cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Cost Analysis for a Community-Based Case Management Intervention Program for Pediatric Asthma

Objective. Evaluate the costs and benefits of the Boston Children’s Hospital Community Asthma Initiative (CAI) program through reduction of Emergency Department (ED) visits and hospitalizations and quality of life (QOL) for patients and their families due to reduced missed school days and work days. Methods. Cost–benefit analysis was used to determine an adjusted Return on Investment (ROI) for all 102 patients enrolled in the CAI program in the calendar year 2006 after controlling for changes in a comparable population without CAI intervention. A societal ROI (SROI) was also computed by including additional indirect benefits due to reduced missed school days for patients and work days for caregivers. Results. Adjusted cost savings from fewer ED visits and hospitalizations resulted in an adjusted ROI of 1.33 (adjusted Net Present Value, (NPV) of savings = $83,863) during the first 3 years after controlling for factors other than the CAI intervention. When benefits due to reduced missed school days and miss...
Initial clinical experience with multilumen brachytherapy catheters for accelerated partial breast irradiation.

Abstract Purpose To review the initial experience of three institutions using multilumen catheters to deliver accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) and evaluate dosimetric improvements. Methods and Materials Patients were eligible for this analysis if they met criteria for accelerated partial breast irradiation at their respective institution and were not enrolled on the national Phase III trial. Minimum guidelines for treatment planning from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-39/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 0413 protocol were followed. Toxicities were coded using common toxicity criteria version 3.0 criteria. Results Sixty-two patients were analyzed as part of this study. Median skin spacing was 11 mm with a median skin dose of 86.9% (% of prescription dose [PD]). Median rib dose was 76.1% of the PD (range, 4.3–155.7%). The V90, V95, and V100 of the PD for the planning target volume evaluation was 95.4%, 95.2%, and 80.3%, respectively. Seven patients had both skin and rib spacing Conclusion The multilumen device led to improvements in target coverage and normal structure doses compared with traditionally accepted guidelines. Similar toxicities were seen compared with single-lumen devices, even in patients with skin and rib spacing
Neurological complications of HIV infection

Neurological complications of HIV infection cause considerable morbidity and are often associated with high mortality. These complications include not only the more common opportunistic diseases affecting the brain (cerebral toxoplasmosis, primary central nervous system lymphoma, progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy, and cryptococcal meningitis) but also the AIDS dementia complex, with its characteristic cognitive and motor dysfunction, which is caused by HIV itself. Additionally, the peripheral nervous system is the target of several disorders, including a common painful neuropathy. Because these and other, less common, central and peripheral nervous system complications of HIV can often be specifically treated or effectively palliated, their accurate and timely diagnosis is important.
Solid low-grade in situ carcinoma of the breast: Role of associated lesions and E-cadherin in differential diagnosis

Low-grade solid in situ carcinomas of the breast are difficult to classify. The authors investigated 12 cases of in situ carcinomas with equivocal features and correlated their histologic attributes with those of the associated invasive carcinomas as well as with E-cadherin expression in both in situ and invasive disease. E-cadherin-positive in situ lesions were invariably associated with invasive carcinomas of the ductal type. In situ carcinomas that were E-cadherin negative were associated with invasive carcinomas of the lobular type in five of six cases. In all cases, the invasive carcinomas showed the same pattern of E-cadherin reactivity as the in situ lesions. Sharply defined cellular membranes, necrosis, and occasional microacini were seen in both E-cadherin-positive and negative in situ carcinomas, whereas intracytoplasmic lumina and a noncohesive appearance were seen only in E-cadherin-negative lesions.
A study of gluco-corticosteroid-induced pyknosis in the thymus and lymph node of the adrenalectomized rat.

Pyknotic nuclei, observed in the thymus of steroid-treated rats, are dense, homogeneous, intensely basophilic and Feulgen positive. Under the electron microscope, the image is that of a complete segregation of the chromatin from the nuclear sap producing a margin or crescent of condensed chromatin. Approximately 30% of all small thymocytes appeared to undergo this type of degeneration within 3–4 hr after administration of the synthetic corticosteroid, dexamethasone. At this time, pyknotic thymocytes were observed in clusters, probably as a result of the activity of dense reticular cells and macrophages. Topographical and experimental data suggest the existence of a select population of steroid-sensitive thymic cells. Furthermore, on the basis of thymidine-3H incorporation studies, it appears that the steroid-sensitive population of thymocytes does not correspond to "aged" cells. In addition, many plasma cells became pyknotic after the same steroid treatment, indicating an unexpected similarity between their nuclei and those of lymphocytes. Finally, steroid failed to induce pyknosis of thymocytes in a variety of in vitro experiments, suggesting that the in vivo effect of steroid is of an indirect nature. The results are discussed in terms of (a) the nature of the nuclear changes characterizing pyknosis, (b) the hypothetical mechanism whereby steroids trigger such changes, and (c) the population of cells susceptible to steroid-induced pyknosis.
The nitric oxide pathway participates in estrous behavior induced by progesterone and some of its ring A-reduced metabolites.

Intracerebral and intravenous administration of progesterone (P) and its ring A-reduced metabolites induces intense sexual behavior (lordosis and proceptivity) in estrogen-primed rats. The present study tested the hypothesis that the nitric oxide-cGMP-protein kinase G pathway is involved in the facilitation of sexual behavior induced by the intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of P (130 ng) and its ring A-reduced metabolites 5α-dihydroprogesterone (5α-DHP; 13 ng) and 5α,3α-pregnanolone (5α,3α-Pgl; 13 ng). In Experiment 1, we tested the relevance of the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway by infusing a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor or a nitric oxide-dependent, soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor icv before progestin administration. The lordosis induced by P, 5α-DHP and 5α,3α-Pgl was significantly reduced at 2 h after progestin infusion by the previous injection of either a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor or by a soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor. Lordosis behavior returned to control values by 4 h. In Experiment 2, icv infusion of the protein kinase G inhibitor KT5823 significantly inhibited the lordosis behavior induced by all three progestins at 2 h. These data support the hypothesis that the nitric oxide/cGMP/protein kinase G pathway is involved in the lordosis induced by P and some of its ring A-reduced metabolites.
Conformal load-bearing polymer-carbon nanotube antennas and RF front-ends

We presented a novel process for constructing high conductivity CNT surfaces. This is done by growing high density CNTs on light-weight and highly flexible polymer substrates. The proposed vertically aligned CNT printing technology can also be adapted for constructing flexible RF circuits integrated on a variety of commercial and defense related applications. Given the desirable RF and mechanical properties of polymer composites and CNTs, we expect a significant impact on multilayer integration of miniature and light-weight transceivers for future UAVs and body-worn applications.
DNA adduct formation and molecular analysis of in vivo lacI mutations in the mammary tissue of Big Blue rats treated with 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene.

Recently we compared the lacI and Hprt mutant frequencies (MFs) and types of mutations in lymphocytes of Big Blue((R)) (BB) rats exposed to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) under conditions that result in mammary gland tumors. In this study, we have examined the target mammary tissue for DMBA-induced DNA adducts, lacI MF and types of lacI mutations. Seven-week-old female BB rats were given single doses of 0, 20 or 130 mg/kg DMBA by gavage and the DNA adducts and lacI MFs in the mammary tissue were measured over a period of 14 days and 18 weeks, respectively, following treatment. The lacI MF in the mammary tissue increased for 10 weeks and then remained relatively constant; 130 mg/kg DMBA produced a 14-fold increase in the MF (255 +/- 50 x 10(-6) p.f.u.) over control MF (18. 3 +/- 4 x 10(-6) p.f.u.). (32)P-post-labeling analysis of DNA from mammary tissue and splenic lymphocytes of treated rats revealed two major adducts. Comparison of these adducts with DMBA standards indicated that the adducts formed by DMBA involved both G:C and A:T base pairs. DNA sequencing revealed that the majority of DMBA-induced lacI mutations were base pair substitutions and that A:T-->T:A (44% of the independent mutations) and G:C-->T:A (24% of the independent mutations) transversions were the predominant types. Furthermore, the mutational results revealed a 'hotspot' for a G-->T mutation in codon 95 (GTG-->TTG) of the lacI gene in mammary tissue. These results suggest that DMBA is highly mutagenic to lacI in mammary tissue and that adducts with both G:C and A:T base pairs participate in forming mutations in DMBA-treated BB rats.
Average of Synthetic Exact Filters

This paper introduces a class of correlation filters called average of synthetic exact filters (ASEF). For ASEF, the correlation output is completely specified for each training image. This is in marked contrast to prior methods such as synthetic discriminant functions (SDFs) which only specify a single output value per training image. Advantages of ASEF training include: insensitivity to over-fitting, greater flexibility with regard to training images, and more robust behavior in the presence of structured backgrounds. The theory and design of ASEF filters is presented using eye localization on the FERET database as an example task. ASEF is compared to other popular correlation filters including SDF, MACE, OTF, and UMACE, and with other eye localization methods including Gabor Jets and the OpenCV cascade classifier. ASEF is shown to outperform all these methods, locating the eye to within the radius of the iris approximately 98.5% of the time.
Synthesis and Activity of C11-Modified Wortmannin Probes for PI3 Kinase

The key role played by PI3 kinase in cancer, hormone action, and a host of other biological functions suggests that specific inhibitors whose disposition could be ascertained in vivo would be useful in biological research or, potentially, for imaging PI3K in a clinical setting. Wortmannin (Wm, 1) is an inhibitor of PI3 kinase with high specificity for this enzyme. We synthesized three modified Wm probes, a biotinylated Wm (7a), a 4-hydroxy-3-iodophenylated Wm, which was obtained both unlabeled (7b) and labeled with 125I (8), and a fluoresceinated Wm (7c), through modification at C-11, and evaluated their inhibitive activity as inhibitors of PI3 kinase. Biotinylated (7a) and 4-hydroxy-3-iodophenylated Wm's (7b) had IC50s for PI3K of 6.11 and 11.02 nM, respectively, compared to an IC50 for Wm of 1.63 nM. Fluoresceinated Wm (7c) lost considerably more activity than the other derivatives, with an IC50 of 64.9 nM. The 125I labeled 4-hydroxy-3-iodophenylated Wm (8) could be detected after reaction with an immun...
TAB as a high leadcount PGA replacement

A high-performance tape-automated-bonding (TAB) package has been developed for a TAB on board (TOB) application as a replacement for high lead count, high power, ceramic pin grid array (CPGA) packages. Leadcount is in excess of 250 pins and each package can dissipate more than 10 W at relatively low air flow rates. This technology has been implemented on a multichip VLSI-based processor board. The processor board contains six TAB devices on a 10 layer 8*14 in surface-mount-technology (SMT) PC board, as well as other SMT and through hole components. The package uses a unique bumpless inner lead bonding process on a 110- mu m (4.3 mil) pitch and a 406 mu m (16 mil) pitch solder reflow outer lead bonding process. Reliability has been demonstrated through extensive testing at both the package and system level. The authors provide an overview of the package construction, assembly processes, and reliability testing. >
Slow Polymerization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis FtsZ

The essential cell division protein, FtsZ, from Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. The recombinant protein has GTPase activity typical of tubulin and other FtsZs. FtsZ polymerization was studied using 90° light scattering. The mycobacterial protein reaches maximum polymerization much more slowly (∼10 min) than E. coli FtsZ. Depolymerization also occurs slowly, taking 1 h or longer under most conditions. Polymerization requires both Mg 2+ and GTP. The minimum concentration of FtsZ needed for polymerization is 3 μM. Electron microscopy shows that polymerized M. tuberculosis FtsZ consists of strands that associate to form ordered aggregates of parallel protofilaments. Ethyl 6-amino-2,3-dihydro-4-phenyl-1H-pyrido[4,3-b][1,4]diazepin-8-ylcarbamate (SRI 7614), an inhibitor of tubulin polymerization synthesized at Southern Research Institute, inhibits M. tuberculosis FtsZ polymerization, inhibits GTP hydrolysis, and reduces the number and sizes of FtsZ polymers.
Preoperative Serum Caveolin-1 as a Prognostic Marker for Recurrence in a Radical Prostatectomy Cohort

Purpose: Up-regulation of caveolin-1 (cav-1) is associated with virulent prostate cancer, and serum cav-1 levels are elevated in prostate cancer patients but not in benign prostatic hyperplasia. In this study, we evaluated the potential of high preoperative serum cav-1 levels to predict biochemical progression of prostate cancer. The value of the combined preoperative markers, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), biopsy Gleason score, and serum cav-1 for predicting biochemical recurrence was also investigated. Experimental Design: Serum samples taken from 419 prostate cancer patients before radical prostatectomy were selected from our Specialized Programs of Research Excellence prostate cancer serum and tissue bank. Serum samples were obtained 0 to 180 days before surgery and all patients had complete data on age, sex, race, stage at enrollment, and follow-up for biochemical recurrence. Serum cav-1 levels were measured according to our previously reported ELISA protocol. Results: Cav-1 levels were measured in the sera of 419 prostate cancer patients; the mean serum level was 4.52 ng/mL (median 1.01 ng/mL). Patients with high serum cav-1 levels had a 2.7-fold ( P = 0.0493) greater risk of developing biochemical recurrence compared with those with low serum cav-1 levels. Importantly, patients with serum PSA ≥ 10 ng/mL and elevated levels of serum cav-1 had 2.44 times higher risk ( P = 0.0256) of developing biochemical recurrence compared with patients with low levels of cav-1. In addition, high serum cav-1 levels combined with increasing biopsy Gleason score predicted much shorter recurrence-free survival in the group of patients with PSA ≥ 10 ng/mL ( P = 0.0353). Cav-1 was also able to distinguish between high- and low- risk patients with biopsy Gleason score of seven, after adjusting, for patients PSA levels ( P = 0.0429). Conclusions: Overall, elevated preoperative levels of serum cav-1 predict decreased time to cancer recurrence. In the subset of patients with serum PSA of ≥10 ng/mL, the combination of serum cav-1 and biopsy Gleason score has the capacity to predict time to biochemical recurrence.
An effective method for improving IC package die failure during assembly punch processing

Singulation by a punch process is a major manufacturing step in the package assembly process. The punch process induces dynamic stress waves in the package which transfer stress to the die. This could be a potential factor to crack or pop the die during punching. The objective of this paper is to investigate an effective method to minimize stress transfer. This method uses a pre-groove technique in the lead frame design to reduce the punch stress during singulation. A 3D transient dynamic large deformation finite element method is used to determine what stresses are going to be induced during singulation of the package, to check if the package can withstand punch induced stress waves and to determine potential design weaknesses both with and without the pre-groove. Different locations of the pre-groove, different shape parameters of the groove and different punch contact shapes are simulated and studied to get the optimized results. Tests of the punching process including a group of samples with and without pre-groove have been developed. The results show that dynamic stresses transferred to die without groove are much greater than with the groove, there is an optimized shape and location of the groove that may reduce stress to a maximum degree. While changing the design of punch contact head, such as narrowing the width of contact punch head area, it also reduced the die stresses in punching singulation, but not as significantly as with pre-groove cases. Both modeling and testing have confirmed that pre-groove is an effective method to remove the die crack/pop failure.
A new three level predictive technique for lossy data compression

A new hybrid predictive coding scheme for lossy data compression is introduced and studied here. The proposed technique attempts to improve the compression performance of a conventional adaptive predictive coder through three levels of prediction. The first level estimates and removes a time-varying mean signal. The second level uses DFT and IDFT to estimate and remove the predictable high frequency subband component of the signal, whereas the third level performs the adaptive predictive coding of the smoothed signal. The resultant residual is then quantized using an adaptive quantizer with 3 and 5 levels. Experimental results based on a group of test signals seem to indicate that the proposed hybrid scheme can improve the lossy compression achievable using a conventional adaptive predictive coder.
methylC Track: visual integration of single-base resolution DNA methylation data on the WashU EpiGenome Browser.

Summary: We present methylC track, an efficient mechanism for visualizing single-base resolution DNA methylation data on a genome browser. The methylC track dynamically integrates the level of methylation, the position and context of the methylated cytosine (i.e. CG, CHG and CHH), strand and confidence level (e.g. read coverage depth in the case of whole-genome bisulfite sequencing data). Investigators can access and integrate these information visually at specific locus or at the genome-wide level on the WashU EpiGenome Browser in the context of other rich epigenomic datasets. Availability and implementation: The methylC track is part of the WashU EpiGenome Browser, which is open source and freely available at http://epigenomegateway.wustl.edu/browser/. The most up-to-date instructions and tools for preparing methylC track are available at http://epigenomegateway.wustl.edu/+/cmtk. Contact: ude.ltsuw.sciteneg@gnawt Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Situado and Sabana: Spain's Support System for the Presidio and Mission Provinces of Florida

An examination of the Spanish colony of La Florida. It looks at the mixed support system by which Spain maintained an unprofitable but strategic colony on the contested east coast of North America for two centuries. The system included royal subventions, private subventions, and drafted labour.
Rechargeable Li–O2 batteries with a covalently coupled MnCo2O4–graphene hybrid as an oxygen cathode catalyst

We employ a MnCo2O4–graphene hybrid material as the cathode catalyst for Li–O2 batteries with a non-aqueous electrolyte. The hybrid is synthesized by direct nucleation and growth of MnCo2O4 nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide, which controls the morphology, size and distribution of the oxide nanoparticles and renders strong covalent coupling between the oxide nanoparticles and the electrically conducting graphene substrate. The inherited excellent catalytic activity of the hybrid leads to lower overpotentials and longer cycle lives of Li–O2 cells than other catalysts including noble metals such as platinum. We also study the relationships between the charging–discharging performance of Li–O2 cells and the oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution activity of catalysts in both aqueous and non-aqueous solutions.
Historische Anthropologle: Eine Einfuehrung

Historische Anthropologle: Eine Einfuehrung. Gert Dressel. Vienna: Bohlau Vertag, 1996. 324 pp., notes, bibliography.
Abstract and effector-specific representations of motor sequences identified with PET

Positron emission tomography was used to identify neural systems involved in the acquisition and expression of sequential movements produced by different effectors. Subjects were tested on the serial reaction time task under implicit learning conditions. In the initial acquisition phase, subjects responded to the stimuli with keypresses using the four fingers of the right hand. During this phase, the stimuli followed a fixed sequence for one group of subjects (group A) and were randomly selected for another group (group B). In the transfer phase, arm movements were used to press keys on a substantially larger keyboard, and for both groups, the stimuli followed the sequence. Behavioral indices provided clear evidence of learning during the acquisition phase for group A and transfer when switched to the large keyboard. Sequence acquisition was associated with learning-related increases in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in a network of areas in the contralateral left hemisphere, including sensorimotor cortex, supplementary motor area, and rostral inferior parietal cortex. After transfer, activity in inferior parietal cortex remained high, suggesting that this area had encoded the sequence at an abstract level independent of the particular effectors used to perform the task. In contrast, activity in sensorimotor cortex shifted to a more dorsal locus, consistent with motor cortex somatotopy. Thus, activity here was effector-specific. An increase in rCBF was also observed in the cingulate motor area at transfer, suggesting a role linking the abstract sequential representations with the task-relevant effector system. These results highlight a network of areas involved in sequence encoding and retrieval.
Multi-sensor data fusion: An unscented least squares approach

This manuscript provides an approach to solve the nonlinear least squares problem that arises in decentralized fusion. Even though almost all sensor noise can be modeled as additive noise, the additive nature of the measurement noise is lost when the signal is processed at the sensor node. The proposed approach employs the unscented transformation before the estimation problem at the central node is posed as a nonlinear least squares problem. Numerical simulations indicate that the proposed unscented transformation based approach yields desired results.
The Significance of Re-Doing Experiments: A Contribution to Historically Informed Methodology

This essay is a contribution to the history of methodological thought. I focus on key methodological criteria for successful experimentation, replication and multiple determinations of empirical evidence. Drawing on reports of experiments with viper venom from the late seventeenth and late eighteenth centuries, as well as on present-day methodological thought I examine whether past experimenters regarded repetition, replication, and multiple determinations as criteria for validity; what exactly they meant by this; what they hoped to gain by repeating, varying, triangulating, and replicating; and how relevant these criteria were for them. I also consider if this analysis has implications for current philosophical work on the methodology of experimental practice.
Self-punitive behavior: One way to stop it

After rats had demonstrated reliable self-punitive behavior the introduction of an 18-min interval between massed trials resulted in rapid extinction of the response. Another punished group which was not delayed continued to perform the response which resulted in punishment, while a nonpunished group showed significantly less resistance to extinction and stopped responding in very few trials. The 18-min interval was assumed to have reduced drive level by lowering residual emotionality. These results are consistent with the Mowrer-Brown theoretical explanation of self-punitive behavior.
Changes in Speech Intelligibility as a Function of Time and Signal Processing Strategy for an Ineraid Patient Fitted with Continuous Interleaved Sampling (CIS) Processors

Objective: To assess changes in speech intelligibility as a function of signal processing strategy and as a function of time for one of the first two Ineraid patients in the United States fitted with a continuous interleaved sampling (CIS) signal processor. Design: In Experiment 1, the patient was fitted with a CIS processor and measures of speech intelligibility were taken over a period of 4 mo. These data were compared with data collected with the Ineraid. In Experiment 2, three new signal processing strategies were tested. Measures of speech intelligibility were taken at fitting and after a week's use of the processor. In Experiment 3, the number of channels in the processor was reduced to 5, 4, and 3. Each processor was tested at fitting and after a week's use of the processor. Results: In Experiment 1, immediately on fitting, the CIS processor produced better speech intelligibility for consonants, vowels, and the CID sentences than did the Ineraid. Performance improved over periods ranging from 1 to 4 mo depending on the test material. In Experiment 2, two processors produced significantly better speech intelligibility than did other processors. Most generally, performance dropped slightly when a new processor was fitted and then improved over the course of a week. All of the processors produced better speech intelligibility than did the Ineraid. In Experiment 3, five channels allowed similar levels of performance as did six channels. The effect of four and three channels varied as a function of test material. Four CIS channels allowed better performance than did the four analogue channels of the Ineraid. Conclusions: We conclude 1) that CIS processors can provide much better speech intelligibility than can the analogue processor of the Ineraid; 2) that many CIS strategies, not just one, will produce better speech intelligibility than will the Ineraid; 3) that for this patient, five channels can allow as high a level of word intelligibility as can six channels; 4) that when the number of CIS and analogue channels are equated (at four), the CIS strategy provides better speech intelligibility than does the Ineraid; and 5) that speech intelligibility with CIS processors improves over periods as short as a week and as long as several months after fitting of the processor.
The human oncoprotein MDM2 induces replication stress eliciting early intra-S-phase checkpoint response and inhibition of DNA replication origin firing

Conventional paradigm ascribes the cell proliferative function of the human oncoprotein mouse double minute2 (MDM2) primarily to its ability to degrade p53. Here we report that in the absence of p53, MDM2 induces replication stress eliciting an early S-phase checkpoint response to inhibit further firing of DNA replication origins. Partially synchronized lung cells cultured from p53-/-:MDM2 transgenic mice enter S phase and induce S-phase checkpoint response earlier than lung cells from p53-/- mice and inhibit firing of DNA replication origins. MDM2 activates chk1 phosphorylation, elevates mixed lineage lymphoma histone methyl transferase levels and promotes checkpoint-dependent tri-methylation of histone H3 at lysine 4, known to prevent firing of late replication origins at the early S phase. In the absence of p53, a condition that disables inhibition of cyclin A expression by MDM2, MDM2 increases expression of cyclin D2 and A and hastens S-phase entry of cells. Consistently, inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases, known to activate DNA replication origins during firing, inhibits MDM2-mediated induction of chk1 phosphorylation indicating the requirement of this activity in MDM2-mediated chk1 phosphorylation. Our data reveal a novel pathway, defended by the intra-S-phase checkpoint, by which MDM2 induces unscheduled origin firing and accelerates S-phase entry of cells in the absence of p53.
Separating reflections from images by use of independent component analysis

The image of an object can vary dramatically, depending on lighting, specularities, reflections, and shadows. It is often advantageous to separate these incidental variations from the intrinsic aspects of an image. We describe a method for photographing objects behind glass and digitally removing the reflections from the surface of the glass, leaving the image of the objects behind the glass intact. We describe the details of this method, which employs simple optical techniques and independent component analysis and show its efficacy with several examples.
Decreased concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in supernatants of monocytes from homozygotes for hereditary hemochromatosis.

To determine whether release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- alpha), a cytokine that affects iron homeostasis, may be selectively altered in hereditary hemochromatosis, we measured concentrations of TNF-alpha and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) in supernatants of cultured peripheral blood monocytes from 11 homozygotes for hereditary hemochromatosis, 11 healthy individuals, and five patients with iron- loading anemia. The gene for hereditary hemochromatosis is tightly linked to the HLA locus on chromosome 6, but its exact site and product are not known. The gene for TNF-alpha also is located within the HLA region. Monocytes were incubated from 4 to 36 hours in medium alone or with added lipopolysaccharide. Mean concentrations of immunoreactive TNF-alpha in supernatants were significantly lower for subjects with hereditary hemochromatosis as compared to healthy controls (P less than .037) and patients with iron-loading anemia (P less than .005); differences between homozygotes for hemochromatosis and healthy controls were up to 4.5-fold at 4 hours (P = .008), 1.9-fold at 12 hours (P = .036), and 7.0-fold at 36 hours (P = .001). Importantly, concentrations of IL-1 beta in supernatants were not significantly different among the three groups. We conclude that release of TNF-alpha by monocytes may be selectively impaired in hereditary hemochromatosis. Deficient activity of TNF-alpha may contribute to the disordered iron metabolism of this disease.
Microwave Technology for the Rapid Thawing of Frozen Blood Components

Based on a continuing need to provide a more rapid response to requests for thawed fresh frozen plasma, the authors evaluated plasma thawing with the use of a microwave oven and compared it with conventional 37 degrees C waterbath thawing methods. Their results indicate that microwave-thawed plasma contains precipitated denatured protein (mainly albumin and fibrinogen) and that there is a significant reduction of coagulation Factors IX, X, XI, and fibrinogen compared with fresh plasma. They also measured levels of di-ethyl hexyl phthalate after microwave thawing and found its rate of accumulation similar to that of the 37 degrees C waterbath. More importantly, fundamental principles of microwave heating preclude uniform temperatures being maintained throughout the thawing of plasma; hence, the denaturation of plasma proteins is expected to occur under even low heating conditions.
The Circumdisk and its Relation to a Theorem of Kirszbraun and Valentine

(1984). The Circumdisk and its Relation to a Theorem of Kirszbraun and Valentine. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 57, No. 3, pp. 165-169.
Temporal discrimination threshold with healthy aging

Abstract The temporal discrimination threshold (TDT) is the shortest interstimulus interval at which a subject can perceive successive stimuli as separate. To investigate the effects of aging on TDT, we studied tactile TDT using the method of limits with 120% of sensory threshold in each hand for each of 100 healthy volunteers, equally divided among men and women, across 10 age groups, from 18 to 79 years. Linear regression analysis showed that age was significantly related to left-hand mean, right-hand mean, and mean of 2 hands with R-square equal to 0.08, 0.164, and 0.132, respectively. Reliability analysis indicated that the 3 measures had fair-to-good reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.4–0.8). We conclude that TDT is affected by age and has fair-to-good reproducibility using our technique.
Analysis on Influenza Surveillance in Futian District of Shenzhen City during 2007-2009

[Objective]To understand the dynamic epidemiologic characteristics of influenza and variation of influenza virus strains in Futian District,and provide scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of influenza.[Methods]Influenza-like illness(ILI) data of monitoring hospitals were weekly analyzed and the nasopharyngeal swab samples of ILI were collected.MDCK cells were used for influenza virus isolation.Hemagglutination inhibition experiments were applied to identify influenza virus type.[Results]From 2007 to 2009,a total of 32 961 cases of ILI were monitored,accounting for 5.61% of total monitoring out-patients;363 influenza strains were isolated,the virus isolation rate was 34.41%.The annual trend of ILI% was consistent with the trend of virus isolation rate;97 epidemic outbreaks occurred mainly in schools and nurseries.[Conclusion]The epidemiologic peak of influenza is from June to August in Futian District,the influenza virus subtypes alternate,the virus strain type usually changed in June.The ILI% and the isolation rate and the epidemic outbreaks increasing is mainly due to influenza pandemic of H1N1 in 2009.
Meta-Analysis of Behavioral Self-Management Interventions in Single-Case Research

Abstract The current study meta-analyzed 47 single-subject studies of behavioral self-management interventions that were published between 1971 and 2011. In addition to obtaining an overall measure of effect across all self-management studies (φ = 0.93), analyses were conducted to assess whether treatment effectiveness was moderated by factors such as student characteristics (e.g., grade level, student disability) or the intervention components included. Although no significant differences were identified depending on the grade level of the student or educational setting, lower effect sizes were identified for students diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and specific learning disabilities. Additionally, stronger effect sizes were identified in those studies that (a) assessed student rating accuracy, (b) asked students to reflect on their behavior over a period of time, and (c) did not incorporate evaluation or rewards. The implications of these findings for applied use and future resea...
Identification of heterologous Torque Teno Viruses in humans and swine

Torque Teno Viruses (TTVs) are ubiquitous viruses which are highly prevalent in several mammalian species. Human TTV's are epidemiologically associated with several human disease conditions such as respiratory illnesses, auto-immune disorders and hepatitis. Recently it was found that swine TTV's (TTSuVs) can act as primary pathogens. The common occurrence of TTVs as environmental contaminants and the increasing interest in the use of swine organs for xenotransplantation lend importance to the question of whether TTV's can cross-infect across species. In this study, we examined human and swine sera by swine or human TTV-specific PCRs, to determine whether swine TTVs (TTSuV) DNA can be detected in humans and vice versa. Surprisingly, both human and TTSuV DNA were present in a majority of the samples tested. Transfection of human PBMC's with TTSuV1 genomic DNA resulted in productive viral infection which was sustained for the three serial passages tested. Lymphoproliferative responses in infected human PBMCs were diminished when compared to the controls. Furthermore, mild to moderate antibody responses against the TTSuV1 ORF2 protein was detected in 16 of the 40 human sera by ELISA. Therefore, these study findings provide initial and fundamental evidence for possible cross-species transmission of TTVs.
Spot Prices, Option Prices, and Water Markets: An Analysis of Emerging Markets in California

Most of the discussion of water markets revolves around the concept of trading permanent water rights, which implicitly assumes that the water property rights are adequately defined and transaction costs are not a significant barrier to trade. While this situation is relevant to several countries and areas in the U.S., there are many other regions where the transaction costs of trading permanent water rights are prohibitive. Given excessive costs for water rights trades, there is still significant potential for the market reallocation of water, using annual spot markets for times of scarcity and option markets for longer-term contracts.
Selective Detection of Phagocytic Phase of Apoptosis in Fixed Tissue Sections

Degradation of apoptotic cells is finalized during the phagocytic waste-management phase of apoptosis. This eliminates genetic material present in dying cells which often contain pathological, viral, or cancerous DNA. In the waste-management phase, chromatin of apoptotic cells is engulfed and digested by professional phagocytes or surrounding tissue cells. This process is critical for the efficient completion of apoptosis and its detection is necessary in research on cancer and autoimmune diseases where clearance of dying cells plays the central role. Here we present a rapid and simple fluorescence technique for visualization of phagocytic cells participating in waste management. The detailed step-by-step protocol is provided. The approach works in fixed tissue sections and labels all types of active phagocytic cells which engulf and digest apoptotic chromatin.
Drought-Management Policies and Preparedness Plans: Changing the Paradigm from Crisis to Risk Management

Abstract There is increasing concern worldwide about the ineffectiveness of current drought-management practices that are largely based on crisis management. These practices are reactive and, therefore, only treat the symptoms and impacts of drought rather than the underlying causes for the vulnerabilities associated with these impacts. Through the adoption of national drought policies that are focused on risk reduction and complemented by drought mitigation or preparedness plans at various levels of government, the coping capacity of nations to manage droughts can be improved. Given the spiraling impacts of droughts in an ever-increasing number of sectors, as well as the current and projected trends for the increased frequency, severity, and duration of drought events in association with a changing climate, it is clear that the time for adopting an approach that emphasizes drought risk reduction is now. This chapter discusses the principles and objectives of national drought policies and a template for the development of these policies for governments as a follow-up to the High-level Meeting on National Drought Policies held in Geneva, Switzerland, in March 2013.
The Supreme Court in American Legal History

We explained in Chapter 1 why courts in our constitutional system – especially the Supreme Court – have such authoritative policy-making capability and how the powerful Supreme Court makes decisions. In this chapter, we will illustrate manifestations of this capability that have occurred over the course of our history. BEFORE THE CONSTITUTION When colonists arrived to settle the New World, they carried from England their heritage, their customs, and their law. English law was predominantly judge-made law. This judge-made law evolved out of local customs that helped local judges decide local disputes. As royal authority grew, Henry II (1154–1189) established royal courts that could issue decisions in the king's name. This structure ultimately required consistent rules throughout the land. Some local customs were dropped, and others spread. Those that survived became the customs common to all England and formally became known as the common law . As in England, statutory authority grew in the New World. The Massachusetts Body of Liberties, adopted in 1641, was New England's first legal code. While establishing a Christian state, the code also guarded against the deprivation of life, liberty, and property “unlesse it be by vertue or equitie of some expresse law;” protected the citizens' “Immunities and priveledges;” and guaranteed to all residents, “whether Inhabitant or forreiner,” “the same justice and law.” Torture was prohibited for the purpose of obtaining confessions but could nevertheless be used after conviction in order to obtain the names of coconspirators, but only if the torture was not “Barbarous and inhumane.”
Obstacles to High Temperature Cyclic Structural Durability of Continuous-Fiber MMCs

Increases in high temperature cyclic structural durability are being sought constantly. Materials for the next generations of machines must be designed to resist higher stresses and strains, and for elevated temperature use, must also resist time-dependent, thermally-activated damage mechanisms such as creep and oxidation. If mission usage involves temperature excursions, thermal-gradient induced stresses and strains will be superimposed on mechanical stresses and strains. The combined strains adversely interact with environmental attack mechanisms. The end result is a complex cyclic variation of strain, stress and temperature, with time-dependent creep, diffusion, oxidation, etc.
A comparative analysis of academic dishonestly in online classes: an assessment of student and faculty perceptions: panel discussion

Due to the demand for distance learning, universities and colleges are offering more online classes to accommodate this growing trend. With this shift in education, it is important to understand the students' and faculty perceptions of what constitutes cheating and unethical behavior in online classes. This exploratory study of 457 undergraduate students and 75 faculty members will assess what methods students are utilizing to complete course work and which of these methods is considered academically dishonest by faculty. This study seeks to understand the gaps that exists between these two groups to help establish a clear set of guidelines of permissible techniques for completing coursework based upon faculty and student perceptions.
The Influence of Spiritually-based Learning Opportunities on Personal Faith and Denominational Loyalty in Seventh-Day Adventist Academies

ABSTRACTThis study examined how Bible teachers, involvement in leadership in school-wide spiritual activities, and personal school-sponsored spiritual activities were related to students’ relationship with God and their denominational loyalty. Data were obtained from seniors in 19 Seventh-day Adventist academies. Students’ intention to remain in the Seventh-day Adventist church after they finish high school or leave their parents’ home (denominational loyalty) was explained by their involvement and leadership in school-sponsored spiritual activities and the influence of their Bible teacher. However, the effect of these variables on denominational loyalty was primarily due to the extent that they affected the students’ relationship with God.
Implementation of Media Production Activities in an Intervention Designed to Reduce Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake Among Adults.

Abstract Objective To inform the implementation of media production activities with adult populations by describing the construction of counter-advertisements (counter-ads) within a behavioral intervention. Methods SIPsmartER participants could create 2 types of counter ads during the intervention's media literacy lesson. Participants (n = 40) were from rural southwestern Virginia. Most were female (85%) and white (93%), and 28% were low health literate. Descriptive statistics and Fisher exact tests were used to compare completion rates, content, techniques used, and persuasive intent with counter ad type and health literacy status. Results Each participant produced 2.1 (SD, 0.8) counter-ads. Ads included health risks (64%) and nutrition facts (16%). The majority used persuasive techniques (72%) and were persuasive for drinking fewer sugar-sweetened beverages (72%). There were differences by type but not health literacy status. Conclusions and Implications Findings suggested that counter-ads can be used in behavioral interventions for adults. Guidance is provided to support their implementation.
Cross-sectional and longitudinal small animal PET shows pre and post-synaptic striatal dopaminergic deficits in an animal model of HIV

Abstract Introduction In vivo imaging biomarkers of various HIV neuropathologies, including dopaminergic dysfunction, are still lacking. Towards developing dopaminergic biomarkers of brain involvement in HIV, we assessed the pre and postsynaptic components of the dopaminergic system in the HIV-1 transgenic rat (Tg), a well-characterized model of treated HIV + patients, using small-animal PET imaging. Methods Fifteen to 18 month-old Tg and wild type (WT) rats were imaged with both [18F]-FP-CMT, a dopamine transporter (DAT) ligand (n = 16), and [18F]-Fallypride, a D2/D3 dopamine receptor (D2/D3DR) ligand (n = 16). Five to 8 month-old Tg and WT rats (n = 18) were also imaged with [18F]-FP-CMT. A subset of animals was imaged longitudinally at 7 and 17 months of age. Multiplex immunohistochemistry staining for DAT, tyrosine hydroxylase, D2DR, D3DR, GFAP, Iba1 and NeuN was performed on a subgroup of the scanned animals. Results [18F]-FP-CMT and [18F]-Fallypride binding potential (BPND) values were significantly lower in 15–18 month-old Tg compared to age-matched WT rats (p Conclusions We found presynaptic and postsynaptic dopaminergic dysfunction/loss in older Tg compared to WT rats. We believe this to be related to neurotoxicity of viral proteins present in the Tg rats’ serum and brain. Advances in knowledge Our findings confirm prior reports of neurobehavioral abnormalities suggestive of dopaminergic dysfunction in this model. They also suggest similarities between the Tg rat and HIV + patients as far as dopaminergic dysfunction. Implications for patient care The Tg rat, along with the above-described quantitative PET imaging biomarkers, can have a role in the evaluation of HIV neuroprotective therapies prior to human translation.