cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TU‐CD‐213‐00: Administrative Aspects of Medical Physics

As part of the AAPM’s Scope of Practice, medical physicists are expected to collaborate effectively with practioners and allied health care providers. Interpersonal skills such as communication, negotiation and persuasion are vital for successful collaboration to achieve shared goals. This session will provide some theoretical background of these interpersonal skills as well as specific techniques and practical tools to influence others. Applications of these interpersonal skills for administrative and human resource management purposes vital to medical physicists will be shared. Session attendees will gain knowledge and tools to help them effectively collaborate with administrative and physician leaders in areas such as capital and human resource selection, prioritization, and implementation. Participants will hear methods of how to articulate their goals and to understand the goals of administration, helping ensure alignment of purpose. Session speakers will present one of the topics: equipment selection, budget creation, contracts, and program-related policy development. Specifics may include designing a business case in language that administrators understand, calculating the prioritization of budget requests, and influencing policies for safe and effective care. Human resource topics may include staffing justification, recruitment for fit, employment contracts, and benefits. Speakers will provide examples in both radiation therapy and diagnostic imaging departments and will share experiences and outcomes of their approaches for better results. Learning Objectives: After this course attendees will be better able to 1. Understand the shared goal between administrative and physicist leadership. 2. Articulate the “why” of the technical or human resource need. 3. Utilize communication, negotiation and persuasion tools to improve collaboration.
Prostaglandin E2 induces vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA expression in cultured rat Müller cells.

PURPOSE To investigate the induction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gene expression by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in cultured rat Muller cells and to study the mechanism of the induction. METHODS Muller cells were obtained from neonatal Sprague-Dawley rat retinas and cultured in essential modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum for up to four passages. Cells were treated with PGE2, protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors H-89 or SQ 22536, protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors calphostin C or GF 109203X, PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), or the PKA activator forskolin. Northern blot analysis was performed to determine the levels of VEGF and bFGF mRNA. RESULTS PGE2 induced VEGF and bFGF mRNA expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. VEGF and bFGF mRNA reached peaks of 2- and 3.5-fold at 10 microM PGE2. No further increases were observed at 100 microM PGE2. When treated with 10 microM PGE2, the increases in VEGF and bFGF mRNA reached maximum by 2 hours, then slowly declined toward the control level within 24 hours of PGE2 treatment. The inductions of VEGF and bFGF mRNA expression by PGE2 were blocked by the specific PKA inhibitors H-89 (30 microM) or SQ 22536 (500 microM, 1000 microM). Forskolin (10 microM), a cyclic adenosine monophosphate activator, also stimulated VEGF and bFGF mRNA expression. However, the effects of forskolin and PGE2 on VEGF gene expression were not additive, whereas forskolin enhanced the effect of PGE2 on bFGF mRNA expression. The specific PKC inhibitors, GF 109203X (2 microM) and calphostin C (1 microM), did not inhibit PGE2-induced VEGF gene expression, whereas PGE2-induced bFGF expression was blocked by the PKC inhibitor GF 109203X. In addition, downregulation of PKC by PMA (0.8 microM) treatment did not block the induction of VEGF gene expression, whereas it did inhibit the induction of bFGF mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that PGE2 stimulates VEGF and bFGF mRNA expression in cultured rat Muller cells. The induction of VEGF seems to occur through activation of the PKA pathway, whereas that of bFGF occurs through PKA and PKC activation. These findings raise the possibility that endogenous PGE2 stimulates VEGF and bFGF mRNA expression in Muller cells in vivo under conditions in which PGE2 production is increased, such as in injury.
The hand in radiologic diagnosis

Radiological diagnosis of the hand is held as a mirror of disease. The author and his collaborators have gathered data about various diseases as they affect the hand for the goal that this information be readily available for reference in one source. They are very successful in accomplishing this, and the book has a good balance of congenital and acquired disorders. It is divided into four parts: (1) the normal hand, and techniques of evaluation; (2) normal variants and anomalies of the hand (this part helps the reader both to differentiate between normal and abnormal, especially in children, and to determine whether a specific radiological finding is isolated or is related to a malformation syndrome); (3) the hand as a mirror of congenital malformations; and (4) acquired diseases. The most comprehensive of these parts are 2 and 3. In chapter 1 of part 1, history, roentgenographic anatomy, embryology, and comparative anatomy are satisfactorily discussed, as well as the aims and limits of radiation protec¬ tion and magnification radiology. Chapter 2 is concerned with radio¬ logical anthropometry of the hand, using metacarpal-phalangeal ratios and pattern profile analyses from measurements made with direct read¬ ing calipers. Each bone is measured along its longitudinal axis for max¬ imal length, and these measurements when plotted give characteristic pat¬ terns for a variety of conditions. Pat¬ tern profile analyses allow compari¬
Global Properties and Stellar Populations of Spiral Galaxies

The role of the ‘stellar population’ of a sprial galaxy in determining the global properties of spirals is often overlooked. This paper uses two different measures of stellar population to reconsider a) the physical meaning of the near-IR Tully-Fisher relationship for spirals and b) the relationship between the old and young components of the stellar populations in spirals.
Atomistic simulations of tension-induced large deformation and stretchability in graphene kirigami

Graphene's exceptional mechanical properties, including its highest-known stiffness (1 TPa) and strength (100 GPa), have been exploited for various structural applications. However, graphene is also known to be quite brittle, with experimentally measured tensile fracture strains that do not exceed a few percent. In this work, we introduce the notion of graphene kirigami, where concepts that have been used almost exclusively for macroscale structures are applied to dramatically enhance the stretchability of both zigzag and armchair graphene. Specifically, we show using classical molecular-dynamics simulations that the yield and fracture strains of graphene can be enhanced by about a factor of 3 using kirigami as compared to standard monolayer graphene. Finally, we demonstrate that this enhanced ductility in graphene may open up interesting opportunities in coupling to graphene's electronic behavior.
Enhanced selection for homologous-recombinant embryonic stem cell clones with a neomycin phosphotransferase gene in antisense orientation

Gene targeting in embryonic stem cells via homologous recombination can occur at a very low frequency. In order to enrich the selection for homologous recombinants, replacement targeting vectors are now commonly used that contain the thymidine kinase gene placed outside of the targeted homology. The additional negative selection requires the presence of antiviral drugs in the culture medium which are known to reduce the ability of embryonic stem cells to colonize the germ line. We have therefore tested alternative negative selection procedures with replacement targeting vectors that allow the expression of either a ribozyme directed against the neomycin-resistance gene (neo(r)) or of an antisense neo(r) RNA at random integration sites. The hammerhead ribozyme was found to be catalytically inactive in embryonic stem cell cultures maintained in the presence of the selecting drug neomycin. Thus, the replacement targeting vector that contains ribozyme sequences did not enhance the frequency of homologous recombination. However, placing a promotor sequence that can enable the transcription of antisense neo(r) RNA outside of the targeted homology led to a significant enrichment of the selection for homologous recombination. This enrichment is similar to previously reported enrichments obtained with the thymidine kinase gene. The advantage, however, is that no antiviral drugs are needed for the selection.
Topology Smoothing for Segmentation and Surface Reconstruction

We propose a new method for removing topological defects in surfaces and volumes segmented from medical images. Unlike current topology correction approaches, we define a smoothing operator that acts solely on the image volume and can be integrated into segmentation procedures. The method is based on an analysis of the scalar field underlying the isosurface of interest, and performs only local changes. No assumptions are required on the structure to segment, or on the desired topology. We show that segmentation algorithms that incorporate toplogical smoothing produce results with fewer topological defects.
Sarcoplasmic reticulum. VII. Properties of a phosphoprotein intermediate implicated in calcium transport.

Abstract Hydrolysis of 32P-labeled adenosine triphosphate by skeletal muscle microsomes occurs through a protein-bound phosphate intermediate. The steady state concentration of intermediate is influenced by the ionic milieu, temperature, and pH of the incubation medium. Treatment of microsomes with phospholipase C causes the inhibition of ATPase activity and Ca++ transport, with an increase in the concentration of phosphorylated intermediate. Restoration of ATPase activity and Ca++ transport with synthetic lecithin is accompanied by a decline of the phosphorylated intermediate concentration. Hydroxylamine inhibits the ATPase activity, Ca++ transport, and formation of phosphorylated intermediate in similar concentration. On the basis of its pH stability and sensitivity to hydroxylamine the phosphorylated intermediate is probably an acyl phosphate. A 32P-labeled peptide was separated by high voltage electrophoresis from a pepsin digest of 32P-labeled microsomes.
A proposed new storm surge scale

The high storm surges of Hurricane Katrina (2005), Rita (2005), and Ike (2008) demonstrate that other forcing factors besides maximum sustained winds require attention. Indeed, the National Hurricane Center recently removed surge estimates from the Saffir-Simpson scale, since it does not incorporate storm size, bathymetry variation, translation speed, and other factors. This paper proposes a new scale which includes combined factors. An alternate scale based on Integrated Kinetic Energy (IKE) is also presented. Additionally, the eastward displacement of 5-ft and 10-ft surge inundation based on these combined factors is computed. The key concept is that coastal regions need to be defined by "bathymetry zones" which identify their vulnerability by shallow water proximity and the extent of the continental shelf. Other factors (such as storm size and speed) provide minor adjustment to surge estimates. This work has resulted in tables and plots which can theoretically be used in an operational setting, and also clarify surge forcing factors.
Inflammatory carcinoma of the breast

Summary The radiotherapeutic management of thirty-three cases of inflammatory carcinoma of the breast seen at the Massachusetts General Hospital from 1944 through 1959 has been reviewed. Sixty-five per cent of the patients treated by irradiation of the breast without concurrent alteration of the hormonal substrate showed definite favourable local responses lasting 4 months or more, the average favourable response lasting 27·5 months. Sixty-nine per cent of the patients treated with concurrent alteration of the hormonal substrate showed similar favourable responses, lasting an average of 16 months.
How Theory X style of management arose from a fundamental attribution error

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose that the Theory X style of management arose from a fundamental attribution error, in which managers assumed that employees’ lack of motivation was a disposition rather than a function of unmotivating work situations. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the nature of work during the industrial revolution from a Job Characteristics Model perspective and compares Theory X and Theory Y perspectives in terms of their emphasis on dispositional or situational influences on behavior. Findings – It was found that factory work performed during the industrial revolution was likely to be deficient in terms of the five core dimensions of the Job Characteristics Model, and would have been unmotivating. Because of the fundamental attribution error, managers would have assumed that workers were unmotivated by nature, but the situation was likely the cause of their lack of motivation. Practical implications – As illustrated by our findings, management theory de...
Proven strategies that increase participation of high school students in computing: conference workshop

Much has been written about the decrease in the number of students pursuing computing in colleges. Unfortunately, most students form their (usually negative) opinions of computing long before they reach college [1], so it is beneficial for university faculty who want to increase college enrollment to do outreach aimed at a younger audience. To help encourage high-school/university interactions, the Development Comittee of the Advanced Placement Computer Science A Course has proposed and organized this and similar sessions for several regional and national meetings in 2010-2011. This session will present ideas on how colleges can work with high school teachers and others to promote computer science to high schools students.
Biomarkers of inflammation and hemostasis associated with left ventricular mass: The Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Purpose Biomarkers of inflammation and hemostasis have been associated with left ventricular (LV) mass. We studied relationships of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL6), D-dimer, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), soluble tumor necrosis factor type 1 receptor (sTNFR1), von Willebrand factor (vWF), soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin), factor VIII, fibrinogen, matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3), and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) with LV mass in an asymptomatic population. Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging to characterize LV mass; biomarkers were measured using standardized protocols (N = 763 to 4979). Adjusted models were used to associate each biomarker with LV mass while correcting for potential confounding.
Alejandro Otero's Polychrome: Color between Nature and Abstraction

Alejandro Otero's monumental polychrome for the facade of the School of Architecture at the Universidad Central de Venezuela, in which the lighter of the gridded structure's two blues was intended to correspond with the hue of the Caracas sky, stands as a crucial work for understanding the particularities of Venezuelan modernism and modernity in the 1950s. In embracing color's industrialization while refusing to sever its natural referents, I argue that Otero's polychrome speaks to larger questions of the relation of raw materials and finished products, as well as nature and history, in a modernizing oil nation.
Transcribing the Speech of Children With Cochlear Implants: Clinical Application of Narrow Phonetic Transcriptions

Purpose The phonological systems of children with cochlear implants may include segment inventories that contain both target and nontarget speech sounds. These children may not consistently follow phonological rules of the target language. These issues present a challenge for the clinical speech-language pathologist who uses phonetic transcriptions to evaluate speech production skills and to develop a plan of care. The purposes of this tutorial are to (a) identify issues associated with phonetic transcriptions of the speech of children with cochlear implants and (b) discuss implications for assessment. Method Narrow transcription data from an ongoing, longitudinal research study were catalogued and reviewed. Study participants had at least 5 years of cochlear implant experience and used spoken American English as a primary means of communication. In this tutorial, selected phonetic symbols and phonetic phenomena are reviewed. Conclusions A set of principles for phonetic transcriptions is proposed. Narrow ...
Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) computer-generated diagnoses: How do they compare to clinician judgment?

During the past several decades, computers have achieved increasing prominence in psychological assessment procedures. This is particularly true for computer-based test interpretation and diagnosis. This study reports on a study designed to compare the accuracy of computer-based diagnoses with clinician-generated diagnoses. The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) was administered to 151 consecutively admitted inpatients at a large private psychiatric hospital. The computer-generated diagnoses were compared with those generated by admitting psychiatrists. The results indicated that the MCMI diagnostic impressions underestimated the severity of depressive disorders when compared with clinician diagnoses on Axis I. Specifically, clinicians diagnosed major depression much more frequently than did the MCMI. In addition, clinicians diagnosed anxiety disorders much less frequently than did the MCMI.
Infrared pupillometry to detect the light reflex during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A case series ,

Abstract Background The presence or absence of the pupillary light reflex following cardiopulmonary resuscitation has been shown to have prognostic value. We asked whether the light reflex could be objectively measured during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in humans and whether the quality of the reflex was associated with outcome. Methods Sixty-seven in-hospital code blue alerts were attended of which 30 met our inclusion criteria. Portable infrared pupillometry was used to measure the light reflex during each code. The reliability of the presence of the light reflex during each code as a predictor of survival and neurological outcome was analyzed statistically using the Barnard's Exact test. Results In 25 patients (83%) the pupillary light reflex was detectable throughout or during a part of the resuscitation. Continuous presence of the light reflex or absence for less than 5 min during resuscitation was associated with early survival of the code and a good neurological outcome. In contrast, no patients without a light reflex or with a gradually deteriorating light reflex survived the code and absence of a pupillary light reflex for more than 5 min was associated with an unfavorable outcome. Conclusion Portable infrared pupillary measurements can reliably demonstrate the presence and quality of the pupillary light reflex after cardiac arrest and during resuscitation. In our limited case series, the presence of the pupillary light reflexes obtained in serial measurements during resuscitation was associated with early survival and a favorable neurological status in the recovery period.
Environmental risk factors and custody status in children of substance abusers

Abstract Children of substance abusers face myriad risks, including child maltreatment, residential instability, and exposure to violence, crime, and disorganization in their homes and neighborhoods. Using data from a substance abuse treatment program for women and their children, this study sought to examine the changes in children's living situations before and after their mother's treatment experience. First, we examined pre- and post-treatment changes in the legal and physical custody status of children, as well as neighborhood and household factors that can impact children's physical or emotional health and safety. Mothers who had at least one child living with them reported a significant decrease in problems in the home and neighborhood environments. Independent observations by research assistants also indicated few visible problems with the appropriateness of the post-treatment home and neighborhood environments for children. Second, we examined whether treatment completion predicted healthier living situations for children. Results indicated that treatment graduates were 2.5 times more likely to have at least one child living with them after treatment. In addition, non-graduates experienced more unwanted moves compared to graduates. These findings suggest that the homes and neighborhoods families return to post-treatment are, on the whole, relatively safe.
Efficient sampling technique for optimization under uncertainty

The concept of robust design involves identification of design settings that make the product performance less sensitive to the effects of seasonal and environmental variations. This concept is discussed in this article in the context of batch distillation column design with feed stock variations, and internal and external uncertainties. Stochastic optimization methods provide a general approach to robust/parameter design as compared to conventional techniques. However, the computational burden of these approaches can be extreme and depends on the sample size used for characterizing the parametric variations and uncertainties. A novel sampling technique is presented that generates and inverts the Hammersley points (an optimal design for placing n points uniformly on a k-dimensional cube) to provide a representative sample for multivariate probability distributions. The example of robust batch-distillation column design illustrates that the new sampling technique offers significant computational savings and better accuracy.
A general and fast convergent bandwidth selection method of kernel estimator

A new method of bandwidth estimation is developed in this article. It has the attractive property of controlled rate of convergence, regardless of sample size. This approach is applied in different...
Design of Low-Noise Vacuum-Tube Pulse Amplifiers for Semiconductor Radiation-Detector Spectroscopy

The pulse-height resolution of semiconductor nuclear-radiation detectors for particle energies below 200 kev is primarily limited by detector and amplifier noise. Amplifier noise may be large compared to that contributed by cooled, deep-depletionlayer diodes, and minimum noise is achieved by optimizing amplifier design for specific diode parameters. Vacuum-tube performance is realistically evaluated by measuring equivalent noise resistances of both plate-current shot noise and grid-current noise as a function of plate current and by measuring the tube input capacitance under actual operating conditions. Nomographs were developed to solve the equations relating noise performance to all diode and amplifier parameters except flicker noise, which is negligible for low transconductance tubes in this application. Graphical noise calculation facilitates optimum amplifier design. These nomographs may also be used to calculate noise from field-effect transistors. By use of these nomographs, a vacuum-tube amplifier was designed which has a noise performance of 175 electronic charges rms (1.5 kev fwhm Si) for zero external capacitance and 225 electronic charges rms (2 kev Si) for 10 pf external capacitance.
Optimal Ordering Policy for a Multi-item, Single-supplier System with Constant Demand Rates

This paper develops optimal inventory-management rules for an n-item system supplied by a common vendor and with constant demand rates for the various items. The model allows planned stockouts, whose optimal values are determined on the basis of the total cost minimization.
Adsorption of γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane onto copper

Abstract The adsorption of γ-methaeryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (γ-MPS) from solution onto electropolished OFHC copper mirrors has been investigated using reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy. Films only about 20 A thick were adsorbed from freshly prepared 1% solutions in cyclohexane. Somewhat thicker films were obtained from aged 1% cyclohexane solutions and from 0.1% aqueous solutions at pH = 11.0. The infrared spectra of these films were characterized by a relatively strong band near 1720 cm −1 that was assigned to the CO stretching mode and by very weak absorption near 1100 cm −1 where bands due to SiO stretching modes are expected. The spectra were interpreted to indicate that γ-MPS is adsorbed onto copper with most of the SiO bonds and methacryloxypropyl functional groups parallel to the surface and with the CO bands perpendicular to and directed toward the surface. Very thin films characterized by bands near 1430 and 1550 cm −1 were adsorbed from 0.1% aqueous solutions at pH = 2.0. These bands were tentatively assigned to a carboxylate species obtained from the hydrolysis of the methacryloxypropyl functional group.
Constraining Lorentz-violating, modified dispersion relations with gravitational waves

Modified gravity theories generically predict a violation of Lorentz invariance, which may lead to a modified dispersion relation for propagating modes of gravitational waves. We construct a parametrized dispersion relation that can reproduce a range of known Lorentz-violating predictions and investigate their impact on the propagation of gravitational waves. A modified dispersion relation forces different wavelengths of the gravitational-wave train to travel at slightly different velocities, leading to a modified phase evolution observed at a gravitational-wave detector. We show how such corrections map to the waveform observable and to the parametrized post-Einsteinian framework, proposed to model a range of deviations from General Relativity. Given a gravitational-wave detection, the lack of evidence for such corrections could then be used to place a constraint on Lorentz violation. The constraints we obtain are tightest for dispersion relations that scale with small power of the graviton's momentum and deteriorate for a steeper scaling.
From flat direct models to segmental CRF models

This paper summarizes recent work at Microsoft on the development of novel direct models. The key characteristic of our approaches is the use of long-span segment level features that relate acoustic properties directly to words. In this approach, the frame-level Markov assumption is replaced by the segment level Markov property, allowing us to extract long-span features. A key issue we address is the definition of generalizable features which allow us to model unseen words. We review two recently developedmodels that have this property: Flat Direct Models (FDMs), and Segmental CRFs (SCRFs). The first operates in a log-linear framework, and uses utterance level features. The second is also a log-linear model, but defines features at the word-segment level. We present new experimental results comparing the two approaches. We find that both show consistent improvements over a baseline system, and that the extra context available to the FDM enables slightly better performance in a rescoring context. This gain comes at the expense of applicability to first pass decoding, for which the SCRF is better suited.
Conceptual Foundations and Components of a Contextual Intervention to Promote Student Engagement During Early Adolescence: The Supporting Early Adolescent Learning and Social Success (SEALS) Model

Decades of research indicate that many early adolescents are at risk for developing significant school adjustment problems in the academic, behavioral, and social domains during the transition to middle school. The Supporting Early Adolescent Learning and Social Success (SEALS) model has been developed as a professional development and consultation program to train teachers in universal (Tier 1) instructional and classroom management strategies to address the correlated risks experienced by students during this time. This article reviews the conceptual foundations of the SEALS model, provides an overview of SEALS intervention components, describes the SEALS professional development training and consultation framework, reviews preliminary findings of the impact of SEALS in rural school settings in the United States, and discusses research needs and future directions regarding the use of the SEALS model.
Right Ventricular Strain in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A 2D Echocardiography and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Study

Background Right ventricular (RV) strain is a potentially useful prognostic marker in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, published reports regarding the accuracy of two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE)-derived RV strain against an independent reference in this patient population are limited. The aims of this study were: (1) to study the relationship between 2DE RV longitudinal strain and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived RV ejection fraction (RVEF) in patients with PAH; (2) to compare 2DE-derived and CMR-derived RV longitudinal strain in these patients; and (3) to determine the reproducibility of these measurements. Methods Thirty patients with PAH underwent 2DE and CMR imaging within a 2-hour time period. 2DE RV longitudinal strain was measured from a focused RV apical four-chamber view using speckle tracking software. CMR RV longitudinal strain was measured from short-axis slices acquired using fast-strain-encoded sequence. Global peak systolic RV longitudinal strain was calculated for both 2DE and CMR. Results RV longitudinal strain using 2DE software correlated well with CMR-derived RVEF (R = 0.69, P = 0.0006). There was moderate agreement when comparing 2DE to CMR RV longitudinal strain (R = 0.74, P = 0.0002; bias −1%, limits of agreement −9 to 7%). Inter-observer variability and intra-observer variability for RV longitudinal strain were lower for 2DE than CMR. Conclusions RV longitudinal strain by 2DE provides a good alternative for CMR-derived RVEF in patients with PAH. The moderate agreement in strain measurements between 2DE and CMR suggests that further software improvements are needed before these measurements can be used interchangeably in clinical practice.
Shading the Secular: Law at Work in the Indian Higher Courts

This article examines the ways in which issues of `secularism' are politicized within the nation state, particularly the ways in which women's rights become critical sites of conflict surrounding political hegemony and minority rights. Focusing on judgments related to Muslim women in post-Independence India, it argues that legal solutions have the potential to be powerful instruments for achieving greater gender equity as well as insidious sites for recuperation of gender, class, and religious hegemonies in the guise of protection and liberation. The slippage between the stated intent, subtext, and effects of both `progressive' and `reactionary' legislation indicates that feminist theorists should engage with issues of personal law strategically while seeking alternate meanings of community and identity.
CCR5 Antagonists: Host-Targeted Antiviral Agents for the Treatment of HIV Infection, 4 Years on:

The chemokine coreceptor 5 (CCR5) antagonists are antiretroviral agents with an extracellular, host-targeted mechanism of action against HIV. Maraviroc, the first-in-class CCR5 antagonist, received regulatory approval in 2007, becoming the first oral antiretroviral from a new class in more than 10 years. Other compounds in this class are in various stages of clinical development. In 2005, we reviewed the limited clinical data then available on CCR5 antagonists. In this follow-up review, we revisit the field and assess the clinical and virological data that have emerged in the 4 years since, with particular reference to maraviroc for which the most comprehensive data currently exist.
The maturation of vestibular nystagmus in infancy and childhood.

The displacements, durations, and velocities of the slow and fast components of both the primary and secondary nystagmus induced by constant angular acceleration were measured in 46 normal children 1 month to 11 years old. There were significant changes in nystagmus parameters in respect to maturation. The young infant had larger amplitude, higher velocity beats than the older child during both the primary and the secondary nystagmus. Parameters describing both the primary and the secondary nystagmus reached their peak values and terminated earlier in the infant than in the older child. Although the slow component velocity during the secondary nystagmus was much slower than during the primary nystagmus at all ages, the secondary nystagmus/primary nystagmus ratio was significantly greater in early infancy. Thus, in infancy, as compared with later childhood, the vigor of the secondary nystagmus was disproportionately greater than the primary nystagmus. These results were discussed in relation to the maturat...
Explaining Schizophrenia: Auditory Verbal Hallucination and Self-Monitoring

Do self-monitoring accounts, a dominant account of the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, explain auditory verbal hallucination? In this essay, I argue that the account fails to answer crucial questions any explanation of auditory verbal hallucination must address. Where the account provides a plausible answer, I make the case for an alternative explanation: auditory verbal hallucination is not the result of a failed control mechanism, namely failed self-monitoring, but, rather, of the persistent automaticity of auditory experience of a voice. My argument emphasizes the importance of careful examination of phenomenology as providing substantive constraints on causal models of the positive symptoms in schizophrenia.
Regulation of nitrification in aquatic sediments by organic carbon

Nitrification, the microbial conversion of ammonium to nitrate, is an important transformation in the aquatic nitrogen cycle, but the factors regulating nitrification rates in freshwater ecosystems are poorly understood. We investigated the effects of organic carbon quantity and quality on nitrification rates in stream sediments. First, we hypothesized that when environmental C: N ratios are high, heterotrophic bacteria are subject to N limitation and will outcompete nitrifying bacteria for available NH4+, thereby reducing nitrification rates. In laboratory experiments, organic carbon amendments (30 mg C L−1, as glucose) to stream sediments completely inhibited nitrification with or without addition of NH4+ (P < 0.0001), whereas amendment with NH4+ only (0.75 mg N L−1) increased nitrification by 40% compared with unamended controls (P < 0.0001). Carbon amendments also increased microbial respiration rates over controls by 4–6 times. Therefore, organic carbon additions significantly decreased nitrification rates but increased total microbial activity. Second, we hypothesized that carbon of high quality would have a stronger negative effect on nitrification than would carbon of low quality. To stream sediments, we added organic carbon as either glucose (higher quality) or sugar maple leaf extract (lower quality). Nitrification rates were reduced by the addition of either organic carbon source but were more severely inhibited by glucose (P = 0.001). Our results suggest that organic carbon is an important regulator of nitrification rates and is of key importance in understanding N dynamics in freshwater ecosystems.
Comparison of Effects of 2 Harvesting Methods on Fat Autograft

Objectives/Hypothesis: Fat preparation for vocal-fold injection medialization is typically done by scraping of excised fat or by lipo-aspiration; however, lipo-aspiration is substantially more efficient. Considering this, we compared viability of fat tissues obtained by these two techniques. We also examined whether basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) would increase cell proliferation in samples harvested by these methods. Study Design: Harvesting techniques (scraping and lipo-aspiration) were compared using both human and ferret fat. In vitro assays were used to assess tissue viability and cell proliferation. Methods: Human (n = 5) and ferret (n = 15) abdominal fat specimens were harvested by scraping and lipo-aspiration, for a total of 40 specimens. Alamar Blue and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase assays were used to quantitatively assess metabolic activity and cellular damage immediately after harvest. PicoGreen assays assessed cell proliferation by quantifying total DNA in harvested specimens after 0, 14, or 21 days in culture. The effects of bFGF (10 ng/mL) on proliferation were measured for the same timepoints. Results: The glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase assay indicated that lipo-aspiration caused more initial tissue damage (12 ± 5 mU/mL) than scraping (5 ± 3 mU/mL), but cell metabolic activity was similar in both groups based on the Alamar Blue assay. Cell proliferation at 14 and 21 days was significantly higher for lipo-aspirated fat than for scraped fat (92.5 ± 8.8 vs. 55.1 ± 1.3 ng DNA at 14 days and 111.1 ± 10.5 vs. 44.6 ± 4.1 ng DNA at 21 days). bFGF increased fibroblast-like cell proliferation significantly for both harvesting methods at day 21. Conclusions: Lipo-aspiration caused more initial damage than scraping, but may yield better long-term viability based on increased proliferation. bFGF may enhance cellularity of the stromal component grafted adipose tissue.
Computer Use, Training Preferences, and Computer Anxiety of School Food Service Managers in Iowa

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To identify computer use, training preferences, and computer anxiety of school food service managers in Iowa The objectives were to: 1) identify current computer use and computer training preferences of school food service managers in Iowa, and 2) assess the computer anxiety level of Iowa school food service managers before and after computer training. For the first objective, a questionnaire was developed and mailed to the person in charge of the school food service program in 117 Iowa school districts with budgeted student enrollments of 1,000 or more. Of 105 school districts reporting data, 80% had computers available in their food services; 92% of these food service managers used their computers. Microcomputers were the most common type of computer hardware (95%). School food service applications software was used in 49% of the 105 school districts. Of 107 respondents, 74% indicated willingness to participate in computer training. They preferred to learn about school food service applications software (72%) during training offered 6 hours (25%) or 4 hours (20%) per day. Many respondents indicated no preference for either a starting day (35%) or the number of days (42%) of computer training. For the second objective, a standardized instrument, the Computer Anxiety Index (CAIN), was administered to 56 school food service managers before and after a 2-day computer training workshop; 80% completed the CAIN. Mean CAIN scores were 51.5 of 156 before training and 49.4 of 156 after training. Change in mean CAIN scores was not significant. However, those who had no previous computer training (n = 25) reduced their anxiety level significantly more than the group that had previous computer training (n = 22). The higher the initial anxiety level, the greater the reduction in anxiety level after training. The workshop involved teaching Nutrient Standard Menu Planning using a software package.
Investigating the Movement of Intravitreal Human Serum Albumin Nanoparticles in the Vitreous and Retina

Purpose To investigate the movement of intravitreally injected human serum albumin nanoparticles (HSA-NP) with respect to nanoparticle surface charge and retinal injury.
Predicting violent offences by released prisoners.

For a pejorative term without proven clinical utility, psychopathy has generated some very catchy sayings. Some bear little relationship to the research that generated them. ‘Treatment makes psychopaths worse’ is one (see Rice et al [1][1]). I fear that without urgent corrective action, ‘Risk
Wet-etch optimization of free-standing terahertz frequency-selective structures

Free-standing frequency-selective surfaces consisting of approximately 10‐µm-thick copper films with cross-aperture arrays are found to be tunable toward lower frequencies by means of wet chemical etching. Center frequencies were tuned from 1.57 to 1.53 THz while maintaining high transmittance. Wet etching also adjusts bandwidth, peak transmittance, and sidelobe transmittance. The advantage of the wet-etch technique is demonstrated by employment of these devices as bandpass filters for difluoromethane-based terahertz lasers. Adjustment in aperture dimensions because of etching results in suppression of a competing laser line 133.93 µm by 15 dB while maintaining high transmittance at the operating wavelength of 192.06 µm.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS IN UNDERGRADUATE INSURANCE EDUCATION: ACADEMIC AND REAL WORLD PERSPECTIVES

: The authors discuss the hiring patterns of some insurers and examine why insurers do not always seek out students with risk management and insurance backgrounds. The authors suggest that it is important for universities and insurers to work more closely so that students coming out of college insurance programs are well prepared to work in the insurance industry.
Analyzing Quantitative Trait Loci for the Arabidopsis thaliana using Markov Chain Monte Carlo Model Composition with restricted and unrestricted model spaces

Abstract Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mapping is a growing field in statistical genetics. However, dealing with this type of data from a statistical perspective is often perilous. In this paper we extend and apply a Markov Chain Monte Carlo Model Composition (MC 3 ) technique to a data set of the Arabidopsis thaliana plant for locating the QTL mapping associated with cotyledon opening. The posterior model probabilities as well as the marginal posterior probabilities of each locus belonging to the model are presented. Furthermore, we show how the MC 3 method can be used to deal with the situation where the sample size is less than the number of parameters in a model using a restricted model space approach.
Particle removal by Northern bay scallops Argopecten irradians irradians in a semi-natural setting: Application of a flow-cytometric technique

Abstract The feeding activities of bivalve mollusks have direct impacts on suspended particles in nature. Feeding is also related to the carrying capacity of a particular system for maximal aquaculture production. Particle removal is known to be dependent upon particle characteristics, including size and type, because particle retention efficiency is size dependent, and bivalves are able to select particles actively to improve the quality of food ingested. Our goal was to quantify particle clearance by northern bay scallops of natural seston under semi-natural conditions, i.e., in raceway tanks receiving a constant flow of untreated, estuarine water. Particle clearance rate (CR) was determined based upon particle counts in tank inflow and outflow streams. A flow-cytometric technique was developed allowing rapid quantification of particles with different sizes and characterization by presence or absence of chlorophyll fluorescence simultaneously. CR varied greatly (ranging from 0.06 to 3.02 L h − 1 gDW − 1 ) among sizes and types of particles. CR of large particles was generally higher than that of the smaller particles. Under the specific conditions of this experiment, particle selectivity appeared to be ineffective because scallops did not show a higher CR on phytoplankton than on detritus. This study demonstrated the feasibility of this flow-cytometric approach to measure differential clearance of different particles in natural seston by suspension-feeding organisms.
Thermal degradation of piperazine and its structural analogs

Abstract The resistance of concentrated, aqueous piperazine (PZ) to thermal degradation is a critical characteristic that recommends PZ as a solvent for amine based absorption/stripping for CO 2 capture from coal fired flue gas. Seven structural analogs of PZ were thermally degraded in an effort to discover the structural reasons for the enhanced resistance of PZ. Four comparisons are developed that look at the effect of changing heteroatoms (PZ, piperidine (PD), and morpholine (Mor)), ring size in monoamines (pyrrolidine (Pyr), PD, and hexamethyleneimine (HMI)), ring size in diamines (PZ and homopiperazine (HomoPZ)), and methyl substitution (PZ, 1methylpiperazine (1-MPZ), and 2-methylpiperazine (2-MPZ)). In 6-member heterocycles with one amino function, both Mor and PD had decreased degradation rates compared to PZ, likely because the additional amino function in PZ enhances nucleophilic attack reactions. In monoamines, the expected chemical stability predicted for 5-, 6-, and 7-membered alkane rings closely predicted the thermal degradation rates of these heterocycles. Both Pyr and HMI were degraded quickly producing polymers while the 6membered PD was stable. Increasing the size of the PZ ring by the addition of one methylene group greatly enhanced the thermal degradation rate. HomoPZ loss 99% of its initial concentration after 4 weeks at 175 °C while PZ lost only 30%. Methyl substitution increased the rate of amine degradation as both 1-MPZ and 2-MPZ degraded faster than PZ at 150 °C. Unexpectedly, a methyl on the amino group (1-MPZ) enhanced degradation more than a methyl on the carbon in the α−position to the amino group (2-MPZ). An apparent first order rate constant was calculated for the thermal degradation of these structural analogs and compared to other amines of interest in CO 2 capture.
Chaos and Complexity Theory for Management Caveat Emptor

Chaos theory and its close cousin, complexity theory, have recently made their appearance in the social science literature, including studies of organizations. The trend toward loosely applying non...
Disproportionation reaction of NO2/N2O4 with a Ru(II) porphyrin.

A Ru(II) porphyrin rapidly reacts with NO2/N2O4 with the formation of a stable Ru(II) nitrosyl nitrato complex.
A mutation in the R body-coding sequence destroys expression of the killer trait in P. tetraurelia

This report describes a mutant strain of Caedibacter taeniospiralis 169 that does not produce refractile (R) bodies or kill sensitive paramecia, but still renders its host resistant to killing by wild-type strains of Caedibacter taeniospiralis. The mutation is due to insertion of a 7.5-kilobase, transposon-like element into the R body-coding region of the plasmid pKAP169. The results provide strong evidence that R body synthesis is required for expression of the killer trait.
Gait Disturbances in Patients With Autistic Behavior: A Preliminary Study

• Kinesiologic analysis of the gaits of 21 autistic, 15 normal, and five hyperactive-aggressive children revealed that the autistic patients had (a) reduced stride lengths, (b) increased stance times, (c) increased hip flexion at "toe-off," and (d) decreased knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion at ground contact. In many respects, the gait differences between the autistic and normal subjects resembled differences between the gaits of parkinsonian patients and of normal adults. These preliminary results are compatible with the view that the autistic syndrome may be associated with specific dysfunction of the motor system affecting, among other structures, the basal ganglia.
A computer program to generate parametric and nonparametric signal-detection parameters

A computer program is described that calculates parametric and nonparametric signal-detection parameters for sensory sensitivity and response bias. Advantages of this program over previously published programs are discussed.