cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decreased anxiety-like behavior, reduced stress hormones, and neurosteroid supersensitivity in mice lacking protein kinase Cε

Mice lacking protein kinase Ce (PKCe) are supersensitive to positive allosteric modulators of gamma aminobutyrate type A (GABAA) receptors. Since many of these compounds are anxiolytic, we examined whether anxiety-like behavior is altered in these mice. PKCe-null mice showed reduced anxiety-like behavior and reduced levels of the stress hormones corticosterone and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). This was associated with increased sensitivity to neurosteroid modulators of GABAA receptors. Treatment of PKCe-null mice with the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline restored corticosterone levels and anxiety-like behavior to wild-type levels. These results suggest that increased GABAA receptor sensitivity to neurosteroids contributes to reduced anxiety-like behavior and stress hormone responses in PKCe-null mice. The findings also suggest PKCe as a possible therapeutic target for development of anxiolytics.
Accelerating Large Scale Image Analyses on Parallel, CPU-GPU Equipped Systems

The past decade has witnessed a major paradigm shift in high performance computing with the introduction of accelerators as general purpose processors. These computing devices make available very high parallel computing power at low cost and power consumption, transforming current high performance platforms into heterogeneous CPU-GPU equipped systems. Although the theoretical performance achieved by these hybrid systems is impressive, taking practical advantage of this computing power remains a very challenging problem. Most applications are still deployed to either GPU or CPU, leaving the other resource under- or un-utilized. In this paper, we propose, implement, and evaluate a performance aware scheduling technique along with optimizations to make efficient collaborative use of CPUs and GPUs on a parallel system. In the context of feature computations in large scale image analysis applications, our evaluations show that intelligently co-scheduling CPUs and GPUs can significantly improve performance over GPU-only or multi-core CPU-only approaches.
New olefin polymerization and copolymerization catalysts. Effect of coordinating functionalities

The coordination of the functionalities that may be present either in the monomer or in the growing polymer chain to the metal center is a key impediment in the development of new transition metal-based
Nicotine and stress: A role for the glutamate system

the two-week EMA protocol. Participants were texted nine questions, three times per day for twoweeks. Academicmotivation and craving were assessed on 1–10 scales (low to high), while social context focused on whether participants used marijuana alone or with others. Results: The sample was 63% female, 79% Caucasian, and averaged 20.05 (SD=2.60) years of age. Mean cumulative GPAwas 2.86 (SD= .68; range from .80–4.00). Participants were heavymarijuana users, smoking two times per day on average (M=2.50, SD=2.37). HLM was used to assess the impact of social context on craving, adjusting for day of the week. Social context was significant (p=0.003) with a positive association, suggesting that being with others was associated with higher levels of craving. Another HLM wasfit toassess the impactof cravingonacademicmotivation in the same EMA instance, adjusting for day of the week and time spent smoking and studying. Thismodel showed that craving has a significantly negative association with academic motivation (p=0.02). Conclusions: Participants who smoked marijuana with others reported higher craving, suggesting that peer interaction could influence craving. Greater craving was associated with lower academic motivation in the same EMA instance. Future studies should examine whether marijuana craving and other social factors contribute to academic success. Financial support: This study was supported by an internal university provost award.
Efficient estimation of free energy differences from Monte Carlo data

Abstract Near-optimal strategies are developed for estimating the free energy difference between two canonical ensembles, given a Metropolis-type Monte Carlo program for sampling each one. The estimation strategy depends on the extent of overlap between the two ensembles, on the smoothness of the density-of-states as a function of the difference potential, and on the relative Monte Carlo sampling costs, per statistically independent data point. The best estimate of the free energy difference is usually obtained by dividing the available computer time approximately equally between the two ensembles; its efficiency (variance x computer time)-1 is never less, and may be several orders of magnitude greater, than that obtained by sampling only one ensemble, as is done in perturbation theory.
Multiscale modelling in the numerical computation of isothermal non-wetting

A state of permanent, isothermal non-wetting of a solid surface by a normally wetting liquid may be achieved if the surface moves tangentially to a liquid drop that is pressed against it. Surrounding gas is swept into the space between the liquid and solid creating a lubricating film that prevents wetting. The length scales of the drop and the film are typically three or more orders of magnitude different, making numerical simulation difficult from a resolution standpoint. The present paper focuses on a hybrid approach employing lubrication theory for the thinnest portions of the gas film and numerical simulation for the liquid and outer gas phases.
The Central Amygdala and Alcohol: Role of γ-Aminobutyric Acid, Glutamate, and Neuropeptides

Alcohol dependence is a chronically relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and drug taking, loss of control in limiting intake, and the emergence of a withdrawal syndrome in the absence of the drug. Accumulating evidence suggests an important role for synaptic transmission in the central amygdala (CeA) in mediating alcohol-related behaviors and neuroadaptative mechanisms associated with alcohol dependence. Acute alcohol facilitates γ-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) transmission in CeA via both pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms, and chronic alcohol increases baseline GABAergic transmission. Acute alcohol inhibits glutamatergic transmission via effects at N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and AMPA receptors in CeA, whereas chronic alcohol up-regulates N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-mediated transmission. Pro- (e.g., corticotropin-releasing factor [CRF]) and anti-stress (e.g., NPY, nociceptin) neuropeptides affect alcohol- and anxiety-related behaviors, and also alter the alcohol-induced effects on CeA neurotransmission. Alcohol dependence produces plasticity in these neuropeptide systems, reflecting a recruitment of those systems during the transition to alcohol dependence.
Setters and samoyeds: the emergence of subordinate level categories as a basis for inductive inference in preschool-age children.

Basic level categories are a rich source of inductive inference for children and adults. These 3 experiments examine how preschool-age children partition their inductively rich basic level categories to form subordinate level categories and whether these have inductive potential. Children were taught a novel property about an individual member of a familiar basic level category (e.g., a collie). Then, children's extensions of that property to other objects from the same subordinate (e.g., other collies), basic (e.g., other dogs), and superordinate (e.g., other animals) level categories were examined. The results suggest (a) that contrastive information promotes the emergence of subordinate categories as a basis of inductive inference and (b) that newly established subordinate categories can retain their inductive potential in subsequent reasoning over a week's time.
Comparison of microbial fermentation in the rumen of dairy cows and dual flow continuous culture

Four ruminal and duodenal cannulated lactating dairy cows and four dual flow continuous culture fermenters were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square to compare fermentation and microbial ecology of in vivo and in vitro systems. Diets contained 32% maize silage, 19.8% alfalfa-grass hay, and 48.2% concentrate, and were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with two levels of non-fibrous carbohydrate (40%, 25%) and two levels of ruminally degradable intake protein (12%, 9%). Concentrations of viable bacteria were greater (P = 0.01) in vitro compared with in vivo, averaging 5.04 × 109 and 2.75 × 109 cells per ml, respectively. Cellulolytic bacterial concentrations (cells per ml) were lower (P = 0.04) in vitro (4.09 × 107) compared with in vivo (6.15 × 107), but concentrations of proteolytic and amylolytic bacteria were similar (P > 0.1). Protozoal concentrations (cells per ml) were greater (P = 0.0001) in vivo (3.72 × 105) compared with in vitro (2.8). Digestion of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC) exhibited square × NFC interactions (P < 0.002), and comparison of these interaction means revealed that the difference in NDF and TNC digestion between ruminal and in vitro fermentations occurred only for the 40% NFC diets. Mean TNC digestion was 87.6, 61.7, 60.9, and 60.4% whereas NDF digestion was 33.8, 55.9, 57.6, and 58.4% for the in vitro-40% NFC, in vitro-25% NFC, in vivo-25% NFC, and in vivo-40% NFC treatments, respectively. These data suggest that the continuous culture system had difficulty simulating digestion of high TNC diets. Other differences between fermentation in continuous culture and in vivo can be attributed mainly to lack of absorption from the fermenters, defaunation of the in vitro system, and endogenous protein contamination in vivo.
In situ lignocellulosic unlocking mechanism for carbohydrate hydrolysis in termites: crucial lignin modification

Background: Termites are highly effective at degrading lignocelluloses, and thus can be used as a model for studying plant cell-wall degradation in biological systems. However, the process of lignin deconstruction and/or degradation in termites is still not well understood. Methods: We investigated the associated structural modification caused by termites in the lignin biomolecular assembly in softwood tissues crucial for cell-wall degradation. We conducted comparative studies on the termitedigested (i.e. termite feces) and native (control) softwood tissues with the aid of advanced analytical techniques: 13 C crosspolarization magic angle spinning and nuclear magnetic resonance (CP-MAS-NMR) spectroscopy, flash pyrolysis with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), and Py-GC-MS in the presence of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (Py-TMAH)-GC/MS. Results: The 13 C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopic analysis revealed an increased level of guaiacyl-derived (G unit) polymeric framework in the termite-digested softwood (feces), while providing specific evidence of cellulose degradation. The Py-GC/MS data were in agreement with the 13 C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopic studies, thus indicating dehydroxylation and modification of selective intermonomer side-chain linkages in the lignin in the termite feces. Moreover, Py-TMAH-GC/MS analysis showed significant differences in the product distribution between control and termite feces. This strongly suggests that the structural modification in lignin could be associated with the formation of additional condensed interunit linkages. Conclusion: Collectively, these data further establish: 1) that the major b-O-4’ (b-aryl ether) was conserved, albeit with substructure degeneracy, and 2) that the nature of the resulting polymer in termite feces retained most of its original aromatic moieties (G unit-derived). Overall, these results provide insight into lignin-unlocking mechanisms for understanding plant cell-wall deconstruction, which could be useful in development of new enzymatic pretreatment processes mimicking the termite system for biochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fuels and chemicals.
The Effects of a High-Energy Diet on Hippocampal Function and Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity in the Rat

Cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease are linked with intake of a Western diet, characterized by high levels of saturated fats and simple carbohydrates. In rats, these dietary components have been shown to disrupt hippocampal-dependent learning and memory processes, particularly those involving spatial memory. Using a rat model, the present research assessed the degree to which consumption of a high-energy (HE) diet, similar to those found in modern Western cultures, produces a selective impairment in hippocampal function as opposed to a more global cognitive disruption. Learning and memory performance was examined following 90-day consumption of an HE-diet in three nonspatial discrimination learning problems that differed with respect to their dependence on the integrity of the hippocampus. The results showed that consumption of the HE-diet impaired performance in a hippocampal-dependent feature negative discrimination problem relative to chow-fed controls, whereas performance was spared on two discrimination problems that do not rely on the hippocampus. To explore the mechanism whereby consuming HE-diets impairs cognitive function, we investigated the effect of HE-diets on the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). We found that HE-diet consumption produced a decrease in mRNA expression of tight junction proteins, particularly Claudin-5 and -12, in the choroid plexus and the BBB. Consequently, an increased blood-to-brain permeability of sodium fluorescein was observed in the hippocampus, but not in the striatum and prefrontal cortex following HE-diet access. These results indicate that hippocampal function may be particularly vulnerable to disruption by HE-diets, and this disruption may be related to impaired BBB integrity.
Estimation of relative economic value for herd life of dairy cattle from profile equations

Lifetime records of 122,679 cows from 7557 herds, obtained from Mid States Dairy Records Processing Center (Ames, IA), were used to determine net income and net income for the planning horizon. With a planning horizon of five lactations for each cow, the estimated profit from the replacements was credited to each cow not surviving until fifth calving. Net income was defined as lifetime income minus costs. Net income for the planning horizon was defined as net income plus profit from replacements within the planning horizon. Income was from the sale of milk, calves, and culled cows. Costs were included for heifer rearing, feed, labor, and breeding. Longer herd life yielded greater profit for net income and net income for the planning horizon. The rate of increase in profit for longer herd life was reduced for net income for the planning horizon, which accounts for profit from cows replacing a culled cow compared with profit from net income. The relative economic value (phenotypic standard deviation basis) of production to herd life was 0.18:1 for net income and 0.46:1 for net income for the planning horizon. The relative value for herd life was overestimated by about 2.5 times when profit from replacements was not considered. Values for production relative to herd life increased for high milk prices and low feed prices. Lower prices for culled cows in combination with high prices for milk and feed increased the relative economic value of production.
Nicotinamide N-Oxidation by CYP2E1 in Human Liver Microsomes

Excess nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, is metabolized through two enzymatic systems and eventually excreted from the body. The first system starts with the methylation of nicotinamide by nicotinamide N-methyltransferase, which can subsequently be oxidized by aldehyde oxidase. The second enzymatic system oxidizes nicotinamide to nicotinamide N-oxide. It is located in the endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes but the precise enzyme is unknown. We have used human liver microsomes in combination with selective cytochrome P450 inhibitors, specific substrates, and antibodies to identify CYP2E1 as the main activity producing nicotinamide N-oxide. Our results suggest the potential use of nicotinamide N-oxide as a biomarker of CYP2E1 activity from urine or blood samples.
Components of the decline in elderly suicide: Suicide among the young-old and old-old by race and sex

Abstract Although suicide rates among the elderly have declined dramatically over time, the old remain the highest risk age group. The role of sex and race and the contribution of the young-old and old-old to this marked decrease in suicide rates were considered from 1933 to 1978. A compilation of official suicide statistics by age, sex, and race is presented which reveals that decreases in elderly suicide were primarily a male and white phenomenon and that rate declines were slightly larger among the young-old than among the old-old. Some data problems and several explanations for the decline in suicide rates among the old are considered.
The detection of geological fault lines in radar images

A two step approach for delineating geological faults on radar images is developed. The first step is the row-by-row detection of the line elements, or the points at which “gray value” statistics change abruptly. The combination of a Kalman filter and a change detector is used for the line element detection. Connecting these line elements into lines using the a priori geologic information is the second step. Two algorithms are presented for this step: a line following algorithm and line restoration with simulated annealing. Both algorithms are tested on real data and their performances are compared.
Hip Resurfacing and Large Diameter Metal on Metal Hip Replacement. Is There a Difference in the Clinical Outcome After Revision Surgery

Introduction Metal on metal hip arthroplasty continues to be controversial. Emerging evidence suggests that there are multiple modes of failure, and that the results of revision surgery are influenced by host and implant factors. Methods This study compares a single surgeon series of hip resurfacings (Birmingham Hip Resurfacing {BHR}) and large diameter metal on metal total hip replacements (LDMOMTHR). Primary outcome measures included survival rates, failure secondary to histologically identified Adverse Reaction to Metal Debris (ARMD), and patient reported outcome measures (Oxford Hip Score {OHS}) following revision. Between 1999 and 2005, 458 BHR and 175 LDMOMTHR were performed. At latest review 43 BHR9s (9.4%) and 28 LDMOMTHR9s (14%) have been revised. Results Failure secondary to ARMD was significantly greater in LDMOMTHR compared to BHR failures (89% and 16% respectively). Histology demonstrated a higher Aseptic Lymphocytic Vascular and Associated Lesions (ALVAL) score in the LDMOMTHR failures than the BHR failures (8.6 LDMOMTHR, 6.3 BHR). Patient reported outcomes were better following revision for failed BHR compared to LDMOMTHR. There was no difference between the revision cohorts for cup inclination, metal ion levels and gender. Failure of the BHR has predominantly been due to those causes unique to resurfacing such as avascular necrosis and fracture. In our series, aggressive ALVAL was unusual and clinical outcome following revision was superior compared to LDMOMTHR failures. The likely mechanisms that are responsible for the differences in outcome and the clinical implications will be discussed.
Studies on Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Tolan Derivatives Designed for Nonlinear Optical Applications

The structure and properties of a series of ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) guests possessing a tolan unit in the core are presented. The data shows that in racemic smectic C hosts, the o-nitroalkoxytolan unit can be oriented along the polar axis in the FLC thin films, affording interesting new materials for NLO applications. The data are consistent with basic expectations regarding the structure of the FLC host-guest system. There are, however, interesting deviations from expectation suggesting that for some guests there is a large and unexplained effect of host structure on the properties of doped FLC phases.
Procedural Injustice, Lost Legitimacy, and Self-Help Young Males’ Adaptations to Perceived Unfairness in Urban Policing Tactics

Legitimacy acts as the dividing line between a police force that merely possesses legal authority to enforce the law and one that enjoys both legal and moral authority. Research has shown that people who see the police as procedurally just are more likely to also view them as legitimate. Most of this research has been quantitative and has focused on the statistical link between procedural justice and police legitimacy. The present study offers a qualitative examination of in-depth interviews with young men residing in disadvantaged, urban neighborhoods to uncover the specific actions that police take that are seen as unjust and that erode legitimacy. In addition, evidence is revealed that compromised legitimacy can encourage young males to engage in certain self-protective behaviors that can, in turn, increase their risk of becoming the targets of police scrutiny. Implications of this finding for research and police policy are made.
NATO Burden Sharing and the Forces of Change

This article is a policy-relevant elaboration of the theory of collective action, particularly regarding the effects of declining hegemony on international regimes. Analysis of the distribution of defense expenditures in NATO indicates that this theory still provides valuable insights into the operation of the alliance, particularly regarding the role of the United States. Contrary to the conclusion of a series of influential articles, NATO still seems in essence a uniquely privileged group seeking an inclusive public good: regional security through deterrence. But, as theoretically expected, America's contribution to collective security has been sensitive to its declining economic preponderance. The implications of these findings for the future of the alliance are considered. Burden sharing in the North Atlantic alliance has interested political scientists and economists for more than two decades for the light it sheds on the problem of international cooperation and the provision of collective, or public, goods. The distribution of defense expenditures among the allies is, of course, also very important to policy makers and citizens of the allied countries. In this article, we address both groups. The analysis is meant to be a policy-relevant elaboration of the theory of collective action, particularly regarding the effects of declining hegemony on international regimes. But consideration of burden sharing inevitably raises questions about the adequacy of the allies' military capabilities and the role each nation plays in the collective effort, so these topics also receive attention. We first review the history of the debate over burden sharing in the North Atlantic alliance. Then we discuss the theory of collective action, consider its limits in accounting for national defense expenditures, and identify the insights it still provides. Finally, we speculate from this theoretical perspective on future relations between the United States and its European allies.
Updates in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors display a range of clinical presentations and outcomes. Surgical resection remains the only potentially curative approach for primary tumors, and is also associated with a survival benefit for hepatic metastases as well. Data presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting this year suggest that targeted agents may also play a role in advanced disease. Sunitinib, which targets VEGF-1, 2 and 3 and PDGF seems to be a well tolerated treatment for advanced tumors. The mTOR inhibitor everolimus when combined with the VEGF inhibitor bevacizumab, resulted in measurable responses. The combination of bevacizumab and cytotoxic chemotherapy also shows potential. Image: Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale. New Haven, CT, USA.
Bicyclic Conformationally Restricted Analogs of Nonclassical Pyrido[2,3-d] Pyrevddines as Potential Inhibitors of Dihydrofolate Reductases

Pneumocystis carinii and Toxoplasma gondii remain the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with AIDS. We have recently reported the synthesis of a series of 2,4-diamino-5-methyl-6-substituted pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines of general structure 1 1,2 and their selective and potent inhibitory activity against dihydrofolate reductases (DHFR) from P. carinii and T. gondii. These compounds, like the clinically used nonclassical antifolates, trimethoprim, pyrimethamine and trimetrexate (TMQ), bypass the folate uptake mechanisms necessary for classical antifolates such as methotrexate and thus are able to penetrate P. carinii and T. gondii organisms which appear to lack the folate uptake systems. Compounds 1 were designed as hybrid molecules of the nonselective DHFR inhibitors TMQ and piritrexim (PTX) to provide more potent and selective inhibitors of P. carinii DHFR and/or T. gondii DHFR. The most potent and selective of the series of compounds 1 was that with R1 = CH3 and R2 = 3’,4’,5’-trimethoxy which was several times as potent and selective as the analog with R1 = H as well as TMQ and PTX against both P. carinii DHFR and T. gondii DHFR. Larger R1 substituents such as Et, i-Pr and propargyl decrease potency (except R1 = i-Pr for P. carinii DHFR) with some loss of selectivity towards both P. carinii DHFR (except R1 = i-Pr) and T. gondii DHFR. In an attempt to study the effect of conformational restrictions of τ3 of 1 to potency and selectivity we have synthesized the methoxy indoline analogs 2–4, the corresponding indole analogs 5–7 and the 6,7-dimethoxytetrahydroisoquinoline analog 8. In a previous report,3 we had shown that restriction of τ3, by means of an indoline, in the 2,4-diaminotetrahydroquinazoline series, does indeed provide increased potency and selectivity for T. gondii DHFR compared to the unrestricted analog.
Immunization with Attenuated Equine Herpesvirus 1 Strain KyA Induces Innate Immune Responses That Protect Mice from Lethal Challenge.

ABSTRACT Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) is a major pathogen affecting equines worldwide. The virus causes respiratory disease, abortion, and, in some cases, neurological disease. EHV-1 strain KyA is attenuated in the mouse and equine, whereas wild-type strain RacL11 induces severe inflammation of the lung, causing infected mice to succumb at 4 to 6 days postinfection. Our previous results showed that KyA immunization protected CBA mice from pathogenic RacL11 challenge at 2 and 4 weeks postimmunization and that KyA infection elicited protective humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. To investigate the protective mechanisms of innate immune responses to KyA, KyA-immunized mice were challenged with RacL11 at various times postvaccination. KyA immunization protected mice from RacL11 challenge at 1 to 7 days postimmunization. Immunized mice lost less than 10% of their body weight and rapidly regained weight. Virus titers in the lungs of KyA-immunized mice were 1,000-fold lower at 2 days post-RacL11 challenge than virus titers in the lungs of nonimmunized mice, indicating accelerated virus clearance. Affymetrix microarray analysis revealed that gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and 16 antiviral interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) were upregulated 3.1- to 48.2-fold at 8 h postchallenge in the lungs of RacL11-challenged mice that had been immunized with KyA. Murine IFN-γ inhibited EHV-1 infection of murine alveolar macrophages and protected mice against lethal EHV-1 challenge, suggesting that IFN-γ expression is important in mediating the protection elicited by KyA immunization. These results suggest that EHV-1 KyA may be used as a live attenuated EHV-1 vaccine as well as a prophylactic agent in horses. IMPORTANCE Viral infection of cells initiates a signal cascade of events that ultimately attempts to limit viral replication and prevent infection through the expression of host antiviral proteins. In this study, we show that EHV-1 KyA immunization effectively protected CBA mice from pathogenic RacL11 challenge at 1 to 7 days postvaccination and increased the expression of IFN-γ and 16 antiviral interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). The administration of IFN-γ blocked EHV-1 replication in murine alveolar macrophages and mouse lungs and protected mice from lethal challenge. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an attenuated EHV-1 vaccine that protects the animal at 1 to 7 days postimmunization by innate immune responses. Our findings suggested that IFN-γ serves as a novel prophylactic agent and may offer new strategies for the development of anti-EHV-1 agents in the equine.
MO-DE-209-03: Assessing Image Quality

Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) is rapidly replacing mammography as the standard of care in breast cancer screening and diagnosis. DBT is a form of computed tomography, in which a limited set of projection images are acquired over a small angular range and reconstructed into tomographic data. The angular range varies from 15° to 50° and the number of projections varies between 9 and 25 projections, as determined by the equipment manufacturer. It is equally valid to treat DBT as the digital analog of classical tomography – that is, linear tomography. In fact, the name “tomosynthesis” stands for “synthetic tomography.” DBT shares many common features with classical tomography, including the radiographic appearance, dose, and image quality considerations. As such, both the science and practical physics of DBT systems is a hybrid between computed tomography and classical tomographic methods. In this lecture, we will explore the continuum from radiography to computed tomography to illustrate the characteristics of DBT. This lecture will consist of four presentations that will provide a complete overview of DBT, including a review of the fundamentals of DBT acquisition, a discussion of DBT reconstruction methods, an overview of dosimetry for DBT systems, and summary of the underlying image theory of DBT thereby relating image quality and dose. Learning Objectives: 1.To understand the fundamental principles behind tomosynthesis image acquisition. 2.To understand the fundamentals of tomosynthesis image reconstruction. 3.To learn the determinants of image quality and dose in DBT, including measurement techniques. 4.To learn the image theory underlying tomosynthesis, and the relationship between dose and image quality. ADM is a consultant to, and holds stock in, Real Time Tomography, LLC. ADM receives research support from Hologic Inc., Analogic Inc., and Barco NV.; ADM is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Gamma Medica Inc.; A. Maidment, Research Support, Hologic, Inc.; Research Support, Barco, Inc.; Scientific Advisory Board, Gamma Medica, Inc.; Scientific Advisory Board, Real-Time Tomography, LLC.; Shareholder, Real-Time Tomography, LLC; J. Mainprize, Our lab has a research agreement with GE Healthcare on various topics in digital mammography and digital tomosynthesis; W. Zhao, Research grant from Siemens Health Care
First Measurements of the Nitrogen Isotopic Composition of NOx from Biomass Burning.

The nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N) of NOx (NO + NO2) was measured during the fourth Fire Lab at Missoula Experiment (FLAME-4). The δ15N-NOx produced by burning a variety of biomass types ranged from −7 to +12‰ (vs air N2). In the laboratory experiments, two types of emissions were sampled: “stack” fires where the emissions were measured within a few seconds of production from the fire and “chamber” fires where the emissions were held in a room for 1–2 h and sampled continuously. For both types of emissions sampled, the primary control on δ15N-NOx is the δ15N of the biomass burned (δ15N-biomass), although differences were found for δ15N-NOx between the two types of fires. For the stack emissions, δ15N-NOx = 0.41 × δ15N-biomass +1.0 (R2 = 0.83, p-value <0.001) and for the chamber fires, δ15N-NOx = 0.98 × δ15N-biomass +1.7 (R2 = 0.94, p-value <0.001). While a large range of δ15N-NOx values were observed, the strong relationship between δ15N-NOx and δ15N-biomass suggests that in any given environment, t...
Beliefs about the consequences of using benzodiazepines among persons with opioid use disorder

Abstract Background Patients admitted to addiction treatment programs report high rates of concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine (BZD) use. This combination places individuals at high risk for accidental overdose and other serious consequences. However, little is known about the beliefs opioid users have about the consequences of BZD use. Methods We surveyed consecutive persons initiating inpatient opioid detoxification (N = 476; 95.0% enrollment) and identified 245 who reported BZD use in the past 30 days and/or had a positive toxicology. We compared those who did and did not report BZD use on demographic and substance use variables, and specific beliefs about the potential effects of BZDs. Results Participants averaged 32.2 years of age, 71.2% were male, 86.6% used heroin, and 68.7% reported injection drug use in the past 30 days. Over half (51.5%) used a BZD in the month prior to admission; of these, 26.2% (n = 64) reported being prescribed a BZD. Alprazolam (Xanax) was the most commonly used BZD (54%). Benzodiazepine users (versus non-users) were significantly more likely to be female and non-Hispanic White, use concurrent substances, and report past year overdose. Overall, nearly all BZD users endorsed accurate beliefs that BZDs can increase the risk of overdose and can be addictive. However, BZD users, relative to non-users, were significantly less likely to endorse some known adverse consequences of BZDs, such as risk of worsening depression and poor medication-assisted opioid treatment retention. Conclusions Delineating the full array of risks from combining BZDs and opioids should be a high priority in detoxification settings, given the increased risks associated with BZD misuse in this population.
The balanced radiative effect of tropical anvil clouds

Coincident instantaneous broadband radiation budget measurements from Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System and cloud vertical structure information from CloudSat-Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations radar-lidar observations are combined to study the relationship of cloud vertical structure to top-of-atmosphere energy balance fluctuations. Varying optical and physical thickness of high ice clouds produces most of the covariation between albedo and outgoing longwave radiation in regions of tropical convection. Rainy cores of tropical convective clouds have a negative impact on the radiation balance, while nonprecipitating anvil clouds have a positive effect. The effect of anvil clouds on the radiative heating profile is to warm near cloud base and cool near cloud top, and to reduce the radiative cooling rate in the clear air below the cloud. The cooling rate in the clear air below the anvil is reduced to small values for moderately thick anvils, and the driving of instability in the anvil itself also saturates for relatively thin clouds. It is hypothesized that the dependence of radiative heating on cloud thickness may be important in driving the distribution of tropical cloud structures toward one that produces net neutrality of the cloud radiative effect at the top-of-the-atmosphere, as is found in regions of deep convection over ocean areas with high and relatively uniform surface temperatures. This idea is tested with a single-column model, which indicates that cloud-radiation interactions affect anvil cloud properties, encouraging further investigation of the hypothesis.
Neural Oxytocinergic Systems as Genomic Targets for Hormones and as Modulators of Hormone-Dependent Behaviors

The neuropeptide oxytocin has a wide spectrum of physiological actions, including important autonomic effects in both genders, endocrine effects on pituitary hormones, and behavioral effects. Regarding the latter, oxytocin contributes both directly and indirectly to the neurobiological mechanisms of mating behavior by the female, including the attendant elevation of sexual motivation (reviewed in Pfaff, The MIT Press, 1999). Relying heavily on this reference and on a voluminous recent literature on the molecular biology of oxytocin, its receptor and its actions, we review some aspects of the contributions of oxytocin to reproductive behavior (Section I), hormonal controls over the genes for oxytocin and its receptor (Section II), and the signal transduction subsequent to oxytocin binding, as subserved by G-proteins (Section III).
2 – High-pressure Processing of Salads and Ready Meals

Publisher Summary High-pressure processing (HPP) retains food quality and natural freshness and extends shelf life. During high-pressure processing, food material is subjected to elevated pressures with or without adding heat to achieve microbial inactivation with minimal damage to the food. Physical compression of the product during the process increases the temperature of the product only during the treatment. This unique compression heating effect helps to reduce the severity of thermal effects encountered with conventional processing techniques such as retorting. Other advantages of the technology include uniform pressure application, minimal heat damage to food, and potential to alter functional properties of foods. HPP of salads and ready meals is an emerging niche market that provides unique opportunities and challenges to the food industry. HPP lends itself to process a variety of novel, convenient, minimally processed ready meals with long shelf life, fresh-like attributes, and natural colors. Identification of commercially viable applications is the likely challenge faced by food processor. Furthermore, combination processes are likely to reduce the severity of process requirements.
Association of early pregnancy body mass index with post-partum weight change among African-American women.

Post-partum weight retention is relatively common and increases the risk for future obesity. Women who are overweight or obese prior to pregnancy, or who gain excessively during pregnancy, are more likely to retain weight post-partum. Much of the existing research is limited by a single post-partum body-weight measure and therefore cannot distinguish post-partum weight retention from post-partum weight accrual. This study tested the hypothesis that early pregnancy body mass index (BMI) is positively associated with post-partum weight change, independent of gestational weight gain (GWG) and breastfeeding (BF) among African-American women, a demographic group with greater risk for obesity. Healthy African-American women (n = 32) were weighed at 2 weeks and 3 months post-partum to derive post-partum weight change. Data from prenatal care records were retrieved to calculate BMI at the first prenatal care visit and GWG. BF status at 2 weeks post-partum was self-reported. Early pregnancy BMI was positively associated with post-partum weight change (partial r = 0.53, P < 0.005), independent of GWG and BF status at 2 weeks post-partum. These results extend the literature by suggesting that the association between early pregnancy BMI and post-partum weight retention may be at least partially attributable to the accrual of new weight during the post-partum period. Future research in a larger and more diverse cohort is warranted and should explore potential mechanisms contributing to post-partum weight change.
Social workers can help older adults prepare for and respond to natural and man-made emergencies.

Dear Editor,Over 2017, a series of devastating disasters drew renewed attention to the risk older adults face when such incidents strike. Fires in Northern California claimed the lives of more than...
MODELING OF ECOLOGICAL PROCESS AND ECOSYSTEMS WITH PARTIAL RESPONSE STRUCTURES: A REVIEW AND A NEW PARADIGM FOR DIAGNOSIS OF EMERGENT ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS AND PATTERNS

First, existing examples of response structure modelling are briefly outlined, and the computational and heuristic advantages of the approach are reviewed. Then the use of this kind of structure for data organization and presentation suggested, and several examples of use of this kind of visual aid are briefly reviewed. Finally an extension of the analytical model, developed for this paper, is presented. This simple model produced surprising complexity. It permits ready evaluation of the relative effects of various combinations of niche size and the amount of (annual) environmental variation on the dynamics of a simple competitive ecosystem and on some of its emergent properties, including the spatial distribution of its species populations, the pattern of annual fluctuation of those populations, and the stability of the system. The large amount and the details of the complexity generated by the simple ecological interactions of this simple model are instructive.
Understanding secure and usable gestures for realtime motion based authentication

One promising approach to achieving strong authentication is using gesture based behavioral biometrics, that is, user authentication is based on how a gesture is performed. With the advent of smart wearable devices, 3D motion gesture based authentication becomes increasingly appealing. Understanding 3D motion gestures especially their security and usability is fundamentally important but remains to be conducted. Towards this goal, we perform an empirical study on the security and usability of user-created 3D gestures using a realtime free-form motion gesture authentication scheme we have developed. To create a real-world authentication experience, in our experiment, a participant sees the authentication result from his or her wearing smartwatch in real time for each gesture test. Our experiment consists of not only a set of self-tests but also a series of attacks from easily launched random guessing attacks to much more sophisticated and dangerous targeted mimicry attacks. Our experimental results reveal several interesting findings on 3D gestures' security and usability including the correlation between gesture categories and their performance and attack resistance, and the effect of posture and psychological factor, which we believe shed light on the future design of 3D motion gestures for smart wearable devices.
Cytological Techniques to Assess Pollen Quality

Viable pollen is pollen that is competent to deliver two male gametes to the embryo sac. Methods to assess pollen quality aim to find the capacity of pollen - individual grains or members of a population - to deliver gametes. Pollen quality is normally measured 1) by scoring seed set in plants fertilized with a particular pollen sample, 2) by cytochemical staining of the grains, or 3) by looking at germination of the pollen in vitro or on styles. Table 1 includes the sequence of events that a viable pollen grain must complete. A failure at any stage gives male sterility, since the pollen is then unable to deliver the gametes.
Effect of surrounding vegetation on microbial survival or die-off on watermelon surface in an agriculture setting

Preharvest contamination of produce with food borne pathogens has been a major food safety issue. In this study, we investigated the effect of surrounding vegetation on the survival of natural and inoculated generic Escherichia coli on watermelon rinds in an agricultural field setting. There was no significant difference (p > .05) on the populations of natural generic E. coli (1–1.46 log Most Probable Number (MPN)/sample) and coliforms (<3.99 log CFU/cm²) on watermelons harvested from low, medium, and high levels of vegetation. However, the survival rate of generic E. coli inoculated on watermelon rind discs was variable with the level of vegetation. A significant reduction in generic E. coli count was observed within 12 hr at all vegetation levels. After 108 hr, discs placed at low vegetation level had a highest die‐off reduction (3 log Colony Forming Units (CFU)/cm²) compared to medium and high vegetation levels. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: To ensure preharvest produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) produce safety rule has suggested a time interval between last irrigation and harvest for potentially contaminating microorganisms to die‐off. However, a knowledge gap exists regarding the influence of surrounding vegetation on microbial die‐off rates on produce in the agricultural field. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of considering the surrounding vegetation while making decisions for developing preharvest risk management strategies based on microbial die‐off rate calculations.
Shortness of breath, fever, cough, and more in an elderly woman.

The patient’s many problems include ventricular tachycardia, requiring an implanted cardioverter-defi brillator and amiodarone.
An enhanced hybrid MRI thermometry technique for monitoring microwave thermal therapy

The proton resonance frequency shift (PRFS) method is the most frequently used method to perform volumetric thermometry during MRI-guided thermal therapies. However, one of the main drawbacks of the PRFS method is its sensitivity to inter-frame motion and magnetic field drifts, which can result in incorrect estimation of temperature profiles. To address these problems, several techniques have been proposed, such as the reference less, multi-baseline, and hybrid methods. While the hybrid method has demonstrated the best performance, it assumes focal heating, which may be valid when using energy modalities such as high intensity focused ultrasound, but does not hold for heating using diffuse sources such as needle- and catheter-based microwave applicators. Here, we present an enhanced hybrid method suitable for MRI thermometry in the presence of motion during microwave thermal therapy. The presented model-based method uses the sparsity of wavelet coefficients of the phase shift based on the fact that heat-induced phase shifts exhibit a correlation structure due to smoothness. The presented enhanced hybrid method is compared to the previously presented hybrid and conventional PRFS methods for temperature estimation during microwave heating of a tissue-mimicking phantom with a 2.45 GHz directional microwave antenna integrated with 14.1 T high-field MRI. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method estimates microwave heating-induced temperature changes within 0.3-0.5 oC (mean error of 5.9 % over 5 min of heating) of fiber-optic temperature sensors, compared to 1.5 oC (mean error of 36.3% over 5 min of heating) with the hybrid technique.
Abstract 714: Does the Sickle Trait Portend Increased Cardiovascular Risks?

Objectives: Despite the increased incidence and worse outcomes of cardiovascular diseases among African-Americans compared to the general population, the contribution of sickle cell trait (AS) to t...
Dissociable Mechanisms of Verbal Working Memory Revealed through Multivariate Lesion Mapping

Two maintenance mechanisms with separate neural systems have been suggested for verbal working memory: articulatory-rehearsal and non-articulatory maintenance. Although lesion data would be key to understanding the essential neural substrates of these systems, there is little evidence from lesion studies that the two proposed mechanisms crucially rely on different neuroanatomical substrates. We examined 39 healthy adults and 71 individuals with chronic left-hemisphere stroke to determine if verbal working memory tasks with varying demands would rely on dissociable brain structures. Multivariate lesion-symptom mapping was used to identify the brain regions involved in each task, controlling for spatial working memory scores. Maintenance of verbal information relied on distinct brain regions depending on task demands: sensorimotor cortex under higher demands and superior temporal gyrus (STG) under lower demands. Inferior parietal cortex and posterior STG were involved under both low and high demands. These results suggest that maintenance of auditory information preferentially relies on auditory-phonological storage in the STG via a nonarticulatory maintenance when demands are low. Under higher demands, sensorimotor regions are crucial for the articulatory rehearsal process, which reduces the reliance on STG for maintenance. Lesions to either of these regions impair maintenance of verbal information preferentially under the appropriate task conditions.