Bt corn. These sugarcane borer family-lines were examined for Bt resistance by using novel F2 screening procedures. No major Bt resistance alleles were detected in these four populations. The estimated frequency of major Bt resistance alleles was <0.0027, with a 95% probability and a detection power of 94%. The estimated minor resistance allele frequency was 0.0063, with a 95% CI of 0.0025–0.0117. During a previous study, a major Bt resistance allele was detected in one individual from 213 family-lines of another Louisiana population of sugarcane borer. Combining these data with the current screen, the frequency of major Bt resistance alleles across the five populations was 0.001, with a 95% credibility interval of 0.0001–0.0028 and a detection power of 95%. Major Bt resistance allele frequencies in Louisiana sugarcane borer populations seem to be low, and they should support the rare resistance allele requirement of the high dose/refuge strategy.
The Return of Mythic Voice in the Aporias of Narcissism: Pleshette DeArmitt’s Ethical Idea

The ordeal of mourning, being so much harder than any thought its experience may deliver, bears out the impression developed in Julia Kristeva’s opening to The Severed Head —that thought is swift. She has recognized as well as anyone the interplay of blindness and insight. Nothing brings all this into starker evidence than the premature death of a loved other, a friend, or a true assistant in life and thought. There is a reminder in this that the new narratives of subjectivity on which Kristeva places a high value, and certainly the long life of meaning in the world, come at the price of the loss and mourning of our loved others. Pleshette DeArmitt’s book, The Right to Narcissism: A Case for an Im-possible Self-Love , has given the condition of narcissism an intricate place in this difficult if promising work.
Skin Cancer Chemoprevention: Current Status and Future Potential

Skin is an organ of vital importance; however, it is under intense and relentless physical and chemical stress that ultimately lead to many skin related disorders including cancer. With continuous increase in the incidence of skin cancer, currently advocated methods such as the use of sunscreens and wearing protective clothing have not proven useful in reversing this trend. Chemoprevention is one promising strategy where the process of carcinogenesis can be slowed or entirely stopped by the utilization of natural or synthetic agents. Chemoprevention is particularly suited for skin cancers because the skin is continuously exposed to ultraviolet radiations (UVR) from the sun that cause DNA damage and genetic mutations that subsequently lead to skin cancer. In this article, we provide a brief overview on the skin cancer chemopreventive potential and mechanism of action of tested natural and synthetic agents. Many of these agents are present in daily diet and are supplemented or topically applied against prevention of various stages of skin cancer. Use of already advocated strategies in combination with chemoprevention could be an effective strategy to reduce the incidence of skin cancer.
Handheld Low-Temperature Plasma Probe for Portable “Point-and-Shoot” Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry

We describe a handheld, wireless low-temperature plasma (LTP) ambient ionization source and its performance on a benchtop and a miniature mass spectrometer. The source, which is inexpensive to build and operate, is battery-powered and utilizes miniature helium cylinders or air as the discharge gas. Comparison of a conventional, large-scale LTP source against the handheld LTP source, which uses less helium and power than the large-scale version, revealed that the handheld source had similar or slightly better analytical performance. Another advantage of the handheld LTP source is the ability to quickly interrogate a gaseous, liquid, or solid sample without requiring any setup time. A small, 7.4-V Li-polymer battery is able to sustain plasma for 2 h continuously, while the miniature helium cylinder supplies gas flow for approximately 8 continuous hours. Long-distance ion transfer was achieved for distances up to 1 m.
Low-Temperature Nitrogen Doping in Ammonia Solution for Production of N-Doped TiO2-Hybridized Graphene as a Highly Efficient Photocatalyst for Water Treatment

To facilitate the potential application of TiO2 as an efficient photocatalyst, the modulation of its band gap and electrical structure is of great significance. Herein, we report a very simple nitrogen (N)-doping method to obtain N-doped TiO2, which is hybridized with graphene sheets at a temperature as low as 180 °C and using an ammonia solution as the N source and reaction medium. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed that the atomic N level could reach 2.4 atomic percent when the reaction time was 14 h. Photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra indicated that N-doped TiO2/graphene composites have drastically suppressed TiO2 PL intensity when compared to undoped TiO2, confirming the lower recombination rate of electron–hole pairs in the N-doped TiO2. Additionally, photodegradation data showed that the decomposition rate of methylene blue with our N-doped TiO2/graphene photocatalyst is twice as fast as a commercial Degussa P25 catalyst. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) calculations...
The Inflammatory Hypothesis of Depression: Implications for Diagnosis and Practice

Research is beginning to offer new insights into the physiological mechanisms that underlie the complexities of major depressive disorder (MDD). Additionally, several lines of research have begun to link stress and inflammation to symptoms of depression (Lotrich, 2015; Slavich & Irwin, 2014). This manuscript will summarize the existing literature from medicine, public health, and neuroscience to review the neural, physiological, and molecular pathways that underlie the relationship between stress, inflammation, and depressive symptoms. Implications for counseling will be discussed.
Spray Additives for Insecticidal Selectivity to Injurious vs. Beneficial Insects

Use of liquid insecticide formulations or addition of oily materials to spray mixtures improves safety to honey bees, Apis mellifera L. Apparently this effect was caused by greater sorption of the liquid materials on the plant surface tissues as compared with powder materials. Bees did not pick up the residues left by oily mixtures as readily as they did powders. Plastic and latex-resin additives also acted as safeners for insecticidal sprays. This was probably due to a “locking in” or coating effect which reduced the contact of bees with the insecticidal residues. Differential kill of phytophagous insects versus beneficial pollinators and predators can be achieved through use of spray additives.
Joined Forces: Robert Campbell and John Dougherty as Military Entrepreneurs

Military entrepreneurs Robert Campbell and John Dougherty based their business on the U. S. Army's use of civilian contractors to transport goods and operate sutleries. At Forts Kearny and Laramie, the men had outright control of one sutlery, interest in another, held freighting contracts, and engaged in the Indian trade.
Mulching with Large Round Bales between Plastic-covered Beds Using a Newly Developed Offset Round-bale Unroller for Weed Control

Mulching between rows of plastic used for vegetable production can be an effective practice for controlling weeds. An existing round-bale unroller was modified to create anoffsetbaleunroller, allowing roundbales of hay tobe unrolledbetweenplanting rows with a tractor. This modification has made the practice of mulching with round bales of hay or wheat straw more efficient. This offset round-bale unroller was used to apply hay and wheat straw mulch to between-row areas of ‘Crimson Sweet’ watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in 2009 and 2010. Hay and wheat (Triticum sp.) straw mulches were applied at two thicknesses, corresponding one and two layers of mulch from the round bale, respectively. All of the hay and wheat straw mulch treatments controlled weeds significantly better than the non-treated controls in both years. There was a significant mulch-type by year interaction for weed control, with 1-year-old hay having less weed control in 2010 compared with 2009, whereas other mulches had improved weed control in 2010. One-year-old wheat straw and new hay had the lowest levels of weed biomass present compared with new wheat straw and the no-mulch control. Mulch thickness significantly affectedweedcontrol,withmulches applied in two layershaving significantly less weed biomass than those applied in one layer. Weed pressure was significantly less in 2010 compared with 2009. The offset bail-unroller that has been developed to apply mulches to between-row areas of plastic-covered beds is a useful tool that can be used to efficiently unroll round bales of a variety of organic mulches for weed control.
Selenocysteine Biosynthesis and the Replacement of Selenocysteine with Cysteine in the Pathway

The biosynthetic pathway of selenocysteine (Sec), the 21st amino acid in the genetic code, has been established in eukaryotes and archaea using comparative genomic and experimental approaches. In addition, cysteine (Cys) was found to arise in place of selenocysteine in thioredoxin reductase (TR) in NIH 3T3 cells and in mice. An analysis of the selenocysteine biosynthetic pathway demonstrated that replacement of selenide with sulfide in generating the active cysteine donor, thiophosphate, resulted in cysteine being donated to the acceptor molecule, which is likely dehydroalanyl-tRNA[Ser]Sec, yielding Cys-tRNA[Ser]Sec. The identification of the pathways for biosynthesis of selenocysteine and cysteine in mammals is discussed in this chapter.
Identification of top-K influential communities in big networks

Because communities are the fundamental component of big data/large data network graphs, community detection in large-scale graphs is an important area to study. Communities are a collection of a set of nodes with similar features. In a given graph there can be many features for clustering the nodes to form communities. Varying the features of interest can form several communities. Out of all communities that are formed, only a few communities are dominant and most influential for a given network graph. This might well contain influential nodes; i.e., for each possible feature of clustering, there will be only a few influential communities in the graph. Identification of such communities is a salient subject for research. This paper present a technique to identify the top-K communities, based on the average Katz centrality of all the communities in a network of communities and the distinctive nature of the communities. One can use these top-K communities to spread information efficiently into the network, as these communities are capable of influencing neighboring communities and thus spreading the information into the network efficiently.
Comparing Help-Seeking Behavior of Male and Female Survivors of Sexual Assault: A Content Analysis of a Hotline.

This content analysis examines written documentation of telephone calls to a regional sexual assault hotline over a 5-year period. All male callers identified as primary victims were selected for analysis (n = 58) and a corresponding sample of female primary victims (n = 58) were randomly selected for comparison to better understand the help-seeking behavior of sexual assault survivors and inform services accordingly. A summative content analysis revealed significant contrasting themes between male and female victims, including females significantly receiving more referrals and males accessing the hotline to tell their experience of being sexually assaulted due to perceived limited support. Implications for training, practice, and future research are discussed.
Heterogeneous JAK2V617F Allele Burden in Essential Thrombocytosis: Gender and Clinical Correlates.

Abstract Essential thrombocytosis (ET) is the most heterogeneous of the chronic myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) when assessed by clonality assays, PRV-1, Mpl expression and JAK2V617F status. The purpose of this study was to prospectively analyze a cohort of 68 ET patients to determine the relationship of quantitative JAK2V617F allele percentage to disease features. The cohort consisted of 18 men and 50 women followed at our institution with a median disease duration of 7 years (range 1–24 years); all patients were clinically assessed between 2005 and 2006. Neutrophil genomic DNA and platelet cDNA were prepared from blood samples obtained at the time of clinical assessment and quantitative JAK2V617F measurements were made using a sensitive allele-specific, quantitative PCR assay. Median patient age at diagnosis was 47 years (range 2–84) without gender difference. JAK2V617F-positive patients were older than patients without the mutation (57 versus 41 years, p=
Early-life stress links 5-hydroxymethylcytosine to anxiety-related behaviors

Environmental stress contributes to the development of psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety. While even acute stress alters gene expression, the molecular mechanisms underlying these changes remain largely unknown. 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) is a novel environmentally sensitive DNA modification that is highly enriched in the brain and is associated with active transcription of neuronal genes. Here we examined behavioral and molecular alterations in adult mice that experienced an early-life stress before weaning (postnatal day 12 to 18) and found anxiety-like behaviors in adult female mice that were accompanied by correlated disruptions of hypothalamic 5hmC and gene expression in 118 genes, revealing potentially functional 5hmC (i.e., gene regulation). These genes are known and potentially novel stress-related targets, including Nr3c2, Nrxn1, Nfia, and Clip1, that have a significant enrichment for neuronal ontological functions, such as neuronal development and differentiation. Sequence motif predictions indicated that 5hmC may regulate gene expression by mediating transcription factor binding and alternative splicing of many of these transcripts. Together, these findings represent a critical step toward understanding the effects of early environment on the neuromolecular mechanisms that underlie the risk to develop anxiety disorders.
Nonlinear femtosecond information processing systems

Nonlinear optical processing techniques that produce space-time information processing are introduced and experimentally demonstrated. The basic concept of such space-time processors closely resembles conventional Fourier optical processors of the space domain. By using ultrafast short pulses and nonlinear optics, we can perform not only real-time optical information conversion between the space and time domains, but also the processing and imaging of temporal information.
Symmetry-Directed Self-Assembly of a Tetrahedral Protein Cage Mediated by de Novo-Designed Coiled Coils

The organization of proteins into new hierarchical forms is an important challenge in synthetic biology. However, engineering new interactions between protein subunits is technically challenging and typically requires extensive redesign of protein-protein interfaces. We have developed a conceptually simple approach, based on symmetry principles, that uses short coiled-coil domains to assemble proteins into higher-order structures. Here we demonstrate the assembly of a trimeric enzyme into a well-defined tetrahedral cage, achieved by genetically fusing a trimeric coiled-coil domain to its C-terminus through a flexible poly-glycine linker sequence. The linker length and coiled-coil strength were the only parameters that needed to be optimized to obtain a high yield of correctly assembled protein cages.
Wheat streak mosaic virus coat protein is a determinant for vector transmission by the wheat curl mite.

Abstract Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV; genus Tritimovirus; family Potyviridae), is transmitted by the wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella Keifer). The requirement of coat protein (CP) for WSMV transmission by the wheat curl mite was examined using a series of viable deletion and point mutations. Mite transmission of WSMV was completely abolished with deletions comprising CP amino acids 58–100. In contrast, the amino-proximal (amino acids 6–27 and 36–57) and carboxy-terminal (14 amino acids) regions of CP were expendable for mite transmission. Mutation of aspartic acid residues at amino acid positions 289 or 326 (D289A or D326A) at the carboxy-proximal region of CP significantly reduced mite transmission. Remarkably, every wheat plant infected by mutants D289A or D326A through mite transmission but not with in vitro transcripts contained a second-site mutation of R131C and N275H, respectively. Collectively, these data demonstrate for the first time that CP is a determinant for an eriophyid-transmitted plant virus.
Design and development of GSM and GPS tracking module

The GSM and GPS technologies and their applications have great demand in the consumer market areas like automobile, surveillance and navigation. The GSM and GPS technologies will be integrated into a single board which can be used for various wireless applications. The integrated GSM and GPS module will be made using SIM808 by SIMCom which has both GPS and GSM engines. Schematic of different parts of module are designed. The circuit design of Regulator, SIM card interface, Antenna interface, USB interface, Indicator circuit and other parts are done using ISIS schematic tool of Proteus Design Suite v8.3. Footprints of all the components are created and PCB Layout of SIM808 module is designed using ARES tool. Operation of module is observed in different operating modes. The developed module is interfaced with PC to test the features of GSM and GPS by sending AT commands. Developed module can be used in applications like tracking and automobile.
Differential response to heart failure medications in children

Abstract There have been many advances in the treatment of heart failure over the past several years. While these advancements have resulted in improved outcomes in adults with heart failure, these same treatments do not seem to be as efficacious in children with heart failure. Investigations of the failing pediatric heart suggest that there are unique phenotypic, pathologic and molecular differences that could influence how children with heart failure response to adult-based therapies. In this review, several recent studies and the potential implications of their findings on informing the future of the management of pediatric heart failure are discussed.