cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Oxaliplatin- and Cisplatin-induced Painful Peripheral Neuropathy in the Rat

Abstract Although platinum-based cancer chemotherapies produce painful peripheral neuropathy as dose-limiting side effects, there are important differences in the pain syndromes produced by members of this class of drugs. In the rat, cisplatin-induced hyperalgesia has latency to onset of 24 to 48 hours, is maximal by 72 to 96 hours, and is attenuated by inhibitors of caspase signaling but not by inhibitors of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (mETC) and antioxidants. In contrast, oxaliplatin-induced mechanical hyperalgesia is already present by 5 minutes and peaks by 20 minutes. Whereas oxaliplatin hyperalgesia persists for weeks, starting around day 10 to 15, its severity decreases to a lower 2nd plateau level. The rapid-onset 1st plateau in oxaliplatin-induced hyperalgesia was characterized by prominent cold allodynia and in contrast to cisplatin was attenuated by inhibitors of the mETC and antioxidants but not inhibitors of caspase signaling. However, tested later during the 2nd plateau, it was characterized by less intense hyperalgesia and no cold allodynia and was attenuated by inhibitors of caspase signaling as well as by inhibitors of the mETC and by antioxidants. Perspective The findings of this study distinguish between the neuropathic pain syndromes produced by members of a single chemical class of anticancer drugs and suggest that the underlying mechanisms of various forms of peripheral neuropathy may be different. Further, it defines the need for selective therapy for different types of neuropathy.
Hydrophilic polymer matrices in optical array sensing

Whether in a glass chip or multi-well plate, differential array sensors are performed as a series of experiments and their output is compared among each other to obtain the differential signals evaluated by pattern recognition methods. To increase the practicality of performing a large number of experiments the sensor elements are often used as semi-wet gels displaying properties of both the solution and the solid state. Due to their semi-wet nature, such array sensors are easier to handle while offering a mechanical support, the affinity of hydrophilic matrices for water aids in analyte transport, and the tunable hydrophilic/hydrophobic nature of the matrices can be used adjusting the preference of the chemosensor membrane for different analytes.
Isolation of cell surface-specific human monoclonal antibodies using phage display and magnetically-activated cell sorting: applications in immunohematology

A method is described for the isolation of filamentous phage-displayed human monoclonal antibodies directed at unpurifiable cell surface-expressed molecules. To optimize the capture of antigen-specific phage and minimize the binding of irrelevant phage antibodies, a simultaneous positive and negative selection strategy is employed. Cells bearing the antigen of interest are pre-coated with magnetic beads and diluted into an excess of unmodified antigen-negative cells. Following incubation of the cell admixture with a Fab/phage library, the antigen-positive cell population is retrieved using magnetically-activated cell sorting and antigen-specific Fab/phage are eluted and propagated in bacterial culture. Utilizing this protocol with magnetically-labeled Rh(D)-positive and excess unlabeled Rh(D)-negative human red blood cells and a Fab/phage library constructed from human peripheral blood lymphocytes, dozens of unique clinically-useful gamma 1 kappa and gamma 1 lambda anti-Rh(D) antibodies were isolated from a single alloimmunized individual. This cell-surface selection method is readily adaptable for use in other systems, such as for the identification of putative tumor-specific antigens and provides a rapid (< 1 month), high-yield approach for isolating self-replicative antibody reagents directed at novel or conformationally-dependent cell-surface epitopes.
Traditionality and congruence of career aspirations for college women

Abstract The main concern of this study was to investigate differences between traditional-nontraditional and congruent-incongruent career aspirations of college women using the Vocational Preference Inventory, the Feminist Attitudes Inventory, the Desire to Work Scale, and the Study of Values. The inventories were administered to 101 female junior and senior college students. Traditionality of choice was determined using the relative proportions of women and men in a given occupation. Congruence of career aspiration was defined using the Vocational Preference Inventory. The findings showed that the feminist attitudes and the infrequency scale differentiated the incongruent traditional and nontraditional groups. The nontraditional incongruent aspiring women tend to report more confidence in their abilities and personality than the traditional incongruent aspiring women.
Evaluators' descriptions of process use: An exploratory study

This chapter describes the results of an exploratory study that sought to understand what U.S. American Evaluation Association members think process use looks like in practice.
Sleep-Disordered Breathing and All-Cause Mortality in the Sleep Heart Health Study

(2009). Sleep-Disordered Breathing and All-Cause Mortality in the Sleep Heart Health Study. Postgraduate Medicine: Vol. 121, No. 6, pp. 197-199.
RO(S1)-graded TR-groups of Fp, Z and ℓ

Abstract We give an algorithm for calculating the R O ( S 1 ) -graded TR -groups of F p , completing the calculation started by the second author. We also calculate the R O ( S 1 ) -graded TR -groups of Z with mod p coefficients and of the Adams summand l of connective complex K -theory with V ( 1 ) -coefficients. These calculations are used elsewhere to compute the algebraic K -theory of certain Z -algebras.
Achievable Rates over Insertion Channels

We consider achievable rates over binary input insertion channels for small values of insertion probabilities by computing bounds on the mutual information rate of insertion channels for independent uniformly distributed (i.u.d.) input sequences. We consider two scenarios: random insertions, where transmitted bits are replaced with a certain probability by two random bits independent of any other insertions, and sticky channels where bits are duplicated with a certain probability again independent of the other insertion errors. Derived lower bounds improve the existing results available in the literature as demonstrated by specific examples.
In vivo measurement of retinal physiology with high-speed ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography.

Noninvasive in vivo functional optical imaging of the intact retina is demonstrated by using high-speed, ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT). Imaging was performed with 2.8 μm resolution at a rate of 24,000 axial scans per second. A white-light stimulus was applied to the dark-adapted rat retina, and the average reflectivities from different intraretinal layers were monitored as a function of time. A 10%-15% increase in the average amplitude reflectance of the photoreceptor outer segments was observed in response to the stimulus. The spatial distribution of the change in the OCT signal is consistent with an increase in backscatter from the photoreceptor outer segments. To our knowledge, this is the first in vivo demonstration of OCT functional imaging in the intact retina.
A theory for optimal regularization in the finite dimensional case

Consider the matrix problem Ax = y + e = y in the case where A is known precisely, the problem is ill conditioned, and e is a random noise vector. Compute regularized “ridge” estimates,xλ = (A∗A + λI)-1 A∗y,where ∗ denotes matrix transpose. Of great concern is the determination of the value of λ for which xλ “best” approximates x0 = A + y. Let Q = ‖x λ − x0‖2,and define λ0 to be the value of λ for which Q is a minimum. We look for λ0 among solutions of dQ/dλ = 0. Though Q is not computable (since e is unknown), we can use this approach to study the behavior of λ0 as a function of y and e. Theorems involving “noise to signal ratios” determine when λ0 exists and define the cases λ0 > 0 and λ0 = ∞. Estimates for λ0 and the minimum square error Q0 = Q(λ0) are derived.
The influence of hepatitis C virus genotypes on the outcome of liver transplantation

Background: The aim of this study was to report the influence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and HLA matches on the outcome of liver transplantation, hepatitis recurrence, and progression to cirrhosis after transplantation. Methods: HCV genotypes were determined from pretransplantation sera and/or liver explant tissues from 202 patients with HCV-related end-stage liver disease. One hundred fifty patients with known infecting genotype for whom posttransplantation biopsy specimens were available or who had normal results of liver injury tests constituted the group analyzed. Patients were followed up for up to 4.5 years. Hepatitis activity index scores at the time of disease recurrence were used to assess disease activity. Cirrhosis was diagnosed by using histological evidence. The number of HLA matches with respect to A, B, DR, and DQ loci was determined. Results: The rates of hepatitis recurrence were 25% and 75% at 1 year and 4 years, respectively; Kaplan-Meier survival analysis did not reveal significant differences between the infecting genotypes with respect to overall rates of survival or recurrence of hepatitis. At hepatitis recurrence, hepatitis activity index scores did not differ between the genotype groups. The distribution of infecting genotypes among the 7 patients who developed cirrhosis is reflective of pretransplantation distribution. Neither HLA site-specific nor total matches affected the rates of survival or disease recurrence. Conclusions: The infecting HCV genotype had no influence on the incidence or severity of recurrent hepatitis, rate of survival, or development of cirrhosis. HLA matching does not influence transplantation outcome for HCV-related disease.
Spectrum of EEG findings in Menkes disease

We evaluated electroencephalograms (EEGs) in 10 boys with Menkes disease, ranging in age from 9 days to 27 months. Three of 10 tracings were normal (the newborn, his 27-month-old half-brother with the classic phenotype, and a 27-month-old mildly affected patient). Plasma copper levels were low in all patients except the newborn and tended to be lowest in patients whose EEGs were moderately or severely abnormal. EEG differences in Menkes patients could reflect biochemical and molecular heterogeneity with respect to copper availability and utilization in the brain.
An Investigation of the Determinants of Investment Risk Behavior in Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans

This paper presents the results of an investigation of the determinants of investment risk behavior in employer-sponsored retirement plans. Using a field survey of 795 college and university employees, I examined the significance of demographic and attitudinal/dispositional variables on employees’ risk behavior in selecting among investment allocation options provided by defined contribution pension plans. The results identified primary causes of risky investment behavior including income, age, other retirement plan participation, self-efficacy, knowledge of investment principles and general risk propensity.
Factors Influencing International Students’ Career Choice A Comparative Study

This study examines the career development behavior of Asian international, non-Asian international, and domestic students, specifically the certainty of career and major choice and environmental factors that have influenced their choices. Environmental factors include family, school counselors, teacher, friends, and government. The results show no difference in the level of career certainty between the three groups. In contrast, influences of family, school counselors, and friends varied among these three groups. Furthermore, only the Asian international students exhibited a positive correlation between level of career certainty and intent to persist. Implications and recommendations for counseling are given based on the research findings.
Ultrasound in the evaluation of adrenal metastases.

Metastatic involvement of the adrenal glands is a frequent complication of bronchogenic carcinoma, occuring in up to 33 per cent of these patients. Examination of ten patients with adrenal metastases revealed large adrenal masses, occuring bilaterally in five. Five of these patients were examined using the standard bistable technique. These patients demonstrated largely echofree masses with only occasional scattered internal echoes. The remaining five patients were examined with the gray scale technique. With the added resolution afforded by the use of gray scale, the masses in these patients showed a more uniform distribution of echoes. Presence of a margin between the kidney and the mass, and displacement of the kidney inferiorly, posteriorly, and laterally is used to differentiate between upper pole renal masses and those of adrenal origin. Autopsy confirmation was obtained in six of the patients.
Sphere quadtrees: a new data structure to support the visualization of spherically distributed data

The concept of the sphere quadtree (SQT) is introduced to enable the structuring of spherically distributed data to be consistent with its geometry and facilitate mapping of the data onto a flat file system. The SQT is based on the recursive subdivision of the spherical triangles that result from the projection of the faces of an icosahedron onto a sphere. The SQT concept is insensitive to the distortions that occur far from the equator in spherically distributed data sets. Geographic data can be shown at several levels and at any resolution, allowing a system of referencing between data sets of different resolutions as well as data that are not geographically registered. SQTs are found to facilitate the search for particular spherically distributed data sets and improve the efficiency of surface rendering algorithms.
Relationship of benthic foraminiferal diversity to paleoproductivity in the Neogene Caribbean

Abstract Diversity trends 8.3–2.5 Ma in Caribbean deep-sea foraminifera, as interpreted from the indices Fisher's α and the Information Index [H(S)] parallel paleoproductivity proxies (benthic foraminiferal infaunal/epifaunal species ratio, benthic foraminifer accumulation rates and flux of organic carbon to the seafloor). Paleoproductivity never reached a eutrophic threshold value above which we would predict opposite trends of high paleoproductivity and low diversity, consistent with stressful conditions. Instead, results are similar to those from other studies of oligotrophic settings that show a positive and statistically significant correlation between paleoproductivity and diversity. The correlations between current intensity and watermass oxygenation with diversity are negative and statistically significant. These results are also borne out by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Intervals of increased relative abundance of Epistominella exigua, a proxy for seasonality of phytodetrital input to the seafloor, coincide with increased diversity, suggesting that pulsed paleoproductivity enhanced the diversity signal in the Caribbean. Diversity and paleoproductivity peaked in the Caribbean at 7.9 Ma, and declined thereafter due to the cut off of the nutrient-rich Pacific deep waters (
Gene expression profiling of MPP+-treated MN9D cells: A mechanism of toxicity study

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons with unknown etiology. MPP+ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium) is the active metabolite of the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), which induces Parkinson's-like syndromes in humans and animals. MPTP/MPP+ treatment produces selective dopaminergic neuronal degeneration, therefore, these agents are commonly used to study the pathogenesis of PD. However, the mechanisms of their toxicity have not been elucidated. In order to gain insights into MPP+-induced neurotoxicity, a gene expression microarray study was performed using a midbrain-derived dopaminergic neuronal cell line, MN9D. Utilizing a two-color reference design, Agilent mouse oligonucleotide microarrays were used to examine relative gene expression changes in MN9D cells treated with 40microM MPP+ compared with controls. Bioinformatics tools were used for data evaluation. Briefly, raw data were imported into the NCTR ArrayTrack database, normalized using a Lowess method and data quality was assessed. The Student's t-test was used to determine significant changes in gene expression (set as p 1.5). Gene Ontology for Function Analysis (GOFFA) and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis were employed to analyze the functions and roles of significant genes in biological processes. Of the 51 significant genes identified, 44 were present in the GOFFA or Ingenuity database. These data indicate that multiple pathways are involved in the underlying mechanisms of MPP+-induced neurotoxicity, including apoptosis, oxidative stress, iron binding, cellular metabolism, and signal transduction. These data also indicate that MPP+-induced toxicity shares common molecular mechanisms with the pathogenesis of PD and further pathway analyses will be conducted to explore these mechanisms.
Cubic Spline Collocation Method for the Shallow Water Equations on the Sphere

Spatial discretization schemes commonly used in global meteorological applications are currently limited to spectral methods or low-order finite-difference/finite-element methods. The spectral transform method, which yields high-order approximations, requires Legendre transforms, which have a computational complexity of O(N3), where N is the number of subintervals in one dimension. Thus, high-order finite-element methods may be a viable alternative to spectral methods. In this study, we present a new numerical method for solving the shallow water equations (SWE) in spherical coordinates. In this implementation, the SWE are discretized in time with the semi-implicit leapfrog method, and in space with the cubic spline collocation method on a skipped latitude?longitude grid. Numerical results for the Williamson et al. SWE test cases D. L. Williamson, J. B. Blake, J. J. Hack, R. Jakob, and P. N. Swarztrauber, J. Comput. Phys.102, 211 (1992)] are presented to demonstrate the stability and accuracy of the method. Results are also shown for an efficiency comparison between this method and a similar method in which spatial discretization is done on a uniform latitude?longitude grid.
The core as a solution to exclusionary networks

Abstract The core is a game theory solution concept that is applicable to exclusionary (negatively connected) exchange networks. The core makes only the minimal assumptions of individual and coalitional rationality. The core describes who should exchange with whom and what the terms of the exchanges should be. Unlike other algorithms that have been applied to exclusionary exchange networks, the core applies to a wider variety of problems than any single competing procedure previously proposed. It can easily be extended to handle a variety of situations: more than one exchange per round; relationships having unequal values; positions having sources of reward other than exchange; and situations where more than one exchange is required. Moreover, networks in which the core is empty should experience particular difficulty in reaching agreement about exchanges.
The surgical treatment of cancer of the gingiva.

Abstract Patients with gingival cancer will frequently consult a dentist first, before consulting a physician. The dentist should, therefore, be familiar with current therapeutic techniques in the treatment of this disease. Some of the disadvantages of radiation therapy and the relative merits of surgery in the treatment of gingival cancer are discussed. Several standardized surgical procedures for lesions of the upper and lower gingivae, depending on the size, location, and extent of the lesion, are briefly described. Dental prosthesis is an essential rehabilitative feature following resection of the maxilla. Cervical metastasis secondary to mouth cancer, in general and gingival cancer in particular is best treated surgically (radical neck dissection); the main contraindications to this operation are presented.
Transition of patients with sickle cell disease from pediatric to adult care: Assessing patient readiness.

Background Transfer of care from pediatric to adult-oriented providers is challenging for adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD). The need for transition programs is known, however many SCD patients leave pediatric care without adequate preparation. This study has two aims: to assess adolescent SCD patients' preparation for transition and to identify variables that predict patient readiness. Procedure Adolescent patients receiving care at a pediatric SCD center received a survey regarding essential steps of the transition process. Patients' level of prior thought, interest, anticipated difficulty, and perceived importance of transition were graded on a scale of 0 to 3. Knowledge of individual transition plans was scaled 0 to 4. Responses were analyzed according to age, sex, and disease severity. Results Seventy patients ages 14 to 20 years (median 16.7 years) were assessed. Mean readiness scores were low, with greatest deficiencies in prior thought (mean 0.88 [0.66–1.09]), knowledge (mean 0.85 [0.61–1.09]), anticipated difficulty (mean 1.42 [1.23–1.61]), and interest (mean 1.71 [1.47–1.95]). Perceived importance of transition received the highest score (mean 2.71 [2.58–2.84]). Younger age (≤16 years) was associated with less knowledge (P = 0.003) and interest (P = 0.023); disease severity (≥3 crises/year) was associated with lower interest (P = 0.043) but greater anticipated difficulty (P = 0.001). Anticipated difficulty trended higher among females (P = 0.028). Conclusions Adolescents with SCD acknowledge the importance but demonstrate poor preparation for transition to adult-oriented care. Readiness improves with age but remains insufficient. This analysis highlights the need for improvements in anticipatory guidance for transition during adolescence. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:838–841. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Two investigations of “female modesty” in achievement situations

Two experiments examined motivations underlying the common finding that females present themselves more modestly than males in achievement situations. In Study 1, 388 first-year college students, primarily European-Americans, predicted their first semester grade point averages (GPAs) in one of 3 public and 2 private conditions, which varied the salience of modesty concerns and/or concerns about the others' feelings. In the public conditions combined, but not in the private conditions, women's predictions were lower than men's, although there were no gender differences in actual GPA. The public condition in which the others' feelings and modesty concerns were made salient accounted for this difference between men and women. In Study 2, 230 first-year college students predicted their first-semester GPAs in private, in public to a “nonvulnerable” other, or in public to a “vulnerable” other (someone who supposedly had earned a low GPA). Women's estimates were lower than men's in the latter condition only and lower than their estimates in the other conditions. These results suggest that relational motivations, rather than a simple lack of self-confidence or modesty alone, are a factor in gender differences in self-presentation of achievement.
Cleavage of NO bonds in 1,2,4-oxadiazolines

The photochemical cleavage of the N-O bond in 1,2,4-oxadiazolines I to form acetamidines II was found to occur under mild conditions (ordinary light, 3560A, or 2537A). The weak N-O bond in 3-mcthyl-4,5-diphenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoline (If) was also cleaved by catalytic reduction to give a molecular compound composed of benzyl alcohol and N-phenylacetamidine, V.
Analysis of deformation‐induced twinning at finite strains based on energy minimization

In the present contribution, an energy-based description of phase transformation suitable for the modeling of crystal reorientation during twinning is proposed. A homogenized relaxed stored energy (volume averaging) is utilized for the simulation of the pre- and post-twinning hardening form of magnesium single crystal. The proposed energy-driven model is applied to analyze the activity of deformation systems inside the twinning related phases. It is shown that the activity of the inter-twin dislocation systems accommodates the plastic strain at larger deformation. (© 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of elastic properties on the propagation of gelled and in-situ gelled acids in carbonate cores

Abstract Polymer-based acids exhibit some viscoelastic properties. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to determine the elastic and viscous properties of these acids, how these properties change as the acid reacts with carbonate formations, and their effect on the propagation of the acid inside 20-in. long carbonate cores. Live gelled and in-situ gelled acids had weak elastic properties, while partially neutralized (pH 3.2) in-situ gelled acid had strong elastic properties. Polymer filter cake was observed for the cores that were treated with gelled acid while the cores that were treated with in-situ gelled acids did not form this filter-cake. In-situ gelled acid formed a thin layer of gel that minimized leakoff, which prevented the formation of filter cake. For gelled acid, the polymer filter cake reduced the core permeability to zero. The wormhole obtained in the case of gelled acid was nearly linear and thinner than those created by in-situ gelled acid. The strong elastic properties enhanced the ability to get the gel to remain around the wormhole, which forced the next acid stage to change its direction.
Changes in institutional ownership and stock returns: Assessment and methodology

Although the relation between quarterly changes in institutional investor ownership and contemporaneous stock returns is well documented, the source of the relation remains unclear because institutional ownership data are unavailable at higher frequencies. In this study, we develop a method to generate estimates of higher frequency covariances when one variable is observed at lower frequencies (e.g., quarterly changes in institutional ownership and monthly stock returns). Our method provides evidence that institutional trading has both temporary and permanent price effects and that the latter is associated with information effects.
The conformation of polycytidylic acid, polyguanylic acid, polyinosinic acid, and their helical complexes in aqueous solution from laser Raman scattering

The Raman spectra of the double helical complexes of poly C–poly G and poly I–poly C at neutral pH are presented and compared with the spectra of the constituent homopolymers. When a completely double-helical structure is formed in solution a strong sharp band at 810–814 cm−1 appears which has previously been shown to be due to the A-type conformation of the sugar–phosphate backbone chain. By taking the ratio of the intensity of the 810–814 cm−1 band to the intensity of the 1090–1100 cm−1 phosphate vibration, one can obtain an estimate of the fraction of the backbone chain in the A-type conformation for both double-stranded helices and self-stacked single chains. This type of information can apparently only be obtained by Raman spectroscopy. In addition, other significant changes in Raman intensities and frequencies have been observed and tabulated: (1) the Raman intensity of certain of the ring vibrations of guanine and hypoxanthine bases decrease as these bases become increasingly stacked (Raman hypochromism), (2) the Raman band at 1464 cm−1 in poly I is asigned to the amide II band of the cis-amide group of the hypoxanthine base. It shifts in frequency upon base pairing to 1484 cm−1, thus permitting the determination of the fraction of I–C pairs formed.
Development of a surface replacement arthroplasty for proximal interphalangeal joints

Sixty-six surface replacement proximal interphalangeal prostheses with a CrCo proximal and an ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene distal component were used in the hands of 47 patients (mean age, 58 years) over a 14-year period. There were 37 fingers with degenerative arthrosis, 16 with traumatic arthrosis, and 13 with rheumatoid arthritis. The mean follow-up period was 4.5 years (range, 1-14 years). The results based on pain relief, motion, and deformity were good in 32 fingers, fair in 19, and poor in 15. Poor results occurred primarily in fingers with previous extensive injury or static deformity. Results with a dorsal approach were better than those with a lateral or palmar approach. Component loosening at the bone-cement junction beyond a minimal radiolucent line was seen in one late x-ray. Results in individuals changed little after the first year of follow-up care, but results overall improved during the course of the study, perhaps because of improvements in surgical technique and experience.
Listening and learning

Looks at papers presented at the LOEX‐of‐the‐West Conference “Expanded conversations: collaborating for student learning” held in 2002 in Eugene, Oregon, USA, which cover innovative research projects in the areas of information literacy. Concludes that by listening to campus colleagues and students unexpected benefits can be gained.
Optimal Design of a Multi-Antenna Access Point with Decentralized Power Control Using Game Theory

Power control for uplink channels with non- cooperative and rational mobile stations (MS) can be studied in the framework of game theory. In this paper, we investigate the optimal design of a multi-antenna access point (AP) in such a scenario by modelling the interaction between the AP on one side, and the distributed set of MSs on the other, as a Stackelberg game. As a game leader, the AP determines the network parameters (bandwidth and the number of receiving antennas) for the power control game played between the MSs (follower), so as to maximize the network utility per system resource (bandwidth and antennas). Two game models are considered, whereby the network utility is measured either in terms of power minimization or power efficiency maximization. Extensive numerical results provide insights into the properties of the optimal design.
Low-cost, at-home assessment system with Wii Remote based motion capture

We present an at-home assessment system for upper extremity rehabilitation with simple motion capture that is functional and affordable. This system uses lighted targets to initiate a reach to grasp (or touch, if the patient is unable to grasp) to three touch- and force-sensitive cones. During the reach, end-point reach trajectory is captured using a low-cost, custom-built infrared motion capture system using two Wii remotes. An embedded computer collects data for tracking patientpsilas progress over time. The system is a low cost way to track reaching trajectory, reaching time, reaction time and relative grasp forces. It requires minimal setup and instruction.
Engineering Management-Focused Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Model Solutions

In comparison to the well known and widely used UPC bar codes, that offer generic object-level visibility, RFID tags, also referred to as the ePCs: electronic product codes with a 96-bit identification method, offer unique, item level visibility throughout the entire local and global supply chain. This is because UPC codes are typically product and manufacturer specific, whereas RFID codes are generic, truly unique IDs. This is why RFID technologies with the appropriate information systems and information technology (IS/IT) infrastructure help both major distributors and manufacturers, as well as other logistics operations, such as the electronic manufacturing industries, defense industries, automotive, pharmaceutical industries, and others, dealing with complex, global supply chains in which products and product manufacture, assembly and shipments must be traced and identified in a non-contact, wireless fashion. Engineering management is collaborating with IS/IT professionals to model and integrate RFID-related information systems engineering requirements into computer networks, because of reducing cost, increasing security, or safety, or because parts are subject to corrosion, or food/medicine is subject to quality degradation, or other reasons. All of these requirements point to an automated, wireless-readable sensory-based identification method, and network, that offers more functionalities and is significantly 'smarter' than the well known bar code or the unified product code (UPC). RFIDs are available as passive and/or active radio read/write sensor-packages with active read (and often write) capabilities in relatively large areas (like a large distribution center warehouse, or a containership), all performed automatically, supervised by computers and communicated in a wireless fashion over secure intranets. The attraction to an engineering management-focused supply chain manager is that when the RFID network is integrated with the factories' material resource IT management systems, accurate information can be obtained on all tagged parts in close to real-time, throughout the entire supply-chain. This can include the globally distributed factories, as well as information about parts and assemblies during shipment, including in-transit. This is why RFID represents great research, technology, as well as huge business opportunities. In this paper we introduce some of the most important engineering management information system modeling principles, challenges and solutions, that RFID researchers, implementers and users should keep in mind when developing such systems, and/or planning for such applications.
Evaluation of OOAD methodologies

The author addresses the question of the requirements of a genuine object-oriented analysis and design methodology (OOAD). The author proposes and illustrates an approach to achieving this objective. >
The Role of Anger and Depression in Recurrent Headache

Individuals with tension-type headache report significant anger, depression, anxiety, and stressors. However, it is not clear to what extent these variables are interrelated. The objective of the present study was to explore the role of anger in headaches, and to examine its relationship to anxiety, depression, and daily life stressors. Participants were 65 young adult women who suffered from recurrent headaches. The sample was obtained in a large-scale screening of young adult women using the Headache Symptoms List to identify those with recurrent headache. Those individuals reporting headaches completed a battery of assessment measures that included the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, the Mood and Anxiety Symptoms Questionnaire, and the Hassles Scale. Results revealed a significant relationship between anger suppression and depression (r = 0.40, P<.01), as well as anger expression and anxiety (r = 0.41, P<.01) for those with headache. The use of the Mood and Anxiety Symptoms Questionnaire allowed for the separate analysis of general distress symptoms and symptoms more specific to anxiety and depression. Results indicated that those with headache experience more general, nonspecific distress rather than symptoms indicative of anxiety and depression (P<.01). In addition, the mixed headache group scored high on both general (mean, 28.96) and specific measures of depression (mean, 65.76) and on anger suppression (mean, 20.12), suggesting that they might experience more psychological distress than those with tension-type headache. The present results indicate the need to distinguish the unique dimensions of anxiety and depression that should be assessed in the population with recurrent headache.
Estrogen replacement does not prevent the loss of choline acetyltransferase-positive cells in the basal forebrain following either neurochemical or mechanical lesions

Recent studies have shown that estrogen replacement can enhance the functional status of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. Studies have also shown that estrogen has neuroprotective effects both in vitro and in vivo on a variety of cells and against a variety of insults. The present study examined the ability of estrogen replacement to protect basal forebrain cholinergic neurons from the effects of neurochemical and mechanical injury. Ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats received either estrogen replacement or sham surgery, and then received either a unilateral injection of ibotenic acid into the nucleus basalis magnocellularis, or unilateral transection of the fimbria fornix. Cholinergic neurons in the medial septum and nucleus basalis were detected and quantified using immunohistochemical techniques. The data show that neither 3 weeks nor 13 weeks of continuous estrogen replacement prevented the loss of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-containing cells in the nucleus basalis following a unilateral injection of ibotenic acid. Likewise, estrogen replacement did not prevent a decrease in ChAT-positive cells detected in the medial septum following unilateral transection of the fimbria fornix. Notably, increased numbers of ChAT-positive cells were detected in the contralateral nucleus basalis, and in the ipsilateral and contralateral medial septum, at 2 weeks following a unilateral injection of ibotenic acid into the nucleus basalis; however, these effects were not related to hormone treatment. These data suggest that estrogen replacement does not protect cholinergic neurons in the medial septum and nucleus basalis from the effects of excitotoxic or mechanical injury.
Thermomechanical Changes during Reheating Pizza Shells as Related to Heating Method

Two transitions were studied in pizzas, T 1 (4 ± 40°C at 33.5% m.c.) which decreased amplitude upon vacuum drying and T 2 (60 ± 40°C) which was moisture independent. Moisture loss in the microwave (more rapid) heated samples below freezable water range resulted in T 1 and T 2 gradually changing in their proportion. T 2 increasingly became predominant eventually merging with T 1 . Resulting differences in thermomechanical and rheological properties were related to temperature-moisture profiles, shrinkage, the observed loss of freezable water and networking. T 2 (60 ± 40°C) was found responsible for the leathery texture in microwaved pizza while T 1 (0 ± 30°C) was the dominating transition in the soft conventional product. Retrogradation of starch was not related.
Introducing professional issues into project management modules

Students frequently relegate risk analysis to the later stages of development-testing their code. The precoding risks they may address involve accurate requirements elicitation and cohesive system design. They fail to see their professional obligations to address broader impacts of the system both for the client and for society. They see requirements analysis as a one-way street-merely getting information from the client. This limited approach to risk analysis is inadequate. It does not identify critical project risks beyond issues of budget, schedule and function. Focus on correctly capturing the customer's desired system functionality does not take into account the system's impact on a broad range of system stakeholders. The software development impact statement (SoDIS) process facilitates the early identification of these additional types of project risks and helps students exercise their professional judgment in the early stages of software development and management. This pre-audit process of the early stages of software development has been used successfully internationally to help students take a broader approach to risk analysis and provide them with practice discovering risks. After a brief discussion of the SoDIS process, samples of its classroom applications in software project management classes, software engineering classes and Masters Classes are presented.
THACKERAY, CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, AND THE DEMISE OF JOS SEDLEY

Vanity fair is A novel of enigmas. In particular, after finishing the book, readers have often wondered why Thackeray refuses to tell us clearly whether or not Becky actually kills Joseph Sedley in chapter 67 - a question recently given prominence by John Sutherland as one of the "Great Puzzles in Nineteenth-Century Literature" (66-72). The explanation most commonly given for Thackeray's evasiveness on this point is that such unanswered questions in Vanity Fair are part of the artistry of this unconventional work of fiction, a book that A. E. Dyson has described as "surely one of the world's most devious novels" (76). This view of Vanity Fair as a novel of narrative legerdemain - intended to keep the reader constantly alert and pondering what is being shown (or concealed) - is certainly true. However, an additional possible explanation for Thackeray's ambiguity on the subject of Jos's death also ought to be considered. This explanation lies in Thackeray's horrified reaction to the public execution of Fran?ois Benjamin Courvoisier on 6 July 1840. The echoes between Thackeray's appalled description of the events of that morning and his subsequent famous novel suggest that he privately conceived of Becky as murdering Jos. The echoes also suggest that one reason why Thackeray handled this fictional murder obliquely is that, by the time of writing Vanity Fair, he had come to believe that, although executions might occur, they should not take place in public. Exploring the subtle connections between Thackeray's profound revulsion at the death of Courvoisier and Thackeray's later treatment of Jos's death gives deeper meaning to the intentional ambiguities in chapter 67. These connections make the ambiguities surrounding the death of Jos part of a widespread debate over capital punishment in the 1840s and have significant ramifications in terms of the parallel between public executions and pornography and with regard to the role of Becky in this novel.
Social Relationships and Health Behavior Across the Life Course

Sociological theory and research point to the importance of social relationships in affecting health behavior. This work tends to focus on specific stages of the life course, with a division between research on childhood/adolescent and adult populations. Yet recent advances demonstrate that early life course experiences shape health outcomes well into adulthood. We synthesize disparate bodies of research on social ties and health behavior throughout the life course, with attention to explaining how various social ties influence health behaviors at different life stages and how these processes accumulate and reverberate throughout the life course.
Differential Taxation of for-Profit and Nonprofit Firms: A Computational General Equilibrium Approach

A small-scale computational general equilibrium model is used to examine the efficiency costs of exempting commercial nonprofits from the corporate income tax when they compete directly with for-profit firms. Simulation results from differential-incidence experiments indicate significant welfare gains when the tax wedge is reduced at the margin between the for-profit and nonprofit firms and the change in government revenue is financed by lump-sum taxes. However, although welfare gains exist at the margin, average excess burden estimates suggest that some level of differential taxation is welfare-improving if nonprofits contribute to the production of a good with positive externalities. Results are compared with those from the literature on the differential taxation of corporate and noncorporate firms and are found generally consistent.
Active and nonlinear wave propagation devices in ultrafast electronics and optoelectronics

We describe active and nonlinear wave propagation devices for generation and detection of (sub)millimeter wave and (sub)picosecond signals. Shock-wave nonlinear transmission lines (NLTL's) generate /spl sim/4-V step functions with less than 0.7-ps fall times. NLTL-gated sampling circuits for signal measurement have attained over 700-GHz bandwidth. Soliton propagation on NLTL's is used for picosecond impulse generation and broadband millimeter-wave frequency multiplication. Picosecond pulses can also be generated on traveling-wave structures loaded by resonant tunneling diodes. Applications include integration of photodetectors with sampling circuits for picosecond optical waveform measurements and instrumentation for millimeter-wave waveform and network (circuit) measurements both on-wafer and in free space. General properties of linear and nonlinear distributed devices and circuits are reviewed, including gain-bandwidth limits, dispersive and nondispersive propagation, shock-wave formation, and soliton propagation. >
African American Athletes’ Experiences of Race in Sport

This study is a qualitative exploration of male and female African American athletes’ experiences of race and race discrimination with regard to specific incidents that occurred during their athletic careers. Eight African American athletes from different competitive levels and sports were interviewed to obtain a deeper understanding of their experiences of race and race discrimination and the role it played in their careers. The interviews revealed five themes that were identified as: ‘being hurt’, ‘outrage and shock’, ‘team togetherness’, ‘being empowered’, and ‘differences’.
Lung cancer in young patients: analysis of a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database.

PURPOSEA large community-based cancer registry was analyzed to determine if the clinicopathologic characteristics and/or survival rates of lung cancer patients under 50 years of age at diagnosis differ from those of patients 50 years of age or greater at diagnosis.PATIENTS AND METHODSData regarding demographics, stage, histology, initial therapy, and survival were obtained on all patients with primary bronchogenic carcinoma registered in the metropolitan Detroit Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry from 1973 to 1992.RESULTSOf 31,266 patients, 9.0% were under 50 years of age at diagnosis. Females (40.1% v 31.2%; P < .001) and blacks (28.7% v 21.9%, P < .001) were overrepresented in the younger group compared with the older group. Younger patients had a significantly higher incidence of adenocarcinoma and were less likely to present with local-stage disease (18.6% v 25.2%; P < .001). Younger patients were significantly more likely to undergo surgery and/or combined-modality therapy. Re...
Segregating genetically modified and nongenetically modified corn in a marketing channel

The adoption of GM corn in the United States depends on many factors including segregation costs, which have minor impacts on aggregate welfare. Because the demand for nonGM corn is small relative to its supply, no premium for nonGM corn can be generated in excess of the segregation costs. An outward shift in the supply of corn resulting from the adoption of GM varieties has a greater impact on aggregate welfare than do the segregation costs required to satisfy the GM-free demand. A 10% increase in the aggregate supply of GM corn increases aggregate welfare by more than US $250 million. However, nonadopters of GM corn lose while adopters can gain or lose depending on the nature of the aggregate demand curve for US corn.
The Apostle Paul and the Introspective Conscience of the West

In the history of Western Christianity — and hence, to a large extent, in the history of Western culture — the Apostle Paul has been hailed as a hero of the introspective conscience. Here was the man who grappled with the problem “I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want to do is what I do …” (Rom. 7:19). His insights as to a solution of this dilemma have recently been more or less identified, for example, with what Jung referred to as the Individuation Process; but this is only a contemporary twist to the traditional Western way of reading the Pauline letters as documents of human consciousness.