cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of object alignment on the representation of depth in young children's drawings

Abstract Light and Humphreys (1981, Journal of Experimental Child Psychology , 31 , 521–530) provided evidence that young children's drawings, despite infrequently showing view-specific occlusion, do systematically reflect spatial relations within an array. The present research tested the hypothesis that young children's preferences for canonical “best views” interact with array-faithful tendencies to increase early uses of occlusion. Forty-three children between 4 and 7 years of age drew arrays like Light and Humphrey's end-to-end alignments, with end-on views of objects in depth, and arrays aligned side-to-side, with canonical side-views of objects in depth. Significantly fewer single-object, view-specific occlusions were produced for end-to-end than for side-to-side alignments. Nevertheless, the former reveal that more children are able to use the vertical dimension to depict multiple objects in depth. Other comparisons suggest an interaction in multiple-object depictions of canonicality with spatial dimension and graphic complexity.
Effect of Intensity Training on Preservice Teachers' Instruction Accuracy and Delivery Effectiveness

Preservice elementary education majors completed five teaching presentations that included (a) teaching children's songs and music concepts to peers and (b) a preschool field-teaching lesson. Exper...
Finite Dimensionality and Upper Semicontinuity of the Global Attractor of Singularly Perturbed Hodgkin–Huxley Systems

Abstract In an effort to show that the standard Hodgkin–Huxley system approximates the hyperbolic Hodgkin–Huxley system we view the hyperbolic system as a singular perturbation of the standard system. We establish the existence of global attractors for the singularly perturbed hyperbolic system and show that they have finite fractal and Hausdorff dimensions. We then show that the global attractors of the singularly perturbed system converge to the global attractor for the standard system as the small perturbation parameter decreases to zero.
Model calculations for the C(KVV) and O(KVV) Auger transitions for CO on Ni(100)

Model calculations of the core and valence electron binding energies and the two‐hole final state Auger binding energies for the C(KVV) and O(KVV) transitions are performed for the Ni–CO system. The chosen atomic geometry is appropriate for a qualitative description of the CO–C(2×2)–Ni(100) structure. The shifts in these quantities with the adsorption process are determined by making comparisons with previous calculations for molecular CO. The shifts in the one‐electron binding energies for the valence levels are typically ∼1 eV while the shifts in the two‐hole final state binding energies are substantially larger, being typically ∼3–5 eV. Calculations are also performed for the Auger transition intensities. The changes that must be made for a fixed, oriented molecule on a surface are described and it is pointed out that some transitions exhibit a characteristic azimuthal angular dependence for the emitted Auger electrons.Model calculations of the core and valence electron binding energies and the two‐hole final state Auger binding energies for the C(KVV) and O(KVV) transitions are performed for the Ni–CO system. The chosen atomic geometry is appropriate for a qualitative description of the CO–C(2×2)–Ni(100) structure. The shifts in these quantities with the adsorption process are determined by making comparisons with previous calculations for molecular CO. The shifts in the one‐electron binding energies for the valence levels are typically ∼1 eV while the shifts in the two‐hole final state binding energies are substantially larger, being typically ∼3–5 eV. Calculations are also performed for the Auger transition intensities. The changes that must be made for a fixed, oriented molecule on a surface are described and it is pointed out that some transitions exhibit a characteristic azimuthal angular dependence for the emitted Auger electrons.
Type of Leadership in Prison: a Structural Approach to Testing the Functional and Importation Models*

(1977). Type of Leadership in Prison: a Structural Approach to Testing the Functional and Importation Models. The Sociological Quarterly: Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 378-383.
Choice as a principle in network architecture

There has been a great interest in defining a new network architecture that can meet the needs of a future Internet. One of the main challenges in this context is how to realize the many different technical solutions that have developed in recent years in a single coherent architecture. In addition, it is necessary to consider how to ensure economic viability of architecture solutions. In this work, we discuss how to design a network architecture where choices at different layers of the protocol stack are explicitly exposed to users. This approach ensures that innovative technical solutions can be used and rewarded, which is essential to encourage wide deployment of this architecture.
Phased development of a web-based PACS viewer

The Web browser is an excellent environment for the rapid development of an effective and inexpensive PACS viewer. In this paper we will share our experience in developing a browser-based viewer, from the inception and prototype stages to its current state of maturity. There are many operational advantages to a browser-based viewer, even when native viewers already exist in the system (with multiple and/or high resolution screens): (1) It can be used on existing personal workstations throughout the hospital. (2) It is easy to make the service available from physician's homes. (3) The viewer is extremely portable and platform independent. There is a wide variety of means available for implementing the browser- based viewer. Each file sent to the client by the server can perform some end-user or client/server interaction. These means range from HTML (for HyperText Markup Language) files, through Java Script, to Java applets. Some data types may also invoke plug-in code in the client, although this would reduce the portability of the viewer, it would provide the needed efficiency in critical places. On the server side the range of means is also very rich: (1) A set of files: html, Java Script, Java applets, etc. (2) Extensions of the server via cgi-bin programs, (3) Extensions of the server via servlets, (4) Any other helper application residing and working with the server to access the DICOM archive. The viewer architecture consists of two basic parts: The first part performs query and navigation through the DICOM archive image folders. The second part does the image access and display. While the first part deals with low data traffic, it involves many database transactions. The second part is simple as far as access transactions are concerned, but requires much more data traffic and display functions. Our web-based viewer has gone through three development stages characterized by the complexity of the means and tools employed on both client and server sides.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Temperature-dependent optical properties of a torsional oscillator model for dinucleoside phosphates

A torsional oscillator model is proposed, as an alternative to the two-state model, to explain the temperature dependencies of the optical properties of the dinucleoside phosphates. The assumptions upon which the model is based are discussed, and the predicted temperature dependencies of the optical properties of ApA are compared with the experimental results of Davis and Tinoco. A brief discussion of other models of this type is included.
Kinetics of Cavity Growth in Solder Joints during Thermal Cycle

Grain boundary cavity growth in solder joints during thermal fatigue is analyzed. The stress cycle profile is estimated based on a geometrically simplified model of a ceramic chip carrier - printed circuit board assembly and a state variable equation for plastic flow in the solder.
The Glutamate-Activated Anion Conductance in Excitatory Amino Acid Transporters Is Gated Independently by the Individual Subunits

Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) use sodium and potassium gradients to remove glutamate from the synapse and surrounding extracellular space, thereby sustaining efficient synaptic transmission and maintaining extracellular glutamate concentrations at subneurotoxic levels. In addition to sodium-driven glutamate uptake, EAATs also mediate a glutamate-activated chloride conductance via a channel-like mechanism. EAATs are trimeric proteins and are thought to comprise three identical subunits. Previous studies have shown that the sodium-driven uptake of glutamate occurs independently in each of the three subunits. In contrast, a recent study reports high Hill coefficients for the activation of EAAT anion currents by glutamate and suggests that the subunits function cooperatively in gating the chloride conductance. In the present work, we find that the Hill coefficient for the activation of the anion current by glutamate is ∼1 in both EAAT3 and EAAT4. Furthermore, we also used fluorescent labeling and inactivation correlation on EAAT3 and EAAT4 to determine whether the glutamate-activated chloride conductance is gated independently or cooperatively by the transporters. We found that both glutamate uptake currents and glutamate-activated chloride currents are mediated independently by each subunit of an EAAT multimer. It has been suggested that EAAT subtypes with particularly large anion conductances can directly influence the excitability of presynaptic terminals in certain neurons. Thus, the finding that the anion conductance is gated independently, rather than cooperatively, is important because it significantly alters predictions of the influence that EAAT-mediated anion currents will have on synaptic transmission at low glutamate concentrations.
Thrombospondin-1-induced smooth muscle cell chemotaxis and proliferation are dependent on transforming growth factor-β2 and hyaluronic acid synthase

Angioplasty causes local vascular injury, leading to the release of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), which stimulates vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration and proliferation, important steps in the development of intimal hyperplasia. Transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-β2) and hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS) are two pro-stenotic genes upregulated in VSMCs by TSP-1. We hypothesized that inhibition of TGF-β2 or HAS would inhibit TSP-1-induced VSMC migration, proliferation, and TSP-1 signaling. Our data demonstrate that Inhibition of either TGF-β2 or HAS inhibited TSP-1-induced VSMC migration and proliferation. Activation of ERK 1 was decreased by TGF-β2 inhibition and unaffected by HAS inhibition. TGF-β2 and HAS are not implicated in TSP-1-induced thbs1 expression, while they are each implicated in TSP-1-induced expression of their own gene. In summary, TSP-1-induced VSMC migration and proliferation rely on intact TGF-β2 signaling and HAS function. TSP-1 activation of ERK 1 is dependent on TGF-β2. These data further expand our understanding of the complexity of TSP-1 cellular signaling and the involvement of TGF-β2 and HAS.
Altered colchicine-binding capacity in chick brain regions: relationship to intensity or information content of visual input.

: The binding of [3H]colchicine to postmitochondrial supernatant fractions of chick brain has been studied, absorbing colchicine-bearing proteins on DEAE-cellulose filter discs. This was assayed at several times after unilateral enucleation of day-old chicks. Binding was unaltered in optic lobes or anterior dorsal forebrain regions contralateral to the removed eye, relative to the corresponding regions contralateral to and thus directly or secondarily innervated by the intact eye. Colchicine binding was also assayed after training chicks to suppress pecking at a metallic bead coated with aversive-tasting methylanthranilate. At 4 but not 24 h after the one-trial training, binding was selectively elevated in the anterior dorsal forebrain roof. Results are taken to imply that alterations in tubulin content of chick brain may reflect stress-related changes, possibly mediated by systemic endocrine flux, rather than a more localized learning experience.
Hemopoietic progenitor cells with limited potential for differentiation: erythropoietic function of mouse marrow "lymphocytes".

Filtration of mouse marrow cell suspensions over columns of glass wool increased the frequency of small and medium-sized lymphocytes (SML) and of erythropoietic progenitor units (EPU) by about the same factor. Identical results were obtained when erythropoiesis was assayed by isotope uptake (59FeCl3 and 125IUdR) or by the spleen-colony techniques. Transfusion of prospective donor mice with erythrocytes virtually eliminated morphologically recognizable erythroid cells from marrow without affecting the frequency of EPU. Injection of prospective donors with cortisol decreased the frequency of SML in marrow but not that of EPU or erythropoietin-sensitive cells. However, glass wool filtration of lymphocyte-poor marrow taken from mice pretreated with cortisol resulted in a similar increase in frequency of residual SML and of EPU. Therefore, it appears that a subpopulation of marrow SML are EPU. Whereas glass wool filtration increased the frequency of erythropoietic progenitor and colony-forming units, the filtration failed to change the frequency of leukopoietic progenitor or colony-forming units (assayed in mice hypertransfused with erythrocytes to suppress erythropoiesis). It follows that separate progenitor cells for erythropoiesis and leukopoiesis are present in bone marrow of adult mice, in addition to pluripotent stem cells.
The Tethering Arm of the EGF Receptor Is Required for Negative Cooperativity and Signal Transduction

The EGF receptor is a classical receptor-tyrosine kinase. In the absence of ligand, the receptor adopts a closed conformation in which the dimerization arm of subdomain II interacts with the tethering arm in subdomain IV. Following the binding of EGF, the receptor opens to form a symmetric, back-to-back dimer. Although it is clear that the dimerization arm of subdomain II is central to the formation of receptor dimers, the role of the tethering arm of subdomain IV (residues 561–585) in this configuration is not known. Here we use 125I-EGF binding studies to assess the functional role of the tethering arm in the EGF receptor dimer. Mutation of the three major residues that contribute to tethering (D563A,H566A,K585A-EGF receptor) did not significantly alter either the ligand binding properties or the signaling properties of the EGF receptor. By contrast, breaking the Cys558-Cys567 disulfide bond through double alanine replacements or deleting the loop entirely led to a decrease in the negative cooperativity in EGF binding and was associated with small changes in downstream signaling. Deletion of the Cys571-Cys593 disulfide bond abrogated cooperativity, resulting in a high affinity receptor and increased sensitivity of downstream signaling pathways to EGF. Releasing the Cys571-Cys593 disulfide bond resulted in extreme negative cooperativity, ligand-independent kinase activity, and impaired downstream signaling. These data demonstrate that the tethering arm plays an important role in supporting cooperativity in ligand binding. Because cooperativity implies subunit-subunit interactions, these results also suggest that the tethering arm contributes to intersubunit interactions within the EGF receptor dimer.
Identification of a Serum Gelatinase Associated With the Occurrence of Cerebral Aneurysms as Pro-Matrix Metalloproteinase-2

Background and Purpose —Subarachnoid hemorrhage from intracranial aneurysm rupture produces a severe form of stroke. Extracellular matrix remodeling is associated with cerebral aneurysms and may play a role in the formation or rupture of these lesions. We previously reported a 3-fold increase in a 72-kDa serum gelatinase in a subgroup of aneurysm patients. The purpose of the present study was to further characterize and identify this gelatinase. Methods —Serum samples were collected from surgical patients with intracranial aneurysms. The following series of experiments was designed to further characterize and identify the predominant serum gelatinase found in the subgroup of patients with increased gelatinase activity. Gelatin zymography was performed on native serum samples and compared with serum that had been pretreated with a known metalloproteinase activator (4-aminophenylmercuric acetate [APMA]). Gelatin zymography was repeated in the presence of a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor (EDTA) and a serine proteinase inhibitor (phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride [PMSF]). Final identification was made by Western blotting with the use of monoclonal antibodies to MMP-2 and MMP-9. Results —A consistent gelatinolytic band (72 kDa) was identified in all serum samples (n=60). Pretreatment of the serum by APMA (n=60) lowered the molecular weight of the band to 66 kDa. The band was inhibited by EDTA (n=10) but not PMSF (n=10), thus characterizing the circulating 72-kDa gelatinase as an inactive pro-MMP. Western blotting (n=20) identified the 72-kDa band as MMP-2. Conclusions —These findings confirm that the increased gelatinolytic activity observed in vitro in a subset of cerebral aneurysm patients is due to pro-MMP-2.
A preliminary investigation of metadata description mechanisms for materials science

Materials Property Data Markup Language (MatML) provides detailed materials property information necessary for the exchange of materials science digital resources among users. Dublin Core (DC) provides a consistent generic characterization of content important for resource discovery. The feasibility of reusing detailed information provided by MatML to supply DC metadata is explored. Preliminary data gathered from three examples of materials science resources indicates that MatML tags may be successfully mapped to DC elements. A prototype web-based authoring tool designed to assist authors in generating MatML as well as to map MatML information to DC elements is discussed.
Susceptibility of Some Plaque Microorganisms to Chemotherapeutic Agents

Several drugs were evaluated for their optimal effective concentrations against specific odontopathic organisms. The minimal inhibitory concentrations for niddamycin, vancomycin, and bacitracin ranged from 0.2 to 10 units/ml. Kanamycin was inhibitory at much higher concentrations (130 to 500 units/ml).
Characteristics of LMPATT-Diode Reflection Amplifiers

The results of an investigation of the gain, stability, phase shift, power addition, saturation, and bandwidth properties of microwave reflection amplifiers which employ IMPATT diodes as the active element, together with the dependence of all these properties upon the device material, doping profile, and operating conditions, are presented. Both Si and GaAs diodes are considered and experimental results demonstrating the validity of the model are provided, together with other experimentally determined characteristics relating gain, saturation, and bandwidth to current density and tuning conditions. Finally, measurements illustrating the degradation of response as a result of subharmonic oscillation are given.
Job Satisfaction Among Child Welfare Workers in Public and Performance-Based Contracting Environments

An increasing number of state governments offer performance-based contracts to private agencies for the delivery of child welfare services; however, little is known about how this system impacts child welfare workers. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to gain a better understanding of frontline workers' employment satisfaction in a state that utilized both public and performance-based systems of care. Qualitative findings revealed that developing positive relationships with families enhanced job satisfaction, whereas workers found administrative responsibilities to be dissatisfying. Quantitative results indicated that private agency workers were more likely to report satisfaction with work environment and extrinsic rewards; however, no statistically significant differences in employment expectation were identified between public and private agency employees.
The physics of very large landslides

In 1881 the alpine village of Elm, Switzerland, was nearly wiped out by an enormous rockslide that flowed 2 km down the valley. This disaster made geologists and engineers aware that large masses of rock debris may sometimes behave like a fluid with a low internal resistance to deformation. Since 1881 many other instances of fluidized rockslides have been found, both contemporary and prehistoric. The discovery of such rockslide deposits on Mars and the Moon make it clear that neither air nor water play an essential role in the fluidization process, although they may enhance it. The fluid-like flow of large rock debris masses, evenin vacuo, may be explained by the presence of strong acoustic waves or ‘noise’ within the slide mass. Acoustic waves, generated by the shear flow, diffuse though the strongly-scattering rock debris. Because rocks in the slide remain largely in contact during flow, these waves may transmit large pressure fluctuations elastically without simultaneously transporting large amounts of energy. The pressure fluctuations allow the dry rock debris to yield under a differential stress much smaller than the average overburden. The overburden is briefly relieved by any unusually large pressure fluctuation and a local slippage may take place in the debris mass. If such local slippages are frequent enough, the debris may creep forward under an anomalously small mean shear stress. The theoretical prediction, that rock debris may be fluidized by strong acoustic waves, was tested experimentally in sand subjected to strong ultrasonic shaking. Preliminary observations are consistent with the theory. As predicted, the flow is highly non-Newtonian for weak acoustic fields (strain rate is proportional to the eighth power of the stress), but approaches Newtonian flow as the acoustic intensity increases. Rockslides involve so much strain that the acoustic energy produced during the initial fall cannot last long enough to keep the mass fluidized during the last stages of motion. Acoustic fluidization can account for the mobility of large masses of rock debris only if the acoustic energy is regenerated during flow. It is plausible that shear flows may generate large amounts of acoustic energy and thus regenerate the field, but the efficiency of the process is still uncertain. Theoretical studies suggest that regeneration is adequate to acount for the principal features of large rockslides, but more experimental work is required. Despite these uncertainties, fluidization by sound is the only theory that accounts for the major features of the large rockslides orSturzstrom that have occured on earth and the other planets of our solar system. This theory also accounts for the collapse of large impact craters, the formation of central peaks, and the formation of the multiple ring systems that characterize impact basins.
Ordering for energy efficient estimation and optimization in sensor networks

A discretized version of a continuous optimization problem is considered for the case where data is obtained from a set of dispersed sensor nodes and the overall metric is a sum of individual metrics computed at each sensor. An example of such a problem is maximum likelihood estimation based on statistically independent sensor observations. By ordering transmissions from the sensor nodes, a method for achieving a saving in the average number of sensor transmissions is described. While the average number of sensor transmissions is reduced, the approach always yields the same solution as the optimum approach where all sensor transmissions occur. Further, for cases with N sufficiently well designed sensors with sufficiently large signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratios, the average percentage of transmissions saved approaches 100 percent as the number of discrete grid points in the optimization problem Q becomes significantly large. In these same cases, the average percentage of transmissions saved approaches (Q−1)/Q×100 percent as the number of sensors N in the network becomes significantly large.
An Extended Class of Instrumental Variables for the Estimation of Causal Effects

This paper builds on the structural equations, treatment effect, and machine learning literatures to provide a causal framework that permits the identification and estimation of causal effects from observational studies. We begin by providing a causal interpretation for standard exogenous regressors and standard "valid" and "relevant" instrumental variables. We then build on this interpretation to characterize extended instrumental variables (EIV) methods, that is methods that make use of variables that need not be valid instruments in the standard sense, but that are nevertheless instrumental in the recovery of causal effects of interest. After examining special cases of single and double EIV methods, we provide necessary and sufficient conditions for the identification of causal effects by means of EIV and provide consistent and asymptotically normal estimators for the effects of interest.
Acute radiodermatitis after radiofrequency catheter ablation

Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation is used in the treatment of a variety of arrhythmias. This report describes the development of acute radiodermatitis after two prolonged RF catheter ablation procedures for supraventricular tachycardia. It also reviews the characteristics and treatment of radiation-induced skin reactions.
Amygdala–frontal connectivity during emotion regulation

Successful control of affect partly depends on the capacity to modulate negative emotional responses through the use of cognitive strategies (i.e., reappraisal). Recent studies suggest the involvement of frontal cortical regions in the modulation of amygdala reactivity and the mediation of effective emotion regulation. However, within-subject inter-regional connectivity between amygdala and prefrontal cortex in the context of affect regulation is unknown. Here, using psychophysiological interaction analyses of functional magnetic resonance imaging data, we show that activity in specific areas of the frontal cortex (dorsolateral, dorsal medial, anterior cingulate, orbital) covaries with amygdala activity and that this functional connectivity is dependent on the reappraisal task. Moreover, strength of amygdala coupling with orbitofrontal cortex and dorsal medial prefrontal cortex predicts the extent of attenuation of negative affect following reappraisal. These findings highlight the importance of functional connectivity within limbic-frontal circuitry during emotion regulation.
Formal modeling in a generalized framework for access control

The author reports preliminary results of formal modeling for computer security guided by the generalized framework for access control developed in the MITRE research project known as unified access control. This formal modeling approach differs from the traditional Bell-La Padula model in the way it defines and uses access control rules. This approach has one key new element compared to traditional approaches: the rules for access control are an entity that is separate from, although necessarily related to, the model of the TCB (trusted computing base) interface. This new approach allows greater flexibility in choosing and specifying security policies for a secure system. >
A New Puzzler Guide

Scenario: This resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) was obtained from a 71-year-old male veteran in the emergency department. The patient complained of dyspnea, had a history of uncontrolled hypertension, and was taking beta blockers. His ejection fraction (EF) was 20%. A regular feature of the American Journal of Critical Care, the ECG Puzzler addresses electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation for clinical practice. To send an eLetter or to contribute to an online discussion about this article, visit www.ajcconline.org and click “Respond to This Article” on either the full-text or PDF view of the article. We welcome letters regarding this feature.
Estimating System Availability And Reliability

This paper deals with methods for constructing and solving large Markov chain models of computer system availability and reliability. A set of powerful high level modeling constructs is discussed that can be used to represent the failure and repair behavior of the components that comprise a system, including important component interactions. If time independent failure and repair rates are assumed then a time homogeneous continuous time Markov chain can be constructed automatically from the modeling constructs used to describe the system. Since, the size of Markov chains grows exponentially with the number of components modeled, simulation appears to be a practical way for solving models of large systems. However, the standard simulation takes very long simulation runs to estimate availability and reliability measures because the system failure event is a rare event. Therefore, variance reduction techniques which can aid in computing rare-event probabilities quickly are of interest. Specifically, the Importance Sampling technique has been found to be most useful. The modeling language and the simulation methods discussed in this paper have been implemented in a program package called the System Availability Estimator (SAVE).
Coexistence Problem in IEEE 802.22 Wireless Regional Area Networks

IEEE 802.22 wireless regional area network (WRAN) is an emerging cognitive radio-based system. One of the major challenges for WRANs is how to efficiently schedule both channel sensing and data transmission for multiple adjacent WRAN cells. This challenge is known as coexistence problem. In this paper, we propose four schemes that aim at reducing the coexistence-problem effect. These schemes are based on a well-known operation mode of IEEE 802.22, namely dynamic frequency hopping (DFH). The first and second schemes are based on using omni-directional antennas at the base stations (BSs), whereas the BSs in the other two schemes use directional antennas. The first scheme, coined fixed-scheduling DFH (FDFH), bases upon a fixed scheduling of working channels for adjacent WRAN cells. The second scheme, called cooperative DFH (CDFH), cooperatively selects working channels. The third scheme, namely sectoral DFH (SDFH), is proposed to reduce the coordination overhead of CDFH via dividing a WRAN cell into sectors to decrease the chances of collisions between adjacent cells. Finally, we integrate FDFH and SDFH into a new scheme, called fixed-scheduling sectoral DFH (FSDFH), which exploits the advantages of both schemes with no additional overhead. Computer simulations are used to demonstrate the performance gain of the proposed schemes.
The Role of Perceived Control, Attention-Shaping, and Expertise in IT Project Risk Assessment

This study investigates how individuals assess risks in IT development projects under different conditions. We focus on three conditions: the perceived control over the IT project, the use of an attention-shaping tool, and the expertise of the individual conducting the assessment. A role-playing experiment was conducted including 102 practitioners with high expertise in IT projects and 105 university students with low expertise. Our study suggests first, that perceived control is a powerful factor influencing risk perception but not continuation behavior. Second, while the attention shaping tool proved more useful for individuals with low expertise, such tools should be used with caution because they create blind spots in risk awareness for those with less expertise. Third, individuals with more expertise perceived higher levels of risks in IT projects, as compared to those with less expertise. Implications of these findings are discussed, with potential avenues for future research and suggestions for IT project managers.
Synthesis of 2-fluorobenzo[rst]pentaphene and 2-fluorobenzo[rst]pentaphene-5-13C

The syntheses of 2-fluorobenzo[rst]pentaphene and 2-fluoro-benzo[rst]pentaphene-5- 13C (70% 13C) and their precursors are described, and relevant directly-bonded 13C-1H couplings reported.The labelled material was used to differentiate the NMR resonances of the 5- and 8-protons, in connection with our studies of the remote effect exercised by fluorine on their reactivities toward electrophilic aromatic substitution, and on the carcinogenic activity of benzo[rst]pentaphene.
On the computational aspects of performability models of fault-tolerant computer systems

It is shown that the (scaled) conditional moments of performability in Markov models are the states of a cascaded, linear, continuous-time dynamic system with identical system matrices in each stage. This interpretation leads to a simple method of computing the first moment for nonhomogeneous Markov models with finite mission time. In addition, the cascaded system representation leads to the derivation of a set of two stable algorithms for propagating the conditional moments of performability in homogeneous Markov models. In particular, a very fast doubling algorithm using diagonal Pade approximation to compute the matrix exponential and repeated squaring is derived. The algorithms are widely recognized, to be superior to those based on eigenvalue analysis in terms of both the computational efficiency and stability. The algorithms have obvious implications in solving reliability/availability models with large mission times. >
Pronominal disagreements: The stubborn problem of singular epicene antecedents

This study examines how speakers on certain TV interview programs resolve problems of agreement with formally singular epicene antecedents. The form most frequently used is they, although he does appear fairly often. Some forms found in written English hardly occur. It appears that they is not used simply to avoid a commitment to gender. Rather, three factors appear to contribute to speakers' choice of pronominal: presuppositions about gender roles associated with the referent, notional number of the referent, and the extent to which the referent can be posited as a specific individual. The idea that there is a gap in third person singular pronouns in spoken English is criticized. (Pronominal gender, agreement, semantics, usage, English)
Anode spot plasma deposition of insulating layers on aluminum

The deposition of an insulating layer upon an aluminum plate in an argon plasma is described. The process is effected in a low-power DC discharge to which a small amount of sulfur hexafluoride (SF/sub 6/) has been added, causing the formation of anode spots at sharp metallic surfaces. The insulator is deposited in the region beneath the spot. >
Diagnostic Accuracy of the MMSE in Detecting Probable and Possible Alzheimer's Disease in Ethnically Diverse Highly Educated Individuals: An Analysis of the NACC Database

Methods. Archival data were reviewed from participants enrolled in the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center minimum data set. Data on 7,093 individuals with 16 or more years of education were analyzed, including 2,337 cases with probable and possible Alzheimer’s disease, 1,418 mild cognitive impairment patients, and 3,088 nondemented controls. Ethnic composition was characterized as follows: 6,296 Caucasians, 581 African Americans, 4 American Indians or Alaska natives, 2 native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders, 149 Asians, 43 “Other,” and 18 of unknown origin. Results. Diagnostic accuracy estimates (sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio) of Mini-Mental State Examina tion cut scores in detecting probable and possible Alzheimer’s disease were examined. A standard Mini-Mental State Examination cut score of 24 (≤23) yielded a sensitivity of 0.58 and a specificity of 0.98 in detecting probable and possible Alzheimer’s disease across ethnicities. A cut score of 27 (≤26) resulted in an improved balance of sensitivity and specificity (0.79 and 0.90, respectively). In the cognitively impaired group (mild cognitive impairment and probable and possible Alzheimer’s disease), the standard cut score yielded a sensitivity of 0.38 and a specificity of 1.00 while raising the cut score to 27 resulted in an improved balance of 0.59 and 0.96 of sensitivity and specificity, respectively. Conclusions. These findings cross-validate our previous work and extend them to an ethnically diverse cohort. A higher cut score is needed to maximize diagnostic accuracy of the Mini-Mental State Examination in individuals with college degrees.
Lung Cancer Proliferation Correlates with [F-18]Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake by Positron Emission Tomography

Tumor proliferation has prognostic value in resected early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We evaluated whether [F-18]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake of NSCLC correlates with tumor proliferation and, thus, could noninvasively grade NSCLCs (refining patient prognosis and therapy). Thirty-nine patients with potentially resectable NSCLC underwent whole-body FDG positron emission tomography (PET) 45 min after i.v. injection of 10 mCi of FDG. Tumor FDG uptake was quantitated with the maximum pixel standardized uptake value (maxSUV). The lesion diameter from computed tomography was used to correct the maxSUV for partial volume effects using recovery coefficients determined for the General Electric Advance PET scanner. Thirty-eight patients underwent complete surgical staging (bronchoscopy and mediastinoscopy, with or without thoracotomy). One stage IV patient by PET underwent bronchoscopic biopsy only. Immunohistochemistry for Ki-67 (proliferation index marker) was performed on all of the 39 NSCLC specimens (35 resections, 1 percutaneous, and 3 surgical biopsies). The specimens were reviewed for cellular differentiation (poor, moderate, well) and tumor type. Lesions ranged from 0.7 to 6.1 cm. The correlation found between uncorrected maxSUV and lesion size (Rho, 0.56; P = 0.0006) disappeared when applying the recovery coefficients (Rho, -0.035; P = 0.83). Ki-67 expression (percentage of positive cells) correlated strongly with FDG uptake (corrected maxSUV: Rho, 0.73; P < 0.0001). The correlation was stronger for stage I lesions (11 stage IA, 15 stage IB): Rho, 0.79; P < 0.0001) and strongest in stage IB (Rho, 0.83; P = 0.0019). A significant association (P < 0.0001) between tumor differentiation and corrected SUV was noted. FDG PET may be used to noninvasively assess NSCLC proliferation in vivo, identifying rapidly growing NSCLCs with poor prognosis that could benefit from preoperative chemotherapy.
Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase Regulates Tight Junction Protein Levels

Background Intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) plays a pivotal role in maintaining gut health and well-being. Oral supplementation with IAP in mice improves gut barrier function and prevents luminal proinflammatory factors from gaining access to the circulation. In this study, we sought to explore the relationship between IAP and tight junction protein (TJP) expression and function. Study Design The effect of IAP deletion on TJP levels was studied in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) generated from IAP-knockout and wild type mice. Regulation of TJPs by IAP was assayed in the human colon cancer Caco-2 and T84 cells by overexpressing the human IAP gene. Tight junction protein levels and localization were measured by using RT q-PCR and antibodies targeting the specific TJPs. Finally, the effect of IAP on inflammation-induced intestinal permeability was measured by in vitro trans-well epithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Results Intestinal alkaline phosphatase gene deletion in MEFs resulted in significantly lower levels of ZO-1, ZO-2, and Occludin compared with levels in wild-type control cells; IAP overexpression in Caco-2 and T84 cells resulted in approximate 2-fold increases in the mRNA levels of ZO-1 and ZO-2. The IAP treatment ameliorated lipopolysaccharide-induced increased permeability in the Caco-2 trans-well system. Furthermore, IAP treatment preserved the localization of the ZO-1 and Occludin proteins during inflammation and was also associated with improved epithelial barrier function. Conclusions Intestinal alkaline phosphatase is a major regulator of gut mucosal permeability and appears to work at least partly through improving TJP levels and localization. These data provide a strong foundation to develop IAP as a novel therapy to maintain gut barrier function.
Orally administered 18F-FDG: Human biodistribution and dosimetry

1133 Objectives Intravenous (IV) access may be difficult in some patients referred for FDG PET imaging. In this study, we compare the human biodistribution and dosimetry of 18F-FDG for oral and IV administrations in the same subjects to ascertain the applicability of orally administered 18F-FDG as an alternative to IV administration. Methods Four healthy volunteers (3 male and 1 female; age, 19-32 y) underwent separate PET/CT imaging sessions after oral and IV administration of 18F-FDG two weeks apart. Except for route of administration, identical preparation and imaging protocols were used for both oral and IV studies. At each imaging session 9 serial whole-body PET scans were obtained at 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 120 and 240 min after 18F-FDG administration (375 ± 13 MBq). Source organ contours (19-20) drawn on a CT were overlaid onto registered PET images to extract time-activity curves. Time-integrated activity coefficients derived from time-activity curves were given as input to OLINDA/EXM for dose calculations. Images were also assessed qualitatively. Results Peak blood uptake following orally administered 18F-FDG was observed at 45-50 min. The oral-to-IV ratios of 18F-FDG uptake for major organs at 45 min were: blood (0.99), heart wall (1.03), brain (0.45), liver (1.23) and kidneys (0.76). For oral 18F-FDG administration, the highest organ absorbed doses (µGy/MBq) were observed for urinary bladder (75), stomach (51) and brain (32) and effective dose was 20 % higher than for IV administration. High gastric and small bowel uptake levels were visually identified through 1.5 h into the study. Conclusions FDG has excellent bioavailability following oral administration but peak organ activities occur later. These data suggest PET at 2 h following oral 18F-FDG administration should yield images that are comparable to conventional clinical images acquired 1 h post-injection. Oral FDG is an attractive alternative to IV FDG when venous access is problematic.
Combination of Controlled Release Platelet-Rich Plasma Alginate Beads and Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 Genetically Modified Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Bone Regeneration

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) consists of platelet-derived growth factor and transforming growth factor-β that increase proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), whereas bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) promotes osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. However, the high degradation rate of fibrin leads to the dissociation of cytokines even before the process of bone regeneration begins. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the combined effect of sustained release of PRP from alginate beads on BMP2-modified MSC osteogenic differentiation in vitro and sustained release of PRP alone on a fracture defect model ex vivo as well as its effect on calvarial suture closure.Methods: After optimizing the alginate concentration for microspheres, the combined osteogenic and mineralization effect of PRP and BMP2 on MSCs was studied. Self-setting alginate hydrogel carrying PRP was tested on a femur defect model ex vivo. The effect of PRP at day 15 on the closure of the em...
Combined carotid and coronary operations: When are they necessary?

Three groups of patients were analyzed to ascertain the risk of combined carotid/coronary operations and the risk factors for perioperative stroke following coronary artery bypass (CAB). Group 1 (N = 132) had simultaneous carotid endarterectomy and CAB, Group 2 (N = 51) were patients having perioperative stroke following elective CAB, and Group 3 (N = 169) had CAB alone but had prior history of either asymptomatic cervical bruit, stroke/transient cerebral ischemic attack (TIA), or carotid endarterectomy. Hospital mortality and perioperative stroke rate in the combined carotid/coronary group were 3.0% (4/132) and 1.6% (2/126), respectively. These rates were not significantly different from those of a control group having CAB alone. Overall incidence of postoperative stroke in 5,676 patients having CAB alone was 0.9% (51 patients). The incidence of perioperative stroke in patients with asymptomatic bruit or prior history of stroke or TIA undergoing CAB alone was 3.3% (2/60) and 8.6% (6/70), respectively. The majority of strokes following CAB appear to be embolic in origin. Indications for simultaneous carotid/coronary operations are bilateral carotid disease and symptomatic carotid vascular disease associated with unstable angina, left main obstruction, or diffuse multivessel disease. Staged procedures are recommended for patients with stable angina and symptomatic carotid lesions and for difficult carotid revascularization procedures. CAB alone may be performed for most patients with asymptomatic cervical bruit, moderate or mild carotid artery obstruction, and unstable angina associated with prior stroke, although in the third situation postoperative risk of neurological injury may be increased.
QTL Mapping of Endocochlear Potential Differences between C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ mice

We reported earlier that the endocochlear potential (EP) differs between C57BL/6J (B6) and BALB/cJ (BALB) mice, being lower in BALBs by about 10 mV (Ohlemiller et al. Hear Res 220: 10–26, 2006). This difference corresponds to strain differences with respect to the density of marginal cells in cochlear stria vascularis. After about 1 year of age, BALB mice also tend toward EP reduction that correlates with further marginal cell loss. We therefore suggested that early sub-clinical features of the BALB stria vascularis may predispose these mice to a condition modeling Schuknecht’s strial presbycusis. We further reported (Ohlemiller et al. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 12: 45–58, 2011) that the acute effects of a 2-h 110 dB SPL noise exposure differ between B6 and BALB mice, such that the EP remains unchanged in B6 mice, but is reduced by 40–50 mV in BALBs. In about 25 % of BALBs, the EP does not completely recover, so that permanent EP reduction may contribute to noise-induced permanent threshold shifts in BALBs. To identify genes and alleles that may promote natural EP variation as well as noise-related EP reduction in BALB mice, we have mapped related quantitative trait loci (QTLs) using 12 recombinant inbred (RI) strains formed from B6 and BALB (CxB1–CxB12). EP and strial marginal cell density were measured in B6 mice, BALB mice, their F1 hybrids, and RI mice without noise exposure, and 1–3 h after broadband noise (4–45 kHz, 110 dB SPL, 2 h). For unexposed mice, the strain distribution patterns for EP and marginal cell density were used to generate preliminary QTL maps for both EP and marginal cell density. Six QTL regions were at least statistically suggestive, including a significant QTL for marginal cell density on chromosome 12 that overlapped a weak QTL for EP variation. This region, termed Maced (Marginal cell density QTL) supports the notion of marginal cell density as a genetically influenced contributor to natural EP variation. Candidate genes for Maced notably include Foxg1, Foxa1, Akap6, Nkx2-1, and Pax9. Noise exposure produced significant EP reductions in two RI strains as well as significant EP increases in two RI strains. QTL mapping of the EP in noise-exposed RI mice yielded four suggestive regions. Two of these overlapped with QTL regions we previously identified for noise-related EP reduction in CBA/J mice (Ohlemiller et al. Hear Res 260: 47–53, 2010) on chromosomes 5 and 18 (Nirep). The present map may narrow the Nirep interval to a ~10-Mb region of proximal Chr. 18 that includes Zeb1, Arhgap12, Mpp7, and Gjd4. This study marks the first exploration of natural gene variants that modulate the EP. Their orthologs may underlie some human hearing loss that originates in the lateral wall.