cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“Theory of food” as a neurocognitive adaptation

Human adult cognition emerges over the course of development via the interaction of multiple critical neurocognitive networks. These networks evolved in response to various selection pressures, many of which were modified or intensified by the intellectual, technological, and sociocultural environments that arose in connection with the evolution of genus Homo. Networks related to language and theory of mind clearly play an important role in adult cognition. Given the critical importance of food to both basic survival and cultural interaction, a "theory of food" (analogous to theory of mind) may represent another complex network essential for normal cognition. I propose that theory of food evolved as an internal, cognitive representation of our diets in our minds. Like other complex cognitive abilities, it relies on complex and overlapping dedicated neural networks that develop in childhood under familial and cultural influences. Normative diets are analogous to first languages in that they are acquired without overt teaching; they are also difficult to change or modify once a critical period in development is passed. Theory of food suggests that cognitive activities related to food may be cognitive enhancers, which could have implications for maintaining healthy brain function in aging.
Management and outcome of pneumothoraces in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus

To better understand the natural history, management, and outcome of pneumothoraces in HIV-infected patients, we reviewed hospital charts and chest radiographs of HIV-infected adults discharged from the University of Maryland Medical Center over a 6-year period. Sixty pneumothoraces occurred in 39 patients. Twenty-three pneumothoraces resulted from trauma and 37 were spontaneous. Thirty-two (86%) of the spontaneous pneumothoraces occurred in patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). Eight percent of the traumatic pneumothoraces in patients who did not have PCP resolved. Patients who had pneumothorax as well as PCP were more difficult to manage and had a poorer outcome (50% mortality) than those who did not have PCP (25% mortality).
Electrical Communication between Components of Self-Assembled Mixed Monolayers

The use of an alkanethiol-based self-assembled mixed monolayer as an electronic relay system effecting mediated electron transfer between immobilized glucose oxidase (GOx) and a gold electrode is reported. We compare the behavior of mixed monolayers of various compositions of 16-ferrocenylhexadecanethiol (16FAT) and aminoethanethiol, to which GOx is attached, as biosensors for glucose. The amperometric response of such electrodes in the presence of glucose in solution depends on the mole ratio between the 16FAT molecules and the attached protein molecules. The most sensitive system is a mixed monolayer that contains 7% 16FAT. For higher 16FAT concentrations, both a catalytic response and a wave corresponding to reversible 16FAT voltammetry are observed in the presence of glucose. This suggests that there are separate domains of 16FAT and of aminoethanethiol in such a mixed monolayer. When the mixed monolayer contains more than 7% 16FAT, a portion of the 16FAT molecules cannot “feel” the GOx and does not f...
Different reactivity of rat alveolar and peritoneal macrophages with EAMC and anti-CR3 monoclonal antibodies.

Resident alveolar macrophages of murine species are known to bind complement-coated bacteria and erythrocytes (EAMC, EAMC3b and EAMiC3b) significantly less well than do resident peritoneal macrophages. Because of the potential importance of C3 receptors of resident alveolar macrophages in pulmonary host defenses, we studied the expression of iC3b (CR3) receptors on rat resident alveolar and peritoneal macrophages with a sensitive cytofluorometric method, employing mouse anti-human CR3 monoclonal antibodies. One monoclonal to CR3, designated M42, labelled rat alveolar macrophages as well as it labelled human alveolar macrophages (40.6% versus 45.3%, respectively), whereas rat peritoneal macrophages labelled significantly less well (13.6%–17.4%) (P < 0.05). A second anti-human CR3 monoclonal, M44, labelled low, but essentially identical percentages of rat alveolar and peritoneal macrophages (21.2% and 23.3%, respectively). Binding of M42 and M44 to rat macrophages appeared to be specific for the CR3 receptor based on cytofluorometric analysis and on the fact that the monoclonals could inhibit the attachment of EAMC to rat macrophages. We conclude that there is specific binding of mouse anti-human CR3 antibodies to conserved epitopes of receptors on rat macrophages, and that CR3 expression on resident rat alveolar macrophages is greater than is indicated by attachment of complement-coated particles.
Nanoscale ultrafast metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors

Summary form only given. MSM PDs (metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors) with finger spacing and width as small as 25 nm have been fabricated on bulk GaAs, LT (low-temperature-grown)-GaAs, and bulk Si, using a custom-built electron-beam lithography system. Measurements using an electrooptic sampling system with a 100-fs pulse laser showed that the shortest full width at half maximum impulse response and the highest 3-dB bandwidth of these nanoscale MSM PDs are, respectively, 0.87 ps and 480 GHz for MSM PDs on LT-GaAs, 1.5 ps and 300 GHz for bulk GaAs, and 10.7 ps and 40 GHz for bulk Si. Monte Carlo simulation was used to understand the impulse response of the MSM PDs and to explore the ultimate speed limitation of transit-time-limited MSM PDs on GaAs and Si. Comparison with experimental data showed that the long tail in responses of the MSM PDs on bulk GaAs and Si was primarily due to slow-moving holes instead of photoexcited carriers deep inside the semiconductor. >
Near-contact damping model and dynamic response of μ-beams under high-g loads

This paper presents the first near-contact aerodynamic damping model based on rarefied flow modeling for use in dynamic simulations of large-displacement motion and contacting behavior of microbeams. The damping model is constructed based on high-fidelity simulations of rarefied gas flow around microbeams based on the Boltzmann kinetic equation with the Ellipsoidal Statistical Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook (ES-BGK) collision relaxation model. The predictions using the new model and previously published models are compared with experimentally measured responses of silicon microbeams under a high-g dynamic load. The new model is validated by measuring the near-contact behavior of silicon microbeams under loads up to 52,500 g and with ramping rates up to 2,750 g/µs. The model and experiments were found to be in close agreement with a maximum variation of less than 13.1%.
Familiar Theories from a New Perspective: The Implications of a Longitudinal Approach to Women in Politics Research

Women continue to be underrepresented in politics. A contemporary focus on inequality, however, belies the remarkable changes that have occurred in women's political representation, participation, and impact over time. Thus, scholars are increasingly calling for longitudinal theory and research that focuses on change across time. In this essay, we advocate moving to a longitudinal approach, which, we argue, has four broad implications for theories on women and politics. First, in shifting from a static to a longitudinal perspective, we may find greater support for existing theories that have to date generated only weak or mixed empirical evidence. Second, in contrast, we may also identify limitations of documented findings, which may not generalize broadly across time. Third, some theories imply over-time processes but have never been modeled as such. Thus, a longitudinal approach promises new, and potentially more rigorous, hypothesis testing of existing theories. Finally, theorizing over time may generate new explanations for stasis, growth, or decline in women's political representation or participation that have not, to date, been considered.
Torque Production in Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motor Drives with Rectangular Current Excitation

Special features of torque production in self-controlled permanent-magnet (PM) synchronous motor drives with rectangular current excitation have been investigated. Addressed issues include the generation of undesired torque pulsations at low speeds and system operating locus limits imposed at high speeds by saturation of the current regulator. Attention is limited to motors in which sources of reluctance torque are suppressed by surface-mounting of the rotor magnets and skewing of the stator slots. Results from the low-speed investigation indicate that the pulsating torque can be minimized by a combination of steps including proper adjustment of the rotor magnet pole atc and effective use of rotor speed feedback compensation. High-speed saturated-regulator performance is significantly influenced by the 120 electrical degree inverter switch conduction intervals inherent with rectangular current excitation. The system torque-speed operating envelope can be expanded by several means, including on-line adjustment of the converter excitation phase angle a, but resulting performance trade-offs require careful scrutiny. A 15-kW prototype PM synchronous motor drive system has been used to confirm key analytical results.
Creating speech-synchronized animation

We present a facial model designed primarily to support animated speech. Our facial model takes facial geometry as input and transforms it into a parametric deformable model. The facial model uses a muscle-based parameterization, allowing for easier integration between speech synchrony and facial expressions. Our facial model has a highly deformable lip model that is grafted onto the input facial geometry to provide the necessary geometric complexity needed for creating lip shapes and high-quality renderings. Our facial model also includes a highly deformable tongue model that can represent the shapes the tongue undergoes during speech. We add teeth, gums, and upper palate geometry to complete the inner mouth. To decrease the processing time, we hierarchically deform the facial surface. We also present a method to animate the facial model over time to create animated speech using a model of coarticulation that blends visemes together using dominance functions. We treat visemes as a dynamic shaping of the vocal tract by describing visemes as curves instead of keyframes. We show the utility of the techniques described in this paper by implementing them in a text-to-audiovisual-speech system that creates animation of speech from unrestricted text. The facial and coarticulation models must first be interactively initialized. The system then automatically creates accurate real-time animated speech from the input text. It is capable of cheaply producing tremendous amounts of animated speech with very low resource requirements.
PHY Aided MAC - A New Paradigm

Network protocols have traditionally been designed using a layered method in part because it is easier to implement some portions of network protocols in software and other portions must be implemented in hardware for performance reasons. These different implementation techniques enforce layer boundaries. In this paper, we show that with the advent of software defined radios, it becomes possible to blur those layer boundaries and produce higher performance network protocols as a result. In this paper we exploit a programmable physical layer and simultaneous transmission to have clients signal whether they have packets to send. By detecting the high energy at the simultaneous transmission, the AP gets the following information: a) which stations have packets to send and b) whether the traffic load is high, medium or low. Again, using the programmable physical layer, the AP schedules clients efficiently while wasting little of the spectrum on signaling overhead. The proposed protocol is a) fast, since no packet transmission is required for polling responses and all clients respond concurrently; b) reliable, as the poll response is contention free and c) scalable. We demonstrate the feasibility of implementing such a system using a FPGA based prototype software defined radio platform. We then show how the MAC protocol can scale using the QualNet network simulator and compare the performance to a contention based protocol.
Hormonal regulation of sequential larval cuticular gene expression

As the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) larva feeds and grows, the abdominal epidermis synthesizes larval endocuticular proteins. During a molt this synthesis temporarily ceases while the cells deposit a new epicuticle; then these proteins reappear in a sequential manner, some before ecdysis, others after ecdysis. At the time of metamorphosis, the epidermis becomes pupally committed and ceases synthesizing these endocuticular proteins. Northern and dot blot hybridization analysis using cDNA clones for three different low-molecular-weight larval cuticular proteins showed that RNA transcription of all three ceased by the time of head cap slippage during the molt, then begins again just before ecdysis, one showing a different time course from the other two. All responded to the commitment peak of ecdysteroid in the absence of juvenile hormone (JH) by a permanent cessation of transcription. During the final day of feeding (day 3) of the 5th instar the cuticular lamellae become 5–10 times thinner coincidentally with a change in cuticular protein synthesis involving a cessation of synthesis of many of the endocuticular proteins and the appearance of at least three new proteins — 14.5, 15, and 27 kd (kilodaltons). Incubation of day 15th instar epidermis with 10–100 ng/ml 20-hydroxyecdysone (20HE) induced the synthesis of the 27-kd protein and the transcription of the mRNAs for the 14.5- and 15-kd proteins. Incubation in the absence of hormones or with 20HE in the presence of JH prevented the appearance of these new proteins and the deposition of thin lamellae. The mRNAs for three endocuticular proteins whose synthesis ceases on day 3 showed differing responses to 20HE and JH. Thus, the sequential program of larval endocuticular gene expression is controlled primarily by hormonal titers in both the molt and the intermolt periods.
Recovery and Analysis by HPLC of Benzoyl Peroxide Residues in Nylon Carpet Fibers

The purposes of this research were to investigate the fate of benzoyl peroxide (BP) and benzoic acid (BA) on exposed nylon carpet samples and to develop extraction and chromatographic techniques to...
L-tryptophan's effects on mouse killing, feeding, drinking, locomotion, and brain serotonin

Injections of the serotonin precursor l-tryptophan (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg IP), inhibited mouse killing behavior in rats, as indicated by a dose dependent increase in latencies to attack and kill mice. Tests in 24 hr food deprived rats revealed that feeding behavior was also significantly decreased by about 30% by tryptophan injections (50--100 mg/kg IP). Concomitant with the behavioral changes were increased levels of brain serotonin and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. Drinking, latencies to sniff mice, and ability to locomote on a rotating rod were not affected by l-tryptophan injections, although spontaneous activity in an open field was reliably reduced by 33% with a dose of 100 mg/kg. Thus, while the degree of selectivity for tryptophan's effects on behavior remains open to question, these findings are consistent with hypotheses of an inhibitory role for central serotonergic systems, particularly in mouse killing and feeding behaviors.
Sustained-release dexamethasone intravitreal implant for treatment of diabetic macular edema

A sustained-release biodegradable dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX implant) has the potential to become a valuable adjunct to the management of diabetic macular edema. Clinical studies have demonstrated that DEX implant increases visual acuity and decreases macular thickness and vascular leakage in patients with macular edema secondary to diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, and noninfectious uveitis. The favorable effects of DEX implant on visual acuity are sustained for up to 6 months. Complications such as increased intraocular pressure and cataract may be less common with DEX implant than with intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide. An applicator is used to place DEX implant into the vitreous cavity in a sutureless, office-based procedure. DEX implant has been approved for the treatment of macular edema following retinal vein occlusion, and for the treatment of intermediate and posterior uveitis. Phase III trials are underway evaluating the long-term efficacy and safety of ...
Cancer, Coagulation, and Anticoagulation

Thromboembolic disease affects about 15% of cancer patients and presents a challenge to the oncologist for both prophylaxis and treatment. Although long known to be associated with malignancy, the underlying biochemical mechanisms are poorly understood. Both low-dose warfarin and low molecular weight heparin are effective strategies for prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism, including those involving venous access devices. Current treatment options for venous thromboembolism include heparin (unfractionated and low molecular weight), warfarin, and internal vena cava filters. The appropriate use of these therapeutic options in cancer patients is reviewed herein. There is suggestive evidence that heparin may be superior to warfarin in the long-term treatment of venous thromboembolism. Whether anticoagulants might also improve cancer survival rates independent of their effect on thromboembolism deserves further investigation.
Understanding the limit concept: Beginning with a coordinated process scheme

Many authors have provided evidence for what appears to be common knowledge among mathematics teachers: The limit concept presents major difficulties for most students and they have very little success in understanding this important mathematical idea. We believe that a program of research into how people learn such a topic can point to pedagogical strategies that can help improve this situation. This paper is an attempt to contribute to such a program. Specifically, our goal in this report is to apply our theoretical perspective, our own mathematical knowledge, and our analyses of observations of students studying limits to do two things. First, we will reinterpret some points in the literature and second, we will move forward on developing a description, or genetic decomposition, of how the limit concept can be learned. In discussing the literature, we will suggest a new variation of a dichotomy, considered by various authors, between dynamic or process conceptions of limits and static or formal conceptions. We will also propose some explanations of why these conceptions are so difficult for students to construct. In describing the evolution of a genetic decomposition for the limit concept, we will give examples of how we used our analysis of interviews of 25 students from a calculus course to make appropriate modifications.
Computerized planning of prostate cryosurgery with pullback operation.

This study is a part of an ongoing project to develop computerized tools for cryosurgery planning. Prostate cryosurgery is frequently performed as a two-stage process in which the first-stage targets are frozen with the cryoprobes at a greater insertion depth, while the second stage of freezing is performed after some cryoprobes are pulled back to new locations, this process being known as the pullback procedure. This paper proposes a method to generate computationally a preferred cryoprobe layout for the pullback operation, using a previously proposed bubble-packing method for cryosurgery planning. For this purpose, additional constraints are imposed to align packed bubbles along the same insertion path between the different stages, and to vary the number of bubbles at each stage. The method is demonstrated on 3D patient models from four individuals, using cryoprobes with a diameter of 1.5 mm and an active length of 15 mm. Results are verified with bioheat transfer simulations, and compared with the non-...
Circadian rhythms affect electroretinogram, compound eye color, striking behavior and locomotion of the praying mantis Hierodula patellifera

Many behaviors and physiological processes oscillate with circadian rhythms that are synchronized to environmental cues (e.g. light onset), but persist with periods of ~24 h in the absence of such cues. We used a multilevel experimental approach to assess whether circadian rhythms modulate several aspects of the visual physiology and behavior of the praying mantis Hierodula patellifera. We used electroretinograms (ERGs) to assess compound eye sensitivity, colorimetric photographic analyses to assess compound eye color changes (screening pigment migration), behavioral assays of responsiveness to computer-generated prey-like visual stimuli and analyses of locomotor activity patterns on a modified treadmill apparatus. Our results indicate that circadian clocks control and/or modulate each of the target behaviors. Strong rhythms, persisting under constant conditions, with periods of ~24 h were evident in photoreceptor sensitivity to light, appetitive responsiveness to preylike stimuli and gross locomotor activity. In the first two cases, responsiveness was highest during the subjective night and lowest during the subjective day. Locomotor activity was strongly clustered around the transition time from day to night. In addition, pigment migration and locomotor behavior responded strongly to light:dark cycles and anticipated the light–dark transition, suggesting that the circadian clocks modulating both were entrained to environmental light cues. Together, these data indicate that circadian rhythms operate at the cellular, cellular systems and organismal level in H. patellifera. Our results represent an intriguing first step in uncovering the complexities of circadian rhythms in the Mantodea.
Resist Requirements and Limitations for Nanoscale Electron-Beam Patterning

Electron beam lithography still represents the most effective way to pattern materials at the nanoscale, especially in the case of structures, which are not indefinitely repeating a simple motif. The success of e-beam lithography depends on the availability of suitable resists. There is a substantial variety of resist materials, from PMMA to calixarenes, to choose from to achieve high resolution in electron-beam lithography. However, these materials suffer from the limitation of poor sensitivity and poor contrast. In both direct-write and projection e-beam systems the maximum beam current for a given resolution is limited by space-charge effects. In order to make the most efficient use of the available current, the resist must be as sensitive as possible. This leads, naturally, to the use of chemically amplified (CA) systems. Unfortunately, in the quest for ever smaller feature sizes and higher throughputs, even chemically amplified materials are limited: ultimately, sensitivity and resolution are not independent. Current resists already operate in the regime of < 1 electron/nm2. In this situation detailed models are the only way to understand material performance and limits. Resist requirements, including sensitivity, etch selectivity, environmental stability, outgassing, and line-edge roughness as they pertain to, high-voltage (100 kV) direct write and projection electron-beam exposure systems are described. Experimental results obtained on CA resists in the SCALPEL® exposure system are presented and the fundamental sensitivity limits of CA and conventional materials in terms of shot-noise and resolution limits in terms of electron-beam solid interactions are discussed.
Comparison of three response-elimination procedures following FI and VI reinforcement training in humans

In the present experiment, college students were trained to press a key according to a FI or VI reinforcement schedule and were then shifted to one of three response-elimination procedures: Fixed omission training, variable omission training, or extinction training. Results indicated that both omission training procedures eliminated the keypress response significantly more efficiently than did extinction training; however, the effects of the two omission training techniques did not differ significantly from each other. In addition, the effect of the initial reinforcement training schedule was not significant, nor were there any significant interactions.
Life Cycle, Development, and Culture of Xyleborus glabratus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

The redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is a wood-boring pest that transmits the fungal pathogen Raffaelea lauricola, the causal agent of laurel wilt disease in American Lauraceae. This study documents the gallery formation patterns of X. glabratus as well as its life cycle and development at 25 ± 2 °C in logs of 3 natural hosts: avocado (Persea americana), redbay (P. borbonia) and swampbay (P. palustris). Females were observed to excavate galleries perpendicular to the tree trunk; galleries were characterized by a main entrance tunnel, from which branched secondary tunnels that, in turn, gave rise to tertiary tunnels. By dissecting infested logs daily, the length of time was determined for each developmental stage, and found to be comparable in all 3 hosts. Eggs were first encountered in avocado, redbay, and swampbay at 7, 11, and 10 days after gallery initiation (agi), respectively; larvae at 14, 20, and 14 days agi; pupae at 24, 26, and 26 days agi; and teneral adults at 31, 30, and 27 days agi. Despite comparable rates of development in all hosts, there were fewer progeny per female produced in avocado. Oviposition by the founding female extended over a broad time-span, and all stages were observed in the gallery at 1 month agi. Three larval instars were present, with mean head capsule widths of 0.21, 0.26, and 0.37 mm, respectively. Long term rearing of X. glabratus was achieved on swampbay logs soaked in water prior to infestation. Emergence of new females from logs was first observed at 60 d agi, indicating that teneral adults remain in hosts for ~1 month prior to dispersal. Emergence continued for up to 240 days, with maximum emergence observed between 120-150 days agi.
Robust digit recognition in noise: An evaluation using the AURORA corpus

In this paper, a variety of techniques for robust digit recognition in noise are considered using the AURORA 2.0 corpus. Current recognizers perform as well as humans in small vocabulary tasks but computer recognition performance degrades substantially when noise is introduced into the speech, while human performance is much less sensitive. To make the recognizer robust, several methodologies are employed. These include, feature processing, enhancement before recognition and model adaptation. We considered a number of processing and adaptation scenarios depending on noise type. The best performance, as expected, was obtained in matched training conditions which in general has limited applicability in real world problems. As a feature processing step, using RCCs (Root Cepstrum Coeff.) instead of MFCCs gave substantial improvement. MFCC with front-end enhancement increased performance considerably, but results were far from that obtained with matched training. When we combine the RCC with enhancement, however, we get the best results. In the next step, we employed model adaptation techniques which outperformed MFCC+enhancement and gave much closer results to the matched condition limits. However, MFCC adaptation could not outperform RCC parameterization with front-end enhancement, which we show is much more computationally efficient than model adaptation.
A semiblind test of the GTD propagation model for reflective rolling terrain

A semiblind test of the geometric theory of diffraction (GTD) terrain sensitive propagation model was made. For the two test profiles considered, the GTD model results agreed very well with measurements. This good agreement was obtained after manual determination of the piecewise-linear approximations to the actual terrain profiles. Before general use of the GTD model will be possible, the profile linearization process must be automated. >
Examining the Efficacy of Fair Trade and Alternative Consumption on Environmental Sustainability and Human Rights in Developing Countries

Through the lens of political ecology, the idea of alternative consumption, as defined by Bryant et al, is the consumption of more sustainable products with eco-labels alerting consumers about the benefits of purchasing said product instead of traditional products. Here, I examine the efficacy of Fair Trade certification on environmental sustainability and human rights in developing countries. Benefits accrued to Fair Trade, namely that certification informs consumers about environmental and social issues occurring in developing countries, provides consumers an option for “alternative”, more sustainable consumption, encourages businesses to develop in a more sustainable manner, and also may provide premiums that support environmental conservation and human well-being in developing countries or traditionally rentier-states. However, several drawbacks of Fair Trade certification and alternative consumption also have been noted, namely the concerns about corporate greenwashing, as well as the potential for creating a moral hazard for consumers who feel as though they are making a difference by simply perpetuating a neo-liberal capitalistic culture that oppresses those in developing countries in the first place. In addition, the definite Edenization of the rainforest can have arguably positive and negative benefits on the environmental and social aspects of developing countries. This paper will also examine the long-term effects of green marketing in the global North on the perceptions of the South as a place of unaltered wilderness and pristine ecosystems separate from the social struggles of human society. This paper argues that Fair Trade and alternative consumption has its benefits and constraints/limitations, but overall has greatly improved the plight of developing countries. Inherently, alternative consumption subscribes to neoliberal systems and capitalistic culture, yet given we all must consume and alternative consumption captures a large audience and corporations with considerable purchasing power, Fair Trade certification and alternative consumption may be an effective means of consumptive change within the system.
Spatially-Constrained Probability Distribution Model of Incoherent Motion (SPIM) in Diffusion Weighted MRI Signals of Crohn’s Disease

Diffusion Weighted imaging (DWI) of the body provides important information about the physiological and microstructural properties of tissues and has great potential for imaging inflammatory activity and improve diagnosis and follow up of Crohn’s disease. The two main challenges for DWI are the lack of realistic signal decay models of heterogeneous diffusion and inherently low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which makes robust parameter estimation challenging. Increasing the SNR requires long scan times that are not clinically practical. In this work, to address both challenges, we propose a novel Spatially-constrained Probability distribution model of incoherent Motion (SPIM) of water molecules. This model is composed of a probability model of diffusion that we propose to account for the heterogeneity of incoherent motion within multiple compartment tissue microenvironments in each voxel and a spatial homogeneity prior proposed by Freiman et al. for robust parameter estimation. We evaluated the performance of proposed SPIM model in both simulated and in-vivo DWI data from 5 healthy and 24 Crohn’s disease subjects. SPIM model substantially reduced parameter estimation errors, with a reduction of \(35\,\%\) for perfusion and \(7\,\%\) for perfusion fraction and \(4\,\%\) for diffusion parameters. Coefficient of variation of estimated parameters decreased using SPIM compared to simple bi-exponential signal decay model, which indicates an increase in robustness. Parameters estimated using SPIM model better discriminated enhancing and non-enhancing stages of Crohn’s disease.
DDR-type zeolite membrane synthesis, modification and gas permeation studies

Abstract DDR-type zeolite membrane was synthesized on porous α-alumina substrate by hydrothermal treatment of a ball-milled Sigmal-1 crystal seed layer in an aluminum-free precursor solution containing 1-Adamantylamine as the structure directing agent (SDA). The as-synthesized DDR zeolite membranes were defect-free but the supported zeolite layers were susceptible to crack development during the subsequent high-temperature SDA removal process. The cracks were effectively eliminated by the liquid phase chemical deposition method using tetramethoxysilane as the precursor for silica deposits. The modified membrane was extensively studied for H2, He, O2, N2, CO2, CH4, and i-C4H10 pure gas permeation and CO2/CH4 mixture separation. At 297 K and 2-bar feed gas pressure, the membrane achieved a CO2/CH4 separation factor of ~92 for a feed containing 90% CO2, which decreased to 62 for a feed containing 10% CO2 with the CO2 permeance virtually unchanged at ~1.8×10−7 mol/m2 s Pa regardless of the feed composition. It also exhibited an O2/N2 permselectivity of 1.8 at 297 K. The gas permeation behaviors of the current aluminum-containing DDR type zeolite membrane are generally in good agreement with the findings in both experimental and theoretical studies on the pure-silica DDR membranes in recent literature.
Retrospective study of the utility of 18F sodium fluoride PET bone scans in patients with thyroid cancer

2067 Objectives The objective of this study was perform a pilot study to evaluate the utility of 18F sodium fluoride (18F NaF PET) bone scans in altering the management of patients (pts) suspected of having bone metastases from thyroid cancer (TC). Methods A retrospective review was performed of all pts with TC and an 18F NaF PET bone scan performed at Washington Hospital Ctr from July 2011 to January 2012. Whole body 18F NaF PET scans were performed 1h after the injection of 444-555 MBq (12-15 mCi) of 18F NaF. The average number of bed positions was 20, and the time/bed position was 1.5 mins (legs) and 2.0 mins (trunk) with an average total scan time of 45 mins. Data submitted by referring physicians on the National Oncology PET Registry pre and post 18F NaF PET bone scan forms were used, and three parameters were assessed: elimination of noninvasive diagnostic testing, elimination of invasive procedures, and alteration of management as a result of the 18F NaF PET bone scan. Results Nine 18F NaF PET bone scans were performed in 9 pts with TC. Mean age was 69 yrs (range: 32-87) Gender: 7 women, 2 men; Histology: 4 papillary, 1 papillary-follicular variant, 1 follicular, 2 Hurthle cell, and 1 medullary. The mean for TSH, thyroglobulin (Tg), and anti-Tg antibodies were 27.5 (0.012-162.4) uIU/ml, 4547 ( 3000) IU/ml, respectively. All patients were given thyroid hormone suppression with either L-thyroxine or liothyronine. Of the 9 pts, noninvasive diagnostic test and invasive procedures were avoided in 7 and 5 pts, respectively. The management plan was altered in 6 pts including a decision to treat with 131I, external radiation therapy, and/or bisphosphonates in 4, perform a tissue biopsy in 1, and cancel a tissue biopsy in 1. Conclusions These preliminary data suggest that 18F NaF PET bone scans may eliminate additional noninvasive diagnostic testing in as many as 78% of pts, avoid invasive procedure in 56% of pts, and alter management in as many as 67% of pts with TC
Automated Control Module Based on VBM for Shipyard Welding Applications: Study Case on the Bug-O Matic Weaver Robot

In shipbuilding, welding is a key process. The present paper proposes a VBM (Vision-Based Measurement) system for the automation of intelligent robotic welding applications. The proposed system is based on a single CMOS camera as visual sensor, for the image acquisition, and a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) digital system, able to read the robot signals and adjust the weld pattern and welder equipment parameters in real time. The image processing and groove parameters extraction is performed using a standard computer. A full system prototype using a linear welding robot is presented. The evaluation of the VBM as a measuring equipment shows the approach capabilities.
Introduction: Cybersecurity

Enterprise security, often considered a burden for system administrators and users alike, is one of the most rapidly evolving areas of IT. The articles in this issue can help IT professionals who want to be intelligent providers or consumers of secure products and services.
Bactericidal action of streptomycin-penicillin mixtures in vitro.

SummaryUnder the experimental conditions used, definite synergism was noted in the bactericidal action of penicillin and streptomycin upon staphylococci and streptococci in vitro.
Lachemilla mexiquense (Rosaceae), a new species from Mexico

A new species of Lachemilla (Rosaceae), Lachemilla mexiquense D.F. Morales-B., from Mexico is described and illustrated. This species is similar to Lachemilla aphanoides by its tripartite leaves and glomerulate inflorescence with entirely glabrous flowers, but it differs by its stonoliferous habit, persistent basal leaves and basal stipules, and smaller flowers with a campanulate-elongate hypanthium and single carpel. A key to the species of Lachemilla in Mexico is provided.
Prevenção e reabilitação de desordens músculo-esqueléticas relacionadas ao trabalho: uma visão integrada para promoção

OBJETIVOS: Este artigo discute e ressalta a relacao entre a ergonomia e a fisioterapia do trabalho para evitar a segregacao e fragmentacao destas areas complementares de trabalho. METODO: Um modelo integrado de prevencao e reabilitacao de LER/DORT e discutido e esquematicamente apresentado. RESULTADOS: Os profissionais envolvidos na prevencao de lesoes ocupacionais devem encarar a reabilitacao das LER/DORT como prevencao de incapacidade para o trabalho - prevencao secundaria. Enquanto que os profissionais da reabilitacao devem encarar a prevencao primaria das LER/DORT como reabilitacao com enfoque no ambiente e sistema de trabalho ao inves de reabilitacao com enfoque no paciente/trabalhador. CONCLUSOES: Acredita-se que esta conduta resultara em maior sucesso no gerenciamento das LER/DORT que atualmente afetam tantos trabalhadores e sobrecarregam o sistema previdenciario.
The effect of toddler emotion regulation on maternal emotion socialization: Moderation by toddler gender.

Emotion regulation and emotion socialization are crucial and formative emotional processes that have been found to influence both individual socioemotional outcomes in children as well as the quality of parent-child relationships (Eisenberg, Fabes, & Murphy, 1996; Malatesta-Magai, 1989). Children’s emotion regulation has been most frequently studied as an outcome of maternal behavior (Morris et al., 2002; Shipman & Zeman, 2001; Eisenberg et al. 2001) or as a predictor of children’s own outcomes (Cole, Zahn-Waxler, Fox, Usher, & Welsh, 1996; Eisenberg et al., 1997; Walden, Lemerise, & Smith, 1999). Its role as a predictor of maternal behavior remains understudied. Relatedly, although maternal emotion socialization has been studied as a predictor of child outcomes (Eisenberg, Fabes, Carlo, & Karbon, 1992; Eisenberg et al., 1996), children’s effects on emotion socialization remain largely unknown. Given recent support for transactional models of development, it is important to investigate child-driven effects between these emotion processes. By examining toddler emotion regulation at age 2 as a predictor of maternal emotion socialization at age 3 longitudinally, the current study contributes to the growing literature on how children affect the parenting they receive, specifically within the realm of emotional processes. Furthermore, toddler gender provides an important context in which to understand parent-child interactions, as parents respond to boys’ and girls’ emotions (and potentially their regulation behaviors) differently (Eisenberg et al., 2001; Fivush & Buckner, 2000), so we consider toddler gender as a moderator of this predictive relation.
NORMAL LIMITS OF HEART-TO-MEDIASTINUM RATIO (HMR) OF I-123 MIBG UPTAKE QUANTIFIED FROM HIGH-SENSITIVITY (HS) AND HIGH-RESOLUTION (HR) SPECT/CT

Assessment of I-123 MIBG uptake usually relies on HMR based on 2-D planar imaging. While the more quantitative 3-D SPECT approach to MIBG may provide more precise risk stratification, lower limit of normal (LLN) of HMR derived from HS and HR SPECT is unknown. We have developed a new SPECT
The NIH Stroke Scale Has Limited Utility in Accurate Daily Monitoring of Neurologic Status

Background and Purpose:The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is rapid and reproducible, a seemingly attractive metric for the documentation of clinical progress in patients presenti...
SP0243 The Microbiome as Determinant for Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease

Humans and other mammals are not (and have never been) alone. From the moment we are born, millions of microorganisms populate our bodies and coexist with us rather peacefully for the rest of our lives. This massive anitgenic load derived from microorganisms (and their genomes) define the human microbiome. Micro-organisms living in or on us have evolved to extract the energy they require to survive, and in exchange they support the physiological, nutritional, metabolic and immune functions that have contributed to our evolutionary success. Although currently categorized as autoimmune disorders and regarded as complex genetic disease, the ultimate cause of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthirits (PsA), and related conditions remain elusive. It seems that interplay between predisposing genetic factors and environmental triggers is required for disease manifestations. New insights from DNA sequence- based analyses of gut and skin microbial communities and a renewed interest in mucosal immunology suggest that the microbiome represents an important environmental factor that can modulate inflammation and autoimmune disease manifestations. Multiple animal models and novel human studies suggest a possible role for a disruption in the microbiome composition (dysbiosis) in the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis, presumably through activation of proinflammatory T-cells via antigenic molecules and/or bacterial-derived metabolites. Disclosure of Interest None declared
What explains patterns of species richness? The relative importance of climatic-niche evolution, morphological evolution, and ecological limits in salamanders.

A major goal of evolutionary biology and ecology is to understand why species richness varies among clades. Previous studies have suggested that variation in richness among clades might be related to variation in rates of morphological evolution among clades (e.g., body size and shape). Other studies have suggested that richness patterns might be related to variation in rates of climatic-niche evolution. However, few studies, if any, have tested the relative importance of these variables in explaining patterns of richness among clades. Here, we test their relative importance among major clades of Plethodontidae, the most species-rich family of salamanders. Earlier studies have suggested that climatic-niche evolution explains patterns of diversification among plethodontid clades, whereas rates of morphological evolution do not. A subsequent study stated that rates of morphological evolution instead explained patterns of species richness among plethodontid clades (along with “ecological limits” on richness of clades, leading to saturation of clades with species, given limited resources). However, they did not consider climatic-niche evolution. Using phylogenetic multiple regression, we show that rates of climatic-niche evolution explain most variation in richness among plethodontid clades, whereas rates of morphological evolution do not. We find little evidence that ecological limits explain patterns of richness among plethodontid clades. We also test whether rates of morphological and climatic-niche evolution are correlated, and find that they are not. Overall, our results help explain richness patterns in a major amphibian group and provide possibly the first test of the relative importance of climatic niches and morphological evolution in explaining diversity patterns.
Fuzzy context-specific intention inference for robotic caregiving:

To provide timely and appropriate assistance, robots must have the capability of proactively understanding a user’s personal needs, the so-called human intention inference. In human–human interacti...
Cooperative learning in organic chemistry increases student assessment of learning gains in key transferable skills

Science and engineering educators and employers agree that students should graduate from college with expertise in their major subject area as well as the skills and competencies necessary for productive participation in diverse work environments. These competencies include problem-solving, communication, leadership, and collaboration, among others. Using a pseudo-experimental design, and employing a variety of data from exam scores, course evaluations, and student assessment of learning gains (SALG) surveys of key competencies, we compared the development of both chemistry content knowledge and transferable or generic skills among students enrolled in two types of large classes: a lecture-based format versus an interactive, constructive, cooperative learning (flipped classroom) format. Controlling for instructor, as well as laboratory and recitation content, students enrolled in the cooperative learning format reported higher learning gains than the control group in essential transferable skills and competency areas at the end of the term, and more growth in these areas over the course of the term. As a result of their work in the class, the two groups of students reported the most significant differences in their gains in the following areas: “interacting productively to solve problems with a diverse group of classmates,” “behaving as an effective leader,” “behaving as an effective teammate,” and “comfort level working with complex ideas.” Our findings clearly show that cooperative learning course designs allow students to practice and develop the transferable skills valued by employers.
A Canary in the Coal Mine: Reproductive Health and Cardiovascular Disease in Women.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in women in the United States. Compared with age-matched men, premenopausal women are protected against CVD, yet this difference dissipates after menopause. Hypogonadism underlies the shared increased CVD risk seen in menopause, primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Early menarche and PCOS have also been associated with CVD risk factors, highlighting the importance of mediators other than deficient estrogen in the underlying etiology of this female-specific increased risk. Pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm delivery are also associated with subsequent CV disease and offer early opportunities for the identification of risk. Preliminary evidence suggests a common underlying vascular pathology for ovarian aging and pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia. Research is needed to understand the shared pathophysiology of these female-specific risk factors for CVD and target interventions to change outcomes.