cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Neurobehavioral Symptoms and Return to Productivity in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans With and Without Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract Objective To describe Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans who underwent the Comprehensive Traumatic Brain Injury Evaluation (CTBIE), differences between the traumatic brain injury (TBI) and non-TBI subgroups, and factors associated with return to productivity (RTP). Design Retrospective medical record review. Setting Medical center. Participants Medical records of OEF/OIF veterans (N=236) who underwent the CTBIE between 2009 and 2013. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Demographic characteristics, injury history, clinical presentation, and factors associated with RTP. Results Veteran sample included 90.7% men, was 45.3% white and 34.7% black, with half of Hispanic origin, and had a mean age of 33 years. The mean time since injury was approximately 4 years. Reported symptoms were high, with >90% reporting anxiousness, irritability, sleep difficulty, forgetfulness, and headaches. TBI diagnosis was found in 163 veterans (69%). The TBI subgroup was younger (TBI: 32.5y vs non-TBI: 34.9y; P =.02), reported a greater number of injuries ( P P P =.007), and headaches (TBI: 93.9% vs non-TBI: 83.6%; P =.014). RTP was 60.6% for the total veteran population. Factors associated with RTP were race (white) (odds ratio [OR], 2.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–3.55; P =.018), sensitivity to light (OR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.17–5.66; P =.018), and fatigue (OR, 3.68; 95% CI, 1.51–8.95; P =.004). Veterans that did RTP were 3 times less likely to report depression (OR, .32; 95% CI, .12–.85; P =.022). Conclusions Veterans reported a substantial number of lingering symptoms, with a higher prevalence in veterans with TBI. Veterans with reported depression were less likely to RTP. Future research should focus on the relation between depression and non-RTP and the effectiveness of Department of Veterans Affairs services.
Solving the Mystery of a 1-Month-Old Infant With Scalp Swelling: Search the Literature First.

A 29-day-old infant presented to the emergency department (ED) with increasing painless scalp swelling. The swelling was first noted 2 weeks ago. Since that time, it has doubled in size. The family denied a history of trauma. She was born at term by cesarean delivery for failure to descend with fetal distress. Neither vacuum nor forceps were used. A fetal scalp electrode was placed during labor. After delivery, intramuscular vitamin K was administered. Her newborn course was complicated by hypoglycemia attributed to poor feeding. Scalp swelling was not present at birth or during the newborn hospitalization. There were no issues with jaundice and her newborn metabolic screen was normal. Since discharge, she has been exclusively fed breast milk and has been growing well, with documented weight gain of 30 g per day. The scalp swelling was first noticed by the family at 2 weeks of age. She was evaluated by her physician at 19 days of age and was otherwise well and asymptomatic. Our review of her symptoms was negative for fever or vomiting. An ultrasound revealed a 2.3 cm by 0.5 cm superficial fluid collection medially adjacent to the skull. It did not appear to communicate intracranially. On the basis of the images, it was believed to be a small focus of caput succedaneum or a small cephalohematoma. Per the radiologist, additional imaging may be warranted if the swelling did not resolve or demonstrate notable improvement over the next 4 to 6 weeks. The family was instructed to monitor the swelling at home. The day of presentation, the swelling had doubled in size, prompting the parents to seek evaluation in the ED. In the ED, her vitals were all within normal limits and she was well appearing. The physical examination was notable for a 4 cm by 6 cm …
Toward an Understanding of the Neural Basis of Executive Function Development

Abstract Executive function (EF) refers to a set of top-down neurocognitive processes that underlie the regulation of thought, emotion, and action. Scientific interest in EF development has blossomed over the past two decades because individual differences in EF predict outcomes in a wide range of contexts over the short and long term. EF varies along a continuum from “cool” to “hot”. Cool aspects of EF are those that emerge in decontextualized contexts, whereas hot aspects of EF are those that emerge in motivationally significant contexts. We provide a review of hot and cool EF and what is known about their neural basis over development. We conclude with a discussion of the future research needed to advance our understanding of the neural basis of EF.
Stratigraphy, distribution, and evidence for mafic triggering of the ca. 8.5 ka Driftwood Pumice eruption, Makushin Volcano, Alaska, U.S.A

Abstract Makushin Volcano on Unalaska Island, Alaska, threatens the Aleutian's largest population centers (Unalaska and Dutch Harbor), yet its eruption mechanisms are poorly known. This study presents a detailed stratigraphic and geochemical investigation of Makushin's most recent highly explosive event: the ca. 8.5 ka Driftwood Pumice eruption. The Driftwood Pumice has measured thicknesses of over 2.5 m, and isopach reconstructions estimate a total deposit volume of 0.3 to 1.6 km3, indicating a VEI 4–5 eruption. Proximal deposits consist of normally-graded, tan, dacitic to andesitic pumice, capped by a thinner dark layer of lower-silica andesitic scoria mixed with abundant lithic fragments. This stratigraphy is interpreted as an initial vent-clearing eruption that strengthened into a climactic ejection of pumice and ash and concluded with vent destabilization and the eruption of somewhat more mafic, gas-poor magma. Within the pumice, geochemical trends, disequilibrium mineral populations, and mineral zonation patterns show evidence of magma mixing between a bulk silicic magma and a mafic melt. Euhedral high-Ca plagioclase (An68–91) and high-Mg olivine (Fo69–77) phenocrysts are in disequilibrium with trachydacitic glass (65–68 wt% SiO2) and more abundant sodic plagioclase (An34–55), indicating the former originally crystallized in a more mafic melt. Tephra whole rock compositions become more mafic upwards through the deposit, ranging from a basal low-silica dacite to an andesite (total range: 60.8–63.3 wt% SiO2). Collectively, these compositional variations suggest magma mixing in the Driftwood Pumice (DWP) magma reservoir, with a systematic increase in the amount of a mafic component (up to 25%) upward through the deposit. Olivine-liquid and liquid-only thermometry indicate the mafic magma intruded at temperatures ~140–200 °C hotter than the silicic magma. Diffusion rates calculated for 5–7 μm thick, lower-Mg rims on the olivine phenocrysts (Fo60 rim vs Fo76 bulk) suggest that the eruption occurred several days to weeks following the mafic injection into a dacitic reservoir. Based on this timing, we infer that the mafic intrusion provided a thermal pulse that initiated convection and volatile exsolution, and ultimately resulted in the DWP eruption. Unalaska's Holocene stratigraphy includes multiple light-dark ashfall couplets with physical and geochemical similarities to the DWP, suggesting that magma mixing may be a common eruptive trigger at Makushin Volcano.
Adolescents perceive a low added sugar adequate fiber diet to be more satiating and equally palatable compared to a high added sugar low fiber diet in a randomized-crossover design controlled feeding pilot trial.

Abstract Background High added sugar (AS) intake is associated with obesity and poor diet quality. Guidelines recommended limiting AS to 5–10% of total energy intake, but palatability and feasibility of this AS intake level is uncertain. Objective To compare adolescents' perceptions of hunger, fullness, and palatability in response to a low AS adequate fiber (LASAF; 5% total energy from AS and 13.5 g fiber/1000 kcal) and a high AS low fiber (HASLF; 25% total energy form AS and 8.2 g/1000 kcal) diet. Design Adolescents (n = 32, age: 15.3 ± 1.6 yrs., BMI percentile: 47 ± 4, 15 male) completed a randomized, crossover, controlled feeding study. Participants consumed calorie-matched LASAF and HASLF diets for 7 days, separated by a 4 week washout. Body weight was monitored daily on each diet. Hunger, fullness, and palatability were assessed via 100 mm visual analogue scales at the end of each feeding period. Differences were assessed with paired sample t-tests. Data are expressed as mean ± SD. Results Participants remained weight stable, and no difference in weight change between diet conditions was detected (LASAF: −0.06 ± 0.7 vs. HASLF: −0.02 ± 0.6 kg, p = 0.751). Less hunger (LASAF: 24.1 ± 14.6 vs. HASLF: 32.1 ± 17.6 mm, p = 0.024) and greater fullness (LASAF: 70.2 ± 12.3 vs. HASLF: 61.3 ± 18.1 mm, p = 0.006) were reported on the LASAF compared to the HASLF. Participants reported the diets to be equally palatable (LASAF: 39.6 ± 12.9 vs. HASLF: 37.2 ± 17.8 mm, p = 0.440). Conclusions Adolescents perceive a LASAF diet to be as palatable as a HASLF diet, but more satiating. LASAF diets should be investigated as a strategy for weight control in adolescents.
The Dual Importance of Political Identity in Environmental Governance: The Case of Oil and Gas Policy in Colorado

Over the past decade, the U.S. has had significant growth in oil and gas production due in large part to hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”); and yet, we know little about public preferences for oil ...
Auxiliary Space Preconditioners for Mixed Finite Element Methods

This paper is devoted to study of an auxiliary spaces preconditioner for H(div) systems and its application in the mixed formulation of second order elliptic equations. Extensive numerical results show the efficiency and robustness of the algorithms, even in the presence of large coefficient variations. For the mixed formulation of elliptic equations, we use the augmented Lagrange technique to convert the solution of the saddle point problem into the solution of a nearly singular H(div) system. Numerical experiments also justify the robustness and efficiency of this scheme.
Analytical Considerations for Inelastic Zone and Crack Growth Characterizations

To illustrate how the characteristics of cracks and crack edge inelastic zones are manifested in the dynamic signals radiated during fracture, results for two idealized situations are presented. In the first situation, the inelastic zone is viewed as distributions of screw dislocations, and one such distribution growing from a crack edge prior to crack propagation is considered. In the second, the zone is viewed as a screw dislocation array, and a single dislocation moving near a running crack is treated.
Genetic Deficiencies of Cytochrome P450c17 (CYP17A1): Combined 17-Hydroxylase/17,20-Lyase Deficiency and Isolated 17,20-Lyase Deficiency

Abstract Steroid 17-hydroxylase 17,20-lyase (cytochrome P450c17, CYP17A1) occupies a critical position in the pathways of human steroidogenesis, regulating the classes of steroid hormones produced by cells of the adrenal glands and gonads. CYP17A1 catalyzes two major reactions: the 17-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase reactions. Mutations that compromise all CYP17A1 activities cause combined 17-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency, which presents as hypertension, hypokalemia, and sexual infantilism. A few mutations selectively impair 17,20-lyase activity, and some mutations in cofactor proteins cytochrome P450-oxidoreductase and cytochrome b5 also selectively disrupt 17,20-lyase activity. This chapter reviews the genetics, clinical presentation, management, and history of these disorders.
Validation of Grid-Based Hex Meshes with Computational Solid Mechanics

Grid-based methods for generating all-hex meshes show tremendous promise in automating and speeding up turnaround for computational simulations for solid mechanics. Recognizing some of its inherent weaknesses, there has been hesitancy in accepting this technology as a viable option for critical FEA. This study attempts to compare meshes generated with traditional manual pave-and-sweep technologies with those generated with an automatic overlay grid method. We use a simple torsion pin analysis to understand both linear-elastic and non-linear elastic-plastic responses with grid based meshes. This study demonstrates that in the cases tested, equivalent or superior results were achieved with grid-based meshes when compared to pave-and-sweep meshes.
Evaluation of a Measurement System to Assess ICU Team Performance.

Objective:Measuring teamwork is essential in critical care, but limited observational measurement systems exist for this environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of a behavioral marker system for measuring teamwork in ICUs.Design:Instances of teamwork wer
Parent–Child Interaction Therapy for Children with Developmental Delay and Related Problems

Young children with or at risk for developmental delay have been shown to be at significantly higher risk for behavior problems and other associated problems, including academic problems, peer problems, and parental stress. In recent years, intervention efforts targeting behavior problems have grown exponentially. Parent–child interaction therapy (PCIT) is an early behavioral parenting training intervention that has received increased research and clinical attention as studies have expanded to include children with developmental delay and related problems. In this chapter, we provide an overview of research studies over the past decade examining PCIT for children with developmental delay and related problems, such as intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, and conditions that increase risk for disability, such as premature birth and traumatic brain injury. Lastly, we provide a case example using PCIT for a 5-year-old African American female with elevated behavior problems following a moderate traumatic brain injury, and conclude with a summary of future directions for PCIT for children with or at risk for developmental delay.
Endophytes: The Other Maize Genome

Endophytes are microorganisms that live inside plants without causing disease. Maize endophytes collectively encode roughly twenty times as many genes as maize itself, giving the plant access to incredible genetic diversity. They can affect their host plant by altering growth, nutrient acquisition, disease resistance, insect resistance, and abiotic stress tolerance. Despite the richness of these communities, the rules that govern their assembly and their functions within the maize plant are complex and poorly understood. We outline what is known about maize endophytes, including which organisms are known to live inside maize, how they are transmitted, what genomic functions they encode, what effects they have on their host, and how they interact with each other and the maize plant. Many questions still remain about maize endophytes, including what makes a healthy endophyte community, how that community is assembled and develops, and how endophytes can be harnessed to improve agriculture.
Structure of Human Mitochondrial Translation Initiation Factor 3 Bound to the Small Ribosomal Subunit.

Summary The human mitochondrial translational initiation factor 3 (IF3mt) carries mitochondrial-specific amino acid extensions at both its N and C termini (N- and C-terminal extensions [NTE and CTE, respectively]), when compared with its eubacterial counterpart. Here we present 3.3- to 3.5-A-resolution cryoelectron microscopic structures of the mammalian 28S mitoribosomal subunit in complex with human IF3mt. Unique contacts observed between the 28S subunit and N-terminal domain of IF3mt explain its unusually high affinity for the 28S subunit, whereas the position of the mito-specific NTE suggests NTE's role in binding of initiator tRNA to the 28S subunit. The location of the C-terminal domain (CTD) clarifies its anti-association activity, whereas the orientation of the mito-specific CTE provides a mechanistic explanation for its role in destabilizing initiator tRNA in the absence of mRNA. Furthermore, our structure hints at a possible role of the CTD in recruiting leaderless mRNAs for translation initiation. Our findings highlight unique features of IF3mt in mitochondrial translation initiation.
Evaluating the boundaries of analytic efficiency and control: A consecutive controlled case series of 26 functional analyses.

We conducted this study to determine if the efficiency of the functional analysis could be improved without detrimental effects on control. In Experiment 1, we reanalyzed functional analyses conducted for the problem behavior of 18 children. We analyzed rates of problem behavior during the first 5 min and first 3 min of the original 10-min sessions and evaluated if changes in the level of control over problem behavior by the programmed contingency were evident from the analyses of shorter session duration. In Experiment 2, we conducted 8 consecutive functional analyses with 3-min sessions to further evaluate the utility of brief session durations. We found that control over problem behavior was demonstrated when conducting functional analyses with sessions as brief as 3 min.
Structure of Fission Yeast Transcription Factor Pho7 Bound to pho1 Promoter DNA and Effect of Pho7 Mutations on DNA Binding and Phosphate Homeostasis.

Pho7 is the Schizosaccharomyces pombe fission yeast Zn2Cys6 transcriptional factor that drives a response to phosphate starvation in which phosphate acquisition genes are upregulated. Here we report a crystal structure at 1.6-A resolution of the Pho7 DNA-binding domain (DBD) bound at its target site 2 in the pho1 promoter (5'-TCGGAAATTAAAAA). Comparison to the previously reported structure of Pho7 DBD in complex with its binding site in the tgp1 promoter (5'-TCGGACATTCAAAT) reveals shared determinants of target site specificity as well as variations in the protein-DNA interface that accommodate different promoter DNA sequences. Mutagenesis of Pho7 amino acids at the DNA interface identified nucleobase contacts at the periphery of the footprint that are essential for the induction of pho1 expression in response to phosphate starvation and for Pho7 binding to site 1 in the pho1 promoter.
Mechanical Properties of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC)

The mechanical properties of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) serve multiple purposes. The compressive strength and tensile stress-strain relation are fundamental characteristics of the material. The tensile strain capacity defines the tensile ductility of a given mix composition and processing/curing method. The crack pattern (crack spacing and crack width distribution) is a critically important indicator of durability of the material. Appropriate test methods must be used for proper material characterization. This is particularly important in light of the fact that tensile test is not commonly used for concrete material. The tensile and compressive properties can be used as representative material qualities of ECC.
5-HT does not lower blood pressure in the 5-HT7 knockout rat.

The fall in mean arterial pressure (MAP) after 24 h of 5-HT infusion is associated with a dilation of the portal vein (PV) and abdominal inferior vena cava (Ab IVC); all events were blocked by the ...
Cognitive workload during verbal abstract reasoning in Parkinson's disease: a pilot study.

Background: Pupillary response reflects cognitive workload during processing speed, working memory, and arithmetic tasks in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Abstract reasoning, a higher-order cognitive fu...
Spinoza, radical enlightenment, and the general reform of the arts in the later Dutch Golden Age: the aims of Nil Volentibus Arduum

The Amsterdam theater society Nil Volentibus Arduum, which was founded in 1669 and remained active for some years, was not just a circle meeting regularly to discuss theater theory and practice, bu...
Association between per and polyfluoroalkyl substances and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to examine the association of Per and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and markers of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Methods Using data (n = 6652) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2012, generalized linear models were used to examine the association between PFAS and inflammatory (ferritin, alkaline phosphatase, C-reactive protein, absolute neutrophil count and lymphocyte count) and oxidative stress (serum bilirubin, albumin and iron) per unit exposure to PFAS while adjusting for covariates. Study participants were those ≥20 years of age. Outcome variables were markers of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress and exposure variables were PFAS. Resullts Percentage change in Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) were all significantly associated with percentage increases in lymphocyte counts, beta (95% confidence interval); 0.04(0.02,0.05), 0.04(0.02,0.05), 0.05(0.03, 0.07), 0.04(0.03,0.05), 0.03(0.13,1.23) and with percentage increases in serum iron 0.07(0.05,0.09), 0.04(0.02,0.07), 0.10(0.07,0.12), 0.05(0.03,0.07), 0.04(0.02,0.06) and increased serum albumin 0.02(0.02,0.02), 0.02(0.02,0.03), 0.03(0.03,0.04), 0.02(0.017, 0.025), 0.01 (0.01, 0.05). Only PFHxS, PFNA, PFOA and PFOS were associated with percentage increases in serum total bilirubin 0.04(0.03,0.05), 0.02(0.00,0.03), 0.06(0.04,0.08), 0.03(0.02,0.05). Similar results were obtained for categorical quintile analysis with PFOA showing a significant trend (P Conclusion Per and Polyfluoroalkyl substances are associated with markers of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Increased exposure leads to increase in serum concentration of these markers meaning these chemicals are associated with both chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.
Real-time forecasts of economic activity for Latin American economies ☆

Abstract Macroeconomic policy decisions in real-time are based on the assessment of current and future economic conditions. Crucially, these assessments are made difficult by the presence of incomplete and noisy data. The problem is more acute for emerging market economies, where most economic data are released infrequently with a (sometimes substantial) lag. This paper evaluates nowcasts and forecasts of real GDP growth using five models for ten Latin American countries. The results indicate the flow of monthly data helps to improve forecast accuracy, and the dynamic factor model consistently produces more accurate nowcasts and forecasts relative to other model specifications, across most of the countries we consider.
Calibration of Shaker Electro-mechanical Models

Simple electro-mechanical models of electrodynamic shakers are useful for predicting shaker electrical requirements in vibration testing. A lumped parameter, multiple degree-of-freedom model can sufficiently capture most of the shaker electrical and mechanical features of interest. While several model parameters can be measured directly or obtained from a specifications sheet, others must be inferred from an electrical impedance measurement. Here, shaker model parameters are determined from electrical impedance measurements of a shaker driving a mass. Then, parameter sensitivity is explored to determine a model calibration procedure where model parameters are determined using manual and automated selection methods. The model predictions are then compared to test measurements. The model calibration procedure described in this work provides a simple, practical approach to developing predictive shaker electromechanical models which can then be used in test design and assessment simulations.
Activation of platelet-rich plasma by pulse electric fields: Voltage, pulse width and calcium concentration can be used to control and tune the release of growth factors, serotonin and hemoglobin

Activated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been used in the clinical settings of wound healing and regenerative medicine, with activation typically induced by the addition of bovine thrombin. To eliminate issues with availability, cost and potential side effects associated with bovine thrombin, ex vivo PRP activation using pulse electric fields (PEF) has been proposed and demonstrated. The present study characterizes the effect of PEF voltage and pulse width, in combination with a range of calcium concentrations, on clot formation, growth factor release, and serotonin (5-HT) release from dense granules. The main findings are: 1) increasing calcium concentrations with most PEF conditions leads to increased levels of PDGF and 5-HT release; 2) whether EGF levels increase or decrease with increasing calcium concentration depends on the specific PEF parameters; 3) the pattern of PDGF and EGF levels in supernatants suggest that these molecules are localized differently within platelets; 4) significant levels of PDGF, EGF, and 5-HT can be released without inducing clot formation or hemoglobin release. In conclusion, voltage, pulse width and calcium concentration can be used to control and tune the release of growth factors, serotonin and hemoglobin from PEF-activated PRP. Because growth factor requirements vary for different types of wounds and for wounds at different stages of healing, the unique balance of factors in supernatants of PEF-activated PRP may provide more clinically advantageous than the current standard of bovine thrombin-activated PRP.
Untargeted Large Volume Hyperthermia Reduces Tumor Drug Uptake From Thermosensitive Liposomes

Goal: The impact of hyperthermia (HT) method on tumor drug uptake with thermosensitive liposomes (TSL) is not well understood. Methods: We created realistic three-dimensional (3-D) computer models that simulate TSL-encapsulated doxorubicin (TSL-DOX) delivery in mouse tumors with three HT methods (thermistor probe (T), laser (L) and water bath (WB), at 15 min and 60 min HT duration), with corroborating in vivo studies. Results: Average computer model-predicted tumor drug concentrations (μg/g) were 8.8(T, 15 min), 21.0(T, 60 min), 14.1(L, 15 min), 25.2(L, 60 min), 9.4(WB, 15 min), and 8.7(WB, 60 min). Tumor fluorescence was increased by 2.6 × (T) and 1.6 × (L) when HT duration was extended from 15 to 60 min (p Conclusions: Untargeted large volume HT causes poor tumor drug uptake from TSL.
Learning-based dose prediction for pancreatic stereotactic body radiation therapy using dual pyramid adversarial network.

Treatment planning for pancreatic cancer stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is very challenging owing to vast spatial variations and close proximity of many organs-at-risk. Recently, deep learning (DL) based methods have been applied in dose prediction tasks of various treatment sites with the aim of relieving planning challenges. However, its effectiveness on pancreatic cancer SBRT is yet to be fully explored due to limited investigations in the literature. This study aims to further current knowledge in DL-based dose prediction tasks by implementing and demonstrating the feasibility of a new dual pyramid networks (DPNs) integrated DL model for predicting dose distributions of pancreatic SBRT. The proposed framework is composed of four parts: CT-only feature pyramid network (FPN), contour-only FPN, late fusion network and an adversarial network. During each phase of the network, combination of mean absolute error, gradient difference error, histogram matching, and adversarial loss is used for supervision. The performance of proposed model was demonstrated for pancreatic cancer SBRT plans with doses prescribed between 33 and 50 Gy across as many as three planning target volumes (PTVs) in five fractions. Five-fold cross validation was performed on 30 patients, and another 20 patients were used as holdout tests of trained model. Predicted plans were compared with clinically approved plans through dose volume parameters and two-paired t-test. For the same sets, our results were compared with three different DL architectures: 3D U-Net, 3D U-Net with adversarial learning, and DPN without adversarial learning. The proposed framework was able to predict 87% and 91% of clinically relevant dose parameters for cross validation sets and holdout sets, respectively, without any significant differences (P > 0.05). Dose distribution predicted by our framework was also able to predict the intentional hotspots as feature characteristics of SBRT plans. Our method achieved higher correlation coefficients with the ground truth in 22/26, 24/26 and 20/26 dose volume parameters compared to the network without adversarial learning, 3D U-Net, and 3D U-Net with adversarial learning, respectively. Overall, the proposed model was able to predict doses to cases with both single and multiple PTVs. In conclusion, the DPN integrated DL model was successfully implemented, and demonstrated good dose prediction accuracy and dosimetric characteristics for pancreatic cancer SBRT.
Head of Cataloging Services

As the authors of Linked data for the perplexed librarian point out, the roots of linked data go back at least as far as 1989. This was the year that information scientist and current Director of t...
Processing of Silicon Carbide for Devices and Circuits

Publisher Summary Most traditional integrated circuit technologies using silicon devices are not able to operate at temperatures above 250°C especially when high operating temperatures are combined with high-power, high-frequency, and high-radiation environments. Much attention has been given to SiC, currently the most mature of the wide-bandgap semiconductors, as a material well-suited for high-temperature and efficient high-power operation. SiC has potential for use in numerous other high-power, high-frequency, and radiation-resistant applications. Silicon carbide (SIC), aluminum nitride (A1N), gallium nitride (GaN), boron nitride (BN), diamond, and zinc selenide (ZnSe) are the primary wide bandgap semiconductors, now being developed for use in various applications. An overview of the electronic properties of SiC as relating to high-temperature electronics, as well as significant achievements involving high-temperature SiC electronics prior to 1996 has been given in the chapter. A broad overview of some of the high-temperature applications using SiC electronics has also been discussed. Devices such as high-frequency Metal Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MESFET's), which do not rely on large area or a high-quality dielectric may be the first SiC electronic devices (excluding optical devices) to reach the commercial market.
Force generated by human sperm correlated to velocity and determined using a laser generated optical trap

The development of the single beam gradient force optical trap has made it possible to manipulate cells solely by laser light. A continuous wave Nd:YAG (1.06 microns) laser beam was directed into a conventional microscope and focused onto the viewing plane by the objective lens. The laser beam power at which human sperm were released from the trap was measured and correlated to the sperm's linear velocity before trapping. The mean trapping power readings for slow, medium, and fast motile sperm were 57, 73, and 84 mW, respectively. The analysis of measurements over the total population demonstrated that zig-zag motile sperm had significantly higher mean power readings when compared with straight motile sperm with similar mean linear velocities. In two cases, specimens required significantly less trapping power when the measurements were repeated 24 hours later.
Brief communication: A headholder and stereotaxic instrument for small laboratory animals

Abstract A simple headholder and stereotaxic instrument is described. It can be constructed in the laboratory economically and rapidly, using commercially available parts. The instrument will accommodate rabbits, cats, puppies, kittens and rats.
On strong separations from ACo

We investigate sets that are immune to ACo; that is, sets with no infinite subset in ACo. First we show that such sets exist in PPP. Although this seems like a rather weak result (since ACo is an extremely weak complexity class and PPP contains the entire polynomial hierarchy) we also prove a somewhat surprising theorem, showing that a significant breakthrough will be necessary in order to prove a bound much better than PPP. Namely, we show that any answer to the question:
Bureaucratic Networks or Networked Bureaucracies? Knowledge Sharing in ICT-Enabled Innovation Projects

This paper examines knowledge sharing processes in digital government projects (DGPs). Although knowledge sharing processes are a central feature of the functioning of government, they have received little attention in the literature. The importance of knowledge sharing has become even more evident with the rise of digital government initiatives, as these have a networking effect on bureaucracies. With multiple agencies and multidisciplinary knowledge coming together, it is necessary to combine and reconnect the required knowledge. Based on empirical data from four DGPs in Switzerland and the United States, a theoretical model for knowledge sharing in DGPs is proposed. The model ties together processes and content of knowledge sharing through two task dimensions, each of them subdivided into two phases: (1) Conception and implementation of the project, and (2) Exploration and exploitation of knowledge. I show that the implementation of DG requires a balanced mix of exploration and exploitation of knowledge, where exploration is more important in the conceptual phase, and exploitation becomes more fruitful in the implementation phase. I found that different configurations of knowledge networks in DGPs are related to different stages in the advancement of the project: DGPs rely on sparse networks during the conceptual phase of the project, and tend to employ teams or tightly-bound groups when the project moves towards implementation. The study concludes with implications for research and practice.
Microsatellites for Lindera species

Microsatellite markers were developed for conservation genetic studies of Lindera melissifolia (pondberry), a federally endangered shrub of southern bottomland ecosystems. Microsatellite sequences were obtained from DNA libraries that were enriched for the (AC) n simple sequence repeat motif. From 35 clone sequences, 20 primer pairs were designed and evaluated. Eleven primer pairs amplified polymorphic marker loci in pondberry while two did so in Lindera benzoin (spicebush). In 46 samples from a single pondberry site the number of microsatellite alleles ranged from two to 11 per locus with observed heterozygosity values of 0.07–0.91.
Autolytic Formation of Protoplasts (Autoplasts) of Streptococcus faecalis 9790: Release of Cell Wall, Autolysin, and Formation of Stable Autoplasts

A system for the formation of apparently wall-free protoplasts from exponential-phase cells of Streptococcus faecalis ATCC 9790 in the absence of added lytic enzymes was developed. Exponential-phase cells suspended in 0.04 M ammonium acetate, pH 6.7, 1 mM magnesium acetate, and 0.5 M sucrose become osmotically fragile within 1 to 1.5 h due to the action of the native, autolytic enzyme on the cell wall peptidoglycan. However, maximal cell wall loss occurred much more slowly, being complete only after 3 to 6 h. Under these conditions, the autolytically formed protoplasts (autoplasts) remained intact for prolonged periods (up to 24 h) with less than 5% of their deoxyribonucleic acid, ribonucleic acid, and protein lost during the first 6 h. During dissolution of the cell wall, release of autolytic enzyme to the supernatant fluid began after 60% of the wall was lost. The addition of trypsin to the incubation mixture increased the rate of attainment of osmotic fragility and cell wall loss two- to threefold, apparently due to the activation of the latent form of the autolysin. Electron microscopy was used to confirm cell wall loss and the presence of intact protoplasts at the end of the incubation periods.
Career Education for Gifted Pre-Adolescents.

Most children have very few opportunities to learn about the world of work, especially about professional careers that are not highly visible to the public. Intellectually gifted studnts are as likely to need career education and counseling as are less academically oriented students. The type of career education they require will be different, however. Yet, few programs have considered that problem.In this paper a career awareness program developed by the Intellectually Gifted Child Study Group at The Johns Hopkins University and pilot-tested in Baltimore City Public Schools is described. This program was unique in its efforts to combine the teaching of fasic skills and mathematical concepts not typically included in the general elementary school curriculums with exposure of the students to professional mathematicians in small-group situations.The pilot program consisted of four mini-courses, one each in geometry, statistics, probability, and computer science. Twenty-four fourth, fifth and sixth grade stu...
Photosynthetic Energy Conversion Efficiency: Setting a Baseline for Gauging Future Improvements in Important Food and Biofuel Crops

The conversion efficiency (ec) of absorbed radiation into biomass (MJ of dry matter per MJ of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation) is a component of yield potential that has been estimated at less than half the theoretical maximum. Various strategies have been proposed to improve ec, but a statistical analysis to establish baseline ec levels across different crop functional types is lacking. Data from 164 published ec studies conducted in relatively unstressed growth conditions were used to determine the means, greatest contributors to variation, and genetic trends in ec across important food and biofuel crop species. ec was greatest in biofuel crops (0.049–0.066), followed by C4 food crops (0.046–0.049), C3 nonlegumes (0.036–0.041), and finally C3 legumes (0.028–0.035). Despite confining our analysis to relatively unstressed growth conditions, total incident solar radiation and average growing season temperature most often accounted for the largest portion of ec variability. Genetic improvements in ec, when present, were less than 0.7% per year, revealing the unrealized potential of improving ec as a promising contributing strategy to meet projected future agricultural demand.
Does Personal Distress Mediate the Effect of Mindfulness on Professional Quality of Life

Personal distress is an aspect of the empathy construct which has been negatively associated with a range of psychological and behavioral problems. However, it is unclear whether mindfulness serves to buffer these negative relationships. This study examines direct effects and mediation effects of personal distress and mindfulness among three measures of professional quality of life: compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction. This model was tested using a sample of clinical social workers (n = 171). Results indicated that higher personal distress is significantly associated with higher compassion fatigue and burnout and lower compassion satisfaction, while mindfulness is significantly associated with lower compassion fatigue and burnout and higher compassion satisfaction. Mediation analyses showed significant indirect effects on all three measures of professional quality of life, with effect sizes in the small to moderate range. The indirect effects of mindfulness via the personal distress path accounted for 14-22% of the total effect of mindfulness on the three measures of professional quality of life. Implications for the education and training of social workers are discussed.
A Review of “Wired Youth: The Social World of Adolescence in the Information Age”

Wired Youth (2010)—by Gustavo S. Mesch and Ilan Talmud, Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer, respectively, at the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Haifa—is one of the mor...
Radar And Communication Band Signal Processing Using Time-Integration Processors

A new architecture for performing time-integration correlation is described. The correlator uses a surface acoustic wave (SAW) delay line, and features the optical interference of two coherent light beams which have been Bragg-diffracted by SAW's propagating in the line. The time integration is performed by a photodiode array which detects the diffracted light. Time-bandwidth products exceeding 106 (50 MHz times 30 ms) have been achieved. This two-beam SAW acousto-optic time-integrating correlator has been used to detect a number of wideband spread-spectrum signals. It has several attributes which make it particularly well suited for use as a spread-spectrum signal processor. These include linearity of operation, large time aperture over which the correlation can be observed, and the ability to determine the center frequency and bandwidth of the signals. The suitability of this correlator for use as a signal processor in spread-spectrum systems is considered. In addition, a two-dimensional realization of this correlator is proposed for frequency scanning correlation. The use of this frequency scanning correlator as an LPI radar signal processor is discussed.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Abstract B10: Factors predicting decisional conflict and p53 genetic testing intention among those at risk of Li-Fraumeni syndrome

Background: Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a rare genetic condition that increases lifetime risk for a variety of cancers in children and adults. LFS is due to an inherited mutation in the p53 tumor suppressor gene. While genetic testing may help LFS families better understand their cancer risks, decisions to undergo testing may be difficult given the psychosocial implications of testing and the lack of clarity about screening and surveillance methods that are most appropriate for LFS-related cancers. Previous research has shown decisional conflict, or one9s perceived difficulty in making decisions about genetic testing, to be a strong predictor of p53 testing intention. However, little is known generally or specifically among LFS-affected families about the factors that predict decisional conflict. We tested a theoretical model of factors (Hall, Manne, Winkel et al., 2011) that contribute to decisional conflict, including genetic testing self-efficacy, genetics knowledge and testing pros and cons. Additionally, we expanded upon the model by assessing the contribution of risk perceptions and worry and the extent to which the model also predicts p53 genetic testing intentions. Methods: Participants (N=139) in this study were from 27 LFS-affected families enrolled in a longitudinal study offering p53 genetic counseling and testing, including those affected (N=29) and unaffected (N=110) by cancer. Results: Analysis using generalized estimating equations shows higher testing self-efficacy is associated with lower levels of decisional conflict (B=0.09, p Conclusions: These findings support previous research showing decisional conflict to be an important predictor of genetic testing intention among those at-risk of LFS and suggest decisional conflict may help further explain how psychological factors (e.g. perceived risk, self-efficacy, worry) impact genetic testing intention. Thus, these findings offer support for the development of decision aids for p53 genetic testing and suggest these aids should communicate risk and build self-efficacy in order to reduce uncertainty surrounding testing decisions. Additionally, results suggest that those with strong cognitive and emotional responses to risk will have more confidence in their decisions whether to test. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2011;4(10 Suppl):B10.
Involvement of protein kinase C in the regulation of ornithine decarboxylase mRNA by phorbol esters in rat hepatoma cells

Abstract The tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) stimulates a rapid increase in ornithine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.17; ODC) activity in target cells. Here we demonstrate that this process involves a rapid accumulation of ODC mRNA, which is maximal 3 h after treatment (three- to eightfold greater than control cells) and decays to control levels within 18 h. Stimulation of ODC mRNA by TPA is blocked by phorbol dibutyrate down-regulation of protein kinase C (PKC). ODC mRNA was also induced by the PKC activators, phospholipase C and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-rac-glycerol, and blocked by kinase inhibitors (trifluoroperazine, H7, and palmitoyl- l -carnitine), consistent with a requirement for PKC activation in the induction mechanism. However, the non-PKC-speciflc protein kinase inhibitor HA1004 also suppressed expression of ODC mRNA in response to TPA, under conditions where it did not inhibit PKC, suggesting that additional kinases may be involved in the intracellular signalling process. The stability of the ODC mRNA (control value = 6.2 ± 1.6 h) is not significantly changed by either TPA (5.7 ± 0.8 h) or by cycloheximide (6.0 h). These results are inconsistent with any contribution from altered mRNA half-life towards the accumulation of ODC mRNA following treatment with phorbol ester tumor promoters.
Analysis: Glucose Meters: Now What?

231 THE EASY AVAILABILITY of blood glucose testing fundamentally changed our approach to diabetes management. Given the high renal threshold for glucose, urine testing for sugars two decades ago essentially mandated poor glycemic control. The first glucose strips required visual comparison to a color chart to estimate blood glucose concentrations. While difficult to interpret, these strips greatly advanced diabetes management. These visually read strips gave way to more objective systems that electronically measured the intensity of a chemical reaction and converted this signal into an estimate of blood glucose. These “meters” have continued to improve. Very impressive technical advancements have decreased the time and trouble associated with blood glucose testing. As sample volumes have decreased, so has the pain associated with the skin prick required to obtain the small amount of blood. In this issue, Heller et al. report on a glucose meter that requires only 300 nL of blood, an impressively small sample. With such refinement in the technology to measure glucose, what should be the next step in glucose meter evolution? While there is often great value in immediately knowing one’s current blood glucose concentration, much of the clinical utility of testing lies in analyzing glucose values over time. The detection of relationships, or patterns, among insulin dose, dietary intake, and physical activity can help to improve overall glycemic control. With the addition of memory, a clock, and a system to record dietary and other therapeutic actions, some of the more sophisticated glucose meters have become potentially valuable record keeping systems. How can patients and health care providers use this profusion of data to favorably impact glycemic control? The first step is recognizing that the actual meter is only part of a greater system that should be designed to help improve glycemic control. Patients and/or their families need tools to help analyze their glucose data, and now nearly ubiquitous computers offer real advantages over handwritten logbooks. Many of the meter systems export glucose data to personal computers where meter associated software displays glucose concentrations in various formats. The quality and usability of the available programs vary widely, with some otherwise excellent meters hobbled by surprisingly weak software. Some forward-looking companies have made their programs easily available to patients on the Internet, which is an efficient, inexpensive method of distributing software tools. Patients must still obtain a cable to connect the meter to the computer. Hopefully, meter companies will continue to recognize the growing importance of providing high-quality programs to help patients make the most of their blood glucose data. There is substantial room for improvement. While less problematic to individual patients