cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Overweight and obesity among maltreated young adolescents

PURPOSE: (1) To identify and compare rates of body mass index (BMI)≥85% (overweight/obesity) and BMI≥95% (obesity) in maltreated versus comparison young adolescents; (2) to determine whether demographic/psychological characteristics are related to high BMI; (3) to determine whether type of maltreatment is related to high BMI in maltreated young adolescents. METHODS: We compared a sample of maltreated young adolescents to a comparison sample of adolescents from the same neighborhood. The maltreated sample (n=303) of young adolescents (ages 9-12) came from referrals from the county child welfare department in Los Angeles, CA from new cases of maltreatment opened in specified zip codes. A comparison sample (n=151) was recruited from the same zip codes. The total sample (both maltreated and comparison) was 77% Black or Hispanic and 23% White or biracial with 53% males and 47% females. A stepwise logistic regression was used to examine predictors of high BMI with demographic/psychological covariates and maltreatment group. The maltreated young adolescents were selected and the logistic model included all covariates as well as an interaction between gender and each maltreatment type (neglect, sexual, and physical abuse). RESULTS: Maltreated young adolescents were similar to comparison adolescents in obesity prevalence (27.1% and 34.4%, respectively), although comparison young adolescents were 1.7 times more likely to have overweight/obesity than the maltreated young adolescents (95% CI=1.13-2.76). No demographic variables predicted high BMI. For the comparison young adolescents, depression slightly increased the odds of overweight/obesity (OR=1.08, 95% CI=1.01-1.15). Being neglected reduced the odds of being in the overweight/obesity and obesity group when combining genders. For females, but not males, sexual and physical abuse slightly reduced the odds of obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Both the maltreated and comparison young adolescents had a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, which puts them at risk for health problems. Maltreatment reduced the odds of having a high BMI for adolescents in this study, which is opposite to research in adults. Further exploration of the mechanism of how maltreatment is related to weight as adolescents age, with specific emphasis on differences between genders, is needed. Language: en
SCA: a semantic conflict analyzer for parallel changes

Parallel changes are becoming increasingly prevalent in the development of large scale software system. To further study the relationship between parallel changes and faults, we have designed and implemented a semantic conflict analyzer (SCA) to detect semantic interference between parallel changes. SCA combines data dependency analysis and program slicing. Data dependency analysis can disclose the semantic structure of the program. And program slicing can identify which semantic structures are impacted by a change. By comparing the overlap between impacts of two changes, SCA can detect if there are semantic interference between the two changes. An experiment with an industrial project shows that SCA can detect a significant portion of the faults in highly parallel changes. SCA is effective in predicting faults (based on "direct" semantic interference detection) in changes made within a short time period. SCA is both efficient (averaging less than two minutes) and scalable (requiring only the local context)
Influence of temperature and ionic strength on the low-frequency dielectric dispersion of DNA solutions.

The dielectric properties of DNA solutions at low frequencies (5 Hz to 2 kHz) have been measured by means of a four-terminal bridge method utilized to minimize electrode polarization errors. At 24°C native salt-free DNA has a very large specific dielectric increment, Δe/c = 9.8 × 106 l/mol and a very low frequency relaxation centered at 18 Hz. Both the dielectric increment and the relaxation time are greatly decreased by partial heat denaturation at temperatures above 60°C or by addition of salt, the effects being much larger for divalent anions. These results are shown to be in qualitative agreement with theoretical treatments of counterion fluctuation polarization by McTague and Gibbs for the equilibrium case and by Mandel for relaxation. The ratio of the relaxation time for the low-frequency process to that previously observed at much higher frequencies suggests that these relaxations result from counterion fluctuations along the longitudinal and transverse axes of the molecule, respectively.
Data Cleansing and Analysis as a Prelude to Model Based Decision Support

We describe a loosely integrated set of teaching modules that allow students to explore decision support systems DSS topics ranging from data warehousing to model based decision support. The modules are used as part of a spreadsheet based modeling approach to teaching DSS. We describe one particular module in detail in which students are forced to deal with a muddy data set as a prelude to analysis, modeling and decision support system development.
The molecular adduct between hexaphenylcyclotriphosphazatriene and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane

Abstract The molecular adduct between hexaphenylcyclotriphosphazatriene (φ2PN)3 and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (TCE) has been investigated by means of equilibrium vapor pressure studies, u.v. and i.r. spectrophotometry, and X-ray diffractometry. The equilibrium in this system is described solely in terms of the equation, (φ2PN)3·3TCE ⇌ (φ2PN)3+3TCE. At 25°C., ΔF° = 11·2±0·2 kcal, ΔH° = 26±2 kcal., ΔS° = 50±5 e.u. The results of this study indicate that the adduct is a clathratetype compound.
Rate distortion performance bounds for wideband speech

We develop new rate distortion bounds for wideband speech sources based on phonetically-motivated composite source models, conditional rate distortion theory, and perceptual wideband PESQ (WPESQ) distortion measures. The approach is to calculate rate distortion bounds for MSE distortion for each subsource of the composite source model and use conditional rate distortion theory to calculate the MSE R(D) for the composite source. Since MSE is not a useful distortion measure for today's best-performing voice codecs, we generate a mapping of MSE-to-WPESQ using fully backward adaptive waveform coders, which have MSE distortion values that correctly order their performance, and for which WPESQ values can be generated. We generate the final rate distortion functions with the mapping and show that our new rate distortion curves lower bound the performance of the best known standardized wideband speech codecs.
Removal of 14-C-palmitate during ventriculocisternal perfusion in conscious dogs in insulin-induced hypoglycemia.

A detailed description of a method is presented allowing continuous ventriculocisternal perfusion of metabolites in the conscious dog. Using this preparation, the loss of the infused albuminbound 14-C-palmitate, was studied in 14 conscious dogs during ventriculocisternal perfusion with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Forty-five percent of the infused 14-C-palmitate was recovered from the cisternal effluent under equilibrium conditions after 60 min of perfusion. The effect of the injection of 2.0 U insulin/kg was also investigated in seven dogs. Plasma glucose concentration decreased to 40–50 mg% and the amount of 14-C-palmitate recovered was significantly higher one hour after insulin compared to the controls receiving saline injections. No significant changes in cerebral arteriovenous differences of glucose or oxygen or in venous 14-C-palmitate concentration were observed during the same time. It is concluded that the combined use of ventriculocisternal perfusion and the analysis of cerebral arteriovenous differences are useful in studying brain metabolism in the conscious dog.
Performance effects of setting targets and pay–performance relations before or after operations

Abstract This study investigates both theoretically and experimentally whether and how ex post use of relative performance evaluation (RPE) information in determining performance target levels and profit sharing ratio (PSR) levels affects employer profit performance. Our findings show that employers use RPE information, i.e. peer performance, to adjust performance target levels and PSR levels to reflect economic conditions. More importantly, we find that ex post use of RPE information, i.e. peer performance, improves profit performance. However, ex post adjustment of target levels and PSR levels based on peer performance have different performance implications. Specifically, we find that ex post target contracts improve employer residual profit over ex ante target contracts, while ex post PSR contracts do not improve employer residual profit over ex ante PSR contracts. Our supplemental analyses suggest that this difference is likely because employees are more sensitive to prior period compensation determined by ex post PSRs than ex post targets. Compared to ex post targets that are likely perceived to be fair based on peer performance, ex post PSRs based on the peer performance can be used opportunistically by employers and/or are perceived so by employees, which leads to future repercussions manifested in lower employee effort and employer residual profit.
Maximum likelihood analysis of clusters of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays

We present a numerical code designed to conduct a likelihood analysis for clusters of nucleons above ${10}^{19}$ eV originating from discrete astrophysical sources such as powerful radio galaxies, $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}$ray bursts or topological defects. The code simulates the propagation of nucleons in a large-scale magnetic field and constructs the likelihood of a given observed event cluster as a function of the average time delay due to deflection in the magnetic field, the source activity time scale, the total fluence of the source, and the power-law index of the particle injection spectrum. Its dependence on coherence length and the power spectrum of the magnetic field are found to be negligible within their usually considered ranges. We apply our code to the three pairs of events above $4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{19}$ eV recently reported by the Akeno Giant Air Shower Array (AGASA) experiment, assuming that these pairs were caused by nucleon primaries which originated from a common source. Although current data are too sparse to constrain fully each of the parameters considered, and/or to discriminate models of the origin of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays, several tendencies are indicated. If the clustering suggested by AGASA is real, next generation experiments with their increased exposure should detect more than $\ensuremath{\sim}10$ particles per source over a few years and our method will put strong constraints on both the large-scale magnetic field parameters and the nature of these sources.
Value of a simple measure of estrogen status for improving the diagnosis of coronary artery disease in women.

Abstract purpose: To determine the potential impact of estrogen status on the pretest and postexercise test diagnostic accuracy of exercise testing. patients and methods: The study comprised a total of 234 women and 326 men who underwent exercise testing followed by coronary angiography. We performed incremental logistic regression analysis of pretest (age, symptoms, smoking, diabetes, cholesterol level) with and without estrogen status (defined according to menopausal and oral estrogen status) and exercise test (two ST-segment and three non-ST-segment) variables separately for men and women. Outcomes were assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve area analysis. results: Estrogen status was an independent pretest predictor of angiographic coronary disease. Pretest ROC curve areas: women without estrogen status=0.79, women with estrogen status=0.85, men=0.78 (women with estrogen status versus other groups, p conclusion: Consideration of estrogen status allowed for a significant improvement in the pretest clinical diagnosis of coronary disease in women. When these improvements were added to the results of exercise testing, the diagnostic accuracy of the combined clinical and exercise test data was similar for men and women. Estrogen status may be an important diagnostic clinical variable in women with suspected coronary disease.
Understanding nonequilibrium solute and solvent motions through molecular projections: Computer simulations of solvation dynamics in liquid tetrahydrofuran (THF)

In this paper, we investigate the solvation dynamics of the weakly polar organic solvent tetrahydrofuran (THF) via classical molecular dynamics simulation. We find that the relaxation dynamics of all of the rotational and translational degrees of freedom of neat THF occur on similar time scales and have similar power spectra, making it impossible to use spectral density analysis to discern which specific molecular motions are involved in solvation. Instead, we probe the molecular origins of solvation dynamics using a nonequilibrium projection formalism that we originally outlined in M. J. Bedard-Hearn et al., J. Phys. Chem. A 2003, 107 (24), 4773. Here, we expand this formalism and use it to study the nonequilibrium solvation dynamics for a model reaction in THF in which a charge is removed from an anionic Lennard-Jones (LJ) solute, leaving behind a smaller neutral atom. The solute parameters are chosen to model the photodetachment of an electron from a sodium anion, Na - f Na 0 , to compare to the results of ultrafast spectroscopic experiments of this reaction being performed in our lab. We are able to explain the hidden breakdown of linear response for this system that we uncovered in our previous work in terms of the dynamical properties of the neat liquid and the structural properties of the solutions. In particular, our nonequilibrium projection analysis shows that four distinct solvation mechanisms are operative: (1) a rapid relaxation (t e 700 fs) caused by longitudinal translational motions that dramatically change the local solvation structure; (2) a slower relaxation ( t > 700 fs) caused by diffusive longitudinal translational motions that completes the transformation of the long-range solute -solvent packing; (3) an early-time relaxation (t < 500 fs) caused by solvent rotational motions that destabilizes the (unoccupied) anion ground state via Coulomb interactions; (4) a longer time process (t g 500 fs) caused by solvent rotational motions that increases the solvation energy gap. This last process results from the LJ interaction component of the solvent rotational motions, as the nonequilibrium dynamics bring smaller THF-oxygen sites closer to the excited solute in place of larger THF-methylene sites. Overall, the simulations indicate that nonequilibrium solvation dynamics involves cooperative motions of both the solute and solvent and consists of multiple competing relaxation processes that can affect the solvation energy gap in opposite directions.
The stereotype rebound effect: Universal or culturally bounded process?☆

Stereotype rebound occurs when people experience an increase in stereotype use following attempts to suppress them. Two studies were conducted to examine cultural variability in the rebound effect. We hypothesized that, due to their experience suppressing unwanted thoughts, people from collectivist cultures would be less likely to experience the rebound effect than would people from individualist cultures. In both studies, U.S. and Chinese participants wrote two stories about gay men that were coded for stereotype use. Participants in the suppression condition were instructed to not to use stereotypes in their first story. As predicted, in both studies, U.S. participants in the suppression condition showed an increase in stereotype use in the second story, but Chinese participants did not. Potential explanations for cultural differences in the stereotype rebound effect are discussed.
Topological chirality and achirality of links

Empirical and analytical methods employed in the detection of topological chirality and achirality (amphicheirality) in oriented and non-oriented links are critically examined.U-polynomials of non-oriented links are modified for use in the detection of topological chirality. By use of this method, all but eight (listed below) non-oriented links with up to four components and nine crossings are proven to be topologically chiral, including 4 1 2 , the abstract model of the only topologically chiral, non-oriented catenane (chemical link) synthesized so far. The topological chirality of certain 3-Borromean links is similarly proven. The amphicheirality of 2 1 2 6 2 2 8 8 2 9 61 2 6 3 2 8 4 3 8 6 3 and 8 4 3 is proven by the demonstration that all eight non-oriented links can attain rigidly achiral presentations. Furthermore, we conjecture that 9 61 2 and a two-component, oriented link with an 11-crossing diagram are the first members of, respectively, a class of non-oriented and a class of oriented amphicheiral, non-alternating, prime links with odd crossing numbers. Amphicheirality combined with an odd crossing number is unprece dented among knots or links.
Ab initio derived spectroscopic quality force fields for molecular modeling and dynamics

Abstract Vibrational frequencies of a molecula are the most direct experimental information about force constants for that molecule. However, for most molecules of interest, the spectral information is either not complete or available. For those few where they are available, simple frequency information is not sufficient to generate the constraints for a force field (FF) derivation. Full normal mode information can only be obtained by extensive isotopic substitution data. On the other hand, practical levels of ab initio quantum chemical (QC) calculations usually leads to errors in vibrational frequencies that are too large. We developed a method to combine available experimental frequencies with ab initio normal mode calculations to generate the Hessian biased force field (HBFF) which reproduces molecular vibrations at level of accuracy sufficient for spectroscopy. Combined with other data, these QC calculations also determine accurate values for other FF parameters (changes, torsion potentials and hydrogen bond potentials) needed in a complete FF. Aspects of each type of force constants derived using HBFF methodology is illustrated with a variety of calculations on small molecules. These FF are then applied to larger molecules with similar chemical identity, e.g. nylons from N -methylacetamide.
Analysis of green tea extract dietary supplements by micellar electrokinetic chromatography

Dietary supplements are growing in popularity as a source of catechins such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). The first determination of five catechins in green tea extract dietary supplements using an extraction followed by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) with UV detection is presented here. The optimum run buffer is 5 mM borate-60 mM phosphate with 50 mM SDS at pH 7.00 with detection at 210 nm. The limit of detection is 2-3 microg/mL (S/N=3) and the limit of quantitation is 6-8 microg/mL (S/N = 10). Results indicate that the amount of catechins varies greatly among manufacturers, between capsules of the same manufacturers, and between batches.
The line of demarcation between science and nonscience: The case of psychoanalysis and parapsychology

Mario Bunge’s article “A Skeptic’s Beliefs and Disbeliefs,” delivered at the conference on Magical Thinking and its Prevalence in the World Today, is a controversial and polemical attempt to demarcate between science and pseudoscience. He is not afraid to name names-in this case, whole areas of endeavor. I would like to focus on the criteria Bunge advances for rejecting the claims of psychoanalysis and parapsychology as fields of scientific psychology, in contrast to what he views as the well-founded claim of neuropsychology. I will investigate how history and philosophy of science, using not only the concepts of pseudoscience, but also those of proto-science and quasi-science as well, can arrive at an evaluation of these fields in a critical yet balanced way. My conclusion is in part as suggested by Bunge, but in part differs in taking into consideration the historical dimension of science and the difficulty of distinguishing between what is now not science and will never be, and what is now not science but may lead on to it. I begin by situating Mario Bunge in the context of attempts by Rudolf Carnap and Karl Popper to set out a line of demarcation between science and non-science. This is necessary in order to understand the historical context and theoretical motivation for the radical demarcation Bunge proposes.
Dirac-eikonal scattering amplitude

The fixed energy Dirac equation using scalar plus fourth component vector potentials is solved in the eikonal limit. The Dirac-eikonal amplitude can be written in the familiar integral over impact parameter form. Results of model calculations using the Dirac-eikonal amplitude are compared with those of a partial wave solution for parameters appropriate to intermediate energy proton nucleus scattering.
Disturbance effects of hurricane Hugo on a pristine coastal landscape: North Inlet, South Carolina, USA

Abstract Despite its intensity and landfall at high tide, Hurricane Hugo (22 Sept. 1989) had only a modest impact on the geomorphology of the undeveloped coastal landscape at North Inlet, South Carolina. Pre- and post-Hugo aerial photographs (April 1987 and October 1989) showed no change in the salt-marsh creek network, nor could changes be seen in the size or shape of sand bars within the creeks. Several new, small washover fans formed on the adjacent barrier islands. These lobate fans extend 50 to 100 m from the dune line into the back barrier area and are deposited on older but recently formed fans in areas where the islands are thin and devoid of large shrubs and trees. Hugo's failure to have a more dramatic geomorphic effect was probably related to the rapid approach of the storm along a path perpendicular to the coast. This allowed minimal time for the surge to build and for wave attack to modify the shoreface. In contrast, the nearby coastal forest experienced extensive wind damage as well as tree mortality due to soil salinization by the surge. Wind damage was a function of tree species, diameter and soil type. The most severe damage occurred in mixed bottomland hardwood sites on Rutledge (sandy, silicious, thermic Typic Humaquepts) soils. Salt-induced foliage discoloration and defoliation became fully evident in the surge-inundated area by January 1990. Above-normal salt concentrations were found in shallow groundwater samples from sites up to the 3.0-m contour (MSL). Salt concentrations generally decreased inland from the forest-marsh boundary and with the passage of time. Trees standing along the forest-marsh boundary and in swales suffered the most severe salt-induced mortality. As of June 1991, new understory vegetation and pine seedlings appeared to be flourishing in the salt-affected area. Salinization also mobilized ammonium from soil storage as a result of ion exchange with seawater cations and disruption of nitrogen cycling processes. There was a virtual absence of insects and terrestrial vertebrates in the surge-affected forest immediately following Hugo. Flying insects and birds were the first to return but six months after Hugo, the abundance of reptiles and amphibians remained significantly lower than populations observed prior to the storm. Scouring and high salinity had a catastrophic effect on benthic invertebrates in the blackwater streams of the forest. Population density dropped by 97% and biomass declined from 542 mg dry mass·m −2 to only 2.0 mg dry mass·m −2 . The community recovered quickly, however, as density and biomass returned to pre-storm levels in three and six months, respectively.
Cardiac tamponade masking clinical presentation and hemodynamic effects of papillary muscle rupture after acute myocardial infarction

A 67-year-old woman sustained an acute lateral-wall myocardial infarction and was treated with thrombolytic therapy. Postinfarction hypotension developed 3 days later. Clinical findings at that time were consistent with cardiac tamponade, and an echocardiographic study revealed a moderate-sized pericardial effusion. She underwent urgent pericardiocentesis with transient improvement in hemodynamics, followed by deterioration associated with the development of acute pulmonary edema. Follow-up transesophageal echocardiographic imaging revealed papillary muscle rupture with severe mitral regurgitation. The patient underwent urgent surgical intervention consisting of coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral valve replacement. The presence of cardiac tamponade in this patient masked the clinical manifestations of papillary muscle rupture through the hemodynamic effect of tamponade physiology on mitral regurgitation.
Do lesbian women have a better body image? Comparisons with heterosexual women and model of lesbian-specific factors

Abstract Body dissatisfaction is prevalent among women but may be less common among lesbian women. Although research trends toward this conclusion when samples are well-matched and body mass index (BMI) is controlled for, many studies do not exhibit these characteristics. Furthermore, few studies have examined sociocultural contributors to group differences. I addressed limitations of past research with a large community sample of lesbian (n = 479) and heterosexual (n = 400) women. I contrasted the two sexual identity groups on several body dissatisfaction measures, and tested theoretically derived relationships between lesbian-specific cultural factors and body dissatisfaction. As predicted, lesbian women reported lower body dissatisfaction than did heterosexual women on three of four measures, and expressed a larger ideal body size. A structural equation model of lesbian-specific risk and protective factors for body dissatisfaction did not reveal significant relationships. This study represents a first attempt to model culturally specific influences on lesbian body image.
Effects of Temperature and Presence of Males on Laboratory Oviposition by the Alfalfa

During a period of controlled, highly fluctuating daily Temperatures., oviposition of the eastern strain of Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) changed rapidly in response to the temperature. The number of ovipositing females, the total number of eggs deposited, and the average number of eggs per ovipositing female per 24-hour period all increased significantly as the temperature was increased from 5° to 35°C. The presence of a male with a female in a petri dish significantly reduced the female’s reproductive rate at 24±1.5°C. The average number of eggs per female, the total number of eggs per group of females, and the percentage of females ovipositing were greater in isolated, multiple-mated females than in individual females confined with a male.
A test for proportional hazards assumption within the class of exponential conditional mean models

Two classes of econometric estimators are popular for modeling outcomes with idiosyncratic characteristics such as those present in medical costs data: (1) estimators based on the exponential conditional mean models where the mean function of the outcome is equal to exponential of the linear predictor and (2) estimators based on the proportional hazard assumption where hazard function of the outcome is equal to exponential of the linear predictor. Recent work has provided guidance both on choosing between the two classes of estimators and also on choosing among alternative estimators within the exponential conditional mean framework. The present work extends this literature by proposing a test for identifying the proportional hazards assumption within the class of exponential conditional mean models, thereby eliminating the need to run both classes of models in order to make informative choices. We implement this test using the generalized gamma regression model, thereby allowing the analyst to select between both parametric alternatives and also the semi-parametric Cox model from one cohesive framework. Our simulation results indicate that the proposed test perform as well as the traditional test of proportional hazards assumption following a Cox regression based on power and Type I error under a variety of data generating mechanisms. We illustrate its use in an analysis of physician visits.
Charmonium production from nonequilibrium charm and anticharm quarks in quark-gluon plasma

Parameterizing the charm and anticharm quark momentum distributions by the Tsallis distribution, we study the nonequilibrium effect on the charmonium production rate in a quark-gluon plasma up to the next-to-leading order in perturbative QCD. We find that nonequilibrium charm and anticharm quarks suppress the charmonium production rate compared to that from equilibrated ones. We further show that the suppression factor calculated with the charm quark relaxation time, which has frequently been used in the literature, is close to our results.
The New-Word Policy for Two-Way Feedback Communication

A feedback policy, denoted the "new-word policy," is described that permits reduction in the required number of repeats compared to the method commonly proposed. An expression is derived comparing the average number of transmissions required per new word.
Challenges with Rapid Adaptation of Speech Translation Systems to New Language Pairs

Although we have far from solved the issues in porting speech translation systems to new languages, we have gathered sufficient experience by now to identify a number of major challenges in the process. Although well-defined processes exist for building speech recognition, speech synthesis and statistical machine translation models, they still require both significant native speaker involvement and linguistic expertise. As the core technology improves we believe we will see increasing cultural and social issues in contributions from native speakers. This paper identifies some of these issues and presents our initial attempts to build tools that we hope will eventually allow linguistically naive native informants build complete speech translation systems.
Risk of contrast induced nephropathy in the critically ill: a prospective, case matched study

Computerized tomography is frequently employed in the critically ill, often using intravenous radiocontrast material. Many of these patients have clinical features that are considered risk factors for contrast induced nephropathy, but are simultaneously at risk for renal injury from other factors related to their acute illnesses. The attributable risk for renal dysfunction from radiocontrast exposure has not been well quantified in this population. A prospective matched cohort study was conducted of patients scanned with or without radiocontrast enhancement while receiving intensive care in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Patients were matched for pre-scan measured creatinine clearance, diabetes, mechanical ventilation, and vasopressor use. Measured clearance was followed for three days after scanning. Evolution of nephropathy, as determined by change in measured clearance, was compared within matched pairs. Fifty-three pairs of patients satisfied matching criteria. Unmatched characteristics were similar among the pairs, including serum creatinine variability during the week preceding scanning (67 ± 85% among contrast recipients, 63 ± 62% among others) and clinical risk factors for renal failure. In 29 pairs, pre-scan measured clearances were less than 60 mL/minute/1.73 m2. Following scanning, measured clearance declined by at least 33% in 14 contrast and 19 non-contrast patients (95% confidence interval for contrast associated difference in nephropathy rates -27% to 9%), while a 50% reduction in clearance persisted three days after scanning in three contrast and nine non-contrast patients (95% confidence interval for difference in rates -25% to 2%). Among established intensive care unit patients declines in glomerular filtration following contrast-enhanced scanning are common, but these changes are far more likely to be attributable to factors other than the contrast exposure itself. The upper bound for the incidence of contrast induced renal injury lasting even three days was 2% in the population studied.
Sex role stereotyping and requisite management characteristics: A cross cultural look

The relationship between sex role stereotypes and characteristics perceived as necessary for management success was examined among 497 male and 328 female management students in the U.S., Great Britain and Germany. Three forms of the 92-item Schein Descriptive Index were used to define sex role stereotypes and characteristics of successful managers. The results revealed that males in all three countries perceive that successful middle managers possess characteristics, attitudes and temperaments more commonly ascribed to men in general than to women in general. The pattern of results among females varied across cultures. German females sex type the managerial position to almost the same degree as the males. British females also sex type the managerial position, but to a lesser extent than their German counterparts. U.S. females do not sex type the managerial position, but see women and men as equally likely to possess characteristics necessary for managerial success. The implications of these outcomes for the advancement of women in management worldwide are discussed.
Evaluation of the Contact and Respiratory Sensitization Potential of Volatile Organic Compounds Generated by Simulated Indoor Air Chemistry

Up to 60 million people working indoors experience symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headache, and fatigue. Investigations into these complaints have ascribed the effects to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from building materials, cleaning formulations, or other consumer products. New compounds can result when the VOCs react with hydroxyl or nitrate radicals or ozone present in indoor environments. Several oxygenated organic compounds, such as glyoxal, methylglyoxal, glycolaldehyde, and diacetyl, have been identified as possible reaction products of indoor environment chemistry. Although research has previously identified diacetyl and glyoxal as sensitizers, additional experiments were conducted in these studies to further classify their sensitization potential. Sensitization potential of these four compounds was assessed using quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) programs. Derek for Windows and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health logistic regression predicted all compounds to be sensitizers, while TOPKAT 6.2 predicted all compounds except for methylglyoxal. All compounds were tested in a combined irritancy and local lymph node assay (LLNA). All compounds except for glyoxal were found to be irritants and all tested positive in the LLNA with EC3 values ranging from 0.42 to 1.9%. Methylglyoxal significantly increased both the B220(+) and IgE(+)B220(+) cell populations in the draining lymph nodes and total serum IgE levels. The four compounds generated by indoor air chemistry were predicted by QSAR and animal modeling to be sensitizers, with the potential for methylglyoxal to induce IgE. The identification of these compounds as sensitizers may help to explain some of the health effects associated with indoor air complaints.
Mathematical modeling and numerical integration of multicomponent batch distillation equations

A mathematical model for multicomponent batch distillation was derived, and a FORTRAN IV program was written for solution on a digital computer. The program has been used in the simulation of several commercial batch distillation columns. A calculation procedure for the numerical solution of batch distillation equations starting from total reflux steady state conditions was developed, and the step-by-step procedure is presented here. Also included is a discussion of the stability and relative computational effectiveness of various numerical integration techniques when applied to transient distillation calculations. The discussion applies equally well to both batch distillation and unsteady state continuous distillation.
An Immune Evasion Mechanism for Spirochetal Persistence in Lyme Borreliosis

Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease spirochete, persistently infects mammalian hosts despite the development of strong humoral responses directed against the pathogen. Here we describe a novel mechanism of immune evasion by B. burgdorferi. In immunocompetent mice, spirochetes that did not express ospC (the outer-surface protein C gene) were selected within 17 d after inoculation, concomitantly with the emergence of anti-OspC antibody. Spirochetes with no detectable OspC transcript that were isolated from immunocompetent mice reexpressed ospC after they were either cultured in vitro or transplanted to naive immunocompetent mice, but not in OspC-immunized mice. B. burgdorferi persistently expressed ospC in severe combined immune-deficient (SCID) mice. Passive immunization of B. burgdorferi-infected SCID mice with an anti-OspC monoclonal antibody selectively eliminated ospC-expressing spirochetes but did not clear the infection. OspC-expressing spirochetes reappeared in SCID mice after the anti-OspC antibody was eliminated. We submit that selection of surface-antigen nonexpressers is an immune evasion mechanism that contributes to spirochetal persistence.
Toward a Two-Track Model of Leadership Training: Suggestions from Self-Monitoring Theory.

The personality typology of high versus low self-monitoring is presented as a possible moderator of leadership training. The behavior of high self-monitoring individuals is guided by situational fa...
Interactome analysis brings splicing into focus

The spliceosome is a huge molecular machine that assembles dynamically onto its pre-mRNA substrates. A new study based on interactome analysis provides clues about how splicing-regulatory proteins modulate assembly of the spliceosome to either activate or repress splicing.
Efficient Cooperative Spectrum Sensing in Cognitive Radio

This paper presents a new cooperative spectrum sensing scheme, which allocates two separate short periods for sensing and cooperation to achieve high capability of detecting the Primary User (PU) with low interference. A mathematical model is built to derive a closed formulation of the detection probability of the CR users for guiding a real system design. Extensive simulations results demonstrate that the proposed method is superior to non-cooperative sensing and relay-based method [3] in terms of high sensing agility and less interference to the PU. Especially, comparing with [3], the proposed design increases the detection speed by 48% and reduces the interference to PU by 43%. This new sensing protocol owns the features of low complexity and independence of special hardware support, making it easy and flexible for real system implementation.
The impact of physiologic noise correction applied to functional MRI of pain at 1.5 and 3.0 T.

This study quantified the impact of the well-known physiologic noise correction algorithm RETROICOR applied to a pain functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) experiment at two field strengths: 1.5 and 3.0 T. In the 1.5-T acquisition, there was an 8.2% decrease in time course variance (σ) and a 227% improvement in average model fit (increase in mean R2a). In the 3.0-T acquisition, significantly greater improvements were seen: a 10.4% decrease in σ and a 240% increase in mean R2a. End-tidal carbon dioxide data were also collected during scanning and used to account for low-frequency changes in cerebral blood flow; however, the impact of this correction was trivial compared to applying RETROICOR. Comparison between two implementations of RETROICOR demonstrated that oversampled physiologic data can be applied by either downsampling or modification of the timing in the RETROICOR algorithm, with equivalent results. Furthermore, there was no significant effect from manually aligning the physiologic data with corresponding image slices from an interleaved acquisition, indicating that RETROICOR accounts for timing differences between physiologic changes and MR signal changes. These findings suggest that RETROICOR correction, as it is commonly implemented, should be included as part of the data analysis for pain FMRI studies performed at 1.5 and 3.0 T.
Alpha-1-antitrypsin (Pi) types in Down's syndrome

Alpha-1-antitrypsin (Pi) phenotypes have been determined in 40 patients suffering from Down's syndrome. Thirty-six of the patients were found to have a normal M phenotype, whereas two deficient phenotypes of the MS variety were observed. In addition, two M variants were noted. The significance of an M variant phenotype in some patients with Down's syndrome is not completely understood and is currently under investigation. Since the majority of the patients had a normal alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotype, the results of this study indicate that a deficiency in alpha-1-antitrypsin plays no role in the respiratory fragility of individuals with Down's syndrome.
Fundamental Concepts in the Numerical Solution of Differential Equations

This book is relatively short, about 200 pages, organized into seven chapters. The first chapter sets the scope and objectives and contains a note on notation. The next chapter contains the fundamental concepts that are the key to the presentation and the authors' philosophy on numerical methods. Chapters 4–6 treat elliptic (Poisson's equation), parabolic (the diffusion equation), and hyperbolic partial differential equations, respectively. The last chapter shows the solutions of certain cases with singularities and nonlinear behavior. The boundary element method is briefly discussed in chapter 4; the method of characteristics is discussed in chapter 6.
COMPUTATIONAL VERB SYSTEMS: COMPUTING WITH VERBS AND APPLICATIONS

In the previous work, verbs were modeled by using different linear and nonlinear dynamical systems for characterizing each of them with different dynamics in different contexts, In this paper the problem of computing with verbs (verb computation) is studied. The relationship and compulation between verbs are modeled by relations between different dynamics. The classical “equality” is generalized to verb equality, which is synchronization or generalized synchronization between dynamical systems. Different schemes of synchronization between dynamical systems are presented to show how rich the verb equality can be. Verb computation turns out to be another aspect of linguistic computation besides fuzzy logic. In a word, fuzzy logic answers the questions characterized by “what” while verb computation answers the questions characterized by “how”. Verb computation is a model of the natural way used by human beings to cope with the dynamical aspects of complexities of the nature. Whenever ‘wherever’ a system beco...
Resistance to extinction as a function of reinforcement schedule and amount of reinforcement

Twenty male albino rats were trained to run a straight runway on a partial reinforcement schedule. On reinforced trials a lever was introduced into the goalbox, and the subject leverpressed for sucrose on either a continuous reinforcement schedule (CRF) or on a partial reinforcement schedule (PR). On nonreinforced runway trials, the lever in the goalbox remained retracted. Upon completion of acquisition, subjects were extinguished in the runway. Results showed that subjects that received CRF on the lever were significantly more resistant to extinction than were subjects that received PR on the lever.
A laser device for fusion of nasal mucosa

A prototype device has been created to fuse septal tissue membranes as an alternative to sutures or staples through the controlled application of laser heating and pressure to induce protein denaturation and subsequent tissue fusion, through renaturation and intertwining, across the interface. Lasers have been used to close wounds in controlled laboratory tests over the last 15 years. Many encouraging results have been obtained; however, no commercial delivery systems are currently available. This is due primarily to two factors: requiring an inordinate amount of experience on the part of the operator, and attempting to achieve general applicability for multiple tissue systems. The present device overcomes these barriers as it is tailored for the particular application of septal laser fusion, namely for the coaptation of mucoperichondrial membranes. The important parameters involved in fusing biological tissues are identified. The development of the device followed from computational modeling based on Monte Carlo simulation of photon transport and on engineering firstprinciples. Experiments were designed and analyzed using orthogonal arrays, employing a subset of the relevant parameters, i.e., laser irradiance, dwell time and spot size, for a range of wavelengths. The in vitro fusion experiments employed 1cm by 1cm sections of equine nasal mucosa having a nominal thickness of 1mm.
Observing system depiction of circulation on the SE US coastal ocean

A series of observing platforms deployed between Cape Henry, VA and Cape Canaveral, FL provide multi-year records of winds, surface currents, current profiles and vertical stratification at a number of locations on the shallow southeast US continental shelf and are used to construct a seasonal circulation pattern. Upwelling-favorable winds and circulation in summer promote poleward shelf transport and stratification in summertime, assisted near the shelfbreak by the influence of the Gulf Stream. Downwelling-favorable winds and circulation dominate in fall and winter, but mean alongshore currents are weak and cross-shelf exchange is strong relative to the alongshore flow. Convection driven by thermal cooling over the shallowly sloping shelf is explored as a potentially important component of the observed wintertime circulation. This observing system-based Eulerian depiction of the circulation described above is compared with previous published seasonal circulation patterns and Lagrangian representations from drifter and modeling studies. The consistency of the results over the domain is considered to assess the adequacy of the observing system to resolve subregional-scale circulation features.
Emerging Implications for Extracellular Matrix-Based Technologies in Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation

Despite recent progress in vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA), limitations including complex, high dose immunosuppression regimens, lifelong risk of toxicity from immunosuppressants, acute and most critically chronic graft rejection, and suboptimal nerve regeneration remain particularly challenging obstacles restricting clinical progress. When properly configured, customized, and implemented, biomaterials derived from the extracellular matrix (ECM) retain bioactive molecules and immunomodulatory properties that can promote stem cell migration, proliferation and differentiation, and constructive functional tissue remodeling. The present paper reviews the emerging implications of ECM-based technologies in VCA, including local immunomodulation, tissue repair, nerve regeneration, minimally invasive graft targeted drug delivery, stem cell transplantation, and other donor graft manipulation.