cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of texture differences among varieties of cooked quinoa

Texture differences of cooked quinoa were studied among 13 different varieties. Correlations between the texture parameters and seed composition, seed characteristics, cooking quality, flour pasting properties, and flour thermal properties were determined. The results showed that texture of cooked quinoa was significantly differed among varieties. 'Black,' 'Cahuil,' and 'Red Commercial' yielded harder texture, while '49ALC,' '1ESP,' and 'Col.#6197' showed softer texture. '49ALC,' '1ESP,' 'Col.#6197,' and 'QQ63' were more adhesive, while other varieties were not sticky. The texture profile correlated to physical--chemical properties in different ways. Protein content was positively correlated with all the texture profile analysis (TPA) parameters. Seed hardness was positively correlated with TPA hardness, gumminess, and chewiness at P ≤ 0.09. Seed density was negatively correlated with TPA hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness, whereas seed coat proportion was positively correlated with these TPA parameters. Increased cooking time of quinoa was correlated with increased hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness. The water uptake ratio was inversely related to TPA hardness, gumminess, and chewiness. Rapid Visco Analyzer peak viscosity was negatively correlated with the hardness, gumminess, and chewiness (P < 0.07); breakdown was also negatively correlated with those TPA parameters (P < 0.09); final viscosity and setback were negatively correlated with the hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness (P < 0.05); setback was correlated with the adhesiveness as well (r = -0.63, P = 0.02). Onset gelatinization temperature (To ) was significantly positively correlated with all the texture profile parameters, and peak temperature (Tp ) was moderately correlated with cohesiveness, whereas neither conclusion temperature (Tc ) nor enthalpy correlated with the texture of cooked quinoa.
Rollback recovery in real-time systems with dynamic constraints

Rollback recovery is a backward error recovery technique for recovering from transient faults in computing systems. Real-time systems employing fault tolerance and reconfiguration generally have time-dependent (dynamic) constraints. The author presents a novel rollback point insertion strategy which evaluates the rollback conditions on-line. The technique minimizes both time and space overhead associated with rollback, thereby making it applicable to real-time systems with dynamic constraints. The algorithm presented attains a near-optimum solution in terms of the time spent in saving the states of the system. Details of the simulation conducted to validate the technique are also given. The simulation study has established that the degradation in performance due to using the proposed algorithms is insignificant and the precomputation time is very small for programs that can be represented by general acyclic graphs. On the other hand, for structured programs that can be represented by a simple sequence of tasks, the computation overhead is almost zero. >
Compensating for sparse data in evolutionary generation of fuzzy models

Evolutionary techniques have proven to be a successful strategy for generating fuzzy rule bases from training data. The locality of fuzzy decompositions permits a local evolutionary strategy consisting of an independent evolutionary generation of each rule. The fitness of a rule is determined by the training data within a neighborhood called the region of inclusion of the rule. When the amount of training data is limited, some local regions may not contain training data. This research examines the feasibility of adding a secondary criterion to the fitness measure to compensate for sparse data. A smoothness measure is computed for each region by comparing the approximating function within the region with those in adjacent regions. Several methods of incorporating the smoothness measure into the fitness evaluation are compared.
Publishing books in biomedical engineering

The author's experiences in developing biomedical engineering textbooks are presented. The origin of the ideas, the development of manuscripts, and the interaction with publishers are detailed. The results of a survey of use of biomedical engineering books which suggest the areas of greatest sales are given. A listing of needed books is also given. >
PHAGE FORMATION IN STAPHYLOCOCCUS MUSCAE CULTURES IV. THE EFFECT OF THE YEAST FRACTION ON VIRUS SYNTHESIS

1. A non-dialyzable fraction from fresh bakers' yeast stimulates the formation of S. muscae virus in cells in synthetic medium in the log phase of multiplication. 2. A similar fraction was not found in calf thymus, pancreas, or liver. 3. The active substance in this fraction has been partially purified. 4. This substance is taken up by the cells. In the absence of virus the added substance is metabolized to a form no longer available for virus formation. 5. A purified yeast fraction, which stimulates adaptive enzyme formation in yeast, has been found to stimulate virus formation in the S. muscae system. 6. The similarities between the yeast fraction that stimulates adaptive enzyme formation and the yeast fraction that stimulates virus formation are discussed.
Designing filters for interpolation beamforming

The concept of Interpolation Beamforming was devised by Pridham and Mucci [1, 2] to allow the outputs of the sensors in an array to be sampled at a lower rate than usually required for beam-forming. In this paper we consider the design of the required Interpolation Filter. By introducing an equivalent processing structure, we are able to derive a design procedure that accommodates the requirements of the beamforming operation for the smallest errors at the highest frequencies. An example of the use of the method is presented. We also introduce a variation of the method that permits the minimization of the interpolation error at a specific frequency.
Scattering and radiation from microstrip patch antennas and arrays residing in a cavity

A hybrid numerical technique for characterizing the scattering and radiation properties of microstrip patch antennas and arrays residing in a cavity which is recessed in a ground plane is presented. The technique combines the finite-element and boundary integral methods to formulate a system for the solution of the fields at the aperture and those inside the cavity via the bioconjugate gradient method and fast Fourier transform. By virtue of the finite-element method, the proposed technique is applicable to patch antennas and arrays residing on or embedded in a layered dielectric substrate and is also capable of treating various feed structures and impedance loads. Several numerical results are presented, demonstrating the efficiency and capability of the technique. >
Optimal shape and motion of undulatory swimming organisms

Undulatory swimming animals exhibit diverse ranges of body shapes and motion patterns and are often considered as having superior locomotory performance. The extent to which morphological traits of swimming animals have evolved owing to primarily locomotion considerations is, however, not clear. To shed some light on that question, we present here the optimal shape and motion of undulatory swimming organisms obtained by optimizing locomotive performance measures within the framework of a combined hydrodynamical, structural and novel muscular model. We develop a muscular model for periodic muscle contraction which provides relevant kinematic and energetic quantities required to describe swimming. Using an evolutionary algorithm, we performed a multi-objective optimization for achieving maximum sustained swimming speed U and minimum cost of transport (COT)—two conflicting locomotive performance measures that have been conjectured as likely to increase fitness for survival. Starting from an initial population of random characteristics, our results show that, for a range of size scales, fish-like body shapes and motion indeed emerge when U and COT are optimized. Inherent boundary-layer-dependent allometric scaling between body mass and kinematic and energetic quantities of the optimal populations is observed. The trade-off between U and COT affects the geometry, kinematics and energetics of swimming organisms. Our results are corroborated by empirical data from swimming animals over nine orders of magnitude in size, supporting the notion that optimizing U and COT could be the driving force of evolution in many species.
Instructional design with practical problems using co-simulation

This paper presents design tutorials on image and audio signal processing for an introductory digital systems course. The objectives are to introduce advanced design and to promote interest in digital systems. The use of audio and visual components of design can enhance student's hands-on learning. By using co-simulation, a method in which software in a numerical computation environment generates real-time inputs to the hardware and processes the outputs, students can rapidly create and verify a design. In addition, computational environments such as Matlab and LabView support visual and audio interfaces to ease verification. Tutorials on image filtering and adaptive filter noise cancellation design are being developed and to be used in a digital systems class.
Preoperative Radiographic Evaluation of Patients With Pelvic Discontinuity

Abstract Background Pelvic discontinuity (PD) is a rare but devastating mechanism of failure in total hip arthroplasty. Radiographic findings have been described for the identification of PD. However, no study has specifically examined radiographic parameters and the utility of specific views in the preoperative identification of PD. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 133 patients who underwent acetabular revision for PD. Preoperative radiographic studies were reviewed including anteroposterior pelvis (AP; n = 133), true lateral hip (n = 132), Judet (n = 47), false profile (n = 4), and computed tomography scans (n = 14). Radiographs were read by the senior authors to identify the following parameters suggestive of PD: visible fracture line, medial migration of the inferior hemipelvis, and obturator ring asymmetry. Results Using only the AP view, the fracture line was visible in 116 (87%), medial migration of the inferior hemipelvis in 126 (95%), and obturator ring asymmetry in 114 (86%). A fracture line was visualized in 65 of 132 hips (49%) evaluated with laterals, 36 of 47 hips (77%) evaluated with Judet views, 3 of 4 (75%) evaluated with a false profile view, and 10 of 14 (71%) evaluated with computed tomography. Conclusion Preoperative evaluation with a combination of an AP pelvis radiograph, plus a true lateral radiograph of the hip, plus Judet films in combination with the criteria for discontinuity defined in this article, allowed for identification of PD in a 100% of patients.
Delusions of parasitosis. A dermatologist's guide to diagnosis and treatment.

Delusions of parasitosis is a rare psychiatric disorder in which the patient has a fixed, false belief that he or she is infested by parasites. Even though it is a psychiatric disorder, these patients usually present to a dermatologist because they are convinced that they have a dermatological problem. Patients with delusions of parasitosis generally reject psychiatric referral. The diagnosis of delusions of parasitosis can often be made on the basis of the history alone, but it is important to make sure that the patient does not have a organic skin disorder, and the delusion is not secondary to another mental or physical illness. The current treatment of choice is the antipsychotic medication pimozide. The principal difficulty in management is convincing patients to take the drug. This results from the obvious discrepancy between the patients’ belief system and the clinician’s understanding of the situation. The most common adverse effects of pimozide are extrapyramidal symptoms such as stiffness and, less frequently, a special inner sense of restlessness called akathisia. Effective treatment of such extrapyramidal reactions includes benztropine 1 to 2mg up to 4 times daily as needed, or diphenhydramine 25mg 3 times daily as needed. Pimozide can have cardiotoxic effects at high dosages. Traditionally, it has been recommended to check pretreatment and post-treatment electrocardiograms even for patients who have no history or cardiac conduction abnormalities or arrhythmia. However, a more recent publication questions the need for this if the patient takes <10 mg/day, is not elderly, and has no history of cardiac arrhythmia. Effective dosages of pimozide for delusions of parasitosis have ranged from 1 to 10 mg/day. The lowest effective dosage of pimozide should be used for the shortest possible duration to minimize the risk of tardive dyskinesia developing in these patients. Significant improvements in quality of life have been achieved with successful treatment with pimozide. Atypical antipsychotics such as risperidone with a much safer adverse effect profile may prove to be effective for the treatment of delusions of parasitosis in the future.
Frozen Section Evaluation of the Appendix

Appendiceal tumors are rarely diagnosed preoperatively, and their classification is both challenging and controversial owing to their tendency to disseminate in the peritoneal cavity despite their frequent low-grade appearance. Frozen section analysis may be requested to assess the status of the appendiceal margin, determine whether extra-appendiceal epithelium is present, and to classify extra-appendiceal disease as low- or high-grade. Other types of appendiceal epithelial tumors, such as serrated neoplasms, should be distinguished from mucinous tumors, since they tend to precede overtly malignant peritoneal disease (peritoneal carcinomatosis). Goblet cell carcinoid tumors often spread to non-contiguous structures and, thus, may prompt intraoperative consultation.
Effect of atrial natriuretic factor on release of arginine vasopressin and renin in fetal lambs

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of increased plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) concentrations on the arginine vasopressin (AVP) and renin response to arterial hypotension in fetal sheep. Lamb fetuses at 123-133 days of gestation were infused intravascularly with 0.9% NaCl and ANF at 25 ng.kg-1.min-1 (low dose) or NaCl and ANF at 250 ng.kg-1.min-1 (high dose) for 115 min. After 45 min, sodium nitroprusside was infused for 10 min to yield a 25% decrease in mean arterial blood pressure. ANF infusions resulted in plasma concentrations of 150-200 and 500-800 pg/ml in the low-dose and high-dose groups, respectively. In both the low-dose and high-dose ANF groups, AVP and renin concentrations increased in response to hypotension. In the low-dose ANF group, there was no difference in this response between ANF and control lambs. Compared with controls, a high dose of ANF resulted in an elevated basal level of AVP (1.6 +/- 0.04 vs. 12.3 +/- 6.7 pg/ml) and an 11-fold increase of AVP at 10 min of hypotension (12.2 +/- 5.6 vs. 134.9 +/- 36.1 pg/ml). Basal and stimulated renin concentrations were unchanged by the high-dose ANF infusion. This study demonstrates that in the fetal lamb, ANF concentrations of 500-800 pg/ml augment the basal and stimulated release of AVP but do not affect the renin response.
Long read and single molecule DNA sequencing simplifies genome assembly and TAL effector gene analysis of Xanthomonas translucens

The species Xanthomonas translucens encompasses a complex of bacterial strains that cause diseases and yield loss on grass species including important cereal crops. Three pathovars, X. translucens pv. undulosa, X. translucens pv. translucens and X. translucens pv.cerealis, have been described as pathogens of wheat, barley, and oats. However, no complete genome sequence for a strain of this complex is currently available. A complete genome sequence of X. translucens pv. undulosa strain XT4699 was obtained by using PacBio long read, single molecule, real time (SMRT) DNA sequences and Illumina sequences. Draft genome sequences of nineteen additional X. translucens strains, which were collected from wheat or barley in different regions and at different times, were generated by Illumina sequencing. Phylogenetic relationships among different Xanthomonas strains indicates that X. translucens are members of a distinct clade from so-called group 2 xanthomonads and three pathovars of this species, undulosa, translucens and cerealis, represent distinct subclades in the group 1 clade. Knockout mutation of type III secretion system of XT4699 eliminated the ability to cause water-soaking symptoms on wheat and barley and resulted in a reduction in populations on wheat in comparison to the wild type strain. Sequence comparison of X. translucens strains revealed the genetic variation on type III effector repertories among different pathovars or within one pathovar. The full genome sequence of XT4699 reveals the presence of eight members of the Transcription-Activator Like (TAL) effector genes, which are phylogenetically distant from previous known TAL effector genes of group 2 xanthomonads. Microarray and qRT-PCR analyses revealed TAL effector-specific wheat gene expression modulation. PacBio long read sequencing facilitates the assembly of Xanthomonas genomes and the multiple TAL effector genes, which are difficult to assemble from short read platforms. The complete genome sequence of X. translucens pv. undulosa strain XT4699 and draft genome sequences of nineteen additional X. translucens strains provides a resource for further genetic analyses of pathogenic diversity and host range of the X. translucens species complex. TAL effectors of XT4699 strain play roles in modulating wheat host gene expressions.
Notes on Statistically Invariant States in Stochastically Driven Fluid Flows

These expository notes address certain stationary and ergodic properties of the equations of fluid dynamics subject to a spatially degenerate (i.e. frequency localized), white in time gaussian forcing. In order to provide an accessible treatment of some recent progress in this subject we will develop ideas in detail for a class of finite dimensional models.
Smart and Quick Dk, Df Extraction Flow of Halogen-free and Lead-free Materials under Different Temperatures

Halogen-free and lead-free materials are eco-friendly and the main trend in the long run. Recently, a lot of electronic gadgets including not only mobile phones but relevant accessories have been gradually made of this kind of material in place of traditional formulas to comply with the compliance by European Union. However, there are many drawbacks about halogen-free and lead-free materials such as mechanical reliability and thermal issues which will cause the failure in use. Besides, electrical property is another inevitably critical problem. Not a few of electronic devices are needed to operate under different environmental temperatures stemming from different locations or the heat generated itself. Different ambient temperatures can affect the normality of each material used within the device and further influence the whole function. Therefore, correct and quick extraction of electrical parameters of the material is desirable in the development of high speed application easily influenced by the variat...
Stable Crack Growth During Thermal Actuation of Shape Memory Alloys

A finite element analysis of crack growth is carried out in shape memory alloys subjected to thermal variations under plane strain, mode I, constant applied loading. The crack is assumed to propagate at a critical level of the crack-tip energy release rate which is modeled using the virtual crack closure technique. The load level, applied at a high temperature at which the austenite phase is stable, is assumed sufficiently low so that the resulting crack-tip energy release rate is smaller than the critical value but sufficiently high so that the critical value is reached during cooling, initiating crack growth (Baxevanis and Lagoudas in Int J Fract 191:191–213, 2015). Stable crack growth is observed, mainly associated with the shielding effect of the transformed material left in the wake of the advancing crack. Results pertaining to the near-tip mechanical fields and fracture toughness are presented and their sensitivity to phase transformation metrics and bias load levels is investigated.
Learning to Govern Online Federal Agency Internet Use

This research offers a limited empirical study of online service in federal government agencies. The authors are interested in the evolution of online governance and what factors influence the adoption and elaboration of online services. Information about online agency services was gathered primarily from online U.S. General Accounting Office reports and testimony offered between 1993 and 2000. The authors examine online activities that carry out three governmental functions: providing services, collecting information, and soliciting stakeholder comment. Four principal cases were selected: the Social Security Administration’s Online PEBES, the Department of Education’s National Student Loan Data System, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The analysis of these cases identifies a partial sequence of steps or stages in development of online services. It appears that this sequence is a result of both learning and the imposition of certain standards of performance ba...
Decision forests for learning prostate cancer probability maps from multiparametric MRI

Objectives: Advances in multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and ultrasound/MRI fusion imaging offer a powerful alternative to the typical undirected approach to diagnosing prostate cancer. However, these methods require the time and expertise needed to interpret mpMRI image scenes. In this paper, a machine learning framework for automatically detecting and localizing cancerous lesions within the prostate is developed and evaluated. Methods: Two studies were performed to gather MRI and pathology data. The 12 patients in the first study underwent an MRI session to obtain structural, diffusion-weighted, and dynamic contrast enhanced image vol- umes of the prostate, and regions suspected of being cancerous from the MRI data were manually contoured by radiologists. Whole-mount slices of the prostate were obtained for the patients in the second study, in addition to structural and diffusion-weighted MRI data, for pathology verification. A 3-D feature set for voxel-wise appear- ance description combining intensity data, textural operators, and zonal approximations was generated. Voxels in a test set were classified as normal or cancer using a decision forest-based model initialized using Gaussian discriminant analysis. A leave-one-patient-out cross-validation scheme was used to assess the predictions against the expert manual segmentations confirmed as cancer by biopsy. Results: We achieved an area under the average receiver-operator characteristic curve of 0.923 for the first study, and visual assessment of the probability maps showed 21 out of 22 tumors were identified while a high level of specificity was maintained. In addition to evaluating the model against related approaches, the effects of the individual MRI parameter types were explored, and pathological verification using whole-mount slices from the second study was performed. Conclusions: The results of this paper show that the combination of mpMRI and machine learning is a powerful tool for quantitatively diagnosing prostate cancer.
The Impact of the Safe Conversations Workshop With Diverse, Low-Income Couples

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the Safe Conversations workshop with low income, racial and ethnic minority couples. A sample of 156 individuals (N = 156) participated in a relationship workshop developed by Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt which utilized the theory and practice of Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT). Participants were administered the Dyadic Adjustment Scale before and after the workshop. Findings indicated statistical significance in their overall DAS score and a large effect size in one of four relationship subscales: Consensus. Both males and females were found to derive benefits from the workshop at equal rates.
Infrared Luminescence of Fe 2+ in ZnS

The infrared luminescence spectra of four different crystals of cubic ${\mathrm{Zn}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{x}\mathrm{S}$ with ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}\ensuremath{\le}X\ensuremath{\le}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ have been measured at 5 and 77\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. There is no appreciable luminescence at 300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The luminescence of the ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{2+}$ iron occurs in a band between 2400 and 3000 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ (4.2 to 3.3 \ensuremath{\mu}), and shows pronounced zero-phonon lines at 5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K for the $^{5}T_{2}$-to-$^{5}E$ transition. Four of the five levels of the $^{5}E$ state can be seen, and their interlevel spacing is 18\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}4 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Several phonon-assisted transitions are also present, the involve single TA, TO, or LO phonons. In the purest crystal the zero-phonon component accounts for 50% of the luminescent intensity. The luminescence spectrum is not a mirror image of the absorption spectrum, which has a much smaller zero-phonon component. The luminescence output is reasonably independent of the ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{2+}$ concentration, thus indicating that iron is not a "killer" of its own luminescence.
Pseudo-Twinning in a Deformed Nb-15Al-25Ti B2 Alloy

An alloy with nominal composition of Nb-15Al-25Ti (in at.%) has been developed for high temperature structural applications. This alloy exhibits a B2 ordered structure in the as-cast form [1]. In addition to dislocation slip, pseudo-twinning occurs in this B2 alloy when deformed in compression at room temperature at a strain rate of ∼ 10−4 sec−1 to 3% strain. The pseudo-twinning plane has been deduced to be the 112 planes, which is similar to that in twinning of bcc metals. The mechanism of deformation pseudo-twinning in this B2 alloy is found to be analogous to the normal twinning mechanism in bcc metals, involving glide of partial dislocations with Burgers vector (b) given by b=l/6 <111= on 112 planes. This pseudo-twinning mechanism causes a phase transformation from the B2 to an ordered orthorhombic structure.
Research Review on Audible Noise Control of Transmission Line

The importance and recent achievements in audible noise control of transmission line are reviewed,and gas corona discharge is referred to the source of audible noise of AC or DC high voltage transmission line.The factors resulting in audible noise of AC or DC high voltage transmission line are analyzed,including the structure,design and construction of the transmission line,as well as the atmosphere and environment.The measures to reduce audible noise of transmission line are summed up,and such engineering solutions to reduce the audible noise as increasing the diameter of bundled conductors,increasing the bundle numbers and changing the interval between bundled conductors are considered applicable.The limits of audible noises of AC and DC transmission lines abroad are introduced.The audible noise limits for Chinese UHVAC and UHVDC projects are listed,e.g.55 dB(A)for UHVAC transmission line,45 dB(A)for UHVDC transmission line in plain,and 45 dB(A)to 50 dB(A)for UHVDC transmission line in high-altitude areas.
Political Civilization and the Development of the Party's Work Style, the Building of A Clean Government

Further expanding of socialist democracy and building socialist political civilization is an important objective of socialist modernization drive. the development of the Party's work style, the building of a clean government is the requirements of building socialist political civilizatoin, how to promote the development of the Party's work style, the building of a clean government is an important subject to further deliberate and resolve.
Compensation and Pension Evaluations: Psychotic, Neurotic, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory II Profiles

The purpose of the present work was to provide an examination of the three major VA adjudication classifications (post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD], psychotic, and neurotic) through objective psychological testing. During routine follow-up compensation and pension evaluations, 143 patients were given the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory II (MCMI-II). Additionally, their current disability diagnoses as well as their current percentage of disability were coded. Discriminant function analysis revealed that the pivotal discriminatory variables were alcohol abuse for the PTSD patients, thought disorder for the psychotics, and anxiety for the neurotics. This is remarkably consistent with general clinical expectations. This should allow for more specific use of the MCMI-II in compensation and pension examinations by Department of Veterans' Affairs psychologists.
Communicating Certainty and Uncertainty in Medical, Supportive and Scientific Contexts

“The certainty and uncertainty of a statement is always negotiated as part of a wider knowledge distributed in the communication environment” (p. 241). Zuczkowski, Bongelli, Riccioni, and Canestrar...
Motivational Enhancement, Stages of Change, and Goal-Setting

This chapter explains motivational enhancement and stages of change and goal-setting. Addictive behavior inevitably creates conflict within the individual. Clinicians and researchers are increasingly paying attention to enhancing motivation to change as a key component in breaking this addictive cycle. In fact, a cold-hearted look at addictive behavior can easily lead one to conclusion that motivation is the only necessary ingredient in breaking the cycle. Building motivation is the true clinical challenge, whereas the action strategies are relatively straightforward. Sharon Cheston provides a useful model to anchor motivational enhancement within the context of therapy. The model divides the therapeutic endeavor into one of three parts. The first dimension is the way of being, and this represents the relationship factors occurring within the therapeutic enterprise. The factors, called the “nonspecific factors,” are genetic to various schools of therapy and highly related to therapeutic outcome. The second dimension is a way of understanding. Each therapist has some conceptual understanding of the client's problem. Counseling involves a way of intervening. All therapists actually do something. Again, these distinct therapeutic interventions may derive from some established therapeutic school or from the therapist's own experience. Motivational enhancement involves intertwining two approaches to changing intractable behavior. Finally, motivational enhancement combines social psychological research regarding interpersonal influence with the stages-of-change model to create a dynamic blend of motivators presented in a caring, collaborative relationship.
Corn rootworm-active RNA DvSnf7: Repeat dose oral toxicology assessment in support of human and mammalian safety

Genetically modified (GM) crops have been developed and commercialized that utilize double stranded RNAs (dsRNA) to suppress a target gene(s), producing virus resistance, nutritional and quality traits. MON 87411 is a GM maize variety that leverages dsRNAs to selectively control corn rootworm through production of a 240 base pair (bp) dsRNA fragment targeting for suppression the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) Snf7 gene (DvSnf7). A bioinformatics assessment found that endogenous corn small RNAs matched ∼450 to 2300 unique RNA transcripts that likely code for proteins in rat, mouse, and human, demonstrating safe dsRNA consumption by mammals. Mice were administered DvSnf7 RNA (968 nucleotides, including the 240 bp DvSnf7 dsRNA) at 1, 10, or 100 mg/kg by oral gavage in a 28-day repeat dose toxicity study. No treatment-related effects were observed in body weights, food consumption, clinical observations, clinical chemistry, hematology, gross pathology, or histopathology endpoints. Therefore, the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) for DvSnf7 RNA was 100 mg/kg, the highest dose tested. These results demonstrate that dsRNA for insect control does not produce adverse health effects in mammals at oral doses millions to billions of times higher than anticipated human exposures and therefore poses negligible risk to mammals.
Developmental suppression of forebrain trkA receptors and attentional capacities in aging rats: A longitudinal study

Abstract Basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic neurons innervating the cortex regulate cognitive, specifically attentional, processes. Cholinergic atrophy and cognitive decline occur at an accelerated pace in age-related neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease; however, the mechanism responsible for this phenomenon remains unknown. Here we hypothesized that developmental suppression of nerve growth factor signaling, mediated via tropomyosin-related kinase A (trkA) receptors, would escalate age-related attentional vulnerability. An adeno-associated viral vector expressing trkA shRNA (AAV-trkA) was utilized to knockdown trkA receptors in postnatal rats at an ontogenetic time point when cortical cholinergic inputs mature, and the impact of this manipulation on performance was assessed in animals maintained on an operant attention task throughout adulthood and until old (24 months) age. A within-subject comparison across different time points illustrated a gradual age-related decline in attentional capacities. However, the performance under baseline and distracted conditions did not differ between the AAV-trkA-infused and animals infused with a vector expressing shRNA against the control protein luciferase at any time point. Additional analysis of cholinergic measures conducted at 24 months showed that the capacity of cholinergic terminals to release acetylcholine following a depolarizing stimulus, cortical cholinergic fiber density and BF cholinergic cell size remained comparable between the two groups. Contrary to our predictions, these data indicate that developmental BF trkA disruption does not impact age-related changes in attentional functions. It is possible that life-long engagement in cognitive activity might have potentially rescued the developmental insults on the cholinergic system, thus preserving attentional capacities in advanced age.
Analysis of PTPRK polymorphisms in association with risk and age at onset of Alzheimer's disease, cancer risk, and cholesterol

Abstract The human receptor-type protein-tyrosine phosphatase kappa ( PTPRK ) gene is highly expressed in human brain and was previously associated with an increased risk of neuropsychiatric disorders and cancer. This study investigated the association of 52 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PTPRK with the risk and age at onset (AAO) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in 791 AD patients and 782 controls. Our data analysis showed that five SNPs (top SNP rs4895829 with p = 0.0125) were associated with the risk of AD based on a multiple logistic regression (p −6 ) were associated with AAO by using a multiple linear regression analysis. Interestingly, rs2326681 was associated with both the risk and AAO of AD (p = 4.65 × 10 −2 and 5.18 × 10 −3 , respectively). In a replication study, the results from family-based association test - generalized estimating equation (GEE) statistics and Wilcoxon test showed that seven SNPs were associated with the risk of AD (top SNP rs11756545 with p = 1.02 × 10 −2 ) and 12 SNPs were associated with the AAO (top SNP rs11966128 with p = 1.39 × 10 −4 ), respectively. One additional sample showed that four SNPs were associated with risk of cancer (top SNP rs1339197 with p = 4.1 × 10 −3 ), 12 SNPs associated with LDL-cholesterol (top SNP rs4544930 with p = 3.47 × 10 −3 ), and eight SNPs associated with total cholesterol (top SNP rs1012049 with p = 6.09 × 10 −3 ). In addition, the AD associated rs4895829 was associated with the gene expression level in the cerebellum (p = 7.3 × 10 −5 ). The present study is the first study providing evidence of several genetic variants within the PTPRK gene associated with the risk and AAO of AD, risk of cancer, LDL and total cholesterol levels.
Experimental characterization and continuum modeling of inelasticity in filled rubber-like materials

Abstract Filled rubber-like materials are important engineering materials, and they are widely used in aerospace, automotive, and other industries. However, their nonlinear, inelastic, and rate-dependent constitutive behavior is not fully understood and modeled with varying degrees of success. Much of the previous literature has focused on either capturing quasi-static stress-softening behavior or rate-dependent viscous effects, but generally not both concurrently. In this work, we develop a thermodynamically consistent constitutive model which accounts for both of those phenomena concurrently. A set of comprehensive mechanical tensile tests were conducted on the filled rubber Viton. The constitutive model was then calibrated to the experimental data, and numerically implemented into the finite element package Abaqus by writing a user material subroutine UMAT. The constitutive model was validated by comparing a numerical simulation prediction with an inhomogeneous deformation experiment.
Relationship between Residential Losses and Hurricane Winds: Role of the Florida Building Code

AbstractThe effectiveness of the Florida Building Code (FBC) against the impacts of wind speed, duration of strong winds, and wind directional change is quantified. For seven historical hurricanes ...
Pronator Teres Syndrome

Median nerve entrapment in the forearm near the elbow may be observed in two forms, these consisting of the pronator teres syndrome and the syndrome of the anterior interosseous nerve (Kiloh-Nevin). Both syndromes are infrequently encountered, but entrapment of the anterior interosseous nerve by the deep head of the pronator teres and the flexor superficialis arch is said to be more frequently recognized. Although many of the clinical manifestations may resemble those of involvement of the median nerve by a supracondylar process and/or Struthers’ ligament, each of the two syndromes mentioned above will be dealt with separately and involvement by the Struthers’ ligament will be described where it fits the pattern.
Interactions, Mergers, and QSO Activity

Is QSO activity sometimes triggered by interactions or mergers of galaxies? Are all QSOs the result of interactions or mergers? Such questions, arising explicitly in the late 1970s, had their roots in the well-known Stoking the Furnace? section of Toomre & Toomre (1972), the Feeding the Monster paper of Gunn (1979), and the early observational evidence that weaker forms of nuclear activity, such as Seyferts, seemed often to be found in interacting systems (e.g., Adams 1977). Reviews of the evidence regarding the relation of interactions and mergers to QSO activity have been given by Stockton (dy1990) and Heckman (1990). Some of the more important developments since these reviews are:
Does the Surgical Clerkship Meet the needs of practicing primary Care physicians

Introduction A substantial amount of medical students enter primary care (PC) specialty careers. With the interest in reforming the curriculum to align the needs of our students to practice in their chosen specialties, an evaluation of our current surgical clerkship was done with the needs of PC practitioners in mind. We explored the needs of selected PC physicians in Wisconsin in relationship to the surgical clerkship curriculum. Methods A survey was mailed to 186 PC physicians practicing in Wisconsin. Included in this group were internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatric physicians. One follow-up mailing and an e-mail were sent to all non-respondents. Respondents rated the importance of 10 curricular areas, including the specialties of general, orthopaedic, plastic, transplant, vascular, cardiothoracic, and pediatric surgery, as well as otolaryngology, neurosurgery, and urology. Respondents also rated the importance of exposure to 24 surgical diagnoses and identified office procedures important to PC physicians. Results A total of 84 PC physicians responded to the survey. The highest-ranked curricular areas were general surgery, orthopaedic surgery, and otolaryngology. The 5 diagnoses that received the highest ranking from the PC physicians surveyed were abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), biliary tract/gallbladder disorders, and breast disease, all of which are included in the general surgery curriculum. The 5 most common office procedures important to PC physicians were suturing, local anesthetic administration, dressing/wound management, wound debridement, and insertion of intravenous cannula. Conclusions Our survey confirmed the importance of core knowledge of general surgery and common general surgical disease processes to PC physicians. The need for additional exposure to otolaryngology and orthopaedic surgery was identified, as was as the importance of basic procedures. This information may be valuable to students interested in PC and inform the surgical clerkship curriculum in order to optimally prepare students for their chosen careers.
Ion diffusion across a disorder-to-order phase transition in a poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(silsesquioxane) block copolymer electrolyte

Nanostructured block copolymer electrolytes composed of organic and inorganic moieties have the potential to enable solid-state batteries. Practical uses of these materials, however, require an understanding of the microscopic and macroscopic ion transport properties across the microphase-separated systems. The self-diffusion of salt ions across a disorder-lamellar phase transition in a nanostructured poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(silsesquioxane) copolymer was studied using pulsed-field gradient NMR (PFG-NMR) and changes in the morphology were studied using small-angle X-ray scattering. The diffusion of the salt is isotropic when the polymer electrolyte is disordered and locally anisotropic when the polymer is microphase separated. The difference between the diffusion coefficient parallel to the lamellae, D∥, and the diffusion coefficient perpendicular to the lamellae, D⊥, measured using PFG-NMR, increases with increasing segregation strength. The anisotropy of diffusion parallels changes in the morphology measured by small-angle X-ray scattering.
Galería Alcuadrado (Bogotá, Colombia): a partial history in three exhibitions

During its brief life span, the Alcuadrado art gallery (Bogota, 2003–2009) represented an entire cohort of important contemporary artists from Colombia including Miguel Angel Rojas, Oscar Munoz, Ma...
Compressed Sensing with Binary Matrices: New Bounds on the Number of Measurements

In this paper we study the problem of compressed sensing using binary measurement matrices. New bounds are derived for the number of measurements that suffice to achieve robust sparse recovery, and the number of measurements needed to achieve sparse recovery. In particular, by interpreting any binary measurement matrix as the biadjacency matrix of an unbalanced bipartite graph, we derive new lower bounds on the number of measurements required by any graph of girth six or larger, in order to satisfy a sufficient condition for sparse recovery. It is shown that the optimal choices for the girth of the graph associated with the measurement matrix are six and eight. Some interesting open problems that arise from our results are pointed out. The proofs of the results presented here are omitted. The reader is directed to [1] for stronger results than are presented here, as well as their proofs.
Are athletes ready to return to competitive sports following ACL reconstruction and medical clearance

Return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is often based on medical clearance and the rehabilitation teams’ decision regarding the physical readiness of athletes. Howe...
Using an Un-Balanced AC Wheatstone Bridge to Measure Capacitance and Inductance

The Wheatstone bridge is a very common and very important electric circuit, especially in the measurement of resistance/impedance corresponding to transducers and materials deformity. See Figure 1 . DC bridges are most often used for transducer measurements, both mechanical, material, and optical (1) , (2) , and (3) . AC bridges are often used to measure inductance or capacitance (4) , (5) . Both types of bridges require the voltage output of the bridge to be zero, and this is accomplished when the 4 arms of the bridge are balanced so as to pass the same current through the 2 left impedances as through the 2 right impedances, or in other words, the output voltage and current are zero.
Influence of plasticizers on thermal and mechanical properties of biocomposite filaments made from lignin and polylactic acid for 3D printing

Abstract Polylactic acid (PLA) and organosolv lignin were mixed at different ratios and extruded to obtain PLA-lignin composite filaments. PLA was replaced with lignin up to 20 wt%. Two plasticizers (polyethylene glycol (PEG) 2000 and struktol TR451) were added in varying concentrations to enhance the properties of PLA_L20 (20% lignin in PLA) composite filaments. The effect of lignin in PLA, and PEG, and struktol in PLA_L20 composites was investigated via tensile test, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of the filaments, and dynamic mechanical analysis of 3D printed samples. A 2 wt% PEG was able to enhance both tensile stress and elongation at maximum load of PLA_L20 composite by 19% and 35%, respectively, whereas struktol TR451 was able to improve elongation at maximum load by 24%.
Mapping Phonon Modes from Reduced-Dimensional to Bulk Systems

A lattice-dynamics-based algorithm for mapping the true phonon modes of a film, defined by a two-dimensional (2D) Brillouin zone, to the modes of the corresponding bulk material, defined by a three-dimensional (3D) Brillouin zone, is proposed. The mapping allows for an assessment of the common assumption that film phonon modes have the same harmonic properties as the corresponding bulk phonon modes. The algorithm is based on normal mode decomposition and is inspired by the observation that the atomic trajectories generated by the 2D eigenvectors lead to standing-wave-like behaviors in the cross-plane direction. This behavior enables an unfolding scheme that does not require an assumption of cross-plane periodicity, as used in previous approaches for mapping phonon modes. The algorithm is applied to films between two and ten unit cells thick built from Lennard-Jones (LJ) argon, whose bulk is isotropic, and graphene, whose bulk (graphite) is anisotropic. For LJ argon, the density of states deviates from that of the bulk as the film gets thinner due to phonon frequencies that shift to lower values. This shift is a result of transverse branch splitting due to the film’s anisotropy and the emergence of a quadratic acoustic branch. As such, while the mapping algorithm works well for the thicker LJ argon films, it does not perform as well for the thinner films as there is a weaker correspondence between the 2D and 3D modes. For graphene, the density of states of even the thinnest films closely matches that of graphite due to the inherent anisotropy, except for a small shift at low frequencies. As a result, the mapping algorithm works well for all thicknesses of the graphene films, indicating a strong correspondence between the 2D and 3D modes.