cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calculations of atomic magnetic nuclear shielding constants based on the two-component normalized elimination of the small component method

A new method for calculating nuclear magnetic resonance shielding constants of relativistic atoms based on the two-component (2c), spin-orbit coupling including Dirac-exact NESC (Normalized Elimination of the Small Component) approach is developed where each term of the diamagnetic and paramagnetic contribution to the isotropic shielding constant σiso is expressed in terms of analytical energy derivatives with regard to the magnetic field B and the nuclear magnetic moment &#x1d741;. The picture change caused by renormalization of the wave function is correctly described. 2c-NESC/HF (Hartree-Fock) results for the σiso values of 13 atoms with a closed shell ground state reveal a deviation from 4c-DHF (Dirac-HF) values by 0.01%–0.76%. Since the 2-electron part is effectively calculated using a modified screened nuclear shielding approach, the calculation is efficient and based on a series of matrix manipulations scaling with (2M)3 (M: number of basis functions).
Fatal Gunshot Wounds in Young Children

Deaths related to firearms are common within the United States. Although relatively rare compared to other age groups, deaths occurring in young children represent a particularly tragic subcategory of firearms-related fatalities. This manuscript provides details regarding several cases of gunshot wound deaths occurring in young children. Included are a variety of situations and scenarios: the child was an innocent bystander struck by gunfire that was intended for another individual; unsafe firearm handling and manipulation by another individual, resulting in the child being shot; unsafe storage of a loaded firearm with resultant accidental discharge of the weapon; a young child having ready access to a loaded handgun and subsequently shooting him/herself; and the child being considered a potential intended target and being shot by another individual. The details of each case are provided, and discussion will focus on realistic strategies that, if implemented, might prevent such deaths from occurring in the future.
Probabilistic modeling of anatomical variability using a low dimensional parameterization of diffeomorphisms.

Abstract We present an efficient probabilistic model of anatomical variability in a linear space of initial velocities of diffeomorphic transformations and demonstrate its benefits in clinical studies of brain anatomy. To overcome the computational challenges of the high dimensional deformation-based descriptors, we develop a latent variable model for principal geodesic analysis (PGA) based on a low dimensional shape descriptor that effectively captures the intrinsic variability in a population. We define a novel shape prior that explicitly represents principal modes as a multivariate complex Gaussian distribution on the initial velocities in a bandlimited space. We demonstrate the performance of our model on a set of 3D brain MRI scans from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. Our model yields a more compact representation of group variation at substantially lower computational cost than the state-of-the-art method such as tangent space PCA (TPCA) and probabilistic principal geodesic analysis (PPGA) that operate in the high dimensional image space.
MgO nanoparticles affect on the osteoblast cell function and adhesion strength of engineered tissue constructs

The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of magnesium oxide (MgO) on the adhesion strength between hard tissue and soft tissue constructs. The scope of works for this research were: (1) to determine the viability of osteoblast cells in hydrogel and hydrogel with 22 nm MgO particles, (2) to design and construct a test setup for the measurement of adhesion strength of engineered tissue constructs, and (3) to determine if MgO nanoparticles affect on the adhesion strength of the engineered tissue constructs. Mouse osteoblast cells (MT3T3E1) were cultured on polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold, hydrogel scaffold, as well as hydrogel scaffold with 22 nm MgO particles. The viability of cells was determined in: hydrogel and hydrogel with 22 nm MgO particles. Tensile test were conducted on: (1) PCL-hydrogel, (2) PCL-hydrogel with cells, (3) PCL-hydrogel with cells and MgO nanoparticles, and (4) PCL-hydrogel with MgO nanoparticles to measure the adhesion strength between these hard tissue and soft tissue constructs. This research found the increase of osteoblast cells adhesion on hydrogel scaffold containing 22 nm MgO particles and decrease of adhesion strength between PCL and hydrogel, when both PCL and hydrogel were seeded with cells and 22 nm MgO particles.
Yes, I Can (Sí, Yo Puedo): An empowerment program for Immigrant Latina women in group settings

Yes, I Can (Si, Yo Puedo) is a program manual that provides an overview of the Si Yo Puedo (SYP) curriculum utilized to offer culturally competent psychoeducational groups to immigrant Latina women...
Global measures of deviation for kernel and nearest neighbor density estimates

A number of estimates of the probability density function (and regression function) have been introduced in the past few decades. The oldest are the kernel estimates and more recently nearest neighbor estimates have attracted attention. Most investigations have dealt with the local behavior of the estimates. There has, however, been some research and some heuristic comment on the utility of global measures of deviation like mean square deviation. Here, it is suggested that in a certain setting such global measures of deviation for kernel estimates may depend far less on tail behavior of the density function than in the case of nearest neighbor estimates. This appears to be due to the unstable behavior of the bias of nearest neighbor density estimates in the tails.
Regulation of gene expression by androgens in murine kidney.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the regulation of gene expression by androgens in murine kidney. The murine kidney provides a unique experimental system to study the regulation of gene expression by androgens. Several genes in this tissue respond in a noncoordinate fashion to stimulation by testosterone. The three genes used in studies exhibit diverse characteristics in both their structure and the regulation of their expression by androgens. The ornithine decarboxylase genes form a family of several members, while those for KAP and β-glucuronidase appear to be unique in the mouse genome. Modulation of the affinity of the hormone-receptor complex for a specific binding site on chromatin could occur via a number of mechanisms, such as structural alterations in the receptor protein or the DNA sequence, changes in packaging of chromatin, and the presence of tissue-specific factors regulating this interaction. While androgens have been shown to accelerate the rate of gene transcription, increases in this rate were not sufficient to account for the androgen induction of the steady-state levels of mRNAs for proteins C1, C2, and C3 in the rat ventral prostate or of KAP, MK 908, and ornithine decarboxylase mRNAs in mouse kidney. Nucleotide incorporation into specific gene products is, therefore, proportional to the rate of RNA chain initiation that prevailed in vivo prior to the start of the assay in vitro. Methods that allow direct measurement of the absolute transcription rates or of mRNA turnover rates must be applied to the models for androgen regulation of gene expression, to determine with certainty the ultimate mechanisms by which male sex hormones control accumulation of specific gene products.
Assessing the Multimeric States of Proteins by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Mass Spectrometry: Comparison with Other Biochemical Methods

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a study conducted to assess the multimeric states of proteins by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). In the study, Baker's yeast alcohol dehydrogenase and Baker's yeast glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase were dissolved in water or a buffer to a concentration of 10 pmol/μl (10 μM). Glutaraldehyde was added to a final concentration of 0.8%. The reaction mixture was incubated at room temperature up to 60 min and then analyzed by MALDI-MS. For other analytical methods, a 10-fold molar excess of glycine was used to quench the further reactivity of glutaraldehyde for the reaction mixtures used to obtain the MALDI spectra. The UV matrix-assisted laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectra were obtained with a Finnigan-MAT Lasermat or a Vestec VT 2000, both utilizing a nitrogen laser. The results showed that the addition of glutaraldehyde to the protein is accompanied by an increase in the molecular weight of that protein. The increase depends upon the number of reacting groups on the side chains accessible to the cross-linking agent in solution and the intermolecular distance of the reacting side chains.
Meta-analyses of the reliabilities of four measures of gratitude

ABSTRACTEmpirical studies of gratitude correlates and intervention have been numerous since the early 2000s, but there has been less attention to the psychometric properties of the measures of grat...
Strategies for Supporting OER Adoption through Faculty and Instructor Use of a Federated Search Tool

INTRODUCTION Open educational resources (OER) are gaining traction in higher education and becoming accepted by academics as a viable means for delivering course content. However, these resources can be difficult to find and use, both due to low visibility and confusion about licensing. This article describes one university’s work with faculty members to identify barriers in their search process when they are looking to adopt OER. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM A scholarly communication librarian and science librarian partnered to collect faculty and instructor reactions to a particular OER search tool, with the intention of better understanding the difficulties encountered during the search process. Eight interviews were conducted as participants were asked about their preferences when it comes to locating OER, understanding licensing information, and adopting materials for class. NEXT STEPS From these interviews, the librarians identified practical recommendations for instruction/liaison librarians and technical services/systems librarians as they continue working to support faculty and instructors through the OER discovery and selection process. These recommendations relate to four themes uncovered in interviews with faculty and instructors: the need for increased transparency in search tools, the importance of intuitive narrowing and broadening features in search tools, the need for detailed and consistent metadata in OER records, and the need for clarity in intellectual property statements. The librarians note that these recommendations might best be pursued through wide-scale collaboration across library units and, more generally, between libraries, consortia, and institutions.
In vitro accuracy and inter-observer reliability of CT angiography in detecting intracranial aneurysm enlargement.

Background and purpose To evaluate the accuracy and inter-observer variability when CT angiography is used to identify unruptured intracranial aneurysm growth. Methods Two silicone phantom models were used in this study. Each phantom had eight aneurysms of variable size. The size and location of aneurysms in phantom 1 were representative of real patient aneurysms who presented to our institution. Phantom 2 contained aneurysms in the same locations, but with enlargement in various directions. Three blinded board-certified neuroradiologists were asked to identify the size of each aneurysm in three dimensions using CT angiography. The individual enlargement detection rates and inter-observer agreement rates of aneurysm enlargement among the three experts were calculated. Results The detection rate of aneurysm enlargement in one dimension was 58.3% among the three observers. Accurate detection of enlargement in all dimensions was 12.5% among the three observers. Detection accuracy was not related to the size of enlargement. Significant inter-observer measurement variability was present. Conclusion The use of CT angiography was associated with a poor ability to identify aneurysm enlargementaccurately. Further human studies are required to confirm our findings.
Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity Is Associated With Higher Muscle Oxidative Capacity in Older Adults

BACKGROUND Age-related decline in muscle oxidative capacity reduces muscle function and physical performance, leading to disability and frailty. Whether age-related decline in oxidative capacity is modified by exercise and other lifestyle practices is unclear. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that physical activity is associated with better oxidative capacity, independent of age. DESIGN Cross-sectional study performed in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, conducted by the Intramural Research Program (IRP) of the National Institute on Aging (NIA). SETTING NIA IRP Clinical Research Unit, Baltimore, MD. PARTICIPANTS Participants included 384 adults (54.7% women), aged 22 to 92 years, seen between 2013 and 2017. MEASUREMENTS Muscle oxidative capacity was measured in vivo using phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We determined the postexercise time constant (τPCr ; in seconds) for phosphocreatine (PCr) recovery, with lower values of τPCr, (ie, more rapid recovery of PCr levels after exercise) reflecting greater oxidative capacity. Time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was assessed using wearable accelerometers that participants wore 5.9 ± 0.9 consecutive days in the free-living environment. RESULTS In linear regression models, higher τPCr was associated with older age (standardized β = .39; P < .001) after adjusting for sex, race, height, and weight. After including MVPA as an independent variable, the standardized regression coefficient of age decreased by 40%, but remained associated with τPCr (βage = .22; P < .001) and had a smaller standardized regression coefficient than MVPA (βMVPA = -.33; P < .001). After adjusting for health status, education, and smoking history, the standardized regression coefficient for age decreased 12% (βage = .20; P = .003), while the standardized coefficient for MVPA decreased only 3% (βMVPA = -.32; P < .001). CONCLUSION Study findings suggest that MVPA is strongly associated with muscle oxidative capacity, independent of age, providing mechanistic insights into the health benefits of exercise in older age. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:1695-1699, 2019.
NRF2-Independent Regulation of Intestinal Constitutive Androstane Receptor by the Pro-Oxidants Cadmium and Isothiocyanate in hUGT1 Mice

Environmental toxicants such as heavy metals from contaminated water or soil and isothiocyanates (ITC) from dietary sources act as pro-oxidants by directly generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) or through depleting cellular antioxidants such as glutathione. Toxicants can alter drug metabolism, and it was reported that CYP2B10 and UGT1A1 are induced by phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) through the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR). The possibility that nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), the master regulator of the antioxidant response, could coactivate CAR was investigated in neonatal hUGT1/Nrf2−/− mice. Neonatal mice were treated with PEITC or cadmium (Cd2+) by oral gavage for 2 days. Both PEITC and Cd2+ induced UGT1A1 RNA and protein in intestinal tissues in both hUGT1/Nrf2+/− and hUGT1/Nrf2−/− neonates, indicating NRF2-independent regulation of UGT1A1. Increases in CYP2B10 RNA in intestinal tissues were observed following PEITC or Cd2+ exposure. Activation of intestinal CAR by Cd2+ exposure was directly assessed by nuclear fractionation and Western blot analyses at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 hours after treatment in hUGT1 neonates and after 48 hours in hUGT1/Nrf2+/− and hUGT1/Nrf2−/− neonates. CAR localized to the nucleus independently of NRF2 48 hours after exposure. Substantial CAR localization to the nucleus occurred at the 2- and 4-hour time points, coinciding with a decrease in phosphorylation of cytoplasmic extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 and a nuclear increase in P38/p-P38 content. This suggests that a novel oxidative stress-MAPK-CAR axis exists with phenotypic consequences. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Pro-oxidant toxicants can alter drug metabolism through activation of CAR, independent of the NRF2-KEAP1 signaling pathway. Changes in proteins associated with drug metabolism and linked to increases in intestinal maturation are mediated through an oxidative stress-MAPK-CAR axis.
Fabrication of Silver–Rhodium Nanomaterials for Chemical Sensing Applications

We report a novel class of silver–rhodium (Ag–Rh) nanomaterials that can be used as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates. Ag–Rh nanomaterials were prepared via the co-reduction of the metal precursors by polyol at elevated temperature. Nanomaterials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, UV–Visible spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), and they were evaluated for their ability to promote surface-enhanced Raman scattering of a model analyte.
Electrolyte Engineering for Efficient Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia on a Titanium Electrode

Nitrates from agricultural runoff and industrial waste streams are a notorious waste product and hazardous pollutant. Traditional electrochemical water remediation approaches aim to solve this prob...
Viscosity-temperature relationships of soybean oil emulsions and their implications for oil retention by apple and peach leaves

SummaryThe retention of spray droplets is influenced by properties of the spray solution such as viscosity, and by the morphology of the target surface. The objectives of this study were: (i) to determine the retention of emulsions of 1% (v/v) soybean oil with Latron B-1956®, K1™, or Telomer™; (ii) the retention of 1% (v/v) Ballistol™, 1% (v/v) Soy Gold 1000™ and 1% (v/v) Soy Gold 2000™ emulsions in water by ‘Golden Delicious’ apple (Malus pumila Mill.) and ‘Red Haven’ peach [(Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] leaves; and (iii) the influence of temperature on the viscosity of the emulsifiers used in soybean oil sprays. The viscosity of all emulsifiers, at all concentrations tested in soybean oil or in their pure form, ranging from 160 – 28,000 centipoise, declined with increasing temperature. Telomer had the greatest viscosity, followed by K1™, Latron B-1956®, and Ballistol™. Retention of soybean oil emulsions by apple and peach leaves was greatest for soybean oil emulsified with K1™ (80 and 74 μg cm−2, respect...
A comparison of culture-based, real-time PCR, droplet digital PCR and flow cytometric methods for the detection of Burkholderia cepacia complex in nuclease-free water and antiseptics

The presence of Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) strains has resulted in recalls of pharmaceutical products, since these opportunistic pathogens can cause serious infections. Rapid and sensitive diagnostic methods to detect BCC are crucial to determine contamination levels. We evaluated bacterial cultures, real-time PCR (qPCR), droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), and flow cytometry to detect BCC in nuclease-free water, in chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) and benzalkonium chloride (BZK) solutions. Twenty BCC strains were each suspended (1, 10, 100, and 1000 CFU/ml) in autoclaved nuclease-free water, 10 μg/ml CHX, and 50 μg/ml BZK. Five replicates of each strain were tested at each concentration (20 strains × 4 concentrations × 5 replicates = 400 tests) to detect BCC using the aforementioned four methods. We demonstrated the potential of ddPCR and flow cytometry as more sensitive alternatives to culture-based methods to detect BCC in autoclaved nuclease-free water and antiseptics samples.
Bergman interpolation on finite Riemann surfaces. Part II: Poincaré-Hyperbolic Case

We formulate the Bergman-type interpolation problem on finite open Riemann surfaces covered by the unit disk. Our version of the interpolation problem generalizes Bergman-type interpolation problems previously studied by Seip, Berndtsson, Ortega Cerda, and a number of other authors. We then prove sufficient conditions for a sequence to be interpolating. When the curvature of the weight in question is bounded in an appropriate sense, we show that the sufficient conditions are almost necessary, but not quite. The results extend work of Ortega Cerda, who resolved the case in which the boundary of the surface is pure 1-dimensional. Our version of the interpolation problem effectively changes the geometry of the underlying space near the 0-dimensional boundary components, or punctures, thereby linking in a crucial way with the previous article (Varolin, J d’Anal Math, 2015, to appear) in this two-part series.
Complex Skull Fracture in a Toddler.

1. Anish Raj, MD* 2. Kristine Fortin, MD, MPH* 1. *Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA An otherwise healthy 21-month-old girl, who had been born at 32 weeks’ gestation, is brought to the emergency department by her mother due to concern regarding scalp swelling. The mother states that the child sustained a fall off a couch. The fall was not witnessed by the mother but was conveyed to her by two of her other school-age children. The mother reports that they told her about the fall immediately but did not provide additional details. Therefore, the mother does not know whether the child made contact with the coffee table that is in the middle of the room or any other objects. The mother notes that the child has remained at her active baseline without any known loss of consciousness, vomiting, or visible signs of injury aside from the scalp swelling. On physical examination a nontender, boggy hematoma is appreciated spanning almost the entire right aspect of the head without crossing the midline. The remainder of the examination findings are largely normal, without evidence of focal deficits or unexplained cutaneous injuries. Computed tomography (CT) of the head demonstrates a prominent right-sided hematoma involving the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital scalp. Deep to the swelling at the level of the right parietal bone is noted to be a depressed, comminuted skull fracture with inward angulation of the fracture apex and a small epidural hematoma (Figs 1 and 2). A skeletal survey is ordered and confirms the depressed right parietal skull fracture and overlying scalp hematoma without identification of additional injuries. An ophthalmologic examination does not reveal retinal hemorrhages. Laboratory …
Venetian Colonial Secular Architecture in the Ionian Islands

The seven Ionion Islands (Kerkyra, Paxos, Leucada, Ithaca, Kephalonia, Zakynthos and Kythera) off the western and southern coasts of Greece have a unique place in Western cultural history. The islands were the boundary between West and East for over four hundred years. They were also where Renaissance Europe, in the form of the powerful and wealthy Venetian Republic, met the Ottoman Turkish Empire that occupied Greece and the Near East. The purpose of the paper will be to outline the characteristics of Venetian architecture and identify the local adaptations in the Ionion Islands as an example of secular Venetian colonial architecture.
Genetic engineering and our human nature

Policies addressing genetic technology typically insist on the need for "enlightened" public policy. Such policies must reflect some vision of what human beings are. Understanding the sacred helps identify elements in nature and human nature that ought to be preserved.
THE PARAMETER KERNELS FOR THE LINEAR INVERSION OF THE FREE OSCILLATION OF THE EARTH (II)

In the linear inversion of the radial variation of the parameters of the Earth by using the observed frequencies of various normal modes of free oscillation of the earth, it is neces- sary to know the values of the kernels of the parameters ρ, μ and λ. This paper describes the methods of the derivation of the formulas of these kernels. This is the first part of the paper in which only the toroidal oscillations are considered. They are much simpler than those of the spheroidal ones, that we will consider in the second part of the paper. The data of the two types of oscillations are equally important in the solution of the inversion problem, and should be employed simultaneously, and we know that the toroidal oscillations are much simpler than the spheroidal ones, it seems wise to divide the whole program of the inversion problem into steps: first, by employing the toroidal data to correct the two parameters ρ and μ in the mantle, then by using the spheroidal data to correct the remain- ing parameters, i.e. the other Lame parameter λ in the mantle (leaving ρ and μ as corrected), and ρ, μ and λ in the core, finally, by using the spheroidal data again to make further refine- ment of all the parameters.
The Principles and Practice of International Commercial Arbitration

1. Introduction to international commercial arbitration 2. The arbitration agreement 3. Drafting the arbitration agreement 4. Applicable laws and rules 5. Judicial assistance for arbitration 6. The tribunal 7. The arbitral proceedings 8. The award 9. Attempts to set aside an award 10. Enforcement of the award 11. Investment arbitration.
Kidney allograft function and histology in recipients dying with a functioning graft.

Death with function (DWF) is a major cause of kidney allograft failure. Allograft dysfunction may contribute to DWF. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between DWF and allograft function using estimated GFR (eGFR) and histology. We retrospectively analyzed 1842 kidney allografts transplanted at our center from 1996 to 2010. eGFR was estimated using the MDRD equation. Biopsies obtained 12 months posttransplant and within 1 year of DWF were analyzed. Proportional hazards models were used to examine the relationship between eGFR and DWF. During 68 ± 43 months of follow-up, 14% (n = 256) of recipients experienced DWF. Risk factors of DWF included increasing recipient age (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.07, confidence interval [CI] 1.77–2.43, p < 0.0001), diabetes (HR = 2.58, CI 1.81–3.69, p < 0.0001), prior dialysis (HR = 1.47, CI 1.05–2.06, p = 0.03) and eGFR <40 mL/min/1.73 m2 (HR 2.26 per 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 decrease in eGFR, CI 1.82–2.81, p < 0.0001). Prior to death, only 15.9% (n = 39) of DWF recipients had stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and only 4.9% (n = 12) had stage 5 CKD. Most biopsies performed within 1 year of DWF (68%) demonstrated benign histology and were comparable to biopsies from matched controls. In conclusion, allograft dysfunction is independently associated with DWF. However, the majority of DWF recipients have well-preserved allograft function and histology prior to death.
A kinematic and kinetic analysis of spinal region in subjects with and without recurrent low back pain during one leg standing.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between normalized kinematic and kinetic stability indices for spinal regions with eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions during non-dominant leg standing between subjects with recurrent low back pain and control subjects. Methods The kinematic stability index for the spinal regions (core spine model, lumbar spine, lower and upper thorax) and the kinetic stability index from force plate were measured. All participants were asked to maintain non-dominant leg standing with the dominant hip and knee flexed approximately 90 degrees for 25 seconds. Forty-two participants enrolled in the study, including 22 subjects with low back pain (12 male, 10 female) and 20 control subjects (12 male, 8 female). Findings For the kinematic index for stability, the visual condition (F = 30.06, p = 0.0001) and spinal region (F = 10.82, p = 0.002) were statistically significant. The post hoc test results indicated a significant difference in the lumbar spine compared with the upper and lower thorax and the core spine model. The kinetic stability (average [standard deviation]) during the eyes-closed condition significantly decreased in the low back pain group (t = − 3.24, p = 0.002). Interpretation The subjects with recurrent low back pain demonstrated higher lumbar spine stability in eyes-open condition. This higher stability of the lumbar spine might be due to a possible pain avoiding strategy from the standing limb. The low back pain group also significantly decreased kinetic stability during the eyes-closed condition. Clinicians need to consider both kinetic and kinematic indices while considering visual condition for lumbar spine stability in subjects with recurrent low back pain.
Studies on DNA adduction with heterocyclic amines by accelerator mass spectrometry: a new technique for tracing isotope-labelled DNA adduction.

The influence of dose on the biological damage caused by exposure to xenobiotics has long been a subject of controversy in toxicology. Of particular recent interest has been the interaction of chemical carcinogens with DNA and the relationship between DNA adduction, chemical exposure, and cancer risk. We are studying DNA adduction in rodents at doses equivalent to human dietary exposure (10{sup 4}--10{sup 6}-fold lower than laboratory studies) using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). AMS is a nuclear physics technique for detection of cosmogenic isotopes and has been used for specifically selecting and counting {sup 14}C. Using AMS, DNA adducts are detectable at levels of 1--10 adducts/10{sup 12} nucleotides following acute and chronic dosing regimes with {sup 14}C-labeled carcinogens. The adduct detection limit has been imposed by the natural abundance of {sup 14}C in the samples and animal to animal variation. AMS is also being coupled to HIPLC, multi-dimensional TLC, and radio-immunoassay. In addition, AMS`s great sensitivity makes it useful for demonstrating that drugs and chemicals don`t bind DNA. The use of AMS, however, is limited to situations where radio-labeled agents can be used. These data suggest that AMS is extremely useful in obtaining quantitative data on the effects of carcinogens onmore » DNA at the low doses common for actual human exposures and may be useful in human studies.« less
Emotion regulation in borderline personality disorder: the role of self-criticism, shame, and self-compassion: (commentary on Emotional processing in a ten-session general psychiatric treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder: a case study).

This case study evaluates the efficacy of a 10-session manualized version of general psychiatric management (GPM) with a female patient diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), severe depressive disorder, and schizotypal traits. The authors hypothesized that increases in adaptive emotional processing would lead to increases in therapeutic alliance and treatment outcome. Hypotheses were not supported, and in fact, ‘a general outcome deterioration tendency and an unchanged alliance level was observed’ (p. 7). The patient’s level of emotional processing remained at the stage characterized by harsh self-criticism and shame. The authors speculate that it may take more than 10 sessions for changes in emotional processing to occur and that the patient may have been in a state where she would have benefited more from containment, support, and structure. While this case did not demonstrate therapeutic efficacy of the 10-session GPM treatment or gains in emotional processing, it does represent an attempt to explore possible mechanisms of change in the treatment of borderline personality disorder. The elucidation of mechanisms of change could potentially lead to refinement and modification of currently effective treatments and improvements in therapeutic effectiveness. Difficulties in emotion regulation are characteristic of many forms of psychopathology (Gross & Munoz, 1995). As BPD is uniquely characterized by difficulties in emotional regulation, improvements in emotional regulation would appear to be a potential core mechanism in effective treatments for BPD. In support of this, Goodman et al. (2014) reported improvement in emotion regulation associated with decreased amygdala activation in BPD
Thermal emission from Saturn's rings at 380 μm

Two different techniques have been used to derive the Saturn disk's ring brightness temperatures from 380-micron observations: (1) comparisons of these wide-beam observation disk-ring system results with those obtained for an earlier epoch, when the rings were edge-on, then differencing the two measurements to obtain a value for the rings' contribution; and (2) ring contribution resolution during scanning along the disk-ring plane, to yield a B-ring brightness temperature of 39 + or - 8 K at 380 microns. The results obtained indicate a gradual decrease of observed ring brightness temperature from the IR to the radio wavelength range.
Why the neutron isn't all neutral☆

Abstract Experimental measurements of the electric form factor of the neutron indicate a spatially inhomogeneous distribution of charge. The quark model, with a spatially dependent spin-spin interaction, can accurately describe this inhomogeneity. We relate the neutron's charge radius to the nucleon-delta mass difference and discuss other experimental consequences of the inhomogeneity.
Heavy Vehicle Driver Workload Assessment: Lessons from Aviation

Assessment of heavy vehicle driver workload can benefit from earlier research on pilot workload. Four workload issues are particularly salient: performance, methodology, measurement, and conceptual...
The state of Illinois obstetric hemorrhage project: pre-project and post-training examination scores

AbstractObjective: The Illinois Department of Public Health mandated that all clinicians who provide care to obstetric patients participate in the Illinois Obstetric Hemorrhage Project. The aim of the current report is to describe change in knowledge among providers engaged in the project, as assessed by pre- and post-tests.Methods: The project, implemented 2008 to 2010, included four components: a written 25-item multiple-choice examination (pre-test), a didactic lecture, skill stations (for teaching blood loss estimation), and a simulation drill and debriefing. Participants completed a post-test 6 months later. Pre- and post-test examination scores were compared.Results: Data from 95 hospitals are included in this analysis (9456 paired test results). The proportion of participants who scored ≥88% correct answers increased from 10.9% on the pre-test to 49.1% on the post-test (p < 0.0001). Registered nurses made greater improvements in test scores than anesthesia and obstetric providers (p < 0.0001).Concl...
Defects in flexible membranes with crystalline order

We study isolated dislocations and disclinations in flexible membranes with internal crystalline order, using continuum elasticity theory and zero-temperature numerical simulation. These defects are relevant, for instance, to lipid bilayers in vesicles or in the ${L}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}$ phase of lyotropic smectic liquid crystals. We first simulate defects in flat membranes, obtaining numerical results in good agreement with plane elasticity theory. Disclinations and dislocations eventually exhibit a buckling transition with increasing membrane radius. We generalize the continuum theory to include such buckled defects, and solve the disclination equations in the inextensional limit. The critical radius at which buckling starts to screen out internal elastic stresses is determined numerically. Computer simulation of buckled defects confirms predictions of the disclination energies and gives evidence for a finite dislocation energy.
Salt tolerance of irrigated guayule

The salt tolerance of guayule (Parthenium argentatum Gray cv. N565-II) was tested in small held plots (silty clay soil) in the Imperial Valley of California. Seedlings were transplanted in October 1981. Differential salination was begun in March 1982 and continued for 4 years by irrigating with waters salinized with NaCl and CaCl2 (1:1 by wt.) to obtain electrical conductivities of 0.8, 1.4, 3, 6, 9, and 12 dS/m. Dry matter, rubber, and resin yields were determined from pollarded plants in February 1984 and uprooted plants in February 1985 and 1986. Rubber concentrations in the woody branches in 1984 and 1985 averaged 6.1 and 7.3%, respectively on a dry weight basis and were not significantly affected by soil salinity. Resin concentrations averaged 8.6% and 7.3% for the two years. In 1986, both rubber and resin concentrations decreased with increased salinity. Rubber and resin concentrations in the root crowns were approximately one percentage point less than those of the shoot. Dry matter and resin yields were not affected by salinity until the time- and depth-averaged electrical conductivity of the saturated-soil extracts (\(\overline{\overline {{\text{EC}}}} _e \)) taken from the rootzone (0–90 cm) exceeded 8.7 dS/m. Above 8.7 dS/m, both yields decreased 11.6% per dS/m increase in \(\overline{\overline {{\text{EC}}}} _e \). Rubber yields decreased 10.8% per dS/m above a threshold of 7.8 dS/m. Plant mortality rather than growth reduction at high levels of salinity appears to be the limiting factor for rubber production from irrigated guayule.
Linking Social Work Students to the Wider World via an Asynchronous Learning Network.

Abstract Many course websites and much of the literature about them address the delivery of distance education. However, course websites are also useful for bringing the world to campus-based social work students, as well as for communicating between classes and making up for missed sessions. Course websites can incorporate synchronous or asynchronous features, but the latter are far more appropriate to social work education, because students face such diverse time demands from their field internships. Asynchronous websites permit students to access posted material whenever convenient, without having to mesh their schedules with those of faculty, fellow students, or others. These websites need not be elaboratethey need only to fit the course content they will contain. However, they must be technologically sophisticated enough to prepare students to use technology in their careers; and must also reflect social work values. These include requirements that websites are accessible to students regardless of di...
Abnormal segregation and sex ratio and reduced litter size associated with the siren phenotype in mice.

Abnormal segregation ratios in +/srn intercrosses found at term were due to prenatal loss of siren embryos. Litters without sirens were smaller than those with sirens; litters with sirens were smaller than control litters. There was a significant excess of prenatal resorptions in +/srn intercross litters compared with control litters, suggesting reduced reproductive fitness of +/srn females. The abnormal siren sex ratio at term may have been due to excessive prenatal loss of siren females.
Multimodal action representation in human left ventral premotor cortex

We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the neural systems responding to the sight and to the sound of an action. Subjects saw a video of paper tearing in silence (V), heard the sound of paper tearing (A), and saw and heard the action simultaneously (A + V). Compared to a non-action control stimulus, we found that hearing action sounds (A) activated the anterior inferior frontal gyrus and middle frontal gyrus in addition to primary auditory cortex. The anterior inferior frontal gyrus, which is known to be activated by environmental sounds, also seems to be involved in recognizing actions by sound. Consistent with previous research, seeing an action video (V) compared with seeing a non-action video activated the premotor cortex, intraparietal cortex, and the pars opercularis of the inferior frontal gyrus. An A + V facilitation effect was found in the ventral premotor cortex on the border of areas 44, 6, 3a, and 3b for the action stimuli but not for the control stimuli. This region may be involved in integrating multimodal information about actions. These data provide evidence that the ventral premotor cortex may provide an action representation that abstracts across both agency (self and other) and sensory modality (hearing and seeing). This function may be an important precursor of language functions.
Sensation seeking in homosexual and heterosexual males

The study was designed to test the relationship between the personality trait of sensation seeking and homosexuality. Previous studies had shown a relationship between the trait and variety of heterosexual activity but had not shown a relationship to homosexual behavior. This study compared 19 male homosexuals associated with a gay club in a university, 16 control students belonging to a social club at the same university, 13 members of a gay church group, and 19 members of a nongay church group on conservative vs. liberal attitudes toward religion and politics, attitudes toward homosexuality, heterosexual and homosexual experience scales, and the sensation seeking scales. The control (nongay) church group had more conservative attitudes, less heterosexual experience, and lower sensation scores than the other groups. But the control university group did not differ from the gay university group on any of the sensation seeking scales and differed from the gay church group on only one of the subscales. However, the gay university group was also higher than the gay church group on this subscale, so the difference was probably a function of the younger ages of the university groups than the gay church group. It is concluded that male homosexuals, as a general group, do not differ from heterosexuals on the sensation seeking trait, although the trait might be related to variety of homosexual behavior and partners, just as it is to variety of heterosexual experience.
Robustness of expected utility model in predicting individual choices

Abstract In this paper we show how utility, lottery dependent utility, and weighted utility models can be calibrated using algebraic and statistical techniques. The models are empirically compared in laboratory (student subjects) and real settings (sales force personnel of the Los Angeles Times). In our empirical comparison we evaluate two aspects: the extent to which observed preferences are consistent with each model, and predictive accuracy of the models on a holdout sample. The results indicate that only about 20% of the observed choice patterns in our experimental design are consistent with the expected utility model, 50% with the weighted utility model, and 90% with the general lottery dependent utility model. On individual level predictions to the holdout sample, however, the expected utility model does as well as the other two models. This latter finding is robust across different measurement and estimation methods and student and non-student subjects.
A Research Configuration for a Digital Network Forensic Lab

Summary form only given. The digital forensic network lab is implemented with the goal of providing all students and faculty with a configurable research environment ideally suited for conducting network forensic testing on all TCP/IP network protocols passing through it. Of particular interest are protocols that are commonly used for file sharing, message passing, and those that actively obfuscate or encrypt message traffic. Notably, Bit Torrent protocol, P2P protocols, IM (instant messaging) protocols, and anonymizing protocols such as I2P, Thor, and Freenet. Items of interest in protocol analysis include packet payload, sender and receiver real IP address, and crypto analysis.The forensic test bed consists of an a main node populated with a Cisco WAN router. This is the master router for the lab. It routes internal traffic between the three research nodes and selected outside networks. Populating the a node and the two remote nodes, B and C, are a combination of a Cisco routers, Cisco firewalls, Cisco switches, and computers. Each node has five dual core X86 computers capable of running combinations of Linux x86- 32 or -64 OS's, Microsoft x86-32 or -64 OS's, and, if necessary, both OS's can be configured to either use Microsoft, VMWare or Xen virtualization software. The a main node is connected remotely to the C node via a campus fast Ethernet circuit. While the B node, co-located with the a main node, is connected together via a fast Ethernet and Tl circuit. To increase the infrastructure component of the lab we have the ability to selectively place the forensic lab into an existing classroom domain for wider access to students and faculty researchers.
Phosphine-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of beta-lactones from arylketoketenes and aromatic aldehydes.

In this paper, the development of a chiral phosphine-catalyzed formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition of aldehydes and ketoketenes that provides access to a variety of highly substituted β-lactones (14 examples) is reported. The BINAPHANE catalytic system displays excellent enantioselectivity (seven examples with ee ≥90%) and high diastereoselectivity favoring formation of the trans-diastereomer (nine examples with dr ≥90:10).
Effect of capacity on the behaviour of anion-exchange resins

Abstract Strong-base anion exchangers with capacities ranging from 0.04 to 1.46 mequiv./g were prepared from macroporous polystyrene-DVB resins. The capacities were controlled by varying the time of chloromethylation. Distribution ratios of anions decrease with decreasing resin capacity, but selectivity coefficients are essentially constant over the range of capacities studied. The low-capacity resins are shown to be useful for practical chromatographic separations of anion mixtures.
The High of Cultural Experience Toward a Microsociology of Cultural Consumption

Does the experience of cultural consumption have its own sui generis attraction and value in itself, or is it an index of external social ranking? Four criteria are proposed that are observable in microsociological detail: (1) bodily self-absorption in the cultural experience, creating an intense internal interaction ritual; (2) collective effervescence among the audience; (3) Goffmanian front-stage self-presentation in settings of cultural consumption; and (4) verbal discourse during and around the cultural experience. Data from highly committed opera fanatics in Buenos Aires are used to document the extreme pole of cultural consumption that rejects external social hierarchies in favor of pure musical experience. This individualized and internal style of music consumption resembles religious mysticism, and what Weber in his typology of orientations to religious experience called virtuoso religiosity, as distinct from typical social class orientations to religion and to music.
Thermoelectrical Modeling of Wavelength Effects on Photovoltaic Module Performance—Part I: Model

A better understanding of the factors that affect the performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules will improve the design, optimization, and development of them. Researchers have introduced thermal models to predict module temperatures, and thermoelectrical models to study the interaction of electrical and thermal module characteristics. However, these models have relied on the assumption that the short-circuit current is proportional to the total incident irradiance, neglecting wavelength-specific effects. While it is true that the main input power to the PV module is the incident solar irradiance, various optical properties of module materials vary with wavelength. At each wavelength some energy is reflected, some is absorbed in the PV cells (contributing to electricity production), some is absorbed in other module materials, and some is transmitted through the module. A model capable of predicting this wavelength-specific behavior will generally allow a better assessment of the module performance especially when it is combined with subsystems such as optical filters. In this study, a wavelength-based thermoelectrical model is proposed to predict the PV module temperature and output power. A lab-built PV module is used to validate both the temperature and output power results. The predicted results are shown to agree with the experimental measurements.