cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lack of functional messenger RNA (mRNA) coding for a microtubule-associated protein correlates with poor performance of rats in a behavioral paradigm.

The cerebral cortices of Sprague-Dawley rats contain polysomal messenger RNA (mRNA) which directs the synthesis of either one or both of two closely related microtubule-associated proteins, A and B. The similarity of these proteins and the absence of rats whose cortices lack polysomal RNA for both A and B (A− B−) are findings that are consistent with the hypothesis that the structural genes for these proteins are allelic. Rats which lack the cortical polysomal mRNA that encodes the A protein perform significantly more poorly in an escape-avoidance paradigm than do rats which possess this mRNA.
Mortality in Prostate Cancer

AbstractPurpose: We evaluated in patients with prostate cancer whether treatment is associated with in decreased mortality and whether the association of treatment with mortality varies with calendar time.Materials and Methods: Using the 146,979 prostate cancer patients from the 1973 to 1990 public use tape of the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program, we performed survival analysis and multivariate proportional hazards modeling to estimate the relative risk of disease specific and overall mortality.Results: In men with prostate cancer, advanced age, black race, high tumor stage and not having treatment were independently associated with disease specific and overall mortality. The relative risk of mortality in treated patients decreased significantly from 1973 to 1990.Conclusions: The fact that advanced age and black race are associated with disease specific mortality (even when treatment and stage are controlled) is a new observation, which suggests that tumor biology and/or response to trea...
Diffusion anisotropy of hydrogen and deuterium on the tungsten (211) plane

Abstract The diffusion of 1H and 2H along and across the channels of a W(211) plane was studied from 80 to 250 K. There is unactivate diffusion, attributed to tunneling, at T D 0 ( 1 H) = 9×10 −5 cm 2 s −1 , E( 2 H) = 6.6 kcal , D 0 ( 2 H) = 5×10 −6 cm 2 s −1 for diffusion parallel to channels and E(1H) = 6.5 kcal, D 0 ( 1 H) = 8×10 −6 cm 2 s −1 , E( 2 H) = 6.1 kcal , D 0 ( 2 H) = 2×10 −6 cm 2 s −1 for di perpendicular to channels. For tunneling diffusion D1H) = 6 ×10−14cm2s−1, D( 2 H) = 5 ×10 −14 cm 2 s −1 for diffusion along channels and D( 1 H) = 4×10 −14 cm 2 s −1 , D( 2 H) = 3×10 −14 cm 2 s −1 for diffusion perpendicular to channels.
Clinical Results Following Revision Tibial Nerve Release

The results following revision tarsal tunnel release in 12 patients (13 feet), including three men and nine women aged 28 to 66 years, are presented. The indication for surgery was incapacitating focal pain, associated with paresthesias and hyperesthesias, refractory to nonoperative treatment modalities. Electrodiagnostic studies were abnormal in nine and normal in four cases. Revision surgery was performed a mean 3.5 years (range 1-10 years) after the initial tarsal tunnel release. Epineurolysis was performed in nine of the 13 cases where the nerve was encased in a scar. An insufficient previous distal release was identified in nine of the 13 cases. Wound infection occurred in two patients, one of whom ultimately underwent a below the knee amputation. With the exception of this patient, all patients were evaluated a mean 31 months (range 12-59 months) after the revision surgery. Three groups of patients were identified based on similarities in presentation, intraoperative findings, and clinical outcome. The first group (four feet), characterized by encasement of the tibial nerve in scar and an adequate distal release at the previous tarsal tunnel surgery, did poorly. The second group (five feet), with both scarring of the tibial nerve and an inadequate prior distal release, had somewhat mixed results, but overall were improved. The final group (four feet), who had no significant tibial nerve scarring but had had an inadequate prior distal release, did well. Clinical history and physical examination were more helpful than electrodiagnostic studies in determining the extent and location of the tibial nerve irritation following previous tarsal tunnel release surgery.
The mantle beneath the Red Sea margin: xenoliths from western Saudi Arabia

Abstract Xenoliths from alkali basalts in western Saudi Arabia provide the opportunity to study the composition and rheology of the mantle beneath the Red Sea rift margins. Characteristics of mantle xenolith suites from each of three localities in western Saudi Arabia can be related to locality position relative to the rift axis, and to crustal thickness and heat flow at each locality. Mantle xenoliths from Harrat al Birk, nearest the rift axis, are dominantly websterites (± spinel, plagioclase, amphibole, olivine), garnet clinopyroxenite, and two-pyroxene gabbro (± olivine); peridotite xenoliths, are rare. Garnet clinopyroxenites contain zoned clinopyroxene with Fe-Al-rich rims and reaction rims on garnet formed by breakdown of garnet to orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + spinel + plagioclase. Zoning and reaction rims are interpreted as forming under conditions of increasing temperature. Thermobarometry on Harrat al Birk garnet-bearing xenoliths yield high temperatures (1015–1040°C) at about 12 kbar. The abundance of plagioclase-bearing assemblages may be related to a relatively shallow upper mantle which extends up into stability fields for plagioclase-bearing pyroxenite and peridotite. Harrat al Kishb and Harrat Hutaymah are farther from the Red Sea axis, on the flanks of the rift. The mantle xenolith suites of al Kishb and Hutaymah are similar, consisting of abundant spinel peridotite and spinel pyroxenite xenoliths and minor garnet pyroxenites; plagioclase-bearing xenoliths are extremely rare. The Harrat Hutaymah suite includes wehrlite and amphibole-bearing peridotite lithologies not found at al Kishb. Variation of peridotite composition may reflect varying degrees of partial melt extraction. Igneous textures of some pyroxenite xenoliths and structural relationships in composite peridotite/pyroxenite nodules suggest that pyroxenites formed by crystallization of magmas within mantle veins. Abundant pyroxenites and fragments of amphibole veins reflect the activity of magmas and hydrous fluids within the mantle. Thermobarometry of al Kishb and Hutaymah garnet-bearing nodules yield temperatures of 1000–1050 °C at pressures of about 13.5–16.0 kbar. Mineral zoning and exsolution features indicate decreasing temperature conditions in the mantle at the flanks of the Red Sea rift.
The relationship of MacAndrew alcoholism scale scores to MMPI profile type and degree of elevation

Collected MMPI data for 38 Caucasian males who were hospitalized in a Veterans Administration alcoholism treatment program. On the basis of a Q-factor analysis, three prototypic profiles were derived, which adequately described 92% of the sample. These profiles were labeled: Type I (scales 1 and 2), Type I1 (F-K, Scales 4 and 9), and Type I11 (Scales K, 3 and 4). Type 11 was found to be correlated positively with scores on the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale. No relationship was found between MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale scores and magnitude of psychological distress, as measured by mean T scores.
The Six-Point Dial of Treatment: A Useful Framework for Novice Therapists

The six-point dial of treatment described in this case report was developed to guide graduate student psychological trainees through treatment and includes the following components: assessment of dangerousness, diagnosis, diagnosis-based treatment, ongoing evaluation of treatment response, obstacles to treatment, and motivation. In this case report, we describe the dial of treatment and present a case study of a client with paranoid schizophrenia (John) who presented at a graduate student training clinic to illustrate how this framework can be successfully applied. John has exhibited marked improvement, based on both objective measures and clinician judgment of global functioning.
Solid + liquid phase equilibria and solid-compound formation in mixtures of phosphorus oxychloride with a Group IVA tetrachloride

Abstract Solid + liquid phase diagrams have been obtained from cooling and warming curves for binary mixtures formed from POCl 3 + SnCl 4 , + GeCl 4 , + SiCl 4 , and + CCl 4 . A congruently melting compound of empirical formula SnCl 4 · 2POCl 3 forms. The other mixtures show no compound formation. Solid solutions form over a considerable part of the composition range for POCl 3 + CCl 4 . Exploratory measurements show no compound formation between SnBr 4 and POCl 3 or Sn(CH 3 ) 4 and POCl 3 . A comparison is made between the experimental freezing curves for SiCl 4 and GeCl 4 in POCl 3 with the curves calculated assuming ideal-mixture behavior. Both mixtures show positive deviations from Raoult's law. The deviations are larger for SiCl 4 + POCl 3 suggesting less attraction between unlike molecules than in GeCl 4 + POCl 3 . The lack of compound formation of phosphorus oxychloride with all the tetrachlorides except that of tin and the deviations from ideal-mixture behavior are explained in terms of steric effects and the electron-accepting ability of the Group IVA elements.
Unstable baseline blood pressure in chronic tetraplegia.

Case–control. Tetraplegic patients are subject to episodes of autonomic dysreflexia and postural hypotension. It is suggested that these patients sustain, in addition, unstable baseline blood pressure (BP) that is independent of symptoms and body position. BP monitoring was conducted in 10 tetraplegic patients, motor and sensory complete (American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) A) (Group A), and five paraplegic at T8–T10 levels, ASIA A (Group B). A SpaceLabs automatically inflating pneumatic cuff recorded arm pressures at 10–30 min intervals in the daytime, sitting position and at 30 min intervals in the night-time, recumbent position. Group mean arterial pressure (MAP) and MAP standard deviation (MAP variation) for sitting and recumbent positions were compared. Sitting the MAP for Group A was less than that of Group B; 87±9 versus 108±7 mmHg, P<0.01. However, MAP variability for Group A was greater than for Group B; 17±4 (20% of MAP) versus 13±2 mmHg (12% of MAP), P=0.04. In the recumbent position, the MAP for Group A was similar to that for Group B; 87±13 versus 97±7 mmHg, P=0.16. However, MAP variability for Group A remained higher than for Group B; 13±3 (20% of MAP) versus 8±2 mmHg (8% of MAP), P=0.02. Tetraplegic patients demonstrate unstable BP in either the sitting or recumbent position compared with low thoracic paraplegic patients.
Minimum state awareness for resilient control systems under cyber-attack

State awareness for a control system is the accurate knowledge of the internal states of the system realization. By definition, a cyber-attacker decreases the state awareness by modifying or removing the information available to the operator and control system. By decreasing state awareness, the attacker can directly cause damage to the physical system through the control system, or indirectly by causing the operator to react in a damaging manner to the false information. One of the central problems of resilient control is developing methods to retain the minimal state awareness necessary to continue stable operation during a cyber-attack. The characterization of the necessary minimal state awareness is currently an unanswered question. In this paper, we will define state awareness, discuss the consequences of loss of state awareness, and some potential research directions for maintaining state awareness.
Radioimmunoassay for Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD65) Autoantibodies as a Diagnostic Aid for Stiff-Man Syndrome and a Correlate of Susceptibility to Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective To establish and validate a double-antibody radioimmunoassay (RIA) for detecting serum auto-antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65). This enzyme catalyzes synthesis of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid in neurons and pancreatic islet cells. Material and Methods We compared the frequency of GAD65 and other "thyrogastric" autoantibodies in adult patients with stiff-man (Moersch-Woltman) syndrome, type 1 diabetes, or polyendocrine disorders and in healthy subjects. The frequency of pancreatic islet cell antibody (ICA) detection was also assessed. The GAD65 RIA was validated by testing blinded samples, by confirming the specificity of low-titered positive results by "cold" antigen inhibition, and by comparing the RIA results with results of a kit assay incorporating staphylococcal protein A as immunoprecipitant. Recombinant GAD65 protein labeled with 125 I was used as antigen, and a combination of anti-human IgG and IgM was used as immunoprecipitant. Seropositivity was determined for ICA and gastric parietal cell antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence assays and for thyroid peroxidase (microsome) and thyroglobulin antibodies by agglutination assays. Results We detected GAD65-specific antibodies in all but 1 of 46 local patients with stiff-man syndrome (98%); 16 had evidence of diabetes. Positive values exceeded 20 nmol/L in 96%, and 89% were ICA-positive; 76% had additional thyrogastric antibodies. Of 41 patients with type 1 diabetes (17 local and 24 workshop serum specimens), 33 were GAD65 antibody-positive (80%); 85% of these positive values were 20 nmol/L or lower. Only 18% of sera from patients with type 1 diabetes were ICA-positive, but 59% had other thyrogastric autoantibodies. Of 20 patients with autoimmune endocrinopathies without diabetes or stiff-man syndrome, 35% were GAD65 antibody-positive, 5% were ICA-positive, and 90% were thyrogastric antibody-positive. Of 117 healthy control subjects, 8% were GAD65 antibody-positive, and a third of those had other thyrogastric antibodies (14% overall); none was ICA-positive. Conclusion Seropositivity in the double-antibody RIA for GAD65 autoantibody is a sensitive and specific marker of predisposition to type 1 diabetes and related organ-specific autoimmune disorders. As such, this RIA is complemented by assays for thyroid and gastric parietal cell autoantibodies.
A soluble molecule secreted by human blastocysts modulates regulation of HOXA10 expression in an epithelial endometrial cell line.

Abstract Objective To determine the existence of a soluble signal, secreted from the human blastocyst embryo, that induces HOXA10 gene expression before cell–cell contact. Design To analyze, by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), cell-free media that had contained human embryos cultured to the blastocyst stage for a soluble molecule that induces HOXA10 expression in an endometrial epithelial cell line (Ishikawa). Setting Assisted reproduction technology program of Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. Patient(s) Patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Intervention(s) Treatment of Ishikawa cells with blastocyst-conditioned media. Main outcome measure(s) Determination of HOXA10 gene expression. Result(s) We demonstrate that cell-free media that had contained human embryos cultured to the blastocyst stage contain a soluble molecule that induces HOXA10 expression in an endometrial epithelial cell line (Ishikawa). We found that hCG does not induce HOXA10 in Ishikawa cells. Conclusion(s) Soluble molecules induce a well-characterized marker of endometrial receptivity in endometrial cells without blastocyst apposition. Additionally, HOXA10 induction can serve as a means of evaluating human embryos cultured for IVF and ET. High quality embryos may induce local endometrial receptivity before trophectoderm-endometrial contact.
Group exams in science courses

Group exams in science courses can enhance students' achievement and encourage retention of students within the discipline. The challenge to instructors is to recognize when and how they are best used.
Free-roaming planar motors: toward autonomous precision planar mobile robots

We present what we believe to be the first free-roaming planar motors. Unlike conventional planar motors requiring a tether for air, power, and signals, these planar motor forcers are tetherless and self-contained. We have designed and operated such forcers utilizing both mechanical bearings and air bearings with air supplied by an on-board pump. Considerations of on-board power, bearing means, wireless communications, and systems integration are discussed in the paper. Performance results for the air bearing model are reported, and work needed to develop future practical autonomous precision planar mobile robots based on tetherless planar motors is given.
Effects of prenatal sensory stimulation on heart rate and behavioral measures of arousal in bobwhite quail embryos.

Although a number of studies have demonstrated the effects of altered prenatal experience on subsequent behavioral development, how these effects are achieved remains a topic of enduring interest. The present study examined the immediate effects of unimodal and multimodal prenatal sensory stimulation on physiological and behavioral arousal in bobwhite quail embryos. Embryos were videotaped and their heart rate was monitored during a 4-min exposure period to (a) no supplemental sensory stimulation, (b) unimodal auditory stimulation, (c) unimodal visual stimulation, (d) two sources of concurrent auditory stimulation, or (e) concurrent auditory/visual stimulation. Results indicated that quail embryos' overall activity levels and heart rate can be significantly affected by the type of prenatal sensory stimulation provided during the period prior to hatching. In particular, multimodal stimulation increased both behavioral activity levels and heart rate compared to controls. Across the unimodal and intramodal groups, however, behavioral and physiological measures revealed different patterns of activity in response to supplemental sensory stimulation, highlighting the value of using multiple levels of analysis in exploring arousal mechanisms involved in prenatal perceptual responsiveness.
A test of three hypotheses of pica and amylophagy among pregnant women in Tamil Nadu, India.

Objectives Pica has been studied in India and elsewhere for more than 100 years, yet no compelling and empirically well-supported explanation for it has emerged. Amylophagy, sometimes considered a type of pica and sometimes studied separately, is less frequently investigated and also lacks a convincing explanation. This study used a biocultural approach to test three hypotheses of pica and amylophagy: protection, hunger/nutrition, and psychological distress. Methods The research took place in Tamil Nadu, India. In study 1, a cultural investigation was carried out among nonpregnant, adult women (n = 54) to determine nonfood substances that are consumed in this region and perceptions of health consequences. Next, using the substances identified in Study 1, three hypotheses of pica and amylophagy were tested in a cross-sectional study of pregnant women (Study 2, n = 95). Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the presence or absence of engaging in pica and amylophagy. A series of bivariate analyses were used to examine the variation in amount and frequency of consumption. Results Study 1 revealed that cultural attitudes strongly shape the selection of nonfood substances. In Study 2, the presence or absence of pica was not predicted by any of the variables included in the study, whereas the frequency and amount of consumption of pica substances were primarily explained by the psychological distress and hunger/nutrition hypotheses. Both the presence or absence of amylophagy as well as the frequency and amount of consumption were best explained by the protection hypothesis. Conclusions This research provided partial support for the protection and hunger/nutrition hypotheses for amylophagy, and also provided some evidence for the role of psychological distress and hunger or nutrition in pica. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 25:803–813, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Higher-Order Genetic and Environmental Structure of Prevalent Forms of Child and Adolescent Psychopathology

Context It is necessary to understand the etiologic structure of child and adolescent psychopathology to advance theory and guide future research. Objective To test alternative models of the higher-order structure of etiologic effects on 11 dimensions of child and adolescent psychopathology using confirmatory factor analyses of genetic and environmental covariances. Design Representative sample of twins. Setting Home interviews. Participants A total of 1571 pairs of 9- to 17-year-old twins. Main Outcome Measures Structured assessments of psychopathology using adult caregivers and youth as informants. Results The best-fitting genetic model revealed that most genetic factors nonspecifically influence risk for either all 11 symptom dimensions or for dimensions of psychopathology within 1 of 2 broad domains. With some notable exceptions, dimension-specific genetic influences accounted for modest amounts of variance. Conclusions To inform theory and guide molecular genetic studies, an etiologic model is offered in which 3 patterns of pleiotropy are hypothesized to be the principal modes of genetic risk transmission for common forms of child and adolescent psychopathology. Some common environmental influences were found, but consistent with a “generalist genes, specialist environments” model, there was little sharing of environmental influences. This implies that prevalent dimensions of child and adolescent psychopathology mostly share their genetic liabilities but are differentiated by nonshared experiences.
Drag-Power Measurements of a Plunging Wing in an Oscillating Freestream

Experimental measurements of the time varying lift, drag, and pitching moment acting on a nominally two-dimensional wing undergoing plunging motions in an oscillating freestream flow were obtained with a six-component force balance. Rates of energy transfer between the wing and the flow were computed at reduced frequencies in the range expected for micro aerial vehicle flight. Comparisons with classical theories for unsteady aerodynamics were made for the cases of pure plunging motion and pure oscillating freestream. The phase of the vertical plunging motion relative to the freestream flow was changed to investigate the effect on the rate of energy exchange between the flow and the wing. The maximum energy transfer to the wing occurred near a phase of 0 o , and the minimum occurred near a phase of 150 o . At a lower angle of attack of α = 5 o the energy transfer to the wing was sufficient to produce a net energy increase, but in the post-stall region, α = 15 o , the rate of energy increase was not sufficient to produce a net positive energy increase.
The future of the discipline of Missiology: Framing current realities and future possibilities:

This article was delivered as the Presidential Address at the annual 2013 American Society of Missiology (ASM) meeting. It utilizes the framework of adaptive change in contrast to technical change to name and frame the critical challenges facing the discipline of missiology at the beginning of the 21st century. Three adaptive challenges are discussed: (1) ASM’s constituency and their basic ministry assumptions appear to be increasingly out of fit with global church shifts and the rise of the majority church in the South; (2) much of the North American (NA) mission enterprise is being marginalized globally from its historical hegemony and lacks sufficient critical distance to address this shift either abroad or at home; and (3) ASM’s failure to attend to the development of a missiological ecclesiology for congregations in context, especially in NA, continues to limit the contribution of missiology to theological education. Suggestions are offered for how these adaptive challenges might be taken up as part ...
Studies documenting decreases in obesity comorbidities after surgically induced weight loss

documenting the activities of the surgical group, one documenting that of the hospital(s), and the third focusing on the individual surgeons. To gain provisional status, an applicant institution is expected to document that it has: ● Trained bariatric surgeons with 24/7 coverage and a full range of consultants ● Personnel trained to manage the morbidly obese, with compassion ● Equipment required to care for, move, lift, monitor, and study these patients ● Standardized procedures and care paths ● Rigorous follow-up ● Data collection with informed consent, in accord with HIPAA, so that the information on all patients can be reviewed ● Agreed to site visits to verify information. When the Review Committee confirms that these requirements have been met, the hospitals and surgeons will be invited to apply for full approval as an ASBS Center of Excellence. If the application for full approval, a document that focuses on outcomes, appears to be in order, then the Review Committee will order a site visit to verify the submitted information. If the site visit supports the application, then the Review Committee will examine the total package, and if the data are satisfactory, then the SRC will notify the ASBS that the applicants have met the standards for full approval. This effort has a broader goal than just the evaluation of centers. We expect to accumulate outcomes data on 30,000 – 60,000 patients per year, a database that will allow us to compare procedures and care paths. Surgeons will respond to these data; there is no advantage to bad results. As a result, we should be able to drop mortality and morbidity rates even lower than they are today. We are grateful for the informal assurances of incentives by several health insurance companies that promise improved reimbursement, preferred referrals, and relief from prior approval for those centers that gain full ap
Collaborative Destination Marketing Understanding the Dynamic Process

Collaborative initiatives are voluntary arrangements between tourism organizations involved in managing and promoting destinations. In the tourism domain, although collaboration issues have been studied from various perspectives, relatively little research has been conducted on the process of collaborative marketing at the destination level. This study attempts to examine the process of collaboration formation in the context of a destination within the domain of theories of interorganizational relations. The study chooses a destination as a case of investigation with a focus on marketing activities between and among the local tourism industry facilitated by the local destination marketing organization. Implications are discussed from both theoretical and practical perspectives.
Diurnal precipitation variations in south-central New Mexico

Abstract Orographic forcing of diurnal precipitation variations in south-central New Mexico is examined. Harmonic analysis reveals a strong diurnal cycle in precipitation frequency at all stations studied. In addition, relatively high amplitudes in the second, third, and fourth harmonics were present at several stations in the region. Cumulant methods confirm the importance of the higher harmonies and can also divide the stations into precipitation regimes. At each of the stations one of the maxima in the precipitation frequencies appears to be due to surface convergence caused by a mountain-valley circulation system. Surface wind data support this explanation. All stations have a maximum near midnight local time, which seems to have its source in larger-scale forcing. A possible cause is diurnal variations in the plateau circulation system of the western United States. Upper-air wind data indicate that such variations could result in the formation of a low-level jet that would destabilize the atmosphere ...
Estuarine and Coastal Ocean Carbon Paradox: CO2 Sinks or Sites of Terrestrial Carbon Incineration?

Estuaries are a major boundary in the land-ocean interaction zone where organic carbon (OC) and nutrients are being processed, resulting in a high water-to-air carbon dioxide (CO2) flux (approximately 0.25 Pg C y(-1)). The continental shelves, however, take up CO2 (approximately 0.25 Pg C y(-1)) from the atmosphere, accounting for approximately 17% of open ocean CO2 uptake (1.5 Pg Cy(-1)). It is demonstrated here that CO2 release in estuaries is largely supported by microbial decomposition of highly productive intertidal marsh biomass. It appears that riverine OC, however, would bypass the estuarine zone, because of short river-transit times, and contribute to carbon cycling in the ocean margins and interiors. Low-latitude ocean margins release CO2 because they receive two-thirds of the terrestrial OC. Because of recent CO2 increase in the atmosphere, CO2 releases from low latitudes have become weaker and CO2 uptake by mid- and high-latitude shelves has become stronger, thus leading to more dissolved inorganic carbon export to the ocean.
Pulmonary Immunotoxic Potentials of Metals Are Governed by Select Physicochemical Properties: Vanadium Agents

The in situ reactions of metal ions/complexes are important in understanding the mechanisms by which environmental and occupational metal particles alter lung immune responses. A better understanding of these reactions in situ will also allow for the improved specificity and controlled toxicity of novel metallocompounds to be used as inhaled diagnostics or therapeutics. Our previous work showed that inhalation of metals (e.g., chromium, vanadium, nickel) caused altered lung immune cell function and host resistance. The data also suggested that the degree of immunomodulation induced depended not only on the amount of metal deposited, but also the compound used. If specificity governs pulmonary immunomodulatory potential, it follows that physicochemical properties inherent to the metal have a role in the elicited effects. We hypothe-size that major determinants of any metal compound's potential are its redox behavior, valency (generally referred to as oxidation state and considered speciation in chemical li...
Enterobacter aerogenes Needle Stick Leads to Improved Biological Management System

A laboratory worker who received a needle stick from a contaminated needle while working with a culture containing Enterobactor aerogenes developed a laboratory acquired infection. Although this organism has been shown to cause community and nosocomial infections, there have been no documented cases of a laboratory acquired infections. Lessons learned from the event led to corrective actions which included modification of lab procedures, development of a biological inventory tracking and risk identification system and the establishment of an effective biological safety program.
Lumbar Lordosis and Pelvic Inclination of Asymptomatic Adults

Background and Purpose. We examined the association between pelvic inclination and lumbar lordosis during relaxed standing and eight variables thought to contribute to lordosis. Subjects. Ninety subjects (45 men, 45 women) without back pain or a history of surgery were examined. The mean age was 54.8 years (SD=8.5) for male subjects and 58.9 years (SD=8.8) for female subjects. Methods. Multiple linear regression modeling was used to assess the association of pelvic inclination and size of lumbar lordosis in a standing position with age, gender, body mass index, physical activity level, back and one-joint hip flexor muscle length, and performance and length of abdominal muscles. Results. Abdominal muscle performance was associated with angle of pelvic inclination for women ( R 2=.23), but not for men. Standing lumbar lordosis was associated with abdominal muscle length in women ( R 2=.40), but it was multivariately associated with length of abdominal and one-joint hip flexor muscles and physical activity level in men ( R 2=.38). No correlation was found between angle of pelvic inclination and depth of lumbar lordosis in a standing position. Conclusion and Discussion. Neither univariate nor multivariate regression models account for variability in the angle of pelvic inclination or size of lumbar lordosis in adults during upright stance; no correlation was found in standing between these two variables. The use of abdominal muscle strengthening exercises or stretching exercises of the back and one-joint hip flexor muscles to correct faulty standing posture should be questioned.
Evaluation Of Mixing Energy In The Swirling And Baffled Flasks

A USEPA laboratory screening protocol for dispersants effectiveness consists of placing water, oil, and dispersants in a flask placed on an orbital shaker. Two flasks are being investigated, the Swirling Flask and the Baffled Flask, The BF contains baffles that induce an over-and-under type of mixing that somewhat better simulates breaking waves. We use hot-wire anemometer to measure the velocity distributions in both flasks rotating at a speed of 150 rpm. The measurements were conducted in small portions near the centers of the flasks. We found that the average velocity in the BF was about 5 times larger than that in the SF. The velocity in the BF was essentially uniform with depth, while that in the SW decreased sharply with depth, The computed energy dissipation rates per unit integral length scale were about 0.03 and 0.92 in the SF and the BF, respectively,
Pain Management in the Colorectal Cancer Patient

Pain management is a critical component of the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. In this chapter, a set of core principles is outlined to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of most causes of pain in the colorectal cancer patient. An algorithmic approach is described to facilitate expeditious and efficacious treatment.
Characterization of Oxygen Storage and Structural Properties of Oxygen-Loaded Hexagonal RMnO3+δ (R = Ho, Er, and Y)

Single-phase polycrystalline samples of stoichiometric RMnO3+δ (R = Er, Y, and Ho) were achieved in the hexagonal P63cm structure through solid state reaction at ∼1300 °C. Thermogravimetric measurements in oxygen atmospheres demonstrated that samples with the larger Ho and Y show rapid and reversible incorporation of large amounts of excess oxygen (0.3 > δ > 0) at an unusually low temperature range of ∼190–325 °C, indicating the industrial usefulness of RMnO3+δ materials for lower cost thermal swing adsorption processes for oxygen separation from air. Further increase of the excess oxygen intake to δ ∼ 0.38 was achieved for all the investigated materials when annealed under high pressures of oxygen. The formation of three oxygen stable phases with δ = 0, 0.28, and 0.38 was confirmed by thermogravimetric measurements, synchrotron X-rays, and neutron diffraction. In situ synchrotron diffraction proved the thermal stability of these single phases and the regions of their creation and coexistence, and demonst...
A process-oriented analysis of parent acculturation, parent socio-cultural stress, family processes, and Latina/o youth smoking and depressive symptoms

Abstract Latina/o youth in the U.S. are often characterized by elevated rates of cigarette smoking and depressive symptoms, and these rates appear to vary by youth acculturation and socio-cultural stress. Scholars suggest that parents’ cultural experiences may be important determinants of youth smoking and depressive symptoms. However, few studies have examined the influence of parent acculturation and related stressors on Latina/o youth smoking and depressive symptoms. To address this gap in the literature, in the current study we investigated how parent-reported acculturation, perceived discrimination, and negative context of reception affect youth smoking and depressive symptoms through parent reports of familism values and parenting. The longitudinal (4 waves) sample consisted of 302 Latina/o parent-adolescent dyads from Los Angeles (N = 150) and Miami (N = 152). Forty-seven percent of the adolescent sample was female (M age = 14.5 years), and 70% of the parents were mothers (M age = 41.10 years). Parents completed measures of acculturation, perceived discrimination, negative context of reception, familism values, and parenting. Youth completed measures regarding their smoking and symptoms of depression. Structural equation modeling suggested that parents’ collectivistic values (Time 1) and perceived discrimination (Time 1) predicted higher parental familism (Time 2), which in turn, predicted higher levels of positive/involved parenting (Time 3). Positive/involved parenting (Time 3), in turn, inversely predicted youth smoking (Time 4). These findings indicate that parents’ cultural experiences play important roles in their parenting, which in turn appears to influence Latino/a youth smoking. This study highlights the need for preventive interventions to attend to parents’ cultural experiences in the family (collectivistic values, familism values, and parenting) and the community (perceived discrimination).
The effect of serum from infertile women with endometriosis on fertilization and early embryonic development in a murine in vitro fertilization model

Objective To evaluate the effect of serum from infertile women with endometriosis on fertilization and embryonic development in a murine IVF model. Design Pretreatment and post-treatment comparison of murine oocyte fertilization and early embryonic development with the addition of serum supplements from infertile women with endometriosis. Setting Tertiary care academic medical center. Patients Sera from 10 fertile women without endometriosis and 28 infertile women with endometriosis both before and after laser laparoscopy. Results When compared with serum from fertile women, serum from infertile women with endometriosis inhibited fertilization rates (51% versus 81%) and subsequent embryonic development rates (46% versus 79%). The inhibitory effect was greater as the stage of endometriosis increased. Treatment of endometriosis by laser laparoscopy improved both fertilization (51% versus 56%) and early embryonic development rates (46% versus 58%). Conclusions Serum from infertile women with endometriosis inhibits both fertilization and early embryonic development in the murine IVF model. Inhibition of fertilization and early embryonic development rates increases as the stage of endometriosis increases. Improved fertilization and early embryonic development rates are observed after treatment of endometriosis by laser laparoscopy.
Fault Diagnosis of Pump-jack Based on Wavelet Neural Network with Compacted

A wavelet network is presented, which consists of an initial network and some sub-networks that are incorporated during training according to the accuracy. Compacted wavelet frames under the single dilation are constructed according to the relationship between dilation and translation parameters. And the boundaries of wavelet frames are derived by Daubechies, to solve the “dimension disaster” problem. Dynamical recurrent least square algorithm with forgetting factor is presented to train network parameters. This network is used to diagnose the faults of pump-jacks in the oil field and the good result is obtained.
Behavioural Game Theory

Analytical game theory assumes that players choose strategies which maximize the utility of game outcomes, based on their beliefs about what others players will do, given the economic structure of the game and history; in equilibrium, these beliefs are correct. Analytical game theory is enormously powerful, but it has two shortcomings as a complete model of behaviour by people (and other possible players, including non-human animals and organizations).
Relation between Magnesium Deficiency and Sleep Disorders and Associated Pathological Changes

Abstract Magnesium is required for enzymes used in neurotransmitter synthesis, and is involved in cholinergic, monoaminergic, and amino acid transmitter function. Magnesium blocks the N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor and is an agonist of the γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) receptor. Heightened activation of the NMDA receptor may cause poor sleep architecture, while augmentation of the GABA receptor may improve sleep architecture. Thus, it is not surprising that magnesium deficiency has been associated with sleep disorders, which magnesium supplementation alleviated. Magnesium deficiency may contribute to the inflammatory stress that can result in pathological changes such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease associated with sleep deprivation or poor-quality sleep. Based on recent survey data, magnesium deficiency such that it would affect sleep quality in humans may be a common occurrence, especially in older adults, obese individuals, and alcohol abusers. Magnesium supplementation may be a treatment that improves sleep quality in some individuals.
β-Cell death is decreased in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects approximately 7–17 % of all pregnancies and has been recognized as a significant risk factor to neonatal and maternal health. Postpartum, GDM significantly increases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). While it is well established that insulin resistance and impaired β-cell function contribute to GDM development, the role of active β-cell loss remains unknown. Differentially methylated circulating free DNA (cfDNA) is a minimally invasive biomarker of β-cell loss in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Here we use cfDNA to examine the levels of β-cell death in women with GDM. Second to third-trimester pregnant women with GDM were compared with women with normal pregnancy (PRG), women at postpartum (PP), and non-pregnant (NP) women. Fasting glucose levels, insulin, and C-peptide levels were measured. Serum samples were collected and cfDNA purified and bisulfite treated. Methylation-sensitive probes capable of differentiating between β-cell-derived DNA (demethylated) and non-β-cell-derived DNA (methylated) were used to measure the presence of β-cell loss in the blood. GDM was associated with elevated fasting glucose levels (GDM = 185.9 ± 5.0 mg/dL) and reduced fasting insulin and c-peptide levels when compared with NP group. Interestingly, β-cell derived insulin DNA levels were significantly lower in women with GDM when compared with PRG, NP, and PP groups (demethylation index: PRG = 7.74 × 10−3 ± 3.09 × 10−3, GDM = 1.01 × 10−3 ± 5.86 × 10−4, p < 0.04; NP = 4.53 × 10−3 ± 1.62 × 10−3, PP = 3.24 × 10−3 ± 1.78 × 10−3). These results demonstrate that β-cell death is reduced in women with GDM. This reduction is associated with impaired insulin production and hyperglycemia, suggesting that β-cell death does not contribute to GDM during the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy.
Link-failure detection in network synchronization processes

We study the detection of link failures in network synchronization processes. In particular, for a canonical linear network synchronization model, we consider detection of a critical link's failure by a monitor that makes noisy local measurements of the process. We characterize Maximum A-Posteriori (MAP) detection of the link failure, for both the case that the monitor has information about the network's initial state and the random-initial-condition case. Several algebraic, spectral and graph theoretic characterizations of the detector and its performance are provided. These include conditions under which the link failure is completely hidden from the monitor and, conversely, conditions that permit perfect detection with sufficient data. Our analyses highlight that rather effective detection is possible with limited and noisy observation data.
High resolution insert for clinical whole body PET scanners: design and optimization

We are developing an insert device that will improve image resolution within a smaller FOV for clinical whole-body PET scanners. To optimize its design, we modified simSET to simulate the insert and a PET scanner. The system consists of two detector rings. The inner ring represents an insert (r = 153 mm) with high-resolution detectors using 10 mm thick LSO. The outer ring represents a PET scanner (R = 413 mm) with 25 mm thick LSO. Events were binned into 3 sets of sinograms assuming a 2.4 and 6.75 mm crystal-pitch for the insert and the PET scanner, respectively. The detectors in the insert are modeled as 1, 2, 3, or 4 layers with different offset configurations to evaluate the impact of DOL Results show that image resolution at 1 cm radial offset is improved from 5.0 mm FWHM of the original PET scanner to 1.8 mm with the insert. At 12 cm offset, the resolution of the original system is 5.4 and 6.5 mm for radial and tangential directions, respectively. With the insert, the radial resolution is 5.0 mm FWHM for a single-layer detector design, but improves to 2.7, 2.4, and 2.1mm for 2, 3, and 4 layer DOI detectors, respectively. Different offsets for multi-layer detectors have negligible effect on resolution. Sensitivity of the device is, assuming the insert has a 2 cm axial extend, estimated to be 3.3%, including coincidence events from the insert-alone and insert-to-scanner sinograms. In contrast, if the insert is used as a standalone microPET scanner, its sensitivity is 1.3%.
Dual-band validation of on-site coding receiver using ultra-wideband antenna array at C, X and Ku-bands

Ultra-wideband (UWB) transceivers with digital beamforming are essential for realizing cognitive and software defined radios. Concurrently, advances in digital technology and signal processing have drastically reduced digital beamforming complexity. For example, a new on-site coding receiver (OSCR) architecture was proposed to significantly reduce hardware requirement for digital beamforming using code division multiplexing (CDM). As a result, a single analog-to-digital converter (ADC) can be used for a group of antenna elements. Initial design and verification of the OSCR was done at L-band. But its functionality can be extended at higher frequency, including C, X and Ku-bands. In this paper, we present a 4-channel high frequency dual-band OSCR implementation and validation. Specifically, measurements are performed in the anechoic chamber using an UWB array operating at 4–18 GHz, to estimate the phase of incoming signals and for direction finding. It is verified that on-site coding has minimal or no phase error and degradation in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
Perspective of a Program Director

Once a student has made the choice to embark on a career in surgery, the next step is to figure out how to choose the training program that is the right fit. Just as each applicant is unique, so is each program. That being said, all surgical residencies value a certain set of core characteristics in common. This chapter gives the perspective of a surgical program director on qualities that make for a successful surgery resident.
From Self-Doubt to Self-Acceptance: An ESL Learner’s Journey

The paper is a narrative inquiry into how an ESL learner transits from self-doubt to self-acceptance in America. Three aspects are found to be critical for the learner to reach self-acceptance: exposing the true self through storytelling; finding the true self in collaborative learning; integrating the true self into the diversity. Those aspects provide teachers practical ideas regarding how to foster students’ self- acceptance and empower them to open themselves for communication in English.