cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Manipulation of spatial weights using web services

In this paper we explore the use of state-of-the-art web technologies to facilitate access to advanced spatial analytical software tools. The specific focus is on the development of web services to disseminate advanced algorithms for spatial weights manipulation. The core functionality is contained in an open source library for spatial analysis called PySAL. Among others, this library provides a variety of methods for creating, transforming, and converting spatial weights. Web services using the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) are created to support machine or developer interfaces to those methods via the Internet. We also develop a web application client for direct access to the weights tools via a browser. The system is illustrated with an example use case in which spatial weights operations are applied to epidemiological data for Ohio counties.
Men's Likelihood of Sexual Aggression: The Influence of Alcohol, Sexual Arousal, and Violent Pornography

::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::: :::::::::::: Previous research findings have indicated that both alcohol intoxication and violent pornography exposure may contribute to increased sexual aggression by men. This study used an experimental paradigm to examine the effects of a moderate alcohol dose, alcohol-related beliefs, and victim response on men’s self-reported likelihood of committing sexual aggression. A community sample of male social drinkers (N 5 84) participated in an experiment in which they read an eroticized rape depiction after completing an alcohol administration protocol. The stimulus story varied whether the victim, who initially expressed unwillingness to engage in sexual activity, expressed pleasure or distress in response to the man physically forcing her to perform several explicit sex acts. A path analytic model illustrated that participants’ self-reported likelihood of behaving like the sexual aggressor in the story was directly related to their own sexual arousal. Heightened sexual arousal was reported by participants who had consumed alcohol, those who read the victim-pleasure story, and those who believed that drinking women are sexually vulnerable. Results suggest that sexual arousal to violent pornography, as influenced by acute alcohol intoxication and other factors, may be an important component of men’s perceptions of their own sexual aggression likelihood. Aggr. Behav. 32:581–589, 2006. r 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The determination of absolute ro-vibrational intensities for radical diatomic molecules

Ro-vibrational transition intensities of radical and/or chemically reactive molecular species are difficult to determine. A number of methods which might be used to provide information on matrix elements of the electric dipole moment function and the construction of the dipole moment function from the information these methods provide are discussed. The derived dipole moment function represents an optimum choice and allows a calculation (with estimable errors) of the line intensities for a large number of ro-vibrational transitions.
Compressive Deformation of Hollow Microsphere Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites

The compressive deformation characteristics of hollow alumina microsphere reinforced aluminum matrix composites have been studied through both experiments and finite element analysis of unit cell models. Tests have been performed on composites containing around 50 volume percent of microspheres. The effects of the matrix flow stress and microsphere morphology (characterized by the ratio of wall thickness to radius) have been examined. The measured strength enhancement due to the hollow microspheres was found to be considerably less than that predicted by the FEM calculations; a result of microsphere cracking. Experiments have been conducted to document the progression of such damage following casting and mechanical deformation. The potential of this class of composite for impact energy absorption applications is also explored.
Intraseasonal Teleconnection between the Summer Eurasian Wave Train and the Indian Monsoon

This study investigated the most recurrent coupled pattern of intraseasonal variability between midlatitude circulation and the Indian summer monsoon (ISM). The leading singular vector decomposition (SVD) pattern reveals a significant, coupled intraseasonal variation between a Rossby wave train across the Eurasian continent and the summer monsoon convection in northwestern India and Pakistan (hereafter referred to as NISM). The wave train associated with an active phase of NISM rainfall displays two high pressure anomalies, one located over central Asia and the other over northeastern Asia. They are accompanied by increased rainfall over the western Siberia plain and northern China and decreased rainfall over the eastern Mediterranean Sea and southern Japan. The circulation of the wave train shows a barotropic structure everywhere except the anomalous central Asian high, located to the northwest of India, where a heat-induced baroclinic circulation structure dominates. The time-lagged SVD analysis shows that the midlatitude wave train originates from the northeastern Atlantic and traverses Europe to central Asia. The wave train enhances the upper-level high pressure and reinforces the convection over the NISM region; meanwhile, it propagates farther toward East Asia along the waveguide provided by the westerly jet. After an outbreak of NISM convection, the anomalous central Asian high retreats westward. Composite analysis suggests a coupling between the central Asian high and the convective fluctuation in the NISM. The significance of the midlatitude–ISM interaction is also revealed by the close resemblance between the individual empirical orthogonal functions and the coupled (SVD) modes of the midlatitude circulation and the ISM. It is hypothesized that the eastward and southward propagation of the wave train originating from the northeastern Atlantic contributes to the intraseasonal variability in the NISM by changing the intensity of the monsoonal easterly vertical shear and its associated moist dynamic instability. On the other hand, the rainfall variations over the NISM reinforce the variations of the central Asian high through the “monsoon– desert” mechanism, thus reenergizing the downstream propagation of the wave train. The coupling between the Eurasian wave train and NISM may be instrumental for understanding their interaction and can provide a way to predict the intraseasonal variations of the Indian summer monsoon and East Asian summer monsoon.
γ Subunit of the AP-1 Adaptor Complex Binds Clathrin: Implications for Cooperative Binding in Coated Vesicle Assembly

The heterotetrameric AP-1 adaptor complex is involved in the assembly of clathrin-coated vesicles originating from the trans-Golgi network (TGN). The β1 subunit of AP-1 is known to contain a consensus clathrin binding sequence, LLNLD (the so-called clathrin box motif), in its hinge segment through which the β chain interacts with the N-terminal domains of clathrin trimers. Here, we report that the hinge region of the γ subunit of human and mouse AP-1 contains two copies of a new variant, LLDLL, of the clathrin box motif that also bind to the terminal domain of the clathrin heavy chain. High-affinity binding of the γ hinge to clathrin trimers requires both LLDLL sequences to be present and the spacing between them to be maintained. We also identify an independent clathrin-binding site within the appendage domain of the γ subunit that interacts with a region of clathrin other than the N-terminal domain. Clathrin polymerization is promoted by glutathione S-transferase (GST)-γ hinge, but not by GST-γ appendage. However, the hinge and appendage domains of γ function in a cooperative manner to recruit and polymerize clathrin, suggesting that clathrin lattice assembly at the TGN involves multivalent binding of clathrin by the γ and β1 subunits of AP-1.
Comparing underwater MAC protocols in real sea experiments

Abstract Underwater acoustic networks (UANs) have drawn significant attention from both academia and industry in recent years. Even though a number of underwater MAC protocols have been proposed and studied based on simulations and theoretical analysis, few work has been conducted to test these protocols in multi-hop real sea experiments. Due to the complex multipath environment, fast varying acoustic channel and heterogenous link condition, it is difficult for existing network simulators to evaluate the performance of MAC protocols in the real world. This paper presents the results of a multi-hop sea experiment comparing three representative MAC protocols: random access based UW-Aloha, handshaking based SASHA, and scheduling based PMAC. From the experiments, we identified several problems that have never been well studied before, such as heterogeneous packet delivery, temporal and spatial transmission range uncertainty, multi-hop interference and delayed data transmissions. Discussions are provided based on the new discoveries, in hopes of giving some meaningful insights into the practical MAC design for real multi-hop networks.
Object/image relations and vision metrics: I.

In this paper and its sequel, we will examine two fundamental problems related to object recognition for the generalized weak perspective model of image formation. We offer a complete solution to both problems for configurations of point features. Geometric Constraints (Object/Image Equations): The problem of single view recognition is central to many image understanding and computer vision tasks. The results in this paper provide a way to understand the relationship that exists between the 3D geometry and its "residual" in a 2D image. This relationship is completely characterized (for a particular combination of features) by a set of fundamental equations in the 3D and 2D shape coordinates. These equations are know as object/image relations. They can be used to test for the geometric consistency between an object and an image. For example, by fixing point features on a known object, we get constraints on the 2D shape coordinates of possible images of those features. Conversely, if we have specific 2D features in an image, we will get constraints on the 3D shape coordinates of objects capable of producing that image. This yields a test for which object is being viewed. The object/image equations are thus fundamental tools for the identification/recognition problem. In this paper we give the complete solution, and find explicitly, the object/image equations for point features in the generalized weak perspective case. This entails working on spaces known as Grasssmannians and exploiting certain incidence correspondences and the so-called Plucker relations. Vision Metrics: We would like to know if two configurations of a fixed number of points in 2D or 3D are the same if we allow affine transformations. If they are, then we want a distance of zero, and if not, we want a distance that expresses their dissimilarity - always recognizing that we can transform the points. The Procrustes metric, described in the shape theory literature [2], provides such a notion of distance for similarity transformmations. However, it does not allow for weak perspective or perspective transformations and is fixed in a particular dimension. By the later we mean that it cannot be regarded as giving us a notion of "distance" between, say, a 3D configuration of points and a 2D configuration of points, where zero distance corresponds to the 2D points being, say, a generalized weak perspective projection of the 3D points. In the sequel to this paper, we show that generalizations of the Procrustes metric exist in the above cases. Moreover these new metrics are quite natural in the context of the algebro-geometric formulation of the object/image equations mentioned above. These metrics also provide a rigorous foundation for error and statistical analysis in the object recognition problem.
Antecedents and consequences of observing workplace sexual behavior

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the antecedents and consequences of non-harassing sexual behavior in the workplace. Individual perceptions of climate were examined as antecedents; physical strain and turnover intentions were studied as consequences of non-harassing sexual behavior at work. Design/methodology/approach – Questionnaires were administered to two samples of working adults. In the second sample, criterion measures were collected four months after the predictors. Findings – Innovative and traditional climates were associated with workplace sexual behavior; sexual behavior was positively associated with physical strain and turnover intentions, both concurrently and four months later. Research limitations/implications – Climate was not assessed at the group level of analysis; only individual perceptions of workplace climate were measured. The research design was not longitudinal, thus causal conclusions cannot be drawn. Despite these limitations, the results suggest that perc...
Mitochondrial polymerase gamma dysfunction and aging cause cardiac nuclear DNA methylation changes

Cardiomyopathy (CM) is an intrinsic weakening of myocardium with contractile dysfunction and congestive heart failure (CHF). CHF has been postulated to result from decreased mitochondrial energy production and oxidative stress. Effects of decreased mitochondrial oxygen consumption also can accelerate with aging. We previously showed DNA methylation changes in human hearts with CM. This was associated with mitochondrial DNA depletion, being another molecular marker of CM. We examined the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and cardiac epigenetic DNA methylation changes in both young and old mice. We used genetically engineered C57Bl/6 mice transgenic for a cardiac-specific mutant of the mitochondrial polymerase-γ (termed Y955C). Y955C mice undergo left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) at a young age (∼ 94 days old), and LVH decompensated to CHF at old age (∼ 255 days old). Results found 95 genes differentially expressed as a result of Y955C expression, while 4,452 genes were differentially expressed as a result of aging hearts. Moreover, cardiac DNA methylation patterns differed between Y955C (4,506 peaks with 68.5% hypomethylation) and aged hearts (73,286 peaks with 80.2% hypomethylated). Correlatively, of the 95 Y955C-dependent differentially expressed genes, 30 genes (31.6%) also displayed differential DNA methylation; in the 4,452 age-dependent differentially expressed genes, 342 genes (7.7%) displayed associated DNA methylation changes. Both Y955C and aging demonstrated significant enrichment of CACGTG-associated E-box motifs in differentially methylated regions. Cardiac mitochondrial polymerase dysfunction alters nuclear DNA methylation. Furthermore, aging causes a robust change in cardiac DNA methylation that is partially associated with mitochondrial polymerase dysfunction.
Carbon Nanofibers: Structure and Fabrication

In this chapter, vapor-grown and electrospun carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are emphasized. Fabrication processes and surface modification methods for CNFs are presented. Microstructure of CNFs is discussed based on the reported observations in various studies. CNFs have a complex structure compared to the structure of carbon nanotubes . The orientation of carbon layers in CNFs affects their mechanical properties. Experimental analyses and resulting trends are discussed from various published works, such as studies that investigate the tensile and flexural properties of individual CNFs. The range of measured properties is rather wide, which is likely due to the difference in the structure of the fibers that were tested and the presence of defects. Molecular dynamic simulation results on single nanofibers are also presented to understand their potential of reinforcing composites.
Black Ministers' Attitudes toward Population Size and Birth Control

The attempt was made to explain the various influences upon a black ministers stance toward the issue of population control. Attitudes toward ideal black population size and genocidal efforts by whites were assessed in conjunction with a larger study of 154 black ministers in Nashville Tennessee. A variety of demographic and experiential indicators which hypothetically should serve as predictors of the stance taken by the ministered were considered. A consistent and sharp linkage was identified between the extent to which a person is disenchanted with the general relationship between blacks and whites and the manner in which he perceives a crucial population issue. This was demonstrated in terms of attitudes and in 2 behavioral measures. The more rhetorically active men were at the quantitative end of the contimuum. If the black minister is in fact effective in influencing the members of his congregation a shift toward the quantitative approach on the part of churchgoing laymen might be anticipated. Those who were rhetorically inactive and qualitatively oriented should have little if any influence.(AUTHORS MODIFIED)
A Larval Diet for Rearing Phlebotomine Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Four species of phlebotomine sand flies from the southern USA were reared using a larval diet of rabbit feces and laboratory chow. Preparation of the diet, outlined in this note, includes “ageing” (fermentation) to eliminate larval mortality due to excessive fungal growth.
Communication of cAMP by connexin43 gap junctions regulates osteoblast signaling and gene expression

Connexin43 (Cx43) containing gap junctions play an important role in bone homeostasis, yet little is known about the second messengers communicated by Cx43 among bone cells. Here, we used MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts and UMR106 rat osteosarcoma cells to test the hypothesis that cAMP is a second messenger communicated by bone cells through Cx43 containing gap junctions in a manner that is sufficient to impact osteoblast function. Overexpression of Cx43 markedly enhanced the activity of a cAMP-response element driven transcriptional luciferase reporter (CRE-luc) and increased phospho-CREB and phospho-ERK1/2 levels following expression of a constitutively active Gsα or by treatment with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), 3-Isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine (IBMX) or forskolin. The Cx43-dependent potentiation of signaling in PGE2 treated cells was not accompanied by a further increase in cAMP levels, suggesting that the cAMP was shared between cells rather than Cx43 enhancing cAMP production. To support this, we developed a novel assay in which one set of cells expressing constitutively active Gsα (donor cells) were co-cultured with a second set of cells expressing a CRE-luc reporter (acceptor cells). Using this assay, activation of a CRE-luc reporter in the acceptor cells was both Cx43- and cell contact-dependent, indicating communication of cAMP among cells. Finally, we showed that Cx43 increased the cAMP-dependent mRNA expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) and enhanced the repression of the sclerostin mRNA, implying a potential mechanism for the modulation of tissue remodeling. In total, these data demonstrate that Cx43 can communicate cAMP between cells and, more importantly, that the communicated cAMP is sufficient to impact signal transduction cascades and the expression of key bone effector molecules between interconnected cells.
Monopsony in Law and Economics: The Antitrust Response to Monopsony and Collusive Monopsony

Introduction This chapter is about the antitrust response to monopsony and collusive monopsony. In some instances, it is possible to rely on actual examples of litigation involving monopsony power. In other scenarios involving monopsony and collusive monopsony conduct, however, judicial experience may be limited or nonexistent. In those areas, the judicial response can only be inferred from the judicial treatment of analogous behavior by firms on the selling side of the market. In both cases – actual or inferred judicial response – an evaluation is presented based on economic principles. By way of preview, the actual judicial responses to monopsony generally make economic sense. In the opinions that are available, this may seem surprising since many of these opinions followed bright-line rules developed before economic principles were expressly applied to antitrust analysis. In this chapter, a modern economic foundation for these cases is offered as is a framework for analyzing monopsony practices that are yet to be addressed. In the process, we demonstrate that abuses by monopsonists and collusive monopsonists have not always taken the form suggested by the traditional models examined in Chapter 3.
Atrioventricular depolarization differences identify coronary artery anomalies in Kawasaki disease

Background Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. Signal average electrocardiogram changes in patients during the acute phase of KD with coronary artery anomalies (CAA) include depolarization changes. We set out to determine if 12-lead–derived atrioventricular depolarization differences can identify CAA in patients with KD. Methods A blinded, retrospective case–control study of patients with KD was performed. Deep Q waves, corrected QT-intervals (QTc), spatial QRS-T angles, T-wave vector magnitudes (RMS-T), and a novel parameter for assessment of atrioventricular depolarization difference (the spatial PR angle) and a two dimensional PR angle were assessed. Comparisons between groups were performed to test for significant differences. Results One hundred one patients with KD were evaluated, with 68 having CAA (67.3%, mean age 3.6 ± 3.0 years, 82.6% male), and 32 without CAA (31.7%, mean age 2.7 ± 3.2 years, 70.4% male). The spatial PR angle significantly discriminated KD patients with CAA from those without, 59.7° ± 31.1° versus 41.6° ± 11.5° (p < .001). A spatial PR angle cutoff value of 56.9° gave positive/negative predictive values and odds ratios of 93.8%, 43.5%, and 11.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.6–52.2). The two dimensional PR angle either below 7° or above 92° gave positive/negative predictive values and odds ratios of 100.0%, 38.8%, and 21.1% (95% CI 1.2–362.8). No other parameters significantly differentiated the groups. Conclusion Atrioventricular depolarization differences, measured by the spatial or two dimensional PR angle differentiate KD patients with CAA versus those without.
From Roquefortine C to Roquefortine L: Formation of a Complex Nitrone with Simple Oxidizing Agents

The oxidation of roquefortine C to the nitrone roquefortine L was investigated using a number of different electrophilic oxidizing reagents. mCPBA and Oxone were shown to be the most effective in achieving this transformation, while unfavorable steric interactions precluded oxidation by bulky reagents such as Davis oxaziridine. Finally, each of the oxidants was shown to promote aromatic hydroxylation following the synthesis of the nitrone functionality.
Multi-length scale modeling of CVD of diamond Part II A combined atomic-scale/grain-scale analysis

Chemical vapor deposition of polycrystalline diamond films is studied by combining an atomic-scale kinetic Monte Carlo model with two 〈one three-dimensional and one two-dimensional〉 grain-scale models. The atomic-scale model is used to determine the growth rates of 〈111〉- and 〈100〉-oriented surface facets, the surface morphology of the facets and the extent of incorporation of the crystal defects. Using the atomic-scale modeling predicted growth rates for the 〈111〉- and 〈100〉-oriented facets, grain-scale modelling is carried out to determine the evolution of grain structure, surface morphology and crystallographic texture in the polycrystalline diamond films. It is found that depending on the relative growth rates of the 〈111〉- and 〈100〉-oriented facets, which can be controlled by selecting the CVD processing conditions, one can obtain either 〈110〉-textured films with a relatively smooth faceted surface or 〈100〉-textured films with a highly pronounced deep facets. In both cases, however, the film surface is composed entirely of the 〈111〉 facets. This findings are found to be fully consistent with the available experimental results.
Cultural Passport: Demystifying Traditional Indian Music and Art

South Asian music and art is flourishing in State College, in large part due to efforts by the Society for Indian Music and Arts, founded by Shri Arijit Mahalanabis, and Dr. Stephen Hirshon, Professor of Art History who are bringing accomplished artists, composers and musicians from around the country, and world to Centre County.
Differentiation of Bone Marrow Stem Cells into Schwann Cells for the Promotion of Neurite Outgrowth on Electrospun Fibers

Seeding nerve guidance conduits with Schwann cells can improve the outcome of peripheral nerve injury repair. Bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) represent a good choice of cell source as they can differentiate into Schwann cells under appropriate conditions. In this work, we systematically investigated the differentiation of BMSCs into Schwann cells on scaffolds comprising electrospun fibers. We changed the alignment, diameter, and surface properties of the fibers to optimize the differentiation efficiency. The uniaxial alignment of fibers not only promoted the differentiation of BMSCs into Schwann cells but also dictated the morphology and alignment of the derived cells. Coating the surface of aligned fibers with laminin further enhanced the differentiation and thus increased the secretion of neurotrophins. When co-cultured with PC12 cells or chick dorsal root ganglion, the as-derived Schwann cells were able to promote the outgrowth of neurites from cell bodies and direct their extension along the fibers, de...
Sensing Class in John Berger’s “Into Their Labors” Trilogy

One of the standard ways that you measure class is by investigating the processes of its formation. Proletarianization, for instance, is extremely important in understanding the logic and substance of working-class identification, yet, curiously, much criticism of working-class culture begins from the perspective that the working class is always already formed, and that the forming somehow ultimately detracts from the identification of working-class existence itself. This is, I believe, a mistake not just in understanding class, but in analyzing the experience of class that is vital in cultural expression. The assumption that the proletariat is, that it has being, is belied by the process of being that attends it, including the ontology of work to which this project has already alluded.
Ethylene Dibromide: Toxicology and Risk Assessment

Ethylene dibromide (EDB) has been produced in the United States since the 1920s, as a lead scavenger in leaded gasoline. Although this accounted for most of the use of EDB, this application has raised little controversy. However, due to a desire to reduce lead exposure, leaded gasoline is being phased out. EDB is also one of the most effective and widely used fumigants for fruits and vegetables. This application generated considerable controversy, due to unexpected environmental contamination and occupational exposure at the same time animal tests indicated that EDB was a carcinogen, mutagen and reproductive toxin.
Identifying opportunities for long-lasting habitat conservation and restoration in Hawaii’s shifting climate

Conservation efforts in isolated archipelagos such as Hawaii often focus on habitat-based conservation and restoration efforts that benefit multiple species. Unfortunately, identifying locations where such efforts are safer from climatic shifts is still challenging. We aimed to provide a method to approximate these potential habitat shifts for similar data- and research-limited contexts. We modeled the relationship between climate and the potential distribution of native biomes across the Hawaiian archipelago to provide a first approximation of potential native biome shifts under end-of-century projected climate. Our correlative model circumvents the lack of data necessary for the parameterization of mechanistic vegetation models in isolated and data-poor islands. We identified locations consistently expected to remain the same in terms of the native biome compatibility by the end of the century with a robust evaluation of sources of uncertainty in our projections. Our results show that, despite large differences in climate projections considered, 35% of the areas considered are consistently projected to maintain their current compatibility to native biomes. By integrating our native biome compatibility projections with maps of current actual cover, we identified areas ideal for long-term habitat conservation and restoration. Our modeling approach can be used with relatively simple data; offers multiple forms of projection confidence estimates, model calibration, and variable selection routines; and is compatible with ensemble projections. This method is not only applicable to potential native cover, as done in this study, but to any set of vegetation classes that are related to environmental predictors available for modeling.
Pre-Conceptual Design of a Fluoride-Salt-Cooled Small Modular Advanced High Temperature Reactor (SmAHTR)

This document presents the results of a study conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory during 2010 to explore the feasibility of small modular fluoride salt-cooled high temperature reactors (FHRs). A preliminary reactor system concept, SmATHR (for Small modular Advanced High Temperature Reactor) is described, along with an integrated high-temperature thermal energy storage or salt vault system. The SmAHTR is a 125 MWt, integral primary, liquid salt cooled, coated particle-graphite fueled, low-pressure system operating at 700 C. The system employs passive decay heat removal and two-out-of-three , 50% capacity, subsystem redundancy for critical functions. The reactor vessel is sufficiently small to be transportable on standard commercial tractor-trailer transport vehicles. Initial transient analyses indicated the transition from normal reactor operations to passive decay heat removal is accomplished in a manner that preserves robust safety margins at all times during the transient. Numerous trade studies and trade-space considerations are discussed, along with the resultant initial system concept. The current concept is not optimized. Work remains to more completely define the overall system with particular emphasis on refining the final fuel/core configuration, salt vault configuration, and integrated system dynamics and safety behavior.
Indo-Aryan Languages

This article presents a brief description of Indo-Aryan languages, their classification and development, demographic information on the major modern Indo-Aryan languages, and information on the development of popular writing scripts. It provides an historical account of the three broad developmental stages of Indo-Aryan, viz., Old, Middle, and Modern/New Indo-Aryan, in terms of phonological, morphological, and syntactic features and operations characteristic of the different developmental stages and language groups within the Indo-Aryan language family. Indo-Aryan constitutes the largest group in the Indo-European language family in terms of numerical weight of speakers as well as total number of languages in the family.
Mouse Models for Mammary Cancer

This chapter provides an overview of of the major types of mouse models that are used in the study of breast cancer. The major strengths and limitations with specific caveats for each type of model are provided to guide the reader in the appropriate choice of model to examine questions pertinent to breast cancer research. It is the intent of this overview to help clarify the contributions of traditional models of breast cancer and provide a rationale for the continued development of new models that more closely reflect the human disease.
In-vivo waveguide cardiac magnetic resonance elastography

Background Myocardial stiffness (MS) is elevated in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFPEF)[1]. In addition, stiffness elevation in HFPEF exhibits directional dependency [2]. Conventional determinants of MS such as pressurevolume relationship and mechanical testing are invasive and hence clinically inefficient. Therefore, there is a need to non-invasively estimate anisotropic MS to assist in diagnosis and prognosis of HFPEF. In this study we implement waveguide cardiac magnetic resonance elastography (CMRE)[3] to demonstrate the feasibility of estimating anisotropic MS non-invasively in an in-vivo porcine model.
Discriminative Group Sparse Representation for Mild Cognitive Impairment Classification

Witnessed by recent studies, functional connectivity is a useful tool in extracting brain network features and finding biomarkers for brain disease diagnosis. It still remains, however, challenging for the estimation of a functional connectivity from fMRI due to the high dimensional nature. In order to tackle this problem, we utilize a group sparse representation along with a structural equation model. Unlike the conventional group sparse representation, we devise a novel supervised discriminative group sparse representation by penalizing a large within-class variance and a small between-class variance of features. Thanks to the devised penalization term, we can learn connectivity coefficients that are similar within the same class and distinct between classes, thus helping enhance the diagnostic accuracy. In our experiments on the resting-state fMRI data of 37 subjects (12 mild cognitive impairment patients; 25 healthy normal controls) with a cross-validation technique, we demonstrated the validity and effectiveness of the proposed method, showing the best diagnostic accuracy of 89.19% and the sensitivity of 0.9167.
Alprazolam-induced dose-dependent anorgasmia: case analysis.

Background Sexual dysfunctions are associated with multiple medical and psychiatric disorders, as well as pharmacotherapies used to treat these disorders. Although sexual dysfunctions negatively affect both quality of life and treatment adherence, patients infrequently volunteer these symptoms and clinicians do not pose directed questions to determine their presence or severity. This issue is especially important in psychiatric patients, for whom most common psychotropics may cause sexual dysfunctions (antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics and mood-stabilising agents). There is limited literature addressing benzodiazepines, and alprazolam in particular. Aims To report dose-dependent alprazolam anorgasmia. Method Case analysis with PubMed literature review. Results A 30-year-old male psychiatric patient presented with new-onset anorgasmia in the context of asymptomatic generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety, panic disorder with agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, major depression in remission, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder treated with escitalopram 10 mg q.a.m., gabapentin 1000 mg total daily dose, lisdexamfetamine dimesylate 70 mg q.a.m., nortriptyline 60 mg q.h.s. and alprazolam extended-release 2.5 mg total daily dose. All psychotropic doses had been constant for >6 months excluding alprazolam, which was titrated from 1 mg to 2.5 mg total daily dose. The patient denied any sexual dysfunction with alprazolam at 1 mg q.d. and 1 mg b.i.d. Within 1 week of increasing alprazolam to 2.5 mg total daily dose, the patient reported anorgasmia. Anorgasmia was alprazolam dose-dependent, as anorgasmia resolved with reduced weekend dosing (1 mg b.i.d. Saturday/1.5 mg total daily dose Sunday). Conclusions Sexual dysfunction is an important adverse effect negatively influencing therapeutic outcome. This case reports alprazolam-induced dose-dependent anorgasmia. Clinicians/patients should be aware of this adverse effect. Routine sexual histories are indicated. Declaration of interest None.
Effects of Detector Cell Size on Dose Rate Measurements using Organic Scintillators

Measurement of dose rates from both neutrons and photons inform radiation safety procedures in many areas of nuclear technology. In previous work, we demonstrated a technique for using an organic scintillator to measure both neutron and photon dose rates in a mixed radiation field with a single detector cell. This method can be applied for dose measurements in a wide variety of applications, although different size detectors may be required depending on the expected flux. The dose rate measured should not depend on the size of the detector used, although many different factors can affect this dependence. This work examines the effect of detector size on dose rate, and provides insights into effects of the single scatter approximation on dose rate measurements. Measurements of laboratory neutron sources with different size organic scintillators are supported by Monte Carlo MCNPXPoliMi simulations for additional detector response information. Preliminary results indicate that larger detector cells overestimate the measured neutron dose rate. This study of the detector size influence on dose rate measurements will inform future adjustments to current measurement methods. A dose rate measurement technique that can account for different size detectors will allow for use in many different areas of radiation safety.
Effects of incision location on specimen quality and complications for temporal artery biopsy.

AbstractObjectivesGiant cell arteritis is a vision and potentially life-threatening condition requiring prompt and accurate diagnosis. The current gold standard of diagnosis is temporal artery biop...
How does Fetal Autopsy after Pregnancy Loss or Termination for Anomalies and other Complications Change Recurrence Risk

Objective Historically, fetal autopsy was common after terminations for anomalies. Previous studies report that fetal autopsy confirms ultrasound findings in the majority of cases. This study aims to examine correlation between prenatal and autopsy diagnoses at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and evaluate whether autopsy adds diagnostic information, specifically information that changes risk of recurrence for future pregnancies. Study Design We conducted a retrospective chart review of all fetal autopsies performed at UCSF between 1994 and 2009. Prenatal diagnosis was compared with autopsy diagnosis; for cases where there was a change in diagnosis, an MFM (maternal-fetal medicine specialist) reviewed the case to assign risk of recurrence before and after autopsy. Results Overall, there was concordance between prenatal diagnosis and autopsy diagnosis in greater than 91.7% of cases. Autopsy added information that resulted in a change in recurrence risk in 2.3% of cases (n = 9). Conclusion For the vast majority of cases, there is agreement between prenatal and autopsy diagnosis after pregnancy loss or termination for fetal anomalies. Only a small percentage of autopsies change recurrence risk. This may be useful when counseling women about method of termination and when counseling couples about whether to have an autopsy.
Development of a program assessment system at the SUNY-ESF Ranger School : The process, early results, and anticipated benefits

For the past two years, faculty at the SUNY-ESF Ranger School in Wanakena, New York, have been working with education consultants from Pacific Crest, Inc. to improve the quality of their teaching, their courses, the curriculum, and the Ranger School program in general. The ultimate goal of such efforts is to im- prove the quality and enhance the success of the school's graduates. The faculty's formalized efforts to improve quality have been focused most recently on the design and implementation of a Program Assessment System (PAS). The PAS developed for the Ranger School clearly articulates the enduring mission of the school, priori- tizes the five-year goals of the program, and explicitly states the key criteria that will be used to assess and im- prove student, faculty, staff, and program performance. Further, the PAS clearly indicates the measures that will be used to compare actual performance against the stated standards. Representatives from the faculty, staff, ad- ministration, and alumni participated in the design of the PAS since all were recognized as having critical influ- ence over program quality. This team approach fostered the development of a modernized and shared sense of purpose and direction. Equally important, it provided the entire group with the means to measure and evaluate in the years ahead whether the increased program quality they seek is being achieved. This paper describes in more detail both the process used to design a PAS and the specific components and measures that became part of the Ranger School's PAS. If maintained, the PAS will, by design, provide the type of data, information, and self- assessment increasingly requested by external accrediting organizations, prospective students and their parents, alumni, and the public in general. Equally as exciting, it will continue to unite and propel the faculty, staff, and administration toward a shared mission, shared goals, and a collective desire for quality.
Like a Blanket Over a Fire: Group Work and Spiritual Repair in Military Trauma:

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may not fully explain why some who experience war feel as though their assumptive world and sense of meaning has been shattered. Two concepts mentioned in the l...
The human nucleolus organizer regions

Although the nucleolus was first described in the early 19th century from both animal and plant cells, human nucleoli and particularly the five human nucleolus organizers have not been well characterized. In this issue of Genes & Development, van Sluis and colleagues (pp. 1688-1701) present a detailed molecular analysis of these organizers, which occur on the short arms of five human chromosomes. The near identity of these arms suggests extensive interchromosomal exchange during evolutionary history.
Fotografía y representación en la novela El mapa y el territorio de Michel Houellebecq

Esta investigacion tiene por objetivo acercarse a diversas problematicas sobre fotografia y representacion que surgen en la novela El mapa y el territorio del escritor frances Michel Houellebecq. El analisis circulara por cuatro ejes: el primero examinara la relacion entre los distintos tipos de representaciones visuales que comparecen en dicho texto, luego analizaremos las miradas fotograficas existentes en la novela, continuaremos entendiendo el interes hacia los mapas del protagonista como una suerte de punctum y finalizaremos ahondando la relacion entre la muerte de un ser querido con el mapa y la fotografia.
Heart failure caregivers’ support services: Implications for palliative care

Palliative care initiatives strive to control symptoms and improve the quality of care for individuals with heart failure (HF) and their informal caregivers. Yet, caregiving is stressful for many c...
A CASE OF OSTIAL LEFT MAIN DISEASE: OPERATE FIRST?

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the standard of care for significant left main disease when the surgical risk is acceptable. We present a case where immunosuppression for suspected aortitis involving the left main system was pursued over immediate coronary bypass. 30-year-old woman with a
Synthesis and partial characterization of biodiesel via base-catalyzed transesterification

Abstract On a small scale, students make biodiesel essentially as it is produced industrially. Transesterification of a triglyceride (soybean oil) to yield a fatty acid methyl ester (biodiesel) via a base-catalyzed route provides a simple and effective hands-on demonstration of the synthesis and partial characterization of an alternative fuel for students ranging from high school to college seniors. The addition of more detailed characterization methods makes the experiment suitable for college-level chemistry majors.
Effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Retreat on Distress and Well-Being in Bereaved Parents:

Purpose:This study evaluated the effectiveness of a grief-focused mindfulness-based retreat on psychological distress (trauma, anxiety, and depression) and well-being (mindfulness and self-compassi...
Modeling breast cancer survival and metastasis rates from moderate-sized clinical data

Predicting time-dependent survival probability of a breast cancer patient using information such as primary tumor size, grade, node spread status, and patient age at the time of surgery can be of immense help in managing life expectations and strategizing postoperative treatment. However, for moderate-sized clinical datasets the application of standard Kaplan-Meier theory to determine survival probability as a function of multiple cofactors can become challenging when continuous variables like tumor diameter and survival time are segmented into a large number of narrow intervals, a problem commonly termed the curse of dimensionality. We circumvent this problem by modeling the patient-to-patient distribution of primary tumor diameter with a realistic, right-skewed function, and then matching the diameter-marginalized survival with the mean Kaplan-Meier survival for the data. We apply this procedure on a recent clinical data from 1875 breast cancer patients and develop parameters that can be readily used to estimate post-surgery survival for an arbitrary time length. Finally, we show that the observed fraction of node-positive patients can be quantitatively explained within a simple tumor growth and metastasis framework. Employing two different tumor growth models from the literature (i.e., Gompertz and logistic growth models), we utilize the observed fraction-node-positive data to determine metastasis rates from the surface of a primary tumor and its patient-to-patient distribution.
Investigating the Metal Line Systems at Z=1.9 toward J2233-606 in the Hubble Deep Field South

The combination of Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) and optical spectroscopy with STIS imaging of the field surrounding J2233-606 affords a unique opportunity to study the physical nature of the quasar absorption-line systems. We present an analysis of the ionization state, chemical abundances, and kinematic characteristics of two metal line systems at z = 1.92 and 1.94 toward J2233-606. We focus on these two systems because (1) the observations provide full coverage of the Lyman series, and hence an accurate determination of their H I column densities, and (2) they exhibit many metal line transitions that allow for a measurement of their ionization state and chemical abundances. Line profile fits of the Lyman series for the two systems indicate log N(H I) = 17.15 ± 0.02 cm-2 evenly distributed between two components for the z = 1.92 system and log N(H I) = 16.33 ± 0.04 cm-2 for the z = 1.94 system. By comparing observed ionic ratios of C and Si against calculations performed with the CLOUDY software package, we find the ionization state is high and well constrained in both systems. Applying ionization corrections to the measured ionic column densities, we determine that the systems exhibit significantly different metallicities: ≈1/50 solar and less than 1/200 solar for the two components of z = 1.92 and ≈40% solar at z = 1.94. The most significant uncertainties regarding these measurements are associated with the assumptions inherent to the CLOUDY simulations. The properties of the z = 1.92 system are consistent with a low-metallicity galaxy (e.g., a dwarf galaxy) as well as absorption by large-scale structure of the intergalactic medium. On the other hand, the high metallicity of the z = 1.94 system suggests significant star formation and is therefore assumed associated with a galactic system. Furthermore, we predict it is the more likely to be observed with the STIS imaging and follow-up observations. If a galaxy is identified, our results provide direct measurements on the properties of the interstellar medium for a z ≈ 2 galaxy.