cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Injectable tissue integrating networks from recombinant polypeptides with tunable order

Emergent properties of natural biomaterials result from the collective effects of nanoscale interactions among ordered and disordered domains. Here, using recombinant sequence design, we have created a set of partially ordered polypeptides to study emergent hierarchical structures by precisely encoding nanoscale order–disorder interactions. These materials, which combine the stimuli-responsiveness of disordered elastin-like polypeptides and the structural stability of polyalanine helices, are thermally responsive with tunable thermal hysteresis and the ability to reversibly form porous, viscoelastic networks above threshold temperatures. Through coarse-grain simulations, we show that hysteresis arises from physical crosslinking due to mesoscale phase separation of ordered and disordered domains. On injection of partially ordered polypeptides designed to transition at body temperature, they form stable, porous scaffolds that rapidly integrate into surrounding tissue with minimal inflammation and a high degree of vascularization. Sequence-level modulation of structural order and disorder is an untapped principle for the design of functional protein-based biomaterials.
The Airmanship and the Commercial Pilot Competency of the Commercial Aviation Students in Thailand

This research is to study 1) the levels of Airmanship of the aviation students in Thailand 2) to study the levels of Commercial Pilot Competency of the aviation students in Thailand 3) to compare the levels of Airmanship of the aviation students, categorized by the types of aviation students 4) to compare the levels of Commercial Pilot Competency of the aviation students, categorized by the types of aviation students 5) to find the correlation between Airmanship and the Commercial Pilot Competency of the aviation students in Thailand. The sample group consisted of aviation students studying at the 3 commercial aviation schools in Thailand, using categorization in the types of the aviation students. The 278 persons in the sample group is by Krejcie and Morgan chart. Tools used are questionnaires, statistic is by mean, t-Test, pearson’s simple correlation moment product. It is found from the study that the levels of Airmanship of the aviation students are in the high levels. The levels of Commercial Pilot Competency of the aviation students are in the high levels. The comparison of the levels of Airmanship of the aviation students, categorized by the types of the students, are not different. The comparison of levels of Commercial Pilot Competency of the aviation students, categorized by the types of the students are not different. It is also found that the levels of correlation between the Airmanship and the Commercial Pilot Competency are in the high levels with statistic significant at .01, coefficient correlation .789.
Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity-mediated serotherapy against murine neuroblastoma. II. In vitro and in vivo treatment using effector cells from normal and X-irradiated humans.

Human peripheral lymphocytes (HLc) have been studied in vitro as possible effector cells in an antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) reaction. HLc were found to be active against murine neuroblastoma cells (MNB) inoculated into the flank of syngeneic mice. Both the time of onset of tumor appearance and the mean survival time of tumor-bearing host mice were beneficially influenced. Occasional animals could be cured of up to 105 tumor cells (1–10 cells of MNB are lethal). This level of tumor cytotoxicity approaches that of tolerance-dose chemotherapy and is without demonstrable side-effects. HLc from patients who had just received = 3,000 rads fractionated therapeutic X-irradiation were equally effective as HLc from control non-irradiated donors when assayed at equivalent HLc : tumor cell ratios. HLc could also inhibit MNB tumor cell growth in the ascitic form, confirming in vivo activity. Overall, HLc appeared almost as active as rat spleen cells in mediating a useful anti-tumor ADCC. This approach may ultimately prove useful in man, especially in the peritoneal cavity, and is currently limited only by the need to develop appropriate antisera. It is proposed and emphasized that such antisera need not necessarily be directed at tumor-specific antigens. Organ-specific antibodies such are already known to develop spontaneously in some human auto-immune diseases might be equally useful and are a naturally occurring potential source of appropriately expressed genetic material.
Depinning force of a receding droplet on pillared superhydrophobic surfaces: Analytical models

It was experimentally shown that a depinning force of a receding droplet on a micropillared superhydrophobic surface has an apparently linear correlation with the maximal three-phase contact line attainable along an actual droplet boundary. However, the experimental observation has not yet been supported by any theoretical basis or analysis. This study establishes an analytical model that theoretically supports the experimental observation on the basis of the dynamics of a contact line. The depinning force of a receding droplet was experimentally measured in evaporation on micropillared superhydrophobic surfaces with varying structure pitches but a fixed size. The analytical model was established by considering the energy dissipated by the displacement of a microscopic contact line on pillar tops and the energy consumed for the distortion of a liquid-gas interface between pillar tops. The model shows that the depinning force can theoretically be estimated by the physical dimensions of pillars and the intrinsic hydrophobicity of the surface, showing excellent agreement with the experimental results. Especially, the model indicates that the depinning force is fundamentally determined and practically controllable by the normalized maximal contact line at the droplet boundary, which can effectively be represented as the ratio of the pillar top perimeter to pitch.
Resource concentration mechanisms facilitate foraging success in simulations of a pulsed oligotrophic wetland

Movement of prey on hydrologically pulsed, spatially heterogeneous wetlands can result in transient, high prey concentrations, when changes in landscape features such as connectivity between flooded areas alternately facilitate and impede prey movement. Predators track and exploit these concentrations, depleting them as they arise. We sought to describe how prey pulses of fish rapidly form and persist on wetland landscapes, while enduring constant consumption by wading birds, without being fully depleted. Specifically, we questioned how is the predator–prey relationship mediated by interactions between animal movement and dynamic landscape connectivity? Two models were developed of the predator–prey-landscape system with qualitatively different representations of space, to identify and quantify prey pulsing dynamics that were robust across modeled assumptions. The first included a homogeneous landscape described by simple geometry, and implicit fish movement as wetland volume contracts. The second modeled transverse movement across a heterogeneous landscape, with isolated drying patches. Both models produced rapid fish prey concentrations as the wetland dried to shallow water depths. These conditions are critical for making prey available to wading birds. Fish were also rapidly depleted by birds, representing daily caloric intake supporting birds. Model 1 provided average estimates across the modeled domain. Model 2 mapped locations of emerging prey hotspots on the landscape through time. Our models tracked predator, prey, and landscape dynamics in parallel, inducing systems dynamics from empirical observations. Explicit inclusion of dynamic wetland hydrologic connectivity, a key landscape mechanism, allowed for a comprehensive picture of links between landscape dynamics and the adapted predator–prey system.
Resting state connectivity best predicts alcohol use severity in moderate to heavy alcohol users.

Abstract Background In the United States, 13% of adults are estimated to have alcohol use disorder (AUD). Most studies examining the neurobiology of AUD treat individuals with this disorder as a homogeneous group; however, the theories of the neurocircuitry of AUD call for a quantitative and dimensional approach. Previous imaging studies find differences in brain structure, function, and resting-state connectivity in AUD, but few use a multimodal approach to understand the association between severity of alcohol use and the brain differences. Methods Adults (ages 22–60) with problem drinking patterns (n = 59) completed a behavioral and neuroimaging protocol at the National Institutes of Health. Alcohol severity was quantified with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). In a 3 T MRI scanner, participants underwent a structural MRI as well as resting-state, monetary incentive delay, and face matching fMRI scans. Machine learning was applied and trained using the neural data from MRI scanning. The model was tested for generalizability in a validation sample (n = 24). Results The resting state-connectivity features model best predicted AUD severity in the naive sample, compared to task fMRI, structural MRI, combined MRI features, or demographic features. Network connectivity features between salience network, default mode network, executive control network, and sensory networks explained 33% of the variance associated with AUDIT in this model. Conclusions These findings indicate that the neural effects of AUD vary according to severity. Our results emphasize the utility of resting state fMRI as a neuroimaging biomarker for quantitative clinical evaluation of AUD.
Mental health and substance use among women and men at the intersections of identities and experiences of discrimination: insights from the intersectionality framework.

Intersectionality theory focuses on how one’s human experiences are constituted by mutually reinforcing interactions between different aspects of one’s identities, such as race, class, gender, and sexual orientation. In this study, we asked: 1) Do associations between intersecting identities (race and sexual orientation) and mental health (depressive symptoms) and substance use (alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana) differ between men and women? and 2) How do single or intersecting self-reports of perceived racial and/or sexual orientation discrimination influence mental health and substance use outcomes for men and women? We compared results of assessing identities versus experiences of discrimination. Multivariable regressions were conducted on cross-sectional data from 2315 Black and White college students. Predictors included measures of sociodemographic characteristics and experiences of discrimination. Outcomes included past 2-week depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), past 30-day alcohol use, past 30-day tobacco use, and past 30-day marijuana use. Intersecting identities and experience of discrimination had different associations with outcomes. Among women, self-reporting both forms of discrimination was associated with higher depressive symptoms and substance use. For example, compared to women experiencing no discrimination, women experiencing both forms of discrimination had higher depressive symptoms (B = 3.63, CI = [2.22–5.03]), alcohol use (B = 1.65, CI = [0.56–2.73]), tobacco use (OR = 3.45, CI = [1.97–6.05]), and marijuana use (OR = 3.38, CI = [1.80–6.31]). However, compared to White heterosexual women, White sexual minority women had higher risks for all outcomes (B = 3.16 and CI = [2.03–4.29] for depressive symptoms, B = 1.45 and CI = [0.58–2.32] for alcohol use, OR = 2.21 and CI = [1.32–3.70] for tobacco use, and OR = 3.01 and CI = [1.77–5.12] for marijuana use); while Black sexual minority women had higher tobacco (OR = 2.64, CI = [1.39–5.02]) and marijuana use (OR = 2.81, CI = [1.33–5.92]) only. Compared to White heterosexual men, White sexual minority men had higher depressive symptoms (B = 1.90, CI = [0.52–3.28]) and marijuana use (OR = 2.37, CI = [1.24–4.49]). Our results highlight the deleterious impacts of racial discrimination and sexual orientation discrimination on health, in particular for women. Future studies should distinguish between and jointly assess intersecting social positions (e.g., identities) and processes (e.g., interpersonal experience of discrimination or forms of structural oppression).
Comment on consensus statements on the approach to patients in a methanol poisoning outbreak.

To the EditorWe read with great interest the consensus statement on the approach to patients in a methanol poisoning outbreak by Hassanian-Moghaddam et al. [1]. Methanol outbreaks continue to occur...
[Endoscopic techniques for early stage cancer of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract : Possibilities and limitations].

Background Endoscopic resection (ER) provides a minimally invasive treatment option for early gastrointestinal cancers. Objective Presentation of current guideline recommendations. Presentation and discussion of published data regarding ER of early esophageal cancer, early gastric cancer and early colorectal cancer. Material and methods Analysis of the current literature. Presentation of endoscopic case reports. Results New technologies, e. g. narrow-band imaging (NBI) have improved the endoscopic diagnosis of early gastrointestinal neoplasms. The development of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) allowed higher R0 resection rates and minimized the recurrence risk leading to higher rates of curative endoscopic resection. Resection criteria are defined in national and international guidelines. Resection criteria for early gastric cancer are different between German (guideline criteria) and Asian guidelines (expanded criteria). New German data did not show a difference in long-term survival after ESD of early gastric cancers fulfilling the guideline criteria or the expanded criteria. In early colorectal cancer submucosal invasion exceeding 1000 µm is defined as the limit for ER in current guidelines. This threshold might be too strict for subgroups without further risk factors but further data are awaited. Conclusion Substantial progress has been made in endoscopic diagnostics and treatment of early gastrointestinal cancers. First European data could confirm previous Asian results; however, further studies are urgently needed for a better definition of the possibilities and limitations of ER.
Visual Diagnosis: Multiple Falls and a Pigmented Skin Lesion in a 5-year-old Boy.

1. Seema Jain, MD*,† 2. Lefkothea P. Karaviti, MD, PhD*,† 1. *Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 2. †Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX A 5-year old boy is transferred from an outside institution for a radiograph finding of a left femur fracture coursing through a lytic lesion. The boy presented earlier that day with left leg pain and inability to bear weight after tripping and falling. One month previously he was diagnosed as having a left tibia fracture after another child jumped and landed on him in an inflatable bounce house. Before these injuries he had no history of bone pain or muscle weakness. His parents report a long-standing history of poor appetite and hyperactivity. He has no associated fever, weight loss, rash, or night sweats. The medical history includes a recent diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a “Mongolian spot” diagnosed in infancy, and 3 hospitalizations in the first 4 months of life for brief resolved unexplained events. An investigation for nonaccidental trauma was initiated at that time and revealed chronic bilateral subdural hemorrhages on magnetic resonance imaging, normal laboratory results, and a normal skeletal survey and ophthalmic examination findings. The boy was temporarily placed in the care of a family friend and eventually placed back into his parents’ custody. On physical examination the boy points to his left thigh as the primary source of pain. He has a posterior long bone splint on the left leg, with an overlying short hard cast that was placed by the outside institution. Range …
Abstract ES7-1: Progression of Disease and End of life: How to Break Bad News

As an oncologist, one of the challenges that we all face is breaking bad news to patients and families. We all face difficult conversations on a daily basis which include discussions about disease recurrence, disease progression, and end of life issues. How we approach these conversations is of critical importance to the doctor-patient relationship and can affect the quality of life of our patients. We will discuss approaches that are more and less successful, as well as the need to individualize the approach to patients. In general, a direct conversation that involves listening, expression of empathy, and incorporates optimism is often the most successful approach. Citation Format: E Winer. Progression of Disease and End of life: How to Break Bad News [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr ES7-1.
Far-field acoustic subwavelength imaging with structured illumination

In the past decade, subwavelength imaging technologies have attracted a lot of interest for breaking the diffraction limit. While localization-based methods are able to image isolated subwavelength objects, differentiating objects with subwavelength distances in the far field is still challenging. To solve this problem, it has been proposed in optical microscopy to exploit structured or blind structured illumination, where the spatial frequency mixing between the objects and the illumination converts evanescent waves to propagating waves that can reach far field. Here, we propose an acoustic analogy and demonstrate a framework, both theoretically and experimentally, for performing far-field acoustic subwavelength imaging using structured illumination generated by scattering media with subwavelength features. A scattering medium is placed behind subwavelength objects. The excitation wave is first diffracted by the scattering medium before it further passes through the objects and reaches the receiver in the far field. By utilizing a compressive sensing reconstruction algorithm, the image of the objects can be reconstructed with multiple measurements that are obtained by shifting or rotating the scattering medium. The proposed framework has great potential in medical imaging, non-destructive testing, and underwater acoustic imaging for improving imaging resolution of objects far away from the sensors.
Current status of biomethane production using aqueous liquid from pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction of sewage sludge and similar biomass

Pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) are potential technologies for renewable energy production and waste valorization using municipal wastewater sewage sludge and other lignocellulosic biomass. However, the organic-rich aqueous pyrolysis liquid (APL) and HTL aqueous phase (HTL-AP) produced currently have no apparent use and are challenging to manage. Furthermore, the toxic organic compounds in them can be harmful to the environment. Anaerobic digestion (AD) may be a viable method to manage the liquids and recover energy in APL and HTL-AP in form of methane-rich biogas. Integrating thermochemical processes with AD could promote a circular economy by recovering resources and reducing environmental pollution. The challenge, however, is the presence of toxic compounds recalcitrant to anaerobic biodegradation such as phenols and nitrogen-containing organics that can inhibit methane-producing microbes. This review presents information on APL and HTL-AP characterization and biodegradability. Feedstock composition and process operational parameters are major factors affecting APL and HTL-AP composition, subsequent toxicity, and degradability. Feedstocks with high nitrogen content as well as increased thermochemical processing temperature and retention time result in a more toxic aqueous liquid and lower methane yield. Dilution and low AD organic loading are required to produce methane. More comprehensive APL and HTL-AP chemical characterization is needed to adopt suitable treatment strategies. Pretreatments such as overliming, air stripping, partial chemical oxidation, adsorption, and solvent extraction of toxic constituents as well as co-digestion and microbial acclimatization successfully reduce toxicity and increase methane yield.
Integrated assessment of system of rice intensification vs. conventional method of transplanting for economic benefit, energy efficiency and lower global warming potential in India

There is a close relationship among agriculture, economics, energy and the environment. A comparison was made between conventional and the system of rice intensification (SRI) methods of rice culti...
Pheromonal communication in urodelan amphibians

Pheromonal communication is an ancient and pervasive sensory modality in urodelan amphibians. One family of salamander pheromones (the sodefrin precursor-like factor (SPF) family) originated 300 million years ago, at the origin of amphibians. Although salamanders are often thought of as relatively simple animals especially when compared to mammals, the pheromonal systems are varied and complex with nuanced effects on behavior. Here, we review the function and evolution of pheromonal signals involved in male-female reproductive interactions. After describing common themes of salamander pheromonal communication, we describe what is known about the rich diversity of pheromonal communication in each salamander family. Several pheromones have been described, ranging from simple, invariant molecules to complex, variable blends of pheromones. While some pheromones elicit overt behavioral responses, others have more nuanced effects. Pheromonal signals have diversified within salamander lineages and have experienced rapid evolution. Once receptors have been matched to pheromonal ligands, rapid advance can be made to better understand the olfactory detection and processing of salamander pheromones. In particular, a large number of salamander species deliver pheromones across the skin of females, perhaps reflecting a novel mode of pheromonal communication. At the end of our review, we list some of the many intriguing unanswered questions. We hope that this review will inspire a new generation of scientists to pursue work in this rewarding field.
The Sulfur Dioxide SMMW Lasers

Submillimeter-wave (SMMW) laser action with gaseous sulfur dioxide has previously been obtained on three transitions of the optically pumped cw laser [1], and on ten transitions of the electric discharge laser [2]. We report 15 additional transitions of the optically pumped laser.
The Effects of a Robot's Performance on Human Teachers for Learning from Demonstration Tasks

Learning from Demonstration (LfD) algorithms seek to enable end-users to teach robots new skills through human demonstration of a task. Previous studies have analyzed how robot failure affects human trust, but not in the context of the human teaching the robot. In this paper, we investigate how human teachers react to robot failure in an LfD setting. We conduct a study in which participants teach a robot how to complete three tasks, using one of three instruction methods, while the robot is pre-programmed to either succeed or fail at the task. We find that when the robot fails, people trust the robot less (p
Solubilization and partial purification of cellulose synthetase from Phaseolus aureus.

Abstract A soluble cellulose synthetase has been prepared from a mung bean (Phaseolus aureus) seedling particulate enzyme by extraction with digitonin, precipitation of the protein with ammonium sulfate, and high speed centrifugation. The soluble enzyme was incapable of incorporating the d-glucosyl moiety from guanosine diphosphate d-glucose into β-(1 → 4)-d-glucan, however, addition of Mg2+ to the solution rendered the enzyme active. The addition to the solution of compounds such as d-glucose, cellobiose, maltose, or soluble cellodextrins did not enhance the activity of the soluble enzyme. The particulate enzyme preparation completely lost its activity after 12 hours at 4°. However, addition of 5 mm dithiothreitol caused the particles to remain active after 3 days at 4°. When the soluble enzyme was treated with the same reagent, it retained full activity for 2 weeks at -20°. It was not inactivated by freezing and thawing during this period. Addition to the incubation mixture of 0.5 µmole of ethylenediaminetetraacetate per µmole of MgCl2 caused the reaction to proceed linearly with time up to 25 min. The Km for GDP-d-glucose was found to be 8 x 10-5 m.
Studies on Escherichia coli sex factors: IV. Molecular weights of the DNA of several F′ elements†*

Covalently closed DNA molecules have been isolated from Escherichia coli strains harboring F, F′2, F′Lac, F′Gal, and F′Gal λatt. These closed circular molecules can be converted to nicked circles by X-irradiation. Since only one single-strand break is needed to effect this conversion, the logarithm of the fraction of closed circles surviving a given dose of X-rays is linear with dose. According to classical target theory the slopes of these curves are proportional to the molecular weight of the DNA in the circle. Survival curves have been obtained for these sex factors as well as for covalent circles of phages λ and λb2b5c. By assuming that the molecular weight of λ DNA is 33 × 106, the following values have been obtained: F, 45 million; F′2, 81 million; F′Lac, 74 million; F′Gal, 51 million; F′Gal λatt, 72 million.
Photoelectron spectra of molecules—IV : Ionization potentials and heats of formation of some hydrazines and amines

Abstract The ionization potentials for several hydrazines and amines have been measured from their photoelectron spectra. The photoelectron spectrometer employed in this study was of the low resolution retarding potential type and has been recently described.1 The first ionization potentials (I1) and heats of formation for these molecules have been calculated by the recently developed2 MINDO/2 SCF MO method. Estimates of the vertical ionization potentials have been made by comparing the heats of formation of the molecules and of the ions derived from them.3
Spiral trajectory design: a flexible numerical algorithm and base analytical equations.

Purpose Spiral-based trajectories for magnetic resonance imaging can be advantageous, but are often cumbersome to design or create. This work presents a flexible numerical algorithm for designing trajectories based on explicit definition of radial undersampling, and also gives several analytical expressions for charactering the base (critically sampled) class of these trajectories. Theory and Methods Expressions for the gradient waveform, based on slew and amplitude limits, are developed such that a desired pitch in the spiral k-space trajectory is followed. The source code for this algorithm, written in C, is publicly available. Analytical expressions approximating the spiral trajectory (ignoring the radial component) are given to characterize measurement time, gradient heating, maximum gradient amplitude, and off-resonance phase for slew-limited and gradient amplitude-limited cases. Several numerically calculated trajectories are illustrated, and base Archimedean spirals are compared with analytically obtained results. Results Several different waveforms illustrate that the desired slew and amplitude limits are reached, as are the desired undersampling patterns, using the numerical method. For base Archimedean spirals, the results of the numerical and analytical approaches are in good agreement. Conclusion A versatile numerical algorithm was developed, and was written in publicly available code. Approximate analytical formulas are given that help characterize spiral trajectories. Magn Reson Med 71:278–285, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Radiographic resolution of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia in the elderly

Objectives: To investigate the radiographic clearance of proven community-acquired nontuberculous bacterial pneumonia in nonimmunocompromised older patients to provide working estimates of the rate of radiographic resolution as a function of the patient cumulative comorbidities, extent of initial radiographic involvement, functional status, and causative pathogens. Design: A prospective study. Participants: Seventy-four patients aged 70 and older, consecutively admitted to a hospital for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. Setting: A university-affiliated teaching hospital. Measurements: Chest radiographs were performed every 3 weeks from the date of admission for a total period of 12 weeks or until all radiographic abnormalities had resolved or returned to baseline. Results: Sixty-four patients (86%) completed the study. The rate of radiographic clearance was estimated at 35.1% within 3 weeks, 60.2% within 6 weeks, and 84.2% within 12 weeks. Radiographic resolution was significantly slower for those with high comorbidity index, bacteremia, multilobar involvement, and enteric gram-negative bacilli pneumonias. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that the comorbidity index (relative risk for clearance=0.67 per class index, P<.001) and multilobar disease (relative risk for clearance=0.24 for more than one lobe, P<.001) had independent predictive value (Cox proportional hazards regression model) on the rate of resolution. Conclusion: The radiographic resolution of nontuberculous bacterial pneumonia in the elderly should take into account the extent of lobar disease and the burden of underlying illnesses. A waiting period of 12 to 14 weeks is recommended for slowly resolving pneumonia to be considered nonresolving.
Trusting Communities and Bigger In-Groups: Social Capital, Interracial Contact Climate, and Common In-Group Categorization

Contact with members of different groups can reduce prejudice and encourage people to recategorize members of other social categories. This research examines individual-level social capital—one's experience with trust, reciprocity norms, and engagement within a given community—as a construct that predicts contact climate and recategorization. People who have high levels of social capital within a community are more likely to perceive a positive interracial contact climate. High social capital and a favorable contact climate can encourage people to focus on their shared identity as members of that community. Two studies support the claim that social capital predicts intergroup processes. Study 1 tests a cross-sectional mediation model linking individual-level social capital to perceptions of the contact climate, common in-group categorization, and racial out-group attitudes. Study 2 presents longitudinal data demonstrating that social capital's cross-lagged effects on contact climate, categorization, and racial out-group attitudes are stronger than their reverse effects. Implications for diversity research and community applications are discussed.
Association of Complementary and Alternative Therapies With Mental Health Outcomes in Pregnant Women Living in a Postdisaster Recovery Environment

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine if complementary and alternative medicine therapies are associated with mental health in postdisaster environments. DESIGN: Pregnant women (N = 402) were interviewed between 2010 and 2012 as part of a larger cross-sectional study on hurricane recovery and models of prenatal care. METHODS: Symptoms of depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Screen), prenatal anxiety (Revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire), posttraumatic stress (PCL-S), and perceived stress (PSS) were examined. Logistic regression was used to adjust for income, race, education, parity, and age. The most commonly reported therapies were prayer, music, multivitamins, massage, and aromatherapy. FINDINGS: Mental illness symptoms were common (30.7% had likely depression, 17.4% had anxiety, and 9.0% had posttraumatic stress). Massage was protective for depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Index [EDSI] >8; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.3-0.9), while use of aromatherapy (aOR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1-3.2) and keeping a journal (aOR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1-3.2) were associated with increased odds of depression. Aromatherapy was associated with symptoms of pregnancy-related anxiety (aOR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1-3.8). CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms of mental illness persist after disaster, when untreated. Nurses should consider assessing for complementary and alternative medicine utilization in pregnancy as a potentially protective factor for mental health symptoms. Language: en
Advances in the pharmacologic treatment of ventricular arrhythmias

Introduction: Despite many advances in nonpharmacologic management of ventricular arrhythmias, antiarrhythmic drugs remain important in both the acute conversion and chronic prevention of ventricular arrhythmias.Areas covered: Key trials related to antiarrhythmic drug use are reviewed, emphasizing the impact of recent discoveries. Sodium channel blockers are discussed with an emphasis on recently identified specialized uses. Beta blockers, amiodarone, sotalol, and dofetilide are discussed together in the context of structural heart disease, because they do not increase mortality in this group of patients. Other medications found to reduce ventricular arrhythmia burden are discussed last.Expert opinion: Since most patients with ventricular arrhythmias have structural heart disease, pharmacologic treatment is limited to amiodarone, d-,l-sotalol, and dofetilide (off-label indication), in conjunction with defibrillator implantation. While amiodarone has superior reduction in arrhythmias, its long-term extraca...
Hot-Carrier-Induced MOSFET Degradation: AC Versus DC Stressing

Hot-carrier induced MOSi FT degradation is a serious concern to VLSI technology development. The substrate current has been shwon to be a good monitor of hot-carrier population and can be used to extrapolate the accelerated stressing results to normal-voltage lifetime. As illustrated in Fig. 1. lifetime projection under DC stressing conditions is thus well established. Fig, 1 includes data reported in the literature[1,2] as well as measurements performed in our laboratory. Not only is there a common slope (≈3) for devices from different sources, but the magnitude fall in a narrow range for most devices. A reasonable fit is lifetime ≈ 106 [ISUB/W]−3. The lifetimes in Fig. 1 were defined at 10 mV shift of the threshold voltage VT. The degradation of drain current Id is also commonly used for lifetime definition. Fig. 2 shows that under DC stress, ΔVT=10 mV corresponds to ΔId/Id=3 % for wide range of biases and device dimensions.
Estimation of helical angle of the left ventricle using diffusion tensor imaging with minimum acquisition time

Background Myocardial fiber structure exhibits a helical geometry, characterized by the helical angle (HA). HA transitions smoothly from a negative helix in the epicardium to a positive helix in the endocardium. HA plays an important role in understanding the electrical and mechanical properties of the heart. Therefore, there exists a need to non-invasively quantify HA which can be determined using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The evaluation of HA measured from DTI depends on the accuracy of the diffusion tensors which in turn depend on the number of diffusion-encoding directions (DED) and the signal to noise ratio (SNR, which can be increased by increasing the total number of excitations (NEX)). However, increasing SNR and DED also increases the total acquisition time (TA). The aim of the study is to optimize the acquisition protocol (NEX and DED) to robustly estimate HA in the shortest possible TA.
Grade inflation and the internal medicine subinternship: a national survey of clerkship directors.

Background: Grade inflation has been demonstrated in certain medical school clerkships but never studied in the internal medicine subinternship. Purposes: The purpose is to determine the existence, extent, and possible causes of subinternship grade inflation. Methods: We surveyed clerkship directors as part of the 2004 Clerkship Directors in Internal Medicine national member survey. Results: The majority of clerkship directors agree that subinternship grade inflation exists. Half of SI students receive Honors and one third receive High Pass. Eighteen percent admitted passing a student that they felt should have failed. Difficulty delivering negative feedback is the top explanation for grade inflation. Conclusion: Clerkship directors agree that grade inflation exists in the internal medicine subinternship. Faculty development and further analysis of our current subinternship evaluation and grading system may help to minimize this problem.
Corticosteroidogenesis and cytochrome levels in the regenerating rat adrenal

Abstract Homogenate preparations from the regenerating rat adrenal have reduced 11β-hydroxylating activity. To further examine this finding, mitochondria from control and regenerating rat adrenals have been isolated 3, 5, and 8 weeks following adrenal enucleation. The levels of cytochrome P-450 and the normal respiratory chain cytochromes were measured in addition to the ability of these mitochondrial preparations to carry out steroid hydroxylations. After 3 and 5 weeks of regeneration cytochrome P-450 levels were 55 and 78%, respectively, of control levels while after 8 weeks the levels were comparable in both groups. Similar results were obtained for microsomal cytochrome P-450. For all time periods studied, regenerating adrenal mitochondrial 11β-hydroxylase activity was low when malate or malate plus NADP were sources of reducing equivalents. With NADPH, however, corticosterone production was normal. These findings suggest that decreased NADPH generation may be the major factor involved in the reduced 11β-hydroxylating activity of the regenerating rat adrenal.
Source term decomposition to improve convergence of swirling flow calculations

On presente une technique de decomposition pour l'equation de quantite de mouvement radiale qui augmente fortement les proprietes de convergence de la methode de calcul et reduit ainsi le temps de calcul
Considering defense in depth for software applications

Despite efforts to develop processes and technologies that enhance software application security, to date, no one has found a "silver-bullet" solution or set of solutions that solve this complex problem - and there don't appear to be any on the horizon. As a result, perhaps researchers and developers should consider a defense-in-depth strategy and determine if it provides a more resilient and cost-effective approach to application security than a single line of defense. The best defense-in-depth strategy for software source and binary code would intertwine application defenses in such a manner that each defensive technique interlocks with and supports all the others. Of necessity, this conceptualization for interlocking defense Would not relieve the development team of the need to maintain best practices for secure software development and software development in general.
Inferring Meaning and Intent of Discovered Data Sources

There are many scenarios where there is a need for (semi) automated methods and tools to identify, characterize and exploit information resources, especially those that may have been discovered through obscure means. These information resources are retrieved from environments where there is little to no prior knowledge of the information sources, and from environments where there are unavailable models and uncooperative modelers. The key to this capability is developing techniques for crafting an understanding of the content and context of an information resource, and ultimately reconstructing the meaning and intent of the resource. Our approach to inferring meaning and intent is to gather the implicit semantics available in data source schemas, to build associations between the contents of the data source and the semantics described and defined in ontologies, and to glean additional semantic clues captured from an analysis of a set of queries submitted to the data source.
US National Nutrient Databank Conference—A look to the past and the future

Abstract The United States (US) National Nutrient Databank Conference (NNDC) has been held annually since 1976 to provide a venue for the presentation and exchange of information about food composition data and databases and dietary assessment software. NNDCs have been held in 19 US states, Washington DC, and Canada. The yearly Conference is guided by a Steering Committee with elected officers. The Steering Committee identifies potential hosting organizations, and annual meetings are organized by Program and Arrangement Committees. The NNDC began gathering information about available databases at its second meeting and subsequently produced a Nutrient Databank Directory that went through nine editions under the leadership of a Database Committee. The directory is currently available on-line as the 2006 International Nutrient Databank Directory. The NNDC website ( http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/conf/ ) provides a link to the Directory as well as information about prior and future NNDCs. Many of the individuals who were instrumental in conceptualizing, organizing, and developing this Conference have retired or are nearing retirement, and younger professionals are moving in to continue to nurture and guide the group. This brief history of the NNDC is provided to preserve the past of this organization and to encourage newer attendees to contribute to its future.
Microwave Detection of Metallic Ions and Organic Radicals in Plant Materials

IN numerous plant substances we have detected strong electron-magnetic resonances from manganese ions (see Fig. 1, for example). The manganese resonance can be immediately recognized by its six-line hyperfine structure resulting from the manganese nuclear interaction (spin 5/2). In all plant materials in which it was found, the multiple spacing was exactly that for manganese ions in aqueous solution (component separations of 95 gauss). Since the manganese multiplet spacing in crystals has been found to depend upon crystalline fields, we conclude that the manganese ions which we have found in plants may be dissolved in their water content.
Construction of Unitary Scattering Amplitudes

A general linear technique is discussed which constructs unitary scattering amplitudes without expanding in partial waves and in the presence of inelastic channels. Two- and three-particle intermediate states are discussed explicitly, but the method can be extended directly to any finite number of particles.A new approximation technique suggested by this formalism is applied to electroproduction of pions from pions and pion-$K$-meson scattering. A form of the impulse approximation is derived for both the coupled form factor and the coupled scattering amplitude problems. The nucleon and deuteron form factor system is briefly discussed.Finally, a model field theory which contains three-particle intermediate states is formulated and solved by the linear technique for purely pedagogical reasons.
Increased binding of MeCP2 to the GAD1 and RELN promoters may be mediated by an enrichment of 5-hmC in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) cerebellum

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms related to altered social interactions/communication and restricted and repetitive behaviors. In addition to genetic risk, epigenetic mechanisms (which include DNA methylation/demethylation) are thought to be important in the etiopathogenesis of ASD. We studied epigenetic mechanisms underlying the transcriptional regulation of candidate genes in cerebella of ASD patients, including the binding of MeCP2 (methyl CpG binding protein-2) to the glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD1), glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD2), and Reelin (RELN) promoters and gene bodies. Moreover, we performed methyl DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) and hydroxymethyl DNA immunoprecipitation (hMeDIP) to measure total 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) in the same regions of these genes. The enrichment of 5-hmC and decrease in 5-mC at the GAD1 or RELN promoters detected by 5-hmC and 5-mC antibodies was confirmed by Tet-assisted bisulfite (TAB) pyrosequencing. The results showed a marked and significant increase in MeCP2 binding to the promoter regions of GAD1 and RELN, but not to the corresponding gene body regions in cerebellar cortex of ASD patients. Moreover, we detected a significant increase in TET1 expression and an enrichment in the level of 5-hmC, but not 5-mC, at the promoters of GAD1 and RELN in ASD when compared with CON. Moreover, there was increased TET1 binding to these promoter regions. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that an increase of 5-hmC (relative to 5-mC) at specific gene domains enhances the binding of MeCP2 to 5-hmC and reduces expression of the corresponding target genes in ASD cerebella.
Deposit Buildup During Gravel Packing With Viscous Polymer Solutions and Water

Large deposits are formed at perforations and on the screen during gravel packing with viscous polymer solutions. The deposits are retained with low pressure drop and can grow and interact so that much of the annular area is blocked off. Examination of deposit characteristics and the dynamic equilibrium that exists between local buildup and wash away is important for understanding overall buildup, subsequent quality, and response to production.
CNS arousal mechanisms bearing on sex and other biologically regulated behaviors

It now seems possible to move beyond analyzing only the mechanisms for specific sexual behaviors to the analysis of 'generalized arousal' that underlies all motivated behaviors. Our science has advanced sufficiently to attack mechanisms linking specific motivations to these general arousal mechanisms that intrinsically activate all biologically-regulated behaviors including ingestive behaviors. Learning from the well-developed reproductive behavior paradigm, we know that sex hormone effects on hypothalamic neurons have been studied to a point where receptor mechanisms are relatively well understood, a neural circuit for a sex steroid-dependent behavior has been worked out, and several functional genomic regulations have been discovered. Here we focus for the first time on three chemical systems that signal 'generalized arousal' and which impact hormone-dependent hypothalamic neurons of importance to sexual arousal: histamine, norepinephrine and enkephalin. Progress in linking generalized arousal to specific motivational mechanisms is reviewed.
The LDC debt crisis: Who gains from debt reductions?

Abstract There might exist combinations of prices and types of contracts under which external debt reducing schemes can benefit a highly indebted country and not hurt creditors. The overall benefits of such schemes are contingent on the existence of efficiency gains associated with debt reduction or contract transformation. For the debtor, the benefits depend in addition on the source and type of financing it receives as well as on the mechanism used for debt conversion. In general, a menu approach allows for more gains than a pure market approach.
Using range extension cooperative transmission in energy harvesting wireless sensor networks

In this paper, we study the advantages of using range extension cooperative transmission (CT) in multi-hop energy harvesting wireless sensor networks (EH-WSNs) from the network layer perspective. EH-WSNs rely on harvested energy, and therefore, if a required service is energy-intensive, the network may not be able to support the service successfully. We show that CT networks that utilize both range extension CT and non-CT routing can successfully support services that cannot be supported by non-CT networks. For a two-hop toy network, we show that range extension CT can provide better services than non-CT. Then, we provide a method of determining the supportable services that can be achieved by using optimal non-CT and CT routing protocols for EH-WSNs. Using our method and network simulations, we justify our claim that CT networks can provide better services than non-CT networks in EH-WSNs.