cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mimicry and Modeling of Health(-Risk) Behaviors: How Others Impact Our Health(-Risk) Behaviors Without Our Awareness

When it comes to health(-risk) behaviors, researchers are apt to consider how to change behaviors from a top-down approach (i.e., using the conscious, reflective, deliberate system) even though much of human behavior is determined by bottom-up processes (i.e., the nonconscious, reflexive, impulsive system). Given that researchers have proposed that interventions that target nonconscious processes underlying health(-risk) behaviors may prove to be more effective than interventions that target conscious processes, we argue that understanding the ways in which mimicking and modeling affect health(-risk) behaviors is a critical—albeit largely unexplored—domain. In this paper, we review existing evidence that people mimic and model a broad range of health(-risk) behaviors: specifically, the cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, (un)healthy eating, and physical activity of others. We then discuss the neural and psychological mechanisms underlying these effects. Next, we outline moderators: specifically, we discuss when mimicking and modeling are more likely to occur, who is more likely to mimic and model, as well as who is more likely to be mimicked and modeled. Finally, we consider how mimicry and modeling could be used to leverage healthy behavioral change.
Speculations on the evolution of the genetic code. II.

An evolutionary scheme is postulated in which a primitive code, involving only guanine and cytosine, would code for glycine (GG), alanine (GC), arginine (CG) and proline (CC). From each of these amino acids and their codons, there evolves a family of related amino acids as the code expands. The four families are: (1)alanine valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, methionine and tryptophane; (2)proline, threonine and serine; (3)arginine, lysine, and histidine; (4)glycine, serine, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, aspartic acid and asparagine. Except for the glycine relation to glutamic acid and aspartic acid, all amino acids are related by chemical similarities in their side chains. Glycine not having a side chain would permit a more complex set of substitutions.
A Method to Quantify Tensile Biaxial Properties of Mouse Aortic Valve Leaflets.

Understanding aortic valve (AV) mechanics is crucial in elucidating both the mechanisms that drive the manifestation of valvular diseases as well as the development of treatment modalities that target these processes. Genetically modified mouse models have become the gold standard in assessing biological mechanistic influences of AV development and disease. However, very little is known about mouse aortic valve leaflet (MAVL) tensile properties due to their microscopic size (∼500 μm long and 45 μm thick) and the lack of proper mechanical testing modalities to assess uniaxial and biaxial tensile properties of the tissue. We developed a method in which the biaxial tensile properties of MAVL tissues can be assessed by adhering the tissues to a silicone rubber membrane utilizing dopamine as an adhesive. Applying equiaxial tensile loads on the tissue-membrane composite and tracking the engineering strains on the surface of the tissue resulted in the characteristic orthotropic response of AV tissues seen in human and porcine tissues. Our data suggest that the circumferential direction is stiffer than the radial direction (n = 6, P = 0.0006) in MAVL tissues. This method can be implemented in future studies involving longitudinal mechanical stimulation of genetically modified MAVL tissues bridging the gap between cellular biological mechanisms and valve mechanics in popular mouse models of valve disease.
Efficacy of Low Vision Services for Visually Impaired Children

Though it is known that visually impaired children can be helped by low vision aids, little research has been done on the use of such aids by children. In this study of 137 children, subjects were ...
MutEnricher: a flexible toolset for somatic mutation enrichment analysis of tumor whole genomes.

Analysis of somatic mutations from tumor whole exomes has fueled discovery of novel cancer driver genes. However, ~ 98% of the genome is non-coding and includes regulatory elements whose normal cellular functions can be disrupted by mutation. Whole genome sequencing (WGS), on the other hand, allows for identification of non-coding somatic variation and expanded estimation of background mutation rates, yet fewer computational tools exist for specific interrogation of this space. We present MutEnricher, a flexible toolset for investigating somatic mutation enrichment in both coding and non-coding genomic regions from WGS data. MutEnricher contains two distinct modules for these purposes that provide customizable options for calculating sample- and feature-specific background mutation rates. Additionally, both MutEnricher modules calculate feature-level and local, or “hotspot,” somatic mutation enrichment statistics. MutEnricher is a flexible software package for investigating somatic mutation enrichment that is implemented in Python, is freely available, can be efficiently parallelized, and is highly configurable to researcher's specific needs. MutEnricher is available online at https://github.com/asoltis/MutEnricher .
Malnutrition in elective surgery: How traditional markers might be failing surgeons and patients

Abstract Background Serologic and anthropometric measures are commonly used as surrogate markers of nutritional status in clinical practice. In 2012, leading dietetic organizations published a standard definition of malnutrition based on clinical characteristics. We hypothesize that surrogate markers underrecognize clinical malnutrition and do not accurately identify patients at risk for adverse outcomes. Methods A single-institution cohort study of elective surgical inpatients from August 2015 to November 2017. Nutritional assessment was completed by trained registered dietitians using leading dietetic guidelines. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between malnutrition and perioperative outcomes. Results Among 953 elective surgical admissions, 456 underwent full clinical nutritional assessment. Of these, 202 (44.3%) met malnutrition criteria. In addition, 20.3% of patients with clinical malnutrition were underweight ( Conclusion In this cohort of elective surgical patients, traditional markers failed to identify malnutrition in a substantial portion of patients who met clinical malnutrition criteria. Clinical malnutrition assessment is effective in identifying patients who may be at risk for suboptimal outcomes. Surgeons should implement clinical nutritional assessment and factor that information into their preoperative evaluation and management of elective surgical patients.
Risk Score For Rehospitalization Among Home Health Care Patients with Heart Failure

Introduction Heart failure (HF) is one of the leading causes of rehospitalization in the United States. Rehospitalizations are a costly outcome and are challenging to reduce due to multiple factors. Some interventions for reducing readmissions utilize predictive models to forecast adverse events such as mortality and rehospitalizations. Many rehospitalization risk scores were developed using hospital-based data from electronic health records (EHR). However, no rehospitalization risk score uses home healthcare EHR data. This study evaluated the production of a rehospitalization risk score using data from the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) among home healthcare patients with HF after hospital discharge. Aim To produce a risk score for rehospitalization using OASIS among home healthcare patients with HF after hospital discharge. Methods This study was a secondary data analysis of the OASIS C version that was collected from January 1, 2011 to August 31, 2013. The dataset included N=836 patients. A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to the rehospitalization outcome, using interactive backwards elimination variable selection. The final model included 9 predictor variables in a simple-to-use risk score that has a possible range (0 to 41). Regression coefficients were divided by the smallest regression coefficient and rounded to the nearest integer. For each patient risk factor, the integer weightings were summed to obtain the risk score. The predictive accuracy of the risk score was measured using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (i.e., c-statistic). The model was then internally validated using 10-fold cross validation. Results The median age was 79.5 years old, 43% were male, and 82% were white. We identified 9 significant risk factors: multiple hospitalization in the past 12 months, frequency of pain interfering, urinary incontinence, ability to grooming, ability to dress lower body, ability to feed, prior ability with everyday activities, the level of assistance, and Charlson comorbidity index score. For example, patients with grooming utensils must be placed within reach was a significantly greater risk compared to being able to groom self-unaided. The clinical prediction score which combined the patient's risk factors achieved a c-statistic of 0.64 (95%CI: 0.61 to 0.68). In the 10-fold cross-validation, the risk score had a c-statistic of 0.62 (95%CI: 0.58 to 0.65), which is the validated prediction accuracy expected in future home healthcare patients with HF. Conclusions This study developed a risk score for rehospitalization using OASIS among home healthcare patients with HF after hospital discharge. The risk scores of specific items such as the identified risk factors in this study could be an indicator of decision-making for personalized care.
Elevating the Objectives of Higher Education to Effectively Serve Students From Diverse Socioeconomic Backgrounds

As colleges and universities expand the socioeconomic diversity of their student populations, many policies and practices require reconceptualization to better serve all students. Recent social psy...
Hatte das Universum einen Anfang

Wir haben das fruhe Universum, seine Entwicklung und seine sich ewig ausdehnende Zukunft untersucht.
Novel methodology comparing two assay formats for the assessment of immunogenicity from clinical trial samples

Aim: We present a novel methodology to compare results between distinct immunogenicity assays, performed by two laboratories, for the same biotherapeutic. Materials & methods: Human serum pools from clinical trials were generated to provide representative immunogenicity titers. Pools were evaluated at two laboratories in a blinded fashion to assess the effect of assay format and laboratory change on clinical interpretation of immunogenicity results. Results: The laboratories validated two different assay formats and demonstrated comparable sensitivity and drug tolerance. Overall, the comparisons in assay format and laboratory ensured a comparable ability to detect treatment-emergent antidrug antibodies for a biotherapeutic. Conclusion: We have established an approach, using pooling of patient samples, that allows for the interlaboratory comparisons without creating duplicative results.
Withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs after stereotactic laser amygdalohippocampotomy for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy

Abstract Objective This retrospective study investigated the success rate of withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) following stereotactic laser amygdalohippocampotomy (SLAH) for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE), and identiﬁed predictors of seizure recurrence. Materials and methods We retrospectively assessed 65 patients who underwent SLAH for MTLE (59 lesional). Patients’ demographics, disease characteristics and post-surgical outcomes were evaluated for their potential to predict seizure recurrence associated with withdrawal of AEDs. Results The mean period of observation post SLAH was 51 months (range 12–96 months) and the mean period to initial reduction of AEDs was 21 months (range 12–60 months). Reduction of AEDs was attempted in 37 patients (57 %) who were seizure free post SLAH and it was successful in approximately 2/3 of them. From the remainder 1/3 who relapsed, nearly all regained seizure control after reinstitution of their AEDs. The likelihood of relapse after reduction of AEDs was predicted only by pre-operative seizure frequency. At the end of the observation period, approximately 14 % of all SLAH patients were seizure free without AEDs and approximately 54 % remained seizure free on AEDs. Compared with preoperative status, the number of AEDs were reduced in 37 % of patients, unchanged in 51 % of them and increased in 12 % of them. Conclusions Successful SLAH for MTLE allows for reduction of AEDs in a significant portion of patients and complete withdrawal of AEDs in a subset of them. Patients with higher pre-operative seizure frequency exhibit a greater chance of relapse post reduction of AEDs.
Mining in the Driftless—The Upper Mississippi Valley Lead and Zinc District by Steve Bussan. Privately published, available new on ebay. 97 pages; 2020; $19 plus shipping and handling (softbound).

Most mineral collectors are familiar with the fine galena, sphalerite, fluorite, calcite, and other mineral specimens found in the Mississippi Valley–type deposits of the Tristate district, Missour...
Analysis of representative mutants for key DNA repair pathways on healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans

Although the link between DNA damage and aging is well accepted, the role of different DNA repair proteins on functional/physiological aging is not well-defined. Here, using Caenorhabditis elegans, we systematically examined the effect of three DNA repair genes involved in key genome stability pathways. We assayed multiple health proxies including molecular, functional and resilience measures to define healthspan. Loss of XPF-1/ERCC-1, a protein involved in nucleotide excision repair (NER), homologous recombination (HR) and interstrand crosslink (ICL) repair, showed the highest impairment of functional and stress resilience measures along with a shortened lifespan. brc-1 mutants, with a well-defined role in HR and ICL are short-lived and highly sensitive to acute stressors, specifically oxidative stress. In contrast, ICL mutant, fcd-2 did not impact lifespan or most healthspan measures. Our efforts also uncover that DNA repair mutants show high sensitivity to oxidative stress with age, suggesting that this measure could act as a primary proxy for healthspan. Together, these data suggest that impairment of multiple DNA repair genes can drive functional/physiological aging. Further studies to examine specific DNA repair genes in a tissue specific manner will help dissect the importance and mechanistic role of these repair systems in biological aging.
Assessments of Fugitive Aerosol Particle Concentrations Generated by Small Volume Nebulizer and Vibrating Mesh Nebulizer

Background: Nebulization has been described as an aerosol generating procedure (AGP). AGPs may place health care workers at an increased risk of contracting viruses, such as COVID-19. No in vivo data are available on the fugitive aerosols generated by different nebulizers and interfaces, and the efficient modality to reduce the concentrations. This study aimed to explore the most effective method to reduce fugitive aerosol concentrations during nebulization. Methods: This study was approved by the ethics committee in Rush University (20121804-IRB01). After signing consent, healthy volunteers were given treatments of 3mL saline using a small volume nebulizer (SVN) and vibrating mesh nebulizer (VMN) with a mouthpiece, a mouthpiece with filter, a mask, and a mask with scavenger in a random order for the 9 participants. An extra study was performed to compare the two scavengers (Exhalo vs Vapotherm) and a filter mask in a random order among 5 subjects. This study was implemented in an ICU room, with 2 particle sizers placed at 1 and 3 feet away from subjects. The aerosol concentrations at sizes of 0.3 to 10 µm were taken at baseline, before, during and after each treatment. Results: Aerosol concentrations were higher with SVN than VMN. Regardless of nebulizer type, mask generated higher fugitive aerosol concentrations than mouthpiece. Adding a filter to mouthpiece reduced aerosol concentrations at particle sizes of 0.3 to 1.0 µm at 1 foot (all P Conclusions: SVN produced higher fugitive aerosol concentrations than VMN, while masks generated higher fugitive aerosol concentrations than mouthpiece. Adding a filter to mouthpiece or a scavenger to mask reduced fugitive aerosol concentrations for both SVN and VMN. Vapotherm scavenger and filter mask had similar effectiveness in reducing fugitive aerosol as mouthpiece with filter.
The coding hypothesis

Publisher Summary This chapter highlights the coding hypothesis. The factual basis of the coding hypothesis can be summarized as follows: the Mendelian gene carries at least some protein structural information. DNA has a genetic function, but it is as yet not clear that this function is that of determining the residue sequence of proteins. However, there is evidence that DNA carries some of the information required to assemble at least one class of RNA. Viral RNA carries some protein structural information. It is not known whether the totality of information determining protein structure resides in nucleic acids or not. If the coding hypothesis is correct, it should be possible—in principle—to determine the nature of the code. A group of nucleotides, contiguous or not, which are assumed to determine an amino acid residue, is known as a “configuration.” If any symbol is common to two or more configurations, the configurations, and the code, are called “overlapping.” The number of nucleotides in a configuration is the coding ratio.
A potential role of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein in mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and its implication in cancer therapy

X-chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) has an important regulatory role in programmed cell death by inhibiting the caspase cascade. Activation of XIAP-dependent signaling culminates into regulation of multiple cellular processes including apoptosis, innate immunity, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, cell migration, invasion, metastasis and differentiation. Although XIAP localizes to the cytosolic compartment, XIAP-mediated cellular signaling encompasses mitochondrial and post-mitochondrial levels. Recent findings demonstrate that XIAP also localizes to mitochondria and regulates mitochondria functions. XIAP acts upstream of mitochondrial cytochrome c release and modulates caspase-dependent apoptosis. The new function of XIAP has potential to enhance mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and other cellular functions controlling cytochrome c release. These findings could exploit the overexpression of XIAP in human tumors for therapeutic benefits.
WE-D-BRA-02: Dosimetric Impact On Patient Plans From Errors That Can Pass IMRT QA

Purpose: To assess the clinical impact of errors that can pass IMRT QA when using various gamma criteria. Methods: We previously described the error curve method that allows us to quantitatively determine gamma criteria sensitivities to induced errors in IMRT QA plans. Gamma sensitivity is reported as the range of errors that may go undetected for a given criterion. Using 21 IMRT cases and their respective gamma sensitivities, we induced MU errors and MLC errors back onto the patient anatomy to study the effects of these errors on DVH metrics for PTVs and OARs (mean dose, maximum dose to a volume, and PTV D95). Gamma criteria using a dose threshold of 50% (TH50) were included in this study as our previous data showed increased sensitivity for gamma with increasing dose threshold. Since different sites and prescription regimens were used in the clinical plans, effects on DVH metrics were reported as the percent difference between the error-induced plan relative to the clinical plan. Results: For the studied errors, we found that using 3%/3mm TH10 90% pixels passing (PP) can allow large errors to go undetected, resulting in dosimetric differences of >±5% for both PTVs and OARs. Even when increasing PP to 95%PP, some cases still experienced ±7% and ±5% differences in PTV and OAR dose metrics, respectively. A stricter criterion, 2%/3mm TH50 90%PP, was able to dramatically increase gamma sensitivity to errors, reducing dosimetric differences to <4% for most cases. Conclusion: Large errors can go undetected with commonly used gamma criteria. Such errors, should they exist and fail to be discovered in routine IMRT QA, can cause clinically significant dose discrepancies. These findings further support the growing body of evidence that stricter/better metrics are required in order to identify errors that may negatively affect clinical outcomes.
The effect of psychoanalysis on the course of peptic ulcer: a preliminary report.

Summary 1.A preliminary report is presented of a study undertaken to determine the effect of psychoanalysis on the course of peptic ulcer. 2.Seventeen cases have been collected so far, of which seven are considered suitable for a follow-up study. While this is not a sufficiently large group to justify reaching any conclusions, this study will be continued and broadened. 3.Of the seven suitable cases, two were unimproved and five were improved. Two of the five improved cases had no recurrences after analysis. 4.The importance of this type of study with respect to ulcer and other psychosomatic diseases has been stressed.
Peri- and postoperative outcomes of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC)

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Robot-assisted radical cystectomy is an increasingly used method for surgical extirpation for clinically localized, muscle-invasive urothelial cartinoma. This study reviews its technique and associated preoperative and oncological outcomes. OBJECTIVE • To assess peri-and postoperative outcomes of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) and urinary diversion for the treatment of bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS • We review our previously described surgical technique for RARC and its development over recent years, with an accompanied video illustration. • We also focus on peri- and postoperative outcomes of RARC and compare this with the ‘gold standard’ of open RC. RESULTS • RARC has been steadily growing since 2003, with acceptable peri-and postoperative outcomes. • Most studies report decreased blood loss, return of bowel function, and shorter length of hospital stay. Furthermore, complication rates have been shown to be similar to that of open series. • Most importantly, oncological outcomes appear to be favourable in terms of margin status, LND and disease-specific survival, although data may be affected by the lack of long-term results and a randomized clinical trial assessing overall survival. CONCLUSIONS • RARC with PLND and urinary diversion is an increasingly used strategy in the treatment armamentarium for bladder cancer. • Perioperative and oncological outcomes from existing data have been favourable thus far, but are limited by relatively short follow-up. • Randomized clinical trials with extended patient follow-up are needed to fully assess outcomes related to RARC.
Statistical Measurement of Biotin, Thiamine, and Zinc Concentrations Required for Maximal Growth of Arthrobotrys conoides

An experiment of central composite design was performed to determine simultaneously the most suitable concentration of each of three nutrients essential for proliferation of the nematode-trapping fungus, Arthrobotrys conoides, and to detect any significant interaction that occurred when they were supplied at different levels. Regression analyses of the results obtained revealed that for maximal growth of A. conoides in a glucose-inorganic salts medium, biotin, thiamine, and zinc were required at concentrations of 5, 100, and 400 μg/liter, respectively. No interaction of significance was detected. The analytical procedures are presented in detail, and the benefits that accrue from a statistical approach are discussed.
Initial Experience and Comparative Efficacy of the UreTron: A New Intracorporeal Ultrasonic Lithotriptor.

Objective To describe the initial clinical experience with the UreTron (Med-Sonics, Erie, PA), a new ultrasonic lithotriptor. Historically, ultrasound-only intracorporeal lithotriptors have been considered the gold standard for stone removal during percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Recently, they have lost favor to newer dual and combination devices believed by many to be more efficient. The UreTron features patented technology to precisely control probe vibration and achieve more efficient output potentially improving efficiency of stone clearance. To date, the clinical efficacy of this new device has yet to be tested relative to alternative state-of-the-art lithotriptors. Methods Thirty-one patients with renal stones >2 cm undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy were studied. All cases were performed by the same surgeon, and data were recorded prospectively using the same protocol established for a separate ongoing comparison study designed to assess performance of 3 separate state-of-the-art lithotriptors (CyberWand, StoneBreaker, and LithoClast Select). Bivariate analysis was performed between the UreTron cohort and the combined cohort of the alternative state-of-the-art lithotriptors (n = 51). Results The UreTron achieved the highest stone clearance rate (51.9 mm 2 /min) of any device. It also had little decrease in clearance efficiency when used on “hard” stones (48.5 mm 2 /min). The UreTron had a faster clearance rate than the alternative lithotriptor cohort (51.9 vs 36.0 mm 2 /min; P = .02) with no differences in stone-free rate, secondary procedures, clinical complications, or device malfunctions ( P >.05). Conclusion The UreTron compares favorably with alternative state-of-the-art intracorporeal lithotriptors with faster stone clearance rates and equivalent clinical outcomes.
Perceptual correlates of neural representations evoked by odorant enantiomers.

Spatial activation patterns within the olfactory bulb are believed to contribute to the neural representation of odorants. In this study, we attempted to predict the perceptions of odorants from their evoked patterns of neural activity in the olfactory bulb. We first describe the glomerular activation patterns evoked by pairs of odorant enantiomers based on the uptake of [14C]2-deoxyglucose in the olfactory bulb glomerular layer. Using a standardized data matrix enabling the systematic comparison of these spatial odorant representations, we hypothesized that the degree of similarity among these representations would predict their perceptual similarity. The two enantiomers of carvone evoked overlapping but significantly distinct regions of glomerular activity; however, the activity patterns evoked by the enantiomers of limonene and of terpinen-4-ol were not statistically different from one another. Commensurate with these data, rats spontaneously discriminated between the enantiomers of carvone, but not between the enantiomers of limonene or terpinen-4-ol, in an olfactory habituation task designed to probe differences in olfactory perception.
Efficiency of responding to unexpected information varies with sex, age, and pubertal development in early adolescence

Entry into adolescence is marked by dramatic changes resulting from a dynamic interplay among biological and psychosocial processes. Despite the complexity, development is often indexed only by age in event-related potential (ERP) studies. To broaden this approach, we address the effects of gender and pubertal development, along with age, in adolescents using a psychophysiological probe of decision making, the P300 component. Overall, girls exhibited shorter P300 latencies and smaller P300 amplitudes compared to boys, suggesting more efficient information processing. In both genders, P300 latency and amplitude also diminished as age and pubertal status increased, again suggesting increasing efficiency of information processing with development. Our findings highlight the necessity of considering more than age when examining cognitive functioning in adolescents and, in particular, the necessity of considering gender whenever developmental issues are addressed.
Molecular epidemiology of cytomegalovirus in a nursery: Lack of evidence for nosocomial transmission*

During a 3-year period, cytomegalovirus (CMV) was recovered from the urine of 35 hospitalized newborn infants (15 with congenital and 20 with acquired infections). Two of the infants with acquired infections lacked maternal antibody to CMV (seronegative) and received transfusions from multiple seropositive blood donors. After seronegative blood products were used exclusively for seronegative low birth weight (
Students Design Competition, Best Heat Sinks for Electronics Cooling

The Thermal Fluids Engineering, a junior course required by the mechanical engineering students at Carnegie Mellon University, is offered in the spring semesters. The students who take this course have previous background in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics. Therefore, the emphases of this course are mainly on the applications, including design of the thermal systems. Included in the course is a design project competition for which the students design and manufacture a heat sink for electronic cooling. The heat sinks are then tested and ranked according to their performance in cooling a mock processor. Students are usually very excited about this competition and work very hard and zealously to present the best design and, they sometimes come up with very novel ideas. The design project has proven to be of great pedagogical value to the students. In this paper we will report on the competition of the spring semester 2004, which has been between twenty-seven student groups. We will review the competition as a whole and discuss in more detail the projects that particularly performed the best and the worst. We will share our observations about the educational benefits of the design projects, as well.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
The presence or absence of light during flotation restricted environmental stimulation: Effects on plasma cortisol, blood pressure, and mood

This study examined the effect of light on relaxation associated with flotation restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST), as measured by plasma cortisol, mean arterial pressure, and psychometric parameters. Twenty-one subjects were paired by baseline cortisol levels into two groups: one experiencing flotation REST in the presence of light (REST-L) and one experiencing flotation REST in the absence of light (REST-D). Subjects were 15 male and 6 female students aged 22-28 in normal health who had not experienced REST. Repeated flotation REST (8 sessions) either with light or without light was associated with a decrease in plasma cortisol and a decrease in mean arterial pressure, with no differences in effectiveness between groups. The psychometric assessment of mood, using the POMS scale, before and after sessions 1 and 8 revealed mood state improvement in both REST-L and REST-D groups. These data suggest that the presence of light did not compromise the flotation REST experience, as evidenced by the lack of difference between REST-L and REST-D groups.
Neomycin and pentagalloyl glucose enhanced cross-linking for elastin and glycosaminoglycans preservation in bioprosthetic heart valves

Glutaraldehyde cross-linked bioprosthetic heart valves fail within 12–15 years of implantation due to limited durability. Glutaraldehyde does not adequately stabilize extracellular matrix components such as glycosaminoglycans and elastin, and loss of these components could be a major cause of degeneration of valve after implantation. We have shown earlier that neomycin-based cross-linking stabilizes glycosaminoglycans in the tissue but fails to stabilize elastin component. Here, we report a new treatment where neomycin and pentagalloyl glucose (PGG) were incorporated into glutaraldehyde cross-linking neomycin-PGG-Glutaraldehyde (NPG) to stabilize both glycosaminoglycans and elastin in porcine aortic valves. In vitro studies demonstrated a marked increase in extracellular matrix stability against enzymatic degradation after cross-linking and 10 month storage in NPG group when compared to glutaraldehyde controls. Tensile properties showed increased lower elastic modulus in both radial and circumferential di...
Development of HAM tool for building envelope analysis

Moisture-related building envelope failures have resulted in costly rehabilitation in various regions of North America. To advance building envelope design towards an engineering approach and reduce the occurrence of future failures, an advanced numerical tool was developed, in conjunction with an extensive full-scale experiment, to investigate hygrothermal performance of various wood-frame wall assemblies. Major features of the tool are multi-dimensional and transient coupling of heat and moisture transport; natural air convection integrated in hygrothermal simulation through Darcy–Boussinesq approximation; heat transfer by conduction and convection of sensible and latent heat; moisture transport by vapor diffusion, capillary suction and convection; material database of common building materials in North America; experimental settings or weather data as boundary conditions; and moisture added in the building envelope to simulate the wetting process. The numerical tool achieves good compliances to the benchmarking cases of the HAMSTAD project, and its predictions have shown good agreement with data from the full-scale wall experiment. The numerical tool employs the commercial finite-element software to solve the governing equations. This approach provides building science researchers the flexibility to modify, maintain and share their modeling work efficiently.
Engineering magnetic properties of Fe-Ni-B amorphous alloys

Amorphous alloys in the series (Fe x Ni 1-x ) 80 B 20 were prepared by melt spinning with 20 < x < 80<. Losses and permeabilities are reported for frequencies from 100 Hz to 100 kHz. The as-wound toroids showed an increase in losses and a decrease in permeability with increasing x, consistent with the increase in magnetostriction observed with increasing x. After stress relief annealing of the toroids, maximum losses were observed at x = 75. This composition corresponds to the composition at which the magnetic anneal anisotropy is maximum.
Closed-mindedness: effect on achievement

The present research was undertaken to determine the relationship between dogmatism and achievement as determined by Rokeach's Dogmatism Scale and the Ai scale on the California Psychological Inven...
The maturational process of gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons in the male rat: a role for the adrenal gland in the increase in secretory function.

The aim of this study was to define the maturational process of the LHRH neuron in the male rat and the role of the adrenal and testis. Maturing (7-week-old) and adult (12-week-old) male rats were adrenalectomized (ADX), castrated (TX), or ADX and TX; controls were sham operated. Two weeks later, LHRH release from explants of the median eminence area (MEA), MEA LHRH content, and serum testosterone (T) were determined. MEA were incubated for 5 min with 150 microM copper and then for 15 min with 10 microM prostaglandin E2 (Cu/PGE2). LHRH release in response to Cu/PGE2 increased 3-fold between 7 and 9 weeks of age [from 10.4 +/- 1.8 to 29.2 +/- 2.1 pg/15 min.MEA (mean +/- SE)], and there was no further increase thereafter. ADX, TX, or ADX plus TX of 7-week-old rats prevented the increase in Cu/PGE2-stimulated release. In contrast, ADX of 12-week-old rats did not alter LHRH release, whereas TX or ADX plus TX drastically reduced it (75%). The MEA content increased gradually between 7 and 14 weeks of age (from 2.0 +/- 0.2 to 3.0 +/- 0.3 ng). ADX of either 7- or 12-week-old rats did not alter LHRH content, whereas TX or ADX plus TX reduced it to 1.3 ng in both age groups. Serum T increased 6.7-fold between 7 and 9 weeks of age (from 1.06 +/- 0.42 to 6.70 +/- 0.57 ng/ml), and there was no further increase thereafter. ADX of 7-week-old rats did not alter serum T, whereas ADX of 12-week-old rats reduced serum T to 0.62 +/- 0.15 ng/ml. Serum T was undetectable in TX or ADX plus TX rats of both age groups. In summary, maturation of the male reproductive system is associated with a moderate increase in LHRH content of the median eminence and marked increases in the secretory function of the LHRH neuron and in serum T; the testis is essential for these maturational increases. In addition to the testis, the adrenal is necessary for the maturational increase in the secretory function of the LHRH neuron, but not for the increase in LHRH content or that in serum T. It is proposed that dissociable mechanisms regulate LHRH secretion and content in the maturing male, and that T and a substance of adrenal origin (steroid?) are required for the maturational increase in secretory function of the LHRH neuron.
Sprite generation using sprite fusion

There has been related research for sprite or mosaic generation for over 15 years. In this article, we try to understand the methodologies for sprite generation and identify what has not actually been covered for sprite generation. We first identify issues and focus on the domain of videos for sprite generation. We introduce a novel sprite fusion method that blends two sprites. Sprite fusion method produces good results for tracking videos and does not require object segmentation. We present sample results of our experiments.
The 'kind of problem cities pose': Jane Jacobs at the intersection of philosophy, pedagogy, and urban theory

The matter of cities is, as urban critic Jane Jacobs argued, a complex problem akin to the life sciences. As a rich tradition of philosophical and geographical thought has suggested (Bergson, Lefebvre, and Harvey), the city is not a thing but a process. In order to reconcile process methodology and pedagogy, this essay explores six key ideas distilled from Jacobs’ classic work The death and life of great American cities. These six pedagogical tenets suggest a radical departure from the framework of ‘banking education’, denounced by both Paolo Freire and bell hooks, and emphasize the need to engage students in an interdisciplinary and self-directed investigation of the city rooted in their own experiences. Incorporating the ideas of thinkers from many disciplinary traditions, this essay emphasizes that knowledge is a process involving the ongoing formulation of complex questions rather than the search for simple answers.
Effective abstraction for response proof of communication fabrics

We present a satisfiability backbone-based formulation for ranking structure discovery and thereby present an alternative scalable proof technique for the response properties. Our algorithm offers enhanced automation by reducing the need for user supplied input information compared to the known technique for ranking structure discovery [1]. We demonstrate that backbone based response verification algorithm scales up or attains comparable scalability without user supplied safety invariants.
Tolerance Curves of Carbon Dioxide during Rebreathing in Normal Subjects, Pulmonary Emphysema and Obesity

SUMMARY The tolerance curves for CO 2 were investigated in 11 normal subjects, eight patients with pulmonary emphysema and seven with obesity using the rebreathing method for CO 2 . The tolerance curves were shifted to the right in emphysema and obesity in contrast to normal subjects for the beginning of hyperventilation by higher partial pressures of alveolar O 2 . The correlation of these values with PaCO 2 , was significant only in obesity. The character of the curves and the degree of hyperventilation were not significantly different from that in normal subjects. This confirms the postulate that the decreased response of the respiratory center to CO 2 is the primary actor in the decreased respiratory response to CO 2 in emphysema and obesity. The values of partial pressures of O 2 and CO 2 at the termination of the investigation confirmed the elimination of hypoxic stimulus.
Dislocation arrangements in aluminum deformed by repeated tensile stresses

Abstract Transmission electron microscopy is used to study the dislocation arrangements formed in aluminum at 78° and 300°K by the action of repeated tensile stresses. Although a pronounced macroscopic cyclic stress induced creep effect is observed, the dislocation pattern formed on the first cycle at 78°K is not grossly altered by the subsequent cycling. The dislocation density and cell size undergo a slight increase and decrease, respectively. Contrary to published results on the fatigue of aluminum under reversed stresses, the dislocation loop density in aluminum deformed by a repeated tensile stress is not significantly larger than the loop density produced by unidirectional straining. The present information and additional results on the effect of cyclic straining on the low temperature yield phenomenon in f.c.c. metals support a mechanism based on point defect-dislocation interaction as a satisfactory explanation for cyclic stress induced creep.
Abnormal karyotypes in osteochondroma: Case series and literature review.

Background Osteochondroma is the most common benign bone tumor. However, there are infrequent studies karyotyping solitary osteochondromas.
Business Dress for Women Corporate Professionals

The purposes of this study were (1) to determine any underlying considerations governing the perceptions of professional people as to the appropriateness of specific types of garment styles for female business dress and (2) to determine if a difference exists in the perceptions of appropriateness of garment styles by sex. Interviews were conducted with male and female professionals at 15 randomly selected com panies. Subjects responded by sorting a set of 36 garment-photos. Preference data were sub mitted to analysis by multidimensional scaling. One photo from each of the twelve types of garment style categories was used to create a set of 66 ordered pairs which provided com parison data for multidimensional scaling analysis. For the preference data three interpretable dimensions are reported: Dimension one is a for mal to casual dimension which accounts for 50. 7 percent of the subjects' response variance. Dimension two is a dress versus coordinated outfit dimension which accounts for 10.9 percent of the subjects' response variance. Dimension three is a factor of the degree of bodice coverage and accounts for 6. 7 percent of the subjects' response variance. For the paired comparison data five interpretable dimensions are reported. Dimension one accounts for 53. 7 percent of the subjects' response variance and is a tailored versus casual or jacket versus no jacket dimension. Dimension two is a dress versus coordinated outfit dimen sion which accounts for 16.3 percent of the subjects' response variance. Dimension three is a factor of the amount of fit in the waistline area accounting for 7.1 percent of the subjects' response variance. Dimension four is a skirt versus pants dimension which accounts for 6.2 per cent of the subjects' response variance. Dimension five is a factor of surface interest of fabrics, accounting for 5.2 percent of the subjects' response variance. The only significant t-test (α≤ .05) of sex group mean weights was for dimension one of the preference data, the formal, well-tailored to informal, more casual dimension. Formality of dress may play a more significant role in the male's estimation of the appropriateness of a gar ment than it does for the female subjects.
The Role of Bicultural Stress and Perceived Context of Reception in the Expression of Aggression and Rule Breaking Behaviors Among Recent-Immigrant Hispanic Youth

Adolescent aggression and delinquency impede healthy adjustment in early adulthood and may have particularly serious long-term consequences for minority youth. Therefore, prevention research should examine these behaviors within a sociocultural framework among newer immigrant samples to determine whether, and how, adaptation to life in the US affects these behaviors. This study investigated the role of two sociocultural variables-bicultural stress and negative context of reception-on changes in aggression and rule breaking behaviors over two time points among recently immigrated Hispanic adolescents residing in Los Angeles (N = 136) and Miami-Dade (N = 142) counties. Linear stepwise regression models were used to assess the associations between predictors and behavioral outcomes. Bicultural stress and negative context of reception both had independent associations, above and beyond parental involvement and delinquent peer associations, with changes in aggressive and rule-breaking behavior during the first year of high school. These findings suggest that social, cultural, and interpersonal processes all influence deviant behaviors in recent-immigrant Hispanic populations. We discuss the implications of these finding for prevention and intervention research and practice. We also recommend that future research continue to examine the role of these factors over the course of adolescence and consider sociocultural influences when designing behavioral interventions for Hispanic immigrant populations.
On the representation of long-range potentials by a [1, 0] Padé approximant

The utility of the [1, 0] Pade approximant in the determination of long-range interaction constants is investigated using the recently calculated Rydberg-Klein-Rees potentials for the B3ΠOu + states of I2, Br2 and Cl2. The conditions under which the [1, 0] Pade approximant is a valid representation of the long-range potential outside the electron-overlap region are studied in detail, using as model systems the B states of I2, Br2 and Cl2, and the X1Σg+, B1Σu+ and B′1Σu+ states of H2. In general, the validity of the representation depends on the nature of the potential, and is governed by if the long-range potential can be adequately represented by a maximum number of three terms (n, m, m1) in the inverse-power expansion.
Valerius Maximus and Walter Map

DURING the thirteenth and succeeding centuries there was associated with the name of Valerius Maximus an epistle against marriage entitled Dissuasio Valerii ad Rufinum philosophum ne uxorem ducat.' It is clear that mediaeval scribes and commentators2 were misled by the pen-name Valerius, and thus assigned to the ancient Roman a letter which, if only because it contains allusions to the works of Jerome and Augustine, cannot be by the hand of Valerius Maximus. Certain mediaeval commentators recognize the difficulty; Nicholas Trivet, for example, writes thus:' 'Sciendum quod tres fuerunt Valerii et omnes erant Romani. Unus erat Valerius Marcialis cocus qui fecit epigrammata ludicra. Alius fuit Valerius Maximus, qui scripsit de dictis et factis memorabilibus ad Tiberium Cesarem. Tercius fuit iste Valerius, et non fuit idem alicui primorum ... Rufinus fu'it philosophus et Romanus.' But even as late as the nineteenth century the Epistle was still begging an author: in 1865 Migne4 followed his predecessors in printing it among the spurious works of Jerome. For this there was some slight justification: the Epistle does have references to Jerome, and the great saint did indeed write a famous tract against a Rufinus, in this case a Tyrannius Rufinus. It remained for editors of Walter Map to discover a manuscript which preserved the Epistle as part of Distinctio iv of Map's De Nugis Curialium.5 Before its incorporation in the larger work it had circulated separately, and in this earlier period had been divorced from his name and claimed by a multitude of his contemporaries. 'Scimus hane placuisse multis, avide rapitur, transcribitur intente, plena iocunditate legitur. Meam tamen esse quidam, sed de plebe, negant. Epistole enim invident, decorem suum ei violenter auferunt et auctorem. Hoc solum deliqui, quod vivo.'6 Map had realized that the work of an author,