cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Focused x-ray luminescence computed tomography

X-ray luminescence computed tomography (XLCT) is an emerging hybrid molecular imaging modality and has shown great promises in overcoming the strong optical scattering in deep tissues. Though the narrow x-ray beam based XLCT imaging has been demonstrated to obtain high spatial resolution at depth, it suffers from a relatively long measurement time, hindering its practical applications. Recently, we have designed a focused x-ray beam based XLCT imaging system and have successfully performed imaging in about 7.5 seconds per section for a mouse sized object. However, its high spatial resolution capacity has not been fully implemented yet. In this paper, with a superfine focused x-ray beam we design a focused-x-ray luminescence tomography (FXLT) system for spatial resolution up to 94 μm. First, we have described our design in details. Then, we estimate the performance of the designed FXLT imaging system. Lastly, we have found that the spatial resolution of FXLT can be further improved by reducing the scan step size, which has been demonstrated by numerical simulations.
Badges: Do We Need to Show You Some Stinkin’ Badges?

In the spring of 2019 in partnership with Macalester’s Center for Scholarship and Teaching I am leading a group of faculty and staff in an exploration of gamification and badges in higher education. Inspired by my Apple watch, I wanted to learn from faculty what they thought of gamification, badges and more. Are they interested, how do they define these terms, what challenges do they foresee. We anticipate reading some literature on the topic as well as partnering with our campus career center to learn about what they are hearing from employers. While Macalester is far away from implementing an on-campus badging system, this “Talking about Pedagogy” workgroup is likely to inform that exploration in the years to come. In this presentation/lightning talk/poster/panel I’ll share what I’ve learned from the faculty as well as what we learned together about the state of badging across the Higher Education landscape.
Recent advances in the licorice root constituent dibenzoylmethane as a potential therapeutic option for cancer

Abstract The search for novel, therapeutic options for cancer has led to the identification of various naturally occurring compounds, one of which is dibenzoylmethane (DBM, 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propadinedione). A minor constituent of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice root), DBM is a small β-diketone, structurally related to curcumin that is widely used in sunscreens as an ultraviolet blocking agent. Dietary DBM has been reported to inhibit growth in mammary-induced 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]-anthracene (DMBA) tumors and lymphomas and leukemias, and 7,12-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced skin tumors in mice. DBM has also been reported to inhibit tumor formation (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-induced tumorigenesis) in a rat mammary tumor model system. And, it has been shown to inhibit the binding of [3H] estradiol to estrogen receptor in mice, suggesting a role for DBM's inhibitory actions on murine breast tumorigenesis. Our laboratory was the first to report the antineoplastic effects of DBM in prostate cancer cells. DBM induced pronounced changes in LNCaP prostate cancer cell growth, causing an accumulation of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and altered key proteins, although the underlying mechanism of DBM chemopreventive activity in carcinogenesis is unknown. However, its potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activities have been demonstrated in all three stages of carcinogenesis (initiation, promotion, and progression), in both chemically and UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis in mice, as well as in various cell models of human cancers. Evidence from numerous in vitro and in vivo studies has confirmed its ability to modulate various targets and signaling pathways. With the recent news of curcumin being classified as a PAINS (pan-assay interference compounds) and an IMPS (invalid metabolic panaceas) candidate, a chemical compound with false-positive results in high-throughput screens, DBM may serve as a promising template for eliciting cytotoxicity with high potency for cancer cells. This review discusses the current mechanistic data available and assesses DBM's anticancer effects to support its potential as an anticancer agent.
Unlabeled Drug Samples and the Learned Intermediary: The Case for Liability Without Preemption

This is the first article that undertakes a systematic legal analysis of the issue of liability for harm from sample prescription drugs. I propose in this Article that people who suffer injuries resulting from the absence of warnings on samples of prescription drugs be permitted to sue drug manufacturers directly in tort, the learned intermediary rule notwithstanding. I show that the various rationales for the learned intermediary doctrine do not apply to sample prescription drugs. I use empirical studies to show that the drug companies' promotion, marketing, and packaging of sample prescription drugs put patients at risk and tort law should require these companies to absorb those risks when they result in foreseeable harm. Recognition of an exception to the learned intermediary rule in the case of prescription drug samples would spread the risk of harm from unlabeled prescription drugs between physicians and the drug companies in a way that more accurately accounts for their responsibility for that risk. Moreover, recent pronouncements by the federal Food and Drug Administration concerning the preemptive effect of its drug labeling regulations should not affect this analysis. The FDA's failure to require patient labeling on sample medication is not based on carefully considered scientific evidence. Imposing state tort liability on pharmaceutical manufacturers for failure to warn on samples of prescription drugs would not conflict with any of the FDA's regulatory purposes or goals.
1 – Security Operations in the Management Environment

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the concepts that have helped to shape management practices. Successful security operations are critical to the growth and stability of organizations of any size and complexity. Although usually a part of middle management, security operations are concerned with performance throughout the organization. In some large, complex, globally oriented organizations, the chief security officer (CSO) is a senior officer who reports regularly to the board. The functions of the executive charged with security operations are diverse and subject to change according to the primary operation of the organization. The ethical nature of the chief executive often influences the behavior of subordinate employees and others concerned with the operation. Security practitioners are generally viewed as exponents of an organization's ethical policy and program and are frequently involved in establishing and managing such a policy.
Correlation of Nanoindentation and Conventional Mechanical Property Measurements

A series of model ferritic alloys and two commercial steels were used to develop a correlation between tensile yield strength and nano-indentation hardness measurements. The NanoIndenterII® was used with loads as low as 0.05 gf (0.490 mN) and the results were compared with conventional Vickers microhardness measurements using 200 and 500 gf (1.96 and 4.90 N) loads. Two methods were used to obtain the nanohardness data: (1) constant displacement depth and (2) constant load. When the nanohardness data were corrected to account for the difference between projected and actual indenter contact area, good correlation between the Vickers and nanohardness measurements was obtained for hardness values between 0.7 and 3 GPa. The correlation based on constant nanoindentation load was slightly better than that based on constant nanoindentation displacement. Tensile property measurements were made on these same alloys, and the expected linear relationship between Vickers hardness and yield strength was found, leading to a correlation between measured changes in nanohardness and yield strength changes.
"Am I Overwhelmed with this Information?": A Cross-Platform Study on Information Overload, Technostress, Well-Being, and Continued Social Media Usage Intentions

As social media continue to become primary sources of information for users, it has become necessary to evaluate the impacts of the same. This study integrates the information foraging theory with the technostress paradigm to understand how finding and seeking information on four different social media platforms (Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram) can affect technostress and well-being outcomes in users. The study also looks to understand how well-being outcomes might ultimately influence users' continued usage of these social media platforms, providing implications for both theory and praxis
Exploring the Effectiveness of Linear Matrix Factorizations After Nonlinear Processing

In this paper, we explore the weaknesses of using sparse coding and nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) on data that has already been processed in a nonlinear manner. The underlying assumption of matrix factorization techniques is that an input signal can be represented as a linear combination of some set of features. This is a valid assumption in many feature extraction tasks, including several audio applications such as source separation and sound scene analysis. However, sparse coding and NMF are often used on data known to be composed of a nonlinear combination of features, such as the magnitude of an audio spectrum. This paper uses two synthetic datasets to probe the ability of linear sparse coding and NMF to discover known features that are combined nonlinearly. Even in a small dataset, common nonlinearities cause interference that prevents the algorithms from recovering the known features. However, we validate the use of NMF and sparse coding in audio applications by demonstrating that the factorization process is more effective at recovering hidden features in a dataset with harmonic structure. Finally, we show that the reconstruction error associated with modeling either dataset can be reduced by taking into account the behavior of a known nonlinearity.
DeepSI: Interactive Deep Learning for Semantic Interaction

In this paper, we design novel interactive deep learning methods to improve semantic interactions in visual analytics applications. The ability of semantic interaction to infer analysts’ precise intents during sensemaking is dependent on the quality of the underlying data representation. We propose the DeepSIfinetune framework that integrates deep learning into the human-in-the-loop interactive sensemaking pipeline, with two important properties. First, deep learning extracts meaningful representations from raw data, which improves semantic interaction inference. Second, semantic interactions are exploited to fine-tune the deep learning representations, which then further improves semantic interaction inference. This feedback loop between human interaction and deep learning enables efficient learning of user- and task-specific representations. To evaluate the advantage of embedding the deep learning within the semantic interaction loop, we compare DeepSIfinetune against a state-of-the-art but more basic use of deep learning as only a feature extractor pre-processed outside of the interactive loop. Results of two complementary studies, a human-centered qualitative case study and an algorithm-centered simulation-based quantitative experiment, show that DeepSIfinetune more accurately captures users’ complex mental models with fewer interactions.
Rhetoric and frame analysis of ExxonMobil's climate change communications

Summary This paper investigates how ExxonMobil uses rhetoric and framing to shape public discourse on climate change. We present an algorithmic corpus comparison and machine-learning topic model of 180 ExxonMobil climate change communications, including peer-reviewed publications, internal company documents, and advertorials in The New York Times. We also investigate advertorials using inductive frame analysis. We find that the company has publicly overemphasized some terms and topics while avoiding others. Most notably, they have used rhetoric of climate "risk" and consumer energy "demand" to construct a "Fossil Fuel Savior" (FFS) frame that downplays the reality and seriousness of climate change, normalizes fossil fuel lock-in, and individualizes responsibility. These patterns mimic the tobacco industry's documented strategy of shifting responsibility away from corporations—which knowingly sold a deadly product while denying its harms—and onto consumers. This historical parallel foreshadows the fossil fuel industry's use of demand-as-blame arguments to oppose litigation, regulation, and activism.
A description of the clinical course of severe benzonatate poisonings reported in the literature and to NPDS: A systematic review supplemented with NPDS cases.

Background:Benzonatate is a commonly prescribed medication that can be lethal in acute overdose of a small number of capsules.Objective:This was a systematic review to describe the course of severe...
Automated Three-Chambered Social Approach Task for Mice

Autism is diagnosed by three major symptom categories: unusual reciprocal social interactions, impaired communication, and repetitive behaviors with restricted interests. Direct social approach in mice has strong face validity to simple social approach behaviors in humans, which are frequently impaired in autism. This unit presents a basic protocol for a standardized, high-throughput social approach test for assaying mouse sociability. Our automated three-chambered social approach task quantifies direct social approach behaviors when a subject mouse is presented with the choice of spending time with either a novel mouse or a novel object. Sociability is defined as the subject mouse spending more time in the chamber containing the novel target mouse than in the chamber containing the inanimate novel object. The Basic Protocol describes procedures for testing one subject at a time in a single apparatus. A Support Protocol addresses data collection.
Unsaturated flow and transport through a fault embedded in fractured welded tuff

[1] To evaluate the importance of matrix diffusion as a mechanism for retarding radionuclide transport in the vicinity of a fault located in unsaturated fractured rock, we carried out an in situ field experiment in the Exploratory Studies Facility at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. This experiment involved the release of ∼82,000 L of water over a period of 17 months directly into a near-vertical fault under both constant positive head (at ∼0.04 m) and decreasing fluxes. A mix of conservative tracers (pentafluorobenzoic acid (PFBA) and bromide (applied in the form of lithium bromide)) was released along the fault over a period of 9 days, 7 months after the start of water release along the fault. As water was released into the fault, seepage rates were monitored in a large cavity excavated below the test bed. After the release of tracers, seepage water was continuously collected from three locations and analyzed for the injected tracers. Observations of bromide concentrations in seepage water during the early stages of the experiment and bromide and PFBA concentrations in the seepage water indicate the significant effects of matrix diffusion on transport through a fault embedded in fractured, welded rock.
Ziprasidone mesylate (Geodon for injection): the first injectable atypical antipsychotic medication

(2003). Ziprasidone Mesylate (Geodon for Injection): The First Injectable Atypical Antipsychotic Medication. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings: Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 497-501.
Mechanical analysis of the Nb/sub 3/Sn dipole magnet HD1

The Superconducting Magnet Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) has recently fabricated and tested HD1, a Nb/sub 3/Sn dipole magnet. The magnet reached a 16 T field, and exhibited training quenches in the end regions and in the straight section. After the test, HD1 was disassembled and inspected, and a detailed 3D finite element mechanical analysis was done to investigate for possible quench triggers. The study led to minor modifications to mechanical structure and assembly procedure, which were verified in a second test (HD1b). This paper presents the results of the mechanical analysis, including strain gauge measurements and coil visual inspection. The adjustments implemented in the magnet structure are reported and their effect on magnet training discussed.
Indirect Hemagglutination Test for Chlamydial Antibodies

An indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test is described for chlamydial antibodies in psittacosis diagnostic sera; for this test tanned sheep erythrocytes sensitized with a deoxycholate extract of Chlamydia psittaci grown in Vero cell monolayers were used. Adaptation of the IHA test to the Microtiter system decreased sensitivity; nevertheless, the Microtiter-IHA test was more sensitive than the complement fixation test. Lymphogranuloma venereum antibodies also were detected by using antigen extracted from C. psittaci.
SYMPTOMATIC AUTISM IN CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE

While crippling autism may be present in a range of illnesses with psychological and organic etiology, this symptom occurs most frequently when a child has been forced, from infancy or an early age, to live and to grow in his own private world due to a severe perceptual or intellectual handicap. If this symptomatic autism is anticipated, diagnosed, and treated early, the child may develop in a relatively healthy and productive way. Without appropriate treatment the symptomatic autistic child is liable to be increasingly handicapped; eventually such a child is almost indistinguishable from children who are autistic due to other causes. This paper highlights some of the most common causes leading to symptomatic autism.
Effect of a 28 hour day on ovulation and reproduction in mice.

Abstract Inbred mice (C3H 1 ) have been studied in regard to estrus cycle length and efficiency of reproduction in 24 hour (L12:D12) days and 28 hour (L14:D14) days. Early results indicate an increased scatter of cycle lengths and an increase in longer cycles in the 28 hour day. Reproduction is affected by an increase in maternal cannibalism, which may be due to birth at an unphysiologic hour in mice not as yet adapted to a 28 hour day. Length of gestation and litter size are not strikingly affected. It is not yet known whether or when C3H 1 mice can synchronize with an L14:D14 regimen, but there is evidence of such adaptation in later litters.
Plasma flow in MST: Effects of edge biasing and momentum transport from nonlinear magnetic torques

Edge biasing in MST plasmas decreases electrostatic turbulent particle transport and increases the global particle confinement time. New Langmuir probe measurements in the edge identify decreased electric field fluctuations and increased anti-correlation of density and potential fluctuations to be responsible. Fast loss of momentum in the core of MST during sawtooth crash events can be explained as a result of nonlinear magnetic torques which allow viscous coupling over relatively distant regions of the plasma. Flow modifications resulting from biasing, plus other experiments, help reveal the nonlinear nature of this process, most directly measured by the triple product bispectral correlation between the nonlinearly interacting modes.
Chapter 29 – I blood group system

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the I blood group system. The history, terminology, expression, database accession numbers, and the carrier molecule related to the I blood group system are reviewed. The function of the I blood group system is also discussed. A decreased expression of I antigen and concomitant increased expression of the reciprocal i antigen are associated with leukemia, Tk polyagglutination, thalassemia, sickle cell disease, HEMPAS, Diamond Blackfan anemia, myeloblastic erythropoiesis, sideroblastic erythropoiesis and any condition that results in stress hematopoiesis. Anti-I is associated with cold agglutinin hemagglutinin disease (CHAD) and some mycoplasma pneumonia. The molecular basis of I-negative phenotype is also discussed.
Obstructive sleep apnea in the perioperative setting: complications and management strategies

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is frequently encountered in an undiagnosed, untreated state in perioperative patients. It increases the risk of respiratory, cardiac, and infectious complications following surgical procedures. Patients with OSA may require additional monitoring, unplanned escalations in care, and prolonged hospitalization. It is important to identify patients at risk for OSA during the preoperative assessment so that appropriate anesthesia, postsurgical monitoring, and pain control can be planned. Herein, we discuss data regarding perioperative outcomes in patients with OSA, methods to quickly identify patients at high risk for OSA, and implementation of clinical safeguards to minimize OSA-associated complications. An algorithm is provided to guide the perioperative management of patients with OSA.
Using end-of-life cost estimates to perform design for environment investment analysis. A Hewlett-Packard case study

This paper discusses a methodology to estimate the potential product return, recycling and disposal costs incurred as a consequence of European takeback mandates, corporate leasing arrangements and volunteer takeback initiatives. Furthermore, this paper illustrates the use of these end-of-life costs to estimate the economic benefits of design for environment (DFE). At Hewlett-Packard, the end-of-life costs were estimated for a particular product line. Using this information, the economic benefits from DFE were also estimated. This information assisted the product line management in justifying expenditures on DFE. This paper describes the methodology used to estimate the end-of-life costs, as well as the role of an end-of-life cost estimate in a DFE investment analysis.
Group V Secretory Phospholipase A2 Amplifies the Induction of Cyclooxygenase 2 and Delayed Prostaglandin D2 Generation in Mouse Bone Marrow Culture-Derived Mast Cells in a Strain-Dependent Manner.

Activation of bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) with stem cell factor (SCF) or IgE and antigen elicits exocytosis and an immediate phase of prostaglandin (PG) D2 and leukotriene (LT) C4 generation. Activation of BMMC by SCF, IL-1β and IL-10 elicits a delayed phase of PGD2 generation dependent on cyclooxygenase (COX) 2 induction. Cytosolic phospholipase A2 α provides arachidonic acid in both phases and amplifies COX-2 induction. Pharmacological experiments implicate an amplifying role for secretory (s) PLA2. We used mice lacking the gene encoding group V sPLA2 (Pla2g5 −/−) to definitively test its role in eicosanoid generation by BMMC. Pla2g5 −/− BMMC on a C57BL/6 genetic background showed a modest reduction in exocytosis and immediate PGD2 generation after activation with SCF or with IgE and antigen, while LTC4 generation was not modified. Delayed-phase PGD2 generation and COX-2 induction were reduced ~35% in C57BL/6 Pla2g5 −/− BMMC and were restored by exogenous PGE2. There was no deficit in either phase of eicosanoid generation by Pla2g5 −/− BMMC on a BALB/c background. Thus, group V sPLA2 amplifies COX-2 expression and delayed phase PGD2 generation in a strain-dependent manner; it has at best a limited role in immediate eicosanoid generation by BMMC.
Isotropic multiresolution analysis for 3D-textures and applications in cardiovascular imaging

The main goal of this paper is to introduce formally the concept of texture segmentation/identification in three dimensional images. A major problem in texture texture segmentation/identification is the lack of robustness to both translations and rotations. This problem is more difficult to overcome in 3D-images, such as those generated by modalities such as x-ray CT and MRI. To facilitate 3D-texture segmentation/identification which is robust to 3D rigid motions we formally introduce the concept of steerable feature maps and of appropriate metrics in the feature space. We also introduce a new multiscale representation giving rise to a steerable feature map used in our exploratory project in cardiovascular imaging and we propose a 3D-texture segmentation algorithm utilizing this steerable feature map.
Increasing physical activity and decreasing sedentary activity in adolescent girls--the Incorporating More Physical Activity and Calcium in Teens (IMPACT) study.

Lack of regular physical activity and consequent sub-optimal bone mass acquisition in youth has been implicated as a primary cause of adult-onset osteoporosis. IMPACT was a behavioral theory-based 1 1/2 year randomized controlled field study aimed at increasing bone accretion in middle school girls. The objective of this study was to determine the intervention effects of the IMPACT program upon key physical and sedentary activity endpoints among schools that participated in the IMPACT study. Endpoints examined included weight bearing physical activity (WBPA); moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA); vigorous physical activity (VPA); MET (metabolic equivalent) – weighted WBPA and MVPA; sedentary activity; before/after-school physical activity; and weekend physical activity. Primary data analysis using a pretest-posttest control group design was conducted utilizing mixed model analysis of covariance. Data gathered from the IMPACT cohort from 2000–2002 were analyzed to determine baseline versus follow-up differences in activity endpoints. Confounders investigated included ethnicity, body mass index, menarcheal status, participation in 7th grade PE/athletics, friend/familial support and neighborhood safety. Follow-up means were higher for participating intervention schools relative to control schools for all physical activity variables but were statistically significant only for the following variables: daily minutes of vigorous physical activity (mean difference between Intervention (I) and Control (C) = 6.00↑ minutes, 95% CI = 5.82–6.18, p = 0.05), daily after school activity minutes (mean difference between I and C = 8.95↑ minutes, 95% CI = 8.69–9.21, p = 0.04), and daily weekend activity minutes (mean difference between I and C = 19.00↑ minutes, 95% CI = 18.40–19.60, p = 0.05). The intervention significantly reduced duration of student daily TV/Video watching (mean difference between I and C = 12.11↓ minutes, 95% CI = 11.74–12.48, p = 0.05) and total daily sedentary activity minutes (mean difference between I and C = 16.99↓ minutes, 95% CI = 16.49–17.50, p = 0.04). A well designed and implemented school based health and physical activity intervention can result in a positive influence upon increasing physical activity levels and decreasing sedentary activity. Future interventions should consider a more structured intervention component to obtain significant changes in WBPA.
Specific interaction between mouse liver non-histone chromosomal proteins and mouse DNA demonstrated by a sequential DNA-protein binding procedure.

The binding of mouse liver chromosomal proteins to DNA has been investigated using the nitrocellulose filter binding technique. Careful purification of the DNA involving nuclease S1 digestion and prefiltration through a nitrocellulose filter is used to reduce background binding in the absence of protein to less than 1%. Procedures involving direct binding of protein to labeled DNA, competition of binding of labeled DNA by unlabeled DNA, and dissociation of DNA · protein complexes with time do not indicate significant preference for binding to mouse DNA relative to Escherichia coli DNA. This specificity is demonstrated much more clearly by a novel type of procedure, which we call a sequential binding procedure. In this procedure non-specific binding proteins are sequestered by incubation with an excess of unlabeled E. coli DNA prior to addition of labeled DNA. Under these conditions, labeled mouse DNA is bound to filters to a 3- to 4-fold greater extent than labeled E. coli DNA.
On the enhancements to IEEE 802.11 MAC and their suitability for safety-critical applications in VANET

Vehicular ad hoc network (VANET) or inter-vehicle communication (IVC) provides many brand new and powerful capabilities for transportation system applications. Safety massaging, as one of the capabilities, supports many potential safety applications such as emergency electronic brake lights, lane change warning, pre-crash warning. These applications require a low latency and high reliability communication service. In this paper, we first analyze these critical requirements. The under-development 802.11p for VANET is then discussed with respect to those requirements. An extensive research on the enhancements for 802.11 media access control (MAC) is conducted in order to show their suitability for safety applications. As a conclusion, a realistically feasible MAC enhancement scheme is still needed to achieve the high performance requirements and the compatibility. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid, concurrent analysis of dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, their precursors and metabolites utilizing high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection: Analysis of brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid☆

Abstract Assays capable of measuring picomole quantities of dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), several of their precursors and metabolites concurrently within 25 minutes were developed utilizing high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (LCEC). Several parameters of the LCEC were altered in order to separate the compounds while maintaining a short assay time. The final LCEC systems demonstrated biological utility in that the DA metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), and the 5-HT metabolite 5-hydroxy-3-indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were detected in rat cerebrospinal fluid; in addition to these compounds, DA and 5-HT were measurable in the striatum, hypothalamus and median eminence of the rat brain. Pargyline decreased the concentrations of DOPAC, HVA and 5-HIAA and increased the 5-HT concentration in all three brain regions, and increased the DA concentration in the striatum. Probenecid increased all three acid metabolite concentrations in the hypothalamus and median eminence, while only the HVA and 5-HIAA concentrations were increased in the striatum. The DA and 5-HT concentrations were unaltered. The LCEC methods described in this paper should be useful in elucidating the mechanisms and roles of 5-HT and DA neurons in experimental paradigms of biological interest.
A case study of evolution in object oriented and heterogeneous architectures

Abstract In order to properly understand a technology, it is important to know not only its strengths but also its limits. In this paper, we investigate the limits of object oriented technology. We present a case study in which we compare two different architectures for the same program – a student registration system which belongs to the domain of reactive repositories. We started our case study with a model produced by Object Modeling Technique (OMT), and used it for two different implementations: a homogeneous one (HOA) and a heterogeneous one (HTA). The HOA results in an object oriented system consisting of classes and their dependencies, while the HTA combines traditional imperative programming with a relational database. We evaluated the evolvability of both resulting programs by adding new use cases. HTA proved to be easier to evolve than HOA. In the paper, we discuss possible reasons for this finding.
Identifying the Situationally Variable Subject: Correspondence among Different Self-Report Formats:

The present study compared the results obtained from three different procedures for obtaining self- reports of behavioral consistency versus inconsis tency : (1) the traditional bipolar rating scale; (2) the Nisbett, Caputo, Legant, and Maracek (1973) pro cedure whereby subjects check the term, its antonym or the phrase "it depends on the situ ation"; and (3) subject-generated lists of self- descriptive traits. Results showed a moderate asso ciation between self-reports of situational variability and central responses on the scaled format; how ever, omission of a term in self-generated lists was not strongly associated with either central responses on the scale format or situational responses on the inventory formulated according to Nisbett et al.
Treatment of allergic eczema versus seborrheic infantile eczema.

Summary In order to control allergic infantile eczema, as well as to diminish the chances of progression to asthma, search for specific excitants by means of hypoallergic diets, environmental control measures, and, at times, allergic skin testing is mandatory. The treatment of choice for pollen eczema is hyposensitization. The symptomatic treatment of allergic eczema is discussed. Since the etiology of seborrheic infantile eczema is unknown, but is not allergic, no specific search for excitants is indicated. The symptomatic treatment of seborrheic eczema is the most important consideration and is discussed.
MODULATION SPECTROSCOPY IN THE VACUUM ULTRAVIOLET

A review of modulation spectroscopy in the vacuum ultraviolet is presented. Metals have been studied by thermomodulation spectroscopy and alloys by composition modulation Semiconductors have been studied by thermomodulation and by electromodulation, the latter revealing a great deal about the conduction bands when core levels are used as initial States. Insulators have been studied by electro and thermo-modulation. (Wavelength modulation and energy derivative modulation are not discussed extensively.) In all cases simple materials have been studied and the advantages and disadvantages of the methods delineated.
Reoperative aortic valve replacement in the octogenarians-minimally invasive technique in the era of transcatheter valve replacement.

Objective Reoperative aortic valve replacement (re-AVR) in octogenarians is considered high risk and therefore might be indicated for transcatheter AVR. The minimally invasive technique for re-AVR limits dissection and might benefit this patient population. We report the outcomes of re-AVR in high-risk octogenarians who might be considered candidates for transcatheter AVR to assess the safety of re-AVR and minimally invasive operative techniques. Methods We identified 105 patients, aged ≥80 years, who underwent open re-AVR at our institution from July 1997 to December 2011. Patients requiring concomitant coronary bypass surgery and/or other valve surgery were excluded. The outcomes of interest included operative mortality, postoperative complications, and midterm postoperative survival. Results Of the 105 patients, 51 underwent minimally re-AVR through upper hemisternotomy (Mre-AVR) and 54 standard full sternotomy (Fre-AVR). The mean patient age was 82.8 ± 3.8 years. No significant differences were found in the patient risk factors. Postoperatively, 6 patients (5.7%) underwent reoperation for bleeding, 4 (3.8%) experienced permanent stroke, 4 (3.8%) developed new renal failure, and 22 (21.0%) had new-onset atrial fibrillation. Overall, the operative mortality was 6.7%, and the 1- and 5-year survival was 87% and 53%, respectively. When Mre-AVR and Fre-AVR were compared, the operative mortality was 9.2% in the Fre-AVR group and 3.9% in the Mre-AVR group ( P = .438). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a survival benefit at both 1 year (79% ± 11.7% vs 92% ± 7.8%) and 5 years (38% ± 17.6% vs 65% ± 15.7%, P = .028) favoring Mre-AVR. Cox regression analysis identified heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, reoperation for bleeding, older age, full sternotomy, and an infectious complication as predictors of mortality. Conclusions Octogenarians who undergo re-AVR are thought to be high-risk surgical candidates. The present single-center series revealed acceptable in-hospital outcomes and operative mortality. Mre-AVR was associated with better survival compared with Fre-AVR and might benefit this population.
Cytotoxic Evaluation of Nanostructured Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Thin Films and Leachates

Abstract Nanostructured ZnO films have potential use as coatings on medical devices and food packaging due to their antimicrobial and UV-protection properties. However, their influence on mammalian cells during clinical use is not fully understood. This study investigated the potential cytotoxicity of ZnO thin films in RAW 264.7 macrophages. ZnO thin films (∼96 nm thick with a 50 nm grain) were deposited onto silicon wafers using pulsed laser deposition. Cells grown directly on ZnO thin film coatings exhibited less toxicity than cells exposed to extracts of the coatings. Cells on ZnO thin films exhibited a 43% and 68% decrease in cell viability using the MTT and 7-AAD/Annexin V flow cytometry assays, respectively, after a 24-h exposure as compared to controls. Undiluted 100% 24- and 48-h extracts decreased viability by 89%, increased cell death by LDH release to 76% 24 h after treatment, and increased ROS after 5–24 h of exposure. In contrast, no cytotoxicity or ROS were observed for 25% and 50% extracts, indicating a tolerable concentration. Roughly 24 and 34 μg/m 2 Zn leached off the surfaces after 24 and 48 h of incubation, respectively. ZnO coatings may produce gradual ion release which becomes toxic after a certain level and should be evaluated using both direct exposure and extraction methods.
Handling of packet dependencies: a critical issue for highly parallel network processors

Network processors are being asked to perform increasingly complex operations on packets of information at faster and faster rates. Because processor performance and memory cycle times are not keeping up with this demand, there is a fundamental need for simultaneous processing of multiple packets, and the degree of this parallelism is increasing. Sometimes a dependency exists between two packets currently being operated on, and as the ratio of packet processing time to packet transmission time increases, these dependencies are more likely to impact performance. Thus, the way packet dependencies are handled will become critical. In this paper we show that there is potentially a dramatic difference in performance between optimal and non-optimal solutions. We argue that this is the key challenge that must be addressed in highly parallel network processors. We discuss how work in thread level speculation relates to this problem and describe a practical hardware implementation that requires little or no changes to software and with near optimal performance.
THE PREDICTION OF FAT PERCENTAGE IN THE LONGISSIMUS DORSI MUSCLE IN FED BEEF USING NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE

The objective of this study was to develop predictive equations to estimate the percentage of crude fat in beef longissimus dorsi muscles from subjective marbling evaluations or objective visual evaluations. Forty beef ribs and loins representing four U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) quality grades – USDA Prime (n = 10); USDA Premium Choice [upper 2/3 of Choice] (n = 10); USDA Low Choice (n = 10); and USDA Select (n = 10) – were fabricated into 3.17-cm transverse slices for subjective and objective visual evaluations. Additional 0.63-cm slices were removed for crude fat analysis. Mean crude fat percentages were as follows: USDA Prime = 11.90, USDA Premium Choice = 9.78, USDA Low Choice = 7.08 and USDA Select = 5.29. Regression analysis indicated that crude fat can be estimated with the following equation using a subjective marbling score: = (–0.58) + 0.17 × marbling score (R2 = 0.55); furthermore, crude fat = (3.47) + 0.73 × objective visual percent fat (R2 = 0.54).
Modeling the managerial promotion process

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce and test a model of the managerial promotion process.Design/methodology/approach – Utilizing longitudinal data from multiple sources (i.e. employees, their immediate supervisors, their personnel files, and task forces charged with succession planning), the study reported examined a model of the promotion process involving district managers being considered for advancement to the position of regional manager in a large organization.Findings – Results support a model in which a district manager's past performance, current job tenure, and prior job tenure predict the manager's promotability rating which, in turn, predicts whether or not the manager is promoted.Research limitations/implications – Given that data were used for actual employment decisions by an organization, reliance on single‐item measures was necessary.Practical implications – Several issues that employers should be evaluating (e.g. adverse impact, whether promotability ratings are valid pre...
Pathway and protein engineering approaches to produce novel and commodity small molecules.

Nature has provided us the basis of designing the most integrated and efficacious production platforms. Cell factories via their millions of years of evolution have nearly perfected each of their production systems. We have been trying to imitate, utilize and tweak this system to our advantage by using slightly overlapping and greatly interdependent approaches such as metabolic engineering and systems biology to make nature work for us in an efficient and robust way, without producing toxic waste and/or unnecessary side products. Systems biology, metabolic engineering and ‘omics’ technologies have paved the way for protein and pathway engineering. To this end we will talk about the recent advances in production of novel pharmaceutical and commodity small molecules by designing novel proteins and pathways.
Psychotropic drugs and their impact on the treatment of paediatric dental patients.

In the past 10–15 years, the diagnosis of mental diseases in the paediatric and adolescent population has risen significantly. This has resulted in paediatric dentists caring for a large number of children suffering from these conditions. For the safe care of these children, paediatric dentists need to be aware of not only the characteristics of mental diseases but also the medications used for their treatment. Becoming familiar with the plethora of psychoactive agents and their complex pharmacological properties and interactions poses a daunting but necessary challenge as they are likely to influence dental treatment. To help with this understanding, the present paper provides a comprehensive but simplified review of the major paediatric psychotropic drugs in terms of basic pharmacology, common indications, general and oral health-related adverse effects and interactions with other medications which may be prescribed in the course of dental treatment.
Effect of Posture on Acromiohumeral Distance With Arm Elevation in Subjects With and Without Rotator Cuff Disease Using Ultrasonography

Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Objectives To examine the effects of altering posture on the subacromial space (SAS) in subjects with rotator cuff disease and subjects without shoulder pain. Background Poor upper quadrant posture has been linked to altered scapular mechanics, which has been theorized to excessively reduce SAS. However, no study has examined the direct effects of altering upper quadrant posture on SAS. We hypothesized that upright posture would increase and slouched posture would decrease the SAS, as compared to a normal posture, when measured both with the shoulder at rest along the side of the trunk and when maintained in 45° of active shoulder abduction. Methods Participants included 2 groups: the subjects with shoulder pain and rotator cuff disease, as diagnosed via magnetic resonance imaging (n = 31), and control subjects without shoulder pain (n = 29). The SAS was imaged with ultrasound using a 7.5-MHz linear transducer placed in the coronal plane over the posterior to midp...
Gendered Imprisonment in Japan: An Examination of Imprisonment for Stimulant Drug Offenses

Japan is well known not only as a society with low crime rates but also for using incarceration sparingly, sending few convicted offenders to prison. Yet, certain crimes, such as drug offenses, receive little leniency in the Japanese criminal justice system. Johnson (1996b) found empirical support for both chivalry and an ‘'evil woman'’ effect in the system's treatment of female drug offenders. This paper reexamines and extends the core issues in Johnson's (1996b) exploration of women's imprisonment in Japan. It traces the patterns in female incarceration where data are available from the postwar period until 2004. It specifically examines the incidences of incarceration of women for stimulant drug offenses and identifies key correlates on the macro‐level associated with changes in imprisonment practices.
Warrior Culture, Spirituality, and Prayer

Research has shown an increase in suicides by military veterans and law enforcement officers in the United States. Etiologic research elucidates warrior culture and subculture as contributing factors of this pathology. This paper examines the idiosyncratic nature and influence of warrior culture and subculture and offers recommendations to promote culture change. Faith-based spirituality and prayer are examined as adjunct modalities for stress management and emotional healing. Further research is recommended to assess the associated hidden cost factors and long-term financial impact of warrior culture on society.
Following Tetraploidy in Maize, a Short Deletion Mechanism Removed Genes Preferentially from One of the Two Homeologs

Previous work in Arabidopsis showed that after an ancient tetraploidy event, genes were preferentially removed from one of the two homeologs, a process known as fractionation. The mechanism of fractionation is unknown. We sought to determine whether such preferential, or biased, fractionation exists in maize and, if so, whether a specific mechanism could be implicated in this process. We studied the process of fractionation using two recently sequenced grass species: sorghum and maize. The maize lineage has experienced a tetraploidy since its divergence from sorghum approximately 12 million years ago, and fragments of many knocked-out genes retain enough sequence similarity to be easily identifiable. Using sorghum exons as the query sequence, we studied the fate of both orthologous genes in maize following the maize tetraploidy. We show that genes are predominantly lost, not relocated, and that single-gene loss by deletion is the rule. Based on comparisons with orthologous sorghum and rice genes, we also infer that the sequences present before the deletion events were flanked by short direct repeats, a signature of intra-chromosomal recombination. Evidence of this deletion mechanism is found 2.3 times more frequently on one of the maize homeologs, consistent with earlier observations of biased fractionation. The over-fractionated homeolog is also a greater than 3-fold better target for transposon removal, but does not have an observably higher synonymous base substitution rate, nor could we find differentially placed methylation domains. We conclude that fractionation is indeed biased in maize and that intra-chromosomal or possibly a similar illegitimate recombination is the primary mechanism by which fractionation occurs. The mechanism of intra-chromosomal recombination explains the observed bias in both gene and transposon loss in the maize lineage. The existence of fractionation bias demonstrates that the frequency of deletion is modulated. Among the evolutionary benefits of this deletion/fractionation mechanism is bulk DNA removal and the generation of novel combinations of regulatory sequences and coding regions.