cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Personality dysfunction in adults who stutter: another look.

Abstract Purpose Given reports of the frequent occurrence of personality disorders (PD) among individuals who stutter, this investigation was designed to determine the presence of personality disorders (PD) for individuals seeking treatment for stuttering, using a different self-report measure. Method The sample included 50 adults who were undergoing treatment for stuttering. The participants also completed a self-report measure (Assessment of the DSM-IV Personality Disorders, ADP-IV) that is known to have good differential validity in the assessment of personality disorders as well as good convergent validity with a structured interview administered by a skilled mental health professional. Results Four participants met threshold values for one personality disorder (PD) and one participant met criteria for two personality disorders. The remaining 45 participants (90%) did not meet criteria for a PD. Conclusion Rates of observed PDs in this sample approximated rates that have been observed in general community samples using structured clinical interviews and trained interviewers. Related reports which have claimed high levels of personality disorders among adults who stutter appear to be inflated by the use of self-report devices that overestimate the occurrence and co-morbidity of these conditions. Implications for the treatment of adults who stutter are discussed. Educational objectives: The reader will be able to (a) summarize two basic perspectives of how individuals who stutter are influenced by the possibility of personality dysfunction (b) describe the factors that influence the detection of personality dysfunction using self-report procedures, discuss the important (c) theoretical and (d) clinical implications of accurately identifying personality dysfunction for adults who stutter.
Credentialing in dermatologic surgery.

. Dermatologic surgeons' rights to perform surgery are being and will be challenged more and more. Some methods of peer review and credentialing are suggested and the specialty is urged to move ahead with formal planning for more training in the surgical aspects of dermatology.
Therapeutic benefits of putrescine-modified catalase in a transgenic mouse model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Dominant mutations in the copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene have been observed in 15-20% of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) cases. The mechanism by which SOD1 mutations result in motor neuron degeneration in FALS mice partly involves oxidative damage and an increased peroxidase activity of the mutant SOD1. A new therapeutic approach designed to eliminate the substrate of this peroxidase activity was examined in two lines of transgenic mice expressing the FALS-linked mutation glycine to alanine (G93A). We investigated the ability of putrescine-modified catalase (PUT-CAT), an antioxidant enzyme that removes hydrogen peroxide and has increased permeability at the blood-brain barrier, to modify the time course of the SOD1 mutation-induced motor neuron disease in these FALS mice. Continuous, subcutaneous administration of PUT-CAT significantly delayed the age at which onset of clinical disease occurred (indicated by loss of splay and/or tremors of hindlimbs) in a high-expressor line of FALS transgenic mice. Intraperitoneal injection of PUT-CAT given two times per week also significantly delayed the onset of clinical disease in a low-expressor line of FALS mice. PUT-CAT also significantly delayed the age at which clinical weakness developed (quantified by measuring the shortening of stride length) in both lines of FALS animals. No significant changes were observed in the survival times of the high-expressor FALS mice in any of the treatment groups. However, a trend toward a prolongation of survival was observed in the PUT-CAT-treated low-expressor FALS mice. These results support the role of free radical-mediated damage in the cascade of events leading to motor neurodegeneration in FALS and indicate that PUT-CAT interacts with a critical step in this cascade to delay the onset of clinical disease as well as the development of clinical weakness in FALS transgenic mice.
Single tyrosine substitution in the insulin-like growth factor I receptor inhibits ligand-induced receptor autophosphorylation and internalization, but not mitogenesis

The tyrosine kinase domains of the insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptors play an essential role in signal transduction. After ligand binding, these receptors undergo autophosphorylation, with a cluster of three tyrosines (residues 1131, 1135, and 1136 in the IGF-I receptor) being the first to be phosphorylated. Mutation of the ATP-binding site or substitution of this triple tyrosine cluster in the catalytic domain blocks essentially all of the functions of these receptors. Using stably transfected NIH-3T3 cell lines, we studied the effect of a mutation of tyrosine 1131 of the triple tyrosine cluster of the IGF-I receptor to phenylalanine. This mutation significantly reduced IGF-I-induced beta-subunit autophosphorylation, whereas phosphorylation of the endogenous substrate IRS-1 was unaffected. Despite the reduction in autophosphorylation and receptor internalization, IGF-I-induced thymidine incorporation and cellular proliferation were unaffected. Thus, the extent of receptor autophos...
Elastic‐quasi‐dynamic Solution of the Mallory Tube Test

REFERENCE: Assaad, M. C., "Elastic-quasi-dynamic Solution of the Mallory Tube Test," Tire Science and Technology, TSTCA, Vol. 18, No. 2, April-June, 1990, pp. 116-133. ABSTRACT: A novel numerical approach to model the bending of a straight Mallory tube into a desired configuration is described. The effect of the bimodular behavior of synthetic reinforcement cord on the bending process is reported. The reinforcement used encompasses the most widely used fibers such as polyester, nylon, and rayon. The principal strain magnitudes at the reinforcement layer are computed under pure bend- ing. The internal inflation pressure and the angular velocity at which the tube is rotated do not have a noticeable effect on the strain magnitudes. However, the axial length of the tube, the location of the reinforcing layers inside the thickness of the tube, and the orientation of this layer have shown remarkable influence on the strain distribution. Finally, the strain magnitudes from the numerical solution are compared with the strain magnitude measured from actual photographs of the tube during testing. The calculated strain magnitudes and the measured ones were found to be in good agreement.
Macropore flow estimations under no-till and till systems

Abstract The processes associated with water movement through silt loam soils involve both the flow through macropores as preferential flow or macropore flow and flow through the micropore as matrix flow. Macropore and matrix flow components were separated from total flow by a hydrograph-separation technique which used the assumption of dual porosity and a tracer mass balance. A mixture of potassium bromide was applied through a rain simulator to four plots in northern Mississippi in two rain events at 12.7 mm/h lasting 5 and 3 h separated by 6 h. The plots were either tilled or no-tilled with drains installed by two methods at the surface of the fragipan. The magnitude of water and bromide (Br − ) transported by macropore flow to a drain line were estimated and the resulting hydrographs provided an indication of the potential significance of macropore flow in transporting water and non-reactive chemicals through macropores to the shallow groundwater system. Matrix flow appears to contribute the majority of the water moving to the drains even during the early stages of the drain flow hydrographs. The no-till plots produced more macropore flow than the tilled plots, independent of how the drains were installed. Macropore flow in the drainage at any time was small as compared to the matrix flow; however it contributed a disproportionate amount of Br − tracer. These data support the concept that models used to predict mass balances using only the matrix (Darcian) flow will underestimate those chemicals that move like bromide into the soil profile.
Nickel (II) Complexes of the Tetradentate Macrocycle 2,12-Dimethyl-3,7,11,17-Tetraazabicyclo (11.3.1) Heptadeca-1 (17),2,11,13,15-Pentaene

Nickel (II) Complexes of the Tetradentate Macrocycle 2,12-Dimethyl-3,7,11,17-Tetraazabicyclo (11.3.1) Heptadeca-1 (17),2,11,13,15-Pentaene
Diamond-shaped heterometallic complexes of iron(II) and copper(I) bridged by cyanide groups

The tetrametallic, diamond-shaped heterometallic complexes of iron(II) and Cu(I), [η5-C5H5Fe(CO)(μ-CN)2Cu(PCy3)x]2, where x = 1 or 2, have been synthesized and fully characterized. X-ray crystallography reveals the geometrics about the copper(I) centers to be trigonal (x = 1) and tetrahedral (x = 2). Although the Fe−C⋮N bond angles are nearly linear, the Cu−N⋮C angles deviate significantly from linearity.
Acclimatization of St.-Croix, Karakul and Rambouillet sheep to intense and dry summer heat

Abstract Acclimatization of three diverse sheep breeds, St. Croix, Karakul and Rambouillet, to intense, dry summer heat in central Arizona was compared. Rectal temperatures at 6.00 and 17.00 h rose with seasonal rise in environmental temperatures. Diurnal variation of rectal temperatures averaged 0.43°C, 0.40°C and 0.35°C in the St. Croix, Karakul and Rambouillet, respectively. Respiratory rates rose with ambient temperatures, averaging daily 61.9, 52.7 and 40.3 breaths/min in the St. Croix, Karakul and Rambouillet, respectively. Average morning and afternoon rectal temperatures of the three sheep breeds differed significantly during the hot season, with the Rambouillet the highest, the Karakul intermediate, and the St. Croix the lowest temperatures. Average afternoon respiratory rate of the Rambouillet was significantly higher than that of the St. Croix and the Karakul sheep during the hot season. Feed consumption and heart rate declined in all three breeds as the hot season progressed, body weights did not decrease, and water consumption was elevated. Urine excretion of Rambouillet tended to be higher than the excretions of St. Croix and Karakul, but the differences were not significant. Season did not affect volume of urine produced by St. Croix and Karakul, however Rambouillet excreted significantly less urine in the cool season than in the hot season. Urine specific gravity was not influenced by season or breed. There were significant positive correlations between skin-surface temperatures, wool-surface temperatures, rectal temperatures and ambient temperatures in all three breeds. Skin-surface temperatures of St. Croix were consistently lower than those of the other two breeds. These studies indicate St. Croix were the most successful, and Rambouillet the least in their acclimatization to the intense summer heat in central Arizona.
An algebraic approach to calculating rotation-vibration spectra of polyatomic molecules

An approach for calculating electric dipole intensities of transitions to highly vibrationally excited states in polyatomic molecules is presented. We apply canonical Van Vleck perturbation theory (CVPT) to the space fixed dipole moment operator, where both the rotational and vibrational coordinate dependencies are expressed in terms of boson creation and annihilation operators. This approach is general and can be applied to a large class of polyatomic molecules. Theoretical spectra are presented for H2O with T rot = 300 K and H2CO with T rot = 10 K.
Corotating convection revisited

The corotating convection model invokes a systematic large-scale pattern of plasma motion through the Jovian magnetosphere, a pattern fixed in corotating (System III) coordinates and established by an observed longitudinal asymmetry of the S+ ion distribution in the inner Io torus. In its various versions published to date, the corotating convection model would preserve this longitudinal asymmetry throughout the magnetospheric convection system; the model is thus in conflict with the high degree of longitudinal symmetry that is observed to exist in the hot outer Io torus and presumed to exist also in the magnetosphere outside the torus. We propose to solve this difficulty by superimposing on the corotating convection system a strong retrograde flow confined to the torus region, representing the corotation lag associated with ion production and charge exchange in the Io torus. The addition of this azimuthal flow in the torus region renders the plasma density distribution almost symmetric with respect to longitude in the outer torus and beyond (as required by direct observation), while retaining a corotating convection pattern outside the torus (whose existence is supported indirectly by a number of observations). Serendipitously, the condition of approximate azimuthal symmetry of the plasma density distribution permits an analytic solution of the otherwise intractable equations governing the corotating convection pattern.
Effect of polyphosphate treatment and electrical stimulation on postchill changes in quality of broiler breast meat

Abstract The objective of this study was to assess effects of treating electrically stimulated broiler forequarters with polyphosphates after various aging periods on quality. Ninety-six mixed sex broilers were electrically stunned and slaughtered. Half the carcasses were electrically stimulated during bleeding and half were not. Forequarters were harvested immediately after chilling and after 2, 4, and 6 h postchill. Left forequarters were marinated in salt solution and right forequarters in salt solution plus sodium tripolyphosphate. After marination, the quarters were cooked. Yield and meat pH were evaluated immediately after marinating; and color, yield, and cooking loss were evaluated after cooking. Electrical stimulation resulted in a decline in muscle pH for the 0 postchill group. The pH of muscles from unstimulated and stimulated carcasses from the remainder of the postchill times were equivalent. Phosphate treatment increased pH at all postchill times. Electrical stimulation of the marinated quarters increased cooking loss and decreased yield regardless of marinade composition. Both cooking loss and yield were superior for forequarters harvested at 0 or 2 h postchill compared to those harvested at 4 or 6 h postchill. The phosphate improved moisture binding regardless of electrical treatment or time of harvest. Color values of cooked muscles were unaffected by marination time, but the phosphate-treated muscles had higher b* (yellowness) values than controls. Shear values of unstimulated carcasses that received phosphate treatment were 35% greater than those that received no phosphate treatment. When the carcasses were electrically stimulated, the toughening effect of the phosphate was eliminated.
Strong THz-Field-Induced Nonlinear Optical Effects in Electro-Optical Crystals

We demonstrate that time-dependent electric field associated with intense single-cycle THz pulses can induce nonlinear phase modulation in electro-optical crystals, leading to spectral shift, broadening and modulation of co-propagating laser pulses.
Studies on Nα-acylated proteins: The N-terminal sequences of two muscle enolases

A standard procedure for the identification of the N-terminal amino acid in Nα-acylated proteins has been developed. After exhaustive proteolysis, the amino acids with blocked α-amino groups are separated from positively charged, free amino acids by ion exchange chromatography and subjected to digestion with acylase I. Amino acid analysis before and after the acylase treatment identifies the blocked N-terminal amino acid. A survey of acylamino acid substrates showed that acytase will liberate all the common amino acids except Asp, Cys or Pro from their N-acetyl- and N-butyryl derivatives, and will also catalyze the hydrolysis of N-formyl-Met and N-myristyl-Val. Thus, the procedure cannot identify acylated Asp, Cys or Pro, nor, because of the ion exchange step, Nα-acyl-derivatives of Arg, Lys or His. Whenever the protease treatment releases free acylamino acids, the remaining amino acids should be detected. When applied to several proteins, the procedure confirmed known N-terminal acylamino acids and identified acyl-Ser in enolases from chum and coho salmon muscle and in pyruvate kinase from rabbit muscle, and acyl-Thr in phosphofructokinase from rabbit muscle. The protease-acylase assay has been used to identify blocked peptides from CNBr- or protease-treated proteins. When such peptides were treated with 1n HCl at 110° for 10 min, sufficient yields of deacylated, mostly intact, peptide were obtained to permit direct automatic sequencing. The N-terminal sequences of rabbit muscle and coho salmon enolase were determined in this way and are compared to each other and to the sequence of yeast enolase.
A versatile and modular approach to functionalisation of deep-cavity cavitands via"click" chemistry.

The surface modification of deep-cavity cavitands has been demonstrated by using the azide-alkyne “click” coupling to attach dendritic macromolecules or linear polymers onto their periphery. The resulting set of macromolecular cavitands exhibited tuneable solubility yet retained the ability to encapsulate guest molecules.
Indicators for the identification of strategic themes within a research programme

The co-word method (Leximappe programme) is used to illustrate the essential themes of intermational research based on the computer analysis of databases of scientific articles and patents. Further, we illustrate that these themes often follow characteristic cycles. Research projects submitted to a research funding organisation were subjected to a similar analysis. It was then possible in one sense to evaluate the relevance of funding support, particularly in terms of the degree of maturity of international research.
Parallel Evaluation of Broad Virus Detection Methods

The testing for adventitious viruses is of critical importance during development and production of biological products. The recent emergence and ongoing development of broad virus detection methods calls for an evaluation of whether these methods can appropriately be implemented into current adventitious agent testing procedures. To assess the suitability of several broad virus detection methods, a comparative experimental study was conducted: four virus preparations, which were spiked at two different concentrations each into two different cell culture media, were sent to four investigators in a blinded fashion for analysis with broad virus detection methods such as polymerase chain reaction–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (PCR-ESI/MS), microarray, and two approaches utilizing massively parallel sequencing. The results that were reported by the investigators revealed that all methods were able to identify the majority of samples correctly (mean 83%), with a surprisingly narrow range among the methods, that is, between 72% (PCR-ESI/MS) and 95% (microarray). In addition to the correct results, a variety of unexpected assignments were reported for a minority of samples, again with little variation regarding the methods used (range 20–45%), while false negatives were reported for 0–25% of the samples. Regarding assay sensitivity, the viruses were detected by all methods included in this study at concentrations of about 4–5 log10 quantitative PCR copies/mL, and probably with higher sensitivity in some cases. In summary, the broad virus detection methods investigated were shown to be suitable even for detection of relatively low virus concentrations. However, there is also some potential for the production of false-positive as well as false-negative assignments, which indicates the requirement for further improvements before these methods can be considered for routine use.
Open heart surgery in patients 85 years and older.

Background There has been an increase in the number of elderly patients considered for cardiac surgery. Several reports have documented acceptable morbidity and mortality in patients 80 years and older. The results from surgical patients 85 years and older were analyzed. Methods The records of 89 consecutive patients 85 years and older having cardiac operations between June 1993 and May 1999 were retrospectively reviewed. For purposes of statistical analysis follow-up was considered as a minimum of one office visit to the surgeon, cardiologist, or internist at least 1 month postoperatively. Results Eighty-seven patients underwent coronary artery grafting and two patients had mitral valve replacement. Follow-up was 100% complete. The operative mortality rate was 12.3%; probability of in-hospital death was 8.2%; risk-adjusted mortality rate was 3.2%. The complication rate was 31.5%. The actuarial 1-, 3-, and 5-year survivals were as follows: 75%, 67%, and 40%. Multivariate predictors of 30-day mortality were preoperative EF, less than 30% (p = 0.029) and postoperative renal failure (p = 0.0039). Conclusions Cardiac surgery can be performed in patients 85 years and older with good results. There is an associated prolonged hospital stay for elderly patients. Consistent successful outcomes can be expected in this patient population with selective criteria identifying risk factors.
Plasmid transfer by conjugation in Desulfovibrio desulfuricans

Conjugational transfer of several IncQ plasmids from Escherichia coli to the strictly anaerobic, sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio desulfuricans strain G100A was demonstrated. Plasmid DNA from exconjugants was visualized on agarose gels and was used to transform E. coli to the appropriate antibiotic resistances. Neither transfer of IncW and IncP plasmids to strain G100A, nor transfer of any plasmids to D. desulfuricans strain ATCC 27774 was observed. Conjugation of suicide plasmids containing either Tn5 or Tn9 into D. desulfuricans did not result in detectable transposition. Optimal conditions for conjugational transfer and antibiotic resistance levels of strain G100A were examined.
Frequency Effects on the Damping Capacity of Superelastic Nitinol

The evolution of the stress-strain behavior of a superelastic NiTi alloy over a range of cyclic frequencies up to 10 Hz is presented. Due to the stress-strain hysteresis typical of these alloys work is dissipated as heat during every cycle. Also, the heat release and absorption induced by the cyclic phase transformation responsible for the superelastic effect causes the material to undergo a cyclic temperature history which is superimposed on the average temperature resulting from the dissipative nature of the stress-strain cycle. As the cyclic frequency is increased the imposed strain rate is also necessarily increased. The stress-strain loops at very low frequencies are under isothermal conditions. As the cyclic rate is increased nearly adiabatic conditions are achieved at the higher frequencies. This affects the hysteretic cyclic behavior and the damping capacity of the material.
HO-1 Upregulation Attenuates Adipocyte Dysfunction, Obesity, and Isoprostane Levels in Mice Fed High Fructose Diets

Background. Fructose metabolism is an unregulated metabolic pathway and excessive fructose consumption is known to activate ROS. HO-1 is a potent antioxidant gene that plays a key role in decreasing ROS and isoprostanes. We examined whether the fructose-mediated increase in adipocyte dysfunction involves an increase in isoprostanes and that pharmacological induction of HO-1 would decrease both isoprostane levels and adipogenesis. Methods and Results. We examined the effect of fructose, on adipogenesis in human MSCs in the presence and absence of CoPP, an inducer of HO-1. Fructose increased adipogenesis and the number of large lipid droplets while decreasing the number of small lipid droplets (P < 0.05). Levels of heme and isoprostane in fructose treated MSC-derived adipocytes were increased. CoPP reversed these effects and markedly increased HO-1 and the Wnt signaling pathway. The high fructose diet increased heme levels in adipose tissue and increased circulating isoprostane levels (P < 0.05 versus control). Fructose diets decreased HO-1 and adiponectin levels in adipose tissue. Induction of HO-1 by CoPP decreased isoprostane synthesis (P < 0.05 versus fructose). Conclusion. Fructose treatment resulted in increased isoprostane production and adipocyte dysfunction, which was reversed by the increased expression of HO-1.
Potential field evidence for a volcanic rifted margin along the Texas Gulf Coast

Potential fi eld data along the Texas portion of the Gulf of Mexico indicate a large-amplitude coast-parallel magnetic maximum and a smaller Bouguer gravity high. Models constrained by seismic-refraction data indicate that these maxima manifest a deeply buried volcanic rifted passive margin or other magnetic high in the outer transitional crust. Buried 12‐15 km, the source is 220 km wide, similar to the Voring Plateau in Norway and the U.S. East Coast. This margin, which formed during the opening of the Gulf of Mexico, differs in origin from the transform boundary of the northeast Mexico margin (Tehuantepec transform), and we infer a Jurassic triple junction related to the Borderland rift system, which is traceable as far as southeast California.
A New Heuristic Approach to Safeguarding Online Digital Data

Security challenges have been raised by private and public sectors related to exchange digital data electronically. In the current state, protocols such as the simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP), post office protocol (POP), and internet message access protocol (IMAP) transfer and store email messages in plaintext. Therefore, the confidentiality of email messages cannot be assured. Email sent using these protocols and without using any other security tool, must be assumed to have been read and compromised, because its confidentiality and integrity cannot be assured. Thus in this paper a new approach as a tool for improvement of current popular email protocols is proposed. The novel proposed protocol will be manifested in the Email Security Protocol (ESP) which is designed to add a layer of security and confidentiality to email messages transmitted over unsecured public networks. ESP is designed in three models to allow efficient and effective implementation upon various information system architectures. The result of testing the new proposed approach showed superior performance comparing to the existing one.
The Renin-Angiotensin System and Aldosterone Secretion during Sodium Depletion in the Rat

The role of the renin-angiotensin system in the control of aldosterone secretion was studied in the sodium-depleted rat. Administration of angiotensin II produced a significant increase in aldosterone secretion and arterial blood pressure in normal rats; simultaneous infusion of the angiotensin analogue. 1-sarcosine-8-alanine-angiotensin II, blocked both the pressor and the steroidogenic actions of angiotensin. Since the angiotensin II analogue was effective in blocking exogenous angiotensin II, an attempt was made to block endogenously formed angiotensin II in the sodium-depleted rat; infusions of large doses of the analogue produced a significant fall in arterial blood pressure, but aldosterone secretion failed to change. Bilateral nephrectomy also failed to decrease aldosterone secretion in the sodium-depleted rat even though arterial blood pressure fell. Since the secretion of corticosterone in these rats was high, it seemed likely that the failure of aldosterone secretion to fall resulted from an overriding influence of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). To test this hypothesis, the renin-angiotensin system was again blocked in sodium-depleted rats with three levels of anterior pituitary function. With high or intermediate rates of corticosterone secretion, a nonapeptide converting enzyme inhibitor (CEI) failed to influence aldosterone secretion. However, when the influence of ACTH was completely eliminated by hypophysectomy in sodium-depleted rats, the nonapeptide CEI produced a striking fall in aldosterone secretion. In contrast, arterial blood pressure was significantly reduced by CEI in rats with all three levels of anterior pituitary function. The data suggest a role for angiotensin II in the regulation of aldosterone secretion and the maintenance of arterial blood pressure in the sodium-depleted rat.
Use of Opioids and Other Analgesics by Older Adults in the United States, 1999–2010

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There has been concern over rising use of prescription opioids in young and middle-aged adults. Much less is known about opioid prescribing in older adults, for whom clinical recommendations and the balance of risks and benefits differ from younger adults. We evaluated changes in use of opioids and other analgesics in a national sample of clinic visits made by older adults between 1999 and 2010. DESIGN, SETTING, AND SUBJECTS: Observational study of adults aged 65 and older from the 1999-2010 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, serial cross-sectional surveys of outpatient visits in the United States. METHODS: Medication use was assessed at each study visit and included medications in use prior to the visit and medications newly prescribed at the visit. RESULTS were adjusted for survey weights and design factors to provide nationally representative estimates. RESULTS: Mean age was 75 ± 7 years, and 45% of visits occurred in primary care settings. Between 1999-2000 and 2009-2010, the percent of clinic visits at which an opioid was used rose from 4.1% to 9.0% (P CONCLUSIONS: Opioid use by older adults visiting clinics more than doubled between 1999 and 2010, and occurred across a wide range of patient characteristics and clinic settings. Language: en
Ties Received, Support Perceived A Test of the Theorized Relationships among Workplace Networks, Social Support, and Mental Health in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Research on the association between social relationships and mental health tends to draw from either the social network or stress process tradition. In this study we review the central tenets of these theoretical perspectives and the key empirical work of each. Employing data from the Teamwork, Clinical Culture, and Change (T3C) in the NICU Study (N = 231), we use the case of mental health among medical staff members to test the relationships among workplace networks, social support, and mental health hypothesized by these traditions. We find that higher levels of indegree ties and reciprocity and more positive perceptions of support reduce distress while only support diminishes feelings of burnout. Contrary to our hypotheses, neither mediating nor moderating effects are in evidence. Although limited to organizational settings, results suggest the need for greater collaboration between the stress process and social network traditions as well as a reconsideration of the prevailing methodological approaches...
XEPA - autonomous intelligent light and sound sculptures that improvise group performances

XEPA anticipates a future where machines form their own societies. Going beyond mere generative art, machines will exhibit artistic creativity with the addition of artistic judgment via computational aesthetic evaluation. In such a future our notions of aesthetics will undergo a radical translation. The XEPA intelligent sculptures create animated light and sound sequences. Each sculpture "watches" the others and modifies its own aesthetic behavior to create a collaborative, improvisational performance. No coordination information or commands are used. Each XEPA independently evaluates the aesthetics of the other sculptures, infers a theme or mood being attempted, and then modifies its own aesthetics to better reinforce that theme. Each performance is unique and widely varied. XEPA is an ever-evolving artwork, intended as a platform for ongoing experiments in computational aesthetic evaluation.
Automated Spray Sanitizing of Broiler Hatching Eggs 1. Physical Characteristics of The Egg

Abstract This study examines the physical effects of spray sanitizing nest clean broiler hatching eggs with the MS Technologies, Inc. Mini-Master/4000® or by immersion dipping immediately following collection. The measurements taken during sanitizing were air, shell surface, and yolk surface temperatures. Researchers studied eggshell conductance, percentage egg moisture weight loss, and cuticle integrity following sanitizing. Treatments included non-sanitized controls and eggs sanitized by water dipping or automated spray washed with water, or spray washed and sanitized with chemical solutions. The automated spray washing consisted of two stages. In Stage 1, the temperature of the washing solution was 111°F, and in Stage 2 the temperature of the sanitizing solutions was 118°F. Automated spray sanitizing at fast processing speed (16 sec per flat) caused air and shell surface temperatures to rise by 28.4° and 20.3°F, respectively. These temperatures returned rapidly to pre-treatment temperature (83°F). Dipping eggs for 2 min in a sanitizer solution at 111°F resulted in a pattern of air and shell surface temperature increase and recovery similar to eggs sanitized by automation. Automated spray sanitizing caused a reduction in the shell cuticle, but cuticle removal was not severe enough to significantly increase eggshell conductance or percentage egg moisture weight loss.
Role of PON2 in innate immune response in an acute infection model.

Abstract N-(3-oxododecanoyl)- l -homoserine lactone (3OC12-HSL) is a quorum-sensing molecule produced by gram-negative microbial pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1). 3OC12-HSL is involved in the regulation of bacterial virulence factors and also alters the function of the host immune cells. Others and we have previously shown that paraoxonase 2 (PON2), a member of the paraoxonase gene family expressed in immune cells, hydrolyzes 3OC12-HSL. In this study, we examined i) whether macrophage PON2 participates in 3OC12-HSL hydrolysis, ii) the effect of PON2 deficiency in acute PAO1 infection in mice and iii) the effect of 3OC12-HSL on PON2 deficient (PON2-def) macrophages. When compared to wild type macrophages, both intact cells and membrane-enriched protein lysates obtained from PON2-def macrophages show a marked impairment in their ability to hydrolyze 3OC12-HSL. PON2 expression (message and protein) is not altered in response to 3OC12-HSL in macrophages. 3OC12-HSL treated PON2-def macrophages showed i) an increase in ER stress and oxidative stress, ii) defective phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3 kinase)/AKT activation, and iii) reduced phagocytosis function. Moreover, the nitration to phosphorylation ratio of Tyr458 in p85 protein, the regulatory subunit of PI3-kinase that has been correlated with the phagocytosis function of macrophages, was increased in PON2-def macrophages. Antioxidant treatment reversed the effects of PON2 deficiency in macrophage phagocytosis function. Furthermore, following administration of 1.6 × 107 CFU of PAO1, bacterial clearance was significantly reduced in the lungs (5.7 fold), liver (2.5 fold), and spleen (14.8 fold) of PON2-def mice when compared to wild type mice. Our results suggest that PON2 plays an important role in innate immune defense against PAO1 infection.
The virtues of a committed dilettante Embracing nonexpert expertise

Iknew when I decided to pack my bags and move across the country to begin my career as an academic librarian that I would meet some challenges. Learning campus culture, navigating organizational charts, and building relationships with my co-workers and departments would all be a part of my initiation. Less clear was how I was going to define my role as a library liaison when I lacked subject knowledge in some of my assigned areas. As a liaison to Spanish Languages and Literature, I met the position description’s “reading and writing ability” requirement, but I hardly possessed expertise. No worries, I thought. I am a librarian: I don’t have to know everything; I just need to know where to find it. Librarians with subject knowledge pos
Case 5: recurrent cytomegalovirus infection in a lung transplant recipient.

Interactive Grand Rounds is designed to provide health care providers with the opportunity to earn CME credit by accessing the Internet at www.immunologyed.com. The program features a clinical case accompanied by a discussion of the case.
Rover localization results for the FIDO rover

This paper describes the development of a two-tier state estimation approach for NASA/JPL's FIDO Rover that utilizes wheel odometry, inertial measurement sensors, and a sun sensor to generate accurate estimates of the rover's position and attitude throughout a rover traverse. The state estimation approach makes use of a linear Kalman filter to estimate the rate sensor bias terms associated with the inertial measurement sensors and then uses these estimated rate sensor bias terms to compute the attitude of the rover during a traverse. The estimated attitude terms are then combined with the wheel odometry to determine the rover's position and attitude through an extended Kalman filter approach. Finally, the absolute heading of the vehicle is determined via a sun sensor which is then utilized to initialize the rover's heading prior to the next planning cycle for the rover's operations. This paper describes the formulation, implementation, and results associated with the two-tier state estimation approach for the FIDO rover.
Building on an Empirical Foundation: Strategies to Enhance Good Practice.

Reviews of the research literature on outcomes in counseling agree that counseling works. It is also possible to use research to identify strategies for increasing the probability of successful counseling. Such strategies include careful assessment of the client, matching the client and counselor on demographic and attitudinal variables, and maintaining a productive working alliance through open disclosure to the client of the counselor's background and procedures, inquiry into the client's experience of counseling process, and management of client resistance.
Ring‐opening polymerization of the cyclic dimer of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) was prepared by the ring-opening polymerization of its cyclic dimer. Antimony(III) oxide, titanium(IV) butoxide, dibutyltin oxide, and titanium(IV) isopropoxide were used as catalysts. Among the catalysts, titanium(IV) butoxide was the most effective for the same reaction conditions. A weight-average molecular weight of 63,500 g/mol was obtained from ring-opening poly merization at 265 °C for 2 h in the presence of 0.5 mol % titanium(IV) butoxide. The PTTs obtained from the polymerization catalyzed with increasing amounts of antimony(III) oxide showed increasing weight-average molecular weights and reaction conversions. When 1 mol % antimony(III) oxide was used, the weight-average molecular weight was 32,000 g/mol and the conversion was 82% after 1 h of polymerization at 265 °C. In the case of the polymer catalyzed by titanium(IV) butoxide under the same conditions, the weight-average molecular weight and conversion were 40,000 g/mol and 77% when 0.25 mol % was used, whereas 0.5 mol % catalyst produced a weight-average molecular weight of 27,000 g/mol and a conversion of 95%. To get an acceptable molecular weight and relatively high reaction conversion, a catalyst concentration of at least 0.5 mol % was found to be necessary, in contrast to conventional condensation polymerizations, which require only about one-tenth of this amount of the catalyst. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6801–6809, 2006
Changes in relative levels of linoleate to arachidonate in erythrocyte phosphatidylcholine in rats fed ethanol and arachidonate

Abstract Young male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed ad lib. for 4 weeks a liquid diet containing 34% of the calories as ethanol and 35% as fat (25 wt % linoleate). The ratio of the levels of linoleic acid to arachidonic acid ( 18:2 20:4 ) in erythrocyte phosphatidylcholine (PC) from alcohol-fed rats was greater than that from rats fed an isocaloric control diet. The increased 18:2 20:4 ratio in tissue lipids of animals ingesting ethanol is thought to be due to the reduced production of arachidonate from linoleate. In the present study we tested whether dietary arachidonate would mask the effect of alcohol on the 18:2 20:4 ratio in erythrocyte PC. Analysis of the fatty acid composition of erythrocyte PC of rats fed a diet supplemented with arachidonate showed that ethanol feeding did not alter the 18:2 20:4 ratio.
Slow photoelectron velocity-map imaging of the CnH− (n = 5–9) anions

High-resolution photoelectron spectra of the CnH− anions with n = 5–9 are acquired with slow electron velocity-map imaging (SEVI). Spectral features are assigned with the help of electronic structure calculations and Franck–Condon simulations. Well-resolved transitions to the linear 2Π and a4Σ− neutral states are observed for species with an odd number of carbon atoms. For C6H− and C8H−, transitions to the 2Π neutral ground state and the low lying A2Σ+ excited state are observed. Precise electron affinities, term energies, fine structure splittings, and gas-phase vibrational frequencies are determined. The C5H−, C7H− and C9H− SEVI spectra are consistent with the anions having 3Σ− linear triplet ground states.
Assessment of the Framingham risk factors among ED patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation.

Abstract Study Objective Atrial fibrillation (AF) is often first diagnosed in the emergency department (ED) and accounts for nearly 1% of all emergency department (ED) visits. Our objective was to assess the Framingham Heart Study risk score for AF development in ED patients with newly diagnosed AF. Methods We systematically reviewed the electronic medical records of ED patients with newly diagnosed AF between August 2005 and July 2008. We measured the frequency of the Framingham Heart Study predictors and calculated each patient's risk score. Results During the 3-year study period, 914 patients had 1228 ED visits. New AF was diagnosed in 296 (32%) patients. Among these patients, 107 (36%) were female, 127 (43%) had prior ED visits since 2003, 189 (64%) were taking hypertension medications and 170 (57.4%) had previous electrocardiograms with measurable PR intervals. The median PR interval was 166 ms (151 to 180) and 60% of available PR intervals were 160 ms or greater. The median (interquartile range) age, body mass index, and systolic blood pressure were 66 years (53-77), 27 (23-31), and 134 mm Hg (118-151), respectively. Median risk score was 7 (3-9) indicating high predicted risk. Heart failure and cardiac murmurs were previously diagnosed in 45 (15%) and 32 (11%) of these patients, respectively. Conclusions The Framingham risk factors for AF are commonly encountered among ED patients with newly diagnosed AF. The ED might provide an opportunity to identify patients at high risk for AF and refer them for primary prevention interventions.
Computational design of microscopic swimmers and capsules: From directed motion to collective behavior

Abstract Systems of motile microscopic particles can exhibit behaviors that resemble those of living microorganisms, including cooperative motion, self-organization, and adaptability to changing environments. Using mesoscale computational modeling, we design synthetic microswimmers and microcapsules that undergo controllable, self-propelled motion in solution. Stimuli-responsive hydrogels are used to actuate the microswimmers and to enable their navigation and chemotaxing behavior. The self-propelled motion of microcapsules on solid surfaces is achieved by the release of encapsulated solutes that alter the surface adhesiveness. These signaling solutes also enable interactions among multiple microcapsules that lead to complex, cooperative behavior. Our findings provide guidelines for creating microscopic devices and machines able to autonomously move and mimic the communication and chemotaxis of biological microorganisms.
Neural Constraints on Temporal-Spatial Metaphors

Metaphor theory proposes that our understanding of high-level concepts arises through metaphorical construction and extension. One class of metaphors that has been studied extensively within metaphor theory is TIME IS SPACE. The cross-cultural existence of this metaphor has traditionally been interpreted as being a result of our common embodied experiences in the world. In addition to these experiential mechanisms, we examine data from human neuroimaging, neuropsychology and monkey physiology demonstrating that the parietal cortex houses circuitry crucial for both temporal and spatial representations to argue that these neural structures create a predisposition towards a neural mapping between the domains of time and space, and thus provide a brain-based constraint on the universal TIME IS SPACE metaphor. These considerations further suggest that cultural artifacts that best fit the pre-existing structures of the brain are most easily learned, and are therefore most likely to be passed on to future generations.
Artemisinin-derived dimer ART-838 potently inhibited human acute leukemias, persisted in vivo, and synergized with antileukemic drugs

Artemisinins, endoperoxide-containing molecules, best known as antimalarials, have potent antineoplastic activity. The established antimalarial, artesunate (AS), and the novel artemisinin-derived trioxane diphenylphosphate dimer 838 (ART-838) inhibited growth of all 23 tested acute leukemia cell lines, reduced cell proliferation and clonogenicity, induced apoptosis, and increased intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ART-838 was 88-fold more potent that AS in vitro, inhibiting all leukemia cell lines at submicromolar concentrations. Both ART-838 and AS cooperated with several established antileukemic drugs and newer kinase inhibitors to inhibit leukemia cell growth. ART-838 had a longer plasma half-life than AS in immunodeficient NOD-SCID-IL2Rgnull (NSG) mice, remaining at effective antileukemic concentrations for >8h. Intermittent cycles of ART-838 inhibited growth of acute leukemia xenografts and primagrafts in NSG mice, at higher potency than AS. Based on these preclinical data, we propose that AS, with its established low toxicity and low cost, and ART-838, with its higher potency and longer persistence in vivo, should be further developed toward integration into antileukemic regimens.
Isolation and co-culture of rat parenchymal and non-parenchymal liver cells to evaluate cellular interactions and response

The liver is a central organ in the human body, and first line of defense between host and external environment. Liver response to any external perturbation is a collective reaction of resident liver cells. Most of the current in vitro liver models focus on hepatocytes, the primary metabolic component, omitting interactions and cues from surrounding environment and non-parenchymal cells (NPCs). Recent studies suggest that contributions of NPCs are vital, particularly in disease conditions, and outcomes of drugs and their metabolites. Along with hepatocytes, NPCs-Kupffer (KC), sinusoidal endothelial (LSEC) and stellate cells (SC) are major cellular components of the liver. Incorporation of primary cells in in vitro liver platforms is essential to emulate the functions of the liver, and its overall response. Herein, we isolate individual NPC cell fractions from rat livers and co-culture them in a transwell format incorporating primary rat hepatocytes with LSECs, SCs, and KCs. Our results indicate that the presence and contributions of multiple cells within the co-culture capture the interactions between hepatocytes and NPC, and modulates the responses to inflammatory stimulus such as LPS. The isolation and co-culture methods could provide a stable platform for creating in vitro liver models that provide defined functionality beyond hepatocytes alone.