cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TH‐A‐213A‐01: Multi‐Modality Image‐Guided Near Infrared Spectroscopy: Optimization and Clinical Applications

Image‐guidednear infraredspectroscopy (IG‐NIRS) provides deep tissue functional characterization at high resolution. This approach combines conventional imaging techniques such as MRI and CT with optical near infrared technologies, giving information directly relating to the vascular and metabolic status of tissue in‐vivo. The resultant estimates of total hemoglobin, oxygen saturation, water, lipids and scatter provide a window towards understanding the mechanisms of cancer in terms of angiogenesis, hypoxia, changes in the interstitium and cell organelle structural changes. This type of spectroscopy has been applied for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring, as well as image‐guided fluorescence in small‐animals. Optimization of these systems is essential to provide quantitative and accurate spectroscopy. This optimization encompasses system design for simultaneous multi‐modality image acquisition, methods for intelligently combining spatial anatomical structure from MRI/CT into optical recovery, image segmentation, visualization and interpretation of novel combined optical and MRI/CT parameters. This talk will provide an over‐view of these aspects of multi‐modality imaging as well as results from in‐vivo clinical applications. Learning Objectives: 1. Understanding the rationale for multi‐modality IG‐NIRS systems 2. Understanding the type of information and contrast available through these systems 3. Understanding the challenges towards clinical use of these systems.
QRS Characteristics Fail to Reliably Identify Ventricular Tachycardias That Require Epicardial Ablation in Ischemic Heart Disease

Criteria for Epicardial Origin in Ischemic VT. Objectives: We tested proposed algorithms for idiopathic and nonischemic tachycardias for their ability to identify epicardial LV-VT origins. Backgroud: Several ECG features have been reported to identify epicardial origins for left ventricular tachycardias (LV-VTs) in the absence of myocardial infarction. Only limited data exist in postinfarction patients. Methods: The QRS features of 24 VTs that were ablated from the epicardium and 39 left ventricular VTs ablated from the endocardium were retrospectively analyzed for various 12-lead ECG features previously reported. Results: No ECG feature consistently predicted an epicardial LV-VT origin in infarct-related tachycardias, with epicardial VTs showing slightly longer QRS durations (189 ± 32 ms in epicardial vs 179 ± 37 ms in endocardial, P = 0.28). Pseudo-delta duration was 38 ± 27 versus 47 ± 27 ms (P = 0.2), intrinsicoid deflection time 93 ± 35 versus 86 ± 32 ms (P = 0.4), shortest RS 97 ± 38 versus 99 ± 32 ms (P = 0.77), and median deflection index 0.82 ± 0.25 versus 0.87 ± 0.22 (P = 0.43). The finding of a Q wave in lead I and the absence of a Q wave in the inferior leads failed to predict an epicardial origin in superior LV-VT sites. Q waves in any inferior lead and aVR/aVL-ratio<1 were not specific for an epicardial origin in inferior sites (all P = ns). Furthermore, all inferior LV-VTs showed a Q wave in the inferior leads which correlated with pre-existing Q-waves in sinus rhythm (P = 0.045). Conclusion: Proposed 12-lead ECG features for differentiation of epicardial versus endocardial sites for nonischemic LV-VTs do not reliably identify VTs that require ablation from the epicardium. Endocardial mapping should be the first approach to catheter ablation for VTs in patients with ischemic heart disease. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 188-193, February 2012)
Load-aware spectrum distribution in Wireless LANs

Traditionally, the channelization structure in IEEE 802.11-based wireless LANs has been fixed: Each access point (AP) is assigned one channel and all channels are equally wide. In contrast, it has recently been shown that even on commodity hardware, the channel-width can be adapted dynamically purely in software. Leveraging this capability, we study the use of dynamic-width channels, where every AP adaptively adjusts not only its center-frequency, but also its channel-width to match its traffic load. This gives raise to a novel optimization problem that differs from previously studied channel assignment problems. We propose efficient spectrum-distribution algorithms and evaluate their effectiveness through analysis and simulations using real-world traces. Our results indicate that by allocating more spectrum to highly-loaded APs, the overall spectrum-utilization can be substantially improved and the notorious load-balancing problem in WLANs can be solved naturally.
Effects of serum Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor on exercise augmentation treatment of depression.

Abstract Background Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) has potential as a biomarker of depression treatment because serum BDNF in depressed human subjects is decreased and normalizes with treatment. The relationship between serum BDNF and exercise treatment of depression is not known. The Treatment with Exercise Augmentation for Depression (TREAD) study examined dosed exercise augmentation treatment of partial responders to antidepressants. Serum BDNF in TREAD subjects was analyzed to understand its relationship with exercise training. Methods Subjects were randomized to high (16 kcal/kg/week or KKW) or low (4 KKW) energy expenditure exercise over 12 weeks. Actual kcal/week expended and IDS-C scores were collected weekly. One hundred four subjects in TREAD provided baseline blood samples; a subset of 70 subjects also provided week 12 samples. Serum BDNF was determined using ELISA. Correlations were examined between change in BDNF and 1) mean kcal/week expended, and 2) change in IDS-C score. Mixed-effects ANOVA examined the effect of baseline BDNF on outcome. Results Resting serum BDNF was stable and did not correlate with energy expenditure (p = 0.15) or IDS-C improvement (p = 0.89). Subjects entering the study with higher BDNF improved more rapidly on the IDS-C (p = 0.003). Limitations Serum may not be the most sensitive blood fraction in which to measure BDNF change. Pre-treatment with medication may mask exercise effect on BDNF. Conclusions These results suggest that change in serum BDNF does not reflect efficacy of exercise augmentation treatment of MDD. Instead BDNF may function as an augmentation moderator. Pre-treatments that raise BDNF may improve the efficacy of exercise treatment of MDD.
Surface Deformations Driven by Vector-Valued 1-Forms

We formulate the problem of surface deformations as the integration in the least square sense of a discrete vector-valued 1-forms obtained as the result of applying smooth stretching and rotation fields to the discrete differential of the 0-form defined by the vertex coordinates of a polygon mesh graph. Simple algorithms result from this formulation, which reduces to the solution of sparse linear systems. The method handles large angle rotations in one step and is invariant to rotations, translations, and scaling. We also introduce the integration of 1-forms along spanning trees as a heuristic to speed up the convergence of iterative solvers.
Robustness of the vicarious cold calibration algorithm in the double difference method for GPM inter-calibration

The robustness of the double difference method used for inter-calibration of microwave radiometers in the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission is analyzed. The double difference provides a way to compare two different radiometers and is more accurate than just a direct comparison. This is due to the double difference being able to remove geophysical variability from a radiometer's data, as well as frequency and incidence angle dissimilarity between radiometers that would otherwise get included in a direct comparison. These variations are removed by incorporating radiometer modeled brightness temperatures into the inter-calibration process using a vicarious calibration technique. This analysis shows how well the modeled radiometer data is able to remove these variations as well as how well the double difference method performs compared to a direct radiometer comparison.
VIOLENCE ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES: UNDERSTANDING ITS IMPACT ON STUDENT WELL-BEING

Educational institutions are becoming increasingly concerned about school violence. This review of the literature on violent behavior focuses on two general issues that can be used to guide community college administrators and faculty in their attempt to counteract the damaging effects violent behavior has on the well-being of their students. First, it is important to be aware that the majority of students have at least some experience with violence. There is considerable evidence that students' exposure to violence is associated with bothantisocial behavior and psychological trauma (e.g., depression, anxiety, anger, post-traumatic stress disorder). Community colleges can help students who may be experiencing the negative effects of violence by, for example, establishing student support groups and taking accusations of harassment seriously. The second issue addressed provides some of the steps that community colleges can take to ensure the safety of their students. Violent threats should be addressed and ...
Photochemical transformations in ice: Implications for the fate of chemical species

Post-depositional photochemical alterations in snowpacks and sea ice may affect the chemical records in polar caps and the chemistry of the polar atmospheric boundary layer. Although it is known that UV-induced photochemistry actually occurs in ice matrices, quantitative information on such processes is still lacking. With new methods for determining the light absorption by chromophores embedded in packed ice, this study investigates the rates and products of the photodegradation of 4-nitrophenol and nitrate in ice. A quantum yield (Φ_(ice)) of (2.3 ± 0.4) x 10^(-4) was obtained for the photochemical degradation of 4-nitrophenol over the wavelength range of 300 to 370 nm in ice pellets (pH 5.6). Five reaction products were positively identified: hydroquinone, benzoquinone, 4-nitrosophenol, nitrate, and nitrite. Indirect evidence suggests the formation of organic polymers. These results are similar to those found for 4-nitrophenol photolysis in aqueous solutions, indicating that comparable mechanisms operate in both phases. Upon irradiation (λ = 313 ± 15 nm) of NO_3^- doped ice layers, the formation of NO_2(g) and NO_2^- was observed. The yield for both products increased with temperature over the range 248 - 268 K; with values of Φ_(NO_2-) ~ (4.8 ± 1.5) x 10^(-3) and Φ'(NO_2) (1.2 ± 0.9) x 10^(-3) at 263 K, 10 mM KNO_3. The formation of NO_2^- during the photolysis of NO_3^- in ice pellets has apparent activation energy, E_a, of 5.8 kcal mole^(-1). This E_a is similar to the water cage-effect for supercooled water. Φ_(NO_2) showed a much stronger temperature dependence (E_a ~ 10 kcal mole^(-1)); This can be interpreted as the probability of the product NO_2 escaping into the gas-phase, before it is photolyzed into NO. These results suggest that, under our experimental conditions, the photochemical transformations occur within the quasi-liquid layer, which behaves as a supercooled solution. The experimental data for Φ'_(NO_2), coupled with snow absorptivity data, lead to a predicted NO_2 fluxes in reasonable agreement with recent measurements in Antarctic snow under solar illumination. NO_3^- photolysis within snowpacks may also be a significant source for OH radicals, which may further react and cause chemical changes in important species, such as H_2O_2 and H_2CO and CH_3CHO.
The significance of polycystic-appearing ovaries versus normalappearing ovaries in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract Objective: To evaluate what hormonal or biochemical parameters are most highly associated with the finding of polycystic-appearing ovaries as compared with normal-appearing ovaries in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Design: Prospective randomized study. Setting: Academic medical center. Patients: Ten women with PCOS-five with normal-appearing ovaries and five with polycystic-appearing ovaries-were matched for age and body mass index. All had serum T levels between 80 and 150 ng/dL (conversion factor to SI unit, 3.467). Intervention(s): Insulin infusion for the purpose of performing insulin tolerance testing to evaluate insulin resistance or sensitivity. Main Outcome Measure(s): We measured serum T, DHEAS, androstenedione, sex-hormone binding globulin, 5α-androstane-3α-17β-androstenediol glucuronide, FSH, LH, insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3. Insulin resistance, measured by insulin tolerance testing, also was done on the same day after the patient had fasted for at least 8 hours. Result(s): Serum androgens and binding proteins were not significantly different in both groups. Insulin tolerance testing demonstrated a slower glucose disappearance in the polycystic appearing ovary group (K itt glucose was 4.58% ± 1.4%/min in the normal-appearing ovaries group versus 2.07% ± 1.07%/min in the polycystic-appearing ovaries group). Conclusion(s): Women with PCOS and polycystic-appearing ovaries do not demonstrate any definitive serum hormonal differences compared with women with PCOS and normal-appearing ovaries. The presence of polycystic-appearing ovaries correlates significantly with the presence of insulin resistance.
Energetics of the dayside ionosphere of Venus

A reanalysis of the Pioneer Venus electron temperature data base showed a strong correlation between elevated electron temperatures and induced magnetic fields in the day side ionosphere above about 200 km. These results suggest, although not conclusively, that the elevated temperatures are the result of reduced vertical conductivities caused by the horizontal, induced fields with a possible contribution from energy deposition by magnetosheath electrons moving along the field from the tail region.
MicroRNA array analysis finds elevated serum miR-1290 accurately distinguishes patients with low-stage pancreatic cancer from healthy and disease controls

Purpose: Our goal was to identify circulating micro RNA (miRNA) levels that could distinguish patients with low-stage pancreatic cancer from healthy and disease controls. Experimental Design: We measured 735 miRNAs in pancreatic cancer case and control sera by QRTPCR using TaqMan MicroRNA Arrays. After array analysis, we selected 18 miRNA candidates for validation in an independent set of cases and control samples. Results: Of the significantly elevated circulating miRNAs in patients with pancreatic cancer compared with controls, miR-1290 had the best diagnostic performance: receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis on miR-1290 serum level yielded curve areas (AUC) of 0.96 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.91–1.00], 0.81 (0.71–0.91), and 0.80 (0.67–0.93), for subjects with pancreatic cancer ( n = 41) relative to healthy controls ( n = 19), subjects with chronic pancreatitis ( n = 35), and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors ( n = 18), respectively. Serum miR-1290 levels were also significantly higher than healthy controls among patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN; n = 20; AUC = 0.76, 0.61–0.91). Serum miR-1290 levels distinguished patients with low-stage pancreatic cancer from controls better than CA19-9 levels, and like CA19-9, higher miR-1290 levels predicted poorer outcome among patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. Greater numbers of miR-1290 transcripts were detected by FISH in primary pancreatic cancer and IPMN than normal pancreatic duct cells. miR-1290 influenced in vitro pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and invasive ability. Several other circulating miRNAs distinguished sera of patients with pancreatic cancer from those of healthy controls with AUCs >0.7, including miR-24, miR-134, miR-146a, miR-378, miR-484, miR-628-3p, and miR-1825. Conclusions: The detection of elevated circulating miR-1290 has the potential to improve the early detection of pancreatic cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 19(13); 3600–10. ©2013 AACR .
The undergraduate psychology major: An examination of structure and sequence.

Early study of the curriculum focused on the ideal array of experiences that should comprise the psychology major. We developed a standardized coding scheme to identify common curricula and course titles across institutions and current implementation of the curriculum. We compared psychology major programs in 2005 to programs described a decade earlier to evaluate the progress that has been made toward implementing published curriculum design recommendations. These data will aid departments in curriculum development and serve as a benchmark for common curriculum practices at this point in the evolution of the undergraduate psychology major in North America.
Comparisons and enhancement strategies for linearizing mixed 0-1 quadratic programs

We present a linearization strategy for mixed 0-1 quadratic programs that produces small formulations with tight relaxations. It combines constructs from a classical method of Glover and a more recent reformulation-linearization technique (RLT). By using binary identities to rewrite the objective, a variant of the first method results in a concise formulation with the level-1 RLT strength. This variant is achieved as a modified surrogate dual of a Lagrangian subproblem to the RLT. Special structures can be exploited to obtain reductions in problem size, without forfeiting strength. Preliminary computational experience demonstrates the potential of the new representations.
Beneficial Effect of Glucose Control on Atherosclerosis Progression in Diabetic ApoE−/− Mice: Shown by Rage Directed Imaging

Objective. Receptor for advanced glycated endproducts (RAGE) plays an important role in atherogenesis in diabetes. We imaged RAGE to investigate the effect of glucose control to suppress RAGE and reduce atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E null (apoE&#x2212;/&#x2212;) diabetic mice. Methods and Results. Thirty-three apoE&#x2212;/&#x2212; mice received streptozotocin and 6 weeks later 15 began treatment with insulin implants. Blood glucose measurements during study averaged: 140 &#xb1; 23&#x2009;mg/dL (treated) and 354 &#xb1; 14&#x2009;mg/dL (untreated). After 15&#x2009;wk 30&#x2009;mice were injected with -anti-RAGE , 3 with -nonimmune IgG , and all with CT contrast agent and underwent SPECT/CT imaging. At necropsy, the proximal aorta was weighed, counted, and sectioned and the &#x25; injected dose per gram (&#x25;ID/g) was calculated. From the merged SPECT/CT scans, tracer uptake localized to arteries was lower in the treated mice: versus &#x25;ID (). Percent cross-sectional lesion area was smaller in the treated (&#x25; versus &#x25;) (). RAGE uptake on scans (&#x25;ID) correlated with quantitative RAGE staining in the atheroma and with &#x25;ID/g (; ). Lesion size as percent cross-sectional area was smaller in the treated (&#x25; versus &#x25;) (). RAGE uptake on scans (&#x25;ID) correlated with quantitative RAGE staining in the atheroma and with &#x25;ID/g (; ). Conclusions. These results support the importance of suppressing RAGE to reduce atherosclerotic complications of diabetes and value of molecular imaging to assess treatment effect.
Management of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension: an update

Summary Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is common in elderly people and in patients with disorders such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease. Grading of the severity of OH and its effect on the patient's quality of life are important. The symptoms vary with orthostatic stress, and subtle symptoms such as tiredness and cognitive impairment should be recognised. Standard drug treatment for OH is effective but worsens supine hypertension, whereas pyridostigmine can improve OH slightly but significantly without worsening of supine hypertension. Because orthostatic stress varies from moment to moment and drug treatment is suboptimal, drug treatment of OH needs to be combined with non-pharmacological approaches, such as compression of venous capacitance beds, use of physical counter-manoeuvres, and intermittent water-bolus treatment.
Direct Observation of Bulk and Interface States in GaN on Sapphire Grown by Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxy

We have used an ultrahigh vacuum scanning electron microscope to carry out cross sectional secondary electron imaging, cathodoluminescence spectroscopy, and cathodoluminescence imaging on GaN grown on sapphire by hydride vapor phase epitaxy. These measurements provide evidence for deep level defects highly localized at the GaN, sapphire interface as well as defects extending into both the semiconductor film and the substrate. The different spatial distributions of these radiative defects provide information on the physical origin of these electrically active features.
Lineages and transcription factors in the specification of vertebrate primary sensory neurons.

Recent advances have indentified some of the key transcriptional regulators of mammalian genes, the neurogenins. Neurogenins 1 and 2 appear to control distinct sublineages for different classes of sensory neurons, including a ‘pioneer’ lineage for proprioceptors specified early in neural crest migration. Neurogenins act via a cascade of downstream transcriptional regulators, some of which have been identified.
Developing scholarly teaching and the scholarship of teaching and learning through faculty learning communities

The scholarship of teaching and learning has been a primary motivator and focus of faculty learning communities. This chapter reports on the strategies, processes, and activities that foster this scholarship in FLCs.
Predictors of Offense Severity, Prosecution, Incarceration and Repeat Violations for Adolescent Male and Female Offenders

We examined factors predicting severity of first offense, adjudication, incarceration, and repeat offenses for first time juvenile offenders. The sample consisted of 12,468 juveniles, all born in 1985. Each of the juveniles had been assigned to the South Carolina Juvenile Justice System (SCDJJ) on at least one occasion (“referral”). Analysis on referral severity showed significant age, gender, and race differences, with older youth, blacks and males referred for more serious offenses. On first referrals, older youth and whites were more likely to be adjudicated with white females showing the greatest likelihood of prosecution; this was true with severity level controlled. Status offenses were more likely to be prosecuted than non- status offenses. Analyses on prosecution versus diversion showed that blacks and males were more likely to be diverted than prosecuted. Youth referred for violent crimes were most likely to be incarcerated. There were no gender or race effects on incarceration. Youth who were prosecuted for the first offense were more likely to be referred a second time than those who were not prosecuted. Gender and race did not significantly affect second referral rates. Findings for third referrals followed similar patterns. The relationship of our findings to previous research findings, and implications for juvenile justice procedures are discussed.
How Strong Is Strong Enough

Abstract When a structural element fails, it is often necessary to determine whether the element was properly designed, fabricated, constructed, and maintained. Among the many things that such a determination requires is an appropriate benchmark strength; i.e., a capacity that can be compared with the loading that caused the failure in order to determine whether the element met the appropriate expectations. Establishing a rational benchmark is complicated by the fact that common industry design, fabrication, and construction methods can result in substantial and highly variable deviations from the actual strengths of structural elements relative to the corresponding nominal values. This paper uses first-order reliability methods—similar to those used to develop the current AISC LRFD steel design provisions—and other methods to arrive at a rational definition of how strong a particular element needs to be in order for it to be considered strong enough.
Transbronchial Needle Aspiration of Peripheral Pulmonary Nodules

To determine the role of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) in the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions, TBNA was performed in 20 patients who had unexplained nodules (15) or masses (five) and no endobronchial abnormality. The TBNA cytopathology was positive for malignancy in 11 patients, and provided the only diagnostic specimen in seven. The TBNA yield was significantly higher than that of forceps biopsy or bronchial brushing, either alone or in combination (p
Correlates of Social Security Policy East and West Europe

Comparative politics allows us to appraise the policy relevance of political variables as distinct from those of cultural, societal, and economic variables. Recent research has made an initial contribution to what may be called comparative public policy; in the field of welfare policy, it has raised questions concerning the measurement of welfare needs, the relationship between resources and benefits, the role of political values, and the likelihood of policy diffusion among neighboring states. This study reviews four environmental variables, four political variables, and three measures of social security as applied to eight countries. In doing so, new information is brought to light concerning the significance of the variables and the direction further research should take.
Calcium Carbonate Production by Epibionts on Thalassia in Florida Bay

ABSTRACT Annual production of lime mud by two genera of red algae and one genus of serpulid worms was estimated for an area of modern lime mud accumulation in Eastern Florida Bay. The red algae Melobesia membranacea and Fosliella farinosa and the serpulid worm Spirobis sp. live as epibionts on the leaves of Thalassia testudinum, the extensive marine grass. The lime mud produced by the epibionts was estimated by quantifying 1) the life span of Thalassia; 2) the abundance of Thalassia; and 3) the average amount of epibiont calcium carbonate per blade. The estimate also accounts for both aerial variations in standing crop and seasonal variations in growth rate of Thalassia. The estimated annual production of epibiont carbonate is 118 ± 44 g/m2/yr, over six times more than the estimated production by the green alga Penicillus capitatus from the same area (Stockman et at. 1967). This leads to the conclusion that the epibionts on Thalassia produce significant amounts of lime mud in Florida Bay. This result is close to the published estimate for epibiont production in Jamaica of 180 g/m2/yr (Land 1970), but it is significantly less than a published estimate for epibiont production in Barbados (Patriquin 1972). Turtle grass has been around since the late Cretaceous (Eva 1980), and algae most likely has had a longer history. Therefore, epibionts may have been significant contributors since the late Cretaceous.
Design of an optimal middle phase microemulsion for ultra high saline brine using hydrophilic lipophilic deviation (HLD) method

Abstract In this work, alcohol-free surfactant formulations incorporating sodium alkyl alkoxy sulfate surfactants and a sodium alkyl ethoxy sulfate surfactant are tested at 52 °C for reservoir brine having a total dissolved solids of above 300,000 mg/L with total hardness of about 13,000 mg/L. The optimized surfactant formulations show excellent aqueous phase stability, produce an ultra-low-interfacial tension (IFT) of 0.004 mN/m, and give fast coalescence rates of less than 30 min at reservoir salinity and temperature. Surfactant-only sand pack studies further validate the formulations by mobilizing about 60% of residual oil without mobility control. In addition, the hydrophilic lipophilic deviation (HLD) method is used to find the optimal surfactant/co-surfactant ratio (defined as the ratio giving the lowest IFT) at the reservoir salinity and temperature. Results show, first, that HLD constants measure at low salinity are applicable at high salinity and high hardness, and second, that the correct determination of surfactant head constant ‘K’ and temperature constant ‘αT’ governs the precision of the HLD approach as a surfactant selection tool for chemical enhanced oil recovery (cEOR) application. Results illustrate the potential of surfactant-only flooding to produce significant tertiary oil recovery.
TSCA Reform Preserving Tort and Regulatory Approaches

In the United States, the framework for safeguarding people and the environment against the dangers of toxic chemicals comprises three mutually reinforcing legal systems: federal regulation, state and federal civil justice systems, and state regulation. Each part of the framework however, has been substantially weakened — the civil justice systems by years of tort "reform," and federal and state regulatory systems by outdated laws and an ongoing campaign by industry and its allies against protective regulation.Congress is now considering competing bills to fix one part of this framework — the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the principal statute governing federal regulation of toxic chemicals. The two bills — the more protective Safer Chemical Act (SCA) and the industry-backed Chemical Safety Improvements Act (CSIA) — both fall short of what is needed to fix TSCA, albeit to a widely varying degree — while weakening the civil justice systems and state regulation even more.This Issue Alert seeks to explain how each part of the three-part protective framework contributes to reducing the risks posed by chemicals, and it recommends ways that TSCA reform can strengthen all three parts of the protective framework.
Genetic Programming for Option Pricing

This chapter describes the Genetic Programming methodology and illustrates its application for the pricing of options. I describe the various critical elements of a Genetic Program – population size, the complexity of individual formulas in a population, and the fitness and selection criterion. As an example, I implement the Genetic Programming methodology for developing an option pricing model. Using Monte Carlo simulations, I generate a data set of stock prices that follow a Geometric Brownian motion and use the Black–Scholes model to price options off the simulated prices. The Black–Scholes model is a known solution and serves as the benchmark for measuring the accuracy of the Genetic Program. The Genetic Program developed for pricing options well captures the relationship between option prices, the terms of the option contract, and properties of the underlying stock price.
SINGLE MOLECULE NUCLEIC ACID ANALYSIS BY FLUORESCENCE FLOW CYTOMETRY

During the past decade the sensitivity and selectivity of laser-induced fluorescence detection methods in liquids have been refined to the point where a molecule labeled with a single fluorophore dissolved in solution can be detected and identified as it flows through a focused excitation laser beam. Progress in this field is reviewed in a number of recent papers. [1-5]
Predictors of provider recommendation for HPV vaccine among young adult men and women: findings from a cross-sectional survey

Background Although physician recommendation is one of the strongest predictors of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, it is unclear for whom physicians are recommending the vaccine. To help guide intervention efforts, this study investigated predictors of participant-reported physician recommendation for HPV vaccine among young adults in the USA. Methods Women and men (N=223) aged 18–26 years were recruited online through Craigslist, a popular classified advertisements website. Ads were posted in the 25 largest US cities from September 2013 to March 2014. Participants completed a survey that assessed demographic and sociopolitical characteristics, sexual history, HPV vaccination history, and whether they had ever received a recommendation for HPV vaccine from a physician or healthcare provider. Results Fifty-three per cent reported receiving a recommendation for HPV vaccine and 45% had received ≥1 dose of HPV vaccine. Participants who received a recommendation were over 35 times more likely to receive ≥1 dose of HPV vaccine relative to participants without a recommendation. Bivariable and multivariable correlates of provider recommendation were identified. Results from the multivariable model indicated that younger (aged 18–21 years), female, White participants with health insurance (ie, employer-sponsored or some other type such as military-sponsored) were more likely to report receiving a recommendation for HPV vaccine. Conclusions Results suggest that physician recommendation practices for HPV vaccination vary by characteristics of the patient. Findings underscore the key role of the healthcare provider in promoting HPV vaccination and have important implications for future HPV vaccine interventions with young adults.
Relationship Between Thiol Depletion and Chemosensitization in a Transplantable Murine Bladder Tumor

The effect of pretreating the C3H/He mouse MBT-2 tumor with diethyl maleate (DEM), buthionine-S R-sulfoximine (BSO), or misonidazole (MISO) before administration of cyclophosphamide (CTX) was studied with the use of tumor volume-doubling time delay as an endpoint. The kinetics of glutathione (GSH) depletion and regeneration in the tumor and in the host liver were determined after treatment with the thiol-depleting agents. CTX was administered at appropriate time points. MISO was the most effective chemosensitizer at a time point at which tumor GSH content was 80-85% of the control value. Both BSO and DEM were chemosensitizers in relation to the degree they had reduced tumor GSH levels. This chemosensitization was significant at 50% GSH reduction. By combining MISO and BSO at doses lower than previously used for each agent alone, highly effective sensitization of subsequent CTX was obtained.
STRATEGIES OF RESISTANCE BY TYPE-A SCORING MEXICAN-AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENTS '

In a sample of 134 Mexican-American college students, Type-A scores were positively correlated with active but not passive and third-party-appeal strategies of resistance to teachers' classroom on-task activity.
Strain gradients in plasticity

An analytical model of a plastically deforming solid is assumed to be a material where the second spatial gradients of strain are included in the constitutive equations. These constitutive equations are combined, in a one dimensional shearing problem, with the second law of thermodynamics and condition of thermodynamic stability. The results are that a phase change occurs when the von Mises yield condition is reached because the material is also thermodynamically unstable. The second law of thermo-dynamics forces the deformations that occur to be nonhomogeneous on a small scale. Therefore the model is in agreement with experimental data. This type model therefore can be used to unify the continuum theories of plasticity with those with a more “physical” basis because deformations occur at two different scales.
The use of interference screw fixation in the modified Brunelli technique for scapholunate dissociation.

Figure 1. External fixator. Figure 2. A Native uninjured wrist with the SLIL intact. B Injured wrist with SLIL dissociation. C Modified Brunelli tenodesis repair with the FCR graft looped over the dorsal radiotriquetral ligament and sutured onto itself. D Modified Brunelli tenodesis with interference screw fixation in the scaphoid and lunate with the FCR graft looped over The dorsal radiotriquetral ligament and sutured onto itself.
Evaluating the Utility of Baseline Cardiac Function Screening in Early-Stage Breast Cancer Treatment

BACKGROUND Cardiotoxicity can be a complication of anthracycline- or trastuzumab-based therapy for breast cancer patients. Screening echocardiograms (ECHOs) and radionuclide ventriculograms (RVGs) are often performed before administration of these agents to evaluate cardiac function. Limited evidence for the clinical utility of these screening tests is available. METHODS Early-stage breast cancer patients diagnosed from 2006 to 2011 (n = 1,067) with baseline ECHOs/RVGs were identified in a single institution prospective registry. Medical record review was performed to obtain pre- and post-ECHO/RVG treatment plans, baseline ECHO/RVG results, cardiac risk factors, and cardiac events. Patients with cardiac history were excluded. ECHO/RVG abnormalities were defined as ejection fraction (EF) <55%, valvular disease, left ventricular hypertrophy, and diastolic dysfunction. Cardiac events were defined as heart failure, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, valvular disease, or angina during or after chemotherapy. RESULTS Among 600 eligible patients, abnormal ECHO/RVG results were observed in 13 (2.2%, 1.2%-3.7%), including 9 with baseline EF <55%. There were no detected changes in treatment plans, although more frequent cardiac monitoring was recommended for 2 patients. There were no significant differences in age, race, menopausal status, smoking history, alcohol use, body mass index, or medical comorbidities between patients with abnormal and normal results. In follow-up (mean, 4.0 years; range, 0-8.3), 15 patients developed cardiac events (none of whom had had abnormal baseline ECHOs/RVGs). CONCLUSION Baseline ECHO/RVG in patients without prior cardiac history rarely yields an abnormality that prompts change in planned anthracycline- and/or trastuzumab-based treatment. Moreover, few cardiac events developed in this screened population in follow-up. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Baseline cardiac function screening with echocardiograms or radionuclide ventriculograms is frequently performed before administration of anthracycline- or trastuzumab-based chemotherapy in breast cancer patients due to the relatively low cost and risk to patients and the concern for potential cardiotoxicity. However, at a population level, these tests can take up time and can add up to significant costs for both patients and the health care system. This study finds that in patients with no history of cardiac disease, baseline cardiac function screening rarely identifies abnormalities that change treatment plans. Moreover, few cardiac events develop in an average of 4 years of follow-up, including none in patients with abnormal baseline cardiac function screening results. This suggests that baseline cardiac function screening may have limited utility in chemotherapy planning in young breast cancer patients with no history of cardiac disease.
Minimizing Antibiotic Misuse through Evidence-Based Management of Outpatient Acute Respiratory Infections

It was with considerable interest that we read the study by Schroeck et al. ([1][1]), which assessed the appropriateness of treatment for acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in the Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System. These infections represent a large portion of injudicious
Clinical Observation of Insomnia Patients Treated with Anmei Yin and Stimulus Kontrol Therapy

Objective:To observe the treatment effect in treating patients of insomnia with Anmei Yin and stimulus kontrol therapy.Methods:64 cases of insomnia patients were treated with Anmei Yin and stimulus control therapy(treatment group).At the same time,58 cases were treated with western medicine diazepam(control group).We have observed the effect of the two groups after treatment and compared the adverse reactions.Result:The treatment group were significantly better than the control group on efficient,cure rate and the incidence of adverse reactions(P0.01).Conclusion:It is safe and effective to treat patients of insomnia with Anmei Yin and stimulus kontrol therapy.
Characteristics Of Multiple Myeloma Patients With 6-Year Or Longer Progression-Free Survival After a Single Autologous Transplant

Background High dose chemotherapy followed by an autologous stem cell transplant (auto-HCT) is considered standard of care in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). In a recent randomized trial, median progression free survival (PFS) after auto-HCT, with or without maintenance therapy was 46 and 27 months, respectively (McCarthy P et al. NEJM 2012). However, about 15% of patients are reported to have much longer PFS (Pineda-Roman M et al. Cancer 2008). Here we tried to identify the factors that may predict a long PFS after auto-HCT. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who received an auto-HCT for MM between January 2000 and March 2007. A total of 1135 patients underwent an auto-HCT during this period, and 194 patients (17%) had a minimum PFS of 72 months or longer after a single auto-HCT. The primary objective was to determine the variables associated with a long PFS and overall survival (OS). Results Patient characteristics and outcomes are shown in the attached Table. The median age at auto-HCT was 56 years, and the median time from diagnosis to auto-HCT was 7.5 months. Twenty-three (13%) patients had ≥ 10% plasma cells in the bone marrow at auto-HCT and only 9 patients (4.8%) had high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities. One-hundred and fifty (77%) patients received induction therapy containing either an immunomodulatory (IMiD) agent or a proteasome inhibitor (PI). At the time of the auto-HSCT, only 13 (6.7%) patients were in CR and 38 (19.6%) were CR or VGPR after induction therapy ([Table][1]). One-hundred and sixty three (84%) patients received mephalan alone as conditioning regimen. Eighty-one (42%) patients received post auto-HCT maintenance. Eighty (41%) patients achieved a CR, while 104 (54%) achieved CR + VGPR after auto-HCT. Six patients (3.1%) developed a second primary malignancy post- autologous transplant. After a median follow-up of 95.4 months, median PFS was 97.3 months and median OS has not been reached. The 10-year PFS and OS were 41% and 73% respectively. Use of melphalan alone as preparative regimen was associated with a longer PFS and OS (p=0.004 and 0.004, respectively). Achievement of CR after auto-HCT was associated with a longer PFS only (p=0.001), and the use of IMiD or a PI as induction was associated with a longer OS (p=0.01). View this table: Table. Patient Characteristics and Outcome Conclusion Approximately 17% patients achieved a median PFS of 6 years or longer after a single auto-HCT. The long PFS in this cohort may be associated with younger age, low incidence of HR cytogenetics, use of an IMiD or PI as induction therapy, relatively low disease burden at auto-HCT, transplant from the year 2000 onwards, achievement of CR in >40% and the use of melphalan alone as preparative regimen. ![Graphic][2] Disclosures: Shah: Celgene: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Qazilbash: Celgene: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees. [1]: #T1 [2]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
Musical Mimesis and Political Ethos in Plato’s Republic

This essay argues that Plato’s Republic includes a widely overlooked meditation on the affective dimension of political judgment. This meditation occurs in the passages on music. In music, Plato id...
Measurement comparison of cotton fiber micronaire and its components by portable near infrared spectroscopy instruments

Micronaire is a key cotton fiber quality assessment property, and changes in fiber micronaire can impact fiber processing and dyeing consistency. Micronaire is a function of two fiber components—maturity and fineness. Historically, micronaire is measured in a laboratory under tightly controlled environmental conditions. There is increased interest by the cotton and textile industry to measure key fiber properties both in the laboratory and in-field (non-controlled conditions), using small portable near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy instruments. A program was implemented to determine the feasibility of using portable NIR instruments to monitor fiber micronaire, maturity, and fineness. Prior to outside the laboratory measurements (field, warehouse, etc.), laboratory feasibility was performed to assess the NIR instruments’ capabilities. Comparative evaluations for fiber micronaire, maturity, and fineness were performed on three portable NIR instruments. Instrumental, sampling, and operational procedures and pr...
Frequency hopping waveform diversity for time delay estimation

Frequency hopping (FH) waveforms are attractive for time delay estimation (TDE) because they allow receivers with high dynamic range and narrow bandwidth on each hop. This paper presents a study of design considerations for FH wave-forms that are used for TDE. We analyze a baseband model that corresponds to down-converting all carrier frequencies to baseband, and then jointly processing the baseband signals from each carrier to perform TDE. We study the impact on TDE performance of dwell time, number of hops, signal to noise ratio (SNR), bandwidth, training symbol sequence, fading, and coherent versus noncoherent TDE algorithms that estimate or do not estimate the channel, respectively. We present the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) and the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) on TDE for several cases, and we demonstrate with computer simulations that a non-coherent matched filter achieves the CRB when the SNR exceeds a threshold.
Constrained partitioning of autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration reduces model uncertainties of forest ecosystem carbon fluxes but not stocks

We partitioned the soil carbon dioxide flux (Rs) into its respective autotrophic and heterotrophic components in a mature temperate-boreal forest (Howland Forest in Maine, USA). We combined automated chamber measurements of Rs with two different partitioning methods: (1) a classic root trenching experiment and (2) a radiocarbon (14C) mass balance approach. With a model-data fusion approach, we used these data to constrain a parsimonious ecosystem model (FoBAAR), and we investigated differences in modeled C fluxes and pools under both current and future climate scenarios. The trenching experiment indicated that heterotrophic respiration accounted for 53 ± 11% of total Rs. In comparison, using the 14C method, the heterotrophic contribution was 42 ± 9%. For both current and future model runs, incorporating the partitioning data as constraints substantially reduced the uncertainties of autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration fluxes. Moreover, with best-fit model parameters, the two partitioning methods yielded fundamentally different estimates of the relative contributions of autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration to total Rs, especially at the annual time scale. Surprisingly, however, modeled soil C and biomass C pool size trajectories did not differ significantly between model runs based on the different methods. Instead, model differences in partitioning were compensated for by changes in C allocation, resulting in similar, but still highly uncertain, soil C pool trajectories. Our findings show that incorporating constraints on the partitioning of Rs can reduce model uncertainties of fluxes but not pools, and the results are sensitive to the partitioning method used.
Operation of SiGe HBTs Down to 70 mK

We present the first measurement results of a highly scaled, 90-nm silicon–germanium heterojunction bipolar transistor (SiGe HBT) operating at cryogenic temperatures as low as 70 mK. The SiGe HBT exhibits a transistor-like behavior down to 70 mK, but below 40 K, the transconductance suggests the presence of non-equilibrium transport mechanisms. Despite the non-ideal base current at cryogenic temperatures, a $dc$ current gain $(\beta) > 1$ is achieved for $I_{C} > 1$ nA, suggesting that ultra-low-power low-noise amplifiers should be viable. Exposure of the SiGe HBT to strong magnetic fields (±14 T) is also presented to help understand the nature of the non-ideal current.