cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrical stimulation of the hippocampal fimbria facilitates neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity in the medial shell of the rat nucleus accumbens: Modulation by dopamine D1 and D2 receptor activation

The medial shell region of the nucleus accumbens (msNAc) is a key center for the regulation of goal-directed behavior and is likely to be dysfunctional in neuropsychiatric disorders such as addiction, depression and schizophrenia. Nitric oxide (NO)-producing interneurons in the msNAc are potently modulated by dopamine (DA) and may play an important role in synaptic integration in msNAc networks. In this study, neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) activity was measured in anesthetized rats using amperometric microsensors implanted into the msNAc or via histochemical techniques. In amperometric studies, NO oxidation current was recorded prior to and during electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral fimbria. Fimbria stimulation elicited a frequency and intensity-dependent increase in msNAc NO efflux which was attenuated by systemic administration of the nNOS inhibitor NG-propyl-l-arginine. Parallel studies using NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry to assay nNOS activity produced highly complementary outcomes. Moreover, systemic administration of either a DA D1 receptor agonist or a DA D2 receptor antagonist potentiated nNOS activity in the msNAc elicited by fimbria stimulation. These observations demonstrate for the first time that NO synthesis in nNOS expressing interneurons in the msNAc is facilitated by robust activation of hippocampal afferents in a manner that is differentially modulated by DA D1 and D2 receptor activation.
Using music to reduce anxiety among older adults in the emergency department: a randomized pilot study.

Abstract Background An emergency department (ED) visit may be distressing and anxiety-provoking for older adults (age > 65 years). No studies have specifically evaluated the effect of music listening on anxiety in older adults in the ED. Objective The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of music listening on anxiety levels in older ED patients. Design, Setting, Participants and Interventions This was a randomized pilot study in the geriatric ED of an urban academic tertiary medical center. This was a sample of English-speaking adults (age > 65 years) who were not deaf (n = 35). Subjects consented to participate and were randomized to receive up to 60 min of music listening with routine care, while the control group received routine care with no music. Subjects in the music treatment group received headphones and an electronic tablet with pre-downloaded music, and were allowed to choose from 5 selections. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome was change in anxiety levels, measured by the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), at enrollment and 1 h later. Results A total of 35 participants were enrolled: 74% were female, 40% were white, and 40% were black; of these, 32 subjects completed the study protocol. When comparing control (n = 18) against intervention subjects (n = 17), there were no significant differences in enrollment STAI scores (43.00 ± 15.00 vs. 40.30 ± 12.80, P = 0.57). STAI scores 1 hour after enrollment (after the music intervention) were significantly reduced in the intervention subjects compared to the control subjects (with reduction of 10.00 ± 12.29 vs. 1.88 ± 7.97, P = 0.03). Conclusion These pilot results suggest that music listening may be an effective tool for reducing anxiety among older adults in the ED.
High-order FEM domain decomposition models for high-frequency wave propagation in heterogeneous media

Abstract Large scale scientific computing models, requiring iterative algebraic solvers, are needed to simulate high-frequency wave propagation because large degrees of freedom are needed to avoid the Helmholtz computer model pollution effects. In this work, we investigate the use of multiple additive Schwarz type domain decomposition (DD) approximations to efficiently simulate two- and three-dimensional high-frequency wave propagation with high-order FEM. We compare our DD based results with those obtained using a standard geometric multigrid approach for up to 1,000 and 300 wavelength models in two- and three-dimensions, respectively.
A 68-Year-Old Man With Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia and a Large Unilateral Pleural Effusion

Case Presentation A 68-year-old man with chronic myelogenous leukemia presents for evaluation of 2 months of dyspnea with exertion. He denies cough, fever, chest pain, weight gain, orthopnea, and edema. Since diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia 5 years ago, he has been treated with dasatinib, with recent BCR-ABL1 assay showing no detectable disease in the peripheral blood. Medical history also includes hyperlipidemia, prostate enlargement, and hypothyroidism, but no prior heart or lung disease. Born in the Middle East, he immigrated to the United States 30 years ago and is working as a physician. He received the Bacillus Calmette–Guerin vaccine as a child. Quantiferon Gold test 1 year ago was positive (TB antigen response 0.91, reference range in
Cell cycle checkpoint profiling in soft tissue sarcoma

3214 Introduction: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a rare, heterogenous group of mesenchymal tumors that are often chemoresistant. Both their rarity and heterogeneity make it extremely difficult to develop an optimal therapeutic strategy. Despite their histological heterogeneity, by definition, all STS, like all neoplastic cells, possess some form of cell cycle deregulation. In epithelial malignancies, such deregulation has been associated with prognosis and responsiveness to different types of chemotherapy. However, little is known about the role of cell cycle deregulation in STS. This study profiles the G1/S and G2/M cell cycle checkpoint regulators and their relationship with the growth characteristics of various STS cell lines. Methods: Western blot analysis was used to assess cell cycle protein expression in 1 fibroblast and 3 STS cell lines. Doubling times were determined by growth curve analysis. Cdk2 activity was assessed by H1 histone kinase. Results: Growth rates ranged from 25 hrs (HT1080) to 66 hrs (AR04). With the exception of AR04 in which low levels of Cdk2 and the phosphorylated form of Cdk1 were observed, protein expression of both the G1/S and G2/M cyclins and Cdks were similar in all 4 cell lines (Table 1). The negative checkpoint regulators were variably expressed. Cdk2 kinase function differed across the cell lines with the greatest function seen in the most rapidly dividing cell line. Conclusion: These data suggest biologically significant differential regulation of the G1/S and G2/M checkpoints within these STS cell lines. As in epithelial malignancies, cell cycle deregulation may contribute to response to chemotherapy in STS. Determination of the mechanisms of cell cycle checkpoint deregulation in STS is necessary for the potential development of cell cycle-based methods of chemotherapy selection.
Simplified Kinetics of Sequences at the Steady State

This chapter discusses simplified kinetics of sequences at the steady state. Even with a small number of steps, the rate expression of a sequence is rather complicated despite the steady-state approximation. A simplification is in order whenever possible. Frequently, for a restricted range of experimental conditions, it can be assumed with considerable success that a given step in the sequence is rate-determining. If this occurs, all the other steps in the sequence will be in quasi-equilibrium and the kinetic problem is reduced to a consideration of the kinetics of a single step and the thermodynamic equilibrium of all the other steps. The chapter discusses shift in rate-determining step and rate-determining active centers. While the steady-state approximation is rarely in error and constitutes an almost universal tool for the kinetic treatment of sequences involving active centers, the assumption of a rate-determining step must be made with great caution. If such a step exists at all, there is no guarantee that it will not shift as process conditions are changed. The variables affecting rates are temperature, pressure, and composition and hence, a shift in rate-determining step may occur as these variables are changed. According to the concept of a rate-determining step, if there is one, all other steps in a sequence are in quasi-equilibrium. Thus, these other steps must be reversible.
Poverty, Human Rights and the Global Order: Framing the Post-2015 Agenda

A recent "Update" from the World Bank has caused widespread media celebrations of "drastic" progress against poverty in the 2005-10 period. But no such progress is visible in the data on undernutrition provided by the FAO. This paper discusses the discrepancy and, more broadly, better ways of tracking poverty (than the World Bank's money-metric headcounts) and more plausible poverty goals (than the soon-to-expire MDGs).
CleanOS: limiting mobile data exposure with idle eviction

Mobile-device theft and loss have reached gigantic proportions. Despite these threats, today's mobile devices are saturated with sensitive information due to operating systems that never securely erase data and applications that hoard it on the vulnerable device for performance or convenience. This paper presents CleanOS, a new Android-based operating system that manages sensitive data rigorously and maintains a clean environment at all times. To do so, CleanOS leverages a key property of today's mobile applications - the use of trusted, cloud-based services. Specifically, CleanOS identifies and tracks sensitive data in RAM and on stable storage, encrypts it with a key, and evicts that key to the cloud when the data is not in active use on the device. We call this process idle eviction of sensitive data. To implement CleanOS, we used the TaintDroid mobile taint-tracking system to identify sensitive data locations and instrumented Android's Dalvik interpreter to securely evict that data after a specified period of non-use. Our experimental results show that CleanOS limits sensitive-data exposure drastically while incurring acceptable overheads on mobile networks.
The membrane action of excitatory amino acids on cultured mouse spinal cord neurons.

Although the role of excitatory amino acids as neurotransmitters and as excitotoxins has been a topic of intense investigation, progress has been slowed by a lack of understanding of the membrane action of these compounds. Both endogenous agonists such as L-glutamate and L-aspartate and exogenous compounds such as kainate and quisqualate excite essentially all neurons within the vertebrate central nervous system. This seeming ‘non-specific’ excitation combined with the lack of agreement concerning the conductance changes accompanying L-glutamate depolarizations (as measured with current clamp recording) have complicated the analysis of the conductance mechanisms activated by excitatory amino acids.
Anti-α4β1 Integrin Antibodies Attenuated Brain Inflammatory Changes in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with age-associated central nervous system degeneration and dementia. This decline in the function correlates with deposition of Aβ peptide containing plaques and associated reactive gliosis. The inflammatory phenotype of microglia, in particular, is often considered detrimental to cognitive function in AD. In addition to the changes in the CNS, altered immune changes in the periphery have recently been observed in AD suggesting a critical immune- related communication between the periphery and the brain. Objective We hypothesized that modulating the peripheral immune system may alter the proinflammatory gliosis associated with AD. Therapeutic antibodies against the α4β1 integrin receptor have been used clinically to attenuate the ability of various immune cells to adhere to endothelium and migrate into target tissues such as the intestines (Crohn's disease) or brain (multiple sclerosis). We hypothesized that a similar peripheral antibody-based therapy would attenuate gliosis by altering immune cell infiltration or phenotype in peripheral organs and the brain using an APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Method Littermate control wild-type and APP/PS1 mice were tail vein injected with either saline, isotype control (IgG2b), or an antibody recognizing α4-integrin, anti-CD49d, once a week for 4 consecutive weeks. To understand CNS and peripheral immune changes, brains and spleen were used. Results/conclusion Our data suggests that the antibody therapy was able to reduce microgliosis, astrogliosis, and synaptic changes in the APP/PS1 mice compared to isotype control injections without changing amyloid-β plaque load. Interestingly, both isotype control and antibody therapy also reduced the number of proinflammatory cytokines in the spleen although changes in the brain were less robust. The anti-CD49d and isotype control treatments also reduced CD4 immunoreactivity in the brains, suggesting a possible mechanism for attenuation of inflammation in the brain. This data suggests that it is indeed feasible to alter the immune component of AD brain changes using a clinically feasible strategy of delivering a particular subtype of IgG or epitope selective antibodies that target infiltration of the peripheral immune system.
A massively parallel reporter assay dissects the influence of chromatin structure on cis-regulatory activity.

A genome-wide assay defines the relationship of cis-regulatory sequences and chromatin structure in regulating gene expression. A gene's position in the genome can profoundly affect its expression because regional differences in chromatin modulate the activity of locally acting cis-regulatory sequences (CRSs). Here we study how CRSs and regional chromatin act in concert on a genome-wide scale. We present a massively parallel reporter gene assay that measures the activities of hundreds of different CRSs, each integrated at many specific genomic locations. Although genome location strongly affected CRS activity, the relative strengths of CRSs were maintained at all chromosomal locations. The intrinsic activities of CRSs also correlated with their activities in plasmid-based assays. We explain our data with a quantitative model in which expression levels are set by independent contributions from local CRSs and the regional chromatin environment, rather than by more complex sequence- or protein-specific interactions between these two factors. The methods we present will help investigators determine when regulatory information is integrated in a modular fashion and when regulatory sequences interact in more complex ways.
Neurological complications associated with left ventricular assist device therapy

Introduction: Associated with significant morbidity and mortality, neurological complications in adult patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) approaches a prevalence as high as 25%. A...
An Idea on How to Heighten the Competitive Spirits of Sales Associates

This chapter, based on Forrest and McCarthy (Pennsylvania Economic Association 2017 conference proceedings, pp 52–64, 2017), looks at the problem of sales associates’ compensation (or sales force compensation).
Probabilistic performance assessment of inelastic wind excited structures within the setting of distributed plasticity

Abstract The increasing interest in applying performance-based design to structures subject to severe wind has created the need for tools that can be used for the identification of appropriate probabilistic performance-based criteria for wind. This paper outlines the development of a framework to this end, which is based on describing safety against collapse through the occurrence of the state of dynamic shakedown. In particular, a formulation is introduced that enables the direct estimation of the inelastic strains and deformations occurring at shakedown for structural systems discretized through fiber-based distributed plasticity models and subject to stochastic wind loads. The efficiency of the proposed approach allows stochastic simulation to be employed in estimating the probability of system-level failure defined through general local and global limit states. A case study is presented illustrating how typical wind excited structural systems have significant plastic reserves that could be used in defining performance-based criteria for wind.
Recurrent Extra- and Intra-articular Synovial Chondromatosis of the Ankle with Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: A Rare Case Report.

Introduction Synovial chondromatosis is a rare, benign monoarticular condition characterized by the metaplastic formation of cartilaginous nodules from the synovium of joints (intra-articular), tendons and bursae (extra-articular). These nodules have the potential to detach and form loose bodies within the joint space. The most common locations are the large joints such as the knees, hips, elbows, and shoulders, with less common locations being the foot and ankle joints. Synovial chondromatosis primarily occurs in men between the third and fifth decades of life, and it typically presents as chronic joint pain with swelling, decreased joint range of motion, and osteoarthritis. Treatment is usually centered on excision and retrieval of nodules and loose bodies. Prognosis is usually good with a low-moderate likelihood of recurrence. Case report We report the very rare case of a 27-year-old male with recurrent intra- and extra-articular ankle synovial chondromatosis, who also reported symptoms consistent with tarsal tunnel syndrome. His initial presentation was left ankle pain which was managed by open surgical debridement. Two years after, he re-presented with continued pain and tingling along the plantar aspect of his foot. On his second presentation, a dual approach was taken with arthroscopic as well as open debridement. He reported resolution of his symptoms postoperatively as well as at 3 years of follow-up. Conclusion Simultaneous extra- and intra-articular chondromatosis of the ankle is very rare and can be difficult to treat. It is important to recognize this disease as a rare but plausible cause of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Treatment may be complicated with early or late recurrence despite complete excision, highlighting the need for intentional follow-up of all cases.
Next Generation Nuclear Plant Phenomena Identification and Ranking Tables (PIRTs) Volume 1: Main Report

A phenomena identification and ranking table (PIRT) process was conducted for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) design. This design (in the conceptual stage) is a modular high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) that generates both electricity and process heat for hydrogen production. Expert panels identified safety-relevant phenomena, ranked their importance, and assessed the knowledge levels in the areas of accidents and thermal fluids, fission-product transport and dose, high-temperature materials, graphite, and process heat for hydrogen production. This main report summarizes and documents the process and scope of the reviews, noting the major activities and conclusions. The identified phenomena, analyses, rationales, and associated ratings of the phenomena, plus a summary of each panel's findings, are presented. Individual panel reports for these areas are provided as attached volumes to this main report and provide considerably more detail about each panel's deliberations as well as a more complete listing of the phenomena that were evaluated.
Improved host cell protein analysis in monoclonal antibody products through ProteoMiner

Abstract Host cell proteins (HCPs) impurities are critical quality attributes that have the potential to negatively impact the quality and safety profile of a biopharmaceutical product. Since HCPs often are present at low levels, developing highly sensitive analytical method for their identification and quantitation is critical for process optimization and improvement to reduce them in the final drug product. While an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) can capture and quantify overall HCP levels, liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is emerging as a powerful tool to monitor individual HCP levels during the purification process development. The massive dynamic range of protein species present in a therapeutic antibody is a major challenge for mass spectrometry-based methods to detect low-abundance HCP impurities. This study reports a powerful strategy to identify HCPs in antibody drug substance by applying ProteoMiner enrichment with optimized conditions followed by shotgun proteomic analysis. Using this strategy, we observed that the low abundance HCPs were enriched up to 1000-fold. In addition, by spiking in known amounts of HCPs to purified antibody drug substance with low levels of HCPs, we demonstrated that our method could detect HCP at a concentration as low as 0.05 ppm. When applying this methodology to the study of HCPs in NIST monoclonal antibody (NISTmAb), more than 500 HCPs were confidently identified, which tripled the number of identified HCPs that have been previously reported. Parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) results confirmed that the novel HCPs found using this method were enriched between 100 and 400-fold, highlighting that our method enriches and equalizes all proteins thus improving the sensitivity of HCP identification and quantification.
Artificial Intelligence, Predictive Policing, and Risk Assessment for Law Enforcement

There are widespread concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in law enforcement. Predictive policing and risk assessment are salient examples. Worries include the accuracy of forecasts th...
Classification and Biomarker Identification In Autism Using Conjunctive Clause Evolutionary Algorithm

Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. Many challenges remain for ASD diagnosis and treatments. Current diagnostic criteria are based on behavioral symptoms alone. Wait times for appointments at diagnostic centers range from 9 to 13 months, and a single diagnostic appointment can last several hours. There is an urgent need to identify ASD associated biomarkers and features to help automate diagnostics and develop predictive ASD models. The present study adopts a novel evolutionary algorithm, the conjunctive clause evolutionary algorithm (CCEA), to select features most significant for distinguishing individuals with and without ASD using a unique dataset having a small number of samples with a very large number of feature measurements. The dataset comprises both behavioral and neuroimaging measurements from a total of 21 children from 7 to 14 years old. Potential biomarker candidates including volume, area, cortical thickness and mean curvature in specific regions in the cingulate cortex, frontal cortex and temporal-parietal junction areas were identified. Behavioral features associated with theory of mind were selected. Study findings demonstrate how machine learning tools can advance ASD research in the genre of big data to benefit this special population in the future.
Nonadiabatic Phase Transition with Broken Chiral Symmetry.

We explore nonadiabatic quantum phase transitions in an Ising spin chain with a linearly time-dependent transverse field and two different spins per unit cell. Such a spin system passes through critical points with gapless excitations, which support nonadiabatic transitions. Nevertheless, we find that the excitations on one of the chain sub-lattices are suppressed in the nearly-adiabatic regime exponentially. Thus, we reveal a coherent mechanism to induce exponentially large density separation for different quasiparticles.
Investigating the Contract Production Process

Contract law and theory have traditionally paid little attention to the processes by which contracts are made. Instead, contracts among sophisticated parties are assumed to be full articulations of the desires of the parties; whatever the process, the outcome is the same. This article compares sovereign debt contracts from US and UK firms, with different production processes, that are trying to do the same thing under very similar legal regimes. We find that that the production process likely matters quite a bit to the final form that contracts take.
Sex differences in type and occurrence of adverse reactions to opioid analgesics: a retrospective cohort study

Objectives Sex as a biological variable affects response to opioids. However, few reports describe the prevalence of specific adverse reactions to commonly prescribed opioids in men and women separately. A large cohort was used to investigate sex differences in type and occurrence of adverse reactions associated with use of codeine, tramadol, oxycodone and hydrocodone. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Participants in the Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Time (RIGHT) Study. Participants The medical records of 8457 participants in the RIGHT Study who received an opioid prescription between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2017 were reviewed 61% women, 94% white, median age (Q1–Q3)=58 (47–66). Primary and secondary outcome measures Adverse reactions including gastrointestinal, skin, psychiatric and nervous system issues were collected from the allergy section of each patient’s medical record. Sex differences in the risk of adverse reactions due to prescribed opioids were modelled using logistic regression adjusted for age, body mass index, race and ethnicity. Results From 8457 participants (of which 449 (5.3%) reported adverse reactions), more women (6.5%) than men (3.4%) reported adverse reactions to at least one opioid (OR (95% CI)=2.3 (1.8 to 2.8), p Conclusions These findings support the importance of sex as a biological variable to be factored into pain management studies.
Improved x-ray CT feature identification with complementary fast neutron CT

Material identification is challenging for X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) when objects of interest composed of low atomic number (Z) elements are shielded by dense materials. Fast neutron CT (FNCT) can compensate for this shortcoming by providing both penetration through high-Z materials and good contrast in low-Z materials. Here we investigate improvements in X-ray CT feature identification using information from fast neutron imaging. To demonstrate the complementarity of X-ray and FNCT, simulated CT data sets were generated for two heterogenous, nested, cylindrical phantoms using the Monte Carlo N-particle (MCNP) transport code for both imaging modalities. Xray radiographs were simulated for polychromatic 300 keV and 9 MeV e-Bremsstrahlung X-ray sources, while a generic Gaussian D-T source spectrum [En(pk) = 14.10 MeV, w/ FWHM ~ 0.75 MeV] was used for the neutron radiographs. A total of 360 projections taken at 1° intervals were simulated for both modalities and phantoms. All projection data were reconstructed with filtered-back projection (FBP) using the Livermore Tomography Tools (LTT) code. Our results indicate improved material discrimination and resolution of certain features with combined X-ray and neutron CT data sets.
Balancing finances, politics, and public health: international student enrollment and reopening plans at US higher education institutions amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Drawing from resource dependence theory, this study explores the extent to which international student enrollment related to institutional decisions to shift to in-person instructional strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. We focus our study particularly on July 2020, a time during which tensions around international students’ legal status in the US were especially high. Our results suggest that leaders at private not-for-profit institutions were significantly more likely to shift instructional strategies to include more in-person instruction, thus allowing more international students to enroll but also placing at risk the health of individuals on their campuses and in their local communities. A similar result was not found for public institutions. These results speak to the extent to which private institutions in the US have become financially dependent on international students’ tuition and have clear implications for the financial futures of US higher education institutions.
Inhibition of connexin 43 hemichannel-mediated ATP release attenuates early inflammation during the foreign body response.

Background: In the last 50 years, the use of medical implants has increased dramatically. Failure of implanted devices and biomaterials is a significant source of morbidity and increasing healthcare expenditures. An important cause of implant failure is the host inflammatory response. Recent evidence implicates extracellular ATP as an important inflammatory signaling molecule. A major pathway for release of cytoplasmic ATP into the extracellular space is through connexin hemichannels, which are the unpaired constituents of gap junction intercellular channels. Blockade of hemichannels of the connexin 43 (Cx43) isoform has been shown to reduce inflammation and improve healing. We have developed a Cx43 mimetic peptide (JM2) that targets the microtubule-binding domain of Cx43. The following report investigates the role of the Cx43 microtubule-binding domain in extracellular ATP release by Cx43 hemichannels and how this impacts early inflammatory events of the foreign body reaction. Methods: In vitro Cx43 hemi...
Decision support systems in the twenty-first century

(NOTE:Each chapter beings with Learning Objectives and a Mini-Case, and concludes with a Chapter Summary, Key Concepts, Questions for Review, and Further Discussion.) 1. Introduction to Decision Support Systems. Mini-Case: Mervyn's Department Store. 2. The Decision Maker. Mini-Case: Disaster at Tenerife. 3. The Process of Making a Decision. Mini-Case: Philips Petroleum Product Pricing. 4. Decisions in the Organization. Mini-Case: The Cuban Missle Crisis. 5. Modeling Decision Processes. Mini-Case: What Were the Odds of This Happening? The Exxon Valdez. 6. Group Decision Support and Groupware Technologies. Mini-Case: Plano Police Department. 7. Executive Information Systems. Mini-Case: AlliedSignal. 8. Expert Systems and Artificial Intelligence. Mini-Case: Expert Systems Assist in Fraud Detection. 9. Knowledge Engineering and Acquisition. Mini-Case: Robotrader and Christine's Brain. 10. Machines That Can Learn. Mini-Case: Chase Manhattan Bank Credit Scoring System. 11. The Data Warehouse. Mini-Case: Capital One. 12. Data Mining and Visualization. Mini-Case: The National Basketball Association Gets a "Jump" on Data Mining. 13. Designing and Building Decision Support Systems. Mini-Case: Rapid Prototyping the Allkauf Information System. 14. Implementing and Integrating Decision Support Systems. Mini-Case: 3Com ASSIST Customer Service Web Site. 15. Creative Decision Making and Problem-Solving. Mini-Case: Fishing for New Ideas. 16. Decision Support in the Twenty-First Century. Appendix A: Decision Style Inventory III. Index.
Computer Animation for Learning Building Construction Management: A Comparative Study of First Person Versus Third Person View

The paper reports a study that investigated the effect of egocentric versus exocentric view in an educational animation whose goal was to teach undergraduate students the various tasks that a construction manager performs in the field. Specifically, the study aimed to determine the effect of perspective view on students’ subject learning and preference. Findings show that while students have a preference on perspective view, the perspective view does not have a significant effect on students’ learning outcomes.
Genetic diversity within Streptococcus mutans evident from chromosomal DNA restriction fragment polymorphisms.

Attempts to study the acquisition, transmission, and other aspects of the natural history of Streptococcus mutans infections in humans have been hampered by limitations and inconsistencies in methods by which phenotypic characteristics of individual isolates are examined. Because most mutans streptococci associated with human dental caries fall within the biotype I (serotypes c and f) grouping, designated S. mutans, these typing methods are of little value in distinguishing individual isolates. Here we show that strains of S. mutans obtained from over 30 individuals demonstrate unique "fingerprints" of chromosomal DNA digested with restriction endonuclease HaeIII. To demonstrate that this polymorphism in restriction fragments can be used to study the acquisition and transmission of this organism, we examined isolates of S. mutans from three mother-infant pairs obtained at the time the infant first became colonized by this organism. Results indicate that strains of S. mutans found in infants exhibit restriction fragment profiles identical to those of their mothers, strongly supporting the notion that mothers transmit this organism to their infants. Also, we show that strains of S. mutans with the same restriction fragment profile were stably maintained over a 3-year interval in the one mother-infant pair studied. Moreover, we found that mothers and their infants harbored only a few individual strains, suggesting that transmission of this organism is probably confined within discrete family cohorts. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the potential utility of genomic fingerprinting in studying the natural history of S. mutans infections in humans. Images
Protein triggered fluorescence switching of near-infrared emitting nanoparticles for contrast-enhanced imaging

Sub-100 nm colloidal particles which are surface-functionalized with multiple environmentally-sensitive moieties have the potential to combine imaging, early detection, and the treatment of cancer with a single type of long-circulating “nanodevice”. Deep tissue imaging is achievable through the development of particles which are surface-modified with fluorophores that operate in the near-infrared (NIR) spectrum and where the fluorophore's signal can be maximized by “turning-on” the fluorescence only in the targeted tissue. We present a general approach for the synthesis of NIR emitting nanoparticles that exhibit a protein triggered activation/deactivation of the emission. Dispersing the particles into an aqueous solution, such as phosphate buffered saline (PBS), resulted in an aggregation of the hydrophobic fluorophores and a cessation of emission. The emission can be reinstated, or activated, by the conversion of the surface-attached fluorophores from an aggregate to a monomeric species with the addition of an albumin. This activated probe can be deactivated and returned to a quenched state by a simple tryptic digestion of the albumin. The methodology for emission switching offers a path to maximize the signal from the typically weak quantum yield inherent in NIR fluorophores.
Palladium(II)-catalyzed synthesis of polyamides (aramids) from aromatic dichlorides, diamines, and carbon monoxide

Abstract A novel catalytic procedure for the synthesis of polyamides (aramids) from aryl dichlorides, aryl diamines, and carbon monoxide has been developed. Palladium complexes incorporating bulky ligands, such as dippp (dippp=1,3-bis(diisopropylphosphino)propane), are suitable catalysts for the reaction. Polyamides exhibiting inherent viscosity between 0.10 and 0.40 dl g−1 were obtained.
The corrosion of Fe in the NH4NO3-NH3-H2O system

Abstract The corrosion of Fe in the NH 4 NO 3 -NH 3 -H 2 O system was investigated using a rotating ring and disk electrode with an Fe disk and a Pt ring. The corrosion rate was found to be mass transfer controlled at low rotation rates. Over-all anodic and cathodic reactions were determined for the corrosion reaction. A proposal involving co-ordination of ammonia molecules with an Fe atom on the surface as the first step in the corrosion reaction is discussed.
Growth factors in expressed prostatic fluid from men with prostate cancer, BPH, and clinically normal prostates.

BACKGROUND Although growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-α, and TGF-β are important regulators of prostate cell growth in vitro and in animal models, evidence to support their role in human prostate cancer development remains sparse. We previously showed that men without prostate cancer have concentrations of EGF and TGF-α in expressed prostatic fluid (EPF) that are individually distinct and stable over time. This study addressed whether growth factor levels in EPF are associated with the presence or progression of prostate cancer. METHODS We measured levels of immunoreactive EGF, TGF-α, and TGF-β1 in stored EPF samples from three age-matched groups: 19 men with untreated, histologically diagnosed prostate cancer (CaP), 38 with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), and 19 with normal prostate glands (NPD). RESULTS Median TGF-α was lower in the BPH group (0.45 ng/ml) than in either CaP (0.63 ng/ml) or NPD (0.58 ng/ml) groups (P = 0.03 and 0.12, respectively). For EGF, the median was lowest in the CaP group and highest in the NPD group (92.5 ng/ml vs. 175.5 ng/ml, P = 0.006). For TGF-β1, the median level in CaP was 2.7 times higher than the median level among all controls (6.65 ng/ml vs. 2.46 ng/ml, P = 0.002). Growth factor levels were not associated with tumor stage or Gleason score. However, the single case with distant metastases had TGF-β1 levels 23-fold higher than the CaP median. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that at the time of CaP diagnosis, EGF levels in EPF are significantly lower, and TGF-β1 levels significantly higher, than normal. Marked overexpression of TGF-β1 in advanced CaP might be reflected in extremely high EPF levels. Prostate 40:248–255, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Steinitz classes of order 2 in quadratic and quartic fields

Abstract For a given number field K, does there exist an extension M of odd prime degree l such that the relative discriminant of M/K is a principal ideal, but M/K has no relative integral basis? A general, but incomplete answer is given to this question when K/Q is a normal extension. If, in addition, [K:Q] is odd, the answer is complete. A detailed study is done when K/Q is a quadratic or normal quartic extension.
Manifestations of cutaneous diabetic microangiopathy

The etiologies of a variety of skin conditions associated with diabetes have not been fully explained. One possible etiological factor is diabetic microangiopathy, which is known to affect the eyes and kidneys in patients with diabetes. There are many mechanisms by which diabetes may cause microangiopathy. These include excess sorbitol formation, increased glycation end products, oxidative damage, and protein kinase C overactivity. All of these processes occur in the skin, and the existence of a cutaneous diabetic microangiopathy has been well demonstrated. These microangiopathic changes are associated with abnormalities of skin perfusion. Because the skin plays a thermoregulatory role, there is significant capillary redundancy in normal skin. In diabetic patients, loss of capillaries is associated with a decrease in perfusion reserve. This lost reserve is demonstrable under stressed conditions, such as thermal stimulation. The associated failure of microvascular perfusion to meet the requirements of skin metabolism may result in diverse skin lesions in patients with diabetes. Many skin conditions peculiar to diabetes are fairly rare. Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD) and diabetic bullae occur very infrequently as compared with diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy. Conversely, there is a correlation between diabetic microvascular disease and NLD. This correlation also exists with more common skin conditions, such as diabetic dermopathy. This relationship suggests that diabetic microangiopathy may contribute to these conditions even if it is not primarily causal. Clinically, the major significance of diabetic cutaneous microangiopathy is seen in skin ulceration which is very common and has a major impact on diabetic patients. Many factors contribute to the development of diabetic foot ulcers. Neuropathy, decreased large vessel perfusion, increased susceptibility to infection, and altered biomechanics all play a role, but there is no doubt that inadequate small blood vessel perfusion is a major cause of the inability to heal small wounds that eventually results in ulcer formation. The accessibility of skin capillaries makes cutaneous diabetic microangiopathy an attractive model for research on the evolution of microvascular disease in diabetic patients.
Minimum lower sets algorithms for isotonic regression

Abstract We find that in the minimum lower sets algorithm, the largest minimum lower sets can be replaced by any minimum lower sets. We give a new minimum lower sets algorithm for set functions satisfying the Cauchy mean value property, which selects minimal minimum lower sets instead of the largest ones, then pools adjacent level sets when they are not in order.
Use of bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase to direct selective high-level expression of cloned genes

A gene expression system based on bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase has been developed. T7 RNA polymerase is highly selective for its own promoters, which do not occur naturally in Escherichia coli. A relatively small amount of T7 RNA polymerase provided from a cloned copy of T7 gene 1 is sufficient to direct high-level transcription from a T7 promoter in a multicopy plasmid. Such transcription can proceed several times around the plasmid without terminating, and can be so active that transcription by E. coli RNA polymerase is greatly decreased. When a cleavage site for RNase III is introduced, discrete RNAs of plasmid length can accumulate. The natural transcription terminator from T7 DNA also works effectively in the plasmid. Both the rate of synthesis and the accumulation of RNA directed by T7 RNA polymerase can reach levels comparable with those for ribosomal RNAs in a normal cell. These high levels of accumulation suggest that the RNAs are relatively stable, perhaps in part because their great length and/or stem-and-loop structures at their 3' ends help to protect them against exonucleolytic degradation. It seems likely that a specific mRNA produced by T7 RNA polymerase can rapidly saturate the translational machinery of E. coli, so that the rate of protein synthesis from such an mRNA will depend primarily on the efficiency of its translation. When the mRNA is efficiently translated, a target protein can accumulate to greater than 50% of the total cell protein in three hours or less. We have used two ways to deliver active T7 RNA polymerase to the cell; infection by a lambda derivative that carries gene 1, or induction of a chromosomal copy of gene 1 under control of the lacUV5 promoter. When gene 1 is delivered by infection, very toxic target genes can be maintained silent in the cell until T7 RNA polymerase is introduced, when they rapidly become expressed at high levels. When gene 1 is resident in the chromosome, even the very low basal levels of T7 RNA polymerase present in the uninduced cell can prevent the establishment of plasmids carrying toxic target genes, or make the plasmid unstable.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
College Students' Perceptions of the Relationship Between Fee and Counseling

Fee as a variable that could have an impact on college students' perceptions of counseling was explored because of the authentic concerns about college counseling centers needing to charge direct fees for their services. Participants (N = 350) represented a cross-section of potential consumers of psychological services, not just individuals currently receiving services. On an overt level, fees seemed to be less influential in counseling considerations, but were taken into account on a more covert level. This study supports the psychological literature, which suggests that fee is not the most important factor in clients' decisions to seek counseling. Implications for counselors, administrators, researchers, and program planners are discussed.
Abstract 2472: Peritoneal mechanobiology and metastatic success in epithelial ovarian cancer

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Less than 30% of women diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) survive for 5 years due to metastatic disease. EOC progression is accompanied by accumulation of ascites (up to 4 liters), changing intraperitoneal (i.p.) fluid pressure from subatmospheric (-5 mmHg) to >20 mmHg with tense ascites. The overall consequence of altered peritoneal mechanobiology on EOC metastatic success is currently unknown. Due to altered i.p. fluid dynamics the peritoneal mesothelium, an elastic soft tissue, may be modified by exposure to tensional force (strain). Mechanical strain (stretching) on intact murine mesothelial explants causes increased tissue stiffness, as determined by atomic force microscopy, and enhances ovarian tumor cell adhesion. To approximate the compressive force environment on EOC cells in tense ascites, cells were seeded in suspension in polystyrene bags and cultured under a compressive load (Instron, 25mmHg, 8h). Increased fluid pressure enhances proliferation in multiple cell lines and increases expression of N-cadherin, a mesenchymal marker, in Dov13 cells. These data suggest that ascites-induced changes in peritoneal mechanobiology may potentiate EOC metastatic success. Support: NIH-R01CA109545, NIH R01CA086984, NIH F31 R01CA086984-12S1. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2472. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2472
Structural Modal Multifurcation With International Resonance: Part 1—Deterministic Approach

The bifurcation and multifurcation in multimode interaction of non linear continuous structural systems is investigated. Under harmonic excitation the nonstationary response of multimode interaction is considered in the neighborhood of fourth order internal resonance condition. The response dynamic characteristics are examined via three different approaches. These are the multiple scales method, numerical simulation, and experimental testing. The model considered is a clamped clamped beam with initial static axial load
Management of Unstable Arrhythmias in Cardiogenic Shock

Atrial and ventricular arrhythmias commonly arise in the setting of cardiogenic shock and often result in hemodynamic deterioration. Causative factors include myocardial ischemia, volume overload, and metabolic disturbances. Correcting these factors plays an important role in managing arrhythmias in this setting. Ventricular arrhythmias are more ominous compared to atrial arrhythmias but both require prompt intervention with electrical shock and anti-arrhythmic drug suppression. Coronary reperfusion is key to improving survival, including reducing the risk of sudden cardiac arrest, in acute myocardial infarction. Case series have also demonstrated the value of intra-aortic balloon pump counter-pulsation in suppressing ventricular arrhythmias in cardiogenic shock. The mechanism of arrhythmia suppression may be due to improved coronary perfusion and afterload reduction. Percutaneous ventricular assist device placement may be effective in this setting; however, data addressing this specific endpoint are lacking. Anti-arrhythmic drug options for ventricular and atrial arrhythmia suppression, in the setting of cardiogenic shock, are relatively limited. Common class I agents are excluded due to the inherent abnormal cardiac structure and function in the setting of cardiogenic shock. Class III drug options include dofetilide and amiodarone. The other Class III agents, sotalol and dronedarone, are excluded due to associated mortality observed in the SWORD and ANDROMEDA trials, respectively. Dofetilide is renally excreted and causes QT interval prolongation. Care should be taken to avoid excessive drug accumulation due to poor kidney perfusion and function. Dofetilide is approved for use for atrial arrhythmias and has not been studied for ventricular arrhythmia suppression. The DIAMOND-CHF trial established its safety in the setting of heart failure. Amiodarone is very effective in suppressing both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. It is often the drug of choice in heart failure. Its off-label use for atrial arrhythmias is very common. Care should be taken with intravenous amiodarone to avoid hypotension.