cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Unfiltered Cigarettes on Smoking Behavior and Toxicant Exposure: Protocol for a Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial.

Background: Plastic filters on cigarette butts are a widespread source of nonbiodegradable, toxic environmental waste. State and local legislation to ban the sale of single-use cigarettes may be considered to prevent this waste, but scientific evidence on the impact of switching smokers to unfiltered cigarettes on smoking behavior and toxicant exposures is needed to inform this policy. We have designed an open-label, randomized, 9-week, crossover clinical trial of adult filtered-cigarette smokers who switch to unfiltered cigarettes. Objective: Our objective is to understand the impact of switching smokers of filtered cigarettes to unfiltered cigarettes on smoking behavior and toxic exposures. Methods: This trial involves a 1-week baseline period; a 2-week period of smoking filtered or unfiltered cigarettes, where groups are randomly assigned; a 3-week washout period; another 1-week baseline period; and a 2-week crossover period of smoking the opposite condition (ie, filtered or unfiltered cigarettes) for a sufficient sample size of 40 participants. We will determine changes in (1) observed topography (ie, puff count, interpuff interval, and puff volume) and cigarettes smoked per day, via butt counts and self-report, (2) expired carbon monoxide and excretion of urinary cotinine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol, and volatile organic compounds, and (3) participants’ knowledge and attitudes toward unfiltered cigarettes, satisfaction with smoking, and intention to quit if they were not able to smoke filtered cigarettes. Results: This study was funded in June 2018 and approved by the relevant Institutional Review Boards in July 2018. This study has enrolled 37 participants as of October 2020. Data analysis is currently underway, and trial results are expected to be published in spring 2021. Conclusions: This pilot proof-of-principle study will inform the design of a larger, future research project that can provide robust scientific evidence on our research question. Such a large study could inform possible state or local legislation to ban the sale of single-use filtered cigarettes in order to mitigate the environmental impact of discarded single-use plastic filters. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03749876; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03749876
Computational Modeling of Vision-Guided Remodeling and Age-Dependent Growth of the Tree Shrew Sclera During Normal Development and Lens-Induced Myopia

The sclera uses unknown mechanisms to match the eye’s axial length to its optics during development, producing eyes with good focus (emmetropia). A myopic eye is too long for its own optics. We propose a multi-scale computational model to simulate eye development based on the assumption that scleral growth is controlled by genetic factors while scleral remodeling is driven by genetic factors and the eye’s refractive error. We define growth as a mechanism that changes the tissue volume and mass while remodeling involves internal micro-deformations that are volume-preserving at the macro-scale. The model was fitted against longitudinal refractive measurements in tree shrews of different ages and exposed to three different visual conditions: (i) normal development; (ii) negative lens wear to induce myopia; and (iii) recovery from myopia by removing the negative lens. The model was able to replicate the age- and vision-dependent response of the tree shrew experiments. Scleral growth ceased at younger age than scleral remodeling. The remodeling rate decreased as the eye emmetropized but increased at any age when a negative lens was put on. The predictive power of the model was investigated by calculating the susceptibility to scleral remodeling and the response to form deprivation myopia in tree shrews. Both predictions were in good agreement with experimental data that were not used to fit the model. We propose the first model that distinguishes scleral growth from remodeling. The good agreement of our results with experimental data supports the notion that scleral growth and scleral remodeling are two independently controlled mechanisms during eye development.
The impact of delayed time to first CT head on functional outcomes after blunt head trauma with moderately depressed GCS.

Recent work suggests patients with moderately depressed Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score in the Emergency Department (ED) who do not undergo immediate head CT (CTH) have delayed neurosurgical intervention and longer ED stay. The present study objective was to determine the impact of time to first CTH on functional neurologic outcomes in this patient population. Blunt trauma patients presenting to our Level I trauma center (11/2015–10/2019) with first ED GCS 9–12 were retrospectively identified and included. Transfers and those with extracranial AIS ≥ 3 were excluded. The study population was stratified into Immediate (≤ 1 h) and Delayed (1–6 h) CTH groups based on time from ED arrival to first CTH. Outcomes included functional outcomes at hospital discharge based on the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS). After exclusions, 564 patients were included: 414 (73%) with Immediate CTH and 150 (27%) Delayed CTH. Both groups arrived with median GCS 11 and alcohol/drug intoxication did not differ (p > 0.05). AIS Head/Neck was comparable (3[3–4] vs. 3[3–3], p = 0.349). Time to ED disposition decision and ED exit were significantly shorter after Immediate CTH (2.8[1.5–5.3] vs. 5.2[3.6–7.5]h, p < 0.001 and 5.5[3.3–8.9] vs. 8.1[5.2–11.7]h, p < 0.001). Functional outcomes were slightly worse after Immediate CTH (mRS 2[1–4] vs. 2[1–3], p = 0.002). Subgroup analysis of patients requiring neurosurgical intervention demonstrated a greater proportion of moderately disabled patients with a lower proportion of severely disabled or dead patients after Immediate CTH as compared to Delayed CTH (51 vs. 20%, p = 0.063 and 35 vs. 60%, p = 0.122). Immediate CTH shortened time to disposition decision out of the ED and ED exit. Patients requiring neurosurgical intervention after Immediate CTH had improved functional outcomes when compared to those undergoing Delayed CTH. These differences did not reach statistical significance in this single-center study and, therefore, a large, multicenter study is the next step in demonstrating the potential functional outcomes benefit of Immediate CTH after blunt head trauma.
The Production and Measurement of Anisotropy Using Photons

The alignment and orientation of a collision fragment can be determined by monitoring the polarized fluorescence emitted by a specific fragment state. Another way to determine fragment multipole moments is to observe the polarization of laser-induced fluorescence. The present paper reviews the relationship between the desired multipole moments and the intensity of laser-induced fluorescence, as derived from a viewpoint close to that of Fano and Macek. Time-resolved quantum beats in the fluorescence intensity have an amplitude which can often be directly expressed in terms of the fragment alignment and orientation. This relationship can be used to extract these moments or to correct for depolarization effects in time-unresolved experiments. Propensity rules for the angular distribution and the alignment of photofragments are discussed with reference both to examples and counterexamples. The photoelectron angular distribution and ionic alignment, generated by the simultaneous photoionization of helium accompanied by excitation of the hydrogenic ion, are analyzed with reference to predictions based on the hyperspherical potential curves of doubly-excited helium and are compared with recent experimental observations.
Target Allocation Methodology for China's Provinces: Energy Intensity in the 12th FIve-Year Plan

China 12 FYP Intensity Target Allocation th E RNEST O RLANDO L AWRENCE B ERKELEY N ATIONAL L ABORATORY Target Allocation Methodology for Chinaâs Provinces: Energy Intensity in the 12 th Five-Year Plan Stephanie Ohshita, Lynn Price Energy Analysis Department Environmental Energy Technologies Division Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory TIAN Zhiyu Energy Research Institute March 2011 This work was supported by the China Sustainable Energy Program of the Energy Foundation through the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231.
Malyzer: Defeating Anti-detection for Application-Level Malware Analysis

Malware analysis is critical for malware detection and prevention. To defeat malware analysis and detection, today malware commonly adopts various sophisticated anti-detection techniques, such as performing debugger, emulator, and virtual machine fingerprinting, and camouflaging its traffic as normal legitimate traffic. These mechanisms produce more and more stealthy malware that greatly challenges existing malware analysis schemes. In this work, targeting application level stealthy malware, we propose Malyzer, the key of which is to defeat malware anti-detection mechanisms at startup and runtime so that malware behavior during execution can be accurately captured and distinguished. For analysis, Malyzer always starts a copy, referred to as a shadow process, of any suspicious process on the same host by defeating all startup anti-detection mechanisms employed in the process. To defeat internal runtime anti-detection attempts, Malyzer further makes this shadow process mutually invisible to the original suspicious process. To defeat external anti-detection attempts, Malyzer makes as if the shadow process runs on a different machine to the outside. Since ultimately malware will conduct local information harvesting or dispersion, Malyzer constantly monitors the shadow process's behavior and adopts a hybrid scheme for its behavior analysis. In our experiments, Malyzer can accurately detect all malware samples that employ various anti-detection techniques.
Measuring the abruptness of patchy ecotones – A simulation-based comparison of landscape pattern statistics

The use of statistics of landscape pattern to infer ecological process at ecotones requires knowledge of the specific sensitivities of statistics to ecotone characteristics. In this study, sets of patch-based and boundary-based statistics were evaluated to assess their suitability as measures of abruptness on simulated ecotone landscapes. We generated 50 realizations each for 25 groups of ecotones that varied systematically in their degree of abruptness and patchiness. Factorial ANOVA was used to evaluate the sensitivity of statistics to the known differences among the simulated groups. Suitability of each index for measuring abruptness was evaluated using the ANOVA results. The statistics were then ranked in order of their suitability as abruptness statistics based on their sensitivity to abruptness, the consistency of the relationship, and their lack of sensitivity to patchiness. The two best statistics for quantifying abruptness were those we developed based on lattice delineation methods, and are called cumulative boundary elements and boundary element dispersion. The results of this research provide support for studies of ecotone process that rely on the interpretation of patch or boundary statistics.
Darwinian invention and problem solving by means of genetic programming

Demonstrates that genetic programming is capable of automatically creating computer programs from a high-level statement of a problem's requirements and of producing human-competitive results.
Computationally efficient multiuser detection for aperiodically spreading CDMA systems

Multiuser CDMA systems with aperiodic spreading codes have received considerable attention. One major difficulty in multiuser detection is the user's time-varying signature. In a multipath communication environment, this signature is not a priori known, making direct design of the detector more intractable. Multiuser detection is performed by a two-step approach: estimate the unknown channel coefficients and construct the detector based on the MMSE criterion. We model the interference as colored Gaussian noise with unknown correlations and estimate the channel parameters based on the correlation matching idea. The spreading codes are assumed random with known up to the fourth order statistics, resulting in a computationally efficient method. In the case of unknown statistics however, the method is still applicable by estimating those statistics from given codes. To guarantee identifiability, both the channel's output and the output of the matched filter for the desired user are considered in one cost function. Comparisons with a previously proposed method and other existing methods are made by simulations.
Developing Empirically Based Models of Practice

FOR OVER a decade, social work practitioners have been urged to apply single-case methodology in their work with clients.1 The most frequent ly given reason is that the method ology will allow practitioners to deter mine their effectiveness with clients, something that is important as a matter of ethical practice and for ac countability purposes. Another com mon argument in support of the use of single-subject methodology is that practitioners will be able to design and validate new, effective social work methods.2 It is also argued that be cause they are continually searching for new and better models of practice, practitioners should turn their talents to developing the models themselves. By conducting single-case evaluation, they can document the effect of par ticular interventive techniques and begin to form a knowledge bank about effective practice methods. Taken to gether, the work of one or more prac titioners can result in the discovery of new, empirically based models of practice. In this article, the authors examine the use of single-case methodology for developing empirically based mod els of practice. Following a definition of "model of practice," the article dis cusses the lack of well-defined models
Spectra of triatomic hydrogen and of the ammonium radical

Abstract Recently new emission spectra have been observed which have been identified as beloning to triatomic hydrogen (H 3 and D 3 ) in Rydberg states. The structure of H 3 and D 3 in these Rydberg states is very similar to that of the H 3 + ion, i.e., that of an equilateral triangle (D 3h ). A related Rydberg spectrum is observed for the NH 4 radical. Spectra first observed by Schuster in 1872 and by Schuler, Michel and Grun in 1955 in discharges through ammonia are shown by isotope studies to be due to the free ammonium radical. Spectra at much higher resolution than previously available have been obtained. The analysis of these spectra is still incomplete.
Security vulnerabilities and mitigation techniques of web applications

Web applications contain vulnerabilities, which may lead to serious security breaches such as stealing of confidential information. To protect against security breaches, it is necessary to understand the detailed steps of attacks and the pros and cons of existing defense mechanisms. This tutorial provides an overview of four web application security vulnerabilities: SQL injection, Cross-Site Scripting, Cross-Site Request Forgery, and clickjacking. Then it discusses two popular mitigation approaches: security testing and monitoring. The tutorial is intended to enable practitioners for choosing the right technique to defend against web application security vulnerabilities.
ATRIAL TACHYCARDIA CAUSES HYDROPS IN FETAL LAMBS

Although paroxysmal atrial tachycardia is a recognized cause of nonimmune hydrops fetalis, the mechanism by which it produces edema is unknown. We operated on 5 fetal lambs at 122-135 days gestation to study the relationship between atrial tachycardia and hydrops. We attached pacer wires to the left or right atria, inserted catheters into the inferior vena cava and aorta, and placed a reference catheter into the amniotic sac. After 3 days of recovery, we measured arterial blood gas tensions, hematocrit, plasma protein concentration, and aortic and venous pressures during a control period and while pacing at 300-320 beats/min. Summary of results: (X±sx: difference significant, p<0.05) During atrial pacing venous pressure doubled and plasma protein concentration decreased. All 5 fetuses had peripheral edema, enlarged livers and ascites (85±23 ml, protein concentration 2.1±0.6 g/dl). Since the ascitic fluid protein concentration was less than that of plasma and since arterial pH did not change we conclude that the edema was the result of increased venous pressure rather than an asphyxia-induced increase in capillary permeability to protein.
Infant Aphakia Treatment Study: Effects of persistent fetal vasculature on outcome at 1 year of age

Background The Infant Aphakia Treatment Study is a randomized trial that compares the treatment of unilateral congenital cataract with primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation versus aphakic contact lens (CLs). The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes for infants with lens opacity associated with persistent fetal vasculature (PFV) to those without. Methods Retrospective subgroup analysis of grating visual acuity at 1 year of age and adverse events up to 1 year after surgery in eyes identified intraoperatively as having evidence of mild PFV from the IATS. Results Of 83 infants, 18 (22%: 11 CL, 7 IOL) had PFV. Median logMAR visual acuity was 0.88 for patients with PFV and 0.80 for patients without PFV ( P = 0.46). One or more adverse events up to 1 year after surgery occurred in 12 infants (67%) with PFV and 30 infants (46%) without PFV ( P = 0.18). The incidence of adverse events was significantly greater in patients with PFV compared with patients without PFV in the CL group (55% vs 20%, P = 0.049) but not in the IOL group (86% vs 71%, P = 0.65), possibly because all children receiving IOLs had greater rates of adverse events when compared with aphakic children (73% vs 29%, P Conclusions Aphakic infants with mild PFV treated with CL had a greater incidence of adverse events after lensectomy compared with children with other forms of unilateral congenital cataract; nevertheless, similar visual outcomes at 1 year after surgery were obtained.
Reliability of hip internal rotation range of motion measurement using a digital inclinometer

Purpose Assessment of hip internal rotation (IR) is a critical element in the evaluation of a painful hip, yet there currently exists no consistent method of determining this measurement. The purpose of this study is to report the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of active and passive hip IR measurement using a digital inclinometer.
Thoracic outlet syndrome in a child—Transaxillary resection of anomalous first rib

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is extremely rare in children. Only several pediatric cases have been reported, and all presented with neurologic symptoms. The authors report on a 6-year-old boy with an asymptomatic left subclavian artery aneurysm caused by compression of the subclavian artery by an anomalous first rib with poststenotic aneurysmal dilatation. This was successfully managed by transaxillary resection of the anomalous rib. This represents the youngest reported case of TOS and the first description of a vascular manifestation of TOS in the pediatric population. Access to the costoscalene triangle utilizing a transaxillary approach was straightforward and afforded excellent exposure, even in a child.
Undergraduate Music Majors’ Perceptions of Instrumental Conducting Curricula:

This study investigated undergraduate conductors’ perceptions of instrumental conducting curricula. Participants (N = 173) completed an Internet-based survey consisting of questions about their per...
Abstract 1642: Preclinical studies of MK-8745: Correlation between Aurora-A inhibitor sensitivity and Aurora-A activator

Selective small-molecule kinase inhibitors have emerged as an important class of anti-cancer agents, and have demonstrated encouraging clinical efficacy in several different malignancies. However, it has become clear that the clinical activity of these agents is typically limited to a subset of patients, indicating the need to develop a clear understanding of the various factors that influence clinical benefit. To date, most studies have identified cancer patients whose tumors have genetic alterations of the targeted kinase and have demonstrated their greatest clinical efficacy for the kinase inhibitors. However, recent drug discovery efforts are also being aimed at targeting kinases within oncogene-associated signaling pathways and the pathway-specific determinants of sensitivity. Aurora-kinase family members (Aurora kinases -A, B, C) have been implicated as key mitotic regulators essential for genomic stability. Aurora kinase A (AURKA) is highly expressed in multiple human cancers and has been shown to be a promising therapeutic target. In this study, we examined the effects of small molecule AURKA specific inhibitor MK-8745 on non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cells. Our results indicate that MK-8745 treatment leads to cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase with accumulation of tetraploid DNA followed by mitotic catastrophe and cell death in five cell lines (Granta 519, Jeko1, JVM2, Z138C and Akata). More importantly, we found that the sensitivity of the cell to the AURKA inhibitor is strongly correlated to the expression level of AURKA activators. We found that siRNA knockdown of one of the AURKA activators TPX2 increased MK-8745 sensitivity in drug resistant cell lines (Granta 519), whereas overexpression of TPX2 in MK-8745 sensitive cell (Z138C) lines increased drug resistance. This differential drug-sensitivity is specific to MK-8745 since treatment with pan-Aurora inhibitor (VE465, inhibitor of Aurora-A, B and C) and another mitotic drug, Taxol, did not show a differential sensitivity in these cell lines. The AURKA phosphorylation was decreased by MK-8745 treatment with simultaneous reduction in endogenous AURKA substrate TPX2, Eg5 and TACC3 protein levels. Our results suggest, beside p53, AURKA activators should be potential biomarkers for selecting subpopulations of patients for AURKA inhibitor treatment, while AURKA substrates can be the potential biomarkers for the effect of Aurora-A inhibitor treatment. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1642.
Collagen-plasticizing function of carbohydrate polymers.

THE amino-sugar-containing polysaccharides (glycosaminoglycans) of native connective tissues have engaged the attention of a large and diverse group of investigators. However, only a few1–4 have seriously considered the possible mechanical functions which these macromolecules, either alone or in association with non-collagen proteins, might subserve in vivo.
Measuring Frailty in HIV-infected Individuals. Identification of Frail Patients is the First Step to Amelioration and Reversal of Frailty

A simple, validated protocol consisting of a battery of tests is available to identify elderly patients with frailty syndrome. This syndrome of decreased reserve and resistance to stressors increases in incidence with increasing age. In the elderly, frailty may pursue a step-wise loss of function from non-frail to pre-frail to frail. We studied frailty in HIV-infected patients and found that ~20% are frail using the Fried phenotype using stringent criteria developed for the elderly1,2. In HIV infection the syndrome occurs at a younger age. HIV patients were checked for 1) unintentional weight loss; 2) slowness as determined by walking speed; 3) weakness as measured by a grip dynamometer; 4) exhaustion by responses to a depression scale; and 5) low physical activity was determined by assessing kilocalories expended in a week's time. Pre-frailty was present with any two of five criteria and frailty was present if any three of the five criteria were abnormal. The tests take approximately 10-15 min to complete and they can be performed by medical assistants during routine clinic visits. Test results are scored by referring to standard tables. Understanding which of the five components contribute to frailty in an individual patient can allow the clinician to address relevant underlying problems, many of which are not evident in routine HIV clinic visits.
On local heuristics to speed up polygon-polygon intersection tests

The polygon-polygon intersection operation is CPU-intensive. Many data structures look into decomposing the polygons into multiple yet simple pieces to speed up the polygon-polygon intersection operation. This paper addresses local heuristics that can be adopted in these data structures by using local information about the simple polygon pieces to decide upon polygon-polygon intersections without having to perform this costly operation. The significance and effectiveness of each of the heuristics is studied. The paper also shows how these heuristics can be put together to perform a polygon join operation. Experiments are given to demonstrate the savings both in CPU and in I/O that result from these local heuristics.
Intermittent swim stress causes Morris water maze performance deficits in a massed-learning trial procedure that are exacerbated by reboxetine

Various animal models of depression have been used to seek a greater understanding of stress-related disorders. However, there is still a great need for research in this area, as many unanswered questions remain. Therefore, we sought to employ a novel animal model of depression known as intermittent swim stress (ISS). In this model, the animal experiences 100 trials of cold water swim stress. ISS has already shown subsequent immobility in the forced swim test (FST), deficits in instrumental and spatial (spaced-trial procedure), and responsiveness to norepinephrine. We are now examining how this will translate in the Morris water maze for rats in a massed-learning trial procedure, and further assessing ISS sensitivity toward norepinephrine selective anti-depressant drugs. The results indicated no difference in cued learning when the platform was visible in the water maze, but a hidden platform task revealed poorer spatial learning for ISS-exposed rats versus controls. In terms of spatial memory, there was a notable ISS-induced deficit 1h after the learning trials, regardless of performance on the previous platform task. Interestingly, the administration of reboxetine interfered with the spatial learning and memory trials for both ISS and CC groups. As a result, ISS exposure compromised spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze, and norepinephrine does not appear to be a mediator of this deficit. The results demonstrate a key difference in the effects of reboxetine in a massed- vs. spaced-learning trial procedure in the Morris water maze following ISS exposure.
Selective Resistance to Parathyroid Hormone in Cultured Skin Fibroblasts from Patients with Pseudohypoparathyroidism Type Ib

We measured cAMP production in response to agonists in cultured skin fibroblasts from subjects with pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ib (PHP Ib; normal phenotype, resistance to PTH only, normal guanine nucleotide stimulatory coupling protein activity) and skin fibroblasts from normal subjects. There were no significant differences in basal or prostaglandin E1- and forskolin-stimulated cAMP production in PHP Ib vs. normal fibroblasts. Fibroblasts from 7 of 10 subjects with PHP Ib had significantly reduced peak cAMP responses to PTH [3.95 ± 0.88 vs. 15.9 ± 4.2 pmol/100 ¼g protein (mean ± SD); n = 7 for both groups; P < 0.001]. PTH-stimulated cAMP production was significantly reduced in the 7 subjects with PHP Ib at all concentrations of PTH tested [3–1000 ng/ml human PTH-(1–34)]. In the other 3 subjects with PHP Ib, the cAMP response to PTH was either normal (2 subjects) or above the normal range (1 subject). Thus, skin fibroblasts from many, but not all, subjects with PHP Ib have selective resistance to PTH i...
Ketanserin modulates rabbit foot cooling in the presence or absence of exogenous serotonin

Since hypothermic conditions augment sensitivity to vasoactive amines like serotonin (5-HT) and 5-HT is associated with the etiology of Raynaud's phenomenon, this amine perhaps plays a role in cold-induced vasoconstriction. To determine if 5-HT participated in normal peripheral cooling and if ketanserin (KET), a 5-HT blocker, modulated such cooling, four groups of New Zealand white rabbits (N = 33) were studied. The femoral artery was cannulated to allow perfusion of a hindlimb. Thermistors were implanted in the footpad and rectum. The hindfoot was exposed to a 15 °C bath for 30 min, while footpad and rectal temperatures were recorded. During cold exposure, 5-HT (5 × 10−2 M, group 1), KET (0.1 mg/kg) + 5-HT (group 2), KET (group 3), or saline (group 4) was perfused through the hindlimb. Groups 2 and 3 were also pretreated with KET (0.1 mg/kg perfused over 30 min). The rabbit footpad cooled rapidly when exposed to exogenous 5-HT (group 1). KET treatment in the presence of exogenous 5-HT (group 2) was associated with a significantly (P < 0.05) reduced cooling rate. KET treatment in the absence of exogenous 5-HT (group 3) was also associated with a significantly (P < 0.05) elevated limb temperature when compared to controls (group 4). This suggested that endogenous 5-HT participated in limb cooling. Therefore, as noted for Raynaud's disease, 5-HT may also influence peripheral cooling of tissues free of such pathologies. Since KET treatment did not significantly alter rectal temperature in comparison to controls (39.18 ± 0.95 vs 38.97 ± 0.97 °C), such treatment with mild cold exposure may have potential in the regulation of peripheral temperature without increasing the risk of hypothermia.
Adaptive self-directed misbeliefs: More than just a rarefied phenomenon?

I argue that adaptive, self-directed misbeliefs are likely more prevalent and important than McKay & Dennett (M&D) claim. Humans often falsely interpret their own behavior in terms of culturally afforded categories. Despite their falsity, such self-interpretations are often adaptive because of our disposition to behave consistently with them. This makes us easier to interpret by similarly enculturated interactants.
Parenting Beliefs, Parental Stress, and Social Support Relationships.

The present study built on prior research by examining the relationship of parental stress and social support to parenting beliefs and behaviors. A sample of 87 parents provided their views concerning the importance of parenting characteristics as well as their level of parental stress and perceived social support. These parents completed the Parent Behavior Importance Questionnaire-Revised, as well as the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Results reveal that, in general, less parenting stress was related to more positive parenting perceptions and more parenting stress was related to less positive parenting perceptions. Perceived social support was not found to moderate the relationship between parenting stress and parenting perceptions. This study extends prior research regarding parenting in relation to stress by adding the dimension of social support. There are substantial implications for parent education, professional practice, and research.
Contracting to problem solve versus contracting to practice behavioral weight loss skills

The effects of two types of contracting assignments to reduce weight were compared. Some subjects completed behavioral contracts to practice behavioral weight loss skills during treatment and as needed during follow-up. Other subjects were introduced to the same multicomponent behavioral weight loss program but contracted to complete and implement steps on problem-solving forms. Problemsolving subjects lost significantly more weight by 6-month follow-up (15.71 lbs. versus 6.53 lbs., respectively).
A theorem for selecting OA-based Latin hypercubes using a distance criterion

The maximin distance criterion is used for the selection of an OA-based Latin hypercube. For the case in which the underlying orthogonal array is a full factorial design without replication, we construct an OA-based Latin hypercube that reaches the same distance as its parent array.
Perceptions of Plagiarism by STEM Graduate Students: A Case Study

Issues of academic integrity, specifically knowledge of, perceptions and attitudes toward plagiarism, are well documented in post-secondary settings using case studies for specific courses, recording discourse with focus groups, analyzing cross-cultural education philosophies, and reviewing the current literature. In this paper, the authors examine the perceptions of graduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines at the University of Florida regarding misconduct and integrity issues. Results revealed students’ perceptions of the definition and seriousness of potential academic misconduct, knowledge of institutional procedures, and views on faculty actions, all with a focus on divergences between US and internationally-educated students. The open-ended questions provide anecdotal evidence to highlight personal experiences, positive and negative, aimed at the faculty, international students and undergraduates. Combined, these findings outline an important part of the campus academic integrity culture at a major American university. Recommendations for local actions also are discussed.
Abstract 2365: Analysis of angiogenesis pathway-related gene expression impacted by MDM2 using PCR array

The Murine Double Minute 2 (MDM2) gene encodes an oncogenic MDM2 protein, which is a negative regulator of the p53 tumor suppressor. MDM2 amplification or over expression is found in many tumors that eventually lead to the inactivation of the cell cycle control and loss of pro-apoptotic functions that are typically exerted by wild type p53. Many of the oncogenic effects of MDM2 are resulting from the inactivation of p53 through direct binding or degradation of p53 following E3 ligase mediated ubiquitination. However, our recent findings have indicated that MDM2 over expression can also promote tumor angiogenesis through p53 independent pathways and thereby enhance the metastatic potential of cancer cells. In this respect increasing the levels of pro-angiogenic factors such as VEGF has been confirmed as one of the mechanisms regulated by MDM2. However, the actual cluster of genes or pathways regulated by MDM2 leading to such increase in the metastatic potentials of cancer cells have not been clearly identified. Therefore, the main purpose of our study was to understand the impact of MDM2 over expression on the levels of angiogenesis related genes that can also increase growth rate and metastatic potential. Hence, for our study we used the Human Angiogenesis PCR Array to compare the gene expression profile of LNCaP (prostate cancer cells) and LNCaP-MST (MDM2 transfected prostate cancer) cells. The MST cells expressed at least 10 fold increase in the levels of MDM2 after transfection. As a result of the elevated levels of MDM2 in LNCaP-MST cells the expression of genes such as THBS1 (125 fold), TNF-α (14 fold), MMP-9 (1.4 fold) were found to be significantly up-regulated compared to the MDM2 non-transfected cells. Cluster analysis further confirmed that these gene expression profiles are positively correlated with the pro-angiogenic potential of the LNCaP-MST cells compared to the non-transfected cells. In addition, the levels of EREG, TIMP1 and CXCL3 were down regulated significantly that favors the suppression of anti-angiogenic mechanisms. Our results offer a conclusive evidence that MDM2 can impact the cancer growth and metastatic potential of cancer cells by shifting the balance towards pro-angiogenic mechanisms (The financial support from the Royal Dames of Cancer Research Inc., Ft. Lauderdale, Florida is gratefully acknowledged). Citation Format: Thiagarajan Venkatesan, Corine Stinson, Sivanesan Dhandayuthapani, Appu Rathinavelu. Analysis of angiogenesis pathway-related gene expression impacted by MDM2 using PCR array. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2365. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2365
Comparison of indirect CsI/a:Si and direct a:Se digital radiography. An assessment of contrast and detail visualization.

Purpose To assess and quantify the image quality at two dose levels for an amorphous Silicon (a:Si) Cesium Iodide (CsI) flat panel system compared with a direct amorphous Selenium (a:Se) digital radiography system. Material and methods A contrast detectability test was performed employing the CDRAD-phantom at mAs-values leading to approximately equal phantom entrance doses of 41.4, 57.9, 75.1 and 120.8 micro Gy for the a:Se and 39.9, 58.4, 75.6 and 117.9 micro Gy for the CsI system. Images were presented to 4 independent observers. For quantitative comparison, the image quality figure (IQF) was calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's correlation and the Wilcoxon test. A ROC-analysis was performed employing the TRG-phantom in a high- and a low-dose setting leading to entrance doses of 126.2 and 35 micro Gy for the direct, and 125.9 and 34.4 micro Gy for the indirect system. Statistical significance was evaluated using the Wilcoxon test. Results The flat panel a:Si digital system provided superior results compared with the a:Se drum digital system with respect to low-dose settings for CDRAD-phantom and ROC-analysis, ensuring a better image quality with respect to contrast and detail detectability. Higher-dose settings provided similar results for both systems. Conclusion Image quality of a:Si flat panel digital radiography proved to be superior to a:Se drum digital radiography using low-dose settings. If the primary target is dose reduction indirect flat panel technology should be used.
Evolutionary constraints on CD1 structure: insights from comparative genomic analysis

Abstract It is well established that the CD1 family of proteins present lipid antigens to T cells. However, in vivo studies of CD1 function have been carried out almost exclusively using mouse models, despite the fact that mice lack most of the CD1 genes that are found in humans and other mammals. To understand why there is a difference in the number of CD1 genes observed between humans and mice, we used comparative genomic analysis to examine differences at the CD1 locus. This analysis reveals a significant genomic deletion in mice that provides a probable explanation for the disparity. Furthermore, we propose a hypothesis in which functionally convergent evolution could have a role in at least partially compensating for the loss of certain CD1 isoforms during the course of mammalian evolution.
On the reactive occlusion of the (uranium trichloride + lithium chloride + potassium chloride) eutectic salt in zeolite 4A ☆

Abstract The interaction between the (uranium trichloride + lithium chloride + potassium chloride) eutectic salt and zeolite 4A has been studied by temperature-resolved synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction, evolved gas analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, between 300 and 900 K. The onset of salt occlusion by the zeolite has been detected at 450 K. Evidence of a reaction between zeolitic water and uranium trichloride, leading to the formation of uranium dioxide, has appeared at 600 K. The uranium dioxide particle size increases from 2 nm at 600 K to 25 nm at 900 K – an indication of their extra-zeolitic location. No appreciable degradation of the zeolite structure has been observed.
BIOLOGICAL EXTRACTION OF METALS: THE RATE-CONTROLLING STEP

Abstract Although an enormous amount of work has been done in the area of biohydrometalJurgy, the influence of the inert solid matrix on metal extraction, and consequently the rate-controlling mechanism have not been fully understood. Actually, most studies have mainly focused on the bioextraction of metals from high-grade mineral concentrates. Such an approach is important in elucidating the diffusion and reaction phenomena that are taking place on the surface of the mineral. In reality, however, the mineral is embedded within an inert solid matrix which will have significant effects on diffusion and chemical reaction rate processes. In this work, a detailed experimental kinetic study was conducted to incorporate this factor in an attempt to quantify the rate-controlling mechanism involved. The biological dissolution of pyrite in the presence of acidophilic Thiobacillus ferrooxidans was investigated in a batch experiments on three distinct mine waste rocks. The experiments were conducted on two particle ...
Natural Convection of Heat Transfer Fluid (Therminol VP-1) in Square Cavity Heated From Below

Heat transfer fluid (HTF) plays an important role in the efficiency and cost effectiveness of solar thermal collector. From several choices, Therminol VP-1 (eutectic mixture of diphenyl oxide and biphenyl) are successfully used as heat transfer fluid in the collector field of parabolic trough plants. This paper experimentally analyzes the buoyancy driven heat transfer performance of Therminol VP-1 in a square enclosure with uniformed heating from below and for a Rayleigh number up to 1.11×108. Thermophysical properties such as density, viscosity, and thermal conductivity of Therminol VP-1 were also measured experimentally. The results show that the density, viscosity, and thermal conductivity decrease with temperature within the measured temperature range 10–60°C. The obtained convective heat transfer coefficient was lower than the De-Ionized (DI) water, whereas the dimensionless Nusselt number was observed higher than DI water, which is because of the low thermal conductivity (approximately 25% of DI water) of Therminol VP-1.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
ADP-ribosylarginine hydrolases.

ADP-ribosylation is a reversible post-translational modification of proteins involving the addition of the ADP-ribose moiety of NAD to an acceptor protein or amino acid. NAD:arginine ADP-ribosyltransferase, purified from numerous animal tissues, catalyzes the transfer of ADP-ribose to an arginine residue in proteins. The reverse reaction, catalyzed by ADP-ribosylarginine hydrolase, removes ADP-ribose, regenerating free arginine. An ADP-ribosylarginine hydrolase, purified extensively from turkey erythrocytes, was a 39-kDa monomeric protein under denaturing and non-denaturing conditions, and was activated by Mg2+ and dithiothreitol. The ADP-ribose moiety was critical for substrate recognition; the enzyme hydrolyzed ADP-ribosylarginine and (2-phospho-ADP-ribosyl)arginine but not phosphoribosylarginine or ribosylarginine. The hydrolase cDNA was cloned from rat and subsequently from mouse and human brain. The rat hydrolase gene contained a 1086-base pair open reading frame, with deduced amino acid sequences identical to those obtained by amino terminal sequencing of the protein or of HPLC-purified tryptic peptides. Deduced amino acid sequences from the mouse and human hydrolase cDNAs were 94% and 83% identical, respectively to the rat. Anti-rat brain hydrolase polyclonal antibodies reacted with turkey erythrocyte, mouse and bovine brain hydrolase. The rat hydrolase, expressed in E. coli, demonstrated enhanced activity in the presence of Mg2+ and thiol, whereas the recombinant human hydrolase was stimulated by Mg2+ but was thiol-independent. In the rat and mouse enzymes, there are five cysteines in identical positions; four of the cysteines are conserved in the human hydrolase. Replacement of cysteine 108 in the rat hydrolase (not present in the human enzyme) resulted in a thiol-independent hydrolase without altering specific activity. Rabbit anti-rat brain hydrolase antibodies reacted on immunoblot with the wild-type rat hydrolase and only weakly with the mutant hydrolase. There was no immunoreactivity with either the wild-type or mutant human enzyme. Cysteine 108 in the rat and mouse hydrolase may be responsible in part for thiol-dependence as well as antibody recognition. Based on these studies, the mammalian and avian ADP-ribosylarginine hydrolases exhibit considerable conservation in structure and function. (Mol Cell Biochem 138: 119–122, 1994)
Chediak-Higashi Syndrome: Hereditary Gigantism of Cytoplasmic Organelles

In the Chediak-Higashi syndrome, an anomalous hypopigmentation is associated with large lysosomal granules in the blood leukocytes. Since the inheritance pattern is that of an autosomal recessive trait, we postulated a common mechanism for these two primary features of the disease. Electron microscopy of melanocytes revealed that the pigmentary anomaly is indeed based on giant melanosomes. Since both types of granules, leukocytic and melanosomal, are characterized by limiting membranes, Chediak-Higashi disease may be a genetic disease of membranes.
Effects of Crosslink Distribution in Cotton Fibers

Microscopy has shown that some formaldehyde-free agents give a less uniform distribution of crosslinks in the cotton fiber than conventional agents. Crosslinks have appeared to be missing in regions where there is greater separation between fiber elements. This was believed to be the interlamellar spaces in cotton fiber, but crosslinks were also missing from some regions in rayon fiber where there are no lamellae. The relationship between interlamellar crosslinks and high wrinkle recovery in dry fabric now appears less clear. Less interlamellar crosslinking gave higher moisture regain but did not increase swelling in water or wrinkle recovery on wet fabric. Recovery from tensile strain was similar with and without interlamellar crosslinking.
Vector Phase Conjugation And Beam Combining By Multiwave Optical Mixing

This paper presents a review of the various techniques for achieving vector phase conjugation and some results on a new method for laser beam combining based on multiwave optical mixing in atomic vapors.
Zizek on Law

This essay outlines the theory of lawin the work of Slavoj Zizek. Zizek proceedsfrom the premise that law is internally,constitutively divided. Law is split betweenthe external social law and the obscenesuperego supplement. Superego is thenecessary, unavoidable underside of the sociallaws that hold together the community.Nevertheless, law can serve potentiallyliberatory ends. It can work as a repositoryfor aspirations for something better. Thus, thearticle argues that for Zizek what is beyondlaw inheres in law as a kind of faith. Theadvantage of Zizek's approach to law thus restsin the way it addresses the crime of law whileholding onto the hope animating law.
Trends in fall phenology across the deciduous forests of the Eastern USA

Abstract Decadal trends in delay of the end of the season (EOS) have been recently observed across a large fraction of the forested areas in the Northern hemisphere. However, the spatial patterns of EOS variability and its environmental forcings at local scale are largely unknown within deciduous forests. In this study, we investigated short- and long-term changes in EOS and its relationship with variability of air temperature and precipitation across the deciduous forests of the Eastern USA from 1989 to 2008. We used high-resolution (1 km2) satellite data in conjunction with meteorological measurements. Our results show strong evidence of widespread delay in EOS throughout larger areas than what was previously reported. Equally important, the results show that EOS variability and EOS response to summer air temperature varied significantly across the Eastern USA. EOS response to climate variability was in general correlated with the latitude of the forest, but different patterns for different areas were observed as well. No clear relationship was observed between EOS and precipitation, probably because of the complexity of the link between water relations and senescence mechanisms and controls in deciduous trees. Overall, our results show the importance of local scale heterogeneity (likely driven by both biotic and abiotic factors) in determining significantly different patterns in the relationship between EOS and climate variability across Eastern USA.