cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of nitroprusside on local contractile performance after coronary ligation and reperfusion.

Abstract To study the effects of nitroprusside infusion on the regional contractile performance of the left ventricle after coronary occlusion, local tension and segment length of the ischemic, border and nonischemic zones were studied using Walton-Brodie strain gauge arches and mercury-in-Silastic tubing segment length gauges in open chest dogs. The effect of this intervention on the time period for functional reversibility of the affected areas after revascularization was also examined. Fifteen minutes after occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery, nitroprusside (4 to 11 μg/kg per min) was infused to keep systolic pressure 20 to 25 percent below control levels for 2 hours after occlusion and then 1 hour after reperfusion. The ischemic zone showed no change in either tension or length although there was a gradual continuing decrease in tension. However, in the border zone, total tension, which had decreased to 81.4 ± 9.6 (standard error of the mean) percent of control level 15 minutes after coronary occlusion, increased to 87.5 ± 11.3 percent immediately after nitroprusside infusion and continued at that level for 2 hours. Preejection tension, rate of tension rise and ejection tension demonstrated parallel increases. Segment length, which had increased to 144.1 ± 4.5 percent of control level after coronary occlusion, declined to 115 ± 10.7 percent ( P P P In summary, nitroprusside infusion provides a sustained increase in tension and decrease in length of the border and the nonischemic zones after acute coronary occlusion whereas the ischemic zone remains unaffected. Although administration of nitroprusside fails to prolong the time period for functional reversibility of the affected zones with reperfusion, it appears to prevent further deterioration.
Knowledge and prevention of tick-borne diseases vary across an urban-to-rural human land-use gradient

We sought to determine the behavioral risk of exposure to tick-borne diseases across a human land-use gradient in a region endemic for diseases transmitted by the lone star tick. We measured the knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors of visitors to 14 suburban, exurban, and rural recreational parks. A structured interview was conducted to determine respondents' (n=238) knowledge of tick-borne disease risk, perceived susceptibility to tick-borne disease, and tick bite prevention behaviors. We found significant differences across park types for most personal protective behaviors. Individuals in exurban parks were more likely to perform frequent tick checks and use chemical insect repellents compared to other park types (p<0.001), while suburban park visitors were more likely to avoid tick habitats (p<0.05). Disparities exist in the level of knowledge, perceived personal risk, and use of preventive measures across the human land-use gradient, suggesting that targeted public health intervention programs could reduce behavioral exposure risk by addressing specific gaps in knowledge and prevention.
Classification of fruits and vegetables

Classifications for fruits and vegetables are most helpful for dietary assessment and guidance if they are based on the composition of these foods. This work determined whether levels of food components in fruits and vegetables correlated with classification criteria based on botanic family, color, part of plant, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). A database of 104 commonly consumed fruits and vegetables was created that contained food components known to be provided primarily by these foods. A mathematical clustering algorithm was used to group the foods into homogeneous clusters based on food component levels and the classification criteria. Most useful in categorizing were the botanic families rose, rue (citrus), amaryllis, goosefoot, and legume; color groupings blue/black, dark green/green, orange/peach, and red/purple; and plant parts fruit-berry, seeds or pods, and leaves. Groupings based on TAC levels did not match well with the identified clusters. Clusters were often best defined by a combination of classification variables such as color and part of plant. Results suggest that the groupings dark green leafy vegetables; cabbage family vegetables; lettuces; allium family bulbs; legumes; deep orange/yellow fruits, roots, and tubers; citrus family fruits; tomatoes and other red vegetables and fruits; and red/purple/blue berries are predictive for food components provided by fruits and vegetables.
Waterborne radon pollution of indoor air

The domestic use of radioactive water has long been a cause for concern, but only a few studies have examined prolonged exposure to radionuclide concentrations found in natural settings. This paper reports on the indoor radon concentrations from 1,500 homes in northern Virginia and southern Maryland and well water radon from 700 homes in the same area. Indoor radon concentrations are almost all between 1 and about 40 pCi/L. The winter season shows the highest values with about 40% of the homes over the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L. The summer season shows the lowest values with about 25% of the homes over this level. This seasonal variation is related to home ventilation. Waterborne radon in homes with private wells ranges from about 100 pCi/L to about 8,000 pCi/L. In small homes, indoor radon can be significantly increased by outgassing of the home water supply, even at water radon levels of less than 10,000 pCi/L.
The militarization of teamwork in alternate reality gaming

This ongoing research project examines ad-hoc virtual teamwork in playful environments. Our results suggest that alternate reality game (ARG) players devise leadership structures spontaneously over short periods of time, in response to a lack of formal structure. In the ARG we studied, teams self-structured around tropes of military culture, going so far as to adopt military ranks to describe team roles and individual statuses. Our findings have implications for effective in-game virtual organizing, and for the design of gameful environments.
Processing of Titanium and its Alloys by Microwave Energy

Microwave sintering of titanium and its alloys is a recent development in powder metallurgy of titanium. The sintering in an atmospheric pressure argon gas environment or vacuum is potentially cost effective and energy efficient compared to conventional sintering methods due to the possibility of direct microwave heating of the titanium powder via in-depth energy deposition augmented by hybrid heating in a ceramic casket. The in-depth heating permits very rapid processing (cycle times of potentially less than 10 minutes) which is intended to preserve a very fine grain structure in the final product resulting in excellent mechanical properties and the possibility of superplastic forming. We are investigating this approach using an S–Band microwave system. The process can be also used for composites, laminates, direct alloying, and functionally gradient materials. Evaluations to optimize different parameters for controlling the final density, microstructure, and properties of these materials are underway and results are discussed.
Isoenthalpic and isoentropic temperatures and the thermodynamics of protein denaturation.

Abstract The standard enthalpy or entropy change upon transfer of a small nonpolar molecule from a nonaqueous phase into water at a given temperature is generally different for different solute species. However, if the heat capacity change is independent of temperature, there exists a temperature at which the enthalpy or the entropy change becomes the same for all solute species within a given class. Similarly, the enthalpy or the entropy change of protein denaturation, when extrapolated to high temperature assuming a temperature-independent heat capacity change, shows a temperature at which its value becomes the same for many different globular proteins on a per weight basis. It is shown that the existence of these temperatures can be explained from a common formalism based on a linear relationship between the thermodynamic quantity and a temperature-independent molecular property that characterizes the solute or the protein. For the small nonpolar molecule transfer processes, this property is the surface area or the number of groups that are brought in contact with water. For protein denaturation, it is suggested that this property measures the polar/nonpolar mix of the internal interaction within the protein interior. Under a certain set of assumptions, this model leads to the conclusion that the nonpolar and the polar groups of the protein contribute roughly equally to the stability of the folded state of the molecule and that the solvent-accessible surface area of the denatured form of a protein is no more than about two-thirds that of the fully extended form.
Surveying commuter behavior: designing motorist information systems

Abstract A “Motorist Information Survey” was conducted by University of Washington investigators as part of a project sponsored by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration under the State's Freeway Arterial Management Effort (FAME). This survey, with responses on 62 variables from 3, 893 Seattle commuters, gathered information about motorist behavior and decision processes, particularly as they relate to the design and delivery of motorist information. Results showed that motorists have greater flexibility as to the ime they leave work than the time they leave home, experience some stress during their commute, and most value saving commute time. Motorists are more likely to change their routes from work than from home, to divert to known routes sooner than to unknown routes, and to be influenced by traffic information, congestion, and time of day. Motorists prefer to receive traffic information before entering the freeway as traffic information has the greatest influence on route choice and departure time and all motorists rely most on commercial radio for receipt of traffic information and find it most useful. A majority of motorists want to see highway advisory radio developed first, followed by a phone hot-line, and a dedicated cable TV station.
Estimation of colorectal adenoma recurrence with dependent censoring

Due to early colonoscopy for some participants, interval-censored observations can be introduced into the data of a colorectal polyp prevention trial. The censoring could be dependent of risk of recurrence if the reasons of having early colonoscopy are associated with recurrence. This can complicate estimation of the recurrence rate. We propose to use midpoint imputation to convert interval-censored data problems to right censored data problems. To adjust for potential dependent censoring, we use information from auxiliary variables to define risk groups to perform the weighted Kaplan-Meier estimation to the midpoint imputed data. The risk groups are defined using two risk scores derived from two working proportional hazards models with the auxiliary variables as the covariates. One is for the recurrence time and the other is for the censoring time. The method described here is explored by simulation and illustrated with an example from a colorectal polyp prevention trial. We first show that midpoint imputation under an assumption of independent censoring will produce an unbiased estimate of recurrence rate at the end of the trial, which is often the main interest of a colorectal polyp prevention trial, and then show in simulations that the weighted Kaplan-Meier method using the information from auxiliary variables based on the midpoint imputed data can improve efficiency in a situation with independent censoring and reduce bias in a situation with dependent censoring compared to the conventional methods, while estimating the recurrence rate at the end of the trial. The research in this paper uses midpoint imputation to handle interval-censored observations and then uses the information from auxiliary variables to adjust for dependent censoring by incorporating them into the weighted Kaplan-Meier estimation. This approach can handle a situation with multiple auxiliary variables by deriving two risk scores from two working PH models. Although the idea of this approach might appear simple, the results do show that the weighted Kaplan-Meier approach can gain efficiency and reduce bias due to dependent censoring.
Nonlinear hysteresis curve derived by direct numerical investigation of acceleration data

Abstract Acceleration measurements often provide engineers with a means by which to determine the forces within dynamic structural systems; however, for certain problems, information about the structural motion and the displacement-time history may also be of interest. One such application deals with the evaluation of stiffness in reinforced concrete structures during seismic events. Scaled model test of these events suggest that the stiffness of these structures often degrades drastically. The displacement response of these seismic events is required both for the hysteresis curve (load vs displacement) and evaluation of postulated structural stiffness models. By applying data processing techniques to acceleration data obtained from scaled model tests, displacement-time histories were obtained for low aspect shear walls subjected to simulated seismic loadings. Procedures, difficulties, and results of this work are discussed herein.
Pre-discharge, post-transplant kidney biopsy does not predict rejection

Abstract The value of allograft biopsy 2 to 3 weeks after renal transplantation as a predictor of rejection was studied. Fifty non-HLA identical recipients had pre-discharge biopsy without complication. Biopsies were studied under light microscopy and with immunofluorescent stains; interpretation was done without knowledge of the clinical course and the biopsy was not used in patient management. Based on light microscopic findings, the patients were divided into three groups: normal (n = 33); acute interstitial infiltrate (n = 12), and acute tubular necrosis (n = 5). Subsequent course was determined. There was no difference between groups in percent patients having a subsequent acute rejection episode, timing of the first rejection, percent having more than one rejection, and percent kidneys currently functioning. Immunofluorescent studies did not help in predicting subsequent rejection. We conclude that pre-discharge biopsy does not predict subsequent course.
Endothelin receptor antagonists as antihypertensives: the next frontier

The endothelin system is a pivotal player along the continuum of cardiovascular disease. There is convincing evidence that the system not only exerts a potent pressor effect but also promotes end-organ damage independent from blood pressure changes. The role of endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) in the treatment of hypertension is rapidly evolving. Recent studies demonstrate a formidable antihypertensive effect. Utility of ERAs is likely to be greatest in patients with resistant hypertension. Beyond blood pressure lowering, ERAs exert several properties that may confer additional protection, including effects on endothelial function, atherosclerosis, arterial stiffening, renal function and proteinuria. The full potential of this class will only be realized when the results of ongoing and future studies in hypertension, heart failure and other forms of cardiovascular disease are completed.
Data mining for security applications

Data mining is the process of posing queries and extracting patterns, often previously unknown from large quantities of data using pattern matching or other reasoning techniques. Cyber security is the area that deals with cyber terrorism. We are hearing that cyber attacks will cause corporations billions of dollars. For example, one could masquerade as a legitimate user and swindle say a bank of billions of dollars. Data mining and web mining may be used to detect and possibly prevent security attacks including cyber attacks. For example, anomaly detection techniques could be used to detect unusual patterns and behaviors. Link analysis may be used to trace the viruses to the perpetrators. Classification may be used to group various cyber attacks and then use the profiles to detect an attack when it occurs. Prediction may be used to determine potential future attacks depending in a way on information learnt about terrorists through email and phone conversations. Also, for some threats non real-time data mining may suffice while for certain other threats such as for network intrusions we may need real-time data mining. Many researchers are investigating the use of data mining for intrusion detection. While we need some form of real-time data mining, that is, the results have to be generated in real-time, we also need to build models in real-time. For example, credit card fraud detection is a form of real-time processing. However, here models are built ahead of time. Building models in real-time remains a challenge. Data mining can also be used for analyzing web logs as well as analyzing the audit trails. Based on the results of the data mining tool, one can then determine whether any unauthorized intrusions have occurred and/or whether any unauthorized queries have been posed. There has been much research on data mining for intrusion detection. Data mining may also be applied for Biometrics related applications. Finally data mining has applications in national security including detecting and preventing terrorist activities. The presentation will provide an overview of data mining and security threats and then discuss the applications of data mining for cyber security and national security including in intrusion detection and biometrics. Privacy considerations including a discussion of privacy preserving data mining will also be given.
The Structure of an Extensible Java Applet for Spatial Linkage Synthesis

This paper describes a new approach to computer-aided spatial linkage design which uses the dynamic binding feature of Java to provide a extensible software system. The spatial linkages that we focus on are constructed from one or more spatial open chains that are connected to a single workpiece. Each open chain has less than six degrees of freedom and is termed a serial chain primitive. The goal of the design system is to determine the dimensions of a set of primitives each of which has a workspace that includes the set of specified workpiece positions. These chains are then assembled together to form candidate parallel linkage designs. There are many serial chain primitives each of which has a specialized constraint solver. These primitives can be assembled into many different parallel linkages, each of which needs an analysis routine. Our approach to the challenge of generating all of these routines is to abstract the design process and structure our computer-aided linkage design system to allow integration of specialize synthesis and analysis routines developed over time by user-collaborators. @DOI: 10.1115/1.1486217#
The formation, occurrence, and function of β-apocarotenoids: β-carotene metabolites that may modulate nuclear receptor signaling

β-Carotene is the major dietary source of provitamin A. Central cleavage of β-carotene yields 2 molecules of retinal followed by further oxidation to retinoic acid. Eccentric cleavage of β-carotene occurs at double bonds other than the central double bond, and the products of these reactions are β-apocarotenals and β-apocarotenones. We reviewed recent developments in 3 areas: 1): the enzymatic production of β-apocarotenoids in higher animals; 2) the occurrence of β-apocarotenoids in foods and animal tissues; and 3) the biological activity of β-apocarotenoids, particularly on retinoid receptors. HPLC–mass spectrometry techniques were developed to quantify these compounds in mouse serum and tissues and in foods. β-Apo-10′- and -12′-carotenals were detected in mouse serum and liver. β-Apo-8′-, β-apo-10′-, β-apo-12′-, and β-apo-14′-carotenals and β-apo-13-carotenone were detected in orange-fleshed melons. Transactivation assays were performed to see whether apocarotenoids activate or antagonize retinoid X receptor (RXR) α. Reporter gene constructs and retinoid receptor (RXRα) were transfected into cells, which were used to perform quantitative assays for the activation of this ligand-dependent transcription factor. None of the β-apocarotenoids significantly activated RXRα. However, β-apo-13-carotenone antagonized the 9-cis-retinoic acid activation of RXRα. Competitive radioligand binding assays showed that this antagonist competes directly with the agonist for binding to purified receptor, a finding confirmed by molecular modeling studies. These findings suggest that a possible biological function of β-apocarotenoids is their ability to interfere with nuclear receptor signaling. Recent work showed that β-apo-13-carotenone is also a high-affinity antagonist of all 3 retinoic acid receptors (RARα, RARβ, and RARγ).
Shift work disorder, depression, and anxiety in the transition to rotating shifts: the role of sleep reactivity

Abstract Aim The aim of this study is to investigate premorbid sleep reactivity as a vulnerability to incident shift work disorder (SWD), and related changes in depression as well as anxiety following a transition to a rotating shifts work schedule. Methods This is a longitudinal study with two waves of data collection. The community-based sample included normal sleeping non-shift workers ( N = 96; 62.5% female; 47.9 ± 13.3 years) without a lifetime history of insomnia or baseline excessive daytime sleepiness who transitioned to rotating shift work one year later. Participants reported demographic characteristics, trait sleep reactivity on the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test, depression symptoms on the Quick Inventory of Depression Symptomatology, and anxiety symptoms on the Beck Anxiety Inventory. SWD was determined based on significant sleep disturbance and/or excessive sleepiness in the context of working in a rotating-shift schedule. Results Analyses revealed that the odds were over five times greater for highly sleep-reactive individuals to develop SWD after transitioning to rotating shifts (OR = 5.59, p = 0.04). Nearly 90% of participants who suffered from SWD were accurately identified as high risk at one year before disease onset. Furthermore, individuals who developed SWD reported greater increases in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Finally, analyses revealed significant indirect effects wherein high sleep reactivity increased risk for SWD, which led to greater severity of anxiety and depression symptoms. Conclusions The Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test (FIRST) accurately identifies a focused target population in which the premorbid psychobiological processes complicit in SWD onset and progression, as well as shift work-related depression and anxiety changes, can be better investigated, thus improving future preventative efforts.
FFT implementation on the TMS320C30

The implementation of several FFT (fast Fourier transform) algorithms on the TMS320C30, the third-generation device in the Texas Instruments family of digital signal processors is reported. The algorithms considered are the complex radix-2 and radix-4, and real-valued radix-2 FFT. The architecture and the instruction set of the TMS320C30 permit flexible and compact coding of the algorithms in assembly language while preserving close correspondence to a high-level language implementation. The efficiency of the architecture and the speed of the device (60 ns) make possible the realization of a 1024-point FFT in 3.75 ms (complex, radix-2), 3.04 ms (complex, radix-4), or 1.67 ms (real, radix-2). >
Effect of Acid on the Coating of Boehmite onto Silicon Carbide Particles in Aqueous Suspensions

It is shown that the addition of acid in aluminum alkoxide precursor gels is critical to the success of coating aluminum oxide onto SiC particles. For aluminum sec-butoxide processed at 90°C, the addition of acid dissolves the gel network and facilitates the coating of aluminum oxide on SiC. On the other hand, when the coating is performed at room temperature, even with the addition of acids, coating of aluminum oxide is not successful.
genSpace: Exploring social networking metaphors for knowledge sharing and scientific collaborative work

Many collaborative applications, especially in scientific research, focus only on the sharing of tools or the sharing of data. We seek to introduce an approach to scientific collaboration that is based on the sharing of knowledge. We do this by automatically building organizational memory and enabling knowledge sharing by observing what users do with a particular tool or set of tools in the domain, through the addition of activity and usage monitoring facilities to standalone applications. Once this knowledge has been gathered, we apply social networking models to provide collaborative features to users, such as suggestions on tools to use, and automatically-generated sequences of actions based on past usage amongst the members of a social network or the entire community. In this work, we investigate social networking models as an approach to scientific knowledge sharing, and present an implementation called genSpace, which is built as an extension to the geWorkbench platform for computational biologists. Last, we discuss the approach from the viewpoint of social software engineering.
The occurrence of uterine stromal and intraepithelial monocytes and heterophils during normal late pregnancy in the rat.

The steady decline in plasma progesterone level that occurs during the last week of pregnancy in the normal rat (Wiest, '70) provides good opportunity to study the effect of withdrawal of progesterone on uterine differentiation. Evidence is presented that tissue monocytes, heterophils, and eosinophils are regular components of the normal late gestational uterus and that their number increases as term approaches. Uterine monocytes and heterophils are located in the endometrial and myometrial stroma as well as within the basal intercellular compartment of the luminal epithelium. Stromal monocytes are distributed throughout the attenuated endometrium of late gestation, but are more common immediately beneath the luminal epithelium. In the myometrium, monocytes and heterophils occur, often as perivascular clusters, in the connective tissue septum that separates the two layers of smooth muscle. Eosinophils are present especially in the deep endometrial and myometrial stroma, and increase in number as plasma estrogen rises immediately before parturition. A small population of lymphocytes is regularly present. An important feature of the prepartum uterine stroma is the sparseness of macrophages. Near term, however, the beginnings of monocytic-macrophagic transformation are noticeable as the cell surface becomes more irregular and organelles associated with endocytic activity arise. The prepartum monocytes are positioned in the same histological sites that during the postpartum period of regression will be occupied by macrophages (Padykula and Campbell, '76). Since it is generally accepted that monocytes are precursors of macrophages, this spatial correlation raises the possibility that cellular preparations for regression commence before birth. The possible significance of prepartum monocytic infiltration is discussed in relation to the effect of changing plasma and uterine concentrations of progesterone on uterine collagenase activity. The steady increase in uterine tissue leucocytes which occurs concomitantly with decreasing uterine binding capacity for progesterone supports the hypothesis by Siiteri et al. ('77) that progesterone in high local concentrations has an antiinflammatory effect.
Some Notes on Corrections for Guessing and Related Problems

In an unpublished paper from the 1950s (reprinted here with a brief introduction), E. F. Lindquist proposed that correction-for-guessing formulas should be replaced with a more realistic and empirical approach to scoring objective tests. The formula and the underlying assumptions are explained, and several problems with the concept are outlined.
68Ga MPO Platelets in Human Pet Thrombus Imaging

The excellent immediate results of various interventional techniques for recanalization of peripheral and coronary arterial lesions has highlighted the persistant problem of restenosis, occurring in as many as 30% of patients in 1 year and 66% in 2 years1. Platelet deposition and its sequellae are among the most important possible causes of restenosis, and intensive research on the prevention of restenosis has involved many new anti-platelet drugs2. A method of measuring platelet deposition in vivo, would better define the effectiveness of the various anti-platelet protocols, help select patients and permit monitoring of anti-platelet drug activity3.
Toward Surface-Enhanced Raman Imaging of Latent Fingerprints*

Exposure to light or heat, or simply a dearth of fingerprint material, renders some latent fingerprints undetectable using conventional methods. We begin to address such elusive fingerprints using detection targeting photo- and thermally stable fingerprint constituents: surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). SERS can give descriptive vibrational spectra of amino acids, among other robust fingerprint constituents, and good sensitivity can be attained by improving metal-dielectric nanoparticle substrates. With SERS chemical imaging, vibrational bands' intensities recreate a visual of fingerprint topography. The impact of nanoparticle synthesis route, dispersal methodology-deposition solvent, and laser wavelength are discussed, as are data from enhanced vibrational spectra of fingerprint components. SERS and Raman chemical images of fingerprints and realistic contaminants are shown. To our knowledge, this represents the first SERS imaging of fingerprints. In conclusion, this work progresses toward the ultimate goal of vibrationally detecting latent prints that would otherwise remain undetected using traditional development methods.
Introducing the Forensic Research/Reference on Genetics knowledge base, FROG-kb

Background: Online tools and databases based on multi-allelic short tandem repeat polymorphisms (STRPs) are actively used in forensic teaching, research, and investigations. The Fst value of each CODIS marker tends to be low across the populations of the world and most populations typically have all the common STRP alleles present diminishing the ability of these systems to discriminate ethnicity. Recently, considerable research is being conducted on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to be considered for human identification and description. However, online tools and databases that can be used for forensic research and investigation are limited. Methods: The back end DBMS (Database Management System) for FROG-kb is Oracle version 10. The front end is implemented with specific code using technologies such as Java, Java Servlet, JSP, JQuery, and GoogleCharts. Results: We present an open access web application, FROG-kb (Forensic Research/Reference on Geneticsknowledge base, http://frog.med.yale.edu), that is useful for teaching and research relevant to forensics and can serve as a tool facilitating forensic practice. The underlying data for FROG-kb are provided by the already extensively used and referenced ALlele FREquency Database, ALFRED (http://alfred.med.yale.edu). In addition to displaying data in an organized manner, computational tools that use the underlying allele frequencies with userprovided data are implemented in FROG-kb. These tools are organized by the different published SNP/marker panels available. This web tool currently has implemented general functions possible for two types of SNP panels, individual identification and ancestry inference, and a prediction function specific to a phenotype informative panel for eye color. Conclusion: The current online version of FROG-kb already provides new and useful functionality. We expect FROG-kb to grow and expand in capabilities and welcome input from the forensic community in identifying datasets and functionalities that will be most helpful and useful. Thus, the structure and functionality of FROG-kb will be revised in an ongoing process of improvement. This paper describes the state as of early June 2012.
An open pilot study of nefazodone in depression with anger attacks: relationship between clinical response and receptor binding

Nefazodone has been widely used as an antidepressant, but it has not been tested for depression with anger attacks. In an open study, we administered nefazodone (maximum 600 mg/day) for 12 weeks to 16 outpatients who had major depression with anger attacks. Assessment instruments comprised the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID), Anger Attacks Questionnaire (AAQ), 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D-17), Clinician Global Impression Scale (CGI), Symptom Questionnaire (SQ), Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS), and MOAS-Self-Rated. Three subjects underwent positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]-setoperone for 5-HT2 binding potential (BP) and [11C]-SCH-23,390 for D1 BP, both at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment. Eight subjects underwent PET with [18F]-setoperone and with [11C]-SCH-23,390 at baseline only. In an examination of whether D1 and 5HT2 (data available in six subjects) receptor BP predicted treatment response, we found significant decreases in the HAM-D-17, CGI-S, weighted MOAS, MOAS verbal scale, OAS Self-Rated verbal, SQ Depression and Anger/Hostility scales after nefazodone; 50% responded to nefazodone (defined as >or=50% decrease in HAM-D-17 score), and 44% reported disappearance of anger attacks. A statistically significant percentage decrease in 5HT2 BP was observed for the right mesial frontal and left parietal regions after 6 weeks of treatment. No significant change was observed in D1 BP in any region. Although CGI-I scores correlated significantly with D1 BP in the left thalamic region, the correlation was not significant after Bonferroni correction. The effectiveness of nefazodone for depression with anger attacks may be related to widespread changes in 5HT2 receptor BP.
Incidence and recurrence of autoimmune/alloimmune hepatitis in liver transplant recipients

We prospectively collected data on 1,429 liver transplant recipients between December 1984 and December 1998. Fifty-five patients (3.8%; 10 men, 45 women; median age, 44.5 +/- 13 [SD] years) with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Transplant recipients with AIH were younger, more likely to be women, and had a greater likelihood of rejection in the first 3, 6, and 12 months. There was no difference in patient survival or graft survival. There were 11 biopsy-proven recurrences (1 man, 10 women) of AIH after OLT. Almost half the episodes occurred within the first year after OLT. No patient required re-OLT because of recurrent disease. AIH has an incidence of 4% and a recurrence rate of 20% in OLT. Transplant recipients are more likely to be young women and have an increased incidence of acute cellular rejection (ACR) during the first post-OLT year. Recurrence should be suspected in those with abnormal liver function test results in the absence of ACR, especially during the first year after OLT. We cannot establish with certainty whether the observed process represents recurrence of the original autoimmune disease, an alloimmune phenomenon, or allograft dysfunction mimicking AIH.
Role of Employee Coping and Performance in Voluntary Employee Withdrawal: A Research Refinement and Elaboration

The present study examined growth coping, work performance, work satisfaction and organizational tenure as predictors of voluntary organizational turnover for 93 human services supervisory personnel. This study represents a further theoretical development and empirical test of the role played by employee growth coping on whether an employee stays (No Turnover) or leaves (Turnover) their organization. Additionally, clarification of the relationship between work performance and withdrawal is provided. Future research directions are introduced.
Average-case complexity of detecting cliques

The computational problem of testing whether a graph contains a complete subgraph of size k is among the most fundamental problems studied in theoretical computer science. This thesis is concerned with proving lower bounds for k-CLIQUE, as this problem is known. Our results show that, in certain models of computation, solving k-CLIQUE in the average case requires Ω( nk/4) resources (moreover, k/4 is tight). Here the models of computation are bounded-depth Boolean circuits and unbounded-depth monotone circuits, the complexity measure is the number of gates, and the input distributions are random graphs with an appropriate density of edges. Such random graphs (the well-studied Erdos-Renyi random graphs) are widely believed to be a source of computationally hard instances for clique problems (as Karp suggested in 1976). Our results are the first unconditional lower bounds supporting this hypothesis. For bounded-depth Boolean circuits, our average-case hardness result significantly improves the previous worst-case lower bounds of Ω( nk/poly( d)) for depth-d circuits. In particular, our lower bound of Ω(n k/4) has no noticeable dependence on d for circuits of depth d ≤ k −2 log n/log log n, thus bypassing the previous "size-depth tradeoffs". As a consequence, we obtain a novel Size Hierarchy Theorem for uniform AC0. A related application answers a longstanding open question in finite model theory (raised by Immerman in 1982): we show that the hierarchy of bounded-variable fragments of first-order logic is strict on finite ordered graphs. Additional results of this thesis characterize the average-case descriptive complexity of k-CLIQUE through the lens of first-order logic. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Wilt of Radish Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. raphani in Washington State

Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seed crops in Washington may annually produce up to 70% of the US and up to 40% of the world supply of radish seed (11). In May and June 2002, severe symptoms of wilting and dieback were observed in a radish stock seed crop in the Columbia Basin of central Washington. Examination of the roots revealed a dark vascular discoloration and root rot, as well as cabbage maggot (Delia radicum L.) larvae with associated feeding injury. Isolations from the symptomatic root tissue onto acidified potato dextrose agar (PDA) revealed the presence of Fusarium oxysporum, identified according to Nelson et al. (8) on the basis of colony morphology and the presence of chlamydospores, microconidia produced in false heads on short monophialides, and abundant macroconidia. The pathogenicity of two of the isolates of F. oxysporum was evaluated in the greenhouse using 2-week-old seedlings of the radish cultivar Champion. For each isolate, 6 seedlings were wounded by tearing the sides and lower end of each transplant plug. The roots were inoculated by soaking the plug in a suspension of approximately 10 5 spores/ml for 60 s, and individually
Generation of Čerenkov radiation at the cyclotron frequency of a conducting medium

The excitation of coherent cyclotron radiation by a relativistic charged particle moving through a conducting medium has been studied. The medium consists of free electrons embedded in a host medium which has the shape of a slab of finite widthL and dielectric constant ɛh (for example, the medium could be either a semiconductor or a plasma). It is well known that, in the presence of a uniform magnetic field, which, for simplicity, is taken normal to the sides of the slab, such a medium behaves like an anisotropic uniaxial crystal. From Maxwell’s equations and boundary conditions, exact expressions, in integral form, are obtained for the electromagnetic field everywhere in space. It is shown that there are two components associated with the electromagnetic field inside the slab, namely the ordinary and the extraordinary component, as is expected from the anisotropy of the medium. It is also shown from the corresponding dispersion relations for the ordinary and extraordinary components that the index of refraction of the extraordinary component can satisfy the Cerenkov condition for frequency components close to the electron cyclotron frequency, while this condition may not be satified by the ordinary component. Therefore, the emission of Cerenkov radiation, due to the extraordinary component, is possible. By means of the method of stationary phase, approximate expressions are derived for the fields, the radiation pattern and the radiated-energy spectrum in the forward and backward directions, far away from the slab.
Regulation of mitochondrial oxidative stress by β-arrestins in cultured human cardiac fibroblasts

Oxidative stress in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) promotes transformation to myofibroblasts and collagen synthesis leading to myocardial fibrosis, a precursor to heart failure (HF). NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) is a major source of cardiac reactive oxygen species (ROS); however, mechanisms of Nox4 regulation are unclear. β-arrestins are scaffold proteins that signal in G-protein-dependent and -independent pathways; for example, in ERK activation. We hypothesize that β-arrestins regulate oxidative stress in a Nox4-dependent manner and increase fibrosis in HF. CFs were isolated from normal and failing adult human left ventricles. Mitochondrial ROS/superoxide production was quantitated using MitoSox. β-arrestin and Nox4 expressions were manipulated using adenoviral overexpression or short interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown. Mitochondrial oxidative stress and Nox4 expression in CFs were significantly increased in HF. Nox4 knockdown resulted in inhibition of mitochondrial superoxide production and decreased basal and TGF-β-stimulated collagen and α-SMA expression. CF β-arrestin expression was upregulated fourfold in HF. β-arrestin knockdown in failing CFs decreased ROS and Nox4 expression by 50%. β-arrestin overexpression in normal CFs increased mitochondrial superoxide production twofold. These effects were prevented by inhibition of either Nox or ERK. Upregulation of Nox4 seemed to be a primary mechanism for increased ROS production in failing CFs, which stimulates collagen deposition. β-arrestin expression was upregulated in HF and plays an important and newly identified role in regulating mitochondrial superoxide production via Nox4. The mechanism for this effect seems to be ERK-mediated. Targeted inhibition of β-arrestins in CFs might decrease oxidative stress as well as pathological cardiac fibrosis.
Neuroprostheses for somatosensory function

Somatosensation provides information about the physical state of the limbs and body and is a crucial aspect of motor control. Diseases and injuries that impair somatosensory function can be devastating, and can drastically reduce one's ability to interact with the external environment. As such, development of neuroprostheses that can restore somatosensory function is an important goal that has received significant attention since 2004. This chapter provides a review of these neuroprostheses and important considerations around their design and use. The first section of the chapter provides a brief overview of the somatosensory system with emphasis on aspects that are especially relevant to the development of neuroprostheses. The second section provides a brief overview of some of the various applications for somatosensory neuroprostheses. The third section discusses, in detail, some of the specific approaches and implementations of somatosensory neuroprostheses that have been undertaken to date. The final section of the chapter provides some insight into the future directions of development and testing of somatosensory neuroprostheses.
Ischemic Conditioning: Implications for Emergency Medicine

Ischemic conditioning refers to the ability of brief episodes of controlled hypoperfusion around the time of an acute ischemic event to protect the target organ from reperfusion injury. A considerable body of literature suggests that interventions as simple and safe as repetitively inflating a blood pressure cuff could reduce the size and long-term morbidity of myocardial and cerebral infarction. This review introduces and summarizes the body of evidence contributing to these impressions.
Kaupapa Māori Theory-based Evaluation:

In an environment where M ori approaches to evaluation are developing quickly, with ever-widening influence, this article is an attempt to capture the theoretical roots of Kaupapa M ori evaluation approaches. From a range of Kaupapa M ori theorists, six principles are drawn and their relevance to evaluation theory and practice is discussed. These principles are then mapped to major movements in evaluation theory, illustrating how Kaupapa M ori theory-based evaluation, arising as a unique praxis within the context of Aotearoa New Zealand, has strong alignment with international developments.
The Problem of Generations in an Organizational Structure

C ONFLICTS of power and policy between age-groups are a common feature of many organizational structures. Factories, churches, labor unions, and political parties often distribute power, prestige, and income along an age-grade hierarchy. The existence of "old guard" and "young Turks" is found in many areas of society other than the specifically political. This paper examines some sources of age-graded power and their consequences for organizational stability in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. A depiction of the age-grade problem as one of culture conflict points to the difficulties age differences entail for organizational unity.' Given such variables as rapid cultural change and competing cultural authorities, conflict between age-groups may be anticipated. Karl Mannheim has pointed out that the existence of generational differences leads to divergent political and social styles and modes of thought which greatly influence the character of public issues.2 When two or more generations appear within the same organization we may consequently anticipate factional conflict. In the Woman's Christian Temperance Union differences between generations have been most marked since repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment.3 In pre-prohibition periods the WCTU functioned as part of a general reform movement with humanitarian aims. Its major interests and activities manifested a concern for the plight of lower-income groups. The central mission of the organization, total abstinence from use of all alcoholic beverages, was viewed as a solution to problems of poverty. In this period WCTU doctrine was the outlook of a socially secure Protestant middle class. Post-prohibition doctrine and activity of the WCTU has tended to express moral indignation toward contemporary American middle classes, rather than a concern for "uplifting the down trodden." Study of the socio-economic composition of WCTU local leadership revealed a decline in the socio-economic status of local leaders since repeal in 1933. The loss of prestige of WCTU membership has thus been a key problem within the WCTU.