cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decision Tree-Based Modeling of Androgen Pathway Genes and Prostate Cancer Risk

Background: Inherited variability in genes that influence androgen metabolism has been associated with prostate cancer risk. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate interactions for prostate cancer risk using classification and regression trees (CART) and to evaluate whether these interactive effects add information about risk prediction beyond that of "traditional" risk factors. Methods: We compared CART models to traditional logistic regression (LR) models for associations of factors with prostate cancer risk using 1084 prostate cancer cases and 941 controls. All analyses were stratified by race. We used unconditional LR to complement and compare to the race-stratified CART results using the area under curve (AUC) for the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: The CART modeling of prostate cancer risk showed different interaction profiles by race. For European Americans, interactions among CYP3A43 genotype, history of benign prostate hypertrophy, family history of prostate cancer and age at consent revealed a distinct hierarchy of gene-environment and gene-gene interactions. While for African Americans, interactions among family history of prostate cancer, European ancestry proportion, GGC AR repeats and CYP3A4/CYP3A5 haplotype revealed distinct interaction effects from those found in European Americans. For European Americans the CART model had the highest AUC, while for African Americans the LR model with the CART discovered factors had the largest AUC. Conclusion: These results show novel gene-gene and gene-environment racial/ethnic specific interactions that would not have been found using traditional LR approaches. Impact: These results provide new insight into underlying prostate cancer biology for European Americans and African Americans.
Osmotic regulation of estrogen receptor-β expression in magnocellular vasopressin neurons requires lamina terminalis

Estrogen receptor-β (ER-β) expression in rat magnocellular vasopressin (VP) neurons of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei (SON and PVN, respectively) becomes undetectable after 72 h of 2% Na...
Direct bonding of GaN and SiC; a novel technique for electronic device fabrication

The direct bonding method is applied to the GaN/SiC system, and the processing conditions for successful direct bonding are clarified. Direct bonding of GaN/SiC is achieved at 900°C. The direct bonding of GaN to Si-face SiC is very dependent on the choice of chemical treatments but the bonding of GaN to C-face SiC is less dependent on surface preparation. It is found that an oxide-cleaned surface is essential to achieve good reproducibility of bonding. The electrical properties of the bonded interfaces are also characterized. If a native oxide is present when the bonded interface is prepared, the current through the interface is decreased, which is attributed to an energy barrier due to the presence of charged interface states. Cross section transmission electron microscopy indicates 10nm spaced dislocations at the interface, which form to accommodate the lattice mismatch and twist misfit. In some regions an amorphous oxide layer forms at the interface, which is attributed to inadequate surface preparation prior to bonding. Directly bonded GaN/SiC heterojunction diodes have been fabricated and characterized. The Ga-face (0001) n-type 2H GaN films were directly bonded to the Si-face or C-face (0001, 000-1) p-type 6H SiC. The I-V characteristics display diode ideality factors, saturation currents and energy barrier heights of 1.5±0.1, 10-13A/cm2, 0.75±0.10 eV for the Ga/Si interface and 1.2±0.1, 10-16A/cm2, 0.56±0.10 eV for the Ga/C interface. The built-in potential was determined from capacitance-voltage measurements to be 2.11±0.10 eV and 2.52±0.10 eV for the Ga/Si interface and the Ga/C interface, respectively. From the built-in potential the energy band offsets are determined to be ΔEC=0.87±0.10 eV and ΔEV=1.24±0.10 eV for the Ga/Si interface and ΔEC=0.46±0.10 eV and ΔEV=0.83±0.10 eV for the Ga/C interface.
Risk of Haemophilus influenzae Type b Disease in Children with Cancer and Response of Immunocompromised Leukemic Children to a Conjugate Vaccine

From 1969 to 1988, 8 cases of systemic Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease occurred among 5288 patients with cancer. For the first 4 years of life, systemic Hib disease was significantly greater in leukemic children than in the general population (606/100,000 vs. 90/100,000, respectively). Fifty children aged 2-6 years with acute leukemia were vaccinated with a Hib conjugate vaccine, ProHibit. The overall response rate was 50%; however, 75% of children receiving leukemic therapy for less than 12 months responded versus 18% of those treated longer. After vaccination, the geometric mean antibody concentration was 7.2 micrograms/ml, appreciably lower than for normal children of similar ages. After 12 months, the geometric mean antibody concentration had declined to 0.35 micrograms/ml, and 75% of subjects had antibody levels greater than or equal to 0.15 micrograms/ml. A booster dose for unsuccessfully vaccinated subjects was of minimal benefit. Children with acute leukemia in remission who were treated according to the leukemia therapy protocol of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital had a good likelihood of responding to the conjugate Hib vaccine if administered within a year of initiation of chemotherapy.
Exploiting parallelism to support scalable hierarchical clustering

A distributed memory parallel version of the group average hierarchical agglomerative clustering algorithm is proposed to enable scaling the document clustering problem to large collections. Using standard message passing operations reduces interprocess communication while maintaining efficient load balancing. In a series of experiments using a subset of a standard Text REtrieval Conference (TREC) test collection, our parallel hierarchical clustering algorithm is shown to be scalable in terms of processors efficiently used and the collection size. Results show that our algorithm performs close to the expected O(n2sp) time on p processors rather than the worst-case O(n3sp) time. Furthermore, the O(n2sp) memory complexity per node allows larger collections to be clustered as the number of nodes increases. While partitioning algorithms such as k-means are trivially parallelizable, our results confirm those of other studies which showed that hierarchical algorithms produce significantly tighter clusters in the document clustering task. Finally, we show how our parallel hierarchical agglomerative clustering algorithm can be used as the clustering subroutine for a parallel version of the buckshot algorithm to cluster the complete TREC collection at near theoretical runtime expectations. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced inhibition of neuronal firing in the nucleus accumbens is mediated by both serotonin and dopamine

Abstract Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a mood-altering, legally-restricted drug that has been reported to inhibit glutamate-evoked firing of cells in the nucleus accumbens. This study used extracellular recording combined with microiontophoresis to examine whether the inhibitory effect of MDMA on neuronal firing in the nucleus accumbens is mediated by serotonin and/or dopamine. Serotonin and serotonin agonists with relative selectivity for the receptor subtypes 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A/2C and 5-HT3 all significantly (P These results suggest that both dopamine release and an intermediate step of MDMA-induced serotonin release are necessary for the inhibitory effects of MDMA on neuronal excitability in the nucleus accumbens. The dopamine- and serotonin-mediated inhibitory effects of MDMA on glutamate-evoked firing of nucleus accumbens cells may play a role in the mood-altering properties of this increasingly popular drug. Copyright © 1996 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
Signal analysis with a newly designed electrocardiograph using switched capacitor filters

Switched capacitor filters are integrated into a hand-held electrocardiograph. Analysis of repetitive signals from human subjects is facilitated by an exceptionally large rolloff (100 dB/dec) at low frequencies (20 Hz). Sensitivity to harmonics is easily accomplished by changing a single resistor setting. Signal analysis of this cleanliness and selectivity has, up to now, only been possible on very, very large machines. >
Cyclooxygenase inhibition decreases nitric oxide synthase activity in human platelets

Activity of both nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX) plays an important role in the regulation of platelet function. NO has been shown to directly activate COX. This study was...
Hegel and Marxism-Leninism: The Resolution of the Conflict

In Hegel’s philosophy of history as the Absolute Spirit’s coming to self- realization we have the culmination of the rejection of public philosophy and its replacement with civil theology, or, more specifically, egophany. In a sense we find in Hegel the ultimate reconciliation of contradictories in an atheistic philosophy. Whereas Hegel’s predecessors attempted relatively half-heartedly to set man upon the vacant divine throne, Hegel goes about this enthronement with much fanfare while disguising man as the manifestation of God. In fact, his justification of God in history is actually a recreation of history and the cosmos in the image of Hegel’s will to power. Our concern here is simply with outlining those aspects of Hegel’s thought which have to do with his resolution of anticosmy.
Work-in-progress: Online teamwork skills taking team based learning to the digital classroom

Two instructors partnered with an instructional designer to integrate their separate courses into a single online course covering both elementary statistics and epidemiology. High enrollment was expected (175–200 graduate level nursing students) and team-based learning (TBL) principles were adopted. This paper documents the experiences of the course development team regarding the design, implementation and evaluation of team-based learning methodology in an online environment. Through the application of instructional design principles, this paper suggests how online collaboration tools can be used to improve student perception of the effectiveness of online teamwork, and their satisfaction with the overall design of the course.
Barriers to Recruitment and Adherence in a Randomized Controlled Diet and Exercise Weight Loss Intervention Among Minority Breast Cancer Survivors

Minority recruitment to cancer trials is low and there are limited data on minority adherence to lifestyle modification interventions. We examined factors related to recruitment and adherence to a pilot weight loss intervention among Hispanic and black breast cancer survivors. Participants completed a detailed screening interview to assess barriers to enrollment. An index was created to assess adherence at 6 months. 112 potentially eligible women were identified; 66 consented and completed a screening interview. After screening, 9 were ineligible; 15 opted to not enroll; and 42 were randomized. Among eligible women, earlier stage at diagnosis, treatment type, and negative beliefs related to exercise and diet after diagnosis were negatively associated with study enrollment (P < 0.05). Self-reported barriers to adherence included fatigue, family responsibilities, illness, work, transportation, and negative perceptions of exercise and diet. Results from this study emphasize the need to adapt recruitment and adherence strategies to address these factors.
Understanding the Performance Benefit of Asynchronous Data Transfers in OpenCL Programs Executing on Media Processors

In this work, we study the performance benefits of using asynchronous data transfers in OpenCL programs executing on media processors. Asynchronous data transfers are typically implemented by use of Direct Memory Access (DMA) engines that can be programmed to transfer data from one memory location to another. Asynchronous transfers can free up processing cores from managing data transfers and having to wait for transfer completion. In a typical programming model using asynchronous transfers, the kernel uses a double-buffering scheme wherein data is moved to/from one buffer ("scratch-pad") while the core operates on the other buffer. Intuitively, this model allows the cost of data transfers to be hidden or overlapped with computation. This is in contrast with accessing data "through the cache". Here, the core executes loads and stores to access the required data. Due to the inherent spatial and temporal locality of accesses, the cache hierarchy plays a significant role in mitigating the cost/delay associated with frequent off-chip accesses. In this work, we seek to understand the performance gains expected with use of asynchronous transfers in a typical media processor. To do so, we first develop a simple yet insightful model of performance that helps quantify the benefits of asynchronous transfers over cache-based accesses in such processors. Next, we experimentally evaluate these programming styles on a variety of kernels executing on the Texas Instruments Keystone-II multi-core DSP platform. We observe that asynchronous data transfers can improve performance of image-processing OpenCL programs by as much as 5fi, with an average improvement of 40%.
Spectroelectrochemical Sensing of Pyrene Metabolites 1-Hydroxypyrene and 1-Hydroxypyrene-glucuronide

Spectroelectrochemical sensing in an optically transparent thin layer electrode (OTTLE) cell was used for detecting the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) biomarkers 1-hydroxypyrene (1-pyOH) and 1-hydroxypyrene-glucuronide (1-pyOglu) in phosphate buffer and artificial urine. This approach uses selective electrochemical modulation of a fluorescence signal by sequentially oxidizing the analytes in an OTTLE cell to distinguish between their overlapping fluorescence spectra. This technique allows for complete oxidation and signal modulation in approximately 15 min for each analyte; a mixture of 1-pyOH and its glucuronic acid conjugate can be analyzed in 30 min. Calibration curves consisting of the fluorescence change vs analyte concentration for 1-pyOH and 1-pyOglu yielded linear ranges from 10 nM to 1 μM and from 1 nM to 1 μM, respectively. With the use of these results, the calculated limits of detection were determined to be 1 × 10−8 M for 1-pyOH and 9 × 10−11 M for 1-pyOglu.
Quantitative Loss Simulation of Integrated Optic Waveguide Spectrometers

The integrated optic “spectrometer on a chip” uses a grating to couple light between optical channel waveguides (fig. 1), and is currently of great interest for wavelength-division-multiplexed fiber communication systems [1-5].
Ploygyny in a Colony of the Fire Ant Solenopsis geminata

Although the queens of some ant species have long been known to unite to found colonies (pleometrosis), only a few species have been observed to have multiple queens in a single well-established colony (polygyny). Brian (1965) and Sudd (1967) reviewed the works of several authors that reported finding multiple queens in well-established colonies of certain Lasius species. Gray (1971) reported finding multiple queens in colonies of Myrmecia dispar (Clark) and M. desortum Wheeler. Wilson (1971) reviewed some of the same reports mentioned by Brian and Sudd and cited other instances of the finding of multiple queens in a single colony. He stated that large colonies of Campanotus herculeanus (Latrielle) and C. ligniperda (Latrielle) often contain several queens. He further stated that J. C. Moser and M. S. Blum, respectively, in personal communications had reported the occasional finding of 2 queens in colonies of Atta texana Buckley and “Solenopsis saevissima.” The latter species is very closely related to S. geminata (F.), belonging to the same genus. Also Markin et al. (1972) found as many as 50 of the queens of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, clustered together under stones, cans, or other debris following nuptial flights and from 2 to 5 queens in common brood chambers with egg masses and small larvae. However, by the time the 1st workers appeared, only a single queen remained and in well-established colonies no more than one fertile queen was ever found.
The Role of Anxiety Sensitivity in the Relation Between Trait Worry and Smoking Behavior

Introduction: Smoking and anxiety disorders frequently co-occur. Trait worry is a core symptom of anxiety disorders. While research suggests worry processes may be important to certain smoking behaviors, the mechanisms explicating these relations remain unknown. Method: The current study examined anxiety sensitivity (AS) as a potential mediator for the rela- tion between trait worry and number of years being a daily smoker, latency to first cigarette of the day, smoking rate, heaviness of smoking, and nicotine dependence among treatment-seeking daily smokers (N = 376; 47% female; M age = 37.76, SD = 13.46). Results: Consistent with prediction, AS significantly mediated the relations between trait worry and the studied smoking variables. Conclusion: The present findings suggest it may be useful to clinically address AS among worry- prone, treatment-seeking daily smokers in order to address smoking behavior.
Detorsion-Varus Osteotomy

Detorsions varus osteotomy is one of the most important treatments of congenital dislocation of hip.Many techniques have been trying even now, but this operation needs the skilled operator and long operative time. And in some cases, uncomfortable result may be present after operation.Now we devise and favor a means of this operation, which is not lost time and obtain easier expected angle.Deciding corrective angle, we place our clinical views with roentgenograms. We use a few triangle metals and chart at operation. The triangle metals class from 5 degrees to 90 degrees. The chart list a length of bone wedge's base at varus osteotomy and a distance of distal femoral lateral rotation at detorsion osteotomy, by measuring diameter of osteotomy part on roentgenogram.
Susceptibility of Some Florida Chironomids and Mosquitoes to Various Formulations ofBacillus thuringiensis serovar. israelensis

Three wettable powders (WP), IPS-78, R-153-78, and ABG-6108, and one flowable concentrate (FC), SAN-402-WDC, of Bacillus thuringiensis serovar. Israelensis de Barjac were tested in the laboratory against Ist- and 3rd-instar Glyptotendipes paripes Edwards, and 3rd-instar Chironomus crassicaudatus Malloch, C. decorus Johannsen, and Tanytarsus spp. The B. thuringiensis serovar. israelensis formulations also were tested against 3rd-instar Aedes aegypti (L.), and Culex quinquefasciatus Say. The R-153-78 was invariably the most active preparation against midges (LC90 = 4.56-9.84 ppm) and mosquitoes (LC90 = 0.13 and 0.24 ppm) followed by IPS-78 The LC90 of the midge species ranged from 4.56 to 47.02 ppm, whereas the same range for the mosquitoes was 0.13 to 0.99 ppm. The 1st-instar G. paripes was 10- to 14-fold more susceptible to B. thuringiensis serovar. israelensis than its 3rd instar. The mosquito larvae were 13;-to 75-fold more susceptible to the various B. thuringiensis serovar. israelensis preparations than were the midge larvae even at half the exposure time. The provision of food to the midge and the mosquito larvae impaired the effectiveness of each B. thuringiensis serovar. israelensis formulation.
Modeling the Propagation of Premixed Flames in the Context of Hydrodynamic Theory.

The hydrodynamic model of flame propagation is based on an asymptotic theory that exploits the multi-scale structure of a premixed flame, characterized essentially by a small diffusion thickness compared to the hydrodynamic length associated with the spatial domain of the vessel where the combustion process takes place. In this paper we show that its numerical implementation using a hybrid Navier-Stokes/front-capturing technique yield novel results on the dynamics of premixed flames in laminar as well as turbulent environments. In laminar flow, we characterize the structure and speed of the corrugated flame that evolves as a result of the hydrodynamic or Darrieus-Landau instability, and the subsequent induced flow that is ultimately responsible to the flame’s straining. The nature of the hydrodynamic model, where the flame is of vanishing thickness, smaller than the smallest turbulence scales, makes it an ideal tool to also study the propagation in the flamelet regime of turbulent combustion. In this context we obtain a functional relationship for the turbulent flame speed in terms of turbulence characteristics, such as scale and intensity, and flame characteristics, such as thermal expansion and mixture composition.
Review of Talus Fractures and Surgical Timing

This review article provides an overview of talus fractures. Special attention is given to the clinical literature that evaluates the timing of surgical management for displaced talus fractures. Several series support delayed definitive fixation for talus fractures, suggesting displaced fractures do not necessitate emergent surgical fixation.
Dibutyryl cAMP activates bumetanide-sensitive electrolyte transport in Malpighian tubules.

The effects of dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (DBcAMP) and bumetanide (both 10(-4) M) on transepithelial Na+, K+, Cl-, and fluid secretion and on tubule electrophysiology were studi...
The Potential of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for Women in Violent Relationships

Abstract HIV and intimate partner violence (IPV) are significant intersecting threats to women's health. Women in violent relationships have few feasible HIV risk reduction options as traditional prevention methods are largely dependent on a partner's cooperation. The purpose of this review is to explore potential benefits and drawbacks of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among women in the United States experiencing IPV. Advantages of PrEP use in this population include the potential for covert or autonomous use, coital independence, dual protection against sexual and injection risk, and facilitated connections to social services. A number of barriers, however, may interfere with the effective use of PrEP, including partner resistance, cost, frequent medical visits, gendered norms regarding sexuality, and stigma. To realize its potential for women in violent relationships, it will be necessary to incorporate PrEP into behavioral and structural interventions that encourage uptake, facilitate adherence,...
High Retroperitoneal Lymphocele: Unusual Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis by Ultrasonography

A case of a mid lumbar lymphocele secondary to retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for testicular carcinoma is described. The clinical picture was unusual and confusing in that the symptoms were gastrointestinal in nature. Ultrasound provided the diagnosis and guidance for aspiration. Although the most common operative source of lymphocele formation appears to be the pelvic lymphatics similar collections may arise from para-aortic and renal hilar dissections and produce unusual manifestations. Ultrasound is of established value in such cases.
Longitudinal Transients and Control Response

This chapter focuses on longitudinal transients and control response. With all three degrees of freedom, the equations of motion define a fourth order system. The characteristic equation roots normally occur as two complex pairs. One is large, corresponding to a high-frequency, heavily damped oscillation, while the other is very small, for a long-period, lightly damped oscillation. The first is the so-called short period mode approximately described by the constant- V analysis. The other is the phugoid, approximated by the constant-angle-of-attack analysis. Of the two modes, the short period is the more important. It contains most of the angle-of-attack response to control deflection and the variation of normal acceleration necessary for maneuvering. The phugoid mode is usually so long in period that it has very little influence on flying qualities. Any phugoid motion occurs so gradually and slowly that it is easily guided or altered by the pilot. It usually makes little difference, whether the mode is a trifle stable or a trifle unstable. In conditions where continuous, active control is required, the phugoid properties are probably not even perceptible to the pilot.
Genetic and Epigenetic Testing in Integrative Dermatology

The human genome consists of about 100,000 genes, of which approximately 20,000 code for structural peptides and proteins. Most of the remainder are control genes similar to off-on switches or other regulatory mechanisms. Epigenetics involves regulation of gene activation and deactivation through DNA methylation, alterations in histone structure, microRNA activity, and other factors. Genetic skin disorders, inflammatory and immune responses, and benign and malignant tumors all have genetic and epigenetic aspects. Understanding these genetic and epigenetic influences can assist in integrative management of common skin disorders as discussed in this chapter.
Is Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 a colicin producing strain? (a note)

The well-characterized strain of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 recommended and widely used as a control Gram-negative bacterium for various laboratory experiments, especially for antibiotic susceptibility assays, was found to be antagonistic against another E. coli strain which is uniquely susceptible to fusidic acid, an antibiotic mainly active against Gram-positive bacteria. This antagonistic property appears to be selective, since it was not found against other E. coli or Staphylococcus aureus strains.
Breast parenchymal patterns in processed versus raw digital mammograms: A large population study toward assessing differences in quantitative measures across image representations

Purpose With raw digital mammograms (DMs), which retain the relationship with x-ray attenuation of the breast tissue, not being routinely available, processed DMs are often the only viable means to acquire imaging measures. The authors investigate differences in quantitative measures of breast density and parenchymal texture, shown to have value in breast cancer risk assessment, between the two DM representations. Methods The authors report data from 8458 pairs of bilateral raw (“FOR PROCESSING”) and processed (“FOR PRESENTATION”) DMs acquired from 4278 women undergoing routine screening evaluation, collected with DM units from two different vendors. Breast dense tissue area and percent density (PD), as well as a range of quantitative descriptors of breast parenchymal texture (statistical, co-occurrence, run-length, and structural descriptors), were measured using previously validated, fully automated software. Feature measurements were compared using matched-pairs Wilcoxon signed-ranks test, correlation (r), and linear-mixed-effects (LME) models, where potential interactions with woman- and system-specific factors were also assessed. The authors also compared texture feature correlations with the established risk factors of the Gail lifetime risk score (rG) and breast PD (rPD), and evaluated the within woman intraclass feature correlation (ICC), a measure of bilateral breast-tissue symmetry, in raw versus processed images. Results All density measures and most of the texture features were strongly (r ≥ 0.6) or moderately (0.4 ≤ r < 0.6) correlated between raw and processed images. However, measurements were significantly different between the two imaging formats (Wilcoxon signed-ranks test, pw < 0.05). The association between measurements varied across features and vendors, and was substantially modified by woman- and system-specific image acquisition factors, such as age, BMI, and mAs/kVp, respectively. The strongest correlation, combined with minimal LME-model interactions, was observed for structural texture features. Overall, texture measures from either image representation were weakly associated with Gail lifetime risk (−0.2 ≤ rG ≤ 0.2), weakly to moderately associated with breast PD (−0.6 ≤ rPD ≤ 0.6), and had overall strong bilateral symmetry (ICC ≥ 0.6). Conclusions Differences in measures from processed versus raw DM depend highly on the feature, the DM vendor, and image acquisition settings, where structural features appear to be more robust across the different DM settings. The reported findings may serve as a reference in the design of future large-scale studies on mammographic features and breast cancer risk assessment involving multiple DM representations.
Outpatient chemotherapy of unruptured ectopic pregnancy

This report describes an individualized, reduced dose, methotrexate (MTX) and citrovorum factor (CF) treatment regimen for outpatient management of unruptured ectopic pregnancy (EP). One hundred sixteen laparoscopically documented EPs, the majority (90%) of whom were symptomatic, were diagnosed from an Emergency Department population. Eighty of 116 (69%) were unruptured, 37 (46.3%) of whom were eligible for MTX-CF chemotherapy. One patient refused chemotherapy. Thirty-four of the 36 (94.4%) patients treated with MTX-CF had complete resolution of their ectopics, whereas 2 experienced rupture after chemotherapy, 1 of them 23 days after MTX initiation. While there were no major chemotherapy-related side effects, 3 of the 36 (8.3%) patients experienced minor side effects. The authors conclude that: (1) individualized dosing of outpatient MTX-CF chemotherapy for symptomatic EP can be safely managed, even in an indigent population; (2) rupture can occur up to 23 days after chemotherapy initiation; (3) fetal cardiac activity is an absolute contraindication to chemotherapy; (4) chemotherapy in patients with symptoms is of limited value because the disease is too far advanced; therefore, it is essential that the diagnosis of EP be established before symptom onset; and (5) chemotherapy offers no significant immediate advantages to outpatient laparoscopic surgery. However, increasingly reliable nonlaparoscopic diagnosis will soon give wider application to this approach.
Testicular and Paratesticular Tumors of Children and Adolescents

Testicular and paratesticular tumors of children and adolescents are rare entities with similar surgical management. Testicular tumors represent 1–2 % of all pediatric tumors, with annual incidence of 0.5–2.0 per 100,000 children [1–3]. A bimodal age distribution is observed with first peak in the first 3 years of life, and then again after puberty [4]. Primary testicular tumors are divided into germ cell tumors (seminoma, yolk sac, embryonal carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, and teratoma) and stromal tumors (leydig cell, sertoli cell, and granulosa cell). Germ cell tumors usually present with painless testicular mass and have malignant behavior. Stromal tumors typically have a benign course, although some can become metastatic, and can be associated with hormonal production leading to precocious puberty. Treatment of testicular tumors is directed by the histologic type and age at presentation. The bimodal age distribution, histologic subtype, and stage encountered at different ages exemplifies the different molecular and behavior of these tumors. Of prepubertal tumors, 68–74 % carry a benign pathology, with mature teratoma making up the largest proportion (48 %) [5–7]. Furthermore, over 85 % of prepubertal patients present with stage I (localized) disease [8]. Regardless of the age at presentations, patients require a formal evaluation with scrotal ultrasound, tumor markers (AFP, βHCG, and LDH), and if indicated hormonal studies to evaluate for a stromal tumor. Scrotal ultrasound helps localize the tumor, determine if it has characteristics that will permit testicular sparing surgery, and it assess the status of the contralateral testicle. If metastatic disease is highly suspected based on tumor markers, physical exam, or symptoms, preoperative staging imaging of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis can be considered. Pre-operative staging imaging can also enable simultaneous central venous access placement at that time of radical inguinal orchiectomy if subsequent chemotherapy is warranted. The initial treatment of a testicular tumor is to establish a diagnosis. Prepubertal tumors are generally less aggressive, as is their treatment. For prepubertal stage I tumors, surveillance is recommended and for metastatic disease chemotherapy is the first line. Postpubertal tumors tend to have similar tumor characteristics and behaviors as adult tumors, as such they are treated more aggressively following established adult protocols.
Loneliness: A Social-Developmental Analysis:

Loneliness is examined as a pervasive contemporary personal and social problem. Three kinds of loneliness are tentatively suggested and two underlying dynamics proposed. Loneliness is then analyzed...
Between Rights and Realities: Human Rights Education for Immigrant and Refugee Youth in an Urban Public High School

This article presents data from a two-year ethnographic case study to explore how immigrant and refugee youth in the United States made sense of participation in a weekly human rights club after school. Three types of student responses to human rights education are exemplified through the profiles of students. The article offers new insights on studies of immigrant youth as well as possibilities that exist at the intersection of human rights education and anthropology of education.
SEACOIN2.0: an interactive mining and visualization tool for information retrieval, summarization, and knowledge discovery

The rapidly increasing size of biomedical databases such as Medline requires the use of intelligent data mining methods for information extraction and summarization. Existing biomedical text-mining tools have limited capabilities for incorporating citation information during document ranking and for inferring topological and network relationships between biomedical terms. Often too much is returned during summarization leading to information overload. Furthermore, literature based discoveries could be hard to interpret if the network is too complex. SEACOIN2.0 can incorporate citation information during document ranking and uses a unique association rule mining algorithm to generate multi-level k-ary trees. The multi-level trees facilitate efficient information retrieval, visual data exploration, summarization, and hypothesis generation. The system presents graphical summarization via multiple dynamic visualization panels and an interactive word cloud. LexRank algorithm is used to identify salient sentences in top abstracts related to the query. An average F-measure of 94% was achieved for document retrieval, and an average precision of 88% was obtained for identification of top co-occurrence terms. SEACOIN2.0 was also used to replicate previously published findings using the literature-based discovery and EMR-based PheWAS approaches. We present herein SEACOIN2.0, an interactive visual mining tool for improved information retrieval, automated multi-level summarization of Medline abstracts, and literature-based discovery. SEACOIN2.0 addresses the problem of information overload and allows clinicians and biomedical researchers to meet their information needs.
Trauma Radiology: Part II. Diagnostic Imaging of Thoracic Trauma: Review and Update

Frontal chest radiographs are the principal diagnostic imaging study to detect, verify, or exclude acute thoracic injury after trauma, and they should be obtained as quickly as possible without compromising clinical assessment and resuscitation. Chest radiographs provide important information about potentially life-threatening conditions, such as tension pneumothorax, major hemothorax, and major arterial injury. In many patients, chest radiographs also provide helpful clues to the presence of such conditions as diaphragmatic rupture, pulmonary contusion/laceration, and tracheobronchial injury. In selected patients, computed tomography scans can supplement information provided by radiography, particularly for detection of mediastinal hemorrhage, aortic pseudoaneurysm, subtle pneumothorax, and delineation of complex pleuroparenchymal processes. On occasion, magnetic resonance imaging can be used to assess integrity of the hemidiaphragms and visceral herniation when other diagnostic studies are equivocal. We...
ECMO for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome After Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair poses a formidable challenge. Despite conventional maneuvers in the operating room, perioperative ARDS may require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We present three cases of successful ECMO for ARDS after TAAA repair and discuss management of anticoagulation and cerebrospinal fluid drains. Our experience suggests that ECMO is reasonable in selected patients after TAAA repair.
Interactions of Mitochondrial Matrix Enzymes with Mitochondrial Inner Membranes

We have shown previously that citrate synthase (EC 4.1.3.7), mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.37), and fumarase (EC 4.2.1.2) bind to the matrix surface of the inner mitochondrial membrane (D’Souza and Srere, 1983). These experiments, along with others, were taken as evidence to support a hypothesis which proposes that there is an organization of Krebs TCA cycle enzymes with their metabolically sequential neighbors and with protein components of the inner membrane (Srere, 1985). The three enzymes studied were selected because of their availability and their stability. Since succinate dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.99.1) and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (EC 2.3.1.61, 1.6.4.3, 1.2.4.1) are already known to be tightly bound to the inner membrane, the only remaining Krebs TCA cycle enzymes to be studied were aconitase, (NAD+) isocitrate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.41) and succinyl CoA synthetase (EC 6.2.1.4). An inner-membrane associated (NAD+)isocitrate dehydrogenase has been isolated from potato mitochondria (Teszuka and Laties, 1983). We have also shown that certain mitochondrial dehydrogenases (malate,α-ketoglutarate, pyruvate and β-hydroxyacyl CoA) bind to Complex I, an inner membrane protein (Sumegi and Srere, 1984). We could not detect the binding of (NAD+)isocitrate dehydrogenase to Complex I.
Print History of the Tempest in Early America, 1623-1787

The Tempest: Critical Essays traces the history of Shakespeare's controversial late romance from its early reception (and adaptation) in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to the present. The volume reprints influential criticism, and it also offers eight originalessays which study The Tempest from a variety of contemporary perspectives, including cultural materialism, feminism, deconstruction, performance theory, and postcolonial studies. Unlike recent anthologies about The Tempest which reprint contemporary articles along with a few new essays, this volume contains a mixture of old and new materials pertaining to the play's use in the theater and in literary history.
Toward a Positive and Effective Teacher and Paraprofessional Relationship

This article focuses on the importance and contributions of paraprofessionals in the teaching learning process. Tips on how to establish a positive and effective teacher and paraprofessional work r...
Governance in a Transnational Era: Stephen J. Kobrin and the Post-Westphalian Reality

This chapter is a commentary on Kobrin's essay on the current transition to the transnational era where there is a shift in the balance of power from sovereign states to non-state stakeholders and what role the multinational corporation (MNC) plays in this transition. It celebrates Kobrin's long-established scholarship and discusses his recent thinking regarding the new reconceptualization of space, the fragmentation of political authority and the intermingling of public and private spheres, in the context of transnational governance. In his essay, Kobrin raises many interesting questions and opens new avenues for inter-disciplinary research on the MNC in the up-and-coming transnational era.
Effect of Recycled Materials on Intermediate Temperature Cracking Performance of Asphalt Mixtures

With increasing use of recycled materials in paving asphalt mixtures, durability against fatigue cracking has been one of the major concerns in pavement design, construction, and performance. This study was aimed to evaluate the intermediate-temperature fracture/fatigue crack resistance of asphalt mixtures using three test methodologies, namely, semi-circular bend (SCB), Texas overlay, and indirect tension (IDT) tests. The obtained parameters are critical strain energy release rate (Jc), fatigue life (Nf,OT), and dissipated creep strain energy (DCSE), respectively. Three mixture groups were utilized containing reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) of up to 40% by recycled binder ratio (RBR). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on the parameters determined for each mixture group. Mixtures with increased RAP content exhibited reduced fracture/fatigue crack resistance as measured from parameters of tests considered. Further, SCB test was the only one that statistically distinguished all materials from each of the three mixture groups evaluated.
Impact of External Stimuli on Social Media Engagement: A SME Perspective

This paper aims to define and analyze the factors contributing to the frequency and rate of social media platform utilization. The focus of the research is on social media big data and weather as an external force. Juxtaposing weather related data, Twitter metadata and various data mining algorithms are used to determine the relationships between an external condition and the level of user engagement on social media. The research findings indicate that weather attributes alone and in combination with others have direct influence on the level of user engagement. While there are several leading social media platforms in the USA, the research utilized Twitter considering data over a one-month period. The highlights of this research will help organizations that run social media platforms estimate resource utilization based on provided weather forecasts. The paper illustrates the drivers of social media engagement while providing data sourcing and social media platform organizations with directions for resource allocation and provisioning.
Improved Speed and Scaling in Orbital Space Variational Monte Carlo.

In this work, we introduce three algorithmic improvements to reduce the cost and improve the scaling of orbital space variational Monte Carlo (VMC). First, we show that, by appropriately screening the one- and two-electron integrals of the Hamiltonian, one can improve the efficiency of the algorithm by several orders of magnitude. This improved efficiency comes with the added benefit that the cost of obtaining a constant error per electron scales as the second power of the system size O(N2), down from the fourth power O(N4). Using numerical results, we demonstrate that the practical scaling obtained is, in fact, O(N1.5) for a chain of hydrogen atoms. Second, we show that, by using the adaptive stochastic gradient descent algorithm called AMSGrad, one can optimize the wave function energies robustly and efficiently. Remarkably, AMSGrad is almost as inexpensive as the simple stochastic gradient descent but delivers a convergence rate that is comparable to that of the Stochastic Reconfiguration algorithm, wh...
The Multiobjective Delaunay Tessellation Optimization Algorithm and its Applications in Electromagnetics

This paper introduces a new Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithm (MOEA) called Multiobjective Delaunay Tessellation Optimization (MODTO), and applies it to several canonical test problems alongside other classical MOEAs and some popular new ones. The advantages and limitations as well as the future intended development of the algorithm in the context of electromagnetics optimization are discussed.
Collecting Validity Evidence: A Hands-on Workshop for Medical Education Assessment Instruments.

Introduction There is an increasing call for developing validity evidence in medical education assessment. The literature lacks a practical resource regarding an actual development process. Our wor...
A two-wave study on the health and relationship consequences of experienced stigma among individuals with concealable chronic health conditions.

Applying and extending the concealable stigmatized identity outcomes model, this two-wave study examined the psychological, behavioral, physical, and relational health consequences of experienced s...
The stories groups tell: campaign finance reform and the narrative networks of cultural cognition

The purpose of this study is to test whether groups with different cultural cognition orientations construct different stories about the same policy issue given the same information. We employed a focus group methodology to assemble participants with similar cultural dispositions and used the Narrative Policy Framework to examine the policy narratives that groups form about campaign finance. Our analyses indicate that the stories these homogeneous cultural groups tell associate political process concerns related to campaign finance to their core cultural values. Even when provided with the same information, the stories that the groups produced varied along theoretically consistent cultural dimensions. Our findings show the narrative cores displayed similar attribution of the problem to intentional human action; however we observed variation in the manner in which certain characters were assigned blame, and significant differences in the density of several of the narrative networks. We found that differences in presence of victims emerged along the grid dimension of cultural cognition with egalitarian narratives cores possessing victims, whereas hierarchist narratives did not. A difference that emerged along the group dimension of cultural cognition was the core narrative of individualist groups generated policy solutions, while communitarian narrative cores did not.
Altered functions of platelets during aging.

Purpose of reviewPlatelets are specialized effector cells that rapidly respond to sites of vascular injury. However, emerging data demonstrate that platelets possess diverse functions that also mediate inflammatory responses and neurological diseases. These functions are relevant to disease processe
Intifada Cows and Israeli National Security: Reanimating Civil Resistance in the Wanted 18

Abstract The Wanted 18 narrates the story of a Palestinian town whose residents assert their autonomy by purchasing 18 cows and producing their own milk during the first intifada. In response, the ...
A DECISION THEORETIC PERSPECTIVE OF THE INTEGRATED HUMAN-MACHINE INFORMATION PROCESSOR

Abstract A scenario in which a theoretical framework for decision making has net been formulated, in spite of the fact it is probably a very common occurrence, is that in which the decision maker is assisted in the decision process by a computer. The current research is geared towards defining a framework which will. consider the human and computer working together towards the solution of a decision problem. In considering this issue the impact of time and information gathering actions being performed by two information processors, where one of them is the computer and has at least the capabilities of a Decision Support System, is addressed.
Nuclear-targeted gold nanoparticles enhance cancer cell radiosensitization

Radiation therapy aims to kill or inhibit proliferation of cancer cells while sparing normal cells. To enhance radiosensitization, we developed 40 nm-sized gold nanoparticles targeting the nucleus. We exploited a strategy that combined RGD and NLS peptides respectively targeting cancer cell and the nucleus to initiate cell-death activated by x-ray irradiation. We observed that the modified gold nanoparticles were either translocated in the nuclei or accumulated in the vicinity of the nuclei. We demonstrated that x-ray irradiation at 225 kVp energy reduced cell proliferation by 3.8-fold when the nuclear targeted gold nanoparticles were used. We determined that the radiation dose to have a 10% survival fraction was reduced from 11.0 Gy to 7.1 Gy when 10.0 µg ml-1 of the NLS/RGD/PEG-AuNP was incubated with A549 cancer cells. We conclude that the peptide-modified gold nanoparticles targeting the nucleus significantly enhance radiosensitization.