cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of sentiment expressions for user-centered design

Abstract Devising intelligent systems capable of identifying the idiosyncratic needs of users at scale and translating them into attribute-level design feedback and recommendations is a key prerequisite for successful user-centered design processes. Recent studies show that 49% of design firms lack systems and tools for monitoring external platforms, and only 8% have adopted digital, data-driven approaches for new product development despite acknowledging them as a high priority. The state-of-the-art attribute-level sentiment analysis approaches based on deep learning have achieved promising results; however, these methods pose strict preconditions, require manually labeled data for training and pre-defined attributes by experts, and only classify sentiments intro predefined categories which have limited implications for designers. This article develops a rule-based methodology for extracting and analyzing the sentiment expressions of users on a large scale, from myriad reviews available on social media and e-commerce platforms. The methodology further advances current unsupervised attribute-level sentiment analysis approaches by enabling efficient identification and mapping of sentiment expressions of individual users onto their respective attributes. Experiments on a large dataset scraped from a major e-commerce retail store for apparel and indicate 74.3%–93.8% precision in extracting attribute-level sentiment expressions of users and demonstrate the feasibility and potentials of the developed methodology for large-scale need finding from user reviews.
Association of vaping with decreased vascular endothelial growth factor expression and decreased microvessel density in cutaneous wound healing tissue in rats.

Vaping is suggested to be a risk factor for poor wound healing akin to smoking. However, the molecular and histologic mechanisms underlying this postulation remain unknown. Our study sought to compare molecular and histologic changes in cutaneous flap and non-flap tissue between vaping, smoking and control cohorts. Animal study of 15 male Sprague-Dawley rats was randomized to three cohorts: negative control (n = 5), e-cigarette (n = 5) and cigarette (n = 5) and exposed to their respective treatments with serum cotinine monitoring. After 30 days, random pattern flaps were raised and healed for 2 weeks after which skin punch biopsies of flap and non-flap tissues were collected for quantitative-reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of three selected wound healing genes (transforming growth factor β [TGF-β], vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], matrix metalloproteinase-1 [MMP-1]); then, immunohistochemistry for CD68 expression, α-smooth muscle actin looking at microvessel density (MVD) and in situ hybridization to localize VEGF production were undertaken. In flap tissue, vaping (mean[SEM]) (0.61[0.07]) and smoking (0.70[0.04]) were associated with decreased fold change of VEGF expression compared with controls (0.91[0.03]) (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively). In non-flap tissue, only vaping was associated with decreased VEGF expression (mean[SEM]) (0.81[0.07]), compared with controls (1.17[0.10]) (p < 0.05) with expression primarily localized to basal keratinocytes and dermal capillaries. Immunohistochemistry showed decreased MVD in smoking (0.27[0.06]) and vaping (0.26[0.04]) flap tissue compared to matched controls (0.65[0.14]) (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively) and decreased areas of fibrosis compared with controls on gross histology. Vaping and smoking were similarly associated with decreased VEGF expression, MVD and fibrotic changes in flap tissue. The results suggest attenuated angiogenesis via decreased VEGF expression as a mechanism for poor wound healing in vaping-exposed rats.
Procedures With Longer Intraoperative Times Undervalue Surgeon Work in Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Large, Nationwide Database Study.

Abstract Background Work relative value units (wRVUs) measure a surgeon’s time and intensity required to perform the pre-service, intra-service, and post-service work of a surgical procedure and are commonly used to compare a physician’s work between different procedures. Previous literature across multiple specialties report that longer, often revision, operations are undervalued when compared to primary procedures. Our study aims to analyze the differences in intra-operative time, and its corresponding wRVU/h between the Medicare benchmarks and real-world time-stamped data for total joint arthroplasty procedures. Methods Thirteen primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty procedures were identified, and intra-operative times were collected using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program databases from 2014 to 2019. The Relative Value Scale Update Committee’s (RUC) estimated median intra-operative times for each procedure was compared to the calculated median intra-operative times from National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, as were their corresponding wRVU/h. Procedures were additionally stratified by “long” (>110 minutes) and “short” (≤110 minutes) intra-operative times. Results The RUC over-estimated intra-operative time by 35.24% on average and this overestimation was more profound in longer operations than shorter operations (47.75% vs 15.22%, P = .011). The RUC intensity per unit time values (wRVU/h) between “long” and “short” procedures were significantly different (P Conclusion Our study provides further evidence that physician work is undervalued in revision total hip and knee surgeries.
Inflammation and Lung Cancer: Eicosanoids

Eicosanoids represent a large family of active signaling lipids derived from arachidonic acid. These molecules act in an autocrine or paracrine fashion, largely through cognate receptors, which signal through G-proteins. In addition, several eicosanoids have also been shown to engage nuclear receptors as an alternative signaling pathway. In the setting of lung cancer, as well as other types of cancer, eicosanoids are produced both by tumor cells, as well as by cells of the tumor microenvironment (TME), specifically inflammatory cells. Cancer progression involves complex interactions between these cell types, resulting in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and local immunosuppression. Eicosanoids play a critical role in these pathways, with cell- and context-dependent production of specific eicosanoids mediating specific responses. The availability of pharmacological agents to inhibit enzymes in the eicosanoid pathway, or their receptors, make understanding this pathway critical in developing new strategies for the treatment and prevention of lung cancer. New approaches defining the nature of the eicosanoid products produced by different cell types will allow more specific targeting of these pathways. This chapter reviews our current understanding of the role of eicosanoids, with an emphasis on production by inflammatory cells.
Food Assistance Program Participation and Health Care Utilization in Low-income Homebound Older Georgians

Older adults receiving food assistance may have varying health care needs and resource levels; however very little is known about their health care utilization patterns. This study examined the relationship of food assistance program participation with health care utilization in homebound older Medicare beneficiaries in Georgia in need of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and home delivered meals program (HDM) using the self-administered survey and Medicare claims data (n=1,270, mean age 79.4, 69.9% female, 34.4 %black). Health care utilization during 2009 (i.e., inpatient, outpatient, physician, and home health visits) was compared across four levels of food assistance program participation (i.e., both SNAP and HDM, SNAP only, HDM only, and nonparticipation) in the study sample using negative binomial regression while controlling for potential confounders. About 22% received both SNAP and HDM, and 24.4% and 17.6% received either SNAP or HDM, respectively. Those receiving any food assistanc...
Teaching web design and web programming using an enhanced teaching environment

The Internet and the Web has provided many advantages as an instructional tool. These advantages include efficiency, flexibility and multimedia capability. Using the Web as an instructional tool infuses the ordinary classroom experience with extraordinary benefits, both for the teacher and students. Increasingly more teachers are placing their own instructional materials on the Web. A recent national survey of information technology in US higher education reported that 30.7 percent of all college courses had web pages [1]. Introduction of the Internet and the Web technology into classroom instruction is a national trend in higher education.
Get Out the Vote by Mail? Evidence from a Natural/Field Experiment

Does the effectiveness of a “Get Out The Vote” (GOTV) contact depend upon the method by which a voter casts a ballot? This study investigates whether those who must vote by mail are more or less responsive to an in-person mobilization message than voters who live in traditional precincts with polling places. We combine a natural experiment designed to isolate the effects of voting by mail with a field experiment probing the impact of a door-to-door GOTV drive. Implementing this design in the November, 2008 general election in San Diego County, we hired professional canvassers to target a total of 29,717 randomly-assigned registered voters. Our preliminary results suggest that a personal GOTV contact has a larger effect on the participation of those who vote at polling places than it does on registrants assigned to vote by mail.
Biological Variability of C-Reactive Protein and Specific Canine Pancreatic Lipase Immunoreactivity in Apparently Healthy Dogs

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) and specific canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (Spec cPL) are biomarkers of generalized or nonspecific inflammation and pancreatic inflammation in dogs, respectively. The extent of inter- and intraindividual variation over time of these analytes is not well defined in dogs. The minimal critical difference for sequential determinations of these markers (ie, the smallest change necessary to represent physiological change rather than biological variation), has not been defined. Objectives: To determine the inter- and intraindividual variability (CVG and CVI) and minimal critical difference for sequential determinations of serum CRP and Spec cPL concentrations in apparently healthy dogs. Animals: Eleven apparently healthy dogs owned by staff or students at a veterinary teaching hospital. Methods: Blood was collected repeatedly at varying intervals over 12 weeks. CRP and Spec cPL concentrations were determined with commercially available assays. Indices of inter-, intraindividual, and assay variability and 1-sided minimal critical differences for sequential concentrations were calculated. Results: For CRP, CVG was 90.8%, CVI was 115.5%, and the analytical variability (CVA) was 6.3%; the index of individuality was 0.74, and 1-sided critical difference was 269.9%. For Spec cPL, CVG= 49.48%, CVI= 193.8%, CVA= 8.4%, index of individuality = 0.24, and 1-sided critical difference was 452.6%. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: A population-based reference range is appropriate for Spec cPL, but questionable for CRP in dogs. Large changes in serial measurements of Spec cPL are necessary to infer clinical importance, more modest changes in CRP are likely to be meaningful.
A Unification Algorithm for Analysis of Protocols with Blinded Signatures

Analysis of authentication cryptographic protocols, particularly finding flaws in them and determining a sequence of actions that an intruder can take to gain access to the information which a given protocol purports not to reveal, has recently received considerable attention. One effective way of detecting flaws is to hypothesize an insecure state and determine whether it is possible to get to that state by a legal sequence of actions permitted by the protocol from some legal initial state which captures the knowledge of the principals and the assumptions made about an intruder''s behavior. Relations among encryption and decryption functions as well as properties of number theoretic functions used in encryption and decryption can be specified as rewrite rules. This, for example, is the approach used by the NRL Protocol Analyzer, which uses narrowing to reason about such properties of cryptographic and number-theoretic functions. Following [15], a related approach is proposed here in which equation solving modulo most of these properties of cryptographic and number-theoretic functions is done by developing new unification algorithms for such theories. A new unification algorithm for an equational theory needed to reason about protocols that use the Diffie-Hellman algorithm is developed. In this theory, multiplication forms an abelian group; exponentiation function distributes over multiplication, and exponents can commute. This theory is useful for analyzing protocols which use blinded signatures. It is proved that the unification problem over this equational theory can be reduced to the unification problem modulo the theory of abelian groups with commuting homomorphisms with an additional constraint. Baader''s unification algorithm for the theory of abelian groups with commuting homomorphisms, which reduces the unification problem to solving equations over the polynomial ring over the integers with the commuting homomorphisms serving as indeterminates, is generalized to give a unification algorithm over the theory of abelian groups with commuting homomorphism with a linear constraint. It is also shown that the unification problem over a (simple) extension of the equational theory considered here (which is also an extension of the equational theory considered in [15]) is undecidable.
Assessing emerging wastewater regulations to minimize the risk from pharmaceuticals and personal care products: A case study in Wisconsin, USA

Purpose – Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) and phosphorus are pollutants that can cause a wide array of negative environmental impacts. Phosphorus is a regulated pollutant in many industrial countries, while PPCPs are widely unregulated. Many technologies designed to remove phosphorus from wastewater can remove PPCPs, therefore the purpose of this paper is to explore the ability of these technologies to also reduce the emission of unregulated PPCPs. Design/methodology/approach – Through meta-analysis, the authors use the PPCPs’ risk quotient (RQ) to measure and compare the effectiveness of different wastewater treatment technologies. The RQ data are then applied via a case study that uses phosphorus effluent regulations to determine the ability of the recommended technologies to also mitigate PPCPs. Findings – The tertiary membrane bioreactor and nanofiltration processes recommended to remove phosphorus can reduce the median RQ from PPCPs by 71 and 81 percent, respectively. The ultrafiltr...
Dust mite avoidance for the primary prevention of atopic dermatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background Dust mite sensitization plays a controversial role in the development of atopic dermatitis. Despite a lack of evidence for its efficacy, dust mite avoidance is commonly recommended for the prevention and treatment of atopic dermatitis. We aimed to evaluate whether dust mite avoidance strategies reduce the risk of developing atopic dermatitis in high-risk infants compared to randomized controls. Methods Studies were obtained by searching MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, and The Global Resource of Eczema Trials databases. We included randomized, controlled trials of high-risk infants treated with a dust mite avoidance intervention and assessed for atopic dermatitis. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers using predefined criteria. Results Seven randomized controlled trials met our inclusion criteria (total n = 3040). Studies were largely unblinded but otherwise of reasonable quality. Three trials utilizing a dust mite avoidance approach but not additional interventions were combined in a meta-analysis. Dust mite avoidance provided no benefit in the prevention of atopic dermatitis (relative risk (RR) = 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.78–1.49, I2 = 73%). Conclusions Dust mite avoidance strategies alone or in combination with additional allergen avoidance modalities do not decrease the risk of developing atopic dermatitis and, given the current state of the evidence, should not be recommended for this purpose. The utility of dust mite avoidance for the treatment of atopic dermatitis or for the prevention and treatment of asthma or seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis are outside the scope of this review.
Bupropion-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus is a subset of cutaneous lupus erythematosus with unique immunological and clinical features. The first series of patients found to have drug-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythemotosus were secondary to hydrochlorothiazide. Since that time, several other drugs have been implicated in the induction of subacute cutaneous lupus erythemotosus. A 44-year-old woman presented with a 9-week history of a mildly pruritic, photosensitive rash that started on her chest. One month prior to her skin outbreak she was started on bupropion for mild depression. She was noted to have multiple annular erythematous plaques on her anterior chest, shoulders, back, arms and face. The patient was advised to stop the bupropion and to start topical tacrolimus, and was encouraged to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Her skin completely cleared within 1 month of initiating this treatment regimen. This case is a unique example of bupropion-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythemotosus. Our patient exemplifies the necessity of a complete medical history, including current medications, especially when subacute cutaneous lupus erythemotosus is suspected.
Electrospray mass spectrometry of human hair wax esters.

Wax esters extracted from human hair have been examined by capillary GC-MS and by nano electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry using a tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer. Initially, the wax esters were examined by capillary GC-MS using conventional means, thus revealing an incomplete chromatographic resolution of the complex array of >200 wax esters ranging from 28 to 40 carbons in length, including saturated/straight-chained, unsaturated/straight-chained, saturated/branched, and unsaturated/branched molecular species. ESI of wax esters produced ammonium adduct ions [M+NH4]+, and collisional activation of these ions formed abundant [RCO2H2]+ product ions. Wax esters containing a double bond in the fatty acyl or fatty alcohol portion of the molecule revealed identical behavior, suggesting little influence of the double bond on the ionization process or subsequent decomposition. The wax ester mixture was analyzed by ESI and tandem mass spectrometry using multiple reaction monitoring and neutral loss scanning. The neutral loss experiment [loss of NH3 and CH2=CH-(CH2)nCH3] was particularly effective at rapidly surveying the complex biological mixture, identifying >160 different wax esters that range from 24 to 42 total carbons.
Physical Alignments Between Plumage Carotenoid Spectra and Cone Sensitivities in Ultraviolet-Sensitive (UVS) Birds (Passerida: Passeriformes)

Among birds, single cone sensitivities responsible for color vision appear surprisingly conserved even though chromatic signals vary greatly. Thus it is widely held that avian visual signal and receptor characteristics are rarely aligned. Analysis of a diverse passerine clade (Passerida) with characteristically ultraviolet-sensitive (UVS) vision revealed that plumage carotenoid reflectance spectra matched cone maximal sensitivities at several levels: (1) plumage carotenoid reflectance minima and maxima in aggregate aligned with the four UVS single cones; (2) the corresponding reflectance features of yellow (hydroxy- and e-keto) and red (3- and 4-β-keto) carotenoid classes aligned with different combinations of cones; (3) pairs of reflectance features (e.g. one minimum and one maximum) of each carotenoid class aligned with pairs of (opponent) cones that evoke chromatic perception; (4) passerid plumage carotenoids aligned more closely to their own (UVS) visual system than to the distinctive homologous cone classes of the violet-sensitive system found in other birds. The ubiquitous occurrence of plumage carotenoids ipso facto demonstrates that alignments of avian visual signals and receptors are widespread, and provides novel evidence that carotenoids are important to avian communication. Moreover, alignment of different physical spectra to different cone combinations in a fixed receptor array provides a straightforward mechanism that accommodates signal diversity within the context of a relatively conserved visual system. The distinct patterns of variation and alignment observed for yellow versus red carotenoids further suggest that these pigment classes convey different physical aspects of content, which may foster carotenoid-based plumage diversity through signal design trade-offs.
Shifting boundaries: Doing social science in the 1990s—A personal odyssey

Drawing on my own 40 years as a social scientist, I argue, as have others in recent years, that rather than “a contaminant,” one's own biography can be a useful tool in social analysis. I place my personal struggle with this issue in a larger cultural context and point to a shift in the boundaries between public and private, which has profound implications for the way we teach, write, and do research.
A world without death? First and second thoughts

Most empirical studies of orientations toward death have used psychometric methods to determine the level of 'death anxiety' or a related variable. Other questions are also worth investigation, however, and other methods required. The question under investigation here is the function of death within the individual's world view. A sample of 214 university students was asked to respond to a scenario in which death is no longer inevitable. The students were first asked to respond to the general concept of life without death. Next, they were asked to reflect on this scenario and identify the probable consequences of a world without death on (a) the world in general, and (b) their own lives. Finally, they were asked again to express their evaluation of a world without death. First thoughts were predominantly favourable to the scenario of a world without death ( n =189, 88%). Second thoughts were predominantly unfavourable to the same scenario, whether analysed by balance of positive and negative statements ( n...
Ultra-Large Unilamellar Nanosheets Efficiently Exfoliated from (Y0.95Eu0.05)2(OH)5NO3·nH2O and their Self-Assembly into Oriented Oxide Film with Enhanced Photoluminescence Properties

Two dimensional nanophosphors of high quality play an important role in the miniaturization and intelligentization of opto-electronic components. In this present work, ultra-large (30μm) single crystals of (Y0.95Eu0.05)2(OH)5NO3·nH2O layered rare earth hydroxide (LRH) with a hexagonal shape have been synthisized via autoclaving the rare-earth nitrate/NH4OH reaction system in the presence of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3). The nitrate ions, existing in the interlayer gallery of layered rare earth hydroxide, exhibit facile exchanges with oleate anions by hydrothermal anion exchange. Furthermore, the interlayer distance can thus be expanded from ~0.9 nm for the pristine LRHs to ~3.60 nm for the intercalated ones, which are then efficiently delaminated into unilamellar nanosheets with a lateral size of 10μm and a thickness of ~1.50 nm. The obtained nanosheets are single crystaline. Highly [11 oriented, dense (Y0.95Eu0.05)2O3 phosphor films with excellent optical transparency and a greatly enhanced luminescence intensity have been constructed via self-assembly of ultra-large unilamellar LRH nanosheets, followed by proper annealing.
A systems-theoretical framework for health and disease: Inflammation and preconditioning from an abstract modeling point of view

Modern advances in molecular biology have produced enormous amounts of data characterizing physiological and disease states in cells and organisms. While bioinformatics has facilitated the organizing and mining of these data, it is the task of systems biology to merge the available information into dynamic, explanatory and predictive models. This article takes a step into this direction. It proposes a conceptual approach toward formalizing health and disease and illustrates it in the context of inflammation and preconditioning. Instead of defining health and disease states, the emphasis is on simplexes in a high-dimensional biomarker space. These simplexes are bounded by physiological constraints and permit the quantitative characterization of personalized health trajectories, health risk profiles that change with age, and the efficacy of different treatment options. The article mainly focuses on concepts but also briefly describes how the proposed concepts might be formulated rigorously within a mathematical framework.
Genome-wide analysis of BEAS-2B cells exposed to trivalent arsenicals and dimethylthioarsinic acid.

Lung is a major target for arsenic carcinogenesis in humans by both oral and inhalation routes. However, the carcinogenic mode of action of arsenicals is unknown. We investigated the effects of inorganic arsenic (iAsIII), monomethylarsonous acid (MMAIII), dimethylarsinous acid (DMAIII) and dimethylthioarsinic acid (DMTA), a sulfur containing dimethyl arsenic metabolite, in human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells. Cells were exposed to 3, 15 microM-iAsIII; 0.3, 1 microM-MMAIII; 0.2, 1 microM-DMAIII; 0.2, 0.9 microM-DMTA as non-cytotoxic and minimally cytotoxic ( approximately 20%) concentrations based on Neutral Red uptake assays after 24h of culture. Total RNA was isolated and gene expression analysis conducted using Affymetrix Human Genome 133 Plus 2.0 arrays. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were determined using a one-way ANOVA (p 90% of DEG altered in the low concentration were also changed at the high concentration. There was a clear dose-response seen in the number of DEGs for all four compounds. iAsIII showed the highest number of DEG at both concentrations (2708 and 123, high and low, respectively). 1749, 420 and 120 DEGs were unique to the high concentrations of iAsIII, MMAIII and DMAIII, respectively. Transferrin receptor is a common DEG in low concentration arsenical treated cells. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed p53 signaling (E2F1 and 2, SERPIN), and cell cycle related genes (cyclin D1) were altered by the high concentrations of DMTA, MMAIII and iAsIII. Oxidative stress (DUSP1, GPX2, NQO1, GCLC) and NF-kappaB signaling (TLR4, NF-kappaB) pathways were changed by the high concentrations of MMAIII and iAsIII. The genes identified in this study can be a valuable tool to determine the mechanism of arsenic toxicity and cancer formation. A number of similarities were observed in the gene expression profiles of DMAIII and DMTA and also iAsIII and MMAIII. These findings reveal some biological effects of arsenicals that will aid in creating a better risk assessment model for arsenical-induced lung cancer.
Tracer Particles for Application to PIV Studies of Liquid Helium

Material selection and methods for introduction of tracer particles into liquid helium are reviewed for application in particle image velocimetry experiments. The combination of low temperature environment and low-density fluid place unique requirements on particle selection. Options discussed include a variety of commercially available solid particles of different size and density as well as solid particles generated by freezing liquids or gases. Recommendations are presented based on the dynamic behavior of the particles. Also, methods for introducing the particles into liquid helium are discussed.
A scaling analysis of soil moisture–precipitation interactions in a regional climate model

The University of Oklahoma’s Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) was used to examine the impacts of varying mean soil moisture and model resolution on the magnitude and frequency of precipitation events in the U.S. Central Plains and to determine whether modeled soil moisture and precipitation fields exhibit scale invariance using the statistical moments. It was found that high soil moisture resulted in greater precipitation amounts and a higher frequency of events, suggesting the occurrence of a positive soil moisture–precipitation feedback. The scaling analysis performed on cumulative precipitation determined that these fields did not exhibit signs of self-similarity and, therefore, statistical properties cannot be predicted at other resolutions. The scaling properties of soil moisture were highly variable in time which has important implications for the use of remotely sensed data, as scaling properties from 1 day cannot necessarily be applied to subsequent days.
Coronary artery surgery in women compared with men: analyses of risks and long-term results.

A surgical experience with 2,445 consecutive women who underwent isolated bypass grafting was analyzed for comparison with 18,079 consecutive men. Severe or unstable angina occurred preoperatively in 60% of women and 45% of men (p After a mean interval of 2 years, women had a lower overall graft patency rate (76.4%) than men (82.1%) (p
Density correlations in a many particle system

Abstract The multiple density correlation function 〈 ϱ k 1 ϱ k 2 … ϱ k n 〉 of a many particle system is evaluated using the convolution approximation for the n -particle distribution function.
On the Electronically Excited States of Uracil

Vertical excitation energies in uracil in the gas phase and in water solution are investigated by the equation-of-motion coupled-cluster and multireference configuration interaction methods. Basis set effects are found to be important for converged results. The analysis of electronic wave functions reveals that the lowest singlet states are predominantly of a singly excited character and are therefore well described by single-reference equation-of-motion methods augmented by a perturbative triples correction to account for dynamical correlation. Our best estimates for the vertical excitation energies for the lowest singlet n → π* and π → π* are 5.0 ± 0.1 eV and 5.3 ± 0.1 eV, respectively. The solvent effects for these states are estimated to be +0.5 eV and ±0.1 eV, respectively. We attribute the difference between the computed vertical excitations and the maximum of the experimental absorption to strong vibronic interaction between the lowest A′′ and A′ states leading to intensity borrowing by the forbidd...
Long-term recovery after bone marrow stromal cell treatment of traumatic brain injury in rats

Object This study was designed to follow the effects of bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) administration in rats after traumatic brain injury (TBI) for a 3-month period. Methods Forty adult female Wistar rats were injured by a controlled cortical impact and, 1 week later, were injected intravenously with one of three different doses of BMSCs (2 × 106, 4 × 106, or 8 × 106 cells per animal) obtained in male rats. Control rats received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Neurological function in these rats was studied using a neurological severity scale (NSS). The rats were killed 3 months after injury, and immunohistochemical stains were applied to brain samples to study the distribution of the BMSCs. Additional brain samples were analyzed by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to measure the expression of the growth factors brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF). Three months after injury, BMSCs were present in the injured brain and their number was significantly grea...
Seasonal variability of biomass density and activated sludge settleability in full-scale wastewater treatment systems

Abstract Biosolids sedimentation is a critical component of the activated sludge wastewater treatment process. Seasonal variability of biomass settleability has been previously reported and linked to variable filament content in some studies, but others have reported seasonal variations without changes in filament content. Biomass density (mass per microbial floc volume, not including pore spaces) has recently been shown to vary substantially and to affect settleability in full-scale systems, but its potential role in seasonal variations has not been previously evaluated. Four full-scale activated sludge systems were monitored for density, filament content, and settleability for a year. Biomass density values were significantly higher in warm weather than in cold weather in all plants. Settleability was significantly worse in cold weather in three of the four systems, and the inverse of the buoyant density was correlated with settleability in these three systems. Filament content, on the other hand, exhibited seasonal variability and was correlated with settleability in only one of the four plants. Non-volatile suspended solids content was correlated with buoyant density and exhibited seasonal variability in all four systems. Biomass phosphorus content measurements suggested that seasonally variable enhanced biological phosphorus removal activity affected density in one of the systems. These results suggest that variable density plays a role in seasonally variable settleability in some full-scale wastewater treatment systems, they help to clarify previously unexplained reports of seasonally variable settleability that were independent of changes in filament content, and they provide the basis for development of strategies for improved performance.
First-Moment Analysis of Polarized Light Emission from InGaN/GaN Light-Emitting Diodes Prepared on Semipolar Planes

A first-moment analysis has been applied to electroluminescent spectra of polarized light from InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes prepared on (1011) and (1013) planes. The normalized first moment (the first moment divided by the zeroth moment) of emission spectra clearly fluctuated due to polarizer rotational angle, even though the spectral peak shift was not obvious. A δ-function model of emission spectra, where two δ-functions represented two polarization components of the electroluminescence, was proposed to explain the observed fluctuation. This was reproduced very well by the model, and fitting parameters appeared to be reasonable numerical values.
S-Methadone augments R-methadone induced respiratory depression in the neonatal guinea pig.

Abstract Methadone is administered as a racemic mixture, although its analgesic and respiratory effects are attributed to R -isomer activity at the mu opioid receptor (MOP). Recently, we observed a four-fold increase in inspiratory time in 3-day-old guinea pigs following an injection of racemic methadone. We hypothesized that this effect was due to augmentation of R -methadone induced respiratory depression by the S -methadone isomer. In the current longitudinal study, we injected 3-, 7-, and 14-day-old neonatal guinea pigs with saline, R -methadone, S -methadone, or R - plus S -methadone in order to characterize the roles of the individual isomers, as well as the synergistic effects of co-administration. Using plethysmography, we measured respiratory parameters while breathing room air and during a 5% CO 2 challenge. S -Methadone alone had no respiratory effects. However, the R - plus S -methadone group showed greater respiratory depression and increased inspiratory time than the R -methadone group in the youngest animals, suggesting that the respiratory effects of R -methadone are augmented by S -methadone in early development.
Putting appraisal in context: Toward a relational model of appraisal and emotion

According to appraisal theory, emotions result from an individual's meaning analysis of the implications of his/her circumstances for personal well-being, and individual differences in emotion arise when individuals appraise similar situations differently. Relational models of appraisal attempt to describe the situational and dispositional antecedents of appraisals, and should allow one to predict such individual differences. In this article, we review three examples of our efforts toward developing relational appraisal models. In two, we start with a particular appraisal component, motivational relevance and problem-focused coping potential (Smith & Lazarus, 1990), respectively, and describe and test the relational model proposed for that component. In the third, as a precursor to developing a true relational model, we examine another appraisal component, emotion-focused coping potential, from a more dispositional perspective. We conclude by considering both the potential value of relational appraisal mo...
Large deformation three-dimensional static analysis of deep water marine risers

The problem of static three-dimensional, nonlinear, large deformation response of a marine riser is formulated within small strain theory and solved numerically. This type of analysis is necessary, for the new generation of drilling and production risers. The mathematical model takes properly into account the effects of internal and external pressure and the complete nonlinear boundary conditions, without linearizing the follower forces. The extensibllity or inextensibility condition is used as the constitutive relation in the tangential direction. Torsion and bending are coupled. The external load and the boundary conditions are deformation dependent. A solution method is developed based on an incremental finite element algorithm, which involves a prediction-correction scheme. In the correction phase deformation dependent quantities are updated. The extensibility or inextensibility condition is used to reduce the degrees of freedom of the system. The numerical results of the developed computer code compare very well with available semi-analytical and numerical solutions. Three numerical applications are used to demonstrate the importance of large deformation, nonlinear and three-dimensional analyses.
Geometric-distortions and physical structure modeling

An investigation on the interpretation of localized geometric distortions as a source of microscopic physical particle-structures has been undertaken. Modeling utilizes the fundamental curvature equations of Riemannian geometry. It is limited to geometric-distortional families satisfying a simple temporal-to-spatial tensor equation-of-state, a Maxwellian relationship. A microscopic-level coupling-constant also results, which supplants and extends the classical gravitational coupling-constant. The geometrical tensor elements of the distorted space exhibit negative, as well as positive, curvature-magnitudes and energy-densities while the field-observable in the negative energy–density spatial core-region is non-Coulombic and non-infinite at the radial origin. Fundamental particles and gravitational structures have been mimicked.
Symmetrization and sharp Sobolev inequalities in metric spaces

We derive sharp Sobolev inequalities for Sobolev spaces on metric spaces. In particular, we obtain new sharp Sobolev embeddings and Faber-Krahn estimates for H¨ormander vector fields.
Phosphorylation by CDK1 regulates XMAP215 function in vitro.

XMAP215, a microtubule-associated protein isolated from Xenopus eggs, promotes microtubule assembly dynamics in an end-specific manner: addition of XMAP215 to purified porcine tubulin increases both elongation and shortening rates at microtubule plus ends, with minimal effects at minus ends. Previous results indicated that XMAP215 is phosphorylated during M phase, suggesting that its activity may be regulated by cell cycle phosphorylation. To test this hypothesis, we used video-enhanced DIC microscopy to examine the effects of XMAP215 phosphorylated by CDK1 on the assembly of purified tubulin. XMAP215 incubated with ATP at 30 degrees C for 10- 20 min in the absence of CDK1 exhibited a 4.1-fold increase in plus end elongation rate compared to purified tubulin. Elongation was promoted to a lesser degree (2.4-fold) by phosphorylated XMAP215. In contrast, XMAP215 phosphorylation did not alter the approximately 3-fold increase in shortening rate. XMAP215 binding to taxol microtubules was also not changed by phosphorylation. To further investigate mechanisms responsible for the faster microtubule shortening rate observed with XMAP215, we made microtubules with segments assembled prior to XMAP215 addition (proximal segments) and segments assembled in the presence of XMAP215 (distal segments). In 9 of 10 microtubules, the distal segment shortened faster (distal = 60.7 microm/min; proximal = 37.5 microm/min), suggesting that MTs assembled in the presence of XMAP215 have an altered lattice that results in subsequent faster shortening.
The safety and efficacy of thoracoscopic lung biopsy for diagnosis and treatment in infants and children

Thoracoscopic techniques were used to perform lung biopsies and limited resections in 36 consecutively treated cases. Biopsies were performed for interstitial lung disease in 27 cases, presumed metastatic lesions in 5, and cavitary lesions in 4. Histological diagnosis was obtained in 35 of the 36 cases, and therapy was directly affected by the results in 30 of 36 cases. There were no postoperative complications, and the average hospital stay for patients admitted the morning of surgery was less than 2 days. Limited thoracoscopic resection provides a safe and effective means for diagnosing and treating parenchymal disease of the lung.
Metabolic characteristics of human hearts preserved for 12 hours by static storage, antegrade perfusion, or retrograde coronary sinus perfusion

Objective Machine perfusion of donor hearts is a promising strategy to increase the donor pool. Antegrade perfusion is effective but can lead to aortic valve incompetence and nonnutrient flow. Experience with retrograde coronary sinus perfusion of donor hearts has been limited. We tested the hypothesis that retrograde perfusion could support myocardial metabolism over an extended donor ischemic interval. Methods Human hearts from donors that were rejected or not offered for transplantation were preserved for 12 hours in University of Wisconsin Machine Perfusion Solution by: (1) static hypothermic storage; (2) hypothermic antegrade machine perfusion; or (3) hypothermic retrograde machine perfusion. Myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO 2 ), and lactate accumulation were measured. Ventricular tissue was collected for proton and phosphorus 31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to evaluate the metabolic state of the myocardium. Myocardial water content was determined at the end of the experiment. Results Stable perfusion parameters were maintained throughout the perfusion period with both perfusion techniques. Lactate/alanine ratios were lower in perfused hearts compared with static hearts ( P 2 (antegrade 0.25 ± 0.2 mL, retrograde 0.26 ± 0.3 mL O 2 /min/100 g) were similar in machine-perfused groups. High-energy phosphates were better preserved in both perfused groups ( P P = .02) and static storage hearts (76.7 ± 1%, P = .02). Conclusions Machine perfusion by either the antegrade or the retrograde technique can support myocardial metabolism over long intervals. Machine perfusion seems promising for long-term preservation of human donor hearts.
Movers and shakers: designing meaningful conflict in a tablet-based serious game

Movers and Shakers is a two-player tablet game that explores how subversive game design elements can foster meaningful conversational conflict in a serious game. It relates recent insights into recursive and transformative learning theories to a game prototype that can be used as a research tool to explore how social design can influence serious game experiences. In this paper, we outline the game's theoretical foundations, highlight its central design elements and outline the research design for a study on the impacts of the game on the communication flow of its players.
A history of the SNOBOL programming languages

Development of the SNOBOL language began in 1962. It was followed by SNOBOL2, SNOBOL3, and SNOBOL4. Except for SNOBOL2 and SNOBOL3 (which were closely related), the others differ substantially and hence are more properly considered separate languages than versions of one language. In this paper historical emphasis is placed on the original language, SNOBOL, although important aspects of the subsequent languages are covered.
Training with Aaron Lerner.

I feel privileged to share with the JID readership some of my training experiences with Aaron Lerner. I met Aaron during my residency training at Yale, during a period in my career when I was particularly impressionable—and Aaron made quite an impression on me! I was fortunate to be training at a time when Aaron had time for me. This was during the later phase of his career, when he was less encumbered by administrative and leadership roles and perhaps more focused on what really mattered to him. He once told me, “When you work on administrative tasks all day, you feel you have been productive at the end of each day, but at the end of the year it's hard to say what you have done. When you work in the lab, it's just the opposite; at the end of a day it's hard to see that you've made any progress at all, but by the end of the year you've made an enormous contribution.”
Age‐0 Gizzard Shad Abundance is Reduced in the Presence of Macrophytes: Implications for Interactions with Bluegills

Abstract The abundance of gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum may be reduced in the presence of macrophytes, which may lessen the frequently observed negative interactions with coinhabiting bluegills Lepomis macrochirus. We used a series of experimental pond studies and a small-lake data set to examine relationships among gizzard shad, bluegills, and macrophytes. Fall age-0 gizzard shad abundance was lower in vegetated experimental ponds than in unvegetated ponds, but mean total length (TL) did not differ. Larval gizzard shad abundance did not differ between vegetated and unvegetated ponds, but the relative survival of age-0 gizzard shad (ratio of fall juveniles to the total number of larvae collected) was higher in unvegetated ponds. In ponds with macrophyte coverage ranging from 0% to 100%, age-0 gizzard shad abundance declined with increasing macrophyte coverage; however, age-0 bluegill abundance was unrelated to macrophyte coverage. The abundance and size of age-0 gizzard shad and age-0 bluegills were un...
Sexual Dimorphism and Morphonietric Differences in the Eastern, Western, and Egyptian Alfalfa Weevils,

The shape of the last abdominal tergite and sternite was the best diagnostic character for determining the sex of adult alfalfa weevils, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), from both the eastern and western United States, and the Egyptian alfalfa weevil, H. bruneipennis (Boheman). Differences were observed also between the sexes of the eastern alfalfa weevil with regard to the elytral stripe, body size and proportions, position in which the front legs are held at rest, and manner of movement. Body size and proportions also differed significantly between the sexes in the western and Egyptian alfalfa weevils. Body proportions without regard to sex differed significantly among the 3 groups with proportions in the Egyptian alfalfa weevil intermediate between the eastern and western alfalfa weevils.