cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantification of skin erythema response to topical alcohol in alcohol-intolerant East Asians.

Background/purpose Severe alcohol intolerance characterized by flushing, headache, nausea, and tachycardia even after very modest oral alcohol consumption, is common among East Asians (Chinese, Japanese, Koreans) and has been associated with the accumulation of acetaldehyde resulting from genetic polymorphism of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). These individuals also display erythema of the skin in response to exposure to topical alcohol. We have recently observed that dietary phytochemicals such as sulforaphane can accelerate the disposal of acetaldehyde from cells and animals by inducing ALDH. The goal of this study was to quantify the erythema response of skin to topical alcohol exposure. Methods The erythema response of the forearm skin of healthy Japanese with unusual alcohol sensitivity evoked by a range of very low doses of alcohol (2, 4, 8, and 16 μmol/cm2 ) was determined by means of a chromometer, which measures a* values (red-green scale). Results The magnitude of the a* response (∆a*) to alcohol was time- and dose-dependent, but differed considerably among individuals. It was much higher in those individuals who claimed to be alcohol intolerant, and ∆a* was unrelated to the initial a* values of the skin prior to alcohol challenge. Conclusion The ∆a* index is suitable for the quantitative determination of topical alcohol-induced erythema response, and the evaluation of effectiveness of protective strategies against erythema response.
Motion Necessary to Achieve Mallet Internal Rotation Positions in Children With Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy.

BACKGROUND Upper extremity function in children with brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP) is assessed with clinical tests such as the Mallet classification, which uses a hand to spine position to assess shoulder internal rotation, or the modified Mallet classification, which adds an additional internal rotation task (hand to belly). Children with BPBP frequently have difficulty performing the hand to spine task. This study compared scapulothoracic and glenohumeral (GH) parameters associated with successful completion of the hand to spine and hand to belly modified Mallet positions. METHODS Motion capture measurement of 32 children with BPBP was performed in hand on spine, internal rotation (hand to belly), hand to mouth, and maximal humerothoracic extension positions. Modified Mallet scores were determined by a hand surgeon. RESULTS Children with better hand to spine performance demonstrated significantly greater GH extension and a nonsignificant trend toward increased GH internal rotation compared with children with scores <3. Children with better internal rotation position performance demonstrated significantly greater GH internal rotation and no significant difference in GH extension. Hand on spine and internal rotation Mallet scores moderately correlated (Pearson r=0.469); however, 54% of children who could place their palms flat on their bellies could not reach behind their backs. CONCLUSIONS Successfully reaching behind one's back requires both internal rotation and extension, representing a multiplanar motion. The hand to belly performance is less affected by extension and should be considered for internal rotation assessment, particularly for children undergoing surgical intervention that may affect internal rotation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level II.
Should we call the neighbors? Voluntary deliberation and citizen complaints about oil and gas drilling

Abstract Firm adoption of voluntary management practices is one proposed method of mitigating oil and gas development externalities while promoting flexibility in regulations. Where they face social challenges or uncertainties, firms may even voluntarily select deliberative processes in site planning thereby increasing stakeholder involvement. This article tests the potential for adoption of voluntary engagement practices to reduce the likelihood of citizen complaints. Using a dataset of complaints and practices from the state of Colorado, this article finds that adoption of engagement practices and further deliberation about sites is not associated with altered odds of observing a complaint at a wellsite once other variables are controlled. Where more voluntary management practices of any type are adopted, the odds of observing a complaint are higher. Inclusion of engagement and deliberation weaken this association. Finally, large companies, as defined by well counts, are more likely to adopt engagement and deliberation practices that can form the basis of collaboration than are small companies. This indicates that use of voluntary management practices is dependent on the resources available to individual firms, and thus, the environmental and social benefits of such policies are likely to accrue unevenly.
A Novel Phenotype in a Previously Described Epilepsy-Aphasia Disorder

The clinical presentation of patients with epileptic encephalopathies can be heterogenous. When attempting to classify a patient's epilepsy syndrome, challenges can arise due to the phenotypic overlap of various epilepsies as well as the different presentations of mutations within the same gene. Genetic testing can be most helpful in evaluation of children with features spanning several epilepsy phenotypes. In this case, we report on a boy with an epileptic encephalopathy found to have a previously unreported mutation in a recently described gene.
Prostate Cancer Epigenetics: From Basic Mechanisms to Clinical Implications

A level of epigenetic programming, encoded by complex sets of chemical marks on DNA and histones, and by context-specific DNA, RNA, protein interactions, that all regulate the structure, organization, and function of the genome, is critical to establish both normal and neoplastic cell identities and functions. This structure-function relationship of the genome encoded by the epigenetic programming can be thought of as an epigenetic cityscape that is built on the underlying genetic landscape. Alterations in the epigenetic cityscape of prostate cancer cells compared with normal prostate tissues have a complex interplay with genetic alterations to drive prostate cancer initiation and progression. Indeed, mutations in genes encoding epigenetic enzymes are often observed in human cancers including prostate cancer. Interestingly, alterations in the prostate cancer epigenetic cityscape can be highly recurrent, a facet that can be exploited for development of biomarkers and potentially as therapeutic targets.
Arterial blood sampling changes the steady state of glucose in rats during FDG-PET

1745 Objectives Metabolic rate of glucose (MR) can be measured using quantitative FDG-PET. The method assumes that plasma glucose is at steady state throughout the scan and a constant plasma glucose concentration is used. In this study, we investigated the glucose levels in rats with/without catheter implementation and multiple blood sampling. We also examined whether blood glucose can be measured accurately using a glucose meter. Methods 23 rats were studied: 8 rats (single studies; n=8) with and 15 rats (multiple studies; n=41) without a femoral artery catheter. Immediately after surgery or being anesthetized, the rat (under 2% isoflurane; temperature 35°C) was injected with 37~110 mCi of FDG through a tail vein. 13 serial blood samples (~100 μL each) were taken from the catheters in 45 minutes. For rats without catheters two blood samples, one (~10 μL) before and one (~100 μL) at 45 minutes after FDG injection, were taken from the contralateral vein. The glucose concentrations were first measured on whole blood using a glucose meter (Accu-Chek® Active; Roche Diagnostics). The plasma glucose was measured using an YSI 2700 Select™ Biochemistry Analyzer. Results Glucose levels measured using the glucose meter (y; y =0.978x) correlated well (Pearson correlation; r =0.95) with plasma glucose levels from the YSI analyzer (x). The plasma glucose concentrations (11.5±1.0 vs. 10.7±1.7 mmol/L; p>0.05) in rats with or without surgery were within physiologic ranges. At 45 minutes, the rats with 13 blood samples taken had a greater percent change in glucose levels than those with two blood samples taken (28.3%±5.9 vs. 9.5%±1.1; p Conclusions Aspects of the surgery and blood sampling affected glucose levels and therefore had a larger effect on MR measurement using FDG-PET. Derivation of input function without surgery/multiple blood sampling is recommended. A glucose meter is accurate and simplifies the procedure for plasma glucose measurement
Adjuvant Pharmacotherapies to Insulin for the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes

Insulin therapy alone fails to achieve target glycemic control in the majority of individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D), motivating the investigation of additive medications. This review focuses on the recent findings on the use of adjunctive pharmacotherapy in T1D. Metformin and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists have been associated with weight reduction and decrease in daily insulin requirements without sustainable improvement in glycemic control. Sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT)-2 inhibitors, dual SGLT-1/2 inhibitors, and pramlintide have been shown to reduce hemoglobin A1c, induce weight loss, and lower insulin dose. The benefits of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, and alpha glucosidase inhibitors appear to be more limited. Gastrointestinal symptoms and increased hypoglycemia are adverse effects of certain classes. Although not devoid of side effects, additive pharmacotherapies in T1D can improve glycemic control and lower body weight and insulin requirement. Longer studies are needed before consideration for widespread clinical care.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) outsourcing among general contractors

Abstract Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a process used by Architecture Engineering Construction (AEC) stakeholders which simulates a construction project in a multi-dimensional digital model and provides multitudes of project benefits from project inception to its occupancy. However, a variety of barriers impede a holistic BIM implementation. Due to these barriers, some general contractors outsource the creation and use of BIM models to specialized Information Technology (IT) firms. Since limited literature currently exists for BIM outsourcing, this study aims to identify BIM outsourcing patterns among the general contractors across the US and the perceived impacts it has on construction projects. Analysis of two-hundred and fifty-two complete responses from general contracting firms determines that 45% of responding companies have outsourced BIM, this signifies that outsourcing has become an important facet of BIM implementation. Data was also collected on company demographics, BIM outsourcing locations, strategic reasons for outsourcing, and various other aspects related to BIM outsourcing. The results indicate that respondents perceive BIM outsourcing as less efficient than in-house BIM implementation. However, continued use of outsourcing for BIM functions also displays the adaptability of the industry in meeting challenges and embracing new technology through alternative methods, despite the potential risks.
Treatment of caffeine toxicity with metoprolol.

Abstract A 27-year-old man presented with an intentional overdose of concentrated caffeine powder that he bought over the internet. The patient received benzodiazepines and ondansetron for symptomatic treatment when he arrived in the Emergency Department (ED). Subsequently, he developed recurrent supraventricular tachycardia in the ED. The SVT was successfully treated with metoprolol. The patient's caffeine level was >90 mg/L. This is the first known report of treatment of caffeine-induced supraventricular tachycardia with metoprolol.
International Food Safety: Economic Incentives, Progress, and Future Challenges

This book introduces the economic frameworks and tools commonly used to examine and support public and private sector strategies to solve food safety problems. It also summarizes the state of the art of private and public initiatives to improve the level of food safety in food supply chains and reduce outbreaks of foodborne diseases. Key insights are as follows: (1) Food safety is a major public health problem worldwide with large economic costs; (2) lack of information about pathogens is the economic problem; (3) the private and public sectors need to collaborate and share information to identify the foods and companies causing foodborne illness; and (4) pathogen control is not prohibitively expensive, and governments have the responsibility of protecting the public and of providing economic incentives for industry to minimize the amount of unsafe food in the markets.
A Mental Warm-Up for Athletes

The purpose of this research was to develop and evaluate a 5-minute structured mental warmup involving aspects of goal setting, imagery, arousal regulation, and positive self-talk. Results of a stu...
North Carolina Nurse Leader Project: A Replication Study to Assess Nurse Leadership Capacity

Objectives The study examined nurse leader roles, barriers, and the need for nurse leader succession planning in North Carolina (NC). Background This study was conducted to assess leadership capacity in NC and further the efforts of the Future of Nursing report, which calls for nurses to lead change and advance health. Methods This study employed an exploratory research design using the Florida Action Coalition 56-item survey of active RNs and advanced practice RNs in NC. Results Key findings include nurse leader demographics, roles, barriers, retirement and succession plans, and development needs of current leaders in NC. NC nurse leaders are predominately female, white, non-Hispanic, and older than 50 years; plan to retire within the next 10 years; and report that their organizations do not have succession plans for nursing leadership. Conclusions Attention toward assessing nurse leadership capacity should be a priority to meet workforce needs.
AIOps: real-world challenges and research innovations

AIOps is about empowering software and service engineers (e.g., developers, program managers, support engineers, site reliability engineers) to efficiently and effectively build and operate online services and applications at scale with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques. AIOps can help improve service quality and customer satisfaction, boost engineering productivity, and reduce operational cost. In this technical briefing, we first summarize the real-world challenges in building AIOps solutions based on our practice and experience in Microsoft. We then propose a roadmap of AIOps related research directions, and share a few successful AIOps solutions we have built for Microsoft service products.
Ordered Structures and Morphology-Induced Phase Transitionsat Graphite–Acetonitrile Interfaces

In this report, reflection high-energy electron diffraction as a direct structure-probing method is used to reveal an unanticipated vertical ordering and long-range crystallinity in interfacial ace...
The Relationship between the Korean Dawn Prayer Meeting and Spirituality

This article analyzes the formative power of the Korean dawn prayer service to better understand the public and private dimensions of Christian spirituality. It explores the origin of the dawn pray...
Amylase concentration and activity in the amniotic fluid of fetal rats with retinoic acid induced myelomeningocele

Background: In utero neurologic injury in myelomeningocele (MMC) occurs via a two-hit process: failed neural tube closure followed by neurodegeneration in utero. Meconium in the amniotic fluid cont...
Bolívar in the Río de la Plata

If Bolivar has been the subject of relatively few books and essays in Argentina and the greater River Plate area that is also Uruguay, this is hardly indicative of his importance in the region, particularly in Argentina, where in the long process that has seen the buildup of the figure of San Martin, Bolivar has always been close at hand, serving as the authorizing “Other” of San Martin in the same manner that Santander has Bolivar in Venezuela, while, though less frequently, appearing positively as one who acted in unison with the Argentine leader to liberate the continent. My interest in this subject takes as its point of departure an essay by the historian Tulio Halperin Donghi, La imagen argentina de Bolivar, de Funes a Mitre (The Argentine Image of Bolivar, from Funes a Mitre). Written for the 1983 centenary of Bolivar’s birth in Venezuela, it appeared in his 1987 book El espejo de la historia: problemas argentinos y perspectivas latinoamericanas (History’s Mirror: Argentine Issues and Latin American Perspectives), a book that seeks to reconstruct Argentina’s liberal tradition in the wake of the Dirty War (1976–1983).
Efficacy of three disinfectant formulations and a hydrogen peroxide/silver fogging system on surfaces experimentally inoculated with meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.

BACKGROUND Effective environmental disinfection is necessary to prevent nosocomial infections from meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP). However, there are currently no commercial disinfectant sprays or fogging systems with label claims against MRSP. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy of a quaternary ammonium product (QAC), an accelerated hydrogen peroxide product (AHP), a hydrogen peroxide and silver product (HAL), and a hydrogen peroxide and silver fogging system (FOG) against MRSP. METHODS AND MATERIALS Sterile plastic surfaces inoculated with MRSP were treated with 200 µL of QAC, AHP or HAL for the recommended contact times. For FOG, inoculated samples were placed in eight positions within a sealed room before fogging for the recommended contact time. Post-treatment bacterial counts were compared to untreated positive controls. Sterile uninoculated surfaces served as negative controls. RESULTS Least-squares mean reduction (log10 ) in colony forming units (cfu) was 3.55 log10 for QAC (P < 0.0001), 3.60 log10 for AHP (P < 0.0001), 1.66 log10 for HAL (P < 0.0001) and 0.32 log10 for FOG (P = 0.004). QAC, AHP and HAL reduced MRSP cfu by 99.97%, 99.98% and 97.81%, respectively. FOG reduced cfu by 52.14%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE QAC and AHP effectively disinfected surfaces inoculated with MRSP. Although HAL provided lower MRSP reduction, it may be considered clinically acceptable. FOG as a sole means of MRSP disinfection was not supported yet may have utility as an adjunctive disinfectant in clinical areas with bacterial densities lower than our experimental inoculum.
Polarization of Protons from B 10 ( d , p ) B 11 , C 12 ( d , p ) C 13 , and Spin-Flip Stripping

The polarization of proton groups corresponding to the ground and first excited states in the reactions ${\mathrm{B}}^{10}(d, p){\mathrm{B}}^{11}$ and ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}(d, p){\mathrm{C}}^{13}$ have been measured for an incident deuteron energy of 7.8 Mev. With the exception of the first excited state of ${\mathrm{B}}^{11}$, the sign of the polarization for six known cases is consistent with the relation $P=(\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{})$ when ${j}_{n}={l}_{n}\ensuremath{\mp}\frac{1}{2}$, the axis of quantization being defined by $\mathrm{n}={\mathrm{k}}_{p}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{\mathrm{k}}_{d}$. The anomalous polarization of the first excited state of ${\mathrm{B}}^{11}$ is interpreted as evidence for a spin-flip exchange process in the stripping reaction.
Exosomes Isolated From Platelet-Rich Plasma and Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Recovery of Function After Muscle Injury.

Background:Clinical use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has gained momentum as treatment for muscle injuries. Exosomes, or small cell–derived vesicles, could be help...
Contemporary approaches to high-field magnetic resonance imaging with large field inhomogeneity.

Abstract Despite its importance as a clinical imaging modality, magnetic resonance imaging remains inaccessible to most of the world’s population due to its high cost and infrastructure requirements. Substantial effort is underway to develop portable, low-cost systems able to address MRI access inequality and to enable new uses of MRI such as bedside imaging. A key barrier to development of portable MRI systems is increased magnetic field inhomogeneity when using small polarizing magnets, which degrades image quality through distortions and signal dropout. Many approaches address field inhomogeneity by using a low polarizing field, approximately ten to hundreds of milli-Tesla. At low-field, even a large relative field inhomogeneity of several thousand parts-per-million (ppm) results in resonance frequency dispersion of only 1–2 kHz. Under these conditions, with necessarily wide pulse bandwidths, fast spin-echo sequences may be used at low field with negligible subject heating, and a broad range of other available imaging sequences can be implemented. However, high-field MRI, 1.5 T or greater, can provide substantially improved signal-to-noise ratio and image contrast, so that higher spatial resolution, clinical quality images may be acquired in significantly less time than is necessary at low-field. The challenge posed by small, high-field systems is that the relative field inhomogeneity, still thousands of ppm, becomes tens of kilohertz over the imaging volume. This article describes the physical consequences of field inhomogeneity on established gradient- and spin-echo MRI sequences, and suggests ways to reduce signal dropout and image distortion from field inhomogeneity. Finally, the practicality of currently available image contrasts is reviewed when imaging with a high magnetic field with large inhomogeneity.
The contribution of cognition to the rehabilitation of language and communication deficits

Background/Aims There is growing evidence to suggest that cognitive processes, in particular working memory and executive functions, are related to language functions such as syntactic processing, ...
Monopoly vs. Individual Welfare When a Local Public Good is Used to Attract the Creative Class

We study the decision problems faced by a city authority (CA) who focuses on two different objectives in her attempt to attract members of the creative class to her city by providing a local public good (LPG). First, we compute the maximum tax that a creative class member is willing to pay to enjoy the LPG on offer by living in the CA’s city. Second, assuming that the CA acts like a “monopolist” interested in maximizing the total benefit to her city, we determine the number of members N to attract to her city and the amount of the LPG L to provide so that the total benefit is maximized. Third, supposing that the CA maximizes the welfare of an individual member, we ascertain the values of N and L that maximize this individual welfare. Finally, we compare and contrast the outcomes that arise from the CA’s focus on these two distinct objectives.
All-Cause Mortality and Progression to End-Stage Kidney Disease Following Percutaneous Revascularization or Surgical Coronary Revascularization in Patients with CKD

Introduction Relative impacts of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on mortality and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) are uncertain. Methods Data from Massachusetts residents with CKD undergoing CABG or PCI from 2003 to 2012 were linked to the United States Renal Data System. Associations with death, ESKD, and combined death and ESKD were analyzed in propensity score−matched multivariable survival models. Results We identified 6805 CABG and 17,494 PCI patients. Among 3775 matched-pairs, multi-vessel disease was present in 97%, and stage 4 CKD was present in 11.9% of CABG and 12.2% of PCI patients. One-year mortality (CABG 7.7%, PCI 11.0%) was more frequent than ESKD (CABG 1.4%, PCI 1.7%). Overall survival was improved and ESKD risk decreased with CABG compared to PCI, but effects differed in the presence of left main disease and prior myocardial infarction (MI). Survival was worse following PCI than following CABG among patients with left main disease and without MI (hazard ratio = 3.7, 95% confidence interval = 1.3−10.5). ESKD risk was higher with PCI for individuals with left main disease and prior infarction (hazard ratio = 8.1, 95% confidence interval = 1.7−39.2). Conclusion Risks following CABG and PCI were modified by left main disease and prior MI. In individuals with CKD, survival was greater after CABG than after PCI in patients with left main disease but without MI, whereas ESKD risk was lower with CABG in those with left main and MI. Absolute risks of ESKD were markedly lower than for mortality, suggesting prioritizing mortality over ESKD in clinical decision making.
Nothing as it seems: behavioural plasticity appears correlated with morphology and colour, but is not in a Neotropical tadpole.

In response to environmental stressors, organisms often demonstrate flexible responses in morphology, life history or behaviour. However, it is currently unclear if such plastic responses are coord...
Identifying Incident Causal Factors to Improve Aviation Transportation Safety: Proposing a Deep Learning Approach

Aviation is a complicated transportation system, and safety is of paramount importance because aircraft failure often involves casualties. Prevention is clearly the best strategy for aviation transportation safety. Learning from past incident data to prevent potential accidents from happening has proved to be a successful approach. To prevent potential safety hazards and make effective prevention plans, aviation safety experts identify primary and contributing factors from incident reports. However, safety experts’ review processes have become prohibitively expensive nowadays. The number of incident reports is increasing rapidly due to the acceleration of advances in information technologies and the growth of the commercial and private aviation transportation industries. Consequently, advanced text mining algorithms should be applied to help aviation safety experts facilitate the process of incident data extraction. This paper focuses on constructing deep-learning-based models to identify causal factors from incident reports. First, we prepare the data sets used for training, validation, and testing with approximately 200,000 qualified incident reports from the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS). Then, we take an open-source natural language model, which is well trained with a large corpus of Wikipedia texts, as the baseline and fine-tune it with the texts in incident reports to make it more suited to our specific research task. Finally, we build and train an attention-based long short-term memory (LSTM) model to identify primary and contributing factors in each incident report. The solution we propose has multilabel capability and is automated and customizable, and it is more accurate and adaptable than traditional machine learning methods in extant research. This novel application of deep learning algorithms to the incident reporting system can efficiently improve aviation safety.
Medicare Coverage Options: Reforming the Beneficiary Choice Process to Improve Competition

Medicare is a jumble of choices and regulations. The programs beneficiaries have options for how they get their insurance, but those options are presented to them in ways that lack transparency and clarity. Beneficiaries can choose private insurance (Medicare Advantage, or MA) or the traditional program for their basic Medicare coverage; they can buy supplemental insurance to cover costs that Medicare does not; and they can enroll in one of several competing options for drug coverage. Medicare has recently added a new option, called accountable care organizations (ACOs), for improved management of care in the traditional program, although the beneficiaries are not presented with a clear choice to enroll in ACOs. ACOs should be replaced with Medicare provider networks that compete directly with MA plans and the traditional program. The overall program should be reformed so that the beneficiaries can see more clearly what the various combinations of options would mean for their premiums and overall costs.
Treatment Recommendations and Barriers to Care for Suicidal LGBTQ Youth: A Quality Improvement Study

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ) youth are at elevated risk for suicide. Despite this, there is limited information on how to optimize care for suicidal LGBTQ y...
Culture preparations of neuroglial cells useful for studies of myelin repair and axonal regeneration in the central nervous system.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the recently developed methods for the culture of specific neuroglial populations that are useful in designing approaches, which attempt to correct specific deficiencies in nervous system function. Three types of peripheral nerve component preparations are available: Schwann cells alone, Schwann cell-deposited ECM alone, and Schwann cells plus their immediately surrounding ECM components. The myelin-deficient rat has an x-linked myelin mutation, which causes a paucity of myelination in the CNS, and it is anticipated that approximately half of the male rats born to this mutant will express the myelin deficiency. These preliminary studies confirm the work of other investigators in the shiverer mouse that transplantation of glia for the correction of myelin deficiency in myelin mutants is feasible. Thus, they provide evidence that the preparation of Schwann cells and their expansion in culture may be one way of preparing the necessary cell numbers for effective transplantation studies.
Chemistry of Tracers for Positron Emission Tomography

There are hundreds of naturally occurring and artificial radionuclides; however, only a small number have found use in biomedical research. Of this limited number, a select few have been used to study biochemistry and pharmacology in vivo with emission tomography. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) offer biomedical researchers unique opportunities for studying a wide variety of biochemical and pharmacological interactions in living man. While SPECT offers the advantages of widespread availability of instrumentation and relative low cost of radionuclides (e.g., Technetium-99m and Iodine-123), PET has the distinct advantages of quantitative instrumentation and versatile chemistry of radionuclides (especially, Oxygen-15, Nitrogen-13, Carbon-11, and Fluorine-18). This chapter will focus primarily on these four radioisotopes for PET and highlight certain aspects of the radiochemistry involved in the preparation of tracers for PET studies.
A Fresh Look at Privacy--Why Does It Matter, Who Cares, and What Should Librarians Do about it?

Think back to the last time you took a commercial flight, and picture yourself standing in the airport security line. You show your boarding pass and photo ID to the TSA agent. Perhaps you struggle a bit with your laptop or backpack or purse while you remove your shoes and jacket and place them in the plastic bin. At the last minute, you remember to pull out the quartsize, zip-top baggie that’s holding your miniature deodorant, shaving cream, and toothpaste. Then you wait for the signal that it’s OK to proceed through the metal detector.
Effects of riparian areas, stream order, and land use disturbance on watershed-scale habitat potential: An ecohydrologic approach to policy

Abstract: Spatio-temporal linkages between hydrologic and ecologic dimensions of watersheds play a critical role in conservation policies. Habitat potential is influenced by variation along longitudinal and lateral gradients and land use disturbance. An assessment of these influences provides critical information for protecting watershed ecosystems and in making spatially explicit, conservation decisions. We use an ecohydrologic approach that focuses on interface between hydrological and ecological processes. This study focuses on changes in watershed habitat potentials along lateral (riparian), and longitudinal (stream order) dimensions and disturbance (land use). The habitat potentials were evaluated for amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds in the Westfield River Watershed of Massachusetts using geographic information systems and multivariate analysis. We use a polynomial model to study nonlinear effects using robust regression. Various spatial policies were modeled and evaluated for influence on species diversity. All habitat potentials showed a strong influence along spatial dimensions and disturbance. The habitat potential for all vertebrate groups studied decreased as the distance from the riparian zone increased. Headwaters and lower order subwatersheds had higher levels of species diversity compared to higher order subwatersheds. It was observed that locations with the least disturbance also had higher habitat potential. The study identifies three policy criteria that could be used to identify critical areas within a watershed to conserve habitat suitable for various species through management and restoration activities. A spatially variable policy that is based on stream order, riparian distance, and land use can be used to maximize watershed ecological benefits. Wider riparian zones with variable widths, protection of headwaters and lower order subwatersheds, and minimizing disturbance in riparian and headwater areas can be used in watershed policy. These management objectives could be achieved using targeted economic incentives, best management practices, zoning laws, and educational programs using a watershed perspective.
Some Contributions to the Wedge-Water Entry Problem

Study is based upon new formulation of basic equations of hydrodynamics especially applicable to wedge water entry problem; development is given first for compressible case; this is then specialized to incompressible (water) case and study of resulting equations leads to various relations and properties governing general straight sided wedge water entry phenomenon.
Influence of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on the production of bacterial cellulose biosynthesized by Acetobacter xylinum under the agitated culture.

Aims: Bacterial cellulose is an extracellular polysaccharide secreted by Acetobacter xylinum, which has become a novel material increasingly used in food and medical industries. However, its broad application is limited by its low yield and high cost. 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is a potent inhibitor to either exogenous or endogenous ethylene during the biological senescence of plants, which has been broadly applied in commercial preservation of fruits and vegetables. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 1-MCP on both the growth of Acet. xylinum and its cellulose production to demonstrate the potential enhancement of bacterial cellulose yield. Methods and Results: Three groups of samples were fermented under agitated culture with 125 rev min−1 rotational speed. To the culture media, 0·14 mg of 1-MCP contained in 100 mg dextrose powder was added on assigned days or on the first culture day only. Results from the measurement of bacterial cell concentration and bacterial cellulose yield at the end of a 12-day culture demonstrated that cultures excluding 1-MCP displayed a higher cell concentration and a lower cellulose production, while cultures containing 1-MCP produced 15·6% more cellulose (1-MCP added on day 1) and 25·4% (1-MCP added on each assigned day) with less biomass. Conclusions: 1-MCP was able to affect the growth of Acet. xylinum cells and resulted in increasing bacterial cellulose yield up to 25·4% over controls, which did not contain 1-MCP. Significance and Impact of the Study: This was the first study to use the growth inhibitor of plants to investigate its effects on bacterial growth and production. It also demonstrated a significant enhancement of bacterial cellulose yield by the addition of 1-MCP during the common agitated culture of Acet. xylinum.
Characterization of the Membranes of Thermoplasma acidophilum

Thermoplasma acidophilum grows optimally under aeration at 59 C and pH 2. Both intact cells and membranes disaggregate below pH 1 and above pH 5, producing no sedimentable particles. Increase in ionic strength at pH 5 or below results in cellular lysis and membrane disaggregation. Membranous components produced by lysis at alkaline pH reaggregate upon reduction of both pH and ionic strength. Osmotic environment plays little role in cellular stability. Membranes prepared by sonic lysis at pH 5 exhibit vesicular structures and are composed of multiple proteins. Although the amino acid composition of the membrane proteins is similar to other mycoplasmal membranes, the number of free amino and carboxyl groups is less than half of those in Acholeplasma. Reduction of the number of free carboxyl groups results in membrane stabilization over a wide range of pH. Increase in the number of free amino groups reverses the stability of membranes relative to pH. Acidophily in Thermoplasma can be related to a significant reduction in repulsing negative charges on the membrane proteins.
Philosophy and Management of Engineering Control

This chapter covers the engineering methods widely used to minimize adverse effects on health, well-being, comfort and performance at the workplace and in the community. Major attention will be given to controls for chemical airborne contaminants, although many of the control principles are also applicable to biological and physical hazards. Brief case studies illustrate the applications of the techniques. The target for control may be a hand tool, a piece of equipment or a device, an integrated manufacturing process such as an electroplating line, or a complete manufacturing facility in a dedicated building such as a foundry. The critical zones of contaminant generation, dispersion, and exposure are shown. Ideally the goal is to design each element of the process to eliminate contaminant generation. If it is impossible to achieve this goal and a contaminant is generated, the second defense is to prevent its dispersal in the workplace. Finally, if these defenses fail and the material released from the operation results in worker exposure, the back-up control is collection of the air containing the contaminant by exhaust ventilation. Frequently the contaminant is removed from the exhaust air stream by air cleaning before returning the air to the workplace or the general environment. Unfortunately, in the United States little emphasis is often given to the prevention of contaminant generation and release and we rely on ventilation as a principal remedy. In this chapter the author confirms the importance of ventilation but emphasis will be placed on the primary controls associated with process and material design to minimize generation and release of the contaminant. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) considers engineering controls as any modification of plant, equipment, processes or materials to reduce employees' exposure to toxic materials and harmful physical agents. Authors have used a variety of approaches to classify the various engineering control techniques. These approaches provide a useful outline for discussion and act as checklists to ensure a comprehensive review. In this chapter, engineering controls include all techniques except personal protective devices and administrative controls, those changes made in the work schedule to reduce the time weighted average exposure of the worker. Keywords: Management; Philosophy; Engineering control; Control strategy; Guidelines; Layouts; Transport; Maintenance; Information transfer; NIOSH reports
Novel LMNA mutation in a patient with progeroid phenotype

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition, which presents in early childhood with symptoms of premature aging and early death. The allelic disorder, mandibuloacral dysplasia is a disorder with progeroid facial appearance, mandibular hypoplasia and acro-osteolysis. These two diseases have been considered different clinical entities based on differences in phenotype and inheritance pattern but are both due to mutations in the lamin A/C (LMNA) gene. Differentiating the diseases clinically can be difficult due to their overlapping features and yet has important life expectancy implications as well as vastly different genetic counseling requirements. Our patient presents with a mixed clinical picture. The desire for diagnostic certainty is not only to understand his prognosis but also to determine the risk to his siblings and assist in family planning. Based on the clinical overlap between the Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome and mandibuloacral dysplasia, we analyzed the LMNA gene in this patient. When a heterozygous change was identified, the parents were analyzed for the mutation. Deoxyribonucleic acid analysis for the LMNA gene revealed a heterozygous G to A change at nucleotide 412 in exon 2 of the LMNA gene resulting in replacement of glutamic acid with lysine at codon 138 (412 G>A; glu138lys). Neither parent had a mutation. Our results show that codon 138 (412 G>A; glu138lys) is a newly identified mutation of LMNA gene that results in a progeroid syndrome which is phenotypically similar to mandibuloacral dysplasia.
Data-mining Based Detection of Glaciers: Quantifying the Extent of Alpine Valley Glaciation

The extent of glaciation in alpine valleys often gives clues to past climates, plate movement, mountain landforms, bedrock geology and more. However, without field investigation, the degree to which a valley was affected by a glacier has been difficult to assess. We developed a model that uses quantitative parameters derived from digital elevations model (DEM) data to predict whether a glacier was likely present in an alpine valley. The model's inputs are mainly derived from the basin hypsometry, and a new parameter termed the Hypothetical Basin Equilibrium Elevation (HBEE), which is based on the equilibrium elevation altitude (ELA) of a glacier. We used data mining techniques that comb through large data sets to find patterns for classification and prediction as the basis for the model. Four classifiers were utilized, and each was tested with two different training set/test data ratios of nearly 150 basins that were previously delineated as fully- or non-glaciated. The classifiers had a predictive accuracy of up to 90% with none falling below 72%. Two of the classifiers, classification tree and naive-Bayes, have graphical outputs that visually describe the classification process, predictive results, and in the naive-Bayes case, the relative effectiveness towards the model of each attribute. In all scenarios, the HBEE was found to be an accurate predictor for the model. The model can be applied to any area where glaciation may have occurred, but is particularly useful in areas where the valley is inaccessible for detailed field investigation.
CHILD‐CENTERED PLAY THERAPY IN THE SCHOOLS: REVIEW AND META‐ANALYSIS

The authors conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review that examined 23 studies evaluating the effectiveness of child centered play therapy (CCPT) conducted in elementary schools. Meta-analysis results were explored using a random effects model for mean difference and mean gain effect size estimates. Results revealed statistically significant effects for outcome constructs, including externalizing problems (d = 0.34), internalizing problems (d = 0.21), total problems (d = 0.34), self-efficacy (d = 0.29), academic (d = 0.36), and other behaviors (d = 0.38). Further, a systematic review was conducted on all studies compared with Outcome Research Coding Protocol criteria. Results indicated that CCPT studies provided quantitative support and qualitatively promising to strong evidence in support of its use in the schools.
Three profiles of heavy metal fans: A taste for sensation and a subculture of alienation

Profiles of three fans of heavy metal music are presented, in order to examine the definition and boundaries of the heavy metal subculture. It is suggested on the basis of these profiles that a high level of sensation seeking can lead to a liking for heavy metal music, because the music provides such high-intensity sensation. However, fans become part of thesubculture of heavy metal music only to the extent that their high sensation seeking is combined with alienation. Although all three people profiled enjoyed the high sensation qualities of the music, their involvement in the subculture varied according to the depth of their alienation. Jack, deeply alienated, was deeply committed to the subculture. Brian's alienation was moderate, and his involvement in the subculture was moderate as well. Marvin was not alienated in the least, and was essentially outside the subculture.
Interspecific gene flow in sympatric oaks.

Abstract Variation of chloroplast DNA and nuclear ribosomal DNA (DNA encoding ribosomal RNA) was studied for five species of white oak native to the eastern United States. Although these species differ in many morphological characters and have different (though overlapping) geographical ranges and ecological tolerances, they are interfertile and often grow in mixed stands, and hybrids are occasionally found in nature. All individuals studied were morphologically typical members of their respective species-i.e., showed no evidence of recent hybrid ancestry. Restriction site markers in the chloroplast DNA reveal several clear cases of localized gene exchange between species, showing that there is appreciable gene flow between sympatric species in this group. One length variant of the nuclear ribosomal DNA, however, is species specific. The sharp morphological and ecological differences between the species, together with the one ribosomal DNA variant, suggest that nuclear genes may be exchanged less freely between species than are chloroplast genotypes.
Dermatoglyphic nomogram for the diagnosis of Down's syndrome

The palm and foot prints of 250 karyotypically proved trisomic Down's syndrome patients and 332 control subjects with normal karyotypes were examined for patterns in 32 areas. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between Down's syndrome patients and control subjects in the pattern frequency of 14 areas; only four pattern areas accounted for most of the total dermatoglyphic variation between the two groups. Since discriminant function analysis of these four areas permitted accurate diagnosis of 81 per cent of the individuals with mongolism, a simple dermatoglyphic nomogram was devised to facilitate application of the method.
Modelling of beam interaction with components in the vicinity of a focal plane for long, complex laser systems such as the National Ignition Facility

A Fourier beam propagation algorithm for within a lens Rayleigh region is derived within the Talanov framework, accommodating both the large beam size changes and propagation distances typical for large, complex systems as the NIF.
One-step production of picolinic acids from 2-aminophenols catalyzed by 2-aminophenol 1,6-dioxygenase

Picolinic acids have been synthesized previously from catechols by the action of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase and a subsequent chemical reaction in the presence of ammonia. 2-Aminophenol 1,6-dioxygenase catalyzes ring cleavage of several ortho-aminophenols. The ring fission products spontaneously convert to picolinic acids. Resting cells of Escherichia coli DH5α/pNBZ14 harboring the genes for 2-aminophenol 1,6-dioxygenase converted 2-aminophenol and 6-amino-m-cresol to picolinic acid and 5-methylpicolinic acid with yields greater than 90%. The results provide a convenient strategy for the synthesis of substituted picolinic acids from the corresponding aminophenols. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 25, 25–28.
Correlation Energy and Molecular Properties of Hydrogen Fluoride

A natural‐orbital—configuration‐interaction calculation has been carried out on the ground state of the hydrogen fluoride molecule at the experimental equilibrium internuclear separation (1.7328 a.u.). A non‐relativistic energy of −100.2577 a.u. was obtained with 39 configurations. Individual pair correlation energies totaling to over 80% of the total correlation energy were obtained by considering double excitations of each pair.