cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computation and Interpretation of Electron Distributions in Inorganic Molecules

Although the electron density has always been a useful way of characterizing the electronic structure of a molecule, it attains special significance with the theorem of Hohenberg and Kohn1, which provides a direct link between the electron density and the energy of the system.2 The total electron density of a molecular system, like the total energy, differs little from that of its constituent atoms. Of course, it is just the small differences between the atomic density (energy) and the molecular density (energy) which are responsible for the chemical bond. Because of our interest in the chemical bond, we usually find the deformation density more useful than the total density. The deformation density, which is the total molecular density minus the density of spherical, ground-state atoms, can be interpreted as the changes in electron density which occur upon forming the molecule from its atoms.
Porphyrin synthesis and heme synthetase activity in pyridoxine-responsive anemia.

Previous in vitro studies had shown that reticulocytes from a patient with pyridoxine-responsive anemia (PRA) incorporated glycine-2-14C into heme at 11-25 per cent of the normal rate. Incorporation of the intermediate compound, δ-aminolevulinic acid-4-14C (ALA), varied from 46 to 81 per cent of normal. These findings suggested two defects in the synthesis of heme: a major one prior to formation of ALA, probably ALA synthetase, and a minor one somewhere between ALA and heme. This minor defect was investigated in a patient with PRA during a period of repeated phlebotomies resulting in a 30 gram reduction in iron stores. Porphyrin synthesis from ALA was measured in vitro and found to be normal. Heme synthetase activity in particulate fractions of reticulocytes measured by radioiron incorporation into heme was 50 per cent less than normal when the iron stores were high and significantly improved when the iron stores were reduced to normal. Repeat studies showed that incorporation of ALA-4-14C into heme by intact reticulocytes equaled the normal rate. Glycine incorporation was still reduced. Concomitant with the improvement in heme synthetase activity was an improvement in anemia. These results suggest that excess iron is a significant cause of the reduced heme synthetase activity observed in this patient with pyridoxine-responsive anemia.
Homochirality and life.

After clarifying the frequently misused term homochirality, the crucial importance of homochirality and chiral purity in the development and maintenance of the essential biopolymers of life--proteins and nucleic acids--is discussed. The harsh and forbidding prebiotic environment during the era of cometary impact after formation of the Earth approximately 4.5 Gyr ago is described, after which the most important abiotic mechanisms proposed historically for the genesis of chiral molecules on the primitive Earth are enumerated. Random and determinate terrestrial mechanisms are each evaluated with regard to the environmental restraints imposed during the impact era, and it is concluded that all such mechanisms would be inapplicable and implausible in the realistic prebiotic environment. To circumvent these limitations, an extended hypothesis is presented describing an extraterrestrial source of homochiral terrestrial molecules. Illustrated in Figure 2, this scenario involves the partial asymmetric photolysis of the racemic constituents of organic mantles on interstellar dust grains by the circularly polarized ultraviolet components of the synchrotron radiation emanating from the neutron star remnants of super-novae. The resulting homochiral constituents with low enanantiomeric excesses (e.e.s) so produced in the organic mantles are subsequently conveyed to Earth either by direct accumulation or, more likely, after coalescence into comets or asteroids, followed by repetitive impingement during the impact era. Finally, the low e.e.s of the extraterrestrial homochiral molecules so introduced are amplified by terrestrial autocatalytic or polymerization mechanisms into a state of chiral purity, then are ultimately concentrated and protected by sequestration in the interiors of spontaneously formed protocellular vesicles--there to await further chemical evolution toward the biomolecules of life. Recent observations of the excess of L-over D-amino acids in the Murchison meteorite are cited as validation for the early stages of the proposed hypothesis.
Late Highland Andean Archaic

relative time period: Follows the Early Highland Andean Archaic tradition, and precedes the Highland Andean Formative tradition.
Scurvy: an unusual complication of paediatric cancer treatment

Scurvy is a disease that is rarely encountered in modern medicine. A condition that was classically associated with sailors, its incidence has decreased dramatically since the discovery of its association with vitamin C deficiency. We present the case of a 2-year-old boy, whose treatment for neuroblastoma was complicated by gastrointestinal disease, which necessitated enteral feeding. While still undergoing treatment, he started to complain about increasing pain in his lower limbs, which appeared to be markedly tender on palpation. Radiographic findings suggested a diagnosis of scurvy, which was subsequently confirmed on serum biochemistry. This was an unexpected finding, as the child had been receiving adequate vitamin C in his enteral feeds. However, his absorption had become severely impaired due to pseudomembranous gastritis and enteritis, leading to his deficient state. He significantly improved after intravenous ascorbic acid replacement and demonstrated a full recovery, both clinically and radiologically. This case highlights the importance of considering scurvy in the differential diagnosis for at-risk patients. Early recognition can facilitate the simple treatment of this potentially serious condition.
Presuit Discovery and Evidence Preservation in Illinois Circuit Courts

Circumstances supporting presuit equitable discovery bills in Illinois are illustrated by a few recent Illinois circuit court proceedings. In one, after Dr. David Dao, a United Airlines passenger was removed by Chicago officers from a plane in April, 2017, his attorneys soon thereafter sought an “emergency bill of discovery” seeking evidence preservation involving, e.g., any surveillance video recording on passenger boarding; the passenger list; the employee and crew list; and all incident reports. In another, following the death of two people in a condominium complex fire in January, 2013, the widow of one decedent obtained an emergency bill of discovery about a week later allowing a private investigation as well as and ordering preservation of documents (including inspection and maintenance records), recordings, and photos. And in a third, in July, 2012, following a hospital and a foundation’s alleged failure to maintain properly frozen human sperm samples in April, 2012, a Cook County chancery court judge ordered respondents to preserve and release documents related to the failure upon the filing by prospective plaintiffs of “an emergency bill of discovery.” Such equitables bill of discovery aimed at evidence preservation are exercises of auxiliary or ancillary jurisdiction that presupposes the potential exercise of primary jurisdiction by some tribunal later. Today they should be available at least to secure an evidence preservation order where there is some concern by a petitioner about later evidence availability where the respondent allegedly has a duty to preserve, which can arise in Illinois under either tort or discovery law principles. They should also be available for those seeking a judicial declaration that there are no applicable preservation duties though there has been an evidence preservation demand. To remove uncertainties regarding such equitable bills and to unify trial court practices, a new Illinois Supreme Court Rule is needed. Such a rule should set out procedural and substantive requisites for presuit discovery initiatives aimed at evidence preservation.
The boundary element method applied to static and dynamic crack problems using hypersingular boundary integral equations

The properties of hypersingular integrals, which arise when the gradient of con­ ventional boundary integrals is taken, are discussed. Interpretation in terms of Hadamard finite-part integrals, even for integrals in three dimensions, is given, and this concept is compared with the Cauchy Principal Value, which by itself is insuffi­ cient to render meaning to the hypersingular integrals. It is shown that the finite-part integrals may be avoided, if desired, by conversion to regular line and surface inte­ grals through a novel use of Stokes' theorem. Motivation for this work is given in the context of scattering of time-harmonic waves by cracks. Static crack analysis of linear elastic fracture mechanics is included as an important special case in the zerofrequency limit. A numerical example is given for the problem of acoustic scattering by a rigid screen in three spatial dimensions.
Does Mindfulness Training Without Explicit Ethics-Based Instruction Promote Prosocial Behaviors? A Meta-Analysis:

Scholarly discourse has raised concerns about the gravitas of secular mindfulness trainings in promoting prosocial outgrowths, as these trainings lack ethics-based concepts found in contemplative t...
Tweeting about Ebola: Analysis of Tweets from Africa, Europe and the United States During Two Months of the 2019 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In this poster proposal we analyze 113M tweets from the Twitter Public API over a two-month period from the African and European continents and the United States to determine whether, and how, users are talking about the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We found 3391 tweets from all sources related to EVD, with 1378 of them originating from the African continent. While social media platforms have the potential to be valuable tools in analyzing public discourse related to an infectious epidemic, our study reveals potential limitations of this tool on the African continent.
Application of synchronous arteriovenous exchange in neonatal ABO hemolysis

Objective To evaluate the effect and influence of exchange transfusion on neonatal ABO hemolysis by comparing the changes of indirect bilirubin in serum and internal environment before and after exchange transfusion. Methods A retrospective analysis of 242 cases with neonatal ABO hemolytic disease from January 2017 to October 2018 in the Children's Hospital of Jiangxi Province was carried out.According to whether the parents signed or agreed to exchange transfusion, they were divided into two groups.The exchange group (126 cases) received routine treatment + exchange of blood, and the control group (116 cases) was only given conventional therapy(blue light + probiotics + gamma globulin). In the exchange group, peripheral venous blood was collected half an hour before the exchange of blood(T1) and half an hour after the exchange of blood(T2), while in the control group, the indirect bilirubin, platelet and blood sugar were measured at two time points of parents signing disapproval of exchange of blood(T1) and disapproval of exchange of blood and one day after the treatment(T2). Results The indirect bilirubin levels in serum of the exchange group and the control group were decreased, and the difference was statistically significant[(194.010±41.065)μmol/L vs.(390.048±39.058)μmol/L, t=1507.604, (292.014±39.998)μmol/L vs.(383.452±42.820)μmol/L, t=306.820, all P<0.05]. The decrease of serum indirect bilirubin in the exchange group was more significant than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant.[(194.010±41.065)μmol/L vs.(292.014±39.998)μmol/L, t=368.267, P<0.05]. After exchange transfusion, the levels of platelet and blood sugar were decreased significantly, and the differences were statistically significant[(91.370±24.766)×109/L vs.(350.660±32.564)×109/L, t=5061.203, (2.965±0.593)mmol/L vs.(5.490±0.876)mmol/L, t=717.817, all P<0.05]. Decreased platelets and blood sugar could return to normal within 3 days. Conclusion Exchange therapy can significantly reduce the level of bilirubin and the incidence of bilirubin encephalopathy in neonates with ABO hemolysis.Exchange therapy has certain effect on the internal environment of neonatal ABO hemolytic patients, which is easy to cause thrombocytopenia and blood sugar reduction.But the change of internal environment is temporary and reversible. Key words: Neonate; ABO hemolytic disease; Hyperbilirubinemia; Phototherapy; Exchange transfusion; Curative effect; Influence; Bilirubin encephalopathy
Targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway in Hormone-Positive Breast Cancer

Approximately 70% of invasive breast cancers have some degree of dependence on the estrogen hormone for cell proliferation and growth. These tumors have estrogen and/or progesterone receptors (ER/PR+), generally referred to as hormone receptor positive (HR+) tumors, as indicated by the presence of positive staining and varying intensity levels of estrogen and/or progesterone receptors on immunohistochemistry. Therapies that inhibit ER signaling pathways, such as aromatase inhibitors (letrozole, anastrozole, exemestane), selective ER modulators (tamoxifen), and ER down-regulators (fulvestrant), are the mainstays of treatment for hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers. However, de novo or acquired resistance to ER targeted therapies is present in many tumors, leading to disease progression. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is implicated in sustaining endocrine resistance and has become the target of many new drugs for ER+ breast cancer. This article reviews the function of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mTOR pathway and the various classes of PI3K pathway inhibitors that have been developed to disrupt this pathway signaling for the treatment of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.
Development of Professional Identity and Related Metacognitive Thinking Procedures of English Language Teachers Through Spontaneous Collaboration for Pedagogical Problem-Solving:

This research explores potential benefits of the spontaneous collaboration of a small group of teachers regarding their professional identity (PI) and related metacognitive thinking procedures. The...
Dust and Fog, Fire and Salt: German Canadian Psychiatrist Karl Stern’s (1906–1975) Émigré Experience

Karl Stern (1906–1975) was a German-Jewish psychiatrist, who studied and worked alongside the neuropathologists Kurt Goldstein (1878–1965), Walther Spielmeyer (1879–1935), and Wilder Penfield (1891–1976). After fleeing Nazi Germany for London in 1935, he married and moved to Montreal in Canada in 1939, where he converted to Roman Catholicism in 1943. This article offers a close reading of pertinent passages and explores his memoir, The Pillar of Fire (1951), and his novel, Through Dooms of Love (1960), as well as In and Out (1989), a “confessional poem” by the Canadian classicist Daryl Hine (1936–2012), to demonstrate the feelings of powerlessness, isolation, and anonymity which Stern experienced after leaving Germany. These feelings had been complicated (on arrival in Canada) by ethnic antagonisms between Jews and Catholics at that time. It also explores and addresses Hine’s disparaging attitude toward Stern’s identification with his European heritage and his Catholic faith, offering an alternative interpretation of their presence.
Divided Attention, Divided Self: Race and Dual-mind Theories in the History of Experimental Psychology:

The duality of attention is explored by turning our focus to the political and cultural conceptions of automatic attention and deliberate attention, with the former being associated with animality ...
HOX PROTEINS REACH OUT ROUND DNA

Hox proteins are transcription factors that operate during the development of different tissues. The structure has now been determined of a complex between DNA, a Hox protein and its cofactor. The homeodomains of the two proteins bind to opposite sides of the DNA but make contact through a short length of the Hox protein that reaches round the DNA to insert itself into a pocket on the cofactor, thereby strengthening the complex.
Vaccines Against Viral Infections

Vaccines are one of the miracles of modern medicine. Without vaccines, the population—particularly children—would be troubled with multitudinous infectious diseases such as diphtheria, scarlet fever, whooping cough, and measles, just to name a few. Vaccines are available against both viral and bacterial infections; they have saved millions of lives and continue to do so. The World Health Organization hopes to have vaccinated all children under a year old against most infectious diseases by 2020. The history of the public’s acceptance of vaccines has been a stormy one. Anti-vaccination movements have been active since the creation or development of the smallpox vaccine in the eighteenth century and in government-mandated vaccination until the present. An example of this is the fabricated information spread about the relationship between measles vaccine and autism. A successful polio vaccine was developed in the 1950s thanks to the research of three groups, led by Koprowski, Salk and Sabin, although each of these vaccines has its advantages and disadvantages. An oral vaccine has the advantage of ease of administration and a herd effect. Polio vaccine workers have become targets of extremists in Nigeria and Pakistan. Recently, recombinant DNA technology, was used to develop new vaccines in order to avoid the side effects, since live virus is not involved. The future may see the production of vaccines in edible plants, allowing for cheap production and ease in worldwide distribution.
The Current Quality of Health Plan Report Cards

In general, health plan report cards can provide valuable information to consumers, physicians, and health care purchasers regarding plan performance and quality to assist in the selection of a health plan. However, significant limitations of health plan report cards currently exist. It is only with further evolvement and refinement that health plan report cards can live up to their potential and become a distinctive and useful tool in evaluating and selecting among various health plans.
Analyzing Programs with Explicit Parallelism

When analyzing programs with parallel imperative constructs (e.g., cobegin/coend), standard computer intermediate representations (Control Flow Graphs) are inadequate. This paper discusses semantics for parallel constructs, and introduces new intermediate forms, called the Parallel Control Flow Graph and the Parallel Precedence Graph. These data structures have certain advantages for compiler analysis and optimization. As an example of the advantages, the analysis requirements of converting an explicitly parallel program into Static Single Assignment form are given. To do this, the dominance relation and dominance frontiers for explicitly parallel programs must be defined.
The Origins of Entity-Life Modeling

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Early Experiences with Software Development The Jackson Methods Formal Models and Methods Software Patterns Conclusion Exercises ]]>
Boole: from calculating numbers to calculating thoughts

We are often taught in a first course in the history of logic or in the philosophy of mathematics that Frege singlehandedly invented second-order logic, and that there was no one close to his achievements before him. In a slightly more sophisticated version of the same course, a qualifying nod is made in the direction of Boole, who did “bring quantifiers to logic”. But the student is given the impression that Boole, like Frege, rose ex nihilo from the weedy wasteland of Aristotelian syllogistic reasoning. While this is not a wholly mistaken impression, it is misleading, and should be corrected. Boole was working in the context of a revival of logic—where “logic”, especially as it was being taught in England, was gradually being prised away from the doxa of Aristotelian syllogistic reasoning. It is in this context that Boole made innovative contributions by bringing together a number of ideas. The combination brought us closer to our modern conception of logic.
Measurement of the Spin Hamiltonian Parameters of Cu2+ Ion in Zn2+-Doped CaCd(CH3COO)4·6H2O

The spin Hamiltonian parameters (g∥, g⊥, A∥ and A⊥) of Cu2+ in Zn2+-doped CCDAH have been determined in the temperature range of 300 K to 15 K. The temperature variation of the normalized intensity of the Cu2+ hyperfine lines was also studied in the above temperature range. Our data show that g∥, A∥ and A⊥ values are unaffected by the presence of Zn2+ impurities in the crystal, while the g⊥ changes significantly from the corresponding values previously reported for pure CCDAH (i.e., without Zn2+ doping). While g∥ varied slightly with temperature (from 2.366 at 300 K to 2.351 at 15 K), g⊥ remained virtually unaffected by temperature.
Thermally Stable Multilamellar Structure of DNA/Cationic Lipid Complex in the Bulk State

The effect of temperature on the two types of multilamellar structures, L I and L II , formed by the complexes of DNA with a cationic lipid, cholesteryl 3β-N-(dimethylamionethyl) carbamate (DC-Chol), in the bulk state has been investigated by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). L I phase composing of A-DNA intercalated between the lipid bilayers with tilted tails was formed at lower lipid-to-base pair molar ratio (x 2. In addition to the differences in lipid packing state and DNA conformation, these two lamellar phases also displayed different thermal stability. L I phase was highly thermally stable as its interlamellar distance remained essentially unperturbed even after the denaturation of A-DNA in the complex at elevated temperature. By contrast, the interlamellar distance of L II phase decreased with increasing temperature due to the release of bound water and B-DNA denaturation.
The role of personality and motivation in predicting early college academic success in non-traditional students at a Hispanic-serving institution

Abstract Non-cognitive factors represent a chance to learn more about how to help students succeed in early college experiences. This study examined personality and motivation as predictors of first-quarter GPA in a sample of 315 non-traditional undergraduates at a Hispanic-serving institution. Our results provide support for the importance of high levels of conscientiousness, intrinsic motivation, and low levels of extrinsic motivation in first-quarter school success. Implications and possible interventions are discussed.
High-performance size exclusion chromatographic inhibitory assay of α1-proteinase inhibitor

Abstract Two size exclusion columns (Bio-Sil TSK 250, Spherol 2000 SW) were utilized in a high-performance size ecxlusion chromatographic assay to determine the proteinase inhibitory capacity of α 1 -proteinase inhibitor (α 1 -PI). Values from assays using both columns agreed wel with the standard spectrophotometric inhibitory assays. Moreover, the Spherogel TSK 2000 SW column enabled determination of the proteinase inhibitory capacity in an analogous manner to that of the spectrophotometric assay, which is the measurement of the residual proteinase after interaction with α 1 -PI. Nanogram to milligram amounts of protein, namely, plasma α 1 -PI, elastase, trypsin and their corresponding complexes with the inhibitor, were fractionated in less than fifteen min.
Autophagy in the Lung

Autophagy is a cellular process for the disposal of damaged organelles or denatured proteins through a lysosomal degradation pathway. By reducing endogenous macromolecules to their basic components (i.e., amino acids, lipids), autophagy serves a homeostatic function by ensuring cell survival during starvation. Increased autophagy can be found in dying cells, although the relationships between autophagy and programmed cell death remain unclear. To date, few studies have examined the regulation and functional significance of autophagy in human lung disease. The lung, a complex organ that functions primarily in gas exchange, consists of diverse cell types (i.e., endothelial, epithelial, mesenchymal, inflammatory). In lung cells, autophagy may represent a general inducible adaptive response to injury resulting from exposure to stress agents, including hypoxia, oxidants, inflammation, ischemia–reperfusion, endoplasmic reticulum stress, pharmaceuticals, or inhaled xenobiotics (i.e., air pollution, cigarette smo...
IR spectroscopic determination of gel state miscibility in long-chain phosphatidylcholine mixtures

We report on the gel-state microaggregation in binary mixtures of diacylphosphatidylcholines over temperatures ranging from -19 degrees C to near the gel-to-liquid crystal transition. Microaggregates with lateral dimensions in the range 1–100 chains were detected and measured with an isotope infrared method that relates the splitting or the shape of the methylene scissors band to aggregate size. Measurements were made on fully hydrated dispersions of diC18DPC/diC20HPC, diC18DPC/diC22HPC, and diC18DPC/diC24HPC at molar ratios of 4:1. Low levels of aggregation were determined with reference to the spectrum of the random mixture diC18DPC/diC18HPC. For diC18DPC/diC20HPC at -19 degrees C, which previous calorimetric measurements have indicated is a nearly ideal, we found about 4% of the minority component chains to be involved in aggregates. For diC18DPC/diC22HPC, the value increased to about 11%. DiC18DPC/diC24HPC was found to be highly fractionated, in agreement with the earlier studies. The unit subcell, which defines the type of acyl-chain packing, was determined for the components of the mixtures. The temperature behavior of the phases and the temperatures at which the minority component domains undergo dissolution were determined.
Explicit secular equations for surface waves in monoclinic materials with the symmetry plane x1 = 0, x2 = 0 or x3 = 0

The traditional way of deriving the secular equation for surface waves propagating in the direction of the x1axis in an anisotropic elastic halfspace x20 is to find a general steadystate solution f...
Malignant pleural effusions.

Malignant pleural effusions contribute to considerable morbidity in cancer patients and generally portend an overall poor prognosis. Treatment of malignant pleural effusions is palliative; therefore, quality of life issues, as well as the risks and benefits of the therapeutic options, become more critical. In my opinion, factors such as in patient versus outpatient management and associated procedural discomfort are important in the decision-making process, and the patient should participate in these subjective con-siderations. It is difficult to compare results and determine the true efficacy of different techniques and agents because endpoints and response criteria as well as the extent and method of follow-up vary. In addition, the etiology of the primary complaint, dyspnea, is frequently multifactorial. However, malignant effusions recur, and therefore repeated thoracentesis, especially if the fluid rapidly reaccumulates, is usually not a good long-term solution unless the patient’s overall prognosis and current condition prohibits a more invasive option. The standard option for recurrent effusions is insertion of a chest tube. If the lung re-expands, chemical pleurodesis is attempted to achieve adherence of the visceral to the parietal pleura. Sterilized talc is the best sclerosant; it has good efficacy and cost effectiveness and can be administered easily as a slurry at the bedside via a chest tube with minimal patient discomfort and without more aggressive and invasive procedures.
The Demographic Burden of Urologic Diseases in America

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases initiated the Urologic Diseases in America project in 2001 with the goal of quantifying the immense demographic burden of urologic diseases on the American public, in both human and financial terms. This effort was renewed in 2007 with the aim of expanding and deepening analyses of the epidemiology, costs, and quality of medical care in urology. This ongoing commitment recognizes the major public health impact of urologic conditions in the United States. A thoughtful policy response to these changes requires a thorough understanding of the health care resource use and clinical epidemiology relevant to urologic diseases in America. This article details major initial findings from the Urologic Diseases in America project with respect to the demographic impact of the most common benign, malignant, and pediatric urologic conditions.
Targeting B lymphocyte stimulator in systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune rheumatic disorders.

B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) is a vital B cell survival factor. Overexpression of BLyS in mice can lead to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like disease and to Sjogren’s syndrome (SS)-like disease. Treatment of mice with established SLE with BLyS antagonists ameliorates disease progression and enhances survival. Moreover, similar treatment of mice with inflammatory arthritis ameliorates the ongoing inflammation and subsequent joint destruction. In humans, BLyS overexpression is common in patients with SLE, rheumatoid arthritis or SS. Results from a Phase I clinical trial with a BLyS antagonist in human SLE have shown the antagonist to be biologically active and safe. These features collectively point to BLyS as an attractive therapeutic target in human disease.
Generational Replacement and the Future of Post-Materialist Values

This note utilizes cohort analysis together with census projections to estimate the probable distribution of Materialist/Post-Materialist values among the West European public to the year 2000. Analyses of 126 national surveys carried out in West Germany, Great Britain, The Netherlands, France, Belgium, and Italy demonstrate that the priorities of the West European public shifted substantially from materialist toward post-materialist goals during the period between 1970-71 and 1985, and that this shift resulted from intergenerational population replacement. Building upon these results, we use census projections of the future age distribution of these societies in 1990, 1995 and 2000 to project future levels of post-materialism. We conclude that: (a) the rate of value change is likely to be slower during the remainder of the century than it was during the past 15 years, but (b) the population replacement process is likely to continue to exert a pressure increasing the level of post-materialism during the r...
SU-F-18C-07: Automated CT QC Program with Analytics, Archival, and Notification Capabilities

Purpose: Tracking metrics over time is a well-established means of establishing a quality control program. The number of metrics followed and testing frequency is limited by available resources. Automating the image analysis and data archival of a QC program enables objective and efficient tracking of performance metrics. The purpose of this study was to develop such a QC method and to assess its utility at a large clinical facility. Methods: The QC program at our institution is based on the acquisition of daily water-phantom scans, and biweekly ACR-phantom scans for each CT system. We developed a QC program to analyze these data. The QC software operates on the images sent directly to our server. The relevant information from DICOM headers was extracted, data analyzed, and a database was populated. The measurements performed on the waterphantom included water CT-number, uniformity, noise, and artifact. The measurements performed on the ACR-phantom included the MTF, NPS, detectability, artifact, uniformity, CNR, and the CT-numbers for water, polyethylene, bone, air, and acrylic. Email notifications and criteria limits were directly based upon ACR accreditation requirements and developing threshold values. Results: Across ten clinical CT scanners, the daily water CT-number was −0.2+/−1.4 HU(mean+/-standard deviation). The corresponding numbers for 10%MTF, uniformity, CNR squared normalized to CTDI, and detectability squared normalized to CTDI were 0.69+/−0.01 (1/mm), 0.93+/−0.29, 0.06+/−0.02 (1/mGy), and 3.3+/−0.7 (1/mGy), respectively. For all ACR-phantom inserts, the largest standard deviation for any individual scanner was 1.9 HU. Artifact analysis triggers successfully identified problematic images. Conclusion: Automating image analysis allows one to frequently track meaningful metrics that would be impractical to follow otherwise. System inconsistencies are more likely to be identified and corrected earlier. Much tighter system specific criteria limits are possible.
Establishment of a TGFβ-induced post-transcriptional EMT gene signature.

A major challenge in the clinical management of human cancers is to accurately stratify patients according to risk and likelihood of a favorable response. Stratification is confounded by significant phenotypic heterogeneity in some tumor types, often without obvious criteria for subdivision. Despite intensive transcriptional array analyses, the identity and validation of cancer specific ‘signature genes’ remains elusive, partially because the transcriptome does not mirror the proteome. The simplification associated with transcriptomic profiling does not take into consideration changes in the relative expression among transcripts that arise due to post-transcriptional regulatory events. We have previously shown that TGFβ post-transcriptionally regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by causing increased expression of two transcripts, Dab2 and ILEI, by modulating hnRNP E1 phosphorylation. Using a genome-wide combinatorial approach involving expression profiling and RIP-Chip analysis, we have identified a cohort of translationally regulated mRNAs that are induced during TGFβ-mediated EMT. Coordinated translational regulation by hnRNP E1 constitutes a post-transcriptional regulon inhibiting the expression of related EMT-facilitating genes, thus enabling the cell to rapidly and coordinately regulate multiple EMT-facilitating genes.
A Test of Incomplete Additivity in the Multiplicative Interaction Model

Abstract Consider the multiplicative interaction model defined by yij = μ + τ i + β j + λα i γ j + ∈ ij , i = 1, 2, …, t, j = 1, 2, …, b, where it is assumed that Σ i τ i = Σ j β j = Σ i α i = σ j γ j = 0 and γ i α i 2 = γ j γ j 2 = 1. It is also assumed that the ∈ ij are distributed NID (0, σ2). This article derives the likelihood ratio test of H 0: Hα = 0 and Gγ = 0 vs. Ha :Hα ≈ 0 or Gγ ≈ 0, where H is a q × t matrix of row contrasts of rank q and G is a r × b matrix of row constrasts of rank r. An approximation to the critical points of the test statistic is given and tables are given for a few selected values of b, t, q, and r. An improved estimator of σ2 is derived, and all results are illustrated with an example.
Workplace aggression: beginning a dialogue.

The June 2005 Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing editorial titled "Communication: Whose Problem Is It?" (Griffin-Sobel, 2005) was written to begin a dialogue about a phenomenon frequently experienced yet rarely discussed: workplace aggression, also known as disruptive behavior. Prompted by a groundbreaking study published in the American Journal of Nursing by Rosenstein and O'Daniel (2005), the editorial challenged oncology nurses to begin to fix problems of communication. After reflecting on both of the articles and considering my own experience as a nurse manager, clinician, and scholar, I decided to explore the topic as it relates to nurse-to-nurse workplace aggression. The following is a summary of interviews with nurse managers, nurse practitioners, and nurse scientists about root causes and effective strategies to manage these sometimes complicated situations. This article is meant to continue the dialogue about the very sensitive issue. Confidentiality has been maintained, and I welcome your comments. Language: en
Slip vectors and stretching of the Sumatran fore arc

Slip vectors from thrust earthquakes at the Java Trench southwest of Sumatra demonstrate that the Sumatran fore arc is not a single rigid plate that is translated to the northwest by oblique plate convergence. Instead they indicate arc-parallel stretching of the fore arc at a uniform strain rate of 3-4 x 10 -8 /yr. The northwestward motion of the fore arc relative to the upper plate (Southeast Asia) increases from near zero at the Sunda Strait to 45-60 mm/yr in northwest Sumatra and should result in variable slip rates on the Sumatran fault.
Overview and update of the Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) Demonstration Program.

The Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) Program is now in its sixth year of demonstrating technologies applicable to Superfund sites. The SITE Program, conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory, is intended to accelerate the use of new and innovative treatment processes as well as evaluate innovative measurement and monitoring techniques. Within the SITE Program, the Demonstration Program and the Emerging Technologies Program are responsible for innovative/ alternative waste treatment technology development. Separate and parallel activities are progressing for development and evaluation of measuring and monitoring technologies as well as technology transfer operations.
On image rendering methods for improved image consistency in PACS environment

The average workload per full-time equivalent (FTE) radiologist increased by 70% from1991-1992 to 2006- 2007. The increase is mainly due to the increase (34%) in the number of procedures, particularly in 3D imaging procedures. New technologies such as picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) and embodied viewing capability were accredited for an improved workflow environment leading to the increased productivity. However, the need for further workflow improvement is still in demand as the number of procedures continues growing. Advanced and streamlined viewing capability in PACS environment could potentially reduce the reading time, thus further increasing the productivity. With the increasing number of 3D image procedures, radiographic procedures (excluding mammography) have remained their critical roles in screening and diagnosis of various diseases. Although radiographic procedures decreased in shares from 70% to 49.5%, the total number has remained the same from 1991-1992 to 2006- 2007. Inconsistency in image quality for radiographic images has been identified as an area of concern. It affects the ability of clinicians to interpret images effectively and efficiently in areas where diagnosis, for example, in screening mammography and portable chest radiography, requires a comparison of current images with priors. These priors can potentially have different image quality. Variations in image acquisition techniques (x-ray exposure), patient and apparatus positioning, and image processing are the factors attributed to the inconsistency in image quality. The inconsistency in image quality, for example, in contrast may require manual image manipulation (i.e., windowing and leveling) of images to accomplish an optimal comparison to detect the subtle changes. We developed a tone-scale image rendering technique which improves the image consistency of chest images across time and modality. The rendering controls both the global and local contrast for a consistent look. We expect the improvement could reduce the window and level manipulation time required for an optimal comparison of priors and current images, thus improving both the efficiency and effectiveness of image interpretation. This paper presents a technique for improving the consistency of portable chest radiographic images. The technique is based on regions-of-interest (ROIs) to control both the local and global contrast consistency.
Evaluation of respiration-correlated digital tomosynthesis in lung

Digital tomosynthesis (DTS) with a linear accelerator-mounted imaging system provides a means of reconstructing tomographic images from radiographic projections over a limited gantry arc, thus requiring only a few seconds to acquire. Its application in the thorax, however, often results in blurred images from respiration-induced motion. This work evaluates the feasibility of respiration-correlated (RC) DTS for soft-tissue visualization and patient positioning. Image data acquired with a gantry-mounted kilovoltage imaging system while recording respiration were retrospectively analyzed from patients receiving radiotherapy for non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Projection images spanning an approximately 30 degrees gantry arc were sorted into four respiration phase bins prior to DTS reconstruction, which uses a backprojection, followed by a procedure to suppress structures above and below the reconstruction plane of interest. The DTS images were reconstructed in planes at different depths through the patient and normal to a user-selected angle close to the center of the arc. The localization accuracy of RC-DTS was assessed via a comparison with CBCT. Evaluation of RC-DTS in eight tumors shows visible reduction in image blur caused by the respiratory motion. It also allows the visualization of tumor motion extent. The best image quality is achieved at the end-exhalation phase of the respiratory motion. Comparison of RC-DTS with respiration-correlated cone-beam CT in determining tumor position, motion extent and displacement between treatment sessions shows agreement in most cases within 2-3 mm, comparable in magnitude to the intraobserver repeatability of the measurement. These results suggest the method's applicability for soft-tissue image guidance in lung, but must be confirmed with further studies in larger numbers of patients.
Novel 2-Aminotetralin and 3-AminoChroman Derivatives as Selective Serotonin 5-HT7 Receptor Agonists and Antagonists

The understanding of the physiological role of the G-protein coupled serotonin 5-HT7 receptor is largely rudimentary. Therefore, selective and potent pharmacological tools will add to the understanding of serotonergic effects mediated through this receptor. In this report, we describe two compound classes, chromans and tetralins, encompassing compounds with nanomolar affinity for the 5-HT7 receptor and with good selectivity. Within theses classes, we have discovered both agonists and antagonists that can be used for further understanding of the pharmacology of the 5-HT7 receptor.
Gender differences in online travel information search: Implications for marketing communications on the internet

Abstract Gender has been and continues to be one of the most common forms of segmentation used by marketers in general and advertisers in particular. In general, males and females are likely to differ in information processes and decision making. The growing predominance of Internet use has further highlighted the need for understanding online users’ attitudes and behaviors from a gender perspective. Reflecting this research need, the purpose of this study was to examine gender differences within the context of online travel Website functionality and content preferences as well as search behavior. The data used for this study were obtained from the Internet Tourism & Travel 2001 Study conducted for the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC). There was a usable sample of 1334 qualified respondents in this study. The results indicated that there were substantial gender differences both in terms of attitudes to information channels and travel Website functionality preferences. The implications of such differences for online tourism Website message design were discussed.
CARBON MONOXIDE ACTUATES O2-LIMITED HEME DEGRADATION IN THE RAT BRAIN

The biochemical paradigm for carbon monoxide (CO) is driven by the century-old Warburg hypothesis: CO alters O(2)-dependent functions by binding heme proteins in competitive relation to 1/oxygen partial pressure (PO(2)). High PO(2) thus hastens CO elimination and toxicity resolution, but with more O(2), CO-exposed tissues paradoxically experience less oxidative stress. To help resolve this paradox we tested the Warburg hypothesis using a highly sensitive gas-reduction method to track CO uptake and elimination in brain, heart, and skeletal muscle in situ during and after exogenous CO administration. We found that CO administration does increase tissue CO concentration, but not in strict relation to 1/PO(2). Tissue gas uptake and elimination lag behind blood CO as predicted, but 1/PO(2) vs. [CO] fails even at hyperbaric PO(2). Mechanistically, we established in the brain that cytosol heme concentration increases 10-fold after CO exposure, which sustains intracellular CO content by providing substrate for heme oxygenase (HO) activated after hypoxia when O(2) is resupplied to cells rich in reduced pyridine nucleotides. We further demonstrate by analysis of CO production rates that this heme stress is not due to HO inhibition and that heme accumulation is facilitated by low brain PO(2). The latter becomes rate limiting for HO activity even at physiological PO(2), and the heme stress leads to doubling of brain HO-1 protein. We thus reveal novel biochemical actions of both CO and O(2) that must be accounted for when evaluating oxidative stress and biological signaling by these gases.
Excited levels in 3He

Abstract The inelastic proton spectrum from the 3He + p reaction was investigated in a search for excited states in 3He. Possible evidence for the existence of virtual levels is discussed.
Limits on noncommuting extended technicolor

Using precision electroweak data, we put limits on noncommuting extended technicolor models. We conclude that these models are viable only if the ETC interactions are strong. Interestingly, these models predict a pattern of deviations from the standard model which can fit the data significantly better than the standard model does, even after taking into account the extra parameters involved. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
A Genomewide Assessment of Inbreeding Depression: Gene Number, Function, and Mode of Action

Although the genetic basis of inbreeding depression is still being debated, most fitness effects are thought to be the result of increased homozygosity for recessive or partially recessive deleterious alleles rather than the loss of overdominant genes. It is unknown how many loci are associated with inbreeding depression, the genes or gene pathways involved, or their mode of action. To uncover genes associated with variation in fitness following inbreeding, we generated a set of inbred lines of Drosophila melanogaster for which only the third chromosome varied among lines and measured male competitive reproductive success among these lines to estimate inbreeding depression. Male competitive reproductive success for different lines validated our prediction that equally inbred lines show variation in inbreeding depression. To begin to assess the molecular basis of inbreeding depression for male competitive reproductive success, we detected variation in whole-genome gene expression across these inbred lines with commercially available high-density oligonucleotide microarrays. A total of 567 genes were differentially expressed among these inbred lines, indicating that inbreeding directly or indirectly affects a large number of genes: genes that are disproportionately involved in metabolism, stress and defense responses. Subsequently, we generated a set of outbred lines by crossing the highest inbreeding depression lines to each other and contrasted gene expression between parental inbred lines and F(1) hybrids with transcript abundance as a quantitative phenotype to determine the mode of action of the genes associated with inbreeding depression. Although our results indicated that approximately 75% of all genes involved in inbreeding depression were additive, partially additive, or dominant, about 25% of all genes expressed patterns of overdominance. These results should be viewed with caution given that they may be confounded by issues of statistical inference or associative overdominance.