cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Supportive Family Counseling

Traditional family therapy has been based on theories of families as etiological agents of schizophrenia. Such a view impedes cooperative relationships between professionals and families of schizophrenic individuals. An alternative approach, supportive family counseling, is described. Its goal is to provide information, emotional support, and recognition that family members have their own needs. The difficulties facing professionals who want to engage in this form of family intervention are discussed.
Electrophoretic separation of furocoumarin: DNA photoadducts.

We describe a new approach for quantitating furocoumarin adducts in DNA using enzymatic hydrolysis followed by resolution and recovery of the adduct molecules by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide tube gels. The resolution of this method approaches that of high pressure liquid chromatography but at a considerably lower cost. Digestion conditions using DNase II and spleen phosphodiesterase II to yield mononucleotides and adducted bases were worked out for DNA containing 8-methoxypsoralen or 4′-hydroxymethyl-4,5′,8-trimethylpsoralen. The phosphatase activity of DNase II was shown to be much more active on dNMPs than on adducted bases. This can be exploited to reduce the background of radioactivity from labeled dNMP's trailing into the adduct peaks, thereby increasing the effective sensitivity of the technique when quantitating adducts made with non-radioactive drug in labeled DNA. Since resolution of adducts requires dense (30%) acrylamide gels, we have devised a method for making extremely uniform high density gels by polymerization under static pressure. A continuous collection apparatus was constructed to recover material from gels. The identity of the resolved species was determined by several different methods, including analysis by HPLC.
Direct sequence watermarking of digital video using m-frames

In this work we apply a direct sequence spread spectrum model to the watermarking of digital video. First, the video signal is modeled as a sequence of bit planes arranged along the time axis. Watermarking of this sequence is a two layer operation. A controlling m-sequence first establishes a pseudorandom order in the bitplane stream for later watermarking. Watermarks, defined as m-frames, supplant the tagged bitplanes. We have shown that the watermark, when limited to the 4 lowest bitplanes of an 8-bit video, are unnoticeable. Moreover, attempts in corrupting the image to destroy the watermark renders the video useless before damaging the seal itself. The watermarked video is also robust to video editing attempts such as subsampling, frame reordering etc. The watermark is also identifiable from very short segments of video. Individual frames extracted from the video will also contain copyright information.
Deciphering the brain's codes

The two sensory systems discussed in this review use similar algorithms for the synthesis of the neuronal selectivity for the stimulus that releases a particular behavior, although the neural circuits, the brain sites involved, and even the species are different. This stimulus selectivity emerges gradually in a neural network organized according to parallel and hierarchical design principles. The parallel channels contain lower order stations with special circuits for the creation of neuronal selectivities for different features of the stimulus. Convergence of the parallel pathways brings these selectivities together at a higher order station for the eventual synthesis of the selectivity for the whole stimulus pattern. The neurons that are selective for the stimulus are at the top of the hierarchy, and they form the interface between the sensory and motor systems or between sensory systems of different modalities. The similarities of these two systems at the level of algorithms suggest the existence of rules of signal processing that transcend different sensory systems and species of animals.
Access to Information and Internal Structures of Partisan Groups: Some Notes on the Iron Law of Oligarchy*

Michel's notion of the inevitable and ironic transformation of groups with egalitarian intent into groups with oligarchical practices is examined through an analysis of thirty-four role playing partisan groups. Each group is a triad with an extended shared history or a history of equality that comes with friendship. Each group differentiated itself by selecting a representative to confront another student who played the role of a university dean. In nineteen of the groups the constituents obtained a news report of the outcome of those negotiations independent of their representative's report. In the other fifteen groups the constituents had to depend on their representative's report. In those groups that r,-lied solely on their representative's report, oligarchical interrelations emerged. This zontrasts with the news report groups who maintained egalitarian relationships while developing a political standpoint toward each other, the opposition and the future. We conclude that Michels' statement on organizational oligarchy is illuminated further by a consideration of an emergent monopoly of knowledge. Michels claimed that whoever says organization also says oligarchy. His interest in the complex relationship between any division of labor in an organization and the asymmetrical influence within the organization continues to engage social scientists on both macro and microsociological levels. Our interests, which explicitly address microsociological processes, are based on Michels' observation that oligarchical internal relationships are in contradiction to the goals of a representative democracy aimed at "guaranteeing to all an equal influence and equal participation in the regulation of the common interests" (Michels, 1962: 66). While Michels was more keenly aware of democracy as implemented in large groups, we suggest that his notion of the ironic transformation of groups with egalitarian intent into groups with oligarchial practices can be examined within small groups. Thus, in small as well as in large political or partisan groups, it is necessary, as Michels claimed, to empower some members of subunits to act on behalf of other members to serve as leaders, representatives and spokes
Key Challenges to Ecological Modernization Theory Institutional Efficacy, Case Study Evidence, Units of Analysis, and the Pace of Eco-Efficiency

We raise four challenges to the claim of ecological modernization theory (EMT) that continued modernization is necessary for ecological sustainability. First, EMT needs to go beyond merely demonstr...
Impact of major bleeding on long-term mortality in anemic versus nonanemic patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention using bivalirudin.

Bleeding complications after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have been associated with higher short and long-term mortality. Bivalirudin has been shown to reduce bleeding complications in patients who underwent PCI; however, the impact of anemia on bleeding complications and long-term mortality has not been studied. A total of 11,991 patients who underwent PCI over a period of 8 years with bivalirudin as the primary antithrombotic agent were included. Anemia was defined according to the World Health Organization definition. Bleeding complications were prospectively collected. Survival analysis was performed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Of the 11,991 patients, 4,815 patients (40%) had baseline anemia. Major bleeding occurred in 3.3% of patients with anemia compared with 0.7% of patients without anemia (p
Orthogonal and least-squares based coordinate transforms for optical alignment verification in radiosurgery

Radiosurgery is a non-invasive treatment technique applying focused radiation beams. It requires high geometric accuracy as misalignment can cause damage to the surrounding healthy tissues and loss of the therapeutic effect. One promising technique to insure submillimeter alignment accuracy of the radiation beam is to optically monitor the position of the beam axis relative to a frame firmly attached to the patient's skull using an optical alignment system. The optical alignment method requires three-dimensional coordinate transforms. This paper compares the standard least squares technique for transforming the coordinate system with an orthogonal transform technique based on the comparison of marker triangles. Orthogonal transforms have good numerical properties and preserve distance, which gives this technique advantages over non-orthogonal techniques. The mathematics behind each technique is covered and alignment results on real test equipment are used to illustrate the differences between the transforms.
Current Results with Construction and Interruption of the Waterston Anastomosis

The Waterston anastomosis was constructed in 21 infants and neonates between 1973 and 1977. Sixteen neonates were 1 week old or less and 8 were less than 24 hours old. There were 2 operative deaths, giving a hospital survival of 90%. There were 3 late deaths. All surviving infants received satisfactory palliation except 1 who required a Potts anastomosis one year later. During the same time interval, 9 other patients who had had a Waterston anastomosis underwent complete intracardiac repair. Seven of them had significant angulation of the right pulmonary artery necessitating patch reconstruction. All patients survived operation, and follow-up pulmonary angiograms demonstrated only a slight persistent narrowing of the right pulmonary artery in 2 patients. We conclude that the Waterston anastomosis can be constructed with a low operative mortality even in the severely cyanotic neonate and that it can be taken down at the time of complete repair with minimal morbidity and no mortality even if it has significantly angulated the right pulmonary artery.
Coping Effectively With Heart Failure (COPE-HF): Design and Rationale of a Telephone-Based Coping Skills Intervention

Abstract Background Coping Effectively with Heart Failure (COPE-HF) is an ongoing randomized clinical trial funded by the National Institutes of Health to evaluate if a coping skills training (CST) intervention will result in improved health status and quality of life as well as reduced mortality and hospitalizations compared with a heart failure education (HFE) intervention. Methods and Results Two hundred heart failure (HF) patients recruited from the Duke University Medical Center and the University of North Carolina Hospital system will be randomized to a CST intervention (16 weekly 30-minute telephone counseling sessions including motivational interviewing and individually tailored cognitive behavioral therapy) or to an HFE intervention (16 weekly 30-minute telephone sessions including education and symptom monitoring). Primary outcomes will include postintervention effects on HF biomarkers (B-type natriuretic peptide, ejection fraction) and quality of life, as well as long-term clinical outcomes (hospitalizations and death). Secondary analyses will include an evaluation of treatment effects across subpopulations, and potential mechanisms by which CST may improve clinical outcomes. Conclusions COPE-HF is a proof-of-concept study that should provide important insights into the health benefits of a CST intervention designed to enhance HF self-management, improve health behaviors, and reduce psychologic distress.
The Changing Effect of Economic Development on the Consumption-Based Carbon Intensity of Well-Being, 1990–2008

Recent sustainability science research focuses on tradeoffs between human well-being and stress placed on the environment from fossil fuel consumption, a relationship known as the carbon intensity of well-being (CIWB). In this study we assess how the effect of economic development on consumption-based CIWB—a ratio of consumption-based carbon dioxide emissions to average life expectancy—changed from 1990 to 2008 for 69 nations throughout the world. We examine the effect of development on consumption-based CIWB for the overall sample as well as for smaller samples restricted to mostly high-income OECD nations, Non-OECD nations, and more nuanced regional samples of Non-OECD nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. We find that the effect of economic development on CIWB increased through time for the overall sample. However, analyses of the Non-OECD and OECD samples indicate that while the effect of development on CIWB increased from null to a moderate level for the Non-OECD nations, the effect of economic development was much larger, relatively stable through time, and more unsustainable for the OECD nations. Additional findings reveal important regional differences for Non-OECD nations. In the early 1990s, increased development led to a reduction in CIWB for Non-OECD nations in Africa, but in more recent years the relationship changed, becoming less sustainable. For the samples of Non-OECD nations in Asia and Latin America, we find that economic development increased consumption-based CIWB, and increasingly so throughout the 19 year period of study.
Side-by-side comparison of Raman spectra of anchored and suspended carbon nanomaterials

Raman spectra of ordered carbon nanomaterials are quite sensitive to surface perturbations, including trace residues, structural defects and residual stress. This is demonstrated by a series of experiments with carbon nanotubes and graphene. Their spectra change due to subtle changes in preparation and attachment to the substrate and to each other. Differences are most clearly seen by forming a material into an air bridge and probing it in the air gap and at the anchor points. A monolayer graphene sheet, shows a larger disorder band at the anchor points than in the air gap. However, a bundle or rope of parallel-aligned single-wall nanotubes shows a larger disorder band in the gap than at the anchor points. For the graphene sheet the substrate surface deforms the graphene, leading to increases in the disorder band. For the rope, the close proximity of the nanotubes to each other appears to produce a larger stress than the rope resting on the substrate.
Control of Curly Top in Sugar Beet with Seed and Foliar Insecticides

Strausbaugh, C. A., Wenninger, E. J., and Eujayl, I. A. 2014. Control of curly top in sugar beet with seed and foliar insecticides. Plant Dis. 98:10751080. Curly top in sugar beet is a serious problem that is caused by Beet curly top virus and other closely related species and transmitted by the beet leafhopper. In order to find a means of reducing curly top in sugar beet, 15 combinations of insecticide seed (Poncho, Poncho Beta, and Poncho Votivo) and foliar (Asana, Cyazypyr, Lorsban, Mustang, Scorpion, and Sivanto) treatments were evaluated versus an untreated check during the 2012 and 2013 growing seasons. An epiphytotic was created by releasing viruliferous beet leafhoppers 58 to 59 days after planting. The foliar sprays were applied 6 to 7 days before and again 6 to 8 days after leafhopper release. Seed treatments (active ingredient: clothianidin) were able to reduce symptoms by 26 to 42% and increase recoverable sucrose by 16 to 21%. The pyrethroids Asana and Mustang also performed well by reducing symptoms 22 to 56% and increasing yields 13 to 20%. The neonicotinoid seed treatments should be an effective way of supplementing host resistance for early-season (at least 59 days after planting) curly top control in sugar beet. The pyrethroid foliar applications could be used to extend curly top control during the midseason period and provide resistance management.
Paradoxical enhancement of fear expression and extinction deficits in mice resilient to social defeat

The exposure to stress has been associated with increased depressive and anxiety symptoms, yet not all individuals respond negatively to the experience of stress. Recent rodent social defeat models demonstrate similar individual differences in response to social stress. In particular, mice subjected to chronic social defeat have been characterized as being either "susceptible" or "resilient" by the level of social interaction following social defeat. Susceptibility is associated with lasting social avoidance as well as increased anxiety-like behavior, and depressive-like symptoms. Resilient animals, however, do not show social avoidance or increased depressive-like symptoms, but retain increased anxiety-like behavior. Thus, it is unclear what "resilience" as measured by social interaction represents in terms of an overall behavioral and physiological phenotype. Here, we use an acute social defeat procedure, which produces distinct behavioral phenotypes in social interaction with no apparent changes in anxiety-like behavior. Susceptible mice display lasting social avoidance, whereas resilient mice display normal social interaction. Susceptible mice also displayed deficits in fear extinction retention but had normal within-session extinction. Paradoxically, resilience was associated with enhanced fear expression, and severe deficits in fear extinction and extinction retention beyond that observed in susceptible mice. These effects in resilient mice were only apparent after the experience of social stress and were not due to impaired behavioral flexibility. These data suggest that mechanisms controlling resilience to acute social defeat as characterized by social interaction leave animals vulnerable to maladaptive fear behavior.
Heterogeneity in the angiogenic response of a BT474 human breast cancer to a novel vascular endothelial growth factor-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor: assessment by voxel analysis of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.

PURPOSE: To investigate the heterogeneity in the angiogenic response of a human breast cancer xenograft to a novel vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, AG-013736, using dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging (DCE-MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Changes in pharmacokinetic parameters in a seven-day interval were compared between AG-treated and control groups, using Gd-DTPA and albumin-(Gd-DTPA)(30). A voxel-by-voxel analysis was performed to produce parametric spatial pharmacokinetic parametric maps and histograms. Histogram segmentation was used to quantify the heterogeneity in tumor response to therapy, and compared with conventional descriptive measures of distribution in terms of their capacity to separate control from AG-treated tumors. RESULTS: The albumin-(Gd-DTPA)(30) endothelial transfer constant, K(ps), showed changes with AG-013736 treatment and tumor growth. The changes were highly heterogeneous for individual segments of the histogram with different K(ps) values, and the overall patterns in which the frequency distribution changed differed significantly between the two groups. A change in the number of voxels with K(ps) rangingfrom 0.03 to 0.14 mL/min/(100 mL tissue) was the most sensitive variable for separating control from AG-treated tumors (P = 0.0008). Parametric maps of the kinetic parameters also showed spatial heterogeneity in tumor response to treatment. The K(ps) maps depicted rapid development of central necrosis as a result of AG-013736 treatment. Maps of v(p) demonstrated a marked increase at peripheral regions of necrotic areas. Similar trends were noted in the Gd-DTPA rate constant K(trans) distribution. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the value of histogram analysis of maps of pharmacokinetic parameters for assessing heterogeneity in tumor response to antiangiogenic therapy. Changes in the number of voxels within certain segments of the K(ps) histogram were the most sensitive variable for separating control from AG-treated tumors. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2005. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
On Boundedness of Q-Learning Iterates for Stochastic Shortest Path Problems

We consider a totally asynchronous stochastic approximation algorithm, Q-learning, for solving finite space stochastic shortest path SSP problems, which are undiscounted, total cost Markov decision processes with an absorbing and cost-free state. For the most commonly used SSP models, existing convergence proofs assume that the sequence of Q-learning iterates is bounded with probability one, or some other condition that guarantees boundedness. We prove that the sequence of iterates is naturally bounded with probability one, thus furnishing the boundedness condition in the convergence proof by Tsitsiklis [Tsitsiklis JN 1994 Asynchronous stochastic approximation and Q-learning. Machine Learn. 16:185--202] and establishing completely the convergence of Q-learning for these SSP models.
Bovine epididymal sperm proacrosin-acrosin system: quantification and partial characterization.

Summary Several studies suggest that acrosin, an acrosomal trypsin-like serine proteinase, plays a role in fertilization. The enzyme is present in an enzymatically inactive precursor form, called proacrosin and is believed to be converted to the enzymatically active form(s) through one/multiple physiological event(s) prior to the sperm penetration of the zona pellucida. Although, the proacrosin-acrosin system of several species has been well documented, the study of the enzyme system in bovine caput and cauda epididymis (where the maturation of spermatozoa occurs) has not been characterized. The present study demonstrates the quantification and partial characterization of the proacrosin-acrosin proteinase system in unpurified acrosomal extracts of bovine caput and cauda epididymal sperm. Proacrosin activation followed the sigmoidal type of activation curve. Activation experiments demonstrate that almost 80–90% of this protein exists in zymogen (proacrosin) form either in ejaculated or caput and cauda epididymal spermatozoa. Time-course activation studies showed that the zymogen in isolated spermatozoa was completely converted to active non-zymogen form in 3 and 5 h after removal from the cauda and caput regions, respectively, at pH 8.0 at 25 °C. This conversion was markedly inhibited by calcium in a dose dependent manner and the inhibition was reversible. On the other hand, calcium has a stimulatory effect on the hydrolytic activity of acrosin. These studies reveal that the proacrosinacrosin system can be identified in crude extracts of bull epididymal and ejaculated sperm.
Development of a composite inner shell for an annular motor concept

An annular motor concept requires an inner shell that is capable of carrying high external pressures, weight restrictions require that composite materials be used for most of the motorcase structure. With this annular motor concept an inner shell had to be developed that could withstand the severe loading requirements for the case. The inner shell is subjected to high external pressure and axial tension which required development of new design methods for composite materials. The first shells tested were capable of handling slightly over 100 psi and when the latest inner shell design was tested it withstood over 7000 psi. The latest inner shells tested are approximately 2.0 inches in diameter and 0.160 inches thick. Several different types of tooling were tried before it was realized that hard tooling was necessary to achieve the highest strengths by insuring a concentric layup and minimizing defects. Other methods to achieve higher buckling strengths included the incorporation of stiffening rings inside the tubes. The ring spacing can be varied to achieve the desired buckling pressure, the closer the rings are together the higher the buckling pressure. Addition of a syntactic foam layer in the middle of the layup also increased buckling pressure by increasing the bending stiffness. Combining these different methods resulted in significantly increased buckling strengths, and * n&r A I M consequently the strength requirements for the inner shell were met.
Fructose Utilization in the Piglet

SUMMARY Fructose solutions were injected into pigs of from a few hours to 17 days of age and the rate of subsequent fall in plasma fructose concentration measured. The rate of fall, which in each experiment was approximately proportional to plasma fructose level, increased with age, being too small to observe in the first day of life.
Transcatheter valve technology: a game changer!

Rarely in one's professional lifetime does one experience the introduction of a game-changing technology. The transcatheter heart valve is a game changer. Only a few years ago, transcatheter valve replacement was thought to be impossible. Today, however, this new technology heralds a revolution in
Effects of an Applied Kinesiology Technique on Quadriceps Femoris Muscle Isometric Strength

The effect of either the muscle spindle cell receptor technique of applied kinesiology or a placebo technique on isometric strength of the right quadriceps femoris muscle group was studied among 20 normal human subjects. Peak, perpendicular maximal values of isometric quadriceps femoris muscle force was measured by a force transducer. Three training sessions consisting of three trials of peak maximal contractions of the isometric quadriceps femoris muscle were performed by all subjects. After the three training sessions, matched pairs of subjects were formed from a rand order list of each subject's mean values of isometric quadriceps femoris muscle strength on the third session. One subject of a matched pair was then randomly assigned to either an experimental (applied kinesiology) or control (placebo) group for the testing session. No significant differences in mean values of isometric quadriceps femoris muscle strength between the matched pairs for control and experimental subjects were noted. Within the context of a normal population, the applied kinesiology technique does not appear to augment isometric quadriceps femoris muscle strength.
The Pathophysiology of Obesity

Obesity has been defined as a “multi-metabolic and hormonal disease state”. Although significant advances have been made in the knowledge of how obesity develops and progresses, our understanding of its etiology and physiopathology is still incomplete.
Low-dose daily interleukin-2 immunotherapy : Accelerating immune restoration and expanding HIV-specific T-cell immunity without toxicity

There is now a great deal of interest in therapies focused on improving the function of the immune system in the treatment of individuals infected with the HIV. Although the antiviral drugs effectively suppress replication of the virus, they cannot cure the infection. Therefore, it now appears that both antivirals and immune system stimulants will be necessary to maximally suppress residual latent virus, thereby allowing the discontinuation of the antivirals without relapse of detectable plasma virus. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) the first cytokine to be discovered at the molecular level has been used as a therapeutic in HIV infection, because it is critical for a normal functioning immune response. IL-2 is essential for the survival and proliferative expansion of antigen-activated T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, and also for promoting their differentiated functions of cytokine secretion and cytolysis. However, as IL-2 stimulates both the innate and acquired immune responses, when used as a therapeutic it can lead to severe toxicity when given in high doses. This review focuses on low dose, daily IL-2 therapy, used to accelerate the recovery of the immune system when viral replication is suppressed maximally with antivirals. In addition, the principles of the use of IL-2 to activate HIV-specific immune reactivity are discussed. At least two signals are required to promote the proliferative expansion and function of antiviral effector lymphocytes, HIV antigens and IL-2.
Unified RANS-LES Analysis of Turbulent Jets Covering Several Swirl Number Regimes

Many turbulent flow simulations require the use of hybrid methods because large eddy simulation (LES) methods are computationally too expensive and Reynolds-averaged NavierStokes (RANS) methods are not sufficiently accurate. However, a large variety of hybrid RANS-LES methods are currently in use, leading to the question of which method should be preferred. Desired properties of a theoretically optimal hybrid RANS-LES method are formulated here. It is shown that a unified RANS-LES model derived from a stochastic turbulence model has all the properties of a theoretically optimal hybrid RANS-LES method. The unified RANS-LES model is applied to turbulent swirling and nonswirling jet flow simulations to illustrate the difference to other commonly applied hybrid RANSLES methods. The unified RANS-LES results are shown to be in a very good agreement with experimental studies of nonswirling and mildly swirling jet flows. The unified RANSLES model does not suffer from the ’modeled-stress depletion’ problem that is observed in detached eddy simulation (DES) and improved delayed DES (IDDES) simulations of nonswirling jet flows. Regarding the simulation of high swirl number flows it is shown that the unified RANS-LES model performs better than segregated RANS-LES models, which suffer from their inability to correctly simulate the central vortex core, the precessing vortex core, and the mixing efficiency of passive scalars. The results presented contribute to a better understanding of swirl flows by the explanation of conditions for the onset and the mechanism of vortex breakdown.
Abstract 262: Upregulation of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin by ErbB2 through NF-κB activation

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC ErbB2 (HER2, neu) is a receptor tyrosine kinase overexpressed in about 25% of invasive breast carcinomas. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a secreted glycoprotein expressed in a variety of cancers including breast carcinomas. NGAL can inhibit erythroid cell production leading to anemia. Anemia usually occurs in cancer patients and negatively impacts quality of life. However, current treatment for cancer-related anemia has potential complications. ErbB2, NGAL, and anemia have all been associated with increased metastasis and poor prognosis in breast cancer patients, although the relationship between ErbB2 and NGAL expression is not clear. Here, using breast cancer cell lines in vitro and transgenic mice carrying the activated c-neu oncogene driven by a mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV-neu) in vivo, we demonstrate that ErbB2 overexpression leads to NGAL upregulation, which is dependent on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activity. MMTV-neu transgenic mice developed anemia after tumor onset, and anemia progression could be partially arrested by an NF-κB inhibitor and an ErbB2-targeted therapy. Taken together, upregulation of NGAL by ErbB2 through NF-κB activation is involved in cancer-related anemia, and ErbB2, NF-κB, NGAL pathway may serve as potential therapeutic targets for cancer-related anemia. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 262.
Resistance welding of glass fiber reinforced PET: Effect of weld pressure and heating element geometry:

The objective of this paper is to present an investigation of resistance welded thermoplastic joints using stainless steel wire mesh and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with unidirectional E-glass...
Tobacco Control Monitoring in 99 Public Places in Jinshan District of Shanghai City

[Objective]To understand the understanding,implementation and support of personnel in public places to the "Regulations on Tobacco Control in Public Places of Shanghai," and then provide the basis for the government to develop tobacco control policies and strategies. [Methods]]Public places in this district were selected randomly.The state of tobacco control facilities was investigated,and the face-to-face questionnaire was performed on the personnel to understand their smoking status. [Results]The smoking rate of male was 61.75%,that of female was 3.11%.The ages of starting smoking most concentrated in the range of 16-30 years,accounting for 90.44%.Of the causes of starting smoking,to try and social needs was the main reason.60.56% was not ready to quit smoking while 28.49% expressed their intention to quit smoking.44.35% had the experience of passive smoking in the last 7 working days.95.76% had heard about "Regulations on Tobacco Control in Public Places of Shanghai ",89.44% expressed their support for the new tobacco control regulations.For smoking staff,52.94% of the public places had appropriate measures for prevention,while 47.06% had no measures. [Conclusion]The smoking state and intention to quit smoking of personnel in public places was not optimistic.There are high support on the new regulations and perfect advocacy of tobacco control in public places.However,some measures are not effectively implemented so that tobacco control department needs further strengthen advocacy and monitoring.
Theoretical Contributions of Interpretive and Critical Research in Health Communication

Health communication researchers have made great strides in developing theoretically grounded research, resulting in more complex understandings of communication in health contexts. Integral to these developments has been the burgeoning use of interpretive and critical perspectives. Yet, we still lack a broader description and assessment of the contributions of interpretive and critical research to theory and practice in health communication. Such an assessment is important, given that the nature of these contributions differ at times from post-positivist research (in some cases overlapping, in others acting complementarily, and still others antagonistically). Thus, in this chapter, we describe the unique elements of interpretive and critical contributions in the extant literature and assess these contributions to identify ways in which they can be strengthened. Though we primarily draw on U.S. literature, this scholarship comprises interdisciplinary, international, multi-methodological, and cross-cultura...
An Example of Rock Art Exhibiting the Transition Between the Representational and Nonrepresentational

ABSTRACTThe three pictographs discussed in this article were viewed on a panel of rock art in central Arizona. The primary work is a large snake figure. Near it are two small figures apparently rendered by a single painter. Of the two small figures, one is a nonrepresentational geometric fret design, whereas the second appears to incorporate elements of both the representational snake figure and the abstract geometric fret. The writer suggests that the situation is unique in that the transitional snake-fret figure provides unusual insight into the thought processes of a prehistoric pictographic artist at work.
Solution of Boundary Value Problems by Integral Equations of the First Kind — A Update

This paper is concerned with the recent developments in the solution of boundary value problems by integral equations of the first kind. Basic results for weakly singular and hypersingular boundary integral operators will be discussed. Emphases will be given to the mathematical foundation of the method as well as to the physical interpretations of various side conditions derived for the unique solvability of the integral equations of the first kind.
The Consequences of Overstating Fuel Economy

Economic analysis of law is applied to various models derived from a recent breach of contract by Hyundai Motor Company (Co.), which overstated the fuel economy of its Elantra model. The paper explores appropriate damages for breach of contract by Hyundai in hypothetical cases involving either intentional or unintentional breach. Depending on the specific scenario, losses may or may not be recoverable. A variety of ways are explored in which to calculate damages that serve to make customers whole.
MAVEN Navigation During the First Mars Year of the Science Mission

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution mission (MAVEN) is the first mission devoted to studying the Martian atmosphere. From a Navigation perspective it is unique in that science is performed at near aerobraking altitudes. This results in the requirements on Navigation trajectory accuracy requirements which are an order of magnitude tighter than those of aerobraking phases on previous missions. Navigation experiences with the Mars atmosphere are described as they pertain to Navigation models, trajectory reconstructions, trajectory predictions, density corridor control, and collision avoidance of other bodies around Mars.
Plasma immersion ion implantation for interdigitated back passivated contact (IBPC) solar cells

We present progress to develop low-cost interdigitated back contact solar cells with pc-Si/SiO 2 /c-Si passivated contacts formed by plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII). PIII is a lower-cost implantation technique than traditional beam-line implantation due to its simpler design, lower operating costs, and ability to run high doses (1E14–1E18 cm−2) at low ion energies (20 eV–10 keV). These benefits make PIII ideal for high throughput production of patterned passivated contacts, where high-dose, low-energy implantations are made into thin (20–200 nm) a-Si layers instead of into the wafer itself. For this work symmetric passivated contact test structures grown on n-Cz wafers with PH 3 PIII doping gave implied open circuit voltage (iV oc ) values of 730 mV with J o values of 2 fA/cm2. Samples doped with B 2 H 6 gave iV oc values of 690 mV and J o values of 24 fA/cm2, outperforming BF 3 doping, which gave iV oc values in the 660–680 mV range. Samples were further characterized by photoluminescence and SIMS depth profiles. Initial IBPC cell results are presented.
Electrically controlled release of insulin using polypyrrole nanoparticles

Conducting polymers present an opportunity for developing programmable, adjustable, spatially, and temporally controllable drug delivery systems. While several small molecule drugs have been released from thin conductive polymeric films successfully, delivering large molecule therapeutics, such as polypeptides and nucleic acids, has remained a significant challenge. Poor drug loading (∼ng cm−2) of thin films coupled with film instability has, in many cases, made conducting polymer films refractory to clinical development. To address these limitations, we have utilized conductive polymer nanoparticulate backbones to controllably release insulin, a high molecular weight, clinically relevant polypeptide. We find that the interaction between insulin and the polymer scaffold can be described by a simple Langmuir-type adsorption model. By modifying the ratio of the amount of nanoparticles to the amount of insulin, we have obtained drug loading percentages estimated to be as high as 51 wt% percent. In vivo experiments in mice confirmed retained bioactivity of the released insulin after electrical stimulation.
Influence of reproduction cutting methods on structure, growth and regeneration of longleaf pine forests in flatwoods and uplands

Abstract Though longleaf pine ( Pinus palustris Mill.) forests have been primarily managed with even-aged methods, interest is increasing in uneven-aged systems, as a means of achieving a wider range of stewardship goals. Selection silviculture has been practiced on a limited scale in longleaf pine, but difficulty with using traditional approaches and absence of an evaluation across a range of site types has left managers in doubt concerning its suitability. This study was conducted to quantify the effects on stand dynamics of applying single-tree selection, group selection, irregular shelterwood and uniform shelterwood in longleaf pine forests on flatwoods and uplands of the southeastern United States. Selection treatments reduced stand basal area to ∼11.5 m 2 ha −1 and shelterwood treatments left a basal area of ∼5.8 m 2 ha −1 . In spite of initial decreases in tree density and standing volume, growth rates were normal in all stands (1–5% per year), as were subsequent increases in basal area and tree density. Despite the continuing abundance of saw-palmetto ( Serenoa repens W. Bartram) cover and absence of prescribed fire during the eight post-treatment years, significant increases in pine regeneration were observed in all treated stands in the flatwoods. Because of a multi-year drought in the uplands, pine seedling numbers dramatically declined, no matter which reproduction approach was employed. Although seedling numbers eventually began to recover, they were again precipitously depressed by a wildfire in 2013. Even with such losses, sufficient pine seedlings remained in each treatment to foster successful stand regeneration. Single-tree selection produced less overall change in the forest ecosystem than group selection, which caused less alteration than shelterwood treatment. Single-tree selection appears to be an effective way for achieving stand regeneration, while maintaining a continuous canopy cover that aids in the control of woody competitors and supports an array of resource values. Selection silviculture seems to be a lower risk approach for guiding forests along a trajectory of gradual improvement, with adjustments provided by frequent surface fires and periodic tree harvest. Long-term observation will be required to verify that selection can sustain forest ecosystems on sites characterized by differing environments.
The finite element method with overlapping elements A new paradigm for CAD driven simulations

A new paradigm is presented for finite element analysis in CAD environments.The focus is, firstly, on operating directly with clean-up on the CAD geometry.The focus is, secondly, on establishing efficiently a finite element mesh.Overlapping finite elements are used to achieve these aims.The theory of the new scheme and example solutions are given. A major difficulty in finite element analysis is the preparation of an effective mesh leading to a good response solution. In engineering analyses of complex components, oftentimes, much more time is spent to arrive at an adequate mesh than to obtain the solution of the established finite element model. The difficulty in meshing is due to the fact that finite elements need to abut each other and cannot overlap. This can lead to highly distorted elements, e.g. sliver elements, reducing the accuracy of solution. In practice, to establish an effective mesh, frequently, significant expertise in building meshes is needed, because great care must be taken in cleaning up the CAD geometry and preparing an effective mesh.The objective in this paper is to present a new finite element solution scheme including meshing in which the elements can overlap. The property that finite elements can overlap removes many of the meshing difficulties, leads to an effective meshing procedure and an overall easy-to-use solution scheme for an analyst or a designer.We first present the meshing scheme that we propose, which combines the use of traditional finite elements and overlapping finite elements. A particular feature is that the meshing procedure can be directly embedded in CAD driven solutions. We then present the theory used for the formulation of the overlapping finite elements and the coupling with traditional finite elements. We consider spherical and brick-shaped overlapping finite elements for which the theory is largely based on the formulation of the method of finite spheres. Finally, we illustrate the complete solution scheme in the analysis of some two-dimensional problems using the CAD geometry as the starting point.While the paper presents a new paradigm for analysis in CAD environments, with much potential, we realize that much further study and research is needed on some of the important ingredients of the method to render the complete procedure effective for general practical engineering analyses of static and dynamic problems.
Peptide Markers for Rapid Detection of KPC Carbapenemase by LC-MS/MS

Carbapenemase producing organisms (CPOs) represent an urgent public health threat, and the need for new rapid methods to detect these organisms has been widely recognized. CPOs carrying the Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (bla KPC ) gene have caused outbreaks globally with substantial attributable mortality. Here we describe the validation of a rapid MS method for the direct detection of unique tryptic peptides of the KPC protein in clinical bacterial isolates with an isolate-to-result time of less than 90 minutes. Using a genoproteomic discovery approach that combines theoretical peptidome analysis and liquid chromatography-tandem MS (LC-MS/MS), we selected three high abundance peptide markers of the KPC protein that can be robustly detected following rapid tryptic digestion. Protein BLAST analysis confirmed that the chosen peptide markers were unique to KPC. A blinded validation set containing 20 KPC-positive and 80 KPC-negative clinical isolates, performed in triplicate (300 runs) demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity (60/60 positive identifications, 240/240 negative identifications) using defined rules for positive calls. The most robust tryptic peptide marker in the validation was LTLGSALAAPQR. The peptide discovery and detection methods validated here are general and should be broadly applicable to allow the direct and rapid detection of other resistance determinants.
Differences in Recumbent, Ecstatic Trance Postures in Terms of Dream Recall, Imagined Interactions, and Heart Rate:

Research has demonstrated the health benefits of a wide range of spiritual practices such as meditation and prayer, and similar nonspiritual practices like mindfulness. Shamanism is a spiritual pra...
“Falling into a Place”: Reading for Renewal as Queer Pedagogy

This essay explores reading for renewal as queer pedagogy. Within the context of lesbian and gay literature courses, professors can teach students and themselves how to pull stories—beautiful, celebratory stories—out of the bits and pieces of stones of self-hatred and of suffering. If readers of gay and lesbian texts are to resist homophobic discourse, then they must not only train themselves to recognize signs of queerness within even the most oppressive of narratives, but also seek out those texts whose discussions of narrative theory and identity politics promote queer visibility. Reading for renewal—that is, locating “a place” of transformative possibility either within the text or within the experience of reading the text within the classroom—is, the author argues, integral to practicing a queer pedagogy.