cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Migraine and pregnancy.

Female hormones are linked to migraine. Women who have had menstrual migraine and migraine onset at menarche tend to experience no migraine during pregnancy. Not all migraines improve during pregnancy however. Some women experience migraine for the first time during pregnancy. Migraine developing during pregnancy may indicate an underlying structural or functional disorder e.g. cerebral aneurysms. Headaches caused by cerebral arteriovenous malformations often present as migraine with aura. Cerebral venous thrombosis (common during pregnancy and the puerperium) may manifest with migraine-like visual disturbance and headache. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension or intracranial hypertension secondary to cerebral venous thrombosis or coincidental brain mass can manifest as a continuous and increasing headache. Physicians need to intensively evaluate such cases to achieve an accurate diagnosis. Spinal procedures linked to delivery can cause a low pressure headache. Oral contraceptive use is linked to migraine. Decreasing estrogen levels appear to precipitate migraine. Estradiol and progesterone therapy for menstrual migraine maintains high estrogen levels during the menstrual epoch which generally prevents migraine. High but stable estrogen levels prevent migraine. Thus migraines who do not suffer from migraine during pregnancy benefit from high estrogen levels. Pregnant women with migraine should not take drugs unless the frequency and severity of migraine is life threatening to the mother or fetus. Acetaminophen can be used to relieve pain. Meperidine suppositories can relieve severe pain. Pregnant women should not use aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or vasoconstrictors. Fluid replacement and acceptable antiemetic drugs can treat dehydration and vomiting. Behavioral modification identification and elimination of foods that trigger attacks magnesium supplementation and low doses of propranolol 3-4 times/day in severe cases may prevent migraine in pregnant women.
Performance outcomes after medial ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in Major League Baseball positional players.

Background We sought to determine whether professional baseball positional players who underwent medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) reconstruction demonstrate decreases in performance on return to competition compared with preoperative performance metrics and their control-matched peers. Methods Data for 35 Major League Baseball positional players who underwent MUCL reconstruction during 31 seasons were obtained. Twenty-six players met inclusion criteria. Individual statistics for the 2 seasons immediately before injury and the 2 seasons after injury included wins above replacement (WAR), on-base plus slugging (OPS), and isolated power (ISO). Twenty-six controls matched by player position, age, plate appearances, and performance statistics were identified. Results Of the 35 athletes who underwent surgery, 7 did not return to their preinjury level of competition (return to play rate of 80%). In comparing preinjury with postinjury statistics, players exhibited a significant decrease in plate appearances, at-bats, and WAR 2 seasons after injury but did not demonstrate declines in WAR 1 season after injury. Compared with matched controls, athletes who underwent MUCL reconstruction did not demonstrate significant decline in statistical performance, including OPS, WAR, and ISO, after return to play from surgery. Of all positional players, catchers undergoing surgery demonstrated lowest rates of return to play (56%) along with statistically significant decreases in home run rate, runs batted in, and ISO. Conclusion Major League Baseball positional players undergoing MUCL reconstruction can reasonably expect to return to their preinjury level of competition and performance after surgery compared with their peers. Positional players return to play at a rate comparable to that of pitchers; catchers may experience more difficultly in returning to preinjury levels of play.
Complex Mediation in the Formation of Political Opinions

The Internet plays an important role in the formation of political opinions by supporting citizens in discovering diverse political information and opinions. However, the echo chamber effect has become of increasing concern, referring to the tendency for people to encounter opinions and information similar to their own online. It remains poorly understood how ordinary citizens use the Internet in the formation of political opinions. To answer this question, we conducted an interview study with 32 Chinese citizens. We found that participants used complex strategies to coordinate personal networks and technologies in specific ways to better understand political events. To analyze this phenomenon, we draw on Bodker and Andersen's model of complex mediation which describes how multiple mediators including people and artifacts work together to mediate an activity. We discuss how complex mediation supported participants in informing their political opinions. We derive design implications for supporting people to form political opinions.
Impact of CIM Technologies and Agency Policies on Performance for Highway Infrastructure Projects

AbstractThe digital tools and practices that facilitate the collection, organization, and use of accurate data and information throughout the life cycle of a highway infrastructure asset are referr...
Studying Children's Cultural Knowledge and Behaviors Related to Environment, Health, and Food: Methods for Ethnoecological Research with Children

Children's ethnoecological knowledge and behaviors related to the environment, health, and food can differ significantly from those of the adults around them. It can be difficult to design studies to capture these differences because standard ethnographic methods do not necessarily translate well to fieldwork with children. We review and evaluate the range of tools useful for eliciting children's (birth to age 12) cultural knowledge and behavior across the domains of health, food, and the environment, identifying the characteristics of different methods (e.g., what type of data they produce, their fit with types of research questions, ages with which they have been used, analytical tools, advantages, and disadvantages). Methods examined include systematic observation in situ (time scans or spot observations), focal follows, photo and video elicitation, artwork, photovoice, video diaries, scrapbooking, oral semi-structured interviews, focus groups, written surveys and diaries, object identification and sorting, attribution tasks, and narrative picture book tasks. We find several opportunities to strengthen ethnoecological research with children. These include regularly disclosing and discussing the challenges and details of using informed consent and conducting new research to understand the impacts of integrating technologies with other methods to collect ethnoecological data with children. Careful consideration of methods is important for rigorous research and this article serves as a tool for researchers working with or considering working with children, to expand the body of research engaging with and analyzing children's unique cultures.
1021-LBP: The significance of donor-specific hla antibodies detected by C1Q-SAB or flow cytometry crossmatches in liver transplantation

Aim Unlike in other solid organ transplantations, the role of pre-existing antibodies to HLA in liver transplant is not well defined. The presence of alloantibody in liver transplantation has been thought to have no severe deleterious impact on grafts survival, therefore crossmatchings is not routinely performed prior to liver transplantations. Recent reports suggest a correlation between positive donor specific antibody (DSA) and adverse graft outcome leading to reassessment of these views. Detection of DSA by current solid phase immunoassays is highly sensitive and specific. The correlation between DSA detected by immunoassays and their relevance in flow cytometric crossmatch (FCXM), C1q testing and subsequent liver transplantation has not been analyzed. Methods We retrospectively examined the predictive value of detection of DSA by FCXM or C1q binding ability of the DSA from 175 liver transplant recipients. LABScreen Single Antigen (SAB) immunoassay revealed anti-HLA in 44 of 175 patients. These positive serum were tested by FCXM and C1q assays. Results In SAB positive patients, the sensitivity of FCXM in detecting DSA is 67% and the negative predictive value is 90.5%, whereas C1q tests revealed all DSAs identified by SAB were complement fixing. Two of the four patients with positive DSA detected by all three tests developed biopsy proven acute/subacute immune mediated (plasma cell) rejection. Two patients with positive DSA by C1q but negative by FCXM did not develop rejection over 8-month follow up period. Conclusions These data suggest DSA resulting in FCXM positivity can lead to liver allograft dysfunction, however clinical relevance of C1q assay liver transplantation is still uncertain given none of patients with positive C1q DSA and negative FCXM have developed rejection.
The Reaction Probability of ClONO 2 + HCl on Particulate Solid Rocket Motor Emissions

A miniaturized flowtube interfaced to a quadrupole chemical ionization mass spectrometer (CIMS) was developed in order to determine the pseudo-first order rate constant k of the heterogeneous chlorine activation reaction HCl + ClONO -> Cl + HNO on a small particulate sample of solid rocket motor emissions, so-called SRM dust. Micron-sized laboratory α-alumina was taken as a proxy and was compared to real SRM dust. The substrates were deposited on the walls of the flowtube using halocarbon wax as a support. The experiments were performed under reactant partial pressure and temperature conditions similar to those in the mid-latitude lower stratosphere. Within experimental error, α-alumina and SRM dust were found to exhibit the same rate constant k. Because the reaction probability γ of this reaction was measured to be 0.02, it can be concluded that this value also applies to SRM emissions.
[Structure of chromatin. 2: levels of organization of DNA in the nucleus. Highly organized structures]

In the interphase nucleus, the 30 nm fiber, whose characteristics were discussed in the first part of this review, is condensed 10-15 fold to form loops or domains of chromatin with a DNA packing ratio of 600. In the metaphase chromosomes, the packing ratio is 12000. The existence of loops in the interphase nucleus has been suggested by experiments from electronic microscopy, sedimentation and nuclease digestion. These loops of 20-200Kb are attached at their bases to a non-histone protein network, that is the nuclear matrix or scaffold whose major component is the topoisomerase II. There is disagreement regarding the arrangement of the loops in metaphase chromosomes and several models have been proposed. Six of these models are presented. A number of data suggest that the sequences of attachment (SARs/MARs) define functional units containing related genes. Thus, the compartmentation of the genome in topographically independent domains might ensure the fidelity of epigenetic transmission of the chromatin structure, and it might help to control gene expression. In the interphase nucleus, the chromosomes coexist with other domains involved in major nuclear functions such as transcription, replication or post-transcriptional modifications and whose compartmentation is not always evident.
Maximum Likelihood Estimation in Mallows’s Model Using Partially Ranked Data

Consider a sample from a population in which each individual is characterized by a ranking on k items, but only partial information about the ranking is available for the individuals in the sample. The problem is to estimate the population distribution of rankings, given the partially ranked data. This paper proposes use of an EM algorithm to obtain maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters in Mallows’s model for the distribution of rankings. Medical applications are discussed where the items are manifestations of a disease or a developmental process, the ranking is the sequence in which they first appear over time, and the partial ranking results from observation of the subjects cross-sectionally or at a few specified times. The methods are illustrated for a longitudinal study of a community population aged 65 years and older, where the signs are self-reporting of impairment in different physical activities.
Reasonable Accommodation as Professional Responsibility, Reasonable Accommodation as Professionalism

The American legal profession has been slow to remove the barriers that exclude individuals with disabilities. As a result, people with disabilities remain underrepresented in the practice of law. While the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits employment discrimination and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities, there remain significant barriers to employment for lawyers with disabilities. This Article argues that the legal profession should view the legal requirements of reasonable accommodation and equal employment opportunities for lawyers with disabilities as fundamental components of professional responsibility and professionalism.
Intramolecular synergism, an explanation for the enhanced fungitoxicity of halo-8-quinolinols

An antifungal study againstAspergillus niger,A. oryzae,Myrothecium verrucaria, andTrichoderma viride in Yeast Nitrogen Base supplemented with 1%D-glucose and 0.088%L-asparagine was carried out using 8-quinolinol and 3-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 3,6-, and 5,7-chlorinated and brominated-8-quinolinols. Binary mixtures of 3- and 6-halo- and 5- and 7-halo-8-quinolinols were intermolecularly synergistic. MICs of the monohalo synergistic mixtures admixed with a MIC of the corresponding dihalo-8-quinolinols were not synergistic. The dihalo-8-quinolinols with substituents in positions corresponding to those of the synergistic binary mixtures appeared to attack the same sites of action as the binary pairs. The enhanced activities of 3,6- and 5,7-dichloro-8-quinolinols and 3,6- and 5,7-dibromo-8-quinolinols are believed to be due to intramolecular synergism. The greater fungitoxicity of 5-, 6-, and 7-monohalo-8-quinolinols over 8-quinolinol can also be explained as due to intramolecular synergism. 3,6-Dihalo- and 5,7-dihalo-8-quinolinols formed synergistic pairs of compounds.
Extraction of Laser Pulses from the Rejection Port of an All-PM Figure-eight Femtosecond Er-doped Fiber Laser

An all-PM figure-eight femtosecond Er-fiber laser with a rejection port is demonstrated to deliver output power of 23 mW. This is the highest output power ever reported in all-PM Er-fiber lasers based on NOLM/NALM technique.
Engaged to Succeed: Understanding First-Year Engineering Students’ Course Engagement and Performance Through Analytics

The use of analytics in education provides researchers the opportunity to uncover student engagement habits by utilizing data generated through online platforms such as course learning management systems (LMS). Student engagement has been shown to vary based on student-instructor interaction. We examined LMS usage of first-year engineering students in a large research university in the United States to examine the following three research questions: 1) How do course grades vary based on the students' instructor and the overall number of LMS sessions per student, 2) How do course grades vary based on the students' instructor and the number of LMS sessions per student for different course tools, and 3) How does the timing and frequency of LMS tool usage relate to course grades and vary across instructors? We found a positive relationship between LMS usage and course grades; however, the relationship is dependent upon the instructor of the course, as well as for the specific type of tool used. We also found that the day of the week on which the LMS was used is a strong predictor of student course grades. The results empirically demonstrate that better engagement with a course leads to better outcomes and there are variations in how instructors use an LMS which ultimately influences student usage and performance. We also illustrate an opportunity for researchers and instructors to capture, analyze, and use LMS data to inform and improve teaching practices and policies.
Bearing Witness: Teacher Perspectives on Developing Empathy through Holocaust Survivor Testimony.

This qualitative interview study explores the perceptions five USC Shoah Foundation Master Teachers who integrate Holocaust survivor and witness testimony via IWitness, a web resource from the USC ...
Angiostatic cues from the matrix: Endothelial cell autophagy meets hyaluronan biology

The extracellular matrix encompasses a reservoir of bioactive macromolecules that modulates a cornucopia of biological functions. A prominent body of work posits matrix constituents as master regulators of autophagy and angiogenesis and provides molecular insight into how these two processes are coordinated. Here, we review current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying hyaluronan and HAS2 regulation and the role of soluble proteoglycan in affecting autophagy and angiogenesis. Specifically, we assess the role of proteoglycan-evoked autophagy in regulating angiogenesis via the HAS2-hyaluronan axis and ATG9A, a novel HAS2 binding partner. We discuss extracellular hyaluronan biology and the post-transcriptional and post-translational modifications that regulate its main synthesizer, HAS2. We highlight the emerging group of proteoglycans that utilize outside-in signaling to modulate autophagy and angiogenesis in cancer microenvironments and thoroughly review the most up-to-date understanding of endorepellin signaling in vascular endothelia, providing insight into the temporal complexities involved.
At Last, 18F-FDG for Inflammation and Infection!

1048 Introduction: The brain neurotransmitters serotonin and noradrenaline are both implicated in the regulation of appetite and energy balance. Alterations of these systems, i.e. in key areas of feeding control such as the hypothalamus or the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), lead to eating disorders and obesity; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully explored yet. Here, we propose a model of body mass index (BMI)-related changes of SERT and NAT together with post-interventional (diet, Roux-Y-gastric bypass surgery, RYGB) data. Methods: PET was performed in non-depressed individuals with obesity twice prior and after 6 months following dietary or RYGB intervention using SERT-selective 11C-DASB (n=30 diet, BMI 41.3±4.9 kg/m2, age 37±10 years, 22 females; n=13 RYGB, BMI 45.0±3.9 kg/m2, age 45±12 years, 7 females) or 11C-MRB (n=10 diet, BMI 42.4±3.6 kg/m2, age 34±9 years, 4 females; n=9 RYGB, BMI 46.9±4.9 kg/m2, age 46±13 years, 7 females) to obtain SERT/NAT binding potential BPND (applying multilinear reference tissue modelling with two parameters) of the hypothalamus and the DRN (individually defined on coregistered MRI) as the primary outcome measure compared with the baseline and 6-months follow-up data of normal-weight (NW), healthy controls (n=15 11C-DASB, BMI 22.5±2.5 kg/m2, age 36±7 years, 10 females; n=10 11C-MRB, BMI 23.9±2.5 kg/m2, age 33±10 years, 4 females). Results: At baseline, SERT BPND in the DRN was highest in the diet group (NW 2.99±0.7 vs. diet 3.63±0.9 vs. RYGB 3.15±2.0; ANOVA p=0.19). Post-diet data showed no changes in SERT BPND (DRN) while average change of BMI was modest (mean -2.8 kg/m2 or -6.8%; p=0.01). SERT BPND increased after RYGB (follow-up: 3.45±0.2; p=0.1) together with a highly significant decrease of BMI (mean -12.4 kg/m2 or -26.7%; p<0.0001). NAT BPND in the hypothalamus decreased with increasing BMI (NW 0.53±0.1 vs. diet 0.43±0.2 vs. RYGB 0.44±0.1, ANOVA p=0.26) forming a U-shaped relationship between NAT and BMI (R2=0.2; Figure). As predicted from the baseline measures, NAT BPND increased slightly after diet (0.44±0.2; n.s.) and decreased after RYGB (follow-up: 0.30±0.2; p=0.15; Figure). Both BMI and BPND remained stable in NW. Conclusion: Taken together, our findings suggest a dynamic relationship between both monoamine systems and markers of obesity during the development of obesity, possibly based on tonus shifts, processes of neuroplasticity, or different endophenotypes in individuals with moderate obesity and severe obesity. Specifically, our data indicate a model of curvilinear and inverse curvilinear relationship of the respective transporters related to the BMI in regions relevant for feeding control. If confirmed in larger series and further related to the individual endocrine, metabolic and behavioral factors, such findings may point to the use of one or both transporters as PET biomarker for treatment decision, course monitoring and for the prediction of treatment success. Acknowledgements: The work was supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Germany, FKZ: 01E01001
Cerebral Cavernous Malformation: From Mechanism to Therapy

Cerebral cavernous malformations are acquired vascular anomalies that constitute a common cause of central nervous system hemorrhage and stroke. The past 2 decades have seen a remarkable increase in our understanding of the pathogenesis of this vascular disease. This new knowledge spans genetic causes of sporadic and familial forms of the disease, molecular signaling changes in vascular endothelial cells that underlie the disease, unexpectedly strong environmental effects on disease pathogenesis, and drivers of disease end points such as hemorrhage. These novel insights are the integrated product of human clinical studies, human genetic studies, studies in mouse and zebrafish genetic models, and basic molecular and cellular studies. This review addresses the genetic and molecular underpinnings of cerebral cavernous malformation disease, the mechanisms that lead to lesion hemorrhage, and emerging biomarkers and therapies for clinical treatment of cerebral cavernous malformation disease. It may also serve as an example for how focused basic and clinical investigation and emerging technologies can rapidly unravel a complex disease mechanism.
Interreligious Studies: Dispatches from an Emerging Field, edited by Hans Gustafson.

Interreligious Studies: Dispatches from an Emerging Field, edited by Hans Gustafson. Baylor University Press, 2020. 295 pp., Hb., £35. ISBN 978-1481312547
A new algorithm for finding the minimum distance between two convex hulls

The problem of computing the minimum distance between two convex hulls has applications to many areas including robotics, computer graphics and path planning. Moreover, determining the minimum distance between two convex hulls plays a significant role in support vector machines (SVM). In this study, a new algorithm for finding the minimum distance between two convex hulls is proposed and investigated. A convergence of the algorithm is proved and applicability of the algorithm to support vector machines is demostrated. The performance of the new algorithm is compared with the performance of one of the most popular algorithms, the sequential minimal optimization (SMO) method. The new algorithm is simple to understand, easy to implement, and can be more efficient than the SMO method for many SVM problems.
Assessment of the bioaccessibility of micronized copper wood in synthetic stomach fluid

Abstract The widespread use of copper in treated lumber may result in a potential for human exposure. Due to a lack of information concerning the release of copper from treated wood particles following oral ingestion, the in vitro bioaccessibility of copper from copper-treated wood dust in synthetic stomach fluid (SSF) and DI water was investigated. Copper-containing particles ranging in size from nano-scale to micron-scale were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in thin sections of these micronized copper-treated wood products. Three copper-treated wood products (liquid alkali copper quaternary and two micronized copper quarternary products) from different manufacturers were incubated in the extraction media. The released copper was then fractionated by centrifugation and filtration through 0.45 μm and 10 kDa filters, respectively. Soluble copper released into isolated fractions was measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Total copper from each wood product was also determined using microwave-assisted acid digestion of dried wood samples and ICP-OES. The bioaccessible copper released into SSF was between 83 and 90% for all wood types. However, the percent of copper released in DI water was between 14 and 25% for all wood products. These data suggest that copper is highly bioaccessible at the low pH values present in the stomach and may pose a potential exposure risk upon ingestion.
Hydrodynamic interactions in metal rodlike-particle suspensions due to induced charge electroosmosis.

We present a theoretical and experimental study of the role of hydrodynamic interactions on the motion and dispersion of metal rodlike particles in the presence of an externally applied electric field. In these systems, the electric field polarizes the particles and induces an electroosmotic flow relative to the surface of each particle. The simulations include the effect of the gravitational body force, buoyancy, far-field hydrodynamic interactions, and near-field lubrication forces. The particles in the simulations and experiments were observed to experience repeated pairing interactions in which they come together axially with their ends approaching each other, slide past one another until their centers approach, and then push apart. These interactions were confirmed in measurements of particle orientations and velocities, pair distribution functions, and net dispersion of the suspension. For large electric fields, the pair distribution functions show accumulation and depletion regions consistent with many pairing events. For particle concentrations of 10 8 particles/mL and higher, dispersion within the suspension dramatically increases with increased field strength.
Equatorial Solitary Waves. Part V: Initial Value Experiments, Coexisting Branches, and Tilted-Pair Instability

Abstract A series of high-resolution numerical experiments, augmented by theory, to further explore the dynamics of equatorial dipole vortices (Rossby solitary waves) is performed. When the amplitude is sufficiently large so that the vortices trap fluid internally, the solitary waves for a given phase speed are not unique. The potential vorticity–streak function (q–Ψ) relationship is everywhere linear for one branch, but highly nonlinear in the recirculation region for the second branch. Westward-traveling vortex pairs are highly unstable on the midlatitude beta plane, but the equatorial wave guide stabilizes vortex pairs that straddle the equator, even when given a strong initial tilt. As discovered by Williams and Wilson and explained theoretically by Boyd, the author confirms that higher latitudinal mode solitary waves are weakly nonlocal through radiation of sinusoidal Rossby waves of lower latitudinal mode number. The amplitude and wavelength of the radiation are in good agreement with nonlocal solit...
The racemization of complex ions on activated carbon—II: The racemization of d-tris(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) chloride and other complexes

Abstract Silica gel, activated alumina, platinized asbestos, and partially reduced zinc oxide were found to have no effect on the rate of racemization of several complexes studied. Raney nickel caused the decomposition of [Co(en)3]Cl3. Activated carbon decomposed K3[Co(C2O4)3] and K3[Cr(C2O4)3]. It caused some conversion to the trans isomer of cis-[Co(en)2(NO2)2]Br3, in addition to accelerating the racemization of the complex. Using wood carbon activated at 700°C for 1 hr, the racemization of d -[Co(en)3]Cl3 was found to be essentially second order, first order in complex and first order in carbon. The activation energy for the racemization process was 17 kcal/mole. Although an electron exchange mechanism for the racemization on carbon cannot be ruled out, an intramolecular process is favoured.
POLLEN RECORDS, LATE PLEISTOCENE | Western North America

Pollen records from western North America and the eastern Pacific Ocean reveal the amplitude and timing of changes in vegetation and climate during the late Pleistocene (ca. 130 to 10 ka). Cooler-than-present conditions prevailed through most of this time, punctuated by shorter intervals of warmth. The dominance of pollen types reflecting open vegetation suggest that these cooler times were also drier than today in the regions north of the current deserts of the southwestern USA. It is difficult to obtain accurate ages for many of the pollen records, especially for those dating to before ca. 40 ka. Despite uncertainties in dating, it appears that some of the transitions between warm and cold climate episodes were rapid. Examination of the last such transition, from the Last Glacial Maximum to the current interglacial (the Holocene), suggests that the pace and magnitude of the transition were influenced by the geographic and elevational setting of the pollen sites recording this event.
A miniaturized lock-in amplifier design suitable for impedance measurements in cells [biological cells]

A comparison of the performance for impedance analysis of biological cells between a newly fabricated miniature lock-in amplifier and an industry standard Stanford Research SR830 lock-in amplifier is described. Experimental results compare measurement error over a range of characteristic model impedances from 1 kHz to 10 MHz. Within the functional frequency range of the SR830, the miniaturized lock-in amplifier performs with approximately 30% less precision than the SR830. At higher frequencies, that are more suitable for impedance analysis in biological cells, however, the miniaturized lock-in continues to perform with less than 10% average error while the SR830 fails to operate entirely. With consistent performance at higher frequencies, this miniaturized lock-in amplifier is a desirable instrument for use in biological impedance analysis.
SU-E-T-623: Polarity Effects for Small Volume Ionization Chambers in Cobalt-60 Beams

Purpose: To investigate the polarity effects for small volume ionization chambers in 60Co gamma-ray beams using the Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion. Methods: Measurements were made for 7 small volume ionization chambers (a PTW 31016, an Exradin A14, 2 Capintec PR0-5P, and 3 Exradin A16) using a PTW UNIDOSwebline Universal Dosemeter and an ELEKTA solid water phantom with proper inserts. For each ion chamber, the temperature/pressure corrected electric charge readings were obtained for 16 voltage values (±50V, ±100V, ±200V, ±300V, ±400V, ±500V, ±600V, ±700V). For each voltage, a five-minute leakage charge reading and a series of 2-minute readings were continuously taken during irradiation until 5 stable signals (less than 0.05% variation) were obtained. The average of the 5 reading was then used for the calculation of the polarity corrections at the voltage and for generating the saturation curves. Results: The polarity effects are more pronounced at high or low voltages than at the medium voltages for all chambers studied. The voltage dependence of the 3 Exradin A16 chambers is similar in shape. The polarity corrections for the Exradin A16 chambers changes rapidly from about 1 at 500V to about 0.98 at 700V. The polarity corrections for the 7 ion chambers at 300V are in the range from 0.9925 (for the PTW31016) to 1.0035 (for an Exradin A16). Conclusion: The polarity corrections for certain micro-chambers are large even at normal operating voltage.
Complement in Lupus Nephritis: New Perspectives

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder caused by loss of tolerance to self-antigens, the production of autoantibodies and deposition of complement-fixing immune complexes (ICs) in injured tissues. SLE is characterized by a wide range of clinical manifestations and targeted organs, with lupus nephritis being one of the most serious complications. The complement system consists of three pathways and is tightly controlled by a set of regulatory proteins to prevent injudicious complement activation on host tissue. The involvement of the complement system in the pathogenesis of SLE is well accepted; yet, its exact role is still not clear. Summary: Complement plays dual roles in the pathogenesis of SLE. On the one hand, the complement system appears to have protective features in that hereditary homozygous deficiencies of classical pathway components, such as C1q and C4, are associated with an increased risk for SLE. On the other hand, IC-mediated activation of complement in affected tissues is clearly evident in both experimental and human SLE along with pathological features that are logical consequences of complement activation. Studies in genetically altered mice have shown that lack of complement inhibitors, such as complement factor H (CFH) or decay-accelerating factor (DAF) accelerates the development of experimental lupus nephritis, while treatment with recombinant protein inhibitors, such as Crry-Ig, CR2-Crry, CR2-DAF and CR2-CFH, ameliorates the disease development. Complement-targeted drugs, including soluble complement receptor 1 (TP10), C1 esterase inhibitor and a monoclonal anti-C5 antibody (eculizumab), have been shown to inhibit complement safely, and are now being investigated in a variety of clinical conditions. Key Messages: SLE is an autoimmune disorder which targets multiple systems. Complement is centrally involved and plays dual roles in the pathogenesis of SLE. Studies from experimental lupus models and clinical trials support the use of complement-targeted therapy in the treatment of SLE.
The conceptual models of energy behavior and energy behavioral change

Population growth and continued trends of over-consumption and overpollution represent significant threats to the environment, which necessitate a move towards more sustainable approaches. Moving towards sustainability requires individuals' energy behavior change. Accordingly, this paper focuses on individuals' energy behavior in three levels: human-institutional, physical, and data levels. We investigate the role of information of smart systems on the energy behavioral change and present two integrated conceptual frameworks to increase the effective capacity of energy systems, facilitate energy consumption problem solving, and improve personal, social, and technical capabilities regarding energy consumption.
Chromium leaching behavior in soil derived from chromite ore processing waste

To obtain information for the remediation design of chromium waste sites, the leaching behavior of chromium in chromium-contaminated soil (Cr-soil) derived from chromium ore processing residue (COPR) was investigated. Batch leaching experiments were conducted using simulated rainwater as the leaching solution with pH adjusted to cover a range from 2.0 to 12.0 No Cr(VI) was detected in the leachate at low pH (<2.5). This may be attributed to adsorption of Cr(VI) onto the soil surface and/or reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by organic matter and/or by ferrous iron (two other major components of the soil); these processes are favored at low pH. Significant amounts of Cr(VI) were leached between pH 4.5 and 12. Results from leaching experiments indicate that approximately 1% of total Cr (26 mg/g) is readily leachable. The major chromium form in Cr-soil was identified as chromite using X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The forms of leachable chromium cannot be identified. It can only be hypothesized that Cr(VI) is leached by a dissolution of the chromate salts and attenuated by adsorption/desorption, precipitation, and redox processes that may occur in the soil-water system. Removal of the organic matter from the Cr-soil increases the amount of Cr(VI) leached over the entire pH range, suggesting that the organic matter can reduce Cr(VI) present in the solution. Cr(III) leaching behavior was also investigated as a function of pH. Cr(III) was found in solution at pH < 5. The amount of Cr(III) leached was controlled by the solubility of Cr(III) precipitates, the extent of Cr(VI) reduction, and the magnitude of Cr(III) adsorption onto the soil surface. No Cr(III) was detected between pH 4.5 and 12 which can be attributed to the presence of insoluble precipitates such as Cr(OH)3(s) and CrxFe1−x(OH)3(s) and the adsorption of Cr(III) species onto the soil particle surface.
An economic analysis of the optimal information security investment in the case of a risk-averse firm

Abstract This paper presents an analysis of information security investment from the perspective of a risk-averse decision maker following common economic principles. Using the expected utility theory, we find that for a risk-averse decision maker, the maximum security investment increases with, but never exceeds, the potential loss from a security breach, and there exists a minimum potential loss below which the optimal investment is zero. Our model also shows that the investment in information security does not necessarily increase with increasing level of risk aversion of the decision maker. Relationships between vulnerability and investment effectiveness and two broad classes of security breach probability functions are examined, leading to interesting insights that can be used as guidelines for managers to determine the optimal level of security investment for certain types of security threats faced by risk-averse firms. Future research directions are discussed based on the limitations and possible extensions of this study.
The role of empathy in medical students' choice of specialty.

The role of empathy in medical students’ postgraduate training interest was studied. The level of empathy, as measured by the Hogan Empathy Scale, was not found to be a discriminating factor in career selection. Students interested in psychiatry had empathy levels similar to other groups of students. Although empathy has been suggested as a possible discriminating variable among medical school candidates, individuals with high and low empathy scores were found to be interested in every field of practice. Further studies are needed before measurement of empathy is used in the selection process for medical school admission.
Differentiation of human and calf reoviruslike agents associated with diarrhea using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of RNA.

Abstract By polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of RNA it was possible to distinguish between the human and calf reoviruslike agents associated with diarrhea. These two viruses were seen to differ in as many as five of their RNA genome segments on the basis of electrophoretic mobility on 9% gels. In addition, comparison of the RNA segments of two other related viruses (the “O” agent and SA-11 virus) indicated that these viruses differed from the human and calf viruses as well as from each other. Evidence that all four viruses contain 11 double-stranded RNA segments was also suggested from electrophoretic patterns. Based on contour length measurement, the RNA segments of the human and calf viruses were divided into four size classes in contrast to the three size classes seen for reovirus type 2.
The four Ps of corporate political activity: a framework for environmental analysis and corporate action

In this paper, I propose a new integrated framework which may be used to conduct a thorough analysis of a firm's political environment. The four steps of the methodology include the problem (how a political problem emerges and can be shaped by actors), the procedure (the public decision-making procedure), the policies (relevant public policies currently implemented) and the players (including policy-makers as well as participants in the political debate). Together, they form what I call the ‘Four Ps of corporate political activity’. This framework can serve not only for environmental analysis and monitoring, but also to improve the effectiveness of a firm's attempts in the field of political influence, through actions such as arena selection, issue framing, the use of procedural opportunities, proactive negotiation of a compromise or gate-keeping the political arena. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development and evaluation of a neutron-gamma mixed-field dosimetry system based on a single thermoluminescence dosimeter

Abstract A neutron-gamma mixed-field dosimetry system based on a single lithium fluoride thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD-700) was developed. The system's ability to perform in the mixed thermal neutron-gamma field of the lead/bismuth irradiation facility at the Ohio State University Research Reactor was then evaluated. Such a system is needed to gather accurate dosimetry data for radiobiology experiments which are performed in the lead/bismuth facility. The system was found to be inadequate for the purpose of measuring both dose components in the irradiation facility. In that environment, the system's response to the gamma radiation is obscured by the response to neutron radiation. A sensitivity analysis was performed to estimate the system's performance under different conditions, in order to determine the condition for which the system is useful for resolving both the gamma and the neutron components of the dose. The analysis suggested that the system might function properly under the following two situations: 1) If a lithium fluoride TLD could be produced with a much lower 6 Li enrichment (∼ 0.001%), then the neutron sensitivity would be reduced enough to allow the gamma response to be seen; 2) The same system could be used in a radiation field containing a much lower neutron-to-gamma absorbed dose ratio ( D n / D g ≈ 0.1). This type of field might be found at other facilities.
Improved real-time scheduling for periodic tasks on multiprocessors

Due to increasing numbers of real-time high-performance applications like control systems, autonomous robots, financial systems, scheduling these real-time applications on HPC resources has become an important problem. This paper presents a novel real-time multiprocessor scheduling algorithm, called Notional Approximation for Balancing Load Residues (NABLR), which heuristically selects tasks for execution by taking into account their residual loads and laxities. The NABLR schedule is created by considering a sequence of inter-arrival intervals (IAI) between two consecutive job arrivals of any task and using a heuristic to carefully plan task execution to fully utilize available resources in each of these intervals and avoid deadline misses as much as possible. Performance evaluation shows that NABLR outperforms previously known efficient algorithms (i.e. EDF and EDZL) in successfully scheduling sets of tasks in which total utilization of each task set equals available resource capacity, performing the closest to an optimal algorithm such as LLREF and Pfair. Out of 2500 randomly selected high-utilization task sets, NABLR can schedule up to 97.9% of the sets versus 63.2% by the best known efficient algorithm. In addition, the overheads of NABLR schedule are significantly smaller than those of optimal schedules (on average 80.57% fewer preemptions, migrations and 75.52% fewer scheduler invocations than those of LLREF) and comparably efficient to those of suboptimal schedules (fewer or nearly the same number of invocations as EDZL and ASEDZL, but within only 0.12% more preemptions/migrations than ASEDZL). NABLR has the same time complexity as other previously proposed efficient algorithms.
Response of matrix chains to nanoscale filler particles

Abstract A new generation of on-lattice MC simulations for dense melts of coarse-grained POE chains has been developed so that the MC simulations include nanoscale filler particles. In this novel approach, filler particles and polymer chains are built from the same chemical structural building unit. Early simulations pointed an ambiguous behavior for the response of the matrix chains to the introduction of the nanoparticles. When the size of nanoparticles is comparable to that of matrix chains, or even smaller, a significant amount of chain expansion (for matrix chains) is always the case, which challenges the current theoretical considerations in this field. Our recent simulations show that the chain expansion behavior is not triggered by an artificially created “extra volume” effect. Furthermore, the relation between chain expansion behavior and a potential enhancement in the free volume is found to be irrelevant based on our analysis on the pair correlation and scattering functions.
ATP potentiates spontaneous transmitter release at developing neuromuscular synapses

Extracellular application of ATP, a substance co-stored and co-released with acetylcholine in peripheral nervous systems, potentiates the spontaneous secretion of acetylcholine at developing neuromuscular synapses in Xenopus cell culture, as shown by a marked increase in the frequency of spontaneous synaptic currents recorded in the postsynaptic muscle cell. The effect of ATP is apparently mediated by the activation of cytosolic protein kinases and requires the influx of Ca2+ through the plasma membrane. Since spontaneous acetylcholine release is known to regulate the development of contractile properties of the postsynaptic muscle cell, extracellular ATP may serve as a positive trophic factor at developing neuromuscular synapses.
Investigation of the structure of the reaction center in photosynthetic bacteria by optical detection of triplet state magnetic resonance.

Measurements of the triplet state zero-field splitting and intersystem crossing rate constants for isolated bacteriochlorophyll a and for chemically reduced photosynthetic bacteria are utilized to investigate the geometry of the bacteriochlorophyll dimer in the reaction center.
The dynamic behaviour of continuous polymerization reactors—III: An experimental study of multiple steady states in solution polymerization

Abstract A study involving small scale reactor experiments coupled with detailed non-isothermal reactor modelling has been carried out shows that ‘isoia” ty
Artificial Immune System Based Reliability Appraisal Methodology of Power Generation Systems with Wind Power Penetration

Reliability appraisal of power-generating system is an effective measure to ensure proper system operations in the face of various uncertainties such as equipment failures and variations of generation and load. The integration of time-dependent sources such as wind turbine generators (WTGs) makes the reliability evaluation process more challenging. Due to the large number of system states involved in a power-generating system, it is normally not feasible to enumerate all possible failure states to calculate the reliability indices. Thus, some metaheuristics-based search algorithms, through their inherent convergence mechanisms, appear promising to And out the most meaningful system states within reasonable time. In this paper, an artificial immune system (AIS) based optimization procedure called CLONALG is adopted to assess the power-generating system adequacy including wind power integration. The most probable failure states are searched out by CLONALG and they contribute most significantly to the adequacy indices including loss of load expectation (LOLE), loss of load frequency (LOLF), and expected energy not supplied (EENS). A modified IEEE Reliability Test System (IEEE-RTS) is used to verify the applicability and validity of the proposed approach.