cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Direct chest area measurement: A potential anthropometric replacement for BMI to inform cardiac CT dose parameters?

Background Significant dose reductions for coronary CT angiography (CTA) can be achieved with reduced tube potential (kV); however, the potential effect on image quality is unknown. Objective We sought to evaluate anthropometric measures (chest area, chest circumference, and chest attenuation) as potentially better predictors of the appropriate tube potential versus body mass index (BMI). Methods Consecutive patients (n = 183) who underwent routine coronary CTA (with standard department protocols, whereby tube potential was selected according to BMI) between April 2010 and October 2010 were included. All anthropometric measures were obtained by tracing a region of interest encompassing an entire axial full field-of-view image at the mid left atrial level. Linear regression was used to stratify patients into 4 chest area classes (very small to large). Patients were also stratified by standard BMI classes (underweight to obese). Qualitative and quantitative image quality parameters were compared between concordant and discordant chest area and BMI classes. Results A strong correlation was observed between patients' BMI and chest area ( r = 0.84; P r = 0.82, P BMI class) and 21.4% were "potentially overdosed" (chest area class Conclusion Patients' chest area and BMI classes were frequently discordant, potentially leading to overdosing or underdosing when using BMI to select tube potential.
Jugular venography for evaluation of abnormalities of the skull base.

✓ Jugular venography done to evaluate abnormalities at the base of the skull demonstrated three distinctly different patterns depending on whether there is occlusion, invasion, or growth within the internal jugular vein. Improper technique results in a lack of intracranial dural sinus filling which may masquerade as venous occlusion. This problem is avoided by adequate neck compression along with proper volume and rate of delivery of contrast. Radiographically, an abnormal jugular vein at the base of the skull will show a concave defect in true occlusion, constriction or invasion of the vein by tumor, or tumor growth within the vein.
Modafinil treatment in patients with seasonal affective disorder/winter depression: an open-label pilot study.

Abstract Background : Hypersomnia is a cardinal symptom of seasonal affective disorder/winter depression. This open-label pilot study assessed modafinil, a novel wake-promoting agent, as treatment for seasonal affective disorder/winter depression. Methods : Total daily modafinil dose was 100 mg (all patients week 1), and 100 mg or 200 mg split dose (weeks 2–8). Efficacy assessments (weeks 1, 2, 5, and 8) included the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression (HAM-D) Rating Scale, Seasonal Affective Disorder Version (SIGH-SAD), Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGI-C), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Results : Thirteen patients (11 women; mean age, 41 years) were enrolled, 12 were evaluable for efficacy (100 mg dose, five patients; 200 mg dose, seven patients), and nine completed treatment. Modafinil significantly improved winter depression as shown by reductions from baseline in mean SIGH-SAD at week 1 ( P P P P P P P Limitations : This was an open-label, single site study. Conclusions : Modafinil may be an effective and well-tolerated treatment in patients with seasonal affective disorder/winter depression.
Physical and chemical attributes and consumer acceptance of sugar-snap cookies containing naturally occurring antioxidants.

ABSTRACT The antioxidant compounds, ascorbate (ascorbyl-2-phosphate), α-tocopherol, a combination of ascorbate and α-tocopherol, sodium phytate, and ferulic acid were tested as replacements for butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) in preserving sugar-snap cookies. The cookies were compared with regard to shelf life, moisture content, width, stacking height, surface score, color, and texture. Following storage at 60°C, the Schaal oven test and gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of headspace gases indicated that ferulic acid and sodium phytate were suitable antioxidants for sugarsnap cookies. At present, sodium phytate is a GRAS substance, whereas ferulic acid is not. Consumer testing showed that cookies containing phytate were as acceptable as those containing BHA.
The Relationship between Attitudes, Knowledge, and Demographic Variables of High School Teachers Regarding Food Irradiation

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to use a validated instrument to determine the attitudes and knowledge of high school teachers regarding food irradiation, and to determine the correlations among their knowledge and attitudes and certain demographic variables. Knowledge and attitudes about food irradiation were measured in selected high school family and consumer sciences teachers (n= 121) who taught Food and Nutrition, Food Science and Technology, and/or Food Production Management and Services, via a 24-item instrument with 6 factors. Results revealed these teachers held neutral to positive attitudes about the safety of irradiated foods, their perception of the risk of foodborne illness, and learning about food irradiation, and neutral to negative perceptions of their understanding of food irradiation and their competence to teach about it. These teachers had a moderate knowledge base regarding food irradiation. Teachers' attitudes regarding the safety of food irradiation were positively correlated with their perceived understanding of food irradiation, actual knowledge of it, and competence to teach about it. Their perceived understanding of food irradiation was positively correlated with competence to teach about it, knowledge, and attitudes toward the safety of food irradiation. The only demographic variable correlated with knowledge or attitudes was teachers' previous food irradiation educational experiences. These data suggest the importance of education for family and consumer sciences teachers concerning food irradiation.
Borderline personality disorder features and cognitive, emotional, and predicted behavioral reactions to teasing

Abstract Borderline personality disorder (BPD) involves interpersonal dysfunction. It is unknown to what extent these problems are due to perceptual biases, emotional reactivity, or impulsivity above and beyond emotional reactions. The present study experimentally tested these mechanisms in the context of predicted reactions to teasing. Participants completed the Personality Assessment Inventory-Borderline Features scale [PAI-BOR; Morey, L. C. (1991). Personality assessment inventory: Professional manual . Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources], and the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire [Downey, G., & Feldman, S. I. (1996). Implications of rejection sensitivity for intimate relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70 (6), 1327–1343], and imagined a scenario that involved teasing. Participants rated the teaser and their own predicted emotional and behavioral reactions. Analysis of Covariance results indicated that individuals who endorsed more BPD features showed elevated emotional reactions and predicted behavioral reactions to teasing, but not perceptual biases. Ratings of predicted behavioral responses could be accounted for by emotional responses, supporting the emotional reactivity perspectives of BPD [Linehan, M. M. (1993). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder . New York: Guilford].
The solvent dependence of enzyme specificity

The discovery that enzymes possess catalytic activity in organic solvents has made it possible to address the question of the influence of the reaction medium on enzymatic specificity. Recently, the substrate specificity, enantioselectivity, prochiral selectivity, regioselectivity, and chemoselectivity of enzymes have been found to dramatically depend on the nature of the solvent. This review discusses the scope, possible mechanisms, and implications of this phenomenon, as well as directions of future research in the area.
Ultrasound bioeffects and regulatory issues: an introduction for the echocardiographer.

Echocardiography is one of the most widely used methods of evaluating diseases of the heart and circulation in adults, children, infants, and fetuses. Many factors are responsible for the extraordinary acceptance of echocardiography throughout the world. Among these factors are the diagnostic efficacy of the method, the relatively low cost of ultrasound imaging equipment (compared with other modalities), the compact size and thus portability of the instrumentation, and the noninvasive nature of the procedure. In addition, an extremely important factor leading to the continued use of echocardiography, particularly in infants and fetuses, is its extraordinarily good safety record. Echocardiography has been in common clinical use for two decades, and during this time there has been no documented evidence of any kind that harm results from clinical examinations. Thus echocardiographers and sonographers commonly consider ultrasound examinations to be without substantial biohazards. Against this backdrop of apparent safety, as defined by widespread clinical experience, it may have come as a surprise to many practitioners to learn of a growing controversy concerning proposed additional regulation of ultrasound imaging equipment as a result of the question of potentially harmful bioeffects from ultrasound. Through its application surgically, it is well known that high-intensity ultrasound causes damage to biologic tissues; this has been recognized from the earliest experiences with underwater sound ranging. 1 Evidence ofbioeffects of ultrasound
A scientist's dilemma: follow my hypothesis or my findings?

Abstract Over the course of my 50 years of brain-behavioral research, choicepoints presented themselves as to either follow my original hypothesis or follow my puzzling empirical findings. I trusted the latter more than the former because I believe it is where reality is to be found. Phil Teitelbaum's teachings had a major influence on those decisions. In the present essay, I describe the evolution of those choicepoints that led me from studies of hormone-brain-behavior interactions to a rhythmical brain-behavior connection, to sexual behavior, pain blockage, human brain-behavior interactions, and human brain imaging. Along this tortuous course, I learned that vaginal stimulation can block pain, the vagus nerve apparently can convey genital sensory activity to the brain, bypassing spinal cord injury, and all major brain systems evidently contribute to women's orgasm. An important message I learned is: pay attention to what you observe in your experiments, and have the courage to follow it up, particularly if what you observe is not what you were looking for…because it, rather than your hypothesis, is more likely to reveal reality.
INTRODUCTION: ECONOMIC SOCIOLOGY

In the past several years, economic sociology has grown into a new speciality within sociology. Numerous edited volumes, survey articles and handbooks herald its arrival and mark out its place in the sociological firmament (see, e.g. Granovetter and Swedberg, 1992; Swedberg, 1991; Smelser and Swedberg, 1994). Although classic social theorists like Karl Marx, Max Weber, Emile Durkheim and Georg Simmel frequently pondered the structure and conditions of industrial society and the problems its emergence generated, it was not until neoclassical economists recently began to study nonmarket social phenomena that sociologists reacted by taking up the market as an object of study.
Hydrogen-induced metastable changes in the electrical conductivity of polycrystalline silicon

Measurements of the dark electrical conductivity ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{\mathit{D}}$ performed on hydrogenated polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si:H) reveal a cooling-rate dependent metastable increase of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{\mathit{D}}$ below 268 K. This nonequilibrium state relaxes slowly and the time to reach equilibrium is thermally activated with ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}$\ensuremath{\simeq}0.74 eV. Since thermal quenching does not affect unhydrogenated specimens, the observed metastable changes are clearly due to the formation and dissociation of an electrically active hydrogen complex. We propose that this complex consists of an isolated H atom at the bond-center site of a prestrained Si-Si bond at a grain boundary.
LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOR AND BUSINESS PROCESS REENGINEERING (BPR) OUTCOMES-AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF 30 BPR PROJECTS

Lack of leadership is frequently a cause for the high failure rate of business process reengineering (BPR) projects. According to many experts, BPR implementation requires a top-down, directive leadership style. Yet, it also requires the management of motivated, skilled, independent-thinking people doing non-programmable tasks for which a non-directive leadership style is most suited. This creates an inherent conflict for BPR leaders on choosing the appropriate style. Applying the leadership effectiveness framework, this study conducted an in-depth empirical analyses of the relationship between IS leadership behavior and BPR outcomes for 30 BPR projects. We found that successful BPR leaders use leadership styles that fit the type of task that needs to be done and the needs of the people that will perform the tasks. Also, successful BPR leaders balance their efforts between meeting the needs of the people doing the work and the needs of the work. The results provide guidelines for both leadership practice and empirical research.
Model for Network Assignment Problem of Capacitated Freight with Disruptions

A modeling framework is proposed for the freight network assignment problem with recourse, network travel time and cost disruptions, and link flow capacity constraints. “Recourse” is defined as the ability of a user to reconsider and adapt his or her routing decisions in response to newly acquired information about network disruption. When real-time tracking and monitoring of network shipments allow companies a routing recourse, network capacity must be simultaneously considered. If a disruption significantly alters network flows, the capacity of alternative or secondary routes may be quickly reached. A new freight mathematical model with a capacitated network and adaptive routing was developed and solved. Results showed that simultaneous consideration of recourse and capacity constraints was superior to benchmark results obtained with nonadaptive deterministic behavior.
Guidelines for effective elementary science teacher inservice education

Historically, elementary science teacher inservice has not been an effective means of improving science teaching for most elementary teachers. This paper presents 18 guidelines for development of more effective elementary science teacher inservice programs. The guidelines have been developed and synthesized through review of numerous studies on science teacher inservice programs and the National Science Education Professional Development Standards (NRC, 1996).
Amelioration of ischemia-reperfusion injury in an isolated rabbit lung model using OXANOH.

OBJECTIVE Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Oxygen-free radicals (OFRs) produced during ischemia and reperfusion (IR) have been implicated as the final common pathway in the pathogenesis of this syndrome. Spin traps have been shown to decrease IR injury in several animal lung models. The hydroxylamine, OXANOH (2-ethyl-2,5,5-trimethyl-3-oxazolidine) has been proposed as an ideal spin trap that would trap extra- and intracellular OFRs producing the stable radical, OXANO• (2-ethyl-2,5,5-trimethyl-3-oxazolidinoxyl). Electron microscopy was used to investigate whether OXANOH would protect against IR injury in the rabbit lung. METHODS OXANOH was obtained by hydrogenation of its stable radical, OXANO• using a safe laboratory technique. Several doses of OXANOH were tested to identify a nontoxic dose. Two quantitative methods were used based on the average surface area of the alveoli and average number of alveoli per unit surface area using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A total of 20 animals were subjected to 2 hours of ischemia followed by 4 hours of reperfusion. On reperfusion, the 4 groups (N = 5) received no treatment, OXANOH, superoxide dismutase (SOD)/catalase, or oxypurinol. RESULTS A therapeutic dose of 250 μmol/L of OXANO• was suggested in this in vitro model. All the 3 treatments showed significantly less injury compared to the control group and that SOD/catalase was significantly different from OXANOH and oxypurinol (P < .008). CONCLUSION OXANOH ameliorated IR injury in the isolated rabbit lung, almost as effectively as SOD/catalase and oxypurinol.
Human telomerase acts as a hTR-independent reverse transcriptase in mitochondria

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is localized to mitochondria, as well as the nucleus, but details about its biology and function in the organelle remain largely unknown. Here we show, using multiple approaches, that mammalian TERT is mitochondrial, co-purifying with mitochondrial nucleoids and tRNAs. We demonstrate the canonical nuclear RNA [human telomerase RNA (hTR)] is not present in human mitochondria and not required for the mitochondrial effects of telomerase, which nevertheless rely on reverse transcriptase (RT) activity. Using RNA immunoprecipitations from whole cell and in organello, we show that hTERT binds various mitochondrial RNAs, suggesting that RT activity in the organelle is reconstituted with mitochondrial RNAs. In support of this conclusion, TERT drives first strand cDNA synthesis in vitro in the absence of hTR. Finally, we demonstrate that absence of hTERT specifically in mitochondria with maintenance of its nuclear function negatively impacts the organelle. Our data indicate that mitochondrial hTERT works as a hTR-independent reverse transcriptase, and highlight that nuclear and mitochondrial telomerases have different cellular functions. The implications of these findings to both the mitochondrial and telomerase fields are discussed.
Climatology of Coherent Structures on the Extratropical Tropopause

This paper poses and tests the hypothesis that some of the synoptic-scale and mesoscale tropopause-based disturbances that produce organized vertical motion and induce surface cyclones in the extratropical troposphere are vortexlike coherent structures. Based on the theory of nonlinear waves and vortices, tests are constructed and applied to observations of relative vorticity maxima for a 33-winter climatology at 500 hPa and threedimensional composites for a single winter season. The method is designed to determine the following disturbance properties: nonlinearity, quasigeostrophic potential vorticity‐streamfunction relationship, speed, and trapping of fluid particles. These properties are determined for four disturbance-amplitude categories, defined here in terms of 500-hPa relative vorticity. The results show that, on average, 500-hPa relative vorticity maxima are localized monopolar vortices with length scales (radii) of approximately 500‐800 km; there is a slight increase in length scale with disturbance amplitude. Nonlinearity is O(1) or greater for all amplitude categories, approaching O(10) for the strongest disturbances. Trapping of fluid particles, estimated by the presence of closed contours of potential vorticity on isentropic surfaces near the tropopause, requires greater than O(1) nonlinearity; the threshold disturbance amplitude is approximately 8 3 1025 s21 in the vertical component of 500-hPa relative vorticity and 2 8Ki n anomaly tropopause potential temperature. The vortices move westward with respect to the background flow, with a slight northward drift. The observational evidence does not support an interpretation of these features in terms of modons or solitary waves.
The effects of skewness on the interpretation of ITPA scaled scores

Abstract Studied the degree to which skewed score distributions can affect the interpretation of Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (ITPA) (Kirk, McCarthy, & Kirk, 1968) subtest scores. Indices of skewness were determined for the 10 main ITPA subtests for each of the eight age groups which comprised the normative sample (Paraskevopoulos & Kirk, 1969). The ITPA normative sample was drawn from children, both male and female, having abbreviated Stanford-Binet IQs between 84 and 116 and ranging in age from 2 years 7 months to 10 years 1 month. The results indicate that the following subtests were most seriously affected by scale limitations: auditory reception, auditory association, visual reception, manual expression, and grammatic closure. The results suggest that indices of score variability such as average deviation and standard scores must be interpreted with extreme caution when skewness is a significant factor.
The Effect of Cost Heterogeneity in the Success and Failure of the New Deal's Agricultural and Industrial Programs

Abstract The Agricultural Adjustment Act and the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) were cornerstones of the early New Deal, designed to cartelize agriculture and industry. When the Supreme Court annulled both acts, agricultural regulation was reinstalled within 6 weeks, following organized lobbying by farming interests, but broad industrial regulation was not reinstated. There was no corresponding lobby effort by industry to return the NIRA. To explain these differences we analyze the effect of farm/firm cost heterogeneities within commodity programs and industries on the ability of the parties to agree to and adhere to collusive regulations. We find that in the case of agriculture, because agricultural pricing and production policies were designed and implemented by low-cost producers, they were relatively self-enforcing and long-lasting. In contrast, high-cost firms in industry played a major role in setting prices and output within many of the NRA industrial codes. Consequently, these collusive policies were not self-enforcing and failed to create an effective lobby for their reinstatement.
The future of sports management : a social responsibility, philanthropy and entrepreneurship perspective

Sport management as an area of business management has gained ascendancy in the past decade with more people becoming interested in how sport incorporates social benefits in a society. Sport integrates social initiatives by enhancing an organization’s competitiveness by improving its public image. Social responsibility and philanthropy in sport has become a mainstream business issue and the entrepreneurial ways that sport-related organizations do this is becoming more important. This paper interviews a well-known international sport academic and practitioner on the future directions sport management will take. As social responsibility, philanthropy and entrepreneurship in the sport sector are becoming more integrated, it is important to consider how sport management will change in the future. This paper focuses on sport management as an inspiring field of business management that has an accessible audience towards social responsibility. Sport management also offers a rationale for promoting social responsibility and philanthropy to organizations and business leaders that have an opportunity to model socially responsible practices in the sport context.
Binding of WIP to actin is essential for T cell actin cytoskeleton integrity and tissue homing.

The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) is important for actin polymerization in T cells and for their migration. WASp-interacting protein (WIP) binds to and stabilizes WASp and also interacts with actin. Cytoskeletal and functional defects are more severe in WIP−/− T cells, which lack WASp, than in WASp−/− T cells, suggesting that WIP interaction with actin may be important for T cell cytoskeletal integrity and function. We constructed mice that lack the actin-binding domain of WIP (WIPΔABD mice). WIPΔABD associated normally with WASp but not F-actin. T cells from WIPΔABD mice had normal WASp levels but decreased cellular F-actin content, a disorganized actin cytoskeleton, impaired chemotaxis, and defective homing to lymph nodes. WIPΔABD mice exhibited a T cell intrinsic defect in contact hypersensitivity and impaired responses to cutaneous challenge with protein antigen. Adoptively transferred antigen-specific CD4+ T cells from WIPΔABD mice had decreased homing to antigen-challenged skin of wild-type recipients. These findings show that WIP binding to actin, independently of its binding to WASp, is critical for the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton in T cells and for their migration into tissues. Disruption of WIP binding to actin could be of therapeutic value in T cell-driven inflammatory diseases.
Mother Teresa Versus Ebenezer Scrooge: Mortality Salience Leads Proselfs to Endorse Self-Transcendent Values (Unless Proselfs Are Reassured)

Recently, Jonas, Schimel, Greenberg, and Pyszczynski demonstrated that mortality salience (MS) increased contributions to (an ingroup) charity (i.e., the Scrooge effect). The authors examined whether individual differences in social value orientations would moderate the Scrooge effect. In line with an Ebenezer shift hypothesis, proselfs were less likely than prosocials to endorse self-transcendent values in a dental pain control condition but were indistinguishable from prosocials in an MS condition as proselfs increased endorsement of self-transcendent values under MS (Experiments 1 and 2a). However, when participants gave their impressions of an unfavorable prosocial or a favorable proself prior to the MS manipulation, proselfs were again less likely than prosocials to endorse self-transcendent values (Experiments 2a and 2b), suggesting that proselfs are unlikely to transform into prosocials under conditions of MS when given reasons to disidentify with prosocial values or identify with proself values.
Self-Esteem and Contraceptive Use in Adolescent Mothers

between Dec 1, 2005 and May 31, 2010. We abstracted the following data points from their records: age, race, funding type, parity, marital status, antenatal complications, and contraceptive choices documented in the prenatal, inpatient, and post-partum records. 720 women were included in the analysis, 293 of whom did not return for a post-partum visit. Those without a post partum visit were classified as follows: if given Depo Provera prior to discharge theywere included as a Depo Provera user at 6 weeks, or if choosing a method not initiated prior to discharge, they were classifed as using no contraceptive at 6 weeks. We examined predictors of contraceptive choice using contingency tables with chi-square significance testing, as well asmultivariable logistic regressionmodels to examinepredictors of LARCuse. Results: Of the 427 completing their post-partum visit, 66 (15%) obtained LARC (IUDor Implanon)at theirpost-partumvisit; 218 (51%)wereusingDepo Provera, 101 (23%) received a combination hormonal method, 21 (4%) chose barrier methods, and 21 (4%) chose no contraception. Only 134 teens had aplan forpost-partumcontraceptiondocumented in theprenatal record,38% of whom indicated a desire for LARC. Patients were more likely to receive LARC at their 6 week post-partum visit if they were white and if there was a plan for any type of post-partum contraception documented in the the prenatal record. The odds of having a plan for contraception documented in the prenatal record was 13.5 times higher in 2009 vs. 2006 (95% CI 6.9,23.2). Age, parity, marital status, and funding were not predictors of LARC use. Conclusions: LARC use among post-partum adolescents has increased in our institution in the last 5 years. This changewas accompanied by improved documentation of prenatal planning for post-partum contraception. Although our data does not allow full explanation of this change, we speculate that it reflects a change in physician counseling and practice. Since 2006, several new faculty members have joined our department and have served as physician champions of LARCuse in adolescents. Unfortunately, we still find that the highest riskminority groups are the least likely to use LARC.
Annotation Tools and Knowledge Representation for a Text-To-Scene System

Text-to-scene conversion requires knowledge about how actions and locations are expressed in language and realized in the world. To provide this knowlege, we are creating a lexical resource (VigNet) that extends FrameNet by creating a set of intermediate frames (vignettes) that bridge between the high-level semantics of FrameNet frames and a new set of low-level primitive graphical frames. Vignettes can be thought of as a link between function and form ‐ between what a scene means and what it looks like. In this paper, we describe the set of primitive graphical frames and the functional properties of 3D objects (affordances) we use in this decomposition. We examine the methods and tools we have developed to populate VigNet with a large number of action and location vignettes.
Exact width and height minimization of CMOS cells

A formal methodology is presented for the layout of a single CMOS functional cell and an array of such cells, which addresses height minimization as well as the usual width minimization. Exact layout algorithms are presented, which are the fnst to minimize width and height for all cells of practical size, and are computationally feasible for these circuits. We present the results of a comprehensive set of experiments in which we generated layouts for all practical-sized circuits. We compare our optimal layouts to published designs, most of which are based on nonoptimal heuristics. We show that not only do our optimal algorithms yield signifcant area savings, they also incur little penalty in computation time.
Muscle immobilization and remobilization downregulates PGC-1α signaling and the mitochondrial biogenesis pathway

Prolonged immobilization (IM) results in skeletal muscle atrophy accompanied by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, inflammation, and protein degradation. However, the biological consequence of remobilizing such muscle has been studied only sparsely. In this study, we examined the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)-controlled mitochondrial biogenesis pathway and inflammatory response in mice subjected to 2 wk of hindlimb IM followed by 5 days of remobilization (RM). We hypothesized that ROS generation and activation of redox-sensitive signaling pathways play important roles in the etiology of muscle injury. FVB/N mice (age 2 mo) were randomly assigned to either 14 days of IM by casting one of the hindlimbs (n = 7), IM followed by 5 days of RM with casting removed (n = 7), or to a control group (Con; n = 7). Muscle to body weight ratios of three major leg muscles were significantly decreased as a result of IM. Two ubiquitin-proteasome pathway enzymes, muscle atrophy F-box (MAFb or atrogin-1) and muscle ring finger-1 (MuRF-1), were upregulated with IM and maintained at high levels during RM. Protein contents of PGC-1α and nuclear respiratory factors 1 and 2 in tibialis anterior (TA) muscle were reduced by 50% (P < 0.01) in IM vs. Con, with no recovery observed during RM. IM suppressed mitochondrial transcription factor A and cytochrome-c content by 57% and 63% (P < 0.01), respectively, and cytochrome-c oxidase activity by 58% (P < 0.05). Furthermore, mitochondrial DNA content was reduced by 71% (P < 0.01) with IM. None of these changes were reversed after RM. With RM, TA muscle showed a 2.3-fold (P < 0.05) higher H2O2 content and a 4-fold (P < 0.01) higher 8-isoprostane content compared with Con, indicating oxidative stress. Tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 levels in TA muscle were 4- and 3-fold higher (P < 0.05), respectively, in IM and RM vs. CON. The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway activation was observed only after RM, but not after IM alone. These data indicate an increase in ROS generation during the initial phase of muscle RM that could activate the NF-κB pathway, and elicit inflammation and oxidative stress. These events may hinder muscle recovery from IM-induced mitochondrial deterioration and protein loss.
Multiple System Atrophy

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurological disorder that has frequently been misdiagnosed as idiopathic Parkinson disease.1 A proliferation of articles in recent literature has noted that MSA is a disease that primarily affects the functioning of the autonomic, basal ganglia, and cerebellar systems.1–4 The recognition of MSA as a unique entity has emerged gradually during the last century. Quinn,1 in describing several cases occurring in the late 1800s and early 1900s, may have provided the first descriptions of MSA. In 1925, Bradbury and Eggleston5 wrote the first clear case report of 3 patients with postural hypotension. Today, we know that postural hypotension is a characteristic sign of MSA. In 1960, Shy and Drager6 distinguished a separate syndrome from idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD). They correlated postural hypotension and the neurological signs of parkinsonism and/or cerebellar dysfunction. This observation was a first red flag for the potential diagnosis of MSA. Graham and Oppenheimer,7 in 1969, described a patient with orthostatic hypotension, impotence, incontinence, and cerebellar ataxia. They advocated the use of a general term for the increasing reports of autonomic dysfunction that appeared with neurological signs. They proposed the use of the term“multiple system atrophy”to avoid any of the many terms then being used to describe various forms of neuronal atrophy, many of which have overlapping characteristics. In 1972, Bannister and Oppenheimer8 presented postmortem evidence from 4 patients with MSA and identified the autonomic pathology as more efferent than afferent, more central than peripheral, and more preganglionic than postganglionic. More importantly, they demonstrated that the Lewy bodies, which are eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions, are found in the basal ganglia of patients with IPD but are often absent in patients with MSA. The term“multiple system atrophy”has been used interchangeably with Shy-Drager syndrome, striatonigral degeneration, …
Synthesis and dielectric properties of pyrochlore solid solutions in the Bi2O3-ZnO-Nb2O5-TiO2 system

Phase studies of solid solutions based on (Bi1.5Zn0.5)(Ti1.5Nb0.5)O7 revealed extended regions of pyrochlore formation in the Bi2O3-ZnO-TiO2-Nb2O5 system. At room temperature and 1 MHz (Bi1.5Zn0.5)(Ti1.5Nb0.5)O7 has a high permittivity (κ′ = 200), low dielectric loss (tanδ < 1·10−4) and a temperature coefficient of the permittivity, τκ, = −1300 ppm/K. Pyrochlore solid solutions based on (Bi1.5Zn0.5)(Ti1.5Nb0.5)O7 can be formed with (Bi2−xZnx)(Ti2− x Nbx)O7 (0.35 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) and with (Bi1.5 Zn0.5−y/3Ti1.5+yNb0.5−2y/3) O7 (−1.5 ≤ y ≤ 0.75). Investigations of the dielectric characteristics showed that the high temperature dependence of the permittivity of (Bi1.5 Zn0.5)(Ti1.5Nb0.5)O7 can be significantly modified by changing the composition of the pyrochlore within these regions of solid solubility. Below room temperature several of these compositions also exhibit a diffuse frequency dependent maximum in their permittivity characteristic of a transition to a relaxor type ferroelectric state. A third region of high permittivity pyrochlores with (Bi1.5+2zZn0.25−z Ti2.25−z)O7 (0.0 ≤ z < 0.15) was also identified in the Bi2O3-ZnO-TiO2 sub system.
Conjoined Hearts in Thoracopagus Twins

This study aimed to identify the anatomic and pathologic structural cardiac abnormalities in conjoined twins and to focus on those that have prevented the successful separation of conjoined hearts. A retrospective review was undertaken to examine consecutive cases of thoracopagus conjoined twins with conjoined hearts evaluated at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia from 1 January 1980 through 6 October 2008. The records included autopsy and surgical findings as well as clinical reports. The study group included nine sets of conjoined twins with a mean gestational age at birth of 33.8 ± 5.5 weeks. Three twin pairs were stillborn. Five twin pairs died afterward. One pair died of cardiopulmonary failure. The median age at death was 22 days (range, 0-345 days). Major congenital heart disease was present in 94.4% (17/18) of the hearts, and 72.2% (13/18) of the hearts had single-ventricle physiology. Total anomalous pulmonary venous return occurred in 39% (7/18) of the cases. The clinical outcome for thoracopagus twins with conjoined hearts remains poor because of inability to separate conjoined and single ventricles. Surgical nonintervention and palliative care should be strongly considered for these patients.
Derivative-augmented features as a dynamic model for time-series

In the field of automatic speech recognition (ASR), it is common practice to augment features with time-derivatives, which we call derivative-augmented features (DAF). Although the method is effective for modeling the dynamic behavior of features and produces signiicantly lower clas-siication error, it violates the assumption of conditional independence of the observations. The traditional approach is to ignore the problem (simply apply the mathematical approach that assumes independence). In this paper, we take an alternative approach in which we still use the same mathematical approach as before, but calculate a correction factor by integrating out the redundant dimensions. This makes it possible to compare and combine a DAF PDF and a non-DAF PDF. We conduct experiments to demonstrate the usefulness of the approach.
THE INTERPRETATION OF SCIATIC RADIATION AND THE SYNDROME OF LOW-BACK PAIN

It seems that, if one recognizes the reflex character in a large number of cases of low-back pain with sciatic radiation, the entire aspect of the prognosis and treatment changes. It becomes evident that the sciatic radiation stands or falls with the success or failure of immobilizing treatment for the local back lesion,—whether this immobilizing treatment consists in merely external immobilization by plaster cast or external appliance; or in internal fixation, if external immobilization is inadequate; or even in the elimination of a painful joint by resection, as in the transversosacral syndrome; or in the relief of the tension which cannot be accomplished by immobilization, as in the operation of Ober. Since the publication of the former paper on the novocain diagnostic test, Dr. Luck and the author have information on the end results of immobilization treatment of low-back pain with sciatic radiation. In 100 consecutive cases apparently suitable for the test, the test was positive in sixty-nine and negative in thirty-one. Of the sixty-nine cases in which the test was positive, the end results were good in fifty-eight, or 84 per cent., and poor in eleven, or 16 per cent. Of the thirty-one cases in which the test was negative, the end results were good in six, or 20 per cent., and poor in twenty-five, or 80 per cent. The type of immobilization ranged from bed rest with traction, casts, and braces to fasciotomy, transversectomy, and fusion. We feel that, in a considerable proportion of the cases of low-back pain with radiation, the recognition of the reflex character is essential for rational diagnosis and treatment of the condition.
Childhood asymmetrical labium majus enlargement sonographic and MR imaging appearances.

Childhood asymmetrical labium majus enlargement (CALME) has been described sparsely in recent surgery, pathology, pediatric and gynecology literature; however, no comprehensive description from a radiology perspective has been developed. The purpose of this case series is to describe the imaging findings of CALME and to review the current understanding of this recently described clinical entity with regard to clinical presentation, pathophysiology, differential diagnosis and treatment options. This is a retrospective analysis of 3 girls, ages 5-7 years, who presented for imaging evaluation with subsequent pathologically proven CALME. Each child’s clinical history, length of symptoms, imaging appearance and pathological findings were reviewed. All three girls presented with unilateral enlargement of the labium majus (two right-side, one left-side) with no history of trauma or other inciting cause. Two girls had painless labial enlargement that was recognized for weeks, and one had similar symptoms for 1 year prior to presentation. One girl was evaluated initially with sonography, and all three children underwent MR imaging. Sonographic evaluation showed asymmetrical labial enlargement without a definable mass. In each girl, the MR imaging findings were characterized by relatively ill-defined T1-weighted hypointense signal, T2-weighted hypo- to isointense signal with interspersed hyperintense septae, and heterogeneous patchy and feathery strands of enhancement on post-contrast imaging. Biopsy from each child showed benign fibrous tissue with intervening mature fibroadipose tissue, vessels and nerves without findings of inflammation or neoplasia. The MR imaging appearance of CALME is consistent. Recognition and appreciation of this unique pediatric entity by the radiologist may be essential for appropriate diagnosis and can help to guide therapy. Current preferred treatment approach is conservative.
Quantitative performance assessment of surgical robot systems: telerobotic fls

Robot assisted surgery is revolutionizing the way in which many surgical interventions are performed. Increased dexterity allows surgeons to perform procedures that were otherwise impossible. TeleSurgery will allow expert care to be distributed anywhere in the world that medical intervention is required. The development of the University of Washington, RAVEN Surgical Robot, was a collaborative effort between surgeons and engineers from multiple disciplines. Initial validation testing included, (1) operating through a digital-data-link on an unmanned aerial vehicle, (2) long-distance teleoperation collaborations with researchers in other countries, and (3) participation in a NASA training mission during which the RAVEN was placed in an undersea habitat off the Florida Keys and teleoperated from Seattle, WA. Based on the current standard in surgical skills evaluation, a method for objective assessment of surgical robotic systems was developed. The effect of time delay in telesurgery using the RAVEN and the effect of 3D vision using the ISI da Vinci® robot were evaluated. The results of these studies will guide further development of the RAVEN and stimulate new ideas for telesurgery.
Optical Communications Telescope Laboratory (OCTL) Support of Space to Ground Link Demonstrations

The NASA/JPL Optical Communication Telescope Laboratory (OCTL) was built for dedicated research and development toward supporting free-space laser communications from space. Recently, the OCTL telescope was used to support the Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration (LLCD) from the Lunar Atmospheric Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) spacecraft and is planned for use with the upcoming Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science (OPALS) demonstration from the International Space Station (ISS). The use of OCTL to support these demonstrations is discussed in this report. The discussion will feed forward to ongoing and future space-to-ground laser communications as it advances toward becoming an operational capability.
‘It Is Not My Fault That You Are Jewish!’: Jews, Czechs, and the Memory of the Holocaust in Film, 1949–2009

This article examines the ways in which Czech filmmakers have shaped the memory of the Holocaust in the Bohemian lands. It does so through an analysis of four films: Distant Journey (1949), Romeo, Juliet, and Darkness (1959), The Death of Beautiful Deer (1986), and Protector (2009). The narratives of all of these films center on a mixed couple or an intermarried family, a site where the fate of Jews and non-Jews intersected during the Holocaust. These films thus constitute productive sites for the investigation of the representation of Jews and non-Jews’ relations during the war. I argue that in the immediate postwar period, filmmakers asked probing and difficult questions about Czech complicity and defiance under German occupation. Before long, however, the mixed couple became a staging ground for narratives that privileged Czech victimization and used references to the Holocaust primarily to allude to German genocidal intent against Czechs. As such, the Jewish experience was marginalized as a historical...
Guidelines for a Store-location Strategy Study:

The large investments in modern store facilities and the long lease commitments make it necessary for retailing firms and for shopping-center developers to employ store-location research.In this ar...
Modeling and Analysis on Service Performance of Logistics Network System in Free-trade Port Areas

The logistics operation network system in free-trade port areas under customs' supervision is attributed to a dynamic stochastic service system.In order to analyze the service performance of the logistics process,we first define the structure of system with network graph,and analyze its service process,then,establish the dynamical stochastic queuing network model and discuss the relationship between service nodes and the service performance of different service nodes,according to which the performance evaluation indexes are proposed,including truck staying time in system,operation performance of service nodes and the utilization of road.Finally,an actual example is illustrated and implemented on a simulation model.The results show that this model is effective to evaluate service performance,find the bottlenecks and propose the measures of improving service performance.
A new method for reliability analysis of dynamic slope stability with considering energy-time distribution

A new method for dynamic reliability analysis of slope stability is proposed with considering the energy-time distribution. In this method, the dynamic critical slip surfaces and their factors of safety(FOS) are described as time series. The slope reliability evaluation criteria including dynamic fuzzy failure probability, dynamic reliability index and dynamic FOS, are obtained utilizing the statistical windows of duration that are extracted according to the characteristics of energy distribution of slope dynamic response. To validate the proposed method, a soil slope stability standard testing problem issued by Australian Association for Computer Aided Design(ACADS) is analyzed under the conditions of the Lushan Ms =7.0 earthquake. The differences of analysis results, which are controlled by the selection of statistical windows of duration, are studied in detail. The case study shows that:(1)The new method can yield good results by emphasizing the most significant time period.(2)The fuzzy discrimination for slope failure state significantly improves the reliability evaluation, which avoids the problem of insufficient discrimination of the traditional methods.(3)The guaranteed-probability-based dynamic FOS of slope has great potential of application and inherent the advantages for reliability analysis. Formally it is compatible with the definition of static stability FOS; quantitatively it is the conservative estimate of instantaneous FOS; and practically it compares well with the pseudo-static method in existing design specifications.(4)In this case, the locations of dynamic critical slip surfaces tend to approach the static critical slip surface. It is illustrated that a reinforcement design under a static or pseudo-static method framework still has a positive meaning in dynamic seismic conditions.(5)The new method provides a way to quantitatively determine the optimal redundancy of seismic design specifications. In summary, the new method provides new ideas, techniques and a reference example for slope seismic analysis.