cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
JUSTICE IN TEAMS: ANTECEDENTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF PROCEDURAL JUSTICE CLIMATE

This study examined antecedents and consequences of procedural justice climate (Mossholder, Bennett, & Martin, 1998; Naumann & Bennett, 2000) in a sample of manufacturing teams. The results showed that climate level (i.e., the average procedural justice perception within the team) was significantly related to both team performance and team absenteeism. Moreover, the effects of climate level were moderated by climate strength, such that the relationships were more beneficial in stronger climates. In addition, team size and team collectivism were significant antecedents of climate level, and team size and team demographic diversity predicted climate strength.
Approximation Of Wiener Filters And Solving Inverse Problems

The problem of reconstructing a signal or image from a finite number of spectral data is the problem of finding an optimal approximation to one function by another. We describe here methods for signal recovery and phase retrieval based on the theory of best approximation in weighted Hilbert spaces 1. These methods have been under development for some time for use in a variety of 1-D and 2-D spectral estimation problems. A new interpretation of these methods will be discussed based on the close analogy between the reconstruction of a non-negative function from finitely many values of its Fourier transform, and the design of approximate Wiener filters2. We also describe the relationship between these methods and other spectral estimation procedures. The Wiener filter produces as an output an estimate of a signal when presented with an input of signal plus noise. Its design, under restrictions of limited data, gives a clear picture of the role of the prior estimate for both linear and non-linear signal recovery procedures, and the significance of this is discussed.
Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) invasions in the US: Mechanisms, impacts, and threats to biodiversity

Invasions of non-native species can suppress biodiversity and alter ecosystem functions, but for many of the most widespread invasive species the mechanisms underlying their invasive success and effects on native species are poorly understood. Here we evaluated the peer-reviewed literature on causes and impacts of invasion by cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), one of the most problematic invasive plant species in the southeast US. We assess what is known about why cogongrass is particularly invasive and how it affects native communities and ecosystems, review patterns in research methods employed, and provide a roadmap for future research on cogongrass. Although many studies have focused on the basic biology and management of cogongrass, we found surprisingly few (30) studies that have directly tested mechanisms or impacts of cogongrass invasions. The most commonly tested mechanisms, disturbance and allelopathy, were evaluated 4 and 12 times, respectively, and studies on invasion impacts were limited to five studies total: native plant diversity (2 studies), nitrogen cycling (2), decomposition (1), and fine fuel loads (1). Excluding laboratory studies on allelopathy, 75% (6/8) of impact studies used observational methods, raising questions about cause and effect. Given the paucity of studies on the ecology of cogongrass invasions, and the need to protect conservation areas from invasions, we urge that research efforts focus on: (1) environmental correlates of distribution and performance, (2) the role of propagule pressure in invasion success, (3) enemy release and post-introduction evolution as mechanisms of invasion, and (4) experimental tests of community and ecosystem impacts of invasions.
The inverse electromagnetic scattering problem for anisotropic media

The inverse electromagnetic scattering problem for anisotropic media plays a special role in inverse scattering theory due to the fact that the (matrix) index of refraction is not uniquely determined from the far field pattern of the scattered field even if multi-frequency data are available. In this paper, we describe how transmission eigenvalues can be determined from the far field pattern and be used to obtain upper and lower bounds on the norm of the index of refraction. Numerical examples will be given for the case when the scattering object is an infinite cylinder and the inhomogeneous medium is orthotropic.
Naming the Enemy: An Art Therapy Intervention for Children with Bipolar and Comorbid Disorders

Treatment and diagnosis for the pediatric form of bipolar disorder presents a clinical challenge given the differences from its adult counterpart and the various comorbid forms that complicate presentation and developmental course. This article discusses manifestations of early onset bipolar disorder and offers a method for implementing art therapy interventions based on a study of 184 sessions with 16 children over the course of 2-1/2 years. Four case vignettes are presented, representative of 16 cases of children ages 9 to 15 who received 32 trials of the art therapy intervention. Clinical assessment, intervention, and artistic/behavioral outcomes are analyzed accordingly, mainly within the psychodynamic and object relations approaches to art therapy.
The MEP2 ammonium permease regulates pseudohyphal differentiation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In response to nitrogen starvation, diploid cells of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae differentiate into a filamentous, pseudohyphal growth form. This dimorphic transition is regulated by the Gα protein GPA2, by RAS2, and by elements of the pheromone‐responsive MAP kinase cascade, yet the mechanisms by which nitrogen starvation is sensed remain unclear. We have found that MEP2, a high affinity ammonium permease, is required for pseudohyphal differentiation in response to ammonium limitation. In contrast, MEP1 and MEP3, which are lower affinity ammonium permeases, are not required for filamentous growth. Δmep2 mutant strains had no defects in growth rates or ammonium uptake, even at limiting ammonium concentrations. The pseudohyphal defect of Δmep2/Δmep2 strains was suppressed by dominant active GPA2 or RAS2 mutations and by addition of exogenous cAMP, but was not suppressed by activated alleles of the MAP kinase pathway. Analysis of MEP1/MEP2 hybrid proteins identified a small intracellular loop of MEP2 involved in the pseudohyphal regulatory function. In addition, mutations in GLN3 , URE2 and NPR1 , which abrogate MEP2 expression or stability, also conferred pseudohyphal growth defects. We propose that MEP2 is an ammonium sensor, generating a signal to regulate filamentous growth in response to ammonium starvation.
Design and analysis of a micro-solar power for Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are fundamentally limited by their energy storage resources and the power they obtain from the environment. The success of wireless sensor networks and their pervasive use is constrained by the energy supply which, generally is provided by batteries, a finite resource. Energy harvesting must hence be taken into account to grant a long time operational life, solar energy being the most interesting one in outdoor deployments due to its relatively high power density. Moreover, WSNs are often designed to be deployed in adverse and non-accessible areas without fixed infrastructure. Therefore, the energy conservation and optimum energy management, as well as suitable energy sources play a crucial role for these networks. Solar-power can provide a much needed energy source for WSN, which are remotely deployed and limited by the short battery lifetime. A challenge in solar-powered WSN is that solar power is an un-predictable and fluctuating phenomenon.
Growth hormone and the maintenance of adult bone mineral density.

Growth hormone serves many important functions in man. It influences carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism, regulates the secretion and action of a variety of other hormones, and interacts with the immune system. Its most studied role, however, as its name implies, is the orchestration of longitudinal growth, which occurs predominantly at the epiphyseal plate. Here, GH acts both directly and indirectly, through the systemic and local production of IGF-I (Isaksson et al., 1987). A separate role for the GH/IGF-I axis in the maintenance of normal bone mineral density (BMD) after epiphyseal closure is also apparent and is an area of active clinical investigation. In this review, we examine the effects of GH on mature bone, summarize the findings of studies on the skeletal effects of GH in adults, and consider the potential use of GH as an anabolic agent in the treatment of osteoporosis.
Managing cash if hyperinflation hits

In an effort to prevent further widespread economic collapse, the U.S. government began an ultra-aggressive fiscal and monetary stimulus. Officials have pumped trillions of dollars into the financial sector, creating a skyrocketing national debt. Many fear the result will be runaway inflation, with the cost of goods and services soaring out of control If this happens, how can companies manage cash to compensate? © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Motivational biases in memory for emotions

This research examined how individuals' motivations and goals were related to their memory for past emotional experiences. In two studies, participants rated how happy and anxious they felt while completing a challenging anagram task and later recalled their emotions. Bias in memory for emotions was predicted by the combination of participants' general motivation (approach BAS vs. avoidance BIS) and the specific goal they set for the task (approach vs. avoidance). Participants with approach motivation and goals overestimated happiness more, and showed a stronger relation between peak and remembered happiness, than other participants. Participants with avoidance motivation and goals overestimated anxiety more, and showed a stronger relation between peak and remembered anxiety, than other participants. Thus motivational factors known to influence attention to valenced information also predict how emotional experiences will be remembered.
A Comparison of the Focusing Properties of a Fresnel Zone Plate With a Doubly-Hyperbolic Lens for Application in a Free-Space, Focused-Beam Measurement System

A Fresnel zone plate is designed to perform the function of a doubly-hyperbolic lens. The focusing characteristics of the zone plate and the lens are compared using both measured data and body-of-revolution finite-difference time-domain simulations. The results from this comparison are used to evaluate the use of zone plates as focusing elements in a free-space, focused-beam measurement system. A set of two zone plates is used to perform measurements of the material properties of a dielectric sheet, and the results are compared to the results from a standard system which uses two doubly-hyperbolic lenses.
Simulation of microelectrode impedance changes due to cell growth

Observation of impedance changes caused by cell growth on microelectrodes provides information about cell coverage and other important quantities, such as the cell-electrode gap. In this paper, we use finite-element simulations to calculate the impedance changes caused by cell growth on electrodes comparable in size to the cell. Parameters describing the impedance of the electrode without cells are derived from measurement. The results show that the impedance magnitude is expected to increase by at least 100% for partial cell coverage. We also report the frequency dependence of the magnitude and phase of the impedance and compare the simulation results with a lumped-element model. The simulation results are important for the design and modeling of arrays of cell-sized electrodes and also for the interpretation of experiments.
Contour shape matching by a constraint satisfaction network

The contour shape-matching task is formulated as a constraint satisfaction problem and solved using a Hopfield net. Constraints that are intrinsic to the shape-matching task are coded in the network interconnection weights. Direct evidence obtained from the observed data, as gauged by a local shape measure, are provided as the external input to the network. The local shape measure used is based on an affine transformation model, which is a general class of mappings that includes the rigid body motion. Empirical results demonstrate the performance of this network when applied to match contours that have undergone rotation, scale change, translation, or combinations of these transformations. The network is shown to be capable of handling noisy data, as well as a reasonable amount of deformation resulting from object rotation in the three-dimensional space. The affine transformation can be generalized to match entire contour segments; hence the network is not confined to matching point patterns. >
Dopamine modulation of transient potassium current evokes phase shifts in a central pattern generator network

Bath application of dopamine modifies the rhythmic motor pattern generated by the 14 neuron pyloric network in the stomatogastric ganglion of the spiny lobster, Panulirus interruptus. Among other effects, dopamine excites many of the pyloric constrictor (PY) neurons to fire at high frequency and phase-advances the timing of their activity in the motor pattern. These responses arise in part from direct actions of dopamine to modulate the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of the PY cells, and can be studied in synaptically isolated neurons. The rate of rebound following a hyperpolarizing prestep and the spike frequency during a subsequent depolarization are both accelerated by dopamine. Based on theoretical simulations, Hartline (1979) suggested that the rate of postinhibitory rebound in stomatogastric neurons could vary with the amount of voltage- sensitive transient potassium current (IA). Consistent with this prediction, we found that dopamine evokes a net conductance decrease in synaptically isolated PY neurons. In voltage clamp, dopamine reduces IA, specifically by reducing the amplitude of the slowly inactivating component of the current and shifting its voltage activation curve in the depolarized direction. 4-Aminopyridine, a selective blocker of IA in stomatogastric neurons, mimics and occludes the effects of dopamine on isolated PY neurons. A conductance-based mathematical model of the PY neuron shows appropriate changes in activity upon quantitative modification of the IA parameters affected by dopamine. These results demonstrate that dopamine excites and phase-advances the PY neurons in the rhythmic pyloric motor pattern at least in part by reducing the transient K+ current, IA.
The haematology of gynogenic tench, Tinca tinca L., and of recessively homozygous colour tench strains

Summary Two wild-coloured strains of tench (the first meiotic gynogenic generation MeiG1, and their control diploid half siblings) and three recessively homozygous colour strains (golden, blue and alampic) were examined for the determination of basic haematological indices. The MeiG1 strain had higher erythrocyte counts than diploid controls or the blue and alampic strains (P < 0.001), and had a higher blood haemoglobin content than all three colour strains (P < 0.001). No differences were detected among strains for haematocrit, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, or mean corpuscular volume. Both the lowest leucocyte count (P < 0.001) and leucocrit value (P < 0.001) were found in the alampic tench, and may result from a negative pleiotropic effect of this recessive homozygous genotype (bbgg). In agreement with previous findings in tench, the differential leucocyte count revealed lymphocytes to be the dominating white blood cells; their rate was about 90% in both the wild-coloured and blue strains, and less in the other two strains (83–84%). Neutrophil granulocytes were most abundant in the MeiG1 strain. Eosinophil granulocytes were detected only in the golden strain, and were not common (0.2%).
Estimating count data models with endogenous switching: Sample selection and endogenous treatment effects

Count data regression models are extended to account for endogenous switching and its two most common incarnations, viz., endogenous dummy variables (treatment effects) and sample selection. Fully parametric and partially parametric versions of the extended model are discussed. In the parametric version of the model, a full information maximum likelihood (FIML) approach to estimation is introduced. Under the correct model specification the FIML estimator is efficient but computationally burdensome. For the relatively robust partially parametric version of the model I develop a two-stage method of moments (TSM) estimator. The TSM estimator is a nonlinear least-squares analog to the popular Heckman (1976, 1979) estimator and therefore avoids the computational requirements of FIML estimation. A nonlinear weighted least-squares (NWLS) estimator is offered for the fully parametric case. The NWLS estimator is computationally efficient relative to FIML estimation, and statistically efficient relative to the TSM estimator. For illustrative purposes the TSM and NWLS estimators are applied to the estimation of a regression model with household trip frequency as the dependent variable and a potentially endogenous dummy variable indicating vehicle ownership among the regressors.
Nonuniform error correction using low-density parity-check codes

This correspondence introduces a framework to design and analyze low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes over nonuniform channels. We study LDPC codes for channels with nonuniform noise distributions, rate-adaptive coding, and unequal error protection. First, we propose a technique to design LDPC codes for volume holographic memory (VHM) systems for which the noise distribution is nonuniform. We show that the proposed coding scheme has an easy design procedure and results in efficient codes for holographic memories. An important property of the proposed technique is the design of the codes that have a low error floor and low variable node degrees, while maintaining performance close to the Shannon limit. We then show that punctured LDPC codes can be studied as a special case of our design methodology for nonuniform channels. Finally, we propose a method to generate LDPC codes that can provide unequal error protection in addition to having a good overall performance. Moreover, the highly protected bits can be decoded without requiring the entire word to be decoded.
A Model for Calculating Substrate Curvature During Coalescence of PT Islands on an Amorphous Substrate

Previous work using in-situ curvature measurement has shown a correlation between stress and microstructure during the early stages of thin film growth. The model presented here can be used to predict the curvature change of the substrate during part of this growth process. Curvature, and thus film stress, is measured in-situ during growth of sputter-deposited Pt on amorphous substrates. The average film stress is observed to be slightly compressive initially, followed by a change towards a tensile maximum, after which the stress becomes compressive again. Plan view TEM micrographs of Pt films of thicknesses up to 35 A show the evolution of microstructure from isolated islands to a coalesced film. This evidence suggests that the tensile regime is due to island coalescence. The model calculates the curvature induced in a substrate during the tensile excursion associated with island coalescence, where discontinuous islands are modeled as a series of cracks in an otherwise continuous film. Quantitative measurements of island size and areal fraction covered are extracted from the TEM micrographs and used to predict the curvature during coalescence. The predicted stresses are shown to compare favorably with the measured stresses.
Elastic constant anomalies in sinter-forged high-Tc superconductor YBa2Cu3O7 - δ

Abstract The ultrasound velocity in the sinter-forged YBa2Cu3O7 − δ superconductor was measured and the results showed evident anomalies as well as anisotropies. Both longitudinal and shear wave velocity along the c axis (the forging axis) showed a distinct thermal hysteresis from 65 K to 260 K. The velocity change ΔV V from room temperature to 4 K was 1.5%. The sound velocity along the “basal plane” reached a maximum around 160 K. No distinct thermal hysteresis was observed. ΔV V from room temperature to 4 K was 1%. All of these velocities were measured while sweeping the magnetic field up to 9 T at fixed temperatures of 4 K and 86 K respectively. No velocity change was observed. The shear wave velocity behaved similarly at 9 T during the thermal cycling between room temperature and 4 K.
Does semen have antidepressant properties

In a sample of sexually active college females, condom use, as an indirect measure of the presence of semen in the reproductive tract, was related to scores on the Beck Depression Inventory. Not only were females who were having sex without condoms less depressed, but depressive symptoms and suicide attempts among females who used condoms were proportional to the consistency of condom use. For females who did not use condoms, depression scores went up as the amount of time since their last sexual encounter increased. These data are consistent with the possibility that semen may antagonize depressive symptoms and evidence which shows that the vagina absorbs a number of components of semen that can be detected in the bloodstream within a few hours of administration.
The Hard Road to the Good Life: The Happy, Mature Person

The purpose of this article is to examine how two aspects of the good life, happiness and maturity, are reflected in the stories that people tell about their lives. This article highlights the ways...
Hydrolysis of tumor cell lipids after CTL-mediated death

Contributions of lipases to CTL function have been debated, including if T cell lipases damage target cells. Expression of the lipase pancreatic lipase-related protein 2 (PLRP2) was previously found in IL-4 cultured lymphocyte cell lines but absent from IL-2 cultured lymphocytes. Here, we evaluated IL-2 and IL-4 induced CTLs for hydrolysis of target cell lipids and killing. Using anti-CD3 redirected lysis of [ 3 H]-oleic acid-labeled P815 tumor cells, we detected the release of the radioactive fatty acid (FA). When PLRP2 1/1 and PLRP2 2/2 CTLs were compared, there was more killing by the PLRP2 1/1 CTLs. However, [ 3 H]-oleic acid release was similar per dead P815, suggesting that lipid hydrolysis was produced by the dead P815s rather than by PLRP2. The FA release and death were completely dependent on perforin and also occurred when P815s were killed by perforin-containing T cell granule extracts that lacked lipase activity. Death by the cytotoxic granules extracts was unaffected by the addition of lipases. A lipase inhibitor, tetrahydrolipstatin, blocked FA release without affecting CTL-mediated cytotoxicity. Also, CTL-mediated death caused as much FA release as death by disruption of cells by freeze–thawing. The released oleic acid may be sufficient to promote secondary apoptotic responses after CTL-induced trauma.
Solution to Nonnormality in Quality Assurance and Acceptance Quality Characteristics Data

Previous studies have identified high nonnormality in the form of skewness and kurtosis in highway construction data (hot-mix asphalt, portland cement concrete pavement, and aggregate materials) on the basis of analysis of field quality assurance data. [The authors use "nonnormality," rather than "abnormality," and define it as a term used in any discipline that involves statistical data analysis. —Ed.] The presence of high nonnormality in lot data is a significant finding because such nonnormality violates most state transportation agencies' normality assumption for quality assurance data analysis (e.g., F-test and t-test) and quality measure calculation (e.g., percent within limits). High nonnormality can have several adverse effects, such as increased variability in lot data and decreased efficiency of statistical verification tests in finding differences between contractor's and agency's data sets. Most important, however, nonnormal lot data tend to misdirect contractor payment; such misdirection can ...
Effect of Microamperage Stimulation on the Rate of Wound Healing in Rats: A Histological Study

Background and Purpose. This study examined cutaneous wound healing after microamperage stimulation (MS). Subjects. Twelve female Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Methods. The treatment (wound reduction) group (n=6) received 100 μA of current at 0.3 Hz on a 50% duty cycle for 2 hours a day for 14 days. The control group (n=6) received the same handling and electrode placement, but no current was applied. Wound size was measured daily following each treatment. Histological analysis included measurement of epithelial thickness, vascularity, and fibroblast density from tissue sections taken at the end of the experiment. Results. An analysis of variance showed no significant difference between the two groups with respect to the change in wound size over the 14 treatment days. A series of t tests showed no significant differences between the groups for any of the histological measurements. Conclusion and Discussion. The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that MS accelerates acute cutaneous wound healing.
Binding of Warfarin Influences the Acid‐Base Equilibrium of H242 in Sudlow Site I of Human Serum Albumin

Sudlow Site I of human serum albumin (HSA) is located in subdomain IIA of the protein and serves as a binding cavity for a variety of ligands. In this study, the binding of warfarin (W) is examined using computational techniques and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The structure of the docked warfarin anion (W−) to Site I is similar to that revealed by X-ray crystallography, with a calculated binding constant of 5.8 × 105M−1. ITC experiments (pH 7.13 and I = 0.1) carried out in three different buffers (MOPs, phosphate and Tris) reveal binding of W− is accompanied by uptake of 0.30 ± 0.02 protons from the solvent. This measurement suggests that the binding of W− is stabilized by an ion-pair interaction between protonated H242 and the phenoxide group of W−.
CLASSIFICATION OF WETLANDS IN A PATAGONIAN NATIONAL PARK, CHILE

Wetlands in Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile were studied to determine their variety and type because resident wetlands had not been previously described. In 2001, 88 wetlands were sampled for vegetation, water chemistry, water depth, substrate type, and hydroperiod to develop a classification system using a combination of factor, discriminant, and cluster techniques. In 2002–2003 the classification system was applied to an additional 323 wetlands. Types were named for floristic characteristics but were cross-typed with NWI and Ramsar classifications. Types described include Carex-Nothofagus, Juncus-Glyceria, Hippuris-Myriophyllum, Ranunculus, and Schoenoplectus marshes; peatlands; and vegas. Lake/ponds and mudflats were also identified. Wetlands were found in basins, slopes, and channels and have water regimes varying from saturated to permanently flooded. Differences were found in the chemical characteristics of water among wetland types and regions of the Park. Torres del Paine National Park is rich in its diversity of wetland types.
Maabella gen. nov. (Streblidae: Ascodipterinae) from Guangxi Province, China and Vietnam with notes on preservation of Ascodipterinae

Endoparasitic Ascodipterinae (Streblidae) were collected from bats from southeast China and northern Vietnam. Among this material, the new genus and species Maabella stomalata is described. The dealate females of this new taxon from China were attached over the joints of the wings of Rhinolophus affinis Horsfield and Rhinolophus macrotis Blyth. They were also removed from the wings of Rhinolophus paradoxalophus (Bourret) and R. macrotis from Vietnam. Clarification of the relationships of the streblid genera Ascodipteron Adensamer, 1896, Maabella, and Paraascodipteron Advani and Vazirani, 1981 is discussed. Techniques are presented for the preparation and preservation of these small obligate parasites.Key words: Ascodipteron, bat flies, endoparasite, neosome, Paraascodipteron, Rhinolophus
Endothelial dysfunction in mesenteric resistance arteries of diabetic rats: role of free radicals

Diabetes was induced in rats by an injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). Endothelium-dependent relaxations in mesenteric resistance arteries (luminal diameter 210 +/- 20 microns) of control and d...
Iron supplementation in adolescent hemodialysis patients.

Aims Iron supplementation is necessary in children on hemodialysis, but the optimal protocol remains unknown. We studied the effects of changing our unit's protocol from oral iron with periodic doses of parenteral iron dextran to routine administration of parenteral sodium ferric gluconate on anemia and iron parameters. Methods We followed seven hemodialysis patients aged 15 20 years (mean 17 years). Hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron, transferrin saturation, ferritin, erythropoietin dose, total elemental iron dose and total iron cost for the six months prior to the protocol change were compared to the same variables during the six months following the change. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the doses of parenteral iron between the two protocols; however, the total dose of elemental iron administered in the oral iron plus iron dextran protocol was greater than in the sodium ferric gluconate protocol (19.6+/-13.1 (mean+/-SD) mg/kg/week versus 1.1+/-0.3 mg/kg/week; p = 0.03). Both protocols had equivalent efficacy with respect to hemoglobin, ferritin and other measures of iron stores. On the other hand, the costs of sodium ferric gluconate were significantly higher than those of oral iron plus intermittent iron dextran (157.75+/-45.94 $/patient/month versus 52.08+/-49.88 $/patient/month; p = 0.01). Conclusions Routine administration of sodium ferric gluconate is equivalent if not superior to use of oral iron plus iron dextran for maintenance of iron stores in adolescents on hemodialysis, but more expensive.
Dose-dense docetaxel, carboplatinum and trastuzumab (ddTCH) as neoadjuvant therapy for human epidermal receptor 2 (HER2) positive breast cancer

11003 Background: Docetaxel, cisplatin, and trastuzumab given every 21 days in Her 2-postitive breast cancer demonstrates a pathologic complete response (pCR) rate of 23%. Decreasing the interval b...
Serial Myocardial Perfusion Imaging: Defining a Significant Change and Targeting Management Decisions

Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with gated single-photon emission tomography provides important information on the extent and severity of myocardial perfusion abnormalities, including myocardial ischemia. The availability of software for automated quantitative assessment of myocardial perfusion in an objective and more reproducible manner than visual assessment has allowed MPI to be particularly effective in serial evaluation. Serial testing using MPI is widely used in guiding patient care despite the lack of well-defined appropriateness use criteria. This should not be surprising because ischemic heart disease is a life-long malady subject to dynamic changes throughout its natural course and particularly following man-made interventions that may improve or worsen the disease process, such as medical therapy and coronary revascularization. Serial MPI has filled an important clinical gap by providing crucial information for managing patients with changes in clinical presentations or in anticipation of such changes in patients with stable symptoms. In the research arena, serial MPI has been widely applied in randomized controlled trials to study the impact of various medical and interventional therapies on myocardial perfusion, as well as the relative merits of new imaging procedures (hardware and/or software), radiotracers, and stressor agents. Serial testing, however, unlike initial or 1-time testing, has more stringent requirements and is subject to variability because of technical, procedural, interpretational, and biological factors. The intrinsic variability of MPI becomes important in interpreting serial tests in order to define a true change in a given patient and to guide clinical decision making. The purpose of this first comprehensive review on this subject is to illustrate where serial MPI may be useful clinically and in research studies, and to highlight strategies for addressing the various issues that are unique to serial testing in order to derive more valid and robust data from the serial scans.
Cordyceps militaris improves tolerance to high intensity exercise after acute and chronic supplementation

ABSTRACT To determine the effects of a mushroom blend containing Cordyceps militaris on high-intensity exercise after 1 and 3 weeks of supplementation. Twenty-eight individuals (Mean ± standard deviation [SD]; Age = 22.7 ± 4.1 yrs; Height = 175.4 ± 8.7 cm; Weight = 71.6 ± 12.0 kg) participated in this randomized, repeated measures, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), time to exhaustion (TTE), and ventilatory threshold (VT) were measured during a maximal graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Relative peak power output (RPP), average power output (AvgP), and percent drop (%drop) were recorded during a 3 minute maximal cycle test with resistance at 4.5% body weight. Subjects consumed 4 g·d−1 mushroom blend (MR) or maltodextrin (PL) for 1 week. Ten volunteers supplemented for an additional 2 weeks. Exercise tests were separated by at least 48 hours and repeated following supplementation periods. One week of supplementation elicited no significant time × treatment...
Control of Dynamic Limb Motion Using Fatigue-Resistant Asynchronous Intrafascicular Multi-Electrode Stimulation

Asynchronous intrafascicular multi-electrode stimulation (aIFMS) of small independent populations of peripheral nerve motor axons can evoke selective, fatigue-resistant muscle forces. We previously developed a real-time proportional closed-loop control method for aIFMS generation of isometric muscle force and the present work extends and adapts this closed-loop controller to the more demanding task of dynamically controlling joint position in the presence of opposing joint torque. A proportional-integral-velocity controller, with integrator anti-windup strategies, was experimentally validated as a means to evoke motion about the hind-limb ankle joint of an anesthetized feline via aIFMS stimulation of fast-twitch plantar-flexor muscles. The controller was successful in evoking steps in joint position with 2.4% overshoot, 2.3-s rise time, 4.5-s settling time, and near-zero steady-state error. Controlled step responses were consistent across changes in step size, stable against external disturbances, and reliable over time. The controller was able to evoke smooth eccentric motion at joint velocities up to 8 deg./s, as well as sinusoidal trajectories with frequencies up to 0.1 Hz, with time delays less than 1.5 s. These experiments provide important insights toward creating a robust closed-loop aIFMS controller that can evoke precise fatigue-resistant motion in paralyzed individuals, despite the complexities introduced by aIFMS.
Back to basics: luring industry back into neuroscience.

An obsession with producing and validating models (face, construct, predictive validity) has led many of us down a deep rabbit hole, thinking about models instead of mechanisms. Advances in the human genetics and neurobiology of brain disorders create exciting new opportunities, but only if we can get back to basics.
Ethical Frameworks: Utilitarianism (Presentation Slides)

These slides cover the ethical framework of Utilitarianism. More specifically, they cover the basics of the theory, Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart MIll, the Hedonic Calculus, Act Utilitarianism, Rule Utilitarianism, problems with this framework, and some current examples. These slides also make the case for character and integrity and include a survey to introduce the concept of moral decision-making.
Gender stereotypes about intellectual ability emerge early and influence children’s interests

Common stereotypes associate high-level intellectual ability (brilliance, genius, etc.) with men more than women. These stereotypes discourage women’s pursuit of many prestigious careers; that is, women are underrepresented in fields whose members cherish brilliance (such as physics and philosophy). Here we show that these stereotypes are endorsed by, and influence the interests of, children as young as 6. Specifically, 6-year-old girls are less likely than boys to believe that members of their gender are “really, really smart.” Also at age 6, girls begin to avoid activities said to be for children who are “really, really smart.” These findings suggest that gendered notions of brilliance are acquired early and have an immediate effect on children’s interests.
A model-based analysis of decision making under risk in obsessive-compulsive and hoarding disorders

Attitudes towards risk are highly consequential in clinical disorders thought to be prone to "risky behavior", such as substance dependence, as well as those commonly associated with excessive risk aversion, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and hoarding disorder (HD). Moreover, it has recently been suggested that attitudes towards risk may serve as a behavioral biomarker for OCD. We investigated the risk preferences of participants with OCD and HD using a novel adaptive task and a quantitative model from behavioral economics that decomposes risk preferences into outcome sensitivity and probability sensitivity. Contrary to expectation, compared to healthy controls, participants with OCD and HD exhibited less outcome sensitivity, implying less risk aversion in the standard economic framework. In addition, risk attitudes were strongly correlated with depression, hoarding, and compulsion scores, while compulsion (hoarding) scores were associated with more (less) "rational" risk preferences. These results demonstrate how fundamental attitudes towards risk relate to specific psychopathology and thereby contribute to our understanding of the cognitive manifestations of mental disorders. In addition, our findings indicate that the conclusion made in recent work that decision making under risk is unaltered in OCD is premature.
A murine preclinical syngeneic transplantation model for breast cancer precision medicine

We previously demonstrated that altered activity of lysophosphatidic acid in murine mammary glands promotes tumorigenesis. We have now established and characterized a heterogeneous collection of mouse-derived syngeneic transplants (MDSTs) as preclinical platforms for the assessment of personalized pharmacological therapies. Detailed molecular and phenotypic analyses revealed that MDSTs are the most heterogeneous group of genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) of breast cancer yet observed. Response of MDSTs to trametinib, a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase inhibitor, correlated with RAS/MAPK signaling activity, as expected from studies in xenografts and clinical trials providing validation of the utility of the model. Sensitivity of MDSTs to talazoparib, a poly(adenosine 5′-diphosphate–ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, was predicted by PARP1 protein levels and by a new PARP sensitivity predictor (PSP) score developed from integrated analysis of drug sensitivity data of human cell lines. PSP score–based classification of The Cancer Genome Atlas breast cancer suggested that a subset of patients with limited therapeutic options would be expected to benefit from PARP-targeted drugs. These results indicate that MDSTs are useful models for studies of targeted therapies, and propose novel potential biomarkers for identification of breast cancer patients likely to benefit from personalized pharmacological treatments.
An analysis from the Quality Outcomes Database, Part 1. Disability, quality of life, and pain outcomes following lumbar spine surgery: predicting likely individual patient outcomes for shared decision-making.

OBJECTIVEQuality and outcomes registry platforms lie at the center of many emerging evidence-driven reform models. Specifically, clinical registry data are progressively informing health care decision-making. In this analysis, the authors used data from a national prospective outcomes registry (the Quality Outcomes Database) to develop a predictive model for 12-month postoperative pain, disability, and quality of life (QOL) in patients undergoing elective lumbar spine surgery.METHODSIncluded in this analysis were 7618 patients who had completed 12 months of follow-up. The authors prospectively assessed baseline and 12-month patient-reported outcomes (PROs) via telephone interviews. The PROs assessed were those ascertained using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EQ-5D, and numeric rating scale (NRS) for back pain (BP) and leg pain (LP). Variables analyzed for the predictive model included age, gender, body mass index, race, education level, history of prior surgery, smoking status, comorbid conditions, ...
Creativity of images: using digital consensual assessment to evaluate mood boards

Mood boards are used frequently in design and product development as well as in academic courses related to fashion design. However objectively evaluating the creativity of fashion design mood boards is often difficult. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation is to examine reliability of a digital consensual assessment instrument measuring creativity, using expert (from related domains) and non-expert raters (students). Creativity measures were compared with the mood board themes to further investigate any relationships between mood board types and the consensual assessment. Independent samples t test comparing group means indicated expert raters evaluated the mood boards significantly higher in creativity than the non-experts, t (99) = −6.71, p < .001, (95% CI −.57, −.29), while Pearson correlation results indicate a significant relationship between the two groups of raters, r (50) = .33, p < .01. ANOVA results for all raters indicated a significant difference between the five subject matter categories; F (4, 95) = 4.64, p < .005. Overall, expert and non-expert raters reported significant reliability, which further supports prior research using consensual assessment for creativity measures across domains.
Exposure to predators reduces collective foraging aggressiveness and eliminates its relationship with colony personality composition

Predation is a ubiquitous threat that often plays a central role in determining community dynamics. Predators can impact prey species by directly consuming them, or indirectly causing prey to modify their behavior. Direct consumption has classically been the focus of research on predator-prey interactions, but substantial evidence now demonstrates that the indirect effects of predators on prey populations are at least as strong as, if not stronger than, direct consumption. Social animals, particularly those that live in confined colonies, rely on coordinated actions that may be vulnerable to the presence of a predator, thus impacting the society's productivity and survival. To examine the effect of predators on the behavior of social animal societies, we observed the collective foraging of social spider colonies (Stegodyphus dumicola) when they interact with dangerous predatory ants either directly, indirectly, or both. We found that when colonies were exposed directly and indirectly to ant cues, they attacked prey with approximately 40-50% fewer spiders, and 40-90% slower than colonies that were not exposed to any predator cues. Furthermore, exposure to predatory ants disassociated the well-documented positive relationship between colony behavioral composition (proportion of bold spiders) and foraging aggressiveness (number of attackers) in S. dumicola, which is vital for colony growth. Thus, the indirect effects of predator presence may limit colony success. These results suggest that enemy presence could compromise the organizational attributes of animal societies.
Assessment of miscible light-hydrocarbon-injection recovery efficiency in Bakken shale formation using wireline-log-derived indices

Abstract High original oil-in-place estimates accompanied by low primary recovery potential of organic-rich shale formations make them suitable candidates for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects. The organic-rich shale formation under investigation in this paper is the Bakken shale formation that exhibits significant variations in lithology, rock texture, clay content, porosity, and total organic carbon (TOC). Three wireline-log-derived EOR-efficiency indices are generated across the 200-feet-thick Upper, Middle, and Lower Bakken formations to identify flow units suitable for EOR using light, miscible hydrocarbon injection. R-index is one of the three EOR-efficiency indices. R-index is calculated using kerogen content, water saturation, permeability, principal pore throat diameter, and porosity. Microscopic Displacement (MD) Index computes the microscopic displacement efficiency for the miscible gas injection. An important step in computing MD-index is to decompose NMR T2 distribution at each depth using factor analysis to compute the free oil, movable water, and bound fluid volumes. Moreover, the MD-index accounts for the effect of pore confinement on miscible oil volume and the effect kerogen content on the displacement efficiency. MD-index relies on a novel method to calculate the miscible free-oil volume from subsurface NMR T2-distribution logs. Lastly, k-means clustering method was used to generate the third index, referred as the KC-index, which is in the form of a step-wise curve. KC-index partitions the entire formation into four groups, representing miscible-gas-injection recovery potentials at discrete levels. The method uses water saturation, porosity, permeability, bound fluid volume, and principal pore throat diameter derived from various logs. The proposed log-derived EOR-efficiency indices generate consistent predictions of miscible light-hydrocarbon injection performance in the Bakken shale formation at various resolutions. Indices indicate that several formation zones in the middle section of the formation will have much higher recovery potential in comparison to the upper and lower sections of the formation. At a resolution of 1-foot depth interval, several flow units were successfully identified in the middle section that exhibit high miscible-gas-injection recovery potential.
Mechanistic Insights into Aerobic Oxidative Methyl Esterification of Primary Alcohols with Heterogeneous PdBiTe Catalysts

Aerobic oxidative methyl esterification of primary alcohols is an important chemical transformation that converts a nucleophile (alcohol) into a versatile electrophile (methyl ester). We recently discovered a heterogeneous PdBiTe/C catalyst that exhibits the highest activity yet reported for this transformation. Bi and Te serve as synergistic promoters that enhance both the rate and yield of the reactions relative to reactions employing Pd alone or Pd in combination with Bi or with Te as the sole promoter. Here, we report a mechanistic study of the oxidative methyl esterification of benzyl alcohol and 1-octanol to provide insights into the overall multistep transformation as well as the role of the Bi and Te in the reaction. The catalytic rates of the oxidative esterification of benzyl alcohol and octanol with Pd, PdBi, PdTe, and PdBiTe catalysts exhibit a saturation dependence on [alcohol] and [K2CO3] and a first-order dependence on pO2. Hammett studies of benzyl alcohol oxidation reveal opposing electro...