cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of serum biomarkers in rats after exposure to pesticides of different chemical classes

There is increasing emphasis on the use of biomarkers of adverse outcomes in safety assessment and translational research. We evaluated serum biomarkers and targeted metabolite profiles after exposure to pesticides (permethrin, deltamethrin, imidacloprid, carbaryl, triadimefon, fipronil) with different neurotoxic actions. Adult male Long-Evans rats were evaluated after single exposure to vehicle or one of two doses of each pesticide at the time of peak effect. The doses were selected to produce similar magnitude of behavioral effects across chemicals. Serum or plasma was analyzed using commercial cytokine/protein panels and targeted metabolomics. Additional studies of fipronil used lower doses (lacking behavioral effects), singly or for 14 days, and included additional markers of exposure and biological activity. Biomarker profiles varied in the number of altered analytes and patterns of change across pesticide classes, and discriminant analysis could separate treatment groups from control. Low doses of fipronil produced greater effects when given for 14 days compared to a single dose. Changes in thyroid hormones and relative amounts of fipronil and its sulfone metabolite also differed between the dosing regimens. Most cytokine changes reflected alterations in inflammatory responses, hormone levels, and products of phospholipid, fatty acid, and amino acid metabolism. These findings demonstrate distinct blood-based analyte profiles across pesticide classes, dose levels, and exposure duration. These results show promise for detailed analyses of these biomarkers and their linkages to biological pathways.
Sharing management: Three ethical scenarios

How might a transition from closely-held to shared management help or hinder the presence of the ethical in a corporation? I propose three fictional scenarios according to which such a transition might occur. In one, managerial power is shared, but without any examination of the firm's presuppositions. In another the presuppositions are shared as well, but only insofar as top management seeks to generate cultic enthusiasm for the ‘corporate family’. In the third scenario the firm's presuppositions are discussed openly by all employees. I argue that only this third scenario embodies the conditions which make it possible for a firm to be moral.
SU‐C‐134‐05: CT Contrast Media: Impact of Scanner Parameters On Enhancement and Detectability

Purpose: Uptake of iodine‐based CT contrast media (CM) results in an increase in Hounsfield Unit (HU) value, allowing for improved detectability in CT. Further, because the increase in HU is proportional to CM concentration, quantitative measurement of HU enhancement can aid diagnosis and can determine hemodynamic properties of tissues (i.e., perfusion CT). Imaging protocol parameters (e.g., reconstruction kernel) can alter the HU‐CM relationship, potentially confounding quantitation of contrast uptake. This phantom study measures the HU‐CM relationship and determines the impact of imaging protocol parameters. Methods: A solid water phantom was imaged with a Philips Big Bore CT Scanner. Eighteen custom cylinders with CM concentrations ranging from 0–50 mg of iodine/mL were placed in the phantom. Tube voltages of 90, 120, and 140kVp, current‐time products of 100 and 400mAs, and reconstruction kernels of UB (smooth) and D (hi‐res bone enhancing) were studied. A linear fit to the HU‐CM data was calculated to evaluate HU enhancement. Contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) was calculated to evaluate detectability. Results: A linear relationship existed between HU and CM for all acquisitions (R‐squared > 0.99). HU‐CM linear slope ranged from 16 to 34 HU/mg‐I/mL. A tube voltage of 140kVp increased the slope by 81% when compared to 90kVp, whereas 120kVp increased the slope by 20%. Kernel D produced a 10‐15% increase in slope. For a 400mAs acquisition, CNR was optimized using 120kVp and the UB kernel, but CNR was optimized for 100mAs using 90kVp with the UB kernel. Conclusion: HU enhancement is linear with concentration; however, the slope is strongly impacted by reconstruction kernel and tube voltage. Knowledge of CT scanning parameter impact on contrast media signal enhancement and detectability can guide optimization of CT protocols and improve interpretation of quantitative CT data.
The entropic indeterminateness of public interest: Case study of organized interest in electric power plant siting and technology options

Abstract The fundamental premise of this paper is that the integration of public values into collective action and policy must be based on a study of the public interest as an entropic process. To perform such a study, willingness-to-compromise and consistency of values are characterized as analogous to the concept of entropy. Hence high entropy is taken to imply unwillingness-to-compromise and consistency of values while low entropy to indicate that public values are in a state of flux. The assessment of the need for entropy reversal and the assessment of the entropic indeterminateness are suggested as focal points of research. A methodology is suggested and tested through the case study. Findings from the case study are also interpreted as illuminating the contributions of the approach and providing supportive arguments for a participatory, systematic, anticipatory and qualitative study of policy options and public values.
Interactive synthesis of pipeline networks using pigraph

Abstract Alternative configurations in pipeline network synthesis are extremely numerous. Because of the nonlinearity, even a slight change of configuration may drastically alter the pressure distribution and supply-demand relationship. Quantitative evaluation of such ramifications are computationally involved and time-consuming. This paper describes an interactive graphics program which makes use of algorithms, heuristics, and interactive user input at different levels of the synthesis.
Rho GTPase activity modulates paramyxovirus fusion protein-mediated cell-cell fusion

The paramyxovirus fusion protein (F) promotes fusion of the viral envelope with the plasma membrane of target cells as well as cell-cell fusion. The plasma membrane is closely associated with the actin cytoskeleton, but the role of actin dynamics in paramyxovirus F-mediated membrane fusion is unclear. We examined cell-cell fusion promoted by two different paramyxovirus F proteins in three cell types in the presence of constitutively active Rho family GTPases, major cellular coordinators of actin dynamics. Reporter gene and syncytia assays demonstrated that expression of either Rac1(V12) or Cdc42(V12) could increase cell-cell fusion promoted by the Hendra or SV5 glycoproteins, though the effect was dependent on the cell type expressing the viral glycoproteins. In contrast, RhoA(L63) decreased cell-cell fusion promoted by Hendra glycoproteins but had little affect on SV5 F-mediated fusion. Also, data suggested that GTPase activation in the viral glycoprotein-containing cell was primarily responsible for changes in fusion. Additionally, we found that activated Cdc42 promoted nuclear rearrangement in syncytia.
The role of probe shape on the initiation of metal plasticity in nanoindentation

Abstract The dislocation nucleation stress of crystalline materials is frequently estimated from the maximum shear stress, assuming Hertzian contact up to the first “pop-in” event, which is a sudden displacement burst during load-controlled nanoindentation. However, an irregular indenter tip shape will significantly change the stress distribution, and therefore the maximum shear stress from a Hertzian estimation. Here, we assess possible errors and pitfalls of the Hertzian estimation of initial plastic yield at the nanoscale. The near-apex shapes of two Berkovich indenters, one sharp and one worn, were measured by atomic force microscopy and directly input into finite element analysis (FEA) models for “virtual” nanoindentation experiments on single-crystal tungsten. Experiments were also carried out with those indenters. Excellent agreement is found between experimental and FEA force–displacement relationships, but the discrepancies between Hertzian and FEA estimates of the shear stresses are over 25% for the sharp indenter and over 50% for the blunt indenter. This demonstrates that small irregularities in the shape of indenter tips can cause significant deviations from the Hertzian estimation of dislocation nucleation stress.
Faceting in bond-oriented glasses and quasicrystals.

If there is any important lesson to be learned from the development of quasicrystals [1], it would be that one should be suspicious of conventional wisdoms. The field of quasicrystals is full of paradox. Nearly all its major developments are marked by puzzles questioning current wisdom. There have been many occasions upon which we have thought we understood the nature of quasicrystals, but were soon confronted with contradicting phenomena. In fact, up to this day, the real physical mechanism for the formation of quasicrystals remains a mystery. On the other hand, through the study of quasicrystals, we have both widened and deepened our understanding of many fundamental concepts and processes in condensed matter physics.
Sexual reproduction in the corallimorpharian sea anemone Corynactis californica in a central California kelp forest

The seasonal cycle of sexual reproduction in the corallimorpharian sea anemone Corynactis californica (Calgren, 1936) was studied for 18 consecutive months (July 1987 to December 1988) at a subtidal area in the Hopkins Marine Refuge (HMLR), Pacific Grove, Monterey Bay, California. Samples were collected, histological sections were prepared, and gametocytes were examined and measured. C. californica grows by multiple or longitudianl fission to form single-sexed clones of various color and size. In female clones, oocytes appeared in late August and early September; they increased in size steadily in fall, and peaked in early December in both years. In male clones, spermatogenesis was synchronous with the female oogenic cycle, and motile sperm were observed in most testes in early December. Spawned gonads were found in both sexes from late November to early December. Spawning was induced in the laboratory in early December, and external fertilization was followed by development of free-swimming larvae. Gametogenesis and spawning are correlated with seasonal increases in seawater temperature and phytoplankton abundance, and we discuss and compare timing of sexual reproduction in this corallimorpharian to those in several actiniarian and scleractinian species.
Status of microwave soil moisture measurements with remote sensing

Abstract Active and passive zaicrowave remote sensing techniques have demonstrated their potential for measurements of soil moisture. However, the soil moisture response from them is coupled to vegetation and surface roughness effects, and therefore the interaction among all three needs to be understood. This paper reviews the progress made in the measurement of soil moisture and the factors such as vegetation and surface roughness that affect these measurements. The active techniques, particularly those employing synthetic aperture radar (SAR), provide opportunities for soil moisture studies over a large area, and varbus aircraft and space missions have been carried out to achieve them. Still, there are unresolved questions about deriving soil moisture from these missions, and research is underway to develop algorithms so that soil moisture information can be obtained on a local as well as a global basis.
NCLB technology and a rural school: A case study

The requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) have presented special challenges and opportunities for rural schools (Reeves, 2003). Researchers have suggested that one way rural schools may be able to overcome these challenges is through an increase in the level of technology integration in their school (Collins & Dewees, 2001). This case study reports on one school’s attempt to use grant resources funded through NCLB to integrate specific instructional technologies to facilitate increased student achievement. Through interviews and observations, the roles, attitudes, and difficulties of teachers and administrators in implementing a technology initiative in a rural middle school were observed, examined and discussed. Emerging themes included issues related to teacher ownership of the technology, teacher feelings of power and participation, differing goals of teachers and administrators, technical difficulties, school wide support, and changes in school culture.
Stochastic modeling of fatigue crack dynamics for risk analysis and remaining life prediction

This paper presents a stochastic dynamic model of fatigue crack propagation in metallic materials which are commonly encountered in mechanical structures and machine components of complex systems. The (non-stationary) statistics of the crack growth process are obtained without solving stochastic differential equations in the Wiener integral or Ito integral setting. The crack propagation model thus allows real-time execution of decision algorithms for risk assessment and life prediction on inexpensive platforms (such as a Pentium processor). The model predictions are in close agreement with experimental data of fatigue crack statistics for 2024-T3 and 7075-T6 aluminum alloys.
PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS AND SEVERITY OF SENTENCING

The present study examined the relationship between the defendants' physical attractiveness and assigned length of sentencing. Two independent samples of 96 subjects each (24 white males, 24 white ...
Parallel power-of-two FFTs on hypercubes

The oretical analysis of ordered power-of-two Fast Fourier transforms (P02FFT) demonstrates that the most efficient algorithms for hypercube architectures may not always use nearest-neighbor communication. The ordered P02FFT which uses nearest-neighbor (distance 1) communication, requires d interprocessor communications for r/2 � d and 2d - Lr/2J inter pro­ cessor communications for r /2 < d, where 2r = N. In this paper we show that an ordered P02FFT can be obtained with just d interprocessor communications for any r if the restriction that all communications are distance one is removed. This new algorithm uses Lr/2J distance one and d - L r/2J distance two inter­ processor communications. Packets of size N/2 d+1 are transmitted in both of the ordered P02FFT algorithms. The time complexity of both the distance one and dis­ tance two algorithms is discussed.
Performance analysis of beyond 100 Gbits/in/sup 2/ MFM-based MEMS-actuated mass storage devices

This paper presents an initial performance analysis of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-actuated mass storage devices that employ a magnetic force microscopy (MFM)-based approach for writing and reading. Extensive micromagnetic modeling and simulations have been performed to optimize both the tip dimensions and read/write flying heights in terms of signal-to-noise ratio, inter-track interference (ITI), and thermal decay rate. Using a commercial, single-layered 14-nm grain diameter Co-based granular media, this initial optimization process indicates the possibility of achieving a track pitch of 59 nm and a bit length (with conservative RL coding) of 100 nm (i.e., areal density of 105 Gb/in/sup 2/). The resulting SNR is 13.1 dB (RMS signal/RMS noise) with -3 dB/10 year thermal decay rate.
The SOR-k method for linear systems with p-cyclic matrices

Let the system matrix of a linear system be p-cyclic and consistently ordered. Under the assumption that the pth power of the associated Jacobi matrix has only non-positive eigenvalues, it is known that the optimal spectral radius of the SOR-k iteration matrix is strictly increasing as k increases from 2 to p. In this paper, we first show that the optimal parameter of the SOR-k method as a function of k is strictly increasing. The behaviour of the spectral radius of the SOR-k method (for fixed parameter) is then studied.
Compressed Sensing via Sparse Bayesian Learning and Gibbs Sampling

Sparse Bayesian Learning (SBL) has been used as a sparse signal recovery algorithm for compressed sensing. It has been shown that SBL is easy to use and can recover sparse signals more accurately than the l 1 based optimization approaches, which require a delicate choice of user parameters. We propose herein a modified Expectation Maximization (EM) based SBL algorithm referred to as SBL-? and a block Gibbs sampling algorithm referred to as BGS-?, both of which are based on a three-stage hierarchical Bayesian model. We compare both methods to a widely used benchmark SBL algorithm, which is equivalent to SBL-? with ? = 0. We show that SBL-? with ? = 1 not only is more accurate than the benchmark SBL algorithm in terms of the reconstruction error, but also converges faster. BGS-? with ? = 1.5 is more accurate than SBL-1, but requires more computations.
Adapting PMBoK Guidance to Public Sector Projects

It is the author’s experience that many employees of the United States Government manage projects without adequate standards or training. Many of these projects fail, which is unfortunate, because the Project Management Institute has developed standards and a body of knowledge to help anyone manage projects successfully. Adapting the Project Management Institute’s standards to a government organization and conducting training for government project managers based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge leads to increased potential for projects to be managed properly. The author was involved in a government organization where this was done. In this technical paper, the author explains how standards were adapted; training was identified, and projects classified leading to successful project management in that organization. The results were so successful that the author implemented them again in a new organization he was hired to lead.
Responses of Endoscopy Patients in Ladakh, India, to Helicobacter pylori Whole-Cell and CagA Antigens

Although Helicobacter pylori is a cosmopolitan colonizer of the human stomach, the responses among persons in remote populations from whom H. pylori was cultured have not been studied. We report on studies of 189 persons in the Ladakh region of India in whom serum immunoglobulin G responses to H. pylori whole-cell and Cag A antigens were measured. H. pylori was isolated from 68 of these patients. An H. pylori whole-cell antigen derived from Ladakhi strains outperformed a similar antigen from U.S. strains, as determined by antigen-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. In total, 95% of the population was seropositive, including individuals responding only to the Cag A antigen. Correlation with culture results showed that these were true positives and, therefore, that the H. pylori whole-cell serology was falsely negative in some cases. In addition to establishing a collection of H. pylori isolates from a remote area in the world, we show that use of H. pylori whole-cell and Cag A serology together increases the sensitivity for the detection of colonization.
The interaction of conduct problems and depressed mood in relation to adolescent substance involvement and peer substance use

Conduct problems are strong positive predictors of substance use and problem substance use among teens, whereas predictive associations of depressed mood with these outcomes are mixed. Conduct problems and depressed mood often co-occur, and such co-occurrence may heighten risk for negative outcomes. Thus, this study examined the interaction of conduct problems and depressed mood at age 11 in relation to substance use and problem use at age 18, and possible mediation through peer substance use at age 16. Analyses of multirater longitudinal data collected from 429 rural youths (222 girls) and their families were conducted using a methodology for testing latent variable interactions. The link between the conduct problems x depressed mood interaction and adolescent substance use was negative and statistically significant. Unexpectedly, positive associations of conduct problems with substance use were stronger at lower levels of depressed mood. A significant negative interaction in relation to peer substance use also was observed, and the estimated indirect effect of the interaction on adolescent use through peer use as a mediator was statistically significant. Findings illustrate the complexity of multiproblem youth.
Effect of postmortem sampling technique on the clinical significance of autopsy blood cultures

Our objective was to investigate the value of postmortem autopsy blood cultures performed with an iodine-subclavian technique relative to the classical method of atrial heat searing and antemortem blood cultures. The study consisted of a prospective autopsy series with each case serving as its own control relative to subsequent testing, and a retrospective survey of patients coming to autopsy who had both autopsy blood cultures and premortem blood cultures. A busy academic autopsy service (600 cases per year) at University of Texas Medical Branch Hospitals, Galveston, Texas, served as the setting for this work. The incidence of non-clinically relevant (false-positive) culture results were compared using different methods for collecting blood samples in a prospective series of 38 adult autopsy specimens. One hundred eleven adult autopsy specimens in which both postmortem and antemortem blood cultures were obtained were studied retrospectively. For both studies, positive culture results were scored as either clinically relevant or false positives based on analysis of the autopsy findings and the clinical summary. The rate of false-positive culture results obtained by an iodine-subclavian technique from blood drawn soon after death were statistically significantly lower (13%) than using the classical method of obtaining blood through the atrium after heat searing at the time of the autopsy (34%) in the same set of autopsy subjects. When autopsy results were compared with subjects' antemortem blood culture results, there was no significant difference in the rate of non-clinically relevant culture results in a paired retrospective series of antemortem blood cultures and postmortem blood cultures using the iodine-subclavian postmortem method (11.7% v 13.5%). The results indicate that autopsy blood cultures obtained using the iodine-subclavian technique have reliability equivalent to that of antemortem blood cultures.
Improving particle filter performance using SSE instructions

Robotics researchers are often faced with real-time constraints, and for that reason algorithmic and implementation-level optimization can dramatically increase the overall performance of a robot. In this paper we illustrate how a substantial run-time gain can be achieved by taking advantage of the extended instruction sets found in modern processors, in particular the SSE1 and SSE2 instruction sets. We present an SSE version of Monte Carlo Localization that results in an impressive 9x speedup over an optimized scalar implementation. In the process, we discuss SSE implementations of atan, atan2 and exp that achieve up to a 4x speedup in these mathematical operations alone.
Service HyperChain Architecture of Web X.o and A Case Study

The word "Web X.o" represents "Web eXpandoo" which is derived from "Web" and a misspelled word "Expandnoon". "noon" is interpreted as "the highest, brightest, or finest point or part" or "the highest point". This paper introduces some basic features of Web X.o that expands the current Web to the "highest and brightest" point. The key concept of Services HyperChain in the Web eXpandoo framework is introduced to provide an enabling technology architecture that supports the future Web, which coordinates multimedia presentations, human interactions, business processes, computing resources, and business applications in a uniform fashion. Today's Web 2.0 technologies are mainly dealing with the presentation and community-based interaction aspects in the Web X.o framework. The boundary among Web, desktop applications, and backend resources are removed by creating Services HyperChain in the Web eXpandoo framework. The IEEE Body of Knowledge on Services Computing system is used as a prototype to illustrate how the Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Web 2.0 technologies are used to to realize the Services HyperChain with unified services resource and services ecosystem enablement architecture of Web X.o.
2011 Outstanding AFCPE® Conference Paper: Development and Validation of a Financial Self-Efficacy Scale

This study developed a 6-item Financial Self-Efficacy Scale for use by researchers, educators, counselors, and advisors. Bandura's concept of self-efficacy and Prochaska's Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change provided the theoretical framework. Scale items were adapted from Schwarzer and Jerusalem's (1995) General Self-Efficacy Scale. Psychometrics were measured using a sample of 726 university employees. Alpha reliability was .76. One-way ANOVA compared self-efficacy scores to respondents' assessment of their investment sophistication. Factor analysis resulted in a coherent factor with loadings ranging from .574 to .759. In addition to providing researchers with a means to measure behavioral aspects of financial management, a financial self-efficacy scale can help educators and counselors better understand, guide, and motivate their students and clients.
Appearance-Related Communication and Body Image Outcomes: Fat Talk and Old Talk Among Mothers and Daughters

ABSTRACTThe current study sought to investigate mothers’ and daughters’ appearance-related communication and its relation to body image outcomes. Participants included 199 mother-daughter dyads that completed online questionnaires containing measures of fat talk, old talk, body dissatisfaction, body surveillance, drive for thinness, and bulimic tendencies. Actor-partner interdependence models revealed that (a) mothers’ and daughters’ fat talk, but not old talk, were significantly related to one another, (b) mothers’ and daughters’ fat talk and old talk were significantly related to their own body image outcomes, (c) mothers’ fat talk was positively related to daughters’ bulimic tendencies, and (d) mothers’ old talk was positively related to daughters’ body dissatisfaction. These results suggest that engaging in appearance-related communication is problematic for the person making the comments and, to some extent, being exposed to another person’s appearance-related comments can be harmful to the individua...
EFFECTS OF SIBLINGS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX ON FRIENDSHIP

Walter Toman (1961) has presented interesting issues concerning family constellations and male-female relationships. One contention is that a person who has a sibling of the opposite sex is more likely to accept friends of the opposite sex than a person who has no opposite sex sibling. The present study, which is part of an ongoing project on male-female relationships, concerned how comfortable males and females (who are not romantically involved) feel with friends of the opposite sex and the effects of the presence or absence of opposite sex siblings on these relationships. A questionnaire was distributed to 80 undergraduates at Rider College, 21 females with brothers, 17 females without brothers, 23 males with sisters, and 19 males without sisters. They were asked to think about friends of the opposite sex (no romantic connotation) who were not relatives and how comfortable they would feel in certain activities with them. The activities were: going to dinner with, talking wich, shopping with, borrowing money from, going to a movie with, joking with, working with, asking a favor from, confiding in, discussing social issues with, and going through a crisis with. The subjects responded on 7-point scales, ranging from very uncomfortable ( 1 ) to very, comfortable ( 7 ) . Half of the questionnaires listed the activities in the above order, and the other half listed them in reverse order. Subjects were randomly assigned to one version or the other. The 11 questionnaire items were combined into an over-all "social interactions" scale by calculating, for each subject, the mean rating of "comfortableness" across all 11 items. Means were subjected to a 2 x 2 analysis of variance-sex of subject and presence or absence of siblings of the opposite sex. A significant main effea for sex of subject emerged (&,;a = 5.26, p < .05), indicating that females rated themselves as more comfortable with male friends than did males with female friends. However, a significant interaction (F1.m = 7.04, p < .01) shows that, in line with Toman's hypothesis, especially females with brothers feel comfortable with male friends ( M = 6.06, SD = .53) rather than females without brothers ( M = 5.42, SD = .57). Contradicting Toman's hypothesis, males with sisters are actually slightly less comfortable with female friends (M = 5.21, SD = .94) than are males without sisters ( M = 5.48, SD = 3 9 ) . To assure that this interaction was not due merely to the influence of a few of the 11 items, means for each item were checked. The same pattern emerged for 9 of the 11 items. . In the future, variables, such as differences in ages of siblings and ordinal position of siblings, must also be considered, as well as diverse social situations.
The carbon footprint and economic impact of precision agriculture technology on a corn and soybean farm

ABSTRACTThis study explores the environmental and economic implications of precision agriculture technologies (PATs) to partially fill the void in empirically based estimates in the available published literature. In doing so, the carbon footprint of a Kentucky grain farmer under different production strategies is estimated. A BASE model was optimised without utilising any PATs and compared to models which did incorporate three PATs: sub-meter auto-steer, RTK auto-steer and automatic section control. The four whole farm analysis models were formulated under no-till conditions. These models were used to determine if these PATs (1) increase expected mean net returns and/or (2) enhance the carbon output–input ratio. The results show that all PATs produce improvements in both economic and environmental measures over the BASE model. Specifically, automatic section control gave the greatest economic improvement with a mean net return that was 0.59% over the BASE while RTK provided the greatest environmental enh...
In Situ Driving Performance and the Alcohol Impaired Driver

Blood alcohol concentrations (BACs), interview data, and unobtrusive measures of driving performance were obtained on public highways at 42 rural sites. Special data acquisition and recording systems were developed to obtain analog records of speed and lateral position electronically.Interview results confirmed that young male motorists are an important population-at-risk, but older male and female liquor drinkers are also prevalent. A double standard exists regarding attitudes toward beer and liquor, especially among younger males. Driving performance measures indicated that drivers with .08–.149 BAC react with caution to unexpected situations, but are less able to smoothly come to a stop when directed to do so.
The Role of Risk Stratification in the Treatment of Well-Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

The primary goal in the management of patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer is to provide the best therapy with the least amount of morbidity. Initial therapy to remove all gross disease should be based on a risk adapted approach. The follow-up paradigm should incorporate the initial risk assessment, ongoing risk stratification, response to therapy variables, and disease-free survival. It is a dynamic process which helps ensure optimal patient care by allowing physicians to identify patients who are at high risk for disease recurrence. These patients may benefit from closer surveillance, testing, and treatment. More importantly, this dynamic risk adapted paradigm will help avoid over-treatment in patients who are at low risk of recurrence.
Analysis of food-borne pathogens contamination situation in food of Anyang city in 2012

Objective To understand the contamination status of food-borne pathogens in food of Anyang,and to provide scientific basis for food safety evaluation. Methods A total of 324 samples in 8 kinds were collected from Anyang city to detect Salmonella,Shigella,EHEC O157: H7,Listeria monocytogenes,Staphylococcus aureus,Bacillus cereus and Enterobacter sakazakii in accordance with GB4789-2010. Results A total of 324 samples were detected,41 strains of pathogens were positive with the total detection rate of 12. 65%. Bacillus cereus had the highest detection rate( 7. 72%),followed by the Staphylococcus aureus( 2. 78%),Listeria monocytogenes( 1. 54%),and Salmonella( 0. 62%). Conclusion The food in Anyang is contaminated by food borne pathogens,suggesting the government should take effective measures to prevent the occurrence of food-borne diseases.
Urologic applications of botulinum toxin

The neuromuscular blocker botulinum toxin has a wide variety of medical applications, including overactive bladder and neurogenic detrusor overactivity in patients in whom drug therapy fails or is not well tolerated. Botulinum toxin therapy for these conditions has been shown to be safe and effective in several large multicenter randomized controlled trials. Off-label uses in urology include detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia and pelvic pain syndromes.
Bayesian Top-Down Protein Sequence Alignment with Inferred Position-Specific Gap Penalties

We describe a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampler for protein multiple sequence alignment (MSA) that, as implemented in the program GISMO and applied to large numbers of diverse sequences, is more accurate than the popular MSA programs MUSCLE, MAFFT, Clustal-Ω and Kalign. Features of GISMO central to its performance are: (i) It employs a “top-down” strategy with a favorable asymptotic time complexity that first identifies regions generally shared by all the input sequences, and then realigns closely related subgroups in tandem. (ii) It infers position-specific gap penalties that favor insertions or deletions (indels) within each sequence at alignment positions in which indels are invoked in other sequences. This favors the placement of insertions between conserved blocks, which can be understood as making up the proteins’ structural core. (iii) It uses a Bayesian statistical measure of alignment quality based on the minimum description length principle and on Dirichlet mixture priors. Consequently, GISMO aligns sequence regions only when statistically justified. This is unlike methods based on the ad hoc, but widely used, sum-of-the-pairs scoring system, which will align random sequences. (iv) It defines a system for exploring alignment space that provides natural avenues for further experimentation through the development of new sampling strategies for more efficiently escaping from suboptimal traps. GISMO’s superior performance is illustrated using 408 protein sets containing, on average, 235 sequences. These sets correspond to NCBI Conserved Domain Database alignments, which have been manually curated in the light of available crystal structures, and thus provide a means to assess alignment accuracy. GISMO fills a different niche than other MSA programs, namely identifying and aligning a conserved domain present within a large, diverse set of full length sequences. The GISMO program is available at http://gismo.igs.umaryland.edu/.
Finitely Presented Lattices: Continuity and Semidistributivity

In [3] we investigated finitely presented lattices and the closely related subject of lattices generated by a finite partial lattice. We described a canonical form for the elements of such a lattice and used this to study the covering relation. We showed that there is an effective procedure for finding the covers of any element of a finitely presented lattice. We gave an example of a finitely presented lattice which has no cover at all.
The Counterfactual Account of Causation

This chapter will introduce the notion of causation based on counterfactual dependence. This notion forms the basis of the counterfactual account of causation. Different cases of overdetermination will be considered and it will be explained how these pose problems to the counterfactual account of causation. These problems motivate new ways of defining causation in terms of counterfactual conditionals, such as the account of causal influence or the causal modelling account. The point of view of causal contextualism will also be introduced—namely, the view that the truth of causal claims may vary relative to the context from which they are evaluated. Causal contextualism will be defended in many ways within this work. I will argue in this chapter that event fine-graining in the light of causal contextualism is at the basis of any strategy used to clarify overdetermination scenarios.
Computational study of inelastic neutron scattering vibrational spectra of water clusters and their relevance to hydration water in proteins.

Abstract Background Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) vibrational spectra for hydration water in proteins can be obtained from spectral differences, but their interpretation has mainly been limited to comparisons with various forms of ice at high hydration levels without making use of available structural information from neutron protein crystallography. Methods The INS vibrational spectra of free and partially constrained water clusters (up to n = 17) were calculated with DFT methods using published energy-minimized structures. Results Reference is made to neutron diffraction studies of hydrated proteins, which contain a wealth of structural information both on individual water molecules and small clusters in the inner “shell” in order to select representative clusters to serve as models for bound, rather than free clusters as they would occur in a protein. Conclusions INS spectra of the water librational region calculated for a combination of model bound clusters provide a qualitative account of the essentially featureless experimental spectra on water in proteins at very low hydration levels, but do indicate that the well-known rise in intensity near 500 cm − 1 is connected to increasing numbers of four-coordinate water molecules in larger clusters. General significance The combination of structural information of hydration water from neutron protein crystallography with much more sophisticated computational methods than used herein should lead to a much more detailed picture of the hydration of proteins. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Science for Life" Guest Editor: Dr. Austen Angell, Dr. Salvatore Magazu and Dr. Federica Migliardo.
Shape recognition and illusory conjunctions

One way to achieve viewpoint-invariant shape recognition is to impose a canonical, object-based frame of reference on a shape and to describe the positions, sizes and orientations of the shape's features relative to the imposed frame. This compulation can be implemented in a parallel network of neuron-like processors, but the network has a tendency to make errors of a peculiar kind: When presented with several shapes it sometimes perceives one shape in the position of another. The parameters can be carefully tuned to avoid these "illusory conjunctions" in normal circumstances, but they reappear if the visual input is replaced by a random mask before the network has settled down. Treisman and Schmidt (1982) have shown that people make similar errors.
Breaking Down Walls: Microbiota and the Aging Gut.

A range of animal species show increased inflammation with age. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Thevaranjan et al. (2017) reveal that heightened inflammation is associated with deregulation of homeostatic interactions between intestinal microbes and the aging host.
Colder temperature is associated with increased COPD morbidity.

Cold temperatures lead to worse outcomes in those with COPD, even after accounting for other environmental factors http://ow.ly/ltCG30bRWnT
Ill Composed: Sickness, Gender, and Belief in Early Modern England. By OliviaWeisser. (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2015. Pp. ix, 281. $85.00.) : Book Review

This impressive book illustrates how gender played a pivotal role in perceptions and experiences of illness by English patients from 1630 to 1730. The author examines how “writing practices, religi...
Hippocampal α7 nicotinic ACh receptors contribute to modulation of depression-like behaviour in C57BL/6J mice.

Background and purpose Clinical studies have identified links between cholinergic signalling and depression in human subjects. Increased cholinergic signalling in hippocampus also increases behaviours related to anxiety and depression in mice, which can be reversed by ACh receptor antagonists. Experimental approach As the α7 subunit of the nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) is highly expressed in hippocampus, we determined whether blocking α7 nAChRs could reverse the effects of increased ACh signalling in anxiety- and depression-related behaviours in mice. Key results Administration of the α7 nAChR agonist GTS-21 had no effect in tail suspension or forced swim tests. Conversely, the α7 nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine (MLA) induced significant antidepressant-like effects in male mice in these paradigms, consistent with previous studies, but this was not observed in female mice. MLA also decreased physostigmine-induced c-fos immunoreactivity (a marker of neuronal activity) in hippocampus. Local knockdown of α7 nAChRs in hippocampus had no effect on its own but decreased a subset of depression-like phenotypes induced by physostigmine in male mice. Few effects of α7 nAChR knockdown were observed in depression-like behaviors in female mice, possibly due to a limited response to physostigmine. There was no significant effect of hippocampal α7 nAChR knockdown on anxiety-like phenotypes in male mice. However, a modest increase in anxiety-like behavior was observed in female mice infused with a scrambled control vector in response to physostigmine administration, that was not seen after a7 nAChR knockdown in the hippocampus. Conclusions and implications These results suggest that ACh signalling through α7 nAChRs in the hippocampus contributes to regulation of a subset of depression-like behaviours when ACh is increased, as can occur under stressful conditions. These studies also provide evidence for sex differences that may be relevant for treatments of mood disorders based on cholinergic signalling. Linked articles This article is part of a themed section on Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.11/issuetoc.
Executive Function Deficits in Adolescents With ADHD: Untangling Possible Sources of Heterogeneity:

Deficits in executive function (EFDs) are thought to be the mechanisms that underlie a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, prior research has indicated that EFDs ...
Problems of Macro-Allocation

This chapter is a brief introduction to some of the problems in macro-allocation. Specifically, it briefly sketches and examines concepts of justice, rights, and needs before going on to examine macro-allocation from a community perspective. The role of the physician as gatekeeper is examined. Approaches to distribution (market, lottery, first-come, first-served and social value criteria) are analyzed. The use of age as a criterion in the distribution of health care is examined. The chapter ends by briefly contrasting the notion of health care as a right and that of health care as a privilege in modern society.
SYNTHESIS AND THERMAL CROSSLINKING OF p-TOLYL CONTAINING POLYQUINOXALINES

p-Tolyl containing polyquinoxalines have been synthesized and subjected to a series of experiments designed to demonstrate their enhanced thermal crosslinkability relative to polyphenylquinoxalines. Poly-p-tolylquinoxaline itself is shown to be much superior in this regard though significantly inferior in terms of thermooxidative stability. A series of phenylquinoxaline/p-tolyquinoxaline copolymers was then prepared in an effort to find an optimum composition incorporating the crosslinkability of the latter and the thermooxidative stability of the former. It is shown that, in fact, no such optimum composition exists with this system. Thermooxidative stability decreases with increasing p-tolyl content much more rapidly than crosslinkability increases. It is concluded that a system utilizing a more efficient crosslinking reaction is necessary in order for an optimum copolymer composition to be attained.
Hemodialysis Access Part A — Temporary

Since hemodialysis was first practiced clinically as a substitute for absent renal function, access to the circulation has always been a demanding and, at times, frustrating exercise. In the beginning hemodialysis was only performed for relatively short periods for acute reversible renal failure in young people with good blood vessels. Almost any method of access was adequate for this purpose. Shaldon’s semi-stiff tapered catheter with a single cylindrical lumen inserted over a guide-wire by the Seldinger technique into the femoral vein provided one blood flow pathway for removal or return of blood (1). A second conduit could be provided by means of a second catheter in the same or a different vein and these catheters could be left in place for two or three treatments. Evidence for the crucial importance and desirability of this technique is apparent in the fact that it remains widely practiced today when no safe alternative can be found. Because of its superficial position, just medial to the femoral artery in the groin, the femoral vein is easy to cannulate, even by inexperienced operators.
Molecular pathology of pulmonary parasitic diseases

Diseases caused by protozoans and helminthes are some of the most common afflicting humans around the world, and yet they are some of the most scientifically neglected regarding their pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. In this chapter, principles of molecular pathogenesis of the most common protozoan and helminth infections are discussed. Emphasis is placed on immunopathology (innate and adaptive immune responses), parasitic proteases, and immunomodulation by parasites. Selected protozoan and helminth infections are discussed in detail.
Public Perceptions and Support for Police Militarization

This chapter includes discussion of the trends in PM and research on public perceptions of the practice. Only a small number of studies have measured the public’s attitudes about PM and trends in the practice, which are reviewed in this chapter. Finally, advances in technology that have contributed to PM in the United States are also discussed.
Implications of variable late Cenozoic surface uplift across the Peruvian central Andes

Changes in Earth’s surface elevation can be linked to the geodynamic processes that drive surface uplift, which in turn modulate regional climate patterns. We document hydrogen isotopic compositions of hydrated volcanic glasses and modern stream waters to determine late Cenozoic surface uplift across the Peruvian central Andes. Modern water isotopic compositions reproduce mean catchment elevations to a precision better than ±500 m (1σ). Glass isotopic data show a spatiotemporally variable transition from isotopically heavy to isotopically light compositions. The latter are consistent with modern water on the plateau. When interpreted in the context of published paleoelevation estimates and independent geological information, the isotopic data indicate that elevation rapidly increased by 2–2.5 km from 20–17 Ma in the central Western Cordillera, and from 15–10 Ma in the southern Western Cordillera and Altiplano; these patterns are consistent with foundering of mantle lithosphere via Rayleigh-Taylor instability. The Eastern Cordillera was slowly elevated 1.5–2 km between 25 and 10 Ma, a rate consistent with crustal shortening as the dominant driver of surface uplift. The Ayacucho region attained modern elevation by ~22 Ma. The timing of orographic development across southern Peru is consistent with the early Miocene onset and middle Miocene intensification of hyperarid conditions along the central Andean Pacific coast.