cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emotion Makes Daydreams More Dreamlike, More Symbolic

Two experiments investigating the effect of emotion on daydreaming were conducted. In Experiment 1, 44 subjects described a recent daydream and a memorable daydream, a laboratory-generated daydream without concurrent emotion and a laboratory-generated daydream with intensified emotion, plus a recent dream and a memorable dream. Two judges independently rated the dreamlikeness of each description on a blind basis. The daydreams generated during intensified emotion were judged to be significantly more dreamlike than all the other daydreams averaged together. The dreamlikeness scores for the daydreams generated during intensified emotion were almost identical to the drearnlikeness scores for the most recent dreams. In Experiment 2, 62 subjects described a topic-specific dream from memory, a topic-specific daydream from memory, a topic-specific daydream generated without concurrent emotion, a topic-specific daydream generated during intensified emotion, a topic-specific daydream generated after emotion-relate...
Differentiation of HL‐60 promyelocytic leukemia cells monitored by flow cytometric measurement of nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction

Reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) to insoluble blue formazan granules occurs during the stimulus-induced respiratory burst of mature granulocytes and is routinely used as an indicator of the extent of granulocytic differentiation of HL-60 acute promyelocytic leukemia cells. In the present study, the differentiation of HL-60 leukemia cells induced by dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or retinoic acid was monitored by flow cytometric (FCM) measurement of forward and 90 degree light scatter of NBT treated cells. Two-parameter correlated analysis permitted a distinction between cells with increased forward and decreased 90 degree light scatter (NBT-), and cells with decreased forward and increased 90 degree light scatter (NBT+). Fixation of NBT treated cells with 1% paraformaldehyde facilitated flow cytometric analysis, and allowed differences in NBT reduction to be quantitated. DMSO-induced cells expressed an all-or-none reduction of NBT to formazan, compared with retinoic acid treated cells that exhibited a graded response. Three parameter flow cytometric analysis of HL-60 leukemia cells stained with propidium iodide in combination with NBT allowed the determination of the cell cycle distribution of NBT-treated cells.
Precautionary Principle and Robustness for a Stock Pollutant with Multiplicative Risk

The interest shown by policy makers and economists in the precautionary principle indicates the importance of model uncertainty in global warming policy. I show that through robust control, policy makers can implement the precautionary principle to regulate a stock pollutant, and I analyze its effect on expected steady state pollution taxes, stocks and welfare. The paper is broadly comprised of a theoretical part and an application to global warming policy. I find that: (1) an increase in either uncertainty about the model or risk about abatement cost increases expected steady state pollution taxes; (2) a robust policy is preferred for any level of model uncertainty and this preference increases for either higher model uncertainty or higher multiplicative risk and (3) the effect on expected steady state pollution taxes and stock of introducing model uncertainty is relatively small for high levels of model uncertainty. These results advocate using robust policies for a stock pollutant in the presence of model uncertainty.
Early intervention for autism: Who provides treatment and in what settings

Abstract Early intensive interventions have become popular. Thus, not surprisingly, the amount of research surrounding this topic has increased and evolved rapidly. The persons providing treatment, the settings in which treatment is provided, and the methods used have varied considerably. This paper reviews current trends. For example, 20–40 h of therapy weekly has consistently characterized the literature. Conversely, the role of parents has transformed as they have increasingly become co-therapists. One major concern is that little effort has been put into the transition from these intensive programs to educational settings. These factors and related parameters are reviewed and the implications are discussed.
Evaluating neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in late preterm Hispanic twins led to the diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis in them, and in their sibling and in their mother

We identified four cases of hereditary spherocytosis (HS) in one Utah family, originally from Southwestern Mexico. The index cases were twin girls born at 35 weeks gestation, in whom the combination of hyperbilirubinemia, reticulocytosis and elevated mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) led to studies that confirmed the diagnosis of HS. Scleral icterus in their 4-year-old sibling and in their mother led to the diagnosis of HS in them as well. Although much less commonly reported in Hispanic neonates than in those of Northern European ancestry, HS does occur among Hispanic neonates and can contribute to significant neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. These cases are consistent with our earlier report, which identified an MCHC cutoff of >36 as suggestive of further evaluation for HS.
Improving the accuracy of visual interferometric angular measurements.

Uniform tint in multiple beam interferometry is a most sensitive method for detecting angular displacement between two flat surfaces. But as the sample size decreases, results become less accurate. To achieve a uniform dark tint, which is more sensitive than is a light tint, one must align the mirror axially. The accuracy of the instrument is increased by incorporating a stepped mirror. The steps are approximately λ/20 high and preferably of concentric geometry. The stepped surface provides at least one part of the total surface having the uniform dark tint condition. Setting accuracy of 0.01 sec of arc is easily achieved.
What's Worth Doing: Reflections on an After-School Program in a Denver Elementary School

How can concerned physical educators in higher education show more of a commitment to addressing the growing crisis among children and youth? A physical activity-based after-school program in a Denver elementary school provides the context for an account of how I, as a third-year tenure track assistant professor, have answered the question, “What's worth doing?” Ongoing program evaluation and dissemination of demonstrable results ensures that my work is not merely a service activity but also applied, scholarly research. In this essay, I trace the three-year history of the program, describe my struggles and successes, and conclude with my reflections on the personal benefits and strains which accompany my commitment to undertaking community work.
Endomorphin 1 and 2, the endogenous μ-opioid agonists, produce biphasic changes in systemic arterial pressure in the cat

The endogenous peptides endomorphin 1 and 2 are newly isolated, potent, selective mu-opioid receptor agonists. In the present study, responses to the endomorphin peptides were investigated in the systemic vascular bed of the cat. Endomorphin 1 and 2 induced dose-related biphasic changes in systemic arterial pressure when injected in doses of 1-30 nmol/kg i.v. The biphasic responses to endomorphin 1 and 2 were characterized by an initial increase followed by a decrease in systemic arterial pressure. In terms of relative vasodepressor activity, endomorphin 1 and 2 were similar in potency and approximately 10-fold less potent than the ORL1 ligand nociceptin (orphanin FQ) in decreasing systemic arterial pressure. The biphasic arterial pressure changes in response to endomorphin 1 and 2 were inhibited by the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone in a dose of 2 mg/kg i.v. These results demonstrate that endomorphin 1 and 2 produce significant, naloxone-sensitive changes in systemic arterial pressure that are characterized by an initial increase followed by a secondary decrease in arterial pressure in the cat.
Characterizing and utilizing fMRI fluctuations, patterns, and dynamics

Functional MRI is fundamentally grounded in the hemodynamic response. With an increase in neuronal activity, blood flow increases, causing an increase in blood oxygenation, leading to an increase in transverse relaxation rate T2*. This increase in blood flow is slow and highly variable and shows a considerable spatial heterogeneity. In spite of these limitations, the hemodynamic response has been proven to be exquisitely sensitive to subtle differences in neuronal activity in time, over space, and between subjects. This paper is a brief review of my Keynote address describing some of the effort coming from my group that further demonstrates methods to robustly extract ever more information from both resting state fMRI and activation-induced fMRI. Specifically, I discuss 1) our new method to use multi-echo fMRI time series data collection to separate blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal from non-BOLD signal, 2) activation of the whole brain obtained using a simple task and, importantly massive averaging and a model-free analysis approach, and 3) fMRI decoding of left vs right eye ocular dominance column activation with a timing offset as low as 100 ms.
Dynamics of folded proteins

The dynamics of a folded globular protein (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor) have been studied by solving the equations of motion for the atoms with an empirical potential energy function. The results provide the magnitude, correlations and decay of fluctuations about the average structure. These suggest that the protein interior is fluid-like in that the local atom motions have a diffusional character.
Excited-state formation in collisions between simple ions and Li atoms

Excited-state formation in collisions of ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$, ${\mathrm{He}}^{2+}$, ${\mathrm{He}}^{+}$, ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{+}$, and ${\mathrm{He}}_{2}^{+}$ ions with Li atoms has been studied in the kinetic energy range 5-1500 eV. Data were obtained by spectral analysis of near-uv-visible near-ir radiation resulting from spontaneous emission of excited species formed in the collisions. The dominant feature of all collision-produced spectra at all kinetic energies was the 670.8-nm LiI resonance line. Absolute emission cross sections for this line and a number of other spectral features as functions of ion kinetic energy are reported. Although there are no spin restrictions on the final states in the observed charge-transfer processes, only triplet HeI radiation was observed from ${\mathrm{He}}^{+}$-Li collisions. The absence of the corresponding HeI singlet is attributed to nearly inaccessible crossings of the ${\mathrm{He}}^{+}(1^{2}S)\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Li}(2s^{2}S)$ potential-energy curve with other singlet ${[\mathrm{HeLi}]}^{+}$ curves. The results for other collision systems are also discussed in terms of curve crossings.
Microscopic effects of carbonate, manganese, and strontium ions on calcite dissolution

Aqueous dissolution of the (1014) surface of calcite was observed at pH near 9 using an atomic force microscope equipped with a fluid cell. The influence of carbonate, Sr, and Mn ion concentrations were observed. Carbonste ions were shown to have a step-specific effect on calcite dissolution. At ow levels (5 mu-M) of carbonate, the retreat rate of the more structually open [441]+steps was than the retreat rate of the structurally confined [441]-steps, leading to anisotropic dissolution. Increasing the carbonate level to 200 mu-M decreased the rate of retreat of both steps, but the [411]+step was slowed to a much greater extent making the dissolution nearly isotropic. At high levels (800 mu-M) of carbonate, the rate of retreat of the [441]+step was slower than that of the [441]-step making dissolution anisotropic in the opposite sense to that observed at low levels of carbonate. This decrease in step velocity at high carbonate levels was attributed to a corresponding increase in the reaction (i.e., precipitation) as the solution approached saturation with respect to calcite, and thus is related to the rate of incorporation of calcium cations into the structure. In addition to changing the rate, this back reaction also altered the shapemore » of etch pits formed by dissolution. Strontium cations were also shown to have a step-specific effect on calcite dissolution similar to that of carbonate, suggesting that strontium is preferentially incorporated into the [441]-step to a greater extent than strontium. When the solution exceeded saturation with respect to rhodochrosite, calcite dissolution was nearly isotropic. These results suggest that the small manganese ion (r = 83 pm), is readily incorporated into both [441]+ and [441]-steps, in contrast to the larger Ca (r = 100 pm) and Sr (r = 131 pm) cations, which are preferentially incorporated into the [441]+step.« less
Percutaneous bioprosthetic venous valve: A long-term study in sheep****

A long-term evaluation of a new percutaneously placed bioprosthetic, bicuspid venous valve (BVV) consisting of a square stent and small intestinal submucosa (SIS) covering was performed in 12 sheep. Of 26 BVVs placed into the jugular veins, 25 exhibited good valve function on immediate venography and 22 on venograms obtained before the sheep were killed. Gross and histologic examination results demonstrated incorporation of remodeled and endothelialized SIS BVVs into the vein wall. Slight to moderate leaflet thickening was found mostly at their bases. Percutaneously placed SIS BVV is a promising one-way, competent valve that resists venous back-pressure while allowing forward flow.
Coding of the Colour Preference of the Gull Chick

Gull chicks (Larus atricilla) peck at their parent's red bill, an act which elicits regurgitation from the parent. In an investigation reported elsewhere1, it was found that chicks peck preferentially in response to long and short wave-lengths of visible light (that is, they prefer red and blue to green and yellow). The following hypothesis attempts to account for this wave-length preference.
Nano-patterned isotropic nonlinear material for second harmonic generation without phase matching

Second-harmonic generation without the need for phase matching from a nanopatterned isotropic nonlinear material located inside the subwavelength gaps of a metallic coaxial array is reported. Numerical simulations are in good agreement with experimental data.
A low complexity model for predicting slice loss distortion for prioritizing H.264/AVC video

The cumulative mean squared error (CMSE) is a widely used measure of distortion introduced by a slice loss. We propose a low-complexity and low-delay generalized linear model for predicting CMSE contributed by the loss of individual H.264/AVC encoded video slices. We train the model over a video database by using a combination of video factors that are extracted during the encoding of the current frame, without using any data from future frames in the group of pictures (GOP). We then analyze the accuracy of the CMSE prediction model using cross-validation and correlation coefficients. We prioritize the slices within a GOP based on their predicted CMSE values. The performance of our model is evaluated by applying unequal error protection, using rate compatible punctured convolutional codes, to the prioritized slices over noisy channels. We also demonstrate an application of our slice prioritization by implementing a slice discard scheme, where the slices are dropped from the router when the network experiences congestion. The simulation results show that (i) the slice CMSE prediction model performs well for varying GOP structures, GOP lengths, and encoding bit rates, and (ii) the peak signal-to-noise ratio and video quality metric performance of an unequal error protection algorithm using slices prioritized by the predicted CMSE is similar to that of the measured CMSE values for different videos and channel signal-to-noise. We also extend the GOP-level slice prioritization to frame-level slice prioritization and show its performance over noisy channels.
Semantic Labeling of Multimedia Content Clusters

In this paper we present a novel approach for labeling clusters of multimedia content that leverages supervised classification techniques in conjunction with unsupervised clustering. Recent research has produced significant results for automatic tagging of video content such as broadcast news. For example, powerful techniques have been demonstrated in the context of the NIST TRECVID video retrieval benchmark [1]. However, the information needs of users typically span a range of semantic concepts. One of the challenges of these multimedia retrieval systems is to organize the video data in such a way that allows the user to most efficiently navigate the semantic space for the video data set. One important tool for video data organization is clustering. However, clustering results cannot be leveraged effectively when they are not labeled. We propose to build on clustering by aggregating the automatically tagged semantics. We propose and compare four techniques for labeling the clusters and evaluate the performance compared to human labeled ground-truth. We present examples of the cluster labeling results obtained on the BBC stock shots from the TRECVID-2005 video data set.
Changes in Circulating Biomarkers of Muscle Atrophy, Inflammation, and Cartilage Turnover in Patients Undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and Rehabilitation

Background:After anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, there is significant atrophy of the quadriceps muscles that can limit full recovery and place athletes at risk for recurrent injuries with return to play. The cause of this muscle atrophy is not fully understood.Hypothesis:Circulating levels of proatrophy, proinflammatory, and cartilage turnover cytokines and biomarkers would increase after ACL reconstruction.Study Design:Descriptive laboratory study.Methods:Patients (N = 18; mean age, 28 ± 2.4 years) underwent surgical reconstruction of the ACL after a noncontact athletic injury. Circulating levels of biomarkers were measured along with Short Form−12, International Knee Documentation Committee, and objective knee strength measures preoperatively and at 6 postoperative visits. Differences were tested using repeated-measures 1-way analysis of variance.Results:Myostatin, TGF-β, and C-reactive protein levels were significantly increased in the early postoperative period and returned to baselin...
Antipsychotic Use and the Risk of Hip Fracture Among Older Adults Afflicted With Dementia

Objective To quantify the association between use of antipsychotic (AP) medications and the risk of hip fracture among older adults residing in a nursing home (NH) and afflicted with dementia. Design Nested case-control study. Setting NHs in California, Florida, Illinois, New York, and Ohio in 2001–2002 (N = 586). Participants The source population consisted of long-stay Medicaid-eligible residents living in NHs with at least 20 beds, who were 65 years of age or older and had a diagnosis of dementia but were not receiving hospice care, were not comatose, bedfast, paralyzed, or in a wheelchair, and had no record of a previous hip fracture (N = 69,027). There were 764 cases of hip fracture identified; up to 5 controls, matched to cases on NH and quarter of Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment, were randomly selected from the source population (N = 3582). Measurements Cases of hip fracture were identified and medication use was ascertained from Medicaid claims data. Resident-level characteristics, including dementia severity, were obtained from resident MDS assessments. Results Current use of APs conveyed a small increased risk of hip fracture (adjusted odds ratio = 1.26; 95% confidence interval: 1.05 –1.52). When analyzed separately, users of conventional antipsychotics had a slightly higher risk of hip fracture than residents on atypical agents. Long-term use of APs conferred a greater risk of hip fracture than short-term use. Conclusion APs appear to increase the risk of hip fracture among older adults with dementia residing in an NH. Hip fractures may be a contributory mechanism to the increased risk mortality observed among AP users.
Compact explosive driven shock wave ferromagnetic generators

Summary form only given. The design of an explosive-to-electric transducer that uses the remnant magnetization in ferromagnetic cylinders is presented and experimental data are discussed in comparison to numerical simulations. The high explosive charge was varied from 5 g to 90 g. The active elements were NdFeB cylinders with diameter D= 2.5 cm and length L=1.9 cm and NdFeB disks with D=5 cm and L=1.3 cm. The load circuits of the shock wave ferromagnetic generators were the same as a primary winding our MURI flux compressor generators. The peak current generated in the load was 0.8 kA. The operation of the shock wave generators was analyzed by Maxwell 3D code and PSPICE code. A detailed analysis is given on the energy balance and on the specific features of pulse generation in a system like this.
Two-terminal longitudinal hotwire sensor for in-line monitoring of sub-nanoliter volume in microfluidic channels

We report a simple and practical sensor for monitoring both the absolute position and advancing speed of liquid front in a microfluidic channel. The sensor consists of a longitudinal hot wire element - a two-terminal electrical device, with its length spanning the entire channel. The design, materials, fabrication method, and use of this sensor are extremely simple. Characterization results are presented
A system for fault diagnosis and simulation of VHDL descriptions

This paper describes a compiler and algorithms for simulation and fault diagnosis of computer hardware modeled in VHSIC Hardware Description Language(VHDL). Given a VHDL description, the compiler creates an internal representation. For simulation, a discrete-event based compiled code simulation algorithm is used. For fault diagnosis, a hierarchical approach using the stuck-at fault model a t the first level and the arbitrary failure model at the second level, is used. The diagnosis algorithm reasons from first principles using constraint suspension.
Human B-natriuretic peptide improves hemodynamics and renal function in heart transplant patients immediately after surgery.

Abstract Background B-natriuretic peptide (BNP) is effective in the treatment of decompensated heart failure, but has not specifically been evaluated in the immediate postoperative cardiac transplant population. Objective To determine if BNP can favorably alter hemodynamics in the perioperative setting after heart transplantation. Methods and results We administered human BNP ( h BNP, Nesiritide) to 10 consecutive patients with preexisting renal insufficiency and elevated filling pressures. All patients had failed to respond to inotropes and escalating doses of diuretics. BNP was started 48 hours after transplantation, and continued for 48 to 72 hours. Intravascular hemodynamics were measured. With h BNP therapy, the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, central venous pressure, and mean pulmonary artery pressure were all attenuated, whereas the cardiac output was significantly increased. The mean urine output increased significantly in the first 24 hours of therapy with no increase in diuretics. Implementation of BNP therapy allowed for a reduction of patients' inotropes and diuretics, while decreasing serum BNP levels. Conclusion An improvement in cardiac hemodynamics and renal function was observed with administration of h BNP in these postsurgical patients with elevated filling pressures and acute on chronic renal insufficiency. This study demonstrates that posttransplant patients retain the capacity to respond to exogenous BNP immediately after surgery.
The Viral σ1 Protein and Glycoconjugates Containing α2-3-Linked Sialic Acid Are Involved in Type 1 Reovirus Adherence to M Cell Apical Surfaces

Type 1 reoviruses invade the intestinal mucosa of mice by adhering selectively to M cells in the follicleassociated epithelium and then exploiting M cell transport activity. The purpose of this study was to identify the apical cell membrane component and viral protein that mediate the M cell adherence of these viruses. Virions and infectious subviral particles of reovirus type 1 Lang (T1L) adhered to rabbit M cells in Peyer’s patch mucosal explants and to tissue sections in an overlay assay. Viral adherence was abolished by pretreatment of sections with periodate and in the presence of excess sialic acid or lectins MAL-I and MAL-II (which recognize complex oligosaccharides containing sialic acid linked 2-3 to galactose). The binding of T1L particles to polarized human intestinal (Caco-2BBe) cell monolayers was correlated with the presence of MAL-I and MAL-II binding sites, blocked by excess MAL-I and -II, and abolished by neuraminidase treatment. Other type 1 reovirus isolates exhibited MAL-II-sensitive binding to rabbit M cells and polarized Caco-2BBe cells, but type 2 or type 3 isolates including type 3 Dearing (T3D) did not. In assays using T1L-T3D reassortants and recoated viral cores containing T1L, T3D, or no 1 protein, MAL-II-sensitive binding to rabbit M cells and polarized Caco-2BBe cells was consistently associated with the T1L 1. MAL-II-recognized oligosaccharide epitopes are not restricted to M cells in vivo, but MAL-II immobilized on virus-sized microparticles bound only to the follicle-associated epithelium and M cells. The results suggest that selective binding of type 1 reoviruses to M cells in vivo involves interaction of the type 1 1 protein with glycoconjugates containing 2-3-linked sialic acid that are accessible to viral particles only on M cell apical surfaces. Reovirus is a nonenveloped, 85-nm icosahedral pathogen that enters the mouse intestinal Peyer’s patch mucosa by adhering to M cells and then exploiting the antigen-transporting
Dyadic Green's function modifications for obtaining attenuation in microstrip transmission layered structures with complex media

Rigorous derivation of the correction to the Green's function for a microstrip structure containing complex layered media is done for imperfect metallization. A hierarchy of formulas is found consistent with a full-wave electromagnetic code employing zero-thickness extent conductors for the guiding structure metal. At the top of the hierarchy are formulas that utilize new Green's functions of the structure, whereas at the bottom are formulas that are only dependent on the conductor geometry and material properties. Numerical examples are provided to show the sensitivity of the propagation constant attenuation to those elegantly simple formulas at the bottom of the hierarchy.
An economic model of adverse events and costs for oral anticoagulants used for atrial fibrillation.

ABSTRACTObjective: To construct a semi-Markov model to compare health outcomes and medical costs associated with warfarin and a second anticoagulant over 1- and 5-year periods.Design: We posited a hypothetical cohort of 10 000 identical 70-year-old patients with atrial fibrillation. We posited 20 scenarios for events that included four possibilities for ischemic strokes (mild, moderate, severe, death) and 16 possibilities for hemorrhages. The model allowed for four levels of International Normalized Ratio. Event rates were based on outcomes in clinical trials and observational studies. Costs were estimated from the perspective of the third-party payer.Results: The greatest cost-generating events were virtually the same for the two drugs and included severe stroke ($1 758 548 for 1 year for both drugs), moderate stroke ($380 355 for 1 year for both drugs), and severe lower gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage ($193 804 for 1 year for warfarin and $193 474 for second drug). The least costly events for both drug...
Microstructure-Property Correlations in Industrial Thermal Barrier Coatings

This paper describes the results from multidisciplinary characterization/scattering techniques used for the quantitative characterization of industrial thermal barrier coating (TBC) systems used in advanced gas turbines. While past requirements for TBCs primarily addressed the function of insulation/life extension of the metallic components, new demands necessitate a requirement for spallation resistance/strain tolerance, i.e., prime reliance, on the part of the TBC. In an extensive effort to incorporate these TBCs, a design-of-experiment approach was undertaken to develop tailored coating properties by processing under varied conditions. Efforts focusing on achieving durable/high-performance coatings led to dense vertically cracked (DVC) TBCs, exhibiting quasi-columnar microstructures approximating electron-beam physical-vapor-deposited (EB-PVD) coatings. Quantitative representation of the microstructural features in these vastly different coatings is obtained, in terms of porosity, opening dimensions, orientation, morphologies, and pore size distribution, by means of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) studies. Such comprehensive characterization, coupled with elastic modulus and thermal conductivity measurements of the coatings, help establish relationships between microstructure and properties in a systematic manner.
Optimization of 3-D image-guided near infrared spectroscopy using boundary element method

Multimodality imaging systems combining optical techniques with MRI/CT provide high-resolution functional characterization of tissue by imaging molecular and vascular biomarkers. To optimize these hybrid systems for clinical use, faster and automatable algorithms are required for 3-D imaging. Towards this end, a boundary element model was used to incorporate tissue boundaries from MRI/CT into image formation process. This method uses surface rendering to describe light propagation in 3-D using diffusion equation. Parallel computing provided speedup of up to 54% in time of computation. Simulations showed that location of NIRS probe was crucial for quantitatively accurate estimation of tumor response. A change of up to 61% was seen between cycles 1 and 3 in monitoring tissue response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Protection of salivary function by intensity-modulated radiation therapy in patients with head and neck cancer.

The degree of xerostomia has been reported to depend on the radiation dose and the salivary gland volume irradiated. Sparing salivary function can be achieved by reducing radiation dose to the salivary glands or using a radiation protector, such as amifostine (Ethyol). In this report, the author reviews clinical experiences in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for head and neck cancer. In experiences, the dosimetric advantage of IMRT did translate into significant reduction of late salivary toxicity in patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma. The author has found no adverse impact on tumor control and disease-free survival in patients treated with IMRT. Further, when studying the dose response of parotid gland after irradiation, it was found that the stimulated saliva flow 6 months after IMRT treatment reduced at approximately 4% per Gy exponentially of the mean parotid dose. The authors also review existing clinical data on the combination of amifostine and radiation and the potential therapeutic gain in combining IMRT with amifostine.
Sex discrimination and competition in product and labour markets

Theoritical explanations for wage discrimination collapse in the long run, because competition should drive discriminations firms out of the market. In product markets with imperfect competition em...
Body Mass Index Mediates the Effects of Low Income on Preschool Children's Executive Control, with Implications for Behavior and Academics.

Abstract Background: Children from low-income backgrounds are more likely to have cognitive impairments, academic problems, and obesity. Biological mechanisms for the relationship between adiposity and neurocognitive functioning have been suggested, but the direction of effects is unclear. Methods: The relations among income, BMI, and cognitive-behavioral functioning were modeled longitudinally. Children (n = 306) were assessed at 36–39 months (Time 1; T1) and 63–67 months (Time 4; T4) through anthropometry, measures of executive control (EC), delay ability (DA), and questionnaires on academic readiness, social competence, and behavioral adjustment. Results: Income was positively related to T1 EC and DA and negatively related to T1 BMI. T1 BMI was negatively related to T4 EC, after controlling for T1 EC, but was unrelated to changes in DA. Neither T1 EC nor DA was related to changes in BMI. T4 EC predicted greater academic readiness and social competence and lower adjustment problems at T4. T4 BMI was rel...
Chile (a): A Changed Jungle for the Latin American Tiger

This case has been used since 2004 in Darden's first-year Global Economies and Markets MBA course in the module on exchange regimes and financial crises. In the early 1990s, in response to massive foreign capital inflows, the Chilean government restricted the flow of capital into the country in order to achieve a competitive and stable exchange rate and to control inflation. By the late 1990s, with the onset of the financial crises in emerging-market economies, investors began to pull their capital out of Chile and other emerging markets indiscriminately. This sudden reversal of capital flows was threatening to ignite a balance-of-payments crisis in Chile. The government must decide what to do. This case also contains information on the development experience of Chile, in particular, on the legacy of General Augusto Pinochet and the economic policies of the "Chicago boys." This case may also be used with the B case, "Chile: A Jungle for the Latin American Tiger (B)" (UVA-BP-0462), which gives an update on the policies of the Chilean central bank up to 1999 and discusses the debate on the economic consequences of the policies. A teaching note (UVA-BP-0458TN) is available.An abridged version of this case exists: "Chile: A Jungle for the Latin American Tiger (Abridged)" (UVA-BP-0458). It focuses on the economic problems Chile faced from the early 1990s.
Evaluation of Ceramic Substrates for High Power and High Temperature Applications

Ceramic substrates with thin film and thick film conductor traces are widely used in microelectronic packages for high temperature operation. In high power applications where the maximum current in the package may be hundreds of amperes, much thicker conductive traces are normally required. For such applications, Direct Bonded Copper (DBC), Direct Bonded Aluminum (DBA) or Active Metal Bonded (AMB) substrates are good candidates. These substrates provide low electrical resistance and high ampacity, thereby enable the design of high power circuits for high temperature operation. The most commonly observed failure mode in these substrates is the delamination of metal layer from the ceramic. The lifetime of a ceramic substrate can be significantly reduced by the processing conditions such as maximum process temperature, and the process gases that the substrates are exposed to. It has also been shown that the propagation of cracks in the ceramic can be abated by dimpling the metal layers along edges and corner...
Genesis of Root Nodules and Function of Nodulins

A highly coordinated activity of many bacterial and plant genes gives rise to an organ capable of housing Rhizobium and supporting the metabolic demands of symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Several host genes encoding nodule-specific proteins (nodulins) have been isolated and characterized from many legumes. Most of the early nodulin genes identified to date appear to encode structural proteins while the late nodulins mainly participate in the metabolic functions of nodules. The nodulin genes are derived from other plant genes encoding structural and metabolic proteins as they have similar functions or sequence homologies. However, the nodulin genes have come under the nodule developmental control in order to adapt to this unique organ. We have demonstrated that endocytosis release of Rhizobium is not necessary for the development of an organized nodule structure, suggesting that certain bacterial signals trigger the nodule developmental program prior to the release of bacteria inside the “infected” cells. Recent studies suggest that “physiological internalization” of the peribacteroid membrane compartment, housing the bacteria, is essential for the establishment of the symbiotic state. One of the nodulins, nodulin-26, is shown to play a critical role in this process. This nodulin forms an ion channel in the peribacteroid membrane. Symbiotically fixed nitrogen seems to be entering the host cell by diffusion, as all cells in the infection zone, delimited by the endodermis, have a uniform concentration of ammonia. The latter was determined by an ammonia-sensitive glutamine synthetase promoter linked with a reporter gene. Conversion of amides into ureides is essential in tropical legumes and several nodulins, including nodulin-35, are involved in this pathway.
Non-Immunological Factors Affecting the Localization of Monoclonal Antibodies in Xenografts of Human Breast and Colon Tumors

Many “tumor specific” or “tumor associated” monoclonal antibodies show only a three- to five-fold increase in specific tumor localization in animal models when compared with nonspecific antibodies. We have explored the possible reasons for this relative lack of in vivo specificity using the antibodies B6.2 and B72.3 as well as xenografts of a human breast (Clouser) and a colorectal (LS174T) carcinoma. Several non-immunological factors such as blood flow, vascular permeability, delivery of antibody, and availability of antigen were studied for their effect on the localization of monoclonal antibodies within these tumors. These findings may have implications on the choice of antibody and of radionuclide for radio-immunodiagnosis and radioimmunotherapy of cancer in patients.
The δ-Opioid Receptor and Stabilization of Brain Ionic Homeostasis in Hypoxia/Ischemia

Neurons in the mammalian central nervous system are extremely vulnerable to oxygen deprivation and blood supply insufficiency. Hypoxia/ischemia can produce considerably longer or sustained changes in ionic concentrations that are characterized by enhanced K+ efflux and Na+-, Ca2+- and Cl− influx. The hypoxic/ischemic disruption of ionic homeostasis is an initial and key step for hypoxic/ischemic neuronal injury and death. Limiting hypoxic/ischemic ion dysregulation and stabilization of ionic homeostasis in the initial stage of hypoxia/ischemia is an efficient strategy in the treatment of stroke and ischemia-related neurodegenerative conditions. Substantial studies from our and many independent laboratories have demonstrated that activation of the δ-opioid receptor (DOR) is neuroprotective against hypoxic/ischemic insults. In this chapter, we first updated the recent progress in the studies of DOR neuroprotection against hypoxic/ischemic insults and the features and potential mechanisms of hypoxia/ischemia-induced disruption of major cation homeostasis. On the basis of this discussion, we addressed the important role of DOR in the homeostatic maintenance of these ions and the underlying mechanisms. Based on our recent work and current literature, we have drawn an initial picture of how DOR protects neurons against hypoxia/ischemia through the regulation of ionic homeostasis. In brief, DOR signals inhibit Na+ influx and reduce the increase in intracellular Ca2+, thus decreasing the excessive K+ leakage. This DOR-mediated action involves a PKC-dependent and PKA-independent signaling pathway.
Density functional study of the structural, electronic, and vibrational properties of β -Ba 2 TiO 4

Motivated by the reported high dielectric response of monoclinic $\ensuremath{\beta}$-Ba${}_{2}$TiO${}_{4}$ as well as its affinity for absorbing small molecules, we investigate its structural, electronic, and vibrational properties with density functional theory (DFT). DFT-based structural optimization obtains lattice parameters and bond lengths within a few percent of experimentally observed values, with specific details depending on the choice of exchange-correlation functional. Although, for both the local density approximation (LDA) and generalized gradient approximation (GGA) functionals employed, the DFT calculations produce a wide-band-gap insulating state for $\ensuremath{\beta}$-Ba${}_{2}$TiO${}_{4}$ (with an indirect gap of 4.1 eV or greater), they do not agree on the energetic ordering of this phase with respect to its perovskite-like Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) polymorph. Simulations that utilize LDA place the $\ensuremath{\beta}$ phase 0.30 eV higher, while those using the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof GGA functional place it 0.22 eV lower than the RP one, leaving the question of the degree of perovskite-like phase metastability under epitaxial growth conditions unresolved. Comparison of the formula unit volumes of the ${A}_{2}$TiO${}_{4}$ and $A$TiO${}_{3}$ polymorphs ($A=\text{Sr}$, Ba) reveals that both Ba${}_{2}$TiO${}_{4}$ structures possess much more open geometries---more so for the $\ensuremath{\beta}$ than for the RP phase---than their isostoichiometric Sr-based counterparts and all of the examined $A$TiO${}_{3}$ compounds, in line with the demonstrated propensity of the Ba-based 2-1-4 oxides to capture molecules like CO${}_{2}$ and H${}_{2}$O. However, an analysis of vibrations and their contributions to the static dielectric permittivity tensor of $\ensuremath{\beta}$-Ba${}_{2}$TiO${}_{4}$ indicates that, unlike the perovskite RP phase, this structure does not exhibit strong polar lattice distortions, which results in a rather low value for its average static dielectric constant.
Volterra kernels identification using continuous time impulses applied to a nonlinear aeroelastic problem

In this work, a continuous time Volterra kernel identification method is presented, based on non-unitary impulses. Such an approach is particularly convenient in a numerical framework. The identified kernels are functions of the amplitudes of the impulses used to probe the system. Numerical simulations involving a nonlinear aeroelastic system experiencing dynamic stall accompany the theoretical results.
Radiation processing of formamide and formamide:water ices on silicate grain analogue.

Lyman-α (121.6 nm) photon and 1 keV electron-beam irradiation of pure HCONH2 (FA) ice and H2O:HCONH2 ice mixtures on high-surface-area SiO2 nanoparticles have been investigated with FT-IR spectrosc...
Relationship between TGF β1 expression and apoptosis in hepatocytes during acute hemorrhagic necrotic pancreatitis

AIM: To observe the expression of TGF β1 in hepatocytes during acute hemorrhagic and necrotic pancreatitis (AHNP) and to study the relationship between TGF β1 and apoptosis in hepatocytes. METHODS: AHNP was induced in 40 rats weighting 260-280 g by intraductal administration of 5% sodium taurocholate. The pathologic morphologic changes of liver and pancreas were observed under light microscope. The hepatocyte apoptosis was examined through TdT (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase) mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and the expression of TGF β1 in hepatocytes was analyzed through immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The liver injuries were found at 3 h after the inducement. These changes were aggravated with the development of the disease. The apoptotic hepatocytes were found after 3 h (P0.05), and TGF β1 expressed in liver cells was observed at the same time (P0.05). Both became more and more obvious with the development. CONCLUSION: AHNP can induce TGF β1 expression and apoptosis in hepatocytes, TGF β1 expression is correlation with hepatocyte apoptosis. [
Investigation of nurses' awareness of situations of severe patients in pediatrics wards

Objective To investigate nurses' awareness of situations of severe patients and analyze.the problems of clinical nursing of severe patients in pediatrics wards.Method According to the new inspection standards of nursing quality of severe patients,nurses were investigated about the awareness of situations and nursing key points of one severe patient monthly.Results More than 90.00% of nurses knew situations of patients,common information,diagnosis and treatment,whereas they lacked information about patients' abnormal signs and symptoms,special nursing key points,potential complications,and specific rehabilitation plan.Conclusion Nurses in Pediatrics have not enough active awareness in caring for severe patients.
Balancing the Scales: Reinstating Home Privacy Without Violence in Indiana

Many are familiar with this epic Home Alone line: “I am gonna give you to the count of ten to get your lousy, yellow, no-good keister off my property, before I pump your guts full of lead!” Strangely enough, this sense of property protection has given rise to discussion about home privacy rights in Indiana. The Indiana Supreme Court’s first decision in Barnes v. State (Barnes I) prompted legal and political debates about the castle doctrine—a homeowner’s right to forcibly protect her property—and whether citizens should have the right to physically prevent law enforcement officers from entering private homes without a warrant and without probable cause. The Barnes I holding, along with the decision on rehearing (Barnes II), caused the Indiana General Assembly to amend its castle doctrine statute, which now creates a legal defense that seems to rely on the subjective perceptions of ordinary citizens and creates a gray area in regard to homeowners’ lawful actions during police searches. The facts surrounding Barnes I are that the defendant, Richard Barnes, and his wife, Mary, were arguing as Richard was packing his belongings to move out. During the argument, Richard grabbed a phone out of Mary’s hand and threw it against a wall. Mary then called 911 and “told the dispatcher that [Richard] was throwing things in the apartment, but that he had not struck her.” The 911 dispatch was relayed as a “domestic violence in progress.” Two police officers arrived on
Biological Nitrogen Fixation Research at the University of California, Davis

We are particularly proud to encourage and support the program in biological nitrogen fixation. It is an ideal project to be conducted in the environment of a College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and an Agricultural Experiment Station. First, the project has tremendous potential significance to agricultural productivity using an environmentally sensitive approach. A significant component of increased productivity in agriculture has been due to the use of nitrogen fertilizers. But as the costs of nitrogen fertilizers have increased with the increased cost of fossil fuels and concerns have been expressed about nitrogen contamination of ground water, the enhancement and possible expansion of biological nitrogen fixation becomes particularly attractive and could have significant economic and environmental value.
Developing Cloud Services Using the Orleans Virtual Actor Model

Orleans provides a straightforward approach to building distributed interactive applications for the Cloud, without having to learn complex programming patterns for handling concurrency, fault tolerance, and resource management. Orleans was made available as open source in January 2015.