cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Systems, science, and schools

The Systems Thinking and Curriculum innovation Network (STACIN) Project is a multiyear implementation and research effort intended to examine the impact of a systems thinking approach using mulation modeling software. The purpose of the project is test the potential and effects of using are technology-based oproach in pre-college curricula as teach problem-soliving skills as well as content-specific knowledge.
Acceptance of hepatitis B vaccine by Rhode Island dental practitioners

A questionnaire survey of 575 dentists practicing in Rhode Island in March 1983 disclosed minimal acceptance of the hepatitis B vaccine. A total of 162 practicing dentists returned the questionnaire; only 23 general practitioners and nine specialists had received the first of the three required doses of the vaccine. The most frequently stated reasons for not receiving the vaccine were that the dentists were concerned about potential long-term side effects, including AIDS and Guillain-Barre syndrome, and wanted further information about the vaccine. It appears that a more intensive professional education program is needed if dental practitioners are to accept hepatitis B vaccine.
Quantum Field Theories with Degenerate Lagrangians

An algebraic approach is presented to the problem of setting up quantum field theory for classical fields with degenerate Lagrangians. To this end, an algebraic generalization of Dirac's formalism of Poisson brackets with constraints is developed.
Quantitative microstructure maps for restrained directional growth

Solidification morphology is affected by restraining the volume in which growth may occur. Such conditions occur during the solidification processing of composite materials. Microstructure maps are developed in this article to show the dominant fields of different morphologies which are expected during growth. Both wetting and non-wetting walls are considered. Tip temperatures of restrained solidification morphologies are additionally discussed.
Messenger RNA for neuropeptide Y in the arcuate nucleus increases in parallel with plasma adrenocorticotropin during sepsis in the rat

Loss of appetite occurs in the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model of sepsis in conjunction with the activation of central neural stress pathways. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus is upregulated by several stressors and is stimulatory to feeding. To examine the response of NPY messenger RNA in the arcuate nucleus to sepsis, we used biotinylated RNA probes and a quantitative non-isotopic in situ hybridization approach in cryo-preserved sections from rats made septic by CLP. The mRNA in arcuate neurons was upregulated from the first day after CLP. By the afternoon of the third day through the morning of the fourth day, the average grey level of NPY mRNA clusters was 30% greater after CLP than after sham surgery (P<0.05), and the integrated optical density based on both the grey level and the amount of area with detectable mRNA was 60% greater after CLP than after sham surgery (P<0.03). Both the average grey level and area with detectable staining were positively correlated to plasma ACTH (r=0.953 and 0.917, respectively, n=10 and P<0.01 in each case). Thus sepsis increases the expression of the mRNA for NPY in the arcuate nucleus in proportion to the magnitude of the stress response. However, the suppression of feeding behavior in the CLP model suggests that sepsis activates additional mechanisms that negate the orexigenic contribution of the neuronal increase in NPY mRNA.
Onboard tagging for smart medical devices

Most medical devices are ‘dumb:’ their role is to acquire, display, and forward data. They make few if any operational decisions based on those data. Onboard tagging is a means whereby a device can embed information about itself, its data, and the sensibility of those data into its data stream. This diagnostic add-on offers a move toward ‘smart’ devices that will have the ability to affect changes in operational modes based on onboard contextual decision making, such as decisions to avoid needless wireless transmission of corrupt data. This paper presents a description of three types of onboard tags that relate to device hardware (type I tag), signal statistics (type II tag), and signal viability for the intended application (type III tag). A custom wireless pulse oximeter is presented as a use case to show how type II and III tags that convey photoplethysmogram (PPG) statistics and usability specifiers can be calculated and embedded into the data stream without degrading performance.
A Distributed Trust Evaluation Model for Wireless Mobile Sensor Networks

The high-level contribution of this paper is the design and development of a distributed trust evaluation model for data aggregation in mobile sensor networks whose topology changes dynamically with time due to the movement of sensor nodes. Each sensor node maintains an estimate of the trust score of each of its neighbor nodes, based on the beacon data gathered in the neighborhood. Once the estimated trust score for a neighbor node falls below a threshold, the sensor node "locally" classifies its neighbor node as a "Compromised or Faulty" (CF) node. An intermediate node in the data gathering tree discards the aggregated data or individual data received from a child node that the former has classified as a CF node and does not further forward the data up the tree. This way, the erroneous data generated by the CF nodes could be filtered at various levels of the data gathering tree and are prevented from reaching the root node (sink node). We have assessed the effectiveness of our trust evaluation model through a comprehensive simulation study. We observe stability-based data gathering trees to be more suitable to assess the trust levels of the nodes. We also observe that other operating parameters like trust buffer size (the size of the buffer that stores the raw trust scores), transmission range of the sensor nodes, the history weight (importance to be given to the trust scores assessed during the previous associations) and the trust threshold score play a significant role in effectively detecting the presence of CF nodes as well as in reducing the extent to which the aggregated data gets corrupted during its propagation up the data gathering tree.
Binocular Shape Reconstruction

A similarity structure (shape) of a 3-D object can be reconstructed from two perspective views of the object obtained by a calibrated camera. One of the best-known methods for performing such a reconstruction is the 8-point algorithm. To evaluate the psychological plausibility of this algorithm, we compared its performance to that of human subjects in a task of binocular shape reconstruction. Results show that the reconstructions produced by the 8-point algorithm are substantially less accurate than those produced by human subjects. We then modified the 8-point algorithm by incorporating natural constraints that are present in human binocular vision. Specifically, the new algorithm simulates a fixating system with no torsion. The performance of this algorithm is more robust in the presence of noise compared to that of the 8-point algorithm and is similar to the performance of human subjects.
Automated misspelling detection and correction in clinical free-text records

Display Omitted We develop a spelling correction system for medical text.Our dictionaries include both internal and external resources.We use a noisy channel model to select the most probable correction.We evaluate our system's performance on misspelling detection and correction.The system achieves good performance on a variety of clinical documents. Accurate electronic health records are important for clinical care and research as well as ensuring patient safety. It is crucial for misspelled words to be corrected in order to ensure that medical records are interpreted correctly. This paper describes the development of a spelling correction system for medical text. Our spell checker is based on Shannon's noisy channel model, and uses an extensive dictionary compiled from many sources. We also use named entity recognition, so that names are not wrongly corrected as misspellings. We apply our spell checker to three different types of free-text data: clinical notes, allergy entries, and medication orders; and evaluate its performance on both misspelling detection and correction. Our spell checker achieves detection performance of up to 94.4% and correction accuracy of up to 88.2%. We show that high-performance spelling correction is possible on a variety of clinical documents.
The effect of various levels of lysine infused intraperitoneally on mohair quality and nitrogen metabolism in Angora goats

Nutritional manipulation of mohair quality was investigated by measuring the effects of various intraperitoneal lysine doses on mohair quality and N metabolism in 18 mature Angora wethers. Animals were infused intraperitoneally with lysine (0, 1.18, 2.23, 3.35, 4.67 or 5.92 g day−1) for 28 days. Lysine infusion decreased linearly the percentage of fibers that were medullated (R = 0.30; P = 0.0006). Fiber diameter (R = 0.16; P > 0.10) was not affected. However, several metabolic changes were observed when the highest doses (4.67 and 5.92 g) of lysine were infused, which may be indicative of an amino acid imbalance or toxicity. Plasma lysine concentrations increased quadratically (R = 0.51; P 0.10) by lysine infusion. Plasma urea was elevated (linear: P < 0.015). The percentage of medullated fibers decreased linearly with increasing lysine content of the infusate. The infusate also caused accumulation of plasma lysine at infusions greater than 4.7 g lysine day−1.
Dengue: setting the global research agenda.

The global incidence of dengue has increased exponentially over past decades. Fuelled by conditioning factors such as rapid urbanisation demographic change large-scale migration and travel the disease is now endemic in most countries of the tropics and about 925 million people now live in urban areas that are at risk of dengue infection. The increasing incidence intensity and geographical expansion of dengue epidemics pose a growing threat to the health and economic well-being of populations living in endemic areas where the introduction of new virus strains to regions affected by existing serotypes is a risk factor for outbreaks and severe disease. Dengue is a major international public-health concern as expressed in World Health Assembly resolution WHA 55.17 and in the 2005 revision of the International Health Regulations (WHA 58.3). We do have strategies methods and guidelines with which we can greatly reduce dengue case-fatality rates and virus transmission but weak implementation of these plans and an inability to respond effectively to conditioning factors (such as those mentioned above) outside the health sector is causing concern. (excerpt)
The Logic of Diagnosis: Peirce, Literary Narrative, and the History of Present Illness

This essay presents a theoretical construct upon which to base a working--"pragmatic"--definition of the History of Present Illness (HPI). The major thesis of this essay is that analysis of both the logic of hypothesis formation and literary narrative--especially detective stories--facilitates understanding of the diagnostic process. The essay examines three elements necessary to a successful development of a patient's HPI: the logic of hypothesis formation, based upon the work of the philosopher-logician, Charles Sanders Peirce; the organization of knowledge in relation to structures of narrative; and the feedback necessary to the successful physician-interviewer. It concludes with a systematic description of the design of hypothesis formation within diagnoses.
Differential expression of MUC1 on transfected cell lines influences its recognition by MUC1 specific T cells

In adenocarcinomas of the breast and pancreas, underglycosylation of the glycoprotein MUC1, also expressed by normal breast and pancreatic ductal epithelial cells, results in new protein epitopes to which the immune system mounts a cytotoxic T cell response. This cytotoxic immune response is directed primarily against epitopes on the tandem repeat domain of MUC1, and is unconventional in that it is major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-unrestricted. It is therefore necessary to investigate the molecular basis of this immune response in order to enhance and optimize it for immune therapy purposes. In the present study, we characterize new MUC1 transfected human lymphoblastoid cell lines C1R and T2, and a pig kidney epithelial line LLC-PK1, that express MUC1 with either two repeats (MUC1–2R) or 22 repeats (MUC1–22R), and use them as stimulators and targets for cytotoxic T cells (CTL)in vitro. We show that MUC1–2R is processed and glycosylated similarly to MUC1–22R. In contrast to MUC1–22R, MUC1–2R is not recognized by CTL on T2 and C1R cells known for no or low MHC class I expression. It is however recognized when expressed at high density on xenogeneic LLC-PK1 cells. We propose that in MHC-unrestricted recognition, a large number of MUC1 epitopes is necessary to effectively engage the T cell receptor, and that in the presence of a low number of epitopes, engagement of the CD8 co-receptor by MHC class I molecules may be required for completing the signal through the T cell receptor.
Inducible gene expression from defective herpes simplex virus vectors using the tetracycline-responsive promoter system

Herpes simplex virus-based amplicon vectors have been used for gene transfer into cultured neurons and the adult CNS. Since constitutive expression of a foreign gene or overexpression of an endogenous gene may have deleterious effects, the ability to control temporal expression would be advantageous. To achieve inducible gene expression, we have incorporated the tetracycline-responsive promoter system into amplicon vectors and showed, both in vitro and in vivo, that expression can be modulated by tetracycline. Using the firefly luciferase as the reporter gene, maximal repression by tetracycline in hippocampal cultures was about 50-fold. Withdrawal of tetracycline derepressed gene expression, reaching maximal levels within 10-12 h. In contrast, addition of tetracycline to cultures without prior tetracycline exposure inhibited gene expression rapidly; luciferase activity was reduced to less than 8% within 24 h. In adult rat hippocampus, vectors expressing luciferase or the Escherichia coli lacZ were repressed by tetracycline 9- and 60-fold, respectively. Maximum gene expression from the vectors occurred 2-3 days post-infection and declined thereafter. Such decline impeded further induction of expression by withdrawing tetracycline. This study demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating a powerful inducible promoter system into HSV vectors. The development of such an inducible viral vector system for gene transfer into the adult CNS might prove to be of experimental and therapeutic value.
An intelligent video framework for homeland protection

This paper presents an overview of Intelligent Video work currently under development at the GE Global Research Center and other research institutes. The image formation process is discussed in terms of illumination, methods for automatic camera calibration and lessons learned from machine vision. A variety of approaches for person detection are presented. Crowd segmentation methods enabling the tracking of individuals through dense environments such as retail and mass transit sites are discussed. It is shown how signature generation based on gross appearance can be used to reacquire targets as they leave and enter disjoint fields of view. Camera calibration information is used to further constrain the detection of people and to synthesize a top-view, which fuses all camera views into a composite representation. It is shown how site-wide tracking can be performed in this unified framework. Human faces are an important feature as both a biometric identifier and as a method for determining the focus of attention via head pose estimation. It is shown how automatic pan-tilt- zoom control; active shape/appearance models and super-resolution methods can be used to enhance the face capture and analysis problem. A discussion of additional features that can be used for inferring intent is given. These include body-part motion cues and physiological phenomena such as thermal images of the face.
Extending the Mann–Whitney–Wilcoxon rank sum test to longitudinal regression analysis

Outliers are commonly observed in psychosocial research, generally resulting in biased estimates when comparing group differences using popular mean-based models such as the analysis of variance model. Rank-based methods such as the popular Mann–Whitney–Wilcoxon (MWW) rank sum test are more effective to address such outliers. However, available methods for inference are limited to cross-sectional data and cannot be applied to longitudinal studies under missing data. In this paper, we propose a generalized MWW test for comparing multiple groups with covariates within a longitudinal data setting, by utilizing the functional response models. Inference is based on a class of U-statistics-based weighted generalized estimating equations, providing consistent and asymptotically normal estimates not only under complete but missing data as well. The proposed approach is illustrated with both real and simulated study data.
A Study of the Effect of Surface Metalization on Thermal Conductivity Measurements by the Transient Thermo-Reflectance Method

This work is a numerical and experimental investigation of the effect of the use of a metallic absorption layer on the laser-based measurements of the thermal conductivity of dielectric, semiconductor and highly-conductive materials. The specific experimental studies, which were carried out on silicon dioxide samples, were used to validate the numerical approach and to support the findings of this investigation. The numerical and supporting experimental results reveal the presence of behaviors associated with thermally thin and thermally thick absorption layers. depending on the ratio between the thickness of the absorption layer and the heat penetration depth. It is concluded that the TTR method performs optimally when the thickness of the metalization layer falls in the transition range between the identified thermally thin and thermally thick layers.
Multiprocessor silicon photonic interconnects: a systems perspective

The high bandwidth density and low power consumption characteristics of silicon photonics devices can provide a high performance interconnect solution for multiprocessor systems. At the same time this technology also poses a new set of constraints and challenges in architecting, designing, and integrating such systems. The "macrochip" multiprocessor architecture leverages a photonically interconnected array of processor and/or memory chips to provide a flexible platform to build heterogeneous systems. The design considerations for such a system are influenced largely by the system architecture, the programming model and devices needed for their implementation. This talk will first describe the macrochip platform, technology constraints and potential interconnect solutions with the various device building blocks. Then it will present some topology choices that range from a WDM point-to-point interconnect to more complex switched data channel networks. It will close with a detailed analysis of these design choices and show the impact of the device constraints on performance and power consumption along with some recent ultra-low power device implementation results.
Single-chain scattering in heterogeneous block copolymers

Abstract Diblock copolymers consisting of polystyrene (S) attached to a polybutadiene (B) block (which is either hydrogenous or perdeuterated) have been synthesized and blended in such a way that the microphase-separated S and B domains have equal scattering-length densities, thus eliminating the component of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) due to the domain structure. Two samples were studied: one with small spherical polybutadiene microdomains whose size was in essential agreement with calculations assuming equilibrium, and a second one of larger molecular weight in which the sphere size, while larger, was considerably smaller than predicted from equilibrium theory. The SANS spectra of these samples were analysed to give the radii of gyration R g and molecular weights M w of the labelled polybutadiene blocks from plots of I −1 versus Q 2 and least-square fits to the single-chain scattering function proposed by Debye. Results for the first sample agreed with the molecular weight obtained from chromatography and u.v. absorption and with the R g found in bulk polybutadiene of similar M w . The SANS estimates of both M w and R g for the second sample were anomallously large; these deviations may be due to (a) non-Gaussian conformations of the polybutadiene chains imposed by the nonequilibrium state of the microdomain, or (b) clustering of the deuterated polybutadiene chains within the microdomain due to small isotopic differences in chemical potential, enhanced by the larger M w . Observations on other systems suggest that the second effect is the dominant one.
Use of job aid to promote systematic search under different levels of task complexity

Job aids of various kinds have improved visual-inspection performance. In particular, these job aids include a dynamic pointer that traces a systematic scan path across a search field. The efficacy of this specific job aid, however, has only been verified under a limited set of conditions. Moreover, the effectiveness of this job aid is a function of the speed of the pointer. Thus, it remains to be determined what pointer speeds will yield the best performances under a wide range of conditions. These conditions are defined here by four of the following task-complexity factors: background density, fault rate, target conspicuity, and fault mix; the performance measure used is search accuracy. In general, increasing either the speed of the cursor or task complexity degraded accuracy, and the optimal pointer speed was specific to the conditions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative electromyographic response to therapy for myo-oral facial pain: A pilot study

In this pilot report, four of the five patients in the myofascial pain dysfunction group reported subjective improvement after 6 weeks of therapy, concomitant with a statistically significant decrease in integrated EMG Hz values in the clenched jaw position. Our results agree with those of other investigators who demonstrated a positive contribution by masticatory EMG data to confirm and quantify objectively the subjective symptoms.
The impact of a suspicious prostate biopsy on patients’ psychological, socio-behavioral, and medical care outcomes

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the psychological, socio-behavioral, and medical implications of apparently false-positive prostate cancer screening results.
Further studies of diabetes-prone BHE/Cdb rats: increased sensitivity to calcium ion suppression of oxidative phosphorylation

Abstract The responsiveness of hepatic mitochondria isolated from hyperthyroid and control Sprague-Dawley (SD) and diabetes-prone BHE/Cdb rats was studied. Hyperthyroidism was induced through the addition of thyroxine (T 4 ) to the diet (2 mg/kg of diet). Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) with the addition of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) or an 8:1 mixture of adenosine monophosphate (AMP):ADP was studied. Dose response curves of state 3 and state 4 respiration, respiratory control (RC) ratio, and ADP:O ratio to calcium levels (0–7.5 μm) were generated. Mitochondria from BHE/Cdb rats were more sensitive to the addition of calcium than mitochondria from SD rats, as judged by losses in OXPHOS. T 4 treatment potentiated this strain difference and we conclude that the diabetes phenotype in the BHE/Cdb rat is probably related not only to the previously described mutation in the F O ATPase but also to a defect in the efflux of the calcium ion that, in turn, affected the regulation of OXPHOS.
TEST OF FUNDAMENTAL SYMMETRY PRINCIPLES AT A ϕ FACTORY

We describe the tests of various symmetry principles at a ϕ factory. The most important new tests will be for the validity of CPT invariance at an extremely sensitive level. We indicate the current level of model independent limitation on CPT violation. Tests of new gravity interactions as well as CP violation in various K decays are described as well as some interest in new probes of quantum mechanics. A brief description of the Frascati, Novosibirsk and UCLA ϕ factory designs are also given.
Hepatic outflow occlusion in laparoscopic hepatectomy

Background The application of laparoscopic techniques to major hepatic resection has been limited by the risk of hepatic vein laceration leading to massive bleeding or gas embolism. A balloon catheter has therefore been designed to occlude hepatic vein flow during experimental laparoscopic hepatectomy. Methods The procedure was attempted in 8 pigs weighing around 50 kg and submitted to laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy. A specially designed balloon catheter was inserted via the femoral vein and advanced into the retrohepatic segment of inferior vena cava (IVC). After inflation of the balloon with 17ml contrast, angiography confirmed complete occlusion of this segment, while a central rigid channel allowed passage of blood from IVC to right atrium. Haemodynamic studies were performed during resection of the left and left paramedial lobes of the liver, which was completed laparoscopically using ultrasonic coagulating shears and vascular linear staplers. Results Inflation of the balloon reduced mean arterial pressure to 75–79% and central venous pressure to 29–42% of baseline values, while cardiac output also fell (to 69–73% of basal). IVC blood flow decreased to 58% and hepatic venous flow to only 16% of pre-inflation values. Left hemihepatectomy was successfully achieved by the laparoscopic route in all 8 animals with a mean balloon inflation time of 30 min and blood loss of 166 ml. Haemodynamic indices returned to normal after deflation of the balloon at the end of the resection. Discussion This preliminary study shows that hepatic venous outflow can be occluded by this special balloon catheter and that animals can tolerate the associated haemodynamic disturbance. Similar techniques in man might permit major hepatectomy to be safely achieved by a laparoscopic approach.
Introduction to Symposium on “Critical Legal Histories”: Robert W. Gordon. 1984. Critical Legal Histories. Stanford Law Review 36:57–125

This introduction to a symposium on Robert Gordon's classic article “Critical Legal Histories” (1984) suggests that the article should be read in the first instance as a response to the distinctive historical and jurisprudential currents of the 1980s, even as it also remains a work that continues to challenge legal historians working today, a generation later.
Self‐Reported Sleep Disorder Symptoms in Epilepsy

Three groups of adult epileptic subjects with simple partial, complex partial, and generalized seizures and normal control subjects completed a brief self-report sleep questionnaire. The simple partial and complex partial groups indicated significantly more sleep disorder symptoms, especially frequent night awakenings. The generalized group was most similar to the controls. Irrespective of seizure type, the epileptic patients with the most frequent seizures also had the most sleep disturbances. Sleep disorder symptoms did not increase with age in the seizure groups. It would thus seem that epileptic patients with partial seizures and those with more frequent seizures are at risk for developing sleep disorders.
Neuropsychological Abilities of Children with Epilepsy

One hundred eighteen epileptic children, aged 6-15 years, underwent detailed neuropsychological testing including the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised and the age-appropriate Halstead-Reitan battery. Eight had classical absence seizures only, eight had classic absence seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures, 30 had generalized tonic-clonic seizures only, 31 had partial seizures only, 20 had partial seizures and generalized seizures, 15 had atypical absence seizures, and five had minor motor seizures. A control group of 100 children without seizures, matched to the general population for intelligence and matched to the seizure cases for age, underwent identical testing. The Wechsler full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) of cases was significantly (p = 0.01) lower than that of controls and was related to seizure type. Children with minor motor or atypical absence seizures had the lowest average FSIQ (70 and 74, respectively). All seizure types were associated with below-control intelligence except classic absence only. Intelligence was also correlated with degree of seizure control. A highly significant inverse correlation between years with seizures and intelligence was found (p less than 0.0001). A rating of neuropsychological impairment, derived from all measures of brain function, was assigned to each child. Epileptic children had significantly more impairment than controls (p less than 0.0001). Children with seizures had been placed in special education or had repeated a grade in school almost twice as frequently as controls (p less than 0.001). Even though often placed in a class of younger children, their academic achievement was behind grade placement more often than in controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Photocatalytic inactivation of viruses using titanium dioxide nanoparticles and low-pressure UV light

The carcinogenic potential of chlorine disinfection by-products and recent changes in water quality regulations have led to a greater emphasis on alternative disinfection mechanisms. In this study, the efficacy of bench-scale and pilot-scale titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) photocatalytic disinfection was explored using four bacteriophages (MS2, PRD1, phi-X174, and fr). The optimized bench-scale experiments indicated that 1 mg/L of Degussa P25 TiO(2) irradiated by low-pressure ultraviolet (UV) light reduced the dose requirements for viral inactivation in comparison to UV light alone. The highest UV dose reductions for 4-log inactivation of PRD1, MS2, phi-X174, and fr were 19%, 15%, 6%, and 0%, respectively. Bench-scale photocatalysis was inhibited by limited adsorption of the viruses onto the TiO(2) nanoparticles, as indicated by the poor results for high TiO(2) concentrations. Subsequently, pilot-scale experiments were completed using the Photo-Cat Lab from Purifics. The annular reactor configuration and increased viral adsorption dramatically improved photocatalytic inactivation for samples with high TiO(2) concentrations. Using the Photo-Cat Lab, 2-log inactivation of the bacteriophages was achieved with 400 mg/L of Degussa P25 TiO(2) and a UV dose of approximately 34 mJ/cm(2) (energy consumption of 0.33 kWh/m(3))-a 700-fold decrease in energy use compared to bench-scale photocatalysis.
Multicomponent treatment for blood-injury-injection phobia in a young man with mental retardation

Blood-Injury-Injection Phobia (BIIP) is a subtype of specific phobia, characterized by fear and avoidance of seeing blood, an injury, or receiving an injection. In the current case report, we describe the treatment of BIIP in a young man with mental retardation. The multicomponent treatment consisted of fading (graduated exposure), modeling, noncontingent and differential reinforcement, presession anxiolytic medication, and topical analgesic cream.
Transient Down-regulation of NMDA Receptor Subunit Gene Expression in the Rat Retina Following NMDA-induced Neurotoxicity is Attenuated in the Presence of the Non-competitive NMDA Receptor Antagonist MK-801

Abstract Excitotoxic challenge has been thought to directly target NMDA-receptive neurons to undergo cell death. Recent evidence suggests that NMDA induced cell death is a selective process and that the specificity may be determined by the subunit composition of the NMDA receptor. Using a rat retinal model, we examined the effects of NMDA induced neurotoxicity on the regulation of NMDA receptor subunit gene and protein expression levels to determine if excitotoxic challenge preferentially regulates one or more of the NMDA receptor subunits. Following NMDA insult, the mRNA levels for NR1com , NR2A, NR2B and, to a lesser extent, the NR2C subunit were substantially reduced within 24 hr post-treatment (PT), and remained depressed for up to 48 hr. Levels for NR2D, although initially suppressed as early as 6 hr-PT, were least affected by NMDA insult and showed almost full recovery by 48 hr. By 10 days, the levels of gene expression for all five subunits recovered to levels that were indistinguishable from sham treated and untreated retinas. Co-administration of MK-801 with NMDA suppressed the effects of NMDA-induced down-regulation of all five genes. Protein levels for NR1com , NR2A and NR2B were also monitored at select time points following NMDA-insult. By 2 days-PT, protein levels for the three subunits were dramatically reduced. By day 10, the levels of protein expression for NR1comand NR2B remained suppressed despite the rise in gene expression for these two subunits, whereas protein for NR2A showed a substantial rise in expression. Of the five genes assayed, NR2A and NR2B showed the greatest reduction in expression following NMDA treatment, suggesting that one or both of these subunit may signal events leading to neuronal cell death in the retina. Conversely, gene expression of the NR2D subunit was least affected by NMDA exposure. In view of the evidence that the NR2D subunit is expressed by rod bipolar cells in the rat and that these neurons do not die following NMDA insult, it appears that inclusion of this subunit into functional receptors may provide protection against NMDA-induced cell death. Although the significance of the transient down-regulation of four out of the five NMDA receptor subunits is still not fully understood, the recovery of expression of these genes by day 10-PT indicates that not all of the NMDA receptive neurons are susceptible to NMDA-induced cell death. The preferential down-regulation of the NR2A and NR2B receptor subunits may implicate these subunits as key players in mediating the excitotoxic signal in the retina and possibly elsewhere in the brain.
Self-weighing in weight gain prevention and weight loss trials

Background: Although self-monitoring is a central tenet of behavioral approaches to changing health behavior, clinical and public health recommendations for better controlling body weight do not emphasize weight self-monitoring. Purpose: The objective was to determine whether more frequent self-weighing exerts a positive influence on weight loss or weight gain prevention. Methods: This study examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between self-weighing frequency and weight in two distinct groups: 1,226 adults who were enrolled in a weight gain prevention trial, and 1,800 adults who were enrolled in a weight loss trial. Results: Although the samples differed significantly in weight and baseline demographic characteristics, the distribution of baseline weighing frequencies did not differ by study. In both groups, more frequent self-weighing at baseline was associated with greater age, lower fat intake, White ethnicity, current nonsmoking status, a greater history of dieting to lose weight, and lower current body mass index. Despite similar weighing instructions, differential patterns of weighing frequency over time were observed: Weight loss dieters increased weighing over time regardless of treatment group (control or intervention), whereas weight gain preventers decreased weighing over time in the control group and increased weighing over time in intervention groups. Most important, higher weighing frequency was associated with greater 24month weight loss or less weight gain. Conclusions: Results support the idea that daily weighing is valuable to individuals trying to lose weight or prevent weight gain. Daily self-weighing should be emphasized in clinical and public health messages about weight control. Experimental studies on the effects of weighing frequency in these contexts are recommended.
Observations on discretization errors in twisted-mass lattice QCD

I make a number of observations concerning discretization errors in twisted-mass lattice QCD that can be deduced by applying chiral perturbation theory including lattice artifacts. (1) The line along which the partially conserved axial current quark mass vanishes in the untwisted-mass--twisted-mass plane makes an angle to the twisted-mass axis which is a direct measure of $O(a)$ terms in the chiral Lagrangian, and is found numerically to be large; (2) Numerical results for pionic quantities in the mass plane show the qualitative properties predicted by chiral perturbation theory, in particular, an asymmetry in slopes between positive and negative untwisted quark masses; (3) By extending the description of the ``Aoki regime'' (where ${m}_{q}\ensuremath{\sim}{a}^{2}{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}_{\mathrm{QCD}}^{3}$) to next-to-leading order in chiral perturbation theory I show how the phase-transition lines and lines of maximal twist (using different definitions) extend into this region, and give predictions for the functional form of pionic quantities; (4) I argue that the recent claim that lattice artifacts at maximal twist have apparent infrared singularities in the chiral limit results from expanding about the incorrect vacuum state. Shifting to the correct vacuum (as can be done using chiral perturbation theory) the apparent singularities are summed into nonsingular, and furthermore predicted, forms. I further argue that there is no breakdown in the Symanzik expansion in powers of lattice spacing, and no barrier to simulating at maximal twist in the Aoki regime.
The transformation of ethnographic practice: past and current challenges

Ethnographic research design was virtually unknown in American educational research until the 1970s. Only in the late 1980s was it recognized by leading professional educational research associatio...
Effect of Moisture on the Elastic Modulus and Interfacial Adhesion of Polymer-Metal Components in Microelectronic Assemblies

Moisture poses a significant threat to the reliability of microelectronic assemblies and can be attributed as being one of the principal causes of many premature package failures. It is a multi-dimensional concern in electronic packaging, having an adverse effect on package reliability by changing both the mechanical properties and interfacial adhesion of the microelectronic assembly. In this paper, a study has been conducted to evaluate the moisture-induced degradation of both the elastic modulus of a commercially available no-flow underfill and the interfacial adhesion of the underfill to a copper alloy substrate. Three different levels of moisture preconditioning, 85C/50%RH, 85C/65%RH, and 85C/85RH%, were implemented in this study. Diffusion coefficient test specimens were constructed to experimentally measure the moisture diffusivity into the underfill resin and obtain the moisture saturation concentration for each level of moisture preconditioning. Flexural bend test specimens were made to characterize the effect of moisture on the elastic modulus of the underfill adhesive. Last, interfacial fracture toughness specimens with prefabricated interface cracks were used in a four point bending test to quantify the effect of moisture on interfacial fracture toughness. The results of this study will aid in the development of more robust microelectronic assemblies, demonstrating how both the elastic modulus and interfacial toughness change as a function of moisture concentration.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Changes in protein phosphorylation accompanying maturation of Xenopus laevis oocytes

Abstract Protein phosphorylation has been measured after injection of [32P]phosphate into oocytes of Xenopus laevis undergoing progesterone-induced meiotic maturation. As oocytes mature, there is a burst of nonyolk protein phosphorylation several hours after progesterone exposure and shortly before germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). This burst is not due to changes in the specific activity of the phosphate or ATP pool. Enucleated oocytes exposed to progesterone also experience the burst, indicating the cytoplasmic location of phosphoprotein formation. When an oocyte receives an injection of cytoplasm containing the maturation-promoting factor (MPF), a burst of protein phosphorylation occurs immediately, and GVBD occurs shortly thereafter, even in the presence of cycloheximide. Under a variety of conditions promoting or blocking maturation, oocytes which undergo GVBD are the only ones to have experienced the phosphorylation burst. The results suggest that the protein phosphorylation burst is a necessary step in the mechanism by which MPF promotes GVBD.
A literature review of reactions and kinetics of lithium hydride hydrolysis

Abstract Studies of lithium hydride (LiH) reactions with H2O are reviewed in this paper. We discuss reaction products that are formed and the reaction kinetics involved. For discussion purposes, the studies are roughly categorized as reactions between LiH and H2O in low and higher concentration regimes, as well as reactions between LiH hydrolysis products. Both LiH and H2O can exist in many structural or phase variations and can contain various impurities, all of which may affect products and kinetics.
Reminiscence of our research on membrane phospholipids in mammalian cells by using the novel technology.

As for their new biological roles, we clarified possible contribution of PS and/or PE to the fusion process between viral envelope and endosomal membrane, releasing the genetic information of the virus to the host cytoplasm. CL is contributing to the functional NADH-ubiquinone reductase activity by keeping the right structure of Coenzyme Q9 for its functioning. SM and cholesterol form the microdomain within the plasma membrane, so-called “the raft structure” where the GPI-anchored proteins are specifically located for their functioning.
The phosphorylation of geraniol in germinating peas

Abstract Geraniol-1- 3 H and nerol-1- 3 H were prepared from their corresponding aldehydes. The labelled geraniol led to labelled squalene in a homogenate of germinating peas and to a labelled acidic ester. Since hydrolysis with alkaline phosphatase liberated geraniol, this ester is assumed to be geranyl pyrophosphate.
Drug Information Sources: For Academic and Public Libraries

The health movement that has been sweeping this country has given rise to increased consumer awareness of both prescription and nonprescription medications. One of several responses to this heightened interest has been a plethora of drug information publications aimed at the general public audience. Some of these publications became so popular they attained positions on the best‐seller list. At the same time books, such as the PDR, that had generally been available only to health professionals began to find their way into popular bookstores.
A computational study of the adsorption of n-perfluorohexane in zeolite BCR-704

Abstract Monte Carlo simulations in the grand canonical and Gibbs ensembles were carried out to predict the adsorption isotherms of argon, nitrogen, and n -perfluorohexane in BCR-704, a faujasite-type calcium aluminosilicate with a Si/Al ratio of 1.6. Starting from existing force fields for the sorbate molecules and a transferable force field for all-silica zeolites, attempts were made to develop a force field that would reproduce the experimentally determined argon and nitrogen adsorption isotherms in BCR-704. However, good agreement for the nitrogen adsorption isotherm could only be obtained either for a set of force field parameters with a greatly reduced partial charge on the calcium cation or using a larger partial charge and assuming that co-adsorbed water molecules are present at the temperature used for the argon and nitrogen adsorption isotherms. Predictions of the adsorption isotherm for n -perfluorohexane in BCR-704 using the latter force field parameters and the FAU-X structure with a water/calcium ratio of 1 yield good agreement with the experimental benchmark data.
Dynamic mechanical response of an SiCp/Al-Li (8090) composite

The dynamic mechanical response of an Al-Li alloy (8090) and SiC particle-reinforced 8090 composite was studied. The strain-hardening behaviour of the alloy was found to change significantly with increasing strain rate. Increasing the strain rate from 10−3 s−1 to 6500 s−1 doubled the strain-hardening coefficient of the alloy. The presence of the particles in the matrix did not affect the strain-hardening coefficient of the alloy. This was attributed to the relatively weak bonding between the particles and the matrix. An orientation effect was observed in the composite samples as a result of the preferential orientation of the reinforcing particles during the extrusion process. The thermal expansion behaviour of the composite samples was found to agree well with Kerner's model, and provided further evidence of the weak interfacial bonding.
Nuclei breeding from a chiral crystal seed of NaClO3

Abstract Secondary nucleation by seeding in stagnant and agitated aqueous sodium chlorate solutions was investigated with the purpose of determining the origin of nuclei — i.e. the crystal seed or the superstaurated solution — and elucidating the mechanism of nuclei breeding. Sodium chlorate crystallizes in two enantiomeric (chiral) forms. Seeds of one chirality were used and the chirality of the secondary nuclei was determined. At low supercooling all nuclei were of the same chirality as the seed pointing to the seed as their origin. At relatively high, but still lower than the critical value for spontaneous nucleation, supercoolings many nuclei with opposite chirality to that of the seed were formed. This phenomenon points to the solution around the seed as the origin of the nuclei and it was predicted by the Embryos Coagulation Secondary Nucleation (ECSN) mechanism previously proposed by the authors. This mechanism explains the above findings as well as data obtained in non-seeded nucleation and in heterogeneous nucleations on Teflon shavings. It also accounts for the observed random fluctuation, from run to run, in the total number of nuclei and in the percentage of nuclei with chirality opposite to that of the seed.
Phencyclidine, Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, and Mescaline: Cerebral Artery Spasms and Hallucinogenic Activity

Phencyclidine (PCP), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and mescaline produced potent contractile responses on isolated basilar and middle cerebral arteries, where, in terms of potency, LSD greater than mescaline greater than PCP. All three drugs produced cerebrovasospasm in a concentration range which parallels that needed for their psychotomimetic and intoxicating actions. Specific receptors for PCP, which subserve contraction and differ from those for LSD and mescaline, are found in cerebral arteries. Concentrations of PCP that produced near-maximum contractile responses on cerebral arteries were similar to those in the blood and brain of human subjects who had died from PCP overdoses. A specific calcium antagonist, verapamil, readily prevented (and reversed) PCP-induced vasospasm. This study provides direct evidence for PCP receptors in cerebral blood vessels, the biologic action of which can be reversed by a calcium antagonist; the clinical use of the latter could prove invaluable in treating PCP-intoxicated victims.