cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of biofluids by paper spray MS: advances and challenges

Paper spray MS is part of a cohort of ambient ionization or direct analysis methods that seek to analyze complex samples without prior sample preparation. Extraction and electrospray ionization occur directly from the paper substrate upon which a dried matrix spot is stored. Paper spray MS is capable of detecting drugs directly from dried blood, plasma and urine spots at the low ng/ml to pg/ml levels without sample preparation. No front end separation is performed, so MS/MS or high-resolution MS is required. Here, we discuss paper spray methodology, give a comprehensive literature review of the use of paper spray MS for bioanalysis, discuss technological advancements and variations on this technique and discuss some of its limitations.
Influence of daily social stimulation on behavioral and physiological outcomes in an animal model of PTSD

Introduction We have shown in previous work that acute episodes of predator exposure occurring in the context of chronic social instability produced PTSD-like sequelae in rats. Our animal model of PTSD contained two components: (1) acute trauma, immobilization of rats in close proximity to a cat twice in 10 days, and (2) chronic social instability, 31 days of randomized housing of cage cohorts. Here we tested the hypothesis that daily social stimulation would block the development of the PTSD-like sequelae. Methods Beginning 24 h after the first cat exposure, adult male rats were given our established PTSD model, alone or in conjunction with daily social stimulation, in which all rats within a group interacted in a large apparatus for 2 h each day for the final 30 days of the PTSD regimen. All behavioral, for example, anxiety, memory, startle testing, and physiological assessments, for example, body growth, organ weights, and corticosterone levels, took place following completion of the psychosocial stress period. Results Daily social stimulation blocked the expression of a subset of PTSD-like effects, including predator-based cued fear conditioning, enhanced startle response, heightened anxiety on the elevated plus maze and the stress-induced suppression of growth rate. We also found that social stimulation and psychosocial stress produced equivalent outcomes in some measures, including adrenal and heart hypertrophy, thymus atrophy, and a reduction in poststress corticosterone levels. Conclusions Daily exposure of rats to a highly social environment blocked the development of a subset of trauma-induced sequelae, particularly fear-related outcomes. It is notable that daily social stimulation normalized a subset, but not all, of the PTSD-like effects. We discuss our findings in the context of the literature demonstrating that social stimulation can counteract the adverse effects of traumatic stress on behavioral and physiological measures, as well as to produce its own stress-like outcomes.
A Social Justice Theory of Active Equality for Technical Communication

Certain aspects of social justice research tacitly work from political frameworks of “passive equality.” Passive equality can limit a technical communicator’s ability to enact social justice in ter...
“I Want to Do More and Change Things” Reframing CTE Toward Possibilities in Urban Education

This article addresses the discourse on career and technical education (CTE) from a multiperspectival approach to challenge the persisting academic-vocational divide. The author illustrates the par...
PREPARATION OF Fe_3O_4 NANO-PARTICLES AND ITS CHARACTER OF AUXILIARY ADSORPTION TO HEAVY METAL IONS

By hydrolization method with half permeable membrane, Fe3O4 nano-particles were prepared, using self made bio-polymeric ferric sulphate as raw materials and NaOH as sediment agent. The product was characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Their characters of auxiliary adsorption and separation to heavy metal ions lead(Ⅱ) , copper (Ⅱ) and chromium (Ⅳ) were studied. The results indicated that the purity of Fe3O4 was high and their average size was about 15nm. Based on the characters of huge surface area and lack of surface coordinate and paramagnetism of Fe3O4 nano-particles, composite Sphearotilus natans with Fe3O4 to improve their adsorption effect. The composite adsorbent can be reused by regeneration. Fe3O4 nano particles could become the coagulation cores of Sphearotilus natans and help the system turn into clarification.
Analysis on common defects in bioequivalence studies of drug registrations

This article analyzed and discussed the common defects in bioequivalence studies of drug registrations,such as defects concerned with test design,choosing of reference drug product,manufacture and assay of test drug product,bioanalytical method etc.The discussion also dealt with considerations and suggestions on handling and retention of test samples,food-effect bioavailability and bioequivalence limit.
Smooth muscle adenosine A1 receptors couple to disparate effectors by distinct G proteins in pregnant myometrium

We have previously shown that adenosine, acting at an A1 receptor, contracts the smooth muscle of virgin guinea pig uterus (M. A. Smith, I. L. O. Buxton, and D. P. Westfall. J. Pharmacol, Exp. Ther. 247: 1059-1063, 1988) and is not coupled to the expected inhibition of adenylate cyclase (M. A. Smith, J. L. Silverstein, D. P. Westfall, and I. L. O. Buxton. Cell. Signal. 1: 357-365, 1989). To probe the importance of contractile actions of adenosine in uterine smooth muscle and to further characterize the signal transduction pathway involved in A1-receptor action, we have studied the adenosine receptor and its coupling in pregnant guinea pig myometrium. Adenosine agonist and antagonist radioligands bind to saturable sites of the A1 subtype homogeneously distributed in the smooth muscle of pregnant guinea pig uterus. Agonist competition of antagonist radioligand binding in both the absence and presence of guanine nucleotide reveals high and low agonist affinity states of the receptor. Pretreatment of tissues with pertussis toxin (PTx) shifts the high-affinity sites to a lower affinity but does not affect low-affinity sites, whereas agonist competition in the presence of guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) is indistinguishable from the control, which is consistent with coupling of A1 receptors to both PTx-sensitive and PTx-insensitive GTP-binding proteins. Adenosine receptor inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity is prevented after pretreatment of the tissue with PTx, whereas increased inositol phosphate production is not. The data presented here are consistent with coupling of the A1 receptor to dual effectors in the pregnant state of the smooth muscle. The unique action of an A1 receptor to contract mammalian smooth muscle and the appearance, only in the pregnant state, of coupling to adenylate cyclase inhibition suggest a role for adenosine in parturition biology.
Does Omission of Ureteral Stents Increase Risk of Unplanned Return Visit? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: Post-ureteroscopy ureteral stent omission remains controversial. Although omission is associated with reduced postoperative discomfort, concern remains for early obstruction. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of trials to compare the risk of unplanned visits with vs without a stent following ureteroscopy for nephrolithiasis.Materials and Methods: Randomized, controlled trials and observational studies comparing post-ureteroscopic stent omission vs placement and reporting unplanned visits within 30 days were identified via a search of MEDLINE® (1946 to 2015), CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, 1898 to 2015), Embase® (1947 to 2015), ClinicalTrials.gov (1997 to 2015), AUA (American Urological Association) Annual Meeting abstracts (2011 to 2015) and reference lists of included articles as last updated in October 2015. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed methodological quality. ORs, RRs and weighted mean differences were calculated as appropri...
Viral and non-viral vectors for cancer gene therapy.

Background Our research has focused on developing improved delivery vectors for treating cancer by gene therapy using the tumor suppressor p53 gene. Materials and methods Recombinant viral and non-viral vectors were used to deliver the p53 gene into non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells either in culture or as a subcutaneous tumor. Transduction of tumor cells was measured by beta-gal expression while tumor cell proliferation was used to measure the effect of p53. Results High level transduction was obtained in vitro and in vivo with a recombinant adenoviral vector, resulting in tumor cell growth inhibition in both models. A targeted, non-viral gene delivery vector based on the use of an EGF/DNA polyplex also resulted in efficient (as high as 66% transduction) and specific gene delivery in vitro when replication defective adenovirus was used as an endosome release agent. Conclusion These vectors now provide improved methods to deliver therapeutic genes for cancer treatment by gene therapy.
Characterization of interstrand DNA-DNA cross-links derived from abasic sites using bacteriophage ϕ29 DNA polymerase

Interstrand cross-links in cellular DNA are highly deleterious lesions that block transcription and replication. We recently characterized two new structural types of interstrand cross-links derived from the reaction of abasic (Ap) sites with either guanine or adenine residues in duplex DNA. Interestingly, these Ap-derived cross-links are forged by chemically reversible processes, in which the two strands of the duplex are joined by hemiaminal, imine, or aminoglycoside linkages. Therefore, understanding the stability of Ap-derived cross-links may be critical in defining the potential biological consequences of these lesions. Here we employed bacteriophage φ29 DNA polymerase, which can couple DNA synthesis and strand displacement, as a model system to examine whether dA-Ap cross-links can withstand DNA-processing enzymes. We first demonstrated that a chemically stable interstrand cross-link generated by hydride reduction of the dG-Ap cross-link completely blocked primer extension by φ29 DNA polymerase at t...
An overview of alcohol and tobacco/nicotine interactions in the human laboratory.

ABSTRACTBackground: Alcohol use disorders and tobacco use contribute significant risk to the global burden of disease, and each are major public health concerns. Together, alcohol and tobacco use are highly comorbid and have multiplicative health risks when used concurrently, underscoring the importance of examining alcohol-tobacco interactions in the human laboratory. Objective: The aims of this review were to summarize the state of research examining alcohol-tobacco interactions in the human laboratory. Methods: We reviewed human laboratory evidence for alcohol and tobacco/nicotine interactions, including 1) craving in drinkers and smokers exposed to smoking or drinking cues, 2) fixed-dosing of alcohol or nicotine in smokers and drinkers, and 3) smoking and alcohol influences on self-administration behaviors. The interactive effects of tobacco/nicotine with other drugs of abuse are also briefly discussed. Results: Overall, results identified that alcohol and tobacco have reciprocal influences on potenti...
Natural Canopy Damage and the Ecological Restoration of Fire-Indicative Groundcover Vegetation in an Oak-Pine Forest

An important goal of restoring fire to upland oak-dominated communities that have experienced fire exclusion is restoring groundcover plant species diversity and composition indicative of fire-maintained habitats. Several studies have shown that fire alone, however, may not be sufficient to accomplish this goal. Furthermore, treatment-driven declines in rare forest specialists could negate the benefits of ecological restoration in these ecosystems. I present the results of an experiment examining effects of tornado-generated canopy openings and biennial spring burning on groundcover vegetation at an oak-pine forest in north Mississippi, USA. Results from four years of monitoring showed that species richness and abundance of species indicative of fire-maintained open habitats were greater at sites with canopy damage than at sites with undamaged canopies, especially in years without drought. Annual ruderals increased initially following canopy damage but then decreased. Few forest indicator species changed in abundance, and the few that did increased. Canopy openings appeared to have a greater effect than fire on groundcover vegetation, although some legumes and panicgrasses appeared to benefit directly from fire. Results suggest that fire restoration treatments must include both canopy openings and fire to effectively increase the diversity and distinctiveness of groundcover vegetation in mixed oak-pine forests. Prescribed burning after years of fire exclusion, by itself, does not constitute effective restoration of fire (at least in the short term), but it also does not appear to reduce the abundance of rare, forest-specialist groundcover species.
Event study methodology in the marketing literature: an overview

Event studies examine stock price movements around corporate events. These events can be voluntary firm announcements (e.g., new product introduction, alliance formation, channel restructuring) or announcements made by other entities such as regulatory bodies (e.g., FDA approval) or competitors (e.g., new market entry). The event study methodology was developed by finance researchers but has been widely adopted in other fields, including marketing. We review the manner in which event studies have been used in the marketing literature and summarize the current state of knowledge about the design and interpretation of event studies. We provide guidelines for researchers who use this methodology and for readers who draw inferences from results obtained from event studies, and we highlight a few areas where the methodology can be leveraged to help us better understand the financial value of marketing actions.
Progression of type 2 diabetes and insulin initiation.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is significantly greater among African Americans compared to some other ethnic groups. The reasons for this increased incidence are due at least in part to the increased frequency of obesity, especially among African American women. The onset of hyperglycemia, after many years of insulin resistance, is due to B cell dysfunction that slowly progresses to B cell failure, necessitating insulin replacement. The timely initiation of insulin therapy is a critical clinical decision for treating physicians managing patients, especially when the patient is hesitant to begin insulin therapy. The availability of various insulin formulations gives the opportunity to tailor insulin therapy based on a patient's personal insulin requirements and lifestyle. Specific issues related to insulin therapy such as patient preferences, quality of life, barriers to the addition of insulin to the treatment regimen, and the effectiveness of insulin therapy are illustrated using a case study.
Defense Counsel and Public Defence

Public defense delivery systems nationwide are grossly inadequate. Public defenders are forced to handle caseloads that no one could effectively manage. They often have no funding for investigation or expert assistance. They aren’t adequately trained, and there is little-to-no oversight of their work. In many jurisdictions, the public defense function is not sufficiently independent of the judiciary or the elected branches to allow for zealous representation. The result is an assembly line into prison, mostly for poor people of color, with little check on the reliability or fairness of the process. Innocent people are convicted, precious resources are wasted, and the legitimacy of the entire criminal justice system is undermined. This chapter suggests that effective reform is possible if policymakers address how public defense delivery systems are structured, whether they are independent, the sources and amount of funding allocated to public defense, and the adequacy of training and oversight mechanisms.
Parents' Perceptions of Physical Activity for Their Children with Visual Impairments.

IntroductionOngoing communication with parents and the acknowledgment of their preferences and expectations are crucial to promote the participation of physical activity by children with visual imp...
Validation Methodology: Review and Comments

A definition is suggested for computational aeroacoustics, and the role of validation methodology is briefly discussed. Some brief remarks are made concerning the subject session. The question is raised as to why it is especially appropriate in 1992 to contemplate the initiation of major research efforts in computational acoustics, and a list of possible reasons is given.
A system using patient-specific 3D-printed molds to spatially align in vivo MRI with ex vivo MRI and whole-mount histopathology for prostate cancer research.

BACKGROUND Patient-specific 3D-printed molds and ex vivo MRI of the resected prostate have been two important strategies to align MRI with whole-mount histopathology (WMHP) for prostate cancer (PCa) research, but the combination of these two strategies has not been systematically evaluated. PURPOSE To develop and evaluate a system that combines patient-specific 3D-printed molds with ex vivo MRI (ExV) to spatially align in vivo MRI (InV), ExV, and WMHP in PCa patients. STUDY TYPE Prospective cohort study. POPULATION Seventeen PCa patients who underwent 3T MRI and robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCES T2 -weighted turbo spin-echo sequences at 3T. ASSESSMENT Immediately after RALP, the fresh whole prostate specimens were imaged in patient-specific 3D-printed molds by 3T MRI and then sectioned to create WMHP slides. The time required for ExV was measured to assess impact on workflow. InV, ExV, and WMHP images were registered. Spatial alignment was evaluated using: slide offset (mm) between ExV slice locations and WMHP slides; overlap of the 3D prostate contour on InV versus ExV using Dice's coefficient (0 to 1); and 2D target registration error (TRE, mm) between corresponding landmarks on InV, ExV, and WMHP. Data are reported as mean ± standard deviation (SD). STATISTICAL TESTING Differences in 2D TRE before versus after registration were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (P < 0.05 considered significant). RESULTS ExV (duration 115 ± 15 min) was successfully incorporated into the workflow for all cases. Absolute slide offset was 1.58 ± 1.57 mm. Dice's coefficient was 0.865 ± 0.035. 2D TRE was significantly reduced after registration (P < 0.01) with mean (±SD of per patient means) of 1.9 ± 0.6 mm for InV versus ExV, 1.4 ± 0.5 mm for WMHP versus ExV, and 2.0 ± 0.5 mm for WMHP versus InV. DATA CONCLUSION The proposed system combines patient-specific 3D-printed molds with ExV to achieve spatial alignment between InV, ExV, and WMHP with mean 2D TRE of 1-2 mm. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:270-279.
Using tax dollars for re-election: the impact of pork-barrel spending on electoral success

Pork-barrel spending is the appropriation of federal money for use in projects that only benefit narrowly defined groups. In the past, researchers have attempted to show that pork-barrel spending increases the likelihood of an incumbent being reelected but empirical evidence has been hard to find. I hypothesize that pork-barrel spending does not directly increase the likelihood of reelection; instead, pork-barrel spending can be used to increase fundraising and the additional campaign funds are then used to increase the likelihood of being reelected. I find that a $10 million increase in pork-barrel spending will lead to a 0.10% increase in the share of the vote in an election. While this may not seem like a major advantage to some, several elections over the past few years have been decided by < 1%. Therefore, legislators in tightly contested races may be able to use pork-barrel spending to gain some degree of separation from their challenger.
Cardiac Collapse Secondary to Phenytoin Toxicity in a Neonate Treated with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support (ECMO)

Although medication toxicity is uncommon in neonates, there are several medications used in this population that pose a risk. Phenytoin has an increased risk of toxicity given its narrow therapeutic window and variations in drug elimination. We describe the case of a 3-day-old male infant who developed cardiovascular collapse secondary to severe phenytoin toxicity (max phenytoin level 86 μg/mL) and was placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (ECMO). Several ancillary treatments were utilized in an attempt to decrease serum phenytoin concentrations and limit toxicity including albumin boluses, phenobarbital administration, intravenous lipid infusion, and folic acid supplementation. Although uncommon, drug toxicity should be considered in patients with acute changes who are exposed to medications with potential toxicity. With elevated levels of phenytoin, the half-life can be prolonged resulting in longer exposure to elevated levels of the drug as seen in our patient. This case report highlights the importance of ECMO utilization for cardiac support in neonates with medication toxicity and other potential ancillary treatments to decrease serum phenytoin concentrations.
Tarsal fractures: part 1

While fractures of the tarsal bones may not be common in non-racing dog and cat populations, an awareness of these injuries and the gold-standard treatment thereof remains important. Failure to dia...
Increase in and Donor Organ Ischemic Time and Travel Distance after the Implementation of the New Heart Allocation System

Purpose In October of 2018, OPTN revised the heart allocation policy, allowing for offers from a wider geographic area for patients of higher acuity. This study aims to examine its effect on donor organ travel distance and ischemic time, which may adversely affect outcomes. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of adult patients who received heart transplants in the OPTN database between May, 2018- May, 2019. Two cohorts were defined with respect to the policy's timeline: patients transplanted before (Era 1) or after 10/2018 (Era 2). Results We identified 2,434 patients 1,294 of whom were transplanted in era 1 and 1,140 in era 2. Age, gender, etiology, and comorbidities were similar. In era 2, IABP (7.7% vs. 22.5%, p 4 hours nearly doubled (15% vs 29%, p Conclusion Patients receiving heart transplants, especially those of higher acuity, experience longer ischemic windows and travel distances in Era 2. Future studies on the impact this trend on transplant outcomes is warranted.
Too Big, Too Small or Just Right? Why the 28 French Chest Tube Is the Best Size.

Abstract Background Tube thoracostomy is a commonly performed procedure in trauma patients. The optimal chest tube size is unknown. This study measures chest tube drainage in a controlled laboratory setting and compares measured flowrates to those predicted by the Hagen–Poiseuille equation. Materials and methods A model of massive hemothorax was created, consisting of a basin containing synthetic blood substitute (aqueous Glycerin and Xanthan gum) and a standard pleur-evac setup at −20 cm H2O suction. Flow measurements were calculated by measuring the time to drain 2L of blood substitute from the basin. Chest tube sizes tested were 20F, 24F, 28F, 32F, and 36F. Thoracostomy opening was modeled using custom built device that represents two ribs, with the distance between varied 2 to 12 mm. Flowrate increases were compared against predicted increases according to the Hagen–Poiseuille equation. Percent of predicted increase was calculated, both incremental increase and using 20F tube benchmark. Results All tubes were occluded at a 2 mm thoracostomy opening. At 3 mm, 32F and 36F were occluded while smaller tubes were patent. Tubes 28F and larger exhibited high speed and consistent flowrates, even after decreasing thoracostomy opening down to 7 mm, while flowrates rapidly decreased at opening smaller than 7 mm. Smaller 24F and 20F tubes exhibited highly variable flowrates through the system. Maximum flowrates were 21.7, 36.8, 49.6, 55.6, and 61.0 mL/s for 20F–36F tubes, respectively. The incremental increase in flow ratio for increasing chest tube size was 1.69 (20F to 24F), 1.35 (24F to 28F), 1.12 (28F to 32F), and 1.10 (32F to 36F). Conclusions The 28F chest tube exhibited high and consistent velocity, while smaller tubes were slower and more variable. Larger tubes offered only slightly higher flowrates. The 28F is a good balance of reasonable size and high flowrate and is likely the optimal size for most clinical applications.
Multipole conservation laws and subdiffusion in any dimension

Subdiffusion is a generic feature of chaotic many-body dynamics with multipole conservation laws and subsystem symmetries. We numerically study this subdiffusive dynamics, using quantum automaton random unitary circuits, in a broad range of models including one-dimensional models with dipole and quadrupole conservation, two-dimensional models with dipole conservation, and two-dimensional models with subsystem symmetry on the triangular lattice. Our results are in complete agreement with recent hydrodynamic predictions for such theories.
Acute traumatic injuries of the adrenal gland: results of analysis of the Pennsylvania trauma outcomes study registry

Background Blunt injuries to the adrenal glands are considered rare, associated with severe injury, and highly mortal, based on autopsy series and earlier retrospective reviews. Recent studies have reported higher incidence rates associated with lower injury severity and mortality rates. Methods A 3-year review of the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcomes Study Registry of adults with intra-abdominal injuries after blunt trauma was performed and associated organ injuries, injury parameters and in-hospital mortality were compared between those with and those without adrenal gland injury. Results 5679 patient records were identified, 439 with adrenal gland injuries and 5240 without. The liver and the kidney were the intra-abdominal organs most frequently associated with injuries to an adrenal gland, and the spleen was the intra-abdominal organ most frequently injured in those without an adrenal gland injury. There was no difference in mortality rates. Discussion Injuries to the adrenal gland occur with an incidence of 0.43% after blunt force trauma. The presence of a blunt adrenal gland injury is not a marker of severe injury or associated with an increased mortality rate. Level of evidence II, Retrospective Study.
Lessons on Mass Gatherings Learned From the 2019 Union Cycliste Internationale Mountain Bike World Cup.

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Mountain Bike World Cup in 2019 provided unique challenges for effective prehospital care. While on-site medical care has demonstrated improved outcomes along with reduced emergency department and emergency medical services (EMS) utilization, this aspect has not been well documented in the literature with respect to rural mass gathering events (MGEs). Conducted at a large mass gathering event in a geographically isolated area, this study aimed to assess the medical needs at this specific event and will hopefully assist in future coordination of similar events. All patients who were treated at the event clinic were included in the analysis. Primary investigators collected and recorded data while providing care. We believe the on-site clinic was successful in reducing barriers to healthcare by improving access, streamlining the treatment process, and optimizing resource utilization. This benefit extended to race participants, support staff, spectators, and the local EMS system.
Oxylipin biosynthesis reinforces cellular senescence and allows detection of senolysis

Summary Cellular senescence is a stress or damage response that causes a permanent proliferative arrest and secretion of numerous factors with potent biological activities. This senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) has been characterized largely for secreted proteins that participate in embryogenesis, wound healing, inflammation, and many age-related pathologies. By contrast, lipid components of the SASP are understudied. We show that senescent cells activate the biosynthesis of several oxylipins that promote segments of the SASP and reinforce the proliferative arrest. Notably, senescent cells synthesize and accumulate an unstudied intracellular prostaglandin, 1a,1b-dihomo-15-deoxy-delta-12,14-prostaglandin J2. Released 15-deoxy-delta-12,14-prostaglandin J2 is a biomarker of senolysis in culture and in vivo. This and other prostaglandin D2-related lipids promote the senescence arrest and SASP by activating RAS signaling. These data identify an important aspect of cellular senescence and a method to detect senolysis.
Local Staff Perceptions and Expectations of International Visitors in Global Surgery Rotations.

This survey study investigates how local staff at a partner facility perceived the role of international visiting health care workers and the impact of hosting international workers on the facility and staff.
P15 Overeating: What Does It Mean To African American Female Caretakers?

Background African American women are disproportionately burdened with cardiovascular disease and co-morbid risk factors. Overeating has been established as a cardiovascular disease risk factor though there is limited evidence of its impact on cardiovascular disease risk in African American female caretakers. It is important to understand diet-related cardiovascular disease risk as it relates to overeating in this population given the potential impact of maternal dietary behaviors on children's dietary behaviors. Objective To explore how African American female caretakers describe overeating. Study Design, Settings and Participants This phenomenological study collected qualitative data on participants’ views on overeating through individual online interviews using an interview guide. Participants were recruited from a local university's electronic listserv which included self-identified African American students and staff members Measurable Outcome/Analysis Data were content analyzed to identify themes related to general eating behaviors and overeating. Results Participants (n = 8) were university staff members and students identified as African American female caretakers with an average age of 33 years. Overeating was described using a variety of concepts ranging from high weight status to unawareness of satiety signals and with terms such as ‘stuffed’ and ‘disordered eating.’ The phrase ‘physically uncomfortable’ was used to describe overeating in 50% of the interviews. When overeating, participants reported having a distinct taste preference for high-energy, carbohydrate-rich foods, such as cakes and cookies. Overeating occurred in social settings, including family and cultural events, over 50% of the time and as a result of daily stressors. Conclusion Culture, emotion and family play an integral role in how and when overeating occurs among this group. Consumption of energy dense foods because of overeating is particularly relevant because of the contribution to diet related chronic disease risk. Given the high rates of chronic disease among African American women, an understanding of how overeating is defined for this population will aid nutrition professionals in tailoring messages.
Changing the Personal Narrative: A Pilot Study of a Resiliency Intervention for Military Spouses

The more than decade long tempo of war has taken a considerable toll on military families, with the rates of mental health concerns in non-deployed spouses on the rise. To date, few evidence-based programs exist to meet the unique needs of military spouses. The current study presents early findings from the development and implementation of HomeFront Strong (HFS), an 8 week group-based resiliency intervention designed to support military spouses through deployment transitions. In three group cohorts, 20 women completed the HFS intervention, and 14 of those participants provided evaluation data at the pre-group and 3 month follow up (3MFU) assessments, including a semi-structured interview designed to elicit a personal narrative about deployment experiences. Thematic analyses of the personal narratives demonstrated that negative cognitions (e.g., helplessness; feeling unsupported) about deployment were associated with higher rates of depression prior to group participation. At 3MFU, personal narratives included more positive cognitions and fewer negative cognitions, suggesting that HFS changed the way spouses thought about their deployment experiences. Moreover, participants reported fewer symptoms of depression, higher levels of social support, and greater life satisfaction at 3MFU. While this Phase I study is small and lacks a comparison group, the demonstration of positive results is promising and warrants further attention.
Effect of temperature abuse on frozen army rations: Part 2: Predicting microbial spoilage.

Abstract Numerically simulated heat transfer model of frozen US military rations was combined with microbial kinetics to predict the microbial spoilage of the food products, during two possible temperature abuse scenarios. An army breakfast menu box containing five different food items was selected for conducting this research. One of the food item in the menu box, beefsteak, was chosen for detailed microbial study. A microbial predictive tool was used to identify and evaluate the kinetics of the most prone microorganism that can grow in a beefsteak. Numerical predictions suggested that the food items exposed to external temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 40 °C can be allowed to stay at those temperatures for maximum times of 28.7 h to 11.9 h, respectively. The food items can be allowed to stay inside the broken freezer for a maximum time of 186 h, to ensure microbial safety in the case of freezer failure.
THERMODESTRUCTION OF BACILLUS SPORES IN MILK1

The rate of heat destruction of spores of 12 selected strains of Bacillus species was determined in skimmilk. Bacillus cereus and Bacillus licheniformis, the most prevalent Bacillus species in raw milk, were most heat resistant. The D values at 100 C ranged from 0.875 min for Bacillus pumilus to 4.10 min for B. licheniformis A-5. Extremes for Z values were 6.4 C for B. licheniformis A-1 and 11.5 C for Bacillus circulans. For each of the spores studied, linear regression equations with standard error are presented for the thermal destruction process at 95, 97.5, and 100 C. Heat resistance of bacillus spores in milk varied between the strains studied and the heating conditions imposed.
Neutron Transport Models and Methods for HZETRN and Coupling to Low Energy Light Ion Transport

Exposure estimates inside space vehicles, surface habitats, and high altitude aircraft exposed to space radiation are highly influenced by secondary neutron production. The deterministic transport code HZETRN has been identified as a reliable and efficient tool for such studies, but improvements to the underlying transport models and numerical methods are still necessary. In this paper, the forward-backward (FB) and directionally coupled forward-backward (DC) neutron transport models are derived, numerical methods for the FB model are reviewed, and a computationally efficient numerical solution is presented for the DC model. Both models are compared to the Monte Carlo codes HETCHEDS and FLUKA, and the DC model is shown to agree closely with the Monte Carlo results. Finally, it is found in the development of either model that the decoupling of low energy neutrons from the light ion (A<4) transport procedure adversely affects low energy light ion fluence spectra and exposure quantities. A first order correction is presented to resolve the problem, and it is shown to be both accurate and efficient.
An Ordered Set Approach to Neutral Consensus Functions

Several authors have investigated consensus functions from the viewpoint of stability families. It will be shown that the stability family approach extends and enriches the ordered set approach to consensus theory. Our investigation will center on the notions of sup and inf-irreducible elements of a finite ordered set. We will see that irreducible elements give rise to natural internal stability families for a given ordered set X. We will investigate the relationship between these internal stability families and abstract stability families. Special attention will be paid to the study of different types of neutrality, thus extending earlier work of B. Monjardet. We will be particularly interested in the change in the available neutral consensus functions on an ordered set when a given internal stability family is changed.
THERAPY OF TUBERCULOSIS IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN

Streptomycin, or dihydrostreptomycin, along with other agents, such as promizole® or PAS, is of value in the treatment of serious forms of tuberculosis in infants and children. Progressive pulmonary tuberculosis and miliary tuberculosis seem to respond most satisfactorily. Tuberculous meningitis has a serious prognosis but some patients apparently have this infection arrested. The use of streptomycin for patients with forms of tuberculosis which have a good prognosis without treatment is not recommended. The potential toxicity of the drug and the possible emergence of streptomycin-resistant tubercle bacilli are the major reasons for this recommendation.
Protein dynamic studies move to a new time slot.

Many proteins frequently undergo structural rearrangement to complete their functions. Ligand entry and binding are often associated with some degree of localized disorder. Indeed, low populations of disordered excited states may help drive such processes. Characterization of these states is vital to understanding the mechanisms of many biological functions.
Nested Algorithms and ``The Original Imitation Game Test'': A Reply to James Moor

View/download or read postprint via a streaming viewer with the turning page feature in SOAR, or click on the DOI link to access the publisher's copy of this article (may not be free)
Transport and magnetic properties of a doped organic semiconductor — TTF with bromine

In organic metals of the TTF-TCNQ family, the partial filling of the conduction bands is achieved by a charge-transfer reaction between the donor and acceptor components. Typically the conducting phase resulting from this reaction has a fixed stoichiometry. Doping experiments which were performed on these organic metals have been very useful in understanding the detailed features of the phase transitions as well as in clarifying the individual roles of the two kinds of stacks, donor and acceptor. The extreme sensitivity of the various physical propert ies to doping can be explained by the quasi one-dimensional nature of the compounds of interest.
Alpha-Particle Models for Si 28 and S 32

Energy levels of ${\mathrm{Si}}^{28}$ and ${\mathrm{S}}^{32}$ have been correlated with predictions of alpha-particle models belonging to various point groups. For ${\mathrm{Si}}^{28}$ best results were obtained with the alpha particles arranged in two tetrahedra sharing a common vertex and having either ${D}_{3h}$ or ${D}_{3d}$ symmetry. For ${\mathrm{S}}^{32}$ the most suitable structures consist of two tetrahedra placed base to base with ${D}_{3h}$ or ${D}_{3d}$ symmetry. The tetrahedra are not regular, however.
Clinical use of a concomitant boost technique using a gypsum compensator.

Abstract Purpose: To develop a clinical procedure to treat field within a field (concomitant boost) portals with a single compensated field. Methods and Materials: An ordinary manual cerrobend block former was used to produce styrofoam molds from simulator film data. A special gypsum compound was poured into the molds. The compensator block is independently mounted to the treatment machine via a custom-made compensator holder. Results: Measurements confirm that the inhomogeneous dose distribution has been reliably delivered via this technique. The accuracy of placement of the high dose region is sufficient for clinical use. Conclusion: The procedure enables the concomitant boost effect to be easily implemented in the clinic without increasing clinical setup time.
High tunability mixed order photonic crystal

We propose a design for high tunability one-dimensional photonic-crystal which consists of alternating layers of isotropic material and liquid crystal layers. Numerical models confirm the tunability over the visible region ranging from 480 to 560 nm for a mixed order device using a material birefringence of 0.3, and to 620 nm if a birefringence of 0.6 is allowed. Modeled devices having active layers with mλ/4 and passive layers with nλ/4 thickness for the case of m and n odd integers are presented. The advantage of m>n is shown to be greater tunability for a given free spectral range.
Learning bidding strategies with autonomous agents in environments with unstable equilibrium

The role of automated agents for decision support in the electronic marketplace has been growing steadily and has been attracting a lot of research from the artificial intelligence community as well as from economists. In this paper, we study the efficacy of using automated agents for learning bidding strategies in contexts of strategic interaction involving multiple sellers in reverse auctions. Standard game-theoretic analysis of the problem assumes completely rational and omniscient agents to derive Nash equilibrium seller policy. Most of the literature on use of learning agents uses convergence to Nash equilibrium as the validating criterion. In this paper, we consider a problem where the Nash equilibrium is unstable and hence not useful as an evaluation criterion. Instead, we propose that agents should be able to learn the optimal or best response strategies when they exist (rational behavior) and should demonstrate low variance in profits (convergence). We present rationally bounded, evolutionary and reinforcement learning agents that learn these desirable properties of rational behavior and convergence.
Nanocrystalline Zinc-Oxide-Embedded Zirconium-Doped Hafnium Oxide for Nonvolatile Memories

Memory devices containing nanocrystalline ZnO-embedded Zr-doped HfO 2 high-k dielectric film have been prepared and characterized. The memory effect was manifested by the large counterclockwise capacitance-voltage hysteresis, e.g., 1.22 at ±6 V gate bias, and negative differential resistance region in the positive bias current-voltage range. The maximum trapped charge density of 6.43 X 10 12 cm -2 was obtained after -9 → + 9 → -9 V sweep voltage range. The memory effects were mainly caused by electron trapping at low bias voltage. A large memory operation window, e.g., 0.90 V, with a long charge-retention time, e.g., >36,000 s, was achieved under the proper gate-stress voltage. It is a viable dielectric for future nanosize metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors and capacitors.
The role of retinoids in preventing second lung cancers

The field cancerization hypothesis has guided the development of a series of retinoid chemoprevention trials in the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) and lung. The hypothesis suggests that the entire epithelium of the UADT and lungs is exposed to inhaled carcinogens and at risk for the development of cancer. The term field cancerization was first used to describe the frequent occurrence of multifocal tumors and premalignant lesions in pathologic specimens from resected head and neck cancers [I]. Epithelial premalignant lesions occur most often in individuals who have been exposed to carcinogens, such as tobacco smoke. In the oral cavity, leukoplakia, whitish plaques that cannot be otherwise characterized, have been associated with the development of invasive cancer. In the lungs, squamous metaplasia, the replacement of the normal columnar epithelial lining with a squamous epithelium, frequently appears in tobacco users and in surgical specimens obtained during resection of a lung cancer. The presence of dysplasia is not necessary for the diagnosis of leukoplakia or squamous metaplasia but may be associated with the progression to cancer. The occurrence of second primary tumors (SPTs) is another important aspect of field cancerization (Table 1). The carcinogenic process that results in the initial cancer has also been associated with damage to the remainder of the epithelium. SPT’s develop in 2040% of patients successfully treated for squamous cell cancers of the head and neck and in lO-20% of patients after resection of early stage non-small cell lung cancers [2-51. SPTs develop predominantly within the exposed field, the lungs and UADT [6]. The initial description of field cancerization was based on the interpretation of histologic findings. Considerable attention is now being directed towards the molecular aspects of field cancerization. Identification of the changes that are crucial to the multistep process of carcinogenesis, would both define field cancerization and focus chemoprevention efforts.
Considering uncertainty in comparing the burden of illness due to foodborne microbial pathogens.

Abstract The uncertainty attendant to burden-of-illness estimates should be taken into account in comparing the public health impact of different foodborne pathogens. In this paper, decision analysis concepts are applied to the comparisons of pathogen-specific burden-of-illness estimates. In situations wherein the magnitude of uncertainty varies, the rank order of pathogen-specific burden-of-illness estimates is sensitive to the decisional criteria applied. To illustrate the magnitude of attendant uncertainty in pathogen-specific foodborne-illness estimates, probabilistic risk assessment methods are used to characterize the uncertainty regarding the burden of illness due to Escherichia coli O157:H7. The magnitude of uncertainty about the burden of food-related illness due to E. coli O157:H7 is substantial, ranging from less than 50,000 to more than 120,000 cases/year. This example underscores the importance of considering the uncertainty attendant to burden-of-illness estimates in comparing the public health impacts of different pathogens. Although some would argue that the expected value of the number of illnesses provides the “best estimate” for decision-making, this merely reflects a decision-making rule of convention and not a scientific truism.
Electromigration and stress-induced voiding in fine Al and Al-alloy thin-filmed lines

Physical phenomena underlying failure due to electromigration and stress-induced voiding in fine Al and Al-alloy thin-film conducting lines are examined in the context of accelerated testing methods and structures. Aspects examined include effects due to line isolation (the absence of reservoirs at conductor ends), solute and precipitate phenomena, conductor critical (Blech) length, microstructure, film deposition conditions, and thermal processing subsequent to film deposition. Emphasis is on the isolated, submicron-wide, Al(Cu)-based thin-film interconnection lines of IBM VLSI logic and memory chips.
Differential sensitivity to amphetamine following long-term treatment with clozapine or haloperidol

When rats were pretreated for 8 consecutive days with 2.0 mg/kg haloperidol, injection of 2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg d-amphetamine 2 or 6 days later resulted in a larger increase in oral behaviors and a more prolonged period of focused sterotypy than in saline-pretreated controls. This increased sensitivity to amphetamine is consistent with the effects of a chronic haloperidol-induced increase in dopamine receptor sensitivity. In contrast, long-term treatment with either d-amphetamine or clozapine produced complex changes in the multiphasic behavioral response to amphetamine, which cannot be explained solely by a shift in the sensitivity of dopamine receptors.